Latest news with #Vidal
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Surgeon Jim Bonnet remembered for impact on medicine and the community
May 28—Described as "brilliant," "compassionate," and "generous," Dr. Jim Bonnet was a shining light in the Flathead Valley. From bringing vascular surgery to the valley to opening the hospital's first dedicated breast center to serving on the founding board of the Glacier Symphony, Bonnett's reach ranged and helped to grow Flathead County's medical capacity and cultural opportunities. Bonnet died May 6 of cancer in Kalispell, leaving behind a legacy that will be etched into the Flathead Valley. He was 78. His light will never dim, said longtime friend Gayle Vidal. "He was more than a blessing, he was such a credit, such a force in the community without really letting people know about it. He just did it quietly because it was the right thing to do," Vidal said. Now 77 years old, Vidal reflected on the first time she met Jim Bonnet. Gary Robbins, a surgeon and friend of Vidal's, invited her and her husband to a house party on Flathead Lake in their early 20s. Bonnet was Robbin's new surgical partner. The way Vidal explains it, Bonnet immediately drew people in. The first time she saw him, he was standing in a doorway, wearing an emerald green robe. The first thing he said, Vidal laughed, was "bless you, my friends." A man from Louisiana, with Cajun roots and a Catholic background, Vidal said it just made perfect sense. "I looked at my [husband] and said, we have got to get to know this guy better, and we did," she laughed. From that point on until the day he died, the Vidals and Bonnet talked nearly every day. When Vidal got sick in 2020 and was bound to a wheelchair, she remembers hearing a surprise knock at the door, after they had moved out of Kalispell. "Who was it but Jim Bonnet," she said. Bonnet stayed for three days, assisting with daily tasks and helping with medicine. If it reveals anything, Vidal said, it was that Bonnet was an incredible man. An incredible friend. "I don't know another person like him, a person with that sort of capacity, medical expertise and devotion. The work he did overseas, the work he did here. He truly was amazing," Vidal said. Born in 1946 in Lafayette, Louisiana, Bonnet's interest in medicine began at an early age. He graduated from the Tulane School of Medicine in 1971 before completing a five-year residency at the University of Southern California. He then went on to complete a fellowship in peripheral vascular surgery in Australia before joining various medical missions in need of a surgeon, traveling to Nepal, India, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Bonnet connected with Dr. Gary Robbins while living in California, and, upon his return from overseas, the pair started what turned out to be a 30-year partnership in general and vascular surgery in Kalispell. "I feel privileged and fortunate to have known him in my life," said Michael Barth, president of the Logan Health Foundation. In 2002, Bonnet opened an office dedicated to solely breast-related health care after watching his sister Carol's struggle in negotiating her state's medical system for the treatment of breast cancer. In 2009, the endeavor turned into the Bass Breast Center, a coordinated care center on the Logan Health campus. "We have a breast center at Logan Health because he was a leader," Barth reflected. Just last year, Bonnet honored his sister's legacy further with a donation to the Logan Health Foundation to start Carol's Fund, an endowment providing essential resources and assistance for breast cancer patients. For Judy Cowan, one of Bonnet's longtime surgical nurses, his medical expertise and awareness was one of a kind. "He was an excellent doctor and a great surgeon," Cowan said. "What stands out most to me was his ability to take wonderful care of his patients. He had great hands; he was as talented as the first day he operated with me to the day he retired." While expanding Kalispell's medical capabilities, Bonnet was also a generous patron of the arts. He served on the board of what is now the Glacier Art Museum and served on the founding board of the Glacier Symphony. Many remember him for his love of music. Bonnet retired from surgery in 2007. After 14 years of remission from a previous cancer diagnosis in 2009, cancer was found in his throat and was treated aggressively without success. He was preceded in death by his sister, Carol, and his parents. He is survived by his partner of many years, Patrice LaTourelle. "We all have an opportunity to be more like Dr. Jim Bonnett, to follow his example, to follow his lead, to find opportunities to quietly give back and make our community stronger in however we see fit," Barth said. "We all have an opportunity to do our part to make this world a better place like he did." On Thursday, May 29 there will be "A Gathering of Friends to Pay Tribute to Jim Bonnet, the Man, Medicine and His Music" at 3 p.m. in Room 139 in the Arts & Technology Building at Flathead Valley Community College. Reporter Kate Heston may be reached at 758-4459 or kheston@
