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Tag: APP Human Interest

  • Israeli woman says equine therapy helps her cope with war

    Israeli woman says equine therapy helps her cope with war

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    CLEARWATER, Fla. — The impacts of what happened last October that ignited the war between Israel and Hamas have been felt around the world. Here at home, people are sharing those stories of coping with the ongoing war and the countless lives that have been devastated by it.


    So how do people cope with a war raging on in their country? It’s a question one Israeli woman says her life and mental health depended on her finding an answer to. And with the help from the Jewish National Fund USA organization, which is dedicated to helping people ride out their troubles, she’s doing just that.

    Ifat Twilly said it is a form of therapy every time she gets on the back of a horse. Especially after her experience during the first days of the Israel and Hamas war. 

    “I could breathe again. For me it was like, mental health savior really,” she said. “There’s nothing more unique than sitting on a horse and concentrate about right here, right now, because of what we have been through on Oct. 7. There’s a lot of horror stories running through my head because my daughter was with me. I could’ve been outside and be dead.”

    She said many of her neighbors were captured, killed and some are still being held by Hamas.

    She pointed to a poster with pictures of some of the hostages.

    “This is one of the three hostages who was killed by mistake while trying to escape from Gaza by our forces,” she said.

    For her, looking at that poster takes her back to how she felt when Hamas first attacked.

    “Helpless, hopeless and really, really, I really want all of them back now,” she said.

    Twilly said she is also reminded of how valid her feelings of fear and PTSD are. After the initial attack, she said she hid in a bomb shelter with her daughter as many of her neighbors and their children were killed or kidnapped.

    It is why she’s telling anyone who will listen about the trauma she and countless others have endured.

    “The world needs to know that it was not a fairytale. It makes me annoyed to hear people do not believe what was happening there,” she said.

    Twilly is traveling all over the U.S., making a stop here in Clearwater with Eva Lange.

    Lange works with the Jewish National Fund USA’s Red Mountain Therapeutic Riding Center where Twilyand other Israelis are receiving equine therapy.

    “We never thought that we would be treating people who had friends and family slaughtered by Hamas,” said Lange.

    Their goal is to show the important work they are doing while sharing their impactful stories.

    “People come to us and most of them have PTSD. And most of them weren’t outside for a few days, for a couple of weeks before they came to us. So we put them on the horse and suddenly they’re on top of the world. You have another view on life in a way and they start breathing again and feeling happy,” Lange said.

    It’s a happiness Lange said they’re hoping to continue doing with the help of donations and people committing to helping people like Ifat who’ve already endured so much and the others still enduring it.

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    Saundra Weathers

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  • Polk County reading coach drives students’ success

    Polk County reading coach drives students’ success

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    AUBURNDALE, Fla. — Renard Thomas wears many hats within Polk County Public Schools.

    He’s the reading coach at Auburndale Central Elementary and recently he started driving kids to and from school to help with the bus driver shortage.

    “I did that because I wanted to reduce the number of school bus referrals that we had at my school,” Thomas said. “So I did it to help with discipline as well as pursue my dream as well.”

    What You Need To Know

    • Renard Thomas, a reading coach at Auburndale Central Elementary, has jumped in as a bus driver this year

    • Thomas said it has helped him build stronger relationships with his students

    • Do you know an amazing teacher? Nominate them to be our next A+ Teacher

    He said he always wanted to become a bus driver, so when the district needed more, he stepped up. Thomas said it has helped him build stronger relationships with his students.

    “It has positively impacted my students. They come to school, they’re happy. When I pick them up, they’re happy and smiling when I get off the bus,” said Thomas.

    He said being happy helps them learn. When he gets to Auburndale Central Elementary to start the school day, he begins by reading a book over the loudspeaker. Then he works with students in small groups on their reading skills and meets with teachers individually to go over reading benchmarks for each grade.

    “Reading is fundamental. If you don’t know how to read, then you can’t really go far in life,” said Thomas.

    Thomas wants every student to go far and accomplish their goals. He is setting an example for them each day. Thomas says he became involved with the school district when he was 19-years-old in 2011. He’s held many roles since then. He’s been a para educator, a custodian and a teacher. He says those roles have helped shape him into who he is today.

    “It has been through my experiences working for Polk County Schools that I first began to understand that my life would be rooted in service and giving back to others,” said Thomas.

    Thomas says his goal is to become a principal one day.

    “The sky is the limit to me, but I know that education is where I want to remain because I can make a powerful impact,” he said.

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    Jorja Roman

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  • Shiloh Baptist Church in Orlando will house over 100 men displaced by fire

    Shiloh Baptist Church in Orlando will house over 100 men displaced by fire

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    ORLANDO, Fla. — Challenges continue for leaders at the Coalition for the Homeless this weekend following Wednesday’s fire that displaced 237 residents.

    What You Need To Know

    • Wednesday’s fire at the Coalition for the Homeless displaced 237 residents
    • Shiloh Baptist Church will take in over 100 men displaced by the fire
    • The church is providing meals to the homeless provided by outside organizations
    • The church expects to house the men in their gymnasium for the next 7-10 days

    The homeless shelter is still uninhabitable, and it may be weeks before some of their residents can move back on campus.

