Latest news with #Bernhard
American Press
11-07-2025
- Business
- American Press
School Board puts off HVAC decision for west side of district
(American Press Archives) The decision on the HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) contract for the west side of the Calcasieu Parish school district has been halted a second time. A heated discussion about splitting HVAC contracts between two companies – one for the west side and one for the east side of the parish – that began in June was carried into the July Calcasieu Parish School Board meeting on Tuesday. The board was divided on the decision to move forward with splitting the district by maintaining Johnson Controls (JCI) services on the east side of the parish and granting a contract to a different company on the west side of the parish. The other three companies considered were Bernhard, Corporate Mechanical Contractors (CMC) and STAR. CPSB completed a request for proposals for HVAC services to begin on Nov. 1, 2025. The district's intention to complete the RFP was voiced at the October 2024 regular meeting, following a request from the long-range planning committee. At the same meeting, CPSB recommended that the board extend the contract with JCI for one year while the RFP was created by CSRS, a consulting firm. In June, the board was presented with the RFP and staff recommendations. After about two hours of discussion, the board voted to award the east side to JCI. The decision on the west side was delayed until July, so that staff could present more detailed recommendations. Board members were concerned about several things, including the higher cost of services for companies other than JCI, the number of available HVAC technicians, and the way distance would affect the quality of service. RFP interviews were held by CPSB staff in June. Superintendent Jason VanMetre said at the July meeting that staff found that since all companies could provide quality services, 'staff felt that price was a deciding factor and recommended Lafayette-based Bernhard. Bernhard's base annual cost of service is approximately $2.5 million, plus $433,628 for the cost of controls, totalling just over $3 million. STAR's base cost is $3.4 million, plus $377,160 for the cost of controls, totalling $3.8 million. CMC's base cost of service would have been $4.2 million, plus $3.3 million for controls cost, totaling $7.6 million. Bernhard and CMC would provide eight to 10 employees. STAR would provide 12 to 15. The proposals also include potential additional costs to convert CPSB's HVAC controls to a graphical user interface (GUI), which would modernize the district's systems. In the STAR contract, GUI conversion is required. At the start of the discussion, board member Tony O'Banion, District 10, suggested that the board actually grant the west side contract to JCI and dedicate $1 million annually to replace equipment throughout the district. He stated that while CPSB has had issues with JCI's services over the years, the service has improved since the district put millions into HVAC infrastructure. 'For years, we have chosen to cut the budget, and there were probably valid reasons at the time. We probably needed to cut,' he said. 'But we cut to the point where they couldn't perform. Once we increased it … they've done better. They've done preventative maintenance.' JCI's proposal for the west side includes 17 employees in the service area for a total cost of $2.4 million, with an optional first-year cost to convert to GUI controls. Board member Dean Roberts, District 6, suggested the board be willing to spend more money for better service, as 'Johnson Controls has not performed. Period.' 'We all debated that and we decided to split it. 'Here, we've gone through that process. We didn't do this to find the lowest price, the cheapest price, so we end up in the same boat. … Cheap has not worked.' After a series of failed motions, the board ultimately decided to table the discussion until August with a vote of 11-4. Board members Russell Castille, District 12; Glenda Gay, District 3; Aaron Natali, District 1; and Roberts voted against the tabling.
