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AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — It doesn’t seem that long ago to Scott Scheffler that he was standing on the green behind Bergen Community College in Parasmus, New Jersey, dutifully holding a flashlight while his only son — just 5 or 6 at the time — hit shots in the dark.
And if one of Scottie Scheffler’s wayward strokes happened to smack into one of his sisters, so be it.
“He used to yell,” Scott Scheffler said. “He would yell at us when he hit it. He would hit the girls.”
It’s what brothers do.
Nearly two decades later, Scottie Scheffler’s aim is considerably better. Yes, that was the kid who used to peg his siblings with impunity tugging the green jacket over his broad shoulders after winning the Masters on Sunday afternoon.
And yes, that was most of the Scheffler clan — sisters Callie and Molly (other sister Sara is in Portugal) along with Scott and wife Diane — huddled together just outside Butler Cabin to celebrate a jet-fueled rise to the top that really wasn’t that jet-fueled at all.
There were the days back in north New Jersey when the Scheffler kids were introduced to the game. They moved to Dallas when Diane switched law firms as a chief operating officer. They quickly decided to join Royal Oaks Country Club mostly because it meant Scott Scheffler could keep all four kids in one place.
While Scott Scheffler understands his son’s origin story takes a familiar narrative and turns it on his head — it was Scott who served as the stay-at-home dad while Diane worked — he doesn’t see it as revolutionary or strange or uncommon.
“It’s just what you do as a father for your children,” Scott Scheffler said, his eyes wet with tears while wearing a white Masters polo shirt on the grounds of a club where his son is now a champion. “You do for your kids you know. I’ve done for all of them. They’ve given us great joy. He’s the one that did all the hard work, not me. I just raised him and tried the best I could to be a good dad.”
Maybe, but someone had to get Team Scheffler to all those sporting events. Youth golf tournaments. High school basketball practices. The list is seemingly endless. The fact it was dad doing most of the driving hardly mattered.
“Wasn’t unusual for me,” Scottie Scheffler said. “I didn’t know any different. Fortunately for me, I grew up with three sisters and my dad was there, and he did a great job raising us.”
Scott Scheffler made it a point to make sure his kids were well-rounded. While stressing “I’m no guru,” he pointed out how vital it was to make sure Scottie didn’t focus on golf all the time. He tried as a sophomore at Highland Park High School only to realize he missed playing basketball too much. So it was back to the basketball team the following year.
Yet Scottie was hardly the only athlete in the family. Callie Scheffler played at Texas A&M and served as Scottie’s caddie when he qualified for the 2016 U.S. Open at Oakmont as an amateur, and Molly and Sara are players, too.
While Scott Scheffler laughingly admitted, “Schefflers have their issues, but they’re good people,” he grew more serious when asked what the world needs to know about the unassuming 25-year-old board game aficionado who is now the hottest golfer on the planet.
“He’s just a nice young kid,” Scott Scheffler said. “Born in New Jersey and raised in Texas. He’s got a little bit of both, which is wonderful. Just our son and Meredith’s husband and now I guess he’s the world’s.”
The family bonds extend beyond Team Scheffler.
Rick Smith, the PGA Hall of Fame pro, has worked with Scottie for years, and Rick’s son Blake is Scheffler’s agent. Blake and Scottie met soon after the Schefflers joined Royal Oaks and the two would play together when they could.
That relationship between the Schefflers and the Smiths has only deepened through the years. Maybe that’s why Rick leaned over on Scottie’s bag as he was inside signing his scorecard after the biggest tournament — so far — of his still burgeoning career.
Rick was over at Scheffler’s house on Saturday night, trying to get him to relax as he sat on a three-shot lead heading into Sunday. They worked on Scheffler’s alignment. On his ball position. And on his mood, watching Instagram videos in an effort to keep things light.
While Scheffler admitted his stomach had been hurting over the weekend and he cried Sunday morning because of the pressure, he hardly looked rattled while posting a 1-under 71 that gave him a three-shot victory. There was just one major hiccup, a four-putt on the 18th with his win assured, though Smith couldn’t help but laugh when asked at what point he finally relaxed.
“When he made his fourth putt (at 18),” Smith said. “We’ll go figure out what went on.”
There’s time to exhale, but not much. In early February, Scheffler was still searching for his first PGA Tour win. In early April, he’s on the kind of run that he couldn’t have imagined while drilling putts into the north Jersey nights, hardly worried about where the putt went, who it hit, or whether mom or dad was one driving them home.
“He’s public now, which is a little bit scary,” Scott Scheffler said.
Just don’t expect Scottie to forget where he came from. Scott and Diane Scheffler’s only son is well aware he hardly made the journey from Bergen Community College to Augusta National alone.
“They didn’t parent perfectly, obviously, but for me, they did the best they could all the time, and I love them for that,” Scheffler said. “You know, I can’t speak highly enough of the hard work that they have put in. I can’t put it into words, I really can’t.”
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More AP Masters coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/the-masters | https://www.wivb.com/news/schefflers-journey-to-the-masters-a-true-family-affair/ | 2022-04-11T15:29:10 | 1 | https://www.wivb.com/news/schefflers-journey-to-the-masters-a-true-family-affair/ |
ST. LOUIS (AP) — St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner has reached an agreement with the Missouri Office of Disciplinary Counsel in which she acknowledges that she made mistakes in her handling of the prosecution of former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens but won’t face severe penalties for those mistakes.
The “joint stipulation” agreement was announced Monday, just as a disciplinary hearing for Gardner was about to begin. It calls for no suspension, probation or disbarment for Gardner. The agreement would still need the approval of a three-person panel of the Disciplinary Counsel and the Missouri Supreme Court. The panel will make a recommendation within 30 days, but it’s unclear when that court might consider it.
Gardner’s attorney, Michael Downey, said in a written statement that Gardner will “continue to direct her attention to the important work she has been elected to perform as the Circuit Attorney of the City of St. Louis.”
The 2018 prosecution of Greitens played a pivotal role in his eventual resignation. Greitens is now attempting a political comeback. Gardner, meanwhile, was accused in a 73-page report of failing to disclose evidence to Greitens’ lawyers, misrepresenting evidence, and other ethical violations.
The most severe punishment — suspension or disbarment — would likely have cost Gardner her job because state law requires elected prosecutors to hold active law licenses.
Gardner, a 46-year-old Democrat, is St. Louis’ first Black female circuit attorney and is one of several progressive prosecutors elected in recent years with a focus on creating more fairness in the criminal justice system.
In the past 12 months, Greitens has emerged as a leading contender for the Republican nomination for one of Missouri’s U.S. Senate seats, despite recent allegations of abuse by his ex-wife.
The brash former Navy SEAL officer with presidential aspirations was a year into his first term when news broke in January 2018 of an affair three years earlier with his St. Louis hairdresser. The woman alleged that Greitens took a compromising photo and threatened to use it as blackmail if she spoke of their relationship.
“There was a victim, someone saying they had been attacked,” Gardner’s lawyer, Michael Downey, said.
But neither the FBI nor St. Louis police seemed inclined to investigate, Downey said. Gardner’s in-house investigator was away on military duty.
So Gardner hired private investigator William Tisaby, a former FBI agent. The investigation led to Greitens’ indictmenton one felony count of invasion of privacy. Greitens claimed he had been the victim of a political witch hunt.
Jury selection had just begun when Gardner dropped the charge after a judge ruled she would have to answer questions under oath from Greitens’ attorneys over her handling of the case. She said that it put her in an “impossible” position of being a witness in a case she was prosecuting.
Meanwhile, Gardner filed a second charge accusing Greitens oftampering with computer data for allegedly disclosing to his political fundraiser a list of top donors to a veterans charity he founded, without the charity’s permission.
Under investigation by lawmakers as well, Greitens resigned in June 2018, and Gardner agreed to drop the criminal charges.
Attention then turned to how Gardner and Tisaby handled the investigation. In 2019, Tisaby was indicted on six counts of perjury and one count of evidence tampering. He pleaded guilty last month to misdemeanor evidence tampering and received a suspended sentence of one year of probation.
The case stemmed from Tisaby’s statement that he had not taken notes during an interview with the woman when a video later showed that he had, and his statement that he hadn’t received notes from the prosecutor’s office before he interviewed the woman when a document later showed that he had.
Greitens’ attorneys raised concerns about Gardner’s failure to correct the record on Tisaby’s statements, and whether she concealed evidence.
Downey said any mistakes were unintentional, the result of Gardner’s heavy workload during the Greitens investigation.
“Under the circumstances of the case I think they were doing the best job they could to manage the case,” Downey said. “We’ve admitted in our answer that mistakes were made.”
Washington University School of Law Professor Peter Joy, who teaches and writes about legal ethics, said the fact that Gardner didn’t disclose Tisaby’s note-taking isn’t necessarily a violation because Missouri law doesn’t specify a timeline for such disclosures — and in this case, testimony hadn’t even begun.
“I don’t think the ethics case against her is so clear cut,” Joy said before the settlement was announced. “This isn’t somebody falsifying evidence.”
Last summer, charges were dropped in three murder cases in one week because prosecutors failed to show up in court or weren’t prepared after months of delay, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. The newspaper also cited Circuit Court data showing that about one-third of felony cases were dismissed — triple the percentage of her predecessor.
Gardner contends that her reforms have made the city safer and the criminal justice system more equitable. She has expanded a diversion program and stopped prosecuting low-level marijuana possession, helping to significantly reduce jail overcrowding.
Gardner has often been at odds with police, especially in 2019, when she placed dozens of officers on an“exclusion list,” prohibiting them from bringing cases. The list was developed after a national group accused the officers of posting racist and anti-Muslim comments on social media.
In 2020, Gardner filed a lawsuit accusing the city, a police union and others of a coordinated and racist conspiracy aimed at forcing her out of office. The lawsuit alleged violations of the Ku Klux Klan Actof 1871, which was adopted to thwart efforts to deny the civil rights of racial minorities.
Downey, in a court filing, said the latest ethical complaints involve “another attempt by Ms. Gardner’s political enemies – largely from outside St. Louis – to remove Ms. Gardner and thwart the systemic reforms she champions.”
Greitens had remained largely out of sight until Sen. Roy Blunt’s announcement in March 2021 that he would not seek a third term. Republican leaders worry that Greitens could win the primary but lose to a Democrat in the general election, forfeiting what should have been a surefire GOP seat.
In a court filing last month in a child custody case, Sheena Greitens accused her ex-husband of being physically abusive to her and their children. Eric Greitens called the allegations “completely fabricated” and “baseless.” | https://www.wivb.com/news/u-s-headlines/greitens-case-at-center-of-scrutiny-for-st-louis-prosecutor/ | 2022-04-11T15:29:16 | 1 | https://www.wivb.com/news/u-s-headlines/greitens-case-at-center-of-scrutiny-for-st-louis-prosecutor/ |
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia claimed that it destroyed several air defense systems in Ukraine over the weekend, in what appeared to be a renewed push to gain air superiority and take out weapons Kyiv has described as crucial ahead of a broad new offensivein the east.
In one strike announced Monday, Moscow said that it hit four S-300 launchers provided by a European country it didn’t name. Slovakia gave Ukraine just such a system last week but denied it had been destroyed. Russia previously reported two strikes on similar systems in other places.
Moscow’s initial invasion stalled on several fronts as it met with stiff resistance from Ukrainian forces, who prevented the Russians from taking the capital and other cities. The failure to win full control of Ukraine’s skieshas hampered Moscow’s ability to provide air cover for troops on the ground, limiting their advances and likely exposing them to greater losses.
With their offensive in many parts of the country thwarted, Russian forces have relied increasingly on bombarding cities. The war has left many urban areas flattened, killed thousands of people, and left Russia politically and economically isolated. The war has also shatteredUkraine’s economy, with the World Bank estimating it will shrink by more than 45% this year.
Ukrainian authorities accuse Russian forces of committing atrocities, including a massacre in the town of Bucha, outside Kyiv, airstrikes on hospitalsand a missile attack that killed at least 57 people at a train station.
In Bucha on Monday, the work of exhuming bodies from a mass grave in a churchyard resumed. Galyna Feoktistova waited for hours in the cold and rain in hopes of identifying her 50-year-old son, who was shot and killed more than a month ago, but eventually she went home for some warmth. “He’s still there,” her surviving son, Andriy, said.
Now, Russia is regrouping for a renewed push in the eastern Donbas region, where Moscow-backed separatists have been battling Ukrainian forces since 2014 and have declared independent states. Both sides are digging in for what could be a devastating war of attrition.
Russia hasappointed a seasoned general to lead the effort, according to U.S. officials, though they do not see one man making a difference.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is meanwhile pleading for more Western aid, saying his forces need heavier firepower to resist the coming onslaught and push Russian forces back. Echoing his remarks in an AP interview, Zelenskyy said Sunday that the coming week could be crucial, with Western support to his country — or the lack thereof — proving decisive.
“To be honest, whether we will be able to (survive) depends on this,” Zelenskyy said in a “60 Minutes” interview. “Unfortunately, I don’t have the confidence that we will be receiving everything we need.” In a video address to South Korean lawmakers on Monday, he specifically requested equipment that can shoot down Russian missiles.
But those armaments could increasingly come under attack as Russia looks to shift the balance in the 6-week-old war.
Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said the military used cruise missiles to destroy four launchers on the southern outskirts of the central city of Dnipro on Sunday. He said the military also hit such systems in the Mykolaiv and Kharkiv regions.
Lubica Janikova, spokeswoman for Slovakia’s prime minister, denied Monday that the S-300 system it sent Ukraine had been destroyed. She said any other claim is not true.
It’s not clear what that system included, but a senior U.S. defense official has said the Soviet-era system typically is comprised of four launchers. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to provide information in advance of the public announcement.
None of the Russian claims could be independently verified.
Ukraine has specifically asked for more S-300s in recent months, though it already had a number of the Soviet-built systems and other long-range air defense systems. It also has received batches of portable, shoulder-fired Western anti-aircraft weapons like Stingers, which are efficient against low-flying aircraft.
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer was due to meet Monday in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin, after meeting with Zelenskyy in Kyiv. Austria, a member of the European Union, is militarily neutral and not a member of NATO.
Questions remain about the ability of depleted and demoralized Russian forces to conquer much ground after their advance on Kyiv was repelled by determined Ukrainian defenders.
Britain’s Defense Ministry said Monday that Ukraine has already beaten back several assaults by Russian forces in the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions — which make up the Donbas — resulting in the destruction of Russian tanks, vehicles and artillery.
In Washington, a senior U.S. official said Russia has appointed Gen. Alexander Dvornikov, one of its most experienced military chiefs, to oversee the invasion. The official was not authorized to be identified and spoke on condition of anonymity. Russia does not generally announce such appointments, and there was no comment from Moscow.
Dvornikov, 60, gained a reputation for brutality as head of Russian forces deployed to Syria in 2015 to back President Bashar Assad’s government during the country’s devastating civil war.
Until now, Russia has had no central war commander on the ground. But U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan, speaking Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union,” played down the appointment’s significance.
“What we have learned in the first several weeks of this war is that Ukraine will never be subjected to Russia,” Sullivan said. “It doesn’t matter which general President Putin tries to appoint.”
Western military analysts say Russia’s assault increasingly is focusing on eastern Ukraine — an arc stretching from Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, in the north, to Kherson in the south.
On Sunday, Russian forces shelled government-controlled Kharkiv and sent reinforcements toward Izyum to the southeast to try to break Ukraine’s defenses, the Ukrainian military said. The Russians also kept up their weekslong siege of Mariupol, a key port in the Donbas.
A residential area in Kharkiv was struck by incoming fire on Monday afternoon. Associated Press journalists saw firefighters putting out the fire and checking for victims following the attack, and saw that at least five people were killed, including a child.
Oleh Synyehubov, the regional governor of Kharkiv, said earlier Monday that Russian shelling had killed 11 people over the last 24 hours.
The Institute for the Study of War, an American think tank, predicted that Russian forces will “renew offensive operations in the coming days” from Izyum in the campaign to conquer the Donbas, which comprises Ukraine’s industrial heartland.
But it said the outcome “remains very much in question.”
In Mariupol, Russia deployed Chechen fighters, reputed to be particularly fierce. Capturing the city on the Sea of Azov would give Russia a land bridge to the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia seized from Ukraine and annexed eight years ago.
In a video posted on his Telegram channel, Chechen Leader Ramzan Kadyrov said Russian forces would launch a renewed offensive on Mariupol and “in all the other settlements, cities and villages.”
Mariupol’s residents have lacked food, water and electricity since Russian forces surrounded the city. Hundreds of thousands have fled, though Russian attacks have also frustrated evacuation missions.
Vladislav Usovich, an 18-year-old conscript serving in Russia-backed separatist forces, advanced slowly with other fighters through residential areas around a factory in Mariupol on Sunday.
“I thought it would go better, I thought it would be faster. Everything is going slowly,” he said. “The Ukrainians are prepared fighters. NATO trained them well.”
___
This story has been updated to correct that the war began just over six weeks ago, not 10 weeks. ___
Anna reported from Bucha, Ukraine. Robert Burns in Washington, and Associated Press journalists around the world contributed to this report.
___
Follow the AP’s coverage of the war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine | https://www.wivb.com/news/ukrainian-defenders-dig-in-as-russia-boosts-firepower/ | 2022-04-11T15:29:23 | 0 | https://www.wivb.com/news/ukrainian-defenders-dig-in-as-russia-boosts-firepower/ |
WASHINGTON (AP) — A COVID-19 patient was in respiratory distress. The Army nurse knew she had to act quickly.
It was the peak of this year’s omicron surge and an Army medical team was helping in a Michigan hospital. Regular patient beds were full. So was the intensive care. But the nurse heard of an open spot in an overflow treatment area, so she and another team member raced the gurney across the hospital to claim the space first, denting a wall in their rush.
When she saw the dent, Lt. Col. Suzanne Cobleigh, the leader of the Army team, knew the nurse had done her job. “She’s going to damage the wall on the way there because he’s going to get that bed,” Cobleigh said. “He’s going to get the treatment he needs. That was the mission.”
That nurse’s mission was to get urgent care for her patient. Now, the U.S. military mission is to use the experiences of Cobleigh’s team and other units pressed into service against the coronavirus pandemic to prepare for the next crisis threatening a large population, whatever its nature.
Their experiences, said Gen. Glen VanHerck, will help shape the size and staffing of the military’s medical response so the Pentagon can provide the right types and numbers of forces needed for another pandemic, global crisis or conflict.
One of the key lessons learned was the value of small military teams over mass movements of personnel and facilities in a crisis like the one wrought by COVID-19.
In the early days of the pandemic, the Pentagon steamed hospital ships to New York City and Los Angeles, and set up massive hospital facilities in convention centers and parking lots, in response to pleas from state government leaders. The idea was to use them to treat non-COVID-19 patients, allowing hospitals to focus on the more acute pandemic cases. But while images of the military ships were powerful, too often many beds went unused. Fewer patients needed non-coronavirus care than expected, and hospitals were still overwhelmed by the pandemic.
A more agile approach emerged: having military medical personnel step in for exhausted hospital staff members or work alongside them or in additional treatment areas in unused spaces.
“It morphed over time,” VanHerck, who heads U.S. Northern Command and is responsible for homeland defense, said of the response.
Overall, about 24,000 U.S. troops were deployed for the pandemic, including nearly 6,000 medical personnel to hospitals and 5,000 to help administer vaccines. Many did multiple tours. That mission is over, at least for now.
Cobleigh and her team members were deployed to two hospitals in Grand Rapids from December to February, as part of the U.S. military’s effort to relieve civilian medical workers. And just last week the last military medical team that had been deployed for the pandemic finished its stint at the University of Utah Hospital and headed home.
VanHerck told The Associated Press his command is rewriting pandemic and infectious disease plans, and planning wargames and other exercises to determine if the U.S. has the right balance of military medical staff in the active duty and reserves.
During the pandemic, he said, the teams’ make-up and equipment needs evolved. Now, he’s put about 10 teams of physicians, nurses and other staff — or about 200 troops — on prepare-to-deploy orders through the end of May in case infections shoot up again. The size of the teams ranges from small to medium.
Dr. Kencee Graves, inpatient chief medical officer at the University of Utah Hospital, said the facility finally decided to seek help this year because it was postponing surgeries to care for all the COVID-19 patients and closing off beds because of staff shortages.
Some patients had surgery postponed more than once, Graves said, because of critically ill patients or critical needs by others. “So before the military came, we were looking at a surgical backlog of hundreds of cases and we were low on staff. We had fatigued staff.”
Her mantra became, “All I can do is show up and hope it’s helpful.” She added, “And I just did that day after day after day for two years.”
Then in came a 25-member Navy medical team.
“A number of staff were overwhelmed,” said Cdr. Arriel Atienza, chief medical officer for the Navy team. “They were burnt out. They couldn’t call in sick. We’re able to fill some gaps and needed shifts that would otherwise have remained unmanned, and the patient load would have been very demanding for the existing staff to match.”
Atienza, a family physician who’s been in the military for 21 years, spent the Christmas holiday deployed to a hospital in New Mexico, then went to Salt Lake City in March. Over time, he said, the military “has evolved from things like pop-up hospitals” and now knows how to integrate seamlessly into local health facilities in just a couple days.
That integration helped the hospital staff recover and catch up.
“We have gotten through about a quarter of our surgical backlog,” Graves said. ”We did not call a backup physician this month for the hospital team … that’s the first time that’s happened in several months. And then we haven’t called a patient and asked them to reschedule their surgery for the majority of the last few weeks.”
VanHerck said the pandemic also underscored the need to review the nation’s supply chain to ensure that the right equipment and medications were being stockpiled, or to see if they were coming from foreign distributors.
“If we’re relying on getting those from a foreign manufacturer and supplier, then that may be something that is a national security vulnerability that we have to address,” he said.
VanHerck said the U.S. is also working to better analyze trends in order to predict the needs for personnel, equipment and protective gear. Military and other government experts watched the progress of COVID-19 infections moving across the country and used that data to predict where the next outbreak might be so that staff could be prepared to go there.
The need for mental health care for the military personnel also became apparent. Team members coming off difficult shifts often needed someone to talk to.
Cobleigh said military medical personnel were not accustomed to caring for so many people with multiple health problems, as are more apt to be found in a civilian population than in military ranks. “The level of sickness and death in the civilian sector was scores more than what anyone had experienced back in the Army,” said Cobleigh, who is stationed now at Fort Riley, Kansas, but will soon move to Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland.
She said she found that her staff needed her and wanted to “talk through their stresses and strains before they’d go back on shift.”
For the civilian hospitals, the lesson was knowing when to call for help.
“It was the bridge to help us get out of omicron and in a position where we can take good care of our patients,” Graves said. “I am not sure how we would have done that without them.” | https://www.wivb.com/news/with-covid-mission-over-pentagon-plans-for-next-pandemic/ | 2022-04-11T15:29:30 | 1 | https://www.wivb.com/news/with-covid-mission-over-pentagon-plans-for-next-pandemic/ |
BEIJING (AP) — The manufacturing hub of Guangzhou closed itself to most arrivals Monday as China battles a major COVID-19 surge in its big eastern cities.
Shanghai has taken the brunt of the rise, with another 26,087 cases announced on Monday, only 914 of which showed symptoms. The city of 26 million is under a tight lockdown, with many residents confined to their homes for up to three weeks and concerns growing over the effect on the economy of China’s largest city.
The financial hub has seen international events canceled because of the crackdown, and local football club Shanghai Port has been forced to withdraw from the Asian Champions League because travel restrictions prevented it from attending games in Thailand.
No such lockdown has yet been announced for Guangzhou, a metropolis of 18 million northwest of Hong Kong that is home to many top companies and China’s busiest airport. Just 27 cases were reported in the city on Monday.
However, primary and middle schools have been switched to online after an initial 23 local infections were detected last week. An exhibition center was being converted into a makeshift hospital after authorities said earlier they would begin citywide mass testing.
Only citizens with a “definite need” to leave Guangzhou can do so, and only if they test negative for the virus within 48 hours of departure, city spokesperson Chen Bin said in a social media announcement.
China has stuck to its “zero-COVID” strategy of handling outbreaks with strict isolation and mass testing, despite complaints in Shanghai over shortages of food and medical services.
China’s government and the entirely state-controlled media are growing increasingly defensive about complaints over the COVID-19 prevention measures, censoring content online and rebuking foreign critics.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian on Sunday said China had “lodged solemn representations with the U.S.” after the State Department advised Americans to reconsider traveling to China due to “arbitrary enforcement” of local laws and COVID-19 restrictions, particularly in Hong Kong, Jilin province and Shanghai. U.S. officials cited a risk of “parents and children being separated.”
China was “strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to the U.S. side’s groundless accusation against China’s epidemic response,” Zhao said.
Despite that, and indications the hardline policy is being dictated by head of the ruling Communist Party Xi Jinping, China has rejected any notion that its response is political in nature. Xi has demanded social stability above all else in the runup to a key party congress later this year at which he is expected to bestow on himself an unprecedented third-term as party leader.
The English-language China Daily acknowledged that Shanghai’s measures are “far from perfect,” and pointed to the firing last week of three local officials for failing in their duties. But it said that shouldn’t become an “excuse to politicize the event and blame China.”
Zhao issued a further defense of China’s virus controls on Monday, saying they have “proven to be effective and in line with its national conditions and needs, and have made an important contribution to the global fight against the epidemic.”
Shanghai has brought in thousands of additional health workers from other cities, provinces and the military. Despite the large number of cases, no new deaths have been reported in the Shanghai wave, possibly because the omicron variant is less deadly than older variants.
City authorities also say they have secured daily supplies for residents, following complaints about deliveries of food and other necessities.
Residents have resorted to group buying of groceries because they are not allowed to leave their buildings, with only partial success in obtaining needed items.
Officials say they will begin relaxing restrictions beginning with areas where no new infections have been detected for two weeks. Residents will be allowed to move around their districts while remaining socially distanced.
A second category will be allowed to move around their neighborhoods, while others will remain isolated in their homes.
Chinese club Shanghai Port has been forced by the city’s COVID-19 lockdown to withdraw from the Asian Champions League, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said Monday.
Due to travel restrictions in the city, Port was unable to make the trip to Thailand for six Group J games.
Its first game was scheduled on Saturday against Vissel Kobe of Japan.
“The AFC acknowledged the travel restrictions faced by Shanghai Port FC as a result of the recent lockdown measures enforced in Shanghai,” the AFC said in a statement.
The capital, Beijing, has seen relatively few restrictions, although the Erjiefang neighborhood including the famed 798 art district has been cordoned off and classified as high risk after eight infections were reported there over the past two weeks.
China is facing one of its worst local outbreaks since the pandemic began. China is still mostly closed to international travel, even as most of the world has sought ways to live with the virus. | https://www.wivb.com/news/world/china-closes-guangzhou-to-most-arrivals-as-outbreak-spreads/ | 2022-04-11T15:29:36 | 1 | https://www.wivb.com/news/world/china-closes-guangzhou-to-most-arrivals-as-outbreak-spreads/ |
JOHANNESBURG (AP) — The corruption trial in South Africa of former President Jacob Zuma has been postponed again on Monday pending the outcome of the ex-leader’s appeal to get the state prosecutor removed from his case.
Zuma was not present in the Pietermaritzburg High Court due to a “medical emergency,” his lawyer Dali Mpofu told the court.
His legal representatives requested that the start of the trial be postponed until the Supreme Court of Appeal decides on Zuma’s effort to have state prosecutor Billy Downer removed from the case. Zuma accuses Downer of bias against the ex-leader.
The case is set to resume on May 17.
The delay is the latest of many as it has been nearly 17 years since Zuma was first charged with corruption, fraud and money laundering related to South Africa’s controversial 1999 arms deal.
He is charged alongside French arms manufacturer Thales, which is accused of paying bribes to Zuma through his former financial advisor Schabir Shaik, who was convicted on related charges in 2005.
South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority opposed the application for the postponement, accusing Zuma of delaying tactics to prevent the start of the trial.
While Zuma has publicly said he wants his day in court, he has over the years launched numerous legal actions that have delayed the start of the trial.
Delivering his judgment on Monday, High Court Judge Piet Koen said while the delay of the trial could lead to frustrations, the current delay was unavoidable as the court had to await the Supreme Court of Appeal’s decision.
Zuma, 79, is currently on medical parole on a 15-month prison sentence following his conviction last year of contempt of court for defying a Constitutional Court order to appear before a judicial commission investigating corruption during his presidential term from 2009 to 2018.
Zuma was imprisoned in July last year which set off days of rioting in the KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provinces in which shops, warehouses and factories were looted and many burned. More than 300 people died in the unrest.
About three months later Zuma was released on medical parole, for an undisclosed health condition. A subsequent court judgment ruled the medical parole was invalid, but his lawyers are appealing that judgment. | https://www.wivb.com/news/world/corruption-trial-delayed-against-south-africas-ex-president/ | 2022-04-11T15:29:43 | 1 | https://www.wivb.com/news/world/corruption-trial-delayed-against-south-africas-ex-president/ |
PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron declared Monday that he wants to “convince” a broad range of French voters to back his centrist vision, kicking off a two-week battle against far-right challenger Marine Le Pen ahead of the country’s presidential runoff vote.
Le Pen, meanwhile, is ready for the fight, planning to highlight rising prices for energy and food that have hit poorer households especially hard recently as Macron has focused his efforts on seeking diplomatic solutions to the war in Ukraine.
The two candidates came out on top in Sunday’s first-round presidential vote, setting up an April 24 replay of their duel in 2017. Macron trounced Le Pen five years ago in the presidential runoff but all opinion polls show the leader of the National Rally is much closer this time to a potential win.
The French election outcome will have wide international influence as Europe struggles to contain the havoc wreaked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Macron has strongly backed European Union sanctions on Russia while Le Pen has worried about their impact on French living standards. Macron also is a firm supporter of NATO and of close collaboration among the EU’s 27 members.
Macron headed Monday to an economically depressed area of northern France where a majority of voters had chosen Le Pen, close to her electoral stronghold of Henin-Beaumont.
“I’m here, and I’m determined to fight,” the 44-year-old president said during his visit to the town of Denain, adding that he heard the concerns of people who struggle to find a job and earn more money.
“They need to be reassured,” he said.
For her part, Le Pen met with National Rally officials to plan strategy for runoff. Later Monday, Le Pen was to visit a cereal producer in the Burgundy region to speak about rising prices and making “strong, urgent decisions to protect the purchasing power of the French.” The topic has been at the core of her campaign this year, but Macron’s team argues that, due to the economic impact of the war in Ukraine, Le Pen wouldn’t have the financial means to meet her campaign promises.
Macron said he wants to court those who voted for the “extremes” or opted to stay at home. He met with residents in Denain, many of whom criticized his proposed pension changes, which include raising the minimum retirement age from 62 to 65.
Denain Mayor Anne-Lise Dufour-Tonini told reporters she will vote for Macron ‘with no hesitation” in the second round, but intends to push for him to adopt more “leftist proposals.”
