Tag: Public
Hattiesburg public schools implement clear-bag policy for athletic events
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WDAM) – High school football starts next week in the Hub City and Hattiesburg public schools are taking steps to make athletic events safer ahead of kickoff.
“It’s a policy that we’re implementing to further our means of safety for our fans,” said Greg Carter, Hattiesburg Public Schools athletic director. “You know, our ultimate goal is to keep our fans safe at all of our athletic events, and we feel like this clear-bag policy is a step in the right direction.”
The start of a new football season means new rules for Hattiesburg Public Schools.
The district is implementing a clear-bag policy at all athletic events.
“It’s the first year that we’ll be implementing it,” Carter said. “It’s been a policy for most colleges for a few years now. So, it’s starting to trickle down into high schools, and with the surge in violent crimes throughout the nation at large events, we feel like we need to do a little something further to keep our fans safe.”
The clear-bag policy goes into effect next Friday, Aug. 27, at Hattiesburg High’s first home varsity football game against Petal High School.
There are a few other different regulations fans need to keep in mind before getting to the stadium.
“It’s a clear-bag policy so the bag has to be clear but the dimensions of it is… the largest is 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches,” Carter said. “Now, you can also bring in a one-gallon size Ziploc-type bag.”
Small clutches also are allowed.
“The small clutch doesn’t have to be clear, but it has to fit the dimensions of 4 1/2 inches by 6 ½ inches,” Carter said.
While it may take a little getting used to, it all comes down to ensuring a safe environment while fans cheer on the tigers.
“We understand that this policy is going to inconvenience some, but we feel like that the safety aspect of it far outweighs the slight inconvenience that it may cause to some,” Carter said. “We do apologize in advance for any inconvenience that it might cause.
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Hidden Level Helps Secure Large-Scale Public Events With Innovative Drone Detection – UASweekly.com
The New York State Fair is one of the nation’s biggest public events, drawing more than 1 million people each year. As the Fair opens on Aug. 24, the New York State Police will again rely on Hidden Level, developers of sensor solutions for low-altitude airspace monitoring, to provide drone tracking services, enabling law enforcement drone mitigation response for any unauthorized unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in public spaces.
Hidden Level provides the world’s first low-altitude airspace monitoring service for both security and air traffic needs. The airspace monitoring service (AMS) is a cloud-based, scalable and cost-effective solution that integrates directly into virtually any video management software, security operations center or situational awareness platform.
“Airspace monitoring in public venues is only increasing in importance as drone technologies become an everyday reality,” said Jeff Cole, chief executive officer and co-founder. “Our partnership with the New York State Fair demonstrates the power of a counter-unmanned aircraft system (CUAS) in enhancing public safety, and its value for any major outdoor event. We’re pleased to be able to assist the Fair again this year.”
Hidden Level debuted at the New York State Fair in 2021 and completed 18 full days of AMS across 5+ square miles of the Empire Expo Center, also known as the New York State Fairgrounds.
Over the course of the mission, Hidden Level’s CUAS monitor tracked cooperative and non-cooperative drones, including multi-drone scenarios, and provided Fair organizers with statistics and debrief deliverables. Among the findings:
- Identified 211 drone events, excluding known New York State Police and cooperating agency flights.
- Several were multiple events from a single drone operator.
- Most drone activity occurs in evening hours, with consistent activity also occurring in early morning.
- Identified multiple drones flying above the maximum legal altitude of 400 feet.
Tracking potentially illegal drone flights illustrates the burden on collaborating public safety organizations and security teams. Hidden Level’s technology assists those agencies by easily integrating with common security platforms to protect large coverage areas.
Unlike many other drone-monitoring solutions, Hidden Level is completely software-based with no expensive hardware to repurchase and update. Clients like the New York State Police receive quarterly updates from Hidden Level to keep systems equipped with the latest technology.
Following this year’s New York State Fair, Hidden Level is finalizing updated permanent installation sites to provide comprehensive coverage of the surrounding Onondaga Lake area, St Joseph’s Lakeview Amphitheatre, and Fairgrounds for year-round usage during public events and concerts.
“We are excited to continue our partnership with the New York State Police and give law enforcement the additional capabilities they need as drone usage continues to grow,” said James Licata, Hidden Level’s VP of Strategy & Partnerships.
For more information, visit: http://www.hiddenlevel.com.
Kannapolis announces slate of new events, programs for the public – Salisbury Post
KANNAPOLIS — Kannapolis residents are invited to join in a series of different activities encouraged to increase civic engagement in the upcoming weeks and months.
