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A country singer was found dead in Tucson days after being reported missing, officials said.
On Aug. 26, Luke Bell, 32, was found dead in the 5500 block of East Grant Road, near North Craycroft Road, Tucson police said. The cause of death is still under investigation.
According to an article from Saving Country Music, Bell, who is originally from Wyoming, had gone missing on Aug. 20 in Tucson. The article also reported that Bell was hiding a severe battle with bipolar disorder. It also said he had gone missing before, sometimes hopping freight trains to travel around the country.
Matt Kinman, a close friend who was with Bell, said his mental state took a turn for the worse and ran off while Kinman went to get something to eat in Tucson, Saving Country Music reported.
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According to the Daily Beast website, "The honky-tonk musician was widely celebrated for reenergizing a bygone sound, and despite releasing just one album ... , Bell quickly rose to prominence and critical acclaim, opening for the likes of Willie Nelson and Dwight Yoakam."
Jamie Donnelly covers breaking news for the Arizona Daily Star. Contact her via e-mail at jdonnelly@tucson.com | https://tucson.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/country-singer-who-went-missing-found-dead-in-tucson/article_36af4a38-28b7-11ed-b5a2-03da1578f465.html | 2022-08-30T23:48:21 | 1 | https://tucson.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/country-singer-who-went-missing-found-dead-in-tucson/article_36af4a38-28b7-11ed-b5a2-03da1578f465.html |
Elijah Miranda went to a friend’s air-conditioned apartment to cool off. He laid on the couch in the living room, escaping Tucson’s heat.
His friend left him in the apartment at Lind Commons, 3493 E. Lind Road, Thursday, Aug. 25, because Miranda wanted to sleep in comfort, enjoying the cold air that the swamp cooler at his mother’s southwest-side home could not produce.
It turned into a nightmare as Gavin Lee Stansell, who was facing eviction for disturbances at the apartment complex, went on a rampage and fatally shot three people, including 25-year-old Miranda, before Stansell committed suicide. Miranda's friend was a neighbor to Stansell, 24.
In addition to Miranda, Pima County Constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay was killed when she went to evict Stansell. So was apartment manager Angela Fox-Heath.
Family and friends of the victims are grieving their loved ones.
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Miranda's mother is so distraught she cannot speak about her son.
So, Soleste Lupu and Joey Rodgers, who spent time with the mother after her son's death, want to share bits of Miranda's life as his friend and former dance instructors.
Miranda was 10 years old when he joined his younger brother at Dancing in the Streets Arizona, a performing arts school in the city of South Tucson that Lupu and Rodgers co-founded 15 years ago. Lupu described Elijah, their first scholarship student, as a "wonderful dancer" who was artistic and athletic. A tai chi instructor at the studio also worked with him.
"People were amazed by his performances because he was a big, husky boy but when he danced he was light on his feet," said Rodgers, as he pictured Miranda on stage, describing him as a "gentle giant." He said "the ballerinas loved dancing with him because they knew he was strong and could lift and not drop them."
"He could have been a linebacker on a football team. Yet, he was very gentle and attentive to the partner he was working with," said Rodgers.
"He had this work ethic," said Lupu. "He was driven to learn about ballet and he took classes to learn and perfect his dance. He pushed his physical limitation as far as he could go. After technical classes three to four times a week, he was driven to practice and the more times you come to class, the more you work out and your body gets stronger. The whole point of a dancer's training is to have muscle memory. The steps should look easy and flow," explained Lupu as she recalled Miranda's dancing ability.
His first performance was "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King," recalled Lupu of the show at the Berger Performing Arts Center on the campus of the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and Blind. "He was quiet, kind and gentle. He was sharing with the audience the art, and they shared their love in return."
Other performances Miranda was in included "A Midsummer's Night Dream," and he played numerous roles in "The Nutcracker" ballet, including a soldier doll, a rat king, a prince, and the snow king, which was the most advanced part he played in 2014 at age 17.
Last year, Miranda was doing well, living in his own apartment, working as a general manager at a fast-food restaurant and planning to enroll in Pima Community College, said the couple.
But earlier this year, in January, his life took a turn. According to court documents, he was driving nearly 80 mph on North Campbell Avenue, south of East Grant Road, at night. He struck pedestrian Lawrence M. Leadman who was not in a crosswalk. Leadman died at the scene, and in April a grand jury indicted Miranda on a manslaughter charge. A case management conference was set for September, a step for trial preparation.
He was navigating the problems in his life, facing it and dealing with it, said Rodgers.
Dancing in the Streets Arizona will organize a private tribute for Miranda at the dance school, and will look into forming the Elijah Miranda Scholarship for boys.
Contact reporter Carmen Duarte at cduarte@tucson.com or on Twitter: @cduartestar | https://tucson.com/news/local/tucson-man-killed-in-shooting-rampage-was-visiting-friends-home/article_04eb837e-288d-11ed-83fa-0f4298898532.html | 2022-08-30T23:48:27 | 1 | https://tucson.com/news/local/tucson-man-killed-in-shooting-rampage-was-visiting-friends-home/article_04eb837e-288d-11ed-83fa-0f4298898532.html |
ATLANTA — A new online system in Georgia allows victims and investigators to track the status of sexual assault kits.
The system offers a level of accountability and transparency that hasn't existed previously in Georgia. It was created in response to previous backlogs of cases that in some instances sat on shelves for years before being tested.
The backlogs were first reported in 2016 and the GBI eventually tested the kits after receiving increased funding and staffing.
In 2021, state lawmakers passed legislation to create the new tracking system which went online statewide on June 30.
After two months, 800 sexual assault kits have been entered into the system, according to the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, which operates the system.
"The tracking system is really the next step in making sure we are preventing those backlogs," said Amy Hutsell, Program Director of the Sexual Assault, Child Abuse and Human Trafficking Unit of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. "I think, a just as important, part of that is the transparency that it creates for victims for survivors of sexual assault. We wanted to send a very strong message to them that the knowledge they rightfully have about where evidence is located, is available to them."
Hutsell told 11Alive Tuesday that statewide all law enforcement agencies that investigate sexual assaults, along with any hospital or center conducting forensic medical exams for sexual assaults, should have access to the system.
After a kit is created, it is entered into the tracking system. The victim is then given a website address and kit number.
"The victim then has access to information that will let them know where the location of the kit is, if the GBI crime lab has received the kit and if that kit has been tested," Hutsell said.
Specifics of the test results would still be relayed to the victims by investigators or prosecutors, as results are not displayed in the tracking system.
Kevin Angell is an instructor with the Georgia Public Safety Training Center.
The center created an online training course for the tracking system that officers statewide have been completing.
"They don't have to travel, they can take it from their own desk," Angell said of the course.
In the online course, officers learn how the system works and how to enter kits into the system. Then, they can also track the status of kits for cases they're investigating.
Angell added officers see great value in the system.
"I know that a lot of the criminal investigation divisions have required this training for their detectives because it is essential and is nothing but an increase with our relationship with victims," he said.
So far, feedback on the new tracking system has been positive, according to Hutsell. She added as feedback continues to come in there could be ways to expand the system in the future.
"It is fully functional but as there are opportunities to continue to enhance it based on the feedback that we get from our users we are going to continue to look at that as well," she said.
Resources for survivors of sexual assault in Georgia can be found: online here. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/georgia-system-track-rape-kits/85-c44266d7-49d9-4fff-9592-5ce7643a66f2 | 2022-08-30T23:48:48 | 1 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/georgia-system-track-rape-kits/85-c44266d7-49d9-4fff-9592-5ce7643a66f2 |
PEACHTREE CITY, Ga. — A Georgia brewery company is recalling a batch of one of its popular lagers.
Line Creek Brewing Co. based in Peachtree City announced it's recalling its latest batch of Maverick Lager on Tuesday.
"There was a bad yeast strain that we got and were not aware of. Anything with a July and August date are being recalled. Nothing to worry about health-wise, it just doesn't taste good like Maverick should!" the brewery said to a commenter on its Facebook page.
Line Creek sells its beers to retail establishments in Fayette, Coweta, Fulton and other metro Atlanta counties, according to its website.
The business is advising customers that if they've purchased the lager from the taproom or in the market in the past to months to exchange it for the beer of one's choice.
"We apologize for the inconvenience!" the company said. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/peachtree-city/line-creek-brewing-recalls-lager/85-5cf67c48-0180-48ff-81a1-4694c9232710 | 2022-08-30T23:48:54 | 1 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/peachtree-city/line-creek-brewing-recalls-lager/85-5cf67c48-0180-48ff-81a1-4694c9232710 |
MARIETTA, Ga. — A suspect is in custody after he was accused of sexually assaulting a 39-year-old woman inside an LA Fitness shower in Marietta.
Cobb County Police said they were called to respond to the gym at 1453 Terrell Mill Rd. last Thursday, Aug. 25.
Authorities said that the 31-year-old suspect, who entered the fitness center on a visitor's pass, got into the gym's hot tub where the victim and her husband were sitting. The victim said that the man wasn't making much sense when he was speaking to them, but asked the victim's husband if the woman with him was a friend, to which he responded, "No, she's my wife."
After getting out of the hot tub and walking into the women's locker room, the victim undressed and got into a shower stall, according to the incident report.
While she was in the shower, the man allegedly pulled the curtain back and grabbed the victim while pushing her into the wall. Officers said the woman was able to push the suspect hard enough where he tripped and fell down, allowing her to run out of the shower and call for help.
When officers arrived on scene, they met with the 31-year-old suspect, who denied going into the women's bathroom and claimed he had "nothing to do with that girl screaming."
Police ultimately placed the man under arrest after the victim gave a description of the man that matched the suspect being questioned. Additionally, the report states that four witnesses were able to help police on-scene.
The 31-year-old suspect now faces a charge of sexual battery and disorderly conduct. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/woman-sexually-assaulted-la-fitness-gym-bathroom/85-e54e6015-2f3e-41eb-909d-23007c9c5014 | 2022-08-30T23:49:00 | 0 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/woman-sexually-assaulted-la-fitness-gym-bathroom/85-e54e6015-2f3e-41eb-909d-23007c9c5014 |
WATERLOO – A federal grand jury has charged a Waterloo man accused in a December shooting with weapons offenses.
The indictment was issued Aug. 17 and charges Deshaun Lee Jackson, also known as Deshawn Jackson, 23, with one count of prohibited person in possession of a firearm.
The charge stems from a .22-caliber Intratech Tech 22 pistol and a .40-caliber Smith and Wesson handgun found at his Allen Street apartment Dec. 1. The weapons were found shortly after Jackson had allegedly fired at a person on Sunnyside Avenue.
No injuries were reported, and police found spent shell casings at the shooting scene.
Jackson had been charged with intimidation in the shooting, but the charge was dismissed in favor of the federal prosecution.
Jackson is prohibited from handling firearms because of prior felony convictions for burglary and robbery.
Witnesses said a man in a car pulled up to another person in the 200 block of Sunnyside Avenue at about 12:45 p.m. Wednesday, yelled and then began shooting. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/firearm-indictment-filed-in-december-shooting/article_0ffeff56-dd92-54c6-aab8-d702b4ea3ebc.html | 2022-08-30T23:49:42 | 0 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/firearm-indictment-filed-in-december-shooting/article_0ffeff56-dd92-54c6-aab8-d702b4ea3ebc.html |
WATERLOO – Results of a long-awaited review of the city of Waterloo's finances by the State Auditor’s Office found no irregularities, according to a report released Tuesday.
The report covers several areas of concern cited in an April 2019 citizens' petition seeking the re-audit and gives the city a clean bill of health.
“As a city, we work tirelessly to ensure that your tax dollars and resources are being put to good use. Regardless of how many awards the city has received for excellence in financial practices, politics can still reveal its ugly head," Waterloo Mayor Quentin Hart said in an e-mail. "This re-audit was brought by a small group of community members that attempt to discredit the hard work of city staff and leadership at every turn. This has cost the state and city massive staff time resulting in thousands of dollars, when our focus should be on moving forward.”
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The petition was signed by 148 residents and asked the state office to “secure a complete or partial re-audit … of the financial transactions and the condition of the funds of the local government.”
State Auditor Rob Sand said his office took that request seriously.
“A lot of people had questions about what was going on. It’s an important procedure because it's a way people can get independent answers,” Sand said. “We responded to all the concerns and we found no findings of non-compliance.”
Resident Forest Dillavou said at the time the petition was filed he was one of the individuals who signed and helped collect the required signatures. He said the concerns largely related to transfers of money between various city operating funds. For example, the city finances code enforcement from the sanitation fund but deposits fines from code enforcement action in the general fund.
“It’s not fraud,” Dillavou said in 2019. “It’s the questionable financial practices."
The petitioners asked the auditor to look at city finances for fiscal year 2018. In his re-audit report, Sand said due to the concerns brought up he looked at the period of July 1, 2012, through June 30, 2018.
The petition asked the auditor to look at 14 specific concerns ranging from tax increment funding to the use of funds from the United States Conference of Mayors Childhood Obesity Prevention grant.
Sand's report made just one recommendation. It regards the animal control and code enforcement budgets. Both are currently budgeted under the sanitation fund.
Sand said if the fees collected for these departments are not enough to offset expenses, the city should consider budgeting for them as part of general operations rather than covering the excess costs with sanitation fees.
Dillavou originally was concerned about code enforcement but said he thought the auditor would find more misuse of funds. However, he said another audit should be done for the time period after 2018.
“I think we need another audit after the CFO was dismissed and the police chief signing a contract and making a run for it,” Dillavou said. “But I don’t want to if it takes another three years.”
The city previously told The Courier the city’s chief financial officer, Michelle Weidner, retired after 21 years with the city. Former Police Chief Joel Fitzgerald resigned Aug. 19.
Sand said re-audits are low on the priority list for the auditor’s office. Criminal investigations take precedence, as well as the state’s annual standard audits. He said the report took so long to produce because of the numerous questions contained in the petition.
Four concerns regarding TIF were brought before the auditor. These included the purchase of property for “future commercial expansion,” the combination of the Logan Avenue TIF and Midport TIF and the renewals of the Martin Road and San Marnan TIFs.
TIF is used by cities to encourage development, including upgrading areas of blight, helping residential development efforts and enhancing economic development, the report said.
Sand said his office’s scrutiny of Waterloo’s TIF activity “did not identify any non-compliance” with the Code of Iowa.
The petitioners stated the city has “millions of dollars in building repairs needed” and seems to choose building new structures rather than repairing existing ones.
Sand responded to this concern, saying city officials have a fiduciary responsibility to provide oversight of the city’s operations.
“City officials are responsible for making difficult decisions on how to best use the city’s revenues and fund necessary community services and capital projects,” the report stated. “Elected officials must balance the needs of the citizens while also keeping the tax rate at an acceptable level.”
The petition also requested an audit of how Waterloo conducted building inspections. It stated the city passed an ordinance implementing a “500% increase in safety and registration fees.”
Sand said he looked into two rental inspection fees, one in 1994 and the latest in 2014.
“The inspection fee (in 1994) was established at $25 per inspection,” the report said. “We verified inspection fees collected remain at $25 per inspection. There has not been a 500% increase in fees.”
A tangential issue was the use of grant funds from the United States Conference of Mayors. Waterloo was awarded $100,000 to support childhood obesity prevention, environmental health and sustainability programs. The petitioners stated they were told the money went to one organization -- Covenant Medical Center's obesity prevention program.
Sand found the money supported the “Healthy H2O Loo” program, which had agreements with the Cedar Valley Blue Zones Project, Tri-County Child and Family Development Council and the University of Northern Iowa Foundation. Services also were provided by Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare Iowa. Sand said the office reviewed actions taken by the council related to the grant and did not identify any concerns.
Sand, a Democrat, has promoted himself as a nonpartisan opponent of public waste and corruption.
“As a prosecutor I’ve gone after Republicans and after Democrats,” Sand said in a video announcing his candidacy in 2017. “It doesn’t matter to me what your party affiliation is -- it’s whether or not you’re doing right or breaking the law.”
The entire re-audit can be viewed at auditor.iowa.gov/reports. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/waterloo-re-audit-finds-no-wrongdoing/article_ea44ea97-9cb9-5f43-9e86-1086da45417d.html | 2022-08-30T23:49:44 | 1 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/waterloo-re-audit-finds-no-wrongdoing/article_ea44ea97-9cb9-5f43-9e86-1086da45417d.html |
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana State Police K-9 Mack will soon be out patrolling with extra protection thanks to a charitable donation.
Mack will be sporting a bullet- and stab-resistant vest donated by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. The 501(c)(3) charity accepts tax-deductible contributions in any amount, while a single donation of $960 will sponsor one vest.
The vest was sponsored by a pair of donors in Fairmount, Indiana.
Embroidered on the vest will be the quote, "Born to Love-Trained to Serve-Loyal Always." It will be delivered in eight to 10 weeks.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided more than 4,740 vests to K-9s in all 50 states at a value of $6.9 million.
The vest donations all go to K-9s that are at least 20 months old and actively employed and certified with law enforcement or related agencies. K-9s with expired vests are also eligible for a new vest through the program.
Donations for vests can be made by clicking here or by mailing a contribution to P.O. Box 9, East Taunton, MA 02718. | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/indiana-state-police-k9-officer-body-armor-donation/531-c27f7471-43a3-4826-8cb3-711308767b21 | 2022-08-30T23:52:25 | 0 | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/indiana-state-police-k9-officer-body-armor-donation/531-c27f7471-43a3-4826-8cb3-711308767b21 |
INDIANAPOLIS — A man who moved to Indianapolis last summer pleaded guilty Monday to convincing troubled girls as young as 12 to perform masochistic acts and urged one to become his sex slave.
Matthew Christian Locher, 31, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a child for the purpose of producing a sexually explicit visual depiction, the U.S. attorney's office said in a statement.
In his plea agreement, prosecutors said Locher acknowledged that while living in Redondo Beach, California, in 2020 and 2021, Locher got into online conversations targeting girls suffering from mental health issues such as depression, anorexia and suicidal thoughts.
During internet conversations, Locher allegedly groomed his victims to engage in self-mutilation and, eventually, to become his “slave” or “pet.”
"Locher groomed his victims to engage in self-mutilation and instructed a victim struggling with an eating disorder to starve herself, ordering her to film herself cutting her body when she disobeyed him," the U.S. attorney's office statement said.
Two girls sent him images of self-harm including one of them cutting their breasts, prosecutors said.
He convinced a third victim, who was 12, to run away from her Ohio home and attempt to reach California to have sex with him, prosecutors alleged.
Encouraged by Locher, the girl first set fire to her home in a failed bid to kill her parents, prosecutors alleged.
Locher had promised he would pick her up, "bring her to California, and make her his 'slave,' " the U.S. attorney's office said.
Locher moved to Indiana in the summer of 2021 after federal authorities searched his home.
He was arrested in Indianapolis on Jan. 10 of this year and sent back to California, authorities said.
Locher faces 15 years to 30 years in prison when he is sentenced next January. | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/indianapolis-indiana-southern-california-man-child-self-mutilation-scheme/531-34b481e4-e23b-42bd-b42e-6f855d18e572 | 2022-08-30T23:52:31 | 0 | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/indianapolis-indiana-southern-california-man-child-self-mutilation-scheme/531-34b481e4-e23b-42bd-b42e-6f855d18e572 |
CARMEL, Ind. — A statewide Silver Alert has been declared for a missing man from Carmel, Indiana.
The Carmel Police Department is investigating the disappearance of 89-year-old Jack Hufford, who was last seen Tuesday, Aug. 30 at 4:30 p.m.
Hufford is 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighs 155 pounds. He has white hair and blue eyes.
He was last seen wearing a red and blue plaid shirt, and blue jeans, and driving a light green 2007 Toyota Camry with Indiana license plate SUO805.
Indiana State Police said Hufford is believed to be in extreme danger and may require medical assistance.
Anyone with any information on Jack Hufford, contact the Carmel Police Department at 317-773-1300 or 911.
Amber Alert vs. Silver Alert: What's the difference?
There are specific standards a person's disappearance must meet in order for police to declare an Amber Alert or a Silver Alert.
Amber Alerts are for children under the age of 18 who are believed to have been abducted and in danger. Police also need to have information about a suspect and their car to issue an Amber Alert.
Silver Alerts are for missing and endangered adults or children. They are much more common for missing people. It was not until last year when the standards for Silver Alerts were expanded to include children.
In both situations, these alerts must be issued by police. | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/silver-alert-carmel-indiana-man/531-f486ff56-070a-43ed-a74c-21794018fcd6 | 2022-08-30T23:52:37 | 0 | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/silver-alert-carmel-indiana-man/531-f486ff56-070a-43ed-a74c-21794018fcd6 |
“There was ham and there was turkey, there was caviar. Long, tall glasses with wine up to he-yar.”
— Leo Sayer
People like to eat.
No, that’s not right. People love to eat. They love to talk about food, and a whole lot of them like to take pictures of the food they’re about to eat and send it to friends on social media.
(Reason No. 876 not to go on social media.)
I’ve spent a lot of time the last few days talking to people about food, about restaurants opening up (see story on Page 1A), about restaurants closing down, about the dearth of reliable workers willing to work in restaurants (the kind who won’t spit in your food if they get angry or invoke the 5-second rule), about the higher prices for a lot less food that has become a norm in the food industry.
I’ve never really even thought a lot about food, except every now and then when I’m craving chicken and dumplings, jambalaya, or Cuban sandwiches. Sure, I’ve always liked certain foods, but growing up, food was always just one of the necessities provided for sustenance. When you grow up that way, you learn not only to just tolerate bologna (yes, in our house it was baloney) and the kind of mac and cheese whose cheese is some kind of powder, you learn to like it. (And your palate remains screwed up for life.)
I’ve watched, in wonder at first, because it was foreign to me, cooking shows become all the rage. I always wondered why anyone would ever watch such must-not-see TV, but let you find yourself in a house where others are tuned in, and you’ll start to get it. (I can now say — and I’m not exactly proud of this, but it’s the truth — that I’d rather watch an episode of “Chopped” — especially one when they’ve got those weird ingredients that just hearing about them makes you want to hurl the baloney sandwich you just ate — than an NFL broadcast. And it’s not just that pro football has become a sport of “enlightened millionaires” who forgot how much fun it is to just play the game. Sigh)
Talking to local restaurateurs — and, yes, that’s what my friends B.J. and Lisa are best at, although they each can do a million other things — in the wake of the pandemic that forced many restaurants out of business is eye-opening. The ones not lucky enough to get PPP loans that kind of allowed owners to do very little and hold onto their collective food empires are some of the hardest-working people you’ll find. Spend a day with one, follow them around and see what all they have to do, and you’ll probably stick with your gig as a member of the bomb demolition squad ... it’s less stress-inducing.
Just like every other business, you can have some really great food and offer superb customer service, but if the stars aren’t exactly aligned, your restaurant is doomed to failure. As noted above, people love food. And there are no easily readable clues that assure owners what foods they need to serve to keep the customers coming in.
I hope these new restaurants in Albany do well. I hope they fill the void left when the pandemic forced a number of eating establishments out of business. I hope the restaurants that were presumed dead or dying make a comeback worthy of a five-run rally in the ninth. I hope these excited new owners — who obviously love cooking and serving good food — realize their dreams and prove the naysayers wrong. (I.e. the negative Facebook posts that take swipes at establishments before they’ve even opened their doors ... reason No. 877.)
Food has become the ultimate draw in popular culture, chefs the superstars who are replacing athletes as our most admired celebrities. I never thought I’d see the day. But as one who now appreciates good food — and good cooks — I can only wish us all bon appetite.
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Error! There was an error processing your request. | https://www.albanyherald.com/news/local/carlton-fletcher-learning-to-think-like-a-foodie/article_174999d4-28a6-11ed-a06b-8feca2e56c71.html | 2022-08-30T23:53:00 | 0 | https://www.albanyherald.com/news/local/carlton-fletcher-learning-to-think-like-a-foodie/article_174999d4-28a6-11ed-a06b-8feca2e56c71.html |
SEATTLE — The Seattle Education Association (SEA) will vote on a possible strike over the weekend, according to a release from the union.
The union represents around 6,000 educators who work for Seattle Public Schools (SPS). Contracts with the district expire on Wednesday, Aug. 31 as the two sides continue bargaining over a new agreement.
The first day of school is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 7.
"After bargaining all summer, SPS has yet to agree to proposals that would hold them accountable to meeting student and educator needs," SEA President Jennifer Matter said in a statement.
The union claims it is bargaining for a contract that "puts in writing the district's responsibility to do more for all of our students and educators for years to come."
The union hopes to come to a tentative agreement with SPS before a strike becomes necessary, Matter said.
In a letter to parents, the district said conversations around special education and multilingual education have caused a delay in the bargaining process.
A district spokesperson said SPS's proposals "outline a plan that is aligned to our district's instructional philosophy that puts students first, creates inclusive learning spaces and provides educators with generous compensation, including professional development, career opportunities and benefits."
The spokesperson said SPS looks forward to continuing to bargain with the teacher's union on a contract "that moves us toward providing an equitable education for every student in our care."
SEA is planning to picket on Wednesday, Aug. 31 at SPS buildings before teachers head to classrooms to prepare for the school year.
Several other unions around the region have moved toward picketing in the midst of bargaining new contract agreements with school districts.
The first day of school in the Kent School District has been canceled multiple times while teachers are on strike. Educators in the North Thurston Education Association picketed before coming to an agreement with the school district.
The Port Angeles Education Association also voted to authorize a strike in the midst of talks with the Port Angeles School District. | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/seattle-teachers-union-strike-vote/281-69f09725-4785-4e02-939d-ff5be13a96df | 2022-08-31T00:04:04 | 1 | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/seattle-teachers-union-strike-vote/281-69f09725-4785-4e02-939d-ff5be13a96df |
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The City of St. Petersburg has entered into the next phase of the Historic Gas Plant District redevelopment project, releasing the request for proposals. Developers can now make a bid on the 86-acre project.
The city's 32-page RFP outlines the history of th site, the character of the surrounding area and what leaders expect to see in proposals put forward by developers.
The city sought public input in four "community conversations" earlier this year and said the feedback it received made up a big part of the RFP.
The city is looking for plans that include: affordable housing, a range of small businesses, a major hotel with a conference hall, space for research and higher education, open public gathering space and lots of green space.
The RFP also includes the desire for arts and culture throughout the site, a variety of transportation modes and connectors and "smart city technologies."
St. Pete business owner Muntaz Musabegovic said he loves the city and is excited about its future.
"This is a wonderful town with wonderful people, very polite, and the town is just blooming," he said.
Musabegovic owns the German restaurant German Knodle on Central Avenue, one block from the project site. He said that he believes the project will benefit his business by attracting more people to the area.
"Bringing more new restaurants, more new apartments, more new people will be wonderful," he said.
The RFP also calls for proposals that honor the site's past as a historically black neighborhood. It calls for "intentional equity" and involves the residents of south St. Pete in various ways, including recruiting them for construction jobs for the project.
On page 13, it says "the development will honor the site’s history and provide meaningful and significant opportunities for economic equity and inclusion, in both the construction and ongoing operations of the development."
The RFP also demands for the developer to "incorporate the history of the Gas Plant District neighborhood prior to the construction of Tropicana Field, using imagery, plaques, replicas of significant buildings and stories told through interpretive history."
A prominent Black faith leader in south St. Pete, Bishop Manuel Sykes, said this is the city's opportunity to "right a historical wrong," and bring the people who were displaced by the construction of Tropicana Field back to the area.
Skyes said he's looking for the city "to give them not just memorials, plaques and trees, but an opportunity to live, work and own businesses in a place they once did."
Sykes said finding a developer who embraces the site's history is crucial.
"We need someone who is going to care about the city and its residents," he said.
Proposals must be submitted by Nov. 18. Following the submissions, St. Pete Mayor Welch will make his pick.
To read the RFP in full, click here. | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/pinellascounty/st-pete-next-phase-historic-gas-plant-district-redevelopment/67-dda5ba36-07ad-4a3c-8b7d-ab99590add3c | 2022-08-31T00:05:40 | 0 | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/pinellascounty/st-pete-next-phase-historic-gas-plant-district-redevelopment/67-dda5ba36-07ad-4a3c-8b7d-ab99590add3c |
HIGH POINT — The case of a missing 81-year-old woman appeared to end tragically Tuesday with the discovery of a body less than a mile away from her home.
Officers were called to the 2300 block of Hickswood Court where a body was discovered in some woods, High Point police said in a news release Tuesday evening.