    Shiloh Baptist Church in Orlando took in 147 men from the shelter Thursday night and is expecting the same through the weekend.

    Other men have gone to additional shelters spread across Central Florida.

    Shiloh Baptist Church Senior Pastor Derrick Williams says their location at Jackson and Terry streets make them the ideal spot to house the homeless.

    “It turns out we were centrally located, to many of the persons we are serving kind of live and move about in the downtown area,” said Williams.

    He said the church gymnasium has been turned into a temporary shelter to help the community.

    “We can probably sleep up to a 150 people. I was told last night we were able to accommodate 147 people,” said pastor Williams.

    The church has some bathrooms for the men to use, but additional facilities had to be brought in and placed outside so the guests can shower and clean up.

    Oscar Gonzalez of the Clean the World organization says it’s important for the men to clean up and feel good about themselves and bathing is the only way to do that.

    Clean the World provided a mobile shower and bathroom trailer for the church.

    “This unit is completely self-sustained. We don’t need water, we don’t need power, we just need people,” said Gonzalez.

    Williams said he has had conversations with both the coalition and city asking him to house the homeless for at least 7 to 10 days or possibly even longer.

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  • Riverfront property purchased by City of New Port Richey

    Riverfront property purchased by City of New Port Richey

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    PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — The City of New Port Richey has acquired new land.

    What You Need To Know

    • A 2.73 acre riverfront property has recently been purchased by the City of New Port Richey for $1.1 million

    • Those with the city say leaders had been looking at the property, known as the Montemayor parcel, for three years before making the purchase
    • The property neighbors the Sims Park Boat Ramp— a popular venue for boating enthusiasts to launch their vessels on the Cotee River

    • Plans for the property’s future are still in the early stages, as the city looks to gather public feedback on what the community wants to see at the property in the future

    A 2.73 acre riverfront property has recently been purchased by the city for $1.1 million. The property neighbors the Sims Park Boat Ramp, a popular venue for boating enthusiasts to launch their vessels on the Cotee River.

    Plans for the property’s future are still in the early stages. Those with the city say they hope to gather public feedback on what the community wants to see.

    “There’s some really special opportunities where the Cotee River meets US-19,” says Gregory Oravec, City Economic Development Director for the City of New Port Richey. “What I like to say is that we are our best yet and yet our best is yet to come.”

    Oravec says there have already been suggestions for expanding the existing boat ramp to the neighboring property. He says they plan to gather public feedback and have a plan for the site by fall.

    A proposition that is exciting for those who both work and live in the city, like Connie Beebe.

    Beebe has had her sandwich shop, Heros Downtown Subs, for four years. A sort-of passion project of hers and her husband’s. One fueled by what they wanted to see in downtown New Port Richey.

    “My husband said, ‘What do we need downtown?’” said Beebe. “He wanted to get out of the corporate world and kind of do something for the community. He went around asking some of the patrons and other businesses and they said a sub shop. So he decided he wanted to open one, so here we are!”

    And now, just a block away from them, another project will be taking place. With the city’s recent acquisition of land, known as the Montemayor parcel, Beebe believes it could become more attractive for those with boats.

    “As a boater, it would be nice if there was a bigger boat ramp instead of just the two slips,” Beebe said. “I know that during certain times of the day, on the weekends especially, you could be sitting there for 45 minutes to get in or out. So that would be one of the things, hopefully, they would do to make it bigger for everyone.”

    What will happen to the newly acquired property remains to be seen as public feedback will be gathered before the city decides on any plans. In the meantime, Beebe says she hopes the city will continue moving in the right direction.

    “Continue to help the patrons and business owners that are here and to provide a safe place for kids and adults to be able to walk and not worry about anything.”

    So that others may fall in love with the city, too.

    The city, Oravec said, had been looking at acquiring the property for the last three years.

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    Calvin Lewis

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  • Bradenton Sgt. Lee R. Cosens Memorialized in an Eternal Reef

    Bradenton Sgt. Lee R. Cosens Memorialized in an Eternal Reef

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    SARASOTA, Fla. — After stage four cancer diagnosis, Bradenton Police Sgt. Lee Cosens was not given a lot of time.

    What You Need To Know

    • Bradenton Police Officer and U.S. Army veteran Lee R. Cosens passed away April 16, 2023 from kidney cancer

    • Amy, his wife, and their 7- and 8-year-old daughters placed some of his remains into an eternal reef, which now sits underwater in the Silvertooth Coral Reef

    • An Eternal Reef combines a cremation urn, ash scattering, and burial at sea into one meaningful, permanent environmental tribute to life

    • As of 2023, more than 2,500 Eternal Reefs have been placed in about 25 locations off the coasts of Florida (the panhandle, Gulf Coast and Atlantic Coast), Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia

    For just over two years, his family lived a motto they called, “Do the Things.”

    “We lived a life in two years. I always tell people to buy the tickets, take the trips, do the things,” said Amy Cosens, his wife.

    But on April 16, 2023, Lee passed. Two weeks before, he told his wife he wanted part of his remains to be turned into an eternal reef in Sarasota.

    “In the end, he said I want somewhere the girls can visit. The cemetery is one thing, but I want somewhere where the girls can go to feel like I am there,” said Amy.

