And now they dont.

The Lumberjacks, like nearly all of their peers across the country, are now burdened with the reality of no games, no meets and no matches due to the coronavirus pandemic. The Minnesota State High School League officially canceled the spring sports season on Thursday, shutting the door on another rite of passage.

Theres just no way of getting this season back, said BHS Activities Director Troy Hendricks. Thats the part thats difficult for those families, for those kids, for those coaches who have worked extremely hard and were looking forward to that senior season. Its not going to come.

For many, this spring should have been the last act in representing their hometown. Yet a lifetime of anticipation, all leading to the culmination of their careers, was lost in one fell swoop.

I cant even begin to understand what theyre going through, Hendricks said. But I know that, through this difficult situation, theyll handle it like true Lumberjacks. There are better days ahead, and theyll become better people because of it.

In lieu of a senior season, Bemidji athletes from all seven spring sports offered their perspectives on adversity, on loss and on an opponent no one saw coming.

"I was really hoping for a good season. But Im really thankful that I had the season I did last year, and had the chances that I did. Going to state (as an individual) was an amazing experience." Damaris Berg (Photo by Jillian Gandsey / Bemidji Pioneer)

Damaris Berg reached the highest stage of golf last year. Good thing, too, because it turned out to be her last window of opportunity.

I was really hoping for a good season, she said. But Im really thankful that I had the season I did last year, and had the chances that I did. Going to state (as an individual) was an amazing experience.

This season, for the first time since 2013, the Lumberjacks wont be represented at Bunker Hills. Berg, nor fellow seniors Nora Abrahamson, Emma Alexander, Kylen Fenson and Eva Laituri, will even have the chance.

We obviously wanted to go to state as a team, Berg said. That was a big goal, and that has been a big goal for many years.

However, Bergs family has helped her keep a grounded perspective.

Theyre saying that its great I had that experience last year, she said. And Ive had the experience (of playing golf) freshman to junior year, so that was super nice. Im thankful for the opportunities Ive had.

Berg also quickly acknowledged that this isnt the end of the world. And shell still have plenty of chances to hit the links.

I still have the rest of my life ahead of me, she said. And I can still play golf whenever I want. Some sports, you cant play again after high school, but golf, you can continue as long as you want, really.

Berg will pursue Biblical studies at Free Lutheran Bible College in the fall.

BHS girls golf seniors: Nora Abrahamson, Emma Alexander, Damaris Berg, Kylen Fenson and Eva Laituri.

"Being optimistic in this time is really tough, but hopefully, if we keep that mentality, well be able to get through the next few months." Dylan Hinners (Photo by Jillian Gandsey / Bemidji Pioneer)

Dylan Hinners saw it coming.

When things started to get bad and they started talking about shutting down schools, I figured there was a pretty good possibility that the season wasnt going to happen, he said. So it didnt hit me too hard once they announced it. I figured there wasnt too much hope for it.

Hinners had high hopes for his boys golf team, which featured a young core that would have had the chance to prove itself on the course and earn its stripes throughout the season.

Our team looked really good, and I was really looking forward to playing with a bunch of guys that I hadnt played with before, Hinners said. We had some new people on the team. I feel like we could have done pretty well this year.

Instead, the Jacks will never know. Hinners will graduate this spring, alongside senior teammates Ryley LaVenture and Vinny Tesch, without the chance to author a new chapter in the programs storied history.

The best way to look at it is that there isnt much we can do. We sort of have to deal with whats been given to us, Hinners said. Being optimistic in this time is really tough, but hopefully, if we keep that mentality, well be able to get through the next few months.

Hinners will enroll at Bemidji State this fall, where he will major in accounting. He hopes to play golf for the Beavers as a walk-on.

BHS boys golf seniors: Dylan Hinners, Ryley LaVenture and Vinny Tesch.

"This was one last hurrah before our senior year ended. Those girls are my best friends, so I was pretty excited about it." Ashley Hofstad (Photo by Jillian Gandsey / Bemidji Pioneer)

This spring was supposed to be a final chance for Ashley Hofstad to spend time with her childhood friends.

When they finally did call it all off, it was pretty disappointing, she said. I had a great group of friends that were going to be in track this year, and I was so excited to compete.

Hofstad would have been off and running in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash and in the 4x100 and 4x200 relays. Like fellow seniors Katie Alto, Kayla DeWitt, Danielle Gray, Lindsey Hildenbrand, Ada Lee and Gwendoline Youso, the captain was driven to beat her personal-best times and had aspirations of making the state meet.

Hofstad held out hope, but she read the writing on the wall.

Ive been bracing myself for this, she said. I was trying to stay positive and say, Maybe well come back. But I kind of knew that it was going to end.

Hofstad wont get the chance to chase her goals, and, whats worse, shes even been denied the opportunity to share the season with her teammates.

This was one last hurrah before our senior year ended. Those girls are my best friends, so I was pretty excited about it, she said. Were pretty bummed out. Were not able to play our sports, but were not even allowed to see each other. On a daily basis, were not even allowed to hang out, which is really tough.

Hofstad will attend Minnesota State University Moorhead next year to study physical therapy.

BHS girls track and field seniors: Katie Alto, Kayla DeWitt, Danielle Gray, Lindsey Hildenbrand, Ashley Hofstad, Ada Lee and Gwendoline Youso.

"Losing in the section championship last year was pretty heartbreaking for us. Its a heartbreaker that thats our last game, but thats the reality now." Keena Kondos (Photo by Jillian Gandsey / Bemidji Pioneer)

When Keena Kondos walked off the field to end last season, she had no idea it would be for the last time.

We obviously wanted to go to state super bad this year, the second baseman said. Losing in the section championship last year was pretty heartbreaking for us. Its a heartbreaker that thats our last game, but thats the reality now.

Kondos is one of eight seniors on a veteran softball team, joining Riley Bradley, Gracie Fisher, Maddie Hanson, Emma Stanoch, Anikka Takkunen, Lindsey Theis and Katie Watt in a group that had its sights on a second section title within three years.

Without the opportunity to earn it, though, the bunch has relied on each other as they cope with a sour end to their careers.

Theres been a lot of tears, not going to lie, Kondos said. But its been all right. Im still in touch with my teammates and everything. Were doing a lot of communication, which is good, but its heartbreaking for all of us.

Kondos has combated the sad reality by leaning on teammates, going on walks and spending extra time with family.

Were trying to be positive with everything, she said. It could be way worse for us. We could end up getting the coronavirus. Were all still pretty blessed in a way.

Kondos will hop across town to attend Bemidji State in the fall, where she will major in elementary education.

BHS softball seniors: Riley Bradley, Gracie Fisher, Maddie Hanson, Keena Kondos, Emma Stanoch, Anikka Takkunen, Lindsey Theis and Katie Watt.

"All throughout childhood, its basically all working up to your senior year of your baseball season because thats the first big, monumental step in your career." Steven Peterson (Photo by Jillian Gandsey / Bemidji Pioneer)

Undoubtedly, a pandemic can pretty easily throw a wrench into someones future. Just ask Steven Peterson.

I was going to take this school ball season to determine whether or not I was going to play in college, he said. Im not really sure how thats going to go now.

Peterson, the ace of the baseball team, was gearing up to go alongside fellow seniors Colby Carlson and Reid Colley. The trio was ready for their last run at a section championship, which has proven to be close but oh-so elusive in recent years.

All throughout childhood, its basically all working up to your senior year of your baseball season because thats the first big, monumental step in your career, Peterson said. Its leaving your mark on the program as a senior and potentially being a captain, too. Now that none of that gets to happen, its going to suck. Ill probably never fully get over it.

However, the team has found an outlet to overcome the postponement, and ultimate cancellation, of the season: Wiffle ball.

Its fun getting out there to play without any stress, Peterson said. We had a lot of fun with that, so we were all really happy. We always told ourselves, Hey, if theres no school ball season, were going to start a Wiffle ball league.

Next fall, Peterson will attend Vermilion Community College for its Wildland/Wildlife Law Enforcement program. He is undecided on his plans with the Sailors baseball team.

BHS baseball seniors: Colby Carlson, Reid Colley and Steven Peterson.

"All the boys are sad because its not only the competition were losing out on. Its the environment, the community that you get to be a part of when youre in a sport. Thats what Im missing most." Louis Saxton (Photo by Jillian Gandsey / Bemidji Pioneer)

A year removed from heartbreak, Louis Saxtons boys tennis team reloaded for redemption.

We were extremely strong, Saxton said. It was really tough knowing that, after all the early work weve put in, we werent going to get a chance to go prove that we were this good.

In 2019, the Jacks fell one match shy of the programs first state berth. All but one graduate was due to return, and 10 seniors -- Jonah Fuhrman, Eric Guida, Wyatt Harrom, Ben Hess, Silas Hess, Isaac McNallan, Kolden Michalicek, Logan Mitchell, Quincy Wilson and Saxton -- had the team believing it was capable of history.

Thats why it stings.

We all, in the back of our minds, were preparing for this, Saxton said. But at the same time, we really hoped that something was going to miraculously happen so we could get our season back.

Saxton understands the takeaway from the cancellation -- that we dont have total control over everything in our lives all the time. But, clearly, it can be a costly lesson to learn.

The players on the team have been handling it wonderfully, Saxton said. All the boys are sad because its not only the competition were losing out on. Its the environment, the community that you get to be a part of when youre in a sport. Thats what Im missing most.

Saxton will attend the University of Colorado Boulder this fall on a cello scholarship. He hopes to remain involved in tennis within the schools club program.

BHS boys tennis seniors: Jonah Fuhrman, Eric Guida, Wyatt Harrom, Ben Hess, Silas Hess, Isaac McNallan, Kolden Michalicek, Logan Mitchell, Louis Saxton and Quincy Wilson.

