Latest news with #Colvin
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Yahoo
Parents face possible arrest, steep fines in military town's tough new approach to combat youth crime
To curb rising youth violence, city leaders in Fayetteville, North Carolina, are implementing a new citywide curfew for minors. Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin told Fox News Digital that the city recorded nearly 2,000 incidents of interaction or arrest involving minors over about a 16-month period. "We looked at the last couple of quarters of the previous year, and then the first two quarters of this year, and it was almost 1,900 incidents of arrest or crimes that had been committed by juveniles. And so… we know we have a problem there, and we want to make sure that we're proactive to deal with it," Colvin said. With the new ordinance, kids under 16 are prohibited from being in any public space between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m., with some exceptions, including those who are accompanied by parents or guardians or another authorized adult escort, running direct-route errands, traveling to and from work, responding to emergencies, attending supervised activities such as sports or school events, and participating in religious services. Jersey Shore Boardwalk Mayhem Puts Blue State's 'Soft' Crime Approach Under Microscope Fayetteville is home to Fort Bragg, known briefly as Fort Liberty, the largest U.S. Army base by population. As of this week, the city is still in an "educational" period in which those who violate the curfew will be informed of the new rules, but punishments such as citations and detentions may occur as time goes on. Read On The Fox News App Adults 17 and up, including parents and business owners, who are responsible for youths found to be in violation of the curfew may face a Class 3 misdemeanor charge and a maximum fine of $500. North Carolina Couple Nabbed After Deputies Find Enough Fentanyl To 'Potentially Kill 13,000 People': Police "Right now, the way that the ordinance is set up… all of our punitive actions will take place against the parents. Whoever the responsible party is – the custodian of that kid – will be issued citations and possibly subject to fines and maybe arrest in certain cases of repeated violations," Colvin said. "And we're going to let them know that there are judicial consequences to inaction." Colvin brought up one incident in particular that happened earlier this year, when a 12-year-old girl named Adrianna Bethea was shot at a carnival in March, according to the Fayetteville Police Department and the mayor's office. The young cheerleader was transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition and is fighting to walk again after she was shot in the back and the chest, according to Cbs 17. No arrests have been made in connection with the shooting so far. "A group of kids got into an altercation, and a gun was pulled, and a young lady was shot, and she's paralyzed," Colvin said. "That spoke volumes to me. I knew her family, and it really made me angry. I'm a father of three daughters, and I've taken my kids to carnivals. I just think that our citizens deserve firm action." Spring Break Crime Plummeted In Florida Hot Spot After Warning Goes Viral The mayor's office introduced five new safety recommendations in April following the shooting, including the youth curfew, and the Fayetteville City Council – on which Colvin served four years before becoming mayor – adopted all of them. Two city council members, Deno Hondros and Mario Benavente, voted against the curfew. They did not respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Virginia Town Backs Away From Dissolving Police Department After Citizen Uproar Other cities have implemented similar youth curfews, including Charlotte, North Carolina's largest city. Colvin said Fayetteville's curfew model is based on Charlotte's. In addition to the curfew, Fayetteville expanded youth recreational activities "and partnerships with organizations who were already doing mentorship-type activities," the mayor said. He brought up a new youth "midnight" basketball program, which does not actually take place until midnight but was extended to later hours. Certain youth centers will also be expanding the activities they offer, according to Colvin. Nc Police Release New Photo Of Missing Girl Madalina Cojocari On Her 14Th Birthday A new chief will join the Fayetteville Police Department next week, and Colvin expects the department head to help implement the new ordinance. "I'm certain that they will make sure that they are presenting a professional response to it. They're training their officers as to the terms and conditions of what their role will be. They're setting up the partnerships that are necessary because the city can't do this alone. We'll need social service, we'll need juvenile justice, and we need the other governmental units that have a role in this space. This is an ecosystem. That we all have to work in to create a safer, better environment for our young people."Original article source: Parents face possible arrest, steep fines in military town's tough new approach to combat youth crime
