Gilbert voters willsee a mayoral runoff between political newcomer Matt Nielsen and former Town Council member Brigette Peterson, based on the latest unofficial results in Tuesday's primary election.

Nielsen pulledslightly ahead of Peterson in the results released on Friday, but neither approached the 50% mark needed to win outright in the primary.

The ballots left to count, fewer than 2,400 countywide, could not boost either candidate enough to avoid arunoff in the Nov. 3 general election.

It wasthe first-time mayoral run for both candidates, as Mayor Jenn Daniels did not seekreelection. Two other contenders, Lynne King Smith and write-in Josh Lipscomb, trailed further back.

Nielsen who ran on a limited-government platform overtook King Smith for the second place spot late onTuesday. By Friday's count, he had shot past Peterson as the top vote-getter.

Gilbert mayoral candidate Brigette Peterson checks results on primary election night.(Photo: Courtesy of Brigette Peterson)

A pleased Nielsen monitored results at home with his family on Tuesday night refreshing the page "every few seconds." As results solidified into Friday, Nielsen said he was excited.

"As afirst-timecandidate in a significant race,mayoralrace, it was exciting," he said.

Nielsen said his hefty votecount was the result of months of hard work and long conversations with Gilbert residents. Nielsen said he had to grow from "a virtual unknown in the community" to someone who could overtake Peterson, a well-known Gilbert council member whom he called the "favorite" to win.

Nielsen said he is ready for 90 days of hard workto carry the race through to a runoff win.

Peterson said she will spend the lead-up to Nov. 3building a "big coalitionthat shows why I'm the tested and proven choice for mayor."

She said she was pleased by the primary results."I think that it shows that people in Gilbert know that my time in leadership matters, and I'm looking forward to competing in November," she said.

Three town council seats were on Tuesday'sballot.

Four candidates competedfor two council seats with the usual four-year terms. Incumbent Scott Anderson and Kathy Tilque held sizable leads over Tyler Hudgins and BusObayomi.

At this point, Anderson and Tilque likelywill win outright.

Laurin Hendrix led over Bill Spence fora council seat that carries a two-year term, according to early ballot returns.If results hold, Hendrix willwin outright.

Thetown's new General Planwas approved by a large margin.

ELECTION RESULTS:See who won in Arizona's August primary election

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King Smith, who handily outraised the other mayoral candidates, is the founder of a ticketing software company and co-working space in Gilbert.

She campaigned on providing strong leadership as Gilbert approaches build-out, supporting businesses and building a "Gilbert for all."

Peterson said King Smith did a "great job" in the election.

"I really admire when women step up to run for office. Her team worked hard, and they focused on business, and thats very important, especially in theseCOVID times that were in," Peterson said.

Nielsen, a charter school management executive, is a political newcomer, as is King Smith.

Nielsen is focused on returning government to a more limited role and campaigned on conservative values. He said he wants to maximize individual liberty and minimize government interference.

Peterson resigned from her Town Council seat, as the law requires, to run for mayor. She has said she would bring the necessary experience to the mayoral seat. Her priorities are job growth, public safety and responsible growth.She's an advocate for transportation and planning improvements.

Lipscomb, the write-in candidate, aimedto investin south Gilbert, diversifythe town, expandtwo-lane roads, protectfarmers and increasepublic safety, according to his campaign on Instagram.

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Thecandidates in the race for two Town Council seats with full, four-yearterms were:

Tilque, who led the pack in initial results, said she was excited, but waiting eagerly for more of the vote count to roll in.

Tilquesaid she was confident going into theprimary, butdidnt know what to expectgiven how unique campaigning was during the pandemic.She expressed gratitude for her opponents behavior during the race.

In myparticular race, I felt that everybody was runningareally honestrace, talking about their credentials and thequalities that they bring, and there wasnt that negative politicking going on. I was really thankful for that.

Anderson, also in the lead, said he was pleased with the early results and hopedthe race wouldbe decided at the primary, without a November runoff.

The candidates vying for the council seat with a two-year term were:

Have election thoughts fromGilbert? Reach the reporter at Alison.Steinbach@arizonarepublic.com or at 602-444-4282. Follow her on Twitter @alisteinbach.

Support local journalism.Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

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Nielsen pulls ahead of Peterson in the Gilbert mayoral race, while Tilque, Anderson and Hendrix lead in council races - AZCentral

Adrian Peterson is old.

But the 13-year league veteran looks good and says he feels even better. Peterson recently told NFL Network that he would like to play 3-4 more years. If that comes to pass, he would retire from the NFL on the doorstep of 40 years old. Thats almost unthinkable.

But its entirely possible. And given that Peterson still has goals in mind, hes not ready to walk away from the game just yet.

Winning a championship is the one I want most.

But theres also the matter of Emmitt Smiths all-time NFL rushing record. Peterson needs 4,140 more rushing yards to pass the Cowboys legend.

Thats one of the goals I set to myself when I entered the NFL was to pass the GOAT, Peterson told NFL Network.

Both achievements are unlikely. The Washington Football Team would currently be considered a Super Bowl longshot, and theres no reason to expect that Peterson can string together four straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons at his current age. Peterson turned 35 in March.

But the touches might be there, at least for the 2020 season.

Washington released running back Derrius Guice on Friday night, just hours after he was arrested on domestic violence charges.

That leaves Peterson as the top running back on the roster, though recent Washington draftees will also compete to replace Guices production.

Find more Cowboys stories from The Dallas Morning News here.

Originally posted here:

Adrian Peterson has goals: Breaking Emmitt Smiths rushing record, and a championship - The Dallas Morning News

Less than a month after the Metro Council unanimously approved what it acknowledged at the time was a potentially hard-to-pass payroll tax on employers as the sole tool to raise money for a massive transportation package headed to voters this November, Council President Lynn Peterson appears ready to offer a different deal to business groups.

In a Thursday evening email to the head of Portlands chamber of commerce, Peterson said that she would support a potential compromise hammered out in recent weeks that would reduce a payroll tax on employers from 0.75% to 0.60%, if business groups agree to at least a neutral position on the measure and if the chamber actively lobbies for state funding for some projects.

Specifically, she wants Portland-area business leaders to encourage the state to tap its funds or find a new revenue source -- to backfill what amounts to a $50 million per year shortfall in project spending if the payroll tax were reduced. Peterson said that gap would grow by 3% every year for the first five years.

Peterson said that money would need to be directed to pay for repairs on state highways in the Portland area roads like 82nd Avenue, Oregon 213 and 99E. Those three signature corridors earmarked for significant transit, safety and maintenance work under the proposed package are all state highways.