Police believe it is the body of Heddie Dawkins, who has been missing since the early morning of Aug. 24. Foul play is not suspected and authorities did not release further details.
The discovery followed a morning where police and volunteers expressed hope that they would find Dawkins alive.
At least 100 people from throughout the Triad gathered in the parking lot of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses on Penny Road to help police search for Dawkins, who suffered from dementia.
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Dawkins' daughter, Rhonda Neal, was heartened Tuesday morning by the crowd that showed up to help search for her mother.
“I don’t have the words,” said Neal, pausing to gather her composure. “The support has been so overwhelming. Seeing this crowd is the only thing that sustains us. That makes us feel like we're not alone.”
Dawkins left her home in the 2700 block of Blockhouse Court at 1:30 a.m. on Aug. 24, according to the family’s doorbell camera footage.
Her family reported her missing later that morning and police launched an extensive search in a 3-mile radius over the next few days.
“That’s a huge radius to search, especially in some of the terrain that we’re in and the ground we’re trying to cover,” High Point Police Chief Travis Stroud told the crowd Tuesday. “This has sort of haunted us this last week.”
Despite the length of time Dawkins had been missing, Stroud remained positive early Tuesday.
“I know it’s been six days … I understand the laws of probability and everything. I just refuse to think like that,” he said before the discovery of Dawkins' body later in the day.
As he watched volunteer searchers led by officers leaving the parking lot, Stroud noted the number of people involved.
“This is pretty heartwarming for me,” he said.
While volunteers knocked on doors and handed out flyers in neighborhoods, police officers who accompanied them searched back yards, bushes and crawl spaces.
Rich Salyares of Jamestown said he’d followed the case on the news and through social media outlets, including Nextdoor. “With her missing, I felt compelled to be here,” the 65-year-old said.
Pastor Amos Quick of Calvary Baptist Church in High Point said two of Dawkins’ grandchildren attend his church.
“We were in prayer for her and now we are putting our faith and works together,” said Quick, who also serves as a representative in the General Assembly.
Shawn Balser, 61, came from Kernersville to help.
“I’d like to do my part,” he said. “I would want the same thing to happen if I had a loved one missing out there somewhere.” | https://greensboro.com/news/local/accident-and-incident/days-and-searches-later-body-of-missing-high-point-woman-believed-to-be-found/article_beacf81c-2868-11ed-8230-f728e26d2128.html | 2022-08-31T00:06:51 | 1 | https://greensboro.com/news/local/accident-and-incident/days-and-searches-later-body-of-missing-high-point-woman-believed-to-be-found/article_beacf81c-2868-11ed-8230-f728e26d2128.html |
HIGH POINT — Authorities have found a body that they believe is that of a missing 81-year-old woman, according to a news release from High Point police.
Officers responded to a call in the 2300 block of Hickswood Court on Tuesday. They located a body in the woods believed to be that of Heddie Dawkins, according to the release.
Dawkins was reported missing on August 24, 2022. Foul play is not suspected. | https://greensboro.com/news/local/accident-and-incident/police-find-body-believed-to-be-that-of-missing-high-point-woman/article_fcedef0a-28b3-11ed-a391-e752de3be70c.html | 2022-08-31T00:06:57 | 1 | https://greensboro.com/news/local/accident-and-incident/police-find-body-believed-to-be-that-of-missing-high-point-woman/article_fcedef0a-28b3-11ed-a391-e752de3be70c.html |
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — Before heading out to enjoy the state's lakes and rivers this Labor Day weekend, officials warn Arkansans to stay safe— especially since a man drowned in Lake Hamilton over the weekend.
Captain Stephanie Weatherington with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission said that no matter how old you are, you should always carry a life jacket with you.
"He had a buddy with him. They both decided to go out, go kayak, and beautiful weekend, unfortunately, they did not have life jackets. He did not have a life jacket on," Captain Weatherington explained.
That's something that Captain Weatherington said she has seen often, especially during busy holiday weekends that tend to have more accidents.
"This year we've had 53 accidents so far. And 13 of those have been fatality accidents 11 of which have all been drownings," she said.
When it came to those deadly accidents, Captain Weatherington said that middle-aged men are the most likely to fall victim.
"They think they're safe and know what they're doing. And all it takes is one bad incident. And, you know, we have to make the phone call to that family that their loved ones not coming home. And that's, the last phone call we ever want to make," Captain Weatherington said.
Children 12 years and under are required by law to wear life jackets, but she added that she believes that everyone should.
"All it takes is one gulp of water. And you can be the best swimmer there is. You can be Michael Phelps, he gets one gulp of water down into his lungs. he's going down," she added.
Jefferson Talbot rents kayaks at his marina in Hot Springs. He said that in addition to wearing a life jacket, kayakers should try and go out on the water when it's less crowded.
"Go out super early in the morning before all the boaters wake up and get out on the water or wait until a little bit later where there's still plenty of visibility," Talbot said.
He also recommended staying close to the shoreline rather than heading further out.
"Federal Coast Guard law is within 100 feet of the shoreline boats are supposed to be five miles an hour or below. And so that's typically going to be your safer spot for a kayak," he said.
Captain Weatherington had another important reminder ahead of the holiday weekend— have a good time, but don't drink and drive.
"It's just as dangerous if not more so dangerous drinking on the water than it is drinking on the road. So we say take the party to the bank. If you want to drink, drink on shore," Captain Weatherington said.
Arkansas Game and Fish also recommended that anyone out boating take the proper safety course since most accidents involve people who didn't take one. | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/hot-springs/officials-urge-boaters-kayakers-stay-safe-water-labor-day-weekend/91-1e67746b-dbe3-4558-8488-bb95e31568ec | 2022-08-31T00:09:44 | 0 | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/hot-springs/officials-urge-boaters-kayakers-stay-safe-water-labor-day-weekend/91-1e67746b-dbe3-4558-8488-bb95e31568ec |
SHERWOOD, Ark — A Sylvan Hills student was found to have a gun while at school on Tuesday.
According to reports, 3 students left the school campus, and when they returned they were stopped at the office, and their backpacks were searched.
During the search, the staff found an unloaded gun in the backpack of a juvenile student.
The Sherwood Police Department and the student's parents were immediately notified of the situation.
Police said that the juvenile was arrested for bringing a gun into the school and is being charged with "minor with a firearm."
The investigation into this incident remains ongoing and we will update with more information as soon as it becomes available. | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/sherwood-juvenile-arrested-taking-unloaded-gun-school/91-d8474de6-f807-43e2-a87c-3a4c2834948c | 2022-08-31T00:09:50 | 1 | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/sherwood-juvenile-arrested-taking-unloaded-gun-school/91-d8474de6-f807-43e2-a87c-3a4c2834948c |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/american-rodeo-moves-to-globe-life-field-from-att-stadium/3060664/ | 2022-08-31T00:11:26 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/american-rodeo-moves-to-globe-life-field-from-att-stadium/3060664/ |
Once upon a time, the Spaghetti Warehouse in Dallas' West End was the place to go.
"The West End used to be way different than what it is now," J.J. Velez said.
Velez remembers coming to the Spaghetti Warehouse as a child for birthday celebrations and having the treat of eating inside the Old East Dallas Streetcar 707, which sat inside the restaurant.
"It's cool to be in places to eat, in a place like this, and it's cool to be in a trolley that was actually in service in Dallas.
The bright red streetcar dates back to the 1920s. It was originally used in the Junius Heights neighborhood. The estimated cost of moving it from the Spaghetti Warehouse was in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
"We're doing it completely for free out of the kindness of our hearts," Velez said. He is a contractor by trade. "Preserving Dallas history is our job as people of Dallas, sons of the city."
Velez and his business partner are disassembling the old streetcar piece by piece.
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"When we see things that we grew up on being taken down, it's like a totally different place," Velez said. "Like we've been asleep for 50 years and you turn around the corner and nothing's there anymore."
Velez said it will take about a month to take the streetcar apart in pieces, and about two years to restore it and move it to its new home at Garden Cafe in Junius Heights; the neighborhood where it began.
"And 40 years from now when my kids, my grandkids go eat in it, they're gonna be like hey, my grandpa put that there," Velez said. "The cost, it's priceless." | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/contractors-volunteer-to-preserve-historic-dallas-streetcar/3060641/ | 2022-08-31T00:11:33 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/contractors-volunteer-to-preserve-historic-dallas-streetcar/3060641/ |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/help-for-uninsured-north-texans-after-flood-damage/3060658/ | 2022-08-31T00:11:39 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/help-for-uninsured-north-texans-after-flood-damage/3060658/ |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/man-opens-fire-on-officers-during-high-speed-chase-police/3060649/ | 2022-08-31T00:11:46 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/man-opens-fire-on-officers-during-high-speed-chase-police/3060649/ |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/riverfront-development-taking-shape-in-dallas/3060714/ | 2022-08-31T00:11:53 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/riverfront-development-taking-shape-in-dallas/3060714/ |
...HEAT ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT MDT SUNDAY NIGHT...
* WHAT...High temperatures near 100 to 105 expected. Wednesday
will be the hottest day for most areas.
* WHERE...Portions of southwest Idaho and southeast Oregon.
* WHEN...Until midnight MDT Sunday night.
* IMPACTS...Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses to occur.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out
of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young
children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles
under any circumstances.
Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When
possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or
evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat
stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when
possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent
rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone
overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.
Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.
&&
Former Idaho State Rep. Aaron von Ehlinger looks on as the defense asks questions of a witness during his trial at the Ada County Courthouse in April.
One of the year’s most closely followed trials will come to a conclusion on Wednesday when a disgraced former Idaho lawmaker is sentenced for raping a 19-year-old legislative intern.
Aaron von Ehlinger will appear in Ada County Court at 3:30 p.m. in front of Judge Michael Reardon. With a felony rape conviction, he faces from one year to life in prison.
The intern told a Statehouse supervisor that von Ehlinger, who was 39 at the time, raped her at his apartment after the two had dinner at a Boise restaurant in March 2021. Von Ehlinger said the sex was consensual.
The Lewiston Republican was serving as a state representative at the time. He resigned over the allegation last year.
Von Ehlinger served in the House for less than one year. He was appointed by Gov. Brad Little on June 3, 2020.
He resigned from the Legislature following an ethics hearing in the House of Representatives in April 2021, according to a report from the Idaho Capital Sun. The ethics committee recommended his suspension or expulsion for the alleged conduct.
He was found guilty of rape in April. Last week, he was denied a request for a retrial. | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/former-idaho-lawmaker-convicted-of-rape-to-be-sentenced-wednesday/article_cde06bd0-2899-11ed-aa22-b3bd85ff361d.html | 2022-08-31T00:12:56 | 1 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/former-idaho-lawmaker-convicted-of-rape-to-be-sentenced-wednesday/article_cde06bd0-2899-11ed-aa22-b3bd85ff361d.html |
...HEAT ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT MDT SUNDAY NIGHT...
* WHAT...High temperatures near 100 to 105 expected. Wednesday
will be the hottest day for most areas.
* WHERE...Portions of southwest Idaho and southeast Oregon.
* WHEN...Until midnight MDT Sunday night.
* IMPACTS...Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses to occur.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out
of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young
children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles
under any circumstances.
Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When
possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or
evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat
stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when
possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent
rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone
overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.
Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.
&&
Idaho Gov. Brad Little missed a planned speech to the Pocatello Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday morning due to illness, but his office says it’s not serious.
“Gov. Little has a cold,” said his press secretary, Madison Hardy. “He looks forward to attending the upcoming special session on Thursday.”
Asked if the governor had been tested for COVID, she said, “Gov. Little has tested for COVID-19 three times in the last four days. All were negative.”
The governor has called a special session of the Legislature, which will start at 8 a.m. Thursday at the state Capitol to consider a single proposed bill, cutting both individual and corporate income tax rates, giving out $500 million in one-time income tax rebates, and permanently increasing education funding by $410 million a year.
Betsy Z. Russell is the Boise bureau chief and state capitol reporter for the Idaho Press and Adams Publishing Group. Follow her on Twitter at @BetsyZRussell. | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/governor-misses-speech-due-to-illness-but-tests-negative-for-covid-19/article_2fd6e3ea-28aa-11ed-8641-1b34d40f0fe6.html | 2022-08-31T00:13:02 | 0 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/governor-misses-speech-due-to-illness-but-tests-negative-for-covid-19/article_2fd6e3ea-28aa-11ed-8641-1b34d40f0fe6.html |
...HEAT ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT MDT SUNDAY NIGHT...
* WHAT...High temperatures near 100 to 105 expected. Wednesday
will be the hottest day for most areas.
* WHERE...Portions of southwest Idaho and southeast Oregon.
* WHEN...Until midnight MDT Sunday night.
* IMPACTS...Hot temperatures may cause heat illnesses to occur.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out
of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors. Young
children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles
under any circumstances.
Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When
possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or
evening. Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat
stroke. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing when
possible. To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent
rest breaks in shaded or air conditioned environments. Anyone
overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location.
Heat stroke is an emergency! Call 9 1 1.
&&
BOISE — Former Idaho Attorney General David Leroy endorsed Raul Labrador for Idaho Attorney General on Tuesday, saying Labrador has agreed to bring back a “solicitor general” position he established when he held the office.
Leroy was elected Idaho Attorney General in 1978 and served four years, after which he was elected lieutenant governor. Labrador defeated current Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden in the GOP primary in May, and is facing Democratic candidate Tom Arkoosh, a Boise attorney, in November.
“During my tenure as Attorney General, I created the post of Solicitor General within the (office) to designate a top appellate lawyer to present the toughest and highest profile cases to both the Idaho Supreme Court and the United States Supreme Court,” Leroy said in a news release from Labrador’s campaign. “Somewhere along the intervening years, the title of Solicitor General, that organizational commitment and emphasis was disbanded. Raúl has stated that he will restore a Solicitor General’s concept with highly trained lawyers who will be prepared to defend our state in the appellate courts.”
The Idaho Attorney General’s office had about 50 lawyers when he was attorney general, Leroy told the Idaho Press. It currently about 120, and they are organized into six topic-related divisions, according to office spokesman Scott Graf, along with a central office division that includes a chief deputy and chief of staff. Recent Idaho Supreme Court arguments on abortion litigation were argued by attorneys from the Civil Litigation Division. There’s also a Criminal Division, which includes an appellate unit.
Leroy said when he was Idaho Attorney General, the Solicitor General position he created was a single attorney. He said he thought bringing back the position would lead to “making a commitment to the highest and best results in appellate advocacy,” and that attorney could either argue top cases themself, or bring in attorneys from the related divisions.
Leroy, a Republican, is the first former Idaho Attorney General to endorse Labrador, a former congressman, for the position. Three former attorneys general, including two Republicans and one Democrat, have endorsed Arkoosh.
Leroy also said in the release that he thought it was “the wrong time to have a Democrat serve as attorney general” now that the U.S. Department of Justice has sued the state in federal court over its abortion trigger law, maintaining it conflicts with a federal law requiring hospitals to provide emergency care. Leroy said a “partisan Democrat … may be tempted to be ‘soft on Biden.’”
Arkoosh registered as a Democrat just a week before announcing he’d run for Idaho Attorney General on the Democratic ticket. He was a Republican before that for less than a year, and prior to that was a longtime independent. He's a former Gem County prosecutor.
Labrador, in his campaign news release, said, “I appreciate the support from former Attorney General David Leroy and his agreement that we must have an energized, focused, and professional attorney general’s office to defend Idaho during these unprecedented times. While my opponent in this race has cut backroom deals to run for the office and steeped his campaign in politics while claiming to be non-political, I will remain focused on defending Idaho’s state sovereignty and protecting our citizens.”
Betty Richardson, senior adviser to Arkoosh’s campaign, said in a statement emailed to the Idaho Press, “It’s not terribly surprising that he’s been endorsed by Dave, who was a perpetual GOP candidate since the 1970s who more recently created a lucrative legal practice representing politicians who get in trouble. What is unusual is that two former Republican attorney generals, a former Republican secretary of state and a former Republican state treasurer have endorsed Tom Arkoosh. Along with Republican attorney generals Wayne Kidwell and Jim Jones, Democratic attorney general Tony Park has also endorsed Tom Arkoosh.”
“Tom will be what Raul Labrador cannot be, which is both highly qualified for the job and determined to keep partisan politics out of the Attorney General’s office,” Richardson said. “While Raul has been practicing politics, Tom Arkoosh has been practicing law.”
Leroy praised Labrador’s qualifications for the office of attorney general. “Raúl has a unique combination of legal, legislative, and congressional experience, which no prior Idaho Attorney General in history has ever brought to the office,” Leroy said in the release. “The Republican-dominated Legislature will carefully listen to Labrador’s counsel. He can work with legislators before, during, and after significant trial and appellate cases to improve our winning percentages and track record in the defense of legislation.”
Prior to his four terms in Congress, Labrador served two terms as a Republican state representative from Eagle. He ran unsuccessfully for governor in the GOP primary in 2018, losing to current Gov. Brad Little.
Betsy Z. Russell is the Boise bureau chief and state capitol reporter for the Idaho Press and Adams Publishing Group. Follow her on Twitter at @BetsyZRussell. | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/leroy-endorses-labrador-for-ag-while-3-other-former-ags-endorse-arkoosh/article_b47d9f32-28bc-11ed-80c9-ffa1dec534ec.html | 2022-08-31T00:13:08 | 1 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/leroy-endorses-labrador-for-ag-while-3-other-former-ags-endorse-arkoosh/article_b47d9f32-28bc-11ed-80c9-ffa1dec534ec.html |
Walmart is investing more than $75 million into renovating Indiana stores this year, including its recently refurbished south Hammond location.
The Arkansas-based retailer is remodeling 15 stores. It recently celebrated a grand opening ceremony for its Hammond store at 7850 Cabela Drive.
“This store is a key part of the Hammond community, which is why we are so excited to be able to hold a celebration for our associates and customers alike,” said store manager Christina Britt. “The updates made in our store will help our customers to save time, allowing them to shop when and how they want right here in Hammond.”
Improvements specifically made in Hammond included five more manned registers, new signage, a refreshed pharmacy, new vestibules, a new parking lot, an updated deli and bakery, a repaved parking lot and an enhanced auto care center. It also added a pet department.
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Renovations at other stores include LED lighting, new fixtures, new flooring, modernized bathrooms and refreshed interiors and exteriors. The retailer added rooms for nursing mothers and vision centers throughout its Indiana footprint. It also added more self-checkout lanes, touch-free payment systems and expanded departments, including of summer merchandise. | https://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/walmart-investing-75-million-in-indiana-stores-including-south-hammond-location/article_c9d83264-8d09-5e0f-a762-52f5cdd982b6.html | 2022-08-31T00:14:23 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/walmart-investing-75-million-in-indiana-stores-including-south-hammond-location/article_c9d83264-8d09-5e0f-a762-52f5cdd982b6.html |
HAMMOND — A federal judge sentenced a Chicago man to prison for a weapons violation.
U.S. District Court Chief Judge Jon E. DeGuilio imposed a 46-month prison term Tuesday on 24-year-old Markeese Thomas.
Thomas pleaded guilty May 5 to being a convicted felon in illegal possession of a firearm.
The government charged Thomas with possessing a Fabrique Nationale 5.7x28mm semi-automatic pistol and a Taurus 9 mm semi-automatic pistol Oct. 31, 2021.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael J. Toth told the court in a sentencing memo that an Indiana State Police trooper stopped Toth on the Indiana Toll Road in Hammond for driving 94 miles per hour in a 70 mph zone.
The trooper smelled alcohol and marijuana coming from within the car.
Neither Thomas nor his male passenger had identification papers and Thomas later gave police a false name and date of birth.
The trooper drew his service weapon and called in backup when Thomas attempted to conceal drugs that had been placed on the center console.
Police then found the two guns inside the car and Thomas admitted they belonged to him.
Thomas is legally prohibited from possessing a guns because he had prior convictions for firearms violations and a criminal record that includes 23 contacts with law enforcement and the criminal justice system.
Defense attorney Matthew D. Soliday argued in a memo to the court that Thomas grew up without his father, who is serving a life sentence for murder.
Thomas also grew up in a crime-infested neighborhood, suffered from mental illness and was traumatized by seeing a cousin shot in the head, Soliday said.
Gallery: Recent arrests booked into Lake County Jail
"Kelsie stated she would never leave her children home alone during the daytime while they were awake, however she thought they were asleep, so she left them overnight," police said.
The judge questioned whether the defendant would be able to pay $1,000 a month in restitution for two years. If she misses a payment, she could have her probation revoked and be sent to jail.
The arresting officer said in his incident report he did not immediately arrest the woman because he not see her exposing herself as he did with the man.
Hammond firefighters also arrived on scene and attempts were made to revive the child, who was taken to Franciscan Health Hammond hospital, police said.
The truck driver told police he was traveling east on U.S. 20 in Gary when he stopped for a red light and two people in a red Ford Edge behind him got out and argued with him about a traffic issue. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/chicago-man-imprisoned-for-gun-violation-on-indiana-toll-road/article_174bed0c-a739-5215-9563-dfbd961d7eb6.html | 2022-08-31T00:14:29 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/chicago-man-imprisoned-for-gun-violation-on-indiana-toll-road/article_174bed0c-a739-5215-9563-dfbd961d7eb6.html |
St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church in Gary is among nine sites significant to Indiana’s African American history that have been awarded restoration and rehabilitation assistance through funds established by late Eli Lilly chemist Standiford “Stan” Cox.
Indiana Landmarks announced grants totaling more than $150,000 from the Standiford H. Cox Fund and the Dovie Stewart Cox & Chester A. Cox Sr. Memorial Fund to sites across the state.
Stan Cox, who died in 2019, joined Eli Lilly and Co. in 1957 as its first black chemist. Described by Indiana Landmarks as "a preservation champion," Cox established the two funds with Central Indiana Community Foundation to support the restoration, preservation, operation, and ongoing maintenance of African American historic sites in Indiana.
“Partnering with Indiana Landmarks allows us to honor Stan’s legacy by caring for sites that are important to our state’s Black history,” said Brian Payne, president & CEO at CICF.
“These grants, which we make in conjunction with Central Indiana Community Foundation, continue the visionary work of Stan Cox to protect Indiana’s Black heritage,” said Mark Dollase, vice president of preservation services at Indiana Landmarks.
The nine grants are:
• African American Historical Society and Museum, Fort Wayne: $7,500 to install a more energy-efficient heating system in the c.1909 duplex that houses the museum.
• Allen Chapel AME Church, Indianapolis: $17,500 to repoint masonry on the north façade of the 1865 church, restoring sections along the cornice and parapet.
• Friends of Division Street School, Inc., New Albany: $7,500 for structural repairs to the back steps and accessible ramp into the school, built in 1884 for Black students in the city’s east end.
• Indiana Landmarks: $20,000 to aid rehabilitation of houses on Elmer Street constructed in the 1950s in South Bend by the Better Homes of South Bend, an African American building co-operative formed in 1950 by workers from the nearby Studebaker complex.
• Lyles Station Historic Preservation Corporation, Inc., Gibson County: $40,000 to repair clapboard siding and windows, rebuild the porch and repaint the c.1900 house built for Joseph Lucas, a principal at Lyles Station.
• Roberts Chapel Homecoming and Burial Association, Inc., Atlanta: $9,250 to repair soffits, foundation, and two damaged pews at the 1858 church, and aid conservation of three gravestones in the adjacent cemetery.
• St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, Gary: $14,500 to install a high-efficiency furnace in the 1959 church, designed by Modernist architect Edward Dart and located at 2425 W. 19th Ave.
• Stewart Lawn Cemetery, Vigo County: $14,500 to replace the fence surrounding Stewart Lawn Cemetery and resurface the road traversing the property. The cemetery has a high percentage of African American burial sites; most are descendants of the nearby Lost Creek Settlement.
• Turner Chapel AME Church, Fort Wayne: $20,000 to replace the roof on the 1927 Gothic Revival-style church.
The Standiford H. Cox Fund supports the restoration, preservation, operation, and ongoing maintenance of African American historic sites in Indiana. The Dovie Stewart Cox & Chester A. Cox Sr. Memorial Fund, which Cox created to honor his parents, provides support for Lost Creek Community Grove at the Lost Creek Settlement near Terre Haute, one of the state’s earliest settlements of free people of color. Indiana Landmarks’ African American Landmarks Committee serves as a preservation advisor to both funds, recommending projects.
Born in Brazil, Indiana, Cox was an Indiana University graduate who worked for 32 years for Eli Lilly and Co., beginning as a chemist and holding a variety of positions during his career. A member of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s most prestigious academic society, he also earned a master’s degree from Butler University. An advocate for academic biochemical research, he endowed the Standiford H. Cox Professorship in Biochemistry at Indiana University in Bloomington.
Applications for the next round of grants will be due April 1, 2023. Anyone who would like to suggest a property that might qualify for grants from the funds should contact Indiana Landmarks at coxfunds@indianalandmarks.org.
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Public gets glimpse at work of emergency responders at MAAC event
Valparaiso police Sg.t Joe Cowser and a K-9 give a demonstration during the First Responder Appreciation and Demonstration Day on Saturday.
Public gets glimpse at work of emergency responders at MAAC event
Walter Bryant, 5, of Valparaiso, tries out the firefighters hose with MAAC trainee David Brasher-Harding, of Hobart, during the First Responder Appreciation and Demonstration Day on Saturday at the Multi Agency Academic Cooperative taining facility in Valparaiso.
Steel poles are supporting the Bailly Homestead house for now. Once the building is fully restored, the National Park Service plans to seek a private vendor to reuse the building for lodging or another use.
Casey Parker from the College of Business looks on as Arianna Peterson spins the wheel for some Purdue swag at the Purdue Northwest Welcome Rally on Thursday.
Doug Drummond, of Crown Point, waits for the start of the Hometown Heroes Charity Motorcycle Run near Bulldog Park in Crown Point Sunday morning. Over 70 riders participated riding from Crown Point to Hebron and Lowell supporting Crown Point EMA.
Check out the Times' picks for the best images from the past week.
1 of 20
Public gets glimpse at work of emergency responders at MAAC event
Valparaiso police Sg.t Joe Cowser and a K-9 give a demonstration during the First Responder Appreciation and Demonstration Day on Saturday.
Jeffrey D. Nicholls, The Times
Public gets glimpse at work of emergency responders at MAAC event
Walter Bryant, 5, of Valparaiso, tries out the firefighters hose with MAAC trainee David Brasher-Harding, of Hobart, during the First Responder Appreciation and Demonstration Day on Saturday at the Multi Agency Academic Cooperative taining facility in Valparaiso.
Jeffrey D. Nicholls, The Times
Historic Dunes buildings are being restored
Todd Ravesloot, chief of facilities at Indiana Dunes National Park, stands on the front porch of the house at Bailly Homestead.
Doug Ross, The Times
Historic Dunes buildings are being restored
Steel poles are supporting the Bailly Homestead house for now. Once the building is fully restored, the National Park Service plans to seek a private vendor to reuse the building for lodging or another use.
Doug Ross, The Times
082722-spt-fbh-ham-val_16
Valparaiso head coach Bill Marshall watches the Vikings defense against Hammond Central in the second quarter Friday evening.
Jeffrey D. Nicholls, The Times
082722-spt-fbh-ham-val_2
Valparaiso’s Sammy Ampeliotis (32) intercepts a pass intended for Hammond Central’s Dashawn Woods (3) in the second quarter Friday evening.
Jeffrey D. Nicholls, The Times
082722-spt-fbh-ham-val_4
Hammond Central’s Jordan Woods (1) is caught by Valparaiso’s Tyres Morris (15) in the first quarter Friday evening.
Jeffrey D. Nicholls, The Times
Crown Point at Andrean football
Crown Point's J.J. Johnson hands the ball to the referee following his touchdown.
John J. Watkins The Times
Merrillville at Hobart football
Hobart's Trey Gibson, far left, reaches forward as he's tackled on Friday in Hobart.
Kale Wilk, The Times
Merrillville at Hobart football
Hobart's Noah Ehrlich, left, aims for open teammate Jaelen Williams on Friday in Hobart.
Kale Wilk, The Times
Merrillville at Hobart football
Hobart's Nathan Queer reacts after the Brickies recovered a Merrillville fumble on Friday in Hobart.
Kale Wilk, The Times
Merrillville at Hobart football
Hobart fans rally as Merrillville prepares to receive the kickoff on Friday in Hobart.
Kale Wilk, The Times
Crown Point at Andrean football
Crown Point's Micah Jones and JJ Johnson celebrate Johnson's touchdown.
