flames from a wildfire lick up to the top of the pines behind houses off Tuckahoe Road inside Walker’s Woods in the Carolina Forest community on March 2 Johns firefighters put out small hotspots in the Walkers Woods neighborhood in Horry County on March 3 Wind drives smoke from a wind-spread fire in McClellanville in March 2011 A Chinook carrying water travels over Table Rock State Park in South Carolina on Tuesday as firefighters continue to battle wildfires Grace Mynatt looks off toward Lookout Mountain as smoke from wildfires fills the Tennessee Valley A Forest Service wildland firefighter uses a drip torch during a prescribed burn on the Andrew Pickens Ranger District in Oconee County Natural resources managers use prescribed fire to reduce wildfire threats and restore native habitats across South Carolina Sean Phouksouvath looks around at the fire break line behind his home in the Avalon at Carolina Forest on March 5 He and his family evacuated their home on Saturday a popular though unofficial hiking destination in Lake Lure was the site of a wildfire that grew into a massive blaze in November 2016 a group known as Burnin' Bill and the Dixie Crusaders traveled about the South preaching a message of fire prevention and suppression The South experiences more wildfires per year than any other region in U.S Experts fear the danger will increase as the climate warms and thousands of trees downed by Hurricane Helene dry out and become tinder for future fires Sean Phouksouvath’s wife burst through the front door as he brushed his teeth before a Saturday night shift at his family's hibachi restaurant “Sean, come outside," she yelled as ash rained on their yard in Carolina Forest, a fire-prone suburb between Myrtle Beach and Conway A dark cloud rose above the pines across the street. They heard sirens. And police soon gave them 45 minutes to evacuate They packed their most irreplaceable belongings: her family's photos from the 1930s his late grandmother's trinkets from her native Laos They piled it all into two vehicles and sped away from the approaching flames that would soon consume some 2,000 acres in their community and it's shaping up to be just as dangerous as forecasters warned low humidity and an abundance of flammable debris make conditions especially ripe for wildfires to burn Factor in gusting winds and you have all the ingredients for big blazes like the one crews have battled for eight days near Phouksouvath’s home Meanwhile, dozens of smaller fires ignited in woods and fields from the coast to the mountains of the Upstate, as well as in western North Carolina. By March 2, more than 175 fires had burned 6.6 square miles in South Carolina Henry McMaster to declare a state of emergency the West Coast generally comes first to mind given its propensity for sprawling and destructive infernos that have decimated entire communities In a typical year, South Carolina responds to more than 5,000 wildfires which burn nearly 30,000 acres — an area five times the size of Charleston's peninsula South Carolina’s wildfires usually don’t approach the same magnitude as those seen out West Most grow to only a few acres before fire crews bring them to heel Consider that some 7,700 acres of the Palmetto State burned between July 2023 and June 2024 just a sliver of the more than 20,000 acres consumed by the Pacific Palisades fire in California in January But fires in the South can spark with striking regularity and can spring to life at any time of the year they pose a significant threat to surrounding communities as the residents of Carolina Forest know all too well Many still remember the massive blaze that burned nearby in April 2009 destroying 76 homes and forcing the evacuation of 4,000 people The wind-whipped fire now underway in Carolina Forest was only 55 percent contained after a week Foresters and scientists fear these threats will only increase as the climate warms and thousands of trees downed by Hurricane Helene dry out and become tinder Large numbers of people move into the South every year to take advantage of milder winters This influx has pushed homes and communities ever closer to woodlands and other wild areas added more than 850,000 people between 2010 and 2024 creating pressure for more housing in rural areas that butt up against forest lands This not only puts more people in areas susceptible to fire as the vast majority of wildfires are sparked by humans Crews then face the challenge of protecting property from flames while also trying to halt the fire’s spread Foresters describe the zone where homes mingle with woodlands as the wildland-urban interface Some 90 million acres of the southeast lie within such areas placing southern states near the top of the list for risk a Florida-based regional fire planner with the U.S “Three out of the top four states are in the southeast,” he said Hurricane Helene added another layer to this equation as it spun like a circular saw from the Florida panhandle to the mountains of North Carolina The fast-moving September storm toppled tens of thousands of trees along the way This exponentially added to the amount of combustible tinder on the ground while shredding the overhead canopy that kept out the withering rays of the sun Through the region, there is far more timber on the ground than the market can handle, even if the wood wasn’t damaged or difficult to remove. Images from North Carolina have shown mountainsides with felled trees littered across rugged and often inaccessible terrain The immediate challenge this presents is one of access Downed trees across forest roads hamper the ability of crews to reach burning areas quickly with the heavy equipment necessary to contain fires They may also cover critical fire breaks that help slow the progress of brush fires “So, it is a significant challenge if we get a fire in the wrong place," said Darryl Jones, forest protection chief for the S.C Crews from the Georgia Forestry Commission have already experienced trouble getting to run-of-the-mill wildfires in the wake of the storm, with downed trees adding hours to the response at times, said Thomas Barrett, the Peach State's forest protection chief crews likely won’t be able to get as close as they normally would to attack the flames “We're just going to have to give it more room We're gonna have to back up and go a lot more indirect,” Barrett said and fires that we could normally stop at two or three or four or five acres might have to be 20 or 25 acres.” As the wood dries and cures over time — a process that could take a few years — it will become a formidable stockpile of potential fuel Large gaps in the tree canopy left by the storm will allow more sunlight in speeding up the drying process and feeding the growth of underbrush to create even