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Wind and hail: Peoria could see severe weather as turbulent storm hits Illinois this week
PEORIA – The first severe storm of spring 2022 is due to arrive in central Illinois Wednesday evening.
According to the National Weather Service, Peoria could see large hail, straight-line wind gusts of 60 miles per hour or higher, and possibly even a tornado.
The weather service rates severe weather on a scale of one to five, with five being the most severe. Peoria is on the western edge of a broad swath of the state in zone three for severe weather Wednesday evening.
“It does look like there’s a chance for several tornados across the region on Wednesday,” said Alex Erwin, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Lincoln.
Though it’s too soon to say where tornados are more likely to form, right now the highest chance for severe weather is south of Springfield.
Turbulent weather will begin on Tuesday, with a chance of strong storms after midnight. Early Wednesday morning, Peoria could see isolated strong winds and large hail. Storms Wednesday morning have the potential to ease the threat for Wednesday night, Erwin said. Forecasters will know more as time passes.
Residents should be 'weather-aware'
With the spring storm season ramping up, it’s a good idea for everyone to review their severe weather plan, Erwin said.
“If a potentially tornadic storm does develop, know where to go when you are at work, or if you are at home, as well as a plan for how to contact other members of the family if you’re not all together when storms hit,” he said
Part of that plan should be keeping an eye on the forecast, Erwin said.
“I wouldn’t necessarily become worried at this point, but you definitely want to remain weather-aware on Wednesday and have a plan in place if strong storms do develop.” | https://www.pjstar.com/story/weather/2022/04/11/severe-weather-to-hit-peoria-illinois/7283242001/ | 2022-04-12T00:53:44 | 1 | https://www.pjstar.com/story/weather/2022/04/11/severe-weather-to-hit-peoria-illinois/7283242001/ |
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Oronoco Fire Department overwhelmed with donations for Ukraine
ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – For the past few weeks, the Oronoco Fire Department (OFD) has been collecting donations of fire gear and equipment to send to Ukraine.
The department has seen an outpouring of donations from fire departments across the state of Minnesota and even a few in Wisconsin.
As of Monday afternoon, there have been 30 fire departments across Minnesota and Wisconsin who have donated gear, so much gear that the department had to find a different building to store it in before it gets collected later this week.
“That’s what I was hoping, was just southeast Minnesota,” Oronoco Fire Department Training Officer Johann Sonnenberg said.
OFD is continuing to work with Minnesota non-profit Chaplain Ministries International to send donated fire equipment to Ukraine.
“Stuff that we had, 10 sets of gear with seven helmets and three sets of boots wasn’t quite enough for them to come down and pick it up,” Sonnenberg said. “I said okay, we’ll see what we can do about getting more.”
OFD reached out to other southeast Minnesota fire chiefs to see if they would participate and received an outstanding response.
“We’ve got turnout gear, helmets, boots, gloves, hoods, SCBAs and extra bottles,” Sonnenberg said.
A call more than two dozen fire departments answered.
“So, we’ve got things from Excelsior, Luverne, three or four or five from Wisconsin, so Siren and Webster Wisconsin and others like Ripon Wisconsin,” Sonnenberg said.
The department never thought they would get this many donations.
“With us we have 30 so far,” Sonnenberg said. “And I have two for sure that are coming tonight and I have a couple that are probably coming on Tuesday.”
So many donations that all of the gear is now being stored in the Oronoco City Shop.
“We just thought we’d keep it in our fire hall and thought no problem, we’d just put it between our engines or we’d find some space and it was way too much. So we’ve brought over three times now, loads of gear and we just have people stop here and offload their gear here because it’s just too much.”
Sonnenberg said Chaplin Ministries International handles the logistics of shipping the gear and donations are used to cover the costs.
The non-profit plans to get the gear to Ukraine, but if it cannot get there safely it will be held onto until it’s safe to deliver or could also be sent to Peru or Mexico.
Copyright 2022 KTTC. All rights reserved. | https://www.kttc.com/2022/04/11/oronoco-fire-department-overwhelmed-with-donations-ukraine/ | 2022-04-12T01:02:58 | 0 | https://www.kttc.com/2022/04/11/oronoco-fire-department-overwhelmed-with-donations-ukraine/ |
DEARBORN COUNTY, Ind. — A statewide Silver Alert has been issued for a 59-year-old man missing out of Dearborn County.
According to the Indiana State Police, Paul Bradley is described as a white male, 5 feet 11 inches tall, who weighs 210 pounds. He has gray hair with blue eyes, police said, and was last seen driving a maroon 200 Dodge Dakota with Indiana license plate TK431OAP.
Bradley was last seen on Monday in Lawrenceburg at 1:35 p.m. He is believed to be in extreme danger and may require medical assistance.
Anyone with information on Paul Bradley is asked to contact the Dearborn County Sheriff’s Department at (812) 532-3200 or 911. | https://fox59.com/indiana-news/silver-alert-issued-for-dearborn-county-man/ | 2022-04-12T01:07:54 | 1 | https://fox59.com/indiana-news/silver-alert-issued-for-dearborn-county-man/ |
INDIANAPOLIS – Nursing schools have started work to enroll more students now that a new state law is in effect.
House Enrolled Act 1003, which went into effect last month after it was signed by Gov. Eric Holcomb, aims to address the state’s shortage of nurses.
Community Health Network has roughly twice the number of job openings for nurses compared to before the pandemic, according to Jean Putnam, chief nursing officer for Community Health Network.
“When you have a shortage, and then you tie that into now you actually need more than you did before, it’s quite a complex kind of arrangement,” Putnam said.
The new state law allows nursing schools to enroll more students and hire more part-time faculty members.
“For the 2021-2022 academic year, we turned away 300 students who are qualified,” said Mary Jane Michalak, vice president of public affairs for Ivy Tech Community College.
Ivy Tech Community College is now working to grow its nursing class sizes by about 40% over the next three years, Michalak said. Being able to hire more part-time instructors will help make that happen, she added.
“We have started marketing to current nurses that they can come work for Ivy Tech on a part-time basis so that we can begin increasing that faculty,” Michalak said.
Nursing schools can also increase the number of simulation hours students perform in lieu of clinical hours, which can help in some situations.
“Especially for OB and mental health nursing and pediatric nursing, those are the most difficult clinical sites to get,” said Dorothy Gomez, dean of the Marian University Leighton School of Nursing.
Putnam said she considers the new law a first step in efforts to bring more Hoosiers into the profession.
“We really need to focus on funding for our nursing schools and other health care programs,” she said. “We have people who want to be nurses and want to work in health care but either aren’t accepted or there’s not room for them.”
The new law also allows foreign-educated nurses to obtain Indiana licenses more easily.
If lawmakers choose to make any changes to funding for nursing schools, that would happen early next year as they work on the new state budget. | https://fox59.com/indianapolitics/indiana-nursing-schools-working-to-enroll-more-students-as-new-law-takes-effect/ | 2022-04-12T01:08:00 | 1 | https://fox59.com/indianapolitics/indiana-nursing-schools-working-to-enroll-more-students-as-new-law-takes-effect/ |
This is the final week for special shopping hours at Costco for seniors, healthcare workers and first responders. The company, which was one of the first to enact the hours in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, will end them starting Monday.
Since March 2020, Costco locations offered an extra hour of shopping from 9-10 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays for those three groups. Seniors were considered those 60 and older. The extra hour ends as of April 18.
Back in July 2021, Costco announced plans to end the senior shopping hours, but reversed course just a few days later as COVID cases spiked around the country from the delta variant.
As far as mask regulations go, Costco said on its website that it follows the lead of local jurisdictions -- something it has consistently done throughout the pandemic.
The omicron variant of COVID-19 has largely run its course, causing local and state governments, as well as business, to back off their pandemic restrictions. But the new, more contagious version of omicron called BA.2 is now the dominant strain in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In rare cases, research shows BA.2 can sicken people even if they’ve already had an omicron infection — although it doesn’t seem to cause more severe disease. Vaccines appear equally effective against both types of omicron. For both, vaccination plus a booster offers strong protection against severe illness and death.
Still, the increased infection rate has some places re-instituting restrictions. Philadelphia became the first major U.S. city to reinstate its indoor mask mandate on Monday after reporting a sharp increase in coronavirus infections. | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/costco-senior-covid-19-hours-ending/507-cd25d6f7-1dde-46eb-96d7-164c7a39e40c | 2022-04-12T01:08:20 | 1 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/costco-senior-covid-19-hours-ending/507-cd25d6f7-1dde-46eb-96d7-164c7a39e40c |
PORTLAND, Ore. — Despite a forecast that showed a high likelihood for snow and temperatures likely to dip below freezing, emergency weather homeless shelters did not open in Multnomah County on Sunday night.
Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas Counties open emergency warming shelters when temperatures drop below freezing, low enough to become dangerous for people sleeping outside.
The unusual and historic storm ended up bringing several inches of snow to the Portland metro area. According to the Joint Office of Homeless Services (JOHS), a partnership between the city of Portland and the county, the decision not to open cold weather shelters was based on earlier forecasts that predicted the snow would only affect higher elevations.
JOHS spokesman Denis Theriault said setting up emergency shelters requires several hours' notice to organize all the moving parts.
"You need a few hundred folks to come out and staff four to six sites," Theriault said. "You've got to get the word out to 211. You've got to get people in charge there. You've got to get the word out to folks to know they can come to those sites. You've got to make sure the sites are staged. You've got to roll out mats, make sure there's food service, make sure folks can get in there. You've got to let TriMet know. There's a lot of steps to do that."
On Monday morning, Commissioner Dan Ryan tweeted that emergency shelters would not open Monday either, because the snow was forecast to be rained away and temperatures would remain above freezing, but added that it was time to reevaluate the threshold system that impacts emergency shelter activation.
Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty also tweeted that she agrees. Ryan's and Hardesty's offices both declined interviews Monday.
Currently, JOHS will open severe weather shelters if one or more of the following criteria are met:
- Temperatures are forecast at 25 degrees or below
- Forecasters predict an inch or more of snow
- Overnight temperatures drop below 32 degrees, with an inch of driving rain
- Other conditions occur as needed, including severe wind chills or extreme temperature fluctuations
JOHS said Monday that it had activated its crisis response street outreach system to distribute cold weather gear. | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/the-story/no-emergency-shelters-portland-snowstorm/283-a1feba0a-bb24-45fa-9b84-b5fc280f9c12 | 2022-04-12T01:08:26 | 1 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/the-story/no-emergency-shelters-portland-snowstorm/283-a1feba0a-bb24-45fa-9b84-b5fc280f9c12 |
The IRS is holding onto nearly $1.5 billion in tax refunds for an estimated 1.5 million people who have not yet filed their 2018 tax returns, and there's only about one week left to collect.
The deadline to get those delinquent 1040s to the IRS for most taxpayers is April 18. Those living in Maine and Massachusetts have until April 19.
"By law, there's only a three-year window to claim these refunds, which closes with this year's April tax deadline," IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig said in a statement on March 28. "We want to help people get these refunds, but they need to file a 2018 tax return before this critical deadline."
The median amount owed to taxpayers who haven't filed their returns is $813, according to IRS estimates. That means half of those refunds will be more and half will be less than $813.
The state with the highest potential median refund is Alaska at $969. The lowest is Idaho at $686.
