Prepping for 2022: Oriole Park, Baltimore Orioles – Ballpark Digest

Oriole Park at Camden Yards 2019

With the Baltimore Orioles celebrating the 30th anniversary of Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the team is unveiling a ballpark season filled with history exhibits, a new left-field configuration and a slew of new food offerings and concessions stands.

The team already announced some of the events surrounding the 30th anniversary celebration; check them out here. Since then the team released plenty more specifics on what fans can expect at the ballpark.

First: the past. At a new 30th Anniversary Exhibit, fans can explore historic memorabilia and never-before-seen photos from the last three decades while also sharing their memories of ballpark events. Members of the Orioles Advocates–a nonprofit organization that has supported the game of baseball for more than 60 years–will serve as docents at the exhibit to help answer questions and direct fans. Nearly 50 items are on display at the exhibit, located on the main concourse behind home plate, including:

  • Script from the 1992 “The Base Ball” event, autographed by James Earl Jones
  • Lineup cards and pitching rubber from Cal Ripken, Jr.’s record-breaking 2,131st game
  • Jesse Orosco signed cleats from August 17, 1999–the day he broke the Major League record for most games pitched in baseball history (1,072) 
  • Cal Ripken, Jr.’s game-worn jersey from October 5, 2001–his 3,000th career appearance
  • The official scorer’s sheet and game-used second base from the Ripken’s final game on October 6, 2001
  • Ryan Flaherty, JJ Hardy and Nick Markakis bats from May 10, 2012, when the trio set an AL record with back-to-back-to-back home runs to lead off the game
  • Final out baseball and champagne bottle from September 16, 2014, when the Orioles beat Toronto 8-2 to clinch AL East title, the team’s first clinch at home since 1969
  • The ball from the 10,000th home run in club history (Tim Beckham on August 3, 2017)
  • Pedro Alvarez’s game-worn jersey from September 18, 2019, when the Orioles became the first professional sports team to wear Braille jerseys in celebration of the Baltimore-based National Federation of the Blind

Next: the present. The Orioles and concessionaire announced a new lineup of local favorites and Baltimore-inspired eats at the ballpark. Maybe the biggest news is the addition of offerings from Jimmy’s Famous Seafood, one of Baltimore’s most popular restaurants, at the Jimmy’s Famous Seafood stand, located on the lower concourse near Section 72. Items available there include Crab Cake Egg Rolls, Mo Gaba’s Shrimp Platter (fried shrimp served with fries and bay sauce. Another new stand: The Hot Corner, located on the lower concourse near sections 49-52, features chicken tenders and fries served with one of three sauce and topping varieties. Finally, the Orioles are introducing new menu items at existing locations:

  • Crab Dip Pretzel ($16)–Soft baked pretzel with crab dip, Monterey Jack cheese and Old Bay seasoning. Available at the B&O Market along Eutaw Street and shown at the top of the page.
  • Pepperoni Pizza Pretzel ($14)–Soft baked pretzel with marinara, mozzarella, and pepperoni; Available at the B&O Market along Eutaw Street.
  • The Baltimore Smash ($16) – Two short-rib-and-chuck-blend patties topped with shaved onions, American cheese, and special sauce; Available at the Eutaw Street Burger Portable.

Lastly, the future. The team did go ahead and take out sections of left-field seating, move the Oriole Park left-field fence back some 30 feet and raising it to 12 feet to give pitchers a boost. The impact, of course, remains to be seen during the course of the season.

Photo courtesy Baltimore Orioles.

RELATED STORIES: Prepping for 2022: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City Royals; Prepping for 2022: Wrigley Field, Chicago Cubs; Prepping for 2022: Target Field, Minnesota Twins; Prepping for 2022: PNC Park, Pittsburgh Pirates; Prepping for 2022: Comerica Park, Detroit Tigers

About Kevin Reichard

Kevin Reichard is founder and publisher of Ballpark Digest.

Prepping for 2022: Target Field, Minnesota Twins – Ballpark Digest

Target Field 2019

With a slew of new food offerings, a new food market, a sensory suite and a stress on local partners, the Minnesota Twins are prepping for the 2022 Target Field season.