The email marks a dramatic shift in tone from the celebratory and defiant public face put forth by Peterson and other Metro councilors during the vote to refer the $7 billion transportation package on July 16. In the days and weeks before that meeting, business groups, including the Portland Business Alliance, had asked the regional government to delay the tax due to the unprecedented dual crises of the pandemic and the economic recession.

Metro doesnt plan to collect the tax until 2022, but business groups said that was still too soon.

Peterson and other Metro officials said as they prepared to vote that there would never be a good time to pass a new tax. They unanimously approved the plan to create up to a .75% payroll tax on employers, while exempting entities with fewer than 25 employees as well as public agencies.

According to Petersons email, there have been additional conversations with local business leaders since the Metro vote last month.

In her email to Hoan, she said local advocates who helped shape the measure also supported a compromise. She also said the busines groups must lobby state lawmakers to allow Metro to tax public employers. The regional governments attorneys said last month that it is unclear whether Metro now has that power.

Peterson also said the business leaders must agree to lobby for a progressive regional or state vehicles miles traveled fee to funnel additional money needed for the work.

Willamette Week first reported on Petersons letter.

Peterson and Hoan did not immediately respond to calls.

Kari Schlosshauer, spokesperson for the civic group the Getting There Together Coalition which worked with Metro on the package and pushed for a regional transportation bond, said they have been part of the compromise discussions as well.

Theres a lot of concern that a really vocal anti-tax voice could be really detrimental to a lot of stuff on the ballot, she said in an interview, citing the tobacco tax and other issues on the ballot.

Schlosshauer said the business community isnt a monolith, and not everyone opposes the measure.

If its not well received and it doesnt go anywhere, she said of the floated compromise, then we still have a strong coalition who fought to put this package together and are willing to fight for it.

Heres the full email:

Dear Andrew,

In a continuing effort to bring our regional community to an agreement on a transportation funding measure for this Novembers ballot, we have had additional conversations with local business leaders to see if we can find a path forward.

After listening and brainstorming with many parties over the past few weeks, we think we have come up with a framework for a potential compromise between the Getting There Together Coalition (GTT), labor partners, other stakeholders, Metro Council, and the Portland Business Alliance and your stakeholders.

If agreed upon, this framework will be built into a resolution to be adopted by Metro Council as legislative policy.

1. Getting There Together, labor partners, other business stakeholders, and Metro Council would agree to set the payroll tax rate from .75% to .60% if and only if all parties, including PBA members and stakeholders, agree to at least a neutral position on the measure as PBA and lobby the legislature for Orphaned Highway funds, or other transportation funding, that will help fill the initial $50m hole created by lowering the rate from .75% to .60%.

These funds are justified because the state has neglected its upkeep responsibility to state routes like Hwy 99W and 99E and OR 213/82nd Ave for decades. It is also understood that PBA has been supportive of the Orphaned Highways Bill in the past.

Please note, the $50M gap would need to be increased by 3% every year past the first 5 years to cover the bond payments.

2. If the additional $50M (plus growth) in revenue is not finalized and authorized by federal or state sources by 2022, then a default ramp up in the tax rate would be imposed from .6% in 2022 to .75% in 2026 in order to pay off the bonds. This would allow the economy to return to a better position before the full tax rate is imposed.

3. All parties agree to lobby the legislature to grant Metro the authority to add local public employers to the payroll tax.

4. All parties agree to lobby the legislature for a progressive regional or state Vehicle Miles Traveled fee, with a portion directed to fill the $50M (plus growth) gap in funding past commitments to the Orphaned Highway Bill timeline.

We appreciate your willingness to convey this information to your Government Relations Committee members at tomorrows meeting. Our team can be standing by to answer questions before, during, or after the meeting.

If interested then a conversation would be required between business leaders from PBA and the proponents stakeholders mentioned above to finalize an agreement as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

Lynn Peterson

***

-- Andrew Theen;atheen@oregonian.com; 503-294-4026;@andrewtheen

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Metros Lynn Peterson offers to reduce payroll tax rate in transportation package if business group remains - OregonLive

LANDSTUHL, Germany Landstuhl Regional Medical Center recently introduced a high-throughput testing system to provide rapid high-volume testing of COVID-19 samples to its arsenal in the fight against COVID-19.The 74 inch by 32 inch device is as large as two standard-size refrigerators and provides standalone capabilities of up to 1,000 COVID-19 tests per day at LRMC. The automated system allows for minimal hands-on time while increasing staff safety, spending less time near samples, and productivity.This represents the most recent acquisition in our testing arsenal for SARS-CoV-2, said U.S. Army Lt. Col. David Peterson, chief, Department of Pathology and Area Laboratory Services, LRMC. This particular analyzer has both a high throughput and a shorter turnaround time. So results are available more quickly, and we can do a higher volume of testing on this analyzer.The system is currently configured for the COVID-19 assay through the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Emergency Use Authorization for medical devices. The system itself is approved by the FDA for various other disease testing and detection when configured for those purposes.This is huge, said Peterson. Other platforms we have are either very tedious or time consuming (up to 68 hours), or are low throughput.According to Peterson, the system also decreases test result wait times by automatically entering results into the patients electronic medical record rather than having technicians manually input test results into patient records, further decreasing possibilities for human error. Still, data must be analyzed and certified by pathologists to ensure accuracy, but can be done so in batches.There are certainly limiting factors (in performing high-volume testing at LRMC), said Peterson. Resources, maintenance and staffing will ultimately determine true output.Over the past months as operations have resumed and service members are continuing to deploy globally in support of various missions, the need for sentinel surveillance and asymptomatic testing has risen to break the chain of disease transmission and reduce risks to the force and to Department of Defense missions.In accordance with the DOD Guidance for COVID-19 testing, LRMC, along with other medical components throughout Europe, conducts asymptomatic testing based off different tier classifications, Service Members engaged in missions involving critical national capabilities, Service Members engaged fielded forces and those forward deployed and redeploying forces.The addition of the high-throughput system can improve turnaround times, allowing forces to continue with their missions, thereby increasing U.S. Armed Forces operational readiness throughout Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the U.S. Special Operataions Command.(The testing system) helps us out when we have a lot of volume. If we only have a handful of samples, we can we can run those on our other platforms to reserve resources, said Peterson. As part of unit deployments, they require recent COVID-19 testing. If it's large batches, the addition of the (high-throughput system) will help us return results more quickly so they can start their deployments.

Excerpt from:

High-throughput testing system latest addition to combat COVID-19 at LRMC - United States Army

A mobile operation to expand access to COVID-19 testing has been tested twice and is expected to be fully functional in September.

The goal is to bring testing closer to people in Harrisburg and in outlying areas of Dauphin and Perry counties who face barriers such as lack of transportation or distance.

