The Konawaena High School and the Fukuoka All-Star girls basketball teams a photographed together after a game in Kona. (Courtesy of: Hawai‘i State Department of Education)
The Fukuoka All-Star girls basketball team concluded a week-long stay in Hawaiʻi as part of a student sports exchange program focused on cultural understanding and developing positive relationships through in-person, authentic interactions.
The team visited high schools for student networking and cultural experiences culminating with goodwill games against ʻIolani School, Kamehameha School and Konawaena High.
“Seeing the beautiful ocean, the people of Hawaiʻi were smiling, trying to communicate with us, that made us forget everyday small things,” said Miyabi Naito, Fukuoka Girls All-Star basketball team. “I feel like I have grown so much. When I go back to Japan, I hope to keep these memories and use them to make myself a better person.”
Walter Kunitake of Country Samurai Coffee Farm gives the Fukuoka All-Star and Konawaena High School girls basketball teams a tour and talks about the history of Japanese immigrants. (Courtesy of: Hawai‘i State Department of Education)
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On Hawaiʻi Island, the Fukuoka team and the Konawaena High School girls basketball team visited Country Samurai Coffee Farm and learned about experiences of the first Japanese immigrants from owner Walter Kunitake.
Kunitake is a third generation coffee grower whose family is originally from Fukuoka. His grandparents began Kona coffee growing beginning at about 1910 and the original trees grown from that period are still being farmed by his relatives.
The tour was followed by an exhibition game at Konawaena High School. The Fukuoka All-Star Girls Basketball Team bested all three Hawaiʻi teams in the games.
The captains of the Konawaena High and Fukuoka All-Star girls basketball teams are photographed before a game in Kona. (Courtesy of: Hawai‘i State Department of Education)
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“I was excited to share with the Japanese team that we can be respectful towards their culture, and that we can, like, exchange things, and just overall just share our kindness with each other while they’re here,” said Kaylie Yamasaki, co-captain of the Konawaena basketball team.
Gov. George Ariyoshi initiated the first international Sister-State agreement for Hawaiʻi in 1981. The sister-state agreements have now grown to 19 partnerships globally. The Fukuoka-Hawaiʻi Sports Exchange, centered around basketball, is scheduled to conclude next year with an intent to extend the program with another sport.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is encouraging youth across the state in grades K-12 to submit their original artwork of any Tennessee native fish for the national Art of Conservation: Fish Art Contest. The contest was created by the nonprofit Wildlife Forever to encourage youth to become connected to the outdoors.
The contest is free to enter, and students can submit one 2D piece and one 3D piece. All participants must enter original artwork of a Tennessee fish in a natural habitat and may not replicate another artist’s work. Photos or videos used as a source material for inspiration of the artwork are allowed. Goldfish, guppies, bettas, and koi are not eligible for this contest.
Additionally, TWRA is adding its own specialty award this year, The Bill Dance Signature Lakes Award – in honor of the legacy of fishing legend Bill Dance and the TWRA’s work to develop premier fishing destinations across the state. To be considered for the award, students should enter artwork of largemouth or smallmouth bass or art featuring bass fishing.
All submissions must be entered through an online entry form. More information regarding rules, submission form, and requirements can be found on the Wildlife Forever Art of Conservation website. The last day for submitting artwork is Feb. 28, 2026.
The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is responsible for protecting, managing, and conserving fish and wildlife species for the benefit of Tennesseans and visitors. The Agency also maintains public safety through law enforcement and safety education on waterways.
WESTBROOK – George Harry Leaman Apt, 76, of Westbrook, passed away peacefully at home on Dec. 17, 2025.
He was born March 17, 1949, in Portland, to Marie Gilberty Deschenes Apt and Arthur Leaman Apt.
A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, George’s life was rooted in service to his family, community, and country. He shared a lifetime of love with his beloved wife, Patricia Apt, and was a dedicated father to his son, Kevin Apt and his wife, Michelle, and to his daughter, Kelly Apt Hutton. He was a proud and loving grandfather to Kaylin Apt, Kaleb Apt, and Madison Hutton.