It wouldn’t be a typical season without plenty of changes to Target Field from the Minnesota Twins; there are always enough changes from year to year to ensure that no two ballpark experiences will be the same. This year sees plenty of new offerings from local partners, as overseen by concessionaire Delaware North, include:

  • Mac’s Fish (Minneapolis): A longtime Target Field partner brings its hand-battered walleye with sea salt and jalapeño-lime tartar sauce. Served with French fries. Available at Townball Tavern.
  • Roots for the Home Team (St. Paul): Sue Moores and her team will be back for a 10th year, focusing on youth-driven specialty salads with ingredients grown and harvested by local farmers. Available near Section 101.
  • Bub’s Gourmet Aussie Pies (Lake Elmo): Founder Jason Drysdale is bringing his Australian-inspired, hand-held savory pies to Target Field. Offerings include Chicken Wild Rice and Sloppy Joe. Available near Section 126.
  • Upcycle Foods (Minneapolis): Former Target Field Chef Scott Vanden Broecke’s Italian Grinder sandwich featuring capicola, mortadella, ham, salami and provolone cheese. Served on a fresh-baked pretzel bun made with local brewers’ spent grains, a byproduct of the beer-brewing process. Available at Truly On Deck.
  • Blue Door Pub (Minneapolis, St. Paul): Pat McDonough’s Cease and Desist Burger features white and yellow American cheeses and is topped with lettuce, onions and ‘Merican sauce. Available near Gate 34.
  • La Tapatia (Roseville): Adobo Chicken Tacos served in soft, doubled corn tortillas. Available street- or Cali-style near Section 109.
  • Soul Bowl (Minneapolis): New soul food offerings from Chef Gerald Klass include The Henry Sandwich (barbecue-braised beef, coleslaw, potato chips and a potato roll) and Summer Bowl (barbecue-braised beef, Cajun corn and Return of the Mack and Cheese). Available near Section 112.
  • Turkey To Go (Minneapolis): A Target Field classic makes its return to the concession stand next to Hrbek’s (near Section 114). Offerings include juicy turkey sandwiches made famous at the Minnesota State Fair.
  • Hot Indian (Minneapolis): Another longtime Target Field partner is back with a pair of new items – Chicken Tikka (seasoned, yogurt-marinated chicken breast simmered in a rich, creamy tomato curry; served with brown rice, crispy pappadum, cilantro and HI Slaw) and Vegan Channa Masala (chickpeas and Indian seasonings simmered into a mild and flavorful curry; served with brown rice, crispy pappadum, cilantro and HI Slaw). Available near Section 122.
  • Food Building (Minneapolis): Delaware North’s ballpark chefs collaborated with Kieran Folliard of the Food Building to create the official grilled cheese sandwich of Target Field. The sandwich is made from bread and cheese produced from inside the Food Building, which houses artisan food businesses Red Table Meat Co., Baker’s Field Flour & Bread, and Alemar Cheese Company. Available at the new market near Section 126.
  • We Are Nuts (St. Paul): Twin Cities Business’ 2021 Family Business of the Year brings a selection of its craft-roasted nuts and treats – handmade in small batches. Located at “The Market” near Section 126.

The reference to “The Market” is to a new Target Field space inside Gate 6 down the left-field line is an open-air, walk-through environment delivering both fresh hot food and pre-packaged grab-and-go items not available elsewhere in the ballpark, capped off by self-checkout stations. Worth noting: the space also contains a walk-in cooler featuring an extensive variety of canned craft beers.

The Twins are also joining the trend toward sensory suites at the sporting venue. The Twins and local firm UnitedHealthcare are offering neuroatypical ticket holders of all ages and abilities to visit the ballpark’s new UnitedHealthcare Sensory Suite. Located on the newly renamed UnitedHealthcare Suite Level, the former “Suite 1” has been completely renovated, reimagined and equipped to deliver a welcoming, compatible environment in which neuroatypical guests may find temporary respite, if needed, during games.

There are a few twists with this installation, however, according to a team press release. The Sensory Suite’s distinctive location on the suite level is meant to ensure accessibility, while also helping to ease guests’ transition back to their ticketed seats by offering a controlled, outdoor area overlooking the game. This outdoor option makes Target Field’s sensory area among a select few in professional sports venues nationally to have a view of the playing surface. On-site Twins Guest Services staff members have been individually trained to deliver appropriate and diverse assistance.

Fans won’t be impacted by this work, but other Target Field upgrades are in the works. Check them out.

RELATED STORIES: Target Field updates due in 2022, 2023; Target Field at 10; Prepping for 2022: PNC Park, Pittsburgh Pirates; Prepping for 2022: Comerica Park, Detroit Tigers

About Kevin Reichard

Kevin Reichard is founder and publisher of Ballpark Digest.