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Aypa Power secures $535m for hybrid solar and energy storage project in California
Aypa Power, a company within the Blackstone portfolio, has secured $535m in debt financing for a 320MW solar-plus-storage project in San Bernardino County, California, US. The project, known as Vidal, will combine 160MW of solar generation with a 160MW/640 megawatt-hour (MWh) battery energy storage system (BESS), aiming to enhance grid reliability and support California's carbon-free electricity goals. Santander Corporate & Investment Banking played a pivotal role as coordinating lead arranger, mandated lead arranger, green loan coordinator, lender and LC (letter of credit) issuer. US Bank National Association, through its US Bancorp Impact Finance subsidiary, and Zions Bancorporation, N.A. were also involved as mandated lead arrangers and lenders. Siemens Financial Services and Associated Bank, N.A. contributed as managing agents and lenders. Expected to become operational in 2026, the Vidal project will deliver electricity, resource adequacy and renewable energy certificates to San Diego Community Power through a long-term power purchase agreement. The initiative is projected to generate more than $13.5m in local economic benefits and create up to 260 construction jobs in San Bernardino County. Aypa Power chief financial officer Marc Atlas said: 'Closing this large financing for the Vidal project reflects the strong confidence top-tier lenders have in Aypa Power's ability to deliver grid-scale assets that generate compelling, long-term returns. 'We appreciate the trust of our lender group as we scale investments to meet California's growing grid reliability needs.' In January, the company also secured $190m for its Bypass BESS project in Fort Bend County, Texas. The 200MW/400MWh facility is designed to meet the storage capacity needs of the region. The financing package for the Texas project included a $68m construction-to-term loan and a $91m tax equity bridge loan, totalling $159m for construction. "Aypa Power secures $535m for hybrid solar and energy storage project in California" was originally created and published by Power Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. 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
Cision Canada
12-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Aypa Power Closes $535 Million to Advance California Solar and Energy Storage Hybrid Project
AUSTIN, Texas, May 12, 2025 /CNW/ - Aypa Power, a Blackstone portfolio company and leading developer, owner, and operator of utility-scale energy storage and hybrid renewable energy projects, today announced it has closed $535 million in debt financing to advance a 320-megawatt (MW) solar-plus-storage project in San Bernardino County, California. Santander Corporate & Investment Banking served as Coordinating Lead Arranger, Mandated Lead Arranger, Green Loan Coordinator, Lender, and LC Issuer. U.S. Bank National Association (through its U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance subsidiary) and Zions Bancorporation, N.A. acted as Mandated Lead Arrangers and Lenders. Siemens Financial Services and Associated Bank, N.A. acted as Managing Agents and Lenders. The financing supports Aypa's Vidal project, a hybrid facility combining 160 MW of solar generation with a 160 MW / 640 megawatt-hour (MWh) battery energy storage system (BESS). Once operational, Vidal will provide dispatchable clean energy to bolster grid reliability across California and support the state's goal of achieving 100% carbon-free electricity by 2045. "Closing this large financing for the Vidal project reflects the strong confidence top-tier lenders have in Aypa Power's ability to deliver grid-scale assets that generate compelling, long-term returns," said Marc Atlas, Chief Financial Officer at Aypa Power. "We appreciate the trust of our lender group as we scale investments to meet California's growing grid reliability needs." The Vidal project, slated to come online in 2026, will provide electricity, resource adequacy and renewable energy certificates to San Diego Community Power under a long-term power purchase agreement. The project is expected to generate more than $13.5 million in local economic benefits and create up to 260 construction jobs in San Bernardino County. About Aypa Power Aypa Power, a Blackstone portfolio company, is North America's leading energy storage-focused independent power producer. Aypa develops, owns, and operates utility-scale energy storage and hybrid renewable energy projects across North America. With 35 projects currently in operation or under construction, and a development pipeline exceeding 22 gigawatts, the company delivers solutions that enhance grid reliability and enable the broader integration of renewable energy resources. Since launching its first project in 2018, Aypa has helped establish energy storage as a vital part of the grid and a core infrastructure asset class. For more information, visit or follow Aypa Power on LinkedIn.