    This month, Amy and her two daughters Savannah and Margaret showed up to Eternal Reefs to fulfill his wish. It is a four-day process that begins with mixing the cremated remains into cement to be placed into a porous reef ball.

    Those large balls are then placed into the Silvertooth Coral Reef site to help preserve and help marine life. The ocean is a place Lee always had a connection to.

    “Lee was larger than life. He was one of the best people I have ever met at switching between police officer and dad. He could be a tough guy police officer when he needed to be, and he also had a giant heart when he needed that also,” said Amy.

    After mixing in the remains and decorating the reef ball with mementos, the family waits for a few days for it to dry. A few days later, they boarded a boat to see the large ball placed in the ocean.

    The ride out to the reef is usually solo, but when other police agencies heard, they showed up in force.

    “It is amazing,” said Amy, looking out at eight different boats with lights on, escorting them to the reef. “They talk about it being a brotherhood, and it truly being a family, and this is such a good reminder for us, for myself and for the girls. It is truly a family.”

    When the time came for Lee’s reef ball to be placed in the ocean, Amy and the girls watched, sad but hopeful.

    “I am hoping when that time comes that we will be able to get them scuba certified, and we can come out, and at that point it will hopefully just be overflowing with fish and creatures,” said Amy.

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    Erin Murray

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  • Woman starts bakery thanks to Apex Fund

    Woman starts bakery thanks to Apex Fund

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    CLEVELAND — Starting a small business is not easy, especially if you just moved to the United States from another country.

    What You Need To Know

    • Fereshte Naghvi moved to the United States from Iran less than a year ago
    • Naghvi launched her own bakery thanks to help from the Apex Fund
    • Lida Ahmadi is also from Afghanistan and fled the Taliban two years ago

    Life hasn’t always been easy for Fereshte Naghvi and her family. She’s been in Ohio for eight months and said she’s been trying to make a living and name for herself.

    “When you go to a new country, obviously it’s hard to adjust since you are starting from zero, but we waited six years to get here. It made it worth it,” she said. 

    Naghvi’s family is from Afghanistan, but she was raised in Iran. She escaped the political unrest and left everything she knew behind.

    “Iran is not welcoming to refugees, that was one reason. The other reason was because I wanted my kids to have a good future here,” she said.

    Naghvi said she knows she has to work to keep a roof over her family’s heads. That’s why she recently started her own at-home bakery, thanks to support from the Apex Fund.

    “My husband back at home was always bringing sweets from outside, so I said why not make sweets myself for him. So I went to classes and learned,” she said.

    Naghvi said she makes everything from scratch and credits the Apex Fund, which helped to get her business registered. 

    Apex Fund small business adviser Lida Ahmadi said the fund helps low-income entrepreneurs overcome the barriers that sometimes prevent them from accessing conventional loans to start a business.

    “She’s dreaming of having a coffee shop, I’m trying my best to get her to that dream. I’m planning on making that possible to her through the programs we have,” she said.

    Ahmadi is from Afghanistan. She fled the Taliban two years ago and left the country on the last plane out with the Marines.

    The Apex Fund helps connect people with everything from a photo ID and business plan, to supplies, furniture and equipment to start their small business, as well as working capital.

    Ahmadi has helped Naghvi get the exposure she needs to grow her bakery.

    “Now finally I am at the point where people are starting to know me and I’m able to start my business,” Naghvi said.

    Naghvi said she’s doing this to set an example for her son, giving him a future full of the opportunities she never had growing up.

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    Wiley Jawhary

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  • AAA shares tips for smooth spring break travels

    AAA shares tips for smooth spring break travels

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    RALEIGH, N.C. – Snag your sunhat and put school on the shelf, because spring break season is getting underway across North Carolina, and AAA predicts a surge in travelers this year.

    What You Need To Know

    • AAA predicts 44% more North Carolinians are planning to take vacations this year than in 2023

    • AAA reports the most popular period to travel is from March through July

    • Experts recommend planning trips and not waiting for last-minute deals

    According to AAA Carolina’s Tiffany Wright, the upcoming spring break marks the beginning of a surge in travel for 2024.

    “We expect that spring break is going to kick off what is already a huge travel season for 2024,” Wright said. “After a recent survey, we found that 89% of North Carolinians are planning to travel this year, which is a 44% increase from last year.”

    With travel on the horizon, people are exploring various modes of transportation, including air, sea and road travel. Wright says popular destinations domestically include Florida, while international travel to cities like Rome, Paris and Dublin have seen a notable uptick.

    However, Wright advises travelers not to procrastinate when it comes to booking.

    “It’s going to be busy out there,” she said. “So I think it’s very important to book now. Don’t wait around for those last-minute deals.”

    Booking early not only ensures availability but also helps travelers navigate any unforeseen challenges they may encounter along the way. She also says the expertise of travel agents can be particularly beneficial.

    Despite the excitement surrounding travel, there’s a sobering reality at the gas pump. Wright warns that motorists can expect to pay a bit more this year, with gas prices 5 to 10 cents higher per gallon than the previous year. Factors such as low temperatures leading to increased road trips have contributed to the rise in prices.

    As North Carolinians gear up for spring break adventures, the advice is clear: Plan ahead, book early and be prepared for a memorable travel experience. 

