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Hamilton Spectator
02-08-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
St. Stephen looks to save the International Homecoming Parade
St. Stephen's portion of the International Homecoming Festival parade remains in limbo as the municipality seeks more entries as a last ditch effort to save it. According to Kevin Sumner, the Municipal District of St. Stephen's (MDSS) community services director, the registration date had passed for floats. 'We've seen, as [we did] last year, a significant decrease in the number even from last year,' he said to the council. 'We had some comments last year. There was a lot of positives about, but there were a lot of negatives about it.' The festival brings together St. Stephen and Calais – celebrating the area's unique connection between Canada and the United States, with events taking place on both sides of the border. It has gone on since 1974. 'The downside is if this doesn't happen, it's unlikely that it will be able to come back. Its almost been grandfathered in, quite a unique situation,' he said. Sumner said Michelle Vest – the town's events coordinator – and Patti Anderson have been making calls, sending out emails and posts on social media, but haven't been successful in getting the numbers needed to run the parade. 'It's completely opposite [of] the Santa parade in December,' he said. 'We're seeing 55-plus floats coming out. In summer time, people are busy.' 'It needs something and we're not seeing that right now,' he said. The council was asked to consider cancelling the parade last week at a regular council meeting ahead of an Alertable posted Saturday, asking for more entries. It said it was investigating the possibility of allowing the parade to move forward. Deputy Mayor Ghislane Wheaton said some people have felt crossing the border is too complicated and they are choosing not to be apart of the parade. 'This has happened both on the American side and this side,' she said. 'It's very sad to see it go but I think it would be very small this year.' Coun. Wade Greenlaw asked whether the request was to cancel for this year only. But Sumner said it is only for this year, but U.S. customs has told them it likely will not be allowed again if it is stopped. The Courier has reached out to the U.S. Customs and Border Agency for comment and is awaiting a response. Coun. Emily Rodas said Calais and St. Stephen have both wanted to maintain a close friendship despite the greater exterior political climate. Canada and the U.S. are ensnared in a trade-war, which continues to escalate under Donald Trump's administration. It has meant tensions between the two countries and a high numbers of Canadians choosing not to cross the border. 'For me, I think it speaks to just a larger desire to maintain a strong connection between two countries even in the face of all the hardship happening around it,' Rodas said. She said the decision feels like a devastating one, having grown up in St. Stephen. Coun. Brian Cornish said he felt he didn't want to push the button on this too soon, saying his half a century in the area has him wanting to keep all options open. 'Keep the gates open,' he said. 'Because I feel real bad about what's going on on both sides of the border.' Mayor Allan MacEachern said this might seem like it is connected to what is happening between the two neighbouring countries, but the parade has been dying out for years. 'The only way to liven it up is talk about it here tonight,' he said. 'Maybe that'll kick start some people and understand the importance of how our communities are as one. 'We don't want to lose [something] unique.' The parade is only one aspect of the International Homecoming Festival, Wheaton explained, saying the festival will be great without the parade. The Alertable message shared on Saturday comes after a vote six-to-one to reallocate resources to a street festival. 'After hearing from numerous businesses and organizations who've expressed their willingness to step up and contribute a float, the Municipal District of St. Stephen is now prepared to investigate whether municipal resources can be dedicated to moving forward with this year's parade,' it read. The parade has 12 confirmed entries with 3 floats and nine groups made up of cars, ATVs, trucks and walkers. 'Notably, half of these entries are from our friends across the border who are excited to join us in celebration,' it read. The municipality needs 12 to 15 more entries and it is encouraging business to work together in the event that putting something together in the summer season is challenging. The deadline to submit is Wednesday, Aug. 6 at noon. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Pierce County city asks residents to save water, limit showers to 4 minutes
The City of Sumner is asking residents to conserve water over the weekend after a hot week to restore water levels. 'After the last two hot days, our water levels remain lower than we'd like,' the city said in a social media post on Friday. 'With cooler weather ahead this weekend, we hope they recover, and we'd like your help to get us there.' Temperatures in the area peaked at about 95 degrees this week, according to the National Weather Service. This weekend's forecast predicts cooler days. Instead of taking baths this weekend, people should take showers and limit them to four minutes, the city's post said. The city also asks that people reuse water when possible, refrain from watering their lawns, only wash laundry and dishes when loads are full, sweep driveways clean instead of washing them, and wash cars on lawns. Those steps will help recover water levels, the post said. The city will also make efforts to conserve water this weekend, according to the post. Crews will water less in city parks and postpone maintenance that requires a lot of water, among other things. 'Hopefully, these steps will help us avoid further watering restrictions later,' the city's post said.