Perth Now
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Reason housing crisis could get worse
More than 1000 homes have been left uninhabitable by devastating floods on the NSW Mid-North Coast, a report has found, amid fears the climate crisis could put millions more at risk. The report by the Housing, Homelessness, and Disasters National Symposium last week found 1153 homes were left uninhabitable by the floods. Another 1831 homes were damaged. Some 23,000 Australians are displaced by floods, bushfires, and cyclones each year, with the report finding 5.6 million homes are at risk from bushfires as climate impacts accelerate. Homeless Australia CEO Kate Colvin said as climate disasters become more regular, there was a risk of a 'two-tiered society' in which housing security determined disaster survival. 'There is a gap between people who are best able to protect themselves and people who are least able to,' she said. Ms Colvin said renters were often limited to cheaper properties in more flood-prone areas and were less resilient to climate-related disasters, compared with higher-income earners. Renters also often had less access to government support and faced a 'superheated' rental market. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Taree following the 2025 floods. Dean Lewins/POOL/ NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia 'They can't compete because all those people who had insurance often also get a special payments system to afford rent during the time when their home is not available,' Ms Colvin said. 'They then can't get a rental because you've got this superheated market, so you have another wave of homelessness just because of the housing market impact'. Ms Colvin called on the federal government to make renters or people facing homelessness a priority in future disaster responses, and include disaster resilience in its 10-year housing plan. 'In the planning phase, include the homelessness sector, include strategies around housing resilience … (and) in the response phase, be inclusive of people who are facing homelessness.' The symposium brought together more than 100 professionals across the housing, emergency management, and governmental sectors to examine how 'secondary crises' affect NSW. Factors included the prevalence of construction workers who flood disaster zones in the wake of climate events, inadvertently driving up rents for already struggling locals. The symposium found that in Australia, some 953,000 homes were vulnerable to flooding and 17,500 were at threat from coastal erosion, with 169,000 people on the public housing list. HowWeSurvive UNSW Sydney academic and co-author of the symposium report, Dr Timothy Heffernan, said climate disasters were already hitting 'housing-vulnerable' communities. At least 1153 homes were left uninhabitable by the floods on the Mid North Coast. NewsWire / Glenn Campbell Credit: News Corp Australia 'When you have 6.5 million homes at risk from bushfires, floods or coastal erosion, and a housing system that can't meet demand, every disaster becomes a humanitarian crisis,' he said. 'Hotels and motels fill up immediately, caravan parks are often in flood-prone areas … We're asking an already strained system to absorb sudden surges of thousands of displaced people.' Social Futures general manager Martelle Geurts said the Northern Rivers housing system was 'already fragile' when it was hit by the 2022 flood disaster, damaging more than 10,000 homes. Despite extensive recovery efforts, the Northern Rivers accounted for about a third of rough sleepers in NSW in 2025. The most recent NSW Street Count - an annual audit of people facing homelessness - found 346 people sleeping rough in the City of Sydney. In the Northern Rivers, there were 654 people. 'Climate events are becoming more frequent and severe, and they destroy homes. So, climate change and homelessness are inextricably linked,' Ms Geurts said. 'People can't recover without stable housing. 'Disasters displace people and can cause lasting trauma. Some people experience PTSD, and the impact of that can be lifelong. 'What we know is that people can't recover psychologically unless they have a secure place to live.'
