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Right before the holidays, a Costco Gold Star Membership isn't just a smart move—it's a downright brilliant one. For $65, you'll get a 1-year membership plus a $45 Digital Costco Shop Card*, making it easier than ever to stock up on groceries, access incredible deals on holiday gifts , and even grab some seasonal décor. With this Black Friday promotion, you're saving money and opening the door to a world of value and convenience. Here's how to make the most of this offer. Purchase your membership through StackSocial and ensure your email address is valid. Within two weeks of redeeming your membership, you'll receive your $45 Digital Costco Shop Card* via email. This can be used online or in-store, giving you even more flexibility. The catch? This deal is only for new Costco members or those whose memberships have been expired for over 18 months. Don't worry—you have until January 31, 2025, to redeem it. The benefits don't stop there. Your Costco Gold Star Membership gives you access to members-only pricing at Costco Gas Stations , helping you save big on fuel whether you're off to visit family or heading off for a work trip. The perks extend to in-warehouse optical centers and pharmacy services, so you can handle essentials in one convenient trip. Plus, with an additional Household Card included, someone else in your household (18+) can help split the shopping duties. And let's talk holiday shopping. Whether you're looking for electronics, fine jewelry, groceries for that big family feast, or even festive decorations to make your space sparkle, you can find it all in one place—and usually at prices that make you do a double-take. This timely offer makes holiday prep a breeze while setting you up for savings year-round. Grab this 1-year Costco Gold Star Membership plus a $45 Digital Costco Shop Card* for $65 to help make your holiday season run smoother when you purchase through December 22. Costco 1-Year Gold Star Membership + $45 Digital Costco Shop Card* - $65 Get It Here StackSocial prices subject to change.
Cochin professor’s Pushpa 2 dance moves light up the internetIt has been claimed that the BBC's lack of action shows there is “no satisfactory means of reporting sexual harassment within the TV industry” Gregg Wallace was accused of inappropriate behaviour in a letter received by the BBC as far back as 2022. On Thursday (November 28), it was announced that the presenter was stepping down from MasterChef after a series of complaints were made to the BBC. The allegations included a pattern of inappropriate sexual comments and actions made by Wallace to 13 people who worked with him over a period of 17 years, with the corporation passing the allegations onto Wallace’s representatives shortly before they were made public. Wallace’s lawyers said it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature, while the presenter himself posted a video on social media thanking fans for showing him support. Gregg Wallace CREDIT: BBC/Shine TV A day later, more women came forward with further allegations , with one claiming that Wallace regularly talked inappropriately about sex, domination and spanking while working on the Channel 5 show Gregg Wallace’s Big Weekends in 2019. Now, The Observer have reported that the BBC was made aware of allegations against the presenter in a letter sent in 2022, but no further investigation took place. The letter in question outlined a “pattern of behaviour” which “clearly fails to meet the sexual harassment and bullying standards that prohibit ‘unwelcome sexual advances and sexual innuendo’.” Dawn Elrick, a TV director and producer, sent the letter on behalf of the women who had been in touch with her, and she says the was told by the corporation that individuals would have to make their own separate complaints. “This is very tricky for freelancers to do without identifying themselves, which makes life extremely tricky in the freelance world,” she said. “Placing the onus on individual employees/freelancers means they failed to see that I was trying to tell them there was a pattern of alleged behaviour.” Elrick claims the fact that no action was taken as a result of the letter shows that there is “no satisfactory means of reporting sexual harassment and bullying within the TV industry”. The BBC told the Observer : “If issues are raised with us we have robust processes in place to deal with them swiftly and appropriately. We will always listen if people want to make us aware of something directly. It would be inappropriate for us to comment on anything that could form part of [ MasterChef production company] Banijay’s ongoing investigation or otherwise influence it.” Other claims against Wallace include comments about colleagues’ sexual orientation, their partners and coming out of a bathroom topless during a shoot. Rod Stewart has called Wallace a “tubby, bald-headed, ill-mannered bully” and alleged that he “humiliated my wife when she was on the show [ Celebrity MasterChef] , but you had that bit cut out didn’t you?” Penny Lancaster, Stewart’s wife, appeared on the celebrity spin-off of MasterChef in 2021. For more help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website . In the US, visit RAINN . Related Topics BBC
(The Center Square) – The U.S. Government Accountability Office says leadership is needed to fully define quantum threat mitigation strategy. A new report released by the agency emphasizes the urgent need for comprehensive federal leadership to address the emerging cybersecurity risks posed by quantum computing, warning that without prompt and coordinated action, adversarial nations might exploit quantum technology to undermine national security. "It is important for the Office of the National Cyber Director to act on our recommendation now for several reasons," Marisol Cruz Cain, director with GAO's Information Technology and Cybersecurity team, wrote in an email to The Center Square. "Adversaries could copy data protected by cryptography today and store it with the intention of accessing it later once a cryptographically relevant quantum computer is developed." The director is also the lead author of The Future of Cybersecurity. "The key to successful migrations is to start planning now and not wait until a CRQC is on the horizon," Cain wrote. "A fully comprehensive strategy will provide agencies with more clarity on their responsibilities and the common outcomes they are aiming to achieve. It will also provide the nation a better-defined roadmap for allocating and managing resources and holding participants accountable for achieving results." A cryptographically relevant quantum computer is a quantum computer that can run algorithms to crack or weaken existing cryptography. Quantum computing is a rapidly advancing technology that has the potential to solve complex problems at an unprecedented speed, which also poses significant risks in today's cybersecurity. The report says various documents have been developed over the past eight years that have contributed to an emerging U.S. national quantum computing cybersecurity strategy. The Government Accountability Office has identified three goals moving forward. The first goal is to standardize post-quantum cryptography, the second would be to migrate federal systems to that cryptography, and the third would encourage all sectors of the economy to prepare for the threat. The report identifies gaps in federal agency preparedness and a lack of clear leadership to oversee the transition to quantum-safe systems, as "No single federal organization is responsible for the U.S. strategy’s coordination." While agencies like the National Institute of Standards and Technology have taken necessary steps to develop quantum-resistant cryptographic standards, the report found inconsistencies in how federal agencies implement recommendations. The Government Accountability Office says national strategies should ideally contain six characteristics: • Purpose, scope, and methodology. Sign up to get our free daily email of the biggest stories! • Problem definition and risk assessment. • Objectives, activities, milestones, and performance measures. • Resources, investments, and risk management. • Organizational roles, responsibilities, and coordination. • Implementation and integration. According to the report, the accountability office was asked to investigate the federal government's strategy for addressing threats posed by quantum computers to the nation's cryptography. The current encryption methods are designed to secure sensitive data, but unfortunately, could potentially become vulnerable to future efforts of quantum-enabled decryption in the future. The report also stresses that the federal government will need to act swiftly to implement quantum-resistant cryptography in order to ensure that those critical systems would remain secure. According to the report, "some experts predict that a quantum computer capable of breaking certain cryptography – referred to as a cryptographically relevant quantum computer – may be developed in the next 10 to 20 years." The agency also identified challenges in workforce development and noted a shortage of professionals with expertise in quantum computing and cybersecurity, suggesting federal agencies invest in training programs and collaborate with private sector leaders to ensure a skilled future workforce that is ready to tackle any quantum-related threats. The report serves as a roadmap for quantum threat mitigation and outlines ways the federal government could appoint a centralized leadership body to oversee the implementation of quantum-safe measures. The report also calls for increased funding for quantum research and development and stronger public-private partnerships to address other vulnerabilities while also emphasizing that proactive leadership is critical to ensuring the United States remains at the forefront of cybersecurity in the quantum era.
CES 2025 Preview: TESSAN to Showcase Charging Solutions for Enhanced Connectivity and ConvenienceA Democratic state senator’s errant email is shedding light on new taxes that she and her colleagues may pursue in 2025 as well as a strategy to sell them to the public. Sen. Noel Frame, D-Seattle, sent the missive last Friday as a follow-up to discussion during a Washington state Senate Democratic Caucus retreat. But she inadvertently blasted it out to every Republican senator too. You can predict what happened next. Her email and attached PowerPoint presentation found their way onto social media. A furor followed. Conservative podcaster Brandi Kruse, a former television journalist, led the way, calling the materials “worse than getting a lump of coal in your stocking.” “Probably the worst email and ideas in state history,” wrote Rep. Travis Couture, R-Allyn, on X. He will be the lead Republican on the House Appropriations Committee next session. Frame on Monday described the email mixup as a “very simple error.” She said her presentation was intended as an “education exercise” for her Democratic colleagues. With the state facing a multi-billion dollar shortfall, she said her role as vice chair of finance on the Senate Ways and Means Committee is to explore tax options while others try to identify savings. “I wanted to get the conversation started early. Not this early. Now, every legislator is better prepared,” she said Frame’s email says the quiet part out loud. House Speaker Laurie Jinkins and Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen have said voters’ preserving of the capital gains tax in the November election is a sign they’re comfortable with requiring super-wealthy individuals and large businesses to pay a little more. And Democratic budget writers in the two chambers have already indicated that they plan to consider all revenue options to erase a shortfall estimated between $12 billion and $16 billion over the next four-and-a-half fiscal years. They’ve just not itemized tax policies in the manner Frame did. For example, there have been private conversations on attempting a statewide version of Seattle’s JumpStart tax levied on companies with large payrolls and high-paid employees. Frame puts it atop her list. The idea is employers would pay a tax on the total compensation paid to employees making more than $168,600 annually. It would affect companies with an annual payroll of $8 million or more in Washington. A “wealth tax” is on her list as well. Last year, she proposed a 1% levy on intangible assets above $250 million such as cash, bonds and stocks. Gov. Jay Inslee last week called for a similar tax on wealth above $100 million. Frame’s PowerPoint includes a guesstimate of what might be raised if the threshold is lowered to $50 million. In addition, Frame suggests the Democratic majorities in the House and Senate could make another run at a 1% real estate transfer tax on any portion of property sales above $3.025 million. That proposal didn’t reach the finish line last session. Her roster includes a 1% surcharge on taxes paid by the state’s largest corporations, an excise tax on guns and ammunition sales, a lift of the 1% cap on annual property tax increases, and a sales tax on self-storage unit rentals. “We can fund world-class schools, affordable housing, and more by making the wealthy few pay what they owe,” reads the PowerPoint. “We have to identify the villain and the problem blocking our progress and how we can take action to solve the issue.” Pedersen said Monday he doesn’t think it’s “necessarily a bad thing” the email got out. Democrats are trying to be transparent on the pluses and minuses of different revenue options, he said, adding that there will be months of discussion “before we get to the answer.” Even so, Pedersen distanced himself from the content. “The PowerPoint contained language that Sen. Frame was trying to sell the caucus on and I’ll say that reflects Sen. Frame’s viewpoint, and that’s not necessarily the viewpoint of any other member,” he said. Frame also outlined tax relief ideas such as a renters’ credit and a property tax exemption for one’s primary residence. A margin tax for businesses is on the list too. This would allow a company to choose a major deduction — like the cost of labor — before tax is calculated on its gross receipts. In her email, Frame invited her Democratic colleagues to reach out if they had interest in sponsoring a revenue bill. “Let’s spread that tax policy love around!” she wrote.Philadelphia Police are on the hunt for another alleged organizer of the chaotic car meetups that turned violent two months ago, while they also announced a tenth arrest in the case. Police Inspector Raymond Evers on Monday announced the arrest of Ezra Walker, 20, of Enola, Pennsylvania, who authorities say was involved in the mayhem on the night of Saturday, Sept. 21 and early morning of Sunday, Sept. 22. Philadelphia news 24/7: Watch NBC10 free wherever you are Walker was arrested after his blue Chevrolet Camaro was found and confiscated from his place of employment near Reading, Evers said. The blue Camaro was identified by police as the same vehicle seen in video footage drifting at 25th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, near the Philadelphia Museum of Art. "He was active in the car meet and arrested last Thursday, and his car is still in our custody," Evers said. Police have also issued an arrest warrant for Sam Hoffman, a 19-year-old from Reading, Pa. who police allege was a "promoter" of the car meet that night. "[Hoffman] was involved in sharing content -- he monetized, was making money off of being a promoter," Evers said, adding that he used Instagram to promote and earn money off of the meetups. The series of chaotic car meetups occurred in a seven-hour span in Philadelphia in which officers were attacked, fires were set and vehicles were vandalized. Breaking news and the stories that matter to your neighborhood. "You are not going to attack my police officers," Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said during a press conference on Thursday, Nov. 7. "You’re not going to jump on our cars. And you’re not going to treat us and devalue the work that we do each and every day." "We’re here to serve the men and women of this community. But what I will not allow is my officers to be attacked by individuals who just want to come out and race around our city," Bethel said. "If you want to engage in this activity, you may get me the first time but I’m going to get you." On Monday, Evers reiterated the emphasis placed on this case by Philadelphia Police. "We still have more to go, Evers said. "As investigators would say, there's still meat on the bone and we will be looking for other individuals. We know there were 11 or 12 different locations -- we're using technology to figure out who was at the individual car meets throughout the city. We'll be sending target letters out to those individuals working with the district attorney's office." "We're taking a very, very strong stance on this. We've taken 32 cars, we've locked up ten people, and there's more people to be arrested." A night of chaos The car meetups took place between the night of Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, and the early morning hours of Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. The first meetup began Sept. 21, at 9:30 p.m. on the 7400 block of Bustleton Avenue where around 50 cars were involved, police said. One of the drivers involved tried to evade police and drove directly at officers, crashing into a civilian’s vehicle in the process, investigators said. The second meetup occurred at 11:47 p.m. on 20 th Street and Pattison Avenue where over 100 vehicles were involved in reckless driving and drifting, police said. Then, at midnight, a police officer spotted a silver Nissan doing donuts in the middle of the street in the area of Columbus Boulevard and Pattison Avenue. The Nissan then moved towards the officer’s vehicle, police said. The officer managed to get out of the way and then followed the Nissan until it struck a pole on 300 Pattison Avenue, investigators said. Four males then fled from the Nissan. At 1:30 a.m., police responded to a report of gunshots on 25 th Street and Washington Avenue. When they arrived, they were met by a woman who said several cars were in the intersection when she was attacked by another woman and a man who threw an orange traffic cone at her, knocking her to the ground. As the woman spoke with the officers, they heard another gunshot coming from the direction of cars in the street. The vehicles fled the area and police recovered a spent shell casing and a live round. At 2:25 a.m., police responded to 11 th Street and Grange Avenue where there was an unruly crowd of people and a large group of cars. The responding officers were unable to disperse the crowd and were briefly surrounded, police said. One of the officers then called for backup and the crowd was dispersed once more police arrived. There were no reports of injuries, arrests or property damage at that location. At 4 a.m., police responded to Island and Bartram avenues where over 200 cars were involved in drag racing and drifting. The officers were attacked and a police vehicle was damaged, investigators said. The crowd dispersed once more police arrived. Finally, at 4:33 a.m., officers responded to 15 th and Market streets in Center City where more than 100 cars were drifting and members of a crowd were setting rubbish fires, investigators said. The responding officers were attacked and multiple police vehicles were damaged with broken windshields and flattened tires, police said. Arrests in car meetups Utilizing technology and witnesses, police identified 50 vehicles involved in the car meetups and recovered 31 of them. Deonte Vincent, 25, was arrested and charged in connection to the incident on Bustleton Avenue . On Oct. 23, 20-year-old David French was arrested in connection to one of the incidents and charged with rioting and other offenses. Vanore said French had previously been cited in March for drag racing on Cottman Avenue. Joseph Cavanaugh, 21, of Levittown, Pennsylvania, and James Hare, 20, of Philadelphia, were both arrested on Friday, Oct. 25, in connection to the illegal car meetups. Cavanaugh, who was arrested on Coral Lane in Levittown, is charged with aggravated assault, causing risking catastrophe, criminal mischief, RIOT, criminal conspiracy, recklessly endangering another person, simple assault, fleeing a police officer, disorderly conduct-hazard and reckless driving. Hare, who was arrested on Bustleton Avenue in Philadelphia, is charged with causing risking catastrophe, RIOT, recklessly endangering another person, criminal conspiracy, possessing an instrument of crime, fleeing a police officer, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct-hazard and reckless driving. Police described Cavanaugh of the organizer of the car meetups and Hare as a participant. "Joseph Cavanaugh's social media was identified as being the creator of 'Project X,'" Deputy Commissioner Vanore said on Friday, Nov. 8. "He was the promoter of the car meetup. He was utilizing his social media. He was making money." Vanore said Cavanaugh encouraged people in Philadelphia, New York, New Jersey and Delaware to participate in the meetups. According to investigators, of the nine people who were arrested, only three are from Philadelphia. The others are from Maryland, Pittsburgh, the Pennsylvania suburbs and New Jersey, officials said. Police said the most recent arrest occurred on Nov. 7. Juawan Williams, 21, of Maryland, was arrested and charged with filming the car meetups by illegally flying a drone within the city and then posting the videos to social media. Police said they are working with Meta to shut down the websites that paid for and posted the drone footage. Despite the arrests, police continue to investigate all of the incidents that occurred. "We ain't gonna stop," Bethel said. "We're going to lock up every person who came into our city, disrespected my men and women, disrespected our city and what we stand for." If you have any information on the car meetups, call Philadelphia Police at 215-686-TIPS (8477).
Iranian authorities have lifted a ban on Meta’s (META.O) instant messaging platform WhatsApp and Google Play (GOOGL.O) as a first step to scale back internet restrictions, Iranian state media reported on Tuesday. The Islamic Republic has some of the strictest controls on Internet access in the world, but its blocks on US-based social media such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube are routinely bypassed by tech-savvy Iranians using virtual private networks. “A positive majority vote has been reached to lift limitations on access to some popular foreign platforms such as WhatsApp and Google Play”, Iran’s official IRNA news agency said on Tuesday, referring to a meeting on the matter headed by President Masoud Pezeshkian. “Today the first step in removing internet limitations... has been taken,” IRNA cited Iran’s Minister of Information and Communications Technology Sattar Hashemi as saying. Social media platforms were widely used in anti-government protests in Iran. In September the United States called on Big Tech to help evade online censorship in countries that heavily sensor the internet, including Iran.
Google and the US government faced off in a federal court on Monday, as each side delivered closing arguments in a case revolving around the technology giant's alleged unfair domination of online advertising. The trial in a Virginia federal court is Google's second US antitrust case now under way as the US government tries to rein in the power of big tech. In a separate trial, a Washington judge ruled that Google's search business is an illegal monopoly, and the US Justice Department is asking that Google sell its Chrome browser business to resolve the case. The latest case, also brought by the Justice Department, focuses on ad technology for the open web -- the complex system determining which online ads people see when they surf the internet. The vast majority of websites use a trio of Google ad software products that together, leave no way for publishers to escape Google's advertising technology, the plaintiffs allege. Publishers -- including News Corp and Gannett publishing -- complain that they are locked into Google's advertising technology in order to run ads on their websites. "Google is once, twice, three times a monopolist," DOJ lawyer Aaron Teitelbaum told the court in closing arguments. Presiding judge Leonie Brinkema has said that she would deliver her opinion swiftly, as early as next month. Whatever Brinkema's judgment, the outcome will almost certainly be appealed, prolonging a process that could go all the way to the US Supreme Court. The government alleges that Google controls the auction-style system that advertisers use to purchase advertising space online. The US lawyers argue that this approach allows Google to charge higher prices to advertisers while sending less revenue to publishers such as news websites, many of which are struggling to stay in business. The US argues that Google used its financial power to acquire potential rivals and corner the ad tech market, leaving advertisers and publishers with no choice but to use its technology. The government wants Google to divest parts of its ad tech business. Sign up to get our free daily email of the biggest stories! Google dismissed the allegations as an attempt by the government to pick "winners and losers" in a diverse market. The company argues that the display ads at issue are just a small share of today's ad tech business. Google says the plaintiffs' definition of the market ignores ads that are also placed in search results, apps and social media platforms and where, taken as a whole, Google does not dominate. "The law simply does not support what the plaintiffs are arguing in this case," said Google's lawyer Karen Dunn. She warned that if Google were to lose the case, the winners would be rival tech giants such as Microsoft, Meta or Amazon, whose market share in online advertising is ascendant as Google's share is falling. The DOJ countered that it simply "does not matter" that Google is competing in the broader market for online ads. "That is a different question" than the market for ads on websites that is the target of the case, said Teitelbaum. Google also points to US legal precedent, saying arguments similar to the government's have been refuted in previous antitrust cases. Dunn also warned that forcing Google to work with rivals in its ad products would amount to government central planning that the court should reject. If the judge finds Google to be at fault, a new phase of the trial would decide how the company should comply with that conclusion. And all that could be moot if the incoming Trump administration decides to drop the case. The president-elect has been a critic of Google's, but he warned earlier this month that breaking it up could be "a very dangerous thing." arp/dwSpecial Counsel Jack Smith on Monday moved to dismiss the case against US President-elect Donald Trump for allegedly conspiring to overturn the results of the 2020 election he lost to Joe Biden. Smith, in a filing with the judge in Washington presiding over the historic case, said it should be dropped in light of a long-standing Justice Department policy not to prosecute a sitting president. The special counsel asked District Judge Tanya Chutkan to dismiss the case “without prejudice” — leaving open the possibility it could be revived after Trump leaves office four years from now. Possibilty of revival after Trump leaves office Smith paused the election interference case earlier this month after Trump defeated Kamala Harris in the November 5 presidential election. “The Government’s position on the merits of the defendant’s prosecution has not changed,” Smith said in the filing with Chutkan. “But the circumstances have.” “It has long been the position of the Department of Justice that the United States Constitution forbids the federal indictment and subsequent criminal prosecution of a sitting President,” Smith said. ALSO READ: WATCH G20: Ramaphosa promises to carry on ‘good work’ done by Brazil “As a result this prosecution must be dismissed before the defendant is inaugurated.” Trump’s communications director Steven Cheung welcomed the move to dismiss the case, calling it a “major victory for the rule of law.” “The American People and President Trump want an immediate end to the political weaponization of our justice system and we look forward to uniting our country,” Cheung said in a statement. ‘Major victory for the rule of law’ Trump is accused of conspiracy to defraud the United States and conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding — the session of Congress called to certify Biden’s win, which was violently attacked on January 6, 2021, by a mob of the then-president’s supporters. Trump is also accused of seeking to disenfranchise US voters with his false claims that he won the 2020 election. Smith charged Trump with mishandling top secret documents after leaving the White House, but that case was tossed out by a federal judge in Florida, a Trump appointee, on the grounds that Smith was unlawfully appointed. ALSO READ: JD Vance’s rise through Trump’s unpredictable orbit Smith had appealed that dismissal but is now expected to drop the appeal. Trump also faces two state cases — in New York and Georgia. He was convicted in New York in May of 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels on the eve of the 2016 election to stop her from revealing an alleged 2006 sexual encounter. Trump’s cases Judge Juan Merchan has postponed sentencing while he considers a request from Trump’s lawyers that the conviction be thrown out in light of the Supreme Court ruling in July that an ex-president has broad immunity from prosecution. In Georgia, Trump faces racketeering charges over his efforts to subvert the 2020 election results in the southern state, but that case will likely be frozen while he is in office under the policy of not prosecuting a sitting president. – By: © Agence France-Presse
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Editorial: Finally SC has news to celebrate on teacher vacancies, but lots left to do (copy)The history photo this week says so much about simpler times. It’s a photo of Vernon’s Jeff Hurmuces in his home on Christmas Eve, 1952. Look at the fantastic black-and-white photo courtesy of the Museum and Archives of Vernon. Look closely. Photos of family framed, hanging on the wall, some level, some askew. The Christmas tree in the corner, clearly a live tree with a star on top, minimal lights and the always-present tinsel at the time. Christmas cards were regularly hung from string going wall to wall, and you can see Mr. Hurmuces received at least 19 cards that year. And the food. My word, the food. The drink. Something for every palate in this pic. Hurmuces was the co-owner of the highly successful National Cafe, in the old National Hotel, according to his niece, Gayle, who lives on Vancouver Island and who pays tribute to her uncle on her website, Eatinscanada.com. Hurmuces owned the cafe with another Vernon legend, Nick Alexis, as well as Tom (Curly) Pulos and Gus Haros from 1935-1963. Curly’s daughter Evinia (Pulos) Bruce wrote a letter to The Morning Star in 2004 explaining how the National Cafe had a chocolate factory in the back and a soda fountain up front, where such concoctions as the Graveyard Milkshakes ( a mix of every available flavour) and the Three Men In A Tub original sundaes were created and dished out. The National Cafe, said Bruce, was the “largest and most known restaurant in the block (2900-30th Avenue) all during the Second World War due to the thousands of soldiers training at the army camp on Mission Hill.” On Dec. 9, 2021, the highly popular Facebook page Vintage Vernon ran the exact same photo, courtesy of the museum. Gayle commented that her uncle Jeff was her best friend when she was a little girl. The same photo hangs in her home, she said. And a man named Ronald Smith commented that “Jeff was a real gentleman, and was always very kind and polite with my mother and me.” Smith also mentioned that he worked for Capitol Taxi as a kid and had many interactions with Curly Pulos.The Perry County Literacy Council (PCLC) currently is in great need of donations and volunteers to continue supporting the growing demand for services. Whether individuals or businesses can contribute financially or offer time to tutor, assist with office tasks, or help with fundraising, the support is essential in helping the organization fulfill its mission. Donations can be made directly through the PCLC website, and volunteers can apply by contacting the office to find out how their skills can be put to use in the impactful community service. The community’s generosity can make a direct difference in the lives of individuals striving for a better future. The PCLC began in the early 1980s with a small group of concerned community members, and over the past four decades it has grown into a vital resource for many residents of Perry County. The organization was born out of a shared concern about illiteracy when Dale Lesperance approached Lane Partner, seeking a solution to the lack of educational opportunities. With a $100 grant from the New Bloomfield Civic Club, they organized a Laubach Literacy training event for a small group of 10-12 people, using books loaned from the Juniata County Literacy Council. The organization started simply, without a formal structure, but local churches and clubs helped spread the word, and volunteer tutors worked with students one-on-one. The first year, they worked with only a handful of people, meeting in Father Larry’s house at St. Bernard Catholic Church. That informal start laid the foundation for what would become a much larger operation. By 1984, after securing a $25,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), the PCLC moved into the basement of the Newport Public Library. At that point, the organization hired its first executive director, Wendy Lindstrom, and began to expand its offerings, including high school equivalency instruction. In 1993, a major shift occurred when Carol Steiner took over as executive director. Steiner’s priorities included integrating computer literacy into PCLC’s programs and significantly increasing fundraising efforts. At that time, Anne Chappelka, a new arrival to Perry County, became deeply involved in the organization and eventually joined the board, where she remained an active volunteer until her passing in 2021. Tragedy struck in 1997 when Steiner died in a car accident. Chappelka, serving as the board president, stepped in as acting director until a permanent replacement could be found. With help from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, which had strong respect for Steiner, PCLC was able to continue its operations while searching for a new leader. By 2000, the organization had outgrown its library basement and moved to a new facility on Market Street in Newport. In 2003, the Newport School District made a significant decision to allow PCLC to use its facilities as a GED test site, an arrangement that benefited many adults in the community who previously had to travel to Harrisburg Area Community College to take tests. When Executive Director Susan Risner retired in 2007, Kathleen Bentley, a former special education teacher, took over. Bentley brought a wealth of experience to the organization, and her approach focused on treating each individual with dignity and compassion. Bentley’s time at PCLC saw the organization expand its services further, with a new location on South Fifth Street offering more space for workforce training and other resources. She established partnerships with various agencies, including Perry Apex Services Unlimited (PASU), which provided transportation to help people access PCLC services. Bentley also launched a scholarship fund that paid for at least half the cost of GED testing. Bentley’s work highlighted the profound need for basic services like identification documents, which many residents lacked. Through her efforts, PCLC helped individuals obtain essential documents like photo IDs, birth certificates and social security cards. In 2010, a social work office was established, and Bentley used grants to provide other crucial services such as childcare for students’ children and emergency food and gas cards. In December 2021, Bentley retired, and Leslie Heimbaugh, who had been with the organization since 2009, took over as executive director. Heimbaugh initially joined PCLC as a part-time office manager and quickly became involved in fundraising and supporting students. She served as an administrative assistant and development officer before being asked to take on the executive director role in 2017. However, that meant she’d need to earn a bachelor’s degree, which she did by completing a degree in communications from Central Penn College at age 58, even becoming the valedictorian of her class. Heimbaugh’s deep commitment to the work of PCLC is reflected in her passion for the students and families the organization serves. “It’s such a privilege that people trust us to help them through some of the roughest times in their lives,” she said. “It’s simultaneously the most joyful and toughest work I’ve ever done.” Heimbaugh is particularly moved by the resilience of students who, despite facing enormous challenges in their lives, continue to pursue their educational goals. She acknowledges the importance of offering second chances. “PCLC is all about second, third, and sometimes even fourth chances. We never judge anyone who needs to walk away and return when conditions are more favorable for their success.” The range of services offered by PCLC is extensive, with a primary focus on adult education and GED preparation, as well as English as a Second Language (ESL) programs. Heimbaugh pointed out that the number of ESL students has been growing rapidly, with all students legally residing in the U.S. or holding refugee status. In addition to the educational services, PCLC provides an array of support services, including help with obtaining vital documents, emergency food and gas cards, childcare for students’ children, free tax preparation for low-income residents, and assistance with healthcare connections. As an official Pennsylvania CareerLink, PCLC helps individuals connect with employment and training opportunities, especially for youth and adults who need job readiness support. The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, which co-locates with PCLC, provides services to Perry County residents with disabilities. Merakey, another organization that shares space, runs programs for adults with mental health challenges, including advocacy, recovery and psychiatric rehabilitation. RECOMMENDED • pennlive .com Mid-Penn boys basketball returning stat leaders: Points, 3-pointers, rebounds, blocks, steals Nov. 27, 2024, 5:00 a.m. How to watch ‘Yellowstone,’ season five, part two with a FREE live stream, time, channel Nov. 24, 2024, 6:00 p.m. Heimbaugh highlighted the importance of their partnerships with other local organizations. “We rely on the support of a vast network of partnerships. We listen to what our clients need, take care of what we can, and offer a ‘warm hand-off’ to one of our partners.” The impact of PCLC’s work is evident in the stories of individuals it serves. Heimbaugh shared an example of a student who came to the organization with the hope that a pair of steel-toed boots could help secure a job. PCLC was able to provide the necessary support, and the individual eventually found employment. PCLC continues to serve residents not only from Perry County but also from neighboring areas such as upper Dauphin and eastern Juniata counties. As Heimbaugh put it, “The people we serve are just like you and me — they want the same things we do—love, safety, security, education, a home, and family.” Many of the students and clients face significant obstacles in their lives, but PCLC’s mission is to help them overcome those barriers and achieve their goals, one step at a time.
If you're one of the millions of shoppers browsing for Black Friday offers this weekend, you may want to check out a little-known cashback deal that can see you save even more. Website TopCashback is currently offering up to 45% cashback on all Superdrug purchases, as well as a £15 sign-up bonus for new members - but you'll have to be quick to take advantage of the offer, as it comes to an end at midnight tonight (Saturday, November 30). For one day only, both new and existing TopCashback members can stack this huge cashback deal when browsing the Superdrug Black Friday sale, spelling massive discounts on big beauty brands. One of the biggest savings at Superdrug discovered by shopping experts at The Mirror is on the Oral-B iO3 Matt Black Electric Toothbrush with Travel Case , which has seen its price drop from £159.99 down to just £49.95 for Black Friday. By snapping up the TopCashback deal too, shoppers who also get the sign-up bonus can snag the toothbrush for just £16.22 after cashback, almost 90% off its full price tag. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to get the deal: Head over to the TopCashback website and sign up for an account for free using this link In your TopCashback account, search for Superdrug in the search bar at the top Once you're on the TopCashback Superdrug page, click 'Get Cashback Now' which will redirect you to the Superdrug website Make your purchase on the Oral-B iO3 Matt Black Electric Toothbrush , or choose another Superdrug product you have your eye on, and your cashback will appear within your TopCashback account within seven working days Once your cashback lands in your account, you will have the choice to withdraw it via bank transfer or PayPal, or alternatively you can choose to transfer it to your Reward Wallet to spend on gift cards via TopCashback. TopCashback features over 4,000 major retailers across fashion, electricals, utilities, travel and more, which pay TopCashback commission for referring shoppers to their website at no extra cost to you - in fact, this commission is passed back to customers as cashback, meaning there are plenty of discounts and deals to snap up. To shop on TopCashback, you just need to find the retailer you want to buy from on the site and click through, and then shop online with your chosen retailer as you normally would. Once TopCashback receives its commission from the retailer, it will deposit your promised cashback into your account so you can withdraw it to spend. The website has an overall rating of 4.5 out of five stars on Trustpilot, based on over 140,000 reviews from customers. Another Superdrug bargain is on the Remington S3500 Ceramic Straight Straighteners , which can be all yours for just £2.49 after cashback - less than the price of a takeaway coffee. Or for shoppers who really want to splash out, the Shark Flexstyle 5-In-1 Air Styler & Dryer is currently reduced to £219.99, but new TopCashback members who take advantage of the Saturday deal can get it for £122.49. Molly Mileham-Chappell, consumer savings expert at TopCashback, said: "Black Friday can be a great time to take advantage of promotions on high-ticket items you've had your eye on and had been planning to purchase. This might include the likes of premium perfume or hair tools, which you might have ordinarily waited to buy from Duty Free if you travel internationally. "Additionally, this time of year is chock full of bargains on health and beauty promotions, with bundles and gift sets of popular products often on offer - just make sure you price compare between retailers before hitting that 'checkout' button - sites like PriceSpy can help with this. Splitting sets up into individual items, you can create perfect Christmas gifts for your friends and stocking fillers for your family, and they will be none the wiser!" Elsewhere on the high street, Boots is also running a deal on the Limited Edition Shark FlexStyle 5-in-1 Air Styler & Hair Dryer Gift Set , which has seen its price slashed from £329.99 down to £249.99 with £80 off. Even better, the retailer is offering shoppers £10 worth of Advantage Card points for every £60 spent on selected electrical beauty favourites - meaning with this purchase you will get £40 back to spend on your reward card. ChronicleLive is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our communities. We have a number of communities to join, so you can choose which one you want to be part of and we'll send you the latest news direct to your phone. You could even join them all! To join you need to have WhatsApp on your device. 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Emera Inc. stock falls Wednesday, underperforms market
Daniel Balakov About one month ago, I wrote an article about Quantum-Si, the Life Sciences Tools and Services company operating in the Health Care sector of the economy. In that article I analyzed the stock using my technical approach Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of QSI either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.Hegseth meets with moderate Sen. Collins as he lobbies for key votes in the Senate
Christmas Eve 72 years ago - simpler timesThe New England Patriots can only move up one spot in the projected 2025 NFL draft order through Sunday's Week 13 results. New England did not get any help from the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders, both of whom dropped to 2-10 on Thursday and Friday. The Patriots need the Jacksonville Jaguars to miraculously pull off a divisional upset to have any potential of moving into the top three. That's assuming the Patriots lose to the Indianapolis Colts at home on Sunday. A loss to the Colts isn't the worth thing because it gets the Pats closer to a premier draft pick, but the franchise has to walk the fine balance of wanting to lose while also having Drake Maye improve each week at quarterback. As unlikely as it sounds, the Patriots need to root for the Jaguars to upset the Houston Texans. Jacksonville is the only two-win team that hasn't played yet in Week 13. The Giants and Raiders already moved to 2-10. The only hope for the Patriots is that the Jaguars find a way to respond off the bye following their humiliating loss at the hands of the Detroit Lions. Jacksonville gave Houston a game back in Week 4 in a 24-20 defeat and it is 1-1 in AFC South games so far this season. The Patriots