Best Dressed at Met Gala 2025 - Top 32 Red Carpet Looks Revealed! Rihanna Pregnant, Expecting Baby No. 3 With A$AP Rocky! Every Celeb at Met Gala 2025 - See All Red Carpet Photos & Full Guest List (Updating Live All Night) The Chosen is moving to Prime Video for it’s fifth season The biblical series’ latest episodes will be released on the streamer in three parts Season five “follows Jesus’ triumph to treachery as his final days unfold in a story that changed the world sparking a chain of events that shakes the city While religious leaders scramble to silence his growing influence Jesus shares one last meal with his closest followers Judas makes a deal that seals both their fates and betrayal that echoes through time – one man’s ultimate sacrifice becomes humanity’s greatest story.” Keep reading to find out more…More Here! » A proposal to install signs to deter panhandling in downtown Fayetteville sparked division among City Council members this week with one councilman warning it could violate civil rights and criminalize poverty The suggestion was included in the Council Homelessness/Mental Health Committee’s presentation by city Economic and Community Development Director Chris Cauley at the April 28 regular meeting “Panhandling downtown has also increased,” Mayor Mitch Colvin said at the meeting The signage is for educational purposes for those individuals that may be down there.”  Fayetteville has previously attempted to regulate panhandling through its Traffic-Pedestrian Safety Ordinance That ordinance made it illegal for drivers and pedestrians to exchange items on marked public roadways According to a 2018 article from The Fayetteville Observer the city's strategy leaned more toward education than punishment voluntary compliance of the ordinance is the ultimate goal,” a Fayetteville spokesman said at the time Colvin said that similar signage had been used in the past and referenced a previous effort by the Downtown Alliance encouraging donations to local organizations instead of individuals Cauley said the signage proposal would keep panhandling at bay “Reminding residents of the laws against panhandling … may help deter the activity voicing concerns that the proposal could infringe on First Amendment rights this sounds more like the safety considerations that happen on an intersection don’t apply necessarily to our big “I don’t think I’d be interested in discouraging otherwise free speech in our downtown.”  Benavente referenced past legal challenges in other cities where similar anti-panhandling laws were taken before a judge The Durham County case Benavente is referring to is from 2013 when Durham attorney Scott Holmes helped a group of unhoused individuals charged with panhandling violations get help from social services instead of jail time an act made to avoid criminalizing poverty That’s what they decided — that asking for money is free speech,” Benavente said When the motion was made to move both the panhandling signage and a separate item regarding pallet shelters for the unhoused to the May 5 work session Benavente urged his colleagues to vote separately on the two items The motion to improve funding for security at the Day Resource Center passed unanimously “I would love to support the pallet shelter vehemently,” he said “but I’d ask that you consider removing the panhandling because it’s an unnecessary exploration into ultimate violation of people’s civil liberties.”  the council voted 9-1 to table both items for further discussion at the May 5 work session Benavente cast the sole vote against the motion City Attorney Lachelle Pulliam confirmed that the proposal had not yet been vetted by her office but noted that while First Amendment protections are relevant place and manner restrictions” if the council moves forward Carter can be reached at ccarter@gannett.com Helpline and Online Forms are available as add-ons to your regular membership The relentless advocacy efforts of the California Apartment Association and local rental property owners have prompted the Concord City Council to take the first step toward amending its problematic rent control ordinance the council tentatively approved amendments to the ordinance including increasing the annual allowable rent increase from the restrictive 60% of the Consumer Price Index (CPI)—currently 2.52%—to a flat 5% aligning Concord’s policy more closely with rent control laws in cities like San Jose and Hayward Council Member Pablo Benavente proposed a more flexible approach to better account for rising operational costs Council Member Laura Hoffmeister seconded Benavente’s proposal indicating initial support for a more accommodating cap Mayor Carlyn Obringer advocated for a flat 5% cap which ultimately gained the majority’s support The council also moved to exempt the first three single-family homes or townhomes owned by an individual from the city’s just cause eviction regulations CAA continues to maintain that Concord’s rent control ordinance should never have been adopted in the first place The state’s Tenant Protection Act of 2019 already provides comprehensive rent control and eviction protections and the city’s own data shows that Concord’s rental rates remain among the most affordable in the Bay Area who unseated rent control advocate Edi Birsan the city is now reconsidering its approach to housing regulations mobilizing hundreds of rental property owners and community members to voice their concerns housing providers and local residents submitted more than 250 letters to the City Council and testified in person about the ordinance’s harmful impacts Over 150 housing providers attended both the Feb 25 meetings to advocate for these critical changes.  the City Council acknowledged concerns raised by rental housing providers and local homeowners and took initial steps toward amendments to its rent control law.  “CAA and its members appreciate the leadership of Councilmember Benavente and the council majority for recognizing that the current rent control law went too far,” said Joshua Howard executive vice president of local public affairs at CAA “We will continue working to align Concord’s rental regulations with state law and ensure housing providers have the ability to maintain their properties and provide quality housing to Concord residents.   “This vote is a clear signal that the City Council understands that their extreme rent control policy created unintended consequences; CAA thanks every housing provider and community member who engaged in this effort to drive change.  Letters showing up to council meetings all made a difference.”  The City Council is scheduled to hold a public hearing and cast the official vote on these amendments at its March 25 Nothing is finalized until the amended ordinance is formally approved CAA urges all housing providers to attend the March 25 hearing and continue reminding the City Council that while these changes are a positive first step additional reforms are needed to fully address the challenges created by Concord’s rent control law.  CAA also encourages housing providers to send a thank you letter to the City Council at citycouncil@cityofconcord.org recognizing Council Member Pablo Benavente for his leadership in bringing the rent control issue forward and the council for placing this important discussion on the agenda Stay engaged and make your voice heard. For more information on how to participate in the March 25 meeting, contact Rhovy Lyn Antonio at rantonio@caanet.org.  CAA members have access to compliance forms and extended news resources related to this topic All Topics All News California landlords must navigate a complex web of state laws and fair housing rules when screening prospective tenants This webinar will cover key requirements and frequently asked questions… California law requires many landlords to give tenants the option to have their on-time rent payments reported to at least one credit bureau This webinar provides a paragraph-by-paragraph explanation of the entire CAA Rental/Lease Agreement including the provisions required to comply with AB 1482 (the Tenant Protection Act of 2019) California Certified Residential Manager Training The demand for qualified rental housing professionals in California is at an all-time high Get certified with our CCRM Property Management series Vanessa Benavente is the actress who plays the Virgin Mary in "The Chosen," the hit series that premieres its fifth season in Spanish theaters on April 10 Vanessa talks about what she has learned playing the Mother of Jesus actress playing the Virgin Mary (The Chosen) On April 10, the fifth season of "The New York Times" will be released in theaters in Spain.The Chosen"the hit series about the life of Jesus and his followers Omnes had the opportunity to talk to Vanessa Benavente Vanessa Benavente was born in Peru but now lives in the United States with her family. She has been in the film industry for years, which allows her to state that "as an actor, if you are willing to listen, every role has something to teach you." However, playing the Mother of Jesus is different "I find Maria very inspiring," says Vanessa She sees in her "a person with a wonderful strength lacking in judgment and who embodies that idea that we all deserve love." The actress says that she cannot help but learn from her character and what she observes "I take it back to me she seeks to transmit something essential to her daughters: "They can make mistakes five hundred times But we don't love them because they do things right The Mother of Jesus represents this perfectly and Benavente highlights in particular: "a scene in which Mary Magdalene returns to the camp after relapsing into 'her past wanderings' Mary Mother grabs her handkerchief and puts it on as if to restore her dignity to signal that she is accepted again and can move on." Vanessa Benavente states: "I want to be a mother like Mary who creates safe places where others can get back on their feet Subscribe to Omnes magazine and enjoy exclusive content for subscribers CONCORD, CA (Sept. 18, 2024) — The Pioneer newspaper presented a list of questions to the candidates running for Concord City Council in the 2024 election. To read other candidate answers, click here Why do you want to run for a City Council Position I want to run for a City Council position because I’m deeply invested in shaping Concord’s future in a way that benefits all residents I’ve witnessed the city’s growth and the challenges it faces to the need for more community resources like parks and libraries I’m motivated by a strong commitment to making sure that our city continues to grow in a way that enhances the quality of life for all residents ensuring that our community remains a great place to live and raise a family as well as my work with Monument Impact and the Measure V Ballot Committee has given me firsthand insight into the needs of our community I want to bring that experience to the City Council to advocate for practical solutions—such as improving traffic safety and enhancing public spaces—that will improve the quality of life for all Concord residents I’m committed to fostering a more inclusive and sustainable city where everyone Running for City Council is an opportunity to turn my dedication to Concord into action and help guide our city toward a brighter future We need leaders who truly listen to all residents City Council decisions should reflect the needs and values of our entire community—fairness I’m running to bring a new perspective and ensure that Concord is a place where every individual and family can thrive with their voices heard and their future prioritized I bring a unique combination of public service and private sector experience that qualifies me to make informed and effective decisions for the City of Concord and Open Space Commission has provided me with valuable experience in advocating for and improving our public spaces ensuring they meet the needs of all residents my work with nonprofits such as Monument Impact and as Co-Chair of the Measure V Committee has given me hands-on experience in advocating for and securing funding for critical infrastructure improvements This experience has given me a deep understanding of how to navigate complex regulatory environments advocate for policies that drive innovation and build strong relationships across various sectors My work in the private sector has also given me a firsthand appreciation of the challenges involved in running a business and adapting to changing market conditions These skills are directly transferable to the City Council oriented approach to the challenges and opportunities facing Concord My background in both the public and private sectors equips me with a well-rounded perspective making me well-prepared to contribute effectively to the City Council and help guide Concord toward a prosperous and inclusive future I have been deeply engaged in Concord civic affairs for many years involvement has been both broad and impactful I’ve had the opportunity to directly contribute to the planning and enhancement of our city’s public spaces ensuring they serve the diverse needs of our community My work with Monument Impact has also allowed me to play a significant role in advocating for low-income communities which are essential to Concord’s growth and well-being I make it a priority to stay informed and engaged with what’s happening at the City Council I try to attend council meetings regularly I participate via Zoom or listen to the recordings at a later date It’s crucial to stay up-to-date on the decisions being made at the local level because they have immediate and often noticeable impacts on our community A community driven Grand Jury identified a City Council lack of transparency in regard to financial reporting of Concord Naval weapon station Reuse Project The concerns raised by the community-driven Grand Jury about the lack of transparency in the financial reporting of the Concord Naval Weapons Station Reuse Project are significant and must be addressed to restore public trust Transparency is fundamental to good governance and it’s crucial that residents have confidence in the decisions being made about such a major project The City Council has a fiduciary duty to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars ensuring that every decision made is in the best interest of the community and that financial resources are managed responsibly I would push for more frequent and detailed public