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin says he won't seek reelection: 'This chapter closes'
The city of Fayetteville's mayor won't run for reelection this year, but he isn't ruling out returning to politics in the future. 'I believe life has seasons. I've been fortunate to be able to do some incredible things over the last eight years and serving a total of 12 years,' Mayor Mitch Colvin told The Fayetteville Observer on June 12. 'I just think that maybe this chapter closes, and I want to spend some additional time with my family and my business.' Colvin, who is in his fourth term as mayor, has served as Fayetteville's leader since 2017 and is the city's longest-serving Black mayor. Before his 2017 election, Colvin served two consecutive terms on the City Council. Colvin first represented District 3 and later was mayor pro tem. Even though he is leaving the office, Colvin gave the next mayor advice on their approach to the position. 'I think it's critical that the city continues to think forward and make decisions that are strategic and placing the city in a good position down the road,' he said. 'Where do we want to be as a community in 2050? I hope the new mayor will have had that vision and that mindset.' Those who have announced their intention to run in the mayoral election include Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Jensen; City Council member Mario Benavente, who represents District 3; and business owner and previous mayoral candidate Freddie de la Cruz. The filing period for Fayetteville's nonpartisan mayoral race is from noon July 7 to noon July 18. The primary election is set for Oct. 7 and the general election is Nov. 4. The mayor said after his term is over, he will look forward to assisting the Fayetteville community in a new way. 'Right now, my plan is just to spend time with my beautiful wife and family. To work on my business and to continue to make this community a better place in whatever capacity that is, whether it's civic or otherwise,' he said. 'I'm still in the fight, I just think that this particular chapter is closing, and I'm going to work hard through the end of this term.' Colvin said when it comes to future political aspirations, 'Never say never.' 'I don't have any immediate plans, but I'm not closing the door to any future opportunities.' As mayor, Colvin focused on economic development, jobs and infrastructure led to a number of important efforts to better the city, according to a news release. Some of Colvin's achievements while in office include: Bringing more than $1.4 billion in new investments and over 5,000 new jobs to the city. The completion of Segra Stadium and the introduction of the Fayetteville Woodpeckers. Introducing the $5 million 'Can Do Performance Finance Program' to help entrepreneurs scale and grow their businesses, with more than $400,000 already awarded. Initiating plans for Fayetteville's new innovation districts to help develop and build small and minority-owned businesses in the area. Securing a $97 million bond package to fund projects in public safety, public infrastructure and housing. Public safety reporter Joseph Pierre can be reached at jpierre@ This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fayetteville Mayor Mitch Colvin says he won't run for reelection
Chicago Tribune
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Review: ‘She Who Dared' lovingly fact-checks civil rights history
At what point does history become hagiography? Composer Jasmine Barnes and librettist Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton tackle that question in 'She Who Dared,' Chicago Opera Theater's world-premiere retelling of the 1950s Montgomery bus boycotts—the real story, that is. It also may be making history itself: COT has advertised 'She Who Dared' as the first professionally staged opera written by two Black women. As we're reminded — or taught — more or less immediately in the opera, 15-year-old Claudette Colvin (soprano Jasmine Habersham), brainy and brash in equal measure, was actually the first arrested for refusing to give up her seat to white bus riders, in 1955. But local activists decided she was too risky to prop up as a martyr. Colvin (by then also pregnant) was too young, too untested, too dark. Instead, the boycott coalesced around Rosa Parks (soprano Jacqueline Echols), a light-skinned seamstress respected by Black and white Montgomery residents alike. 'Let the flame burn like Claudette, but keep it inside,' activists sing to Parks at one point in the opera. The movement's dismissal of Colvin — still very much alive, at 85 — in favor of Parks is usually a one-liner in history books, if that. 