The operation will be run by Harrisburg-based Hamilton Health Center with help from county commissioners in Dauphin and Perry.

It was tested on two Saturdays in July in the parking lot of Hamiltons main facility on South 17th St. in Harrisburg, with each one drawing close to 50 people, according to Jeannine Peterson, the CEO of Hamilton. Those events were held mainly for practice and with minimal advertising, she said.

The plan is to take testing to various locations advertised in advance so people who lack access to testing because of barriers such as lack of transportation can get tested.

Peterson said shes in the process of hiring a team that will be fully devoted to the mobile testing operation.

People wont have to pay for the tests. If the testing is not covered by their health insurance or they lack insurance, it will be covered by the federal CARES Act, Peterson said.

People tested so far have received their results within five days, which is slower than Peterson would like. We would like to get them back within 24 hours, she said. We have no control over turnaround time.

RELATED: People waiting way too long for COVID-19 test results in Pa.

The tests are processed by Quest Diagnostics, one of the national labs that has been overwhelmed as COVID cases have spiked around the country.

Recently, some of those labs have taken up to about two weeks to provide results. Quest has said it is adding equipment and technology and steadily increasing its testing capacity in order to reduce the waits.

Still, shortages of chemicals known as reagents are also delaying tests results, including some of the tests done by hospitals and health systems.

Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine acknowledged the problem Thursday, saying she has been having discussions with labs including Quest and with federal officials about how to shorten the wait for results.

Levine said the state lab, which is still able to deliver results in 24-48 hours, is only able to handle testing involving long-term care facilities, health care workers ad similar high priority situations.

The mobile testing operation will be open to anyone who wants to get tested, even if they have no symptoms. Hamilton is considering using pre-registration to speed up the process, although Peterson says people who walk up without having registered will also be tested.

Once flu season begins in October, Peterson said, the mobile testing operation also will provide flu shots and flu tests.

That will address another problem expected to arise this fall as people get the flu, it will cause confusion over who has the flu and who has COVID, which is more dangerous for reasons including the fact its more contagious and theres no vaccine.

Public health officials will be urging everyone to get a flu shot in an effort to reduce the confusion and prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed by a combination of flu and COVID patients.

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Mobile COVID testing to soon hit the road in central Pa., will also deliver regular flu tests and shots - PennLive

For an organization that has been under fire in many quarters over the past decade or so, the NCAA could well be another casualty of the current mess we find ourselves in today.

The COVID-19 disaster has already closed the athletic schedules of some smaller leagues (the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association is a prime example).

The MIAA action caused Finlandia University to cancel its fall schedule dealing the Lions football program what could be a telling blow. More on that later.

But now football players in some major conferences have indicated theyre reluctant to put their health at rick in what looks like a perilous climate this fall.

Players in the PAC-10 argued that there should be some sort of financial compensation for their efforts.

Now, players from the SEC and reportedly, the Big 10, are voicing similar complaints about their participation.

In the past, the NCAA has successfully sold the idea that college athletes are already receiving benefits for playing a game.

In an era where many athletes are opting to seek their fortunes in the pros before four years of college, that idea has lost much of its validity.

Virus outbreaks have already broken out in some college and professional training camps this summer.

Should the complaints get louder, the big conferences and the NCAA, could find themselves looking to closing entire seasons.

Regardless of what some misinformed people in Washington, D.C. are saying about the pandemic, there is a chance it could be with us longer than anyone anticipates.

The pros are making do so far with a combination of bubbles, isolated arenas, etc. But major league baseball appears to be fighting a losing battle with an alarming number of cancellations.

In the case of Finlandia, which has struggled to find a foothold in football in its first few seasons, the loss of another season could be fatal to recruiting and other factors in building a program.

No one has a clue as to what might eventually happen to sports in the future. And I surely dont

I dont claim to have any answers

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Peterson: NCAA could be another casualty | News, Sports, Jobs - Daily Mining Gazette

(Photo: 247Sports)

Welcome to the second installment of the weekly Oregon MLB round-up. This recap will feature appearances by Ducks starting August 2 and ending August 9. A Sunday to Sunday recap. In the early stages of the 2020 MLB season, four former Ducks have made their debuts, and one has made their MLB debut.

I plan on dividing this recap into two sections, one for hitting and one for pitching. So far this year of the six Oregon players to make their debut, three have been pitchers. Tyler Anderson of the San Francisco Giants, Cole Irvin of the Philadelphia Phillies, and 2017 first-round pick David Peterson of the New York Mets all made their pitching debuts in the 2020 season and all made appearances in the last week. As for hitting, Scott Heineman made his 2020 debut with the Texas Rangers last week and played five games this week. Ryon Healy of the Milwaukee Brewers made his 2020 debut this week, as did Kyle Garlick of the Phillies.

Pitching

David Peterson

After making his MLB debut back on July 28th against the Boston Red Sox, Peterson made just one start this week against the Miami Marlins. Peterson turned in another reliable performance, five innings, allowing two earned runs on four hits while striking out three. Peterson struggled with his command against the Marlins, walking three batters, which matched his season total in walks, in just five innings. Regardless, Peterson turned in another quality start and has now won two of his first three appearances in the show.

Peterson also made his way onto Pitching Ninja, one of baseballs best Twitter fan accounts. Pitching Ninja showcases unhittable pitches thrown by the games best and here was Petersons contribution:

Updated 2020 stats: 2-1, 16.2 IP, 3.78 ERA, 14 K, 1.32 WHIP, 3.93 FIP

Tyler Anderson

Andersons tenure so far with the Giants has been an up and down road. His ERA coming into this week reflects a solid season with the giants, but his peripheral stats, like a 5.89 FIP, tell a sign of being a lucky pitcher. Anderson made his second start of the season and his lone appearance this week on Aug. 6 against the Colorado Rockies, his former ballclub, in the mile-high stadium, Coors Field. Anderson responded with a tremendous five-inning performance, allowing zero runs on two hits while striking out three. Anderson was limited to just 66 pitches, making it clear the Giants were either looking for a spot start or are in the middle of stretching Anderson out to become a full-time member in this rotation. This past Sunday, Johnny Cueto of the Giants left his start against the Dodgers due to a left leg injury, which could open an opportunity for Anderson in the rotation.

Anderson has had a successful year by changing his pitch usage, and with it, good outcomes have followed. The lefty has limited his use of his cutter from July to August by four percent and upped both his sinker and changeup usage by four and two percent. This change will be something to keep an eye on in the future.

Stats: 0-1, 12.1 IP, 2.19 ERA, 7 K, 1.46 WHIP, 5.89 FIP

Cole Irvin

Irvin doubled his innings pitched total for 2020 after throwing just one inning on Aug. 9 against the Atlanta Braves. Irvin allowed two hits, zero runs, and didnt strike out a batter in his brief inning of work.

