Latest news with #RodSmith
CBS News
2 days ago
- Business
- CBS News
Small business owners struggle to stay open during revamp of Frisco's historic downtown before the World Cup
Plans to spruce up Frisco's historic downtown before next year's World Cup have business owners demanding help from the city to stay open. Frisco's downtown, called the Rail District, will be revitalized with major street and sidewalk improvements. The goal is to make the downtown area very walkable, with wider sidewalks, landscaping and lighting. But small business owners who are established here fear the lengthy impact of construction will drive them out of business before they ever see it finished. Rod Smith is the most vocal of those who said his barber shop, called Brooklyn Cutz, has been suffocated by construction. "We are vibrant—rated number one the last four years in the DFW metroplex," said Smith. "I have a plethora of clients from all walks of life." That was before major renovations on Main Street began, which continue to this day. He said there was a recent two-week period in which customers had no access through his front door and had to park in a temporary lot behind the downtown area. Luka Doncic, Rod Smith Rod Smith The Main Street construction project started in July 2024 and since then, Smith said he had to part ways with six employees because of the negative impact it's had on his business. Smith thought his barbershop in downtown Frisco would be there for many years. But the shop owner, whose list of star athlete clients includes Luka Doncic, said he will have to shut down soon and move. "If the city would come and give us a subsidized lease for a few months, let us catch our breath, that would be good," Smith said. "But they haven't offered nothing." Frisco's Director of Engineering Services, Jason Brodigan, said the city knows businesses are suffering and has created a temporary parking lot for customers behind downtown, as well as creating signs directing people to stores. "It's been difficult on several businesses, but all we're asking for is cooperation," said Brodigan. "Let us know what your problems are. We'll do our best to help you as far as what construction we can manage." This project is scheduled to be completed in January before the World Cup comes to North Texas. Nearby Toyota Stadium is expected to host practices and Frisco hotels will host teams and fans.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Ghanaian Teacher Wins 2025 Global Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Award
Teacher beats 5158 nominations from 101 countries to take top prize in Cambridge's teacher competition Over and above her teaching role, teacher's fundraising and charity work to ensure access to education are winning combination CAMBRIDGE, England, May 28, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The International Education group at Cambridge University Press & Assessment (Cambridge) today announced that English teacher, Portia Dzifa Dzilah from Pakro Anglican Basic School in the Akuapim South District of Ghana, is the global winner of the 2025 Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards. In a close race with eight other regional winners from around the globe, Portia earned 33 percent of the public vote to become the overall winner - the first time a teacher from Ghana has won the title. The competition celebrates the role that teachers play in shaping the lives of their learners and preparing them for the world. Pakro is a remote farming community that faces challenges such as high rates of pupil absence and teenage pregnancy. Portia is dedicated to transforming her students' lives and was nominated for her food and sanitary product drives, Gender Club, and for encouraging her students – particularly girls – to stay in full-time education. Winner's celebration The achievement came as a surprise to Portia when receiving a video call from Group Managing Director of International Education, Rod Smith. Believing that she was accepting her trophy for winning the Sub-Saharan Africa regional award in the competition, Portia learned that she had also won the global vote. Watch the surprise video here. Cambridge colleagues travelled to Portia's school with local education partner NNF Esquire to present her with the global award and £500 worth of books from the Cambridge-NNF Essential range. They were joined by Elizabeth Afriyie – Municipal Director of Education and Joyce Anim – Deputy Director of Education for Akuapim South, as well as the whole community of Pakro who came out to celebrate Portia's win. Watch the school celebration here. Upon receiving her award, Portia said: "I want to thank my students – they are my greatest inspiration. Their strength, curiosity, and determination remind me every day why I teach. I believe in the potential of every child and that education can break cycles and open doors. To every girl who has walked into my classroom when it would have been easier to stay home, and to every parent who has dared to hope for more for their child, this is for you! Let us continue to build a world where education truly transforms lives." Group Managing Director of International Education, Rod Smith said: "Sometimes, we meet teachers whose dedication goes so far beyond the job description that it's hard to imagine how they find time for anything else. Some educators are simply born to teach – their passion is so deep, so instinctive, that it becomes a way of life. Portia's unwavering belief in the transformative power of education is both inspiring and deeply moving. She brings not only knowledge to her students, but hope, encouragement, and a vision for what their futures can be." As part of her overall prize, Portia can now take part in a course of her choice from Cambridge's Enrichment Professional Development programme. She will also appear as the overall winner on a 'Thank you' page at the front of a range of new Cambridge textbooks, available to the public from November 2025, and appear in Cambridge promotions throughout the year. Now in its seventh year, the Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards gives students, parents and peers the chance to nominate a current primary or secondary teacher for outstanding commitment to their students' education. About Cambridge Learn more at View source version on Contacts Media contact Dr Karen BirminghamHead of Communications, International Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data
Business Wire
28-05-2025
- General
- Business Wire
Ghanaian Teacher Wins 2025 Global Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Award
