Category Archives: Freedom

NORWICH

The sound of freedom rang outside City Hall here late Saturday afternoon, with the inaugural ringing of a unique memorial to American history's most famous proclamation.

The bright, shining, 250-pound Norwich Freedom Bell, cast and polished on Friday and Saturday, commemorates the upcoming 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation. The executive order, which President Abraham Lincoln made public five days after the North's Civil War victory at Antietam on Sept. 17, 1862, freed all slaves within the rebellious Confederate states, effective with his signature on Jan. 1, 1863.

The bell pealed for the first time at 6 p.m., the clapper sounded by Jacqueline Owens, president of the Norwich branch of trhe NAACP. A succession of dignitaries and onlookers took turns pulling the cord.

"Let freedom ring!" someone in the audience yelled.

The bell was paraded to City Hall from the harbor park, where its casting began with a Friday morning ceremony. With the Freedom Schooner Amistad docked nearby, and an Abraham Lincoln re-enactor helping out, local elementary school students spent their last day of school passing palm-sized ingots to the crew of a mobile foundry, where the bits of bronze were melted down at 2,130 degrees.

Norwich, home of Connecticut Civil War Gov. William Alfred Buckingham, first celebrated the proclamation on Jan. 2, 1863, with an hour-long, city-wide ringing of church bells and a 100-gun salute. Republican Mayor James Lloyd Greene famously paid for the gunpowder himself after five residents went to court to protest the $98 expense.

Officials hope that the casting of the new bell which highlighted a three-day, multi-cultural ceremony culminating on Juneteenth, the celebration of the abolition of slavery not only recognizes the Rose City's role in the abolition movement and the Civil War, but spurs public interest in its long history, boosting its stock as a destination for historic and cultural tourism.

"Thank you for finding this unique way to celebrate this historic even in our nation's history,'' Gov. Dannel P. Malloysaid, speaking at a Friday luncheon that included city and state officials, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Gail Adams, a U.S. Department of the Interior official. Adams said the national tourism strategy of President Barack Obama's administration's envisions promoting "lesser-known jewels" such as Norwich.

The bell, brainchild of the local Emancipation Proclamation Commemoration Committee, was funded through $100,000 in state support and local donations. The Verdin Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio, a 170-year-old, family-owned manufacturer of bells, carillons and clocks, was commissioned to do the casting, using the customized traveling foundry it developed 11 years ago.

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Sound Of Freedom Rings In Norwich

Appearing via video at the Faith and Freedom Coalitions annual meeting Saturday morning, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney (R) delivered a speech that hinged on social issues but also focused in on what remains the top issue in the presidential election the economy.

Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney (R). (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

If people want a president that will give the middle class of America a fair shot, theyll vote for me, and I hope you do, Romney, dressed in a suit and standing in front of his campaign bus in Pennsylvania, told the several hundred social conservatives gathered in Washington for the summit.

In his prepared remarks, Romney spoke of anchors, which he said include family and the Constitution.

The national health-care law, he argued attacks freedoms. Raising taxes attacks freedoms. And the Obama administrations decision on contraceptive coverage attacks our first freedom religious freedom, he said.

All these things impinge upon our freedoms. ... I think America is stronger when were lashed firmly to the anchors that keep us steady, he said.

At times, he struck a note that bore similarities to the message former senator Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) delivered on the campaign trail.

He told the crowd that his message to young people is to get married before they have children, because the opportunity for a mom and a dad to help guide the life of a child gives them such an enormous advantage.

And he noted a 2009 Brookings study that Santorum has been fond of citing. The study, Romney said, shows that if Americans graduate from high school, work and get married before having children, their chance of becoming impoverished is dramatically reduced.

Romney fielded three pre-selected questions from the audience. In response to the first Do you agree with President Obama that the private sector is doing fine? Romney dinged Obama for the remark, which he argued is the latest evidence that the president is out of touch on the economy.

