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Former President Jimmy Carter has died at the age of 100. The 39th president of the United States was a Georgia peanut farmer who sought to restore trust in government when he assumed the presidency in 1977 and then built a reputation for tireless work as a humanitarian. He earned a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. Carter died Sunday, coming up on two years after entering hospice care, at his home in Plains, Georgia. At age 52, Carter was sworn in as president on Jan. 20, 1977, after defeating President Gerald R. Ford in the 1976 general election. Carter left office on Jan. 20, 1981, following his 1980 general election loss to Ronald Reagan. Here's the latest: President Joe Biden has scheduled a state funeral in Washington for former President Jimmy Carter on Jan. 9. Biden also declared Jan. 9 as a National Day of Mourning across the U.S. Carter, the longest-lived former president, died Sunday at his home in Plains, Georgia. He was 100. Biden also ordered U.S. flags to fly at half-staff for 30 days from Sunday. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres on Sunday praised Carter for his significant contributions to international peace through the Camp David Accords, the SALT II Treaty and the Panama Canal treaties. “President Carter’s commitment to international peace and human rights also found full expression after he left the presidency,” Guterres said in a statement. "He played a key role in conflict mediation, election monitoring, the promotion of democracy, and disease prevention and eradication. These and other efforts earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 and helped advance the work of the United Nations. “President Carter will be remembered for his solidarity with the vulnerable, his abiding grace, and his unrelenting faith in the common good and our common humanity,” Guterres said. King Charles III joined leaders from around the world in issuing their condolences and sharing their reflections on the former president. “It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of former President Carter," the king said in a public statement. “He was a committed public servant, and devoted his life to promoting peace and human rights. His dedication and humility served as an inspiration to many, and I remember with great fondness his visit to the United Kingdom in 1977." President Joe Biden broke from his family vacation in the U.S. Virgin Islands to remember Carter, recalling his predecessor as a role model and friend. America and the world lost a “remarkable leader” with Carter’s death, Biden said, adding that he had spoken to several of the former president's children and was working with them to formalize memorial arrangements in Washington. Speaking for roughly 10 minutes, Biden remembered Carter as a humanitarian and statesman, someone he couldn't imagine walking past a person in need without trying to help them. He represented “the most fundamental human values we can never let slip away,” Biden said. The president repeatedly praised Carter's “simple decency” and his values, saying some will see him as a man of honesty and humility from a bygone era. “I don’t believe it’s a bygone era. I see a man not only of our time, but for all times,” Biden said. “To know his core, you need to know he never stopped being a Sunday school teacher at that Baptist church in Plains, Georgia.” Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi said on X that Carter's significant role in achieving the peace agreement between Egypt and Israel "will remain etched in the annals of history.” He went on to say Carter's “humanitarian work exemplifies a lofty standard of love, peace, and brotherhood.” Carter will be remembered as “one of the world’s most prominent leaders in service to humanity,” el-Sissi said. President Joe Biden will speak about Carter Sunday evening. The president will make his address from a hotel in St. Croix, from the U.S. Virgin Islands, where he is on a holiday vacation with his family. Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter had one of the great love stories and political partnerships in U.S. presidential history. The former president sometimes called his wife, who died Nov. 19. 2023, “Rosie,” which is a good way to remember how her name actually is pronounced. It is “ROSE-uh-lyn,” not, repeat NOT, “RAHZ-uh-lyn.” They were married more than 77 years but their relationship went back even further. Jimmy’s mother, “Miss Lillian,” delivered Eleanor Rosalynn Smith at the Smith home in Plains on Aug. 18, 1927. The nurse brought her eldest child back a few days later to visit, meaning the longest-married presidential couple met as preschooler and newborn. She became his trusted campaign aide and White House adviser, surprising Washington by sitting in on Cabinet meetings. Then they traveled the world together as co-founders of The Carter Center. Most of the nation saw the former president for the last time at Rosalynn Carter’s funeral. Jason Carter is now the chairman of The Carter Center’s board of governors. He said his grandparents “never changed who they were” even after reaching the White House and becoming global humanitarians. He says their four years in Washington were just one period of putting their values into action and that the center his grandparents founded in Atlanta is a lasting “extension of their belief in human rights as a fundamental global force.” Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter traveled the world advocating for democracy and fighting disease, but Jason Carter said they weren’t motivated by pity, or arrogance that a former American president had all the answers — they ventured to remote places because they could “recognize these people.” They too were from “a 600-person village” and understood that even the poorest people “have the power ... the ability ... the knowledge and the expertise to change their own community.” As reaction poured in from around the world, President Joe Biden mourned Carter’s death, saying the world lost an “extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian” and he lost a dear friend. Biden cited Carter’s compassion and moral clarity, his work to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless and advocacy for the disadvantaged as an example for others. Biden said he is ordering a state funeral for Carter in Washington. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is remembering Carter as a man steeped “in devotion to public service and peace.” The California Democrat said in a statement Sunday that Carter was committed to “honoring the spark of divinity within every person,” something she said manifested in “teaching Sunday school in his beloved Marantha Baptist Church, brokering the landmark Camp David Accords to pave the way to peace or building homes with Habitat for Humanity.” Pelosi also said Carter led “perhaps the most impactful post-presidency in history.” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer noted in a post on X the special contribution Carter made by brokering the Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt and through his work with the Carter Center. “Motivated by his strong faith and values, President Carter redefined the post-presidency with a remarkable commitment to social justice and human rights at home and abroad,” Starmer said. To commemorate Carter’s death, officials with the Empire State Building said in a post on social media that the iconic New York City landmark would be lit in red, white and blue on Sunday night, “to honor the life and legacy” of the late former president. In a statement issued Sunday, former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama said Carter’s beloved Maranatha Baptist Church “will be a little quieter on Sunday,s” but added that the late former president “will never be far away -- buried alongside Rosalynn next to a willow tree down the road, his memory calling all of us to heed our better angels.” Noting the “hundreds of tourists from around the world crammed into the pews” to see the former president teach Sunday school, as he did “for most of his adult life,” the Obamas listed Carter’s accomplishments as president. But they made special note of the Sunday school lessons, saying they were catalysts for people making a pilgrimage to the church. “Many people in that church on Sunday morning were there, at least in part, because of something more fundamental: President Carter’s decency.” The longest-lived American president died Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care , at his home in the small town of Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died at 96 in November 2023 , spent most of their lives. “Our founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia,” The Carter Center said in posting about his death on the social media platform X. It added in a statement that he died peacefully, surrounded by his family. In his 1975 book “Why Not The Best,” Carter said of himself: “I am a Southerner and an American, I am a farmer, an engineer, a father and husband, a Christian, a politician and former governor, a planner, a businessman, a nuclear physicist, a naval officer, a canoeist, and among other things a lover of Bob Dylan’s songs and Dylan Thomas’s poetry.” A moderate Democrat, Carter entered the 1976 presidential race as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad smile, outspoken Baptist mores and technocratic plans reflecting his education as an engineer. After he left office and returned home to his tiny hometown of Plains in southwest Georgia, Carter regularly taught Sunday School lessons at Maranatha Baptist Church until his mobility declined. Those sessions drew visitors from around the world. Former Vice President Al Gore praised Jimmy Carter for living “a life full of purpose, commitment and kindness” and for being a “lifelong role model for the entire environmental movement.” Carter, who left the White House in 1981 after a landslide defeat to Ronald Reagan. concentrated on conflict resolution, defending democracy and fighting disease in the developing world. Gore, who lost the 2000 presidential election to George W. Bush, remains a leading advocate for action to fight climate change. Both won Nobel Peace Prizes. Gore said that “it is a testament to his unyielding determination to help build a more just and peaceful world” that Carter is often “remembered equally for the work he did as President as he is for his leadership over the 42 years after he left office.” During Gore’s time in the White House, President Bill Clinton had