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Yahoo
12 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Former Vero Beach Mayor Mary Beth McDonald dies at 73 following lengthy illness
VERO BEACH — Mary Beth McDonald, a former City Council member and mayor from 2005-2006, died July 4 after a lengthy illness. She was 73. McDonald was elected to the City Council in 2004 and served until 2006. She was heralded for her leadership during hurricanes Frances, Jeanne and Wilma. "Her resolve and hard work were unapparelled during her time on council," said Dr. John W. McDonald, her husband of 48 years. "Though she served only one term, it was an eventful term." John McDonald will remember his wife for her optimism, humor and honesty, he said. After leaving office, McDonald was appointed by Gov. Rick Scott to the Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees, and served from 2013-2021. When hurricanes Frances and Jeanne hit the city in 2004, McDonald's communication skills and optimism shone through. "She was so instrumental in getting the city through what is probably its darkest hour," said former City Clerk Tammy Bursick. "She was so focused and driven. I really admired her for that." The following year, Hurricane Wilma brought immense flooding, seemingly setting the city's recovery back. But not on McDonald's watch. "We couldn't have recovered as quickly as we did without her," said Bursick. "She was so graceful during that time, and her communication skills and leadership were a site to behold." She facilitated rebuilding until the end of her term, said Bursick. "The hurricanes really are the big story of her time on council," said John McDonald. "She hardly got a break during that time because of the storms." McDonald — originally of Chevy Chase, Maryland — arrived in Vero Beach in 1982. She and her husband were establishing a dermatology practice after relocating from Washington, D.C. The two were married in 1977, and had two sons, John Lawrence and Patrick Warren. A graduate of FAU with a degree in communications, McDonald's career spanned more than 25 years. She ascended to the role of communications director for the city, wrote freelance for Florida Parenting News, was a speech and drama teacher at St. Edward's School and opened her own marketing agency, One Source Media and Marketing. Other accomplishment during her term on council were facilitating the opening of Quail Valley Golf Club, Costa d'Este Beach Resort and Spa and renovating the Vero Beach Theater. "She really enjoyed her time on council and serving the city in any way she could," said her husband. "She loved Vero Beach." Education news: New state law means some Treasure Coast high schools likely to continue early start times Larry's take: Vero Beach percentage of county population wanes; major challenges faced | Opinion She also was very active in civic organizations, including the Jasmine Circle Garden Club, Florida Medical Association Ladies Auxiliary and Friends of the Riverside Theater. She is survived by her husband, her sons and two sisters, Susan and Martha Widmayer. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Aug. 1 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 500 Iris Lane, Vero Beach. The family requests donations to VNA Hospice House, at Nick Slater is TCPalm's Indian River County Watchdog reporter. You can reach him at and 224-830-2875. This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Former Vero Beach Mayor Mary Beth McDonald has passed away at age 73
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Grants from United Way bring summer camps and housing aid to region
The United Way of North Central Massachusetts has awarded nearly $700,000 in grants to 38 community-based agencies, according to a community announcement. The grants were distributed through two targeted programs to address critical regional needs and expand access to after-school and out-of-school time opportunities for children and youth across North Central Massachusetts. For the 2025–2026 funding cycle, the Community Impact Fund awarded $550,000 to 27 nonprofit organizations, supporting 45 programs in key focus areas including early education and care, youth development, basic needs, and housing and homelessness. These areas reflect some of the most pressing challenges facing families in the region. Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts Inc. was among the grant recipients. 'Through the Critical Home Repair program, Habitat NCM helps residents stay safely in their existing affordable homes, and the United Way grant will allow us to expand the program to help more local seniors and families,' said Carolyn Read, executive director. 'The United Way mobilizes the caring power of our community, and our partnership will bring that care to more of our neighbors in need.' In addition, UWNCM awarded $131,271 to 11 local agencies through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education After School and Out-of-School Time Program. The funding comes from a DESE grant awarded to a regional collaborative of United Ways serving Central, North Central, and South-Central Massachusetts. The initiative supports and enhances after-school and summer programs, ensuring that children and youth have access to safe, enriching environments. This round of DESE funding will support a wide range of summer programming, offering young people opportunities to attend camp, visit museums and take part in educational field trips. To date, UWNCM has distributed almost $2 million in DESE grant funds to local nonprofit organizations, public school systems and municipalities. The Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts received a DESE grant to support their summer camp programs. 'We are grateful to the United Way of North Central Massachusetts for their support of our Community-Based Programs,' said CEO Theresa Lynn. 'This funding allows us to bring the Girl Scout experience to girls who might not otherwise have access. From exploring creativity and wellbeing through Joy in Art & Nature, to building confidence in STEAM and social media literacy, and promoting wellness through Your Best You, these programs empower girls. We're thrilled to launch these opportunities this summer, thanks to the United Way of North Central Massachusetts.' Judy Tomlinson, UWNCM director of community impact, emphasized the importance of these investments. 'Funding local nonprofit organizations is an investment in our communities. These organizations are often on the front lines, addressing urgent needs and creating lasting impact where it matters most. Supporting them means empowering local solutions and strengthening the social fabric around us.' The United Way of North Central Massachusetts serves the communities of Ashburnham, Ashby, Athol, Ayer, Devens, Fitchburg, Gardner, Groton, Harvard, Hubbardston, Leominster, Littleton, Pepperell, Lunenburg, Petersham, Phillipston, Royalston, Shirley, Templeton, Townsend, Westminster and Winchendon. This story was created by reporter Beth McDermott, bmcdermott1@ with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at This article originally appeared on Gardner News: United Way funds 38 agencies to support kids, housing and more
