Latest news with #AndyWilson
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
DeWine announces Ohio Missing Persons Working Group recommendations
Jun. 11—COLUMBUS — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson recently announced more than a dozen recommendations from the Ohio Missing Persons Working Group to improve the efficiency of missing persons investigations in Ohio. DeWine created the working group in January to examine the complexities of missing persons cases, the roadblocks encountered by law enforcement, and the struggles faced by families with missing loved ones. "Thousands of children and adults are reported missing each year, and although most are located quickly, some simply vanish, leaving anguished families behind and adding to law enforcement's growing caseload," said DeWine. "The goal of this working group was to identify what more we could do as a state to help law enforcement bring more missing people home and support family members during a time of great despair." Members of the working group, including law enforcement, advocates, family members, and educators, recommended 18 areas of improvement around the issues of information sharing between law enforcement agencies, communication between family members and investigators, continued professional training, public education, and advocacy. Working group members suggested several changes to Ohio law, including the strengthening of penalties for those who interfere with custody, the addition of Endangered Missing Child Alerts to the Ohio Revised Code, and the ability for law enforcement to more easily access information such as phone and social media records in circumstances where a missing person is believed to be at risk. Other recommendations aim to ease the burden on family members by breaking down communication barriers with law enforcement, providing easier access to resources, and engaging advocates to support families of children who repeatedly disappear. "The testimony from family members of missing persons was particularly impactful, and the working group acknowledges the grief, loss, and trauma they've experienced," said Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson, who chaired the working group. "The pain and frustration expressed to the working group were real and readily apparent. The efforts of this working group aim to bring some level of relief, justice, or closure to those across the state who have experienced the loss associated with a missing family member. " DeWine has ordered several cabinet agencies to carry out multiple recommendations, including: —The Ohio State Highway Patrol within the Ohio Department of Public Safety will automate the process of notifying specific law enforcement agencies of Endangered Missing Child Alerts. —The Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board within the Department of Public Safety's Office of Criminal Justice Services will create a law enforcement best practices guide on interacting with family members of missing persons. —The Office of Criminal Justice Services will expand the Ohio Prisoner Extradition Reimbursement Program to include interference with custody cases. —The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the Ohio Department of Health will develop continued professional training to further educate the healthcare industry on law enforcement exemptions to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. —The Ohio Department of Children and Youth, Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, and others will work with local law enforcement to develop a pilot program that utilizes advocates to support at-risk youth who regularly leave their homes or group home settings. DeWine also announced that, in response to a recommendation from the working group, he is contacting the U.S. Attorney General's Office to alert them to deficiencies in data sharing between local, state, and federal databases. Further recommendations were made to the Ohio Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). BCI's Missing Persons Unit is the state authority on missing persons investigations and can assist local law enforcement agencies on request. Suggestions for BCI include the creation of a central repository of resources for families and investigators, the launch of an annual missing persons conference, and the establishment of a confidential forum for law enforcement to discuss investigative techniques and perform case reviews. You Might Like News Area students named to OU's Spring 2025 President's List News DeWine, mental health leaders unveil 988 license plate News Concert series returns Tuesday night News Proctorville woman killed in WV crash
The Sun
01-06-2025
- General
- The Sun
I'm a proud gay gypsy – I was shunned for breaking traveller ‘rules' but here's why I'll never turn my back on community
LEAVING school young and putting on a huge, no-expense spared extravagant wedding usually go hand in hand in a traveller's life. Except for Jessie Jeff, 33, who has totally bucked the trend and is the exact opposite of what you'd expect of a man born and raised within the Romany Gypsy community. He's openly gay, marrying electrician husband Andy Wilson, 30, in 2022, and the couple even adopted four children under the age of ten two years ago. Being gay is still deemed unacceptable among some in the traveller community and when Jessie first 'came out' he was estranged from his mum for three months - one relative even refused to share a cup with him in case he 'caught being gay'. Jessie, who lives with his family in a detached four-bedroom house in Bournemouth, says: 'Nobody believes me when I say I'm a traveller. I've turned it all upside down. It hasn't been easy, when I came out as gay, my mother couldn't cope, and we stopped seeing each other for a while. 'In some traveller communities, gay men are still forced into marrying a woman. Thankfully, she's come round now and even lives with us, but it took time. 'I haven't turned my back on the gypsy community. You can't. I always compare it to being born into the Royal Family. It's your heritage." Jessie's life now is a far cry from what those around him expected it to be. Men like him usually follow a set path when it comes to work and relationships. "It was ingrained in me that I'd leave school and start working in a physical job, such as roofing or being a tree surgeon," he says. "Instead, I'm university educated and work as a paramedic. "I should have married young to a woman from the gypsy community. My wife would stay at home, while I provided for her. 