Detroit — The community wonders whether the problems with their EMS system will be fixed. Only 21 of 24 ambulances are currently working, and their response time is close to 17 minutes. EMS providers complain they have the same problems now as they did 20 years ago.
AddThis Sharing ButtonsShare to FacebookFacebookFacebookShare to TwitterTwitterTwitterShare to EmailEmailEmailShare to RedditRedditRedditShare to MoreAddThisMoreChina is to get tough on executives responsible for causing severe pollution in rivers and lakes by fining them up to half their salary. The Water Pollution Prevention and Control Law goes into effect June 1. We are sorry. The content item you requested needs to be replaced since the sydicator has abruptly ended this news service. The Good News Network is committed to finding another version of this news story elsewhere and adding the replacement link by mid-January, 2009. Please check back!AddThis Sharing ButtonsShare to FacebookFacebookFacebookShare to TwitterTwitterTwitterShare to EmailEmailEmailShare to RedditRedditRedditShare to MoreAddThisMore
Click To Share This Udderly Delightful Story With Your Friends (Photo by Hannah Simpson)AddThis Sharing ButtonsShare to FacebookFacebookFacebookShare to TwitterTwitterTwitterShare to EmailEmailEmailShare to RedditRedditRedditShare to MoreAddThisMore For the last seven years, Hannah has ridden her heifer Lilac through the meadows of the South Island town of Invercargill, in New Zealand. Lilac has the capacity to jump up to 4.5 feet, but she prefers lazier activities like long bush walks and leisurely swims.RELATED VIDEO: Hummingbird Refuses to Leave the Dog Who Saved Her LifeHannah first climbed onto Lilac’s back on a dare from her brother, although the rider advises against most people attempting to mount a cow – Lilac has apparently bucked her off many times. But because of the duo’s rare bond, the two have defied the rules and become an unusual team.Hannah now has a horse named Sammy, but she still takes her original steed out to pasture once a week for a ride.(WATCH the video below) AddThis Sharing ButtonsShare to FacebookFacebookFacebookShare to TwitterTwitterTwitterShare to EmailEmailEmailShare to RedditRedditRedditShare to MoreAddThisMoreWhen Hannah Simpson was 11-years-old, all she wanted was a horse of her own to ride and train. Her parents, however, insisted that ponies were too expensive, leaving Hannah’s dream unfulfilled.Her creative solution? She trained one of the cows on their dairy farm to ride instead.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, October 19, 2019 10 a.m. Hannah Funeral Home Chapel, visitation 8 a.m. until service time. “Tuti” was a very hard working woman, starting from Best Western “Sky Bar” for 11 years and moving on to Walmart on Memorial Blvd. for 17 years where she got her nickname “BC.”She then went on to work for St. Mary’s Hospital under a contractor company called HHSO who later made sure after St. Mary’s closed she had a spot at the Medical Center. Brenda Youman, 58, and lifelong resident of Port Arthur was called home quietly and peacefully on October 1, 2019 at The Medical Center of Southeast Texas.“Tuti” had no unfinished business. She was loved by her family, husband and everyone she came in contact with.
Rev. Darryl Price, Sr. officiating. Services entrusted to Hannah Funeral Home, Inc.
