text string | url string | crawl_date timestamp[ms] | label int64 | id string |
|---|---|---|---|---|
A North Iowa man is looking at numerous felonies after police say he started the fire that damaged a popular North End eatery.
Lil' Robert Vincent Barnes, 25, of Mason City, was charged on Friday of first- and second-degree arson, first- and second-degree burglary, first-degree theft, and ongoing criminal conduct.
Court documents allege on March 17, Barnes broke into LD's Filling Station restaurant at 620 12th Street NE, stealing from the business and starting the building on fire on his way out, causing extensive damage that led to the restaurant to close for repairs.
On March 20, Barnes is said to have entered Coin Laundry Center at 830 12th Street NE on March 20, stole money from a coin machine and lit a fire while occupants were still in the building. On March 25, Barnes apparently removed a coin machine valued at $19,000 from K & R Car Wash, located at 436 12th Street NE, sometimes referred locally as 12th Street Car Wash, which was subsequently found in his home.
People are also reading…
Barnes has been in the Cerro Gordo County Jail on unrelated charges since May.
His bail is set at $20,000 cash only. A preliminary court hearing is set for Sept. 2 at 1:15 p.m.
Lisa Grouette is the Local News Editor and Photo Editor at the Globe Gazette. Reach her at 641-421-0525 or lisa.grouette@globegazette.com. Follow Lisa on Twitter @LisaGrouette. | https://globegazette.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/mason-city-man-facing-arson-theft-charges-in-connection-with-north-end-fires/article_e41755ec-facf-5d3b-9e93-ba86354ef82f.html | 2022-08-26T21:33:50 | 0 | https://globegazette.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/mason-city-man-facing-arson-theft-charges-in-connection-with-north-end-fires/article_e41755ec-facf-5d3b-9e93-ba86354ef82f.html |
UTICA, N.Y. – The New York Attorney General’s Office will hold a gun buyback event on Saturday at the Utica Recreation Center located at 220 Memorial Parkway.
Both working and non-working guns will be accepted with no questions asked.
The office will pay the following for each firearm:
- $250 per assault rifle
- $150 per handgun
- $75 per rifle or shotgun
- $25 per non-working or antique firearm
Anyone who turns in a ghost gun or one without a serial number will get an additional $100 gift card.
The guns must be unloaded and located in the trunk of the vehicle, in a plastic or paper bag, or box.
The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. | https://www.wktv.com/news/local/nyag-holding-gun-buyback-event-at-utica-recreation-center/article_2d85544c-2575-11ed-9272-8fdce61ea612.html | 2022-08-26T21:37:26 | 0 | https://www.wktv.com/news/local/nyag-holding-gun-buyback-event-at-utica-recreation-center/article_2d85544c-2575-11ed-9272-8fdce61ea612.html |
Community Healthcare System has named a new CEO for Community Hospital in Munster.
Randy Neiswonger has taken the helm of the 458-bed hospital with more than 600 physicians at 901 Macarthur Blvd.
“Randy brings extensive, well-rounded leadership qualities to his role as CEO," said Donald Fesko, CEO of the hospital's parent organization, Community Foundation of Northwest Indiana. "His initiative and foresight will serve our patients well in maintaining Community Hospital’s position as Northwest Indiana’s leading healthcare provider.”
Neiswonger earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing, a master’s degree as an acute care nurse practitioner and a master's of business administration from the University at Buffalo, State University of New York.
He has more than 15 years of experience in patient care, employee engagement, physician relations, operations and strategic planning. He has worked in a number of hospital leadership roles, including overseeing the University of Chicago Medicine's Community Hospital and Health Division.
People are also reading…
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as CEO of Community Hospital and continue my mission to make a positive impact in the lives of patients,” Neiswonger said. “I look forward to becoming part of the fabric of this community as we continue to care for our friends, families and neighbors.”
He succeeds Community Hospital CEO Luis Molina, who is retiring after 35 years of leadership. | https://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/community-hospital-names-new-ceo/article_7180379a-88f0-53c6-bd51-f2ab3e955f6f.html | 2022-08-26T21:47:22 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/community-hospital-names-new-ceo/article_7180379a-88f0-53c6-bd51-f2ab3e955f6f.html |
Known nationally for his business books and Ted Talks, Oxford native David Magee seemingly had it all before his beloved son William – who lettered in track at Ole Miss and attended Honors College – died of an accidental drug overdose in 2013, a year after graduation.
But it wasn’t just William who was hurting at the time of his death.
“I had to go look at what happened in our family,” Magee said. “How did what looked like a picture-perfect American family chasing the dream get completely shattered?”
Author of the critically acclaimed memoir, “Dear William,” Magee will be the keynote speaker at this year’s Journey of Hope luncheon, set for Tuesday, Sept. 20, at the Jackson Convention Complex.
The program will benefit Catholic Charities, Inc. of Jackson.
Much more than simply a tribute to his late son, “Dear William” is a brutally honest look at a family that had been in crisis for many years.
The long, hard gaze into the mirror began with Magee himself, who was adopted and unaware of his birth parents’ identity until well into adulthood.
“I lived in a great life in this wonderful university town,” Magee said of Oxford. “We knew everyone and could walk to the Square. But my house was very dark because there was a lot of depression and emotional pain inside me.”
Magee said he didn’t even know who he was anymore.
“The lack of sense of identity was something I didn’t deal with well,” he said. “I tried to pretend it wasn’t there with alcohol and prescription Adderall.”
In addition to losing William, Magee and his wife, Kent, nearly lost their son Hudson to an overdose. Magee’s infidelity led to divorce before he and Kent remarried. But as facing their fears put them on a successful path to recovery and healing, Magee consulted his family about going public with everything they’d gone through in hopes of benefitting those in crisis.
“It took some years, but I had their blessing to do it – Kent, Hudson, and our daughter Mary Halley,” he said. “The strength of ‘Dear William’ is not that we lost him, but that we found joy and recovery together. The book applies to families who feel like they’ve lost something; they can get joy beyond what they ever imagined. It also applies to communities. We look around and see despair, but it is doable. You must have a plan and work hard to execute it.”
What would Magee, who is helping launch the William Magee Institute for Student Well Being at Ole Miss, tell his 21-year-old self?
“To believe in yourself,” he said. “The self-doubt is so poisonous. When you’re going through a hard time, it’s easy to point fingers at others.”
Rather than having what he called a strong faith foundation and a belief in himself, Magee was full of self-doubt.
That’s a painful way to live.
“I wish I could tell that version of me to get some counseling,” he said. “I could have saved myself and my family a lot of pain and grief.”
Magee will have a strong message for parents at the Journey of Hope luncheon.
“Their own fears will often get in the way of raising their kids,” he said. “We want our children to have the best of everything. If warning signs flare up, the parents may fear that if they do ask for help – such as counseling – they may be labelled.”
It’s important, Magee said, to expose kids to elements in life that will help them like education and faith.
“We must do a better job of educating parents in navigating that path,” he said.
Newsletters
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request. | https://www.djournal.com/news/local/oxford-author-david-magee-keynote-speaker-for-journey-of-hope-luncheon/article_41343fc4-abf3-57f5-badf-6dd2e4f529b8.html | 2022-08-26T21:51:15 | 1 | https://www.djournal.com/news/local/oxford-author-david-magee-keynote-speaker-for-journey-of-hope-luncheon/article_41343fc4-abf3-57f5-badf-6dd2e4f529b8.html |
PENNSYLVANIA, USA — During the COVID-19 pandemic, many schools started streaming their football, baseball and other games online. However, scams followed.
Scammers will try to capture personal information, including credit card and Social Security numbers, as fans try to log in to watch their favorite teams.
Streaming scams will present themselves as free searchable links, but once clicked, the site will ask you to sign up for the streaming service. The victim will enter their name and email and may be prompted to enter their credit card number and other potentially sensitive information.
Scammers have infiltrated social media with links to fake streams. The posts will frequently tag local schools involved in order to make the post seem more legitimate.
The scammer hope the victim will enter their information and pay to watch the event, however, the victim will be unable to watch the stream even after their information is entered because the scammer does not have a valid link to the stream. Instead, the data the victim just entered can be compromised.
Here are some quick tips on how to stay safe online:
- Do your research. If you come across a website you haven’t dealt with before, research it before entering any information. Look for reviews and feedback from previous customers.
- Make online purchases with your credit card. Fraudulent charges on a credit card can usually be disputed, whereas that might not be the case with other payment methods. Unfortunately, there is no way to get back the personal information you may have shared.
- Check a site’s security settings. If the site is secure, its URL (web address) should start with “HTTPS://.” You may also see a picture of a small closed lock in the screen's lower right-hand corner.
- Be cautious clicking on links included in social media posts, unsolicited text messages, or emails. Clicking on unfamiliar links can place you at risk for malware or identity theft.
If you’ve spotted a scam (whether or not you’ve lost money), report it. Your report can help others avoid falling victim to scams.
Read more about spotting fake social media accounts here. | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/be-aware-of-sports-streaming-scams-this-season-pennsylvania/521-0ecb7fb7-7b16-42fb-bc05-454d32483e0c | 2022-08-26T21:51:27 | 0 | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/be-aware-of-sports-streaming-scams-this-season-pennsylvania/521-0ecb7fb7-7b16-42fb-bc05-454d32483e0c |
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Penn State Health stopped performing kidney and liver transplants earlier this year while it works to address some issues and implement plans that will enhance the program.
UPMC says they have seen an increased number of referrals from the Penn State Health program and are working to meet that demand.
“We’ve opened additional clinics including an all-day clinic on Saturday to accommodate this increased workload and to get these patients the care they need as soon as possible," said Dr. Harold Yang with UPMC.
UPMC says it usually takes between 120 to 150 days to complete a workup, but because much of the workup has been completed by Penn State Health, it’s taking a much shorter period of time.
“They’ve been very good at providing the medical information in charge to us so we can have our committee prove their listing for UPMC Harrisburg," said Yang.
78 patients have been referred to UPMC, with 45 having been seen, and 15 added to UPMC’s transplant list.
“We’ve had two receive transplants and two are scheduled for transplants in the coming month," said Yang.
Penn State Health provided FOX43 with this statement:
"Our first priority is the well-being of our patients. Individuals awaiting a transplant through our program were notified and given the opportunity to remain with our center during the review process or to be listed with another transplant program in addition to ours, with full and active transition support from our transplant team. Our transplant patients are being provided with regular updates, and Hershey Medical Center continues to provide post-transplant care for the hundreds of kidney and liver patients currently served.
We notified a total of 1,100 patients of our program’s status change to inactive. That figure includes patients in all stages of the transplant process, from initial evaluation to post-transplant management. Of that 1,100, we had approximately 200 who were on our center’s transplant list actively waiting for an organ. It’s important to note that patients can and often do choose to be on more than one center’s list for an organ.
Both the UNOS and external reviews of our program determined that while our clinical outcomes have been on par with other transplant programs, we have opportunities for structural and operational improvements that will enhance the program. Subsequent CMS and DOH reviews of our program found similar opportunities for improvement and regulatory compliance.
We have already taken a number of steps to address the issues identified during these various reviews. This includes developing comprehensive action plans that were submitted to CMS in mid-July and were accepted. These plans were further audited by DOH recently to ensure they are fully in place and effective. We believe the DOH audit confirmed we have successfully implemented our plans.
At this point, we don’t have a timetable to share. We remain committed to our work to deliver the type of consistently first-class program central Pennsylvanians who require lifesaving kidney and liver transplants need and deserve." | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/upmc-offering-transplants-to-penn-state-health-patients-liver-kidney-program-transplant-organ-donor-operation/521-3449d4cc-c08f-4eaa-af59-2a57042dc2c2 | 2022-08-26T21:51:33 | 0 | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/upmc-offering-transplants-to-penn-state-health-patients-liver-kidney-program-transplant-organ-donor-operation/521-3449d4cc-c08f-4eaa-af59-2a57042dc2c2 |
YORK COUNTY, Pa. — The former Central York High athletic field could look much different in the near future with the potential for a brand new sports complex. The site is under new ownership.
Inch and Company Construction bought the property and plans to build a sports complex similar to Spooky Nook in Lancaster County.
“It looks like they sold purchased the property for $2.6 million," North York Borough Council President Seth Hightman said. "They’re looking to invest several more million into building the athletic field.”
Hightman believes the project would be beneficial to the community.
“It would be a huge tax boom to the community, there's no doubt about that," Hightman said. "It’s languished over the years. For over 20 years nothing has really gone on there.”
However, the site is not abandoned and is still in use today. The York Area Flag Football League plays its games here.
North York Resident Korry Yohe plays in the league, which currently maintains the field.
“I support it. The York area doesn't really have anything other than indoor," Yohe said. "With the new stuff that’s going on 83, I think it will bring a lot more attention to York."
One of the biggest concerns the borough council has heard is increased traffic, especially with the I-83 widening project in the works.
"It is mostly a quiet neighborhood, a quiet area of the borough," Hightman said. The borough is a lot quieter than the city that’s for sure.”
Zoning changes are also a big concern.
"The residents have a lot of trepidation about that in case the plan doesn’t go forward as presented and becomes something else," Hightman said.
As it currently stands, the property is listed as a 'mixed-use' site, which permits Inch & Co. to develop the proposed complex. No formal requests have been made to change the site's designation to 'light industrial,' which would give the company more freedom with how they use the land.
“I hope the idea of it is well worth it," Yohe said.
FOX43 reached out to Inch and Co. Construction to find out more about their plan but did not hear back. | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/york-county/central-york-athletic-redevelop-site-sports-complex/521-b3ebf4c1-3bec-4310-b0c4-1c553dcb82cd | 2022-08-26T21:51:39 | 1 | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/york-county/central-york-athletic-redevelop-site-sports-complex/521-b3ebf4c1-3bec-4310-b0c4-1c553dcb82cd |
DAMASCUS, Va. (WJHL) – Hikers can find a new hub dedicated to outdoor recreation and conservancy in the heart of Trail City, USA.
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) and the Town of Damascus held a grand opening for the Damascus Trail Center on Friday morning. Guests were able to check out the facility’s many exhibits and learn about the programs the center will offer.
Organizers said the trail center shines a light on the region’s landscape and hopefully inspires visitors to appreciate the area.
“The town is full of visitors,” said Sandra Marra, president and CEO of the ATC. “Whether they are hiking, biking, on the rivers, and we really see this as a place where all these outdoor enthusiasts can come and learn about the trails and also learn about how important it is to steward these special places.”
U.S. Representative Morgan Griffith and U.S. Senator Tim Kaine attended the trail center’s opening.
The Damascus Trail Center will open up to the public at 10 a.m. Saturday. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/damascus-trail-center-celebrates-opening-friday/ | 2022-08-26T21:54:52 | 1 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/damascus-trail-center-celebrates-opening-friday/ |
Two outfalls unmonitored, State agency says landfill could face thousands in penalties.
Bristol, Va. (WJHL) – In a warning letter addressed to Bristol, Virginia City Manager Randall Eads, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) officials said they believe the Bristol landfill hasn’t been monitoring stormwater runoff from some sources all year and may be in violation of state law.
You can read the full document below:
According to the letter, reports that were supposed to be taken from two water outfalls surrounding the landfill were not sent to the state by a July 10 deadline. Instead, the DEQ said they believe no stormwater monitoring was done for either from January 1 to June 30.
According to state descriptions, the outfalls discharged water from the landfill itself, roads inside the facility and the site’s largest retention pond.
If the release was unmonitored, the DEQ said, then the Bristol, Virginia landfill could be dumping wastewater in violation of their state permit and state law. In addition, the letter said state law outlines harsh civil penalties like a $32,500 penalty for each day the landfill spent in violation of state law and individual penalties up to $100,000.
According to the warning letter, a DEQ inspection in July revealed that no documentation could be found for several required items:
- Routine Facility Inspections
- Quarterly visual inspections of stormwater discharges
- Above-mentioned monitoring reports due by July 10, 2022.
At the end of the letter, DEQ officials requested a response from the city within 20 days outlining their plan to “ensure compliance with state law and regulations.”
The letter also stressed that in situations like these it is DEQ policy to avoid legal enforcement proceedings and civil charges if corrective action is taken by the city. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/deq-bristol-landfill-hasnt-been-monitoring-certain-storm-drains-all-year/ | 2022-08-26T21:54:58 | 1 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/deq-bristol-landfill-hasnt-been-monitoring-certain-storm-drains-all-year/ |
KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL) — Truck traffic will increase around Domtar’s Kingsport Packing Mill starting Monday.
According to a release from Domtar, the traffic is a result of progress towards resuming operations at the mill.
The traffic pattern is said to be temporary and will begin on Monday, Aug. 29 and continue through Monday, Sept. 19, when the new truck entrance on Center Street is estimated to be complete. Increased traffic is scheduled to be between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. each weekday due to the delivery of raw materials needed to operate the mill.
Once complete, the Kingsport Mill will be Domtar’s first 100% recycled packaging facility. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/increased-truck-traffic-around-domtar-starting-monday/ | 2022-08-26T21:55:04 | 1 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/increased-truck-traffic-around-domtar-starting-monday/ |
(WJHL) — The Storm Team 11 forecast calls for a hot weekend as we start to wrap up August in the Tri-Cities.
News Channel 11 has compiled a list of activities around the region this weekend.
Saturday, Aug. 27
What: Appalachian Fair
Where: 100 Lakeview St., Gray
When: 10 a.m. through 10 p.m.
What: TriPride Parade and Festival
Where: The parade will go down State Street, with the festival at Cumberland Square Park
When: 11 a.m. through 7 p.m.
More: Click here
What: Crumley House Polynesian Beach Party
Where: Bristol Motor Speedway’s South Building
When: 6 p.m.
More: Click here
What: Blountville Heritage Festival
Where: 3397 TN-126
When: 1-8 p.m.
More: Live music, crafts, food and more.
What: Cherokee Heritage Day
Where: Sycamore Shoals State Historic Park located at 1651 W. Elk Ave., Elizabethton
When: 10 a.m. through 5 p.m.
More: Adults – $8. Children – $3. 6 and under – free. Click here for more information.
Sunday, Aug. 28
What: Corey Snowden Live at Riverside
Where: Riverside Taphouse in Elizabethton
When: 5 p.m.
More: Click here. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/whats-happening-this-weekend-in-the-tri-cities-2/ | 2022-08-26T21:55:10 | 1 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/whats-happening-this-weekend-in-the-tri-cities-2/ |
DALLAS (KDAF) — If there’s one thing to know about North Texas; it’s that there is so much to eat here, including great Filipino food.
Food that is so great that one North Texas Filipino food spot was named the Best Filipino Food in Texas by Food&Wine.com; Ulam Dallas.
“In Dallas, chef Anna Swan of Ulam Dallas does a monthly pop-up featuring her favorite dish, Tipsy Pancit. Pancits are meant to be quick and easy, but Tipsy Pancit starts at least three days prior, when she starts curing yolks in patis controlling the amorphous blob into something else entirely in flavor and texture. She grates this over dehydrated chicken adobo floss, wilted kale, carrot ribbons, fresh pea shoots, atchara pickles, scallions and two kinds of noodles. Her pancit is a symbolic tour de force,” as the article states.
To see the best Filipino food places in each state, visit Food&Wine.com. | https://cw33.com/news/local/report-say-this-is-the-best-place-to-eat-filipino-food-in-texas/ | 2022-08-26T21:57:12 | 1 | https://cw33.com/news/local/report-say-this-is-the-best-place-to-eat-filipino-food-in-texas/ |
DALLAS (KDAF) — Friday, Aug. 26 is National Dog Day and if you own a dog, today is the perfect day to give them an extra treat.
Every dog and dog breed is beautiful and deserving of love; however, some people are more drawn to some dog breeds than others.
A new report from Hepper.com looks at the five most popular dog breeds in Texas. Does yours make the list?
“Texas may not be the leading state for the number of pet owners, but they aren’t the lowest either. Texas ranks 28th in pet ownership in the US. Of the 58.2% of pet-owning households in the state, 47% of those households own dogs,” the report states.
For their full report, visit Hepper.com.
Blue Lacy
Golden Retriever
French Bulldog
Labrador Retriever
Yorkshire Terrier | https://cw33.com/news/local/these-are-the-most-popular-dog-breeds-in-texas-report-says/ | 2022-08-26T21:57:18 | 1 | https://cw33.com/news/local/these-are-the-most-popular-dog-breeds-in-texas-report-says/ |
A dump truck's collision with overhead power lines shut down a portion of East Bismarck Expressway on Friday morning.
The truck driven by Ryan Reyes, 34, of Licking, Missouri, turned onto Expressway from South 18th St. about 3:15 a.m. without lowering the dump part of the truck, according to Bismarck police. The truck hit the power lines that go across Expressway at the intersection, and impacted numerous poles and lines.
Expressway was shut down from South 12th Street to Airport Road while crews with Montana-Dakota Utilities and Midco responded. Repairs were completed and Expressway reopened around noon.
Reyes was not hurt, and no other injuries were reported. He was cited for care required. | https://bismarcktribune.com/news/local/accident-and-incident/dump-truck-takes-out-power-lines-on-expressway/article_72286ba6-2576-11ed-83b0-676ce2d4a3ae.html | 2022-08-26T21:58:54 | 1 | https://bismarcktribune.com/news/local/accident-and-incident/dump-truck-takes-out-power-lines-on-expressway/article_72286ba6-2576-11ed-83b0-676ce2d4a3ae.html |
No criminal charges will come in connection with bogus signatures on a Burleigh County commissioner's petitions for his abandoned reelection bid.
Assistant Attorney General Britta Demello Rice on Friday issued a denial of prosecution letter in the matter.
The state crime bureau investigated. Demello Rice said she and another attorney reviewed the case and determined there wasn't enough evidence to identify who wrote names of dead people and people who didn't consent to put their names on the petitions.
"We need probable cause to make a charge but we need beyond a reasonable doubt to actually get a conviction, and so I'm not just going to charge someone based on an inference and we just didn't haven't enough evidence pointing to who actually put the fraudulent signatures on those petitions," she said.
Armstrong did not immediately return a phone message seeking comment. He announced to the Tribune in April that he did not plan to run for reelection, as the investigation into the petition discrepancies unfolded.
People are also reading…
He was elected to the board in 2018. He previously served as county commissioner from 2006-14.
Armstrong personally gathered signatures. Demello Rice said she believes his family also was involved in signature-gathering.
Signatures included those of 16 dead people and "quite a few people who had their names on there that didn't actually sign it," Demello Rice said.
She didn't immediately know how many signatures were in question.
"It's not OK. I wish we could charge somebody, but we take this job very seriously so I can't just charge anybody," she said. | https://bismarcktribune.com/news/local/bismarck/burleigh-county-commissioners-bogus-petition-signatures-wont-result-in-charges/article_56b3d250-2582-11ed-a544-1b28c496b0de.html | 2022-08-26T21:59:00 | 0 | https://bismarcktribune.com/news/local/bismarck/burleigh-county-commissioners-bogus-petition-signatures-wont-result-in-charges/article_56b3d250-2582-11ed-a544-1b28c496b0de.html |
Texas banned 10 financial firms from doing business with the state after Comptroller Glenn Hegar said Wednesday that they did not support the oil and gas industry.
Hegar, a Republican running for reelection in November, banned BlackRock Inc., and other banks and investment firms — as well as some investment funds within large banks such as Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan — from entering into most contracts with state and local entities after Hegar’s office said the firms “boycott” the fossil fuel sector.
Hegar sent inquiries to hundreds of financial companies earlier this year requesting information about whether they were avoiding investments in the oil and gas industry in favor of renewable energy companies. The survey was a result of a new Texas law that went into effect in September and prohibits most state agencies, as well as local governments, from contracting with firms that have cut ties with carbon-emitting energy companies.
State pension funds and local governments issuing municipal bonds will have to divest from the companies on the list, though there are some exemptions, Hegar said.
“The environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) movement has produced an opaque and perverse system in which some financial companies no longer make decisions in the best interest of their shareholders or their clients, but instead use their financial clout to push a social and political agenda shrouded in secrecy,” Hegar said in a written statement on Wednesday.
New York-based BlackRock, which has publicly embraced investing more in renewable energy, criticized Hegar’s decision.
“This is not a fact-based judgment,” a spokesperson for the company said in a written statement. “BlackRock does not boycott fossil fuels — investing over $100 billion in Texas energy companies on behalf of our clients proves that.
“Elected and appointed public officials have a duty to act in the best interests of the people they serve,” the spokesperson added. “Politicizing state pension funds, restricting access to investments, and impacting the financial returns of retirees, is not consistent with that duty.”
The other nine companies banned completely are: BNP Paribas SA, a French international banking group; Swiss-based Credit Suisse Group AG and UBS Group AG; Danske Bank A/S, a Danish multinational banking and financial services corporation; London-based Jupiter Fund Management PLC, a fund management group; Nordea Bank ABP, a European financial services group based in Finland; Schroders PLC, a British multinational asset management company; and Swedish banks Svenska Handelsbanken AB and Swedbank AB.
The funds within larger companies are aimed at sustainable investing, such as Goldman Sachs’ “Paris-aligned Climate US Large Cap Equity ETF” and JP Morgan’s “U.S. Sustainable Leaders Fund.”
Texas energy experts said the intent of the law, and Wednesday's announcement, was to punish financial firms that don’t want to invest in the backbone of Texas’ economy — oil and gas.
“But at the end of the day, it’s all about a rate of return,” said Ed Hirs, an energy economist at the University of Houston. “Quite honestly, fossil fuel companies, in particular oil and gas companies, have not been great performers in the (stock market) prior to this year.”
The Lone Star Chapter of the environmental group Sierra Club said Hegar’s “climate-denying publicity stunt will be costly for taxpayers.”
“Major financial institutions like the ones on this list are beginning to recognize that investments in fossil fuels bring significant risk in the face of an inevitable clean energy transition, and that addressing the financial risks of the climate crisis is essential to good business,” said Sierra Club Fossil-Free Finance Campaign Manager Ben Cushing. “The fact that the Texas Comptroller has arbitrarily picked a handful of companies that, despite their climate commitments, continue to have massive fossil fuel investments, shows that this is nothing more than a political stunt at Texas taxpayers’ expense.”
James Coleman, an energy law professor at Southern Methodist University, said there is political pressure driving both sides of this debate.
“Not just from those hoping to reign in fossil fuels, but also from those worried that moving away from fossil fuels is an economic harm,” Coleman said.
But Coleman said that “whenever the state limits the potential world that it can do business with, that potentially leaves some returns on the table.”
The actual impact on Texas taxpayers is hard to predict, said Felix Mormann, a Texas A&M University School of Law professor who studies energy and climate change. He called Wednesday’s move “a symbolic act by the Comptroller to protest the rise of ESG investing.”
“Will this announcement give a boost to Texas oil and gas companies? Morally, perhaps,” Mormann wrote in an email to The Texas Tribune. “But, financially, Chevron, ExxonMobil, and other Texas oil-and-gas majors play in the global league... In other words, I strongly doubt that the Comptroller is setting off the next oil-and-gas boom in Texas.”
As political campaigning heats up ahead of the November elections, Hegar this week also accused Harris County of slashing its spending on its constables’ offices, even though those offices would get big boosts to their budgets under a proposed budget. Republicans used Hegar’s accusation as an opportunity to criticize County Judge Lina Hidalgo, the county’s Democratic chief executive who is seen as a rising star in the party, as she faces a reelection battle in November.
Last week, Hegar announced he supports Texas repealing state taxes on menstrual products such as tampons and sanitary pads, a position echoed by Gov. Greg Abbott. | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/texas/texas-boycott-companies-fossil-fuels/285-3eaa14fd-bda9-4da5-87a3-dae74322b227 | 2022-08-26T21:59:14 | 1 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/texas/texas-boycott-companies-fossil-fuels/285-3eaa14fd-bda9-4da5-87a3-dae74322b227 |
ODESSA, Texas — DPS has confirmed Permian High School was put on lockdown on Friday. Police are now slowly releasing students room by room, according to ECISD.
A representative from DPS said the department is assisting OPD and ECISD police.
According to OPD, a report came in that there was a subject with a gun attempting to get into the school.
The three law enforcement agencies responded to the scene, where a juvenile male was detained.
He was found to be in possession of a firearm, but no injuries or damages are reported at this time.
At this time there is no word on if the teen will be charged.
NewsWest 9 has a reporter on the way to the scene.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates. | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/permian-high-school-placed-on-lockdown/513-3122077e-93f8-46e2-b63f-e1e2ffda19ab | 2022-08-26T21:59:26 | 1 | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/permian-high-school-placed-on-lockdown/513-3122077e-93f8-46e2-b63f-e1e2ffda19ab |
FORT WORTH, Texas — A federal court in Fort Worth on Thursday struck down a Texas prohibition that limited adults under 21 from carrying handguns.
Texas law bars most 18- to 20-year-olds in the state from obtaining a license to carry a handgun or carrying a handgun for self-defense outside their homes. Two plaintiffs, who fall within that age range, and the Firearms Policy Coalition Inc. filed a lawsuit against the state to challenge the statute.
“Based on the Second Amendment’s text, as informed by Founding-Era history and tradition, the Court concludes that the Second Amendment protects against this prohibition,” U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman wrote in the ruling.
The order will not go into immediate effect. Pittman stayed the ruling for 30 days pending appeal.
The decision comes just three months after an 18-year-old gunman killed 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde in the deadliest school shooting in Texas.
The Firearms Policy Coalition filed the lawsuit in November 2021. It came months after a legislative session in which lawmakers passed a law that allows Texans to carry handguns without a license or training, despite previous promises from Republican leaders to address gun safety following the 2019 El Paso and Midland-Odessa mass shootings.
In the last 13 years, as firearms have become more accessible in the state, Texas has had eight mass shootings.
Gov. Greg Abbott’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday’s ruling.
This is a developing story; check back for details.
This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2022/08/25/federal-court-texas-21-handguns/.
The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org. | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/texas/federal-judge-says-texas-cant-ban-18-20-year-olds-carrying-handguns/287-9e6861d2-4f9b-4546-b16c-2d53acde710e | 2022-08-26T21:59:26 | 0 | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/texas/federal-judge-says-texas-cant-ban-18-20-year-olds-carrying-handguns/287-9e6861d2-4f9b-4546-b16c-2d53acde710e |
Lakeland's main library to reopen after Labor Day
LAKELAND —The Main Branch of Lakeland Public Library will reopen Sept. 6 after being closed for over a year.
The vast majority of the Main Branch, located opposite Lake Morton, has been closed since February 2021 for upgrades, renovations and the construction of new exhibit room for the Lakeland HIstory & Culture Center.