'I don't know a single other professional, gay traveller who's adopted children – it's vanishingly rare.' Fighting the truth Jessie's mum lived in the Piddlehinton traveller community near Dorchester in Dorset when he was born and he spent his early years there until she got a house – though he still spent most of his time on the site at his grandfather's caravan. 'I loved it in many ways,' he remembers. 'I was the youngest of three brothers and there were loads of other children, so we always had people to play with – running around, climbing trees, fixing cars and eating our meals by the campfire. 'The site back then was spick and span, there were 12 pitches, and we all knew each other – there was a very community atmosphere. The kids could play out until all hours and I remember the grown-ups sitting outside drinking beer, with my grandfather whittling flowers out of old pieces of wood. 'We learnt life skills early on – I could drive by the age of 12. 'But in other ways it was hard. I was bullied once I left primary school and called 'gypo'. I realised then that I was different, that other families didn't live on caravan sites, and they ate their meals at a table, not round the fire. And I was dismissed by teachers, who thought it was barely worth teaching me as I'd leave and work in manual labour.' And Jessie tried to fight the truth that he was gay. He says: 'In the traveller world it's all about being macho and finding a girlfriend within the community at an early age. It's almost arranged, when I was 12 I was set up with a girl from our community and even then I had to talk to her father before I was allowed to date her. 'When they ended up leaving the site a year later I was so relieved as I didn't want to marry her – though I pretended to be devastated as that was expected of me.' 5 5 Jessie left school at 16 with no qualifications, but he was determined to become a paramedic, after helping to care for his grandfather. He did a public service course at a local college and then did an access course to get into university and complete a paramedic degree. He says: 'It was almost unheard of to go to university – a lot of the community struggle to read or write – let alone get a degree.' It was when he was 21 and met Andy through their hospital work that he finally came out to his family – telling his aunt who told his mum for him. He says: 'It was a really difficult time, I felt rejected by so many people, the public hated gypsies and my own community was homophobic, they saw being gay as a mental illness. 'My mum started talking to me again after three months, but it was two years before she fully accepted Andy. She now lives with us and is so proud. When I graduated she bought a cake the size of a table in the shape of an ambulance!' Jessie has worked his way up as a paramedic, he works for the NHS but also for private companies, both as a flight paramedic – where you supervise ill or injured people flying home from abroad – and at private events, he goes to the Chelsea Flower Show and Wimbledon for his job. 'I still find it amazing that I'd be the one that helped royalty if they got ill at one of those events,' says Jessie. A closer look at gypsy traditions HERE we take a look at some of the traditions many gypsies follow... Family-Centric Living: The family is the cornerstone of Romani life, with extended families often living close to one another. Elders are highly respected and play a crucial role in decision-making and maintaining cultural traditions. Nomadic Heritage: Many Gypsy communities maintain a semi-nomadic lifestyle, moving seasonally to find work or attend cultural gatherings. This tradition is deeply rooted in their history and identity. Distinctive Décor: Romani homes, whether they are caravans or fixed abodes, are often brightly decorated with vibrant colours and intricate patterns. These decorations reflect their rich cultural heritage and love for beauty. Communal Gatherings: Social gatherings are a significant part of Gypsy life. Celebrations, such as weddings and religious festivals, are grand affairs involving music, dance, and feasting, often stretching over several days. Spiritual Practices: Many Gypsy families incorporate a blend of Christian beliefs and traditional spiritual practices. Homes may feature religious icons and amulets believed to offer protection and bring good fortune. Craftsmanship and Artistry: Romani people are renowned for their craftsmanship, particularly in metalwork, woodwork, and textiles. These skills are often passed down through generations and are a source of both pride and livelihood. Hospitality: Hospitality is a valued tradition. Guests are treated with great respect and generosity, often being offered the best food and drink available as a sign of honour and goodwill. Sharing Stories: Storytelling is a vital part of Romani culture, preserving history, morals, and lessons through generations. Elders often share tales that are both entertaining and educational. And he and Andy are settled in their marriage – they got married in a registry office, once more bucking the gypsy trend of having an enormous wedding with hundreds of guests – and then had a further celebration in Cyprus in September 2022 with only 60 guests. Andy says: 'I've been to big weddings and funerals. My grandfather's funeral was huge, there were three or four lorry loads of flowers, including a huge flower arrangement of his dog and the gates to heaven. "His coffin went in a horse and cart around the whole of Dorchester and hundreds of people came. It was wonderful but not the sort of occasion we wanted for our wedding.' The icing on the cake of his new life was adopting his four children after a lengthy process. 5 Jessie explains: 'We were desperate for a family and started the process when I was 29. It's a lengthy process and very intrusive but it was worth it. 'I adore my children and despite struggling with some aspects of the traveller life, I'm keen that they know all about their heritage. Traveller communities have a terrible reputation; people accuse them of all sorts from theft to fly tipping. 'But in my experience genuine traditional travellers have good family values and an amazing sense of community. "I've bought a caravan and we go on trips every holiday and half term and I'll be taking them to the Appleby Fair – the highlight of the gypsy social calendar, where thousands of gypsies converge to trade horses and socialise. 'I'm a proud gypsy boy with a difference.'