Joshua Jackson in Children of a Lesser God The Waverly Gallery Content Producer Lindsey Sullivan”Michael Urie had big shoes to fill stepping into the role Harvey Fierstein nabbed Tonys for penning and portraying in 1983, and he has risen to the occasion. Breaking hearts and landing laughs as Arnold Beckoff, this is wonderful performance that I won’t soon forget.” The year is almost at a close. In addition to an endless amount of holiday parties and last-minute gift shopping, we’ve also spent our time at the end of 2018 reading up on best-of-the year lists. The only thing more fun than reading them: making them, of course! We’ve asked fans to choose your favorite Broadway show of 2018, and the Broadway.com editorial staff had a heated (in the best way) debate to determine the best performances, debuts and shows of 2018. Of course, not everything we loved this year could fit into those slots. As a result, we’ve each shouted out a show or performer that we think deserves a little extra love. Check them out below! Michael Urie in Torch Song Alexander Gemignani in Carousel Photo Director Caitlin McNaney”I was so impressed with Bryan Cranston’s performance in Network, and director Ivo van Hove has such a phenomenal way of storytelling. I loved his production of View from the Bridge, and this makes me all the more excited to see what he will do with West Side Story next season.” Editor-in-Chief Paul Wontorek”Though it doesn’t really fit the format of our best performances list, I want to give props to the 14 stage stars (10 onstage puppeteers, three offstage puppeteers and one crew member) who bring King Kong to life. Their combined muscle and talent have given real emotion to the big guy in ways I never dreamed possible.” Site Producer Joanne Villani”Stephanie J. Block’s performance as Star in The Cher Show blew me away! On top of taking on Cher’s classic costumes and style, she also channels Cher’s unique voice and one-of-a-kind mannerisms. She truly brought heart and tenderness to Cher’s biggest moments.” Editorial Assistant Eric King”I’d like to shout out Alexander Gemignani’s singing, specifically in ‘Mister Snow,’ specifically during the line, ‘I aim to make Miss Pipperidge change her name to Mrs. Enoch Snow.’ He belts an A on ‘Mrs.’—there aren’t even any vowels in that word! What a gorgeous, jaw-dropping tenor!” The King Kong Puppet Crew News Editor Andy Lefkowitz”Kenneth Lonergan’s gently devastating The Waverly Gallery played just 70 performances off-Broadway in 2000, remaining a powerful memory to those lucky enough to see it. In its Broadway premiere, Lila Neugebauer’s fresh look at a grandmother’s struggle with dementia told through the eyes of her grandson moved me deeply—and the onstage pairing of Lucas Hedges and the legendary Elaine May couldn’t have been a better match.” View All (5) Nicolette Robinson Taylor Louderman in Mean Girls Stephanie J. Block in The Cher Show National Editor Ryan Lee Gilbert”I could use this space to praise this musical’s delightful performances, great choreography and nimble direction, but instead I’ll just say that Head Over Heels was the fabulous and whimsical celebration of queer love that I’ve wanted on Broadway for a very long time.” View Comments
(Composite by Ryan Casey) Network Star Files To Kill a Mockingbird Alexander Gemignani Social Media Manager Caitlyn Gallip”I first saw Nicolette in Invisible Thread and fell in love with her spirit and voice. She brings such grace to every role she takes on, and Jenna was no exception. Nicolette was the first mom to play the role, and her performance changed the way I think about this musical.” Michael Urie Stephanie J. Block Head Over Heels Video Director/Editor Mark Hayes”I absolutely loved Mike Birbiglia’s one-man show, The New One. His take on parenting, specifically fatherhood, is one of the most raw and honest that I’ve ever heard. It’s also hilarious and surprisingly sweet. By the time it was over, I couldn’t wait to get home and give my own daughter a hug.” Managing Editor Beth Stevens”The great American novel reimagined for our time with precision and care by Aaron Sorkin, To Kill a Mockingbird is a riveting courtroom drama as well as a hard look at core values like tolerance and justice. The cast is crowded with masterful actors, led by Jeff Daniels, who turns in a nuanced performance as one of the greatest literary characters of all time, Atticus Finch.” The New One Taylor Louderman Illustrator & Animator Ryan Casey”When I saw Taylor Louderman slither onto the stage during ‘Meet the Plastics,’ my heart skipped a beat. Her vocals, cunning stare and perfect blonde locks gave me everything I needed for a wonderful night at the theater. You girls keep me young, I love you so much!” Nicolette Robinson in Waitress Content Producer Caitlin Moynihan”Not only did Children of a Lesser God mark Josh Jackson’s Broadway debut, but he learned a completely new language to take it on. Sign language is complex and beautiful, and he truly threw himself into the role. Watching him and Laura Ridloff together on stage was magic.”
