washingtontimes--2020-08-29--Asia Today: Seoul enforces limits on diners, shuts gyms

SEOUL , South Korea ( AP ) - South Korea has reported 299 new cases of the coronavirus as officials placed limits on dining at restaurants and closed fitness centers and after-school academies in the greater capital area to slow the spread of the virus .
The 17th consecutive day of triple-digit increases brought the national caseload to 19,699 , including 323 deaths .
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 209 of the new cases came from capital Seoul , nearby Gyeonggi province and Incheon , a region that had been at the center of a viral @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also reported in the southeastern city of Daegu , the epicenter of the previous major outbreak in late February and March .
Churches have emerged as a major source of infections in the Seoul region and elsewhere , with many of them failing to properly enforce masks and allowing worshippers to sing and eat together .
Clusters have also popped up from restaurants , schools , nursing homes and apartment buildings .
Health authorities have ordered churches and nightspots to close and shifted more schools back to remote learning nationwide as infections spiked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restaurants in the Seoul area are allowed to provide only deliveries and takeouts after 9 p.m .
Franchised coffee shops like Starbucks will sell only takeout drinks and food .

NEW DELHI (AP) - India has registered 78,761 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, the worst single-day spike in the world, as the government continues to further ease pandemic restrictions nationwide.
The Health Ministry on Sunday also reported 948 deaths in the past 24 hours, taking total fatalities to 63,498.
India has now reported more than 75,000 infections for four straight days.
Sunday’s surge has raised the country’s total virus tally to over 3.5 million and comes at a time when India is reopening its subway networks and allowing sports and religious events in a limited manner from next month as part of efforts to revive the economy.
The crowded subway, a lifeline for millions of people in New Delhi, the capital, will be reopened in a phased manner from Sept. 7. Schools and colleges, however, will remain closed until the end of September.
India has the third-highest caseload after the United States and Brazil, and its fatalities are the fourth-highest.
Even as eight Indian states remain among the worst-hit regions and contribute nearly 73% of the total infections, the virus is now spreading fast in the vast hinterlands, with experts warning that the month of September could be the most challenging.
In other developments in the Asia-Pacific region:
- South Korea reported 299 new cases of the coronavirus as officials placed limits on dining at restaurants and closed fitness centers and after-school academies in the greater capital area to slow the spread of the virus. The 17th consecutive day of triple-digit increases brought the national caseload to 19,699, including 323 deaths. Most of the new cases came from capital Seoul, nearby Gyeonggi province and Incheon, a region that had been at the center of a viral resurgence this month. Churches have emerged as a major source of infections, with many of them failing to properly enforce masks and allowing worshippers to sing and eat together. Clusters have also popped up from restaurants, schools, nursing homes and apartment buildings. For eight days starting Sunday, restaurants in the Seoul area are allowed to provide only deliveries and takeouts after 9 p.m. Franchised coffee shops like Starbucks will sell only takeout drinks and food.
- The Australian state of Victoria recorded 114 new cases and 11 more deaths. The fatalities bring the death toll from the virus in Victoria to 524 and the Australian total to 611. It follows 94 new cases on Saturday, which was the first day since July 5 that cases had dropped to double digits. Melbourne residents will be subjected to two more weeks of restricted movement, including a nightly curfew. Restrictions across Australia’s second largest city are due to expire on Sept. 13 but will be reduced gradually rather than removed completely. Health officials have indicated that recommendations for face masks could remain in place for several more months.
- The Australian government says it will provide 2 million Australian dollars ($1.48 million) worth of personal protective equipment to the Indonesian military to assist in that country’s fight against COVID-19. The Royal Australian Air Force will deliver surgical gloves, gowns, masks and thermometers as part of existing defense cooperation between the neighbors. Current figures from Indonesia’s Health Ministry show 169,000 cases of COVID-19 and nearly 7,300 deaths.
- Hong Kong reported 18 new cases of the coronavirus and three additional deaths from COVID-19. The figures by China’s National Health Commission raise the semi-autonomous southern city’s totals to 4,786 cases and 87 deaths. Mainland China on Sunday reported nine new cases, all of them brought from outside the country. It brought China’s total to 85,031 since the virus was first detected in the central city of Wuhan late last year, with 4,634 deaths.
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Follow AP’s pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-08-29--Classical agency Columbia Artists says it will shut down

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Columbia Artists Management Inc. , one of the leading agencies representing classical music performers , says it is shutting down .
A statement emailed Saturday to CAMI artists said the agency is closing its doors Monday .
“ Columbia Artists has engaged with a fiduciary to enter into an assignment for the benefit of creditors , a form of insolvency proceeding where assets are liquidated and claims addressed in an orderly manner , ” the statement said .
“ We are working tirelessly to provide each of you concrete guidance on your specific situation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we ’ re working together with the fiduciary to see a safe place to land for your Columbia Artists relationship.
” The statement said the company had “ endured a prolonged pandemic environment , ” and it listed Molly Froschauer at Sherwood Partners as the contact on behalf of the fiduciary .
Sherwood ’ s website says Froschauer is an insolvency professional with a background as a bankruptcy lawyer .
The agency , founded in December 1930 , has represented many of the leading conductors , among them Herbert von Karajan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ormandy , Antal Dorati and Otto Klemperer .
Its pianists included Vladimir Horowitz and Van Cliburn .
and its singer roster had Leontyne Price , Renata Tebaldi , Elisabeth Schwarzkopf , Risë Stevens , Marian Anderson , Richard Tucker and Jussi Björling .
The agency ’ s website lists its current roster as including conductors Seiji Ozawa , Valery Gergiev and Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla ; singers Isabel Leonard , Russell Thomas and Brenda Rae ; and pianist Maurizio Pollini .
Run for many years by Arthur Judson , the agency was headed by Ronald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2015 .
He was succeeded by Tim Fox , who had been the No .
2 executive under Wilford since December 2000 .
Fox and Froschauer did not respond to emails Saturday seeking comment .

NEW YORK (AP) - Columbia Artists Management Inc., one of the leading agencies representing classical music performers, says it is shutting down.
A statement emailed Saturday to CAMI artists said the agency is closing its doors Monday.
“Columbia Artists has engaged with a fiduciary to enter into an assignment for the benefit of creditors, a form of insolvency proceeding where assets are liquidated and claims addressed in an orderly manner,” the statement said. “We are working tirelessly to provide each of you concrete guidance on your specific situation in the coming days. In addition, we’re working together with the fiduciary to see a safe place to land for your Columbia Artists relationship.”
The statement said the company had “endured a prolonged pandemic environment,” and it listed Molly Froschauer at Sherwood Partners as the contact on behalf of the fiduciary. Sherwood’s website says Froschauer is an insolvency professional with a background as a bankruptcy lawyer.
The agency, founded in December 1930, has represented many of the leading conductors, among them Herbert von Karajan, Leonard Bernstein, James Levine, Eugene Ormandy, Antal Dorati and Otto Klemperer. Its pianists included Vladimir Horowitz and Van Cliburn. and its singer roster had Leontyne Price, Renata Tebaldi, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Risë Stevens, Marian Anderson, Richard Tucker and Jussi Björling.
The agency’s website lists its current roster as including conductors Seiji Ozawa, Valery Gergiev and Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla; singers Isabel Leonard, Russell Thomas and Brenda Rae; and pianist Maurizio Pollini.
Run for many years by Arthur Judson, the agency was headed by Ronald Wilford from 1970 until he died in 2015. He was succeeded by Tim Fox, who had been the No. 2 executive under Wilford since December 2000.
Fox and Froschauer did not respond to emails Saturday seeking comment.


washingtontimes--2020-08-29--California moves to consider reparations for slavery

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - California lawmakers are setting up a task force to study and make recommendations for reparations to African Americans , particularly the descendants of slaves , as the nation struggles again with civil rights and unrest following the latest shooting of a Black man by police .
The state Senate supported creating the nine-member commission on a bipartisan 33-3 vote Saturday .
The measure returns to the Assembly for a final vote before lawmakers adjourn for the year on Monday , though Assembly members overwhelmingly already approved an earlier version of the bill .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chattel slavery , both in California and across our nation , birthed a legacy of racial harm and inequity that continues to impact the conditions of Black life in California , ” said Democratic Sen. Holly Mitchell of Los Angeles .
She cited disproportionate homelessness , unemployment , involvement in the criminal justice system , lower academic performance and higher health risks during the coronavirus pandemic .
Although California before the Civil War was officially a free state , Mitchell listed legal and judicial steps state officials took at the time to support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The legislation would require the task force to conduct a detailed study of the impact of slavery in California and recommend to the Legislature by July 2023 the form of compensation that should be awarded , how it should be awarded , and who should be should be eligible for compensation .
The panel , which would start meeting no later than June 2021 , could also recommend other forms of rehabilitation or redress .
In the last two years , Texas , New York , and Vermont have considered similar legislation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It said reparations could take the form of cash , housing assistance , lower tuition , forgiving student loans , job training or community investments , for instance .
Sen. Steven Bradford , a Democrat from Gardena who supported the bill , said he only wished it was more than a study .
He noted that Friday marked the 57th anniversary of the March on Washington and The Rev .
Dr. Martin Luther King , Jr. ’ s “ I Have a Dream ” speech .
“ If the 40 acres and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were delivered to the descendants of those slaves today , we would all be billionaires , ” Bradford said .
“ I hear far too many people say , ‘ Well , I didn ’ t own slaves , that was so long ago.
’ Well , you inherit wealth - you can inherit the debt that you owe to African-Americans .
”

