Latest news with #Howland
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Florida nonprofit helps cut veteran suicide rates by 25% with community-based approach
A Florida-based nonprofit is tackling veteran suicide by connecting community members and holding fast that the crisis American vets are facing is preventable. The Fire Watch operates on three premises: that suicide is preventable, that timely connection to resources can save lives, and that communities must play an active role in prevention. "It takes the community to get involved in suicide prevention," Executive Director Nick Howland told Fox News Digital. After seeing impressive results, The Fire Watch is hoping to take its regional organization nationwide with an approach that tackles veteran suicide differently with treatment-focused efforts and local engagement. 'Down To Zero': Veteran Suicide Crisis Targeted In Va Bill By Bipartisan House Coalition At the heart of The Fire Watch's strategy is the "Watch Stander" program, modeled after CPR training. Read On The Fox News App In a concise 30-to-45-minute session, volunteers learn to recognize warning signs, ask direct questions, validate the veterans' experience, and expedite referral to services—summarized by the acronym SAVE. "Like CPR doesn't train you to be a paramedic, our training doesn't turn you into a clinician," Howland said. "It trains you to notice the change and sound the alarm for help." Each Watch Stander leaves with a wallet card, wristband, and sticker as reminders of critical red flags—expressions of self-harm, substance abuse, reckless behavior, or giving away possessions—and the simple steps to get someone to help. The nonprofit works in tandem with the state's veteran affairs offices and connects veterans with counseling services. Since its inception in Northeast Florida, The Fire Watch has tracked dramatic reductions in veteran suicides. After recording 81 veteran deaths by suicide in 2019, Howland set an audacious goal: cut that number by at least 25% for three consecutive years. Trump To Build National Center For Homeless Veterans With Funds Previously Send On Housing Illegal Aliens As of the latest data released May 1, veteran suicides in the region fell to 61 in 2023—25% below the 2019 baseline for the fourth straight year. Statewide, veteran suicides are down 5%, and in areas where The Fire Watch has a foothold (Northeast Florida, South Florida, Tampa Bay, and Escambia County), the decline has been 12%, compared to just 2% elsewhere in the Sunshine State. "Where we're building our network of community members who care, who get veterans to the help they need, veteran suicidality is decreasing," he said. "It's remarkable." For volunteers like Ryan Haczynski, the program's impact is deeply personal. After losing a Vietnam veteran friend to suicide in late 2022, Haczynski searched for a way to honor his memory and prevent further loss. "I didn't recognize the signs," he reflected, telling Fox News Digital that his friend had even asked him to be the executor of his will just weeks before his death. Following the vet's suicide, Haczynski's online search led him into Watch Stander and Ambassador trainings, where he has since certified others and even helped arrange a proper military funeral for his friend. Haczynski now uses every community interaction to check in on veterans, validate their experiences, and point them to Fire Watch's free 24/7 crisis resources. "We want to give back, we want to help, especially people who have done so much [for our country] to go and serve us," he said. Learn more about The Fire Watch at article source: Florida nonprofit helps cut veteran suicide rates by 25% with community-based approach
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Boardman wins first district championship since 2011
HUBBARD, Ohio (WKBN) – Boardman softball used a big first inning to fuel them to a 5-0 win over Howland to claim the Division III District Championship in Hubbard on Saturday. It's the first district title for the Spartans since 2011. Senior Tori Strines for the Spartans started with a lead-off home run before Ellie Wymer's three-run homer, all in the first inning. Strines also went on to allow just one hit while striking out 12 during a complete game shutout in the circle. For the Tigers, Brooke Tatar struck out seven batters over six innings pitched. The loss ends Howland's season at 12-10 overall. Boardman improved to 23-4 with the win and will advance to take on Tallmadge in the regional semifinal scheduled for 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28 at Devine Diamond in Kent. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tatar shuts out Highland; Howland moves on
WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) – Howland moves on to the Division 3 Northeast 2 semifinal round after defeating Highland, 9-0. Brooke Tatar pitched a complete game, 5-hit shutout, striking out 13 for the win. Tatar and Madison Schmitz each finished with two hits apiece. Both No. 16 and 17 homered for the Tigers. Mary Moy also placed two base hits as she scored two times at the top of the order. The Tigers (12-9) will face Boardman on Thursday in the district final. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Politicians trade claims about records of people bringing guns into Jacksonville City Hall
Has Jacksonville's handling of information about people carrying guns in city buildings violated state law? The answer could be a problem for Mayor Donna Deegan's administration, some mayor before her or maybe no one at all. The question has brewed a set of claims and rebuttals since City Council member Nick Howland warned Thursday that 'Jacksonville families could be on the hook for millions in legal fees, damages, and settlements' over actions of Deegan's staff. Security changes implemented at Jacksonville City Hall in December 2007 required visitors and employees to use the main entrance, where visitors were screened for potential weapons and employees were allowed to show an ID badge. Earlier: Jacksonville tightens City Hall access after stepped-up protests of Confederate monument 'The Deegan Administration has kept a registry of individuals who lawfully carry personal firearms into City Hall — a blatant violation of state law and likely the Constitution,' Howland tweeted on X. 