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The overall operational health of Gracedale appears to be improving, Northampton County Council heard during meetings Thursday at which council still introduced an ordinance that would pay for a study on the nursing-home operations.
Council also is considering examining the salaries of county workers and raising the pay for the future county executive, controller and council members by double-digit percentages.
Council introduced several ordinances Thursday evening but took no action on the items. Discussion and possible votes could happen Sept. 15.
Gracedale saw struggles amid the pandemic that included staffing shortages. The Upper Nazareth Township facility also had to follow a federal vaccination mandate for staff or lose dollars from Washington, which resulted in employees leaving the facility.
But there have been improvements in operations, administrator Jennifer Stewart-King told council’s human services committee earlier Thursday ahead of the full council session.
Medicare and Medicaid have graded Gracedale to three stars in operations and four stars in health inspections, she said, reaching marks that hadn’t been achieved since before the pandemic, she said.
“We are moving in the right direction,” she said.
Responding to committee members’ questions, Stewart-King said bonuses council approved earlier this year as part of a $14 million boost in federal pandemic relief has helped stem the employee flight. Council approved $10,000 pay boosts to workers paid out over four years.
“A lot of people stayed with us because of the bonus system,” she said. “I had people who wanted to retire but decided to stay because of the bonuses.”
Stewart-King also said the patient-per-day measure rose slightly to 2.95. The Wolf administration, which earlier this year backed off a proposed regulation that would have required nursing homes provide 4.1 hours of direct care per day, agreed to move it from the current 2.7 hours to nearly 2.8 hours.
Gracedale, which has 688 beds, had a census of 408, with 42 people on the waiting list, Stewart-King said. Council noted the smaller census appears to be helping overall.
“We are in the planning stages of trying to figure out where that number will lie,” she said of the census.
Council President Lori Vargo Heffner has urged the county to fund a study of Gracedale’s operation, which led to Thursday night’s ordinance introduction to seek proposals from outside consultants on conducting a study.
County Executive Lamont McClure said earlier Thursday he would veto the measure. “There probably isn’t a govermental entity that undergoes more regulatory review than Gracedale,” he said. “It’s astonishing that they would want to interfere now that they have turned the corner.”
The ordinances for the salaries of county executive would jump from $85,000 to $120,000 per year (about 40%); the controller’s salary would climb about 30%, from $65,000 to $85,000; and council members’ pay would rise from $9,500 to $12,000 annually, or 33%, with the council president receiving an additional $500 yearly.
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The pay hikes would become effective Jan. 1, 2024, for council members and the controller; Jan. 1, 2026, for the executive.
Council approved the pay raises earlier this year, arguing in part the salaries have not risen in years. But McClure vetoed the hike for the next executive. Council overrode his veto of an increase in council members’ salaries; the new ordinances are amendments of the initial proposals.
Council elections are held every other year, with voters deciding five at-large seats last fall. Four district seats will be up for vote in 2023. Only those members sworn in after Jan. 1, 2024, would initially be eligible for raises, according to Heffner.
The ordinance for employees’ pay will attempt to determine fair compensation based on job descriptions and comparable salaries elsewhere, Heffner said earlier Thursday.
“I think an overall review needs to be taken,” she said, noting one has not been done in years. “But I don’t think there is anything we can honestly address without getting data and information.”
Morning Call journalist Anthony Salamone can be reached at asalamone@mcall.com. | https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-northampton-county-council-20220902-huvctpobfzgf7dhjnhpx263m6m-story.html | 2022-09-02T02:42:44 | 0 | https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-northampton-county-council-20220902-huvctpobfzgf7dhjnhpx263m6m-story.html |
The search is on for a group of serial burglars suspected of stealing ammunitions and weapons from gun stores across Tarrant County in the past week, authorities say.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives says agents are working with police across the Metroplex to find the thieves behind the crime spree that began Sunday.
According to the ATF, four people stole from the Shoot Smart located at 10305 North Freeway Service Road in Fort Worth twice in two days.
After breaking into a side window, the group got away with nine guns in their first attempt Sunday morning and several magazine and boxes of ammunition on their second try less than 24 hours later.
About 30 minutes later, the group broke into Elliot White Gun Co. located at 6242 Rufe Snow Dr. #216 in North Richland Hills and stole two guns, ammunition and additional items, the ATF said.
Through early Wednesday morning, the same group tried and failed to break into businesses in Richland Hills, Grand Prairie, Arlington, Grapevine and North Richland Hills, the ATF said.
An employee at Texas Gun Experience in Grapevine says the ATF had put their staff on alert for the group. When the thieves attempted to break in Wednesday night, they couldn't get past the thick glass.
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"The ATF and local gun shops are going to do everything they can to find those folks and ensure that they're brought to justice," said Serena Milan of Texas Gun Experience. "So really, they're just creating more attention and exposure on their activities."
The ATF says the group has so far stolen 11 weapons.
Investigators say the thieves' distinctive masks and their dark-colored pickup truck and dark-colored sedan could help law enforcement track them down.
Anyone with information that can help police catch the thieves are urged to call 1-888-ATF-TIPS or email ATFTips@atf.gov. Tips can also be submitted online. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/atf-searching-for-group-behind-string-of-gun-store-break-ins-across-tarrant-county/3062844/ | 2022-09-02T02:48:26 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/atf-searching-for-group-behind-string-of-gun-store-break-ins-across-tarrant-county/3062844/ |
With the unofficial end of summer comes one of the most dangerous weekends on Texas roads.
“On holiday weekends there usually seems to be an increased number in alcohol consumption and therefore results in people getting on the roadways and more individuals driving under the influence,” said Robert Reeves, Irving Police public information officer.
Starting Friday, Reeves said Irving police will have enhanced DWI enforcement, joining others like state troopers, in tracking down and arresting impaired drivers.
In a similar initiative last weekend, the department made 15 DWI arrests.
“I know I specifically stopped a car that was doing well over 105 miles an hour down Highway 114,” Reeves said.
More than 1,000 Texans were killed by drunk drivers in 2021, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.
Just Wednesday night, loved ones gathered to remember Texas Wesleyan student Charles Trammell.
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“Charles lost his life because a coward got behind the wheel of a car,” said his mother, Shenica Trammell, at a vigil.
Charles Trammell had stopped to help classmates change a flat tire Saturday night when a suspected drunk driver hit him, knocking Trammell from an overpass, Fort Worth police said.
“Wake up, slow down, pay attention. It's happening so frequently that if it hasn't happened to someone in your direct family or network of friends, it's going to,” Reeves said.
And with an increase in those instances each Labor Day weekend, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, police reminded that there's no excuse to get behind the wheel impaired.
Last Labor Day weekend, the Texas Department of Public Safety reported that troopers issued more than 52,000 tickets and warnings and made 222 DWI arrests. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/law-enforcement-warns-of-enhanced-dwi-enforcement-ahead-of-holiday-weekend/3062766/ | 2022-09-02T02:48:33 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/law-enforcement-warns-of-enhanced-dwi-enforcement-ahead-of-holiday-weekend/3062766/ |
BOISE, Idaho —
This story originally appeared in the Idaho Press.
Though some tempers flared, and the governor made a last-minute change in the bill, Gov. Brad Little’s tax cuts and education funding bill sailed relatively smoothly through a single-day special session of the Idaho Legislature on Thursday and was signed into law before sundown.
Outgoing state Rep. Steven Harris, R-Meridian, the bill’s lead legislative sponsor, called it “pretty fun, pretty cool” that lawmakers were able to consider giving big income tax rebates to Idahoans; HB 1 calls for $500 million in one-time rebates, with a minimum of $300 for an individual or $600 for a married couple filing jointly, and the money could start going out within weeks.
The bill also permanently lowers Idaho’s individual and corporate income tax rates to a new flat rate of 5.8%, collapsing the current graduated individual income tax brackets into one while also exempting more income for lower-income taxpayers. As a result, no income taxpayer would see an increase under the bill.
But most of the attention during the one-day session was on the education funding proposal, which will earmark $410 million a year, permanently, out of Idaho’s sales tax proceeds, with $330 million of that going directly to the public school income fund for K-12 public schools, and $80 million to a new “in-demand careers” fund for higher education, community colleges and workforce training. Originally, the bill included a 3% annual inflation factor for that $410 million funding shift, but Little removed the inflator from the bill on the eve of the special session.
House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel, D-Boise, said, “Against our screaming objections, that was pulled out by Republicans at the last minute. … The only group left completely unprotected against inflation are the children.”
Little said in a statement, “I am proud of my legislative partners for confronting the substantial impacts of inflation head on by putting our record budget surplus back in the pockets of Idahoans while responsibly funding education at historic levels to ensure we are meeting our constitutional and moral obligation to Idaho students and families both in the short-term and the long-term.”
Surprising everyone, including his own staff, Little signed the bill into law immediately after receiving it, at 6:27 p.m. on Thursday. That was six minutes after the Senate adjourned and two minutes before the House adjourned.
Rep. Judy Boyle, R-Midvale, said during the House debate on the bill, “I absolutely do not like this bill in any way, shape or form. … There clearly is no emergency on school funding.”
Rep. Tammy Nichols, R-Middleton, who like Boyle voted against the bill in the House, voted in favor of it earlier in the day in committee. She told the House that politicians often say they’re doing things “for the kids” but it doesn’t end up that way. “This bill is more about giving money to education than it is about tax relief. I don’t feel that I can support it in this manner,” she said.
But just 15 House members and one senator, all Republicans, voted against the bill. Some lawmakers decried portions of the bill, but said they’d still support it.
“Our working families need immediate help right now to address the rising cost of gas prices and groceries,” said Sen. Janie Ward-Engelking, D-Boise. “Our children and grandchildren need an education system that allows them to compete in the global economy. … We’ve dug a pretty deep hole when it comes to education spending. We’ve been last in per-pupil expenditures for far too long.”
She said, “Our children are counting on us to give them all the opportunities that children in other states have. This is not the end-all. We’re not done. We have more work to do.”
During a joint House-Senate committee hearing on the bill, 15 people testified, eight of them in favor of the bill, six opposed, and one not taking a position but praising the crafting of bill’s tax provisions. “This was well done,” said Miguel Legarreta, head of the Associated Taxpayers of Idaho.
West Ada teacher Zach Borman told the lawmakers, "The truth is our students are being shortchanged and have been for some time. Educational resources are stretched too thin. Classrooms are overcrowded. Educators increasingly find themselves simply trying to fend off chaos, and exhaustion at the expense of engaging students in learning and building valuable skills."
“This is not a system working the way it should,” he said. “It's no wonder educators are leaving our profession in unprecedented numbers. The weight may be bearable for a while, but too long or too much and they will break."
Brianna Gibson, a fifth-year teacher in the Vallivue School District, said, "I am here to testify in favor of the education funding in this legislation. It’s desperately needed as a first strong step away from Idaho’s chronic underfunding of public education.”
“I’ve been questioning whether my choice of career is valued in our society anymore,” Gibson said, “…whether the voters who just yesterday rejected a bond measure in my district to help build two desperately need elementary schools in our district, truly understand and care about the impact of their vote. I’m hopeful today because of Gov. Little’s proposal."
Opponents included Lorna Mitson, who told the committee, "The school districts aren't being underfunded, they're being mismanaged."
Brian Almon told the lawmakers, “Giving back the public their tax dollars that they overpaid, I think that’s a fantastic idea. I have to oppose it because it’s tied to more funding for education.”
But state schools Superintendent Sherri Ybarra told the committee, “The passage of this legislation is the right step at the right time. It'll send a loud and clear message to Idahoans that education is a top priority. … I urge you to support this bill."
The small minority of lawmakers opposing the bill tried several parliamentary maneuvers to block it the House, but all failed. Nichols tried to send the bill to the House’s amending order, but her motion died on a 13-57 vote. Rep. Heather Scott, R-Blanchard, tried another parliamentary maneuver to split the bill that failed on a 22-48 vote. She drew repeated objections in the House for her comments, including about sexually explicit materials, critical race theory and kids graduating from school who “don't know if they're a boy or a girl.”
"The system is broken in our schools," Scott told the House. "I am not willing to give them any more money at this point, even though it means that I vote against a tax cut."
Rep. Ron Nate, R-Rexburg, debated strenuously against the bill, his voice at times rising to a shout. “The process is broken,” he declared, saying other bills should have been considered instead.
Nichols said, “This bill is more about giving money to education than it is about tax relief. I don’t feel that I can support it in this manner.”
Rep. Laurie Lickley, R-Jerome, spoke out in favor of the bill. "My voters, my constituents across the board are asking for help," she said.
Rep. Lauren Necochea, D-Boise, raised concerns about the bill in her House debate. “Idaho’s students and teachers have been last in the nation for too long,” she told the House. “Our facilities are in disrepair, classrooms are overcrowded, vacancies are hard to fill. In fact, while we were sitting in that committee hearing, I got an email from my child’s school about a vacancy that they are struggling to fill.”
She said, “This bill is clearly a response to and an end run around the education initiative. I’ve never seen a tax bill with an effective date of Jan. 3, I don’t think any of you have either.” The bill, she said, is “carefully crafted to undo the Quality Education Act,” by imposing new tax provisions that would replace it two days after it would have taken effect.
Luke Mayville, co-founder of Reclaim Idaho, the grassroots group that qualified the initiative for the ballot, said in a statement, “Even as this bill aims to subvert the Quality Education Act, it hands a major victory to Reclaim Idaho’s thousands of volunteers and supporters. It’s clear that an investment in education on this scale would never have been considered by this legislature before the Quality Education Act earned a place on the ballot.”
Necochea also said she opposes the new flat tax, because it would make a teacher or other lower-paid worker pay the same tax rate as a billionaire CEO. And she noted that the new corporate tax rate of 5.8% would be less than the 6% sales tax. “A corporation pays a lower tax rate on its profits than working Idahoans pay for food. For diapers, for medicines and for other basic necessities. Do those sound like Idaho values? It doesn’t sound like my values,” she said.
Nevertheless, she said she’d vote for the bill because of the education funding. “That’s an important first step,” she said. “Our work is not done, but it’s crucial that we do something.”
This story originally appeared in the Idaho Press. Read more at IdahoPress.com
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See all of our latest political coverage in our YouTube playlist: | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/idaho-press/special-session-big-tax-cuts-education-funding-boosts-approved/277-8611f3ea-f5bf-4adf-b866-f71b699c5899 | 2022-09-02T02:51:24 | 0 | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/idaho-press/special-session-big-tax-cuts-education-funding-boosts-approved/277-8611f3ea-f5bf-4adf-b866-f71b699c5899 |
Ricky Conway remembers his first day working for the county vividly.
It was the Tuesday after the 2011 Coconino County Fair. Conway was handed trash bags filled with paper tear-away tickets, many sopping wet from the late summer rain at Fort Tuthill. It was his job to sort red tickets from blue, and help organizers tally attendance for the time-honored event.
Conway is now the Coconino County fair manager and the man responsible for implementing the current digital ticketing system -- so no more soggy paper bits for him! He’s also been instrumental in setting up a way for visitors to pay for parking online, and this year he oversaw the launch of the fair’s mobile app (available in Google Play and Apple Stores).
What he’s celebrating this year might not be technological advances, but rather record-breaking pre-sales on tickets to the 73rd annual Coconino County Fair. The younger man sorting through soaked ticket stubs could hardly have anticipated the fully online fair, forced from the county park by COVID-19 in 2020. For that matter, he could not have imagined a fair filled with face masks, and lacking in its usual bustle of vendors and exhibitors in 2021.
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“What it looks like this year is we will have a limited supply of masks available. We will still have lots of hand sanitizer. What we’re doing is preaching protect yourself however you deem appropriate,” Conway said. "Assuming the weather is kind to us, I think this year will be a very big year for us.”
The Lion's Club Demolition Derby, which usually takes place concurrently with the carnival on fair weekend, has been canceled this year due to low enrollment. There are still fewer vendors signed up this year than in 2019, but Conway said the number has gone up dramatically compared to last year.
“The community participation is really what sets us apart from all the other amazing events in Flagstaff, you know? Like Hullabaloo and Cornucopia and Pride and all these amazing events. None of them have what we have, and that’s the community’s passion and showing in the buildings,” Conway said. “To me, that’s the most special thing about the fair, are the exhibits and the entries that the community enters.”
During the height of the pandemic, people were still invited to share projects they could ordinarily display at the fair, and put them forward for judging.
“I love that we give people an opportunity. Even when we were not able to meet in person, we had people send in pictures of the things they were making. They were making masks, they were making COVID things. We were judging those and giving out prizes. The thing we never lose sight of is that that is the heart of the fair: the community, the 4-H entries and exhibits,” Conway said.
He said as much as he’s worked to make the fair more state-of-the-art, he still honors the core ideas and traditions that lay the groundwork for the Labor Day weekend festivities.
“County fairs, through my understanding, were designed to bring the rural population and urban population together. Give the urban population an understanding of where their food comes from, agriculture and horticulture, and that self-reliance. The rural population were going to the fair to get the latest technology at the time," Conway said. "I think that part has maybe gone away a little bit more, but we’re still here to bring people together. We have the Phoenicians that come up that have not thought about any of that, then we have the exhibitors that live out in the more rural parts of the county that are there to educate.”
“It’s a different way of life, raising livestock animals," said Northern Arizona Junior Livestock Association (NAJLA) board member Mike Mangum.
This year, he’ll be headed to the fair with his two kids, one goat and a pig.
He’s in his second year serving on the board for NAJLA, the nonprofit organization that puts on the livestock auction. This year, the auction is set to get underway at 4 p.m. Friday in the Livestock Show Ring.
All year long NAJLA volunteers work to find sponsors, buyers and vendors for the animals. They bring together 4-H clubs and move panels to get the site ready.
“It’s incredible the number of people that show up to support the kids. It’s breathtaking, really,” Mangum said. “The organization of 4-H, the county and NAJLA all work together. We have different rules and standards that bring a quality experience to everyone involved."
Ultimately he echoed what Conway said about the fair bringing people together. He loves what 4-H teaches young people about responsibility, agriculture and caring for market animals. His kids love the relationships they forge with people they might not otherwise meet.
“My kids live two hours away from Flagstaff, and the Flagstaff kids live a long way from Page. They make a lot of great friendships," Mangum said.
In addition to the agricultural and horticultural staples that draw families to the fair, there is a shiny red vehicle that looks just a tiny bit like a tank.
“It’s not a tank,” said Deputy Sheriff Paul Clifton. He’s the assistant search and rescue coordinator for the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, and the vehicle is a 2016 snowcat.
Its tracks make it look like a tactical machine from G.I. Joe. With a joystick control, a front wench and a plow, it’s designed to save lives in major snowstorms and work as a communications hub for rescuers in the back country.
The machine can transport up to eight people at a time through deep snow and is specially designed to carry a litter or gurney as well.
“So a person with a shoulder injury, especially if they’re in a litter, they can’t really go on the back of a snowmobile,” said John Penna, a seasoned search and rescue volunteer and sometimes the operator of the snowcat in the field. "They can be pulled, but they’re not going to be really comfortable. This is heated. It actually has an opening where the driver and the navigator sit. There’s another couple of seats behind them, but there’s actually a hole that goes into the back that allows a litter to be brought in, and the EMT can sit right by the head of the patient and keep that communication going."
He remembered using the department’s old snowcat, an orange Delorean — yes, like Marty McFly’s, except a different kind of vehicle entirely with no flux capacitor. That tracked snow machine was donated by the community to Search and Rescue in the 1980s.
He recalled picking up a man who was snowed in at his house when he fell through a plate glass shower and needed emergency medical attention.
The newer model is just as great as the old one at traveling through extreme weather conditions (if not better). The newer controls allow it to pivot in tight spots. Ultimately, it’s still best at helping rescuers conserve energy in the field.
Sharing the new red snowcat, which is a much newer piece of technology, with families at the fair is something Penna especially enjoys.
“Really, it’s for the kids. The kids see this cool thing, they drag their parents over. It gives us an opportunity,” Penna said. “We call it preventative search and rescue -- PSAR. The idea is that we can communicate to people about how to be safe in the woods.”
A list of exhibitors that hope to bring safety and educational information to families at the fair can be found on the Coconino County Fair app. Once downloaded, the gray, green and white icon can be a portal to accessing all of the information that used to be on the fair program — and more.
“One of our challenges when we do the program is we can’t be specific about exactly who is where," Conway said. "Because of the printing, you need lead time. Things change. I just last week had to take off three or four vendors that were no longer coming. Add in new vendors. It’s hard to do that on a paper program, but with an app we can have it up to date.”
Also in the realm of new technology, Conway has borrowed a digital sign from NAU Athletics to make entering the fair a “more grand experience” for attendees. And a mechanical bull on the grounds is a new addition this year, according to the fair manager.
There’s a lot to look forward to this weekend, but Conway is already leaning in to planning for the next big fair-a-versary.
“This is the 73rd annual, so I’m looking ahead at 75 wondering how we’re going to make that one special," he said. "I don’t want to overlook 74, but I’m really excited for the big anniversary. The last one I was really excited for was the Route 66 one we did a couple of years back for the 66th anniversary.”
For more information, and to buy tickets and parking online, visit coconinocountyfair.com. | https://azdailysun.com/news/local/a-bounce-back-year-the-coconino-county-fair-returns-this-weekend/article_46a9c524-2873-11ed-8f8e-8b13a8b82fa3.html | 2022-09-02T02:55:26 | 1 | https://azdailysun.com/news/local/a-bounce-back-year-the-coconino-county-fair-returns-this-weekend/article_46a9c524-2873-11ed-8f8e-8b13a8b82fa3.html |
Northern Arizona volleyball felt like it underachieved last season, ending the year with more questions than answers.
The Lumberjacks have a better idea now of what went wrong and how to improve, and doing better each time out is what coach Ken Murphy wants to see from his team as the non-conference schedule continues.
Northern Arizona finished its season-opening tournament with a 1-2 record, starting the year at home in Rolle Activity Center with the Lumberjack Classic.
“You always like to see that," Murphy said of seeing his team grow over the weekend. "One of our goals is to get better as we move through a match or through a weekend, and I thought we did a great job at that.”
Northern Arizona opened with an early Friday match against Utah State, dropping the match in four sets -- three of which were determined by three or fewer points. The team went on to lose in straight sets that night to Michigan. Despite the losses, Murphy said there were many positives he witnessed.
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“I thought we passed, played defense and served really well," Murphy said Wednesday at practice. "I thought we were really good in those phases of the game and at a really high level against good teams. If you want to be good at something, that’s what you want to be good at. Now we have to learn to kill the ball a little bit better.”
The Lumberjacks only committed 11 receiving errors over the weekend and forced a total of 22. They also finished the tournament with a total of 23 blocks, averaging 2.3 per set and recording 11 in a weekend-closing win over Old Dominion in straight sets while holding the Monarchs to hitting just .042 for the match.
"I feel like that’s a strength for us right now and that it’s going to get better as the season goes on," Murphy said.
While the Lumberjacks showed a big block, it was the little things that stood out to the head coach.
“I think it’s important to us to make the coverage plays, the tip plays and just making sure that when things get crazy, we get the ball to an attacker," he said.
The attack, however, was heavy on one side of the court for Northern Arizona in its first looks at regular-season action. Senior outside hitter Taylor Jacobsen carried the load and then some, totaling 159 attack attempts across the three matches. Northern Arizona's second outside, Kylie Moran, finished with the second-most attempts at 79, while middles Neche Newton and Jordan Elder combined for 82.
As the weekend went on, Lumberjacks setter Kate Hatch spread the ball around more. Jacobsen had 69 attempts against Utah State across four sets, and the right side of the court tried to terminate the ball just nine times. In the win over Old Dominion, however, opposite hitter Savannah Hasson recorded four kills on 11 attempts, and the middles combined for nine kills on 23 attempts.
“We don’t want it too much to go to her," Murphy said of Jacobsen doing the heavy lifting on offense. "We know she’ll be our leader on the offensive side, but we need to balance that out a little more as the season goes on.”
Hatch isn't just finding balance on the offense. The junior set a single-match career high in digs against Michigan, tallying 16, and she finished with three blocks against Old Dominion.
Moreover, Hatch trails only libero Millie O'Ketter in total digs on the team so far this season with 36.
“I don’t think coming here she thought that was a strong part of her game, and now I think it’s hitting her that her serve and her defense are really good," Murphy said.
With confidence growing and an understanding of how to approach success, Northern Arizona heads to the Utah Valley Invitational this weekend to face teams that also are seeking to produce better seasons.
Northern Arizona plays California, which went 7-24 last season and finished at 252nd in the RPI standings, to begin the tournament with a Friday afternoon match. The Lumberjacks then play the Utah State Wolverines, a top 100 team from last season, on Saturday and close the weekend Monday against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds, who now play in the WAC after going 2-14 in 2021 in the Big Sky Conference.
And though injuries continue to plague the Lumberjacks early on, Murphy wants his team to focus their side of the court.
"We just need a little more offense, because we are playing a lot of the game at a really high level. We’re doing well in the right areas, doing the little things out there," he said.
Mike Hartman can be reached at 556-2255 or at mhartman@azdailysun.com. Follow him on Twitter @AZDS_Hartman. | https://azdailysun.com/news/local/lumberjacks-volleyball-focused-on-growth-as-nonconference-slate-continues/article_50e7f002-2a2f-11ed-8637-8702c082ea14.html | 2022-09-02T02:55:33 | 0 | https://azdailysun.com/news/local/lumberjacks-volleyball-focused-on-growth-as-nonconference-slate-continues/article_50e7f002-2a2f-11ed-8637-8702c082ea14.html |
The Northern Arizona University men's cross country team was picked first in both the Mountain Regional and national preseason polls this week. Meanwhile, the women's team came in sixth in the regional poll and 22nd in the national poll.
Last season the men's squad brought home the NCAA title after placing second at the regional meet.
The Lumberjacks return many important members of the championship team, including Nico Young, who placed 11th at the national race and second at regionals.
The women's team placed sixth at the Mountain Regionals last season, with senior returner Taryn O'Neill winning the women's race. At the national championships a week later, the team placed 23rd overall.
The Lumberjacks will open their season with their only home meet on Saturday at Buffalo Park in the 42nd annual George Kyte Classic.
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Men's tennis
The Lumberjacks are gearing up for their fall slate as they add two newcomers just ahead of the beginning of fall practices.
Maciej Bogusz added Purdue transfer Piotr Galus and true freshman Maikel De Boes to the now nine-man roster looking to reclaim a Big Sky Conference title.
"Our program has reached new heights entering national rankings last season," Bogusz said. "Maikel and Piotr are definitely high-caliber players that will help us achieve our next goals. Both of them want to play professionally, and I am looking forward to helping them achieve their dream."
Galus was born and raised in Szczecin, Poland, and has plenty of high-level experience. The sophomore has appeared in 11 professional tournament main doubles draws, as well as nine singles.
The transfer had a pair of quarterfinal professional appearances, while also reaching the semifinals of the ITF Juniors Tennispark Open in 2018. In addition, he added three singles quarterfinals, appearing in the semifinals of the Angie Cup in Puszczykowo, Poland.
De Boes is from Beveren-Wass, Belgium, and has been playing tennis since he was 6 years old. The incoming freshman started playing ITF Juniors tennis when he was 16, highlighting his juniors career with a singles ranking of No. 79, making De Boes the highest ITF ranked player Northern Arizona has ever recruited.
De Boes won two ITF juniors single tournaments along with eight doubles tournaments in his youth career. During his first year in the ATP tour he collected three ATP points and six ATP doubles points.