In addition, some of those who did not file a 2018 return could be eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit, which was worth up to $6,431 for that tax year. The EITC income thresholds for 2018 were as follows:
- $49,194 ($54,884 if married filing jointly) for those with three or more qualifying children
- $45,802 ($51,492 if married filing jointly) for people with two qualifying children
- $40,320 ($46,010 if married filing jointly) for those with one qualifying child, and
- $15,270 ($20,950 if married filing jointly) for people without qualifying children.
Forms 1040s, 1040-As and 1040-EZs for 2018 can be found on IRS.gov.
Those who are missing W-2s or other income forms and who cannot get them from employers, banks or other payers can use the IRS Get Transcript Online tool. | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/nation-world/irs-2018-tax-refunds-uncollected/507-fadeaee2-1489-4250-b721-d0bae3f11888 | 2022-04-12T01:08:32 | 0 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/nation-world/irs-2018-tax-refunds-uncollected/507-fadeaee2-1489-4250-b721-d0bae3f11888 |
WASHINGTON — After two years of extended deadlines due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tax Day is back in April -- but taxpayers still have a few more days than normal due to a D.C. holiday.
Tax Day is officially on Monday, April 18 (April 19 for Maine and Massachusetts due to Patriots' Day in those states). While the deadline is normally April 15, it was pushed back because of the Washington, D.C. holiday of Emancipation Day.
While Emancipation Day is technically on Saturday, April 16, it's observed by the government on the closest weekday. Tax Day was pushed back to the next weekday since D.C. holidays impact tax deadlines for everyone.
Taxpayers who request an extension will have until Oct. 17 to file.
There are also exceptions to the federal deadline for some areas that have suffered natural disasters, like severe storms and wildfires. The IRS lists tax relief information and counties with the extended May 16 deadline here.
Whether you've already filed your tax return or not, here's some things to know in 2022.
Your tax refund may be coming late this year
The IRS has repeatedly said most federal refunds are issued within three weeks for those who file electronically and choose direct deposit. But the agency says some payments may take longer than 21 days and "taxpayers shouldn't rely on getting a refund by a certain date."
Delays can happen if the return has errors, is incomplete, or if the filer is affected by identity theft or fraud. It's also possible for a refund to get delayed due to more niche claims or because the 2021 child tax credit or recovery rebate credit aren't accounted for.
Filing electronically and choosing direct deposit can help speed up your refund.
Online resources may be quicker than calling
Amid COVID-related tax changes last tax season, the IRS said its phone systems received more than 145 million calls from January 1 to May 17. It said the fastest way to get answers is often to use its website.
"Our phone volumes continue to remain at record-setting levels," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig in a statement. "We urge people to check IRS.gov and establish an online account to help them access information more quickly."
Don't forget your third stimulus check and child tax credit letters
You may have received the third COVID-19 economic impact payment in 2021 (better known as the third stimulus check) or the advance child tax credit. But you may not recall how much money you received.
Those who got either or both should have also received letters in the mail this year from the IRS detailing how much money in total they were given in 2021.
- Letter 6475 for the stimulus
- Letter 6419 for the child tax credit
This is important, in part, because the stimulus and child tax credit amounts were based on taxpayers' income level. That amount was estimated off their previous tax returns. If the taxpayer ended up with more or less income in 2021 than in 2020, they may be eligible for more money -- or may owe some back to the IRS.
Those who did not receive some or all of the third stimulus check but believe they are eligible for it can apply for a Recovery Rebate Credit.
Those who took the advance child tax credit last year were eligible to receive up to half the money in monthly installments in 2021 and can get the other half after filing taxes.
Chris McCrory and Travis Pittman contributed to this report. | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/nation-world/when-is-tax-day-2022/507-f4e8246e-3865-42d7-b126-e0896d08e235 | 2022-04-12T01:08:38 | 0 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/nation-world/when-is-tax-day-2022/507-f4e8246e-3865-42d7-b126-e0896d08e235 |
Banks and credit unions have been getting pushback for their long-standing use of overdraft fees, or penalties for covering a purchase when a customer doesn’t have enough funds in their account.
A user on Twitter wrote “it’s expensive to be poor,” alongside a meme that compared financial losses incurred by Americans in 2011 from both overdraft fees and burglary. The graphic claims the cost of burglary totaled $4.8 billion, while overdraft fees accounted for $30.8 billion in losses, a difference of more than six-fold. The post has been shared more than 14,000 times. Another post references the same numbers.
THE QUESTION
Did overdraft fees cost Americans more than six times as much as burglaries in 2011?
THE SOURCES
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- FBI
- Moebs Services
- Bruce McClary, Senior Vice President, Membership & Communications, National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC)
- Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
THE ANSWER
Yes, overdraft fees cost Americans more than six times as much as burglaries in 2011.
WHAT WE FOUND
The meme’s data correctly shows overdraft fees cost Americans more than six times as much as burglaries in 2011, a difference that nearly doubled by 2019, VERIFY confirmed.
VERIFY checked the sources listed at the bottom of the graphic: An economic research group called Moebs Services that studies overdraft fees, and FBI crime data.
The meme’s first statistic, which cites Moebs Services, says Americans paid $30.8 billion in overdraft fees in 2011. That report did indeed find banks and credit unions took in $30.8 billion in overdraft revenue during the fiscal year ending in June 2011. Moebs’ data was later cited in a 2013 report on overdraft fees published by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
The second data point cited in the viral meme is from the FBI. The tweet claims victims of burglary, or the “the unlawful entry of a structure to commit a felony or theft,” as defined by the FBI, lost $4.8 billion in 2011. That’s true; the bureau's data from 2011 reports the same amount was lost in burglaries that year.
Burglaries differ from robberies and larcenies, which do not involve illegal entry into a home or building. The FBI estimates Americans lost an additional $6.4 billion to robberies and "larceny-theft" crimes in 2011.
Though the FBI has reported declines in burglary losses since 2011, banks’ revenue from overdraft fees has largely remained consistent. Moebs Services reported overdraft fees totaled $31.3 billion in 2020 and $32 billion in 2021.
Overdraft protection is not automatically the default for all bank accounts. Customers legally must opt-in in order for their bank to provide this service, which was originally “created in the spirit of convenience” when checks were mailed, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
But the CFPB also says financial institutions have become too reliant on overdraft penalties and similar non-sufficient funds fees (NSF), or charges for bounced transactions.
Since 2015, the agency has taken legal action against multiple financial institutions for deceptive or fraudulent overdraft practices and marketing and collected data on how these fees affect consumers. In 2021, CFPB Director Rohit Chopra announced the organization would pay close attention to banks that rely heavily on overdraft fees.
“Over time…banks figured out how to make even more money off depositors for the ‘privilege’ of holding their money. Rather than compete on the highest interest rate to attract customers, our nation’s largest banks now provide hardly any interest on deposits and charge billions in fees,” CFPB Director Rohit Chopra said in an announcement about the initiative.
On April 6, attorneys general in 15 states plus D.C. urged JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo to eliminate overdraft fees, citing the charges’ disproportionate effect on people of color and low-income customers.
Some banks have already made changes. In January, Bank of America announced it would eliminate and reduce some fees related to low account balances. Citi announced in February it would cut overdraft fees altogether, following similar moves from Capital One and Ally in 2021.
But many experts say too many vulnerable customers are still falling prey to these fees. Critics say the charges, typically around $35, often push cash-strapped customers further into debt.
Some banks will continue to charge for every day the account remains in the negative, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC.) Without money to pay off negative balances, charges can snowball.
CFPB data shows less than 9% of bank customers pay 10 or more overdrafts per year, making up close to 80% of all overdraft revenue. Frequent overdrafters are also more likely to have a lower credit score, implying their access to credit cards is limited, the CFPB also concluded in a 2017 report.
“These overdraft fees are the same dollar amount for somebody making minimum wage as they are for somebody making a hundred thousand dollars a year. It is hitting people hard, especially those who are struggling the most right now,” said Bruce McClary, senior vice president for Membership & Communications at the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC.)
Avoiding these fees can also be confusing when juggling low balances. It’s not always clear when recently-deposited funds will be available to cover pending charges, or when purchases will post to an account.
“Many large banks today penalize their own customers based on things outside their control like the difference between authorization and settlement, the significance of the timing gap between the two, the amount of time a credit may take to show up in the account, the use of one kind of balance over another for fee calculation purposes, or the order of transaction processing across different types of credit and debits,” Chopra said in 2021.
To avoid uncertainty, McClary recommends reading the fine print to understand the most cost-effective way to avoid fees. He also suggested setting up automated alerts that will send notifications when an account's balance is low. | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/verify/yes-overdraft-fees-cost-americans-more-than-burglaries-non-sufficient-funds-banks-credit-unions/536-13e7918d-cacc-46d0-8b89-fdb8dcd5007a | 2022-04-12T01:08:44 | 0 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/verify/yes-overdraft-fees-cost-americans-more-than-burglaries-non-sufficient-funds-banks-credit-unions/536-13e7918d-cacc-46d0-8b89-fdb8dcd5007a |
LAS VEGAS — The NFL Draft is suddenly now just over two weeks away in what is expected to be a highly unpredictable NFL Draft.
But that isn't stopping us from putting out new mock drafts every Monday on the Locked On NFL Draft podcast. Hosts Eric Crocker and Ryan Tracy put out their latest mock drafts every Monday and give their analysis on what they think might happen in this year's draft.
SUBSCRIBE: The Locked On NFL Draft podcast hosted by former NFL cornerback Eric Crocker and Ryan Tracy, founder of Rogue Analytics and Personnel Consulting, is your DAILY podcast covering all things NFL Draft. Available on all platforms including YouTube.
This week, it was co-host Eric Crocker's turn to put out his full round one mock draft, which included a shakeup in his top 10 from his previous mock two weeks ago.
Check out the results of this week’s mock draft below, and tune into the Locked On NFL Draft podcast’s “Mock Draft Monday” episode for their full explanation and analysis.
Locked On NFL Draft Mock Draft - April 11 - Eric Crocker's picks
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
2. Detroit Lions: Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
3. Houston Texans: Travon Walker, EDGE, Georgia
4. New York Jets: Jermaine Johnson, EDGE, Florida State
5. New York Giants: Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
Picks 6-10
6. Carolina Panthers: Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
7. New York Giants: Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
8. Atlanta Falcons: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
9. Seattle Seahawks: Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
10. New York Jets: Jameson Williams, WR, Alabama
Picks 11-15
11. Washington Commanders: Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
12. Minnesota Vikings: Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
13. Houston Texans: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
14. Baltimore Ravens: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
15. Philadelphia Eagles: Andrew Booth, CB, Clemson
Picks 16-20
16. New Orleans Saints: Kenny Pickett, QB, Pittsburgh
17. Los Angeles Chargers: Trevor Penning, OT, Northern Iowa
18. Philadelphia Eagles: Drake London, WR, USC
19. New Orleans Saints: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Desmond Ridder, QB, Cincinnati
Picks 21-25
21. New England Patriots: Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
22. Green Bay Packers: Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
23. Arizona Cardinals: Devonte Wyatt, DT, Georgia
24. Dallas Cowboys: Kenyon Green, IOL, Texas A&M
25. Buffalo Bills: Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
Picks 26-32
26. Tennessee Titans: Zion Johnson, IOL, Boston College
27. Tampa Bay Bucs: Tyler Linderbaum, IOL, Iowa
28. Green Bay Packers: David Ojabo, EDGE, Michigan
29. Kansas City Chiefs: Lewis Cine, S,Georgia
30. Kansas City Chiefs: George Karlaftis, EDGE, Minnesota
31. Cincinnati Bengals: Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
32. Detroit Lions: Daxton Hill, S, Michigan | https://www.kgw.com/article/sports/locked-on/lo-national/locked-on-nfl-draft/nfl-mock-draft-monday-four-edge-rushers-off-the-board-first-locked-on-nfl-draft-podcast-aidan-hutchinson-kayvon-thibodeaux-malik-willis-kenny-pickett/535-14b7600e-13ad-424e-a2eb-c7cd89d7e81d | 2022-04-12T01:08:51 | 1 | https://www.kgw.com/article/sports/locked-on/lo-national/locked-on-nfl-draft/nfl-mock-draft-monday-four-edge-rushers-off-the-board-first-locked-on-nfl-draft-podcast-aidan-hutchinson-kayvon-thibodeaux-malik-willis-kenny-pickett/535-14b7600e-13ad-424e-a2eb-c7cd89d7e81d |
GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Last summer, Crandall Park became a battleground of a new kind. A path of 18 disc golf holes opened, tracing the perimeter of the park and drawing in hundreds of players over the course of the summer. This coming season, the city’s biggest park won’t be the only game in town anymore.