Development:Commissioners deny 128 homes on Park Byrd Road in North Lakeland, reversing Planning Board
Growth:Lakeland officials approve Medulla Road development despite environmental concerns
"We are very excited to serve our many customers in this new space and we will soon have our History and Cultural Center open for the public as well," Lisa Lilyquist, the city's librarian, said in a statement. "The project took a little longer than expected but the finished product will be worth the wait."
Leading up to the reopening, the entirety of the Main Branch will be closed to allow for the library's collections, furniture and equipment to be moved back in. During this time, residents are encouraged to use the book drop for returns or visit the other sites: The Larry R. Jackson branch or eLibrary.
The new Lakeland History & Culture Center is still awaiting on some of its exhibit materials and will not open until a later date. | https://www.theledger.com/story/news/local/2022/08/26/lakeland-main-library-reopen-after-labor-day/7906643001/ | 2022-08-26T22:01:41 | 1 | https://www.theledger.com/story/news/local/2022/08/26/lakeland-main-library-reopen-after-labor-day/7906643001/ |
Oakbridge shops to remain open as Publix rebuilds 1980s era grocery store
The Publix Oakbridge store in Lakeland will close Sept. 10 for a rebuild of the 1980s-era store, the grocer’s website said.
In recent days, Publix Super Markets Inc. has posted a red banner across its online Oakbridge Centre web page giving the date of its closing for demolition and reconstruction. City records said the project could take about one year to complete.
The 11-acre Oakbridge Centre shopping plaza at 3636 Harden Boulevard is owned by Real Sub LLC, which lists Publix CEO Todd Jones and other top management as its officers, state incorporation records show.
Related:Publix plans to demolish and rebuild its Oakbridge store in Lakeland
Financials:Publix sees a bounty of sales in 2nd quarter, but profit and stock price slide
The shopping center, which was bought by Publix for $5.4 million in 2020, borders Harden Boulevard on the west and Frontage Road on the south.
The store has been a staple for food shopping by local residents, including those residing in the nearby Grasslands and Oakbridge housing developments.
The closest Publix store to the Oakbridge shopping plaza, according to the grocer’s website, is the Southgate Shopping Center store at one mile away. But other shoppers who typically use Oakbridge might be closer to the stores on County Line Road or Lake Miriam Plaza, across from Greenwise on South Florida Avenue.
By the way:Publix cake decorator creates online petition for raises
New service:Publix to offer curbside pickup of prescriptions at most locations in Lakeland and Southeast
Publix Oakbridge store was originally built in 1988
The Oakbridge store was originally built in 1988, Polk County records show. In addition to a separate Publix liquor store, there are multiple retail spaces that flank the anchor store.
Calls to several businesses in the plaza said they intend to remain open during the reconstruction of the Publix.
“I’m sure we will be impacted,” said Kari Dennis, owner of Painting With A Twist, which it situated along the right side of Publix. “But hopefully not too much.”
Painting With A Twist opened in 2013 and offers painting lessons for events such as corporate gatherings or birthday parties. It has an extensive email list so Dennis intends to send customers a note letting them know they will be open for business during construction.
The Oakbridge project’s preliminary plans were submitted in February. City records show the project site plan gained administrative approval by the city on May 25 and the building permit was issued Aug. 11.
The plans show a 55,454-square-foot store is to be built with vinyl terrazzo floors. The number of parking spaces will shrink to 550 but the lot will retain 19 handicapped spaces.
Lakeland-based Publix is now the largest employee-owned company in the United States, according to its website. Publix employs more than 230,000 people and operates nearly 1,300 stores throughout the Southeast. | https://www.theledger.com/story/news/local/2022/08/26/publix-reconstruct-oakbridge-centre-store-lakeland/7894321001/ | 2022-08-26T22:01:47 | 1 | https://www.theledger.com/story/news/local/2022/08/26/publix-reconstruct-oakbridge-centre-store-lakeland/7894321001/ |
KING COUNTY, Wash. — The King County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) could receive $2 million in federal funding for body cameras and co-response support.
During a press conference on Friday, law enforcement and other officials said the plans to distribute body cameras to all KCSO patrols and increase funding for co-response support would protect officers and the community. Body cameras and co-response support would each receive $1 million in funding.
Body cameras are self-contained, battery-operated cameras that officers attach to the front of their uniforms. They record interactions between police and the people they encounter on the job.
A co-response involves a social worker or mental health professional who will accompany an officer on a call that involves someone in crisis. These calls usually involve potential suicide, drug use or other personal crises.
Congresswoman Kim Schrier said the county is struggling with public safety right now.
"We are all deeply frustrated by crime," Schrier said. "Our police officers and law enforcement officers need to have the tools they need in order to police, keep our communities safe and make sure we get the right resources at the right time."
Schrier also expressed the importance of "sequential response." This is when the responding law enforcement officer works to de-escalate the situation, then has a mental health professional come and address the underlying issue.
King County Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall said body-worn cameras will be a cornerstone in ensuring they are equitable and transparent.
"Everyone here today sees the cost to acquire, deploy and support this proven tool as one of the best investments the sheriff's office and King County can make in enhancing public trust," Cole-Tindall said.
Currently, no KCSO deputies wear body cameras.
The KCSO had a 90-day pilot program in 2021. Cole-Tindall said it was a success. She estimated that roughly 600 deputies would wear the cameras when they were fully deployed. They will provide one precinct with the cameras at a time.
Snohomish County also proposed a motion to purchase 340 body-worn cameras for county deputies and detectives this week. The proposed Motion will now be considered by the Snohomish County Council.
According to a 2020 KING 5 investigation, more than 60% of Washington state law enforcement agencies have no camera systems to document police officers’ and sheriff's deputies’ interactions with the public.
The 2020 investigation showed the main reason that over half of Washington law enforcement agencies don't have body cameras is due to the cost of the devices and extra staff needed to process public record requests. the study found that very few officers or deputies philosophically objected to the use of body cameras in law enforcement.
At least four states—Connecticut, Nevada, South Carolina, and California—have enacted laws that require some officers and deputies to use body-worn cameras, according to 2018 data from the National Conference of State Legislatures, which maintains a database of body camera laws across the country.
The proposed funding will now be voted on by the House. Officials said they hope to have the funding secured by Sept. 30 of this year.
Watch the full briefing below: | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/funding-king-county-sheriffs-body-cameras-co-response/281-f9999fa1-ab98-4088-a64e-f9994aa9cc3e | 2022-08-26T22:04:49 | 1 | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/funding-king-county-sheriffs-body-cameras-co-response/281-f9999fa1-ab98-4088-a64e-f9994aa9cc3e |
AUSTIN, Texas — A petition was filed with the U.S. Supreme Court to allow Troy Mansfield, the man wrongfully convicted of molesting a child 30 years ago, to sue Williamson County for the impact the case has had on his life.
A federal appeals court ruled in March 2022 that Mansfield could not sue Williamson County because of legal questions concerning when prosecutors are obligated to disclose evidence favorable to the defense.
The attempt to sue the County stems from a 1992 incident where Mansfield was accused of inappropriately touching a 4-year-old child who had come over to play with his son. When police told him he had been accused, he denied inappropriate contact and believed the truth would come out.
Prosecutors told Mansfield that he would be imprisoned if the case went to trial. After several attempts from prosecutors, Mansfield accepted a plea deal with 10 years probation. He had to plead guilty and register as a sex offender.
More than 20 years later, in 2014, Austin attorney Kristin Etter agreed to review his case. Etter believed she could find evidence that would exonerate Mansfield, as had happened in the case of Michael Morton, who was declared innocent after 25 years in prison for his wife's murder. Years after the case, it was found that evidence in favor of Morton had been kept by prosecutors and not shared with Morton and his lawyers.
After multiple months, Etter got the district attorney's case files and found entries from early in the investigation showing prosecutors had doubts about the victim's case.
Then, in 2016, a judge overturned Mansfield's conviction, ruling that prosecutors had violated his constitutional rights by not disclosing favorable evidence. Mansfield was no longer a convicted felon and was taken off the sex offenders list.
Mansfield then tried to sue the County over the wrongful conviction, leading to the petition with Supreme Court to allow his lawsuit against the County.
PEOPLE ARE ALSO READING: | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/lawsuit-supreme-court-williamson-county-wrongfully-convicted-man/269-5c9fa109-f553-43b1-870c-07d49a85352c | 2022-08-26T22:09:13 | 0 | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/lawsuit-supreme-court-williamson-county-wrongfully-convicted-man/269-5c9fa109-f553-43b1-870c-07d49a85352c |
Kenosha community have been participating this week in painting a community mural that organizers say “will shine like a beacon with their light, reminding us of our common good.”
The art was inspired by two community design workshops, which offered people a chance to acknowledge the challenges they want to see get better, ways those could be improved, and a brighter future as a result.
“Art can sometimes be a gateway into a hope when we can’t find another avenues,” said Jonathan Barker, the pastor at Grace Lutheran Church. “I’m just so grateful for this very hopeful expression of art being put on our church and being put here in our community.”
Tia Richardson, a community muralist from Milwaukee, is leading the collaborative effort. She will be adding finishing touches over the next few weeks to give it a professional look.
People are also reading…
“The reception so far from people who have come to participate has been really positive and enthusiastic,” Richardson said. “And that’s really moving to see the community come out and be a part of this and create this together.”
“One of the other things that’s really moving for me as an artist and hearing people talk about how they feel doing this,” she said. “Some people have said it feels therapy (and) some people have said that they feel relaxed.”
The work began Thursday and continues Saturday from 2 to 6 p.m. There will be food available. Organizers note that no experience with art is necessary. All ages are welcome as long as kids come supervised by an adult.
“It’s great to have such a beautiful thing going on the front of our church, and we’re so proud and excited Tia Richardson is doing this,” Barker said. “Her work is beautiful.”
The wall is getting covered very quickly, the organizers said, who added: “We hope everyone can come out and take part. This community mural will be a lasting symbol reminding us of our common good and this is literally an opportunity to leave your mark.”
The hope of the mural is to bring people together, and the more people that paint even one brush stroke on the mural, the better sense of community the art will have.
“Not only is the image exciting and beautiful, but having the community come out here (has been great too), and we’ve had at this point hundreds of different people make a mark, paint one brick,” Barker said. “It’s just so cool that this will be here for like the next 75 years and so many people have contributed to it.”
The mural is scheduled to be completed by the end of September.
If you are unable to participate Saturday, or want to bring a group from a neighborhood organization, community center, business, school or other organization, groups can schedule a different day to paint before Sept. 3.
Those who like to paint with acrylic and a brush, and want to volunteer as an artist assistant to help with those details, are welcome to contact Richardson. The mural is located on the front wall of Grace Lutheran Church, 2006 S. 60th St.. There will be no painting being done if there is rain.
For more information or to schedule a day, call 414-793-6825 or tiachianti@gmail.com to schedule | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/community-paint-days-extended-for-the-kenosha-community-mural-project/article_53557130-2312-11ed-9888-1b38c1ce3a8d.html | 2022-08-26T22:12:23 | 0 | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/community-paint-days-extended-for-the-kenosha-community-mural-project/article_53557130-2312-11ed-9888-1b38c1ce3a8d.html |
FAIRFIELD, Maine — Fairfield police responded to a report of a multivehicle crash on Norridgewock Road Friday around 7:12 a.m.
According to a news release issued by Fairfield Police Department spokesperson Officer Casey J. Dugas on Friday, the crash occurred in front of the Circle K gas station.
Upon arrival, police found the two cars involved in the crash over an embankment, the release said.
The investigation revealed a 2019 Western Star waste removal truck, owned by Gregory’s Disposal, was traveling southbound on Norridgewock Road, according to the release. The operator of the truck was 33-year-old John-Ryan Fitch of South China.
"As Fitch was approaching Circle K, Destini Betts, 18, of Stonington driving a 2012 Ford Escape, made a left hand turn out of the parking lot and into Fitch’s path," the release reports. "Fitch was unable to avoid Betts, striking her vehicle in the driver’s side."
The two vehicles veered off the road into the embankment, the release states. While Betts' vehicle rolled, the seatbelt that was properly attached failed, ejecting her from the vehicle.
According to the release, Betts, along with her passenger, were brought to Thayer Hospital, where they were treated and released. Fitch, as well as his passenger, sustained minor injuries and were not transported to a nearby hospital.
"Speed does not appear to be a factor in this crash and the investigation will be completed before any charges are brought forward," the release said.
More NEWS CENTER Maine stories | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/police-respond-to-crash-in-fairfield-maine/97-60ed8107-2a58-49d5-a81a-331dd0b32d74 | 2022-08-26T22:15:32 | 1 | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/police-respond-to-crash-in-fairfield-maine/97-60ed8107-2a58-49d5-a81a-331dd0b32d74 |
The county can work toward relocating and reestablishing its original property lines after the Allen County commissioners approved professional help Friday.
Getting it right is important for all land owners as the records affect property taxes and property line disputes.
Allen County Surveyor Mike Fruchey said the federal government placed 2,400 cornerstone markers throughout Allen County to establish property lines in the early 1800s.
So far, the county has located 1,357 underground stones. Fruchey said property line records show where the markers should be, but the stones can be moved or destroyed by development projects.
State statute requires counties to find and maintain at least 5% of the county's total stones each year. The same Allen County employees have been doing the work for at least 15 years, Fruchey said, but the state hasn’t counted their work for five years because a land surveyor hasn’t overseen it.
“All property lines are based off of them, so your taxes are based on your acreages, which are based off these original stones that the federal government placed,” Fruchey said. “This is just the beginning of that process.”
The commissioners unanimously approved Foresight Consulting as the section corner administrator and for on-call professional surveying services. Five other companies submitted bids, and Fruchey said he will soon contact those firms for additional on-call surveying work.
Allen County has had an elected surveyor since 1833, Fruchey said.
“Back then, the county surveyor did all surveys in the county. They tied every property line to these corners,” Fruchey said. “Everything is tied to these stone corner markers.”
The stones were placed about 3 feet to 4 feet below the ground. Fruchey said they are about 2 feet in diameter and are topped with a point that serves as the official corner.
The corner perpetuation project won’t be completed overnight. Fruchey said Tippecanoe County worked on a similar project 15 to 20 years ago, and it took 10 years to complete.
The project will have a positive effect on road construction and all surveying work Fruchey said.
“They are important,” he said. “People just don’t know about them or their relevance.”
Commissioner Therese Brown recognized the work will likely be more aggressive in the less developed areas of the county so the property lines are established for future development. Fruchey said that is the plan.
In other business, the commissioners approved Allen County’s participation in an interlocal agreement for the Poka-Bache Connector Regional Trail. The trail, once completed, will connect Pokagon State Park near Angola to Ouabache State Park near Bluffton.
Fort Wayne City Council members approved Tuesday the city’s part of an interlocal agreement that will create a task force for the regional trail that will have one member from each of the participating communities – Bluffton, Ossian, Fort Wayne, Huntertown, Auburn, Waterloo and Angola. Wells, Allen, DeKalb and Steuben counties will also have representatives.
The task force will focus on finishing and maintaining the 81 miles of pathway and raising funds for the trail, which is expected to be completed in 10 years to 12 years. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/county-to-relocate-reestablish-property-line-corner-stone-markers/article_503b6d9e-2577-11ed-85b1-bf42fd57776b.html | 2022-08-26T22:16:06 | 1 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/county-to-relocate-reestablish-property-line-corner-stone-markers/article_503b6d9e-2577-11ed-85b1-bf42fd57776b.html |
If you saw people holding signs along South Clinton Street midday Friday, organizer Dee Mosley hopes you took two things away from the demonstration.
Gun violence, especially against children and by children, needs to stop, and there needs to be justice for her daughter, Mosley said.
Her daughter, 16-year-old Lebrisha Miangel Hobbs, died Tuesday from a gunshot wound to the head from July 5. The person accused of her murder, Elaysha N. Underwood, also 16, is in Allen County Jail. No trial date has been set, but she was charged with murder as an adult.
“At that age, you shouldn’t have a gun,” Mosley said.
The more than a dozen people who joined the protest in front of the Allen County Courthouse either knew Hobbs or had their own story of loss to tell.
Dana Atkins came and carried a poster with a photo of her daughter, Alize Chablis Wiley, 21. Wiley was shot April 28. Her death was the eighth homicide in Allen County of the 18 that have happened so far this year.
The man suspected of killing Wiley, Kesaun Hunter, 20, died from a gunshot to the head, and the Allen County Coroner’s Office ruled his death a suicide. The deaths were the end of a police standoff in the 3300 block of Cheviot Drive in Fort Wayne.
“I hope they stop letting these children get ahold of these guns,” Atkins said. “It just seems like it’s a trend lately.” | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/stop-the-violence-rally-focuses-on-kids-and-guns/article_c4c058f2-2575-11ed-be39-6ff03e147fef.html | 2022-08-26T22:16:12 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/stop-the-violence-rally-focuses-on-kids-and-guns/article_c4c058f2-2575-11ed-be39-6ff03e147fef.html |
Belle Isle giant slide draws crowds for calmer rides
The historic giant slide at Detroit's Belle Isle opened Friday for another weekend with noticeably slower rides than its recent notorious return that generated national headlines and safety adjustments.
Friday's crowd was filled with families, onlookers who refused to get on and media who filmed riders bump, bounce and "burn" themselves when catching too much air sliding down the nearly 40-foot-tall slide.
"It was good until the last bump," Tim Terppa, a Friday rider, said.
He went down with his partner, Sue Mihalich, 61, who had no problem as a first-timer.
"I followed all the instructions and I went through fine. If you listen to what they say, you're perfect," she said.
They saw the viral slide on the news and came from Algonac to give it a try.
Terppa, 65, said the slide, which he last rode about 50 years ago, was fun until he started leaning back instead of forward.
Adam Ratkowski ,42, also hadn't ridden since he was a kid but wanted to bring his son, Adam Jr., to have the same experience.
"I didn't expect that, as soon as I started coming down I'm like 'uh oh, here we go,' " Ratkowski said. "I definitely won't do it again. That hurt. I'm too hold."
Double birthday celebrations brought Stacy South, 23, to Detroit. She's turning 24 Saturday and came back to Michigan, her family's home state, from Virginia to celebrate her mom's birthday last Thursday.
South expected to hurt her backside coming down the slide but also hurt her heels of when she bounced down. "Since I never rode it before, your brain is like, 'what do I need to do to correct myself?'"
Her mom, Jessica Belo, 49, burned her elbow trying to stop but said it was worthwhile because she can post a photo on social media, letting friends know she survived.
Belo called her experience scary, painful, confusing and "nuts. I'm glad it's open and I love that Detroit is making national news for it."
After a two-year closure due to the pandemic, the slide, which first opened in 1967, initially opened its season last week and had a short stint before closing early on after people were filmed bouncing while coming down too fast, officials said.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources, which has operated Belle Isle since 2014, said they waxed and washed the slide's surface to slow down riders.
Meanwhile, viral moments of the wayward rides garnered much attention on social media and elsewhere.
The six-lane slide will continue to operate from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Labor Day.
The cost is $1 per slide and riders must be at least 4 feet tall. | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2022/08/26/belle-isle-giant-slide-draws-crowds-calmer-rides/7905672001/ | 2022-08-26T22:22:29 | 1 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2022/08/26/belle-isle-giant-slide-draws-crowds-calmer-rides/7905672001/ |
Pipe issue again delays main break repairs, water authority says
Repairs on a recent water main break that affected many southeast Michigan communities are again delayed, the Great Lakes Water Authority announced Friday.
The authority said Tuesday that its contractor told them the delivery of the 48-feet of 120-inch pipe ordered last week to complete the job had been delayed at the manufacturer and would be delivered before the weekend.
On Thursday, GLWA "received delivery on the first 16-foot segment of the second order of additional 120-inch replacement pipe at the site of the main break," officials said in a statement.
"After inspection of the pipe, GLWA determined that it did not meet the specifications submitted to the manufacturer. As a result, it was sent back to the manufacturer for updating and is expected to be returned with the delivery of the remaining 32-feet of the second order of replacement pipe on Sunday."
The repair timeline also is being reviewed and will be updated once all the new pipe arrives, according to the authority.
The first order of 16-feet of pipe was received on Aug. 14.
The water main break was discovered on Aug. 13 near the authority's Lake Huron Water Treatment Facility in St. Clair County, which distributes finished drinking water to communities in the northern part of its service area.
The rupture, which officials predicted would require about two weeks of work to repair, prompted a boil-water advisory for nearly two dozen communities.
Seven communities remained under the advisory until Saturday, when the authority said it was lifted "due to the stabilization of 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."
On Sunday, crews removed the damaged section of pipe by crane. | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/08/26/pipe-issue-again-delays-main-break-repairs-water-authority-says/7907991001/ | 2022-08-26T22:22:41 | 0 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/08/26/pipe-issue-again-delays-main-break-repairs-water-authority-says/7907991001/ |
Detectives seek tips to find missing Commerce Twp. teen
Oakland County Sheriff’s detectives are seeking tips to find a 15-year-old Commerce Township girl who has been missing for more than a week.
Relatives have not seen Laken Elezabeth Lewis since she left her home in the Stratford Villa mobile home park to head out on a walk around 6:15 p.m. Aug. 18, investigators said in a statement.
She was due to return about two hours later and never returned, according to the release.
Lewis' mother told authorities the youth would have told her if she would be late. Her biological father, who lives in Grand Haven on the state's west side, told detectives he had not had contact with his daughter in several weeks.
"The family has not had any contact with her through social media," sheriff's officials said Friday. "Detectives have received few tips as to her whereabouts."
Laken is described as 5-foot 7, about 110 pounds, with long dark hair. She
was last seen wearing a light blue zip-up jacket, shorts or multicolored pants and white Nike Air Force 1 shoes.
Anyone who has seen or heard from her should call the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office at (248) 858-4950. | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/oakland-county/2022/08/26/detectives-seek-tips-find-missing-commerce-twp-teen/7907689001/ | 2022-08-26T22:22:47 | 0 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/oakland-county/2022/08/26/detectives-seek-tips-find-missing-commerce-twp-teen/7907689001/ |
Man charged with shooting 8 in Detroit in 'confused state of mind,' attorney says
Detroit — A man charged with killing two people and wounding six others in July is "in a confused state of mind," his attorney said Friday.
Winston Kirtley Jr., 36, refused to put on clothes and attend a hearing Friday in Detroit's 36th District Court, a Wayne County Jail employee said during the virtual hearing.
Kirtley is accused of shooting eight people, two fatally, with a rifle July 31 after an argument over parking escalated, police said. Toyake Thirkeild, 39, and Andre Willis, 38, died.
Kirtley's attorney James Schlaff said Friday during the hearing Kirtley was not very responsive with him during his first visit. When he went to talk to Kirtley again Thursday, the defendant was on the psychiatric floor of the jail and was "very much in a confused state of mind as well as very aggressive."
"Based on my interview with him and his past psychiatric history, I would state to court that I don’t believe he understands the charges against him or is able to aid his attorney in his defense," Schlaff said.
Mass shootings: Detroit endures five mass shootings in last three months
Wayne County District Court Judge Kenneth King referred Kirtley for a competency examination, which will determine if he is mentally fit to stand trial.
Kirtley was denied bail and has been in the Wayne County Jail since his arrest July 31.
The shooting happened between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. July 31 near Coyle and Plymouth on Detroit's northwest side, Detroit police said. Kirtley allegedly became angry after finding his driveway was blocked by someone attending a birthday party at his neighbor's home, police said.
Kirtley shot into the air once before firing multiple shots into his neighbor's house, police said.
“It’s incredibly sad that two families have to bury their loved ones who were killed over a minor dispute by someone who had no respect for the lives of others,” Detroit Police Chief James White said in a statement in the days following the shooting. "This shooting never should have happened."
Neighbor Eugenia Beamon said Kirtley had argued with and threatened neighbors prior to the shooting. She said she had seen police take weapons from his home and expressed her concerns about his behavior to community police officers and block club leaders.
kberg@detroitnews.com | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/wayne-county/2022/08/26/mass-shooting-detroit-competency-mental-health-homicide-murder-gun-crime/7907045001/ | 2022-08-26T22:22:59 | 0 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/wayne-county/2022/08/26/mass-shooting-detroit-competency-mental-health-homicide-murder-gun-crime/7907045001/ |
NYC health officials reported the city's first known case of monkeypox in an individual under the age of 18 on Friday, less than two weeks before students file back into school for the start of the academic year.
There are now two known cases of juveniles testing positive for the virus after the state reported a case days earlier in a patient outside of the city. State officials did not release details on the origin of the case or age of the person.
The end-of-week data on the city's health website shows nearly 2,900 cases of monkeypox since the start of the outbreak in late May. Cases ballooned in July, reaching a peak at the end of the month, before dropping significantly in recent days.
While the circumstances surrounding the city's juvenile case weren't immediately clear, the timing is less than ideal with the first day of school approaching on Sept. 8.
Demand for vaccine appointments, not yet available for children, has seemingly lessened following months of technical difficulties and supply shortages. City officials said plenty of doses were still available 24 hours after the latest batch of appointments was released on Thursday.
NYC accounts for 25% of America's largest-ever monkeypox outbreak and nearly half of the cases are in Manhattan. That borough is reporting more than double the cases (1,211) of the next closest borough (Brooklyn, 661), and accounts for 41% of New York City's monkeypox outbreak.
A citywide public health emergency over the still-spreading disease took effect earlier this month, a day after Gov. Kathy Hochul's administration issued both state and public health emergency orders for monkeypox.
How to Prevent Monkeypox
The New York State Department of Health listed steps people should take in order to help prevent the spread of monkeypox:
• Ask sexual partners whether they have a rash or other symptoms consistent with monkeypox.
• Avoid skin-to-skin contact with someone who has a rash or other monkeypox-related symptoms.
• Contact a healthcare provider following exposure or symptoms, and check with your local county health department about vaccine eligibility.
• New Yorkers who receive the JYNNEOS vaccine should receive both doses, given four weeks apart, and stay vigilant until fully vaccinated, two weeks following the second dose.
• If you or your healthcare provider suspect you may have monkeypox, isolate at home. If you can, stay in a separate area from other family members and pets.
• Follow reputable sources of health information, including NYSDOH, CDC, and your local county health department. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/nyc-uncovers-1st-juvenile-case-of-monkeypox-in-lead-up-to-school-year/3840952/ | 2022-08-26T22:29:16 | 0 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/nyc-uncovers-1st-juvenile-case-of-monkeypox-in-lead-up-to-school-year/3840952/ |
MAYS LANDING — Nine defendants charged with repeat shoplifting and other quality-of-life offenses in Atlantic City got their chance in Superior Court Friday for substance abuse and/or mental health treatment rather than prosecution and jail.
At the same time, the "Clean and Safe Atlantic City" group whose work spurred the crackdown on repeat offenders, continued to meet in Atlantic City, this week talking about ways to get illegal all-terrain vehicles off city streets and to increase camera surveillance on Atlantic Avenue.
The group was organized by Council Vice President Kaleem Shabazz, and at first focused on rampant shoplifting at Tanger Outlets The Walk that was hurting the city's image and ability for visitors to feel safe.
The group's work has been spearheaded by newly confirmed Atlantic County Prosecutor William Reynolds, who was in court Friday rather than at the meeting.
People are also reading…
Of the nine defendants whose cases were handled in court under Reynolds' "At Risk Initiative" on Friday before Atlantic County Presiding Criminal Court Judge Bernard E. Delury Jr., five agreed to accept substance abuse and/or mental health treatment.
Jewish Family Services and Hope One will meet with them and come up with a treatment plan which will be presented to Delury on Sept. 30, Reynolds said.
"The one thing that is crystal clear on this first court date (for the At Risk Initiative) showed how successful it can be to bring everyone together in the room at one time," Reynolds said of defendants, prosecutors, defense lawyers, judges and social service providers like JFS and Hope One. "It forces everyone to do their job, make decisions about how things will be handled and be prepared."
Those whose crimes are indictable and so handled by Superior Court — for shoplifting merchandise valued over $200, for example — also have several if not dozens of municipal court matters pending, officials have said.
If those nine people were randomly intermixed in various court sessions, the social service providers wouldn't be there, Reynolds said.
"What happens is just a referral," Reynolds said. "What we did by getting all stakeholders in the room together, which is a result of Councilman Shabazz holding those meetings ... the focus is on these defendants who have special needs for different layers of treatment."
Defendants, too, have to make a plan and live up to it, Reynolds said.
"If they don't live up to the plan, they come back and have to face what the alternative is," Reynolds said of prosecution and possible jail time.
"Our goal is not to incarcerate, but to give them help," Reynolds said.
Their municipal court cases on similar charges will be postponed and resolved if they complete treatment, Reynolds said.
Four failed to appear in court, but will get another chance to appear Sept. 30. One was not served with Friday's date, and will now be served with the later date; another is in Ancora Psychiatric Hospital and will have a court date via Zoom on Sept. 23; another who failed to appear in court on Aug. 16 had his bail increased to $25,000, which will be vacated if he appears Sept. 30; and a fourth refused to acknowledge his notice because it did not include his full name, and will be served again with his complete name.
One defendant who has no fixed address and has a history of mental illness told the judge he mainly needed housing assistance, but denied needing anything else.
He is someone Reynolds has known for a long time, and who has serious mental health issues, the prosecutor said.
Now social service workers are cooperating with him and his defense attorney to put a plan together, and that has a much higher chance of succeeding than the usual referral, Reynolds said.
While Reynolds was in court, Assemblyman Don Guardian, R-2nd, was among those in attendance at the "Clean & Safe Atlantic City" public safety meeting held at City Hall Friday morning.
Guardian said legislation is still in the works to address city and statewide issues associated with illegal ATV riding on city roads which creates a serious safety hazard.
"We're going to come at this with a number of co-sponsors because this is an issue that faces the whole state, and is no Republican or Democrat issue," said Guardian. "Everyone's on board."
At the last "Clean and Safe AC" meeting earlier this month, Guardian expected to have a draft ATV bill by Friday's meeting, but legislation is still being drafted.
Local officials said police are not allowed to pursue illegal ATV riders because of safety concerns.
"They all know we can't catch them," said Chief of County Detectives for the Atlantic County Prosecutor's office, Bruce DeShields. "So what we're doing now is sending individuals out, and setting up surveillance."
DeShields said surveillance was another way municipalities could monitor, apprehend and seize illegal ATVs not respecting motor vehicle and registration laws.
An Atlantic City Police Department representative said a new pole camera system used during the recent beach concerts and the Atlantic City Airshow last weekend will be moved to Kentucky and Atlantic avenues within the next day or two for better police monitoring.
Shabazz held the first "Clean and Safe" meeting a few weeks before the national NAACP convention came to Atlantic City in July.
At the time, he said it was partly to prepare for the national spotlight the convention would bring, but vowed the efforts would continue after the convention.