The city announced Monday plans to host a National Night Out gathering, a Kannapolis 101 program and a Citizens Police Academy for members of the community.
National Night Out will be Aug. 2 from 5-8 p.m. at Veteran’s Park. The event is one taking place across the country in numerous other communities, and is aimed at growing relationships between residents and their local law enforcement agencies.
The event will offer free food, school supply giveaways, live music, children’s games and more. Members of the police and fire departments will be on-hand to meet and talk with those attending.
The departments are also holding a new winter coat drive for children in grades K-12 across the community. So visitors are encouraged to bring a new coat to donate to the event and be entered into a prize drawing.
Several non-profit organizations will be on hand providing information on community services or on volunteering with an organization.
The city also announced that Kannapolis 101, a two-month program, will be held, beginning Sept. 13, on Tuesday evenings from 6-8:30 p.m.
Kannapolis 101 is free to the public and teaches local residents about how Kannapolis operates, covering areas of government including:
• Finance
• Public works and water treatment
• Planning
• Police department
• Parks and recreation
• Fire department
• Economic development/downtown revitalization
Those participants in this program are also encouraged to join the Citizens Police Academy. The academy allows residents to take classes about patrol operations, traffic enforcement, defensive driving, firearms, K-9 operations, special operations (SWAT), felony investigations, interaction with the courts, community service programs and more.
The Citizens Police Academy will begin on Thursday, Sept. 15, and continue on a weekly basis through Nov. 28. These free classes are taught by Kannapolis police officers in a fun and relaxed environment which allows residents to foster relationships with officers.
It is recommended that participants take the Kannapolis 101 classes before enrolling in the Police Citizens Academy.
Seats are limited for both programs and registration is now open. Applications are due at 5 p.m. on Aug. 11. Those interested in participating in either program can apply at www.kannapolisnc.gov/
Summer of Sarah Polley – FIN Outdoor at the Public Gardens – GlobalNews Events
Produced by FIN Atlantic International Film Festival (FIN AIFF), the beloved FIN Outdoor summer movie series returns for the first time since 2019, and proudly presents the “Summer of Sarah Polley”, coming this July. This summer celebrates Canadian icon Sarah Polley; author, activist, acclaimed actor and one of the most important and influential Canadian directors of the last 20 years. Forging her own path, she’s been in our hearts for decades and now it’s time to revisit some highlights from her storied career in film. Join FIN Outdoor at the spectacular Halifax Public Gardens for one-of-a-kind and exclusive nighttime access to watch a movie under the stars this July!
Envision Bend enters public phase of the Bend Vision Project, plans events, workshops – KTVZ
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Envision Bend is staging the launch week for the Bend Vision Project, after a quieter phase of interviewing many around the community about the future, so now it’s time for the public to get involved.
Four people spoke at Tuesday evening’s kickoff of that next phase.
Envision Bend has completed the “quiet phase,” having interviewed community leaders and “connectors,” recruiting project partners and researching trends — global, national, and local.
The Bend Vision Project is an effort to envision a better future for Bend and what the community wants Bend to look like the upcoming years. In the launch week, there will be events, workshops, and prize giveaways.
Here is the schedule of Envision Bend events during Launch Week:
• Participation at Oregon Adaptive Sports’ Bike Night, 4 to 7 p.m., July 13, at Pine Nursery Park,
3750 N.E. Purcell Blvd., Bend
• Bend Vision Project ‘Listen & Envision’ public virtual workshop, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., July 14, via
Zoom (pre-register required https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/bend-vision-projects-listenenvision-workshops-752749)
• Participation at the Central Oregon Latino Partnership Program’s Conexiones event, 4:30 to
6:30 p.m., July 14, at The Environmental Center, 16 N.W. Kansas Ave., Bend
• Participation at the Alpenglow Park grand opening with a pop-up tent, 4 to 8 p.m., July 15, the
park is located at 61049 S.E. 15th St., Bend
NewsChannel 21’s Kelsey McGee attended the conference to hear from the speakers. Her report will be on NewsChannel 21 First at Ten on Fox.
Here’s a ‘snapshot report’ released Tuesday evening on the group’s findings so far:
Worries surrounding new, highly transmissible COVID variants as public events take place
From the White House to local hospital systems, the word is going around about the latest mutation of the coronavirus.
“There’s no question that we are in the midst of a surge,” said Dr. William Tseng, assistant area medical director for Kaiser Permanente.