Bangkok Post
08-07-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Thailand weighs casino legalisation
As Thailand edges closer to legalising casinos under its proposed Entertainment Complex Bill, the debate over potential benefits and risks is intensifying. But the future of the bill is now in doubt. Amid mounting public opposition to casinos, the legislation has stalled in parliament and may be withdrawn entirely -- a reflection of just how controversial the idea remains in this predominantly Buddhist country. Thailand's heavy reliance on tourism -- accounting for up to 20% of its economy -- has prompted policymakers to consider whether integrated resorts, complete with casinos, could reinvigorate the sector. Proponents argue it could help revive a stagnating tourism industry. Opponents warn that the social costs may outweigh any economic gains. For Bo Bernhard, Vice President of Economic Development at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, this is familiar territory. For the past three decades, Mr Bernhard has advised governments on the economic and social impacts of casino-driven tourism, from Singapore and South Korea to South Africa and Japan. Lesson from Singapore Speaking to the Bangkok Post's Deeper Dive podcast, Mr Bernhard told stakeholders that Thailand now faces the same dilemma Singapore confronted more than two decades ago. "At the time, the Singapore Tourism Board admitted, 'We're a beautiful country, a business hub, a banking centre, but ... we're afraid we're a little bit boring,'" he recalled. The city-state feared tourists would fly in for a conference, then rush straight back to the airport. Singapore ultimately adopted the concept of the "fun economy" by introducing integrated resorts, including the iconic Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa. The result: tourism grew by 10%, the nation's GDP increased, and Singapore became a destination where families now choose to holiday, not just pass through. The lesson, Mr Bernhard said, is simple. "If you don't create new rides at the amusement park, people stop coming. That's as true for Las Vegas and Orlando as it is for Bangkok or Phuket." Nobody thinks of Thailand as boring, of course. However, the kingdom, he argued, is showing signs of slowing tourism. "If you are Tokyo and tourism is just a side business, that's manageable. But for Thailand, stagnation in tourism is devastating," he warned. Mega-resorts, anchored by casinos, have proven to be powerful tools for reviving flagging tourism sectors worldwide, he said. Crime, Addiction, Resistance The economic benefits are only one side of the equation. Mr Bernhard acknowledged widespread concerns about gambling addiction -- a "sickness of our time", as he described it. "We live in an era where problems of excess, whether it's gambling, alcohol, or even social media, are more devastating than problems of deficiency," he told the podcast. Thailand, which currently bans almost all forms of gambling, has little in the way of support services for problem gamblers. But Mr Bernhard pointed to Singapore as a case study showing that legalisation can actually lead to better public health outcomes, if properly managed. Contrary to expectations, Singapore's problem gambling rate fell after the opening of the integrated resorts, thanks to rigorous safeguards, education, and treatment programmes. Concerns about crime also loom large. Mr Bernhard argued that, when properly regulated, casinos are actually a poor choice for criminal enterprises. "A casino is the worst place to launder money," he said. "Every dollar is monitored by cameras, by humans, by digital systems. The chips themselves are traceable." But the key, he cautioned, is enforcement. "You need a strong regulatory framework. If it's weak, or if there's corruption, then yes, the risks are real," he said. In Thailand, many question whether the government has the capacity to enforce such standards. Mr Bernhard admitted the risk cannot be dismissed but noted that modern surveillance and tracking systems offer strong deterrents, if used properly. To further address addiction concerns, Thailand's draft bill proposes limiting casino access to foreign tourists and the ultra-wealthy. Locals would reportedly have to prove bank deposits of 50 million baht -- a threshold that would effectively bar 99.8% of Thais. Mr Bernhard questioned the practicality of this. "Singapore uses a S$100 entry fee to discourage impulsive or excessive gambling. But requiring proof of vast wealth is unprecedented and may not be workable," he said. His view was clear: locals should be allowed entry if they can afford it and if adequate safeguards are in place. "It's about choice," he said. "If the right protections are built, people should be allowed to make that decision." Beyond the immediate debate about addiction and crime, Mr Bernhard pointed to a global shift. "For the first time in human history, more than 50% of the world's population is middle class or above," he said. "And what do people buy when they enter the middle class? They buy experiences." With regional competitors like Japan and Singapore already capitalising on this boom, Thailand risks falling behind. "It's like standing at the dawn of the automobile age and saying, 'No thanks, we'll skip that,'" he said. Ultimately, the decision rests with the Thai public and its lawmakers. "If you are morally opposed to gambling, that's your choice and it's a perfectly valid one," he said. "Our job as researchers isn't to argue morality. It's to give governments the data to make informed decisions." For now, with the Entertainment Complex Bill stalled and possibly facing withdrawal, Thailand's gamble on the future of its tourism economy remains unresolved. Scan the QR code to watch the full interview in the latest edition of Bangkok Post's Deeper Dive podcast.
