Latest news with #DebbieJohnson
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Alabama law authorizes emergency care and transport for police K9s
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WHNT) — Alabama is providing more services for Police K9s throughout the state. HB 366, authorizes emergency medical services (EMS) personnel to provide medical care and transportation to police dogs injured in the line of duty. The bill also known as the 'Lakyn Canine Act,' will ensure injured police K9s receive the same emergency medical care and transportation as their human partners. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Rick Rehm (R-Dothan), also allows K9s to be transported by ambulance or helicopter to emergency veterinary care. Additionally, the bill will protect emergency medical personnel from potential liability arising from offering critical medical care in good faith to a police dog. 'Police K9s are more than working dogs; they're loyal partners, fearless protectors and like family,' said Debbie Johnson, president and founder of K9s United. 'They charge into danger without hesitation to protect their communities, and they deserve the same urgent, life-saving care as any human officer. Passing this law is one of our proudest moments, and we are deeply grateful to Governor Ivey and Representative Rehm for standing with us to ensure Alabama's K9 heroes receive the care they've earned through their service and sacrifice.' 'The Laykn Canine Act honors our police K9s and recognizes their vital role in protecting our communities with unwavering loyalty,' said Rep. Rick Rehm. 'By ensuring EMS personnel can provide emergency care without fear of liability, we're closing a dangerous gap and guaranteeing these brave dogs get the same urgent attention any hero deserves. I'm grateful to K9s United for bringing this issue to light, and proud that we've delivered a meaningful solution that ensures we never leave our K9s behind.' The recent enactment of the new law isn't so new, our neighbors in Florida also have a similar bill in place that was signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2021. HB366 in the Alabama legislature was signed into law on May 14, 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
40 Hamilton stylists do their part to ease costs, giving free hair services to Black youth next month
Over the last year, Hamilton hair-business owner Lohifa Pogoson Acker has noticed fewer Black youth and others with textured hair have been getting it styled, while some are visiting the salon less frequently. "I'm seeing people who I know have always had pristine looks, stretching their hairstyles for months more than they should just because of affordability, because of the sacrifices they have to make," Pogoson Acker told CBC Hamilton. Pogoson Acker said she's had similar feedback from dozens of hair stylists, barbers and other business operators throughout Hamilton. Believing hair styling is important for well-being, especially for young people, Pogoson Acker has organized a March 15 event where over 40 Hamilton hair stylists and barbers will offer free styling and cuts to racialized youth. "I know many people, by virtue of where the economy is ... the rise in the cost of living, interest rates — so many factors have contributed to many families having to make decisions about expenditure, about what to keep on their budget lines and what to take off." Pogoson Acker recalled that hairstyling was declared a non-essential service during COVID-19 in 2020, leaving many people to figure out their own ways to deal with their hair. With today's high cost of living, many people are thinking twice about paying for hair care, she said, "because people are more concerned, as it should be, with putting a roof over their heads than about how they look and how they present." Getting hair done makes for 'a different person' But Pogoson Acker also said many young people place importance on getting their hair styled on a regular basis, as it's good for their mental health and well-being. "It is very, very important especially in the textured hair community, especially in the Black and racialized community, because hair is a huge part of identity," she said. "I know, especially young people when their hair is done, they're a different person — they come out in the streets with all kinds of pride. And it goes the opposite way as well. When their hair is not done … they don't feel as confident, they don't present as confident. "And that is such a marker of progress and of possibility for young Black people — how do you present, are you confident, are you self-assured, do you have that self-pride in who you are? I think that's just so important, and I really want to see a community where young Black people are embracing who they are," Pogoson Acker said. The cost of living — including the price of energy, food and other goods — has been heavy on Canadians for some time. According to the latest statistics, inflation rose 1.9 per cent in January. For Hamilton mom Debbie Johnson, dealing with the cost of living has meant making fewer trips to the stylist for her 10-year-old daughter Harper to get her textured hair done. As any person with curly and textured hair knows, the knots can be unbelievable. - Debbie Johnson, mom of 10-year-old Harper "Last summer when she was starting to go into her summer camps and everything, I took scissors to her hair," Johnson told CBC Hamilton. "Having curly hair, it's a little more forgiving … I know to cut a little bit off the end, to get rid of some dead ends. We did that and it kind of boosted her confidence." Debbie Johnson says she takes Harper to get the 10-year-old's hair done less frequently due to the high cost of living. (Submitted by Debbie Johnson) Johnson is white and Harper's dad, who died in 2021, was Black. "I had never dealt with textured hair before, so it was all a learning journey for me," Johnson said. She said she has turned to videos, forums and people of colour with textured hair for suggestions on how