"Being in the position Im in right now, with a healthy family and being healthy myself, its pretty relieving that this is all I have to worry about." Nick Snell (Photo by Jillian Gandsey / Bemidji Pioneer)

Nick Snell knows the world has more to worry about than high school track and field right now. So, all things considered, he counts himself lucky.

There are a lot of people out there losing a lot more than their senior season, he said. People are losing jobs or losing loved ones. Being in the position Im in right now, with a healthy family and being healthy myself, its pretty relieving that this is all I have to worry about.

Snell had planned to compete in the 200-meter dash, the 400-meter run and the long jump, plus the 4x200 and 4x400 relays. Now, nobody will know what he and fellow seniors Jaden Atkinson, James Branham, Aidan Helwig, Gage Mostad and Alex Robertson would have accomplished.

It was my last season in high school sports, said Snell, a three-sport athlete. I wanted to put everything I could into seeing how far I could go, how fast I could get. Its tough not knowing what I could have done. Im just thankful to be safe right now.

The past month of staying home has helped Snell brace for the seemingly inevitable to come to light.

My family and I have really connected a lot more because of this, he said. Its helped me stay happy and stay positive, and thats allowed me to be positive for my friends and my teammates who are also going through it.

Snell will attend the University of North Dakota this fall and study computer science.

BHS boys track and field seniors: Jaden Atkinson, James Branham, Aidan Helwig, Gage Mostad, Alex Robertson and Nick Snell.

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The faces of adversity: Bemidji seniors mourn the death of a final season that never was - Bemidji Pioneer

Last month, the governor announced a $116 million Medicaid-funded initiative to help providers and hospitals, as well as a $10 million community development block grant program to help rural hospitals. Peterson says it was too early to say what impact the $116 million initiative would have on Baxter. On April 18, the governor announced the distribution of the $10 million in grants to 27 hospitals in the state, including $500,000 to Baxter Regional.

All of these measures, as well as other state and federal initiatives to aid hospitals during the pandemic, have been helpful, Ryall said. But it certainly doesnt backfill all the revenue that has been lost, he said. Every little bit helps and were appreciative of everything, but weve got big numbers that are occurring right now.

Baxter Regional began experiencing a decrease in the volume of patients it sees around the middle of March.

Patients are taking our advice and doing the right thing, staying home, Peterson says.

Elective procedures and routine appointments were already being postponed when the state mandated on April 3 that procedures, testing and office visits that could be safely postponed had to be rescheduled. The hospital is also seeing fewer trauma patients as people spend more time at home (for example, people are less likely to wind up in an automobile accident). Others may be resisting coming to the hospital for needed care because of fears of the virus. All told, volume throughout Baxter Regional, including emergency services, physician offices and inpatient stays, has fallen by around 30%, translating to a decline in revenues of roughly 40%.

The fall in revenues comes alongside increases in costs to prepare for COVID-19. Patients suspected of COVID-19 have to be treated as if they are infected until the hospital gets confirmation of a negative test, which has increased the hospitals utilization of personal protective equipment (PPE), such as N95 masks. Masks used to cost around 95 cents each. The price has now spiked to around $3 each (some sellers are asking for $5 or more, Peterson says, which would push costs up even further if the hospital ever faced a shortage and had to seek additional sellers). Testing remains a challenge, as the hospital is still unable to test on-site. Initially, tests sent to the Arkansas Department of Health in early March had a 6-to-8 day turnaround, but that has more recently improved to 24 to 48 hours, Peterson said.

Like many of the states rural hospitals, Baxter Regionals fiscal situation was already tight before the crisis.

For the last several years, weve had a 2% operating margin, Peterson said. Thats the average, if youre lucky. Theres several rural hospitals that I dont even believe have that kind of operating margin. But thats a very slim margin and when you start dropping 30 to 35% of your volume, you have to take a look at how can you keep the organization sustained and survive.

The hospital normally operates in the black on a monthly basis, but for the month of March, the hospital was $1.4 million in the red; the projection for April is a shortfall of $6 to $6.5 million. May could likely be even worse, Peterson says.

On April 6, the hospital announced a series of cuts to deal with the temporary shortfalls related to COVID-19: a hold on annual market-based pay increases, reductions in salary for executives and the leadership team, reduction in hours for many workers, a hiring freeze for noncritical positions and furloughing 105 employees. Those furloughed will continue to receive health insurance from Baxter Regional and will be eligible for unemployment compensation.

Baxter Regionals second round of 175 furloughs brought the total to 280. The number of positions that have been left vacant under the hiring freeze is up to 70. The hope is that all of these moves will be temporary. The hospital stated in a press release: Baxter Regional realizes that these are difficult days for our nation, state, local community and organization but is confident we will get through this together and overcome these challenges.

When the health care industry takes a hit, it has a profound impact on the local economy, Peterson said. Prior to the cuts, Baxter Regional employed around 1,700 people, making it by far the largest employer in the community. One in four jobs in Baxter County are health-care related, including the hospital and independent providers.

Peterson says that he anticipates volume will pick up in the near future.

The drop can only go on for so long, he says. Health care services can be delayed, but I believe there will be pent-up demand and theres going to be a burst at some point.

In this way, rural hospitals face a dilemma not dissimilar to small businesses like restaurants demand for services that doesnt exist now will be coming soon, but without significant cash reserves or huge margins from previous years, the immediate revenue hit makes it hard to stay afloat.

You have to look at how you survive and be prepared for the surge and the influx weeks later, Peterson adds.

In the meantime, hospitals like Baxter Regional also must prepare for the possibility of a COVID-19 outbreak. As of April 20, there have been just five confirmed cases in Baxter County and one in Marion County, the hospitals primary service areas.

Thank goodness, and hopefully a surge does not happen, but you do have to plan for that, Peterson says.

The hospital has a team dedicated to COVID response which has been meeting daily since the first confirmed case in Arkansas on March 11. In the case of a surge of COVID-19 cases, the hospital has 49 beds that could be used to treat COVID patients, in rooms that could be converted to have negative air pressure to contain the virus, including nine in the ICU.

The hospital has 17 ventilators and 17 anesthesia machines. Additional beds could potentially be converted if a surge stretched that capacity, including an additional eight ICU beds in which case small, critical-access hospitals in the region could help by taking on non-COVID patients.

In addition to the federal stimulus payments from the CARES Act and the block grant aid from the state, Arkansas has also initiated a $75 million program, paid for with the governors rainy day fund, to provide PPE to health care providers. Baxter Regional received its first shipment last week, including around 2,400 gowns and 26,000 gloves, with more expected soon.

The state and federal government have also established plans to advance money now to help with immediate cashflow that hospitals and other providers will eventually repay. Arkansas has delayed Medicaid-related payments that hospitals would normally owe the state now until June, and the federal government has fronted Medicare reimbursement payments now that providers can pay back later this year.

We appreciate everything thats being done, and its all been beneficial, Peterson says. But hospitals in rural areas that are large enough to be able to handle COVID patients and are operating on very thin margins its a very difficult time for us at this moment.

If the revenues dont turn around soon, he said, it could threaten the ability of Baxter Regional and similar hospitals to sustain themselves in their current form.

It could change the landscape of hospitals in rural Arkansas, theres no question, says Peterson.

Its a bleak picture right now, Ryall says. Im hearing from hospitals that got their March numbers, and looking toward April and May its going to be devastating. Thats why youre seeing the furloughs and cuts. Hospitals are just trying to survive to when the patients do come back.

The Arkansas Hospital Association has provided grant money to ANNN.

This reporting is courtesy of the Arkansas Nonprofit News Network, an independent, nonpartisan news project dedicated to producing journalism that matters to Arkansans.

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The economic fallout of COVID-19: Baxter Regional fights to survive - ktlo.com

We know the world is upside down when conservative media start praising Sweden -- land of an expansive welfare state and the taxes to support it, not to mention climate activist Greta Thunberg.

Pictures of Swedes sitting in cafes having their coffee leave the impression that the lockdowns in America might be unnecessary and such imagery dovetails with the President's suggestion that some states need to be "liberated."

While it is true Sweden has chosen to keep schools, restaurants, gyms and other businesses open, it has also banned large gatherings and called for physical distancing, hand-washing, working from home, avoiding travel and contact with the most vulnerable. The difference is, authorities believe the people can make their own judgments in a society where culturally one is expected to put the community's needs before one's own.

In comparison to Illinois with a population of just over 12.6 million, Sweden has 10.2 million people. Illinois has had 41,777 cases and, as this is written 1,874 deaths. Sweden has had 18,177 cases and 2,192 deaths and more than 80 percent of those who have died have been over 70. These numbers are misleading because Sweden has been even slower than the U.S. to test and is only starting to ramp that up now.

For me, this is personal. I still have a significant number of first cousins there -- one who works in a hospital -- and I have had a regular back and forth with my cousin Lars, who is a retired school administrator. I asked him what he thought.

Lars notes that many Swedes feel epidemiologist Anders Tegnell (Sweden's Dr. Fauci) and Sweden's public health system and hospitals have generally done an excellent job. The hospitals have not been overrun and there is a high level of trust in the universal health system. All the parties in the parliament have rallied behind the government.

That said, the jury is still very much out and there has been some strong internal criticism of what is very openly a "herd immunity" approach. A group of the country's most senior epidemiologists have called on Tegnell to resign and the Prime Minister has acknowledged that they have not done enough to protect seniors. In addition, immigrant communities, that often live in more crowded households, have had high infection rates. In comparison to its Nordic neighbors (Norway, Finland,

and Denmark) that have stricter controls, Sweden's death rate has been anywhere from three to six times greater.

Anecdotally, Lars and his wife Ulla, say they don't eat in restaurants, don't travel, shop early in the morning, and go for walks. Lars' educational consulting business has become completely digital. His son, an administrative judge in Stockholm, and his wife have also largely worked from home. Lars notes that Sweden has an excellent broadband network, even in the rural areas of Sweden, and that Stockholm has an exceptionally high percentage of people who live on their own. Up to 75 percent in Stockholm can work from home, and cellphone data confirms that is what they are doing. All that promotes physical distancing

Sweden's unemployment rate has now hit eight percent, kept down by government programs. Lars believes, like many Swedes, that a total shutdown would have been "economically dangerous," but many businesses have paused operations anyway and forecasts say the economy will contract this year and perhaps grow just over one percent in 2021.