Reynolds and others working to address rampant theft at Tanger Outlets The Walk and elsewhere in the city have said a culture of lawlessness has negatively impacted quality of life for residents and visitors.
Reynolds has also said the shoplifters sell the expensive designer items they steal to a criminal network for pennies on the dollar, in order to buy illegal drugs to which they are addicted.
The group that meets includes members of the county prosecutor’s office, the Atlantic City Police Department, New Jersey State Police, the city’s casinos, Tanger Outlets The Walk, Bass Pro Shops and court staff.
The next Clean & Safe AC meeting will be held Sept. 9 at 8:30 a.m. via Zoom. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/atlantic-city-quality-of-life-repeat-offender-defendants-get-day-in-court/article_ef5d3210-256b-11ed-8af5-47cb0f0ad487.html | 2022-08-26T22:32:32 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/atlantic-city-quality-of-life-repeat-offender-defendants-get-day-in-court/article_ef5d3210-256b-11ed-8af5-47cb0f0ad487.html |
MAYS LANDING — With the new school year fast approaching and communities disquieted by another mass school shooting in May, officials are searching for new ways to protect their classrooms— and some districts in South Jersey are turning to dogs.
The Atlantic County Criminal Justice Advisory Board hosted a presentation Thursday on the use of dogs in schools. The dogs would be accompanied by an armed security office and would be trained to respond to school shootings as well as to attack school shooters. They would be trained and provided by Joe Nick, the director of the Atlantic County K-9 Academy.
Criminal Justice Advisory Board Chair Mark Sandson, a retired New Jersey Superior Court judge, opened the meeting. He said he had received mixed feedback about security guards and dogs, with some critical and some, including officials from the Atlantic County Institute of Technology, supportive. He wanted to create a forum where school communities could learn about using dogs.
People are also reading…
“When we send our kids to school we expect them to come home, safe, sound and hopefully educated,” Sandson said. “We try to take a look at all alternatives.”
Representatives from a multitude of local and regional school districts, primarily in Atlantic County, gathered at the Atlantic County Criminal Court Complex for the presentation. They were joined by several law-enforcement officers, Atlantic County commissioners, people from social-work agencies and the state Office of School Preparedness & Emergency Planning.
Cumberland County Technical Education Center Superintendent Dina Rossi discussed experiences in her district, which has already implemented a dog as part of its school-shooter response protocol. She said the program had been well-received and had won near universal support from staff, parents and students. She said she worked extensively with the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office and cooperated with the Millville and Vineland police departments to bring the dogs to the school.
Rossi spoke at length about the Cumberland County TEC dog, Meadow. A Dutch shepard, Meadow stands guard with her handler, Officer Steve Manera, and works at Cumberland County TEC as well as the nearby Rowan College of South Jersey and Deerfield Township School. Her namesake is the late Meadow Jade Pollack, who was killed in a school shooting in 2018.
A critical component of the program’s success, she added, was securing the support of the local community and having them familiarized and comfortable around school officers as well as the dog they used. She was effusive for praise for Meadow and how she was beloved by the school community and was “part of us now.”
“How do you debate something that is just another layer of security?” Rossi said. “If it just saves one person, that’s one person who wouldn’t have been saved otherwise.”
Nick, the K-9 academy director, explained how he trains the dogs and how they could be used at a district. Having studied hundreds of school shootings that have happened since Columbine, he was visibly emotional talking about the project.
Retired Police Capt. Andre Lopez, who serves as the director of campus security for Cumberland County TEC and Rowan College, also discussed the use of the dogs. Meadow herself made an appearance.
The presentation appeared to win over much of the audience, with several district officials voicing support for the use of dogs.
There was, however, skepticism. Christine Ruth, a teacher at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School in Atlantic City, questioned presenters about what evidence they had that the use of dogs actually prevents shootings and reduces deaths. With some districts facing tight budget constraints, she added that the expense of dogs and school-resource officers could divert funds from mental-health professionals and school counselors who could help reduce the risk of violence. Rather than help, dogs and accompanying officers would make schools a more punitive environment, especially for students of color, she argued.
Charles Oglesby, a security supervisor for Atlantic Cape Community College and a former Pleasantville law-enforcement officer himself, said he was ambivalent to the idea. While his career demonstrated the efficacy of having canines on scene, he was concerned about the historical relationship between dogs and their use to attack Black students and communities.
Rossi highlighted the diversity of her district and how the dogs have been met with success by a diverse student body. She also noted that the dogs were only one part of what she said was the district’s holistic response to school-shooting threats. Nick and Lopez noted that the dogs were not meant to be in competition with mental-health services. That view was endorsed by Christine Egizi, from Jewish Family Services, which provides social work and mental health care.
Oglesby, of Atlantic Cape, stressed the importance of having a prompt response to violence. He recalled the fatal 2019 shooting of 10-year-old Micah Tennant at a Pleasantville High School football game against visiting Camden High School. A dog on the scene might have been able to save lives that day.
Pleasantville Board of Education President Jerome Page endorsed the use of dogs. He said he was impressed by the presentation and believed a dog could have a critical deterrence effect.
Atlantic County Commissioner Frank Balles, also in attendance, said he and his colleagues would be willing to support any district in the county interested in acquiring a dog for school safety.
Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson, speaking before the meeting, said the county had an obligation to prepare for crises such as school shootings. He said children and parents were frightened and county and district officials needed ways to better ensure that Atlantic County schools remain safe.
“Children, parents and teachers deserve safe schools without the fear of violence,” Levinson said in an Aug. 4 invite to the presentation sent to Atlantic County superintendents.
The discussion follows the May 24 school shooting in Uvalde, Texas that killed 19 children and two adults. The 376 police officers at the scene waited 72 minutes before confronting and killing the shooter, prompting national outcry. Proponents of the canine program at the meeting said that dogs could help make for a quicker response. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/south-jersey-school-officials-discuss-using-dogs-to-respond-to-school-shootings/article_2a4c962c-2580-11ed-b503-1fd98887a3a1.html | 2022-08-26T22:32:32 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/south-jersey-school-officials-discuss-using-dogs-to-respond-to-school-shootings/article_2a4c962c-2580-11ed-b503-1fd98887a3a1.html |
The ideal conditions offshore continued on Day 4 of the MidAtlantic fishing tournament Thursday and 146 boats, a large portion of the fleet, participated between Cape May and Ocean City, Maryland.
The billfish bite improved and although white marlin were found in better numbers, breaking the 69-inch and 65-pound minimum for the species to make the leaderboard continued to be difficult. Blue marlin continued to show in good numbers and several were weighed at both tournament venues, causing big changes to the leaderboard.
Captain Mike Penza aboard his Oil Slick, based out of North Palm Beach, Florida, got the evening off to a fast start at the scales in Cape May. The tape measure put the marlin at 118¼ inches and the big blue tipped the scale at 528 pounds for angler Tom Carroll. That put Oil Slick temporarily into third place.
Moments later, also in Cape May, Captain James Putzig backed the Lucky 7, owned by Key Largo, Florida’s Robert Boyce, to the scale at Canyon Club Resort Marina with a big blue marlin that angler Robert Boyce, Jr. had battled. The tape measure showed the length to be 119 7/8 inches and the weight of 619 pounds put Lucky 7 on top of the category. Oil Slick was moved off the board.
People are also reading…
Christopher Kinsley of Seven Valleys, Pennsylvania, moved into second place with his 607 pounder aboard Kilo Charlie. Michael Peet’s No Quarter, based in New Castle, Delaware, went to third place with his 539 pounder.
Several other impressive blue marlin were weighed on Day 4, including a 494-pounder aboard the D.A. Sea of Grasonville's (Maryland) Ed Dunn for angler Mike Dent. Another was a 474 pounder for Key Largo, Florida’s Rob Gothier aboard his Bar South. Rudy Espinosa was the angler. Jerry Murdoch’s Point Pleasant-based Endorfin weighed a 115-inch blue marlin of 461 pounds for angler Rich Kosztyu.
The white marlin standings remained unchanged after day four and Michael Jordan’s Catch 23, based in Jupiter, Florida, continued to lead the category with his 73 pounder. Matthew Weber’s Max Bet, from Vero Beach, Florida, remained in second place with his 65 pounder. Third place remained vacant.
In the tuna category, Art Boykin of Berlin, Maryland, took over the lead with his Lucky Duck after weighing a 210-pound big eye for angler John Thornton. Bob Hugin’s The Right Place, of Summit, held both second and third place with his big eyes that weighed 193 and 152 pounds, respectively.
John Gudelsky’s Reel Joy from Singer Island, Florida moved into second place in the wahoo division Thursday after weighing a 29 pounder. Michael Murray’s Caitlin, from Brick, held onto first and third place with wahoos of 43 and 28 pounds, respectively.
The dolphin category changed too. Fort Pierce, Florida’s Joseph Valentine, aboard his Valentine, became the new leader with a 43 pounder. Billy Wrede, of Randolph, on his Lovin’ Life, took over second place with his 39 pounder. Todd Wigfield, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, aboard his Buddy Rowe, weighed a dolphin of 31 pounds and moved into third place in the category.
Some of the boats with notable billfish releases on day four included Ronnie Field’s Big Stick and Matthew Weber’s Max Bet, each releasing six white marlin. Bill Hoagland’s Lights Out and John Gudelsky's Reel Joy each released five white marlin. Danny Jones’ Reel Toy, Donna Matarese’s Reel Chaos, Rob Gothier’s Bar South and Joe Stein’s Marli each released four white marlin. Dave Anderson’s Krazy Salts released one blue marlin and five white marlin. Charles Rodriguez’ Par Five and Warren Halle’s Cookie Monster each released one blue marlin and four white marlin. Michael Jordan’s Catch 23 released one blue marlin and one white marlin, and Newt Cagle’s Hatterascal released one blue marlin and two white marlin. Charlie Duerr’s Sea Hag released two blue marlin. Boats which released one blue marlin apiece included Marty Judge’s Judge, James Cahill’s Harmony, Chip Caruso’s Pipe Dreamer and Robert Boyce’s Lucky 7. George Robinson’s Polarizer released a blue marlin, a white marlin and a sailfish. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/blue-marlin-action-continues-in-midatlantics-day-4/article_bf3c6458-256f-11ed-9bb5-43f1855d4502.html | 2022-08-26T22:32:32 | 1 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/blue-marlin-action-continues-in-midatlantics-day-4/article_bf3c6458-256f-11ed-9bb5-43f1855d4502.html |
Lou Piccone, the first Vineland High School football player to compete in the NFL, will be honored Sept. 29 with a street dedication, key to the city and dinner reception, the City of Vineland said in a release.
The ceremony will start at 11 a.m. with the street dedication at the corner of Montrose Street and South West Avenue. The key presentation and dinner will be at 6 p.m. at the Greenview Inn.
Piccone, who was a running back and kickoff returner at West Liberty State College from 1968-1971, was initially turned away by the pros due to his 5-foot-9, 175-pound stature. After playing two years semi-professionally, Piccone signed a free-agent contract with the New York Jets in 1974.
Piccone led the league in kickoff returns as a rookie.
“Lou Piccone was known as a gritty football player who always gave it his all on the field. But above all, he is a kind and gentle man who never forgot where he came from,” Mayor Anthony Fanucci said in a release.
People are also reading…
“Lou was the quintessential utility player who could fill several positions. His work ethic and contribution on special teams and as a receiver made him a fan favorite, and they loved to show their appreciation by chanting ‘Lou, Lou, Lou’ whenever he took the field. He has been an inspiration to many that have donned the ‘Fighting Clan’ red and grey uniforms, and it will be an honor to welcome him back to Vineland to show our appreciation.”
Piccone spent three seasons with the Jets as their primary kick and punt returner. He also served as a wide receiver. Piccone was traded to the Buffalo Bills in 1977. He had his best season there in 1979 with 33 catches for 556 yards and two touchdowns.
Piccone was a player representative for the NFL Players Association and an influential member of the NFLPA executive committee during his career.
Piccone retired in 1982 and later served for many years on the NFLPA's Steering Committee for Retired Players. He also went on to have a successful public relations and communications career.
In the release, Piccone looked back on his career and thanked his parents. His father, Lew, was 5-7 and was a professional boxer in the 1920s and 30s, going 84-3. Piccone's father helped him throughout his career.
"My father is still my hero," Piccone said. "Without his guidance, I don't know where I would have ended up, but I don't think it would have been in the NFL."
Piccone's mother, Rose, had a successful career as a beauty products representative, and he said, “her work ethic and perseverance also helped influence him during and after his football career.”
Tickets for the reception will be $75 per person. There will also be a cash bar. Please call 856-794-400, ext. 4814, or email loupiccone@vinelandcity.org for reservations. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/city-of-vineland-to-honor-lou-piccone-next-month/article_78ed03e6-2550-11ed-8697-4f8eb516dc9d.html | 2022-08-26T22:32:48 | 1 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/city-of-vineland-to-honor-lou-piccone-next-month/article_78ed03e6-2550-11ed-8697-4f8eb516dc9d.html |
OCEAN CITY — Jamie Tyson and Cohen Cook spent plenty of summer nights talking about Friday morning.
Mainland Regional High School’s season opener unfolded better than either could have imagined.
Tyson caught a touchdown pass, returned a fumble for a TD and picked off a pass as the Mustangs football team beat Egg Harbor Township 37-0 in a Battle at the Beach game at Ocean City's Carey Stadium. Cook stepped in as an emergency quarterback and ran for a TD for the Mustangs.
“I had a lot of fun,” Tyson said. “Every night (this summer) we were getting ready for this simple day right here.”
Tyson lives with the Cook family. Tyson’s parents moved to Florida this spring, but Tyson, who is also an outstanding basketball player, didn’t want to leave Mainland, so the Cook family took him in.
People are also reading…
“It was rough,” Tyson said. “We had to find a way for me to stay. The Cooks took me in, and now we’re living good. We’re doing big things right now.”
Tyson did big things at the state’s premier event to open the high school football season. The three-day Battle at the Beach is a showcase event that features many of the state’s top teams. Games will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Mainland and EHT kicked off at 10 a.m. under sunny skies, warm temperatures and a cooling breeze off the ocean. These teams were Thanksgiving rivals until 2019. Mainland leads the series 27-12-1 and has won five straight.
Friday morning’s contest was the first played in the state this season and although there’s plenty of football to be played, it will be hard for a player to have a more impactful three minutes this season than Tyson did as the second quarter drew to a close.
The 6-foot-1, 180-pound junior caught a 22-yard TD pass over the middle from freshman quarterback John Franchini to put the Mustangs up 16-0 with 2 minutes, 33 seconds left in the second quarter. The TD pass came one play after Joe Sheeran recovered a bloop kickoff for Mainland at the EHT 26-yard line.
On EHT’s next possession, Tyson scooped up a fumble and returned it down the sideline 61 yards for a TD to give Mainland a 23-0 lead with 1:02 left in the first half.
“I saw it, picked it up and took it to the crib,” Tyson said.
Two TDs in 91 seconds is impressive, but Tyson wasn’t done with the second quarter. He picked off an Egg Harbor Township pass just before halftime.
“Jamie is a great young man,” Mainland coach Chuck Smith said. “It was nice to see him have a breakout game. We’ve been waiting for that. You always wait for that one game where a kid gets his confidence.”
Mainland came into the season with plenty of optimism. The Mustangs are ranked No. 10 in The Press Elite 11.
But Mainland had to adjust this week after quarterback Marlon Leslie transferred to Pleasantville.
Franchini and Cook shared the position. Franchini completed 3 of 5 passes for 57 yards. Cook, who was originally slated to play wide receiver this season, ran 12 times for 41 yards and a TD.
“We didn’t want to put a lot on the freshman’s plate,” Smith said. “He hasn’t even sat in a high school chair yet. Cohen Cook is the best athlete in our school. We tried to use packages with him, and that’s why we were rotating both guys.”
Mainland had plenty of other positives to build off. Senior running back Ja’Briel Mace ran 11 times for 86 yards and a TD. Defensive end Nick Timek and linebackers Hunter Watson and JJ Sinclair each made tackles for a loss.
The Mustangs were all smiles as they left the field just after noon Friday.
“We’ve been through a lot of ups and downs this week,” Tyson said. “It’s good that we pushed through and got the W.” | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/highschool/jamie-tysons-big-plays-propel-mainland-to-season-opening-win-over-egg-harbor-township/article_c8db7d1c-256c-11ed-92d1-6f4fbf451d5d.html | 2022-08-26T22:32:54 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/highschool/jamie-tysons-big-plays-propel-mainland-to-season-opening-win-over-egg-harbor-township/article_c8db7d1c-256c-11ed-92d1-6f4fbf451d5d.html |
DALLAS — Some longtime residents at an Oak Cliff apartment complex said they’re being told they will soon have to move out.
Neighbors at the Arterra Apartments on East Ledbetter Drive say property managers are advising them the complex owners are no longer accepting housing assistance vouchers.
“This has been very, very, stressful,” said Wanda Brown. She’s lived in the complex eight years.
Tenants say they’ve been sharing their experiences and organizing, as they learn more neighbors are receiving notices to vacate.
“If I have to be out of here Sept. 30, where are my child and I going to go? We don’t have nothing,” said April Wolford.
The residents said the complex’s plan to reject housing vouchers primarily impacts a large group of low-income seniors and disabled individuals. The tenants said many of them have been relying on the Walker Program, or other Housing Choice Vouchers that pay a portion of the rent directly to the landlord.
“Where do you go? You don’t have no where to go,” Brown explained.
Some of the tenants describe the situation as frustrating and scary for vulnerable residents, during a time when rent rates are rising and affordable options are sparse.
The voucher issue isn’t the only problem tenants at Arterra Apartments said they’re complaining about.
”No lights for three days,” one woman said.
They say maintenance requests are often delayed.
“From sewage being backed up in your bathtub, and you can’t get hold of anybody for days,” Wolford added.
Others said the fear of retaliation is real.
“When they told me they were going to put me out, I just stayed quiet,” Sahra Pena said.
The property has changed names at least three times in the past eight years. It was formerly called Oasis. It was named The Loop, before changing names to Arterra Apartments.
A representative from Arterra Apartments, named Raqueline, said neither she, nor the company, had any comments when asked about the neighbors’ concerns and the alleged plan to avoid accepting housing vouchers.
“We need a legal team. We need ADA,” said Carlita Smith as she described efforts to advocate for the neighbors.
Tenants said they are organizing and signing petitions, hoping to raise awareness about the challenges they’re facing at the complex.
“I just need for the City of Dallas to step in just a little bit more to help us that cannot bring ourselves through this,” Brown said.
Mayor Pro Tem Carolyn Arnold represents District 4, the area where Alterra Apartments sits. Arnold said she is aware of the issues and neighbors concerns. She said she is actively communicating with Code Compliance, Community Prosecutors, and other city departments about these matters. | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/where-do-you-go-tenants-oak-cliff-apartment-complex-landlord-wants-them-leave-housing-vouchers-no-longer-accepted/287-a4f31fcb-1483-4fc1-b726-e25b25c7052d | 2022-08-26T22:33:00 | 1 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/where-do-you-go-tenants-oak-cliff-apartment-complex-landlord-wants-them-leave-housing-vouchers-no-longer-accepted/287-a4f31fcb-1483-4fc1-b726-e25b25c7052d |
At Dallas Animal Services, there is a critical need for pet adoptions.
"We really need people to come adopt," said Marlo Clingman with Dallas Animal Services. "We have 370 dogs here today and would love to see all these kennels empty."
Although DAS has seen a slight uptick in adoptions since Clear the Shelters kicked off at the beginning of August, it's not enough to make up for the 30 to 60 dogs that come into the shelter each day.
"That adds up. If we're only getting 20 or so adoptions a day, that's just not going to cut it with the number of dogs we're getting in," Clingman said. "We need to get hundred of adoptions this weekend if we're gonna save lives."
"I'm gonna rescue and I'm gonna save one more pitbull's life," Desiree Bailey said as she looked at Coco in her kennel. "She just kinda tugged at my heart. Getting a pitbull housed is so hard, and they're so misunderstood; they just need to be loved the right way."
Dallas Animal Services has offered free adoptions all month.
"When I went online and saw how full the Dallas Animal Shelter was, I said let's do the right thing," Bailey said. "Let's give another dog a home."
After playing in the yard with Coco for a few minutes, the deal was sealed.
"You ready to go to your home," Bailey asked Coco. "Come on!"
CLEAR THE SHELTERS IN NORTH TEXAS
Dallas Animal Services' free adoption included spay/neuter and shots, as well as some free swag bags for new pet parents.
Adoptions are free Saturday, Aug. 27, at all participating Clear the Shelters locations.
To learn more about Clear The Shelters 2022 and search for adoptable pets in your area, visit cleartheshelters.com. You can also donate to your local animal shelters and rescue groups by visiting clearthesheltersfund.org.
North Texas shelters participating in 2022 Clear the Shelters
(Listed in alphabetical order by city)
ATHENS
Athens Animal Rescue Shelter
901 W. College St.
Athens, TX 75751
903- 292-1287
info@athensanimalrescue.com
For more information Click HERE
ALLEN
Allen Animal Services
770 S. Allen Heights Drive
Allen, Texas 75002
214-509-4378
For more information Click HERE
ALVARADO
Alvarado Animal Services
602 South Parkway
Alvarado, Texas 76009
817-666-7401
For more information Click HERE
BENBROOK
Humane Society of North Texas (HSNT)
Benbrook Waggin Tails Adoption Center
9009 Benbrook Blvd. (HWY 377 S.)
Benbrook, Texas 76126
817-249-DOGS (3647)
For more information Click HERE
BOWIE
Bowie Animal Shelter
1504 E. Wise Street
Bowie, Texas 76230
940-841-2774
For more information Click HERE
BURLESON
Burleson Animal Services
775 SE John Jones
Burleson, Texas 76028
817-426-9283
For more information Click HERE
CARROLLTON
Carrollton Animal Services and Adoption Center
2247 Sandy Lake Road
Carrollton, Texas 75006
(972) 466-3420
For more information Click HERE
Operation Kindness
3201 Earhart Drive
Carrollton, Texas 75006
972-418-7297
For more information Click HERE
CEDAR HILL
Tri-City Animal Shelter and Adoption Center
1150 E Pleasant Run Road
Cedar Hill, Texas 75104
972-291-5335
For more information Click HERE
CLEBURNE
Cleburne Animal Services
2375 Service Dr.
Cleburne, TX 76033
817-566-8895
For more information Click HERE
COPPELL
City of Coppell Animal Services
821 S. Coppell Road
Coppell, Texas 75019
972-304-3515
For more information Click HERE
CROWLEY
Crowley Texas Animal Shelter
101 E. Hampton Road
Crowley, Texas 76036
817-297-2201
By Appointment Only All Month Long
No Appointments are needed on August 27 For more information Click HERE
DALLAS
Dallas Animal Services
1818 N. Westmoreland Road
Dallas, Texas 75212
214-670-3111
For more information Click HERE
East Dallas Kitty Club
Dallas, Texas 75214
972-325-8192
For more information Click HERE
SPCA of Texas
Jan Rees-Jones Animal Care Center
2400 Lone Star Drive Dallas, Texas 75212
214-742-7722
For more information Click HERE
DENTON
City of Denton Animal Shelter
Linda McNatt Animal Care & Adoption Center
3717 N. Elm Street
Denton, Texas 76207
940-349-7594
For more information Click HERE
EULESS
City of Euless Animal Services
1517 Westpark Way
Euless, Texas 76040
817-685-1594
For more information Click HERE
FARMERS BRANCH
Farmers Branch Animal Services
3727 Valley View Ln
Farmers Branch, Texas 75026
972-919-8770
For more information, Click HERE
FLOWER MOUND
Flower Mound Animal Adoption Center
3950 Justin Road
Flower Mound, Texas 75077
972-874-6390
For more information Click HERE
FORT WORTH
Fort Worth Animal Care and Control
Alliance PetSmart Charities Adoption Center
2901 Texas Sage Trail
Fort Worth, Texas 76177
817-392-7117
For more information Click HERE
Fort Worth Animal Care and Control
Chuck & Brenda Silcox Animal Care & Adoption Center
4900 Martin Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76119
817-392-1234
For more information Click HERE
Fort Worth Animal Care and Control
Hulen PetSmart Charities Adoption Center
4800 SW Loop 820
Fort Worth, Texas 76109
817-392-6561
For more information Click HERE
Fort Worth Animal Care and Control
North Animal Campus
351 Hillshire Drive
Fort Worth, Texas 76052
817-392-1294
For more information Click HERE
Humane Society of North Texas (HSNT)
Saxe-Forte Cat Adoptions
1840 E Lancaster Avenue
Fort Worth, Texas 76103
817-332-4768
For more information Click HERE
GAINESVILLE
Noah’s Ark SPCA
2501 N Weaver Street
Gainesville, Texas 76240
940-665-9800
For more information Click HERE
GARLAND
Garland Animal Shelter & Adoption Center
600 Tower Street
Garland, Texas 75040
972-205-3570
For more information Click HERE
GRAND PRAIRIE
Grand Prairie Animal Services
Prairie Paws Adoption Center
2222 W. Warrior Trail
Grand Prairie, Texas 75052
972-237-8573
For more information Click HERE
GRAPEVINE
Grapevine Animal Services
500 Shady Brook Drive
Grapevine, Texas 76051
817-410-3370
For more information Click HERE
GUN BARREL CITY
Straydog, Inc.
P.O. Box 1465
Gun Barrel City, Texas 75147
903-479-3497
Adoption Fees Waived All Month Long
All Adoptions are by Appointment For more information Click HERE
Straydog, Inc. will also hold adoptions in Plano at the
Willow Bend Mall / Neiman Marcus
Special Adoption Date on Saturday, August 13, ONLY
No Appointments Needed
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. 2201 Dallas Pkwy Plano, Texas 75094
For more information Click HERE
HURST
Humane Society of North Texas (HSNT)
Hurst Adoption Center
900 TCC Rd.
Hurst, Texas 76054
817-788-7216
For more information Click HERE
IRVING
DFW Humane Society of Irving, Inc.
4140 Valley View Lane
Irving, Texas 75038
972-721-7788
For more information Click HERE
Irving Animal Services
4140 Valley View Lane
Irving, Texas 75038
972-721-2256
For more information Click HERE
JOSHUA
Joshua Animal Control
100 Santa Fe Street
Joshua, Texas 76058
817-774-9450
For more information Click HERE
KAUFMAN
Humane Society of North Texas (HSNT)
Kaufman County Pet Adoption Center
1904 E. US Highway 175
Kaufman, Texas 75142
469-376-4120
For more information Click HERE
KELLER
Humane Society of North Texas (HSNT)
Keller Regional
330 Rufe Snow Drive
Keller, Texas 76248
817-743-4711
For more information Click HERE
LANCASTER
Lancaster Animal Shelter
690 E Main Street
Lancaster, Texas 75146
972-218-1210
For more information Click HERE
LEWISVILLE
Lewisville Animal Services
995 E. Valley Ridge Boulevard
Lewisville, Texas 75057
972-219-3478
For more information Click HERE
LONE OAK
Sadie’s Place Animal Rescue
2821 FM 2737
Lone Oak, Texas 75453
903-662-8125
All adoptions are by appointment only.
For more information Click HERE
MANSFIELD
Mansfield Animal Care & Control
407 Industrial Boulevard
Mansfield, Texas 76063
817-276-4799
For more information Click HERE
MCKINNEY
Collin County Animal Services
4750 Community Avenue McKinney, Texas 75071
972-547-7292
For more information Click HERE
MESQUITE
Mesquite Animal Shelter
1650 Gross Road
Mesquite, Texas 75146
972-216-6283
For more information, Click HERE
MEXIA
The Kittery Kat and Kitten Rescue Corp
838 Krisker Lane
Mexia, Texas 76667
254-424-3234
For more information Click HERE
NACOGDOCHES
Nacogdoches Animal Services and Adoption Center
3211 SW Stallings Drive
Nacogdoches, Texas 75964
936-560-5011
For more information Click HERE
NORTH RICHLAND HILLS
North Richland Hills Animal Adoption & Rescue Center7301 Iron Horse Boulevard
North Richland Hills, Texas 76180
817-427-6570
For more information Click HERE
Email: animalcontrol2@nrhtx.com
PLANO
Dallas Cat Rescue DBA Cat Matchers
P.O. Box 262571
Plano, Texas 75026
972-458-7877
For more information Click HERE
Straydog Inc.
Willow Bend Mall, Neiman Marcus Special Adoption Date on Saturday, August 13, ONLY
No Appointments Needed
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
2201 Dallas Pkwy Plano, Texas 75094 For more information Click HERE
Plano Animal Shelter
4028 W Plano Parkway
Plano, Texas 75093
972-769-4226
For more information Click HERE
RED OAK
Red Oak Animal Care and Control
411 W Read Oak Road
Red Oak, Texas 75154
214-399-7730
For more information Click HERE
RICHARDSON
Richardson Animal Shelter
1330 Columbia Drive
Richardson, Texas 75081
972-744-4480
For more information Click HERE
RICHLAND HILLS
Richland Hills Animal Services Center
7049 Baker Boulevard
Richland Hills, Texas 76118
817-616-3769
For more information Click HERE
ROYSE CITY
Royse City Animal Shelter
1101 N Josephine Street
Royse City, Texas 75189
214-934-9352
For more information Click HERE
SACHSE
Sachse Animal Shelter
6436 Sachse Road
Sachse, Texas 75048
972-675-9662
For more information Click HERE
SAGINAW
City of Saginaw Animal Services
205 Brenda Lane
Saginaw, Texas 76179
817-230-0458
Adoption fees will be waived August 27 – August 31 For more information Click HERE
SEAGOVILLE
Seagoville Animal Shelter
1330 E Malloy Bridge Road
Seagoville, Texas 75159
972-287-6838
For more information Click HERE
SHERMAN
Sherman Animal Shelter
1800 East Ida Road
Sherman, Texas 75090
903-892-7255
For more information, Click HERE
TOOL
Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake
10200 CR 2403
Tool, Texas 75143
903-432-3422
For more information Click HERE
WATAUGA
Watauga Animal Services
5203 Watauga Road
Watauga, Texas 76137
817-656-9614
For more information Click HERE
WAXAHACHIE
SPCA of Texas
Ellis County Animal Care Center
2570 FM Road 878
Waxahachie, Texas 76165
972-935-0756
For more information Click HERE
WEATHERFORD
Weatherford Parker County Animal Shelter
403 Hickory Lane
Weatherford, Texas 76086
817-598-4181
For more information Click HERE
WYLIE
City of Wyle Animal Shelter
949 Hensley Lane Building 100
Wylie, Texas 75098
972-429-8047
For more information Click HERE
ARDMORE, OKLAHOMA
Ardmore Animal Care, Inc.