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California lawmakers are setting up a task force to study and make recommendations for reparations to African Americans, particularly the descendants of slaves, as the nation struggles again with civil rights and unrest following the latest shooting of a Black man by police.
The state Senate supported creating the nine-member commission on a bipartisan 33-3 vote Saturday. The measure returns to the Assembly for a final vote before lawmakers adjourn for the year on Monday, though Assembly members overwhelmingly already approved an earlier version of the bill.
“Let’s be clear: Chattel slavery, both in California and across our nation, birthed a legacy of racial harm and inequity that continues to impact the conditions of Black life in California,” said Democratic Sen. Holly Mitchell of Los Angeles.
She cited disproportionate homelessness, unemployment, involvement in the criminal justice system, lower academic performance and higher health risks during the coronavirus pandemic.
Although California before the Civil War was officially a free state, Mitchell listed legal and judicial steps state officials took at the time to support slavery in Southern states while repressing Blacks.
The legislation would require the task force to conduct a detailed study of the impact of slavery in California and recommend to the Legislature by July 2023 the form of compensation that should be awarded, how it should be awarded, and who should be should be eligible for compensation.
The panel, which would start meeting no later than June 2021, could also recommend other forms of rehabilitation or redress.
In the last two years, Texas, New York, and Vermont have considered similar legislation, according to a legislative analysis. It said reparations could take the form of cash, housing assistance, lower tuition, forgiving student loans, job training or community investments, for instance.
Sen. Steven Bradford, a Democrat from Gardena who supported the bill, said he only wished it was more than a study.
He noted that Friday marked the 57th anniversary of the March on Washington and The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
“If the 40 acres and a mule that was promised to free slaves were delivered to the descendants of those slaves today, we would all be billionaires,” Bradford said. “I hear far too many people say, ‘Well, I didn’t own slaves, that was so long ago.’ Well, you inherit wealth - you can inherit the debt that you owe to African-Americans.”
____
The bill is AB3121.


washingtontimes--2020-08-29--Coast Guard searchers: All safe on fishing boat off Florida

JACKSONVILLE BEACH , Fla. ( AP ) - The U.S. Coast Guard said all are safe aboard a charter fishing boat that put out a distress call Saturday near the northeast Florida coast .
The fishing vessel , Drop Hook Charters , sent out a distress signal call around 2 p.m. Saturday , two hours after it had been boarded by Florida Fish and Wildlife officers for a routine regulation inspection , the Coast Guard had said hours earlier .
On Saturday evening , the Coast Guard tweeted that its Jacksonville sector had confirmed the boat had been located and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for !
” The Coast Guard didn ’ t elaborate on how many were aboard or the circumstances for the distress call or its location .
WJXT-TV reported Saturday that winds were light and there were no storms before mid-afternoon in the region .
Coast Guard officials said they had been searching Satruday afternoon for the boat at its last known location where wildlife officers boarded it , almost 14 miles ( 22 kilometers ) northeast of the St. Johns Inlet .
The inlet is located near where that river reaches the Atlantic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Savannah , Georgia , and another in Clearwater , Florida , were providing search support by air , the Coast Guard had said .
WJXT-TV reported that the fishing vessel is used by a charter company that runs deep sea fishing excursions out of Jacksonville and St. Augustine .

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. (AP) - The U.S. Coast Guard said all are safe aboard a charter fishing boat that put out a distress call Saturday near the northeast Florida coast.
The fishing vessel, Drop Hook Charters, sent out a distress signal call around 2 p.m. Saturday, two hours after it had been boarded by Florida Fish and Wildlife officers for a routine regulation inspection, the Coast Guard had said hours earlier.
On Saturday evening, the Coast Guard tweeted that its Jacksonville sector had confirmed the boat had been located and “all people are safe and accounted for!” The Coast Guard didn’t elaborate on how many were aboard or the circumstances for the distress call or its location.
WJXT-TV reported Saturday that winds were light and there were no storms before mid-afternoon in the region.
Coast Guard officials said they had been searching Satruday afternoon for the boat at its last known location where wildlife officers boarded it, almost 14 miles (22 kilometers) northeast of the St. Johns Inlet. The inlet is located near where that river reaches the Atlantic Ocean.
The Coast Guard Station at Savannah, Georgia, and another in Clearwater, Florida, were providing search support by air, the Coast Guard had said.
WJXT-TV reported that the fishing vessel is used by a charter company that runs deep sea fishing excursions out of Jacksonville and St. Augustine.


washingtontimes--2020-08-29--Police: Man charged after decomposing body is found in SUV

ATLANTA ( AP ) - Atlanta police have charged a suspect after the decomposing body of a Florida man who @ @ @ @ @ in an SUV outside a southwest Atlanta apartment complex .
Anthony Douglas Jenkins , 23 @ @ @ @ @ death of 24-year-old Kevin Williams , Atlanta police said in a Facebook post Friday .
@ @ @ @ @ Aug. 5 in a blue Mitsubishi Eclipse , according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution .
Investigators @ @ @ @ @ for a couple of days after traveling to Atlanta .
Police are unsure how long @ @ @ @ @ in the vehicle .
Jenkins faces one count each of murder , tampering with evidence @ @ @ @ @ another victim .
He is currently being held at Fulton County Jail without bond .
@ @ @ @ @ if he has an attorney who could comment for him .

ATLANTA (AP) - Atlanta police have charged a suspect after the decomposing body of a Florida man who was fatally shot was found in an SUV outside a southwest Atlanta apartment complex.
Anthony Douglas Jenkins, 23, was charged in the death of 24-year-old Kevin Williams, Atlanta police said in a Facebook post Friday.
Williams’ body was found Aug. 5 in a blue Mitsubishi Eclipse, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Investigators said Williams had been missing for a couple of days after traveling to Atlanta.
Police are unsure how long Williams’ body had been in the vehicle.
Jenkins faces one count each of murder, tampering with evidence and concealing the death of another victim. He is currently being held at Fulton County Jail without bond.
It was not immediately known if he has an attorney who could comment for him.


washingtontimes--2020-08-29--Deputy in Hogan administration fired for social media posts

ANNAPOLIS , Md .
( AP ) - A deputy director in Maryland Gov .
Larry Hogan ’ s administration @ @ @ @ @ of social media posts that made light of fatal shootings occurred during protests in Kenosha @ @ @ @ @ s office on Saturday confirmed the firing of Arthur “ Mac ” Love IV , @ @ @ @ @ director of the Governor ’ s Office of Community Initiatives .
“ These posts are @ @ @ @ @ said Shareese Churchill , a spokeswoman for Hogan .
Democrats called for Love ’ s @ @ @ @ @ posts became widely known .
The posts were in support of 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse , @ @ @ @ @ and wounded another after traveling to Kenosha to ostensibly protect businesses from protesters responding to @ @ @ @ @ Blake .
Rittenhouse has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide .
The firing was first @ @ @ @ @ Love did not respond to a Facebook message seeking comment , and phone numbers listed @ @ @ @ @ .

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - A deputy director in Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan’s administration was fired Saturday after criticism of social media posts that made light of fatal shootings occurred during protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Hogan’s office on Saturday confirmed the firing of Arthur “Mac” Love IV, who had served as deputy director of the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives.
“These posts are obviously totally inappropriate,” said Shareese Churchill, a spokeswoman for Hogan.
Democrats called for Love’s dismissal after the social media posts became widely known.
The posts were in support of 17-year-old Kyle Rittenhouse, who fatally shot two people and wounded another after traveling to Kenosha to ostensibly protect businesses from protesters responding to the police shooting of Jacob Blake. Rittenhouse has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide.
The firing was first reported by Maryland Matters.
Love did not respond to a Facebook message seeking comment, and phone numbers listed for him were not functioning.


washingtontimes--2020-08-29--Firefighters find 1 dead in Las Vegas house fire

Clark County Fire Department officials say firefighters responded to a blaze around 12:40 p.m. Saturday .
They received reports that @ @ @ @ @ and one occupant was possibly trapped .
Scott Carnahan , assistant fire chief , said @ @ @ @ @ were able to stop them from spreading .
It took about 30 minutes to extinguish @ @ @ @ @ one person inside , who was pronounced dead .
The person ’ s identity was @ @ @ @ @ County medical examiner will determine the cause of death .
The fire ’ s cause @ @ @ @

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Las Vegas authorities say a person was found dead inside a burning home.
Clark County Fire Department officials say firefighters responded to a blaze around 12:40 p.m. Saturday. They received reports that it was in a house and one occupant was possibly trapped.
Scott Carnahan, assistant fire chief, said firefighters encountered heavy flames but were able to stop them from spreading. It took about 30 minutes to extinguish it.
Crews then located one person inside, who was pronounced dead. The person’s identity was not released.
The Clark County medical examiner will determine the cause of death.
The fire’s cause remains under investigation.


washingtontimes--2020-08-29--Hundreds march in Iowa in support of law enforcement