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Romney addresses Faith and Freedom Coalition via video from bus tour

June 14, 2012 - Frontier League (FL) Florence Freedom FLORENCE, KY - The Florence Freedom stretched their win streak to five games as they began a three game series with the Washington Wild Things with an 8-4 victory.

RHP Sean Gregory made his 5th start of the season and earned his second win of the year, as he went seven innings, allowing four runs on seven hits with four strikeouts. His counterpart, Washington's RHP Casey Barnes, was handed his second loss of the year by giving up seven runs on eight hits in 5.2 innings.

Unlike what the Freedom have seen the past few ballgames, the opposition took an early lead as the Wild Things scored four times off Gregory in the first two innings, including three runs off four hits in the 1st. The Freedom did not score or record a hit until the 3rd, when SS Junior Arrojo was hit by his 6th pitch of the year, and later scored on a 3B Chris Curley single.

Florence cut their deficit down to one in the 4th inning when C Jim Jacquot scored on a double by RF Peter Fatse, who also came around to score on a LF Ryan Skellie groundout. It was not until the 6th inning, however, that Florence took the lead with a two-run homer by Skellie, his first long ball as a professional. Malloy also launched a two-run shot later in the inning to make the score 7-4.

After a rough start, Gregory settled down nicely and allowed just one hit after the 2nd inning, including sitting Washington down in order in the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th innings. In the bottom of the 7th, the Freedom added to their lead as Curley hit his 7th homer of the year off RHP Alan Gatz, a solo home run to left center field.

RHP Brandon Mathes came in for relief and pitched a scoreless 8th and 9th, while allowing one hit with three strikeouts. With the victory, the Freedom are now 12-4 at the Home of the Florence Freedom.

Florence looks to increase their winning streak to six games tomorrow at 7:05, as RHP Alec Lewis (2-2) will go head-to-head with Washington's RHP Gary Lee (1-2) at the Home of the Florence Freedom.

Discuss this story on the Frontier League message board... Digg this story Add to Del.icio.us

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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Freedom Continue to Win, Beat Washington in Series Opener

The prize may be Principal of the Year, but Erik Faulkner is no awards hog.

"I am very honored and humbled," Freedom High's leader said. "This is not a singular award. (I share it with) my co-workers, students, parents and community. I may have a vision or ideas but it takes a whole bunch of dedicated people to help implement and nurture to be successful.

"This award is the culmination of many people who share the passion for student success as I do," he added.

The Oakley administrator was surprised to hear about the nomination, and then by the win itself.

The award represents Contra Costa and Alameda counties and was given to him by the Association of California Administrators during a ceremony at Ruby Hill.

In addition, his Freedom colleagues surprised him with an announcement to the entire staff and added the news to the school's marquee.

"I was very flattered, but (after a couple days), I had it removed ... I was feted enough," Faulkner said.

Nominated by Liberty Union High School District Superintendant Eric Volta, Faulkner is now in elite company as one of 19 top principals in the state.

"He has worked very hard to make this a school the entire community can be proud of," said teacher Fidel Garcia.

Garcia, who's known the principal for a decade, said Faulkner brings "a very strong leadership" to their school. "He has really built a strong community here, and brings a high level of accountability

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Freedom High's Erik Faulkner named among 19 top principals in the state

Freedom Communications,whichearlier this month announced the pending sale of The Free Press and its other properties in North Carolina and Florida, plans to sell its flagship newspaper and remaining properties to a Massachusetts company, it was announced Monday.

What remains of the Irvine, Calif.-based company, owners of The Free Press since 1973, will now become part of 2100 Trust, LLC, in a merger with a subsidiary of 2100 Trust, according to a news release from Freedom.

The stock-only deal includes the Freedom flagship newspaper, the Orange CountyRegister, and the companys second-largest newspaper, the Colorado Springs, (Colo.) Gazette. Five other newspapers in California and Arizona are also included: The Barstow Desert Dispatch; Marysville Appeal-Democrat; Porterville Record, Victorville Daily Press; and The Sun in Yuma, Ariz.

