Latest news with #NicholasMiller
Daily Mail
09-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Mom shares daughters escape from Camp Mystic
A couple who had three daughters at Camp Mystic during the tragic flash flooding over Fourth of July holiday weekend has shared their miraculous story of survival. At least 27 little girls and their counselors from the century-old, all-girls Christian camp tragically died when the 'tsunami wall of water' struck the campsite before daybreak on Friday. Five campers and one 19-year-old counselor are among at least 173 people still missing in the floodwaters five days on from the tragedy. Lisa Miller's three daughters, 14-year-old Eliza, 12-year-old Genevieve and nine-year-old Birdie, all miraculously survived the horrific conditions. Little Birdie had the closest brush with danger as she was in a cabin closest to the Guadalupe River with other girls her age. Birdie's father, Miller's husband Nicholas, shared in a post on X that his daughter 'was witness to friends floating away on mattresses and screaming coming from filled cabins.' She was woken about 2.30am to the horrendous storm, unable to go back to sleep due to the noise. When she went to use the bathroom, she noticed the water. Miller said shortly after, the counselors began waking the girls up and asking them to move their belongings onto the bed. Moments later, 'there was too much water outside the door to open it.' She told People that the owner of the camp, Richard 'Dick' Eastland, arrived at the window of the cabin in an effort to rescue the girls and get them to higher ground. A counselor was forced to break a window and little Birdie waited on the cabin porch for each of her friends to be hoisted to safety. The water rose so fast that it was lapping at her shoulders by the time she was finally hoisted onto another counselor's back and whisked to safety. Eastland, considered a camp 'dad' for generations of campers who have come through his doors, tragically died trying to save the lives of girls in his care. 'The evacuation began with my middle daughter's cabin between 2 and 2.30 am,' Nicholas said on X. 'The evacuation warning from officials did not come until 4. No matter your party, please insist on funding the NWS, NOAA and FEMA. Lives can be saved with early detection and rapid response.' The Trump administration has faced mounting criticism for its broad attacks on FEMA and the National Weather Service, raising questions about whether the limited resources and staff after DOGE cuts impeded on the services' ability to broadcast information quickly and effectively. Lisa Miller told the publication she and Nicholas were vacationing in Nice, France, when they first received the alert about flooding at the camp ground. As a former camper and counselor, she initially wasn't too concerned, knowing that staff followed strict protocol and that flooding in the region has historically been minor. It wasn't until a friend informed her that two girls from her youngest daughter's cabin were found further down the Guadalupe River that she realized there had been a 'catastrophic' tragedy. She and her husband frantically tried to book seats on the first flight out of Nice but were met with frequent road blocks, leading Nicholas to make a desperate call-out on X. Miller initially hadn't heard from the staff at the camp itself. She understood that they were 'consumed with the crisis at hand', but fired off a text message to director Mary Liz Eastland, who assured her that all three of her girls were accounted for. Eastland informed her that dozens of other girls - and an entire cabin - were missing, along with several counselors and the owner of the camp, Eastland. It has since emerged the camp sent an email to Camp Mystic families letting them know they'd been in direct contact with the families of all the missing girls. Those who hadn't been contacted were assured their daughters were accounted for. Genevieve's cabin in an area referred to as 'the flats' was one of the first to begin taking in water at about 2am. One of the counselors ran to alert the camp office, sparking the initial wave of evacuations. She and her friends were rushed to the Rec Hall, but as the building began filling with water, they had to once again move to higher ground - a balcony up above the floor. 'Water began rising quickly, coming so close to the balcony that they could touch it, and the waves were lapping just beneath them against the balcony,' Miller said. She praised the 'heroic counselors' who even in the face of such danger kept the youngsters calm by singing camp songs and leading them in prayer. As the chaos was unfolding in the cabins below, Miller's eldest daugher Eliza was blissfully unaware of the dangerous conditions facing the youngest camp members. Her cabin was up on 'Senior Hill' - the highest point of the camp and removed from the bulk of the danger. 'They were totally isolated from the rest of the camp,' she said. 'Their impression was it was just a very bad storm they were weathering together — at the time, it was a bit more of an adventure, or a crazy camp memory, than anything tragic. They were taking pictures and had no idea what was happening below.' Ultimately, all three girls were evacuated from the camp via a Black Hawk helicopter and taken to a reunification center. As the Millers desperately tried to get home from Nice, the girls' grandparents met them and took them home. Nicholas said when he and his wife arrived home, the family huddled in one room and each of the girls began sharing their tales of survival.
