Latest news with #Beeler
Indianapolis Star
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Indianapolis Star
2025 IndyStar Sports Mom of the Year never says no. 'When help is needed, she is there'
When Tamika Beeler gets in her car, the GPS pulls up her 'work' address as 7802 Hague Road. As it turns out, the GPS is a creature of habit. And while Beeler is not employed at that address, the location of Lawrence North High School, she makes enough trips there — often six days a week during the football season — her car is convinced she is driving to work. 'It just thinks that's where I'm going,' Beeler said with a laugh. Beeler's dedication to Lawrence North started out with the football program. Her youngest son, Caleb, is a senior who will be leaving for college at Indiana Wesleyan later this month. When Caleb was 5 years old, she started helping youth coach Raymond Barnett as the 'team mom.' Those duties started out as making sure the kids had snacks after the games. More than a decade later — from the youth league, to Fall Creek Valley Middle School to Lawrence North — she is like family to those who know her best. 'I'm so thankful for Miss Tamika,' said Lawrence North senior Davion Chandler, an Indiana football recruit who has known Beeler since he was 6 years old. 'I feel like when you have people like that around, you are bound to have seasons like we had last year. You look forward to going out and playing for people who support you the way she does. She's been taking care of me since I was a little boy.' Beeler's selfless dedication and endless energy — Lawrence North football coach Pat Mallory calls her 'my do it all' — makes her the choice as our 2025 IndyStar Mother's Day 'Sports Mom of the Year.' Though the 1999 North Central graduate did not play sports herself, something clicked when she started helping out with Caleb's teams. It was not necessarily the game of football itself she loved, though you can find her — and hear her — about halfway up the bleachers at the 50-yard-line of every Lawrence North game. It was the people Beeler came to love. As Caleb started playing football, she noticed some of the kids did not always have a family member there to support them. It was then her role as 'team mom' took on a different meaning. 'I couldn't care less what sport they are playing whatsoever,' Beeler said. 'All of these kids have a background. They need somebody who is going to understand that. Being out there, you see the parents that come and the parents that don't come. Some of these kids need a, 'You did an amazing job' or 'You killed it out there.' There's nobody to tell them they killed it out there. Some of these kids, they just don't have anything … these kids are what brought me in.' Beeler credits her husband, Rodney Beeler, for making their home a welcome place for kids to hang out. But Rodney, admittedly the more laid back and quiet half of the couple, said he marvels at his wife's generosity. 'Her heart is in it,' Rodney said. 'It's not a chore to her. It's not like, 'Oh, coach (Mallory) called so I gotta go up there.' She wants to help. Some people do it for, 'I get this or that,' but she does it for nothing. She's so good at what she does that it will be hard to fill her shoes.' Thankfully for Lawrence North, at least for now, she is not going anywhere. At the start of the football season last fall, Beeler went out of her way not to make a personal connection with the freshmen. With Caleb going through his senior season, she thought this would be her last year helping out. The fewer the connections, she figured, the easier it would be to walk away. 'With the freshmen this year I was like, 'Nope, don't talk to me,' she said with a laugh. ''(They were like) Miss Tamika, Miss Tamika!' I'm like, 'No, stop it. Stop it.'' That did not last, of course. The bonds strengthened. And now, even though Caleb will be off to college, Beeler is planning to come back and help again next season. Maybe a little bit more in the background. But she will be back. 'When help is needed, she is there,' Lawrence North athletic director Mike Penrose said. 'She never says no. Tamika has become an invaluable part of our Wildcat family, providing a bridge between the coaches, parents and administration. She is loved by so many people around here.' Beeler has three older children: daughter Amaya, 24; son Rodney, 23; and son Jayson, 20. They were all involved in sports, too. But Caleb's personality seemed to mesh best for Tamika to get involved. Caleb calls her 'my best friend.' 'She puts her all into everything,' Caleb said. 'I've been seeing that since I was a kid. She greets everybody with open arms. It's like, 'If Miss Tamika don't like you, you did something wrong.' That's why you don't hear anybody saying they don't like her.' Rodney said Caleb and Tamika have a special bond that is difficult to describe. Their birthdays are two days apart — Sept. 9 and 11 — which may have something to do with it. 'They are just alike,' Rodney said. 'It can go either way. Sometimes I'm the referee. (Caleb) is the baby of the family. But I know he enjoys the support, and I couldn't ask anything more from him. He's always pushing himself.' Mallory is happy to have Tamika back next season. 'I knew you wouldn't leave me,' he told her when she confirmed she was coming back to help next season. 'It's been part of my life for six years,' she said. 'How do you just let it go?' During the football season, often the only day she does not come to school is on Sundays. But if there is youth football, she will come to help with the concession stand. She coordinates the meals through the week, which can mean preparing them, coordinating with the parents and/or making trips to the grocery store. She attends practices. The only other day she does not come to the school — unless there is a home game — is Friday. 'I feel like it will jinx them,' she said. Even though she is not officially part of the coaching staff, she does do some coaching. Just not of the X's and O's variety. 