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Sharon James lost her son John Heggie III, 30, 2 years ago to the day to gun violence. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)
For Sharon James, it feels like the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday carries more weight in Philadelphia this year, especially as homicides in the city reached a 30-year high claiming 499 victims and young people find themselves increasingly caught in the crossfire.
She remembers King’s birthday growing up in North Philly as a day of unity and service for whole communities. Kids who had the day off from school spent the day volunteering with the community, she recalled.
“Things have changed and even if you try to do anything, people are scared,” James said. “They’re scared people are going to start shooting. We got people going to the corner store … and they’re shooting the kids.”
Carolina honored 25 faculty members and teaching assistants for their accomplishments with 2021 University Teaching Awards.
Given annually, these awards acknowledge the University’s commitment to outstanding teaching and mentoring for graduate and undergraduate students.
“Throughout a challenging year in the midst of a global pandemic, the winners quickly adapted to new ways of teaching. They persevered to maintain their focus on helping students become critical thinkers and problem solvers, while inspiring them to take on the most important challenges facing society,” said Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Robert A. Blouin. “Our award winners are shining examples of the University’s commitment to effective, innovative teaching.”
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Jim’s Camps on the Cathance River in Bowdoinham normally has camps on the river by mid-January but so far, there is still no ice. Here, his camps are seen on the river in 2018.
AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File
BOWDOINHAM Warmer than average temperatures this winter have left local smelt fishing businesses without ice, or customers.
“It’s definitely put a halt on my income,” said Jim McPherson, who has run his smelt camp business on the Cathance River in Bowdoinham for about 50 years. The winter was looking promising in December but the state was hit with rain and warm temperatures around Christmas this year that wiped out the snow and ice.