Stats: 0-2, 2 IP, 18.00 ERA, 1 K, 3.50 WHIP, 1.97 FIP

Hitting

Scott Heineman

Last week, Heineman made waves with his unexpected power against the Giants as he drove home three runs in four games with a two-run double and a home run. This week, Heineman continued to get the nod but mostly as a defensive replacement. Heineman started two games against the Oakland Athletics, going 0-for-6 with two strikeouts. Heineman played in the next three straight games but came in as a defensive replacement in either the eighth or ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels. Heineman was able to steal one bag in those three games, his lone offensive production.

Stats: 9 G, 19 AB, 3 H, 1 HR, 3 RBI, .158 AVG, .526 OPS

Ryon Healy

Welcome to the recap, Healy. The sharp corner infield made his 2020 debut this week with the Milwaukee Brewers after being a surprise cut from the MLB roster out of spring training part two. Healy played three games this week, amassing six at-bats, and getting one hit. Healy, a DH in two of the three games, was relieved of his position in the first game after three innings and came up as a pinch hitter in the second game. Healy rounded out the three games by playing first base until being relieved in the eighth inning.

Stats: 3 G, 6 AB, 1 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, .167 AVG, .333 OPS

Kyle Garlick

Garlick made his 2020 season debut as a designated hitter on Aug. 5 against the New York Yankees, earning two at-bats before being relieved in the sixth inning. Garlick came in as a defensive replacement on Aug. 9 in game one of a doubleheader against the Braves. Garlick recorded zero offensive stats in his brief two-game stint.

Stats: 2 G, 2 AB, 0 H

See the original post here:

Ducks in the show: Week Two - 247Sports

The Carver County Historical Society staff was thrilled.

After years of applying for grants and planning restoration projects for the historic Andrew Peterson farm near Waconia, the society had received its biggest funding opportunity yet.

The Jeffris Family Foundation, which is dedicated to Midwestern historic preservation, had offered CCHS a challenge grant if the society raised $500,000 in three years, the foundation would give CCHS $250,000 to rehabilitate and restore the 12 acres and seven historic structures on the Peterson farm.

It was a dream come true, and CCHS had a steady stream of donations that went straight into a dedicated, untouchable bank account. In January, that bank account was just short of $190,000 they fully expected to hit $250,000 by the end of their first year in June, said CCHS director Wendy Petersen Biorn.

But after COVID-19 hit, donations slowed to a trickle. Events were canceled, donors who would match existing funds pulled out and laws that affect nonprofits were changed.

It took CCHS until July to finally cross that $190,000 mark, and theres no sign of upcoming growth.

Weve taken a breather because going in and asking people for donations in a time like this just wasnt the right thing to do. But thats a lot of money on the line, and we need people to not forget about us,Petersen Biorn said.

Petersen Biornand CCHS envision the farm as an interpretive center and event venue, converting cattle stalls into classrooms and barns into museums. The Petersons house would be restored to its 19th century look. The carriages, wagons, and even a glass hearse will be properly displayed. Original artifacts would be relocated back to their first home.

The farm is a labor of love for Minnesotans and Swedes, but with no increase in donations in sight and a fast-approaching deadline, this summers barn rehabilitation may have been the last project for a long time.

Were not going to get an extension on that fundraising time. If we dont hit that goal, we dont get that quarter of a million dollars. Its just a killer,Petersen Biorn said.

HISTORY

Andrew Peterson was a Swedish immigrant who moved to Minnesota in 1855 and kept journals from 1850 until his death in 1898. He worked with the development of apple trees, and his farm served as one of the first research stations for what would become the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

After Swedish author Vilhelm Moberg used Petersons journals as a primary source for his book series "The Emigrants" 50 years later, Petersons writings were turned into several movies and musicals, thrusting him and his farm into international spotlight.

The propertys last owner, Ward Holasek, helped preserve much of the property and its artifacts, working with author Jo Mihelich and the Minnesota Historical Society to place the farm on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

The only major alteration made by Holasek was the destruction of a house built by previous owners in 1920. To meet zoning regulations, he and his wife had to choose between the 1920s house or Petersons original home and razed the former to preserve the Peterson building.

When he died in 2013, Holasek left his 51-acre portion to the Carver County Historical Society, which worked with the other owner, WRH Properties, to swap the larger portion for the 12.17 acres with historical structures.

Petersons story isnt just a diary of a Swedish immigrant,Petersen Biorn said. Its a record of farmers in the 19th century, showing how the dairy industry evolved and the developments in agriculture and horticulture in Minnesota an overall statement of significance, reads the 2017 Historic Structure Report for the property.

The Projects

This isnt the first time CCHS has worked on the seven historic structures.

CCHS previously received around $160,000 in legacy funding from the state which comes from a small percentage of sales tax to rehabilitate and stabilize the main barn and silo. After three years of work, it finished in June.

After a wall of the North Barn collapsed in 2010, CCHS worked for seven years to obtain grants and restore the barn. Every saw mark and every wooden peg was created to replicate exactly how the barn would have looked in the 19th century.

Four members of the Andrew Peterson Society in Sweden raised money for plane tickets and building materials in 2006, flying 4,000 miles to replace the roof of the granary built by Peterson himself. Sven Lindfors, Olle Karlsson, Pertti Skillermark and Mikael Karlsson spent 17 days in snow, below-average temperatures and wind without a single complaint.

If CCHS receives their funding, it knows exactly where its going the Peterson family home.

The original house is standing strong, and while some changes have been made by the current renters, the historical architecture and structures remain intact. Instead of keeping the modern additions, theyll use the money to restore it to how it looked in its original time period.

Though not all seven structures were built in Petersons lifetime, all needed some kind of restoration or repair. Thanks to previous work by CCHS and the Swedes, several are up to par, but any leftover money from the foundation will continue to be put into the buildings, the programming and whatever else crops up.

Turning the farm into an interpretive center is going to take many years, but the chance to receive another $250,000 is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,Petersen Biorn said.

This is a big undertaking. But the way to handle that is just look at one thing at a time and say, OK, well, you can do this, then this. With the (foundations) money, we can do so much more,Petersen Biorn said.

Read more from the original source:

Andrew Peterson farm donations grind to a halt; funding in jeopardy - SW News Media

Theo Anest accomplished a rare feat recently by landing a yellowfin tuna from shore, while using spinning gear, on Mexicos Baja California peninsula.

But as Anest reeled the 37-pound tuna toward the beach, another remarkable event occurred: Several massive roosterfish, seemingly attracted by the commotion, accompanied the hooked tuna into the surf zone.