reporting on the financial aspects of the Reuse Project This would include regular updates on expenditures and any financial agreements related to the project which should be presented as part of the oral presentations at council meetings—not just buried in hundreds of pages of documents I would support the creation of a dedicated oversight committee that includes community representatives to review financial reports and ensure that all information is accurate and accessible to the public These steps are essential to rebuilding trust and ensuring that the project is managed with the transparency and accountability that the community deserves it is essential to hold city staff accountable for their roles in the project’s financial management I would advocate for establishing clear performance metrics and regular evaluations to ensure that staff are meeting their responsibilities effectively with appropriate corrective actions taken to maintain the integrity of the project’s oversight we can ensure that the project is managed with the highest standards of professionalism and that public funds are used efficiently and responsibly This commitment to accountability will help restore and maintain public confidence in the city’s ability to manage such a significant undertaking The Concord Naval Weapons Station development is indeed a significant project and its scale and impact on our city and the surrounding region are substantial While I understand the concerns that some residents have about whether the City Council alone can effectively manage such a large and complex project The City Council is directly accountable to the residents of Concord and we have a deep understanding of the community’s needs the incumbent has been part of the problem contributing to delays and a lack of transparency that has eroded public trust in the process I also recognize the value of regional collaboration on a project of this magnitude While I don’t believe the oversight should be handed over entirely to a regional body I do support the idea of involving regional stakeholders in an advisory capacity This could include collaboration with neighboring cities and regional planning organizations to ensure that the project benefits not just Concord but the broader region as well By maintaining local control while seeking input and cooperation from regional partners we can strike a balance that ensures the project is managed effectively and serves the best interests of both Concord and the surrounding communities This project has the potential to create a divide within Concord leading to two very different experiences for residents depending on which side of the development they live on The City Council must take an active role in ensuring that this development does not result in “two Concords,” where some areas thrive while others are left behind if the current development agreement with Brookfield does not succeed we run the very real risk of the Navy reclaiming the land and selling it off which could lead to outcomes that are not in Concord’s best interest It’s essential that we act decisively and responsibly to ensure that this project moves forward in a way that benefits all parts of our city and all of its residents equally The major issues facing Concord—homelessness and housing—are complex and require a comprehensive My experience and commitment to our community have already led me to take steps in addressing some of these challenges and I’m prepared to do more if elected to the City Council Addressing homelessness requires a comprehensive approach that combines immediate support with long-term solutions We should increase the availability of affordable and transitional housing to help individuals and families move from homelessness to stable living situations and state programs is essential to creating a coordinated response that addresses the root causes of homelessness By focusing on both short-term relief and long-term recovery we can create sustainable pathways out of homelessness and improve the overall well-being of our community as well as my work on the Measure V Committee has involved securing approximately 30 million dollars annually for critical infrastructure improvements I would continue to prioritize investments in our roads and other essential infrastructure to ensure they meet the needs of our growing population Ensuring our police department has the resources it needs to keep our neighborhoods safe while also emphasizing transparency and accountability plays a critical role in supporting public safety by providing vital funding for local law enforcement I plan to advocate for increasing the number of dispatchers to ensure quicker response times in emergencies and to equip our police officers with the tools and training they need to serve our community effectively we can improve safety across Concord while maintaining the transparency and accountability that our residents expect and deserve I would encourage the development of new housing while ensuring that growth is sustainable and aligned with the character of our city A key priority will be ensuring that the Concord Naval Weapons Station development moves forward without unnecessary delays This project is crucial for providing much-needed housing and economic opportunities for our community By focusing on efficient and responsible development we can avoid setbacks and make sure the project is completed in a way that benefits all of Concord while preserving the unique qualities of our city I am committed to bringing businesses back to Concord and reducing the number of empty commercial spaces in our city and make Concord a more vibrant place to live and work I would focus on bringing a new library to Concord A modern library would serve as a crucial community hub while also being a place where residents can gather and connect Iwould actively pursue federal and state grants dedicated to community development and educational resources I would initiate a capital campaign to raise additional funds and community members who share the vision of a new library we can ensure that the library project is well-supported and becomes a centerpiece of our community benefiting residents of all ages and backgrounds and take decisive action to address the challenges we face while also seizing opportunities to make Concord an even better place to live The potential rezoning of selected areas in Concord to accommodate high-density housing as part of the Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) initiative is a continuation of the city’s ongoing efforts to address our affordable housing needs Concord has made significant progress through initiatives like adjusting zoning laws and supporting affordable housing developments Concord still faces significant challenges in meeting the increasing housing demands and RHNA targets I believe that further progress in this area will require careful consideration of financial resources as additional support may be necessary to achieve these goals without placing an undue burden on taxpayers The city will need to strike a balance between expanding housing options and managing its resources effectively to ensure sustainable growth Thoughtful planning and community input will be essential in navigating these challenges and making sure that the rezoning efforts truly benefit all residents If I had an extra $1 million in the general budget I would allocate half of it as seed money to initiate the development of a new library in Concord A modern library is far more than just a collection of books—it serves as a critical community resource welcoming environment where residents can connect and grow Investing in a new library would create a hub for lifelong learning and community engagement benefiting our city for generations to come The other half of the funds would be dedicated to attracting and supporting businesses in Concord I would prioritize creating incentives for local entrepreneurs and upgrading infrastructure to make Concord an even more attractive destination for new businesses This could involve providing grants or low-interest loans to small business startups launching targeted marketing campaigns to highlight Concord as a prime location for investment and enhancing our transportation and public services to support business growth we would not only create jobs and boost our local economy but also expand our tax base would allow us to further enhance our infrastructure ensuring that Concord remains a vibrant and thriving place to live and work If faced with the difficult task of cutting an extra $1 million from the general budget I would prioritize minimizing the impact on essential services that directly affect the well-being of our residents My approach would be to look for efficiencies within the budget or finding cost savings in contracts and procurement processes I would also consider cutting or scaling back on programs or initiatives that are less critical or could be funded through alternative means such as grants or partnerships with private organizations The goal would be to make cuts in areas that would least affect the day-to-day lives of our residents while maintaining the core services and investments that keep our community strong and thriving I do not support the use of “red light” cameras at high-use intersections or in parks because they have proven to be neither effective nor a good use of taxpayer money Studies have shown that these cameras often do not significantly reduce traffic accidents and can even lead to an increase in rear-end collisions as drivers abruptly stop to avoid a ticket the costs associated with installing and maintaining these cameras are high and the revenue generated from fines often does not justify the expense the presence of red light cameras would be even less effective as parks are typically low-speed areas where traffic violations are less common Instead of investing in expensive and ineffective solutions like red light cameras I believe we should focus on more proven methods of improving traffic safety increased police presence at high-risk intersections This approach would be a more responsible use of taxpayer dollars and more effective in ensuring the safety of our community Given that the city already implements many standard transparency measures I would focus on an additional strategy to further enhance transparency and accountability in Concord’s decision-making process I would advocate for more interactive engagement with the community This could include regular “ask me anything” sessions with council members where residents can directly pose questions and get answers in real time I believe that council members should hold regular town halls in their districts face-to-face communication with constituents These town halls would provide an opportunity for residents to voice their concerns ensuring that council members remain closely connected to the needs and priorities of their communities outside of city council meetings Addressing discord or disagreements between council members within the constraints of the Brown Act requires a structured The Brown Act is designed to ensure that decisions are made openly and with full public scrutiny which means that any discussions among council members must be conducted in a public forum Council members are limited to discussing city-related issues with only one other council member outside of public meetings This restriction makes it crucial to foster an environment during public meetings where open dialogue is not only encouraged but facilitated I would work to ensure that every council member has the opportunity to express their perspectives fully and respectfully This means setting clear expectations for conduct and communication emphasizing that while disagreements are natural in any decision-making body they must be handled with professionalism and mutual respect By framing disagreements as a normal and healthy part of the democratic process we can create a culture where differences of opinion are seen as opportunities for growth and better decision-making To further ensure that discussions remain productive it is vital to maintain a strong focus on the issues at hand rather than allowing debates to devolve into personal disputes Keeping the dialogue centered on the facts and community impact helps to depersonalize conflicts and makes it easier to work toward consensus This approach not only facilitates more effective decision-making but also reinforces public trust in the council’s processes The community expects their elected representatives to handle disagreements in a way that prioritizes the city’s best interests we can demonstrate our commitment to serving Concord effectively and transparently the goal is to model the kind of constructive respectful discourse that strengthens both the council’s effectiveness and the public’s confidence in our governance I believe the city’s housing policies must strike a balance that benefits both tenants and property owners While the current measures on rent control and tenant protections aim to address affordability and stability it’s essential that we take a data-driven approach to assess their long-term impact We need to ensure that the policies we enact not only provide immediate relief to those in need but also foster a sustainable housing market that encourages investment and growth It’s important that we regularly review the effectiveness of these policies and remain open to adjustments based on the data we gather from our community By understanding how these measures affect property owners we can craft solutions that work for everyone Our goal should be to create a city where people of all backgrounds can afford to live This means protecting tenants’ rights while ensuring property owners have the ability to maintain and improve their properties we can build a stronger Concord that supports both renters and property owners ensuring that our city remains a vibrant place for generations to come Feel free to reach out to me anytime at benaventeforconcord@gmail.com. Visit the candidate’s campaign site To read other Concord City Council candidate answers, click here on “The Chosen” has prompted actress Vanessa Benavente to think about motherhood and the mothers in her life she said the show couldn’t have come at a better time for her to reflect on this subject Before coming to “The Chosen,” Benavente acted in a number of short films Now she’s a regular on “The