321 Carol Brown Blvd
Ardmore, Oklahoma 73401
580-223-7070
For more information, Click HERE | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/clear-the-shelters/final-push-to-clear-the-shelters-across-north-texas/3058234/ | 2022-08-26T22:34:54 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/clear-the-shelters/final-push-to-clear-the-shelters-across-north-texas/3058234/ |
The founder of a Dallas nonprofit focused on helping students succeed in post-high school education says there are significant "flaws and gaps" in the education system that are leading to failures in achieving degrees across Texas.
"Our mission is to get kids out of generational poverty with a career-ready degree and sadly, our state and our country do a terrible job transferring kids from high school to at least a livable wage, and particularly for first-generation low-income kids," said Dan Hooper, founder of ScholarShot and author of Fleece U.
He started the nonprofit in 2009 after he saw the need to help advise students through the college process. It's already a challenging transition, especially for those who are the first in their family to attend post-secondary education and may come from low-income households.
Hooper also takes data from the state to press issues he said are impacting the state as a whole. He referenced the state's 60-by-30 plan, which was created to address the issue of not nearly enough students completing higher levels of education to either earn a certificate or degree, which ultimately helps the Texas workforce and economy.
“This is going to hurt some people's feelings, but advisement from high school is very, very flawed, statewide. Fifty-four percent of our high school kids who graduate do nothing to earn any post-secondary credential, meaning a vocational certificate, and Lord knows we need those, an associate degree or an undergraduate degree," explained Hooper.
He said for those who do try, less than 26% succeed. He said nine out of 10 first-generation low-income students who go to college in Texas drop out.
"But the other side is our universities being way too willing to take a student's grants and loans but make no commitment to see him or her succeed," said Hooper.
Local
The latest news from around North Texas.
"We've heard it from a number of universities across the state when we've had to challenge them and they've said, 'Well, look, we are not responsible for the financial or academic status of our students.' And, you know, think about that and ask what restaurant or airline would be in business a week from now, if they said, 'Hey, we're only going to get half of you there, or we can't guarantee how you'll feel after this meal.' Somehow we have lost accountability for our public education system, call it K-16," said Hooper, who hopes his book will help shed light on the issue.
The ScholarShot program tries to buffer the gap and turn dropouts into degrees through financial support, planning, budgeting and guidance on how to navigate through college and land the first job.
"The system is designed to make the system look good, but sadly at the risk of our kids, and that's what ScholarShot focuses on is to try to help a couple 100 kids who are in our system," said Hooper.
The organization, which is made up of eight employees, has four active academic managers who are assigned about 50 students each to help them navigate their next-level education.
"That was very helpful for me, just the academic advising part, having someone to explain what is happening with college and letting me know, that everything is under control you’re on track, just go to y our classes, do your best I really enjoyed that aspect for me," said Ifeoluwa Kehinde, who is an academic manager at ScholarShot and participated in the program herself.
Kehinde, 22, was born and raised in Nigeria and came to Texas as a teen, and graduated from Grand Prairie High School.
"In my mind, I was thinking, 'I don’t know anything about the college system here. I don’t have any idea on how to go about this,' being the first one to go to school here," said Kehinde. who applied to the program after learning about it from a recruiter at her high school.
She credits ScholarShot for helping her graduate from the University of Texas this past May where she earned a degree in Human Development and Family Sciences. She's now mentoring others who are in the shoes she used to wear.
“Just managing a subset of students and advising them to make sure they feel good, mentally, socially and academically through their college career," she said. "I think there’s this misconception when you graduate high school. You’re 18, they slap the title of 'adult' on you and they send you on your way, but this is another transitionary period and I think a lot of students don’t have that person to help them and guide them as they transition through this next stage of their life.”
Part of that counseling includes learning how to minimize student debt, which remains a problem for millions of Americans who are still paying it off.
"Debt is such a, an evil trap. It takes an 18-year-old less than three seconds to sign off on $7,000 or $10,000 of debt in an online portal and not know, 'what the payment is going to be? How much debt do I already have? Is this enough to cover the year?'" said Hooper, who encourages parents and students to be careful when finding ways to pay for school.
He said that is a subject they focus on heavily at ScholarShot which Hooper said has a 90% success rate of getting students to complete their certification or degree.
"As a parent and student be very, very weary of debt and alert to avoiding it," said Hooper.
The nonprofit said their students take on less than one-third of student loan debt compared to their peers.
"If you're in if you're a typical first-generation low-income kid, you're going to graduate, if you do graduate from a four-year school in Texas with $45,000 in debt, and that means your credit unworthy, day one when you go to work, and you're a subject and a target for subprime lending practices. You'll have to put a three- or four-month deposit down on your first apartment. It's just to trap and there's so much more to talk about there, but I can tell you that if parents recognize that for a one- or two-year, degree or certificate, there's no debt required even though the school will offer it. Don't take it. For a four-year degree. You should be able to graduate and earn a degree for less than $15,000 total in debt," said Hooper.
He said the average for ScholarShot is $1,500 for its graduates.
Hooper said their financial support for students in a two-year program can get up to $3,000 a year and students in a four-year public school in Texas can get up to $6,000 a year.
To learn more about the program and apply click here. Hooper said they'll start taking high school senior applications in October. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-nonprofit-helps-students-succeed-with-post-high-school-education/3057988/ | 2022-08-26T22:35:00 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-nonprofit-helps-students-succeed-with-post-high-school-education/3057988/ |
Skip to content
Main Navigation
Search
Search for:
Local
Weather
Responds
Investigations
Video
Sports
Entertainment
Newsletters
Live TV
Share
Close
Trending
Racist Rant
HS Football Scores
Officer Trial
Clear the Shelters
Expand
Local
The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/grapevine-hs-students-leave-class-to-protest-districts-anti-lgbtq-policies/3058145/ | 2022-08-26T22:35:06 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/grapevine-hs-students-leave-class-to-protest-districts-anti-lgbtq-policies/3058145/ |
Just before lunch Friday about 100 students at Grapevine High School walked out of school, angry with new district policies which limit how teachers and students can talk about LGBTQ issues and content taught in school.
"They say the school is a safe place for all as they actively make it an unsafe place. I have friends who are scared to come to school," said one student.
In a board meeting this week more parents spoke against the policy than for it, but a new, narrow majority of board members passed it anyway, saying it's what they were elected to do.
"I ran on the promises of ending these assaults on our children. I ran to put an end to adults pushing their worldviews, whims, and fantasies on unsuspecting children. I ran on the voice of this community that feels schools should be in the educating business, not the indoctrinating business," said Tammy Nakamura, member of the Board of Trustees for Grapevine-Colleyville ISD.
Parents on both sides of the issue were at the protest, serving up snacks or staring as the students spoke their minds.
"I may not agree with everything my daughter does, but I will support her in her efforts -- whatever it is she feels she needs to do," said Chrissy De La Torre, a parent of one of the protestors.
A handful of students who support the board made signs too.
Local
The latest news from around North Texas.
"We were founded on a Christian country. These are the beliefs put in this country. This is what it's about," said a student.
The students hope this is impactful for them in some way. They say they realize the only way to really have change will be to do something else.
"Vote. It is your civil duty as a person in America," said a student. "People are scared of politics. They don't understand how much it can impact you."
School leaders watched as the students spoke and in a letter said they would ensure they were safe while making their voices heard. Of course, using their voice also came with an unexcused absence for walking out of the building. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/grapevine-students-walk-out-of-class-over-new-anti-lgbtq-school-policies/3058103/ | 2022-08-26T22:35:13 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/grapevine-students-walk-out-of-class-over-new-anti-lgbtq-school-policies/3058103/ |
When flood waters started to sweep away two children, a Dallas Independent School District bus driver and monitor sprung into action and it was all caught on camera.
Dallas ISD bus driver Simone Edmond has been driving school buses for 20 years.
"I've driven in snow, rain, sleet, but never a flood a like this," school bus driver Simone Edmond said.
Never has she been a part of a high-water rescue. But, dramatic cellphone video shot by her bus monitor Tekendria Valentine both doing just that.
The two ladies were on their way back to the bus yard Monday. Edmond decided to take a different route.
“God had me go that way,” Edmond said.
When she came to the area of Edd Road and Silver Brook Road they saw two kids being swept away by rushing water.
Local
The latest news from around North Texas.
"Saw these kids in the middle of the street and the water just whooshes them away," Edmond said. "The mom says please help, please help, he's losing his grip. So, I pulled the bus up. They asked me to move the bus up to stop the flow of the water."
The father had jumped into the water holding on to his kids and a tree.
Valentine quickly started grabbing what she could to help pull them to safety.
"There's nothing back here besides the seatbelts that could be extended out to them,” bus monitor Tekendria Valentine said. “So, I just took the seatbelts off and started tying them together and trying to throw them out for them to grab."
With the help of the seatbelts and a human chain of bystanders, they got the father and his children safely on the bus and out of the rushing water.
The two ladies jumped into action with only one thought on their minds.
"Just saving the kids," Edmond said.
"I'm just thankful we were there to help," Valentine said. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/quick-actions-by-dallas-isd-bus-driver-and-monitor-save-a-father-and-two-children-from-flood-waters/3058166/ | 2022-08-26T22:35:21 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/quick-actions-by-dallas-isd-bus-driver-and-monitor-save-a-father-and-two-children-from-flood-waters/3058166/ |
Skip to content
Main Navigation
Search
Search for:
Weather
Local
Sports
Entertainment
Investigators
Videos
Newsletters
Live TV
Share
Close
Trending
LX News
Monkeypox
Eagles Training Camp
Watch NBC10 24/7 on Roku
Decision 2022
Clear the Shelters
Phillies
Expand
Local
Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/retailers-slash-prices-due-to-inventory-pile-up/3346620/ | 2022-08-26T22:35:22 | 0 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/retailers-slash-prices-due-to-inventory-pile-up/3346620/ |
Skip to content
Main Navigation
Search
Search for:
Weather
Local
Sports
Entertainment
Investigators
Videos
Newsletters
Live TV
Share
Close
Trending
LX News
Monkeypox
Eagles Training Camp
Watch NBC10 24/7 on Roku
Decision 2022
Clear the Shelters
Phillies
Expand
Local
Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/six-flags-roller-coaster-remains-closed-after-14-riders-hurt/3346598/ | 2022-08-26T22:35:29 | 1 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/six-flags-roller-coaster-remains-closed-after-14-riders-hurt/3346598/ |
FOLSOM, Calif. — This Friday marks a year since the deadly attack at the Kabul Airport in Afghanistan.
On Aug. 26, 2021, 13 U.S. service members were killed as they were helping screen Afghans and others at the Abbey Gate of the Kabul airport. At least 169 Afghans were also killed in the bombing as they struggled to get into the airport and on flights out of the country.
Roseville's Nicole Gee was among the 13 U.S. service members killed in the suicide bombing. An Instagram post from Gee, posted a week before her death, shows a baby being held with "I love my job" in the caption.
Folsom's Tyler Vargas-Andrews was among the 18 U.S. service members catastrophically injured. He lost his entire left leg, his right arm just above the elbow, and suffered several other injuries. He needed 43 surgeries at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland after the bombing.
Warfighter Overwatch; a nonprofit supporting veterans, first responders and their families, is hosting a tribute on Friday from 5-6 p.m. at the Sutter Street Amphitheater to honor the 13 fallen U.S. service members.
"Those directly impacted by the bombing have not forgotten what happened, what's missing from their lives, or how their lives have changed," Danny O'Neel, the chairman of the board for Warfighter Overwatch, said. "We just want to make sure that those folks know they're not alone and that their local community supports them."
According to O'Neel, they will have a moment of silence at 5:36 p.m., which was the local time the bombing went off in Kabul.
O'Neel says Friday's tribute will allow them a moment to say the names of the 13 U.S. service members killed, remember their sacrifice, and show their families that they are not forgotten.
"I think it is incredibly important that every single person knows their names and hears their story," O'Neel said. "This event will be a way for our community to pay tribute to those service members because it is an honor to say their names and tell their stories."
O'Neel encourages the community to come to the event and write a note or words of support to the families of the fallen service members. The notes of support will be placed in a replica of the battlefield cross, and then sent to the families following the event.
"This is an opportunity for us to come together and show that we're much more alike than we are in our differences," O'Neel said.
Watch more from ABC10: Folsom Pro Rodeo honors fallen and injured veterans ahead of July 4th | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/folsom-community-honors-those-killed-in-kabul/103-cc6da725-78d5-40a9-a6f1-96a8f8cfdd29 | 2022-08-26T22:36:03 | 0 | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/folsom-community-honors-those-killed-in-kabul/103-cc6da725-78d5-40a9-a6f1-96a8f8cfdd29 |
POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Two men arrested by the Polk County Sheriff's Office during an undercover child pornography investigation in 2021 received multiple consecutive life sentences on Friday.
According to a statement from the sheriff's office, 30-year-old David Lavin, Jr. and Harrison Egbert, 33, were responsible for repeatedly sexually abusing an 8-year-old child together. Deputies say they created, filmed and traded child pornography.
On Aug. 22, Lavin Jr. of Winter Haven received 27 consecutive life sentences, which will be served in the state Florida prison system. He pleaded no contest to 21 counts of possession of child pornography, four counts of sexual battery by a suspect over 18 on a victim under 12, one count of lewd molestation and one count of promoting sexual performance by a child.
Back in May, Egbet, also of Winter Haven, received four consecutive life sentences, which will be served in the state Florida prison system as well. He pleaded no contest to two counts of sexual battery by a suspect over 18 on a victim under 12 and two counts of lewd molestation by a suspect over 18 on a victim under 12.
RELATED: Sheriff Judd: US Marine veteran sexually abused 3 little girls, was 'hoarder' of child porn
Both men were designated as sexual predators, deputies explained.
“Through the years we have dealt with some truly despicable men who commit some of the most heinous crimes against children you can imagine, but these two are the worst of the worst," Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said.
He continued in part, "Lavin and Egbert will be locked up for the rest of their lives, where they can’t hurt the most innocent of victims – our children.”
A total of 2,777 charges were filed as part of "Operation Guardians of the Innocence VII," the agency said in a statement.
The Marine veteran, Egbert, accounts for 1,000 of those charges.
Judd said the 33-year-old was a "hoarder" of child pornography and told detectives he had looked at "thousands" of child porn files.
Egbert reportedly confessed to sexually abusing three young girls, ages 5, 7 and 8 years old, adding that he had taken photos and video of the abuse with the help of a friend, Judd said.
That friend, Lavin Jr., reportedly also confessed to taking the videos and photos of the little girls. Additionally, detectives said he took one of the girls to Egbert's home multiple times to be abused.
Judd said Ivonnette Leon interfered with the investigation. She faces multiple charges, including tampering with a victim, accessory after the fact and contributing to the dependency of a minor.
Also arrested for interfering with the investigation was Shannon Speller. Judd said she runs an unlicensed daycare called Kids Clubhouse Learning Center in Winter Haven. One of the children abused by Egbert went to the daycare, according to Judd.
Judd said the sheriff's office doesn't have any evidence any of the other children at the unlicensed daycare were abused.
Speller was charged with accessory after the fact.
The sheriff's office says 14 other people face child porn charges, including four teenagers. | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/polkcounty/child-porn-polk-david-lavin-harrison-egbert/67-fd4124f7-d50d-417a-92b5-d68cacdd324b | 2022-08-26T22:36:09 | 0 | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/polkcounty/child-porn-polk-david-lavin-harrison-egbert/67-fd4124f7-d50d-417a-92b5-d68cacdd324b |
SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. — Calling all golfers! Here is your chance to see how you stack up against the competition and win a little money too!
Tiger Woods announced Thursday that registration was open for the inaugural PopStroke Tour Championship. The three-day international competition will be held in Sarasota, Fla., and will bring together professional and amateur golfers to see who is best.
The event is scheduled for Oct. 26 to Oct. 28, according to a written statement.
“I am excited to launch the PopStroke Tour Championship,” Tiger Woods said. “Putting is the great equalizer in the game of golf. We look forward to watching the competition unfold with players from all over the globe.”
For more information about the PopStroke Tour Championship, visit here.
PopStroke brings a whole new experience to putt-putt golf. The Sarasota location consists of two 18-hole putting courses made of synthetic turf, fairways and bunkers. PopStroke locations include a restaurant, bar and playground.
The Sarasota location can be found at 195 University Town Center Drive. | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/sarasotacounty/tiger-woods-popstroke-tournament-golf/67-fb0ce538-de44-4af1-8019-c0dc7acabd21 | 2022-08-26T22:36:15 | 0 | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/sarasotacounty/tiger-woods-popstroke-tournament-golf/67-fb0ce538-de44-4af1-8019-c0dc7acabd21 |
ABINGDON, Va. (WJHL) – One of the region’s largest grocery providers made a donation to Feeding Southwest Virginia and its initiative to provide easy access to fresh food for people in rural communities.
Food City presented a check for $30,000 to the non-profit’s Mobile Marketplace on Friday morning. The Mobile Marketplace “provides fresh food and shelf stable grocery items to communities that lack convenient access to grocery stores,” a release from Food City states.
The Mobile Marketplace uses two refrigerated trucks to bring the groceries to Southwest Virginia residents considered food-insecure. Feeding Southwest Virginia aims to help those who live far away from grocery stores and have difficulty reaching the nearest ones.
“Neighbors are hungry, and inflation is causing a lot of challenges for people with limited income, and we just feel that in America right now, that shouldn’t be happening,” Feeding Southwest Virginia President Pamela Irvine said. “There’s available food.”
In 2020, Feeding Southwest Virginia’s food insecurity projections found that more than 177,000 people in the region face hunger. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/food-city-donates-30k-to-feeding-southwest-virginia-for-mobile-marketplace/ | 2022-08-26T22:37:44 | 0 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/food-city-donates-30k-to-feeding-southwest-virginia-for-mobile-marketplace/ |
Idaho leads the U.S. with the number of current active wildfires in the National Interagency Fire Center’s database, which has recorded more than 121,000 acres that have been burned from fires across the state.
The largest wildfire in Idaho is the human-caused Moose Fire, which has burned over 96,000 acres of the Salmon-Challis National Forest about 17 miles north of Salmon. The fire started on July 17 and is about 38% contained.
Salmon River Road between Spring Creek and Panther Creek was closed as a result of the Moose Fire on Aug. 15, and 829 total personnel are working to contain the fire. The estimated containment date is Oct. 31.
The second-largest fire in the state is located near Cascade, which is about 80 miles north of Boise. The Four Corners Fire, which was believed to be caused by lightning, has been burning for nearly two weeks. It has burned over 8,750 acres and is 18% contained. There have been times in recent weeks when air quality in the Treasure Valley has been adversely affected because of wildfire smoke that has moved south. Smoke is also readily apparent to those driving on Highway 55 to and from McCall.
Hot and dry conditions have plagued the area this summer. A cold front is moving in this weekend and temperatures in Cascade are predicted to land in the mid-to-high 70s with some cloud cover. Things will heat back up in the middle of next week, however, with temperatures moving into the low-90s.
Back to the east-central sector of the state, the Salmon-Challis National Forest also has three other wildfires: Norton, Wolf Fang and Woodtick fires.
Located about 27 miles west of Challis, the Woodtick Fire is the second-largest fire in the Salmon-Challis National Forest and has burned more than 5,700 acres. The fire was caused by lightning which originally sparked two separate fires on July 14, according to an InciWeb Incident Information System report. The estimated containment date of the fire is Oct. 1 and activity is minimal with the fire smoldering, creeping and backing.
The Wolf Fang Fire is located 35 miles northwest of Salmon and has burned more than 1,500 acres. The fire was caused by lightning on July 13 and is expected to be contained by Oct. 1. Fire activity is moderate with single-tree torching.
Lightning also caused the Norton Fire on Aug. 1 approximately seven miles northwest of Lower Loon in the Frank Church — River of No Return Wilderness. The fire had burned more than 1,300 acres as of Thursday and is expected to be contained by Oct. 31.
In total, the National Interagency Fire Center has listed 13 wildfires currently in Idaho. Montana has the second-highest number of current fires in the U.S. at nine, burning nearly 19,000 acres.
More information about wildfires is available on InciWeb at inciweb.nwcg.gov.
Idaho Press Managing Editor Teddy Feinberg contributed to this report. | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/idaho-leads-us-in-highest-number-of-current-wildfires/article_353205d4-2573-11ed-97d5-03fabca9eaec.html | 2022-08-26T22:38:08 | 0 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/idaho-leads-us-in-highest-number-of-current-wildfires/article_353205d4-2573-11ed-97d5-03fabca9eaec.html |
Greer woman and her fiancé accused of sexual exploitation, according to lawsuit
A civil lawsuit against the estate of Christina Parcell and her fiancé, Bradly Post, accuses them of assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence and invasion of privacy that harmed a juvenile relative in Parcell's care.
The lawsuit, filed on Aug. 23 by Allyson Southerland, the guardian ad litem of the juvenile, claims Parcell and Post engaged in illegal and sexually explicit acts for the purpose of exploiting the juvenile and that they disseminated sexually explicit videos and photographs of the juvenile for personal gain. Southerland was petitioned to become the guardian ad litem on Aug. 15, 2022.
Richard Davis, who is representing the plaintiffs declined to comment about the case.
Parcell, 41, was found stabbed to death in her Greer home on Oct. 13, 2021.
Zachary Hughes, 29, was charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime, according to warrants from the Greenville County Sherriff's Office.
Related:Bond denied for Greenville pianist accused of killing woman
Post, 66, of Greenville, who was Parcell's partner at the time, was arrested and charged with multiple offenses of sexual exploitation of a minor, arrest warrants say.
Parcell's estate and Post are also named in another lawsuit filed on March 17 by a mother who said her child was a victim in the photographs and videos on Post's phone. Her child and the juvenile in the latest suit often spent time together under the supervision of Parcell, the lawsuit alleged.
Greenville County Sheriff's Office discovered photographs and videos of a number of children, including the Parcell's juvenile relative, undressed in sexually explicit positions. The photos and videos were taken over a number of years, according to the lawsuit filed by Southerland.
Southerland was informed and believed the photographs and videos of the juvenile were taken by, with, and/or in the presence of Post and Parcell
The photos and videos were duplicated to other electronic devices.
The lawsuit alleges Parcell and Post placed the child in reasonable fear of bodily harm, physical abuse and sexual assault.
The suit also alleges Parcell and Post engaged the child and other children in unlawful sexual acts, exploiting the child for personal and financial benefit; failing to provide a safe environment; and failing to report child abuse.
Calls were not immediately returned from Charles Marchbanks Jr., attorney for the estate of Christina Parcell. Neither emails nor calls were returned from Joshua Kendrick, attorney for Post.
The lawsuit is asking for unspecified actual and punitive damages.
Tamia Boyd is a Michigan native who covers breaking news in Greenville. Email her at tboyd@gannett.com, and follow her on Twitter @tamiamb. | https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/local/2022/08/26/estate-greer-christina-parcell-and-her-fiance-accused-sexual-exploitation/7893377001/ | 2022-08-26T22:39:29 | 0 | https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/local/2022/08/26/estate-greer-christina-parcell-and-her-fiance-accused-sexual-exploitation/7893377001/ |
BLOOMINGTON — The McLean County Health Department on Friday reported two COVID-related deaths in the past week.
This brings the total number of COVID-related deaths in the county to 390, according to a news release sent by the health department.
The victims were a male in his 60s and a male in his 70s. Neither was associated with long-term care facilities.
Another 323 new cases of COVID-19 also were reported, bringing the total number of countywide cases to 58,995 since the pandemic began.
Individuals in their 20s made up the highest number of cases this week with 57, followed by people in their 30s with 45 cases.
However, McLean County remains at a low COVID-19 community level. At this level, the Centers for Disease Control recommends that individuals and households stay up to date on their vaccinations and boosters and maintain improved ventilation through indoor spaces.
CDC data also showed new COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 were down to 3.8 over the past seven days ending on Tuesday. However, 193.57 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people were reported over the past seven days ending on Wednesday.
MCHD reported that 298,902 doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in the county and over 63% of the county's population are fully vaccinated.
The Illinois Department of Public Health reported that the number of counties at a high community level for COVID-19 dropped from 42 to 33.
Nearby Champaign County remains at a high level while Ford, Tazewell, Woodford and Logan counties are at a medium level.
A total of 24,297 cases have been reported statewide over the past week, including 82 deaths, according to IDPH.
As of Thursday night, 1,310 individuals in Illinois were hospitalized as a result of COVID-19. Of those, 158 patients were in the intensive care unit and 59 patients were on ventilators.
Everyone 6 months and older is now eligible for the vaccine. To schedule a vaccine in McLean County, call 309-888-5435 for adults and 309-888-5455 for children.
The next testing clinics are scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesday and Wednesday at the McLean County Customer Service Center on East Street between Front and Washington streets.
Walk-ups are welcome, but people can also register in advance at health.mcleancountyil.gov .
Photos: How Bloomington-Normal persevered through COVID-19
Masks of honor
Bagpiper Roger Troxel, left, and Retired Colfax Fire Chief Lou Saunier wore masks while gathering at the McLean County Museum of History as the community remembered Pearl Harbor Day, Monday, Dec. 7, 2020.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
Ringing the bell
Tim Tufte, left, of South Bend, Ind., dropped off a donation with retired Bloomington Fire Department Chief Brian Mohr as Mohr rang the bell for The Salvation Army on Nov. 27, 2020, at Eastland Mall in Bloomington.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
Salute to heroes
Active and retired Bloomington and Normal firefighters give a final salute during a 9/11 remembrance event at the firefighters' memorial in Miller Park on Friday, Sept. 11, 2020.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
'Retired Crew' helps Habitat
Jim Funcheon, left, a retired Bridgestone Americas employee, and Terry Kidd, a retired William Masters employee, wear face masks as they install soffit venting Wednesday, July 15, 2020, on the new Habitat for Humanity of McLean County house at 812 W. Washington St., Bloomington. While social distancing is usually adequate to protect workers from the coronavirus at most construction sites, working in close proximity is more safely done wearing masks, they said. The house is being sponsored by the Rotary Club for the Walls family. Gary Klass, a retired Illinois State University professor, Funcheon and Kidd call themselves the "Retired Crew" as they've made second careers volunteering to build Habitat homes in the Twin Cities.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
Co-worker parade honors retiree
Celia Buschor, right, hugs her mother, Jeanne Buschor, as they watch a parade of State Farm workers drive by Jeanne's apartment Friday, April 3, 2020, after she retired from the company during the coronavirus pandemic. Buschor retired after 36 years as a business analyst. Her co-workers staged the parade because they were unable to celebrate the day due to the stay-at-home order.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
Birthday for a veteran
Air Force veteran Butch Ekstam gathered signatures for a birthday card for Francis Nolan, as a convoy of veterans were escorted by police as they wished Nolan a happy 98th birthday, Thursday, May 14, 2020, at his home at 2812 Phillip Place, Bloomington.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
Children remembered
Molly Evans, director of the Children’s Advocacy Center, said the center even provides birthday party boxes for potential sexual assault victims, Friday, Nov. 20, 2020.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
We're still fishing
Elena Serrano, 8, of Bloomington, concentrates on catching a big fish to celebrate her birthday as she and her family fished at Miller Park lagoon on Friday, July 3, 2020.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
A day to be remembered
Paul McNamee, right, has the time of his life Thursday, June 25, 2020, as 43 cars parade past his house at 804 Parmon Road, Bloomington, to celebrate his 96th birthday. Many of the "guests" were fellow members of Holy Trinity Catholic Church or family. McNamee is a veteran who served in the medical corps during World War II. At left is his great-grandson, Jack Jefferson, 8, his daughter, Maggie Jefferson and his granddaughter Casey Jefferson, who arranged the parade.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
Staying in line
Parents lined up in the parking lot of Grove Elementary School to deliver their children for the first day of school, Monday, Oct. 19, 2020. Parents were not allowed to enter the school due to the coronavirus pandemic.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
Thank goodness for cash on hand
Dan Stephens, Illinois State University vice president for finance and planning, analyzes the impact of COVID-19 on university finances in an interview Monday. Stephens said the university's balance of cash on hand has helped it weather the impact of the coronavirus.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
Fashion for the times
Illinois Wesleyan University sophomore Alex Seehuus, a computer sciences major from Bloomington, twirls her "Veiled Hat" entry in the school's COVID Runaway Fashion Show on Ames Plaza, Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020. Some 21 2D design students entered the fashion show that intended to showcase whimsical creations inspired by social distancing in the time of the coronavirus.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
Fighting to survive
Mike Hill, owner of Maguire's Bar and Grill in downtown Bloomington, takes inventory on Friday. Hill said bar and restaurant owners have few resources left to stay in business as COVID-19 restrictions prevent inside dining and weather outside begins to turn frigid.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
Clawing their way back
Molly Bradle take a food pickup order at Rosie's in downtown Bloomington on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020. Bradle, one of the owners of Rosie's, called the new COVID-19 restrictions "a crushing blow."
PAUL SWIECH, THE PANTAGRPH
Sharing the news
Antywan Jones, left, talks with Bob Waszake in Uptown Normal on Friday, Aug. 21, 2020. Both said they believe in wearing masks to fight COVID-19. "I'm overweight and over 60 and I'd probably die if I got it," said Waszake, who was waiting for The Rock Restaurant to open. Jones was in line for a seat at Shorty's Barber Shop.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
Bringing nature along
Town of Normal horticulturalists Nathan Bair, left, and Bobby Jones, discuss future plans they have for Hidden Creek Nature Sanctuary, Friday, Nov. 6, 2020.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
Going up
Trent Orr, a carpenter for Cleary Building Corp. of Clinton, sorts through 2x4s as he uses a man lift to finish off the roof for a pole construction warehouse building being built for Kirk Wood Products, 10424 E. 1400 North Rd. in west Bloomington, Monday. The 5,400 square foot building will be completed in about two weeks. Mild late Fall weather has been a blessing to contraction workers trying to finish several projects across the area.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
Building Ameren towers
A massive rebar cage that will serve as the metal reinforcement for a concrete foundation to support high-voltage transmission towers is being assembled Tuesday at Illinois 9 near Rivian Parkway on Bloomington-Normal's west side. The 52-foot-long foundation will support towers being built by Ameren Illinois subcontractor Poettker Construction of Breese. Work started in May on a $30 million Ameren Illinois project running a 10-mile, 138-kilovolt transmission line between a substation near Carlock and another in northeast Normal to improve service reliability.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
Repairing Market Street parking deck
Jon Evans, a carpenter with Local 2214 of St. Louis, under contract to Tarlton Construction of St. Louis, begins to tie off new rebar steel as he and a crew of workers begin repairing deterioration of the city of Bloomington's Market Street parking structure on Tuesday in downtown Bloomington. Workers identified structural beams that have lost integrity due to age and weather and are making repairs until winter-like weather arrives.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
Ameren project progressing
Matthew Lister, an Ironworker from Local 112 in East Peoria, attaches a piece of rebar on Thursday to a 52-foot-long steel foundation that will support one of four metal utility towers being built on West College Avenue in far west Normal, near the Rivian plant. The rebar cage will be buried and filled with concrete for the foundation. Poettker Construction of Breese is the sub-contractor for Ameren Illinois. Work started in May on a $30 million Ameren Illinois project running a 10-mile, 138-kilovolt transmission line between a substation near Carlock and another in northeast Normal to improve service reliability.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
Renovation continues at Bone Student Center
Mike Rickman, a staff member with Illinois State University's volunteer services, center, watches as CORE Construction employees continue their work Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020, on the Bone Student Center renovations. Rickman, who distributes ISU Redbird face coverings to students, said that a number of factors may be leading to fewer students seeking testing in Bone Student Center the past few days. President Larry Dietz said Thursday that limiting the spread of the virus continues to be a high priority for the 2020-21 school year.