Operationally, Sweden is pursuing many measures that are similar to those in other countries, and, as such, life there is far from normal. The conservative media here do not focus on the cultural differences between Sweden and America and the virus does not seem to care either way -- it's just an opportunist. Don't focus on the pictures of Swedes in cafes. The numbers are the numbers and we can all decide for ourselves whether Sweden's approach (absent a treatment or vaccine) carries a price that, on balance, we would all be willing to pay.

Keith Peterson, of Lake Barrington, served 29 years as a press and cultural officer for the United States Information Agency and Department of State. He was chief editorial writer of the Daily Herald 1984-86.

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Fighting the virus with personal freedom in socialist Sweden - Chicago Daily Herald

10 PM With Galinsky is a new, thirty-minute talk-variety show that stars performer, artist, activist Robert Galinsky streaming live each night from his Alphabet City NYC studio. Galinsky interviews celebrities, newsmakers, and exceptional people doing extraordinary things. The casual conversation format features guest photographs and audience participation through live chat.

10 PM with Galinsky, streams live, Monday -Friday at 10 PM on Facebook.com/RobertGalinsky.

This week's guests include:

Clayton Patterson is a Lower East Side outlaw artist, rebel, photographer, infamous documentarist of riots, anarchists, squatters, graffiti and tattoo artists, skaters, poets, punks, leathered rock'n'rollers, skinheads, Santeria priests and the ignored, abused, and broken.

Liza Jessie Peterson is a Drama Desk Award Nominee, Agnes Gund's prestigious Art for Justice Fund recipient, featured in Ava DuVernay's, "The 13th", consultant on Bill Moyer's doc, "Rikers", critically acclaimed performer and writer of the one woman show "The Peculiar Patriot".

Coach Frank "Buddy" Leonard is a special Assignment Scout for the New England Patriots (Super Bowl winning season), tight ends coach St. Louis Rams, assistant head coach, tight ends Coach Boston College, 36 years in college/pro coaching, super soulful recruiter and mentor.

Maryann Plunkett is a Tony Award winner for Broadway's Me and My Girl. Also featured/starring roles in film & TV: Brooklyn Lobster, Little Women,House of Cards, The Gabriels, MAD, Manifest, The Good Wife, Blue Valentine, The Squid and the Whale and much more

Robert Galinsky Solo - A mix of best moments from the past week's guests, improvisations with chatters, readings of new scripts and more variety

Past guest have included: Jay O. Sanders (JFK, Day After Tomorrow). Lin Shaye (Penny Dreadful, Insidious, Something About Mary), Billy Hayes (Midnight Express), Richard Stratton (Writer/ Producer), Keith Shocklee (founding member of "Public Enemy), Chad Morgan (Actor and Voiceover Artist).

Robert Galinsky is a performance and media coach whose clients include 50 Cent (Rapper/Actor), Libby Moore (Oprah Winfrey's Chief of Staff), Kofi Appenteng (President Africa-America Institute, Board, Ford Foundation), Ariel Barbouth (Founder, CEO Nuchas Empanadas) and many more. He has coached clients for appearances on Shark Tank, The View, ABC Nightline News, the Today Show and multiple presentations at the United Nations. Galinsky was head speaker coach for TEDx Teen for 10 years, from its inception, and his work as a coach and producer has taken him around the globe to such places as India, the United Kingdom, Canada and South America.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos

Award Winning Actress Shirley Knight Dies at 83 Beloved actress Shirley Knight passed away from natural causes on April 22nd at the home of her daughter, Kaitlin Hopkins, in San Marcos, TX.... (read more)

Breaking: 2020 Drama Desk Awards Nominations- The Full List! The 65th Annual Drama Desk Awards has partnered with 'Stars in the House' to live stream this year's Nominations. Seth Rudetsky and James Wesley, the ... (read more)

VIDEO: Original LEGALLY BLONDE Cast Reunites via Broadway Podcast Network To Benefit BC/EFA Omigod you guys! Broadway Podcast Network will present a Legally Blonde a?' The Musical reunion, to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.... (read more)

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VIDEO: Liz Callaway and Elaine Paige Sing A Virtual CHESS Duet! Today, Broadway star Liz Callaway checked an item off her bucket list, taking up an offer from thelegendary Elaine Page to perform a virtual duet on,... (read more)

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Maryann Plunkett, Liza Jessie Peterson and More to Appear on 10PM WITH GALINSKY - Broadway World

Wisconsin (WQOW) -Tension appears to be growing between Democrats and Republicans as state GOP leaders move forward with their suit to stop the Safer-at-Home extension, and hundreds of Wisconsinites continue to protest the order.

From fear to fury, Wisconsin residents are torn over whether the state economy should re-open. With both sides of the political aisle seemingly going head-to-head, one political science expert said this behavior is not unexpected.

"If you look at most other democracies in the world, you don't see this happening," said Geoffrey Peterson, the UWEC political science head. "You tend to see the parties actually coming together to try and address what's happening. I also think, honestly, this is just a reflection of the nature of American politics."

Because COVID-19 has become a partisan issue, Peterson said it makes sense that voters are now reacting through public displays such as protests.

"I think if you had a situation where both parties came together on major issues, I think you'd see a lot of this tension disappear," Peterson said. "But the fact that the parties have chosen to kind of stake out positions on this and turn this into an argument, then not surprisingly voters do the same thing because they're following the leadership of their party."

One of the largest demonstrations of political divide amid COVID-19 is the recent decision of state Republican leaders to file suit against Andrea Palm, the secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services for the Safer-at-Home extension.

"Basically, they're saying to the Supreme Court, 'she didn't follow the rules. The rules were broken. So we should then be able to stop this because it's an illegal order,'" attorney Harry Hertel explained, emphasizing the legality in question is centered around authoritative power.

"So she's basically utilized emergency powers. The question being: was there a procedure she didn't take? Was there a requirement of a time frame she didn't follow? Was this beyond the scope of the authority she had either directly from the statutes, or in the alternative an extension of the power of the executive branch to take action?" Hertel said.

As Wisconsin awaits a ruling, Peterson said one thing is certain when it comes to American politics during a pandemic.

"Is a pandemic truly a political issue? Probably not, but in The United States everything is a political issue right now," Peterson said.

As for the upcoming 2020 presidential election, Peterson said it's possible some Wisconsinites will sway their votes based on how President Trump and former Vice President Biden continue to handle this pandemic.

Peterson also said that as more uncertainty surrounds the pandemic, it's difficult to predict much with this year's campaigns.

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Politics behind the pandemic - WAOW

Iowa State football coach Matt Campbell has high hopes for Brock Purdy, Breece Hall and Charlie Kolar Des Moines Register

Iowa State added a tight end to its 2020 recruiting class. The significance of this, however, isn't what can happen this season. It's about going forward the Cyclones fortifying the future of what's become a significant position again.

DeShawn Hanika, a 6-foot-6, 225-pounder from Butler Community College, committed to Matt Campbells program Wednesday via social media.

They like the fact that I can put my hand down in the ground, or they can split me out wide for mismatches, Hanika told 247sports.com. They just talked about how they use the tight end so much in the pass gameand they thought Id be an ideal fit for their offense.

Butler Community College tight end DeShawn Hanika commits to Iowa State's 2020 recruiting class(Photo: Butler Community College)

Hanikaredshirted last season at Butler, which means he has four seasons of eligibility remaining for Iowa State.

Thats a good move for Campbell's program, whichloses senior tight endsChase Allen and Dylan Soehner after the 2020 season. Theres also a chance that redshirt junior Charlie Kolar, Iowa States No. 1 tight end, could enter the 2021 draft.

Campbell said Iowa Staterequested feedback from the NFL College Advisory Committee on the talented Kolar last year.

Charlie and his family really have to take some of that information it just got back the last couple days ... but I think Charlie knows kind of where hes at, and certainly where he needs to continue to go as well, Campbell said shortly after arriving in Orlando for last season's Camping World Bowl game.

Iowa State head football coach Matt Campbell celebrates with defensive end Will McDonald after McDonald sacked Kansas quarterback Carter Stanley in the second quarter on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames.(Photo: Bryon Houlgrave/The Register)

Shortly after the loss against Notre Dame, Kolar wrote on Twitter:

To our seniors, thank you. I will cherish the memories I have with every single one of you. To our fans I apologize. You all deserve better. Im not going anywhere theres too much left to be done."

The All-American caught51 passes for 697 yards and seven touchdowns last season.

Hanika had offers from Louisiana Tech and Florida Atlantic, but was garnering interest from Michigan State, Oklahoma State and TCU, according to 247sports.

Then Thursday, Campbells ambitious April on the recruiting trail continued when linebacker Myles Mendeszoon, of Chardon, Ohio committed to the Cyclones on social media.

Im very honored to say I will be continuing my academic and football career at Iowa State, Mendeszoon wrote on Twitter. Im very grateful and honored to call myself a Cyclone.

The 6-foot-4, 195-pounder who also plays defensive end, is the 10th high school recruit for the 2021 class. Hes the fifth 2021 recruitment this month.

Iowa State columnist Randy Peterson has been writingfor the Des Moines Register for parts of sixdecades. Reach him at rpeterson@dmreg.com, 515-284-8132, and on Twitter at @RandyPete. No one covers the Cyclones like the Register. Subscribe today at DesMoinesRegister.com/Deal to make sure you never miss a moment.

