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From school janitor to school principal...Wow, that's ambition.
Man Becomes Principal At Elementary School Where He Worked As A Janitor
September 1, 2022
Mike Huss started working at Ione Elementary School as a janitor. This year, he's the principal.
Huss was a student at the elementary school, and despite him saying that he never saw himself in education growing up, his peers and family believed otherwise.
After graduating high school, Huss became a janitor at the school. His coworkers, friends and family saw how he interacted with the kids and encouraged him to get his teaching degree. And he went for it.
"I wanted to show my young son, that if your dad can do this, if your dad can be the school janitor coaching youth sports, maintain a good grade point average and become a school teacher, you can accomplish anything in this life son," Huss said.
He was looking forward to teaching 5th grade again this year when he got the offer to be the school's principal. They reached out to me and said, 'We think you're the leader the school needs'. That was very humbling and it brings chills just to say it," Huss said.
Huss has only been principal for about two weeks but he already has a lot of support from his school district, his school staff and his young students.
"They give me hugs and say, 'You're doing a great job,' and it's really cute to see a first grader tell you that. 'You don't even know what I'm doing. But thank you very much for saying it.' But they see me out and interacting so I think to them, that's all that matters," Huss said.
September 1, 2022
Mike Huss started working at Ione Elementary School as a janitor. This year, he's the principal.
Huss was a student at the elementary school, and despite him saying that he never saw himself in education growing up, his peers and family believed otherwise.
After graduating high school, Huss became a janitor at the school. His coworkers, friends and family saw how he interacted with the kids and encouraged him to get his teaching degree. And he went for it.
"I wanted to show my young son, that if your dad can do this, if your dad can be the school janitor coaching youth sports, maintain a good grade point average and become a school teacher, you can accomplish anything in this life son," Huss said.
He was looking forward to teaching 5th grade again this year when he got the offer to be the school's principal. They reached out to me and said, 'We think you're the leader the school needs'. That was very humbling and it brings chills just to say it," Huss said.
Huss has only been principal for about two weeks but he already has a lot of support from his school district, his school staff and his young students.
"They give me hugs and say, 'You're doing a great job,' and it's really cute to see a first grader tell you that. 'You don't even know what I'm doing. But thank you very much for saying it.' But they see me out and interacting so I think to them, that's all that matters," Huss said.
3 Police officers shot in Houston - Suspect caught by good Samaritan
A gunman shot three cops in Houston in the middle of a wild car chase across the city that ended with him barricaded in a house on Thursday, police said.
The three wounded officers were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries and in stable condition, authorities said in a media briefing.
“All three officers are in good spirits, all were talkative,” Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner told reporters after meeting with the officers at Memorial Hermann Hospital.
The gunman was arrested after an hours-long standoff at a house in Houston’s Fifth Ward on Thursday night. He surrendered and walked out of the house with his hands raised at 7:45 p.m.
The suspect had a gunshot wound to the neck, officials said.
Police were called to a home on Trolley Street at 2:42 p.m. over an unspecified disturbance but a man inside spotted cops and ran out of the home. He sped away in a car before crashing at McGowen Street in the city’s Third Ward, Police Chief Troy Finner said.
As police got out of their vehicle, the man opened fire with what is believed to be an automatic weapon and struck the three officers, Finner said. One cop was hit in the leg, another in the arm, and the third in a foot, authorities said.
First video shows the shootout:
Second video shows the suspect takedown by a civilian good Samaritan:
Sources tell KPRC 2 that the suspect is 31-year-old Roland Caballero.
According to a criminal history record from the Texas Department of Public Safety, Caballero has been arrested multiple times since 2008 - when he was 18 years old.
The three wounded officers were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries and in stable condition, authorities said in a media briefing.
“All three officers are in good spirits, all were talkative,” Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner told reporters after meeting with the officers at Memorial Hermann Hospital.
The gunman was arrested after an hours-long standoff at a house in Houston’s Fifth Ward on Thursday night. He surrendered and walked out of the house with his hands raised at 7:45 p.m.
The suspect had a gunshot wound to the neck, officials said.
Police were called to a home on Trolley Street at 2:42 p.m. over an unspecified disturbance but a man inside spotted cops and ran out of the home. He sped away in a car before crashing at McGowen Street in the city’s Third Ward, Police Chief Troy Finner said.
As police got out of their vehicle, the man opened fire with what is believed to be an automatic weapon and struck the three officers, Finner said. One cop was hit in the leg, another in the arm, and the third in a foot, authorities said.
First video shows the shootout:
Second video shows the suspect takedown by a civilian good Samaritan:
Sources tell KPRC 2 that the suspect is 31-year-old Roland Caballero.
According to a criminal history record from the Texas Department of Public Safety, Caballero has been arrested multiple times since 2008 - when he was 18 years old.