DAVID PROEBER, THE PANTAGRAPH
Concerned about COVID-19?
Sign up now to get the most recent coronavirus headlines and other important local and national news sent to your email inbox daily. | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/mclean-county-reports-2-covid-deaths-since-last-week/article_00ec7024-257e-11ed-a0cb-67d5f0a5e99f.html | 2022-08-26T22:39:57 | 0 | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/mclean-county-reports-2-covid-deaths-since-last-week/article_00ec7024-257e-11ed-a0cb-67d5f0a5e99f.html |
BLOOMINGTON — A portion of West Washington Street will be closed for several months as Nicor Gas continues environmental cleanup at its Bloomington Manufactured Gas Plant.
The current phase of cleanup is expected to continue until summer 2023. West Washington Street, from Gas Avenue to west of Western Avenue, will be closed through traffic as a result, according to a news release from the city.
The road must remain closed to ensure worksite safety and the safety of the traveling public, the news release stated.
Nicor will continue to monitor its progress and open the road sooner if possible.
Visit bloomingtonsite.info or contact the project team at info@bloomingtonsite.info or 309-261-4155 for more information.
Watch now: American Legion Legacy Run comes through Bloomington
Watch Now: American Legion Legacy Run bikers ride through Bloomington
082522-blm-loc-1motorcycle.jpg
The 2022 American Legion Legacy Run, an organization that raises money for the American Legion Legacy Scholarship, along with awareness to post-9/11 veterans and their children, passed through Bloomington on Wednesday, Aug. 24.
Drew Zimmerman
082522-blm-loc-2motorcycle.jpg
The 2022 American Legion Legacy Run, an organization that raises money for the American Legion Legacy Scholarship, along with awareness to post-9/11 veterans and their children, passed through Bloomington on Wednesday, Aug. 24.
Drew Zimmerman
082522-blm-loc-3motorcycle.jpg
The 2022 American Legion Legacy Run, an organization that raises money for the American Legion Legacy Scholarship, along with awareness to post-9/11 veterans and their children, passed through Bloomington on Wednesday, Aug. 24.
Drew Zimmerman
082522-blm-loc-4motorcycle.jpg
The 2022 American Legion Legacy Run, an organization that raises money for the American Legion Legacy Scholarship, along with awareness to post-9/11 veterans and their children, passed through Bloomington on Wednesday, Aug. 24.
Drew Zimmerman
082522-blm-loc-5motorcycle.jpg
The 2022 American Legion Legacy Run, an organization that raises money for the American Legion Legacy Scholarship, along with awareness to post-9/11 veterans and their children, passed through Bloomington on Wednesday, Aug. 24.
Drew Zimmerman
082522-blm-loc-6motorcycle.jpg
The 2022 American Legion Legacy Run, an organization that raises money for the American Legion Legacy Scholarship, along with awareness to post-9/11 veterans and their children, passed through Bloomington on Wednesday, Aug. 24.
Drew Zimmerman
082522-blm-loc-7motorcycle.jpg
The 2022 American Legion Legacy Run, an organization that raises money for the American Legion Legacy Scholarship, along with awareness to post-9/11 veterans and their children, passed through Bloomington on Wednesday, Aug. 24.
Drew Zimmerman
082522-blm-loc-8motorcycle.JPG
The 2022 American Legion Legacy Run, an organization that raises money for the American Legion Legacy Scholarship, along with awareness to post-9/11 veterans and their children, passed through Bloomington on Wednesday, Aug. 24.
Drew Zimmerman
082522-blm-loc-9motorcycle.JPG
The 2022 American Legion Legacy Run, an organization that raises money for the American Legion Legacy Scholarship, along with awareness to post-9/11 veterans and their children, passed through Bloomington on Wednesday, Aug. 24.
Drew Zimmerman
Contact Olivia Jacobs at 309-820-3352. Follow Olivia on Twitter: @olivia___jacobs
Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/portion-of-west-washington-street-in-bloomington-closed-until-next-summer/article_6daf4c14-2573-11ed-857e-fb46f21b67d4.html | 2022-08-26T22:40:03 | 1 | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/portion-of-west-washington-street-in-bloomington-closed-until-next-summer/article_6daf4c14-2573-11ed-857e-fb46f21b67d4.html |
GREENSBORO — A South Carolina man known as the "Chameleon Beard Bandit" who robbed banks in Greensboro and Durham in 2017 will spend 15 years in prison, a judge ordered Friday.
Ronnie Hiram Wessinger Jr., 49, of Gaffney, South Carolina, was sentenced Friday in U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a news release.
Authorities said Wessinger robbed the Bank of America at 107 Muirs Chapel Road on Nov. 17, 2017. He showed a teller a gun tucked in his waistband and demanded money. When she told him she didn't have any money and showed him her empty register, he responded, “I’ll kill yo ass,” court records show.
Two other tellers, worried about the safety of the initial teller, gave Wessinger a total of $4,744, court records show.
He put the cash into a backpack he was carrying, asked for his note back, and left the bank.
People are also reading…
In the second robbery, Wessinger took $10,747.74, according to an audit after the robbery at the Bank of America at 2 Park Drive in Durham on Sept. 29, 2017, court records show.
Greensboro's was the fourth in a series of multi-state armed bank robberies that began in September 2017 in Durham.
As the series of robberies continued, Wessinger gained the nickname as he often changed his appearance by coloring his beard, police said. After he was arrested in April 2019 after a foiled bank robbery in Benson, Greensboro detectives began investigating and comparing evidence from that robbery attempt and the Greensboro bank robbery. Police said investigators were able to connect Wessinger to the Greensboro case. | https://greensboro.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/chameleon-beard-bandit-gets-15-years-in-prison-for-series-of-bank-robberies-including-in/article_6bde58be-2580-11ed-a9bf-736aa3ee2f78.html | 2022-08-26T22:43:33 | 0 | https://greensboro.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/chameleon-beard-bandit-gets-15-years-in-prison-for-series-of-bank-robberies-including-in/article_6bde58be-2580-11ed-a9bf-736aa3ee2f78.html |
GREENSBORO — UNCG plans to use a $3.4 million grant to collaborate with four other public schools in North Carolina to better recruit and support under-represented minorities in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.
For this initiative, UNCG will lead an alliance that includes faculty and students from Appalachian State University, East Carolina University, UNC-Wilmington, and Western Carolina University.
"Our goal is for students and faculty across the alliance to learn from each other, building strength in STEM education across North Carolina, and ultimately bringing more diversity to the STEM workforce in the state," Malcolm Schug, associate professor and department head of UNCG's biology department, said during an interview Friday.
The group's work begins Thursday, he said.
Schools in the alliance have had a rapid increase in minority enrollment in STEM disciplines, creating a large pool of students eligible for support from this initiative funded by a National Science Foundation grant, according to information shared by UNCG.
People are also reading…
Together, the schools in the "Mountains to Sea North Carolina Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation program" enroll about 100,000 students, roughly 80,000 of whom are undergraduates and 17% declared STEM majors, of which 3.9% are underrepresented minority STEM majors.
The Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation program — named in honor of former congressman Louis Stokes — is a NSF-funded program intended to support historically underrepresented students in STEM fields. The LSAMP program is widely known for elevating the likelihood of success among its participating scholars, many of whom are first-generation college students.
All universities in this regional alliance will use their LSAMP funds to embed research experiences in STEM courses, making them more hands-on and interactive, Schug said.
At UNCG, LSAMP Scholars will receive $3,000 per year. Summer research scholars will also receive a $4,000 stipend to support summer research in a faculty member’s lab, Schug said.
"We will also enable them to find and secure national and international experiences in research," he said.
Scholars will be identified by looking at the incoming first-year student applicant pool and inviting applications from those who meet selection criteria, Schug said. Most UNCG LSAMP scholars will serve as academic tutors and peer leaders for their fellow students, he said.
In addition to Schug, the project leaders at UNCG include Andrew Hamilton (associate vice provost of Student Affairs), Julia Mendez Smith (psychology department) and Sat Gupta (mathematics and statistics department).
Debbie Storrs — UNCG's provost, executive vice chancellor, and a professor in the sociology department — is the principal investigator on the NSF grant and supports the administrative oversight and relationships among the universities in the alliance, Schug said.
"We're really excited about this," Schug said. "We can't wait to get started." | https://greensboro.com/news/local/education/with-3-4-million-grant-uncg-to-lead-alliance-to-recruit-support-more-stem-focused/article_34af8a5a-256e-11ed-b6e2-bfbe8ab5a6ce.html | 2022-08-26T22:43:39 | 1 | https://greensboro.com/news/local/education/with-3-4-million-grant-uncg-to-lead-alliance-to-recruit-support-more-stem-focused/article_34af8a5a-256e-11ed-b6e2-bfbe8ab5a6ce.html |
GREENSBORO — The 5th annual Unity Walk & Festival will be from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday in LeBauer Park.
The walk will begin and end at the downtown park, 208 N. Davie St. Several groups joined together for the walk and festival, which are part of efforts to welcome diversity in the community and advocate for changing legislation and decriminalizing immigration status.
There will be live performances, activities, and much more. | https://greensboro.com/news/local/unity-walk-and-festival-will-be-saturday-in-greensboro/article_29b9d23e-2584-11ed-91b9-07fc7e183c65.html | 2022-08-26T22:43:45 | 1 | https://greensboro.com/news/local/unity-walk-and-festival-will-be-saturday-in-greensboro/article_29b9d23e-2584-11ed-91b9-07fc7e183c65.html |
WATERLOO — An afternoon fire damaged a garage at a Waterloo home on Friday.
Resident noticed smoke coming from the detached garage behind 718 Conger St., and firefighters found a blaze inside and extinguished it.
No injuries were reported. The fire was ruled accidental.
WATCH NOW: Courier fire videos
WATCH NOW: Courier fire videos
Former church fire, Waverly, Iowa, Dec. 19, 2016
VIDEO: House Fire, Gable St., Waterloo, Iowa 120319
Apartment fire, Jefferson St., Feb. 19, 2016
Duplex Fire, Western Ave., Feb. 9. 2016
Fire, Beaver Ridge Trail, Cedar Falls, Iowa Feb. 5, 2018
Garage/house fire, Seneca Ave., Waterloo, Iowa Dec. 11, 2017
House Fire, W. Second St., Waterloo, Iowa, Oct. 20, 2016
House fire, Marion St., Evansdale, Iowa June 6, 2018
House fire, W. 2nd St., Waterloo, Iowa July 7, 2017
Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/fire-damages-garage-in-waterloo/article_e3588145-14f5-5c6c-a2d8-a53f15625997.html | 2022-08-26T22:44:37 | 1 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/fire-damages-garage-in-waterloo/article_e3588145-14f5-5c6c-a2d8-a53f15625997.html |
MONTROSE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WJRT) - Residents made a disturbing discovery of a child's body dumped along a remote road in Montrose Township.
Neighbors were on edge Friday while a police investigation continues.
Michigan State Police were at the scene Thursday evening as requested by the Montrose Township Police Department. A mobile crime lab was there Thursday night, but state police could not confirm what they found.
A resident saw a car pull off the side of Morrish Road on Thursday afternoon. Believing they were possibly dumping illegally, she sent her husband to check the area.
That's when he found what neighbors say may be human remains.
"They started to uncover it and they seen it was a baby, and that's whey they called the cops," said Joe Forester, who lives in the neighborhood. "Cops came out, they shut the whole road down yesterday and the forensic team came in."
The Montrose Township Police Department could not be reached for comment on the investigation. The department's office was closed on Friday.
Michigan State Police say the forensic team was called in Thursday night, but the department has received no other requests for assistance related to the ongoing investigation. | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/neighbors-say-childs-body-found-alongside-rural-road-near-montrose/article_77f4e126-2572-11ed-a6ee-bf8ecde7993a.html | 2022-08-26T22:48:46 | 1 | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/neighbors-say-childs-body-found-alongside-rural-road-near-montrose/article_77f4e126-2572-11ed-a6ee-bf8ecde7993a.html |
OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. (WJRT) - Police are looking for more clues to help find a 15-year-old girl who has been missing for eight days.
The Oakland County Sheriff's Office says Laken Elezabeth Lewis was last seen on Aug. 18, when she went for a walk in the Stratford Villa mobile home park in Commerce Township around 6:15 p.m.
Her family expected her to return in about two hours, but she never came back home and nobody has heard from her since. Lewis was last seen wearing a light blue zip-up jacket, shorts or multicolored pants and white Nike Air Force 1 shoes.
Lewis' mother said she never is late without asking for permission. Lewis' biological father, who lives in Grand Haven near Lake Michigan, said he hasn't heard from her in several weeks.
Family has not received contact from her on social media either.
The Oakland County Sheriff's Office says it received only a few tips since putting out a notice about Lewis last week. Detectives hope anyone who sees or hears from her will contact them.
Anyone with information about Lewis should call the sheriff’s 0ffice at 248-858-4950. | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/search-for-missing-oakland-county-teen-reaches-8-days/article_88f6ba0e-257b-11ed-a810-83bd3344ad80.html | 2022-08-26T22:48:53 | 0 | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/search-for-missing-oakland-county-teen-reaches-8-days/article_88f6ba0e-257b-11ed-a810-83bd3344ad80.html |
HARRISBURG, Pa. — If Mehmet Oz is elected to the U.S. Senate this fall, he’ll be the first Muslim ever to serve in the chamber. But it’s something the celebrity heart surgeon hardly brings up while campaigning, his Democratic opponent isn’t raising it and it’s barely a topic of conversation in Pennsylvania’s Muslim community.
Even if Muslims know that Oz, best known as the host of daytime TV’s “The Dr. Oz Show,” is a fellow Muslim, many may not identify with him culturally or politically.
And in any case, Muslims aren’t monolithic and won’t necessarily vote for a candidate just because they share a religion, Muslims across the state say — he’ll have to win them over on the issues just as with all voters.
Oz, whose parents emigrated from Turkey, calls himself a “secular Muslim” and has said the spiritual side of Islam resonates with him more than the religious law side of it.
He is also part of a Republican Party that is a political minority among Muslims and is endorsed by former president Donald Trump, who earned the enmity of some Muslims for enacting a 2017 ban on travelers coming to the United States from five predominantly Muslim countries.
For a Republican Party more accustomed to electing White Christians, Oz’s religion is a strange bedfellow. Some Muslims say they have felt an animosity from the party in the past, and Muslim candidates themselves have faced attacks from GOP rivals.
In a brief interview, Oz said it is good for the United States’ leadership to show that it can elect Muslims, and it is good for Muslims to see one of their own elected to the U.S. Senate.
That kind of success would reinforce the message that “if you work hard in America, no matter what your heritage, we treasure you,” Oz said.
Oz won the GOP’s seven-way May primary in a contest so narrow it triggered a statewide recount, and he now faces Democrat John Fetterman, Pennsylvania’s lieutenant governor, in the Nov. 8 election. The contest in the presidential battleground state could help determine partisan control of the Senate next year.
On the campaign trail, Oz follows national GOP talking points, such as trying to pin rising inflation and gun violence on President Biden and his fellow Democrats.
Oz rarely discusses his religion, and Fetterman hasn’t brought it up — focusing instead on trying to paint Oz as a superwealthy, out-of-touch carpetbagger from New Jersey.
If Muslims don’t know that Oz is one of them, “that is because of him, really,” said Algassimu Bah, a Philadelphian and immigrant from Sierra Leone. “He hasn’t been talking about his faith. We’ve not heard him.”
Imam Abdul Aziz Suraqah, of the Muslim Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, said most members of the mosque probably know of Oz’s faith but seem no more passionate about Oz than any other candidate.
Imam Abdullah Pocius, who leads a mosque in Philadelphia, said he doubts that most Muslims who vote know that Oz identifies as a Muslim.
“The average American Muslim doesn’t know anything about him, except that he’s a TV doctor,” Pocius said.
Oz was born in the United States to Turkish parents, married an American who is Christian and raised his children as Christians.
In a 2013 interview for the PBS series “Faces of America,” Oz discussed his faith, saying that, while growing up, he became interested in Sufism, a mystical form of Islam that emphasizes someone’s direct connection to God.
Oz described it as “spiritual.”
Sufism is, however, generally viewed negatively by orthodox Muslims, who emphasize strictly following a set of religious laws, said Khalid A.Y. Blankinship, a Muslim and professor of religion at Temple University in Philadelphia.
In addition, Muslims in the United States are diverse — they include converted Americans and immigrants from Asia, Africa and Europe — and many might see Oz’s Turkish heritage as more meaningful to him than Islam, Blankinship said.
It is important — and remarkable — that a major political party has nominated a Muslim for a Senate seat, Muslims say. But when it comes to voting, party loyalty will override religion for the vast majority of Muslims, Blankinship said.
“Most people would not think of supporting him just because he’s a Muslim,” Blankinship said. “And they would look at what is he saying, what are his politics, what is his position going to be?”
Suraqah said he tries to teach Muslims to be principled in their voting choices and to avoid supporting candidates “just because they speak nicely to the Muslim community” or appeal to them as fellow Muslims.
Estimates suggest that Muslims are 1 percent to 2 percent of the state’s voters, and Pew Research Center estimated in 2017 that two-thirds of American Muslims identified as Democrats, or leaned that way.
“It is complicated because most Muslims are registered Democrats,” said Wa’el Alzayat, the chief executive of Emgage, a national Muslim political advocacy organization. “While being a Muslim is nice and it’s good, it is not sufficient and in some cases it doesn’t matter what your faith is if you are not on the right side of the issues.”
Salima Suswell, Emgage’s executive director in Pennsylvania, said she became aware that Oz is a Muslim soon after he launched his campaign.
“We know that just because somebody proclaims to be a part of our religious community, it does not mean that they represent our values,” she said.
Issues aside, it’s a problem that Oz doesn’t speak out against Trump as a source of Islamophobia and hate, Alzayat said.
Nadeem Iqbal, a Pittsburgh-area radiologist who was born in Pakistan, said he might be tempted to vote for a Muslim candidate.
But Iqbal wondered whether or how Oz practices the religion, and he zeroed in on Oz’s ties to Trump, whom he views as racist, anti-Muslim and empowering America’s extremist and racist fringes.
“Personally,” Iqbal said, “I will not vote for anyone endorsed by Donald Trump.”
— Associated Press
Claudia Lauer in Philadelphia contributed to this report. | https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/ozs-senate-bid-could-be-a-muslim-milestone--but-its-complicated/2022/08/26/52110aaa-2489-11ed-ae94-b5afe3c5886e_story.html | 2022-08-26T22:53:22 | 1 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/ozs-senate-bid-could-be-a-muslim-milestone--but-its-complicated/2022/08/26/52110aaa-2489-11ed-ae94-b5afe3c5886e_story.html |
DUNWOODY, Ga. — Beware of bears in Dunwoody.
The police department posted its warning of a bear spotted by North Peachtree and Devonshire streets.
Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division said they have not received any new reports but did offer notes on how the agency approaches sightings.
"Our staff would highly prefer not to interfere with the movement of the animal (capturing and relocating a bear is traumatic and stressful to the animal). So, as long as the bear keeps moving/is not causing property damage or becomes a danger - that is ideal," a wildlife spokesperson said.
Georgia DNR said if the bear does not find a food source, it will continue to move around to find a fitting home. This means that homeowners and business owners be mindful of taking out their garbage and where they feed their pets.
"The bear wants zero to do with people – and would prefer not to interact at all. So, ideally, if the bear is seen, people should just let it continue to move, don’t try to 'corner' it or run it up a tree. Allow it the space to leave the area," the DNR said.
Be "BearWise"
Black bears are the only bears found in the state, according to Georgia Department of Natural Resources. The agency's wildlife resources division said they live in three distinct regions in the state:
- North Georgia mountains
- Along the Ocmulgee River drainage in central Georgia
- Around the Okefenokee Swamp in southeast Georgia
Georgia's DNR said these bears typically live in forested areas and can live between eight to 15 years. They can grow up to 6 feet in length.
If bears are spotted in your area, here are steps you can take to be safe, according to wildlife experts.
- NEVER FEED OR APPROACH BEARS: Feeding bears (intentionally or unintentionally) trains them to approach homes and people for more food. Bears will defend themselves if a person gets too close, so don’t risk your safety and theirs!
- SECURE FOOD, GARBAGE AND RECYCLING: Food and food odors attract bears so don’t reward them with easily available food or garbage.
- REMOVE BIRD FEEDERS WHEN BEARS ARE ACTIVE: Birdseed and other grains have a high calorie content making them very attractive to bears. The best way to avoid conflicts with bears is to remove feeders.
- NEVER LEAVE PET FOOD OUTDOORS: Feed outdoor pets portion sizes that will be completely eaten during each meal and then remove leftover food and food bowl. Securely store these foods so nothing is available to bears.
- CLEAN AND STORE GRILLS: After you use an outdoor grill, clean it thoroughly and make sure that all grease and fat is removed. Store cleaned grills and smokers in a secure area that keeps bears out.
- ALERT NEIGHBORS TO BEAR ACTIVITY: Share news with your friends and neighbors about recent bear activity and how to avoid bear conflicts. Bears have adapted to living near people; are you willing to adapt to living near bears? | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/dunwoody/dunwoody-black-bear-sighting/85-75d59dce-6cc5-455d-8dd5-b4e26ddff74a | 2022-08-26T22:55:36 | 1 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/dunwoody/dunwoody-black-bear-sighting/85-75d59dce-6cc5-455d-8dd5-b4e26ddff74a |
The Dallas Police Department is pushing hard to increase the size of the force with retention and recruiting.
A police academy graduation Friday demonstrated the variety of places from which new hires are being sought for the force.
Five of the new officers came from the City of Dallas. The rest are from other cities in Texas, one each from California, New York, Maryland and Oklahoma. One new officer is from Brazil.
New officer Auri King is from North Carolina.
“I feel like I'm very prepared for anything that comes my way. I grew up in a pretty rough neighborhood in Fayetteville. I feel like I'm very dynamic. I've been around the world thanks to the military,” she said.
The US Army veteran said she liked Dallas on visits to the city while posted at Fort Hood. She is also the mother of a 4-year-old boy.
"He loves to tell everyone, 'my mom's a cop,'" she said.
Local
The latest news from around North Texas.
New Officer Adam Harmon was a police officer for six years in a suburb of Tulsa, Oklahoma, his hometown. Harmon said he decided big city Dallas is the place he would rather serve.
“I just liked everything that the Dallas Police Department stood for, how it impacts its officers, extremely high standard that the Dallas Police Department has for its officers,” Harmon said.
In his speech to the new officers Friday, Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia said expectations are very high.
“It is no ordinary job and it is second to none. The bar is set high for you,” Garcia said.
The Dallas Police force is currently around 600 officers smaller than the 2011 peak of 3,690. More officers left the force than were hired each of the past two years.
“We need to continue recruiting and we need to do our best to keep people from leaving the minute they are retirement eligible. That's not just an issue in Dallas. That's an issue that's going on nationally,” Garcia said.
New Officer David Kaiser from Texas, the class 382 leader, said the training was rigorous but the recruits did not quit.
“We trained in the freezing cold and under the harsh Texas sun for hours on end. We pushed ourselves to the limit only to learn we could push ourselves even further,” Kaiser said.
Officer King said she hopes to reach young people in Dallas and boost the image of policing which was not held in a positive light where she grew up.
“I just decided this is exactly where I wanted to be,” King said.
Despite having six years of law enforcement experience in Oklahoma, Officer Harmon said he went through the entire Dallas Police Academy course along with those who had no experience. He said the well-trained officers can improve relations with the Dallas community.
“That’s always the goal, to serve our community the best way we can,” Harmon said.
Both new officers from other states said they hope others will follow their choice to serve in Dallas.
“It’s a great state, an amazing city that supports its law enforcement, the honorable men and women that do this job. I see it every day in our communities,” Garcia said. “From a recruiting standpoint, I’m happy where we’re at.”
Garcia said 120 more recruits are in the academy now and 90 others are in the application review pipeline. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-police-academy-graduation-highlights-wide-recruiting-pool/3058247/ | 2022-08-26T23:00:50 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-police-academy-graduation-highlights-wide-recruiting-pool/3058247/ |
After reports last month that a popular Central Texas swimming hole was drying up, Hays County parks say they're closing Jacob's Well to swimming for the remainder of the year.
The Hays County Parks Department said the watering hole was suffering from significant drought and that significant rainfall was needed to recharge the Trinity Aquifer, which supplies Jacob’s Well with water.
All existing reservations will be canceled and refunded automatically in the coming weeks.
The swimming hole, the second-largest fully submerged cave in Texas, was shut down in July after running dry for the fifth time in recorded history.
The rest of the park remains open for hiking and viewing the spring. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-news/persistent-drought-dries-up-closes-popular-central-texas-swimming-hole/3058258/ | 2022-08-26T23:00:56 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-news/persistent-drought-dries-up-closes-popular-central-texas-swimming-hole/3058258/ |
After 15 years, it pains Larry O'malia to now go about his day without his trusted companion by his side. His cat Boo was well-known by all customers at Larry O'Malia's Farm and Greenhouses.
"They knew that Boo was part of our extended family, and I started my day every day with him, and I ended my day every day with him," said Larry O'Malia, owner of Larry O'Malia's Farm and Greenhouses.
Early Wednesday morning O'Malia says someone was trespassing in a car in his business parking lot in Plains Township before store Hours.
According to O'Malia, the car went to leave and hit Boo before driving away.
"When I got out here, and I saw Boo, he was in bad shape," said O'Malia
O'Malia took Boo to the Plains Animal Hospital shortly after he was hit by the unknown driver.
Knowing nothing could be done, he just wanted his beloved friend to pass away in peace.
"And I said I just need you guys to do me a favor, and they were very accommodating," said O'Malia.
Customers like Michelle Wolynec of Plains Township have shown nothing but support after hearing about the passing of the former store greeter.
"He was definitely a family member. That was the reason I came down here just to say hi to Boo. He was their mascot," said Wolynec.
O'Malia spoke with police but did not file charges due to no video or physical evidence.
A $200 reward is offered to anyone who has information.
"After we go through a grieving process, you know there may be another cat in the future, said O'Malia. "Usually, a cat finds you; you don't find it, so time will tell."
A memorial is set to be placed here in Boo's memory, and O'Malia is looking into making changes in the parking lot and also stopping trespassing during non-business hours.
See more pets and animal stories on WNEP’s YouTube playlist. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/luzerne-county/farm-cat-killed-by-car/523-bf6c9425-8060-4864-834f-9172dc5fd304 | 2022-08-26T23:14:44 | 0 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/luzerne-county/farm-cat-killed-by-car/523-bf6c9425-8060-4864-834f-9172dc5fd304 |
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Williamsport has welcomed the world to central Pennsylvania for the past two weeks. Now, the city is hosting a street festival to celebrate the Little League World Series.
There were no Little League games on Friday, but fans are still finding ways to have fun. Many stopped by a popular event — Williamsport Welcomes the World.
This is the 12th year for the street festival, where officials expect to see thousands of people in downtown Williamsport.
"It's a great time just to get out, celebrate what's coming up with championship weekend as we kick off everything with the Little League World Series," said Jason Fink, CEO of the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce.
The event features live music, food, a kids' zone with free activities, and around 80 vendors. One of those vendors is Tina Short.
"Williamsport needs something like this. We have so much bad stuff happening that good stuff is needed."
Taco Bill's has been coming to this event for about five years.
"It's one of our best events. It's going to be a really busy day," said Bill Lamey. "Doing all of our prepping, hopefully, we don't sell out!"
Parts of West Fourth Street were closed for the event. That did not bother Vincenzo Guericio, the owner of Vinnie's Italian Eatery. He says the event brings in extra business.
"Shopping, having fun, lots of food, see the kids having fun, it's great," Guericio said.
Williamsport Welcomes the World is about a half-mile long, but there is a lot packed into that half mile. The event was canceled in 2020 but was held last year.
"It was not at the scale that we have this year," Fink said. "Last year, with it being an all-U.S. tournament. This year we will truly be welcoming the world."
Williamsport Welcomes the World runs until 9 p.m. Friday. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/lycoming-county/williamsport-welcomes-the-world-festival-kicks-off-little-league-world-series-chamber-of-commerce-business-street-festival/523-0b83fdd4-3d53-48b5-9813-0e7438dbb10a | 2022-08-26T23:14:50 | 0 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/lycoming-county/williamsport-welcomes-the-world-festival-kicks-off-little-league-world-series-chamber-of-commerce-business-street-festival/523-0b83fdd4-3d53-48b5-9813-0e7438dbb10a |
A San Antonio man will serve life in prison after murdering another man over a $652.59 debt.
A Bexar County jury sentenced Richard Vallejo, 28, to life in prison on Friday, the day after finding him guilty of the June 2020 death of Andrew Gomez.
Today would have been Gomez’s 30th birthday.
Prosecutors said in a news release that Gomez visited Vallejo’s parents’ house to collect money that Vallejo owned him for renting tires.
Vallejo instructed his sister to keep Gomez at the home, later arriving and shooting Gomez six times, according to the release. Along with the life sentence, the jury fined Vallejo $652.59, the amount Vallejo owed Gomez for the tires.
Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales condemned the crime and praised the jury for sending a message of intolerance for gun violence. He also thanked the Gomez family for its patience.
“This was an emotional trial for them and our team,” Gonzales said. “I truly hope that this verdict gives them the peace and closure that they have been waiting for.”
ricardo.delgado@express-news.net | https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Jury-sentences-man-to-life-for-murder-over-652-17401391.php | 2022-08-26T23:15:30 | 0 | https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Jury-sentences-man-to-life-for-murder-over-652-17401391.php |
Two San Antonio men were indicted on murder charges this week in connection with separate deaths that occurred in May.