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    Sarah Rudlang

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  • Bradenton resident with family stuck in Haiti prays they come home soon

    Bradenton resident with family stuck in Haiti prays they come home soon

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Marc-Henry Jean says he is taking it day-by-day as he waits to find out when he will see his mom or dad again.

    What You Need To Know

    • Many residents in Haiti are currently stuck on the island with no way to leave

    • One Bradenton man says he is worried for his parents, who are unable to return home

    • The U.S. government is working on a process to get citizens out of Haiti

    “Both my parents are stuck in Haiti,” said Jean, a Bradenton resident. “Is there going to be a time where they can safely come back to the United States or are they stuck at the mercy of gangs?”

    He and his family are originally from Haiti, but he moved to Bradenton in 2012 and started his own financial consulting company. His parents moved to the U.S. a few years later with green cards, living permanently in Bradenton and in Haiti.

    “This is my parents here, my mom, my dad, my daughter,” he said.

    Both in their 70s, his dad, Madsen, and his mom, Igenia, were vacationing in Haiti when disaster struck.

    “I hope there is a way for them to come to the United States as soon as possible,” Jean said. “I love my mom dearly. I love my dad dearly.”

    Both were supposed to come back to the U.S. on March 8 to celebrate Igenia’s birthday.

    “It’s hostage, keeping the entire country as a hostage,” Jean said. “It’s the first time I’ve seen a country as a whole be kidnapped.”

    He said he is desperate at this point to try to get his parents back to the states because of his mom’s health.

    “She cannot walk,” Jean said. “She needs someone to assist her and needs medical attention and has glaucoma risking to be blind if she doesn’t get her medication and come back here for her appointment.”

    As he waits for news, Jean said he is praying and hoping to see his friends and family return soon.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Pasco County makes strides to reduce litter in waterways

    Pasco County makes strides to reduce litter in waterways

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    HUDSON, Fla. — Significant measures to prevent water pollution in Pasco County are being made.

    The very first boom catchment device in the county was recently installed in Hudson. It’s through “Operation TRAP,” which stands for Trash Reduction for Aquatic Preserves.

    What You Need To Know

    • The first litter boom catchment device was recently installed on a river in Hudson

    • With the litter boom, researchers say they will be able to collect data on the types of plastics being captured

    • It’s through “Operation TRAP” — or Trash Reduction for Aquatic Preserves — while is supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris program

    • A spokesperson with Pasco County says they are looking at installing a total of 40 such devices throughout the county

    The project is supported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris program. With the litter boom, researchers will be able to collect data on the types of plastics being captured. 

    “The collecting of the data for the next four years is going to be critical,” said Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano. “We can figure out where it’s coming from, what’s causing it and how to prevent it, which leads to the long-term health of the Gulf of Mexico.”

    This is just the first litter boom to be installed in Pasco County — other counties throughout the state have already started using the device.

    A spokesperson with Pasco County said they are looking at installing a total of 40 such devices throughout the county.

    It’s a project that is helping conserve the future of Tampa Bay area waterways.

    Savanna Barry, a regional agent with Florida SeaGrant, and others are installing litter booms.

    “Marine debris, basically trash that escapes out into our marine waterways is one of the biggest problems we face,” she said.

    At a small creek in Hudson, the future of water pollution prevention is taking shape.

    “We need to get more efficient in how we’re addressing this problem and that’s where these litter interception devices come in,” Barry said.”

    “It’s a litter interception device that goes across slow moving creeks and water bodies and it traps trash, especially plastic trash, that’s floating on top of the water that would otherwise flow out into our natural waterways,” said Barry.

    She said trash is a big issue currently plaguing local waterways. Research shows litter interception is needed for marine debris clean-up, Barry said. 

    “We were able to look at neighboring counties, such as Pinellas and Hillsborough County, and even Alachua County, that have experience with the water gate, which has been around for more than 12 years in Florida,” Barry said. “It’s just that these are the first ones that are coming to Pasco County.”

    She said plenty of data will be gathered with the installation of these gates. Plastic items are expected to be the most common forms of litter captured, which is something Barry said everyone can help reduce.

    “That’s really a part that people can play a role in their everyday lives — to reduce their use, reduce the use of these single-use plastic items,” she said. “Because time and time again we see that those are the number one items that we find in devices like this and on shoreline clean-ups.”

    It may only just be the beginning of the project in Pasco, but the goal is to inspire others to get involved as well.

    “If it works well here, then we hope to inspire other municipalities to adopt this and part of our project is going to deliver a municipality tool kit that will help other places learn from what we’ve learned,” Barry said.

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    Calvin Lewis

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  • Emerson Point Preserve anticipated to be expanded by 97 acres

    Emerson Point Preserve anticipated to be expanded by 97 acres

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Emerson Point Preserve, known not only as a community favorite but also for its historical significance dating back to Native Americans, is set to expand by 97 acres following a vote by Manatee County commissioners at Tuesday’s meeting. The commissioners agreed to the purchase of the land for $15.5 million but still have a long road ahead before anything is finalized.

    “We’ve gotten pretty aggressive at going after parcels, that once they are gone, they are gone. So the Board of County Commissioners is doing everything we can to acquire more land for our natural resources,” said Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge.