an uneasy relationship with Carter. But Gore said he is “grateful” for “many years of friendship and collaboration” with Carter. Former President Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, remember Carter as a man who lived to serve others. “Hillary and I mourn the passing of President Jimmy Carter and give thanks for his long, good life. Guided by his faith, President Carter lived to serve others — until the very end." The statement recalled Carter's many achievements and priorities, including efforts “to protect our natural resources in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, make energy conservation a national priority, return the Panama Canal to Panama, and secure peace between Egypt and Israel at Camp David." After he left office, the Clinton statement said, Carter continued efforts in "supporting honest elections, advancing peace, combating disease, and promoting democracy; to his and Rosalynn’s devotion and hard work at Habitat for Humanity — he worked tirelessly for a better, fairer world,” the statement said.
US CEO Slaying Suspect Charged With Murder As 'Act Of Terrorism'Stocks closed higher on Wall Street as the market posted its fifth straight gain and the Dow Jones Industrial Average notched another record high. The S&P 500 rose 0.3%. The benchmark index’s 1.7% gain for the week erased most of its loss from last week. The Dow rose 1% as it nudged past its most recent high set last week, and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.2%. Markets have been volatile over the last few weeks, losing ground in the runup to elections in November, then surging following Donald Trump's victory, before falling again. The S&P 500 has been steadily rising throughout this week to within close range of its record. It's now within about 0.5% of its all-time high set last week. “Overall, market behavior has normalized following an intense few weeks,” said Mark Hackett, chief of investment research at Nationwide, in a statement. Several retailers jumped after giving Wall Street encouraging financial updates. Gap soared 12.8% after handily beating analysts' third-quarter earnings and revenue expectations, while raising its own revenue forecast for the year. Discount retailer Ross Stores rose 2.2% after raising its earnings forecast for the year. EchoStar fell 2.8% after DirecTV called off its purchase of that company's Dish Network unit. Smaller company stocks had some of the biggest gains. The Russell 2000 index rose 1.8%. A majority of stocks in the S&P 500 gained ground, but those gains were kept in check by slumps for several big technology companies. Nvidia fell 3.2%. Its pricey valuation makes it among the heaviest influences on whether the broader market gains or loses ground. The company has grown into a nearly $3.6 trillion behemoth because of demand for its chips used in artificial-intelligence technology. Intuit, which makes TurboTax and other accounting software, fell 5.7%. It gave investors a quarterly earnings forecast that fell short of analysts’ expectations. Facebook owner Meta Platforms fell 0.7% following a decision by the Supreme Court to allow a multibillion-dollar class action investors’ lawsuit to proceed against the company. It stems from the privacy scandal involving the Cambridge Analytica political consulting firm. All told, the S&P 500 rose 20.63 points to 5,969.34. The Dow climbed 426.16 points to 44,296.51, and the Nasdaq picked up 42.65 points to close at 2,406.67. European markets closed mostly higher and Asian markets ended mixed. Crude oil prices rose. Treasury yields held relatively steady in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.41% from 4.42% late Thursday. In the crypto market, bitcoin hovered around $99,000, according to CoinDesk. It has more than doubled this year and first surpassed the $99,000 level on Thursday. Retailers remained a big focus for investors this week amid close scrutiny on consumer spending habits headed into the holiday shopping season. Walmart, the nation's largest retailer, reported a quarter of strong sales and gave investors an encouraging financial forecast. Target, though, reported weaker earnings than analysts' expected and its forecast disappointed Wall Street. Consumer spending has fueled economic growth, despite a persistent squeeze from inflation and high borrowing costs. Inflation has been easing and the Federal Reserve has started trimming its benchmark interest rates. That is likely to help relieve pressure on consumers, but any major shift in spending could prompt the Fed to reassess its path ahead on interest rates. Also, any big reversals on the rate of inflation could curtail spending. Consumer sentiment remains strong, according to the University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index. It revised its latest figure for November to 71.8 from an initial reading of 73 earlier this month, though economists expected a slight increase. It's still up from 70.5 in October. The survey also showed that consumers' inflation expectations for the year ahead fell slightly to 2.6%, which is the lowest reading since December of 2020. Wall Street will get another update on how consumers feel when the business group The Conference Board releases its monthly consumer confidence survey on Tuesday. A key inflation update will come on Wednesday when the U.S. releases its October personal consumption expenditures index. The PCE is the Fed's preferred measure of inflation and this will be the last PCE reading prior to the central bank's meeting in December.
