Latest news with #McNeely
Hamilton Spectator
06-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Outrage grows on North Coast over B.C. Ferries accessibility failures for 2+ months
A BC Ferries' vessel, which connects several North Coast communities, has been operating without a functional elevator since Feb. 20, creating major challenges for passengers with mobility issues. A critical link between Port Hardy, Prince Rupert, Bella Bella, Klemtu, and Haida Gwaii, the Northern Adventure ferry's broken elevator and stair lift have sparked concerns from the BC Ferry & Marine Workers' Union and passengers over serious accessibility inadequacies. 'It's not a good situation for anyone to be in, and we think that prioritizing fully accessible vessels and terminals is important, especially so in the North where there's very limited options for people to travel. And in some cases, BC ferries may be the only option,' said Eric McNeely, BC Ferry & Marine Workers' Union president. The union represents more than 4,500 ferry and marine workers across the province, including deckhands, terminal staff, engineers, and stewards. McNeely says that passengers with disabilities have been forced to crawl upstairs or pay others to carry them aboard the Northern Adventure. 'This is a clear human rights failure,' said the union president. Several front-line deck workers are union members facing daily tension and conflict as travellers requiring assistance are left without safe or dignified ways to access the upper decks. Some older adults have even asked to be carried, placing workers in a moral dilemma as they are caught between compassion and an employer policy prohibiting them from carrying passengers. For travellers from some remote coastal communities, this ship is their only lifeline to medical care, family, and essential services. 'Technicians have been on-vessel multiple times for repairs but have not been successful in finding a long-term fix for the elevator,' said Sonia Lowe, senior communications advisor at BC Ferries. The elevator briefly resumed operation in early April but failed again shortly after. Lowe explained that one of the challenges BC Ferries faces is that the original European elevator manufacturer is no longer in business, making it difficult to source replacement parts. To address this, the company is now collaborating with a new elevator supplier to develop a comprehensive repair plan and secure the necessary components, she said. Technicians are scheduled to be back on board starting repairs on Wednesday, May 7. 'Eleven weeks without an elevator seems like a very long time in a company that receives a significant amount of provincial and federal funding, and accessibility should be a part of their public obligation,' said McNeely. 'This shouldn't be happening in 2025. Delays sourcing a part are not an excuse. When people's dignity and safety are on the line, you find a solution fast,' he added. McNeely noted that passengers on this route are not permitted to remain in their vehicles and must exit and climb the stairs to reach the passenger area. Additionally, the washrooms are limited to the stairs only. 'There's quite a few elderly travellers at the northern routes. If anyone falls on those flight of stairs, that's a real is difficult to be part of a system that isn't humanizing the challenges that exist because of mechanical breakdowns. It's 2025, we hosted the Paralympics. Rick Hansen tries to travel around, like we could do better?' Lowe said BC Ferries is sorry about the situation. 'We understand the impact this has on passengers with accessibility needs and sincerely apologize for the ongoing inconvenience.' The company has offered customers the option to cancel or reschedule their booking at no extra charge. The BC Ferry & Marine Workers' Union is calling for urgent repairs, immediate accommodations for passengers requiring assistance and a plan to prevent future failures.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
MC announces 2024--2025 Dr. Stan Jacobs Teaching Excellence Award Winners
Apr. 29—On April 25, Midland College announced the winners of the Dr. Stan Jacobs Teaching Excellence Awards. The Teaching Excellence Awards are a long-standing tradition at Midland College to recognize, celebrate, and honor the exceptional accomplishments of the MC faculty. They are made possible by an endowment given to the college by Dr. Stan Jacobs, a retired associate vice president of instruction. 2024-2025 Transfer Winner: Debbie McNeely, Ph.D — Associate Professor, Psychology McNeely has made significant contributions across campus, serving on numerous committees and leading as Chair of the General Education Committee. She is also an effective Strive Coach and a key campus leader in faculty development. Her work as a facilitator for faculty research training has empowered colleagues to explore and enhance their own teaching and learning practices. Actively engaged with the Teaching and Learning Center as both a participant and facilitator, Dr. McNeely stays at the forefront of research in meta-cognition and student learning. Recently, she developed and began teaching a new course, Biological Psychology, which has quickly become a favorite among behavioral science students. 2024-2025 Workforce Winner: Kally Eddison — Department Chair, Respiratory Care In just four years as department chair, Kally Eddison has expanded Midland College's respiratory care program by 450%. Beyond the impressive growth in enrollment, Eddison has cultivated a program culture grounded in trust, support, high expectations, and genuine care. Her students now pass credentialing exams at higher rates, enter clinical rotations better prepared, and graduate with the confidence and skills needed to succeed in patient care. More information in the winners can be found on the MC website. The TEA selection process spans several months. It begins with the call for nominations from faculty and staff. After the nomination window closes, a panel of six members, representing a wide range of campus disciplines, conducts a thorough review to select finalists from both academic transfer and workforce divisions. These finalists epitomize the pinnacle of educational excellence, embodying the spirit of innovation, dedication, and passion that defines the TEA. Other 2025 finalists celebrated at the event: Transfer Finalists: — Jaime Kneisley, Ph.D — Associate Professor, Mathematics — Shawna Lopez — Associate Professor, Biology Workforce Finalists: — Jaroy Roberts — Professor, Air Conditioning — Heating & Refrigeration Technology