'Some of (the freshmen) are standoffish when they come in,' she said. 'One thing I'm not is easy on them at all. I'm going to hold them accountable. Even if they see me on the field or been sent to me, I'm not going to take it easy on them. I am real with them but I'm not their friend. I want to understand them if they are willing to tell their story. But I'm not going to push or pry.' Part of Beeler's nurturing nature is her background. She went to school for early childhood education with plans to run her own daycare. But once she had kids, she had to make a choice between 'Mommy, mommy, mommy' or 'Miss Tamika.' She raised her kids and worked in social services. But once she started getting involved with Caleb's football teams, she was hooked. Caleb said he could even sense that at an early age. 'She built a bond with all the kids,' he said. 'I knew she was going to play a part in it because that's just how she does everything. It definitely means a lot to her.' Beeler's investment in the kids is obvious on Friday nights. She cheers for the center. The kicker. The coaches. If the public address announcer incorrectly identifies the tackler, she will correct it. 'I want them to know I'm there supporting them,' she said. She is proud all 21 seniors from last year's team that finished 11-1 and was ranked No. 1 in the state will graduate. 'Everybody loves her,' Chandler said. 'When coach Mal rips you, she'll be right there to make you feel better. You can talk to her outside of football stuff. I always look forward to seeing Miss Tamika after games and giving her a hug.' Rodney jokes his wife is more known around Lawrence North than him, even though he graduated from there and she went to North Central. Even outside of football season, she helps out with track and field and is a regular volunteer in the building for other events like teacher's appreciation nights or open houses. 'She's got the steering wheel when it comes to LN,' Rodney said. 'She's the quarterback. I don't know what they would do without her.' Beeler certainly does not do it for recognition. She is not an overly emotional person. But when she found out she had been selected for this award, it brought her to tears. Not because it was about her, but because those close to her felt she was worthy of recognition. 'I know if one of these kids was riding with their parent and saw me on the side of the road, they would stop,' she said. 'I see kids out at their jobs and hear them say, 'Miss Tamika, Miss Tamika!' That means a lot. I like doing this because I want to do good for them, not because there is anything in it for me.' No matter what the GPS says, that does not sound like work at all. Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649. Get IndyStar's high school coverage sent directly to your inbox with the High School Sports newsletter. 2024, Katie Hupfer: 'You can't put a value on playing sports.' 2023, Crystal Clark: 'How Sports Mom of Year dealt with unimaginable.' 2023, Amy Dinwiddle: 'Susan Jordan died a hero. Sports Mom of the Year lives lessons learned from her.' 2022, Susie Strange: 'Her daughter's gym closed. So IndyStar Sports Mom of the Year started a gymnastics team.' 2021, Kris Schepers: 'IndyStar's Sports Mom of the Year 'has been a mother to many more than just her own boys.' 2020, Kathy Loggan: 'It may not be easy, but I'll be here.' Kathy Loggan is this year's Sports Mom of the Year
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Former county commission chair to run for Knox County clerk
KNOX COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) — Richie Beeler, former Knox County Commission chair, announced that he is running for the position of county clerk in 2026. Beeler was appointed to the Commission in December 2018, replacing Dave Wright who had gone on to become a state representative. He was elected again in 2020 but decided not to seek another term after that. Knox County prosecutor fired over social media posts, DA's office to review all cases The current county clerk is Sherry Witt, who is in her last term. Beeler has served as her chief of staff for the last three years. Beeler also has experience as the finance director and office manager for the register of deeds office between 1990 and 2017. He is an ordained Baptist minister. 'An important part of good government is seeking to improve what we already do well,' Beeler said. 'I intend to prioritize the commitment to service and stewardship championed by our current Clerk, while building the culture of integrity and excellence Knox County deserves.' The Republican and Democrat Primaries for county clerk — as well as other local positions such as mayor, trustee and sheriff — are scheduled for May 5, 2026. The general election for these positions is scheduled for August 6, 2026. 'We're getting double whammied right now': Local union president reacts to planned UPS layoffs 'I've given most of my working life to Knox County government, and I understand the level of stewardship these offices demand. They are the government that is closest to the people, and it is vital they have the people's trust. As one of the most important public facing agencies in Knox County, the Clerk's office should set the standard our citizens expect.' Richie Beeler More Election News For the 2026 election, Board of Education Chair Betsy Henderson and Commissioner Larsen Jay annouced that they plan to run for mayor, while Register of Deeds Nick McBride is running against Justin Biggs to be the Trustee. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Knox County Commissioner Richie Beeler will run for clerk