Fox News
an hour ago
- Fox News
Christian coffee shop owner helping homeless faces protests in far-left city
Print Close By Kristine Parks Published July 15, 2025 Jamie Sanchez has felt a calling to serve the homeless ever since he was a child. But he never imagined that following that calling would lead to him being labeled a bigot. "It was really strange, actually, because we all of a sudden started getting like messages on Instagram about how we hate gay people and just like random comments like that," Sanchez told Fox News Digital. "And come to find out there was like an organized group ready to protest the opening of our café before we even open. We did some digging, and we found out it was strictly because we were Christian." Sanchez is the owner of The Drip Café in Denver, located in the Art District on Santa Fe Drive. He also runs a homeless ministry called "Recycle God's Love," that he started in 2012 with his late wife, Carolyn, who died from cancer in 2018. What began as a small group offering Bible studies and meals to the homeless has grown into a widespread community initiative, involving churches, local businesses, and volunteers, providing hundreds of people with everything from haircuts to food to clothing and housing. "Over the years, it has just grown into just an amazing community of believers and people who really have a heart to help people who are in need and to do it selflessly," Sanchez told Fox News Digital. SEATTLE PASTOR DETAILS WILD SCENE AFTER WORSHIP EVENT 'SWARMED' BY PROTESTERS In 2022, Sanchez took the ministry a step further by launching "Project Revive," a faith-based initiative designed to support homeless individuals seeking to rebuild their lives. The program helps the homeless access housing, transportation, identification, addiction counseling, and jobs — grounded in Christian discipleship. As part of this mission, Sanchez opened The Drip Café the next year. It's a regular coffee shop that also hires and mentors individuals who have completed the ministry's program, and are sober and ready to reintegrate into the workforce. "We've had a few people go through the project so far, and it's been very successful," he said. However, even before The Drip Café opened its doors, Sanchez says they began receiving social media messages accusing the café of being anti-gay. On the opening day, protesters, organized by a local group called the Denver Communists, held signs and passed out flyers accusing the coffee shop of being run by a "right-wing church" that hated those in the LGBTQ community. "I was in shock," Sanchez recalled. "Our whole purpose opening the café was to serve the homeless community and help people get off the street, change their lives. And here we got a group who just hates us because we're doing that, and we're Christian." COLORADO CHRISTIAN SUMMER CAMP SUES STATE FOR REQUIRING ACCESS TO GENDER IDENTITY-FRIENDLY FACILITIES The group objected to Recycle God's Love calling homosexuality a sin in its mission statement. They protested outside the café every weekend initially. Now, about 10–20 people protest outside their shop every first Friday of the month during the area's art walk event. Despite attempts to engage with them peacefully, Sanchez says he's been met mostly with silence or shouting. He said protesters followed two elderly women into the store one time and screamed at a blind Christian DJ on another occasion. "Here's this group trying to act inclusive, and they are harassing a Black blind guy in front of my café because he's Christian," he said. SEATTLE COFFEE SHOP OWNER WHO HAD CITY EVENT CANCELED BY LGBTQ BACKLASH DEFENDS HIS FAITH His property has been vandalized, windows broken and "Keep Santa Fe Gay" stickers have been left on windows and mirrors. Recently, a spray-painted image of a KKK member hanging was left on the café's front door. The Christian shop owner maintains he harbors no hatred toward the protesters. He sees the backlash as part of a spiritual battle. After finding no help from local authorities, he and his team chose to hold live worship music in the café every first Friday to help "drown out" the commotion outside. "I love them even though they don't believe me and I've never shown anything but love to them and that's why the only pictures they have of me is praying for them," he told Fox News Digital. "I understand that they feel like they are having an identity crisis, and they might feel hopeless and lost and the only way to rectify that feeling is through the Son of God who is Jesus Christ." The Denver Communists told Fox News Digital they were not protesting the café strictly because it is Christian, but because of its religious beliefs on sexuality. "There are plenty of Christian denominations that don't share their bigoted view, such as the ELCA [Evangelical Lutheran Church in America] and we've been joined by pastors and many Christians in our protests. Since then Drip has doubled down on its homophobic position," a spokesperson for the group said. "Jamie and his bigoted coffee shop don't have a monopoly on Christianity, but he sure is willing to try and profit off of it." The communists say they view the protests as part of a "broader struggle" against forces like the Trump administration, which they say is attacking LGBTQ+ rights. "We may not succeed in running the Drip out of town before the end of its lease, but that is ultimately irrelevant. The protests against the hate-café are serving as a training ground for new queer-rights activists, the message of queer liberation is being spread, and our ultimate victory, while delayed, is inevitable," the group wrote in a blog post shared with Fox News Digital. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The group also claimed Sanchez was affiliated with neo-Nazis and said they'd been subjected to slurs and threats by staff, which Sanchez adamantly denied. He disavowed any hate shown to the protesters by others outside his café and claimed the communists had spread lies about him and his shop. "The communists have told me I'm not welcome, told me to kill myself, and my response is, 'I love you, and you are welcome to come in peacefully.' We have offered them free coffee and food on cold days," he told Fox News Digital. "It's very silly of them to say I am part of a Nazi group, considering I am a brown-skinned Hispanic." Print Close URL