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NC House panel approves bill to allow handguns at private schools
(Photo by Aristide Economopoulos/NJ Monitor) The North Carolina House Judiciary 2 Committee approved a bill Tuesday that would allow individuals to carry handguns at private schools, the latest in a growing list of gun proposals this session. House Bill 193, 'Firearm Law Revisions,' authorizes those with a valid concealed handgun permit (along with those who are exempt from the requirement to have a permit) to possess or carry a handgun on educational property owned, used, or operated by a private school, according to the bill text. Its primary sponsors are Reps. Jeffrey McNeely (R-Iredell), Reece Pyrtle (R-Rockingham), Charles Miller (R-Brunswick, New Hanover), and Todd Carver (R-Iredell). McNeely said that while the bill is currently broad, its objective is to allow security guards or others with training to provide reassurance in the event of a shooting at a private school. 'This would allow some of these smaller private schools… to have somebody that they designate to be able to add some layer of protection to them until the law enforcement can get there,' McNeely said. As worded, the bill would allow anyone lawfully entitled to carry a concealed handgun — including a school official, teacher, or even a student — to carry it on the premises of a private school below the college level, with written permission from the school. The legislation's impact could expand if either of two pending bills authorizing so-called 'constitutional carry' — Senate Bill 50 or House Bill 5 — were to be enacted into law. These bills would allow individuals 18 or older to carry concealed handguns without obtaining a permit, a deviation from current law. Senate Bill 50 has passed through the upper chamber and is now in the House, while House Bill 5 awaits another committee hearing in its original chamber. Rep. Laura Budd (D-Mecklenburg) asked if the legislation is too broad, given that there are no requirements pertaining to training or background checks. 'What we're hoping is this will allow for security guards who are not able, people who do have training, but they do not fall under law enforcement, to be able to be there on hand and hopefully offer some level of protection,' McNeely said. The sponsor emphasized that the bill does not circumvent existing concealed carry laws in the state – security guards would need to have permits in order to carry concealed handguns. Rep. Deb Butler (D-New Hanover) pointed out that polling shows the bulk of North Carolina teachers do not favor guns in schools. 'This bill endangers students, it endangers teachers, and people don't want it,' she said. 'You're telling the teachers of North Carolina that we don't really care what you say.' McNeely responded that the bill is not a requirement. While it allows private schools to employ these security guards, it does not make it mandatory. The bill also includes a provision that would insulate certain law enforcement-operated shooting ranges from civil liability or criminal prosecution relating to noise or noise pollution. House Bill 193 now heads to the House Education K-12 Committee for further debate. The House Judiciary 2 Committee also voted to approve House Bill 301, 'Social Media Protections for Minors Under 16,' moving the measure to the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee. This legislation would ban social media accounts for children under 14 and require parental permission for children between the ages of 14 and 15.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Yahoo
Family resource center pivots their annual fundraiser and seeks sponsors
HINTON, WV (WVNS) – On normal years, the REACHH-Family Resource Center would be holding their annual Dam Run 5K in April. The purpose for this run is to fundraise for Child Abuse Prevention Month, which is April. Officials with REACHH have decided against holding the run this year, due to road work that is taking place at Bellepoint. Josie McNeely is the director of the Summers County Child Advocacy Center, which is a branch of the REACHH-Family Resource Center. Arrest made in connection to Nimitz Dollar General break-in and fire She told 59News, they are still attempting to raise funds, but this time it will be with Child Abuse Prevention tee shirts. 'We just want to spread awareness of what you can look for in child abuse and what you can do if you feel like you suspect child abuse. We just want our community to have their eyes open and we want to protect our kids and our community,' said McNeely. These funds will also assist REACHH's ability to hold events throughout the year to educate the public on child abuse prevention and other important matters. They are seeking sponsors for these tee shirts, as well as yard signs that they are going to put out. If you would like to sponsor, the deadline is March 21, 2025. You will get your name or company's name on the tee shirt and yard sign. You can stop by their location at 411 Temple Street in Hinton to talk with them about sponsoring. They are open until 4 p.m. during the week. You can also call them at (304) 466-2226. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
New bill proposes hike in vehicle safety inspection fees
An Iredell County lawmaker is defending a hike in emission inspection fees that could double your bill. According to the Hickory Record, right now, safety inspections cost $12.75 and $23.75 for safety and emissions. A house bill sponsored by North Carolina State Representative Jeff McNeely wants to raise it to $29.15 and $40.15. ALSO READ: Several local lawmakers reverse opposition to transit plan McNeely said the increase all goes to the inspection stations. He said if lawmakers don't raise the price, mechanics and auto shops will quit doing the work. House lawmakers are set to debate the bill Tuesday. WATCH BELOW: Iredell Coast ends free food pantry due to rising grocery costs