Daily Mail
09-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Mom-of-three describes miraculous survival of daughters from Camp Mystic during Texas floods
A couple who had three daughters at Camp Mystic during the tragic flash flooding over Fourth of July holiday weekend has shared their miraculous story of survival. At least 27 little girls and their counselors from the century-old, all-girls Christian camp tragically died when the 'tsunami wall of water' struck the campsite before daybreak on Friday. Five campers and one 19-year-old counselor are among at least 173 people still missing in the floodwaters five days on from the tragedy. Lisa Miller's three daughters, 14-year-old Eliza, 12-year-old Genevieve and nine-year-old Birdie, all miraculously survived the horrific conditions. Little Birdie had the closest brush with danger as she was in a cabin closest to the Guadalupe River with other girls her age. Birdie's father, Miller's husband Nicholas, shared in a post on X that his daughter 'was witness to friends floating away on mattresses and screaming coming from filled cabins.' She was woken about 2.30am to the horrendous storm, unable to go back to sleep due to the noise. When she went to use the bathroom, she noticed the water. Miller said shortly after, the counselors began waking the girls up and asking them to move their belongings onto the bed. Moments later, 'there was too much water outside the door to open it.' She told People that the owner of the camp, Richard 'Dick' Eastland, arrived at the window of the cabin in an effort to rescue the girls and get them to higher ground. A counselor was forced to break a window and little Birdie waited on the cabin porch for each of her friends to be hoisted to safety. The water rose so fast that it was lapping at her shoulders by the time she was finally hoisted onto another counselor's back and whisked to safety. Eastland, considered a camp 'dad' for generations of campers who have come through his doors, tragically died trying to save the lives of girls in his care. 'The evacuation began with my middle daughter's cabin between 2 and 2.30 am,' Nicholas said on X. 'The evacuation warning from officials did not come until 4. No matter your party, please insist on funding the NWS, NOAA and FEMA. Lives can be saved with early detection and rapid response.' The Trump administration has faced mounting criticism for its broad attacks on FEMA and the National Weather Service, raising questions about whether the limited resources and staff after DOGE cuts impeded on the services' ability to broadcast information quickly and effectively. Lisa Miller told the publication she and Nicholas were vacationing in Nice, France, when they first received the alert about flooding at the camp ground. As a former camper and counselor, she initially wasn't too concerned, knowing that staff followed strict protocol and that flooding in the region has historically been minor. It wasn't until a friend informed her that two girls from her youngest daughter's cabin were found further down the Guadalupe River that she realized there had been a 'catastrophic' tragedy. She and her husband frantically tried to book seats on the first flight out of Nice but were met with frequent road blocks, leading Nicholas to make a desperate call-out on X. Miller initially hadn't heard from the staff at the camp itself. She understood that they were 'consumed with the crisis at hand', but fired off a text message to director Mary Liz Eastland, who assured her that all three of her girls were accounted for. Eastland informed her that dozens of other girls - and an entire cabin - were missing, along with several counselors and the owner of the camp, Eastland. It has since emerged the camp sent an email to Camp Mystic families letting them know they'd been in direct contact with the families of all the missing girls. Those who hadn't been contacted were assured their daughters were accounted for. Genevieve's cabin in an area referred to as 'the flats' was one of the first to begin taking in water at about 2am. The family of Blakely McCrory (left)) confirmed on Tuesday she was one of the Camp Mystic campers who died in the flood. Mary Grace Baker (right) also tragically died One of the counselors ran to alert the camp office, sparking the initial wave of evacuations. She and her friends were rushed to the Rec Hall, but as the building began filling with water, they had to once again move to higher ground - a balcony up above the floor. 'Water began rising quickly, coming so close to the balcony that they could touch it, and the waves were lapping just beneath them against the balcony,' Miller said. She praised the 'heroic counselors' who even in the face of such danger kept the youngsters calm by singing camp songs and leading them in prayer. As the chaos was unfolding in the cabins below, Miller's eldest daugher Eliza was blissfully unaware of the dangerous conditions facing the youngest camp members. Her cabin was up on 'Senior Hill' - the highest point of the camp and removed from the bulk of the danger. 'They were totally isolated from the rest of the camp,' she said. 'Their impression was it was just a very bad storm they were weathering together — at the time, it was a bit more of an adventure, or a crazy camp memory, than anything tragic. They were taking pictures and had no idea what was happening below.' Ultimately, all three girls were evacuated from the camp via a Black Hawk helicopter and taken to a reunification center. As the Millers desperately tried to get home from Nice, the girls' grandparents met them and took them home. Nicholas said when he and his wife arrived home, the family huddled in one room and each of the girls began sharing their tales of survival. 'I have no doubt we will be facing trauma issues,' he said. 'I am still reeling,' Miller added. 'The layers of this loss are unfathomable - the absolute heartbreak of the loss of these little girls, and their families' sorrow, is of course paramount on all of our minds.'
