Latest news with #BettyThompson
CTV News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Beloved CKCO host's legacy continues
The legacy of a former CKCO host lives on with the return of a beloved event. Despite the rain early Thursday morning, nothing could dampen the enthusiasm at the Betty Thompson Golf Classic. The event is an annual tradition run by the Zonta Club of Kitchener-Waterloo. Thompson spent most of her career at CKCO in Kitchener. She was welcomed into homes across the country as one of the beloved hosts of the children's program Romper Room. betty thompson ckco ctv kitchener romper room Miss Betty (Thompson) on Romper Room. She was also one of the founding members of the local chapter of the Zonta Club. Throughout her life, her passion for the community was clear as she took on roles at the Salvation Army, the John Howard Society, the Victorian Order of Nurses and the United Way, among others. In 1990 she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Betty turned her personal tragedy into a public campaign focused on educating women about the importance of regular breast examinations. She was still alive when the Betty Thompson Golf Classic first began in 1992. She died two years later. Despite her death, her indelible mark on the community remains, inspiring others to continue giving back. 'All the money raised is kept locally in our community and all to do with projects involving women and girls,' Brenda Graham, co-chair of the Betty Thompson Golf Classic, said. Throughout the years, the event has raised over $1.3 million. The goal this year was $50,000. 'Last year we raised $48,000, so we had that money to give back to local projects. We received over $250,000 in applications from various organizations, all with projects for women and girls, that needed funds. We have to pick and choose what we can do and how much we can do. The need is so great,' Graham said.
CBS News
25-03-2025
- CBS News
SEPTA bus riders frustrated with persistent "operator unavailability" delays, cancellations
Bus riders in the Philadelphia area are getting frustrated about persistent delays, which SEPTA blames on a chronic operator shortage. The transit agency made several posts on X on Tuesday saying that due to operator unavailability, certain scheduled trips were subject to delays and cancellations. When that happens, people run late to work or school, or miss doctor's appointments. "I catch a lot of different buses to get to work," Betty Thompson, a certified nursing assistant from West Philadelphia, said. "It's usually late a lot of the time." CBS News Philadelphia asked SEPTA about the shortage and what it's doing to attract more drivers. SEPTA has 2,962 bus drivers, trolley operators and trackless trolley operators on staff, but needs 196 more, according to assistant chief operating officer of bus operations Christopher Valentin. "We initially were hiring 20 people a month, then it went to 40 people a month and now we're trying to hire 60 people every five weeks," Valentin said. Valentin said SEPTA has been struggling with an operator shortage ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, but he hopes the agency will be fully staffed by early to mid-2026. He said the transit agency is pairing new operators with mentors and shortening the time it takes for them to earn the top rate. "Right now, starting rate for employees will be $26.50," Valentin said. "Our top rate is $37 an hour." Clifford Bush from Upper Darby in Delaware County said he used to be a SEPTA bus driver , but left because of the pandemic and personal issues. He said he is considering becoming a bus driver again. "You got to control what's going on your bus and be aware of what's going on outside the bus," Bush said. "That's a difficult job, to be honest with you." For people interested in learning more about the job, SEPTA is holding an information session at its headquarters on 1234 Market St. on Thursday, April 17, at 5 p.m. The job offers paid training and operators can get their CDL license for free, officials said.
