Latest news with #KimBrown
Business Wire
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
FHLB Dallas and First Security Bank Award $9K Grant to Little Rock Woman for Urgently Needed Roof Repairs
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A Little Rock homeowner known for her community service received a $9,000 grant to fix the leaking roof on her longtime home. Kim Brown received the Special Needs Assistance Program (SNAP) grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) through FHLB Dallas member First Security Bank. Awarded through FHLB Dallas member institutions, SNAP provides grants for the repair and rehabilitation of owner-occupied housing of eligible, special-needs individuals such as older adults or people with disabilities. 'The roof over the garage was cracking and creaking. I would pray for it to not fall over my car because that's how I work my ministry—driving people for doctors' visits and delivering meals,' Ms. Brown said. 'I'm very happy with my new roof and I'm very grateful to everybody that made it possible.' Ms. Brown underwent brain surgery in 2015 and subsequently retired from her job at a local retailer to act as a caregiver for a family member from whom she inherited her current home. Since retiring, she has dedicated herself to community service. 'We are proud to partner with FHLB Dallas to help homeowners like Ms. Brown,' said First Security Bank CRA Officer Andrea Lewis. 'As a community bank, we're honored to provide our expertise to connect people with resources that make a real difference on the ground.' Since 2018, First Security Bank has awarded more than $316,000 in FHLB Dallas SNAP grants. 'At FHLB Dallas, we're proud that our SNAP grants preserve homeownership by funding critical repairs that allow residents to remain in their homes,' said Greg Hettrick, senior vice president and Director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas. 'These grants provide stability and are building a strong community spirit in neighborhoods across our District.' More than $28 million has been awarded to households in FHLB Dallas' District of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas since SNAP's 2009 creation. Learn more about SNAP. About First Security Bank Based in Searcy, Arkansas, privately held First Security Bancorp has the most complete and diverse product offering of any Arkansas-based financial services holding company. Supported by the strength of $1.5 billion in total capital and $8.13 billion in assets, First Security Bank offers solutions for the financial needs of individuals, businesses and the public sector, including a network of local community banks, respected investment banking and wealth management services, public finance, real estate development and revitalization, leasing and mortgage services. About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 11 district banks in the FHLBank System created by Congress in 1932. FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $116.1 billion as of June 30, 2025, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community development by providing competitively priced loans and other credit products to approximately 800 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. For more information, visit
The Australian
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Australian
Super Netball: Jamie-Lee Price Giants release confirmed, trade to Melbourne to be with AFL player partner
Super Netball clubs are racing to lock up their stars, with club captains, seasoned internationals and rising stars among more than half the players in the league officially off contract and able to negotiate with any team in less than a fortnight. While the competition remains a year away from the signing silly season - a period in which every player in the competition is off-contract at the same time, there are several big stars whose signatures their clubs are racing to secure ahead of free agency, which starts on August 4. Teams are able to contract their own players at any stage, as the Mavericks did with defender Kim Brown and captain Amy Parmenter, before the end of the season, and remain eligible to lock them in at any stage ahead of free agency, which begins on the Monday following the grand final. READ MORE: The coachkillers that sabotaged Super Netball's bottom four Again, it was the Mavs - who initially had none of their full-time list of 10 re-signed for 2026 - who made a signing announcement last week, confirming key goaler Shimona Jok was locked in for next season. With players unable to be signed