Latest news with #Wendell
Daily Mail
12-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Mourner riding home from dad's funeral on motorbike met horrific fate at hands of Karen in a Subaru
A North Carolina man who had just attended his father's funeral was killed by a female hit-and-run driver after going on a motorcycle ride to 'clear his head.' Jay Guido, 53, went for a ride with his two sons when they encountered a white Subaru on Turnipseed Road near Wendell around 11:15 a.m. Tuesday. The impatient driver honked her horn from behind the group, passed Guido and slammed on the brakes before driving away. 'This vehicle passed the motorcycles in a reckless manner in a no passing zone and slammed on its brakes before driving away,' the North Carolina State Highway Patrol said. Gudio was riding his bike at approximately 25 mph due to another motorcycle in the group having mechanical issues, reported WRAL. One of the motorcyclists tried to catch up with car - believed to be a silver or white newer model Subaru - to get their plate number. However, the driver braked abruptly again, forcing Guido to lay down the motorcycle - meaning he had to tip his bike over and slide along the ground to avoid a collision. The father-of-three was transported to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Guido and his sons had gone out for a ride together after burying his own father earlier that day, according to the family's GoFundMe. 'Jay had just returned from his own father's funeral and chose to take a ride with his two sons, Nick and Nate, to clear his head and spend time doing what they loved together,' the fundraiser said. Police are still searching for the driver behind the wheel of the Subaru who is described as a blonde female, approximately 40 years old, with shoulder length-hair and was wearing sunglasses. Anyone with information is asked to contact the State Highway Patrol's Wake County Office. Loved ones described Guido as a deeply loyal husband, proud father and passionate friend. 'Jay and Kelly were more than husband and wife — they were best friends in every sense,' the GoFundMe said. 'He was fiercely devoted to his family, and his greatest joy came from spending time with them — whether riding with his boys or just being together at home.' The beloved family-man had been an avid bike rider and had a respected reputation, according to his loved ones. Loved ones described Guido (pictured with is wife) as a deeply loyal husband, proud father and passionate friend 'Jay was known for his hard work, his love of all things motorcycles and mechanics, and the deep relationships he built with everyone he met,' the family said. 'He worked as a builder at Schumacher Homes, where his reputation for dedication and integrity followed him into every room he entered. 'When he wasn't working, you'd find him out in the garage, tinkering with bikes or cars — or on the road, riding alongside his sons.'
Fox News
23-02-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
We need Trump's DOGE reforms, but here's what you can do closer to home to create a brighter future
The 2024 election sent a clear signal: Americans are hungry for more opportunity and social mobility to climb the income ladder and build better lives for themselves and their families. Many who went to the polls and pulled the lever for President Donald Trump did so looking for a political savior. His work is exposing the government-funded social engineering of previous administrations, but we must also foster a network of strong social capital to support society as government is appropriately reined in. Social mobility hinges less on presidential policy promises and more on us – individual agency and community. Lost in today's election hysteria is the importance of community-driven problem-solving. Two types of barriers can prevent American flourishing: Artificial barriers created by government policies or regulations, and natural barriers – the personal challenges that prevent individuals from improving their lives. As the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) takes an unsparing look at our federal government, we are starting to see the breakdown of certain artificial barriers. But while such barriers that inhibit career mobility – like restrictive land use regulations, burdensome tax policies, and occupational licensing requirements – can be addressed through regulatory reform, natural barriers present a different type of obstacle. These barriers – such as broken family structures, mental health issues, substance abuse, chronic unemployment, or a lack of meaningful social relationships – are unlikely to be solved (at least not in the long term) by top-down policies or cookie-cutter government programs. Instead, they require self-determination and community support. In addition to practical help from organizations, strong social capital is the engine of social mobility. The Social Capital Project defines social capital as "the web of social relationships through which we pursue joint endeavors – namely, our families, our communities, our workplaces and our religious congregations." It provides individuals with the connections, resources and support they need to overcome natural barriers (and more effectively dismantle artificial ones). The Archbridge Institute's Social Mobility in the 50 States report measures social capital through activities such as volunteering, doing favors for neighbors, attending community events and donating to charity. The fact that charitable donations declined in 2023 is, in many ways, more notable than the shifting of the political tide. If America suffers from a "generosity crisis," as Vox has suggested, that is more consequential for U.S. communities than any single presidential policy. Grassroots organizations help people develop resilience and social capital, enabling more upward mobility, and we see examples of this in local nonprofit organizations. Consider the story of Wendell, who was born with a defective hand. He struggled to take care of himself and his family until he connected with the nonprofit First Step Staffing, which provided Wendell with individualized assistance that helped him secure dignified work. In addition to finding permanent employment, he gained confidence and belief in himself. No longer believing he was limited, Wendell recognized his capabilities and grew his network of support. And that's just one story. Charitable organizations bolster other pillars of social mobility through bottom-up solutions that can meet people where they are more than any top-down approach. Organizations such as the Edwins Leadership & Restaurant Institute and Construction Ready provide a personalized approach for developing people's in-demand skills so they can participate in the labor force, all while offering crucial networks of support that could be more uplifting and better increase social capital than any well-intentioned government bureaucracy. Schools like Vertex Partnership Academies combine character and agency-based learning into their curriculum, helping students discover their dignity and human potential. Even earlier in life, we know that parental engagement is one of the most important catalysts for social mobility. A top-down program offers welfare to parents through social workers who, even though they are doing crucial work, are often not able to tackle natural barriers head-on. In such cases, organizations like Safe Families for Children help kids and families avoid or overcome problems like homelessness, child abuse, domestic violence and medical emergencies by directly creating links between families in need and networks of support. Each of these organizations represents the enterprising and compassionate spirit that can be found in communities across America. They also show the importance of meeting people on the ground – far from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. If grassroots activity declines drastically in 2025, as if community engagement only matters between Labor Day and Election Day every four years, that is a tragedy for people in need. Flourishing requires people to act with their own agency, but that doesn't mean they need to do it alone. Communities must support individuals by strengthening social capital and equipping people to rise above the challenges that stand in their way. Another obstacle for the grassroots to overcome is the difficulty of opening and operating a charity in the first place, as measured by Philanthropy Roundtable's charity regulations index. Areas with more stringent regulations may preclude people from providing or receiving valuable aid. In states like Connecticut, Mississippi, New Jersey, Florida and Pennsylvania, a burdensome regulatory environment makes the charitable sector far less vibrant, and people in need bear the consequences. Real progress begins in America's communities. Americans may want a political savior, but by fostering social capital and supporting charitable organizations, we can truly remove the barriers to upward mobility and create a brighter future for ourselves.
