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[] | 2016-08-26T13:06:24 | null | null | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jejuweekly.com%2Fnews%2FarticleView.html%3Fidxno%3D5179.json | http://www.jejuweekly.com/news/thumbnail/201606/5179_9219_4623_v150.jpg | ko | null | Van Gogh Inside: Festival of Light and Music | null | null | www.jejuweekly.com | null | http://www.jejuweekly.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=5179 | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.jejuweekly.com/9eba2a95eefdd14683447bf14dec23749168f8018d224776952646faa9843ee3.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:08:11 | null | null | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jejuweekly.com%2Fnews%2FarticleView.html%3Fidxno%3D5183.json | http://www.jejuweekly.com/news/thumbnail/201607/5183_9240_541_v150.jpg | ko | null | The 2016 Jeju Expats Festival | null | null | www.jejuweekly.com | null | http://www.jejuweekly.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=5183 | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.jejuweekly.com/3e10101524c36c30c0ed47388cc41cc8291874bf5d819c1f59f3ff7e20d9f8b1.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:06:58 | null | null | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jejuweekly.com%2Fnews%2FarticleView.html%3Fidxno%3D5210.json | http://www.jejuweekly.com/news/thumbnail/201607/5210_9355_2423_v150.jpg | ko | null | "The great partnership" | null | null | www.jejuweekly.com | null | http://www.jejuweekly.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=5210 | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.jejuweekly.com/35be9d87a655a026f2507bc30b743a87c118575efde85f74fb8266e33d9a7c32.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:09:45 | null | null | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jejuweekly.com%2Fnews%2FarticleView.html%3Fidxno%3D5187.json | http://www.jejuweekly.com/news/thumbnail/201607/5187_9263_429_v150.jpg | ko | null | More Jeju sites could get UNESCO status | null | null | www.jejuweekly.com | null | http://www.jejuweekly.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=5187 | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.jejuweekly.com/91e7aa1c89afa69e2a26634440af719bf7555244671943d9217035bb49e1477e.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:08:59 | null | null | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jejuweekly.com%2Fnews%2FarticleView.html%3Fidxno%3D5204.json | http://www.jejuweekly.com/news/thumbnail/201607/5204_9324_2254_v150.jpg | ko | null | Going for gold in Jeju 'Olympics' | null | null | www.jejuweekly.com | null | http://www.jejuweekly.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=5204 | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.jejuweekly.com/268cf7e1282bc3967c25dbbc10d552d21a804859d65c0f7b466c3662c2780c84.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:52:48 | null | null | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jejuweekly.com%2Fnews%2FarticleView.html%3Fidxno%3D5222.json | http://www.jejuweekly.com/news/thumbnail/201608/5222_9398_2311_v150.jpg | ko | null | Jeju Music Festival 2016 | null | null | www.jejuweekly.com | null | http://www.jejuweekly.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=5222 | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.jejuweekly.com/911cad55993cac4766c2065755307be294381b5bad037c1a15adcac95ddb0e1b.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:01:32 | null | null | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jejuweekly.com%2Fnews%2FarticleView.html%3Fidxno%3D5213.json | http://www.jejuweekly.com/news/thumbnail/201608/5213_9363_69_v150.jpg | ko | null | Van Gogh Inside: Festival of Light and Music | null | null | www.jejuweekly.com | null | http://www.jejuweekly.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=5213 | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.jejuweekly.com/203a8be9d659012cebcd2ebb99d5b9e25d5e1b6faf2405a75347e810c324a65a.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:11:06 | null | null | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jejuweekly.com%2Fnews%2FarticleView.html%3Fidxno%3D5177.json | http://www.jejuweekly.com/news/thumbnail/201606/5177_9215_2157_v150.jpg | ko | null | The 2016 Jeju Expats Festival | null | null | www.jejuweekly.com | null | http://www.jejuweekly.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=5177 | en | 2016-08-01T00:00:00 | www.jejuweekly.com/90461896d5ddee370de54b276af7ef64e06d28ba27d4d1bba4845f780e666475.json |
[
"Peoples Defender"
] | 2016-08-26T12:48:39 | null | 2016-08-25T15:20:28 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.peoplesdefender.com%2F2016%2F08%2F25%2F5549%2F.json | http://www.peoplesdefender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cropped-pdicon2-32x32.png | en | null | People's Defender | null | null | www.peoplesdefender.com | null | http://www.peoplesdefender.com/2016/08/25/5549/ | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.peoplesdefender.com/cc1dbdfb649460f172650a7c187e6c0a828b45d7516ea7b42aaa91d6628af880.json |
[
"Peoples Defender"
] | 2016-08-30T20:49:53 | null | 2016-08-30T13:55:43 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.peoplesdefender.com%2F2016%2F08%2F30%2Fannual-junior-fair-beef-bbq-is-thursday-night%2F.json | http://www.peoplesdefender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cropped-pdicon2-32x32.png | en | null | Annual Junior Fair Beef BBQ is Thursday night | null | null | www.peoplesdefender.com | By Mark Carpenter –
The 2016 Adams County Junior Fair Beef BBQ will be held tomorrow night (Sept. 1) from 4:30-7 p.m. at the Ohio Valley Career and Technical Center.
The always popular event includes pit roasted BBQ sandwiches, baked beans, cole slaw, potato chips, and drinks. Tickets are $9 for adults and $7 for children. All proceeds go to Junior Fair improvements.
The Junior Fair Beef BBQ has been an annual event since the early 1960’s and was first started to raise the money to build a covered show arena, one which was in use for over 40 years. That building was remodeled and now serves as the Sheep Barn at the Adams County Fairgrounds.
Other projects since the inception of the Beef BBQ include the old green and white booth building, now the rabbit barn, the poultry barn, and helping to black top the roads around the fairgrounds.
Money has also gone to the cattle and horse barns, $20,000 to the new show arena, and most recently another $5,600 for metal pens in the sheep barn.
This year’s Beef BBQ will feature carry-out service or eat-in service in air-conditioned comfort. | http://www.peoplesdefender.com/2016/08/30/annual-junior-fair-beef-bbq-is-thursday-night/ | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.peoplesdefender.com/83e1e7d2b6166cb65c54624f7371e327b6dc54e81d4e5d886b2ad017b8418b14.json |
[
"Peoples Defender"
] | 2016-08-26T12:56:32 | null | 2016-08-09T18:44:10 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.peoplesdefender.com%2F2016%2F08%2F09%2Fjohn-h-brodt%2F.json | http://www.peoplesdefender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cropped-pdicon2-32x32.png | en | null | John H. Brodt - People's Defender | null | null | www.peoplesdefender.com | John H. Brodt age 88 years of West Union, passed away Tuesday Aug. 9, 2016 at the Hospice Care Center in Maysville, Ky. Mr. Brodt was born on Oct. 7, 1927, the son of the late Harvey T. and Wanda (Sparks) Brodt in West Union. Besides his parents ,Mr. Brodt was preceded in death by his first wife Donna and his second wife Anne.
Mr. Brodt was a member of the West Union Presbyterian Church, a lifetime farmer, President of the Adams County Building and Loan for 40 years, and was the Director of the Adams County National Bank for 40 years.
Survivors include four sons John D. and Sue Brodt of Waverly, Randy T. and Julie Brodt of West Union, David S. and Treva Brodt of West Union, and Byron K. and Dawn Brodt of West Union; one sister, Ruth Overbeck of West Union; nine grandchildren and several great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Friday Aug. 12, 2016 at 1 p.m. at the Thompson-Meeker Funeral Home in West Union with Dave Sugarbaker officiating. Burial will follow in the West Union Village Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday August 11, 2016 from 5-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorials can be made to the Adams County Manor Activity Fund or Hospice of Hope Ohio Valley. | http://www.peoplesdefender.com/2016/08/09/john-h-brodt/ | en | 2016-08-09T00:00:00 | www.peoplesdefender.com/dd17ac6eb28da640f721ca3359f9f24ca4bde97c80b86bb4a710148bc17882a3.json |
[
"Peoples Defender"
] | 2016-08-26T18:49:04 | null | 2016-08-26T13:17:34 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.peoplesdefender.com%2F2016%2F08%2F26%2Fyoung-lady-indians-looking-for-successful-2016-2%2F.json | http://www.peoplesdefender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cropped-pdicon2-32x32.png | en | null | Young Lady Indians looking for successful 2016 | null | null | www.peoplesdefender.com | Story and photos by Mark Carpenter –
Youth will be the theme for the 2016 Peebles Lady Indians volleyball squad as head coach Katrina Obenshain will field a team that has just three seniors, but is loaded with nine freshmen and sophomores.
“We are a very young team,” says Obenshain. “We can be successful if we learn to let the little mistakes go and get ready to score the next point. We need to teach the young girls that.”
Gone from last year’s team is Kendall Kelley, who filled a number of roles for the Lady Indians, on and off the court. “Not only was Kendall our setter but she was also the team leader who always kept everyone’s spirits up in tough situations.”
This year’s squad will bring a trio of seniors to the court in Brittany Lloyd, Sara McFarland, and Jessica Johnson, each of who will be asked by Coach Obenshain to fill a vital leadership role for all of the underclassmen. Also returning is setter Baylee Justice, who also possesses one of the top serves in the area.The Peebles head coach also sees what she feels is her team’s biggest strength.
“Our biggest strength is that we can overcome a lot of things, such as injuries when we have girls playing two sports at once,” says Obenshain. “Our girls are always ready to step up and play in positions that they are not normally used to playing.”
Coach Obenshain also sees the Southern Hills Athletic Conference as a fairly evenly-matched league with anyone capable of winning on any given night.
“I really think this year that all the SHAC teams have talent and each match could be very interesting to see who comes out on top. This year with everyone being so equal, the league could go to anyone. Who wins will depend on who pushes more during the matches.”
Obenshain will have a talented group of freshmen, who given time will grow into solid volleyball players as they are all very athletic and most star in multiple sports. The freshmen group includes: Tatum Arey, Christian Reed, Harlee Wilkinson, Madison Beekman, Hope Brown, and Carlee Cluxton. Representing the sophomore class for the Lady Indians will be Madison Pierce, Kylie Sims, and Johna Dunigan, and the juniors will be Justice and Josie Myers.
The Lady Indians opened their season on Aug. 23 with a trip to Paint Valley and will return home on Aug. 24 to host Lucasville Valley. Make it three nights in a row as Peebles hosts Western Latham on Thursday, Aug. 25. Conference play begins for the Lady Indians on Aug. 30 when they play host to a solid squad of Eastern Brown Lady Warriors. | http://www.peoplesdefender.com/2016/08/26/young-lady-indians-looking-for-successful-2016-2/ | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.peoplesdefender.com/5a237b5f3c1ab2c87ae095b7b8991a92c2fd0cd43e15ce2fbdbcdc4de89330ab.json |
[
"Peoples Defender"
] | 2016-08-26T20:48:46 | null | 2016-08-26T15:17:05 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.peoplesdefender.com%2F2016%2F08%2F26%2Fbreaking-news-blanton-found-guilty-on-all-counts%2F.json | http://www.peoplesdefender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cropped-pdicon2-32x32.png | en | null | BREAKING NEWS: Blanton found guilty on all counts | null | null | www.peoplesdefender.com | A heavy police presence was on hand in the Adams County Common Pleas Court on Friday, Aug. 26
as a jury found Denny Wayne Blanton, Jr. guilty on all counts in the Feb. 22 kidnapping and rape of a 15-year old girl.
The reading of the verdict was halted as Blanton’s mother, overcome with emotion, was escorted from the courtroom by sheriff;’s deputies.
Look for a full report on the trial and verdict in the Aug. 31 issue of The People’s Defender. | http://www.peoplesdefender.com/2016/08/26/breaking-news-blanton-found-guilty-on-all-counts/ | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.peoplesdefender.com/7c5d3665b07b3a2a8d6b85004a476eadc785d8a46af4498b69cb2a879cc192cc.json |
[
"Peoples Defender"
] | 2016-08-26T12:57:27 | null | 2016-08-04T17:53:40 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.peoplesdefender.com%2F2016%2F08%2F04%2Fchurch-180-hosts-junior-deputy-boot-camp%2F.json | http://www.peoplesdefender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cropped-pdicon2-32x32.png | en | null | Church 180 hosts Junior Deputy Boot Camp | null | null | www.peoplesdefender.com | Volunteers inspiring kids to be all they can be –
United States Congressman Brad Wenstrup was on hand Thursday, July 28 for the kick off of Junior Deputy Boot Camp at Church 180 in Seaman.
“This is a wonderful program,” Wenstrup said. “I really applaud people at the local level like Sheriff Kimmy Rogers and the churches who are working to make sure kids are getting the right message and using their time wisely while they’re out of school.”
More than 70 young people joined Wenstrup and Sheriff Rogers for the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag during Thursday’s opening ceremony before dividing into four age-appropriate groups to run an obstacle course set up by Sheriff’s deputy Micah Poe.
“The kids love the obstacle course,” said Talitha Parks, Student Pastor and Student Leader at Church 180. “The older the kids are the more difficult the course becomes, but they really seem to like the discipline, the rules, and interacting with the deputies.”
Volunteers are a key component of the camp’s ongoing success. According to Parks, volunteers guide the children through fun, age-appropriate activities during the three-day camp. “We attempt to give them positive role models, positive influences and positive direction.”
Local community service organizations also volunteered for the event including: The Seaman Life Squad, Fire Department, and the Adams County Health Department.
“Our volunteers are priceless,” said Sheriff Rogers.
Michael Parks, Pastor of Church 180, says the volunteers’ integrity is essential to teaching the kids that they can be successful in life.
“We want to make sure that we’re positive role models who give these children the message that they can be anything they want to be if they put their hearts and minds to it,” said Parks.
Now in its fourth year, the Boot Camp program was launched by Sheriff Kimmy Rogers in partnership with local churches and the LINK mentoring program (Leading, Interacting, and Nurturing Kids). According to Pastor Parks, “The Junior Deputy Boot Camp program was created to address the drug culture that has invaded our county. We are focused on helping kids understand that they can change the drug culture, and live better lives, and be whoever they want to be. They can dream big and make their dreams happen.”
Congressman Wenstrup, who has supported legislation to address the drug problem, says he believes the Boot Camp is an effective tool for educating young people. “There’s nothing better than prevention – nothing beats never starting,” he says. “I think ten years from now that these kids will say this program had a positive influence on their lives. You may not see it today, but they’ll look back on it and say ‘you put me on the right road’.” | http://www.peoplesdefender.com/2016/08/04/church-180-hosts-junior-deputy-boot-camp/ | en | 2016-08-04T00:00:00 | www.peoplesdefender.com/d2cece977b76df0c51f7185238dca76135c789f17adf88d2ea0d7888138c7bc2.json |
[
"Peoples Defender"
] | 2016-08-26T12:57:01 | null | 2016-08-15T12:00:36 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.peoplesdefender.com%2F2016%2F08%2F15%2Fmildred-hanson%2F.json | http://www.peoplesdefender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cropped-pdicon2-32x32.png | en | null | Mildred Hanson - People's Defender | null | null | www.peoplesdefender.com | Mildred Hanson, age 95 years of West Union, passed away Aug. 12, 2016 at the Eagle Creek Nursing Center. Mrs. Hanson was born on Nov. 18, 1920 in St. Albans, West Va., the daughter of the late Robert and Laura (Turley) Thomasson. Besides her parents, Mrs. Hanson was preceded in death by her husbands, Earl H. Graham and Jack Hanson; daughter in law Jerry Priscilla Graham; brothers Paul and Ernest Thomasson; three grandchildren, Deborah (Graham) and husband William Bynum, Leah (Graham) Woodward/Patzer, and Joanna (Graham) Philpott.
Survivors include her son Chester Graham of West Union; five grand children, Mark and Josie Graham of San Diego, Calif.,Rebecca Philpott of Escondido, Calif., Stephen Graham of Chillicothe, Julia (Graham) and Marty Adams of Seaman,and Matt Philpott; great grandchildren Kimberly, Brittany, Tarrah, Josh, Shawn and wife Shannon, Alissa and husband Jason, Eric, Danielle, Jayden, Jacob, Logan and Alex; great great grand children Talon, Ainsleigh, Aceson and Keely.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday Aug. 17, 2016 at 1 p.m. at the Thompson Meeker Funeral Home with Tim Carter officiating. Burial will take place at the Sunset Memorial Park in South Charleston, West Va. at the convenience of the family. Visitation will be held from noon to 1 p.m. the day of the service.
Memorials can be made to the BGEA/ Billy Graham Evangelistic Association at Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte NC 28201-0001. | http://www.peoplesdefender.com/2016/08/15/mildred-hanson/ | en | 2016-08-15T00:00:00 | www.peoplesdefender.com/233190c8a6b38d1e3dee68841a2827f7702a08fb640c4ae69d422beb9cf0ceee.json |
[
"Peoples Defender"
] | 2016-08-26T20:48:43 | null | 2016-08-26T15:14:07 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.peoplesdefender.com%2F2016%2F08%2F26%2Fit-was-really-worth-the-wait%2F.json | http://www.peoplesdefender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cropped-pdicon2-32x32.png | en | null | It was really worth the wait | null | null | www.peoplesdefender.com | By Rick Houser –
They say that patience is a virtue. Never has this been any truer than many years ago when my son Brendan was six years old. We had recently moved to a new home near Bethel and had been remodeling the place. We made our driveway larger and created a large turn-around. At that time my wife and I were making several changes to our home and at the same time adjusting to the likes and dislikes of our two children.
One such like that came about was that Brendan had seen a basketball goal in a friend’s driveway and asked if he could have one. This was a new “like” and his Mom said we would look into it and see if we could afford one. She and I talked about it and truthfully I was a little doubtful that Brendan would play with it very much as he was only six years old. Also, there was the cost and the labor of installing the goal and backboard. But as we talked about it my wife said, “I will price one and if I can find one at a reasonable cost I think we should get it.” I agreed, thinking to myself that there probably was not going to be one in our price range.
A couple of weeks passed and I thought the subject had faded from thought until one evening my wife showed me a picture of a basketball rim that was in our price range and had an adjustable hoop and would lower to seven feet. The price was right and the unit would lower so Brendan could make use of it right away, so we ordered it and in a few days a big box arrived with a picture of a player dunking a basketball on the side of the box.
For a six-year old this created uncontrollable anticipation, but when we opened the box, inside was a pile of pieces and a set of instructions that in capital letters said “Some Assembly Required”. It wasn’t just some, it was all assembly required. I must say as Brendan danced for joy my heart sank because I am the world’s worst at assembling anything.
I got out the instructions and sat Brendan down and explained that this was going to take a few days to build and he would have to be patient and not rush me or it would never get built. He was agreeable. He and I went to the hardware store and got a few bags of cement and then dug a hole at the end of the turn-around. I had Brendan bring me the first piece of pipe that was the base and we mixed up a bag of cement and carefully set that pole in the ground in the cement. Once it was set and adjusted to level, I told him we had done all we could until the next day. In no way did he understand nor want to stop so soon but I guess he remembered that he had to be patient and reluctantly agreed.
The next day arrived and Brendan urged me to get started since it was a nice day. We mixed up the other two bags of cement and I had Brendan bring me the other pieces of pipe and one piece at a time he handed them to me and I bolted them together. Then we filled the pipe with the cement so the pole wouldn’t be weak or wobble. When we completed this I again had to tell him that we were done for that day. I could see a little frustration building, but he again agreed and spent many trips walking out to look at the pole.
The third day arrived and I didn’t need any urging and we began early. Brendan, his Mom and I were all in attendance. (My daughter Meghan had no interest in sports and it was hot so she stayed inside). As we read the instructions and I encouraged Brendan to find and hand me the parts, we assembled the rim to the backboard and then mounted the backboard to the pole along with braces to hold it solid. It was looking great, but as we were finishing there was a spring missing from the box. The spring controlled the rim and the backboards’ height. This was very important and my son knew it but didn’t want to hear it.
On the instructions there was a phone number if we needed any parts. I called it and they said it would be sent ASAP. I explained that this was great as there was a six-year old about to explode and wanting to play. The very next morning the UPS truck arrived with a tiny package that contained the spring and miracle of miracles, it fit and the rim and the backboard worked perfectly.
Once it was working my son, with a basketball in his hands, cautiously asked if it was ready. We said, “Yes it is. Do you want to take the first shot?” Before the sentence was out the ball was in the air headed to the hoop. I don’t recall if the basket was made or not on that first shot but he shot basketball until after dark and we finally had to make him stop. I figured he would tire of it after a few days but for the next 25 years he never tired. I have heard him shooting hoops at three in the morning many times.
I can’t tell you how many nets and basketballs he wore out at that goal but he never got tired of it. I was so very wrong about that. When the goal finally gave out after all those years and shots , Brendan said, “You know, I feel like I lost a good friend.” You know something, he did. It was safe to say that his patience those four days when he was six was a very real virtue. It was worth his wait for sure.
Rick Houser grew up on a farm near Moscow in Clermont County and loves to share stories about his youth and other topics. He may be reached at houser734@yahoo.com. | http://www.peoplesdefender.com/2016/08/26/it-was-really-worth-the-wait/ | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.peoplesdefender.com/185910868bc4f985e1f45e19b09baea63051212af61ae7d4dfdd1a8b4a05350b.json |
[
"Peoples Defender"
] | 2016-08-26T18:49:38 | null | 2016-08-26T13:22:29 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.peoplesdefender.com%2F2016%2F08%2F26%2Fphs-soccer-starts-with-season-sweep%2F.json | http://www.peoplesdefender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cropped-pdicon2-32x32.png | en | null | PHS Soccer starts with season sweep | null | null | www.peoplesdefender.com | Story and photos by Mark Carpenter –
The high school soccer season for Peebles High School began on Aug. 19 when the PHS girls and boys teams hosted the Portsmouth West Senators. Coach Gus Denzik and his Lady Indians were up first and started their season on a positive note, defeating the Lady Senators by a score of 6-2. Kierra Stone, Kristen Bradford, and Maddy Nichols each scored a pair of goals in the Lady Indian win.
After a 20-minute warm up, the boys took the field. Last October a questionable call gave Portsmouth West a free kick with 19 seconds to go, and after making it, West defeated the Indians. The Indians had revenge on their minds, but coach Brian Seaman reminded his team that “the past is behind them and todays game is what mattered.”
First game jitters plagued both teams early, and both passing and movement was sloppy. The Peebles offense finally began to make headway, but could not get their first five shots-on-goal to find the net.
West appeared to score first when midway through the first half the West striker shot and scored. The backfield referee blew his whistle and indicated a “hand ball” foul, waving off the goal, eliciting responses from both cheering sections.
For the rest of the half, the Peebles mid-fielders and defenders, led by senior Logan Gordley and junior Conner Browning consistently kept the Senators from getting shots off. Peebles strikers Weston Browning and Wade Shiveley, along with mid-fielders Alex Camp and Tanner Schmitz continued to press the West defense. Coach Seaman utilized his deep bench, and substituted regularly to give the starters a much needed rest. The Indians offensive continued to attack and took several shots, but none of found the back of the goal. After 40 minutes of play, the first half ended with a 0-0 score.
Early in the second half, the Indians once again went on the attack. Mid-fielder Tanner Schmitz was assisting his strikers attacking the West goal, and as Schmitz began to take a shot, he was taken down from behind by a West defender. This resulted in a penalty kick situation for the home team. Seaman called for Schmitz to take the kick and facing off against the West keeper, he delivered a hard line-drive kick to the left side of the net for the first Peebles goal of the season.
With a 1-0 lead, Coach Seaman modified his 4-4-2 formation and moved midfielder Bostin Robinson up to help Shiveley and Browning push the ball. Robinson did not play in the first half, and his speed and fresh legs allowed him to rush past the Portsmouth defenders several times. After three more missed shots on goal by Peebles, the home team found the net again when Robinson kicked a shot past a pair of defenders and the West keeper, giving the Indians a 2-0 lead.
With 15 minutes left in the game, Schmitz centered a ball from the right side of the field. With the ball in the air, and in front of the Portsmouth goal, Shiveley dove in and drove a header into the net for Peebles third and final goal of the game.
Portsmouth tried continually to get its offense going, but for the most part could not get past the solid defense put up by the Indians. Peebles fullback George Werner denied all penetration toward the Peebles goal from the left side defensive position, and keeper Trenton Wheeler saved all shots on goal, beginning the season with a shutout. The game ended with Peebles making their 2016 debut a successful one, defeating Portsmouth West 3-0.
Both of the Indians’ squads were back in action on Aug. 24 when they hosted Ripley in their Southern Hills Athletic Conference opener. Both teams lost tight one, the girls falling 2-1 and the boys being edged out by a final score of 1-0. | http://www.peoplesdefender.com/2016/08/26/phs-soccer-starts-with-season-sweep/ | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.peoplesdefender.com/bad35a1b314b037381d5cae00b9984d74fba30cc01736ff62482eacc92aadc77.json |
[
"Peoples Defender"
] | 2016-08-26T12:54:10 | null | 2016-08-25T13:14:38 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.peoplesdefender.com%2F2016%2F08%2F25%2F2016-prep-football-preview%2F.json | http://www.peoplesdefender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cropped-pdicon2-32x32.png | en | null | 2016 Prep Football Preview | null | null | www.peoplesdefender.com | null | http://www.peoplesdefender.com/2016/08/25/2016-prep-football-preview/ | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.peoplesdefender.com/ba3bbe86e6859011c12d74ad89eb8a915365ea20759bc112deebe49fc224b669.json |
[
"Peoples Defender"
] | 2016-08-26T12:56:07 | null | 2016-08-09T10:56:06 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.peoplesdefender.com%2F2016%2F08%2F09%2Fcowboy-copas-concert-is-aug-20%2F.json | http://www.peoplesdefender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cropped-pdicon2-32x32.png | en | null | Cowboy Copas concert is Aug. 20 | null | null | www.peoplesdefender.com | The Adams County Historical Society will present the ninth annual Cowboy Copas Memorial Concert at the community center in Blue Creek on Aug. 20 at 7 p.m.
The featured music will be the John Simon Band, the Randy Copas Band with Rosie Young and Karen Boldman, and special guest Kathy Copas Hughes.
Food will be served and a cake auction will be held.
Tickets will be available at the door and at the Blue Creek General Store. | http://www.peoplesdefender.com/2016/08/09/cowboy-copas-concert-is-aug-20/ | en | 2016-08-09T00:00:00 | www.peoplesdefender.com/22e6a48f8476edc73ca35cae86bd14538f9a19d722fb2c6af79aef4566ddbde4.json |
[
"Peoples Defender"
] | 2016-08-26T12:54:39 | null | 2016-08-25T10:46:28 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.peoplesdefender.com%2F2016%2F08%2F25%2Fmichael-l-morgan%2F.json | http://www.peoplesdefender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cropped-pdicon2-32x32.png | en | null | Michael L Morgan | null | null | www.peoplesdefender.com | Michael Lee Morgan, age 68, of West Union, died Monday, Aug. 8, 2016 at home. He was born July 15, 1948 in Tiffin Township in Adams County. He was preceded in death by his father, John Kenneth Morgan, and brother, Charles “Butch” Morgan.
He is survived by his daughter, Danielle Morgan of West Union; mother, Phyllis
(Campton) Morgan of West Union; sister, Barbara Wood of Tifton, Georgia; one grandson, Braydn Michael Lang of West Union; one aunt, Maxine Wynant of West Union; two nieces: Amanda Grantham and Heather Sutton, both of Georgia.
He was a retired farmer and carpenter. He was a US Air Force Veteran and had served in Vietnam. He was a member of the American Legion Charles H. Eyre Post 433 in Seaman. He was a 1966 Graduate of West Union High School.
A private graveside service will be held at Dayton National Cemetery on Aug. 29, 2016 with Pastor Johnny Jones officiating. A military service will be conducted by the Wright Patterson Air Force Base Honor Guard.
Lafferty Funeral Home in West Union is serving the family. | http://www.peoplesdefender.com/2016/08/25/michael-l-morgan/ | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.peoplesdefender.com/a9cfce64a9810d61071c5e043a6c129a47de8f0d02c1c64a2e09e81e9decaef6.json |
[
"Peoples Defender"
] | 2016-08-26T20:48:41 | null | 2016-08-26T15:15:42 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.peoplesdefender.com%2F2016%2F08%2F26%2Fearl-jackson%2F.json | http://www.peoplesdefender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cropped-pdicon2-32x32.png | en | null | Earl Jackson - People's Defender | null | null | www.peoplesdefender.com | Earl Jackson, 95 years, of Winchester passed away Thursday Aug. 25, 2016 in Hillsboro.