Surprise: Twitter Is Actually Prepping an Edit Button (for Paid Users) – PCMag

Twitter’s most requested feature, the edit button, is actually real, and is set to arrive as a test feature later this year. 

The company announced the news this afternoon amid speculation that new Twitter board member Elon Musk will pressure the social media platform into adding an edit button. 

“Now that everyone is asking… yes, we’ve been working on an edit feature since last year! No, we didn’t get the idea from a poll,” Twitter tweeted, referencing the poll Musk started on Monday asking if users want an edit button.

The company plans on testing the edit button first among users of Twitter Blue, which costs $2.99 per month. The edit button will be available through the Twitter Blue Labs beta program in the coming months. Twitter also debuted a GIF that shows the edit button will be accessible via the three-dot button on a posted tweet. 

“Edit has been the most requested Twitter feature for many years,” said Head of Consumer Product Jay Sullivan. “People want to be able to fix (sometimes embarrassing) mistakes, typos and hot takes in the moment. They currently work around this by deleting and tweeting again.”

In the past, Twitter has balked at adding an edit button over concerns it could be abused. The main worry is that a tweet that’s gone viral could be edited with different information. People who circulated the original tweet would then be rebroadcasting information totally unaware the content was changed. 

“Without things like time limits, controls, and transparency about what has been edited, Edit could be misused to alter the record of the public conversation,” Sullivan added. “Protecting the integrity of that public conversation is our top priority when we approach this work.”

Recommended by Our Editors

As a result, Twitter is being extra careful with how it develops the edit button. “It will take time and we will be actively seeking input and adversarial thinking in advance of launching Edit. We will approach this feature with care and thoughtfulness and we will share updates as we go,” Sullivan added. 

It’s unclear if the edit button will remain exclusive to Twitter Blue. We reached out to Twitter for comment and will update the story if we hear back. However, the company’s blog post on Twitter Blue Labs notes: “These features might eventually become available to the rest of Twitter, graduate to a feature of Twitter Blue, or sunset based on feedback we hear from subscribers.”

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Prepping for 2022: PNC Park, Pittsburgh Pirates – Ballpark Digest

New social and group spaces, upgraded concessions, an emphasis on team history and new kids areas are on tap for fans attending Pittsburgh Pirates games this season at PNC Park.

As PNC Park enters its 22nd season of play, the team engaged with Janet Marie Smith to explore different ways in which to improve the ballpark experience. Smith, who served as a lead designer in the creation of Oriole Park, has spearheaded similar fan experience projects at some of the most iconic ballparks in the country, including Fenway Park and Dodger Stadium.

“It was clear from the first time I walked the ballpark with Bob (Nutting) that the vision was to evolve the experience and enhance the very best things about the ballpark. There is a keen awareness that fan habits have changed, and the way ballparks are experienced has changed,” Smith said via press release. “Every improvement was designed to bring the fans closer to the game by removing walls, barriers, and even some seats to be sure that fans are enjoying the new spaces while being intimately connected to the field. It was important to add something for every fan, including cool displays for baseball historians, play areas for kids, craft beer and new food concepts for friends to enjoy together.”

“As we work hard to build our team on the field, we are also focused on the continued evolution of the experience at PNC Park,” said Pirates Chairman Bob Nutting via press release. “We need to ensure that PNC Park is a welcoming and fun place for every fan, build off what is best about PNC Park and improve the gameday experience to meet the changing needs of our fans. The evolution will also include new displays that showcase and share with our fans the incredibly rich and inspiring history of the Pirates and baseball in Pittsburgh.”

Some of the new elements, which have been privately funded by the Pirates and will be unveiled at the Home Opener on April 12, include:  

THE BULLPEN – Replacing the former gameday security building, the creation of this new gathering space above the center field bullpens will include two rows of drink rails, comfortable seating, televisions and more. Like all of the new spaces, The Bullpen offers a great view of the action on the field, so fans won’t miss a minute of the game while enjoying a craft beer on the riverwalk. The rendering is at the top of the page.

KIDS PLAY AREAS – The kids play area in right field has been refreshed and is now expanded to flow along the Riverwalk into the center field area. The expansion features life-sized bobbleheads, a Lucky Climber shaped like a pirate ship, as well as an accessible kid’s play bridge inspired by the nearby Roberto Clemente Bridge. The evolution of the play area allows families to enjoy the play elements while remaining connected to the action on the field.