Tseng said everyone should be stepping up their efforts to stay safe from the virus by masking, distancing — all the precautions we’ve become so familiar with over the last couple of years.
And Tseng said this current surge is likely much bigger than we can measure.
“The numbers that we have are the ones where we’re able to test. So there’s a lot of numbers that we can’t see at this point because a lot of them are positive when they test at home and they don’t let us know the results,” he said.
The latest surge is happening just as San Diego’s two biggest public events are about to unfold, in person. Pride is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of people this weekend.
Then, just a week later, Comic Con descends on San Diego. Organizers are letting everyone know that strict rules will be in place.
Attendees, vendors, and everyone else will have to wear a mask at indoor events. The mask has to be visible outside of costumes. Verification of full vaccination status or proof of a negative test taken within 72 hours must be shown, and it’s all subject to change.
KPBS asked Pride organizers what measures they’re taking, but they didn’t respond by the time this story went to print.
“The statement has always been if you’re outside, you’re OK,” said Dr. Ghazala Sharieff, chief medical officer for acute care operations at Scripps.
Sharieff said it is safer to be outside, but with these new, but it’s no time to let your guard down.
“With these variants being so infectious, we still have to be extra careful,” she said.
Dr. Sharieff said the number of people with Covid is climbing throughout the Scripps system, as with all hospitals in the county. We reached out to multiple people with the county health department for a comment. A spokesperson told us late on Tuesday afternoon no one was available.
Fortunately, we’re much better prepared now for an increase in cases. There are treatments like monoclonal antibodies and drugs like Paxlovid that are very effective.
But you can hear the concern in the voices of Doctors Sharieff and Tseng. Another surge is building and big events with lots of people will help fuel it.
Public overwhelmingly expects more extreme flooding events, more often, poll shows
An overwhelming number of New Zealanders (91%) are expecting more extreme flooding events to happen more frequently as the world grapples with the growing list of repercussions resulting from climate change.
Around half of respondents (48%) to the latest IAG-Ipsos Climate Change poll released on Monday felt the Government had the greatest responsibility to act against climate change, up from 25% five years ago, but the national response was either not appropriate or hadn’t been fast enough.
Climate Change Minister James Shaw said the results underscored the urgent need for a comprehensive response to the phenomenon, with just 34% of Kiwis deeming Government’s action on the issue as adequate.
NA/Stuff
Increasing numbers of New Zealanders expect to see more extreme flooding events on a more frequent basis, the IAG poll results show.
“We need to provide communities with the tools they need to play for the future and for the climate impacts we know we cannot avoid. Some climate impacts are already being experienced by communities all over the country,” Shaw said.
READ MORE:
* Poll: New Zealanders’ climate change fears are growing
* Climate change could increase risk of conflict, says study
* We know climate change is a problem, so now what?
There was also a clear expectation that both central and local governments were expected to do more to protect people by investing more in things like flood protection measures and building infrastructure.
ROBERT KITCHIN/Stuff
Around half of New Zealanders feel the Government has the greatest responsibility to act against climate change, a new poll shows. (File photo)
Over the past four years, the poll results have shown a 10% growth in those wanting local councils to zone land to reduce and avoid climate change’s impact (now 74%) and consent developments that achieved the same objective (69%), Amanda Whiting, chief executive for insurance companies, NZI, State and AMI said.
“A growing number of people – up to 53% this year – acknowledge that those living in badly affected areas may be required to move, but there are mixed views on who should pay, with the results indicating shared responsibility between [the] Government, local councils, and homeowners,” Whiting said.
Considering the recent spate of fires, flooding and heatwave events globally, Victoria University of Wellington climate scientist Professor James Renwick wasn’t surprised to see a large increase in the numbers of New Zealanders recognising the impact of climate change.
“But beyond the concern, there’s a lot of confusion, and a need for education and clear messages about actions we can all take,” Renwick said.
However, fewer New Zealanders were taking individual action to combat climate change’s effects, despite 78 per cent of people agreeing that it was an important issue for them personally.
In the past year, the number of people prepared to act to reduce the impacts of climate change on themselves personally reduced from 69% to 64%, mirroring a steady decline seen in those already taking steps to reduce climate impacts – dropping 9% over the past two years to 50%.
WATCH NOW: Kenosha Opera Festival hosting public events
The Kenosha Opera Festival, launched in the fall of 2019, is back in a big way this season, with two operas, a recital and even a night of bawdy songs at a local brewery.