CAMBRIDGE, England--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The International Education group at Cambridge University Press & Assessment (Cambridge) today announced that English teacher, Portia Dzifa Dzilah from Pakro Anglican Basic School in the Akuapim South District of Ghana, is the global winner of the 2025 Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards. In a close race with eight other regional winners from around the globe, Portia earned 33 percent of the public vote to become the overall winner - the first time a teacher from Ghana has won the title. The competition celebrates the role that teachers play in shaping the lives of their learners and preparing them for the world. Pakro is a remote farming community that faces challenges such as high rates of pupil absence and teenage pregnancy. Portia is dedicated to transforming her students' lives and was nominated for her food and sanitary product drives, Gender Club, and for encouraging her students – particularly girls – to stay in full-time education. Winner's celebration The achievement came as a surprise to Portia when receiving a video call from Group Managing Director of International Education, Rod Smith. Believing that she was accepting her trophy for winning the Sub-Saharan Africa regional award in the competition, Portia learned that she had also won the global vote. Watch the surprise video here. Cambridge colleagues travelled to Portia's school with local education partner NNF Esquire to present her with the global award and £500 worth of books from the Cambridge-NNF Essential range. They were joined by Elizabeth Afriyie – Municipal Director of Education and Joyce Anim – Deputy Director of Education for Akuapim South, as well as the whole community of Pakro who came out to celebrate Portia's win. Watch the school celebration here. Upon receiving her award, Portia said: 'I want to thank my students – they are my greatest inspiration. Their strength, curiosity, and determination remind me every day why I teach. I believe in the potential of every child and that education can break cycles and open doors. To every girl who has walked into my classroom when it would have been easier to stay home, and to every parent who has dared to hope for more for their child, this is for you! Let us continue to build a world where education truly transforms lives.' Group Managing Director of International Education, Rod Smith said: 'Sometimes, we meet teachers whose dedication goes so far beyond the job description that it's hard to imagine how they find time for anything else. Some educators are simply born to teach – their passion is so deep, so instinctive, that it becomes a way of life. Portia's unwavering belief in the transformative power of education is both inspiring and deeply moving. She brings not only knowledge to her students, but hope, encouragement, and a vision for what their futures can be.' As part of her overall prize, Portia can now take part in a course of her choice from Cambridge's Enrichment Professional Development programme. She will also appear as the overall winner on a 'Thank you' page at the front of a range of new Cambridge textbooks, available to the public from November 2025, and appear in Cambridge promotions throughout the year. Now in its seventh year, the Cambridge Dedicated Teacher Awards gives students, parents and peers the chance to nominate a current primary or secondary teacher for outstanding commitment to their students' education. About Cambridge
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Woman, 72, recovering after being shot 9 times while sleeping in Fort Worth home
The Brief A 72-year-old Fort Worth woman is recovering in the hospital after being shot multiple times while sleeping in her home early Friday. Her family says she was shot nine times, and the shooter remains at large with no known motive. Fort Worth police's gang unit and gun violence division are investigating, but no arrests have been made yet. FORT WORTH, Texas - A Fort Worth woman remains in the hospital after an apparent random shooting early Friday. The 72-year-old's family say she was shot multiple times down her right side, sustaining gunshot wounds to her leg and her arms. The Latest The woman had her fourth surgery on Wednesday, and is alert and talking. The family has faith the suspect will be caught. Rod Smith is shocked and thankful his aunt is alive after he says she was shot nine times while sleeping inside her home. Smith wanted to provide Fox 4 with an update on his aunt's condition, but his family doesn't want the 72-year-old identified since the shooter is still at large. The backstory Video shows broken glass and bullet holes where someone shot into the woman's bedroom. Nearby surveillance footage caught the gunfire echoing through the southwest Fort Worth neighborhood near Brookhaven Trail and Altamesa Boulevard. It happened just after 2 a.m. Friday. The victim's grandson, who also lives there, is the one who called 911. What we don't know Police haven't provided a potential motive, nor have they said whether the home was specifically targeted. What they're saying "Let's rally around, identify this person," said Rod Smith. "Get this person off the street so it doesn't happen to your auntie, your grandmother, your sister. I am willing to do that. I am willing to take that chance." The family is searching for answers as to why the woman was shot. "We don't understand why they went to her bedroom and her house," Smith said. "It's hard to process. Just knowing she was shot, and the person she is," Smith continued. "Not in any trouble, not in any violent thing." Fox 4 reached out to Fort Worth police on Wednesday for any updates on the case. Investigators say there have still been no arrests. Smith is waiting by the phone for any updates, and remains by the side of his aunt as she recovers. What's next The 72-year-old is scheduled for more surgeries. In the last update from the police, they did confirm both the Fort Worth gang unit is handling this investigation and detectives with the gun violence division are also involved. What you can do Anyone with information on Friday's shooting can contact the Fort Worth Police Department at (817) 392-4222. The Source Information in this article came from the family of the shooting victim and the Fort Worth Police Department.
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Phillip Lindsay tweets encouraging message to NFL's undrafted players
The NFL invited 329 prospects to the combine this spring, but only 257 players were picked during the NFL draft. That means of the "top" prospects, 72 were not picked. And there are countless others who did not attend the combine and also went undrafted. Fortunately for those prospects, NFL clubs fill out their 90-man offseason rosters by signing undrafted free agents. Every year there are UDFAs who go on to have success in the NFL. Advertisement Former running back Phillip Lindsay went undrafted in 2018 before signing with the Denver Broncos and rushing for 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons to begin his career. The one-time Pro Bowler tweeted an inspiring message to this year's group of undrafted prospects. The Broncos also shared a message to undrafted players on Twitter/X. "Undrafted to Super Bowl Champ. For all those who didn't hear your name called, the journey doesn't end here," the Broncos captioned an image of former wide receiver Rod Smith and retired cornerback Chris Harris, who retweeted the post: Denver has reached agreements with 15 undrafted free agents so far. We are tracking all of the team's UDFA deals on Broncos Wire. Advertisement Related: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans. This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: NFL: Phillip Lindsay tweets encouraging message to undrafted players