DES MOINES , Iowa ( AP ) - Hundreds of people have participated in an Iowa march in support of law enforcement amid widespread demonstrations elsewhere over the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin .
The Des Moines Register reports that the “ Back the Blue ” march began Saturday morning at the Iowa Capitol and ended at the Des Moines Police Department .
Demonstrators held signs that read “ we support our police , ” and “ cops for Trump ” and chanted “ Back the blue !
” At the police department , the crowd chanted “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moines Police Chief Dana Wingert stepped out of the building to give a speech .
“ You don ’ t know how much it means to us that you all showed up today , ” Wingert said .
Smith McIntosh , a 42-year-old from Altoona who was one of the organizers , said she comes from a family of military and police .
McIntosh acknowledged that there needs to be reform within law enforcement agencies , but she said she does not believe there is a high percentage of police brutality .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to back the blue , ” she said .
“ I know that people support the police .
You can support police and also support reform .
”

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Hundreds of people have participated in an Iowa march in support of law enforcement amid widespread demonstrations elsewhere over the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin.
The Des Moines Register reports that the “Back the Blue” march began Saturday morning at the Iowa Capitol and ended at the Des Moines Police Department. Demonstrators held signs that read “we support our police,” and “cops for Trump” and chanted “Back the blue!”
At the police department, the crowd chanted “Thank you, blue” as Des Moines Police Chief Dana Wingert stepped out of the building to give a speech.
“You don’t know how much it means to us that you all showed up today,” Wingert said.
Smith McIntosh, a 42-year-old from Altoona who was one of the organizers, said she comes from a family of military and police. McIntosh acknowledged that there needs to be reform within law enforcement agencies, but she said she does not believe there is a high percentage of police brutality.
“I try to do everything I can to back the blue,” she said. “I know that people support the police. You can support police and also support reform.”


washingtontimes--2020-08-29--California acts to increase diversity on corporate boards

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - California moved closer Saturday to a first-in-the-nation law requiring corporate boards to include racial or sexual minorities , expanding on a new law that sets a similar requirement for including women directors .
Supporters evoked both the coronavirus pandemic that is disproportionately affecting minorities and weeks of unrest and calls for inclusion that followed the slaying of George Floyd in May in the custody of Minneapolis police .
It advanced as state senators took up about two-dozen measures in a rare weekend session while they hurried to make up for weeks of consideration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican senators again took the previously unprecedented step of voting remotely from their homes or hotel rooms after one of their members tested positive earlier in the week and potentially exposed others during a caucus lunch .
Both the Senate and Assembly are set to meet Sunday as they race to adjourn for the year on Monday .
The diversity bill approved by the Senate would require California-based public corporations to have one board director from an underrepresented community by the end of 2021 .
It passed on a 26-8 roll call and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ final vote .
Those who qualify would self-identify as Black , Latino , Asian , Pacific Islander , Native American , Native Hawaiian or Alaska Native , or as gay , lesbian , bisexual or transgender .
The measure would require a minimum of two such directors by the end of 2022 on boards with four to nine directors , and at least three such directors on boards with nine or more directors .
Firms that don ’ t comply would face fines of $ 100,00 for first violations and $ 300,000 for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reflect the vast cultural wealth in this state.
, ” said Democratic Sen. Benjamin Hueso of San Diego .
For instance , he said 87 % of the state ’ s 662 public companies do not have any Latino directors , yet Latinos make up 39 % of the state ’ s population .
“ They are severely underrepresented in the boardroom , ” Hueso said .
“ California is better than this .
We are the most diverse state in the nation , and our corporations need to emulate our diversity.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , chairman of the Legislature ’ s LGBTQ Caucus , said current boards are often “ sort of an old boys network.
” “ I think positions should be earned , ” countered Senate Republican Leader Shannon Grove of Bakersfield .
“ In private business , boards should be elected and people should be put on boards that best represent the business , and that can be anybody ’ s skin color.
” The only official opponent in a legislative analysis was former California commissioner of corporations Keith Bishop .
He objected that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diversity law , would make it more desirable for corporations to pick women who also are members of the underrepresented communities to simultaneously meet both sets of quotas , to the detriment of men or women who do not meet the qualifications in the new bill .
Hueso said adding diversity would improve corporate performance , a similar argument used by supporters of a 2018 law that gave California ’ s publicly held corporations until this year to add at least one woman to their boards .
The nation ’ s first such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more women directors by 2021 for boards of five ; and three women by 2021 for boards of six or more .
“ I get quite offended when somebody thinks that because there ’ s a recruitment effort , a proactive effort , to integrate into every aspect of our society , that somehow that means we ’ re lowering the standard , ” Democratic Sen. Maria Elena Durazo of Los Angeles said in response to Grove ’ s comments .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California moved closer Saturday to a first-in-the-nation law requiring corporate boards to include racial or sexual minorities, expanding on a new law that sets a similar requirement for including women directors.
Supporters evoked both the coronavirus pandemic that is disproportionately affecting minorities and weeks of unrest and calls for inclusion that followed the slaying of George Floyd in May in the custody of Minneapolis police.
It advanced as state senators took up about two-dozen measures in a rare weekend session while they hurried to make up for weeks of consideration lost because of the pandemic. Most Republican senators again took the previously unprecedented step of voting remotely from their homes or hotel rooms after one of their members tested positive earlier in the week and potentially exposed others during a caucus lunch.
Both the Senate and Assembly are set to meet Sunday as they race to adjourn for the year on Monday.
The diversity bill approved by the Senate would require California-based public corporations to have one board director from an underrepresented community by the end of 2021. It passed on a 26-8 roll call and now returns to the Assembly for a final vote.
Those who qualify would self-identify as Black, Latino, Asian, Pacific Islander, Native American, Native Hawaiian or Alaska Native, or as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.
The measure would require a minimum of two such directors by the end of 2022 on boards with four to nine directors, and at least three such directors on boards with nine or more directors. Firms that don’t comply would face fines of $100,00 for first violations and $300,000 for repeated violations.
“Corporations do not reflect the vast cultural wealth in this state.,” said Democratic Sen. Benjamin Hueso of San Diego.
For instance, he said 87% of the state’s 662 public companies do not have any Latino directors, yet Latinos make up 39% of the state’s population.
“They are severely underrepresented in the boardroom,” Hueso said. “California is better than this. We are the most diverse state in the nation, and our corporations need to emulate our diversity.”
Democratic Sen. Scott Wiener of San Francisco, chairman of the Legislature’s LGBTQ Caucus, said current boards are often “sort of an old boys network.”
“I think positions should be earned,” countered Senate Republican Leader Shannon Grove of Bakersfield. “In private business, boards should be elected and people should be put on boards that best represent the business, and that can be anybody’s skin color.”
The only official opponent in a legislative analysis was former California commissioner of corporations Keith Bishop. He objected that that bill, coupled with the existing diversity law, would make it more desirable for corporations to pick women who also are members of the underrepresented communities to simultaneously meet both sets of quotas, to the detriment of men or women who do not meet the qualifications in the new bill.
Hueso said adding diversity would improve corporate performance, a similar argument used by supporters of a 2018 law that gave California’s publicly held corporations until this year to add at least one woman to their boards.
The nation’s first such law requires boards to have two or more women directors by 2021 for boards of five; and three women by 2021 for boards of six or more.
“I get quite offended when somebody thinks that because there’s a recruitment effort, a proactive effort, to integrate into every aspect of our society, that somehow that means we’re lowering the standard,” Democratic Sen. Maria Elena Durazo of Los Angeles said in response to Grove’s comments.
___
The bill is AB979


washingtontimes--2020-08-29--Alabama team planning march against social injustice

TUSCALOOSA , Ala. ( AP ) - Alabama players and coaches are planning a march Monday to protest social injustice , ending at the schoolhouse door where Gov .
George Wallace once stood to block two Black students from entering in 1963 .
Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said he supports his players ’ focus on trying to “ make things better in the future.
” They ’ re joining a number of other college and professional sports teams who have marched or spoken out in the wake of police shootings including Jacob Blake in Kenosha , Wisconsin .
Tailback @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s march on Twitter and teammates retweeted .
Harris said they would march from the Mal Moore Athletics Facility at 4 p.m. and “ meet at the schoolhouse door at Foster Auditorium.
” “ We want our voices to be heard as we strive to enact social change and rid our world of social injustices , ” Harris wrote .
In another post , he said : “ We want all Alabama athletes to join us .
This isn ’ t a fan day … this isn ’ t a football game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Saban has arranged for a number of speakers to the team , including Condoleeza Rice , Tony Dungy , Stephen A. Smith , Joey Galloway and Charles Barkley .
“ And they all did a phenomenal job of trying to explain to players , how can we have a plan for change ?
” Saban said .
“ How can we make things better in the future ?
And I think that ’ s what our players have really been focused on , and I think that ’ ll be what they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a message on Monday .
And we ’ re very much in support of that .
”

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) - Alabama players and coaches are planning a march Monday to protest social injustice, ending at the schoolhouse door where Gov. George Wallace once stood to block two Black students from entering in 1963.
Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said he supports his players’ focus on trying to “make things better in the future.” They’re joining a number of other college and professional sports teams who have marched or spoken out in the wake of police shootings including Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Tailback Najee Harris posted the plans for Monday’s march on Twitter and teammates retweeted. Harris said they would march from the Mal Moore Athletics Facility at 4 p.m. and “meet at the schoolhouse door at Foster Auditorium.”
“We want our voices to be heard as we strive to enact social change and rid our world of social injustices,” Harris wrote.
In another post, he said: “We want all Alabama athletes to join us. This isn’t a fan day … this isn’t a football game … this is about lasting CHANGE!”
Saban has arranged for a number of speakers to the team, including Condoleeza Rice, Tony Dungy, Stephen A. Smith, Joey Galloway and Charles Barkley.
“And they all did a phenomenal job of trying to explain to players, how can we have a plan for change?” Saban said. “How can we make things better in the future? And I think that’s what our players have really been focused on, and I think that’ll be what they want to try to get out there, a message on Monday. And we’re very much in support of that.”


