Latest news with #MarkLong
BBC News
26-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Disabled flier's salute to Spitfire crash pilot Mark Long
A man with cerebral palsy has taken to the skies in memory of a pilot who died in a Spitfire Morris, 45, from Grantham, is the first recipient of the Mark Long Scholarship, which gives people with disabilities the opportunity to learn to Ldr Mark Long was killed when his plane, which belonged to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF), crashed in a field near RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, on 25 May widow Beth said: "it's really lovely when you can do something so positive, that's come out of something so negative." Mr Morris has completed a three-week course at Sherburn Aero Club, near Leeds, and described the experience as "an honour"."Mark was a talented pilot, everybody respected him," he said. "Everyone I know who knew him has said he was an exceptional, brilliant man."Learning to fly had been "really challenging and daunting", but became "more fun" as the weeks went on, he added. Mrs Long spent a "really lovely" day with Mr Morris at the airfield. She said it was exciting to hear him over the radio while flying the plane and to "see his big smile" after getting out of the Morris's scholarship was paid for through donations and fundraising organised by the Long family. Next year's scholarship is already fully funded and is intended to form part of a wider Mark Long Trust, Mrs Long is hoped that the trust will run several scholarships each year, invest in modifying aircraft and promote aviation for family are working alongside Flying Scholarships for Disabled People (FSDP), which has helped more than 400 people. Sqn Ldr Mark Sugden, the commanding officer of the BBMF and chairman of the trust, said he thought Sqn Ldr Long would be "bowled over" by the success of the scholarship."I think he'd be so proud of us – and seeing what an impact it's had to someone like Mark [Morris]."Mrs Long said the past year had "been a blur"."It's been emotional – it's been quite tough," she added. "But we have come out with this really positive legacy of the Mark Long Trust, that we know is going to change people's lives for many years to come." Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Travis Etienne's Decline Could Lead to Jaguars Trade Decision
The Jacksonville Jaguars are making it clear this offseason: complacency won't be tolerated. According to Mark Long of the Associated Press, even entrenched starters like offensive tackles Walker Little and Anton Harrison are expected to earn their roles during training camp. That approach underscores a broader shift within the organization—one focused on raising the roster's ceiling through relentless competition at every position. Advertisement But this isn't just coach-speak or motivational fluff. The front office appears to be backing it up with action, quietly reshaping the roster in ways that could push multiple veterans out of the picture entirely. Among those under the microscope is running back Travis Etienne Jr.—and not just because of stats. According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, league executives say Jacksonville's new regime of coaches and executives is 'not so high' on Etienne. That includes new general manager James Gladstone and head coach Liam Coen, both of whom have brought a new philosophy to town. Rookie Bhayshul Tuten, in particular, is viewed as someone who could carve out an immediate role in the backfield. That spells trouble for Etienne, who was already trending downward entering the offseason. Advertisement It's been a rollercoaster ride for the former first-rounder. After missing his rookie year with a Lisfranc injury, Etienne exploded across the 2022 and 2023 seasons with 2,925 scrimmage yards and 17 touchdowns—earning a spot in the top 10 of Offensive Player of the Year voting in 2023. But that momentum didn't carry over. In 2024, Etienne started all 15 games he played but was regularly out-snapped and out-produced by second-year back Tank Bigsby. He finished the season with just 558 rushing yards, 254 receiving yards, and two total touchdowns—all career lows. Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) rushes for yards during the second quarter © Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Now entering a contract year and facing declining usage and internal support, Etienne's future in Jacksonville looks uncertain. The Jaguars may decide to move on entirely, flipping him for draft capital rather than risk losing him in free agency with nothing in return. Advertisement And Etienne may not be alone. If other veterans like Little, Harrison, or additional established players fail to hold off the influx of young talent, the Jaguars could emerge as a surprise seller before Week 1. In Jacksonville, a new era has clearly arrived—and some familiar names could be on the move because of it. Related: Hunter Renfrow Returns to NFL With Familiar Jersey Number, Faces Former QB Trevor Lawrence Week 1 Related: Clemson Pockets ACC's $45 Million But Financial Fight Far From Over Related: Billy Napier Reflects on Clemson Firing by Dabo Swinney That Changed Everything