He was born on March 10, 1921 in Pine Hill, Ky., the son of the late Joseph and Flora (Pittman) Jackson. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Evelyn Jackson on May 9, 2002, as well as seven of his brothers and sisters.
John retired from the U.S. Army where he served during World War II. He was a member of the American Legion, Telephone Pioneers, the Valley of Covington Scottish Rite as well as the Masonic Lodge #746 in Covington, Ky.
He is survived by his son, Earl F (Donna) Jackson of Maysville, Ky.; daughters Denise Lore Jackson of Columbus, Karen Jackson of Hillsboro, and Lisa Tara Jackson (Jeffrey) Combs of Williamstown; two brothers, Wendell Jackson of Independence, Ky. and Charles Jackson of Louisville, Ky.; one sister, Mildred Hastings of Cincinnati; eight grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Sunday Aug. 28, 2016 at 2 p.m. at the Lewis- Sullivan Chapel in Seaman. Burial will follow at the Winchester Cemetery with military rites performed by the Adams County Honor Guard. Friends may call on Sunday Aug. 28, 2016 from noon until the time of service at the funeral home. | http://www.peoplesdefender.com/2016/08/26/earl-jackson/ | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.peoplesdefender.com/305a8b0c4499953e79464846872fb4da16fe4f51cadf44aa653a8d5a5b6222d9.json |
[
"Peoples Defender"
] | 2016-08-26T18:50:05 | null | 2016-08-26T13:19:32 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.peoplesdefender.com%2F2016%2F08%2F26%2Ftoole-gets-1000th-dig-lady-devils-get-thrilling-win-in-season-opener%2F.json | http://www.peoplesdefender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cropped-pdicon2-32x32.png | en | null | Toole gets 1,000th dig, Lady Devils get thrilling win in season opener | null | null | www.peoplesdefender.com | on Tuesday
tonight
It was a successful opening night for Coach Katie Ragan and her North Adams Lady Devils varsity volleyball squadnight, but not without a lot of tense moments. The Lady Devils boarded the bus and made the trek to Southeastern Ross High School to battle the Lady Panthers in the season opener for both sides.It was also a memorable night for North Adams senior Maddie Toole, who in the course of the five-set thriller, picked up her 1,000th career dig, adding to her school record.The first set of the match was a tight one with the Lady Devils coming out on top 25-22. In that first match, Toole came up with her 1,000th dig, one of 22 she had in the entire match.The next two sets went the other way, with Southeastern winning 25-22 and 25-18, putting North Adams in a hole, trailing two sets to one in this tough non-conference affair.The Lady Devils rallied and took the fourth set by a final count again of 25-22, sending the two sides to the always exciting fifth and final set. In that final set, it was the girls from North Adams coming through with the 15-8 win, completing their comeback and giving them the “W” in their first match of their 2016 campaign.“Southeastern is a very good young team and they are being picked to finish in the top half of the conference,” said Coach Ragan. “It was a good first match for us. After we won the first set, Southeastern really fought back and challenged us. In the fourth and fifth sets, we rose to that challenge. It was certainly a total team effort for us.”It was a well-rounded stat sheet for the Lady Devils in the victory. Besides the heroics of Toole, junior Charlee Louden contributed 18 kills and six aces. Playing strong at the net, senior Madison Jenkins had 17 kills and seven blocks, along with three aces from the service line. Setter Sydney Kendall had 46 assists and contributed 12 digs. Junior Abby Campton came up big with 10 digs and 15 service points and according to Coach Ragan, most of those service points came in the decisive final two sets.The Lady Devils were back in action on Thursday, Aug. 25 when they hosted the Portsmouth Notre Dame Lady Titans, in another tough non-conference battle. North Adams opens up play in the Southern Hills Athletic Conference, with their 39-game conference winning streak on the line, on Tuesday, Aug. 30 when they entertain Coach Sharon Sheets and her Fayetteville Lady Rockets. | http://www.peoplesdefender.com/2016/08/26/toole-gets-1000th-dig-lady-devils-get-thrilling-win-in-season-opener/ | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.peoplesdefender.com/7288c41dd538ae5aa8df6a270a94e0cfe39479cba6fe070c733fb5006af2af6d.json |
[
"Peoples Defender"
] | 2016-08-26T20:48:44 | null | 2016-08-26T15:11:14 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.peoplesdefender.com%2F2016%2F08%2F26%2Fbarnes-retires-from-water-district-board-of-trustees%2F.json | http://www.peoplesdefender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cropped-pdicon2-32x32.png | en | null | Barnes retires from Water District Board of Trustees | null | null | www.peoplesdefender.com | The Adams County Regional Water District would like to announce the retirement of Mr. Wendell Barnes from the Board of Trustees. Mr. Barnes has served nearly 24 years on the board. He has served in many capacities and on several committees.
Mr. Barnes served several years as board President and Vice-President. He brought sincerity and ingenuity to his many positions on the board. Being a project engineer for ODOT for 40 years gave him a lot of insight to the business practices of the District.
Mr. Barnes was quite the sportsman in his younger days playing football, basketball, and baseball. He was an outstanding outfielder and had gotten an invite to try out with the St. Louis Cardinals. Mr. Barnes instead chose to serve his country and join the United States Air Corps. Mr. Barnes served as a wing gunner on a B-17 bomber during World War II. At the ripe old age of about 21, Mr. Barnes’ crew flew two missions on D-Day.
Everyone at the ACRWD salutes him for his service, always appreciating his wit and his love for the Ohio State Buckeyes, and his dedicated service to ACRWD employees and customers alike. | http://www.peoplesdefender.com/2016/08/26/barnes-retires-from-water-district-board-of-trustees/ | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.peoplesdefender.com/930fa44c356bcbcd7966b7c0517479aa27d0e358ba21eaee039da6ed01fe419f.json |
[
"Peoples Defender"
] | 2016-08-26T12:49:06 | null | 2016-08-23T14:39:08 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.peoplesdefender.com%2F2016%2F08%2F23%2Fjunior-fair-beef-bbq-is-sept-1%2F.json | http://www.peoplesdefender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cropped-pdicon2-32x32.png | en | null | Junior Fair Beef BBQ is Sept. 1 | null | null | www.peoplesdefender.com | A 40-foot pit will soon be filled with two feet of wood coals and 1,000 pounds of choice beef as preparations are made for the annual Adams County Junior Fair Beef Barbecue. This year’s event will be held on Thursday, Sept. 1 from 4:30-7 p.m. at the Ohio Valley Career and Technical Center. Adault tickets are $9 and children are $7 with all proceeds going to Junior Fair improvements. | http://www.peoplesdefender.com/2016/08/23/junior-fair-beef-bbq-is-sept-1/ | en | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | www.peoplesdefender.com/3f4f13e544298747d63d6102bc7ef4d5f9321e24f5f6b967fbc6ab6134602951.json |
[
"Peoples Defender"
] | 2016-08-26T18:49:20 | null | 2016-08-26T13:25:43 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.peoplesdefender.com%2F2016%2F08%2F26%2Flady-dragons-drop-volleyball-opener%2F.json | http://www.peoplesdefender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cropped-pdicon2-32x32.png | en | null | Lady Dragons drop volleyball opener | null | null | www.peoplesdefender.com | Story and photos by Mark Carpenter –
This past Tuesday night was opening night for Coach Debbie McClanahan and her West Union Lady Dragons varsity volleyball squad as the made the trek to Piketon High School to do battle with the host Lady Red Streaks. It wasn’t the most profitable of nights for the young Lady Dragons as they struggled early and eventually fell in three sets as Piketon claimed the win, 25-9, 25-6-15-15.
“We were in trouble from the moment we saw them warming up,” said Coach McClanahan. “We really played scared in the first two sets and then finally decided to play a little in the third. We just have to learn to rely on our skills and just go out and play. We learned tonight what kind of team we have to be ready for at tournament time.”
On the stat sheet, Jaycee Baldwin topped the Lady Dragons with a pair of kills, while Mackenzie Bickett topped the squad with three digs and Kiersten Rowe contributed three assists.
The West Union girls were back in action on Thursday, Aug. 25 on their home court, hosting the Southeastern Ross Lady Panthers. The Lady Dragons open Southern Hills Athletic Conference play on Aug. 30 when they travel to Manchester. | http://www.peoplesdefender.com/2016/08/26/lady-dragons-drop-volleyball-opener/ | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.peoplesdefender.com/6b7d34bd9ef4970320df0b45ad03538a9fbce3d094f783c5ef46808755bb25da.json |
[
"Peoples Defender"
] | 2016-08-26T12:55:07 | null | 2016-08-24T14:25:28 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.peoplesdefender.com%2F2016%2F08%2F24%2Fjohn-e-thomas%2F.json | http://www.peoplesdefender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cropped-pdicon2-32x32.png | en | null | John E Thomas - People's Defender | null | null | www.peoplesdefender.com | John E. Thomas, 71 years of Seaman, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2016 at the Hospice of Hope Ohio Valley Inpatient Center in Seaman.
He was born Nov. 23, 1944 in Seaman to the late Wendell and Helen (McCormick) Thomas. Beside his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Donna (Mathews) Thomas on Aug. 10, 2004 and one sister Gayle Sullivan.
John retired from the U.S. Navy where he served during the Vietnam War. He was a member of the VFW and the American Legion, Manchester Lodge #317 F.& A.M. and the Valley of Cincinnati Scottish Rite.
He is survived by his step daughter Brenda (Charles II) Brewer of Peebles; step son Michael (Vonda) Chaney of West Union; one sister, Linda Strine of Seaman; four grandchildren, Dakota Chaney, Michala Chaney, Charles (Alisha) Brewer III, Marie (Cole) Oberschlake; four great grandchildren, Charles Brewer IV, Jonathan Brewer, Annah Oberschlake, and Leah Oberschlake; niece Cindy Applegate; nephew Donald Brown; plus great nieces, great nephews and a host of friends.
Funeral services will be held at 11a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2016 at the Lewis-Sullivan Chapel Wallace-Thompson Funeral Home in Seaman with Charles Brewer III officiating. Burial will follow in the West Union IOOF Cemetery with military rites conducted by the Adams County Honor Guard. Friends may call Friday, Aug. 26 from 6- 8 p.m. at the Lewis-Sullivan Chapel. Masonic and Scottish Rite Services will be held Friday at 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Hope. | http://www.peoplesdefender.com/2016/08/24/john-e-thomas/ | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.peoplesdefender.com/74f24952f6517d46e4d7996adfe0cfe363a9f571173034eba4acf4eeab38609a.json |
[
"Peoples Defender"
] | 2016-08-26T18:49:54 | null | 2016-08-26T13:24:06 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.peoplesdefender.com%2F2016%2F08%2F26%2Fboerger-back-for-second-year-with-north-adams-xc%2F.json | http://www.peoplesdefender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cropped-pdicon2-32x32.png | en | null | Boerger back for second year with North Adams XC | null | null | www.peoplesdefender.com | By Mark Carpenter –
Back for her second year at the helm of the North Adams High School cross-country teams is Kelly Boerger, and after some pre-season concern, the Green Devils now have complete teams and are ready to compete in 2016. Boerger will be assisted this fall by Sara Gravel.
“Sara and I are both runners but being a runner and coaching runners is two totally different things,” says Boerger. “Getting into the heads of 20 different athletes to find what motivates them is a challenge. We have tweaked our training schedule from last year and we are hoping that will lead to some improvements in our runners.”
“We are very excited to have John McIlwain move up to the high school level and we expect a solid season from him. We have added some new runners like Adison Wright and Landon Wright to our experienced group of runners and that has changed the dynamic of our team for the better.”
“ We are looking to Eric McCaw and George Hesler to provide senior leadership to our high school team, Boerger continued, while our junior high team has a core group of returning runners in Damon Baker, Trenton McCann, and Alyssa Mays, whose experience from last year is helping to mold them into our future leaders. We are very optimistic as we start the season this weekend in Pickerington.”
The Devils XC squads will begin their 2016 campaign with an early morning wake-up call on Saturday, Aug. 27 when they venture to Pickerington North near Columbus. Their first local appearance will come on Aug. 30 when they compete in the annual Dragon Run at West Union. | http://www.peoplesdefender.com/2016/08/26/boerger-back-for-second-year-with-north-adams-xc/ | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.peoplesdefender.com/96cde5fac8e8d269e066cfccf82354bc9b4d9d40f8ea8c165e1f5e41f41508fe.json |
[
"Peoples Defender"
] | 2016-08-26T20:48:47 | null | 2016-08-26T15:09:59 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.peoplesdefender.com%2F2016%2F08%2F26%2Fblanton-rape-kidnapping-trial-continues-at-courthouse%2F.json | http://www.peoplesdefender.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/cropped-pdicon2-32x32.png | en | null | Blanton rape, kidnapping trial continues at courthouse | null | null | www.peoplesdefender.com | Forensics and medical experts punch holes in the “he said/she said” defense –
Story and photo by Patricia Beech –
A nine woman, three man jury with four alternates was seated on Monday, Aug. 21 in the rape and kidnapping trial of an Adams County teen with Judge Brett Spencer presiding.
Denny W. Blanton,Jr. 18, of Manchester is accused of allegedly kidnapping and raping a minor girl from the Peebles area on Feb. 22, 2016. He was indicted on March 3 by the Adams County Grand Jury on two counts of kidnapping and two counts of rape.
Early Tuesday, after touring five locations associated with the case, the jury heard opening statements. Blanton Jr. was stoic as Assistant Prosecutor Kris Blanton detailed the charges against him: “he shoved her to the ground, he hit her, he threatened her, he restrained her before putting her in his truck and driving to a nearby cemetery where he forced her to submit”. Pointing at the defendant, he said “I expect that after you hear all the testimony and listen to all the witnesses, you will come to the conclusion that Denny W. Blanton Jr. is guilty.”
Defense attorney Tyler Cantrell countered, reminding the jurors the burden of proof rests with the state. “There are only two people who know what happened out there,” Cantrell said. “In the end, you will determine that Denny Blanton Jr. is not guilty.”
Forensic specialists on Thursday testified that DNA belonging to Blanton was found on the minor girls’ body and under clothing.
According to the testimony of forensic scientist Erika Jimenez, there was a only a 1 in one trillion chance that the DNA was not Blanton’s. “He cannot be excluded,” she said. “He is definitely included.”
On Wednesday the court listened to a Feb. 23 audio recording of Blanton telling Sheriff Kimmy Rogers that he had no sexual contact with the girl, saying he’d only given her a ride.
However, medical experts from Children’s Hospital testified that the girl’s injuries were consistent with sexual assault.
Again Thursday, the jury watched as Blanton, in a Feb. 23 video recording with Investigator Kenny Dick, continued to deny the allegations brought against him.
“I just gave the girl a ride, I shouldn’t have done that,” he told Dick. When asked if he’d had sex with her he replied, “No, I didn’t have sex with her.”
Blanton Jr.’s attorneys, Tyler Cantrell and Mike Kelly, argue that the sexual encounter between their client and the minor girl was consensual.
The father of the victim sat alone in the courtroom Tuesday as his daughter, the state’s first witness, related her Feb. 22 encounter with Blanton Jr. on Tater Ridge Road.
She told the court how he stopped her during her daily run. Describing him as “nervous” she said he asked for directions, then got out of his white double cab pickup truck on the pretext of getting a map from the back seat. She said he began asking her “weird questions”. “He asked me how old I was and I told him I was 12 because I was beginning to get scared.” the victim testified.
She said the “way he was acting” reminded her of her brother, who suffers from a mental illness and often exhibits similar behavior. “You have to be nice and calm with him” she told Prosecutor David Kelley.
She said she became even more frightened when she realized the paper he was holding wasn’t a map and recounted how he approached her. “He shoved me to the ground, he hit me on the cheek with his fist, he said he’d kill me if I yelled, I was scared.”
She described in detail how he restrained her by wrapping his belt around her arms and body, forced her onto the back floor board of the truck, and drove her to another location where he raped her.
She said afterward he her drove back to Wheat Ridge Road. Dropping her off at a house near Miller’s Bakery, she said he made her swear she wouldn’t tell.
“He told me to swear on my mom and dad’s lives so I did. Then he told me I could get out.” When the truck was out of sight, she ran to Miller’s where she called her mother and reported what had happened.
During cross examination defense attorney Mike Kelly asked the girl if she believed her parents would be upset if she’d had consensual sex. Prosecutor Kelley’s objection was sustained and Judge Spencer told the jury to disregard the question.
Kelly also questioned her about apparent discrepancies between her testimony in court and what she told the 911 operator. Asking why she failed to say that she’d been restrained or hit in the face, she replied that she “thought she had given the operator those details”. She also said she was aware that her DNA was not found on the defendant’s belt.
In testimony Thursday DNA expert Jimenez told the court it was not unusual for “Touch DNA” not to transfer on to objects.
The trial is expected to conclude by Friday, Aug. 26.
In a separate case involving sex-related crimes, the Adams County Grand Jury in May 2016 indicted Blanton Jr. on charges of Pandering Sexually Oriented Matter Involving a Minor and Illegal Use of a Minor in Nudity-Oriented Material or Performance. In yet another case, he was indicted in May 2016 for kidnapping, assault, and felonious assault. That trial is scheduled for Oct. 2016.
Look for the final results of this trial in the Wednesday, Aug. 31 issue of The People’s Defender. | http://www.peoplesdefender.com/2016/08/26/blanton-rape-kidnapping-trial-continues-at-courthouse/ | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.peoplesdefender.com/2f060a306dc74cddfd1cc8c8be1f42840e4643374b7bf2f5dbfeaa8367b7f614.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T22:52:10 | null | 2016-08-30T16:23:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.star-herald.com%2Fnews%2Fselling-history.json | http://www.star-herald.com/sites/default/files/Screen%20Shot%202015-03-03%20at%209.47.06%20AM_0.png | en | null | Rock County Star Herald | null | null | www.star-herald.com | null | http://www.star-herald.com/news/selling-history | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.star-herald.com/4cac9e16c22a8a1e239b96f418ab0a35043ae27beb3550d73dacbf0f51e87f14.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:57:37 | null | 2016-08-24T13:52:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.star-herald.com%2Fnews%2Fbroadband-reaches-halfway-point.json | http://www.star-herald.com/sites/default/files/Screen%20Shot%202015-03-03%20at%209.47.06%20AM_0.png | en | null | Broadband reaches halfway point | null | null | www.star-herald.com | null | http://www.star-herald.com/news/broadband-reaches-halfway-point | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.star-herald.com/969216a918c8e134ad8718f610bd05b6e0400303c767f48899df2fac496eac51.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T22:51:58 | null | 2016-08-30T16:27:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.star-herald.com%2Fnews%2Fcharge.json | http://www.star-herald.com/sites/default/files/Screen%20Shot%202015-03-03%20at%209.47.06%20AM_0.png | en | null | Rock County Star Herald | null | null | www.star-herald.com | null | http://www.star-herald.com/news/charge | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.star-herald.com/bc57f078c55514ae01c5b2ac445c182908fe2b1d49dd890065c3fe1db974fd81.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T20:50:46 | null | 2016-08-30T15:15:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.star-herald.com%2Fnews%2Fseven-luverne-youth-attend-business-camp-sponsored-kahr-foundation.json | http://www.star-herald.com/sites/default/files/Screen%20Shot%202015-03-03%20at%209.47.06%20AM_0.png | en | null | Seven Luverne youth attend business camp sponsored by KAHR Foundation | null | null | www.star-herald.com | null | http://www.star-herald.com/news/seven-luverne-youth-attend-business-camp-sponsored-kahr-foundation | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.star-herald.com/174d4f49f7e7dd0fcad8452d16b4b63043dd84a774f2097771ec0c8eab12e247.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:56:08 | null | 2016-08-24T13:41:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.star-herald.com%2Fnews%2Ftootin-their-own-horns.json | http://www.star-herald.com/sites/default/files/Screen%20Shot%202015-03-03%20at%209.47.06%20AM_0.png | en | null | Tootin' their own horns | null | null | www.star-herald.com | null | http://www.star-herald.com/news/tootin-their-own-horns | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.star-herald.com/6e732c873eae57233fcaf0b93d4f1eddb2064809c303054f5308b7732ca80d50.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T22:51:48 | null | 2016-08-30T15:40:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.star-herald.com%2Fnews%2Fairport-host-fly-drive-pancake-breakfast-sept-10.json | http://www.star-herald.com/sites/default/files/Screen%20Shot%202015-03-03%20at%209.47.06%20AM_0.png | en | null | Airport to host Fly-In, Drive-In Pancake Breakfast Sept. 10 | null | null | www.star-herald.com | null | http://www.star-herald.com/news/airport-host-fly-drive-pancake-breakfast-sept-10 | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.star-herald.com/a4f5d3d6f5d8f5da5954f152660493b5624f64a1578ad74b67d5971ae5608a9e.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:55:40 | null | 2016-08-24T13:28:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.star-herald.com%2Fnews%2Ffour-corners-facelift-moves-w-2-corner.json | http://www.star-herald.com/sites/default/files/Screen%20Shot%202015-03-03%20at%209.47.06%20AM_0.png | en | null | Four corners facelift moves to W-2 corner | null | null | www.star-herald.com | null | http://www.star-herald.com/news/four-corners-facelift-moves-w-2-corner | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.star-herald.com/cd0918c6830b027b876f20e886b4694c3e614673ffaa7558d0025f2545306f7f.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:54:46 | null | 2016-08-24T13:17:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.star-herald.com%2Fnews%2Fcity-puts-sunday-liquor-question-2016-ballot.json | http://www.star-herald.com/sites/default/files/Screen%20Shot%202015-03-03%20at%209.47.06%20AM_0.png | en | null | City puts Sunday liquor question on 2016 ballot | null | null | www.star-herald.com | null | http://www.star-herald.com/news/city-puts-sunday-liquor-question-2016-ballot | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.star-herald.com/5ba5f834ddc00e89c64b565212cfcaf88aa722d84a1f967c7975a6931d667f84.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:58:02 | null | 2016-08-24T13:44:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.star-herald.com%2Fnews%2Fone-more-option-campground.json | http://www.star-herald.com/sites/default/files/Screen%20Shot%202015-03-03%20at%209.47.06%20AM_0.png | en | null | One more option for campground | null | null | www.star-herald.com | null | http://www.star-herald.com/news/one-more-option-campground | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.star-herald.com/0d9a507f94626f775943cec18ffd8e4cb754f72c4a81ee296dd561f6f11e1f06.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:59:38 | null | 2016-08-24T13:38:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.star-herald.com%2Fnews%2Fveterans-home-classic-car-show-brings-out-auto-enthusiasts-hot-dogs-root-beer-and-fun.json | http://www.star-herald.com/sites/default/files/Screen%20Shot%202015-03-03%20at%209.47.06%20AM_0.png | en | null | Veterans Home classic car show brings out auto enthusiasts for hot dogs, root beer and fun | null | null | www.star-herald.com | null | http://www.star-herald.com/news/veterans-home-classic-car-show-brings-out-auto-enthusiasts-hot-dogs-root-beer-and-fun | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.star-herald.com/6f78434cbe29c91bd2af7bf71b0a44d74be14fb6bc73afe95ecdd12cd7635525.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:57:10 | null | 2016-08-24T13:21:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.star-herald.com%2Fnews%2Fschutz-davis-win-first-stein-holding-contest.json | http://www.star-herald.com/sites/default/files/Screen%20Shot%202015-03-03%20at%209.47.06%20AM_0.png | en | null | Schutz, Davis win first Stein-Holding Contest | null | null | www.star-herald.com | null | http://www.star-herald.com/news/schutz-davis-win-first-stein-holding-contest | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.star-herald.com/a13bbe36bd5009c9a11979a651b05f0ceccd5f664a2556a1968905ae1dd4ef47.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T22:50:47 | null | 2016-08-30T15:46:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.star-herald.com%2Fnews%2Fcoming-america.json | http://www.star-herald.com/sites/default/files/Screen%20Shot%202015-03-03%20at%209.47.06%20AM_0.png | en | null | Coming to America | null | null | www.star-herald.com | null | http://www.star-herald.com/news/coming-america | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.star-herald.com/f5aa959325a9ca1faa3f5e921706156fa5183233da0568495e55820db27e66c6.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T22:52:30 | null | 2016-08-30T15:37:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.star-herald.com%2Fnews%2Ftime-capsule-dedicated-9-11-anniversary-will-be-opened-10-years.json | http://www.star-herald.com/sites/default/files/Screen%20Shot%202015-03-03%20at%209.47.06%20AM_0.png | en | null | Time capsule dedicated for 9-11 anniversary; will be opened in 10 years | null | null | www.star-herald.com | null | http://www.star-herald.com/news/time-capsule-dedicated-9-11-anniversary-will-be-opened-10-years | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.star-herald.com/97f4dd2350f7c0f7988857b28f29079aee7116bec60911161c445c309342bbb3.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:00:29 | null | 2016-08-24T13:32:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.star-herald.com%2Fnews%2Fschools-towns-see-contests-2016-polls.json | http://www.star-herald.com/sites/default/files/Screen%20Shot%202015-03-03%20at%209.47.06%20AM_0.png | en | null | Schools, towns to see contests at 2016 polls | null | null | www.star-herald.com | null | http://www.star-herald.com/news/schools-towns-see-contests-2016-polls | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.star-herald.com/b9d73561c4130aba794ebc29922b8e53064e500685fc951fd7b25526f073ae22.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T22:52:20 | null | 2016-08-30T16:18:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.star-herald.com%2Fnews%2Ffifteen-new-starters-start-adrian-ellsworth-luverne.json | http://www.star-herald.com/sites/default/files/Screen%20Shot%202015-03-03%20at%209.47.06%20AM_0.png | en | null | Fifteen new starters start in Adrian, Ellsworth, Luverne | null | null | www.star-herald.com | null | http://www.star-herald.com/news/fifteen-new-starters-start-adrian-ellsworth-luverne | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.star-herald.com/c4268b60f8df202d99ed9c134ebf75a56b415722960a20872384ddab23bc921f.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T22:50:57 | null | 2016-08-30T16:21:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.star-herald.com%2Fnews%2Fbaily-goes-college.json | http://www.star-herald.com/sites/default/files/Screen%20Shot%202015-03-03%20at%209.47.06%20AM_0.png | en | null | Baily Goes to College | null | null | www.star-herald.com | null | http://www.star-herald.com/news/baily-goes-college | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.star-herald.com/17046c8ae685e67351aa0211a76e56b116346809882495c47739d3916cd126be.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T22:52:52 | null | 2016-08-30T16:14:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.star-herald.com%2Fnews%2Flip-smackin-good.json | http://www.star-herald.com/sites/default/files/Screen%20Shot%202015-03-03%20at%209.47.06%20AM_0.png | en | null | Lip-smackin' Good | null | null | www.star-herald.com | null | http://www.star-herald.com/news/lip-smackin-good | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.star-herald.com/567bb5fefc9dda2cb669f5406580d5fdd16ebb8279a20c2b0860564aac26a226.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T22:52:41 | null | 2016-08-30T15:36:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.star-herald.com%2Fnews%2Fschomackers-celebrate-ribbon-cutting.json | http://www.star-herald.com/sites/default/files/Screen%20Shot%202015-03-03%20at%209.47.06%20AM_0.png | en | null | Schomackers celebrate ribbon-cutting | null | null | www.star-herald.com | null | http://www.star-herald.com/news/schomackers-celebrate-ribbon-cutting | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.star-herald.com/be4219b29c49a345522599199ba9510bfb07d6c3e0dac302952e6096c89529bd.json |
[] | 2016-08-30T22:51:07 | null | 2016-08-30T15:39:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.star-herald.com%2Fnews%2Fluverne-school-district-student-enrollment-grows.json | http://www.star-herald.com/sites/default/files/Screen%20Shot%202015-03-03%20at%209.47.06%20AM_0.png | en | null | Luverne School District student enrollment grows | null | null | www.star-herald.com | null | http://www.star-herald.com/news/luverne-school-district-student-enrollment-grows | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.star-herald.com/f8ec4e5748d49ae6fd0af4a878be5e3a64b244e689702d1e47445dc6e36685fb.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T12:55:14 | null | 2016-08-24T13:14:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.star-herald.com%2Fnews%2Fmusic-air.json | http://www.star-herald.com/sites/default/files/Screen%20Shot%202015-03-03%20at%209.47.06%20AM_0.png | en | null | Music in the Air | null | null | www.star-herald.com | null | http://www.star-herald.com/news/music-air | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.star-herald.com/e3341393ddc5f335fd27fcb13a89c034dad39514cd863661561db426cd717364.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:00:03 | null | 2016-08-24T13:48:00 | null | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.star-herald.com%2Fnews%2Frecount-district-3-county-commissioner-race-yields-same-results.json | http://www.star-herald.com/sites/default/files/Screen%20Shot%202015-03-03%20at%209.47.06%20AM_0.png | en | null | Recount in District 3 County Commissioner race yields same results | null | null | www.star-herald.com | null | http://www.star-herald.com/news/recount-district-3-county-commissioner-race-yields-same-results | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.star-herald.com/2f96b84655002b0e65f3a83bacc36499257ec005c991cdc3b147c3b6aea318c6.json |
[
"Tirana Times"
] | 2016-08-26T13:03:15 | null | 2016-08-15T15:36:42 | TIRANA, Aug. 15 - Polish archaeologists have discovered remnants of two royal palaces in neighboring Montenegro, who they believe could be the first known palaces of two distinguished rulers of Illyrians, the Albanians’ predecessors. The palaces which date back to more than 2,000 years belong | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiranatimes.com%2F%3Fp%3D128853.json | http://www.tiranatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Poland-1.jpg | en | null | Ancient Illyrian rulers’ palaces discovered in Montenegro | null | null | www.tiranatimes.com | TIRANA, Aug. 15 – Polish archaeologists have discovered remnants of two royal palaces in neighboring Montenegro, who they believe could be the first known palaces of two distinguished rulers of Illyrians, the Albanians’ predecessors. The palaces which date back to more than 2,000 years belong to King Bardhyl and Queen Teuta, two IV and III century BC rulers of Illyria whose territory stretched from the northern Adriatic down to present-day Albania.