washingtontimes--2020-08-29--Arizona student group slammed for raising money for gunman

TEMPE , Ariz. ( AP ) - A Republican student group at Arizona State University is receiving backlash for donating money to the 17-year-old gunman who fatally shot two protesters in Wisconsin .
College Republicans United announced this week that half of any funds they raise during the semester will go toward paying for the legal defense of Kyle Rittenhouse .
“ He does not deserve to have his entire life destroyed because of the actions of violent anarchists during a lawless riot , ” the group said in a tweet .
Authorities in Kenosha , Wisconsin , say Rittenhouse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wounded a third with an AR-15 rifle Tuesday .
The victims were part of anti-racism demonstrations occurring in the wake of the shooting of Jacob Blake , who is Black , by a white police officer .
Blake , who was shot seven times , remains hospitalized .
Rittenhouse told police he was trying to protect businesses and people and acted in self-defense .
At a hearing Friday , a judge postponed a decision on whether Rittenhouse , who is in custody in Illinois , should be returned to Wisconsin to face charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials said in a statement the school can not prohibit a group from fundraising .
But the school does not endorse the fundraiser .
The group is not the only one raising money for Rittenhouse .
A self-described Christian fundraising site , GiveSendGo , says it has raised more than $ 100,000 for his defense .

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) - A Republican student group at Arizona State University is receiving backlash for donating money to the 17-year-old gunman who fatally shot two protesters in Wisconsin.
College Republicans United announced this week that half of any funds they raise during the semester will go toward paying for the legal defense of Kyle Rittenhouse.
“He does not deserve to have his entire life destroyed because of the actions of violent anarchists during a lawless riot,” the group said in a tweet.
In a statement Saturday night, the ASU College Republicans denounced College Republicans United “radical, far-right extremist group.”
ASU College Republicans called for an investigation of the group.
Authorities in Kenosha, Wisconsin, say Rittenhouse shot and killed two people and severely wounded a third with an AR-15 rifle Tuesday. The victims were part of anti-racism demonstrations occurring in the wake of the shooting of Jacob Blake, who is Black, by a white police officer.
Blake, who was shot seven times, remains hospitalized.
Rittenhouse told police he was trying to protect businesses and people and acted in self-defense. At a hearing Friday, a judge postponed a decision on whether Rittenhouse, who is in custody in Illinois, should be returned to Wisconsin to face charges, including first-degree intentional homicide.
ASU officials said in a statement the school cannot prohibit a group from fundraising. But the school does not endorse the fundraiser.
The group is not the only one raising money for Rittenhouse. A self-described Christian fundraising site, GiveSendGo, says it has raised more than $100,000 for his defense.


washingtontimes--2020-08-29--FBI: 1-year-old back with mom after kidnapping in Georgia

CHAMBLEE , Ga. ( AP ) - A 1-year-old boy is back with his mom after the FBI says he @ @ @ @ @ his mother was walking him Saturday in a stroller in an Atlanta area neighborhood .
@ @ @ @ @ after Mateo Alejandro Montufar-Barrera was taken in Chamblee .
The FBI says his mother put @ @ @ @ @ able to grab a piece of a suspect ’ s shorts and his shoe .
@ @ @ @ @ was later found unharmed , and two suspects were taken into custody .

CHAMBLEE, Ga. (AP) - A 1-year-old boy is back with his mom after the FBI says he was kidnapped at gunpoint while his mother was walking him Saturday in a stroller in an Atlanta area neighborhood.
An Amber alert was issued after Mateo Alejandro Montufar-Barrera was taken in Chamblee. The FBI says his mother put up a fight and was able to grab a piece of a suspect’s shorts and his shoe.
Police tell WSB-TV the boy was later found unharmed, and two suspects were taken into custody.


washingtontimes--2020-08-29--Robert Mercer, former CEO of Goodyear Tire, dies at 96

Robert Mercer , who served as CEO of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. and fought a takeover of the Akron-based firm in the 1980s , has died .
Mercer was 96 years old on Friday when he died , according to his son , Robert G. Mercer .
He led the company from 1983 to 1989 and beat back an attempt by a financier to purchase the company to break it up .
Goodyear was the nation ’ s 34th largest company in 1986 when Sir James Goldsmith , who held more than 10 % of the corporation ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Akron Beacon Journal reported .
Mercer told the Beacon Journal , whose reporters won a Pulitzer Prize for their reporting on the attempted takeover , that Goldsmith couldn ’ t find the Goodyear stock certificates he owned when negotiations neared a close .
Goodyear ended up buying back the shares that Goldsmith owned in return for his dropping the purchasing offer .
Mercer , who was born in Elizabeth , New Jersey , joined Goodyear in 1947 as a sales trainee and worked at the company for 42 years .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ off the coast of Nantucket , Massachusetts , and owned a boat named the “ Double Eagle , ” after Goodyear ’ s premium radial tire .
Mercer served in the Navy in World War II .
He is survived by his wife of 73 years , Mary , and five children : Robert G. , of Santa Monica , California ; Maryann John , of Richmond , Virginia ; Donald , of Wichita , Kansas , and John , of Akron , Ohio .
He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urged supporters to boycott Goodyear , which has been a major employer in Akron for decades , because he wrongly said the company had banned employees from wearing the signature , red , “ Make American Great Again , ” caps of his campaign .
But the company didn ’ t announce such a specific ban , only that it asks employees to refrain from workplace expressions involving political campaigns and “ forms of advocacy that fall outside the scope of racial justice and equity issues .
”

Robert Mercer, who served as CEO of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. and fought a takeover of the Akron-based firm in the 1980s, has died.
Mercer was 96 years old on Friday when he died, according to his son, Robert G. Mercer. He led the company from 1983 to 1989 and beat back an attempt by a financier to purchase the company to break it up.
Goodyear was the nation’s 34th largest company in 1986 when Sir James Goldsmith, who held more than 10% of the corporation’s stock, tried to take it over, the Akron Beacon Journal reported.
Mercer told the Beacon Journal, whose reporters won a Pulitzer Prize for their reporting on the attempted takeover, that Goldsmith couldn’t find the Goodyear stock certificates he owned when negotiations neared a close.
Goodyear ended up buying back the shares that Goldsmith owned in return for his dropping the purchasing offer.
Mercer, who was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, joined Goodyear in 1947 as a sales trainee and worked at the company for 42 years.
In his spare time he enjoyed deep-sea fishing off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts, and owned a boat named the “Double Eagle,” after Goodyear’s premium radial tire. Mercer served in the Navy in World War II.
He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Mary, and five children: Robert G., of Santa Monica, California; Maryann John, of Richmond, Virginia; Donald, of Wichita, Kansas; John, of Akron, Ohio, and Kathleen Bond, of Shaker Heights, Ohio. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
President Trump recently urged supporters to boycott Goodyear, which has been a major employer in Akron for decades, because he wrongly said the company had banned employees from wearing the signature, red, “Make American Great Again,” caps of his campaign.
But the company didn’t announce such a specific ban, only that it asks employees to refrain from workplace expressions involving political campaigns and “forms of advocacy that fall outside the scope of racial justice and equity issues.”
___
This story has been corrected to add Kathleen Bond as one of Mercer’s five children.


washingtontimes--2020-08-29--UConn: 57 residential students with virus now in isolation

Officials at University of Connecticut say 57 students who have tested positive for COVID-19 are in isolation as university officials welcome back its 5,000 residential students .
The university ’ s latest figures as of Saturday showed 1.14 % of residential students are currently positive for the virus .
So far , 69 students have tested positive while 10 have recovered .
Students began returning to campus Aug. 14 .
All were tested for the virus and all were supposed to limit their contact with others during their first 14 days back on campus .
By Aug. 18 , university @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from on-campus housing after learning of a crowded dormitory room party with no mask-wearing or social distancing in violation of the school ’ s coronavirus rules .
At that point , eight students had tested positive and were being isolated .
Contact tracers are investigating the latest new cases at the university .
Two of the university ’ s more than 3,000 faculty and staff members have tested positive .
Meanwhile , Connecticut ’ s twelve community colleges and three of four public universities welcomed students back to campus this week .
Western @ @ @ @ @ @ @ light of a COVID-19 outbreak in Danbury .
The state ’ s public colleges and universities have begun testing residential students and will provide weekly test results starting on Sept. 4 .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough .
But for others , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , the highly contagious virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

Officials at University of Connecticut say 57 students who have tested positive for COVID-19 are in isolation as university officials welcome back its 5,000 residential students.
The university’s latest figures as of Saturday showed 1.14% of residential students are currently positive for the virus. So far, 69 students have tested positive while 10 have recovered.
Students began returning to campus Aug. 14. All were tested for the virus and all were supposed to limit their contact with others during their first 14 days back on campus.
By Aug. 18, university officials announced they had evicted several students from on-campus housing after learning of a crowded dormitory room party with no mask-wearing or social distancing in violation of the school’s coronavirus rules. At that point, eight students had tested positive and were being isolated.
Contact tracers are investigating the latest new cases at the university. Two of the university’s more than 3,000 faculty and staff members have tested positive.
Meanwhile, Connecticut’s twelve community colleges and three of four public universities welcomed students back to campus this week. Western Connecticut State University paused in-person reopening in light of a COVID-19 outbreak in Danbury.
The state’s public colleges and universities have begun testing residential students and will provide weekly test results starting on Sept. 4.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the highly contagious virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal.
___
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.