more flammable material Gary C. Wood is a longtime firefighter and retired N.C Forest Service worker who now coordinates wildfire management strategies for the Wildland Fire Leadership Council’s South East Region Wood worries that extra sunlight will spur growth of rhododendron and mountain laurel in the southern Appalachians species that burn very hot when they ignite which requires firefighters to back off the area a little bit more,” Wood said “And now we've got full sunlight on these areas that before didn't get full sunlight and that's gonna have a potential impact from a firefighting standpoint." scientists and forecasters are still working to assess the damage survey the changes to the landscape and create models that will help quantify the risk Wildfire has been a constant on the planet. Fossilized charcoal suggests wildfire emerged more than 400 million years ago, well before dinosaurs or humans walked the earth, according to “This is Wildfire,” a 2023 book by Nick Mott and Justin Angle Though fire has been a persistent presence humans have long vacillated between embracing its useful qualities and trying to snuff it out altogether Native Americans saw fire as a sacred tool that could be used to clear and manage land Early European settlers also used fire to improve wildlife habitat and clear land for cultivation particularly in the first half of the 20th century there was intense pushback to so-called “light burning." Federal officials considered it to be a dangerous and deviant practice Fire was considered something to be suppressed — at all cost In their book, Mott and Angle recounted how the U.S ran ads and sent young foresters to the South to combat the burning of woodlands Other reports showed the federal government withheld money from some states that did prescribed burns “It viewed the drive to start controlled fires as a mental illness of sorts,” Mott and Angle wrote “It even hired a psychologist to study why southerners kept burning despite the federal government’s best efforts at taming the flames.” Between 1928 and 1931, the American Forestry Association sent a traveling caravan around the South that preached the gospel of fire prevention and suppression. Burnin’ Bill and the Dixie Crusaders had a fleet of custom-built trucks that played movie shorts promoting their mission Titles included "The Burner" and "Trees of Righteousness." For many rural attendees it was the first time they had seen motion pictures passing down its methods and traditions to successive generations controlled burns have become an essential part of the region’s toolkit for hardening forests against large-scale wildfires while also helping native plants and wildlife to thrive “Culturally, it's what we do in the South,” said Helen Mohr, who works for the U.S. Forest Service in Clemson and directs the Consortium of Appalachian Fire Managers and Scientists “You talk to folks who have great-grandparents who burned the farm it’s something we have always done and something that’s pretty accepted It doesn’t look like that in every corner of the country.” accounting for 70 percent of the nation’s prescribed burn acreage over the past two decades crews employ different tactics depending on the terrain Steep inclines in mountainous areas often require firefighters to use hand tools to dig fire lines while planes and helicopters conduct water drops from above bulldozers with special blades are used to dig fire breaks commercial leaf blowers and aircraft also play a role South Carolina has 160 bulldozers stationed around the state in fire-prone areas They are specially outfitted with glass cabs with filtered air “It's not a dozer you buy at a construction site,” said Jones even when all these forces are brought to bear wildfires can get out of hand and become a major challenge for those on the ground when a series of wildfires ignited across a large swath of the southern Appalachians putting the region’s resources to the test in a historic showdown On Nov. 5, 2016, fire was spotted atop a bald outcropping known as Party Rock, a popular hiking spot near the North Carolina resort town of Lake Lure Drought conditions and brisk winds whipped the fire into a cauldron of flames It chewed through woods along the steep ridgeline lighting up Rumbling Bald Mountain as the flames marched toward the riverside village of Chimney Rock and a nearby resort Hundreds of residents evacuated in the days ahead as reinforcements raced in from across the country to battle the blaze Michael Yelton told his two young sons to pack a bag in case they needed to escape the fire's approach It looked like a campfire when Yelton first saw it on the ridge “I had a black Tundra at the time and I came out and it looked like it had snowed on my truck,” he said Four days after the Party Rock fire erupted, a campfire started by Boy Scouts burned out of control some 60 miles away at Table Rock State Park. It would become the largest mountain fire on record in South Carolina during a very dry fall season in the Upstate The area’s rugged terrain and the complexity of the so-called Pinnacle Mountain Fire added to the challenges faced by crews battling to contain it The elevation and steep slopes weren’t compatible with bulldozers so many of the fire lines had to be dug by hand emergency services director for Oconee County The state Forestry Commission called in reinforcements from across the state and as far away as Utah to help along with a military helicopter and planes As the month wore on, crews found themselves battling at least a dozen wildfires in western North Carolina that devoured thousands of acres of parched land Crews finally snuffed out the Party Rock fire in late November South Carolina’s Pinnacle Mountain blaze was contained a few weeks later deputy emergency management director for Pickens County “It wasn’t a very populated area in the northern part of Pickens County.” did not fare as well with the next fire to come its way In late November, another fire flared in the Tennessee tourist town of Gatlinburg It was first reported as an acre-and-a-half burning in the national park the day before Thanksgiving No one paid much attention through the holiday weekend when “fog hollers” (deep dips in roads often filled with cool pale mountain mist) brimmed with dark wood smoke Haze enveloped the tourist-packed downtown and hotels cabins and condos scattered along the mountainsides twisting roads — the only escape routes for residents City officials assured everyone if there was danger evacuation alerts would hit smartphones and TV Hundreds of acres blazed as 84 mph winds spread flames and mountains that sparkled with electric light turned black as power went out Callers phoned 911 — screaming — trapped in cabins or hotels or on roads blocked