Blakely McCarthy caught a catfish at Pretty Water Lake Her grandma said Blakely loves fishing and hunting for squirrels or outdoor snapshot you'd like to see featured Tess Maune is an Oklahoma girl through and through she always dreamed of one day working as a reporter and general news updates from News on 6 delivered right to your inbox Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application known all his life as “Jerry,” passed away peacefully on March 12 as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren survive him Jerry was a good father that supported his children’s endeavors while instilling strong work and behavior ethics in them Jerry grew up in the Northridge area and settled in the Kettering area as an adult He earned a Bachelor degree in Chemical Engineering at Purdue University and a commission as an Ensign in the U.S Selby at her parents’ home in West Lafayette he returned to Dayton to work for National Cash Register (NCR) in the research and development section earning his Professional Engineer License along the way Jerry joined several NCR co-workers to form Djinnii Industries where he manufactured the color-changing material used in “Mood Rings” that were popular in the early 1970’s The company evolved through several ownership changes and Jerry finally retired from Industrial Fiberglass Industries they volunteered to serve as poll workers at a local precinct Jerry became a courier for the Kettering Fire Department Jerry lovingly cared for Jean as she battled dementia Jerry remained devoted to her even after he could no longer be her primary caretaker and became a very frequent visitor at her care facility Jerry was a man of quiet intelligence who had a wry believing that success came from effort rather than connections such as building and flying model airplanes midnight extended for many minutes as all the clocks chimed in a cacophony of styles staying abreast of technological developments through the many magazines he received Jerry’s final years at Oak Creek Terrace were challenging His curiosity sometimes landed him in hot water with the staff he maintained his mischievous nature when engaging with the staff The staff cared for him with the compassion and tolerance and his son Kelly provided dedicated support through Jerry’s elder years 2025 from 10 AM to Noon at the Routsong Funeral Home located at 2100 E Stroop Rd please send memorial gifts for Jerry to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org) in recognition of supporting his wife in her battle We will hold a private memorial service at Woodland Cemetery (118 Woodland Ave Family should gather at the entrance to the cemetery at 12:45 PM following the visitation A family gathering will follow at the Olive Garden Restaurant located at 6722 Miller Lane Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors When Sloane Blakely suffered a lower-leg injury during Florida’s Feb no one knew the exact nature of the injury but one thing was clear: it looked serious for both Blakely and UF’s future postseason hopes.  3 Florida seemed to bounce back from the ugly meet with ferocity Blakely’s had a front-row seat to watch the Gators dominate their opponents tying the highest collegiate score and recording the nation’s first perfect vault “I am first in awe of how strong Sloane Blakely is to be able to be here tonight — and be in the gym on Monday after she got injured —  with a very positive attitude,” head coach Jenny Rowland said following the Feb “So extremely proud of her for being able to do that and grateful for her support.”  the emotional toll on the Gators is apparent.  “It was heartbreaking anytime you see an athlete get injured especially when it's a season-ending injury,” assistant coach Jeremy Miranda said “[She] just came off a 10.000 floor the week prior so she was firing on all cylinders and doing so An injury like Blakely’s can reset an entire team’s mentality and have ramifications outside of the immediate emotional moments “It's been huge for our team to see that adversity,” he said “I think that's so important because it does shake you up It makes you start to question your own gymnastics for a second.”  it appears Blakely’s injury provided inspiration and motivation to dominate in its final meets the team claimed its first SEC road victory against Alabama senior Leanne Wong notched the fourth-highest collegiate all-around score at that point this season and was named SEC Gymnast of the Week on March 4 Graduate student Victoria Nguyen also earned SEC Specialist of the Week for a near-perfect vault debut against No “As sad and unfortunate as that is for Sloane it's a good learning experience for our team moving forward,” Miranda said Blakely has kept her cards close to her chest The nature of her injury has not been disclosed and the team has stated multiple times she’ll provide more information on social media when she feels prepared to She underwent surgery on March 3 and is currently rehabbing.  “I have every confidence in the world that she's gonna heal up and take her necessary steps forward,” Miranda said.  Blakely’s presence seems to be a source of comfort for the Gators who received surgery after rupturing her Achilles during Team USA’s 2024 Paris Olympic trials.  “Going [into the] week was definitely hard just knowing that she won't be competing anymore but she's definitely doing a role,” Wong said after the Missouri meet “We're just happy to have her support on the side.”  Blakely told University Athletic Association senior writer Scott Carter that she didn’t want to take away from the Gators’ efforts as they prepare for the postseason.  and I'm not doing gymnastics for the rest of the season the girls still have to do gymnastics,'' she said "I didn't want this to be a roadblock for the team I just didn't want that to be a distraction taking away some of the goals still there for the team.”  Florida must maintain a Top 4 position to earn a No UF will need to remain consistent in the SEC Gymnastics Championship in Birmingham Florida will aim to finish its season strong against Kentucky in Gainesville on Friday during senior night celebrations at 6:45 p.m Contact Liana Handler at lhandler@alligator.org Liana is the Gators gymnastic beat reporter for the Alligator and a junior sports journalism major she likes to play dominos and listen to Celia Cruz the 2024 US all-around runner-up opens up about rehabbing her Achilles injury The fact that Blakely competed in Florida’s season opener is a testament to the work ethic that propelled her to two US World Championships teams and a runner-up finish at last year’s US nationals. The road back hasn’t been easy, but, as she always does, Blakely is taking things one step at a time. “I've been feeling great and having fun, and I’m so glad that I have the opportunity to compete on bars,” Blakely told Olympics.com in an exclusive interview earlier this month. “My rehab has been going well. I am now seven months post-op, so still in PT three times a week, working to get even stronger." 'Experienced' Skye Blakely in the hunt for Paris 2024 after surprise 2021 chanceThe year-long delay of the Tokyo 2020 Games thrust the then-16-year-old into Olympic contention, but an injury derailed her. Three years later, Blakely is a veteran of two World Championships and one of the major contenders for Team USA. A longtime member of the US national team, Blakely seemed poised to make her Olympic debut in Paris until injury struck just days before competition was set to begin at the US Trials. It was a heartbreaking déjà vu: Blakely had also suffered an elbow injury at Trials in 2021. The repeated setbacks could have shattered her resolve. Instead, they strengthened it. “It was definitely devastating in the moment, knowing just how hard I had worked to get there and how ready I felt,” she said. “But knowing I was so close made me realise I don’t want to give up on the dream I already had for myself. I just want to get back healthy and work toward it again." While she has yet to decide whether she’ll return to elite competition in 2025, Los Angeles 2028 remains firmly in her sights. One thing that made her recovery process more manageable has been not going through it alone. Florida teammate Kayla DiCello, who also tore her Achilles at the US trials, became a critical support system for Blakely throughout rehab. “Being in the same situation together allowed me to have someone to lean on,” Blakely said. “We were in the same boat mentally—supporting each other on tough days, pushing each other forward, and celebrating small victories. Having her along for the recovery process definitely made things easier.” The postponement of the Olympics to 2021 allowed American gymnasts born in 2005 to try to qualify for Tokyo. One of them is Skye Blakely, who grew up in the same gym as Olympic champions Carly Patterson, Nastia Liukin, and Madison Kocian. Even with experience on some of the sport’s biggest stages, Blakely admits her NCAA debut was nerve-racking. "I was definitely a little nervous - it had been a while since I competed, and coming off an injury is always a different feeling," she said. "But I worked really hard to make the bar lineup because I really wanted to compete in my first freshman meet. Getting through the routine and landing my dismount was just such a great feeling." That moment was made even more special by sharing it with her sister, Sloane, a senior on the Gators squad. “It's just such an amazing feeling knowing that we started gymnastics together, training together,” Blakely explained. “But because of the age difference, when we were younger, we didn't really have much of a chance to compete together. “So, being able to be on the same team again in college, in the same lineup, just cheering for each other and being excited for each other - it’s an amazing experience.” That bond could be on display again in a different way, as Sloane suffered a lower leg injury in Florida’s meet against Oklahoma on Friday (21 February), potentially shifting the dynamic between the sisters. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Skye Blakely (@skyeblakely) Blakely is taking her comeback one step at a time but she’s not rushing her return to other events "I think the next event that would definitely happen is beam “I’m not going to push myself too hard—just going to let it come.” Her primary focus is rediscovering her gymnastics embracing the energy and excitement of NCAA competition after years in the elite ranks "Collegiate gymnastics is a lot different,” she said “Competing every weekend is something I haven’t done in a really and not make every meet feel like such a big deal.” “I just really want to have fun in my freshman year coming off such a big injury,” Blakely said “That’s definitely the goal for this season.” A funeral service to honor Charles’ life will be held at 6 p.m. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service the service can be viewed through his obituary page on Munden Funeral Home’s website The service will remain on the Funeral Home website for 90 days He enjoyed a successful career as an electrician where he took great pride in his dedication and skill in his profession Charles was a passionate collector who found joy in the thrill of searching for unique treasures He had a particular fascination with clocks and watches he valued the intricate detailed designs of knives and guns And nothing was more satisfying than the excitement of discovering rare coins Charles will be lovingly remembered as a devoted husband for over 34 ½ years His legacy of love and commitment to family will continue to inspire those who knew him Those remaining to cherish his memory are his loving wife George Dylan Blakely (Evan) and James Casey Blakely Grayson Owen Blakely; and his furry friends Charles was preceded in death by his sister Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City A service to pay tribute to the life of Blakely Foss 2024 at Stevenson Funeral Home in Dickinson with Pastor Lisa Lewton officiating Known affectionately as “Bean” for her tiny Blakely brightened her parent’s lives and touched countless other’s hearts She had the most beautiful blue eyes and the prettiest blonde hair just long enough for her first pigtails.  and making her mom and dad laugh with her silly personality Blakely made many friends and precious memories that her family will always treasure and Darek and Holly (Traen) Nelson; aunts and uncles Skyler Foss and Tavian Del Rosario and Jade and Ashley Foss; cousins Onyx and Hudson; and numerous great-grandparents She is proceeded in death by her great- grandparents; Jim Foss Lyle "Pete" and Goldy Morrow; and cousin Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission If you’re like us, you’ve probably wondered what everyday stuff famous people add to their carts — like hair spray or an electric toothbrush. We asked internet personality Blakely Thornton about the moisturizer and canned cocktails he can’t live without I used to journal three pages every morning It helps release bad things and solidify good thoughts Also waking up an hour early to journal is a privilege So then my friend gave me this one-line-a-day journal I remember the little things like meeting Cynthia or the day I signed with CAA or giving my sister a birthday gift It’s kind of CliffsNotes for your feelings whether it’s professional or personal that you remember My friend Kristen from high school owns a place called Keeks Handbags and she just always has really good vintage It’s a really chic way to carry everything you need day to day I was actually ranked in Texas as a teenager and obviously I was inspired by Venus and Serena I started playing when I saw Venus in the 1997 U.S Knowing that there was a Black-owned racquet company that makes quality products When I go to different clubs or places this is what I’m using I really want to spread the idea that we not only play the sport like a Ben Shelton or a Francis Tiafoe or Coco Gauff we can actually make those products and be behind the scenes of a sport that honestly we’ve been running for Americans for the past 25 years I believe that a good overcoat makes you seem like you’re chicly dressed even when you’re wearing pajamas So basically this became my habit during the pandemic I would wear really chic coats because the only people I saw were the mailman and the woman who did the dry cleaning Did I have the energy to put on jeans to go see this one person but I did have the energy to put on a chic coat “You’re so well dressed.” It feels like you made an extra effort This is easy protein in the morning when I don’t want to cook It’s not fluctuating like the price of eggs quite yet I was eating so much I could eat a thoroughbred horse almost Now I’m learning to enjoy those same foods like chicken tenders and pizza without having it be Domino’s where you feel physically bad afterwards I didn’t learn until after school that you could eat without physically feeling tired or a little bit sick just because I was eating so much to get up to 260 I love a cauliflower chicken tender because you can eat the whole bag and it’s good protein and it’s about 500 calories The cauliflower pizza crust is another good way to enjoy an indulgent food without feeling bad afterwards They’re great for before and after workouts and at the beach I love wearing a red sock with the green Birkenstock It gives that little bit of camp-counselor chic or Brentwood or Williamsburg dad A go-to when I want something that works with both a swimsuit and jeans When I first started becoming someone who was speaking my opinions to the public on the internet I used the mini-microphone to feel like I was in a news desk to make it feel less surreal like I was talking to an audience professionally but it kind of made me feel like a little Bryant Gumbel when I was really starting on TikTok three years ago All I want in this life besides to go back in time and reverse the outcome of the presidential election is Cutwater margaritas to sponsor me but by the time you’re doing the second refill you’ve got lime juice and sticky shit and salt everywhere I pour four of them bitches in a pitcher with some ice I literally picked my apartment because the previous owner had Cutwaters and then I opened the fridge and the previous owner had Cutwater margaritas One time I had three and ended up in my ex’s bed stan.” Cutwater will have you living a SZA album Finding something that works on your skin and is quality but doesn’t cost $400 is hard Have you ever bought skin care and then you get pulled over in the airport security and you cry Neutrogena retinol cream and then the under-eye concealer I live a life where I have to pack fast and go places and if I happen to pack a non-travel size and it gets caught in security I’m not in a bad mood on the whole plane ride By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us The Strategist is designed to surface useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Every product is independently selected by our team of editors, whom you can read about here but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission Password must be at least 8 characters and contain: you’ll receive occasional updates and offers from New York Carrie worked at General Electric as an inspector / auditor and retired after 35 years of service She was a member of Grace AME Church and served on the Altar Guild the Holy Crafters and as an advisor to the youth choir during his uncle’s beauty competition Cyrus Blakely’s Production: Black in All Shades where one of the highlights of her life was recording a gospel album “God’s Sweet Love,” with her husband watching professional basketball and spending time with her husband as well as her extended family and friends Carrie leaves to cherish her memory her husband Mary Williams of Youngstown and Little Teasiea Jennings of Warren “chosen” grandchildren and friends to cherish her memory Carrie was preceded in death by her stepmother A funeral service to celebrate Carrie’s life will be held at noon Friday Burial will follow in Pineview Memorial Park Arrangements are entrusted to Staton-Borowski Funeral Home This obituary may be viewed and condolences sent to www.statonborowskifuneralhome.com | https://www.tribtoday.com | 240 Franklin Street SE the Florida Gators gymnastics team struggled to process what happened It was supposed to be a battle between two SEC titans a colossal clash of championship-worthy teams Before sophomore Anya Pilgrim slipped from the uneven bars and slammed into the mats below Before senior Sloane Blakley clutched her lower leg after an under-rotated jump on her floor routine glancing hopelessly toward her coaches and hopping into the tunnel without finishing her performance Before her sister and fellow freshman gymnast 5 Florida lost more than just a devastating match against No one of its most consistent gymnasts across rotations who reached perfection on the floor and won Co-SEC Specialist of the Week Sloane had only returned to the mat last week after suffering a concussion during practice.  Blakely – draped in the white jacket that designates non-competing gymnasts from competing ones – eventually hobbled out of the tunnel in crutches Her smile at her teammates wavered slightly as associate head coach Adrian Burde gathered her in his arms and looked at the floor with a grim expression.  