washingtontimes--2020-08-29--Texas reports 4,732 new coronavirus cases, 154 new deaths

AUSTIN , Texas ( AP ) - Texas reported 4,732 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus on Saturday and 154 new deaths from the disease it causes , COVID-19 .
The new coronavirus cases reported Friday pushed the overall number of cases for the six-month Texas outbreak to at least 606,530 , the Texas Department of State Health Services said .
Of those , the state says its estimate of the number of active cases fell by almost 3,500 to 101,189 , and the confirmed number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized fell by 67 to 4,422 .
However , the true @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many people haven ’ t been tested and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick .
The state said its estimate of the number of active cases fell by almost 3,500 to 101,189 , and the confirmed number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized fell by 67 to 4,422 .
The overall COVID-19 death toll for the Texas outbreak rose to 12,266 .
The rolling seven-day average of the rate of positive tests has fallen from 16 % a week ago to 12.16 % as of Friday , the most recent rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Greg Abbott has set a 10 % positivity rate as a target , and the World Health Organization has set 5 % as the threshold for the end of the pandemic .
However , the rolling seven-day average of tests administered was 37,200 as of Friday , down from 40,400 the day before and well below the 63,900 average of Aug. 18 .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and be fatal .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Texas reported 4,732 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus on Saturday and 154 new deaths from the disease it causes, COVID-19.
The new coronavirus cases reported Friday pushed the overall number of cases for the six-month Texas outbreak to at least 606,530, the Texas Department of State Health Services said. Of those, the state says its estimate of the number of active cases fell by almost 3,500 to 101,189, and the confirmed number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized fell by 67 to 4,422.
However, the true number of cases is likely higher because many people haven’t been tested and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
The state said its estimate of the number of active cases fell by almost 3,500 to 101,189, and the confirmed number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized fell by 67 to 4,422.
The overall COVID-19 death toll for the Texas outbreak rose to 12,266.
The rolling seven-day average of the rate of positive tests has fallen from 16% a week ago to 12.16% as of Friday, the most recent rate reported by the state. Gov. Greg Abbott has set a 10% positivity rate as a target, and the World Health Organization has set 5% as the threshold for the end of the pandemic.
However, the rolling seven-day average of tests administered was 37,200 as of Friday, down from 40,400 the day before and well below the 63,900 average of Aug. 18.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and be fatal.
___
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.


washingtontimes--2020-08-29--Arkansas reports 222 coronavirus cases in public schools

LITTLE ROCK , Ark .
( AP ) - Arkansas reported at least 795 new cases Saturday of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 , as well as 16 new deaths from the illness .
Of those new cases , 108 were found in the state ’ s correctional system , according to the Department of Health .
The new cases push the Arkansas total past 60,000 to at least 60,378 since tracking of the coronavirus outbreak began in March , with a death toll from the outbreak of 772 .
However , the true number of cases is likely higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick .
The department says 5,473 cases are currently active and not among those who have died or recovered , while 384 are hospitalized , 23 fewer than Friday .
The testing positivity rate sits at 9 % , compared to the 5 % threshold set by the World Health Organization for a pandemic .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - Arkansas reported at least 795 new cases Saturday of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, as well as 16 new deaths from the illness.
Of those new cases, 108 were found in the state’s correctional system, according to the Department of Health.
The new cases push the Arkansas total past 60,000 to at least 60,378 since tracking of the coronavirus outbreak began in March, with a death toll from the outbreak of 772.
However, the true number of cases is likely higher because many people haven’t been tested and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
The department says 5,473 cases are currently active and not among those who have died or recovered, while 384 are hospitalized, 23 fewer than Friday.
The testing positivity rate sits at 9%, compared to the 5% threshold set by the World Health Organization for a pandemic.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.
___
Follow AP coverage of the virus outbreak at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Watchdog expects number of Black officers in Chicago to drop

CHICAGO ( AP ) - The number of Black police officers in the Chicago Police Department is likely to decrease as officers retire in the coming years , according to the city ’ s public safety watchdog .
Deborah Witzburg , the city ’ s deputy inspector general for public safety , pointed to a “ demographic cliff on the horizon ” for the department as the city has tried to increase its recruitment of Black police officers .
She says that because of the racial makeup of officers who are approaching retirement age , the number of Black officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chicago Tribune reported .
Over the coming years , the representation of Hispanic officers is likely to increase , she said .
Though former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel made it a priority to hire more Black officers while in office , African Americans still remain underrepresented among the ranks in a city that ’ s almost one-third Black .
Alderman Chris Taliaferro , a former police officer , and other members of the City Council expressed concern on Monday about data showing that several police districts with high Black populations have relatively few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ higher concentration of African American officers would serve to reduce complaints in areas that are predominantly African American , and actually produce better police services .
Alderman Nick Sposato asked how the Chicago Police Department “ can possibly achieve ” greater diversity when the majority of the people who sit for the department ’ s tests are white men .
Witzburg acknowledged that with current events and the way people feel about police , increasing diversity will be challenging .

CHICAGO (AP) - The number of Black police officers in the Chicago Police Department is likely to decrease as officers retire in the coming years, according to the city’s public safety watchdog.
Deborah Witzburg, the city’s deputy inspector general for public safety, pointed to a “demographic cliff on the horizon” for the department as the city has tried to increase its recruitment of Black police officers. She says that because of the racial makeup of officers who are approaching retirement age, the number of Black officers is likely to go down, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Over the coming years, the representation of Hispanic officers is likely to increase, she said.
Though former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel made it a priority to hire more Black officers while in office, African Americans still remain underrepresented among the ranks in a city that’s almost one-third Black.
Alderman Chris Taliaferro, a former police officer, and other members of the City Council expressed concern on Monday about data showing that several police districts with high Black populations have relatively few Black officers.
He believes having a higher concentration of African American officers would serve to reduce complaints in areas that are predominantly African American, and actually produce better police services.
Alderman Nick Sposato asked how the Chicago Police Department “can possibly achieve” greater diversity when the majority of the people who sit for the department’s tests are white men.
Witzburg acknowledged that with current events and the way people feel about police, increasing diversity will be challenging.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Illinois seniors get extension on drivers license renewals

CHICAGO ( AP ) - Illinois drivers age 75 and older will get an extra year to renew their drivers @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , according to the secretary of state ’ s office .
The new expiration @ @ @ @ @ from the current 2020 date , meaning seniors don ’ t need to visit a @ @ @ @ @ ’ s license until shortly before their birthday in 2021 .
“ I am mindful @ @ @ @ @ with seniors contracting COVID-19 , and that is why I have authorized this important change @ @ @ @ @ time , ” Secretary of State Jesse White said in a statement .
There are @ @ @ @ @ and over with expired or expiring driver ’ s licenses in 2020 .
White ’ @ @ @ @ @ are being notified with letters .

CHICAGO (AP) - Illinois drivers age 75 and older will get an extra year to renew their drivers licenses because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the secretary of state’s office.
The new expiration date will be a year from the current 2020 date, meaning seniors don’t need to visit a facility to renew their driver’s license until shortly before their birthday in 2021.
“I am mindful of the heightened risks associated with seniors contracting COVID-19, and that is why I have authorized this important change during this challenging and unique time,” Secretary of State Jesse White said in a statement.
There are roughly 147,000 drivers age 75 and over with expired or expiring driver’s licenses in 2020. White’s office said eligible drivers are being notified with letters.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Access to food aid eased for students in technical programs

LANSING , Mich. ( AP ) - Food assistance has been extended to students pursuing technical education .
The state @ @ @ @ @ will help pay for the program .
Roughly 16,000 low-income college students who are enrolled @ @ @ @ @ programs could be eligible for SNAP , which stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program .
@ @ @ @ @ at stores with a debit-style card .
As students are “ preparing for high-demand , @ @ @ @ @ shouldn ’ t have to worry about how they ’ ll get their next meal @ @ @ @ @ , director of the labor department .
“ These SNAP benefits will help them focus @ @ @ @ @ prepare for a successful future.
” Previous eligibility requirements had made it harder for technical @ @ @ @ @ assistance .
“ Expanding access to SNAP is a huge benefit to students who are @ @ @ @ @ work , family and other obligations , ” said Mike Hansen , president of the @ @ @ @ @ Students interested in applying can go to Michigan.gov/MIBridges .