Professional disc golfers Jaimen Hume and Greg Hill came before the city recently with a plan. That plan is for Haviland’s Cove Park, located at the south end of a city neighborhood along the Hudson River, west of Glens Falls Hospital. The park is much smaller and more out of the way than Crandall Park – which is a big part of why it was chosen.
“There’s a bunch of little fire pits back in the woods, and high school kid hangouts; maybe even people staying out there in the wooded parts near the shoreline,” described Hill, who has been involved with growing and promoting the disc golf scene in Glens Falls. “I think running a course along the perimeter of the shoreline would help clean that area up, to be honest.”
Hill and Hume – the latter being the main designer of the Crandall Park course – are proposing a 9-hole course to be created at the park this spring and summer. This second course would be more beginner-friendly by contrast with the Crandall Park one, surrounded by fewer trees and obstacles. The Crandall Park course includes a hole that even makes use of a small wetland water hazard – the kind of thing that could create a discouraging end to a first day learning the ropes.
Hume says that another benefit to the Haviland Cove course would be to provide an easier place to play disc golf for families. Some courses aren’t easy for younger players, but he envisions this one being much more forgiving. A half-length course near a playground and community grill invites a full day for families.
By contrast, the Crandall Park course’s 18 holes travel through the park’s woodland, inviting challengers to try their luck hurling golf discs toward a chain basket. Last summer, the course saw hundreds of visitors per month.
Glens Falls Tourism and Development Director Amy Collins said 646 players were recorded in June 2021, when the course held its first official tournament. Over 150 players were signed up for the tournament alone. August saw 498 more. In September, the park hosted a second tournament benefitting the Ed Bartholomew Fund, a nonprofit named after the development director who had blazed the trail on getting the course made to begin with.
“We really want to bring investment back to our recreation areas,” Collins said last week, “because we noticed – especially during the pandemic – how critically important those rec areas are. Just being able to get out and do things safely. I think you can look at what happened with golf, because golf was one of few things that could operate safely, and I think disc golf may have seen similar growth.”
Hill agrees with that. In the world of professional disc golf, the COVID-19 pandemic was a period of growth for the sport, as a reason to get outdoors became ever-more attractive. Hill hosts a putting league at Northway Brewing Co. in Queensbury. Since getting it going, the number of visitors even there has doubled.
That enthusiasm for the sport has been echoed throughout the city, from the community to the folks in City Hall. That’s why, even though he hasn’t heard a set-in-stone “yes” from the city of Glens Falls yet, Hill is confident that the course is happening.
Not only do the golfers want more places to play, but the city sees Haviland’s Cove as a place in need of some new life. The city has previously considered adding an amphitheater or a dog park to the location by the river. What makes disc golf a better idea?
“Disc golf is extremely low-budget,” Hill said. “I think it would be a great way to beautify the park.”
Parks, and new forms of recreation therein, have been a big priority for the city for some time. The Crandall Park disc golf course was one of a trio of recently-unveiled additions to the park. The other two were a new set of pickleball courts, and a splash pad water feature unveiled last summer in the park’s playground.
Once the city gives the Haviland course the OK, the longest task ahead will be creating a path and setting up the individual holes that make up a disc golf trail. The hope is to get the course up and running sometime this summer.
Hill foresees potential disc golf growth elsewhere in the immediate area. West Mountain’s ski area has been expanding, with owners looking to create a full and proper ski resort with year-round attractions. Schenectady has adopted a disc golf course into its Central Park in recent years. It’s an easy-pickup sport with plenty more places to grow.
“We definitely have some lines of communications with other potential spots in the area,” said Hill. “I think Haviland’s Cove is the most promising.” | https://www.wivb.com/news/new-york/second-disc-golf-course-coming-to-glens-falls/ | 2022-04-12T01:10:58 | 1 | https://www.wivb.com/news/new-york/second-disc-golf-course-coming-to-glens-falls/ |
(WSYR-TV) — A Syracuse man is accused of going on a violent crime spree in the city.
Officers say it all started Sunday afternoon when 32-year-old William Kaulback stole items from Joe’s Quick Mart. He was arrested and later kicked a police cruiser and a door at the justice center. But that was only the beginning, officers say.
After being arraigned and released, Kaulback went to the 300 block of Hartson Street and smashed the front windshield of his sister’s car with a jack.
Just after 10:30 p.m., he broke a window at Universal Auto Sales on Pulaski Street along with a motorcycle. Then a window at Schindler Elevator before busting a window at Destiny USA. He then took his frustration out on 45 vehicles at Millenium Auto Brokers along Hiawatha Boulevard East, which caused $14k in damages.
Kaulaback was finally located after damaging windows at two more businesses. He is facing numerous counts of criminal mischief. | https://www.wivb.com/news/new-york/syracuse-man-goes-on-sunday-night-crime-spree/ | 2022-04-12T01:11:04 | 1 | https://www.wivb.com/news/new-york/syracuse-man-goes-on-sunday-night-crime-spree/ |
NIPTON, Calif. (KLAS) – The whole town of Nipton, California has once again been sold, according to the realtor who represented the property.
Many of the sale details are not yet being made public, including the price. Nexstar’s KLAS has been able to confirm it was bought by a group out of Las Vegas. In late 2020, the tiny town was listed for $2.75 million.
Nipton has railroad tracks on one side and a massive Joshua tree forest on the other in the Mojave National Preserve. The tiny desert town attracts stargazers, motorcycle riders, photographers, railroad buffs, and others seeking to escape city life, if just for a day.
The town currently has a population of 15 – 20 people. It has been sold several times before. In 2017 it was bought by a large cannabis company for $5 million. The company tried to rebrand it as Magical Nipton. The company had ambitious plans to turn it into a cannabis retreat. It spent a lot of money on infrastructure, built several eco-cabins, comfy teepees for visitors, installed massive public art pieces, and did restoration work on some of the historic structures. But the cannabis retreat didn’t materialize, so the town reverted to its previous owner.
That was Roxanne Lang. She and her late husband Jerry Freeman worked and lived in Ivanpah Valley for over 50 years. Freeman came to Nipton in the 1960s on the Union Pacific Railroad line from Los Angeles.
Nipton was first founded in 1905, a few months before Las Vegas was founded. And similar to Las Vegas, Nipton came into existence when the San Pedro, Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad arrived. It was the crossroads for two different wagon trails and a mining camp and it became a center for area cattle ranchers, including Hollywood royalty Rex Bell and Clara Bow.
The two owned the Walking Box Ranch just down the road and now the hotel has the Clara B room. And yes, some say the hotel is also haunted and claim they have felt Bow’s presence in her namesake room.
Freeman was staking gold mining claims on the weekend when he was in graduate school at the University of California Los Angeles and had previously earned a geology degree from Cal Tech. It took him 20 years to establish a publicly-traded gold mining company, Vanderbilt Gold, in Ivanpah Valley. He then started growing jojoba, which is also known as goat nut, deer nut, or pignut, and bio-mass fuel plants in the 1980s.
During this time he purchased Nipton, which led to him convincing Lang to leave her home in Malibu and head east. Land said Freeman’s vision for Nipton was sustainability. He did this by building a solar plant for the community, the first in Ivanpah Valley.
At one point in time, Nipton was called the most energy-independent town in America and was featured in a New York Times article about going green.
Freeman passed away in 2016. The inscription on his tombstone tells his story: Visionary Extraordinaire, Builder of teepees, towns and treasures. Captain of the desert and the sea.
Nipton is located about 65 miles south of Las Vegas. | https://www.wivb.com/news/tiny-california-town-with-less-than-two-dozen-residents-sells-again/ | 2022-04-12T01:11:10 | 0 | https://www.wivb.com/news/tiny-california-town-with-less-than-two-dozen-residents-sells-again/ |
TORONTO (WIVB) – Come Tuesday night the Sabres will get a “Power surge”, turn on the “Power button”, after making a “Power move”, whatever pun you want to use, chances are we’ve heard most of them by now as Owen Power gets ready to make his NHL debut.
“Yeah I think every guy has been so good especially to me coming in, everybody’s been so welcoming and so nice to me. They’re just trying to include me in everything so I think they’ve done a great job making it easy for me coming in and adjust,” Power said after practice in Toronto on Monday.
After signing his three-year, entry level deal on Friday, Power met the Sabres in Tampa and will now play his first game as a pro not far from where he grew up. He’s from Mississauga so that certainly adds to the excitement of making his NHL debut against the Maple Leafs.
“It’s pretty cool, being here in Toronto for kind of my first stretch so it’s definitely a special moment.”
While the Sabres are a young team, for a 19 year-old about to suit up for the first time as a pro, there’s a lot of guys he can learn from. One of them is Henri Jokiharju who Power spent most of Monday’s practice skating alongside.
Another guy Power’s leaned on in his short time with the Sabres is Rasmus Dahlin which makes sense given he was in his shoes not too long ago as the number one overall pick in 2018.
“I think he’s a guy that’s kind of gone through the same experience so I think he’s someone I can really lean on, just ask as many questions as I can and just learn from him,” Power explained.
“He’s a young kid, he’s here to learn and it takes time so that’s going to be my advice to him. It takes time, just let him be who he is and develop so, no rush,” Dahlin said after practice on Monday.
After the Sabres drafted Power first overall in 2021, he had to decide whether or not to go back to college. Ultimately that’s what he did as he spent one more season playing for Michigan. And it wasn’t just the playing time he got there that was valuable but the other experiences this past year as well.
“I think the Olympics and World Championships especially have given me more confidence coming in here playing against pros and I kind of know a little bit what it’s like so, I think those two appearances have helped me,” Power said.
In his zoom call on Friday, Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams said he doesn’t want Power to come in and feel like there’s all this weight on his shoulders, which can certainly happen given high expectations surrounding the top draft pick. But head coach Don Granato echoed Adams’ statement saying they don’t want to overwhelm him right off the bat.
“We don’t want to throw a lot at him, we haven’t, we’ll let him absorb it at his own rate. It was big to get him into practice and see how we practice and play and certain points of emphasis we have and it’s all going to come somewhat, I guess organically. We’re not going to push and inundate him with information overload,” Granato said.