The Latest: State funeral for Jimmy Carter will be Jan. 9The Latest: State funeral for Jimmy Carter will be Jan. 9TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Bucky Irving isn’t choosy. The rookie running back relishes any opportunity he gets to contribute to the success of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have rebounded from a tough stretch to climb back into a tie for first place in the NFC South. Irving leads NFL rookies in rushing with 732 yards, averaging 5.5 yards per carry while sharing the workload with starter Rachaad White and third-stringer Sean Tucker, who have combined to ease some of the burden on quarterback Baker Mayfield. A fourth-round draft pick out of Oregon, Irving is coming off rushing for a season-best 152 yards and a touchdown in last week’s 26-23 overtime win over the Carolina Panthers. He had another 33 yards receiving, giving him a rookie-leading 1,017 total yards from scrimmage through 12 games. The Bucs (6-6) on Sunday host the Las Vegas Raiders (2-10), who have an outstanding newcomer of their own with Brock Bowers on the verge of breaking the league's record for catches by a rookie tight end. Bowers leads all players, regardless of position, with 84 receptions. He's fourth with 884 yards receiving and second behind Irving among rookies with 895 total yards from scrimmage. “I don’t really like taking all the credit. It’s those guys up front,” Irving said, deferring to Tampa Bay’s improved offensive line. “I think I have to do something special for those guys for Christmas because they’re getting the job done.” The Bucs are eighth in the NFL in rushing at 137.2 yards per game. They’ve gained 100-plus yards on the ground in nine of 12 games after only doing it nine times in 34 games over the past two seasons. Irving, whose ability to make defenders miss and accelerate in the open field, has provided a spark to an offense that sputtered without injured wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin during a four-game losing streak. It doesn’t seem to bother the rookie that he still sits behind White on the depth chart. The starter had a 38-yard run in overtime to set up the winning field goal last week. Coach Todd Bowles continues to stress that the Bucs, tied with Atlanta for the NFC South lead, need both Irving and White to be successful. “In our room, all our success is one,” said Irving, who in the past two weeks became the first rookie since Miles Sanders in 2019 to string together consecutive games with 150-plus yards from scrimmage. “If I’m having success,’’ Irving added, “everybody in the room is having success.” Tampa Bay’s porous secondary figures to be tested by Bowers, the first tight end to lead the league in catches after Week 13 since Todd Christenson in 1986. The first-round draft pick out of Georgia needs three receptions to break Sam LaPorta’s season record (86 in 2023) for catches by a tight end. He’s 116 yards away from joining Mike Ditka (1,076 in 1961) and Kyle Pitts (1,026 in 2021) as the only rookie tight ends to finish with 1,000-plus yards receiving. “I thought he was one of the best tight ends coming out in a long time – not just this draft, but in a long time,” Bowles said. “He’s living up to expectations. He can play wideout, he can play tight end, he can do some fullback, he can run jet sweeps,” the Bucs coach added. “They do a lot of things with him and he’s a very talented guy.” The last time the Raiders went against Mayfield was two seasons ago when he came off a plane to play for the Los Angeles Rams. Despite having minimal time with the playbook and just one brief practice, Mayfield rallied the Rams to a 17-16 victory on a 23-yard touchdown pass with 10 seconds left. Raiders coach Antonio Pierce was the team’s linebackers coach at the time. “He plays the game kind of like Brett Favre, who I played against in (the) league,” Pierce said. “He’s very fiery. He’ll do whatever it takes to make a play. The play’s never dead with him. You’ve got to keep your eyes on him and then stay in coverage, so that’ll be a challenge.” Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell didn’t look as though he had missed nearly six weeks because of a broken thumb when he almost led Las Vegas to a victory at Kansas City last week. He completed 23 of 35 passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns in the Raiders’ 19-17 loss to the Chiefs. But O’Connell had a hard time looking at the positives given how close the Raiders came to beating the two-time defending Super Bowl champions. “Definitely some good plays, but it just stinks more than anything,” O’Connell said. “It was just a really hard loss. Even sometimes when you have a game right after, it’s easier to move on. But we had a longer week this week and so kind of really got to sit in it and it’s no fun.” AP Sports Writer Mark Anderson in Las Vegas contributed to this report. NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Lagos To Conduct LG Poll In 20 LGAs, 37 LCDAs In 2025 — APCTaofeek Musa Abubakar writes that the Kaduna State governor has launched an initiative