    What You Need To Know

    • Manatee County commissioners agreed to the price of $15.5 million to purchase the 97 acres of land adjacent to the preserve

    • Commissioners say expanding the preserve will be an investment for the future
    • It’s not all set in stone yet. There will need to be future meetings and negotiations with the seller before this is complete, which commissioners say could be months from now

    Many families find themselves coming to Emerson Point Preserve to enjoy nature. It’s that kind of interaction that brings cyclist Jon Dybik coming back for more.

    Dybik has been coming to Emerson Point Preserve for years and bikes every single day, hoping to stumble upon the next creature he might see.

    “Nature is my jam. I love biking on trails in nature and one of my favorite things is to stop and see the wildlife,” Dybik said.

    He says biking is a form of therapy for him.

    “Gives me balance and harmony in life,” Dybik said.

    Trails are one of the additions he says he hopes will be included with the 97-acre expansion to Emersion Point Preserve.

    “I’ve probably explored every inch in here possibly, and to see it grow conservation in nature, I’m a big fan of that,” Dybik noted.

    Many families make their way out there to enjoy not just nature, but the history these trails bring, dating back to when Native Americans lived there.

    “There’s a mound up there which is a great site to look at, all the trails, sometimes, you’ll see archeological stuff, and seeing it, knowing it was there for hundreds of years is absolutely awesome,” Dybik remarked.

    He says Emerson Point Preserve is a vital part of the community — a place where people can learn from.

    “I’ve seen people come up and down here, especially for conservation. This is their habitat — I think it’s fantastic. It’s the simple things in life. I put it on my reminders to enjoy the simple life,” Dybik reflected.

    It’s an investment for current and future generations to experience the simple things in life.

    It’s not all set in stone yet. There will need to be future meetings and negotiations with the seller before this is complete, which commissioners say could be months from now.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • ZooTampa opens Stingray Shores exhibit for guest experiences

    ZooTampa opens Stingray Shores exhibit for guest experiences

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    TAMPA, Fla. — ZooTampa is opening its stingray exhibit, Stingray Shores, for guest experiences.

    What You Need To Know

    • ZooTampa Animal Encounters now include a stingray experience

    • Southern and cownose stingrays populate the exhibit

    • Handlers trim barbs, and rays are raised hand-fed 

    • Stingray Shores offers daily interaction opportunities

    It’s another way the zoo is trying to connect people with the wild, taking a step into the 76-degree water habitat.

    That’s right — in it.

    ZooTampa’s Kayla Cary is one of the zoo professionals leading the way in this hour-long experience.

    It starts with educational components and preparations for meeting rays in the habitat.

    “So, while you are in the waters, they may come all around you and even straight up to you,” Cary said. “It’s completely OK. They are very curious animals. It’s OK, and we are entering their space.”

    Cary’s been working in their space for two years.

    “A lot people have misconceptions about stingrays,” she explained.

    And at ZooTampa, she said, it’s even safer than the wild. Zoo staffers trim each ray’s barb.

    Rays have their own dispositions. They are food-motivated. And their mouths feel like little vacuum cleaners.

    Because rays sometimes burrow in the sand on Tampa Bay’s beaches, Cary shows the stingray shuffle, shuffling her feet to move forward through the sand.

    “By doing this movement, this will alert the stingray we are coming near them and allow them to move,” Cary said. “They can sense vibrations in the sand.”

    Moving people from fear to understanding of the wild kingdom is part of ZooTampa’s mission.

    The goal is to change perceptions and help protect the future of the animals and their environment.

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    Virginia Johnson

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  • Flight club teaching underrepresented kids to fly

    Flight club teaching underrepresented kids to fly

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    PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — A retired naval Lieutenant Commander is changing the faces of flying, one kid at a time with his nonprofit. It’s an aviation-focused outreach program that’s more accessible and affordable to socially and economically disadvantaged communities.  

    What You Need To Know

    • A local nonprofit works to help inner city kids learn about aviation

    • Ricardo Foster is a retired naval Lieutenant Commander

    • His latest class held 20-30 kids

    Ricardo Foster said everyone should get the opportunity to know how it feels to fly.

    “Each weekend we open the facility here at infinity Aero club to embrace the community, to teach them about aviation, STEM and entrepreneurship,” Foster said.

    The retired naval Lieutenant Commander said his love of flying and knowing not many get to experience it from the cockpit, made him want to do more of what he’s doing today. 

    “Today we have about 20 to 30 kids here from the inner city,” he said. “A lot of them have never been exposed to general aviation, meaning flying in an aircraft and going around the pattern or flight simulators and drones and we welcome that.”

    He also knows how much representation matters. According to the FAA, 94% of pilots are white, 3.4% are Black, five percent are Hispanic and 2.2% percent are Asian. It’s why the work Foster and his volunteers are doing is so important. They’re teaching kids aviation, engineering and aviation maintenance.

    Using some of the things young people are familiar with like gaming and drones, are part of what makes the program so successful. Getting the kids inside the airplanes and flying, some for the first time in their lives, is how what Foster said really makes a difference.

    There’s a runway behind the Infinity Aero Club headquarters where the kids get to see what it feels like firsthand in the air.

    It’s that kind of experience that Foster said will take the kids much higher than they could’ve ever imagined.