Power is set to make his NHL debut Tuesday in Toronto as the Sabres take on the Maple Leafs and wrap up a four-game road trip. Puck drop on Tuesday night is set for seven. | https://www.wivb.com/sports/owen-power-gets-ready-for-nhl-debut-with-sabres/ | 2022-04-12T01:11:16 | 1 | https://www.wivb.com/sports/owen-power-gets-ready-for-nhl-debut-with-sabres/ |
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — On the battlefield, the military pushes for precision and consistency, but federal investigators say those qualities are missing in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ process for calculating wait time.
A memo from the VA’s Office of Inspector General expressed concerns about consistency and transparency in calculating and disclosing wait time data.
“The inconsistent use of start dates for calculating wait times can be misleading and may result in inaccurate reporting,” the memo said.
Jimmie Smith, the Florida Director of Concerned Veterans for American, claims the VA is gaming the system to control the data.
“That’s intentional,” Smith said. “That’s not something that is done accidentally.”
Wait times are the key stat for the VA’s Community Care that forces the VA to pay civilian doctors to care for patients who wait 20 days or longer for primary care appointments, and 28 days for specialty care. Veterans also qualify for Community Care if they live too far from a VA facility or if the care they need is not offered by the agency.
The memo was released within days of the date that marks eight years since the Phoenix VA scandal first made headlines. Several veterans died while waiting for care on a secret list allegedly created to hide long wait times.
The 2014 Choice Act was enacted by Congress and created Community Care to help veterans avoid long waits. But critics claimed the VA was not properly calculating the wait times, prompting the 2018 Mission Act that stated the wait time calendar should start on the date the patient requests an appointment.
As 8 On Your Side reported, a records request revealed only 106,000 Tampa Bay area veterans received Community Care during a two-year period starting in 2020. Only nine, a fraction of one percent, received primary care during that time frame. Local VA employees have said they were trained not to offer primary care.
Last week, VA Secretary Denis McDonough told Congress, on average, wait times are good but he said he feared some veterans are waiting too long for care.
VA Press Secretary Terrence Hayes said the VA “appreciates the OIG’s review and is working to develop a more clear and consistent system to measure access and wait times and build upon our public reporting transparency.”
“We are committed to providing veterans the best experience possible when seeking care and ensuring they have all options available to them when making healthcare decisions,” Hayes said.
Smith said delayed care “is potentially killing veterans.” But he added he has noticed an uptick in veterans frustrated by long wait times dying by suicide, including someone he served with in the Persian Gulf.
“Successful in the community. Hard working. Good family guy and just out of the blue he takes his life,” Smith said. “The VA is not receiving the message that veterans are literally killing themselves, screaming for better care from the VA.” | https://www.wfla.com/8-on-your-side/va-wait-time-process-inconsistent-and-misleading-feds-say/ | 2022-04-12T01:15:04 | 0 | https://www.wfla.com/8-on-your-side/va-wait-time-process-inconsistent-and-misleading-feds-say/ |
NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. (WFLA) — The state of Florida began its trial against the nation’s largest pharmacy chain on Monday, aiming to hold Walgreens responsible for helping create the opioid crisis.
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody said her office wants Walgreens to be held to account “for its role in helping create and fuel the deadly opioid crisis devastating Florida families and draining taxpayer-funded resources.”
Moody was in court Monday as the trial got underway with opening statements from attorney Jim Webster, who said Walgreens sold billions of opioids in Florida that never should have been sold,”
“Walgreens was the last line of defense in improperly distributing opioids,” said Webster. “The evidence will show that millions of times, Walgreens ignored its duty to investigate suspicious prescriptions. Instead, it filled them as quickly as possible.”
Moody’s office said Walgreens is the lone holdout in a campaign that has recovered more than $3 billion from manufacturers, distributors and pharmacies involved in the opioid crisis. Last week, another giant pharmacy chain, CVS, settled with the state for $484 million.
Walgreens fought back against Webster’s allegations in its own opening statement, arguing it was the state of Florida that did nothing and shifting the blame to drug manufacturers.
“They caused this epidemic by misrepresenting the risks and benefits to pharmacies,” Derringer said.
Attorneys said the trial could last anywhere from three to eight weeks. | https://www.wfla.com/news/pasco-county/trial-begins-in-florida-opioid-lawsuit-case-against-walgreens/ | 2022-04-12T01:15:10 | 1 | https://www.wfla.com/news/pasco-county/trial-begins-in-florida-opioid-lawsuit-case-against-walgreens/ |
LOS ANGELES (KTLA) – Three suspected catalytic converter thieves evaded Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies during a high-speed chase up to the Santa Clarita Valley early Saturday morning, but were brought into custody after they crashed into a deputy involved in an unrelated pursuit.
The suspects were caught on a security camera targeting homes in the middle of the night and stealing catalytic converters. The homeowner did not want to be identified but said it appeared four men were involved, including two lookout drivers.
Sheriff’s deputies eventually located a minivan believed to be connected to the catalytic converter thefts that was driving on the 5 Freeway in Valencia. Authorities pursued the driver but the chase was called off after the driver took off at dangerous speeds.
A short time later, deputies responded to a call from Burbank police regarding a suspected stolen vehicle and another pursuit began on the 5 Freeway, this time in Newhall. The call was unrelated to the catalytic converter thefts, LASD said.
While assisting Burbank police, a crash occurred involving a sheriff’s deputy vehicle and the suspects from the earlier pursuit. Inside the suspects’ vehicle, officers said they found at least eight catalytic converters.
All three of the suspects were taken to a local hospital, along with the deputy involved in the crash, but no serious injuries were reported by authorities.
Authorities encourage residents to do what they can to prevent catalytic converter thefts. Some steps you can take include getting your catalytic converter etched, installing cameras on your property, and parking in well-lit areas or in a garage if possible. | https://www.wric.com/news/suspected-catalytic-converter-thieves-crash-into-deputy-on-unrelated-chase/ | 2022-04-12T01:15:21 | 1 | https://www.wric.com/news/suspected-catalytic-converter-thieves-crash-into-deputy-on-unrelated-chase/ |
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC)-Governor Glenn Youngkin is amending a controversial bill that could lift a partial ban on facial recognition technology in Virginia.
Supporters say it’s an important tool for police to pursue justice. Opponents call it “invasive” and “authoritarian.”
With hours remaining before an action deadline on Monday, Youngkin released three proposed amendments “strengthening” the bill with limited details.
“The amendments require additional training and establish the Virginia State Police as a resource for local law enforcement who need to utilize the technology,” Youngkin’s press release said.
Senator Scott Surovell (D-Fairfax), who sponsored the bill, called Youngkin’s changes “minor.”
Surovell said, if passed as amended, local and campus police departments will once again be able to use facial recognition technology in certain circumstances. He clarified that Youngkin’s amendments direct Virginia State Police to establish protocols for collaboration guided by model policies but they don’t require their involvement.
Youngkin’s office didn’t immediately respond when asked to elaborate on the proposed changes in a phone call but an aide confirmed the suggestions came from a recent roundtable on facial recognition technology.
The General Assembly will need to accept the changes in a session scheduled for April 27. The bill split members of both political parties and created unlikely alliances during the regular session.
If passed, the bill will scrap a partial ban that state lawmakers approved just last year.
Surovell said the current prohibition on facial recognition technology applies to campus and local police departments. He said it doesn’t apply to Virginia State Police, State Capitol Police or private police like those employed by airport authorities.
Surovell said nothing in the current law stops police departments from bypassing the ban by asking VSP to run a search for them.
“Existing policy is not very well thought out. It contained a lot of holes and it wasn’t exactly what we thought we were voting for,” Surovell said.
For the first time, Surovell said his bill could set transparency requirements, clear penalties for misusing the technology and accuracy standards. He said it also lays out specific circumstances in which the technology can and cannot be used.
Asked why he didn’t support expanding the ban, instead of setting up safeguards that some argue are insufficient, Surovell said, “I don’t think a ban is necessarily a smart thing to do. I don’t know why we would prohibit law enforcement from using technology that accesses publicly available information and makes it usable for them. The bill explicitly prohibits surveillance and monitoring or any type of live use of the technology.”
Surovell said the bill authorizes the use of the technology in 12 circumstances, including while investigating a specific criminal incident, locating a specific witness, aiding an AMBER Alert, identifying someone in a coma and investigating child pornography.
In a letter to lawmakers last month, several advocacy groups, including the ACLU of Virginia, said these technologies are disproportionately used in Black and Brown communities and are “more inaccurate in identifying Black and Brown people.”
“When used by police in criminal investigations, facial recognition technology can, and has, led to wrongful arrests and civil rights violations,” the letter said. “Facial recognition software is an inherently authoritarian software that makes all of us less safe and less free.”
Surovell called those concerns “misplaced” since the bill explicitly prohibits facial recognition technology from being used as the basis for a search or arrest warrant. He said police will have to corroborate results in an independent investigation.
Regardless, Senator Bryce Reeves (R-Spotsylvania), who used to work in law enforcement, fears the bill was rushed and could be abused by officers.
“Ninety-nine percent of law enforcement are ethical, law-abiding, morally-straight people…But do I think there’s opportunities for abuse? Absolutely,” Reeves said. “I’ve heard from several colleagues on the condition of anonymity that they think the same.”
Reeves said police should be required to obtain a search warrant to use facial recognition technology in the first place, an idea Surovell called “clunky” and “unworkable.”
“In this case, the losers are Virginians because I think this is a very strong encroachment on your individual liberties,” Reeves said.
Fairfax County Police Department Detective Brian Takagi thinks the safeguards in the bill are important to prevent abuse. He also thinks the technology is misunderstood by the public.
Takagi said the department started using it in 2019 before the ban took effect. He said they had success in hundreds of cases, including bank robberies and a sexual assault investigations that had gone cold.
“Typically these are the cases where there are no more leads for that detective. They’re kind of at the end of their investigation and this just opens it back up,” Takagi said. “Once that ban went into effect, it dramatically affected our ability to identify offenders in cases.”
Takagi said they previously pulled images from their mug shot system, as well as still photos from home and commercial cameras obtained for a specific investigation. Surovell said his bill would allow police to request help from a handful of companies that meet certain accuracy standards and search databases that obtain images from a range of sources, including social media.
Takagi said he would often spend between two to four hours manually comparing images after their system generated a match. Then an officer would conduct an investigation based on that lead with the understanding that the images didn’t give them probable cause, according to Takagi.
“So the great fear is the computer is doing all the work and we’re relying solely on the computer, but there is always a person behind it,” Takagi said. | https://www.wric.com/news/virginia-news/youngkin-amends-bill-lifting-facial-recognition-technology-ban-in-virginia/ | 2022-04-12T01:15:27 | 1 | https://www.wric.com/news/virginia-news/youngkin-amends-bill-lifting-facial-recognition-technology-ban-in-virginia/ |
Dozens of students graduate from ‘Suits For Seniors’ program
In just one month, Palm Beach County high school seniors will be turning their tassels, and some will walk away with even more tools to help them launch a successful career.
Dozens of students from Palm Beach Lakes and Palm Beach Gardens Community High Schools will celebrate with a formal graduation ceremony after completing the free Suits for Seniors immersive eight-week leadership program.
The program provides low-income Palm Beach County students with a series of sessions on leadership, financial literacy, careers, and entrepreneurship.
“I was really happy to know that they were supportive, and they listen to the things I've went through,” said Jade Murphy, a senior at Palm Beach Gardens Community High School. “It just made it a lot easier to be where I am now.”
To celebrate the completion of the program, each student is gifted a custom-tailored suit so they’re ready for the professional setting.