'Florida is a 'no registry' state for a reason. Violating that law carries steep penalties.' Action News Jax reported that Howland said contracted security officers at City Hall and the Yates Building, which houses county tax collector and real estate appraiser's offices, have maintained notebooks listing the names, contact information and types of guns people have carried in since July 2023, when state law changed to allow permit-less carrying of concealed weapons. Deegan also took office in July 2023. Deegan's office emailed a reply Friday that 'the policy in question was created and written before Mayor Deegan took office. 'In light of the issue that has been raised, we are undergoing a review of all policy directives, particularly those from the previous administration that were left for us on their way out,' the response said. 'Mayor Deegan and the leadership of her administration fully support constitutionally protected rights.' Former Mayor Lenny Curry, whom Deegan succeeded, emailed Thursday evening that if Howland's claims are correct, 'this administration's actions represent a blatant violation of the law — one that opens the door to serious legal consequences and exposes taxpayers to costly litigation.' Since 2004, state law has allowed a fine up to $5 million if a government official or agency were to 'knowingly and willfully keep or cause to be kept any list, record, or registry of privately owned firearms or any list, record, or registry of the owners of those firearms.' Security measures to check visitors for hidden weapons were added at Jacksonville City Hall in December 2007. Violating that law is a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison, the statute says. The statute includes a clause saying that, with some exceptions, a list of gun owners 'is not a law enforcement tool and can become an instrument for profiling, harassing, or abusing law-abiding citizens based on their choice to own a firearm and exercise their Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.' Curry said that during his eight years as mayor, 'I stood firm in defense of the Second Amendment. We followed the law. We respected constitutional rights. What's happening now is reckless and deeply irresponsible.' Deegan's office said in its statement it had received and complied with a subpoena from the State Attorney's Office and declined further comment 'out of respect and in full cooperation with their review.' However a spokesman for that agency said Friday he couldn't confirm whether a subpoena had been issued or whether there was an investigation. If investigators find that the records have been kept about gun-carriers, prosecutors could still face challenges to establishing that a public official 'knowingly and willfully' collected the information, since it's unclear whether anyone at a policymaking level was aware the information was being gathered. A summary box with this story was updated to state more accurately state whose gun-carrying in city buildings is alleged to have been recorded. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Are prosecutors probing list of Jacksonville City Hall's gun carriers?
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Councilman claims the City of Jacksonville may have created an illegal gun registry
The City of Jacksonville may have created an illegal gun registry. That's the claim of a prominent Republican city council member. Only Action News Jax spoke with Councilman Nick Howland (R-Group 3 At-Large), who broke down what he's learned about the alleged list of gun owners who have entered at least two city buildings. Since July 1st, 2023, state law has prevented local governments from prohibiting legal gun owners from carrying concealed in government buildings. It's the same day Mayor Donna Deegan officially came into office. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< But Howland told Action News Jax he's learned that same month, private security guards working the entrance of two city buildings allegedly began keeping a list of people who entered with firearms. He claimed those alleged lists were kept at both City Hall and the Yates Building, which houses the Tax Collector and Property Appraiser's Offices. 'They were asked to document their first name, last name, contact information and the type of firearm they were carrying,' said Howland. Florida law prohibits the creation of lists of gun owners. Violations by local governments come with a civil penalty of up to $5 million and individuals who violate the law could be charged with a 3rd degree felony. 'In those notebooks for two years, that info has been gathered. Florida is a no-registry state. So, that is a clear violation of state law,' said Howland. Howland claimed the State Attorney's Office is investigating, but the State Attorney's Office told us it cannot confirm whether an investigation has been opened. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Action News Jax reached out to the Mayor's Office requesting a copy of the alleged lists. The Mayor's Office didn't directly deny their existence, but told us, 'A document responsive to this request is not in the City of Jacksonville's possession.' We followed up asking if the mayor's office could confirm whether a document responsive to our request had been given to the State Attorney's Office. 'The City of Jacksonville has received and complied with a subpoena from the State Attorney's Office,' a spokesperson for the Mayor's Office replied. 'Out of respect and in full cooperation with their review, we won't be commenting further at this time.' Read: Coyote that has been attacking people in Atlantic Beach is dead Howland argued that, given the potential consequences if an illegal gun registry was created, it's imperative the individual who gave the original order be identified. 'It is interesting that this registry starts being kept the same month that this administration has started office, but it's not up to me to determine who has given the directive. It's up to the State Attorney,' said Howland. Read: Virginia nonprofit builds playsets in Neptune Beach for kids fighting cancer According to Howland, the city has retained the Bedell Firm to represent it in handling this matter. Action News Jax reached out to the Bedell firm to confirm that claim but hasn't heard back. We've also submitted a public records request to the State Attorney's Office seeking copies of the alleged lists. That request is pending. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