The sale of its 21 North Carolina and Florida papers to Halifax Media Holdings, based in Daytona Beach, Fla.,is expected to close within the month. Prior to that announcement, Freedom had sold in separate deals its television stations and its newspapers in New Mexico, Texas and, as a package, in Ohio, Illinois and Missouri.

Terms of the agreement with 2100 Trust were not released. The transaction is expected to close within 30 days, company officials said.

All current Freedom employees at the operating locations will transition to the new ownership, said Mitchell Stern, Freedoms chief executive officer.

While providing the value that our shareholders have sought, this transaction also ensures Freedoms communities that our newspapers serve will continue to receive the outstanding service that has been our hallmark, Stern said. Our employees will be able to continue the community journalism at which they so excel.

The agreement marks the end of Freedom Communications. R.C. Hoiles founded Freedom after acquiring what was then the Santa Ana Register in 1935. The company eventually grew to be one of the largest media companies in the country with 100 daily and weekly newspapers, numerous news websites and specialty publications and eight broadcast stations.

Its holdings in North Carolina grew to include, in addition to The Free Press, the Gazette in Gastonia, the Star in Shelby, the Times-News in Burlington, the Sun Journal in New Bern, the Daily News in Jacksonville and several weekies, including the Jones Post.

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Freedom deals away its remaining properties

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., June 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Celebrating in star-spangled style, the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is unfurling its "Fourth of July Freedom Fest," a four-day event with free concerts, fireworks, all-American fare and poolside fun, with vacation packages benefitting military families, June 30- July 3, 2012.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120514/LA06971)

Each night of the fest, revelers celebrate with live music under the stars, patriotic salutes and fireworks finales:

To honor the military, the concerts begin with a Presentation of the Colors, a flyover and a drop-in from inspirational sky diver Dana Bowman, a retired member of the U.S. Army's elite parachute team, the Golden Knights, who lost both of his legs in a sky diving accident in 1994.

Throughout the fest, the 5th Hole of the TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course becomes "Freedom Hill" where Apache and Black Hawk helicopters land and guests can get up-close to the aircraft and meet the pilots. Around the resort, guests can check-out the rock-climbing wall, pedal go-carts, Humvees and boot camp exercise classes at Willow Stream Spa.

Like any great summer day, poolside is the place to be. At Sonoran Splash, families have a ball with 200-foot waterslides, poolside barbecues, red, white and blue frozen drinks, glitter tattoos, water balloon tosses, watermelon eating contests and Uncle Sam on stilts. At night, the new Techno Waterslide After Dark lights up with fog, lasers, colored lights and disco music. Nearby, families float and watch a Dive-In movie, nightly during the Fest. The Techno Waterslide and Dive-In movies are offered Friday and Saturday night weekends, with fireworks every Saturday night, through Labor Day.

Room rates during $179 per night, which includes a daily $50 resort credit toward spa, dining, tennis or Bobcat Billy's Clubhouse. The package includes the concerts, fireworks and any complimentary resort activities.

A portion from every Freedom Fest vacation package benefits military organizations such as the USO, the Arizona National Guard Emergency Relief Fund and Friends of Freedom, a local non-profit assisting military families.

For reservations, dial (480) 585-4848, toll-free at (866) 540-4495 or visit http://www.scottsdaleprincess.com. The resort is located at 7575 East Princess Drive in Scottsdale, Ariz.

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Star-spangled Spectacular: '4th of July Freedom Fest' at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

In a heated conference call with dozens of Tea Party supporters throughout the state late Sunday, Florida's disparate Tea Party groups debated whether or not to endorse Republican Connie Mack in the Florida U.S. Senate primary.

The call, organized by Freedom Works, the conservative non-profit based in Washington, D.C., became very heated as several tea party backers urged the group to stay out of the primary while the Freedom Works supporters wanted to endorse Mack of Cape Coral, said Henry Kelley, chairmanof the Fort Walton Beach Tea Party.

"The general consensus was not whether we should back Mack or LeMieux but why are we moving into the middle of a primary,'' Kelley told the Herald/Times. He said he supports LeMieux, in part because of Mack's refusal to debate,but expects most Tea Party members to support the Republican nominee. "Why would you jump in when there are only 60 days left?"