Bardhyl was a IV century B.C king and probably the founder of the Dardanian Kingdom stretching over Upper Macedonia, who during his reign managed to make the Dardania one of the most powerful Illyrian states.
Teuta, the Illyrian queen who reigned from present day Lezha (ancient Lissos), was allowed by the Romans to retain her throne in the Shkodra-Lezha region after surrendering in 227 BC.
Today, many Albanian men and women bear the name of Bardhyl and Teuta in their honor.
“This is a great and cardinal discovery, which abruptly expands knowledge about the functioning of royal power in Illyria,” Prof. Piotr Dyczek told Science in Poland portal.
“All the data we have obtained indicate that we have discovered a Hellenistic palace complex of the rulers of Rhizon. These are the first structures of this type uncovered in the area of Illyria, which could belong to King Ballaios [Bardhyl] and Teuta. Until now we did not even know whether such structures existed,” said Prof. Dyczek who led the research by the Antiquity of Southeastern Europe Research Center of the University of Warsaw.
Archaeologists have found evidence the building was burned down during a violent attack.
Polish researchers say the Palace building was unfortunately destroyed and looted in ancient times, and the surviving remnants of walls razed to the ground in the early twentieth century when a sawmill was built in this part of Rhizon, an ancient settlement located near today’s Risan in the Bay of Kotor, Montenegro.
Polish archaeologists of the University of Warsaw have also been conducting excavations in the northern Albanian region of Shkodra in the past six years, discovering medieval burials, Hellenistic buildings, vessels from the Roman period as well as Turkish baths.
Albanians are considered direct descendants of the ancient Illyrians.
Albanian is a language of the extensive Indo-European family showing no particularly close historical affinity to any other language or language group within the family. | http://www.tiranatimes.com/?p=128853 | en | 2016-08-15T00:00:00 | www.tiranatimes.com/20136a5df4ea9de082aaf95deafeb2ee61d64db1c4b400e1af63b99c73a47acf.json |
[
"Tirana Times"
] | 2016-08-26T13:05:30 | null | 2016-08-24T15:37:02 | TIRANA, Aug. 24 - Albania's Parliament will convene on August 30 in a special session to vote a draft law that will vet all judges and prosecutors in vote expected to bring back political deadlock after last month's unanimous approval of the justice reform.
The new political row comes a | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiranatimes.com%2F%3Fp%3D128875.json | http://www.tiranatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/gjykat.jpg | en | null | Vetting law brings back political deadlock over justice reform | null | null | www.tiranatimes.com | TIRANA, Aug. 24 – Albania’s Parliament will convene on August 30 in a special session to vote a draft law that will vet all judges and prosecutors in vote expected to bring back political deadlock after last month’s unanimous approval of the justice reform.
The new political row comes after the ruling Socialist Party-led coalition approved this week on its own a draft law on the ‘transitional qualification assessment of judges and prosecutors’ known as the vetting law that will scan all judges and prosecutors for their professional proficiency, moral integrity and independence from the influence of the organized crime, corruption and political power.
The opposition Democrats claim the bill drafted under EU and U.S. assistance violates the the newly adopted constitutional changes on the justice reform and has warned of taking it to the Constitutional Court if its amendments are not taken into consideration.
“What’s severe and important is the fact that the Democratic Party although proposing a big number of amendments on part of the law, these amendments were turned down by the majority with no argument. The sole goal is that this important draft law, on which there is no international standard and good practice, returns on track to comply with the constitutional amendments approved on July 22, 2016,” said opposition Democratic Party MP Oerd Bylykbashi, the deputy chair of the parliamentary ad hoc committee on the justice reform.
“We are sure this draft law will not stand the test before court and elsewhere,” added Bylykbashi.
Ruling Socialist Party MP Pandeli Majko said the draft law included all remarks made by the opposition that had been accepted by Eualiaus, the European Assistance Mission to the Albanian Justice System funded by the European Union.
“The majority approved the Democratic Party’s remarks that received the Euralius approval. A good job was done and the law was improved. I don’t think technical details can turn into political details. Vetting is the reform’s Achilles’ heel,” said Majko, adding that the reform’s other organic laws will be approved as soon as possible.
The August 30 vote will also be a test for the ruling majority after frictions with the Socialist Movement for Integration, the ruling Socialists’ junior ally, ahead of the July 22 unanimous vote on the justice reform.
The ruling SP-led majority, which also includes the Party for Justice, Integration and Unity, on paper has the necessary 84 votes to approve the vetting law, but a unilateral vote or failure to approve it could bring back a political deadlock over one of the country’s most important reforms in the past 25 years of transition.
Albania’s political leaders needed 18 months of talks and mediation by U.S. and EU diplomats to reach a last-minute deal on a long-awaited justice reform on the country’s highly perceived corrupt judiciary and pave the way for the country to launch EU accession talks.
While the constitutional changes unanimously approved last July have already entered into force, the justice reform implementation requires the approval of seven organic laws, the first of which a law that will vet all current judges and prosecutors.
Last week, President Bujar Nishani postponed drawing lots for the selection of members of the Justice Appointments Council, a body that will vets candidates for the Senior Justice Inspector post and members of the Constitutional Court, until a vetting law has been approved. | http://www.tiranatimes.com/?p=128875 | en | 2016-08-24T00:00:00 | www.tiranatimes.com/09cd0e7079768b6553d0250ea3cfc56d97deccbb9df48887e3f35e7701bb37bb.json |
[
"Tirana Times"
] | 2016-08-26T13:03:39 | null | 2016-08-22T11:41:47 | By Ervin Lisaku
TIRANA, Aug. 22 - Non-performing loans embarked on upward trend in the first half of this year when they rose for six consecutive months, affecting credit growth and banks' profits, according to the central bank.
On a falling trend since mid-2014 when they reached a record | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiranatimes.com%2F%3Fp%3D128867.json | http://www.tiranatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/NPL.jpg | en | null | Non-performing loans rise to 20% | null | null | www.tiranatimes.com | By Ervin Lisaku
TIRANA, Aug. 22 – Non-performing loans embarked on upward trend in the first half of this year when they rose for six consecutive months, affecting credit growth and banks’ profits, according to the central bank.
On a falling trend since mid-2014 when they reached a record high of 25 percent, NPLs dropped to 18.22 percent at the end of 2015 but rose again to about 20 percent at the end of the first half of this year as one of the country’s key enterprises announced bankruptcy, affecting credit which struggled to recover to positive growth rates.
The 16 overwhelmingly foreign-owned banks in Albania also saw their profits drop to about 5 billion lek (€37 mln) in the first half of this year, down from 8.3 billion lek (€60.7 mln) during the same period last year.
The surprise bankruptcy of Turkish-run Kurum steelmaker, one of the country’s largest foreign investors, had a key impact on the NPL increase.
Kurum is estimated to have borrowed some €40 million from 3 local banks in Albania and another €126 million from the World Bank and the Black Sea Development Bank in the past five years. Last April, a Tirana District Court ruled to suspend the execution of collateral against Kurum steelmaker and allow the company to renegotiate loans with its creditors to save it from bankruptcy.
Kurum International has been operating in Albania for the past 18 years mainly in steel production in Elbasan, central Albania, but expanded its activity in Durres Port through a container terminal concession and purchased for small and medium-sized hydropower plants in the past few years.
Non-performing loans have more than trebled in the past six crisis years, becoming a drag on economic growth and lending which has been struggling with sluggish growth rates in the past couple of years.
Some thirty-five big borrowers hold about half of total NPLs, estimated at €800 million in mid-2015.
Banks’ profits hit a historic high of 15.7 billion lek (€111.7 mln) in 2015 as non-performing loans dropped to 18.22 percent and deposit interest rates registered a record low, according to central bank data. The surge in profits came at a time when lending to the economy contracted by 2.4 percent in 2015, registering the second post-crisis decline after a slight drop in 2013.
Bank of Albania governor Gent Sejko says the implementation of the newly adopted justice reform will be key for the recovery of lending which has struggled to turn to positive growth rates for the past year.
“From the central bank’s point of view, this provides an unusually optimistic signal for the progress of lending, but also for the implementation of the action plan on non-performing loans. The implementation of the justice reform would bring a better collateral execution and better enforcement of contracts in the medium and long-term between banks and borrowers,” the central bank governor says.
Lending to the economy showed signs of recovery last June when it almost overcame its downward trend for the past l2 months as credit registered a negligible annual contraction of 0.03 percent, according to the country’s central bank.
However, the real credit recovery is estimated to be higher, at 3 percent, considering the write-off of bad debt from banks’ balance sheets statistically keeping lending at negative growth rates of about 2 percent for the past year.
With non-performing still at a high level of 18 percent, banks continue applying tight lending standards for both businesses and households while the consecutive cuts to the key interest rate, currently at a historic low of 1.25 percent, have been poorly reflected in loan interest rates.
The gap between loan and deposit rates has increased to more than 8-fold compared to about 3-fold in the pre-crisis credit boom, triggering a probe by the country’s competition authority over allegations of limited competition leading to high loan interest rates and standstill in lending.
Average interest rates on lek-denominated loans slightly rose to 7.3 percent last June compared to a historic low of 6 percent last April at a time when deposit rates for the national currency dropped to all-time low of 0.77 percent.
The poor recovery of lending also reflects sluggish demand and uncertainties by both the business community and households as the country’s economy continues growing at sluggish growth rates of 2 to 3 percent, mainly driven by some private sector energy-related investments.
The payment of some €500 million to the private sector in accumulated unpaid bills in the past couple of years had a small impact on boosting investor confidence, although it slightly reduced NPLs.
Lending to the economy has been striving to maintain positive growth rates since 2012 after growing by 30 to 50 percent annually in the pre-crisis years and an average of 10 percent from 2009 to 2011.
Meanwhile, deposits struggled to recover last June when they increased by a mere 0.5 percent, affected by historic low interest rates of only 0.77 percent, pushing investors to seek other riskier investment opportunities, including online trading. | http://www.tiranatimes.com/?p=128867 | en | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | www.tiranatimes.com/40c09329d88639753941a268cbeeeea687047e4bac2e76178058759be9e37540.json |
[
"Tirana Times"
] | 2016-08-26T13:02:51 | null | 2016-08-16T13:35:00 | TIRANA, Aug. 16 - Three Albanian players with Kosovo roots have left the national side to join Kosovo after the neighbouring country was admitted as a UEFA and FIFA member and entitled to take part in the Russia World Cup qualifiers earlier this year.
Midfielders Milot Rashica, Alban Meha and | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiranatimes.com%2F%3Fp%3D128857.json | http://www.tiranatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/rashica.jpg | en | null | First three players leave Albania for Kosovo | null | null | www.tiranatimes.com | TIRANA, Aug. 16 – Three Albanian players with Kosovo roots have left the national side to join Kosovo after the neighbouring country was admitted as a UEFA and FIFA member and entitled to take part in the Russia World Cup qualifiers earlier this year.
Midfielders Milot Rashica, Alban Meha and Herolind Shala have chosen to join Kosovo after being left out of Albania’s Euro 2016 squad, marking the first departures from the national side.
The departure of 20-year-old talent Milot Rashica who plays as an attacking midfielder for Dutch Eredivisie side Vitesse is the biggest loss for the national side as it faces a tough challenge in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Rashica made his debut with the national side in a Euro warm-up friendly against Luxembourg but was left out of the 23-men squad for Euro 2016 in a surprise decision by coach De Biasi following a wonderful season with Vitesse.
“It was not an easy decision for me after playing for a long time with the youth teams and the national side which has represented all Albanians in and out of their territories,” said Rashica.
“This decision is not a decision against Albania. It is more of a choice for Kosovo where I was born and grew up. I want to give my contribution to the first steps of the Kosovo national side,” he added.
Reacting to Rashica’s choice, Albania’s Italian coach Gianni De Biasi who led Albania to a historic first ever appearance in a major tournament, said he was disappointed by the player’s choice.
“I am very disappointed because I thought he would be one of Albania’s most important players in the next 10 years. I think his choice was influenced by the fact he was not called up in the Euros. I am very sorry for the Red and Black fans because they want a single national side and everyone with Albanian roots to play for Albania,” said De Biasi.
For Alban Meha, a midfielder who hasn’t been called up by De Biasi since 2014, this was an expected decision. The 30-year midfielder known for his long-range goals, has recently moved to Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr from Turkey’s Konyaspor.
Young midfielder Herolind Shala is another loss for the national side. The 24-year-old, who was left out of Euro 2016 squad, is currently playing Czech Republic’s Slovan Liberec on loan from Sparta Prague.
Kosovo will join Croatia, Iceland, Ukraine, Turkey and Finland in Group I of the World Cup qualifiers after being accepted as a UEFA and FIFA member last May.
More than half of Albania’s current squad have Kosovo-Albanian roots.
Goalkeeper Etrit Berisha, captain Lorik Cana, midfielders Taulant Xhaka, Ermir Lenjani and striker Shkelzen Gashi, all of whom have Kosovo roots, were regular starters in Albania’s Euro qualifying campaign with a key contribution to the country’s first-ever appearance in a European championship.
Kosovo’s UEFA and FIFA membership also sparked concerns in Switzerland as some of its key players have Kosovo roots and although they are unlikely to abandon it, younger generations of players could pick Kosovo.
Albania will face a tough race in the 2018 Russia World Cup qualifiers after being drawn against four-time World Cup winners Italy and 2010 winners Spain in Group G.
Albania will play a home friendly against Morocco at the end of August few days before they take on neighboring Macedonia in the first World Cup qualifier on Sept. 5. | http://www.tiranatimes.com/?p=128857 | en | 2016-08-16T00:00:00 | www.tiranatimes.com/7dec0e93e2812500a4d6e88ecc6eed48603baa165f01690898a96be0deabc7e7.json |
[
"Tirana Times"
] | 2016-08-29T14:51:49 | null | 2016-08-29T15:06:57 | TIRANA, Aug. 29 - The announcement of privatization plans for Tirana's state-run water supply and sewerage company at a time when it consolidating its performance and increasing profits has sparked concerns over the goal of the operation and a possible failure just like the electricity distribu | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiranatimes.com%2F%3Fp%3D128885.json | http://www.tiranatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/uje.jpg | en | null | Controversial privatization plan unveiled for Tirana water supply company | null | null | www.tiranatimes.com | TIRANA, Aug. 29 – The announcement of privatization plans for Tirana’s state-run water supply and sewerage company at a time when it consolidating its performance and increasing profits has sparked concerns over the goal of the operation and a possible failure just like the electricity distribution operator which was taken back under state control in 2013 after only three and a half years under private hands.
Mayor Erion Veliaj says the Tirana municipality which has the majority stake of 82.5 percent in the water supply system serving about 1 million residents in the municipalities of Tirana, Kamza and Vora, is seriously considering selling one of its key assets to further improve water supply and sewerage services both for households and businesses.
“We are still in a negotiation process but I would like to guarantee citizens that we will do our best until we are convinced we have received the best bid for Tirana’s water supply and sewerage company,” said Veliaj last week, inspecting sewerage reconstruction works in a Tirana suburban area.
“We have received several offers which is a compliment for the performance of the Tirana water supply and sewerage as the first company out of 61 companies managed by the new municipalities earning such praise and being quoted thanks to its improving performance also because of rising bill collection rates,” said Veliaj.
Tirana has an average of 10 hours of water supply a day which makes water deposits a necessity while poor sewerage infrastructure contributes to frequent flash floods.
The privatization would make the Tirana water supply and sewerage company, the country’s biggest, the first such company to switch into private hands.
The Socialist Party Mayor, who is strongly backed by Prime Minister Edi Rama, assured the privatization would not affect drinking water prices.
“This does not affect drinking water prices. The price is set by the regulatory entity just like electricity prices,” said Veliaj.
Privatization plans come at a time when the state-run company has sharply increased its profits in the past three years, with a net profit 424 million (Euro 3 mln) in 2014, according to the National Registration Centre. The company’s profit before tax for 2015 are estimated to have increased to Euro 5 million.
Economist Zef Preçi has described the privatization idea as hurried and a dangerous step.
“Studies have unveiled that many cities around the world have taken back water supply under public administration because of the importance this sector has,” says Preçi, who also casts doubts if water prices will escape an apparent hike.
Tirana secured its water supply through individual wells until 1939 just before the WWII when the first water supply system and much of Tirana’s present buildings and central square and boulevard were built under Italian occupation.
Water prices for household consumers in Tirana are currently at 45 lek (€0.32)/m3. State institutions pay 120 lek (€0.85)/m3, while private companies 135 lek/m3.
Albania will have to wait for a long time before it settles its long-standing water supply issue due to the huge investments needed in the dilapidated distribution system where around two-thirds of running water is lost.
Albania’s average water supply in 2015 ranged from 4 to 24 hours a day, with the average supply at 11.5 hours, says the Water Entity in its annual report.
Only three towns in south-eastern Albania, Korça, Pogradec and Librazhd offer uninterrupted water supply thanks to investments by foreign donors.
Albania which has privatized almost all key enterprises in the past two decades had a bad experience with the privatization of its electricity distribution grid in 2009.
In mid-2014, the Albanian government reached an out-of-court deal to pay Czech Republic’s CEZ in annual installments for the next four years a total of Euro 95 million, an amount slightly lower to its initial investment in the Albanian distribution system, but half of the Euro 200 million CEZ had warned it would claim in international arbitration proceedings.
The CEZ Group entered the Albanian market in May 2009 by acquiring a 76 percent stake in the Albanian power distribution company for Euro 102 million but was forced to leave in early 2013 after accumulating huge debts due to poor collection rates and high grid levels.
More than a year after the launch of an aggressive nationwide campaign to curb electricity thefts and collect accumulated unpaid bills, the country’s now state-run power distribution operator is back to profitable after its failed privatization spell.
Distribution operator, OSHEE, said the company registered profits of about 14.9 billion lek (€106 mln) in 2015 following losses of 4.5 billion lek (€32 mln) in 2014 and a record high of 27 billion lek (€192 mln) in 2013 when the company was taken back under state administration. | http://www.tiranatimes.com/?p=128885 | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.tiranatimes.com/417142f0b57e9b475c7fd09f709c5cc65a68ee76a6a72f96dc9f6ea6b8913285.json |
[
"Tirana Times"
] | 2016-08-29T16:51:52 | null | 2016-08-29T17:24:00 | TIRANA, Aug. 29 - Coach Gianni De Biasi has called up 25 players for the friendly against Morocco, a key test ahead of the first World Cup qualifier against neighboring Macedonia on Sept. 5.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday ahead of the Aug. 31 friendly against Morocco, coach De Biasi ann | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiranatimes.com%2F%3Fp%3D128888.json | http://www.tiranatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/cana.jpg | en | null | Captain Cana quits as Albania prepares for first World Cup qualifier | null | null | www.tiranatimes.com | TIRANA, Aug. 29 – Coach Gianni De Biasi has called up 25 players for the friendly against Morocco, a key test ahead of the first World Cup qualifier against neighboring Macedonia on Sept. 5.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday ahead of the Aug. 31 friendly against Morocco, coach De Biasi announced Lorik Cana had decided to quit the national side after captaining Albania for the past five years. Much-travelled defender Cana, now at 33, has also prematurely quit French club Nantes, and could try a new experience outside Europe before his eventual retirement from professional football.
“He was a great player, captain and man. He enjoys my highest appreciation for his contribution and values,” said De Biasi, who didn’t unveil who the new captain will be.
The 33-year old defender joined France’s Ligue 1 club Nantes from Italy’s Lazio in Sept. 2015 on a two-year deal but did not shine in his France comeback where his career as a professional kicked off.
Born in Kosovo, Cana began his professional career in France with Paris Saint Germain and also played for Marseille, Sunderland and Galatasaray before moving to Italy with Lazio in 2011.
He was a regular starter with the national side and much of the success in the Euro 2016 qualifiers is also dedicated to him.
“Morocco is a very tough team and we have to seriously consider this friendly,” said De Biasi.
The two teams are facing each other for the first time.
One of the toughest African sides, Morocco ranked 54th in the latest FIFA ranking compared to Albania’s 37th, one of their best world historical rankings.
The Morocco fixture is seen as a key test ahead of the first Russia World Cup qualifier with neighboring Macedonia following Albania’s historic debut at a European championship last June.
“We face a tough challenge in our qualifying group stage with Italy, Spain and Israel. We have to do our best against Macedonia because we risk making a bad impression. We must forget what we achieved in the Euros. That should only serve as experience,” said De Biasi.
Coach De Biasi also downplayed voices of an exodus of players of Kosovo origin from the Albanian national side after three players recently left the national side to join Kosovo which will be making its international debut in the World Cup qualifiers following its FIFA and UEFA membership earlier this year.
“There is no exodus from the national side. The players joined Kosovo for more playing opportunities,” he said.
The departure of 20-year-old talent Milot Rashica who plays as an attacking midfielder for Dutch Eredivisie side Vitesse is the biggest loss for the national side as it faces a tough challenge in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.
Macedonia’s coach Igor Angelovski has called up five Albanian-Macedonians for the first qualifier away to Albania.
“Albania’s participation at the Euros shows a lot about the opponent we face, but we’ll try our best to begin this round of qualifiers with a positive result,” he said.
Naser Aliji, a 22-year Macedonia-born defender to ethnic Albanian parents who joined Albania in 2015, will likely play against his home country.
“It was a special feeling for me when I saw that Albania was drawn against Macedonia. I have my whole family in Macedonia and it will be a special feeling,” Aliji, the first Albanian-Macedonian to play for Albania earlier said.
Ethnic Albanians officially account for around 25 percent of Macedonia’s 2 million population, but the figure is estimated to be higher.
Both matches with Morocco and Macedonia will be played in the newly reconstructed “Loro Borici” stadium in Shkodra, northern Albania.
The national side will travel to Liechtenstein on October 6 before hosting Spain on October 9 in its next two qualifiers.
The Red & Blacks will play at home to Israel on November 12 and travel to Italy on March 14, 2017 in the first round of World Cup qualifiers in Group G.
Differently from the Euro qualifiers where the top two group teams qualified directly and the third-placed teams were given a play-off chance, the road to Russia World Cup for European national sides is much tougher with only the nine group winners directly qualifying and the 8 best group runners-up contesting in a play-off round. | http://www.tiranatimes.com/?p=128888 | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.tiranatimes.com/678409fccb86e510e19135d2d6044462f6ab0e936d9463adedf8b3d3de7405e1.json |
[
"Tirana Times"
] | 2016-08-26T13:04:27 | null | 2016-08-15T11:12:57 | TIRANA, Aug. 15 - Albania's ruling coalition and the opposition Democrats have unveiled their candidates for the Sept. 11 local elections in the northern municipality of Dibra in what is expected to be a key test ahead of next year's general elections.
The Democratic Party-led right | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiranatimes.com%2F%3Fp%3D128846.json | http://www.tiranatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/shehu1.jpg | en | null | Dibra mayoral elections seen as test ahead of next year’s general elections | null | null | www.tiranatimes.com | TIRANA, Aug. 15 – Albania’s ruling coalition and the opposition Democrats have unveiled their candidates for the Sept. 11 local elections in the northern municipality of Dibra in what is expected to be a key test ahead of next year’s general elections.
The Democratic Party-led right wing coalition has unveiled Sherefedin Shehu, a senior figure of the opposition Democrats, as its candidate for the municipality of Dibra. A U.S.-educated professor and expert of public finances, Shehu, 60, served as a deputy finance minister from 2005 to 2009 when the Democrats were in power and has been an MP of the northern Dibra region since 2009.
The ruling Socialist Party, which initially contested the Sept. 11 election date set by the President, has unveiled Muharrem Rama as its candidate. Rama, 48, is a well-known surgeon in Dibra and has recently served as the director of Dibra regional hospital. His candidacy is also backed by the Socialist Movement for Integration, the junior ally of the ruling Socialists.
Experts expect a tough race in the Sept. 11 mayoral election which come after Dibra’s Socialist Mayor was dismissed earlier this year under a government decision following a sex scandal and recently lost a legal battle with the country’s Constitutional Court.
Democratic Party candidate Sherefedin Shehu, who will give up his MP mandate to run for mayor, says he is advantaged in the race considering the sex scandal with the former mayor and the unkept promises by the ruling Socialists, but warns his victory is threatened by use of illegal means.
“This government has demonstrated that it makes use of pressure, money and every illegal tool to win mandates. This is the only risk I perceive for the elections and the victory of my candidacy,” says Shehu.
Democratic Party allies have also pledged support to his candidacy.
The region of Dibra has been a traditional stronghold of the Democratic Party. The June 2015 local elections were won by the ruling Socialists by a narrow margin also thanks to some independent mayoral candidates formerly associated with the right wing helping the former Socialist mayor win the race by only 500 votes.
Muharrem Rama, whose candidacy was made official only last Sunday, has not made any public statement yet, but Energy Minister Damian Gjiknuri, who serves as an electoral coordinator for the Dibra region, expressed the ruling coalition’s support to his candidacy.
“The ruling majority’s mayoral candidate will be well-known doctor Muharrem Rama. The decision on his candidacy was made after an intensive process of consultations with local structures of the Socialist Party, the ruling coalition’s parties and the local community,” said Gjiknuri.
The Socialist Party initially opposed a decree by president Bujar Nishani that set Sept. 11 as the election date for the Dibra Municipality after the Constitutional Court left in place last May’s government decision to dismiss Dibra Mayor Shukri Xhelili, but withdrew after an administrative court turned down their claim.
Former Dibra Mayor Shukri Xhelili, 56, was arrested last May on abuse of power charges following a video showing him asking sexual favors from a 20-year old woman in return for a job position.
The mayor, representing the ruling Socialist Party, was immediately dismissed by the government after a sex scandal video was aired on Ora News TV.
The video showed Xhelili asking sexual favors from a 20-year old woman in his office in the Peshkopia municipality building and then taking her in his car to a hotel in Tirana where the young woman managed to escape just as he was undressing.
Another Socialist Party Mayor, Elvis Roshi of the municipality of Kavaja, was arrested last June and is currently under house arrest after being charged with failing to reveal his criminal past in the questionnaire submitted to authorities in the framework of the implementation of lustration law.
One of the country’s poorest regions, the Dibra Municipality has a resident population of 62,000 people who mainly rely on agriculture and mining.