This placed them within fly-casting range and before long, local guide Lance Peterson was battling an estimated 80-pound roosterfish on a fly rod.

The tuna was spotted and specifically cast to, Peterson, owner of Lance Peterson Fishing, told For The Win Outdoors. I was hoping a few of its buddies would swim in for a look as it neared the beach, and sure enough there were some curious onlookers; mostly giant roosters.

ALSO ON FTW OUTDOORS: Sea lions wild ride on humpback whale captured in photos

The catches were made early last month in Baja California Surs East Cape region. But photos were not shared until last week, with Peterson describing the event on Facebook as a truly rare double hookup from shore.

Catching yellowfin tuna from shore is not unheard of, but its rare considering that the pelagic fish are generally found in schools several miles offshore.

Roosterfish, however, are a coastal species prized by East Cape anglers because of their exotic appearance, size and power. Anglers typically release their catches to preserve the vulnerable fishery.

Peterson was searching for roosterfish when he spotted the yellowfin tuna feeding on forage fish. He texted Anest and told him to bring spinning gear.

Anest, a sales representative for Scott Fly Rods, arrived with a long spinning rod and cast a silver metal lure toward the tuna.

They never quite came into fly range but we could see waves of them passing through an area 40 to 100 yards off the beach, Anest recalled. As soon as I hooked the tuna, 100 curious grande roosters that were lurking in the vicinity followed that tuna in.

However, when Lance made that cast we were still certain they were all tuna until about 20 giant combs [roosterfish dorsal fins] came out of the water.

Added Peterson: We had sighted several tuna that day, but they were lock-jawed. Eventually Theo stuck one. The commotion brought in several fish to investigate, among them a pack of giant roosters.

I was convinced I had managed to hook the smallest specimen in the group, which makes me wonder how big the others were!

Anest kept the tuna, while Peterson released the roosterfish after posing for a quick series of images.

Any roosterfish over 50 pounds is considered a prize catch, especially on a fly rod. The all-tackle world record a 114-pound roosterfish caught off La Paz, north of the East Cape has stood since 1960.

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Rare tuna catch from shore attracts pack of giant roosters - For The Win

News

Peterson working to make sure HEROES Act ag provisions make it in final bill

House Ag Committee chairman Collin Peterson says he and his colleagues are working to make sure ag provisions included in the HEROES Act are put in the next round of coronavirus relief.

Currently being negotiated now between the White House, the House, and the Senate. In the (HEROES Act), probably the most important thing we had is the help for hog (and turkey) producers for depopulation. Also some money for (processing) plants to keep them running.

Participating in a congressional candidate forum hosted virtually by Minnesota Farmfest, the Minnesota Democrat said theres also direct assistance for ethanol producers in the HEROES Act.

So its very much supported by all of agriculture. Were hoping that in the final bill thats negotiated by the leadership thats working on it right now, that will become part of the final bill.

Congress is scheduled to break for August recess at the end of the week, but lawmakers on both sides have indicated they will stay in session until the bill is completed.

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Peterson working to make sure HEROES Act ag provisions make it in final bill - brownfieldagnews.com

CONSERVATIVE podcaster and professor Jordan Peterson is battling coronavirus after a nearly year-long battle with prescription drug addiction.

Mikhaila Peterson, 28, told The Sun her dad caught coronavirus in a Serbian hospital whilst recovering for an over-reliance on the anti-anxiety drug Benzodiazepine.

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"He was put on a whole bunch of, kind of preemptively, he was put on anti-virals and things," Mikhaila Peterson said.

"I don't know if that was necessary, because his symptoms weren't that bad -- he didn't have a cough, he had a mild fever, but they just put him on everything.

Mikhaila also said her father is suffering from pneumonia, the second time this year he has fought the illness.

"And so now we've had a step back in his recovery. Life is just not good, things are not good right now," she said.

"He'll get better, but he's definitely taken a step back and it's just really unfortunate... it's been a disaster."

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Peterson has battled health issues since 2016.

His daughter revealed earlier this year her dad flew to Russia for treatment after developing a 'physical dependency' on prescription drugs.

"The last year has been extremely difficult for our family," she said in February.

Excerpt from:

Controversial professor Jordan Peterson suffering with coronavirus and got worse after taking treatment dru - The Sun

Heading into Saturdays evening soire versus the Miami Marlins, New York Mets left-hander David Peterson had been holding his own, pitching to a 3.86 earned run average (3.00 FIP) with 8.49 strikeouts and 2.3 walks per nine innings over his first two major league starts.

That will play.

In his first start at Citi Field in Flushing on Saturday, the 66 southpaw continued on his streak of effectiveness and, impressively so, did it with a fair amount of traffic on the bases throughout the night.

Three consecutive two-out base hits in the first from Jesus Aguilar, Corey Dickerson, and Brian Anderson resulted in an early 1-0 lead for Miami. Not an ideal start to the night, but it could have been worse.

The Aurora, Colorado product would issue two one-out walks in the second but induced a 5-4-3 double play off the bat of Jonathan Villar to escape the jam. Grace under fire; love to see it.

Peterson returned to the mound in the third with a 2-1 lead courtesy of Michael Confortos searing two-run homer to right-center field in the bottom of the second and recorded his first 1-2-3 inning of the evening.

Following Pete Alonsos 116.9 MPH exit velocity two-run blast in the bottom half of the frame, extending the Mets lead to 4-1, Peterson seemed all the more comfortable and set down Miami in order again, racking up two strikeouts in the inning (Anderson and Lewis Brinson, both swinging).

Peterson left a 91 MPH four-seamer over the heart of the plate for Logan Forsythe to lead off the fifth and the journeyman veteran sent it 410 feet out to deep-center, cutting the Mets lead to 4-2 but that would be the extent of the damage the big lefty would allow.

Over five innings of work (84 pitches, 46 strikes), Peterson allowed two earned runs on four hits with three strikeouts and three bases-on-balls, bringing his season ERA down to 3.78.

He picked up three whiffs apiece on 22 sinkers and 14 sliders respectively, and racked up a total of nine called strikes on his four-seamer (five, 35 pitches) and changeup (four on 10 offerings). Keep em on their toes, David.

Over his first two starts, Peterson showed excellent command over his arsenal, walking just three batters over 11.2 innings. On Saturday, putting them over the plate appeared to be a bit more of a chore for the left-hander.

There was two times that I threw seven balls in a row; that just cant happen. Down the road, thats gonna hurt and its just unacceptable on my part, Peterson said after the game. My job is to hunker down and get out of those innings.

The biggest thing for me in those is reducing the damage. Trying to get out [of] there with the least amount of damage as possible, he said. I didnt have the greatest command tonight, but if I walk some guys, I need to be able to get myself out of it.

