Latest news with #andTechnical
Los Angeles Times
3 hours ago
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
First mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus found in Orange County
Culex mosquitoes bite at dawn and dusk and tend to feed off birds, common carriers of West Nile virus. The first mosquitoes carrying West Nile virus this year were detected in Orange County, the Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District reported Tuesday. The agency confirmed that the mosquitoes were collected in Anaheim and Garden Grove and tested positive for the virus — the first samples to test positive in the county during this year's monitoring. A dead bird recovered in Garden Grove has also tested positive for the virus. The positive mosquitoes were collected near Euclid Avenue, West Broadway, Interstate 5, and West Ball Road in Anaheim; Magnolia Street, West Cerritos Avenue, Gilbert Street and West Katella Road in Anaheim; Haster Street, Lampson Avenue, Lewis Street, and State Route 22 in Garden Grove; and Gilbert Street, Lampson Avenue, Brookhurst Street and Garden Grove Boulevard in Garden Grove. Advertisement Orange County as of Tuesday has no reported human cases of West Nile virus. West Nile virus is transmitted to people primarily through infected mosquito bites. Mosquitoes acquire the virus when feeding on infected birds. 'Multiple mosquito samples and a dead bird testing positive for West Nile virus indicate that the virus is circulating in the community,' said Amber Semrow, OCMVCD's director of Scientific and Technical Services. 'Anaheim and Garden Grove are historically high-risk areas for West Nile virus activity. Conditions across the region are favorable for sustained virus activity during the warm summer months.' OCMVCD plans to continue surveillance, inspections and control measures for mosquitoes in the county to prevent more mosquito breeding. The agency will also post an advisory sign to alert residents in the area. 'Everyone in Orange County should do their part to prevent mosquitoes,' said Brian Brannon, OCMVCD spokesperson. 'Dumping and draining standing water is the most effective and environmentally-friendly way to rid mosquitoes from our communities.' O.C. residents are urged to prevent mosquito bites by dumping an draining containers holding water at least once a week; cleaning and scrubbing bird baths or pet water bowls; wearing repellent with DEET, picaridin, IR3535, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Closing unscreened doors and windows can also prevent mosquitoes from entering a residence. Light-colored, loose-fit clothing during dusk and dawn are also encouraged. Visit for more information about mosquito prevention.
Ammon
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Ammon
RHC Chief inspects progress of royal initiative projects in Balqa
Ammon News - Chief of the Royal Hashemite Court Yousef Hassan Issawi, head of the Follow-Up Committee for the Implementation of His Majesty's Initiatives, conducted an inspection tour on Wednesday of several royal initiative projects underway in Balqa Governorate, executed under the directives of His Majesty King Abdullah II. In Fuheis, Issawi visited the "Iso" Educational and Technical City project, part of the Branches and Production Units Initiative launched across the Kingdom. Accompanied by Balqa Governor Faisal Masaeed and Chairman of the Fuheis Municipal Committee Imad Hiyari, Issawi toured the project facilities and was briefed by Project Manager Mohammed Khattab on progress and operational plans. The project is over 80 percent complete. Designed to create 200 direct jobs and provide training for local community members, the project focuses on fields such as artificial intelligence, software, computers, and information technology. It includes production lines for smart devices computers, phones, tablets, and interactive screens as well as an educational academy and research labs, integrating education with industry. In Salt, Issawi inspected the Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II Sports Complex development project, accompanied by Masaeed, Chairman of the Greater Salt Municipality Committee Ali Batayneh, and officials from the Ministry of Youth. Diaa Majali of the Ministry of Youth detailed the work underway to transform the complex into an integrated sports city. The project is currently 50 percent complete and includes renovations to buildings and stands, construction of gates, kiosks, sidewalks, landscaping, and the covering of a semi-Olympic swimming pool. Facilities will include sports halls and fields, a Salt Youth Center, and a branch of the Zaha Cultural Center. Issawi also visited Yarqa Park in Salt, reviewing progress on a project to install safe children's play areas. The initiative, implemented in cooperation with the Zaha Cultural Center and Greater Salt Municipality, is part of the Royal Initiatives' "Safe Parks" program. The project includes a 230-square-meter sand play area and a 270-square-meter rubber playground, enhancing recreational facilities for local children. To date, 250 sites across 145 parks in the Kingdom have been equipped with safe play areas, including facilities to accommodate children with disabilities. Local "Friends of Parks" committees have been formed to help maintain these spaces. Issawi highlighted that these projects embody King Abdullah's vision to deliver development projects with tangible impacts across governorates, prioritizing education, technology, sports, and community services. He underscored that royal initiatives are executed in partnership with relevant ministries and agencies, ensuring coordinated efforts and effective implementation. He stressed that field monitoring of projects guarantees proper execution, achievement of objectives, and sustainability, adding that the royal initiatives reflect the King's commitment to advancing comprehensive local development. Petra
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Destructive': Educators blast new Mass. admission lottery for vocational schools
