Latest news with #BillWright
Indianapolis Star
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indianapolis Star
Danville's Royal Theater offers cheap, unique, family-friendly movie viewing experience
Bill Wright can tell you the exact seats he sat in next to his two daughters, Emmie, 6, and Danielle, 3, as they watched Polar Express inside Royal Theater back in 2004. The Danville resident and former police chief remembers the day being bitterly cold and snowing, but the memories he retains from that moment in time warm his heart to this day. That's why in 2017 when the theater came up for sale, Wright purchased the building and theater from a friend and local businessman who trusted him to preserve its nearly 100-year-old history. 'I went home and said, 'Honey, guess what I did,'' Wright remembers telling his wife, Sharon. 'She said, 'You did what?'' For a while, a management company would run the day-to-day operations of the theater, but then the COVID-19 pandemic hit and the Wrights saw an opportunity to close down and renovate. Though the theater was established in 1914, it found its home at its current location on Danville's town square in 1927. For nearly a year, the two worked to bring the theater back to its original prestige. By comparing old photos, Wright says they were able to pick out the same paint colors and similar carpet. Through the renovation process, many old relics were found in the walls and attic. Now some sit on display as you walk in the front doors under the building's marquee lit with red, blue and gold bulbs. Old movie tickets, posters and even an old projector weighing a ton greet visitors. The theater contains one screen and 220 seats. Ticket prices are $5, and concessions are fairly priced. All in an effort to keep the theater attainable and family-focused.
Indianapolis Star
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indianapolis Star
See behind the scenes inside Danville's Royal Theater
Bill Wright shows an old movie poster Tuesday, May 13, 2025, from 'The Geisha Boy' from 1958 inside Royal Theater in Danville. Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar Sharon and Bill Wright, owners of Royal Theater in Danville, pose Monday, June 9, 2025, for a portrait in front of the theater. Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar Old movie posters sit stacked Tuesday, May 13, 2025, behind stage at Royal Theater in Danville. Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar An old movie reel sits Tuesday, May 13, 2025, inside the projector room at Royal Theater in Danville. Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar An old movie film sits Tuesday, May 13, 2025, inside the projector room at Royal Theater in Danville. Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar Bill Wright organizes a back room Tuesday, May 13, 2025, inside Royal Theater in Danville. Ahead of movies showing at the theater, Wright will purchase mascot outfits to help make visits special for children. Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar Sharon and Bill Wright, owners of Royal Theater in Danville, pose Monday, June 9, 2025, for a portrait inside of the theater. Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar
Daily Record
07-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Infected blood scandal victims 'will die before getting compensation'
Over 30,000 people in the UK were infected with HIV and hepatitis C after they were given contaminated blood and blood products. Some victims of the infected blood scandal will die before they receive compensation in what has been described as the "biggest disaster in NHS history", the UK Government has admitted. People affected by the scandal said they 'don't have time on our side' as they urged officials to speed up compensation payments. More than 30,000 people in the UK were infected with HIV and hepatitis C after they were given contaminated blood and blood products between the 1970s and early 1990s. Some 3,000 people died as a result and survivors are living with lifelong health implications. Two days of special hearings to examine the 'timeliness and adequacy of the Government's response to compensation' is underway. Bill Wright, from Haemophilia Scotland, told the inquiry that the scandal was the 'biggest disaster in NHS history'. Opening the hearing, Sir Brian Langstaff, chairman of the Infected Blood Inquiry, said: 'It is no secret that the inquiry has received letter after letter, email after email, call after call, expressing worries and concerns about how compensation is being delivered. 'The inquiry will do everything in its power to identify action that can be taken by the Government and by the Infected Blood Compensation Authority to improve the delivery of compensation and to ensure that justice is done." Cabinet Office minister Nick Thomas–Symonds began his evidence by apologising to victims. 'I know many people before me will have suffered unimaginably because of this scandal, I would like to acknowledge that the government has failed you over decades on behalf of the state. I am sorry,' he said. Pointing out that it could be years before some people will receive compensation, inquiry counsel Jenni Richards KC asked Mr Thomas–Symonds whether both infected and affected people will die before they receive compensation. 