George worked for many years as a skilled machinist and honorably served four years in the United States Navy. Deeply involved in his community, he devoted countless hours to youth athletics, serving as President of Westbrook Little League, coaching Westbrook Tuffy Football and Little League Baseball, and umpiring baseball for many years. He also served on the board of the Western Maine Umpires Association and was a proud member of the Lions Club.
A lifelong sports fan, George especially loved the New York Yankees and Duke athletics. His legacy of leadership, generosity, and quiet dedication lives on in the many lives he touched. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday Dec. 23, at 4 p.m. at the Westbrook Chapel of Dolby, Blais & Segee, 35 Church St., Westbrook. Visit 2 to 4 p.m. Interment will be held in the spring. To express condolences please visit http://www.DolbyBlaisSegee.com.
In lieu of flowers, donations in George’s name may be made to:
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — In North Charleston, the High Hoops Basketball League is making a significant impact on nearly 500 kids from schools across the Lowcountry.
The league, organized by Dr. Justin Beaufort, aims to mirror the excitement of the NBA with media highlights, player jerseys, and post-game interviews.
“If I’m a kid, second or third grader walking down the hallway and I see my face on the screen at school, I’m definitely excited about that,” Beaufort said. “I wanna do everything in my power so I can get that same feeling next week as well.”
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The league not only focuses on basketball skills but also emphasizes academic engagement.
“We only play our games on Saturdays, so the kids can focus on the scholastic aspect of things throughout the week,” Beaufort explained. He believes the program helps lower criminality by keeping kids engaged.
However, the league faces challenges in finding enough courts to accommodate its growth.
“The lack of resources as far as gyms inside the community, we’re not able to get into ’em,” Beaufort said. “It just puts us inside a situation where we have to go rent gyms in order to do it.”
Beaufort is hopeful for community support to expand the league. “We would love that opportunity and we think that we can raise the number of kids that can be a part of it,” he said.
With backing from the city of North Charleston, Beaufort envisions the league growing from 448 kids to 4,000, which he sees as a win for everyone.
PSIA-AASI Central serves more than 3,500 teaching professional members in the Midwest through snowsports education, certification and promotion, according to the organization’s website.
“We are extremely thankful for all in our CCSC community who have contributed to our success as a club,” the organization said in a press release. “It is due to this community that we have been awarded PSIA-AASI Central Member School of the Year.”
The release said members and supporters of the club played a role in its efforts and recognition.
“It is a huge honor coming from one of our premier partners,” said Hunter Steinkamp, executive director of the Crystal Community Ski Club, in an interview with the Record Patriot. “Using their materials and education, we’ve been able to train some of the most highly trained coaches in the state. That allows them to be as effective as possible in our programs.”
The Crystal Community Ski Club operates as a youth-focused nonprofit, offering a range of skiing programs designed to build skills and interest in winter sports among young people in northern Michigan. Programs include alpine and Nordic teams, holiday camps, race academies, junior ski patrol and instructor training for middle and high school students, from beginners to competitive athletes.
The club also has initiatives such as the Nordic Rocks program, aimed at introducing elementary school students to cross-country skiing, often at little or no cost. The club partners with school districts and community organizations and offers scholarships to help reduce financial barriers and expand access to the sport.
For some Harlingen residents, the lake at the Tom Wilson Youth Sports Complex has not been the same in over a year.
The lake, located at 3139 Wilson Road, has been receding due to evaporation and a lack of a natural water source. The decreasing water levels have left fish unable to thrive.
To address the problem, the city’s parks and recreation department began pumping water from a newly tapped well into the lake last month.
It’s part of a conservation project fully funded by a state grant.
Crews also installed catfish spawning boxes and structures throughout the lake to give fish a place to hide and grow.
More fish will also be added as part of the project.
The lake is open for anyone to come fish. City officials said fishermen are only allowed to take home five fish of any species.
Those wanting to participate must have a valid fishing license, and city crews and game wardens will be at the lake enforcing the rule.