Yahoo
04-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Woman Goes Viral After Finding Unconventional Way to Walk Her Dog on Vacation (Exclusive)
Emilee Hassanzadeh was visiting her hometown in Minnesota when she and her sister decided to go to Starbucks and take her dog Wendell But when the dog mom went to grab Wendell, she realized she'd forgotten his leash The sisters started searching around for something they could use, before landing on an extension cord Hassanzadeh recorded Wendell's adventures on the extension cord and posted it to TikTok, where it's since gone viral, amassing more than 400,000 views Emilee Hassanzadeh and her dog Wendell were visiting her home state of Minnesota when the pair decided to drive 20 minutes to Hassanzadeh's sister's house to catch up. She put Wendell, who's 4 years old, in the car and turned on the seat heater. Once they arrived, she took him out and let him play around her sister's house while they chatted. After a while, Hassanzadeh and her sister decided to get some exercise and head to Starbucks for coffee, just a half-mile away. But when the dog mom went to grab Wendell, she realized she'd forgotten something. "I didn't bring a leash," Hassanzadeh tells PEOPLE exclusively. "So we started searching around [my sister's] house for something we could use. She's never had a dog before, and I'm the crazy dog lady of the family, so it was really shocking that she didn't have one." "I'm like, 'Okay, do you have a rope? A ribbon? Maybe an infinity scarf?' " the N.Y.C.-based actress and singer recalls. "My sister had just moved into a new house and was doing this minimalist thing, so she didn't have any odds and ends, which is so weird to me. I have tons of odds and ends." Related: Man's Date Gets Mad When He Refuses to Put Dog Outside During Dinner: 'She's My Family' Then, out of the corner of her eye, Hassanzadeh spotted an extension cord that her phone charger and laptop were plugged into. "I'm thinking, 'Can we use that? Is that crazy? Are people going to look at us funny?' " she remembers. "My sister's like, 'Just leave him at home, Emilee.' But I'm thinking, no way — he needs a pup cup, and he wants to get his steps in too. We've been cooped up in Minnesota, and it's snowing." So, Hassanzadeh proceeded to tie the extension cord around Wendell's harness, and the sisters set out on their way. The whole time, Hassanzadeh says she felt ridiculous. "It probably didn't look that weird, but I felt crazy because all his leashes in New York are designer," she adds. "He's a stylish dog. He's got some Fendi — we call it 'Wendy and Fendi' — and all my friends make fun of me for spending more money on his clothes and accessories than I do on my own. So, the fact that I'm walking him with an extension cord is just ... ridiculous." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Once the sisters and Wendell arrived at Starbucks, Hassanzadeh went to order a drink from the barista. As she was ordering, feeling self-conscious about Wendell being on an extension cord, she looked at the barista and said, " 'Hey, total disclaimer — I am not trying to electrocute my dog. I forgot a leash, and I really didn't want him to miss out on a pup cup.' " Instantly, the barista laughed and replied, "Oh my God, you did the right thing. We're so glad you brought him!" "Everyone thought it was hilarious, and they were cracking up," she adds, recalling the rest of the customers in the store reacting to the extension cord mishap. "Wendell was honestly just thrilled because he was getting so much attention from everyone — pets, kisses, you name it." In the moment, Hassanzadeh pulled out her phone and recorded Wendell's adventures in Starbucks on the extension cord. Later, she posted it to TikTok, where it's since gone viral, amassing more than 400,000 views. She says this incident has made her realize how in addition to her phone, wallet and keys, she needs to add "dog leash" to her checklist of things to always have with her. "I posted it thinking my friends would see it and laugh," she says. "Then I went to a yoga class, and when I got out, I saw that it had hundreds of thousands of views. I was like, 'Oh my God, what?' I honestly wasn't expecting that at all, and it made me laugh so much reading through all the comments. There were so many people sharing what they've had to use to walk their dogs in a pinch when they've forgotten a leash." "This one woman said, 'Yeah, I had to walk my dog with a microphone.' And that was hysterical — like, that's pretty on-brand for us. I'm a singer, and I do have a microphone lying around my house. Someone else mentioned using pantyhose. Another girl talked about using her car charger to walk her mini dachshund. There was a tube sock. People were using everything under the sun, and I was just cracking up scrolling through the comments." Read the original article on People
