Latest news with #BobJohnson
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Two candidates advance in Stearns County Board special election race
Two candidates led the pack in the Stearns County Board of Commissioners District 4 special election primary held Aug. 12. Candidates Amin Ali and Bob Johnson will advance to the Nov. 4 general election. Ali got the most votes with 528 ballots (36.3%) cast in his favor while Johnson got 486 votes (33.4%), according to the Minnesota Secretary of State's Office. St. Cloud City Council member Mike Conway came in third with 277 votes (19%) followed by Frank Imbolte with 97 votes (6.67%), Shawn Blackburn with 53 votes (3.65%) and Darrell Bruestle with 13 votes (0.89%), according to preliminary results posted by the Minnesota Secretary of State's Office. The District 4 seat was vacated by former Commissioner Leigh Lenzmeier on April 23. His wife voiced concerns about cognitive abilities in a guardianship battle that was ultimately dismissed. More: Stearns County combs through staff budget requests, slashes to possible 5.7% levy increase Amin Ali Age: 39 Occupation: Housing expert, youth coach and community organize Why are you running for office? I'm running for Stearns County Commissioner to make a difference, as I have seen the challenges our families are facing from affordable housing, education, public safety and employment. I've spent years serving the community, and I want to bring that experience to the county leadership. We need leadership that listens, leads with compassion, and works for all residents. Public service experience: As a youth coach, mentor and community organizer, I work directly with more than 250 youth and families to create opportunities, stability and growth here in Stearns County. What do you want to improve in Stearns County? My focus is on four key priorities: youth development and opportunity, housing access and affordability, public safety and economic development and workforce growth. I want to build a county where families feel secure, youth are supported and local businesses and workers thrive. We need local solutions that reflect the needs of our community. What is going well in Stearns County? Stearns County is strengthened by its dedicated public servants and administrative leadership who are committed to building a robust and effective local government. What truly defines our community, however, is the remarkable spirit of collaboration and mutual support among neighbors, a foundation that makes our community work. Favorite food: A good cheeseburger. More: New COVID variant, 'Stratus', sweeps through the U.S.; what to know in Minnesota Bob Johnson Age: 76 Occupation: Retired in August 2023. Administrative Director, Michigan Heart Institute; Executive Director CentraCare Heart and Vascular Center, Dialysis program and CentraCare Wound Center; Executive Director Paramount Center for the Arts. Why are you running for office? I am committed to public service, and it has helped to guide my career choices. Throughout my employment I've worked for non-profits that met essential needs for all of us. My strong desire to contribute to the public good and improve the lives of others drives what I've chosen to do, and it gives me great satisfaction to see people's lives and vision for their families move forward in positive ways. I have the experience, interest, energy and passion to serve as a commissioner on behalf of District 4 and all of Stearns Service experience: St. Cloud City Council (3 terms-President in last term), Human Rights Commission-City of St. Cloud, Stearns County Housing Trust Board, NorthStar Corridor Development Authority, Area Planning Organization, Housing and Redevelopment Authority, St. Cloud Library Building Committee, Cathedral of St. Mary Trustee, Good Earth Food Co-op Board, St. John's Boys' Choir Board. What do you want to improve in Stearns County? Stearns County is (among the) largest in Minnesota with a total area of 1,394 sq. miles. 125 lakes, 500 farms, and numerous towns and urban areas make it a great place to live. As the world evolves, and state mandates change, due diligence and cost scrutiny in planning needs to be a continuous process. I will collaborate with leadership, staff, my fellow commissioners and the public, to look at areas of concern whether finances, infrastructure, housing, land use, safety/security etc. to employ the best technology and policy for all of us who pay taxes. What is going well in Stearns County? Stearns County has very competent and capable leadership and staff. They provide a foundation of content expertise, skill and talent focusing their work on what is good for residents. The 'Shape 2040 Stearns' comprehensive plan, a vision for the future, written in part by county leaders and employees, offers a framework with five pillars of major concern (Living, Agriculture, Nature, Business, and Connectivity). As the document fleshes out direction and detail and is used to guide policy and implementation, Stearns County can strategically reach that vision that ultimately serves all of us. Favorite food? Just about everything that is made from scratch. This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Who advanced in the Stearns County Board election? Here's what to know Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Juneteenth Atlanta Festival returns this weekend with parade, music and more
ATLANTA - As the nation reflects on more than 160 years since enslaved African Americans first celebrated Juneteenth, Atlanta is preparing to host one of the Southeast's largest and most vibrant tributes to the historic holiday. The 2025 Juneteenth Atlanta Parade and Music Festival kicks off Friday, June 13, at Piedmont Park with an opening press conference at 11 a.m., featuring leaders and advocates speaking on themes of freedom, empowerment, and social justice. Scheduled speakers include Georgia NAACP President Gerald Griggs and festival co-founders Bob Johnson and Brad Lewis, among other prominent voices in the community. RELATED: Juneteenth events in metro Atlanta, North Georgia | 2025 Now in its second decade, Juneteenth Atlanta has grown into a major family-friendly cultural event, blending education with celebration. It was officially recognized in 2023 as the City of Atlanta's designated Juneteenth event. The festival will continue Saturday at 10 a.m., with live performances, local vendors, community booths, and the widely anticipated Juneteenth Black History Parade at noon. Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms will serve as Grand Marshal of the parade, which starts at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center and concludes in Piedmont Park. Spectators can expect floats, youth groups, car clubs, marching bands, and celebrity appearances—all honoring the history and legacy of June 19, 1865, the date when enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, finally learned of their freedom. The celebration wraps up Sunday with a Father's Day-themed slate of events and the annual Freedom 5K Walk/Run. All events are free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to use MARTA for easy access to Piedmont Park. For full event details, visit