by toppled trees The dry soil was too loose to hold trees upright the fire inched perilously close to singer Dolly Parton’s Dollywood theme park prompting the evacuation of cabins on the property Tennessee Mutual Aid issued an all-hands plea for firefighters The tiny Englewood fire department responded instantly volunteers had to buy their own protective gear "But I don't mind buying my own helmet because one day I can give it to my son," the fire chief’s son Crews would fight on until nearly Christmas before bringing a halt to the fire the worst Tennessee wildfire in a century had killed 14 people burned 17,000 acres and damaged or destroyed 2,000 buildings killing 14 people and charring 3 million acres of land — roughly 15 percent of the state But fire managers worry that these events have faded from the public’s memory and that many newcomers to the region aren’t aware of the dangers that wildfires present signs indicate that the threat is increasing as wildfires grow in size and duration while more people move into fire-prone landscapes That dynamic is on display in Berkeley County one of the fastest-growing and most fire-susceptible counties in South Carolina Home to the expansive Francis Marion National Forest the county is expected to add another 130,000 residents through 2042 according to Census estimates — a 51 percent increase from 2024 And much of that development is pushing up against unmanaged timberland "Those forested lands in Berkeley County have traditionally been owned by paper and timber companies," Andy Johnson Forestry Commission's coastal fire prevention coordinator they stacked as many trees as they could in there So that's where we see a lot of problems." Residents of Carolina Forest near Myrtle Beach can sympathize Their community was basically carved out woodlands where fire occurred with regularity has lived in this neighborhood for nearly two decades as well as the Windsor Green condo fire in 2013 That one torched 26 Carolina Forest condo buildings and left more than 180 people homeless The reminders of lurking danger lie just beyond the lanky pines in his backyard that back up to thick brush a bulldozer carves a swath between the yards and the neighboring tinderbox of tall grasses and waxy plants he already had bags of clothes at the ready something he and his wife planned for when they bought their house "We're living in Carolina Forest," he said "We've got to have things like that ready to go." they monitored the fire on news apps and watched their security cameras they could see firefighters in their backyard the doorbell camera showed embers so large they looked like a meteor shower When they finally returned home after the evacuation was lifted the burning stench was so overpowering their daughter couldn't handle it Phouksouvath pulled out a flashlight and saw thick smoke waft through the beam and making plans to deliver shrimp and chicken bowls to first responders on March 8 A small gesture for keeping their home safe Jonah Chester in Charleston and Caitlin Herrington in Clemson contributed to this report Glenn Smith is editor of the Watchdog and Public Service team and helped write the newspaper’s Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation “Till Death Do Us Part.” Reach him securely on Signal at 843-607-0809 or by email at gsmith5@protonmail.com Managing Editor - Post and Courier Myrtle Beach News tips/online questions: newstips@postandcourier.com Delivery/subscription questions: subserve@postandcourier.com Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: (Editor’s note: Ceres Courier editor Jeff Benziger sat down with Ceres City Councilwoman Rosalina Vierra last week in the council’s office at the City Council Chambers to ask about a myriad of issues which is primarily on the west side of Highway 99) Both my parents are from the Hilmar/Stevinson area so they both graduated Hilmar High School and when they got married they moved to Seattle That marriage ended (when she was 3) and my mom came back to Hilmar where my grandparents lived I believe I heard you say you were homeless and I did poke around on YouTube and saw that you had some videos about an abusive relationship so it’s public Vierra: There were several reasons why I did move to Ceres in 2002 They had some EMT classes that I started at Ceres High School which is where I made a lot of friends so I was familiar with the area When I went through my separation I moved into the trailer park I just kind of wanted to get away the city life even though Modesto isn’t really a big city per se when you compare it to the Bay Area when you compare it to Hilmar and Stevinson … this kind of seemed like a little of both of the country and a little bit of the city especially being a single parent of what ultimately ended up being four children I actually got pregnant in my senior year in high school which kind of led to some difficulties growing up but you learn things the hard way and you kind of encounter what’s given to you and you move forward Courier: Where did you graduate high school Courier: Tell us about the time you were homeless and how that experience affects how you approach the problem of homelessness What you think is going to be a magical marriage when I was 17 didn’t end up as magical as I thought it was going to be It was kind of ugly and at some point I ended up not having a place to go My best friend came and picked my daughter and I up and she got me to the county so I could get into the hotel they had at the time which was on McHenry Avenue In 1994 they allowed us two weeks in the shelter (actually in the hotel) At the time I was working part-time so I was able to save up to get into a duplex So I lived on Strivens (Avenue in Modesto) I didn’t have a telephone; I had to use one on the corner but it wasn’t really necessary then I know how much harder it would be if I didn’t have that help I don’t know if I would have even been able to get to where I am today which is why the homeless situation is kind of touchy for me especially when people don’t want help because they could be almost anywhere they want to be if they really want to A lot of times it’s just “let me help you.” Some of those experiences are very difficult It was very difficult getting deposits down for utilities getting the furniture you need into the house when you have nothing There were times when I couldn’t drive because I didn’t have gas in the car Courier: For years Ceres has had a hands-off approach to the homelessness and it seems to be getting worse Should we expect to see the council trying to participate in something to help One of them is if we bring resources we’re going to make the homeless here And I don’t know if I necessarily believe in that a hundred percent because they’re already