A territorial and administrative reform in 2014 cut the country’s local government units to 61 municipalities, down from a previous 373 municipalities and communes.
The Dibra mayoral race is also seen as a key test for the opposition Democrats following landslide losses in the past 2013 general elections and the 2015 local elections.
The Democrats have recently set a caretaker government as a condition for free elections in next year’s expected general elections.
“A caretaker government is a condition that cannot be undone for holding free and fair elections in Albania. Free and fair elections are at risk of government corruption, organized crime and drug trafficking,” opposition Democratic Party leader Lulzim Basha has warned. | http://www.tiranatimes.com/?p=128846 | en | 2016-08-15T00:00:00 | www.tiranatimes.com/e85d46ed08a3d46910e1cc1880bf705e11de614ac312366f529cfb0909049876.json |
[
"Tirana Times"
] | 2016-08-26T13:05:50 | null | 2016-08-11T13:11:13 | TIRANA, Aug. 11 - The direct Brexit implications on the Albanian economy are quite insignificant due to poor trade and investment links between the two countries, but the small Albanian economy could face spillover effects if the UK's exit from the EU block triggers a new Eurozone recession, sa | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiranatimes.com%2F%3Fp%3D128842.json | http://www.tiranatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/banka.png | en | null | Albania almost immune to Brexit, central bank says | null | null | www.tiranatimes.com | TIRANA, Aug. 11 – The direct Brexit implications on the Albanian economy are quite insignificant due to poor trade and investment links between the two countries, but the small Albanian economy could face spillover effects if the UK’s exit from the EU block triggers a new Eurozone recession, says the country’s central bank.
In a report examining the possible Brexit implications on the Albanian economy, the Bank of Albania says the direct effects of the Brexit vote and the UK’s eventual exit from the EU are quite small due to the small level of trade exchanges and British foreign investment on the Albanian economy, although remittances from some 15,000 Albanian migrants in the UK hold a significant 11 percent share.
Albania’s trade exchanges with the UK were at Euro 39 million in 2015, accounting for only 0.6 percent of the country’s trade volume.
“The curb of Albanian exports to the UK, at only Euro 3.3 million in 2015, would have quite a marginal effect on the Albanian economy,” says the central bank.
Likewise, the withdrawal or a curb in British foreign direct investment in Albania, would have an insignificant impact. The stock of British FDI in the Albanian economy was at Euro 20 million in 2014, accounting for only 0.44 percent of total FDI.
The central bank says the Albanian economy could be more affected by a cut in migrant remittances from the UK, accounting for a considerable 11 percent of total remittances to the country, although Britain hosts only about 15,000 Albanian migrants compared to 1 million in neighboring Italy and Greece.
“A total stop of remittances is a low-probability event while a reduction could have marginal effects on consumption and economic growth,” says the central bank.
Despite slightly recovering to €598 million in 2015, remittances have been on a downward trend in the past eight years and remain almost 40 percent below their peak level of €952 mln in 2007 just before the onset of the global financial crisis.
The central bank says indirect implications such as a new Eurozone recession could have more negative effects on the Albanian economy by affecting exports, FDI inflows and fuel increased insecurity.
A new crisis in the European banking and financial system could also affect the expansion of local banks in Albania, overwhelmingly foreign-owned and with EU capital, or trigger deleverage as has happened with a key commercial bank in the past crisis years by lowering its exposure to government debt.
“However, it must be noted that the Albanian banking system would not be directly affected by the funds withdrawal as locally generated deposits are more than enough to cover credit and government securities,” says the central bank.
Credit in the Albanian banking system is largely funded by local deposits with the loan-to-deposit-ratio at about 60 percent.
The Albanian banking system has been liquid and profitable following the outbreak of the global financial crisis in 2008 although non-performing loans still stand high at 18 percent, compared to peak level of 25 percent in mid-2014. The high level of NPLs remains a key barrier for the recovery of credit which has been struggling to recover to positive growth rates in the past couple of years.
The central bank warns a sharp depreciation of the Euro against the U.S. dollar could also affect Albania’s export, 85 percent of which are exposed to Europe’s single currency.
In fact, the Euro has already hit a five-year low against the Albanian lek, dropping to as low as 136 lek, compared to an average of 140 lek in the past few years, negatively affecting the country’s exports, already on a downward trend due to a slump in commodity prices hitting oil and mineral exports.
The British pound has lost about 12 percent against the Albanian currency since the June 23 Brexit vote but its weight on the Albanian banking system is quite small as deposits in British pound account for only 1.17 percent while credit in GBP is almost non-existent.
Central bank governor Gent Sejko has earlier noted the Albanian economy and financial system are quite immune to direct Brexit shocks.
Larger Brexit exposure by Italy and Greece, Albania’s top trading partners, could however indirectly also affect Albania.
Experts says the UK’s Leave decision in its Brexit referendum will likely mostly affect Albania’s EU integration efforts as the EU candidate country hopes to open accession talks after approving a long-awaited justice reform last July.
The Bank of Albania expects the Albanian economy to slightly pick up to 3 percent this year, slightly lower compared to government and IMF forecasts of 3.4 percent, saying that uncertainties continue holding back business and consumer confidence. | http://www.tiranatimes.com/?p=128842 | en | 2016-08-11T00:00:00 | www.tiranatimes.com/568311094ae923c022083ef3b9c34c513018696c900d2bd23948f7725db5b139.json |
[
"Tirana Times"
] | 2016-08-31T08:53:09 | null | 2016-08-31T10:28:56 | TIRANA, Aug. 30 - The ruling coalition showed unity on Tuesday when it approved on its own a vetting law requiring a qualified majority of three-fifths of votes, paving the way to the implementation of newly adopted justice reform, while the opposition Democrats boycotted the vote claiming the major | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiranatimes.com%2F%3Fp%3D128900.json | http://www.tiranatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/reforma.jpg | en | null | Unilateral approval of vetting law brings back political deadlock | null | null | www.tiranatimes.com | TIRANA, Aug. 30 – The ruling coalition showed unity on Tuesday when it approved on its own a vetting law requiring a qualified majority of three-fifths of votes, paving the way to the implementation of newly adopted justice reform, while the opposition Democrats boycotted the vote claiming the majority targets capturing the justice system through the law that will scan all judges and prosecutors.
In a special session called on August 30, almost a month after the unanimous vote on the constitutional changes to the justice reform, the Socialist Party-led majority approved by 88 votes a vetting law that will scan all judges and prosecutors for their professional proficiency, moral integrity and independence from the influence of the organized crime, corruption and political power.
The unilateral approval breaks the historic July 22 unanimous approval of the justice reform and brings back a political deadlock which could put its implementation into risk.
The opposition has warned it will take the new law to Constitutional Court and could also address the Venice Commission, a Council of Europe advisory body which helped draft the constitutional changes.
The opposition Democratic Party, which attended the session but walked out of Parliament just before the vote, said the new law runs counter to the constitutional changes.
Opposition MPs claim that under the approved changes the vetting process will be monitored by government controlled institutions such as the Directorate of Money Laundering Prevention and the High Inspectorate of Declaration and Audit of Assets and that judges risk being fired even through compromising pictures with people previously convicted or facing criminal charges or witnesses testifying this.
“The Prime Minister is seeking to clean the justice system and vet judges and prosecutors on his own, with his ministers and political directors and the country’s opposition as every opposition in a Democratic country cannot accept the political capture of this process,” said opposition Democratic Party MP Eduard Halimi.
“The opposition will not vote a draft law without consensus that violates the Constitution and European standards. The opposition will follow every path to protect the July 22 Constitution for a justice reform based only on this Constitution and the best Euro-Atlantic standards,” said Halimi.
Prime Minister Edi Rama said the majority paved the way for the implementation of the reform that will make it impossible for judges to continue their job if they don’t meet standards and put an end to politicians escaping justice.
“Today the caste of corrupt people got a clear message. Albanians received another confirmation of the unwavering will by the majority to give the country denied justice for so many years. We approved the basic law of a series of laws that will be built step by step. This historic process will take years,” said Rama, accusing the opposition of not wanting the reform.
The United States embassy in Tirana, one of the key supporters of the reform, welcomed the vote, saying “We look forward to the full and timely approval of the remaining implementing laws for this critical reform which enjoys the support of the overwhelming majority of Albanians.”
Albania’s political leaders needed 18 months of talks and mediation by U.S. and EU diplomats to reach a last-minute deal on a long-awaited justice reform to tackle the country’s highly perceived corrupt judiciary and pave the way for the country to launch EU accession talks.
While the constitutional changes unanimously approved last July have already entered into force, the justice reform implementation requires the approval of sixth other organic laws, the first of which was the vetting law. | http://www.tiranatimes.com/?p=128900 | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.tiranatimes.com/f0ed0eaf6e0c2bb4531b1bc835b77e2e81d6d62d9fe6ff6c69c69ecf2cef5d29.json |
[
"Tirana Times"
] | 2016-08-26T13:02:25 | null | 2016-08-15T13:04:16 | TIRANA, Aug. 15 - Canada-based Bankers Petroleum, the country's largest oil producer, posted record high losses of about $34 million in the first half of this year ahead of its expected acquisition by a Chinese company which has been delayed by late September.
The company's huge losses | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiranatimes.com%2F%3Fp%3D128851.json | http://www.tiranatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/bankers1.jpg | en | null | Bankers Petroleum posts record high losses as Chinese acquisition delayed | null | null | www.tiranatimes.com | TIRANA, Aug. 15 – Canada-based Bankers Petroleum, the country’s largest oil producer, posted record high losses of about $34 million in the first half of this year ahead of its expected acquisition by a Chinese company which has been delayed by late September.
The company’s huge losses were a result of a sharp cut in international oil prices affecting production, sales and royalties to the Albanian government. The losses are the worst Bankers has incurred during more than a decade of operations in Albania and come after China’s Geo Jade is about to conclude the takeover of Albania’s largest oil producer and exporter for C$575 million (€392 mln). The takeover has been held back by a final approval by the Chinese State Administration of Foreign Exchange, SAFE.
Bankers Petroleum, says failure to receive the final approval by Sept. 30 would entitle the Canadian company to $20 million in compensation for the termination of the preliminary deal signed last March.
The company’s poor financial performance comes as Bankers’ average oil prices for the first half of this year hit a record low of only $25.2/barrel, down from $43.78 during the same period in 2015 and a record high of $87 a barrel in the first half of 2014, just before international oil prices embarked on a downward trend that took them a 12-year low of below $30 in early 2016. The low prices also affected production which dropped by an annual 20 percent to 16,649 barrels of oil per day in the first half of this year.
Due to the poor quality of its crude oil, Bankers’ sale prices represent only about 62 percent of the average Brent oil price.
Royalties to the Albanian government also dropped to a mere $10 million in the first half of this year, down from $22 million during the same period last year and a record high of $47 million in the first half of 2014, posing a key threat to public finances.
Since late 2015, Bankers Petroleum has delayed new drilling, saying that activity will resume as soon as pricing improves.
Last March’s surprise Bankers Petroleum sale deal came as the country’s biggest oil producer had recently been facing tough times after more than a decade of operations in Albania due to a sharp cut in international oil prices and tax and environmental disputes with the Albanian government.
Bankers Petroleum suffered losses of $3.6 million in 2015 when oil prices almost halved following record high profits of about $129 million in 2014.
Since 2004, Bankers operates and has the full rights to develop the Patos-Marinza and Kuçova heavy oilfields under a 25-year concession contract with the Albanian government. The Patos-Marinza oilfield is the largest onshore oilfield in continental Europe, holding approximately 5.4 billion barrels of original oil in place. The Kuçova field has 297 million barrels of original-oil-in-place.
The Chinese are also about to take over the country’s sole international airport. Albania’s Competition Authority has recently okayed the takeover deal between the TIA airport concessionaire and China Everbright which will manage the country’s sole international airport for another 11 years for a reported €82 million.
If completed, the deals would make China one of the country’s biggest foreign investors. | http://www.tiranatimes.com/?p=128851 | en | 2016-08-15T00:00:00 | www.tiranatimes.com/64b62c0c999f4731465693121bc952445012a1aa80e14af2db46b4efefdb21f5.json |
[
"Tirana Times"
] | 2016-08-30T10:52:23 | null | 2016-08-30T12:40:58 | TIRANA, Aug. 30 - The sale of the sole state-run insurer, INSIG, has triggered a 20 percent price hike in compulsory motor insurance policies, sparking allegations of a price-fixing deal among by the nine privately-owned companies operating in the Albanian insurance market.
Annual compulsory mo | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiranatimes.com%2F%3Fp%3D128893.json | http://www.tiranatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/makin.jpeg | en | null | New price hike raises oligopoly concerns in insurance market | null | null | www.tiranatimes.com | TIRANA, Aug. 30 – The sale of the sole state-run insurer, INSIG, has triggered a 20 percent price hike in compulsory motor insurance policies, sparking allegations of a price-fixing deal among by the nine privately-owned companies operating in the Albanian insurance market.
Annual compulsory motor insurance rates for common five-seaters increased by an average of 20 percent up to 19,200 lek (Euro 137) starting August 23, in a unanimous hike by all companies which heavily rely on compulsory insurance.
The country’s Financial Supervisory Authority says it is monitoring the situation and analyzing the price determination procedure followed by the companies but warns it cannot do much in a liberalized market.
Albania’s Competition Authority which has often probed the market says implementing the bonus-malus system, a risk-based pricing under which drivers with a clear driving record will pay less, is the solution to the frequent controversial price hikes. The new system, which is about to be implemented next year, also takes into consideration the cars’ age, the engine capacity and the geographical area.
“The Competition’s Authority stance has been consistent since late 2014 when we investigated into this market. We impose fines but they are invalidated by courts. The Financial Supervisory Authority must implement the World Bank’s bonus-malus system,” says Lindita Lati, the head of the competition watchdog.
In early 2014, monitoring carried out by the Competition Authority showed all agents traded insurance policies in an online system called MSHM which was managed by a single broker.
In October 2012, eight insurance companies operating in Albania were fined a total of 89 million lek (Euro 625,000) after the Competition Authority uncovered a price-fixing deal in compulsory motor insurance policy, but the companies appealed the decision to court and it is not known whether the fines have been collected yet.
Insurance companies have justified the price increase with the tax hike on insurance premiums which in January 2016 increased to 10 percent, up from a previous 3 percent and higher costs on paid claims and administrative expenses.
The price increase also comes after the insurance market grew by only 3 percent in the first seven months of this year while paid claims rose by 37 percent apparently due to hike in car accidents.
Albania’s non-life and compulsory insurance oriented insurance market has grown by double-digits in the past couple of years after a 4.6 percent annual decline in 2013.
Insurance premiums rose by 21.2 percent to 14 billion lek (€101 mln) in 2015, according to the Financial Supervisory Authority.
The hike has also worried the Konfindustria business association which condemned failure to act by state institutions over what it describes as an oligopoly situation and possible state capture by the private insurers.
“The latest simultaneous price increase on compulsory car insurance by all companies clearly portrays the oligopoly condition of the insurance market with severe consequences for businesses, households and the national economy. The situation becomes more concerning when in a period of less than 2 years, insurance rates have increased almost 300 percent for more than 500,000 vehicles owned by businesses and households under the ‘fait accompli’ practice,” Konfindustria said in a statement.
The recent sale of state-owned INSIG insurer could have also made the suspected price-fixing deal easier.
Earlier this year, the Albanian government sold INSIG insurer to Eurosig for €15.8 million in a deal which increased the Albanian-owned private insurer market share to 20 percent.
Back in 2014, the director of INSIG state insurer was fired because of his decision to increase motor insurance rates without an analysis and consultation, following the trend of eight private insurers which were alleged to have been involved in a price-fixing deal.
Once the holder of a monopoly of the Albanian insurance market, INSIG, which also operates in neighbouring Kosovo and Macedonia, had been losing considerable market share in recent years due to the market liberalization and tough competition from private players.
The Albanian insurance market, dominated by two Austrian insurance groups, is overwhelmingly non-life oriented with around 91 percent while compulsory motor vehicle insurance accounts for 60 percent of total insurance premiums.
Some nine insurance companies operate in Albania, including recently privatized INSIG operator.
In its latest financial system stability assessment, the IMF describes Albania’s insurance market as one of the smallest in Europe, with assets of around 1.5 percent of total financial system assets. “Its development has been hindered by several factors, including lax insurance regulation, low disposable incomes, and a poor record of claims performance,” says the International Monetary Fund.
Albania increased its per capita spending on insurance products by 37 percent in 2014, but still lag behinds regional countries, according to a report published by the country’s Financial Supervisory Authority. Albanians spent an average of 4,009 lek (Euro 28.2) on compulsory and voluntary insurance of vehicles, as well as property and life insurance in 2014, up from 2,929 lek (Euro 20.6) in 2013.
While insurance rates may be lower compared to regional countries, Albania has one of Europe’s highest fuel prices due to the high tax burden. | http://www.tiranatimes.com/?p=128893 | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.tiranatimes.com/9a2b5b137573eb30af8aa99e180342c811d0e5bea60719ac802ad99689a3446a.json |
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"Tirana Times"
] | 2016-08-26T13:04:47 | null | 2016-08-22T18:49:13 | TIRANA, Aug. 22 - Zlata Numanagic, one of Serbia's most popular actresses of the 1970s, has opened a restaurant in Saranda, becoming one of the first Serbians to run a small business in Albania, in a bold move breaking stereotypes in both countries.
Numanagic, now in her mid-60s, has chosen | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiranatimes.com%2F%3Fp%3D128871.json | http://www.tiranatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/serb.jpg | en | null | Serbian actress opens restaurant in Saranda | null | null | www.tiranatimes.com | TIRANA, Aug. 22 – Zlata Numanagic, one of Serbia’s most popular actresses of the 1970s, has opened a restaurant in Saranda, becoming one of the first Serbians to run a small business in Albania, in a bold move breaking stereotypes in both countries.
Numanagic, now in her mid-60s, has chosen the coastal town of Saranda, one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations, to fulfill her early dream of running a restaurant.
It all started last year when the Serbian actress, a cinema and TV star in the former Yugoslavia, first visited Albania and stayed in Saranda, which she immediately fell in love with.
The Serbian actress says she has been impressed with the Albanians’ hospitality and is happy the new restaurant she and her friend have opened has been rated among Saranda’s top 10.
“For me Albanians were a payback. Albanians are a people so attentive, hospitable and loving I have never seen elsewhere and believe me, I have travelled a lot around the world,” she told a local Albanian newspaper.
“All Albanians, and really every one, wholeheartedly helped me handle things. And this is how we started living our youth dream with a restaurant in Albania,” she added.
Speaking about her restaurant, the actress said “the menu is mainly Balkan because we the peoples of the Balkans consume a lot of similar things.”
“We haven’t forgotten that customers love the specific Mediterranean diet. Our goal is to have a family-based restaurant with dishes somehow reminding of the food we used to eat when we were guests at our grandparents in our childhood. What I can say is that the consideration for us is very high because we have been rated tenth among more than 80 restaurants in Saranda and we’re very proud of this,” she adds.
Known as the pearl of Albanian Riviera, the southernmost Albanian district of Saranda is a top destination in Albania during summer, offering tourists a combination of rocky and sandy beaches as well as cultural heritage attractions such as the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ksamil and the Blue Eye spring.
The Serbian actress also performed with renowned Kosovo-Albanian actors Bekim Fehmiu and Faruk and Istref Begolli.
Last June, the Albanian and Serb Prime Ministers paid tribute to late Kosovo actor Bekim Fehmiu whom they say has left irreplaceable marks in the strained Albanian-Serbian relations. In a joint statement on the artist’s 80th birth anniversary, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama and his Serbian counterpart Aleksandar Vucic said “Fehmiu’s life and art testifies that we can communicate, understand and learn from each other and can find happiness and co-existence, building a bright future for the next generations.
Since late 2014, when Rama became the first Albanian Prime Minister to visit Serbia in 68 years, the two Prime Ministers have intensified meetings to overcome barriers between the two countries and made efforts to boost cooperation at a time when Serbia is also normalizing relations with Kosovo after its independence in 2008.
The civil society organizations are also playing a key role in the normalization of Albanian-Serbia relations following a drone incident in a football match in October 2014 when relations between the two countries temporarily embarked on a Cold War status quo.
The Albanian Institute for International Studies and the European Movement Serbia, two leading think tanks in both countries, have established a joint Centre for Albania-Serbia relations to boost relations between the two countries and overcome stereotypes. | http://www.tiranatimes.com/?p=128871 | en | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | www.tiranatimes.com/58468a72f1469ce7116648bcbe72ea61788e097575ee234262a80cc461caabc5.json |
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"Tirana Times"
] | 2016-08-29T10:51:44 | null | 2016-08-29T11:10:37 | TIRANA, Aug. 29 - A former ruling Socialist Party MP who a year ago gave up his MP mandate over his criminal past has been unanimously voted as the new president of Albania's Wrestling Federation, sparking concerns over the future of this sport which left Albania unrepresented at the Rio Ol | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiranatimes.com%2F%3Fp%3D128882.json | http://www.tiranatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/ndoka.jpg | en | null | Former MP with criminal past takes over as head of wrestling federation | null | null | www.tiranatimes.com | TIRANA, Aug. 29 – A former ruling Socialist Party MP who a year ago gave up his MP mandate over his criminal past has been unanimously voted as the new president of Albania’s Wrestling Federation, sparking concerns over the future of this sport which left Albania unrepresented at the Rio Olympics for the first time since the 1996 Olympics.
Arben Ndoka, 42, who resigned as MP in Sept. 2015 after the opposition Democrats unveiled he had been previously sentenced in Italy over human trafficking, was unanimously voted as the new president of Albania’s Wrestling Federation last weekend at an extraordinary meeting of the federation’s general assembly which dismissed Martin Biba following his controversial reelection last year.
Ndoka’s reelection was also backed by the Education and Sports Ministry which was represented by deputy minister Rauf Dimraj in the voting process.
Speaking after his election, Ndoka promised to handle shortcomings and enable Albania’s participation in key competitions.
“I guarantee you that our federation will enable the participation of our wrestlers in the next Mediterranean and Olympic Games,” he said.
Wrestling has been one of Albania’s best performing sports, but poor financial support and tough training conditions forced two of Albania’s best wrestlers to switch nationalities in the past two Olympic Games.
Former Albania freestyle wrestler Sahit Prizreni represented Australia in the Rio Olympics while Elis Guri has been competing for Bulgaria since 2011.
Ndoka, who became an MP with the ruling Socialist Party in Sept. 2013 also physically assaulted an opposition MP at the Parliament premises in July 2015 but was cleared of charges by the Supreme Court.
In his resignation letter in Sept. 2015 Ndoka claimed he had been wrongly sentenced in Italy but apparently his resignation preceded the decriminalization bill which bans people convicted of serious crimes from holding public office.
The opposition Democratic Party blamed Prime Minister Edi Rama for Ndoka’s election as head of the wrestling federation.
“Edi Rama sent his officials to legalize Arben Ndoka, sentenced for prostitution and abduction, as the head of the wrestling federation. Edi Rama did not only give Ndoka a sports federation, but also gave him again permission to do what he best does, the violation of the free vote, pressure against citizens and standing above law,” said the opposition Democratic Party in a statement. | http://www.tiranatimes.com/?p=128882 | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.tiranatimes.com/68f607b159f37d6884019e79d7b6a904bc05ae6179a6fa1cb245b2ac93051abe.json |
[
"Tirana Times"
] | 2016-08-31T12:53:17 | null | 2016-08-31T14:50:11 | TIRANA, Aug. 31 - Bear Tomi who recently made international headlines because of the miserable conditions he lived caged in a restaurant in northern Albania has been rescued and brought to a temporary home at Tirana zoo before being transferred to a Bear Sanctuary in Prishtina. The operation was | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiranatimes.com%2F%3Fp%3D128906.json | http://www.tiranatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/tomi.jpg | en | null | Finally, there’s hope for Albanian captive bears | null | null | www.tiranatimes.com | TIRANA, Aug. 31 – Bear Tomi who recently made international headlines because of the miserable conditions he lived caged in a restaurant in northern Albania has been rescued and brought to a temporary home at Tirana zoo before being transferred to a Bear Sanctuary in Prishtina. The operation was concluded following a petition initiated by Four Paws, an international animal welfare organization based in Vienna, which pushed Albanian authorities to enforce a ban on the cruel keeping of bears.
The UK’s Daily Mail online published two articles in the past two months featuring pictures of how Tomi, the caged brown bear, was kept in a restaurant in the Albanian mountains as a tourist attraction and relied on sweets and crisps from visitors, begging with outstretched paws.
“There are currently around 50 bears across Albania living in tiny cages and used as tourist attractions and photo props. Nearly all of these bears began their life in the wild and have been taken illegally to live their lives in chains. Although bear species are protected by both Albanian and International law, the trade of bears and cubs in Albania has been flourishing for many years,” says the Four Paws organization which managed to collect more than 56,000 signatures in an online Save the Saddest Bears in Europe petition.
“Brown bear cubs are regularly snatched away from their mothers in the wild and traded illegally throughout the country to be exploited as tourist attractions or kept as pets in terrible conditions by people who have no idea how to meet the needs of these beautiful and complex wild animals,” says Four Paws.
Albania’s environment ministry said it has also recently saved two five-month bear cubs miserably held for entertainment purposes in the coastal town of Saranda, southern Albania, and provided shelter at the Tirana Zoo. Their owner was arrested.
“The State Inspectorate on Environment and Forests will continue working on finding, confiscating bears and all other protected animals held in violation of the law,” says director Ergys Agasi.
The brown bear, currently in danger of extinction, is a protected species by Albanian legislation, while captivity for commercial purposes is banned.
The environment ministry says it is receiving technical assistance by Four Paws to set up the first Bear Sanctuary in Albania.
Albania has sent some nine freed bears to Kosovo, Greece, Germany and Italy during this year.
The Tirana-based PPNEA organisation for protection and preservation of natural environment in Albania says the number of brown bears has drastically dropped in the past two decades with their current number estimated at 250.
“The brown bear population in Albania is decreasing mainly because of habitat degradation and other human related activities. More specifically, one of the most threatening factors is illegal capturing of bear cubs. Even though, the country has ratified various international conventions and has a national legal framework according to which it is totally forbidden to hunt brown bears and subsequently to keep them in captivity, in many restaurants, cafés and other public spaces you can notice bears being held in cages or stuffed bears,” says the organisation.
Albania has banned hunting for the past couple of years and imposed a new five-year moratorium this year to put an end to uncontrolled and illegal hunting, which has decimated wildlife populations in the country over the last two and a half decades. | http://www.tiranatimes.com/?p=128906 | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.tiranatimes.com/da86819017978a4ba3521d822400a372c0efad7df25a632b211f549d205734bb.json |
[
"Tirana Times"
] | 2016-08-31T10:53:14 | null | 2016-08-31T11:49:01 | TIRANA, Aug. 31 - Outgoing Polish Ambassador to Albania Marek Jeziorski has been honored with a president award for his contribution in further advancing Polish-Albanian relations and cultural exchanges.
In a special ceremony at the President's office last week at the conclusion of his four- | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiranatimes.com%2F%3Fp%3D128903.json | http://www.tiranatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/president.jpg | en | null | Polish ambassador honored with presidential award | null | null | www.tiranatimes.com | TIRANA, Aug. 31 – Outgoing Polish Ambassador to Albania Marek Jeziorski has been honored with a president award for his contribution in further advancing Polish-Albanian relations and cultural exchanges.
In a special ceremony at the President’s office last week at the conclusion of his four-year term as Ambassador to Albania, President Bujar Nishani awarded Jeziorski with the “Special civil merits” title for his “prominent diplomatic activity and the priceless contribution in advancing bilateral relations, promoting cooperation and cultural exchanges between the two countries and the support to Albanian institutions in the frame of European integration.”
“What I mostly appreciate in the past few years is the support Poland has given to Albania and Albanians especially in the field of education, culture, innovation, public administration. Relations between the two countries have also intensified in other sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, environment and defence where Ambassador Jeziorski has undoubtedly played a special role,” said President Nishani.
“As an excellent connoisseur of the Albanian language, Ambassador Jeziorski further promoted the very good relations between the two countries, giving a new dimension especially to cultural cooperation. His presence in the local media with an enviable Albanian penetrated the memory of many Albanians and local media representatives,” added Nishani.