Chosen,” having appeared in 26 episodes She also had a role in “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” which was directed by “The Chosen” creator Dallas Jenkins There are moments in the show about the life of Jesus that illustrate the real experience of motherhood Benavente spoke about an episode where she cares for Jesus as everyone surrounding him argues It emphasized an emotional moment because it showed how Mary’s entire life and ministry was taking care of Jesus “So many moms and dads writing messages to me on social media saying we just dropped our child off in college and .. The show is expected to get only more emotional for Benavente’s character Season 5 will portray Holy Week — the time leading up to Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection Benavente said her character is grappling with what is to come Benavente said she can’t talk enough about the strength of her character she believes people think of very vulnerable moments like the Nativity scene or the crucifixion In order for her to live through those moments Benavente said Mary had to be a strong and determined woman It’s this side of Mary she wants to reflect The reaction from fans to her character has been amazing She said sometimes people have said they think her character should be prettier but the vast majority of fans have been supportive of her She appreciates that the writers made her character into a person who has a sense of humor and a lightness to her Benavente referenced a book that included some details about Mary and said she wasn’t sure exactly how much Mary would have known about what’s going to happen to Jesus She said it would be hard to live through that period fearing bad things would happen and yet not exactly knowing what would unfold “She knows he has to fulfill his mission,” said Benavente adding that she understands the worry and concern that a mother would have about her son Benavente feels very humbled by seeing how women in general relate to her character “I feel like it’s a testament to the humanity that we’ve brought to these characters that people have seen themselves (in the portrayals) and not just as figures that they wish they could emulate and they wish they could be like,” said Benavente Fayetteville City Council member Mario Benavente officially announced this week that he is running for mayor made the announcement surrounded by a group of about 25 supporters friends and family in front of Fayetteville City Hall on March 25 The filing period for Fayetteville's nonpartisan mayoral race is from noon July 7 to noon July 18 Four-term Mayor Mitch Colvin said March 25 that unless he says otherwise voters should assume he is running for re-election While Benavente is the only candidate to officially announce a mayoral run Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Jensen told The Fayetteville Observer on March 25 that she does not have an announcement to share at this time "I enjoy serving on the council and representing the wonderful people that make up my district," she said Benavente outlined his vision for the city in an interview with The Fayetteville Observer on March 20 He pointed to the need for progressive leadership a proactive approach to public safety and greater community engagement as reasons for his decision I'll be the man in the arena fighting to make that dream a reality," he said at the announcement event who gained a name as an activist before being elected to the City Council said that his journey has always been about making a tangible difference in the community "We knew that our decision-makers on the City Council weren’t hearing us It wasn’t enough to come to public forums and have one-on-one meetings It wasn’t translating into action," he said "Being on City Council has shown me how much of a difference it makes once you have a seat at the table Benavente said one of the key components of his campaign is a public health approach to community safety which he describes as "finding the cure for crime."   He said he thinks the current system focuses too much on reactive policing rather than addressing the root causes of crime lack of access to childcare and limited social services we’re waiting until the last minute to do the bare minimum in an emergency room-style approach to crime we need to build every other wing of the hospital ensuring people get the support they need before issues escalate," Benavente said He said he plans to advocate for increased investment in youth programming secure housing and economic opportunities to prevent crime before it happens all the data suggests they do not want to throw those things away,” he said Benavente also noted juvenile crime as an area of concern He is an attorney for the juvenile court system in Cumberland County and said he interacts with kids in the court system every day natural leaders — yet they’re using their skills in the wrong ways because they don’t have the support they need," he said "Other cities have driven juvenile crime down by 70% by investing in after-school programming Benavente said he is also focusing on economic growth and making Fayetteville a more attractive city for young professionals He said that Fayetteville has lagged behind other North Carolina cities like Raleigh and Charlotte in terms of innovation and economic expansion "We have to stop thinking of ourselves as a second-tier city We need to start leading the pack and trying new approaches rather than repeating the same old methods that have failed to deliver sustainable improvements," he said Benavente said he thinks city officials should be more forward-thinking and proactive "Leadership is about making bold decisions that drive progress," he said "I want to create an environment where we embrace innovative ideas and take calculated steps to improve our city The best outcomes come when we prioritize long-term success over short-term hesitation."  He said his campaign will also focus on the importance of young voices in city leadership noting that Millennials and Gen Z should have greater influence over policies that shape their future and we've all got so many unique talents,” he said we were brought up here and this is our time.”  Overcoming political barriers Benavente acknowledged that his tenure on the City Council has often been met with resistance from colleagues reluctant to embrace bold reforms "It’s not that they necessarily disagree with the data but they’re overly concerned with the political implications "I’ve introduced policies based on successful models in other cities they get dismissed as just another ‘crazy Mario idea.’ But I know these ideas work Benavente said he promises to lead with transparency and accountability City Hall feels inaccessible to too many residents A lot of people don’t even know where City Hall is "When someone takes the time to come to a public forum and speak He plans to reintroduce discussions on term limits and increase efforts to engage community members directly in the decision-making process Benavente said he is preparing for an energetic and policy-driven race We’re going to be deliberate about the kinds of policy reforms we need," he said will bring a fresh and dynamic perspective to the race for mayor "This race isn’t just about winning — it’s about elevating the conversation in this city We can’t keep doing the bare minimum at the last minute Benavente concluded his announcement in front of City Hall by recognizing March 25 as the anniversary of the Rev completing his march from Selma to Montgomery (This story was updated to add additional information.) ESTEVES: Guam Homeland Security/Office of Civil Defense Administrator Charles Esteves enters the Judiciary of Guam's Northern Satellite Court in Dededo on Thursday for an arraignment hearing on corruption charges LEON GUERRERO: Patrick Leon Guerrero enters the Judiciary of Guam's Northern Satellite Court in Dededo on Thursday for an arraignment hearing on corruption charges Four of the five employees of the Guam Homeland Security/Office of Civil Defense accused of corruption pleaded not guilty to their charges at their first court appearance Joel Valenzuela and Marie Quenga appeared before Magistrate Judge Sean Brown for an arraignment hearing on corruption charges filed by the Office of the Attorney General on April 16 which will be scheduled by Judge Arthur Barcinas Valenzuela did not plead guilty because he indicated to Brown he was still looking for a lawyer Valenzuela added he was currently unemployed Brown assigned the Public Defender Service Corporation to represent Valenzuela however the PDSC still has to determine if Valenzuela is eligible for free legal representation Valenzuela is scheduled to appear in court again on May 15 were allowed to be released from confinement pending their trial and Quenga will report to the Judiciary of Guam Probation Services Division once a month or decided to change their phone numbers or residences Taijeron and Valenzuela were released on $1,000 personal recognizance bonds an amount they'd be ordered to pay if they violate conditions or someone "goes missing," Brown explained she was released on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond The only point of contention throughout the hearing was an initial pretrial condition placed on Leon Guerrero barring the defendants from communicating with each other Esteves' counsel Joaquin "Jay" Arriola Jr. opposed the condition because if implemented it would "hamstring" operations at GHS/OCD considering Esteves is the director of GHS/OCD Valenzuela and Quenga can interact with each other but are not allowed to discuss the facts of the case Taijeron and Esteves were all charged with certifying officer malfeasance and official misconduct as misdemeanors Quenga was additionally charged with tampering with public records as a third-degree felony while Esteves faces an additional charge of official misconduct All charges have a special allegation of crime against the community attached in addition to a notice of public officer statute of limitations Although the indictment does not detail the alleged criminal acts tied to the charges the indictment states the case stems from two investigative audits conducted by the Office of Public Accountability in 2024 The audits highlighted grant funding issues and problems involving overtime at GHS/OCD The former found that agencies owed $8.4 million to the general fund and noted $34.7 million in questioned costs identified by an auditing firm hired by the Federal Emergency Management Agency the OPA questioned $2.8 million in overtime costs charged to GHS/OCD accounts the Office of the Attorney General in January this year confirmed they were investigating the overtime costs About a week after the five were initially indicted the AG's office announced the indictment of a sixth GHS/OCD official Espia is scheduled to appear for his arraignment on May 8 Espia faces charges of theft by deception as a second degree felony tampering with public records as a third-degree felony certifying officer malfeasance as a misdemeanor misapplication of entrusted funds as a misdemeanor all with the crime against community special allegation attached Email notifications are only sent once a day Poll results are published every Monday in The Guam Daily Post Your browser is out of date and potentially vulnerable to security risks.We recommend switching to one of the following browsers: After playing Mother Mary since 2017, Vanessa Benavente feels that she knows the mother of Jesus like the palm of her hand. She knows "how she interacts with friends, her fierce love for her son, and how far she is willing to go for him," said the Peruvian actress during an interview with The Latin Times about her character in the TV series "The Chosen." "The Chosen" is a pioneering American television series in the Christian historical drama genre This multi-season show uniquely portrays the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth set against the backdrop of 1st century Judaea and Galilee It delves into the stories of Jesus and the diverse group of people who encountered and followed him to the point that season 3 and 4 opened in movie theaters with record ticket sales.This June Season 4 premiered globally across all platforms of The Chosen with 3.5 million streams representing an estimated 4.2 million viewers across households in the US over the first three days Her perfect English and remarkable career hide Vanessa Benavente's challenging beginnings. Her journey from fleeing terrorism in her native Peru to portraying the most revered woman in Christian faith is a testament to her resilience and talent Vanessa found a sense of stability through her education which provided her with a legal status in the country or at least gave me a legal status in this country initially struggled but eventually found work at Visa leveraging her skills and becoming a liaison with Peru A post shared by instagram Her quest for self-improvement led her to Spain and other parts of the world Her role as Mary in "The Chosen" has been a profound experience for Benavente "We see María at such vulnerable times in her life and And I at least had forgotten how strong this woman must have been too The role allowed her to delve into the strength and resilience of Mary a woman who faced immense challenges with unwavering faith and tenacity Despite the progress, Vanessa acknowledges the ongoing challenges for Latina actresses in Hollywood. "I feel things are opening for us but the only way to really have opportunities is to have more Latinos behind the camera 2024) — The city of Concord will lose longtime Councilmember Edi Birsan as challenger Pablo Benavente surged ahead in the vote count released Nov Benavente held a slim percentage point lead over Birsan But a dejected Birsan said the lead was projected to grow had expected Benavente to pull away once all the votes had been tallied despite an earlier lead on the morning after the election there are still votes delivered on Election Day that had yet to be counted the trend seems to be moving in my favor,” a cautiously optimistic Benavente told the Pioneer “This represents a victory for all of us who believe in building a more inclusive Carlyn Obringer easily handled challenger Eric Antonik saying he was “very hurt and disgusted” by what he claimed was an ugly race and election The local Democratic Party did not endorse him despite his 12 years on the Concord council The other District 4 challengers were Myles Burks Mayor Jim Diaz appears to have narrowly escaped elimination with 23.7% of the votes or 3,097 over fourth-place challenger Maria Shulman A jubilant Richard Enea led the pack of four with 3,544 votes He was followed by incumbent Holly Tillman with 3,367 votes “I am just very thankful for the faith the people of Clayton have in me,” Enea said and I intend to make the level-headed decisions the people of Clayton deserve.” public safety and landscaping will be his top three priorities having served two terms as a councilmember in Crescent City where he lived sandwiched between his stints in Clayton In Pleasant Hill’s first election with council districts Belle La held a razor-thin lead over Marshall Lewis in District 1 The two had swapped leads since vote counting began Amanda Szakats increased her lead with 54.3% of the votes It didn’t surprise many when Congressman Mark DeSaulnier won the District 10 seat easily against Republican challenger Katherine Piccinini In the District 9 California State Senate race former Concord Mayor and Assemblyman Tim Grayson moved up the ladder defeating fellow Democrat Marisol Rubio 54.5% to 45.5% Taking Grayson’s State Assembly seat will be Democrat Annemarie Avila Farias who defeated Republican challenger Sonia Ledo 64% to 36% in a highly blue district Read more stories by Peggy Spear Peggy Spear is a journalist and frequent contributor to the Pioneer When the city meets in a few weeks to discuss strategic goals ahead of developing a proposed budget for the next fiscal year one city council member hopes a discussion about whether Fayetteville should have its own schools will be considered Councilman Mario Benavente said Tuesday that he and a few other council members think it’s an important discussion “When businesses decide what city to commit to going to ‘What are the public schools like?’" Benavente said "There are so many avenues that education ultimately is the answer to that it ought to be something the city of Fayetteville recognizes especially now that we’re in the game after the sheriff’s department decided to stop the school resource officer program.”   