The Advertiser
08-05-2025
- The Advertiser
Jury discharged after deadlock, bullying claim in dangerous driving trial
The jury in a NSW trial has been discharged after it was deadlocked and unable to reach a verdict, amid accusations of bullying among the jurors. As the jury continued its deliberations on North Nowra man Nathan Bernhard's trial at Nowra District Court on Thursday, May 8, a note was passed to Judge Christopher O'Brien, raising concerns about behaviour within the jury room. He read to the court the note that said: "Your honour, I wish to bring to your attention the behaviour of some of the jury members who are not being objective and/or listening to other people's opinions, to a point where I feel pressured to make a decision that I'm not comfortable with, and/or goes against the affirmation I swore to." Another note was passed from the jury just a few minutes later, saying jurors were at an impasse and would not be able to reach a unanimous decision. Judge O'Brien said that when the note was passed, there were signs of emotional distress among some of the jurors. He discharged the jury, with the matter returning to be re-tried at a later date. Nathan Peter Bernhard, 29, of McMahons Road, North Nowra, is charged with two counts of dangerous driving occasioning death over an incident on May 31, 2023, in which two of his friends died. The men Bobby Kelsall, 36, and Stephen Lippis, 41, were both lying on the middle on the roadway in Condie Crescent, North Nowra, when they were hit and killed by Bernhard, who was driving in Isuzu D-Max ute. The jury heard the trio had been drinking together for much of the afternoon, but as Bernhard left the address he travelled along Condie Crescent before performing a U-turn at the end of the cul-de-sac. During an interview with police that was aired in court, Bernhard said as he headed back along the road he went around a parked truck, but when he glanced over to see if his friends were still beside the road his car hit something. He stopped straight away, and in the rear vision mirror saw two bodies on the road. Emergency services were called, but both men died at the scene. When Bernhard was taken back to the Nowra Police Station a blood alcohol test revealed a blood alcohol level of 0.090, while blood and urine samples taken later at Shoalhaven Hospital recorded a level of 0.071. The jury in a NSW trial has been discharged after it was deadlocked and unable to reach a verdict, amid accusations of bullying among the jurors. As the jury continued its deliberations on North Nowra man Nathan Bernhard's trial at Nowra District Court on Thursday, May 8, a note was passed to Judge Christopher O'Brien, raising concerns about behaviour within the jury room. He read to the court the note that said: "Your honour, I wish to bring to your attention the behaviour of some of the jury members who are not being objective and/or listening to other people's opinions, to a point where I feel pressured to make a decision that I'm not comfortable with, and/or goes against the affirmation I swore to." Another note was passed from the jury just a few minutes later, saying jurors were at an impasse and would not be able to reach a unanimous decision. Judge O'Brien said that when the note was passed, there were signs of emotional distress among some of the jurors. He discharged the jury, with the matter returning to be re-tried at a later date. Nathan Peter Bernhard, 29, of McMahons Road, North Nowra, is charged with two counts of dangerous driving occasioning death over an incident on May 31, 2023, in which two of his friends died. The men Bobby Kelsall, 36, and Stephen Lippis, 41, were both lying on the middle on the roadway in Condie Crescent, North Nowra, when they were hit and killed by Bernhard, who was driving in Isuzu D-Max ute. The jury heard the trio had been drinking together for much of the afternoon, but as Bernhard left the address he travelled along Condie Crescent before performing a U-turn at the end of the cul-de-sac. During an interview with police that was aired in court, Bernhard said as he headed back along the road he went around a parked truck, but when he glanced over to see if his friends were still beside the road his car hit something. He stopped straight away, and in the rear vision mirror saw two bodies on the road. Emergency services were called, but both men died at the scene. When Bernhard was taken back to the Nowra Police Station a blood alcohol test revealed a blood alcohol