A career diplomat, Ambassador Jeziorski also previously worked as an Attaché at the Polish embassy in Tirana.
A fluent Albanian speaker, he is the author of the Albanian-Polish and Polish-Albanian dictionary. | http://www.tiranatimes.com/?p=128903 | en | 2016-08-31T00:00:00 | www.tiranatimes.com/ed8f93cc7898fe3f37cdb2389b6c0001900c640ed7f2dbbf2df4e6586d04b546.json |
[
"Tirana Times"
] | 2016-08-26T13:01:58 | null | 2016-08-18T10:27:10 | TIRANA, Aug. 18 - New legal changes that envisage prison time for journalists over "improper influence" on special prosecutors as part of a justice reform have sparked fierce reactions among associations of journalists who say the proposed changes are a blow to media freedom and democracy | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiranatimes.com%2F%3Fp%3D128864.json | http://www.tiranatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/freedom.jpg | en | null | Proposed legal changes put media freedom at risk | null | null | www.tiranatimes.com | TIRANA, Aug. 18 – New legal changes that envisage prison time for journalists over “improper influence” on special prosecutors as part of a justice reform have sparked fierce reactions among associations of journalists who say the proposed changes are a blow to media freedom and democracy in the country.
In a reaction to the draft law which is being examined in Parliament following the approval of the constitutional changes last July, two associations of journalists say the “improper influence” term leaves room for journalists to face charges and prison time of up to three years.
“The ‘improper influence’ term creates space for every kind of interpretation seeking the sentencing of journalists. A journalist can face charges even if a prosecutor describes reporting as inappropriate,” says the Union of Albanian Journalists and the Association of Albanian Professional Journalists.
The draft law on the organization and functioning of institutions fighting corruption and organized crime envisages the establishment of a Special Prosecutor’s Office and a special investigation unit to investigate into corruption, organized crime and senior officials including the President, the Parliament Speaker, the Prime Minster and ministers, MPs, judges and prosecutors.
“Every king of improper influence on special prosecutors or their activity on concrete cases through public authority, the media or any other method or person influencing on the independence of prosecutors during the exercise of their duty is banned and punished by law,” says article 13 of the proposed draft law.
Journalists have called on Albanian MPs to immediately remove this regressive article from the draft law, describing it as an open threat to freedom of expression for a country aspiring to join the EU.
“The specification on the media is an open act of censorship and dangerous for democracy. It is a step backward when freedom of expression was considered agitprop,” they say.
Opposition Democratic Party leader Lulzim Basha accused Prime Minister Edi Rama of behind the proposed article on journalists, warning the opposition would not allow its approval.
Last November, faced with a massive domestic and international backlash, Albania’s government withdrew a proposal to amend the country’s criminal code to make defamation against high officials a criminal offense punishable by up to three years in prison. The government later said criminalization of defamation was not targeted at the media but rather political representatives.
While the constitutional changes unanimously approved last July have already entered into force, the justice reform implementation requires the approval of seven organic laws, the first of which a law that will vet all current judges and prosecutors.
Earlier this week, President Bujar Nishani postponed drawing lots for the selection of members of the Justice Appointments Council, a body that will vets candidates for the Senior Justice Inspector post and members of the Constitutional Court, until a vetting law has been approved.
Last July, Albanian MPs unanimously approved a long-awaited justice reform that is expected to reform the country’s highly perceived corrupt judiciary and pave the way for the country to launch EU accession talks.
Albania made no progress in the 2016 World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders when it ranked 82nd out of 179 countries, lagging behind Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina among regional EU aspirant countries.
“Better implementation of legislation guaranteeing freedom of expression is needed. Defamation has been punishable by fines rather than imprisonment since 2012. Despite the freedom of information laws adopted in 1999 and 2014, access to state-held information continues to be limited and the broadcast media regulatory authority, the AMA, is politicized,” said the Paris-based international media watchdog.
Freedom House describes Albania’s media as partly free.
“The media are vigorous and fairly diverse. However, outlets often display a strong political bias, and their reporting is influenced by the economic or political interests of their owners,” the watchdog said in its 2015 report. | http://www.tiranatimes.com/?p=128864 | en | 2016-08-18T00:00:00 | www.tiranatimes.com/a75321984d245e64b2653d74e74e75f79f47545d09c5c2be819c4def0ad7d7c9.json |
[
"Tirana Times"
] | 2016-08-26T13:05:08 | null | 2016-08-26T10:11:40 | TIRANA, Aug. 26 - One Albanian died and seven others were injured in the devastating earthquake that hit central Italy this week, the Albanian embassy in Rome has confirmed.
Erjon Toro, 32, an Albanian immigrant living and working in Amatrice, the hardest hit town from the 6.2 magnitude earth | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiranatimes.com%2F%3Fp%3D128879.json | http://www.tiranatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/sister.jpg | en | null | Italy earthquake: One Albanian dies, seven others injured | null | null | www.tiranatimes.com | TIRANA, Aug. 26 – One Albanian died and seven others were injured in the devastating earthquake that hit central Italy this week, the Albanian embassy in Rome has confirmed.
Erjon Toro, 32, an Albanian immigrant living and working in Amatrice, the hardest hit town from the 6.2 magnitude earthquake in the early hours of Wednesday, is among the more than 260 victims.
Toro, a father of two, had been living in Amatrice for the past 15 years. His wife was also seriously injured.
Some 50 Albanian immigrants live and work in Amatrice, where the earthquake claimed more than 200 lives, turning it into a ghost town.
Sister Marjana Lleshi, an Albanian nun who survived the earthquake after being trapped in a convent in Amatrice made international headlines with an iconic picture texting friends while sitting near a victim laid on a ladder.
“I had said ‘adieu,’ ” she said, “and in the end it wasn’t an adieu.”
Albania’s Ambassador to Rome Anila Bitri said the Albanian community in Italy showed great solidarity.
“What I’d like to underline is that we witnessed a miracle of solidarity by Italians who stood by Albanians here in Amatrice. There were also Albanians who came from Rome to help Italians. Albanian men assisted in rescue operations while Albanian mothers donated blood,” the ambassador said.
This week’s earthquake in Italy, was one of the deadliest in the neighboring country after the 2009 quake in the Abruzzo region.
Italy is one of Albania’s strategic partners, the country’s top trading partner and a staunch supporter of Albania’s Euro-Atlantic integration.
Some 500,000 Albanians live and work in the neighboring country across the Adriatic with a key contribution to Albania’s development in the past 25 years of transition through investment and remittances.
Albania is also located in a seismically active area and earthquakes are common. The last destructive quake happened in 1969.
A Word Bank report has warned Albania should introduce a nationwide earthquake insurance program for homeowners compliant with catastrophe risk management requirements.
“Despite being heavily exposed to earthquakes, the earthquake insurance for homeowners is almost non-existing, thus leaving homeowners and the government financially vulnerable to natural disasters,” says the report, describing Albania as highly vulnerable to natural disasters and climate change, with almost all the country falling into a very high seismic zone, and the standards of construction yet leaving much to be desired. | http://www.tiranatimes.com/?p=128879 | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.tiranatimes.com/8a75e56537f80844f6a194cc5bcc19e91e3fed6337304665712f8c077c5d7935.json |
[
"Tirana Times"
] | 2016-08-30T08:52:14 | null | 2016-08-30T10:06:46 | TIRANA, Aug. 30 - The Albanian government will pay back Canada-based Bankers Petroleum $37 million after losing a tax dispute battle with the country's biggest oil producer which is about to be taken over by a Chinese company, in a situation which could put Albania in new financial straits foll | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiranatimes.com%2F%3Fp%3D128891.json | http://www.tiranatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/bankers2.jpg | en | null | Albania to pay back Bankers Petroleum $37 mln as tax dispute settled | null | null | www.tiranatimes.com | TIRANA, Aug. 30 – The Albanian government will pay back Canada-based Bankers Petroleum $37 million after losing a tax dispute battle with the country’s biggest oil producer which is about to be taken over by a Chinese company, in a situation which could put Albania in new financial straits following a mid-year budget cut.
The outcome comes after Bankers Petroleum suspended arbitration proceedings over a $57 million tax dispute dating back to 2011 last February and agreed to pay back the disputed amount in instalments as PwC, one of the Big Four auditors, was hired as a third-party auditor to settle the dispute which escalated in late 2015 with the freeze of the company’s bank accounts.
“The decision is a final resolution, and, as such, the Albanian tax authority will recalculate Bankers’ tax obligations for 2011 and determine the appropriate mechanism to settle or reimburse Bankers for the payments made to date. The Company had paid a total of $37 million as of June 30, 2016 to the Albania tax office as deposits for the 2011 profit tax assessment,” Bankers Petroleum said in a statement.
Canada-based Bankers Petroleum, the country’s largest oil producer, posted record high losses of about $34 million in the first half of this year due to a slump in international oil prices affecting oil production, exports and government revenue.
The Canada-based company which has been operating in Albania for more than a decade expects the C$575 million (€392 mln) sale deal with China’s Geo Jade to conclude by Sept. 30, otherwise it can claim $20 million in compensation.
The takeover has been held back by a final approval by the Chinese State Administration of Foreign Exchange, SAFE.
The amount the Albanian government will pay back to Bankers Petroleum is almost twice higher compared to the mid-year budget cut.
The 2016 budget faced a surprise mid-year cut in late July when spending was cut by 0.7 percent (Euro 22 million) to 450.2 billion lek (Euro 3.24 billion) to handle overoptimistic forecasts.
Last year, the Albanian government cut the budget three times to handle the sharp decline in international oil and mineral prices affecting exports and handle a slowdown in consumption. The GDP was also revised to 2.6 percent, down from initial expectations of 3 percent.
The Albanian government expects growth to accelerate to 3.4 percent in 2016 and 3.9 percent in 2017, forecasts which are 0.2 percent to 0.4 percent more optimistic compared to expectations by the European Commission and international financial institutions. | http://www.tiranatimes.com/?p=128891 | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.tiranatimes.com/9eb1cc484d5be3fb82c0ba07bd2c75757b68ca7c77d012288e9067561fe63ab2.json |
[
"Tirana Times"
] | 2016-08-30T14:52:35 | null | 2016-08-30T16:00:45 | TIRANA, Aug. 30 - “By blood, I am Albanian. By citizenship, an Indian. By faith, I am a Catholic nun. As to my calling, I belong to the world. As to my heart, I belong entirely to the Heart of Jesus.” The famous saying by Mother Teresa best portrays the nun of Albanian origin, a Nobel Peace Priz | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiranatimes.com%2F%3Fp%3D128896.json | http://www.tiranatimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/mother-teresa.jpg | en | null | Albania awaits Mother Teresa’s canonization | null | null | www.tiranatimes.com | TIRANA, Aug. 30 – “By blood, I am Albanian. By citizenship, an Indian. By faith, I am a Catholic nun. As to my calling, I belong to the world. As to my heart, I belong entirely to the Heart of Jesus.” The famous saying by Mother Teresa best portrays the nun of Albanian origin, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, who dedicated her whole life to helping the poor and will be declared a saint by Pope Frances at canonization Mass in Vatican on Sept. 4.
Some of Albania’s and Kosovo best internationally renowned artists and sports figures will perform in a concert on Sept. 3 St. Peter’s Basilica.
Pop star Rita Ora, internationally renowned sopranos Ermonela Jaho and Inva Mula, captain Lorik Cana who led Albania to a first-ever appearance at a major football competition and Kosovo judoka, a gold medalist at the Rio Olympics, will perform in the concert paying tribute to the world famous nun of Albanian origin.
Soprano Inva Mula will star at the premiere of “The Mother of pain,” a hymn composed by Albanian composer David Tukici, dedicated to Mother Teresa.
Thousands of people are expected to gather at Tirana’s Mother Teresa square where the canonization Mass will be aired through giant monitors. An open air opera concert with some of the country’s best opera singers will accompany visitors.
The coastal city of Durres will also honor Mother Teresa with the inauguration of the Museum of Dialogue dedicated to Mother Teresa’s life.
“Mother Teresa’s canonization has a multiple national meaning, to get to know our real tradition of hospitality, generosity and altruism. It remains a special day because it will serve to awaken, preserve and cultivate the values of the Albanian identity, to get to know, love and bring Mother Teresa closer to our everyday life,” says the Culture Ministry.
Father Angelo Massafra, the archbishop of Shkodrë-Pult Archdiocese in northern Albania, described Mother Teresa’s canonization as a very important event for the Albanian Catholic Church and the whole of the Albanian nation.
“Mother Teresa was the mother of those who suffered and had been abandoned, the poorest of the poor. Mother Teresa is present even today with her sisters and brothers not only in nations inhabited by Christians and Catholics but also in countries where there is no Catholic at all, but there are needy people. This is the special thing about this saint who despite her religious affiliation, looked after people in need,” Father Massafra told VoA in the local Albanian service.
“It was not a coincidence that our nation was selected by Pope Francis as his first European destination,” he added.
Pope Francis visited Albania on Sept. 21, 2014 to promote the country as an example to the world that religious harmony works. He was the second pope to visit Albania after Pope Jean Paul II’s visit in the early 1990s soon after the collapse of communist regime which banned religion.
Masafra, who also chairs the Albanian Bishops Conference, says the Catholic Church has asked the Albanian authorities to switch the celebration of the Mother Teresa national holiday from October 19, the day she was beautified, to Sept. 4, the day of canonization.
Mother Teresa is known for her work with the poor in Calcutta, India, and won the Nobel Peace Prize.
Pope John Paul II beatified her in 2003, putting her on a path to sainthood.
Mother Teresa was born in Skopje as Agnes Gonxhe Bojaxhiu in 1910. She was born to parents who had moved to Skopje from Kosovo.
Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity, a Roman Catholic religious congregation. She was the recipient of numerous honors, including the 1979 Nobel Peace Prize.
She was banned from visiting family members in Albania by the country’s then brutal atheist communist regime, but she did visit as the regime fell and Albanians have commemorated her life and work ever since. | http://www.tiranatimes.com/?p=128896 | en | 2016-08-30T00:00:00 | www.tiranatimes.com/2ce2073d55bb188fe199c5eb3f1d8ee2f408bcda8ceaf132f59ecd0bbf764789.json |
[
"Jill Barnes Nelson",
"Tehachapi News"
] | 2016-08-27T04:48:48 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | For those students needing extra time to fulfill their academic requirements, summer school was a big success. “Most of those taking classes finished more than one requirement,” said Tehachapi High School Principal Scott Heitman, who led the program. “Things went smoothly and worked out well. It was very rewarding.” | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tehachapinews.com%2FNews%2F2016%2F08%2F26%2FPrincipal-reports-on-summer-school-success.html.json | http://www.tehachapinews.com/image/2016/08/26/1500x1500_q90/20160831-tn-heitman-aug31.jpg | en | null | Principal reports on summer school success | null | null | www.tehachapinews.com | Tehachapi High School Principal Scott Heitman,who led the summer school program, spoke about its success at a school board meeting on Aug. 23.
Tehachapi High School Principal Scott Heitman,who led the summer school program, spoke about its success at a school board meeting on Aug. 23.
For those students needing extra time to fulfill their academic requirements, summer school was a big success.
“Most of those taking classes finished more than one requirement,” said Tehachapi High School Principal Scott Heitman, who led the program. “Things went smoothly and worked out well. It was very rewarding.”
Heitman made his report at a Tehachapi Unified School District meeting on Aug. 23. He said the sessions included students from the elementary school to high school for credit retention. Most of the classes were completed online.
He said six seniors from THS earned their credits to graduate.
“We also had 46 juniors take classes,” Heitman said. “All 46 completed one class, 16 completed two classes, three finished three classes and one completed four classes.”
He reported that 54 sophomores completed one class, 19 finished two, and three completed three. Eight freshmen finished one class.
Monroe Continuation High School also had successes.
“Three students completed enough credits for their graduation requirements,” Heitman said. “In all, 17 students completed one class, nine finished two classes, and one finished three classes.”
Students in the 8th grade also completed their health requirements.
“Everyone seemed to like doing the classes this way,” he said. “It was a neater, cleaner way to go.” | http://www.tehachapinews.com/News/2016/08/26/Principal-reports-on-summer-school-success.html | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.tehachapinews.com/b4ae4dcc5e71609285f98c62e87eb5613e0ba46d41c433187a1521a100a863cc.json |
[
"Jon Hammond",
"Contributing Columnist"
] | 2016-08-26T12:58:05 | null | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | Erin and Cody Patters took this photo of an Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna) perched on a finger while getting a drink of sugar water from a hummingbird feeder. Anna’s Hummingbirds are the species most likely to be encountered in the Tehachapi Mountains, and they are regular visitors to feeders. Because it is difficult to identify individual birds, people typically underestimate how many hummers are coming to their feeder — hummingbird specialists say that these beautiful little flying jewels typically wait about 20 minutes between feedings, so residents with a constant stream of hummers may only see four or five on the feeder at a time, but they may actually be hosting 10 or 15 nectar sippers. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tehachapinews.com%2FLifestyle%2F2016%2F08%2F22%2FNatural-Sightings-Lending-a-finger-to-help-a-friend.html.json | http://www.tehachapinews.com/image/2016/08/22/1500x1500_q90/Natural-Sigtings-hummingbird.jpg | en | null | Natural Sightings: Lending a finger to help a friend | null | null | www.tehachapinews.com | Erin and Cody Patters took this photo of an Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna) perched on a finger while getting a drink of sugar water from a hummingbird feeder.
Anna’s Hummingbirds are the species most likely to be encountered in the Tehachapi Mountains, and they are regular visitors to feeders. Because it is difficult to identify individual birds, people typically underestimate how many hummers are coming to their feeder — hummingbird specialists say that these beautiful little flying jewels typically wait about 20 minutes between feedings, so residents with a constant stream of hummers may only see four or five on the feeder at a time, but they may actually be hosting 10 or 15 nectar sippers.
Erin noted that her favorite bird was the one shown finger-perching, which is probably a juvenile: “He had the sweetest eyes — and just getting close enough to appreciate a hummingbird’s eyes is seriously such an experience.”
Hummingbirds have very tiny legs and they can’t hop or walk. The normal body temperature for an Anna’s Hummingbird is 107 degrees Fahrenheit, which of course would kill a human being. When roosting at night, the hummers enter a torpor in which their metabolic rates slow way down and their body temperature may drop as low as 48 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Nüwa (Kawaiisu or Paiute) word for hummingbird is mu-tana-pizshi, meaning “just a little man.”
Natural Sightings is a regular feature of the Tehachapi News edited by Jon Hammond which showcases photos of the natural beauty that enhances the quality of life in Tehachapi. If you have a good quality image of plants, animals, insects, trees, birds, weather phenomena, etc., taken in the Tehachapi area, thou may submit it to the Tehachapi News for possible publication. Submissions can be dropped by the News office in the form of a print or CD, or sent by email to: editorial@tehachapinews.com. | http://www.tehachapinews.com/Lifestyle/2016/08/22/Natural-Sightings-Lending-a-finger-to-help-a-friend.html | en | 2016-08-22T00:00:00 | www.tehachapinews.com/b6ab67311de6065d7b6047b87484fd695d20a3fd2e5da2b1305590a9ea0beac3.json |
[
"Jill Barnes Nelson",
"Tehachapi News"
] | 2016-08-26T12:57:14 | null | 2015-07-09T00:00:00 | Walmart once again looks to be a go in Tehachapi. The Fifth District Court of Appeal in Fresno announced Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 24, that the City of Tehachapi has adequately addressed environmental issues related to the project. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tehachapinews.com%2FNews%2F2016%2F08%2F24%2FAppeals-court-upholds-Walmart-EIR-project-can-move-forward.html.json | http://www.tehachapinews.com/image/2015/07/09/1500x1500_q90/Proposed-Tehachapi-Walmart-project-appealed.jpg | en | null | Appeals court upholds Walmart EIR; project can move forward | null | null | www.tehachapinews.com | Walmart once again looks to be a go in Tehachapi.
The Fifth District Court of Appeal in Fresno announced Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 24, that the City of Tehachapi has adequately addressed environmental issues related to the project.
The vote of the three-panel judge was unanimous.
A hearing on the matter was held July 26 and it was widely expected the decision would take about a month to come down from the court.
“It’s our understanding the City and Walmart have prevailed in the appeals court,” City Manager Greg Garrett said just after the decision became public. “The appeal process is not yet completed but we’re happy that this long legal back and forth may soon be over.”
Mayor Susan Wiggins also was happy the appeal process could be at an end.
“I’m really happy to hear this,” Wiggins said by phone. “I listened to both sides and also from 350 senior citizens who said they needed the Walmart. They said didn’t want to drive to Bakersfield any more to get lower prices on the things they need. I’m glad to hear that this is over, unless they can appeal again.”
The drive to stop the Walmart project had been brought before the court twice in the past by a group called Tehachapi First, which cited environmental concerns.
The last time Tehachapi First went to court was in July 2015 after Kern County Superior Court Judge Kenneth Twisselman ruled that the City of Tehachapi had adequately addressed environmental concerns related to the project.
Tehachapi First emerged as an organization after the city approved Walmart in 2011. Through its attorney, Mark Wolfe of San Francisco, the organization has challenged the adequacy of environmental reviews related to the proposed Walmart.
If allowed to move forward, the 165,000-square-foot Walmart super center would be built on property the company owns near the southeast corner of Tucker Road and Tehachapi Boulevard.
Tehachapi First initially appealed the Tehachapi Planning Commission’s approval of the Walmart project in January 2011.
The latest report from the court hearing said the city will recover all its costs for the appeal. | http://www.tehachapinews.com/News/2016/08/24/Appeals-court-upholds-Walmart-EIR-project-can-move-forward.html | en | 2015-07-09T00:00:00 | www.tehachapinews.com/cdccb2291870b9c7de73d126a4a3cbd5613fcabff1c9f0174402ba39b77abf79.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:03:56 | null | 2016-08-23T15:58:38 | Doris Lorraine Solis passed away in her Tehachapi home on Aug. 18, 2016. She was 85. A memorial service will be held at Grace Fellowship Church in Tehachapi on Aug. 27, 2016. Wood Family Funeral Service, Inc. was entrusted with her care. A full obituary will be in next week’s edition of Tehachapi News. For condolences, please visit woodmortuary.net. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tehachapinews.com%2FLifestyle%2FObituaries%2F2016%2F08%2F23%2FDoris-Lorraine-Solis-1931-2016.html.json | http://www.tehachapinews.com/libercus/default/images/facebook-default-310x310.png?v=2 | en | null | Doris Lorraine Solis, 1931-2016 | null | null | www.tehachapinews.com | Doris Lorraine Solis passed away in her Tehachapi home on Aug. 18, 2016. She was 85. A memorial service will be held at Grace Fellowship Church in Tehachapi on Aug. 27, 2016.
Wood Family Funeral Service, Inc. was entrusted with her care. A full obituary will be in next week’s edition of Tehachapi News. For condolences, please visit woodmortuary.net. | http://www.tehachapinews.com/Lifestyle/Obituaries/2016/08/23/Doris-Lorraine-Solis-1931-2016.html | en | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | www.tehachapinews.com/66e5c841c3cef31c84b3605310865f70c71209b96972831f7e4289b068b5717c.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T20:48:39 | null | 2016-08-26T19:03:24 | Kathleen Marie Stratton was called to her eternal home by God on July 28, 2016. She was 68. Born Dec. 2, 1947, to Stanley and Eve Potorski in Burbank, she graduated from Burbank High School and later from medical assistant school. She worked the majority of her career in the health care field, helping countless patients and families. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tehachapinews.com%2FLifestyle%2FObituaries%2F2016%2F08%2F26%2FKathleen-Marie-Stratton-1947-2016.html.json | http://www.tehachapinews.com/libercus/default/images/facebook-default-310x310.png?v=2 | en | null | Kathleen Marie Stratton, 1947-2016 | null | null | www.tehachapinews.com | Kathleen Marie Stratton was called to her eternal home by God on July 28, 2016. She was 68.
Born Dec. 2, 1947, to Stanley and Eve Potorski in Burbank, she graduated from Burbank High School and later from medical assistant school. She worked the majority of her career in the health care field, helping countless patients and families.
The last 10 years of her professional life were spent working in the Kern County school district. She loved working with the special education children/teens and found much joy in helping them better their reading, writing, math skills and organizing field trips. She also spent much of her off time working with the youngsters in her apartment complex, doing puzzles, reading books and playing numbers games. She gave them a great head start when they started and/or continued in elementary school.
Kathleen was passionate about helping people and organizations. Truly a generous soul, she loved to support environmental, animal and veterans causes. One of her favorite activities was to take long walks and enjoy the miracle of creation.
Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents, Stanley and Eve Potorski; her sisters, Judy and Linda; her brother-in-law, Howard; and her nephew, Bill.
She is survived by her two daughters, Kimberley and Karen; and by her two grandchildren, Madison and Elle. We will miss her so very much. Her legacy we carry on in us.
If desired, donations in remembrance may be made to one of her favorite charities: Nature Conservancy, World Wildlife Fund, Defenders of Wildlife or Natural Resources Defense Council.
Wood Family Funeral Service has been entrusted with her care. For condolences, please visit woodmortuary.net. | http://www.tehachapinews.com/Lifestyle/Obituaries/2016/08/26/Kathleen-Marie-Stratton-1947-2016.html | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.tehachapinews.com/ffe133601182fc509ee74bc1ec5528977c6a70c031c6c1630c8ded2ef4a72811.json |
[
"Steven Mayer Smayer Bakersfield.Com"
] | 2016-08-26T12:56:46 | null | 2016-08-17T00:00:00 | Julie Segundo has cried so many times in recent months, she was sure the tears would eventually run dry. But mothers of children diagnosed with brain cancer are apparently given an endless supply. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tehachapinews.com%2FNews%2F2016%2F08%2F25%2FCouple-with-Tehachapi-ties-battles-daughter-s-cancer-and-insurance-company.html.json | http://www.tehachapinews.com/image/2016/08/17/1500x1500_q90/SEGUNDO-FAMILY-6.jpg | en | null | Couple with Tehachapi ties battles daughter's cancer | null | null | www.tehachapinews.com | Abigail Segundo was only 4 when she was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer last spring. On Monday, the Bakersfield girl, who is now 5, is scheduled to begin an intense round of treatment at Children's Hospital Los Angeles.
Snuggles is Abigail Segundo's favorite stuffed animal and she takes it everywhere she goes.
Five-year-old Abigail Segundo gets ready to play with her large toy giraffe, George. She had been looking forward to starting kindergarten before she was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a form of brain cancer.
Abigail Segundo and her father, Edgar Segundo, have spent a lot of time together, especially after Abigail was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer last spring. Mr. Segundo credits his employer, Sysco Food Service, with providing him the time off he needs to be with Abigail.
Abigail Segundo has fun last week with Ariel, one of the family dogs. When Abigail's mom, Julie Segundo, realized her daughter's hair would fall out as a result of chemotherapy, she cut off her own hair in a statement of solidarity and love.
Edgar and Julie Segundo with Abigail, 5, and her brother Ryan, 19. Siblings Zachary, 8, and Addison, 7, were at school when this photo was shot. Ryan has suffered from glycogen storage disease Type 1A, so the family is no stranger to serious medical issues. Ryan recently dyed his hair gray in support of his little sister, as gray is the ribbon color for brain cancer awareness.
Abigail Segundo, now 5, was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer in March. After initially denying coverage, the Bakersfield family's insurance company has approved coverage of Abigail's cancer treatment.
Abigail Segundo was only 4 when she was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer last spring. On Monday, the Bakersfield girl, who is now 5, is scheduled to begin an intense round of treatment at Children's Hospital Los Angeles.
Snuggles is Abigail Segundo's favorite stuffed animal and she takes it everywhere she goes.
Five-year-old Abigail Segundo gets ready to play with her large toy giraffe, George. She had been looking forward to starting kindergarten before she was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a form of brain cancer.
Abigail Segundo and her father, Edgar Segundo, have spent a lot of time together, especially after Abigail was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer last spring. Mr. Segundo credits his employer, Sysco Food Service, with providing him the time off he needs to be with Abigail.
Abigail Segundo has fun last week with Ariel, one of the family dogs. When Abigail's mom, Julie Segundo, realized her daughter's hair would fall out as a result of chemotherapy, she cut off her own hair in a statement of solidarity and love.
