Latest news with #DebbieJohnson
CBS News
15-07-2025
- General
- CBS News
Fall River releases certificates of inspection for Gabriel House
Fall River's building department released certificates of inspection for the assisted living facility where nine people died in a fire, Sunday night. The reports do not detail any of the conditions inside Gabriel House, which was converted to an assisted living facility in 1996. The reports do show a timeline of inspection by the city department. According to the records, the building was inspected annually until 2006 and then there is a gap in the records. No record of an inspection between 2017 and 2024 was provided to WBZ. The latest inspection occurred in October of 2024 and the certificate of inspection is set to expire this fall. One day after the deadly fire, employees and residents told WBZ about health and sanitation issues at the facility. "They had mice. They had cockroaches, infested with cockroaches, bed bugs. It was dirty, very dirty," said Debbie Johnson, a certified nursing assistant who worked at Gabriel House. "The elevator has been broken for the last four years, off and on forever and there's people stuck in their rooms, have to have their food brought to them." Another employee, who did not want to give her name, said she was unaware of any issues with the facility. During a 2023 review, state inspectors found issues with Gabriel House and issued a correction plan which included more training for certified nursing assistants and better cleaning and maintenance of medication boxes. During a news briefing on Tuesday, Fall River Fire Chief Jeffrey Bacon did not respond to questions about inspections at the facility, citing the ongoing investigation. Bacon responded to allegations by the state and local fire union that his department is understaffed and has three firefighters per truck instead of four, which is the national standard. "Absolutely, if you gave me eight more firefighters on that scene, we're throwing more ladders, we're affecting more rescues more efficiently. That's a fact. I don't know if lives could have been saved or if it would have changed the incident at all," Bacon said. Bacon said he applied for a grant to get more firefighters on the job. The city has not yet provided WBZ with health or fire inspection reports of the Gabriel House location.
CBS News
15-07-2025
- General
- CBS News
State inspectors found violations in 2023 at Fall River assisted living facility where 9 died in fire
When the deadly fire broke out Sunday night at Gabriel House in Fall River, Massachusetts, the assisted living facility had 70 residents, but how many staff members were working? Paul Lanzikos is with the advocacy group Dignity Alliance, and tells the I-Team, "it's probably the lowest staffing point of the week and folks are in their beds, that's when folks need the most assistance. How well trained and capable were the staff that were on duty?" Assisted living residences are allowed to come up with their own plans for staffing, the state only requires it be reasonable to address the needs of residents. In the case of Gabriel House, the last time the state inspected the facility was in October of 2023. At that time, inspectors found violations related to staffing and emergency preparedness. The residence submitted a corrective action plan and was allowed to operate without any additional inspection until 2025. Debbie Johnson works at Gabriel House as a nursing assistant, and said the home was dirty and poorly staffed. "This place was horrible," Johnson said. "Everybody else you talk to is going to sugarcoat this, but there's no sugarcoating whatsoever. I cannot say one good thing about that place. Not one." Earlier Tuesday, the Executive Office of Aging and Independence held a special commission meeting on assisted living residences, which have few requirements and unlike nursing homes have little to no state oversight. Leaving Dignity Alliance with questions about how prepared Gabriel House was for emergencies. "How frequently have fire drills occurred? Evacuation drills? What has been the training for staff? What's been the staffing ratios close to 11 o'clock on a Sunday evening? We'd like to see all those requirements significantly increased," Lanzikos said. "Training, staffing and inspection." The I-Team also found little transparency around assisted living residences. The Executive Office of Aging and does not post any records or inspection reports online.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Alabama law authorizes emergency care and transport for police K9s
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WHNT) — Alabama is providing more services for Police K9s throughout the state. HB 366, authorizes emergency medical services (EMS) personnel to provide medical care and transportation to police dogs injured in the line of duty. The bill also known as the 'Lakyn Canine Act,' will ensure injured police K9s receive the same emergency medical care and transportation as their human partners. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Rick Rehm (R-Dothan), also allows K9s to be transported by ambulance or helicopter to emergency veterinary care. Additionally, the bill will protect emergency medical personnel from potential liability arising from offering critical medical care in good faith to a police dog. 'Police K9s are more than working dogs; they're loyal partners, fearless protectors and like family,' said Debbie Johnson, president and founder of K9s United. 'They charge into danger without hesitation to protect their communities, and they deserve the same urgent, life-saving care as any human officer. Passing this law is one of our proudest moments, and we are deeply grateful to Governor Ivey and Representative Rehm for standing with us to ensure Alabama's K9 heroes receive the care they've earned through their service and sacrifice.' 'The Laykn Canine Act honors our police K9s and recognizes their vital role in protecting our communities with unwavering loyalty,' said Rep. Rick Rehm. 'By ensuring EMS personnel can provide emergency care without fear of liability, we're closing a dangerous gap and guaranteeing these brave dogs get the same urgent attention any hero deserves. I'm grateful to K9s United for bringing this issue to light, and proud that we've delivered a meaningful solution that ensures we never leave our K9s behind.' The recent enactment of the new law isn't so new, our neighbors in Florida also have a similar bill in place that was signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2021. HB366 in the Alabama legislature was signed into law on May 14, 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