“We give kids a chance and opportunity to post-secondary success,” said Tae Edmonds, CEO and Founder of Suits for Seniors. “We expose them to careers and professionals and mentors that we know they would not have met without our program.”
Founded in 2015, Suits for Seniors is the preeminent leadership development program for at-risk high school seniors in Palm Beach County.
“We learned about the transition from high school as a senior into college and into the real world,” said Angel Buchannon, a former Suits for Seniors participant. “We learned about doing taxes, banking, things like that, that you do not go over in high school.”
The non-profit organization has helped more than 1,400 students graduate from high school.
For more information about Suits for Seniors, click here.
Scripps Only Content 2022 | https://www.wflx.com/2022/04/12/dozens-students-graduate-suits-seniors-program/ | 2022-04-12T01:15:38 | 1 | https://www.wflx.com/2022/04/12/dozens-students-graduate-suits-seniors-program/ |
Judge: Lori Vallow, charged with killing her children, now fit for trial
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — An Idaho judge ruled Monday that a mother accused of conspiring to kill her children, her estranged husband and a lover’s wife is now mentally competent to stand trial on some of the charges in Idaho.
Daybell and her new husband, Chad Daybell, face numerous charges in the complicated case involving allegations of bizarre spiritual beliefs involving “zombies” and doomsday predictions.
Prosecutors have said that Lori and Chad Daybell espoused the religious beliefs in an effort to encourage or justify the murders.
The case against her had been hold for months after Judge Steven Boyce ordered her committed to a mental facility so she could undergo treatment in an effort to make her mentally fit enough to assist in her own defense.
Boyce’s new order said Lori Vallow Daybell “is restored to competency and is fit to proceed” in the Idaho murder case. He did not provide other details about her treatment or mental condition.
She is scheduled to be formally arraigned in court next week and both Lori and Chad Daybell are set to stand trial together early next year.
Tare charged withconspiracy to commit murder and first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Lori Daybell’s children 7-year-old Joshua “JJ” Vallow, 16-year-old Tylee Ryan, as well as Chad Daybell’s first wife, Tammy Daybell.
Lori Daybell is also charged in Arizona with conspiring to kill her former estranged husband, Charles Vallow, with the help of her now-deceased brother, Alex Cox.
Chad Daybell has pleaded not guilty to the charges and Lori Daybell has not yet had an opportunity to enter a plea. Chad Daybell’s attorney, John Prior, declined to comment on the case. Lori Daybell’s attorney, Jim Archibald, did not immediately respond to voice and email messages requesting comment.
An indictment said Chad and Lori Daybell in 2018 while still married to other people began espousing an apocalyptical system of religious belief.
Lori Daybell’s brother Alex Cox shot and killed her estranged husband, Charles Vallow, in suburban Phoenix, according to an indictment in Arizona.
Cox asserted the shooting was in self-defense, and he was never charged. At the time, Charles Vallow was seeking a divorce, saying his wife believed she had become a god-like figure responsible for ushering in the biblical end of times. Cox later died of an apparent blood clot in his lung.
Shortly after Charles Vallow’s death, Lori Daybell — who then had the last name Vallow — and her children moved to the rural eastern Idaho community of Rexburg, near where Chad Daybell lived. At the time, Chad Daybell was married to Tammy Daybell. She died in October of 2019, and her obituary said the death was from natural causes.
Authorities grew suspicious, however, when Chad and Lori Daybell got married just two weeks later, and investigators had Tammy Daybell’s body exhumed for an autopsy. Authorities have not released her cause of death.
Police began searching for Lori Daybell’s youngest two children in November after relatives raised concerns. The Daybells quickly left town, and were found months later in Hawaii without the children.
Investigators later found the bodies of JJ and Tylee buried in Chad Daybell’s yard back in Idaho. They have not disclosed causes of death but court documents said Tylee’s body was partially burned.
Friends of the Daybells told investigators that the couple believed people could become “zombies” if they were possessed by evil spirits, a state in which their soul was trapped in limbo, according to police reports. The couple reportedly believed that the only way to rid a person of a zombie was for their body to die, according to police reports.
A friend of the couple, Melanie Gibb, told investigators that Lori Daybell referred to her youngest children as “zombies,” and police in Arizona said the couple exchanged text messages saying that Tammy Daybell had been possessed by a dark spirit.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wflx.com/2022/04/12/judge-lori-vallow-charged-with-killing-her-children-now-fit-trial/ | 2022-04-12T01:15:45 | 0 | https://www.wflx.com/2022/04/12/judge-lori-vallow-charged-with-killing-her-children-now-fit-trial/ |
South Carolina park ‘consistently’ being used for illegal sexual activity, police say
GREENVILLE, S.C. (WHNS/Gray News) - Authorities said they are investigating illegal sexual activity that is occurring “consistently” at a park in South Carolina.
Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis said his agency has received numerous complaints about people having sex at Pelham Mill Park in Greer, South Carolina.
The incidents have occurred in the parking lot, in the woods and even out in the open, according to the sheriff. Despite arrests, the activity has continued, WHNS reports.
Innocent bystanders including children have witnessed the activity, according to the sheriff.
“Under no circumstance should a young child or community member who is trying to enjoy a peaceful day at a park have to be exposed to this sort of activity,” Lewis said. “We are continuing our efforts to patrol the area and to identify those who are blatantly exposing themselves and engaging in illegal sexual activity, but we also need the community’s help with reporting this suspicious behavior.”
Anyone who witnesses this activity is asked to call the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office at 864-271-5210.
“More importantly, I want to speak to the people who are committing these acts and simply let them know that we are familiar with the apps you use to engage in this activity, we know your intentions, and to stop,” Lewis said. “There are appropriate places to engage in adult activities, and a public place is not that area. We must think about others when we act, and I ask the community to be considerate of one another and especially our youth.”
Copyright 2022 WHNS via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wflx.com/2022/04/12/south-carolina-park-consistently-being-used-illegal-sexual-activity-police-say/ | 2022-04-12T01:15:51 | 0 | https://www.wflx.com/2022/04/12/south-carolina-park-consistently-being-used-illegal-sexual-activity-police-say/ |
Residents were outraged last month when one of the city’s three ambulances was moved downtown from the fire station in the village of Penacook — which is part of Concord but about 5 miles north of downtown and a world apart from the high-end developments along Main Street.
But is the outrage going to be enough to push city leaders to fund another ambulance? As city leaders sink into budget deliberations this month, the balance between providing adequate services and trying to maintain affordable property taxes is on full display across the state.
In the meantime, Concord’s fire department is trying to stretch its resources.
Moving the ambulance from Penacook’s Manor Station to the Central Station in downtown Concord seemed like the best way to position a Band-Aid on the bullet wound that is the rising need for emergency medical care, said interim Fire Chief John Chisholm.
The department consulted “heat maps” showing where most calls originated. Because so many calls come from downtown neighborhoods and from the Heights, Firefighters Union President Justin Kantar said, the Penacook ambulance wasn’t spending much time in Penacook.
Think about how long it takes to get from downtown Concord to Penacook, Kantar said. What if someone downtown needs emergency medical care, and the only available ambulance is all the way up in Penacook?
“We’re so busy now, that resource isn’t in Penacook most of the time anyway,” Kantar said.
Longer-term, Kantar and Chisholm said, they are hoping the City Council will find a way to fund a new ambulance and hire firefighters to run it.
Slow-burning problem
As Concord has grown and the population has gotten older, residents of the Capitol City have needed more emergency medical care. Add to that the drug epidemic, and in Concord — like just about everywhere else in the United States — the number of 911 calls for medical care have skyrocketed in recent decades.
Though the number of calls has doubled in the last 25 years, Kantar said, the city has the same number of firefighters it did in 2000. Concord is also called to help during emergencies in the small surrounding towns, he said, because those towns rely on volunteer fire departments.
Firefighters and emergency medics spend their days rushing from one call to another, Kantar said, and there is little free time for training and vehicle maintenance.
“All while also taking a moment to go to the bathroom and eat a meal,” he said.
At the end of a shift, firefighters are worn out, Kantar said. He wonders how many more shifts, how many more months and years firefighters can take working at this clip.
“We’re getting to the end of our ropes,” Kantar said.
Temporary solution
There is still an emergency medical technician at the Manor Station, Chisholm said, so advanced medical care has not gotten farther away for Penacook residents, and he said the City Council approved funding to make it possible to pay overtime to make sure there were always 20 firefighters on duty around the city.
But the bigger budget increase, to purchase a fourth ambulance and hire people to staff it, is anything but certain.
Kantar said he feels like there is support for another ambulance, but he wonders if people will be in favor — he guessed it could bring up the property tax rate by 1% to 2%. Maybe the community’s outrage will help push that kind of increase through, he said.
“You have to pay to have adequate services,” Kantar said. “It’s a hard pill to swallow.”
The fire department has requested an additional ambulance in past budgets, Chisholm said, but those requests went nowhere. He hopes this year will be different because of all the outcry over the ambulance move. But he’s wary.
“It makes me hopeful that maybe there’s support for the fourth ambulance, but we’ll have to see what budget season brings,” Chisholm said. “There’s a lot of factors now that council has to consider, beyond the fire department.”
In the meantime, the fire department is only getting busier.
The department responds to an average of 28 to 29 calls every day. Last year’s 9,730 calls was a record-high for the department, Kantar said.
This year, he said, Concord firefighters are on track to respond to more than 10,000 calls. And it’s taking a toll.
“There’s definitely been stress fractures to the system,” Kantar said. “You continue to live and do the best you can, until those stress fractures become larger breaks.” | https://www.unionleader.com/concord-firefighters-hope-ambulance-shuffle-has-primed-city-to-fund-another-ambulance/article_cfb3c624-44a1-5992-9684-e0639a49722c.html | 2022-04-12T01:19:25 | 1 | https://www.unionleader.com/concord-firefighters-hope-ambulance-shuffle-has-primed-city-to-fund-another-ambulance/article_cfb3c624-44a1-5992-9684-e0639a49722c.html |
HANOVER -- Architectural design renderings for an $88 million expansion and renovation of the Hopkins Center for the Arts were unveiled by Dartmouth College last week.
So far the campaign to fund the project has raised more than $50 million with the support of many alumni who have gone on to make a name for themselves in the arts, including David Benioff, Connie Britton, Rachel Dratch, Mindy Kaling, Chris Meledandri and Sharon Washington.
"My dreams of life in the performing arts were honed and solidified in every corner of the Hop, and the profound immersive opportunities of the place have certainly shaped everyone who's walked through it. So I am thrilled with Dartmouth’s commitment to continue and grow the Hop’s enduring and transformative legacy," Britton, a four-time Emmy nominee and a Dartmouth trustee, said in a news release last week.
The project includes the creation of about 15,000 square feet of new space and the renovation of 55,000 square feet of existing space.
The New York office of the design practice Snøhetta has been engaged for the project which will honor the original 1962 architecture by Wallace K. Harrison, the architect of New York City's Lincoln Center.
“It reimagines the function and flow of the iconic building by creating open and flexible performance and rehearsal spaces that will meet current and future needs of students, faculty, and artists. It will enhance audience engagement by substantially improving accessibility and technological capabilities, and by establishing new spaces to gather while merging indoor spaces and a new outdoor plaza landscape,” the college said.
Construction is scheduled to begin in late 2022, with the new center opening in 2025.