BBC News
24-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Memorial plaque for RAF Spitfire crash pilot to be unveiled
A plaque honouring an RAF pilot who died in a Spitfire crash is to be unveiled Ldr Mark Long was killed when his plane, which belonged to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF), crashed in a field near RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, on 25 May commemorative plaque has been installed in the village of Market Stainton, near Market Rasen, and is due to be unveiled during a dedication ceremony at 13:00 said the 43-year-old pilot had been due to fly over the village as part of a remembrance ceremony for the crew of a Lancaster bomber, which crashed in the village in 1943. The plaque for Sqn Ldr Long has been organised by Dan Grant, who was also involved in the memorial event for the Lancaster cousin, Flying Officer Francis Archie Randall, was the pilot of the bomber when it came down in the village on its return from a raid on Berlin on 16 December 1943. Mr Grant, a retired airline captain and aviation historian who lives in Quebec, Canada, raised money for a memorial dedicated to Flying Officer Randall, who was just 21 when he died, and the rest of the crew. He said Sqn Ldr Long had been on his way to perform a fly-past at a dedication ceremony for the memorial when his Spitfire crashed. Mr Grant said he decided to pay tribute to Sqn Ldr Long with a new plaque in his honour, which had been sponsored by the paid tribute to Sqn Ldr Long as a man who "dedicated himself to preserving the history of the RAF, as well as defending the freedoms we now enjoy", adding that he could not be "more proud" of Ldr Mark Sugden, the commanding officer of the BBMF, is among those expected to attend the memorial event. He previously paid tribute to Sqn Ldr Long, describing him an "incredible" pilot who "touched the hearts of everyone that he met, always prioritising the needs of others before himself".The BBMF fleet was grounded after the crash, but has since been cleared for flying and is due to take part in events during this year's display season. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Blind personal trainer says guide dog is 'life-enhancing'
A personal trainer who lost nearly all his vision at 41 years old says receiving a guide dog has been "life-enhancing".Mark Long, 43, from Gloucestershire, was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa aged 12, but his conditions worsened in has now adapted to sight loss and launched his own gym at home, in Stonehouse, so he can work alongside his guide dog, Mary."For me to be able to have that little bit of independence again is encouraging me to be a better person," he said. Mr Long said he started experiencing issues such as blurry vision and the sun seeming "really bright" aged 40, and months later on optician told him his condition was becoming "very aggressive very quickly".He said: "Initially [the diagnosis] was just horrific. "I didn't know what to do. I was trying to keep everything together for my family and making sure they were positive."The personal trainer said he had "never given up on anything" and his family knew he would " put up the best kind of fight". "But ultimately, I can't win against it," he explained."It's only going to deteriorate. It's been a lot of soul searching, a lot of reflection, and trying to work out new ways of dealing with it. "But it's a part of me, I've got to accept it. It's definitely not the end, it's the start of something new." After building his new gym, Mr Long told the BBC he wanted to inspire other people to making positive changes in their lives."I didn't have anyone I could go to, I didn't have anybody where it was 'I think they're really inspiring'," he said."People have done loads cooler stuff than me and are really achieving with worst situations."There are really bad days, but you can reflect on that and move forward."Mr Long was partnered with Mary through the charity Guide Dogs. He said she was "involved with every aspect" of his life."She gave me purpose again. I'd lost confidence, but she helped me regain my independence," he added."I can go out and about, and not hold back, because I've got Mary by my side."