40 Hamilton stylists do their part to ease costs, giving free hair services to Black youth next month
Over the last year, Hamilton hair-business owner Lohifa Pogoson Acker has noticed fewer Black youth and others with textured hair have been getting it styled, while some are visiting the salon less frequently. "I'm seeing people who I know have always had pristine looks, stretching their hairstyles for months more than they should just because of affordability, because of the sacrifices they have to make," Pogoson Acker told CBC Hamilton. Pogoson Acker said she's had similar feedback from dozens of hair stylists, barbers and other business operators throughout Hamilton. Believing hair styling is important for well-being, especially for young people, Pogoson Acker has organized a March 15 event where over 40 Hamilton hair stylists and barbers will offer free styling and cuts to racialized youth. "I know many people, by virtue of where the economy is ... the rise in the cost of living, interest rates — so many factors have contributed to many families having to make decisions about expenditure, about what to keep on their budget lines and what to take off." Pogoson Acker recalled that hairstyling was declared a non-essential service during COVID-19 in 2020, leaving many people to figure out their own ways to deal with their hair. With today's high cost of living, many people are thinking twice about paying for hair care, she said, "because people are more concerned, as it should be, with putting a roof over their heads than about how they look and how they present." Getting hair done makes for 'a different person' But Pogoson Acker also said many young people place importance on getting their hair styled on a regular basis, as it's good for their mental health and well-being. "It is very, very important especially in the textured hair community, especially in the Black and racialized community, because hair is a huge part of identity," she said. "I know, especially young people when their hair is done, they're a different person — they come out in the streets with all kinds of pride. And it goes the opposite way as well. When their hair is not done … they don't feel as confident, they don't present as confident. "And that is such a marker of progress and of possibility for young Black people — how do you present, are you confident, are you self-assured, do you have that self-pride in who you are? I think that's just so important, and I really want to see a community where young Black people are embracing who they are," Pogoson Acker said. The cost of living — including the price of energy, food and other goods — has been heavy on Canadians for some time. According to the latest statistics, inflation rose 1.9 per cent in January. For Hamilton mom Debbie Johnson, dealing with the cost of living has meant making fewer trips to the stylist for her 10-year-old daughter Harper to get her textured hair done. As any person with curly and textured hair knows, the knots can be unbelievable. - Debbie Johnson, mom of 10-year-old Harper "Last summer when she was starting to go into her summer camps and everything, I took scissors to her hair," Johnson told CBC Hamilton. "Having curly hair, it's a little more forgiving … I know to cut a little bit off the end, to get rid of some dead ends. We did that and it kind of boosted her confidence." Debbie Johnson says she takes Harper to get the 10-year-old's hair done less frequently due to the high cost of living. (Submitted by Debbie Johnson) Johnson is white and Harper's dad, who died in 2021, was Black. "I had never dealt with textured hair before, so it was all a learning journey for me," Johnson said. She said she has turned to videos, forums and people of colour with textured hair for suggestions on how to best treat her daughter's locks. "As any person with curly and textured hair knows, the knots can be unbelievable," Johnson said. When Harper was five years old, Johnson said, she took her to a hair stylist for the first time. While making the appointment, she said, she was told it would cost around $60. She ended up paying more than double that amount. "A lot of places do have pricing for kids, but for some reason, if their hair is longer, or thicker or more coarse, that completely changes things," Johnson said, adding the amount of time it had taken for the stylist to wash and comb through Harper's hair was why the price was doubled. Harper Johnson's mom say she first took her daughter to a hair stylist when she was five years old, and paid more than the $60 she was originally quoted. (Submitted by Debbie Johnson) "Having a child with curly hair like Harper's, it's something that we just have to plan for. So, maybe twice a year, we're going to go in — or three times a year. However often it might be, I can kind of budget and plan for that," Johnson said. "I do find the pricing has gone up, as with everything, just the cost of not only hair care, but across the board — everything across the board has just gone up so astronomically." Excel in Style is more than just about hair Pogoson Acker said she's thankful to the dozens of stylists and barbers who will offer their services at no cost at Excel in Style next month. The event will be held at Bernie Custis Secondary School, across from Tim Hortons Field, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. "They're so gracious, so conscientious and so sacrificial to take a Saturday, which is a high-earning Saturday because of the back-to-school rush for those who are able to afford to get their hair styled," Pogoson Acker said through tears. "So, Saturday March 15 would be the Saturday of March break, before the kids go back to school on Monday. Any salon owner, or barber or stylist will tell you that that's the day they make their most money when it comes to back-to-school styling. "For them to give up potential to earn on a high, high, high-earning day to come out and style for kids who are in need for free, it really melts my heart, and I'm just so grateful that we found over 40 of them who are willing to do that for this purpose." Pogoson Acker said several other organizations — including the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program and the Afro Canadian Caribbean Association — will be at the event with programming for young people and to encourage youth engagement. For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community — check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project Black Canadians can be proud of. You can read more stories here. (CBC)