Richie Beeler, a former Knox County commissioner, is running for Knox County clerk in 2026. Beeler, who serves as chief of staff to Clerk Sherry Witt, announced his candidacy to succeed his boss May 6. Witt cannot run for the position again because term limits only allow officials to serve two consecutive full terms. 'I've given most of my working life to Knox County government, and I understand the level of stewardship these offices demand," Beeler said in a release. "They are the government that is closest to the people, and it is vital they have the people's trust. As one of the most important public-facing agencies in Knox County, the clerk's office should set the standard our citizens expect.' Beeler, a Republican, was appointed to represent neighborhoods in east Knox County in 2018 to replace Dave Wright, who won election to the Tennessee House of Representatives. Beeler won election to a full term in 2020 but declined to run for a second term in 2024. 'An important part of good government is seeking to improve what we already do well," Beeler said. "I intend to prioritize the commitment to service and stewardship championed by our current clerk, while building the culture of integrity and excellence Knox County deserves.' Beeler worked in the county's register of deeds office for 31 years before taking a job at his church. He started in Witt's office in 2022, he told Knox News. The primary election is May 5, 2026, and the general election is Aug. 6. Beeler is the only candidate running, but prospects have until Feb. 19 to come forward. Richie Beeler Knox County elected offices The clerk's office is one of eight with elected officials who oversee Knox County departments. The behind-the-scenes work of running Knox County is handled in large part the elected officials who operate completely independent of the county commission and mayor. The eight offices – clerk, circuit court clerk, civil sessions and juvenile court clerk criminal court clerk, law director, property assessor, register of deeds, sheriff and trustee – are elected by Knox County voters every four years like their colleagues in the executive, legislative and judicial branches. The officeholders are subject to almost no oversight. They run their offices like fiefdoms within county government. Here are the offices: Knox County clerk The county clerk is responsible for collecting business taxes, taxes on motor vehicles, managing motor vehicle registrations and licensing, managing marriage licenses and keeping records of public meetings. Voters will elect a new clerk in 2026. Knox County circuit court, civil sessions court and juvenile court clerk The circuit court clerk maintains the files and records of three Knox County courts: circuit, civil sessions and juvenile court. Voters will elect a new circuit court clerk in 2026. Knox County criminal court clerk The criminal court clerk maintains the files and records of the Knox County criminal, general sessions, criminal and fourth circuit courts. The office also handles driver's license reinstatements, expungements and criminal background searches. Voters will elect a new criminal court clerk in 2026. Knox County law director The law director provides legal advice to county officials, serves as an intermediary between the county and other levels of government, and litigates on behalf of the county in civil lawsuits. Knox County property assessor The property assessor determines the value of commercial, residential and personal property. Knox County register of deeds The register of deeds is the record keeper of property legal documents. Voters will elect a new register of deeds in 2026. Knox County sheriff The sheriff is the chief law enforcement officer of the county and the Knox County jail, which means overseeing a staff of well over 1,000 people. Voters will elect a new sheriff in 2026. Knox County trustee The county trustee is responsible for collecting residential, commercial and personal property taxes, accounting for and disbursing county funds and investing money that isn't being used to earn the county interest and investment profits. Voters will elect a trustee in 2026. Allie Feinberg reports on politics for Knox News. Email her: and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @alliefeinberg. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Former Knox County Commissioner Richie Beeler will run for clerk
Newsweek
28-04-2025
- Newsweek
Moment mom Realizes Babysitting For 6 Days Pushed Grandma 'Over The Edge'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. A woman in Oklahoma has shared hilarious footage of the moment she realized babysitting three grandkids for six days may have pushed her mother-in-law "over the edge." It's commonplace in America today for grandparents to assist in the care of grandchildren. In 2024, the University of Michigan's National Poll on Healthy Aging, a nationally representative survey of over 3,400 adults aged 50 to 94, found that almost half (49 percent) have grandchildren under the age of 18 whom they provide care for at least once every few months. The survey found that 30 percent of those with grandchildren under 18 care for one or more grandchildren at least once a week, while 8 percent provide daily or near-daily care. That kind of support is invaluable to parents like Melissa Beeler and her husband, who share three kids and would have considerably less time for themselves were it not for the help they receive from family members like her mother-in-law. "Grandparents are the real MVPs when they step in and help so parents can still take some time for themselves," Beeler said. Everyone has their limits, though, as Beeler discovered when returning from an extended trip away. "We just came back from a cruise in the Bahamas," she said. "We flew in and out of Miami. It was a nice little parents' getaway." But while they were enjoying some much-needed rest and relaxation, her mother-in-law had her hands full. "We were gone for six days. Our kids are 3, 7, and 9 years old," Beeler said. "Everything went okay while we were gone. She is so great and watches our kids for us when we go out of town, but this time, we had two new puppies to add to the mix." That might