Edgar and Julie Segundo with Abigail, 5, and her brother Ryan, 19. Siblings Zachary, 8, and Addison, 7, were at school when this photo was shot. Ryan has suffered from glycogen storage disease Type 1A, so the family is no stranger to serious medical issues. Ryan recently dyed his hair gray in support of his little sister, as gray is the ribbon color for brain cancer awareness.
Abigail Segundo, now 5, was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer in March. After initially denying coverage, the Bakersfield family's insurance company has approved coverage of Abigail's cancer treatment.
Julie Segundo has cried so many times in recent months, she was sure the tears would eventually run dry.
But mothers of children diagnosed with brain cancer are apparently given an endless supply.
As she stood recently with her husband, Edgar, in their kitchen in southwest Bakersfield, the mother of four was asked where she finds the strength to face what must be a parent’s worst fear, the discovery of a malignant tumor in her child’s brain. The Segundos have chosen an aggressive course of treatment that is nearly as dangerous as the rare form of medulloblastoma diagnosed last spring in the couple’s 5-year-old daughter, Abigail.
“I don’t have any strength,” Julie Segundo said.
But the evidence suggests otherwise. The mass of dark hair that once hung to her waist is gone, shorn down to her scalp in a gesture of solidarity and love for tiny Abigail, who has lost all her hair after undergoing three cycles of aggressive chemotherapy.
Linked Articles Poker Run to benefit two girls
Earlier this month, the mother’s strength was tested yet again. At the 11th hour — just days before a ramped-up treatment regimen was scheduled to begin — the parents received word from Health Net, their insurance carrier, that it had decided it will not cover the course of treatment chosen by the Segundos and their daughter’s doctors, a treatment plan that began last May.
The letter from the insurance company, bizarrely addressed directly to the 5-year-old patient, began, “Dear Abigail Segundo:”
“This notice is to inform you,” it goes on to say, “that coverage of the service is being denied at this time.”
“The ACNS0334 chemotherapy treatment is in a clinical trial for children less than 3 years old. A clinical trial is a special research study considered to be investigational (not proven). Since you are more than 3 years old, using ACNS0334 is not the first kind of treatment to be used for you. There is not enough information in the literature showing its safety and that it works.”
A spokesman for Health Net said it is the company’s policy not to comment on an individual’s medical issues, even if, as in the case of the Segundos, the family gives permission.
When Julie and Edgar Segundo, who have generations of ties to Tehachapi, saw the notice, they were stunned, not only by the denial of coverage, but by the letter’s impersonal tone.
But a local reporter asking for answers, a letter from Abigail’s doctor appealing the denial, and a call from the family’s local congressman may have convinced the company to reverse its decision.
KINDERGARTEN DREAMS
A few months ago, like hundreds of other parents across Bakersfield, Julie Segundo was helping Abigail, then age 4, prepare for her first year of school as a kindergartener.
In late February or early March, Abigail told her mom that her head hurt.
Then on March 15 as her mother was getting ready to leave for work, Abigail started crying and again complained of a headache.
“I took her back to the doctor that day,” Segundo recalled. “He took blood and urine and told me he would ask for authorization to get an MRI for the next week.”
In the early morning hours of March 22, Abigail woke up throwing up. The MRI was scheduled for the following day, but Segundo felt it couldn’t wait. She took Abigail to the ER where the doctor agreed to do the MRI.
That’s when everything changed. The world they knew collapsed.
Now, kindergarten is all but forgotten as the Segundos are consumed by a much more pressing priority: saving Abigail’s life. In March, doctors surgically removed a tumor the size of a small orange from the back of the little girl’s brain. In an amazing bit of good luck and a testament to the skill of the surgeons, she appears to have suffered no lasting effects to her brain function, including motor skills and cognitive ability.
However, the physiological characteristics of the tumor turned out to be more complex than first thought, and the onset of treatment was delayed to mid-May due to the difficulty in arriving at the final pathologic diagnosis. Tissue samples were sent to specialized labs in San Francisco and even Europe.
Finally, the Segundos were presented with a diagnosis and two possible courses of treatment. The first seemed, to put it mildly, crazy.
It would have involved full-dose radiation of Abigail’s skull and spine, followed by six cycles of chemo.
“It would have fried her brain,” Julie Segundo said. “Edgar and I looked at each other and immediately knew it was not an option.”
Indeed, Dr. Girish Dhall, director of the neuro-oncology program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, said as much in a letter he wrote to Health Net on Aug. 12 documenting Abigail’s care to date and appealing the insurance company’s decision to deny coverage.
He cited a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology in 2012 that showed children who survive the heavy radiation treatment often suffer severe cognitive deficits and experience a devastating decrease in IQ score.
Option 2, which would include three stem cell transplants using Abigail’s own cells, shows similarly grim survival rates. So the choice made by the parents, Dhall suggested in the letter, was sound.
“I sincerely hope that this patient will be allowed to continue treatment … and authorization provided expeditiously without an unnecessary delay in starting her next phase of high-dose chemotherapy,” Dhall wrote.
Abigail has already experienced a delay in treatment due to the denial of coverage. She was scheduled to begin her fourth and most intense round of chemotherapy, but when the letter arrived from the family’s insurance company, the treatment was put on hold.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Dr. Ravi Patel, the director of Comprehensive Blood & Cancer Center in Bakersfield, is not involved in Abigail’s case, and is not able to comment specifically on her illness or treatment. However, it’s important, he said, for people to understand that the sort of 11th-hour denial of coverage the Segundo family experienced is becoming more common in Bakersfield and across the country.
“This is an ongoing problem,” Patel said. “It’s a constant battle we see almost on a daily basis, and it’s emotionally draining for the patients, their families and the physician who is trying to provide the best care possible.”
And when the illness is life-threatening, the emotional toll can be tremendous, even when the insurance carrier later decides to cover the treatment.
Patel said he was not surprised to learn of the detailed, three-page letter sent by Dhall to the insurance company. He and his associates have sent many similar letters in an effort to advocate for patient care and minimize delays in treatment.
But time spent negotiating with insurance companies could be better spent caring for patients.
“The amount of time and detail he put into writing that letter is significant,” he said of Dhall. “The concern he has in furthering the interests of his patient is evident right there in that letter.”
Patel understands that insurance carriers must exercise a level of oversight in monitoring the cost of medical care, he said. And even as exciting new breakthroughs in cancer care are developed and realized, Patel acknowledges that often they are incredibly expensive.
But the veteran physician noted that it’s not uncommon for carriers to block coverage of even standard courses of treatment — and when those business decisions delay crucial treatment for deadly diseases, there is often a cost to patients, families and caregivers.
“Many times the caregiver is communicating not with another physician (at the insurance company) but with a person who doesn’t have a medical education,” Patel said. “And the family is caught in the middle.”
FAMILY STRENGTH, HOPE
The dozens of scans and tests, the poking with needles, the heart-wrenching decisions, the surgery, and at the end of each day, trying to ease the fear in their daughter’s eyes — this is life in the Segundo household in 2016. But watching them together, it soon becomes clear that the fear and dread are tempered and eased by the innocent smile on Abigail’s face, the pure joy she experiences in playing with George, the giant stuffed toy giraffe she received from a family friend, and the glow of happiness she finds in just being a kid.
She’s a beautiful little girl, full of life, and her parents will do whatever it takes to make sure that doesn’t change.
Even as the medical bills approach a million dollars, Abigail’s mother vows they will not be deterred. The next round of treatment was rescheduled for Aug. 22 at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. It promises to be so intense that Abigail must spend the better part of the next few months at the hospital under constant care.
On Aug. 17, before Julie Segundo learned that Health Net reversed its decision, the mother’s determination was evident.
“This plan will move forward regardless of what the insurance company decides,” she said. “We will use what money we have in our savings. We will take out a loan. We will put that down and make payments.
“If we have to rob a bank, if we have to organize a fundraiser, we’re getting her in (Aug. 22), and we’ll deal with what comes.”
Then late Aug. 19, the Segundos received a phone call from Bakersfield Congressman and congressional Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who apparently had been advocating for the Segundos behind the scenes. He informed them that Health Net had decided to cover Abigail’s course of cancer treatment after all.
McCarthy’s office could not immediately be reached for comment Aug 20.
When the phone call bearing good news came from McCarthy, Segundo said she felt an immediate wave of relief and thanks. But she felt other emotions as well.
“I was relieved, then angry for the additional stress and time I spent fighting when I should have been doing other things,” she said in an email Aug. 20.
“Then I just felt so sad for all the other families this is happening to that don’t have the love and support Abigail has.
“Then I thanked God we have love and support.” | http://www.tehachapinews.com/News/2016/08/25/Couple-with-Tehachapi-ties-battles-daughter-s-cancer-and-insurance-company.html | en | 2016-08-17T00:00:00 | www.tehachapinews.com/155b68e1a60e272ea8da7b9a9f1974bc9919acfdfe548447d40fd252369391d0.json |
[
"Nick Smirnoff",
"For Tehachapi News"
] | 2016-08-28T22:49:24 | null | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | The fifth Junior rodeo of the season was held this weekend and nearly 80 contestants competed in 16 rodeo events. Winners of each event accumulate points, which at the end of the season will lead not only to bragging rights, but also prizes of saddles and western tack. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tehachapinews.com%2FNews%2F2016%2F08%2F28%2FPHOTO-GALLERY-Western-values-on-display-at-Junior-Rodeo.html.json | http://www.tehachapinews.com/image/2016/08/28/1500x1500_q90/Junior-Rodeo-1.jpg | en | null | PHOTO GALLERY: Western values on display at Junior Rodeo | null | null | www.tehachapinews.com | Buckaroos, Juniors and Senior contestants make the grand entrance followed by the stars and stripes, then the singing of the national anthem. Old and young alike show their respect.
Yound and old alike show respect during the national anthem.
Ryder Eyraud gives it a try at the Junior Rodeo.
Right out on the first attempt, PeeWee Oliver McCullar ropes his dummy steer.
Pulling a ribbon off the tail of a moving goat takes practice and determination. Connor Chapman has those skills as he completes the timed event in quick order.
Not able to hang on is rider Keith Balon.
The young cowboys show their skills during the Junior Rodeo.
Not able to hang on during the Senior Division of Steer Riding is rider Garrett Palmer.
Not able to hang on during the Senior Division of Steer Riding is rider Garrett Palmer.
Good form and a time completed ride was accomplished for Wyatt Soto, for a score of 67 points.
Hoofs kicking up dirt and hats flying off cowgirl Madison Baute in the Junior Division show how Pole Bending is done. Horse and rider work as one and her time will give her many points toward her overall standing.
This is one tuckered out little cowboy.
Buckaroos, Juniors and Senior contestants make the grand entrance followed by the stars and stripes, then the singing of the national anthem. Old and young alike show their respect.
Pulling a ribbon off the tail of a moving goat takes practice and determination. Connor Chapman has those skills as he completes the timed event in quick order.
Trying something new sometimes can be a bit confusing. Stick Pony Rider 2-year-old Lila Haycock ran the course without her horse and after becoming a bit confused on the route, fellow competitor Aubre Fife, in true western tradition, ran out to lend her a hand and show her how to complete the event.
With hoofs kicking up dirt and hats flying off, cowgirl Madison Baute in the Junior Division, shows how Pole Bending is done. Horse and rider work as one.
These youngsters are ready for the Junior Rodeo.
Buckaroos, Juniors and Senior contestants make the grand entrance followed by the stars and stripes, then the singing of the national anthem. Old and young alike show their respect.
Yound and old alike show respect during the national anthem.
Ryder Eyraud gives it a try at the Junior Rodeo.
Right out on the first attempt, PeeWee Oliver McCullar ropes his dummy steer.
Pulling a ribbon off the tail of a moving goat takes practice and determination. Connor Chapman has those skills as he completes the timed event in quick order.
Not able to hang on is rider Keith Balon.
The young cowboys show their skills during the Junior Rodeo.
Not able to hang on during the Senior Division of Steer Riding is rider Garrett Palmer.
Not able to hang on during the Senior Division of Steer Riding is rider Garrett Palmer.
Good form and a time completed ride was accomplished for Wyatt Soto, for a score of 67 points.
Hoofs kicking up dirt and hats flying off cowgirl Madison Baute in the Junior Division show how Pole Bending is done. Horse and rider work as one and her time will give her many points toward her overall standing.
This is one tuckered out little cowboy.
Buckaroos, Juniors and Senior contestants make the grand entrance followed by the stars and stripes, then the singing of the national anthem. Old and young alike show their respect.
Pulling a ribbon off the tail of a moving goat takes practice and determination. Connor Chapman has those skills as he completes the timed event in quick order.
Trying something new sometimes can be a bit confusing. Stick Pony Rider 2-year-old Lila Haycock ran the course without her horse and after becoming a bit confused on the route, fellow competitor Aubre Fife, in true western tradition, ran out to lend her a hand and show her how to complete the event.
With hoofs kicking up dirt and hats flying off, cowgirl Madison Baute in the Junior Division, shows how Pole Bending is done. Horse and rider work as one.
These youngsters are ready for the Junior Rodeo.
The fifth Junior rodeo of the season was held this weekend and nearly 80 contestants competed in 16 rodeo events.
Winners of each event accumulate points, which at the end of the season will lead not only to bragging rights, but also prizes of saddles and western tack. | http://www.tehachapinews.com/News/2016/08/28/PHOTO-GALLERY-Western-values-on-display-at-Junior-Rodeo.html | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.tehachapinews.com/fc67e984d91c4648bacfba371277711e60335b65493b281f10645a7d834029bd.json |
[
"Jill Barnes Nelson Tehachapi News"
] | 2016-08-28T16:49:17 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | California always seems to suffer from wildfires this time of year. It is an expensive business, but the state has somewhat of a little-known secret weapon when it comes to fighting fires. It’s the pack mule. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tehachapinews.com%2FLifestyle%2F2016%2F08%2F26%2FRide-the-Winds-Mules-help-assist-firefighters.html.json | http://www.tehachapinews.com/image/2016/08/26/1500x1500_q90/20160831-tn-packmules-aug-31.jpg | en | null | Ride the Winds: Mules help assist firefighters | null | null | www.tehachapinews.com | The Trinity Alps pack string was used to help fight fires in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.
The Trinity Alps pack string was used to help fight fires in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.
California always seems to suffer from wildfires this time of year. It is an expensive business, but the state has somewhat of a little-known secret weapon when it comes to fighting fires.
It’s the pack mule.
The US Forest Service has used them for decades to haul equipment and vital supplies in remote mountainous areas. The mules cost significantly less than mechanical equipment, including helicopters, which are often used to do the same job. Plus, the animals can get to parts of the wilderness that would be otherwise impossible to access.
The US Forest Service has reported that mules can be a real asset for firefighters. On the Pine Fire this year, officials chose not to use bulldozers in the wilderness area, instead building the line by hand. They used mules and horses to bring in supplies because they could travel on the existing trail system.
It’s kind of “a new, old resource,” said Los Padres’ Corey Finneman, who coordinated the pack stock on the Pine Fire. Personnel, mules and horses from Los Padres, Inyo and Sierra forests worked together.
Related Info Equestrian Calendar Sept. 3-4 – 3rd Annual Caliente Ranch Rodeo, Burrell Reed Memorial Arena, Caliente, Luree Peet, 661-867-2459. Sept. 11 – TMRA Junior Rodeo, Tehachapi Rodeo Grounds, tehachapiprorodeo.com. Sept. 17 – EXCA event, Sweetwater Movie Ranch, Agua Dulce, 323-252-9768, movielandranch.com. Sept. 17-18 – 3B Events Ranch Sorting & Penning, Tehachapi Rodeo Grounds, 661-821-5555. Oct. 15-16 – 3B Events Ranch Sorting & Penning, Tehachapi Rodeo Grounds, 661-821-5555. Nov. 12-13 – 3B Events Ranch Sorting & Penning, Tehachapi Rodeo Grounds, 661-821-5555.
For a fire in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest in 2014, firefighters used a four-legged solution in the wilds of Trinity County.
They used teams of mules to move supplies to firefighters on the Coffee Fire. The Trinity Alps Pack mules are divided into strings, or teams of five, and haul everything from food to fire hoses. Each animal carries about 160 pounds of gear.
The mules are normally used to carry supplies to California Conservation Corps crews on trails, so they were suited to the rugged terrain. Officials said the mules can travel up to 30 miles in one delivery, and each string can save a helicopter up to 12 supply trips.
So let’s give a cheer to those hard-working mules for their service to fire departments.
Upcoming Events
The 3rd Annual Caliente Ranch Rodeo is this weekend, Sept. 3 and 4, at the Burrell Reed Memorial Arena in Caliente. The events include Junior and Open Barrel races, Team Penning, Team Branding, and Junior and Open Team Sorting.
The cost is $25 per person if pre-registered by Aug. 31, and $30 after. After payouts, all proceeds will benefit the Caliente Education Foundation for the Caliente Union School District.
For more information, call Luree Peet at 661-867-2459, or riders can sign up at calfoundation.com.
The last of the Junior Rodeo events is Sept. 11 at the Tehachapi Rodeo Grounds. The divisions include Pee Wee (6 and under), Buckaroos (7-11), Juniors (12-15) and Seniors (16 to 20) divisions. For more information, go to tehachapiprorodeo.com.
Jill Barnes Nelson is a reporter for Tehachapi News and a horse lover. Send information on the horse community such as upcoming events, clinics, etc., or if you’ve won an award, contact her: jbnelson@tehachapinews.com or call 661-823-6374. | http://www.tehachapinews.com/Lifestyle/2016/08/26/Ride-the-Winds-Mules-help-assist-firefighters.html | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.tehachapinews.com/b3e042a3e48913f5eeb51e65668ce96feb197110284541defb9cb0385f8c7f6c.json |
[
"Jon Hammond",
"Contributing Columnist"
] | 2016-08-26T13:01:12 | null | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | Al Guarente and his wife, Sharon, submitted this photo of a Barn Owl (Tyto alba) that they saw snoozing in a tree in Phil Marx Central Park in Tehachapi. Al explains how they happened to notice the sleeping owl: “We were out for a little walk around the park when I spotted an owl pellet on the sidewalk so we started looking in the trees but couldn’t find the culprit. On our next pass around the park we found another pellet and looked up and Sharon spotted the Barn Owl roosting in the tree on a broken off branch.” | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tehachapinews.com%2FLifestyle%2F2016%2F08%2F25%2FNatural-Sightings-Asleep-in-the-center-of-town.html.json | http://www.tehachapinews.com/image/2016/08/25/1500x1500_q90/Natural-Sightings-Barn-Owl.jpg | en | null | Natural Sightings: Asleep in the center of town | null | null | www.tehachapinews.com | Al Guarente and his wife, Sharon, submitted this photo of a Barn Owl (Tyto alba) that they saw snoozing in a tree in Phil Marx Central Park in Tehachapi.
Al explains how they happened to notice the sleeping owl: “We were out for a little walk around the park when I spotted an owl pellet on the sidewalk so we started looking in the trees but couldn’t find the culprit. On our next pass around the park we found another pellet and looked up and Sharon spotted the Barn Owl roosting in the tree on a broken off branch.”
Al and Sharon are visiting Tehachapi from Pennsylvania, and staying with their son who lives here.
Owls eat their prey, typically small rodents, whole and then later regurgitate the bones and fur in the form of pellets. These compressed bundles of fur and bones can be useful to biologists studying owls, since they can be analyzed to determine the exact prey species being consumed.
Barn Owls and Great Horned Owls are the two most common owl species in the Tehachapi area. Barn Owls have orangish backs and shoulders but are very pale underneath, so people catching a glimpse of one flying overhead often refer to having seen a “white owl.”
Barn Owls have a heart-shaped facial disk which serves to concentrate sound, giving them among the best hearing of any bird in North America. In tests, Barn Owls have been shown to be able to catch mice in complete darkness using hearing alone.
The Nüwa (Kawaiisu or Paiute) word for owl is muhütsi, pronounced mu-HUT-si.
Natural Sightings is a regular feature of the Tehachapi News edited by Jon Hammond which showcases photos of the natural beauty that enhances the quality of life in Tehachapi. If you have a good quality image of plants, animals, insects, trees, birds, weather phenomena, etc., taken in the Tehachapi area, thou may submit it to the Tehachapi News for possible publication. Submissions can be dropped by the News office in the form of a print or CD, or sent by email to: editorial@tehachapinews.com. | http://www.tehachapinews.com/Lifestyle/2016/08/25/Natural-Sightings-Asleep-in-the-center-of-town.html | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.tehachapinews.com/fd31c2f69c6f732daf403e9e615e5e08b2f9dc1142ee1918ad54eff73ece1e0a.json |
[
"Jill Barnes Nelson",
"Tehachapi News"
] | 2016-08-26T13:05:00 | null | 2016-08-25T22:57:34 | The residents of Golden Hills and all interested parties can participate in a hearing on possible environmental impacts of the Golden Hills Sanitation Company/Waste Water Treatment Plant on the area. The special meeting will be at the Golden Hills Community Services District offices at 6 p.m. Sept. 12 to review comments, which have been coming in since January. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tehachapinews.com%2FNews%2F2016%2F08%2F25%2FGolden-Hills-set-EIR-hearing-for-treatment-plant.html.json | http://www.tehachapinews.com/libercus/default/images/facebook-default-310x310.png?v=2 | en | null | Golden Hills sets EIR hearing for treatment plant | null | null | www.tehachapinews.com | The residents of Golden Hills and all interested parties can participate in a hearing on possible environmental impacts of the Golden Hills Sanitation Company/Waste Water Treatment Plant on the area.
The special meeting will be at the Golden Hills Community Services District offices at 6 p.m. Sept. 12 to review comments, which have been coming in since January.
Lorelei Oviatt, the head of Planning & Community Development for the county, has helped the Golden Hills Community Services District with its EIR, along with compiling responses and concerns from the public. The public will now review the responses.
The the cost of the EIR was funded by a grant.
The EIR contains concerns about the possible options for the sanitation company’s waste water treatment plant. It has been in receivership since 2012, when bankruptcy forced that situation.
The company services about 180 residents in Golden Hills. The rest, about 97 percent, are on septic.
Although the lead agency, the Golden Hills Community Services District will just listen to any questions about the final draft, and then vote if it accepts the document. | http://www.tehachapinews.com/News/2016/08/25/Golden-Hills-set-EIR-hearing-for-treatment-plant.html | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.tehachapinews.com/30335295dcd94e6edecc225bdf7de4efb2c29ea40e96e904456e84c7a2583670.json |
[
"Tehachapi News"
] | 2016-08-28T20:49:16 | null | 2016-08-26T17:18:28 | The Tehachapi Mountain Quilt Guild’s next meeting is Sept. 12, at 9:30 a.m., at the Bear Valley Church hall, 26180 Plateau Way. All quilters and anyone interested in quilting or learning to quilt is invited. Members are free, and guests are charged $5. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tehachapinews.com%2FLifestyle%2F2016%2F08%2F26%2FTehachapi-Mountain-Quilt-Guild-meets.html.json | http://www.tehachapinews.com/libercus/default/images/facebook-default-310x310.png?v=2 | en | null | Tehachapi Mountain Quilt Guild meets | null | null | www.tehachapinews.com | The Tehachapi Mountain Quilt Guild’s next meeting is Sept. 12, at 9:30 a.m., at the Bear Valley Church hall, 26180 Plateau Way.
All quilters and anyone interested in quilting or learning to quilt is invited. Members are free, and guests are charged $5.
In September, the quilters will enjoy a lecture and trunk show from teacher Cara Gulati. Some of the members took a class from her last year at Road to California. On Tuesday, Sept. 13, Gulati will teach how to create a wall hanging called Scroll-A-Luscious. | http://www.tehachapinews.com/Lifestyle/2016/08/26/Tehachapi-Mountain-Quilt-Guild-meets.html | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.tehachapinews.com/b65821e9e58682eeac25f186f10ff75a34145286c27d0413ceb6be06b0a17b7d.json |
[
"Tehachapi News"
] | 2016-08-26T12:54:50 | null | 2016-08-23T17:25:25 | College Community Services – The Learning Center, located at 107 S. Mill St., Suite B, offers free classes to people whose lives have been impacted by mental illness or substance abuse and mental illness. The Learning Center is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The following classes will be offered during June: | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tehachapinews.com%2FLifestyle%2F2016%2F08%2F23%2FLearning-Center-announces-September-classes.html.json | http://www.tehachapinews.com/libercus/default/images/facebook-default-310x310.png?v=2 | en | null | Learning Center announces September classes | null | null | www.tehachapinews.com | College Community Services – The Learning Center, located at 107 S. Mill St., Suite B, offers free classes to people whose lives have been impacted by mental illness or substance abuse and mental illness. The Learning Center is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The following classes will be offered during June:
• Advocating for self – Learn to be more independent and locate recovery resources.
• Anger management – Communicate effectively by setting boundaries, building healthy relationships and stopping the anger cycle.
• Art class – Acrylic, oils, pastels and canvas are supplied.
• Assertiveness training – Practice how to state your needs, defend opinions, say “no,” and differentiate among passive, aggressive and assertive responses.
• Bingo with prizes.
• Computer class – Basic fundamentals.
• Cooking on a budget – Ingredients, utensils are supplied. RSVP at least two days in advance.
• Craft class – Craft to be announced. Call to RSVP.
• Low-impact (DVD) – Approximately 45 minutes.
• Overcoming anxiety – Learn coping skills and relaxing exercises.
• Sign language — A peer-led group teaching the basics.
• Spanish woman’s group – Un lugar seguro para compartir, aprehender y hacer nuevas amigas.
• Walking group – Low-impact walking group meets twice a week.
• Woman’s group – A safe place to share, learn and build relationships with other women.
• Yoga (DVD) – A stress-free environment to practice beginner yoga skills.
For more information, call 822-4639. | http://www.tehachapinews.com/Lifestyle/2016/08/23/Learning-Center-announces-September-classes.html | en | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | www.tehachapinews.com/2dc0c17dd0185bafcda1226ec3d44b2edcd06278fb1e7c0a25e7ab0e23180dd0.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:03:35 | null | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | Judith Ann Logan passed away on Aug. 1, 2016. She is now in Heaven with her oldest son, Robert, and the love of her life, husband Bob. Judy will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She loved the Lord and her family with all of her heart. She always had a smile, a kind word and a prayer for everyone. Judy was born in Rockford, Ill., attended Gardena High School and raised her four children in Anaheim. Judy loved to help others. She worked as a florist, at a wedding chapel and at her own Promotions Unlimited. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tehachapinews.com%2FLifestyle%2FObituaries%2F2016%2F08%2F23%2FJudith-Ann-Logan-Sept-13-1938-Aug-1-2016.html.json | http://www.tehachapinews.com/image/2016/08/23/1500x1500_q90/obit-logan-jpg.jpg | en | null | Judith Ann Logan, Sept. 13, 1938 - Aug. 1, 2016 | null | null | www.tehachapinews.com | Judith Ann Logan passed away on Aug. 1, 2016. She is now in Heaven with her oldest son, Robert, and the love of her life, husband Bob.
Judy will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She loved the Lord and her family with all of her heart. She always had a smile, a kind word and a prayer for everyone. Judy was born in Rockford, Ill., attended Gardena High School and raised her four children in Anaheim. Judy loved to help others. She worked as a florist, at a wedding chapel and at her own Promotions Unlimited.
Throughout her life, she volunteered at her children’s schools, with Aid to Baja California and Sowers Ministries. She hosted students and missionaries in her home. Judy always had an open heart and an open home. She is greatly missed and forever loved by six children, Cindy and Rick Moore, Tamara and Rick Scott, and Korye and Christine Logan. Her 11 grandchildren are Joel and Jennifer Moore, Crystal and Mark Kraft, Tyler Scott, Trisha and Tim Sanchez, Korye Rodriguez and Ayrton Logan. Her five great-grandchildren are Aiden, Kirsten, Tristan, Keira and Lizzy.