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Group releases recommendations for improving missing person case investigations in Ohio
(WKBN) – After months of meetings, the Missing Persons Working Group has released a report of recommendations for improvements when investigating missing persons cases. Chaired by Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson, the group includes law enforcement professionals, as well as those who work in social services and family members of those who have been reported missing. Jeff Allen, chief deputy at the Mahoning County Sheriff's Office, was also part of the group. 'Thousands of children and adults are reported missing each year, and although most are located quickly, some simply vanish, leaving anguished families behind and adding to law enforcement's growing caseload,' said Governor Mike DeWine. 'The goal of this working group was to identify what more we could do as a state to help law enforcement bring more missing people home and support family members during a time of great despair.' Last year, 21,342 people were reported missing in Ohio, including 16,404 children. The 2024 Ohio Missing Children Clearinghouse Report details 239 children reported missing in Trumbull County, 639 in Mahoning County and 55 in Columbiana County. While over 96% of the missing children were found, the number of children who have not been located over the years continues to grow, according to the Missing Persons Working Group's report. Currently, the Ohio Attorney General's Missing Persons Database lists more than 800 missing children, including some who haven't been seen for decades. The database also lists approximately 350 missing adults. Among recommendations made by the Missing Persons Working Group were that improvements need to be made to the missing alert systems for children. The group recommended codifying criteria for the state's Endangered Missing Child Alert, as well as having the Ohio State Highway Patrol work with BCI to create an automatic process to notify necessary law enforcement agencies of these alerts. The Endangered Missing Child Alert was created for cases in which a child is considered at risk if not found quickly but the circumstances of the disappearance do not meet the statutory mandates for an AMBER Alert. Last year, just 13 AMBER Alerts were issued across the state. During their discussions, working group members learned that the process to activate an Endangered Missing Child Alert is not automated, in contrast to similar alerts issued in Ohio. For an AMBER Alert or Endangered Missing Adult Alert to be activated, law enforcement must enter the missing person's information into LEADS, which automatically triggers a notification to necessary law enforcement partners. However, when a child who could be classified as an endangered missing child is reported missing, local law enforcement must call BCI to request an Endangered Missing Child Alert. As such, many alerts are issued later or not at all. DeWine has ordered several cabinet agencies to carry out automating the Endangered Missing Child Alerts as well as the other following recommendations: The Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board within the Department of Public Safety's Office of Criminal Justice Services will create a law enforcement best practices guide on interacting with family members of missing persons. The Office of Criminal Justice Services will expand the Ohio Prisoner Extradition Reimbursement Program to include interference with custody cases. The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and the Ohio Department of Health will develop continued professional training to further educate the healthcare industry on law enforcement exemptions to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. The Ohio Department of Children and Youth, Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, and others will work with local law enforcement to develop a pilot program that utilizes advocates to support at-risk youth who regularly leave their homes or group home settings. In its recommendations, the group also called on the Ohio General Assembly to create legislation allowing law enforcement and prosecutors to seek search warrants to gather information that may help them locate a high-risk missing person, as well as legislation to increase the criminal penalty for those who interfere with custody of a child by moving them out of the state. The full report including those recommendations and others is available here. DeWine also announced that in response to a recommendation from the working group, he is contacting the U.S. Attorney General's Office to alert them to deficiencies in data sharing between local, state and federal databases. Further recommendations were made to the Ohio Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) to include the creation of a central repository of resources for families and investigators, the launch of an annual missing persons conference and the establishment of a confidential forum for law enforcement to discuss investigative techniques and perform case reviews. 'The testimony from family members of missing persons was particularly impactful, and the working group acknowledges the grief, loss, and trauma they've experienced,' said Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson. 'The pain and frustration expressed to the working group were real and readily apparent. The efforts of this working group aim to bring some level of relief, justice, or closure to those across the state who have experienced the loss associated with a missing family member. ' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
BBC News
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Photographer captures array of wildlife in Cornish gardens