meant to bring AI to Hausa speakers across Nigeria Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has taken some giant steps that put the state firmly in the driver’s seat in the field of Information Communications Technology (ICT) in Northern Nigeria. With the disclosure recently during a stakeholders engagement on the draft “National Digital Economy and e-Governance Bill” by the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy in Kaduna, it’s is obvious that Governor Uba Sani is way ahead of the lot in this area. Represented by the Commissioner for Business Innovation and Technology, Mrs Patience Fakai, the governor revealed that his administration has trained over 5,000 women across the state in ICT by collaborating with Data Science Nigeria (DSN) and Google.Org in the “Arewa Ladies4Tech Initiative” across the state. The outcome, the governor said, is that “most of these ladies have become gainfully employed, some internationally, working remotely from the comfort of their homes”. But more fundamental is the revelation that Uba Sani has launched the AI4All Initiative that is meant to bring AI to Hausa speakers across Nigeria and beyond. It is important that this initiative be thoroughly examined to unearth possible advantages via a visits application for knowledge acquisition by youths and students in the state through series of short lessons on AI in Hausa language which are downloadable from NITDA site and can be shared by phone with others. And, here again, Governor Uba Sani has scored yet another first through the AI Hausa as the first of its kind in Africa. The question is what are the specific deliverables from Governor Sani’s initiative in this regard? In modern education, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into knowledge gathering represents a remarkable advancement for societies worldwide. In Northern Nigeria, where access to quality education and resources has historically been challenged by socio-economic and cultural factors, the recent initiatives led by the Governor of Kaduna State spotlight the transformative potential of AI. By promoting ICT education centered around AI applications, particularly in the Hausa language, the governor is paving the way for enhanced educational opportunities for the youth and students of the region. Northern Nigeria has long faced significant challenges in education, such as inadequate infrastructure, low literacy rates, and a lack of qualified teachers. The introduction of AI into knowledge gathering can help bridge these gaps by providing a more flexible and personalized learning experience. AI-powered platforms can adapt to individual learning styles and paces. By utilizing local languages like Hausa, AI tools can communicate complex concepts, making education more accessible and engaging for students. This localized approach ensures that educational materials are not just translated, but culturally relevant, thus fostering a deeper understanding of the content. In this regard, the quality of education in Northern Nigeria can be significantly improved through AI-driven initiatives. These technologies can assist educators by providing analytics that identify areas where students struggle, allowing for tailored teaching methods that can address specific needs. Moreover, AI can offer diverse educational resources, from interactive lessons to gamified learning experiences that maintain student interest and motivation. This integration not only promotes a deeper understanding of subjects but also equips students with critical thinking and problem-solving skills essential for the modern workforce. AI can significantly enhance access to educational resources, especially in remote and rural communities where educational facilities may be limited. Online platforms powered by AI can host vast libraries of information, courses, and materials that are accessible to anyone with internet connectivity. By incorporating local languages, such as Hausa, these platforms can ensure that students are not disenfranchised by language barriers. This democratization of knowledge allows even the most marginalized youths to engage with quality educational materials, thereby leveling the playing field. Governor Uba Sani’s approach to ICT education is not just about content; it is equally about developing digital literacy skills among the youth. In a technology-driven world, the ability to navigate digital platforms and understand AI tools is crucial for future employment opportunities. By championing AI-driven knowledge, the government is investing in the future workforce of Northern Nigeria. Initiatives that teach students how to use AI technologies will empower them, giving them the skills needed to thrive in various fields such as data science, software development, and cyber security. The introduction of AI into education can serve as a catalyst for innovation and entrepreneurship in Northern Nigeria. As students become acquainted with AI technology, they also cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset that is essential for driving economic growth. AI education encourages creativity and the application of knowledge to solve real-world problems, which is crucial for developing innovative solutions tailored to local challenges. By supporting a new generation of tech-savvy