past the end of the current Collective Player Agreement and broadcast cycle, at the end of the 2026 season, only 12-month deals can currently be done. But with more than half the club's players off contract and five of the eight clubs now officially finished their playing duties, expect a flurry of announcements in the coming days. Code Netball has highlighted five of the biggest names off contract. AN OG GIANT WANTS OUT – Emma Greenwood, Rebecca Williams Diamonds midcourt star Jamie-Lee Price is on the move to Melbourne after officially parting ways with the Giants. It was confirmed on Thursday Price had informed the Giants of her decision to withdraw from the final year of her contract. The Giants said the club and Price had agreed to a 'mutual and respectful' release from the final year of her deal ahead of the 2026 season. The Giants said the 29-year-old intended to relocate to Melbourne to be with her partner, Collingwood AFL player Harry Perryman. There has been speculation linking Price to the Mavericks, which would make sense given the midcourt talent available and likely to be re-signed to the Vixens. Price would add obvious star power to the Mavericks midcourt, which has already re-signed captain Amy Parmenter and centre Molly Jovic. Giants executive general manager Tim Underwood said the club respected Price's decision. 'Jamie-Lee has played a significant role in the growth and success of the Giants since inception and we thank her for her contributions over the past nine seasons,' Underwood said. 'While we're naturally disappointed to see her go, we understand and respect her decision to prioritise her personal life and wish her the best in this next chapter.' Price had made no secret of the fact she saw her long-term future in Melbourne, speaking earlier this year of the potential for a move south. 'I guess for me, it's just a matter of when I go to Melbourne,' she said on Netball Australia's 'Uncovered'. 'I think I'm going to be there eventually. 'I don't like the long-distance (relationship) - obviously I'm able to live by myself and we are very independent in so many ways but it's always nice to have that person that you have lived with to be able to go home to. 'I think knowing that you only get so much time to play professionally, it is so small in your life or your career. 'We acknowledged that it's going to be forever - we need to enjoy it while we can.' The news of Price's exit comes amid uncertainty over the club's future ownership and the departure of foundation coach Julie Fitzgerald and veteran goaler Jo Harten. The Giants earlier announced young midcourter Hope White had signed a one-year contract extension after an impressive debut season. Elevated to the full-time list after Gina Crampton announced her pregnancy, White showed enormous potential in her rookie year and has been working closely with the former Silver Ferns star. The Giants now have goaler Sophie Dwyer, defender Jodi-Ann Ward and White contracted for next season. CONFIRMED MOVES July 8: Giants Jo Harten confirms retirement. July 22: Mavericks re-sign Molly Jovic. July 23: Giants midcourter Hope White re-signs for one year. July 24: Giants confirm Jamie-Lee Price released from final year of her deal to move to Melbourne. July 24: Thunderbirds captain Hannah Petty announced her retirement. CLUB BY CLUB GUIDE West Coast Fever Coach: Dan Ryan (2026) Regular-season finish 2025: Minor premiers Squad: Jess Anstiss (2026), Alice Teague-Neeld (2026), Sunday Aryang (2026), Fran Williams (2025), Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard (2025), Kadie-Ann Dehaney (2025), Shanice Beckford (2025), Jordan Cransberg (2026), Olivia Wilkinson (2026), Ruth Aryang (2025), Zoe Cransberg (temporary replacement player, 2025), Mwai Kumwenda (temporary replacement player 2025) Comment: While they have several experienced hands, the Fever have also invested heavily in youth with the efforts of the Cransberg twins this season stellar. If Ruth Aryang is unable to recover from an achilles injury in time for the 2026 season, Zoe Cransberg could be in line for an extension. BIG NAME Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard The GOAT only signed a two-year contract when the last major signing period opened, taking her through to the end of the 2025 season. And it's unknown at this stage whether she will play on in 2026. After missing the opening two games of the season, Fowler-Nembhard's importance to the Fever has never been more stark. They won the next 12 games in a row when after she returned and her impact on the side and standing