Latest news with #FourthofJulyParade
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Longtime volunteers to lead Springfield parade
The Springfield Fourth of July Committee has announced Jerome and Regina Oakes as the grand marshals for the 2025 Fourth of July Parade. According to a news release from the committee, Jerome Oakes and Regina Armstrong both grew up in the town of Springfield but the two had not met until July 4, 1976 at Springfield's bicentennial celebration of America's Declaration of Independence. In 1980, they were wed at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Springfield Center. According to the couple, they have always been happy to remain in Springfield, "a place they consider beautiful and peaceful, and where they have both found satisfaction in service to their community," the release stated. Jerome Oakes is a veteran of the Vietnam War and recipient of a Purple Heart medal and other awards of distinction. He is a member of the Richfield Springs American Legion, the Cooperstown VFW and the Utica DAV. An active Boy Scout in his youth, Jerome achieved the rank of Star Scout and was a member of the Order of the Arrow and the Explorers. When the Oakes' twin boys were young, Jerome assisted the Cub Scout troop and coached Little League and T-ball teams. He has been a volunteer fireman in the Springfield Fire Department for 54 years and served as an EMS volunteer for nine years, according to the release. He is the superintendent of Springfield Cemetery, where he is responsible for managing burials, repairing and leveling headstones, excavating cremation plots, selling plots, and assisting with funeral arrangements. He places flags on the graves of veterans for Memorial Day, a service he extends to nearby cemeteries, the release stated. He also serves as custodian at the Springfield Community Center and traditionally carries the flag for the Springfield Fire Department's marching unit in the Fourth of July Parade, "as well as fulfilling many other supportive roles around the event," according to the release. Regina Oakes had a 47-year career at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown. As a certified pharmacy technician, she primarily worked at the Cancer Center. Shortly after retiring, she returned to assist during the COVID pandemic, according to the release. For several summers, after completing shifts at the hospital, Regina spent her evenings working at the Cooperstown Dreams Park. She currently serves as an elected member of the Springfield Town Council, bringing almost 16 years of experience to the council, the release stated. She can often be found at the Springfield Community Center overseeing events and leading senior exercise programs and community pickleball, or at the Springfield Landing, where she manages boat slips and park passes. She spearheaded the clean-up and restoration of the old school cafeteria at the community center and launched the Springfield Community Kitchen in the fall of 2023, the release stated. The luncheons held at the center are planned, cooked and served by Regina, assisted by a staff of volunteers. The program is completely supported by community donations. Regina has been an active member of the Springfield Fire Department Auxiliary for 13 years. She also organizes the Springfield Fourth of July Committee's chicken barbecue. "The committee is pleased to honor their dedication and celebrate their positive impact on the community during this year's parade," the release stated. The parade will commence its 111th year at 11 a.m. Friday, July 4 in the hamlet of Springfield Center. This year's parade theme celebrates "We the People." The parade will end at the Springfield Community Center, where a celebration will be held. The festivities will feature music by the Camden Continentals Fife and Drum Corps and the Cooperstown Community Band, Brooks' chicken barbecue, homemade pie, the Springfield Historical Society Open House, children's games, raffles and more. Free parade parking is available at the community center. An evening concert and fireworks display will take place at Glimmerglass State Park, with music by local rock band Scattered Flurries starting at 7:30 p.m. , to be followed by fireworks at dusk. At 3:30 p.m. Sunday, July 6, the Glimmerglass Festival will present the 2025 Springfield Appreciation Concert, featuring musical selections from the festival's upcoming 50th anniversary season. Tickets for the concert ($5 each) and Springfield Fourth of July T-shirts ($15 each) are available at Convenience Corner, at the intersection of state Route 80 and U.S. Route 20 in Springfield Center. All proceeds support Springfield's Fourth of July events. For more information, look for the Springfield 4th of July Parade and Celebration on Facebook, email or call (315)858-0304.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Founder of Alameda Pride named grand marshal of Fourth of July Parade