Looking back, leaving a legacy July 15, 2012 Jan Pudlow Senior Editor Regular News Looking back, leaving a legacy Senior EditorA year ago, when Scott Hawkins was sworn in as Florida Bar president, he delivered a message aimed to inspire lawyers to get in touch with their noblest selves by asking this trio of questions:“What is your promise as a person? What is your promise as a member of our profession? What is our promise as an institution?” Delivering the State of the Bar address at the General Assembly June 22, Hawkins said he has examined those questions over the last year.Along his journey as Bar president, Hawkins said, “99.9 percent of the lawyers I met this year are committed to living out their oath — every day — and fulfilling their promise to the profession. Of that, I am completely sure. Unfortunately, there is a small number who will stray, and it is up to each of us to become more vigilant and to take steps to hold each other accountable. That is part of your promise to the profession.”Noting lawyers are “exceptional with language” to solve problems, Hawkins warned, “sometimes, however, we get caught up in our cleverness. I urge restraint. Not all thoughts that occur to you (and this definitely pertains to me) warrant expression.”As he walked the halls of the Legislature, Hawkins said, he was struck by legislators’ “commitment to do their best, from both parties. Unfortunately, I have become concerned that despite the best individual intentions, political parties often focus on preserving and acquiring power first and not good policy formation. Policy becomes subordinate to power. It is as if the two parties need each other; they need an enemy. The focus then becomes on how to make your enemy look bad, as opposed to good policy.“This probably sounds cynical and naïve. I urge each of you who has a relationship with a legislator to urge that leader to look beyond short-term interests and do what is beneficial to our state and judicial branch over the long term. Frankly, as the keepers of the law in our society, this is part of our duty, and, I would say, part of our promise.”Answering the question about the health of the Bar as an institution, Hawkins noted that with 93,895 members, it is the second largest mandatory bar in the country, behind California with more than 232,000 members.“I have learned this year that Florida has a unique role in our nation. Given its size and complexity, The Florida Bar often confronts issues earlier than other state bars. In this regard, I am extremely proud that the Bar installed Arnell Bryant-Willis as our first minority initiatives director. She is a bright, engaging lady blessed with immense wisdom. Involve her with your organization, as we work together to create points of entry for all gifted for leadership.”One of the Bar’s most important functions, Hawkins said, “is to vigilantly regulate lawyer behavior,” and the Bar recommended to the Supreme Court discipline in nearly 400 matters, including multiple reprimands, admonishments, suspensions, and disbarments.The Grievance Review Commission, also dubbed the Hawkins Commission, completed its work and its recommendations are being processed by the Board of Governors.“At one point, the commission met en masse at the Florida A&M College of Law, here in Orlando, and we had three justices spend nearly a full day working with the commission — Justice Quince, Justice Pariente, and Justice Perry. In connection with the commission, I know Vice Chair Jake Schickel is seriously exploring the formation of a section devoted to senior members of our Bar,” Hawkins said.Reporting on the legislative process, Hawkins said he and incoming President Gwynne Young visited with more than 30 legislators.“We all must remember that the Bar’s strength, in part, derives from its moral credibility and being nonpartisan. We must remember that The Florida Bar is not a political action committee. It is not a trade union. It does not raise money for candidates. The Bar is primarily a regulatory body that represents the judicial branch before the Legislature,” Hawkins said.“All year, I have been struck by how well the Bar has been received — across the aisles. It is critical that the Bar be nonpartisan and be perceived as an honest broker with the primary function being a commitment to the judicial branch.“Funding for the courts this year was strengthened and maintained at the same level for this next year, as for the past two years. Very significant. I want to compliment House and Senate leadership and the governor for helping to maintain court funding. The mechanism for funding the court system was also stabilized, as core court expenses are now being borne substantially by general revenues. I am hopeful that the liquidity challenge which plagued the judicial branch in the last few years has been ameliorated.”But in the final hours of the 2012 session, Hawkins said, “We unsuccessfully tried to help fashion a legislative compromise” regarding funding for the clerks.“Looking forward, we hope to help the clerks with the financial challenges presented this year,” he said.Relations with the Supreme Court “have been superb,” Hawkins said, noting Bar leadership had four meetings with the court as a whole, and he had several meetings with individual justices.“These regular communications have been extremely helpful to Bar leadership, as we seek to assist in addressing legislative challenges to the judicial branch,” Hawkins said.That “extraordinary” interaction with the justices, Hawkins said, has led him to “respect their service and commitment and appreciate, more than ever before, that the role and work of a judge can be somewhat isolating and lonely, as important issues bearing on the present and future have to be processed by this esteemed body of public servants.”Noting three justices and 15 appellate judges will be on the November retention ballot, Hawkins stressed the importance of what he calls “the merit retention challenge,” because research conducted on behalf of the Bar revealed 90 percent of those participating in the focus group did not know what judicial merit retention means.“Despite this lack of understanding, voters will be asked in November whether to retain or not — on the basis of merit — the judges and justices on the ballot,” Hawkins said. “For years, The Florida Bar has been engaged in voter education and public education efforts. This year, the Board of Governors — 52 elected members — initiated ‘The Vote’s In Your Court: Know the Facts,’ a voter education program devoted to providing public education about merit retention, the history of merit retention in Florida, and the vital role judges play in our democracy.”In closing, Hawkins told how he lost “a dear friend, someone very important to my life and career,” 65-year-old John McCracken, a partner with Jones, Foster, Johnston & Stubbs, where Hawkins practices in West Palm Beach.“Two years ago, if you met John at a Bar function, you would have thought he really had it together: great practice, great reputation, great family, well-prepared for his golden years. And then, cancer came along and stripped him from us.“As I sat in that funeral last fall and listened to the city fathers commend John, it was significant what I heard and what I didn’t hear. What I didn’t hear is anyone talk about how much money John made or the big deals he closed — and there were many.“What I did hear was about how John helped the little guy — and we all have them in our lives — and how John was consistent and a person of character who stood up for the truth and being fair with clients, partners, and adversaries, and how he put his family first.“That is John’s legacy. I share this now because John’s example reinforces the truth: that while we are not all in the same boat, we all leave a wake as we traverse the waters of time. In this sense, we all leave a legacy. I raise this now to urge each of you to reflect on your legacy as lawyers and parents and friends and those with great promise to impact the world.”