a freak injury like this is scarily familiar During this summer’s Team USA Olympic Trials ending her contention for a place in the eventual gold-medal-winning U.S “Having a rough competition is one thing,” head coach Jenny Rowland said “Having a bumpy competition with injuries is a different level.”   While the Gators struggled across all of their rotations Pilgrim’s injury during bars decimated Florida’s chances to win the meet (even before Sloane’s departure) who competed in the Gators' first rotation slipped from the highest bar during her transition between the two but left the competition afterward to be evaluated.  Her injury forced athletes like graduate Ellie Lazzari and freshman Ly Bui to perform in her place but no one could replace Blakely and Pilgrim UF was forced to count Bui’s score of 9.250.  Due to Sloane Blakely’s injury on the floor Florida was also forced to count freshman Taylor Clark’s 9.775 performance where she stumbled on the landing of one of her jumps and looked generally unbalanced it was a slight improvement over the 9.675 score she earned in the Auburn meet on Feb Though senior Leanne Wong put up a decent batch of scores Her performance missed the sharpness and resoluteness of the last meet Her 9.900 on the uneven bars marked her lowest since the Gators’ third meet against Georgia on Jan She and junior Selena Harris-Miranda finished the floor routines for Florida after Sloane’s injury keeping the total team within .250 of Oklahoma the two kept the Gators afloat with the only two scores at or above 9.900.  were mediocre and full of small hops that cost the Gators points In a meet that included an Oklahoma team fueled by a loss to No 2 LSU and a perfect floor performance from junior Faith Torrez “We’re keeping Anya and Sloane in our thoughts and prayers,” Rowland said “Extremely grateful for their fierce competitiveness and what they've done up to now and now it's time for this team to rally and put our best foot forward Though far from the minds of Florida’s gymnasts Missouri will visit Gainesville for a 5:45 p.m and Konnor McClain look to futureWith NCAA seasons behind them several top names are already gearing up for more – from SEA Games to potential Olympic runs but that doesn’t mean we’ve seen the last of her on the competition floor we’re going to go over to the Southeast Asian Games to compete,” Finnegan told Olympics.com last week at the NCAA Championships in Ft The 2025 SEA Games are set for 7–19 December across the Bangkok Metropolitan Region as well as the Thai provinces of Chonburi and Songkhla Finnegan and Malabuyo aren’t the only NCAA competitors looking to the future “I’m ready. I’m definitely ready to go into next season,” said Chiles. “Yes, I’m coming back. I’m not leaving the Bruins. I definitely can’t wait to see how my senior year turns out.” Chiles has not ruled out a run at a third Games when they head to Los Angeles – her adopted home as a member of the UCLA squad – in three years, but also hasn’t made a definitive declaration of her intentions. who just wrapped up her freshman campaign at the University of Florida is another student-athlete gymnast looking to the future as she continues to rehab an Achilles tendon tear sustained days ahead of last year’s U.S “Definitely working more skills back in the gym on beam even training my standing full on the floor on the side thinking of pushing it in the summer,” Blakely told us in Ft “Just getting all skills back for the future of my career but my eyes are still set on possibly going for Worlds this fall,” she continued wanting to have all my skills back on bars and beam are my biggest goals right now I’m definitely working on all four events trying to get back to my full difficulty again.” champion told us she still dreams of the Olympic Games in her future and I remind myself of that every single day,” said McClain Florida senior Sloane Blakely will miss the remainder of the 2025 season after suffering a lower leg injury During the team’s Tuesday media availability Blakely could be seen conversing with teammates in a boot using a scooter to navigate around the gymnasium the scope and exact nature of her injury remains unknown.  After underrotating on a jump during her floor performance in Florida’s meet against Oklahoma who had received her second career 10.000 in the Gators’ meet against Auburn on Feb has likely concluded her collegiate career as a result of the injury She earned first-team All-American accolades and was named the 2023 SEC vault champion in her sophomore year.  UF head coach Jenny Rowland did not confirm who would be taking her place on the floor and beam the two events that Blakley had competed in following her return from concussion protocol.  “This is her story,” Rowland said in the midweek press availability Blakely is expected to make an official announcement on social media concerning the exact nature of her injury in the upcoming days.  The 20-year-old, who was a member of two gold medal-winning U.S. teams at the World Championships, quickly reframed her injury to focus on the future. “It was definitely devastating in the moment, knowing just how hard I’d worked to get to that point and how ready I was and felt,” Blakely told Olympics.com this week. “So, having such an unforeseen… injury was super devastating and heartbreaking. “But knowing that I was so ready and had a great chance of making that team just made me remember that I don’t want to give up on the dream that I already had for myself,” she continued. “Knowing that I was that close – I don’t want to give up.” Blakely is combining that determination with some caution in her approach to returning the sport, balancing her long-term Olympic ambitions with staying healthy. She has already returned to competition on the uneven bars as a freshman at the University of Florida and says adding balance beam may be possible later in the season. Elite gymnastics in 2025 is also a possibility. “It’s definitely something I’ve been considering,” she says. “All-around is something that I’m not quite sure about, but I have thought about bars or beam. But most importantly, I want to get back healthy first and stay healthy. “I just want to see how each month progresses – how I’m feeling and how my Achilles is doing. When it gets closer to summertime, I’ll start making some plans based on how I’m feeling.” It could be the perfect plan for the 2022 world balance beam finalist, as the 2025 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships will feature only all-around and individual apparatus competitions. “Definitely thinking about it,” said Blakely. Senior Leanne Wong pranced across the beam spinning and flipping with no signs of the balance issues that haunted the Gators in their previous two meets against Utah West Virginia University and Arkansas.  she greeted her teammates who smothered her with hugs the crowd of more than 9,000 leapt to their feet and celebrated with deafening screams but the two-time Team USA Olympic team alternate finally impressed the judges enough to earn perfection.  senior Sloane Blakely repeated Wong’s success with her own 10.00 that featured perfectly executed flips after suffering a concussion during practice took three concussion tests to be able to compete in the meet two Gator athletes earned 10.00s in the same meet.  and you can have the whole team celebrating with you.”    12 Auburn’s heart 197.625 -196.825 during the Valentine’s Day Friday night meet earned the Gators the highest score nationally on the event this season.  The Gators returned to Gainesville after two road meets with a determination to prove why they could win Nationals in April despite their struggles on beam last week.  “We just had some uncharacteristic things happen last week and [we] really just shake it off,” head coach Jenny Rowland said “You don't make a big deal out of something…and I had all the faith and confidence in this team.” junior Selena Harris-Miranda tied Wong for first place and a Gator-season high in the all-around scores with 39.750 Her dominance on both the uneven bars and the beam with near-perfect scores of 9.975 hid the pressures she faced due to her teammates' struggles.  Freshman Skye Blakely dropped from the bars during one of her acrobatics Harris-Miranda rose to the occasion.  She soared in her transitions with fully stretched legs and pointed toes She straightened in handstands nearly perpendicular to the chalk-covered bars.  As Harris-Miranda flipped during the dismount she held her chest high and stuck the landing scoring a perfect 10.000 in the first judge’s eyes she would have my back and do her absolute best,” Harris-Miranda said “So that’s what I did and I think it helped me do my best.” who didn’t compete against the Razorbacks last week collected a 9.900 while sticking her landing Graduate student Victoria Nguyen added another near-perfect score to the Gators’ rotation with her 9.975.   Auburn’s struggles in the first rotation helped put Florida in front from the get-go as well AU sophomore Alex Irvine (who scored a 9.125) dropped during her uneven bars routine and the Tigers were forced to count redshirt freshman Bryn Bartman’s 9.450 – a debilitating score against a dominant Gators team After reapplying chalk and completing her performance “Just words of encouragement,” Sloane Blakley said about her conversation with her sister “I think that we both had each other's back…that's not what she wanted.” but their dominance in other events overshadowed the rotation Sophomore Gabby Disidore set her collegiate-best vault score of 9.850 on her first NCAA performance in the event.   