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CASD announces $53K in savings so far in update on cyber charter tuition audit
With $8 million budgeted for cyber charter school tuition payments this school year, Chambersburg Area School District verified this week that it was paying cyber tuition for four students living outside the school district. Meanwhile, the district has not heard back from about 440 other cyber charter students contacted via letter, email and/or by phone as part of an effort to determine whether the district is paying cyber charter tuition for students living outside district boundaries, an official said at Tuesday's regular board meeting. Superintendent Chris Bigger publicly announced the cyber charter tuition audit at the March 25 board meeting, saying it began as part of a look into attendance across the district. At the time, Assistant Superintendent Mark Long said the district had identified two cyber charter students who were living in another state after returned mail led to further investigation. District officials reached out to all of the approximately 550 students for whom the district, per state law, pays tuition to attend an outside cyber charter school, according to support services director Bobbie Stine. Of those, 88 returned documentation affirming their district residency. Twenty letters were returned non-deliverable, indicating the student no longer lives at the address the district had on file. By eliminating the four students identified as living outside the district, the effort has yielded about $52,599 in savings to date, Stine said. CASD's bill for cyber charter school tuition more than doubled, to $7.1 million, between the 2018-19 and 2023-24 school years, according to district data. The district expects to pay an additional $1 million this school year. This school year, the tuition rates increased to more than $12,000 for each regular student and nearly $30,000 for each special education student, according to the district's data. This year's budget includes $8 million for cyber charter tuition. The tuition rate for regular education students has risen 39% over the past 10 years, while the special education rate has gone up 73%, according to Stine. The district is still working to communicate with the families of cyber students it has not yet reached. The district sends correspondence that was returned to the student's cyber charter school with a request that their address be verified. "It's a slow process," Stine said. Bigger noted some districts hire full-time employees just to verify cyber charter students. "So there are opportunities for us if we need moving forward that we are considering if we don't get better responses or legislative change," he said. Previous reporting: Are taxpayers footing the bill for out-of-state cyber school students? In Pennsylvania, public school districts are legally required to pay tuition for in-district students who choose to attend a cyber charter school. As more families have turned to cyber charter schools in recent years, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, the amount districts pay has skyrocketed. School districts have been pushing for changes to cyber charter funding system since before the pandemic. Bigger said he is confident legislation is close. "Cyber school reform has been talked about for my entire administrative career with very little to no action. If it doesn't happen his year, I'm never going to bring it up again in a public meeting," he said. "The cyber school reform may happen. This is the year. If it's going to happen, it's going to be this year." Board member Mike Hayduk, Region 7, said it is important for any organization to eliminate fraud, waste and abuse of resources. " I would urge every resident to contact their elected state officials and insist that legislation be passed to end the unfair practices that many cyber schools take advantage of," he said. "The Chambersburg Area School District recognizes that cyber school offer options for many families, but we should expect competition to be fair with transparency and accountability. The same standards that our district is required to comply with." Board Vice President Faye Gaugler, Region 1, said cyber charter schools should be held to the same standards as public schools. There should be transparency on finances and educational outcomes. "I commend the CASD administration for investigating the issue of residency of students. Inequity of funding is a separate issue from the payment for students who are not residing in the district and is equally important to address but can only be done by the state legislature," she said. Armed robbery: Child held at gunpoint during robbery at Chambersburg house party, police say WellSpan contract: Chambersburg Hospital workers cites stress, burnout as WellSpan contract talks begin Families in CASD do have an in-house option for virtual education: Chambersburg Virtual Academy. If all 373 students attended outside cyber schools instead, the district would pay an additional $5.2 million to outside schools, according to Heidi Minnier, CVA principal. In addition, about 170 students attend part-time, taking one or a few classes, through various district-affiliated programs. Students also take virtual classes to make up credits needed for graduation. A big majority of enrollees are secondary students, with 293 high-schoolers and 57 middle-school students. For 2025-26: CVA will discontinue its elementary virtual program, due to both low enrollment and to support the district's goal that all students be able to read by third grade. 'One of our district initiatives is to make sure students are reading by grade three, and we feel that the way that's going to happen, to reach that goal students need to be in person with a live teacher, every day," Minnier said. Amber South can be reached at asouth@ This article originally appeared on Chambersburg Public Opinion: CASD cyber charter tuition audit: $53K saved from 4 students