Documents written by Easton Randall of the Freedom Works Foundation show that the organization prefers Mack over LeMieux because of his voting record and his "penny plan" to cut federal spending 1 percent a year. Download Tea Party Florida_Senate_Race_BriefDownload Tea Party Mack Florida_6-10

To confuse matters further, Mack has been endorsed by the Tea Party of Florida, the Orlando-based third party group started by activist Doug Guetzloe but which isnot supported by othergrassroots tea party activists around the state.

"That group was anathema to tea party groups throughout the state,'' said Tim Curtis, chairman of the Tampa 912 Project and a local tea party organizer.

He said thatmanygrassroots groups opposed to endorsing a candidate because it woud violate their tax exempt status under theIRS status while others do not believe that a single endorsement can represent their diverseviews.

"We are not monolithic,'' said Curtis, who is a registered Democrat. "There is a great, hugh, gynormous diversity of opinion within the tea party groups and 912 groups throughout the state...,We have shared principles values views and vision of the nation and upon those tings we do speak with one voice."

Freedom Works isthe conservative non-profit advocacy group based in Washington, D.C. that was founded by former conservative congressmanDick Armey. Its affliate, the Tea Party Express, is finishing a two-month bus tour of the nation in Florida this week. It held a rally in Tallahassee on Sunday attended by Gov. Rick Scott.

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Freedom Works pushing tea party groups to endorse Mack

IRVINE, CA, June 11, 2012 Freedom Communications Holdings, Inc. announced today that it has agreed to be acquired by 2100 Trust, LLC in a merger with a subsidiary of 2100 Trust.

At the time the transaction closes, Freedoms businesses will consist of its flagship Orange County Register, the Barstow, CA Desert Dispatch, The Gazette in Colorado Springs, CO, the Marysville, CA Appeal-Democrat, The Porterville Record in Porterville, CA, the Victorville, CA Daily Press and The Yuma Sun in Yuma, AZ and their associated non-daily publications along with specialty publications and digital properties. The Company had previously announced sales of its other newspaper assets and broadcast properties, which sales have closed or are expected to close within the next few weeks.

It is expected that the transaction, the value of which was not disclosed, will be completed in about 30 days. All current Freedom employees at the operating locations will transition to the new ownership, said Mitchell Stern, Freedoms Chief Executive officer.

While providing the value that our shareholders have sought, this transaction also ensures Freedoms communities that our newspapers serve will continue to receive the outstanding service that has been our hallmark, Stern said. Our employees will be able to continue the community journalism at which they so excel.

The new owners have a long-standing interest in community journalism and understand the critical role that newspapers, despite all the changes of recent years, continue to play in providing the information that people need and cant find anywhere else, said Mark McEachen, Freedoms Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

R. C. Hoiles founded Freedom after acquiring what was then the Santa Ana Register in 1935. The company eventually grew to be one of the largest media companies in the country with 100 daily and weekly newspapers, numerous news websites and specialty publications and eight broadcast stations.

"We couldn't be more pleased with the opportunity to lead the hard-working and talented employees of Freedom Communications in serving these communities. We believe that newspapers are essential to the fabric of our lives and are excited to own and grow these unique institutions," said Aaron Kushner, 2100 Trust's Chief Executive Officer.

About Freedom Communications

Freedom Communications Holdings, Inc., headquartered in Irvine, CA, is a national privately owned information and entertainment company of print publications and interactive businesses. The Companys print portfolio includes approximately 100 publications, including 20 daily newspapers, weekly newspapers, plus ancillary magazines and other specialty publications. The Companys news, information and entertainment websites and mobile applications complement its print properties. For more information, visit http://www.freedom.com.