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Food assistance has been extended to students pursuing technical education.
The state of Michigan said federal money will help pay for the program.
Roughly 16,000 low-income college students who are enrolled in career and technical education programs could be eligible for SNAP, which stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The benefits typically are used at stores with a debit-style card.
As students are “preparing for high-demand, critical job openings, they shouldn’t have to worry about how they’ll get their next meal,” said Jeff Donofrio, director of the labor department. “These SNAP benefits will help them focus on their educational needs and prepare for a successful future.”
Previous eligibility requirements had made it harder for technical students to qualify for food assistance.
“Expanding access to SNAP is a huge benefit to students who are juggling their courses along with work, family and other obligations,” said Mike Hansen, president of the Michigan Community College Association.
Students interested in applying can go to Michigan.gov/MIBridges.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Man bikes from California to Delaware during pandemic

REHOBOTH BEACH , Del .
( AP ) - Erik Andrews ’ cross-country bike tour was the product of a global pandemic and a cause .
If the new coronavirus hadn ’ t halted baseball games , vacations or the organization Andrews has volunteered at for more than two decades , the 60-year-old Ohioan wouldn ’ t have hopped on his bike and pedaled 3,351 miles from southern California to Delaware .
Andrews rode into Rehoboth Beach on Thursday , Aug. 20 , after 60 legs spanning 74 days .
His right boot heel was falling apart , and his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d helped raise more than $ 50,000 for Appalachia Service Project .
Andrews is one of thousands who volunteer for the Tennessee-based nonprofit every year , building new houses and providing critical home repairs for low-income families .
This year , in the midst of a health crisis that has killed more than 170,000 Americans since January , Appalachia Service Project ’ s volunteer service program went dark .
The pandemic also halted fundraising , putting next year ’ s summer volunteer program in jeopardy .
So Andrews decided to become a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bike , then went to his wife of 32 years , Michele .
She wanted two things : He needed to come home for the Fourth of July weekend , and he needed to call her often .
“ I just need to make sure you ’ re not dead on the side of the road , ” Michele said wryly .
Andrews set out June 7 , three days after he decided to make the trip .
He wasn ’ t sure if California would even let him .
Several cities were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and some were still under shelter-in-place orders .
But on June 4 , he called ASP anyway with his plan .
Donations came from his family and extended family , then others who hadn ’ t heard of ASP until his trip .
There was a website too , www.paa4asp.org , where people could follow Andrews ’ journey day by day .
His cross-country wardrobe consisted of three outfits .
So every three days , he made sure the hotel he where was staying had laundry amenities - “ I ’ ve done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than I have my entire life , ” he laughed .
Some days he ’ d go more than 100 miles .
Other times he ’ d struggle to make 40 , collapsing on his hotel bed without shedding his “ stinky ” clothes .
None of the hotel served breakfast due to coronavirus restrictions .
“ I had to make a meal out of food I didn ’ t have , ” he said .
“ I ’ m exhausted , I ’ m in a place I don ’ t know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get in 4,000 to 5,000 calories.
” Andrews , a rocket scientist by day , has been primed for adventure since he was 8 , when he saw Neil Armstrong take those first tentative steps on the moon , 238,000 miles from Earth .
His 11-week trip may have been a few thousand miles closer to home than Armstrong ’ s , but biking across America marked an epic journey for him , one flanked by long , barren stretches of road , seemingly endless sunlight and parched earth .
From June 7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it didn ’ t rain once .
Andrews had no trees to bike under for shade , instead relying on early morning rides before his thermometer surged past 100 degrees .
“ Not only did it not rain , there wasn ’ t a cloud to rain from , ” Andrews said .
“ Noah went 40 days of rain .
I went 40 days without even a cloud basically.
” He learned to never understatement the value of an overpass , where he ’ d stop for shade - and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not watch any TV during the trip .
He missed the daily death toll of COVID-19 , nationwide protests brought on by George Floyd ’ s death at the knee of a Minneapolis police officer , the death of Rep. John Lewis .
Human contact was also scarce .
During his 74-day trip , Andrews saw only two other cyclists who had packs similar to his .
Few people were taking long trips , as some governors issued 14-day quarantines for out-of-staters , closed nonessential businesses and asked residents to stay home .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ the Main Street of America ” , Andrews saw the economic devastation COVID-19 brought to small towns dependent on thru-traffic and tourism .
‘ A LOT OF WONDERFUL PEOPLE IN THIS BIG COUNTRY ’ Still , he came across folks who helped keep him moving .
There was the bike repairman in Elk City , Oklahoma , just after his 28th leg .
Andrews ’ bike had some screws loose from the bumpy asphalt roads , which made him shake like a high-powered drill .
It was Sunday when he road into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in town was closed .
He left a message , not expecting a reply .
Twenty minutes later , a guy was on the phone asking Andrews , “ Where are you ?
I ’ ll come pick you and your bike up.
” He took them to his bike shop , where he tightened the screws and did a tune-up , making sure Andrews had a safe journey .
He didn ’ t charge a dime .
“ There ’ s a human element to it , ” Andrews said of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of wonderful people in this big country.
” Then there were the people who had no money to give but gave anyway , for the cause .
Andrews had ASP stickers and signs on his bike , which folks at gas stations would squint to see and then ask Andrews about .
He told them about the roofs he ’ d installed , the leaky pipes he ’ d fixed , the homes he helped build .
He wore the same 3-pound boots he ’ d have on while “ pounding nails , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andrews tears up when he talks about the people who would hand him a dollar or two .
He holds those donations closest to his heart .
There were the moments of solitude .
In Texas , a truck carrying thousands of water bottles crashed , affording him the rare opportunity to cycle on Interstate 40 with no other cars around , as traffic had been halted for cleanup .
.
In Arizona , Andrews took a detour north to the Grand Canyon , which felt made even more empty and vast by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ usually spilling with tourists , was a temporary ghost town , reminiscent of the red rock canyon millions of years before human contact .
Andrews stood alone , facing the earth , carved by water and time .
“ It was you and the canyon , ” he said .
“ You ’ re just there and there ’ s no one else.
” Through the Sierra Nevada , the Rockies , the merciless Texas heat and through Tennessee , where he visited ASP Headquarters for the first time .
Andrews finished the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daughter , Sarah Stafford , riding from Georgetown to Rehoboth Beach on a morning that promised sun and 70-degree weather .
Twenty-four miles later , Andrews walked his bike to the sand and touched his tires to the water , just as he had done in the Pacific Ocean to signify the beginning of his journey .
Andrews ’ advice for folks looking to make a similar trip ?
“ You can always get off your bike , ” he said .
“ You can always keep pedaling .
”

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. (AP) - Erik Andrews’ cross-country bike tour was the product of a global pandemic and a cause.
If the new coronavirus hadn’t halted baseball games, vacations or the organization Andrews has volunteered at for more than two decades, the 60-year-old Ohioan wouldn’t have hopped on his bike and pedaled 3,351 miles from southern California to Delaware.
Andrews rode into Rehoboth Beach on Thursday, Aug. 20, after 60 legs spanning 74 days. His right boot heel was falling apart, and his eyes were red from crying.
He’d helped raise more than $50,000 for Appalachia Service Project.
Andrews is one of thousands who volunteer for the Tennessee-based nonprofit every year, building new houses and providing critical home repairs for low-income families.
This year, in the midst of a health crisis that has killed more than 170,000 Americans since January, Appalachia Service Project’s volunteer service program went dark. The pandemic also halted fundraising, putting next year’s summer volunteer program in jeopardy.
So Andrews decided to become a mobile fundraiser.
He looked at his bike, then went to his wife of 32 years, Michele. She wanted two things: He needed to come home for the Fourth of July weekend, and he needed to call her often.
“I just need to make sure you’re not dead on the side of the road,” Michele said wryly.
CYCLING ACROSS A PANDEMIC-RAVAGED COUNTRY
Andrews set out June 7, three days after he decided to make the trip.
He wasn’t sure if California would even let him. Several cities were still in the early reopening phases, and some were still under shelter-in-place orders. But on June 4, he called ASP anyway with his plan.
Donations came from his family and extended family, then others who hadn’t heard of ASP until his trip.
There was a website too, www.paa4asp.org, where people could follow Andrews’ journey day by day.
His cross-country wardrobe consisted of three outfits. So every three days, he made sure the hotel he where was staying had laundry amenities - “I’ve done more laundry in the last 75 days than I have my entire life,” he laughed.
Some days he’d go more than 100 miles. Other times he’d struggle to make 40, collapsing on his hotel bed without shedding his “stinky” clothes.
None of the hotel served breakfast due to coronavirus restrictions.
“I had to make a meal out of food I didn’t have,” he said. “I’m exhausted, I’m in a place I don’t know, and I’m trying to get in 4,000 to 5,000 calories.”
Andrews, a rocket scientist by day, has been primed for adventure since he was 8, when he saw Neil Armstrong take those first tentative steps on the moon, 238,000 miles from Earth.
His 11-week trip may have been a few thousand miles closer to home than Armstrong’s, but biking across America marked an epic journey for him, one flanked by long, barren stretches of road, seemingly endless sunlight and parched earth.
From June 7 to July 15, California through Texas, it didn’t rain once. Andrews had no trees to bike under for shade, instead relying on early morning rides before his thermometer surged past 100 degrees.
“Not only did it not rain, there wasn’t a cloud to rain from,” Andrews said. “Noah went 40 days of rain. I went 40 days without even a cloud basically.”
He learned to never understatement the value of an overpass, where he’d stop for shade - and to take a selfie.
He decided to not watch any TV during the trip. He missed the daily death toll of COVID-19, nationwide protests brought on by George Floyd’s death at the knee of a Minneapolis police officer, the death of Rep. John Lewis.
Human contact was also scarce. During his 74-day trip, Andrews saw only two other cyclists who had packs similar to his. Few people were taking long trips, as some governors issued 14-day quarantines for out-of-staters, closed nonessential businesses and asked residents to stay home.
On the iconic Route 66, nicknamed “the Main Street of America”, Andrews saw the economic devastation COVID-19 brought to small towns dependent on thru-traffic and tourism.
‘A LOT OF WONDERFUL PEOPLE IN THIS BIG COUNTRY’
Still, he came across folks who helped keep him moving. There was the bike repairman in Elk City, Oklahoma, just after his 28th leg. Andrews’ bike had some screws loose from the bumpy asphalt roads, which made him shake like a high-powered drill.
It was Sunday when he road into Oklahoma, and the only bike shop in town was closed. He left a message, not expecting a reply.
Twenty minutes later, a guy was on the phone asking Andrews, “Where are you? I’ll come pick you and your bike up.”
He took them to his bike shop, where he tightened the screws and did a tune-up, making sure Andrews had a safe journey. He didn’t charge a dime.
“There’s a human element to it,” Andrews said of the trip. “There are a lot of wonderful people in this big country.”
Then there were the people who had no money to give but gave anyway, for the cause. Andrews had ASP stickers and signs on his bike, which folks at gas stations would squint to see and then ask Andrews about.
He told them about the roofs he’d installed, the leaky pipes he’d fixed, the homes he helped build. He wore the same 3-pound boots he’d have on while “pounding nails,” to stay connected to ASP.
Andrews tears up when he talks about the people who would hand him a dollar or two. He holds those donations closest to his heart.
There were the moments of solitude.
In Texas, a truck carrying thousands of water bottles crashed, affording him the rare opportunity to cycle on Interstate 40 with no other cars around, as traffic had been halted for cleanup. .
In Arizona, Andrews took a detour north to the Grand Canyon, which felt made even more empty and vast by COVID-19. The Grand Canyon Village, usually spilling with tourists, was a temporary ghost town, reminiscent of the red rock canyon millions of years before human contact.
Andrews stood alone, facing the earth, carved by water and time.
“It was you and the canyon,” he said. “You’re just there and there’s no one else.”
Through the Sierra Nevada, the Rockies, the merciless Texas heat and through Tennessee, where he visited ASP Headquarters for the first time.
And finally, Delaware.
THE FINISH LINE
Andrews finished the last leg of the trip with his daughter, Sarah Stafford, riding from Georgetown to Rehoboth Beach on a morning that promised sun and 70-degree weather.
Twenty-four miles later, Andrews walked his bike to the sand and touched his tires to the water, just as he had done in the Pacific Ocean to signify the beginning of his journey.
Andrews’ advice for folks looking to make a similar trip?
“You can always get off your bike,” he said. “You can always keep pedaling.”


