Latest news with #FairmontHighSchool
The South African
2 days ago
- General
- The South African
Outpouring of grief following death of Cape Town school's headmaster
There has been an outpouring of grief, sympathy and condolences following the death of popular Fairmont High School headmaster, Leon Erasmus. He was 59. Several of Erasmus's previous schools where he taught, as well as schools in the area, also paid tribute. In a Facebook post, Fairmont High School in Durbanville in Cape Town wrote: Dear Fairmont High School Community, It is with profound sadness that we share the news of the passing of our beloved Headmaster, Mr. Leon Erasmus. Mr. Erasmus was a man of immense strength, integrity, and honour. He led our school with unwavering dedication and a deep sense of purpose, showing us – his family, our staff, students, and the wider community – what it truly means to fight. Fight for others. Fight for good. Fight for progress. And above all, fight to live. Today, we mourn the loss of a remarkable leader and human being. But more than that, we celebrate a life that left a lasting mark on each of us. His legacy of courage, compassion, and excellence will continue to inspire Fairmont for years to come. While our hearts are saddened, we are deeply grateful to have had Mr. Erasmus lead us all. He was not only at the helm of our school; he was at the heart of it. His legacy will live on in the values he upheld and the lives he touched, his guidance, vision, and spirit will forever remain part of our fabric. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, daughters, son-in-law, grandson, mother and all loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. We will share details of the celebration of his life, in due course. With respect and remembrance, Fairmont High School Post your condolences below, by … Leaving a comment below, or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Anne Frank tree planted in Minnesota
The Brief A tree descended from a Chestnut tree Anne Frank wrote about in her diary is now planted in Minnesota. Fairmont High School was selected for the tree's location as part of the Sapling Project, through the Anne Frank Center. When the original tree was blown down in a storm in 2010 the Sapling Project collected seeds and has been growing sapling in Indianapolis. So far 20 trees have been planted across the country, including the one now planted in Fairmont, Minnesota. 11-year-old Natalie Flaherty spearheaded the effort to bring the piece of Anne Frank's history to her hometown. FAIRMOUNT, Minn. (FOX 9) - A tree that is a direct descendant of the Chestnut tree Anne Frank wrote about in her legendary diary is now planted in Fairmont, Minnesota. What we know Since Natalie Flaherty was in just second grade, she has been captivated by the story of Anne Frank and her view of the world while in hiding during the Holocaust. As Flaherty summarizes it, Anne wouldn't have died if it weren't for hate. "We don't love if we're going to hate," says Flaherty. "We weren't put on this world to hate and to tear our world apart. We're put on the world to love. If we hate, that's just going to break our world, and we hate for the most stupid stuff." With Anne Frank in mind, Flaherty started a Kindness Club at her school, sharing bracelets and good deeds. She and her mother traveled to Omaha to see another descendent of Anne Frank's tree planted. She spoke at the event, and became more determined to become a sapling recipient. Since then, Flaherty has met with lawmakers and Holocaust survivors. The backstory Dr. Lauren Bairnsfather of the Anne Frank Center says Flaherty was chosen as a sapling recipient, because of her unwavering dedication to Anne Frank's legacy. "I mean, she's moved by Anne Frank's story and by her diary that she is really leading a movement in Fairmont, Minnesota." For the planting ceremony, Flaherty arranged for the local choir to sing, friends to read passages from Anne Frank's diary, plus the mayor of Fairmont awarded a proclamation. She's collected letters and recognition ranging from former President Biden, to the Jewish community relations council and a phone call from the Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan. "We're not Jewish," says Flaherty mother Rebecca Flohrs. "I really think it's all hate that she wants to end, and it's against all people from all different places, and you can have an inspiration and a person who is kind of like that for you and still have empathy and want for everybody to feel love and cared for." Dig deeper To learn more about the Sapling Project, click here.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Kettering launches Blue Envelope Program to aid drivers with autism
Apr. 2—The Kettering Police Department's new initiative shows its commitment to inclusivity and community support. The department is launching the Blue Envelop Program on World Autism Day, which is Thursday, during Autism Awareness Month. This initiative aims to provide officers with immediate information about autism; to act as a visual cue to help officers adjust their communication style and help reduce anxiety for the driver; and to encourage preparedness for individuals with autism and their families. Inside the blue envelope, drivers with autism can store essential documents, including driver's license, vehicle registration, insurance card and emergency contact information, said Kettering officer Edward Drayton, Fairmont High School school resource officer and head of the Kettering Safe Senior Program, a voluntary program that identifies seniors and other residents with dementia, potentially incapacitating medical conditions or those with developmental disorders. "For the officer, in case it's not a city of Kettering police officer that stops this person, it would give them information about what this blue envelope is all about. It will tell them to slow down their communication, how to deal with somebody that might be autistic ...to just be patient with them," Drayton said. "I thought it would be a great supplement with our program that we call KSSP, which stands for Kettering Safe Senior Program, which would identify people with autism, Alzheimer's and dementia," he said. Police in Centerville and Vandalia are among area departments already using the program. Beginning Thursday, community members can pick up the free blue envelopes at two locations: the Kettering Police Department lobby and the Kettering Government Center front desk, both at 3600 Shroyer Road.
