Latest news with #WorldPoliceandFireGames
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
LifeSouth celebrating National EMS Week, National Trauma Awareness Month with blood drive challenge
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — During National Trauma Awareness Month and EMS Week, blood donors can show support for local heroes also. Blood donors who donate with LifeSouth from May 18 through June 27 will have an opportunity to donate toward police or fire, and the organization with the most donors will be announced during the 2025 World Police and Fire Games. Donors will also receive a t-shirt and a $25 e-gift card. If you would like to partner with LifeSouth for the event, call 205-597-7388. Donors can give blood with LifeSouth at the following locations: Birmingham Center – Monday 9 a.m.- 7 p.m., Tuesday 9 a.m.- 7 p.m., Wednesday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., Thursday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., Friday 7 a.m.- 4 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.- 3 p.m., and Sunday 1 p.m.- 5 p.m. Trussville Center – Monday 9 a.m.- 6 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., and Friday 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Pelham Center – Monday 9 a.m.- 6 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., and Friday 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. Tuscaloosa Center – Monday 9 a.m.- 6 p.m., Tuesday 9 a.m.- 6 p.m., Wednesday 9 a.m.- 5:30 p.m., Thursday 9 a.m.- 5:30 p.m., Friday 9 a.m.- 4 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.- 3 p.m., and Sunday 1 p.m.- 5 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
‘Need a burger after this': Plymouth man training to repeat win in international lifting competition
A Plymouth man is going for the gold again. Robert Cutts spent more than 30 years in law enforcement, and later this month, the weightlifter will again be competing in the World Police and Fire Games. He won the top spot in 2015 in powerlifting. Advertisement When it comes to weights, more is better for Cutts. As he warmed up at a Plymouth gym, he quickly jumped from 225 pounds to 315 pounds as he loosened up. 'I like challenging myself. I've worked 31 years doing this and God's given me a gift, and I'm going to continue using it so they're going to have to drag me off the platform.' That platform will be in Birmingham, Alabama, where the World Police and Fire Games will be held. 'It's an Olympic-style competition, and even some of these first responders are actually Olympians, so it's very competitive. Cutts will be one of eight thousand first responders competing in 62 different sports. 65 countries will be represented. Advertisement Power weightlifting didn't become a passion for Cutts until he was in his 30s. When he first started, Cutts weighed 234 pounds. He says his coach took him to the buffet at the Golden Corral twice a day, and his weight jumped to 400 pounds in about 2 years. His personal best came in 2000 when he lifted 573 pounds in a competition held in Brockton. Cutts grew up in Harwich and still has roots on Cape Cod. When he won his gold medal in 2015, he didn't keep it. He donated it to the weight room at the Yarmouth Police Department in honor of fallen Sergeant Sean Gannon. 'It was just in the spirit of being a first responder and knowing that this man put his life on the line. The medal means really nothing, but it was just a gesture to say, you know, yeah, when I'm on that platform, I think of the lost first responders.' Advertisement At 65, Cutts has no plans to lighten his load. He donates his time at local schools, trying to get young people interested in lifting. 'On some team sports, some kids get very frustrated that they don't play, but in power lifting, it doesn't matter if your kid lifts 50 or 1000. As a parent, you're going to see them lift, and people come to see you lift. They don't see you miss the shot. It's very encouraging.' He feels the sport has changed his life and hopes it can have the same effect on the next generation. For now, after a good workout, Cutts is ready to move on to phase II of his training. 'I'm going to need a burger after this, maybe some Popeyes,' he says with a chuckle. Advertisement Participants at these games will compete in traditional sports like basketball, cycling, softball, and golf. They also have the option to test their skills as first responders. There's a police pistol competition as well as a battle to be named the ultimate firefighter. The games kick off on June 27. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Economic impact of SEC Tournament in Hoover
