Latest news with #ToddMcKinley
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Sullivan County remembers fallen soldiers at Memorial Day event
BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) – For decades, thousands of Americans have fought to protect our nation's freedom, but not all made it home. 'It's not about us veterans who are home,' said Todd McKinley, an Army veteran and member of the Sullivan County school board. 'This is for those who didn't make it home.' In Sullivan County, dozens gathered on Monday to honor those lost during military service. McKinley said he was touched by the crowd. 'You had some elected officials show up, which is part of their duty,' he said. 'But at the same time, you had just regular civilians and veterans showing up just to pay homage and pay their respects.' The keynote speech was given by retired Marine and Kingsport Chamber President Miles Burdine. County Commissioner and Navy veteran Gary Stidham said he invited Burdine to speak on behalf of those who did make it home. 'One of those veterans out there that is on an island by themselves, now know that they're not on that island by themselves,' he said. 'And it may get them to seek help for their personal PTSD.' Burdine said the service was a true tribute to fallen soldiers. 'The singing of the national anthem, the gun salute, the taps,' he said. 'All of it is meant to remember those who gave it all.' For the three men, it's important to remember the reason behind Memorial Day. 'We are honoring and remembering those who fell in battle so that our families could enjoy today,' Burdine said. 'Could go to the beach, to have the freedom to enjoy a picnic, to enjoy the freedom to have a barbecue.' 'A lot of blood was shed for us to be able to be free, to stay free,' Stidham said. 'But if they would just take a moment and just say a little prayer for those families that have lost, I think that would be significant enough.' The ceremony was held at Sullivan County Veterans Park, which opened in November 2024. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Hundreds of starving wild horses rescued in Eastern Oregon
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management have completed the rescue of hundreds of wild horses facing starvation in the Murderers Creek area of Eastern Oregon. A plan was developed to rescue the horses in November of 2024, after the Rail Ridge Fire wiped out 175,000 acres of habitat, which feeds as many as 650 horses in the area. Security guard hurt in deadly Portland Airport Hotel shooting files $13M lawsuit Grant County Sheriff Todd McKinley told KOIN 6 News that natural horse feed remains 'very limited' in the area. 'People are calling in about injured, sick, and dying horses quite a bit now that they're able to get in the area, but the horse herd looks very rough,' McKinley told Elkhorn Media. '… They're starving. I'm sure they're going to find a lot of carcasses out there. You can definitely report those if you see them. We'll let the Bureau of Land Management know.' USFS spokesperson for the Malheur National Forest Amy Franklin told KOIN that the horses that were removed from the Murderers Creek were in 'poor condition' when captured — scoring an average of 2.5 on the Henneke equine body condition scoring system. 'These conditions are exacerbated by the reduced forage available due to wildfire within their winter range,' Franklin said. 'Of the 410 wild horses gathered, there were five deaths related to gather operations, and three additional animals were euthanized as an act of mercy for pre-existing or chronic conditions not directly related to gather operations, as is required by BLM and FS policy.' The agencies announced the completion of the emergency wild horse gather on March 12. Forest Supervisor for the Malheur National Forest Ann Niesen said that the gather was 'essential to the survival of the wild horse herd and the critical habitat impacted by the Rail Ridge Fire.' Tigard Tesla dealership shot for second time in a week The organizations trapped 410 horses during the three-month operation. Officials used bait and water methods to trap the animals. The gathered horses were taken to holding stables in Hines, Ore. and Alturas Calif., where they are receiving veterinary care. 'They receive daily high-quality feed, constant access to water, ample space, and veterinary care as needed,' the agencies said. The U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management have not determined what they will do with the captured horses in the future. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