to best treat her daughter's locks. "As any person with curly and textured hair knows, the knots can be unbelievable," Johnson said. When Harper was five years old, Johnson said, she took her to a hair stylist for the first time. While making the appointment, she said, she was told it would cost around $60. She ended up paying more than double that amount. "A lot of places do have pricing for kids, but for some reason, if their hair is longer, or thicker or more coarse, that completely changes things," Johnson said, adding the amount of time it had taken for the stylist to wash and comb through Harper's hair was why the price was doubled. Harper Johnson's mom say she first took her daughter to a hair stylist when she was five years old, and paid more than the $60 she was originally quoted. (Submitted by Debbie Johnson) "Having a child with curly hair like Harper's, it's something that we just have to plan for. So, maybe twice a year, we're going to go in — or three times a year. However often it might be, I can kind of budget and plan for that," Johnson said. "I do find the pricing has gone up, as with everything, just the cost of not only hair care, but across the board — everything across the board has just gone up so astronomically." Excel in Style is more than just about hair Pogoson Acker said she's thankful to the dozens of stylists and barbers who will offer their services at no cost at Excel in Style next month. The event will be held at Bernie Custis Secondary School, across from Tim Hortons Field, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. "They're so gracious, so conscientious and so sacrificial to take a Saturday, which is a high-earning Saturday because of the back-to-school rush for those who are able to afford to get their hair styled," Pogoson Acker said through tears. "So, Saturday March 15 would be the Saturday of March break, before the kids go back to school on Monday. Any salon owner, or barber or stylist will tell you that that's the day they make their most money when it comes to back-to-school styling. "For them to give up potential to earn on a high, high, high-earning day to come out and style for kids who are in need for free, it really melts my heart, and I'm just so grateful that we found over 40 of them who are willing to do that for this purpose." Pogoson Acker said several other organizations — including the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program and the Afro Canadian Caribbean Association — will be at the event with programming for young people and to encourage youth engagement. For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community — check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project Black Canadians can be proud of. You can read more stories here. (CBC)
CBC
25-02-2025
- Health
- CBC
40 Hamilton stylists do their part to ease costs, giving free hair services to Black youth next month
Over the last year, Hamilton hair-business owner Lohifa Pogoson Acker has noticed fewer Black youth and others with textured hair have been getting it styled, while some are visiting the salon less frequently. "I'm seeing people who I know have always had pristine looks, stretching their hairstyles for months more than they should just because of affordability, because of the sacrifices they have to make," Pogoson Acker told CBC Hamilton. Pogoson Acker said she's had similar feedback from dozens of hair stylists, barbers and other business operators throughout Hamilton. Believing hair styling is important for well-being, especially for young people, Pogoson Acker has organized a March 15 event where over 40 Hamilton hair stylists and barbers will offer free styling and cuts to racialized youth. "I know many people, by virtue of where the economy is ... the rise in the cost of living, interest rates — so many factors have contributed to many families having to make decisions about expenditure, about what to keep on their budget lines and what to take off." Pogoson Acker recalled that hairstyling was declared a non-essential service during COVID-19 in 2020, leaving many people to figure out their own ways to deal with their hair. With today's high cost of living, many people are thinking twice about paying for hair care, she said, "because people are more concerned, as it should be, with putting a roof over their heads than about how they look and how they present." Getting hair done makes for 'a different person' But Pogoson Acker also said many young people place importance on getting their hair styled on a regular basis, as it's good for their mental health and well-being. "It is very, very important especially in the textured hair community, especially in the Black and racialized community, because hair is a huge part of identity," she said. "I know, especially young people when their hair is done, they're a different person — they come out in the streets with all kinds of pride. And it goes the opposite way as well. When their hair is not done … they don't feel as confident, they don't present as confident. "And that is such a marker of progress and of possibility for young Black people — how do you present, are you confident, are you self-assured, do you have that self-pride in who you are? I think that's just so important, and I really want to see a community where young Black people are embracing who they are," Pogoson Acker said. The cost of living — including the price of energy, food and other goods — has been heavy on Canadians for some time. According to the latest statistics, inflation rose 1.9 per cent in January. For Hamilton mom Debbie Johnson, dealing with the cost of living has meant making fewer trips to the stylist for her 10-year-old daughter Harper to get her textured hair done. As any person with curly and textured hair knows, the knots can be unbelievable. - Debbie Johnson, mom of 10-year-old Harper "Last summer when she was starting to go into her summer camps and everything, I took scissors to her hair," Johnson told CBC Hamilton. "Having curly hair, it's a little more