Latest news with #Thornton
The Advertiser
20 hours ago
- Health
- The Advertiser
The coolest grannies in town: Granny Grommets take the plunge for FightMND
ON a chilly Friday morning, while most Novocastrians were rugged up in bed, a gaggle of Granny Grommets had ice-cold buckets of water dumped on their heads. Draped in pearls and donning wetsuits with a swipe of red lippy, the grannies took a colder-than-usual dip for a cause close to their hearts, the Big Freeze fundraiser for FightMND. The group has become something of a surfing sensation, hitting their boogie boards every Friday morning at Nobbys Beach to ride the foamies. Granny Grommet Fiona Clark said several ladies in the group have first-hand experience with motor neurone disease (MND). "There's a national campaign called the Big Freeze, and it's all driven out of Melbourne. Neale Daniher is the Australian of the Year, and he set up FightMND," she said. "So we thought, why not? We've got a great support group here, and we just thought we'd run with it. We've had so much support from the local community. "We've now raised over $16,500." MND is the name given to a group of diseases that impact the nerves known as motor neurons, which send messages to activate the body's muscles. With MND, messages gradually stop reaching the muscles, causing them to weaken and eventually stop working. There is no cure for MND. Sue Thornton joined the Granny Grommets in August last year. Her husband, Jeff, was diagnosed with MND in March 2023. On Friday, Mr Thornton watched on as his wife took one for the team. "This morning was overwhelming, the support is just fantastic, we've raised over $16,000, and to have all the Granny Grommets turn up in force, it's just mindblowing," Ms Thornton said. "It's just, it brings me to tears that the support is there, it's just amazing, it warms my heart." Mr Thornton's MND started out as a persistent cough and gruff voice, he's now non-verbal and confined to a wheelchair. Ms Thornton said her husband was so excited to come down and watch and said she was touched that all the Granny Grommets made him feel welcome. "They're all coming up and saying hello to him and making him feel welcome, they know our journey, and it just puts a personal face to the disease," she said. "We're in the top 10 fundraisers at the moment in Australia, so it's just phenomenal, the generosity is just humbling." As of Friday afternoon, the Newy Granny Grommets had raised more than $17,200. Since 2014, FightMND has invested more than $115 million into MND research and care projects supporting Australians living with MND. This includes 15 clinical trials for Australian patients and 34 drug development projects. ON a chilly Friday morning, while most Novocastrians were rugged up in bed, a gaggle of Granny Grommets had ice-cold buckets of water dumped on their heads. Draped in pearls and donning wetsuits with a swipe of red lippy, the grannies took a colder-than-usual dip for a cause close to their hearts, the Big Freeze fundraiser for FightMND. The group has become something of a surfing sensation, hitting their boogie boards every Friday morning at Nobbys Beach to ride the foamies. Granny Grommet Fiona Clark said several ladies in the group have first-hand experience with motor neurone disease (MND). "There's a national campaign called the Big Freeze, and it's all driven out of Melbourne. Neale Daniher is the Australian of the Year, and he set up FightMND," she said. "So we thought, why not? We've got a great support group here, and we just thought we'd run with it. We've had so much support from the local community. "We've now raised over $16,500." MND is the name given to a group of diseases that impact the nerves known as motor neurons, which send messages to activate the body's muscles. With MND, messages gradually stop reaching the muscles, causing them to weaken and eventually stop working. There is no cure for MND. Sue Thornton joined the Granny Grommets in August last year. Her husband, Jeff, was diagnosed with MND in March 2023. On Friday, Mr Thornton watched on as his wife took one for the team. "This morning was overwhelming, the support is just fantastic, we've raised over $16,000, and to have all the Granny Grommets turn up in force, it's just mindblowing," Ms Thornton said. "It's just, it brings me to tears that the support is there, it's just amazing, it warms my heart." Mr Thornton's MND started out as a persistent cough and gruff voice, he's now non-verbal and confined to a wheelchair. Ms Thornton said her husband was so excited to come down and watch and said she was touched that all the Granny Grommets made him feel welcome. "They're all coming up and saying hello to him and making him feel welcome, they know our journey, and it just puts a personal face to the disease," she said. "We're in the top 10 fundraisers at the moment in Australia, so it's just phenomenal, the generosity is just humbling." As of Friday afternoon, the Newy Granny Grommets had raised more than $17,200. Since 2014, FightMND has invested more than $115 million into MND research and care projects supporting Australians living with MND. This includes 