Fabian Rodriguez and Quovante Walls were among 242 felony indictments handed down this week by Bexar County grand juries.
Rodriguez is accused of fatally stabbing his mother in an Airbnb in the 5800 block of Clipper Port where they had rented a room together.
The home’s owner found 68-year-old Maritza Rodriguez dead and covered in blood in that bedroom on May 30, the Express-News reported.
The two had checked in the night before, and in the middle of the night, a woman who rented a different room in the home heard screaming coming from the Rodriguez’s room, according to an affidavit supporting the suspect’s arrest.
Police officers were called to the home after the other renter said Rodriguez started rattling her room’s doorknob. Two hours after the officers left, the Airbnb host asked Fabian Rodriguez to leave and subsequently found his slain mother.
According to the affidavit, officers found a bloody kitchen knife in an outside trash can along with bloody clothing wrapped in a brown bath towel.
Rodriguez was arrested days later, and his case is being prosecuted by the Family Violence Division in the 175th District Court.
Walls is accused of killing Mario Miller on May 31 at the Sherill Oaks Apartments. Police were called to the complex in the 4000 block of Sherill Brook Road, where they found Miller dead from a single gunshot wound to his head, media reported.
Walls was arrested that night a few blocks away.
His case is being prosecuted by the Family Violence Division in the 227th District Court.
If convicted, both men could face life in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
taylor.pettaway@express-news.net | https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Man-accused-of-fatally-stabbing-mother-among-17401293.php | 2022-08-26T23:15:36 | 0 | https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Man-accused-of-fatally-stabbing-mother-among-17401293.php |
San Antonio-based Lone Star Ambulance has agreed to pay $90,000 to settle a sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the federal agency announced Friday.
Two female employees alleged that they experienced repeated sexual harassment — verbal, unwanted touching and forced submission to sex — in the workplace by supervisors and those in executive management at the company. In the settlement, the company denied that it harassed, discriminated against or retaliated against the two women who filed the lawsuit.
According to a statement from the EEOC, working conditions became so intolerable that one of the women felt she had no other option but to resign. The other woman was fired shortly after she rejected sexual advances from a supervisor and complained about the sexual harassment.
The EEOC filed the suit in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, San Antonio Division, after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement.
On Friday, Lone Star Ambulance agreed to a five-year consent decree to take steps to prevent and eliminate sexual harassment in its workplace, such as adopting a written policy against employment discrimination, hiring an independent outside monitor to investigate all complaints of sexual harassment and retaliation in the workplace, and annual training on Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 for all employees.
In a news release, EEOC attorneys applauded the company for accepting responsibility for providing a harassment-free workplace.
“The commitments made today will hopefully serve the company well in the future by fostering a more positive experience for its employees as the company continues to serve the San Antonio area,” said EEOC Regional Attorney Robert Canino.
laura.garcia@express-news.net | https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/San-Antonio-ambulance-court-suit-17401287.php | 2022-08-26T23:15:42 | 0 | https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/San-Antonio-ambulance-court-suit-17401287.php |
An overdose spike alert was issued in Oneida County on Friday after four overdoses were reported over the last 24 hours, including one fatal incident.
According to data from the county’s Overdose Response Team, the overdoses happened in Utica and Rome, and involved heroin and other opioids, including synthetic fentanyl, which was the fatal drug.
There have been five overdose deaths in Oneida County throughout the month of August and three of them happened over the past five days.
“Illicit and deceptive drugs made of fentanyl are taking lives at an unprecedented rate and it is being found in any street drug you can name,” said Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente. “Fentanyl has changed the game in a frightening way – it’s a highly toxic and dangerous drug that can take a life in a moment’s notice – three known deaths in just five days is proof of that and it only takes one time.”
The team is also alerting the public about dangerous purple, pink or blue drugs that have been circulating around the area and are linked to at least one of the recent deaths.
The county has been warning residents of a purple heroin mixture since it was linked to a spike alert issued this past May. It’s a mix of street drugs, including fentanyl.
The team has also seen an increase in pink substances that contain heroin, fentanyl and molly.
Since fentanyl is virtually indistinguishable when mixed with other drugs, county officials say traffickers make these concoctions to increase their supply because it’s cheap and easy to make.
The rise in use of these drug mixtures is connected to the increase in overdoses and deaths, according to the response team.
Anyone searching for resources to help themselves or others facing addiction can click here for more information. | https://www.wktv.com/news/local/4-overdoses-1-fatal-in-oneida-county-over-last-24-hours/article_bc6ca6f8-2587-11ed-ab9d-13065cdf80a3.html | 2022-08-26T23:26:30 | 1 | https://www.wktv.com/news/local/4-overdoses-1-fatal-in-oneida-county-over-last-24-hours/article_bc6ca6f8-2587-11ed-ab9d-13065cdf80a3.html |
Tiffany Gullins knows the exact amount of student loan debt she owes to the federal government, down to the dollar: $83,593.
"It's a number that's stamped in my mind," said Gullins, 30, a development coordinator for the Massey Cancer Center. "It definitely always felt like, 'how am I ever going to pay this off?' "
Thanks to the debt relief policy President Joe Biden announced this week, the government will reduce her amount due by $20,000. The remaining $64,000 is a lot, but the reduction was enough for her to consider what other costs she can now afford. Replacing her car, attaining the doctorate degree she's long considered and traveling more are at the top of her list.
People are also reading…
After Gullins earned a bachelor's degree in marketing at Virginia State University, she decided to pursue a master's in economics, even it meant more debt. She didn't want to get stuck in her career without a graduate degree.
She worked while in grad school but used the funds to pay off her car, deferring her student loans. In January, she and millions of other American college grads will restart paying off their student debt. The new plan calls for reducing the amount owed per month, which Gullins said will make her monthly payments seem less overbearing.
The gist: Biden's plan will cancel $10,000 of student debt for low- and middle-income borrowers. It will cancel up to $20,000 in debt for low-income recipients of Pell Grants.
Borrowers are eligible if their individual income is below $125,000 or $250,000 for married couples.
The pause on student loan repayment was extended for a final time through Dec. 31.
"President Biden believes that a post-high school education should be a ticket to a middle-class life, but for too many, the cost of borrowing for college is a lifelong burden that deprives them of that opportunity," the White House said.
The decision is expected provide relief for up to 43 million borrowers, and it will fully cancel the remaining balance of roughly 20 million of them.
Some conservative lawmakers criticized Biden's move, calling it unfair to former students who have paid off their loans and to taxpayers who could not afford to send their children to college.
The bipartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimated Biden's debt relief policy will cost about $500 billion.
Cost has gone up: The total cost of attendance at Virginia public colleges, including room and board, has ballooned 43% in the past decade to $25,600.
Debt in Virginia: In 2021, roughly 35,000 students graduated with bachelor's degrees from Virginia colleges with debt. Sixty percent of graduates had some level of debt.
The median debt level was $26,000.
The number of students graduating with debt has gone up as college enrollments have gone up. But the percentage of graduates who borrow has remained relatively flat.
While median debt levels have stayed relatively constant, the average debt level has increased 15%, driven by an increase in students who are graduated with large debt burdens of nearly $40,000.
Pell Grants: Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government to low- and middle-income students regardless of their scholastic performance.
While the level of Pell Grants have stayed mostly flat in the past 40 years, the cost of college has increased dramatically. In 1980, the maximum Pell Grant available was $6,000, and the average cost of a public university was about $8,000.
Now, the average cost of college is about $22,000, but Pell Grants remain at about $6,000.
Almost all Pell Grant recipients come from families earning $60,000 or less, and two-thirds of them earn less than $30,000 annually.
Where do Pell students go to school? In 2020-21, there were 128,000 Pell-eligible students enrolled in Virginia colleges - 36% of them were went to public universities, 36% to community colleges and 28% to private universities.
Among four-year schools, no one enrolls nearly as many Pell students as Liberty University, which had almost 23,000 - nearly half its undergraduates. Most Liberty students attend online.
Virginia Commonwealth University enrolls almost 7,000. At VCU, 31% of undergraduate students are Pell-eligible.
Alumni of Virginia State University and Norfolk State University are the most likely to receive a boost. At VSU, 69% of students are Pell-eligible, the highest percentage in the state. At Norfolk State, 67% are.
"The Virginia State University administration is appreciative to the Biden administration for this bold move, which will help to change the financial trajectory of millions of graduates," VSU president Makola Abdullah said. "We are immensely grateful."
Going forward: Michael Rainey, a professor who teaches freshman studies at VSU, said he hopes this is just the beginning of a conversation about improving college affordability, interest rates and repayment options.
Borrowers often pay hundreds of dollars per month, and Rainey wonders how someone making $35,000 can pay that off.
Rainey, 42, who has undergraduate and graduate degrees in math and a doctorate in educational administration and supervision, will see his debt burden reduced from $74,000 to $64,000.
"Anything is better than nothing," he said. "I'm definitely grateful."
How big debt has gotten: Across the country, student loan debt totals $1.6 trillion, and more than 45 million Americans have borrowed.
Collection: Our 'Virginia from above' series
Every week, Times-Dispatch visual journalists take you to a unique location in our "Virginia from above" series.
Have an idea for our next drone feature? Email jwallaces@timesdispatch.com. | https://richmond.com/news/local/education/what-college-debt-relief-means-for-virginia-residents/article_a041e520-5ef9-5f43-8467-19605bea6312.html | 2022-08-26T23:32:50 | 1 | https://richmond.com/news/local/education/what-college-debt-relief-means-for-virginia-residents/article_a041e520-5ef9-5f43-8467-19605bea6312.html |
Arizona attorney general files motion for execution warrant for Murray Hooper
Arizona continued its pursuit of the death penalty on Friday with an announcement from Attorney General Mark Brnovich that the state had filed a motion for a warrant of execution for Murray Hooper.
The Arizona Supreme Court agreed to hear arguments for Murray's execution earlier this week, saying it would conference and rule on the motion Oct. 12. If granted, the execution would likely be set for 35 days later.
Hooper, 76, would mark the state's third execution since resuming the practice earlier in 2022. Arizona halted implementation of the death penalty after the botched execution of Joseph Wood in 2014. Clarence Dixon, 66, was executed May 11, and Frank Atwood, also 66, was executed June 8.
Murray Hooper was convicted in 1982 for his role in the 1980 murders of Patrick Redmond and his mother-in-law, Helen Phelps, as they prepared for a New Year's Eve party in Phoenix.
Hooper's accomplices, William Bracy and former Phoenix police Officer Edward McCall, were also convicted and sentenced to death, but have since died.
There are 111 people on Arizona's death row, 22 of whom have exhausted their appeals, according to the Arizona Attorney General's Office.
Have a news tip on Arizona prisons? Reach the reporter at jjenkins@arizonarepublic.com or at 812-243-5582. Follow him on Twitter @JimmyJenkins.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-breaking/2022/08/26/arizona-ag-brnovich-files-motion-for-murray-hooper-execution-warrant/7907206001/ | 2022-08-26T23:34:29 | 0 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-breaking/2022/08/26/arizona-ag-brnovich-files-motion-for-murray-hooper-execution-warrant/7907206001/ |
On Aug. 15, Oregon Nurses Association announced one of its member leaders “filed a class action lawsuit against Providence St. Joseph Health for wage theft, seeking injunctive relief to stop Providence from continuing to shortchange frontline health care workers” in a press release.
According to that release, Providence switched to a new Genesis payroll system in July, which “systematically underpays nurses and other frontline healthcare workers.
“This has led to lost wages and benefits for nurses and frontline healthcare workers including but not limited to unpaid hours, unpaid overtime, unpaid differentials, unpaid certification pay and other lost hours and benefits. Individual impacts range from nurses missing a few dollars to workers missing entire paychecks,” according to the press release.
ONA said the class action lawsuit “seeks to recover lost wages and damages owed to all workers at Providence including nurses, allied health workers, technicians, housekeepers, food services staff, doctors and other workers who have suffered from Providence’s failure to pay workers the wages they are owed.
“More than 200 frontline nurses who are victims of Providence’s wage theft have already signed on to the class action lawsuit and thousands of other nurses and healthcare workers have been negatively impacted by Providence’s unpaid wages,” reads the press release. “Workers who have been victims of Providence’s wage theft but who are not named in the lawsuit will still benefit from a fair settlement. The lawsuit is filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court. While the exact amount of theft is too large to determine without a comprehensive audit, lost wages and penalties could be in the millions.”
Providence responded to the Genesis-related pay discrepancy announcement from ONA the same day, saying in a statement, “Providence apologizes to its caregivers and their families who have been affected by recent paycheck issues. We take these issues incredibly seriously and we are working daily to identify and resolve reported issues. To ensure our caregivers are kept whole during this unfortunate disruption, we are running off-cycle paycheck batches daily as needed, with the correct retroactive pay.
“Here’s what happened: In early July, Providence implemented a new enterprise resource planning system — known as Genesis — to improve administrative processes, including human resources, timekeeping, and payroll,” the statement continued. “Previously, multiple systems, including some outdated technology, had been used resulting in a fragmented experience and requiring manual processes.”
“It would be a problem if this happened to a handful of workers,” said ONA Executive Committee Chair at Providence Portland Medical Center Richard Botterill, RN. “This is an out-and-out disaster. Providence is paying frontline nurses and health care workers pennies on the dollar and keeping the difference. This is a multi-billion dollar company cheating nurses and working families out of their hard-earned livelihoods. Robbing workers of the money they rely on for food, rent and basic needs is unacceptable. It’s a simple solution. Providence needs to pay frontline health care workers the money they’ve earned.”
According to Providence, less than 2% of Providence caregivers in Oregon continue to experience incorrect pay specifically related to pay differentials and premium pay. This includes Hood River, where multiple Providence sites and positions were affected.
“These remaining issues are being resolved as quickly as possible,” said the statement. “Oregon Nurses Association (ONA)’s suggestions that Providence is ‘robbing workers’ and intentionally underpaying its caregivers are completely and utterly false.”
ONA reported bringing concerns about Providence’s payroll system change to management months ago.
“Providence assured nurses the system had been thoroughly tested,” the ONA press release said. “As frontline workers began losing pay and continued raising concerns — including filing more than 90,000 HR payroll tickets pointing out Providence’s mistakes — Providence management again assured nurses the problems would be quickly fixed. However, nurses and workers have now gone more than three full pay periods without a comprehensive resolution.”
“Again, we deeply regret that some valued caregivers, and their families, have had to bear any financial hardship, anxiety or disruption as a result of this transition,” reads the Providence statement. “As an employer, providing accurate and timely pay for caregivers’ time and talents is one of the most fundamental roles we play.
“The Providence Mission calls us to care for all. This includes our caregivers,” it continued. “We are absolutely committed to doing everything we can to resolve the remaining outstanding issues as quickly as possible. We also remain profoundly grateful to our caregivers for their patience and for all they do to serve patients in need.” | https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/hoodriver/news/local/lawsuit-filed-against-providence-claims-wages-lost/article_da1bfda2-232a-11ed-8a9a-5ff726ab638a.html | 2022-08-26T23:34:29 | 0 | https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/hoodriver/news/local/lawsuit-filed-against-providence-claims-wages-lost/article_da1bfda2-232a-11ed-8a9a-5ff726ab638a.html |
'Horrifying and inexcusable': Tucson constable shooting leaves 4 dead. What we know
Police have identified the victims and the gunman in a fatal shooting on Thursday of a Pima County constable, a neighbor and an apartment complex employee.
The Tucson Police Department said in a statement released on Friday afternoon that Constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay, 43, and an apartment employee identified as Angela Maria Fox-Heath, 28, were serving an eviction notice to a tenant at the complex near East Lind Road and North Kelvin Boulevard in Tucson when shots were fired.
The apartment tenant, identified as 24-year-old Gavin Lee Stansell, opened fire when Fox-Heath and Martinez tried to contact him, according to Sgt. Richard Gradillas, a spokesperson for Tucson police. Fox-Heath was found lying in the courtyard with gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead, police said.
Martinez was found inside Stansell's apartment and was also pronounced dead by police.
According to police, Stansell went to another apartment in the same complex before police arrived, where he also shot and killed a neighbor, identified by police as Elijah Miranda, 25.
Stansell ultimately shot himself, police said, and was found dead inside his apartment by Tucson officers.
Martinez, appointed by the Pima County Board of Supervisors in March, is the first constable to die in the line of duty in decades, according to the Arizona Constables Association.
Tucson police said the investigation was continuing. Detectives asked anyone with information to call 520-88-CRIME.
'Horrifying and inexcusable': Community reacts
It was 6:30 a.m. when Alberto Nido arrived at work Friday. The neighborhood was quiet, he said. An “eerie” stillness hung over the Tucson neighborhood.
The neighborhood usually stirred with a handful of joggers and bikers every morning, he said.
“It just felt too quiet,” Nido said. “I just felt the tension, being so quiet.”
As he spoke, Nido, an employee of Sabaku screen printing shop for 14 years, stood about 100 yards away from the Lind Commons Apartments, where a Pima County constable and three others had died the day before.
Around the time of the shooting, Nido had stepped outside of the shop, then ducked as he heard the a barrage of gunfire. The gunfire was so loud that he thought it came from the apartments next door to his work, he said.
It was only at noon, when his co-workers left for lunch, that Nido learned the shooting occurred at the Lind Commons Apartments.
The area near the complex is peppered with industrial businesses, from auto repair shops to plumbing establishments. The majority of the nearby houses stood behind metal fences and gates, many adorned with a “no trespassing” sign.
On Friday, broken police tape remained tied to a barbed-wire fence pole across the street from the complex. Its yellow plastic tail draped over grass and loose gravel.
Employees at Delivery Doctors Movers, a moving company about a block down the road, said they worked with Stansell.
Employees described Stansell as a quiet, polite guy who had worked at the business for six to nine months before quitting.
Joe Bracamonte, office manager of the business, was working when he heard a loud string of about 8 to 10 gunshots on Thursday morning.
“I was shocked,” Bracamonte said after realizing the shooter was his former co-worker. “It was not his character – I never imagined.”
Is the system broken?Arizona eviction filings are climbing to pre-pandemic levels. Housing advocates are demand
The number of evictions are rising as rents increase in Arizona and pandemic protections have disappeared for tenants. Chris Groninger, eviction expert and chief strategy officer with the Arizona Bar Foundation, said evictions can easily expose constables to unsafe situations.
“Losing your home can be devastating. Emotionally charged situations, like evictions, have always put constables and other law enforcement agencies in vulnerable positions — simply for doing their jobs,” Groninger said.
“What happened to Constable Martinez-Garibay and the other victims in Tucson is horrifying and inexcusable.”
'It costs a lot of money to be poor':How 1 renter faced 11 evictions in 1 year
Arizona agencies offer support, condolences
Martinez was the second constable involved in a shooting in two months, according to the constables association. The other constable survived.
"Our condolences to her family, friends, the Pima County Constable's Office, and the people of Tucson," the association said in the statement.
Pima County Constable Thomas Schenek said in a statement he was "deeply saddened and at a profound loss for words" after Martinez's death.
"I have not been able to clear my thoughts of today’s tragic event, and my heartfelt thoughts and prayers are extended for her family, friends and coworkers who loved and will forever miss her," Schenek said. He also offered condolences for the other victims of the shooting.
Constables are elected officials charged with enforcing county court orders. They remove people from their homes during evictions, serve orders of protection and deliver subpoenas.
The Pima County Constables Office released a statement on Friday afternoon saying although constables know they face risks while conducting evictions in their local communities, Thursday's deaths were "devastating."
"We all know that the job of an Arizona Constable comes with risk, but we go about our business with caution and professionalism and treat all with whom we come in contact with respect and dignity," the office said. "Constable Martinez gave her life in that service and we honor her for her dedication to duty and public service."
The Constables Office located at the Pima County Public Services Building on 240 N. Stone Avenue was expected to remain closed for the day. Members of the public were advised to drop off paperwork with the building’s security staff before 5 p.m. Friday, or call the Constables Office and leave a message at 520-724-5442.
The Scottsdale Police Department also paid its respects Friday on social media.
"We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Pima County Constable Deborah Martinez," Scottsdale police said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends in this most difficult time."
Includes information from Arizona Republic reporter Catherine Reagor. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-breaking/2022/08/26/pima-county-constable-shooting-tucson-deborah-martinez-garibay/7904922001/ | 2022-08-26T23:34:35 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-breaking/2022/08/26/pima-county-constable-shooting-tucson-deborah-martinez-garibay/7904922001/ |
Former Haven From Domestic Violence Executive Director Tara Koch, who is currently accused of stealing thousands of dollars from the organization, was set to have her plea hearing Aug. 22 at 9:45 a.m. However, no plea took place due to Koch not yet having a defense attorney.
At Koch’s public indictment, which was led by Judge John Olson, conflict of interest was brought up several times as they tried to find an attorney to represent Koch. This is in part due to Koch’s previous forward-facing role with Haven, a non-profit organization that helps victims of domestic and sexual violence. In her position as executive director, Koch often had contact with the courts and law enforcement.
“I’m really concerned about this whole region in general,” Koch said during the indictment, which took place via WebEx on Aug. 1. “I’ve worked with every judge in this region, I’ve worked with every law enforcement, every DA’s office.”
Koch is currently charged with 26 counts of theft, identity theft and forgery, and the victims of the identity theft are also high-profile members of the community: Hood River County Deputy District Attorney Leslie Wolf and Carol Friend of Friend & Reagan accounting firm. This presents further conflicts of interests in terms of who can be involved in the case. In fact, Olson himself had to back out of the case due to a personal conflict of interest due to one of the victims.
During the indictment, Olson appointed law firm Morris & Sullivan to represent Koch, but a representative of the firm said it was a conflict for their office. Olson then appointed Seventh Circuit Attorney Group. Their representative also had a conflict, but said they would try to find someone.
It was clear by Koch’s plea hearing that this had not happened, however, and overseeing Judge Karen Ostrye said she had a call into the Oregon Public Defense Service and was waiting to hear back.
“We are working pretty hard to do that for you but we don’t have [a public defender for you] yet,” Ostrye said.
Koch’s plea hearing has been rescheduled for Oct. 31, at which time she will hopefully have a defense attorney and be able to make a plea. That plea will determine whether the case goes to trial: if Koch pleads not guilty it will, and if she pleads guilty or no contest it will not. | https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/hoodriver/news/local/plea-hearing-rescheduled-for-koch/article_0bfae744-2591-11ed-be37-5747846ea3b8.html | 2022-08-26T23:34:35 | 1 | https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/hoodriver/news/local/plea-hearing-rescheduled-for-koch/article_0bfae744-2591-11ed-be37-5747846ea3b8.html |
I-10 delays between Los Angeles and Phoenix continue. Here's what travelers need to know
Arizonans returning from trips to the Los Angeles or Palm Springs areas will face worse-than-usual traffic on Interstate 10 through at least Monday after storms washed out part of the freeway, according to the California Department of Transportation.
But the road could fully reopen by the busy Labor Day weekend, and possibly as soon as Monday.
Drivers heading eastbound still face about 10 miles of single-lane traffic on the I-10 west of Blythe, adding close to an hour to the drive.
That section of road is under construction, and the two-lane bypass running alongside the I-10 that drivers were using washed out Wednesday evening when the region got about three-quarters of an inch of rain.
That left the eastbound lanes closed for hours. Westbound lanes also were closed temporarily but reopened and have no issues as of Friday.
But to allow traffic to move east toward Arizona, crews had to reopen one lane of I-10 that was under construction. So while the road reopened Thursday, traffic on an approximately 10-mile section between Blythe and Desert Center/State Route 177 was moving slowly.
Online traffic monitor Sigalert showed vehicles moving as slow as 12 mph through the one-lane eastbound section Friday. Traffic on the westbound lanes was moving at 70 to 75 mph, according to Sigalert.
That means a section of road that normally takes less than 10 minutes to travel at freeway speeds was taking closer to 50 minutes. Travelers should plan restroom breaks accordingly.
The slowdown was expected to last at least through Monday, according to Caltrans spokesman Eric Dionne.
"At this time, crews are expecting to have the I-10 fully open by early next week. Possibly Monday, Aug. 29th as long as there are no weather/materials setbacks," he said. "Crews started work yesterday immediately after getting the one (eastbound) I-10 lane open."
Dionne said it was fortunate that the area was already an active construction zone.
Drivers heading from Los Angeles to Arizona and seeking a detour would add about 40 miles to their trip by exiting I-10 at Desert Center, heading north onto California 177 and then west on California 62.
Another detour to Blythe from Indio involves and California State Routes 86 or 111, swinging drivers more than an hour out of their way to the south past the Salton Sea to California S.R. 78 and back north toward Blythe.
Reach reporter Ryan Randazzo at ryan.randazzo@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-4331. Follow him on Twitter @UtilityReporter. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-traffic/2022/08/26/interstate-10-washout-traffic-california-phoenix-updates/7905987001/ | 2022-08-26T23:34:41 | 0 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-traffic/2022/08/26/interstate-10-washout-traffic-california-phoenix-updates/7905987001/ |
Judge plans to hold Sheriff Paul Penzone in contempt of court in racial profiling case
A federal judge in Phoenix said he plans to issue a contempt of court finding against Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone for failing to comply with court-mandated reforms at the agency he has led since 2016.
The reforms at the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office began before Penzone took office. They stem from a class-action lawsuit filed against former Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who was convicted of and later pardoned for criminal contempt of court for disregarding the judge's order to stop racially profiling Latino drivers in Maricopa County.
U.S. District Judge G. Murray Snow has not yet issued his order of contempt against Penzone. But during a status conference on Tuesday, he signaled it would be forthcoming.
The hearing is part of ongoing efforts to get the Sheriff's Office in compliance with two court orders that Snow issued in the Melendres v. Arpaio lawsuit with a lengthy list of requirements to prevent further profiling.
That includes the appointment of an independent court monitor to oversee the Sheriff's Office's progress in complying with Snow's orders. A review earlier this year by The Arizona Republic found that taxpayer-funded costs associated with the Melendres lawsuit had reached $188 million to date.
A Sheriff's Office spokesperson declined to comment, saying doing so would be "inappropriate" because Snow has not issued the order of contempt.
But Penzone told The Republic in March that his agency continues to make a lot of progress, even if they remain out of compliance with certain sections.
"It's very easy to be a critic, when you've never had to manage an organization, you've never had to be responsible for law enforcement operations, where you've never had to balance court orders with organizational capacity, and you've never had to change a culture that existed for a quarter of a century,” Penzone said.
For subscribers:Penzone continues Arpaio practice of allowing immigration officers in county jails
Sheriff's Office inquiry backlog at issue
Tuesday's hearing focused specifically on one of the key areas that the Sheriff's Office remains out of compliance with: the length of time that it takes for sheriff's investigators to resolve misconduct allegations against deputies.
In September 2021, Snow appointed Michael Gennaco as a court management expert, and tasked him with reviewing and coming up with recommendations on how to get the Sheriff's Office to comply with time limits on administrative investigations into misconduct allegations.
Gennaco presented his findings at this week's hearing. According to his report, the Professional Standards Bureau, which is the Sheriff's Office's internal investigative unit, has a backlog of 2,086 pending misconduct investigations as of March.
It takes an average of 611 days to complete a single investigation, Gennaco found. That went down compared with peak wait times in 2021. But the length of time to close investigations remains far longer than the 60- to 85-day window established by Snow's order, and even longer than the 180-day time frame under Arizona law.
Calling ICE:After SB 1070, Phoenix police connect with immigration agency 7 times a day, on average
Gennaco said that the complaints filed by community members provide valuable feedback and shows that the agency is listening to the community's concerns, but delays in addressing those concerns can cause a breakdown in that relationship.
"Given the issues of historical mistrust between law enforcement and some communities of color, and given the socioeconomic vulnerability or language barriers that some people must overcome in order to engage with the system and even lodge a complaint, it is all the more important for the process to have legitimacy," Gennaco said in his report.
The 41-page document attributed the backlog to several factors. It said the Sheriff's Office has prioritized conducting quality investigations, at the expense of timeliness. But it pointed out how the caseload for the 27 investigators under the Professional Standards Bureau has increased drastically since 2016. However, hiring and resources have not kept up since then, resulting in the growing backlog.
Gennaco listed 20 recommendations to eliminate the backlog in pending investigations. Chief among them, is to hire more investigators and to allocate greater resources to the Professional Standards Bureau.
'Quality control' adviser could build trust with public,
But his main recommendation was the creation of an independent Constitutional Policing Adviser as a way to tackle lingering mistrust about the Sheriff's Office's ability to essentially investigate itself. The /adviser would essentially act as "quality control" on investigations.
He acknowledged the progress Penzone has done in recent years, and even praised efforts to increase the quality of completed investigations. But he placed responsibility for the growing backlog squarely on the sheriff.
"It has been over five years since Sheriff Penzone has been at the helm of MCSO," the report said. "Accordingly, the current intolerable backlog of cases is now his responsibility and to date, insufficient resources have been committed to ensure quality, fair and timely investigations of misconduct allegations."
Sheriff's report:Hispanic, black drivers more likely to be held longer in traffic stops than white drivers
In his response filed in court, Penzone said the Sheriff's Office already has begun to implement many of the recommendations in Gennaco's report. He also didn't oppose the recommendations of creating an independent Constitutional Policing Adviser.
"MCSO does, however, worry that the development of this new and intricate role, and the hiring of an appropriate person to serve as CPA will take considerable time, thereby slowing the efforts to address the growing backlog of cases," Penzone's response read.
During Tuesday's hearing, Snow tasked the parties involved in the Melendres lawsuit with submitting additional recommendations about the creation of the Constitutional Policing Adviser before Sept. 13. His contempt finding would be issued sometime after that.
Have any news tips or story ideas about immigration in the Southwest? Reach the reporter at rafael.carranza@arizonarepublic.com, or follow him on Twitter at @RafaelCarranza.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2022/08/26/judge-plans-hold-sheriff-paul-penzone-contempt-court-melendres-v-arpaio-lawsuit/7898905001/ | 2022-08-26T23:34:47 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2022/08/26/judge-plans-hold-sheriff-paul-penzone-contempt-court-melendres-v-arpaio-lawsuit/7898905001/ |
A 24-year-old man being evicted shot and killed a Pima County constable and an apartment manager before turning the gun on himself, Tucson police said Friday in providing the first details of what happened at a north-side complex the day before.
After the shooting that left manager Angela Fox-Heath, 28, and Constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay, 43, dead, officers found a neighbor who had also been killed by apartment resident Gavin Lee Stansell, police said. The neighbor was identified as Elijah Miranda, 25.
Stansell was facing eviction from the apartment for threatening a neighbor with a gun "and has otherwise disturbed the peace," according to court records. It wasn't immediately known if Miranda was that neighbor.
