Latest news with #DeHart
The Hill
14-07-2025
- General
- The Hill
Camp Mystic not accredited nationally, eight others in Kerr County are
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The words 'American Camp Association Accredited' are what several parents tell KXAN investigators they look for before deciding on a summer camp. 'I have personally considered ACA accreditation a must for considering a camp for my own kids to attend,' one parent wrote to KXAN, adding that he likes the numerous checks around safety measures. The American Camp Association, or ACA, is a nationwide voluntary accreditation program for day and overnight camps across the country. The association said 76 camps operating across Texas are accredited, including eight in Kerr County, but not Camp Mystic. The all-girls Christian summer camp lost more than two dozen campers and counselors after the deadly Independence day flooding on the Guadalupe River. 'Our mission is to support those that operate camps, to advance practices around health, safety, risk management and program quality and so, you know, our hallmark program around that is our accreditation program, which is the only set of national standards around health and safety for camps,' explained Henry DeHart, interim president and CEO of ACA out of Indiana. DeHart added that the association encourages camps to work with local emergency responders and allow them to review safety measures. He said to become accredited, which includes annual fees, a team is sent to work with each camp and review safety practices in detail. According to ACA, there are an estimated 20,000 camps nationwide. DeHart explained more than 2,300 have the ACA accreditation. 'We have standards specifically around, 'Do you have an emergency plan, and have you thought through all of your location-specific potential risks around that emergency plan? Have you trained your staff around it, and do you rehearse it before campers get there? And so, what is your communication plan in a crisis? Oftentimes cell services are down, so do you have a backup plan?'' DeHart explained. Camp Mystic, which is licensed by the state, is a member of the Camping Association for Mutual Progress, or C.A.M.P. The state association said online that its goal is to 'raise health and safety standards for all camps.' KXAN investigators reached out to C.A.M.P leaders, but they have not yet been able to provide details about safety standards. 'Our hearts are with everyone affected by the devastating floods in Kerr County. We are deeply saddened by the loss of so many in our state, and our camping community,' said a recent post on the C.A.M.P. website. The post further explained that the association does not govern or accredit camps and members are regulated by the state. Additionally, it said C.A.M.P. serves as a resource for education and support to strengthen the camp community through the spirit of cooperation, collaboration and the collection of ideas. 'The safety and well-being of every camper is, and always will be, the top priority of camps,' said the post. 'Right now, our focus is on supporting the camps, campers, and families impacted by this heartbreaking event. We also remain ready to work closely with state and local leaders to ensure every child who visits our camps is safe, supported, and cared for.' State inspection reports for Camp Mystic obtained by KXAN investigators show the camp had just finished its annual inspection two days before the deadly flash flood. The Department of State Health Services found the camp had the required emergency plans, including written ones in case of a disaster. The state agency said youth camps are required to have those plans posted clearly in every building. DSHS reviews emergency plans onsite during an annual inspection. Camp Mystic has yet to respond to emails asking for comment. ACA said this is a good time for camps to review emergency procedures and see if there are any details which need to be tweaked. DeHart added if parents are feeling anxious, they should ask about what happens if the camp has to be evacuated and how the camp will stay in touch with local emergency service teams, especially if cell service is down. 'Parents have reasonable questions right now,' DeHart said. 'All across the country, camps are proactively trying to reach out and connect with parents, help them understand the planning that they have done, the procedures they have in place.' He urges parents to reach out to their camps directly and learn more about emergency plans in place including communication with families during a disaster. 'I worked at camps in North Carolina, so we had to worry about hurricanes. We actually had to evacuate for a hurricane once, but we had all of those things in place. We had busses, we had location, we had supervision, we had a way to feed the campers. So, parents can ask questions like that, and camps will be eager to share those details with the parents,' he said. DeHart said a team has already met with Texas Sen. John Cornyn about ways to support Texas camps during this time. He added that it's been encouraging how other camps have stepped up and are willing to help. He's heard stories of camps offering to take in campers from impacted areas saying, 'We have some open spaces. Let us work with your parents to get your campers to our camp … so your camper still get a camp experience.'