15 clinical trials for Australian patients and 34 drug development projects. ON a chilly Friday morning, while most Novocastrians were rugged up in bed, a gaggle of Granny Grommets had ice-cold buckets of water dumped on their heads. Draped in pearls and donning wetsuits with a swipe of red lippy, the grannies took a colder-than-usual dip for a cause close to their hearts, the Big Freeze fundraiser for FightMND. The group has become something of a surfing sensation, hitting their boogie boards every Friday morning at Nobbys Beach to ride the foamies. Granny Grommet Fiona Clark said several ladies in the group have first-hand experience with motor neurone disease (MND). "There's a national campaign called the Big Freeze, and it's all driven out of Melbourne. Neale Daniher is the Australian of the Year, and he set up FightMND," she said. "So we thought, why not? We've got a great support group here, and we just thought we'd run with it. We've had so much support from the local community. "We've now raised over $16,500." MND is the name given to a group of diseases that impact the nerves known as motor neurons, which send messages to activate the body's muscles. With MND, messages gradually stop reaching the muscles, causing them to weaken and eventually stop working. There is no cure for MND. Sue Thornton joined the Granny Grommets in August last year. Her husband, Jeff, was diagnosed with MND in March 2023. On Friday, Mr Thornton watched on as his wife took one for the team. "This morning was overwhelming, the support is just fantastic, we've raised over $16,000, and to have all the Granny Grommets turn up in force, it's just mindblowing," Ms Thornton said. "It's just, it brings me to tears that the support is there, it's just amazing, it warms my heart." Mr Thornton's MND started out as a persistent cough and gruff voice, he's now non-verbal and confined to a wheelchair. Ms Thornton said her husband was so excited to come down and watch and said she was touched that all the Granny Grommets made him feel welcome. "They're all coming up and saying hello to him and making him feel welcome, they know our journey, and it just puts a personal face to the disease," she said. "We're in the top 10 fundraisers at the moment in Australia, so it's just phenomenal, the generosity is just humbling." As of Friday afternoon, the Newy Granny Grommets had raised more than $17,200. Since 2014, FightMND has invested more than $115 million into MND research and care projects supporting Australians living with MND. This includes 15 clinical trials for Australian patients and 34 drug development projects. ON a chilly Friday morning, while most Novocastrians were rugged up in bed, a gaggle of Granny Grommets had ice-cold buckets of water dumped on their heads. Draped in pearls and donning wetsuits with a swipe of red lippy, the grannies took a colder-than-usual dip for a cause close to their hearts, the Big Freeze fundraiser for FightMND. The group has become something of a surfing sensation, hitting their boogie boards every Friday morning at Nobbys Beach to ride the foamies. Granny Grommet Fiona Clark said several ladies in the group have first-hand experience with motor neurone disease (MND). "There's a national campaign called the Big Freeze, and it's all driven out of Melbourne. Neale Daniher is the Australian of the Year, and he set up FightMND," she said. "So we thought, why not? We've got a great support group here, and we just thought we'd run with it. We've had so much support from the local community. "We've now raised over $16,500." MND is the name given to a group of diseases that impact the nerves known as motor neurons, which send messages to activate the body's muscles. With MND, messages gradually stop reaching the muscles, causing them to weaken and eventually stop working. There is no cure for MND. Sue Thornton joined the Granny Grommets in August last year. Her husband, Jeff, was diagnosed with MND in March 2023. On Friday, Mr Thornton watched on as his wife took one for the team. "This morning was overwhelming, the support is just fantastic, we've raised over $16,000, and to have all the Granny Grommets turn up in force, it's just mindblowing," Ms Thornton said. "It's just, it brings me to tears that the support is there, it's just amazing, it warms my heart." Mr Thornton's MND started out as a persistent cough and gruff voice, he's now non-verbal and confined to a wheelchair. Ms Thornton said her husband was so excited to come down and watch and said she was touched that all the Granny Grommets made him feel welcome. "They're all coming up and saying hello to him and making him feel welcome, they know our journey, and it just puts a personal face to the disease," she said. "We're in the top 10 fundraisers at the moment in Australia, so it's just phenomenal, the generosity is just humbling." As of Friday afternoon, the Newy Granny Grommets had raised more than $17,200. Since 2014, FightMND has invested more than $115 million into MND research and care projects supporting Australians living with MND. This includes 15 clinical trials for Australian patients and 34 drug development projects.
