Latest news with #ChrisJasper
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Outdoor sirens will be tested in Muscatine County
The Muscatine Joint Communications Center (MUSCOM), in partnership with Muscatine County Emergency Management, will commence its annual outdoor siren testing on Monday, April 7, a news release says. These tests occur on the first Monday of each month at 11 a.m. during non-freezing months (April through October). However, if severe weather is forecast on a scheduled testing day, the sirens will not be tested. When are sirens activated? Outdoor warning sirens are activated by MUSCOM during severe weather when one of the following conditions is met: A Tornado Warning is issued by the National Weather Service (NWS). A tornado or funnel cloud is reported by a trained weather spotter. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is issued by the NWS, or a trained spotter report: Winds of 70 mph or greater and/or Hail golf ball-sized or larger According to the National Weather Service, most fatalities in severe storms result from falling trees and large branches. Winds reaching 70 mph are typically strong enough to break large branches and small trees, while hail of golf-ball size or larger can shatter windows. Why sirens are activated for severe thunderstorms 'Muscatine County follows the guidelines established by the National Weather Service,' said Chris Jasper, Director of Emergency Management/911 for Muscatine County. 'Because of the extreme danger posed by falling trees and debris, we will continue to activate sirens for Severe Thunderstorm Warnings that meet the 70 mph wind or large hail threshold.' Understanding outdoor warning sirens Outdoor sirens are designed to alert those who are outside of an imminent hazard, prompting them to seek shelter indoors and gather more information. 'We urge the public to tune into local news outlets or a NOAA weather radio during severe weather,' Jasper said. 'Additionally, we ask that 911 be used only for emergencies.' Countywide activation Sirens operate on a countywide system — meaning if a warning is issued for any part of Muscatine County, all sirens across the county will be activated. 'It might be sunny in Montpelier, but if there's a severe weather warning in West Liberty, sirens will still sound in Montpelier,' Jasper explained. No 'all clear' signal Jasper also reminded residents that there is no 'all clear' siren. The threat is over when the National Weather Service warning expires. Report siren issues and get prepared Residents who believe a siren is malfunctioning can contact the Muscatine County Emergency Management Office at 563-264-7142 or via email at . For severe weather preparedness tips, visit the National Weather Service at Businesses and families seeking assistance with emergency preparedness planning can reach out to the Muscatine County Emergency Management Office to schedule a consultation or visit here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
New York Times
04-03-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Chris Jasper, Who Helped Revitalize the Isley Brothers, Dies at 73
Chris Jasper, a Juilliard-trained keyboardist, singer and songwriter who brought an expansive musical vocabulary to the long-running R&B group the Isley Brothers, helping push them into a new hit-making era in the 1970s and '80s with singles like 'That Lady' and 'Fight the Power,' died on Feb. 23. He was 73. His death was announced in a statement on his Facebook account, which noted that he had been diagnosed with cancer in December. The statement did not say where he died. Mr. Jasper, who was also a producer, started his decade-long run as an official member of the Isley Brothers in 1973. He added musical complexity to the long-running R&B group as it took on a richer, funkier style for a new decade. Looking back on the Isley Brothers' sound in a 2020 interview with Rockin' Hot Radio, a Delaware-based station, he said, 'It's R&B, of course,' but added that he borrowed 'voicings that were used in classical music, and in particular the Romantic period, with composers like Debussy, even 20th-century composers like Gershwin.' Mr. Jasper, far left, with other members of the Isley Brothers in a mid-1970s publicity photo. Seated are Ronald, left, and Rudolph Isley; standing are, from left, Marvin, O'Kelly and Ernie Isley. Credit... T-Neck Records During his tenure, the group lodged more than a dozen singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and more than a dozen albums on the Billboard 200 — six of them in the Top 10, including 'The Heat Is On,' which reached No. 1 in 1975. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times. Thank you for your patience while we verify access. Already a subscriber? Log in. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Acadia Parish bridge closed due to vehicle crash
ACADIA PARISH, La. () — The Estherwood Pontoon Bridge on La. 91 is closed due to single vehicle crash, authorities said. The Acadia Parish Sheriff's Office has encouraged motorists to use alternative routes. No timeline was released for the reopening of the bridge. 100 of the best books by Black Americans Acadiana's finalists for Louisiana Student of the Year Chris Jasper of the Isley Brothers dies at 73 40-year-old man dies in West Monroe storage container fire Acadia Parish bridge closed due to vehicle crash Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
25-02-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Chris Jasper, who helped The Isley Brothers turn funk, dead at 73
Hear this story Chris Jasper, a celebrated singer-songwriter who helped steer The Isley Brothers during some of their most successful years, died Sunday, People Magazine and the Independent report. He was 73. His death follows a 2024 cancer diagnosis, a post to his Facebook page, apparently written by his family, revealed. The type of cancer was not specified. "He will be deeply missed and his legacy will live on as an inspiration for generations," it read. USA TODAY has reached out to reps for Jasper for comment. A classically trained musician and composter, Jasper helped write, produce and arrange much of The Isley Brothers' music from 1973 to 1983. Joining brothers Ernie and Marvin Isley, he helped usher in a new era for the group, transforming it from a more classic vocal trio to a six-man R&B, funk powerhouse. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. Jasper's pen and influence were behind classics like "For the Love of You," "Between the Sheets," and "Fight the Power." Their 1970-80s sound, a novel mashup of slow-grooving R&B and upbeat electronica, helped secure The Isley Brothers a spot in the pantheon of musical innovators. In 1984, when the sextuplet disbanded, he took two of the Isley brothers with him to form Isley-Jasper-Isley, a soul-funk group that found success in 1985 with peace and love-infused track "Caravan of Love." Jasper broke out on his own in 1987, launching a solo career that would include the release of nearly two dozen R&B albums under Gold City Records, a label he founded. His music has continued to be sampled by a new generation of R&B and rap stars, appearing in tracks from Queen Latifah, Tupac, Biggie and Aaliyah. Rudolph Isley, founding memberof The Isley Brothers and 'Shout' songwriter, dies at 84 An illustrious and decades-spanning career landed Jasper, as part of The Isley Brothers, in both the Songwriters and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022 and 1992, respectively. In 2014, he received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, again, as part of the group. "Beyond his musical achievements, Chris was a dedicated and loving husband and father," the Facebook post said. "He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Margie Jasper, a New York-based attorney and author, and his three sons Michael, Nicholas, and Christopher."