Time Magazine
07-07-2025
- Climate
- Time Magazine
What We Know About the Victims of the Texas Flooding
At least 88 people have died and dozens of others are missing following devastating central Texas floods that tore through local communities along the Guadalupe River early Friday. Fast-moving waters rose some 26 feet in under an hour overnight, sweeping through buildings and knocking over trees across an area known as 'flash flood alley.' Seventy-five bodies have been recovered, including 48 adults and 27 children, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said during a press conference Monday. Many of the victims were staying at Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp located along the banks of the Guadalupe River. There were 10 campers and one counselor still unaccounted for at the time of the press conference Monday morning, Leitha said. Local search and rescue efforts for the missing and wounded remain active. More than a hundred individuals have already been rescued by first responders including the U.S. Coast Guard. The risk level for the area remains elevated. The National Weather Service, which has faced questions over whether it did all it could to adequately warn about the potential weather incident, has central Texas under a moderate risk of flash flooding, which could affect recovery efforts. The area is under a flood watch until 7 p.m. local time Monday. 'The situation on the ground remains dangerous,' White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Monday. She encouraged "everyone in the area to remain vigilant, listen to all warnings and respond accordingly." President Donald Trump issued a disaster declaration for Texas over the weekend, offering assistance to Kerr County individuals and local governments. 'Texas will stop at nothing to ensure every missing person is fully accounted for,' wrote Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday. Here are the names of some of the victims. Camp Mystic At least 27 campers and counselors from Camp Mystic died as the overflowing river flooded cabins and swept away cars, girls' belongings, and people. 'Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy. We are praying for them constantly,' the camp wrote in a message on its website. 'We have been in communication with local and state authorities who are tirelessly deploying extensive resources to search for our missing girls.' The camp's director, Richard 'Dick' Eastland, died while trying to save young campers, according to a column in the Kerrville Daily Times written by Paige Sumner, a local resident and friend to Eastland. Sumner described him as a 'father figure,' and highlighted the way he put campers first. 'If an issue of any kind that needed attention came over the walkie-talkie, even a camper with a minor injury or the dreaded snake in the river, he would bolt out of the office and jump in a golf cart to get there as fast as he could,' Sumner wrote. The exact number of young Camp Mystic campers who died has not yet been confirmed. But some family members, officials, and others have come forward to confirm losses. Among those are Chloe Childress, an 18-year-old counselor who had recently graduated from Kinkaid School in Houston. Childress 'lived a beautiful life that saturated those around her with contagious joy, unending grace, and abiding faith,' her family said in a statement. 'Returning as a counselor to the place she loved so dearly, Chloe was looking forward to dedicating her summer days to loving and mentoring young girls at Camp Mystic.' The names of multiple other young victims have also been reported. Mountain Brook Mayor Stewart Welch confirmed the passing of eight-year-old Sarah Marsh, a student at Cherokee Bend Elementary School, calling her death an 'unimaginable loss' in a social media post. 'Sarah's passing is a sorrow shared by all of us, and our hearts are with those who knew her and loved her.' Two Bradfield Elementary best friends, Lila Bonner and Eloise Peck, are also among the victims. "Eloise was literally friends with everyone,' her mother told Fox 4. 'Eloise had a family who loved her fiercely for the 8 years she was with us.' The two girls had just finished the second grade. Nine-year-old Janie Hunt also passed. She attended camp with six cousins, all of whom are safe, according to her grandmother. Camp Mystic, according to the Texas Tribune, has hosted the daughters of former governors, a president, and other politicians through summers. Rep. August Pfluger of Texas revealed his daughters were staying at the camp and had been evacuated and reunited with their family following the deadly flooding. 