level of 0.090, while blood and urine samples taken later at Shoalhaven Hospital recorded a level of 0.071. The jury in a NSW trial has been discharged after it was deadlocked and unable to reach a verdict, amid accusations of bullying among the jurors. As the jury continued its deliberations on North Nowra man Nathan Bernhard's trial at Nowra District Court on Thursday, May 8, a note was passed to Judge Christopher O'Brien, raising concerns about behaviour within the jury room. He read to the court the note that said: "Your honour, I wish to bring to your attention the behaviour of some of the jury members who are not being objective and/or listening to other people's opinions, to a point where I feel pressured to make a decision that I'm not comfortable with, and/or goes against the affirmation I swore to." Another note was passed from the jury just a few minutes later, saying jurors were at an impasse and would not be able to reach a unanimous decision. Judge O'Brien said that when the note was passed, there were signs of emotional distress among some of the jurors. He discharged the jury, with the matter returning to be re-tried at a later date. Nathan Peter Bernhard, 29, of McMahons Road, North Nowra, is charged with two counts of dangerous driving occasioning death over an incident on May 31, 2023, in which two of his friends died. The men Bobby Kelsall, 36, and Stephen Lippis, 41, were both lying on the middle on the roadway in Condie Crescent, North Nowra, when they were hit and killed by Bernhard, who was driving in Isuzu D-Max ute. The jury heard the trio had been drinking together for much of the afternoon, but as Bernhard left the address he travelled along Condie Crescent before performing a U-turn at the end of the cul-de-sac. During an interview with police that was aired in court, Bernhard said as he headed back along the road he went around a parked truck, but when he glanced over to see if his friends were still beside the road his car hit something. He stopped straight away, and in the rear vision mirror saw two bodies on the road. Emergency services were called, but both men died at the scene. When Bernhard was taken back to the Nowra Police Station a blood alcohol test revealed a blood alcohol level of 0.090, while blood and urine samples taken later at Shoalhaven Hospital recorded a level of 0.071. The jury in a NSW trial has been discharged after it was deadlocked and unable to reach a verdict, amid accusations of bullying among the jurors. As the jury continued its deliberations on North Nowra man Nathan Bernhard's trial at Nowra District Court on Thursday, May 8, a note was passed to Judge Christopher O'Brien, raising concerns about behaviour within the jury room. He read to the court the note that said: "Your honour, I wish to bring to your attention the behaviour of some of the jury members who are not being objective and/or listening to other people's opinions, to a point where I feel pressured to make a decision that I'm not comfortable with, and/or goes against the affirmation I swore to." Another note was passed from the jury just a few minutes later, saying jurors were at an impasse and would not be able to reach a unanimous decision. Judge O'Brien said that when the note was passed, there were signs of emotional distress among some of the jurors. He discharged the jury, with the matter returning to be re-tried at a later date. Nathan Peter Bernhard, 29, of McMahons Road, North Nowra, is charged with two counts of dangerous driving occasioning death over an incident on May 31, 2023, in which two of his friends died. The men Bobby Kelsall, 36, and Stephen Lippis, 41, were both lying on the middle on the roadway in Condie Crescent, North Nowra, when they were hit and killed by Bernhard, who was driving in Isuzu D-Max ute. The jury heard the trio had been drinking together for much of the afternoon, but as Bernhard left the address he travelled along Condie Crescent before performing a U-turn at the end of the cul-de-sac. During an interview with police that was aired in court, Bernhard said as he headed back along the road he went around a parked truck, but when he glanced over to see if his friends were still beside the road his car hit something. He stopped straight away, and in the rear vision mirror saw two bodies on the road. Emergency services were called, but both men died at the scene. When Bernhard was taken back to the Nowra Police Station a blood alcohol test revealed a blood alcohol level of 0.090, while blood and urine samples taken later at Shoalhaven Hospital recorded a level of 0.071.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ashland's highly recruited quarterback Nathan Bernhard commits to Appalachian State