This past June, Sheriff Ennis Wright announced that the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office would no longer provide school resource officers in city limits The Sheriff’s Office provided school resource officers from 1998 until July, when an agreement was reached between the city and county for Fayetteville to provide resource officers to its schools within the city limits Before the Sheriff's Office took over the duties Fayetteville provided school resource officers to patrol city schools until 1998 when then-Fayetteville Police Chief Ron Hansen recommended not renewing the department’s contract with the school district to “better use” officers for street patrol and fighting crime in the community Fayetteville City Schools?Benavente said there were city of Fayetteville schools about 30 years ago Schools in the city limits are currently served by Cumberland County Schools set it aside and forget about the program .. We’re very much involved now in the world of youth education.”   Benavente said the city’s financial commitment this year to fund school resource officers is likely to reappear in the city’s proposed budget later this year Benavente said the city's mission is to provide services that its residents want "Time and time again we’re reminded about the quality of schools and how it’s a hinge point for so many decisions like economics who's wanting to stick around Fayetteville or public safety so why not consider something like Fayetteville City Schools again," he said but the service more broadly impacts youth education Benavente said he plans to bring the topic up during the city’s strategic planning process which outlines goals for the city before the proposed budget process starts The strategic planning meetings are open to the public and start at 9 a.m 24 at the Dorothy Gilmore Therapeutic Recreation Center What it would take to have a city school districtBenavente said legislative restrictions will have to be part of discussions The North Carolina General Assembly supports free public schools by appropriating money and “delegating decision-making authority to North Carolina’s 115 school administrative units each of which is governed by its own board of education,” according to the North Carolina Association of School Boards According to state law, a consolidation or merger of schools would require: • Approval from the board of county commissioners: • The Board of Education submitting a plan to the State Board of Education The General Assembly could also ratify a bill that approves or disapproves of the merger submitted to affected voters through an election or referendum chairwoman of the Cumberland County Board of Education said she’s not yet heard any discussions about the possibility of a city school district “We haven’t talked about it with the mayor or the city council and that’s something as boards we’d have to discuss but we haven’t heard it as a (school) board as a whole,” Jones said last week Mayor Mitch Colvin said some discussions had been brought up when the council discussed school resource officers but there has not been a council consensus to support proposing a city school district Colvin said he remembers attending Fayetteville City Schools from first through eighth grade and then the school district became Cumberland County Schools the more alignment local government has and the more collaboration the better it is for our citizens,” he said last week we need to be finding out how to do more with city and county services and that’s why I don’t support separating the school district I don’t think it’s efficient from a taxpayer perspective and I’ve not heard a case for why it makes sense.” Colvin said that while some council members did not think the city should “be in the business of” providing school resource officers the majority of council members voted and agreed that it is a responsibility to protect residents and kids in schools Councilwoman Lynne Greene said that she’s not had any conversations with fellow council members about a city-organized school district it’s my responsibility to listen objectively and make the best decisions possible for City residents based on the information before me,” Greene said in a Dec 30 text message to The Fayetteville Observer I don’t currently have enough information to state an opinion one way or the other.” Cumberland County Board of Commissioners' Chairman Kirk deViere who previously served in the General Assembly and on the City Council said he is hopeful that elected leaders across the community look at ways to do more things together find ways to consolidate resources and work for the best interest of residents “I think when you break apart things like (the school system) the cost to the people of our community could be higher and it could be higher to those individual entities,” deViere said last week Parks and recreation divisions in Fayetteville and Cumberland County were consolidated several years ago to serve residents more efficiently “I understand some could say we could do the same with schools Schools across our community and across the state are underfunded and that’s a conversation we’ve been having in the community for a while and a conversation we’re having now,” deViere said deViere said he thinks one of the board’s priorities is to figure out how to invest more in public education local supplement pay for teachers and infrastructure like renovating or building new schools – all of which are county responsibilities “I’m hopeful that we can talk to municipal leaders and community leaders about how we can work together and focus on the roles that each one of us have so we’re not duplicating efforts and duplicating resources,” deViere said “I’m hopeful that leaders are looking for ways to work together so that we can maximize services for our citizens while not duplicating or wasting resources.” DeViere said that as the board of commissioners works on its strategic planning goals figuring out how to make investments in education through teacher supplements and infrastructure is a priority Other county priorities are ensuring residents have access to clean water and affordable housing matters on which deViere said there could be collaboration Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at rriley@faobserver.com or 910-486-3528 A renewed push to explore changing Fayetteville City Council term limits along with other election reform failed to get enough support during a council work session Monday Council members supporting the changes were Mario Benavente Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Jensen and council members Malik Davis Brenda McNair and Courtney Banks-McLaughlin did not support a proposal that was discussed Monday night Discussions about term limits are not new but failed to receive enough support in 2008 and in 2018 when the majority of Fayetteville voters opposed proposed term limit changes.   Fayetteville City Council members currently serve concurrent two-year terms following a citywide election held in odd-numbered years The council includes nine members from single districts who is a voting member and elected at-large Term limitsDuring Monday night’s work session meeting Benavente said “term limits ensure a healthy rotation of leadership prevents stagnation and encourages new voices to participate in shaping our city’s future.”   He recommended that city staff and the city’s police committee research what works in other municipalities and what term limit caps could be Greene said that when she first ran for election in 2023 and she heard that the legalities of making a change should be vetted through the city attorney’s office “I think it would just help us either not have the conversation anymore or continue the conversation one way or another for the policy committee to review it or wherever it needs to land appropriately in whatever committee,” she said Haire said residents voted against the matter before, and there have been discussions since then that have not gained support for the change Benavente said the difference between the discussion Monday night and in prior years is coupling term limits with other election reform ideas “We’re dealing with a different constituency nowadays,” he said “I think that the community has made it clear their concerns with stagnant policymakers and I think there’s an opportunity for us to address that.”   • Consideration of more than two at large city council seats to broaden representation by ensuring council members are accountable to the entire city • Four-year city council terms promote stability and allow leaders to focus on long-term solutions • Even year elections increase voter turnout by aligning city elections with high-profile state and federal elections which allows voters to rank their top candidates • Publicly funded elections “that level the playing field and reduce the influence of big money politics by providing fair publicly funded resources for campaigns.”    “I think really that the question here boils down to whether or not council members believe that we can do things better or whether they’re satisfied with the current way that things are and I think that that’s something that our community has made us aware in multiple ways that they want to see some changes that they want to see that this city could govern better and in a more representative capacity,” Benavente said Hondros said he thinks the city’s policy committee should review what term limits and election reforms could look like and make a recommendation to the council Spring Lake and Hope Mills have four-year staggered terms for their board members Staggered terms could mean the city council doesn’t have a 100% or 50% new board if there are newly elected council members Hondros said he thinks the city could benefit from having at-large council representatives who represent the city as a whole instead of just a particular district rank choice voting and publicly funded campaigns “incorporate the same thing.”   The majority of voters — 56.28 % — voted against a 2022 ballot referendum that sought to have five council members elected from districts and four at-large council members this was about trying to force the will of a change and a process because the outcomes want to be changed,” the mayor said Colvin said only one was a female and only one looks like he does He said that for years the city council looked like the photos on the wall but now leadership and boards in the city are more diverse it’s putting lipstick on a pig to manipulate outcomes and the voters have already talked about two or three or four of these things .. is a direct way to try to manipulate the outcomes.”   “Trying to argue racial politics I think is the true definition of trying to put lipstick on a pig here,” Benavente said “I think this has nothing to do with racial politics I think that’s something I’m incredibly sensitive to.” Benavente is Korean and Peruvian Jensen said she is not against four-year terms but her constituents have mixed opinions on the matter and others “in the middle,” but the majority of voters in all of the council’s districts voted to say they did not want four-year terms  “To make the decision after they told us no Benavente said that when the matter about term limits is singularly presented to voters it is not supported and agreed that voters don’t want four-year terms because they don’t have enough trust He reiterated that he would have preferred the city’s policy committee and city staff to look into the matters to give voters more options to consider instead of a single item like term limits or four at-large council seats Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at rriley@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3528 Benavente Logistic Park is the result of a partnership between Invesco Real Estate and Magna General Contractors The Cuatrecasas team was led by Real Estate and Town Planning lawyer Sofia Gomes da Costa who has extensive experience in advising on transactions involving logistics assets Let us know your interests and receive our legal alerts: These allow the user to browse the website and use the different options or services that it provides They enable the website operation and management The website cannot function properly without these cookies These enable a website to store information such as the preferred language or location of the user and adjust its aspect and settings accordingly These enable user behavior on the website to be tracked and analyzed The information collected using this type of cookies is used to measure website activity and analyze usage data to introduce improvements Benavente will face trial as co-defendants in a sexual assault case come April after Superior Court Judge Vernon Perez denied Benavente's motion to sever his case from Duenas Jury selection and trial are scheduled for April 2 in Perez's courtroom The court had previously denied Duenas' motion for the same in May 2024 2023 on criminal sexual conduct charges following an incident about two months earlier reported to police that she had been sexually assaulted by Benavente and Duenas three nights earlier while at a lounge in Hagåtña The victim reported that she was feeling disoriented and told police she was sexually penetrated Benavente faces one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct charge as a second-degree felony while Duenas faces two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct charge as second-degree felonies Perez had ruled that the court was not persuaded that Duenas would not be unduly prejudiced by being tried jointly with Benavente and that Duenas had not presented any statements by Benavente that directly refer to or implicate Duenas defense attorney Jay Arriola argued that the alleged victim could confuse which defendant had committed which alleged act He also said the discovery shows that the alleged victim had an amicable and possibly romantic or sexual past relationship with Duenas Arriola said it would be a key component of his defense Perez wrote that a jury will be able to assess guilt or innocence of each defendant on an individual and independent basis and that it will be possible for the jury to find that both or only one of the defendants committed the alleged acts He also wrote that any potential prejudice may be resolved through the use of limiting jury instructions Pacific Daily News reporter Jojo Santo Tomas covers all interesting topics, including sports. Email him at jsantotoma@guampdn.com SCENE: Nori Lounge is seen in East Hagåtña on Tuesday Two men accused of raping a 34-year-old woman in August 2023 are scheduled to go to trial in April Justin Peter Benavente and Scott Duenas III appeared in the Superior Court of Guam on Monday morning for a status hearing in a case where they face charges related to the alleged sexual assault of a 34-year-old woman at Nori Lounge in late August 2023 Judge Vernon Perez confirmed the trial is scheduled to begin in April and attorneys have until March 11 to complete negotiations and indicate if the trial will go as planned Duenas' counsel David Lujan responded that he is ready for trial then explained that a "DNA issue remains outstanding at this time." who appeared on behalf of the Office of the Attorney General responded that she would follow up with investigators on the status of the DNA request Perez concluded the hearing by asking parties to return to court in March for a pretrial conference Benavente and Duenas were accused of sexually assaulting a woman on Aug and both were charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct as second-degree felonies According to a magistrate's complaint filed in the Superior Court of Guam after having consumed alcoholic drinks with friends stopped by Nori Lounge and sat next to Benavente Her next memory was that she woke to her legs being spread apart The woman told police that she was naked and Duenas had forced himself on her while Benavente forced her to perform fellatio “She stated that she felt disoriented and confused at the time,” the complaint said the woman passed out and later awoke naked An employee of the lounge told police that the woman appeared “heavily intoxicated” and had slurred speech Between 130 and 150 people participated in the rally to protest the Trump administration Cities across the United States held similar rallies CBS17.com who is currently on Fayetteville City Council announced he is running to be the city's next mayor announced he is running to be the city's next mayor Push for higher teacher pay in North Carolina The Carolina Hurricanes are ready for the start of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs which starts Tuesday night against the Washington Capitals Mayor Mitch Colvin and the Fayetteville City Council is holding an emergency meeting Monday to address violent crime in the city The man was shot and killed at the Barton’s Landing Place gated condo community in Fayetteville on Sunday morning An employee was shot and killed at a gas station convenience store late Saturday night and the Harnett County Sheriff's Office is still looking for the suspect Job Alert: US Customs and Border Protection Future plans for Wake County parks and trails Avelo Airlines cancels Bahamas route at RDU Wake County plans to invest in local parks and trails Teen shot and killed in Durham neighborhood 2024 at 3:46 pm PT.css-79elbk{position:relative;}Left to right: Councilmember Dominic Aliano; Vice Mayor Laura Nakamura; Mayor Carlyn Obringer; Councilmember Laura Hoffmeister and Councilmember Pablo Benavente CA—The Concord City Council welcomed a new member and bid farewell to the outgoing mayor at its meeting Tuesday Councilmember Carlyn Obringer was sworn into her third term and Councilmember Pablo Benavente took the oath of office for his first term Obringer and Benavente ran in contested races in the Nov Obringer was re-elected to Council by over 75 percent of District 2 voters Benavente represents District 4 after a tight four-way race that pitted him against incumbent Councilmember Edi Birsan The final election results showed Benavente leading Birsan by 109 votes Birsan was close behind with 34.24 percent all council members and several people from the community recognized and thanked Birsan for his 12 years of service on the City Council and for his leadership as mayor The newly seated Council selected Obringer as mayor and District 5 Councilmember Laura Nakamura as vice mayor for the year ahead Mayor Obringer highlighted the work ahead for the five-person City Council which is rounded out by District 3 Councilmember Dominic Aliano and District 1 Councilmember Laura Hoffmeister "We have a variety of areas where we’ve made progress but there is much more work to do," Obringer said The top priorities in 2025 include roadway improvements and the redevelopment of the former Concord Naval weapons station Obringer was first elected to the Concord City Council in November 2016 and was re-elected in 2020 and 2024 She served as mayor in 2019 and as vice mayor in 2018 and 2024 Obringer served as chair of the Planning Commission and as a member of the city’s Design Review Board Obringer is a regional leader who chairs the East Bay Regional Park District Parks Advisory Committee and is a founding Diablo Valley Tech Initiative member She serves on the Contra Costa Airport Land Use Committee and represents the Contra Costa Mayors Conference on the East Bay Economic Development Alliance and the Innovate 680 Policy Advisory Committee Obringer has also served as the chairperson for TRANSPAC a Central County regional transportation planning body Benavente grew up in Concord and attended local schools He continued his education at California State University East Bay earning a bachelor's degree in political science Benavente has been involved in the community as a volunteer with organizations such as the Economic Opportunity Council of Contra Costa and as chair of the Board of Monument Impact a community-based nonprofit focused on immigrant refugee and low-income communities in Concord Benavente is a technology industry-government relations professional He previously worked for the Service Employees International Union —SEIU —and the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers — IFPTE —Local 21 Recreation and Open Space Committee before his election to the City Council Every year the outgoing mayor honors someone who has gone above and beyond for the Concord community Mayor Birsan recognized Mary Rae Lehman and former Concord Mayor Michael Pastrick with the Mayor’s 2024 Community Service Award for their work leading the nonprofit Concord Ambassadors organization which manages the city’s relationship with its sister city and a committee of community members worked to organize the 50th anniversary of the sister-city relationship This culminated in a four-day visit by a delegation from Kitakami in October The visit included a tour of Concord and the greater Bay Area multiple social events and a formal dinner "For the unbelievable amount of work they did they have been the heart and soul of the Kitakami sister city effort," Birsan said "They are totally deserving of all our recognition and our thanks They made it possible for us to be reminded that we are not alone; we are part of an international network called the human race." Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content A Texas woman was reduced to tears after she saw her dad was staring at his phone screen In a short TikTok video Sonia Benavente (@soniabte2000) showed viewers her reaction to catching her 65-year-old father staring at his phone screensaver—a picture of him and his late wife Benavente told Newsweek that since her mom passed away in 2019 Her mom's death was unexpected: "My mom had been ill for a couple of days and passed away in her sleep peacefully My dad went to wake her up in the morning and she never woke up." making this past week especially difficult for Benavente and her dad Benavente's mom wasn't just loved by her own family Every stranger she met was her friend,"Benavente said where she would "make her rounds," as Benavente put it She would go and say hi to the workers in the local stores and even bring them breakfast burritos Her mother's passing hit Benavente particularly hard because of an argument they had shortly before she died "I had not spoken to her and I got the call that she had passed away I never got to tell her I'm sorry and that I love her," she said Benavente is now a firm believer in not holding grudges and telling someone that you love them "You never know if today is the last time you get to talk to your loved one," she added Benavente's clip has garnered 3 million views and over 551,000 likes. The comments were flooded with other users experiencing grief "My dad carries a photo of my mama in his wallet Another shared how they had found an old bottle of her mom's perfume and their dad was caught holding it up to his nose "I still can't change my screensaver of my moms last txt message and it's been 5 years," a third user shared and some days it hits you like a ton of bricks Grief definitely comes in waves," she said Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground Newsweek is committed to journalism that is factual and fair We value your input and encourage you to rate this article Newsletters in your inbox See all helped Team Guam win the gold medal in men's basketball at the South Pacific Games in 1979 in Suva FATHER AND SONS: In this undated family photo Ashley Gomez and Katarina Benavente; sisters Julie Gomez and Joanne Pascual; John Terlaje Along with helping Guam’s men’s national basketball team earn a gold medal at the South Pacific Games in 1979 in Fiji was the first local football and basketball referee And as president of the Marianas Sports Officials Association could often be seen officiating youth and high school football games With 46 years of officiating games on Guam the jovial referee earned the respect of players during timeouts and halftime intermissions and as a DJ pumped in music for all at the field to hear Besides calling games and helping athletes develop safely and fairly enjoyed entertaining others and making them feel good “We’re definitely going to miss him,” said John B.’s younger brother Joe Benavente sharing that he loved him dearly and learned so much from his older brother and other family members were stateside at a nephew’s wedding reception the dance floor remained vacant – that’s until John B grabbed the microphone and began belting out one of his favorite songs by one of his go-to artists: “Can’t Get Enough of your Love the dance floor got packed,” Joe Benavente said As John B.’s illness began taking hold and tried its best to slow him down he stayed committed to living his life on his own terms Even when he was too sick to run the length of the field and officiate games to the fullest of his capacity moved the sticks and chains – and stayed in the game Unwilling to let the illness dictate his life As a proud member of the Guam Marianas Lions Club District 204 he cherished their mission of helping the less fortunate Even though he was battling for his own life he didn’t let that deter him from raising money to help schoolchildren who needed glasses to ask for donations for their fundraiser,” Joe Benavente said It’s this type of unselfishness that Joe Benavente will always remember and cherish especially when he looks across at his brother’s empty seat at the breakfast table he would go to his sister Julie's house to spend time with her and her family “He had been coming to the house for breakfast for I don't know how many years,” Joe Benavente told the Post the words barely audible for anyone to hear 13 was the last time his brother attended family breakfast John B.’s health deteriorated further and he was hospitalized with brothers and sisters and other family members by his bedside spending their last moments together virtually his sisters began singing “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love Babe.” And as the room filled with love and song raised his arms into the air as high as he could “He was putting his arms up like he wanted to dance We were crying our hearts out towards the end Stepfather Adriel Pascual and son Christopher at Santa Barbara Catholic Church's upper level Hope to see you someday,” Joe Benavente said Cushman & Wakefield has facilitated the placement of Torrestir a renowned company in the transport and logistics sector This lease operation covers an area of 43,500 sq.m The Benavente Logistic Park is a joint initiative by Invesco Real Estate and Magna General Contractors and it will be developed in various construction phases in an urban redevelopment area of the Benavente municipality The aim is to boost