the Gators’ success thrilled more than the normal Stephen C In an arena normally awash with blue and orange pink sparkles glittering on pink leotards and pink cheerleading pompoms were littered throughout Florida’s gymnastics palace Head coach Jenny Rowland patrolled the mats in aptly hot pink cargo pants and UF’s assistant coaches sported “Link to Pink” shirts The goal: to spread awareness of breast cancer a disease that impacted five Gator gymnasts “I think that it means a little bit more not [just] for me the road to the nationals won’t get any easier The Gators will next head to Norman to face Oklahoma Courtney Blakely ran down the Middle Tennessee State women's basketball's bench area celebrating with teammates after scoring and drawing a foul on the play against Western Kentucky on Saturday That type of celebration isn't usual for the 5-foot-8 guard from Gary, Indiana. It showed her added motivation and intensity when the Lady Raiders play WKU 11-1 Conference USA) its lone league loss this season and snapped a 32-game conference winning streak More importantly, it typified just how successful Blakely's return to MTSU has been, both for the senior and for the Lady Raiders "It's been a really good decision," said Blakely, who spent two years at MTSU before transferring to Arizona last season. She scored 15 points with five assists and three steals in a 73-63 win over the Hilltoppers Blakely was a highly regarded recruit out of Bishop Noll Institute where her 2,324 career points was 16th in Indiana high school history when she graduated averaging 16 minutes a game and making 10 starts as a freshman and splitting point guard duties with CUSA Player of the Year Savannah Wheeler her sophomore season with Wheeler firmly entrenched at the position she entered the transfer portal and enrolled at Arizona entering her junior season where she averaged almost five points and had a career-high 24 points against Stanford a decision she was "absolutely" the right one "I talked to (MTSU coaches) after I put my name in the portal .. they were wanting to work with me and I was wanting to work with them," said Blakely who added that finishing her degree in accounting this year was also a factor All of my teammates I came up with my freshman year It was just coming back to a family atmosphere and having positive communication with the coaches Blakely is enjoying career highs in minutes (31) assists (4.1) and steals (2.1) per game since returning to take over the point guard role vacated by Wheeler's graduation "She's done a great job," coach Rick Insell said "I thought early on (she) tried to force it a little bit getting the ball to who we needed to get it to Blakely's speed and ability to defend was a big reason she was originally recruited She has also evolved into a playmaker offensively "She directs a lot of what we do," junior guard and leading scorer Ta'Mia Scott said Even on defense she stops the ball and picks up MTSU: How freshman Savannah Davis turned improvement into more minutes Blakely may not be matching Wheeler's production but the way she has stepped in to fill the important role has been invaluable for MTSU to be the point guard and run the team," Blakely said "I'm just being more consistent and making sure I'm getting my teammates involved and bringing the energy on defense That's what really gets my team going and that's what I like to be for my team." Cecil Joyce covers high school sports and MTSU athletics for The Daily News Journal Contact him at cjoyce@dnj.com and follow him on X Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInBLAKELY (WTVY) - An investigation is underway after a shooting on Thursday night in Blakely According to a statement released by Blakely Police Department officers responded to a shots fired call at a home on Palmetto Avenue at around 10:20 p.m Officers arrived on scene to the home and discovered one victim Several individuals were also seen fleeing from the scene upon arrival by law enforcement Limited details are available at this time as officers are actively investigating the incident Anyone with any information about the shooting or that may have witnessed the incident in question or anything in the lead up to or aftermath of it is asked to call Blakely Police at (229) 723-5500 to submit a tip Subscribe to our News 4 newsletter and receive the latest local news and weather straight to your email every morning. Get instant notifications on top stories from News 4 by downloading our mobile apps The Denison men's golf team faced tough competition at the Win Palmer Cup, posting a 615 (+55) to finish ninth out of 11 teams. Freshman Owen Blakely and senior Andrew Gallagher led the way with matching scores of 153 (+13) Thanks for visiting The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here A post shared by Skye Blakely (@skyeblakely) #Gators freshman Skye Blakely's first collegiate routine … Not bad for where she was less than 200 days ago … pic.twitter.com/YNRuQeaBzD Thanks for visiting Chris joined FloridaGators.com in 2011 after nearly three decades as a sports reporter at newspapers in Tampa and Orlando including 10 years covering the UF athletic program and another 10 covering the NFL Scott has been a senior writer for the Florida Gators since 2010 2025 at 3:48 PM EDTEmail This LinkShare on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInWALB is working to produce a video for this story (WALB) - The city of Blakely is alerting residents to a temporary road closure on North Church Street According to the post the Water Department is working to repair a water leak on North Church Street in the area of Blakely Commons The city is asking drivers to use caution in that area “We are working as quickly and safely as possible to complete the repair,” said the post Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message executive director of the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute Nicholson Distinguished Professor in Neuroscience and a professor of biomedical science in FAU’s Schmidt College of Medicine Blakely is among an extraordinary group of individuals who have dedicated their careers to advancing the field of pharmacology Designation as an ASPET Fellow recognizes leaders in the field for their exceptional contributions to pharmacological research ASPET is a professional scientific organization that focuses on advancing the field of pharmacology their effects and their interactions with living systems health care professionals and students working in diverse settings such as academia “This prestigious honor awarded to Dr. Blakely by ASPET is a testament to his contributions to neuroscience and pharmacology. Through his groundbreaking discoveries and leadership, he has made a lasting impact on our understanding of brain function and the molecular mechanisms underlying psychiatric and neurological disorders,” said Gregg Fields, Ph.D., FAU vice president for research “This honor brings tremendous pride to our university and highlights the caliber of research excellence we strive for at FAU Blakely’s recognition reflects not only his remarkable achievements but also the impactful work being done across our institution.” Blakely is a highly regarded neuroscientist and pharmacologist whose work has significantly advanced our understanding of neurotransmitter transporters; the proteins responsible for regulating communication between neurons His research has ranged from studies of norepinephrine serotonin and dopamine transporters (SERT and DAT cognition and behavior by clearing these neurotransmitters from synapses He was also the first to identify the gene encoding the human choline transporter (CHT) that provides the essential precursor for the production of the neurotransmitter acetycholine a neurotransmitter that becomes depleted in the brains of people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease (AD) Blakely’s work has been instrumental in revealing how medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) the most commonly prescribed medications to treat mood disorders His work also has laid a foundation for understanding how substances of abuse elevate extracellular dopamine and thereby initiate brain actions that lead to substance use disorders and addiction A major focus of Blakely’s research also has revealed how genetic alterations can disrupt transporter function and lead to neurobehavioral disorders His group was the first to demonstrate that mutations in neurotransmitter transporter genes could drive disease beginning with the discovery of mutant norepinephrine transporters in an autonomic disorder known as postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) Subsequent work from the lab revealed functionally disruptive mutations in serotonin transporters in individuals with autism in dopamine transporters in people with either attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism and in the choline transporter in association with movement disorders “Transferring these mutations to mice has offered critical opportunities to study their impact in the living brain and provide unique models of human disease work that continues to reveal new clues to the disorders as well as their treatments,” said Blakely Last year, Blakely and Maureen K. Hahn FAU neurobehavior core scientific director received a patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a novel method to identify therapeutic agents to treat addiction which the Blakely lab identified as the mammalian form of a gene the group first identified in worms as a modifier of signaling by the neurotransmitter