HOOVER, Ala. (WIAT) — The SEC tournament is wrapping up in Hoover, with the final day of play planned for Sunday. The impact of the tournament has had a far-reaching impact, bringing millions of dollars to central Alabama. Hoover Mayor Frank Brocato says this year's SEC Tournament is projected to pump $17 million into the local economy. 'The events that are held here, people come from all over the world. Particularly the United States, but all over the world,' Brocato said. Those words from Mayor Brocato rand true on Saturday. CBS 42 caught up with first-time SEC Tournament attendee Easton Moss and his mom, Ashley. Ashley Moss said the Hoover Met is a great place to watch the tournament. 'It's a great facility, I hope we are watching my son play here one day,' she said. 'Everyone's been really welcoming. It's a great atmosphere all around.' Over the last year, the city of Hoover has invested $25 million into the Hoover Met. Mayor Brocato says this investment pays off for all of central Alabama. 'This is a metro event. It's really a statewide event, but certainly the metropolitan area benefits a great deal for it. We are part of the metro, and we want to see all of our cities thrive,' he explained. The next big event at the Hoover Met will be the World Police and Fire Games in June. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Accessibility upgrades coming to Rickwood Field
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — The city of Birmingham is investing $900,000 into Rickwood Field. The city said the money will be used to make the facility more accessible. According to the Gerald Watkins, the executive director of the Friends of Rickwood, the ballpark was grandfathered into not having to meet Americans with Disabilities Act regulations. Now, it's choosing to make upgrades thanks to support from the city and in anticipation of some big games that are coming up. New regulations for hemp businesses could soon happen across Alabama if bill becomes law He said these are necessary upgrades that make sure everyone can enjoy baseball at Rickwood Field. 'We want the ballpark to be seen by as many people as possible, and we don't want those with special needs to have difficulties here,' Watkins said. 'So we are really happy those things are going to happen and as we come up on a very ambitious summer. We are going to have the SWAC tournament next week. We have the Barons coming back June 4 to play the Trash Pandas, the World Police and Fire Games, and we have the East-West Game.' There's no timetable for when these improvements will be made, but Watkins said temporary improvements will be made for events in the near future. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gov. Kay Ivey gears up for Birmingham 2025 World Police and Fire Games
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) — Some first responders are training for the competition of a lifetime. The 2025 World Police and Fire Games are coming to Birmingham from June 27 through July 6. Gov. Kay Ivey wants Alabama to be well represented in the 2025 games. Police, firefighters and even crime scene investigators will go head-to-head with over 70 other countries around the world. Some have called the competition 'The Olympic Games for first responders.' Over 8,000 athletes will compete in boxing, cycling and even weightlifting. Ivey said the event is a global salute to first responders. 'I know we've got some of the toughest, most talented folks in the business,' Ivey said. 'And frankly, I have no intention of seeing us get shown up in our own backyard.' Alabama Law Enforcement Agency Secretary Hal Taylor said for some, the event is much more than a rivalry. 'You're building that camaraderie with that other agency,' Taylor said. 'When you need them, and they need you, you've already broken that barrier down of who can do what. It's so important when you get on the scene that you know these people.' Alireza Doroudi arrest in Alabama may have been part of a 'targeted operation' by ICE, attorney says DJ Mackovets, CEO of the Birmingham Host Committee for the games, expects the games to rake in about $65 million. He said previous games have been hosted in Spain, Canada and Northern Ireland. 'They fly here. They stay in hotels. They eat. They drink. They shop all at their expense on top of them paying to register,' Mackovets said. 'So these men and women first responders are really making an investment in our community when they come this summer.' Chris Blankenship, commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, said its 200 park rangers are ready to compete. 'I think you can probably go ahead and plan to present the awards to us for the archery, the freshwater fishing and the cornhole. I think we've got those,' Blankenship said jokingly. The games will be held across the greater Birmingham area from Oak Mountain State Park all the way to Legacy Arena downtown. The games are free to attend, but there is a $160 fee for athletes who want to register and compete. That price will go up June 1. If you're a first responder or if you'd just like to volunteer, you can click here for more information. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