Many of the 10 presidential candidates who were defeated in the first round Sunday encouraged voters to choose Macron in the second round, including conservative candidate Valérie Pécresse, and the Green and Socialist candidates. Pécresse warned of “the chaos that would ensue” if Le Pen was elected. Far-left candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon, who came in third in Sunday’s vote, urged voters not to choose Le Pen, implicitly suggesting that staying at home could be an option.
Le Pen was backed by the other far-right candidate, former TV pundit Eric Zemmour.
On her third attempt to become France’s first woman president, Le Pen was rewarded Sunday for her years-long effort to rebrand herself as less extreme. Macron is not buying it, however, accusing Le Pen of pushing a dangerous manifesto of racist, ruinous policies. Le Pen wants to roll back some rights for Muslims, banning them from wearing headscarves in public, and to drastically reduce immigration from outside Europe.
Macron and Le Pen are to debate on national television next week.
“Our focus is now on the project and the values,” said Sen. Francois Patriat, a member of Macron’s party.
Le Pen’s camp, meanwhile, is hoping to capitalize on anger at Macron over policies seen as favoring the rich.
“Now everything is possible,” Aurélien Lopez Liguori, a councilor with Le Pen’s party in the southern city of Sete, told The Associated Press, adding that, compared with 2017, “now Macron has a record, a bad record.”
French Minister for European Affairs Clément Beaune told the AP that only five years ago “Le Pen was proposing — must not forget it — to leave the euro, to break Europe when Brexit and Frexit were trendy.”
Le Pen has dropped earlier threats to pull France out of the EU and abandon the shared euro currency if elected, but some of her proposals, including setting up a national border control, are contrary to EU rules.
With all first-round votes counted Monday, Macron had 27.8% support, Le Pen captured 23.1% and Melenchon was third with close to 22%.
The euro rose Monday to trade 0.27% higher at $1.09, indicating investor relief that Macron came out on top in the first round.
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John Leicester and Elaine Ganley in Paris contributed.
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Follow all AP stories on France’s presidential election at https://apnews.com/hub/french-election-2022 | https://www.wivb.com/news/world/french-duel-macron-vs-le-pen-fight-for-presidency/ | 2022-04-11T15:29:49 | 1 | https://www.wivb.com/news/world/french-duel-macron-vs-le-pen-fight-for-presidency/ |
NEW DELHI (AP) — An unusually early heat wave brought more extreme temperatures Monday to a large swath of India’s northwest, raising concerns that such weather conditions could become typical.
The India Meteorological Department forecast that the temperature in New Delhi would reach 41.8 degrees Celsius (107.2 degrees Fahrenheit) on Monday, nearly eight degrees above normal.
The weather agency declares a heat wave when the temperature is at least 4.5 C (8 F) above average.
The main summer months — April, May and June — are always excruciatingly hot in most parts of India before monsoon rains bring cooler temperatures. But the heat wave has arrived early and grown particularly intense in the past decade, killing hundreds every year.
During heat waves, the country usually also suffers severe water shortages with tens of millions of its 1.4 billion people lacking running water.
Extreme temperatures have struck large parts of northern and western India in the last week, with Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and New Delhi among the worst hit. Higher temperatures also were felt in relatively cooler Indian-controlled Kashmir in the Himalayas, where many Indians go to escape the summer heat.
Already this year, India has recorded its warmest March since 1901.
The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warns that heat waves and humidity-related heat stress will intensify in South Asia, and scientists who study climate change say Indians can expect more of the same hot temperatures in the coming years.
Vimal Mishra, an expert at the Indian Institute of Technology’s Water and Climate Lab, said the number of Indian states hit by heat waves has grown in recent years, as extreme temperatures become more frequent and intense.
“If you are looking for the clearest signal of climate change in India, then heat waves are a classic example. They are unavoidable and will occur more frequently,” Mishra said.
Heat waves are especially dangerous for daily wage workers, rickshaw drivers, street vendors and the homeless, many of whom have to work outside in hot conditions and are at the greatest risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
India’s worst heat wave since 1992 was in 2015, when at least 2,081 people died. | https://www.wivb.com/news/world/indias-northwest-reels-under-unusual-early-heat-wave/ | 2022-04-11T15:29:56 | 0 | https://www.wivb.com/news/world/indias-northwest-reels-under-unusual-early-heat-wave/ |
LONDON (AP) — A jury deliberated for just 18 minutes Monday before finding a fervent Islamic State supporter guilty of stabbing lawmaker David Amess to death a slaying that shocked the nation and sparked calls for increased police protection for politicians.
Ali Harbi Ali, 26, was found guilty by London’s Central Criminal Court of murder and preparing terrorist acts. Ali stabbed the veteran British lawmaker to death last year while he was meeting with voters at a church hall in eastern England.
Ali, who had spent years researching and planning potential attacks on lawmakers, had defended his actions by saying Amess deserved to die as a result of voting for airstrikes on Syria in 2014 and 2015.
Ali, a London man with Somali heritage, had denied charges of murder and preparing acts of terrorism.
Opening the trial, prosecutor Tom Little said the case was “nothing less than an assassination” carried out because of a “warped and twisted and violent ideology.”
“It was a murder carried out by that young man who for many years had been planning just such an attack and who was, and is, a committed, fanatical, radicalized Islamist terrorist,” he said.
Little said Ali bought the knife used to attack Amess five years earlier, and that Ali tricked his way into meeting Amess by pretending to be one of his constituents.
Amess, 69, had been a member of Parliament since 1983. He was pronounced dead at the scene after the stabbing.
The prosecutor also said that Ali had researched and planned attacks on lawmakers and the Parliament building from at least 2019. The research included reconnaissance trips targeting work and home addresses of two other lawmakers, Mike Freer and Cabinet member Michael Gove, he added.
The slaying of Amess shook the nation, as lawmakers often meet directly with the public. It came five years after Labour Party lawmaker Jo Cox was shot and stabbed to death by a far-right extremist. | https://www.wivb.com/news/world/is-fanatic-found-guilty-of-killing-uk-lawmaker-david-amess/ | 2022-04-11T15:30:03 | 1 | https://www.wivb.com/news/world/is-fanatic-found-guilty-of-killing-uk-lawmaker-david-amess/ |
LONDON — The World Bank says Ukraine’s economy will shrink by 45% this year because of Russia’s invasion, which has shut down half of the country’s businesses, choked off imports and exports, and damaged a vast amount of critical infrastructure.
Unprecedented sanctions imposed by Western allies in response to the war, meanwhile, are plunging Russia into a deep recession, lopping off more than a tenth of its economic growth, the Washington-based lender said in a report Sunday.
The report said economic activity is impossible in “large swathes of areas” in Ukraine because productive infrastructure like roads, bridges, ports and train tracks have been destroyed.
Ukraine plays a major role as a global supplier of agricultural exports like wheat but that’s in question now because planting and harvesting have been disrupted by the war, the report said. The war has cut off access to the Black Sea, a key route for exports, including 90% of Ukraine’s grain shipments.
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KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR:
— Ukrainian defenders dig in as Russiaboosts firepower
— Biden, Modito speak as US presses for hard line on Russia
— Ukrainian nunsopen their monastery doors to the displaced
— US doubts new Russian war chiefcan end Moscow’s floundering
— Analysis:War, economy could weaken Putin’s place as leader
— Go to https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine for more coverage
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OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:
WARSAW, Poland – The mayor of Warsaw says a disputed compound administered by Russia’s diplomatic mission is being taken over by the city and will be made available to the Ukrainian community.
Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski was at the site Monday and said that a bailiff had entered the two apparently empty buildings, dubbed “spyville” by Warsaw residents, to check their condition and to mark them as seized by the Town Hall.
“It is very symbolic that we are closing this procedure of many years now, at the time of Russia’s aggression” on Ukraine, Trzaskowski said on Twitter.
Russia’s Embassy, which had the tall apartment blocks built in the 1970s, has been refusing court orders to pay lease or to hand it over. Once busy, the buildings became empty in the 1990s, after Poland shed its communist rule and dependence from Moscow and after the Soviet Union dissolved.
Ever since, Poland has been saying that lease on the plot of land had expired and demanded it be returned.
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BUDAPEST, Hungary – Hungary plans to modify its natural gas contract with Russian energy company Gazprom in order to satisfy a demand by President Vladimir Putin that Russian gas be paid for in rubles.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told a news conference on Monday that the subsidiary of Hungary’s energy group MVM, CEE Energy, would pay its gas bills in euros to Russia’s Gazprombank, which would convert the payments into rubles and transfer them to the gas provider Gazprom Export.
Putin, in retaliation over sanctions against Russia by the European Union, has demanded that countries pay for Russian gas in rubles or risk having their supply shut off.
While Hungary has voted with the European Union on most sanctions against Russia, it has lobbied heavily against blocking Russian energy imports, arguing that would cripple its economy.
Szijjarto said that modifying Hungary’s contract with Gazprom ensured the country’s energy supply while staying in line with the EU’s sanctioning policy.
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COPENHAGEN, Denmark — The Danish Health Authority said Monday it will buy 2 million iodine tablets in case of “a nuclear accident in our immediate area.”
The COVID-19 pandemic “has shown us that it is important to be prepared,” while the war in Ukraine shows that “the world is unpredictable,” the health authority said, adding it had based its recommendation on advice by the Danish Emergency Management Agency as well as impact calculations for the risk of a nuclear incident in Denmark’s immediate area.
The tablets would cover the risk group which includes those up to age 18, health and emergency personnel under the age of 40, and pregnant and breastfeeding women.
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BUCHAREST, Romania — The Republic of Moldova received on Monday in Luxembourg a questionnaire from the European Commission to assess the small country’s readiness to become a European Union member, authorities said.
“A period of hard work is ahead starting today,” Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu wrote online.
The former Soviet republic of around 2.6 million people is one of Europe’s poorest nations. Sandwiched between Romania and Ukraine, Moldova has pushed to accelerate joining the EU since Russia launched its attacks on Ukraine in late February.
Becoming a EU member will take years and be contingent on reforms, including cleaning up widespread corruption.
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VILNIUS, Lithuania — Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrida Simonyte on Monday became the latest Western leader to visit Ukraine to express support to the nation under Russian attack,
“Today, my visit in Ukraine started in Borodyanka. No words could possibly describe what I saw and felt here,” Simonyte wrote on Twitter. She also posted photos of her looking at the at the blackened hole in a high-rise apartment building in Borodyanka, northwest of Kyiv.
During the unannounced visit, she is expected to meet with the Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelenskyy, who plans to address the Lithuanian parliament on Tuesday.
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BRATISLAVA, Slovakia — Slovakia has denied its S-300 air defense missile system it transported to Ukraine has been destroyed by the Russian armed forces.
“Our S-300 system has not been destroyed,” Lubica Janikova, spokeswoman for Slovakia’s Prime Minister Eduard Heger said in a statement sent to The Associated Press.
She said any other claim is not true.
Earlier on Monday, the Russian military said it destroyed a shipment of air defense missile system provided by the West on the southern outskirts of the city of Dnipro.
The Russian side said Ukraine had received the air defense system from a European country that he didn’t name. Last week, Slovakia said it has handed over its Soviet-designed S-300 air defense systems to Ukraine, which has pleaded with the West to give it more weapons, including long-range air defense systems.
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COPENHAGEN, Denmark — Latvia has arrested a citizen of Belarus, who is suspected of spying for Belarusian special service by allegedly gathering information about the Baltic country’s Armed Forces and critical infrastructure facilities, news report said Monday.
The Baltic News Service, the region’s main new agency, said Latvia’s State Security Service (VDD) and the Military Intelligence and Security Service detained the man in February.
The Belarusian suspect had been secretly filming and taking photos, BNS said, adding that the state security service had seized technical equipment and data carriers.
Latvian public broadcaster LSM said criminal proceedings were initiated on Feb. 15.
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ZAGREB, Croatia — Croatia is expelling 24 Russian diplomats and other embassy staff, joining other European nations that have done so.
The Croatian Foreign Ministry on Monday said they have summoned Russia’s ambassador in Zagreb and conveyed the “strongest condemnation of the brutal aggression on Ukraine and numerous crimes that have been committed.”
The Russian side has been urged to halt military activities, withdraw its troops and ensure evacuation of civilians and delivery of humanitarian aid, the Croatian ministry said. Croatia expects that those responsible of crimes be brought to justice, said the statement.
Several EU countries have expelled Russian diplomats following the killings in Bucha and other Ukrainian towns.
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VATICAN CITY — The Vatican says a Ukrainian and a Russian family will be among those taking turns carrying a cross as part of the traditional Good Friday procession presided over by Pope Francis at the Colosseum.
The Vatican released some details on Monday about the torchlit Way of the Cross ceremony at the ancient arena that draws tens of thousands of pilgrims and tourists in Rome during Holy Week.
The meditations composed for this year’s nighttime procession “have been inspired by the life of each family,’’ the Vatican said. The families include a Ukrainian nurse and a Russian nurse who work at the same hospital in Rome, Italian state TV said.
Repeatedly decrying the loss of civilian life, the pope has sounded increasingly anguished calls for an end to what he calls “the folly of war” in Ukraine and for a return to negotiations.
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BRUSSELS — Ireland’s foreign minister says the European Union should consider imposing sanctions on Russia’s oil industry but cautions that it’s most important for the 27-nation bloc to remain unified.
Several EU countries are dependent on Russian oil and gas imports. After much debate, the bloc agreed last week to a phase in of restrictions on imports of coal over Moscow’s war on Ukraine.
Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney says that “we need to take a maximalist approach to sanctions to offer the strongest possible deterrents to the continuation of this war and brutality.”
Speaking as EU foreign ministers gathered Monday in Luxembourg, Coveney said “that should include, in our view, oil. We know that that’s very difficult for some member states and we have to keep a united position across the EU.”
The EU’s executive arm, the European Commission, is assessing what more can be done with a fresh package of sanctions.
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MOSCOW — The Russian military says it has destroyed a shipment of air defense missile systems provided by the West.
Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said the military used sea-launched Kalibr cruise missiles to destroy four S-300 air defense missile launchers on the southern outskirts of the city of Dnipro. He said about 25 Ukrainian troops were also hit by the strike on Sunday.
Konashenkov said in a statement Monday that Ukraine had received the air defense systems from a European country that he didn’t name. Konashenkov’s claim couldn’t be independently verified.
Last week, Slovakia said it had handed over its Soviet-designed S-300 air defense systems to Ukraine, which has pleaded with the West to give it more weapons, including long-range air defense systems.
Slovakia’s prime minister office issued a statement late Sunday calling the news that the S-300 system given to Ukraine was destroyed “disinformation.” It was unclear, however, whether both sides are referring to the same airstrike. The Russians have targeted missile defense systems in three different locations in recent days.
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SEOUL, South Korea — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday called for South Korea to provide military arms to help his country fight back against invading Russian forces.
Zelenskyy’s video address to South Korean lawmakers came hours after Seoul’s Defense Ministry confirmed it rejected a Ukrainian request for anti-aircraft weapons. The ministry cited the government’s principle on limiting military help to non-lethal supplies.
“The Republic of Korea has tanks, ships and various equipment that can block Russian missiles and we would be grateful if the Republic of Korea could help us fight back against Russia,” Zelenskyy said, referring to South Korea’s formal name.
Zelenskyy thanked South Korea for participating in U.S.-led economic sanctions against Moscow but said sanctions alone aren’t enough.
“Russia is aiming to eliminate Ukraine independence and separate the country. It is trying to eliminate the culture and language of the Ukrainian nation,” Zelenskyy said.
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BRUSSELS — Austria’s foreign minister says Chancellor Karl Nehammer is taking “very clear messages of a humanitarian and political kind” to a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow.
Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said Monday that Nehammer decided to make the trip after meeting in Kyiv on Saturday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and following contacts with the leaders of Turkey, Germany and the European Union.
Schallenberg said ahead of a meeting with his EU counterparts in Luxembourg that “we don’t want to leave any opportunity unused and must seize every chance to end the humanitarian hell in Ukraine.”
He added that “every voice that makes clear to President Putin what reality looks like outside the walls of Kremlin is not a wasted voice.”
Schallenberg said that Nehammer and Putin will meet one-on-one without media opportunities. He insisted that Austria has done everything to ensure that the visit isn’t abused, “and I think he (Putin) himself should have an interest in someone telling him the truth and really finding out what’s going on outside.”
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BRUSSELS — European Union foreign ministers are meeting to weigh the effectiveness of the bloc’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine amid concern about Moscow’s preparations for a major attack in the east.
The ministers will hold talks with the International Criminal Court’s Prosecutor-General Karim A.A. Khan as Western pressure mounts to hold to account those responsible for any war crimes in Ukraine.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, who is chairing Monday’s meeting in Luxembourg, says further EU sanctions against Russia “are always on the table.”
He says he’s “afraid the Russian troops are massing on the east to launch an attack on the Donbas,” region in the east after Moscow withdrew its forces from around the capital Kyiv last week.
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LONDON — Britain’s Ministry of Defense says Ukraine has beaten back several assaults by Kremlin forces in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, resulting in the destruction of Russian tanks, vehicles and artillery.
In an intelligence update released Monday morning, the ministry says Russian shelling in the two eastern regions is continuing.
“Russia’s continued reliance on unguided bombs decreases their ability to discriminate when targeting and conducting strikes, while greatly increasing the risk of civilian casualties,” the ministry said.
The ministry also said Russia’s “prior use” of phosphorus munitions in the Donetsk region raises the possibility they may be used in Mariupol as the battle for the city on Ukraine’s south coast intensifies. | https://www.wivb.com/news/world/live-updates-new-zealand-sending-transport-plane-money/ | 2022-04-11T15:30:09 | 1 | https://www.wivb.com/news/world/live-updates-new-zealand-sending-transport-plane-money/ |
HONG KONG (AP) — Lawyers for Hong Kong media mogul and pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai are asking the United Nations to investigate his imprisonment and multiple criminal charges as “legal harassment” that punish him for speaking out.
The publisher of the now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper was one of the most prominent activists arrested in Hong Kong’s crackdown on virtually all political criticism since mass pro-democracy protests in 2019.
The crackdown continued early Monday with the arrest of another veteran journalist, Allan Au Ka-lun, a teaching consultant who’d worked for a number of Hong Kong media outlets.
The actions by Lai’s lawyers in Britain followed that country’s announcement last month it would withdraw its judges from Hong Kong’s top court because keeping them there would “legitimize oppression” in the former British colony.
Lai, 74, has been charged under Hong Kong’s sweeping national security law and is serving 20 months in prison. His assets have been frozen and the raft of legal cases against him include four separate criminal prosecutions related to attending and joining various protests, his legal team at Doughty Street Chambers in the U.K. said in a statement.
Lai faces “the risk of spending the rest of his life in prison simply for speaking out, and for seeking to defend freedom of the press, democracy and the rule of law in Hong Kong,” Lai’s counsel, Caoilfhionn Gallagher, said in the statement.
In a follow-up email, Gallagher said the appeal had been filed with the U.N. special rapporteurs for freedom of opinion and expression, counter-terrorism and human rights, rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, and human rights defenders.
“We are awaiting a response,” she wrote.
Lai’s son, Sebastien Lai, was quoted as urging U.N. special rapporteurs to investigate Chinese and Hong Kong authorities’ actions against Hong Kong residents.
While the U.N. has a number of special rapporteurs, their powers are limited mainly to seeking information from government agencies and possibly seeking real steps to end violations.
Hong Kong authorities had no immediate comment on the request. When Britain withdrew its judges, China reacted furiously, accusing Britain of flagrant interference and harm to Hong Kong’s judicial system.
Police issued a brief statement on the arrest of Au, saying a 54-year-old man had been arrested for “conspiracy to publish seditious publication” and was being detained for further investigation.
The national security law that was imposed by Beijing to override local opposition defines sedition in extremely broad terms, permitting authorities to punish almost all open criticism of the government. Those caught in its net include four people arrested last week for clapping in court.
Au had been a teaching consultant at Chinese University’s journalism school and had previously worked for Hong Kong media outlets TVB and RTHK. He had also written a column for outspoken pro-democracy platform Stand News, which shut down last year after police raided it and arrested staff.
In a statement, the Hong Kong Journalists Association said Au had been a mentor to young journalists and expressed its “deep concern” his arrest would “further damage the freedom of the press in Hong Kong.”
“We urge the police to explain the case as soon as possible, and at the same time request the government to protect the freedom of the press and speech enjoyed by Hong Kong citizens in accordance with the Basic Law,” it said, referring to Hong Kong’s mini-constitution under which it returned to Chinese control. | https://www.wivb.com/news/world/media-mogul-jimmy-lai-appeals-to-un-over-hong-kong-cases/ | 2022-04-11T15:30:16 | 1 | https://www.wivb.com/news/world/media-mogul-jimmy-lai-appeals-to-un-over-hong-kong-cases/ |
JERUSALEM (AP) — Mimi Reinhard, a secretary in Oskar Schindler’s office who typed up the list of Jews he saved from extermination by Nazi Germany, has died in Israel at the age of 107.
Reinhard died on Thursday and was laid to rest Sunday in Herzliya, near Tel Aviv.
She was one of 1,200 Jews saved by German businessman Schindler after he bribed Nazi authorities to let him keep them as workers in his factories. The account was made into the acclaimed 1993 film “Schindler’s List” by director Steven Spielberg.
Reinhard was born Carmen Koppel in Vienna, Austria, in 1915, and moved to Krakow, Poland, before the outbreak of World War II. After Nazi Germany invaded Poland in 1939, she was confined to the Krakow ghetto before being sent to the Plaszow concentration camp in 1942.
Reinhard’s knowledge of shorthand got her work in the camp’s administrative office, where, two years later, she was ordered to type up the handwritten list of Jews that were to be transferred to Schindler’s ammunition factory.
“I didn’t know it was such an important thing, that list,” she told an interviewer with Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, in 2008. “First of all, I got the list of those who were with Schindler already in Krakow, in his factory. I had to put them on the list.” Later she put her own name, and the names of two friends.
At the Brünnlitz labor camp, where Schindler’s ammunition factory was housed, she was put to work in Schindler’s office.
She said that although she worked in Schindler’s office toward the end of the war, she had little personal contact with him.
“He was a very charming man, very outgoing,” she recalled, decades after the war. “He didn’t treat us like scum.”
After the war, she made her way to the United States, where she lived until immigrating to Israel in 2007. | https://www.wivb.com/news/world/mimi-reinhard-who-typed-up-schindlers-list-dies-at-107/ | 2022-04-11T15:30:23 | 1 | https://www.wivb.com/news/world/mimi-reinhard-who-typed-up-schindlers-list-dies-at-107/ |
LONDON (AP) — Britain on Monday announced sanctions against Bosnian-Serb politicians Milorad Dodik and Zeljka Cvijanovic, censuring them for attempts to undermine the legitimacy and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The sanctions, which include asset freezes and travel bans, are the first to be announced by the U.K. under the Bosnia and Herzegovina sanctions regime. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss accused the pair of being emboldened by Vladimir Putin’s aggression in Ukraine.
“These two politicians are deliberately undermining the hard won peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina,” Truss said in a statement. “Encouraged by Putin, their reckless behavior threatens stability and security across the Western Balkans.”
Dodik is the Bosnian-Serb member of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s three-person state-level presidency. Cvijanovic is the president of the entity of Republika Srpska.
UK authorities say the pair have have used their positions to push for de facto secession of Republika Srpska — one of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s two entities — in direct contravention of the country’s constitution. | https://www.wivb.com/news/world/uk-sanctions-2-bosnian-serb-politicians/ | 2022-04-11T15:30:29 | 1 | https://www.wivb.com/news/world/uk-sanctions-2-bosnian-serb-politicians/ |
Amazon Echo dot with clock review
The world seems to move a little faster each day. There’s more to manage and less time to do it. A personal assistant that tends to our every need, from reminding us of essential tasks to creating the ideal environment, is becoming more crucial. Not only does relieving that burden give us more time for friends and family, but it also reduces stress.
Amazon has a solution. The company’s popular smart speaker can do all that and more. According to Amazon, the purpose of the Echo 4th gen is to “make your life easier at home.” It “has a sleek, compact design that fits perfectly into small spaces” and “Alexa can help kids learn and grow,” all while protecting your family’s privacy.
This sounded like a perfect way to help manage life and reduce stress, so we tested the Amazon Echo (4th gen), and here’s what we found.
Testing the Echo Dot
To test this Amazon Echo device, we had a member of our review team set up the Alexa speaker according to the instructions. They used it for a week, learning how well the device fits into their life. Our tester primarily used the Echo Dot as an alarm and a music player, but they also took time to delve deeper and explore the many features this product had to offer.
What is the Echo Dot?
On the surface, the 4th generation Echo Dot is a small globe with an illuminated clock on the front. It is a sleek, modern-looking device with four input buttons on the top that let you control various features with just a tap. The device listens to and interacts with any individual within earshot who desires assistance.
Streaming music throughout the day and being in complete control of song selection and volume were the primary reasons for our interest in this device. However, after just a brief period of experimenting, we found the Echo had many more capabilities than other smart speakers we have tested. It has an impressive response, unique privacy features and a robust sound, especially when you consider its small size.
Echo Dot price and where to buy
The basic Echo Dot with Clock (4th Gen) is available for $59.99. If you prefer to purchase a special edition with a “The Mandalorian” Grogu-inspired stand, that will cost $84.94. You can buy the Echo Dot (4th Gen) at Amazon, Home Depot, Kohl’s and Staples.
How to use the Echo Dot
The Echo Dot arrives in a small blue box with the power cord and instructions at the bottom. It was very easy to set up. After plugging in the device, Alexa instructs you to download the app. The app walks you through the entire setup process, which takes less than five minutes to complete. However, if you do not already have an Amazon account, it will take a little longer.
To control the device, all you need to do is speak. Alexa understood all of our commands on the first try. And the audio quality of the unit, whether listening to music, communicating with Alexa or taking a call, was impressive. There is clarity and depth that makes using the product highly enjoyable. Though, we should note that the sound quality diminishes slightly as the volume increases.
As far as the alarm clock capabilities go, they were very impressive. We had never set an alarm using our voice before, so it was a new experience. The unit has a wide variety of alarm sounds that are much less stressful to wake up to than the typical blaring noises. Plus, you can add custom sounds or set up a morning routine, so Alexa reads the morning news or gives you a weather report when you wake.
Echo Dot benefits
Setting up the Echo Dot is easy and intuitive, even if you’re a little intimidated by tech. We love that it is so multifunctional and sized to fit nearly anywhere. We never experienced a performance glitch during our trial period, and the sound quality was excellent. If you have a smart home, this little device can serve as your smart hub. In general, the Echo Dot simplifies your life.
Echo Dot drawbacks
The biggest drawback we found when using this smart speaker is that you must plug it in for it to work. If it had a battery, it would be perfect. However, by no means is this a dealbreaker. Other users have commented that the device occasionally loses connection or freezes. Still, since we experienced none of those problems, we think most of those issues involved inadequate Wi-Fi (where the device is placed) or slow service.
Should you get the Echo Dot?
The Amazon Echo Dot with clock (4th gen) is one of those rare products that can benefit nearly anyone. It is affordable enough to fit in most budgets and flexible enough to be of value in various situations. You could use it in your bedroom, office, living room and more. Doctors and other professionals can even put this smart speaker in their waiting room to help create a more engaging experience for their patients and clients.
Consider these other products
If you prefer a high-end model from a company known for its quality audio, this Bose smart speaker is a solid option. It can fill a room with wall-to-wall stereo and it works with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Sold by Amazon
If you are a fan of Apple, Sonos is a good option. You can use AirPlay2 and Siri to have an effortless streaming experience. The high-quality smart speaker can stream from Amazon Music, Audible, Pandora, Spotify and TIDAL, and also features built-in Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Sold by Sonos
If you’d like a smart hub with even more capabilities, consider the Echo Show 8. This device lets you make video calls, stream movies and keep track of your schedule so you never miss an event, appointment or meeting again.
Sold by Amazon, Kohl’s, Home Depot and Staples
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Allen Foster writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
Copyright 2022 BestReviews, a Nexstar company. All rights reserved. | https://www.wivb.com/reviews/br/electronics-br/home-portable-audio-br/amazon-echo-review-can-this-compact-smart-speaker-make-your-life-easier-at-home/ | 2022-04-11T15:30:36 | 0 | https://www.wivb.com/reviews/br/electronics-br/home-portable-audio-br/amazon-echo-review-can-this-compact-smart-speaker-make-your-life-easier-at-home/ |
Shares of the new Warner Bros. Discovery media giant, the $43 billion combination of Discovery and the AT&T spinoff WarnerMedia, have begun trading Monday.
The bulked-up company combines the owner of storied film studio Warner Bros., TV networks including CNN, HBO and the streaming service HBO Max, with Discovery Inc., the parent of networks that focus on reality television like HGTV and its own streaming service, Discovery+. The deal closed on Friday.
AT&T Inc.last year decided to separate WarnerMedia as the company unravels its entertainment-oriented deal-making of the past several years and focuses on phone and internet service.
Discovery CEO David Zaslav is running the combined company, and there are already changes expected, such as offering Discovery+, HBO Max and a brand-new cable news streamer, CNN+,as a bundle, or even merging services into a single app. Disney, a major rival, says the bundling approach has helped it attract and keep streaming subscribers as entertainment companies launched a slew of offerings intended to rival Netflix. | https://www.wivb.com/science/trading-starts-of-new-warner-bros-discovery-media-giant/ | 2022-04-11T15:30:44 | 1 | https://www.wivb.com/science/trading-starts-of-new-warner-bros-discovery-media-giant/ |
RISING SUN, Md. — A crash between a pickup and a horse-and-buggy in Cecil County injured a horse and a person Sunday evening.
The accident happened at 7:37 p.m. on Rising Sun Road at C. Johnson Farm Lane in Rising Sun.
Maryland State Police said all injuries were very minor. A horse was transported to the vet, and one person was taken to an area hospital.
A total of three people were involved in the accident. | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/local-news/crash-with-horse-buggy-in-cecil-county-injures-2-including-horse | 2022-04-11T15:32:43 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/local-news/crash-with-horse-buggy-in-cecil-county-injures-2-including-horse |
SPARROWS POINT, Md. — Niagara Bottling, LLC, is planning to open a new 600,000 square foot manufacturing facility at Tradepoint Atlantic in Baltimore County.
The large California based beverage manufacturer is looking to complete the move by Spring of 2023.
More than 90 new jobs are expected to come with it.
Niagara’s portfolio of products includes a variety of sparkling, flavored, and vitamin waters, as well as teas, ready-to-drink coffee, protein drinks, and non-dairy milk products, and can be found in some of the largest retailers, convenience and grocery stores across the country.