Peterson did a fine job of getting out of trouble on Saturday. Lets hope this trend of efficaciousness continues.

See the original post here:

David Peterson Continues Solid Stretch in Win Over Marlins - metsmerizedonline.com

It was presented as kind of a mystery to me, Peterson says. He wouldnt tell me what it was, but he was going to be doing something, and would I be willing to come in through FaceTime.

That "something" was Sommers guest appearance on the CW show Penn & Teller: Fool Us," a competition in which magicians perform tricks in front of American magician-comedian duo Penn & Teller.

Sommer, an actor known for shows like Mad Men, In the Dark and Glow, was asked to call a friend to be part of a magic trick involving the audience.

To see the entire segment, go to the shows website.

Peterson says he was a little surprised when the phone rang.

It wasn't my friend Rich, it was Penn Jillette, who said, 'Hi, you're on stage right now, and we're going to be doing a magic trick with you.' And I said, 'Wow, this is amazing!'" Peterson recalls.

Peterson says they had a nice chat.

I was really excited. As they do in all television shows, they edit things down quite a bit, so there was a lot more conversation that happened back and forth between Penn and I, he says.

It was especially fun for Peterson and presumably Sommer because the two men have been fans of Penn & Teller since they were boys growing up in Stillwater, Minn.

My parents took us to see Penn & Teller at the State Theatre in Minneapolis. I think we were 13 or 14 years old, Peterson says. But we fell in love with Penn & Teller and have just kind of followed them for a while.

Peterson says he never would have imagined then that as a grown man hed get to take part in Penn & Tellers act.

It was mind-blowing for me now, but my 13-year-old self would have probably would have fainted, he says.

Eventually, Sommer and Peterson both left Stillwater to attend Concordia College in Moorhead, where they were roommates. Peterson attended the seminary and is now a pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead, while Sommer has had a successful TV and film career, getting his first big break in The Devil Wears Prada.

Peterson says the segment was actually filmed in March before the pandemic hit. Since then, he still stays in touch with Sommer and other friends on weekly Zoom calls. He says he enjoyed helping with the magic trick, and in case youre wondering, he doesnt know how they did it. But he says he doesnt have any more brushes with fame planned.

I think the ministry is my calling. I think that's where we'll be at, Peterson says.

But Trinity Lutheran Church members, dont be surprised if he asks you to pick a card" during his next sermon.

Originally posted here:

Minnesota pastor appears on Penn and Teller's TV show | INFORUM - INFORUM

The Sun.UK is reporting that controversial University of Toronto psychology professor Jordan Peterson is in a hospital in Serbia suffering from Coronavirus. Mikhaila Peterson, 28, told The Sun her dad was infected while being hospitalized for treatment of a prescription drug dependency. Ms Peterson said her fathers symptoms were not severe, but doctors prescribed several anti-viral drugs. She also told the newspaper that her father is suffering from his second bout of pneumonia this year.

And so now weve had a step back in his recovery. Life is just not good, things are not good right now, she said. Hell get better, but hes definitely taken a step back and its just really unfortunate its been a disaster.

Peterson has been the target of social media pushback for his outspoken rejection of cancel culture and many of its tenets.

Peterson says that disciplines like womens studiesshould be defunded. advising students to avoid subjects like sociology, anthropology, English Literature, ethnic studies and racial studies, as well as other fields of study that he believes are corrupted by the neo-Marxist ideology.

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Professor Jordan Peterson reported to have COVID - The Bay Observer - Providing a Fresh Perspective for Hamilton and Burlington

Reader: First, I love The Bakersfield Californian the comics, puzzles, many great columnists, and of course, news. My father was a newspaperman also. He owned his own paper, lost it in the Depression and then worked for several other papers, including lastly, the N.Y. Daily News.

I am a tree lover, have owned several places with many types of trees pine, palm, mulberry, oak, crape myrtle, Chinese elm, maple, poplar, fruit trees, but I really love the Ailanthus. It's a beautiful tree and should not be belittled since it grows easily.

You may want a nice old oak tree, but if you move to a yard that has nothing but dirt, you'll be very happy to grow a lovely Ailanthus, which will give you shade within a year. Just because a tree is hardy and fast-growing is no reason to insult a tree that given the chance, can grow to be large and beautiful.

Joan Owen, Bakersfield

Peterson: Joan, I am thrilled to hear you love The Californian. While I don't come from a family of newspaper people like your father, my mom tells me my great-grandfather read multiple newspapers in English and Polish from cover to cover every morning in Chicago. We like to think that inspired my love for newspapers something in our genes!

I'm not a tree expert, but I think the description Steven gave of the Ailanthus "the back yard sports several so-called trees of heaven, a vigorous invasive species that clones itself so efficiently a sucker is growing from a crack in the covered front porch" is accurate. Some websites I looked at basically describe it as a weed, which seems a bit harsh.

I guess when it comes to trees, it's to each his or her own! We all have our favorites.

Reader: What a great edition of TBC you had on Wednesday, Aug. 5. Not only were there three great philosophical cartoons in the comics section, but that ad asking us readers to help out. You guys and gals are at the center of our big newspaper family universe. I was already going to call all the people you listed in your ad, even before I read the little letters that explained so much ...

Whoever wrote it and gave the final OK is both a genius, and a fair deal-maker. That piece of legislation mixed up the nation's newspaper business with the nation's lawmakers and we citizens, who are the final product. It's going to make newspapers live and thrive until the money that pays for those business and personal ads return ...

After I read the intro, I was going to agree even before I read the details. Not only would I like to thank the wealthy patriots who bought The Washington Post, the not-failing New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, I would like to thank whoever bought TBC. I don't care about any of the changes made when papers were merged to print in the same place. Someone bought TBC for the love of the game. Too bad the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Denver's big guy, and others were not able to last as long.

But, it's like every month you have to PAY people to come through the gates. It's not going to last forever, but there are real American First Amendment Intellectuals who will step up to the plate forever I hope.

Even though a lot has changed both internally and physically, and quickly it's still thrown on my driveway every morning. Life is good.

Thank you for hanging in there and printing that Wednesday TBC.

Peterson: Life is good with newspapers, Matt, and I'm glad you enjoy The Californian.

The legislation Matt's referring to is the Local Journalism Sustainability Act, which, if passed by Congress, would provide a tax credit for local newspaper subscriptions, a payroll credit for compensation of journalists and a credit for advertising in local newspapers and local media.

Reader: There are not many happy headlines to read in the paper these days, what with COVID-19, political wrangling, weather, fires, etc. But on July 31, John Cox made the best of a bad assignment with the headline "Lice become one more head-scratcher during pandemic." Very witty and funny! Keep up the good work, John.

