Latest news with #AaronBaker
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Biggest fundraising event for Spencerport fire is back
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Tonight, the Spencerport Firemen's Carnival kicks off with the kiddie parade, and it runs until Saturday. This has been an annual tradition since 1927, and it's Spencerport Volunteer Fire's biggest fundraising event of the year. Using funds from the 2022 carnival, they were able to buy the $20,000 LUCAS device. It's a machine that does chest compressions for someone having a heart attack. Spencerport Firemen's Carnival updates security protocols after last year's incidents 'It's really important that the community knows that their dollars are being well spent,' said Aaron Baker, the president of the Spencerport Volunteer Firemen's Association. 'It saves the responders time, it saves them energy because they're not doing compressions themselves —they're using this device to do those compressions for them. Those types of things are critical for us, and the tools that we use to help save lives.' During the 2024 Firemen's Carnival, over 200 people broke out into fights as things were wrapping up, which led to a police response. To avoid that, they have updated security protocols for this year's event, including fencing the perimeter, minors must be accompanied, pets are not allowed, and weapons are banned. So, familiarize yourself with those rules before you have some fun. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Without input from teachers, our Legislature has given us a bad cellphone law
The latest misguided legislation to be mandated to Oklahoma public schools is Senate Bill 139. This measure, which Gov. Kevin Stitt signed May 5, requires Oklahoma school districts to adopt a cellphone ban policy for a full year, beginning in August 2025. The language of this abbreviated two-page bill is the result of compromise between the two chambers over words like 'shall' and 'may.' The Oklahoma Legislature loves to dictate to educators what they, the lawmakers, think is best for Oklahoma students. Oklahoma lawmakers also frequently pass laws with little to no 'fiscal impact,' without considering the very real cost to the people who will actually implement the laws ― building administration and teachers. The result is a host of education laws that are nothing more than the heavy burden of unfunded mandates. More: Cellphones will be banned in Oklahoma schools for 2025-26 school year: What to know Cellphone use in schools is a complicated issue that will not be solved through simple mandates. Everyone in education, no exceptions, has a nuanced opinion on the pros and cons of personal devices in the classroom. The issue of cellphones in schools would have provided the perfect opportunity for public testimony to be utilized as a vital part of the legislative process. Oklahoma needs a public hearing component in the Legislature, something significantly more robust than interim studies that often do not allow public comment. Cellphone use in schools is a complicated issue that will not be solved through simple mandates, guest columnist writes. The majority of educators agree that cellphones constitute a problem that needs to be addressed. But SB 139 is a short-sighted 'solution' that will likely play out as follows: Oklahoma legislators pat themselves on the back after passing a cellphone ban that includes no assistance, financial or otherwise. Local district administration fulfill their requirement by adopting a one year policy banning cellphones from schools. Building level administrators are faced with the very difficult choice of implementing the policy at the door as students enter every morning or simply passing the buck and placing the onus of implementation squarely on the backs of teachers. A teacher single-handedly barring cellphones from their classroom is taking on an additional unpaid part-time job. An effective ban would require partnerships across all levels: teachers, building administrators, district administration and lawmakers. More: Opinion: Compromises between students, parents, educators could address cellphone issues The Oklahoma Legislature has already indicated that they are only interested in mandates and not partnerships. Time will tell how district and building level administrators respond to SB 139. Worst case scenario: full implementation becomes the sole responsibility of already-overtasked teachers, and the teacher shortage shifts from terrible to unimaginable. Aaron Baker Aaron Baker is a high school social studies teacher and musician living in northwest Oklahoma City. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: New Oklahoma law on cellphones unlikely to help much | Opinion
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Central Florida voters select candidates for Special Election in U.S. House District 6
The Brief In Tuesday's Republican primary, State Sen. Randy Fine, of Melbourne Beach, secured the nomination, defeating Aaron Baker, a general contractor from Sorrento, and Ehsan Joarder, a business owner from Brooksville. On the Democratic side, Josh Weil, an educator from Orlando, won the nomination, defeating George A. "Ges" Selmont, a filmmaker from Elkton. Fine and Weil will now face off in the general election on April 1. ORLANDO, Fla. - Voters in four Central Florida counties have chosen the Republican and Democratic candidates who will compete in a special election to fill the U.S. House District 6 seat previously held by Mike Waltz. Waltz, who was reelected in November to represent parts of Flagler, Lake, Marion, and Volusia counties, recently stepped down after being appointed as President Donald Trump's national security advisor. In Tuesday's Republican primary, State Sen. Randy Fine, of Melbourne Beach, secured the nomination, defeating Aaron Baker, a general contractor from Sorrento, and Ehsan Joarder, a business owner from Brooksville. On the Democratic side, Josh Weil, an educator from Orlando, won the nomination, defeating George A. "Ges" Selmont, a filmmaker from Elkton. Fine and Weil will now face off in the general election on April 1. Eligible voters in the district can find their polling locations through their county's Supervisor of Elections website: Flagler County: All voters in Flagler County are eligible for this election. Lake County: Voters in northern Lake County are eligible. Marion County: Voters in eastern Marion County can participate. Volusia County: Residents in northern Volusia County are eligible. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on election day. The Source The information in this article comes from the Lake County Supervisor of Elections website and the AP.