“As an essential component of the Dartmouth liberal arts experience, the arts help Dartmouth students become curious, empathetic and creative,” Dartmouth President Philip J. Hanlon said in a news release. “The revitalized Hop will advance our mission and enhance opportunities for artistic exploration and growth, inspiring students, faculty, staff, and alumni, and welcoming visitors from across New England and beyond.”
When the cost of crude oil soared to new highs in early March with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, prices at the gasoline pump followed. They climbed 17% in a little over a week.
Artem Severiukhin, a 15-year-old Russian go-kart driver, is under investigation by international motorsports' governing body for making what appeared to be a Nazi salute after his victory Sunday in the first round of the FIA Karting European Championship in Portimao, Portugal.
LONDON — Hollywood star Nicolas Cage says his immediate reaction to being asked to play a version of himself in the new comedy action film “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent” was a resounding “no.”
WASHINGTON -- President Joe Biden unveiled a new rule to rein in so-called ghost guns and ban the manufacturing of the untraceable firearms on Monday as the administration faces growing pressure to crack down on gun deaths and violent crime in the United States.
SAN FRANCISCO — Elon Musk is not joining Twitter’s board after all, a reversal following last week’s revelation that he had become Twitter’s largest shareholder — and had received a subsequent appointment to the panel.
While COVID-19 cases continue to drop in the U.S., outbreaks of another virus — the stomach flu — are ramping up, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. | https://www.unionleader.com/dartmouth-unveils-design-for-expanded-hopkins-center-for-the-arts/article_a1dfba8c-d227-5ceb-8482-ed77d239dec5.html | 2022-04-12T01:19:31 | 0 | https://www.unionleader.com/dartmouth-unveils-design-for-expanded-hopkins-center-for-the-arts/article_a1dfba8c-d227-5ceb-8482-ed77d239dec5.html |
They’ve arrived just when life seemed good again.
Cold and flu germs, which nearly vanished for two years, are roaring back, according to doctors and federal disease-trackers.
As we do less masking and more hugging and handshaking, “there is greater transmission of viruses,” said Dr. Jorge Salinas, hospital epidemiologist for Stanford Health Care.
To be sure, COVID-19 is still spreading.
But other long-lost ailments are catching up. At schools, “it’s not COVID,” said Salinas. “Everybody has a cough and one thing or another.”
For a long time, masks and social distancing did a bang-up job of protecting us. But now we’ve gotten casual. I know this to be true because, as I type this, a big box of Kleenex is my one and only friend.
It’s not just me: We’re all heading back to our regular haunts, rediscovering the kind of liberation that comes with a fully-booked vaccine card.
“People are moving around more,” sharing their germs with others, said UC San Francisco infectious disease expert Dr. Peter Chin-Hong.
Several other things are driving the trend, he said.
This year’s flu vaccine was a flop. There was a mismatch between the strains of virus in the vaccine and what’s circulating, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The 2021-2022 flu shots were only 16% effective at reducing a person’s chance of getting a mild or moderate infection — compared to some prior years, where rates reached as high as 50% or 60%.
While the nation’s overall flu activity has begun to decline, it remains elevated or is increasing in certain regions, including parts of the West. In some Bay Area communities, wastewater surveillance shows a jump in the prevalence of flu viruses starting around March 23.
Secondly, we’re back to touching everything again. It was reassuring when COVID research showed it wasn’t necessary to wash mail and groceries. But —surprise! — cold-causing rhinoviruses are more hardy than coronaviruses. They can live on surfaces for longer. And they’re tougher to wash off your hands.
Finally, our immune systems have forgotten what these routine viruses look like. “We’ve been in ‘COVID country’ for the last two years,” said Chin-Hong. “So we don’t have as much immunity to any of these other things.“
After spending nearly 28 months being panicked at the first sign of any sickness, it’s unsettling to experience a drippy nose, stuffy head, coughs and sneezes.
Over time, however, society will readjust to this higher risk of perfectly ordinary ailments, doctors said. It’s part of regaining some semblance of normality.
But COVID taught us some lessons that may help reduce transmission of these routine and annoying germs, said Salinas and Chin-Hong. For instance, our buildings are better ventilated. We’ve learned it’s important to socially distance — even stay home — when you’re sick.
That mask? Don’t toss it yet.
“I hope our culture changes,” said Chin-Hong. “Wearing a mask when you have even mild symptoms — that’s good for all of us.” | https://www.unionleader.com/news/health/colds-and-the-flu-vanished-during-covid-but-they-re-back/article_0d31676e-9dc1-5843-89be-eb41278bcfbf.html | 2022-04-12T01:19:37 | 1 | https://www.unionleader.com/news/health/colds-and-the-flu-vanished-during-covid-but-they-re-back/article_0d31676e-9dc1-5843-89be-eb41278bcfbf.html |
While COVID-19 cases continue to drop in the U.S., outbreaks of another virus — the stomach flu — are ramping up, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports.
This comes amid easing virus restrictions nationwide. For most of the U.S., roughly 99.5%, it isn’t recommended to wear a mask indoors in public because of low or medium COVID-19 Community Level as of March 31, the CDC says.
Meanwhile, 448 norovirus outbreaks were reported in the U.S. from Aug. 1, 2021, to March 5, 2022, according to the agency. In comparison, that’s 370 more outbreaks than reported from Aug. 1, 2020, to March 5, 2021, when 78 stomach virus outbreaks were seen.
With people returning to offices and schools — two of the most common spots for norovirus outbreaks — cases of the stomach flu are getting closer to the numbers reported before the pandemic, according to NBC News.
Dr. Robert Atmar, a professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, told the outlet that the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions is likely connected to the rise in norovirus infections.
“Battling norovirus while nursing my sick daughter. Worrying when my son goes to school if he will get COVID …. anxiety levels are reaching breaking point,” British art historian Dr. Janina Ramirez wrote April 5 on Twitter. The norovirus “is the most common stomach bug in the UK, affecting people of all ages,” according to the Broxbourne Council.
Here’s what to know about the stomach flu:
What are noroviruses?
Noroviruses are the most common cause of acute stomach and intestinal infections in the United States, reports the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. It’s also sometimes called stomach flu, viral gastroenteritis or the winter vomiting bug.
The U.S. reports 19 million to 21 million cases a year. Humans are the only hosts of the virus.
The virus was formerly known as the Norwalk virus because the first known outbreak took place at an elementary school in Norwalk, Ohio, according to norovirus.com. Scientists identified the virus in 1972 from stool samples stored after the outbreak. It was officially renamed norovirus by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses.
How contagious are noroviruses?
Extremely. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cautions that noroviruses can be transmitted by infected people, contaminated food or water, or just by touching contaminated surfaces. People with a norovirus are most contagious during the illness and for a few days afterward, and the virus can remain in stool for up to two weeks after the illness. The virus can survive temperature extremes, too.
Also, catching a norovirus doesn’t help you fight it off later, in part because there are many different types of noroviruses — catching one doesn’t protect you from the others.
Where do noroviruses spread?
Cruise ships, nursing homes, daycare centers and schools are common breeding grounds for norovirus — anywhere large numbers of people are packed in close quarters, basically, reports the CDC. Outbreaks on cruise ships frequently make the news, and there are countless travel websites dedicated to tracking cruise lines with the worst records for the illness.
What are the symptoms?
Diarrhea, cramps and vomiting usually start within 12 to 48 hours of exposure to the virus, says the Mayo Clinic. Norovirus symptoms normally last one to three days, and most people recover without treatment. But infants, older adults and people with chronic illnesses may require medical attention for dehydration.
Since it’s a virus, antibiotics aren’t any help, and there are no antiviral drugs for noroviruses.
The Mayo Clinic advises that people with norovirus take special care to replace fluids lost by vomiting or diarrhea to prevent dehydration. Drinks like Pedialyte are good for young children, while sports drinks and broths are suggested for adults. But sugary drinks, like sodas and fruit juices, can make diarrhea worse, while alcohol or caffeinated drinks can speed dehydration.
How can you avoid noroviruses?
Good hygiene is the key to avoiding noroviruses, suggests WebMD.com. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, particularly after using the bathroom and before preparing food. Alcohol-based cleaners are not as effective. The site also advises carefully throwing away contaminated items, such as dirty diapers.
Wash raw fruits and vegetables, and cook oysters and other shellfish. Clean and disinfect surfaces with a mixture of detergent and chlorine bleach after someone’s sick, WebMD says. And if you catch a norovirus, don’t prepare food for at least two to three days after you feel better. | https://www.unionleader.com/news/health/stomach-flu-on-the-rise-again-in-us-5-things-to-know-about-noroviruses/article_15d4d617-7532-5302-bdd5-5dc9e5bade0b.html | 2022-04-12T01:19:43 | 1 | https://www.unionleader.com/news/health/stomach-flu-on-the-rise-again-in-us-5-things-to-know-about-noroviruses/article_15d4d617-7532-5302-bdd5-5dc9e5bade0b.html |
Along with a 160-unit affordable housing project proposed in Manchester, the zoning board of adjustment this week will consider other smaller projects across the city as it addresses the housing shortage on all fronts.
The projects include converting a single-family home into a rooming house, replacing a single-family home with a three-family home and a 10-unit office building conversion. One owner hopes to add a unit above a takeout restaurant.
All need zoning board relief. The projects will be heard at 6 p.m. Thursday at City Hall.
The need is great for all kinds of housing in the Queen City, especially affordable units, said Peter Capano, chairman of Manchester’s Housing Commission.
“It’s unlikely we can build our way out of this crisis anytime soon,” he said. “Every bit helps.”
California-based Lincoln Avenue Capital filed plans to tear down the old police station at 351 Chestnut St. and construct a five-story building with 110 units and a parking garage. Another 50-unit building is proposed for across Merrimack Street in an underused parking lot, according to plans submitted with the city. All the units will be designated as affordable housing.
Other projects include:
48 Brook St.
The owner of 48 Brook St. wants to convert the mixed-use building into 10 apartments. The property is desirable because of its access to downtown, according to Samuel Hammerman. The building right now has one apartment, offices and a hair salon.
“The need for office space has gone down significantly in the past two years, and isn’t bouncing back, what results in 30% vacancy in the building,” the application reads. “The housing shortage on the other hand, creates a growing need for more quality housing for Manchester residents.”
The plan calls for eight one-bedroom units, one two-bedroom unit and one studio. The project requires relief for setbacks and parking requirements.
46 Myrtle St.
The single-family home at 46 Myrtle St. has been used as a doctor’s office and insurance offices in the past, but the owner now wants to build a three-family home.
“The proposed use is consistent with most of the uses in the neighborhood and all the uses directly abutting the property,” the application reads.
The building is owned by Jared Sullivan.
The project needs a variance for parking and a landscape buffer.
729 Pine St.
The owners of 729 Pine St., Brendan and Madelaine Gilmartin, hope to change the use from single-family to congregate housing.
“The house would still maintain its family character in a desirable location for young professionals and frontline workers,” the application reads.
The city has a need for affordable housing, the Gilmartins wrote.
The project requires a variance for frontage, lot size and parking.
90 Union St.
The plan calls for a building with a takeout restaurant on the first floor and one unit above, according to the application.
The small 405-square-foot, single-story building is too small for the takeout operation of Union Street Takeout, which opened in January 2020.
The new two-story building will have a footprint of 936-square-feet.
“The applicant believes this proposal will increase the viability of their neighborhood business, improve the property, add an additional residential unit and in some ways make the lot more complying,” the application reads.
The apartment will help offset some of the cost to rebuild and “would also be a benefit to the city at this time where there is a housing shortage.”
