Amish group brings volunteers to help rebuild Chimney Rock
It's been eight months since Hurricane Helene destroyed the town of Chimney Rock, and many businesses are still in need of repair.
But a group of Amish people has been a mainstay in the rebuilding effort. The group has been working with Spokes of Hope, which has had over 2,000 volunteers come through since the flood.
Chimney Rock Mayor Peter O'Leary had predicted that downtown Chimney Rock would open in time for Memorial Day weekend, but now realizes that was too ambitious.
SPECIAL SECTION >> Hurricane Helene stories
Local businesses say they've appreciated the support of volunteers. They've also been leaning on one another throughout the rebuilding process.
'You know, you can't help but think what's next. But, you know, we're all still here. We've got each other, we've still got our community, and as long as you stick together, there's nothing stronger than that,' said Kristen Sottile with the Broad River Inn.
Some of the Amish were spotted helping build a new foundation for the Broad River Inn. While the town has a ways to go before fully reopening, O'Leary says he hopes some businesses will be able to reopen this summer.
(VIDEO: 'Monumental': Campground celebrates post-Helene reopening)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Boston Globe
a day ago
- Boston Globe
As federal layoffs shake up the public sector workforce, displaced workers look to Boston
In the first quarter of 2025, the city received an all-time high of 39,111 applications, a 60 percent jump from the first quarter of 2024. The largest increase has been in budgeting, procurement, and finance positions, roles that are the closest match to many of the shuttered federal positions, said the city's chief people officer, Alex Lawrence. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'Despite the chaos and confusion playing out, [it's] a real opportunity for the state and local governments across Massachusetts to capture some of this A-plus public sector talent,' said Caitlin Lewis, executive director of Work For America. The nonprofit runs Civic Match, a job portal for state and local government jobs. Advertisement The uncertainty and instability in Washington have led many former federal employees to rethink what they're looking for in their next job. For many, this means a new perspective on making the move to a local- or state-level role, which before would have seemed like a step down from federal work. Boston's local government has been particularly visible at a national level, in part thanks to Advertisement 'People are excited about working in a local government where they see a strong leader who is willing to stand up for what she believes in,' said Lawrence. 'I think that resonates with a lot of people.' Anyone looking to move from a federal job to a public-sector role in Massachusetts, though, will likely have to contend with some of the same economic and political factors playing out on the federal level. Boston is grappling with a budget shortfall spurred by a post-COVID drop in commercial property values — clouding the long-term prospects for employment here. Meanwhile, the state government is in the midst of a The state government is in the midst of a hiring freeze instituted over what Governor Maura Healey's office has described as 'widespread economic uncertainty at the national level.' Suzanne Kreiter/Globe Staff But if you want to work in a government job in the US, Boston remains one of the best places to look. Lewis, of Work for America, said the Civic Match platform has seen about 20 percent of its 9,000 job seekers narrow their search to Massachusetts. Only about 2 percent of those people currently live here, she said. More than 80 percent of those looking to work in New England on the platform live outside the region. The City of Boston is one of the most active of the 200 cities Civic Match partners with, said Lewis. State and local governments often struggle to hire for some of their most crucial roles, she said. The influx of new job-seekers as a result of federal layoffs gives them a chance to fill these roles with quality, driven candidates, many of whom have decades of experience at some of the country's largest federal agencies, said Lewis. Advertisement The City of Boston has now received more applications than the number of vacant positions it has, which is not usually the case, said Lawrence. She has also seen that more people, especially those who were laid off with little notice, are open to more drastic career changes to get a paycheck coming in again. 'It is tougher and more competitive than it has been,' said Lawrence. 'We still have a few places that we have very specific challenges filling positions, but it's much less significant than it was a few years ago.' After taking a buyout from her job as a senior project manager at the Department of Homeland Security, Alexandra Tobolsky and her husband, who worked for the federal government as a contractor, are considering Massachusetts for their next personal and professional chapters. As the couple looks to become first-time homeowners in their next move from Maryland, somewhere with work opportunities for both of them, a strong, diverse community, a mix of city life and nature, and responsible leadership are all on the wish list, all factors that led them to strongly consider Boston. 