'She Who Dared' elevates it to the status of a secondary conflict, using the decision as a cipher to address colorism, classism, sexism, and other stigmas within the movement. Quite like last month's fabulous 'Treemonisha: A Musical Reimagining' at Harris Theater, 'She Who Dared' ends up being not just a history lesson but a trenchant satire of respectability politics. While its thesis is serious, the opera manages to strike a consciously light-hearted tone without making light of its subject matter. The opening to Act 2 is just as biting as it is amusing, with Echols, as Parks, hammily cavorting around Montgomery. At one point, a police officer tips his hat and offers Parks the crook of his arm. The opera's principals further represent the nuance of the movement in Montgomery. Susie McDonald (mezzo-soprano Leah Dexter) is a wealthy, white-passing widow; she was in her 70s at the time she was arrested. We follow Jeanetta Reese (mezzo-soprano Cierra Byrd) — an original plaintiff in Browder v. Gayle, the resulting 1956 Supreme Court ruling striking down segregation on public transportation — as she decides, agonizingly, to withdraw from the case, representing those who stepped away from activism out of fear for their lives. 'She Who Dared' is already strong, but it's further vaulted by COT's strong cast. Habersham's explosive, easily combustible soprano captures Colvin's fire. Like Parks herself, Echols is a master of reserve and release, stoking her big Act 2 aria like a slow burn. As McDonald, Dexter is pointed and iridescent. Meanwhile, Byrd's wide dramatic palette and flexible voice make the most of thankless roles as the movement's deserter and Montgomery's white power brokers. Filling out the cast were mezzo-soprano Chrystal E. Williams, bringing poise and chutzpah to the role of Aurelia Browder, Browder v. Gayle's lead plaintiff; lightning-bright soprano Lindsey Reynolds, another singer with local credits, as Mary Louise Smith, another young voice in the boycotts; and mezzo-soprano Deborah Nansteel as Jo Ann Robinson, a calm anchor through the opera's storms. Barnes has already marked herself as a composer to watch at other city institutions like the Chicago Symphony and Ravinia. In her first evening-length opera, she's already a natural, grazing gospel, tango and even klezmer in an ever-lively orchestration, guided with lyricism and grace by pit conductor Michael Ellis Ingram. Whether crackling with humor or invoking prayer, Mouton's text says what it means — not a subtle libretto, but one which drives the action forward well. In a marked improvement over October's 'Leonora,' 'She Who Dared's' set, designed by Junghyun Georgia Lee, was a stirring example of minimalism done right. Its centerpiece is a faithful rendering of a 1950s Montgomery bus, rotated by stagehands dressed as repairmen. Likewise, Yvonne L. Miranda's costuming embraces the show's scale, rather than working against it. In some scenes, characters donned just one extra piece of clothing to temporarily step into another role: a suit jacket to turn Robinson into Fred Gray, the boycotters' attorney, or a hat, shades and nightstick to turn Reese into a Montgomery city cop. It gave the opera the feel of reminiscing among friends — an appealing and deft way to handle historical retelling. Timothy Douglas's insightful direction supported this reading, squeezing as much characterization as possible out of the seven principals while keeping the action buoyant. The opera needs some TLC to land its ending. 'She Who Dared' loses its narrative drive in the final two scenes, defaulting to platitudes ('We brought a movement to Montgomery!') and cloying tunes. After reenacting the initial district court trial — in which Colvin, Browder, McDonald and Smith testified—the opera skims over the Supreme Court decision upholding the ruling. But it was that court which ended the boycott and desegregated public transit systems nationwide, not the district courts. (Plus, the appeal process alone almost doubled the length of the boycott — a significant sacrifice by the protestors.) That ending also evaded a darker coda to the bus boycotts, acknowledged in the show's comprehensive program notes: Black commuters faced vicious harassment once they resumed riding city buses. Some even maintained the old bus rules, just to avoid trouble. 'She Who Dared's' finale tries to nod at this, but it's too heavy-handed: The woman wait for the bus, then sing another number aboard it, noting there's 'so much change left to make.' A lighter touch would go further: boarding that bus, but acknowledging that we, to date, still don't know where it's going. Save a slightly racy account of Colvin's affair with an older man, 'She Who Dared' carries a kid-friendly approachability. In this political climate, that's an asset. I could see future stagings — and let's hope there's many more of those — inviting school groups to runs. With civil rights education under attack nationally, the arts are poised to step in, even as they wear new targets themselves. In fact, 'She Who Dared' itself received $30,000 from an NEA grant that has since been canceled. But general director Lawrence Edelson struck a note of defiance in his opening remarks on Friday, to cheers. 'We've already received the money,' he told the audience, 'and, as I've said before, they're not getting it back.' Hannah Edgar is a freelance critic. Review: 'She Who Dared' (3.5 stars) When: Through June 8 Where: Studebaker Theater in the Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave. Tickets: $60-$160 at
Courier-Mail
04-06-2025
- General
- Courier-Mail
Wagga, Taree previews: Southern Dancer eyes redemption