A hearing was held on the eviction on Monday and an eviction order was issued Tuesday, according to records. Eviction orders in Pima County are served to residents by constables.
People are also reading…
On Aug. 25 at 11:13 a.m., officers responded to reports of a shooting at Lind Commons, located at 3493 E. Lind Road, near East Fort Lowell and North Country Club roads. Upon arriving, officers found Fox-Heath in the courtyard with gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene, Tucson police said.
Officers learned that Fox-Heath had accompanied Constable Martinez-Garibay, who was serving the eviction notice, to Stansell's apartment. As Martinez-Garibay and Fox-Heath contacted Stansell, he opened fire and Fox-Heath was struck, police said.
What happened to Martinez-Garibay was not immediately clear. She was not found outside with Fox-Heath, and officers believed she was inside of Stansell’s apartment.
SWAT team officers made entry into the apartment and found Martinez-Garibay inside with gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Police did not say how long it took SWAT officers to enter the apartment after the shooting was reported.
Officers found Stansell dead in the apartment with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said.
The search of Stansell’s apartment also revealed he had entered a neighboring apartment and fatally shot Miranda, 25, police said. Police did not say when that shooting occurred.
No other information was released by the police department as of Friday evening.
Little information on shooter
Not much information is available online about Stansell, other than he was cited for three traffic violations in Marana in 2021.
Court records indicated he failed to appear for court hearings and his license was suspended. Some social media postings indicated he may have lived as a youth in Hawaii.
A former moving company co-worker of Stansell described him as quiet, stating that he was very shocked about the incident.
Stansell worked at the company for a few months before he was let go for missing work, said the co-worker, who asked not to be identified.
“Toward the end he started missing work and when he did come to work he would have to leave job sites because he was expecting packages at his house,” the co-worker said. Officials at the company could not be reached Friday.
The co-worker was working at the moving company, which is close to the Lind Commons Apartments, at the time of the shooting on Thursday. He said he heard multiple loud gunshots and that stood out from anything he has ever heard.
Dedicated to tenants
Those who knew Fox-Heath spoke highly of her and her dedication to her tenants. Luke Menke, a friend of Fox-Heath who lived at the adjacent property, said the owners changed rental companies and Fox-Heath was the only person left after the switch, leaving her with the responsibility for four different properties.
Menke said she took all that on in order to support her children.
“She loved her kids more than anything, I don't think that there was ever a time where I hung out with her where she didn't talk about how much she cared about them and how great they were,” Menke said.
When it came to her tenants, Menke said she fought hard for them. He remembers her being very chatty and wanted to make sure everyone was happy. He even remembers helping her move a portable air conditioning unit into someone’s apartment because the air conditioning had gone out.
“She worked very hard to make sure that everyone was happy and that the apartments themselves were fun and safe places to be in.” Menke said.
Charles Keith Lamar, who moved into the complex on May 1, said Fox-Heath was very efficient at her job and was nice to people.
“She was a good person, helped everybody,” Lamar said.
On Friday, Gov. Doug Ducey ordered flags at all state buildings be lowered to half-staff because of the deaths.
“The loss of Constable Deborah Martinez is felt across our state,” Ducey said in a written statement. “Whether it was serving in the U.S. Army or carrying out her duties as a constable for Pima County, she dedicated her life to helping others and her community. Constable Martinez was a Tucson native who will be remembered for the way she treated others with dignity and respect. Our thoughts and prayers are with her friends and family, as well as those who also lost their lives in today’s tragic events.” | https://tucson.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/tucson-police-man-being-evicted-killed-constable-2-others-before-killing-self/article_06b98d88-24c6-11ed-909b-f7661ec0e216.html | 2022-08-26T23:35:25 | 1 | https://tucson.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/tucson-police-man-being-evicted-killed-constable-2-others-before-killing-self/article_06b98d88-24c6-11ed-909b-f7661ec0e216.html |
Pima County Constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay was killed Thursday while serving an eviction notice at Lind Commons Apartments after only five months on the job.
The 43-year-old was appointed by the Pima County Board of Supervisors as constable for Justice Precinct 8 in midtown Tucson to replace former Constable Kristen Randall after her resignation. A constable’s job entails serving legal summons such as eviction notices and protection orders from the justice courts to residents.
Martinez-Garibay served 16 years in the Army and ran the Tucson chapter of an adaptive golf program for veterans called PGA HOPE.
People are also reading…
In March, Martinez-Garibay told the Star she wanted to become a constable for the same reason she joined the military shortly after 9/11.
“I just felt that it was wrong for me to sit at home when I knew that I could contribute, I knew that I had to go serve my country,” she said in a March interview. “And it's the same thing with serving my community, I can see a need … for me to sit and watch things happening in my community, or my country, and not take part is just wrong.”
According to a January 2022 article from PGA, Martinez-Garibay worked as an intelligence specialist in the Army, and upon her retirement, she immersed herself in work helping other veterans and “threw herself into her newfound love with the same intensity with which she’d thrown herself into her military career.”
“How could I not turn around and see my fellow soldiers, where they’re at, and not pull them along with me?” Martinez-Garibay told PGA. “That would be like a slap in the face to all the people who have helped me. There have been so many people before me who laid the groundwork, and it’s now my job to build on top of it.”
The Pima County Constables closed their office Friday in honor of Martinez-Garibay and said in a statement:
“We lost one of our own yesterday and we are devastated. May all the family, friends, and colleagues of Constable Deborah Martinez know that we hold them all in our hearts and that we grieve with them. We all know that the job of an Arizona Constable comes with risk, but we go about our business with caution and professionalism and treat all with whom we come in contact with respect and dignity. The Constables and office staff work in service to the people of Pima County and Arizona. Constable Martinez gave her life in that service and we honor her for her dedication to duty and public service. May she rest in peace.”
Martinez-Garibay was married and had an adult daughter.
Efforts to change office
The county’s constables have faced some criticism for varying approaches to the job — which range from a social worker to law enforcement-like approach — and some have called for change to the process of serving legal papers.
Previous County Administrator Chuck Huckelberry suggested in an October 2021 memo that the elected officials take a pay cut or be replaced with county employees. The suggestion was based on a report from Assistant County Administrator Mark Napier, who found uneven workloads among the constables and that “citizens being evicted from their homes are treated differently based on where they reside within boundaries on a map.”
According to Napier, who is retiring and had his last day on the job Friday, the county has “made progress on developing written policies and procedures for the constables that professionalizes the office and makes the dispensation of their duties more consistent. So I think real progress has been made over the last year or so.”
Martinez-Garibay was set to face current Justice Precinct 5 Constable Bill Lake in the November election to serve two more years in her position.
Constables are elected officials whose roles are governed by state law. Although constables can carry firearms if they are state-certified officers, they are not part of any law enforcement office, but instead work as peace officers through the justice courts. It was not known if Martinez-Garibay was carrying a firearm at the time of the shooting.
Supervisor Matt Heinz, who's questioned the role of a constable throughout his time on the Board of Supervisors, suggested the tasks constables carry out should be in the “hands of the sheriff's department and the various municipal law enforcement authorities.”
“First and foremost, what a horrible tragedy for our community to lose a public servant,” Heinz said. “Maybe this will be an impetus to look at this. I certainly think it should be, that we look at lobbying our Legislature to give the county the authority to elect not to have constables do this role.”
“I think that's the safest way to go. I don't want constables knocking on doors, putting themselves in harm's way. I don't want this to ever happen again, to any public servants in the county or the state.”
Contact reporter Nicole Ludden at nludden@tucson.com | https://tucson.com/news/local/slain-constable-helped-fellow-veterans-was-new-to-job/article_0aeaaad0-24e5-11ed-b751-bb4af916ee37.html | 2022-08-26T23:35:31 | 1 | https://tucson.com/news/local/slain-constable-helped-fellow-veterans-was-new-to-job/article_0aeaaad0-24e5-11ed-b751-bb4af916ee37.html |
CARTER COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — A long-time public servant in Carter County is stepping down after serving the county for 28 years.
Randal Lewis has served as Carter County’s trustee for over a quarter of a century, and now he’ll be enjoying retirement.
On Friday, the community celebrated Lewis at a retirement party, where he reflected on his years of service.
“Wonderful staff that has helped me through the years, family members, the public has been great to me and I really appreciate everything that they have done for me, for this office through the years. And I have really enjoyed serving Carter County,” said Lewis.
Lewis’s role will be filled by his son, the newly elected Chad Lewis. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/carter-county-trustee-retires-after-28-years/ | 2022-08-26T23:42:34 | 0 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/carter-county-trustee-retires-after-28-years/ |
FRANKLIN, Tenn. (WJHL) — Several local police chiefs and sheriffs attended a school violence and safety summit in Middle Tennessee on Thursday.
More than 100 sheriffs and chiefs from across the state attended the event, including Sullivan County Sheriff Jeff Cassidy, Greene County Sheriff Wesley Holt, Kingsport Police Chief Dale Phipps, Greeneville Police Chief Tim Ward, Elizabethton Police Chief Jason Shaw, and ETSU Public Safety Chief Cesar Gracia.
During the day-long summit, attendees discussed training, collaborative efforts, legislative needs and potential funding opportunities, possible physical site security improvements, the underutilization of innovative technology related to school safety, and lessons learned from acts of violence in schools across the country, according to a joint news release by the Tennessee Sheriffs’ Association and Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police.
The summit was the first of a series of events planned by both associations regarding school violence and safety. They plan to involve state law enforcement, training officials from state and local agencies, and education leaders at the next summit. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/local-law-enforcement-leaders-attend-school-violence-and-safety-summit/ | 2022-08-26T23:42:40 | 0 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/local-law-enforcement-leaders-attend-school-violence-and-safety-summit/ |
NASA is poised to launch its most powerful rocket yet Monday, five decades after the final flight of the U.S. space agency’s legendary Saturn 5 moon rocket.
NASA’s Artemis program aims to return astronauts to the moon. The lunar exploration campaign will start with the uncrewed Artemis I mission, with the rocket set to launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Monday morning.
Noah Petro, a planetary geologist for NASA, said the spacecraft will orbit the moon multiple times for six weeks before returning to Earth.
“What Artemis 1 will do, when it is successful, is allow us to start planning for putting crew members onto this rocket. Launching them to orbit the moon, first on Artemis II in 2024 then getting crew members onto the surface of the moon in 2025,” Petro said Friday. “This is going to be that kind of wake-up call, like, ‘Hey, we’re doing this. We’re sending humans back to the moon.’ We’re going to have astronauts walk on the surface of the moon for the first time since December 1972. So, let’s get on board.”
Several aerospace and manufacturing companies have contributed to the upcoming mission, according to NASA. A number are based in North Texas, including Circuit Systems Company, Inc. in Arlington. General Manager Patrick Kaler said they produce bonding straps and jumpers for commercial and military aircraft.
“The parts we’re partnered through Boeing or Lockheed, probably Boeing aircraft, is on the launch tower,” Kaler said, referring to Monday’s launch. “We demand attention to detail from our technicians. When you think of production, you think of speed. Well, that comes with familiarity. First, we need quality.”
The Apollo program ended in 1972 with Apollo 17 when astronauts Gene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt became the last humans to set foot on the lunar surface. Petro said the goal of the program was to land humans on the moon and return home.
Local
The latest news from around North Texas.
Artemis goes further, he said.
“What Artemis wants to do is not just that goal -- humans on the moon, returning them safely on the Earth -- but doing it over extended periods of time,” he said. “Monday could be a day that slightly shifts the course of human history on that path, to not only living on the moon but also having humans on Mars.”
Petro added a successful trip for Artemis I will be one that can yield new findings and ideas for improvements in the program.
“We will learn from the moon. We will do science on the moon,” he said. “We will bring rocks back, but we also want to use the moon and use its volatiles, its resources to contribute to that sustained presence, so we don’t have to bring everything with us from the earth to live on the surface.”
NASA is aiming for an Aug. 29 liftoff for the lunar test flight out of the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Currently, T-0 is set for 8:33 a.m. ET. Pad 39B will host. Get full details of how to watch the launch here. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/nasa-prepares-to-launch-most-powerful-rocket-yet-with-help-from-north-texas-companies/3058302/ | 2022-08-26T23:44:10 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/nasa-prepares-to-launch-most-powerful-rocket-yet-with-help-from-north-texas-companies/3058302/ |
SURPRISE, Ariz. — A toddler was found alone Thursday outside a West Valley home covered "head-to-toe" in what appeared to believe animal feces.
Surprise police responded around 5 p.m. in the area near West Gelding Drive after receiving a call of the child being left unattended outside a home.
When officers arrived, the 2-year-old was outside in temperatures above 102 degrees wearing only pants and diapers. He was covered in "what appeared to be animal fecal matter from head to toe, on his face, eyes and in between his toes," court documents say.
Witnesses told police that the child was believed to be outside unattended for up to one hour, officers noted.
Officers said the inside of the house was also cluttered with trash and animal fecal matter throughout the residence. Several animals were observed living at the property.
Cheyenne L. Finney, 28, was arrested and the child was turned over to the Department of Child Safety. She is facing a charges of child abuse.
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.
More ways to get 12News
On your phone: Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.
On your streaming device: Download 12News+ to your streaming device
The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.
12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona. | https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/2-year-old-found-outside-surprise-home-covered-animal-feces-head-to-toe/75-84c629d8-3a8d-47b9-98b9-04cc43c80d00 | 2022-08-26T23:45:54 | 0 | https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/2-year-old-found-outside-surprise-home-covered-animal-feces-head-to-toe/75-84c629d8-3a8d-47b9-98b9-04cc43c80d00 |
BOISE, Idaho — A lot has changed over the years, but time seems to slow down behind the doors of Lee’s Candies.
“Lee’s has been in business for 75 years. This year, it's the 75th anniversary,” said Katie Fernandez, owner of Lee’s Candies in Boise.
There are a lot of constants in this chocolate shop, and longtime customers can taste it.
“Yeah, it's been here forever. And the recipes that we use today are the same recipes that Lee Nokleby started with when he opened the business back in 1947,” Fernandez said.
Back in 1947, Lee’s Candies opened in Downtown Boise. Candy connoisseur LG Nokleby worked with his son, Lee, to open the store after traveling the country, searching for the greatest candy recipes.
The story goes, Lee’s Candies was a hit and before too long the operation run by Lee moved to the storefront still known as its home. The Nokleby notion always remained the same, “never change your quality.” That was an important message Lee instilled in his son, Curtis, who took over in 1986. That message was passed on to a new family in 2021.
The Nokleby family passed the torch to Katie Fernandez and her father Ken, a new family duo.
“I was looking for something fun to do, so we decided to take it over,” Fernandez said.
Katie is relatively new to the candy game, but she has a deep appreciation and value for the Lee legacy.
“It's overwhelming, and, you know, we knew it would be hard, but you don't know what you don't know until you start doing it. I realized there was a really high standard to uphold. We have customers coming in all the time saying, you know, my grandma used to take me when I was a little kid,” Fernandez said.
Longtime customers know this, but newcomers may be surprised. The bulk of chocolates and candies here are so fresh because they are made just steps away from the storefront.
“It's a lot of work, so you can eat more of it, right? Bring on all those calories,” Fernandez said.
The team here is full speed ahead, carrying on the exact same recipes LG Nokleby came up with when Harry Truman was president.
“Like this really is a legacy. So there's a little bit of pressure there,” Fernandez said.
It was hard not to get hooked though. Katie remembers the moment she knew this was for her, watching the candy come to life.
“One of the clerks handed me one. She's like, 'you want to try one right off the bat?' Put it in my mouth. I was like, 'that is one of the best things I have ever eaten',” Fernandez said.
Consistency is king over the past 75 years, something the team here learned from customers and families that have shared the chocolate creations for generations.
“We try to keep the feel about the same. And that's something I learned early on when I took over. People would come in, I was like, 'oh, here we go, this will change this.' And as I started to visit with the customers, they like it the way it is. They don't want it to change. They want to come in and be able to feel that nostalgia,” Fernandez said.
Katie and company hand craft chocolates, caramels, and more. Taking each creation down to the finest detail. This team takes great pride in celebrating the legacy of Lee’s.
“They are incredible. I have an amazing staff. It's really nice to be able to step away and know that everything is being handled,” Fernandez said.
The Fernandez family is also focused on the future, the next 75 years.
“Every single day, any time I get to work with customers, I hear some story about what Lee's has meant to their family and, you know, how long they've been coming and how important it is too,” Fernandez said.
Join 'The 208' conversation:
- Text us at (208) 321-5614
- E-mail us at the208@ktvb.com
- Join our The 208 Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/the208KTVB/
- Follow us on Twitter: @the208KTVB or tweet #the208 and #SoIdaho
- Follow us on Instagram: @the208KTVB
- Bookmark our landing page: /the-208
- Still reading this list? We're on YouTube, too:
Download the KTVB mobile app to get breaking news, weather and important stories at your fingertips. | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/lees-candies-celebrate-75-years-in-downtown-boise/277-48845aa0-a8c3-4065-957d-cb56b21047f9 | 2022-08-26T23:46:16 | 1 | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/lees-candies-celebrate-75-years-in-downtown-boise/277-48845aa0-a8c3-4065-957d-cb56b21047f9 |
BOISE, Idaho — The annual Warbird Roundup is returning to the Warhawk Air Museum in Nampa to honor the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Japan during World War ll.
The exhibit, running Saturday and Sunday, will focus on the battle nicknamed the Doolittle Raid, which was named after Lt. Col. James "Jimmy" Doolittle who led the battle.
“It’s a very big date about an event that helped us win the war from the very beginning,” Warhawk Air Museum Executive Director, Sue Paul said. “The demoralization of the Japanese nation and the escalation of the building of morale in America was very necessary."
Doolittle's granddaughter, Jonna Doolittle Hoppes, will be speaking at the event and recapping her grandfather's life. She also authored a book about him called 'Calculated Risk'.
The Doolittle Raid occurred just one month after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. The United States was still recovering from the attack, while Japan continued racking up victories in the Pacific.
At the time, Franklin D. Roosevelt was president and wanted to boost morale across the nation, so he ordered a bombing raid on Japan. B-25 aircrafts along with 24 trained crew members from the 17th Bombardment Group in Pendleton Field, Oregon, took off on April 18, 1942, for the raid.
Although the raid only caused minor damage, it forced Japan to recall its combat forces home and caused concern among Japanese civilians. It also boosted morale for Americans at home and allies.
The B-25 aircraft was chosen because it was the only aircraft available to the U.S. Army Air Forces that had the required range, bomb capacity and short takeoff distance.
Museum Aircraft Flying:
- P-40N Parrot Head
- P-40E Sneak Attack
- P-51C Mustang Boise Bee
Visiting Aircraft Flying:
- B-25J Mitchell Photo Fanny
- P-38 Lightning Honey Bunny
- F4U-1A Corsair
- F8F-2 Bearcat
- TF-51D Mustang Diamondback
- P-47D Thunderbolt Dottie Mae
- P-51H Mustang
The U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II Demo Team will also be returning to the roundup for a heritage flight.
“The Warhawk Air Museum is a living museum. We have thousands of personal collections and stories of our people and our veterans,” Paul said. “So, it makes for a very emotional, personal experience just to come to the museum on any day. We have all the beautiful airplanes, we have other equipment here, but it really is the stories that keep people here. So, this follows who we are. It’s all about living history, it’s about honoring our veterans and our people. These airplanes honor the best of the best of our country. So we’re pretty proud to have them all here.”
For more information about the exhibit times and costs, visit the Warhawk Museum website.
Watch more Local News:
See the latest news from around the Treasure Valley and the Gem State in our YouTube playlist: | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/warbird-roundup-returns-to-warhawk-air-museum-nampa-idaho/277-53967fcd-1b66-4317-8d15-7ec6ecac03cd | 2022-08-26T23:46:22 | 1 | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/warbird-roundup-returns-to-warhawk-air-museum-nampa-idaho/277-53967fcd-1b66-4317-8d15-7ec6ecac03cd |
Kids from ages 3 to 12 were dressed in their best suits and dresses for a night of music, dancing and fun at the Boys and Girls Club of Kenosha the night of Aug. 20 for the first kids prom put on by Abundance of Youth.
SUBMITTED PHOTOs
Kids wore their best suits and dresses to the Kids Prom at the Boys and Girls Club of Kenosha on Aug. 20.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Kids wore their best suits and dresses to the Kids Prom held a week ago.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Kids wore their best suits to the Kids Prom on Aug. 20.
Kids from ages 3 to 12 were dressed in their best suits and dresses for a night of music, dancing and fun at the Boys and Girls Club of Kenosha the night of Aug. 20 for the first kids prom put on by Abundance of Youth.
ChiQuita Sanders, the organizer of the event and the group’s founder, said it was a long time in the works.
“I actually started planning this two years ago, but then COVID-19 hit” Sanders said. “At the beginning of 2020, I booked the place, bought the tickets, started selling and then COVID-19 came and put a halt to all of that.”
The inspiration for the event came from Sanders’ son.
“My husband and I had bought tickets to an event and we were getting dressed and getting ready to leave and my son was like, ‘Mom, why do you guys always get to dress up, go out and do things (but) there’s never anything for us to do?’” Sanders said. “I felt that and that kind of stuck with me, so I’m like, ‘You know what, you are so right.’”
Sanders pointed out there are more events available for adults to dress up and go out, but there aren’t many for kids to do the same.
“There’s really not a lot for the youth around our communities to do where they can get dressed up, look good and go out feeling good and have a great time,” Sanders said.
At the prom, there was food, a DJ and a photographer.
Around 50 tickets for the event were sold, and there were close to 50 kids who attended.
“It turned out better than I expected, honestly. I didn’t expect it to turn out like that,” Sanders said. “I honestly didn’t know what to expect, but after seeing the outcome, I’m like, ‘Wow, I really did this,’ so it made me feel really good.”
Sanders said she feels grateful for the help and support she received from her team and the community.
“I’m just grateful that people were able to share their kids with me for a night and just really supported the vision,” Sanders said. “Even though they didn’t know what it would look like, or what the outcome would be, they believed in me enough to support it (and) that meant a lot.”
Sanders said she was happy to hold an event where kids could have a safe space to come out and have fun.
“If we could just give them something to look forward to where they can just get out and enjoy themselves in a safe zone, I think we’ve done our job and I really believe that that’s what we did,” Sanders said.
She said the response was so strong they plan to hold it again the future.
“The kids are already asking, ‘Are you gonna do this again? When’s the next one?’” Sanders said. “It just made me feel really good. I can see myself doing this annually.”
WATCH NOW: Boat building camp at the Boys and Girls Club in 2021
The owner of the proposed cannabis dispensary on the border with Wisconsin said, to be honest, the value of the location is because he knows people will come across the border from Wisconsin, where they cannot buy marijuana legally. “I don’t want to pretend anything else.”
Two years ago today, with Kenosha already in the international spotlight following the shooting of Jacob Blake, two men were shot and killed by Kyle Rittenhouse. Here's a recollection of that night, from someone actually on the ground.
When a gunman shot and killed Racine Police Officer John Hetland three years ago, Gov. Tony Evers called Hetland a hero and ordered flags flown at half-staff statewide in a show of respect. But bills vetoed by the governor and other actions of his have led Hetlands' family to believe Evers' words were hollow. Hetland's parents are ripping the governor in a political advertisement that invokes their son's memory on behalf of Republicans trying to defeat Evers.
Kids from ages 3 to 12 were dressed in their best suits and dresses for a night of music, dancing and fun at the Boys and Girls Club of Kenosha the night of Aug. 20 for the first kids prom put on by Abundance of Youth. | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/kids-prom-held-at-the-boys-and-girls-club-of-kenosha-by-abundance-of-youth/article_c929a9b8-2488-11ed-a2bf-b757be8cf42d.html | 2022-08-26T23:47:55 | 0 | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/kids-prom-held-at-the-boys-and-girls-club-of-kenosha-by-abundance-of-youth/article_c929a9b8-2488-11ed-a2bf-b757be8cf42d.html |
Members of the Korean War Veterans Association S.E. Wisconsin Chapter 227 and County Executive Samantha Kerkman pose around the bench that the organization purchased for the Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park. In back row, from left, are Kerkman, Tom Linden, Jim Drascic and Don Milkie; in the front row, from left, are Bob Blodgett and club Commander Julius Mianecki.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Three benches await dedication at a brief ceremony and luncheon held Friday at the Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park. Two of the benches were purchased with donations raised by the American Heroes Café at Festival Foods; one in honor of café founders Sharon Janusz and the late Mary Domes, the other in honor of U.S. Air Force veteran Paul Fredericksen, an active Heroes Café member who died earlier this year. The third bench was purchased by the Korean War Veterans Association S.E. Wisconsin Chapter 227.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Kenosha County Executive Samantha Kerkman poses for a photo with Barry Domes on the new bench in honor of Domes late wife, Mary, and Sharon Janusz. Mary Domes and Janusz cofounded the American Heroes Café, which meets each Friday at Festival Foods in Kenosha.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Kenosha County Veterans Services Director Ali Nelson speaks during a Friday event to dedicate three new commemorative benches at the Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park. Standing beside him are, from left, county Parks Director Matthew Collins, Korean War Veterans Association S.E. Wisconsin Chapter 227 Commander Julius Mianecki and County Executive Samantha Kerkman.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Kenosha County Executive Samantha Kerkman speaks during the Friday dedication of three commemorative benches at the Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park. Two were donated by the American Heroes Café at Festival Foods in Kenosha while the other was courtesy of the Korean War Veterans Association S.E. Wisconsin Chapter 227.
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Korean War Veterans Association S.E. Wisconsin Chapter 227 Commander Julius Mianecki speaks about the bench that his organization donated to the Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park during a dedication event Friday. Cheering him on are, from left, Anne Wasilevich, veteran support leader at the American Heroes Café at Festival Foods in Kenosha; Kenosha County Parks Director Matthew Collins; and County Executive Samantha Kerkman.
SUBMITTED PHTOO
Anne Wasilevich, veteran support leader at the American Heroes Café at Festival Foods in Kenosha, speaks at a Friday dedication of three commemorative benches — two purchased with donations raised by the café — at the Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park. Standing beside her are, from left, Korean War Veterans Association S.E. Wisconsin Chapter 227 Commander Julius Mianecki, Kenosha County Parks Director Matthew Collins and County Executive Samantha Kerkman.
Three new benches honoring local veterans were on display at Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park Friday afternoon and will be permanently installed in the coming days.
Dozens gathered near the park’s Honor Plaza, 36290 Bassett Road, to view the three dark green benches and celebrate local veterans.
One of the benches is dedicated to the founders of the American Heroes Café, Sharon Janusz and the late Mary Domes. Domes and Janusz co-founded the café in 2012. Today, veterans stop by Festival Foods community conference rooms each week for fellowship and refreshments.
Another bench is in memory of the late Air Force veteran Paul Fredericksen, who was very active in local veterans’ groups and regularly attending the café.
The Korean War Veteran Association has also purchased a bench dedicated to the veterans who served in the Korean conflict.
Anne Wasilevich, one of the leaders of the American Heroes Café which is supported by Piasecki Funeral Home, said members of the group helped raise funds for the benches dedicated to Janusz and Domes and Fredericksen.
“It’s awesome to commemorate their service,” she said. “This park is dedicated to the veterans, and this just helps solidify our commitment to the park. This is great for Kenosha. This park is amazing.”
Korean War veteran Julius Mianecki, commander of Korean War Veteran Association, thanked donors and county officials for the bench and for honoring veterans.
“I want to thank the county for supporting our organization to place our steel bench in the park honoring the veterans of the Korean War,” he said. “Freedom is not free.”
Kenosha County Executive Samantha Kerkman was amogn those who attended Friday’s event.
“I am just so honored to be here,” Kerkman said. “We are here today to celebrate the three benches that we’re placing for the Korean War Veterans, Paul Fredericksen, and Mary and Sharon. Enjoy this lovely park. ... I hope that this today gives you incentive to come back.”
Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park, a former gravel quarry, encompasses 335 acres of land on a 39-acre lake. It is in the process of being developed with an emphasis on sustainable living education and recreation.
WATCH NOW: Scenes from Kenosha's 2022 Civic Veterans Parade on July 3
The owner of the proposed cannabis dispensary on the border with Wisconsin said, to be honest, the value of the location is because he knows people will come across the border from Wisconsin, where they cannot buy marijuana legally. “I don’t want to pretend anything else.”
Two years ago today, with Kenosha already in the international spotlight following the shooting of Jacob Blake, two men were shot and killed by Kyle Rittenhouse. Here's a recollection of that night, from someone actually on the ground.
When a gunman shot and killed Racine Police Officer John Hetland three years ago, Gov. Tony Evers called Hetland a hero and ordered flags flown at half-staff statewide in a show of respect. But bills vetoed by the governor and other actions of his have led Hetlands' family to believe Evers' words were hollow. Hetland's parents are ripping the governor in a political advertisement that invokes their son's memory on behalf of Republicans trying to defeat Evers.
Members of the Korean War Veterans Association S.E. Wisconsin Chapter 227 and County Executive Samantha Kerkman pose around the bench that the organization purchased for the Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park. In back row, from left, are Kerkman, Tom Linden, Jim Drascic and Don Milkie; in the front row, from left, are Bob Blodgett and club Commander Julius Mianecki.
Three benches await dedication at a brief ceremony and luncheon held Friday at the Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park. Two of the benches were purchased with donations raised by the American Heroes Café at Festival Foods; one in honor of café founders Sharon Janusz and the late Mary Domes, the other in honor of U.S. Air Force veteran Paul Fredericksen, an active Heroes Café member who died earlier this year. The third bench was purchased by the Korean War Veterans Association S.E. Wisconsin Chapter 227.
Kenosha County Executive Samantha Kerkman poses for a photo with Barry Domes on the new bench in honor of Domes late wife, Mary, and Sharon Janusz. Mary Domes and Janusz cofounded the American Heroes Café, which meets each Friday at Festival Foods in Kenosha.
Kenosha County Veterans Services Director Ali Nelson speaks during a Friday event to dedicate three new commemorative benches at the Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park. Standing beside him are, from left, county Parks Director Matthew Collins, Korean War Veterans Association S.E. Wisconsin Chapter 227 Commander Julius Mianecki and County Executive Samantha Kerkman.
Kenosha County Executive Samantha Kerkman speaks during the Friday dedication of three commemorative benches at the Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park. Two were donated by the American Heroes Café at Festival Foods in Kenosha while the other was courtesy of the Korean War Veterans Association S.E. Wisconsin Chapter 227.
Korean War Veterans Association S.E. Wisconsin Chapter 227 Commander Julius Mianecki speaks about the bench that his organization donated to the Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park during a dedication event Friday. Cheering him on are, from left, Anne Wasilevich, veteran support leader at the American Heroes Café at Festival Foods in Kenosha; Kenosha County Parks Director Matthew Collins; and County Executive Samantha Kerkman.