All of that activity continues the mission of the opera festival’s founders, Nicholas Huff and Kaila Bingen, to “unstuff” opera.
“It’s been going great,” Huff said of their efforts to bring opera to the general public.
“We’ve got more ways to move that ball down the court this year,” he said, “including a Kenosha Opera Festival app with games on it.”
The app — developed by Bingen’s husband, Rick, a computer science professor at Carthage College — is free to download and features opera “fun facts” and games. (When we talked, the app was only available on Android systems.)
“We’ll be playing games on the app during intermission of ‘The Barber of Seville’ with the audience,” Huff said. “It makes the opera fun and energized, not snobbish, which is what we’re all about.” As a bonus: There will be prizes awarded during those “Barber” intermission games.
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Fellowship program
The Kenosha Opera Festival features four young members in the troupe’s fellowship program — two singers and a pianist.
“We’re proud that our program is completely free for these college-age students to attend,” Huff said.
The fellowship program includes workshops on singing, of course, but also offers practical guidance on such topics as how to file your taxes if you’re a freelance performer and how to use social media.
The “fellows” will be performing an opera, “Orfeo ed Euridice” (“Orpheus and Euridice”), based on the Greek myth.
In the story, Orpheus is promised that he may enter Hades and retrieve his wife, Euridice, from death on one condition: he may not look back to see if she is there for the entire journey from the underworld back to the land of the living.
The opera, composed by Christoph Willibald Gluck, was first performed in Vienna on Oct. 5, 1762.
The opera is the most popular of Gluck’s works.
“It’s a full-length opera but is a short show,” Bingen said, adding that while the story is based on the classic Greek story “this version isn’t quite so tragic. We can’t leave everyone sad walking out of the theater.”
Note: The opera will be presented in Italian with English supertitles. This is a black-box production, accompanied by piano.
‘Barber of Seville’
This season’s main production is “The Barber of Seville,” Gioachino Rossini’s comedy, which premiered in 1816 and has remained popular ever since.
“It’s one of the most fun operas ever written,” Huff said. “Also, people kind of know this one — from the ‘figaro, figaro, figaro’ singing and some of the familiar arias in it.”
Audiences, he said, “should enjoy it because it is somewhat familar — and it’s just a hoot.”
The cast features this season’s six guest artists — who are coming to Kenosha from New York, Cincinnati, the Chicago area, Florida, Portland, Ore., and even from South Korea.
“We reached out in the opera world and received a lot of interest from all over,” Huff said of casting this year’s production.
The cast, he added, “are all great singers — real bangers.”
This opera — a frantic comedy about, yes, a barber in the city of Seville — features the classic opera plot devices of romantic pursuit, false identities and disguises.
“The show is filled with big personalities,” Bingen said. “All the cast members get to go really big on stage. The vocal fireworks will blow your hair back.”
Note: The opera will be presented in Italian with English supertitles, accompanied by an orchestra.
Guest artist recital
Before they perform on stage in the opera, those guest artists — Heeseung Chae, Max Hosmer, Edith Grossman, Stacey Murdock, Alex Boyd and Janese Pentico — will perform in a Friday night recital at First United Methodist Church, 919 60th St.
“This is a great opportunity to get up close and personal with this group of singers,” Bingen said. “The recital features a fantastic set list, and the church is a wonderful setting for the concert.”
The recital will feature “a teaser” for “The Barber of Seville,” along with songs from musical theater, plus a Mozart set and “Easter eggs” — arias that are routinely cut from operas.
“There will be opera and non-opera pieces, and music from all genres and from all periods,” Huff said.
Overall, the two are happy with the audience response to the opera festival’s productions and other events.
“We’re building up momentum, with everything from our YouTube Channel to our live productions,” Bingen said.
Huff added that our little local opera group is also “becoming more well-known in the opera world. That’s very exciting.”
Santa Maria Public Library extending hours and hosting events for children
Book lovers and children are in for a treat at the City of Santa Maria Public Library.
The library is extending its hours starting Monday, July 11.
The hours will be Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
In addition, the library is inviting families and children to an interactive and imaginative program presented by Pyjama Drama on Monday, July 11 at 11 a.m. in the Youth Services Altrusa Theater. The program features play, stories, and songs for children ages 18 months to 3 years old.
Also being held in the theater, preschoolers and caregivers are invited to learn how to create sensory bins on Wednesday, July 13 at 11 a.m.
For hours of operation or to learn more about these events visit www.cityofsantamaria.org/Library .