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Southern Dancer may only have one win to her name but trainer Gary Colvin is adamant her record should read much better. The three-year-old claimed a maiden win over 1175m at just her second start and has been placed in five of her next 11 starts. The latest of those placings was over 2050m at Wodonga 12 days ago when third to First Day when luck wasn't her friend. 'Southern Dancer is probably one of the unluckiest horses I've ever had,' said Colvin. 'She has had a lot of bad draws and no luck in a number of races. 'We went to Wodonga last start and she just got held up at a vital stage. 'With a 200m straight, it was too late when she got out but she hit the line full of running. 'Hopefully all the bad luck is behind her now.' The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here! The daughter of I Am Immortal steps out in the Benchmark 58 Handicap (2000m) which is a Heat of the Wagga Stayers Series with Blaike McDougall to again ride. 'Blaike rode her at Canberra a couple of starts back and said she will get over 2400m metres,' Colvin said. 'I'll just stick to the 2000 metres for now but I really like her. 'Back to a big track, I'm confident she will run really well.' In the same race, he also saddles up Kerma Art who is having his first go at the 2000m. 'He won a couple of races and is usually not too far away,' he said. 'He has been running up to a mile but he's a bit of a one-pacer so I thought I would try him over the 2000 metres and see what happens. 'He's no star but he should be thereabouts. Lightly-raced four-year-old Deflector has been very good in placing at her two runs this preparation and is a leading contender in the Maiden Plate (1300m). The daughter of Pride Of Dubai resumed with a third to Master Patrick in a Wagga Super Maiden over 1000m where she was held up early in the straight. She then finished a nose second to Sundrop over 1200m at Corowa 18 days later. 'She is coming along quite nicely and I expect her to go very well,' Colvin said. 'She is a typical Pride Of Dubai, taking a bit of time to mature but she is starting to it her straps now. She is getting better with every run. 'You like to see them continuing to come on and that is what she is doing.' Another maiden who is closing in on his first win is Doc March who contests the Maiden Plate (1600m). The son of Prized Icon was runner-up in consecutive starts at Wagga before a fourth to Chilly Charlie at Canberra on May 9. 'He just got back and could make up the ground to win in a couple of races here at Wagga,' Colvin said. 'I knew he wanted a bit of ground but he is on his way and going pretty well. 'He has had about a month since his last run but he is ticking over very well.' Joining him in this race is Astern Torch who is coming off a third to Track And Field on the Wagga Riverside 12 days ago. 'He has been a very frustrating horse. He showed me ability early on but is a bit of a one-pacer,' he said 'He keeps doing enough to convince me to persevere with him.' Meanwhile, Colvin said he is pleased with stable star Another One who resumes from a long spell at Randwick on Saturday. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ Trainer Lyndall Olson is hoping home track advantage can offset her queries as Gold Card and Zaru strive for success in one of the day's features. Gold Card and Zaru line up in the Corey Brown Cup at Taree just two weeks after the track was flooded. The heavy ground is just one query Olson has for the pair who appreciate soft tracks at this stage of their careers. 'As they have gotten older, they have shown they prefer soft tracks rather than the heavy,' Olson said. Gold Card kicked off his latest campaign with a win in the Hannam Cup over 1007m at Taree on March 17 before a five week gap into his next start when a three length seventh to Cassiel at Canterbury. He steps up to 1250m in the Benchmark 82 race where he is a perfect four from four over the track and distance. 'It was a nice win over the 1000 metres then we went to Canterbury and he wasn't disgraced at all,' said Olson. 'I'm just a bit worried about the time he has had between runs. 'It's been just over six weeks between since his last race. Whether he needs the run or not. 'We have taken the three kilos off with Leanne Boyd aboard but he well and I expect him to run a nice race.' Zaru finished down the track when resuming under 61kg at Taree on May 13 but Olson isn't reading too much into that performance. 'It was hard to make ground from back in the field with his weight and also the 1000 metres was too short for him,' she said. 'We just had to find a race for him to kick off in. 'As he has gotten older, he is a become wiser and he doesn't like the heavy going any more. 'We've got Aaron Bullock back on and he does seem to have a way with him. 'Like Gold Card, he loves his home track.' Olson has no qualms about the track rating for Gold Melody after she scored a stylish win over 1250m on a Heavy 10 at home on May 13. The four-year-old is a strong chance again in the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1300m). 'She did really well to win last start. It was a nice ride from Anna (Roper),' she said. 'She has trained on really well and I think she is a good chance again from barrier one.'