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Duke basketball brings back alum after HBCU stint
Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer is bringing a familiar face back to Durham: former Blue Devil Tyler Thornton will join the coaching staff as an assistant. Thornton, who played at Duke from 2010 to 2014, returns after a successful coaching stint at Howard University, an HBCU where he served under fellow Duke alum Kenneth Blakeney. Thornton joined Howard's men's basketball program in 2019 and played a pivotal role in the Bison's resurgence. During his tenure, Howard achieved back-to-back MEAC tournament championships in 2023 and 2024, marking their first NCAA tournament appearances since 1992 . In the 2022–23 season, the Bison finished with a 22–13 overall record and an 11–3 mark in conference play, clinching the MEAC regular-season title . They secured the tournament championship with a gritty 65–64 victory over Norfolk State. Thornton's impact at Howard extended beyond team achievements. In his first season, he coached Charles Williams, the MEAC's all-time leading scorer, to All-MEAC honors. He also guided Wayne Bristol Jr. to the 2019–20 MEAC Rookie of the Year award. In the 2020–21 season, Thornton was instrumental in the recruitment and development of Makur Maker, who became the first five-star recruit to commit to an HBCU since ESPN began ranking prospects in 2007. Thornton's return to Duke basketball brings valuable experience from his time at an HBCU, where he contributed to significant program milestones. His coaching journey, marked by player development and championship success, positions him as a promising addition to Scheyer's staff. As Duke basketball continues to evolve under Scheyer's leadership, the inclusion of coaches like Thornton, who have demonstrated success at HBCUs, underscores the program's commitment to excellence. The post Duke basketball brings back alum after HBCU stint appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tyler Thornton joining Duke basketball, Jon Scheyer's coaching staff ahead of 2025-26 season
Tyler Thornton, a former Duke basketball captain and four-year player for the Blue Devils, is returning to the program as an assistant coach. "I'm thrilled to welcome Tyler back to Duke," head coach Jon Scheyer said in a school-issued statement, released on May 30. Advertisement 'Having coached him during his playing career, I saw firsthand his exceptional basketball IQ, relentless competitiveness and natural leadership. He's a winner in every sense – someone who brings out the best in those around him. We're fortunate to have him home." DUKE ACC OPPONENTS: Duke basketball schedule 2025-26: Blue Devils will face these ACC teams Thornton, 33, spent the last six seasons as an assistant coach and director of player development under fellow Duke basketball alum Kenny Blakeney at Howard, which had consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances in 2023-24. Before his time in Washington, D.C., Thornton was a graduate assistant at Marquette under former Duke player and coach Steve Wojciechowski. "As a former Duke player, it's incredibly humbling to return to the program as a member of the coaching staff. I'm grateful for the opportunity to help the next generation of players achieve their dreams," Thornton said in a school-issued statement. Advertisement "My passion for the game has always been rooted in doing whatever it takes to win. I'm ready to support Coach Scheyer and contribute in any way that helps our program continue to compete at a championship level." A native of the nation's capital, Thornton played for former head coach Mike Krzyzewski from 2010-14. A Duke graduate, Thornton played in 139 games for the Blue Devils. He helped the program advance to the Elite Eight in the 2013 NCAA Tournament. Rodd Baxley covers Duke, North Carolina and N.C. State for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding those teams? Send them to rbaxley@ This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Duke basketball, Jon Scheyer add Tyler Thornton to coaching staff
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
‘Lack of communication' led to unpermitted group home where murder occurred, Bartow official says