forgiving … I know to cut a little bit off the end, to get rid of some dead ends. We did that and it kind of boosted her confidence." Johnson is white and Harper's dad, who died in 2021, was Black. "I had never dealt with textured hair before, so it was all a learning journey for me," Johnson said. She said she has turned to videos, forums and people of colour with textured hair for suggestions on how to best treat her daughter's locks. "As any person with curly and textured hair knows, the knots can be unbelievable," Johnson said. When Harper was five years old, Johnson said, she took her to a hair stylist for the first time. While making the appointment, she said, she was told it would cost around $60. She ended up paying more than double that amount. "A lot of places do have pricing for kids, but for some reason, if their hair is longer, or thicker or more coarse, that completely changes things," Johnson said, adding the amount of time it had taken for the stylist to wash and comb through Harper's hair was why the price was doubled. "Having a child with curly hair like Harper's, it's something that we just have to plan for. So, maybe twice a year, we're going to go in — or three times a year. However often it might be, I can kind of budget and plan for that," Johnson said. "I do find the pricing has gone up, as with everything, just the cost of not only hair care, but across the board — everything across the board has just gone up so astronomically." Excel in Style is more than just about hair Pogoson Acker said she's thankful to the dozens of stylists and barbers who will offer their services at no cost at Excel in Style next month. The event will be held at Bernie Custis Secondary School, across from Tim Hortons Field, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. "They're so gracious, so conscientious and so sacrificial to take a Saturday, which is a high-earning Saturday because of the back-to-school rush for those who are able to afford to get their hair styled," Pogoson Acker said through tears. "So, Saturday March 15 would be the Saturday of March break, before the kids go back to school on Monday. Any salon owner, or barber or stylist will tell you that that's the day they make their most money when it comes to back-to-school styling. "For them to give up potential to earn on a high, high, high-earning day to come out and style for kids who are in need for free, it really melts my heart, and I'm just so grateful that we found over 40 of them who are willing to do that for this purpose." Pogoson Acker said several other organizations — including the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program and the Afro Canadian Caribbean Association — will be at the event with programming for young people and to encourage youth engagement. For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community — check out Being Black in Canada You can read more stories here.
BBC News
20-02-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Telford cafe owners 'lost hundreds' after sign dispute
The owners of a cafe have said they lost more than £400 after the local council forced them to take down a and Debbie Johnson, who run Heath Hill Cafe, received a letter last week threatening them with a fine if they did not remove their sign, which is on a verge outside an industrial estate in couple have urged Telford and Wrekin Council to show "a bit of empathy" to small businesses during a cost-of-living crisis.A spokesperson for the authority said they were "reviewing the case and keen to work with the cafe to find a resolution." Heath Hill Cafe - also known as Bostin Fittle - is based on an industrial estate in Dawley, and has been running for a decade, with Mr and Mrs Johnson operating it for the past four years. Its nickname Bostin Fittle is Black Country dialect for good business relies on passing trade, hoping hungry customers spot their sign, which is on a verge opposite Heath Hill roundabout. But on 10 February the couple were issued with a letter from Telford and Wrekin Council instructing them to remove the sign within 48 hours or face a fine. Without the sign drawing customers in, 60-year-old Mrs Johnson estimated that the business had lost "four or five hundred pounds."She added that it had been on the verge "for the whole time it's been a cafe", but only remaining in place during opening hours between 07:30 and 14:00. Fridays are normally the cafe's busiest day of the week, but Mrs Johnson said without the sign bringing in customers, she was "just stood there in tears.""It's our only income, it's all me and my husband have got - and we had no customers." The couple have now been told they can put their sign back up while the council decides what to Johnson, who is 63, described the situation as going "past a joke.""The sign has been there for ten years - it's not a danger to the public, and it's not just become hazardous," he said."If there's a motorist on [the verge], then they've already caused havoc!" Mrs Johnson said trying to ring the council to talk about the sign was nearly impossible - especially with their controversial digital customer service system, Ask Tom."It was just so frustrating," she said, adding that she was sent "backwards and forwards to [Ask] Tom.""I don't want to talk to Tom ever again!" A spokesperson for Telford and Wrekin Council said: "We have been made aware of concerns raised following the removal of the sign."The authority added that its "primary focus is to always protect care and invest for all residents", and that it was "reviewing the case and keen to work with the cafe to find a resolution".But Mr Johnson said he believed the council needed to show more understanding for small businesses struggling through the cost-of-living questioned: "Why send a letter, and someone wearing a camera into our caff, when they could have just popped in [and explained] in the first place?""It's just pathetic really, because [the sign] has been there so long, it ain't a problem." Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