The project requires relief for the expansion, setbacks, parking and the dwelling with a commercial unit.
Need for housing
At least a dozen market-rate projects are being built in and around downtown, including across from Market Basket on Elm Street and in the Gaslight District nearby.
Capano hopes for a “domino effect” where people move into the newer units and open up the more affordable units.
The city needs more than 1,800 units to be built to increase the vacancy rate to about 5%, according to a study.
The vacancy rate is below 1% right now.
The housing commission is just beginning its work, Capano said.
“We need housing badly in the city,” he said. | https://www.unionleader.com/news/homes/every-bit-helps-manchester-zba-to-hear-small-housing-projects/article_c4bc6462-57da-55a2-9601-cd18c222b0f4.html | 2022-04-12T01:19:49 | 1 | https://www.unionleader.com/news/homes/every-bit-helps-manchester-zba-to-hear-small-housing-projects/article_c4bc6462-57da-55a2-9601-cd18c222b0f4.html |
DEAR ABBY: The pandemic has put a strain on relationships. Last year, I lost my best friend of 40 years over the COVID vaccines. I believe the vaccine helps to keep me safe, as well as helps my family and friends. This friend decided he and his family would not take the jab. He quit his job rather than get vaccinated. This caused a rift so wide that, in his eyes, he and his family could not continue being friends with our family. I’m sad about it.
The big problem my wife and I are contending with concerns our 8-year-old daughter. She has been best friends with my (former) best friend’s daughter since birth. There have been eight years of sleepovers, birthdays, park visits, get-togethers and everything in between. We haven’t seen them in six months. We can’t keep telling our daughter the pandemic is the reason she can’t see her best friend. This situation is so simple and so complicated. What do I tell my daughter about her best friend?
— VICTIM OF THE TIMES
DEAR VICTIM: Tell your daughter the truth — that her friend’s parents will no longer allow it. Then explain why. That way she won’t think that this is in any way her fault.
DEAR ABBY: I was recently contacted by my graduating class to help organize a reunion. Since then, one of the organizers has decided that our committee is an inseparable trio who must get together regularly by Zoom and occasionally in person.
We were not in touch before the reunion and we have little in common, but I can tell she’s lonely, so I’ve indulged her so far. However, she now wants to convene periodically for long weekends at a nearby inn. I do not want to leave my spouse for long weekends or spend money and time on a person whom I don’t care to befriend.
When I’ve tried to demur with “unavailability” excuses, she insists we are a trio and we simply will wait a few weeks until I can find an open date. I don’t want to be rude, but I can’t figure out how to politely tell her that I have no interest in accepting her suggestions for an extended slumber party. How should I handle this?
— RELUCTANT ALUMNA IN THE WEST
DEAR ALUMNA: Handle it by being frank with this needy individual. Tell her, “This isn’t going to happen. I do not wish to leave my husband for a weekend. I don’t mind helping with the reunion, but your demands on my time have increased to the point where they are too much for me.”
.
DEAR ABBY: The season of pleasant weather and outdoor concerts is approaching. Invariably, we end up sitting by the chatterboxes. These folks seem oblivious to anyone else, including the performers and the rest of us who want to enjoy the performance. I realize these are free concerts, but I don’t want to have to listen to these rude people. Any suggestions for silencing them so we can hear what the rest of us came for?
— DISGUSTED IN SOUTH CAROLINA
DEAR DISGUSTED: Keep your tone civil. You might ask, “Would you please talk more quietly? We are trying to enjoy the performance.” However, if they aren’t receptive to your suggestion, consider moving as far away from them as possible.
. | https://www.unionleader.com/news/human_interest/dear-abby-difference-of-opinion-ends-longtime-friendships/article_895cee20-b4b2-518d-8ce7-cd93e9b1259b.html | 2022-04-12T01:19:55 | 1 | https://www.unionleader.com/news/human_interest/dear-abby-difference-of-opinion-ends-longtime-friendships/article_895cee20-b4b2-518d-8ce7-cd93e9b1259b.html |
DEAR HELOISE: I have been in HVAC service for 42 years, and while your instructions regarding ceiling fan operation are correct for spaces that do not incorporate central heating and air conditioning, homes built in the last 50+ years with such systems should run the ceiling fans to work with, not against, the airflow from the registers.
If the registers are in the floor and are blowing up the walls, then the ceiling fans should be pushing the air down the center at all times to not work against the HVAC system. Likewise, if the registers are in the ceiling, the fans should be pushing the air up at all times for the same reason. Either way, the air is circulated between floor and ceiling.
I also recommend not using ceiling fans during air-conditioning season if the ceilings are higher than 8 feet. Leave that warm air up there rather than use energy to cool it; instead, use floor fans to circulate air.
Air circulation is always a good thing, and HVAC systems are designed to circulate continuously by turning the fan to "ON" at the thermostat. The fan in my system hasn't shut off in 20 years.
-- Dennis S., Hutchinson, Kansas
Water usage
DEAR HELOISE: I use a plastic tub when I wash my dishes in my kitchen sink all of the time. That way I keep as much water as is feasible and use it on my roses and other outside plants in need of a little "extra." Some dish soaps are 100% biodegradable, and the plants don't seem to mind at all. I use a clean cup to pour water over the utensils and rinse out that side of the sink. I haven't used my dishwasher for anything but canning supplies storage for 15 years. There are only two of us, and frankly, 90% of my dishwashing is for the lids that I use for the canned cat food for my pets.
-- Vicki P., via email
Growing tomatoes
DEAR HELOISE: In the spring and summer, when I try to grow tomatoes, the plants often get a problem that indicates they are low on calcium. When I am through with a bottle of milk or any fortified plant milk, I rinse it out. But instead of dumping the calcium-enriched water, I put it in the soil around the tomatoes plants. I think this conserves a resource, is less wasteful and actually gives the tomatoes needed calcium. I think it works, as well. Thank you for many useful hints in your column.
-- Rachel S. , Fayetteville, Arkansas
Preserving history
DEAR HELOISE: Recently a reader wrote in your column about the importance of labeling pictures -- people, places and, if possible, dates. As a member of our local historical society, I would like to stress the importance of this. And also dating and noting the source for any newspaper articles.
We rely heavily on clippings, pictures and personal papers to create a record of everyday life.
-- L. Brown, Fair Haven, Vermont
Scooping ice cream
DEAR HELOISE: This is how I scoop ice cream. No hour prep time. No weird bagged ice cream.
After removing any gold foil or similar tops, just put the ice cream container in the microwave and nuke it on high for 10 seconds. The result is perfect for scooping consistency.
-- R.S. McAllister, San Antonio, Texas | https://www.unionleader.com/news/human_interest/hints-from-heloise-ceiling-fan-operation/article_6fb268fd-e8fe-509b-9696-87d55b1232cc.html | 2022-04-12T01:20:01 | 0 | https://www.unionleader.com/news/human_interest/hints-from-heloise-ceiling-fan-operation/article_6fb268fd-e8fe-509b-9696-87d55b1232cc.html |
Anya Vogel of Raymond was showing people how to decorate eggs in the Ukrainian tradition on Sunday afternoon at the Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Manchester. The children working with her have been making these decorated eggs for years, themselves and some people came to watch and learn. She works on her egg, which had sunflowers and wheat depicted on it.
Anya Vogel of Raymond was showing people how to decorate eggs in the Ukrainian tradition on Sunday afternoon at the Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Manchester. The children working with her have been making these decorated eggs for years, themselves and some people came to watch and learn. Some of the dye used for the egg designs. The dye can last a long time, but people recommend not cooking and eating the egg after it's dyed and painted with this particular dye.
Church member Max Messer, 10, of Manchester, heats his nearly completed egg design in a flame to melt off the tiny bits of wax he painted on it to make the patterns. His design says Happy Easter, with a smiley face and some wavy lines.
Anya Vogel of Raymond was showing people how to decorate eggs in the Ukrainian tradition on Sunday afternoon at the Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Manchester. The children working with her have been making these decorated eggs for years, themselves and some people came to watch and learn. She works on her egg, which had sunflowers and wheat depicted on it.
Anya Vogel of Raymond was showing people how to decorate eggs in the Ukrainian tradition on Sunday afternoon at the Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church in Manchester. The children working with her have been making these decorated eggs for years, themselves and some people came to watch and learn. Some of the dye used for the egg designs. The dye can last a long time, but people recommend not cooking and eating the egg after it's dyed and painted with this particular dye.
Allegra Boverman/Union Leader
Amelia Messer, 8, of Manchester, was carefully painting eggs but both broke. Her designs included flowers on one and a face on the other.
Allegra Boverman/Union Leader
Church member Max Messer, 10, of Manchester, heats his nearly completed egg design in a flame to melt off the tiny bits of wax he painted on it to make the patterns. His design says Happy Easter, with a smiley face and some wavy lines.
The Vogel family of Raymond makes pysanky — Ukrainian Easter eggs — all year round, not just at Easter.
Anya Vogel gave a demonstration on how to make the eggs on Sunday after Palm Sunday services at the fellowship hall of the Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church on Walnut Street in Manchester.
Anya learned the craft from her mother, Christina.
She showed how using a specially made stylus, you take beeswax from a block, heat it over a candle flame to melt it, then inscribe the designs on the egg surface.
When you submerge the egg in dye, either before or after making the design, the design covered in wax will remain the color you wish it to be.
There are many patterns that can be created and many symbols can be depicted, each having their own meaning.
Anya used flowers, including sunflowers and wheat, which are well known symbols of Ukraine, as well as waves on her egg, but there are many other symbols to use such as fish and deer, trees, and wavy lines symbolizing immortality.
The color of the dyes all have special meanings as well such as red symbolizing the sun, life, joy; yellow for wealth and fertility; and green for spring and plant life.
Anya recommends not cooking or eating the eggs that are painted, as this type of dye is not healthy to ingest. And since the eggs used are fresh, not cooked, you need to be careful to not crack the egg while painting on it.
You can find egg decorating sets for pysanky eggs and the dyes in the sets last a long time, she said.
The eggs will be blessed during Easter services at the church. | https://www.unionleader.com/news/human_interest/the-art-of-decorating-pysansky-or-ukrainian-easter-eggs/article_6ffddead-c02b-5375-a610-25d5b2c1a05c.html | 2022-04-12T01:20:07 | 0 | https://www.unionleader.com/news/human_interest/the-art-of-decorating-pysansky-or-ukrainian-easter-eggs/article_6ffddead-c02b-5375-a610-25d5b2c1a05c.html |
CONCORD — The House Education Committee chairman said he will propose boosting state aid to help pay for more costly special education services that local property taxes are unable to cover.
State Rep. Rick Ladd, R-Haverhill, said his amendment would add almost $15 million a year in state education aid to a Senate-passed bill (SB 420) that already will deliver nearly $14 million more a year to the 110 property- and income-poorest communities in the state.
Ladd said while school enrollment has steadily declined in New Hampshire, the number of students with individualized education plans for special education has remained at roughly 30,000 over the past decade.
There are 13 categories of special education under federal law.
Ladd’s plan would give school districts about $500 more for each student with the costliest conditions, which include autism, traumatic brain injury, orthopedic or physical impairment and visual impairment.
“Some special education conditions take a lot more cost and support than others; some may only amount to a half an hour a week,” Ladd told his committee.
New Hampshire’s current adequate education formula creates a hybrid of grants to assist districts with special needs costs.