USA Today
07-05-2025
- USA Today
Not your average traffic stop: Watch video as police find racoon with meth pipe
Not your average traffic stop: Watch video as police find racoon with meth pipe Show Caption Hide Caption Raccoon seen holding meth pipe, owner charged with possession of drugs Police came across the bizarre scene during a traffic stop in Akron, Ohio. The owner received multiple charges, including possession of drugs. Police found a raccoon with a meth pipe in its moth after its owner was arrested on an active Monday, leading to even more charges, according to police. On Monday, an officer with the Springfield Township Police Department made a traffic stop that would lead to a shocking discovery. "While our officers are trained to expect the unexpected, finding a raccoon holding a meth pipe is a first!" wrote the Springfield Township Police Department on Facebook. "No raccoons were hurt or injured in this incident." Chewy the raccoon's owner, Victoria Vidal, 55, was arrested in Springfield Township, Ohio, around 15 miles north of Cincinnati, after a traffic stop led to police discovering that she was driving with an active warrant and suspended license, according to a post made to the Springfield Township Police Department's Facebook. Watch unusual traffic stop when police find raccoon holding meth pipe However, that wasn't the unusual part of this story. When an officer returned to the car after Vidal's arrest, he found Chewy in the driver's seat of Vidal's car, "with a meth pipe in its mouth," the Facebook post said. "Chewy had somehow gotten hold of a glass methamphetamine pipe, leading officers to further inspect the vehicle," according to the police department. The discovery led police to investigate and search the car, where they found drugs and pipes. What did police find? A search revealed the following were in the car, according to police: A bulk amount of methamphetamine Crack cocaine Three used glass meth pipes 'Walking past my dog' challenge: Owners test pups' recognition skills, with mixed results What was Vidal charged with? The discovery of the raccoon led to Vidal receiving multiple charges, including third-degree felony possession of drugs and three counts of possession of drug paraphernalia, according to police. Vidal was also cited for driving under suspension. "Additional charges related to crack cocaine possession will be presented at Grand Jury pending BCI lab results," police said. Vidal was handed over to another police department, the Cuyahoga Falls Police, on her active warrant. How is Chewy the raccoon? Chewy the raccoon was unharmed, and police determined that Vidal did have the proper documentation needed to own the raccoon. Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
Pet raccoon with meth pipe in its mouth found in car during traffic stop
An officer in central Ohio encountered a pet racoon while conducting a traffic stop earlier this week. The animal, named "Chewy," had a glass methamphetamine pipe in its mouth and was sitting in the driver's seat of a car that the officer had pulled over, police said. The discovery led Springfield Township Police Officer Austin Branham, who conducted the traffic stop, to search the vehicle more thoroughly. He and other officers found methamphetamine, crack cocaine and three used methamphetamine pipes elsewhere in the car, according to the Springfield Township Police Department. The vehicle was pulled over because its registered owner had an active warrant and a suspended driver's license, the department said. Law enforcement arrested and charged the owner of the car, 55-year-old Victoria Vidal, with drug possession and three counts of drug paraphernalia and cited her for driving under suspension, the police department said. Vidal may face more charges for crack cocaine possession, depending on the outcome of lab results still to come from the state Bureau of Criminal Investigation. The raccoon was not harmed, police said, and officers confirmed Vidal has the documents needed to legally own the animal. (In Ohio, people are allowed to have pet raccoons, but the process to keep them domestically is highly regulated and certain permits are required.) Springfield police released body camera video of the traffic stop, which shows Chewy emerging from the car. "While our officers are trained to expect the unexpected, finding a raccoon holding a meth pipe is a first!" the department said. Why Hegseth is calling for cuts to senior ranks across U.S. military Analyzing Trump's announcement of ceasefire with Houthi rebels in Yemen Cardinals hold final mass in St. Peter's Basilica before papal conclave