dopamine As MBLAC1 has been found to be a risk factor for a major form of AD their work may also lead to novel treatments to treat neurodegenerative disease Blakely also has been a pioneer in the study of how neurotransmitter transporters are regulated by intracellular signaling pathways His research into the effects of protein kinases on transporter trafficking and activity has provided a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying drug actions and identified new potential targets for therapeutic intervention These findings have implications for improving treatments for conditions such as depression Blakely has had a profound influence as an academic leader and mentor fostering interdisciplinary collaborations and advanced neuroscience education and research and community outreach he has trained numerous graduate students and postdoctoral fellows many of whom have gone on to successful careers in academia and industry Blakely currently directs the FAU Neuroscience Graduate Program As a result of these activities and other academic and public educational activities he was honored in 2022 with the Scientist Educator Award by the Society for Neuroscience the world’s largest scientific body supporting brain research “I am deeply grateful and profoundly honored to receive this prestigious recognition from ASPET,” said Blakely “This acknowledgment not only reflects the efforts of my incredible mentors but also reinforces how advancing our fundamental understanding of brain molecules and circuits can yield clues to disease and treatments.” Tags: students | faculty and staff | jupiter | science | brain institute | research If you are experiencing difficulty accessing information on the Florida Atlantic University website due to a disability, visit the website accessibility page. 16 at the age of 76 at her residence in Vicksburg MS after a long battle with ovarian cancer Blakeley was a graduate of Redwood High School received a bachelor’s degree from Mississippi State University and a Master’s Degree from Troy State University She retired from the Army Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) after 55 years of long and dedicated service Colleen (Brad) Morrow and Sean (Cristiane) Blakeley of Dallas TX; one brother Bill (Anna) Jones of Vicksburg Grayson Lee; and numerous nephews and one niece Willie Lee and Dolly Mae Jones; and her brother She is loved by her family and friends and will be missed dearly A memorial service will be held at Gibson Memorial United Methodist Church on Nov Memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society or Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation Game Recap: Women's Basketball | 11/12/2024 8:17:00 PM | Zach Brown Thanks for visiting Only a handful of Florida gymnasts have ever done it Friday night against Auburn, the Gators decided one perfect score wasn't enough Leanne Wong and Sloane Blakely each scored 10s for UF which defeated Auburn 197.625-196.825 at the O'Connell Center in the annual Link to Pink meet It was the ninth career 10 for the 22-time All-American and her third on the beam nabbed her 10 on the floor — three years after her other perfect score at Auburn in 2022 Wong's 10 came just one rotation after she scored what she called the worst score in collegiate gymnastics: She thought she landed the perfect uneven bars routine "I think it gives me a pep in my step," Wong said "Having all the fans cheering for you and wanting that 10 Blakely clears her head just in timeBlakely missed last week's loss to Arkansas with a concussion She took three tests this week to make sure she'd be ready coach Jenny Rowland was cautious with Blakely The Texas native must hold something against the Tigers because she's now scored her only career 10s vs The first also came on the floor in Auburn achieved her career goal of gaining one at the O'Connell Center Blakely is also a gymnast who shows herself off even if just to gain approval from the judges Blakely left the routine Friday with less confidence Selena Harris-Miranda hungry for an inviteLost in the shuffle of the double 10s was that Florida had the chance for more Two other gymnasts besides Wong tallied a 9.975 and Selena-Harris Miranda on bars and beam The lack of 10 didn’t bother Harris-Miranda it made her hungrier to receive an invitation to the 10 party but that just means I still have things to work on,” Harris-Miranda said “That means a lot to me because it means I’m not perfect Harris-Miranda’s high scores and the 10s proved even more impressive this season due to the new scoring rules Judges grade more harshly this season than in the past Blakely noted the new rules push her and everyone else to be better “We push ourselves to be better because the judges are a little more nit-picky and I like a challenge,” Harris-Miranda said The two 10s and two 9.975s on beam and floor helped Florida score a 49.700 on BB a near full one point turnaround from vault and bars (where UF counted a fall) The Gators were the nation’s second-best beam squad before last Friday But then they were forced to count two falls and scored a 48.250 That mark ended up the difference as UF fell to the Hogs Rowland reminded her team how strong they are “You don’t make a big deal out of something that doesn’t need to be a big deal,” Rowland said “I have all the faith and confidence in this team and they just stepped up and took ownership of what they know they needed to do.” The win Friday was Florida’s ninth in a row over Auburn Noah Ram covers Gainesville-area high school sports and University of Florida athletics for The Gainesville Sun, GatorSports.com and the USA TODAY Network. Contact him by email at Nram@gannett.com and follow him @Noah_ram1 on X/Twitter NCAA debut: “Only up from here” - Gymnastics Weekly NewsPlus London 2012 Olympic still rings champion Arthur Zanetti announces his retirement Blakely’s return was also her collegiate debut as the 19-year-old stepped out for the first time representing her University of Florida Gators in a quad meet against Michigan State I was able to make my NCAA debut as a Gator!” Blakely wrote in a post on Instagram and all of the Gator staff have helped get me to this moment “I’m still on the road to full recovery and only up from here,” she concluded Blakely seemed on track to make the Team USA lineup for Paris before the injury squad at the world championships in 2022 and 2023 Her 2024 season was highlighted by a runner-up finish to Simone Biles at the U.S Blakely competed only on the uneven bars in her return The NCAA season continues this weekend with several high-profile matchups At the Olympic Games London 2012, Zanetti became the first Brazilian and first Latin American gymnast to strike gold when he took the still rings title. He followed his London triumph with a silver at Rio 2016. “We don’t leave the sport; gymnastics is our life,” Zanetti, 34, who started gymnastics at age 7, told Olympics.com in September. Beyond the Olympic Games, Zanetti’s history-making career included four still rings medals at the World Championships, including gold in 2013. He is a three-time Pan Am Games champion, having helped Brazil to team titles in 2011 and 2019 and taking the 2015 still rings title individually. Zanetti says his decision comes after a recent surgery has made returning to form difficult: “My body just wasn’t responding the same way anymore.” In an open letter aired during Esporte Espetacular, he explained his reasons: “I made the decision—it’s difficult—to put an end to this part of being an athlete because I wanted to continue, but my body is speaking, and I will respect it because I don’t want more injuries, I don’t want to become an elderly person who can hardly get out of bed because of pain.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Time Brasil (@timebrasil) the son of the late Earl and Ruth (Behrns) Blakely Earl worked for the New York State Thruway Authority in Silver Creek for 35 years and retired as a Heavy Equipment Operator he also owned & operated a grape farm in Irving Earl was a member of Welch’s Grape Co-op for 65 years and was a member of Hanover Hose Co Survivors include his wife of 67 years Irene (Frederickson) Blakely of Irving Also surviving are seven grandchildren; Louie (Audrey) DePasquale eight great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild Friends are welcome to call at Riles & Woolley Funeral Home Forestville on Wednesday from 4-8 PM from where Funeral Services will be held Thursday afternoon at 1 o’clock Interment will follow in Balltown Cemetery A Fireman’s service will be conducted by members of Hanover Hose Co the family requests masks be worn during attendance for visitation and the service The family suggests memorials may be made either to Hanover Hose Co To post condolences or memories go to https:// rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome Copyright © 2025 Ogden Newspapers of New York | https://www.observertoday.com | PO Box 391 after suffering an achilles injury during Wednesday's (26 June) official practice Women's competition is set to get underway on Friday (28 June) with the squad for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 announced on Sunday (30 June) While Blakely is eligible to petition to the U.S Olympic team by virtue of her second-place finish at the recent U.S it appears unlikely that she would be healthy in time for the Games Blakely had been considered one of the very top contenders for the team each of which easily claimed the gold medal Blakely was an individual finalist on the balance beam In Wednesday's practice, Blakely received medical attention after attempting a double layout on the floor exercise in the final half hour of the practice session. A tearful Blakely was later carried off the podium by staff, and she left the arena in a wheelchair. Blakley is, unfortunately, no stranger to bad luck at the U.S. trials. Three years ago, she suffered an elbow injury in the final warm-up to the start of competition. 