The Lumberjacks will begin their fall slate Sept. 16-18 at the Wildcat Invite in Tucson. | https://azdailysun.com/sports/local/nau-roundup-mens-cross-country-picked-1st-in-preseason-poll/article_a498cda8-2a1a-11ed-b5f7-1f904a23b063.html | 2022-09-02T02:55:39 | 1 | https://azdailysun.com/sports/local/nau-roundup-mens-cross-country-picked-1st-in-preseason-poll/article_a498cda8-2a1a-11ed-b5f7-1f904a23b063.html |
BOISE — Though some tempers flared, and the governor made a last-minute change in the bill, Gov. Brad Little’s tax cuts and education funding bill sailed relatively smoothly through a single-day special session of the Idaho Legislature on Thursday and was signed into law before sundown.
Outgoing state Rep. Steven Harris, R-Meridian, the bill’s lead legislative sponsor, called it “pretty fun, pretty cool” that lawmakers were able to consider giving big income tax rebates to Idahoans; HB 1 calls for $500 million in one-time rebates, with a minimum of $300 for an individual or $600 for a married couple filing jointly, and the money could start going out within weeks.
The bill also permanently lowers Idaho’s individual and corporate income tax rates to a new flat rate of 5.8%, collapsing the current graduated individual income tax brackets into one while also exempting more income for lower-income taxpayers. As a result, no income taxpayer would see an increase under the bill.
But most of the attention during the one-day session was on the education funding proposal, which will earmark $410 million a year, permanently, out of Idaho’s sales tax proceeds, with $330 million of that going directly to the public school income fund for K-12 public schools, and $80 million to a new “in-demand careers” fund for higher education, community colleges and workforce training. Originally, the bill included a 3% annual inflation factor for that $410 million funding shift, but Little removed the inflator from the bill on the eve of the special session.
House Minority Leader Ilana Rubel, D-Boise, said, “Against our screaming objections, that was pulled out by Republicans at the last minute. … The only group left completely unprotected against inflation are the children.”
Little said in a statement, “I am proud of my legislative partners for confronting the substantial impacts of inflation head on by putting our record budget surplus back in the pockets of Idahoans while responsibly funding education at historic levels to ensure we are meeting our constitutional and moral obligation to Idaho students and families both in the short-term and the long-term.”
Surprising everyone, including his own staff, Little signed the bill into law immediately after receiving it, at 6:27 p.m. on Thursday. That was six minutes after the Senate adjourned and two minutes before the House adjourned.
Rep. Judy Boyle, R-Midvale, said during the House debate on the bill, “I absolutely do not like this bill in any way, shape or form. … There clearly is no emergency on school funding.”
Rep. Tammy Nichols, R-Middleton, who like Boyle voted against the bill in the House, voted in favor of it earlier in the day in committee. She told the House that politicians often say they’re doing things “for the kids” but it doesn’t end up that way. “This bill is more about giving money to education than it is about tax relief. I don’t feel that I can support it in this manner,” she said.
But just 15 House members and one senator, all Republicans, voted against the bill. Some lawmakers decried portions of the bill, but said they’d still support it.
“Our working families need immediate help right now to address the rising cost of gas prices and groceries,” said Sen. Janie Ward-Engelking, D-Boise. “Our children and grandchildren need an education system that allows them to compete in the global economy. … We’ve dug a pretty deep hole when it comes to education spending. We’ve been last in per-pupil expenditures for far too long.”
She said, “Our children are counting on us to give them all the opportunities that children in other states have. This is not the end-all. We’re not done. We have more work to do.”
During a joint House-Senate committee hearing on the bill, 15 people testified, eight of them in favor of the bill, six opposed, and one not taking a position but praising the crafting of bill’s tax provisions. “This was well done,” said Miguel Legarreta, head of the Associated Taxpayers of Idaho.
West Ada teacher Zach Borman told the lawmakers, "The truth is our students are being shortchanged and have been for some time. Educational resources are stretched too thin. Classrooms are overcrowded. Educators increasingly find themselves simply trying to fend off chaos and exhaustion at the expense of engaging students in learning and building valuable skills."
“This is not a system working the way it should,” he said. “It's no wonder educators are leaving our profession in unprecedented numbers. The weight may be bearable for a while, but too long or too much and they will break."
Brianna Gibson, a fifth-year teacher in the Vallivue School District, said, "I am here to testify in favor of the education funding in this legislation. It’s desperately needed as a first strong step away from Idaho’s chronic underfunding of public education.”
“I’ve been questioning whether my choice of career is valued in our society anymore,” Gibson said, “…whether the voters who just yesterday rejected a bond measure in my district to help build two desperately need elementary schools in our district, truly understand and care about the impact of their vote. I’m hopeful today because of Gov. Little’s proposal."
Opponents included Lorna Mitson, who told the committee, "The school districts aren't being underfunded, they're being mismanaged."
Brian Almon told the lawmakers, “Giving back the public their tax dollars that they overpaid, I think that’s a fantastic idea. I have to oppose it because it’s tied to more funding for education.”
But state schools Superintendent Sherri Ybarra told the committee, “The passage of this legislation is the right step at the right time. It'll send a loud and clear message to Idahoans that education is a top priority. … I urge you to support this bill."
The small minority of lawmakers opposing the bill tried several parliamentary maneuvers to block it the House, but all failed. Nichols tried to send the bill to the House’s amending order, but her motion died on a 13-57 vote. Rep. Heather Scott, R-Blanchard, tried another parliamentary maneuver to split the bill that failed on a 22-48 vote. She drew repeated objections in the House for her comments, including about sexually explicit materials, critical race theory and kids graduating from school who “don't know if they're a boy or a girl.”
"The system is broken in our schools," Scott told the House. "I am not willing to give them any more money at this point, even though it means that I vote against a tax cut."
Rep. Ron Nate, R-Rexburg, debated strenuously against the bill, his voice at times rising to a shout. “The process is broken,” he declared, saying other bills should have been considered instead.
Nichols said, “This bill is more about giving money to education than it is about tax relief. I don’t feel that I can support it in this manner.”
Rep. Laurie Lickley, R-Jerome, spoke out in favor of the bill. "My voters, my constituents across the board are asking for help," she said.
Rep. Lauren Necochea, D-Boise, raised concerns about the bill in her House debate. “Idaho’s students and teachers have been last in the nation for too long,” she told the House. “Our facilities are in disrepair, classrooms are overcrowded, vacancies are hard to fill. In fact, while we were sitting in that committee hearing, I got an email from my child’s school about a vacancy that they are struggling to fill.”
She said, “This bill is clearly a response to and an end run around the education initiative. I’ve never seen a tax bill with an effective date of Jan. 3, I don’t think any of you have either.” The bill, she said, is “carefully crafted to undo the Quality Education Act,” by imposing new tax provisions that would replace it two days after it would have taken effect.
Luke Mayville, co-founder of Reclaim Idaho, the grassroots group that qualified the initiative for the ballot, said in a statement, “Even as this bill aims to subvert the Quality Education Act, it hands a major victory to Reclaim Idaho’s thousands of volunteers and supporters. It’s clear that an investment in education on this scale would never have been considered by this legislature before the Quality Education Act earned a place on the ballot.”
Necochea also said she opposes the new flat tax, because it would make a teacher or other lower-paid worker pay the same tax rate as a billionaire CEO. And she noted that the new corporate tax rate of 5.8% would be less than the 6% sales tax. “A corporation pays a lower tax rate on its profits than working Idahoans pay for food. For diapers, for medicines and for other basic necessities. Do those sound like Idaho values? It doesn’t sound like my values,” she said.
Nevertheless, she said she’d vote for the bill because of the education funding. “That’s an important first step,” she said. “Our work is not done, but it’s crucial that we do something.” | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/special-session-big-tax-cuts-education-funding-boosts-signed-into-law/article_33ee5ef8-2a3b-11ed-b41f-9f419ce23981.html | 2022-09-02T02:55:45 | 1 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/special-session-big-tax-cuts-education-funding-boosts-signed-into-law/article_33ee5ef8-2a3b-11ed-b41f-9f419ce23981.html |
LIVONIA, Mich. — Trinity Health, one of the nation's largest not-for-profit Catholic health systems, announced Thursday the agreement to acquire MercyOne is completed. MercyOne is now a full member of the Trinity Health system, based in Livonia, Michigan. The news follows an April announcement that Trinity Health signed an agreement with CommonSpirit Health to acquire all facilities and assets of Iowa-based MercyOne, including home care, hospice, and infusion locations.
“For close to 25 years, we have served Iowa communities. With MercyOne now fully part of Trinity Health, we are a stronger and more unified system that will strengthen MercyOne’s ability to serve our patients, colleagues, and communities,” said Mike Slubowski, president and chief executive officer of Trinity Health. “Health care providers across the country continue to face unprecedented challenges brought on by the COVID-pandemic, but together, we are stronger. With our shared history and Catholic mission, we look forward to continuing a legacy of high-quality care for generations to come.”
The completion of the acquisition is a highly anticipated milestone that marks a shared commitment to ensuring access to health care across Iowa. Operating as a part of Trinity Health, MercyOne will retain its name and brand while enhancing more integrated and unified care in the communities it serves.
As an example, MercyOne will transition to Trinity Health’s common platforms, including a single electronic health record, allowing patients to easily manage their care across all MercyOne services and facilities. The result is a more convenient and consistent care experience for MercyOne’s communities, according to a news release.
“Today’s closing further advances MercyOne’s Vision to provide a personalized and radically convenient care experience for Iowans and neighboring communities. We are delighted to become a full member of the Trinity Health family which will further our goal to be a more strongly connected system of health services,” said Bob Ritz, president and chief executive officer at MercyOne. “We are grateful to CommonSpirit for their support in the transition and for more than 25 years of successful partnership in Iowa. We look forward to further strengthening the Mission of MercyOne.”
MercyOne serves more than 3.3 million patients each year. It consists of 16 medical centers, and 27 affiliate organizations and more than 420 care sites with a range of health and wellness offerings such as provider services and urgent care. More than 20,000 people are employed by the system, 2,000 of those doctors and providers.
Trinity Health's facilities span 25 states. Since 1998, the Iowa-based regional health system has been under a joint operating agreement between Trinity Health and Catholic Health Initiatives, which is now CommonSpirit.
Previously, both organizations had a 50% ownership stake in the Northeast Iowa health care facilities, including Elkader. CommonSpirit Health owned the central Iowa facilities while Trinity Health owned those in Sioux City, Mason City, Dubuque and Clinton. MercyOne operated hospitals and other facilities in Waterloo, Cedar Falls and Oelwein. | https://globegazette.com/news/local/trinity-health-completes-acquisition-of-mercyone/article_23a8da76-9fd1-5846-a938-e354ce1a3f86.html | 2022-09-02T03:05:43 | 1 | https://globegazette.com/news/local/trinity-health-completes-acquisition-of-mercyone/article_23a8da76-9fd1-5846-a938-e354ce1a3f86.html |
SEATTLE — Seattle businesses are funding the cleanup of several downtown streets to help kickstart recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Metropolitan Improvement District (MID) is adding 18 new cleaning trikes to their fleet. The trikes are to help clean team ambassadors get to issues quicker.
Ambassadors clean up graffiti, trash of all kinds and hazardous materials. They often start clean-up early in the morning.
In the last year, the team cleaned more than 1.4 million gallons of trash. The trikes were bought as part of the MID's $15.5 million budget. "So each new trike costs about $2,500 to $3,000 dollars per trike," said Jennifer Casillas with Metropolitan Improvement District.
All MID's services are funded by business owners. Sandy Lew-Hailer has been the Owner of Sandylew in Downtown Seattle for 14-years.
"For about three years we called ourselves the urination destination," said Lew-Hailer. Her storefront looks far different these days. "They wash it down, including the sidewalk, it's a miracle."
The team is filling a gap within the city to ensure tourists and locals feel welcome.
"It's like a garden, it needs to look like somebody loves it. The whole city needs to feel like somebody loves it," said Lew-Hailer. | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/downtown-seattle-businesses-pay-street-cleanup/281-c604ae50-766a-47be-88cc-3b3a91f12d92 | 2022-09-02T03:06:04 | 1 | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/downtown-seattle-businesses-pay-street-cleanup/281-c604ae50-766a-47be-88cc-3b3a91f12d92 |
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Central Arkansas Development Council will be distributing USDA commodities across Pulaski County on Thursday, September 15 at 9 a.m.
All individuals must present identification prior to receiving commodities— a photo ID is preferred. Individuals must meet income requirements to qualify.
Food items available may include UHT milk, grapefruit juice, canned pears, cream of mushroom soup, lentils, egg noodles, Farina cream of wheat, and beef stew.
These goods will be distributed at the following locations:
- St. Mark Baptist Church,5722 W. 12th Street in Little Rock
- Wrightsville City Hall, 13022 Hwy 365 South in Wrightsville
- St. John Baptist Church, 2501 S. Main Street in Little Rock
- First Baptist Church, 15320 Alexander Rd in Alexander
- City of Refuge Community Church, 6811 S. Brook view in Little Rock
- Mt. Nebo A.M.E., 4904 Frazier Pike in College Station
- First Baptist Church, 24100 Barton St. Woodson
For more information, please visit the CADC's website. | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/outreach/cadc-distribute-usda-commodities-pulaski-county/91-49d810f8-16e7-47fa-ad5d-7fc17b32d66d | 2022-09-02T03:26:06 | 0 | https://www.thv11.com/article/news/local/outreach/cadc-distribute-usda-commodities-pulaski-county/91-49d810f8-16e7-47fa-ad5d-7fc17b32d66d |
GREENSBORO — The Greensboro Batting Center has offered to buy the Monticello Community Center in Browns Summit from Guilford County.
The 6.65-acre site was a former elementary school before it was demolished several years ago, leaving a gymnasium, baseball field, parking area and water tower. It’s located near the intersection of Old Reidsville Road and N.C. 150 East.
The Greensboro Batting Center, which offers baseball and softball training, offered to pay $100,000 for the property, said Eric Hilton, the county’s director of facilities, parks and building management.
In a presentation to Guilford County commissioners on Thursday evening, Hilton said the assessed value of the property and building combined was $236,000.
The county had leased the property to the Browns Summit Youth Association for $1 a year, but the group ended the lease in 2021, saying it no longer was interested in using the property.
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Hilton said staff considered the $125,000 to $150,000 needed to repair the building and make it handicapped accessible. He also said the parks department did not see a use for the land and recommended selling the property.
Commissioners, however, were concerned that the public wasn’t being given proper notice that the property was for sale.
“I have had a call regarding this,” Commissioner Katie “Kay” Cashion said, “and they wondered why the general public did not know that this property was available for sale.”
Hilton said the county had not formally offered the property for sale when the Greensboro Batting Center approached it with the purchase offer.
Rick Mosher, the county’s real estate property manager, said the county is required to post on its website for 10 days that it has property for sale. That allows time for upset bids to be filed, he explained.
“If we accept their offer tonight, they would have five days to put in their 5% earnest money,” Mosher said.
Once the county receives the money, there is a 10-day period that includes weekends but not holidays for others to bid on the property.
But Commissioner Alan Perdue said it was unlikely many people would see the notice on the county’s website.
“I’m not sure how many people are going to actually cruise through the Guilford County website looking for an upset bid,” Perdue said.
Still, Cashion thought informing the public would be prudent.
“I think we should go ahead and post a sign on the property,” Cashion said. “There might be someone in the community out there who’s been thinking about this property for another use for some time and may be surprised to know that it has been sold in two or three weeks and they didn’t know about it being available.”
While putting a notice on the county's website meets statutory requirements, County Attorney Andrea Leslie-Fite said, “there’s nothing prohibiting us from going above and beyond that.”
Taking into account the upcoming Labor Day holiday, Mosher said he thought a sign announcing the sale and bid process could be posted on the property next week.
Commissioners unanimously agreed to accept Greensboro Batting Center’s offer and authorized the upset bid process.
****
In other action on Thursday:
• The board agreed to use $148,040 of county money to annually fund two “navigator” positions at the Guilford County Family Justice Center. A state grant previously paid for the positions, which help victims of domestic and sexual violence seeking assistance from the center. However, county documents indicate 2022 state allocations for victims of crime decreased 66%, going from $103 million to $64 million, making the grant application process very competitive. This time, Guilford County did not receive the grant funding.
• The board learned that Guilford County has nearly exhausted all of its Emergency Rental and Utilities Assistance funding. It has spent $40 million and has about $8 million left that will be expended in the coming weeks, Social Services Director Sharon Barlow said. “We have been able to speed up our payment process,” she said, “and have been able to really successfully help a lot of people.”
• The board learned that all counties in the state will receive less reimbursement for Medicaid expenses. Barlow said Guilford County will receive 3.1% less — or $1.3 million. The reduction stems from new reporting requirements from the Federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. | https://greensboro.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/guilford-county-plans-to-sell-monticello-community-center-in-browns-summit/article_f7f9a76e-2a25-11ed-8ec1-f344e1626ef1.html | 2022-09-02T03:27:26 | 0 | https://greensboro.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/guilford-county-plans-to-sell-monticello-community-center-in-browns-summit/article_f7f9a76e-2a25-11ed-8ec1-f344e1626ef1.html |
HARRISBURG, Pa. — After months of negotiating, nursing home employees across Pennsylvania are set to go on strike in the morning of Friday, Sept. 2.
The strikes will impact 14 nursing homes across the commonwealth, including three in South Central Pa. Two in Harrisburg, Meadows at West Shore and Meadows at Blue Ridge and Rose City Health and Rehab in Lancaster are preparing for the strike.
“Since COVID, nursing home workers do the most dangerous job in the country," said Matt Yarnell, the president of SEIU Healthcare of Pennsylvania.
Yarnell says the union is working to ensure $600 million in state funding is invested towards improving job standards and addressing the staffing shortage at nursing homes.
“Our members are fighting for $16 an hour minimum wage for all the ancillary folks working at nursing homes," Yarnell said. "For nursing aides, we’re fighting for $20 an hour, and for LNPs [licensed practical nurses] $25. Two is health insurance, this is a workforce who really can’t afford to cover their families.”
However, an agreement with Comprehensive Healthcare and Priority Healthcare has yet to be reached, leading union leaders to accuse the companies of negotiating in bad faith.
“We know that our providers have the resources to treat these employees the way they deserve to be treated and they’re making a conscious decision not to do it," said Yarnell.
In a statement, SEIU Healthcare of Pennsylvania says that no healthcare worker wants to strike; however, they want to provide more resources for nursing staff and giving nursing home residents better care.
“We’ve come so far and gotten so much to line up the resources," said Yarnell. "Now it’s time to get those resources to the bedside.”
The union reached an agreement with Guardian Healthcare. The company had 10 other nursing homes that were set to join the striking efforts.
Facility managers say they have "contingency plans in place to avoid any disruption in care to residents." | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/nursing-home-pennsylvania-strike-southcentral-lancaster-harrisburg/521-4b28ff3e-8654-4155-890a-597471ba967b | 2022-09-02T03:29:27 | 1 | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/nursing-home-pennsylvania-strike-southcentral-lancaster-harrisburg/521-4b28ff3e-8654-4155-890a-597471ba967b |
Wilkinson Boulevard bridge to be replaced
The 89-year-old Wilkinson Boulevard bridge connecting Gaston to Mecklenburg County is going to be replaced as part of a $56 million project set to begin next summer.
The bridge, which is currently four lanes, will be replaced with a six-lane bridge that will have multi-use paths for cyclists and walkers on either side of it. The new bridge will also be higher, which will allow better clearance for boats on the Catawba River, said D.O.T. spokesman Marcus Thompson.
A six-lane bridge is meant to reduce congestion on Wilkinson, which is six lanes wide on the Gaston side of the bridge and five lanes wide on the east side of the bridge.
The project is scheduled to start in July and to take three to four years.
In order to allow people to continue to cross from Gaston to Mecklenburg County, the project will be completed in phases, Thompson said. During the first phase of the project, traffic will still use the existing bridge while the replacement is being built to the north.
The first stage will involve the construction of four lanes on the new bridge.
Then, when those four lanes are complete, traffic will be shifted to the new bridge and the existing bridge will be removed, Thompson said. During the second stage of the project, workers will widen the new bridge to six lanes, which will eventually allow for three lanes of traffic in each direction, with a raised median and a path on both sides of the bridge.
The project also includes a modification to the intersection of Wilkinson Boulevard and Catawba Street, Thompson said. The plan is to eliminate left turn lanes and replace them instead with a separate lane that allows for a U-turn.
The state plans to include a path for cyclists and walkers not just on the bridge, but on both sides of Wilkinson and on Catawba Street. The path will connect Gaston College's Kimbrell Campus to Loftin Riverfront Park and the Iswa Nature Preserve.
Belmont City Manager Adrian Miller said that Belmont city officials have been asking the state to replace the bridge for years.
"We're excited that it's going to be a six-lane bridge. Each of the lanes will be wide enough to safely handle the volume of traffic and truck traffic," Miller said. "Anyone who has driven on that bridge knows the lanes are narrow, and it's kind of scary. It's ostensibly a four-lane bridge, but it kind of functions as a two or three lane bridge because people kind of ride over those white lines."
He said that city leaders are also excited about the paths for walking and cycling at the side of the bridge.
"It's a really well thought out bridge. It's a great design," he said.
The state originally approved funding for the project back in 2017, but that funding was delayed, first in 2019, and again in 2020 after the COVID-19 pandemic began. The state re-approved funding for the project in 2021.
Reporter Kara Fohner can be reached at 704-869-1850 or at kfohner@gannett.com. Support local journalism by subscribing here. | https://www.gastongazette.com/story/news/local/2022/09/02/belmont-n-c-bridge-replaced-nc-department-transportation/7940872001/ | 2022-09-02T03:30:16 | 0 | https://www.gastongazette.com/story/news/local/2022/09/02/belmont-n-c-bridge-replaced-nc-department-transportation/7940872001/ |
WATERLOO – A juvenile male suffered non-life-threatening gunshot wounds to his arm and back Thursday evening in Waterloo, said Lt. Michael Girsch.
Police responded to a call for shots fired at about 7:45 p.m. and found “ballistic evidence” near the B&R Quality Meats building where Park Road, Utica Street, Harrison Street and Oak Avenue intersect, according to Girsch.
GILBERTVILLE – Authorities have found a body believed to be that of a missing man in a woode…
At about 8:15 p.m., officers were seen with flashlights looking around that area, which is believed to be where the male was injured before being transported by a private vehicle to UnityPoint Health-Allen Hospital.
The case is under investigation. No one has been arrested, and the incident is believed to have been isolated.
PHOTOS: Columbus Catholic vs. Dike-New Hartford football
I've covered city government for The Courier since August 2021. I'm a Chatham, NJ native who graduated from Gettysburg College in 2018 and previously worked for publications in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Offers were seen with flashlights looking around the area near the B&R Quality Meats building where Park Road, Utica Street, Harrison Street and Oak Avenue intersect. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/one-juvenile-injured-in-waterloo-shooting/article_822a5876-4f5c-5166-8945-21fe19611db2.html | 2022-09-02T03:44:55 | 0 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/one-juvenile-injured-in-waterloo-shooting/article_822a5876-4f5c-5166-8945-21fe19611db2.html |
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Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/wolf-announces-month-long-pa-marijuana-pardon-project/3352168/ | 2022-09-02T03:47:22 | 1 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/wolf-announces-month-long-pa-marijuana-pardon-project/3352168/ |
MICHIANA SHORES — One man was killed and another was flown to a regional trauma center after a stabbing in Michiana Shores Thursday morning, according to the LaPorte County Sheriff's Office.
Just after 9:20 a.m., Thursday, LaPorte County Sheriff Deputy Justin Phillips met Long Beach police at a residence in the 300 block of Groveland Trail, in rural Michiana Shores. Upon arrival, Long Beach Police Marshal Mark Swistek told Phillips two men had been stabbed.
A "person associated with the incident" had already been detained by Swistek, according to the sheriff's office.
Denis Earley, 64, died from his injuries. The sheriff's office said John Earley, 73, was taken to a nearby hospital and later flown to a regional trauma center.
The suspect detained at the residence was in the LaPorte County Jail as of Thursday night. The sheriff's office said the suspect's identity is being withheld at this time. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/laporte/1-man-killed-1-man-flown-to-trauma-center-after-stabbing/article_882cd2ee-0a3f-59fe-a94e-ddb199019859.html | 2022-09-02T03:51:00 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/laporte/1-man-killed-1-man-flown-to-trauma-center-after-stabbing/article_882cd2ee-0a3f-59fe-a94e-ddb199019859.html |
MICHIGAN CITY — It took one year to build the $34.5 million GAF distribution center here but two years to hold a grand opening because of COVID, plant manager Matt Hannon said.
It’s GAF’s second major investment in the city but might not be its last. The roofing materials production facility in Michigan City, which dates to 2000, is worth about $300 million, CEO Jim Schnepper said.
GAF is the largest roofing and waterproofing company in the world, according to its website.
“This community is amazing. The people here are amazing,” Schnepper said.
Michigan City’s proximity to major markets is important to GAF. “Manufacturing is the core of the Midwest. It’s what supports the core and the growth,” said Schnepper, who grew up in southern Illinois and Chicago.
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“You guys are in a great location,” he said. “We’ve doubled this business in five years.”
GAF has plants across the country. Its San Jose, California, plant is the first to produce GAF’s solar roofing product. “Our solar installs the same as these shingles. That’s the beauty of it,” Schnepper said.
When solar panels are put on a roof, it’s usually done on a new or nearly new roof. GAF’s product builds the solar material into the roof itself.
Another GAF innovation is recycling asphalt shingles.
Typically, roofing materials are landfilled when they’re removed from buildings. Landfills are filling up, though. GAF will recycle up to 90 percent of a shingle and use it to produce new shingles, Schnepper said.
“You’ll see a lot of innovation coming out of GAF now,” he said.
The distribution center is a key facility for the company. “It’s heavy material. You want it close to the market,” Schnepper said.
The 200,000-square-foot distribution center sits on 27 acres. Building Commissioner Sue Downs said it might be the most concrete she’s ever seen used on building project.
Supply Chain Manager David Bubb said the facility uses more than 20 forklifts. They’re equipped with tablets using Wi-Fi to quickly locate products inside or outside. “It’s a vast property, and you don’t want to waste time driving them all over God’s green acres.”
Trucks are loaded in under 15 minutes on average, he said. “We try to get trucks loaded quick,” he said. “We want to be truck driver friendly as much as we can.”
Katie Eaton, president of the Michigan City Chamber of Commerce, is married to a GAF employee. She is impressed with how well GAF employees are treated. She’s also impressed by how well employees treat Michigan City. “You will often find them at the Salvation Army, stuffing backpacks for Michigan City Area Schools” and other volunteer opportunities, Eaton said.
Mayor Duane Parry called the distribution center “a truly well planned, executed development.”
“GAF has played a big part in Michigan City moving forward,” he said. “This is the future of Michigan City right here. We’re glad to be a part of it.”
GAF Chief Operating Officer Randy Bargfrede said he enjoys visiting Michigan City. “It’s easy to support a group of employees like this.” | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/laporte/michigan-city/gaf-dedicates-34-5-million-distribution-center/article_c1732332-264a-5431-b1ab-ef7f5089831c.html | 2022-09-02T03:51:02 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/laporte/michigan-city/gaf-dedicates-34-5-million-distribution-center/article_c1732332-264a-5431-b1ab-ef7f5089831c.html |
BRADENTON, Fla. — A controversial homework assignment covering biases has left some middle school parents in Bradenton feeling outraged Thursday night.
What began as a homework assignment has now led Manatee County School leaders to investigate and review future homework lessons assigned at Nolan Middle School, the district said.
It began when sixth grade students were given an assignment the district says was based on a chapter in the state-approved textbook, "Discovering Our Past—A History of the World Early Ages.”
A parent said the assignment focuses on bias and includes the following sentences:
"The media is often biased and will add words that persuade you to think one way over another. Read these two statements made by reporters after the 2020 election. President Trump made claims that the 2020 election was stolen. President Trump made false claims that the 2020 election was stolen. The first sentence is just giving you information, while the second sentence leads you to believe he is wrong before you have all of the facts."