Judy was a resident of Tehachapi and a member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church for many years. There will be a memorial service celebrating her life at on Saturday, Oct. 1, at 2 p.m., at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Tehachapi. | http://www.tehachapinews.com/Lifestyle/Obituaries/2016/08/23/Judith-Ann-Logan-Sept-13-1938-Aug-1-2016.html | en | 2016-08-23T00:00:00 | www.tehachapinews.com/fa6b54f0b2c31b8df0d47cc92231e37a823998d5c214c222d6e9ea0b4ba122c6.json |
[
"Tehachapi News"
] | 2016-08-28T20:49:17 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | Christal Wheeler, director of the BeeKay Theatre production of “Treasure Seekers,” is seeking individuals interested in private auditions for an upcoming production. “Best of Broadway” will be featured in late March and early April at the BeeKay Theatre. Since moving from Susanville to Tehachapi, Wheeler and her husband, Jason, have been active at the BeeKay Theatre. While in Susanville, the couple took over a flagging theater company and revived it. They performed together and Christal launched her “Best of Broadway” program there. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tehachapinews.com%2FLifestyle%2F2016%2F08%2F26%2FAuditions-to-be-held-for-Best-of-Broadway-production.html.json | http://www.tehachapinews.com/image/2016/08/26/1500x1500_q90/wheelers-jpg.jpg | en | null | Auditions to be held for 'Best of Broadway' production | null | null | www.tehachapinews.com | Christal Wheeler, director of the BeeKay Theatre production of “Treasure Seekers,” is seeking individuals interested in private auditions for an upcoming production. “Best of Broadway” will be featured in late March and early April at the BeeKay Theatre.
Since moving from Susanville to Tehachapi, Wheeler and her husband, Jason, have been active at the BeeKay Theatre. While in Susanville, the couple took over a flagging theater company and revived it. They performed together and Christal launched her “Best of Broadway” program there.
Recent gigs include First Friday at Fiddler’s Crossing and the Fiddler’s Crossing Farmers Market summer entertainment series.
Individuals interested in auditioning with Christal can call her at 972-9864. | http://www.tehachapinews.com/Lifestyle/2016/08/26/Auditions-to-be-held-for-Best-of-Broadway-production.html | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.tehachapinews.com/f392429d88306378e7f923a745826dc86309787ba52f2d9e414074b3e662be72.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T18:49:17 | null | 2016-08-26T18:41:10 | Miguel Angel Ybarra passed away in a Bakersfield hospital with his family at his side, on Aug. 23, 2016. He was 91. There will be an all-night vigil service beginning at 6 p.m., on Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, at Villa La Paz in Keene. The funeral service will be held at Villa La Paz, Monday morning, Aug. 28, 2016, followed by interment at 12:30 p.m. at Bakersfield National Cemetery, in Arvin. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tehachapinews.com%2FLifestyle%2FObituaries%2F2016%2F08%2F26%2FMiguel-Angel-Ybarra-1925-2016.html.json | http://www.tehachapinews.com/libercus/default/images/facebook-default-310x310.png?v=2 | en | null | Miguel Angel Ybarra, 1925 - 2016 | null | null | www.tehachapinews.com | Miguel Angel Ybarra passed away in a Bakersfield hospital with his family at his side, on Aug. 23, 2016. He was 91.
There will be an all-night vigil service beginning at 6 p.m., on Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016, at Villa La Paz in Keene. The funeral service will be held at Villa La Paz, Monday morning, Aug. 28, 2016, followed by interment at 12:30 p.m. at Bakersfield National Cemetery, in Arvin.
Wood Family Funeral Service, Inc. was entrusted with his care. For condolences, please visit woodmortuary.net. | http://www.tehachapinews.com/Lifestyle/Obituaries/2016/08/26/Miguel-Angel-Ybarra-1925-2016.html | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.tehachapinews.com/a07bc0baa276a8d1b089e52bf4c42280ce45c0eac51fd069bb5b1247042d05cb.json |
[
"Jill Barnes Nelson",
"Tehachapi News"
] | 2016-08-29T00:49:22 | null | 2015-05-21T00:00:00 | The third time may be the charm. After three appeals concerning an environmental impact report, the Fifth District Court of Appeal in Fresno last week ruled the City of Tehachapi has adequately addressed environmental issues related to the proposed Walmart. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tehachapinews.com%2FNews%2F2016%2F08%2F28%2FIn-depth-look-Judges-throw-out-appeal-Walmart-a-go.html.json | http://www.tehachapinews.com/image/2015/05/21/1500x1500_q90/Walmart-jpg.jpg | en | null | In-depth look: Judges throw out appeal, Walmart a go | null | null | www.tehachapinews.com | The third time may be the charm.
After three appeals concerning an environmental impact report, the Fifth District Court of Appeal in Fresno last week ruled the City of Tehachapi has adequately addressed environmental issues related to the proposed Walmart.
The decision of the three-panel judge issued Aug. 24 was unanimous, and followed a hearing on the case held July 26. The judges made no comments at the time of their decision but did issue a written ruling.
“It appears the city and Walmart have prevailed in the appeals court,” City Manager Greg Garrett said. “They still have 60 days to appeal after the decision became public, but it’s my understanding they would have to go to the California Supreme Court.”
Garrett said Walmart already has contacted the city and plans to move forward on the 165,000-square-foot center at the southeast corner of Tucker Road and Tehachapi Boulevard.
“Walmart is probably at least a year away from starting anything,” Garrett said.
A group called Tehachapi First, which emerged after the city approved Walmart in 2011, challenged the adequacy of environmental reviews related to the proposed Walmart through its attorney, Mark Wolfe of San Francisco.
Following the Aug. 24 appeals court decision, Tehachapi News tried to contact Wolfe, but received no response.
However, Tehachapi First posted this statement on its Facebook page:
“As most of you doubtlessly know, the appeals court in Stockton (sic) has ruled in favor of Walmart and the Tehachapi city government — though the ruling is no favor to the people of Tehachapi. We have lost this battle — but we do not know what the aftermath will be. We have kept Walmart out of Tehachapi for five years — and what cancer victim would not be thankful for a five-year lease on life? But as of yet, we don’t know if Walmart will actually build in Tehachapi.”
It continues, “Five years may have been enough time for Walmart to change its mind about our valley — especially as it appears Walmart has entered its period of decline and needs its resources to engage in its absurd godzilla struggle with Amazon. If Walmart doesn’t build, our struggle has not been in vain. And if Walmart builds? Well, then, the result will not be what we wished, but better than if we had never taken up the fight at all. Better to have fought and lost than never to have fought at all.”
The fight to stop Walmart had been brought before courts twice before by Tehachapi First. Along the way the city made additional revisions to its environmental reviews. The last time it went to court was in July 2015 after Kern County Superior Court Judge Kenneth Twisselman ruled the City of Tehachapi had adequately addressed environmental concerns related to the project.
Three main issues were brought up in this latest appeal by Tehachapi First.
The court said in its report that the plaintiff contends the revised EIR’s treatment of cumulative noise impacts violated the California Environmental Quality Act on three separate grounds.
The first had to do with a claim of error relating to the location on residential lots where measurements were taken to establish the baseline noise level.
“We reject this contention because plaintiff has not shown that a general or specific rule of law dictates where such measurements should be taken. Thus, we conclude that the identification of the proper location presented a question of fact committed to the discretion of City in its role as the lead agency.”
The second claim related to the revised EIR’s decision to evaluate roadway segments containing hotels by using the noise thresholds applicable to commercial property, rather than residential property.
“The plaintiff has not established the foundation for its argument that the roadway segments should have been subject to the noise standards used for residential property.”
The third claim of error related to the standards or thresholds used to determine whether cumulative noise impacts were significant and whether the project’s incremental contributions to significant cumulative noise impacts were “‘cumulatively considerable’” for purposes of CEQA. The court ruled this claim also failed.
“We therefore affirm the order discharging the writ of mandate.”
Garrett reported that Walmart has paid for all the court costs involved in the appeals and that the company could attempt to recoup its costs from Tehachapi First.
Mayor Susan Wiggins also was happy the appeals process could be at an end.
“I’m really happy to hear this,” Wiggins said by phone. “I listened to both sides and also from some 350 senior citizens who said they needed the Walmart. They said didn’t want to drive to Bakersfield anymore to get lower prices on the things they need. I’m glad this finally could be over.”
For a full account of the court’s decision, go to appellatecases.courtinfo.ca.gov/search/case/mainCaseScreen.cfm?dist=5&doc_id=2118001&doc_no=F072149
To join the lively discussion of this decision and what it could mean for the community, go to the Tehachapi News’ Facebook page. | http://www.tehachapinews.com/News/2016/08/28/In-depth-look-Judges-throw-out-appeal-Walmart-a-go.html | en | 2015-05-21T00:00:00 | www.tehachapinews.com/9bfbee4963983a7d913b14c8c68ef53cecc3fa59b0e57e01298fe1aea6e1f30f.json |
[
"Darla A. Baker",
"Tehachapi News"
] | 2016-08-26T18:49:35 | null | 2016-02-17T00:00:00 | Firefighters are on the scene of a brush fire in the 31000 block of Deertrail Drive in Bear Valley Springs that broke out shortly after 11 a.m. Friday. According to Capt. Matthew Wiggins of the Kern County Fire Department, the fire is traveling at a moderate rate of speed and has covered 25 acres. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tehachapinews.com%2FNews%2F2016%2F08%2F26%2FBrush-fire-breaks-out-in-Bear-Valley-Springs.html.json | http://www.tehachapinews.com/image/2016/02/17/1500x1500_q90/Breaking-News-and-Traffic-slides-jpg-2.jpg | en | null | Brush fire breaks out in Bear Valley Springs | null | null | www.tehachapinews.com | Firefighters are on the scene of a brush fire in the 31000 block of Deertrail Drive in Bear Valley Springs that broke out shortly after 11 a.m. Friday.
According to Capt. Matthew Wiggins of the Kern County Fire Department, the fire is traveling at a moderate rate of speed and has covered 25 acres.
No structures are threatened at this time, Wiggins said.
There are four air tankers and 40 firefighters battling the blaze.
Photographer Nick Smirnoff, at the scene of the fire, said two more air tankers have been ordered.
This latest fire comes as firefighters in Kern and beyond are fighting several fires throughout the state. | http://www.tehachapinews.com/News/2016/08/26/Brush-fire-breaks-out-in-Bear-Valley-Springs.html | en | 2016-02-17T00:00:00 | www.tehachapinews.com/e1733df4282448d3859fa3ab34d83ebbdf2d38ccb3edd2da0d7c6df3721c74d5.json |
[
"Jill Barnes Nelson",
"Tehachapi News"
] | 2016-08-28T16:49:18 | null | 2016-08-28T15:45:27 | Tom Neisler has been named the new district manager for the The Tehachapi-Cummings County Water District. Neisler had been assistant manager for TCCWD. He takes over for current manager John Martin, who is retiring as of Nov. 22. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tehachapinews.com%2FNews%2F2016%2F08%2F27%2FTehachapi-Cummings-County-Water-District-names-new-manager.html.json | http://www.tehachapinews.com/libercus/default/images/facebook-default-310x310.png?v=2 | en | null | Tehachapi-Cummings County Water District names new manager | null | null | www.tehachapinews.com | Tom Neisler has been named the new district manager for the The Tehachapi-Cummings County Water District.
Neisler had been assistant manager for TCCWD. He takes over for current manager John Martin, who is retiring as of Nov. 22.
The hire was announced at a special meeting of the board on Aug. 26.
Committee board chairman David Worden and director Jonathan Hall reported 30 candidates applied for the position. They narrowed the field to eight before deciding on Neisler. | http://www.tehachapinews.com/News/2016/08/27/Tehachapi-Cummings-County-Water-District-names-new-manager.html | en | 2016-08-28T00:00:00 | www.tehachapinews.com/2ac6cd10d72c4c09cc90a59d28770b0b2e8ab5fbedd1409136ccf6b633d875fa.json |
[
"Judy Reynolds",
"Contributing Writer"
] | 2016-08-28T16:49:14 | null | 2016-08-26T17:26:49 | The Tehachapi Museum’s newest exhibit will showcase vintage and collectible handbags on Friday, Sept. 2. The “gem” in the exhibit will be a beaded bag that once belonged to the Fickert sisters of Bear Valley and was donated to the museum by Mary Lou Yearton. The handbag collection may be found in the textile gallery. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tehachapinews.com%2FLifestyle%2F2016%2F08%2F26%2FFirst-Friday-Museum-to-feature-vintage-handbags.html.json | http://www.tehachapinews.com/libercus/default/images/facebook-default-310x310.png?v=2 | en | null | First Friday: Museum to feature vintage handbags | null | null | www.tehachapinews.com | The Tehachapi Museum’s newest exhibit will showcase vintage and collectible handbags on Friday, Sept. 2.
The “gem” in the exhibit will be a beaded bag that once belonged to the Fickert sisters of Bear Valley and was donated to the museum by Mary Lou Yearton. The handbag collection may be found in the textile gallery.
Also in the textile gallery is a collection of dinner bells, a colorful kitchen display, a dress belonging to Maria Downey, whose husband was governor of California from 1860 to 1862, and a hat exhibit.
In the main gallery, the Community Case displays scale models of wooden oil derricks constructed by Rufus Thomas, a longtime resident of Tehachapi. The Family Case features an exhibit about community volunteer Del Troy.
The Tehachapi Museum is open each First Friday from 5 to 8 p.m., serving wine, champagne and appetizers. The museum is located at 310 S. Green St., a short walk from Tehachapi Boulevard. For more information, call the museum at 822-8152.
Judy Reynolds is the director of the Tehachapi Museum. | http://www.tehachapinews.com/Lifestyle/2016/08/26/First-Friday-Museum-to-feature-vintage-handbags.html | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.tehachapinews.com/c8297dfae0f4fa24f8cd3e8ae351c8027c8e1bf6d98cb1c50b85058aa3724b43.json |
[
"Tehachapi News"
] | 2016-08-28T16:49:18 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | Fiddlers Crossing will feature “First Friday” Showcase with comedian Jason Love at 7 p.m. Sept. 2. Admission will be free; however, tips for the performer are strongly encouraged. Fiddlers Crossing is at 206 E. F St. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tehachapinews.com%2FLifestyle%2F2016%2F08%2F26%2FFirst-Friday-Fiddlers-Crossing-features-comedian.html.json | http://www.tehachapinews.com/image/2016/08/26/1500x1500_q90/jason-love1-jpg-1.jpg | en | null | First Friday: Fiddlers Crossing features comedian | null | null | www.tehachapinews.com | Fiddlers Crossing will feature “First Friday” Showcase with comedian Jason Love at 7 p.m. Sept. 2.
Admission will be free; however, tips for the performer are strongly encouraged. Fiddlers Crossing is at 206 E. F St. | http://www.tehachapinews.com/Lifestyle/2016/08/26/First-Friday-Fiddlers-Crossing-features-comedian.html | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.tehachapinews.com/8cde7d48ede536b84d8710131f0d491cd5988429550c99cd861eb57c7d0f36cb.json |
[] | 2016-08-29T16:49:38 | null | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | Jerry G. Hartley went home in his sleep, to be with his Lord and Savior, on July 14, 2016. He was the owner of Tehachapi Rooter Service. A memorial will be held on Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016, at 4 p.m., at Canyon Hills Assembly of God, Bakersfield, in the Fireside Room, 7001 Auburn St., Bakersfield. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tehachapinews.com%2FLifestyle%2FObituaries%2F2016%2F08%2F29%2FJerry-G-Hartley-1938-2016-1.html.json | http://www.tehachapinews.com/image/2016/08/29/1500x1500_q90/obithartley-jpg-1.jpg | en | null | Jerry G. Hartley, 1938-2016 | null | null | www.tehachapinews.com | Jerry G. Hartley went home in his sleep, to be with his Lord and Savior, on July 14, 2016. He was the owner of Tehachapi Rooter Service.
A memorial will be held on Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016, at 4 p.m., at Canyon Hills Assembly of God, Bakersfield, in the Fireside Room, 7001 Auburn St., Bakersfield.
Anyone who knew and cared for Jerry is welcome to come and join in the celebration of his life.
Jerry loved Tehachapi, his friends, his loyal customers of the Sears Catalog Store and Tehachapi Rooter Service.
Jerry would want to thank each and every one of his friends for all that you did and the love you gave him over all these years.
Justin and his mom want all of Jerry’s friends to know how much we appreciate everything they did for Justin’s dad, and they will always be remembered.
May God bless all of you. | http://www.tehachapinews.com/Lifestyle/Obituaries/2016/08/29/Jerry-G-Hartley-1938-2016-1.html | en | 2016-08-29T00:00:00 | www.tehachapinews.com/e199ae51288abb870ec742ef0685350e5fe7b8a462c6a958efae36df5593c768.json |
[
"Jill Barnes Nelson",
"Tehachapi News"
] | 2016-08-26T12:58:29 | null | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | Even with a hint of smoke in the air from surrounding wildfires, residents of Golden Hills and the local area can breathe a little easier knowing Fire Station #13 will be in service in the coming year. Earlier slated for closure because of severe county budget cuts, the station got a reprieve after members of the Golden Hills Community Services District board, local residents, Kern County Fire Chief Brian Marshall and County Supervisor Zack Scrivner all voiced concerns. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tehachapinews.com%2FNews%2F2016%2F08%2F25%2FGolden-Hills-fire-station-to-remain-open.html.json | http://www.tehachapinews.com/image/2016/08/25/1500x1500_q90/20160831-tn-firestation.jpg | en | null | Golden Hills fire station to remain open | null | null | www.tehachapinews.com | Even with a hint of smoke in the air from surrounding wildfires, residents of Golden Hills and the local area can breathe a little easier knowing Fire Station #13 will be in service in the coming year.
Earlier slated for closure because of severe county budget cuts, the station got a reprieve after members of the Golden Hills Community Services District board, local residents, Kern County Fire Chief Brian Marshall and County Supervisor Zack Scrivner all voiced concerns.
“Chief Brian Marshall and I are committed to ensuring that Station #13 in Golden Hills remains open, not just for fire season, but through the entire year,” Scrivner said. “My colleagues on the Board of Supervisors are supportive of this commitment as well, having voted unanimously to budget sufficient funds for this purpose, specifically, as part of our final budget adoption on August 23.”
The station, located on Reeves Street and adjacent to the Golden Hills CSD offices, originally opened in July 2014, and only was to be used during the summer fire season.
However, it soon became a full service fire station, staffed 24 hours a day. It also provides EMS services and hazardous materials services.
Many had worried about the impact of a closure. The station serves a population of some 8,700 people just in Golden Hills, as well as supports surrounding areas. It is second only to the Kern County fire station in the City of Tehachapi, which covers about 8,815 people. There also are stations in Stallion Springs (about 2,000 residents) and Bear Valley Springs (5,000 residents).
Larry Barrett, president of the Golden Hills CSD, said the station is important to the community.
“Having a fire station in your neighborhood means firefighters are closer to you and your family in your time of need,” he said. “We at the Golden Hills CSD are extremely thankful to Supervisor Zack Scrivner, to Fire Chief Brian Marshall and to our many Golden Hills residents for their email support in justifying the critical importance of keeping Station #13 open.”
A fire station nearby can help lower insurance rates, as well as shorten response times, Barrett said.
“Safety for all our families and our pets is important,” the board president said. “We realize when fire breaks out or a medical emergency occurs, time is of the essence.”
GHCSD Director Marilyn White added, “I’m relieved that the residents of Golden Hills and all of Tehachapi will have services provided by Station #13.” | http://www.tehachapinews.com/News/2016/08/25/Golden-Hills-fire-station-to-remain-open.html | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.tehachapinews.com/2873ba2e54678c9675cd512cf544cd02082732d4ec39a9bf029c663252f2fe77.json |
[
"Jill Barnes Nelson",
"Tehachapi News"
] | 2016-08-27T02:48:46 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | The Tehachapi Unified School District honored two of its board members with Service Awards. Superintendent Susan Andreas-Bervel presented the awards to board president Mary Graham for 10 years of service on the school board and Jackie Wood, who has served for 15 years. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tehachapinews.com%2FNews%2F2016%2F08%2F26%2FService-Awards-given-to-school-board-members.html.json | http://www.tehachapinews.com/image/2016/08/26/1500x1500_q90/20160831-tn-tusdaward-aug31.jpg | en | null | Service Awards given to school board members | null | null | www.tehachapinews.com | The Tehachapi Unified School District honored two of its board members with Service Awards.
Superintendent Susan Andreas-Bervel presented the awards to board president Mary Graham for 10 years of service on the school board and Jackie Wood, who has served for 15 years.
“It has been a pleasure to serve the students and the community,” Graham said. | http://www.tehachapinews.com/News/2016/08/26/Service-Awards-given-to-school-board-members.html | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.tehachapinews.com/1175d456f9167fc8ff0f90fec48a0541ab575cc68c06d637455f9f6715d4c596.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:01:39 | null | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | Helga was born on Sept. 25, 1932 in Franzensbad Czechoslovakia (Sudetenland) prior to the beginning of World War II to Karl and Adelheide Markus. During the end of the war she, along with her brother, two sisters and other family members escaped the advancing Russian troops by crossing into southern Bavaria along with thousands of other dispossessed Germans. Her German family still lives there and one of her great joys was visiting them as often as she was able. She had many wonderful times with her nieces Gerlinde and Ingred, who were like sisters to her, and also her niece Heide who always made sure her trips were stress-free and comfortable. She met and married a handsome young American soldier, Rodger Rolin, when she was 20 and they continued that marriage for more than 60 years until her passing. But even after living in America for many of those 60 years, she was still unable to lose all of her German accent. It was a fact that her American family would remind her of from time to time. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tehachapinews.com%2FLifestyle%2FObituaries%2F2016%2F08%2F25%2FHelga-Rolin-1932-2016.html.json | http://www.tehachapinews.com/image/2016/08/25/1500x1500_q90/Helga-Rolin-1932-2016.jpg | en | null | Helga Rolin, 1932-2016 | null | null | www.tehachapinews.com | Helga was born on Sept. 25, 1932 in Franzensbad Czechoslovakia (Sudetenland) prior to the beginning of World War II to Karl and Adelheide Markus. During the end of the war she, along with her brother, two sisters and other family members escaped the advancing Russian troops by crossing into southern Bavaria along with thousands of other dispossessed Germans. Her German family still lives there and one of her great joys was visiting them as often as she was able. She had many wonderful times with her nieces Gerlinde and Ingred, who were like sisters to her, and also her niece Heide who always made sure her trips were stress-free and comfortable.
She met and married a handsome young American soldier, Rodger Rolin, when she was 20 and they continued that marriage for more than 60 years until her passing. But even after living in America for many of those 60 years, she was still unable to lose all of her German accent. It was a fact that her American family would remind her of from time to time.
Being in a military family meant that she moved many times between Europe and America and many different places on each continent. No matter where it was that the family settled, Helga would always make it into a home that was comfortable, safe, enjoyable and of course meticulously clean. She would always plant a garden and greatly enjoyed caring for it.
After Rodger retired from the Army in 1973, they settled in Tehachapi and she began her long career working with him in several of his businesses, all the while attending many of her grandchildren's and great-grandchildren's sporting events, which she enjoyed immensely. She was a great organizer and fretted, way ahead of time, over every detail for each and every holiday dinner, event or gathering, as she did for events held by the VFW and American Legion.
She leaves behind her Husband, Rodger Rolin, her son Fred Rolin (Tambra), grandsons Christopher (Shannon) and Robert, and great-grandkids Christian, Lexi, Chase, Gabe and Kennedi along with her brothers-in-law Bill and Tom (Pat) and sisters-in-law Juanita and Karen, many nieces and nephews and extended family members, all of whom will miss her dearly.
Helga was a kind and generous lady who spoke her mind but would always try to see the best in a person. She had many lifelong friends throughout the world and many in Tehachapi that she also called friend.
She is preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Mary and Hilde and recently her brother Paul.
May she rest in peace and find comfort in the inevitable light that someday will call us all.
Thank you to all the family and friends who visited and cared for her during her illness and to Hoffman Hospice for their efforts, which allowed her to be at home for her final moments as she had desired.
"Farewell to thee! But not farewell to all my fondest thoughts of thee: Within my heart they still shall dwell; And they shall cheer and comfort me." Anne Bronte
As per Helga's request no additional services are planned. | http://www.tehachapinews.com/Lifestyle/Obituaries/2016/08/25/Helga-Rolin-1932-2016.html | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.tehachapinews.com/26b93fbddae096f0c8b2170f41b4a77740569ea4fdcf3c186224f6a970be459d.json |
[
"Jill Barnes Nelson Tehachapi News"
] | 2016-08-27T06:48:50 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | California always seems to suffer from wildfires this time of year. It is an expensive business, but the state has somewhat of a little-known secret weapon when it comes to fighting fires. It’s the pack mule. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tehachapinews.com%2FNews%2F2016%2F08%2F26%2FRide-the-Winds-Mules-help-assist-firefighters.html.json | http://www.tehachapinews.com/image/2016/08/26/1500x1500_q90/20160831-tn-packmules-aug-31.jpg | en | null | Ride the Winds: Mules help assist firefighters | null | null | www.tehachapinews.com | The Trinity Alps pack string was used to help fight fires in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.
The Trinity Alps pack string was used to help fight fires in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.
California always seems to suffer from wildfires this time of year. It is an expensive business, but the state has somewhat of a little-known secret weapon when it comes to fighting fires.
It’s the pack mule.
The US Forest Service has used them for decades to haul equipment and vital supplies in remote mountainous areas. The mules cost significantly less than mechanical equipment, including helicopters, which are often used to do the same job. Plus, the animals can get to parts of the wilderness that would be otherwise impossible to access.
The US Forest Service has reported that mules can be a real asset for firefighters. On the Pine Fire this year, officials chose not to use bulldozers in the wilderness area, instead building the line by hand. They used mules and horses to bring in supplies because they could travel on the existing trail system.
It’s kind of “a new, old resource,” said Los Padres’ Corey Finneman, who coordinated the pack stock on the Pine Fire. Personnel, mules and horses from Los Padres, Inyo and Sierra forests worked together.
Related Info Equestrian Calendar Sept. 3-4 – 3rd Annual Caliente Ranch Rodeo, Burrell Reed Memorial Arena, Caliente, Luree Peet, 661-867-2459. Sept. 11 – TMRA Junior Rodeo, Tehachapi Rodeo Grounds, tehachapiprorodeo.com. Sept. 17 – EXCA event, Sweetwater Movie Ranch, Agua Dulce, 323-252-9768, movielandranch.com. Sept. 17-18 – 3B Events Ranch Sorting & Penning, Tehachapi Rodeo Grounds, 661-821-5555. Oct. 15-16 – 3B Events Ranch Sorting & Penning, Tehachapi Rodeo Grounds, 661-821-5555. Nov. 12-13 – 3B Events Ranch Sorting & Penning, Tehachapi Rodeo Grounds, 661-821-5555.
For a fire in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest in 2014, firefighters used a four-legged solution in the wilds of Trinity County.
They used teams of mules to move supplies to firefighters on the Coffee Fire. The Trinity Alps Pack mules are divided into strings, or teams of five, and haul everything from food to fire hoses. Each animal carries about 160 pounds of gear.
The mules are normally used to carry supplies to California Conservation Corps crews on trails, so they were suited to the rugged terrain. Officials said the mules can travel up to 30 miles in one delivery, and each string can save a helicopter up to 12 supply trips.
So let’s give a cheer to those hard-working mules for their service to fire departments.
Upcoming Events
The 3rd Annual Caliente Ranch Rodeo is this weekend, Sept. 3 and 4, at the Burrell Reed Memorial Arena in Caliente. The events include Junior and Open Barrel races, Team Penning, Team Branding, and Junior and Open Team Sorting.
The cost is $25 per person if pre-registered by Aug. 31, and $30 after. After payouts, all proceeds will benefit the Caliente Education Foundation for the Caliente Union School District.
For more information, call Luree Peet at 661-867-2459, or riders can sign up at calfoundation.com.
The last of the Junior Rodeo events is Sept. 11 at the Tehachapi Rodeo Grounds. The divisions include Pee Wee (6 and under), Buckaroos (7-11), Juniors (12-15) and Seniors (16 to 20) divisions. For more information, go to tehachapiprorodeo.com.