(KRON) — The City of Alameda has named Alameda Pride founder Jeramie Andehueson as the grand marshal of the city's 48th annual Fourth of July Parade. Alameda Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft noted that, since its creation in 2022, Alameda Pride has organized the annual Pride in the Park celebration, created a nonprofit foundation to provide safe spaces and resources to those in need, and opened the Queer Teen Alameda Center. 'In the face of increasing challenges for the LGBTQ+ community, I am proud of the impactful work Jeramie and the entire Alameda Pride team are doing to champion safety, visibility, and inclusivity for everyone,' Ashcraft said. 'We stand together, Alameda strong, with our LGBTQ+ community, and [are] committed to building a brighter present and future for all.' Daughter of Bay Area radio figure faces felony charges for alleged 'Bachelor' paternity scheme Andehueson said that he is 'eager to celebrate with everyone at the parade' and continue efforts to make Alameda 'a truly inclusive city for all its residents.' 'This year's parade theme, 'Together We Rise,' is a powerful call to action,' Ashcraft said. 'The queer community needs the support of our allies, families, and friends now more than ever.' The 3.3-mile-long parade is the longest 4th of July Parade in the U.S., the City of Alameda said. All Alameda residents, nonprofit organizations, community groups, and local businesses are invited to join in the parade. Participation is free for citizens and nonprofits and $50 for local businesses. Parade registration must be completed by 5 p.m. on June 15. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
24-04-2025
- CBS News
Highland Park parade shooter sentenced to life in prison without parole
The convicted shooter in the 2022 Highland Park Fourth of July Parade, Robert Crimo III, was sentenced to life in prison without parole on Thursday. Judge Victoria Rossetti listened to testimony and victim statements over the past two days. Rossetti gave the shooter seven consecutive life sentences for the murder convictions, plus 50 years for each of the 48 attempted murder charges. Crimo was not in court as the sentence was announced, but an unrelated issue inside the jail regarding the shooter caused a brief recess during the judge's sentencing. After a recess of about 45 minutes, the shooter decided not to come into court after all, and the sentencing continued. On Wednesday and Thursday, survivors of the mass shooting, joined by their families, sat in the courtroom as witnesses answered questions and recounted the day. First responders and a victim of the shooting spoke on the first day of sentencing. A shooting survivor spoke on Thursday on behalf of herself and her late husband. Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart shared a closing statement about the shooter's impact on the Highland Park community. The shooter pleaded guilty last month to 21 counts of first-degree murder and 48 counts of attempted first-degree murder just moments before opening statements were set to begin in his trial. Those who were killed in the shooting included 64-year-old Katherine Goldstein, 35-year-old Irina McCarthy, 37-year-old Kevin McCarthy, 63-year-old Jacquelyn Sundheim, 88-year-old Stephen Straus, 78-year-old Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza, and 69-year-old Eduardo Uvaldo. Another 48 people were wounded in the shooting, including Cooper Roberts, then 8, who was left paralyzed from the waist down. Highland Park gunman skips sentencing hearing The convicted shooter was told multiple times that his trial and now his sentencing would happen with or without him, and he chose not to attend his sentencing. Still witnesses and victims one by one took the stand on an emotional day for everyone in the courtroom. Retired Highland Park Police Commander Gerry Cameron, who was at the scene of the shooting, and led the investigation into the attack, talked about personally transporting three people to the hospital after Crimo started shooting – killing seven people and wounding 48 others. Highland Park resident Dana Ruder Ring took the stand. She was at the parade with her husband and three children. Crimo repeatedly failed to attend court proceedings in his case before ultimately pleading guilty. During the three days of jury selection, he was only in court for the first half of each of the first two days, and was not in court at all on the final day of jury selection.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Groton Thrive 55+ members rally for beloved employee not given promotion
Groton — Thrive 55+ Active Living Center members are calling for a beloved food service employee to become the facility's permanent kitchen supervisor. Members collected 100 signatures on a petition calling on the town to give Lynnsie Manza another interview, after she was sick from a chemotherapy treatment on the day of her in-person interview and instead had a Zoom interview. Manza said Friday that she was given the second interview, but is not being considered for the job. She's well-respected and loved by many members," said member Kris Meaney, who collected the signatures. "She knows what the people like, and she loves her job." Meaney was among a dozen members of Thrive 55+, formerly the Groton Senior Center, who spoke during Tuesday's Town Council meeting in support of Manza. The speakers said Manza makes delicious, healthy food, puts in extra hours, and is a wonderful person. Meaney noted that Manza implemented new lunch menu items as well as cleaning