10 Tampa Bay spoke with parents who witnessed the written text in the book. One father said he was unhappy with the teachings of political biases.
"...the way this question is phrased would lead a student to believe that the media was incorrect in their assessment that the president's claims were false," he said. "I'm also unhappy that at a time when Florida is imposing so many draconian restrictions on what teachers cannot say, they would think teaching this political bias is acceptable."
Another mother said, "The political rhetoric should stay out of the classroom. This is extremely disturbing and egregious to think our kids are being subjected to the teacher’s opinions being presented as facts."
The Manatee County School District issued a statement in response to the homework assignment.
"This homework assignment does not meet the expectations of the School District of Manatee County. A thorough review of future homework lessons in this course is taking place and remaining issues related to this assignment will be addressed." | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/manateecounty/homework-assignment-media-bias-bradenton-school/67-d12ba8c3-9fc8-4059-95a2-5c0b2c0b70eb | 2022-09-02T03:51:20 | 0 | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/manateecounty/homework-assignment-media-bias-bradenton-school/67-d12ba8c3-9fc8-4059-95a2-5c0b2c0b70eb |
HOUSTON — Imagine yourself sitting on a plane at Houston's Hobby Airport as you get set to take off for a dreamy vacation in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Then: Ping. Nude photos start showing up on your phone -- and they're being airdropped from another passenger!
Yes, it really happened and the photos went to everyone on the Southwest Airlines flight, including the crew, according to CNN. The pilot wasn't amused and threatened to return to the gate if the culprit didn't cut it out.
"So here's the deal: If this continues while we're on the ground, I'm going to have to pull back to the gate, everybody's gonna have to get off, we're gonna have to get security involved and vacation is gonna be ruined," the pilot warned over the intercom. "So you folks, whatever that AirDrop thing is, quit sending naked pictures, and let's get yourselves to Cabo."
Passenger Teighlor Marsalis shot the video. She told CNN that she and her friends were waiting for takeoff when everyone received a notification of files being shared on AirDrop.
Marsalis declined but a woman in front of her showed her the photo.
Another woman got upset and told the flight attendant and they alerted the pilot, Marsalis said.
"The safety, security and wellbeing of customers and employees is the Southwest team's highest priority at all times. When made aware of a potential problem, our employees address issues to support the comfort of those traveling with us," Southwest Airlines said in a statement.
After a 10-minute delay, the flight took off for Mexico and the identification of the sneaky airdropper apparently remained a mystery. | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/naked-photos-airdropped-plane/285-d1e25221-895c-4477-b481-2b80f991b601 | 2022-09-02T03:51:26 | 0 | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/naked-photos-airdropped-plane/285-d1e25221-895c-4477-b481-2b80f991b601 |
GREAT BEND, Kan. (KSNW) — Severe weather rolled through parts of our region on Thursday evening, leaving behind trees downed and some structures damaged.
Wheatland Electric’s outage map shows they had 5,217 customers without power in the area around 9:45 p.m. That power has since been restored.
The Great Bend City Council posted on Facebook saying “Please avoid the 10th & McKinley and 10th & Washington intersections and surrounding areas due to flooding.
Law enforcement is reporting several large tree limbs down in town.
Harper Camperland in Great Bend had some campers damaged as a result of the storm.
Do you have any photos of the storm or any damage? You can send KSN photos to use on-air and online by clicking here. | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/over-5000-were-without-power-following-severe-storm-in-barton-county/ | 2022-09-02T03:51:26 | 0 | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/over-5000-were-without-power-following-severe-storm-in-barton-county/ |
CLEARWATER, Fla. — A family is remembering their 15-year-old son Thursday night…while also pushing for change.
Ethan Weiser was trying to cross the street to get to his bus stop, when he was hit and killed by a passing car.
His uncle spoke with city leaders Thursday evening about adding safety measures to the roadway, just minutes before a candlelight vigil began to celebrate Ethan’s life.
At that vigil, the community came together to smile and remember Ethan, a teen whose family says loved the Lord, anime and hogging the TV remote.
“It was always a battle on Sunday after dinner, you had to get the remote before Ethan so we could make sure we could get some football games on,” his uncle, Matt Croasmun, said.
From gaming with Ethan, to having an ice cream cone with him every Monday afterschool, it seemed like everyone at the vigil remembered the teen with a smile.
"Every time he’d open the door, he’d just go 'Howdy!'" Ethan’s choir director said. “Every single time!”
At the vigil Thursday evening, family, friends, and strangers touched by his story came out to support Ethan’s loved ones as they celebrated his life with confidence they would see him again.
“When he took that step on the road, I just knew he was in heaven already,” Ethan’s grandfather, Chuck, said. “His spirit was already in heaven…Those who believe, we know he’s in a better place.”
When the time to see Ethan again comes around, Grandpa Chuck says he already knows what he’ll say.
"'Got that ice cream cone for you,'" Chuck said, "I used to pick him up at school every Monday. He likes to go to McDonald’s to get an ice cream cone. So I’d give him an ice cream cone.”
Family members say this isn’t just about Ethan, it’s also about his impact. They’re continuing to push for more safety along Belleair road, and Ethan’s uncle is slated to speak before county commissioners at a meeting next Thursday.
He says Belleair is a county operated roadway, but we’ve also reached out to the school district for comment about potential changes.
The Pinellas County School District said the bus stop meets district and state guidelines. Ethan’s uncle says, that means it may be time to change the guidelines to make these types of areas safer. | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/pinellascounty/vigil-ethan-weiser-killed-bus-stop-safety/67-f51ec978-b7af-4f61-8f40-cf003e6b4396 | 2022-09-02T03:51:32 | 1 | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/pinellascounty/vigil-ethan-weiser-killed-bus-stop-safety/67-f51ec978-b7af-4f61-8f40-cf003e6b4396 |
WICHITA, Kan (KSNW) – Colorful foliage and falling leaves are usually associated with the months of October and November, but many in the Wichita area are noticing some trees are already showing that fall season look.
The design manager for the Hillside Nursery said all these pretty fall colors that are beginning to pop up early is because of the drought and not a good sign for many trees in Wichita.
“I know a lot of the trees around my house have been starting to turn orange and I live by a lake so you would think that would help,” said Katrin Bobbin.
Gavin Macy and Katrin Bobbin spent Thursday evening at Riverside Park they said while the leaves are falling it certainly is not fall.
“Just because of this intense heat it doesn’t feel like the seasons are changing it feels more like the season are getting more intense,” said Macy.
John Firshing with Hillside Nursery said the Wichita area had a lot of rain in May and early June which flattened out the soil around the trees, and now the roots are drying out.
“Because we have had drought for the last two and a half months and no rain at all and the ground is cracking and if you dig down to about this far say 6 inches you are going to hit dry soil,” said Firshing.
The dry soil and stressed roots resulting in the leaves falling.
“They are compromised so they are thinking it is time to shut it down because it is so hot and the roots systems on these trees,” said Firshing.
Firshing said in this drought people should be giving their trees about 15 – 20 gallons of water every two weeks.
Macy said his dad tried to keep a garden this summer and lost half of his crop.
“Like, he did everything he could to save most of the plants and it just didn’t work because it is too hot,” said Macy.
Firshing said he believes most of the trees will be able to make it through this drought. They will just look a little more dead than you would expect at this time of year. | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/wichita-trees-changing-colors-too-soon/ | 2022-09-02T03:51:32 | 0 | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/wichita-trees-changing-colors-too-soon/ |
PORTLAND, Ore. — Two abandoned ships now decorating the bottom of the Columbia River off Hayden Island are finally slated for removal, the U.S. Coast Guard announced Thursday.
For years, the decommissioned 125-foot Coast Guard cutter Alert and the 100-foot former Navy tugboat Sakarissa were moored near the Interstate Bridge along the north side of Hayden Island. They were purchased by the head of a local nonprofit to restore as a pet project, but they languished after his death and the nonprofit's dissolution.
At the end of October 2021, the Alert abruptly sank — significantly complicating any effort to finally dispose of the derelict vessel. Then the Sakarissa sank as well.
In August, the Oregon State Land Board requested $40 million in general funds to remove the hundreds of vessels littering Oregon's waterways after a succession of sunken ships and fuel spills. The Alert and the Sakarissa were at the top of the list.
Now USCG says that a plan is in place to begin removing the vessels as early as this month, thanks to an infusion of cash from the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund.
“Even though the Coast Guard oversaw the removal of thousands of gallons of diesel and oily water from these vessels in 2020, they still pose a risk,” said Lt. Lisa Siebert, Incident Management Division supervisor at Coast Guard Sector Columbia River – Detachment Portland. “We have worked closely with our State and local partners to develop an integrated plan to remove these vessels and protect the public and the environment.”
As ship hulls deteriorate and water mixes with the oil-saturated ship interiors, the Coast Guard said that the sunken vessels have been producing a sheen on the river surface around them. They also pose a collision hazard for boats moving outside of the main navigation channel.
Early this month, USCG said, they'll begin dive assessments to figure out how best to raise the two vessels and take them out. Operations to actually pull them up will take place throughout the month.
“These plans are preliminary and we will continuously assess our plan and make adjustments if needed,” Siebert said. “Throughout this response, the safety of the public and responders will remain our top priority.”
Right now, USCG has $500,000 in funding per ship to complete the removal, but previous estimates for removing just the Alert put the amount at closer to $1 million.
While the removal project is going on, USCG said that the immediate area will be closed to the public. | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/derelict-sunken-vessels-coast-guard-removal/283-9893e1ba-bcfc-4c1c-bb32-db12197078c3 | 2022-09-02T04:03:34 | 0 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/derelict-sunken-vessels-coast-guard-removal/283-9893e1ba-bcfc-4c1c-bb32-db12197078c3 |
PORTLAND, Ore. — On the day she graduated high school in June 2019, Hayle Merchant posed for a picture next to her mom. Hayle did not know it at the time, but it would be the second to last time she would see her parents.
"I just miss them so much," she said. "Why does it have to be us? I don't want this happening to anybody because it's literally the worse feeling in the world."
Hayle's mother and father, Stacy Rickerd and Jeremy Merchant, were killed in the Mt. Hood National Forest on Aug. 12, 2019. Detectives have not said much about the case, only that Stacy and Jeremy were shot to death at what is described as an improvised target shooting area.
Hayle remembers getting the phone call while driving.
"I cried," she said. "My aunt told me to pull over and I got out of the car and I couldn't stop crying."
Hayle said it was not unusual for her parents to go to the forest. They would travel there from their home in Estacada almost daily to pick up spent shell casings to turn in for cash.
"I think they were targeted," Hayle said.
Hayle said she can't pinpoint why it happened — all she knows is how difficult the past three years have been.
"Going on three years, it's hard to see all the gun violence and everything going on in the world knowing we don't have any justice for my family," she said.
CrimeStoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $2,500 for information that leads to an arrest in the unsolved case.
For Hayle, an arrest cannot come soon enough.
"It would mean everything if we could just find out who did this and why they did it," she said. "We just want to know why."
Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office, which can be done anonymously. | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/family-couple-killed-mt-hood-national-forest-awaits-arrest-case/283-ccadfff9-fb0a-465f-bde7-9a0f5451e004 | 2022-09-02T04:03:41 | 0 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/family-couple-killed-mt-hood-national-forest-awaits-arrest-case/283-ccadfff9-fb0a-465f-bde7-9a0f5451e004 |
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Police are searching for an Olympia teen who went missing Wednesday under “suspicious circumstances.”
Gabriel Davies, 16, was last seen walking alone near Tenino at about 5:30 p.m., according to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office. TCSO also received a tip that Davies was seen walking into Millersylvania State Park.
Davies left home in Olympia at about 4 p.m. to attend football practice at Olympia High School but the sheriff’s office said he never arrived.
The teen’s car was found near 171st Avenue Southeast and Tilley Road Southwest near Tenino on a private drive, according to TCSO. Davies was last seen walking northbound near Wright Road Southeast and Tilley Road Southwest, which is a few miles north of where Davies’ car was found.
Detectives said they found a small amount of blood in Davies' truck and that items were "strewn" about. Davies' cell phone was found "shattered" on the ground nearby.
TCSO Search and Rescue teams, including dogs, are searching for Davies in the Tenino area Thursday. The FBI is assisting Thurston County detectives with the case as well as the Olympia Police Department, Washington State Patrol aviation unit and rangers from the Washington State Parks Service.
TCSO authorities said in a briefing that this type of behavior is not characteristic of him and they, along with his family, are very concerned.
TCSO also said that they are very appreciative of all the tips that they have received so far as that is how they knew to look near Millersylvania State Park.
If you have immediately useful information about Davies’ whereabouts, contact dispatch at (360) 704-2740. General information can be sent to detectives@co.thurston.wa.us.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Download our free KING 5 app to stay up-to-date on news stories from across western Washington. | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/olympia-teen-missing-gabriel-davies/281-924d77a4-25bf-4b3c-a181-6e52ea063b46 | 2022-09-02T04:03:47 | 0 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/olympia-teen-missing-gabriel-davies/281-924d77a4-25bf-4b3c-a181-6e52ea063b46 |
PORTLAND, Ore. — On a quiet porch in Northeast Portland, loved ones of Rachael Abraham gathered to remember the mother of six after she was murdered in the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood on Aug. 27.
"Racheal was quiet if she didn't know you. But once she knew, you, she would talk a lot. She was very shy, but she wanted to become outgoing," said Didi Williams-Mott, who considered herself to be like an aunt to Abraham.
Abraham had a rough childhood that began in Louisiana. She moved to the Eugene area as a kid, and she and her three siblings were placed in foster care.
She met the people who she considered family while attending Lane Community College.
"It was a joy to have her around ... She was just like one of the grandkids. She came through the door, and the baby came in and we all was hugging and kissing on her," said Williams-Mott.
The extended family suffered tragedy in 2006 when Abraham's young sister was murdered in Lincoln County. The Skanner ran a story on it that featured Abraham, then 21, mourning her sibling.
RELATED: Portland domestic violence murder suspect had his bail covered by community fund a week prior
Three years later, she married Mario Abraham and they had three children together.
"Very king-hearted, loving person. Light-hearted, loved to joke around during conversations and very easy-going person," said Mario.
The marriage did not last, but Mario said they eventually worked out a friendly co-parenting agreement. He said initially, he wasn't concerned when his ex-wife began a romantic relationship with Mohamed Adan.
"Not at first. It seemed to be a normal relationship between the two. It wasn't until probably the last year or two that we learned that the relationship had started to turn abusive, and nobody really knew the extent of it," he said.
Over the last couple years, Mario said his daughters started telling him about arguments between the couple, and he could hear yelling in the house when he talked to the girls on the phone.
As the abuse continued, Mario said, the girls informed him that it was happening more frequently, and eventually the police were called to the house. When the Department of Human Services came to Mario and talk to him about the abuse, he decided to stop letting his kids go over.
Abraham and Adan had two kids of their own together. Mario said he was concerned for Abraham's safety and encouraged her to separate herself from Adan.
"And after awhile, she did. She got a restraining order and got him out of the house. But that did not stop him from contacting her," Mario said.
RELATED: Death of mother amid domestic violence case raises debate about bail funds and the bail system
Court documents show that police went to Abraham's home on May 2 of this year. She told them Adan had punched her in the head twice while she was laying on the couch. He was apparently angry about a text message Abraham received from a female friend.
Then on June 23, the police returned and were told that despite the restraining order, Adan had been at the home and was mistakenly let in by a young daughter.
Abraham reportedly told police that Adan broke her phone and prevented her from leaving the house. Court documents say he placed her in a chokehold and pressed down on her windpipe.
She told police she had been foaming at the mouth and believed she was going to pass out. She said he did this a total of five times during the night.
He was arrested, then let out of jail under the condition that he wore a GPS monitor. He was arrested again July 26 for removing his GPS monitor and returning to Abraham's home.
These abuse allegations were available to the public following Adan's arrests.
At a bail hearing for Adan on Aug. 19, a judge set his bail at $20,000. The next day, the a community bail fund called the Portland Freedom Fund paid to set him free.
Seven days later, he was arrested and charged with second-degree murder for Abraham's killing.
"When I found out the news that they had bailed him out, it was pretty unbelievable," said Mario. Given the rap sheet that he had with violent acts towards her, its just — I don’t know how any more negligent you can be regarding someone’s safety."
Williams agreed.
"The Portland Freedom Fund hurt us tremendously. We can never get her back. Never. There’s not enough apologies for us to get rid of that pain that we have," she said.
Williams said she supports the idea of helping people of color make bail for nonviolent crimes, but given Adan's record, she thinks the Portland Freedom Fund should be accountable for Abraham's death.
"I definitely believe they caused it. If they had not bailed him out of jail, she would be alive today." | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/the-story/family-blames-portland-freedom/283-158a44ee-529b-4976-944b-f797f5c093a9 | 2022-09-02T04:03:53 | 0 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/the-story/family-blames-portland-freedom/283-158a44ee-529b-4976-944b-f797f5c093a9 |
ONTARIO, Ore. — A wildfire has closed Interstate 84 near the Oregon, Idaho border Thursday afternoon, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) reported.
The interstate's eastbound lanes were closed Friday afternoon 6 miles east of Pendleton and into Ontario, ODOT said. Officials said the westbound lanes were closed between Ontario and Baker City.
Officials said crews are fighting the blaze but high winds are creating challenges.
Traffic is backed up on the interstate and officials are urging people to refrain from blindly following apps that could lead people onto unsuitable remote roads. No viable detours were available, officials said.
The closures could last several hours, officials said.
For the latest traffic conditions, check TripCheck.com. | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/wildfire/wildfire-interstate-84-closed-oregon-idaho-border/283-515597fa-47d9-4056-9f93-eae818b9899b | 2022-09-02T04:03:59 | 0 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/wildfire/wildfire-interstate-84-closed-oregon-idaho-border/283-515597fa-47d9-4056-9f93-eae818b9899b |
DALLAS, Texas — Thursday marked the first anniversary since Texas' controversial law, SB 8, was put into effect by Gov. Greg Abbott.
The bill, which would later trigger an abortion ban in Texas following the U.S. Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade, at the time was one of the more extreme pieces of anti-abortion legislation in the country.
Dubbed the "heartbeat bill," the law banned abortions after six weeks or after a heartbeat is detected in a fetus.
It gave the green light for private individuals to sue anyone who performs or assists a post-heartbeat abortion for a minimum of $10,000 in statutory damages per abortion, plus court costs and attorney fees.
That part of the bill kept doctors statewide in constant paranoia. Many wouldn't even discuss abortions for fear of being sued.
For one Dallas mother, who WFAA is only identifying as "J," she witnessed that firsthand.
In September of 2021, she became pregnant. She was already a mother of two and wanted another child.
Around the 16-week mark, she and her partner already knew the sex of the child and had settled on a name -- Ava.
"All of our girls have 'A' names," J said. "Ava means bird or lively. We went through many names on Google and settled on Ava. We wanted her to have a name with purpose. Her middle name was 'Marli,' which meant 'star of the sky.' So we wanted her to fly through life and be successful. That's why we loved those two names."
Sadly, around the 16-week mark, J also learned a heartbreaking fact: Ava had anencephaly. She got the news after genetic testing -- something many expecting mothers do to check their baby's health.
It's a rare and fatal defect in the formation of a baby's neural tube during development. As the neural tube forms and closes, it helps form the baby's brain and skull.
With anencephaly, the baby develops without parts of the brain and skull.
For J, it was a challenging moment. According to the National Library of Medicine, anencephaly has a first-year mortality rate of 100% in infants.
Many die before birth or shortly after.
Plus, the discovery was made after the six-week abortion ban under SB 8. J said her doctors didn't discuss termination or abortion as a possibility due to legal ramifications.
Termination is often a difficult, yet logical, choice. J could have carried the child to full-term, but maternal sepsis is a risk if there's a miscarriage which can be life-threatening.
"He was like 'I'm sorry' and then left the room," J said. "My doctor was scared to say anything, and we just had to research on our own and figure out what to do next."
"All they offered was to check on me weekly, to make sure I didn't have sepsis. My due date was in June, so I would have had to carry for the rest of the pregnancy knowing there are no options and nothing I can do."
J made the tough decision to schedule an abortion, but she would have to travel to Albuquerque, New Mexico, to do it.
She did receive help from agencies to pay for the procedure, however. Still, it didn't ease the burden.
She drove to New Mexico in January with her partner and two children. It's roughly a 10- to 13-hour drive. Once J got there, she underwent counseling and took medicine to dilate her.
On the second day, she had Ava. Immediately after that, she had to contact a funeral home for cremation. J received her remains about a week and a half later.
For J, she wanted to have Ava -- her conception was intentional.
But after going through a traumatic experience like this, she takes issue with state leaders who left her with no options but to carry a baby to term that's likely to die.
She takes issue with the fact that she had to leave the comfort of her own family and doctors and travel to an unfamiliar place to do something she never wants any mother to go through.
"If my doctor was able to do this, I could have done it in a hospital with my family, and we could have had this baby together and said goodbye, but I had to do it alone by myself due to COVID restrictions in a clinic," J said.
"It wasn't fair. My doctor was afraid to help me, and the only way they would have done something in Texas is if I was on the floor and about to die." she said.
Many women in Texas who find themselves staring at the same health hurdles as J did will face similar struggles now that Roe v. Wade has been overturned.
J's intention in speaking with WFAA is to underscore that sometimes abortion has to be considered and that Texas' ban leaves no room for navigating situations like hers.
Some good news, J is pregnant again with a little girl. She and her partner have named her "Ayah."
J said it means "miracle."
"People tell me that it's Ava's soul coming back to us, which is hard to accept and think about. I always say that I have four children, and Ava is very much part of our family. Ayah's name means so much because I think it's a miracle to have a baby after a loss like ours successfully," J said. | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/dallas-texas-mom-go-out-of-state-for-abortion-baby-100-chance-dying/287-18f98f1e-9efe-4e95-aa47-ddc103c2bca6 | 2022-09-02T04:04:05 | 0 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/dallas-texas-mom-go-out-of-state-for-abortion-baby-100-chance-dying/287-18f98f1e-9efe-4e95-aa47-ddc103c2bca6 |
ATLANTA — An Atlanta Medical Center nurse said on any given day, the staff deals with countless gunshot wounds, car accidents, stabbings, and beatings that they aren’t sure how leaving all these patients with only one trauma one level hospital will work.
The employee, asking to remain anonymous, shared heartbreak and fear over the announcement of the hospital’s closing on Nov. 1.
The nurse explained the first shock came from finding out about the closure in a news article.
“No one knew,” they said. “One of my coworkers called HR to confirm and they didn’t even know.”
The next day, staff members received a letter, emailed from Wellstar, confirming the news. Soon, staff started receiving offers and assignments to transfer. But the staff didn’t get to choose where they would go, leaving some to grapple with how to handle travel, childcare, and the demands of the job.
“They did this thing called mapping and I guess they did it based on what shifts you’re assigned,” explained the nurse who received an offer in Cobb County. “That’s like, 45 minutes without traffic. If I’m on call, you literally have half an hour to get there. It’s going to be impossible. It’s almost like setting us up for failure because if we don’t make it on call, it’s like a no call, no show if you’re not there in your window.”
The nurse said they worked overtime to show up for their community, during a time when hospitals are short-staffed. But for them, the news of transferring isn’t the worst part.
“Feels like I’m walking away and people are gonna die,” the nurse said.
The nurse said Grady and Atlanta Medical often send patients to each other when one hospital doesn’t have enough beds; and when dealing with trauma patients, every single second counts.
“People come through the doors sometimes from the helipad, straight into the OR, near dead already and I watch these amazing doctors do everything to save these people and that isn’t going to happen. They’re gonna die!” the nurse exclaimed.
They can’t understand how Wellstar can’t find a way to continue to fund the needs of the community.
“We can tell you where the wastefulness is, where you can save money, we can tell you how to do this and that, but nobody ever asked the people who actually do the work to where it actually makes sense, because they’re just looking at paper and numbers,” they said.
The nurse also showed me several emails detailing bonuses and incentives offered to staff to work extra over the past few months. They said on top of everything that happened, some staff members have yet to be paid for any of the extra work.
Wellstar has not agreed to an interview on anything involving Atlanta Medical. The only thing to do now is to continue to care for patients as long as they can and hope something keeps the doors open.
“It just makes me want to cry. I don’t know any other way to describe the fear over the disappointment. I’m just devastated. Devastated,” the nurse said. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/atlanta-medical-center-closing-employee-reaction/85-e15343ed-1cec-4478-914b-dc5b37a44705 | 2022-09-02T04:04:41 | 1 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/atlanta-medical-center-closing-employee-reaction/85-e15343ed-1cec-4478-914b-dc5b37a44705 |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/allen-gymnast-places-in-top-ten-in-all-around-competition/3062922/ | 2022-09-02T04:19:34 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/allen-gymnast-places-in-top-ten-in-all-around-competition/3062922/ |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/north-texans-prepare-to-travel-for-labor-day-weekend/3062907/ | 2022-09-02T04:19:40 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/north-texans-prepare-to-travel-for-labor-day-weekend/3062907/ |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/police-search-for-serial-gun-thieves-behind-tarrant-county-break-ins/3062911/ | 2022-09-02T04:19:47 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/police-search-for-serial-gun-thieves-behind-tarrant-county-break-ins/3062911/ |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-police-to-crack-down-on-dwis-this-holiday-weekend/3062917/ | 2022-09-02T04:19:53 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-police-to-crack-down-on-dwis-this-holiday-weekend/3062917/ |
PORT ORANGE, Fla. – A man was found dead Thursday evening from apparent gunshot wounds, according to the Port Orange Police Department.
At approximately 5:57 p.m., police responded to 3635 Nantucket Island Drive after reports came in about a shooting, police said. Upon arrival, police found the man, who was already dead, according to a release by the department.
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Police did not release any information about possible suspects.
No further details are available at this time. POPD stated that additional information would be released at a later date.
This case is under investigation. Check back with News 6 for updates.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/09/02/1-killed-in-port-orange-shooting-police-say/ | 2022-09-02T04:27:11 | 1 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/09/02/1-killed-in-port-orange-shooting-police-say/ |
SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. – A man and a woman were arrested Thursday after setting fire to a live raccoon in a dumpster, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said Alicia Kincheloe, 30, and Roddy Kincheloe, 63, were brought into custody following the incident, which the sheriff’s office shared video of on social media.
Many citizens asked about our investigation into a disturbing viral video of a raccoon being burned alive in a dumpster. Today we share another video likely to go viral depicting the two people responsible. Alicia + Roddy Kincheloe are behind bars following one of the (con’t) pic.twitter.com/AcuWDujCiJ
— SarasotaSheriff (@SarasotaSheriff) September 1, 2022
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According to state records, Alicia Kincheloe is the manager of Food Vigilantes, a food truck business in Sarasota.
Both Alicia and Roddy Kincheloe face felony charges for aggravated animal cruelty. Alicia Kincheloe faces an additional charge for altering, concealing or destroying evidence.
The sheriff’s office stated that more details are expected to be released Friday. Check back with News 6 for updates.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/09/02/two-arrested-after-burning-live-raccoon-sarasota-deputies-say/ | 2022-09-02T04:27:17 | 1 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2022/09/02/two-arrested-after-burning-live-raccoon-sarasota-deputies-say/ |
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) – East Tennessee State University football fans have been excited for the start of a new season led by new head football coach George Quarles. The celebration started early on campus.
“We ended last season pretty good, looking forward to a more successful season this year,” Patrick Johnson, a senior at ETSU, said.
It’s clear Bucs fans have high hopes this year following the Southern Conference championship and playoff run last year. Fans have been looking forward to this first match-up against Mars Hill for weeks.