'We're looking for where can we build a good life for ourselves, especially not knowing what the next few years are going to hold on multiple levels, and where can we find somewhere that we can still enjoy our lives and feel confident in state and local government looking out for our best interests,' said Tobolsky. Advertisement Boston's cost of living is often cited as a reason that people move away from — rather than into — the region, but Washington is one of the few cities that stacks up relatively well. Someone making $100,000 in the Capitol region would need to make roughly $102,000 to have a similar standard of living here, according to the personal finance website People who spoke to the Globe about their job search also cited the rapid changes in the work culture of official Washington amid the Trump administration's recent moves to downsize the government as a reason they were ready to relocate to more liberal-minded Massachusetts. Tobolsky described daily uncertainty at work: After taking a buyout from her job as a senior project manager at the Department of Homeland Security, Alexandra Tobolsky and her husband, who also worked for the federal government as a contractor, are considering Massachusetts for their next personal and professional chapters. VALERIE PLESCH/NYT 'All of it just felt very hard to process, while continuing to do good work,' said Tobolsky. With jobs frozen at the state level, the Healey administration is adjusting its tack on attracting workers. The state launched a website in March to promote opportunities in Massachusetts for federal workers, including more than 160,000 job postings in the private sector and in local government. Massachusetts officials also began hosting weekly virtual information sessions in April to share unemployment and hiring resources with laid-off federal workers. 'We encourage people from across the country and the world, including those who have been laid off by President Trump, to explore the incredible employment opportunities offered by our businesses and to consider moving to and building your future here in Massachusetts,' a spokesperson for the state's Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development said in a statement. Advertisement Before being laid off, Maura Miller loved her job at the United States Agency for International Development, where she worked for a decade based in Alexandria, Va. Now, she is searching somewhere new to take her skills to and leave federal uncertainty behind. 'If we're able to move, it would be to Massachusetts,' Miller said. Miller, who emphasized she was speaking only for herself, said she believes in the elected leadership in Massachusetts and would like to be a part of the work being done here, including in housing and education. 'I don't want to move somewhere that's then going to have to make cuts that I would be impacted by again immediately,' she said. 'But my passion for public service has not changed.' Maren Halpin can be reached at
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Miami Herald
Florida Panthers ‘Thrilled' To Re-Sign Sam Bennett To Big Eight-Year Deal
The Florida Panthers kept Sam Bennett away from NHL free agency. They re-signed the Conn Smythe Trophy winner to an eight-year extension at an $8 million average annual value. Bennett, 29, was projected to be one of the top centers available in free agency if he was unsigned by July 1. Instead, he's not leaving the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions. His new deal includes a no-move clause for the first five years of the contract, followed by a limited no-trade clause for the final three years, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman. His contract will expire after the 2032-33 season, when he will be 37 years old. Bennett made his intentions clear that he wanted to remain a Panther during the team's post-Cup celebrations. 'I ain't f-----g leaving,' Bennett said into the microphone, referencing Leonardo DiCaprio's famous line from the movie Wolf of Wall Street. Now, Bennett's statement has become a reality, and the Panthers' GM couldn't be happier about keeping on the two-time Stanley Cup champion. 'Sam is a special player who has mastered a unique blend of skill and physicality in his game, becoming one of the most impactful postseason performers of his generation,' Panthers GM Bill Zito said in a news release. 'He played an integral role in our two Stanley Cup championships, earning the franchise's first Conn Smythe Trophy and is a dedicated contributor to our South Florida community off the ice. We are thrilled that he will continue his career with the Panthers.' Out of his 11 years in the NHL, the 29-year-old arguably played his best this past season. He recorded a career-high 51 points in the regular season with 25 goals and 26 assists. However, his playoff performance likely played a big part in his new cap hit. Bennett led the NHL in post-season goals with 15, ending the Cup run with 22 points in 23 appearances. With Bennett being the latest center to sign an extension with his team, the UFA market for a middleman becomes even thinner. John Tavares, Matt Duchene and Brock Nelson were also all pending UFA centers who re-signed with their respective teams. Some pending UFA pivots who remain unsigned include Mikael Granlund and Pius Suter. The Panthers kept Bennett from being possibly the top UFA center by giving him the priciest and longest contract in his career. But Zito can't relax just yet. Left winger Brad Marchand and defenseman Aaron Ekblad also require new contracts before Tuesday's free agency opener, or else they can sign with another squad. Get thelatest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and bysubscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting belowthe article on Copyright 2025 The Hockey News, Roustan Media Ltd.