BARTOW, Fla. (WFLA) — 'Some chicken and rice,' said Eddrena Thornton, taking out a tray of food she has prepared for the five people who live with her in her home. 'I feel like I'm doing a mission that God wants me to do. It's my calling,' said Thornton. Since 2020, Thornton has run a state-licensed adult family care facility in her home with a focus on people with mental health issues. 'They don't have nowhere for them to go because they can't afford to go to assisted living because they may not have long-term care plus their income is low. They can't afford to live on their own. Their family's not taking them in so they go back to the street,' she said. In February, she opened – what the city of Bartow considers to be – a group home in a rental house across the street on Bluebird Avenue. Unlike with her adult family care home, she did not notify any governmental agencies. 'Because the people were living independently,' she said. 'I always heard that as long as you're not doing nothing for them, then you're OK. It's like they're just renting a room.' 'You're collecting money. You are engaging in a business where your sole goal is for people to live there as a group then that would be considered a group home,' said Tray Towles, director of code compliance and neighborhood services for the city of Bartow. Towles said group homes require an application and permit approval. 'It goes to our planning and zoning board who reviews that application, makes sure it fits within the scope of the ordinance,' said Towles. Towles said the violation was the result of a 'lack of communication.' 'When she actually opened her licensed facility, she reached out to the city of Bartow and made sure that she was in compliance with all of our codes at that time. She did not do that in this instance when she opened up the group home at 2226 Bluebird,' said Towles. The owner of the home, a Texas-based company, is in the process of evicting Thornton as a renter. All the residents have moved out. Towles said, because the residents are no longer there, there will be no further action or fines imposed on Thornton. 'The Bartow Chief of Police has been in touch with representatives of the Wind Meadows HOA to strengthen communication and a team approach to addressing safety concerns in the neighborhood,' said city manager Mike Herr in a statement. Towles said there are no other known group homes in the neighborhood. A neighbor tells News Channel 8 that many residents have concerns about who Thornton is housing in the neighborhood. The violation was discovered when, earlier this month, Thornton allowed an 18-year-old named Moses Ojeda to move in. Thornton said a placement agency and Ojeda's mother contacted her as Ojeda was being released from the hospital after being Baker Acted. 'I looked at the psychiatric evaluation. He had issues for him to get Baker Acted but the psychiatric evaluation said that he was calm and stable, normal, had good talk and he said he was ready to get discharged and go home with his mom,' said Thornton. Thornton said she was not able to meet him but allowed him to move in because of his mother's desperation. Later that night, Thornton saw Ojeda outside. She said she tried calling his mother to pick him up because of his strange behavior but she did not answer. Thornton said she slept on the sofa in the group home to keep an eye on Ojeda and talked to him that morning. 'He sat down and he was talking to us about God and about life and death and all this stuff…[while] the man in the room dead!' said Thornton. According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, Ojeda fatally stabbed an 81-year-old man more than 100 times in the night. 'This tragedy happened to me to not put my heart first but to always make sure I follow my steps – no matter if the person is gonna be homeless. That's not my problem. I'll see you tomorrow,' said Thornton. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
K9s and drones locate Rockford man accused of leading police on near 100 MPH chase
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — Rockford Police arrested Emmanuel Thornton, 30, for allegedly speeding away from a squad car going 60 miles per hour over the limit. On May 27, around midnight, officers saw a black Nissan Murano speeding 15 miles per hour over the limit near Broadway and 23rd Street. The driver stopped his car for officials, but fled on Broadway going 90 miles per hour in a 30-mile-per-hour zone, according to court records. Police terminated the pursuit, but found the Murano speeding again in the 4800 block of Linden Road. The driver proceeded to crash into a street light, officers reported. Authorities used K9 and drone teams to locate Thornton after he fled the scene of the crash. Thornton is charged with aggravated fleeing police while going 21 plus miles per hour over the limit, aggravated fleeing causing property damage, aggravated fleeing with two prior convictions, leaving the scene of a crash, failure to reduce speed, driving 15-20 miles per hour over the limit, driving on a revoked license and resisting an officer. Thornton was granted pretrial release on May 29th. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