John J. Watkins, The Times
Purdue Northwest Welcome Rally
Senior Izzy Gomez poses with school mascot Leo at the Purdue Northwest Welcome Rally Thursday.
John J. Watkins, The Times
Purdue Northwest Welcome Rally
Casey Parker from the College of Business looks on as Arianna Peterson spins the wheel for some Purdue swag at the Purdue Northwest Welcome Rally on Thursday.
John J. Watkins, The Times
Groundbreaking for the Silos at Sanders Farm industrial development
Ground has been broken for The Silos at Sanders Farm industrial complex in Merrillville.
John J. Watkins, The Times
Taking advantage of the weather
With summer winding down, a couple row their kayaks on Cedar Lake Monday afternoon.
John J. Watkins, The Times
Relaxing on Cedar Lake
Tommy Westbury take a photo of his wife, Jessica, and a carp that she caught at Cedar Lake.
John J. Watkins, The Times
082222-nws-cpfop_2
Doug Drummond, of Crown Point, waits for the start of the Hometown Heroes Charity Motorcycle Run near Bulldog Park in Crown Point Sunday morning. Over 70 riders participated riding from Crown Point to Hebron and Lowell supporting Crown Point EMA.
Jeffrey D. Nicholls, The Times
082222-nws-cpfop_4
Riders head to their motorcycles for the start of the Hometown Heroes Charity Motorcycle Run at Bulldog Park in Crown Point Sunday morning.
The Times Media Company is dedicated to improving the quality of life in Northwest Indiana, through local news, information, service initiatives and community partnerships.
In the building he renovated 23 years ago, retired Bishop Dale J. Melczek was received Sunday for visitation prior to his funeral Monday from Holy Angels Cathedral.
Melczek, who died Thursday at age 83, was laid to rest Monday in Holy Angels Cathedral, which he renovated and restored early in his episcopate. Interment took place inside the cathedral’s east transept, near the tomb of Bishop Andrew G. Grutka, Gary’s first bishop.
The airport will charge $20 per car to watch military and civilian aircraft, including the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, use the airport's main runway to take off and land. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/gary/gary-church-among-sites-receiving-landmark-grants/article_64457a92-a39e-593c-a83c-1d818c209bac.html | 2022-08-31T00:14:35 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/gary/gary-church-among-sites-receiving-landmark-grants/article_64457a92-a39e-593c-a83c-1d818c209bac.html |
Crash causes closures, delays on I-5 in Salem
A crash investigation on southbound Interstate 5 in Salem resulted in delays and intermittent closures Tuesday afternoon.
Police are investigating a crash reported one mile south of OR-22 on I-5 at about 2 p.m., causing intermittent closures for the safety of officers on and near the roadway, Oregon Department of Transportation officials said.
The crash response is also causing a slowdown on the northbound side of the highway.
Details about the crash were not immediately available.
TripCheck.com at 3:30 p.m. reported delays ranging from 20 minutes to two hours and advised drivers to use caution and seek alternate routes. Traffic cameras showed delays stretching into Keizer.
Reporter Whitney Woodworth covers city hall, economic development and business for the Statesman Journal. For questions, comments and news tips, email wmwoodworth@statesmanjournal.com, call 503-910-6616 or follow on Twitter @wmwoodworth | https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/local/2022/08/30/salem-oregon-interstate-5-southbound-traffic-car-crash-closures-delays/65465075007/ | 2022-08-31T00:15:02 | 1 | https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/local/2022/08/30/salem-oregon-interstate-5-southbound-traffic-car-crash-closures-delays/65465075007/ |
SAN ANTONIO — Coffee is the latest grocery item to have supply chain issues and inflation. This is not good news for some of who depend on caffeine in the morning.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows in the last year the price of coffee rose 34%. That roughly translates into costing you $1.55 more per pound. This is partially because of a drought in Brazil, one of the largest growers of coffee.
“That meant that the harvest was lower overall, which meant that there was less to export to countries like the United States,” said Julie Ramhold, consumer analyst with Dealnews.com. “Of course, that means that there’s not enough coffee to meet the very high demand that we have for it here. So, of course, prices are going to go up.”
You will pay more whether you buy it at the grocery store or get it at a coffee house.
How do you save? Make it yourself. It might be worth investing in some equipment if you love coffee house drinks but not their price.
“It doesn’t mean you have to go really overboard or anything,” Ramhold said. “You can get like a milk frothing wand for less than $20 and, you know, like an actual expresso maker for around $100 if not cheaper.”
For a just a regular cup of joe at home, save by buying whole beans in bulk and grinding them at home. A grinder will cost you about $20.
“Take your coffee habit further at home without having to spend a fortune,” Ramhold said.
Your only other option is giving up caffeine, so you do not buy coffee at all. | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/coffee-latest-victim-inflation-java-bean-drink-morning-prices-cost-supply-demand/273-da3f41c8-d411-4993-8bff-1a8b1d742d21 | 2022-08-31T00:15:35 | 0 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/coffee-latest-victim-inflation-java-bean-drink-morning-prices-cost-supply-demand/273-da3f41c8-d411-4993-8bff-1a8b1d742d21 |
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — A memorial is growing where five Indiana State University students were involved in a fiery car crash in Riley, Indiana.
Three students were killed and two others were injured in the crash early Sunday morning. Lucas Bishop came to their aid and said it's something he will never forget.
"I thought it was a bonfire, because there was just a big fire," Bishop said.
He saw the fire on his drive home to Terre Haute from Indiana University in Bloomington. The last-minute trip put Bishop on the road at the same time as the five students, who were also driving from IU.
The crash killed students Christian Eubanks, Jayden Musili, and Caleb VanHooser.
"I wasn't expecting to come across that. Like you said, there's not a lot of cars on that road in the first place," said Bishop.
Both Omarion Dixon and John Moore survived with the quick action from Bishop and another driver.
"John had gotten himself basically out of the car," Bishop said. "I helped pull him outside of the woods. We went back and got Omarion."
This chance encounter was all about timing.
"It's something a lot of people would have done given the situation," said Bishop.
The rush of emotions still weighs heavy on Bishop. However, the support from the community and even the ISU coaching staff has helped him deal with his conflicting emotions.
"I am really happy they are OK. That part of me is really happy, but I'm also just sad over the situation in general. I can't imagine what the families are going through," said Bishop.
He said he hopes to meet Dixon and Moore one day when they recover. | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/passing-drivers-come-to-aid-of-indiana-state-university-students-injured-in-crash/531-b0287ed5-4a3e-4df3-aae1-509526f77bd6 | 2022-08-31T00:15:46 | 1 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/passing-drivers-come-to-aid-of-indiana-state-university-students-injured-in-crash/531-b0287ed5-4a3e-4df3-aae1-509526f77bd6 |
Outside the room at Cedars Home for Children that now bears her name, the stories of Hulda Roper — both sobering and lighthearted — filled the air.
The near-encounter with Charles Starkweather. The curious vegetarian meatloaf Roper, a Seventh-day Adventist, would serve on her birthday. The home for children in crisis on the outskirts of Lincoln she helped secure the land for in the 1940s.
"She was quite a force," said her step-grandson Craig Roper.
The stories had a way of bringing together a small group of people — police officers, Cedars staff, family members — gathered in the lower level of the emergency shelter Tuesday morning.
They were there to dedicate a new community room to Roper, which — much like the stories — will also bring together people who live and work at Cedars. The room, part of an addition to the building built during the pandemic, will serve as a meeting space for staff as well as the children who come to Cedars.
"I just think it's fantastic, because this was one of Hulda's projects," said stepson Charlie Roper.
When Hulda Roper became the first female officer in the Lincoln Police Department in 1944, she was tasked with handling domestic cases involving children.
Luckily, she enjoyed the work, but not the red tape. There was no center at the time for kids in crisis to stay and when she advocated for one, Roper was met with resistance.
That was until she met Marie Becker, a member of the Council of Church Women and the Cooperative Club — later the Sertoma Club. Becker knew of the Danners, a family that cared for children seeking refuge but lacked funding and land to open a center.
So, backed by the Cooperative Club, Roper secured property on the outskirts of Lincoln: a former conscientious objectors' camp during World War II, which had a farmhouse and dormitory — and enough room for kids.
Cedars Home for Children still operates out of that location near 70th Street and Pioneers Boulevard and Roper stayed involved as a longtime board member. She died in 2001, but her name lived on, most notably at an elementary school in west Lincoln.
"That kind of passion, that's not about money, is not about salary, is not about career advancement ... it's about the families and it's about kids," said Cedars President and CEO Jim Blue.
Police Chief Teresa Ewins said women joining the force in the 1940s was unheard of. The San Francisco Police Department — where Ewins served for 26 years — didn't hire its first female officer until the 1970s.
"She was, excuse my language, but a badass," Ewins said.
Cedars is the only emergency shelter for youth in Southeast Nebraska, serving thousands of kids each year. LPD often turns to Cedars when children facing law violations need a place to stay, and the two agencies have built a strong relationship over the years, in part because of Roper's work, Blue said.
"When you go back through the old books and journals of this organization, from 1947, they’re talking about their relationship with the Lincoln Police Department," Blue said. "And Hulda was the pinnacle of that and we’re so thrilled to honor her."
Zach Hammack, a 2018 UNL graduate, has always called Lincoln home. He previously worked as a copy editor at the Journal Star and was a reporting intern in 2017. Now, he covers students, teachers and schools as the newspaper’s K-12 reporter.
Superintendent Paul Gausman said the district was aware of "disagreements about what was actually said" at a required professional learning session for some staff led by transgender speaker Ryan Sallans.
The host of "Drive Time Lincoln" stood by the since-deleted post he made on the Nebraska GOP's Twitter account, calling it "political strategy and gamesmanship."
The Diocese of Lincoln is using about $1.5 million from the Governor's Education Emergency Relief fund, a pool of virus dollars schools can tap into to address the digital divide in the classroom.
Students enrolled in the new focus program centered around content creation and digital media are currently at the Science Focus Program's location while renovations wrap up at The Bay.
Teresa Ewins, a 55-year-old California native who has spent all of her career on the West Coast, would be first true outsider to be tabbed as Lincoln's top cop since at least 1975.
Lincoln Police Chief Teresa Ewins (from right) and Assistant Police Chiefs Michon Morrow and Brian Jackson listen during a ceremony at Cedars on Tuesday honoring Hulda Roper, the city's first female police officer.
The family of Hulda Roper, including step-grandson Craig Roper (from left) and stepson Charlie Roper, talk with Lincoln Police Chief Teresa Ewins and Cedars president and CEO Jim Blue as the youth service organization names its conference room after Hulda Roper, the city's first female police officer. | https://journalstar.com/news/local/she-was-quite-a-force-cedars-honors-lincolns-first-female-officer-with-new-community-room/article_8ab01355-2051-5646-938e-351c4a48ec64.html | 2022-08-31T00:25:49 | 1 | https://journalstar.com/news/local/she-was-quite-a-force-cedars-honors-lincolns-first-female-officer-with-new-community-room/article_8ab01355-2051-5646-938e-351c4a48ec64.html |
SAGINAW, Mich. (WJRT) - The Labor Day walk on the Mackinac Bridge is six days away.
An 87-year-old military veteran from Saginaw is eager to mark the annual event off his bucket list.
Tom Kennedy has wanted to walk across the Mackinac Bridge for nearly seven decades. He has been training hard at Planet Fitness all year to get physically prepared to walk across the five-mile bridge spanning Michigan's peninsulas.
“If you want to do something, do it. Put it in your mind, put your body to it. That's what I did," Kennedy said. "I always wanted to walk the bridge and I'm going to walk it.”
He started his journey in preparation to walk the Mighty Mac on Monday a year and a half ago.
“I want to do it and I'm going to do it. And I want to prove to everybody you can do what you want to do-put your mind to it and you can do it no matter how old you are,” said Kennedy.
The Army veteran has been a member of Planet Fitness in Saginaw for five years.
“I feel like family here. I feel like I belong here. They treat me right. They keep pushing me and everything,” Kennedy said.
A year and a half ago, he told his trainer, Adam Wray, about his goal to participate in the Mackinac Bridge Walk on Labor Day.
“I told him I'm going to walk the bridge and he said, 'OK you'll walk the bridge. I'll walk the bridge with you,” Kennedy said.
The two have been training together for over four years about five days a week. Wray said he changed up Tom's training to include more endurance and balance exercise once they set the goal of the big walk.
“And based off everything I've seen so far, he's absolutely going to do it this year. Despite whatever he's going through, he's going to come in here with a fantastic attitude and he's going to do his best,” Wray said.
Kennedy's gym family says he inspires them in more way than one.
“He's a joy, he's fun to watch and go through his changes and the goals and what he's accomplished,” said Planet Fitness manager Jennifer Imhoff.
“Tom is like family around here. We really love Tom around here. When he's not here, we miss him,” said gym member Daniel Foster.
Some even call Kennedy their hero.
“We celebrate his birthday every here, he's an icon here. That is truly my hero,” said gym member Kerry Drake.
And the feeling is mutual.
“Everybody here inspires me, even Kerry,” Kennedy said.
But, is he ready for the big walk?
“Oh, I'm definitely ready,” Kennedy said.
He believes it will take him about three hours to make the five-mile walk. | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/87-year-old-veteran-prepares-for-mackinac-bridge-walk/article_4a1d537a-28ae-11ed-8401-8bb754dee5a3.html | 2022-08-31T00:27:32 | 0 | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/87-year-old-veteran-prepares-for-mackinac-bridge-walk/article_4a1d537a-28ae-11ed-8401-8bb754dee5a3.html |
GENESEE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WJRT) - A community staple in Genesee Township has been repaired.
Last week, the Help Center pantry on the corner of Stanley and Genesee roads needed help fixing their broken refrigerator. Two repairmen heard that story and offered their services on Monday.
As of Tuesday morning, the refrigerator is back to holding milk, vegetables and other cold items.
The pantry is a lifeline for many in the community, where they can pick up food when they're in need and drop some off for others when they have money to spare.
"I was so elated to see that these men were out here on their own free time and helping the community in a time of need," said Laura Anselmo, who was driving home just how much the kindness of the repairmen means to her.
Those repairmen, Tom Oliver and Mark Glasstetter, both said they saw ABC12's story and felt compelled to help.
"We're just wanting to give back a little bit," Oliver said.
"Kinda the same thing. As a father myself, the fact of knowing maybe a kid or a family is going without a meal because of something Tom and I consider very simple work- because we do it every day- it's the least we could do to give back," added Glasstetter.
But neither man actually knew the other until they showed up on Monday to check the machine. Oliver works on commercial appliances while Glasstetter works on residential appliances.
Help Center founder and co-operator Tom Kehoe said it was a pleasant surprise.
"Well, what I wanted was one guy, but I got two," he said.
Before Monday, the refrigerator had been broken for three weeks. But within an hour and a half, Oliver and Glasstetter diagnosed and replaced the faulty part: a simple filter dryer.
"This one was plugged up partially. It was not passing enough refrigerant and you can see the debris coming out of it. There was a lot more coming out of it yesterday," Oliver said.
Thanks to their work, residents like Jim Blaine can share cold food and perishables again.
"I brought corn on the cob, zucchini, tomatoes, [and] cabbage," he said.
Glasstetter and Oliver weren't the only ones to offer help. Kehoe said he got offers from two other repairmen, as well as a donation offer from a business. | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/genesee-help-center-pantrys-fridge-is-running-again-thanks-to-repairmen/article_ef5a3272-28ae-11ed-a7dc-5fc8b56477d3.html | 2022-08-31T00:27:38 | 0 | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/genesee-help-center-pantrys-fridge-is-running-again-thanks-to-repairmen/article_ef5a3272-28ae-11ed-a7dc-5fc8b56477d3.html |
FLINT, Mich. (WJRT) – Living near a cemetery may not appeal to everyone, but for the last 30 years Gary Bernard’s home sits across the street from Glenwood Historical Cemetery.
That is one Michigan’s oldest cemeteries and he tends to visit it frequently.
“A lot of people think, ‘Oh, why are you in a cemetery? That's kind of morbid.’ But you know, it's actually a thing of beauty,” Bernard said. “The flowers and the plants and the trees are just so gorgeous, you just feel like I'm in the presence of God.”
That beauty was damaged after Monday’s storm, taking down a 100-year -old red oak tree that sits broken on top of tombstones and graves where many of the city's founders rest. Bernard doesn’t want to just see the historic tree disappear.
“That tree dedicated his life to us,” he said. “It cleans the air. In the fall time, it has beautiful colors and it takes care of us. Now, I would wish the proprietors of Glenwood Cemetery would give it back to it.”
Bernard says instead of turning the historic tree into sawdust, it should be turned into something new.
“Take that tree and donate it to maybe an Amish company, lumber company or maybe a mill and take that wood and turn it into beautiful furniture,” Bernard said.
Many of the cemetery’s trees are numbered and provide information of the tree’s history to those visiting the lot. Bernard said that history should be carried on even when the trees fall.
“When a tree that's been here for over 100 years, it's something of a legacy. Now it's gone,” Bernard said. | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/resident-looks-to-preserve-fallen-century-old-historic-tree/article_949ba310-28a5-11ed-ba9d-9ba12e308683.html | 2022-08-31T00:27:44 | 0 | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/resident-looks-to-preserve-fallen-century-old-historic-tree/article_949ba310-28a5-11ed-ba9d-9ba12e308683.html |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-contractor-helping-to-preserve-history-and-make-memories/3060726/ | 2022-08-31T00:28:42 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-contractor-helping-to-preserve-history-and-make-memories/3060726/ |
A large mixed-use development on Dallas Riverfront Boulevard is underway as a long-planned link between Downtown Dallas and the Trinity River.
It comes 14 years after Industrial Boulevard was renamed Riverfront to help encourage new development and gain a connection with the planned Trinity River Park.
The park, first approved by Dallas voters in 1998, has not happened yet. But the development is finally occurring with a former Dallas Cowboys player helping to make the project happen.
Currently, workers are busy at 505 North Riverfront, a former industrial site that sat vacant for years near Continental Avenue.
“Here we are, we're finally seeing dirt turning," City Councilman Omar Narvaez said. "This is going to be a big game changer for the entire city of Dallas."
Years ago, the city invested in new sidewalks, new street pavement and a new street name to help transform Riverfront Boulevard.
But a park between the levees has been delayed by the US Army Corp of Engineers which controls the floodway. Levee work is currently underway to improve flood protection. Some trails have been built through the floodway but a park is still not approved.
Meanwhile, across the river in West Dallas, the Trinity Groves development moved ahead, beside the Ron Kirk Pedestrian Bridge, the former Continental Viaduct, which was opened as a recreation attraction.
The 505 Riverfront site is close to the eastern side of the Kirk Bridge and now work is underway there.
“This development is going to be huge for us. It's going to have affordable housing, it's going to have fair market housing, it will have retail,” Narvaez said.
DALLAS DEVELOPMENT
There are many reasons it took so long but Narvaez said the biggest one was the challenge of building something so large and so close to the Trinity River Levee.
“The levees are the most important thing we have, right? In order to build there, it took the structural engineers a lot of work and that became a huge expense,” Narvaez said. “Everything has to be checked in order to make sure the safety of these levees is the number one priority and is protected for everyone.”
The Chief Executive Officer of Columbus Realty, the company that’s building the project is former Dallas Cowboys Center, Robert Shaw.
He and former quarterback Roger Staubach were partners in Trinity Groves apartment construction that started in 2014.
Shaw’s firm is the third development group to take on the Riverfront project and they are getting it done.
The City of Dallas has been involved in past planning for the site.
Narvaez said the second phase of the project will involve a direct connection to the future park.
“In the end we got the right development. It's just going to be exciting for folks once this all gets done and when we get to the other side with the park, it's going to be even more exciting,” he said.
Robert Shaw was unavailable for comment Tuesday but people with his company said they too are excited about the project. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/long-awaited-dallas-riverfront-project-under-construction/3060698/ | 2022-08-31T00:28:48 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/long-awaited-dallas-riverfront-project-under-construction/3060698/ |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/popular-tex-mex-restaurant-back-open-after-hard-times/3060720/ | 2022-08-31T00:28:54 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/popular-tex-mex-restaurant-back-open-after-hard-times/3060720/ |
SOUTH CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — It’s official! A new company is operating in West Virginia, and it hopes to expand in years to come. It’s a new energy company here in the mountain state, and it is promising clean, renewable energy products.
At a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday, Aug. 30, the GreenPower Motor Company officially launched its manufacturing facilities in South Charleston. GreenPower makes battery-powered electric school buses and has offices in Canada and California, in addition to West Virginia.
Among those who got to drive one of the news buses was none other than West Virginia Governor Jim Justice. For now, GreenPower has 17 employees here in the Mountain State but that should balloon to more than 200 within a year.
“The industry has hundreds of the buses driving on the streets of the United States throughout the country. And they have been performing very well, and again, clean air vehicles, not polluting the environment,” said Brendan Riley, President of GreenPower.
“They let me know that this was the site that they had chosen, and so immediately we get all the players together to start doing the negotiations and getting the deal done,” said South Charleston Mayor Frank Mullens.
GreenPower has already sold three electric school buses in West Virginia and anticipates more than one-hundred of its buses will be on the roads here a year from now. Training and education programs are underway at Bridge Valley Community and Technical College to help get the workforce prepared.
There are also federal grant programs available that can help school districts qualify for potentially hundreds of thousands of dollars in aid to start transitioning to electric buses. | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/greenpower-motor-company-opens-for-business-in-south-charleston/ | 2022-08-31T00:32:00 | 0 | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/greenpower-motor-company-opens-for-business-in-south-charleston/ |
JOHNSON COUNTY, KY (WOWK) – A Johnson County man has been arrested in connection to the murder of his 12-year-old daughter.
According to the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, Stacy Collins, 47, of Van Lear is charged with murder in the death of Stacia Leigh Collins, 12, who was found shot to death earlier this month.
Stacia was first reported missing on Aug. 11, 2022. Her body found around 5 p.m. that evening in the Miller’s Creek area of Boons Camp.
Authorities first discovered Stacia missing during an investigation into a call regarding a “reported assault” in the Van Lear community around 11 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 11. Deputies say when they arrived on the scene, they found a man, identified as Stacy Collins, with what authorities say they believe was a “self-inflicted gunshot wound.” Collins was taken to an area hospital for treatment.
During the investigation, authorities found his daughter, Stacia, was missing. Deputies followed “numerous leads” to find Stacia, and then began working with Emergency Management Director Gary McClure to assemble search parties.
Collins is being held in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center. The investigation is still ongoing. | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/kentucky-man-charged-with-murder-in-12-year-old-daughters-death/ | 2022-08-31T00:32:06 | 0 | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/kentucky-man-charged-with-murder-in-12-year-old-daughters-death/ |
CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — As the “Dog Days” of summer have ended, people are already thinking about appetizer ideas for football tailgates, barbecues and holiday parties. If you really want to get into the Mountain State spirit this season, surprise your friends and family with a charcuterie board loaded with West Virginia foods!
Below are some items to make the perfect West Virginia-themed charcuterie board:
West Virginia-shaped cutting board
To start off, you will need a Mountain State-shaped cutting board for an extra special Appalachian presentation. You can probably find one of these boards at a West Virginia marketplace or gift shop, or you can order one online:
- Totally Bamboo® West Virginia Destination Cutting Board online at Bed Bath and Beyond, Amazon, Walmart and Target
- West Virginia Personalized Cutting Board on Etsy
- West Virginia Shaped Cutting Board from American Heirloom
Pepperoni (rolls)
Pepperoni is commonly found on charcuterie boards, but West Virginians take things to the next level with pepperoni rolls! The savory, portable snack originated in the Mountain State as a lunch for coal miners and was first commercially produced in 1927 in Fairmont, according to the West Virginia Department of Tourism. The typical pepperoni roll has sticks or slices of pepperoni and cheese rolled into a fluffy roll and baked.
To incorporate pepperoni rolls into your charcuterie board, you can cut them up into little pieces or make mini ones. Pair them with a dipping sauce like garlic butter, marinara sauce or ranch. You can even add your own variations in the roll such as seasonings, additional meats, multiple cheeses or veggies!
Cheese crafted in the Mountain State
Various cheese shops, creameries and dairy farms offer cheese made here in the Mountain State that will be perfect for your charcuterie board! By adding West Virginia-crafted cheese, you can help support local producers such as the ones listed below:
- Spring Gap Mountain Creamery in Paw Paw, West Virginia
- Shepherd’s Whey Creamery in Martinsburg, West Virginia
- Valley Cheese Co. in Wheeling, West Virginia
Golden Delicious or Grimes Golden apples
Most charcuterie boards include some type of fruit, and the state fruit of West Virginia is the perfect option! The West Virginia State Museum website says the Golden Delicious apple was first found on a tree in Clay County around 1900. Later in 1995, the West Virginia State Legislature designated the Golden Delicious as the state fruit.
The Golden Delicious is the second apple that originates from West Virginia. The first is the Grimes Golden apple, which is the parent of the Golden Delicious. According to The West Virginia Encyclopedia, the Grimes Golden was first found in Brooke County in the 1800s. Local legend says that John Chapman, also known as Johnny Appleseed, planted the seed of the Grimes Golden original tree.
For your charcuterie board, you can cut the apples up into slices and spread them around in a pattern for aesthetic and a pop of color. You could also make the apples into apple butter for a spreadable cracker topping.
Deer jerky
Deer jerky is a popular snack in the Mountain State and the perfect meat addition to your West Virginia charcuterie board. You can find deer jerky at grocery stores, gas stations, meat markets and more places in the state. Or you can make your own! Check out this deer jerky recipe from West Virginia Mountain Mama.
Mini ‘Hillbilly Hot Dogs’
The West Virginia hot dog, also known as the “Hillbilly Hot Dog,” is loaded with chili, slaw, mustard and chopped onions. Since these can get a little messy, you may want to separate the hot dogs from the toppings.
Simply cook the hot dogs, put them into buns, and cut them into minis. Then put containers of toppings with serving spoons next to the hot dogs. This cuts down on the mess, prevents buns from getting soggy, and allows people to choose the ingredients they want.
Buckwheat crackers
During the Great Depression, farmers in Preston County, West Virginia, grew buckwheat as an insurance crop. At the time, it was thought that the crop would stimulate financial growth, says the Visit Mountaineer County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Buckwheat also has a short growing season and is a high-quality, gluten-free food item.
Preston County even has a Buckwheat Festival every year from late September to early October!
Today, buckwheat flour is incorporated in many foods such as bagels, cakes, pancakes and crackers. You may be able to buy buckwheat crackers at your local grocery store or healthy foods market, or you can order them online. A few online options are below:
- Le Pain des Fleurs Organic Buckwheat Crispbread on Amazon
- ORGRAN Gluten Free Toasted Buckwheat CRISPiBREAD on Amazon
- Amisa Organic Gluten Free Buckwheat Crispbread on Amazon
You can also make your own buckwheat crackers if you’d like to! Try this recipe from Archana’s Kitchen or this recipe for buckwheat crackers with olive oil and herbs from Lazy Cat Kitchen.
Black walnuts
In October, black walnuts begin falling from the trees, and to celebrate the harvest, the Black Walnut Festival is held every year in Spencer, West Virginia. The Department of Tourism says the festival carries on the local tradition of bringing harvested black walnuts to Spencer to be weighed and sold.
For a West Virginia charcuterie board, you can find plenty of black walnut incorporated items at Spencer’s annual festival, at a typical grocer like Walmart or Kroger, or at your local farmer’s market.
Gold and blue utensils
Final touches to your charcuterie board include utensils so you and others can enjoy some Mountain State goodies! Gold and blue represent West Virginia University’s colors, and in 1929, blue and “old gold” were declared the official state colors.
You can add more color to your charcuterie board with gold and blue toothpicks, tongs and other cutlery. If you’d like to go all out, pair utensils with blue and gold plates, napkins and cups! These items are typically sold at party stores, the Dollar Tree party section, online and other places.
Bonus Item: Wines made in West Virginia
West Virginia is home to various vineyards and wineries where you can find the perfect beverage to pair with your Mountain State foods. The wines can be purchased on-site or at local farmers markets, gift shops and other stores.
The West Virginia Department of Tourism gives a list of 13 wineries across the state. In addition, the website for Visit Southern West Virginia provides a list of multiple wineries, vineyards and breweries in the lower part of the state. | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/what-you-need-to-make-the-perfect-west-virginia-charcuterie-board/ | 2022-08-31T00:32:12 | 0 | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/what-you-need-to-make-the-perfect-west-virginia-charcuterie-board/ |
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Idaho lawmakers are set to reconvene on Thursday for a special session to vote on a bill that seeks to alleviate the impacts of inflation and invest in public education.
