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News24
12 minutes ago
- News24
Drama as Safa playoffs halted by Eastern Cape High Court order
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Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
An Alabama elementary student and a camp director among those killed in devasting Texas floods
A beloved director of Texas summer camp for girls. An Alabama elementary student away from home. A woman found dead after an intensive search. These are a few of the dozens of victims lost in devastating flooding in Texas. The flooding in central Texas originated from the fast-moving waters on the Guadalupe River on Friday, killing more than 50 people, including 15 children. Authorities say search and rescue efforts are still underway for dozens missing from a summer camp for girls. JANE RAGSDALE Jane Ragsdale, 68, devoted her life to the Heart O'the Hills Camp, a summer camp for girls in Texas Hill Country. She was a camper and counselor there herself in the 1970s before becoming a co-owner. By the 1980s, she was director of the camp in Hunt. 'She was the heart of The Heart,' the camp said in a statement. 'She was our guiding light, our example, and our safe place. She had the rare gift of making every person feel seen, loved, and important.' Since the camp was between sessions, no children were staying there when the floodwaters rose. The camp's facilities, directly in the path of the flood, were extensively damaged and access to the site remained difficult, according to camp officials. The camp has been in existence since the 1950s. Camp officials said Ragsdale would be remembered for her strength and wisdom. 'We are heartbroken. But above all, we are grateful,' the camp said. 'Grateful to have known her, to have learned from her, and to carry her light forward.' In a 2015 oral history for the Kerr County Historical Commission, Ragsdale, whose first name was Cynthie, but went by her middle name Jane, talked about how her father was also a camp director and how much she enjoyed her experiences. 'I loved every minute of camp from the first time I stepped foot in one,' she recalled. Videos of Ragsdale strumming a guitar and singing to campers during a recent session were posted in a memorial on the camp's Facebook page: 'Life is good today. So keep singing 'til we meet, again.' SARAH MARSH Eight-year-old Sarah Marsh from Alabama had been attending Camp Mystic in Texas, a longtime Christian girls camp in Hunt where several others were killed in the floods. Several dozen children were still missing early Sunday. Marsh was a student at Cherokee Bend Elementary in suburban Birmingham. 'This is an unimaginable loss for her family, her school, and our entire community,' Mountain Brook Mayor Stewart Welch said in a Facebook post. 'Sarah's passing is a sorrow shared by all of us, and our hearts are with those who knew and loved her.' He said the community — where about 20,000 people reside — would rally behind the Marsh family as they grieved. U.S. Sen. Katie Britt of Alabama also noted the girl's tragic death. 'We continue to pray for the victims' loved ones, the survivors, those who are still missing, and our brave first responders as search and rescue efforts continue in Texas,' she said in a post on social media platform X. TANYA BURWICK Tanya Burwick, 62, had been reported missing early Friday and was last seen driving in the San Angelo area, which was also affected by rising floodwaters. Police investigating her disappearance found her unoccupied SUV fully submerged in floodwaters later that day. When search efforts became too dangerous by evening, police suspended operations until the following morning. That's when Burwick's body was found just blocks from her vehicle. 'Our hearts are heavy as we extend our deepest condolences to Ms. Burwick's family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,' the San Angelo Police Department said in a Facebook post. 'We ask that the public continue to keep the Burwick family in their thoughts and prayers as they navigate this heartbreaking tragedy.' Police in San Angelo said more than 12,000 houses, barns and other buildings have been affected by the floods in the community of roughly 100,000 people.
Fox News
2 hours ago
- Fox News
Parents are splurging on luxury vacations their kids won't remember
In today's fast-paced world, where both parents are often working full-time jobs, guilt can creep in quickly. You miss a few school events. You get home after bedtime. You feel like you're not showing up enough as a mom or dad. And so, to make up for it, you decide to go big because you really believe your kids are going to love it. You book an over-the-top family vacation – the kind of trip that screams "We're doing great!" or "Let me show you how much money we are making!" But here's the problem: you're likely spending money you shouldn't, and worse, your kids won't even remember it. If they are under the age of 5, let's face it, you are doing this for own edification and not for memories that your kids will thank you for one day. Let's take one of the most common examples: Disney World. If you have a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old, and you're thinking,"Let's do Disney now – it's on our bucket list!" – stop right there. It's not just the theme park tickets anymore. You're talking about staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, booking Fast Passes for every ride, making breakfast reservations with Mickey and friends, and buying custom princess dresses or Star Wars gear. Suddenly, this vacation becomes a full-throttle production that costs upwards of $10,000. And all you are thinking is, "My kids will really thank me for this one day!" No, they won't. And what happens two days in? You're sweating in 90-degree heat, holding a soggy ice cream cone, while your kids melt down because they're overstimulated and exhausted. You're standing in a two-hour line without the Fast Pass for a 90-second ride, wondering how this was supposed to be "magical." You didn't really plan this trip for them – you planned it to compensate for your own guilt. You're trying to prove something: that you're still great parents even though work is hectic, life is busy and time together feels scarce. But here's the truth: kids don't need extravagant experiences. You could spend half that money – maybe less – and create just as meaningful a vacation. All it takes is a decent hotel with a pool, some unstructured time, some Scooby snacks and your full attention. No e-mail. No cellphone calls in the hallway. None of that. Young children remember how they felt more than what they did. They remember giggling in the pool, eating pancakes in pajamas and getting tucked in at night after a fun-filled day. They don't care if the pancakes came from a five-star resort or a roadside diner. Even worse than overspending is the message we send our kids when we attach love and success to big, flashy purchases and posing for Instagram photos. They learn that money solves emotional problems. That you can buy your way into being a good parent. That memorable means expensive. Those are dangerous financial lessons that will follow them into adulthood. As they get older, you'll get resentful that they don't thank you for staying at the St. Regis or even worse, they'll grow to expect it. As a financial advisor, I've seen families go into debt for these vacations, just to post a few great photos and keep up with what their friends appear to be doing. But what happens when the credit card bill shows up? Or when you can't afford something your family actually needs later? That guilt will stick around much longer than any photo op with Cinderella. Vacations should be about connection, not compensation. When your kids grow up, they won't remember whether you stayed at the Four Seasons or the Fairfield Inn. They'll remember the belly laughs, the bedtime stories, the moments when you were really present.