“As a team, I think we’re doing a great job of getting one percent better in practice every day and working hard,” Fabian said. “We’re all pushing through it.” “They’re doing a great job, and it’s not just with the start of the season, but even the start of the year going back into the summer,” head coach Jessica Allister said. “They’ve done a great job of being prepared and setting the tone for the work ethic and demonstrating hard work and having fun at the same time.” Outfielder Paige Palkovich is second for total RBIs with seven and recorded eight hits in 28 at-bats for the team. Minnesota’s seniors have begun to make a statement through two weekends of play. Experience powers Gophers deep lineupMinnesota has six seniors this year after graduating seven last season.Liam James Doyle, Daily File PhotoMinnesota catcher Taylor LeMay winds up to pass the ball at the Jane Sage Cowles Stadium on May 1, 2015. Emily PolglazeFebruary 25, 2016Jump to CommentsShare on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via EmailPrintThe Gophers lost seven seniors at the end of last year, but the losses are quickly being made up. The success of the seniors has been a long time coming, and part of a strong work ethic, Palkovich said. Outfielder Sydney Fabian started in seven games for the Gophers and posted a batting average of .375. 
Catcher Taylor LeMay has been a solid contributor for Minnesota as well, recording eight hits in 25 at-bats. “I don’t think any of it is luck,” Palkovich said. “We’ve been fortunate enough to have teammates and coaches who push us every day, and I think we work harder than any team I’ve ever been a part of.” The hard work has paid off for the Gophers, as they’ve gone 5-4 in what Allister said is one of the toughest schedules the team has opened with in recent years. Minnesota’s six seniors are off to an impactful start nine games into the season, on and off the field. Senior outfielder Kayla Wenner started in all nine games and is third on the team with a .360 batting average and second on the team with nine total hits.
In a report last week, researchers described the first human in the United States known to be bitten by an Asian longhorned tick, a rapidly spreading invasive species that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned about last year.Though the 66-year-old man did not get sick, scientists know that Haemaphysalis longicornis can harbor bacteria that can cause human and animal diseases—possibly including Lyme disease—and an investigation into areas where the man lived found the tick in locations other ticks aren’t typically found, which could lead to changes in public health risk messaging.A team from the CDC, New York, and New Jersey reported the findings on May 31 in Clinical Infectious Diseases.The tick was found in the United States for the first time in 2017 on a sheep in New Jersey, and since then, the species has been found in at least 10 states, mainly in the eastern states but also Arkansas. It’s still not known how widespread Asian longhorned ticks are in the United States, but health officials are worried, because they are aggressive biters.Females can produce massive numbers of offspring without mating, and in some parts of the world—such as New Zealand and Australia—the species have reduced production in dairy cattle by 25%.Ticks found on sunny lawnsAccording to the new report, a 66-year-old man from Yonkers, New York, removed a tick from his leg in June 2018. He had not traveled outside his home county for the past 30 days, and his only outdoor exposure was his lawn and one other lawn in the same area. His doctor prescribed him a single 200-milligram dose of doxycycline, presuming that the tick was Ixodes scapularis, the most common US Lyme vector.Later that day, the patient took the tick to the Lyme Disease Diagnostic Center in Westchester, New York. He didn’t have any symptoms at the time and didn’t get sick over the next 3 months.Testing in New York identified the tick as an Asian longhorned tick nymph, with genetic sequencing adding more evidence affirming the finding. The National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, further confirmed the finding.Tick sampling using corduroy drag cloths found Asian longhorned ticks on the patient’s manicured lawn, some of them in direct sun. More were found in the park across the street from the patient’s house, both in open, cut grass exposed to direct sun and in taller, shaded grass next to the woods. Testing also found ticks on a nearby public trail, in mowed short and midlength grass near the trail edge, both in full sun and partial shade. The discovery of the ticks near the man’s house were the first known collections in New York state.The authors wrote that finding the ticks on manicured lawns and in open sun may be significant, because public education efforts often stress that Ixodes scapularis ticks—the most common biting tick in New York state—are found in wooded areas or shaded grass.Next steps for ongoing threatIn a related editorial in the same issue, Bobbi Pritt, MD, MSC, with the division of clinical microbiology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, wrote that though the report of a human bite isn’t surprising, it proves that the invasive longhorned tick continues to bite hosts in its newest location.”This is extremely worrisome for several reasons,” she wrote. One reason is that Asian longhorned ticks can carry several important human pathogens, including the potentially fatal severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) virus and Rickettsia japonica, which cases Japanese spotted fever. “While these pathogens have yet to be found in the United States, there is a risk of their future introduction,” she added.Also, Pritt said several other human pathogens have been detected in the ticks, but it’s not clear the Asian longhorned species are able to transmit them to humans. They include Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Rickettsia, and Borrelia species. Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria.She warned that the organisms are present in states where longhorned ticks have been found and that it’s possible that the tick—known to be an aggressive biter—might be able to transmit Heartland virus, given its close relationship to SFTS virus.Pritt said it’s clear that the invasive species is here to stay for the foreseeable future, and next steps should include public awareness campaigns that incorporate the new information, easy-to-use resources for labs to identify the tick, and more research to understand the implications of the new findings.See also:May 31 Clin Infect Dis abstractMay 31 Clin Infect Dis commentaryNov 30, 2018, CIDRAP News story “CDC: Worrisome longhorned tick spreading rapidly in US”
NMOSI News:SANTA FE — The New Mexico Office of Superintendent of Insurance cautions consumers who have subscribed, or are considering subscribing to health benefit plans offered by Health Care Sharing Ministries (HCSM) that these are not authorized health insurance plans. A HCSM may use marketing practices that suggest its plans include the protections found in approved health insurance plans. However, that may not be correct.These plans may be less expensive than a regulated major medical plan. They may also appear to provide the benefits and protections that a major medical plan is required to provide under the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) and other health insurance regulations. In reality, though, a HCSM plan is an unauthorized insurance product that likely will not provide the protections of an authorized, regulated, and ACA compliant major medical plan.Consumers should be aware of the following regarding HCSM plans:They do NOT comply with the ACA, even if their materials say they do.Many HCSM plans specifically state that they do not guarantee payment for any health care and the member is ultimately responsible for anything the ministry does not pay. This important notification may be obscured or buried in fine print.They typically have restrictions or exclusions on pre-existing conditions, leaving the member uncovered and responsible for the health care costs for treatment of those conditions.Often such programs do not provide mental health coverage or substance use disorder treatment.Members may also be subject to religious or moral restrictions from the sharing ministry, which may leave members responsible for the full costs of health care that result from an activity the ministry does not agree with.Health care providers (doctors, hospitals) are under no obligation to accept or honor discounts from these programs if there is no contract or agreement to do so.“I urge consumers not to purchase health insurance other than an ACA compliant plan. A consumer’s best source for individual and family health plan coverage is to shop affordable major medical coverage with your broker or agent or with BeWellNM.com. If you are outside of the open enrollment period, still contact BeWellNM.com or your broker or agent to see if you qualify for a special enrollment period.” Superintendent of Insurance Russell Toal said. “One of the first questions a consumer should ask before buying insurance from an agent or broker is whether they and the company they are recommending are licensed with the state of New Mexico and what their license numbers are. Licensed agents and brokers should readily provide this information to consumers. If they don’t, it should be a cause for concern.”Consumers who are unsure what kind of coverage they currently have, whether it’s traditional health insurance, a health care sharing ministry plan, or something else, may contact OSI to find out what questions to ask. Contact Viara Ianakieva by email at viara.ianakieva@state.nm.us or by telephone at (505).827.4651.The Superintendent of Insurance is taking action to protect consumers from unauthorized HCSM.Today, OSI issued an Order to Cease and Desist and to Impose Penalties against a HCSM operating in New Mexico. Any person with questions regarding the Cease and Desist Order may contact Rebecca Branch, Assistant Staff Counsel, at rebecca.branch@state.nm.us or (505).827.4535.If a consumer has any problems with a health care sharing ministry, or believes they’ve been deliberately misled by one of these entities, please contact OSI to let the agency know and find out about any available assistance. Any person with such a complaint should contact OSI at 1.855.427.5674 or https://www.osi.state.nm.us/index.php/contact-us/.
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