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    Saundra Weathers

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  • Manatee County performer reflects on her family’s history in the circus

    Manatee County performer reflects on her family’s history in the circus

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    MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Germana Meluzzi is an eighth-generation circus performer who lives in Myakka City, and for her every day is different when you work in the circus.

    What You Need To Know

    • Germana Meluzzi is an eighth-generation circus performer who says performing runs in her blood

    • Her mother, Silvana “Cha Cha” Meluzzi, was also a circus performer and made history 

    • Both she and her family have always felt that the circus is their home and they have always felt included in a diverse group of people

    But she says she wouldn’t have it any other way.

    “I love the circus, because I love working with all the animals,” she said. “They are my family, and we get to travel and meet different people.”

    Meluzzi has been in the circus since she was a kid. Performing runs in her blood.

    She even earned national recognition, advancing to the quarterfinals of Americas Got Talent, and says her family is the first to train a llama to go through a hula-hoop.

    While training these animals is a form of therapy for Meluzzi, she says it’s her fellow circus performers that truly became her second family.

    “I think everyone should live their lives like circus families. We are all-inclusive, don’t judge. We don’t discriminate, we love everyone equally. Just like my animals, we are just all mixed up together,” she explained.

    Her mother, Silvana “Cha Cha” Meluzzi, made history as the first woman to be shot out of a double-repeating cannon in the Ringling Brothers Circus.

    “I think she was 14 in this picture,” Germana Meluzzi said, looking at a photo of her mother.

    Parts of their family history, including her mom’s belongings, are celebrated inside the John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art. There is even a video of her mother shooting out of the cannon.

    “It’s such an honor,” Meluzzi said. “I’m so proud of her and our family legacy.”

    Her family even donated their original compressed-air cannon to the museum.

    “She was a great performer, and after her shot, after the show, she would stand outside and give people her autograph,” Meluzzi said.

    Meluzzi said her mother wanted to treat everyone with respect, and make her fans feel included — it’s a legacy she carries on today.

    “I still perform,” she said. “Circus is my life, and my kids’ life.”

    The Meluzzis perform in 49 U.S. states, and anyone interested in seeing their act can find them at the Fort Myers Fair until March 10.

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    Julia Hazel

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  • Wheelchair bodybuilding: inspiring competitors and fans at The Arnold

    Wheelchair bodybuilding: inspiring competitors and fans at The Arnold

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    COLUMBUS, Ohio — Athletes from all over the world are competing at the 35th annual Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus this weekend. Among them, elite athletes who use a wheelchair.

    What You Need To Know

    • Wheelchair Bodybuilding has been a competitive event at The Arnold Sports Festival since 2016

    • The event is open to men and women, professionals and amateurs, founded by wheelchair athlete Nick Scott

    • Pro bodybuilder Harold Kelley has won his division every year except 2022 since the contest began

    The wheelchair bodybuilding competition features amateurs and professionals, men and women, in an event that premiered at the festival in 2016.

    “Being that The Arnold opened the door to wheelchair competitors, that put us on the world map,” said Harold Kelley, a Texan who is the defending champion.  

    He had already been competing as a bodybuilder when a car accident took the use of his legs. Since 2016, he has won every Arnold contest except for 2022. He regained the title in 2023 and is defending it this year. 

    “I surpassed where I was before my car accident, so when you see your calling, whatever it may be, you have to accept it,” Kelley said. “Once I accepted it, the doors just opened up.”

    Sharla Peterson won the amateur women’s division Thursday night. She had competed in the bikini competitions until she broke her back and was paralyzed during a workout.

    “I was afraid to go back to the gym because I thought people were going to look at me as a wheelchair wimp you know, like ‘what is she doing in here?’” Peterson said. “That took a lot of courage, and when I went back… they loaded plates for me and then as they saw me getting leaner and they saw me getting trimmed, they were just so excited I was going to compete… and so it became a really inspirational thing for myself and for other people.”

    She gets inspired meeting other competitors here.

    “When you’re in a wheelchair and finding somebody else in a wheelchair who has the same passion as you, there’s just a huge connection,” she said.

    “You meet so many people around the world that come to the Arnold Classic,” Kelley said. “Because this is a world event, and if you are enthused about fitness, you’re going to be here.”

    Nick Scott is the one who brought them together.  The director of the event and founder of wheelchairbodybuilding.com is also a powerlifting and bodybuilding champion and a motivational speaker. 

    He too turned to wheelchair bodybuilding after an accident left him paralyzed in 1998. Since then, he’s worked hard for his sport to grow at the Arnold and around the world. 

    He lobbied for 10 years to get wheelchair bodybuilding added to the program in Columbus. He is grateful for the support of Arnold Schwarzenegger, the bodybuilder and actor who is the sports festival’s namesake. 

    ‘“Arnold’s always been a supporter of wheelchai, of people with all sorts of disabilities,” Scott said. “And on top of that, he’s going to present on Saturday night to the winner of the wheelchair division… At the sports festival, here at the Arnold, we’re like family.”

    Scott has a mission beyond staging a competition and awarding medals to the competitors.

    “It shows that if I can make this dream happen, anything can happen for anybody else,” Scott said. “It’s really about giving hope. Hope is the one thing stronger than fear.”