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
KCATA announces layoffs, bus route cuts due to funding shortage
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) announced Thursday it will be laying off bus drivers and reducing bus routes. The KCATA Board of Commissioners met Wednesday, and the transit authority announced that the current level of proposed funding provided by the City Council (in Ordinance #250247) is not enough to maintain current levels of bus service. KCATA outlines proposed service cuts that would eliminate routes This means union drivers will be laid off. It also means weekend bus services will be limited to just seven routes, with reduced frequency. One week ago, the Kansas City Council approved the $2.5 billion fiscal year 2025-26 city budget – allocating $71 million for the KCATA, with an additional $6.8 million from a budget amendment to support the transit authority and prevent extensive route cuts. However, it still wasn't enough to prevent layoffs or cuts. Nicholas Miller, President of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1287, previously told FOX4 in 2024 that about 160 people could lose their jobs if the funding shortage isn't resolved. FOX4 has reached out to KCATA to ask how many people will be laid off. Sunrise Movement KC – a national organization fighting for economic justice, among other issues – released the following statement, which reads, in part: 'We are shocked at KCATA's proposal for drastic reductions in frequency and service. Mayor Lucas, Mayor Pro Tem Parks Shaw, and City Council members went on the record to the press and at City Hall claiming this ordinance fully funds our buses with no service reductions, even if just for six months. It now appears those claims were incorrect. As written, this ordinance will not only eliminate Zero Fare, but it will fail to do the very thing it set out to achieve: prevent service cuts. Council has repeatedly made demands around fiscal responsibility and measured solutions, yet they have put forward a rushed deal, with devastating implications for the Kansas Citians who depend on bus service. Bus riders know it best when we say frequency is freedom—cuts to frequency are effectively a cut to our routes, leaving us stranded at bus stops with longer wait times, and increasing crowding on buses which may lead to drivers passing us at stops. Reduced frequency and weekend service actively cuts us off from accessing what we need by bus. Kansas City must choose to build a transit system that serves us all. That means fast, frequent, reliable and universally Zero Fare public transit.' The group is demanding that the City Council uphold Ordinance #250247 until the following demands are met: Immediately work with KCATA to provide sufficient funding for current levels of bus service, without any reductions of bus frequency or weekend service on ANY bus routes. Pass legislation to require KCMO to allocate 90% of the Public Mass Transit Fund to KCATA, ensuring taxpayer money designed for mass transit is truly used for preserving fast, frequent bus service powered by union jobs. Protect zero fare—a system that is proven to make our buses faster, more frequent, safer and more popular. The ordinance's timeline and imposition of a $2 fare – the highest in Kansas City's history – is rushed and setting KCATA up to fail, and it will cause significant harm to the bus system and its riders. Do not approve any plan that leads to losses in unionized jobs. Guarantee severance for IRIS workers. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hand on Heart and Susan G. Komen® Partner to Raise Breast Cancer Awareness and Empower Women
SANTA BARBARA, Calif., March 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Miller Family Wine Co.'s premium non-alcoholic wine brand, Hand on Heart, is proud to announce its partnership with Susan G. Komen®, the world's leading breast cancer organization. Together, they aim to inspire people to raise a glass while raising awareness about breast cancer—encouraging proactive wellness and balanced choices. Rooted in the belief that personal health encompasses physical, social, mental and emotional well-being, Hand on Heart proudly champions a balanced lifestyle, allowing people to enjoy life's simple pleasures without compromise. As part of this commitment to vitality and empowerment, Hand on Heart is thrilled to be the first and only alcohol-removed adult beverage to partner with Komen, a trusted leader in education, research, advocacy and the breast cancer community. During their year-long collaboration, Hand on Heart has pledged a significant contribution to Komen in their global crusade against breast cancer. Throughout the year, customers who purchase Hand on Heart wines have the opportunity to donate to Komen. This partnership aims to raise breast cancer awareness, provide educational resources, and inspire women to prioritize their health — all while supporting those in the Komen community. "With one in eight women in the U.S facing a breast cancer diagnosis in their lifetime, we feel a deep responsibility, especially as a brand dedicated to strength and harmony in life, to talk about the lifestyle choices that may reduce that risk," says Nicholas Miller, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Miller Family Wine Company. "We are honored to partner with the amazing Susan G. Komen® organization to empower more people to live longer, flourishing lives, all without having to give up the joy of enjoying a glass of wine. Through this partnership, we are proud to support a shared commitment to wellness and contribute to the meaningful impact being made in so many lives." "We're incredibly grateful for the generous support of Hand on Heart, a brand dedicated to promoting wholeness in everyday life," says Sarah Rosales, vice president of corporate partnerships at Susan G. Komen®. "Our goal to provide lifesaving information and resources is strengthened through partnerships with like-minded businesses that share our commitment to educating and empowering women to take charge of their health. Together, we look forward to