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From New York Times bestselling author Max Brallier and showrunner Scott Peterson of Atomic Cartoons comes the fun and lighthearted animated series, The Last Kids on Earth. The Netflix hit follows Jack Sullivan (Nick Wolfhard) and a band of suburban middle-schoolers living in a decked-out tree house, playing video games, gorging themselves on candy, and battling zombies. 10 all-new episodes arrived on Netflix today; be sure to add them to your watchlist now!

In honor of the new seasons arrival, I had a chance to chat with Brallier and Peterson as part of our continuing Saturday Mourning Cartoons interview series, like our related chat with Wolfhard himself. I checked in with the EPs after our previous chat, which came before the launch of The Last Kids on Earth. We talked about how the creative team is dealing with the current quarantine situation and whether or not that affected their writing process for the post-apocalyptic series. Brallier and Peterson also talked about how much the cast of characters has grown in Season 2, both in maturity and by including new voices actors, like Mark Hamill, Rosario Dawson, Catherine OHara, Bruce Campbell, and Keith David; all of their antics and more are teased in the following interview. Feel free to listen and read along, but some spoilers follow for this season!

Image via Penguin Young Readers Group

This is the second time that Ive had a chance to talk with you both, but the last time we talked, it was before Season 1 had even launched. So how has the response been since last fall?

Scott Peterson: Well, we dont get numbers from Netflix. They keep those very close to the chest. But what we understand is that its done really, really well, that its exceeded their expectations in terms of how many people have been watching it, and thats just for the first 66-minute special that was based on Book One. But anecdotally, weve heard lots of people love it, kids watching it over and over again. So were really pleased.

Max Brallier: Ive been extremely pleased, Ive been just doing school visits and things like that since the series has launched, that fans of the books have really been fans of the show and have had really wonderful, great, enthusiastic, happy things to say, which was the thing that I most hoped would come true.

So how are you guys both feeling now that Season 2 is actually here for fans out there to enjoy?

Max Brallier: I feel great. Im really happy that its been Yeah, that its actually finally here, the fans can enjoy it. Im kind of excited for fans of the book series to see whats different, whats changed, and what sort of Easter eggs we have in there for them. Atomic Cartoons, everybody there has done a wonderful job creating this new season, and really Scott in leading the show.

Scott Peterson: Yeah, its a phenomenal season, and whereas the special really kind of sets up the world and the characters, this is where we get to just go crazy and really expand on all that, and bring in a whole new host of characters, and really send the kids on much bigger adventures, all based on Maxs books. But it really gives us an opportunity to go much, much bigger, which I think kids are going to really love.

Where does Season 2 line up with the timeline of the books, and where does it deviate? Is it mostly Zombie Parade, or is there a little bit of extra thrown in?

Image via Netflix

Max Brallier: Its mostly Zombie Parade, but taking advantage of our ability to tell the story now not just from Jacks point of view, but to see what other characters are doing. New adventures, sort of adding, changing, adjusting, and really just sort of taking the best parts of Zombie Parade and really kind of trying to make those as big and amazing as possible, and then also trying to find places to create new adventures that will excite and I mean, its not a straight adaptation where youll feel like, Oh, if I read the book, I already know exactly whats going to happen. There are some big moments that play out differently and play out, I think, just really in wonderful visual ways.

Scott Peterson: One good example of that is theres an episode called June Gloom, where Jack takes June back to her childhood home, thinking this is going to be a wonderful treat for her, and not realizing there may be a lot of other emotions involved. Thats something that wasnt really in the book, but we felt like we really want to expand on what Junes going through, because thats something we have the time for and, again, that we didnt get a chance to do in the books. Its turned out to be one of my favorite episodes, because we really get into the emotions of the kids beyond the excitement of battling monsters and zombies. Written by the marvelous Haley Mancini.

Scott Peterson: Yes.

I love the maturity that comes with Season 2. How do you think that Jack and the kids have grown, if at all, between the end of Season 1 and Season 2 where things pick up?

Max Brallier: Hes two inches taller.

Image via Netflix, Atomic Cartoons

Scott Peterson: I think for Jack in the opening book and the opening special, he was just learning to form a family, and now hes got to learn what its like to actually have a family, and what its like to live with other people, and what its like to fear losing people or Theres a lot that hes never experienced before. So I think for him particularly, this is a big season of learning about how to deal with other people that you care about.

Max Brallier: Yeah, and how to sort of be a hero and be a leader, but at the same time, not just try to keep everybody safe all the time. How to let people sort of be their own people. And be their own monsters.

How have you seen Jack grow since the beginning, and what can viewers expect to see from him as he grows as a person over the course of Season 2?

Max Brallier: I think a little bit, too, what Scott was saying about going from really wanting a family to now also wanting a community, and that sense of the camaraderie, and now having that. But with that comes this incredible fear of losing that. I think thats something that its sort of about. I remember kind of finding my people, finding your clique in elementary school and middle school, just finding a group of friends, and that theres suddenly Once you do that, there is that sense of, Oh boy, what if this goes away? What if something happens? Thats sort of whats happening here, but on a monstrous, ginormous stage full of action-adventure. So we see him sort of come to terms with that and learn how to live with that and deal with that.

Then also at the same time, were setting up sort of the larger heros journey, where its not just about the friendship stuff and the personal stuff, but how he learns to lead as the world continues to grow. Sort of this world continues to grow and the threat becomes not just a threat to his hometown, but its a interdimensional threat from beyond that. Huge. How will he lead in that world?

Image via Netflix

Scott Peterson: I think whats fun is that sometimes we can take something thats relatable, like losing your friends, but in real life, youd be worried about losing your friends to another group of friends, or maybe theyd move away. In this world, Jacks worried hes going to lose his friends because they might be eaten. So it really amps up whats a normal feeling to a huge degree.

One of his big arcs for this season is he gets so worried about them that he becomes overprotective, and so he doesnt want them to leave the house. He doesnt want them to take any risks. And he becomes kind of a jerk. Its out of how much he loves them and cares for them, but he becomes so overbearing that he has to find a way to let them be their own heroes.

Jack is definitely not your traditional expected hero. He struggles a lot with the choices that he makes and learning from his mistakes over and over again. How do you both see Jack, as hes growing?

Max Brallier: I think hes flawed. Hes certainly not perfect. Its been a fun and exciting and sort of the unexpected thing about writing this series, and really the book series as Im looking at it is a larger growth for him over seven books right now, that there continue to be things that sort of surprise me about the character. I usually say, I feel like, Im the one writing the character. None my characters surprise me, I usually feel like that. But there are moments where I sort of feel like, Oh, wait. This is really going to challenge his view of things, or his view of other people, or of monsters, or of how to be a leader and how to have friends and all these things.

I think for me, the challenge and the fun of it is how to make Jack be somebody who fails, and who fails on a personal level, too, and who fails his friends at times, and is sarcastic and handles things with humor and sarcasm, without him ever becoming unlikable or anything like that. Its a balance between I dont want him to be perfect, and I dont want him to be somebody who you dont like. Its this sort of mixture of seeing his flaws and loving him for the flaws. Thats how I try to make it work.

Image via Netflix, Atomic Cartoons

Scott Peterson: Yeah, I think its a lot more interesting to follow someone that you can relate to, knowing that sometimes they win and sometimes they fail, as opposed to reading Superman comics as a child. Hes always going to win, so theres not Hes almost invulnerable, so theres not a lot of stakes there. But if you have a kid whos like our readers or like our viewers, that doesnt always know what theyre doing and has to make the best with what theyve got, thats much more compelling.

Definitely. Then looking outside of kind of the core cast of characters that we have, you guys get to expand the cast quite a bit in Season 2. Weve got Keith David, Mark Hamill, Catherine OHara, Rosario Dawson. They get to join in on the fun this season. What can you tease about the new actors that youve brought in and their roles in Season 2?

Scott Peterson: And dont forget Bruce Campbell.

Oh, of course! How could I?

Scott Peterson: We worked hard to get him on the show.

Yeah, and hes got a great part, too. Its so much fun.

Scott Peterson: Unfortunately, we cant talk about their roles yet. Weve been forbidden from the powers that be. So even though you know because youve watched the episodes, we cant tell people just yet.

Max Brallier: I will say that they all do amazing jobs, and that they bring characters to life in an incredible way.

Image via Netflix

Scott Peterson: And they were phenomenal to work with. I mean, we were basically sitting there with our mouths open as were looking 10 feet away at Mark Hamill in the recording booth, and hes telling us stories about Star Wars, unprompted. We werent digging. We were trying to be professional. But he started telling us things, and were just like Were eating it up like 12-year-olds. It was amazing.

Yeah, Im sure he knew what you wanted to hear anyway. Hes like, You guys want to know these stories. Youre just being polite and not asking, so Ill give you one. Yeah.

Scott Peterson: Yes. Yes, it was great. And the same thing with Bruce that were all huge fans of Evil Dead, and to be in a room with him and have him talking to us like we were real humans was amazing.

Max Brallier: Yeah. We fooled him.

Can talk about adapting the characters from the stories for the animated version? Were there any significant changes? What were your discussions like in bringing these characters to live in a way that fits with the art style and the aesthetics of the animated series?

Scott Peterson: Yeah, we couldnt always do exactly what was in the books. Doug Holgate did an amazing job bringing these characters to life visually for the first time, but sometimes you cant do that level of detail in an animated series. And sometimes we wanted to do something a little bit different. So a lot of kind of the background character monsters, we came up with our own and created new characters for that.

But for some of the iconic ones, like theres a character called Bardle, and theres a character Skaelka, and Thrull, we did try to emulate what Doug had done in the books, but again, bring them into our world. Then we get a chance to expand their characters, particularly Skaelka. She has a smaller role in the books to begin with, but we found her so much fun that we really expanded her role and put her in a lot more episodes, gave her more to do, because she was so fun.

Image via Netflix

Max Brallier: Yeah, and then for Bardle, who becomes sort of a mentor to Jack in the books, we had a lot of fun There was times to sort of make him a much Do more humor and really bring out the humor in him, and find ways to sort of take his sort of stiff demeanor and play that for comedy when appropriate. That was a lot of fun.