“We just want to see a good, new offense out on the field, see what this team under George Quarles is going to do,” fan Mark Fleenor said.
The season holds several “firsts” for the Bucs. The marching band director said this year’s band is the largest in ETSU history.
“Always excited to support the team, and entertain the crowd, both with our pregame and halftime show, so we’re just happy to be here,” ETSU Director of Marching Band Dr. Joe Moore said.
One highly anticipated element that could be coming soon is beer sales. While there were none served at tonight’s game, officials haven’t ruled it out for the rest of the season.
“Beer sales creates awesome revenue for ETSU and Johnson City, attracts a different crowd, and I think it’s awesome for our athletic department and it also adds to the atmosphere,” ETSU junior Ryan Foley said.
The atmosphere which fans say keeps getting better and better.
“We’re going places,” Fleenor said. “Our coaching staff has done a wonderful job and it has made fans all over this area excited about being a Buccaneer fan again.”
According to ETSU athletics, just over 9,700 people attended the game. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/bucs-fans-excited-for-new-season/ | 2022-09-02T04:36:55 | 1 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/bucs-fans-excited-for-new-season/ |
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — A car crashed into a house on Cherokee Road in Johnson City on Thursday evening.
The crash caused significant damage to the home.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
News Channel 11 is awaiting more information from THP. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/car-crashes-into-house-in-johnson-city/ | 2022-09-02T04:37:01 | 0 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/car-crashes-into-house-in-johnson-city/ |
The Macedonian Patriotic Association will celebrate its 100th anniversary this weekend in Fort Wayne, where its parent group was founded in 1922.
The group began as a political organization for immigrants advocating for an independent nation amidst European turmoil in the World War I era.
The group now promotes Macedonian history, culture and traditions among Americans and Canadians with Macedonian heritage and will mark its centennial with a convention today through Sunday at the Grand Wayne Center.
The event is highlighted by three folk dances open to the public – at 8 p.m. today, Saturday and Sunday at the Grand Wayne. Admission is charged – $15 for adults and teens tonight, and $25 for adults and $15 for teens Saturday and Sunday. Those 12 and younger are admitted free.
Folk dancers will also take to the street in front of the Macedonian Tribune office at 124 W. Wayne St. from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Those performances are free.
The Macedonian newspaper’s office will be open to the public, where colorful costumes are on display and a rare bilingual Linotype machine used to publish the newspaper resides.
The convention’s theme is “100 Years: Honoring the Past, Envisioning the Future.”
More information is available at 260-422-5900 and www.macedonian.org | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/macedonian-heritage-group-celebrates-100-years-in-fort-wayne/article_8f4c4d84-2a39-11ed-964a-93883ec08d3b.html | 2022-09-02T04:39:57 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/macedonian-heritage-group-celebrates-100-years-in-fort-wayne/article_8f4c4d84-2a39-11ed-964a-93883ec08d3b.html |
The Board of Public Safety approved the suspension without pay of three Fort Wayne Police Department officers Thursday.
Officer Christine Armstead was suspended for a day for confiscated property. Officer Scott Studebaker was suspended for five days for improper conduct. And Officer Thomas McGuire was suspended for two days and fives days for failure to be alert while on duty and improper conduct.
McGuire’s suspensions were served consecutively, Fort Wayne Police Chief Stephen Reed said.
Reed declined to go into details about the incidents that caused the officers to be punished.
Fort Wayne’s Board of Public Safety oversees the hiring processes, disciplinary hearings and the policies for the city’s fire and police departments, as well as addresses traffic problems and approves taxi permits. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/police-fire/board-of-public-safety-approves-three-police-suspensions/article_62423270-2a4a-11ed-a906-3711e5638b73.html | 2022-09-02T04:40:03 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/police-fire/board-of-public-safety-approves-three-police-suspensions/article_62423270-2a4a-11ed-a906-3711e5638b73.html |
A Decatur man died early Thursday from 35 stab wounds allegedly inflicted by his nephew Aug. 25.
Soon after the death, the charges against his nephew, 28-year-old Patrick M. Scott, were upgraded to murder.
Jon E. Gaskill, 50, was stabbed about 12:15 a.m. at the former work release building at 313 S. First St. in Decatur. Both men were residents of facility, which is privately owned now, according to the probable cause affidavit.
Gaskill was taken to a hospital in critical but stable condition, the probable cause affidavit said. A medic told police that Gaskill had a cut from ear to ear on the back of his head.
Police began searching for Scott, whom they discovered had left the work release facility.
A Paulding County sheriff’s deputy caught Scott in Paulding, Ohio, later in the day, according to the Decatur police. He was brought back to Decatur the next day.
Scott’s initial hearing on the updated charge is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. At a previous hearing Aug. 31, the court set Scott’s trial set for Dec. 2, online court records show.
Scott was being held Thursday without bail. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/police-fire/decatur-mans-charges-upgraded-to-murder-after-uncle-dies/article_1402bf1a-2a2e-11ed-a601-db6adc66ff4a.html | 2022-09-02T04:40:10 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/police-fire/decatur-mans-charges-upgraded-to-murder-after-uncle-dies/article_1402bf1a-2a2e-11ed-a601-db6adc66ff4a.html |
When Logan Morton spoke for the 94th recruit class for the Fort Wayne Fire Department on Thursday, he acknowledged the attention given to its diversity.
The recruits had different backgrounds but they all wanted to respond when people needed help and discovered it’d be necessary to work as one.
“At the first academy, we found out there would be no more individuals for the next 20 weeks and the next 20 years of our lives,” said Morton, chosen as the spokesperson by classmates.
The class displayed significant diversity. Of 20 recruits, 60% were in a demographic underrepresented in the department, according to city spokeswoman Natalie Eggeman. Three men identified as Black, five men identified as Hispanic and one man identified as multiracial.
The class had three women, all identifying as white, Eggeman said. One, Amber Passaglia, had her badge pinned on during the ceremony by her wife, Kelsey Passaglia. Amber said differences in gender and sexuality didn’t generate different treatment from team members.
“We’re all here of the same reasons and the same purpose,” she said.
Graduates ranged in age from 22 to 34.
“I thought it would be something good to do, something physical,” said Joshua Arrivillaga, who had tired of his desk job as a shipping manager.
Arrivillaga said he felt all of his 34 years in body aches during the 20-week training course but had an edge in experience and people skills.
Conrad Keszei, 22, said listening to a Huntington firefighter he worked with made him interested in the stories and camaraderie and “being able to go to work and love it every day.” Firefighting gives his life direction, he said.
Two new firefighters followed in parents’ footsteps, both departing from their college majors. Adams County EMT Diana Lantz pinned the badge on son Ryan Lantz, and Fort Wayne Fire Capt. Carlos Gomez-Espino pinned the badge on son Andreas Gomez-Espino.
Ryan earned his degree in sports management when COVID-19 limited opportunities. He asked his mom about firefighting.
“It was a surprise, but one he set his mind to it, he never wavered,” she said.
Gomez-Espino majored in risk management and insurance but felt a calling to serve his community, he said.
He wanted to equal or surpass his father’s impact.
His father said he gave advice only when asked, letting his son earn a badge himself. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/police-fire/diverse-94th-fort-wayne-fire-department-class-graduates/article_d2bd9c3c-2a55-11ed-b560-ffbdb50d94de.html | 2022-09-02T04:40:16 | 1 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/police-fire/diverse-94th-fort-wayne-fire-department-class-graduates/article_d2bd9c3c-2a55-11ed-b560-ffbdb50d94de.html |
AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin City Council is set to postpone an item on the agenda from its meeting Thursday that has sparked debate for and against a proposed plan.
The council pulled Item 90, which ordered the city manager to produce funding to reinstate the license plate reader program at the Austin Police Department and include it in the upcoming fiscal year's budget.
Councilmember Mackenzie Kelly and leaders with the police department are pushing to bring back license plate readers, which are cameras that take photos of license plates.
They capture the make, model and color of a vehicle along with the time and location. The data is then stored in a database. The resolution proposed holding that data for 30 days, saying it would only be used for criminal investigations.
APD used them from 2016 to 2020 but were removed when the city "reimagined" the police department. Now they're looking to bring them back.
The head of the Austin police union said the department is down more than 260 officers and that the readers help combat crime. In one case, this kind of camera helped find a kidnapped 2-year-old child from San Antonio. In other cases, it helped find stolen cars.
APD Chief Joe Chacon said the technology could help the department a lot right now.
"We need these types of tools and given our staffing, it's important for us to leverage technology and to be able to use it to be more effective in solving crime, especially violent crime," Chacon said.
While the council heard from residents speaking for the policy, it also heard from plenty of residents against the proposal.
Critics have pointed out flaws in the system, particularly regarding privacy. They said it could allow police to unfairly target minorities and track people's movements.
The council postponed the discussion for two weeks. If the council decides to reinstate the program, leaders say the cameras would be subject to audits four times a year.
PEOPLE ARE ALSO READING: | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/austin-city-council-postpone-decision-license-plate-readers/269-e3c602a6-6c12-4c1f-b594-5f0e7cfefab0 | 2022-09-02T04:42:00 | 0 | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/austin-city-council-postpone-decision-license-plate-readers/269-e3c602a6-6c12-4c1f-b594-5f0e7cfefab0 |
AUSTIN, Texas — A federal judge slashed a record-high award the City of Austin was set to pay the family of a man who was killed by Austin police in 2017.
According to a report by KVUE's news partners at the Austin American-Stateman, the judge cut the amount in the case from $67 million to just over $8 million.
That decision was made in the case of Landon Nobles, who was shot and killed by APD officers back in May 2017 along Sixth Street. At that time, witnesses said Nobles didn't have a gun and was not a threat to officers.
This past December, a jury recommended that the City and the officers pay Nobles' family $67 million. But on Wednesday night, a federal judge ordered the reduction to $8 million.
The family's attorney told the Statesman he "was not thrilled about the drastic reduction," but that the case's takeaway remained clear.
"The price of police misconduct has ratcheted up," Attorney Skip Davis told the Statesman.
Read the full report by the Austin American-Statesman here.
PEOPLE ARE ALSO READING: | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/judge-reduces-67-million-award-fatal-shooting-landon-nobles/269-3f71a556-2ee8-4f8a-9d1e-27e0f2f4aaae | 2022-09-02T04:42:06 | 1 | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/judge-reduces-67-million-award-fatal-shooting-landon-nobles/269-3f71a556-2ee8-4f8a-9d1e-27e0f2f4aaae |
HOUSTON — Imagine yourself sitting on a plane at Houston's Hobby Airport as you get set to take off for a dreamy vacation in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Then: Ping. Nude photos start showing up on your phone -- and they're being airdropped from another passenger!
Yes, it really happened and the photos went to everyone on the Southwest Airlines flight, including the crew, according to CNN. The pilot wasn't amused and threatened to return to the gate if the culprit didn't cut it out.
"So here's the deal: If this continues while we're on the ground, I'm going to have to pull back to the gate, everybody's gonna have to get off, we're gonna have to get security involved and vacation is gonna be ruined," the pilot warned over the intercom. "So you folks, whatever that AirDrop thing is, quit sending naked pictures, and let's get yourselves to Cabo."
Passenger Teighlor Marsalis shot the video. She told CNN that she and her friends were waiting for takeoff when everyone received a notification of files being shared on AirDrop.
Marsalis declined but a woman in front of her showed her the photo.
Another woman got upset and told the flight attendant and they alerted the pilot, Marsalis said.
"The safety, security and wellbeing of customers and employees is the Southwest team's highest priority at all times. When made aware of a potential problem, our employees address issues to support the comfort of those traveling with us," Southwest Airlines said in a statement.
After a 10-minute delay, the flight took off for Mexico and the identification of the sneaky airdropper apparently remained a mystery. | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/naked-photos-airdropped-plane/285-d1e25221-895c-4477-b481-2b80f991b601 | 2022-09-02T04:42:12 | 1 | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/naked-photos-airdropped-plane/285-d1e25221-895c-4477-b481-2b80f991b601 |
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Authorities have identified a woman who was found dead after a Southeast Portland crash early Saturday morning, the Portland Police Bureau said.
PPB identified the woman as 26-year-old Ashlee McGill who police say was walking in the area when she was hit by an “out-of-control” vehicle.
Authorities said the vehicle was one of two “speed racers” who lost control of their vehicles – leading to the crash.
At 5:39 a.m., PPB said officers were sent to the crash on Southeast Stark Street and Southeast 133rd Avenue. On the scene, officers reportedly found a car had hit a tree. On further investigation, they said they found a person outside of the vehicle, later identified as McGill, who was dead.
The driver of the vehicle was taken to a hospital. Injuries are unknown at this time.
Before hitting the tree, PPB said that the vehicle also hit another car.
Officials said the case is under investigation and no arrests have been made.
McGill’s family created a GoFundMe to help pay for her funeral. | https://www.koin.com/local/multnomah-county/woman-struck-by-out-of-control-vehicle-in-se-portland-idd/ | 2022-09-02T04:48:36 | 1 | https://www.koin.com/local/multnomah-county/woman-struck-by-out-of-control-vehicle-in-se-portland-idd/ |
Plaintiff against Shreveport mayoral candidate: 'he sent me death threats while a cop held my phone'
The Shreveport Times is not naming the plaintiff in order to protect her privacy.
A woman who accused Shreveport mayoral candidate Melvin Slack of accosting and assaulting her and her father was granted the restraining order she sought against the candidate Thursday afternoon after a nearly five-hour hearing.
While Judge Brady O’Callaghan discounted the woman's claims of violence, he granted the protection of order based on her accusations that Slack crossed professional boundaries.
She claimed Slack sexually harassed her and put her in a chokehold, causing her to quit her job with his campaign.
“There was an inappropriate dynamic going on that justifies [the woman's] order,” O’Callaghan added.
The order will last for a year and bars Slack from being within 100 feet of her. During that time Slack won’t be allowed to own firearms. He was instructed on the process for turning over the ones he does own. O’Callaghan said even if the gun is a hunting rifle Slack inherited from his grandfather and hides in his closet, Slack can be prosecuted if it is found. O’Callaghan said he’s witnessed such prosecutions in the past.
Slack will be allowed to attend mayoral election events that invite all candidates, even if the woman is present, but bars him from attending events held by individual candidates if she does.
O’Callaghan said that decision was made because he believes “judges in protective order cases shouldn’t get to decide who runs for office.”
According to the plaintiff, Slack continued to contact her after the court granted her a temporary restraining order against him. While reporting his continued communication to the Shreveport Police Department, she said, Slack sent her death threats as an officer was holding her phone.
“I was told we have to stay at the police department for my safety because he sent me death threats,” she said.
O’Callaghan cast doubt upon those claims, saying there are dozens of apps that allow people to fake text messages from other people’s phone numbers, a problem he said causes many problems for trial courts trying to figure out the truth.
“Are you saying these printouts aren’t what she says they are?” O’Callaghan asked Slack about text message receipts provided by the plaintiff.
“Yes, I am,” Slack replied.
More:Shreveport mayoral candidates sound off on transgender issues in community forum, one uses slurs
She said Slack put her under contract to be his campaign manager on August 2, impressed by her Harvard education, but she sent him a resignation letter through email just nine days later on August 11.
“I’m already established throughout the nation for what I do with presidents, governors, and congress members,” she said.
She said Slack introduced her as his campaign manager to a media member and an African American Chamber of Commerce leader in the nine days she served in that capacity.
“I never signed anything saying she was a campaign manager,” refuted Slack.
The relationship was severed because of an incident that occurred August 9, the plaintiff said.
“He was talking about fighting because his premise for his campaign was this whole gangster thing and he came up behind me and put me in a chokehold,” she claimed while on the stand.
The plaintiff's father testified that Slack held the woman in the chokehold for two minutes.
“I was not disgruntled,” she said. “I was afraid that Mr. Slack might harm me or do something that causes me to meet my death."
She also introduced evidence into the court that she said proves Slack threatened to harm Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins, Caddo Parish Commissioner Mario Chavez, who is also running for mayor, and Shreveport City Councilman Jerry Bowman, Jr.
“(Slack) said Chavez just used his son for his political campaign because his son was rising in the political realm and that made him mad,” she testified.
“Mr. Slack pulled up a photo of me and Mayor Perkins and he didn’t like that,” she added.
Slack said DeBouse was the one who flaunted her relationship with Perkins.
More:Shreveport mayor reinstated into 2022 elections, court says candidates can falsify some info
“Did you not show me pictures of you hugged up with Mayor Perkins and hugged up with Lynn Cawthorne,” Slack asked as she sat on the stand, to which she denied.
“Wow,” Slack responded in an exasperated tone.
Several times throughout the hearing, O’Callaghan admonished both for a lack of composure.
“Sir, please stop pounding on the table,” O’Callaghan said after Slack’s second time doing so.
“You all are abusing the court’s patience and the court at this point,” O’Callaghan said three and a half hours into the hearing when both were arguing over whether Slack was tricked into purchasing dinner for the plaintiff and her father.
“This is one of the longest protective order hearings,” O’Callaghan said about the five-hour hearing near its end. | https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/local/2022/09/02/protective-order-granted-against-shreveport-mayoral-candidate-for-abuse/65469197007/ | 2022-09-02T04:49:15 | 0 | https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/local/2022/09/02/protective-order-granted-against-shreveport-mayoral-candidate-for-abuse/65469197007/ |
Shreveport boil advisory could be lifted for most of the city Friday
A boil advisory remains in effect for the City of Shreveport; however, Shreveport city officials say significant progress was made today in repairing three of the damaged structures.
Repairs were completed this evening at St. Vincent water tower at the corner of Oakdale Street and St. Vincent Avenue The Department of Water and Sewerage received approval from the Louisiana Department of Health to proceed with a water sampling plan.
Lab collection staff will work through the night until all required samples have been collected.
Repairs for the West Shreveport elevated tank will begin at 7 a.m. Friday.
Earlier today, repairs were completed at the Linwood water tank and the elevated ground storage site at70th and Pines Road.
With LDH approval, portions of the city could be lifted from the boil advisory late Friday Afternoon.
More:3 tanks with small holes led to Shreveport boil advisory: crews working to repair damage | https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/local/2022/09/02/shreveport-boil-advisory-could-be-lifted-for-most-of-the-city-friday/65469365007/ | 2022-09-02T04:49:21 | 1 | https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/local/2022/09/02/shreveport-boil-advisory-could-be-lifted-for-most-of-the-city-friday/65469365007/ |
CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) – West Virginia Music Hall of Fame member John Ellison and the Carpenter Ants will play a special concert to benefit Natasha Morgan* of St. Albans.
Natasha has serious health issues and is currently on a waiting list for a stomach, pancreas, liver, and small intestine transplant.
“It means the world,” she said. “I don’t know of any way I could ever repay them.”
And her condition has only worsened.
Her husband Dwight has been by her side for 29 years.
“I could pat her on the back all day long and say it’s going to be okay but it’s hard to watch and not really being able to help in any way with the pain or anything like that,” Dwight Morgan said.
Natasha’s been on the waiting list for a multivisceral organ transplant since September 30th of last year and once she gets the call, she and Dwight will have to leave at a moment’s notice.”
“As soon as we get the call, we have to be in Cleveland within four hours and just be ready at all times,” Natasha said. “Never leave your phone anywhere,” she laughed.
Dwight says he’s known John Ellison for years.
They were talking one day and Ellison came up with the idea for a benefit concert.
“It means a lot,” Dwight said.
“Yeah, more than words can say,” Natasha added. “It just amazes me that people are just willing to help you.”
The Morgans were at our station in August 2021 talking about the importance of organ donors. It’s something they stress — even more so now — as they wait for the perfect match.
“It’s just really important to give somebody a second chance at life, to be there for their kids, or other loved ones,” Natasha said.
“Just one person can help so many different people if they donate all their organs and that’s a lot of families that are touched that normally wouldn’t be,” said Dwight.
The concert is Friday Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. at the Alban Arts Center in St. Albans.
All donations will go to Natasha’s transplant fund. | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/benefit-concert-planned-for-st-albans-woman/ | 2022-09-02T04:56:09 | 1 | https://www.wowktv.com/news/local/benefit-concert-planned-for-st-albans-woman/ |
SAN ANTONIO — At San Antonio’s Classic Theater, the self-examination began with a frankly worded email sent to loyal patrons last spring. The subject line: “#RealTalk Changing Plans & Changing Minds.”
In it, the theater said it was organizing a one-time, stripped-down version of the previously scheduled George Bernard Shaw comedy “Misalliance,” written a few years before Henry Ford introduced the assembly line. Before that May show – more of an intimate stage reading, held at the San Antonio Botanical Gardens – the audience was asked something most of them likely had never been explicitly asked before a theater production.
They were encouraged to think about why they were laughing or otherwise reacting in a certain way at specific moments, and to consider what kind of privilege the theater space affords audiences watching years or decades-old shows.
“For me, it’s not about when people speak out; it’s about how people speak out. And making sure we’re in a position where we’re able to listen and we’re able to learn,” says Artistic Director Jimmy Moore, who assumed the role at Classic Theater in January.
The cast was a diverse one, and part of the show’s ensuing panel discussion centered on the priority of representation in a modern-day rendition of “Misalliance." Though the show has always been shaded by sociopolitical, gender and ability differences, it hasn't always necessarily cast performers who reflected those characterizations.
When researching Shaw’s background, specifically the playwright’s early support of the Nazi Party and eugenics, Moore felt compelled to take action. Similar to how Public Theater staff – themselves led by a newly hired artistic director – hurried to replace a holiday show that included outdated and culturally incentive material last fall, he felt he couldn’t wait until next season to start a new conversation.
“I just thought, ‘You know what? San Antonio needs this right now. Our company produces classic works, and classic works are always going to be retrospective, because they’ve taken time to become classics.
“But I do believe that classic works are able to bring people of various backgrounds together for a shared experience. And so we are sort of at a crossroads.”
So are other local companies.
Reflecting the variety of life, onstage
As temperatures steadily drop and the curtain rises on September, so too does it rise on a new season for San Antonio’s theater groups—one aligning with a renewed push to tell stories reflective of the community, their histories and their current challenges.
Sometimes, as was the case with the Classic’s stripped-down take on “Misalliance,” that means going straight to the audience for its input, breaking down the fourth wall of live entertainment and encouraging patrons to think deeper about what they’re watching. Even downtown’s Empire Theater – typically a stage for touring comedians and small tribute bands – will host a local production this weekend called "Three Years of Fear," centered around themes of anxiety and mental health, a topic of renewed discussion in the weeks after the Robb Elementary shooting.
Navigating the crossroads not only means looking at old shows through a modern lens as Moore’s team is doing, but finding new shows altogether. At downtown’s younger-skewing Magik Theatre, new stories to produce come from anywhere, including other children’s theaters and the minds of playwrights who pitch directly to them.
“We ask ourselves a lot of questions,” says Anthony Runfola, Magik’s artistic director, about the process of planning a whole season. “We talk all year long about, ‘What should we do?’ and eventually distill that down into five or six plays. But there’s a lot of talking.”
The result of all that talking? Some singing, as it turns out, and a slate of shows reflecting a variety of life experiences. After the season-sparking run of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show,” excitement is high for the Texas premiere of “Selena Maria Sings,” an original production inspired by Selena Quintanilla’s legacy told through the lens of a young singer experiencing the loss of a loved one.
Barring a COVID-instigated setback, another story about Latino culture will grace the Magik stage in February—this one inspired by history stretching back thousands of years. “The Hero Twins: Blood Race” touts itself as an “action-filled adventure that is also an allegory about inequality, justice, and liberation,” and inspired by Mayan stories.
The new shows derive from an ethos of creating a lineup not just aimed at entertaining audiences, but at reflecting them too.
That mindset also led Runfola and his team to program “Eddie & Vinnie,” an upcoming show whose young protagonist – like 20% of the population – is dyslexic. Much like how Magik and the San Antonio Food Bank partnered last year to help fight local hunger in collaboration with “Maddi’s Fridge,” “Eddie & Vinnie” is the result of a collaboration with the local advocacy group Celebrate Dyslexia.
“The stories that are being told in the theaters and the arts institutions are not proportionate to the folks that are here,” Runfola said. “That needs to change. And it’s not easy, because on the other side of that you have to invite these communities into your space, because they’ve not been made to feel welcome in the past.”
New eras, enduring challenges
A similar approach is being taken at the Public Theater of San Antonio, where Claudia de Vasco is preparing for her first full season as executive artistic director.
In addition to enlisting guest directors from a variety of backgrounds for this season's varied lineup, the Public's inclusivity initiatives extend to those they welcome to the north-side theater via “relaxed performances” that emphasize comfort and a de-escalation of the strict formality theater spaces are often associated with.
“On these days we're saying, 'Experience theater as you wish,’” de Vasco said. “At professional theaters, there's still sort of this expectation of theater decorum, which I'm also hoping we can get a little bit more relaxed with.”
De Vasco is also spearheading new efforts to empower an Alamo City theater community which she says hasn’t grown in lockstep with other arts organizations over the years.
Teatro Audaz and the brand-new Miscast Theater Company, for example, will participate in a retooled residency program through which the Public Theater will provide practical help but also the financial know-how to keep a company alive. Elsewhere, while the Public previously hired one costume designer for an entire season – a routine de Vasco said was “not humane and not sustainable” – staffing tweaks for 2022 mean each show will have its own dedicated designer attuned to the specificity of each's story.
But innovations have their tradeoffs.
“We were finding it hard to find a huge pool of that talent here,” de Vasco said.
She was able to tap into a national network to find the right artists, including the scene designer for the Public’s first 2022 show, “American Mariachi”; he's a native San Antonian working professionally in his hometown for the first time. De Vasco said the pandemic actually helped deepen the talent pool as costume designers and set creators and performers returned to south Texas, as did millions across the country.
That creates a new challenge: giving them a reason to stay. And retention is a significant hurdle to clear when young lovers of theater grow up dreaming of the bright lights of New York City.
“The thing I keep saying is, 'San Antonio needs to be a place not just where great artists are made, but where great artists can call home.' We’re not quite there yet.”
Which is part of the reason she’s calling on artists from across the country, empowering those with the appropriate skillsets to lead upcoming Public Theater productions of “Nina Simone: Four Women”; the all-new, punk-rock-inflected “Fabulous Monsters”; and, to kick things off, “American Mariachi,” the first-ever show from a Latino playwright put on by the Public.
'A real sea change'
A similarly groundbreaking season is in store at the Classic, where Moore says they’re fine-tuning a quintet of shows that make up “some of the most diverse works we have ever brought to our stage.” He specifically cites August Wilson’s “Fences,” the organization’s first-ever show by a Black playwright, as an example.
“It’s very important that we pick shows that not only allow people of diverse backgrounds to be in classics that were written by white playwrights, but that we also offer classics of each individual culture as well,” Moore said.
At the same time, he concedes that shepherding artistic efforts at a classically focused theater with a more progressive mindset puts the 15-year-old company in uncharted territory.
That sentiment is shared by Stacey Connelly, an associate professor of theater at Trinity University who participated in the May panel discussing the historical contexts of “Misalliance”—and who was struck by how the diverse casting of that one-time show reinforced the timelessness of Shaw’s satire.
“I think the younger generation that is stepping up to lead now is rightfully asking these questions (of inclusivity),” she said. “If we don’t, how are we going to expand our audience?”
Connelly says conversations about the enduring relevance of shows from long-dead playwrights – shows like “Misalliance,” one of the professor’s personal favorites – have been playing out in academic spaces for a few years now.
Sometimes, it happens organically. Connelly describes a day last spring when she took her class to see “Professor Bernhardi,” a decades-old play about identity amid the rise of antisemitism in Nazi Germany, recalling how strongly it resonated with her students through a modern lens.