'Experienced' Skye Blakely in the hunt for Paris 2024 after surprise 2021 chanceThe year-long delay of the Tokyo 2020 Games thrust the then-16-year-old into Olympic contention Blakely is a veteran of two World Championships and one of the major contenders for Team USA WDHN - wdhn.com are investigating a Thursday night shooting officers responded to Palmetto Avenue after receiving reports of gunshots in the area they found a juvenile had been shot at a home The juvenile’s condition is currently unknown Police say witnesses reported seeing several people fleeing the scene after the shooting WDHN has reached out to Blakely Police for additional information Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call the BPD at 229-723-5500 these are the actual most popular baby names so far in 2025 Whether it’s a short vacation or they’re jetting off to begin their career show the future traveler you care with a meaningful graduation gift National Teacher Appreciation Week begins May 5 take advantage of these freebies and deals Thanks for visiting GA (WDHN) — A tornado that touched down in Blakely earlier this week has been confirmed by the National Weather Service According to National Weather Service officials the tornado touched down in a field south of Martin Road and snapped pine trees as it crossed the road Reports show the tornado continued northeast across forests before hitting Early County Elementary School The school sustained minor damage and the tornado lifted before reaching Freeman Road For more than 40 years Pauline Blakey was a propelling force in Grambling State University College of Business where she impacted the lives of hundreds of students as a marketing/business instructor as well as serving as Director of Admissions Pauline Blakely Day at GSU after she was honored Thursday with a ceremony in the College of Business’ Dean Suite at Jacob T Stewart Hall that included the announcement of a scholarship that has been established in Blakely’s name “We are here to honor excellence,” said Dr honest and direct teaching capabilities that from what I’ve heard since I’ve been here as Dean of the College of Business have been unmatched in the dictionary you see a picture of Pauline Blakley That’s why it is such a privilege to be a part of this celebration where we recognize someone who has poured so much into this College of Business and into our lives We’re going to celebrate her not just today but every day and invite her back any time she would like.” called the experience of getting to honor Blakely a humbling one “I have both the professional and personal family connection of benefiting from her legacy When her daughter was preparing for a pageant I was right there making sure the notes were right on key Blakely has done for her family and has done for this institution We talk about her service certainly in the College of Business but also her service in the Department of Admissions in helping to recruit new Gramblinites and that is a core experience that allows us to create the next generation of leaders Today is about honoring this institution and honoring a pioneer in the field — one who has given tirelessly to this institution with over 40 years of experience That’s a commitment that goes beyond just a job Marva Vary-Savage is a 1990 GSU marketing graduate who has established the scholarship in Blakely’s honor Blakely impacted my time at Grambling and how she helped to shape and mold me with the knowledge and information of marketing — her business and marketing acumen is second to none,” Vary-Savage said I’m bragging on how much she poured into my life but she was always able to give us that nurturing push to prepare us and help us better ourselves “Because she poured so much into me and I sent out the email asking others about establishing a scholarship in her name and so many people said yes and asked how they could help but she had an uncanny way of making everyone feel like nobody else was there in the room and I was bound and determined to let her know we knew what she had done and wanted to recognize how much we appreciate her for that.” Blakely’s children Ken Blakely and Lisa Blakely did most of the acceptance speaking on behalf of their mother who simply joked that she felt like dancing more than talking “She’s always been a legend to us but it’s good to see her finally recognized on a center stage,” Ken Blakely said Both of Blakely’s children studied marketing under their mother’s instruction and admitted that wasn’t easy “We all had to do a marketing presentation on something we were trying to sell,” Ken Blakely said “All the other students got to choose the product they wanted to try and sell I sold her the paperclip by putting her in such a precarious position that she didn’t have another choice by making me do that she pushed me to another level to better myself it was just a different level of challenge in the classroom she pushed me to another level as well.” Blakely was honored with a Humanitarian Award from GSU “I knew of her greatness and then she came home with this Humanitarian Award,” Lisa Blakely said “And I was so glad she was being recognized because people would always live with us she would tell them to come and stay with her During Homecoming everyone would always come over to the house and she’d have food and everything ready She just wanted them to be educated at Grambling State University The scholarship in Blakely’s name will be set up for $1,000 per semester for a GSU marketing major with certain academic stipulations including a 2.5 EPA More information on the scholarship will be available through the GSU’s College of Business Dean’s Office Sign up to receive an inbox alert when a new story is published (318) 274-3811 Toll-free 1-800-569-4714 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 Blakely-Henderson shared with us her unique path to the world of audience engagement and how her time at Cronkite positioned her to succeed Note: The interview has been edited for clarity and brevity what are your roles and responsibilities?  Blakely-Henderson: I am the social media strategist for The National Institutes of Health’s All of Us research program Our goal is to enroll 1 million or more Americans in our study so that we can find out more about how DNA lifestyle and environment affect people’s health outcomes Our focus is developing strategic messaging channels such as Facebook and our CEO also has an X account that we manage Q: You studied biology and global public health before pursuing your Cronkite degree Was the plan always to be a digital strategist I started in the biomedical research world I have always been interested in health disparities and how to improve the quality of life in marginalized and underserved communities.  But I was always looking at it from the standpoint of being a biomedical researcher thinking of cutting-edge technologies and focusing on cutting-edge research.  as I got more into the biomedical research world one of the things that always stood out was that I had a gift for communicating and storytelling.  I enjoyed the storytelling aspect of why the work we’re doing is important I felt like being in the lab might not necessarily be my calling but perhaps (it is) reaching audiences to tell the story and explain the science so that people understand the importance of the work that we do and the importance of spreading awareness about public health issues That’s when I started looking into how I could grow in that area and I ended up finding the master’s program at ASU Q: What made Cronkite the “perfect” place for you?  was so hands-on in terms of actually us having to get multiple certificates different certificates from the Google Suite I think we learned a lot by doing and really throwing us into creating campaigns and running the analytics [Faculty are] actually giving us real sites and clients to work with actually working with a small business and analyzing their web presence So I was able to translate all of that into my work with the National Institutes of Health Q: What were your favorite parts of your Cronkite program and I can think of a group project specifically where we had to develop a multi-part campaign for a company to the point of actually creating a commercial Working with a team on that—I really enjoyed that work Q: Since you’ve held three different positions at NIH what’s your advice for students who want to work their way up in a company A: What worked for me was that people knew my passion for the work When people know your passion for the work and you’re showing it there is more excitement to promote someone that they know loves and appreciates the work that they do follow-through and execution of hard work motivates others to want to continue to work with you and promote you Q: What makes digital strategy in the health field different A: The important thing is to dissect complex medical language and really be able to break down things in a way that audiences who may not have a medical background can understand Understanding the literacy level of your audience or the health care needs of your audience is one of the things that makes the health audience different—the complexity of the issues we are trying to explain how important is education after undergrad?  