Latest news with #Weddle
USA Today
07-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Chargers great named one of best draft values of millennium
The Chargers have hit on a handful of players in the first round over the years. But they've also found some gems beyond Round 1, including safety Eric Weddle. NFL Media's Eric Edholm went position by position and identified the best NFL draft values of the millennium, and sided with the highest-achieving lower selections. Weddle, who was selected in the second round of the 2007 NFL draft (No. 37 overall), checked in at No. 3, behind Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu and ahead of Adrian Wilson and Kam Chancellor. Weddle quickly became one of the league's best center fielders, able to impact the game in coverage and as an open-field tackler, earning two first-team and three second-team All-Pro honors in a dominant five-season span (2010-14) in San Diego. He was a tough, smart and reliable player for nearly a decade with the Chargers, later adding three Pro Bowl invitations with the Ravens. Weddle also came out of retirement to help the Rams win Super Bowl LVI, in spite of being out of the game for nearly two full years before his return. Edholm mentioned he was weighing Weddle against another early second-rounder, Budda Baker, who was taken one spot earlier 10 years later, in the 2017 NFL draft. While Baker has tallied more Pro Bowl invitations than Weddle, his overall body of work with the team that drafted him was just a bit stronger on the whole than what Baker has done in eight seasons for the Cardinals. During his time with the Chargers, his best ability might've been his availability, playing in 137 games and starting 122 of them. A highly productive player in the blue and gold, Weddle amassed 847 tackles, 19 interceptions, and four defensive touchdowns en route to earning three Pro Bowl selections and two First-Team All-Pro selections. After nine seasons with the Bolts, Weddle went on to spend three seasons with the Ravens (2016-18). The San Diego native then played with the Rams in two separate stints, with the first being in 2019 and the other being in 2021, in which he returned from retirement to play in the 2021 postseason, helping out in L.A.'s Super Bowl win.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
City Council reviews proposed $24.6M budget, tables tornado-related loan decision
London City Council conducted a first reading of its proposed $24.6 million budget for fiscal year 2025–26 during a special-called meeting Monday evening. The proposed appropriations include: — General Fund: $16,181,500 — Garbage Fund: $7,043,000 — Municipal Aid Program: $177,000 — Alcohol Fund: $1,225,000 — LGEA Funds: None. At the start of Monday's meeting, Council Member Judd Weaver announced that fellow councilperson Anthony Ortega was absent due to his father's passing. Stacy Benge made a motion to approve the first reading of the discussed budget — Ordinance 2025-08 — which was seconded by Council Member Justin Young and unanimously approved. The second reading and final adoption of the budget is scheduled for a special-called meeting at 4:30 p.m. Monday, June 16. The budget ordinance is the only item planned for that meeting's agenda. Benge requested that the proposed ordinance be posted to the city's website in advance so the public can view it, to which Mayor Randall Weddle agreed. During the discussion, Benge said he had previously asked about a new $60,000 line in the clerk's department labeled 'payroll.' He confirmed with Mayor Weddle that the line reflects a new payroll processing system (BambooHR) and is not tied to additional staffing as he originally thought. Benge also questioned the city fire department's salary increase from $875,000 last year to $1.18 million. Weddle said the fire department had been understaffed and underpaid, and that two part-time firefighters were added this year, along with raises and budget flexibility to cover growing manpower needs for community events. Fire Chief Donnie Hale confirmed the department remains below staffing standards at this time. 'According to NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) standards, we're supposed to have seven people per shift. We only have five,' Hale said. 'When I came in, there were three.' Chief Hale added that while the department has about 25 volunteers on the roster, only a few regularly respond. He said incentives are not currently offered due to budget limitations. Young went on to ask how the city handles unplanned costs for events, to which Mayor Weddle said such expenses are addressed through contingency funds. Weddle also confirmed that the city has enough funding to operate through the end of the current fiscal year. The budget includes adjustments for current staffing and anticipated operational needs. The council went on to discuss a proposed loan to cover approximately $350,000 in tornado-related payroll expenses. Weddle said that while the city technically has the funds to cover the cost, the loan would help ensure that critical infrastructure projects, such as road paving and bridge repairs, could proceed without being affected. 'It's a $100,000 to $130,000 project every time we touch one of these bridges,' Weddle said. Council members expressed concerns about interest costs and public opposition. Particularly, Jim Baker questioned borrowing when funds are available, and Weaver said residents had raised concerns to him. Benge moved to table the loan discussion until the council's regular meeting in August. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. The council's upcoming meeting will take place next Monday. To watch the livestream, visit The City of London Facebook page.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
London is three-fourths finished with cleanup efforts after deadly tornado: Mayor