'Yes,' he replied. The minister, who was heckled as he gave evidence, told the hearing that he is 'restless for further progress on payments'. Ms Richards read out the latest compensation figures from the IBCA, which show that just over 100 people have received a payment, saying: 'That's a profoundly unsatisfactory state of affairs, isn't it?' Mr Thomas–Symonds replied: 'It absolutely is, and I'm never going to think this is satisfactory until everybody has received the compensation they are due.' He said that he is pressing the IBCA on how the process can 'speed up', including asking whether more risks can be taken to ensure prompt payments. Mr Thomas-Symonds was also challenged on whether infections which occurred before January 1, 1982, will 'fall outside the liability window'. The minister told the inquiry he would 'go away and look at that situation'. He also said he would consider a 'supplemental route' for affected people including children, parents and siblings. Campaigners representing people infected and affected by the scandal gave emotional evidence on Wednesday morning. Andrew Evans, from the campaign group Tainted Blood, shared a quote from one of the members of the group, who said: 'I'm utterly exhausted. The anguish is beyond words. I just want this over.' Mr Evans, who was infected with HIV and hepatitis C through contaminated blood products during treatment for haemophilia as a child, said that victims have been left feeling 'betrayed and disappointed', adding: 'People have given up on any expectation of receiving anything. 'They have lost all hope of ever getting justice.' Gary Webster, who was infected with HIV and hepatitis C when he attended Lord Mayor's Treloar School in Hampshire (Treloar's) in the 1970s and 80s, said his experience with the compensation scheme had been a 'nightmare'. The 60-year-old said: 'People will not get their compensation and a lot of claims will die with them. 'It's just too slow and people won't get the justice they deserve.' Campaigner Carolyn Challis was infected with hepatitis C when she received blood transfusions during chemotherapy treatment for lymphatic cancer between 1992 and 1993. The mother-of-three from North Devon said that the compensation scheme is 'not fit for purpose'. She said: 'We don't have time on our side or the energy to keep fighting for justice." Meanwhile, Alan Burgess, who was co-infected with HIV and hepatitis C while receiving treatment for haemophilia, said that the ICBA was 'playing games with our mental health'. He added: 'They're playing games with our mental health and our physical health – they've got to be made to realise what they're doing. 'It's like trying to nail custard to the wall, you can talk to them but they don't seem to listen.' He also told the hearing victims were dying while the process was ongoing, with one of his friends dying just weeks ago. Nigel Hamilton, chairman of Haemophilia Northern Ireland, said: 'We are entitled to justice and we will have justice.' In a message to the IBCA, Mr Hamilton added: 'Work with us like never before and ensure that we are not just listened to, but we are also heard.' Mary Grindley, 76, who has been campaigning for 45 years, called on the compensation authority to set a timeline for 'payments to estates', adding: 'It's as though the people who have died have been totally forgotten.' The grandmother gave up teaching in 1991 to look after her husband, John, who contracted HIV and hepatitis C while receiving treatment for haemophilia and who died from Aids in 1994 at the age of 41. In her October budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves allocated £11.8 billion to compensate victims, administered by the IBCA. The IBCA said that, as of May 6, 677 people have been asked to start their claim and 106 payments have been made, totalling more than £96 million. Officials from the IBCA will give evidence on Thursday. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! 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Yahoo
23-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Ontario County will reimburse teens for lifeguard certification costs to boost staffing
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — A new initiative from Ontario County is aiming to boost staffing at area pools and fill lifeguard positions at pools and beaches across the county — while also helping teens get certified. The county is usings funds from New York Statewide Investment in More Swimming, or SWIMS, to launch the hiring campaign — looking to fill positions in the following positions: Deep Run Park Onanda Park Kershaw Park Sandy Bottom Park Ontario County will reimburse lifeguards for their required certification and costs through SWIMS. 'Lifeguarding is a rewarding summer job that builds confidence, leadership, and lifesaving skills,'said Ontario County Department of Public Works Commissioner Bill Wright said in a statement. 'We know the cost of certification and training can be a hurdle for teens and families, and that's why Ontario County is stepping in to help. We want to make these jobs more accessible to more young people. Lifeguard, Senior Lifeguard, and Aquatics Supervisor are some of the positions open across the county. For more information, visit the Ontario County website. The County notes applicants must be at least 15 years old and possess valid CPR and lifeguard certifications at the time of hire. Anyone looking for more information on the SWIMS program is asked to call (585) 396-4000. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