Their addition to Tradepoint Atlantic comes after BMW opened a distribution center there last month. Other companies such as Amazon, Home Depot, Under Armour and Perdue have also launched operations at what has now become a global logistics hub. | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/local-news/niagara-bottling-becomes-latest-company-to-join-growing-logistics-hub-at-tradepoint-atlantic | 2022-04-11T15:32:49 | 0 | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/local-news/niagara-bottling-becomes-latest-company-to-join-growing-logistics-hub-at-tradepoint-atlantic |
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is set to nominate an Obama-era U.S. attorney to run the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
On Monday, Biden will announce he's nominating Steve Dettlebach to run the agency.
"Dettelbach is a highly respected former U.S. Attorney and career prosecutor who spent over two decades as a prosecutor at the U.S. Department of Justice," the White House said in a statement.
Biden is also expected to unveil its formal rule to rein in ghost guns. Those are privately made firearms without serial numbers that are increasingly cropping up at crime scenes.
"This final rule bans the business of manufacturing the most accessible ghost guns, such as unserialized “buy build shoot” kits that individuals can buy online or at a store without a background check and can readily assemble into a working firearm in as little as 30 minutes," the White House said.
The rule clarifies that the kits qualify as “firearms” under the Gun Control Act, the White House said.
Kits must now be licensed and include serial numbers, and sellers of the kits must also be federally licensed and run background checks prior to a sale, according to the White House.
The president is also signing executive orders to ensure that "firearms with split receivers are subject to regulations requiring serial numbers and background checks when purchased from a licensed dealer, manufacturer or importer."
Biden will also require federally licensed firearms dealers to retain "key" records as long as they are in business. The White House said the businesses previously had to keep the records for 20 years. | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/national/biden-to-nominate-new-atf-director-release-ghost-gun-rule | 2022-04-11T15:32:55 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/national/biden-to-nominate-new-atf-director-release-ghost-gun-rule |
Tina Morales worked at the headquarters of the troubled Center for COVID Control in Rolling Meadows, Illinois.
"I was a shift supervisor," she said. "There was a lot that I was doubting just from my very first day."
It was her job to record patient information for COVID-19 tests coming in from the company's 300 pop-up sites nationwide.
As the omicron variant hit, Morales says the data she was told to put in the system was not always accurate. Washington's attorney general says the result was the company overbilling a federal fund for the uninsured.
NEWSY'S PATRICK TERPSTRA: No one ever said, "This is the government's money. We have to be really careful and make sure all of this is accurate?"
TINA MORALES: In the beginning, yes, like when I first started. But it just became really overwhelming.
Doctors Clinical Laboratory processed tests from the Center for COVID Control.
Federal records show the lab received over $152 million in reimbursements.
All of it, money approved by Congress to cover COVID tests — only for Americans without health insurance. Providers must confirm a "patient is uninsured" before requesting reimbursement, up to $100 per test.
But in a statement filed as part of a lawsuit brought by Washington state's attorney general, Morales says a manager told her to stop entering insurance information into the data entry system.
"As we started getting backed up with the tests, we were instructed to stop inputting information that we were originally inputting before," she said.
Her declaration says, "The data entry for all incoming patients began to reflect that every patient was uninsured... And that CCC (Center for COVID Control) would submit claims for reimbursement to the federal government."
Morales says they got so overwhelmed that some of the tests expired, allegedly piled, unrefrigerated, in trash bags.
She says her team complied with instructions from a manager to "falsely date late test samples" so they could still be processed by the lab.
Everybody in that entire building knew that any test that was over 72 hours old, there's no rNA to test. It would come back as inconclusive either way.
Aleya Siyaj runs the Center for COVID Control, allegedly with her husband, Akbar Ali Syed.
Another statement filed in court by a second ex-employee says Syed would encourage staff to test their friends and family "even when they didn't need to get tested so that CCC (Center for COVID Control) could get reimbursed" by the government.
A statement from attorneys for the Center for COVID Control said the allegations are based "largely on inaccurate testimony from unreliable witnesses," and that the Center for COVID Control "was committed to delivering resources to patients in an accurate and compliant manner."
Newsy doesn't know whether reimbursements were awarded improperly. The Health Resources and Services Administration doles out the funds.
A spokesman says the agency "takes corrective action against providers who are out of compliance with the terms and conditions of the uninsured program ... Including 'recovery of funds, and providing information to law enforcement when appropriate.'"
Newsy found the Center for COVID Control and Doctors Clinical Laboratory next door, emptied out. It was abruptly shut down after the launch of multiple investigations into widespread reports of wrongdoing.
Newsy is the nation’s only free 24/7 national news network. You can find Newsy using your TV’s digital antenna or stream for free. See all the ways you can watch Newsy here. | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/national/covid-19-testing-lab-faces-allegations-of-wrongdoing | 2022-04-11T15:33:01 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/national/covid-19-testing-lab-faces-allegations-of-wrongdoing |
AVENEL, N.J. (AP) — When the Kmart in Avenel, New Jersey, closes its doors on April 16, it will leave only three remaining U.S. locations for the former retail powerhouse.
It's a far cry from the chain's heyday in the 1980s and ‘90s when it had more than 2,000 stores and sold product lines endorsed by Martha Stewart and former “Charlies Angel” Jaclyn Smith.
Kmart’s demise is attributed to the rise of Walmart, Target and Amazon.
But retail expert Mark Cohen says the company also was dogged by poor management decisions and could have stayed viable.
"It’s a study in greed, avarice and incompetence,” Cohen said.
The three remaining Kmarts are in Westwood, New Jersey, on New York’s Long Island, and in Miami. | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/national/kmart-will-be-down-to-3-locations-after-store-in-nj-closes | 2022-04-11T15:33:08 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/national/kmart-will-be-down-to-3-locations-after-store-in-nj-closes |
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — You know what they say about history repeating itself. For one man, that rang true after a DNA test he took a couple of years ago led him to his biological father.
And then, a couple years later, led to his own daughter finding him!
It’s the story for Rod Hobbs Sr. and his quest to find more about his roots.
Little did he know, those roots had grown into a tree that bore more fruit.
“I logged into my 23andMe, and up pops a new connection: 'Your daughter, Elizabeth',” said Rod Hobbs Sr. “And there was no question about it.”
“It was definitely the best scenario that could ever happen,” said his daughter, Elizabeth Bestow.
As they say, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree - and these two ended up having more in common than just their DNA.
“What are the odds he's gone through the same exact scenario?" said Bestow. “You know?”
You see, just 2.5 years ago, Hobbs didn’t know who his biological father was, either.
“Over 30 years, I was searching for my father because I never had a name or had a clue who he was,” he said.
When he was 15 years old, Hobbs found out the man he thought was his father wasn’t actually wasn't his father.
So, he hired private detectives and even took a DNA test that was uploaded to all the major online companies.
He got a hit, connecting him with a cousin, who then connected him to his dad.
“That changed my life 2.5 years ago,” said Hobbs.
And like history repeating itself, his life now changing again, welcoming a daughter he didn’t know he had.
“To find out like, 'Oh, my God - this is real,' it's... it was a lot. It was a lot, but incredibly exciting,” said Hobbs. “And... and then, too, after meeting and then seeing how beautiful and bright and ambitious and she's amazing.”
Like father, like daughter, Bestow wanted to know where she came from and took a DNA test.
That test matched her with Hobbs, and like any other teenager, she took to social media to hunt him down, finding a brother along the way.
“It's pretty cool. I've always wanted a sibling my age. My other siblings are around like eight years, six years older than me,” said Rod Hobbs Jr. “And you didn't even have siblings, so it's really cool for me.”
Exchanging numbers, they set up a meeting in Virginia.
The exciting reunion coming after a lifetime of waiting.
“I wanted this my whole life,” said Bestow. “I never pictured meeting him or getting to know him, let alone actually like seeing him being with him and knowing that he wants a relationship with me.”
From riding one-wheelers, to spa days, to looking at old picture albums, they have had a crash course in getting to know each other.
“The families just exploded,” said Hobbs Jr. “It truly did.”
We wanted to know what happens next, so we asked.
The family tells us Hobbs Sr. has a birthday coming up in June, so Bestow will be flying back for it - and she'll also get to meet all of her other new family members she still hasn’t met yet.
This story was first reported by Pari Cruz at WTKR in Virginia Beach, Va. | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/national/once-in-a-lifetime-discovery-happens-twice-as-dna-test-results-connect-3-different-generations | 2022-04-11T15:33:14 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/national/once-in-a-lifetime-discovery-happens-twice-as-dna-test-results-connect-3-different-generations |
RIO GRANDE CITY, Tex. — A district attorney in Texas has filed a motion to dismiss a murder charge from a woman who performed a “self-induced abortion.”
The office of Gocha Allen Ramirez said, “it is clear that Ms. Herrera cannot and should not be prosecuted for the allegation against her.”
Ramirez went on to say, “based on Texas law and the facts presented, it is not a criminal matter.”
The Starr County Sheriff’s Office in South Texas arrested 26-year-old Lizelle Herrera last week after a hospital reported her in January.
An indictment signed in late March said that Herrera caused “the death of an individual J.A.H. by a self-induced abortion.”
Herrera was held in custody on a $500,000 bond.
She was released from custody after an abortion rights advocacy group posted bail on her behalf.
It is not clear under what law Herrera was charged, but University of Texas law professor Stephen Vladeck noted that state law exempts the mother from murder of her unborn child. | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/national/texas-da-files-motion-to-dismiss-murder-charge-from-woman-accused-of-self-induced-abortion | 2022-04-11T15:33:20 | 0 | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/national/texas-da-files-motion-to-dismiss-murder-charge-from-woman-accused-of-self-induced-abortion |
Zoning might not sound like a fun and interesting topic, but when you see a sign pop up for your favorite new business or a new home community that you can’t wait to move into, there is an entire process that goes on well before it gets to that point. Even when the signs go up, the process can take some time and even stall, for months, or even years. What is the process? Are there ways we can be more creative? What about projects starting and then stalling? Why does that happen? In this podcast, we talk to a zoning expert who helps us understand a little bit more of these processes and more on how Baltimore builds and builds equitably.
T.J. Smith is a Baltimore native and career public servant. He began his career of service as a law enforcement officer in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. After being promoted through the ranks, he transitioned into advisory roles for chiefs and elected officials. Smith then became the civilian chief spokesperson for the Baltimore Police Department and later he became the press secretary for the Baltimore County Executive. Smith was a 2020 mayoral candidate in Baltimore. After the election, he chaired the Famous Fund, a non-profit organization that raised hundreds of thousands of dollars and was established to assist Baltimore restaurants during the Covid-19 pandemic closures and restrictions.
Justin Williams is a partner in the Land Use and Zoning group at Rosenberg Martin Greenberg, LLP where he advises on land use, zoning, permitting, and liquor licensing matters for developers, landlords, and bar/restaurant operators in the Greater Baltimore region. Prior to RMG, Justin was a member of Venable, LLP’s State and Local Government group. He also worked as a CitiStat Analyst in the Administration of former Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.
In addition to his law practice, Justin sits on the Board of Directors for the Southeast (Baltimore) Community Development Corporation and Live Baltimore. In 2021, he was appointed by Governor Hogan to the Maryland State Board of Elections. He also served on Baltimore City Comptroller Bill Henry’s Transition Team and Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski’s Affordable Housing Work Group.
Justin earned his law degree in 2010 from the Georgetown University Law Center, where he served as Staff Editor on the Georgetown Journal of Law and Public Policy. He graduated from Bryant University in 2005, where he received Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Science degrees. At Bryant, Justin was a member of the varsity football team and was named to the Northeast-10 Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll each season of his career.
A trivia buff, Justin has appeared as a contestant on both Jeopardy! and Who Wants to be a Millionaire, but as a native of Baltimore (County), is disappointed he never made it on to It’s Academic. | https://www.wmar2news.com/podcasts/building-up-baltimore | 2022-04-11T15:33:26 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/podcasts/building-up-baltimore |
If you’ve ever wanted to live off the grid in a self-sustaining way, you might want to check out the cave house of a man named Grant Johnson, which is located just outside of Boulder, Utah. He lives in a mountain inside the Grand Staircase-Escalante Monument (it’s now an inholding within park boundaries) — but this place isn’t exactly what you’d expect. It’s a 5,700-square-foot dwelling, complete with modern amenities such as hydroelectricity, climate controls, a gas barbecue grill and cell phone service (well, as long as you have Verizon, in some areas of the home).
Johnson moved to Utah at the age of 17, when he started working for mining companies while finishing school. That’s when he learned the skills he would need to build his residence. He purchased his 40 acres of land in 1980, but didn’t originally conceive of his blasted-into-the-rock cave home until later.
In 1995, he blasted a small tunnel into the face of the mountain, which started the idea. It took him eight winters of blasting to clear out the space, and then he spent more time coming up with the money to build into it. He lived in a trailer onsite for 25 years without water or electricity while the project was being completed.
Today, the place houses enough living space for Johnson and his partner, Gina (along with their dogs and cats), plus a music room for jamming. It also includes a two-bedroom, one-bath apartment that you can rent through Airbnb for about $355 a night. Outside, there’s an orchard and animals (cows, horses, pigs) that help provide food for the owners, plus a water wheel to generate electric power.
The Airbnb listing for the “Bedrock Homestead Cave” calls it a “rugged but comfortable stay,” noting that guests will have to use a four-wheel-drive vehicle to reach it — the route involves crossing a river, according to reviewers — and there’s no Wi-Fi.
The description reads, “The cave is a free-standing rock that your host, Grant, blasted and carved into his custom home. It’s finished with glass openings for uninterrupted views of the Grand Staircase-Escalante Monument. Like sitting in a painting. The cave’s a fascinating work of art, while the surrounding homestead is a master example of sustainable living. Grant lives here year-round, and has farmed this land for 30 years.”
Here’s an example of the view guests will see out their door. The cave is about two hours away from the nearest traffic light, making this a great site for star-gazing and hiking.
Intrigued? If so, you’re going to want to check out the video feature and virtual tour of Johnson’s home, posted to YouTube by Tiny House Giant Journey.
“People really feel a lot of inspiration here from all different angles,” Johnson said in the video, calling the experience “positive living in a negative space.”
Doesn’t look so negative to us, though! We’re packed and ready to go.
This story originally appeared on Simplemost. Checkout Simplemost for additional stories. | https://www.wmar2news.com/stay-mans-cave-home-inside-utah-mountain | 2022-04-11T15:33:32 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/stay-mans-cave-home-inside-utah-mountain |
Airbnbs and similar short-term, peer-to-peer home-sharing and vacation rental platforms like Vrbo offer guests amenities that traditional hotels often don’t, including living spaces, full kitchens, decked-out outdoor patios and even private hot tubs. The unique stay options like treehouses, yurts, tiny houses and more plus the wide availability of rentals (Airbnb operates in over 100,000 cities across 220 countries worldwide) make these alternatives an attractive choice, especially for families, groups of friends and people traveling with pets. But while Airbnb and Vrbo stays offer perks galore, could guests be sacrificing privacy?
Marcus Hutchins, who posts to TikTok under the handle @malwaretech, is a self-identified ex-hacker who now educates others on cybersecurity. He posts videos on issues ranging from what to know when using public Wi-Fi (shown below) to investigating common phishing scams, but his video about secret cameras in Airbnbs tapped into an anxiety that already existed for many travelers: paranoia about being watched.
@malwaretech Reply to @oliviaaa_gh ⬠original sound – Marcus Hutchins
According to a survey conducted by financial services company IPX 1031, 58% of Airbnb users report being concerned that property owners may have hidden cameras within their Airbnb.
Per Airbnb’s own privacy rules, security measures like cameras and noise monitoring devices are allowed on Airbnb rental properties as long as they are clearly disclosed in the listing description and don’t infringe on another person’s privacy. For example, a security camera that hosts have explicitly informed guests about may be used in a common space like a living room or kitchen.
They may not be used in places where there should be a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as bedrooms and bathrooms. While you can rest easy knowing that secret recording devices are prohibited by Airbnb — and could lead to hosts getting banned from the platform — it’s worth the extra peace of mind to do a quick walkthrough of your rental using Hutchins’ tips:
@malwaretech Reply to @safarijackza How to find hidden cameras in AirBnBs #safety #travel
“Take this fire alarm, for instance, it’s placed right above the bed,” said Hutchins in the video. “Now one way to see if a device is a camera is to shine a bright light at it. If you hit a camera lens it’s going to get a blue-ish reflection.”
Other common hidden camera culprits shown in the video include alarm clocks and USB charging bricks.
For those looking for added security, Hutchins posted a video on portable locks and motion sensors you can pack and bring along on your travels:
@malwaretech Reply to @malwaretech Part 2: Hotel and AirBnB safety (portable door locks and camera) #security #safety #technology #travel ⬠original sound – Marcus Hutchins
The Washington Post compiled an article aimed at travelers to help them stay safe away from home. In it, they recommend scanning the Wi-Fi network for suspicious devices (or even turning the WiFi off altogether, if possible) and practicing situational awareness: pay attention to anything that feels “off” (such as two smoke detectors or an alarm but no alarm pad) and stay in an Airbnb with plenty of reviews. Also, do a “common sense” walkthrough when you arrive at your accommodations.
Traveling with these tips in mind will keep anxiety at bay so you can focus on the whole point of renting an Airbnb: taking a well-deserved vacation.
This story originally appeared on Simplemost. Checkout Simplemost for additional stories. | https://www.wmar2news.com/viral-video-shows-airbnb-hidden-cameras | 2022-04-11T15:33:38 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/viral-video-shows-airbnb-hidden-cameras |
SEATTLE — Seattle's Parks Department is testing out a "no wheels" policy around the inner loop at Green Lake Park. The parks department called the change a "long-term temporary" ban, while the city develops a design to complete an outer loop around the park.
The ban means activities like biking, roller-skating and skateboarding cannot use the inner loop. Strollers and mobility devices are allowed.
The parks department said the wheel ban is designed to give more space on the crowded trail for people on foot. However, bikers say they enjoy using the inner loop as an escape from the urban-like area surrounding the park.
"For me, it's contact with nature, being closer to the water, seeing the ducks, smelling the trees," said biker Felix Vlanco. "When you're at the street, you probably smell more of the fumes of the cars and probably [are] more exposed to accidents."
A survey completed by the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) said 74% of people who responded get around Green Lake Park on foot, 51% on a bike and 7% on another type of wheel.
To complete the outer loop, the SDOT is discussing turning one of the three northbound lanes on Aurora Avenue North into a bike lane. The proposed project has raised questions about safety and traffic impacts.
"It's really become more of an issue," said Paul Kostek, chair of the Green Lake Community Council. "I think for safety for small children, people learning to ride their bikes. Makes no sense to put them out there on the outer loop around the park, makes more sense to put them on the inside. So, I think we just need more discussion from the parks department about what's the plan here moving forward."
The parks department said there will likely be a public meeting in June to discuss potential options moving forward. | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/seattle-parks-issues-long-term-bike-ban-green-lake-park/281-da4392b9-27b2-419a-943f-63b3846d1c40 | 2022-04-11T15:39:24 | 1 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/seattle-parks-issues-long-term-bike-ban-green-lake-park/281-da4392b9-27b2-419a-943f-63b3846d1c40 |
WASHINGTON — After years of avoiding the request, John Lennon's son, Julian, has performed his father's worldwide hit "Imagine."
Selected as the closing segment for Global Citizen's Stand Up for Ukraine fundraiser event in Warsaw on Saturday, the 59-year-old, accompanied by guitarist Nuno Bettencourt, performed a heartfelt rendition of the song often recalled in times of war or conflict, with its lyrics calling for unity and peace.
The event culminated in more than $10 billion worth of pledges to support Ukrainian refugees, according to Global Citizen.
On his YouTube channel, Lennon explained why he has previously avoided publicly performing the song, and why the situation in Ukraine had provoked him to finally give-in to years of requests.
"I had always said, that the only time I would ever consider singing ‘Imagine' would be if it was the ‘End of the World,'" Lennon wrote. "The War on Ukraine is an unimaginable tragedy. As a human, and as an artist, I felt compelled to respond in the most significant way I could."
"[John Lennon's] lyrics reflect our collective desire for peace worldwide," the post continued. "Because within this song, we’re transported to a space, where love and togetherness become our reality, if but for a moment in time."
Since Russia invaded Ukraine more than six weeks ago, more than 4 million people have fled Ukraine, with more than half going to Poland and others heading to countries like Moldova, Romania and Hungary.
An additional 6.5 million have been displaced internally. Those numbers are expected to swell as the war drags on, the World Bank said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/nation-world/ukraine/julian-lennon-sings-imagine-for-the-first-time/507-f4cd1ba1-14c0-4752-a506-b81882e4a1d5 | 2022-04-11T15:39:30 | 0 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/nation-world/ukraine/julian-lennon-sings-imagine-for-the-first-time/507-f4cd1ba1-14c0-4752-a506-b81882e4a1d5 |
KYIV, Ukraine — Russia claimed that it destroyed several air defense systems in Ukraine over the weekend, in what appeared to be a renewed push to gain air superiority and take out weapons Kyiv has described as crucial ahead of a broad new offensive in the east.
In one strike announced Monday, Moscow said that it hit four S-300 launchers provided by a European country it didn't name. Slovakia gave Ukraine just such a system last week but denied it had been destroyed. Russia previously reported two strikes on similar systems in other places.
Moscow's initial invasion stalled on several fronts as it met with stiff resistance from Ukrainian forces, who prevented the Russians from taking the capital and other cities. The failure to win full control of Ukraine’s skies has hampered Moscow’s ability to provide air cover for troops on the ground, limiting their advances and likely exposing them to greater losses.
With their offensive in many parts of the country thwarted, Russian forces have relied increasingly on bombarding cities. The war has left many urban areas flattened, killed thousands of people, and left Russia politically and economically isolated. The war has also shattered Ukraine’s economy, with the World Bank estimating it will shrink by more than 45% this year.
Ukrainian authorities accuse Russian forces of committing atrocities, including a massacre in the town of Bucha, outside Kyiv, airstrikes on hospitals and a missile attack that killed at least 57 people at a train station.
In Bucha on Monday, the work of exhuming bodies from a mass grave in a churchyard resumed. Galyna Feoktistova waited for hours in the cold and rain in hopes of identifying her 50-year-old son, who was shot and killed more than a month ago, but eventually she went home for some warmth. “He's still there,” her surviving son, Andriy, said.
Now, Russia is regrouping for a renewed push in the eastern Donbas region, where Moscow-backed separatists have been battling Ukrainian forces since 2014 and have declared independent states. Both sides are digging in for what could be a devastating war of attrition.
Russia has appointed a seasoned general to lead the effort, according to U.S. officials, though they do not see one man making a difference.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is meanwhile pleading for more Western aid, saying his forces need heavier firepower to resist the coming onslaught and push Russian forces back. Echoing his remarks in an AP interview, Zelenskyy said Sunday that the coming week could be crucial, with Western support to his country — or the lack thereof — proving decisive.
“To be honest, whether we will be able to (survive) depends on this,” Zelenskyy said in a “60 Minutes” interview. “Unfortunately, I don’t have the confidence that we will be receiving everything we need." In a video address to South Korean lawmakers on Monday, he specifically requested equipment that can shoot down Russian missiles.
But those armaments could increasingly come under attack as Russia looks to shift the balance in the 6-week-old war.
Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said the military used cruise missiles to destroy four launchers on the southern outskirts of the central city of Dnipro on Sunday. He said the military also hit such systems in the Mykolaiv and Kharkiv regions.
Lubica Janikova, spokeswoman for Slovakia's prime minister, denied Monday that the S-300 system it sent Ukraine had been destroyed. She said any other claim is not true.
It’s not clear what that system included, but a senior U.S. defense official has said the Soviet-era system typically is comprised of four launchers. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to provide information in advance of the public announcement.
None of the Russian claims could be independently verified.
Ukraine has specifically asked for more S-300s in recent months, though it already had a number of the Soviet-built systems and other long-range air defense systems. It also has received batches of portable, shoulder-fired Western anti-aircraft weapons like Stingers, which are efficient against low-flying aircraft.
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer was due to meet Monday in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin, after meeting with Zelenskyy in Kyiv. Austria, a member of the European Union, is militarily neutral and not a member of NATO.
Questions remain about the ability of depleted and demoralized Russian forces to conquer much ground after their advance on Kyiv was repelled by determined Ukrainian defenders.
Britain’s Defense Ministry said Monday that Ukraine has already beaten back several assaults by Russian forces in the eastern Donetsk and Luhansk regions — which make up the Donbas — resulting in the destruction of Russian tanks, vehicles and artillery.
In Washington, a senior U.S. official said Russia has appointed Gen. Alexander Dvornikov, one of its most experienced military chiefs, to oversee the invasion. The official was not authorized to be identified and spoke on condition of anonymity. Russia does not generally announce such appointments, and there was no comment from Moscow.
Dvornikov, 60, gained a reputation for brutality as head of Russian forces deployed to Syria in 2015 to back President Bashar Assad’s government during the country’s devastating civil war.
Until now, Russia has had no central war commander on the ground. But U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan, speaking Sunday on CNN's “State of the Union," played down the appointment's significance.
“What we have learned in the first several weeks of this war is that Ukraine will never be subjected to Russia,” Sullivan said. “It doesn’t matter which general President Putin tries to appoint.”
Western military analysts say Russia's assault increasingly is focusing on eastern Ukraine — an arc stretching from Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, in the north, to Kherson in the south.
On Sunday, Russian forces shelled government-controlled Kharkiv and sent reinforcements toward Izyum to the southeast to try to break Ukraine's defenses, the Ukrainian military said. The Russians also kept up their weekslong siege of Mariupol, a key port in the Donbas.
A residential area in Kharkiv was struck by incoming fire on Monday afternoon. Associated Press journalists saw firefighters putting out the fire and checking for victims following the attack, and saw that at least five people were killed, including a child.
Oleh Synyehubov, the regional governor of Kharkiv, said earlier Monday that Russian shelling had killed 11 people over the last 24 hours.
The Institute for the Study of War, an American think tank, predicted that Russian forces will “renew offensive operations in the coming days” from Izyum in the campaign to conquer the Donbas, which comprises Ukraine’s industrial heartland.
But it said the outcome "remains very much in question.”
In Mariupol, Russia deployed Chechen fighters, reputed to be particularly fierce. Capturing the city on the Sea of Azov would give Russia a land bridge to the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia seized from Ukraine and annexed eight years ago.
In a video posted on his Telegram channel, Chechen Leader Ramzan Kadyrov said Russian forces would launch a renewed offensive on Mariupol and “in all the other settlements, cities and villages."
Mariupol's residents have lacked food, water and electricity since Russian forces surrounded the city. Hundreds of thousands have fled, though Russian attacks have also frustrated evacuation missions.
Vladislav Usovich, an 18-year-old conscript serving in Russia-backed separatist forces, advanced slowly with other fighters through residential areas around a factory in Mariupol on Sunday.
“I thought it would go better, I thought it would be faster. Everything is going slowly," he said. "The Ukrainians are prepared fighters. NATO trained them well.” | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/nation-world/ukraine/ukraine-eastern-showdown/507-2baffea1-6b5e-4573-a982-e5c5244a9be0 | 2022-04-11T15:39:36 | 0 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/nation-world/ukraine/ukraine-eastern-showdown/507-2baffea1-6b5e-4573-a982-e5c5244a9be0 |
PORTLAND, Ore. — Bill Schonely is calling it a night. The broadcaster who coined the phrase "Rip City" is retiring after more than 50 years with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Portland honored Schonely at the team's regular-season finale on Sunday night. Affectionately known as "Schonz," the 92-year-old was the Blazers' broadcaster for their inaugural season in 1970 and held the job for some 28 years.
Since then, he's been an ambassador with the Blazers, often lending his distinctive baritone voice to team promotions. He's been a fixture at games at the Moda Center.
For his final game Sunday, he conducted Oregon Symphony's brass section in playing the national anthem. The Portland fans greeted him with a standing ovation for a halftime ceremony. One hollered: "We need a statue!"
Gov. Kate Brown declared Sunday "Rip City" day in Oregon.
His catchphrase, which is now enshrined on one of the team's uniforms, was born during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Blazers were down by 20-plus points, but made a comeback.
He said that Jim Barnett, a former Oregon player who was one of the original Blazers, winked at him before taking a shot just steps inside the midcourt line.
It fell.
"I was gonna say it `Rip the twine' or something but I came up with `Rip City! All right!' And look what happened," he said. "It took a little while for that phrase to catch on. I had no idea that all of this was going to happen. But it did, and wherever you go, it's humbling to me, but it's `Rip City.'"
Schonely misses some of the Blazers greats that have passed away, including Jerome Kersey and Maurice Lucas, who created Rip City. He's part of that history, too.
"I always tried to tell the story as it was, because even though it was a regular-season basketball game, there was always a story to tell," he said.
Schonely says he's not sure what he'll do in retirement. He said he has no hobbies because the Blazers have been his life.
"Now it's time for me to turn it over to other people. My health is not as good as it used to be. But I'm still as ornery as ever," he said. "I'll keep on doing what I can for this organization, which has been very good to me over these years."
___
More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP—Sports | https://www.kgw.com/article/sports/nba/blazers/bill-schonely-retirement-honored-blazers/283-3934c773-6bae-46b4-8458-830086464539 | 2022-04-11T15:39:43 | 1 | https://www.kgw.com/article/sports/nba/blazers/bill-schonely-retirement-honored-blazers/283-3934c773-6bae-46b4-8458-830086464539 |
SEATTLE — Last week’s spring-like warmth with temperatures in the 70s is already a distant memory. Sea-Tac Airport hit the 70-degree mark Thursday for the first time in 2022 with a high of 73 degrees, while some areas hit the mid to upper 70s.
However, significantly colder temperatures have moved into western Washington, and they are here to stay for the foreseeable future.
The average high in Seattle for this time of year is 58. Many areas saw highs in the 40s over the weekend, and that's expected to be the case this upcoming week.
A weather system is expected to spread moisture into the region, allowing for a rain/snow mixture or wet snow for the central coast, southwest interior, and areas near Hood Canal and the south Sound Monday morning.
RELATED: Western Washington Forecast
The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a Winter Weather Advisory until 11 a.m. for the southwest interior, areas near Hood Canal, the lower Chehalis Valley and the Olympics.
Snow was falling in parts of Centralia in Lewis County before 6 a.m. Monday. The snow is also causing several school closings and delays in western Washington. Click here to check current closings and delays.
According to the NWS, wet snow with accumulations of 1-3 inches is possible in parts of southwest Mason County, the interior lowlands of Grays Harbor County and the lowlands of Thurston, western Lewis and southeast Mason counties. Areas near the Hood Canal, including western Kitsap and the lowlands of eastern Jefferson and Mason counties, could see up to 2 inches of snow Monday.
The NWS said snow levels are expected to rise to 1,000-1,500 feet by the afternoon for the Southern Interior, with temperatures warming into the mid to upper 40s.
Additional snow accumulation of 3-6 inches is possible for areas of the Olympic mountains above 2,500 feet.