here which is why I’ve talked to the churches My brother’s church is where they have the shower shuttle and they also have a food giveaway and undergarments.” (Vierra spoke about the time a homeless man tried grabbing her purse on Hatch Road and about how she’s told merchants to sign up 602 “no trespassing” letters which allow police to chase panhandlers and vagrants off commercial properties) I’m kind of working with the Street Teams for those who do want to make it out into transitional housing finding methods where they can show that they are starting to develop work habits which is the Stanislaus affordable housing about trying to get transitional housing at the old Memorial (Hospital) in the buildings they’re not using now.” (Vierra is an alternate representative of Ceres to the Stanislaus Homeless Alliance (SHA).) Courier: You have a job outside of being a councilmember Vierra: I’ve work at Modesto Junior College since 2013 I’m a program specialist but I work in Student Success as a certified success coach working with students from application to graduation Courier: You stated recently that you are a small business owner Vierra: I have owned and ran Ceres Party Helpers We are having a ribbon cutting of 12 years’ anniversary next Saturday Basically it’s party planning and party rentals I have my business license with the city and have the required million dollar insurance writer so I can do events in buildings I started it in 2011 when we were still in a recession and couldn’t find a job even with a bachelor’s degree one had just graduated and if I couldn’t find a job I knew they weren’t going to find jobs so we created our own business and the girls and I ran it (Vierra explained that she earned her bachelor’s degree and master’s degrees from the University of Phoenix.) Courier: What prompted you to want to serve on the council Vierra: It just seemed like the timing was right I’ve kind of been involved from the time I moved in back when we were doing things like rent control …because within a year of moving in My space rent went from $250 to $500 and the next year it went to $700 and the next year went to $800 which is why that whole rent control (issue); and I understand the need of not having rent control but I also understand there’s times we feel gouged I think it’s important that I give back to the community because that’s how I got to where I am today Courier: You have been on the City Council for a year now I like getting a better understanding of why some of the decisions are made I may not agree with even some of the decisions I have to make but I have to understand that it’s also about the whole community and not necessarily how Rose feels Courier: It sounds like you’ve had to vote for things you didn’t like Vierra: The Landscape and Lighting District I don’t necessarily think I want to pay more taxes Especially my district pays $164 a year where across town they’re paying $35 (Older established areas pay nothing since the L&L District was intended for new growth to pay its way) Courier: I did hear you mention you were meeting with a developer regarding West Landing master plan area in southwest Ceres Isn’t that traditionally a role for city staff housing because even when I was renting it was hard to find a house to get into if I was renting I would have to find something that I could afford and right now we don’t even have those homes if I wanted to downsize for less than what I’m paying now So that’s why I’m working with a lot of developers trying to advocate to get them to start building so we have options I would love to have a market (on the west side) If it’s something serious then that’s where I’m coming in with Planning and the city manager because ultimately they’re going to have to take over All I am is selling my side of town or selling Ceres if I can get them in … and convince them that this is something they’re willing to invest in (Vierra explained how she connected city staff with someone interested in opening a new day care with the need for a two-acre site She also explained how some business owners are experiencing frustration getting answers from the city and getting around roadblocks.) Courier: Do you think this council is cohesive or are there rifts among you When we went into this we agreed that we’re not going to see eye to eye All of us have different life experiences and that’s going to affect our votes There are certain things that are kind of my pet peeves like when he (the mayor) forgets to call on me and I’ve been pressing my button and I say ‘hello.’ Courier: You are the only woman currently serving on the council and by my count the fifth woman to serve (DeLinda Moore Lisa Mantarro Moore and Linda Ryno all served before her) Does that come with any advantages or disadvantages Vierra: It does have its disadvantages because if I become vocal then I’m classified as being a certain way where if a male is just as vocal … they’re a leader I think they’ve learned I’m not going to be quiet Courier: If you could give a grade to the council Vierra: I think we’ve been doing pretty good this last year I don’t want to say we’re doing everything perfectly I think we’re doing the best with the abilities we’re given I was new and I didn’t necessarily know the Muni Code We were dealing with a city manager (Alex Terrazas) who was very quiet and didn’t necessarily share the information that I needed to know or didn’t necessarily respond to my emails when I was asking questions to get a better clarification Doug (Dunford) has definitely been more open a little easier to speak with when I have questions Granted there are sometimes you’re like “um an answer would be really cool” and he kind of knows that I will now call him out at City Council meetings if they don’t respond to my emails I generally try to do it outside the council meetings and sometimes I want the public to know that I am checking and I am doing what I need to do Courier: Would you give the same grade to Mayor Lopez Vierra: My biggest issue is the follow through Making sure that what he says is being done And I think that’s hard for all of us because as you know the city runs slow Courier: Do you think you’ll be making an endorsement in the mayoral race Vierra: I’ve only been approached by the current one and I don’t know the other ones (Arrollo) so I couldn’t make a decision at this point in time Courier: Have you cast any votes that you regret There’s been some things that have kind of hurt me (Bringing up) the (no) fishing thing down at River Bluff Park The sign has been there since the day it was built It was there way before I was elected but it was something that was overlooked The fact that I brought it up seemed to bite me I have three grandchildren myself who I would love to bring out