THE LANDING – Located just above the Center Field fenceline, The Landing offers a fantastic view of the action on the field, as well as the perfect view back to the Roberto Clemente Bridge and downtown cityscape. The new social gathering space features new drink rails, tables and high-top seating creating a relaxed environment for all fans.

NEW FOOD CONCEPTS – Together with Aramark, the Pirates have partnered with local Pittsburgh chefs to create new food concepts and specialty offerings. The new concepts will be featured throughout the Riverwalk and in the arcade under the left field bleachers. Included in the new offering: Burgh Katsu (cucumber kimchi, mini pierogies, bread fried ham and hoisin aioli on a toasted roll), the Ranch Burger (double patty, pub cheese, house pickles, shredded iceberg lettuce, and ranch dressing), Adobo Beef Nachos (corn tortilla chips, queso sauce, black beans, jalapeños, scallions, cilantro lime crema, and salsa).

THE PATIO – Located between the Upper and Lower Bleacher seating areas in left field, The Patio is a newly widened and leveled area that extends from the bullpens to the Left Field Rotunda. The expansion of this platform and new furniture will allow for a comfortable gathering space overlooking left field. 

PICNIC PARK – Always a fantastic place to host groups, The Picnic Park will now feature upgraded furnishings, enhanced lighting and landscaping, as well as additional access points for greater connection to the new fan enhancements along the Riverwalk. 

CELEBRATING HISTORY – The Pirates will introduce several new curated displays throughout the ballpark that will commemorate and celebrate the rich history of the Pirates and baseball in Pittsburgh. These elements, which will be unveiled throughout the season, will include additional displays along the Upper Riverwalk, retired numbers in the landscape and oversized baseballs placed along the entire span of the Lower Riverwalk.

Renderings courtesy Pittsburgh Pirates.

RELATED STORIES: Prepping for 2022: Comerica Park, Detroit Tigers

5 Easy Ways to Stay Relaxed When Prepping for the Bar Exam – Legal Scoops

Practice April 4, 2022 By

The bar exam is a challenging exam that tests your knowledge of the law and your ability to think quickly and perform under pressure. It’s no surprise that the bar exam isn’t a light topic, and though everyone prepares differently, there are some things everyone needs to know. It is the ultimate final hurdle for law school graduates. It’s often the only chance to see if you can pass the bar. It’s also nerve-wracking and can be stressful, which is why it’s vital to find ways to stay relaxed when preparing for the bar exam.

1. Focus on Self-Care

When preparing for the bar exam, it’s important to take moments for yourself and focus on self-care. Aromatherapy products are a great way to relieve stress and anxiety, or you can light your favorite candle to help calm your nerves. Make your favorite study snack, or let yourself have a few minutes to watch a mindless video or talk to a friend.

2. Identify Your Concerns

The chances are that you’re nervous about the bar exam, and this makes sense. Even if you’ve done everything right and prepared correctly, it’s still frightening to take a big test like this. To ease your nerves, consider what exactly you’re worried about and try to address it head-on. For example, if you’re worried about reading at least 400-500 questions during the exam, go over a couple of examples of how to answer each one correctly.

3. Find a Good Study Environment

While solitude is sometimes the best way to study, it’s also not always possible. You probably want to get some studying done before you take your test as well, so think about where you’re going to get the most work done. The library may work for some people, but others prefer a quiet place to study in their own home. Know your likes and dislikes so you can find the perfect environment.

4. Do Something Unique to Ease the Test

You may be nervous about taking the bar exam, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend time studying the same way everyone else does. Think outside of the box and do something different. For example, if you’re in law school and have a particularly tough exam in a particular subject, switch up your study style by studying some other subjects as well. Maybe you could study international law one day and family law another day? It can help ease anxiety by providing variety that so many others lack.

5. Take a Break

Like studying, you might not get the same amount of actual work done while taking time off from school. You might do more work when you take a break from school. However, life is short, and so is the bar exam. Think about what’s essential in life and make sure it’s in the forefront of your mind for this test. If you want to get serious about your studies, find another way to relax.

The bar exam is long and challenging, but you’re going to be okay. The most important thing you can do is know yourself. Take things slow and make sure you’ve prepared enough to pass. If you’ve done this, the chances are high that the bar exam will be a breeze for you!