'The last day has brought unimaginable grief to many families and we mourn with them as well as holding out hope for survivors,' said Pfluger. 'Please join us today as we pray for miracles.' The camp did not immediately respond to TIME's request for more information. Jane Ragsdale Jane Ragsdale, director of the Heart O'Hills camp a mile north of Camp Mystic, also died in the flooding. Ragsdale's death was confirmed by the camp's social media account. 'Jane wasn't just our director, she was our guiding light, our example, and our safe place. She had the rare gift of making every person feel seen, loved, and important. Her kindness, strength, and wisdom shaped generations of campers and staff,' the post read. The camp's first term this summer ended on June 28th, saving campers from being harmed due to the flooding. Blair and Brooke Harber The Harber family was spending the Fourth of July holiday at a cabin near Hunt, Texas, when the flood risk began, per the Wall Street Journal. Thirteen-year-old Blair and 11-year-old Brooke Harber, sisters, were killed in the disaster. Their grandparents, Mike and Charlene Harber, remain missing. The Harbers have owned a cabin in Casa Bonita for the last five years, and often visited with their family to enjoy outdoor activities. 'All those great memories are now a bad memory,' RJ Harber, the girls' father, told the Journal. Tanya Burwick Tanya Burwick, 62, was found dead on Saturday after being reported missing amid the flooding, according to the San Angelo Police Department. Burwick was last seen driving in an area affected by the floods. Her vehicle, blocks away from where her body was discovered, was found submerged under floodwater. 'She lit up the room and had a laugh that made other people laugh,' Lindsey Burwick, her daughter, told the Associated Press. Jeff Wilson Kingwood Park High School teacher Jeff Wilson, who worked for the Humble Independent School District for three decades, also died in the floods, the district confirmed. Wilson's wife, Amber, and his son, Shiloh, were still missing at the time of the Saturday post. Jeff Wilson 'was a beloved teacher and co-worker to many and will be deeply missed,' the district said. A prayer vigil was held on Sunday night in remembrance of Wilson and to pray for his family. Reece and Paula Zunker Tivy High School teacher Reece Zunker, and his wife, Paula, lost their lives due to the flooding, the school confirmed in a Facebook post Sunday. Reece worked at the school district as a soccer coach and educator. 'His unwavering dedication to our students, athletes, and the Tivy community touched countless lives and will never be forgotten,' the school wrote. Paula was also a former Tivy teacher. 'The care and impact she shared with her students continue to be felt, even years later,' the school said. The couple's children, Lyle and Holland, remained missing at the time of the post. Julian Ryan Julian Ryan's family said the 27-year-old died a 'hero' when he punched through a window to get his family to safety as their house flooded. Ryan severed an artery in his arm in the process, his fiancée Christinia Wilson told KHOU 11, and made calls for emergency assistance, though they did not arrive in time. "By 6 (a.m.), he looked at me and the kids and my mother-in-law and said, 'I'm sorry, I'm not going to make it. I love y'all,'" Wilson said. Ryan was described as a 'devoted parent' known for his 'infectious laugh and unwavering kindness'in a GoFundMe post made on behalf of his family. Bobby and Amanda Martin Bobby and Amanda Martin, a middle-aged couple, were camping at the Guadalupe River when the flooding began, per the New York Times. Their RV was swept away by the rising water. 'He was an adventurous man, adventurous and outgoing. He had many good friends, because he was a good friend,' Bobby's father, John Keith Martin, told the Times. 'He's just incredible.' Two other family members—John Keith's grandchild and their girlfriend—remain missing. Katheryn Eads Fifty-two year-old Katheryn Eads was awoken by elevating floodwaters, prompting her and her husband, Brian Eads, to leave their RV, Brian told the Times. A nearby individual offered to give the couple a ride out of the area, but the pair were separated when that vehicle died and they were swept away by floodwater. Brian said he survived by holding on to a tree. Brian Bennett contributed reporting.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
General Manager Phil Mitchell of Sunset Auto Family Shares Insights as Dealership Values Expert in HelloNation