A Winter Weather Advisory is also in effect for the Cascades of Pierce and Lewis counties until 5 p.m. Monday. Snow accumulation of 6-8 inches is possible for areas above 2,500 feet and 2-5 inches is possible in lower elevations. The advisory includes the Crystal Mountain Ski area, Paradise on Mount Rainier, Ashford, Randle and Packwood.
The NWS warned drivers to plan for slippery road conditions Monday morning. Washington State Patrol Trooper Chris Thorson advised drivers to reduce their speed, increase following distance, stay alert, and to watch for standing water on the roadways during the morning commute.
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect until 11 p.m. Monday for areas of the east slopes of the Cascades above 3,000 feet. Total snow accumulations of 12-18 inches are possible with wind gusts as high as 40 mph, the NWS said.
Temperatures will warm slightly but still stay below average for the rest of the week, with highs bouncing back into the low 50s. Showers will be around for most of the week, accompanied by periods of sunshine. | https://www.kgw.com/article/weather/western-washington-forecast-april-lowland-snow/281-31aa1056-9146-4b0f-ba04-44b7bb257330 | 2022-04-11T15:39:49 | 1 | https://www.kgw.com/article/weather/western-washington-forecast-april-lowland-snow/281-31aa1056-9146-4b0f-ba04-44b7bb257330 |
Atlanta airport reclaims title as World’s Busiest Airport
ATLANTA (CNN) - Atlanta’s airport is once again the world’s busiest.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport knocked China’s Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport from the top spot for 2021, according to the trade association, Airports Council International.
Guangzhou pushed Atlanta off the perch in 2020, breaking Atlanta’s 22-year streak as number one.
Atlanta’s main airport had 75.7 million passengers in 2021. That is up a whopping 76% from 2020, but still nearly 32% below the pre-pandemic 2019 level.
Meanwhile, Guangzhou’s airport dropped to number eight in 2021.
U.S. airports dominated in 2021, with eight of the top 10, but the year before, airports in China took seven of the top 10.
China’s 2020 dominance was because of th early rebound of domestic travel in China.
The country has still not reopened to international visitors.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.kttc.com/2022/04/11/atlanta-airport-reclaims-title-worlds-busiest-airport/ | 2022-04-11T15:41:41 | 1 | https://www.kttc.com/2022/04/11/atlanta-airport-reclaims-title-worlds-busiest-airport/ |
Bed recalled after 79-year-old woman died
(Gray News) – Bestar has issued a recall for several models of its beds after a 79-year-old woman died and dozens of others reported injuries.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the woman died in July 2018, after a Bestar wall bed fell on her, injuring her spine.
The company received reports of 60 additional incidents resulting in bruising and other injuries from the wall beds detaching and hitting people, CPSC said.
The recall includes the following full and queen wall beds that were sold from June 2014 through March 2022:
- Nebula
- PUR
- Versatile
- Edge
- Cielo
- Audrea
- Lumina
- Orion
- Novello
The beds were sold online at Wayfair.com, Costco.com, Cymax.com and Amazon.com.
Bestar is contacting all known purchasers directly, and consumers are advised to stop using the recalled wall beds immediately.
People with the recalled beds are entitled to a free inspection, according to CPSC.
If the bed requires reinstallation, Bestar will reimburse for those costs in a range from $170-$207 for Above Top Shelf wall beds or $338-$414 for Below Top Shelf wall beds.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.kttc.com/2022/04/11/bed-recalled-after-79-year-old-woman-died/ | 2022-04-11T15:41:48 | 0 | https://www.kttc.com/2022/04/11/bed-recalled-after-79-year-old-woman-died/ |
Federal officials consider transportation mask mandate’s fate
Published: Apr. 11, 2022 at 10:28 AM CDT|Updated: 12 minutes ago
(CNN) - An update on the transportation mask mandate is expected to be released later this week.
The White House’s COVID-19 response coordinator said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is coming up with a scientific framework to decide on the health issue.
The federal transportation mask mandate for places like planes and trains, is scheduled to expire on April 18.
In most places nationwide, facial coverings are no longer mandatory in public spaces.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.kttc.com/2022/04/11/federal-officials-consider-transportation-mask-mandates-fate/ | 2022-04-11T15:41:56 | 1 | https://www.kttc.com/2022/04/11/federal-officials-consider-transportation-mask-mandates-fate/ |
How the public’s view of Obamacare has changed in the last 12 years
(CNN) - The Affordable Care Act was signed into law by former President Barack Obama nearly 12 years ago and last week, Obama commemorated the anniversary with President Joe Biden at the White House.
“We passed the ACA, I’ve said it before, that was a high point of my time here because it reminded me and it reminded us of what is possible,” Obama said last week.
Today, about 14 million get private health insurance through Obamacare and another 14 million people get insurance through expanded Medicaid programs. That is about 9% of the U.S. population insured because of Obamacare.
Under the law, insurance companies cannot deny you or charge you more because of a pre-existing condition, children can stay on their parents’ insurance until age 26 and prescription drug costs are lower for nearly 12 million seniors.
However, it was a rocky start for Obamacare.
CNN reporter Elizabeth Cohen tried for two weeks back then to get an account and log in to healthcare.gov.
Obama acknowledged the issues, saying that the website troubles “didn’t help” the program at the beginning.
For a long time, Obamacare was relatively unpopular, but that changed in 2017 when Republicans tried to repeal the law.
“That was the moment when Obamacare became popular,” said Larry Levitt, executive vice president of the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Former President Donald Trump tried to convince Americans that Obamacare was bad.
“We will repeal and replace Obamacare. You watch,” Trump said.
Efforts to do so failed when three Republican senators voted against repealing it, including the late Sen. John McCain of Arizona.
Levitt says he believes public opinion of the law changed because it appeared that “Republicans were trying to weaken pre-existing condition protections, take coverage away from people, increase the premiums people would pay.”
“That was a very unpopular effort,” he said.
Levitt believes that for now, Obamacare is here to stay.
Last year, Biden expanded financial assistance for people to buy Obamacare insurance through 2022, and he is working on fixing the so-called “Family Glitch” in Obamacare that would help insure more families of working parents.
“Under the current rules, a working mom is told as long as she can afford employer-based coverage for herself, she can’t qualify for premium subsidies to afford coverage for her family. Cover her, but not her family,” he said.
With the fix, an estimated 200,000 more people would gain insurance and nearly 1 million people would pay less for their insurance.
Currently, Obamacare enjoys records enrollment, and Obama says there is a reason it is so popular 12 years later.
“It’s done what it’s supposed to do. It’s made a difference,” he said.
There are still 12 states that have chosen not to expand Medicaid. Biden has tried to clean up that coverage gap for more than 2 million people, but his efforts were thwarted by Congress last year.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.kttc.com/2022/04/11/how-publics-view-obamacare-has-changed-last-12-years/ | 2022-04-11T15:42:02 | 1 | https://www.kttc.com/2022/04/11/how-publics-view-obamacare-has-changed-last-12-years/ |
Man uses 30+ aliases to elude criminal charges, deputies say
ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. (WBTV/Gray News) – A man arrested in North Carolina for felony identity theft is accused of using dozens of fake names over several years to get out of criminal charges, according to deputies.
When he was charged last week, the 46-year-old man said his name was Vincente Barrera and then later said his name was Jorge Ortiz-Zaragoza, WBTV reported.
Deputies discovered that the Ortiz-Zaragoza name was in FBI records as an alias used before to try to get out of criminal charges.
Authorities said Ortiz-Zaragoza confessed it was not his real identity and said he has used 27 names in the past.
After fingerprinting the man, deputies determined he has used as many as 35 different names.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office records show that Ortiz-Zaragoza has been deported five times.
The criminal history connected to those fingerprints includes multiple drug felonies in addition to the assault charge, WBTV reported.
The investigation is still open, and Ortiz-Zaragoza, listed in the detention center as Vincente Barrera, was jailed on a bond of $10,000 on charges of identity theft and assault on a female.
Barrera is set to appear in court on Monday.
Copyright 2022 WBTV via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.kttc.com/2022/04/11/man-uses-30-aliases-elude-crimes-deputies-say/ | 2022-04-11T15:42:09 | 0 | https://www.kttc.com/2022/04/11/man-uses-30-aliases-elude-crimes-deputies-say/ |
RCTC Auto Auction returns this weekend
ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – The Rochester Community and Technical College Automotive Technician Program Auto Auction will return Saturday with a new set of vehicles up for grabs.
The auto auction is happening Saturday 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.
The vehicles this year range from pickup trucks to sedans. The students fix them up and get them ready to sell.
Over the years, they’ve sold many vehicles. Some have sold for as low as $25 and as much as $8,000. The average price is about $1,600. The money goes to help buy new teaching equipment for the program.
Program leader Mike Harding said there are 20 students in the first phase of the program and 10 in the second year. He said there is also a waiting list. He said auto technicians continue to be in high demand.
“There’s a ton of job openings right now in the technician field to fix cars, trucks,” he said. “There’s technicians out in the field these days making more than $100,000.”
He said they will possibly be getting an electric car for the program within the next year. It will allow students to learn how to work on electric vehicles, building on their skills and making them more attractive to prospective employers.
For the list of rules and vehicles, click here.
Copyright 2022 KTTC. All rights reserved. | https://www.kttc.com/2022/04/11/rctc-auto-auction-returns-this-weekend/ | 2022-04-11T15:42:16 | 0 | https://www.kttc.com/2022/04/11/rctc-auto-auction-returns-this-weekend/ |
Trump endorses Dr. Oz in Pennsylvania’s Senate primary race
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Former President Donald Trump endorsed Mehmet Oz in Pennsylvania’s crowded Republican Senate primary, ending months of jockeying for his support.
In a statement Saturday evening, Trump said his decision was “all about winning elections” as he formally backed the celebrity heart surgeon best known as the host of daytime TV’s “The Dr. Oz Show.”
“The Great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has a tremendous opportunity to Save America by electing the brilliant and well-known Dr. Mehmet Oz for the United States Senate,” Trump said, in part. Later, at a rally in North Carolina, he said: “You know when you’re in television for 18 years, that’s like a poll. That means people like you.”
Oz had been competing for Trump’s endorsement in the May 17 primary against former hedge fund CEO David McCormick, whose wife, Dina Powell, served in Trump’s administration. The two had gone to extensive lengths to win over the former president, who remains deeply popular with the Republican base and has been wooed by candidates in primary races across the country.
At a conservative forum in Pennsylvania last weekend, the candidates were asked if they would like Trump’s endorsement and for him to come to Pennsylvania to campaign for them.
“That’s the easiest question we’re going to get all day,” replied one of the candidates, Jeff Bartos, a real estate investor. “Yes. 100%, yes.”
The decision marks a disappointment for McCormick, who met with Trump last week and had hired a litany of former Trump aides for his campaign. Though he was virtually unknown to voters before declaring his candidacy in January, he topped a recent Fox News poll of Pennsylvania GOP primary voters.
Trump had previously endorsed Sean Parnell in the race, but Parnell withdrew his candidacy amid allegations of abuse from his estranged wife. The turnabout raised questions about the vigor of Trump’s vetting process and concerns among Republicans about whether the former president was bolstering candidates who might be able to win their respective primaries but flounder in general elections that will determine which party controls the Senate.
This time, Trump made clear that electability was top of mind. In his statement, he noted that Oz was a well-known quantity who has “lived with us through the screen and has always been popular, respected, and smart.”
“Perhaps most importantly, I believe that Mehmet Oz will be the one most able to win the General Election against a Radical Left Democrat looking to do unthinkable harm to our Country,” he added. “Women, in particular, are drawn to Dr. Oz for his advice and counsel. I have seen this many times over the years. They know him, believe in him, and trust him,” he said.
When Oz interviewed Trump on his show in 2016, Trump told him at one point that his wife, Melania Trump, was “a big fan” of the show.
Oz also has a long personal history with Trump.
Oz said in a recent interview that he had first met Trump in 2004 or 2005 when he asked Trump to use his golf course for an event for Oz’s children’s charity. Trump agreed. After that, they saw each other intermittently at social events before Oz interviewed Trump about his health during the 2016 presidential campaign.
Trump, in conversations, has often praised Oz for his positive treatment on the show. “He even said that I was in extraordinary health, which made me like him even more (although he also said I should lose a couple of pounds!),” Trump wrote in his statement.
McCormick, meanwhile, has made deep inroads with party donors and officials in Pennsylvania, and has landed endorsements from former Trump administration officials Sarah Sanders and Mike Pompeo. But he has had to work to turn himself into a pro-Trump, America First candidate.
McCormick carries strong Republican establishment ties going back to his days in President George W. Bush’s administration. In 2015, McCormick held a fundraiser for Jeb Bush, Trump’s 2016 rival.
That has opened McCormick, who spent a dozen years as an executive at one of the nation’s biggest hedge funds, to charges from some conservatives that he is a “globalist,” a derogatory term as adopted by Trump and others in his orbit to conjure up an elite, international coterie that doesn’t serve America’s best interests.
Meanwhile, McCormick and a super PAC supporting him have spent millions attacking Oz.
The ads pick apart Oz’s long career on TV and as a public personality and accuse him of being a liberal, pointing, for instance, to his repeated public advocacy for “Obamacare,” former President Barack Obama’s signature health care law. They also accuse Oz of being too “Hollywood.”
Oz also has taken heat in the race for carpetbaggery. He lived in New Jersey for two decades until just before deciding to run in neighboring Pennsylvania, where his in-laws live.
Trump’s decision drew criticism from some Oz critics, including Parnell, who endorsed McCormick.
“I have enormous respect for President Trump. I was honored to have his endorsement in PA,” he tweeted. “But I’m disappointed by this. Oz is the antithesis of everything that made Trump the best president of my lifetime—he’s the farthest thing from America First & he’d be very bad for PA.”
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.kttc.com/2022/04/11/trump-endorses-dr-oz-pennsylvanias-senate-primary-race/ | 2022-04-11T15:42:22 | 0 | https://www.kttc.com/2022/04/11/trump-endorses-dr-oz-pennsylvanias-senate-primary-race/ |
A great local spot in your town — recommendations by NJ residents
Stopped in the Old Causeway in Mud City next to Beach Haven West over the weekend. We already had dinner planned at our friend's home but we decided to stop in for a beer before dinner. What a great place! Service, selection, street parking, and a lively crowd.
Locally for us in Princeton, the go-to place to stop in for a beer is the Ivy Inn on Nassau Street. Friends of ours recently joined the crew and opened up a pizza kitchen, which we're hoping to try this upcoming weekend.
We stayed the night in the area with friends and for breakfast, we went to LBI. On a recommendation, we sat at the counter at a great breakfast spot, on Long Beach Boulevard in Harvey Cedars, Neptune Market.
As I'm enjoying eggs cooked perfectly on the open griddle behind the counter, regulars were ordering fish and stone crab claws for lunch and dinner at home.
I love a one-stop place at the shore. For year-round residents and renters, it's awesome to be able to walk from home and get everything done — including a hot diner breakfast — in one stop.
Here are recommendations from listeners:
Lisa in Trenton: The Evergreen Dairy Bar in Medford
Peggy in Beverly: Lucille's Luncheonette in Warren Grove
Kathy in Cherry Hill: Jug Handle Inn in Cinnaminson
Lori in Pemberton: Lolo's Kitchen in Pemberton (Lolo is the name she had her grandkids call her because Lori said she was too young to be a grandmother!)
Joey in Bayonne: Morristown Diner in Morristown across from the Train Station
Jerry in Robbinsville: Woody's Town Cafe in Allentown
John in Bridgewater: The Waiting Room in Rahway
Holly in Browns Mills: Shut Up and Eat in Toms River
Brad in East Windsor: Morgan's Island Grill in Hightstown
Joe in South Brunswick: Brunswick Moose Lodge
Charles in Bayville: Grits and Grace in Bayville and Harry’s Smokin BBQ in South Toms River
Elaine in Brick: The White Owl in Point Pleasant
Adrienne in Lake Como: AGB Photography
Christina in Lambertville: Lambertville Estate
Mike in Galloway: Smithville Bakery and Sunryser Restaurant in Absecon
Nino in Bound Brook: Chef Nino at your Table
Brooke in Hamilton: Creations by BLW
Brian in Browns Mills: 12 Farms Restaurant in Hightstown and The Mug Rack in Jackson
John in Manalapan: MSK Home Improvement
The post above reflects the thoughts and observations of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Bill Spadea. Any opinions expressed are Bill's own. Bill Spadea is on the air weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m., talkin’ Jersey, taking your calls at 1-800-283-1015. | https://nj1015.com/a-great-local-spot-in-your-town-recommendations-by-nj-residents/ | 2022-04-11T15:52:04 | 1 | https://nj1015.com/a-great-local-spot-in-your-town-recommendations-by-nj-residents/ |
Join the fight against NJ schools sexualizing grade school kids (Opinion)
After a few weeks of pushing the issue of protecting kids locally, the fight in New Jersey to protect parents' rights is getting national attention.
In an article posted over the weekend in the New York Post, writer Karol Markowicz discusses the media outcry over the Florida law that bars gender transition and sexual orientation discussion from K through 3rd-grade classrooms. She calls out the media for pushing back against parents who are standing up to fight back and explains that the fight is justifiable. Here's a quote from the article:
"But there is a very justifiable reason: Parents want to protect their small children from inappropriate lessons on sexuality, whether straight or gay. More important, parents know that the idea of gender flexibility is being pushed on their ever-younger kids. The notion that it’s not is pure gaslighting, and the New Jersey guidelines are just more evidence of that.
Parents have watched society change around them to what the insane left has demanded. They know it’s happening. They will fight against it being foisted on their kids."
This story of Gov. Murphy and the Democratic Majority's attempt to sexualize the grade school curriculum first came to light because of the fact-based reporting from my friend Matt Rooney when he reported it on his Save Jersey website as the eyes of the parental rights movement is set on the battle taking place in the Garden State.
If you have been listening to the show, you know that I took the story and ran with it, interviewing legislators and stakeholders leading the charge to fight back for parents and kids.
Along with my friends and partners in the Common Sense Club, we also took the lead with parents, local grassroots organizations and legislators launching the Parental Bill of Rights.
In the articles on my show website, links are included for parents to become Citizen Signers of the Parental Bill of Rights. In just six days, we generated more than SIX THOUSAND letters to legislators showing support for the bill. You can become a signer HERE.
The fringe left decried the law that they purposefully labeled "Don't Say Gay" as a way of garnering opposition to Ron DeSantis and the Florida legislators. Looks like that plan has backfired with parents rising up in states like New Jersey saying that there is no good reason to sexualize studies for kids as young as 5.
What's interesting to me as a student of politics is why the Democrats have made this issue a centerpiece of their attempt to hold onto the majority in Congress with the midterm elections looming.
Normalizing porn for grade school kids?
Normalizing gender confusion for kindergarten kids with statements like this:
“You might feel like you’re a boy even if you have body parts that some people might tell you are ‘girl’ parts. You might feel like you’re a girl even if you have body parts that some people might tell you are ‘boy’ parts. And you might not feel like you’re a boy or a girl, but you’re a little bit of both. No matter how you feel, you’re perfectly normal!”
This is simply too far and too radical for most parents.
From my perspective, this is clearly because the Democrats need something to distract away from the failures of the current administration and their shills in Congress. The Afghanistan withdrawal, Ukraine diplomatic debacle, spiking gas prices, the rising cost of food, empty markets and general dissatisfaction with the direction of the country doesn't bode well for the incumbent Democrats.
That said, it's not enough to simply vote against a candidate. You need to vote for a candidate who has a track record of supporting parents and small businesses. The GOP can become a true populist opposition party to the incumbent majority. The GOP can rise to the occasion and stand up for parents, small businesses, and regular people. And you can be a part of this change.
If you agree with me and want to oppose the sexualizing of grade school kids, then join me. If you are currently registered as an "Unaffiliated" voter you can simply show up on Election Day, June 7, and vote in the GOP primary. If you don't want to stay a Republican, you can switch back by using this form.
You can also have your voice heard by joining me at our first annual A Seat At the Table conference taking place in Somerset on Thursday. April 28. Register HERE.
Keep the faith and the fight. We are just gettin' started.
The post above reflects the thoughts and observations of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Bill Spadea. Any opinions expressed are Bill's own. Bill Spadea is on the air weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m., talkin’ Jersey, taking your calls at 1-800-283-1015. | https://nj1015.com/join-the-fight-against-nj-schools-sexualizing-grade-school-kids-opinion/ | 2022-04-11T15:52:10 | 0 | https://nj1015.com/join-the-fight-against-nj-schools-sexualizing-grade-school-kids-opinion/ |
Love to read? this NJ ‘store’ gives out free books to everyone
If you’re a serious reader like I am, you’re always trying to find a way to procure the next great read.
Maybe you take advantage of those little book exchange boxes in neighborhoods all over New Jersey. Maybe you’re one of those who like to kick it old school and visit the library on a regular basis. Perhaps you borrow from friends. I don’t do that because I’m very bad at returning. Or, do you just break down and buy all your books on Amazon?
Well if you live near Jersey City, or even if you have the gumption to drive there, there’s an amazing resource that you may not know about.
It’s called Jersey City Free Books. When you go on their website, jerseycityfreebooks.com, you will see their straight-to-the-point motto: A community organization that provides something to read without charge, obligation, registration, or indoctrination.
Jersey City Free Books is an interesting concept and I’m not sure if it exists anywhere else in NJ. Or even in the country.
Located at 3396 Kennedy Blvd. in Jersey City, it’s a community book exchange serving Jersey City, Hoboken, all of Hudson County and the entire New York City area. And the concept is exactly what it says: Free books.
It’s like a library, except you don’t have to return anything. But to show your appreciation, you can donate back. You can also donate things that they can sell at fundraisers to continue to keep the operation going.
However, Since Jersey City free books is dedicated to serious readers they won’t take everything. For example, They don’t take light fiction like mysteries, thrillers, romances, self-help books, cookbooks or children's books.
Additionally, since they can't be used by current students, textbooks over three years old are not accepted, either.
They do stress an urgent need for things like solid recent non-fiction including college textbooks less than three years old and recent quality fiction. (I guess it’s up to your discretion to figure out exactly their definition of “quality.”)
They can always use books on history, biographies of historical figures (not celebrities), dictionaries, language learning books and media, scientific books, and books on photography or art.
And while they won’t offer comic books, graphic novels or video and game DVDs to give away, they do accept them as donations because they are great to sell at flea markets as fundraisers. Also, the only periodicals they accept are tropical fish magazines and bird or pet magazines.
It isn’t required for you to donate, but most people enjoy the concept so much that eventually they will end up giving as well as taking.
There are some other rules and restrictions, so before you head up there, you should definitely check out their webpage. But this is an idea that should probably exist in other parts of the state, too. (South Jersey, I’m talking to you!)
If you like the idea of a free book “store“ and you’d like to help keep them going, you can donate at the Jersey City Free Books GoFundMe Page.
Opinions expressed in the post above are those of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Judi Franco only.
You can now listen to Dennis & Judi — On Demand! Hear New Jersey’s favorite best friends anytime, anywhere and any day of the week. Download the Dennis & Judi show wherever you get podcasts, on our free app, or listen right now: | https://nj1015.com/love-to-read-this-nj-store-gives-out-free-books-to-everyone/ | 2022-04-11T15:52:17 | 0 | https://nj1015.com/love-to-read-this-nj-store-gives-out-free-books-to-everyone/ |
NJ-born Masters champ Scottie Scheffler’s began career in Paramus
AUGUSTA, Ga. — Scottie Scheffler became the first New Jersey native to win the Masters on Sunday, his first major golf tournament championship and number one ranking.
It's a journey to greatness that started in the dark in Paramus when he was standing on the green behind Bergen Community College with his dad Scott dutifully holding a flashlight while his only son — just 5 or 6 at the time — hit shots in the dark.
And if one of Scottie Scheffler's wayward strokes happened to smack into one of his sisters, so be it.
“He used to yell,” Scott Scheffler said. "He would yell at us when he hit it. He would hit the girls.”
It's what brothers do.
Nearly two decades later, Scottie Scheffler's aim is considerably better. Yes, that was the kid who used to peg his siblings with impunity tugging the green jacket over his broad shoulders after winning the Masters on Sunday afternoon.
And yes, that was most of the Scheffler clan — sisters Callie and Molly (other sister Sara is in Portugal) along with Scott and wife Diane — huddled together just outside Butler Cabin to celebrate a jet-fueled rise to the top that really wasn't that jet-fueled at all.
Those were the days back in north New Jersey when the Scheffler kids were introduced to the game. They moved to Dallas from Ridgefield Park when Diane switched law firms as a chief operating officer. They quickly decided to join Royal Oaks Country Club mostly because it meant Scott Scheffler could keep all four kids in one place.
While Scott Scheffler understands his son's origin story takes a familiar narrative and turns it on his head — it was Scott who served as the stay-at-home dad while Diane worked — he doesn't see it as revolutionary or strange or uncommon.
“It’s just what you do as a father for your children,” Scott Scheffler said, his eyes wet with tears while wearing a white Masters polo shirt on the grounds of a club where his son is now a champion. "You do for your kids you know. I’ve done for all of them. They’ve given us great joy. He’s the one that did all the hard work, not me. I just raised him and tried the best I could to be a good dad.”
Maybe, but someone had to get Team Scheffler to all those sporting events. Youth golf tournaments. High school basketball practices. The list is seemingly endless. The fact it was dad doing most of the driving hardly mattered.
“Wasn’t unusual for me,” Scottie Scheffler said. “I didn’t know any different. Fortunately for me, I grew up with three sisters and my dad was there, and he did a great job raising us."
Dad made sure kids were well rounded
While stressing “I'm no guru,” Scott Scheffler pointed out how vital it was to make sure Scottie didn't focus on golf all the time. He tried as a sophomore at Highland Park High School only to realize he missed playing basketball too much. So it was back to the basketball team the following year.
Yet Scottie was hardly the only athlete in the family. Callie Scheffler played at Texas A&M and served as Scottie's caddie when he qualified for the 2016 U.S. Open at Oakmont as an amateur, and Molly and Sara are players, too.
While Scott Scheffler laughingly admitted, “Schefflers have their issues, but they're good people,” he grew more serious when asked what the world needs to know about the unassuming 25-year-old board game aficionado who is now the hottest golfer on the planet.
“He’s just a nice young kid,” Scott Scheffler said. “Born in New Jersey and raised in Texas. He’s got a little bit of both, which is wonderful. Just our son and Meredith’s husband and now I guess he’s the world’s.”
The family bonds extend beyond Team Scheffler.
Working with a Hall of Fame Pro
Rick Smith, the PGA Hall of Fame pro, has worked with Scottie for years, and Rick's son Blake is Scheffler's agent. Blake and Scottie met soon after the Schefflers joined Royal Oaks and the two would play together when they could.
That relationship between the Schefflers and the Smiths has only deepened through the years. Maybe that's why Rick leaned over on Scottie's bag as he was inside signing his scorecard after the biggest tournament — so far — of his still burgeoning career.
Rick was over at Scheffler's house on Saturday night, trying to get him to relax as he sat on a three-shot lead heading into Sunday. They worked on Scheffler's alignment. On his ball position. And on his mood, watching Instagram videos in an effort to keep things light.
While Scheffler admitted his stomach had been hurting over the weekend and he cried Sunday morning because of the pressure, he hardly looked rattled while posting a 1-under 71 that gave him a three-shot victory. There was just one major hiccup, a four-putt on the 18th with his win assured, though Smith couldn't help but laugh when asked at what point he finally relaxed.
“When he made his fourth putt (at 18),” Smith said. “We’ll go figure out what went on."
There's time to exhale, but not much. In early February, Scheffler was still searching for his first PGA Tour win. In early April, he's on the kind of run that he couldn't have imagined while drilling putts into the North Jersey nights, hardly worried about where the putt went, who it hit, or whether mom or dad was one driving them home.
“He’s public now, which is a little bit scary,” Scott Scheffler said.
Just don't expect Scottie to forget where he came from. Scott and Diane Scheffler's only son is well aware he hardly made the journey from Bergen Community College to Augusta National alone.
“They didn’t parent perfectly, obviously, but for me, they did the best they could all the time, and I love them for that,” Scheffler said. “You know, I can’t speak highly enough of the hard work that they have put in. I can’t put it into words, I really can’t.”
(Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.) | https://nj1015.com/nj-born-masters-champ-scottie-schefflers-began-career-in-paramus/ | 2022-04-11T15:52:23 | 0 | https://nj1015.com/nj-born-masters-champ-scottie-schefflers-began-career-in-paramus/ |
TOTOWA — A New Jersey man said he sustained second- and third-degree burns when he spilled a cup of Dunkin' coffee in his lap, and now wants the chain's location in this Passaic County borough to disclose exactly how hot the beverage was when served to him.
NorthJersey.com reported that a lawsuit filed by Evan Arlington and his wife, Stephanie Arlington-Macias, claims negligence in the "preparation, sale, and service" of the coffee at a Dunkin' shop on Minnisink Road in Totowa, and seeks damages to cover hospital care, medical treatments, and "pain and mental anguish."
The report said the Arlingtons would like Dunkin' to disclose the proper temperature range for its hot coffee, the temperature at which the cups they ordered were given to them, and the temperature at which coffee causes severe burns.
As cited in the NorthJersey.com report, the National Coffee Association USA says hot coffee should be brewed at 195 to 205 degrees Fahrenheit, just below the boiling point of water, but that most drinkers prefer to consume the beverage no hotter than 140 degrees.
The lawsuit comes almost exactly a year after a Vineland man sued a Dunkin' in that city, claiming that a drive-thru worker failed to properly secure a cup lid, leading the customer to spill the coffee and suffer second-degree burns to his thigh and groin area.
Previous notable New Jersey suits against Dunkin' were brought in 2012 and 2014.
Patrick Lavery is a reporter and anchor for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at patrick.lavery@townsquaremedia.com
Click here to contact an editor about feedback or a correction for this story.
NJ county fairs make a comeback: Check out the schedule for 2022
UPDATED 4/10: A current list of county fairs happening across the Garden State for 2022. From rides, food, animals, and hot air balloons, each county fair has something unique to offer.
(Fairs are listed in geographical order from South NJ to North NJ)
These are the best hiking spots in New Jersey
A trip to New Jersey doesn't have to be all about the beach. Our state has some incredible trails, waterfalls, and lakes to enjoy.
From the Pine Barrens to the Appalachian Trail to the hidden gems of New Jersey, you have plenty of options for a great hike. Hiking is such a great way to spend time outdoors and enjoy nature, plus it's a great workout.
Before you go out on the trails and explore some of our listeners' suggestions, I have some tips on hiking etiquette from the
American Hiking Society.
If you are going downhill and run into an uphill hiker, step to the side and give the uphill hiker space. A hiker going uphill has the right of way unless they stop to catch their breath.
Always stay on the trail, you may see side paths, unless they are marked as an official trail, steer clear of them. By going off-trail you may cause damage to the ecosystems around the trail, the plants, and wildlife that live there.