Ashland High School's highly-recruited junior quarterback Nathan Bernhard announced on Friday that he has committed to NCAA Division I Appalachian State. The 6-foot-6 Bernhard, a three-star quarterback who is currently ranked as the No. 24 ranked high school quarterback in the country by 247 Sports for the Class of 2026, was recruited by a number of Division I programs since his sophomore year such as Michigan, Michigan State, Indiana, Louisville, Duke, Iowa State, Penn State, West Virginia, Bowling Green and Akron. Advertisement More: More seasoned, Ashland's Nathan Bernhard has taken full command of Arrows' offense Ashland quarterback Nathan Bernhard. Appalachian State, which plays in the Sun Belt Conference, finished 5-6 in 2024. Bernhard is coming off a junior campaign where he helped lead Ashland to a 12-1 record, an undefeated regular season, an outright Ohio Cardinal Conference title and an appearance in the Division II regional semifinals. Bernhard threw for 2,895 passing yards with 60.5% completion percentage and tallied 24 touchdown passes to just four interceptions. He also broke school records for the most rushing yards (1,221) and rushing touchdowns (22) by a quarterback in a single season. He was named the Division II All-Northwest District Co-Offensive Player of the Year and OCC Offensive Player of the Year. This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Ashland QB makes college commitment
USA Today
20-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Michigan football now favored for two 2026 quarterbacks, including 5-star
Michigan football now favored for two 2026 quarterbacks, including 5-star Michigan football is taking no chances when it comes to bringing in the quarterback of the future. The Wolverines went a couple of cycles after J.J. McCarthy made it to campus without getting a top-tier quarterback, and thus, the pickings were slim in 2024. Then, in 2025, the maize and blue swung for the fences and brought in Bryce Underwood, the top quarterback in the country. It had appeared that Michigan football had its 2026 quarterback when Cocoa (Fla.) four-star Brady Hart committed last summer, but when Underwood pledged, Hart reclassified to 2025 and flipped to Texas A&M. Since, the Wolverines have been tied to a few different signal callers. One quarterback that the Wolverines are in good shape with is Ashland (Ohio) three-star Nathan Bernhard, who has an On3 prediction from Steve Wiltfong that he put in back on April 5. But on April 20, Wiltfong put in another prediction -- without rescinding his Bernhard prediction. Previously committed to Florida State, Wiltfong now anticipates that the Wolverines will land Newbury Park (Calif.) four-star Brady Smigiel, who just recently visited campus. Smigiel is rated highest on Rivals, where he's a five-star at No. 23 overall. The On3 Industry Ranking has him ranked 84th in the country and the eighth-best quarterback. He was expected to be a heavy lean to Washington, but the Huskies just took another QB in Derek Zammit, precluding Smigiel from likely ending up in Seattle. 247Sports' Greg Biggins compares Smigiel to former NY Giants QB Daniel Jones: Smigiel is a big, strong armed pocket passer who has put up huge numbers since his freshman season. At the recent Under Armour Next Camp in SoCal, he had a very strong showing, with a tightened release and his usual trademark accuracy to all three levels of the field. He's very accurate down the field, knows how to change speeds and throws with really nice touch but can put plenty of heat on his throws when he needs to. He's a tough kid, will stand in and take a shot and not flinch. Great natural leader, locker room guy and teammate. Very high football lQ, dad is his coach so he has been around the game and has a good natural feel for playing the position. Has decent pocket mobility, not a great runner but can buy time and is good making throws outside the pocket. Projects as a high major Power 4 prospect with Sunday potential. The Wolverines have also been pursuing Ryder Lyons, a five-star quarterback in 2026, but with Lyons set to go on a Mormon mission, it's unclear what the maize and blue intend to do, whether it will take Bernhard and Lyons, Bernhard and Smigiel, or some other combination.