“They were saying, ‘Oh my gosh, all of these issues that the play brings up is what we’re experiencing now with Black Lives Matter and the extreme right.’ The play really spoke to them.”
“We kind of take them (older playwrights) for granted and we don’t try to help the next generation understand who they were in their time,” she added. “I think there’s a tendency to dismiss them as, ‘Well, they represent forces of oppression that we really need to get away from.’ And I think it’s just false.”
For Connelly, interrogation and contextualization go hand in hand in fueling at least part of what comes next for theatrical creativity. Runfola says the momentum has been building since at least the mid-2010s.
“You’ve seen a real sea change in people noticing, ‘Why is your season written by all-white males, some of them dead for thousands of years?’” Runfola said.
And if momentum has been building for several years, Moore believes it’s received a jolt more recently—one with echoes of accountability and urgency to do more than the status quo.
“People want to see themselves authentically represented on stages,” the Classic’s artistic director says. “I think, right now, all producers everywhere are being asked to answer for systemic issues that have been facing the theater for decades. And people have had enough. People want to have their voices heard.” | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/san-antonio-theater-show-arts-magik-classic-public-broadway/273-4cd74821-7b1e-4d1d-9b73-f15be759482c | 2022-09-02T04:57:44 | 1 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/san-antonio-theater-show-arts-magik-classic-public-broadway/273-4cd74821-7b1e-4d1d-9b73-f15be759482c |
Federal offices: Closed Monday
State offices: Closed Monday
Greensboro city offices: Closed Monday
High Point city offices: Closed Monday
County offices: Closed Monday
ABC stores: Closed Monday
Schools: Closed Monday
Greensboro Transit: GTA and Access GSO operate on a Saturday schedule, with services ending at 10 p.m. GTA will not offer service to GTCC’s Jamestown Campus. Regular service resumes on Tuesday.
High Point Transit: No service Monday.
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GARBAGE COLLECTION
(For week of Sept. 5)
Greensboro: No collection on Monday. Monday collection is on Tuesday. Tuesday collection is on Wednesday.
High Point: Collection delayed by one day. Collections are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. | https://greensboro.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/labor-day-closings/article_d770d986-294e-11ed-8545-77314bbcf9ba.html | 2022-09-02T05:00:31 | 1 | https://greensboro.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/labor-day-closings/article_d770d986-294e-11ed-8545-77314bbcf9ba.html |
GREENSBORO — Attorneys for a co-owner of The Blind Tiger nightclub on Wednesday filed for a temporary restraining order against the North Carolina ABC Commission’s suspension of its alcohol permits after police say a bouncer fatally shot an unarmed man in July.
The ABC Commission cited three shootings this year, including the one in July, in issuing the suspension last month.
Jason Leonard, 28, who was working security at the popular Spring Garden Street music venue, has been charged with second-degree murder in the shooting of 19-year-old Pedro Alegria, according to police. The shooting occurred shortly after 2 a.m. on July 31. Alegria, police said, was unarmed at the time.
“The disregard for safety by continuing sales and service of alcoholic beverages, despite the ongoing violence and repeated shootings causing serious injuries to patrons, creates a hazardous environment for all the public,” the ABC Commission wrote in its findings.
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The club has also been under investigation by the city’s Safety Review Board for the second time this year.
A restraining order “preserves the petitioner’s rights” and “allows a legal challenge” without further harm to the business, according to the filing on behalf of co-owner Bradford McCauley. The motion questions some of the ABC Commissions information, calling it “general and/or irrelevant,” according to the filing and legal challenge dated Aug. 31.
In affidavits attached to the filing, McCauley says the club has made improvements for the safety of its patrons and has assisted law enforcement when they’ve had to be called to the location. After the July shooting, the club provided video footage and helped to identify the assailant, he said.
McCauley, who wrote that he and other employees have been getting death threats, said that the on-duty manager that night had been fired.
Losing the club’s liquor license is “tantamount to a termination of the business and it’s more than 30-year-legacy,” McCauley wrote in the affidavit.
The filing also included an affidavit of security guard Justus Ellis, who wrote that there were roughly 10 bouncers hired that night and were told not to possess or carry handguns.
McCauley, 47, of Winston-Salem was charged with failing to superintend and hiring unlicensed armed security.
Manager Donald Beck Jr., 55, of Greensboro was charged with allowing violations to occur on the ABC-licensed premises and hiring unlicensed armed security.
Leonard and Anthony Delaney, both 28 and from Greensboro, were charged with providing unlicensed armed security and allowing violations to occur on the ABC-licensed premises.
Prior to the July incident, the city shut down The Blind Tiger after two other shootings occurred within days of each other. The business was able to reopen after safety and code violations were brought into compliance.
The suspension is in effect until the case is heard by the Office of Administrative Hearings.
It was unclear Thursday when the appeal would be heard. | https://greensboro.com/news/local/the-blind-tiger-fights-to-keep-livelihood-legacy-intact-following-abc-suspension/article_85b16c04-2a3f-11ed-9d0c-bf81fb80c4bd.html | 2022-09-02T05:00:38 | 0 | https://greensboro.com/news/local/the-blind-tiger-fights-to-keep-livelihood-legacy-intact-following-abc-suspension/article_85b16c04-2a3f-11ed-9d0c-bf81fb80c4bd.html |
The snarl in foot traffic outside of Memorial Stadium after last October’s game between the Huskers and Michigan was the result of several factors.
Construction on the $155 million football training complex closed off passage around the northeast side of the stadium.
A Saturday night televised game meant more production trucks being parked on Stadium Drive, plus a game that went down to the wire kept 90,000 fans in their seats until the very end.
Once the Husker faithful started to leave, many felt like a running back behind an inexperienced offensive line. Fans reported needing 30 minutes or more just to move 100 yards to the north or south in the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd.
The situation wasn’t unprecedented, but it proved to be enough of a headache that Nebraska Athletic Department officials have taken steps to prevent it from happening again this year ahead of the 2:30 p.m. home opener against North Dakota on Saturday — and beyond.
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The sidewalk that passes below the northeast corner of the stadium — which has been closed as the former Ed Weir Track was excavated and work began on the new training complex — will be open, said Matt Davidson, associate athletic director for event management and operations.
No longer will the walkway around Memorial Stadium be reduced to essentially a horseshoe, Davidson said, which led to the density issue after the Michigan game and the Garth Brooks concert in August of last year.
“Having the northeast corner of the stadium opened back up will alleviate some of that pressure,” Davidson said.
Although work on the training complex is expected to continue for another year, the Athletic Department worked with Hausmann Construction, the general contractor on the project, to open up the northeast walkway to pedestrians, as well as the sidewalk running east and west on the north side of the Memorial Stadium loop.
Pulling back the construction footprint will also allow fans to enter through Gates 16 and 16A, which were closed to fans last year, Davidson added.
“We feel really good about the fact that all of our stadium gates will be open and we have 360-degree access around the stadium again,” he said.
Brooke Hay, assistant vice president for the University of Nebraska’s Facilities, Planning and Capital Programs, said UNL’s facility planners have worked with campus police and the project managers to come up with other plans that will allow fans to get onto and off campus with minimal problems.
Even away from the stadium, at places like Architecture Hall, where construction work is ongoing, Hay said UNL has asked contractors to open up as much space as possible ahead of Saturday’s contest.
“We know there is a volume of folks who move on 10th Street and approach the stadium from the southwest,” she said. “People are going to see things much more open on the weekends than they are during the week.”
Fans will also need to be aware of construction projects and closed-off sidewalks in the downtown area.
Sidewalks will not be accessible on the block bounded by Ninth, 10th, P and Q streets — where the Journal Star’s offices formerly stood.
To try to better accommodate pedestrians who flood out of the stadium and converge at 10th and Q streets following games, Lincoln Police will close westbound Q Street between 10th and 11th streets as time expires this season.
Drivers are reminded that before games, no traffic is allowed to enter the Haymarket on P, Q or R streets. There will also be restrictions on accessing Ninth Street from the roundabout at Salt Creek Roadway before and after contests.
Both Davidson and Hay said fans should expect to see some changes to campus on a nearly weekly basis throughout the fall, and should plan accordingly if they are coming to Lincoln for next week’s game against Georgia Southern and the following week’s matchup against Oklahoma.
The highly anticipated rematch with the Sooners is expected to bring large numbers of fans to the downtown area.
“It’s a work in progress,” Hay said. “Almost every game will be slightly different on what is being worked on, but the goal will be having the experience for fans be mostly the same.” | https://journalstar.com/news/local/fans-will-have-360-degree-access-to-memorial-stadium-even-as-construction-projects-continue/article_521afc71-c790-569e-a61e-f5e07c8a22e3.html | 2022-09-02T05:05:30 | 1 | https://journalstar.com/news/local/fans-will-have-360-degree-access-to-memorial-stadium-even-as-construction-projects-continue/article_521afc71-c790-569e-a61e-f5e07c8a22e3.html |
City to adopt huge budget with lower tax rate
Wichita Falls City Councilors will meet Tuesday to adopt a cash-flush budget – and begin spending it.
Councilors are expected to adopt a $233.8 million budget made fat largely by increased property tax values and sales tax revenue. Because property values went up so much, the city will be able to reduce the tax rate and still have $38.3 million more than last year.
If approved and finalized, the tax rate would drop by 8.75 percent. This means the owner of a $100,000 home would pay about $65 less next year, if the home did not change in value. However, a majority of homes saw an increase in value meaning a revenue windfall for the city.
The budget also includes a five-percent hike in water bills, which is less than the nine percent the staff originally proposed. The council would consider another five-percent water-rate hike in the 2023-2024 budget.
The budget includes spending about $18 million on one-time-only projects ranging from sanitation and storm water projects to spiffing up the MPEC facility and making street improvements.
More:City employees may see pay increases
The budget will give five-percent pay raises to most city employees. A consultant concluded in 2021 that city salaries and wages were too low. Currently, slightly more than half of city workers make below Wichita Falls’ median family income of $47,335.
More:Wichita Falls Chamber to unveil plan to get city on right track
Of the city’s 1,313 employees:
- 27 make $100,000 or more
- 18 make between $90,000 and $100,000
- 85 make between $80,000 and $90,000
- 104 make between $70,000 and $80,000
- 123 make between $60,000 and $70,000
- 134 make between $50,000 and $60,000
Councilors, who receive annual stipends of $7,200 (the mayor receives $12,000), will separately consider salaries for four appointed positions:
- City Manager Darron Leiker would get $247,142. Leiker is currently paid $241,114.12, not including benefits such as car allowance, cell phone, retirement, vacation payout, and stability pay, which bring his current total compensation to $294,968.32.
- City Attorney Kinley Hegglund would get $199,734 in salary. His current salary is $192,052.12 or $220,747.81 with extras.
- Municipal Court Judge Diane Dockery would get $135,000, compared to the position’s current pay of $130,000, plus $1,560 in extras.
- City Clerk Marie Balthrop would make $90,000 in salary compared to the current $81,690 plus $995 in extras.
These employees will also receive standard benefits that other city workers receive.
In a budget message, Leiker has said the city is in “strong financial condition,” but warns a volatile economy could lead to a recession in the next 12 to 24 months.
“That said, we are in a good position to deal with a light, short-lived recession without severely impacting service delivery,” he said.
Adoption of the budget and tax rate will be preceded by a public hearing. The meeting starts at 8:30 a.m. at City Hall. | https://www.timesrecordnews.com/story/news/local/2022/09/02/city-to-adopt-huge-budget-with-lower-tax-rate/65468632007/ | 2022-09-02T05:07:52 | 0 | https://www.timesrecordnews.com/story/news/local/2022/09/02/city-to-adopt-huge-budget-with-lower-tax-rate/65468632007/ |
OCEAN CITY - The Ocean City High School football team appeared to be a play away from a demoralizing 0-2 start Thursday night.
It turns out the Red Raiders were a play away from an uplifting, season-changing win.
Jon Moyer made a pivotal interception, Riley Gunnels threw a pair of touchdown passes to Jack Hoag and Duke Guenther scored the winning touchdown as Ocean City rallied to beat rival Mainland Regional 21-20.
“This is a huge turning point for our team,” Hoag said. “Coming out and playing our rivals and proving everybody wrong. That’s huge for us.”
Ocean City trailed Mainland 20-7 late in the third quarter. Guenther scored the winning TD on a 29-yard run with 9 minutes, 58 seconds left in the game. J.P. Foster booted the extra point that accounted for the one-point difference.
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Not many in the South Jersey high school football community had faith in the Red Raiders coming into Thursday’s game because six days earlier they had lost their season-opener 20-0 to Neshaminy, PA.
“This means a lot, especially after last week,” Gunnels said. “It’s a major bounce back game. Everyone sees what we’re fully capable of after this win. Everybody’s energy stayed up throughout the whole game and no one put their heads down.”
Fans packed the bleachers on one of the last nights of the summer tourist season to watch these rivals play. It’s a big deal when these neighboring schools meet in any sport. It’s an especially big deal in football. The Ocean City/Mainland rivalry has been dubbed “the Battle for the Bridge,” referring to the Route 52 causeway that separates Ocean City from the Mainland sending district of Somers Point, Linwood and Northfield. Mainland leads the overall series 28-23.
On Thursday, the Mustangs, who are ranked No. 10 in The Press Elite 11, physically dominated the first three quarters.
Mainland running back Ja’Briel Mace ran for 134 yards and two TDs in the first quarter alone. Mustangs running back/quarterback Cohen Cook finished with 110 rushing yards.
Meanwhile, Gunnels had to scramble to buy time to throw on just about every pass attempt. Mainland sacked him four times. Mustangs junior linebacker Hunter Watson had a sack and recovered a fumble. Ocean City had negative-18 rushing yards through the first three quarters.
Ocean City was teetering late in the third quarter. It seemed as if one more first down would give Mainland complete control.
Instead, the Red Raiders stayed close behind the arm of Gunnels, who completed 20 of 34 passes for 335 yards. His 2-yard TD pass to Hoag (5 catches for 137 yards) cut Mainland’s lead to 20-14 with 11 seconds left in the third quarter.
“He’s one of the best quarterbacks around,” Hoag said of Gunnels. “It’s easy to catch the ball when he’s throwing.”
Momentum turned in Ocean City’s favor early in the fourth quarter when Moyer intercepted a Mainland halfback option pass.
“I heard everybody call ‘ball,’ ” Moyer said. “I turned around and I knew I could get it. I had to go for it. I ran it back as far as I could. It definitely kept our sideline motivated to stay energized.”
Ocean City then somehow rediscovered its running game.
The 5-foot-8, 170-pound Guenther carried five times for 40 yards in the fourth quarter, including the winning TD run. He had just one carry for one yard in the first three quarters.
“I saw a seam,” Guenther said of his TD. “I went right through it, and I scored.”
The Red Raiders defense made sure the lead held up. Ocean City junior linebacker Nick Layton made a key tackle for a loss to help stop one Mainland fourth-quarter drive. Senior defensive back Ricky Wetzel picked off a Mainland pass in the final minute to clinch the win.
The Red Raiders posed for a photograph with the trophy that goes to the winner of this rivalry game.
There were plenty of smiles. There was also an air of relief. No high school football team wants to start 0-2.
"A lot of unproven guys came through," Ocean City coach Kevin Smith said. "Now we're riding a big wave. To win a game like this in this environment, great crowd, great high school football game." | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/highschool/ocean-city-rallies-to-stun-mainland-regional/article_ca1a5878-2a27-11ed-831f-ff3f33dc5b99.html | 2022-09-02T05:19:22 | 1 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/highschool/ocean-city-rallies-to-stun-mainland-regional/article_ca1a5878-2a27-11ed-831f-ff3f33dc5b99.html |
TUOLUMNE COUNTY, Calif. — The Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office is calling for people along two roadways to leave their homes due to a fire in the area.
The sheriff's office issued evacuation orders for Golden Dove Lane and Silver Pine Drive due to a fire in the area of Camp Hope.
Deputies have also closed Stockton Road from Highway 108 to Ponderosa Way.
Authorities are asking people to avoid the area.
Fire Map
This map from ESRI shows fire activity (this may take a few seconds to load).
Wildfire Preps
According to Cal Fire, the 2021 fire season started earlier than previous years, but also ended earlier, as well. January 2021 saw just under 1,200 acres burned from nearly 300 wildfires. Fires picked up in the summer when the Dixie Fire burned in five Northern California counties — Butte, Plumas, Shasta, Lassen and Tehama. The Dixie Fire started on July 13 and wasn't contained until Oct. 25, burning nearly 1 million acres. It has since become the second-largest wildfire in state history and the largest non-complex fire.
Overall, 2.5 million acres were burned in 2021 from 8,835 wildfires. Over 3,600 structures were destroyed and 3 people were killed.
If you live in a wildfire-prone zone, Cal Fire suggests creating a defensible space around your home. Defensible space is an area around a building in which vegetation and other debris are completely cleared. At least 100 feet is recommended.
The Department of Homeland Security suggests assembling an emergency kit that has important documents, N95 respirator masks, and supplies to grab with you if you’re forced to leave at a moment’s notice. The agency also suggests signing up for local warning system notifications and knowing your community’s evacuation plans best to prepare yourself and your family in cases of wildfires.
Some counties use Nixle alerts to update residents on severe weather, wildfires, and other news. To sign up, visit www.nixle.com or text your zip code to 888777 to start receiving alerts.
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What questions do you have about the latest wildfires? If you're impacted by the wildfires, what would you like to know? Text the ABC10 team at (916) 321-3310.
WATCH ALSO: | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/wildfire/evacuations-tuolumne-county-camp-hope-area/103-c05450c8-7764-4d57-8874-023cb6126252 | 2022-09-02T05:20:23 | 1 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/wildfire/evacuations-tuolumne-county-camp-hope-area/103-c05450c8-7764-4d57-8874-023cb6126252 |
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Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/montco-families-impacted-by-tornadoes-take-anniversary-to-make-new-memories/3352187/ | 2022-09-02T05:27:02 | 1 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/montco-families-impacted-by-tornadoes-take-anniversary-to-make-new-memories/3352187/ |
Vote on proposed Tech Terrace student housing postponed after public hearing
A proposed student housing development in the Tech Terrace neighborhood is on hold after Lubbock's Planning and Zoning Commission opted to postpone making a decision on a zoning change during a Thursday evening meeting that drew a host of public comments, largely against the proposal.
After hours of hearing comments and a majority of those speaking in opposition to the plan, the Planning and Zoning Commission decided to postpone changing the zoning for the area until the commission's October meeting.
The Commission heard comments from the public about rezoning a portion of the land along the 2600 block of 19th Street from commercial property to a residential living area for new student housing. For context, the purposed zoning area feature the Godbold Building and Cafe J building on 19th Street, with the parking lot on 20th Street.
The area where the new student housing would be located was purchased by OJD Engineering, LLC in 2021, which currently has a bid from Up Campus Property, LLC to build the new development.
The proposed idea consists of two buildings in the complex - a five-story building featuring retail space, a parking garage facing 19th Street and a four-story building and parking garage facing 20th Street.
Those in opposition to the development cited concerns about traffic, parking, disturbing the Tech Terrace neighborhood community and the proposed height of the buildings.
Follow lubbockonline.com for more on this story. | https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/news/local/2022/09/02/vote-on-tech-terrace-student-housing-postponed-after-public-hearing/65469027007/ | 2022-09-02T05:34:53 | 0 | https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/news/local/2022/09/02/vote-on-tech-terrace-student-housing-postponed-after-public-hearing/65469027007/ |
RABUN COUNTY, Ga. — Alyssa Patterson grew up buried in books. Reading was one of her first loves. It wasn't until 2022 that she would come to write her very own novel, about her latest love: Chandler Patterson. It's a true story about the love she had with him, and the love they lost in a short time span.
For years, 25-year-old Alyssa read A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis. Little did she know, Lewis' novel and her writing, would help her push forward. Alyssa's story is one of love, followed by grief. One where she pushes through, thanks to faith, family, and friends.
"I hoped by this time I would be pregnant and we’d be having a family," Patterson said. "We both really wanted that. Instead of having a baby, I birthed a book. Different kind of labor of love."
Her book, titled 'Until Heaven Parts Us,' is about the unpredictable story of marrying Chandler last year, and losing him just three weeks later.
“I definitely miss his company. When you get married, that’s what you’re supposed to have: that person no matter what life throws your way you have that partner. I went through the hardest thing without him," she said.
Chandler, who was then a 27-year-old firefighter for the Gainesville Fire Department, died in a boating accident in Rabun County while spending time off with family and friends.
He had been married to Alyssa - the love of his life - for just three weeks.
“I think what I would like people to take away is to really evaluate how they’re spending their days until we’re parted by heaven," she said. "Eternity is the ultimate gift. There's also joy and purpose in this side of heaven and abundant life in this side of life. It’s hard to do and it’s a heavy burden to carry but you can hold joy and sorrow and pain and happiness at the same time.”
Chandler's legacy is kept alive in 'Until Heaven Parts Us,' which climbed to Amazon's best seller list right after publication. As of Thursday night, the book is the #1 best seller in the Christian Ministry to Sick & Bereaved category on the website.
"It's my birthday and celebrations are hard but I woke up feeling energized," she said. "The Lord has been really kind to me and my family this year. There's still so much good. This is one of the good things."
She started writing it in January 2022. The first draft was finished in just one month, on what would've been Chandler's birthday: Feb. 17. She said one of the most challenging parts to write, including her wedding day.
"It was our happiest days and it's still unbelievable that it was three weeks later that he passed away," she said. "I knew Chandler for less than two years so our love story was very 0 to 100. We just fell in love really fast and knew we wanted to get married. Then, the opposite of that, losing him and the downhill spiral from there was just a lot to process."
The two were each other's first dates through a dating app. They spoke for hours before meeting in person at Provino's Italian Restaurant in Buford. All it took was one look, for each one to know they were meant to be.
"I turned around and I literally mouthed, 'Oh my gosh', because he was really good-looking," she recalled, with a smile on her face. "I was like, I cannot believe I'm on a date with this man! That night he told me he was going to marry me... on our [first] date. There are beautiful stories like that for people who are patient and faithful. I’m so grateful that I got to be his wife."
Chandler was a fireman for about four years and had dreams of becoming a fire marshal. He was getting ready to take all the courses.
That's just one reason why Alyssa, her family, and Chandler's family started a foundation called Dude 21. The foundation will help support firefighters who want to further their careers with continuing education as well as serve the parents, widows, and children of fallen first responders.
"Loss can never be completely fixed but through writing the story and sharing the story, I've seen it bless other people and that's blessed me so much," she said.
On Oct. 18, they plan on hosting a golf tournament in Rabun County to raise money for the foundation. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/wife-gainesville-firefighter-dies-after-wedding-book/85-b92734c3-86c8-4ac3-a9d5-13774e53ac9c | 2022-09-02T05:40:28 | 0 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/wife-gainesville-firefighter-dies-after-wedding-book/85-b92734c3-86c8-4ac3-a9d5-13774e53ac9c |
MUNSTER, IN - Dorothy M. Pietrzak (nee Hauter), 87 of Munster, IN passed away on Tuesday, August 30, 2022. She is survived by her sons: Kenneth (Sally), Gary (Deborah), James (Cara) and Raymond Pietrzak; grandchildren: Joseph, Emily, Kendall, Sara, Maya, Devan and Jake; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her Husband, Raymond; parents: Andrew and Lena Hauter; brothers: Robert and John Hauter.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, September 3, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Maria Goretti Church, 500 Northgate Dr., Dyer, IN. Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Calumet City, IL. Visitation will be on Friday from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at KISH FUNERAL HOME, 10000 Calumet Ave., Munster, IN and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. at the church.
Dorothy was a longtime surgical nurse at St. Margaret Hospital as well as other local hospitals. She was a Lector at St. Maria Goretti Church. Dorothy was a member of the Chicago Bulls Swingin' Seniors Dance Troop and the St. Jude's Players Group. In lieu of flowers, contributions to a charity of your choice in her memory would be appreciated. www.kishfuneralhome.net | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/dorothy-m-pietrzak-nee-hauter/article_adb30763-d991-5117-83e8-60d9d71349bc.html | 2022-09-02T05:46:10 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/dorothy-m-pietrzak-nee-hauter/article_adb30763-d991-5117-83e8-60d9d71349bc.html |
James R. Lincoln
IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY SON JAMES R. LINCOLN.
On your 18th Anniversary in Heaven. I am with you to celebrate. Together again for eternity.
With Love,
Mom
Tags
Obituaries Newsletter
Sign up to get the most recent local obituaries delivered to your inbox. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/james-r-lincoln/article_ae9e3dec-ad91-53be-972e-63c3ae95deaa.html | 2022-09-02T05:46:17 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/james-r-lincoln/article_ae9e3dec-ad91-53be-972e-63c3ae95deaa.html |
Julie Ann (Mandich Harlow) Samarzija
June 21, 1937 - Aug. 31, 2022
SCHERERVILLE, IN - Julie Ann Samarzija, age 85, of Schererville, died peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on August 31, 2022. To know Julie was to love her. She always saw the best in people and truly loved everyone unconditionally. She touched many lives as an angel on earth. We were so blessed to have her on loan from Heaven for these too short 85 years.
Julie was born on June 21, 1937, in Gary, IN to Olga & Milan Mandich. She graduated from Merrillville High School and from St. Catherine's School of X-ray. She worked in the Radiology department for Methodist Hospital in Merrillville, IN for 25 years and ended her career as the Manager of Diagnostic Radiology at the Southlake Campus. She was a devout Catholic and volunteered for St. Vincent de Paul through her parish, Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Winfield, IN.
Julie was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, George; her parents: Olga & Milan; her step-father, Ray Harlow; brothers-in-law: John (Martha) Samarzija, Jack (Marie) Samar; and her sister-in-law, Anne (Mike) Kepchar; and many loving nieces & nephews. She is survived by her daughters: Nicole (Pete) Floody, Leigh (Ray) Sierra; her grandchildren: Jacob & Lizzie Floody, and Talia (Dylan) Bradley, Nick, & Alexandria Sierra. She is also survived by her loving brother, Peter Harlow; and her sisters: Mary Trefun, Joan (Dick) DeLor, Darlene Harlow, Sandy (Bill) Kelner, & Susan Haywood; and by many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and caregivers.
A visitation will be held on Friday, September 2, 2022, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at BURNS FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, 10101 Broadway, Crown Point, IN. A prayer service will take place at 5:00 p.m. at BURNS FUNERAL HOME, Crown Point. A visitation will take place on Saturday, September 3, 2022, from 9:30 a.m. until time of funeral at 10:00 a.m. directly at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 7667 E. 109th Avenue, Crown Point, IN. Rev. Thomas E. Mischler officiating. Interment Calumet Park Cemetery. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Vincent de Paul Society. www.burnsfuneral.com | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/julie-ann-mandich-harlow-samarzija/article_d3f632dc-8250-53d1-9b96-64e396bb0658.html | 2022-09-02T05:46:23 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/julie-ann-mandich-harlow-samarzija/article_d3f632dc-8250-53d1-9b96-64e396bb0658.html |
Nancy Jo McCooley
May 8, 1945 - Aug. 30, 2022
BRAZIL, IN - Nancy Jo McCooley, 77, passed away on August 30, 2022, surrounded by her family. She was one of seven children, born May 8, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois. She was preceded in death by her parents Donald Ona and Crystal Jane Berry; four siblings: Dell, Leslie "Pete", Raymond, and Sherman; and her firstborn grandson Booker Tee Paul Henson. She is survived by her children: Stephen Ellis of Brazil, IN, and Paula (Kenneth) Henson of East Bernstadt, KY; and her grandchildren: Aaron Durbin of Indiana, Vanessa Henson of Ohio, and Clayton Henson, Caleb Henson, and M'Kenna Henson all of Kentucky.