Jacob Maslow

The senior editor of Legal Scoops, Jacob Maslow, has founded several online newspapers including Daily Forex Report and Conservative Free Press

Prepping for 2022: Comerica Park, Detroit Tigers – Ballpark Digest

Detroit TigersNew cars were installed on the Chevrolet Fountain yesterday, which means the Detroit Tigers are ready for a new season at Comerica Park, as the team unveils new menu items and more.

The team and concessionaire Delaware North Sportservice unveiled a long list of new food items for fans at Comerica Park this season. The list has quite the commitment to Michigan flavors, including four sweet and savory iterations of the local pasties, as well as a line of sandwiches and more. Someone put some real thought into this menu: it takes a special imagination to envision a pasty stuffed with cheddar and potato pierogis.

  • Brisket and Mac ‘N Cheese Pasty: Rich, flaky crust stuffed hatch and chili queso Mac ‘N Cheese with smoked beef brisket
  • Coney Pasty: Rich, flaky crust stuffed with ballpark frank slices, coney sauce, mustard and diced onions
  • Polish Pasty: Rich, flaky crust stuffed with cheddar and potato pierogis, grilled smoked sausage and sauerkraut
  • Apple Pasty: Tender apples and cinnamon baked in rich, flaky crust
  • Motor City Chicken: Tender pork loin wrapped in bacon, drizzled with spicy Michigan Maple Syrup 
  • Fresh Italian Sausage: Grilled rope Italian Sausage topped with marinara, peppers and onions
  • Milk ‘N Cookies: Big chocolate chip cookie and half pint of Guernsey milk
  • The Notorious P.I.G. – Smoked pulled pork, macaroni and cheese, onion straws and pickled jalapeno peppers, drizzled with BBQ Sauce on onion roll
  • Fat Rooster Chicken Sandwich: Fried spicy chicken topped with house-made pickles and slaw and honey mayo on sweet Hawaiian Roll
  • Impossible Burger: Plant-based burger with lettuce, tomato and onion
  • Gyro Nacho: Crispy pita chips, carved gyro meat, chopped romaine lettuce, diced tomato, onions and tzatziki
  • Beer Braised Brat: Grilled bratwurst simmered in beer and butter, topped with sauerkraut and served on pretzel bun

“We are thrilled to welcome Tigers fans back to Comerica Park, both on Opening Day and throughout the upcoming season,” said Ellen Hill-Zeringue, Vice President of Marketing via press statement. “We have some amazing experiences planned for our fans, including Pink Out the Park, the jersey retirement of Tigers legend Lou Whitaker, our second annual Summer Bash, Negro Leagues Weekend, ¡Fiesta Tigres! and much more.

Traditionally, Comerica Park really hasn’t been seen as a foodie paradise. The Detroit Tigers are directly challenging that assumption in 2022.

Speaking of Chevrolet: The left-field Chevrolet Pavilion has been upgraded with a new bar facing the playing field, with a rebranded canopy and signage that is visible both from the concourse and the field side. Detroit-based Atwater Brewery branding is now also featured.

About Kevin Reichard

Kevin Reichard is founder and publisher of Ballpark Digest.

Ark. tourism leaders already prepping for 2024 solar eclipse – KSLA

TEXARKANA, Ark. (KSLA) – Although still two years away, tourism leaders in Arkansas have begun preparing for what they believe will be the largest influx of tourists in the state’s history.

In April of 2024, Arkansas and Texas will be able to see a total solar eclipse. Kim Williams with the Arkansas Eclipse Project met with a group of Texarkana leaders Friday, April 1 to encourage businesses and citizens to prepare for an event she says will bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Natural State. The last total solar eclipse was in 2017, and Williams says it proved to be a great economic boost for cities and states in the direct path.

“We anticipate visitation unlike anything Arkansas has seen before. I will say that because with Arkansas, two-thirds of the state is within that path of totality,” Williams said.

The eclipse is projected to occur Monday, April 8, 2024, and will be visible to the State of Arkansas for about three hours.

Click here to see a map of the path of the eclipse.

Copyright 2022 KSLA. All rights reserved.

Rep. Connolly Prepping Bill to Cut Feds’ Soaring Improper Payments – MeriTalk

House Government Operations Subcommittee Chairman Gerry Connolly, D-Va., said today he is preparing legislation that aims to reduce the Federal government’s ballooning improper payments rate – which amounted to at least $281 billion in fiscal year 2021 and was greatly exacerbated by fraud in connection with COVID-19 relief programs including unemployment insurance (UI) administered by states whose IT systems were overwhelmed by demand.

