Latest news with #Myers
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Jets' Joe Tippmann making most of competition on offensive line
New York Jets center Joe Tippmann was among the bright spots in a dark 2024 season. The then-sophomore blocker made a successful full-time transition from guard. Since moving to center, Tippmann's 70.6 overall Pro Football Focus grade ranks 14th among centers who have played at least 500 snaps. Tippmann's improved play is why it was surprising when the Jets signed veteran center Josh Myers to a one-year deal worth $3.5 million earlier this offseason. The experienced Myers started 56 total contests for the Green Bay Packers over the previous four campaigns. His arrival incited a competition at center between Tippmann and himself. Tippmann is making the most of the situation, he recently told The New York Post at training camp. 'At first, I mean, it took me by surprise a little bit,' Tippmann said after Wednesday's first day of training camp in Florham Park. 'But Coach [Aaron Glenn] actually called me first, and he kind of let me know the situation beforehand. So after that, I was just excited.' Tippmann started all 17 contests for the Jets last season, playing every single offensive snap. Coach Glenn provided clarity, repeatedly reiterating that there is an open competition 'at every position." It lit a fire under Tippmann, who didn't expect to be competing for a starting gig. "It was certainly made clear that it's a competition," Myers said at the podium, reiterating that he's been told he'll receive every opportunity imaginable this summer to compete for a starting job. It'll be worth monitoring how the Jets split first-team reps between Tippmann and Myers throughout training camp. It would be shocking if Myers actually defeated Tippmann for the starting job. Instead, the Jets should have terrific depth behind their young, ascending center this year.
CBS News
6 days ago
- Automotive
- CBS News
Chicago towing damage claims are regularly denied, analysis shows
When drivers like Craig Myers park where they shouldn't in Chicago and get towed, they expect certain consequences. "Obviously it was my fault that I parked there, because I didn't look at the sign correctly," he said. On a snowless night in February 2025, Myers parked in a December-to-April overnight snow tow zone. "Looked at the sign, and all I saw was two inches of snow. I was really tired," he explained. The next morning, his car was gone, hauled away by a tow truck. "I was able to make the phone calls to find out what pound the car was in," he said. "I was okay with paying the tow. That was my fault. I paid my dues for that, right? I understood that I parked illegally. But, I did not expect this nightmare." The nightmare, Myers explained, is the state he found his Hyundai Santa Fe in after he paid the fee. "I turned on the car and it made a loud noise. I pulled up to the gate where the attendant was standing right there," Myers said. "I put it in park, and when I put it in park, the car kept going. They apparently broke the parking pin." Myers said he also noticed damage to the bumper. These are all problems he claims did not exist prior to the tow. His Santa Fe is a four-wheel drive SUV. The best way to tow an all-wheel drive vehicle, multiple experts told CBS News Chicago, is on a flatbed truck. Myers was able to get surveillance video which shows his SUV being pulled by a regular tow truck, back wheels seen rolling on the ground. He followed the rules, filing a claim and attaching multiple estimates. Mechanics told him he would need his transmission replaced. They also told him this was not the first time they've encountered this type of damage. "Every mechanic said, 'This is what the city does. This is what the towing company does. They've been doing it for years. Good luck,'" Myers said. United Road Towing (URT) has a 10-year, $96 million contract with the city to provide tows, among other things. Chicago's Department of Streets and Sanitation also conducts towing operations. A department spokesperson said last year, URT towed 58,245 vehicles while DSS towed 22,877. CBS News Chicago requested tow damage claim data. An analysis found 23% of claims submitted between 2016 and 2024 were approved. The city paid a total of $166,000 for those 76 claims. The remaining claims were either denied or are still open as of the public records date. Either way, nothing was paid to drivers, especially if a URT truck was identified as the responsible party. There are a few cases where drivers took URT to court and were ultimately able to get some money from the company for tow damage. Myers' claim was denied. A letter sent to him by URT said, "Our investigation, as sustained by the police tow report, motor vehicle inventory report, tow driver and personnel conclude the damage reported was not the result of any action on the part of our company personnel. Therefore, your claim has been denied." Last year, CBS News Chicago reported on another driver, Esther Liu, whose car was towed improperly. Unlike Myers, her car should not have been towed at all. She was parked in a legal parking spot. The tow, also caught on surveillance video, showed her all-wheel drive Honda Element being hauled away with the back wheels on the ground. That was July 2024. Her car did not work at all when she went to the pound to pick it up. She submitted a claim and an estimate. Her case remains in limbo more than a year later. "Insurance declared it a total loss," Liu said. The city is requesting another estimate from her. But, Myers' case is turning out differently