the economic dynamism of the municipality enabled by its geographical location and existing accessibility Torrestir will occupy an already completed warehouse the first occupants of this logistics complex Sérgio Nunes Director of the Industrial Department at Cushman & Wakefield shared his views on this new occupancy: “We believe that this new position of Torrestir will meet the increasing demands of occupants who are increasingly looking for certified warehouses with greater volume and strategic locations.” With a total area of 90,717 sq.m the development is located on the N118 in Benavente near the access junction to the A10-Ponte da Lezíria which connects to the A1 (Lisbon-Porto) and the A6 stated: “We decided to concentrate our operations in this modern Logistic Park This property is strategic for us and will meet the highest standards of service quality required by our clients we also managed to optimise our systems and believe we have made the right choice to continue delivering excellent performance.” Cushman & Wakefield represents Abreu Logistics in the leasing of a logistics warehouse with approximately 19,500 sq.m in Palmela Miguel Sena • 29/04/2025 has started marketing the Castilho 26 office building in Lisbon Miguel Sena • 11/04/2025 Sheriff Ennis Wright said the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office is currently short-staffed and unable to provide sufficient school resource officers (SROs) and traffic control for all the county schools the Sheriff's Office can only serve schools outside municipal areas surprised the Cumberland County School Board and the towns of Spring Lake and Hope Mills school board members swiftly sprung into action with the traditional school year looming just over a month away Hope Mills has already devised a comprehensive staffing plan with five SROs and 11 traffic control officers extending its commitment to provide SROs for another year to Spring Lake More: Williams: Finding the will to stop the cycle of violence in Fayetteville While Fayetteville presents a more significant challenge requiring a substantial number of SROs and traffic control officers Police Chief Kemberle Braden's commitment is unwavering Despite the two-year timeline to become fully staffed Chief Braden's words resonate with hope: "I recognize the value of a School Resource Officer program and how it contributes to the concept of community policing." More: Fayetteville activist: We are all impacted by gun violence. Here is what we can do. Fayetteville City Council Member Mario Benavente has expressed reservations about police presence in the schools He has solicited letters from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Southern Coalition for Social Justice in which they have strongly recommended specific wording for the Memorandums of Agreement (MOAs) between the city of Fayetteville and the police department's SRO program Benavente's concerns are supported by strong statistical evidence In the letter to the City Council from the Southern Coalition for Social Justice they cite the years 2022-2023: 21.7% of juvenile referrals originated in Cumberland County Schools 79.2% of which involved Black students (despite Black Students making up only 45.5% of the district's student population.) These troubling racial disparities are cause for concern but it's important to recognize that they may not provide the full picture Benavente cast the dissenting vote when the Council moved forth voting 9-1 He said: “When we received that data it was summarily ignored We fell to the high-pressure sales tactics and fear mongering.” School resource officers (SROs) have been essential to school safety since the 1950s and their presence became more prevalent in the 1990s They further ensure a secure environment for our students but schools have become more dangerous places for teachers and students a male Parkland High School student was accused of slapping a female teacher multiple times during a profanity-filled classroom outburst in front of laughing classmates Donovan Faulkner served as an SRO for one year with the FPD and eight years with the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office "I believe that having law enforcement presence in schools is necessary especially in the post-Columbine mass school shooting era." an at-large school board member for 22 years stated: "I am proud of how the entire community has come together to make this happen I firmly believe that our schools will be safer when this transition is over." Troy Williams is a member of The Fayetteville Observer Community Advisory Board He is a legal analyst and criminal defense investigator He can be reached at talk2troywilliams@yahoo.com LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — A trail of blood and a cut to the suspect's hand led police to arresting him for the murder of another manin the east Las Vegas valley was booked over the weekend on suspicion of open murder in the killing of Joseph Benavente Benavente was found stabbed death on the Flamingo Arroyo Trail Las Vegas Metropolitan Police wrote that an autopsy of Benavente found stab sounds to his neck and right upper arm A doctor with the coroner's office said Benavente's injury "would have required significant force," and detectives believed whoever attacked Benavente hurt themself Police investigated the scene where Benavente was found and discovered a trail of blood droplets that continued along the trail Witnesses told police that Benavente was acting erratically and was seen with a knife at a homeless encampment One witness said several people in the camp tried to get Benavente to leave and he eventually walked away Several names and two paragraphs of the arrest report are completely redacted but at least one witness told police that on May 31 Ruvalcaba said he was "hot," or on the run That witness said they were told Ruvalcaba and a woman stabbed someone who said he was not involved in a fight or stabbing He said he hurt his elbow in a skateboarding accident a crime scene analyst saw "an apparent sharp force injury" on his left hand Ruvalcaba was arrested on May 31 and is being held at Clark County Detention Center without bail A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 17 Start Here Resources to help everyone in rowing keep the sport safe and clean and to safeguard participants Safe Sport Resources Competition calendars plus information about entering organising and volunteering at rowing competitions Racing and the popular British Rowing Indoor Championships Indoor Rowing The GB Rowing Team is the high performance arm of British Rowing GB Rowing Team Nicola Benavente has been appointed GB Rowing Team’s new Paralympic Head Coach Nicola has worked as Paralympic High Performance Coach for two years establishing fantastic relationships across the squad and winning her first Paralympic gold and silver medals at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games These successes complemented two World Championship golds at the 2023 World Rowing Championships with the PR3 Mix4+ and PR2 Mix2x Nicola was a GB Rowing Team Start coach from 2014 to 2022 where she was most recently instrumental in establishing Matt Haywood as a leading sculler within the Olympic men’s programme Nicola was part of the UK Sport female coaches leadership programme in 2021 and was selected onto the UK Sport Coaching in High-Performance Sport programme in 2023 Nicola said: “I am honoured to be appointed Head Coach for the Paralympic team I’m excited to continue working with such a great group of athletes and to continue to build on the success of Paris 2024.” Louise Kingsley GB Rowing Team Director of Performance said: “Nicola is an outstanding talented coach who delivered great success with a gold medal for the PR3 Mixed coxed four and a silver medal for the PR3 Mixed double in Paris She is well respected amongst the athletes and staff and with her strong vision for leading the programme I am confident the squad will be in great hands with her at the helm.” Recruitment to find a new High Performance Coach for the Paralympic Squad will get underway in 2025 Order yours now Benavente has stepped down as NMI Republican Party president In a letter to local GOP officers dated Nov Benavente said he was vacating the president’s position effective Nov He said as an active NMI Republican Party member for more than 38 years “I feel that it is time for me to step aside and allow the next generation of leaders to carry on with the GOP mandates.” “Please know that I will always continue to help and support our party,” he added Benavente served the Commonwealth for 16 years in the CNMI House of Representatives and four years as lt “During a recent meeting with the GOP officers earlier I announced that I would be stepping down as president … to the point where it’s been hard to cope with the stress and pressure that as party president I had to deal with.” “I truly believe that it is time for our next generation of leaders to carry us forward and lead us into the future.” He was elected party president in August 2023 Benavente poses for a photo during an interview on Monday Palacios and Department of Public Works Secretary Ray N Yumul for making Precinct 1 road projects a reality referring to the ongoing Obyan Beach and Ladder Beach road projects It was Benavente who authored Saipan Local Law 23-9 which allotted $503,900 in exclusive casino license fee and poker fee collections for the Obyan Beach Road reconstruction project; and S.L.L which re-appropriated $376,800 to fund the paving of the Ladder Beach Road Benavente said he is happy to see that the two road projects Ada/Saipan International Airport in Dandan He said both roads have been in bad shape for many years The Obyan Beach Road project covers the downhill stretch from Route 302 to the parking lot of the beach park while the Ladder Beach paving project spans from Route 302 to the Ladder Beach parking lot “A lot of people are asking about our representation of our precinct,” Benavente said “I know it is very valid for them to ask that question Now I would like to report to my constituents that these infrastructure projects that had been dormant for a while will be completed soon," he added He said since he was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2012 he has been focusing on infrastructure projects that directly benefit his constituents in Precinct 1 said in response to Precinct 1 residents’ clamor for the improvement of the Obyan Beach and Ladder Beach roads he identified the remaining balances of gambling revenue appropriated by various local laws With the help of the administration of Gov Benavente said he was able to tap leftover funds for the Obyan Beach and Ladder Beach road projects "I reconsolidated those funds and I put them together for these road projects that will serve not only the local residents but also tourists because I want to make our island more presentable to our visitors," Benavente said He said after the governor signed the local bills he made sure that DPW solicited bids for the projects as soon as possible He is very grateful to the administration for making sure that his local appropriation measures were “put into action.” Benavente also helped improve the Koblerville Children’s Park by using his office funds to purchase and install play equipment and a pavilion in the area pending the construction of a permanent park whose funding source is the $380,000 provided by the National Park Service's land and water conservation program and implemented by the Office of Grants Management Aside from the Koblerville Children's Park project he said NPS also funded the construction of Pakpak Beach Park in San Antonio in the amount of $495,000 He said he is thankful to the OGM for “moving these projects forward.” During his second term as Precinct 1 House member Benavente used his office funds to build bus shelters in Koblerville two pavilions in San Antonio and two pavilions at Obyan Beach school children are still using the bus shelters in Koblerville and local residents continue to enjoy the pavilions at Obyan and San Antonio beach parks The Fayetteville City Council voted 5-3 Monday to petition the courts to release police body camera video that show an officer striking a police K-9 multiple times in June after police officials say the dog bit him Councilman Mario Benavente made the motion during a work session Monday City Attorney Lachelle Pulliam said that because the consensus vote at the work session was not unanimous it will be a regular agenda item at an upcoming monthly City Council meeting “I believe it’s our duty as a City Council who has the authority to direct our city staff — particularly our city manager to direct his staff: the chief of police — to release body cam footage that we’re legally allowed to,” Benavente said Deno Hondros and Brenda McNair supported Benavente’s motion Derrick Thompson and Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Jensen voted against it Mayor Mitch Colvin was excused from the portion of the meeting when the vote was taken while a vote was not recorded for Councilwoman Courtney Banks-McLaughlin who called in remotely earlier in the meeting Benavente said he read concerns about the issue in comments on the city’s Facebook page after video of the incident circulated on social media in late June City Attorney Pulliam said that release of the video requires a court order Benavente said that releasing the video would back up the Police Department’s findings from last month that stated the dog bit the officer in the thigh during an external “sniff” of a motor vehicle that had been stopped. “The reason you have these body cams are so that the people can have trust and transparency within our city government (and) that we’re holding ourselves accountable to their concerns," he said. "There’s no reason to have these cameras if we’re not going to release the footage when the people have questions about it,” Councilman Haire asked Police Chief Kemberle Braden if the video shows more than what’s been seen on social media. Braden said video on social media is not “the entirety” of what happened, and that it only starts at the end of the dog biting the officer and does not show what happened beforehand. Braden said what happened before was captured on body and security cameras. Benavente said he thinks releasing the video is relevant because when he watched the social media video, he did not see the canine biting the officer. “I just see sort of maybe the actions of the officer that occurred afterwards," he said. "I think this is an opportunity for us to all make sure that we’re being totally transparent with the people." 