She graduated from Van Buren High School in 1963 and was a housekeeper for many years. She had a loving and generous heart; she enjoyed working with children and volunteering at her local food bank. She was of the Catholic faith, a member of the Poor Handmaids, and of the Third Order of St. Francis. Nancy loved traveling, listening to Andrea Bocelli, and spending as much time as she could with her family. She had a heart of gold and will be missed dearly by those who knew her.
A visitation will be held Friday, September 2, 2022 from 12:00 PM - 2:00 P.M. at LAWSON MILLER CHAPEL, 1702 East National Avenue in Brazil. A funeral service will begin at 2:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Martin Cemetery.
To post a note of condolence please visit www.frenchfuneralhome.com | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/nancy-mccooley/article_37dd2d4e-c73b-5c97-a1bc-e608dad09760.html | 2022-09-02T05:46:29 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/nancy-mccooley/article_37dd2d4e-c73b-5c97-a1bc-e608dad09760.html |
Raul "Chuckie" Bravo
IN LOVING MEMORY OF RAUL "CHUCKIE" BRAVO, ON HIS 10th ANNIVERSARY IN HEAVEN.
Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure, you are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure.
Love
Yaya, Gina Lee and Family.
Raul "Chuckie" Bravo
IN LOVING MEMORY OF RAUL "CHUCKIE" BRAVO, ON HIS 10th ANNIVERSARY IN HEAVEN.
Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure, you are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure.
Love
Yaya, Gina Lee and Family.
Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/raul-chuckie-bravo/article_3c2fa338-ef59-5dba-b17d-33780570d902.html | 2022-09-02T05:46:35 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/raul-chuckie-bravo/article_3c2fa338-ef59-5dba-b17d-33780570d902.html |
Stacy A. Gleason (nee Higgins)
Dec. 2, 1967 - Aug. 5, 2022
SPRING HILL, FL - Stacy A. Gleason (nee Higgins), of Spring Hill, FL, born December 2, 1967 passed away on Friday, August 5, 2022 surrounded by her loving family.
Survived by her husband Robert "Bob" Gleason; her three children: Colin, Erin, and Tatum; her mother, Betty (Kopil) Higgins; her siblings: Judy (Mike) Maretich, Nancy (Brad McClellan) Higgins, Tom (Carrie) Higgins, Tracy (John Engelman) Bonick, Tim (Cathy) Higgins, and Patrick (Karen Wilson) Higgins; and many nieces, nephews; great-nieces and great-nephews. Preceded in death by her father Tom Higgins sister Kathy Townsend, and brother-in-law Tim Bonick.
Family and friends may visit at St. Matthias Church Hall in Crown Point, IN on Sunday, September 4, 2022 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
There will be a Catholic Mass service held on Monday, September 5, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Matthias Church with Father Mick Kopil officiating.
Stacy was an Indiana University graduate of 1990 and Merrillville High School 1986. Most recently she cherished working at Kemp, Ruge & Green Law Group in Trinity, FL as a Litigation Paralegal. Prior to that she worked at Theodores & Rooth Law Office in Merrillville, IN. Her superior work ethic coupled with a positive, get-it-done attitude radiated throughout these firms and created many lasting relationships.
She was the most loving, selfless, wife, daughter, mother, sister, aunt and friend. Stacy dedicated her life to the people she loved and she never missed an important moment with her family. She was a pillar of support and encouragement for those who also battled cancer. Her talents and caring nature touched the hearts of us all.
Heaven has gained a beautiful angel, who is dearly missed and who will live in our hearts and memories forever. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society in Stacy's memory. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/stacy-a-gleason-nee-higgins/article_709d576a-82d0-52c9-8e30-d2930c9f3887.html | 2022-09-02T05:46:41 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/stacy-a-gleason-nee-higgins/article_709d576a-82d0-52c9-8e30-d2930c9f3887.html |
Suzanne Patton (nee Black)
LAFAYETTE, IN - With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Suzanne (Black) Patton, our loving and devoted mother, on May 16, 2022. She left us while sleeping peacefully at her residence in Lafayette, IN. She was in her 82nd year.
Born in Gary, IN, and raised in Merrillville, she is preceded in death by her parents: Edward G. Black and Ruth (Lambert) Black; and her brothers: Edward P. Black and David R. Black.
Suzanne was a graduate of Merrillville High School class of 1957 She completed college at Indiana University Northwest in 1976 with a degree in business management.
Suzanne is survived by her daughter, Lori (Patton) Dorrington and husband Chuck of Marietta, GA, daughter Jennifer (Patton) Lee and husband Chris of Battleground, IN; granddaughters Maeve (Lee) Pollard and husband Theo of Louisville, KY, and Annie Lee of Lafayette, IN. Suzanne is also survived by her beloved cat; Thomas and her nieces: Janet Svoboda and Linda Kelnock, and nephew Darren Black.
A celebration of Suzanne's life will be held on Sunday, September 4, 2022, at 2:00 PM with a memorial visitation starting at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Almost Home Humane Society. Visit www.mycalumetpark.com to view the full obituary or to send online condolences. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/suzanne-patton-nee-black/article_a2a63ab7-eae6-5630-8d5a-972830110b86.html | 2022-09-02T05:46:48 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/obituaries/suzanne-patton-nee-black/article_a2a63ab7-eae6-5630-8d5a-972830110b86.html |
June 16, 1930 - Aug. 30, 2022
BURLEY — Dorothy Garner Merrell, a 92-year-old resident of Burley, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022, at her home.
Dorothy was the fifth child born to David Ira and Florence Bardella Flinders Garner in Rupert, Idaho, on June 16, 1930, and joined two brothers and five sisters. All the Garner children were born at home.
Dorothy worked on the farm alongside all her family. Her favorite chore was to ride Old Bill and herd their milk cows to a pasture and watch over them all day long before returning the herd in late afternoon.
Dorothy attended school in Rupert and served on the dance team and sang in a sextet of girls, performing at various clubs and meetings throughout the area. Dorothy married in 1948 to Delbert Buckley and had five children. They were later divorced.
She married Bob Merrell in 1974 and they celebrated nearly fifty years together. Dorothy and Bob were a team and co-owned several businesses together. Their work required extensive travel. They visited 49 of the 50 states, and many international cities including London, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Tahiti, Bora Bora, and more on four continents. Dorothy was an avid traveler and had a very nimble mind. She was the idea and designer for many food products including Chicken Helper, Cup O'Soup, Lean Cuisine, La Menu and many more. Together, they brought more than 50 products to mainstream America's grocery shelves.
Even with all the work and travel, Dorothy was a caring mother, wife, daughter, and sister, and she loved her family. Dorothy suffered a stroke in 2016 and was home bound for several years; homebound, but in constant contact with her loving family.
In addition to being survived by her husband, Bob, she has left a family of five children, Marsha Kenner (Mike), Teresa Hatt (Milo), Kirk Buckley (Debbie), Stan Buckley (Denice), and Rita Petersen (Todd); 28 grandchildren; 65 great-grandchildren; 18 great-great-grandchildren; and four of her siblings, Cora Mae Christianson, Ilene Thomas (Robert), LaJune Dayley (Norman), and D. Lind Garner (Karla).
She was preceded in death by David I. and Florence Garner (parents); Eldon Garner (brother); Norma Thompson and Altha Seamons (sisters); Lori Lynch (step-daughter); Mitch Allred (son-in-law); Brenda Buckley (daughter-in-law); and Tyrel Pethtel (great-grandson).
She will always hold a special spot in her family's hearts.
The family would like to say a special thanks to Pam Ridge and Vicky Asher for their care over the years. And, a special thanks to Horizon Home Health and Hospice.
The funeral will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022 at Rasmussen-Wilson Funeral Home, located at 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, where family and friends will be received from 11:30 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. Burial will follow at Rupert Cemetery. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/obituaries/dorothy-garner-merrell/article_df22abe4-2a45-11ed-bea1-ef2da732fe60.html | 2022-09-02T05:51:31 | 0 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/obituaries/dorothy-garner-merrell/article_df22abe4-2a45-11ed-bea1-ef2da732fe60.html |
PAUL — Sammy L. Herrera, 75, of Paul passed away Tuesday, August 30, 2022 at his home. The viewing will be on Thursday, September 1, 2022 at Hansen Mortuary, 710 6th Street in Rupert, Idaho from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with the Rosary following till 8:00 p.m.
The Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, September 2, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Nicholas Church, 802 F Street, Rupert, Idaho. Burial will take place in the Rupert Cemetery following the Mass. Arrangements are under the direction of Joel Heward Hansen Mortuary. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/obituaries/funeral-notices/sammy-l-herrera/article_2cb70a19-7e7c-54d2-8b83-f454384ea8b5.html | 2022-09-02T05:51:37 | 1 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/obituaries/funeral-notices/sammy-l-herrera/article_2cb70a19-7e7c-54d2-8b83-f454384ea8b5.html |
TWIN FALLS — Samuel L. Fisher, 85, of Twin Falls, passed away at his home on August 27, 2022.
Arrangements are by Parke's Magic Valley Funeral Home in Twin Falls.
To view a full obituary and leave online condolences go to: www.magicvalleyfuneral home.com. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/obituaries/funeral-notices/samuel-l-fisher/article_b1b1432d-f872-5c22-bdc3-fd9a50e5348e.html | 2022-09-02T05:51:43 | 0 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/obituaries/funeral-notices/samuel-l-fisher/article_b1b1432d-f872-5c22-bdc3-fd9a50e5348e.html |
A New Jersey school superintendent was arrested and charged with assault, police said, stemming from an alleged domestic violence incident and fight with another man at the Jersey Shore.
According to police, Lodi Public Schools Superintendent Douglas Petty was heard yelling at a woman while on Sumner Avenue near the Boulevard in Seaside Heights after 1 a.m. on Sunday. Soon after, a police officer allegedly saw Petty punch a woman, who the Bergen Record described as an "intimate partner," in the head.
Seaside Heights police said that another man then went up to Petty and the pair got into a argument, which escalated to a physical altercation. The officer at the scene detained Petty, who was arrested for assault.
He was released on Monday, a courts spokesperson said, and is next scheduled to appear in court in Seaside Heights on Sept. 13.
"Dr. Petty is aware of the charge," his attorney Raymond Raya said in a statement to the Bergen Record. "I filed an appearance with the court and pleaded not guilty to the charge. I will reserve any further comment until after the proceedings are finished, which we believe will done expeditiously."
Petty has been the Lodi superintendent since 2019. He appeared at a school board meeting Wednesday night, without any mention of the incident. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/nj-school-superintendent-punched-woman-in-head-during-fight-at-jersey-shore-police/3849064/ | 2022-09-02T06:12:33 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/nj-school-superintendent-punched-woman-in-head-during-fight-at-jersey-shore-police/3849064/ |
It was the first day of school for some Long Island students — but instead of starting the day in class, dozens of high schoolers started the day outside protesting.
Along with some parents and alumni, the students were upset after being told just this week that the long-time principal of Elmont Memorial High School would not be returning this year. The students said they wanted to know why.
At another point on Thursday, students walked out of their classes, demanding the return of the man they call "Doc." On Tuesday, the Sewanhaka Central High School District informed the community that principal Kevin Dougherty would be "taking a sabbatical leave of absence for this school year."
The announcement sparked a social media frenzy, with many asking the question: Where is Mr. Dougherty?
"We’re asking that question — is there a problem? What’s going on?" asked parent Kevin Barnes, who said none of their concerns have been addressed. "There hasn’t been a definitive answer or statement from the school board. We were told he’s taking a sabbatical — what does that mean? Let the parents know."
The silence from the administration has left many upset at the loss of a principal who left his mark here during a seven-year tenure. Graduation rates increased during his time at the school, and he was noted for helping homeless students.
"To some people, he’s like a father figure. He hangs out with all the students, he plays games with them," said Joshua Dixon, a student who is part of a mentoring group that Dougherty helped create.
The Men of Elmont group was created in 2021 after the students created a video designed to bridge the gap between their community and local police.
"It’s rare you find any faculty member let alone a principal that truly genuinely cares about his students and the community. So if we lost that, we lose everything," said Marc-Anthony Tuo, an alumnus of the school.
Tuo fears Dougherty has been pushed out as principal, threatening the programs he helped create that now mean so much to the school community.
An online petition was created, demanding that Dougherty be returned to his old job. The Elmont community planned to stage another protest at the high school Thursday night.
"At this point 48 hours into finding out, it is disconcerting that we are being stonewalled and no one is telling us anything," said Barnes said.
The school district has refused further comment, but did announce that an assistant superintendent is taking over as acting principal here.
Attempts by NBC New York to reach Dougherty for comment were unsuccessful. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/long-island-students-walk-out-on-1st-day-after-principal-put-on-leave-without-explanation/3849061/ | 2022-09-02T06:12:39 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/long-island-students-walk-out-on-1st-day-after-principal-put-on-leave-without-explanation/3849061/ |
A Long Island mother's heartbreak was on full display after her 9-year-old son died in a car crash involving a suspected drunk driver, and now she is calling for the charges against the man to be upgraded.
Juliana Salas is dealing with the pain and anger any parent would experience from such a devastating loss. Her son, Angel, was with his father as they traveled back home on the Long Island Expressway on Aug. 22. The boy was in the back seat when a suspected impaired driver rear-ended his father's Toyota Corolla.
By the time Juliana made it to Stony Brook Hospital following the crash, Angel was already on life support.
"I was just sitting in a room with my son. Well, he's hooked up to a machine and people are just keeping his body alive, but he's no longer there," she said.
Doctors kept her son alive in order for his organs to be collected to help other children. Angel died on Sunday.
"I did things to make his life as good as I could provide," Salas said, "Without him being here, there goes my reason for for fighting. That's how it feels right now."
Travis Dickson, the driver of the BMW that crashed into the car, was charged with driving while intoxicated — which amounts to a misdemeanor ticket. Court papers stated that officers observed he had "glassy blood shot eyes and with slow slurred speech."
News
Dickson told officers at the scene that he had smoked marijuana. He also was driving despite having had his license revoked.
"An innocent child's life was taken because someone just made really, really foolish decisions," Salas said, urging prosecutors to upgrade the charges in order for the family to get some justice.
The mother is still trying to process her tragic loss.
"I would have made better choices myself as a parent, I would have had more patience. I would have kissed him more often, I would have given him more hugs," she said through tears.
The Suffolk County district attorney said that the investigation remains ongoing, but added that prosecutors are looking to bring the case before a grand jury, where they can potentially upgrade the charges. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/there-goes-my-reason-for-fighting-li-mom-grieves-son-9-killed-by-drunk-driver/3849102/ | 2022-09-02T06:12:45 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/there-goes-my-reason-for-fighting-li-mom-grieves-son-9-killed-by-drunk-driver/3849102/ |
...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT MDT SUNDAY
NIGHT...
* WHAT...Temperatures in the upper 90s to low 100s.
* WHERE...Portions of south central, southwest and west central
Idaho and northeast 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.
&&
The Downtown Boise Association met Wednesday afternoon at Boise Centre to discuss the downtown street cruise.
BOISE – The owner of the Modern Hotel and Bar, in her 18 years of managing the establishment, has become quite familiar with the downtown street cruise.
The cruise is a longtime local tradition, which features people driving laps in loud, high-performance vehicles on the weekends in front of spectators, gatherings, businesses and apartment complexes.
It’s also a menace to people like Elizabeth Tullis, Modern’s owner. She joined other members of the Downtown Boise Association on Wednesday in a conference room at Boise Centre to discuss the adverse impacts the cruise has on their businesses, saying it has gotten progressively worse in recent years.
“It’s been really bad. This summer’s gotten worse than we’ve seen. Last summer it was building and this summer they kind of own it,” said Jeremy Lotz of Delia Dante Gallery. “We leave there expecting Saturday and Sunday just to be a war zone. We get there on Monday, we pick up trash.”
For Tullis, the noise has caused customers to have bad overnight experiences at the hotel, complaining primarily about noise and leaving poor online reviews. She also said there are instances of drugs, alcohol and guns among the street gatherings.
“It’s gotten worse. Continuously. It’s gotten louder, more aggressive, it gets filthy,” Tullis said. “We are just cleaning up day, after day, after day. It gets more damaging, we lose more income.”
Wednesday’s meeting was hosted by the Downtown Boise Association, City Councilmember Holli Woodings and Boise Police Officer Ed Moreno.
Other members of the association complained of similar issues.
Allen Moya, general manager of The Car Park, said the entire cruise, which generally stretches from Fifth to 14th streets to the east and west and Main to Idaho streets to the south and north, has areas of loitering and vandalism.
He said that the signage in his parking lots get damaged and in some cases trucks have pulled down light posts.
“Thousands and thousands of dollars worth of damages,” he said.
He said the area near 14th Street is known as a big hangout spot for spectators, and the parking lot behind Record Exchange, between 11th and 12th streets, is also a problem. Near the old Greyhound bus station has also become an issue, he said. Moya said Car Park has chained off some downtown lots.
“Thus losing potential revenue on a very regular basis,” he said. “But all that does is just move them to another location elsewhere within the downtown area.”
Moreno, who has been with Boise Police since 2002, said that the problems pertaining to the cruise have changed over the years. A longtime Boise tradition, the cruise used to see minors simply breaking curfew. Boise Police would set up a substation on the weekends at city hall, pick up a handful of kids to get them processed, and call their parents.
Now, he said, 18- to 24-year-olds are coming out with different style cars.
“Not the ‘66 Chevelles anymore. Now it’s the 2020 Subaru STI,” he said. “That’s how much it’s evolved.”
When meeting attendee Todd Hurless asked for a greater police presence in the area, Moreno said that’s hard to attain because of staffing issues. Moreno said there are currently 34 openings at the Boise Police Department.
“We can’t hire people fast enough because they’re retiring just as fast,” he said.
Possible solutions
During Wednesday’s meeting, a number of solutions to business owners’ concerns were discussed.
Moreno said that business owners who have a trespass authorization agreement are at an inherent advantage. The agreement allows law enforcement to approach individuals on private property without contacting the property owner, meaning police can move in and address issues quicker.
Boise Police have restricted weekend parking on 14th Street, and that trend could continue. Moreno said that he could increase the hours of restriction and continue regulating parking into the fall and winter months. Currently there is no parking on 12th Street from Friday to Sunday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Also, parking is restricted near the corner of Main and 11th streets. Moreno said those restrictions prevents “groups from congregating on corners and setting up shop and adding to the criminal element.”
Jenn Hensley, executive director with Downtown Boise Association, said the city could explore increased penalties on tickets and citations for violators.
Hensley added that the city could establish a cruising ordinance.
Cruisers react
Although Wednesday’s meeting was designed for members of the Downtown Boise Association, a small handful of cruise participants showed up.
Zach Neagle condemned those who vandalize city streets and do damage to local establishments. He said, however, that it is not an accurate representation of many in the cruise community.
“I want to relax, enjoy summer nights because it’s one of my favorite times. And I want to go out there and see people enjoying it,” he said. “But I also want to see people being respectful. The littering is horrible. I mean, that’s … I grew up being raised camping and going out and doing lots of stuff outdoors. And we were taught, you leave it cleaner than when you got there.”
Neagle said downtown is the optimal location for cruising. He said other places feature too many residences and doing it on the highway presents greater danger.
Boise Police Officer Cameron Kolos, who was also in attendance, said that 60% to 70% of citations handed out during the cruise are not to residents of Boise. Kolos said that Boise Police hand out a large number of violations to individuals from Fruitland, Payette, Ontario, Mountain Home and Canyon County. | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/downtown-boise-business-owners-share-concerns-over-street-cruise/article_9ace598c-2a24-11ed-8db4-4bd5eb69f320.html | 2022-09-02T06:28:32 | 1 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/downtown-boise-business-owners-share-concerns-over-street-cruise/article_9ace598c-2a24-11ed-8db4-4bd5eb69f320.html |
...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT MDT SUNDAY
NIGHT...
* WHAT...Temperatures in the upper 90s to low 100s.
* WHERE...Portions of south central, southwest and west central
Idaho and northeast 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.
&&
1 of 31
Hot air balloons take flight over Boise during the Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic at Ann Morrison Park on Thursday.
Hot-air balloons show off their vibrant colors as they prepare to take flight over Boise during the Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic at Ann Morrison Park on Thursday.
Hot-air balloons show off their vibrant colors as they prepare to take flight over Boise during the Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic at Ann Morrison Park on Thursday.
BOISE — Boise's morning birds will be catching colorful views this week as the annual Sprit of Boise Balloon Classic returns.
The event, which launches from Ann Morrison Park, goes through Sunday with launches around 7 a.m. each day. The last chance to catch the balloons' lift off will be at 7 a.m Sunday; there will also be a 6 a.m. "Dawn Patrol" that morning.
There are no public balloon rides available as part of the event.
This year marks the 31st anniversary of the classic. The first gathering of balloons was held in June 1991, according to the event's website. | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/photos-spirit-of-boise-balloon-classic-lifts-off/article_6509291a-2a44-11ed-8184-6355654792e1.html | 2022-09-02T06:28:39 | 0 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/photos-spirit-of-boise-balloon-classic-lifts-off/article_6509291a-2a44-11ed-8184-6355654792e1.html |
Midland experienced a 33.9% increase in population and a 21.1% increase in houses from 2010 to 2020, according to a study on stessa.com.
That increase in houses was more than three times the average across the nation (6.5%), according to the report.
The number of housing units in Midland in 2010 was 53,097. By 2020, the total had increased to 64,303, according to the recent study. The statistics showed Midland as the 46th-ranked U.S. city of any size in terms of percentage change in total housing units. Among the smaller-sized metros, Midland ranked 44th.
Texas ranked highly in the recent study, as well.
The Lone Star State was the third-ranked state in percentage change in housing units with a 14.3% increase, according to the study.
Texas was the top state in the study in change of total number of housing units, with 1.39 million homes added from 2010 to 2020, taking the total numbers of homes statewide from 9.718 million to 11.112 million. The next highest state in the category was Florida, which added 699,267 homes during the same decade.
Though Texas added more than a million new homes during the decade, there were only two smaller Texas city among the top 30 in the nation for percentage change in housing units.
Longview was 11th and Midland 27th, according to the study. | https://www.mrt.com/news/local/article/Report-Midland-records-21-growth-in-number-of-17413826.php | 2022-09-02T06:42:21 | 1 | https://www.mrt.com/news/local/article/Report-Midland-records-21-growth-in-number-of-17413826.php |
KENT, Wash. — It's been one week since teachers in the Kent School District went on strike. The teachers say the strike isn't just about money. They want to see smaller class sizes and more support for students.
At the Night Market at Lake Desire Thursday night, among the music and crafts were teachers on day seven of their strike.
"It's devastating. We're all ready. We have our classrooms ready," said Fairwood Elementary School teacher, Edyte Parsons.
Parsons said for her classroom, the past two years have been hard.
"I go home and I am so upset because I can't help them. I had four students threaten suicide last year, in fourth grade, and we didn't have anyone to go to. There was nobody," said Parsons.
It's one reason the teacher's union, Kent Education Association, is calling on the Kent School District to make changes.
"This is our rainy fund. These students are struggling. They're behind academically, socially they need help," said Parsons.
Data from the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction says between now and September 2024 the Kent School District has over $68 million in COVID relief money, known as ESSER, to spend. Teachers want to see some of that money put towards their request.
The district also presented teachers with a 6.3 percent raise. 5.5 percent of the raise is considered a cost of living adjustment from the state. When it comes to the additional .8 percent increase, teachers say they'd be open to negotiating a smaller amount if it meant funding for more help.
"My impression, from talking to so many teachers, top of mind isn't about the money. It's about other things like supporting students, mental health services, things like that," said former Kent School Board Member Michele Bettinger. She resigned from her position in June.
Bettinger supports the teachers' cause, however, she acknowledged how complicated school funding can be.
"You can't move the buckets of money around. Everything has to go to what it's earmarked for," said Bettinger.
The district's website says it has used some ESSER funds to "pilot teletherapy services in response to the mental health care shortage and the difficulty of filling mental health vacancies."
The district could choose to use its ESSER funds for several things. The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction has a list of 14 ways ESSER funds can be used. They include providing mental health services and support and addressing learning loss among students.
Bettinger is surprised the strike has lasted this long. Parsons thinks despite efforts, she doesn't believe there has been much progress between the Kent School District and the Kent Education Association.
"I really think it's going to take the parents because they're not listening to us, they're not listening to anybody. So maybe, it's going to take the parents standing up and saying it needs to stop," said Parsons. | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/kent-teacher-strike-moves-second-week-school-district/281-9365ea21-e49f-4081-adda-3ffd455402ee | 2022-09-02T07:04:58 | 0 | https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/kent-teacher-strike-moves-second-week-school-district/281-9365ea21-e49f-4081-adda-3ffd455402ee |
Michigan travelers will get a break from roadwork over Labor Day weekend
Orange barrels will be moved from 96 Michigan roads for the Labor Day weekend, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Thursday.
The Michigan Department of Transportation will remove barrels, cones and other lane restrictions from road and bridge construction projects across the state from Friday to Tuesday. The goal is to ease traffic delays, Whitmer said in a news release.
"This long weekend, we are suspending work and lifting traffic restrictions so Michiganders can get where they need to go safely and on time,” Whitmer said. "On Tuesday morning, the work will continue, and we will roll up our sleeves and keep getting things done."
Some lane restrictions will still be in place and state transportation director Paul C. Ajegba encouraged drivers to slow down in work zones and stay alert.
The Mackinac Bridge will be closed on Labor Day from 6:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. during the Annual Bridge Walk.
hmackay@detroitnews.com
@hmackayDN | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2022/09/02/michigan-travelers-get-break-roadwork-over-labor-day-weekend/7968000001/ | 2022-09-02T07:07:22 | 0 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2022/09/02/michigan-travelers-get-break-roadwork-over-labor-day-weekend/7968000001/ |
Man sentenced to life plus 70 years in Salisbury rape, kidnapping
A man found guilty of sexually assaulting women at two different locations in Salisbury was sentenced to life in prison plus 70 years.
Damon Williamson, 50, formerly of Westover, was sentenced Aug. 23 by the S. James Sarbanes, administrative judge of the Circuit Court for Wicomico County.
“All citizens deserve to live and work in safe communities," said Wicomico County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Dykes. "The work of the Salisbury Police Department and the Wicomico County State’s Attorney’s Office, along with the sentence imposed by the court has ensured that this predator will never again victimize a citizen of Wicomico County.”
Jurors convicted Williamson of kidnapping, attempted first-degree rape, two counts of second-degree rape and other related offenses after a two-day trial that ended May 5.
BACKGROUND:Wicomico County jury finds man guilty of kidnapping, second-degree rape
RELATED:1 charged, 1 wanted in Salisbury sexual assault investigation
Williamson sexually assaulted a woman at the Chesapeake Inn in January 2021, according to prosecutors.
He also took two women from east Salisbury to the city's industrial park area in February 2021, prosecutors said, to sexually assault each of them.
Williamson was on parole at the time on previous convictions of rape, aggravated assault and burglary in Pennsylvania. | https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/maryland/2022/09/01/man-sentenced-to-life-plus-70-years-in-salisbury-rape-kidnapping/65468099007/ | 2022-09-02T07:10:45 | 1 | https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/maryland/2022/09/01/man-sentenced-to-life-plus-70-years-in-salisbury-rape-kidnapping/65468099007/ |
Police in New Jersey arrested a man who they allege placed GPS tracking devices on multiple vehicles in order to stalk his victim.
The Bergen County Prosecutor's office said Thursday that Brett Halloran, of Wyckoff, had been charged with fourth-degree stalking for a repeated and ongoing pattern of behavior against an individual.
The victim told Haworth Police on Aug. 23 that a GPS device had been found on his vehicle. The Special Investigations Squad of the county prosecutor's office looked into the matter and found that the 41-year-old Halloran, who is married, had placed four tracking devices on vehicles.