Many legislators including several from eastern Idaho have cosponsored the bill, which was announced in a proclamation from Gov. Brad Little. Only the governor of Idaho can call the Legislature back into session after it's adjourned for the year.
Among the eastern Idaho legislators listed as bill cosponsors are Marco Erickson, R-Idaho Falls; Rod Furniss, R-Rigby; Marc Gibbs, R-Grace and Jon Weber, R-Rexburg.
Senate cosponsors are Sens. Van Burtenshaw, R-Terreton; Kevin Cook, R-Idaho Falls; Mark Harris, R-Soda Springs; Dave Lent, R-Idaho Falls and Doug Ricks, R-Rexburg.
A majority of legislators in both the House and Senate are cosponsoring the bill. In the House, 36 of 70 representatives are listed as sponsors and 25 of 35 senators are also listed.
“I’m excited to go back (to the Capitol),” Lent said. “I think it’s the right thing to do as the state has continued to show a very energetic economy and we’ve over-recovered in our revenue.”
The bill would provide a one-time tax rebate of $500 million to help Idahoans cover the costs of inflation. Taxpayers will get back 10% of 2020 income taxes paid, with minimum rebates of $300 for individuals and $600 for joint filers. Seniors who apply for the grocery tax credit also are eligible for the minimum rebate.
Little and the Idaho Division of Financial Management announced in a July news release that the state’s budget surplus was nearly $1.4 billion.
If the bill passes, rebates will start rolling out in September. The bill also eliminates the first $2,500 of income from taxation for individuals and $5,000 for joint filers, and establishes a new lower flat tax of 5.8% (down from 6%) for individuals and corporations. Statewide, the tax changes provide more than $150 million in ongoing relief to working Idahoans starting in January.
The bill will be met with opposition. Rep. Barbara Ehardt, R-Idaho Falls, said she and several of her colleagues have reservations about additions to education funding that she wasn't shown. Ehardt is also listed as a cosponsor in the bill's statement of purpose but she said she is not sponsoring the same legislation that she was originally shown.
The bill would also allocate $410 million of annual funding from Idaho’s sales tax to the public school income fund and in-demand careers fund, with a 3% annual increase applied specifically to the $410 million to account for future inflation.
Ehardt has taken issue with the 3% annual growth factor because of the compounded effect it’ll have in the future, which she said wasn’t in the original legislation that she saw.
“I’m disappointed that the original legislation that was presented to me has changed. It would appear that the legislative body would not have the ability to change the legislation during the special session,” Ehardt said.
Another aspect of the bill Ehardt said she wants legislators to amend is the minimum rebates and she would like to see those increased.
Reclaim Idaho, the nonpartisan group that has collected enough signatures to put a $300-plus million annual education funding initiative, called the Quality Education Act, on the ballot in November, has also taken issue with the special session bill. The group’s cofounder Luke Mayville said in an Aug. 23 news release the bill was “clearly designed to supplant” the Quality Education Act.
“When it comes to tax policy, the Governor’s proposal overburdens the middle class and gives unneeded tax breaks to large corporations and the wealthy,” Mayville said in the release.
While Mayville and Reclaim Idaho have expressed issues with the bill, Mayville also said in the release it is an overall good investment for Idaho education and provides a victory for supporters of the Quality Education Act if passed by the Legislature.
Lent said education funding is the most critical piece of the legislation for him but added that Idahoans need a more permanent tax reduction. He said he’d like to see the homeowners’ exemption double for residents 65 and older in 2023. Lent is running unopposed in November’s general election for the District 33 seat in the Senate.
The homeowners’ exemption exempts up to 50% of annual property taxes with a maximum of $125,000. In 2021, the Legislature increased the maximum exemption from $100,000 to $125,000.
“I just feel like this is the right thing to do and we need to do it now as quickly as we can,” Lent said. “But from a long-term perspective, I think during the (2023) session we need to look at strategies that don’t just give back periodically but actually cut taxes over time, so it’s a more level playing field on an ongoing basis with tax reduction.” | https://www.postregister.com/news/local/eastern-idaho-legislators-discuss-upcoming-special-session/article_4695a98a-28a1-11ed-ae07-e3aa1e174d4e.html | 2022-08-31T00:35:05 | 1 | https://www.postregister.com/news/local/eastern-idaho-legislators-discuss-upcoming-special-session/article_4695a98a-28a1-11ed-ae07-e3aa1e174d4e.html |
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California lawmakers on Tuesday sent Gov. Gavin Newsom two groundbreaking bills intended to limit the downside of social media, as they faulted Congress for failing to act on the problem.
A first-of-its kind measure would require social media companies to make public their policies for removing disturbing content and provide details on how and when they remove it.
The second bill would require companies that provide online services attractive to children to follow age-appropriate design code principles aimed at keeping children safe. That includes not profiling a child or using the child's personal information in a way that could harm the child's physical or mental health or well-being.
"The online world has created tremendous opportunities, but also real and proximate threats to kids, to vulnerable communities and to American democracy as we know it," said Democratic Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel, author of the first bill.
"We believe that California has a special obligation and a special opportunity to lead on these issues," Gabriel added during a news conference Tuesday. "We're proud of our technology economy, and we know that many of the companies that these bills would regulate are homegrown California companies. But with dysfunction in Washington, D.C., we believe that California must step up and lead."
His measure would require companies to say how they regulate their own content under their social media terms of service. It stalled last year over free speech issues before clearing the Senate on a 33-3 vote and the Assembly, 48-0. It says it is "the intent of the Legislature" that the state attorney general or a city attorney take civil action against violators.
While the measure had bipartisan support, Republican Sen. Melissa Melendez in opposition worried that it could be used to punish legitimate but unpopular content, particularly as Attorney General Rob Bonta is a progressive Democrat.
"I can't help but wonder if this is not in fact an attempt for the attorney general to perhaps harass the citizens of California, particularly those who have an opposing viewpoint, and I don't think it is appropriate that the state attorney general get involved in any attempt to censor speech," she said during debate Monday night.
But Democratic Sen. Thomas Umberg, who carried the bill, said the measure "does not basically censor content ... If they have no policy, they have nothing to report. If they do have a policy then they need to report how they're implementing that policy."
Democratic Sen. Scott Wiener said the bill sought by the Anti-Defamation League is particularly important to the Legislature's Jewish Caucus, "given the rampant anti-Semitism on social media."
Opponents include the California Chamber of Commerce, Computer and Communications Industry Association, Consumer Technology Association, Internet Coalition, Netchoice and TechNet.
A coalition of the opponents said companies already must make public their content moderation policies, and the bill goes too far by requiring them to disclose to the attorney general "sensitive information about how we implement policies, detect activity, train employees, and use technology to detect content in need of moderation."
The second bill intended specifically to protect children from inappropriate online content cleared the Senate 33-0 also with bipartisan support, though seven Republicans did not vote. It cleared the Assembly, 60-0.
The measure "will represent a major positive step toward creating a global standard for the protection of youth online. That's an aspiration about which I think we can all agree," said Democratic Sen. Josh Newman, who carried the bill in the Senate.
It is modeled after a similar measure in the United Kingdom. It also is opposed by the Chamber of Commerce and some of the tech industry associations. A coalition including the Entertainment Software Association said the bill includes "an over-inclusive standard and would capture far more websites and platforms than necessary."
A third measure working its way through the Legislature would require large social media platforms to disclose to the public starting in mid-2023 statistics on content that violated its policies that were recommended or otherwise amplified by the platform's algorithms.
Another more controversial measure failed in the gatekeeper Senate Appropriations Committee earlier this month after it was heavily opposed by the influential tech industry. It would have subjected some popular social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok to fines for using features they know can harm children.
WATCH ALSO: | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/sacramento/california-lawmakers-ok-bills-aimed-social-media-content/103-120e27a5-925d-436d-b9b7-09fad24a63d7 | 2022-08-31T00:38:07 | 1 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/sacramento/california-lawmakers-ok-bills-aimed-social-media-content/103-120e27a5-925d-436d-b9b7-09fad24a63d7 |
Hiring dispatchers currently can take as long as three months, a process that has, over the years, been streamlined as it used to take anywhere from six to eight months to bring new telecommunicators on board, said Josh Nielsen, director of the city-county Joint Services.
In the past, in-person skills tests limited the number of applicants to 10 at a time from a pool of about 150 to 200. Rooms and test proctors had to be scheduled in advance. Today, skills tests are taken online. However, the pool of applicants, until recently, had shrunk to about 40, according to Nielsen. Over the last few months. But Joint Services has been vigorous in its efforts to recruit potential talent with the current pool expanding to 115.
“Up until this last one (job pool), we were getting maybe 40 applicants, and out of the 40 applicants we’d be lucky to get a couple people,” Nielsen told the Executive Committee. In some cases, half the applicants did not even attempt to take the tests.
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Then, there are the interviews and background checks.
“We do a background check on everybody. We, obviously check their criminal history. There’s some restrictions there, as far as, their criminal history,” he said. “There are the type of situations where … because of the systems we’re giving people access to, they have to have somewhat of a clean record.”
Once they’re hired they undergo classroom training for becoming an emergency telecommunicator, according to Nikki Beranis, Joint Services’ communications manager.
“It teaches the basics, the very, very basics of what this job is going to entail. Anything from radio communications to handling difficult callers,” said Beranis, who oversees training. “I do, myself, a stress management presentation so that they have an idea of what they’re going to deal with once they get on the job.”
The new hires then enter phases of training learning first how to take 911 calls, along with a course on emergency medical dispatching and then onto radio dispatch, typically starting with fire calls before going on to law enforcement.
Beranis said she is able to assess “pretty quickly” whether a dispatcher in training is cut out for the job based on their level of engagement.
“They’re taking a part in their own training. You can see when people are vested because they’re on their own accord … they’re going through their training manual. They’re reading the materials, they’re studying,” she said. | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/hiring-dispatchers-a-challenge-as-agency-seeks-to-fill-vacancies/article_4663c9ca-285f-11ed-ba51-7b742f25133e.html | 2022-08-31T00:45:44 | 1 | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/hiring-dispatchers-a-challenge-as-agency-seeks-to-fill-vacancies/article_4663c9ca-285f-11ed-ba51-7b742f25133e.html |
Kristin Hensley, communications manager, explains some of her job at Kenosha Joint Services.
For hundreds of local police officers, firefighters and other emergency workers in Kenosha County, 911 dispatchers are the critical link between them and the public they serve.
Employed by the city-county Joint Services, a merger that has been in effect since 1982, dispatchers are also in short supply.
Currently, Joint Services, which handles public safety 911 calls for the city police and fire departments, along with the county sheriff’s department, and other municipal fire departments, has eight 911 dispatcher vacancies.
A lighting system at Kenosha Joint Services indicates when a dispatcher is listening, talking, and on which type of device.
Staffing losses
Staffing losses, have come as a result of a combination of retirements and resignations, according to Director Josh Nielsen, who was appointed in February to oversee the agency which has an annual operating budget of just over $10 million. Nielsen was previously assistant director under Thomas Genthner, who retired.
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Nikki Beranis shows a work station where dispatchers work and train at Kenosha Joint Services.
“Our full staff in the Communications Center is 40 people total. And, that includes management, supervisors and then, dispatchers,” said Nielsen in an interview earlier this month. “If we’re at that level, we would be doing really well.”
Kristin Hensley, communications manager, explains some of her job at Kenosha Joint Services.
Because of the shortages, staff in the call center have been working overtime with some members working 12-hour day double shifts. Nielsen and his staff have also looked to recent retirees to help fill the voids and assist with training newer members.
Historically, dispatch centers nationwide have a turnover rate of about 19% to 20%, but the “great resignation” in the aftermath of the pandemic has pushed those rates higher, he said.
“And, that’s where our turnover rates are. It’s gone up and down over the years, but these last several years have been some of the most difficult,” said Nielsen.
Multiple factors
Joint Services has lost its dispatchers to a number of factors, including finding work in public safety communications centers in surrounding communities that have offered competitive, if not better pay. Some also find the job is not for them and have found work elsewhere altogether with similar pay.
At the end of July, the Communications Center lost another dispatcher to Gurnee Police Department.
“We’ve lost several employees to them over the years. They make significantly more money than what we’re paying,” he told the committee. “So that’s been an issue.
“The overtime puts pressure on them. It’s a 24/7 job. It’s working weekends, holidays, all that kind of thing and folks right now are able to go find jobs making more money … and it’s just a struggle to retain employees,” he added.
Work-life balance
For many, it’s also about being able to balance their personal lives with a demanding job, according to Kenosha County Board Supervisor Monica Yuhas, who is also the chair of the Joint Services Board.
“We have dispatchers who are working 16-hour shifts. It’s not about the overtime anymore. It’s about their mental health and the ability to spend some time at home with their families,” Yuhas told the board’s Executive Committee at the July 27 meeting. “During this next budget cycle, we’re going to have to find some creative ways to pay our dispatchers more than what we’re doing now.”
According to an internal compensation schedule and pay rate analysis of 15 comparable agencies in Wisconsin and northern Illinois, the starting pay for a Kenosha 911 dispatcher is just under $22.25 an hour, with only three other agencies earning lower hourly wages. At the of top the nine-step scale, or after a nine-year period, the highest hourly wage a Kenosha dispatcher can earn is $28.18.
Dispatchers in 11 other agencies earn greater wage than those in Kenosha, according to the analysis. Walworth County, which is just to the west of Kenosha County, has a starting hourly wage of $22.99 with dispatchers earning up to $30.65 per hour. Three other agencies closest to Kenosha County also pay the highest hourly wages. In Racine County, dispatchers earn $28.08 an hour to start and $37.72 per hour at the top of scale. The starting and ending hourly wage in Lake County, Ill., is $29.26 and $40.54, respectively. At the top paying agency, Gurnee (Ill.) Police Department, a dispatcher’s wage starts at $30.32 an hour and $42.49 at the top of scale, according to the analysis.
Lower wages
On top the lower wages are the combination of factors that have led the agency’s dispatchers seek work elsewhere.
“It’s the stressors, it’s the schedules. And then you had the civil unrest (in 2020) and the pandemic, and so the folks here never got a reprieve from any of it,” he said. “They were here working during all that. They were working throughout the entire COVID process.”
Nikki Beranis, the Joint Services communications manager added: “There was no working from home for this.”
“And all of that just compounded the normal stress that you have doing that job,” Nielsen added.
Joint Services’ Communications Center is the single public safety answering point for nine agencies in Kenosha County, according to Nielsen.
Annually, more than 320,000 calls are processed through the center, including 65,000 911 emergency calls from the public. Dispatchers also answer non-emergency lines for the city and county public safety agencies. They are the local dispatch unit for the Wisconsin Mutual Aid Box Alarm System.
In addition, they operate multiple telecommunication systems at once, performing tasks simultaneously with enhanced and wireless 911, “Text to 9-1-1” and mapping through computer aided dispatch. They provide pre-arrival instructions, such as, CPR, emergency medical dispatch, radio systems and automatic vehicle location, among others.
Searching for solutions
It’s what Yuhas wants the County Board to do, as well, as Joint Services staff and elected officials seek ways in which Kenosha can remain competitive with other employers.
While Racine, for example put its American Rescue Plan Act money toward raising dispatcher wages, Nielsen is conscientious that the federal funding will not last. Monies under the pandemic relief bill must be spent by 2024.
Some Executive Committee members suggested putting federal funds toward bonuses along with studying potential pay increases and how they might be funded in the 2023 budget. Nielsen said he’d like to move the needle to where the starting pay through top of scale pay can be raised to approach median salaries, or about $25 and $30 an hour, respectively. Looking to the future, still others, wondered whether the jobs could expand out to the Kenosha County Center at highways 45 and 50, which has an emergency back up center, or eventually become work-from-home, remote occupations.
For the first time, the call center has looked to its retirees to help temporarily fill in the gaps, including training a new generation of dispatchers, according to Beranis. Currently five dispatchers are undergoing the nine-month training process, but are not part of the eight Joint Services still needs to hire, she said.
Yuhas said the county needs find a way to attract and retain dispatchers, who called them “our first line in public safety.”
“They deal with the residents. They also deal with law enforcement,” she said. “They’re the eyes and ears of our law enforcement who are on the roads and we need to ensure that we have 911 dispatchers who are not overworked and underpaid.” | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/watch-now-kenosha-county-losing-911-dispatchers-to-agencies-with-better-pay-other-employers/article_da1731fc-2283-11ed-b64a-47013cd3a9c5.html | 2022-08-31T00:45:51 | 0 | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/watch-now-kenosha-county-losing-911-dispatchers-to-agencies-with-better-pay-other-employers/article_da1731fc-2283-11ed-b64a-47013cd3a9c5.html |
ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — A three-story building under construction collapsed Tuesday in northwestern Nigeria, trapping shoppers in a busy neighborhood. Emergency response workers told the Associated Press that at least eight people have been pulled from the rubble and they were searching for more.
The building in Kano state, northern Nigeria’s commercial hub, was being constructed as a business center though businesses were already operating on the ground floor, said Nura Abdullahi, head of Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency in Kano.
So far, “no casualties yet (and) eight people have been rescued” from the rubble with varying injuries, Abdullahi said, adding that the rescue operation was continuing. Abdullahi said authorities have not yet confirmed the number of people trapped inside the structure.
Videos apparently recorded at the scene showed a large crowd trying to catch a glimpse of the debris pile as rescue workers arrived with tools.
Resident Stephen Enoch told the AP the building crumbled just minutes after he left.
“Five minutes after I left there, I was under there, it just came down. I just thank God I am alive now,” said Enoch.
Rescue operations continued late Tuesday with excavators and assistance from dozens nearby.
On social media, Nigerians urged authorities to take action against the trend of building collapses across the country.
In the last year, there have been more than 10 building collapses in this West African nation, often with authorities being accused of failing to enforce building safety regulations. Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city, recorded five such collapses last year, including in November when more than 40 people died when a high rise still being constructed crumbled on workers. | https://www.ksn.com/local/ap-building-collapses-in-nigeria-8-people-pulled-from-rubble/ | 2022-08-31T00:51:14 | 1 | https://www.ksn.com/local/ap-building-collapses-in-nigeria-8-people-pulled-from-rubble/ |
FILER — Small animals had their day in the spotlight Tuesday at the Twin Falls County Fair.
Guinea pigs, cats, a python and a rat were part of the 4-H animal judging that took place before the official opening of the fair.
The animals, clutched by their owners, went before a judge for critiquing. Judge Dana Kolstad of Boise assessed and reassessed teeth and body condition, all the while talking to the pet owners about their animals.
The cat show featured several felines owned by Twin Falls County 4-H members.
Not every feline is cut out for the big stage, Kolstad said.
"Cats often aren't used to being around people they don't know," she said.
Marty the cat is not one to be skittish around strangers. An American shorthair, she strutted around the fairgrounds before the show, sporting a bright red leash. The feline and owner Stephanie Case of Twin Falls are regulars at the 4-H judging.
"She's the greatest cat I could ever have," said Case, who has entered Marty for the past seven years.
Marty "has the biggest personality around here," she said.
The cat had already picked up a couple of grand champion awards before the show and now has another under her belt as of Tuesday.
And having a good-looking animal isn't all there is to it, as owners had to display their knowledge of the breed and animal care if they had their sights on getting a top ribbon. A "quality" segment — deals with the animals' looks — coupled with a "showmanship" segment to show how well the owner displays the animal and how well the owner knows about caring for the animal.
Guinea pigs, the South American rodent also known as "cavies," were the first animals to be judged Tuesday morning. Kaylee Lierman of Filer brought several to the fairgrounds and reaped an armful of ribbons and trophies.
Kaylee recalled that it all got started four years ago when one of her 4-H club teachers bred guinea pigs and asked her if she wanted to buy one. Then she asked her if she wanted to show them in competitions.
Kaylee's first guinea pig was named "Buttercup" and things blossomed from there. The key to success in 4-H shows is to anticipate questions the judge will ask about the animal, she said.
"You have to know your stuff," Lierman said.
A more diverse group of pets came from the 4-H club Clear Lakes Critter Gitters of Filer. Club members showed a hedgehog, a rat, a leopard gekko and a python in the "pocket pet" category.
Mystery Goff sat on the bleachers before her show, with "Derpey" the snake dangling from an arm.
"This is one of my favorite animals," Mystery said, "I'm not sure why."
Group members said they have handled other unusual animals, including tarantulas.
No large hairy spiders, however, were spotted at the 4-H show.
Marty, 10, owned by Stephanie Case, 17, not shown, looks about during the 4-H Cat Show and judging Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022, at the Twin Falls County Fairgrounds in Filer. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/animals-galore-at-4-h-animal-judging/article_d0dd8f50-2882-11ed-a70d-ef17a9ce0e99.html | 2022-08-31T00:59:16 | 1 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/animals-galore-at-4-h-animal-judging/article_d0dd8f50-2882-11ed-a70d-ef17a9ce0e99.html |
TWIN FALLS — First Federal Bank announced the conclusion of its 2022 “Ready, Set, Dressed” program which benefits local kids who need a little extra help getting ready for the school year.
On Saturday, Aug. 13, First Federal Bank employees in Twin Falls, Meridian and Burley, treated more than 60 local kids to a day of personal shopping for back-to-school basics while parents and guardians were treated to food, beverages and games hosted by local Wal-Mart stores. First Federal backpacks were filled with age-appropriate hygiene and personal care items and presented to each child as they concluded their shopping day.
The bank worked with local agencies and nonprofits to identify kids in need of back-to-school basics like seasonal appropriate clothing, shoes, socks, and jackets. Additionally, First Federal held a "personal care item" drive in each branch and office location to provide shampoo, body wash, antiperspirant, feminine products and more for each student.
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"First Federal Bank was founded on the premise of taking care of one another, and serving the needs of our communities is central to our mission," President and CEO Jason Meyerhoeffer said. "So, we decided to do something different this year. We appreciate that many organizations hold school supply drives, but there are limited opportunities for disadvantaged kids to get the basics, like shoes that fit, socks, and clothing. And, wanting these kids to start the school year feeling their best, we focused on gathering personal hygiene items, which can be expensive for families."
"We had tears of gratitude, laughter, and hugs from these kids and their guardians," said Jim Reames, Treasure Valley market president. "One little guy was so happy to have two new pairs of shoes — more than he had in his 'whole life.' He had us all in tears, while other kids, some suffering the recent loss of a parent or their home and belongings in an accident, humbled us beyond words." | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/first-federal-bank-helps-kids-get-ready-set-dressed-for-school/article_e3760c72-28b5-11ed-a3d4-2f2258369ce1.html | 2022-08-31T00:59:23 | 1 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/first-federal-bank-helps-kids-get-ready-set-dressed-for-school/article_e3760c72-28b5-11ed-a3d4-2f2258369ce1.html |
TWIN FALLS — A Hailey woman was charged in a hit-and-run crash involving an SUV and motorcycle, court records say.
Destiny Jasmine Guisasola, 27, was charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in an injury or death, a felony.
The crash occurred at about 9 p.m. Aug. 14 at the Cheney Drive West and Washington Street North.
Motorcyclist Jeremy Way had a green light as he proceeded south through the intersection when the SUV driven by Guisasola turned in front of his Harley Davidson, court records say.
Wray received a serious leg injury.
Witnesses said the SUV slowed down but then continued west on Cheney Drive.
Police received a tip on Aug. 28 that Guisasola was involved in the incident and found damage on her vehicle that was consistent with the crash, records said.
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Guisasola posted a $50,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is set for Sept. 9. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/hailey-woman-charged-in-hit-and-run-collision/article_5189748c-28b7-11ed-a224-eb598af5d12a.html | 2022-08-31T00:59:29 | 1 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/hailey-woman-charged-in-hit-and-run-collision/article_5189748c-28b7-11ed-a224-eb598af5d12a.html |
Police release identity of man who killed 3, injured 5 in Phoenix shooting
The Phoenix Police Department has released the name of one of the people killed in the shooting that occurred near Deer Valley Road and 27th Avenue in north Phoenix Sunday night.
According to Phoenix police, 36-year-old Misael Arevalo was killed after the suspect, Isaiah Steven Williams, opened fire on a car entering a motel parking lot with a semi-automatic rifle around 8:30 p.m. A woman was also killed in the shooting.
Police have not released the name of the woman.
Responding to a call of shots being fired in the area, officers arrived on the scene. The suspect fired immediately upon several marked patrol cars, police said. Two Phoenix police officers were injured in the gunfire.
One officer was struck by a bullet in the shoulder and returned fire in the direction of Williams after getting out of his vehicle, police said. Another officer was hit by shrapnel in the face and other places, according to police.
One of the officers who was hurt remains hospitalized with injuries that were not life threatening, according to police.
Surveillance video shows Williams walking through the parking lot before falling to the ground. The suspect was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, according to Phoenix police.
The Phoenix Police Department said Williams was found with a semi-automatic rifle, several magazines of ammunition, incendiary devices including Molotov cocktails, a gas mask and a helmet in his possession.
Three other innocent bystanders were injured during the exchange of gunfire, but were treated at local hospitals and later released, police said.
Republic reporters Angela Cordoba Perez and Haleigh Kochanski contributed to this article.
Reach breaking news reporter Vic Verbalaitis at vverbalaitis@gannett.com.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2022/08/30/phoenix-police-release-name-victim-killed-shooting/7944430001/ | 2022-08-31T01:02:45 | 0 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2022/08/30/phoenix-police-release-name-victim-killed-shooting/7944430001/ |
Nonprofits looking for volunteers at affordable housing event in Tempe
Wondering how to help those struggling with spiking rents, evictions or homelessness during Arizona's affordable housing crisis?
Nearly 30 housing-focused nonprofits will be signing up volunteers as part of "Arizona Storytellers Presents: Finding Home," a special housing-themed storytelling event Wednesday in Tempe.
The show will include authentic, first-person tales told by those on the frontlines of the crisis. Additionally, senior Republic real estate reporter Catherine Reagor will lead a solution-seeking conversation. Key findings from a Maricopa County housing study by Arizona State University's Morrison Institute of Public Policy will be presented.
Before and after the show at Tempe Center for the Arts, the participating nonprofits will offer an opportunity to learn more about volunteer opportunities and other ways to engage in relief efforts. The nonprofits will be stationed through the arts center lobby.
A limited number of free tickets are still available for the "Finding Home" show through the arts center's box office.
The volunteer recruitment and nonprofit fair is free, as well.
The event is the second in a series that examines affordable housing through first-person experiences of local residents. The first was in Yuma in the spring; a second will be in Flagstaff on Sept. 28.
'We do not have enough': Event looks at scarcity of affordable housing in Yuma area
This week's event is sponsored by The Republic/azcentral.com, Arizona Community Foundation, ASU's Morrison Institute, the city of Tempe and KJZZ, Phoenix's NPR affiliate.
Coverage of housing insecurity on azcentral.com and in The Republic is supported by a grant from the Community Foundation. The Morrison Institute receives Community Foundation support for its research into housing issues in seven Arizona counties.
At "Finding Home," the theme will be interpreted in different ways by tellers based on their experiences. Storytellers include:
- James Lawrence, whose family achieved housing through Native American Connections.
- Christy Moore, founder and owner of Phoenix's Social Spin Laundromat.
- Richard Southee, program manager at Central Arizona Shelter Services.
Others who will be part of the evening include Joan Serviss, executive director of Arizona Housing Coalition; Rashad Shabazz, ASU associate professor; and Sarah Shambrook of Dominium, builder of affordable housing. The Community Foundation's Kim Covington hosts.
This year, Republic-sponsored Arizona Storytellers shows occur every other month at the Tempe arts center. More than 400 people attended an Aug. 10 Vacations & Adventures-themed show. Besides this week's special housing event, upcoming shows will be Oct. 12 (Food & Family) and Dec. 14 (Holidays). More details can be found at storytellersproject.com.
Since Arizona Storytellers events began 11 years ago, more than 1,000 Arizonans have had the opportunity to tell authentic, first-person stories on stages in Phoenix, Tucson, Grand Canyon National Park and Yuma. Storytellers are coached in partnership with South Mountain Community College's Storytelling Institute. The storytelling franchise has also been exported to Austin, Texas; Des Moines, Iowa; Nashville, Tennessee, and 11 other cities in the USA TODAY Network.