You also do not want to disturb the wildlife you encounter, just keep your distance from the wildlife and continue hiking.
Bicyclists should yield to hikers and horses. Hikers should also yield to horses, but I’m not sure how many horses you will encounter on the trails in New Jersey.
If you are thinking of bringing your dog on your hike, they should be leashed, and make sure to clean up all pet waste.
Lastly, be mindful of the weather, if the trail is too muddy, it's probably best to save your hike for another day.
I asked our listeners for their suggestions of the best hiking spots in New Jersey, check out their suggestions:
Every NJ pizza joint Barstool's Dave Portnoy has reviewed
Dave Portnoy, commonly known as El Presidente, is the founder of Barstool Sports. Somewhere along the way, he decided to start reviewing local pizzerias, and the concept took off. Here is every New Jersey pizzeria Dave has stopped in, along with the score he gave them. | https://nj1015.com/nj-couple-sues-after-man-burned-by-totowa-dunkin-coffee-spill/ | 2022-04-11T15:52:29 | 0 | https://nj1015.com/nj-couple-sues-after-man-burned-by-totowa-dunkin-coffee-spill/ |
NJ parents alarmed their 7-year-olds to be taught gender identity (Opinion)
This fall kids in the first and second grades will be taught identity in a plan hatched in 2020 but not required to be implemented until this coming fall. The Westfield School District distributed to parents sample lesson plans that teaches first graders that some kids may have "boy parts" but "feel like" a girl.
Some parents raised concerns that material like this should not be taught to kids at school, especially not to first and second-graders.
It remains to be seen if these parents dare to speak up against this new curriculum will be labeled "homophobic" or "transphobic" for questioning the wisdom of teaching this in school, let alone to 6 and 7-year-olds.
The bill passed and signed by Gov. DeSantis of Florida has already caused controversy and misinformation in that state. Activists protesting the law have labeled it the "don't say gay" law, when in fact there is no language of that nature anywhere in the law.
The law simply prohibits the teaching of gender studies to kids before the fifth grade, in an attempt to preserve parents' rights to have these sensitive conversations with their children in their own home and in their own time frame.
New Jersey public schools should be concentrating on the things we send our kids to school for. Teach them math, science, history and English. Sensitive personal issues are not the responsibility, nor the place for schools to get involved.
So far Gov. Murphy has failed to weigh in on the plan. If a teacher or administrator feels a student has an issue, they should contact the parent and make them aware of what they've observed. End of story.
The rights of parents have steadily been eroded over the last few decades, especially in public school. The line has to be drawn somewhere.
It will be interesting to see if parents stand up this fall to stop this or cower in fear of the radical activists and their allies who push this on young children. It's yet to be determined if busy New Jersey parents have the balls to stand up to this. Stay tuned.
Opinions expressed in the post above are those of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Dennis Malloy only.
You can now listen to Dennis & Judi — On Demand! Hear New Jersey’s favorite best friends anytime, anywhere and any day of the week. Download the Dennis & Judi show wherever you get podcasts, on our free app, or listen right now: | https://nj1015.com/nj-parents-alarmed-their-7-year-olds-to-be-taught-gender-identity-opinion/ | 2022-04-11T15:52:35 | 0 | https://nj1015.com/nj-parents-alarmed-their-7-year-olds-to-be-taught-gender-identity-opinion/ |
NJ school boards say high school start time should be local issue
Legislation recently proposed by state Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-Middlesex, and Sen. Vin Gopal, D-Monmouth, that would mandate a start time of no earlier than 8:30 a.m. for New Jersey high schools is getting some pushback from the New Jersey School Boards Association.
If signed into law, the measure (A3816 / S2462), introduced March 25, would apply to "certain public schools that receive State aid" beginning with the 2024-2025 academic year.
But as NJSBA told The Center Square in a report published Friday, the organization believes school start times are a matter best left to individual districts, not a statewide rule.
Janet Bamford, NJSBA chief public affairs officer, told the publication that local school boards should determine high school start times "in response to local needs, conditions, and community input," listing a number of complicating factors including transportation costs, extracurricular activity scheduling, and impact on younger students, both within families with high schoolers and overall.
However, she acknowledged studies that have shown U.S. adolescents are not getting adequate amounts of sleep, and that later school starts may help.
The Center Square report said the state's largest and most powerful teachers' union, the New Jersey Education Association, has not yet reviewed the proposed legislation, but is also aware of such studies, and feels "any reform that might benefit students is well worth considering and implementing."
Coughlin and Gopal's companion bills have the backing of the New Jersey chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Patrick Lavery is a reporter and anchor for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at patrick.lavery@townsquaremedia.com
Click here to contact an editor about feedback or a correction for this story. | https://nj1015.com/nj-school-boards-say-high-school-start-time-should-be-local-issue/ | 2022-04-11T15:52:41 | 1 | https://nj1015.com/nj-school-boards-say-high-school-start-time-should-be-local-issue/ |
NJ’s favorite breakfast & brunch spot opens yet another location
I first discovered this restaurant when I lived in Long branch and visited the then-new Pier Village. Other long-time Long Branch residents will attest to the fact that the Turning Point was a sign that the new shopping and residential center in Long Branch was really going to bring the seaside town back to its former glory.
It was quaint and homey, with the most delicious food for breakfast and brunch that New Jersey had seen. Prior to that, breakfast in New Jersey meant either the diner or one of the numerous pancake chains.
The Turning Point showed that Long Branch was on the way back. We took so much pride in having Turning Point be our hometown spot that I had no idea that other locations across the state were popping up. But it turned out that other people were enjoying the Turning Point experience, too.
It seems simple, but it’s actually a brilliant idea: A restaurant whose founders wanted to be home in time to be around for the family, so they decided to do breakfast and brunch only. And you know what happens when you hyperfocus. You do that one thing – or two things in this case — extremely well.
Ask anyone who has experienced an early Sunday morning breakfast at Turning Point and you’ll know what I’m saying is true. Now, the Turning Point has grown into a group of 21 restaurants in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware, including seven in Monmouth and Ocean counties. And it is definitely in expansion mode. The company is even offering franchises now.
Toms River Is now going to have a second location because the one in Ocean County Mall is just not enough for everyone in the surrounding communities of Berkeley and Manchester. They’ll be opening in the former Ruby Tuesday on Route 37.
Founder and CEO Kirk Ruoff says that they anticipate that the location will be open sometime late this summer. Before you know it, you’ll probably see the turning point in many other states, and maybe even nationwide. And we can say it all started here.
Opinions expressed in the post above are those of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Judi Franco only.
You can now listen to Dennis & Judi — On Demand! Hear New Jersey’s favorite best friends anytime, anywhere and any day of the week. Download the Dennis & Judi show wherever you get podcasts, on our free app, or listen right now: | https://nj1015.com/njs-favorite-breakfast-brunch-spot-opens-yet-another-location/ | 2022-04-11T15:52:47 | 1 | https://nj1015.com/njs-favorite-breakfast-brunch-spot-opens-yet-another-location/ |
Victim killed by shooting in front of grocery store in Bloomfield, NJ
BLOOMFIELD — One person was killed and two injured in a targeted shooting in broad daylight Sunday afternoon, according to police.
Shots were fired around 3 p.m. at the intersection of Bloomfield Avenue and 16th Street in front of a grocery store and deli, according to Bloomfield police, who called it an "isolated targeted incident."
Mayor Michael Venezia on his Facebook page called it a "senseless tragedy."
"Our hearts are with those affected by this unacceptable incident. This is not the community we have built in Bloomfield. Our police department will be working around the clock on this case. I urge anyone with information to please contact the BPD and Prosecutors office immediately," Venezia said.
The Essex County Prosecutors Office did not disclose the circumstances of the shooting or the identity of the victim.
NorthJersey.com reported it was the first reported homicide in Bloomfield since August 2020.
Sunday was Palm Sunday, a Christian holiday that celebrates Jesus' return to Jerusalem.
Dan Alexander is a reporter for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at dan.alexander@townsquaremedia.com
Click here to contact an editor about feedback or a correction for this story. | https://nj1015.com/victim-killed-by-shooting-in-front-of-grocery-store-in-bloomfield-nj/ | 2022-04-11T15:52:54 | 1 | https://nj1015.com/victim-killed-by-shooting-in-front-of-grocery-store-in-bloomfield-nj/ |
Where to go for Easter brunch in New Jersey
Sunday brunch has become more and more popular in the last few years. It's mostly the venue for millennials to kick back and enjoy some trendy food and drink at midday on a Sunday. It's also very popular for older adults and families on Mother's Day, Father's Day and definitely Easter Sunday.
Easter is a special occasion that deserves additional attention and a special venue.
Here are a few ideas broken down into geographical categories in the Garden State.
South Jersey
Easter Brunch
Seaview, a Dolce
401 S New York Rd., Galloway
April 17, 609-652-1800
Easter Bunny Brunch Buffet
Jumbo’s Grub & Pub
Morey’s Piers, 3501 Boardwalk, Wildwood
April 11 & 12, 609-729-3700
Easter Brunch
The Reeds at Shelter Haven,
9601 Third Ave., Stone Harbor
April 17, 609-368-0100
Central Jersey
Easter Sunday Champagne Brunch
The Cranbury Inn, 21 South Main St., Cranbury
April 17, 609-655-5595
Easter Brunch
Rat’s Restaurant,
16 Fairgrounds Rd., Hamilton
April 17, 609-584-7800
Easter Brunch Prix-Fixe
Avenue Le Club,
23 Ocean Ave, Long Branch
April 17, 732-759-2900
North Jersey
Family Style Easter
Felina, 54 E. Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood
April 17, 551-276-5454
Easter Sunday Brunch Buffet
Liberty House
Jersey City
201-395-0300
Mulberry House
Westfield NJ
908-233-3562
Ho-Ho-Kus Inn and Tavern
Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ
201-445-4115
Make your reservations early if you haven't already.
Check out a full list and more details here.
Opinions expressed in the post above are those of New Jersey 101.5 talk show host Dennis Malloy only.
You can now listen to Dennis & Judi — On Demand! Hear New Jersey’s favorite best friends anytime, anywhere and any day of the week. Download the Dennis & Judi show wherever you get podcasts, on our free app, or listen right now: | https://nj1015.com/where-to-go-for-easter-brunch-in-new-jersey/ | 2022-04-11T15:53:00 | 1 | https://nj1015.com/where-to-go-for-easter-brunch-in-new-jersey/ |
In this 2022 first-round NFL mock draft, South Florida Sun Sentinel Dolphins columnist Omar Kelly hypothesizes what each team will do based on their needs, the runs on certain positions, and where the strengths and weaknesses in the draft’s talent pool could lead each team when the first round begins on April 28.
1. Jaguars: Georgia DE Travon Walker
The Jaguars add a power rusher with inside-outside flexibility and pair him with Josh Allen to create one of the most talented, young, pass rushing duos in the NFL. Top needs: Edge rusher, S, OT, OG/C
2. Lions: Michigan DE Aidan Hutchinson
The Michigan native and University of Michigan product stays local, and provides the Lions a playmaker who brings tenacity, character, and solid physical traits. Top needs: Edge, QB, S, WR
3. Texans: Oregon DE Kayvon Thibodeaux
Thibodeaux is the type of versatile defender Lovie Smith would love to build his defense around because he’s electric off the snap. Top needs: Edge, OT, CB, TE
4. Jets: N.C. State OT Ikem Ekwonu
Ekwonu is versatile enough to play guard and tackle, but he stood out playing left tackle for the Wolfpack, and was dominant at the point of attack. Top needs: OT, WR, LB, CB
5. Giants: Notre Dame FS Kyle Hamilton
Hamilton has the skill set to be effective in every role, from linebacker to single-high safety because of the physicality he possesses, and the amount of ground he covers. Top needs: OT, Edge, S, LB
6. Panthers: Alabama OT Evan Neal
While quarterback remains a major need, the Panthers would benefit most from upgrading the left tackle spot, and beefing up the rushing attack by selecting Neal. Top needs: QB, OT, OG, CB
7. Giants: Ohio State WR Garrett Wilson
If new Giants coach Brian Daboll is going to bring out the best in quarterback Daniel Jones he needs to provide him an explosive receiver like Wilson, who leaps and high-points the ball effectively. Top needs: OT, Edge, S, LB
8. Falcons: Liberty QB Malik Willis
Willis is a power thrower who has the ability to move the chains with his athleticism and speed. While he’s not a polished quarterback, he possesses the most upside in this class and should immediately challenge Marcus Mariota for the starting spot. Top needs: QB, Edge, WR, S
9. Seahawks: LSU CB Derek Stingley Jr.
Stingley has an outstanding combination of size, speed and fluid athleticism. He thrives in press coverage, which makes him a perfect fit for Seattle’s scheme. If he didn’t struggle with injuries the past two years, he’d be a top five pick. Top needs: OT, QB, Edge, CB
10. Jets: Cincinnati CB Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner
Gardner is long, fast and fluid, and has the skill set to play a variety of techniques. He has excellent ball skills (nine interceptions in three seasons), which indicates he can become an All-Pro. Top needs: OT, WR, LB, CB
11. Commanders: Pittsburgh QB Kenny Pickett
Even after acquiring Carson Wentz from the Colts, the Commanders need to plan for the future, which is why selecting Pickett and grooming him slowly, is the right approach for this veteran team. Top needs: WR, CB, S, TE
12. Vikings: Northern Iowa OT Trevor Penning
Penning is a tone-setting type of blocker who will benefit a team looking to establish a physical identity. That’s exactly what the Vikings need to improve the running game. Top needs: S, DT, CB, TE
13. Texans: Utah LB Devin Lloyd
Lloyd has everything a linebacker needs for the position. He has playmaking instincts, defends the run well, is effective in coverage and knows how to rush the passer (16.5 sacks in four seasons). Top needs: Edge, OT, CB, TE
14. Ravens: Georgia LB Nakobe Dean
Dean is the type of rangy playmaker Baltimore has a history of taking, and finding a way to fit into their defense. Pair him with Patrick Queen and the Ravens would add some bite to their defense. Team needs: Edge, OG/C, DL, CB
15. Eagles: Mississippi State OT Charles Cross
Cross is a long, nimble mover who has a reputation for playing with good hand usage. Because he’s only started for two seasons, there’s room for improvement. Top needs: LB, Edge, S, OL
16. Saints: Arkansas WR Treylon Burks
Burks has the size, speed and physicality to be a Pro Bowl receiver in the NFL, and the Saints need to find a reliable playmaker to eventually replace Michael Thomas. Top needs: OT, WR, QB, LB
17. Chargers: Georgia DT Jordan Davis
Davis is a unique interior presence who will swallow up blockers for any defense. Putting him on the same defensive front as Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa could make the Chargers defense dynamic. Top needs: OT, DT, LB, WR
18. Eagles: Georgia S Lewis Cine
Cine is a physical, downhill safety who has quick feet and the ability to diagnose plays. He’s the type of playmaker a team builds its secondary around. Top needs: LB, Edge, S, OL
19. Saints: Texas A&M OG Kenyon Green
Green, a strong and physical guard, will help the Saints fortify their offensive line. Top needs: OT, WR, QB, LB
20. Steelers: Boston College OG/C Zion Johnson
While selecting a quarterback might be tempting, the Steelers would benefit from improving the interior of the offensive line, subsequently beefing up the rushing attack. Top needs: CB, S, OL, QB
21. Patriots: Ohio State WR Chris Olave
Olave is a smart, savvy, polished receiver who is the type of route-runner the Patriots need to have develop alongside quarterback Mac Jones. He could end up being the best receiver in this draft. Top needs: CB, Edge, ILB, WR
22. Packers: Penn State WR Jahan Dotson
After trading DeVante Adams to the Raiders, the Packers use one of the picks they acquired for losing the Pro Bowl receiver to select Dotson, a speedster who can take the top off a defense. Top needs: WR, Edge, OT, DL
23. Cardinals: Georgia CB Derion Kendrick
Kendrick is a high-ceiling prospect who has the type of competitive demeanor to play at an All-Pro level in time. Teams must get past a few character concerns for him to become a top 50 selection. Top needs: CB, Edge, WR, RB
24. Cowboys: Alabama WR Jameson Williams
The Cowboys have a history of drafting well, so taking a chance on Williams, who tore an ACL in the national championship game, could be a wise long-term investment. Top needs: Edge, S, WR, OL
25. Bills: Tulsa OG Tyler Smith
Buffalo needs to get nasty on the interior of the offensive line to balance out the offense and Smith is the type of road grader who can create running lanes. Top needs: CB, LB, OG, RB
26. Titans: Washington CB Trent McDuffie
McDuffie is the type of cornerback who would bring inside-outside versatility to a Titans secondary that needs to become more consistent. Top needs: WR, LB, OT, CB
27. Buccaneers: Purdue DE George Karlaftis
Karlaftis is powerful edge player who wins with leg drive and violent hands. He’s the type of face-up rush end that the Buccaneers need to make coach Todd Bowles’ 3-4 scheme work. Top needs: OG, CB, S, DT
28. Packers: Georgia DT Devonte Wyatt
During Wyatt’s college career he threatened the backfield as a one-gap penetrator, and should be able to play every spot along Green Bay’s defensive front. Top needs: WR, Edge, OT, DL
29. Chiefs: Florida CB Kaiir Elam
Elam is a long, physical press corner who possesses quick hands and good balance. He challenges quarterbacks and has the potential to be an elite cornerback with good coaching. Top needs: WR, CB, Edge, S
30. Chiefs: Alabama ILB Christian Harris
Harris was a three-year starter for Alabama, who showcased the ability to be a three-down player. He has the physicality to stack and shed blockers, which will help him become an immediate starter. Top needs: WR, CB, Edge, S
31. Bengals: Iowa C Tyler Linderbaum
Linderbaum is an incredibility quick athlete who plays with good reach, and has the ability to steer defenders. He should be able to push Ted Karras for the starting spot immediately. Top needs: CB, OL, DT, Edge
32. Lions: Auburn CB Roger McCreary
McCreary has the size, and man-coverage skills that are in high demand in the NFL. He’s a fast and fluid athlete who will eventually challenge for a starting spot. Top needs: Edge, QB, S, WR
() | https://www.twincities.com/2022/04/11/omar-kellys-nfl-mock-draft-who-will-be-the-first-qb-taken-should-dolphins-trade-back-into-first-round/ | 2022-04-11T15:53:43 | 1 | https://www.twincities.com/2022/04/11/omar-kellys-nfl-mock-draft-who-will-be-the-first-qb-taken-should-dolphins-trade-back-into-first-round/ |
With his tact with players and successful schemes, Chris Finch has established himself as one of the key pieces of the core the Timberwolves are building around into the future, right alongside star players Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards. Minnesota made that official Monday, announcing a “multi-year” extension for the head coach, reportedly keeping Finch with the Wolves for at least the next four seasons.
“I am thankful to Glen, Becky (the Taylors) and the entire ownership group for their ongoing support and commitment,” Finch said in a statement. “It’s been a season that all of us, including our fans, can be proud of, and I’m grateful that my staff will continue to lead us forward.”
Finch led the Timberwolves to 46 regular-season victories, doubling the team’s 2020-21 win total. The Timberwolves led the NBA in points per game and finished in seventh place in the Western Conference. They are one play-in win away from securing only their second playoff berth since 2004.
Finch is a big reason for that, something players have noted ad nauseum throughout the season.
Also announced Monday were extension’s for Finch’s coaching staff. The Wolves’ assistants have been just as important to the team’s success, with Micah Nori leading the charge strategically and even offensively of late, while Elston Turner has helped guide the team’s defensive turnaround.
“I am excited that Chris will be leading our team for years to come,” basketball boss Sachin Gupta said in a statement. “His leadership both on and off the court is unmatched and was evident by this year’s team success that featured great improvement on both ends of the court.”
Finch was brought in during a tumultuous time in 2021, with the Timberwolves struggling mightily, the front office experiencing friction and the fan base again waning in the midst of the pandemic, Finch provided a shot in the arm for a franchise that needed it most, and followed it up with a sense of stability when none of that surrounded him. He has been a magic elixir for much that has ailed the Timberwolves (46-36), and was rewarded for as much Monday.
“Chris has done a tremendous job creating stability and consistency for this franchise and building a winning mentality,” the Minnesota Timberwolves ownership group said in a statement. “We look forward to supporting him throughout the years while he continues achieving the goals he and his staff have set out for the team.” | https://www.twincities.com/2022/04/11/timberwolves-ink-coach-chris-finch-to-extension/ | 2022-04-11T15:53:49 | 0 | https://www.twincities.com/2022/04/11/timberwolves-ink-coach-chris-finch-to-extension/ |
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How open source intelligence is shaping the Russia-Ukraine war47:14
Play"Let me tell you — 50% of our troops suffer from leg frostbites," a Russian soldier says in a phone call. "We arrived here, and it was freezing. We were supposed to have four tents, but we only have one. ... We dug up some trenches, and that’s where we live."
That call was intercepted and made public by Ukraine's security service. Private digital sleuths are intercepting calls, texts, and radio communications too — and allowing the world to hear a war unfold in real time. Is it voyeurism? Propaganda? Or urgent transparency about the truth and horror of war?
Today, On Point: Listening in on war.
Guests
John Scott-Railton, senior researcher at Citizen Lab. (@jsrailton)
Andrei Soldatov, senior fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis. (@AndreiSoldatov)
This program aired on April 11, 2022. | https://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2022/04/11/how-open-source-intelligence-is-shaping-the-russia-ukraine-war | 2022-04-11T16:00:00 | 0 | https://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2022/04/11/how-open-source-intelligence-is-shaping-the-russia-ukraine-war |
HOUSTON, Texas -- A Houston firefighter opens up about being stolen shortly after birth and his journey to Chile to connect with the birth mother he never knew.
Before his journey, Tyler Graf said he was just an ordinary 38-year-old man with a wife and child.
"I was adopted by a very loving, caring family," Graf said. "I think it was just knowing that my story did start before I was adopted. So, it's kind of like missing the first five minutes of the movie."
After becoming a father, Graf tried to learn about his birth family. Suddenly, he got a call he never expected.
"That's when they sat me down and told me who I was, how they know who I am and what the true backstory really is," Graf said.
He had been stolen from his birth mother, who was told her son died shortly after birth.
The practice of coercive adoptions became widespread under dictator Augusto Pinochet's reign in Chile during the 1970s and 1980s. Thousands of babies were taken and trafficked around the world through a complex network that included hospitals, the Catholic church and the Chilean government.
Constanza del Rio said judges, doctors, midwives and social assistants were all involved.
American families, like Tyler's, said they had no idea the baby they had adopted had been stolen.
When Tyler's birth mother, Hilda Quezada Godoy, realized her baby she had laid eyes on in 1983 was actually alive, she could not believe it.
"I wanted to scream," Godoy said. "I questioned a lot of things. The thought of if he was loved, if he ate well, if he spent time cold."
Graf went to his birthplace, Chile, for the first time.
He met the sisters he never knew he had, along with the rest of his family.
Only for a moment, Graf was transported to a life that could have been.
"To be a good mother, it doesn't take a fancy house, doesn't take money. It's pretty simple. It's open arms and a huge heart filled with nothing but support and love," Graf said. | https://abc11.com/houston-firefighter-stolen-at-birth-chile-mother-adopted/11736845/ | 2022-04-11T16:01:06 | 1 | https://abc11.com/houston-firefighter-stolen-at-birth-chile-mother-adopted/11736845/ |
WASHINGTON -- President Joe Biden is nominating an Obama-era U.S. attorney to run the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, as his administration unveils its formal rule to rein in ghost guns, privately made firearms without serial numbers that are increasingly cropping up at crime scenes.
The White House confirmed that Biden is announcing the nomination of Steve Dettelbach, who served as a U.S. attorney in Ohio from 2009 to 2016, in a Monday afternoon event. The administration is also releasing the finalized version of its ghost gun rule, which comes as the White House and the Justice Department have been under growing pressure to crack down on gun deaths and violent crime in the U.S.
Dettelbach's confirmation is likely to be an uphill battle for the Biden administration. Biden had to withdraw the nomination of his first ATF nominee, gun-control advocate David Chipman, after the nomination stalled for months because of opposition from Republicans and some Democrats in the Senate.
Both Republican and Democratic administrations have failed to get nominees for the ATF position through the politically fraught process since the director's position was made confirmable in 2006. Since then, only one nominee, former U.S. Attorney B. Todd Jones, has been confirmed. Jones made it through the Senate in 2013 but only after a six-month struggle. Jones was acting director when President Barack Obama nominated him in January 2013.
The Biden administration's plan was first reported by Politico.
For nearly a year, the ghost gun rule has been making its way through the federal regulation process. Gun safety groups and Democrats in Congress have been pushing for the Justice Department to finish the rule for months. It will probably be met with heavy resistance from gun groups and draw litigation in the coming weeks.
Gun Owners of America vowed that it would immediately fight the rule.
"Just as we opposed the Trump Administration's arbitrary ban on bump stocks, GOA will also sue Biden's ATF to halt the implementation of this rule," Aidan Johnston, the group's director of federal affairs said in a statement. The group believes the rule violates the U.S. Constitution and several federal laws.
But gun safety advocacy groups, like Everytown for Gun Safety, which pushed the federal government for years to take action on ghost guns, applauded Biden's moves and insisted that both Dettelbach's appointment and the finalized rule will help combat gun violence.
"Ghost guns look like a gun, they shoot like a gun, and they kill like a gun, but up until now they haven't been regulated like a gun," said John Feinblatt, Everytown's president.
Christian Heyne, the vice president of policy at Brady, another gun control group, said Dettelbach was "an unimpeachable public servant who has spent a career using the levers of government to hold negligent or nefarious actors accountable."
Justice Department statistics show that nearly 24,000 ghost guns were recovered by law enforcement at crime scenes and reported to the government from 2016 to 2020. It is hard to say how many are circulating on the streets, in part because in many cases police departments don't contact the government about the guns because they can't be traced.
The new rule changes the current definition of a firearm under federal law to include unfinished parts, like the frame of a handgun or the receiver of a long gun. It says those parts must be licensed and include serial numbers. Manufacturers must also run background checks before a sale - as they do with other commercially made firearms. The requirement applies regardless of how the firearm was made, meaning it includes ghost guns made from individual parts, kits, or by 3D-printers.
Federally licensed firearms dealers must retain key records until they shut down their business or licensed activity and then transfer the records to ATF as they are currently required to do at the end of licensed activity. Previously, these dealers were permitted to destroy most records after 20 years, making it harder for law enforcement to trace firearms found at crime scenes.
For years, federal officials have been sounding the alarm about an increasing black market for homemade, military-style semi-automatic rifles and handguns. As well as turning up more frequently at crime scenes, ghost guns have been increasingly encountered when federal agents buy guns in undercover operations from gang members and other criminals.
Some states, like California, have enacted laws in recent years to require serial numbers to be stamped on ghost guns.
The critical component in building an untraceable gun is what is known as the lower receiver, a part typically made of metal or polymer. An unfinished receiver - sometimes referred to as an "80-percent receiver" - can be legally bought online with no serial numbers or other markings on it, no license required.
Police across the country have been reporting spikes in ghost guns being recovered by officers. The New York Police Department, for example, said officers found 131 firearms without serial numbers since January.
A gunman who killed his wife and four others in Northern California in 2017 had been prohibited from owning firearms, but he built his own to skirt the court order before his rampage. And in 2019, a teenager used a homemade handgun to fatally shoot two classmates and wound three others at a school in suburban Los Angeles.
Biden administration targets ghost guns, nominates new ATF director
By MICHAEL BALSAMO | https://abc11.com/president-biden-atf-steve-dettelbach-ghost-guns/11737208/ | 2022-04-11T16:05:27 | 0 | https://abc11.com/president-biden-atf-steve-dettelbach-ghost-guns/11737208/ |
WRIC ABC 8News
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Posted: Apr 11, 2022 / 09:53 AM EDT
Updated: Apr 11, 2022 / 09:53 AM EDT | https://www.wric.com/community/showcase-richmond/bryant-stratton-college-160/ | 2022-04-11T16:05:34 | 1 | https://www.wric.com/community/showcase-richmond/bryant-stratton-college-160/ |
(The Hill) — Veteran actor Harry J. Lennix said that Will Smith must return his Oscar in the wake of Smith’s onstage altercation with comedian Chris Rock late last month.
In a Variety column published on Saturday, Lennix, a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, wrote that Smith needs to realize that actions have consequences, adding that the best option for him is to return his award.
“Smith needs to express-mail his golden trophy back to the Academy and publicly state something to the effect of: ‘Out of respect for the 94 years of honor conferred upon this award, I do not in good conscience feel worthy of being its custodian,’ ” Lennix wrote in his column.
“Of the many unsettling things said in the aftermath of the slap, the most galling to me was his reference to the influence of a higher power during his surreal acceptance speech after he won for his work in ‘King Richard’ less than an hour after his act of violence — and the Academy’s equally shocking decision not to eject Smith from the ceremony,” Lennix added.
Smith slapped Rock after the comedian joked about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Smith then won the best male actor Oscar later in the evening for his portrayal of Venus and Serena Williams’s father, Richard Williams, in the biopic “King Richard.”
Lennix also wrote that the incident stripped the “prestige” from the award ceremony, noting that other attendees gave Smith a standing ovation after he won the Oscar.
“The stain on the Motion Picture Academy cannot be easily remediated. The only hope for a justifiable grace must involve Smith voluntarily returning his award for best actor,” Lennix concluded in his column.
The academy’s Board of Governors announced on Friday they have placed Smith on a 10-year ban from attending any academy event as a result of his altercation with Rock.
In a statement to The Hill, Smith, who resigned as a member of the academy earlier this month, accepted the punishment handed to him by the Board of Governors, saying, “I accept and respect the Academy’s decision.” | https://www.wric.com/entertainment-news/veteran-actor-says-will-smith-must-return-oscar/ | 2022-04-11T16:05:40 | 0 | https://www.wric.com/entertainment-news/veteran-actor-says-will-smith-must-return-oscar/ |
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — In just two days, four teenagers were shot in the Richmond area as Central Virginia continues to grapple with gun violence.
Homicides with guns, in Richmond alone, are up 20% compared to the same time frame in 2021, which was the worst year in 15 years.
Out of the four teenagers shot, two died as a result of their injuries.
Communities are shaken by the tragedy of losing friends and family members at such a young age.
Saturday, just after midnight
Police have not confirmed the identity of the slain teen, but Henrico County Varina District Supervisor Tyrone Nelson tells 8News that the victim was 16-year-old Jahiem Dickerson,
On April 9, Jahiem was shot and killed on the 1900 block of Glenwilton Drive. He was a basketball player a Highland Springs High School where the team recently won a state championship.
The suspect fled the scene of the shooting. Responders arrived to find the boy shot outside. He was taken to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
“Please keep the Highland Springs community in your thoughts following the untimely loss of a Springer student,” an Instagram post from Henrico County Public Schools read.