Chicago Tribune
2 days ago
- Chicago Tribune
Gary officials celebrate progress of Aetna home construction
As he stood outside a newly constructed home on 10th Avenue, Gary Mayor Eddie Melton said the structure represented much more. 'This is proof that Gary's plan and strategy in revitalizing neighborhoods is in the works,' Melton said Friday. 'This is more than just a city initiative — this is a collaborative effort with stakeholders and organizations that are extremely important.' Melton and other officials allowed the public to see progress on the first single-family home to be built in the Aetna neighborhood in decades. The home, located at 5544 E. 10th Ave., will be complete near the end of July. The development was spearheaded by Frederick Long and Laneé Nicole, local real estate professionals, and developer David Sutor. The Gary Redevelopment Commission opened a Requests for Proposals process in 2024, with the proposal selected during a June 5, 2024, commission meeting, according to a news release. 'Today is a celebration, not just of building homes, but of people, of partnerships, of promise and progress,' Nicole said. 'This isn't just a house — it's somebody's home. This isn't just a community — it's our community.' The single-family structure is part of 15 planned homes that will feature ranch-style and two-story options, modern amenities and new construction. All homes will be built on a slab without basements. Ranch properties will be about 1,400 square feet, starting at about $220,000, and two-story homes will be about 2,000 square feet and start at about $260,000, according to a news release. The remaining 14 homes are planned to be completed throughout the next couple of years. Christopher Harris, executive director of redevelopment for the city of Gary, said his goal is to see more than demolition in the city, and seeing the new home Friday gave him hope for the future. 'Think about it: 15 new construction homes in this neighborhood,' Harris said. 'It hasn't happened (in Aetna) in decades. That speaks to the demand, right?' The construction is part of the city's initiative to remove blighted structures throughout Gary. In March, the city began its second phase of the Aetna demolition, according to Post-Tribune archives. Blight elimination is one of Melton's focuses as mayor. As state senator, Melton created the Senate Bill 434, which established the blighted property demolition fund and allows the city to receive $6 million from the state of Indiana for blight elimination. The city had to match those funds, with half coming from American Rescue Plan Act funds and $3 million from the Hard Rock casino. On Friday, Melton said his goal was to start demolishing blighted homes in Aetna before moving to the rest of the city. Last year, Gary demolished about 40 blighted structures in the Aetna neighborhood, Melton said. 'We piloted this targeted approach to make a noticeable, meaningful and impactful difference, so residents can see (the change),' he said. 'Is it complete? Absolutely not. There's still a lot of work left to do.' Melton believes the Aetna neighborhood offers many opportunities to residents and future homeowners. He highlighted its proximity to the South Shore Line's Miller train station, a Gary Public Transportation Corporation route and major highways, including Interstates 65, 94, 90 and 80. He also highlighted the proximity to Miller's Lake Street offerings, the beachfront and Indiana Dunes National Park. Councilman Myles Tolliver, D-at large, spoke at Friday's press conference, saying he's excited about what the development means for Aetna's future. Tolliver shared Melton's sentiments about why Aetna is a prime location for new development. 'Here is the greatest city in Northwest Indiana,' Tolliver said. 'It's time for us to show it. We do that by building infrastructure and what will be homes.'