Video note: Despite this article's time stamp, the above video is the latest forecast from The Weather Authority. LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) — It's been 25 days since London was hit with the unimaginable. In the late evening hours of May 16, a deadly and violent EF4 tornado touched down in the place that thousands call home. London is three-fourths finished with cleanup efforts after deadly tornado: Mayor 1 dead, 2 injured after crash in Adair County Off-duty Kentucky police officer charged with DUI in Hardin County 'I'd imagine it's going to take us years,' said City of London Mayor Randall Weddle. 'And I don't know that the scars will ever be healed.' More than 800 homes were impacted, and 19 people lost their lives. 'It's going to take some time. We lost some amazing people. Every individual we lost in this community hurts,' Weddle added. 'It's been a burden on this community that lost one so.' In those 25 days, it's been nonstop work, rebuilding the community one day at a time. 'We're over ¾ with cleanup, so if you go back out into the areas, we've done a tremendous amount of work out there, and it goes to the volunteers,' said Weddle. 'We've had over 2,000 volunteers and over 11,000 hours of manpower that's been out there the last several weeks.' The city has also established temporary storm shelters that will be activated in the event of inclement weather at the South Laurel High School gymnasium, the North Laurel High School gymnasium, the London Community Center, and London Elementary School (during town center events). Bill could make federal minimum wage $15: Kentucky among states paying less than that Kentucky sitting near bottom of rankings in environmental protection: Study Airbnb generates an estimated $590 million in Kentucky in 2024 'It's really important because when this stuff happens, you know there's going to be trauma from the memories of this happening, and we want to give them a safe place where they can come and be taken care of,' said Hobie Daugherty, public affairs officer with the London Police Department. Although the timeline for a full recovery looks like years, city leaders are reminding their community that they're not doing it alone. 'With this recent disaster, that seems to be the goal of the community itself—we take care of one another, and the love that's come out from everybody is just amazing,' Daugherty added. Weddle is also asking people to sign up with FEMA. They are set up at the Laurel County library. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
817 Laurel County homes damaged in May 16 storms, London mayor says
A wave of storms and a tornado ripped through Kentucky May 16, leaving 19 people dead. Most of the damage was concentrated in Laurel and Pulaski Counties. The powerful system chewed up stores and neighborhoods, collapsed buildings, overturned cars and triggered desperate door-to-door rescues in hopes of pulling residents from flattened homes. Randall Weddle, mayor of London, said in a Facebook post Friday the storms damaged or destroyed 817 homes in Laurel County. ▪ Homes destroyed completely: 280 ▪ Homes with major damage: 195 ▪ Homes with minor damage: 133 ▪ Homes lightly affected: 134 ▪ Homes with no visible damage: 75 ▪ Total affected homes: 817 'It's crucial that the affected families connect with all available agencies to receive the assistance they need,' Weddle said. 'Ensuring everyone is aware of the resources and support options is vital for their recovery.' Some homeowners and renters in Caldwell, Laurel, Pulaski, Russell, Trigg and Union counties who were affected by the May 16-17 tornadoes are eligible for federal aid. Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance is available for displacement, temporary lodging, basic home repairs, personal property losses and other uninsured disaster-related expenses. Kentucky has recorded at least 43 deaths from severe weather this year. 'I don't know why this is happening to Kentucky,' Gov. Andy Beshear said following the storms. 'But our collective resilience is great, and we remain there for the communities that have been hit so hard.'
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Contractor network in London formulated to thwart ‘fly-by-night' scammers
LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) — London Mayor Randall Weddle and Attorney General Russell Coleman announced on Wednesday that they created a program to prevent fly-by-night home improvement contractors from preying on storm victims. 'Following natural disasters, consumers may encounter bad actors or dishonest business practices through price gouging, charity scams, loan scams, and contracting scams,' Weddle said. 'Consumers should be aware of these scams and report them to the Attorney General's Office of Consumer Protection.' Laurel County tornado victims look toward future as law enforcement cracks down on looters The Emergency Contractor Registration Program (ECRP) requires any contractor operating in city limits to register with local government officials before doing business in areas impacted by storm damage. Mayor Weddle announced on social media on Wednesday, May 18, that the attorney general's Disaster Fraud Task Force had been activated to catch those who may be trying to commit home improvement scams. According to Mayor Weddle, registered contractors would be issued placards that must be displayed on their job sites. City leaders said ECRP forms are available at the office of the city of London building inspector (606-862-8401) or the office of the city clerk (606-864-4169), both located at 501 South Main Street. Registration is free. London mother, toddler survive being blown away by tornado: 'I hear him crying' Prestonsburg Veterinary Hospital works to help pets impacted by tornado Video shows moments before Georgetown man accused of planning to meet minor is arrested Weddle wrote that Attorney General Coleman's Consumer Protection Division had tips consumers may want to know regarding 'fly-by-night contractors': Take time to research contractors or repair companies and get secondary opinions. London residents were encouraged to search for contractors via the Better Business Bureau website, get referrals from friends and family, or visit the city building inspector's office, as they are reportedly responsible for registering or licensing contract work. Resist pressure tactics and don't accept work at a 'special discount' on the spot. Never pay in advance or up front for repair work. Don't sign insurance checks over to a contractor. Be sure to get an invoice from your contractor and pay them directly, preferably with a credit card, so that charges may be disputed, if necessary. Review contracts carefully, and do not sign documents that give a contractor rights to your insurance claims. Officials in London said to report a scam, fill out this form. To report price-gouging, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