as the best holding shooter in the world is unchallenged. Has said on a number of occasions this year after returning she feels blessed to be playing the game she loves but whether she wants to step back or extend a career that is already one of the best in history, is unknown. NSW Swifts Coach: Briony Akle (2026) Regular-season finish 2025: Second Squad: Sarah Klau (2026), Sophie Fawns (2025), Maddy Turner (2026), Paige Hadley (2026), Helen Housby (2026), Teigan O'Shannassy (2025), Allie Smith (2025), Sharni Lambden (2025), Grace Nweke (2025), Verity Simmons (2025 - permanent replacement player), Maddy Proud (2026)* Comment: The Swifts' midcourt struggled in the back half of the season and whether contracted midcourter and co-captain Maddy Proud returns from maternity leave next season will have a big bearing on contracting. BIG NAME Grace Nweke Signed only a one year deal with the Swifts given Netball New Zealand's ruling that any of its athletes not playing in its domestic league remain ineligible for national selection. Nweke sacrificed the Silver Ferns dress that remains so sacred to her to improve her game playing Super Netball but a return was unlikely in a Commonwealth Games year. That was until Monday's news from across the ditch that Netball New Zealand had reviewed its policy and will consider individual requests on a case-by-case basis. Her sacrifices this year may not only extend her own stay but open the floodgates for others. Adelaide Thunderbirds Coach: Tania Obst (2027) Regular-season finish 2025: Third Squad: Georgie Horjus (2026), Tayla Williams (2026), Lauren Frew (2025), Latanya Wilson (2026), Lucy Austin (2025), Matilda Garrett (2026), Hannah Petty (2025), Romelda Aiken George (2025), Shamera Sterling-Humphrey (2026)*, Kayla Graham (2025) Outs: Hannah Petty (retirement) Comment: Romelda Aiken-George's next steps are likely to determine what happens to Lucy Austin, while the club is yet to confirm whether contracted defender Shamera Sterling-Humphrey plans to return from maternity leave after the birth of her first child. BIG NAME Romelda Aiken-George There's plenty of speculation Aiken-George is about to announce her retirement after incredible 18-season long stint in the ANZ Championship and Super Netball. It seemed the goaler's stellar career could be over when she was cut by the Queensland Firebirds at the end of the 2022 season as she was set to return from maternity leave. But she reinvented herself, first at the NSW Swifts, then with the Thunderbirds and has played in the last two grand finals, earning MVP honours in the 2024 decider with the T-Birds before her incredible run came to a halt in the minor semi-final on Sunday. Melbourne Vixens Coach: Simone McKinnis (Resigned) Regular-season finish 2025: Fourth Squad: Jo Weston (2025), Kate Moloney (2025), Kate Eddy (2025), Hannah Mundy (2025), Kiera Austin (2026), Sophie Garbin (2025), Rudi Ellis (2025), Zara Walters (2025), Lily Graham (2025), Emily Mannix (2026)*, Maggie Caris (temporary replacement player 2025) Outs: Simone McKinnis Comment: The Vixens will have fresh leadership with a new head coach next season, but only had two players locked in for 2026 entering this year's campaign. Hard to see too many changes to one of the most stable teams in the competition. Key defender Emily Mannix's plans after a season off following the birth of her first child will be one of the major points of interest. BIG NAME Kate Moloney It seems laughable even putting the Vixens captain on this list, yet she's off contract and hasn't yet been secured for 2026. The thought of Maloney playing for any other club though is almost unimaginable. She'll be back at the Vixens next season and spurring them on to great heights in a new era after the resignation of coach Simone McKinnis - the only coach under whom she and most of the Vixens have ever played. Sunshine Coast Lightning Coach: Belinda Reynolds (2026) Regular-season finish 2025: Fifth Squad: Liz Watson (2026), Leesa Mi Mi (2025), Mahalia Cassidy (2025), Cara Koenen (2026), Steph Fretwell (2025), Courtney Bruce (2026), Reilley Batcheldor (2025), Tara Hinchliffe (2025), Ash Ervin (2025), Ava Black (2025 -long-term injury list), Kristiana Manu'a (2025 - temporary replacement player) Comment: Veteran defender Courtney Bruce is locked in for next season, but the Lightning will want to shore up the rest of their powerful defensive unit with Tara Hinchliffe coming off a career-best season and Ash Ervin a Diamond-in-waiting. Midcourt speedster Leesa Mi Mi will also be a top priority. BIG NAME Steph Fretwell The