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By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy which houses both the Superior Court of Guam and the Supreme Court of Guam The two men accused of criminal sexual conduct from an incident at Nori Lounge in August 2023 are headed for trial despite unresolved DNA evidence from one of the alleged assailants Benavente and Scott Duenas III appeared before Presiding Judge Vernon P Perez Monday in the Superior Court of Guam for a status hearing regarding DNA evidence in Benavente’s case The defense is prepared to move forward with the trial We are ready for trial,” defense attorney David Lujan there is still an outstanding issue with the DNA evidence Benavente remains outstanding at this time,” defense attorney William Brennan said Brennan was substituting for attorney Jay Arriola who is representing Benavente for Monday’s hearing Arriola has on his trial calendar,” he said Prosecuting attorney Kathleen O’Neill said the government will follow up on the matter “I’m gonna have to follow up with the investigators on the status of the DNA request,” she said where the court expects final trial preparations to be made Probation has reported no negative information about the defendants Benavente and Duenas are facing charges of sexually assaulting a 34-year-old woman at Nori’s Lounge in Tamuning on Aug Duenas had assaulted her while Benavente forced her to perform oral sex An employee at the lounge reported that the woman appeared heavily intoxicated and had slurred speech Contact reporter Julianne Hernandez at jhernandez@guampdn.com or 671-483-1429 Additional funds to finish the Mazarick Park tennis center project were approved by the Fayetteville City Council last week Despite opposition by some of the council members who said they didn't have enough time to review the details the council ultimately approved the additional $1.9 million for the Mazarick Park tennis center project Deno Hondros and Lynne Greene voted against it 13 he wanted to delay the approval because of the issues with the project being abandoned “People really want us to measure twice and cut once,” Benavente said “This one having such a sordid history around it we need to be more careful than what is typical because what was typical got us into the situation.”  The former contractor — Mohammad Construction LLC later rebranded as Apex Contracting Group — was awarded several city contracts starting in 2022 but walked away from multiple projects including the Rosehill Road sidewalk project and Mazarick Park Tennis Center Hondros said he felt as though there was not enough information included to approve the additional funds as well as many tax paying residents prefer that all pertinent data be included in our packets,” Hondros said by email “This arms council with valuable information required to make the best most informed decision for the tax paying residents ensures we are being good stewards of taxpayer dollars and helps build trust between residents and their local government.”  Benavente echoed Hondros' desire for transparency and said he wants to go beyond the norm in terms of providing all of the details about the project because of its past “There is a unique level of concern around this specific project that I think we owe deference to citizens who have concerns about it and want to see all the details around these deals again I'm open to having sort of a unique exception in this case,” Benavente said Hondros acknowledged the importance of completing the tennis center project and other stalled municipal projects He expressed his commitment to ensuring that these projects are completed on time and within budget he suggested that additional steps be taken to guarantee the success of the project “A forensic and/or performance audit has been mentioned,” Hondros said I prefer the latter as it not only ensures financial accuracy but also efficacy.”   Benavente said that the additional funds are justified as it is more costly to take over a project midway explaining that the new contractor may run into errors made by the old contractor much like a new attorney may fix a case after a dissatisfied client has already worked with another attorney “It's more expensive to be the second person than the first person,” he said “And I think that apparently that’s true when it comes to construction stuff — they don’t want to be on the hook for shoddy work."  Approval urged to avoid delaysMayor Pro Tem Kathy Jensen voted to approve the additional funds at the Feb 10 meeting and said she did not want to cause delays in completing the project She said she spoke with Assistant City Manager Adam Lindsay who assured her that construction on the building would continue even if additional funds for the project were delayed though her concern remained that the tennis court construction would be postponed "If we hold (approving the additional funds) off for a week the construction on the building will still happen," she said "But the construction on the tennis courts will be held back a week An agreement between the city of Fayetteville and Cumberland County Schools for the city to provide school resource officers and traffic control officers in city schools was signed Thursday county and school board representatives discussed the matter at a joint Fayetteville-Cumberland Liaison Committee meeting Thursday at Fayetteville City Hall Sheriff Ennis Wright notified police chiefs in each of Cumberland County’s municipalities that his department could no longer provide the staffing for schools outside the county's jurisdiction School Board Chair Deanna Jones said at the meeting that schools will “be covered” in time for the Aug 26 start of the traditional school year based on the agreement that the district has signed City Manager Doug Hewett said he looked forward to signing the agreement Thursday afternoon In addition to the Fayetteville Police Department providing the school resource officers Hewett said the city will start with 66 traffic control officers and “supplement the rest.” Fayetteville Councilman Mario Benavente pressed Jones about the school district not having the same level of "full" coverage compared to what the Sheriff’s Office maintained but we’re doing the best we can,” Jones responded Benavente said he would still like to review data of disciplinary issues and law enforcement responses in the schools Hewett said because the incidents involve minors The exchange grew tense when Benavente further pressed school district officials about whether they would be open to an agreement on programming to reduce juvenile delinquency and suspensions of minority students Benavente said the city now “owns” those statistics because a line no longer exits that used to separate the city from the schools when the sheriff managed the school resource office program “We want to be very deliberate and clear that we want to impact those numbers,” he said Cumberland County Commissioners’ Chairman Glenn Adams said he thinks the matter should be discussed with the school district superintendent and entire school board Mayor Mitch Colvin said the data Benavente referenced about juvenile arrests in schools is unverified and he thinks it puts the district at an unfair advantage to have the school board chair agree to a commitment without further discussion City Mayor Pro Tem Kathy Jensen clarified Benavente’s point that the city’s police force will now be in schools making the city “own” the number of juveniles arrested if something happens in a school Jensen said any 911 call made from a school in Fayetteville is now handled by the police department Colvin said nothing has changed with 911 calls compared to prior years Hewett said city staffers can review Benavente’s point in the future because the city and school district agreement makes mention of both entities collaborating to develop ideas to better refine the school resource officer program Benavente said he would like to see funding go toward social workers since the county is no longer funding school resource and traffic control officers out of the sheriff’s budget Adams said Thursday’s meeting was not the time or place for that conversation He said it would be something the school district would bring to the county if it wanted funding in that specific area Benavente was ardent that the matter “needed to be said,” prompting Adams to repeat several times that Benavente does not know what money the county has in its budget Jones reported that the district has roughly 57,000 students and 6,000 staff members She told committee members that the district’s priorities include safety with the district installing metal detectors for the upcoming school year as an update to school security measures She also provided officials with the number of unfilled positions in the school district She said the district is short 49 exceptional program teachers for special needs students Committee members also received an update on the city’s pedestrian plan study which evaluates where sidewalks and crosswalks will be in the city A representative for the city’s agency conducting the study said they're working on a supplemental study to determine where school crosswalks should be located The city has an online survey for resident input on the matter before an in-person meeting is scheduled for Aug 28 at the Fayetteville Area System of Transit building Amusement park and aquatics centerCommittee members also discussed whether to move forward on bringing an amusement park to the area Adams said the county has other budget priorities at the moment and is not in agreeance to help fund the amusement park initiative City and county representatives did agree to further discussions on a plan for an aquatics center in the area Fayetteville-Cumberland County Parks and Recreation Director Michael Gibson said the idea is to have a 35,000-square-foot aquatics center with three pools — a competition pool a therapy area and a play area similar to Great Wolf Lodge; and 700-1,000 seats for the public and a human performance center on the second floor Gibson said it would differ from Hoke County’s aquatics center and could cost from $35 million to $40 million County Commissioner Jimmy Keefe pointed out that the county does not have an indoor swimming pool for students and competitive swimmers Officials said they foresee the discussions continuing with stakeholders Nelson Public Service Building that houses the Guam Power Authority and Guam Waterworks Authority in Mangilao on June 29 Guam Waterworks Authority General Manager Miguel Bordallo will get a $38,939 pay raise while Guam Power Authority General Manager John Benavente will get a $9,360 bump in pay starting Jan The Consolidated Commission on Utilities approved the pay raises Tuesday after both agency heads got positive scores on their annual evaluations Both Benavente and Bordallo scored a “4” on a 5-point scale That’s equivalent to a grade of “exceeds expectations” on their evaluations commissioners rate the two general managers and other top officials at the utilities commissioners stressed the difficulty with finding competent people who could fill either general manager’s role While Bordallo’s pay bump is more than four times bigger than Benavente’s the GPA general manager was already making considerably more and will continue to earn more after the adjustment Benavente was already making more money than GPA aims to pay employees GPA Personnel Services Administrator Jon-Rey Aguiugi told the CCU Tuesday Benavente was above the 30th market percentile which would mean Benavente made less than 70% of people with the same job nationally But Commissioner Simon Sanchez floated the 4% raise in light of Benavente’s efforts to get the island’s electrical grid working after the devastation of Typhoon Mawar last year and yet he continued to move the company forward,” Sanchez said while the island faced hundreds of hours of rolling blackouts a month in the aftermath of Mawar’s damage GPA has added more power generation capacity to the grid since then and load shedding is down to just a few hours a month Sanchez on Tuesday touted Benavente’s work to get a firm September 2025 deadline to activate the Ukudu power plant He said Benavente had “tremendous experience,” and had also helped GPA to get more renewable energy into the grid ahead of schedule Commissioners voted without objection to approve the raise Commissioner Michael Limtiaco recused himself from the vote Benavente will be making around the 55th to 60th market percentile meaning he would be making more money than half of the people with the same job nationally he was earning at about the 20th market percentile prior to getting a raise according to GWA Personnel Services Administrator Zina Pangelinan-Charfauros That means about 80% of people with the same job nationally make more money Pangelinan-Charfauros told the CCU that a raise to $210,651 annually would bring him in line with the 25th market percentile earning less than 75% of people with the same job Commissioner Sanchez initially recommended a performance bump up to $219,204 really good job with a very difficult company to do a good job with,” Sanchez said But Commissioner Pedro Roy Martinez said he felt Bordallo’s pay should be higher in light of the large amount of work GWA will have in the coming years GWA is anticipated to start almost $900 million worth of water and sewer improvements over the course of the next five years Martinez wanted Bordallo’s salary to be in line with Benavente’s Commissioners ultimately landed on the final adjustment up to $233,265 a year for Bordallo Commissioner Limtiaco and CCU Vice Chairman Francis Santos both recused themselves from the vote due to a familial relationship with Bordallo Reach reporter Joe Taitano II at JTaitano@guampdn.com Benavente Middle School launch a weather balloon on Nov 2024 as part of their participation in the Data Evaluation from Testing via an Educational Challenge with Teachers and Students Science Timothy Andersen and Rick of the Guam Amateur Radio Club In the middle row are teacher Elmer Nazareta Benavente Middle School students launched a high-altitude weather balloon from their campus on Nov giving them an opportunity to engage in a real-world scientific