CBS News
23-02-2025
- CBS News
Border patrol agent laid to rest at Fort Snelling
A crowd of more than 200 uniformed officers from around the country joined David "Chris" Maland's family and friends Saturday, as the U.S. Border Patrol agent was laid to rest at Minnesota's Ft. Snelling National Cemetery. Maland was killed in the line of duty on Jan. 20, after a routine traffic stop nearly 20 miles south of the Canadian border in Vermont. A person in the car Maland stopped opened fire, killing him. Another person in the car was killed when Maland returned fire. Maland was the first U.S. Border Patrol Agent killed in the line of duty in over a decade. Born in Blue Earth, Maland graduated Fairmont High School in 1999, before enlisting in the United States Airforce. There, he'd spend six years before joining the state department, where he worked in security at both the White House and Pentagon – where he was during the 9/11 attacks. Maland's time with the U.S. Border Patrol began in 2017 — his skills as a K-9 handler took him across the country. Flags statewide flew half-mast Saturday — per the direction of Governor Tim Walz. "Minnesota recognizes Maland's dedicated service and sacrifice, and I extend my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones," Walz wrote in a statement. An avid camper, hiker and rock climber, Maland buried with full military honors, receiving the Airforce Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, NATO Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Yahoo
New details revealed in fatal shooting of U.S. Border Patrol agent
New details regarding the fatal shooting of Minnesota-born U.S. Border Patrol agent David Maland have been revealed in court. The 44-year-old was fatally shot while conducting a traffic stop in Vermont on Jan. 20. He was from the Blue Earth area and graduated from Fairmont High School. Teresa Youngblut, 21, is already charged with one count of using a deadly weapon while assaulting a border patrol agent, and one count of using and discharging a firearm in connection with Maland's death. She was traveling with Felix Bauckholt, a German citizen who also was killed in the exchange of gunfire. The two had been under surveillance days before the to federal court documents, a motion filed by U.S. Attorney Michael Drescher on Monday states that the gun used by Youngblut and another that Bauckholt was carrying were bought by a third person in Vermont in February 2024. The buyer — unnamed in court documents — is considered a person of interest relating to a double homicide investigation in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. The buyer is also a person of interest in a homicide investigation in Vallejo, California, according to the motion. "The defendant's possession and use of a firearm, combined with her itinerary and associations, suggests she poses a current and substantial danger to the community that could not be addressed by a condition or a combination of conditions of pretrial release," Drescher wrote. Youngblut made her initial court appearance on Monday and is scheduled for a detention hearing on Thursday. According to the charges, Maland initiated a traffic stop on Interstate 91 in Coventry, Vermont. The car was occupied by Youngblut, a native of Washington state, and Bauckholt, a German national whose immigration status was in question. The two were on law enforcement's radar a few days earlier when a hotel employee in Lyndonville expressed concern about them "being dressed in tactical clothing and protective gear, while also being armed." Prior to the shooting, they were spotted at a Walmart parking lot in Newport, Vermont and Bauckholt was allegedly seen "wrapping unidentifiable objects with aluminum foil" while sitting in the car. Both were armed at the time of the traffic stop. According to the charges, Youngblut allegedly fired a handgun without warning toward at least one of the border patrol agents while standing outside of the vehicle. Bauckholt also attempted to draw a gun as an exchange of gunfire erupted. Maland suffered a fatal gunshot wound, with both Youngblut and Bauckholt also shot, with the latter pronounced dead at the scene and Youngblut taken to a hospital for medical care. If convicted, Youngblut faces a maximum of life in prison and a mandatory minimum of 10 years. A GoFundMe campaign for Maland's family has so far raised more than $55,000.