former Diamonds vice-captain has yo-yoed this season, showing glimpses of her absolute scheming best while at times looking slightly off the mark. Bitterly disappointed at the Lightning's failure to make the finals, Fretwell has also spoken of her desire to play on, although she knows it might need to be in an altered role given the rise of the Lightning's young star Reilley Batcheldor. Her leadership skills and playmaking nous though remain invaluable and it would surprise if she does not get a new deal. Giants Coach: Julie Fitzgerald (Resigned) Regular-season finish 2025: Sixth Squad: Jamie-Lee Price (2026), Sophie Dwyer (2026), Jo Harten (2025), Matisse Letherbarrow (2025), Amy Sligar (2025), Maddie Hay (2025), Tilly McDonell (2025), Jodi-Ann Ward (2026), Erin O'Brien (2026), Hope White (2025), Casey Kopua (2026 - temporary replacement player) Ins: Hope White (re-signed til 2026) Outs: Julie Fitzgerald, Jo Harten (retired), Jamie-Lee Price (mutual release) Comment: The retirement of Jo Harten, stepping down of veteran coach Julie Fitzgerald and now the compassionate release of midcourter Jamie-Lee Price to Melbourne is set to lead to a real revamp of the playing roster, although the Giants have some great young talent they'll be keen to keep hold of. BIG NAME Amy Sligar The Giants should be out of the blocks quicker than Usain Bolt in a bid to lock down defensive midcourter Sligar, whose potential has long been known but showed this season just what a talent she is going to be, earning a position as a Diamonds training invitee last week when the squad was announced by coach Stacy Marinkovich. An asset to any club - get her signature on the page now. Mavericks Coach: Tracey Neville (2025) Regular-season finish 2025: Seventh Squad: Eleanor Cardwell (2025), Sasha Glasgow (2025), Maisie Nankivell (2025), Shimona Jok (2025), Kim Brown (2025), Liv Lewis (2025), Molly Jovic (2025), Amy Parmenter (2025), Lauren Parkinson (2025), Tayla Fraser (2025) Ins: Kim Brown (2026), Amy Parmenter (2026), Shimona Jok (2026), Molly Jovic (2026) Comment: Had no players contracted at the start of the year and only two - Brown and Parmenter by the end of the season. Announced Jok's re-signing last week and Jovic's retention this week. Mavs loom as a likely destination for Giant Jamie-Lee Price, who has secured a release to move to Melbourne and potentially reunite with former teammate Parmenter. BIG NAME Eleanor Cardwell Cardwell did not play a game for Mavericks this season and after missing the end of the Mavericks inaugural year in 2024 has played just 11 games for the club over two years after switching from the Adelaide Thunderbirds. The England Roses representative has made no secret of the fact she struggles at times with homesickness and it's debatable how long she sees her time in Australia. Her decision could hinge as much on whether the Mavs resign coach Tracy Neville as anything else but our feeling is she's likely to stay on to make her mark as a Mavs foundation player. Firebirds Coach: Kiri Wills (2027) Regular-season finish 2025: Eighth Squad: Ruby Bakewell-Doran (2026), Macy Gardner (2026), Hulita Veve (2025), Tippah Dwan (2025), Lara Dunkley (2025), Isabelle Shearer (2025), Emily Moore (2025), Ashlee Barnett (2025), Imogen Allison (2026), Mary Cholhok (2026) Comment: Just four players locked in for next season for the wooden spooners - significant change likely and needed if they are to become genuine challengers. BIG NAME Hulita Veve The Firebirds co-captain is one of the best and yet, most hard luck stories in Super Netball. A premiership winner with the club in 2016 as a rising star, Veve became a young mother before returning to the sport and lingering on the training partner list for years before finally being handed a full-time contract last season and grabbing her opportunity with both hands. Turning 30 in September, Firebirds officials would have been carefully considering her role in a midcourt that has two of its four members already contracted for next season but needs an injection of some sort after failing to fire this year. But an ACL injury at training late in the season may mean her chances of returning are extremely tough. Netball Super Netball's eliminated teams must confront harsh truths about their failed campaigns. But there is a road back to the top. We assess what's next for the six teams to miss the grand final. Netball From big-name recruits and runaway premiership favourites at the start of the year to a crushing prelim-final defeat, things turned very ugly for the Swifts. So how did it all fall apart?