entrepreneurs, the region can look forward to economic diversification and job creation. In a region like Northern Nigeria, where tradition is rich and cultures are unique, the incorporation of AI-driven knowledge gathering in the Hausa language serves a dual purpose. It not only addresses educational and economic needs but also supports the preservation of cultural heritage. AI can help document languages, stories, folklore, and traditions, ensuring they are not lost to the passage of time. By engaging students with their cultural heritage through modern technology, Governor Uba Sani’s initiatives help foster a sense of pride and identity. This cultural preservation is vital for reinforcing community values and connecting young individuals to their roots even as they navigate the complexities of modern society. A multifaceted approach to education involving AI fosters collaboration among students, educators, and communities. AI systems that facilitate collaborative learning experiences can connect students from various backgrounds, allowing them to work on projects and share knowledge. This teamwork is not only a skill they will need in future workplaces but also a means to break down tribal and socio-economic barriers. The collaborative environment fostered by AI promotes social cohesion and empowers students to become change agents within their communities. The shift towards AI-driven knowledge is more than an educational initiative; it has the potential to stimulate overall regional development. By equipping the youth of Kaduna State with advanced knowledge and skills, the government is nurturing a generation capable of contributing to various sectors, including technology, agriculture, health, and governance. This shift can lead to greater innovation, increased productivity, and improved public services. In turn, these developments can help attract investments to the region, creating job opportunities and enhancing the local economy. In conclusion, the leadership of Governor Uba Sani in integrating AI-driven knowledge gathering within Northern Nigeria’s educational framework signifies a forward-thinking approach to confronting historical challenges. By focusing on ICT education in local languages, promoting digital literacy, and emphasizing cultural preservation, these initiatives can transform the educational landscape, empower youth, and unlock untapped potential. In a world increasingly governed by technology, the embrace of AI not only enhances access to knowledge but also equips the youth of Northern Nigeria with the tools they need to thrive, fostering a new generation of informed, skilled, and capable individuals who hold the key to unlocking a promising future for their communities and the entire region. Abubakar, an ICT Specialist, writes from Abuja
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Wrap Technologies Unveils Go-Forward Strategy, Pioneering End-to-End Public Safety and Defense Solutions with New Virginia FacilityEach year, millions of vehicles pass by Beckley on the West Virginia Turnpike. Most recently, the West Virginia Parkways Authority announced that more than 750,000 vehicles traveled on the West Virginia Turnpike, which runs from Princeton to Charleston, over the Thanksgiving holiday, six days from Nov. 26 to Dec. 1. With Beckley’s prime location along the interstate, the Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce is looking to support projects that would make it easier for travelers to drive from the interstate to Beckley’s downtown businesses. One possible project being discussed focuses on improvements to Harper Road, which is the main thoroughfare of four Beckley exits – three from the turnpike – to the city’s downtown. “We have a lot of businesses that we want to thrive here in Beckley, and we have a downtown that we want to revitalize, but the problem really with our downtown is getting traffic,” and Michelle Rotellini, president and CEO of the Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce. She recently opened a restaurant in downtown Beckley. “So we’re always looking at how do we get more foot traffic downtown? How do we get more people downtown?” A presentation for how the city would begin and fund a project to improve Harper Road was given to the Beckley Common Council by Paul Mattox, the chief growth officer with CTL Engineering, Inc., during a council workshop on Monday. Mattox said the time to pursue road improvement projects is now because of the “once in a lifetime” funds available through federal grants. The grants Mattox cited are part of the Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act signed by President Joe Biden in November 2021. Mattox said the act provides $550 billion over fiscal years 2022 through 2026 in new spending for infrastructure projects all over the United States. Mattox said he’s already been successful at pursuing grant funds from programs within the act for major road projects for the city of Bluefield. Thus far, Mattox said the city of Bluefield has been awarded just over $40 million in federal funding to plan and implement its road projects. He added that he was also able to petition the state on the city’s behalf to provide the matching funds required by the federal grants. Mattox said he understands that the required matching funds are often a