We have to look at how people consume various new sources or various messages also AI has influenced the way messages are presented how people receive them or whether certain sources can be trusted.  I think because of that and because the communication and digital landscape is ever-evolving that is what makes education more important because you have to consistently be able to keep up with and understand the landscape and trajectory of how communications are changing being in school and informed that way definitely helped me.  Contact Us Support ASU Blakely Cheek enters her second season with Jacksonville and her first as a full-time assistant coach in 2023-24 Cheek spent her first year with the Dolphins as a volunteer assistant She works with the hitters as well as the infielders Coach Cheek’s impact was felt right away as Jacksonville had a 10-win improvement from the 2022 season to 2023 and qualified for the ASUN Conference Tournament The offense improved as well in 2023 in many areas including runs The team fielding percentage also improved from .939 in 2022 to .957 in 2023 Junior infielder Kari Holzrichter was named First Team All-Conference as a utility player in 2023 Several hitters came through with career-years under Cheek’s guidance in 2023 Junior infielder Madison Reynolds set career-bests across the board leading the Dolphins hitting .323 with 51 hits 12 doubles (tied for sixth-most single-season program history) slugged .449 and a .412 on base percentage Sophomore Tatiana Davis improved her average tremendously while becoming a starter and led the team with four triples the third-best single-season total in Jacksonville history Junior Allison Bratek smashed a career-high and team-leading eight home runs (tied for eighth-most single-season in program history) and was second with 27 RBI Cheek – formerly Blakely Burch – starred at third base at Marshall University from 2018-21 After initially beginning her collegiate career at USC Upstate (2017) Cheek transferred to the Herd and quickly became a leader Cheek consistently made great plays from the hot corner and helped lead Marshall to an appearance in the 2019 Conference USA Tournament Championship game The first was a 2-run double against Louisiana Tech to take the series at home on Emileigh Cooper Day in 2019 and the second was an RBI single versus East Tennessee State in 2020 Cheek was honored as the 2021 Warrior Award winner named in memory of former Herd player Emileigh Cooper after coming back from a devastating knee injury in 2020 to play again in 2021 while finishing her undergraduate and graduate degrees at Marshall and working toward the accelerated nursing program at Jacksonville Cheek was a three-time member of the Conference USA Commissioner’s Honor Roll Cheek appeared in 147 games with 135 starts 27 hit-by-pitches (sixth all-time at MU) and slugged .422 Cheek graduated from Marshall with a bachelor’s degree in exercise kinesiology in 2020 and a master’s degree in healthcare administration in 2021 She will graduate from the nursing program at Jacksonville in 2024 Blakely grew up less than 90 minutes away from Jacksonville in Live Oak Her father (David Burch) played college baseball at South Alabama winning the Sun Belt title in 1983 and playing in the NCAA Tournament He also played professional Slow Pitch softball for 10 years Her grandfather (Gerald Burch) was a three-time All-SEC receiver and punter at Georgia Tech and then played one year in the American Football League with the Oakland Raiders in 1961 Thanks for visiting EHS Daily Advisor Austin Blakely is a safety leader who celebrates the small wins even while working at a massive company like Boeing Blakely serves as a senior safety specialist at Boeing in the St where the aerospace giant employs about 15,000 workers and produces high-tech military aircraft and related systems He has been at the company for nearly four years and is currently the risk management team lead and fall protection subject matter expert His main duties include managing Boeing’s risk register Blakely started his EHS career working at Chevron as a safety specialist in Houston for four years He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Murray State University and holds a CSP certification To learn more about Blakely and his take on industry issues please read the Faces of EHS interview below: Q: How did you get your start in the field I learned about the Occupational Safety & Health Department and I was immediately intrigued by the positive impact of the field I took every opportunity to learn and get involved and received scholarships that enhanced my marketability in the job market I feel fortunate to have found a career that aligns with my interests and is incredibly rewarding Q: Who has been your biggest influence in the EHS industry Becoming deeply involved in school brought me more than just knowledge; it gifted me lifelong friendships and invaluable mentorships Among these extraordinary influences are Tanner Neese Each of them has become a close friend I can reach out to at any time whether it’s about EHS topics or personal matters we are shaping the next generation of global EHS leaders Our shared experiences and support for one another have created a network that extends beyond our time in school enriching both our professional and personal lives I am truly grateful for the connections I’ve made and the impact we are all making in our field I had the opportunity to lead a pilot program introducing new gas detection technology to our field offices While the existing technology was effective the new system promised enhanced features that would better support technicians working alone in remote areas with higher hazard potentials and the company ultimately decided to pursue a different direction I had focused too much on the safety benefits of the new technology and not enough on the business case for its implementation This experience taught me a valuable lesson early in my career I now approach investments in new programs and technologies with a more balanced perspective considering both safety and business needs Q: What are some of the biggest EHS issues at your organization Are there any unique challenges (or benefits) compared to some other organizations The production of military aircraft comes with numerous challenges One significant issue is that the build process remains very hands-on leading to ergonomic difficulties for employees Boeing has invested millions in recent years to develop automation Another challenge is maintaining an exceptionally high standard of quality for our products our fall protection program requires careful consideration as typical off-the-shelf products can potentially damage our glass canopies I partnered with a leading manufacturer to develop new technologies that ensure our products remain undamaged The United States military relies on the aircraft we produce for the defense of our nation and our allies This responsibility instills a profound sense of pride in our work motivating us to strive for excellence every day Q: What’s your favorite and least favorite part about working in the industry my favorite part of working in the industry is the relationships I build I genuinely enjoy connecting with operations leaders as they allow me to make a positive impact in the lives of my colleagues Collaborating with them to create a better future not only enhances our work environment but also drives us all toward success The connections I forge are what truly make my experience in the industry fulfilling My least favorite part of working in the industry is dealing with the “red tape” that often complicates our processes I believe the industry needs to adapt by becoming more flexible and simplifying our workflows we can better position our teams for success and enable them to focus on what truly matters—delivering quality work and achieving our goals Streamlining these processes would not only enhance efficiency but also improve job satisfaction for everyone involved Q: What are your thoughts on safety culture? How can company leaders make safety a value within their organization It’s well-known that organizational culture begins at the top and leaders must recognize that change takes time One of the most frustrating things I’ve observed is when leadership genuinely commits to change but when results don’t materialize quickly they shift their focus to the next priority The key to successful change is consistency Leaders need to be patient and stay the course understanding that lasting transformation requires sustained effort and commitment they can foster a culture that truly reflects their vision and drives meaningful progress Q: What safety concerns or issues do you think need more prioritization in EHS programs I strongly believe in Human and Organizational Performance (HOP) which takes a proactive approach to safety by tackling human error at its core HOP emphasizes the importance of smarter systems HOP provides a framework for building more resilient organizations adopting HOP thinking can be a game-changer revolutionizing the way organizations operate and prioritize safety Embracing this approach not only improves outcomes but also fosters a culture of continuous improvement and resilience Q: What will be the impact of environmental and governance (ESG) principles on the EHS industry regulatory bodies are expected to introduce stricter environmental and safety regulations This shift will require EHS professionals to ensure compliance with these evolving standards resulting in a greater demand for robust EHS management systems pushing organizations to adopt more environmentally friendly practices which