CBC
25-02-2025
- Health
- CBC
40 Hamilton stylists do their part to ease costs, giving free hair services to Black youth next month
Over the last year, Hamilton hair-business owner Lohifa Pogoson Acker has noticed fewer Black youth and others with textured hair have been getting it styled, while some are visiting the salon less frequently. "I'm seeing people who I know have always had pristine looks, stretching their hairstyles for months more than they should just because of affordability, because of the sacrifices they have to make," Pogoson Acker told CBC Hamilton. Pogoson Acker said she's had similar feedback from dozens of hair stylists, barbers and other business operators throughout Hamilton. Believing hair styling is important for well-being, especially for young people, Pogoson Acker has organized a March 15 event where over 40 Hamilton hair stylists and barbers will offer free styling and cuts to racialized youth. "I know many people, by virtue of where the economy is ... the rise in the cost of living, interest rates — so many factors have contributed to many families having to make decisions about expenditure, about what to keep on their budget lines and what to take off." Pogoson Acker recalled that hairstyling was declared a non-essential service during COVID-19 in 2020, leaving many people to figure out their own ways to deal with their hair. With today's high cost of living, many people are thinking twice about paying for hair care, she said, "because people are more concerned, as it should be, with putting a roof over their heads than about how they look and how they present." Getting hair done makes for 'a different person' But Pogoson Acker also said many young people place importance on getting their hair styled on a regular basis, as it's good for their mental health and well-being. "It is very, very important especially in the textured hair community, especially in the Black and racialized community, because hair is a huge part of identity," she said. "I know, especially young people when their hair is done, they're a different person — they come out in the streets with all kinds of pride. And it goes the opposite way as well. When their hair is not done … they don't feel as confident, they don't present as confident. "And that is such a marker of progress and of possibility for young Black people — how do you present, are you confident, are you self-assured, do you have that self-pride in who you are? I think that's just so important, and I really want to see a community where young Black people are embracing who they are," Pogoson Acker said. The cost of living — including the price of energy, food and other goods — has been heavy on Canadians for some time. According to the latest statistics, inflation rose 1.9 per cent in January. For Hamilton mom Debbie Johnson, dealing with the cost of living has meant making fewer trips to the stylist for her 10-year-old daughter Harper to get her textured hair done. As any person with curly and textured hair knows, the knots can be unbelievable. - Debbie Johnson, mom of 10-year-old Harper "Last summer when she was starting to go into her summer camps and everything, I took scissors to her hair," Johnson told CBC Hamilton. "Having curly hair, it's a little more forgiving … I know to cut a little bit off the end, to get rid of some dead ends. We did that and it kind of boosted her confidence." Johnson is white and Harper's dad, who died in 2021, was Black. "I had never dealt with textured hair before, so it was all a learning journey for me," Johnson said. She said she has turned to videos, forums and people of colour with textured hair for suggestions on how to best treat her daughter's locks. "As any person with curly and textured hair knows, the knots can be unbelievable," Johnson said. When Harper was five years old, Johnson said, she took her to a hair stylist for the first time. While making the appointment, she said, she was told it would cost around $60. She ended up paying more than double that amount. "A lot of places do have pricing for kids, but for some reason, if their hair is longer, or thicker or more coarse, that completely changes things," Johnson said, adding the amount of time it had taken for the stylist to wash and comb through Harper's hair was why the price was doubled. "Having a child with curly hair like Harper's, it's something that we just have to plan for. So, maybe twice a year, we're going to go in — or three times a year. However often it might be, I can kind of budget and plan for that," Johnson said. "I do find the pricing has gone up, as with everything, just the cost of not only hair care, but across the board — everything across the board has just gone up so astronomically." Excel in Style is more than just about hair Pogoson Acker said she's thankful to the dozens of stylists and barbers who will offer their services at no cost at Excel in Style next month. The event will be held at Bernie Custis Secondary School, across from Tim Hortons Field, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. "They're so gracious, so conscientious and so sacrificial to take a Saturday, which is a high-earning Saturday because of the back-to-school rush for those who are able to afford to get their hair styled," Pogoson Acker said through tears. "So, Saturday March 15 would be the Saturday of March break, before the kids go back to school on Monday. Any salon owner, or barber or stylist will tell you that that's the day they make their most money when it comes to back-to-school styling. "For them to give up potential to earn on a high, high, high-earning day to come out and style for kids who are in need for free, it really melts my heart, and I'm just so grateful that we found over 40 of them who are willing to do that for this purpose." Pogoson Acker said several other organizations — including the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program and the Afro Canadian Caribbean Association — will be at the event with programming for young people and to encourage youth engagement. For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community — check out Being Black in Canada You can read more stories here.