Arizona Storytellers Presents: Finding Home
What it is: An evening of storytelling, conversation and community-building around housing challenges in Greater Phoenix. The second of three similar events in Arizona this year.
When: Wednesday, Aug. 31. Nonprofit volunteer fair, 6-7 p.m., show at 7 p.m.
Where: Tempe Center for the Arts, 700 W. Rio Salado Pkwy.
Tickets: Free, but limited. Available at the Tempe Center for the Arts box office, tempecenterforthearts.com.
Questions: Stacy Sullivan, ssullivan@azcentral.com, 602-444-8749. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/tempe/2022/08/30/homelessness-evictions-rising-rents-storytelling-event-tempe/7944304001/ | 2022-08-31T01:02:51 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/tempe/2022/08/30/homelessness-evictions-rising-rents-storytelling-event-tempe/7944304001/ |
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Portland State University is set to demolish the historic Parkway Manor in anticipation of building a new residence hall or mixed-use academic building.
The five-story, brick building located at 1609 Park Avenue was one of nine apartment blocks purchased by PSU Student Services in 1969 and has served as a student dormitory since that time. However, 53 years later, the aging Parkway is in such disrepair that PSU spokesperson Katy Swordfisk told KOIN 6 News that the university’s best financial option is to tear it down and start over.
“The building has an unsustainable amount of deferred maintenance and the improvements necessary to address the deferred maintenance, accessibility issues and seismic bracing, do not make economic sense for Housing and Residence Life,” Swordfish said. “The building was not designed as a residence hall and lacks study space and other amenities that are normally found in modern residence halls. The building does not have an elevator, the roof leaks and there are significant accessibility issues throughout the building.”
The Parkway Manor was originally built as an apartment building in 1931 by Harry Mittleman. The decorative, zig-zag moderne was designed by celebrated Oregon architects John Bennes and Harry Herzog, who also designed Portland’s Hollywood Theatre and the Liberty Theater in Astoria.
Not officially designated as a historic landmark, the building is recognized by the City of Portland as a “significant resource,” which the city defines as a “structure, building, portion of a building, site, statue, sign, district, or other object or space that the City has determined to be significant for its archaeological, architectural, cultural, or historical merit.”
Due to this designation, PSU was required to obtain a special permit from the city to demolish the building. With the project approved, PSU is now waiting out the 120-day delay required for demolishing buildings on the city’s historic inventory.
While the historic building offers the old-world charm of a 1920s art-deco high-rise: a grand entryway, repeating geometric designs and full-height brick pilasters, many of its residents have complained about its modern-day problems.
“When the building was in operation, there were numerous resident safety complaints that were a direct result of the building design — first floor windows leading to resident units, unsafe back stair access and difficulty securing the front door from nonresidents,” Swordfish said.
Demolition is set to start by early 2023 and is expected to take three to four months to complete. The university said it has no current building plans for what will replace the Parkway.
In an effort to learn more about the building, KOIN reached out to the City of Portland’s Historic Resources Program, which maintains Portland’s Historic Resource Inventory. The city failed to respond. | https://www.koin.com/local/multnomah-county/portland-state-university-psu-to-demolish-historic-91-year-old-parkway-manor/ | 2022-08-31T01:09:45 | 1 | https://www.koin.com/local/multnomah-county/portland-state-university-psu-to-demolish-historic-91-year-old-parkway-manor/ |
Researchers at Oregon State University’s Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine are moving forward with developing a specialized antibody treatment for dogs with cancer, thanks to a recent grant from the National Science Foundation.
The research team plans for this treatment to be a gentler, more targeted and effective option for addressing canine cancer, just as immunotherapeutics are used in human cancer patients.
“It’s not a drug like chemotherapy where it’s a toxin. You’re actually recruiting the body’s natural immune response for clearing out transformed cells — for instance, a tumor — and then it kills them,” said Dan Mourich, senior OSU research associate and the molecular biologist on the research team.
Currently, veterinarians can use radiation, chemotherapy and surgery to tackle canine cancer, but these typically involve frequent trips to veterinary hospitals where the dog must be sedated, and can take a physical and emotional toll on both pets and owners, Mourich said.
In contrast, the OSU therapy will be administered daily in the home as a small subcutaneous injection, similar to how pet owners with diabetic animals inject them with insulin.
The research team includes Dr. Chris Cebra, camelid expert and the chair of the clinical sciences department in OSU’s veterinary college; former OSU professor and clinical veterinary oncologist Dr. Shay Bracha, who recently joined the Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center; and Dr. Carl Ruby, veterinary pharmacology instructor at OSU.
The treatment was developed with help from some unlikely collaborators: the llamas and alpacas that OSU owns, which are both members of the camelid family. Researchers injected them with a protein found in canine tumors, which provoked the alpaca’s immune system to respond by creating a specific antibody.
The researchers then screened a “genetic library” of the resultant antibodies to determine which were most effective at binding and blocking tumors from interacting with that protein on dogs’ cytotoxic killer T-cells, the cells responsible for fighting cancer.
“Killer T-cells are essentially the smallest scalpel you can have,” Mourich said. “They identify the cancer cell, remove that cell and leave healthy tissue alone. They’re so precise that you can utilize them to go and eliminate all the little pieces of tumor around the body.”
Camelids can produce a specialized smaller type of antibodies referred to as “nanobodies.”
Their smaller structure allows nanobodies to penetrate tissues that aren’t accessible to larger antibodies, and also makes them easier to produce and store for long periods of time, which reduces the overall cost.
The $250,000 grant from the National Science Foundation Partnership for Innovation will allow the researchers to develop their clinical candidate and establish a production method for the treatment, after which they can hold a clinical trial to test its effectiveness.
“The efficacy of immune-based therapeutics has already been tested in the human clinic for cancer and other diseases, but we’re not going to take human drugs and try to adapt them to the dog,” Mourich said. “We’re going to make the dog drug that does the same thing.” | https://theworldlink.com/news/local/nsf-grant-to-osu-researchers-will-aid-development-of-antibody-treatment-for-dogs-with-cancer/article_5775862a-270d-11ed-8411-d74a5b679c35.html | 2022-08-31T01:15:49 | 1 | https://theworldlink.com/news/local/nsf-grant-to-osu-researchers-will-aid-development-of-antibody-treatment-for-dogs-with-cancer/article_5775862a-270d-11ed-8411-d74a5b679c35.html |
MIDDLE TOWNSHIP — A Millville man died as the result of a crash Thursday in the Swainton section of the township.
A Honda Accord being driven north on Route 9 by Theodore O’Donnell Jr. crossed the centerline and hit a Nissan Versa that had been heading south on Route 9, police said Tuesday in a news release. The Accord continued in the southbound lane and hit a Ford F-150 behind the Versa.
Police responded to the crash near Route 9 and Eagle’s Way about 4:15 p.m. Route 9 was closed for about two hours due to the crash, police said.
The Cape May Court House Volunteer Fire Company extricated O’Donnell, a 44, from his car. He was taken to Cape Regional Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead, police said. The driver of the F-150 was also taken to the hospital.
The Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office assisted police. Goshen and Green Creek fire police and Inspira Health Systems also responded. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/accident-and-incident/millville-man-dies-after-middle-township-crash/article_7b681ff4-28a0-11ed-979d-af426f321c98.html | 2022-08-31T01:16:04 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/accident-and-incident/millville-man-dies-after-middle-township-crash/article_7b681ff4-28a0-11ed-979d-af426f321c98.html |
This article was produced for ProPublica’s Local Reporting Network in partnership with The Press of Atlantic City. Sign up for Dispatches to get stories like this one as soon as they are published.
A Superior Court judge in New Jersey has struck down a state law granting Atlantic City’s casinos tens of millions of dollars in tax breaks, saying the measure was passed on dubious grounds and violated the state Constitution.
The ruling, handed down Monday, deals a blow to Gov. Phil Murphy and the state’s legislative leaders, who fast-tracked the legislation last year. It also is a rebuke to the gaming industry, which had argued the bill was needed because it was struggling amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
At issue in the court case were changes to a local taxing program known as PILOT, or payment in lieu of property taxes. Since 2016, instead of paying property taxes, each casino has paid a share of an industrywide assessment that was distributed to Atlantic City, its school district and the county to fund various operations. The number was calculated based on the prior year’s total gaming revenue. But last year, the industry pressed for and won a key legislative change to that formula, excluding online gaming — a fast-growing sector of its business — from the program. The alteration reduced the gaming companies’ total PILOT liability this year by $55 million — revenue cuts that disproportionately impacted Atlantic City, one of the state’s most distressed cities.
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A conservative nonprofit group called Liberty and Prosperity 1776 challenged the constitutionality of the law, saying the state’s founding document bars preferential tax treatment. The state countered that the new law was exempt from that prohibition because it served a “permissible public purpose.” On Monday, Atlantic County Assignment Judge Michael Blee sided with the nonprofit, potentially increasing casinos’ tax bills and sending tens of millions of additional dollars into local coffers.
“This Court finds that the Amendment was enacted to aid the casino industry and not for a public purpose,” Blee said in his decision.
An Appeals Court has granted the state a temporary stay of parts of a July 29 Superior Court…
At the time the bill was passed, state lawmakers and industry leaders argued that despite soaring online gaming revenues, the change was necessary to prevent financial peril. “We are risking four casinos closing,” said then-state Senate President Steve Sweeney, without providing specifics.
But, as The Press of Atlantic City and ProPublica reported in June, the casino industry was already rebounding from a pandemic slump as it argued for tax relief. Even as the industry claimed fiscal trouble, it had its best year in more than a decade: Casinos in Atlantic City reported roughly $767 million in gross operating profit in 2021. Financial reports show that revenue from in-person gambling has surpassed pre-pandemic levels. Through the first six months of 2022, the most recent data available, the city’s nine casinos reported $339 million in gross operating profits, or 17% more than the same period last year.
“There is no evidence to suggest that casinos could not meet their PILOT obligations under the Original Act,” Blee wrote. The legislation, he concluded, was advanced “to aid what was actually a resurging industry.” That echoed the findings of The Press of Atlantic City and ProPublica investigation, which calculated what each casino’s tax liability would have been had the PILOT law remained unchanged.
Gaming analysts and former regulators then examined that analysis and told us that Atlantic City’s nine casinos could have weathered their increases and remained open.
The Casino Association of New Jersey declined to comment on the ruling, citing its policy of not discussing pending litigation. The organization previously told The Press of Atlantic City and ProPublica that last year’s changes to the PILOT law were necessary. “Failing to adjust the PILOT would have resulted in egregious, inappropriate, and inequitable taxes for any industry, let alone an industry that is still fighting to recover from COVID-19,” the group said in a statement.
Seth Grossman of Liberty and Prosperity said Tuesday he was happy with the judge’s decision to vacate the amendments to the PILOT program and leave the original law in place. “The bottom line is when you have tough economic times, every business is affected,” he said. “So to say you’re going to give one industry a break by making everybody else pay more, that’s not helping the economy. It’s just helping one ‘ailing’ industry.”
As Atlantic County fights the state in court to get what it considers its negotiated share o…
He also said he expects some “intense litigation” to be waged over the judge’s ruling.
Indeed, Alyana Alfaro Post, a spokesperson for Murphy, told The Press of Atlantic City and ProPublica on Tuesday that the state “plans to appeal Judge Blee’s decision and is optimistic that it will be overturned.”
The ruling is the second to come down against the PILOT law in recent months. A judge had previously sided with Atlantic County in a separate lawsuit alleging the state had violated the terms of a 2018 consent agreement that guaranteed the county a certain percentage of the industry’s overall PILOT payment. The county had asserted the change in the PILOT formula would cost it about $5 million a year.
This month, Blee awarded millions in damages to Atlantic County and required the state to cover attorney fees and other costs. The state is appealing that decision, and on Monday it won a stay from the court on the damages while the case works its way through the appeals process.
Taken together, the decisions in the two cases leave the imminent tax obligations of the casino industry unclear. State regulators, who bill and collect PILOT payments, did not immediately return a request asking for clarification.
Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson, who urged Murphy to veto the PILOT bill last year, said this week’s court decision is another signal that state lawmakers should have left the PILOT program alone.
“Had the governor responded to our concerns about the PILOT amendment prior to and after its passage during a lame duck session, four days before Christmas, this could have all been avoided, saving the taxpayers of New Jersey hundreds of thousands of dollars,” Levinson said in a statement Tuesday. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/court-strikes-down-state-law-that-gave-millions-in-tax-breaks-to-casinos/article_dedb571c-286f-11ed-8250-338ac451b29f.html | 2022-08-31T01:16:10 | 1 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/court-strikes-down-state-law-that-gave-millions-in-tax-breaks-to-casinos/article_dedb571c-286f-11ed-8250-338ac451b29f.html |
Markquese Bell and Isiah Pacheco made the cut Tuesday.
Bo Melton did not.
After strong training camps and preseasons, Bell, a rookie safety for the Dallas Cowboys, and Pacheco, a rookie running back for the Kansas City Chiefs, made the initial, league-mandated 53-man rosters of their respective teams. Each NFL team's deadline to get down to 53 was 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Bell (Bridgeton High School) was one of five safeties remaining on the Cowboys' roster, while Pacheco (Vineland) was one of the four running backs on the Chiefs' roster. Melton (Cedar Creek), a rookie wide receiver, was waived by the Seattle Seahawks, who had too many receivers on the depth chart and kept six.
These are initial rosters, meaning they could change before the season starts next week. Players who were cut Tuesday will clear waivers and could sign with another team or make a practice squad.
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Melton and Pacheco each played at Rutgers University.
Melton was selected by the Seahawks in the seventh round (229th overall) in April. Pacheco was selected by the Chiefs in the seventh round (251st overall). Bell, who played at Texas A&M, was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Cowboys.
Bell had a terrific preseason. He had nine tackles, including five in the Cowboys' second preseason game. In their first game, he had one tackle and a quarterback hit that almost resulted in a goal-line fumble.
In the third game, Bell had an interception and returned it 30 yards. Dallas was losing 20-13 at the time, and the turnover resulted in the tying touchdown. The Cowboys ended up winning 27-26. Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott was giving an interview on the sideline when Bell intercepted the pass, and he cheered on the rookie.
According to the Tallahassee Democrat, Dallas defensive coordinator Dan Quinn told cowboyswire.usatoday.com that he loved Bell's multi-skilled qualities.
“I was really pushing to get him drafted as a linebacker,” Quinn said earlier in August on the Tallahassee website, “and then when we selected a linebacker, I said, ‘This guy will make a hell of a safety.'”
Pacheco made a case for himself in the Chiefs' third preseason game when he rushed for 52 yards on 10 carries. The official NFL Twitter account posted a picture of him Aug. 13 and said "Isiah Pacheco: Potential (fantasy) sleeper in 2022?"
Pacheco has garnered national attention for his performance both in training camp and the preseason. "Good Morning Football" on the NFL Network even did a feature segment on the running back.
Pacheco and Bell did not post their reactions on Twitter as of Tuesday evening.
Melton had a reception for 24 yards in the Seahawks' preseason finale. In the first and second preseason games, he had 47 yards on two catches and four catches for 18 yards, respectively.
Melton will attempt to earn another opportunity in the league.
Southern Regional graduates Mike Gesicki and Clark Harris are back for their fifth and 15 NFL seasons in the league, respectively. Gesicki, coming off season with a career-high 780 receiving yards, is a tight end for the Miami Dolphins. Harris has been the Cincinnati Bengals' long snapper since 2009 and played in the Super Bowl last season.
Austin Johnson (St. Augustine Prep) is a defensive tackle for the Los Angeles Chargers. He played four seasons with the Tennessee Titans and spent the last two seasons with the New York Giants.
Abdullah Anderson (Absegami) was a defensive lineman with the Atlanta Falcons in training camp but was cut Tuesday.
Ryquell Armstead (Millville) was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday. Armstead was drafted in the fifth round in 2019 and rushed for 188 yards in two seasons with the Jaguars.
Jamil Demby (Vineland), who was drafted in the sixth round (192nd overall) by the Los Angeles Rams in 2018, is a free agent. Demby was on the injured reserve list for the entire 2021 season, during which the Rams won the Super Bowl, and was later released. Demby worked out with the Buffalo Bills in July, according to The Buffalo News. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/markquese-bell-isiah-pacheco-make-53-man-rosters-bo-melton-waived/article_bf5be692-2872-11ed-82dd-ff0cf23c12d2.html | 2022-08-31T01:16:22 | 1 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/markquese-bell-isiah-pacheco-make-53-man-rosters-bo-melton-waived/article_bf5be692-2872-11ed-82dd-ff0cf23c12d2.html |
Residents in a small area of Montgomery County no longer need to boil their water, Pennsylvania American Water said Tuesday night, after a water main break had threatened microbial contamination over the weekend.
"Acceptable test results" were obtained from samples collected on Monday and Tuesday, and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has authorized lifting the advisory, according to Pennsylvania AM.
On Sunday, the water company said about 260 customers in Norristown, Pennsylvania may have been at increased risk of water contamination and were told boil water before using.
"This morning, we experienced a loss of positive water pressure due to a main break in Norristown. A loss of positive water pressure is a signal of the existence of conditions that could allow contamination to enter the distribution system through back-flow by back pressure or back siphonage," the Pennsylvania American Water said Sunday. "As a result, we are issuing a boil water advisory for customers in the affected area."
The advisory affected customers along the following streets:
- West Elm Street (between Markley Street and Noble Street)
- Noble Street (from West Elm Street to West Beech Street)
- Stanbridge Street (from West Elm Street to West
- Roosevelt Avenue (from West Elm Street to the end of Haws Avenue)
- Chain Street (from West Elm Street to dead-end)
- George Street and Kohn Streets (from West Elm Street around to West Elm Street)
Pennsylvania American Water had advised residents bring all water to a "rolling boil, let it boil for one minute, and cool before using; or use bottled water." Residents should use boiled or bottled water for "drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth and food preparation until further notice."
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Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing bacteria, viruses and parasites, which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea and associated headaches, Pennsylvania AM said in a release. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/boil-water-advisory-lifted-for-portion-of-montgomery-county/3349561/ | 2022-08-31T01:16:36 | 1 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/boil-water-advisory-lifted-for-portion-of-montgomery-county/3349561/ |
PORTLAND, Maine — More than half of the apartments inside of Franklin Towers in Portland are without power, and could remain that way for up to two weeks.
According to the Portland Housing Authority, which oversees the 200 unit building, it's believed a lightning strike during a powerful storm on Friday caused the outage.
"Witnesses said they saw a big flash of lightning and the power went out," Cheryl Session, the executive director of the Portland Housing Authority said.
According to Sessions, the outage is impacting apartments on floors 7-16 of Franklin Towers. The building offers subsidized apartments to older adults and people with disabilities.
According to Sessions, it could be one to two weeks before parts arrive to fix the portion of the 50 year old building's electrical system.
"There are some short fixes that the electricians and the engineer believe they can do, but even getting the parts for those may take some time," Sessions said.
In the meantime, Sessions says that the Portland Housing Authority has provided extension cords for the residents to help keep things like refrigerators and medical equipment powered.
There is power in the hallway, however a piece of equipment known as the 'bus bar' has been damaged and needs to be replaced, which is a longer-term fix, according to Sessions.
"Its not easy living this way, but that's the way it is right now," Elmer Pepin said.
Pepin is one of the hundreds of residents inside of Franklin Towers. While he understands the situation and the reasons behind delays, he says it's still frustrating.
"I ain't too happy with what we're going through, but we've got to deal with it," Pepin said.
The Portland Housing Authority has been providing meals to those impacted by the outage. They are also offering additional accommodations to those with medical concerns.
"When you're there with no electricity at night, it can bothersome so we are sourcing batteries, lights, and things now and really doing whatever we can to keep people comfortable," Sessions said.
"Last night my thermostat said 92, and there's no air circulation so I didn't get a wink of sleep," Michael Dunton, a resident of Portland Towers said. "It looks like a wiring mess."
Sessions says electrical equipment for lower floors in the building was replaced recently due to damage caused by flooding. Upgrades are planned, though it's unclear when a long-term fix for the current power issue will be completed.
Sessions adds that rent will not be reduced for impacted residents, and it will too challenging to move all that impacted to hotels during the busy summer months.
"These things do wear out over time, when it's exposed to a lightning flash, I'm it's quite the overload," Sessions said. | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/portland/more-than-half-of-franklin-towers-apartments-without-power-maine-portland-weather/97-d7dfed07-7f0b-4292-ae34-a0e7ca46b8fe | 2022-08-31T01:20:09 | 1 | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/portland/more-than-half-of-franklin-towers-apartments-without-power-maine-portland-weather/97-d7dfed07-7f0b-4292-ae34-a0e7ca46b8fe |
NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Stephen F. Austin State University, one of two remaining unaffiliated universities, could decide to join one of the state's university systems later this fall.
SFA Interim President Steve Westbrook said in a letter to faculty and staff that the university board of regents will soon reach out to representatives of systems that have previously expressed interest.
He said the regents will work to determine if becoming affiliated with a system will be beneficial to SFA before launching a search for a permanent president.
"As you may be aware, SFA is not affiliated with any of the seven university systems in Texas. We are one of two remaining unaffiliated universities, the other being Texas Southern University," Westbrook said in the letter. "Several university systems have made informal inquiries over the years regarding our willingness to evaluate the potential benefit to our university of being a system member."
The issue was first presented during the university's recent fall welcome back meeting.
In a slide presentation, four university systems are listed as having shown interest in adding SFA to their institution: Texas A&M University System, Texas State University System, Texas Tech University System and University of Texas System.
Students expressed mix views about this potential change.
“I feel it would be a really cool concept, A&M is one of the biggest systems in Texas," Jacob Keifer, Freshman at SFA. "It has a really strong foundation in it’s beliefs and I think it would be really cool to see some of those implications at SFA.
Other students were not so sure where to stand on the unversity system.
“I’m kind of in between, I think it’s cool that SFA is stand-alone like it’s only one but then I think it’ll also cool to be a part of a bigger association," Cassidy Bolick, Sophomore at SFA.
Westbrook said in his letter that he has been asked to develop an organized and comprehensive process to gather input from the SFA community and alumni before making a decision.
The goal is to have a board of regents decision by the end of the fall semester. The state legislature will ultimately have to approve the affiliation, and the session begin next January.
He added that the timing of the presidential search is based on the timing and results of the system affiliation evaluation. | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/stephen-f-austin-state-university-consider-joining-university-system/501-caa3ed02-915c-43a9-94f3-2c28da1f89a9 | 2022-08-31T01:21:27 | 1 | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/stephen-f-austin-state-university-consider-joining-university-system/501-caa3ed02-915c-43a9-94f3-2c28da1f89a9 |
MIDLAND, Texas — Midland ISD Superintendent Dr. Angelica Ramsey has been named the lone finalist for the Fort Worth ISD Superintendent position.
Dr. Ramsey was officially named the finalist during FWISD's special School Board meeting Tuesday. She has been the Superintendent for Midland ISD since February of 2021.
Ramsey had previously signed a new contract on August 1 to stay on as the Superintendent at Midland ISD through July of 2025.
During the meeting, the board heard comments from multiple viewers, some in favor of the choice with others expressing concern over the district's ratings, the size of MISD compared to FWISD and Ramsey's work on "Critical Race Theory".
Multiple people also mentioned a "leak" on the finalist's identity from a parent before Ramsey's name was ever officially mentioned by the board during the meeting.
According to WFAA in Dallas, Fort Worth ISD had been searching for a new superintendent since June when back in January, the previous Superintendent, Kent Scribner, announced that he would be retiring. Scribner had been the Superintendent for Fort Worth ISD since 2015 and his contract will officially end on August 31, 2022.
In the meantime, Fort Worth ISD did recently name current Deputy Superintendent Karen Molinar as the interim Superintendent.
Before Midland ISD, Dr. Ramsey was the Superintendent of Schools for Pleasant Valley School District in California. She also is a graduate of UTEP and was with Socorro ISD in El Paso for ten years.
Dr. Ramsey also served as the first female Superintendent in Midland ISD history.
According to Texas law, the Fort Worth ISD School Board of Education will have to wait a period of 21 days before voting on the hire.
You can view the full FWISD meeting on YouTube below. | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/midland-superintendent-dr-angelica-ramsey-lone-finalist-fort-worth-isd-superintendent/513-960750f7-e853-41a6-bb80-77ffa708e3d1 | 2022-08-31T01:25:45 | 1 | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/midland-superintendent-dr-angelica-ramsey-lone-finalist-fort-worth-isd-superintendent/513-960750f7-e853-41a6-bb80-77ffa708e3d1 |
AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Transportation Commissioners have approved a record $3 billion in funding for the Texas Department of Transportation's Odessa district.
Representative Brooks Landgraf advocated for the plan in Austin, and it ended up passing via a unanimous vote.
“Dangerous Permian Basin roads will become a thing of the past one day if the state continues to prioritize our transportation needs in the future as it has over the last few years,” Landgraf said. “We have seen transportation spending in our region increase by more than 700% over the last ten years, and the passage of the 2023 UTP means even more is in the works for the next decade. I'm thankful to Governor Abbott, Chairman Bugg and the rest of the transportation commissioners for keeping their word and prioritizing transportation infrastructure in the Permian Basin.”
The UTP, or Unified Transportation Program, is a 10-year plan by TxDOT that aims to improve transportation across the state.
Funding from the 2023 UTP will positively impact I-20, Loop 338, US 385, SH 115, SH 191 and FM 1882 in a myriad of ways.
“This not only demonstrates honesty and integrity, but intelligence as well, as the state highway fund is set to receive its largest ever transfer of oil and gas severance tax revenue here in a few days,” Landgraf said. “Texas leaders now understand that investing in Permian Basin roads benefits the entire state. The more we produce, the more revenue the state has for public education, highways and the Rainy Day Fund. I’m proud Texas is stepping up where it matters most regardless of what happens in Washington D.C. or on Wall Street.”
When the state fiscal year officially begins on September 1, 2022, the State Highway Fund is projected to receive a $3.58 billion transfer of oil and natural gas production tax revenue.
Ultimately, funding from the state budget for TxDOT has grown by 50% over the last nine years. | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/odessa-district-receive-massive-amount-funding-transportation-projects/513-fc3abe2f-9dc6-4f86-bbfb-9a58b222be43 | 2022-08-31T01:25:51 | 1 | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/odessa-district-receive-massive-amount-funding-transportation-projects/513-fc3abe2f-9dc6-4f86-bbfb-9a58b222be43 |
I don’t usually hang out in public bathrooms, but I admit to lingering a couple of minutes Monday afternoon to see if political violence would break out in the fourth floor men’s room at Pima County Superior Court.
I had done my business at the same time as several men who were upset over a lawsuit intended to kick Justine Wadsack off the general election ballot for state senate. This was a dispute between Republicans.
“Ronald Reagan would be rolling over in his grave,” one said, likely referencing Reagan’s famous commandment: “Thou shalt not speak ill of another Republican.”
The hearing down the hall was on a break, and their nemesis came in the bathroom — Sen. Vince Leach, who they think is behind the lawsuit.
One man stood in an intimidating pose, blocking the path to the paper towels, while another moved among the sinks, stalls and urinals. The situation looked primed.
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Maybe it would have come to nothing anyway, but when they realized I was observing, they let Leach by with no more than some muttered hostilities.
Wadsack won the lawsuit and will be on the ballot.
That’s good, if expected, news for her campaign. But the hearing was a messy four-hour affair that raised as many questions as it answered and highlighted divisions in the local GOP.
Supporters of Wadsack in the audience repeatedly directed loud comments and even intimidating stares at the plaintiffs in the case, Edward and Onita Davis, as well as Leach himself. Pima County Sheriff’s Department corrections officers eventually came to the courtroom to monitor the scene, and even after that, two men asked an officer to eject the other from the courtroom over these hostilities. (Nobody was ejected.)
Wadsack’s testimony also raised questions, even for the judge, who referred to her story as “suspicious,” though he ultimately ruled in her favor. The lawsuit centered on whether Wadsack had really moved from the home where she has lived for years, on East Sixth Street in Sam Hughes, to a home where she rented a room on the far east side, in Legislative District 17.
That naturally led to questions about why she had moved. The unexpected answer? Antifa.
Broadly speaking, Wadsack testified that she and her husband had suffered repeated, politically motivated attacks at their home on East Sixth Street. Wadsack ran for state senate in 2020, losing the race in Legislative District 10 to Kirsten Engel, who is running for Congress now.
The attacks, Wadsack testified, led to her husband issuing an ultimatum: Either leave politics or leave the house. She chose to leave the house and keep running for office, she testified.