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Yahoo
Why these B.C. snowbirds want out of Palm Springs, and why the California city needs them to stay
Phil Briddon is living the Palm Springs dream. 'The swimming pool is 10 feet away, the pickle ball court is 30 feet away, it's 89 degrees Fahrenheit, I'm looking at the mountains, my chocolate Lab is snoozing on the grass, and my wife Linda is on a lounger,' said Briddon, 66, a retired mortgage and investment specialist from Salmon Arm. That's all about to end. At the end of the month, Briddon plans to pack up his personal effects, return to Canada and start thinking about other places to go next year: Mexico, Costa Rica, Portugal, Ibiza. Briddon and his wife have called Palm Springs their winter home since 2008. They're among the Canadians that winter in Palm Springs every year, popping down for all or part of a snowbird season that runs from January to April. Now they have decided to call it quits. 'At some point you realize you've got to do your part,' said Briddon. 'We don't want to spend money in a country that doesn't respect us and acts with dishonesty.' Briddon said tariff tensions, a worsening political climate and new Department of Homeland Security rules that require all foreign nationals, including Canadians, who plan to stay in the U.S. for 30 days or longer to apply for registration have all played a part. New banners in downtown Palm Springs say it all: Don't go. The banners are as red as a Canadian flag, featuring the slogan 'Palm Springs loves Canada.' The banners hanging from the city's iconic green street lanterns feature a Maple Leaf inside a heart. Palm Springs Mayor Ron De Hart said: 'The banners are a way to send a positive message to Canadians.' De Hart said the Palm Springs community understands why Canadians might not choose to return. 'They are making a political stand, and we would not stand in the way of that,' he said. 'We would just remind Canadians that the Palm Springs they fell in love with is still here. We are not Washington, D.C. We are still diverse and welcoming and waiting for you to come back next year.' Palm Springs is on the western edge of the Coachella Valley in California. According to a 2021 study done by Visit Greater Palm Springs, Canadians own seven per cent of second homes in the valley, far more than any other country outside the U.S. A 2017 study found that 303,600 Canadians visited the valley that year, spending more than US$236 million, and impacting every sector of the economy. De Hart said the potential economic impact of an exodus of Canadian snowbirds could lead to a loss of about 2,000 jobs in the Greater Palm Springs area. 'If there is not a return of Canadians next year, It will have a huge impact,' he said. Palm Springs realtor Paul Kaplan said he has fielded 'a few' calls from Canadians inquiring about selling their local homes, and rental realtors have reported to him that some aren't renewing their leases for next season. 'This is not Palm Springs. This is Trump,' said Kaplan. 'Most of the people down here like Canadians, they are good neighbours, they've always been part of the community. We don't want to see them go.' Briddon and his wife have a group of friends in Palm Springs as tight as family: 'They all said we understand if you choose not to come back.' 'Our friends are all very upset, they are embarrassed and (ticked) off in the extreme about what this (U.S.) government is doing,' said Briddon. Briddon feels that economically Palm Springs will weather the storm: 'Palm Springs is an extremely affluent part of the United States. They will be fine.' One bright side? 'It's easier to get a place down here right now,' said Briddon. dryan@ Opinion: Trade war demands a bold vision amid B.C.'s affordability crisis B.C. halts sales of all American liquor in retaliation to U.S. tariffs
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Yahoo
Man accused of shooting Deputy McCowan sues for excessive force
BLOUNT COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) — Kenneth DeHart, the man accused of shooting and killing Blount County Sheriff's Deputy Greg McCowan, is suing Blount County and the Blount County Sheriff's Office for excessive force that led to injuries. DeHart is accused of killing McCowan on February 8, 2024 during a traffic stop. He was taken into custody a few days later. His trial is set for 2026. Police: Knoxville child reported missing not believed to be in danger According to the lawsuit, Mr. DeHart was polite and cooperative after being pulled over for a driving infraction. The officer said she smelled marijuana coming from DeHart's vehicle and called for backup. When the officers, including McCowen, asked DeHart to leave the vehicle, he told them that he didn't consent to a search, asking them to bring a drug dog, the lawsuit says. 'The officers refused to call for a drug dog, and instead quickly escalated the situation,' according to the lawsuit. 'Rather than following appropriate procedures and practices, they fired a Taser at Mr. DeHart four separate times, while simultaneously using physical force to try to remove him from the vehicle.' DeHart begged the officers to stop and feared for his life, according to the lawsuit. The documents allege the tasing was unnecessary and unprovoked and that it caused significant, and possibly permanent, brain injuries. According to the lawsuit documents, when law enforcement personnel later searched the vehicle, they did not report recovering any marijuana. The documents continue, 'As the fourth Tasing was ongoing, as Mr. DeHart continued to fear for his life and continued to experience extreme pain as well as disorientation as a result of the electrocution, an altercation ensued in which shots were fired, hitting both officers. Tragically, Officer McCowan died as a result of his injuries.' It adds, 'Mr. DeHart did not plan or intend to hurt either officer and, like everyone else, is deeply saddened by the terrible outcome. Notwithstanding those facts, Mr. DeHart was a victim of the officers' improper use of excessive force, which violated the law and his constitutional rights.' Knox County multi-family housing proposal draws ire of neighbors The documents also allege that officers used excessive force against him during his arrest on February 13, causing another head injury and other injuries. The Blount County Sheriff's Office released body camera video of the incident which can be viewed here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
