Latest news with #Spivey
Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Illinois SNAP Education program eliminated amid federal cuts: ‘It's heartbreaking'
In a makeshift classroom in a Roseland low-income housing complex, nine women watched nutrition educator Denetria Adams saute a glistening mix of carrots, celery and onion. Tammy Spivey, 60, raised her hand from the back row. 'What's worse, cooking oil or lard?' 'Lard,' Adams answered, stirring the steaming mirepoix with practiced ease. 'It clogs your arteries.' Across the room, fellow educator Christine Davis jumped in. 'We always want to make sure we're being cognizant of the type of fat that we're putting into our bodies.' She rattled off a list of healthier alternatives. Sunflower oil, olive oil, avocado oil. Spivey jotted down the names on her note sheet, then underlined each word twice. It was the sixth session of a cooking class run by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education initiative, or Snap-Ed. For weeks, Mercy Housing residents gathered to cover nutrition basics, build kitchen skills and learn how to stretch their food stamps. It might also be one of the last. In July, the federal program was abruptly cut under President Donald Trump's sweeping One Big Beautiful Bill Act, leaving thousands across Illinois in the lurch. For decades, SNAP-Ed has partnered with dozens of Chicago organizations — from food pantries to public schools — to address the root causes of health disparities. Now, with just a few months' notice, staff are dismantling a 30-year program carefully woven into the city's social safety net. 'It was an absolute gut punch,' said Daylan Dufelmeier, who heads SNAP-Ed locally as the director of the Chicago Partnership for Health Promotion at the University of Illinois Chicago. 'The work that we do is so important and so critical, so when we got caught in political crossheads, it was brutal.' It's the latest in a flurry of welfare cuts under the Trump administration. The president's recent tax-and-spending legislation has slashed billions in federal food benefits and significantly reduced Medicaid access. Spivey, a former quality control technician, has relied on food stamps and disability checks for as long as she can remember. When she used to cook for her now-grown daughter, both were essential to keep food on the table. She couldn't always afford to prioritize nutrition. 'They cutting out the wrong things,' Spivey said. 'It's not right.' In addition to nutrition education classes, SNAP-Ed programming includes food access directories, social media campaigns and advocacy work. According to staff, those initiatives prevent more than 5,000 cases of obesity and nearly 600 cases of food insecurity across Illinois each year. For many low-income families, budgeting for healthy food options can be a challenge, experts say. That can lead to long-term health issues, including chronic diseases and nutritional deficiencies. But nonprofit research organization Altarum estimates that every dollar invested in the Illinois program returns between $5.36 and $9.54 in health care savings. 'People want to be healthier, they want to be physically active, but they don't have the resources,' said educator Adams, as she spooned out heaps of rice. Despite its documented success, the Republican-led House Committee on Agriculture said in May that the program has yielded 'no meaningful change' since its inception in 1992, wasting taxpayer money. Funding will officially run dry Sept. 30, the end of the federal fiscal year. This fiscal year, Illinois received nearly $20 million in funding for the program. About $5 million went to UIC, and the rest was funneled to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for statewide work. With the funding slashed, roughly 250 staff members will lose their jobs across the U. of I. system. 'These are people that are their communities building trust,' said Germán Bollero, dean of the U. of I. College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. 'That is at the core of our mission: transforming society to be a better place. It's heartbreaking.' Each year, SNAP-Ed is estimated to reach about one million Illinois residents, working with more than 1,800 community partners. About 1.9 million people in the state receive SNAP benefits, according to the Illinois Department of Human Services. At Mercy Housing, Alma Watson, 63, flipped through the pages of her workbook, filled with lines of her cursive handwriting. She scanned a list of recipes — turkey tacos, skillet chicken breasts and baked sweet potatoes — each paired with nutritional information. 'People don't know, and some people really need it. Like me, for one,' Watson said with a laugh. It's her second time taking the eight-week course at Mercy, where she's lived for 15 years. Participants receive boxes of fresh produce and poultry to re-create recipes at home, enough to last Watson for days. But the real joy is being in the classroom again, she said, learning alongside peers. Most of them also depend on SNAP benefits. 'I love this setting. The people are really nice,' Watson said. 'I just love everything so far.' For SNAP-Ed staff, that positive feedback makes the impending shutdown harder. Educators Adams and Davis are set to lose their jobs in a few weeks, but their greatest concern, they said, is for the communities they serve. Through the window, Davis pointed to a weathered convenience store across the street. Its neon posters advertised tobacco and soda. 'Most of the (nearby) grocery stores aren't really grocery stores. They're markets like that,' she said. '(Residents) don't have much of an option.' Food deserts — areas more than a mile from a grocery store — have plagued the Chicago area for years, particularly on the South Side. While SNAP benefits are an immediate solution, SNAP-Ed helped chip away at those broader systemic issues, Dufelmeier said. After funding runs out, operations will likely cease immediately. 'The impacts from the cuts to our programs you may not see next week, but it's a long-term impact,' Dufelmeier said. After the lesson, each participant received a paper plate with sauteed vegetables, chicken, rice and soy sauce. The room had buzzed with laughter, but it was quieter as everyone ate. One resident ambled to the front of the room for seconds. Adams smiled and dished out another helping. 'Here you go, honey.'