What's up with Veena Malik
An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan on Tuesday awarded 26-year jail term to owner of the country's major media group for airing "blasphemous contents" during a TV program.
The court ordered the arrest of Mir Shakil ur Rehman, the owner the Jang group of publications. The group owns "Geo television" and the English daily "The News", Xinhua reported.
The court in Gilgit-Baltistan also announced jail term for known actress Veena Malik, her husband Asad Malik and Shayesta Lodhi, who had hosted the controversial programm.
None of the accused were present in the court at the time of the announcement of the verdict.
Judge Raja Shehbaz Khan also imposed a penalty of 1.3 million Pakistani rupees (about $12,500) each on all the convicts, who have the right to appeal against the judgment.
Waqar Ahmad, secretary to the judge, told the media the court ordered the local administration to confiscate properties of the convicts if they did not surrender to the authorities.
All convicts are believed to have gone abroad.
A petition, filed in May this year, had stated that the convicts had "used derogatory language for "committing blasphemy by airing objectionable contents" against the family of the Prophet Hazrat Muhammad.
Officials said all convicts can file appeal against the verdict in the chief court in Gilgit-Baltistan, which is equal to a high court.
Geo television had aired the controversial morning show May 14 that had prompted criticism from religious circles. The TV had publicly apologized over the program and also published apology in the group's English and Urdu newspapers.
The program was aired to celebrate the wedding of famous film and TV drama actress Veena Malik.
The management later said the host had unintentionally committed a mistake in the program namely "Wuthu Jago Pakistan", which means wake up Pakistan. Religious groups had also staged rallies against the media group.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The court ordered the arrest of Mir Shakil ur Rehman, the owner the Jang group of publications. The group owns "Geo television" and the English daily "The News", Xinhua reported.
The court in Gilgit-Baltistan also announced jail term for known actress Veena Malik, her husband Asad Malik and Shayesta Lodhi, who had hosted the controversial programm.
None of the accused were present in the court at the time of the announcement of the verdict.
Judge Raja Shehbaz Khan also imposed a penalty of 1.3 million Pakistani rupees (about $12,500) each on all the convicts, who have the right to appeal against the judgment.
Waqar Ahmad, secretary to the judge, told the media the court ordered the local administration to confiscate properties of the convicts if they did not surrender to the authorities.
All convicts are believed to have gone abroad.
A petition, filed in May this year, had stated that the convicts had "used derogatory language for "committing blasphemy by airing objectionable contents" against the family of the Prophet Hazrat Muhammad.
Officials said all convicts can file appeal against the verdict in the chief court in Gilgit-Baltistan, which is equal to a high court.
Geo television had aired the controversial morning show May 14 that had prompted criticism from religious circles. The TV had publicly apologized over the program and also published apology in the group's English and Urdu newspapers.
The program was aired to celebrate the wedding of famous film and TV drama actress Veena Malik.
The management later said the host had unintentionally committed a mistake in the program namely "Wuthu Jago Pakistan", which means wake up Pakistan. Religious groups had also staged rallies against the media group.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
It is Balloon, Space Balloon.
In response to:
Forget Rockets. This Insane Space Balloon Will Start Flying Passengers Into the Heavens in 2024
Michael Verdon
Wed, June 23, 2021, 1:00 PM
A Florida company is now offering a different space-flight experience than the rocket-based trips from Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic and Space-X. Space Perspective said that last Friday’s successful launch of its space balloon, Neptune One, shows that another type of space travel is possible.
Unlike the aircraft-like capsule of the other commercial space firms, Neptune One will be more like a lounge, complete with WiFi, toilet and bar, that floats at 12 mph into the stratosphere. The capsule can seat eight passengers and a pilot. “Everything is slow, gentle and comfortable,” says Jane Poynter, who founded the company with her husband, Taber McCallum. “You’re not blasting into space on top of a rocket, with the fury and vibrations that involves.”
The six-hour, thirty-seven-minute trip also contrasts to the 11-minute flights of the other rockets. So does the price: Space Perspective opened up ticket sales for the first commercial flights in 2024 for $150,000. Virgin Galactic initially planned to charge $250,000 for its first flights, but that number is expected to rise, while the third astronaut joining Jeff and Mark Bezos aboard the maiden July 2020 commercial Blue Origin flight paid $28 million for the seat.
Space Perspective plans to launch three flights per year, first from the Space Coast Spaceport in Titusville, Florida, and then at other locations around the US, and eventually internationally.
The space balloon doesn’t go nearly as high as the other aircraft. It floats up to 100,000 feet compared to the others which briefly cross the Kármán Line, 62 miles above the earth that researchers and scientists consider the divider between Earth’s atmosphere and space. There, the tourist astronauts will experience weightlessness for several minutes, something that doesn’t happen on Space Perspective’s space balloon.