and organizing the kitchen, walk-in freezer and stockroom areas. She was the cook for the Community First Dinner Program, which served 10,000 community meals during the COVID-19 pandemic, and was nominated as grand marshal in the Groton Fourth of July Parade. Thrive 55+ volunteer Barbara Daniels said Thursday that Manza comes in many weekends to get ahead for the week, prepares delicious meals and is very personable. Meaney added everyone loves Manza's soups and quiches, special fruit cups in the spring and summer along with veggie cups and salads made with produce from the center's garden, while member Rosemary Golston praised her innovative dishes such as a cowboy burger — a hamburger on a roll with bacon and special sauce. "The woman's got heart, and she is so good with the clientele, so good with everybody that passes through the lines," said resident Kathy Spencer. Town Manager John Burt said the town is unable to comment on personnel matters. Manza said Friday that she cried as she watched people support her at the council meeting. "It was overwhelming," she said. "It was humbling." Manza said she has worked for eight years at Thrive 55+, filling in for the kitchen supervisor position when needed. When the former kitchen supervisor retired at the end of February, she was asked to take over the position while the town looked for a new supervisor. She applied for the permanent position. Manza said she has been diagnosed with cancer and had a chemotherapy treatment a few days before the initial interview. On the day of the interview she said she had a bad reaction to the medication and she had trouble concentrating and forming sentences. Her daughter asked for the interview to be postponed, but instead Manza was offered a Zoom interview later that day. Her daughter, Jennifer Meakem, said her mother was having trouble hearing the Zoom interview even though the official interviewing her tried to adjust the volume. Manza was then told a few days later she did not qualify for a second interview. She was given another interview, but was again told she is not being considered for the job. Meakem, a former Thrive 55+ employee, said it was heartwarming when she walked into Tuesday's council meeting and saw nearly 16 people, who through the years have become extended family, there to support her mother. Meakem told the council her mother "lives by the theory of nobody goes hungry." When people walk into her mother's house, whether they're hungry or not, they end up walking out with food. She said her mother carries that mission with her to the center. Manza said she will continue her work in the kitchen, but she wants the supervisor role and has worked hard to get the kitchen to where it is today. She said she has instituted changes to make the kitchen run more efficiently and to offer to seniors an alternative dish if they, for example, don't like the main meat lasagna on the menu. She said she also implemented grab-and-go leftovers for a reduced price and shops at sales to reduce costs and keep the meals affordable. She said the members of the center are great. "They really are," Manza said. "Sometimes all they need is someone to listen to them, so I listen. If you call them by name, the smile automatically goes to their face.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Norfolk's BoomFest only 1-day celebration in 2025
NORFOLK, Neb. (KCAU) — What would normally be a two-day celebration of the Fourth of July in Norfolk will instead only be one day this year. Big Bang Boom, the organization that puts the yearly BoomFest celebration together, announced that BoomFest will only take place on Sat., July 5 at Skyview Park this year. The event starts at 1 p.m. with live bands, food vendors, and an inflatable. The final event at 10 p.m. is northeast Nebraska's largest fireworks display. Normally, BoomFest is a two-day event with activities scheduled for Friday and Saturday, culminating with the Big Bang Boom firework show Saturday night. Big Bang Boom President Don Wisnieski said they aren't moving away from the two-day celebration and that it will return in 2026. The reason for the one-day celebration is because the Fourth of July falls on a Friday this year – this way, community members can celebrate with their family and friends that day. Kenyan man moves to northeast Nebraska to pursue passion of cooking 'Since the Friday before the fireworks show is Independence Day and we recognize that many folks plan their own personal backyard Bar-B-Ques and get-togethers, our committee of volunteers have voted to make this year a one-day event out of concern that attendance may be low,' Wisnieski said. 'This will allow everyone to continue with those personal plans and spend the day with their family and friends.' The Big Bang Boom organization is looking forward to the City of Norfolk's Fourth of July Parade and BoomFest on July 5. The two-day celebration will be back in 2026 when the Fourth of July lands on a Saturday. The event will also mark Big Bang Boom's 50th anniversary, as well as the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence. Wisnieski said they are planning a large-scale celebration to mark the momentous occasion. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