Students should not be selected for admission to vocational-technical schools in Massachusetts by lottery, a panel of state educators said Tuesday. The panel, consisting of school and business leaders in cities including Brockton, Springfield and Worcester, preferred the previous system of selection based on interviews, grades and recommendations. Panelist Timothy Murray, Worcester Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, argued that a lottery system penalizes students who work hard to earn good grades, suggesting that their educational fate is being determined by chance. 'It is unfortunate and not where we need to be going,' Murray said. The Massachusetts Vocational Technical Coalition, along with the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Pioneer Institute, hosted a forum about the state's vocational-technical admission policy in the Worcester Chamber of Commerce building on Tuesday. The five panel members all criticized the state's new admission policy, which bans the use of interviews, grades, or recommendations to decide whether an incoming high school student can be enrolled in a vocational-technical high school or high school program. Some advocates of voc-tech schools have previously said that the past criteria for enrollment lead to a disproportionate exclusion of special needs students, economically disadvantaged students, students of color and English language learners in schools. The new policy, approved by the state's Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on May 20, will implement a weighted lottery system for Career and Technical Education programs that have more applicants than available seats, according to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Education. Kevin McCaskill, who previously worked in Springfield, said the state's decision would destroy industries that benefit from having students attend voc-tech schools and programs that focus on subjects such as plumbing and electrical engineering. He said the previous systems, which were determined on a district-by-district basis, helped create healthy competition for middle school students who worked hard to become better in their respective trades and academics. 'If we can start raising the standards of our middle schools, raising awareness of the parents, that creates a healthy base of future employers,' McCaskill said. Gov. Maura Healey's administration proposed the lottery system, and members of her cabinet, including the Governor herself, approved of the system. In a statement on May 20, Healey said the lottery helps increase access for eighth graders who want to obtain a vocational-technical education. 'While we continue to increase the number of seats in career technical education schools, we know that there are still more applicants than openings at many of the schools,' Healey said. 'Today's vote will help give all eighth graders more knowledge of their options and a better chance at being admitted to these schools.' The panel disagreed with Healey, with Gerson Monteiro calling the proposed lottery system 'more destructive than helpful.' The heavy demand for vocational-technical schools and programs has resulted in students being stuck on waiting lists, according to the panel members. Murray suggested that a solution to this problem could be to establish universal access to career and technical education programs at non-vocational technical schools. The new voc-tech lottery system is scheduled to start during the 2026-2027 school year but there is a possibility the system may not go into effect at all. Tucked within the Massachusetts House of Representatives' proposed budget for FY2026 is an amendment that would prevent changes to the admissions policy and establish a task force to study and make recommendations on vocational school admissions. The amendment would be approved if the House bill is passed. The bill is currently in conference committee, where lawmakers reconcile differences between a bill passed by the House and a bill passed by the Senate. It is unclear whether the final budget bill will have this amendment. As Holyoke Schools return to local control, some question accountability structures Data breach affecting over 75,000 people at UMass leads to lawsuit Judge rules Trump can't invoke national security powers to ban foreign Harvard students State: Holyoke schools on track for July 1 exit from commonwealth oversight Harvard's Jewish faculty have their own wish list for a deal with Trump Read the original article on MassLive.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Glenville-Emmons moving forward with $24.4M bond referendum in August
Jun. 12—The Glenville-Emmons School District is moving forward with a bond referendum in August that will ask voters to consider a $24.425 million bond to fund facilities improvements at its existing buildings instead of building new as previously considered. Improvements would include a secure elementary entrance, upgraded Career and Technical Education spaces, ADA accessibility updates, asbestos removal and repairs to HVAC, roofing and water systems, according to a press release. The bond proposal represents priorities shared by community members during and after the failed 2023 referendum, the district stated. "This plan is different because it reflects the current sentiments and priorities of our community," said school board Chairwoman Tabitha Page. "While the previous referendum in 2023 was based on community feedback at that time, we have shifted our focus to addressing deferred maintenance projects and making the most of our existing facilities. This is a more practical and affordable path forward that still meets our students' needs." She said the referendum reflects the core values of their rural community, including responsibility, stewardship and a deep commitment to one another. "As a board, we are dedicated to ensuring that our schools remain strong, safe and equipped to provide high-quality education for generations to come," she said. A press release states the improvements focus on three key areas: —Healthy