News.com.au
01-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Melbourne Mavericks lock in captain Amy Parmenter for season 2026
Melbourne Mavericks captain Amy Parmenter declared it was a 'no-brainer' to recommit to the fledgling franchise for next season after pouring her 'heart and soul' into Super Netball's youngest club over the past two years. Fresh from arguably the team's best win since joining the league with their upset victory over early title favourites New South Wales Swifts, Parmenter has been confirmed as the second player to be locked in for the Mavericks for season 2026. The star wing defence and inaugural Mavericks' captain said there was still 'lots more work to be done' as the newcomers strive to become a Super Netball power. 'I have put my heart and soul into the last two years building this club, so I'm definitely not going anywhere and I'm excited to see where we can go next year,' Parmenter said. 'It was a very easy decision. I feel like I have been here from day dot and seen the club and the culture grow and I feel like I've been a big part of that. 'I'm really proud of where we have got to and there is lots more work to be done. So, it was a no-brainer for me.' Parmenter joins Kim Brown as the second Maverick signed on for the club's third season in Super Netball after the defender's extension was announced in late January. The midcourt ace, who sits in the top-five in the league for intercepts, has played a key role in helping establish the new club's culture off court, while setting the standard on it with her tenacity and fierce attack on the ball. Parmenter admitted the job of building the club from scratch had been harder than she had anticipated, but she had relished her leadership role. 'It has been a real learning curve for me,' Parmenter, 27, said. 'I probably underestimated what goes into creating a netball team. I think you can just tick the boxes, or you can really dig in and do it properly and I think that's what we've done, we've really done the hard work and asked all the hard questions at the very start. 'It's been something that I have found really challenging, but also really enjoyable and I also love being able to influence the club in ways that are true to me. 'I am really passionate about seeing the girls thrive on and off the court and that's something that I have tried to stick to throughout the last two years. 'Hopefully they feel like I have done that …. (I've got) much more growing to do as a leader and I'm excited for what's ahead.' The Mavs' first two seasons have been heavily impacted by injuries; last year missing goal attack Sasha Glasgow (fractured leg) and defender Lauren Parkinson (ACL), who is still yet to make her Mavericks debut. England international Eleanor Cardwell has also not played a Super Netball match yet this year after undergoing knee surgery on the eve of the season. But the sixth-placed Mavs pulled off one of their biggest wins to date last round when they toppled the second-placed Swifts 68-64 at John Cain Arena. While not mathematically out of contention for the finals, the Mavs need other results to fall their way if they were to have any chance of sneaking in. 'We just want to go out there and disrupt some people's runs to finals – that is the goal,' Parmenter said. 'We have been a bit unlucky with a few players out and having the likes of El Cardwell out for the majority of the season is a big loss. Just that leadership and experience on court, it's something that's probably been a bit of a setback for us. 'But there have been some really good moments and I think we do often surprise people, I think it's just getting over the line. 'We've definitely been able to stay in it with all the teams this season at one point or another. I think we have done 50 minutes of really good work and it is just either the first five minutes or the last five minutes that have let us down. 'We're not miles and miles off and I think that is something to be really proud of that we are definitely in it and I think there is lots of good stuff, lots of growth ahead.' The Mavericks' coaching situation also remains in the air with head coach Tracey Neville out of contract at the end of the year, although she indicated after the win over the Swifts those talks were 'progressing really well'. Parmenter hoped to see the team's coaching panel back again in 2026. 'I think Tracey is awesome,' Parmenter said. 'There are obviously a few moving parts .… she has got her life in the UK and her little one as well, so that is always a tricky thing to navigate. So I think we will see how it plays out. 'But I think the combination of Tracey and Richo (assistant coach Nicole Richardson) is a really great one and I have learnt so much from both of them over the last two years. 'So, I really hope they can hang around.'