His vigil is tonight at 6 p.m. at Highland Springs High School.
Sunday, 2:24 a.m.
The shooting victim was a student at George Wythe High School, according to a Richmond School Board member.
On April 10, police were called to the 2200 block of Afton Avenue for the report of a shooting. Police arrived on scene and entered a building to find a teenage female victim inside, suffering from a gunshot wound.
She was pronounced dead at the scene and her identity has not been released by police.
Sunday, 2:10 p.m.
Another teenager was shot on April 10. Henrico Police responded to a call for a shooting on the 2000 block of Fon Du Lac Road.
According to police, when officers arrived they found a juvenile male with non-life-threatening injuries. He was taken to a hospital for treatment.
Sunday, 4:37 p.m.
On April 10, police responded to the 00 block of E. Broad Street for the report of a shooting. Officers on scene found an 18-year-old male victim with a gunshot wound.
He was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. | https://www.wric.com/news/crime/four-teenagers-shot-in-two-days-in-richmond-henrico/ | 2022-04-11T16:05:47 | 0 | https://www.wric.com/news/crime/four-teenagers-shot-in-two-days-in-richmond-henrico/ |
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Mayor Levar Stoney called his proposal to transfer $7.3 million to begin work on a new 1,800-seat George Wythe High School “one last offer at compromise” amid an impasse over school size between the Richmond City Council and School Board.
Alongside four city council members, Stoney said Monday that he will introduce an ordinance to reallocate $7.3 million in school construction funds to the school division that will be able to accommodate “all of its students.”
Stoney said the plan would allow for the design of a new school that could have 1,800 students when it opens and have the ability to expand if needed. The mayor called on the School Board to back the proposal, but its members have continued to support building a new school for 1,600 students.
“Our children have waited long enough,” Stoney said Monday. “Their parents have waited long enough It’s time to put down our swords and it’s time to elevate our kids above the fight.”
The School Board and council have been at an impasse over how to move forward with the initial funding for the project.
In late March, the Richmond City Council rejected a plan to transfer the $7.3 million in funding to the school board to move forward with the design of a new school.
“I know deep down we all want the best for our kids, but the time for disagreement is over. The time for politics is over. Each day of further delay is a disservice for our kids,” the mayor added.
This story is developing. Check back for updates. | https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/richmond/stoney-calls-proposal-for-new-george-wythe-high-school-last-offer-at-compromise/ | 2022-04-11T16:05:53 | 1 | https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/richmond/stoney-calls-proposal-for-new-george-wythe-high-school-last-offer-at-compromise/ |
Atlanta airport reclaims title as World’s Busiest Airport
ATLANTA (CNN) - Atlanta’s airport is once again the world’s busiest.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport knocked China’s Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport from the top spot for 2021, according to the trade association, Airports Council International.
Guangzhou pushed Atlanta off the perch in 2020, breaking Atlanta’s 22-year streak as number one.
Atlanta’s main airport had 75.7 million passengers in 2021. That is up a whopping 76% from 2020, but still nearly 32% below the pre-pandemic 2019 level.
Meanwhile, Guangzhou’s airport dropped to number eight in 2021.
U.S. airports dominated in 2021, with eight of the top 10, but the year before, airports in China took seven of the top 10.
China’s 2020 dominance was because of th early rebound of domestic travel in China.
The country has still not reopened to international visitors.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.wflx.com/2022/04/11/atlanta-airport-reclaims-title-worlds-busiest-airport/ | 2022-04-11T16:06:49 | 1 | https://www.wflx.com/2022/04/11/atlanta-airport-reclaims-title-worlds-busiest-airport/ |
Bed recalled after 79-year-old woman died
(Gray News) – Bestar has issued a recall for several models of its beds after a 79-year-old woman died and dozens of others reported injuries.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the woman died in July 2018, after a Bestar wall bed fell on her, injuring her spine.
The company received reports of 60 additional incidents resulting in bruising and other injuries from the wall beds detaching and hitting people, CPSC said.
The recall includes the following full and queen wall beds that were sold from June 2014 through March 2022:
- Nebula
- PUR
- Versatile
- Edge
- Cielo
- Audrea
- Lumina
- Orion
- Novello
The beds were sold online at Wayfair.com, Costco.com, Cymax.com and Amazon.com.
Bestar is contacting all known purchasers directly, and consumers are advised to stop using the recalled wall beds immediately.
People with the recalled beds are entitled to a free inspection, according to CPSC.
If the bed requires reinstallation, Bestar will reimburse for those costs in a range from $170-$207 for Above Top Shelf wall beds or $338-$414 for Below Top Shelf wall beds.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wflx.com/2022/04/11/bed-recalled-after-79-year-old-woman-died/ | 2022-04-11T16:07:00 | 1 | https://www.wflx.com/2022/04/11/bed-recalled-after-79-year-old-woman-died/ |
FBI offers $5 million reward for info about ‘armed and dangerous’ fugitive
(Gray News) - The FBI announced a reward of up to $5 million Wednesday for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of a wanted fugitive.
Semion Mogilevich is accused of participating in a scheme that defrauded thousands of investors out of more than $150 million. He was federally indicted in 2002 and 2003 with charges including racketeering, securities fraud, wire fraud, mail fraud and money laundering.
According to the FBI, the indictments allege that between 1993 and 1998, Mogilevich headed and controlled the Mogilevich Enterprise, an association that orchestrated a “sophisticated scheme” to defraud investors in stock.
Mogilevich is described as as a 75-year-old white male, 5′6″ to 5′7″, 290 pounds, balding, with gray hair and green eyes. He has Russian, Ukrainian and Israeli passports. His current residence is believed to be in Moscow, Russia.
The FBI said Mogilevich should be considered armed and dangerous.
Anyone with information can call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI, via WhatsApp at 215-839-6844, or online at tips.fbi.gov. All identities are kept strictly confidential.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wflx.com/2022/04/11/fbi-offers-5-million-reward-info-about-armed-dangerous-fugitive/ | 2022-04-11T16:07:07 | 0 | https://www.wflx.com/2022/04/11/fbi-offers-5-million-reward-info-about-armed-dangerous-fugitive/ |
Federal officials consider transportation mask mandate’s fate
Published: Apr. 11, 2022 at 11:28 AM EDT|Updated: 38 minutes ago
(CNN) - An update on the transportation mask mandate is expected to be released later this week.
The White House’s COVID-19 response coordinator said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is coming up with a scientific framework to decide on the health issue.
The federal transportation mask mandate for places like planes and trains, is scheduled to expire on April 18.
In most places nationwide, facial coverings are no longer mandatory in public spaces.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.wflx.com/2022/04/11/federal-officials-consider-transportation-mask-mandates-fate/ | 2022-04-11T16:07:13 | 1 | https://www.wflx.com/2022/04/11/federal-officials-consider-transportation-mask-mandates-fate/ |
Florida man had live gator, guns and drugs in his truck, sheriff’s office says
COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. (CNN) - Sheriff’s deputies arrested a man who they said had an interesting assortment of illegal items in his truck - guns, drugs and a live alligator.
According to a press release from the sheriff’s office, deputies recognized the driver, Michael Marolla, from “previous encounters” as having a suspended license.
Deputies said when they pulled Marolla over Friday, they found drugs and two firearms inside the truck. Then, in the bed of the pickup, they found an open plastic tub with a baby alligator in it.
The sheriff’s office notified Florida’s Fish and wildlife Conservation Commission about the gator.
Marolla was charged with drug possession and carrying concealed firearms. He was released on bond Saturday and is set to appear in court on May 2.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.wflx.com/2022/04/11/florida-man-had-live-gator-guns-drugs-his-truck-sheriffs-office-says/ | 2022-04-11T16:07:21 | 1 | https://www.wflx.com/2022/04/11/florida-man-had-live-gator-guns-drugs-his-truck-sheriffs-office-says/ |
How the public’s view of Obamacare has changed in the last 12 years
(CNN) - The Affordable Care Act was signed into law by former President Barack Obama nearly 12 years ago and last week, Obama commemorated the anniversary with President Joe Biden at the White House.
“We passed the ACA, I’ve said it before, that was a high point of my time here because it reminded me and it reminded us of what is possible,” Obama said last week.
Today, about 14 million get private health insurance through Obamacare and another 14 million people get insurance through expanded Medicaid programs. That is about 9% of the U.S. population insured because of Obamacare.
Under the law, insurance companies cannot deny you or charge you more because of a pre-existing condition, children can stay on their parents’ insurance until age 26 and prescription drug costs are lower for nearly 12 million seniors.
However, it was a rocky start for Obamacare.
CNN reporter Elizabeth Cohen tried for two weeks back then to get an account and log in to healthcare.gov.
Obama acknowledged the issues, saying that the website troubles “didn’t help” the program at the beginning.
For a long time, Obamacare was relatively unpopular, but that changed in 2017 when Republicans tried to repeal the law.
“That was the moment when Obamacare became popular,” said Larry Levitt, executive vice president of the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Former President Donald Trump tried to convince Americans that Obamacare was bad.
“We will repeal and replace Obamacare. You watch,” Trump said.
Efforts to do so failed when three Republican senators voted against repealing it, including the late Sen. John McCain of Arizona.
Levitt says he believes public opinion of the law changed because it appeared that “Republicans were trying to weaken pre-existing condition protections, take coverage away from people, increase the premiums people would pay.”
“That was a very unpopular effort,” he said.
Levitt believes that for now, Obamacare is here to stay.
Last year, Biden expanded financial assistance for people to buy Obamacare insurance through 2022, and he is working on fixing the so-called “Family Glitch” in Obamacare that would help insure more families of working parents.
“Under the current rules, a working mom is told as long as she can afford employer-based coverage for herself, she can’t qualify for premium subsidies to afford coverage for her family. Cover her, but not her family,” he said.
With the fix, an estimated 200,000 more people would gain insurance and nearly 1 million people would pay less for their insurance.
Currently, Obamacare enjoys records enrollment, and Obama says there is a reason it is so popular 12 years later.
“It’s done what it’s supposed to do. It’s made a difference,” he said.
There are still 12 states that have chosen not to expand Medicaid. Biden has tried to clean up that coverage gap for more than 2 million people, but his efforts were thwarted by Congress last year.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.wflx.com/2022/04/11/how-publics-view-obamacare-has-changed-last-12-years/ | 2022-04-11T16:07:27 | 0 | https://www.wflx.com/2022/04/11/how-publics-view-obamacare-has-changed-last-12-years/ |
Maltz Jupiter Theatre welcomes audience with major improvements
The Maltz Jupiter Theatre welcomed an audience back for the first time in two years.
Just days before the theatre planned to close for renovations, it was forced to close because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Andrew Kato, the chief executive director, said they crammed two phases of renovations into one. Twenty-four months later, they opened their doors with massive improvements.
"It was a real celebration," Kato said. "We've had a wonderful time coming back."
The theatre once had just one stage and little space for performers to rehearse and get ready for shows. With the renovations, they now have two stages, six dressing rooms and six rehearsal rooms.
The largest of the six rehearsal rooms is located on the third story, with a stunning view of Jupiter.
"Instead of inviting people from New York to work in what was the kitchen of the Burt Reynolds Theatre, where there were no windows, now they have panoramic views of Jupiter on the third floor," Kato said. "Two of the sides are full glass looking out. So, I think, in many ways, we're honoring the people coming down here to do their work."
Kato said several projects are also still in the works, including the Goldner Conservatory and a new dining experience, both of which are expected to open in the next couple years. The opening date is dependent on fundraising. Kato said they are seeking donations. Click here to donate.
The Burt Reynolds statue once called the theatre home when it was first built in 1979. However, the statue was removed from the site in 1997. In an effort to preserve the history of the theatre, Kato has moved the statue back to its forever home. It can be seen at the front of the property.
The Maltz Theatre season will open Oct. 25 with "Jersey Boys."
Scripps Only Content 2022 | https://www.wflx.com/2022/04/11/maltz-theatre-welcomes-audience-with-major-improvements/ | 2022-04-11T16:07:37 | 1 | https://www.wflx.com/2022/04/11/maltz-theatre-welcomes-audience-with-major-improvements/ |
Man uses 30+ aliases to elude criminal charges, deputies say
ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. (WBTV/Gray News) – A man arrested in North Carolina for felony identity theft is accused of using dozens of fake names over several years to get out of criminal charges, according to deputies.
When he was charged last week, the 46-year-old man said his name was Vincente Barrera and then later said his name was Jorge Ortiz-Zaragoza, WBTV reported.
Deputies discovered that the Ortiz-Zaragoza name was in FBI records as an alias used before to try to get out of criminal charges.
Authorities said Ortiz-Zaragoza confessed it was not his real identity and said he has used 27 names in the past.
After fingerprinting the man, deputies determined he has used as many as 35 different names.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office records show that Ortiz-Zaragoza has been deported five times.
The criminal history connected to those fingerprints includes multiple drug felonies in addition to the assault charge, WBTV reported.
The investigation is still open, and Ortiz-Zaragoza, listed in the detention center as Vincente Barrera, was jailed on a bond of $10,000 on charges of identity theft and assault on a female.
Barrera is set to appear in court on Monday.
Copyright 2022 WBTV via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wflx.com/2022/04/11/man-uses-30-aliases-elude-crimes-deputies-say/ | 2022-04-11T16:07:43 | 0 | https://www.wflx.com/2022/04/11/man-uses-30-aliases-elude-crimes-deputies-say/ |
Matlz Theatre welcome an audience with major improvements
The Maltz Theatre in Jupiter welcomed an audience back for the first time in two years.
Just days before the theatre planned to close for renovations, it was forced to close because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Chief Executive Director Andrew Kato said they crammed two phases of renovations into one. 24 months later they opened their doors with massive improvements.
"It was a real celebration," Kato said. "We've had a wonderful time coming back."
The theatre once had just one stage and little space for performers to rehearse and get ready for shows. With the renovations, they now have two stages, 6 dressing rooms and 6 rehearsal rooms.
The largest of the 6 rehearsal rooms is located on the 3rd story, with a stunning view of Jupiter.
"Instead of inviting people from New York to work in what was the kitchen of the Burt Reynolds Theatre where there were no windows, now they have panoramic views of Jupiter on the third floor. Two of the sides are full glass looking out," Kato said. "So, I think in many ways we're honoring the people coming down here to do their work."
Kato said several projects are also still in the works, including the Goldner Conservatory and a new dining experience, both of which are expected to open in the next couple years. The opening date is dependent on fundraising. Kato says they are seeking donations. Click here to donate.
The Burt Reynolds statue once called the theatre home when it was first built in 1979. However, the statue was removed from the site in 1997. In an effort to preserve the history of the theatre, Kato has moved the statue back to its forever home. It can be seen at the front of the property.
The Maltz Theatre season will open October 25 with Jersy Boys.
Scripps Only Content 2022 | https://www.wflx.com/2022/04/11/matlz-theatre-welcome-an-audience-with-major-improvements/ | 2022-04-11T16:07:50 | 0 | https://www.wflx.com/2022/04/11/matlz-theatre-welcome-an-audience-with-major-improvements/ |
Trump endorses Dr. Oz in Pennsylvania’s Senate primary race
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Former President Donald Trump endorsed Mehmet Oz in Pennsylvania’s crowded Republican Senate primary, ending months of jockeying for his support.
In a statement Saturday evening, Trump said his decision was “all about winning elections” as he formally backed the celebrity heart surgeon best known as the host of daytime TV’s “The Dr. Oz Show.”
“The Great Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has a tremendous opportunity to Save America by electing the brilliant and well-known Dr. Mehmet Oz for the United States Senate,” Trump said, in part. Later, at a rally in North Carolina, he said: “You know when you’re in television for 18 years, that’s like a poll. That means people like you.”
Oz had been competing for Trump’s endorsement in the May 17 primary against former hedge fund CEO David McCormick, whose wife, Dina Powell, served in Trump’s administration. The two had gone to extensive lengths to win over the former president, who remains deeply popular with the Republican base and has been wooed by candidates in primary races across the country.
At a conservative forum in Pennsylvania last weekend, the candidates were asked if they would like Trump’s endorsement and for him to come to Pennsylvania to campaign for them.
“That’s the easiest question we’re going to get all day,” replied one of the candidates, Jeff Bartos, a real estate investor. “Yes. 100%, yes.”
The decision marks a disappointment for McCormick, who met with Trump last week and had hired a litany of former Trump aides for his campaign. Though he was virtually unknown to voters before declaring his candidacy in January, he topped a recent Fox News poll of Pennsylvania GOP primary voters.
Trump had previously endorsed Sean Parnell in the race, but Parnell withdrew his candidacy amid allegations of abuse from his estranged wife. The turnabout raised questions about the vigor of Trump’s vetting process and concerns among Republicans about whether the former president was bolstering candidates who might be able to win their respective primaries but flounder in general elections that will determine which party controls the Senate.
This time, Trump made clear that electability was top of mind. In his statement, he noted that Oz was a well-known quantity who has “lived with us through the screen and has always been popular, respected, and smart.”
“Perhaps most importantly, I believe that Mehmet Oz will be the one most able to win the General Election against a Radical Left Democrat looking to do unthinkable harm to our Country,” he added. “Women, in particular, are drawn to Dr. Oz for his advice and counsel. I have seen this many times over the years. They know him, believe in him, and trust him,” he said.
When Oz interviewed Trump on his show in 2016, Trump told him at one point that his wife, Melania Trump, was “a big fan” of the show.
Oz also has a long personal history with Trump.
Oz said in a recent interview that he had first met Trump in 2004 or 2005 when he asked Trump to use his golf course for an event for Oz’s children’s charity. Trump agreed. After that, they saw each other intermittently at social events before Oz interviewed Trump about his health during the 2016 presidential campaign.
Trump, in conversations, has often praised Oz for his positive treatment on the show. “He even said that I was in extraordinary health, which made me like him even more (although he also said I should lose a couple of pounds!),” Trump wrote in his statement.
McCormick, meanwhile, has made deep inroads with party donors and officials in Pennsylvania, and has landed endorsements from former Trump administration officials Sarah Sanders and Mike Pompeo. But he has had to work to turn himself into a pro-Trump, America First candidate.
McCormick carries strong Republican establishment ties going back to his days in President George W. Bush’s administration. In 2015, McCormick held a fundraiser for Jeb Bush, Trump’s 2016 rival.
That has opened McCormick, who spent a dozen years as an executive at one of the nation’s biggest hedge funds, to charges from some conservatives that he is a “globalist,” a derogatory term as adopted by Trump and others in his orbit to conjure up an elite, international coterie that doesn’t serve America’s best interests.
Meanwhile, McCormick and a super PAC supporting him have spent millions attacking Oz.
The ads pick apart Oz’s long career on TV and as a public personality and accuse him of being a liberal, pointing, for instance, to his repeated public advocacy for “Obamacare,” former President Barack Obama’s signature health care law. They also accuse Oz of being too “Hollywood.”
Oz also has taken heat in the race for carpetbaggery. He lived in New Jersey for two decades until just before deciding to run in neighboring Pennsylvania, where his in-laws live.
Trump’s decision drew criticism from some Oz critics, including Parnell, who endorsed McCormick.
“I have enormous respect for President Trump. I was honored to have his endorsement in PA,” he tweeted. “But I’m disappointed by this. Oz is the antithesis of everything that made Trump the best president of my lifetime—he’s the farthest thing from America First & he’d be very bad for PA.”
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wflx.com/2022/04/11/trump-endorses-dr-oz-pennsylvanias-senate-primary-race/ | 2022-04-11T16:07:56 | 0 | https://www.wflx.com/2022/04/11/trump-endorses-dr-oz-pennsylvanias-senate-primary-race/ |
'No idea of how you fix this': NASCAR has a Next Gen problem and Darrell Waltrip is back!
Yikes.
Let's throw that one away and never talk about it again, OK?
All right. Let's try not to be too dramatic here. Not every single race is going to be a home run (happy baseball season!), and, to be fair, there haven't been very many (if any) strikeouts this season.
But when Dale Earnhardt Jr. tweets out a picture of a dumpster immediately after the race ... yeah, there might be an issue.
“I don’t think the racing was bad, but it was definitely harder to pass," said an (overly) optimistic Joey Logano. "If you’re directly behind them it’s no secret this car is worse in dirty air. You couldn’t move up the racetrack and stern across or do anything to try to pass them. You really just got stuck.”
BOOGITY, BOOGITY, BOOGITY!:Darrell Waltrip returning to Fox NASCAR booth for Bristol Motor Speedway race
NEXT GEN:NASCAR makes sweeping changes to Next Gen cars, including bigger wheels with one lug nut each
HAILIE DEEGAN:'Our lives are being threatened': NASCAR driver Hailie Deegan skips race, tells shocking story on YouTube
Dale Earnhardt Jr., others discuss Next Gen issues at short tracks
Logano finished second to race-winner William Byron, who, along with Chase Elliott, combined to lead 397 of the 403 laps.
Let me say that again ... the two Hendrick drivers led all but six laps Saturday night at Martinsville.
There were only two "natural" cautions (NASCAR was quick with the trigger on those, too), five "lead changes" (although there were no real passes for the lead), and a whole lot of ... well, nothing.
I think Clint Bowyer spoke for all of us when he shouted "caution!" with six to go.
"More horsepower definitely wouldn’t hurt, but I don’t think it’s the whole issue," said Ryan Blaney, who finished fourth.
Denny Hamlin: 'No idea' how to fix latest Next Gen bug
So ... what is the issue? Because it's something NASCAR probably needs to (and will) fix before returning to Martinsville in the fall.
A bad race happens, but we saw similar things at Richmond last week, so it's fairly obvious the new Next Gen has impacted the racing on short tracks, which is NASCAR's bread and butter.
More horsepower, like Blaney said, could help. Warmer weather wouldn't hurt, and Goodyear stepping in to tweak the tires — "the left sides just don’t wear on this car," Blaney admitted — may do the trick, too.
The bigger concern, it seems, is the shifting. There was a lot of shifting at Martinsville.
Probably too much, said Kevin Harvick.
"The gear ratios are way wrong," he told NBC Sports.
All right, Denny Hamlin. Your turn. Tell us what happened out there, because you finished 28th.
Yep. The five-time Martinsville winner finished 28th!
“The wake is big,” he told NBC of the new car. “We just don’t have the ability to have the mechanical grip right now to pass. It’s a combination of the car, track and tire. It’s those things put all together that equal what we have.
"We’re learning, we’re trying to get better, but no idea of how you fix this thing right now.”
Gulp.
Boogity, boogity, boogity! Darrell Waltrip returns to Fox booth
OK. Enough about the car (for now). Nothing an Easter Sunday primetime race on the Bristol Dirt can't fix, right?!
Speaking of this week's return to the dirt ...
Boogity, boogity, boogity!
Yep. Darrell Waltrip is next up in Fox's cycle of guest analysts in the booth.
"I’m thrilled to have the chance to drop in and call the Bristol Dirt race," said Waltrip, who has 12 Bristol wins. "When Fox first asked me, I was super excited because Bristol is, by far, my favorite track. If I could pick just one race to call, it would be Bristol. The track is honoring Easter with a special celebration service, and we’ll top it off with a great race that evening."
DW (DW-yah, as Larry McReynolds would say), retired from the booth back in 2019 after calling races alongside Mike Joy for nearly two decades. Now 75, Waltrip will become the sixth guest analyst to call a race this year, joining Tony Stewart, Danica Patrick, Matt Kenseth, Jeff Gordon and Chad Knaus.
So we're getting Waltrip AND Bowyer — who, by the way, has been fantastic in his second season — in the same booth together?
An early 'good luck' to Mike Joy this week!
NASCAR heads to Bristol for ... Easter?
Speaking of the Bristol Dirt ...
A second 'good luck' to anyone trying to predict how this is gonna look. Last year was tough enough, but now we're coming back for a second time with a new car and running it at night?
Daniel Suarez, Martin Truex Jr. and Joey Logano were the main players last season, so I suppose we start with them.
The track itself will also be under the microscope, too. Remember, we dealt with several issues last year, including dust and visibility problems that led to eventual single-file restarts.
Running this one at night should help, so perhaps Mother Nature will give us a break.
Alex Bowman is certainly rooting for it!
"I’d like to be able to see where my race car is traveling," Bowman boldly said. "But other than that, I’m really looking forward to it." | https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/sports/nascar/2022/04/11/can-nascar-fix-its-next-gen-problem-short-tracks-might-too-late-darrell-waltrip-fox-sports-bristol/7274198001/ | 2022-04-11T16:09:55 | 1 | https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/sports/nascar/2022/04/11/can-nascar-fix-its-next-gen-problem-short-tracks-might-too-late-darrell-waltrip-fox-sports-bristol/7274198001/ |
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) — A 32-year-old man was charged with murder in a Sunday night homicide at the Traveler’s Inn on West Coliseum Boulevard.
Kevin G. Harris was booked into the Allen County Jail early Monday morning. He was set to appear in court later Monday.
The victim was identified as Terry Coleman in a probable cause affidavit. The Allen County Coroner’s Office was expected to rule on the victim’s cause and manner of death later.
The probable cause affidavit, written by homicide detective Liza Anglin, said the victim was found in a room of the motel “lying in a very large pool of blood.”
Coleman “looked battered,” and there were holes in the wall as if there was struggle, the affidavit said.
Police tracked Harris through conversations he was having with a woman starting at 8:16 p.m., according to the affidavit. Police were called to the scene at 8:46 p.m. | https://www.wane.com/news/crime/arrest-made-in-killing-at-fort-wayne-motel/ | 2022-04-11T16:14:08 | 0 | https://www.wane.com/news/crime/arrest-made-in-killing-at-fort-wayne-motel/ |
INDIANAPOLIS – Hoosiers expecting a little extra in their tax refund will have to wait before cashing in.
This year, almost all Indiana taxpayers are due to receive a one-time $125 Automatic Taxpayer Refund from the state. Married couples filing jointly will get $250.
The state is returning $545 million to Hoosiers after ending its fiscal year with a surplus. Under state law, the excess money turns into a refundable tax credit.
Anyone expecting to receive that money with their typical refund will be disappointed: the money is separate from any refund you may get from filing your 2021 state income tax return.
According to the Indiana Department of Revenue, taxpayers will receive one-time direct deposits to their bank accounts beginning in May. The payments will continue throughout the summer.
Some Hoosiers may end up getting a physical check instead.
Hoosiers may need to be patient; the state said taxpayers should allow until Sept. 1 to get their money. Again, individuals will get $125 while married couples filing jointly will get $250.
Who’s eligible for the Automatic Taxpayer Refund?
Residents who’ve filed an Indiana tax return for the 2020 tax year with a postmark date of Jan. 3, 2022, or earlier will receive the money.
Those residents must have filed their taxes using one of the following methods:
- Form IT-40, Indiana Full-Year Resident Individual Income Tax Return
- Form IT-40PNR, Indiana Part-Year or Full-Year Nonresident Individual Income Tax Return, if you were married and filed jointly AND you were an Indiana resident for the entire year (2020)
- Form SC-40, Unified Tax Credit for the Elderly AND you resided in Indiana for more than six months in 2020
How will I get my money?
In most cases, the state said the money will be sent via direct deposit based on information from your tax return.
The Department of Revenue said taxpayers would get their money via direct deposit under the following three conditions:
- They filed an Indiana resident tax return for 2020 before Jan. 3, 2022 AND
- Filed a 2021 Indiana resident tax return by April 18, 2022 AND
- Listed direct deposit checking or savings account information for their 2021 Indiana Income Tax refund
Will everyone receive their money via direct deposit?
While the Department of Revenue said the majority of Hoosiers would likely receive their money via direct deposit, it will also send out checks to some taxpayers.
Hoosiers may receive a physical check from the state under the following conditions:
- They don’t meet the requirements for direct deposit
- They filed for an extension of time to pay their 2021 Indiana resident tax return
- They included direct deposit information for an account associated with refund advance loans or similar arrangements
- Their Automatic Taxpayer Refund could not be otherwise deposited directly into their bank account
The state expects to mail out the checks in “late summer,” although it noted the timeline is “dependent on supply-chain issues affecting the paper industry and is subject to change.”
Do I need to do anything to make sure I get my $125?
The Department of Revenue said no additional action is required for Hoosiers to get their money—there’s nothing special you had to fill out on your return and no place you need to register in order to receive it.
The state did say filing your tax return electronically and getting your individual state tax return refund via direct deposit is the fastest way to get the Automatic Taxpayer Refund. It’s also important to make sure your banking information is accurate.
What if there’s a problem with my bank account?
If the state tries to send your refund to a bank account and it gets rejected, the money will be returned to the state and the auditor will send a paper check instead.
What if I’ve moved or changed addresses?
The state recommends you visit this website to go through the change of address process. It’s also a good idea to send a message through the INTIME secure messaging portal asking the state to send your Automatic Taxpayer Refund check to the new address.
Can I check on the status of my Automatic Taxpayer Refund?
The Department of Revenue’s “Where’s My Refund” portal does not include information about the automatic refund. It only involves refund information for your individual tax return.
If you don’t receive your money from the state by direct deposit, you’ll get a check from the state auditor during the summer.
The state hasn’t yet provided information on what to do if you don’t get the money. The Department of Revenue said that information would be available on its website “on or around Sept. 1.”
Are there any reasons I won’t get the money?
Under certain circumstances, individuals may not receive their money because it’s being withheld for other reasons, including to offset “unpaid state or federal tax liabilities, liabilities to other state agencies, including – but not limited to – unpaid child support or unemployment overpayments, and unpaid tuition to Indiana public colleges and universities.”
If your automatic refund is being withheld for those reasons, the state is supposed to send you a letter informing you of such. | https://www.wane.com/news/wheres-my-money-what-to-know-about-indianas-automatic-taxpayer-refund/ | 2022-04-11T16:14:14 | 1 | https://www.wane.com/news/wheres-my-money-what-to-know-about-indianas-automatic-taxpayer-refund/ |
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WMBB) — People were actually happy to fill up their tanks with gas on Saturday morning. That’s because a new gas station arrived in Florida’s Panhandle with deals to kick off it’s grand opening.
A new 76 Gas Station with a daybreak market and convenience store celebrated its grand opening by offering people significantly cheaper gas prices.
“I actually thought it was $3 and some change when I seen $2 my initial reaction was I should have brought my suburban, I should have brought my dodge, I should have brought four or five other cars,” customer Lewis King Jr. said.
From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. they dropped their gas price down to $2.76.
Along with the cheap fuel prices, they celebrated the day with $1 car washes and $0.76 hot dogs and fountain drinks.
One customer said she was just passing by when she saw the low price and had to stop by and fill up.
“It feels great, so I may call some friends and let them know because it’s way too high at $4,” customer Diane Stafford said. “Absolutely way too high. This is way more reasonable. They need to just do this on a regular basis.”
Stafford said she’s been spending anywhere from $3.80 cents to $4.10 cents per gallon.
Daybreak Market and Fuel Chairman Hani Baskaron said the gas station will be a clean and safe place for families.