SUMNER, Wash., July 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- What drives long-term employee loyalty in the automotive sector—compensation packages or company culture? According to a featured article in HelloNation, businesses that lead with mentorship, shared values, and team cohesion foster stronger retention and more sustainable careers. Phil Mitchell of Sunset Auto Family in Sumner, Washington, explains how workplace culture retention strategies are a more reliable foundation for auto industry recruitment than short-term perks. Mitchell outlines how dealerships built on trust and accountability create environments where people don't just stay—they evolve. When employees feel genuinely supported, not just incentivized, they are more likely to take ownership of their roles and grow into unexpected career paths. The article emphasizes that culture-based commitments—like transparent communication and collaborative problem-solving—signal long-term investment in people rather than a focus solely on performance. Mitchell's approach highlights that dealership values cannot be imitated through slogans or temporary incentives. Instead, they are experienced daily in how feedback is delivered, how teams work together, and how success is recognized. Creating a workplace where people feel seen and heard has become the most effective recruitment tool in a shifting labor market. Businesses that prioritize this kind of culture are those best positioned to attract and retain top-tier talent. To read the full article, visit Culture vs. Commodity: Why Workplace Values Shape Long-Term Careers. About HelloNation HelloNation is a premier media platform that connects readers with trusted professionals and businesses across various industries. Through its innovative 'edvertising' approach that blends educational content and storytelling, HelloNation delivers expert-driven articles that inform, inspire, and empower. Covering topics from home improvement and health to business strategy and lifestyle, HelloNation highlights leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities. Patrick McCabe info@ photo accompanying this announcement is available at 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
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Summer Magic Unleashed: Explore the Season's Best in Pierce County
TACOMA, Wash., June 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- With long days and warm nights setting the stage, Visit Tacoma-Pierce County has unveiled its Summer Magic event calendar—a handpicked guide to the region's most vibrant happenings. Designed for travelers eager to explore the energy and culture of Pierce County, the calendar highlights one standout event each day, making it easier than ever to map out a summer filled with unforgettable moments. From city streets to waterfront stages, the Summer Magic calendar covers it all. Celebrate community and identity at the Tacoma Pride Festival, or immerse yourself in global rhythms and flavors at the bumping MOSAIC Festival. In Puyallup, iconic events like the Washington State Fair and Meeker Days deliver a mix of entertainment and tradition, while Sumner's Rhubarb Days serves up small-town charm and sweet nostalgia in honor of the city's pie-loving roots. Families flock to a foodie feast at the Kansas City Barbecue Society-Sanctioned DuPont BBQ Cookoff, where beyond just epic saucy goodness, there's live music, bouncy houses and hands-on activities. Lakewood's SummerFEST packs the park with live music and late-night energy, while Gig Harbor's Summer Art Festival turns one of the county's most scenic locales into a celebration of visual and performing arts. And that's just the beginning. With a full calendar brimming with festivals, concerts, exhibitions, and local flair, Summer Magic is a launchpad for discovery throughout the region. "Summer is when the character of Pierce County really shines," said Matt Wakefield, Chief Marketing and Data Officer at Visit Tacoma-Pierce County. "This calendar was built to help visitors tap into the unique culture, communities, and events that make our region a standout destination." Whether planning a quick weekend escape or a full summer itinerary, Summer Magic offers endless ways to explore. Each event is an opportunity to connect with the people, places, and traditions that give Pierce County its charm. Discover the full lineup and plan your adventure at Media Contact:Matt WakefieldChief Marketing and Data OfficerVisit Tacoma-Pierce Countymatt@ (253) View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Visit Tacoma-Pierce County Sign in to access your portfolio