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--'Routines' inspire new dystopian novel for WVa author

PRINCETON , W.Va. ( AP ) - After self-publishing her first book in 2007 , Laura Buchanan recently signed a three year publishing contract with W & B Publishers , in addition to the publication of her new young adult dystopian novel , “ Routines.
” Buchanan , who ’ s chosen pen name is Laura Lin , has been writing for her entire life .
She recalls pretending that she was writing for her favorite magazines as a teenager .
The newly released , “ Routines , ” was written about three years ago .
Lin said the main @ @ @ @ @ @ @ daily grind , ” of waking up , going to work and not having time to enjoy life .
She was also inspired by the importance of history and literature and the lessons that can be learned from the two .
“ If we do not learn the lessons from literature and history , we will repeat them , ” Lin said .
“ The actual title and the drudgery that is in the introduction of the book , the idea of that came from the routine of life .
It seems like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she is not writing , Lin works as a pharmacy technician and some of her inspiration came from conversations with her coworkers .
These conversations lead her to not only the plot of the book , but one of it ’ s protagonist , Sam Rice , is based upon someone Lin worked with who inspired her .
“ The characters are a little bit influenced by myself and people I meet , ” Lin said .
“ There are little traits of coworkers and family members that come into play in each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ character in “ Routines , ” is based on a little girl I used to work with .
She was tiny but her spirit was huge .
She was a real fighter , so that is where my inspiration for Sam came from.
” The book is based in a future world that exists in a perpetual winter after an asteroid impact shifted the Earth ’ s axis .
“ The synopsis of it is a bit science fiction , ” Lin explained .
“ The people that survived formed what is called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ governed by The United Government and one of those people is the protagonist , Sam Rice .
She grows a little restless with the tight regulations and the micromanagement of The United Government controlling every aspect of their life , dictates where they can go and what jobs they can have .
It adds to the overall gloominess of the world at the time.
” In her growing restlessness , Sam Rice finds like-minded people and throughout the book , they work to change their world .
Two books that inspired Lin ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I like young adult novels , for writing and reading .
I like the fast pace and I like the stories a lot better .
I do not know why , it just feels like you can relate to it a bit more , ” Lin said .
“ The influence , I will have to say and I tribute to it during the story is ‘ The Giver , ’ by Lois Lowery and ‘ 1984 , ’ by George Orwell .
They definitely were inspirational to me .
Those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is just so much to learn from them.
” Lin was able to find the story of “ Routines ” in her own mind through a project called , “ NaNoWriMo.
” According to the organization ’ s website , “ National Novel Writing Month ( NaNoWriMo ) began in 1999 as a daunting but straightforward challenge : to write 50,000 words of a novel during the thirty days of November.
” “ I am a very lucid writer .
I have never tried to outline , especially with a much bigger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so I did a loose and informal outline to help guide me with that one , ” Lin said .
“ For me , it is so easy when you are writing to get caught up on the grammar , punctuation and you do more editing than writing , so I found that through NaNoWriMo , it is just getting all that story out without being hindered by it and then you can go back and do your edits and revisions .
For me , that works .
I can overcome that fear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she has self-published her work in the past , Lin decided to try a new avenue : working with a publisher .
She found a small publishing house that had recently transitioned to accepted outside material for approval called W & B publishers .
“ It was a little different waiting for that word of approval instead of just thinking that this is good and putting it out there , ” Lin said .
“ There was a sense of comfort in it , that these guys think I might have something , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with it and a glimmer of hope .
Having the influence on the cover art caught me off guard because they wanted my opinion on it .
I sent them some photos that I had taken for it and I was really pleased when they used it .
Not only do I get to advertise my writing , I get to advertise my artistic photography too.
” Laura Lin ’ s new novel , “ Routines , ” is available on Amazon , but there is an option to directly purchase a personalized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a full time job and writing books , Lin is also an active blogger .
She said she aims to update her blog weekly with upbeat slices of life .
Her blog can be found at coffeedribble.com .
“ I am truly honored and thrilled with every book I sell because I know that people work hard for that money , ” Lin said .
“ I have always been taught to write what you know and those influences creep into what you write , good or bad .

PRINCETON, W.Va. (AP) - After self-publishing her first book in 2007, Laura Buchanan recently signed a three year publishing contract with W & B Publishers, in addition to the publication of her new young adult dystopian novel, “Routines.”
Buchanan, who’s chosen pen name is Laura Lin, has been writing for her entire life. She recalls pretending that she was writing for her favorite magazines as a teenager.
The newly released, “Routines,” was written about three years ago. Lin said the main inspiration for the book was the “daily grind,” of waking up, going to work and not having time to enjoy life. She was also inspired by the importance of history and literature and the lessons that can be learned from the two.
“If we do not learn the lessons from literature and history, we will repeat them,” Lin said. “The actual title and the drudgery that is in the introduction of the book, the idea of that came from the routine of life. It seems like we fall into that trap.”
While she is not writing, Lin works as a pharmacy technician and some of her inspiration came from conversations with her coworkers. These conversations lead her to not only the plot of the book, but one of it’s protagonist, Sam Rice, is based upon someone Lin worked with who inspired her.
“The characters are a little bit influenced by myself and people I meet,” Lin said. “There are little traits of coworkers and family members that come into play in each one. Samantha Rice, the main character in “Routines,” is based on a little girl I used to work with. She was tiny but her spirit was huge. She was a real fighter, so that is where my inspiration for Sam came from.”
The book is based in a future world that exists in a perpetual winter after an asteroid impact shifted the Earth’s axis.
“The synopsis of it is a bit science fiction,” Lin explained. “The people that survived formed what is called ‘The Community’ and it is governed by The United Government and one of those people is the protagonist, Sam Rice. She grows a little restless with the tight regulations and the micromanagement of The United Government controlling every aspect of their life, dictates where they can go and what jobs they can have. It adds to the overall gloominess of the world at the time.”
In her growing restlessness, Sam Rice finds like-minded people and throughout the book, they work to change their world. Two books that inspired Lin’s new book are classic dystopian novels.
“I like young adult novels, for writing and reading. I like the fast pace and I like the stories a lot better. I do not know why, it just feels like you can relate to it a bit more,” Lin said. “The influence, I will have to say and I tribute to it during the story is ‘The Giver,’ by Lois Lowery and ‘1984,’ by George Orwell. They definitely were inspirational to me. Those are two of my absolute favorites and there is just so much to learn from them.”
Lin was able to find the story of “Routines” in her own mind through a project called, “NaNoWriMo.” According to the organization’s website, “National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) began in 1999 as a daunting but straightforward challenge: to write 50,000 words of a novel during the thirty days of November.”
“I am a very lucid writer. I have never tried to outline, especially with a much bigger project that I want to do, so I did a loose and informal outline to help guide me with that one,” Lin said. “For me, it is so easy when you are writing to get caught up on the grammar, punctuation and you do more editing than writing, so I found that through NaNoWriMo, it is just getting all that story out without being hindered by it and then you can go back and do your edits and revisions. For me, that works. I can overcome that fear of writing through that process.”
While she has self-published her work in the past, Lin decided to try a new avenue: working with a publisher. She found a small publishing house that had recently transitioned to accepted outside material for approval called W & B publishers.
“It was a little different waiting for that word of approval instead of just thinking that this is good and putting it out there,” Lin said. “There was a sense of comfort in it, that these guys think I might have something, so there was a sense of accomplishment with it and a glimmer of hope. Having the influence on the cover art caught me off guard because they wanted my opinion on it. I sent them some photos that I had taken for it and I was really pleased when they used it. Not only do I get to advertise my writing, I get to advertise my artistic photography too.”
Laura Lin’s new novel, “Routines,” is available on Amazon, but there is an option to directly purchase a personalized copy from the author. In addition to a full time job and writing books, Lin is also an active blogger. She said she aims to update her blog weekly with upbeat slices of life. Her blog can be found at coffeedribble.com.
“I am truly honored and thrilled with every book I sell because I know that people work hard for that money,” Lin said. “I have always been taught to write what you know and those influences creep into what you write, good or bad.