Bob Goon, Bakersfield

Peterson: Believe it or not, Bob, John Cox wasn't assigned this story, which was much different from the business stories he most often tackles. Rather, he came across a news release in his email inbox about the prevalence of head lice as many families with children are staying close to home, and ran with it. And yes, that headline, which he kicked around with News Editor Teddy Feinberg, was perfect for this head-scratcher of a story.

Reader: I have to give you credit for consistency. Letters to the editor supporting Trump always give solid reasons and encouragement. Then there is the obligatory Trump hater or haters who have a lot of emotional problems that they have to vent. Even todays (Wednesday's) editorial cartoon about changing the election date is fundamentally a lie, misleading and contributes nothing to the solution of Californias grossly illegal and unconstitutional voting system. Oh, well, I dont expect you to change. I still enjoy my crossword puzzle.

Peterson: Glad you enjoy your crossword puzzle, Jerry.

For every person like you who says there are Trump haters who have emotional problems they have to vent, I hear similar comments from the other side.

I'm not sure how Wednesday's editorial cartoon, which depicted a woman looking at a photo of President Trump and saying "now he wants to move the election" is "fundamentally a lie" and "misleading." Is it the headlines in the newspaper the man is holding, which also are true?

Did not Trump tweet on July 30 that With Universal Mail-In Voting (not Absentee Voting, which is good), 2020 will be the most INACCURATE & FRAUDULENT Election in history. It will be a great embarrassment to the USA. Delay the Election until people can properly, securely and safely vote???

According to a July 31 Associated Press report, "GOP officials from New Hampshire to Mississippi to Iowa quickly pushed back against Trump's suggestion on Thursday (July 31) that it might be necessary to delay the November election which he cannot do without congressional approval because of the unfounded threat of voter fraud. They reassured voters that the election would proceed on the constitutionally mandated day as it has for more than two centuries."

Did I miss something, Jerry?

Executive Editor Christine Peterson answers your questions and takes your complaints about The Californians news coverage in this weekly feedback forum. Questions may be edited for space and clarity. To offer your input by phone, call 661-395-7649 and leave your comments in a voicemail message or email us at soundoff@bakersfield.com. Please include your name and phone number; your phone number wont be published.

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SOUND OFF: Can trees, newspapers and Trump get any respect? - The Bakersfield Californian

David Peterson saw an opportunity and grabbed it. With Marcus Stroman sidelined by a torn left calf muscle, the rookie lefthander has assumed a spot in the Mets starting rotation and performed very well.

In the Mets 8-4 win over Miami on Saturday night at Citi Field, he allowed two runs in five innings and improved to 2-1 with a 3.78 ERA. His fastball sat around 93 mph and his slider was effective as he pitched deeper into the game. Twice he stranded a Marlin in scoring position.

With every start, I feel I get more comfortable here. I learn more . . . Ive gotten a good taste in three starts and Im trying to work off the successes that Ive had, said Peterson, the Mets first-round pick in the 2017 draft. Ive been up here for a reason and that gives me confidence to get out of any jam and I take that into my starts.

He looks like a polished pitcher, Michael Conforto said.

Stroman threw 80-plus pitches in a simulated game on Thursday and will throw another no earlier than Tuesday. Mets manager Luis Rojas said the former Patchogue-Medford star is pitching effectively and healing well but still isnt able to field his position because of the calf. The very soonest he could return is next weekend, and that is not assured.

Rojas said that when Stroman returns, we want him to finish the season. In the meantime, Peterson will try to make it a hard decision.

Hes a competitor, he wants the ball and he wants to attack you, Rojas said. Hes been giving us what we want from a starter.

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Hes a competitor, he wants the ball and he wants to attack you, Rojas said. Hes been giving us what we want from a starter.

he Mets have a pair of blossoming young infielders in starting shortstop Amed Rosario and utility infielder Andres Gimenez. Its not a stretch to envision them starting together in seasons ahead.

The duo has started twice together on the left side of the infield and once on either side of second base. Brian Dozier started at second Saturday night and Gimenez was a defensive replacement in the eighth.

Its a pleasure to play alongside him, Rosario said of Gimenez on Saturday through an interpreter. Hes a talent that you cant hide. Its super-obvious how talented he is.

Gimenez, a rookie, came up as a shortstop but has played second and third base with Rosario firmly installed at short. When Rosario had a day off, Gimenez started at short.

There will be plenty of time for the relationship to grow, and Rosario said it has been easy working with him in the infield.

I dont know if (people) have realized, but hes a super-intelligent player, Rosario said. He pays attention to the little details, which is always big in the team aspect. But he always brings a lot of energy.

The Mets started Jeff McNeil in leftfield and J.D. Davis at third base for the second straight game Saturday. The previous six times both started, it was the other way around Davis in left and McNeil at third but this might be the new paradigm.

Davis hit a three-run homer in the seventh Saturday night to give the Mets a four-run cushion in their 8-4 victory.

Davis is a much better third baseman than outfielder he had some awkward moments in leftfield the first week and McNeil is the more experienced outfielder. Davis made a pair of excellent defensive plays this past week, and his strong arm has made an impression.

Roger Rubin covers high school and college sports for Newsday.

Excerpt from:

Mets' Peterson getting more comfortable with every start - Newsday

BEVO BEAT Baseball

Posted August 5th, 2020

Before he earns his first varsity at-bat, Blake Peterson has decided where hell take his cuts in college.

Peterson gave a verbal commitment to UTs baseball program on Wednesday. In a post on Twitter, Peterson said that I was born here and Ive been raised here, burnt orange runs through my veins.

Peterson is a rising sophomore and utility player at Austins Westlake High. He becomes the fourth member of Texas 2023 recruiting class. Previously, the Longhorns received commitments from Rockwall infielder Brayden Randle, Denton Guyer utility player Lane Allen and Conroe Oak Ridge pitcher Hayden Morris.

Peterson plays for the Lonestar Baseball Club during the summer. This spring, he was a member of Westlakes junior varsity program. Peterson will soon join a varsity team that went 13-1-1 during a coronavirus-shortened season. The Chaparrals wont need a third baseman in 2021 since Oregon State pledge Reece MacRae starts at that position, but Westlake coach JT Blair said that Peterson can really play anywhere.

The skys the limit for him, Blair told the American-Statesman on Wednesday. Hes got a great work ethic. I dont see him getting anything but better.

News on Bevo Beat is free and unlimited. Access to the rest of Hookem.com is included with an Austin American-Statesman subscription in addition to Statesman.com and the ePaper edition. Subscribe today at statesman.com/subscribe.