after CBS News Chicago began asking questions. Myers got additional news from a United Road Towing company executive. "His offer was, I'll give you what the Blue Book is on this. The Kelly's Blue Book," said Myers. Within days, he had a $3,500 check in hand. "It's my understanding that it was kind of take it or leave it and I took it," he said. In written responses to CBS News Chicago questions, the Department of Streets and Sanitation said the most common reasons for claim denials are: Insufficient evidence, meaning a lack of clear documentation to support the claim; and preexisting damage where their records indicate the damage in question existed prior to the tow. "All staff must do an initial inspection prior to towing the vehicle," DSS wrote. But, in Liu's case it's clear from the surveillance video no initial inspection was done. Her car was hooked up and driven away from the River North parking spot in under a minute. When asked about that, DSS said tow operators, if concerned for their safety, sometimes move cars to a nearby location to conduct the pre-tow inspection. In response to URT's common denial of claims found in the data analysis, DSS said it "has not found a consistent pattern of denials," adding, "However, we remain receptive to feedback from residents and are always open to finding ways to improve oversight and communication both internally and externally." As for towing procedures URT tow trucks are seen using in the Liu and Myers videos, DSS said, "All towing operators, including those employed by URT, are mandated to adhere to strict guidelines regarding the handling, transportation and documentation of vehicles. We want residents to feel confident knowing that if and when concerns are brought to our attention, we will immediately initiate serious and thorough investigations to hold all contracted partners accountable." DSS said between the department and URT, the city has 60 flatbed trucks available to conduct tows.
The Market Online
6 days ago
- Business
- The Market Online
Quarterhill cuts workforce by 15 per cent
Quarterhill (TSX:QTRH) has laid off 100 employees, representing about 15 per cent of its headcount The move is intended to reduce costs and put the company on a path to sustainable adjusted EBITDA and operating cash flow Quarterhill provides tolling, logistics, and safety and enforcement solutions in the intelligent transportation systems industry Quarterhill stock has given back 20.73 per cent year-over-year and 35.96 per cent since 2020 Transportation technology provider Quarterhill (TSX:QTRH) has laid off 100 employees, representing about 15 per cent of its headcount, to reduce costs and put the company on a path to sustainable adjusted EBITDA and operating cash flow. This content has been prepared as part of a partnership with Quarterhill Inc., and is intended for informational purposes only. The author owns shares in the company. The author has not been paid by Quarterhill Inc. or any third party for this article. The cuts affected contract and full-time employees to a similar degree, mostly in areas driving the cost of sales, and will result in annualized cost savings of US$12 million that will be fully reflected in the business by 2026. The move is part of Quarterhill's ongoing turnaround strategy, which chief executive officer Chuck Myers characterized in the Q4 2024 as 'integrating our strong operating assets, implementing leadership changes, developing our strategic plan, advancing our technology roadmap, expanding our sales pipeline and renegotiating certain tolling contracts.' Renegotiations are underway for two tolling contracts, as per the Q1 2025 news release, accounting for US$3.2 million of US$3.4 million in adjusted EBITDA losses for the quarter. The company's bid to 'better align resources with our long-term strategic priorities and those of our customers,' as described in Thursday's news release, follows three consecutive years of decreasing operating losses – from US$33.98 million in 2022 to US$15.94 million in 2024 – and four consecutives years of revenue growth – posting US$153.31 million in 2024 – showing the company to be on a profitable growth path that speaks highly of its near-term future. Leadership insights 'While it is always difficult to part with good people, these changes are necessary to ensure we remain focused and well-positioned for long-term growth,' Myers said in a statement. 'This is one of several decisive steps we are taking to strengthen our financial foundation and represents a critical milestone in our objective to achieve positive adjusted EBITDA margins and operating cash flow. At the same time, as we progress through this transition period, we will be better positioned to serve our customers with the highest standard of service.' About Quarterhill Quarterhill provides tolling, logistics, and safety and enforcement solutions in the intelligent transportation systems industry. Quarterhill stock (TSX:QTRH) last traded at C$1.30. The stock has given back 20.73 per cent year-over-year and 35.96 per cent since 2020. Join the discussion: Find out what investors are saying about this transportation technology stock on the Quarterhill Inc. Bullboard and check out the rest of Stockhouse's stock forums and message boards. Stockhouse does not provide investment advice or recommendations. All investment decisions should be made based on your own research and consultation with a registered investment professional. The issuer is solely responsible for the accuracy of the information contained herein. For full disclaimer information, please click here.