there and take fishing or would have loved to have a place to sit on the edge of the river and go fishing Courier: What is the most frustrating aspect of your job Vierra: Oftentimes waiting for the council meeting or trying to get things on the agenda so you can talk about it Courier: There’s been some indications at these council meeting that you’ve been kind of overloading staff with referral items they did accuse me and I do ask a lot of questions I know at the meeting they said I had four of the eight referrals and so I try not to do any more referrals until at least they did the homeless presentation And that’s when they went into creating – which I said I wanted – as CHAT team Now they’re going to call it the HOT (Homeless Outreach Team.) I’m really glad that’s moving forward but it’s a matter of having to keep pushing that and letting them know it hasn’t fallen off my radar I had asked about having an ordinance similar to Turlock and Modesto when they did the “no sideshow” ordinances and I still can’t get that on the council and I’ve asked four times “well if you bring the public out to complain about traffic we’ll think about it.” So I think we had 26 emails or people comment a few meetings ago about traffic because they told me that’s what I needed to get it on the agenda and I did and they still haven’t put it on the agenda Courier: Does Ceres have a problem with sideshows Vierra: I don’t necessarily know if it’s throughout the city On my side of town we have a lot through Marchy Lane and Service and Morgan but now that they have those ordinances I think they’re moving out to areas where they can get away with it From my understanding the car that went through the backyard into the pool on San Pedro and Morgan they were doing a little sideshow there like doing donuts on San Pedro which the lost control into the backyard Courier: Didn’t the state pass legislation dealing with sideshows I don’t necessarily think it’s being enforced or we just don’t have enough officers that are actively covering that area My biggest issue was wanting to just say hey even if we don’t have an issue let’s address it before it becomes an issue Courier: Some people believe that Ceres at 48,000 is just too small for council districts – and we all know why they came about – but do you think there’s a benefit to representing only one segment of Ceres and being answerable to only that’s segment of the population at election time Vierra: I did the push for district elections which isn’t part of my district and talk to them We understand a lot of what’s going on in our areas such as the speed racing up Morgan and Service The mayor may not see that because he’s not on that side of town but he’s next to Independence Park and may see more homeless Courier: Districts kind of make councilmembers compete with one another James Casey asked why aren’t you doing my park (Lions Park) Bret Silveira was pushing for Ochoa Park in his district It seems like it makes things more divisive Vierra: It can be but ultimately the rest of us are there advocating together Ultimately all of us should be thinking of the community as a whole understanding the concepts and the dynamics of our specific area small lots than we may see in Eastgate so I have different demographics than what other sides of town are and I think that’s what’s important bringing to the council Courier: You talk about no grocery store on your side of Ceres How important is that when Save Mart and other markets are right over the overpass For the most part I try to stay on my side of town I totally understand the traffic issue in front of Ceres High School so that is a barrier I want to do It’s easier for me to just run off to Crows Landing (Road) and buy food in Modesto because it’s closer When I come home I’m getting off (the freeway) at Hatch Road or Crows Landing to get to my house those who are not accessible or able to drive those who have other issues or other barriers that may prevent them from going to Save Mart A lot of times we utilize the Walmart delivery because they can just deliver to my house Courier: But no market is going in there unless it’s profitable They understand that it’s a food desert so I have a couple who have picked up on wanting to do that Courier: Especially when West Landing develops Vierra: Yes and we do have four possible developments so we may be able to start that process hopefully getting some development agreements in place by July Ultimately I want to bring office spaces into that office area would love to see offices where there’s lawyers whatever’s applicable to that area and then a small grocer I know Target is already in discussions about another area Courier: Residents have complained Ceres gets enough fast food How can Ceres attract something residents have wanted to see here retailers besides Walmart and recreational uses like bowling alleys or theaters or indoor sporting venues A lot of what we did with the ICSC conference and convention was meeting with a lot of those retailers asking what their demographic requirements were their size requirements and then saying hey or if we can we get your contact information talking to Modesto or just through people I’ve met or know and network with It’s up to them because we don’t offer incentives that I’m aware of to come to Ceres other than I’m willing to help you through the process When we were at ICSC we actually had a sit-down meeting regarding a possible movie theater but Ceres is what they consider a second tier so if all of their first options were gone then they would consider us I know there’s also another discussion going on about bringing a sports complex to the old Walmart but it’s Walmart owned land and I can’t force it I’ve heard from different developers who say “we know not to go into Ceres You guys aren’t business friendly.” I’ve heard that from developers and business owners so I’m trying to change some of that image and let me walk you through it to makes sure we don’t have that unfriendliness Courier: Do you expect to run for re-election in 2026 In the event that opens up or maybe I feel I’m ready for that (but) I don’t necessarily think I’m quite ready to make that big of a leap yet what is typically the reason they contact you Vierra: It depends on what week it is and what issue there is The basic thing I usually hear is about traffic My understanding from the city manager is we’re working to mitigate some of the traffic issues we have in town Vierra: Usually I’m in here on Sundays and Saturdays During the summer I have Fridays off from the college so I’m in Fridays as well If people want to meet with me I will lunch I have no problem coming in because we do have access to get into the building I’ve met constituents over at McDonald’s or down here