These attacks, she said, included a time in 2020 that her husband was bitten by a dog while running nearby. Previously, she has said this occurred in Himmel Park and the dog owner shouted “Black Lives Matter, b**ch” before releasing the dog.
The attacks also included this, she testified: “I had a black gentleman show up at my house and say ‘We’re coming after you, you cracker b**ch.’”
Wadsack also testified: “Antifa surrounded my house one night, but the police chased them to the west, and they let fireworks off to try to set my house on fire.”
And she noted that over this period she had also gotten a restraining order against a fellow Republican, though that was eventually overturned.
I’ve checked with Tucson police on reports from her longtime address, and they were able to find a report on the second incident she mentioned. Sgt Richard Gradillas said Wadsack called 911 on Nov. 23 “saying that someone was knocking on her door making racist remarks toward her. She believed that it was affiliated with some kind of political party.”
No arrests were made.
Wadsack told me Tuesday that the Antifa episode happened in late 2020, and she called the police then, too. She said it was the police who labeled the group “antifa” and that the people were wearing masks, goggles, hoodies and backpacks. They piled into a car and were chased west by police, she added.
With this motivation for moving established, the questioning went on to delve into whether, when and why Wadsack had really moved into the east-side home. Although Wadsack signed a lease on Jan. 31, and she changed her voting registration and driver’s license to the new address on Feb. 18, she continued to put the East Sixth Street address down when she signed the petitions she was circulating to get on the ballot.
She gave a series of explanations for this: that the secretary of state’s online e-qual signature system was not functioning due to redistricting, that she wanted to wait until her driver’s license with her new address arrived before changing the address she used, and that the “muscle memory” of writing her old address kicked in at times.
One of the most curious moments of the hearing occurred when her attorney, Michael Kielsky, asked Wadsack whether moving into LD 17 was part of the reason for moving to the east-side address. Surprising Kielsky, Wadsack said no, that she could have moved into a house of hers on Blacklidge Street, but that her ex-husband lives there.
It raised the question of when, if ever, Wadsack planned to live in the district where she was running for Legislature.
What all of these questions and answers didn’t do, though, is produce proof beyond the level of “clear and convincing evidence” that Wadsack did not live at the east-side address when she ran for the nomination on Aug. 2.
“Is it suspicious? Absolutely,” Judge Richard Gordon said from the bench. “But you need proof this is all made up.”
While the stories were wild and the divisions were clear, that proof was missing.
Contact columnist Tim Steller at tsteller@tucson.com or 520-807-7789. On Twitter: @senyorreporter | https://tucson.com/news/local/subscriber/tim-stellers-column-candidate-residency-case-produces-wild-stories/article_ede6798c-27ff-11ed-8c93-abfa7aa4e6da.html | 2022-08-31T01:27:42 | 1 | https://tucson.com/news/local/subscriber/tim-stellers-column-candidate-residency-case-produces-wild-stories/article_ede6798c-27ff-11ed-8c93-abfa7aa4e6da.html |
ARPA for the Arts: Grant lets James Rickley concentrate on composition
Editor's note: This is the second in a series of stories about artists in Great Falls using American Rescue Plan Act grants to develop local projects.
For a retired guy who makes a little money composing music, $10,000 is a lot of dough.
That’s why James Rickley gave a big “wow” when talking about a recent American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant that will allow him to write 11 original pieces for a series of noon concerts at New Hope Lutheran Church.
“I didn’t think it was going to happen,” Rickley said, “but they trusted what I was doing, and so I’m just thrilled about it.”
Rickley’s project is called “Flowing Waters: Music New to Great Falls,” and it allowed Rickley to refocus on his compositions after a rough couple of years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Pennsylvania native, Rickley started out wanting to be an architect but quickly found out it wasn’t his bag. His college had a music conservatory, so Rickley signed up and got degrees in composition and music education.
He credits that second degree to his dad, who said Rickley needed some way to pay the bills. In college, Rickley learned to play pretty much every instrument except the flute, which remained stubbornly silent for him.
Currently, Rickley is the organist for New Hope Church.
“The church that I work for…they are extremely generous with their ears,” Rickley said, “so the more that I do that’s new stuff, the more excited they are. So that’s nice to be in such fertile ground.”
After college, Rickley worked his way up through the ranks from teacher to principal to superintendent. He was invited to help open a school in Nevada’s “frontier” before moving to Montana to take over as superintendent in Poplar. After a couple years there, he retired.
Now, he makes his pocket money doing composition work.
“I had a distributor, and I was selling a lot of material through my distributor,” Rickley said, “but it was chorale material, and COVID kind of took all large groups and said goodbye.”
Rickley re-tooled and started doing material for solo instruments through a grant from the Montana Arts Council. He entered the Montana Artrepreneur program. From that, he received a nonpaying commission for Great Falls Municipal Band that premiered a year ago.
Rickley said the Artrepreneur Program helped to get him writing original music instead of arranging the music of others. The program helps artists of all kinds learn the business of art. Rickley said he’s grateful to the program and is proud that his participation helped them expand the types of artists they help.
Rickley has since marketed with a booth at conventions and conferences and received positive responses.
The noon concert series was going on before COVID shut it down, and Rickley got interested in reviving it after the pandemic calmed down.
That desire led him to apply for the ARPA grant.
“Their vision is to re-stimulate creative arts projects — actual physical arts things that you can touch, so that’s what they do,” Rickley said. “I’m a firm believer in local artists.”
Rickley is on his ninth piece in the 11-piece project, and he has to be done by November 1. The musicians are almost all lined up, and all of the pieces will be performed by local artists. The concert series should premiere this winter or spring at New Hope.
If you’d like to help with Rickley’s fundraising, you can reach out to New Hope Church at 406-315-1203. The church is collecting donations on Rickley’s behalf.
Rickley said his project has helped reawaken his love of writing music and has given him the discipline to write every day and not just when the mood strikes him. He’s excited for the concert series to restart and is looking forward to working with the musicians.
“It’s nothing but all good,” he said. | https://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/local/2022/08/30/arpa-for-the-arts-grant-lets-james-rickley-concentrate-on-composition/65420357007/ | 2022-08-31T01:28:59 | 1 | https://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/local/2022/08/30/arpa-for-the-arts-grant-lets-james-rickley-concentrate-on-composition/65420357007/ |
INDIANAPOLIS — Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren expressed concern Tuesday about gun violence in the United States in the aftermath of a shooting in Indianapolis over the weekend that left one Dutch soldier dead and two wounded.
"We do many trainings of our servicemen in the United States, and we really don't expect this to happen. So it's very, very concerning for us." Ollongren told The Associated Press at a meeting of European Union defense ministers in Prague.
A 26-year-old member of the Dutch Commando Corps, identified by U.S. authorities as Simmie Poetsema, died of his injuries "surrounded by family and colleagues," the Dutch Defense Ministry said in a statement Monday.
Poetsema and the two other soldiers were shot after what Indianapolis police believe was a disturbance outside the hotel where they were staying about 3:30 a.m. Saturday near several downtown bars and nightclubs, authorities said. The soldiers were in the U.S. for training exercises at a southern Indiana military base.
Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said Monday that the soldiers had returned to the hotel after a "scuffle" at a bar and were outside when the gunfire came from what he called "a drive-by shooting."
Indianapolis police declined to confirm Hogsett's account Tuesday or release more information on the circumstances or the investigation of the shooting.
In an update Tuesday, police said they arrested 22-year-old Shamar Duncan in connection with the shooting. The Marion County Prosecutor's Office will review the case and determine final charges against Duncan.
Ollongren declined to comment on the shooting while investigations continue. She said there is "good contact" between Dutch military police and authorities in Indianapolis.
"We have read things in the media, we have heard what the mayor said but we feel it's very important to have a real thorough investigation. So we're waiting for that until we comment on what actually happened," she said.
Ollongren said U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin contacted her Monday "to express his regrets and his condolences."
Hogsett said he believed the city's downtown area was safe and that city officials were working to reduce violence.
"Too often, not just in Indianapolis, conflict resolution has become just people pulling out guns and shooting each other," Hogsett said. | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/dutch-defense-minister-concerned-about-us-gun-violence-after-3-dutch-soldiers-shot-indianapolis/531-d5dec9cd-6a9a-45ea-8011-59c73ce1f181 | 2022-08-31T01:29:14 | 0 | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/dutch-defense-minister-concerned-about-us-gun-violence-after-3-dutch-soldiers-shot-indianapolis/531-d5dec9cd-6a9a-45ea-8011-59c73ce1f181 |
BOISE, Idaho —
The 2022 Boise River float season will be coming to an end after Labor Day.
September 5 will be the last day raft rentals and a shuttle service between Ann Morrison Park and Barber Park will be available to the public.
On Wednesday, Ada County Parks & Waterways, Boise Fire Department (BFD), and Boise Parks and Recreation will hold a news conference at the Barber Park Boise River put-in with updated numbers from the season and will provide safety reminders for those planning to float during the upcoming Labor Day weekend.
BFD wants to remind anyone interested in floating the river to plan ahead and bring the appropriate gear, such as footwear, life jackets sunscreen and water. BFD also encourages people to use a raft that they can control and paddle away from hanging trees or other hazards.
Life jackets are required for children under age 14 to float the river and are encouraged for everyone.
Parking at Barber Park can fill up quickly on the weekends, people are encouraged to arrive early or to park and Ann Morrison Park and use the shuttle service. Especially as many streets outside of Barber Park are designated for residential parking and vehicles parked in unauthorized areas can be ticketed or towed.
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See the latest news from around the Treasure Valley and the Gem State in our YouTube playlist: | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/boise-river-float-season-end-labor-day/277-da084046-f19b-4ad0-8dda-b4c75c63ea63 | 2022-08-31T01:34:24 | 1 | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/boise-river-float-season-end-labor-day/277-da084046-f19b-4ad0-8dda-b4c75c63ea63 |
LAKE STEVENS, Wash — It started as a simple plan to turn their garage into an apartment for Shawn Alameda's elderly parents, but things came apart quickly.
"It's a nightmare," says Shawn. "This is honesty the worst thing we've ever experienced as adults in our lives."
The Alameda's say their contractor found a leaky roof which unleashed a torrent of trouble, to the point where the couple moved their three kids out of the home over safety concerns.
"It's so unfair," says Julie Alameda, the kids' mom. "It's unbearable."
Shortly after the roof repair began, it started raining.
Water soaked the couple's master bedroom and bath next to the garage, doing extensive damage. That was back at the beginning of June, and they family still has no roof.
Incomplete repairs have left the family with no running water. Bottled water cleans the dishes. The couple showers at a nearby campground, and they can't use their toilet.
"We call it the walk of shame to go use the bathroom, a porta-potty in my front yard," says Julie, shaking her head in disbelief.
"It's hell. It really is," adds Shawn.
The couple claimed they paid the contractor a total of $82,000 and their house is barely habitable.
"This isn't $82,000 worth of work, but I guarantee you it's $82,000 worth of damage," says Julie.
Making matters even worse, the family said experts told them the water damage isn't confined to the area around the garage. It's throughout the entire house.
"They're suggesting that my entire house be taken down to the studs," says Julie. "That could cost $180,000."
The Alamedas spent 10 years building their house along a bucolic country road.
They've raised chickens and grown their own food. Now, their days are consumed with simply putting a roof over their heads.
They're nearly out of money, and they're running out of time as the seasons change and rain is looming.
"The stress, the anxiety...I'm physically ill," says Julie. "The stress has me vomiting everyday."
At this point, the couple is just hoping to someday have their family under one once roof again.
"We go to bed trying to figure out what we're gonna do tomorrow to make it a better day," says Shawn.
The Alamedas asked KING 5 News not to use the contractor's name because they're still hoping to work out a resolution.
In a statement to KING 5 the contractor accused the couple of making false allegations against him and violating their contract.
He says he is working on getting the proper permits to finish the job and adds, "I have always done my best to give all my customers what they pay for and go above and beyond for them."
According to the Attorney General's Office, contractor-related complaints are not rare. In 2022 alone, their office has 710 contractor complaints. In 2021, they received 893 complaints.
Washington Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) has detailed steps on how to choose a contractor. The steps include creating a detailed project plan, verifying the prospective contractor's license and finalize a written agreement. More information can be found on L&I's website.
Friends of the family have started a GoFundMe for them, it can be found here. | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/home-renovation-nightmare-lake-stevens/281-4b41f27b-5c13-4ab2-bf1b-4ac09e46f384 | 2022-08-31T01:38:22 | 0 | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/home-renovation-nightmare-lake-stevens/281-4b41f27b-5c13-4ab2-bf1b-4ac09e46f384 |
SCRANTON, Pa. — A man was rescued after falling into Nay Aug Gorge in Scranton.
The man went into the water around 4 p.m. Tuesday afternoon.
According to police, rescue crews could not locate the man at first but later found him under a rock on the edge of the gorge area.
It took first responders about three hours to bring him to safety.
He was taken to be checked out by EMS, but there is no word yet on his condition.
See news happening? Text our Newstip Hotline. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/lackawanna-county/man-rescued-from-nay-aug-gorge-scranton-lackawanna-county-water-ems-police/523-98ff5d97-6192-40eb-a008-b1505c27a66f | 2022-08-31T01:38:22 | 0 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/lackawanna-county/man-rescued-from-nay-aug-gorge-scranton-lackawanna-county-water-ems-police/523-98ff5d97-6192-40eb-a008-b1505c27a66f |
SEATTLE — A beloved south Seattle Kung Fu studio that was on the brink of closure will now remain open. Now, the owner of the small business said he'll be able to stay open thanks to generous donations.
The doors are staying open and the lights will remain on. All thanks to the community for fighting to keep Jeffrey Chon's south Seattle business, "Junhong's Kung Fu Club," alive.
"We've been trying to do our best to support the community for the past 14 years and our community is the one who saved us," said Chon.
KING 5 spoke with Chon on Sunday. At the time, he thought the end was near.
"I pretty much accepted that we were going to close, and I pretty much was planning for what would be next," said Chon.
Chon owes his landlords more than $8,000 in rent, which was put off during the height of the pandemic. Despite the financial setbacks, he said he kept his rates low, at nearly a third of what other studios request.
"Provide safe, affordable, accessible training for anyone. And a lot of people have given me advice to raise my prices or do different things to make it financially easier to operate, but honestly, I would never compromise on my mission here," Chon said.
"We got a huge explosion of donations on our GoFundMe page so many people who I know, I actually had not told that we were considering closing down, called me, texted me, emailed me just sending us lots of support, lots of love," said Chon.
He's grateful for the generous supporters and says the money will go to his debt and will help pay his wonderful staff, as he continues to serve the community he loves, hopefully for years to come.
"We really couldn't keep doing this without them. We really had to rely on our community during the pandemic and they absolutely came through for us," said Chon. | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/beloved-south-seattle-kung-fu-studio-saved/281-f0bbdd9d-4169-46ad-be67-bcfbcbc8c97e | 2022-08-31T01:38:28 | 0 | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/beloved-south-seattle-kung-fu-studio-saved/281-f0bbdd9d-4169-46ad-be67-bcfbcbc8c97e |
BLOOMING GROVE, Pa. — Pennsylvania cannot keep weapons seized from the parents of Eric Frein.
Frein's parents sued after authorities refused to return 25 rifles, 19 pistols, and two shotguns that were taken from their home in September 2014, just days after Frein ambushed troopers at the Blooming Grove barracks in Pike County.
Corporal Bryon Dickson was killed, and Trooper Alex Douglass was left with devastating injuries.
A federal appeals court ruled today that state authorities never used the couple's guns as evidence at their son's trial and violated their constitutional rights by holding onto them indefinitely.
See news happening? Text our Newstip Hotline. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/pike-county/court-pa-cant-keep-guns-seized-from-eric-freins-parents-september-2014-corporal-bryon-dickson-trooper-alex-douglass/523-9941bf42-aadd-4e77-840c-ef056a7369cc | 2022-08-31T01:38:28 | 0 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/pike-county/court-pa-cant-keep-guns-seized-from-eric-freins-parents-september-2014-corporal-bryon-dickson-trooper-alex-douglass/523-9941bf42-aadd-4e77-840c-ef056a7369cc |
OLYMPIA, Wash. — More than a dozen property owners went before Thurston County commissioners Tuesday with an unusual request: They all wanted their taxes raised to create a Lake Offut Management District.
The homeowners want to give the county funding, as well as the authority to clean weeds, pollution and algae from the lake they call home.
Longtime residents said the problems have gotten worse in the last 10 years.
"It does keep us from enjoying the lake in all kinds of ways,” said Diane Perlman, a member of the Lake Offut Steering Committee.
Her grandmother bought lakefront property more than 100 years ago. Perlman remembers swimming across the lake, something she said can be dangerous today because of weeds.
"Especially where you’d really want to swim with young children, all along the shoreline,” said Perlman.
If county commissioners approve the community’s petition to form a district, property owners would need to approve the measure in an election, perhaps later this year.
Perlman said she was amazed by the support of raising taxes.
"Even people who are investment property owners who never come here were like, 'Yes, we're so glad you're doing this.' They realize their investment is dependent on this being a lake and not a swamp," Perlman said.
Under the petition, submitted by property owners, those with developed, lakefront properties would pay $750 a year. Those with undeveloped, lakefront properties would pay $375 a year and those who own properties upland from the lake would pay $70 a year. The payments would continue for 10 years.
If the Thurston County commissioners approve the petition, a vote would go to the homeowners. That vote could come up by the end of the year. | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/thurston-county-homeowners-tax/281-8176007a-4e3c-46ab-8282-7230a4139d51 | 2022-08-31T01:38:34 | 0 | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/thurston-county-homeowners-tax/281-8176007a-4e3c-46ab-8282-7230a4139d51 |
It's been almost two years since Casita Tex-Mex Bar and Grill had to close its doors after a fire, but this week the well-known restaurant is open for business.
"I think all the emotions are running through me, like excitement, anxiety, nervousness and that we're here, I mean that we finally, we made it past the finish line to be to reopen again," said Norma Valles, owner of the restaurant, which is located near Northwest Highway and Central Express Way on Blackwell St.
To say the last two years have been a challenge would be an understatement. They've had to cross many hurdles, including 2020.
“We had to let go of our employees that had been with us forever because we had to close the restaurant because of COVID. Then we figured out different ways to do delivery, but our customers were very supportive," Valles said.
She said they survived the pandemic and once businesses were allowed to reopen, they were doing OK, but then the restaurant caught on fire Dec. 27, 2020.
"I think it was one of the worst days of my life, I felt like I had lost someone so close to me," described Valles.
She said they believe a chip warmer caused the electrical fire that ruined the building.
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"You're running this marathon, and you're at mile 26 and you've got that .2 to get to the finish line and you you know you hurt yourself or you break a leg, it was devastating," explained Valles about bouncing back from he pandemic then experiencing the fire.
She said that was the most difficult year in business for their family since the restaurant was their main source of income. They had been operating it since 2007, but before that it was known as Casita Dominguez and had been around for decades.
Several other obstacles came in the way, like the freeze in 2021, issues with their storage unit and theft, but despite all of that, Valles didn't let the problems break her spirit.
"It was like you were trying to get out of quicksand and it wasn't fast enough, and so I mean It was just one thing or another," she said. "I finally said, 'OK, I have to take a deep breath and accept where we're at and keep moving forward. Just never give up.'"
Between material delays, increased costs, insurance, permits and the long list of items that come with rebuilding, Valles and her family worked through it.
While they rebuilt, they had a food truck to help bring in some revenue, but after 20 months, they are now back open and had a soft opening last Wednesday.
"People need people, and in order to be in business, you can't do it alone and you will have to have those people that support you as well," said Valles. "So never give up. Never give up no matter how difficult the challenge is, if your dream is bigger, then you will overcome."
She said it was her faith in God, along with the support of her family, friends and customers, that helped get the restaurant back up and running.
"The community gave me the strength. The community was very supportive, and that was another reason that I didn't give up because they all said, 'Hey, we want you back,'" Valles said.
Even though the building is new, it still holds old memories tied to to the former building. Including a mural they were able to save from the fire.
There are also photos on the wall of military veterans who used to frequent the restaurant and have since passed.
"Our veterans have been a vital and important part of Casita and so at one point I thought of getting their pictures on the walls in remembrance of them and we already had it before the fire. We lost some of our pictures but we have some of them still on our wall," she explained.
Valles, who said she has family who have served, said she had a tradition of having vets come in on the first Tuesday of the month.
She said the former landlord, David Albert, who passed away several years ago, was like a second father to her and always supportive of her family. She wanted to honor him as a veteran, which is where much of the motivation behind wall of photos came from.
Also on the wall is a picture of former President George W. Bush with former first lady Laura Bush along with Valles form when they visited the restaurant.
Next to all of that is a large photo of Valles singing the Star Spangled Banner at a Rangers game. Because when she is not busy running the restaurant, she's singing at the restaurant on Saturday nights or at events across town.
"I do a little bit of everything. I do Mariachi, Tejano, 80s, I do Ella Fitzgerald, Cole Porter style. You name it. I can do it. I can sing it," said Valles.
All pieces of charm which the business owner and mother hopes can be felt by customers when the come to sit down and eat.
"We're not just a regular place where you come to eat, we want you to come in and feel that you're not just another number," she said. "We want to make everybody feel that they’re special as they’re are coming in | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-tex-mex-restaurant-back-open-after-surviving-pandemic-and-a-fire/3060478/ | 2022-08-31T01:46:48 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-tex-mex-restaurant-back-open-after-surviving-pandemic-and-a-fire/3060478/ |
Fort Worth Independent School District trustees voted Tuesday to unanimously name Angelica Ramsey as its lone candidate for superintendent.
The decision comes eight months after Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Ken Scribner announced his retirement. Originally set to finish out his contract, Scribner will leave at the end of the month, earlier than expected.
Ramsey currently serves as superintendent of Midland ISD and prior, spent five years as superintendent of school at the Pleasant Valley School District in California.
"We are excited to name Dr. Angelica Ramsey as the lone finalist for superintendent of Fort Worth ISD," Board President Tobi Jackson said in a press release. "She will bring her many amazing leadership qualities to our district and to the benefit of our greater community."
FORT WORTH ISD
"I am extremely honored to join the Fort Worth ISD team," added Dr. Ramsey. "I look forward to meeting with our stakeholders, visiting classrooms and working together to provide a world-class education for all students."
An Army veteran, Ramsey holds a bachelor's degree from the University of the Pacific, a master's degree from the University of Texas at El Paso and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Liberty University. She previously held positions as an associate superintendent, a high school principal, assistant principal, classroom teacher, athletic coach and more. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/fort-worth-isd-names-lone-superintendent-finalist/3060747/ | 2022-08-31T01:46:56 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/fort-worth-isd-names-lone-superintendent-finalist/3060747/ |
The Hanover County School Board voted 5-2 to adopt a policy that will require transgender students to submit a written request to school administration asking for access to the schools’ facilities that align with the students’ gender identities. The school board will have final say in the decision.
The policy suggests that students and their parents submit documents including students’ disciplinary or criminal records, among other personal documents.
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Before the vote to pass the policy, Chickahominy District representative Bob Hundley suggested amending the policy to strike the portion of the policy related to what he called a “criminal background check.”
Only three board members voted to amend the policy to strike the language about criminal records: Hundley, Vice Chair Bob May and Ola J. Hawkins.
“Keep in mind that if we're considering where, for example, a biological boy is going to be allowed access to the girls bathroom and there is [criminal activity] in their background that relates to this type of situation, we [should] know about that,” said board member George E. Sutton. “I think other people want to know about that.”
Hundley said he wants to work with interest groups going forward to make the policy better.
Although Hundley’s amendment did not pass, he still voted to approve the policy as is, and that passed 5-2. He said that while the policy is not perfect, "We owe it to our faculty, staff and the students to have a policy going into the school year, and that's primarily why I'm supporting it.”
The two dissenting votes were Hawkins, who represents the Ashland District, and Johnny Redd, who represents the Mechanicsville District. "I'm sympathetic to the needs of our students on each side of this issue and sympathetic to the need for a policy that will protect our teachers and administrators from exposure to lawsuits," Redd said. "But I am not in favor of the policy that has been presented here."
Said School Board Chairman John Axselle in an interview with the Times-Dispatch, "If I'm gonna be letting a biological male or female, in either direction OK, I would want to make sure that we know ahead of time that they don't have any ulterior intent. Our overall concern truly is all the children.”
Last week, the Hanover NAACP called on Axselle to resign. Axselle said in an interview Tuesday night that he does not plan to resign.
“I'm here to serve the children. That's all I want. I don't want anything else. I've been doing it for 27 years,” he said. “If folks are upset with me and want me to resign, I'm sorry. I really am. I'm sorry. But I've tried to do my best for the kids. That’s all I want.”
Before the 7 p.m. meeting, the organization Equality Virgina held a press conference to “spotlight the harm that will continue to be done to students if this policy is adopted.”
Grace Zweckbronner, a transgender student attending Hanover County Public Schools, spoke at the press conference and described the policy as disturbing.
“Transgender and nonbinary students just want to use the bathroom in peace. We go to school like every other kid, we study like every other kid and we are put through multiple different steps and jumps to use the bathroom,” Zweckbronner said. “This is targeted bullying, and it is coming from our school board. Here we are having to defend ourselves because these people are voting on a disgustingly invasive policy that will make multiple things impossible for trans students and are overall just gross, not caring that literal children will have to deal with these consequences.”
In addition to the language in the policy regarding criminal records, it also suggests that students include in their request to use the bathroom signed statements from the students’ doctors or therapists “verifying that the student has been diagnosed with gender dysphoria and/or that the student consistently and authentically expresses a binary gender identity.”
The implementation of the policy comes almost one year since the deadline by which the board was legally required to adopt an appropriate policy regarding the treatment of transgender and nonbinary students. A state law required local school boards to implement policies consistent with state guidelines by the first day of the 2021 school year.
The model policy published by the state education department states: “Access to facilities such as restrooms and locker rooms that correspond to a student’s gender identity shall be available to all students.”
The legislative mandate, however, is not tied to any state funding, so the only teeth in the state funding is that it could lead to civil litigation. The ACLU of Virginia filed a lawsuit in December on behalf of five parents of transgender students. The case is ongoing. | https://richmond.com/news/local/education/hanover-school-board-passes-policy-to-give-board-final-say-over-each-transgender-students-access/article_41a2f1e4-43e2-5a31-8ed7-3c0c95d6c0f3.html | 2022-08-31T01:51:06 | 0 | https://richmond.com/news/local/education/hanover-school-board-passes-policy-to-give-board-final-say-over-each-transgender-students-access/article_41a2f1e4-43e2-5a31-8ed7-3c0c95d6c0f3.html |
Northwest Indiana firms were again honored as among the fastest-growing in the country.
Inc. magazine recognized Portage-based MSI Express and Michigan City-based Peepers by Peeper Specs on its Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing privately owned companies in the country.
MSI Express, a food manufacturing firm founded in 2008, ranked 622nd after posting 1,018% growth over the past three years. The company makes shelf-stable foods, providing services like dry mixing, blending and canister filling.
Peepers by PeeperSpecs, a fourth-generation family-owned company, ranked 4,589th after posting 95% growth over the past three years. It designs eyewear that's sold online and in optical shops across the country.
Coastline Academy, which recently started offering driver's education classes in Valparaiso and surrounding communities, ranked as the sixth fastest-growing education company and the 520th fastest-growing overall business. The company reported 1,192% growth over the past three years after expanding to Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Colorado, Nevada and Texas.
- Porter County mom jailed after 11-year-old reports being left alone all night with younger siblings, police say
- Morton football placed on probation by IHSAA
- UPDATE: 1 dead after train hits pedestrian in Dyer subdivision
- Missing Region woman found, police say
- Teen fatally shot in Merrillville, police say
- Woman pleads guilty to theft from former employee, agrees to pay $24K in restitution
- Two killed in fiery crash on I-80, state police say
- Lakes of the Four Seasons boy identified in what coroner is calling accidental self-inflicted shooting
- Woman charged in wake of Region police officer's resignation in public indecency case
- NWI Business Ins and Outs: Cookie shop, Salt Cave & Wellness Spa, J's Breakfast Club, The Vitamin Shoppe and bait shop expanding
- Porter County mail carrier again nabbed for OWI; this time fell from truck, police say
- Driver died after veering off road, striking fence, police say
- U.S. Steel puts forward contract proposal USW deems unacceptable: 'Most of them worked from home'
- Valpo-area woman nabbed with drug matching 'bad heroin' she warned was going around, police say
- Child dies after being pulled from Region swimming pool, police say
For more information, visit www.inc.com/inc5000.