Indianapolis Star
6 days ago
- General
- Indianapolis Star
A 30-foot sculpture is planned for Broad Ripple. Some welcome it; others call it 'tall scary man'
Artist Jason Myers designed his new sculpture — slated to stand at a high-profile Broad Ripple intersection — to be a welcoming modern-day guardian that embodies the neighborhood's movement, transformation and artistic expression. But many residents have the opposite feeling about the 30-foot-tall figurative man that will light up at night. On social media and at a public meeting, they have said they find the work, which they have seen depicted in drawings, to be grotesque, unwelcoming and a potential distraction for drivers. The recent outcry has surprised the organizers who are bringing the sculpture, called "Gavin-Divergence," to the northwest corner of College Avenue and Westfield Boulevard. Plans have been in the works for 18 months, said Tag Birge, a real-estate developer and investor who co-founded the Birge Family Foundation, which is funding the art as part of a partnership that includes the Indy Art Center and Penrod Society. Business owners and community members at a February public meeting responded positively to the piece, he said. But as the Nextdoor posts have circulated, more residents have spoken out about the sculpture. About 20 attended a Broad Ripple Village Association Land Use and Development Committee meeting July 22 to voice their concerns. At this point, "Gavin-Divergence" is under construction and not a done deal, Birge told IndyStar. He said organizers are awaiting an upcoming Board of Zoning Appeals public meeting that will determine whether to grant a variance to adjust the sightlines for the sculpture at the intersection. In the mean time, the dispute about how the proposed sculpture will represent the community is ongoing. The Birge Family Foundation has largely focused on education and healthcare initiatives. Now, it's adding public art to its portfolio to help reinvigorate what Birge calls the city's woefully underfunded arts infrastructure. "When I grew up, Broad Ripple was the arts and cultural district, and now we have competition," Birge said. "Carmel is really pulling a lot of the arts and cultural energy that we've had in Broad Ripple for years. We have to reinvest in our arts and cultural districts. It can't be static. You can't just rely on what you had in 1980 and hope that things go well." Eventually, the foundation plans to join with more partners to raise at least $1 million to create five pieces of public art in the neighborhood by multiple artists, Birge said. He declined to say how much the foundation is paying for Myers's "Gavin-Divergence." The Birge Family Foundation commissioned the piece from Myers, which the Indy Art Center will own and maintain. Myers, whose main U.S. studio is in his hometown of Logansport, lived in the Circle City for about 15 years starting in 2001, residing in Broad Ripple and operating the Artbox gallery at the Stutz. While there, he met Birge, who grew up in and around Broad Ripple. The two have remained in touch. "I've put pieces in Cologne, Germany; and Amsterdam; and Miami; and Palm Beach; and Napa, California. You know, I'm probably more excited about this piece in Broad Ripple than any of those just because (of) its relationship to me and where I grew up and where I'm part of that community," Myers said. At Birge's request, the Broad Ripple Village Association listed several locations where public art would be a good fit, and the corner of College and Westfield was most impactful, Birge said. The association did not select the art but has tried to spread the word about it among its newsletter subscribers and membership, said executive director Jordan Dillon. "We tried to be a resource for a citizen or a charitable group who wanted to bring a piece of art into the community and to help kind of share with them best practices," Dillon said. "We provided a lot of different locations where we think public art could be great in the area, and there's no shortage of them in Broad Ripple. We tended to agree with them that this location was going to be the most impactful for our area." But many Broad Ripple residents are not sold on the sculpture. Resident Brett Rathmell posted on the social media app NextDoor recently, sparking a plethora of comments that were mostly complaints. He said he