“With all the experience that we have, we figured that the mom and the kids, we feel that it is very important for them when they walk in the store to be safe, to feel safe and clean,” Baskaron said. “They can leave the kids and walk around. From the bathrooms to lighting it’s a really safe environment.” | https://www.wfla.com/news/florida/florida-gas-station-celebrates-grand-opening-by-offering-2-76-per-gallon/ | 2022-04-11T16:14:24 | 0 | https://www.wfla.com/news/florida/florida-gas-station-celebrates-grand-opening-by-offering-2-76-per-gallon/ |
Warning, the video above will be disturbing to some viewers. Discretion is advised.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A man was hospitalized Friday after becoming trapped inside a platform holding a ride at a Florida county fair.
First Coast News reports Davontai Lee, 28, was trapped for about 15 minutes inside the ride before paramedics arrived and rushed him to an area hospital, where he was treated for his injuries.
A disturbing video of the incident shows the man yell in pain as he struggles to get out of the plates.
A witness told the news station he went down to the platform to get someone’s hat when the floors of the ride “went down on him and pinned him in.”
“I didn’t really expect that, I never thought that since that boy the other week that fell off that ride. I didn’t think I would experience another ride misfunction,” the witness, Keirra Peterson, added.
Officials say the ride was functioning properly and remains open.
“The ride had nothing to do with this the ride is functioning properly,” Jeff Johnson, Chief of Special Operations at the Clay County Sheriff’s Office said. “The sheriffs office along with fire and rescue did an investigation.”
Lee declined an interview with First Coast News, but told a reporter he was still in pain and in shock. | https://www.wfla.com/news/florida/ride-operator-hospitalized-after-getting-stuck-in-florida-fair-ride/ | 2022-04-11T16:14:30 | 0 | https://www.wfla.com/news/florida/ride-operator-hospitalized-after-getting-stuck-in-florida-fair-ride/ |
JERUSALEM (AP) — Mimi Reinhard, a secretary in Oskar Schindler’s office who typed up the list of Jews he saved from extermination by Nazi Germany, has died in Israel at the age of 107.
Reinhard died early Friday and was laid to rest Sunday in Herzliya, near Tel Aviv, her son Sasha Weitman confirmed.
She was one of 1,200 Jews saved by German businessman Schindler after he bribed Nazi authorities to let him keep them as workers in his factories. The account was made into the acclaimed 1993 film “Schindler’s List” by director Steven Spielberg.
Reinhard was born Carmen Koppel in Vienna, Austria, in 1915, and moved to Krakow, Poland, before the outbreak of World War II. After Nazi Germany invaded Poland in 1939, she was confined to the Krakow ghetto before being sent to the nearby Plaszow concentration camp in 1942.
Reinhard’s knowledge of shorthand got her work in the camp’s administrative office, where, two years later, she was ordered to type up the handwritten list of Jews that were to be transferred to Schindler’s ammunition factory.
“I didn’t know it was such an important thing, that list,” she told an interviewer with Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, in 2008. “First of all, I got the list of those who were with Schindler already in Krakow, in his factory. I had to put them on the list.” Later she put her own name, and the names of two friends.
At the Brünnlitz labor camp, where Schindler’s ammunition factory was housed, she was put to work in Schindler’s office.
She said that although she worked in Schindler’s office toward the end of the war, she had little personal contact with him.
“He was a very charming man, very outgoing,” she recalled decades after the war. “He didn’t treat us like scum.”
After the war, she made her way to the United States, where she lived until immigrating to Israel in 2007 at the age of 92.
Weitman, Reinhard’s son, said that after coming to Israel she “became a kind of a celebrity” because of the Schindler’s List film’s popularity, something he said “pumped another 15 years into her life.” | https://www.wfla.com/news/national/mimi-reinhard-schindlers-list-typist-dies-at-107/ | 2022-04-11T16:14:36 | 0 | https://www.wfla.com/news/national/mimi-reinhard-schindlers-list-typist-dies-at-107/ |
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — A St. Petersburg man was arrested after police said he went into a woman’s home and tried to sexually batter her while she slept early Sunday morning.
St. Pete police said 23-year-old Javier Tellez-Reyes went into a woman’s home through an unlocked front door while she was asleep at around 4:30 a.m. Sunday morning.
Police said once inside, Tellez-Reyes got completely naked and began to try to sexually batter the victim while she was sleeping. The victim began screaming for help, according to police, and was able to fight Tellez-Reyes off.
Tellez-Reyes then ran.
Police said they were able to find Tellez-Reyes nearby, and the victim was able to identify him in a field show-up.
According to the affidavit, Tellez-Reyes admitted to entering the victim’s home and getting naked, but denied the sexual battery.
Tellez-Reyes faces burglary and attempted sexual battery charges. | https://www.wfla.com/news/pinellas-county/st-pete-man-tried-to-sexually-batter-woman-while-she-slept-police-say/ | 2022-04-11T16:14:42 | 0 | https://www.wfla.com/news/pinellas-county/st-pete-man-tried-to-sexually-batter-woman-while-she-slept-police-say/ |
Country star Kelsea Ballerini is making a last-minute pivot to co-hosting the CMT Music Awards remotely after testing positive for COVID-19 days before the show.
Ballerini and actor Anthony Mackie were set to host the Monday night awards show airing on CBS from Nashville. But on Monday morning, CMT and CBS announced that Ballerini will remain home. She is asymptomatic, and Ballerini said CMT is setting it up so she can perform and co-host from her house.
“It has been set it up in a way where I can safely still co-host the Awards and perform on the show tonight,” Ballerini said in a statement. "This is not what we had planned for, but I am ready to make lemonade out of these lemons.”
The leading nominee for the night, Kane Brown, has been tapped to help Mackie with in-person co-hosting. Brown has twice hosted the fan-voted show, including with Ballerini last year.
“I’m honored the team at CBS and CMT asked me to step in as a co-host and I am so glad to be back again hosting for a bonus third year," said Brown in a statement. “Everyone has been working hard to put on an amazing show for the fans and I’m excited to get to work with Anthony and Kelsea and have a great night that celebrates country music.”
Mackie, who starred in Marvel's "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,'' promises a fun night.
“Being a host of the CMT Awards is something I have wanted to do for a long time," said Mackie in a statement. "I was excited to be able to do it with Kelsea Ballerini. Now, I get to co-host with both Kelsea and my friend, Kane Brown. Get ready cuz it’s gonna be a fun night!”
Entertainment News
The CMT Music Awards will feature performances by Kenny Chesney, Mickey Guyton and Black Pumas, Cody Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Maren Morris and Ryan Hurd, Old Dominion, Carly Pearce, Cole Swindell and Lainey Wilson, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban. The Judds are also reuniting at the CMT Music Awards for their first major awards show performance in over two decades.
Underwood is the most awarded artist in CMT history with 23 prior wins and has a chance to extend her lead with nominations for music video of the year and collaborative video of the year for her duet with Jason Aldean, “If I Didn’t Love You.” | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/kelsea-ballerini-to-co-host-cmt-music-awards-from-home-after-positive-covid-test/3640395/ | 2022-04-11T16:18:23 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/kelsea-ballerini-to-co-host-cmt-music-awards-from-home-after-positive-covid-test/3640395/ |
A jury found a Long Island woman guilty of luring four young men to their slaughter by more than a dozen members of the MS-13 street gang.
Prosecutors claimed Leniz Escobar helped orchestrate the 2017 massacre as a teenage associate of the gang before falsely claiming to be a victim in the ambush.
Escobar had pleaded not guilty to racketeering charges in the four deaths that prosecutors described as “a horrific frenzy of violence” involving machetes, knives and tree limbs in a Central Islip park.
Escobar was found guilty on all charges. She faces up to life in prison.
MS-13 had been seeking to settle a score, prosecutors allege, and believed the young victims to be members of the rival 18th Street Gang. The victims’ families have denied that any of the slain men were in a gang.
Prosecutors allege that Escobar, who was 17 at the time, was seeking to curry favor with MS-13 and alerted its members to the victims' location in a wooden area. Under MS-13 rules, the killings had been “pre-authorized” by gang leadership, prosecutors said, and contributors to the carnage stood to gain membership or ascend the organization's ranks.
News
Authorities said Escobar later tossed her cellphone from a moving vehicle — as well as a SIM card that had been removed and damaged so badly law enforcement couldn't recover its contents.
“Additionally, Escobar discarded the bloody clothing that she had been wearing on the night of the murders,” prosecutors wrote in a court filing.
MS-13, also known as La Mara Salvatrucha, recruits young teenagers from El Salvador and Honduras, though many gang members were born in the U.S. The gang has been blamed for dozens of killings since January 2016 across a wide swath of Long Island. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/long-island-ms-13-associate-found-guilty-in-ambush-killings-of-4-men/3640239/ | 2022-04-11T16:18:29 | 0 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/long-island-ms-13-associate-found-guilty-in-ambush-killings-of-4-men/3640239/ |
A man involved in a domestic incident went after an Emergency Services Unit officer with a machete in Astoria Monday, prompting NYPD to open fire on him, according to a senior police official and authorities.
The senior police department official says patrol cops responding to the domestic call on 33rd Street around 10 a.m. requested EMS officers to the scene.
The circumstances of the investigation and the machete incident weren't immediately clear. The suspect was shot by police and taken to Elmhurst Hospital.
No officers were hurt, police said. Chopper 4 showed a heavy law enforcement presence at the scene through the morning.
Police executives are expected to release additional information later Monday.
Copyright NBC New York | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/machete-wielding-man-shot-by-cops-responding-to-call-in-astoria-senior-official/3640330/ | 2022-04-11T16:18:35 | 0 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/machete-wielding-man-shot-by-cops-responding-to-call-in-astoria-senior-official/3640330/ |
New Jersey, one of the last holdouts barring its drivers from pumping their own gas, could soon offer self-service options. But a new poll finds the state's motorists split on changing how gas stations have operated for over 70 years.
Researchers at Monmouth University say the majority (54%) of New Jerseyans are in favor of letting drivers pump their own gas, as long as stations can keep full-service staff in place. Some 43% of the state is against a self-service option.
The Garden State remains the only state where no driver has the option to pump their own gas should they choose to do so. Over on the west coast, Oregon allows motorists to pump gas, but only in rural regions of the state.
And most New Jerseyans like being the lone holdout, the Monmouth University Poll states. An estimated 55% of the state say it's a good thing for the state.
Since the 1940s, it's been state law that gas stations are full service. Recently, lawmakers introduced a bill that would give gas stations the option to finally have self-service pumps.
If given the option, the poll found that two in every three motorists in the state would pump their own gas. Nearly the same percentage of those polled voice opposition to getting rid of a full service option entirely.
The legislation, if passed, would give owners the option to provide self-service by allowing gas stations to offer full-service fuel, self-service fuel or a combination. The bill would also allow gas stations to offer a discount to customers who pump their own gas and allow those with disabilities to have their gas pumped by an attendant at a lower self-service price if it is offered.
News
The poll of 802 New Jersey adults was conducted between March 31 and April 4 and has a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/nj-split-on-pumping-own-gas-with-majority-favoring-self-service-poll/3640302/ | 2022-04-11T16:18:42 | 0 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/nj-split-on-pumping-own-gas-with-majority-favoring-self-service-poll/3640302/ |
A 16-year-old student has been charged with attempted murder and sexual assault after “getting violent” and strangling his teacher in a dispute over his grades last week, Las Vegas police said.
Officers were called to a high school on Thursday at 3:30 p.m., the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said in a news release. While police did not disclose the name of the school in the release, Clark County School District Superintendent Jesus Jara confirmed the attack occurred at Eldorado High School, NBC News reported.
Officers found a female teacher being treated by medical personnel for “multiple injuries,” according to police. She was hospitalized and said to be stable.
More U.S. and World News
The investigation found that the student went into a female teacher’s classroom to “talk about his grades,” according to the release.
Read the full story at NBCNews.com. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/las-vegas-hs-student-charged-with-attempted-murder-in-attack-on-teacher-over-grades/3640236/ | 2022-04-11T16:18:48 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/las-vegas-hs-student-charged-with-attempted-murder-in-attack-on-teacher-over-grades/3640236/ |
A javelina got trapped in a car in Arizona last week after jumping in to seize a bag of Cheetos, officials said.
The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office said a deputy responded to a call in Cornville of reports of a wild javelina inside a Subaru station wagon, according to a Facebook post on the department's page.
The deputy learned that car's hatchback was left open overnight and the hungry javelina jumped in to get a bag of Cheetos.
"Can you blame him, who doesn’t love a midnight Cheeto snack?" the YCSO wrote in its post.
The sheriff's office said when the javelina jumped in the car, the animal's weight likely shook the rear hatch closed, locking the hungry boar inside.
Recommended:
In its attempt to break free, "the javelina tore off a portion of the dashboard, the passenger door interior, and knocked the vehicle into neutral which caused it to roll out of the driveway and across the street until stopping under some trees."
The deputy was able to open the hatch, allowing the javelina to escape back into the wilderness. No one was injured during the incident. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/video-shows-wild-javelina-that-locked-itself-in-car-in-pursuit-of-cheetos/3640288/ | 2022-04-11T16:18:54 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/video-shows-wild-javelina-that-locked-itself-in-car-in-pursuit-of-cheetos/3640288/ |
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As seen on News 4 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/police-fire-at-machete-suspect-in-astoria-senior-official/3640361/ | 2022-04-11T16:19:07 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/police-fire-at-machete-suspect-in-astoria-senior-official/3640361/ |
2022 NASCAR Power Rankings: How the field stacks up after Martinsville originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
It took eight weeks, but the NASCAR Cup Series finally has a repeat winner in 2022.
William Byron took command of the Blue-Emu Maximum Pain Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway on Saturday night, leading 212 of the final 218 laps to secure his second victory of the season. The triumph marked Byron’s fourth career victory, and first at the famed short track.
With Martinsville in the rearview mirror, the Cup Series will now turn to Bristol Motor Speedway for the only dirt track race of the season. The brand new Next Gen cars have yet to run on dirt, so we can expect the unexpected on Easter Sunday night when the green flag drops.
Is Byron the driver to beat through eight weeks? Here’s our power rankings with 18 regular season races remaining:
1. William Byron
Sports
Last week: 2
Byron entered 2022 with two career wins. He now has two wins in his last four races, plus a race at Richmond where he lost the lead with five laps to go. The 24-year-old is on an absolute tear, leading a series-best 482 laps this year. Last season, he led 425 laps in 36 starts. Up to third in the points standings, Byron’s career year is just getting started.
2. Ryan Blaney
Last week: 1
For the third time this season, Blaney finished fourth. He relinquished the points lead, but he still sits in second place. Even though he only led five laps and wasn’t much of a factor to win at Martinsville, it was the continuation of a consistent season. Blaney has led a lap in all eight races and still owns a series-best 5.1 average start.
3. Ross Chastain
Last week: 3
Saturday marked Chastain’s fifth top-five finish in the last six years as his breakout season continued. The Melon Man didn’t score any stage points, but a timely caution and opportune overtime restart gave him the fifth-place run. He didn’t earn any stage points, and he sits fifth in the standings – 42 points behind leader Chase Elliott.
4. Chase Elliott
Last week: 4
Speaking of Elliott… he regained the points lead after winning two stages, leading 185 laps and finishing 10th at Martinsville. Once looking like the dominant car, Elliott faded in the final stage due to some questionable strategy. He’s been steady all season – finishing worse than 14th just once – but it’s fair to say this team is leaving better finishes on the table.
5. Joey Logano
Last week: 7
Logano had a chance to punt Byron out of the lead on the overtime restart. Instead, the veteran opted to play it clean. It was a change of pace for the driver who’s never shied away from controversy. Still, Logano brought his Team Penske machine home in second and moved up to fourth in the standings. Now he’ll visit Bristol – the site of his last win over one year ago.
6. Alex Bowman
Last week: 5
While Bryon and Elliott led 397 of 403 laps, Bowman was largely a non-factor. He ran just outside the top-10 for most of the night, which was surprising after he won at Martinsville last October. Still, he brought the No. 48 home in 12th for his sixth-straight top-15 finish. Bowman is sixth in the points standings with a 12.0 average finish – tied for second among all drivers.
7. Kyle Larson
Last week: 6
Larson was rarely the fourth wheel at Hendrick Motorsports during his title-winning 2021 season. But that was the case again at Martinsville, as Larson has now finished fourth among the four HMS drivers four times this season. Larson is 13th in the standings with 201 points; he had 276 points and was fourth after eight races last year.
8. Kevin Harvick
Last week: first four out
Outside a second-place finish at Richmond, the 45-year-old Harvick has been far from spectacular in 2022. But the wily veteran has limited the damage, with six top-15 finishes in eight races to put himself ninth in the standings. Harvick still needs to find another gear if he hopes to snap his 51-race winless streak, which dates back to 2020.
9. Kyle Busch
Last week: first four out
After pitting under the final caution, Busch charged up to finish seventh on a night where he was mostly outside the top 10. It was a heads-up strategy call by crew chief Ben Beshore to salvage a good finish on a day when Busch wasn’t as quick as usual. He remains 10th in the standings, but he’s tied for the series lead with five top-10 finishes.
10. Martin Truex Jr.
Last week: 8
Pretty much everyone expected Truex to compete for a win at Martinsville. The track is named after him, right? Not exactly, but it might as well be after he won there three times in the last five races. On Saturday, though, MTJ was off the pace all night and then cut a tire in the final stage before finishing 22nd.
First four out: Chase Briscoe, Tyler Reddick, Aric Almirola, Austin Dillon | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/sports/2022-nascar-power-rankings-how-the-field-stacks-up-after-martinsville/3640299/ | 2022-04-11T16:19:13 | 0 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/sports/2022-nascar-power-rankings-how-the-field-stacks-up-after-martinsville/3640299/ |
New York LiveDaily lifestyle show giving viewers the best in all things New York -- 11:30 a.m. Monday-Friday and 7:15 p.m. Fridays | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/entertainment/the-scene/new-york-live/prioritize-self-care-get-your-glam-on-with-cocotique/3637903/ | 2022-04-11T16:19:28 | 0 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/entertainment/the-scene/new-york-live/prioritize-self-care-get-your-glam-on-with-cocotique/3637903/ |
New York LiveDaily lifestyle show giving viewers the best in all things New York -- 11:30 a.m. Monday-Friday and 7:15 p.m. Fridays | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/entertainment/the-scene/new-york-live/rise-to-the-occasion-all-things-nyc/3637877/ | 2022-04-11T16:19:34 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/entertainment/the-scene/new-york-live/rise-to-the-occasion-all-things-nyc/3637877/ |
Joshua Rhine laments the two years of disrupted learning students at his school endured during the coronavirus pandemic.
Rhine, principal of Early College Opportunities High School, said some students became disengaged last year, when the pandemic derailed their heavily hands-on curriculum.
Kids studying auto body work and welding suddenly had to shift to online learning from home.
ECO, a dual-credit school where students take college-level courses and earn professional certifications and associate degrees while they work toward their diplomas, saw a 17 percentage point drop in its graduation rate between the class of 2020 and the class of 2021.
Tighter connections between staff and students this year, brought by a return to in-person learning, should help keep seniors on track to graduate, Rhine said.
“Just the staff having that ability to know the majority of students and being able to read body language and know they need help” has been beneficial, he said.
ECO’s graduation rate dropped to 66 percent in 2021 from 83 percent the previous year, according to
state data, a troubling sign for an alternative high school gearing up for a multimillion-dollar expansion that would allow it to more than double its student population.
It was one of four small high schools in the city — two in Santa Fe Public Schools and two state-chartered schools — that saw steep graduation rate declines while the rates at other schools largely held steady.
While school leaders cited varied reasons for the declines, they agreed the pandemic took a toll, especially when it came to student attendance at nontraditional institutions designed to offer more intimate, hands-on experiences that were hampered by shutdowns.
Administrators at Santa Fe Public Schools point to smaller class sizes at ECO and Desert Sage Academy in 2021 as another big reason for their dramatic graduation drops.
With only a handful of kids in the senior class at each school last year, every student who didn’t make it across the finish line meant a significant decline in the graduation rate.
Officials at the two charter schools, Tierra Encantada and Monte del Sol, said they worried their graduation data was misreported to the state Public Education Department and they are reexamining the numbers.
Still, they said a larger number of students struggled to graduate last year than in previous years, and said some seniors who didn’t earn diplomas struggled with poor attendance.
A spokeswoman for the Public Education Department said the agency recently wrapped up a correction process for graduation rates and would meet with schools to address any possible errors.
Santa Fe Public Schools Superintendent Hilario “Larry” Chavez said in a recent memo rates at the district’s smallest high schools can “fluctuate, making year-to-year comparisons difficult.”
The district reported just seven seniors in 2020-21 at the predominantly online Desert Sage Academy, which saw its graduation rate drop to
54.2 percent from 90.8 percent the previous year.
Thirteen seniors made up ECO’s class of 2021.
“I think a lot of variety in numbers at a school like ECO is directly related to class size,” said Assistant Superintendent Michael Hagele, who served as principal there last year.
The lack of hands-on learning also had an effect, he added.
This year, ECO has a larger senior class, and most of them are on track to graduate, Rhine said.
Desert Sage Academy, which had its mission overhauled and expanded this year to serve students in grades K-12, also has a larger group of seniors this year, said Michael Granado, the school’s new principal.
He said this year’s seniors are largely working independently through the district’s online Edgenuity curriculum to earn their diplomas.
Many Desert Sage seniors are working while taking online courses, Granado said, and staff members are working to accommodate those schedules by making themselves available for questions late into the evening.
Granado hopes to add more in-person check-ins for students in the next school year, he said, “especially for the upper grades. If you don’t have a teacher there, you have to be highly motivated.”
At Monte del Sol, with a 2021 class of 47, Head Learner Zoë Nelsen fears the graduation rate drop was due to errors.
“Based on some of our research, I feel it’s an inaccurate percentage,” she said.
Nine seniors failed to graduate last year, Nelsen said, and six of them are taking credits this year so they can earn their diplomas.
Some students had been straight-A students, she said, but during the pandemic, “they essentially stopped coming.”
Nelsen, like other school administrators, said more students have been relying on online credit recovery programs to make up for losses during remote learning.
At Capital High School, where the graduation rate was unchanged at nearly 83 percent, Principal Jaime Holladay estimated 30 percent of seniors used credit recovery programs to finish on time last year.
Holladay said staff members made regular visits to homes of students who were struggling, which helped them stay on track.
Daniel Peña, director of Tierra Encantada, a dual-language charter school that emphasizes project-based learning, said he plans to meet next week with state education officials to discuss the possibility of data errors leading to a 57.4 percent graduation rate.
In the meantime, administrators are working to ensure their 40 seniors this year have the support they need to finish — which includes credit recovery aid.
Principal Angela Esquibel-Martinez said the need for credit recovery is “heavy” this year.
“We even aligned staff members to do just that — teachers who are managing our credit recovery program — because we’ve had such a great need,” she said.
Attendance plunged last year, contributing to students’
struggles, Esquibel-Martinez added.
Typically, high school seniors in the state must accrue 24 credits and demonstrate competency, either through end-of-course exams or, in some cases, special projects. The state has eased up on the competency demonstration requirement during the pandemic, including for this year’s senior class.
Rhine said that has been helpful for his students.
He believes they would perform well on end-of-course exams, based on assessments required to enroll in dual-credit college courses, but he said their path to graduation is simpler.
“It’s one less thing,” Rhine said. “I wouldn’t be too worried about my students being able to demonstrate competency.” | https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/education/santa-fe-public-schools-work-to-raise-graduate-rates-at-alternative-schools/article_d080b164-a929-11ec-a74f-439c1b50999d.html | 2022-04-11T16:22:45 | 0 | https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/education/santa-fe-public-schools-work-to-raise-graduate-rates-at-alternative-schools/article_d080b164-a929-11ec-a74f-439c1b50999d.html |
On the surface, all the familiar ceremonial trappings were in place for the event.
The reading of proclamations announcing April 9 as Bataan Remembrance Day. The playing of taps. Speeches honoring the legacy of the New Mexicans who gave their lives fighting, struggling to survive, dying far from home in a campaign ringed with deprivation, starvation and torture.
Still, Saturday’s morning commemoration of the April 4, 1942, fall of Bataan — the 80th anniversary — was missing something.
Bataan survivors.
For the first time since the New Mexico National Guard began hosting the Santa Fe event in the mid-1980s, none of them attended.
Age, infirmity and death have taken their toll on almost all of the survivors. The New Mexico Department of Veteran Services believes there may only be about five of those men still living around the country. And the event was not held live over the past two years because of the health restrictions surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.
Yet, watching the hourlong ceremony attended by about 100 people play out on Don Gaspar Avenue outside the Bataan Memorial Building, Fred Armijo, son of the late Bataan U.S. Army veteran Manuel Armijo, said he has no concern the legacy of those Bataan soldiers will be forgotten.
“I plan on keeping it alive,” he said, adding, in a joking fashion, “I plan to live to 100.”
The commemoration is held near a stone monument honoring the Bataan campaign, and Armjio said as long as that monument remains, people won’t forget.
He is well aware of his father’s role in keeping the history of Bataan alive.
Manuel Armijo, a first sergeant with the 200th Coast Artillery, is credited with initiating the annual commemoration in the postwar years. Some sources say he started it in 1946, silently standing outside a downtown government building while holding a white flag in his hands. Other sources put that date at 1953.
Regardless, the annual April 9 event has become something of a cornerstone military memorial event, a day to remember a generation of young New Mexicans — some still teenagers — who left the comfort of hometown America to wage war in some faraway place few had heard of.
Little could they have known, having entered the military before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor thrust the United States into World War II, they would become part of one of the most violent and tragic stories of New Mexico’s military history.
The Battle of Bataan in the Philippines — the first major military campaign of the Asian theater in World War II following the Pearl Harbor attack — took a huge toll on New Mexico.
Of the 1,800-plus New Mexican soldiers who fought in the battle, only half came home alive. And many of them, survivors of the infamous Bataan Death March and Japanese prisoner-of-war camps, came back physically, mentally and emotionally scarred.
From Dec. 8, 1941, to April 9, 1942, those 1,800 New Mexico soldiers fought alongside Filipinos and other Americans to fight off Japanese invaders on the Bataan peninsula. On April 9, Bataan’s military commanders surrendered, though the soldiers wanted to fight on, despite a lack of weapons, food and medicine.
Most of the American and Filipino defenders were killed, captured or forced to march 65 miles through the jungle. Japanese soldiers used their bayonets and bullets along the way to kill the weak, wounded and defiant ones on what became known as the Bataan Death March.
Manuel Armijo, like so many of the men who survived that ordeal, did not like to talk about what he endured, his son said. But Vincent Lithgow, Manuel Armijo’s grandson, recalled as a child sleeping over at this grandparents’ home and hearing his grandfather erupt in pain — at night.
“He screamed in English, he screamed in Spanish, he screamed in Japanese,” said Lithgow, who also attended Saturday’s memorial event.
His daughter, Rachel Lithgow, only recalls her great grandfather as a little, wizened old man.
“It was hard to imagine him being young,” she said after Saturday’s ceremony. “It’s hard to imagine his incredible heartbreak.”
She, too, feels the Bataan story will be carried on long after the last descendants of any of the soldiers who fought it have died. Though she lives in Las Cruces, Lithgow said she visits the Bataan monument every time she comes to Santa Fe. It represents “a deep rooted sense of connection to New Mexico history.”
“There’s a lot of him here,” she said as she looked at the monument.
Manuel Armijo died in June 2004 at the age of 92, his son said. His mother, Frances Armijo, lived almost six more years, dying in April 2010.
She died April 9, in fact.
“Here’s my take on it,” Fred Armijo said of that date. “My dad came for her.” | https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/bataan-vets-are-remembered-but-few-remain/article_93428658-b42b-11ec-9ab6-67cf79531bf4.html | 2022-04-11T16:22:51 | 1 | https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/bataan-vets-are-remembered-but-few-remain/article_93428658-b42b-11ec-9ab6-67cf79531bf4.html |
Monica Leyba has traveled a long way since she was a teenage tray-line worker 41 years ago at Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center.
Her journey up the career staircase has carried her to the title of chief nursing executive, the top nursing position at the hospital, where she oversees about 450 people. Leyba described her path through the ranks as less a rags-to-riches story than one that conformed to a general plan beginning when she was a girl.
She married at 18 and remains with her husband, Frank Leyba, 38 years later.
It wasn’t just a good decision to marry him, she said. “It was the best decision.”
But that meant her nursing dreams would have to wait.
Leyba said she always believed in herself and serious doubts didn’t enter her mind when she focused mainly on family and finances and for 10 years delayed her goal of becoming a nurse.
The Leybas have two adult children — the first, Racquel, was born about four years after their marriage. When their second child, Ricardo, went to kindergarten, Monica Leyba returned to nursing school to get her two-year degree at Santa Fe Community College.
One of her closest work partners is Christus St. Vincent CEO and President Lillian Montoya, with whom Leyba frequently observes and interviews employees in a variety of departments. Besides making those rounds on weekdays, she and Montoya devote two hours on Saturdays to the task once or twice a month.
“She is my partner, my rounding partner, absolutely. She is the one I do it most with,” Leyba said. “We love to do that together.”
Asked if she might be viewed by some as “the CEO’s pet,” Leyba seemed taken aback. “I would hope they don’t think that,” she said. “She’s gonna hold me accountable for my job, and she’s very clear about that.”
For her part, Montoya said she admires Leyba as a problem solver and a “moral compass” who’s an expert in one of the hospital’s most critical fields.
Leyba, she added, “has this incredible ability to diplomatically and kindly influence people’s behavior so that they’re focused on improvement.”
Montoya said she didn’t know anyone who might think Leyba is her favorite, however.
“I’ve never heard that before,” Montoya said. “I’m close to everyone on my team.”
Still, the rounds, both women said, are critical to making sure the hospital is working as it should.
Montoya said she views the practice as a way to connect with people, listen, get feedback and “take a temperature of the organization” — in Christus St. Vincent’s case, 65 departments. Leyba said the CEO’s devotion to the practice has brought rounding to a new level.
Dominick Armijo, clinical nurse manager of Christus’ COVID-19 containment unit, said he appreciates Montoya’s and Leyba’s visibility as leaders of the institution.
“I really love that they’re both Northern New Mexico Hispanic women,” Armijo said. “They’re in it to win it.”
But winning isn’t always easy; hospitals and nurses have been tested in new ways the past two years. And the pandemic has created a nightmare and an opportunity for nurses.
Besides enduring long hours in stressful, dangerous conditions, some nurses have maximized their value during an intense nationwide shortage by becoming traveling nurses. They are well-paid temporary staffers who go from one hospital in the country to another.
“I think the pandemic has brought out the value” of nurses, Leyba said. “And truly, the responsibility that they have in caring for peo A lifetime spent nursing people back to health ple. And I honestly believe it is one of the most important jobs that anyone can have because we’re touching lives.”