and safe learning environments with better air quality, upgraded HVAC, ADA accessibility, lead remediation in water systems, asbestos abatement and a safer, more secure entrance at the elementary school. —Relevant, updated classrooms that support hands-on learning in Career and Technical Education (CTE), agriculture and the trades, reflecting careers and life skills valued in the community. —A sustainable investment that protects our existing schools and strengthens the district's ability to serve students into the future. The proposal was reviewed and approved by the Minnesota Department of Education, and copies of the state's review and comment summary are available from the district upon request. The district will host open house and building tours ahead of the referendum, where attendees will hear a presentation on the referendum and get a facility tour highlighting key concerns and project scope areas. They will also have the opportunity to ask questions of district leadership. These are scheduled for 5:30 to 7 p.m. July 10, July 24 and Aug. 6. The July 10 and Aug. 6 dates will be at Glenville-Emmons Elementary School, while the July 24 date will be at the high school. The district also has a referendum website at with more information about the project scope and tax impact. Early voting begins June 27 and runs through Aug. 11.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Gilreath appointed as new principal at Parkway Intermediate
Apr. 21—EPHRATA — The Ephrata School District has announced Kim Gilreath's appointment as the next principal of Parkway Intermediate School, effective July 1, 2025. Gilreath will succeed current principal Jeremy Vasquez, who plans to return to the classroom. With over 25 years of experience in various educational capacities, Gilreath said she brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to this role. Gilreath's career spans diverse positions, including preschool director and middle school assistant principal. Currently serving as the assistant principal at Sultan Middle School, she has demonstrated a robust commitment to behavior management, social-emotional learning, and Career and Technical Education programming. Her appointment is poised to foster growth and innovation within Parkway Intermediate. "Kim is a high-energy, thoughtful leader who puts students at the center of everything she does," said Ken Murray, Superintendent of the Ephrata School District, in a statement. "She's passionate about building strong relationships, thinking creatively, and working collaboratively to do what's best for kids. Kim is deeply committed to effective teaching and holding students to high academic and behavioral expectations, believing that all students can grow when appropriately supported and challenged." Gilreath holds a master's degree in school administration from Central Washington University and a bachelor of science in biology from the University of Washington, along with multiple endorsements, including CTE certification. She said her educational background equips her with the skills necessary to lead Parkway Intermediate as it navigates the complexities of middle school education. "I'm thrilled to be joining the Parkway Intermediate team," she said. "One of the things that really drew me to this school is its strong commitment to character development in students. I love building connections, thinking outside the box, and working collaboratively with staff and families to do what's best for kids." Gilreath said that fifth and sixth grades are her favorite group of students to be around because they are young enough that they are still full of energy and they still think she is "cool," but old enough to begin making decisions for their futures. "This is such a unique and important time — it's where elementary students begin to discover who they're becoming as young adults," she said. "I'm honored to be part of that journey and can't wait to get started." With the ongoing challenges faced by schools nationwide, including learning loss due to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Gilreath anticipates addressing these issues head-on. "I think schools across the country are still seeing challenges with learning loss," she said. "It's essential that we acknowledge and address this for the benefit of our students." As Parkway Intermediate has seen enrollment growth, Gilreath believes that while this is a positive indicator of the school's reputation, it also presents challenges. "Ephrata is growing, which is a good problem, but we must ensure that we plan for the future. Parkway is an older building facility, and we're using lots of portables. We need to thoughtfully plan for the future to provide students with all the opportunities we want for them," she said. Engaging with students is a fundamental aspect of Gilreath's vision for her leadership. "I just love kids, so I plan on talking to them, spending time with them, and getting to know them. I want to find out what they think is important and what gets them excited to show up every day," she said. Her strategies include establishing student committees and conducting regular temperature checks, allowing students to voice their opinions and needs. Outside her professional duties, Gilreath said she holds a strong belief in community involvement. Growing up in Billings, Mont., and educated at the University of Washington, she said she has a personal connection to Ephrata and regards it as a strong community supportive of educational initiatives. She also said she frequently visited Ephrata while her children competed in sporting events and to visit her family members who live nearby. "I love that it's a small enough town that you have a really strong sense of community. Everyone truly has a heart for seeing kids do well," she said. As her inaugural year approaches, Gilreath aims to foster a positive school culture where both students and staff feel valued. "I think we can be stronger together," she said. "I'm really excited for the opportunity to join a strong team in reaching our kids."