go some way to explaining her mother-in-law's reaction when they returned from their trip. In footage Beeler captured on her phone and later shared to her TikTok, melissabeeler2, her mom can be seen walking straight to her car with her bags packed as they pull up. "Her bags were packed and she was ready to go," Beeler wrote alongside the video. "Where are you going, Mimi?" Beeler can be heard calling out on the video, with her mother-in-law unresponsive and solely focused on making a beeline to her car. Beeler is still mindful of calling out "thank you" before she departs, though. While she's never had any issues with the kids before, Beeler reckoned adding two young dogs to the mix had complicated matters this time around. "I think that is what put her over the edge," Beeler said. "They are pretty naughty." Beeler said that while her mother-in-law had never left that quickly before, she did later explain that she was simply "very tired" after the past week and that while her reaction was unexpected, it was not without merit. "We were surprised but totally understood," Beeler said. "Three kids and two puppies are hard to handle." Beeler shared the footage because she saw it as "funny and relatable." The family has certainly laughed about it since. She hopes others who go through similar can laugh about their own experiences while respecting the great support grandparents can provide.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Knoxville auto repair customers waited up to 2 years for their cars and still paid thousands. Here's why
Customers across Knoxville were left without their cars — or their money — after trusting auto shop owner Jason Beeler with costly repairs, according to WATE 6 On Your Side. Beeler, the sole operator of Affordable Automotive Repair, is under investigation after police found more than a dozen vehicles in his locked shop, many of them untouched despite advanced payments. I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) Here are 3 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? Several customers said they were strung along for months with excuses, and some claimed Beeler even refused to return their cars when they asked for them back. One even prepaid $10,000 for repairs they never received. 'I have the receipts and everything,' said Kevin Villatoro, who hadn't seen his 2002 Honda sports car since early 2024. By this point, customers just needed answers. After receiving multiple complaints, Knoxville Police obtained a search warrant and had the building manager unlock Affordable Automotive Repair's garage. Inside, investigators found over a dozen vehicles in various states of disrepair. Some engines had been removed; others appeared untouched. Among the cars was Len Nymeyer's 1964 Ford Thunderbird. He paid Beeler $8,000 in January and hadn't seen his car since. 'I'm hoping it is in the building, but I don't know,' Nymeyer said before the search. His car's engine hadn't been touched, according to WATE 6 News. John Kohlman's 1967 Pontiac Grand Prix was also in the shop for a front-end repair. Beeler said it would take two weeks. But five months later, during the police search, officers found the engine had been removed. Police documented each vehicle as part of their ongoing investigation. In some cases, parts were found scattered across the shop floor. Erasto Abalos had waited two years for an engine rebuild on his 1956 Ford — only to discover the engine in pieces. 'He kept saying it would be ready in two weeks,' Abalos told reporters. Beeler was charged in March with three felony counts unrelated to his auto repair business and is currently in Knox County Jail. Detectives are expected to conclude their investigation soon, which will determine whether additional charges related to the alleged repair fraud will be filed. Read more: Trump warns his tariffs will spark a 'disturbance' in America — use this 1 dead-simple move to help shockproof your retirement plans ASAP Stories like these are unsettling — especially for busy car owners who may not know the warning signs to watch for. Here are a few ways to protect yourself from shady shop owners. Always request a written estimate that includes parts, labor and potential additional costs from a licensed shop. This gives you a baseline for comparison and can help you dispute charges later if something feels off. If the bill seems high, consider taking the vehicle to a second repair shop for another opinion. Trustworthy mechanics will take time to explain the repairs, show you the issue and won't pressure you into immediate service. Ask for the specific diagnostic code or the part that's causing the problem. If a mechanic can't explain the issue clearly — or seems evasive or rude — it's a sign to find another shop. The mechanic's explanation will also help you learn more about your vehicle — which could save you from unnecessary repairs in the future. Be wary of pushy upsells, especially on services like fluid flushes or premature brake pad replacements. Dishonest mechanics might pull out a dirty air filter (that may not be yours) and tell you it's urgent to replace it, or claim to find a cracked hose or damaged part caused by their inspection. The more you know about your car's symptoms — like odd noises, warning lights or performance issues — the better. Research common fixes and average costs ahead of time. Being informed gives you leverage and helps you spot inflated estimates or unnecessary repairs. Not every mechanic is out to scam you, but the ones who are often count on customers being uninformed. Doing your homework and asking the right questions can go a long way in protecting your vehicle — and your wallet. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Cost-of-living in America is still out of control — and prices could keep climbing. Use these 3 'real assets' to protect your wealth today, no matter what Trump does This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