Poynter says the Neptune flight will be similar to the other trips. “The experience is indistinguishable from other commercial space-tourism flights,” she says. “You can see the full blackness of space and 450 miles in every direction on Earth—including all of Florida and into the Bahamas.” The actual time at 100,000 feet is nearly two hours, allowing plenty of time to enjoy the view.
The space balloon and capsule will have a pilot, but can be controlled remotely. It will land in the water, with a ship on hand to collect the passengers. The capsule will be used for multiple flights, while the balloon can only be used once.
Poynter and McCallum have been involved with researching and developing the technology behind space balloons for more than a decade. Neptune One’s launch from the Space Coast Spaceport on Friday was the first for a space balloon.
Several studies have forecasted that space tourism could become a $250-$500 billion industry. “You’re already beginning to see a whole eco-system develop, including companies focused on training and service and even a space travel agency,” says Poynter. “We’ve seen that demand ourselves—at one of our recent events, we sold 25 tickets within 25 minutes.”
Forget Rockets. This Insane Space Balloon Will Start Flying Passengers Into the Heavens in 2024
Michael Verdon
Wed, June 23, 2021, 1:00 PM
A Florida company is now offering a different space-flight experience than the rocket-based trips from Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic and Space-X. Space Perspective said that last Friday’s successful launch of its space balloon, Neptune One, shows that another type of space travel is possible.
Unlike the aircraft-like capsule of the other commercial space firms, Neptune One will be more like a lounge, complete with WiFi, toilet and bar, that floats at 12 mph into the stratosphere. The capsule can seat eight passengers and a pilot. “Everything is slow, gentle and comfortable,” says Jane Poynter, who founded the company with her husband, Taber McCallum. “You’re not blasting into space on top of a rocket, with the fury and vibrations that involves.”
The six-hour, thirty-seven-minute trip also contrasts to the 11-minute flights of the other rockets. So does the price: Space Perspective opened up ticket sales for the first commercial flights in 2024 for $150,000. Virgin Galactic initially planned to charge $250,000 for its first flights, but that number is expected to rise, while the third astronaut joining Jeff and Mark Bezos aboard the maiden July 2020 commercial Blue Origin flight paid $28 million for the seat.
Space Perspective plans to launch three flights per year, first from the Space Coast Spaceport in Titusville, Florida, and then at other locations around the US, and eventually internationally.
The space balloon doesn’t go nearly as high as the other aircraft. It floats up to 100,000 feet compared to the others which briefly cross the Kármán Line, 62 miles above the earth that researchers and scientists consider the divider between Earth’s atmosphere and space. There, the tourist astronauts will experience weightlessness for several minutes, something that doesn’t happen on Space Perspective’s space balloon.
Poynter says the Neptune flight will be similar to the other trips. “The experience is indistinguishable from other commercial space-tourism flights,” she says. “You can see the full blackness of space and 450 miles in every direction on Earth—including all of Florida and into the Bahamas.” The actual time at 100,000 feet is nearly two hours, allowing plenty of time to enjoy the view.
The space balloon and capsule will have a pilot, but can be controlled remotely. It will land in the water, with a ship on hand to collect the passengers. The capsule will be used for multiple flights, while the balloon can only be used once.
Poynter and McCallum have been involved with researching and developing the technology behind space balloons for more than a decade. Neptune One’s launch from the Space Coast Spaceport on Friday was the first for a space balloon.
Several studies have forecasted that space tourism could become a $250-$500 billion industry. “You’re already beginning to see a whole eco-system develop, including companies focused on training and service and even a space travel agency,” says Poynter. “We’ve seen that demand ourselves—at one of our recent events, we sold 25 tickets within 25 minutes.”
Uh oh. Another nail in Trump from the Impeachment Inquiry
Today is was revealed that a key witness, Gordon Sondland, US ambassador to the European Union, reversed his testimony.
Previously, it was apparent, that he TRIED to protect the president, but inconsistencies and illogical statements did more damage than good for the (so called) president. Thus, he finally spoke the truth after.
"refreshing" his memory.
Previously, it was apparent, that he TRIED to protect the president, but inconsistencies and illogical statements did more damage than good for the (so called) president. Thus, he finally spoke the truth after.
"refreshing" his memory.
In response to:
Key Donald Trump impeachment witness changes testimony over Ukraine 'quid pro quo'
Nick Allen
5 November 2019 • 8:57 PM
A key witness in the Donald Trump impeachment inquiry has reversed his evidence, indicating he did believe there was a quid pro quo in which US military aid would be denied to Ukraine unless it publicly launched a corruption investigation into Joe Biden.
Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the European Union, had initially denied any knowledge of a link between the $391 million in aid and Mr Trump's request that Ukraine launch an inquiry into his political rival.