About 2100 Trust, LLC

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Freedom Communications to be acquired

Raymond Cyrus "R.C." Hoiles bought The Orange County Register in 1935 and made it the flagship of what was to become Irvine-based Freedom Communications Inc., once the 12th largest media company in the country with more than 100 papers. The Hoiles family, however, lost its financial interest in the company in April 2010 after Freedom emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization. The company has gone through dramatic change in the two years since then:

Sept. 1, 2009: Freedom Communications Inc. files for bankruptcy reorganization.

April 30, 2010: Freedom emerges from bankruptcy. A group of investors and banks take control of the company.

June 29, 2010: Mitch Stern, a former Fox television executive, is named Freedom chief executive officer.

Oct. 3, 2011: Michael Henry, Register general manager, is named interim publisher succeeding Terry Horne, who retired.

Nov. 2, 2011: Freedom announces the sale of its eight television stations to Sinclair Broadcast Group for $385 million. The sale left Freedom free of the $325 million in debt it had when it emerged from bankruptcy.

Jan. 12, 2012: Freedom announces the sale of The Tribune in Seymour, Ind. to Indiana-based Home News Enterprises LLC. Terms were not disclosed.

Jan. 31, 2012: Freedom announces the sale of the News Journal in Clovis, N.M. to Clovis Media News. Terms were not disclosed.

April 2, 2012: The sale of Freedom's television stations to Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc. closes.

April 17, 2012: Register editor Ken Brusic also takes on the title of interim publisher, succeeding Michael Henry, who left to become chief financial officer of The Denver Post.

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Freedom since bankruptcy

IRVINE Freedom Communications Holdings, Inc. announced today that it has agreed to be acquired by 2100 Trust, LLC in a merger with a subsidiary of 2100 Trust.

At the time the transaction closes, Freedoms businesses will consist of its flagship Orange County Register, The Porterville Recorder in Porterville, CA, the Barstow, CA Desert Dispatch, The Gazette in Colorado Springs, CO, the Marysville, CA Appeal-Democrat, the Victorville, CA Daily Press and The Sun in Yuma, AZ and their associated non-daily publications along with specialty publications and digital properties. The Company had previously announced sales of its other newspaper assets and broadcast properties, which sales have closed or are expected to close within the next few weeks.

It is expected that the transaction, the value of which was not disclosed, will be completed in about 30 days. All current Freedom employees at the operating locations will transition to the new ownership, said Mitchell Stern, Freedoms Chief Executive officer.

While providing the value that our shareholders have sought, this transaction also ensures Freedoms communities that our newspapers serve will continue to receive the outstanding service that has been our hallmark, Stern said. Our employees will be able to continue the community journalism at which they so excel.

The new owners have a long-standing interest in community journalism and understand the critical role that newspapers, despite all the changes of recent years, continue to play in providing the information that people need and cant find anywhere else, said Mark McEachen, Freedoms Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer.

R. C. Hoiles founded Freedom after acquiring what was then the Santa Ana Register in 1935. The company eventually grew to be one of the largest media companies in the country with 100 daily and weekly newspapers, numerous news websites and specialty publications and eight broadcast stations.

The Porterville Recorder was acquired by Freedom Communications in 1974 and over the past 38 years weve continued to grow by knowing our customers exceeding well, said Recorder publisher Paula Patton. Knowing what is important to them; being recognized as an active, involved and caring member of the community; and being the indispensable source of local news and information delivered over multi-platforms has always been and will continue to be our goal as we move forward.

We couldnt be more pleased with the opportunity to lead the hard-working and talented employees of Freedom Communications in serving these communities. We believe that newspapers are essential to the fabric of our lives and are excited to own and grow these unique institutions, said Aaron Kushner, 2100 Trusts Chief Executive Officer.

About Freedom Communications

Freedom Communications Holdings, Inc., headquartered in Irvine, CA, is a national privately owned information and entertainment company of print publications and interactive businesses. The Companys print portfolio includes approximately 100 publications, including 20 daily newspapers, weekly newspapers, plus ancillary magazines and other specialty publications. The Companys news, information and entertainment websites and mobile applications complement its print properties. For more information, visit http://www.freedom.com.

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Freedom Communications to be Acquired by 2100 Trust