It was unclear why Musella places the devices on the vehicles, or how long it had been going on.
Attorney information for Musella, who prosecutors said is employed as an attorney, was not immediately available. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/nj-attorney-planted-gps-trackers-on-multiple-vehicles-to-stalk-victim-police/3849123/ | 2022-09-02T07:41:52 | 0 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/nj-attorney-planted-gps-trackers-on-multiple-vehicles-to-stalk-victim-police/3849123/ |
Police arrested two suspects wanted in the deadly shooting of a longtime TSA worker who was gunned down blocks from his Brooklyn home while talking to his sister on the phone.
Richard Barrett and Irene Brown were charged Thursday with murder in the shooting death of 45-year-old Donovan Davy, who worked at JFK Airport for nearly 20 years. Barrett, 34, also faces a weapon possession charge.
Davy ran out for a quick errand in his East Flatbush neighborhood just after midnight on May 29, when police said that Barrett snuck up behind him and shot him in the neck. Davy was taken to NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County, where he died.
Surveillance video taken from the intersection of East 35th Street and Church Avenue showed two figures gathering at the corner, before one figure was seen falling to the ground and then one person ran away from the scene. Another camera showed police arriving afterwards.
Davy was just two blocks from the family's apartment when the fatal shots were fired.
"I got this feeling, like let me just call my brother, because he was taking a little bit too long," his sister, Poshana Davy, said of the call she made to her brother — the last time she would ever speak to him.
News
She said that she heard "three to four shots" while she was on the phone with him.
"I ran out to where the sirens were and I ran to see my brother get CPR done to him," his sister said. "He had no reason to be hit cowardly in the back of the neck."
Those close to Davy call him a family-oriented person, and a hard worker. His sister said he was looking forward to reaching his 20th year at his job.
Attorney information for Barrett and the 31-year-old Brown was not immediately available. Motive for the shooting was unclear, but the shooting may have been gang-related. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/suspects-arrested-in-shooting-death-of-tsa-agent-gunned-down-while-on-call-with-sister/3849113/ | 2022-09-02T07:41:59 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/suspects-arrested-in-shooting-death-of-tsa-agent-gunned-down-while-on-call-with-sister/3849113/ |
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) –Two abandoned ships in the Columbia River, off Hayden Island, have been approved for removal.
The United States Coast Guard said the 125-foot Alert and the 100-foot Sakarissa are adjacent to the Interstate 5 Bridge and a mile upriver from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad bridge.
According to the Coast Guard, the ships have been discharging a sheen into the waterway due to hull deterioration and oil saturation inside the ships. Officials noted they are also a collision hazard for other vessels.
“Even though the Coast Guard oversaw the removal of thousands of gallons of diesel and oily water from these vessels in 2020, they still pose a risk,” said L.t. Lisa Siebert, the Incident Management Division Supervisor at Coast Guard Sector Columbia River – Detachment Portland. “We have worked closely with our State and local partners to develop an integrated plan to remove these vessels and protect the public and the environment.”
In early September, dive teams will determine the safest way to raise and transport the ships, officials said. The ships will then be transported to a facility to safely pump any remaining oil before the Oregon Department of State Lands will take custody for final disposal.
During the project, the area will be closed to public access. | https://www.koin.com/local/multnomah-county/abandoned-ships-set-for-removal-from-columbia-river/ | 2022-09-02T07:59:51 | 1 | https://www.koin.com/local/multnomah-county/abandoned-ships-set-for-removal-from-columbia-river/ |
Northern Arizona’s couldn’t pull off a second consecutive in-state FBS update Thursday night, as the Lumberjacks fell 40-3 to the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium to open the 2022 season.
A close game for about 20 minutes of play, Arizona State simply overpowered the Lumberjacks and ran away with the contest in the second half.
“We didn’t really do what we necessarily do to establish our run game and we turned the ball over, made the mistake on the field goal and that cost us. Everything we saw out there is fixable, but we just didn’t take care of the ball and execute like we needed to do,” Northern Arizona coach Chris Ball said.
The Lumberjacks took a major blow early with the loss of defensive back Anthony Sweeney. The veteran senior, who missed all of last season with an injury, was part of a collision early in the first quarter and had to be helped off the field with what looked like a leg injury.
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“I’m sure it took the wind out of everybody. The kid got hurt last year and busted his butt to get back, and now we’re waiting to see what happens with him now,” Ball said.
Even still, Northern Arizona kept the contest close in the first quarter, holding the Sun Devils to just three points and making a skillful stand in the red zone. Northern Arizona had a chance to tie the score at 3-3, but mishandled a snap on a field goal attempt.
In the second quarter, up 3-0, the Sun Devils moved the ball again but the Lumberjacks appeared to make a stand at the goal line. On third down and goal, quarterback Emory Jones reached for the end zone but was just short. But the Sun Devils went for it on fourth down and Jones stretched across the goal line for a touchdown.
The Sun Devils tacked on 10 more points, finishing the first half with 276 of their 419 total yards for the game in the first two periods.
Down 24-0 with just over a minute left in the second quarter, Northern Arizona defensive end Sheldon Newton recorded a sack and forced a fumble in Arizona State’s territory. The Lumberjacks recovered the ball, and capitalized on the favorable field position with a field goal with five seconds left in the half.
The turnover and ensuing score provided what the Lumberjacks hoped was a mental shift before the break.
“We ran a great stunt. Mark Ho Ching penetrated really good, freed me up. I got a hit on the quarterback and got the ball out,” Newton said. “It was a big momentum change.”
However, Arizona State marched down the field quickly to start the third quarter and essentially put the game away. Jones scored his second rushing touchdown, and the Sun Devils tacked on three more field goals to keep the lead growing.
Northern Arizona couldn’t move the ball effectively to cut into the deficit. The Lumberjacks finished with just 120 total yards.
Meanwhile, busting runs to the outside, the Sun Devils kept getting chunk plays. They finished with 267 yards on the ground.
“They moved lateral all game. We practiced all week going power, power, power, but they switched it up on us. We’ve got to be ready for that, but they went lateral all game,” Newton said.
The loss was Northern Arizona’s first of the season, pushing its record to 0-1 (0-0 Big Sky). For a bit of solace, the outcome does little to affect the Lumberjacks’ goal of competing in its conference.
“Every goal we have on the board is still attainable, this doesn’t knock us out of the Big Sky championship, doesn’t knock us out of the playoffs,” Ball said.
Northern Arizona will be on the road again for its next contest, visiting Sam Houston on Sept. 10. | https://azdailysun.com/sports/local/naus-sweeney-hurt-as-lumberjacks-football-falls-at-arizona-state/article_82fb2500-2a66-11ed-beac-67a3cfab204b.html | 2022-09-02T07:59:52 | 0 | https://azdailysun.com/sports/local/naus-sweeney-hurt-as-lumberjacks-football-falls-at-arizona-state/article_82fb2500-2a66-11ed-beac-67a3cfab204b.html |
Public and non-profit entities throughout southwest Ohio can apply for competitive federal economic development grants now that the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy is in place, according to Ellen Heinz, regional representative for Ohio at the U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration.
“That is one of the best CEDS I’ve ever seen,” said Heinz, noting that the EDA places a premium on regional collaboration. “The Dayton region really shines in the state of Ohio.”
The five-year Dayton Region CEDS, finalized in June, sets economic development priorities, strategies for achieving them, and an evaluation framework for Auglaize, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clinton, Darke, Greene, Mercer, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, Shelby and Warren counties. For the first time it includes equity and inclusiveness goals for each regional economic priority.
Heinz joined local and federal officials on Tuesday at a workshop held at the Dayton Development Coalition’s office to talk about ways to obtain federal and state funding.
The workshop targeted local government leaders, educators, economic development organizations, workforce development organizations and non-profits. About 100 people attended in person or online.
“We know the process for funding projects can be complex and confusing. There are dozens of programs available with different rules and requirements, and we do our best to keep our community partners up-to-date,” said Julie Sullivan, the coalition’s executive vice president of regional development.
She encouraged community leaders to contact the coalition or the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission, which co-authored the CEDS in partnership with the EDA and with community input, to see whether projects in their community may qualify for funding.
Workshop speakers also discussed grants or loans available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Dayton-Montgomery County Port Authority and JobsOhio, the state’s privatized economic development arm.
“We want our communities to be able to leverage these resources to support economic development,” Sullivan said.
EDA grant applicants are more likely to get funding if their projects fit the CEDS, which Sullivan called the region’s economic development “roadmap.”
The EDA funding is designed to help distressed communities, those that have had major job losses or a natural disaster, Heinz said. It funds Opportunity Zone projects, economic development planning and infrastructure, and awarded money from the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan.
The Dayton region received EDA funding after the 2019 tornadoes and most recently EDA awarded Central State University $3.6 million for a workforce training and business development center at its west Dayton campus.
“It’s a highly competitive process,” Heinz said, whose Chicago office covers a six-state region including Ohio. “We are looking at job creation, retention and investment.”
She said those seeking funding should look at the EDA website to see what kind of projects get funding, have matching funding ready to go and not ask for more than what is needed.
“What is your compelling story?” Heinz said. “It has to be all about job creation, investment and retention.”
The CEDS sets five regional priority areas:
- Workforce development and talent attraction and retention
- Infrastructure, including roads and bridges, water, sewer, energy and broadband
- Vibrant, diverse communities where people want to live and work
- Supporting small business and entrepreneurship
- A resilient, growing and diversified economy
Follow @LynnHulseyDDN on Twitter and Facebook
About the Author | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/local/officials-outline-how-to-get-funding-for-regions-economic-development-projects/PEIDCNLW4ZCETPMOCKJMI4RPDQ/ | 2022-09-02T08:29:16 | 0 | https://www.springfieldnewssun.com/local/officials-outline-how-to-get-funding-for-regions-economic-development-projects/PEIDCNLW4ZCETPMOCKJMI4RPDQ/ |
New Mexico judiciary endorses elimination of some court fees
SANTA FE — New Mexico’s judiciary has endorsed the elimination of court fees for traffic violations and some misdemeanor criminal cases that can have a disproportionate effect on the poor, a top court administrator announced Thursday.
Jason Clack, a division director for the Administrative Office of the Courts, told a panel of legislators that the endorsement is contingent upon replacing fee income with taxpayer dollars from the state general fund.
The Legislature is likely to consider the budget proposal and companion statutory changes when it meets in January 2023.
“The courts here are saying that there is a problem that they are ready to fix,” said Democratic state Rep. Micaela Lara Cadena of Mesilla, who plans to sponsor a bill to rein in court fees.
The new proposal, endorsed by the state Supreme Court in August, would not affect court fines applied by judges as punishment, and municipal courts could continue to collect fees on enforcement of local ordinances.
State courts collect roughly $16 million each year in fees on traffic and misdemeanor cases to sustain an array of programs include juries, magistrate pensions, an Albuquerque crime lab and support services for people with brain injuries.
The judiciary’s proposal would sustain those programs by diverting money from the state general fund amid a multibillion-dollar annual state budget surplus.
Critics of the current fee system say it's an inefficient way to fund government programs and has a disproportionate impact on impoverished residents that can deprive them of crucial income and prompt or prolong incarceration.
In New Mexico, unpaid fees are met with some leniency, triggering an assessment of defendants’ ability to pay. That can lead to debt forgiveness, community service requirements, or jail time that provides a roughly $100 credit per day against court debts.
But ignored court hearings and debts lead to bench warrants more than 25,000 times a year statewide, coupled with additional fees.
“Fees are not supposed to be punitive," Cynthia Pacheco, a program manager for the Administrative Office of the Courts, told legislators. “Under the current system, we've started to think of the fees as the punishment.”
Since 2019, a variety of court fees have been eliminated in states including Michigan, Mississippi, Wisconsin and California, along with cities from New York to Portland.
The trend can be traced to intense scrutiny of courts and policing in Ferguson, Missouri, in the aftermath of the August 2014 fatal shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown, an unarmed Black man, by a white city police officer.
The U.S. Department of Justice found that Ferguson was using its municipal police and court system to generate revenue, largely on the backs of poor and Black people.
In 2021, New Mexico lawmakers eliminated the assessment of court fines and fees against juvenile defendants. | https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/news/local/new-mexico/2022/09/01/new-mexico-judiciary-endorses-elimination-of-some-court-fees/65469179007/ | 2022-09-02T08:31:34 | 0 | https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/news/local/new-mexico/2022/09/01/new-mexico-judiciary-endorses-elimination-of-some-court-fees/65469179007/ |
New Mexico Supreme Court details ruling on stream access
ALBUQUERQUE — The New Mexico Supreme Court on Thursday detailed its legal reasoning for a decision earlier this year that answered a long simmering question over whether the public had a right to access rivers and streams that flow through private property.
The court's written opinion follows a decision announced from the bench in March that invalidated regulations by the state Game Commission permitting property owners to close access to waters on their land.
Steam access has been an issue across the West for years. While several states have recognized public ownership and use of water is distinct from ownership of the river or stream bed, neighboring Colorado is among those where the debate is ongoing and a court case over access to the Arkansas River is pending.
Under the New Mexico Constitution, water within the state belongs to the public but the banks next to that water and the land beneath the water may be owned privately.
It was a 1945 ruling by the New Mexico Supreme Court that determined a landowner with property on both sides of a lake could not prohibit someone from fishing in boats on the lake. In that case, the court said the constitution and pre-statehood law established a right for the public to fish, boat and engage in other forms of recreation in public water.
The court in the latest opinion addressed whether the right to recreate and fish in public water also allows the public the right to touch privately owned land below those waters.
“Walking and wading on the privately owned beds beneath public water is reasonably necessary for the enjoyment of many forms of fishing and recreation,” the opinion reads. “Having said that, we stress that the public may neither trespass on privately owned land to access public water, nor trespass on privately owned land from public water.”
The court said public easement covers what would be reasonably necessary to use the water itself and that any use of the beds and banks must have minimal impact.
The justices also noted that the Game Commission lacked the authority to promulgate the regulations that spurred the fight.
Under the process established by the commission, landowners could apply for certification deeming that water flowing through their property was “non-navigable public water." That would authorize them to close access, and unless they provided someone with written permission people could be cited for trespass if they touched a stream or lake bed on waters closed to access.
The regulations went into effect in 2018, prompting a coalition of anglers, rafters and conservationists to file a petition. The groups argued that the public has the constitutional right to fish, boat or use any stream for recreation so long as they do not trespass across private land to get there.
In court filings, the groups pointed to similar conclusions reached over the years by courts in Montana, Oregon and Utah.
The New Mexico Supreme Court in its opinion also noted Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, Wyoming and South Dakota have all recognized public use of water is distinct from river or stream bed ownership.
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich and former U.S. Sen. Tom Udall, both Democrats, had filed a brief with the court in 2020 in support of the right to access public surface waters. Heinrich on Thursday applauded the court for reaffirming that right.
“This is a an enormous victory for people who care about our history, our culture, and our natural resources," Heinrich said. “Public waters will remain public.” | https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/news/local/new-mexico/2022/09/01/new-mexico-supreme-court-details-ruling-on-stream-access/65469169007/ | 2022-09-02T08:31:40 | 0 | https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/news/local/new-mexico/2022/09/01/new-mexico-supreme-court-details-ruling-on-stream-access/65469169007/ |
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These soiled undies have a story to tell, and it could keep our coastlines healthyMike BergerSpecial to Salisbury Daily TimesView CommentsView CommentsView CommentsView Comments | https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/delaware/2022/09/02/these-soiled-undies-have-a-story-to-tell-to-keep-coastlines-healthy/65463504007/ | 2022-09-02T09:16:51 | 1 | https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/delaware/2022/09/02/these-soiled-undies-have-a-story-to-tell-to-keep-coastlines-healthy/65463504007/ |
What Wilmington’s new deputy director of Parks and Rec has planned for city centers
Raised in Southbridge, the new deputy director of Wilmington’s Parks and Recreation Department has been on the job for only one month but says she is already using her previous experience working with youth and her love for the community to make an impact.
Melody Phillips, 42, joined the department on August 1. Her role oversees the day-to-day operations of Wilmington’s city parks, as well as supervising recreation centers.
Phillips has worked in the programming industry for more than a decade. Most recently, she was the director at The Warehouse, a community hub for teenagers to access social and recreational activities in Northeast Wilmington.
Phillips has also worked as a program manager at Delaware Technical Community College, where she helped build a GED and career pathway program for struggling youth between the ages of 16 to 24.
“The program was really successful," Phillips said. "We had a 72% completion rate and the requirement from the state was 67%.”
FOR SUBSCRIBERS:'Teen Warehouse' to provide opportunities for young people in Wilmington's Riverside neighborhood
As a native of the Southbridge neighborhood, Phillips developed a passion for serving youth and families in the Wilmington area. She prioritizes building communities and enhancing social justice initiatives.
“Southbridge is home and that's where I grew up," Phillips said. "People will often hear me rep Southbridge frequently because I still have a heart for it."
In addition to her programming background, Phillips started her own consulting firm in an effort to spark community action through grant writing and designed initiatives. She is also enrolled in the Chicago School of Professional Psychology's doctorate program and is in the process of completing her dissertation on co-developed youth and adult leadership models.
Delaware Online/The News Journal caught up with Phillips to learn about her plans for the department and what she hopes to accomplish.
The following Q&A has been edited for length and clarity:
Q: How did you become interested in the position and why do you want to help lead the department?
A: I believe young people need to be in spaces and places where we can really elevate them to lead and so anytime I have an opportunity to do that — it’s a good day. Ironically enough after I resigned from the Teen Warehouse to start my own consulting firm, (Parks and Recreation) Director (Ian) Smith reached out to me to do an assessment of his leadership team. I met with them, did observations, conducted individual interviews to help understand their inner workings. Through this process, I also informed them of different ways that the Willam "Hicks" Anderson Community Center could grow from a program standpoint.
Q: How has your previous background in programming and consulting prepared you for this position?
A: I’ve only been with this team for a few weeks now but I’m already tapping into a lot of that experience. For example, my community service work — because I’ve made some wonderful connections with both large and small grassroots and non-profits from across the city, I was able to reach out to a bunch of different partners and have them actively engage with a recent open house that we had. Having built those relationships and having that experience of running the Team Warehouse has helped me prepare.
Q: What are some goals that you have for Wilmington?
A: Increasing recreation and another goal is really developing a youth leadership program at the Hicks Anderson Community Center and bridging the gap between our senior centers on the first floor and the programs that run on the main level of the building, so that way our seniors could feel more included — we really want to make sure that they are being involved in the activities. This would also include doing a program where some of our young people interact with the seniors and help them understand the nuances of technology, which will help the digital divide that some of our seniors experience. I also heard from a lot of young people that they would love to have a music production studio at Hicks Anderson.
Q: Are there any glaring issues in Wilmington that you want to address?
A: One of the things that we identified especially that there are a lot of “food deserts” around the city — meaning there isn’t a local grocery store that is readily accessible. So one of the ideas that we have is expanding the community refrigerators that are popping up in the city. We are currently having conversations with the nonprofit, Planting to Feed, to potentially launch a community refrigerator in front of Hicks Community Center.
Q: Are there any specific programs that you want to bring to community centers or parks around Wilmington?
A: I think a priority will be making sure that the Wilmington area knows about the programs that are already available and having constant communication between all the community centers — all of them do an excellent job by offering programs to both youths and adults and even 12 and under. I think some sort of interactive calendar where we can place events of each others around the city would really impact how we can get more community members to support these events throughout the entire city.
Have a tip or story ideas? Contact local reporter Cameron Goodnight at cgoodnight@delawareonline.com, or by calling or texting 302-324-2208. Follow him on Twitter at @CamGoodnight. | https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/2022/09/02/wilmingtons-parks-rec-deputy-director-turns-focus-to-city-youth-melody-phillips/65462746007/ | 2022-09-02T09:17:29 | 1 | https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/2022/09/02/wilmingtons-parks-rec-deputy-director-turns-focus-to-city-youth-melody-phillips/65462746007/ |
Advocates say last two years were best in Rhode Island history for environmental policy
PROVIDENCE – The state’s leading environmental groups have come to the same conclusion as some observers of the General Assembly: the past two legislative sessions have been the most productive on climate change and related issues in recent memory, if not ever.
“The best two years of environmental policymaking in Rhode Island history,” the Environment Council of Rhode Island concludes in its most recent Green Report Card, the coalition’s biennial assessment of the state legislature that was released this week.
The highlight was passage in 2021 of the Act on Climate, a law that makes reductions in greenhouse-gas emissions mandatory and enforceable. The law signed by Gov. Dan McKee, which sets 2050 as the deadline for Rhode Island to reach net-zero emissions, had long been demanded by the environment council, which represents the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, the National Wildlife Federation and about 60 other advocacy organizations active in the state.
More:RI moves closer to passing nation's most aggressive law on renewable energy
Burst of activity after years of inaction
Legislators built on that foundation in the session that wrapped up this summer with a bill that updates the Renewable Energy Standard, the key law that drives the development of greener sources of power, and another that requires the state’s largest utility to solicit another 1,000 megawatts of offshore wind power.
The activity around the environment comes after years of inaction that preceded Joseph Shekarchi’s ascension to House Speaker in the 2021 session. The environment council credits Shekarchi for the progress in policymaking, as well as House Majority Leader Chris Blazejewski and Sen. Dawn Euer, chair of the Senate environment committee and a lead sponsor of the Act on Climate and the offshore wind bill.
The council praises Shekarchi and Blazejewski for their support of those bills and also for their opposition to legislation that would have allowed for the processing of plastic waste using a high-heat process called pyrolysis that environmental groups have criticized as polluting.
The report card also applauds Senate President Dominick Ruggerio’s work, which included sponsorship of the Renewable Energy Standard bill and legislation banning single-use plastic bags, but chides him for allowing the pyrolysis bill to advance through the Senate.
Among the legislative victories on environmental issues was a drinking-water standard for PFAS chemicals, which have been linked to cancers and other diseases.
Council urges more work in environmental equity
The council says the General Assembly must do more on environmental justice to alleviate pollution in overburdened minority and low-income neighborhoods, on siting solar facilities to prevent deforestation, and on transportation policies to cut tailpipe emissions.
After McKee took over as governor last year following Gina Raimondo’s departure to Washington, his administration has continued largely in the same direction in the council’s view.
Although McKee expressed the intention of considering climate policies across the administration, not all state agencies have followed through in areas such as transportation and housing, the council says.
“Ultimately, stronger leadership from the governor’s office will be needed to meet the Act on Climate mandate and address Rhode Island’s other environmental issues. ECRI hopes to see bolder action from the governor’s office in the coming years, regardless of who wins the November 2022 elections,” the assessment says. | https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/local/2022/09/02/rhode-island-laws-best-years-environment-act-on-climate/7939672001/ | 2022-09-02T09:17:38 | 0 | https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/local/2022/09/02/rhode-island-laws-best-years-environment-act-on-climate/7939672001/ |
PORTLAND, Oregon — September is Hunger Action Month and on Thursday Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon held a fundraiser in north Portland to support systems-level efforts to end hunger.
One facet of their work is an effort to change laws to allow immigrants to access federal nutrition programs regardless of their status.
“Something like going to a grocery store which a normal person would take for granted is huge for someone who doesn't have those resources," said Nel Taylor, co-executive director for Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon. “Being able to pick their own food, culturally appropriate food, food that doesn't make them sick is something that's so significant that most people just wouldn't really think about.”
As a teen Taylor was hungry and homeless and knows what it's like, which is why doing this work means so much.
“Now that I'm doing fundraising, it feels like it's come full circle,” said Taylor. “I used to ask people for money on the street and now I'm here asking other people for money to fund these programs that helped me when I was younger.”
The Oregon Food Bank reports that nearly 1 in 5 Oregonians have faced food insecurity. On Wednesday, they gave their annual State of Hunger Address.
One point of concern they shared is that many struggling with food insecurity are still recovering from the pandemic; and now their food budgets are further tightened by inflation and rising fuel costs.
“The cost of our groceries in our communities is up at least 10% overall,” said Susannah Morgan, CEO of the Oregon Food Bank. “This is happening at a time when lower-income households already spend more than a third of their budgets on food.”
Anyone looking for food assistance can find multiple resources by visiting Oregon Food Finder for assistance. | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/nonprofits-fight-food-insecurity-portland/283-8fc3fd06-9023-474a-956b-1252e4fe8244 | 2022-09-02T09:20:01 | 1 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/nonprofits-fight-food-insecurity-portland/283-8fc3fd06-9023-474a-956b-1252e4fe8244 |
TRI-CITIES, Tenn. (WJHL) — Labor Day Weekend is almost here and many will be hitting the water for one last time for the summer. Before everyone heads out, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is asking people to practice safe boating.
According to the TWRA, boating deaths statewide in Tennessee in 2022 have already surpassed 2021 numbers. 22 deaths were reported in 2021 and 24 deaths have already been reported in 2022.
Numbers have not surpassed 2020 numbers, which proved to be a particularly deadly year with more than 30 boating-related deaths according to the TWRA.
Matthew Cameron with the TWRA said they’re not sure why deaths were up this year, but he said statistically speaking alcohol is the leading contributing factor to fatal boating accidents.
While it is legal to consume alcohol while on the water for those 21 and older, the operator of the boat must be sober. Boat operators who are caught driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can face Boating Under the Influence (BUI) charges.
Cameron also advises wearing a life jacket.
“You know, a lot of folks say, ‘Well, I’m a good swimmer’ or ‘I’m healthy, I’m young, I’m stronger, whatever,'” said Cameron, “We pull young healthy people off the bottom of the lake all the time because what happens is you’re in the middle of the waterway, get thrown out of a boat or you fall out or something that causes you to be underwater unexpectedly…. you get separated from your boat… it’s a long way to try to swim across the lake. I don’t care how good of shape you are, [if] you’re not a swimmer, you’re going to have a tough time swimming.”
State law in Tennessee requires children under 12 years of age to wear a life jacket if they are on the open deck and on open water. Life jackets can be removed if they are below the deck or if the boat is anchored, moored, or beached.
According to the TWRA, the three summer holiday weekends tend to be the deadliest for boating accidents, with July 4th having the most deadly accidents or accidents with serious injuries. Labor Day tends to have the least of the three weekends.
With a forecast predicting rain in Northeast Tennessee, Cameron predicts there could be fewer people on the water or at least fewer people at the same time, which reduces the risk of accidents.
Cameron also said for those planning to stay out on the water at night for fireworks be sure the lights onboard are functional and have spare bulbs and fuses to avoid getting stuck in the dark.
If anyone experiences an emergency on the water they are urged to call 911. For those who would like to report unsafe or reckless situations, they can call the East Tennessee Poaching Hotline at 1 (800) 831-1174. Cameron said that line connects callers with a dispatcher so they can report any violence or boating violation and dispatch an officer to the area. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/twra-urges-boaters-to-use-caution-labor-day-weekend/ | 2022-09-02T09:26:14 | 1 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/twra-urges-boaters-to-use-caution-labor-day-weekend/ |
TUPELO • If all goes according to plan, Tupelo officials will spend millions over the next few years sprucing up the city’s parks, fixing drainage issues, upgrading city hall and repairing its roads.
With the deadline to adopt its 2022-23 fiscal year budget looming, Tupelo elected officials heard the administration's plans for its capital budget during a work session early this week. The city has an estimated revenue of $6.7 million and an expected expense of about $8.4 million for the upcoming fiscal year, and Tupelo officials expect to make a dent in some of the wishlist items of council members, as well as general upgrades to just about every department in some capacity.
This week’s session was the final of a series of capital budget meetings. The city plans to hold a public hearing on Sept. 6 to discuss the proposed tax levy and expects a special-called meeting on Sept. 13 to approve the proposed budget just ahead of the Sept. 14 deadline.