Andy Wilson has worked at the Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall for 11 years and as well as his role as head of restoration he is a talented wildlife stunning photography at the Cornish estate is the focus of a new exhibition at the gardens - showcasing the site's foxes to owls, pheasants to woodpeckers, Mr Wilson has captured an array of wildlife - using hides he built himself to get the spends hours waiting to catch creatures on camera but said he was pleased to have his work recognised. Mr Wilson said: "I'm chuffed to have my pictures exhibited at Heligan, photography is something I do because I love it but it's great to have this recognition of my work."Unless they're very lucky, Heligan visitors don't often get to see wildlife on the estate so this is a fantastic way for them to see the biodiversity of the site without having to wait patiently for hours in hides."The exhibition, called 200 Acres, is in an outdoor space on Heligan's west lawn. During his time working at the gardens, Mr Wilson has built up an "incredible knowledge" of the estate and its ecosystem, a spokesperson monitors wildlife movements using static, motion-activated cameras which alert him when wildlife is nearby – and then spends time outside his working day in hides to capture the shots, they Wilson has travelled all over the world photographing wildlife - including brown bears in said his favourite animal to photograph at Heligan was the fox.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
McNally Capital Invests in Quiet Professionals, LLC
Strategic Investment in Quiet Professionals to Drive Next-Phase Growth in National Security Sector CHICAGO, May 21, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--McNally Capital, a private equity firm specializing in acquiring founder-, family-, and management-owned businesses in the lower middle market, is pleased to announce its late 2024 investment in Quiet Professionals, LLC, a leading provider of advanced technology and intelligence solutions for the U.S. national security community. McNally Capital partnered with Nio Advisors, LLC, in the acquisition of Quiet Professionals. Quiet Professionals' strong track record and mission-focused approach align well with McNally's investment strategy, extensive relationships in the national security sector, and proven approach to scaling mission-driven businesses. The partnership is expected to drive organic and inorganic growth, enabling Quiet Professionals to expand its capabilities and enhance support for the evolving Special Operations (SOF) community. Quiet Professionals, founded in 2013 by Andrew "Andy" Wilson, is a Tampa, Florida-based defense contractor known for its work in big data analytics, cybersecurity, machine learning, and geospatial intelligence for government clients. The company delivers elite talent and cutting-edge solutions to the Department of Defense and the intelligence community, with core services ranging from operational mission support and cloud services to open-source intelligence analysis. Quiet Professionals recently garnered industry attention by securing a $64.7 million U.S. Marine Corps contract to provide technical support for an intelligence system, bolstering its reputation as a mission-critical partner to the military. "Partnering with Quiet Professionals as a platform allows and encourages the business to invest significantly in new capabilities and capitalize on supporting the company in the evolving SOF and national security mission as a true mission partner," said Michael Ember, Principal at McNally Capital. "Our deep experience in the national security sector and history of partnering with founders enabled an ideal partnership with Andy and his team. We look forward to supporting the company and mission with unparalleled placement, access, and capital." Andy Wilson, Quiet Professionals' Founder and CEO, welcomed the partnership: "McNally Capital's investment is a game-changer for Quiet Professionals. We chose McNally because they understand our mission and have a proven track record of scaling companies like ours. With McNally's support, we'll be able to invest more in our people, products, and R&D and deliver even greater value to our customers and partners. My team of quiet professionals is ready and excited to take the company to new heights, continuing our unwavering support to those who protect our nation." Under the new partnership, Quiet Professionals will continue to operate under the leadership of Andy Wilson and its current management team. McNally Capital will bring additional resources and strategic guidance through its network of industry experts. The investment will enable Quiet Professionals to pursue strategic growth initiatives – such as developing next-generation analytics and AI tools, expanding service offerings, and potentially acquiring complementary businesses – to better serve the rapidly evolving needs of the defense and intelligence communities. About McNally Capital McNally Capital is a private equity firm based in Chicago, Illinois. The Firm is currently investing out of its committed buyout fund, McNally Capital Fund III, LP. The Firm pursues thesis-driven buyout investments in the lower middle market across two primary industries: Aerospace & Defense and Industrial Technology & Services. McNally Capital seeks to apply its hands-on experience, institutional capabilities, and proprietary value creation framework to its portfolio companies to benefit management teams in their next phase of growth and build value for McNally Capital's investors. Ward McNally, Co-CEO & Managing Partner, founded the firm in 2008. He is a sixth-generation member of the McNally family, which proudly owned and operated Rand McNally & Company for nearly 150 years until its sale in 1997. We believe these roots provide a deep appreciation of building and scaling companies that shape industries and endure for generations. This experience drove the Firm to invest capital into founder-, family-, and management-led businesses in the lower middle market on behalf of investors, with the goal of preserving legacies while capitalizing on possibilities. Today, the Firm consists of 20 team members dedicated to navigating transformation and growth for its portfolio companies through a rigorous, repeatable, and scalable value creation process. For more information, please visit About Quiet Professionals Quiet Professionals delivers cutting-edge technology and services to the SOF community and other key defense and national security partners. Its innovative solutions enable mission success and enhance operational readiness. For more information, please visit View source version on Contacts Nicole M. Henderson, Head of Fundraising & Investor Relations(312) 757-5158nhenderson@ Tyler Ashley, Head of Business Development(312) 767-2511tashley@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