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Amanda Redler is about to finish the bachelor’s degree she started half a lifetime ago.
The 36-year-old from Albion earned her associate’s degree in 2006 before jumping “full time into adult life” as a wife and mother of three.
Redler said she considered going back to college to finish her four-year degree, but found the classes she needed to take weren’t offered online or wouldn’t fit into her schedule as a working mom.
Then, a friend suggested she look into Western Governors University.
Founded as a private, not-for-profit university in 1996 — 10 governors, including then-Nebraska Gov. Ben Nelson, signed onto a pact at a meeting in Omaha — Western Governors University offers an all-online, competency-based curriculum, allowing students to work entirely at their own pace.
Less than 10 months after enrolling, Redler has finished 23 classes and earned 59 competency units toward her bachelor’s degree all while working as a sixth grade teacher at St. Edward Public Schools.
“What I have accomplished at WGU would have taken double the time and cost me more than double the tuition at a traditional college,” she said.
Gov. Pete Ricketts said Tuesday he wants more of the estimated 306,000 Nebraskans who have started college but not yet finished their degree or earned a certificate to consider following Redler’s lead.
At a ceremony at Southeast Community College, Ricketts signed a memorandum of understanding alongside leaders from Western Governors University and Nebraska’s six community colleges to create transfer agreements and promote the school to underserved populations.
The agreement will also make Western Governors University students eligible to receive money to attend college through the Nebraska Opportunity Grant, a state-aid program funded through lottery proceeds.
In 2020-21, approximately $21 million in Nebraska Opportunity Grant funds were given to 13,000 students to attend public and private colleges and universities in Nebraska.
Ricketts said the agreement with Western Governors University was designed to supplement the existing higher-education system in Nebraska, while providing more flexibility to adult learners and non-traditional students to join the “talent pipeline” in the state.
An estimated 71% of jobs in the state will require a four-year college degree by the end of the decade, but just 58% of Nebraskans aged 24-35 have finished their bachelor’s program.
“That’s why it’s so important to round out what we’re doing with regards to adult education in the state,” Ricketts said.
WGU President Scott Pulsipher said the university was designed to “reach and teach individuals where they are” by overcoming barriers such as time and distance that may be insurmountable for many.
Nearly 1,000 Nebraskans have finished their degree from Western Governors University over the last 25 years, Pulsipher said, while almost another 1,000 students from the Cornhusker state are currently enrolled.
The average age of a Nebraska student enrolled at WGU is 34, while 85% are working full time as they progress through programs related to technology, education, business and health-related fields.
Unlike traditional college and university settings, Western Governors University’s competency-based approach allows students to bring their real-life experience to their learning and progress after they have demonstrated proficiency or mastery of certain skills, Pulsipher said.
“This is untapped talent, these are hidden workers that all the employers in this great state need to tap into,” Pulsipher said.
Brenda Soto, an emergency preparedness and response officer with the state Department of Health and Human Services, was able to use the experiences from her time spent as a nurse in intensive care units, emergency rooms and in post-acute care toward a master’s in health care leadership from WGU.
“When I decided I wanted to further my education and work on my master’s degree, I knew I needed to choose an institution that would still allow me to work full time and continue to be present for my family,” Soto said.
After hearing about Western Governors University from a co-worker, Soto said she found the online class work “allowed me to work at a pace that fit my lifestyle.”
Pulsipher said that’s by design, and added WGU allows students to take as many courses as they want in a six-month time period for a flat rate of approximately $3,750 for six months, allowing them to potentially graduate with little debt.
As part of the agreement with Nebraska, Western Governors University pledged $200,000 in need-based aid to Nebraska students to help bridge the financial gap for students to finish a bachelor's or master’s program.
Although SCC serves a student population similar to Western Governors University — 80% of SCC students attend while working full time, and take classes in a variety of delivery formats and at an array of different times — President Paul Illich said the agreement expands options for all students.
“This is really why we’re here — giving everyone access to education,” he said. “We’re not just about career and technical programs, we’re also about trying to make sure we extend that open access to our four-year partners.”
"These books can provide a context by which some student readers can identify with someone (even if it's a fictional character) who has had similar struggles," the superintendent said.
To be able to get to Monday -- the first day of school for students at Lincoln's newest elementary school -- required a lot of work over the past two weeks.
As many as 82,000 Nebraskans could have their student loan debt erased while another 51,000 could see their debt load cut in half under the White House's plan.
The foundation needs to raise $17 million to complete the facilities, which will be shared by city schools and will alleviate scheduling headaches for varsity teams.
Superintendent Paul Gausman said the district was aware of "disagreements about what was actually said" at a required professional learning session for some staff led by transgender speaker Ryan Sallans.
Some Nebraskans welcomed Biden's plan to cancel up to $10,000 in individual loan debt, but the announcement was panned by the state's congressional delegation and the GOP nominee for governor.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has sent a delegation of administrators, faculty and staff to represent both the university and the Cornhusker state on the Emerald Isle this week.
Ted Carter, a retired vice admiral and 1981 alumnus of the U.S. Naval Academy, was one of five recipients of the academy’s Distinguished Graduate Award.
A year after securing $400 million in bond financing, NU has spent $57.9 million on roughly 80 projects, with 94% of the money being paid to Nebraska companies.
Southeast Community College President Dr. Paul Illich (from left); Western Governors University President Scott Pulsipher; alumna Brenda Soto, Emergency Preparedness & Response Officer with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services; student Amanda Redler, sixth grade teacher at St. Edward Public School; Gov. Ricketts (podium); and ASL interpreter Frances Beaurivage, at a press conference announcing the governor had signed a memorandum of understanding with the university to expand access to university programs for Nebraskans. | https://journalstar.com/news/local/education/nebraska-renews-partnership-with-online-university-to-help-adult-learners-finish-degrees/article_7d2c0068-961e-5e51-8491-dbd82ecffad4.html | 2022-08-31T02:00:46 | 0 | https://journalstar.com/news/local/education/nebraska-renews-partnership-with-online-university-to-help-adult-learners-finish-degrees/article_7d2c0068-961e-5e51-8491-dbd82ecffad4.html |
FORT WORTH, Texas — The Fort Worth Independent School District has announced the lone finalist for its superintendent position.
During a Tuesday board meeting, district trustees voted unanimously for Midland ISD Superintendent Dr. Angélica Ramsey to take over North Texas' second largest school district.
"I am extremely honored to join the Fort Worth ISD team," Ramsey said in a statement. "I look forward to meeting with our stakeholders, visiting classrooms, and working together to provide a world-class education for all students."
"She will bring her many amazing leadership qualities to our District and to the benefit of our greater community," board president Tobi Jackson said in a statement.
She will be replacing Superintendent Kent Scribner, who will retiring from the district this week. He has served as the district's leader since 2015.
Scribner announced his departure back in January. His contract with Fort Worth ISD ends on Aug. 31.
"I work for children with all of you and I mean that. I mean that we need to work together. I plan on hitting the ground running, getting here, getting into schools, meeting with our support staff, meeting with or students, our parents," Ramsey told parents and teachers at Tuesday's meeting.
Ramsey was asked about issues such as teacher shortages.
"We need to meet the needs of our teachers to ensure that they feel successful in the classroom. I think that’s probably the number one priority for me in getting in and talking to teachers about what their experience is here in Fort Worth," she said.
Board members began their search after they first approved the search profile and job description for the position at the June 14 board meeting, and began screening candidates for superintendent in July.
Texas law stipulates a school district board must name the finalist for the superintendent position at least 21 days before the hire is made official.
According to Ramsey's biography on Midland ISD's website, she began serving as superintendent in February 2021. She was previously superintendent for nearly five years at the Pleasant Valley School District in California.
Her biography states she also lived in El Paso for ten years, working at Socorro ISD.
The district named its interim superintendent last week, Karen Molinar, who is Fort Worth ISD's current deputy superintendent.
Fort Worth ISD serves about 76,000 students and stands as one of the largest school districts in the state. | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/fort-worth-isd-lone-superintendent-finalist-midland-isd-angelica-ramsey/287-f3ad5c14-67a9-4d86-a3ab-026e4475ae01 | 2022-08-31T02:03:57 | 0 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/fort-worth-isd-lone-superintendent-finalist-midland-isd-angelica-ramsey/287-f3ad5c14-67a9-4d86-a3ab-026e4475ae01 |
TARRANT COUNTY, Texas — Tarrant County commissioners dealt with a full agenda that included jail overcrowding. The Tarrant County sheriff said he is desperate to find jail beds. He received the help of millions of dollars from county commissioners, although not every commissioner agreed with his plan.
Sheriff Bill Waybourn oversees the operations of the Tarrant County Jail.
Many of the inmates housed in his jail are people convicted on state charges.
"We are tipping the scales of having all of our beds taken up," said Waybourn.
There is now a plan in place to help ease overcrowding here at the Tarrant County Jail. Right now, Waybourn is working with corrections officers on mandatory overtime.
He and his team presented commissioners with a plan to move at least 600 inmates from Tarrant County to a Harris County facility, in the Houston, Texas area. It's an $18 million contract.
"If we don't get this contract, then we're going to have to figure out some other remedies for what we do with prisoners. And that can get fairly serious, fairly quick," Waybourn said.
The commissioners voted Tuesday after hearing from the sheriff and his team and from the public opposed to the move. Opponents argued it's too far for family inmate visitation, and the millions should be spent here instead.
Tarrant County resident Jackee Cox gave testimony during Commissioners Court Tuesday. Cox expressed concerns about possible extreme charges for inmates and families conducting virtual visits. But Commissioner Chair Judge Glen Whitley spoke up against charges that will exceed other facilities that charge for online visitations.
Whitley still insists something must be done about jail overcrowding sooner than later.
"That $18 million that we're spending is because the state's not taking their prisoners. And so, from that perspective, the state ought to be paying us the $18 million," said Whitley.
Recent deaths at Tarrant County Jail
WFAA also talked to Whitley about the recent deaths in the Tarrant County Jail, the latest involving a 50-year-old man who passed away at the hospital after surgery related to a serious pre-existing condition.
"Well, every death, every death is investigated independently, outside," said Whitley.
Waybourn said, "Our command staff, including myself, we take that very personally. We want to make sure we are the safest jail and we work on that every day."
The sheriff's $18 million dollar contract agreement is for one year. He's still facing issues of housing state prisoners and finding beds for inmates who need mental health attention. | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/tarrant-county-jail-discusses-overcrowding-plan-at-tarrant-county-commissioners-court/287-802a4a1a-24a4-45d8-a68b-0c63462465c5 | 2022-08-31T02:04:03 | 0 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/tarrant-county-jail-discusses-overcrowding-plan-at-tarrant-county-commissioners-court/287-802a4a1a-24a4-45d8-a68b-0c63462465c5 |
HOOD RIVER — The 780 Rand Road affordable housing project was denied a prime opportunity to secure funding for the 129 rental units that are anticipated to be available as early as 2025. The Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) Local Innovation and Fast Track (LIFT) housing program has lending power of more than $30 million, but according to the City of Hood River website, affordable housing developers around the state have requested nearly four times more than is available. Despite only seven developers submitting applications in the same category as the Rand Road project, in total they requested $110 million.
Hood River Mayor Kate McBride and City Manager Abigail Elder knew these funds were going to be very competitive. Elder and McBride estimated that one or two of the seven applicants will receive funds.
“Going in we always knew there was a slight chance we would get denied. Other affordable housing projects are a bit further along in the process,” said Elder. “We will regroup and apply again when the next round of funding is available.”
McBride said the city inquired about why they were denied, but has heard no response from the program.
The 780 Rand Road property is lacking basic infrastructure necessary to receive consideration from the award givers. A gravel road leads you into the main area of the property, where trees and shrubs still grow unobstructed. Rainwater runoff and sewer capabilities are also currently unavailable.
LIFT funds are awarded once a year and McBride confirmed the city is currently working to improve the infrastructure and find other opportunities for financial assistance. McBride noted the Mid-Columbia Housing Authority Executive Director Joel Madsen and the Columbia Cascade Housing Corporation (CCHC) secured a potentially $3 million grant from Sen. Jeff Merkley’s office through the community initiated spending process. Funds will be directed to the CCHC, and the Rand Road project expects to get portion of the total award. | https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/hoodriver/news/local/780-rand-road-project-continues-to-improve-infrastructure/article_7bea1030-28b0-11ed-9382-0b83bf2e7596.html | 2022-08-31T02:08:23 | 0 | https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/hoodriver/news/local/780-rand-road-project-continues-to-improve-infrastructure/article_7bea1030-28b0-11ed-9382-0b83bf2e7596.html |
HOOD RIVER — The Hood River Rotary Club heard a presentation from a spokesman from the Office of Communications at the Hanford Site on Tuesday, Aug. 23.
Retired Navy veteran Paul Noel traveled from the decommissioned nuclear production site to give updates on clean up, upcoming projects and contamination of the nearby Columbia River.
The Hanford site was one of three unique research and production sites that were part of the Manhattan Project during World War II. The U.S. Army Corps opened the facility in 1943 for the production of plutonium. The Hanford site spans 586 square miles along the Columbia River in southeast Washington.
When in operation, the Hanford site generated 75 tons of plutonium, about three quarters of the nation’s total plutonium production.
The plutonium production created solid waste that is still in holding tanks today. Noel said the Hanford site is working to clean up the 56 million gallons of radioactive and chemical waste still on site. Currently the waste is being held in 158 underground holding tanks at the Hanford site.
Of these tanks, roughly one third have leaked chemical waste, threatening nearby ecosystems.
“There has been some waste that has reached the Columbia River. And that was part of the production process back during World War II and the Cold War in the ‘40s and ‘50s,” said Noel.
Noel says the advancement in technology has opened new avenues to reduce further contamination.
“We are taking that 56 million gallons of radioactive chemical waste, and retrieving it through a treatment process to immobilize and blast it. That’s known as vitrification,” said Noel.
The vitrification process heats the chemical waste to nearly 2,100 degrees Fahrenheit and mixes it with glass-forming materials. The concoction is then poured into stainless steel canisters where it will cool and create cylinders of glass that will be stored, eliminating the threat of further contamination.
Noel also noted the Hanford site will be opening a water treatment facility by the end of 2023.
On Aug. 25, the Washington State Department of Ecology and the U.S. Department of Energy settled on an agreement to address two leaking tanks at the Hanford site. The tanks known as T-111 and B-109 have been leaking since 2013.
The agreement stipulates that there will be surface barriers installed to restrict water runoff from seeping into the contaminated soil and exposing nearby lands. The Hanford site must also formulate an action plan in case another tank leaks in the future. Noel said the facility is considering whether it is worth implementing a ventilation system in the tanks.
For more information and background on the Manhattan and Hanford projects, visit Hanford.gov.
Noel implores everyone to understand the actions they are taking to make sure the Columbia River stays as clean as possible from contamination. Columbia Riverkeeper is also active in the fight to keep the Columbia River Gorge contamination free. Visit their website at columbiariverkeeper.org/take-action/hanford. | https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/hoodriver/news/local/hanford-contamination-cleanup-discussed/article_06bed088-28b1-11ed-9567-1fdd739f7f2e.html | 2022-08-31T02:08:29 | 0 | https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/hoodriver/news/local/hanford-contamination-cleanup-discussed/article_06bed088-28b1-11ed-9567-1fdd739f7f2e.html |
Improvements to the south campground and day-use area at Viento State Park, seven miles west of Hood River, have started as part of an overall project constructing the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail from the park east to Mitchell Point, according to the Oregon Parks Department.
The south campground and day-use area are closed through spring 2023.
“The campground remodel that includes Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) campsites and addition of a dedicated hiker/biker camp is exciting news for campers, visitors, hikers and cyclists in the Gorge,” said David Spangler, Columbia Gorge park manager. When the project is finished, bicyclists can start their state trail cycling trip in Portland and spend a night at the Ainsworth State Park hiker/biker camp and then Viento, before continuing on their way to Mitchell Point.
Work began for a two-mile segment of the state trail in early 2022 and work to prepare for campground improvements, including removal of trees necessary to construct the improvements, is now underway.
Travelers on Interstate 84 and park neighbors will see activity in the area for this project and another project to improve oak habitat. Bigleaf maple and Douglas fir will be removed from a one-acre site in the park, which will allow the existing Oregon white oak ecosystem to thrive and produce new trees. Work on the habitat restoration begins in late September.
After the initial work is completed in the campground area, upgrades will begin, including:
• Creating six campsites, including two new ADA sites, as well as a host site.
• Installing a new, modern restroom with showers and an upgraded septic system.
• Constructing a new hiker/biker camping area with eight gravel pads, four with three-sided shelters.
• Configuring the campground loop road and maintenance facility access to improve safety by separating motor vehicle traffic and trail users.
• Redesigning the south day-use area as well as the entrance to the state trail.
Although the day-use access to the trail is closed during the work, the Starvation Creek State Park access (west of Viento) to the historic trail remains open.
In addition, travelers will see activity from multiple construction projects along I-84 and the Historic Highway over the next several years. To learn more about ODOT’s current and upcoming projects between I-205 and Hood River, visit www.i84gorgeconstruction.org. | https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/hoodriver/news/local/viento-state-park-closed-for-upgrades/article_db7b078c-28b2-11ed-90bf-0bcade24bf64.html | 2022-08-31T02:08:35 | 0 | https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/hoodriver/news/local/viento-state-park-closed-for-upgrades/article_db7b078c-28b2-11ed-90bf-0bcade24bf64.html |
THE DALLES — The Salvation Army thrift store on E. Third Street, downtown The Dalles, has closed as the Salvation Army Corps begins a transition to a social services center. Church operations, held at the same location, will also end.
“It’s been exciting, it’s been challenging, it’s been chaotic,” said Kris Harmon, business manager for The Dalles location. “We’re excited to grow, improve and modernize our services,” she said. The Dalles Salvation Army will continue to provide the social services they currently provide — only the church and thrift shop will be closed, she added.
Programs that will remain active include the food pantry, back-to-school events, holiday assistance, emergency disaster response, prevention assistance and other services identified as needs shift and funding allows.
In the short term, the food bank and other services will continue out of the current facility at 623 E. Third St., which is owned by the Salvation Army. In the long term, leaders are looking to move to a new facility that is better suited to providing social services.
“This building is overkill for the services we will be providing, and isn’t really suitable,” said Harmon, whose new title will be service center director once the thrift shop closes Aug. 31.
Speaking in The Dalles, Major Kelly Nolan, divisional project officer for the Salvation Army Corps based in Happy Valley, said that once they move to a new facility, they hope to transition the food bank to a “client choice” model, which provides a store-like environment for selecting foods, rather than pre-packaged boxes. “We’ll continue as we are now, and expand after we move,” he explained.
Nolan said that over the past four or five years, fewer and fewer church members were attending services at the Third Street chapel. “During the pandemic, people got used to streaming services, and they are slow to return to (in-person) services,” he explained.
Streamed services will remain available, and there will be occasional in-person gatherings for local members as well, he said. Harmon added that some gatherings, like the women’s weekly bible study, will also continue unchanged.
In a press release, Major Nancy Dihle, Cascade Division commander, noted that the transition is necessary because worship activities have declined, but the rising costs of living, coupled with population growth rates, suggest the demand for social services will persist and likely increase.
“With the transition of the Thrift Store and Corps to a modernized social services center, we are streamlining our efforts and increasing our ability to fight food insecurity and prevent homelessness through prevention assistance programs,” Dihle said. “Additionally, The Salvation Army will continue to facilitate the traditional holiday meal and support families during Christmas through the Angel Tree program. The Salvation Army will remain a strong provider of Emergency Disaster Services when needed.”
The Salvation Army has a long history in The Dalles, dating back to 1889. | https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/news/local/salvation-army-shifts-focus-in-td/article_c9423b06-28af-11ed-885a-cb7a982bbd3f.html | 2022-08-31T02:09:23 | 1 | https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/news/local/salvation-army-shifts-focus-in-td/article_c9423b06-28af-11ed-885a-cb7a982bbd3f.html |
CITRUS HEIGHTS, Calif. — It's party time for Citrus Heights, and city leaders have greenlit a new block party trailer to help get the celebrations started.
City Council approved guidelines for a Community Block Party Trailer Program. The trailer, filled with “essentials to host events,” was approved for $50,000 in June and will soon be rentable for community events.
Meghan Huber, economic development and community engagement director of Citrus Heights, told city council the goal of the trailer is to increase community connection.
The guidelines define who is eligible to rent the trailer, what the trailer comes with, how much it could cost to rent, and rules renters must agree to follow.
Community groups include but are not limited to: Neighborhood watches, business and commerce organizations, groups of neighbors, amateur sports groups, religious organizations and HOA organizations.
At least one party involved in renting the trailer must be 21 or older. Private citizens and businesses are not eligible to rent it for private events.
The program intends to keep “community group” defined as wide as possible to include as many users as they can. Rentals operate on a “first-come first-served” schedule, but prioritizes groups that haven't rented before.
The trailer comes with tables, chairs, coolers, barricades and cones, lawn games, a small sound system, and trash receptacles to use for events.
It's expected to be free during the trial period with renters paying event insurance and permit fees.
Applications to rent the trailer should be completed no sooner than six months before and no later than one month before the event.
A code of conduct will be available in the rental agreement. Renters will also be given a checklist of items before and after renting that renters will go through to ensure nothing is missing, according to the document.
Members from the Community Engagement team will move the trailer to the designated spot it was rented for. Renters are not permitted to relocate or move the trailer, according to the guidelines.
Watch more from ABC10: Back-to-back electrical tower rescues in South Sacramento puts residents on edge | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/citrus-heights/citrus-heights-community-party-trailer/103-062324db-c8ef-4482-b2b6-3cd406b7abc7 | 2022-08-31T02:14:39 | 1 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/citrus-heights/citrus-heights-community-party-trailer/103-062324db-c8ef-4482-b2b6-3cd406b7abc7 |
ELK GROVE, Calif. — Parents benefiting from Elk Grove Unified School District's Inclusive Education program are voicing their worries due to a major shift with educators.
In a letter, the district announced teachers in the program are being moved to Special Education classes.
"What they're doing here is they are putting a Band-Aid on a large open wound that is continuing to grow," said Brandon Morgan, a father of an autistic son benefiting from the program's Inclusive Specialists.
Morgan, a father and husband of a teacher who provides inclusive education, received a letter from the district saying these inclusion specialists would now be teaching Special Education classes, removing them from working closely with students who require Inclusive Education.
He says it was a shock to parents and educators.
"A lot of parents kind of joined onboard. We kind of banded together and talked a lot about it. We created a Facebook group to figure out some of the nuts and bolts of what we can do to make the district aware that this is not really a viable solution for these kids," Morgan said.
There are still many questions on how this will work, but in the letter, the Elk Grove Unified School District said, in part, the following:
"The Elk Grove Unified District (District) is committed to inclusive education and serving all students in the least restrictive educational environment. The District is also committed to exploring and designing new inclusive education strategies that will make the most efficient use of existing resources to ensure that every child has access to a free and appropriate educational program."
However, Morgan has a hard time believing his Individual Education Plan (IEP) will be met.
"Where my son's IEP says the Inclusion Specialist is gonna push in twice a month for 30 minutes each. How are these learning center teachers who are constantly teaching groups of kids throughout the day going to be able to meet that IEP goal?" Morgan said.
There were other parents who didn't want to go on camera for fear of retaliation from the district. Some parents also feared their children could fall through the cracks due to the move.
"Kids who have been highly successful in this model of inclusion may find themselves back in a special day class," Morgan said.
He is urging parents to voice their concerns with the district, adding that he plans to be at the school board meeting on Sept. 6. He's calling on others to join him.
WATCH ALSO: | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/elk-grove/elk-grove-unified-inclusive-specialists/103-411f2c46-a3bc-4523-836d-1e1d457d6bc0 | 2022-08-31T02:14:45 | 0 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/elk-grove/elk-grove-unified-inclusive-specialists/103-411f2c46-a3bc-4523-836d-1e1d457d6bc0 |
YUBA CITY, Calif. — A man is in custody and booked on suspicion of murder after a fatal shooting in Yuba City in July.
According to a news release from Yuba City Police, officers arrested 23-year-old Rigoberto Bueno Jr. around 9:40 a.m. Tuesday. His bail is set at $1 million.
Bueno’s charges are the result of an investigation into a July 17 double shooting that left a man dead and a woman hospitalized.
According to police, it happened around 8 p.m. on the 300 block of Monterey Avenue. Officers were called to a shooting, and when they got to the scene, they found a man with multiple gunshot wounds. He died at the hospital.
While on their way to the scene, dispatch took a call from a second victim of the shooting who transported herself to the hospital with a single gunshot wound.
WATCH MORE ON ABC10: Brother of slain Land Park woman challenges bail reform bill | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/fatal-yuba-city-shooting-man-arrested/103-ff61aa5b-af3d-4ced-9e9c-cb8936ded965 | 2022-08-31T02:14:51 | 0 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/fatal-yuba-city-shooting-man-arrested/103-ff61aa5b-af3d-4ced-9e9c-cb8936ded965 |
Taurus Tool moves moves to new, larger facility and plans expansion
MUNCIE, Ind. — Taurus Tool marked its 50th year in business by relocating and expanding its operations southwest of Muncie.
Company president and co-owner Jim McDonald said in a news release that the company, which offers contract machining work such as computer numerical control turning, milling and fabrication, installed a five-feet-by-eight-feet statue of a bull near the entrance its new location at 4401 S. Delaware Drive.
Taurus Tool designs and builds special machinery, gauges and tooling, and the company maintains and repairs parts.
Moving up:Italian filter maker Filtrec chooses Delaware County to expand, locate its headquarters
"They're a growth-minded employer that provides great job opportunities,” Delaware County Commissioner James King said in a prepared statement. “It’s wonderful to see all they are doing, and their logo is definitely a testament to the company’s strength.”
The move to the new 66,000-square-foot building provides job security to its 30 employees, McDonald said. The company also plans to add more employees through expanding its line of services with water-jet functions as part of its metal cutting services for industries ranging from food packaging to aerospace.
“This is a new product for us, a new opportunity,” McDonald said about the water-jet apparatus. “Water-jet machines are extremely cost effective. You can cut a shape out of a (metal) plate up to eight inches in thickness.”
The new building added 42,000 square feet for the local tool maker. The company moved in April from its former facility at Delaware County Road 400 South near Indiana 67, which is now being used by Filtrec, a maker of industrial filters.
Based locally:Jones Brothers Trucking building $2 million Eastern U.S. hub in Industrial Center
Taurus Tool marked 50 years in business in June.
McDonald came to work at Taurus in 2004 and was manager before he and his wife came to an agreement to buy the business in 2010.
Diversity in product lines helped Taurus Tool stay healthy, MacDonald said.
The company was the 2017 Prototype Supplier of the Year Award winner from BorgWarner Automotive, and products for food-packaging equipment make up about 30 percent of Taurus’ business.
Taurus Tool also has aerospace contracts that include making for brackets for hanging jet engines on an airframe.
About 40% of Taurus’ business is in the automotive industry, with customers such as BorgWarner, Chrysler and Magna.
“We have a company philosophy that no one ever gets to be more than 15% of our business,” McDonald said. “That lets us ride changes in the market.”
With the larger facility and the new water-jet machinery, McDonald said he would like to hire about five more people in the near future. He credited the county commissioners and their director of economic affairs, Brad Bookout, for “absolutely” playing a role in the sale of their former building to Filtrec, freeing Taurus Tool to move into its new, larger space.
Big development:CANPACK reaches milestone in construction of mammoth Muncie manufacturing plant
There were no direct financial incentives provided by the county to Taurus.
McDonald said that maintaining good jobs at a good company was “my giveback to retain those employees and grow the company.”
"Delaware County was very pleased to be able to play a role in making this move by Taurus Tool & Engineering possible,” Bookout said in a news release. “It's truly a win-win scenario to find a new and improved home for Taurus and a new and improved home for Filtrec." | https://www.thestarpress.com/story/news/local/indiana/2022/08/30/taurus-tool-building-operations-delaware-county-indiana-business-property/65463841007/ | 2022-08-31T02:18:57 | 1 | https://www.thestarpress.com/story/news/local/indiana/2022/08/30/taurus-tool-building-operations-delaware-county-indiana-business-property/65463841007/ |
TEMPE, Ariz. — In a couple of days, Crystal will be without a home again.