USA Today
01-07-2025
- USA Today
Suspect arrested in connection to shooting of ex-NFL player, celebrity chef
Nearly eight months later, police in Maryland arrested a suspect in connection to the "senseless" shooting of a former NFL player turned celebrity chef and a woman. The shooting took place in the city of Hyattsville, part of the Washington, D.C. metro area. Devin Demetrius Spivey, one of five suspects wanted for targeting the pair, was booked into jail for the Nov. 5 double shooting, the Hyattsville Police Department announced on June 30. Police said the suspects attempted to rob the pair as they returned to dinner in Prince George's County. The victims survived and were treated at a hospital, police said. While police did not identify the shooting victims, Prince George's County Council member Wanika Fisher issued a statement confirming that the man who was shot is Tobias Dorzon. U.S. Marshals took Spivey, 21, into custody at a home on the 9100 block of Cherry Lane in Laurel, Maryland on June 27, police wrote in a post on Facebook. "We hope this provides some relief to the victims and everyone involved,' police Chief Jarod Towers released in a statement after the arrest. 'I'm still angry': Deputy recalls finding Travis Decker's truck as manhunt nears 1 month Who is Tobias Dorzon? A former running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Tennessee Titans, the ex-player is now the executive head chef of Huncho House in Hyattsville. Dorzon, 40, has appeared on reality TV shows including "Chopped" and "Last Bite Hotel." According to his Instagram page, Dorzon is also "the host of @espn & @hulu's #TimeOutWithTobias." It was not immediately known whether Dorzon or the woman knew the suspects. But after Spivey's arrest, Prince George's County State's Attorney Tara Jackson called the case "a senseless act of violence.' Watch: Wind turbine blade blocks traffic on Maryland interstate Suspect in Tobias Dorzon shooting held without bond In sum, Spivey faces 18 charges in connection to the crime including two counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of attempted second-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault, armed robbery, and stalking, Prince George County District Court records show. According to online court records, Spivey obtained an attorney in the case but the counselor's name was not listed online. He's slated to appear in court on July 28 for a preliminary hearing, the records show. Spivery remained jailed without bond in Prince George County on July 1 and police said the case remained under investigation. Anyone with any information about the shooting is asked to call police at 301-985-5060. Contributing: Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund.