Courier-Mail
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
Super Netball round 12 results: West Coast Fever defeats Sunshine Coast Lightning 69-54
Don't miss out on the headlines from Netball. Followed categories will be added to My News. Melbourne Mavericks have pulled off one of the biggest Super Netball upsets of the year, denying a New South Wales Swifts surge with a 68-64 victory on Saturday night. With their coaches arm in arm on the sidelines, the Mavericks four-goal win had all the physicality fans have come to expect. But, it was their clinical play and scrappy hunting of loose balls that won the day. Such was the drop in the Swifts' form that they lost three of the four quarters and have dropped to second after holding down the minor premiership position since the season began. In a first versus sixth placed matchup, few would have tipped the Mavericks, but after a horrendous eight goals to one start they grittily clawed back the deficit to take a one point lead into the first break. From that point on they never relinquished it, despite the Swifts' desperate attempts to wrestle back control. At the heart of the comeback was goal defence Kim Brown who used her footwork to create confusion for the feeders looking for New Zealand star, Grace Nweke, who had three turnovers in the first term. Brown's partnership with youngster Jessie Grenvold has grown over the course of the season as the former training partner relishes the opportunity created by Lauren Parkinson's long term injury. Ever a class act, Nweke found form in the second term and eventually went on to slot 48 from 53. However, she was outscored by the Mavericks' tall timber, Shimona Jok, who finished with 61/63 of her own. The Swifts continue to search for answers for their problematic goal attack and wing attack position. While Helen Housby is one of the best in the world, she had another quiet match finishing with 6/10 at 60 percent. Sophie Fawns, after sitting out for the first nine rounds, was used for her two point accuracy in an attempt to claw back the lead. 19-year-old Grace Whyte and the experienced Verity Simmons were both rotated through wing attack against the Mavericks' captain, Amy Parmenter. Comparatively the Mavericks have largely run the same midcourt all season. On Saturday night each member of that midcourt impressed with Parmenter collecting two gains and wing attack Tayla Fraser shaking off a first quarter hard hit to put in 37 feeds. But it was MVP Molly Jovic who largely carried the load with 32 goal assists: a career best for the centre. Mavericks coach Tracey Neville hinted that Jovic is playing international quality netball. 'For me, the Diamonds play internationals and they are the players we want in our team,' she said. 'They always want to be better and always want to progress. We can only work with her as an individual to bring out the best in her and I think tonight she brought out the best in herself.' GLASGOW CALLS OUT TROLLS Mavericks goal attack Sasha Glasgow has revealed the social media vitriol she's received since making her comeback from a serious leg injury. In a personal post shared to Instagram, Glasgow acknowledged that amongst the DMs and comments in the early rounds of the season, trolls took potshots at her return to form and her 'appearance and life.' Glasgow bravely called out the trolls urging them to remember that athletes are people too and that 'noone has the right to comment on our bodies.' HADLEY'S HARD WORK Diamonds vice captain Paige Hadley is having one of her best seasons to date, but her work often flies under the radar. Currently, Hadley sits fourth for goal assists (194), second for second phase receives (158), and third for loose ball pick ups (20). But most impressive is her safe hands: she has only given away 21 turnovers all season. Comparatively, most of the other members of the Diamonds front line have turned over upwards of 45 balls each so far this season. LIGHTNING CRASH LEAVES FINALS BERTH IN JEOPARDY - Erin Smith Fever coach Dan Ryan says his seemingly unstoppable side still have more levels to reach after punishing Sunshine Coast Lightning 69-54. The win is Fever's 10th consecutive victory while Lightning have now lost three in a row. Fever coach Dan Ryan said to bank 10 consecutive wins was a huge feat. 'I'm really pleased to see the team growing week upon week and building on different parts of our game and just the form of all the players out there,' Ryan said. 