But in a revised statement Mr Sondland said: "In the absence of any credible explanation for the suspension of aid, I presumed that the aid suspension had become linked to the proposed anti-corruption statement."
Mr Sondland said that, after "refreshing my recollection," he remembered telling a senior Ukrainian official on September 1 that the aid would "likely" be stopped unless there was an investigation into Mr Biden and his son Hunter, who sat on the board of the Ukrainian energy company Burisma.
His private testimony, and the amended statement, were released by the Democrat-led committee pursuing the impeachment inquiry.
The impeachment inquiry is primarily focused on a July 25 conversation between Mr Trump and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy
Mr Trump froze the US military assistance to Ukraine shortly before speaking to Mr Zelenskiy, prompting accusations from Democrats that he had misused taxpayer money destined for a vulnerable US ally for personal political gain.
Mr Sondland detailed how at one point Mr Trump nearly hung up on him when he asked whether the White House was withholding the aid in return for an inquiry into Mr Biden.
He said Mr Trump told him: "I want nothing. I want no quid pro quo. I want Zelenskiy to do the right thing."
Mr Sondland said Mr Trump was in a "bad mood". He added: "I wouldn't say he hung up me, but it was almost like he hung up on me."
The diplomat said on September 1 he discussed the matter with Andriy Yermak, an adviser to Mr Zelenskiy.
Mr Sondland said: “I said that resumption of the US aid would likely not occur until Ukraine provided the public anti- corruption statement that we had been discussing for many weeks."
He said he believed the plan was "ill-advised" but he did not know "when, why or by whom the aid was suspended."
Mr Sondland was asked by the committee if he thought the idea was illegal. He said: "I'm not a lawyer, but I assume so."
When asked a second time he said it would be "improper" and added: "I don’t know the law exactly. It doesn’t sound good."
Congressional Democrats also released testimony from Kurt Volker, the former US special envoy to Ukraine
He said Mr Trump had told him to "talk to Rudy" - his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani - about Ukraine matters.
Mr Volker said the president told him: "They are all corrupt, they are all terrible people. I don't want to spend any time with that."
Key Donald Trump impeachment witness changes testimony over Ukraine 'quid pro quo'
Nick Allen
5 November 2019 • 8:57 PM
A key witness in the Donald Trump impeachment inquiry has reversed his evidence, indicating he did believe there was a quid pro quo in which US military aid would be denied to Ukraine unless it publicly launched a corruption investigation into Joe Biden.
Gordon Sondland, the US ambassador to the European Union, had initially denied any knowledge of a link between the $391 million in aid and Mr Trump's request that Ukraine launch an inquiry into his political rival.
But in a revised statement Mr Sondland said: "In the absence of any credible explanation for the suspension of aid, I presumed that the aid suspension had become linked to the proposed anti-corruption statement."
Mr Sondland said that, after "refreshing my recollection," he remembered telling a senior Ukrainian official on September 1 that the aid would "likely" be stopped unless there was an investigation into Mr Biden and his son Hunter, who sat on the board of the Ukrainian energy company Burisma.
His private testimony, and the amended statement, were released by the Democrat-led committee pursuing the impeachment inquiry.
The impeachment inquiry is primarily focused on a July 25 conversation between Mr Trump and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy
Mr Trump froze the US military assistance to Ukraine shortly before speaking to Mr Zelenskiy, prompting accusations from Democrats that he had misused taxpayer money destined for a vulnerable US ally for personal political gain.
Mr Sondland detailed how at one point Mr Trump nearly hung up on him when he asked whether the White House was withholding the aid in return for an inquiry into Mr Biden.
He said Mr Trump told him: "I want nothing. I want no quid pro quo. I want Zelenskiy to do the right thing."
Mr Sondland said Mr Trump was in a "bad mood". He added: "I wouldn't say he hung up me, but it was almost like he hung up on me."
The diplomat said on September 1 he discussed the matter with Andriy Yermak, an adviser to Mr Zelenskiy.
Mr Sondland said: “I said that resumption of the US aid would likely not occur until Ukraine provided the public anti- corruption statement that we had been discussing for many weeks."
He said he believed the plan was "ill-advised" but he did not know "when, why or by whom the aid was suspended."
Mr Sondland was asked by the committee if he thought the idea was illegal. He said: "I'm not a lawyer, but I assume so."
When asked a second time he said it would be "improper" and added: "I don’t know the law exactly. It doesn’t sound good."
Congressional Democrats also released testimony from Kurt Volker, the former US special envoy to Ukraine
He said Mr Trump had told him to "talk to Rudy" - his personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani - about Ukraine matters.
Mr Volker said the president told him: "They are all corrupt, they are all terrible people. I don't want to spend any time with that."
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