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    Steve Oldfield

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  • Daytona Beach’s 83rd Daytona Bike Week kicks off March 1

    Daytona Beach’s 83rd Daytona Bike Week kicks off March 1

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    DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Daytona Beach’s 83rd Daytona Bike Week kicks off Friday, March 1, with the roar and rumble of engines making their way into Volusia County.

    The weeklong event draws in around 300,000 to 400,000 visitors across Volusia and Flagler counties, where bikers enjoy spring riding in Daytona Beach along historic Main Street to Midtown, Scenic A1A Highway and the Ormond Beach Scenic Loop.

    From bike shows and live music to cruising along coastal roads, there is something for everyone this week. Some of the top scenic areas for bikers to ride include:

    Bike Week festivities will take place at different locations throughout the county, including at Daytona International Speedway, Teddy Morse’s Daytona Harley Davidson, and the U.S. 1 corridors.

    Some listed events include:

    Visit OfficialBikeWeek.com for the FULL list of events. 

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Tours to remember leaders at Polk County’s oldest known Black cemetery

    Tours to remember leaders at Polk County’s oldest known Black cemetery

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    BARTOW, Fla. — L.B. Brown. Dr. Ossian Sweet. The Longworth family. Andy and Tamer Moore. Those are just a few of the notable African American figures who are buried at the Evergreen Cemetery in Bartow. 

    What You Need To Know

    • The Evergreen Cemetery was originally known as Bartow Colored Cemetery

    • It is the oldest documented and continuously used Black cemetery in Polk County

    • Tours are available by the Polk County History Center
    • The next tour of the Evergreen Cemetery is on April 6 at 11 a.m. That will be the last one for the season with tours picking back up again in early fall

    The Evergreen Cemetery, located in the western portion of Bartow, is the oldest documented and continuously used African American cemetery in the county.

    Lawrence Bernard (L.B.) Brown, 1906. (Courtesy: Polk County History Center)

    Jayme Jamison, curator at the Polk County History Center, provides tours at the cemetery to share the rich history.

    “There’s magic in history,” Jamison said. “It is extremely important. I think what we’ve seen throughout COVID is this need to be connected to the community and it’s driving people to actually walk out of their doors and go to places they’ve never gone before.”

    Andy and Tamer Moore are buried at the cemetery. They were one of the first African American landowners in Polk County. They were brought to Bartow as slaves and freed at the end of the war.

    “I don’t think people realized, but one of the indignities of slavery was that you didn’t have the right to get married,” Jamison said. “So, at the end of the war, Andy and Tamer legally got married and lived their lives in Bartow.”

    Tamer Moore was the first documented burial at the Evergreen Cemetery.

    Moore’s son Patrick was one of four African American men who voted to incorporate Bartow.

    “This makes it real,” Jamison said, while walking the grounds. “It makes it tangible for people.”

    The burial ground was first known as the Bartow Colored Cemetery.

    “We know there are 800 visible monuments, markers and burials,” Jamison said. “There is another 1,000 that are partially visible and at least about 800 where there are suspected to be burials but are not visible on the ground surface.”

    Dr. Ossian Sweet and his family are buried there. The obstetrician left Bartow to study in France. Later, Dr. Sweet faced trouble after moving to an all white neighborhood in Detroit. A mob showed up at the house. The Sweets fired twice. An innocent bystander was struck and killed.

    Dr. Ossian Sweet (Courtesy: Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library)

    “What the police ended up doing is they arrested everyone in the house, even the mom and put them in jail,” Jamison said.

    With the help of the NAACP, Dr. Sweet was acquitted and a national precedent was established.

    “The happy ending is there is that doctrine now that whether you’re Black or white you get to defend your home,” Jamison said.

    Jamison said the county decided to take management of the cemetery to help preserve the history. The place that was once a spiritual site during slavery is now grounds for honor and respect.

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    Dalia Dangerfield

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  • Winter Haven organizations rally to aid homeless after Salvation Army closure

    Winter Haven organizations rally to aid homeless after Salvation Army closure

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    WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — At the Bible Way Resource Center in Winter Haven, volunteers put together food boxes meant to feed a family. They make enough in a single day for at least 50.

    What You Need To Know

    • Salvation Army recently closed emergency shelter in Winter Haven over financial issues 

    • Local organizations along with city officials are coming up with solutions to find more housing for families in need 

    • Heart for Winter Haven is considering purchasing the property and open it up to families in need again 

    Outreach coordinator Lydia Adcock helps to get things organized.

    “If people come and have an emergency, a homeless situation, then we will put together a quick care package for them, especially someone with a family,” she said. “You know they just need to eat now.”

    Helping others in need is Adcock’s passion.

    “If I could do this full time and still get my rent paid, Hallelujah!” she said.

    Adock experienced homelessness herself after escaping domestic violence. She says the need for resources like affordable housing, food, clothing and transitional housing is growing.

    This comes after the Salvation Army recently shut down a family emergency shelter for women and children in the city. The facility was nearly $125,000 in debt. More than a dozen families have been relocated to other facilities.

    However, the facility might have a new beginning. Heart for Winter Heaven, a center that provides rental assistance, mental health and education to get people back on their feet, is considering purchasing the property. Executive Director Brad Beatty says they are working toward that goal.

    “We’re working with some of our city leadership and investors to see what can be done with the homeless coalition of Polk County to maybe see if we can resurrect it,” Beatty said.

    Heart for Winter Haven helped Adcock during her darkest time and says the organization is a lifesaver.

    “I know if I hadn’t had the opportunity, I would have hightailed it back to what I knew,” Adcock said.

    Adcock is now giving back by volunteering for the Bible Way Resource Center. The organization is small but its looking to expand and provide transitional housing. She also wants to expand services, but they are in need of funding and more volunteers to help out.

    The organization recently created a Facebook page to bring more attention to their efforts and hopefully gain more funding.

    For Adcock, this is her calling.

    “I am a great testimony by God’s grace of paying it forward. Somebody helped me and here I am wanting to help someone else,” she said.

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    Jeff Van Sant

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  • Wendy’s will start testing surge pricing on its menu in 2025

    Wendy’s will start testing surge pricing on its menu in 2025

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    The prices for a Dave’s Single, Baconator or classic Frosty dessert could fluctuate based on demand under a new plan that the Wendy’s chief executive mentioned during an earnings call earlier this month.

    The Ohio-based fast food company, which operates about 7,100 restaurants in the U.S., plans to start testing its dynamic pricing menu next year.

    What You Need To Know

    • Wendy’s will experiment with dynamic pricing on its menu in 2025

    • The fast food chain announced the plan during an earnings call earlier this month

    • The dynamic pricing plan is part of a $20 million investment the company is making in digital menus

    • Wendy’s operates about 7,100 locations in the U.S.

    It’s one component of a $20 million digital menu investment that will enable Wendy’s operators to experiment with altering prices based on how much traffic they have. The company also plans to change its menu based on time of day.

    “We are making a significant investment in technology to accelerate our digital business,” a Wendy’s spokesperson told Spectrum News.

    One of the benefits of the investment “will be the flexibility to change the menu more easily and to offer discounts and value offers to our customers through innovations such as digital menu boards, which will roll out in some U.S. restaurants.”

    The spokesperson said it expects the move to drive traffic by “providing value during slower parts of the day.”

    Starting in early 2025, Wendy’s will also test AI-enabled menu changes and so-called suggestive selling, where customers are offered recommendations based on factors such as weather.

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    Susan Carpenter

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  • Wendy’s will start testing surge pricing on its menu in 2025

    Wendy’s will start testing surge pricing on its menu in 2025

    [ad_1]

    The prices for a Dave’s Single, Baconator or classic Frosty dessert could fluctuate based on demand under a new plan that the Wendy’s chief executive mentioned during an earnings call earlier this month.

    The Ohio-based fast food company, which operates about 7,100 restaurants in the U.S., plans to start testing its dynamic pricing menu next year.

    What You Need To Know

    • Wendy’s will experiment with dynamic pricing on its menu in 2025

    • The fast food chain announced the plan during an earnings call earlier this month

    • The dynamic pricing plan is part of a $20 million investment the company is making in digital menus

    • Wendy’s operates about 7,100 locations in the U.S.

    It’s one component of a $20 million digital menu investment that will enable Wendy’s operators to experiment with altering prices based on how much traffic they have. The company also plans to change its menu based on time of day.

    “We are making a significant investment in technology to accelerate our digital business,” a Wendy’s spokesperson told Spectrum News.

    One of the benefits of the investment “will be the flexibility to change the menu more easily and to offer discounts and value offers to our customers through innovations such as digital menu boards, which will roll out in some U.S. restaurants.”

    The spokesperson said it expects the move to drive traffic by “providing value during slower parts of the day.”

    Starting in early 2025, Wendy’s will also test AI-enabled menu changes and so-called suggestive selling, where customers are offered recommendations based on factors such as weather.

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    Susan Carpenter

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  • Wendy’s will start testing surge pricing on its menu in 2025

    Wendy’s will start testing surge pricing on its menu in 2025

    [ad_1]

    The prices for a Dave’s Single, Baconator or classic Frosty dessert could fluctuate based on demand under a new plan that the Wendy’s chief executive mentioned during an earnings call earlier this month.

    The Ohio-based fast food company, which operates about 7,100 restaurants in the U.S., plans to start testing its dynamic pricing menu next year.

    What You Need To Know

    • Wendy’s will experiment with dynamic pricing on its menu in 2025

    • The fast food chain announced the plan during an earnings call earlier this month

    • The dynamic pricing plan is part of a $20 million investment the company is making in digital menus

    • Wendy’s operates about 7,100 locations in the U.S.

    It’s one component of a $20 million digital menu investment that will enable Wendy’s operators to experiment with altering prices based on how much traffic they have. The company also plans to change its menu based on time of day.

    “We are making a significant investment in technology to accelerate our digital business,” a Wendy’s spokesperson told Spectrum News.

    One of the benefits of the investment “will be the flexibility to change the menu more easily and to offer discounts and value offers to our customers through innovations such as digital menu boards, which will roll out in some U.S. restaurants.”

    The spokesperson said it expects the move to drive traffic by “providing value during slower parts of the day.”

    Starting in early 2025, Wendy’s will also test AI-enabled menu changes and so-called suggestive selling, where customers are offered recommendations based on factors such as weather.

    [ad_2]

    Susan Carpenter

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