will be powered entirely by 248,000 megawatt-hours of renewable electricity annually starting in January 2025 This transition will necessitate that EHS professionals develop and implement strategies to minimize environmental impact the role of EHS professionals will become increasingly vital in driving sustainability initiatives and ensuring compliance with new regulations Q: How will new safety technologies influence the work being done by EHS professionals New safety technologies are set to empower EHS professionals enabling us to work more efficiently and effectively in monitoring we can create safer work environments and contribute to the overall success of our organization we are implementing new software solutions that automate compliance tracking and reporting making it easier for our team to stay updated on regulations and standards This automation reduces the administrative burden allowing us to focus on strategic initiatives rather than getting bogged down in paperwork we are utilizing virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies to enhance our training programs hands-on experiences that simulate hazardous situations helping employees better understand safety protocols and improve their responses to real-life scenarios We are also incorporating wearable technology to monitor worker behavior and environmental conditions This data provides valuable insights into safety practices and develop targeted interventions to enhance our overall safety culture the integration of new safety technologies at Boeing is significantly influencing our work as EHS professionals equipping us with the tools we need to foster a safer workplace and drive organizational success I take great pride in the small wins that occur every day While they may seem insignificant at the moment it’s remarkable to consider the larger impact they can have on people’s lives over time It’s easy to focus on the big wins and major projects but I find fulfillment in the everyday moments where I can make a difference Whether it’s helping a colleague solve a problem or providing support to someone in need these small victories contribute to a positive work environment and foster a sense of community Living in the moment and recognizing the value of these daily interactions is what truly brings me pride in my work creating a meaningful footprint in the lives of those around me Q: Do you have any advice for people entering the EHS profession and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and often the most rewarding experiences come from taking risks By pushing yourself beyond familiar boundaries you open the door to new learning experiences and personal growth Whether it’s pursuing a new project at work each step outside your comfort zone can lead to unexpected rewards So seize those opportunities and be willing to take that leap You never know what amazing experiences await you on the other side Are you or a colleague an EHS professional interested in being profiled for the Faces of EHS series Please contact Joe Bebon at JBebon@BLR.com and website in this browser for the next time I comment Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed Worker training is a cornerstone of risk management or contract workers — are equipped to perform their jobs safely and efficiently training non-permanent personnel presents unique challenges from limited onboarding time to complex safety protocols these workers can introduce significant risks This guide outlines a proactive strategy to improve outcomes With 24/7 tele-triage and expert case management Looking for serious injuries and fatalities prevention strategies You’re one step closer with this guide for Safety Managers Serious injuries and fatalities (SIFs) remain a critical concern in many industries This guide gives you” a clear outline of the best practices at your disposal the frameworks that all Safety Managers need to know (including Heinrich’s […] Health & Safety Software Did the OSHA reporting deadline leave you scrambling Transform your stressful annual OSHA reporting process into smooth year-round compliance management using EHS software solutions KPA’s EHS Software Buyer’s Guide helps you select the perfect solution to: Automate recordkeeping Streamline reporting Maintain continuous compliance It’s time to stop wrestling with missing […] Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury – How Mips® Brain Protection System for Industrial Safety Helmets Can Help Enhance Head Protection One of the most serious types of injuries that can result from falling objects and equipment or slips one study found that more than 500,000 workers were […] Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInWALB is working to produce a video for this story (WALB) - The city of Blakely is inviting residents to an upcoming town hall on public safety the Mayor’s Town Hall Meeting will discuss public safety in the community Residents will have the chance to share their concerns Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message Posted by | Jan 10, 2025 | | 1 I was honored to be in Powell on January 7 with others from Food City and many from the Knox County Sheriff’s Office We met to remember Deputy Tucker Blakely and to unveil a sign naming the bridge over Beaver Creek on Brickyard Road in his memory graduated from Powell High School (Class of 2012) and his first job was at the Powell Food City It was his last day on patrol with his Echo-19 team and his K-9 was placed with him on September 29 Here are the remarks from Sheriff Tom Spangler: “Tucker began his career in our corrections division and later attended the Law Enforcement Academy He likely was at the most exciting time in his career as he had been accepted into the K-9 handlers program and was on his last shift with his partners before beginning that training “Tucker Blakely’s death was the result of answering a domestic call in West Knox County where he was shot in the line of duty and succumbed to the injuries sustained on October 2 is a reminder of the dangers of working in law enforcement The unknown of each call: there is no such thing as a routine call or routine traffic stop This line of work takes a special commitment and dedication for men and women to ultimately choose a career where they know they could die in service to their community “Tucker knew the dangers just as he knew the risk of joining and serving in the United States Army Tucker knew the danger and yet chose this career path anyway On behalf of our entire blue family at the Knox County Sheriff’s Office we are grateful for his service and sacrifice and are honored to walk alongside his family as our own “Thank you to everyone who had a hand in making this memorial a reality.” Many family members and friends attended this week’s memorial Save the Date: The Irwin/ Food City Bass Tournament will be Saturday Proceeds benefit the Boys and Girls Club of the Tennessee Valley Collections for Project Help are underway at Food City stores through February 4 Betsi James is special events manager for Food City’s Knoxville and Chattanooga divisions Sneex Footwear Takes The Pain Out of High Heels With Reimagined Hybrid Heel the mastermind behind revolutionizing women's undergarments Sneex – a luxury shoe that blends the style of a traditional high heel with the performance and comfort of a sneaker or "hy-heels" feature fine napa leather and suede from Italy and Spain double strap and wide strap) in ten striking colorways Blakely has been on a mission to address the agony that women often feel when they wear high heels Blakely solves three key pain points that are typical in high heel construction the lack of support between the foot and the sole of the shoe the crushing feeling on the ball of the foot caused by unequal weight distribution A patent-pending design solves these three issues giving women comfort and walkability without compromising style and its basic construction hasn't really changed," Blakely said "There has been a void in comfortable footwear I wanted to create a luxury high heel that prioritizes how women feel We are fed the line that 'beauty is pain'.. I have wanted to solve this problem for years." Blakely also felt she was providing something missing from the elevated comfort trend "Consumers are dressing much more casually now," Blakely said "While sneakers have been embraced as an option there are many times I put on clothes and still want the height and look of a heel with the vibe of a sneaker Blakely has been advocating for women through product by putting comfort at the epicenter of design and development She has done this again with the look and feel of Sneex "You have to try them on to feel the magic hidden inside," said Blakely ABOUT SARA BLAKELYSara Blakely is the founder of Spanx.. a category creator and an industry disruptor who asks for signs from the Universe She is an intuitive brand expert who can embody the heart and mind of the consumer through putting herself in their shoes… literally She's a seeker of ideas who has spent her life building the courage and mindset to pursue them She was named one of TIME Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the world and was featured on the cover of Forbes Magazine as the youngest self-made female billionaire or making pancakes in crazy shapes for her four small kids… she dreams of a world where the feminine and masculine energy is more balanced She has donated millions of dollars to support and elevate women and girls around the world through her foundation committing half her life's wealth to philanthropy Media Contact:[email protected] Do not sell or share my personal information: