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Chicago Tribune
10-07-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
‘It's nice to finally have space for everybody': Porter County shows off building improvements
Spirits were high Wednesday afternoon while three Porter County Government departments showed off their renovated spaces following a $1.5 million upgrade funded with American Rescue Plan Act and Senate Bill 4 money. The project, which began in November, included moving the Coroner's and Veterans Services offices to new, bigger spaces while doubling the size of the health department. 'It's nice to finally have space for everybody,' said Kris Centrino, a contract grant specialist for the health department. It expanded from three to four exam rooms and now has a bathroom for patients who previously had to go out into the lobby to find one. The office also gained a dirty room, a clean room, a meeting room, a light-filled lunch room, more office space, and a cozy lounge the staff has filled with photos of their pets for relaxing breaks. 'Before, it was four nurses in one office. Now it's two,' said nursing supervisor Crystal Coffey. Fresh paint, finishes and office furniture make the spaces feel brand new. A mini-split in the vaccine room will also protect the many expensive, specialized refrigerators required to store vaccines. 'It has to be temperature-controlled,' Coffey said. 'It's a big deal that this is cooled and doesn't wear out our equipment as fast.' The entire project was made possible when the Voter Registration Office moved from the lower level of the administration building to 157 Franklin St. Veterans services and the coroner's offices took over that former space and grew by 100% and 50% respectively. Staff in Veterans Services now have offices in which to sit, rather than being out in the middle of the space, which posed privacy issues for the clients they serve. They also gained a kitchenette to make their time with veterans more hospitable. 'They didn't have a sink and they wanted to be able to make coffee for veterans,' explained Commissioner Barb Regnitz, R-Center. The office also gained a waiting room. 'We had to go find them before they came into their appointment,' said Khristian Molchan, director of Veterans Services, of clients who were previously forced to wait in the hallway. Regnitz may have been most proud of the improved storage throughout the renovation. 'I was so claustrophobic,' she said of the former spaces, 'because the hallways were stacked with stuff on either side.' 'It's exceeded all of our expectations,' said Board of Health member Robyn Lane. 'And I'm really happy for the veterans, too, because they didn't have any room before.' Her mom, Penny Kuzmich, said the boost to staff morale was obvious. She said she could see 'the encouragement' on their faces. 'And they're ready to do more,' she said, having overheard excited chatter and exchanges of ideas. Staff expect public morale will be up upon coming into the health department as well. 'It feels very professional, which is what people deserve when they come into a public space,' said Food Safety Inspector Carrie Batson. The public will have more user-friendly access to her section of the health department with a new, dedicated window for the Food and Environmental Division. The Vital Records Division also has a dedicated window now and the main health department window offers a handicap-accessible counter at wheelchair height. The completed renovation is part of a slew of projects that are seeing improvements to 40 different areas throughout the county, according to Facilities Director Joe Wiszowaty. A total of $6.5 million is being spent between four county buildings, including a nearly $1 million contract set to be awarded Tuesday for new heat pumps at the Juvenile Detention Center. A suite of comfort rooms in the Porter County Courthouse has just been refreshed for use by victims, the Election & Registration Department just applied for a permit with the city of Valparaiso for renovations there following catastrophic flooding, and $18 million in renovations continue for phase II at the Porter County Jail.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Former New Mexico Department of Veterans Services Cabinet secretary to run for secretary of state
Sonya Smith made history in 2020 as the first African American to lead the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services. She could do it again as the first African American to serve as New Mexico's secretary of state. The former Cabinet secretary said Tuesday she will be seeking the Democratic nomination to become the state's top election officer, making her the third Democrat to jump into the 2026 race to succeed Maggie Toulouse Oliver, who is term-limited. "This is more than just an election opportunity for me," Smith, 58, said in a telephone interview Tuesday. "I believe wholeheartedly that I have the skillset, the leadership and the experience to make sure that not only are we protecting our right to vote but that we continue with innovative ways and strategies to keep that integrity intact." Smith, who plans to formally announce her candidacy Thursday in Albuquerque, joins Doña Ana County Clerk Amanda López Askin and Santa Fe County Clerk Katharine Clark in seeking the Democratic nomination. So far, no Republicans or candidates from any other party have announced they are entering the race. Although she doesn't have elections administration experience, Smith said she's confident she can do the job. "What I know is that while I may not know everything right now, I have the capacity to learn very quickly," Smith said, adding she's also a good listener. "I know that that is top of mind to people, you know? 'Well, what is it that she's bringing to the table?' I may not have all the answers right now, but what I do have is the ability to get things done. My record as Cabinet secretary shows that," she said. Smith served as Veterans Services secretary from October 2020 to November 2022 when she stepped down to take care of her ailing mother in Virginia. Smith's mother died in February. During her tenure, she supported the enactment of an income tax exemption for armed forces retirees and oversaw the launch of a transportation program for veterans in rural New Mexico. She also increased the number of Veterans Services officers, reinstated a veterans program for women and established a full-time department tribal liaison to better support Native American veterans. Her confirmation wasn't without controversy. While most confirmation hearings draw little attention, hers sparked outcry when a high-ranking Republican asked Smith questions some said were laced with an undercurrent of racism. "Do you expect that in your time here, in seven years, that you've been immersed in this culture enough in this state that you feel comfortable entering a position?' then-Senate Minority Leader Greg Baca of Belen asked Smith. Baca noted a small percentage of the state's population is African American while nearly half is Hispanic or a Hispanic mix. "Do you feel like you are comfortable adequately representing both cultures — white, Native, Hispanics?" he asked Smith. "Are you asking do I feel comfortable representing the Department of Veterans Services as a Black woman? Is that what you are asking?" Smith asked Baca, who later apologized for what he characterized as an "insensitive line of questioning." Smith said Tuesday she's been considering running for secretary of state since serving as a Cabinet secretary. "I believe strongly in our voice and our votes being our voice," she said. "This is just not business as usual for us, and we see that all across country. ... Just like I protected our rights and freedoms when I served in the Air Force, that's the same vigor that I'm going to have in making sure that our vote, which is our voice, is protected." Before serving as Cabinet secretary, Smith worked as a special projects coordinator for the New Mexico Department of Health, helping guide the agency's COVID-19 testing team. Prior to that, she served as director of compliance at Southwest Care Center in Santa Fe and as clinical compliance manager at the University of New Mexico Medical Group, where she is working again as a health care administrator. A veteran of the Gulf War, Smith served as a medical technician in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm as a member of the U.S. Air Force Reserve. She has a bachelor's degree in health services management from Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Va., as well as a master's in health care compliance from Argosy University and a master's in health care administration from the University of Phoenix.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Rhode Island pays tribute to state's fallen veterans
EXETER. R.I. (WPRI) — Dozens of Rhode Islanders gathered at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery Monday afternoon to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. The entire cemetery was adorned with thousands of American flags marking the headstones of the state's veterans and their loved ones who have been laid to rest. SEE ALSO: 'Boots on the Ground' memorial honors RI's fallen heroes Gov. Dan McKee and Veterans Services Director Kasim Yarn presided over the state's 51st annual Memorial Day commemoration at the cemetery. Ronald Gill Sr. was among those in attendance. Gill Sr.'s son, 26-year-old Ronald Gill Jr., passed away during a United States Coast Guard training exercise 18 years ago. 'It's sad having to spend time with your son at the cemetery,' Gill Sr. said. 'But this is his home. This is where we come to see him.' Gill Sr. told 12 News he has dedicated his life to keeping his son's memory and legacy alive. 'This is the day to honor the men and women that never made it out of their uniform,' he said. More than 25,000 Rhode Island veterans, as well as their spouses and eligible dependents, are buried at the 280-acre cemetery, which first opened in 1976. NEXT: RI receives $5M to expand capacity of Veterans Memorial Cemetery Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Memorial Day ceremonies take place throughout western Massachusetts
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) -Many will be remembering the meaning of Memorial Day on Monday and the honor we reserve for those who have given their lives for the country. What's open and closed on Memorial Day in Massachusetts? Ceremonies and parades will be held across the region on Monday. Here's a list of events happening this year: A Memorial Day Observance Ceremony will take place at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam on Monday at 1:00 p.m. Governor Maura Healey will be there to give the Memorial Day address alongside Veterans Services Secretary Jon Santiago. Mayor Domenic Sarno of Springfield will also be speaking at the event. The annual Memorial Day Procession and Ceremony will be held on Monday at 9:30 a.m., beginning at the intersection of Spring Street and Boltwood Avenue. It will finish at the War Memorial Pool in front of Amherst Regional High School with a ceremony. On Monday, between 8:30 and 8:45 a.m. at the South Cemetery, a salute to the veterans interred at Belchertown's South Cemetery. A parade will step off at 10:00 am from the town hall and conclude at the town common, followed by a ceremony. On Monday, the annual Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at the Veterans Memorial Plaza located at 650 Front Street at 11:00 a.m. The Memorial Day Ceremony will be held on Monday at the East Longmeadow High School. The outside ceremony will feature the East Longmeadow American Legion Post #293 members forming up at 10:30 AM and beginning a short march at 10:50 AM to the flag pole of East Longmeadow High School. The Upper Pioneer Valley Veterans' Services District will recognize Memorial Day on Monday at 10 a.m. with a parade and ceremony. The route starts at Greenfield Middle School and concludes at Veterans' Mall. Parade line-up begins at 9:30 a.m.. The route is as follows: Travels Down Federal Street. The route stops at the Federal Street Cemetery for the presentation of a remembrance wreath. Left onto Maple Street Right onto Franklin Street Right onto Main Street. The route stops at the Leavitt-Hovey House Mexican-American War statue and then left to the Greenfield Common for remembrance wreath presentations. Concludes at Veterans Mall for a short ceremony. Annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony. The parade will step off at 10:00 a.m. from St. Mary's Catholic Church at 27 Somers Road, Hampden, and proceed down Main Street to the Veterans Memorial at the Hampden Town Center, where the town's Memorial Day Ceremony will begin at approximately 11:00 a.m. In the event of rain or inclement weather, the parade will be canceled, and the Memorial Day Ceremony will move indoors to Hampden Town Hall. A Memorial Day ceremony will be held on Monday at the War Memorial Building located at 310 Appleton Street. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. Post 325 will host a lunch beginning at noon until 2 p.m. Post 351 will be hosting a breakfast from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. and lunch from noon to 2 p.m. The City of Pittsfield's annual Memorial Day procession (rain or shine) will begin at 9 a.m. on Monday. A ceremony will follow at the cemetery. A Memorial Day Parade is scheduled for Monday at 9 a.m. from Norris School to Center Cemetery for flag and flower placement and prayer. The parade will then continue to Town Hall for a Memorial wreath laying and a speech. On Monday, Mayor Domenic Sarno will join with Bishop William Byrne and our Veterans and families for the annual special Memorial Day Mass at St. Michael's Cemetery on Monday at 10:00 a.m. The Memorial Day Parade will be held on Monday with a new route. The parade will begin at 10:30 a.m. from City Hall and proceed down Court Street toward the center, turning right onto Broad Street, and right onto West Silver Street to Parker Memorial Park. It will be followed by a ceremony. On Monday, a gathering will take place at 6:45 a.m. at the Vietnam Veterans Bridge, which connects West Springfield and Agawam off Front Street. The ceremony will start promptly at 7:00 a.m. and will include brief remarks in honor of those who served and sacrificed. Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) will then begin their dawn patrol, visiting all local cemeteries where fallen service members are interred, as well as the Town's war memorials. The patrol is scheduled to begin around 8:00 a.m. at Ashleyville Cemetery on Riverdale Street. From there, it will go to Paucatuck Cemetery on Sibley Avenue, then to St. Thomas Cemetery on Pine Street, followed by White Church Cemetery on Elm Street. Additional stops will include the North End Bridge at the end of Park Avenue, the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial at the intersection of Park Street and Elm Street, and will conclude at the War Veterans' Memorial at the southeast end of the Town Common, near the North End rotary. West Springfield's official Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m. outside Town Hall, located at 26 Central Street in West Springfield. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
25-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Memorial Day service held for fallen servicemembers at Massachusetts cemetery
For Thomas White, a Vietnam War veteran from Massachusetts, Memorial Day holds a deep personal significance far beyond just a three-day weekend. "I came home," said White. "But we lost 58,400 guys in Vietnam that are on the Vietnam wall." Saluting each veteran's grave Each year, on Memorial Day, White visits the Somerville Veterans Cemetery, where he honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice. He takes a moment at each gravesite, saluting the fallen to ensure their memory is never forgotten. Jerome Thomas, the Director of Veterans Services in Somerville, played a key role in organizing a Memorial Day ceremony at the cemetery. "Signifies, for me, as a veteran, brothers and sisters who we've lost in the past those who went before me who sacrificed all," said Thomas, a fellow veteran. "We all sign up for this, but few of us actually have to sacrifice our lives for it at the end of the day. So we're here to recognize them and say thank you for them." Veterans like White often express that they do not expect gratitude for their service, but the support of the community means a great deal. "As veterans, we don't ask for any thank yous," Thomas said. "But it is good to know that the community does support us." "It's an honor to see all these people show up to not just honor me but honor especially the people that are buried here," said White. Honoring the fallen The Somerville Veterans Cemetery serves as a solemn reminder of the men and women who gave their lives for the freedoms Americans enjoy today. Each Memorial Day, you can find White saluting each grave, taking the time to pay his respects. For Thomas, Memorial Day is not just about enjoying the warm weather or a day at the beach. It's a moment to reflect, honor, and pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the United States.