City officials expect upgrades to parks
Tupelo officials are eyeing improvements to multiple parks across the city through 2024.
The lion’s share of the city’s spending will be focused on making improvements to Ballard Park, including the planned installation of ADA-approved playground equipment.
According to Kim Hanna, chief financial officer for the city of Tupelo, the city has budgeted $500,000 for upgrades to Ballard Park specifically.
While not slotted for the upcoming year, city officials also expect to make several upgrades to Hancock Park and Gumtree Park. The proposed budget includes upgrades to these parks under a line item titled “basketball improvements."
Hanna noted those improvements include upgrades to “support structures.”
Ward 4 Councilwoman Nettie Davis said she was unhappy seeing upgrades to Ballard Park when Gumtree Park needs a new pavilion after a tornado destroyed the old one. She threatened to vote against the proposed budget unless the administration included the upgrades.
“I don’t see anything down for Gumtree Park,” she said. “I don’t want my parks to be neglected any more than any other park. There is a drastic need for a pavilion.”
Hanna noted the city included the construction of a pavilion in the upgrades to Gumtree Park in 2024 under the basketball line item. Davis insisted on separating the items at the suggestion of Tupelo Chief Operations Officer Don Lewis.
The administration also plans to spend $450,000 on parking and a bus turnaround at the Elvis Presley Birthplace.
Ward 3 Councilman Travis Beard said he wanted to see more investment in the city’s pickleball, a hybrid tennis and badminton, courts. The city has some funds allocated to pickleball courts in 2024.
Capital Plan reflects ongoing plans for railroad upgrades
Tupelo officials plan to spend $1.5 million the city received as part of the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and & Equity grant program to begin engineering work for significant upgrades to the city’s railroad infrastructure.
Last month, Tupelo Mayor Todd Journal called the funds a “real shot in the arm” for the city’s ongoing plans to establish quiet zones throughout the city — sections of rail line at least one-half mile long where locomotive horns don’t have to be sounded at public rail-grade crossings.
City officials are prioritizing the establishment of quiet zones on either side of the Crosstown intersection. The city also hopes to move BNSF’s switching operation further south, eliminating the long wait at Crosstown while trains change tracks.
The grant, which officials included in the capital plan, will cover 30% of the project’s engineering costs.
Drainage and other infrastructure upgrades on deck
The proposed capital plan also includes more than $18.5 million in spending to repair drainage issues across the city.
Tupelo officials recently approved the hiring of engineers to tackle nearly 20 drainage projects citywide at an estimated price tag of $18.5 million. Officials plan to pay for this using $9 million in federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act, plus — they’re hoping — another $9 million from a state grant program that would match ARPA spending.
The capital plan also includes another $18 million in spending on drainage projects through a state revolving loan fund to Tupelo Water and Light.
Meanwhile, the city has budgeted $500,000 in grant money for drainage work on McCullough Boulevard and Endville Road. Hanna noted she budgeted money for the prep work for curbs and gutters but expects to keep both projects under the state grant allocation.
Aquatic Center maintenance reduction in response to other capital projects
City officials also slashed the proposed maintenance budget for the Aquatic Center in half.
Ward 6 Councilwoman asked why the administration planned the drop from the budgeted $100,000 to just $50,000.
Gaston noted there were multiple issues with the center that needed maintenance attention, including the lockers which she said showed signs of rusting.
According to Hanna, the city is planning to make several significant upgrades to the Aquatic Center this year that would reduce maintenance costs.
“Right now, we are anticipating spending a good bit to prevent the needed maintenance,” she said.
Parks and Recreation Director Alex Farned said the locker rooms and the building's acoustics were being eyed for upgrades with the maintenance fund in the upcoming fiscal year.
City hall expects 'technology upgrades'
The capital budget includes more than a half-million in spending on upgrades to City Hall, mostly to the second floor, including the foyer, chamber entrance and the boardroom.
According to Hanna, the administration plans to upgrade the technology of the boardroom in particular. She said the city budgeted $500,000 for the upgrades.
City puts continued focus on blight removal, revitalization
City officials also expressed a desire to ramp up blight removal and neighborhood revitalization, which is reflected in the $500,000 set aside for neighborhoods and economic development.
Hanna also noted she separated $500,000 in restricted funds for property purchases linked to revitalization, adding that the administration hopes to move forward with the purchases after City Attorney Ben Logan can confirm the restricted funds can be used to buy property.
Logan noted that some of the restricted funds would go toward the purchase of a property on 1112 Chapman Drive the council approved the purchase of for $75,000 during a previous meeting.
Departments expect more vehicles, equipment through capital budget
The city also plans to spend more money this year to upgrade equipment and buy vehicles for multiple departments, including the police, fire and public works departments.
City officials have allocated $150,000 to the Tupelo Fire Department for the purchase of firefighting equipment. Hanna noted that the usual allocation was $100,000, but Fire Chief Kelly Elliott needed the extra $50,000 for extraction tools.
Hanna said it would go back to the usual allocations in 2024.
Tupelo police will receive $300,000 for new vehicles if the budget passes untouched, while the city allocated $560,000 for heavy machinery, a portion of which will go toward a new leaf machine.
Hanna noted that the city previously budgeted money to buy vehicles but, because to supply chain issues, could not complete the purchases.
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STOCKTON, Calif. — With her inflatable beach balls blown up and her swim tubes on standby, Stockton resident Lorene Yee is ready for her 3 p.m. appointment in her own backyard.
Yee is one of an estimated 25,000 private swimming pool owners who use the Swimply website to list their pools and backyard amenities for rent by the hour.
"I like the idea, you know, people want to rent my pool and I'm trying to help people out," Yee said.
The website allows owners of pools to list their bodies of water along with add-ons such as waterfalls, diving boards, lunch tables, fire pits, grills and speakers.
Pool owners set their hourly prices and schedules on the website and then customers sign a waiver and book their preferred time.
"I've got the refrigerator as a free option, I've got a plugin for their cell phones, I do have a little music thing that they can use," Yee said. "It was kind of weird the first time because you know, there are some strange people."
However, after a year of using the website to rent out her pool, Yee says she is now more comfortable with the idea of strangers using her backyard-- especially during times like this week when heat grips the region.
"I've always thought outside the box. I've always done what I want to do," Yee said. "It's clean, it's safe and I like what I do. Any way to keep somebody cool and stuff, because we are going to approach a lot of heat in the next week."
As temperatures rise, Swimply users like Yee often see an increase in bookings and interest.
For Bunim Laskin, Swimply's co-founder, more users on his site means more people beating the heat and more profit for the 2019 startup company.
"Triple-digit temperatures in California is Gotham and Swimply is Batman," Laskin said from his Los Angeles office. "It's obviously a meaningfully awesome thing to have, just to be able to tap and have your own aquatic paradise to enjoy during days like these."
In exchange for using its web platform and liability insurance, Swimply gets 15% of profits from pool bookings.
"It's taken some time for people to wrap their heads around it. It's brand new, it's fresh, the way a lot of things are," Laskin said "We have a pool in our office and it's been booked up, you can imagine, the whole weekend."
With four other swimming pools up for rent and competing for customers in Stockton, Yee says aside from making some money, listing her backyard for strangers is a way to keep the pool in use.
"My daughter's boyfriend likes to swim, but I like to swim more. So I'm the only one that really uses it like almost daily," Yee said. "It's an opportunity to have a private place because when you're in public, you're dealing with other parents, other kids and you don't have that option to keep that bully kid or whatever off your kid."
For those skeptical of renting an hour or two in a stranger's backyard, Laskin says the only way to test the website is to try using it.
"Over a million people have gone into stranger's backyard so far," Laskin said. "We take the quality and the security of our pools meaningfully safe, meaningfully seriously and so we don't really compromise when it comes to that."
Yee says she also doesn't compromise when it comes to safety and offers to serve as a lifeguard when young kids are present.
With pool toys ready to go and the water's temperature set at a cool 80°, Yee says she's excited to see more families and individuals make a splash in her backyard soon.
"Three is the max that I've done then I will shut it down on my app, then you won't be able to rent," Yee said. "So if you're wanting to rent, book it."
Watch More Stockton News from ABC10: New school named after Stockton astronaut Jose Hernandez | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/swimply-rent-pools-heatwave/103-0d718040-f62d-426e-83c7-413616718277 | 2022-09-02T09:44:04 | 1 | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/swimply-rent-pools-heatwave/103-0d718040-f62d-426e-83c7-413616718277 |
WEST CAPE MAY — In the dappled shade of a Perry Street garden in August, winter seems very far away.
Still, a small group of women gathered Monday to prepare scarves, hats and sweaters for people they never met, almost 5,000 miles away, to help civilians impacted by the war in Ukraine as it moves toward its first full winter.
The project was inspired by a visit from Sister Celeste Mokrzycki of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Philadelphia to the Quaker meeting in the Seaville section of Upper Township in June, when she spoke of her work with the refugees at the Polish border.
Mokrzycki is fluent in Polish, and this spring volunteered to work at the border with Ukraine.
“You know, 80% of the refugees are children, red-eyed from lack of sleep on a train that departed Ukraine just last night,” she told those gathered at the Quaker meeting house earlier this summer. “I think we recognize something of ourselves.”
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Sometimes prayer is not enough, the sister said. People are moved to act.
A surge in fighting on Ukraine's southern front is fueling speculation that the long-awaited Ukrainian counteroffensive to try to turn the tide of the war is underway. Ukraine claims it destroyed bridges and ammunition depots and pounded command posts in the Russian-occupied Kherson region, while Russia says it repelled the attack and inflicted heavy casualties. Ukrainian authorities are keeping the world guessing about their intentions, and cautioning against excessive optimism in a conflict that has seen changing fortunes before. The Ukrainian southern command’s spokeswoman said its forces are preventing the Russians from bringing in reserves, in part by destroying supply lines across the Dnieper River and striking command posts.
Anne Hainsworth said she and others at the event wanted to do what they could to help but were unsure how. One way they discussed was knitting. They could provide something to keep people warm and let them know they were not forgotten.
“I asked Sister Celeste if we knitted all these things, could you get them to Ukraine for us?” said Liz Shay, who like Hainsworth is a member of the Quaker meeting.
That was the start of Knitting for Peace. For the past several weeks, groups of knitters have gathered at the Quaker meeting house on Wednesdays and in the front garden of the Arts and Soul Studio in West Cape May on Mondays.
All of the knitters are women, or at least those who gather to knit are. Shay said one surprise in the project has been the number of people who drop off bags of handmade items for the effort. Those have all been anonymous, she said.
“They’re just these beautiful, beautiful things,” she said. “It’s like magic.”
On Monday, eight women attended.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz says Germany is well-prepared to tackle a possible energy shortage due to Russia’s squeeze on European gas supplies. Fears are growing about the rising energy prices that will hit consumers across the continent this winter. Scholz says gas storage facilities are already fuller than they were at this time last year. Germany expected to pass more measures soon to help consumers cope with steeply rising energy prices. Russia’s state-controlled energy giant Gazprom further reduced gas deliveries to the France on Tuesday, raising fears that Moscow might cut off gas completely as political leverage over the war in Ukraine. Baltic Sea nations announced a seven-fold increase in wind power production by 2030.
Among them was Cindy Farrokh, a year-round resident of Austin, Texas, who regularly visits the Cape May area. She said it’s a three-day drive.
She said she regularly attends events at the studio at 409 Perry St., which features artists and musicians each week. That’s when she spoke with Shay.
“Liz was here and said, ‘I’m organizing this,’ and I said, ‘I knit, and I’d be glad to help,’” Farrokh said. She was joined by her friend Bobbie Kollin, a local resident.
At one point, Gail Fitz, the owner of the arts studio who donated the space, handed out cups of water to the knitters. Many of the pieces were on display on tables and on hangers. The organizers say the outdoor spot by a busy sidewalk has raised their profile. There are also knitters meeting at the Quaker meeting at 3088 Shore Road every other Wednesday. Not only Quakers participate, Hainsworth said. Several summer visitors and year-round residents participate.
Some did not know how to knit, or have not knitted for years.
“The last time I knitted, I was about 8 years old and my grandmother was showing me how to knit. So that’s 60 years,” Hainsworth said. “I made a scarf, and now I’m working on a baby blanket.”
Andriy scrambled back to Ukraine at the start of Russia's war after moving to Western Europe to work as an engineer. He underwent a conversion within weeks from civilian life to a sniper being trained by Ukraine's special forces. He spoke to The Associated Press while practicing alone at an informal firing range near Kyiv. Andriy is confident of victory after the winter. He is from the war-devastated town of Bucha. He described how the Ukrainian military employs flexibility to hold back the far larger Russian army. Andriy bought his own gear and sniper rifle and was encouraged to develop a variety of skills from flying drones to dealing with medical emergencies.
The other knitters have been a big help, along with YouTube videos, Hainsworth said.
After speaking with Mokrzycki, the knitters decided the best place for the handmade items would be in the rural areas of Ukraine, where resources are limited and some seem likely to face a tough winter, possibly without heat.
“We thought a lot about making things warm enough,” Shay said. “I think we’ve done a good job with that. We’ve used real wool wherever possible.”
They also want the items to be cute, she said.
“They could use some color, some cheer,” Shay said of the people who will eventually receive the gifts.
As of Monday, 125 pieces were ready to go, including some matched hats and scarves that were bundled together and would go to the same person. The plan is to ship the items in September, so they will be available as the weather cools.
The Oakcrest High School Knitting Club held a knitathon Dec. 16, raising more than $150 in p…
“We do know they are going to need help with postage,” Shay said. The group plans to raise money to ship the items to Poland, and from there they will be sent to other nuns in the order inside Ukraine.
In February, Russia invaded Ukraine, creating what has been described as Europe’s largest refugee crisis since the end of World War II. The United Nations High Commission on Refugees estimates 6.86 million Ukrainians have left the country, with 6.6 million more people displaced within the country, according to an Aug. 26 update.
“Since the beginning of hostilities, nearly one-third of Ukrainians have been forced from their homes. This is one of the largest human displacement crises in the world today,” reads the report from the UN agency.
The invasion six months ago was a major escalation of a conflict that began in 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea and Russian-backed separatists seized part of the Donbas region in the country’s Southeast.
Since February, tens of thousands of soldiers have been killed or wounded, and while estimates of civilian casualties vary, the Ukrainian government says more than 12,000 non-combatants have died in the conflict.
Multiple reports say civilian areas have been targeted, and the war has had a major impact on the world economy and on world food supplies.
Julie Petrella O’Neill can pinpoint where 28-year-old Noelle Quirk mixed up the order of sti…
Looking at a major humanitarian crisis, the knitters were frustrated they could not repair the situation, but were not willing to do nothing.
“Really, when you think about it, what can you do? It makes us feel like we’re doing something,” Shay said.
For more details on the project, call 609-408-5864 or 609-602-9674, or find the local Knitting For Peace page on Facebook.
“We send them our love, our Light, and beautiful handmade gifts to keep them warm in the upcoming winter,” reads the “about” section for the group on Facebook. “We want them to know that they are not forgotten, and that they are important and supported by gifts of our hearts.” | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/cape-knitters-hope-hats-and-scarves-will-offer-comfort-in-war-torn-ukraine/article_65b71aa2-287d-11ed-9391-0bd58a5f3719.html | 2022-09-02T09:59:03 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/cape-knitters-hope-hats-and-scarves-will-offer-comfort-in-war-torn-ukraine/article_65b71aa2-287d-11ed-9391-0bd58a5f3719.html |
SCRANTON, Pa. — A tractor-trailer crashed into a home on Birney Ave. in Scranton just before 2 a.m. and then caught on fire. The flames spread to the front of the home. Scranton Fire Assistant Chief Brian Scott tells us two people were inside the home at the time of the crash, and both made it out safely. They’re staying at a local hotel.
The driver of the tractor-trailer was taken to the hospital. There’s no word on their condition yet, or what caused the crash.
The driver took out a utility pole and hit a couple of parked cars. More than 400 homes and businesses are without power. PPL is on the scene, working to remove the pole from the side of the tractor-trailer.
The truck needs to be removed as well before PPL can begin work to restore power in this area.
The home is next door to Minooka Bakery and across the street from O’Malley’s Pub. A small section of Birney Avenue is shut down. Neighbors tell us construction on this road has caused traffic to be “hectic” in recent weeks.
Kimberly Turner lives nearby. "It was like 1:50. I literally had just laid down. I heard a bang, and then the power went out, and then it started to surge. So I sprung up, everybody's yelling. I look out the window. It's on fire. Not a lot, just a little, and then it just slowly progressed, and it got worse and worse and worse."
See news happening? Call our newstip hotline. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/lackawanna-county/a-tractor-trailer-catches-fire-after-it-crashes-into-a-home-no-power-driver-hurt/523-492d47af-41a9-4277-bc08-59ddd80f01a5 | 2022-09-02T10:05:41 | 1 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/lackawanna-county/a-tractor-trailer-catches-fire-after-it-crashes-into-a-home-no-power-driver-hurt/523-492d47af-41a9-4277-bc08-59ddd80f01a5 |
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — Crews battled a smokey fire Thursday night in Wilkes-Barre.
The flames broke out just after 11:00 at a home on Wyoming Street.
Authorities say the woman who was inside the home is doing ok.
There is still no word on what may have started that fire.
See news happening? Call our newstip hotline. | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/luzerne-county/fire-damages-home-in-wilkes-barre-smokey-wyoming-street/523-4fba5fd6-2ea8-470b-931f-21c067550f02 | 2022-09-02T10:05:48 | 1 | https://www.wnep.com/article/news/local/luzerne-county/fire-damages-home-in-wilkes-barre-smokey-wyoming-street/523-4fba5fd6-2ea8-470b-931f-21c067550f02 |
WATERLOO – Early next year, Crystal Cold anticipates transitioning into a newly expanded, “state-of-the-art” refrigerated warehouse in the former Rath Packing Co. area on Sycamore Street.
According to a company announcement Thursday, the $21 million project could mean the food refrigeration storage and operation will create up to 75 new jobs.
“There’s a lack of refrigeration around the Midwest,” said Owner/President Tom Poe. “The construction is expensive. Our customers can avoid having to invest in a brick and mortar, and they can get access to our services and labor. As a result, they can instead focus on what they do best.”
The company, formerly known as Crystal Distribution Services, caters to businesses ranging from small operations like family-owned grocery stores to large international food companies like meatpacking or dairy operations.
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Crystal Distribution Services purchased and renovated many of the former Rath buildings into warehouse space after the meatpacker went bankrupt in 1985. Rath was once of the city’s largest employers.
The latest project, at 1656 Sycamore St., has been in the works for several years and will double Crystal’s footprint there to some 220,000 square feet, said Poe.
The actual expansion includes 100,000 square feet of food-grade refrigerated space and 25,000 square feet of processing room, along with new freezer, cooler, defrost and office/welfare space.
The former longtime Wartburg College wrestling coach provided encouraging tales of perseverance and inspiration he felt could benefit the nearly 300 attendees Wednesday at the kick-off event.
The project puts the company on one level at the corner of Sycamore and Vinton streets, and allows it to close its less-than-ideal, multi-story building next door at 1435 Sycamore St.
“We love the location and being in Waterloo,” Poe said. “We’ve gotten lots of support from the city and Noel Anderson (community planning and development director). People can live in the Cedar Valley and don’t have to travel too far for work.
WATERLOO – It’s hard to find ways to improve after coming off of state championship, but Wat…
“We’re proud to be here, and are excited to be under one roof. It will be more efficient,” he added. “The space will be nicer, state of the art, and will allow us to better offer our services. We’re really pumped about it.”
The city bought the building at 1435 Sycamore St., according to Poe. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/crystal-cold-expansion-is-nearly-complete-at-former-waterloo-rath-site/article_1668a90f-1f67-5e51-acb9-38de3460d881.html | 2022-09-02T10:42:20 | 0 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/crystal-cold-expansion-is-nearly-complete-at-former-waterloo-rath-site/article_1668a90f-1f67-5e51-acb9-38de3460d881.html |
CEDAR FALLS — Meet Cara Lockard, first violin for the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony Orchestra. She may sit a lot, but is rarely still.
Lockard has played violin since age 3 ½ when her mother, Cathy Keidel, enrolled her in a University of Northern Iowa Suzuki class. A perennial All-Stater at Cedar Falls High, she joined the WCFSO as a junior in 2002.
Her 20th anniversary with the orchestra coincides with that of conductor and artistic director Jason Weinberger.
As a WCFSO rookie, Lockard recalled, “Everybody was so supportive and made me feel like one of them. I never felt like I was just ‘the kid.’ I was always placed with a mentor who answered my questions and made me more comfortable.”
In the ensuing years, she earned a UNI music degree; founded the thriving Cedar Valley Strings (www.cedarvalleystrings.com); performed with various Iowa orchestras and at churches, and has a full roster of violin students.
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She and husband, Scott, also are raising five children, ages 2 to 14.
“I love the constantly positive energy Cara brings to everything she does in music, including the symphony,” Weinberger said. “That’s made her a hugely successful businesswoman with Cedar Valley Strings and an even better colleague since the very first time I worked with her when she was a high school student.”
She doesn’t get sidetracked. “I didn’t perform a few concerts because they were close to my due dates,” Lockard admitted. “Oh, and I missed one for my senior prom.”
“I am really fortunate to have a really great support group,” she added. “My husband helps hold down the fort.”
She’ll do double duty during the WCFSO’s Labor Day weekend extravaganza Saturday at the Cedar Falls Plaza on State Street and Second Avenue.
Lockard will join the local duo of Jim (Miller) and Dave (Christopherson) and others backing up CFHS musical prodigy Carter Guse at 4:30 p.m., then take the stage again with the WCFSO at 7 p.m.
Playing violin was in her DNA. Her great-grandfather made them, her grandfather was a self-taught barn dance fiddler and her mother played.
But Lockard turned her talent into a vocation. The Cedar Valley Strings exceeded 250 engagements prior to this year when it booked 27 weddings and other events.
Violist Sally Malcolm, her colleague in the WCFSO, Cedar Valley Strings and the Wartburg Symphony Orchestra, remarked, “I honestly don’t know how she keeps her energy level up. Part of it has to be her commitment to excellence. She wants to do a great job, so she just does whatever it takes. Part of it is probably what keeps all musicians going — a passion for music.”
Lockard doesn’t stand pat.
“This year she’s expanded our repertoire based on what people want to hear,” Malcolm said. “We no longer just play the classics, but everything from Billy Joel to Guns and Roses. That has made us much more marketable and, as a musician, the chance to learn new styles and repertoire is exciting and fun.”
Lockard has had her fair share of excitement in her young career.
With the WCFSO, she has played with the likes of Yo Yo Ma, who was so gracious “he would pull you aside and say, ‘Let’s take a selfie’” and Mannheim Steamroller, becoming friends with some members via social media and sharing family photos.
“I feel very blessed to have had the opportunities I’ve had,” Lockard said. “Music has been a lot of hard work, but it was always a priority. I’ve been fortunate to know some wonderful people along the way.” | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/violinist-marks-20-years-with-wcfso/article_d611a522-dede-5942-92ce-5ceefe693008.html | 2022-09-02T10:42:26 | 1 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/violinist-marks-20-years-with-wcfso/article_d611a522-dede-5942-92ce-5ceefe693008.html |
MARTINSVILLE, Ind. — Over the last few years, downtown Martinsville has welcomed quite a bit of improvements.
The city has seen new restaurants, businesses and construction. The largest project, recently, has been the construction of Interstate 69 through town.
Mayor Kenny Costin said now that interstate construction is nearly complete, the city is shifting its focus to what comes next.
"Martinsville is a growing community right now, and we just need to get the word out that we are a great place to live," Costin said.
Leaders and community partners are updating the city's comprehensive plan for the first time in five years.
"Where do we want to go?" Costin asked. "Do we want to keep things still marked as industrial, commercial or residential? Do we need to change a few things around?"
New development
"We are trying to run the city like a business, which it is," Costin said.
The 134-page document outlines plans for new housing, new outdoor amenities, and new businesses, which Costin said will benefit all of Morgan County.
"We are in a great location for families to come to, and that's what we're looking forward to being able to accomplish," Costin said.
Gary Oakes, Martinsville's director of planning and engineering, described it as a turning point for the city.
"Today, we are a rural community that is not recognized for its possibilities," Oakes said.
New developments outlined in the plan include more green space for families through additional parks citywide.
"I think that is going to be an attraction for families, and that's what our community is about," Costin said.
Residential areas
"One of the phrases we're using is, 'At Home in the Valley: Martinsville,' because we live in a beautiful valley here," Costin said.
Another main portion of the new plan covers opportunities for more housing. Oakes said Martinsville is currently putting up close to 400 homes near Grand Valley Boulevard and the newly constructed Artesian Avenue.
"We see those things happening right now, on top of I-69," Oakes said.
"Housing is going to benefit our businesses downtown," Costin said. "It will benefit the schools, and it will help us on our tax base."
Costin's team has also prioritized keeping Hoosiers in town with new services on the table, including public transportation.
"The Martinsville 20 years ago isn't going to be the same Martinsville 10 years from now," Costin said.
Flood concerns
As soon as southbound Hoosiers come over the hill on the northeast side of Martinsville, it is clear the city is unique.
"We are, in Martinsville, restricted by out topography," Costin said. "We're in a bowl."
With that, though, comes the risk of flooding.
Oakes said the city is working with INDOT and FEMA to update infrastructure, including existing levies.
According to INDOT, the current levy north of State Road 39 is no longer code-compliant.
"Although it seems to work, it doesn't meet the standards, so we have to upgrade that," Oakes said.
The new plan details additional intentions to build another levy in that same area. Combined, the project's total is close to $30 million.
"It's a major construction project, biggest this town has ever even thought about it," Oakes said, who expects the project to be complete in 2024.
Additionally, city leaders say residents have long wanted to develop in the Liberty Church area, but due to potential risks, Costin said that is a no-go.
"It's in the flood plain," Costin said.
"In the 2017 comprehensive plan, it emphasizes the Liberty Church area as development," Oakes said. "Well, we've realized since that time, those landowners in that particular area are not interested in selling, so we deemphasized that in the current plan."
Public feedback
Oakes said the city surveyed citizens earlier this year, but Martinsville residents have until the end of the day on Friday, Sept. 2 to submit feedback.
Comments can be emailed to Gary Oakes at goakes@martinsville.in.gov.
"The half-dozen people on the steering committee represent different aspects of the city, and so their viewpoints have been really important to us," Oakes said.
City leaders said they recognize change can be intimidating for the small town.
"Even with any type of growth, there's going to be some adapting, too," Costin said. "There's going to be some frustration because it's not like it used to be."
However, Costin said he hopes the residents will embrace the current comprehensive plan and continue its legacy, even once he is no longer mayor.
"Whenever I leave that chair, I just hope the things that we have put in place, that they will follow through with because everything we are putting in place and trying to do, we've thought about it," Costin said. "We've prayed about it. We feel like this is the most important and best way to go for our community."
Upcoming events
As the city ignites the new comprehensive plan, Costin said Martinsville has plenty of reasons to celebrate in the meantime.
"Come down and enjoy what we do have going on," Costin said.
On Sept. 17, the city will mark its Bicentennial Celebration.
Additionally, the annual Fall Foliage Festival is coming up in October.
Costin said he plans to announce more plans for the downtown district in the next 60 days. | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/martinsville-looking-to-the-future-in-new-citywide-comprehensive-plan-indiana/531-ad07c6e2-4805-4430-bc92-dbad4dbc8994 | 2022-09-02T11:15:15 | 1 | https://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/martinsville-looking-to-the-future-in-new-citywide-comprehensive-plan-indiana/531-ad07c6e2-4805-4430-bc92-dbad4dbc8994 |
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