Anne Wasilevich, veteran support leader at the American Heroes Café at Festival Foods in Kenosha, speaks at a Friday dedication of three commemorative benches — two purchased with donations raised by the café — at the Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park. Standing beside her are, from left, Korean War Veterans Association S.E. Wisconsin Chapter 227 Commander Julius Mianecki, Kenosha County Parks Director Matthew Collins and County Executive Samantha Kerkman. | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/new-benches-honoring-veterans-to-installed-at-kenosha-county-park/article_6970fac0-2574-11ed-83e1-27c645f5e900.html | 2022-08-26T23:48:02 | 0 | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/new-benches-honoring-veterans-to-installed-at-kenosha-county-park/article_6970fac0-2574-11ed-83e1-27c645f5e900.html |
John Steinbrink Jr., the former Pleasant Prairie public works director, pleaded not guilty Friday afternoon during arraignment in Kenosha County Circuit Court.
Steinbrink Jr. faces one count of theft-false representation and five counts of misconduct in public office-excess authority. Documents listing the former charge have been modified to include “as a party to a a crime.”
The theft charge can come with up to $25,000 in fines and/or up to 10 years in prison. Each misconduct charge can come with up to $10,000 in fines and/or up to three years and six months in prison. He’s also alleged to have taken advantage of village resources.
Steinbrink Jr. will appear in court again the morning of Nov. 1, before Judge Anthony Milisauskas.
One count of misconduct was dropped during Steinbrink’s initial appearance earlier this month.
People are also reading…
As a condition of his bond, Steinbrink Jr. is not allowed to contact former or current employees of the Public Works Department. He is also not allowed to discuss the case with relatives employed by the department or the village.
Steinbrink’s father, John Steinbrink Sr., is the current village president.
The case is being prosecuted by Racine County Assistant District Attorney Chris Steenrod. Pleasant Prairie turned over the misconduct investigation of Steinbrink Jr. to the Racine County Sheriff’s Office to avoid conflict of interest.
Steinbrink Jr. had been the public works director since 2010 and employed with the village the last 28 years. He was placed on administrative leave following an alleged undisclosed complaint filed earlier this spring. The Village of Pleasant Prairie announced the retirement of Steinbrink Jr., effective June 28. | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/watch-now-ex-village-public-works-director-pleads-not-guilty-to-charges-court-date-set/article_fa28c532-2571-11ed-b2db-277911c08058.html | 2022-08-26T23:48:08 | 1 | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/watch-now-ex-village-public-works-director-pleads-not-guilty-to-charges-court-date-set/article_fa28c532-2571-11ed-b2db-277911c08058.html |
MISSION, Texas — A child has died after they were found inside a vehicle outside an elementary school in Mission, Texas, on Thursday.
The child, who has not been identified, was only 5-years-old. He was found in the parking lot of Dr. Americo Peredes Elementary School. First responders attempted CPR, but they said nothing could be done.
Authorities spoke at the press conference, saying the matter is still under investigation and they did not take any questions. But, they did say, "To our community members -- we do pride ourselves to provide exceptional education on La Joya Independent School District and we continue to work collectively to do so."
The district also said counseling services would be offered to students and staff at the elementary school.
The nonprofit Kids and Cars said this is the 19th child to die in a hot car nationwide this year and the 4th in Texas. The state of Texas ranks #1 in the nation for child hot car deaths by a large margin with at least 150 child hot car deaths since 1991.
More than 1,000 children have died in hot cars since 1990 and at least another 7,300 survived with varying types and severities of injuries, according to data collected by Kids and Car Safety. Approximately 87% of children who die in hot cars are age 3 or younger and the majority (56%) were unknowingly left by an otherwise loving, responsible parent or caregiver.
“We are committed to the push for occupant detection technology in all cars immediately. As we continue our advocacy, children continue to die week after week. It is beyond heartbreaking," stated Janette Fennell, founder and president of Kids and Car Safety. | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/child-dies-after-being-found-in-car-outside-mission-texas-elementary-school-hot-car-valley/273-6e6225c5-9175-40ad-8178-5ad04235ca0b | 2022-08-26T23:48:43 | 0 | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/child-dies-after-being-found-in-car-outside-mission-texas-elementary-school-hot-car-valley/273-6e6225c5-9175-40ad-8178-5ad04235ca0b |
ROUND ROCK, Texas — Friday wrapped up the first week back to school for 50,000 students at Round Rock ISD, where parent Nancy Brown has a second-grader.
"He means the world. Of course, we ... cannot imagine our lives without him," said Brown.
One of Brown’s top priorities for her child is his safety.
"Safety measures are in place and .. that I feel comfortable dropping him off and knowing that he's going to be kept safe in there," she said.
So far, Brown said things have gone well.
For the school district's new police chief, Dennis Weiner, who is also a father to two daughters, that too is his priority, especially after what happened in Uvalde.
"It's everything. The reason we are on the campus is for students' safety, so we take that as our number one mission," said Weiner.
Weiner brings more than 30 years of law enforcement experience, including working with a school district's police department in South Florida before coming to Texas.
He said things have been going well so far in Round Rock this week. He has been busy spending time with parents, officers and staff, hearing their concerns.
"We want to make sure our exterior doors are always locked, with the exception of arrivals and dismissals. And during those times, the open doors are staffed so we make sure that we have accountability for what's happening," he said.
He said they check those exterior doors weekly. He also showed safety measures at the front of the school.
"This a video camera intercom system, so that each person that's coming in has to request entry into the building," he said.
Once inside the school, a person entering goes into another locked area called the vestibule.
"It can be a second look to make sure that they are not carrying anything suspicious, that there is no threat to school. And then, at this point, the admin people then can buzz them into the office," he said.
Weiner said their officers are trained for an active shooter, if an instance like that ever happened.
He is hoping for a safe and successful school year working with his officers to provide the safest environment for the kids.
"The best way for these kids to learn is to have a safe and secure environment to do that in, that's what our officers provide," said Weiner.
PEOPLE ARE ALSO READING: | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/round-rock-isd-police-chief-security-first-week-of-school/269-d99f0b8e-65cf-4fdb-8db0-c9c67f23bb3d | 2022-08-26T23:48:49 | 0 | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/round-rock-isd-police-chief-security-first-week-of-school/269-d99f0b8e-65cf-4fdb-8db0-c9c67f23bb3d |
CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) – Friday Aug. 26 is National Dog Day!
According to the National Dog Day website, Aug. 26 was chosen to be the annual date for National Dog Day by the holiday’s founder Pet and Family Lifestyle Expert Colleen Paige. The website says she picked this date because it was the day her family went to their local shelter and adopted her first furry friend, “Sheltie,” when she was 10 years old.
National Dog Day was first recognized in 2004 and celebrates all breeds of dogs, according to the website.
To celebrate and since it all started with adopting a shelter dog, we’re featuring some furry friends from our own local shelters. (Editor’s Note: This is a shortened list and there are many more shelters and adoptable dogs in our region! Check out your local shelters to see even more dogs looking for a loving home!)
Little Victories:
Meet Magnolia! This 8-month-old female has been at Little Victories for approximately two months. She is a medium-sized dog who currently weighs 40 lbs.
The staff says Magnolia is a “typical young pup with lots of energy” and will find ways to entertain herself when not directed. They also say she is a happy girl looking for a friend, but can be nervous in a new environment.
Her fur-ever family who should be prepared to raise an adolescent dog. She is dog friendly and cat friendly, but not yet house trained and should not live with children.
Little Victories does require meet-and-greets for any potential siblings.
For more adoptable animals from Little Victories, click here!
Huntington Cabell Wayne Animal Control Shelter:
Meet Axel! This “happy-go-lucky” boy is just over a year old. He is a medium-sized mixed breed dog who weighs approximately 41 lbs.
Staff say the shelter life isn’t for Axel and he’s ready to get out and find his fur-ever family. The staff describes him as “loving and affectionate.”
Axel is also good with other dogs, and will be able to live with doggy siblings!
For more adoptable animals from the Huntington Cabell Wayne Animal Control Shelter, click here!
Jackson County Animal Shelter:
Meet Meadow! This 2-year-old male lab mix is looking for his fur-ever home!
Shelter staff describe him as a “happy-go-lucky” kind of dog. He loves people, car rides and other dogs.
Meadow is also good with walking on a leash and is the shelter dog walker’s favorite!
Meadow has also already been neutered.
For more adoptable pets from the Jackson County Animal Shelter, click here!
Ashland Animal Rescue Fund:
Meet Rico! This sharp-dressed male lab mix is ready for adoption into his fur-ever home!
Rico is 8-months-old and is housebroken. Shelter staff say he is great with everyone, including other dogs.
Rico is currently hanging out with a foster family while he waits to be adopted.
For more adoptable pets from the Ashland Animal Rescue Fund, click here!
Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association:
Meet Biscuit! This mixed breed male is approximately 1-year and 3-months old. He is a medium-sized dog who currently weighs about 40lbs.
Biscuit is kid-friendly and has leash manners, even if he does pull the leash sometimes! Shelter staff say he is a weekend adventurer and very playful with humans and other dogs. They’ve also dubbed him the “Class Clown.”
Biscuit is spending some time with a foster home until his fur-ever family comes along. The KCHA also says his adoption fee has already been paid by a sponsor who wants to help him find a good, loving home!
For more adoptable pets from the KCHA, click here!
Meigs County Canine Rescue & Adoption Center:
Meet Blanch! This 5-month-old female lab mix is looking for her fur-ever home!
Shelter staff say she is “41lbs of sweetness!” She is very calm and loving and just wants attention and pets.
The staff say she is good with other dogs and also has a wonderful disposition. They also love her “soulful eyes.”
For more adoptable pets from the Meigs County Canine Rescue & Adoption Center, click here! The shelter’s hours are currently by appointment only.
Roane County Animal Shelter:
Meet Six! He’s a 3-year-old male looking for his forever home.
Shelter staff say Six is good with female dogs, but can be a bit picky when it comes to male dogs. He can also be around older children.
For more adoptable pets from the Roane County Animal Shelter, click here! | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/adoptable-pets-on-national-dog-day/ | 2022-08-26T23:55:57 | 1 | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/adoptable-pets-on-national-dog-day/ |
FAYETTE COUNTY, WV (WOWK) – A man is facing charges in connection to a shooting that happened earlier this week.
According to the Fayette County Sheriff Mike Fridley, the incident happened shortly after 4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022. He says deputies responded to a complaint of an altercation and gunshot wound on Brooklyn Loop in the Cunard area of Fayetteville.
Deputies say they learned an altercation began between three people. During the incident, one of the individuals was shot in the neck, according to deputies. There is no word on their condition at this time.
According to the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, James R. Rice Jr. II, 39, of Fayetteville, 39, was charged with Malicious Assault and Wanton Endangerment in connection to the incident.
Anyone with any information regarding this incident is asked to contact the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office at 304-574-3590 or through their Facebook page. Those with information can also contact Crime Stoppers of West Virginia at 304-255-STOP. | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/man-charged-in-fayette-county-shooting/ | 2022-08-26T23:56:03 | 1 | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/man-charged-in-fayette-county-shooting/ |
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.
Tuesday 8/23:
North Bend
• 12:01 am, 1800 block of Newmark Street, criminal trespass/disorderly conduct.
• 3:41 pm, 500 block of Clark Street, theft of wallet.
• 5:44 pm, 1500 block of Sherman Avenue, counterfeit money.
• 6:08 pm, 2000 block of Connecticut Avenue, littering. Vehicle throwing litter out of vehicle.
Coos Bay
• 1:47 am, 200 block of S Schoneman Street, dispute.
• 5:26 am, Newport and Hill, traffic stop. A 38 year old male was cited.
• 9:07 am, 2000 block of Newmark Avenue, accident. A 54 year old male was charged with reckless driving, DUII and assault III. Subject transported to Coos County jail.
• 10:51 am, Coos Bay Boardwalk, criminal trespass. A 62 year old male was cited for criminal trespass II.
• 1:18 pm, 500 block of S 7th Street, threats.
• 2:01 pm, 1000 block of S 1st Street, animal neglect.
• 2:50 pm, 4th and Commercial, non-injury accident. A 46 year old female was cited.
• 3:04 pm, Coos Bay Boardwalk, criminal trespass. A 62 year old male was cited for criminal trespass II.
• 3:18 pm, 1700 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, burglary. A 20 year old male and a 47 year old male were charged with burglary II, theft I and unauthorized use of vehicle. Both subjects transported to Coos County jail.
• 3:32 pm, 900 block of Newmark Avenue, located stolen cell phone.
• 3:47 pm, 200 block of Hall Avenue, stalking.
• 3:52 pm, 100 block of N Cammann Street, theft.
• 6:26 pm, Empire Area, theft from vehicle. License plate.
• 7:32 pm, Dollar Tree, dispute.
• 11:44 pm, 2000 block of Newmark Avenue, theft.
Coquille
• 6:16 am, Highway 42 and Lee Valley, dead deer.
• 7:32 am, Central and 4th, disorderly conduct.
• 8:40 am, 50 block of N Dean Street, dog bark.
• 11:09 am, W Central and E 3rd, violation city code/possible open container. A 46 year old male was cited.
• 1:36 pm, 1700 block of N Elm Street, violation of restraining order. A 53 year old male was charged with violation of restraining order and transported to Coos County jail.
• 2:20 pm, Birch and Highway 42, dispute.
• 3:54 pm, 400 block of N Central Boulevard, criminal trespass.
• 5:46 pm, 99900 block of Highway 42, brush fire.
• 6:51 pm, 500 block of N Central Boulevard, criminal trespass.
• 8:09 pm, 96900 block of Highway 42 S, disorderly conduct. Subject yelling and cursing in park.
Wednesday 8/24:
North Bend
• 8:59 am, 1600 block of Lincoln Street, theft of tools.
• 9:00 am, 1800 Sherman Avenue, warrant service on Curry County, Clackamas County and Tillamook County warrants. A 23 year old male was transported to Curry County Sheriff Office by Oregon State Police.
• 10:31 am, 3200 block of Tremont Avenue, theft.
• 10:56 am, 1700 block of Virginia Avenue, civil problem.
• 11:11 am, 3600 block of Inland Court, suspicious vehicle on apartment grounds.
• 12:49 pm, 1700 block of Virginia Avenue, hit and run accident.
• 1:29 pm, 3500 block of Sherman Avenue, hit and run accident.
• 2:31 pm, 3200 block of Tremont Avenue, assault. Broken up but one person wants to press charges.
• 4:21 pm, 1600 block of Virginia Avenue, hit and run accident.
• 4:58 pm, 2000 block of Union Avenue, appliances dumped in city lot.
Coos Bay
• 12:04 am, Ocean and Central, traffic stop. A 51 year old male was cited.
• 1:13 am, 500 block of N Main Street, threats.
• 1:49 am, 500 block of N Main Street, misuse of 911 call. A male subject was cited for misuse of 911 and resisting arrest.
• 4:36 am, Newmark and Schoneman, traffic stop. A 30 year old female was cited for driving while suspended.
• 7:12 am, 100 block of Hall Street, criminal trespass. A 35 year old female was cited for criminal trespass I.
• 8:24 am, 400 block of N Bayshore Drive, hit and run accident.
• 10:29 am, 100 block of N Cammann Street, criminal trespass. A 27 year old male was cited for criminal trespass II.
• 12:21 pm, 1600 block of Woodland Drive, burglary.
• 12:36 pm, 200 block of W Anderson Avenue, hit and run accident.
• 3:20 pm, 2000 block of Newmark Avenue, theft.
• 5:07 pm, 10th and Hemlock, traffic stop. A 38 year old female was cited for driving while suspended.
• 6:11 pm, 100 block of S 7th Street, shoplifter.
• 8:14 pm, 1600 block of Virginia Avenue, warrant service. A 24 year old male was transported to Coos County jail.
• 10:13 pm, Butler Avenue and Juniper Avenue, traffic stop. A 77 year old female was cited for driving while suspended.
• 10:24 pm, 2200 block of N Bayshore Drive, theft of services.
Coquille
• 5:25 am, 1200 block of N Henry Street, assist ambulance.
• 11:39 am, 400 block of W 5th Street, civil problem. Landlord/tenant issue.
• 12:17 pm, Highway 42 mile post 18.5, traffic stop. A 24 year old female was cited.
• 12:30 pm, E 2nd Street and N Baxter Street, hit and run accident.
• 4:09 pm, 500 block of W 4th Street, dispute.
Thursday 8/25:
North Bend
• 10:47 am, 2200 block of Pony Creek Road, dispute/domestic menacing. A 45 year old male was charged with menacing and violation of no contact order.
• 11:12 am, 800 block of California Avenue, found freezer with food.
• 3:50 pm, Virginia Avenue and Safeway, threats.
• 4:37 pm, 1700 block of Sherman Avenue, theft of services.
• 5:54 pm, 2500 block of Pony Creek Road, power outage.
• 6:20 pm, 2200 block of Pony Creek Road, littering and parking complaint.
• 10:13 pm, 1900 block of Virginia Avenue, arrest. A 44 year old male was cited for criminal trespass, criminal mischief and attempted theft III.
• 10:47 pm, 700 block of Connecticut Avenue, dispute.
Coos Bay
• 7:12 am, 1200 block of N Bayshore Drive, attempted theft of battery.
• 9:45 am, 1000 block of Vine Avenue, threats.
• 10:29 am, 700 block of S Broadway Street, theft of medication.
• 10:41 am, 100 block of Norman Avenue, threats.
• 11:50 am, Ackerman and Newmark, traffic stop. A 57 year old male was cited for driving while suspended, driving uninsured and for PRU requirement.
• 1:17 pm, 1800 block of Thomas Avenue, burglary.
• 3:22 pm, 500 block of 11th Avenue, unauthorized use of motor vehicle.
• 3:28 pm, 1000 block of S 1st Street, unauthorized use of motor vehicle.
• 3:47 pm, 100 block of Norman Avenue, threats.
• 3:56 pm, 700 block of S Broadway Street, fraudulent check.
• 5:43 pm, 1100 block of Michigan Avenue, threats.
• 7:58 pm, 500 block of N Broadway Street, criminal trespass. A 44 year old male was cited for criminal trespass I.
• 8:02 pm, 800 block of Lakeshore Drive, threats.
• 8:59 pm, N 10th Street and Date Avenue, hit and run accident.
• 11:46 pm, 300 block of S Broadway Street, assault. A 58 year old male was cited.
Coquille
• 2:18 am, E 1st Street and N Birch Street, suspicious vehicle.
• 3:37 am, 700 block of N Central Avenue, suspicious conditions.
• 10:03 am, N Central and W 6th, traffic stop. A 31 year old male was cited.
• 12:53 pm, Coquille area, graffiti calls.
• 3:38 pm, 500 block of N Central Boulevard, criminal trespass. A 46 year old male was charged with resisting arrest and criminal trespass II. Subject transported to Coos County jail.
• 3:56 pm, 400 block of N Central Boulevard, fraudulent check.
• 4:54 pm, 70 block of W 3rd Street, criminal trespass.
• 9:27 pm, W 4th Street and N Birch, suspicious conditions. | https://theworldlink.com/news/local/police-blotter/article_93736276-24a3-11ed-8c5b-bb98eca0cd7f.html | 2022-08-26T23:56:21 | 1 | https://theworldlink.com/news/local/police-blotter/article_93736276-24a3-11ed-8c5b-bb98eca0cd7f.html |
LAPORTE — The cause of a fire destroying more than 40 storage units, along with the contents inside, is under investigation in LaPorte.
Fire Chief Andy Snyder said it might be difficult to identify the cause because of the extent of the damage.
“There was so much devastation and intensity from the fire. We’ll do our best to make a determination,” he said.
The fire Thursday night was contained to one of nine buildings at Infinite Self Storage on 18th Street, between Indiana 39 and Andrew Avenue on the city’s southwest side.
Snyder said two firefighters were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation and heat-related exhaustion.
Firefighters were on the scene for about eight hours after responding just after 8 p.m. Thursday.
People are also reading…
Snyder said the fire was very challenging to put out because each unit was like an oven holding in heat until its doors were opened or holes cut in the roof above to get water on the flames.
“It was just a complete inferno in each of the rooms,” he said.
Off-duty firefighters were called to relieve firefighters becoming exhausted quicker than usual because of the intensity of the heat and greater effort required to get water inside each of the units.
“The firefighters were quite tasked,” Snyder said.
Snyder said the heat also set off some ammunition stored inside the roughly 200-foot-long and 60-foot-wide building.
He said most of the contents appeared to be things like clothing, furniture and other typical personal belongings.
Lynn Grenough was among the people with items stored at the facility who showed up Friday to assess the damage.
Her family rented two of the destroyed units containing furniture and other belongings salvaged after their house caught fire in November 2020.
She said her family is living in a rental home until a settlement is reached on their fire-damaged residence at Rustic Hills subdivision between LaPorte and Michigan City.
“I’m in shock,” Grenough said.
Snyder said the investigation will include looking at surveillance video to see if someone, perhaps, intentionally started the fire.
He said that there were problems with people living in some of the units in the past but that the property owner indicated none of the units were being lived in prior to the fire. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/laporte/city-of-laporte/cause-of-storage-blaze-under-investigation/article_7e876a9e-e59b-5e6f-9961-3d927794d403.html | 2022-08-27T00:02:07 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/laporte/city-of-laporte/cause-of-storage-blaze-under-investigation/article_7e876a9e-e59b-5e6f-9961-3d927794d403.html |
GRAPEVINE, Texas — Grapevine High School students skipped third period Friday to protest the school board’s new policy that was approved Monday.
“These rules are taking away our rights to feel safe and to express ourselves and to be honest about who we are,” one student said.
“Eventually there will be change, but for now, we just have to do what we can,” another added.
Late Monday night, Grapevine-Colleyville ISD board trustees voted 4-3 in favor of instituting a new 36-page policy that, among other things, a) bans the teaching of critical race theory, b) implements a strict review process for library books, c) actively works not to promote, require or encourage the use of pronouns that are not aligned with the gender people are assigned at birth, and d) require people to use the bathrooms designated for the genders they were assigned at birth.
“Not even a month into the school year, I have to act like I don’t exist,” a Grapevine High School freshman said.
“I feel like it’s my duty in Grapevine to stand up for what I believe in so children and students who are more scared to speak out will be honestly inspired by the people we have here today,” another student told WFAA.
Students held posters and signs: One read, ‘Kids shouldn’t feel unsafe because of your politics.’
"What we just passed was the law," GCISD Board Vice President Shannon Braun said in Tuesday's special episode of Y'all-itics. "It's already the law. Anybody who just voted against that, just voted against the law -- that’s actually the problem... because we’re not following it, that’s why. When you have teachers that decide... you’ve got people that teach what they want to teach, do what they want to do, promote what they want to promote."
She outright denied that any conservative groups helped draft GCISD's wide-ranging new policies. | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/grapevine-high-students-walkout-over-schools-new-policy-on-critical-race-theory-books-pronouns/287-179ca09f-797c-4946-b6f1-fef27b54e08a | 2022-08-27T00:09:10 | 0 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/grapevine-high-students-walkout-over-schools-new-policy-on-critical-race-theory-books-pronouns/287-179ca09f-797c-4946-b6f1-fef27b54e08a |
Carter In The ClassroomFocusing on unique things school districts are doing to help children succeed. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/carter-in-the-classroom/grapevine-students-stage-walkout-in-protest-of-transphobic-policies/3058307/ | 2022-08-27T00:14:35 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/carter-in-the-classroom/grapevine-students-stage-walkout-in-protest-of-transphobic-policies/3058307/ |
Skip to content
Main Navigation
Search
Search for:
Local
Weather
Responds
Investigations
Video
Sports
Entertainment
Newsletters
Live TV
Share
Close
Trending
Racist Rant
HS Football Scores
Officer Trial
Clear the Shelters
Expand
Local
The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-isd-bus-driver-monitor-hailed-as-heroes/3058299/ | 2022-08-27T00:14:41 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-isd-bus-driver-monitor-hailed-as-heroes/3058299/ |
Skip to content
Main Navigation
Search
Search for:
Local
Weather
Responds
Investigations
Video
Sports
Entertainment
Newsletters
Live TV
Share
Close
Trending
Racist Rant
HS Football Scores
Officer Trial
Clear the Shelters
Expand
Local
The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-nonprofit-guides-students-through-successful-education/3058361/ | 2022-08-27T00:14:48 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-nonprofit-guides-students-through-successful-education/3058361/ |
A man is dead and police are looking for his killer after he was fatally shot at an East Arlington apartment complex Friday afternoon, police say.
According to Arlington Police, at about 4 p.m. officers were called to a shooting at the Felix Apartments on the 2100 block of Cypress Club Drive.
When officers arrived they reported finding a deceased man's body on the ground. The man's identity has not yet been released.
Police said the man had an apparent gunshot wound but did not offer any other specifics about where the man was shot or what may have led to the shooting. Police did say they do not believe the shooting was random and that the victim likely knew his killer.
Witnesses to the shooting are working with police and have provided leads that detectives are investigating.
No arrests have been made, no suspects have been identified and no other information has been confirmed in the ongoing investigation.
The murder is the third homicide to have occurred at the complex this year after two men were fatally shot in the parking lot in January.
Local
The latest news from around North Texas.
TWO MEN KILLED AT FELIX APARTMENTS IN JANUARY, COUSIN CHARGED
The apartment complex was the site of a double-murder earlier this year when 31-year-old Martell Brown and 21-year-old Jy'Tavious Fields were shot and killed in the parking lot.
Family members told police the only reason Martell and Fields would have been at the complex was to visit their cousin, 19-year-old Julius Rollins, who lived at the complex and who was on parole for aggravated robbery and was required to wear an ankle monitor.
Rollins was later accused of fatally shooting his cousins and was arrested on unrelated charges following a crash that occurred as police said he tried to leave the state. Rollins is in custody at the Tarrant County Jail and is awaiting trial on a charge of capital murder of multiple persons. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/man-fatally-shot-at-east-arlington-apartments-where-two-men-were-killed-in-january/3058338/ | 2022-08-27T00:14:54 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/man-fatally-shot-at-east-arlington-apartments-where-two-men-were-killed-in-january/3058338/ |
Skip to content
Main Navigation
Search
Search for:
Local
Weather
Responds
Investigations
Video
Sports
Entertainment
Newsletters
Live TV
Share
Close
Trending
Racist Rant
HS Football Scores
Officer Trial
Clear the Shelters
Expand
Local
The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/new-recruits-graduate-from-dallas-police-academy/3058358/ | 2022-08-27T00:15:01 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/new-recruits-graduate-from-dallas-police-academy/3058358/ |
Skip to content
Main Navigation
Search
Search for:
Local
Weather
Responds
Investigations
Video
Sports
Entertainment
Newsletters
Live TV
Share
Close
Trending
Racist Rant
HS Football Scores
Officer Trial
Clear the Shelters
Expand
Local
The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/outrage-continues-after-racist-rant-is-caught-on-camera-in-plano/3058357/ | 2022-08-27T00:15:07 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/outrage-continues-after-racist-rant-is-caught-on-camera-in-plano/3058357/ |
Outrage continues in the racially charged confrontation in Plano that is being investigated as a possible hate crime.
The incident Wednesday night outside a restaurant involved a woman who identified herself as Mexican American verbally and physically attacking a group of Indian American women.
The group Indian American Impact said in a statement to NBC 5: ‘The attack is yet another in a string of deplorable anti-Asian hate crimes that have taken place over the past two years.’
Ayush Saha says his mother Sabori is one of the four women involved in the incident.
“My mother has been the champion of my life. She’s the strongest female figure I’ve had,” said Saha.
The Plano native spoke with NBC 5 via Zoom from Washington D.C. where he attends Georgetown University.
Saha says his mother is physically and mentally okay, thanks to overwhelming support from friends, family and strangers.
Local
The latest news from around North Texas.
The family is demanding justice be served for the racist attack Sabori and her dear friends endured Wednesday night.
Saha says the group of women was standing in the parking lot after dinner.
The women, of Indian descent, were speaking Bengali when out of nowhere, “this random lady came up to them and started harassing them,” he said.
Saha says they tried to ignore her, but the woman continued to insult them, things escalated, and they took out their cell phones.
Several clips are circulating on social media, including Saha’s video which is about two minutes long.
The viral video shows the woman, identified by police as Esmeralda Upton of Plano, spewing hateful language against Indian people.
Upton is reportedly heard on video saying she ‘hates Indians,’ wishing they would go back to their country.
When one of the victims is heard telling the 911 operator that a ‘white woman’ is the aggressor, Upton corrects the woman by saying she’s ‘Mexican-American’ and that her family paid their way to the U.S.
Saha says his mother began to back up as best she could in her heels as the stranger turned toward her.
“Towards the end when she threatens to pull a gun out of her purse and shoot [my mom’s] brains out,” he said. “She was charging at her.”
Saha insists there’s nothing that happened before the women began to record the incident that would warrant the attack.
“From what I know, it’s a lady who has a lot of malice inside of her and she needed to ruin someone else’s day,” he said.
Before officers arrived, Upton is seen on camera apologizing to the women and trying to shake their hands.
The confrontation briefly landed Uptown in jail, according to police.
She faces two misdemeanor charges for assault and terroristic threats.
“We anticipate additional charges may be forthcoming,” said Plano Police spokesman Officer Andrae Smith.
Some people have questioned why police did not arrest Upton on the spot.
“A police officer cannot make a warrantless arrest not observed in their presence,” said Smith.
The detective on the case expedited the warrant and secured the arrest, he added. The department is investigating this as a hate crime, which could carry stiffer punishment if convicted.
“We’re taking it seriously,” said Smith. “There’s no place in Plano or even in the state of Texas for conduct like this.”
NBC 5 asked Plano police if officers suspected Upton was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the confrontation, Smith said no but he added someone did come to the scene and picked her up.
Plano police could not confirm whether Upton was armed; if she had taken out a gun, she would be facing a felony aggravated assault charge as well, said Smith.
Saha says there is no doubt in his mind this was a terroristic hate crime.
“This is not a 15-second video,” he said. “This is not just a slip of the tongue. This is something she truly believes in.”
He also says he does not believe Mexican Americans as a whole share the woman’s views, calling her ‘a bad apple.’
Asked if he has anything he wants to say to Upton, Saha said: “Make sure you keep your opinions to yourself next time.”
NBC 5 repeatedly tried contacting Upton for her side of the story, but we have not heard back. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/she-needed-to-ruin-someone-elses-day-victims-son-addresses-racist-rant/3058295/ | 2022-08-27T00:15:13 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/she-needed-to-ruin-someone-elses-day-victims-son-addresses-racist-rant/3058295/ |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.