Here is the original post:

'Burnt orange runs through my veins': Westlake's Blake Peterson to play baseball at Texas - Hookem.com

Adrian Peterson is 35 years old.

Hes had plenty of memorable runs over his career, and that will continue this season with the Redskins as Peterson will compete for the starting running back job.

For NFL.com, Peterson reflected on his favorite run from his career thus far.

Peterson took us back to Sept. 13, 2009. It was the first game of the season and Petersons third season in the league. The Vikings were playing the Browns in Cleveland. Not only was Brett Favre starting his first game with the Vikings, but Jim Brown, who Peterson admires, was in attendance.

With just less than six minutes left in the game, Peterson busted off a 64-yard touchdown run, which was his third of the day. Peterson used his classic combo of strength and speed to eventually get to the end zone.

What makes this more remarkable is that Peterson had to get IVs pumped into him at halftime.

It was an amazing feeling, Peterson said. I remember Rodney Poole was coming down and I kind of gave him a shoulder to the right and cut to the left and he ate grass. . . Thats definitely my favorite run play in my career.

Peterson ended the game with 180 rushing yards and three touchdowns, the biggest coming on his last touch of the day.

Original post:

Adrian Peterson reflects on favorite run of career back in 2009 - Vikings Wire

Along with the challenge of implementing new procedures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on school buses, two of the three local school districts started the year short on bus drivers.

Bus drivers are always hard to come by. Nationwide theres a shortage of bus drivers on a regular basis, said Betty Jo Peterson, Picayune School District Transportation Director.

We had a couple that did not come back due to COVID-19, but we always start off the year a little short.

The Picayune School District started the year with 35 drivers, two less than Peterson would like. Two weeks before the semester started she needed four drivers, but two former bus drivers returned.

The Poplarville School District started this semester five drivers short, said Transportation Director Rossie Creel. The district has 24 regular routes, so needs at least 24 full time drivers and one full time substitute.

Some drivers in Poplarville left due to COVID-19 concerns, while others left for better paying jobs. Every driver who left their full time position stayed on as a part time substitute, said Creel.

At both school districts, staff members who are certified to drive school buses fill in when needed.

Were very blessedwe have a great superintendent that if I get short, hell get on a bus and drive, said Peterson.

Currently, all bus driver positions in the Pearl River County School District are filled, said Pearl River County Transportation Director Lisa Beech.

Basically theres peaks and valleys. Youll go through a shortage of a few and then a couple months later youve got all your positions filled. Its difficult to say what really causes that, said Beech.

Often, drivers leave for better paying jobs, said Beech. Creel noted that bus drivers are not paid especially well.

Most of the people that work here, they love working with children, theyre not looking for a full time job and theyre not here for the pay, said Beech.

Becoming a Driver

Bus drivers in the Picayune School District need to be able to pass a background check and a drug screen, as well as have a license with endorsements for CDL B with air brakes, passenger and school bus, said Peterson.

If they dont have the license part we can help them train, she said.Along with good driving skills, school bus drivers need patience and a love for children, said Beech.

New Precautions

Bus drivers now face the additional risks and work that comes with a pandemic. But the Pearl River County School District has not had any drivers leave due to COVID-19, which Beech credits to additional measures the district has taken to make buses safer.

We have automatic temperature checks installed in our buses. We also have hand sanitizer stations in the stairwell as people are getting on the bus. We feel like with those extra measures, everyone on the bus is safer, said Beech.

With the automatic temperature checks, students will present their forehead or wrist as they board the bus. The no touch device beeps once if the temperature is acceptable and twice if it detects the student has a fever.

The driver just has to listen for the beep, said Beech.

The districts business manager is a very forward thinker and found the devices early in the pandemic, she said.

With the statewide mask mandate passed by Governor Tate Reeves on Tuesday, children are required to wear a mask on school buses.

We had an amazing day yesterday, said Peterson. For first days, I would probably count it as one of our best. Im just amazed with how well the students have done with the masks, even the little bitty ones. Theyre troopers.

School districts are also loading buses from back to front to prevent students from walking past each other, enacting additional cleaning and encouraging parents to drop their child off at school when they can.

Creel said the Poplarville School District is asking parents to check their childs temperature before putting them on a school bus. Student temperatures will be taken once they arrive at school. As the semester begins, transportation may be slowed due to the development of bus seating charts, he said.

In the Pearl River County District, parents need to request transportation through the transportation department, whereas before it was automatic, said Beech. If a parent needs to request transportation and has not spoken with the districts transportation department already, they can call 601-798-9977.

All three districts have shortened the time spent in class in order to have additional time for transportation.

The Pearl River County School District has added additional routes to reduce the number of students on the bus. The Poplarville School District was unable to add routes because it covers such a large geographic region, according to previous coverage. Due to the driver shortage Picayune School District combined some routes, said Peterson, but she still expects the number of students on buses to be lower than previous years.

Theres not as many registered and there are many parents bringing kids to school, she said.

The school districts have differences in how they are running their buses, along with broader differences in how they are reopening schools. Beech said its good that districts have the ability to make reopening plans specific to their resources and needs.

Each district is different, as far as money it receives for education, some are more rural and some are more city, which makes a difference as far as transportation and for Internet, said Beech.

While Picayune and Poplarvilles school districts started classes on Thursday, buses in the Pearl River County School District will not run until Aug. 17.

Their semester starts Aug. 13, but the first two days will be virtual to educate students on the various procedures before they return to a physical campus. The two days of virtual instruction will also provide a test run to ensure students and parents can access virtual education in case a closure occurs.

After five months without school buses on county roads Peterson is worried distracted driving and texting while driving could be a significant problem, she said. In recent years, the district has added brighter lights on school buses to make them more visible.

Keep your eyes on the road. Keep your eyes on the buses, said Peterson.

Continued here:

Bus driver shortages occurring locally due to pandemic - Picayune Item - Picayune Item

Lake View city officials are pleased to announce their recently completed lagoon is now filled and is successfully processing wastewater from the community. Administrator, Scott Peterson, says the city council met at the lagoon site just northeast of town prior to their meeting Monday night. He says they did identify one minor issue, but everything seems to be functioning as intended.

Peterson adds the lagoon has now reached the substantial completion stage and all that remains before they can call the project finished is for it to operate for a few months to identify any outstanding issues. Lake View has been working to update their wastewater treatment facility for more than five years, and Peterson says it is a relief to be so close to wrapping it up.

The city started filling the $6 million lagoon about a month ago and only recently has it started treating wastewater. According to Peterson, they will be closely monitoring its operations into the fall and winter for any problems as they check off items on the punch list.

Read more:

Lake View City Officials Pleased To Announce New Lagoon Is Now Effectively Treating Wastewater - 1380 KCIM