South Wales Argus
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
UK folk-rock band Steeleye Span set to perform in Newport
Steeleye Span will be playing at The Riverfront Theatre on Wednesday, May 7. Founded in 1969, the band is known for pioneering electric folk music and shaping the genre for more than 50 years. Their debut album, Hark! The Village Wait, set the stage for their unique sound. The band's latest release, The Green Man Collection, features tracks from recent albums and new versions of three classic songs. The title track, The Green Man, is a song by Bob Johnson, a member throughout the 70s, which was lost for 40 years. The song discusses climate change, a prescient topic for its time. The band's line-up for this tour includes founding member Maddy Prior, along with Liam Genockey, Julian Littman, Roger Carey, Andrew "Spud" Sinclair, and the newest addition, Athena Octavia. The band's upcoming album, Conflict, will be available exclusively during the tour. The concert is expected to be an exciting night for fans of the genre. Tickets can be purchased via the Newport Live website.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Glenn County seeks return of Vietnam memorial wall replica
The last time The Wall That Heals was in Glenn County was 2016. There are hopes the Vietnam Veterans Memorial replica will be back in 2026. Leadership from the Glenn County Health and Human Services Agency gave a presentation to the Glenn County Board of Supervisors earlier this month explaining the efforts necessary to apply for, fund and host the 375 foot memorial. 'There is a lot of planning associated with this project,' said Bob Johnson, Veterans Services officer with the Health and Human Services Agency. Yasmin Caro from the Agency, said it would be a great honor to be able to once again host The Wall That Heals. 'The Wall is a replica of the Wall in Washington, D.C., that memorializes the 58,000 American service members who died or remain missing from the Vietnam War,' she added. When the Wall was in Willows in 2016 more than 9,000 people were in attendance, Caro said. 'The Vietnam Veterans Memorial stands as a symbol of America's honor and recognition of all who served and sacrificed their lives in the Vietnam War,' she shared. 'There will be extensive planning involved in bringing The Wall That Heals to Glenn County, including support from government entities, schools, law enforcement, fire departments, Veterans Services, businesses and non-profits to help bring this honorable event to our community, to help lead, volunteer, fund, promote and more.' Application deadline is Sept. 1 and there are currently 141 interested cities seeking one of the 34 locations slots for the national 2026 tour. The cost to host is $12,000 and Caro said those funds would be raised through fundraising projects and donations. Additional costs include promoting the project, drinks/snacks for volunteer, city/county employee time, for example. The Wall That Heals is ¾ scale of the original wall with a 53 foot education trailer that expands on both sides. Entrance to view the traveling Wall is free to the public and Caro said if the memorial replica comes to Glenn County there are plans for all schools to attend and take a tour. The Wall is on display and open for viewing 24 hours a day. 'I would appreciate the help and support of this board as we work to honor our military veterans by submitting an application to bring The Wall That Heals back to Glenn County,' said Laura Hawkins, Glenn County Health and Human Services director. The Board unanimously voiced their support for the project. 'You are rock stars for your work and effort towards this project,' said Supervisor Tony Arendt. His comments were followed up with each of his fellow supervisors voicing their support for the Health and Human Services Agency submitting an application for the Wall That Heals to come to Glenn County next year. As part of the application, Glenn County will need to pick three dates when it would be possible to host the event and find at least two locations in Orland where the Wall could be display – a space approximately the size of a football field with grass and areas for parking. In addition, the application requires a 200 word response of why The Wall That Heals should come to Glenn County.
USA Today
23-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Tennessee football's highest drafted offensive lineman in NFL history
Tennessee football's highest drafted offensive lineman in NFL history The 2025 NFL draft will be held, Thursday-Saturday, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Prior to the 90th NFL draft in league history, Vols Wire looks at historical Tennessee players selected. This installment looks back at former Tennessee center Bob Johnson. Johnson is Tennessee's highest drafted offensive lineman in the NFL. He was selected in the first round of the 1968 AFL/NFL draft (No. 2 overall) by Cincinnati and was the first ever draft pick by the Bengals. Jonson is the second-highest drafted center in the history of American professional football. Only Ki Aldrich was drafted higher, and was selected No. 1 overall by the Chicago Cardinals in 1939. Johnson played for Cincinnati from 1968-79. He was an AFL All-Star in 1968 and his number (53) is retired by the Bengals. Johnson was also named to Cincinnati's 50th Anniversary Team and was the last original Bengals' player to retire. The former Vol played in 154 professional games, making 136 starts. He recorded six fumble recoveries. Johnson played for Tennessee from 1965-67 under head coach Doug Dickey. He was the first player recruited by Dickey. Johnson was voted an unanimous All-American in 1967 and a a two-time All-SEC standout (1966-67). He won the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, which is awarded to the SEC's best blocker, and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1989. Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