'We are really enjoying the wins but I've always been pretty critical of where we know we can keep getting better and need to keep getting better and today was no different. 'I think the score line wasn't indicative of how intense and tough the game felt.' Lightning, missing shooter Cara Koenen due to a foot injury for the second week running, were on the back foot from the opening quarter. Lightning coach Belinda Reynolds said Koenen was 'extremely close' and they gave Koenen up until the last possible minute but she wasn't able to pass the fitness test. It was like Fever's players could read their opposition's minds - whatever the Lightning tried - the green clad side had an answer. Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard takes possession. Lightning shooter Steph Fretwell looked hesitant under the post and was off her game, which in turn put a lot of pressure on Reilley Batcheldor. The issues under the Lightning post cost them vital points with Batcheldor shooting at 90 per cent and Fretwell at 80 per cent. Fretwell sank just 2 of her 6 super shot attempts. Fever's Sunday Aryang certainly takes some blame for the Lightning's shooting woes, going to great lengths to keep Fretwell away from the post and from the centre of the arc for the super shots. Ryan said the Fever's defensive effort on Saturday night was one of their best of the season. 'Tonight we knew we had to be good because of how dangerous Lightning's attack is when they get humming,' Ryan said. It was in stark contrast to Fever shooting duo Jhaniele Fowler-Nembhard and Shanice Beckford shooting at 96 per cent and 94 per cent respectively. Reynolds said it was always going to be a tough task. Shanice Beckford outpoints two opponents. 'I think any team without a target shooter is always going to be a hard job,' Reynolds said. 'To Roo and Steph's credit they attacked it and they had to attack some of those two points because of the position we were in, it's always good to have your three shooting threats to go to.' Fever midcourters Alice Teague-Neeld, in her 100th game, and Jordan Cransberg had Lightning's Liz Watson and Leesa Mi Mi frazzled. Watson and Mi Mi had 12 general play overs between them. The visitors' slick ball movement and accuracy under the post had them ahead 22-13 at the first break. Lightning stepped up in the second quarter — a time out speech from Belinda Reynolds where she asked her team 'Is this how we want to end the half' seemed to spark something and they staged a gallant fight back shooting tit for tat with Fever. But the level quarter meant Fever still had a nine goal lead at the end of the half. Lightning star Liz Watson. The momentum carried into the start of the third quarter with Lightning shrinking the scoreline to a difference of six within the opening three minutes. But Fever weren't having any of it - fighting back to outshoot them 15-14 and surge ahead 51-41 at the last break. Fever showed no mercy in the final quarter. Lightning players looked defeated and at a loss as to how to deal with such a fast-paced attacking side. The Sunshine Coast side's finals chances are under pressure and it isn't going to get easier with their final two regular season opponents being Swifts and Thunderbirds. Lighting have a good record on the road and Reynolds is confident they can still pull it together and make finals. 'It's just keeping the energy,' she said post-match. 'We had ourselves within touching distance in the third quarter, it is about finding that energy… and maintaining that when we are attacking. I have full faith that we can attack these last two games, there is no tomorrow if we don't.' FIREBIRDS CO-CAPTAIN FACING YEAR ON SIDELINES — Rebecca Williams Queensland Firebirds co-captain Hulita Veve will be sidelined for the rest of the season after suffering an ACL tear - the second player to be ruled out for the remainder of the club's 2025 campaign this week. The Firebirds revealed on Friday the 29-year-old midcourter and Tongan international injured her ACL in training earlier this week. The club said Veve would consult with a specialist in the coming days to determine when she would undergo surgery. Veve's injury comes after Firebirds goal attack Tippah Dwan was this week also ruled out of the rest of the season due to an ongoing knee injury. Hulita Veve has suffered an ACL injury. Firebirds head coach Kiri Wills said the loss of Veve's was a blow to the team's on-court leadership. 