News of the government’s soaring improper payment rate broke in January when the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) reported that improper payments rose on a governmentwide basis to 7.2 percent for FY2021, driven in part by big jumps in (UI) fraud. According to OMB, the FY2021 UI program’s improper payment rate jumped to 18.7 percent – roughly 5-8 percentage points higher than during other non-pandemic years.

By contrast, Federal government improper payments – defined as payments that should not have been made or were made for incorrect amounts – totaled 5.6 percent for FY2020.

Rep. Connolly said at a subcommittee hearing today that the 7.2 percent improper payment rate for FY2021 was derived from data showing that 86 “high-risk” Federal programs had some form of improper payments. “Of their 3.9 trillion dollars in outlays, over 7.2% were paid improperly. That’s $281 billion dollars in improper payments–more than any other fiscal year since fiscal year 2003,” he said.

Legislation Looks to Data, IT for Fixes

The congressman said his planned legislation will aim to put in place better management of the governmentwide problem and will rely on the use of better data and improved IT capabilities to reverse the trend of increasing incorrect payments.

Rep. Connolly said the legislation would establish a Federal office “dedicated to program integrity to implement robust oversight of federal agencies’ program integrity efforts.”

“Importantly, this office will shift from a compliance-based to an action-oriented approach by requiring federal programs with significant risk of improper payments to implement proactive, data-driven, and outcome-oriented antifraud controls,” he said.

“In addition, the bill will ensure that agencies minimize the burden of their anti-fraud controls on the public,” Rep. Connolly said. “By focusing its efforts on data collection, sharing, and analysis, this new office will enhance program integrity in the highest-priority federal programs without putting undue burden on those programs’ customers.”

The congressman emphasized the crucial role of data, data sharing, and capable IT infrastructure in tackling the problem.

“I want to highlight that good, quality data – and the modern IT infrastructure that can support its collection, sharing, and analysis – are foundational to tackling improper payments,” Rep. Connolly said. “Data are key to reducing paperwork errors and fraud without putting burden on the public.”

“Using data as a solution is not controversial: last July, the Office of Management and Budget and the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee issued a payment integrity alert on the use of automation and data analytics to, ‘support agency missions while mitigating payment integrity risks,’” he said. “Using and matching datasets to identify potential improper payments, fraudulent or otherwise, is fundamental and nonpartisan – we just need the will to make it happen.”

Bipartisan Dismay

The goal of shrinking the government’s improper payments has clear bipartisan support among subcommittee leadership.

Rep. Jody Hice, R-Ga., ranking member of the subcommittee, said that Republicans and Democrats may disagree on the necessity of some government programs, but “we know with certainty that government assistance will be totally ineffective if those funds never even reach the intended recipients.”

“Improper payments have been a thorn in the side of our government probably forever,” he said, adding, “the problem, however, is certainly getting worse and it was getting worse even before COVID. The trillions of dollars that were spent in pandemic assistance ushered in a wave of fraud, quite frankly, the likes of which we’ve never experienced before.”

Rep. Hice acknowledged the government’s focus on the problem but said it was past time to take stronger action. “We don’t need more meetings,” he said, “we need action to stop the fraud and the abuse that’s been taking place.”

The congressman said he also wished that a Biden administration representative was among the witnesses at today’s hearing to explain the current state of play on the issue. “This should be a top priority, this should be considered an emergency for this administration,” Rep. Hice said.

WCSO prepping for more Spring Break crowds – WMBB – mypanhandle.com

SANTA ROSA BEACH, Fla. (WMBB) – Social media has posed a whole new set of challenges for law enforcement when it comes to spring break.

Large parties are advertised on different social media sites and it can be hard to predict how many people will show up.

Officials said these types of events were partially to blame for the mass crowds and shooting that occurred in Panama City Beach on Sunday.

With these types of posts now being advertised for Walton and Okaloosa counties, law enforcement officials are trying to get a jump on it.

“We saw some of the social media posts and we made a decision to be proactive,” Walton County Sheriff Michael Adkinson said. “I reached out to Sheriff Eric Aden in Okaloosa County and some of his staff and we just said very bluntly we are going to be prepared for this. We are not going to allow this to get out of hand.”

Adkinson decided to reach out to short-term rental owners to let them know about the social media events.