should hope for the Jags to upset for the divisional game off the bye so at least one of the two-win teams can be cleared out. The Carolina Panthers showed more promise than expected in the last few weeks. Carolina knocked off the New Orleans Saints and Giants and then played a close game with the Kansas City Chiefs. The Panthers are trending in the right direction ahead of their clash with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which is exactly what the Pats want to see. Carolina currently holds the No. 5 pick in the projected order. Another win could clear the Panthers out of the top five mix entirely. Rooting for the New York Jets is easier to do when it benefits the Patriots' draft stock. The Jets hold the No. 6 pick in the projected order ahead of their home clash with the Seattle Seahawks. The Patriots would love for the Jets to clear themselves out of the race for a top-five pick so they can benefit and so that an elite talent does not land elsewhere in the AFC East. However, the Jets only have one win dating back to Week 4 and Seattle needs a win of its own to keep pace in a competitive NFC West title race. The Jets might be close to giving up on their season, but for New England's sake, it needs to hope that isn't the case just yet for Aaron Rodgers and Co.DALLAS (AP) — More than 60 years after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated , conspiracy theories still swirl and any new glimpse into the fateful day of Nov. 22, 1963, in Dallas continues to fascinate . President-elect Donald Trump promised during his reelection campaign that he would declassify all of the remaining government records surrounding the assassination if he returned to office. He made a similar pledge during his first term, but ultimately bended to appeals from the CIA and FBI to keep some documents withheld. At this point, only a few thousand of the millions of governmental records related to the assassination have yet to be fully released, and those who have studied the records released so far say that even if the remaining files are declassified, the public shouldn't anticipate any earth-shattering revelations. “Anybody waiting for a smoking gun that’s going to turn this case upside down will be sorely disappointed,” said Gerald Posner, author of “Case Closed,” which concludes that assassin Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. Friday's 61st anniversary is expected to be marked with a moment of silence at 12:30 p.m. in Dealey Plaza, where Kennedy's motorcade was passing through when he was fatally shot. And throughout this week there have been events marking the anniversary. When Air Force One carrying Kennedy and first lady Jacqueline Kennedy touched down in Dallas , they were greeted by a clear sky and enthusiastic crowds. With a reelection campaign on the horizon the next year, they had gone to Texas on political fence-mending trip. But as the motorcade was finishing its parade route downtown, shots rang out from the Texas School Book Depository building. Police arrested 24-year-old Oswald and, two days later, nightclub owner Jack Ruby fatally shot Oswald during a jail transfer. A year after the assassination, the Warren Commission, which President Lyndon B. Johnson established to investigate the assassination, concluded that Oswald acted alone and there was no evidence of a conspiracy. But that hasn't quelled a web of alternative theories over the decades. In the early 1990s, the federal government mandated that all assassination-related documents be housed in a single collection in the National Archives and Records Administration. The collection of over 5 million records was required to be opened by 2017, barring any exemptions designated by the president. Trump, who took office for his first term in 2017, had boasted that he'd allow the release of all of the remaining records but ended up holding some back because of what he called the potential harm to national security. And while files have continued to be released during President Joe Biden's administration, some still remain unseen. The documents released over the last few years offer details on the way intelligence services operated at the time, and include CIA cables and memos discussing visits by Oswald to the Soviet and Cuban embassies during a trip to Mexico City just weeks before the assassination. The former Marine had previously defected to the Soviet Union before returning home to Texas. Mark S. Zaid, a national security attorney in Washington, said what's been released so far has contributed to the understanding of the time period, giving “a great picture” of what was happening during the Cold War and the activities of the CIA. Posner estimates that there are still about 3,000 to 4,000 documents in the collection that haven’t yet been fully released. Of those documents, some are still completely redacted while others just have small redactions, like someone's Social Security number. “If you have been following it, as I have and others have, you sort of are zeroed in on the pages you think might provide some additional information for history,” Posner said. There are about 500 documents that have been completely withheld, Posner said, and those include Oswald’s and Ruby’s tax returns. Those files, the National Archives says on its website, weren't subject to the 2017 disclosure requirement. Trump's transition team hasn’t responded to questions this week about his plans when he takes office. From the start, there were those who believed there had to be more to the story than just Oswald acting alone, said Stephen Fagin, curator of the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, which tells the story of the assassination from the building where Oswald made his sniper's perch. “People want to make sense of this and they want to find the solution that fits the crime," said Fagin, who said that while there are lingering questions, law enforcement made “a pretty compelling case” against Oswald. Larry J. Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, said his interest in the assassination dates back to the event itself, when he was a child. “It just seemed so fantastical that one very disturbed individual could end up pulling off the crime of the century," Sabato said. “But the more I studied it, the more I realized that is a very possible, maybe even probable in my view, hypothesis.”