deterrent for cities applying for federal grants but that there are ways to obtain the matching funds without directly tapping into a city’s coffers. Mattox then went on to suggest the city look into the federal funds to design and construct a complete streets improvement project for a roughly three-mile stretch of Harper Road. Mattox said a “complete streets” project takes into account more than just motorists on the roadway; it also considers pedestrians, cyclists, utility placement, sidewalks, streetscaping and more. The proposed project area would start at the Vankirk Drive intersection, which connects to Tamarack Marketplace, and continue down Harper Road until the Robert C. Byrd Drive intersection, which leads to downtown Beckley. Mattox is already working on a similar project in Beckley called the WVU Tech Campus Corridor Complete Streets project, which will change the traffic flow and make other street improvements to a portion of South Kanawha Street in front of the West Virginia University Institute of Technology campus. Rotellini said it was because of Mattox’s involvement in the WVU Tech road project, which is also funded by federal dollars, that the chamber asked him to do a presentation for the city about an improvement project for Harper Road. With so many people already traveling along Harper Road from the turnpike, Rotellini said a project like this would entice travelers to look beyond the restaurants, shops and hotels congregated around the exit. “We have this exit where thousands and thousands of people stop traveling north and south every single day, but they go no further than Harper Road, and a lot of the reason is because of the traffic, the congestions,” Rotellini said. “We feel it’s important, if we want to change the landscape for downtown Beckley, we’ve got to be able to find a way to get more people down here. We’re losing too many people that are not stopping and exploring around town.” Richard Jarrell, the owner/operator of Beckley Chick-fil-As and a Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce board member, said he sees this scenario play out daily, except for Sundays of course, at his Chick-fil-A on Harper Road. “For instance, this past weekend (for Thanksgiving) was the busiest travel weekend of the year, and 90 percent of the cars on my lot are from out of state,” Jarrell said. “And when they come out to try to get back on the Harper Road, they’re all turning right to go back onto the interstate and they just can’t make it happen because of the traffic.” After the second or third time experiencing the traffic tie-up, people remember and decide not to come back, Jarrell said. Improvement to Harper Road could fix that, he said, and stop being a deterrent for travelers. “I’m just excited that there’s a conversation about it, to really give people the ideas of what can be because I think sometimes we don’t think about what can happen,” he said. “I look at Harper Road as the gateway to Beckley, and if we can use that as one of the projects, it’ll just be a plus for everything in Beckley.” As far as next steps should Beckley decide to pursue the project, Mattox said he suggested the city advertise for consulting services to draw up plans and specify which federal grants they’d pursue within the Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act to fund it.LPL Financial Reports Monthly Activity for November 2024Jim Montgomery was hired as coach of the NHL's St. Louis Blues on Sunday, five days after being fired as coach of the Boston Bruins. The 55-year-old Canadian, who guided Boston to an NHL record for wins and points in a season but never got past the second round of the playoffs, replaced Drew Bannister, who was fired after a 9-12-1 start by the Blues this season. An 8-9-3 start this season by the Bruins led to Montgomery's firing, but he signed a five-year contract with the Blues. "This was more an opportunity to get someone of Jim's caliber more than anything else," Blues president of hockey operations Doug Armstrong said. "We've had to deal with our situations off the ice with injuries and everyone deals with that, but this decision was based 100% on having someone of Jim's caliber becoming available when I didn't know that was going to happen." Montgomery is 180-84-33 as an NHL coach, having guided Dallas for two seasons and Boston for just over two campaigns, going 120-41-23 with the Bruins. In the 2022-23 season, the Bruins won an NHL record 65 games and compiled a record 135 points under Montgomery, who was named the NHL's Coach of the Year, but were upset by Florida in the first round of the playoffs. Boston also lost to the eventual 2024 Stanley Cup champions in last year's playoffs. Montgomery was dropped by the Bruins last Tuesday and replaced by Joe Sacco. "He certainly has a very positive demeanour, works well with the top players in the organizations that he's been with," Armstrong said. "He has a wealth of experience and he's at the prime of his coaching career." The Blues, who won the 2019 Stanley Cup, have missed the playoffs the past two seasons. Bannister went 39-31-6 as the Blues coach after replacing Craig Berube last December. Montgomery gets his first test with the Blues on Monday when they visit the New York Rangers. js/sev
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