Is there anywhere that I can get a copy of The Last Kids on Earth bestiary? Is that something thats going to be available for people out there? Or do I have to make my own, like Quint?

Max Brallier: Oh, yes. Oh, so lets see. For the ones from the book, we have a Jack calls the bestiary a beast-iary, because its full of beasts. In The Last Kids on Earth Survival Guide that I wrote, we have a sort of partial version that has a bunch of the monsters from the books and shows off sort of details Like those little Marvel cards that would have their stats and data on the back, and I loved those. So it does some of that stuff in the bestiary, in the book. We need to create a full one for the series monsters, I think, though.

Scott Peterson: Yeah, that was a great I mean, if I was a kid, I would absolutely want that. But yeah, one for the show. Because it does differ from the books, especially, yeah, when we get into all the ancillary monsters. Or we created a new character, Chef, for the series, because we wanted someone to kind of battle back and forth with Dirk. We wanted a monster that He isnt really thrilled to be around these humans, and to see how that played out. So we created this character thats really kind of prejudiced against humans to see how that played out, and that was really fun.

Max Brallier: Yeah, and he thinks the humans smell.

Scott Peterson: Yeah.

Which, hes not wrong.

Scott Peterson: Well, we do.

Yeah.

Max Brallier: We do.

Image via Netflix, Atomic Cartoons

Well, as a grown-up kid myself, I would be happy with the Quint-essential Bestiary Guide to Last Kids on Earth, so feel free to run with that if youd like to. Id be happy to pick that up.

Pulling back from the fictional apocalypse for a bit, I think Id be remiss if I didnt mention that were currently living in some sort of weird, uncertain, and unpredictable time. So what is it like for the two of you to be writing a show about an apocalypse while also having to balance living through sort of one?

Max Brallier: I havent checked the news recently. What is it youre referring to?

Yeah, really.

Max Brallier: Not a news junkie.

Scott Peterson: Hes unaware. I think whats interesting is Max is in New York, and Im in L.A., and weve both kind of been working from home for a long time. But all the animators and all the production crew up in Canada have just been sent home the last few weeks, so theyre now all working from home. So its really a challenge to try and keep in touch with everybody and maintain those personal connections, even when everybodys separate. But in terms of storytelling, were not writing any episodes right now that would then change because of our personal experiences. Its just kind of a unique time to be in.

I think one thing that weve always wanted the series to talk about is making the best of a bad situation, that Jacks goal is not just to live through the apocalypse, its to thrive in it and to have fun in it. He sometimes calls it the funpocalypse. So if we can send any message out right now, its to not just endure what were going through, but to try and make the best and do the best with what you have, and try and keep a positive attitude the way Jack would. Thats a message that we were sending out before this current situation, and I think that would be the message after this as well.

Image via Netflix, Atomic Cartoons

Max Brallier: Yeah, I dont think the message changes. In the end, its a show that, despite the setting, its about bonds, and friendship, and hope, and positivity, and adventure, and the exciting sort of pulse, but just the excitement of adventure and friendship and doing that together. So that doesnt change, but it feels sort of almost extra applicable right now.

Its also about escapism, and I think sometimes I dont know. Thats an important thing. Thats always an important thing, I think, especially for kids, that you need to sort of get away for a little bit and forget about a bad day at school or whatever it is. Here, I think we may need that more than ever. I hope that maybe it allows people to escape a little bit for a couple hours. Thatd be neat.

There are some subtle things that are brought up throughout this season between some of the characters. They open up a little bit more, they talk about their past a little bit more. Some of them get to revisit that past through memories or flashbacks. Are you hoping that maybe this opens up a dialogue for kids who dont quite know how to talk about bad feelings, or bad memories, or things like that?

Scott Peterson: I dont think we ever had an agenda about getting kids to open up. But if they can see themselves in these characters and see that it helps people to grow closer together by being open with each other, thats a fantastic byproduct. We always wanted these characters to feel realistic and not like 2D cartoon characters. So yeah, that would be fantastic.

Max Brallier: Yeah, I think theres something about sort of the end-of-the-world setting and the things that happen to them that causes them to open up in a way that Its almost like the Breakfast Club, where they sort of are all stuck there together and for the first time, they see each other as real people in the Breakfast Club. Here, it causes June to talk about things to Jack that she never would have. If thats a lesson you can learn earlier on in life, thats good. I think that sort of the younger that you are able to understandit took me a long time, that its okay to tell people how you feelthe better. So if people get help with that from this at an earlier age, I think that would be wonderful.

Do you have a favorite newcomer character this season? Do you have a favorite episode that stands out to you that you just want to highlight?

Max Brallier: I was going to say I think we both were going to say, I had mentioned June Gloom. I think that was one of my favorites from this season, just because for how the way it balances I think it achieves sort of what the show and what the series is, what it does very best, which is balancing humor with adventure with real emotion and action. So thats probably my favorite episode of this season.

There is a character that we created, though, for the show that I loved so much that the character was then pulled into the books.

Oh, cool.

Max Brallier: So that character I particularly love.

Nice. Scott, any for you that you can talk about?

Scott Peterson: I was going to say the same episode, but now I cant do that.

Yeah. Its a good episode.

Scott Peterson: I mean, Im also a sucker for the big ending, so the last episode is called Dawn of Rezzoch. We really have some amazing animators that can take things that we think up and bring them to amazing life. Watching huge monster battles and big finale action sequences, they really kicked some serious butt. I get caught up in those every time.

It was spectacular. I remember talking with you guys about Season 1 as well, and one of the highlights was that big battle at the end of Season 1. This takes it up to quite a different level on a number of ways. So yeah, definitely something to look forward to out there.

I cant wait for people out there to check out Season 2. As a side note, as someone who grew up eating at Joes Pizza once a week in my hometown, this season, that moment was particularly enjoyable for me, so thank you for including my hometown pizza shop. Loved that.

Max Brallier: I did that for you.

Thank you so much.

Max Brallier: I knew that you went there.

Exactly.

Max Brallier: Thats why we did it, yeah.

I really do appreciate that. But I appreciate your time today. Best of luck with the rollout of Season 2, and thanks again.

Max Brallier: Thanks so much.

Scott Peterson: Thank you, and be safe, be healthy. All that stuff.

Same to you.

All Episodes of Atomic Cartoons The Last Kids on Earth are now streaming on Netflix!

Read this article:

'The Last Kids on Earth': Max Brallier and Scott Peterson on Season 2 and Beyond - Collider.com

In these sportless days now upon us, the television networks have taken to running sports events of the past, in some cases, the distant past.

We have seen countless reruns of the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees.

The great rivalries of the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers, and the Detroit Red Wings and Colorado Avalanche.

Even WLUC-TV in Marquette has dusted off its files to show past high school championship games.

Its during these returns to the days of old that Ive noticed something that Ive suspected for some time:

Sports was much better 20 or 30 years ago.

The difference in basketball, particularly in the college and professional ranks, was crisper and better played.

The difference between the Celtics-Lakers matchups and todays run-and-gun, no defense NBA is very glaring.

There are no Larry Birds or Magic Johnsons around those guys knew how to play the game.

Even a LeBron James wouldnt measure up today. The first time LeBron knocked over opponents on his way to the basket, he would likely be whistled for a foul. Or knocked to the floor (ala Kevin McHale-Kurt Rambis).

The NHL was also vastly different a couple of decades ago.

The Red Wings had a couple of enforcers (Bob Probert stood out) and they played a tough and efficient brand of hockey. None of those namby pamby games today that are often settled in a shootout.

The Red Line of Russian players in Detroit knew all about the angles of the game and they used it to forge winning teams.

Even high school sports are lacking in some respects. Although the athlete of today are likely more athletic than a decade or two ago, many of them lack the nuances.

Even a great hoops player like Brad Simonsen of Houghton was held back this season because of a lack of support from teammates.

I understand that dwindling schools numbers are a problem in our schools and that fewer kids go out for sports nowadays.

But I was watching highlights of the Lake Linden-Hubbell versus Portland St. Patrick Class D 1997 football title game the other night and was blown away by the sharpness of the Lakes.

That team was one of coach Ron Warners finest and they did everything with flawless execution in a 30-8 rout.

We may never see that kind of perfection again in any sport again. And thats sad to contemplate.

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Peterson: Sports were better back in the day | News, Sports, Jobs - Daily Mining Gazette

Shortened season aside, Regis Jesuit High School graduate David Peterson has put himself in position to be one phone call from the major leagues.

The 6-foot-6 left-hander posted a 4.19 ERA in 24 starts for the New York Mets Double-A Binghamton team last year before playing in the Arizona Fall League. He was in his second big-league camp as a nonroster invitee when action was suspended. If/when the season resumes, hell probably start the season in Triple-A Syracuse.

Last year was a good learning experience and definitely something I want to build off, Peterson said. I had a strong second half and a strong Arizona Fall League, and I wanted to take all that success I had and put it into spring training. My mind-set is about keeping the ball rolling on everything Ive put in.

Whether the 24-year-old will get a chance to test his mettle at the minors highest level in 2020 remains to be seen amid baseballs indefinite postponement because of the coronavirus pandemic.

But Peterson is no stranger to waiting for his moment. A broken leg suffered in a pickup basketball game cost him his senior year at Regis Jesuit and caused him to tumble in the draft to the 28th round. He ended up pitching at the University of Oregon instead, where a dominant junior season he was the first Duck in the modern era to earn consensus All-America honors led to the Mets selecting him No. 20 overall in 2017.

My whole junior year in college was affirmation for me that I was on the right track to where I want to be, which since Ive been 3 years old is the big leagues, Peterson said. My freshman and sophomore years (at Oregon), I had a good amount of learning to do and I had my ups and downs. But I feel like my junior year, all the work I put in came together and I showed the pitcher I can truly be.