washingtontimes--2020-08-30--Virginia agency brings meals to schoolchildren, families

FREDERICKSBURG , Va. ( AP ) - Tim White said he does it to help bring the community together .
“ There are neighbors who need help and we have enough resources in this community that if we share them , we can take care of each other , ” said White .
White runs Stafford Food Security on Deacon Road in southern Stafford County .
In three years , the nonprofit organization has grown to feed over 15,000 schoolchildren and their families spanning 66 schools in Stafford , Spotsylvania and King George counties , as well as Fredericksburg .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ kid , ” said White , a Marine Corps veteran , who enlisted immediately following 9/11 and remained on active duty until 2013 after tours in Iraq and Afghanistan .
“ I definitely know what it ’ s like not being able to eat.
” In March 2017 , White started a small food distribution service out of his home .
By the fall of that year , he had moved into Stafford ’ s New Hope United Methodist Church to help feed students at Conway Elementary School .
White ’ s daughter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ works there in the school office .
White , who teaches leadership at Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren , said he wanted to find a way to give back to the community .
“ Even in our own school , we have hungry kids .
I decided to focus on that , ” said White .
White put together all the ingredients necessary to feed an entire family .
With five entreés to choose from , he placed the food items in backpacks that he delivered to the school .
“ These were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ All the ingredients for a family of four … enough to feed everyone.
” White ’ s service eventually grew to preparing 200 backpacks a week and a flock of volunteers came to help him prepare the meals for delivery .
In March , White moved his operation to Deacon Road , where about 70 percent of his volunteer force is made up of current or former educators who White relies on for referrals .
“ The teachers are my recon scouts , ” said White .
“ They ’ re the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ connecting us as a resource .
I tell people , don ’ t call me directly , talk to your counselor , talk to your teacher , and they ’ ll ask for the resources and we ’ ll get them to you.
” When the COVID-19 pandemic swept the nation in March and closed businesses and schools , White lost the schools as drop-off points for his meals .
Today , he goes door to door delivering them .
“ If a family member calls a teacher or counselor in need of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the principal and the principal will contact me , ” said White , who delivered a week ’ s worth of groceries to three local families on a recent Tuesday .
With school scheduled to resume next week , White said he expects business to once again increase significantly , but said , “ We ’ re still missing the mark.
” “ We ’ re feeding the kids , but there ’ s a need for more , ” said White .
He said Stafford has a lot of wealth among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there are “ little pockets of poverty ” where he says people are having difficulty just hanging on .
While making his food deliveries , White has discovered many of those pockets in the region .
“ I thought , if there are four people ( hungry ) in this trailer park of 300 trailers , there have to be more of them , ” said White .
“ Instead of waiting for them to ask us for help , I went out and bought a grill , and every Tuesday and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighborhood and grill for anyone who needs a meal.
” At the end of April , White fed about 500 people in Foxwood Village Mobile Home Park in North Stafford and another 300 in River Heights Mobile Home Park in Spotsylvania .
“ We ’ ve fed over 12,000 people since March , either by delivering meals or at these barbecues , ” said White , who grilled April 18 at Moncure Elementary School , where he fed about 300 people .
White said when the coronavirus pandemic began , most of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the exception of SERVE and the Fredericksburg United Methodist Church , which opened a new pantry .
White said his organization is not trying to compete with food pantries .
He said he works with a number of them in the region and sends extra food to them along with referrals for their services .
White said his services are aimed primarily at students and their families who simply can not make a trip to a food pantry .
“ People are working or they don ’ t have transportation , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the extra step by bringing the food to them.
” Funding for Stafford Food Security comes entirely from donations and grants .
White promotes his services by speaking at church groups and at civic events and has a social media presence , where he conducts fundraisers .
Several retailers-including Wawa and Weis Markets-have made food , gift card or monetary donations , and both the Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region and the Rappahannock Electric Cooperative have provided significant grants as well .
“ Lupi Orthodontics in North Stafford gave us $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , ” said White .
Today , White said he still needs help distributing food at three sites in Fredericksburg where he ’ s providing lunches for schoolchildren , as well as help staffing his Deacon Road headquarters , where White hopes to someday offer free courses in resume building , budgeting and finance .
“ We don ’ t need government solutions to help everyone , ” said White .
“ We just need to take care of each other.
” White hopes to someday turn his organization over to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ community projects .
“ Right now , I ’ m happy just getting people fed , ” said White .
“ Now , I ’ m on a mission to get a food truck … I want to feed even more people .
”

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (AP) - Tim White said he does it to help bring the community together.
“There are neighbors who need help and we have enough resources in this community that if we share them, we can take care of each other,” said White.
White runs Stafford Food Security on Deacon Road in southern Stafford County. In three years, the nonprofit organization has grown to feed over 15,000 schoolchildren and their families spanning 66 schools in Stafford, Spotsylvania and King George counties, as well as Fredericksburg.
“I grew up hungry as a kid,” said White, a Marine Corps veteran, who enlisted immediately following 9/11 and remained on active duty until 2013 after tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. “I definitely know what it’s like not being able to eat.”
In March 2017, White started a small food distribution service out of his home. By the fall of that year, he had moved into Stafford’s New Hope United Methodist Church to help feed students at Conway Elementary School. White’s daughter attended the school and his wife still works there in the school office.
White, who teaches leadership at Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren, said he wanted to find a way to give back to the community.
“Even in our own school, we have hungry kids. I decided to focus on that,” said White.
White put together all the ingredients necessary to feed an entire family. With five entreés to choose from, he placed the food items in backpacks that he delivered to the school.
“These were complete meals,” said White. “All the ingredients for a family of four … enough to feed everyone.”
White’s service eventually grew to preparing 200 backpacks a week and a flock of volunteers came to help him prepare the meals for delivery. In March, White moved his operation to Deacon Road, where about 70 percent of his volunteer force is made up of current or former educators who White relies on for referrals.
“The teachers are my recon scouts,” said White. “They’re the ones who are identifying hungry families and connecting us as a resource. I tell people, don’t call me directly, talk to your counselor, talk to your teacher, and they’ll ask for the resources and we’ll get them to you.”
When the COVID-19 pandemic swept the nation in March and closed businesses and schools, White lost the schools as drop-off points for his meals. Today, he goes door to door delivering them.
“If a family member calls a teacher or counselor in need of help, they’ll push that to the principal and the principal will contact me,” said White, who delivered a week’s worth of groceries to three local families on a recent Tuesday. With school scheduled to resume next week, White said he expects business to once again increase significantly, but said, “We’re still missing the mark.”
“We’re feeding the kids, but there’s a need for more,” said White.
He said Stafford has a lot of wealth among its residents, but underneath that layer, there are “little pockets of poverty” where he says people are having difficulty just hanging on. While making his food deliveries, White has discovered many of those pockets in the region.
“I thought, if there are four people (hungry) in this trailer park of 300 trailers, there have to be more of them,” said White. “Instead of waiting for them to ask us for help, I went out and bought a grill, and every Tuesday and Thursday, I go to a different neighborhood and grill for anyone who needs a meal.”
At the end of April, White fed about 500 people in Foxwood Village Mobile Home Park in North Stafford and another 300 in River Heights Mobile Home Park in Spotsylvania.
“We’ve fed over 12,000 people since March, either by delivering meals or at these barbecues,” said White, who grilled April 18 at Moncure Elementary School, where he fed about 300 people.
White said when the coronavirus pandemic began, most of the local food pantries shut down, with the exception of SERVE and the Fredericksburg United Methodist Church, which opened a new pantry.
White said his organization is not trying to compete with food pantries. He said he works with a number of them in the region and sends extra food to them along with referrals for their services. White said his services are aimed primarily at students and their families who simply cannot make a trip to a food pantry.
“People are working or they don’t have transportation,” said White. “We’re taking the extra step by bringing the food to them.”
Funding for Stafford Food Security comes entirely from donations and grants. White promotes his services by speaking at church groups and at civic events and has a social media presence, where he conducts fundraisers. Several retailers-including Wawa and Weis Markets-have made food, gift card or monetary donations, and both the Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region and the Rappahannock Electric Cooperative have provided significant grants as well.
“Lupi Orthodontics in North Stafford gave us $10,000 at the beginning of last school year,” said White.
Today, White said he still needs help distributing food at three sites in Fredericksburg where he’s providing lunches for schoolchildren, as well as help staffing his Deacon Road headquarters, where White hopes to someday offer free courses in resume building, budgeting and finance.
“We don’t need government solutions to help everyone,” said White. “We just need to take care of each other.”
White hopes to someday turn his organization over to the right person so he can pursue other community projects.
“Right now, I’m happy just getting people fed,” said White. “Now, I’m on a mission to get a food truck … I want to feed even more people.”