Latest news with #HarlemHighSchool
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Annexation request could nearly double the size of Harlem
HARLEM, Ga. (WJBF) – The City of Harlem is getting ready to discuss an annexation plan that could double the size of the city. More than 700 acres of land near Harlem High School (along Clary Cut Road) is the talking point for city leaders. While they're optimistic about the possibilities, they say they're waiting on key discussions to happen first. This started last year, when a land owner came to Mayor Roxanne Whitaker and city leaders, asking what they would accept if he were to annex his property into the city. 'We told him nothing less than half acre lots. Now he has come and asked to annex into the city, but he has given us no preliminary plans of what he wishes to do with that property,' said Whitaker. The property owner then sent an application in March to annex the land into city limits. After notifying Columbia County commissioners, the city got a request to expand from the developer, Log Creek Properties, LLC. For Harlem residents, the annexation could mean more housing, which in turn could lead to more foot traffic in the town and economic benefits. City leaders are exploring the possibilities, but they want to maintain their small-town charm. 'It would be a plus. Of course, we welcome anyone to our city, and we consider those outside of our city limits Harlem people—so it would just add to our charm. We are striving to keep that small town hospitality that we're known for, and I do believe our downtown still promotes that,' Whitaker said. It's also another opportunity for growth in the town after a setback because of Hurricane Helene. The city was planning to use the old North Harlem Elementary School property as the site of a multi-purpose park, but the hurricane turned it into a debris site—and now they're back to square 1. 'We are hoping to be finishing that up soon, and our engineer says he is almost ready to start work when given the all clear,' said Whitaker. In the meantime, the mayor says city leaders are ready to hear from both sides of the aisle about this massive annexation. 'I want to hear what he wants to do with the property and engage it from there. I've already heard from several citizens who aren't for it—and I understand, because everybody likes Harlem to stay the same. But if we don't grow, we'll die,' Whitaker said. Whitaker and city council members will discuss the annexation plan at their next meeting on April 28th at 6:30 PM at the Harlem Public Safety Building. They will take input from the public, but they need to sign up by 2 PM Friday. A public hearing is scheduled for May 6th, and a second reading will happen during the regular meeting on May 22nd. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Next time we elect someone for business skills, can they at least be good at it?
I have had the opportunity to manage people throughout my career, study business, and watch quality business leaders. When stepping into a new management position, the advice is always clear — do not make radical changes until you listen and learn about the situation and people you are now managing. It is this advice that stuck in my mind earlier this month as I analyzed the folly of Donald Trump's attempts to pause government assistance and foreign aid programs. In both cases, the government issued wide sweeping and vague memos with minimal rollout times. In both cases, the result was chaos, confusion and panic as vital programs that affected hundreds of millions of people began to be shuttered. These changes were so rushed and ill-conceived that before they even went into effect government spokespeople were trying to clarify and provide explanations. They were so rushed and ill-conceived that Secretary of State Marco Rubio was forced to immediately expand exemptions to include programs like George W. Bush's President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief which serves 20 million patients every year while fighting the spread of HIV worldwide that were not considered before the initial rollout. The changes were so rushed and ill-conceived that they failed to consider, or care, that most contractors are paid through reimbursement and thus many could not survive a months-long funding pause. They were so rushed and ill-conceived that the pause on government assistance was rescinded after questions arose about the impact on Medicaid, meals for students and seniors, programs for pregnant mothers, non-profits working with people with disabilities and so much more. Even worse still, Donald Trump has offered a 'buyout' to all federal workers — a plan that will only serve to purge institutional knowledge and make it more difficult to deal with logistical challenges that the government faces in the future. Essentially, Donald Trump became a new manager, he implemented massive changes without any real plan or thought, the results were so bad that he couldn't even make it through Day 1 without abandoning the radical changes he instituted, and he is getting rid of much of his staff. These are rookie management mistakes. So, I have just one question to those who elected Donald Trump, businessman. Next time we elect someone for their business skills, can they at least be good at it? Jeremy Ennis has served as chief of staff for State Representative West since West took office on Jan. 9, 2019. He was born in Rockford and has spent his life in the Rockford region, a proud graduate of Harlem High School and Rockford University. This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Opinion: We elected a businessman who isn't good at business
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Local man proposes during Super Bowl halftime commercial
MACHESNEY PARK, Ill. (WTVO) — A man from Machesney Park had the chance to surprise the love of his life at halftime of the Super Bowl in front of thousands of local viewers. Ken DuBose has been with Rebecca Harrington since 2023 and sees a future with her. 'You're my soul mate,' DuBose told her. 'I want to be with you forever and let's make it happen.' DuBose was coaching football at Harlem High School in Rockford when a player's mom set the pair up on a date. DuBose said he felt an instant connection. 'She's just someone that I felt comfortable with; she's my inner peace,' DuBose said. 'I can talk to her about anything. She's my best friend. She makes me laugh. She holds me accountable. She's the best.' The two and Harrington's family were rooting for the Philadelphia Eagles, but they got more than just a football win Sunday night. Harrington said she is more than excited to marry DuBose. 'He is very loving towards me, he loves my family, and he's really just great,' Harrington said. The pair will celebrate on a cruise they have scheduled for this summer. DuBose won the Eyewitness News Super Proposal contest and received $1,500 from Frank Jewlers to use on an engagement ring. 'Never in a thousand years did I think I would even have a chance to win something like that,' DuBose said. 'I've waited for 54 years for this, so I'm super excited about the ride and the final chapter.' Harrington said she isn't the biggest football fan, but DuBose always told her one day it would change her life, and it did. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Harlem bowlers ready to go after a state championship
MACHESNEY PARK, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — The Harlem High School boys' bowling team is ready to go after a state championship this weekend. The Huskies will be on the lanes at the IHSA State Tournament in O'Fallon Friday and be trying to top their seventh-place finish of last season. They have the talent to do it. There are nine seniors on the team and one superb freshman in Benjamin Saturday Harlem won the Oregon Sectional. These guys have every reason to believe that this is their year.'This team couldn't do it without each other,' said senior Brayland Carpenter. 'Those nine seniors have been together since probably second grade, so going out with a possible state championship is just the odds should lean towards our favor, and we hope to do the best we can.''I think with the addition of our freshmen and then all of us seniors, you know, just growing together, I think I think we have a really good shot this year, said senior Simon Axe. We're going to put it all out there. We're going to leave it all out there and go for that state title.'Teams from Oregon and Dixon will also be competing at state. Belvidere North Junior Jayden Curtis will be competing as an individual. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