“When we reached out to them and made them aware of it, they said ‘Hey that’s not within the scope of our rental agreement. That’s not what we want.’ And they were willing to say ‘We may not even rent that week,’” Adkinson said. “So we’re certainly appreciative and if other houses pop up, we’ll reach out to those folks too.”

Adkinson said those groups were thankful for the heads up.

“We’ve made contact with some representation for Airbnb and Expedia and they don’t want that. We don’t want that. They don’t want that,” Adkinson said. “We reached out to the local entities renting those residences and they have agreed to cancel those reservations.”

The sheriff said he realizes Walton County is a vacation destination, but things need to remain orderly.

“We want people to come here. We want them to have a good time,” Adkinson said. “We certainly love planned events but if it starts with a takeover or we’re going to do what we want to do, those kinds of things. We’re not having that. We’re not having that.”

Adkinson said they are expecting another very busy week next week, with Atlanta spring breakers coming, so it will be all hands on deck.

The sheriff’s office will have everything from bike patrol, beach patrol, and even some plainclothes deputies out there to keep everyone safe.

Suamico native, Finley, prepping for NHL Draft – The Press-Times

By Greg Bates
Correspondent

SUAMICO – When the NHL Central Scouting report was released earlier this year ranking the top skaters and goalies for 2022 NHL (National Hockey League) Draft-eligible players, Quinn Finley said he was interested to see where his name landed.

The Suamico native came in as the No. 45 skater in North America.

The NHL Draft will take place in July.

“It makes me want it that much more,” Finley said. “When I see guys in front of me, I want to be in their spot. I’m hungry and motivated to keep getting better. I’m humbled and proud. It’s a great ranking, but you’ve got to go and play on the ice. Hopefully, I can increase that ranking. I need to contribute on the ice, and we’ll see where that ends up.”

This season has been difficult for Finley to up his draft standing because he missed significant time with an injury.

While playing for the Madison Capitols in the United States Hockey League (USHL), he broke his collarbone during a game in mid-November and didn’t return until Feb. 4.

Finley, who had never been injured before playing hockey, had surgery shortly after the injury.

“During my rehab, I was on the ice almost every day,” Finley said. “I was shooting and puck handling in moderation.”

During rehab, Finley commuted from Madison to Green Bay.

Before his injury, Finley — who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 USHL futures draft by the Capitols — played in 14 games and tallied 10 points (five goals and five assists).

Since his return to the lineup from injury, the 17-year-old Finley has averaged almost a point per game, scoring 15 points (six goals and nine assists) in 17 games played.

Included in those totals, Finley had three assists against the Green Bay Gamblers March 19 and a hat trick the next night.

For his efforts, he was named USHL Forward of the Week for the first time in his career.

The Capitols are 6-2 when Finley finds the back of the net this season.

Playing in 31 games this season, the Capitols winger has tallied a career-high 25 points (11-14-25).

“I like my playmaking ability and my high IQ plays,” Finley said. “I’m a strong offensive-minded forward who can shoot and score.”

Finley said one area off the ice he’s concentrating on is getting stronger.

He stands 6-feet tall and has upped his weight to close to 180 pounds.

When Finley was with the Chicago Steel for the 2020-21 season — the Capitols were on hiatus during the pandemic — he got to play with a couple of NHL first-round picks in Matt Coronado and Mackie Samoskevich.

“They were good mentors,” Finley said. “I can ask them questions, and they’re like my best buds. It’s been good to listen and learn from them.”

Finley said he can’t wait for the opportunity to hear his name called during the draft.

“I’m excited,” he said. “The draft is a huge day, so I want to set myself up for the best possibility to go as high as I can. Whichever team that is, I’m humbled and proud.”

Despite not knowing which NHL city he’ll land in, Finley has his next few years mapped out.

Next season, he’ll play out his senior year with the Capitols.

For the 2023-24 season, Finley is planning to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison, which he said was his dream school.

Wisconsin and Northeastern were Finley’s final two college choices, with the Badgers winning him over with their coaching staff.

“(Wisconsin Head Coach) Tony Granato, his resume speaks by itself,” Finley said. “He played in the NHL, and he’s coached some of the best. I think if I can learn from him, I can set myself up.”

Finley said he’s looking forward to making the jump from the USHL to NCAA Division I hockey as a true freshman.

“Once you have a good year and you dominate at the USHL level, it would be time to go to college,” he said. “If I can dominate next year, it would be time to go to Wisconsin.”