experiment and be inspired to become the next generation of scientists and researchers The middle school students participated in the Data Evaluation from Testing via an Educational Challenge with Teachers and Students Science the Guam Department of Education said in a release is an educational initiative that provides students with hands-on experience in scientific research and atmospheric studies This project is a testament to the power of collaboration between educational institutions such as GDOE and the University of Alabama in Huntsville The BMS students not only gained practical knowledge in atmospheric science but also honed their skills in conducting experiments and interpreting data with the aid of computer tools Such projects are invaluable in sparking curiosity and fostering a love for science among young learners preparing them for future educational and career opportunities in STEM fields not only students from FB Leon Guerrero Middle School but also Jose Rios Middle School and Oceanview Middle School will gain valuable insights into the practical aspects of scientific inquiry The launch scheduled for late December will not only serve as a significant learning experience but also contribute to the broader scientific community’s understanding of atmospheric conditions SoccerWire is publishing Q&A articles with recently-committed players who have Featured Profiles in the SoccerWire Recruiting Directory The series allows players to share their stories on the college recruiting process In this edition we will showcase Catalina Benavente, who has verbally committed to play NCAA Division I soccer in 2025 at UNC Greensboro. Benavente plays travel soccer in the ECNL for FC Prime. Benavente plays for FC Prime in the ECNL and is the captain of the South Fork Varsity High School team. SoccerWire: What made you decide to commit to UNC Greensboro? SW: What was the recruiting process like and what did you learn about yourself while going through it? SW: When did you first start playing midfield and what do you like most about the position? SM: What are your favorite subjects in school and what do you think you would like to study in college? CB: My favorite subject in school is History because I like to learn about the past and what it used to be like. I think I would like to study architecture or forensics in college, but I’m still undecided. SW: Outside of soccer, what clubs, organizations, and/or jobs are you involved in? CB: Outside of soccer, I am a member of Student Aces and the International Baccalaureate Program. I also participate in various community service and volunteering opportunities. I just started taking flying lessons and love to play pickleball in my spare time. SW: What are some of your soccer New Year’s Resolutions that you have for 2024? In other words, what are some of your goals for yourself on the field and for your club team and your high school team? CB: My goal is to continue improving my endurance, speed, and agility to maintain peak physical conditions throughout matches. I want to help my club team perform consistently well in our league matches the rest of the season. And, in high school I want to work collectively with my team so we can make a run deep into the playoffs while setting a positive example for my younger teammates as team captain. SW: What are your favorite pair of cleats that you have ever owned? CB: My Lime Green Nike Mercurial Victory VI DF FG. They were like magic boots! SW: What was your experience been like playing for FC prime? CB: Playing for FC Prime has been an overall positive experience. The ECNL platform provides an elite level of competition which is constantly challenging me to elevate my game and showcase my skills at the highest level. This exposure has been invaluable for my personal growth as a player. Additionally, the visibility to college coaches has provided a fantastic pathway for me to fulfill my dreams of playing soccer at next level. SW: If you could give one piece of advice to a younger player that wants to play at a high level, what would it be? CB: Consistency is key. Train regularly and mind over matter. It’s not just about the hours you put in but the quality of your training. Focus on improving a little each day rather than aiming for overnight success. And remember, pushing through injuries and challenges is a big part of reaching that high level. Finally, in that important game, use your nerves as energy! SW Is there anyone that you would like to give a shoutout to who has helped you both off and on the field? Join the SoccerWire College Soccer Recruiting Search Engine and learn how to be seen OVER 1 MILLION TIMES PER YEAR. This site uses cookies to give you the best possible experience but do not collect personal information. By continuing to use the site you agree that we can save cookies on your device. For more information, please read our privacy policy. A 66-year-old woman riding in the back seat of a car was arrested on a drug charge after the vehicle was stopped by police on Oct. 21, according to a magistrate’s complaint filed in Superior Court. Doris Asuncion Mendiola Benavente was charged with possession of a Schedule II controlled substance. Police stopped the car, described in the complaint as a “suspect vehicle in a reported burglary,” at 3:25 p.m. Oct. 21 along Route 28 near Catalina Street in Dededo. The officer who questioned Benavente said she was “moving constantly” while sitting in the back seat and was looking at the floor near her feet. She was shifting her jaw from side to side and was grinding her teeth, according to the complaint. The officer asked her to step out of the vehicle. “He observed that she was jittery, her eyes were twitching and she was reaching for imaginary objects in the air,” the complaint stated. “He also noted that she was speaking gibberish. She had difficulty exiting the vehicle and appeared to be unable to control her movements.” The officer conducted a pat down and found three bags with methamphetamine and a straw with one end sealed. He also found a clear glass pipe with methamphetamine residue in Benavente’s waistband and seven $100 bills. At the precinct, she told police the drugs and the pipe belonged to her, and said a friend – whom she refused to name – gave her the items earlier in the day. She said the money was from her COLA, and she planned to use it to buy a generator. Benavente “continued to display uncontrolled movements. The officer observed that she was twitching, sliding off the chair and rambling,” the complaint stated. Volume 10 - 2023 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2023.1112996 This article is part of the Research TopicVascular Involvement in Eye DiseasesView all 15 articles The benign public perception of myopia (nearsightedness) as a visual inconvenience masks the severity of its sight-threatening consequences Myopia is a significant risk factor for posterior pole conditions such as maculopathy These associations strongly suggest that myopic eyes might experience vascular alterations prior to the development of complications Myopic eyes are out of focus because they are larger in size which in turn affects their overall structure and function By reviewing the vascular changes that characterize myopia this review aims to provide an understanding of the gross cellular and molecular alterations identified at the structural and functional levels with the goal to provide an understanding of the latest evidence in the field of experimental and clinical myopia vascular research we hypothesize that the interaction between excessive myopic eye growth and vascular alterations are tipping-points for the development of sight-threatening changes the controversy is no longer whether myopia is genetic or environmental but whether we can identify the variables that interact in this multifactorial condition there are no preventive markers for myopic degeneration which is predicted to threaten the eyesight of five billion people by 2050 Myopic eyes have thinner choroids and scleras and they can have secondary macular defects in Bruch’s membrane along with a complete loss of retinal pigment epithelium which confirms the effect of myopia on the ocular vasculature Until recently, the perfusion features of the human myopic eye had only been studied in human pathological myopia (27, 28) and experimental models of myopia (29–33) This review aims to summarize the latest evidence and controversies in the field of experimental and clinical myopia vascular research by addressing the structural and functional gross cellular and molecular vascular alterations identified in myopic eyes Due to the variety of techniques available it is imperative to consider the unique technical anatomical and clinical characteristics of each instrument when interpreting outcomes Schematic summary describing key vascular findings identified in myopic eyes to date optical coherence tomography angiography; BMP2 and BMP4 bone morphogenetic proteins 2 and 4; CD34 and CD55 transmembrane proteins CD34 and CD55; Flt-1 vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1; TGF-β1 transforming growth factor beta receptor; cAMP neuronal isoform of nitric oxide; Hif-1α The alterations observed in healthy myopic eyes may be precursors of changes seen in pathological myopia and possibly involved in the pathophysiology of myopic degeneration: decreased density of the deep radial capillary plexus and a reduction in OA blood flow that relates to the severity of the retinal degeneration (27) This suggests that early vascular anatomical and functional differences between moderate and high myopes need to be evaluated longitudinally and might represent clinically applicable biomarkers of early pathologic myopia Whether or not these adaptations are beneficial or harmful to the developing retina remains to be investigated Myopic macular degeneration, glaucoma, choroidal neovascularization, retinal detachment, posterior staphyloma and cataract amongst the most prevalent myopia complications (167) In this section we review the vascular features of these myopia-associated conditions to help understand the vascular nature of myopia A relationship between lens opacity and hypertension was identified in the initial cross-sectional phase of the Beaver Dam Eye Study (201). However, this relationship was not confirmed once the longitudinal 5-year Beaver Dam Eye Study was completed (202). There is, however, evidence of lower ocular blood velocity in cataract patients that requires further evaluation to understand the nature of the changes (203) Adequate blood flow is fundamental for tissue homeostasis (204) In view of the findings described in the literature and discussed in this review studying the haemodynamics and vascular autoregulation features of healthy myopic eyes may be crucial to identify early markers of associated degeneration and help develop novel vascular interventions to preserve the health of myopic eyes The author would like to acknowledge William Bourassa for his invaluable assistance with graphics and manuscript editing The author declares that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations Any product that may 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This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited in accordance with accepted academic practice distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms *Correspondence: Alexandra Benavente-Perez, YWJlbmF2ZW50ZUBzdW55b3B0LmVkdQ== Disclaimer: All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher 94% of researchers rate our articles as excellent or goodLearn more about the work of our research integrity team to safeguard the quality of each article we publish Guam Power Authority General Manager John Benavente Phillips Excellence in Government Accountability Award from the Guam Chapter of the Association of Government Accountants on Nov Joining Benavente are members of Phillips' family Guam Power Authority General Manager John Benavente holds the 2024 Professor John M Phillips Excellence in Government Accountability Award recipient Guam Power Authority General Manager John Benavente is joined by officers from the Guam Chapter of the Association of Government Accountants on Nov Guam Power Authority General Manager John M Benavente has received the 2024 Professor John M Phillips Excellence in Government Accountability Award from the Association of Government Accountants The award honors government professionals who demonstrate outstanding leadership "I am truly honored to receive the Professor John M Phillips Excellence in Government Accountability Award on behalf of our customers," Benavente said in a statement “This recognition reflects not only my efforts but the dedication of my entire team at GPA It is a privilege to serve our community and be part of an organization that prioritizes integrity Benavente said he is grateful to the AGA Guam Chapter for this "meaningful honor and inspiration to continue working towards the highest standards in public service.” The award presentation was held at the CCU executive board room on Nov with representatives from the AGA Guam Chapter and Prof Phillips' family in attendance to honor Benavente’s achievements The award recognizes Benavente’s exemplary public service and commitment to advancing government accountability throughout his career the authority has continued to set high standards for operational excellence His dedication has strengthened both the organization and the community embodying the values that the award represents has dedicated nearly 40 years to growing GPA into a robust power utility During his more than 26-year tenure as general manager he has led GPA's strategic transformation from a traditional utility to a modern He is also an American Public Power Association 2023 James D Donovan Individual Achievement Award recipient he led Guam’s public utility through devastating natural disasters such as the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 1993 The authority added that through Benavente’s leadership GPA has made significant progress toward sustained clean affordable energy for all island ratepayers GPA projects that it will reach 56% renewable energy generation reduce its oil imports by 1.17 million barrels Environmental Protection Agency consent decree requirements reduce 99% sulfur dioxide emissions and deliver lower energy costs for all utility ratepayers This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page.