Jill Barnes Nelson is a reporter for Tehachapi News and a horse lover. Send information on the horse community such as upcoming events, clinics, etc., or if you’ve won an award, contact her: jbnelson@tehachapinews.com or call 661-823-6374. | http://www.tehachapinews.com/News/2016/08/26/Ride-the-Winds-Mules-help-assist-firefighters.html | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.tehachapinews.com/2b08ab00855fc771c1dc89dc3339736420f596c9a98dca36ce3f25dbfe20cce2.json |
[
"James Burger Jburger Bakersfield.Com"
] | 2016-08-26T13:00:11 | null | 2016-08-02T00:00:00 | Milky-white sap bleeds from the ponderosa pine, oozing in globs from old woodpecker-gouged holes and tiny bores left by western pine bark beetles. The pine’s needles have lost their vibrant green, fading to a fatigued olive. The sap, the tree’s natural defense against beetles, has been overcome by the sheer number of the burrowing insects. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tehachapinews.com%2FNews%2F2016%2F08%2F22%2FKern-pine-forests-ravaged-by-drought.html.json | http://www.tehachapinews.com/image/2016/08/02/1500x1500_q90/dead-trees-8.jpg | en | null | Kern pine forests ravaged by drought, insatiable beetle | null | null | www.tehachapinews.com | Jess Witten's company, Witten Logging, is removing some of the diseased trees in the Bear Valley Springs area.
Logger Blake Bennett saws the limbs off a 100 foot ponderosa pine he just cut down in Bear Valley Springs. Trees dead from the drought and bark beetles are being removed from the area.
Logger Blake Bennett walks along a 100-foot ponderosa pine he just cut down and into sections as a heel boom moves in to remove the sections. Trees dead from the drought and bark beetles are being removed from the area.
Boring dust from bark beetles is seen on this pine tree in Bear Valley Springs.
A western pine beetle ( black dot) is seen in this sap from a ponderosa pine in Bear Valley Springs.
Dead and dying trees in the Greenhorn Mountain range are visible as an air tanker drops a load of fire retardant on the Cedar Fire.
Suffering from the drought and the western pine beetle, dead trees off Deer Trail Road stand near a mountain home in Bear Valley Springs.
Richard Peters of Witten Logging pulls back bark from a ponderosa pine looking for western pine beetles to show visitors.
Jess Witten's company, Witten Logging, is removing some of the diseased trees in the Bear Valley Springs area.
Logger Blake Bennett saws the limbs off a 100 foot ponderosa pine he just cut down in Bear Valley Springs. Trees dead from the drought and bark beetles are being removed from the area.
Logger Blake Bennett walks along a 100-foot ponderosa pine he just cut down and into sections as a heel boom moves in to remove the sections. Trees dead from the drought and bark beetles are being removed from the area.
Boring dust from bark beetles is seen on this pine tree in Bear Valley Springs.
A western pine beetle ( black dot) is seen in this sap from a ponderosa pine in Bear Valley Springs.
Dead and dying trees in the Greenhorn Mountain range are visible as an air tanker drops a load of fire retardant on the Cedar Fire.
Suffering from the drought and the western pine beetle, dead trees off Deer Trail Road stand near a mountain home in Bear Valley Springs.
Richard Peters of Witten Logging pulls back bark from a ponderosa pine looking for western pine beetles to show visitors.
Milky-white sap bleeds from the ponderosa pine, oozing in globs from old woodpecker-gouged holes and tiny bores left by western pine bark beetles.
The pine’s needles have lost their vibrant green, fading to a fatigued olive. The sap, the tree’s natural defense against beetles, has been overcome by the sheer number of the burrowing insects.
The tree is already dead, says Kern County Fire Department forester Jeff Gletne. It just doesn’t know it yet.
Not far away, along Medicine Bow Court on the shoulder of Bear Mountain west of Tehachapi, the sound of chainsaws and heavy equipment fills the air.
A massive logging effort is underway — a high-speed effort to take down hundreds of dying green trees before their needles turn brown and the bark beetle grubs that are killing them mature, crawl out of their nurseries and take wing to the next tree.
But a win here is, at best, a holding action against an unstoppable tide of dying trees.
FOREST DEATH
Pine forests in Kern County’s mountains are dying, weakened by years of drought and then killed by a massive infestation of bark beetles.
A U.S. Forest Service aerial survey in May found an estimated 27 million trees have died in the Sierra Nevada between Shasta and Kern counties in the past year alone. The survey identified 82,000 new acres of dead trees and 2.2 million new, dead trees in Kern. More than 66 million pines are estimated to have died in California in the last few years.
The creature causing all this damage, with an assist from four years of drought, is about the size of a grain of rice.
THE BEETLE
On Bear Mountain Richard Peters of Witten Logging grabs a rim of bark on a ponderosa pine stacked with scores of others on private property at the end of Medicine Bow Court.
He yanks hard, pulling away a thick chunk of reddish-brown bark.
The underside, where the bark once met the soft-growing cambium layer of the wood, looks like an alien treasure map. Wandering tunnels packed with red boring dust trace their way across the panel.
Small black western pine beetles and their pale white grubs huddle and scurry.
The beetles have been eating trees in these forests for hundreds of years, according to Jeff Gletne, a Kern County Fire Department forester. They eat their way into the tree, lay eggs and deposit a harmful fungus. Usually a healthy tree will fight back the pests, drowning them in sap that pushes the beetle back out of the hole it just made.
Under normal circumstances, only old, weakened, dying trees fall to the beetle.
But four years of drought have turned healthy forests into a sea of weakened trees. Many can’t produce enough sap to defend themselves.
And the western pine beetle, and other beetle species, have thrived.
Gletne said the beetles have grown so numerous, thanks to the glut of available drought-stressed trees, that even healthy trees strengthened by this winter’s respectable rains can’t fight off the onslaught.
DANGEROUS BLAZE
Brian Block was wrapping up a contract to take down dying pines and cedars near Greenhorn Mountain and Alta Sierra when the Cedar Fire struck.
It started Wednesday and roared though stands of dead and dying trees, threatening the small enclave of Alta Sierra above Lake Isabella and clawing its way into Tulare County — within a few miles of Sugarloaf Village, Sugarloaf Mountain Park and a number of other small communities.
Block, the ecosystem manager for the U.S. Forest Service’s Kern River Ranger District, has seen tree mortality in the mountains around Alta Sierra grow dramatically in less than a year.
Some clusters of trees are 20 to 30 percent dead trees. Others have seen the number go from something like 15 percent 75 percent dead in just eight months, he said.
When a blaze like the Cedar Fire hits those dead trees, it gets hotter and more dangerous. It throws sparks long distances, launching the fire into unburned areas. It burns green trees more aggressively. And if the trees have fallen to the ground, it can make it almost impossible for hand crews and even bulldozers to cut firelines.
“We can’t do anything but back off a couple ridges” and watch the forest burn, he said.
LOOMING THREAT
There is no easy way to stop the beetles or save large swaths of forest.
So people like Gletne and Block protect what small areas they can and clear out dead and dying trees so they don’t become fuel for a wildland firestorm that could sweep through mountain towns and hamlets.
Gletne has spent the summer working with Cal Edison, property owners and a private logging company in Bear Valley to cut down, cut up and move as many dying trees as possible.
Trees have been cut back 200 feet from Deertrail Drive — the only way in and out of the Bear Valley neighborhoods on the mountain. Fallen trees and branches have been cleared from property and the owner of thousands of acres has hired Witten Logging to attack the beetle infestation.
If loggers can drop green trees before they turn red — a sign the beetles are hatching and ready to move to a new tree — they can get ahead of the multiplying pests and end the threat to the estate homes perched here on the shoulder of Bear Mountain.
Block is fighting a similar battle in the forests around Greenhorn Mountain and Alta Sierra.
There are, he said, several phases to Forest Service plans to remove dead and dying trees.
“Our primary concern is to reduce the threat to people,” he said.
That means cutting back trees around roads, homes and power lines so people have a way to get out when a fire threatens.
Then they can cut back trees that might fall on people, homes and cars and clearing fallen trees that would stoke a fire.
So far this summer, Kern County, battered by the Erskine fire, has made a couple of narrow escapes.
DEER FIRE
At the foot of Bear Mountain, where the foothills roll down into the Central Valley just west of Arvin, a 1,700-acre blackened scar shows where the Deer Fire made its fiery assault on the high country.
It started on July 1 and roared up from the valley grasslands and deep into the oak woodlands above.
More than 1,000 firefighters stopped the blaze before it climbed into the pines.
If they hadn’t it would have been a disaster.
“If it had got up into the pines...,” Gletne said. “The consensus was if they hadn’t stopped it they wouldn’t have stopped it for awhile.”
Some scenarios showed the fire could have burned up over Bear Mountain and down into the heart of Bear Valley Springs, he said.
SUGARLOAF
On Friday morning, the Cedar Fire was burning just over the edge of the ridgeline east of Fred Wiley’s cabin in Sugarloaf Mountain Park.
It wasn’t moving toward the small Tulare County community of summer homes and cabins.
But the three miles of forest between the home Wiley’s family has owned for 60 years and the inferno was filled with dead trees, heavy brush and downed wood.
Wiley, who leads the homeowners’ association, said the community has been preparing for fire for years.
They got approval for a timber harvest plan, thinned the trees aggressively and removed massive piles of fallen limbs, pine needles and other plants from the ground.
Then the drought and bark beetles hit.
Around 30 to 40 of the trees left in Sugarloaf Mountain Park after the thinning have died.
“We were shocked with how many died last winter with snow on the ground,” Wiley said.
But the nearby forest is worse, he said.
The Giant Sequoia National Monument surrounds them on four sides and the trees are so thick in some places that deer can’t move through, Wiley said.
Now, he said, 80 to 90 percent of those trees are dead.
If the Cedar Fire comes over the ridge, all those trees will burn. | http://www.tehachapinews.com/News/2016/08/22/Kern-pine-forests-ravaged-by-drought.html | en | 2016-08-02T00:00:00 | www.tehachapinews.com/988f96b2abb07bab35d24adea3add01e1cc45bbe89cc359925e3f79aa619a864.json |
[
"Darla A. Baker",
"Tehachapi News"
] | 2016-08-26T12:56:19 | null | 2016-08-25T20:26:43 | Shawna Callahan wants people to know that nobody fights alone. So this year the organization she and husband Dwayne started after her uncle, Robert McCaslin, was diagnosed with cancer, will support two girls. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tehachapinews.com%2FNews%2F2016%2F08%2F24%2FPoker-Run-to-benefit-two-girls.html.json | http://www.tehachapinews.com/libercus/default/images/facebook-default-310x310.png?v=2 | en | null | Poker Run to benefit two girls | null | null | www.tehachapinews.com | Shawna Callahan wants people to know that nobody fights alone.
So this year the organization she and husband Dwayne started after her uncle, Robert McCaslin, was diagnosed with cancer, will support two girls.
“We are helping two girls this year, Abigail Segundo and Amanda Broome,” said No One Fights Alone founder Shawna Callahan. “I stumbled across Abigail’s story on Facebook, and I reached out to her mother, Julie. I told her, ‘You don’t know me, but I want to help.’ It’s been gaining momentum ever since, like I have never seen before.”
The 3rd annual No One Fights Alone Poker Run will be held Sunday, Nov. 6, starting at Bikersfield, 2622 Fairhaven Drive, and ending at IBMC Clubhouse, 1715 Elzworth, in Bakersfield.
Shawna Callahan knows about the impact of cancer. Buried beneath an avalanche of doctor’s bills and struggling to make ends meet, Callahan said she and her husband reached a point where they had to put their pride aside and reach out to the community for help.
“It’s hard to ask for help, when you’re used to doing it yourself,” sahe said.
The Callahans decided to host a fundraising Poker Run for their uncle.
“This was our entire family and friends from everywhere working together to make this happen,” said Shawna. “Our goal was 56 people, and we ended up with 200.”
The second year, the Callahans held another Poker Run fundraiser.
“At the end of the day, we sat down and decided we wanted to pay it forward,” said Callahan, “so we helped Kandice Cerna Hernandez during her journey.”
The second fundraiser was even bigger than the first, drawing 300 people.
“This was absolutely amazing, and we wanted to be able to help two families this year,” Callahan said.
Registration for the poker run will begin at 9 a.m., with kickstands up at 10 a.m. Pre-registration can be made on Friday, Nov. 4, at Ethel’s Old Corral, from 7 to 10 p.m., and on Saturday, Nov. 5 at Bikersfield, from noon to 3 p.m. during Customer Appreciation Day.
Bikes and autos are welcome. The cost is $20 per participant, $35 for tandem and $10 for non-participants. All prices include lunch. The event will include raffles, a 50/50, and more. Gun raffle tickets will be sold for $20 each or two for $30. All proceeds will go to the Segundo and Broome families.
“This is a pay it forward in the truest meaning of the phrase,” Callahan said. “The community support we have received each year has been amazing, and all we have done to promote it is social media and a whole lot of door-to-door footwork.”
A blood drive will also be held at Houchin Blood Bank in Bakersfield on Saturday, Sept. 24, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mention No One Fights Alone with Abigail Segundo by name.
For more information, call Shawna Callahan at 747-1224 or Jamie Davis at 379-1674. | http://www.tehachapinews.com/News/2016/08/24/Poker-Run-to-benefit-two-girls.html | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.tehachapinews.com/3a650bc7120961b0fc4df829fcd5f5ff1b98432e298443581232dcedf16f4f98.json |
[
"John Nelson",
"Tehachapi News"
] | 2016-08-28T16:49:20 | null | 2016-06-17T00:00:00 | David Ortiz is a DH, so I’m not sure why the folks in Boston are trying to get him elected American League MVP. Don’t you have to be a baseball player to win the MVP, and sorry, but DH’s aren’t really baseball players. All they can do is hit. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tehachapinews.com%2FSports%2F2016%2F08%2F27%2FTimeout-Sorry-no-MVP-for-Big-Papi.html.json | http://www.tehachapinews.com/image/2016/06/17/1500x1500_q90/john-mug.jpg | en | null | Timeout: Sorry, no MVP for Big Papi | null | null | www.tehachapinews.com | John Nelson spent 27 years with the Associated Press in New York, covering sports all over the world, and was the AP's national baseball writer for 10 years.
John Nelson spent 27 years with the Associated Press in New York, covering sports all over the world, and was the AP's national baseball writer for 10 years.
David Ortiz is a DH, so I’m not sure why the folks in Boston are trying to get him elected American League MVP.
Don’t you have to be a baseball player to win the MVP, and sorry, but DH’s aren’t really baseball players. All they can do is hit.
Most of them can’t field or throw at all, and a good percentage of them are a liability on the bases.
What if you called Triple A to change a tire, and when the mechanic got there, all he could do was take your lug nuts off. He’d have to call out another guy to screw your lug nuts back on.
I’d hardly call him an MVP lug nut man.
That’s probably why no DH has ever been the MVP.
Ortiz has some pretty gaudy numbers, for sure — .320 batting average, 30 homers and 100 RBIs. Proponents of Ortiz’s anointment also point out that he’s leading the league with an astronomical OPS of more than 1.000.
For all the sabermetric dummies, like me, OPS is on-base percentage plus slugging average, a statistic that many sabermetricians now consider the most important measure of offensive prowess.
Forgive me, but I can’t even figure out why there is such a stat. It seems totally arbitrary to add those two numbers up and call it a statistic.
On-base percentage is a stat we used to associate with table-setters, those speedy little guys at the top of the order who walked a lot, bunted for base hits and beat out a lot of infield singles.
Slugging average, or total bases divided by at-bats, was for the big boppers who drove in the speedy little dudes. It was simply an indication of how good they were at getting extra-base hits, which tend to drive in more baserunners.
So tell me how lumping those two skills together statistically is even relevant. Are we now looking for speedy big guys who get on base a lot, just not first base? I don’t care how speedy or big they are, they can’t drive themselves in unless they hit home runs.
Ortiz is taking his farewell lap, in the last season of a great career that’s made him a fan favorite in Boston, a man they call “Big Papi.” He’d be the oldest MVP, turning 41 in November, and the only player to win MVP in his final season.
If he wins. I’m betting he won’t, though. I’m betting the panel of writers chosen to vote for the AL MVP will reserve that honor for a real baseball player, not some guy who can only screw your lug nuts off.
Side Note: Last Friday night, Aug. 26, Jose Reyes and Asdrubal Cabrera of the Mets hit consecutive home runs to start a game against the Phillies. It was the first time the Mets had done that since Reyes and Ruben Gotay did it for the Mets in 2007.
Oddly, Gotay, who now plays for the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League, homered last Friday night, too.
John Nelson spent 27 years with the Associated Press in New York and was the AP’s national baseball writer for 10 years. He can be reached at jnelson@tehachapinews.com. | http://www.tehachapinews.com/Sports/2016/08/27/Timeout-Sorry-no-MVP-for-Big-Papi.html | en | 2016-06-17T00:00:00 | www.tehachapinews.com/e2c4d0f1ab1c55d72bbb4982db78c18d695f203353d74e4f80db81845ef74b2b.json |
[
"John Nelson",
"Tehachapi News"
] | 2016-08-26T20:48:37 | null | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | This is the year that cross-country coach Michael Heckathorn has been waiting for. Three years ago, his soph-frosh boys won the South Yosemite League championship, and many of those boys are now back for their senior seasons. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tehachapinews.com%2FSports%2F2016%2F08%2F26%2FSeason-Preview.html.json | http://www.tehachapinews.com/image/2016/08/26/1500x1500_q90/xcountry-pre-1.jpg | en | null | Season Preview: Warriors cross-country expectations high | null | null | www.tehachapinews.com | Warriors head cross-country coach Michael Heckathorn in the huddle with his team during practice.
Reilly Moomey, far right, takes over a leadership role among the girls during Warriors cross-country practice.
Warriors all-league runner Dione Sheehan cools down with some jumping jacks after a long run at practice.
Warriors head cross-country coach Michael Heckathorn in the huddle with his team during practice.
Reilly Moomey, far right, takes over a leadership role among the girls during Warriors cross-country practice.
Warriors all-league runner Dione Sheehan cools down with some jumping jacks after a long run at practice.
This is the year that cross-country coach Michael Heckathorn has been waiting for.
Three years ago, his soph-frosh boys won the South Yosemite League championship, and many of those boys are now back for their senior seasons.
“This is it, this is the year,” Heckathorn said.
Among those three-year returning seniors are Ethan Zehr and Wes Poulson, who missed all of last season with shin splints.
“It's too early to tell,” the coach said. “The next few weeks will tell us a lot of the answers.”
The Warriors first meet of the season, the Beat the Heat run at Brite Lake in Tehachapi, provided a few glimpses into the team's future.
Zehr finished second among varsity boys in the non-scoring event with a time of 17 minutes 54 seconds over 3 miles – 10 seconds off the winning pace of Moises Medrano of Highland. Poulson had the ninth fastest time of 18:45.
The meet included eight teams, and among them were SYL rivals Golden Valley, Independence and Ridgeview.
“As seniors, this is our last chance,” Zehr said. “We want to make it a good one. We want to give those Bakersfield schools a run for their money.”
The girls team could be equally strong this season with the return of senior Dione Sheehan, a two-time all-league runner, and her junior running mate, Reilly Moomey, as well as the addition of mountain biking star Micah Mason and sophomore sprinters Lucy Coe and Jo Trillo from the track team.
“We have great potential this year,” Sheehan said. “We finished third in league last year, and now we've got the returning veterans and the new girls. We've been running well, and we've got a good shot.”
Like Zehr, Sheehan finished second among varsity girls, in 21:51 at the Beat the Heat meet. Sayra Raya of Wasco had the fastest 3-mile time of 21:32. Moomey was eighth and Trillo ninth.
Mason, a state champion mountain biker who joined the team this season, won the junior varsity two-mile in 16:01, leading a 1-2-3 Warriors sweep of the event. Julie Stickneywas second, and Liberty Shaub finished third for Tehachapi.
The two-mile soph-frosh boys boys winner was also from Tehachapi, Mitchell Poulson.
The varsity boys also finished third in league last year, “so we've got to step it up,” Zehr said.
“The girls should be strong, too. Both Dione and Reilly have been here for a while,” Zehr said. “It should be our strongest team in a while, and I'm looking forward to it.”
Heckathorn hoped a summer training program, run by Judy Denman and Katie Beauchamp, would help a core group of runners “start building up their endurance.”
He said instead of running 2-3 miles a day, this core group trained 3-5 miles a day over the summer, “with our more advanced runners putting in 4-6 miles a day.”
“So now, we are being more specific in our early season workouts, concentrating on speed, strength and endurance in more of a race mode,” Heckathorn said. “We're looking forward to seeing the results of the work we've put in.”
The Warriors had a busy preseason schedule with the Wasco Invitational on Thursday, Sept. 1, followed by the Taft Black and Gold Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 3. Their first SYL mini-meet was scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 21 at Brite Lake in Tehachapi.
“This could be an interesting year,” Heckathorn said. “The core of the team is an experienced group with 3-4 years of running for THS cross-country. Expectations are a little higher than usual.” | http://www.tehachapinews.com/Sports/2016/08/26/Season-Preview.html | en | 2016-08-26T00:00:00 | www.tehachapinews.com/afa7cda3570343f33de5024342adbccdba08e25fe408780b09391a9e1c2312e7.json |
[] | 2016-08-26T13:04:19 | null | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | Doris Lorraine Solis passed away Aug. 18, 2016. She is reunited in Heaven with her oldest son, Bruce Jr. and her brothers and sisters, Donald, Butch, Sue and Shirley. Doris was born on March 28, 1931, in Hot Springs, Ark., to Delbert and Ethel Rood. She was the oldest of four sisters and two brothers. The family moved to California in the early '40s, where she attended and graduated from Banning High School in Wilmington, Calif. She was a resident of Tehachapi since 1992. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tehachapinews.com%2FLifestyle%2FObituaries%2F2016%2F08%2F25%2FDoris-Lorraine-Solis-1931-2016-1.html.json | http://www.tehachapinews.com/image/2016/08/25/1500x1500_q90/Doris-Lorraine-Solis-1931-2016.jpg | en | null | Doris Lorraine Solis, 1931-2016 | null | null | www.tehachapinews.com | Doris Lorraine Solis passed away Aug. 18, 2016. She is reunited in Heaven with her oldest son, Bruce Jr. and her brothers and sisters, Donald, Butch, Sue and Shirley.
Doris was born on March 28, 1931, in Hot Springs, Ark., to Delbert and Ethel Rood. She was the oldest of four sisters and two brothers. The family moved to California in the early '40s, where she attended and graduated from Banning High School in Wilmington, Calif. She was a resident of Tehachapi since 1992.
Doris is survived by her sister, Pamela Horton and two sons, Donny Kuhn and his beautiful wife, Beverly, and Charles A. Cooper and his daughter, Aleeya.
Doris was a selfless servant of the Lord and a loving mother and grandmother. She never hesitated to give of her time to any and all who needed love, prayer, or help in any form.
Doris was a crossing guard at Tompkins Elementary School in Tehachapi for many years. Early on, she began to purchase coats and jackets from Help & Hope, for kids crossing at her spot in need of warm clothing during winter times. As time went on, people began donating coats, gloves, scarves, beanies and all manner of winter clothing to her, so she could pass them out to any kids in need.
Doris’s love and trust in Christ never wavered. It was her wish that everyone she came in contact with felt His love and mercy. She will be missed by many.
Wood Family Funeral Service has been entrusted with her care. For condolences please visit www.woodmortuary.net. | http://www.tehachapinews.com/Lifestyle/Obituaries/2016/08/25/Doris-Lorraine-Solis-1931-2016-1.html | en | 2016-08-25T00:00:00 | www.tehachapinews.com/4226868c0785115caaf660cfd14f6fc30def84ce853966791e8bafc255455908.json |
[
"Tehachapi News"
] | 2016-08-26T13:02:08 | null | 2015-11-18T00:00:00 | Tehachapi law enforcement made a total of 21 arrests during the week of Aug. 15 to 21. The Kern County Sheriff's Office arrested three adults in the greater Tehachapi area. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tehachapinews.com%2FNews%2F2016%2F08%2F23%2FKCSO-TPD-report-21-arrests-for-Aug-1-5-1.html.json | http://www.tehachapinews.com/image/2015/11/18/1500x1500_q90/TPD-4.jpg | en | null | KCSO, TPD report 21 arrests for Aug. 15-21 | null | null | www.tehachapinews.com | Tehachapi Police Department patrol car in the field.
Tehachapi Police Department patrol car in the field.
Tehachapi law enforcement made a total of 21 arrests during the week of Aug. 15 to 21.
The Kern County Sheriff's Office arrested three adults in the greater Tehachapi area.
The Tehachapi Police Department made a total of 10 arrests, including three adults on suspicion of felony crimes.
Tehachapi police officers handled a total of 277 incidents including 157 calls for service from the public. Officers wrote 30 reports and issued two citations. | http://www.tehachapinews.com/News/2016/08/23/KCSO-TPD-report-21-arrests-for-Aug-1-5-1.html | en | 2015-11-18T00:00:00 | www.tehachapinews.com/8a32166b088884235eccc7b6448f89444422fc04bbfe6a1b2f7c27f595745727.json |
[
"John Nelson",
"Tehachapi News"
] | 2016-08-28T04:49:07 | null | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | Burroughs and Tehachapi are not exactly strangers. They play each other every year, and the Warriors usually win a high-scoring game. Except for the last two years. | http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tehachapinews.com%2FSports%2F2016%2F08%2F27%2FWarriors-ready-for-season-opener-vs-Burroughs.html.json | http://www.tehachapinews.com/image/2016/08/27/1500x1500_q90/ths-burroughs-pre-5.jpg | en | null | Warriors ready for season opener vs. Burroughs | null | null | www.tehachapinews.com | Warriors head coach Steve Denman, sitting at 295 career wins and gunning for 300 this season.
Injured running back Keyron Scott, far left, hangs out with teammates at practice.
Warriors head coach Steve Denman, sitting at 295 career wins and gunning for 300 this season.
Injured running back Keyron Scott, far left, hangs out with teammates at practice.
Burroughs and Tehachapi are not exactly strangers. They play each other every year, and the Warriors usually win a high-scoring game.
Except for the last two years.
Last year, the Warriors won 7-0 at home. Quarterback Lars Olofson scored on a 1-yard TD run in the first quarter, and the rest was a defensive struggle.
The year before that, Burroughs beat the Warriors 20-14 in Tehachapi, breaking a streak of five straight losses to Tehachapi.
“They're always athletic, and they throw the ball well,” Warriors head coach Steve Denman said. “They're very physical usually on defense, and they have a lot of speed. That's them, year in and year out.”
Denman will start senior left-hander Paul Stephens at quarterback against the Burros in Ridgecrest on Friday night, Sept. 2.
“He's our guy,” Denman said. “We've just got to avoid turning the ball over on offense and play our game – play good defense, keep moving the chains and keep their offense off the field.”
Since the Warriors did not play a Week 0 game this past Friday night, Aug. 26, Denman and his coaching staff took the oppontunity to travel to Palmdale for scout Burroughs in its opener. The Burros beat Palmdale 29-22.
“We had a good look at them,” Denman said. “They were athletic and overall a really good football team, pretty much the same team they've always been.
“They're not huge, but they're very physical, for their size,” the coach said. “They've got a lot of speed, they throw the ball, and they're well coached.”
Denman said he has not yet named a starting backfield, but with Keyron Scott still sidelined while he recovers from knee surgery, it could include the likes of senior transfer Zion Dean, JV newcomer Connor Timm, and seniors Anthony Powell, Chase Podratz, Philippe Vachon and Tyler Mata.
“We'll just wait and see,” Denman said. “It really doesn't matter who starts because we'll rotate through about 4-5 guys.”
Even with the return of Scott, their leading rusher from last season, in late September or early October, the Warriors do not figure to be a one-man offense this season.
And, with Tanner Herman and Jackson Caudle set at linebacker and Favian Garcia moving into a regular spot on the line, the defense should be strong, too.
“Once you face another team, then you start shaking things out,” Denman said. “You see kids start rising to the top and seperate themselves from other playes as far as ability goes – and not making mistakes.”
The Warriors follow the Burroughs game with two more on the road, at Garces and Bakersfield Christian. They then begin a four-game homestand. | http://www.tehachapinews.com/Sports/2016/08/27/Warriors-ready-for-season-opener-vs-Burroughs.html | en | 2016-08-27T00:00:00 | www.tehachapinews.com/0cfbc01adb106da9fca4661f19fbd02a4733dc953f8be3ed725fea101729f2aa.json |
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