Peterson throws two-seam and four-seam fastballs, both of which run in the low- to mid-90s, as well as a changeup (82-85 mph), slider (83-86) and curveball (77-81). He has put more emphasis lately on his curve, which he hopes develop into a more bona fide fourth pitch.

Im working on getting that to be more solid and more dependable of a pitch, and then also refining and continuing to master the three other pitches, he said.

So what are Petersons chances to crack the Mets rotation this season? Or at least get a cup of coffee in the bigs?

With Noah Syndergaard out for the year because of Tommy John surgery, New Yorks rotational depth at the big-league level has slimmed. If the Mets need another starter (or starters) at some point and if Peterson is performing well in Triple-A the southpaws potential addition to the teams 40-man roster, and subsequent debut, wouldnt be out of the question.

Peterson, now in Arizona working out and throwing, understands he cant get ahead of himself.

Im getting closer each year to achieving that goal, but I also have to stay in the present, continue to get better and show the Mets that I deserve a spot in that rotation, Peterson said.

Excerpt from:

Regis Jesuit alum David Peterson remains on track to make big-league debut for Mets in the near future - The Denver Post

(Shenandoah) So, how is that isolation thing going?

Entering week three of the coronavirus threat, millions of Americans are needing the words of government and health officials to stay indoors to ward off the spread of COVID-19. Make no mistake, the global pandemic remains a serious situation. Its affecting virtually every part of society, and everything we do. And, it wont get better anytime soon. At the same time, we know that you need a break from the constant flow of information regarding coronavirus. Thats why after two straight serious blogs dealing with the virus, this reporter is going back to the original purpose of this Sunday morning effort: to provide relief from the news, and occasionally some downright foolishness.

Rest assured, yours truly is doing his bit for social distancing by staying home when not at KMA. For me, its not that difficult. After all, I practically invented social distancing when I was younger. When youre not popular at school, you tend to spend your days reading comic books, watching TV, listening to music and playing with all of those great action figures from the 1960s and 70s.

These days, I dont have all my comic booksone of my older brothers is comic book collector in our family. And, all of my G.I. Joes and other action figures were sold years agoin a moment of insanity. But, theres plenty of other things Im doing to pass the time when at home. Thats why Im offering some social distancing tips to help you through this crisis:

1. Order takeout or delivery from your favorite restaurants. While Iowa is under a dining-in restaurant ban until at least April 7th. Fortunately, most eating establishments offer takeout options. My recommendation is the Monty Python Spamalot Restaurant, offering this takeout menu:

---Egg and bacon

---Egg, sausage and bacon

---Egg and spam

---Egg, bacon and spam

---Egg, bacon sausage and spam

---Spam, bacon, sausage and spam

---Spam, egg, spam, spam, bacon and spam

---Spam. sausage, spam, spam, bacon, spam, tomato and spam

---Spam, spam, spam, egg and spam

---Spam, spam, spam, spam, spam, spam, spam, baked beans, spam, spam and spam.

AND Lobster Thermidor au Crevette with a mornay sauce served in a Provencale manner with shallots and aubergines garnished with truffle pate, brandy, and with a fried egg on top, and spam.

(And no, they dont have anything without spam.)

2. Read a book. Now, I realize this may be tough, given that most libraries and book stores are closed for the duration. Fortunately, theres Kindle, and other electronic means to read books. Or perhaps you may actually have some old hardcover books laying around (remember those?). Either way, theres no better way to relieve stress and get through a major crisis than reading a book.

My recommendation is a new book called The Wit and Wisdom of Fox News Commentators. Its one page longer than the books, Famous Antarctic Television Personalities of the 19th Century, or The 2019 Kansas City Royals: A Season to Remember.

3. Stream your favorite movie or T.V. program. Lets face it: video streaming services were made for situations such as the coronavirus crisis, with people stuck in doors and going stir crazy. Fortunately, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime and other services are offering tons of programs and movies to get you through this time. Two of the most popular programs on Netflix are Love is Blind, (which makes the Bachelor look like a PBS program, Tiger King, offering murder, mayhem and big kitties.

Memo to Netflix: you need to come up with a show combining Love is Blind and Tiger King.

4. Catch up on all the movies youve been meaning to watch on video or DVD. If youre like meand Lord help you if youre like meyouve got programs and movies youve been waiting to watch, but somehow never found the time (because youre too busy livestreaming stuff. But, I digress). Nows the perfect time to dig into the stacks of DVDS that have gathered dust over the years.

This reporter has several DVDs I bought years ago, but never watched. Case in point, the oldest one I have is Ben Hurthe 1950s version with Charleton Heston. What can I say? Im old, too.

5. Spend quality time with your family, who are stuck in the house like you are. And, dont forget to look in on your pets. If youre bored, take pictures of your dogs and cats. For example, I took a picture of my cat Bella the other day. It was such a good picture I thought I would use it as the carousel picture for my blog. Such a photogenic kitty.

Those are just some of the tips I have for keeping your sanity in isolation during this difficult, abnormal situation. Remember: isolation is a small price to pay for battling a virus thats eating away at our country. Stay safe and stay tuned, and well all get through this.

Mike Peterson is senior news anchor/reporter with KMA News. The opinions expressed in this blog are not necessarily those of this station, its management or its ownership.

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Sundays With Mike: the Peterson Guide to Social Distancing - KMAland

The Sweet 16 is here! 247Sports kicked off its all-time recruit bracket last week with more than 100,000 votes cast. There were upsets (a No. 15 and No. 14 seed advanced) and quite a bit of chalk as well. What were left with is 16 of the most decorated and storied recruits in college football history.

Before we get tothis heavyweightSweet 16 matchup in the Peyton Manning region between No. 1 Jadeveon Clowney and No. 5 Adrian Peterson, lets quickly recap how this bracket works:

Got it? Lets get started with a clash between two former No. 1 overall recruits and high school legends.

Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South CarolinaRank: No. 1 overall in 2011 classRound 1: No. 16 Noel Devine | Round 2: No. 9 Matthew Stafford

The top-rated recruit in the 247Sports Composites history. Earned USA Today National Defensive Player of the Year honors as a senior. Clowney posted 162 tackles, 29.5 sacks, 29 tackles for loss and 11 forced fumbles in 2010. He also scored five defensive touchdowns and ran for nine touchdowns on just 32 carries at South Pointe High School (South Carolina). Clowney was also a U.S. Army All-American Bowl and Under Armour All-American Game participant. He won a state championship as a sophomore, posting 17 sacks despite playing the season with a bone spur in his foot.

Adrian Peterson, RB, OklahomaRank: No. 1 overall in 2004 classRound 1: No. 12 Derwin James | Round 2: No. 4 Bryan Bresee

A legendary recruit out of Texas. Peterson ran for 2,960 yards and 32 touchdowns on 11.7 yards per attempt as a senior at Palestine High School. So popular that opponents asked for Petersons autograph after games. He also ran a 10.26 in the 100-meter dash as a junior, among the fastest times in the country. Peterson won U.S. Army National Player of the Year as a senior.

MAKING THE CASE

The Experts Pick: Jadeveon Clowney

The phrase is drastically overused, but this matchup actually does pit two prospects who should be considered "generational" at their respective positions. Both were grown men at the high school level and among college football's most talented players the second they stepped on campus. If there were ever prospects who could make the jump to the NFL from high school, you'd probably start with these two. Clowney is the best high school prospect I've seen in person, while Peterson was both highly productive (2,960 rushing yards, 11.7 YPC, 32 TD) and freakishly athletic (an unreal 10.26 second 100m time). I side with Clowney here given his rarity and value as a player on the edge who would completely wreck opposing offenses on a regular basis. He also had the surest look of a future No. 1 overall pick in recent memory. Charles Power, National Analyst

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL BRACKET

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Adrian Peterson vs Jadeveon Clowney: Who was the better recruit? - 247Sports

MEA names Vernon J. Peterson of WEC Energy Group board chair and announces the full slate of 2020 Board of Directors.

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (PRWEB) April 02, 2020

MEA Energy Association (MEA) announced today the appointment of Vernon J. Peterson as chair and welcomes the full slate of officers and directors for the 2020 MEA Board of Directors.

Patrick Van Beek, president of MEA, said, "MEA has served the energy industry for 115 years. As partners, we help utilities focus on safely delivering natural gas and electricity. Recently, we passed the gavel of board leadership from Joe Bentley of Indianapolis Power & Light to Vernon J. Peterson of WEC Energy Group. In these unprecedented times, I look forward to working with Vern and the entire board as we work together to continue delivering safe and reliable energy."

As Vice President of Wisconsin Field Operations Peterson has responsibility for delivering safe and reliable electric and natural gas. In addition to the core electric and gas operations, field operations includes forestry and locating, joint construction, major projects, contractor-vendor relationship management and resource planning. Peterson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Marquette University and a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin.

"Our industry, world, and everyday lives are changing. I am honored to be assuming the chair role and helping lead MEA over this next year," said Peterson. "We understand that many of our member companies are facing significant challenges as they rapidly adjust to this ever-changing national emergency. As an industry we practice regularly for crisis response and together we will work through this to maintain operational capabilities while keeping our employees and customers safe."

The slate of board members elected in 2020 follows:

Officers:

Chair, Vernon J. Peterson, vice president, Wisconsin field operations of WEC Energy Group (Wis.)

1st Vice Chair, John C. Webster, director natural gas division of Hutchinson Utilities Commission (Minn.)

2nd Vice Chair, Eric M. Kozak, vice president, gas operations of Ameren Illinois Company (Ill.)

Treasurer, Steven T. Karolweski, vice president of operations of Groebner (Minn.)

Secretary, Patrick D. Van Beek, president of MEA Energy Association (Minn.)

Past Chair, Barry J. Bentley, senior vice president, customer operations of Indianapolis Power & Light (Ind.)

Executive Committee Delegate, Kevin P. Joyce, director of gas programs of Xcel Energy (Minn.)