Perth Now
10-06-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
Dog trainer exposes dangerous mistake many pet owners make
A British dog trainer has issued a grim warning to pet owners who practice a common, yet potentially fatal act. Adam Spivey, founder of Southend Dog Training, revealed 'one of the most dangerous things you can do with a dog' is to feed them a meal just before exercising. Mr Spivey alerted pet owners in a video posted online, explaining how vigorously exercising a dog immediately after meal time 'can cause a life-threatening condition known as bloat, which can be fatal.' If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. According to Perth Vet Emergency's website, bloat, also known as stomach torsion or twisted stomach, happens when gas, liquid or food fills the stomach causing it to twist or swell. 'This twisting disrupts the blood flow to internal organs, including the stomach and spleen, by pressing the distended stomach onto large blood vessels,' the clinic explains. Bloat can happen when a dog eats or drinks too quickly, consumers too much food or has genetic predispositions, the website states. Mr Spivey urged dog owners to feed their furry companions after going out for a walk to avoid the serious condition. 'You want to give them at least 45 minutes to an hour to let that food go down,' he said. Adam Spivey's Instagram video. Credit: Instagram He assured giving small treats to dogs during their walk was not an issue. 'That's a different story, you're not giving your dog a whole meal in one go and then vigorously exercising them,' he said. 'When I say exercise, I mean vigorous and prolonged running, jumping, that type of stuff.' Swollen stomach A 'ping' sound when the stomach is tapped Lethargy Retching Difficulty breathing Pale gums Collapsing Excessive salivation
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
New council leader to consider more 20mph zones
The first female leader of Gloucestershire County Council says she will look at rolling out 20mph zones in towns and villages. Lisa Spivey is also the first Liberal Democrat to be voted in as the council's leader following the local elections earlier this month. At her first full council meeting on Wednesday, Ms Spivey made three pledges, which included the quick clear up of signs following road works and bringing children in care back into Gloucestershire. The third pledge made by Ms Spivey, also a councillor for South Cerney, was to reduce speed limits in some areas to 20mph, to improve "road safety" and make residents feel more "comfortable". More news stories for Gloucestershire Listen to the latest news for Gloucestershire Ms Spivey claimed some residents would respond "very positively" to 20mph speed limits, but said she would not introduce a "blanket" speed reduction, similar to Wales and Oxfordshire. "This isn't just about road safety, it's also about creating environments where people feel more comfortable and they want to walk and cycle," she said. She claimed "every single parish council" in her South Cerney division would support the speed limit reduction. "I'm sure that within some communities there will be [pushback] but it's about how we deal with that and balance it all out," she said. "But I think the data we've seen from the likes of Wales is that, after a year, not one town or parish asked for that 20mph limit to be reversed." In addition to her pledges, Ms Spivey said she wanted to improve communication between the public and council during her time in the top job, which is something she is "really excited" to have been voted in for. "It's a huge honour, a great privilege and a fantastic opportunity to shape the future of Gloucestershire," she said. Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. New traffic rules as village faces 'overtourism' New council aims to fix 'crumbling roads' Gloucestershire County Council
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Enesfere Technologies Develops New Tool for Automated Commissioning & Fault Detection
LAFAYETTE, Calif., May 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Enesfere Technologies, Inc., a provider of building data analytics, today announced the launch of a new automated commissioning and fault detection tool and is inviting building owners and operators to participate in pilot deployments. The software performs continuous monitoring and rigorous checks of HVAC controls and hardware to find operational issues and dramatically save time for operators and commissioning agents. Unlike other options on the market, the Enesfere platform configures its algorithms to the specific control sequences and physical arrangement of each HVAC system. It then provides fault detection and diagnostics (FDD) for all operating conditions and all control modes. The tool supports ASHRAE Guideline 36 control sequences, warranty-period tuning for new construction, and streamlined maintenance at existing buildings. "Our service was borne out of a commissioning need to remotely diagnose controls issues for a school district that had 106 malfunctioning boiler plants," said Edward Spivey, PE, Enesfere's Vice President of Engineering and co-founder. "We then extended that foundation to cover all HVAC system types and screen for hardware malfunctions, sensor issues, programming errors, and operator overrides," he said. The tool is informed by Mr. Spivey's four-decade-plus mechanical engineering career, including his time as chief engineer and partner of Cogent Energy, a commissioning firm that was acquired by EnerNOC in 2009, and later as an HVAC data scientist at EnerNOC. "Operations and maintenance is typically the single most powerful lever for improving occupant comfort, lowering utility costs, and extending equipment life," said Ryan Swanson, PE, Enesfere's president and co-founder. "The facilities teams that we talk to are often understaffed and undertrained. They're also flooded with nuisance alarms. Our service helps them save time, focus on what truly matters, and understand why it matters," he said. About Enesfere Technologies, Inc. Enesfere Technologies provides cloud-based software and advisory engineering services to make buildings more productive, maintainable, and efficient. For more information, visit View original content: SOURCE Enesfere Technologies, Inc. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