Like many other hospitals, Christus St. Vincent has used traveling nurses in the pandemic. Leyba said 135 of her
450 nurses are traveling nurses.
But Leyba has never considered going that route, noting her roots in Santa Fe and love for the community rendered that out of the question. She only worked briefly elsewhere, in the defunct College of Santa Fe’s admissions office when she was there for a semester
40 years ago.
She started working in the Christus
St. Vincent cafeteria in high school and met her husband there. He was a cook.
“I grew up knowing that I always wanted to go into the health care profession and wanted to be a nurse and I wanted to help people heal,” Leyba said.
It took Leyba a while to get around to that career. When she was 17, Frank Leyba asked Monica’s father, Rudy Martinez, for the right to marry his daughter. Rudy Martinez, 78, said he told the couple to wait until Monica was 18. That is what they did.
Her father and mother, Jessie Martinez, recognized their daughter’s potential. She was a motivated leader, usually involved in activities and telling people what she thought. The parents said they knew Frank Leyba was a good guy who treated their daughter well.
Even with the nursing dream delayed, Leyba stayed close to health care: As a young woman, Leyba worked part time in various jobs at the hospital, such as cashier and patient billing positions, plus handling radiology film and registering patients in outpatient surgery.
Her mother recalled Monica Lebya saying to her parents one day, “I feel like I’ve disappointed you.” She vowed to go to nursing school when her kids were old enough to attend school.
“And sure enough, that’s what she did,” her mother said.
“She’s full of determination. She’s still bossing us,” Jessie Martinez added, saying Monica Lebya was all over her parents about maintaining COVID-19 precautions.
When Leyba’s son went to kindergarten, she headed for nursing school at Santa Fe Community College. She earned an associate’s degree in nursing 25 years ago.
She was a bedside nurse at Christus St. Vincent and gradually worked her way up, getting bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing along the way. She said she didn’t envision being a boss but early in her nursing career she suggested an improvement to the nurses’ record-keeping forms — emphasizing check boxes for ease and clarity.
“It was just an idea that I thought would be helpful,” Lebya said. Her notion gained acceptance, and that experience helped her realize she could have more influence over patient care and quality service.
By 2008, she had become nursing director over various hospital departments, then director of patient care, and in 2016, she was elevated to the No. 2 nursing job. Leyba was promoted to the top nursing job at the hospital five years ago.
Jan Weidner, now the No. 2 nursing boss at the hospital, said the importance of the human touch at Christus is emphasized. Montoya and Leyba “can tell you where so-and-so went on vacation last month,” Weidner said.
She said of Leyba: “Her love for people in this community is not only something I admire but I aspire to. When you have that kind of trust in who’s leading you, you’ll go anywhere they lead.”
Leyba will mark 41 years at Christus St. Vincent in early June, but she said she doesn’t see her career concluding in the near future.
She pointed to nursing leading a Gallup Poll reputation survey of honesty and ethics in professions for 20 straight years.
Leyba called nursing “sacred work” and brushed tears from her eyes. Seeing and touching patients “fills my bucket,” she said.
As a boss, she said, she touches many more in a different way. | https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/santa-fe-woman-climbs-ranks-at-christus-st-vincent/article_ed845e7e-b44f-11ec-997e-bf5565027312.html | 2022-04-11T16:22:57 | 1 | https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/santa-fe-woman-climbs-ranks-at-christus-st-vincent/article_ed845e7e-b44f-11ec-997e-bf5565027312.html |
Voluntary evacuations began Sunday for several communities in the area of the Hermits Peak Fire, which grew from 350 acres on Saturday to 540 on Sunday, according to the Northern New Mexico Type 3 Incident Management Team.
The evacuations apply to San Ignacio, Las Dispensas and Pendaries, according to a news release, which added that winds of more than 60 mph were forecast for the area Sunday. The blaze northwest of Las Vegas, N.M., was 10 percent contained, it added, up from zero percent the day before.
Santana Gomez, who lives north of Hermits Peak on N.M. 94, said in a phone interview Sunday afternoon he was ready to evacuate “when the fire trucks show up.”
Gomez, 22, said he grew up in the area and had never been under a fire evacuation order before, voluntary or otherwise.
“It’s real gloomy out here,” he said of conditions Sunday. “It’s real smoky out here. The wind doesn’t help; you can smell wood burning.”
Gomez said he grew up hunting in the nearby mountains with his great-grandfather.
“It’s going to be crazy to come back if everything is burned,” he said of a possible evacuation. “It’d be weird to come back after seeing things one way for 22 years of your life and then it’s all gone.”
Gomez said he and five family members would head to nearby Las Vegas to stay with other family if needed.
“It hurts me to leave home … but what could you do?” he said. “Your life is more important than material things.”
No structures were at risk Sunday, according to the news release from the Northern New Mexico Type 3 Incident Management Team.
The fire began Wednesday when a controlled burn went awry, spurring questions from some about whether the wind conditions were appropriate for such an action. Firefighters are working to keep the blaze out of Beaver Creek and the Gallinas Municipal Watershed, the news release states.
The response has involved 163 firefighters as well as four Hotshot crews, one specialized crew, eight engines, three helicopters, one rapid extraction module and one tactical water tender, the news release states.
Elsewhere in New Mexico, firefighters made progress in containing the Overflow Fire, which also began as a controlled burn.
They’d reached 70 percent containment of the 1,900-acre fire near Roswell as of Sunday afternoon, according to the New Mexico Fire Information website. Monday’s forecast calls for high winds and low humidity in the area, the site states.
No updates were available Sunday on the Collins Fire. As of Friday, the fire in Gila National Forest was estimated at 1,200 acres with zero percent containment, according to a Facebook post by the U.S. Forest Service. | https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/voluntary-evacuations-set-near-hermits-peak-fire/article_e53361b6-b904-11ec-b310-47d2a0519ded.html | 2022-04-11T16:23:03 | 1 | https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/voluntary-evacuations-set-near-hermits-peak-fire/article_e53361b6-b904-11ec-b310-47d2a0519ded.html |
INDIANAPOLIS – Days away from the one-year anniversary of the deadly mass shooting at an Indianapolis FedEx facility, attorneys for five of the victims will announce a lawsuit.
The details will be revealed during a news conference on Monday.
The shooting happened on the night of April 15, 2021, at the FedEx Ground facility on Mirabel Road. A former employee opened fire, killing eight people before turning the gun on himself.
The lawsuit names FedEx Corporation; FedEx Ground Package System, Inc.; Federal Express Corporation; FedEx Corporate Services, Inc.; and Security Security Services, USA.
It’s being filed on behalf of the families of Amerjeet Johal, Amarjit Sekhon, Jasvinder Kaur, John Weisert and Karli Smith.
The lawsuit alleges inadequate security and negligence in keeping employees at the facility safe, both before and during the shooting.
The shooting killed a total of eight people, although the lawsuit includes five of the victims. Four of the eight victims were members of the Sikh community. Some were the primary wage earners for their families.
Mourners gathered Sunday for a prayer service at the Gurdwara Sikh Satsang Temple of Indianapolis. | https://fox59.com/news/indianapolis-fedex-shooting/lawsuit-announced-in-deadly-2021-mass-shooting-at-indianapolis-fedex-facility/ | 2022-04-11T16:23:44 | 1 | https://fox59.com/news/indianapolis-fedex-shooting/lawsuit-announced-in-deadly-2021-mass-shooting-at-indianapolis-fedex-facility/ |
Fiona the hippo is going to be a (very) big sister
CINCINNATI (Gray News) – The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden announced Monday that hippo Fiona’s mother, Bibi, is pregnant again.
“The hippo team is excited and also nervous,” said Eric Byrd, manager of Cincinnati Zoo’s Africa team. “As most people know, Bibi’s first baby, Fiona, was born six weeks premature and wouldn’t have survived without the intervention of her human caregivers. We are hoping for a full-term pregnancy and will be doing everything we can to support Bibi.”
According to the zoo, Bibi is on hormone supplements and will receive regular ultrasounds to monitor the growth and health of her fetus.
The zoo’s director of animal care, Christina Gorsuch, said they weren’t planning to welcome another baby hippo this soon, but nature found a way.
“Most forms of contraception, in hippos or humans, is not 100% reliable,” Gorsuch said. The dose that was previously effective for Bibi did not prevent pregnancy this time.”
The soon-to-be father, Tucker, arrived at the zoo in September 2021 and “was enamored with 23-year-old Bibi right away,” the zoo said.
The zoo will be sharing updates on Bibi and baby preparations in the months leading up to the birth.
Bibi’s big bundle of joy is expected to arrive in late summer 2022.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wflx.com/2022/04/11/fiona-hippo-is-going-be-very-big-sister/ | 2022-04-11T16:28:44 | 0 | https://www.wflx.com/2022/04/11/fiona-hippo-is-going-be-very-big-sister/ |
Loan to fund the construction of 18-story building with 88 residential condominiums
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. , April 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- ACRES Capital Corp. (together with its subsidiaries, "ACRES"), a leading commercial real estate middle-market lender, has originated a $73.375 million loan to fund the development of Reflection Condominiums (the "Property") in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Located on a .70-acre site in downtown St. Petersburg along Pinellas County's southeast coast, the proposed development will be an 18-story condominium building, housing 88 residential units and an additional 2,763 square feet of retail space available for rent. The property will also provide 27,691 square feet of common area and a 237-car parking garage.
St. Petersburg has evolved from a popular retirement destination into a younger city, drawing people of all ages who have relocated in recent years to take advantage of the favorable weather and a lower cost of living. The centrally-located Reflection Condominiums will be surrounded by abundant dining options, shopping, and cultural attractions.
"St. Petersburg is one of the fastest growing regions in Florida and has been called the 'megamarket of the South,'" said ACRES Chief Executive Officer and President Mark Fogel. "We expect the city's tremendous growth to continue long-term, boding well for high-end residential projects like this."
The loan was provided to Mirror Lake Place, LLC and was arranged by Alex Anderson of Eyzenberg & Company. Drew Miller of ACRES' Uniondale, NY office originated the loan.
About ACRES
ACRES is a nationwide direct lender and SEC-registered investment adviser that provides construction, bridge and permanent debt capital solutions for the commercial real estate industry. ACRES partners on targeted opportunities in the $10 million to $100 million range, including multifamily, student housing, retail, office, hospitality, and industrial. Contact us at www.acrescap.com or at (516) 535-0015.
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SOURCE ACRES Capital, LLC | https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2022/04/11/acres-originates-73375-million-loan-reflection-condominiums-st-petersburg-fla/ | 2022-04-11T16:28:58 | 1 | https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2022/04/11/acres-originates-73375-million-loan-reflection-condominiums-st-petersburg-fla/ |
DUBAI, UAE, April 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On April 11th, AEX Global announced the launch of Dual investment. In the first issue, AEX will launch BTC / USDT and ETH / USDT financial products simultaneously, and there will be a total of 18000 USDT airdrop, which can be divided up by users that participate in dual investment during the period from April 12 to April 17.
From April 12th to April 17rd, users can get airdrop if they participate in AEX dual investment for any amount. The value of the prize pool is 11000usdt, which is divided according to the ranking of users' investment proportion. The activity has a lucky prize, with a total prize pool of 7000usdt. Users who have a chance to win the prize once a day for 50USDT worth of GAT.
Dual Investment is a short-term fluctuated yield finance product. Users subscribe to a product (such as BTC) through cryptocurrency. After expiration, your return will be denominated in one of the two (such as BTC or USDT).
On AEX, dual investment has two types: Up-and-Exercised and Down-and-Exercised. Upon subscription, you can select investment type, subscription share, strike price, and settlement date., and obtain the corresponding financial products. The linked price is a benchmark price, which is used to compare with the settlement price when the product is due to determine whether to exercise and the final settlement crypto.
The biggest advantage of dual investment is that it can obtain the income of token / USDT regardless of the ups and downs of the market. For strict holders, this type of financial management is a great opportunity to earn more tokens, and even if the prediction is wrong, it will get the corresponding USDT as compensation. The biggest advantage of dual investment is to go through bull and bear without fear of rise and fall. Ignoring the fluctuation of short-term crypto prices is more suitable for top mainstream crypto collectors to participate.
No matter what crypto is obtained by exercising or returned with, the agreed rate of return is constant. The minimum investment amount of AEX dual investment is 0.1BTC and 1ETH. The other advantages include:
- High return rate: compared with other financial products, the return rate is higher.
- Transparent rules:The rules of this investment are completely transparent. The level of return depends on the judgment of the market.
- Stable income: a fixed rate of profits can be realized regardless of the ups and downs of the market.
- Flexible settlement date: users can allocate it flexibly.
- Fast arrival: delivery on the same day and arrival on the same day.
AEX dual investment is a structured crypto earning product composed of spot and option combination, and the settlement crypto is determined according to the "linked price". The interest generated by crypto is usually deposit BTC and get BTC, while the BTC of dual crypto investment deposit may be settled as USDT, which is the core difference of the product model. AEX's BTC / USDT and eth / USDT financial products have multi linked prices and different investment days for users to choose freely.
Beware, dual Investment is a non-principal guaranteed product, whose main risk comes from fluctuation in the market price. In such a case, users cannot predict the market price of BTC/ETH or the difference between the current price and linked price when the investment expired, so which kind of the settlement crypto cannot be predicted either. Therefore, dual investment has not only controllable risk, higher yield, but also certain requirements for professionalism.
At the current stage, AEX dual investment not only has an extremely high yield, but also comes with multiple investment activities that allows infinite imagination. In the future, AEX will launch more diversified financial products to meet the investment needs of users.
Get Airdrop>>
Web Portal: Home - Finance - AEX Earn - Dual Investment. Follow the link: Dual Investment
APP Portal: Home - Finance. Follow the link: Dual Investment
About AEX:
AEX is a crypto exchange established in 2013, the goal is to provide safe, complete, simple diversified crypto finance services for billions of users.The closer you look, the further you see. Its business covers fiat, crypto, financial management, lending, mining and other fields. Financial products include fixed saving, flexible saving, defi pool, staking, dual investment etc. The number of supported cyptos and yield are both in the forefront of the industry. Multiple financial scenarios provide users with richer channels to earn crypto.
AEX: https://www.aex.com/page/h5/m_regist.html#/newByInvite?from=q0c909
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SOURCE AEX exchange | https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2022/04/11/aex-launched-dual-investment-more-than-10k-usdt-airdrop-be-won-within-limited-time/ | 2022-04-11T16:29:04 | 1 | https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2022/04/11/aex-launched-dual-investment-more-than-10k-usdt-airdrop-be-won-within-limited-time/ |
BETHESDA, Md., April 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AGNC Investment Corp. (Nasdaq: AGNC) ("AGNC" or the "Company") announced today it will report first quarter 2022 earnings after market close on May 2, 2022. AGNC will hold a stockholder call and audio webcast on May 3, 2022 at 8:30 am ET. Callers who do not plan on asking a question and have internet access are encouraged to utilize the free webcast at www.AGNC.com. Those who plan on participating in the Q&A or do not have internet available may access the call by dialing (877) 300-5922 (U.S. domestic) or (412) 902-6621 (international). Please advise the operator you are dialing in for the AGNC Investment Corp. stockholder call.
A slide presentation will accompany the call and will be available at www.AGNC.com. Select the Q1 2022 Earnings Presentation link to download and print the presentation in advance of the stockholder call.
An archived audio of the stockholder call combined with the slide presentation will be available on the AGNC website after the call on May 3, 2022. In addition, there will be a phone recording available one hour after the call on May 3, 2022 through May 10, 2022. Those who are interested in hearing the recording of the presentation can access it by dialing (877) 344-7529 (U.S. domestic) or (412) 317-0088 (international), passcode 9845693.
For further information or questions, please contact Investor Relations at (301) 968-9300 or IR@AGNC.com.
ABOUT AGNC INVESTMENT CORP.
AGNC Investment Corp. is an internally-managed real estate investment trust that invests primarily in residential mortgage-backed securities for which the principal and interest payments are guaranteed by a U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise or a U.S. Government agency. For further information, please refer to www.AGNC.com.
CONTACT:
Investor Relations - (301) 968-9300
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SOURCE AGNC Investment Corp. | https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2022/04/11/agnc-investment-corp-announces-date-first-quarter-earnings-release-stockholder-call/ | 2022-04-11T16:29:11 | 1 | https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2022/04/11/agnc-investment-corp-announces-date-first-quarter-earnings-release-stockholder-call/ |
Atlanta airport reclaims title as World’s Busiest Airport
ATLANTA (CNN) - Atlanta’s airport is once again the world’s busiest.
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport knocked China’s Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport from the top spot for 2021, according to the trade association, Airports Council International.
Guangzhou pushed Atlanta off the perch in 2020, breaking Atlanta’s 22-year streak as number one.
Atlanta’s main airport had 75.7 million passengers in 2021. That is up a whopping 76% from 2020, but still nearly 32% below the pre-pandemic 2019 level.
Meanwhile, Guangzhou’s airport dropped to number eight in 2021.
U.S. airports dominated in 2021, with eight of the top 10, but the year before, airports in China took seven of the top 10.
China’s 2020 dominance was because of th early rebound of domestic travel in China.
The country has still not reopened to international visitors.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.wnem.com/2022/04/11/atlanta-airport-reclaims-title-worlds-busiest-airport/ | 2022-04-11T16:29:17 | 0 | https://www.wnem.com/2022/04/11/atlanta-airport-reclaims-title-worlds-busiest-airport/ |
"One for One" Initiative, launched ahead of National Park Week and Earth Day, will help reforest areas across the West affected by devastating wildfires
RENO, Nev., April 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- aha!, powered by veteran ExpressJet Airlines, today announced a partnership with One Tree Planted. For every booking made through May 11, aha! will plant one tree.
"More than 1.5 million acres burned in the Sierra Nevada in 2021 - a new record. We saw devastating wildfires affect communities across the west, including many of the destinations we fly to," said Tim Sieber, head of ExpressJet's aha! business unit. "We jumped at the chance to support reforestation efforts by partnering with One Tree Planted and their 'One for One' initiative."
The partnership is designed to be simple for customers to get involved in global reforestation. For every aha! booking made through May 11, 2022, the company will give $1 to One Tree Planted to plant one tree. The trees are planted by local partner organizations and community volunteers in areas where there has been deforestation.
For more information or to book a flight, visit www.flyaha.com or call the aha! contact center at 775-439-0888.
About aha!
aha! is a leisure brand of ExpressJet Airlines. aha! seeks to provide travelers in smaller communities, many who have seen air service reduced over the past decade through airline mergers, with convenient, short, nonstop flights to high-quality destinations like the Reno-Lake Tahoe region. In addition to offering value-priced, nonstop flights, aha! will soon partner with resorts, casinos and attractions to "bundle" value-priced vacation packages. www.flyaha.com
About ExpressJet Airlines
ExpressJet Airlines operates Embraer ERJ145 regional jet aircraft and has more than 40 years of experience as a regional airline. ExpressJet operates its leisure brand aha!, which provides travelers in smaller communities with convenient, short, nonstop flights to high-quality destinations like the Reno-Lake Tahoe region. The company is expanding its service with specialty charter flights and additional future routes. ExpressJet is majority owned by KAir Enterprises with United Airlines holding a minority interest. www.expressjet.com
About One Tree Planted
One Tree Planted is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on a mission to make it simple for anyone to help the environment by planting trees. Their projects span the globe and are done in partnership with local communities and knowledgeable experts to create an impact for nature, people, and wildlife. Reforestation helps to rebuild forests after fires and floods, provide jobs for social impact, and restore biodiversity. Many projects have overlapping objectives, creating a combination of benefits that contribute to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. To learn more, visit onetreeplanted.org
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SOURCE aha! | https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2022/04/11/aha-partners-with-one-tree-planted-plant-one-tree-every-booking-made-between-april-11-may-11-2022/ | 2022-04-11T16:29:17 | 0 | https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2022/04/11/aha-partners-with-one-tree-planted-plant-one-tree-every-booking-made-between-april-11-may-11-2022/ |
FBI offers $5 million reward for info about ‘armed and dangerous’ fugitive
(Gray News) - The FBI announced a reward of up to $5 million Wednesday for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of a wanted fugitive.
Semion Mogilevich is accused of participating in a scheme that defrauded thousands of investors out of more than $150 million. He was federally indicted in 2002 and 2003 with charges including racketeering, securities fraud, wire fraud, mail fraud and money laundering.
According to the FBI, the indictments allege that between 1993 and 1998, Mogilevich headed and controlled the Mogilevich Enterprise, an association that orchestrated a “sophisticated scheme” to defraud investors in stock.
Mogilevich is described as as a 75-year-old white male, 5′6″ to 5′7″, 290 pounds, balding, with gray hair and green eyes. He has Russian, Ukrainian and Israeli passports. His current residence is believed to be in Moscow, Russia.
The FBI said Mogilevich should be considered armed and dangerous.
Anyone with information can call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI, via WhatsApp at 215-839-6844, or online at tips.fbi.gov. All identities are kept strictly confidential.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wnem.com/2022/04/11/fbi-offers-5-million-reward-info-about-armed-dangerous-fugitive/ | 2022-04-11T16:29:23 | 1 | https://www.wnem.com/2022/04/11/fbi-offers-5-million-reward-info-about-armed-dangerous-fugitive/ |
IRVINE, Calif., April 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Alpha Motor Corporation (Alpha) and Hinduja Tech (HT) have entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to affirm mutually beneficial collaboration opportunities between the two organizations. The scope of cooperation includes the development and production of electric vehicles, postproduction support, joint research, and development of other mobility projects.
HT's experience in End-to-End Automotive Product Development from Concept to SOP plus a period of support with an assurance to reduce the Product Cost will strengthen this partnership.
"Our vision and experience in the efficient production of high-quality electric vehicles align seamlessly with HT and their ethos. We are excited to announce our partnership with HT which fits in with Alpha's growth plans and further boosts our commercialization efforts," said Jada Lee, Vice Chairman of the Board at Alpha Motor Corporation.
Added Lee, "We aim to provide accessible electric vehicles to our consumers while fulfilling our social responsibility. As we continue to take strides to achieve our aspirations, we embrace partnerships such as the one we have with HT."
The envisioned alliance will be a value addition for Alpha to further improve its efficacy in the overall development process of its electric vehicles with the assistance of an experienced global leader in automobile commercialization.
Hinduja Tech's diverse portfolio of product co-development using its unique Frugal Engineering Paradigm with a strong focus on 'zero-base design to cost process' ensures sustainable profitable innovation. Alpha Motor Corporation's expertise in achieving carbon neutrality through clean energy vehicle creation will help bring the shared vision of developing next-gen vehicles. The joint interest and intention will play a pivotal role to accomplish the mission through cost-effective and consumer-conscious solutions.
"With the broad automotive product design experience and manufacturing know-how, HT is thrilled to co-develop new-age electric vehicles for Alpha while ensuring sustainability in every stage of product development," said Vijay Malik, Head-Americas Sales and Global Marketing of Hinduja Tech.
HT will continue to support Alpha in accomplishing its business plans, and in the process will firm up the partnership between the two organizations.
About Alpha Motor Corporation
Alpha Motor Corporation is an American Automobile Company based in Irvine, California with business partnerships spanning across the US, Europe, the Middle East, and South Korea. The company specializes in digital automotive development and virtual validation to efficiently commercialize the next generation of clean energy vehicles. The company's ethos to Move Humanity™ represents synergy for continuous improvement of innovation to enrich humanity with sustainable solutions in mobility.
About Hinduja Tech
Hinduja Tech (HT), part of the multi-billion dollar Global Business Conglomerate, Hinduja Group, is the Integrated Product Engineering and Digital Solutions Provider for the disruptive mobility Industry, with a leadership position in Electric Vehicle (EV) & Autonomous space.
Hinduja Tech's 60+ client list from Fortune 100 includes 7 of the top 10 Global Auto OEMs, leading disruptive and emerging OEMs & Global Tier-1, 2 Suppliers.
HT Global Office Locations: US, Canada, Mexico, India, UK, Germany, Japan, China, Romania
Please contact pr@alphamotorinc.com for more information.
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SOURCE Alpha Motor Corporation | https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2022/04/11/alpha-motor-corporation-enters-mou-with-world-class-e-mobility-engineering-company-hinduja-tech-develop-electric-vehicles-mass-production/ | 2022-04-11T16:29:24 | 1 | https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2022/04/11/alpha-motor-corporation-enters-mou-with-world-class-e-mobility-engineering-company-hinduja-tech-develop-electric-vehicles-mass-production/ |
Federal officials consider transportation mask mandate’s fate
Published: Apr. 11, 2022 at 11:28 AM EDT|Updated: 1 hour ago
(CNN) - An update on the transportation mask mandate is expected to be released later this week.
The White House’s COVID-19 response coordinator said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is coming up with a scientific framework to decide on the health issue.
The federal transportation mask mandate for places like planes and trains, is scheduled to expire on April 18.
In most places nationwide, facial coverings are no longer mandatory in public spaces.
Copyright 2022 CNN Newsource. All rights reserved. | https://www.wnem.com/2022/04/11/federal-officials-consider-transportation-mask-mandates-fate/ | 2022-04-11T16:29:30 | 1 | https://www.wnem.com/2022/04/11/federal-officials-consider-transportation-mask-mandates-fate/ |
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., April 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Link Smart Pet Wearable by Smart Tracking Technologies, LLC has announced that animal behaviorist and celebrity dog trainer Brandon McMillan has joined the Link leadership team. In this role, Brandon will provide content for Link's built-in training tools and expert insight for on-going product innovation.
Brandon, most known for his hit Emmy® winning CBS television series "Lucky Dog," and more recently his wildly popular MasterClass instructional. McMillan has spent his life perfecting the art of dog training and introducing new training systems such as his "7 Common Commands™" and the "Hybrid System" where he takes his knowledge and experience of working with wild animals (specifically wolves) and applies it to the domestic world of dogs. Brandon learned years ago understanding the wolf will teach you everything you need to know about your dog.
"Brandon is a renowned dog trainer, and we are excited to bring his training techniques to all pet parents," said April Boyce, CMO of Smart Tracking Technologies. "We believe Brandon's leadership will greatly enhance Link's current training capabilities and provide enormous benefit to current and future Link customers."
The Link Smart Pet Wearable is a sleek, user-friendly device and is currently the only pet GPS tracking system that features remote tone and vibration training tools for positive reinforcement. The device is built on a proprietary technology platform that works with Link's smartphone app to provide an ecosystem that connects dog parents with every aspect of their pet's well-being. In addition to GPS tracking and customized activity monitoring and analysis, Link Smart Pet Wearable provides access to vet records, unique built-in training tools, and on-the-go resources all supported by a Florida-based concierge services team.
"I am thrilled to be joining the Link family. I believe that smart pet wearables are the future of dog collars and Link is poised to be a leader in the category. Having rescued hundreds of dogs, I know how heartbreaking losing a dog can be. Link provides peace of mind to pet parents knowing where their dog is at all times," said animal behaviorist and expert dog trainer Brandon McMillian. "I train exclusively with tone and vibration and I look forward to creating programs that amplify Link's unique features so pet parents can strengthen their bond with their dogs."
Link and Brandon will work together to create custom dog training videos, consumer events, and educational resources for pet parents to utilize at home and on-the-go with their dogs.
For more information, please visit www.LinkMyPet.com
About Smart Tracking Technologies, LLC
Founded in 2019, Smart Tracking Technologies, LLC (Link) is the technology leader in smart pet wearables and encompasses the entire ecosystem of a pet's wellbeing: Health and Wellness, On the Go Lifestyle, Training and Technology.
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SOURCE Link My Pet | https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2022/04/11/animal-behaviorist-celebrity-dog-trainer-brandon-mcmillan-joins-links-leadership-team/ | 2022-04-11T16:29:31 | 1 | https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2022/04/11/animal-behaviorist-celebrity-dog-trainer-brandon-mcmillan-joins-links-leadership-team/ |
Fiona the hippo is going to be a (very) big sister
CINCINNATI (Gray News) – The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden announced Monday that hippo Fiona’s mother, Bibi, is pregnant again.
“The hippo team is excited and also nervous,” said Eric Byrd, manager of Cincinnati Zoo’s Africa team. “As most people know, Bibi’s first baby, Fiona, was born six weeks premature and wouldn’t have survived without the intervention of her human caregivers. We are hoping for a full-term pregnancy and will be doing everything we can to support Bibi.”
According to the zoo, Bibi is on hormone supplements and will receive regular ultrasounds to monitor the growth and health of her fetus.
The zoo’s director of animal care, Christina Gorsuch, said they weren’t planning to welcome another baby hippo this soon, but nature found a way.
“Most forms of contraception, in hippos or humans, is not 100% reliable,” Gorsuch said. The dose that was previously effective for Bibi did not prevent pregnancy this time.”
The soon-to-be father, Tucker, arrived at the zoo in September 2021 and “was enamored with 23-year-old Bibi right away,” the zoo said.
The zoo will be sharing updates on Bibi and baby preparations in the months leading up to the birth.
Bibi’s big bundle of joy is expected to arrive in late summer 2022.
Copyright 2022 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wnem.com/2022/04/11/fiona-hippo-is-going-be-very-big-sister/ | 2022-04-11T16:29:37 | 1 | https://www.wnem.com/2022/04/11/fiona-hippo-is-going-be-very-big-sister/ |
BROOKLYN, N.Y., April 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Approved Energy is pleased to announce it has engaged RISE Energy Services in a multi-year advisory services agreement. RISE is led by energy industry veterans John Schultz and Mark Taddeo. The agreement covers natural gas and power market expansion, talent acquisition, product development and sales and marketing support.
"We are very excited to partner with RISE Energy Services as we expand our natural gas and power business," says Vincent Theurer, CEO of Approved Energy. "As one of the largest agreeenergy suppliers in the Metro New York City area, we believe Approved Energy is uniquely positioned to grow its natural gas and power business".
"We are proud to partner with Approved Energy as they have the resources and talent to become a leading natural gas and power supplier to Commercial, Industrial, Small Business and Residential consumers", says Mark Taddeo, Co-Founder and Principal of RISE Energy Services.
About Approved Energy…
Approved Energy is a division of Approved Oil Company. Founded in 1932, Approved Oil Company is the largest family-owned fuel oil and service provider to thousands of energy consumers in the New York Metropolitan area.
About RISE Energy Services…
RISE is an energy advisory and services company. We help energy consumers set and achieve sustainability goals and support energy companies and investors by improving the returns on their existing and prospective investments.
Contact: Niraj Parikh, Chief Operating Officer
nparikh@approvedenergy.com
201-627-0075
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SOURCE Approved Energy | https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2022/04/11/approved-energy-rise-energy-services-announce-long-term-energy-advisory-services-agreement/ | 2022-04-11T16:29:39 | 1 | https://www.wflx.com/prnewswire/2022/04/11/approved-energy-rise-energy-services-announce-long-term-energy-advisory-services-agreement/ |