For the last seven years, a tent sitting on the riverbed east of Tempe Town Lake has been her home.
“I'm comfortable here,” Crystal said. "It’s a community, we all know each other down here.”
Crystal and other unsheltered people have lived in the riverbed for years. She says the number of people has grown as trespassing violations forced homeless people out of the city's nearby parks and into the riverbeds.
Soon, trespassing violations are likely to force them out of the riverbed.
On Thursday, the city will begin enforcing trespassing violations in the area.
“Why all of a sudden is it a safety hazard when we’ve been down here for years and years?” Crystal asked.
City officials say recent floods and fires in the areas have pushed them to begin enforcing the trespassing violations.
“The city has identified this area as a health and safety concern because of the hazards with the river bottom," said Paul Bentley, Tempe's deputy human services director.
The city has set up a resource area for homeless people impacted to talk with resource providers. Bentley said the goal is to get people living in the river bottom into better situations.
Tempe says the services they are offering include: replacing IDs, working with the city’s housing navigator to try and find permanent housing, reconnecting people with their family members, helping to reconnect a person with their mental health provider, connections to medical care, and job training.
“The city’s goal is to end homelessness," Bentley said. "What we mean by that is to make it rare, brief, and one time.”
That includes potential temporary homes. However, the city says the number of available beds in Tempe is in short supply.
“We have about 16-20 beds that are within the city of Tempe,” Bentley said.
The city says they have partners in other cities that could handle excess folks.
However, homeless advocates believe charging folks with trespassing may not be legal.
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled cities could not enforce anti-camping laws if the city did not have enough homeless shelter beds to house the homeless population.
In an email, the city says the ruling does not apply because the homeless people will be charged with trespassing and not urban camping.
"It’s all a show for the community," Crystal said.
Some unsheltered people, like Crystal, do not believe the resources available will lead to long-term solutions.
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on our 12 News YouTube playlist here. | https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/tempe-is-set-enforce-trespassing-ban-salt-river/75-a2524bad-356d-47f4-b5e4-e4a68282ec70 | 2022-08-31T02:19:47 | 0 | https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/tempe-is-set-enforce-trespassing-ban-salt-river/75-a2524bad-356d-47f4-b5e4-e4a68282ec70 |
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Many of us have found ourselves constantly thinking about the I-30 crossing project as we get to and from where we need to go— rarely do any of us give any thought to the space underneath.
Architects like James Meyer have been working to change that because they believe that the space underneath could actually be utilized.
"Are you saying we have a big blue dinosaur in the room?" Meyer, with Taggart Architects, said. "You need something that grabs people, that gets their attention, that gets them talking."
A massive dinosaur that could greet travelers on the state's busiest stretch of the interstate would certainly get people talking, wouldn't it?
The dinosaur is part of a design for what the future of the space underneath I-30 could look like.
"Come up with some great concepts for what we can do with the 20-acre park that's going to be left after the 30 Crossing project is complete," Chris East, Chairman for Studio MAIN said.
Dozens of entries narrowed down to four ideas for what the space could look like were presented to the Little Rock Rotary Club on Tuesday afternoon.
From the idea of the dinosaur to canals that would cut through the River Market, there's been plenty of vision.
"There's already a lot of park space in the River Market, which is wonderful," Heather Davis of AMR Architects, explained.
Davis represented another one of the designs and added that there's something that seems to connect every design.
"That is going to have a huge impact for years to come," she said. "So we should be excited about it, and we should be involved in making sure that it really becomes what it deserves to be."
The space – whatever it ends up as – will bridge the divide that the interstate makes, which is why even though this process is still years away, Meyer doesn't want to just sit by.
"So if we want a park, if we want a place to spend time, and really have pride in, we need to do something and we need to do it now," Meyer added.
All of the designs are just ideas – there is no guarantee that any of the designs will be chosen. East also added that nothing can happen until the 30 Crossing project is finished. | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/city-brainstorms-ideas-for-area-under-i-30-little-rock/91-67f0bdec-798b-4860-bbf5-a8146b12ccf1 | 2022-08-31T02:22:21 | 1 | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/city-brainstorms-ideas-for-area-under-i-30-little-rock/91-67f0bdec-798b-4860-bbf5-a8146b12ccf1 |
Despite there being fewer people on the road in 2020 due to COVID-19 lockdowns — total vehicle miles traveled decreased by 11% — fatal crashes increased by nearly 7% from 2019. There were 35,766 traffic incidents in the United States resulting in 38,824 deaths.
Forty-five percent of fatal crashes involved drivers who were speeding, impaired by alcohol, or not wearing a seat belt, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Across nearly every category, fatalities increased year over year. For example, bicyclist and pedestrian fatalities hit their highest point since the late 1980s. 2020 saw the highest number of deadly motorcycle crashes since tracking began 45 years prior.
To combat this worsening crisis, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced in January 2022 its National Roadway Safety Strategy. The plan leans heavily on technological changes such as requiring all new passenger vehicles to include automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, technology that can detect impairment, and automated safety enforcement programs like speed cameras to improve roadway safety and account for human fallibility.
Infrastructure will also be a primary focus. Under President Joe Biden’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, billions of dollars in grants will be awarded to states and municipalities to bolster physical improvements such as lower speed limits, safer road designs with dedicated bike and bus lanes, better lighting, and safer crosswalks.
To better understand this crisis on America’s roads and the characteristics of fatal traffic incidents, Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. examined data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 2020 Fatality Analysis Reporting System. The 2020 FARS data was released on March 2, 2022.
To be included in this data, a crash must have occurred in the U.S. (including Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico), on a roadway open to the public, and there must be a fatality related to the crash within 30 days of the incident. Crashes can be categorized in multiple groups at once. For example, a crash that involved a driver with alcohol detected in their blood where a vehicle was also speeding would be counted in both categories. | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/accident-and-incident/watch-now-motorcyclist-dies-in-two-vehicle-crash-at-highway-s-and-88th-avenue-in/article_f9015cdc-28c8-11ed-b846-d77ee5fa5af0.html | 2022-08-31T02:25:57 | 0 | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/accident-and-incident/watch-now-motorcyclist-dies-in-two-vehicle-crash-at-highway-s-and-88th-avenue-in/article_f9015cdc-28c8-11ed-b846-d77ee5fa5af0.html |
Kenosha County now boasts it has the largest Kwik Trip convenience store in Wisconsin. It has 16,000 square feet of buildings, 10 pull-through lanes for diesel fueling and air, 120 stalls for truck parking and nearly 100 parking spaces for cars and other vehicles.
The Somers Kwik Trip No. 597, Burlington Road at 28th Street, sits across Burlington Road from the Amazon Distribution center.
According to Steven Wrobel, public relations manager at Kwik Trip Inc., a typical Kwik Trip store averages about 9,000 square feet, with a two lane side canopy for diesel. The newest Somers unit includes showers, laundry facilities and a certified scale for trucks.
Preliminary work began last September, with construction completed at the end of July this year. The store opened Aug. 4 for the first time at 5 a.m. Wrobel said the site was chosen for its convenient location along the Interstate 94 corridor. It will serve travelers between Milwaukee and Chicago, as well as nearby industry and neighborhoods.
People are also reading…
800-plus locations
La Crosse-based Kwik Trip was founded in 1965. It has locations throughout Wisconsin and Minnesota under the name Kwik Trip. In Iowa and Illinois it operates under the name Kwik Star. The company also operates stores under the name Tobacco Outlet Plus, Tobacco Outlet Plus Grocery, Hearty Platter, and Stop-N-Go. It has more than 800 locations. | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/watch-now-somers-gets-largest-kwik-trip-in-wisconsin/article_791f0576-249c-11ed-8401-13240e20cf33.html | 2022-08-31T02:26:04 | 0 | https://www.kenoshanews.com/news/local/watch-now-somers-gets-largest-kwik-trip-in-wisconsin/article_791f0576-249c-11ed-8401-13240e20cf33.html |
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL)- A Greene County judge heard arguments in a post-conviction hearing in the 25-year-old Lillelid murder case.
Attorneys for Crystal Sturgill, Edward Mullins, and Karen Howell are petitioning for fingerprint analysis based on a law passed last year.
Vidar, Delfina, and Tabitha Lillelid were killed in the April 6, 1997 attack. Peter, who was 2 at the time, survived.
The 2021 law allows incarcerated people to petition to have fingerprint analysis if there is evidence that hasn’t been analyzed and could make a difference in their conviction or sentence.
The Post-Conviction Fingerprint Analysis Act under T.C.A. $ 40-30-405 allows a
Court to order fingerprint analysis if the Court finds that all four (4) of the following
elements exist: (1) A reasonable probability exists that analysis of the evidence will
produce fingerprint results that would have rendered the petitioner’s verdict or
sentence more favorable if the results had been available at the proceeding leading to
the judgment of conviction; (2) the evidence is still in existence and in such a condition
that fingerprint analysis may be conducted; (3) the evidence was not previously
subjected to fingerprint analysis, was not subjected to the analysis that is now requested
which could resolve an issue not resolved by previous analysis, or was previously
subjected to analysis and the person making the motion under this part requests
analysis that uses a new method or technology that is substantially more probative than
the prior analysis; (4) and the application for analysis is made for the purpose of
demonstrating innocence and not unreasonably delay the execution of sentence or administration of justice. T.C.A. § 40-30-405
The four attorneys in court adopted similar arguments.
“If a fingerprint analysis had been performed on the firearms at issue and had shown conclusively that Karen Howell was not the shooter and that in fact Jason Bryant was the only shooter, is there a reasonable probably that Ms. Howell would not have received the maximum possible sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole?” said William Milliken, the attorney for Howell. She was the only defendant to appear in court and did so virtually.
The representatives for Howell, Mullins and Sturgill say their sentences should be looked at because Jason Bryant is the one who pulled the trigger.
“Not testing the weapons was a strategic move by the state. It was not tested we would contend because it would have negated or reduced the state’s ability to use the death penalty as a threat to enter a plea,” said Alex Chesnut, Sturgill’s attorney.
The attorneys say they aren’t trying to prove innocence.
“The results could be probative as to who is the shooter,” said Edward Crossings, the attorney for Mullins. “The application is not being made to delay justice or to delay execution or sentence.”
Mullins’ family was in the courtroom but declined to speak with News Channel 11.
District Attorney General Dan Armstrong argues that Howell, Mullins, and Sturgill are just as responsible even though they didn’t pull the trigger.
“They’ve conceited—they don’t meet the statutory requirements because they’re not here trying to prove innocence—they’re here trying to get a break,” Armstrong said in court.
Attorneys for the defendants declined to speak on camera after the hearing.
“I don’t have to prove that they’re the ones that actually fired the weapon,” Armstrong told News Channel 11 after the hearing. “I just have to prove that they were involved in the underlying felonies, that’s called felony murder and that they under the theory of liability in criminal law, you can be guilty…just as guilty as the shooter just by participating.”
The judge didn’t make a decision on fingerprint analysis Tuesday, but is expected to do so soon. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/greene-county-judge-hears-arguments-for-fingerprint-analysis-in-lillelid-case/ | 2022-08-31T02:37:16 | 0 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/greene-county-judge-hears-arguments-for-fingerprint-analysis-in-lillelid-case/ |
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — Tourist spending in Johnson City and Washington County last year nearly equaled pre-pandemic levels and increased by 30% compared to 2020, according to the Johnson City Convention and Visitors Bureau (JCCVB).
The JCCBV said that is based on data provided by the State of Tennessee and Symphony Tourism Economics.
According to the data, visitor spending increased to $281.4 million in 2021, $65 million more than in 2020. Tourism activity generated more than $9 million in local sales tax revenue.
“We are blessed by the growth and awareness of our tourism assets that give people more reasons to visit Johnson City and Washington County over the past few years,” JCCVB Executive Director Brenda Whitson said in a release. “As consumers returned to travel after the pandemic, they discovered new ways to enjoy cities that were an easy drive with amazing outdoor assets where they could have real and authentic experiences”.
Last year, food and beverage sales increased by 31% to $112.6 million, accommodations increased by 38% to $47.7 million, and retail sales jumped 19% to $42.4 million.
According to the JCCVB, $26.4 million was spent on recreation.
“Beyond supporting local businesses, tourist spending here generated $23.3 million in state and local taxes,” Whitson said. “Tourism tax dollars generated here in 2021 reduced the impact local residents would have to pay without tourism’s benefit by $427 per household in Washington County.”
Nearly 3,800 jobs in the county were directly or indirectly connected to tourism and $120.7 million was generated in paychecks to those workers. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/johnson-city-washington-county-tourism-spending-saw-30-increase-in-2021/ | 2022-08-31T02:37:22 | 1 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/johnson-city-washington-county-tourism-spending-saw-30-increase-in-2021/ |
Blaze consumes cage, monkey escapes unscathed thanks to dog.
BULLS GAP, Tenn. (WJHL) – Early Tuesday morning, Lisa Meyer was awoken to every monkey owner’s nightmare: the shed that Griffin, her macaque, was living in was burning to the ground.
Roger Reed — who lives with Meyer — was woken up by his dog, Geisha, who led him outside to see that the hand-built enclosure that housed the 22-year-old macaque was ablaze, with flames licking the tree limbs high overhead.
“I was asleep in the recliner,” Meyer said. “And he yelled ‘Get up, Griffin’s cage is on fire!'”
At first, they thought Griffin was gone.
“He looked, and said there’s nothing you can do, he’s gone,” Meyer said, tearing up at the memory. “And that was the end of me, I was a puddle.”
In the corner of his enclosure, however, Reed spotted Griffin running back and forth trying to get out. They couldn’t go in through the burning shed, so Reed had to open a hole in his cage with bolt cutters to get him away from the flames. Griffin’s playground equipment had melted from the heat just feet away, but thanks to Geisha’s alert he was uninjured.
A Bulls Gap Fire Department crew was quick to arrive at the scene, Reed said, but the damage had already been done. Griffin’s shed was destroyed.
Meyer said she believed the fire was started by rats that chewed through power cables to one of several devices for the monkeys.
“It had to be electrical,” Meyer said. “There was a fan running and a radio running, other than that I have a timer for the lights to go out at a certain time of night. They’ve got TVs but the antennas aren’t right so they’re not turned on and watching those.”
Now she’s worried that Mazie, her other macaque, is at risk.
“I have housing inside to put them back in there,” Meyer said. “But they’ve been without diapers probably three years now. I don’t know with my back if I could do all it takes to have them inside.”
This isn’t Meyer’s first circus, however. She’s had several monkeys over the course of many years, peaking at a total of six in her home. All of her monkeys are rehomes or rescues, and she said her love of the creatures began at an early age.
“My parents bought me a monkey for my 10th birthday,” Meyer said. “Unfortunately she was sick when we bought her and she only lived a month. It’s all I’ve ever wanted was a monkey. It took me 28 years.”
Her first was Calvin, a macaque that lived with her for years before passing away of natural causes. Several of her rehomed monkeys suffered from diabetes, which Meyer said can arise in captivity.
Griffin’s enclosure was one of several throughout the Whitaker Road house that Meyer lives at, and Reed said years ago several of them could be seen riding Big Wheels children’s toys around the property before they were rehomed or passed away.
“You get one monkey,” Meyer said. “And they just keep coming.”
An important part of owning an exotic pet is ensuring that you’re doing right by the law as well as the animal, and Meyer said she’s never had a problem.
“In the state of Tennessee, unless things have changed, you have to be licensed for your bigger primates,” Meyer said. “Your gibbons, your apes, chimpanzees. The smaller monkeys you don’t. Now if I had ten or so, they might consider me a rescue and I would need to get certain permits.”
While it may be legal, Meyer said it isn’t a good idea for everyone. Most monkeys change quite a bit when they become adults, and she said getting an adult monkey can be dangerous for the inexperienced. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/monkey-survives-fire-in-hawkins-county-thanks-to-dog/ | 2022-08-31T02:37:28 | 1 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/monkey-survives-fire-in-hawkins-county-thanks-to-dog/ |
Texas regulators on Tuesday passed new rules requiring natural gas companies to winterize their infrastructure to avoid a repeat of February 2021 when much of the state lost power during a major winter storm.
The Texas Railroad Commission, which regulates the natural gas industry, is requiring companies to winterize their facilities or face fines.
Critics believe the new regulations won't fix anything because they're too lax.
"We wanted to see them make it a little easier to cross into that highest category of violation so that operators would know it's possible they could be really penalized in a significant way,” said Virginia Palacios, leader of the watchdog group "Commission Shift."
The industry could choose to pay small fines rather than spend a lot to modernize, she said.
"It means we're still uncertain. We still don't know if we could have other major power outages if we run into another extreme weather event,” Palacios said.
2021 WINTER STORM
Supporters think the new rules strike the right balance.
"This rule is about preparation,” Railroad Commissioner Jim Wright said. “It's about planning for the unknown. It's about communicating."
Wright said Texas has to protect its population but can't over-regulate.
"It is impossible to write rules or legislation to remove all risks," he said.
The Public Utility Commission passed similar regulations on power generators last October. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/new-texas-regulations-require-natural-gas-companies-to-winterize/3060761/ | 2022-08-31T02:38:56 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/new-texas-regulations-require-natural-gas-companies-to-winterize/3060761/ |
Copper Queen Community Hospital planning expansion, a boon for southern Arizona rural healthcare
Copper Queen Community Hospital in Bisbee is in the planning stages of a $10 million project to expand its surgical department.
The hospital's build-up comes at a time when some rural hospitals cannot stay open, like in the recent closure of a hospital in Green Valley. The pandemic has also magnified the desperate need for more medical professionals in rural areas, as reported by The Arizona Republic last year.
Copper Queen CEO Robert Seamon said with the hospital's current size, it is limited in services it can offer due to a lack of space. However, the hospital has big plans for its expansion and increased services it will be able to provide to southern Arizona residents.
The main hospital is in Bisbee, and it has four rural health clinics throughout Cochise County located in Douglas, Palominas, Tombstone and Bisbee. The hospital serves communities stretching from southern Sierra Vista to Douglas and Tombstone.
With the expansion, the hospital will be able to add more surgeons and expand the specialties the hospital already has, said Seamon.
“In orthopedics right now, we don’t do any total joint replacements: no hip replacements, knee replacements, etc.” Seamon said. “We don’t have the space and facilities for it, but with this new expansion we will be able to offer those services.”
The hospital also will be able to add an adjoining endoscopy unit, he said.
The surgical expansion, which should be completed over the next two and a half years, is not the only change the hospital has started implementing over the last couple years as part of its Master Facility Plan.
In mid-August, the hospital added a 3D state-of-the-art mammography unit allowing screening and diagnostic testing services, which previously would have been done in a bigger hospital in a larger area, like Tucson.
'He’s as much the pizzeria as I am':Chris Bianco calls for help for hospitalized friend
Additionally, Copper Queen Community Hospital opened a new outpatient physical therapy clinic in Bisbee, and a rural health clinic in Tombstone. The hospital also purchased a clinic in Hereford.
Every additional service a hospital provides means that patients can stay closer to home, a huge benefit when a barrier to health care access is often transportation, according to experts in the industry.
“Transportation is difficult even for us to provide local access to care,” Seamon said. “When you have to go to Sierra Vista, Tucson or Phoenix, that can be a real heavy burden on people.”
Tucson, which has the bigger hospital, is about an hour and a half drive from Bisbee and an additional half hour from Douglas.
The Copper Queen Community Hospital is trying to keep care local, Seamon said.
This is exemplified not only through rural health clinics spread out through the county but also the hospital's visiting medical professionals.
Seamon said the hospital has physical therapists that visit patients in their homes, as well as a visiting nurse program based out of Douglas that allows nurses from the Douglas rural health clinic to also visit patients in their homes.
Funding for the surgery unit expansion comes from a USDA grant that the hospital’s foundation, the Copper Queen Community Hospital Foundation applied for. Previous expansion activities came from money the hospital already had available, according to the hospital.
More:Lawmakers will tour Arizona prison after concerns raised by Republic reporting
The need for new hospital facilities was made clear a few years ago when the facility's aging buildings needed to be replaced, Seamon said, noting some buildings were constructed 30 years ago.
The hospital also conducted a community health needs assessment to discover what the community requires in regard to health care. Mental health services and basic primary care services were at the top of that list.
Seamon also highlighted the high prevalence of diabetes in the community and a need for colon cancer screenings, cervical screenings and mammograms.
To address the mental health needs, Seamon said the hospital has a psychiatric nurse practitioner and the organization is searching for another mental health provider.
Retention, recruitment are the ‘biggest challenges’ to rural healthcare
Copper Queen Community Hospital seems to be bucking the national trend of rural hospital closures.
Dr. Daniel Derksen, a public health professor and the Walter H. Pearce Endowed chair and director of the Arizona Center for Rural Health at the University of Arizona, said states that have not expanded Medicaid eligibility tend to have higher rates of rural hospital closures.
While Arizona has expanded its Medicaid eligibility, Derksen said that Texas, which did not expand the eligibility, has one of the highest rates of rural hospital closures in the country.
When hospitals treat patients without health insurance, the medical institution must absorb that uncompensated care, he said.
Derksen noted that Arizona is lucky enough to have expanded access to Medicaid helping people who cannot afford private insurance. This has been helpful during the pandemic when many people lost their jobs and subsequently their job-sponsored health insurance.
However, because Medicaid does not pay as much a private health insurance the hospitals with lot of patients that depend on public insurance programs “tend to be hospitals that struggle with having a positive fiscal margin,” Derksen said.
Derksen noted that successful rural hospitals, like Copper Queen Community Hospital, tend to expand their revenue portfolio by including more outpatient or ambulatory services and having federally designated rural health clinics.
These clinics tend to be affiliated with critical access hospitals, like the Copper Queen Community Hospital. One benefit to being a critical access hospital, is access to better compensation from public payers like Medicare and Medicaid, Derksen said.
According to Derksen, retention and recruitment are some of the biggest challenges in the field of rural healthcare.
When a rural hospital loses just one intensive care unit nurse, a physician or general surgeon, that can often make or break the ability of the hospital to stay open, he said.
In addition, he said with all the state’s medical schools based in Tucson or near Phoenix, as well as the location of “lucrative” medical positions also located in those cities, rural areas are often left underserved and with a lack of health care providers.
Because the schools are located in these bigger cities, and schooling for health care professionals is long. This means that young medical professionals are often building community and building their lives in these places, making them less likely to leave and work in more rural areas of the state, “where they are needed most,” Derksen said
One solution, he said, is adding community-based experiential learning to the students' medical training.
Students would receive a portion of their training in rural communities “to better match where people get their health profession’s training with where they are needed,” Derksen said, adding that balancing training in the big cities with training in rural areas, increases the likelihood health professionals will stay in more rural communities.
To help put medical professionals where they are desperately needed, the state offers medical students at Arizona’s medical schools scholarships for promising to work in rural Arizona, as reported by The Republic in 2019.
Coverage of southern Arizona on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is funded by the nonprofit Report for America in association with The Republic.
Reach the reporter at sarah.lapidus@gannett.com.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2022/08/30/copper-queen-community-hospital-planning-expansion/7941694001/ | 2022-08-31T02:42:55 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2022/08/30/copper-queen-community-hospital-planning-expansion/7941694001/ |
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Beaverton burger lovers received some bad news on Tuesday involving a popular fast food chain.
City leaders announced that they have denied In-N-Out’s application to build a new restaurant within city limits.
KOIN 6 News has learned that the decision to block the building of In-N-Out on Beaverton Hillsdale Highway near SW 107th is due to traffic.
However, Beaverton leaders have suggested building an In-N-Out location at Washington Square instead. | https://www.koin.com/local/city-of-beaverton-denies-in-n-out-application/ | 2022-08-31T02:49:32 | 0 | https://www.koin.com/local/city-of-beaverton-denies-in-n-out-application/ |
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Authorities have identified a man suspected of threatening a woman with a gun — leading to a six-hour standoff with police.
The incident began at the Greenburg Apartments around 6:10 p.m. on Friday, where Tigard police say 36-year-old Jacob Gorham threatened a woman in an apartment with a gun. She and another witness were able to get out safely on their own.
Over the next few hours, law enforcement tried to talk to Gorham via calls, text messages and loud hails on a megaphone. Nearby residents were told to shelter in place.
Around 12:30 a.m. Saturday the man came outside and was taken into custody to the Washington County Jail. He’s facing attempted rape, unlawful use of a weapon and menacing charges. He is also being held on an existing, outstanding warrant.
The Washington County Tactical Negotiations Team, Crisis Negotiation Unit and an officer from the Washington County Mental Health Response Team responded to the scene. | https://www.koin.com/local/washington-county/suspect-identified-after-6-hour-standoff-with-tigard-police/ | 2022-08-31T02:49:38 | 0 | https://www.koin.com/local/washington-county/suspect-identified-after-6-hour-standoff-with-tigard-police/ |
TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas — The Travis County Commissioners Court on Tuesday voted unanimously to raise wage to County employees to $20 an hour.
"A lot of employees have been waiting a long long time to make more and survive in this community," said Precinct 4 Commissioner Margaret Gómez. "Let's make an investment in our employees."
The new wage is set to go into effect on Oct. 1. Currently, Travis County employees are on a $15 minimum wage.
Commissioners also approved a 5% pay increase for County employees across the board.
Other pay increases include a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for retirees, as well as an increased entry-level salary for corrections officers – up 6.7%, to $50,000. The minimum salary for deputies will rise to $63,000 – a 14.1% increase.
Around $48 million will be dedicated to the costs of all compensation increases.
The move follows an almost identical move by the Austin City Council last week, which also voted to pass a budget that included a minimum wage increase to $20 an hour.
In addition to the increase, the Austin city manager has been directed to develop a plan each year to reach a minimum wage of $22. After that is reached, the average of the annual increases in the Consumer Price Index in Texas will be used to increase the rate each year.
PEOPLE ARE ALSO READING: | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/travis-county-employees-minimum-wage-increase/269-b8ebd2cd-1e12-4169-862c-d694a2f47b90 | 2022-08-31T02:56:31 | 1 | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/travis-county-employees-minimum-wage-increase/269-b8ebd2cd-1e12-4169-862c-d694a2f47b90 |
Several schools within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia are missing vital textbooks due to a system “backlog” a week before the start of the school year, educators say.
Archdiocese officials say the lack of books is due to a backlog with Non Public Information System, a web-based application for school’s to order instruction material for non-public schools.
“All the private schools in the area are in the same situation. All of the local public school districts, they all have their books. Every private school in the area, no one has their books,” Saints Colman-John Neumann Principal Kelly Ciminera said Tuesday night.
The rush is on to get much-needed textbooks to the private school in Bryn Mawr.
Classes start next week for Archdiocesan schools, and Ciminera told NBC10 they won’t have the hundreds of reading, math, and science books for the first day. And most likely won’t have them for the first couple of weeks of the new school year.
“Everything is backlogged,” Ciminera said. “I don’t think they have enough employees to help get through all of the amount of orders to be approved.”
Ss. Colman-John Neumann isn’t alone; Ciminera believes there are dozens of elementary school in the archdiocese going through the same struggles.
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The Pennsylvania Department of Education said it’s working on the fixing the issues as fast as possible.
“The Department fully understands the urgency associated with ensuring schools have textbook materials, and staff have been working around the clock, processing hundreds of orders each day,” Casey Smith with the Pennsylvania Department of Education said.
“We’ve sent emails to parents. We’ve sent links for parents to email and reach out to their local representatives, it seems to be helping a little bit, but there’s no books in sight at all,” Ciminera said.
The archdiocese said they, too, have been in contact with state representatives.
“An Archdiocesan representative working with the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference (PCC) has spoken to the Acting Secretary of Education numerous times since last Friday regarding the Non Public Information System (NPIS) backlog,” Kenneth Gavin said in an email. “In addition, many state representatives and senators, as well as local elected representatives throughout the five county region have contacted the Secretary of Education and Governor Wolf regarding this issue. As a result, we are beginning to see positive momentum.”
Officials with the archdiocese said they believe the textbook orders should be approved in the next several business days. They say they did order the books on time, so that’s not the issue. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/several-catholic-schools-without-textbooks-ahead-of-school-year/3349599/ | 2022-08-31T02:56:45 | 1 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/several-catholic-schools-without-textbooks-ahead-of-school-year/3349599/ |
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Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/tale-of-two-miracles-men-reunite-after-fighting-for-their-lives-in-del-hospital/3349433/ | 2022-08-31T02:56:51 | 1 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/tale-of-two-miracles-men-reunite-after-fighting-for-their-lives-in-del-hospital/3349433/ |
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