at the coffee shop If they just want to email me I’m happy to do that as well Courier: We may want to get into the dispatching issue because it’s getting worse they don’t want just one position getting a raise; they want all employees to have a raise Everyone is going to be under wages especially as we approach the end of their union contract All I hear is well we got $10,000 cash for those that worked COVID that was part of the last contract I know the county just changed but we also have to make sure we’re in compliance with labor practices with the unions make it the same (pay) as Turlock ($1.50 more an hour than Ceres) And I would like to do that with everyone but unfortunately we have the contracts we have to negotiate with the unions Courier: But dispatchers are a key position If you start losing dispatchers and you have some serious problems the union made it really clear – I know he called me as well – stating you can’t just move that position; we will go to the Department of Labor for unfair labor practices if you do just raise theirs anyone who wasn’t able to take that Christmas week off is a key employee and to me that’s a public safety issue So wastewater is another position we’re low on staff What are we going to do if there’s nobody there to operate wastewater We need to do what we need to do to try to keep at least those plus our police officers Those are key positions that maybe need to be treated differently because they didn’t get to take Christmas break off I understand some of front line employees are also feeling the pinch with the new inflation I understand where the union stands as well By that I mean project yourself out 50 or 60 years from now how will Ceres be different than it is today Vierra: What I imagine now may not be relevant tomorrow I’d love to see more charging stations but I also need to be able to afford a car that’s electric and right now with Valley wages we can’t even afford an electric car I work a lot with the youth and I think it’s important helping our next generation prepare for tomorrow making sure they understand that what their decisions are today affects 30 Post Courier ORBITZ Elevators PNG has donated K20,000 to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals PNG (RSPCA PNG) The cheque was presented yesterday by the Business Development manager of Orbitz Elevators PNG Lawrence Lahari Technical and Projects manager to the RSPCA PNG general manager David Thompson who received the cheque on behalf of his management and staff Mr Lahari said: “Orbitz Elevators PNG recognises the invaluable contributions RSPCA PNG has made to the communities “Their ongoing efforts to protect and care for animals inspire us and we are honoured to support their mission.” Mr Thompson said the funds will go towards supporting the RSPCA charitable education awareness program known as the Wantok Program where it’s mission is to educate and inspire young children to develop responsible and compassionate behaviour towards animals “This kind donation is going to go a long way in supporting our education program,” he said More than 22,000 school children were engaged with the Wantok Program last year were taught “animal welfare and the basic needs of all the animals,” said Mr Thompson Mr Mehl said: “The RSPCA PNG’s commitment to animal welfare and their proactive approach in educating the public and rescuing animals in need is commendable This donation is a testament to our shared values and our dedication to making a positive impact “We remains committed to giving back to the community and supporting organisations.” Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox — A bill to limit underage marriage in Kentucky won approval in the state Senate on Wednesday on a 34-3 vote — but not without dissent a Louisville Republican and sponsor of Senate Bill 48 urged all members to vote in favor of the bill saying "the nation has its eyes on Kentucky right now." a Louisville Republican and one of three senators to vote no objected that it would prevent some teenage girls who are pregnant from getting married "I as a parent couldn't let my pregnant 16-year-old daughter marry the guy that loves her known as the child bride bill, sets the legal age for marriage at 18 and requires a judge's approval for marriage when one party is 17 It does not permit marriage for anyone under 17 Background: After outrage over Kentucky's 'child bride' bill, the revised plan is now on to the Senate More background: Kentucky's 'child bride' bill stalls as groups fight to let 13-year-olds wed Current law allows those 16 or 17 to marry with a parent's permission and allows individuals under 16 to marry with a judge's approval if one of the parties is pregnant a Winchester Republican and co-sponsor of the bill Alvarado said he sees too many underage girls who are pregnant "I would argue they need more of a father than a husband at that age," he said Also voting no were Republicans Al Robinson and John Schickel cited his family's experience in which his wife was born to a mother who married at 15 and had a good marriage Schroder said he was surprised to learn underage marriage is not unusual in Kentucky which has the third-highest rate of such marriages in the nation "It's 2018 and things have changed a little bit," he said Supporters of the bill argue that too often girls who marry before age 18 have been sexually exploited by an older man Of the more than 10,000 marriages involving a party under 18 "The days of a 13-year-old girl marrying a 33-year-old man are over," Adams said a Louisville woman who is an advocate for SB 48 now divorced, married an older man when she was 16 She said he began sexually abusing her at 14 The measure passed on a unanimous vote Tuesday by the Senate Judiciary Committee Opinion: If Kentucky parents are too stupid to stop child marriage, judges must step in From February: Child marriage is still legal in Kentucky. A former bride wants to put an end to it. The bill endured several days of controversy, largely on social media, amid reports that an initial vote had been delayed because of opposition from the Kentucky Family Foundation But a representative of the group told lawmakers Tuesday their concerns about parental involvement had been addressed in a revised version of the bill that provided parents a chance to voice their opinion when a judge is deciding whether to allow a 17-year-old to marry Martin Cothran said the Family Foundation now supports SB 48.  