Executive Committee Delegate, James J. Lorenz, assistant vice president, electric operations of Madison Gas and Electric (Wis.)

List of Directors:

Wes Ashton, vice president of operations of Black Hills Energy (Ark.)

Mike Beatty, vice president operations gas of Liberty Utilities (Mo.)

Tamara A. Bewley, natural gas market manager of Border States Electric Supply (Mich.)

James M. Conway, vice president customer field operations of ComEd, an Exelon Company (Ill.)

Randy Donaldson, manager technical training of Spire, Inc. (Ala.)

Lori Flores Rolfson, vice president operations of WEC Energy Group - Peoples Gas (Ill.)

James Francis, vice president, safety and system integrity of CenterPoint Energy (Texas)

John Guy, vice president, electric delivery of MidAmerican Energy (Iowa)

Dean Headlee, manager pipeline safety & compliance of CenterPoint Energy (Minn.)

Mark C. Johnson, director SEMI gas operations of DTE Energy (Mich.)

Chris Jones, associate general manager electric supply & delivery of City Utilities of Springfield (Mo.)

Kevin P. Joyce, director of gas programs of Xcel Energy (Minn.)

Jamie Kiely, vice president generation of Evergy (Kan.)

Scott Kranstuber, vice president of sales and marketing of SENSIT Technologies (Ind.)

James J. Lorenz, assistant vice president, electric operations of Madison Gas and Electric (Wis.)

Anthony R. McCain, vice president resource management of Nicor Gas - Southern Company Gas (Ill.)

James J. Miller, director business development of 3Phaseline Construction (Ill.)

Keith E. Moyle, chief operating officer of Upper Peninsula Power Company (Mich.)

Keith E. Napier, director of gas operations of Duke Energy (N.C.)

Mike Nelson, president of Nelson Technologies, Inc. (Minn.)

Chris Shellberg, executive director HVD and forestry management of Consumers Energy (Mich.)

Bobbi L. Schroeppel, vice president, customer care, communications and HR of NorthWestern Energy (S.D.)

Mark Van Dyne, vice president environmental services of Burns & McDonnell (Mo.)

Dave Walter, vice president, power delivery of NiSource, Inc. (Ind.)

For more information about MEA visit MEAenergy.org.

MEA serves the people that deliver electricity and natural gas to homes and businesses. We were founded as a trade association over 110 years ago by distribution utilities whose vision was to improve safety and efficiency. Today, we fulfill the same purpose through education, leadership development, and industry connections. Energy delivery companies, contractors, and suppliers around the country benefit from our 55 summits, roundtables, and webinars, 400+ online technical courses, safety assessments, evaluator training, operator qualification compliance tools, and leadership courses for field personnel.

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Vernon J. Peterson of WEC Energy Group is Appointed Chair of the 2020 MEA Board of Directors - Benzinga

The Dothan Eagle released its Super 12 Girls Basketball Team Sunday. Eufaula junior Kaitlin Peterson was named its Player of the Year.

Petersons Eufaula teammates, Denahria Hicks and Zahria Hoskey, were named to the Honorable Mention squad, as was Lakesides Anna Murph.

Background: Peterson was a 5-foot-9 junior guard at Eufaula in her fourth full season on the Tigers varsity team, led by head coach Jermieke Cliatt.

By the Numbers: Peterson averaged a Wiregrass-best 23.7 points a game this past season for the Tigers, who finished with a 25-7 record and reached the Class 5A Southeast Regional Tournament. She also earned 7.1 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 5.5 steals per game. She also carries a 3.4 grade point average in classes.

On being named the player of the year: I am just excited and proud of myself. It feels good to be the player of the year.

What were your preseason goals? Just take my team to the state championship, but it didnt happen. At least, we made it far.

Did you have any individual goals? To be a great player and a great leader. To speak to the other players as I was the captain.

What did you want to improve on this year? I wanted to improve on being a leader and a better person, while still working on my game.

What parts of the game did you want to improve on? Defense and my ball handling. I feel like I have improved in both.

What kind of goals do you have for next year? To win a state championship with my team.

What kind of offers are you getting from colleges? D-I interest. I am looking forward to committing before school starts back (in August). I have had offers from Vanderbilt, Georgia Tech, South Alabama, Georgia Southern, East Tennessee State, St. Johns, East Carolina, Jacksonville State, Troy, Grambling and Southern Miss.

Anything else about this past season? I love my teammates. I enjoy playing with them. They are my best friends. We love each other and we have fun. I really enjoyed the season with them even though we didnt make it to Birmingham. It really was a good season.

Cliatt on Peterson this season: I challenged her to be more of a vocal leader and also establishing the 3-point shot. She is so fast that she drives and drives, so I wanted her to establish a 3-point shot and a dribble-pull-up jumper, but most importantly was being more vocal on the court. Sometimes in her three previous years, she was just out there playing ball, but I told her that her teammates look up to her and she needed to be more vocal and be the quarterback of the team. Throughout the season, she really showed that, especially in the last ball games. She was communicating at halftime in the locker room and pumping the girls up. I also challenged her on change of pace knowing when to push the ball and knowing when to stop and set up the offense. She improved a lot in this area.

Kaitlin Peterson, Eufaula

In 32 games, Peterson averaged a Wiregrass-best 23.7 points (758) along with 7.1 rebounds (227), 6.0 assists (192) and 5.5 steals (175) per game.

In 25 games, Hudgens averaged 14.1 points (353), 5.3 rebounds (132), 4.6 assists (115) and 2.7 steals (68) a game.

In 23 games, Crews averaged 15.6 points (359), 4.8 rebounds (111), 2.5 assists (57) and 2.3 steals (52) a game.

Niaira Jones, Charles Henderson

In 29 games, Jones averaged 19.6 points (569), 6.0 rebounds (173), 6.6 assists (190) and 7.0 steals (203) a game for 5A state champions. Signed with Belmont.

Samira Moore, Charles Henderson

In 29 games, Moore averaged 20.0 points (580), 7.3 rebounds (212), 2.2 assists (62), 1.9 steals (55) and 3.9 blocks (114) a game for 5A state champions. Signed with Troy.

In 24 games, Bell averaged 13.6 points (327), 10.0 rebounds (240), 2.5 assists (60) and 1.7 steals (40) a game.

Adrianna Galloway, Headland

In 25 games, Galloway averaged 18.1 points (453), 7.2 rebounds (180), 5.3 assists (133) and 6.3 steals (158) a game.

Madisen Grimsley, Abbeville

In 24 games, Grimsley averaged 12.4 points (298), 10.5 rebounds (251), 2.3 assists (54), 1.8 steals (42) and 2.1 blocks (51) a game.

In 21 games, Johnson averaged 20.8 points (436), 11.0 rebounds (231), 2.4 assists (50), 2.8 steals (58) and 1.7 blocks (35) a game.

Mary Beth Long, G.W. Long

In 32 games, Long averaged 17.9 points (574), 7.3 rebounds (233), 0.8 assists (27) and 1.2 steals (37) a game for the state semifinal Rebels.

Karoline Striplin, Geneva County

In 31 games, Striplin averaged 21.2 points (658), a Wiregrass-high 13.3 rebounds (412) plus 3.4 assists (105), 3.2 steals (99) and 5.7 blocks (176) a game. Committed to Tennessee.

Courtney Lunsford, Kinston

In 21 games, Lunsford averaged 14.1 points (297), 7.1 rebounds (149) and 4.5 steals (95) a game.

Honorable Mention Super 12: Denahria Hicks, Eufaula; Zahria Hoskey, Eufaula; Anna Murph, Lakeside; Brianna Reese, Dothan; Amiyah Rollins, Dothan; Sylvia Somma, Rehobeth; Jayden Blackmon, Headland; Alexus Neal, Headland; Madison Johnson, Geneva; Shekinah McDaniel, Providence Christian; Autumn Mayes, Providence Christian; Jamya Glover, Abbeville; Willow Brumfield, Cottonwood; Jordyn Alston, Geneva County; Charlianna Boutwell, Geneva County; Emmaline Hughes, G.W. Long; Makenna Long, G.W. Long; Jaylyn Baker, Elba; Nina Williams, Elba; Ashlyn Simpson, Northside Methodist; Lucy Griffin, Northside Methodist; Shelby Renfroe, Pike Liberal Arts; Analeigh Givens, Abbeville Christian.

See more here:

Eufaulas Peterson named Super 12 Player of the Year - Dothan Eagle

When a Pahrump resident could not get logged on to his home computer, he decided to make a phone call to Valley Electric Association at approximately 9 p.m., on Tuesday, March 24.

During that call, according to the Nye County Sheriffs Office Lt. Adam Tippetts, a man, identified as Ernest Peterson, 62, was so angry that he allegedly threatened to bomb the place.

VEA management stated that the suspect left a voice mail stating that he was going to blow up the building, Tippetts said via a video news release. Deputies interviewed Peterson at his residence, and he stated that he left the voice mail because he was upset that his internet was not working.

Tippetts went on to say that following the interview, Peterson was subsequently arrested and booked into the Nye County Detention Center. Peterson was arrested on suspicion of communicating a bomb threat.

Contact reporter Selwyn Harris at sharris@pvtimes.com. On Twitter: @pvtimes

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Man accused of making bomb threat arrested - pvtimes.com

By 21st Space Wing Public Affairs

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colorado Medical professionals at Peterson AFB are establishing a COVID-19 testing location March 20 to help limit the possible spread and minimize the exposure of the virus. In order to be tested for COVID-19, patients must first be evaluated by phone and meet criteria recommended by the Centers for Disease Control.

There have been no positive cases of the virus identified on the base.

The consolidation of patients to this area will help minimize the exposure to COVID-19.

If you are concerned that you or someone in your family has been exposed to COVID-19 and you are symptomatic (cough, shortness of breath and/or fever) please call 719-524- 2273 First for an appointment as you will be turned away if one has not been made.