became aware of "Gavin-Divergence" in mid-July, when his neighbor received notice of a public hearing about the variance petition for the area. Rathmell said he likes the sculpture but thinks it would be better placed elsewhere, like the Indy Art Center. For the intersection in question, "(it) just feels like it'd be nice to enhance what they have there or just add something that evokes community, people, warmth, emotion, going out, entertainment, warm and fuzzy things — not a tall, scary man, singular, that evokes fear," he told IndyStar. A July 22 Broad Ripple Village Association Land Use and Development Committee meeting on the variance petition, and not the sculpture itself, drew about 20 people. Several came to comment about the sculpture or its impact. "That does not say 'Welcome to Broad Ripple,'" said Nancy Siebert, who's lived in the neighborhood for almost 50 years. Across his 40 years as a resident, Glenn Plaster said he's watched Broad Ripple evolve from a cultural gem to a mishmash of parking garages and high-rise buildings. In his mind, "Gavin-Divergence" doesn't speak to the village's history. "I don't know what this artwork is supposed to represent. I don't see how it represents anything," Plaster said. John Pantzer said he wasn't opposed to the sculpture itself but was worried about whether such a tall piece of art would distract drivers at a busy intersection where cars, pedestrians and cyclists converge. "For the people who do want to come see it: Where are they going to stand? Where are they going to congregate? Could it cause accidents?" Pantzer said. While committee chair Bo Boroski cited recent city data saying the intersection has not seen collisions and injuries, the committee moved to recommend approval of the variance petition and included a recommendation to remove the right turn on red for those traveling south on College to west on Westfield. So far, "Gavin-Divergence" will proceed as planned for the intersection, Birge said, but he's open to more discussion. "If the BRVA came to me and said, after the public meetings were done and working on this for 18 months, that they thought there was a more impactful location, I would be open to it," Birge said. "But I think this is probably the most impactful location to start bringing art to activate the area." Myers said people will connect better with the in-person sculpture than with the computer-aided drafting drawings, which were intended to engineer the piece. He said similar sculptures on his website at give a better idea of what it will look like. And, as a seasoned artist, he said he understands criticism. "Public art is supposed to generate conversation," Myers said. "Not everyone's going to connect with the piece right away. But people are reacting, whether it's curiosity, confusion or even criticism. That means people are engaging in their community, and that means people are taking some responsibility for the art in their environment." Public comment about the variance petition will be welcome during an upcoming hearing of Division 1 of the Board of Zoning Appeals at 1 p.m. Sept. 2 on the second floor of the City-County Building. This Indy newsletter has the best shows, art and eats
USA Today
22-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Alabama pitcher signs with MLB team as undrafted free agent
Shaq to Chi-Town. Congrats, Braylon!@braylonmyers22 I #RollTide After not being selected in the 2025 MLB draft, Alabama Crimson Tide right-handed pitcher Braylon Myers has now reportedly signed as an undrafted free agent with the Chicago Cubs. Myers joins fellow Alabama teammate Kade Snell in heading to Chicago, as the outfielder was previously selected by the Cubs in the fifth round of the 2025 MLB draft. A key member of Alabama's bullpen the last few seasons, Myers is coming off a senior season in which he made 23 appearances for the Crimson Tide to own a 3-1 record with a 2.63 ERA and a 58:14 K:BB ratio across 41 innings. The right-hander also had two saves, and held opponents to a combined .190 AVG against. Across four seasons at Alabama from 2022-25, Myers made 73 relief appearances for the Crimson Tide where the right-hander owned a combined 6-3 record with a 3.73 ERA and a 127:38 K:BB ratio across 120.2 innings pitched. Myers also had nine saves as a member of the Crimson Tide. Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