a family or district court judge may not approve the marriage in cases where the age difference is more than four years between the 17-year-old and the other party The judge also must consider why the 17-year-old seeks to marry his or her maturity and whether the person has completed high school or a GED The judge also must consider any criminal records of either party and any history of domestic violence or sex offenses SB 48 also calls for the judge to question the 17-year-old privately to ensure the teen is not being pressured into marriage Pregnancy of the underage party is not sufficient evidence to approve a marriage Adams said Tuesday that House leaders told her they support the measure and hope to pass it into law Deborah Yetter: 502-582-4228; dyetter@courier-journal.com. Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: www.courier-journal.com/deborahy A car with diplomatic plates hits a motorcycle courier from behind; the courier is severely injured and taken to the hospital The driver is released after giving a statement As the courier fights for his life in the hospital Thousands of motorcycle couriers saw themselves in Yunus Emre The feeling of "It could have been us in his place" has affected us all We all could have been the ones facing death and the perpetrator could have escaped freely Mohamed Hassan Shekh Mohamud didn't just kill Yunus Emre; he killed all of us The body of that vehicle pierced through all of us but every day due to the "speed pressure," being unnoticed in traffic We are falling victim to murders disguised as accidents To prevent it from being forgotten amid daily developments and political controversies let's list the chronology of the "Yunus Emre Göçer Murder" the son of the Somali President hit motorcycle courier Yunus Emre Göçer from behind at the Aksaray exit of the Eurasia Tunnel and Mohamed Hassan Shekh Mohamud was released after giving a statement hundreds of couriers gathered in front of Çağlayan Courthouse calling for the arrest of the driver of the diplomatic-plated vehicle that hit Yunus Emre Yunus Emre was one of the 60 motorcycle couriers who lost their lives in 2023 the video recording of the murder disguised as an accident was shared on Kurye Haber and many media outlets There were calls for the disclosure of the diplomat's identity and their arrest He was laid to rest in a funeral attended by hundreds of motorcycle couriers in Maltepe "My child fell victim not to an accident but to murder "After the 'accident,' even though traffic police were present at the scene,even though there was not a single skid mark and though accessing camera recordings of the Eurasia Tunnel would be easy and quick and although the next day the footage circulated in the media and Yunus Emre's friends gathered at Çağlayan Courthouse to make their voices heard to authorities and it was known that Yunus Emre was fighting for his life in the hospital how could it be possible that 'that individual' so easily escapes the country!" we know that justice will not be done until everyone responsible and negligent in the Yunus Emre Göçer case is brought to justice The son of a President killed the son of a laborer while the innocent one was laid to rest by his father the son of Somali President Hasan Sheikh Mahmud hit motorcycle courier Yunus Emre Göçer from behind in Istanbul on November 30 Göçer was later pronounced dead on December 5 at the hospital explained that there was an attempt to cover up the incident but the truth was revealed to them after the footage emerged on social media Öznur Göçer mentioned that after the accident authorities questioned whether the courier Göçer was inexperienced the police told us that my husband had committed suicide If it weren't for the pressure from my husband's courier friends and the public they might have closed the case by saying my husband committed suicide." the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office made a statement regarding the son of the Somali President who fled abroad after hitting the motorcycle courier in İstanbul's Fatih district The statement announced that international procedures were being followed to capture the suspect It was noted in the statement that despite an arrest warrant being issued for the suspect the instructions could not be executed due to his escape abroad Eliminating the three-point stance for linemen could prevent hundreds of repetitive subconcussive impacts they absorb each season As the buildup to the Super Bowl intensifies over the next week there will be plenty of discussion about the state of the NFL From all I’ve seen with head trauma in football I believe we will see a steady decline in the NFL and college football over the next 10 to 20 years The NFL continues to promote the idea of creating a safer sport but there is no way to completely eliminate the risk of brain damage in football I do think there are changes we could make to at least decrease that risk These ideas could keep the sport somewhat close to the way it’s played now Let’s start with ideas for all levels of football and not just the NFL Mandatory medical staffs: The NFL requires over 30 medical personnel at every game there is often little medical coverage at all High school teams should have an athletic trainer at every practice and game A doctor should be present on the sideline of both teams at every game Flag football until high school: Evidence shows that the concussions and repetitive subconcussive blows might do more harm to kids whose brains are still developing Young athletes can play flag football to learn the movements and strategies of the sport without sustaining hundreds of brain impacts from tackling and blocking each season If you’re worried that change will prevent a kid from succeeding in the sport arguably the two greatest players of all time did not play tackle football until high school Non-contact practices: More and more research points to the role of repetitive subconcussive blows as the culprit in CTE the degenerative brain condition that has affected many former players Football players withstand a huge number of these impacts over a long career we can dramatically decrease the cumulative effect of these blows Elimination of the three-point stance: Linemen absorb many hundreds of repetitive subconcussive impacts each season which is largely why many of the former NFL players diagnosed with CTE have been offensive and defensive linemen in which a lineman crouches with his hand on the ground allowing him to launch himself at the opposing lineman should greatly decrease the impacts over an athlete’s career Mandatory brain trauma education: Athletes at all levels need to understand the risks of playing football who retired early into his career out of fear of the health risks in football Chris Nowinski of the Concussion Legacy Foundation or Drs Ann McKee or Robert Stern of Boston University’s Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Center could offer live or online presentations Players would be required to watch them to be cleared to play here are a few more ideas to make the game safer Mandatory one-game absence after a concussion: Any player diagnosed with a concussion would be required to miss at least one game regardless of where in the concussion protocol a player might be Protocols would have to be in place to make sure teams didn’t use “concussion-like symptoms” or some other loophole to avoid a concussion diagnosis and the mandatory one-game absence Removal from the game for signs of a serious head injury: If a player suffers a hit that causes him to stumble fall or struggle to stand (think Travis Kelce or Cam Newton) or exhibits a motor sign of a serious injury (think Tom Savage) that player must be pulled out of the game and may not return Ignore the argument that players go down intentionally to save the team from using a timeout Medical staff availability to the media: This idea will never happen out of concerns for patient privacy the possibility of the team’s head athletic trainer or physician having to face a room full of reporters and explain why a player was in the medical tent for 10 seconds after what looks like a concussion might make them follow the concussion protocol more closely Create a licensing board: Much like boxing where a fighter must get a license from a medical advisory board to fight in a state a player could be required to be examined by independent doctors Geier is an orthopedic surgeon in Charleston and author of 'That's Gotta Hurt: The Injuries That Changed Sports Forever.' The murder of university student and moto courier Ata Emre Akman on the night of May 11 in Balıkesir has sparked protests by moto couriers across Turkey Kurye Haber pages issued a nationwide call for action with the slogan "Justice for Ata Emre Akman Enough is Enough; We Don't Want to Die While Working" circulating in all courier WhatsApp groups couriers in various cities began attaching black ribbons and pictures of Ata Emre to their motorcycles "Justice Convoys" were formed in İzmir and Bursa Statements made in both cities expressed outrage over the murder and called for the perpetrator to be punished to the fullest extent moto couriers gathered in Diyarbakır with similar demands riding in a convoy from Newroz Square to Dağkapı Square They shared the Akman family's grief and called on the government to urgently implement regulations for couriers couriers in major cities including İstanbul (Kadıköy and Van shut off their engines in protest for Ata Emre Akman "Justice Convoys" organized collective rides Speaking on behalf of couriers who rode from the Intercity Bus Terminal to Kaymakkapı Square Mutlu Ceylan began his speech with “We don’t want to die while working” and said: “Ata Emre Akman fell victim to violence while doing his job diligently This tragic event has deeply affected not only his family and loved ones but the entire society Ata Emre was not just a courier but an individual known for his hopeful outlook and positive energy His loss is a loss for our entire community Such acts of violence not only disregard human life but also threaten the peace and security of our society We believe steps must be taken to prevent such incidents from happening again We extend our condolences to Ata Emre Akman’s family We must work together as a community to honor his memory and prevent similar tragedies in the future.” couriers gathered with posters on their motorcycles for a press statement Addressing the crowd with posters that read not just one day," "Our condolences," "Notice us you stole them," and "I was brutally murdered President of the Adana Motorcycle Couriers Association we have gathered not under the association’s umbrella but under the umbrella of humanity working with our lives on the line for honest bread We want a safe working environment against work-related murders.” Parmak also shared data on courier deaths: “The statistics of courier deaths over the last 3 years are disheartening 148 moto couriers have fallen victim to work-related murders The most recent incident was the murder of university student Ata Emre Akman in Balıkesir.” and ministries need to take action on this matter.” Speaking on behalf of couriers gathered at Köprübaşı President of the Ordu Motorized and Non-Motorized Couriers Association one of our friends lost his leg in an accident caused by a drunk driver and another lost a finger after an accident We ask our state leaders to recognize our work as a profession and support us We extend our condolences to Ata’s family and friends.” couriers forming a “Justice Convoy” gathered in the district square to make a press statement President of the Moto Courier Workers Association shared statistics on courier deaths similar to his colleague in Adana and called on authorities: “The work we do has not yet been classified as highly dangerous Ata Emre Akman was neither the first nor will he be the last But we want these murders to end immediately We call on the Ministry of Labor and Social Security; listen to us with Emekçi Couriers Association President Mehmet Timurtaş speaking on their behalf: The working conditions that stole Ata Emre’s dreams and years of life have previously left hundreds of courier workers injured or even dead The lives of couriers are being played with due to a lack of oversight and policies regarding couriers We have no tolerance or patience for workers being killed by dangerous individuals with a history of violence in the dead of night We are saying 'enough' to this system that forces us to work with our lives on the line We demand the urgent implementation of necessary legal regulations to ensure safe working conditions while we do our jobs." another university student and Trendyol moto courier who was stabbed to death in Ankara in 2022 following a "right of way" dispute in traffic supported the call for general action for Ata Emre Akman by gathering in front of Yenimahalle Ortadoğu Hospital moto couriers arrived in a convoy at the hospital where the Özgül family and their legal team were also present The couriers carried banners reading "Couriers Shouldn't Die," "Killers Among Us," and "Justice for Ata Emre and Samet." Samet Özgül’s sister "Both were university students working to earn some pocket money expressing the family's deep sorrow at losing another young person in a similar manner while fighting for "no more Samets." Özgül noted that the case would be revisited on June 28 at 13:30 at the Ankara Regional Courthouse extending her condolences to the Akman family and saying No matter how much patience I wish for you The "Justice for Ata Emre Akman" and "We Don’t Want to Die While Working" actions will continue today during the traditional motorcycle rides held every May 19 for Youth and Sports Day statements will be made for Ata Emre Akman and his photo will be displayed on the motorcycles