Testing will be conducted at the Peterson car wash and is available for all members whose servicing medical treatment facility is Peterson or Schriever Air Force Bases. The center will be open by appointment only, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Medical staff will test patients who will remain in their vehicle. Do not go to the car wash unless directed to do so by medical staff; you will not receive testing unless an order has been placed by your care team beforehand.

Those waiting for a test will see medical professionals lining up on Otis Street, and will direct drivers further.

For the latest information on COVID-19, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Department of Defense Coronavirus websites at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus and https://www.defense.gov/Explore/Spotlight/Coronavirus/.

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Peterson establishes testing point to limit spread of COVID-19 - csmng

With all but essential services shut down in cities all over the world and racing events being cancelled or postponed, the Peterson Automotive Museum has the solution to your stay at home blues with virtual tours of its impressive collection. Live-streamed on YouTube, the regularly scheduled tours will take you through various parts of the collection not accessible to the public even during regular business.

The first tour into the Vault they lined up some of the celebrity and political vehicles in the collection as well as give an insight into how they're maintaining the cars during the shutdown. On the way to the regular display that includes the first bulletproof presidential limo viewers are treated to some of Steve McQueen's motorcycles.

Related: 15 Stunning Photos Of Celebrities With Their Porsches

When you go to the Peterson website there is a page where you can sign up for the live stream of the tour. Once you put in your email address they'll send you a link and time for the live stream event where you can watch the tour in real-time and ask questions at the end of the tour. The museum is offering the virtual tours on a 'pay what you can' basis, but donations are not required.

In addition to the virtual tours, they are also offering educational programs aimed at elementary-aged children. These include classes on the principles of force and motion as well as history videos and even one on making balloon cars. Like the tours, there is no required donation. The Peterson Automotive Museum is scheduled to remain closed until April 19th.

Next: 15 Celebrities With The Craziest Car Collections In 2020

FCA Teases A Futuristic Look For Future Challengers

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Check Out This Virtual Tour Of The Peterson Automotive Museum - TheThings

The Arizona Cardinals have made two big offseason moves so far. They have agreed to a trade for receiver DeAndre Hopkins and have agreed to a three-year deal with defensive lineman Jordan Phillips.

Those are two great beginning moves and it has cornerback Patrick Peterson excited.

Check out what he told former NFL cornerback Bryant McFadden, who now works as an analyst for CBS Sports.

Im going to meet you in Tampa, he said. And why? Thats where the Super is, right. He is excited about the upcoming season and believes the Cardinals might content.

Were all in and were not done.

Peterson apparently is excited about the direction the Cardinals are going in this offseason.

The Cardinals have been quiet since the trade and report of the deal for Phillips. If Peterson is to be believed, we should expect more offseason noise.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wires Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.

Ep. 261

Ep. 260

The rest is here:

Patrick Peterson: Cardinals 'all in' this year and 'not done' - Cards Wire

What caused Jordan Peterson to go missing late last year?

Gage Skidmore/Creative Commons

In a 2018 article inThe New Yorker, Kelefa Sanneh wrote about the growing appeal of Canadian author and cultural commentator Jordan Peterson. Peterson, formerly an obscure professor, is now one of the most influential and polarizing public intellectuals in the English-speaking world, Sanneh wrote. Last year, the already-compex story of Petersons life took an unexpected turn, as his daughter Mikhaila Peterson informed the world that Peterson was seeking treatment for a dependency on clonazepam.

Following that, the Petersons traveled to Russia; Mikhaila posted a video stating that the elder Peterson had spent time in a medically-induced coma as part of his treatment. It was a shocking moment, regardless of your thoughts on Petersons work.AtThe New Republic, Lindsay Beyerstein delved into the mystery of Petersons treatment and explored why the narrative surrounding it has become so clouded.

Beyersteins article includes a blend of analysis and research, leading to a disquieting conclusion:

Based on interviews with medical professionals and a close reading of various statements that Mikhaila and Peterson himself have made on podcasts and social media, it is clear that Peterson ended up in Russia after an extended battle to wean himself off clonazepam. And it seems likely that Peterson, a self-proclaimed man of science, succumbed to the lure of a quack treatmentwith devastating consequences.

Beyerstein also notes the contradictory nature of these announcements: Dependency goes against the core tenets of Petersons philosophical brand, she writes. But theres plenty to take away from this about the challenges of addressing and treating both drug dependency and drug addiction all of which Petersons treatment brings into sharp relief.

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Read the full story at The New Republic

Link:

Inside the Treatment of Jordan Peterson - InsideHook

Much has been said about how Ron Rivera and the Washington Redskins need a special leader like Greg Olsen.

But it glosses over Adrian Peterson.

Rivera and Co. made a point to keep the veteran back around despite plenty of opportunities to add younger guys in free agency or the draft.

For a reason.

I think its going to resonate with our younger players and theyre going to see that this is how you do it, Rivera said, according to Redskins.coms Zach Selby.

Heres vice president of player personnel Kyle Smith:

Every practice is a game for him. Its so important to him, hes made of the right stuff, and [hes] just a consummate pro every time he walks through that building. Having Adrian Peterson around makes the Redskins better.

There is always a chance Peterson, soon to be 35, will see a reduced role next year, especially if Derrius Guice can stay healthy.

But that wont matter much in the grand scheme the plan for Peterson set out by the most important planners in the organization goes far beyond his personal on-field contributions.

Original post:

Ron Rivera wants Adrian Peterson to set the tone for his Redskins - Redskins Wire

FLORENCE, S.C. The Florence City Council passed an emergency ordinance Tuesday to deal with the coronavirus.

The ordinance passed on first reading, something that Jim Peterson said he had never seen done in his time as city attorney.

Peterson explained to the council that he has been working as city attorney since 1994 and Tuesday was the first time that the city has ever passed an ordinance with just one reading.

The South Carolina Code specifically allows for emergency ordinances on one reading where public health and other emergency situations require, Peterson said.

Also, because of its nature as an emergency ordinance, the city council needed to pass the ordinance by a super-majority, or two-thirds of its members.

The ordinance passed 6-0.

Florence City Councilwoman Octavia Williams-Blake did not attend Tuesdays special meeting.

Peterson said the city was not doing anything hugely dramatic with the ordinance.

He said the first page and a half of the ordinance describes the state of affairs related to coronavirus, including mentioning that Gov. Henry McMaster has declared a state of emergency.

Peterson then added that the ordinance does three or four things.

First, the ordinance authorizes City Manager Drew Griffin to change the operating procedures of the city to respond to the situation.

Griffin outlined those changes to the council before Peterson spoke Tuesday afternoon.

The citys human resources department will be closed to the public. Most hiring will be suspended through June 30.

The citys utility finance department will remain open, but it is requested that residents strongly consider alternative methods of payment including by phone at 843-665-3155, by drop-box at the city center, by mail, automatic bank draft, or online.

All citizens police academy events, citizens advisory committees, and police Explorer scouting programs have been suspended.

The citys police department will suspend assistance of all special road events.

All fire stations will be closed to the public and fire inspections have been suspended. All fire department public education activities are suspended as well.

All city community centers are closed until further notice. Spring break camps are canceled, senior trips and activities are suspended, and all other special events until May 15 are canceled.

All athletic programs are suspended until April 12.

All sports events and tournaments are canceled until May 15.

Bus tours and community meetings related to the update of the citys comprehensive plan are postponed.

The planning, business license, and building departments will remain open, but access will be restricted to customers with business directly related to zoning compliance, business licenses, and building permits.

All downtown events from March 17 to May 15 are postponed. These include the Eastern South Carolina Mustang Club Regional Car Show, the Florence Wine and Food Festival, the first Florence After Five, Victors Music in the Courtyard, and the Habitat for Humanity Cinco de Mayo celebration.

Also, the citys employee wellness programs annual 5K has been postponed.

The ordinance authorizes Griffin to cancel city permits to prevent the gathering of over 50 people.

The city has also enacted rules to enforce a three- to six-foot barrier between employees and the public.

Florence Mayor Stephen J. Wukela also held a press conference Tuesday afternoon outlining some of the changes.

He also mentioned that the restrictions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and DHEC will take some getting used to for Southerners because of the handshaking and greeting that goes on in the South.

Second, the ordinance allows Griffin to waive the various deadlines contained in the city ordinances in recognition that a state of emergency exists.

This part of the ordinance specifically references how utility billing will be handled including authorizing Griffin to suspend the suspension of utility services for non-payment.

Drew has indicated that that would be what we would normally do, Peterson said. Thats not new. Weve done that during other situations like this like in response to hurricane situations.

Peterson added that he hoped the public would not take this to mean that they do not have to pay their utility bills. Those bills are still due, he said, but it recognizes that no one should lose utilities during the pandemic.

He also said Griffin would work with people who get abnormally large bills after the crisis ends to get those bills paid but not immediately.

Griffin added that penalty fees would also be suspended.

Third, he said, the ordinance acts to meet the requirements of the states Freedom of Information Act regarding open meetings in a situation where its recommended that no more than 10 or 50 people gather in any one place at one time.

The ordinance does this in two ways, Peterson continued. First, it allows the city council members, at their discretion, to participate in meetings electronically. Second, the ordinance authorizes the live streaming of the citys meetings in a way that allows anyone to access and participate in the meeting.

Peterson added that it was the hope of the council to operate as the council was operating Thursday with increased distances between chairs and people if possible.

Nothing will change as far as the citys duties to announce the meetings and provide agendas for the meetings to be held.

Also, the ordinance has a firm expiration date of 60 days because it was passed on one reading.

Peterson added that the ordinance contains a provision that allows for it to cease effect if Gov. Henry McMaster removes the state of emergency declaration before the 60-day time frame.

If the state of emergency remains longer than 60 days, the ordinance would expire at the end of the 60 days. However, the city could have two meetings enough time to approve first and second readings of an ordinance setting out restrictions by that time.

Read more:

City of Florence announces modified operations to prevent the spread of coronavirus - SCNow