making a greater difference." From its inception, Hand on Heart has redefined standards in the non-alcoholic wine category, proving that zero-alcohol wines can be just as high quality, expressive and great tasting as their alcoholic counterparts. Sourced from exceptional vineyards across California's leading wine regions, Hand on Heart uses cutting-edge technology to gently remove the alcohol while preserving the wine's delicate characters — making it the perfect choice for those who want to enjoy a glass of wine without sacrificing their health goals. To learn more about Hand on Heart and their commitment to balanced well-being, visit To learn more about Susan G. Komen® and support their mission, visit Miller Family Wine Company Miller Family Wine Company is a division of the Thornhill Companies – the industry-leading umbrella brand of one of California's premier winegrowing families, the Miller Family, who have been farming California's Central Coast for five generations. Miller Family Wine Company includes the prestigious Bien Nacido Estates and acclaimed national branded wine labels such as Butternut, J. Wilkes, Pandemonium, optik, Ballard Lane, Smashberry, Barrel Burner, Volunteer, Hand on Heart (non-alcoholic wines) and Reciprocity organically grown wines, in addition to control label brands for prominent retailers across the U.S. and the French Camp vineyard in Paso Robles. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Miller Family Wine Company Sign in to access your portfolio
Miami Herald
28-01-2025
- Miami Herald
Teacher compared Black students to monkey as Pennsylvania class laughed, lawsuit says
A sophomore sitting in a math class at a Pennsylvania school watched as his teacher held up a photo of a monkey, then compared the picture to a Black student in the room, according to a lawsuit. The teacher then turned to the sophomore student, who was also Black, and made another 'derogatory' comparison to the photo as his peers laughed in the background, a lawsuit said. 'It was such an emotional reaction that he had to being compared to a picture of a monkey that that kind of … really started his reaction towards the school district,' the student's attorney, Nicholas Miller, told McClatchy News in an interview. As the boy worked to comprehend subjects such as math and science while navigating a learning disability, he faced racial discrimination that was later also applied to his younger brother, the lawsuit said. Now, a federal lawsuit filed Jan. 24 said the two brothers were discriminated against for their race at Cumberland Valley School District in Mechanicsburg. This is the second racial discrimination lawsuit filed against the school district in less than three months. A November lawsuit accused the school district of perpetuating racial discrimination against a Black cheerleader, McClatchy News reported. McClatchy News reached out to Cumberland Valley School District for comment on Jan. 28 but did not immediately receive a response. The attorneys representing the family suing the district have said they have not been contacted by anyone representing the school district to discuss the accusations of racial discrimination. 'There needs to be a sit-down,' attorney George Farneth told McClatchy News. 'There needs to be a dedicated, dedicated effort to investigate all this.' As the older brother continued to be singled out for his race, his anger at teachers, administrators and fellow students grew, the lawsuit said. He was moved to the front of the bus on his first day of school so he and other Black students could be monitored, the lawsuit said. Later on, a bus driver told his white girlfriend that she was 'too good to be with someone like (the student)' because of his race, according to the complaint. The student's frustrations grew in the classroom as he did not get the help he needed for a learning disability, the lawsuit said. Instead, he was referred to as an 'angry Black youth,' while the lawsuit said white students received the learning support they needed. 'The fact that somebody can be labeled as that without looking at the environment, it's absolutely ridiculous,' Miller said. The lack of support, including not receiving an individualized education program, forced the student to repeat courses while white students were able to advance, according to the complaint. When the student was targeted by his peers for his race, the lawsuit accuses the school of unfairly punishing the Black student while white students were given lesser or no punishments. In 2022, the student received a text of a white student holding a gun and threatening the boy, according to the lawsuit. He confronted the student about the photo, the lawsuit said, and was suspended. The white student was not punished, and the incident was written off as 'boys will be boys,' according to the complaint. The following year, the teen got into another dispute with a student and was placed in an 'illegal and criminal restraint hold,' the lawsuit said. Miller told McClatchy News that a security officer placed the teen in a 'full Nelson headlock.' 'The reason that that is considered to be illegal is because of the harm that it can cause somebody. It can cause tremendous damage to somebody,' Miller said. As the student was subjected to racial discrimination at the school, his younger brother watched the struggle and faced discrimination himself, the lawsuit said. His friends 'repeatedly refer to his race in a derogatory fashion,' and the younger brother has become more 'docile and defeated' in light of the discrimination, the lawsuit said. As a result of their treatment at the school, the two boys feel deprived of their right to free speech and fear retaliation, among other emotional distress, the lawsuit said. Beyond the two students, the lawsuit and the attorneys say the school district has a long history of discriminating against students of color. 'They are so stoned in their beliefs that nothing needs to change, and they have ignored everything that has gone on within that small district.,' Miller said. Mechanicsburg is about a 110-mile drive northwest from Philadelphia.