'This is a massive blow for Hulita and for all of us at the club,' Wills said. 'Not only is Hulita a leader in our club, she's a hugely popular and important part of our purple family and I know everyone will be doing all we can to support her as she begins her rehabilitation. 'It's a huge loss for us on court - but we have a resilient group and I know Hulita will want us to do all we can to finish the season as strongly as possible.' Veve was named as a co-captain alongside defender Ruby Bakewell-Doran this year. A premiership winner with the Firebirds in 2016, the mother-of-two made a successful return as a full-time contracted Super Netball player last season. The Firebirds sit at the bottom of the Super Netball ladder with three rounds remaining in the regular season. Originally published as Super Netball round 12: Melbourne Mavericks stun NSW Swifts West Coast Fever defeats Sunshine Coast Lightning 69-54
CBS News
11-06-2025
- CBS News
Woman speaks for first time after getting trapped in car for 6 days in Indiana
An Indiana woman spoke for the first time Tuesday after surviving six days in a ditch following a car crash back in March. Brieonna Cassell, Brie for short, was found inside her car in Newton County, Indiana, on Tuesday, March 15 — six days after her family reported her missing. Thirteen surgeries later, Cassell can show you the proof of every rod, plate, and pin put in her legs and arms. "The first like 11, I believe, were every other day once they started," Cassell said. For the last three months, Cassell was at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Illinois, recovering after her car crashed into a ditch. "And then my car crunched like an accordion," Cassell said. Cassell said she fell asleep behind the wheel on a rural Newton County road. Her legs were trapped in the car, and so she couldn't move. "I was like, 'Well, go to sleep — hopefully, somebody finds you,'" Cassell said. "Woke up in the morning, and I was still there, and I was all like, 'Now I've got to figure out how to get out of here.'" For six days, Cassell drank water from her cardigan, stayed warm from a mattress topper, and used a flashlight to try to get drivers' attention. Meanwhile, her mom, Kim Brown, reported her missing. "I was just screaming to God, 'Please let my baby come home,'" Brown said. "'I don't care how you bring her home. Just let her come home.'" Brown's prayers were answered when a man named Johnny Martinez — who was driving a 10-foot-tall tractor working for Deyoung Drainage on County Road 600S near County Road 300E near the Newton County Landfill — saw what turned out to be Cassell's car crashed in a ditch by the side of the road. He contacted his supervisor, Morocco Fire Chief Jeremy Vanderwall, who came to Cassell's rescue. "She said: 'I didn't think I was going to make it out of here. I thought I was going to die in this ditch,'" said Vanderwall. "I see the tire come up and stop," said Cassell, "and then I was just so relieved." Cassell said she has not seen Martinez or Vanderwall since that day. She said the day they reunite will be an emotional one. "When they pulled me out of that car, my flesh had been rotting for two days. I had been smelling it," Cassell said. "I didn't think my legs were coming out of the car with me." Cassell is home with her mom now. An ambulance drove her back just this past Saturday morning. A group of volunteers also built a ramp at the front of her home. Cassell said her goal is now to write a book about her experience and focus on physical therapy. "I know I'll be able to walk eventually," she said. "Like, I'm not doubting that." It was also in Northwest Indiana back in December 2023 that Matt Reum went through a very similar experience. Reum survived for six days at in a ravine along Salt Creek in Portage, Indiana, after his pickup truck fell off an overpass on Interstate 94. The pickup truck was smashed and mangled, and he couldn't get out – nor reach his phone to call for help. So he just remained there, surviving on rainwater and using his airbag as a blanket when it got cold out, for six days. On Dec. 26, 2023, two fishermen who had come to scout out a spot along the creek just happened across Reum—and called 911 for first responders to come to his rescue. Reum had to have his leg amputated, but survived, and was expressing his perspective and gratitude a year later.