Each school district gets an education aid increase of $2,037 for each student with an individualized education plan (IEP).
A second phase of special education support from the state kicks in for high-cost cases if they exceed more than three-and-a-half times the average cost. The state pays 80% of costs above that three-and-a-half times level.
Ladd said his amendment would give more relief to school budgets.
“I like the idea of using special education and using weights. Our policy right now … we are not properly funding special education as we should,” Ladd said.
State Senate plan
All but one state senator last month endorsed the plan of Sen. Erin Hennessey, R-Littleton, to create a new state aid grant program of “extraordinary needs.”
Hennessey’s bill would use a sliding scale to give the poorest communities $650 for each student enrolled in the free or reduced school lunch program, which the state already uses as a proxy for the number of poor families.
More than half the communities would receive no aid under Hennessey’s plan.
Rep. David Luneau, D-Hopkinton and the ranking Democrat on the panel, said if given the choice between the two, he liked the Senate plan better.
Manchester, which spends the least amount per student in the state, would receive $4 million from Hennessey’s plan.
Ladd’s amendment would give Manchester $1.3 million.
“Every school district is going to get an additional grant from the state whether they need it or not,” Luneau said of the special education grant increase.
“The Senate doesn’t put a lot of money into it, but it is directing it to where it is needed the most.”
Ladd said he wasn’t offering his option as a replacement, but suggesting his committee pass both of them onto the House Finance Committee for further review.
If combined, Hennessey and Ladd’s proposal would increase education aid by roughly $30 million next year.
At times in the past, the House has rejected plans to target more education aid after individual members have determined their towns didn’t receive any.
“I believe that every student deserves that opportunity regardless of your wealth or poverty,” Ladd said, adding all school districts should receive some additional aid.
The House education panel meets Wednesday to make an initial recommendation on Hennessey’s bill. | https://www.unionleader.com/news/politics/state/house-ed-leader-proposes-special-ed-aid-boost/article_c29fd2cb-e437-5ef2-9738-f246500640f3.html | 2022-04-12T01:20:13 | 1 | https://www.unionleader.com/news/politics/state/house-ed-leader-proposes-special-ed-aid-boost/article_c29fd2cb-e437-5ef2-9738-f246500640f3.html |
Looking to bounce back from losing two of their last three games, the Boston Bruins return home from a four-game road trip to host the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday night.
Boston (45-22-5, 95 points) dropped Sunday’s 4-2 decision at Washington in the road trip finale, surrendering two goals in the third period after the teams were deadlocked at 2-all entering the second intermission.
The Bruins fell short despite a 29-save effort by Linus Ullmark, whose six-game win streak came to an end.
“I think our 5-on-5 was good enough to win,” Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy said. “Both goalies made saves. ... These are good hockey teams we’re playing, so you can’t mismanage pucks and expect to get away with it all night. That is what ends up turning the game against us a lot of times.”
Eric Haula and Curtis Lazar netted Boston’s goals. Haula has scored in five of the last eight games.
“Us as a line, we needed a game like this to kind of break through and feel good, get that confidence,” Lazar said after scoring his eighth goal, a career high. “I thought it was a good game for us as a line and hopefully it can continue.”
Boston went 0-for-16 on the power play during the trip. Top scorer David Pastrnak (upper body) was missing from the unit, though the issues had started before he was injured last Monday in Columbus.
“Work ethic is never a big issue with us, I find. That gets corrected in a hurry and that’s the culture that they’ve created — on the power play, 5-on-5, penalty kill,” Cassidy said. “To me, it’s execution right now. It’s just got to be better.”
Defenseman Matt Grzelcyk (upper body) left Sunday’s game in the first period and didn’t return. Hampus Lindholm (lower body) was also out.
“Obviously missed (Grzeylck’s) puck moving back there,” Cassidy said. “That was a big, big, big factor in the game and our inability to transition very well. I think it cost us in the end.”
The Blues (42-20-10, 94 points) have won five straight after riding a four-goal second period to Saturday’s 6-1 home win over the New York Islanders.
Justin Faulk (two goals, one assist), and Vladimir Tarasenko and Robert Thomas (one goal, two assists each). all had three-point games. Jordan Kyrou (two assists) and Ivan Barbashev (one goal, one assist) each had two points, and Nick Leddy also scored for the Blues.
A night earlier, the Blues snagged a 4-3 overtime win over Minnesota, their closest Central Division competitors. St. Louis and Minnesota are now tied for second in the divisional standings.
“Our team was focused (on Saturday),” said Blues coach Craig Berube, whose team is 13-12-4 against Eastern Conference teams. “They were ready to play. That was really good. With the energy that was spent in (Friday’s game) and the emotion, we had a lot today, which was good to see.”
Thomas is in the midst of a nine-game point streak, the longest of his career.
“He finds space in the offensive zone,” Berube said. “He’s a smart player that way. He’s done a lot of good things for us. He’s fit in nicely with Faulk as a pair.”
Jordan Binnington made 30 saves in his first win since Feb. 27 at Chicago.
“It felt good,” Binnington said. “I’ve been trying to put in the work for a while now. We played a great game, a great first period (and) great second period. It was fun to feel the flow of the game again, and a little bit of rhythm. It was a lot of fun. Good Saturday night in St. Louis.” | https://www.unionleader.com/sports/bruins/bruins-out-to-correct-mistakes-tuesday-night-against-blues/article_db630273-53fd-57f7-b33e-a9a76d78b552.html | 2022-04-12T01:20:20 | 0 | https://www.unionleader.com/sports/bruins/bruins-out-to-correct-mistakes-tuesday-night-against-blues/article_db630273-53fd-57f7-b33e-a9a76d78b552.html |
Detroit's Javier Baez approaches the plate and Austin Meadows after hitting a two-run homer during the eighth inning against Boston on Monday in Detroit. The blast lifted the Tigers past the Red Sox, 3-1.
Javier Baez hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the eighth inning and the host Detroit Tigers defeated the Boston Red Sox 3-1 on Monday.
Austin Meadows led off the inning with a single against Austin Davis (0-1). Ryan Brasier replaced Davis on the mound, and Baez hammered a 2-2 fastball for his first homer with the Tigers. Baez signed a six-year, $140 million contract with Detroit as a free agent during the offseason.
Baez had a walk-off, ninth-inning single in the Tigers' season-opening win against the Chicago White Sox on Friday.
Meadows had two hits and scored two runs, while Miguel Cabrera supplied two hits and an RBI for Detroit.
Michael Fulmer (1-0) pitched an inning of scoreless relief and was credited with the victory. Gregory Soto pitched the ninth for his first save of the season.
The Red Sox were limited to four hits, two from Rafael Devers, in the opener of a three-game series.
Both starting pitchers were largely effective.
J.D. Martinez' fifth-inning solo homer was the only hit Detroit's Matt Manning allowed in six innings. Manning recorded two strikeouts and walked none in his 68-pitch outing.
Boston's Michael Wacha lasted 4 1/3 innings, giving up one run on two hits and three walks with four strikeouts.
The Tigers scored in the bottom of the first. Meadows singled with one out and Wacha walked both Baez and Jeimer Candelario. Cabrera hit a sacrifice fly to left before Jonathan Schoop grounded out to end the inning.
Baez made a nifty diving play at shortstop to rob Christian Vazquez of a hit in the second.
Martinez crushed a fastball off Manning over the left field wall to tie the game while leading off the fifth, his first homer of the year. Manning bounced back and retired the next six batters that he faced.
Devers led off the seventh against reliever Alex Lange with a single. Lange then struck out Xander Bogaerts and Martinez before Alex Verdugo flied out.
Soto allowed a one-out double to Devers in the ninth, then set down Bogaerts and Martinez on fly balls to end the game. | https://www.unionleader.com/sports/red_sox/baez-homer-carries-tigers-past-red-sox/article_2087dcbf-4c42-5a92-9f5d-24ed73027941.html | 2022-04-12T01:20:32 | 0 | https://www.unionleader.com/sports/red_sox/baez-homer-carries-tigers-past-red-sox/article_2087dcbf-4c42-5a92-9f5d-24ed73027941.html |
The Yankees never went big game hunting this winter. Brian Cashman confirmed that the Bombers never made a formal offer to Carlos Correa or Freddie Freeman this offseason.
“I would receive phone calls from Scott Boras, not a lot, but Scott reached out not just to me but all clubs that he thought might be a possibility,” Cashman said on WFAN. “I was aware and sharing with ownership the world that was changing at that time for that particular free agent, along with the other free agents that wound up landing deals elsewhere.
“It just didn’t fit.”
Correa eventually signed a three-year, $105.3 million deal with the Twins — after they had traded Josh Donaldson, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Ben Rortvedt to the Yankees. That allowed the Twins to take the $35.1 million on their payroll that the Bombers just weren’t willing to.
“If you’re going to place that type of bet, for that type of number, in this particular calendar year for our payroll, then it would preclude us to having the ability to do the things we were able to do,” Cashman said.
Freeman eventually signed a six-year, $162 million deal with the Dodgers, which is $27 million AAV towards the competitive balance tax threshold.
Cashman said the that the trade that brought in Donaldson, Kiner-Falefa and Rortvedt came with the $25 million due Donaldson but also addressed multiple needs for the Yankees.
It also allowed them to make an attempt to extend Aaron Judge, though Cashman said their offer to the slugger, which would have been worth at least $230 million over the next eight years, would not prevent them from taking on salary.
“No, because the hope and intent here, which is being very transparent, is to have Aaron Judge, not just part of the present but the future,” Cashman said. “To be able to accomplish that, we have to keep some powder dry. That atmosphere still exists. If we pivoted and went a different direction, that would certainly have ramifications about flexibilities moving forward as he enters the free agent market going into next year.”
Cashman would not go into details of what Judge and his agent asked for, but pointed out that he had told Judge that he would disclose the details of their offer. Judge had said he was disappointed that the details became public, but he did say that morning that Cashman was going to tell reporters about it.
“I can tell you that I did share with Aaron’s representation, probably 72 hours or longer before, that ultimately if we can’t come to an agreement, we’ll be sharing at least our side of the fence. And, they’re certainly free to do the same on their end,” Cashman said. “So I couldn’t tell you, I can’t again, I can’t speak to, you know, there are his feelings on the matter either way, under the fact that I was transparent publicly. But I was transparent privately well in advance of that press conference.”
MONTGOMERY SORE
Jordan Montgomery, who took a comebacker off the side of his left knee Sunday night, was getting treatment on Monday, but the Yankees are hopeful he can make his next scheduled start.
“Obviously he woke up pretty stiff. But I think we’ll see as he starts moving around a little bit,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “Today’s typically a light day for him. So I feel like structurally everything’s good, just got some swelling that’s kind of moved around the knee. So try and work on just getting that out of there … try to relieve some of that stiffness and see where we’re at in a couple days.”
GLEYBER STICKING AT SECOND
Boone decided to sit Donaldson and Kiner-Falefa Monday and put Marwin Gonzalez at shortstop instead of moving former shortstop Gleyber Torres over.
“I just want to keep Gleyber at second for now. He’s gonna have to play short at some point,” Boone said. “I like what I saw from Marwin physically this spring. That’s one of the things I was most excited about with Marwin is felt like he moved really well. I thought he had a couple of looks. He was a shortstop. I thought he looked good. I thought his range was good.”
() | https://www.twincities.com/2022/04/11/brian-cashman-confirms-he-never-made-an-offer-to-carlos-correa-or-freddie-freeman/ | 2022-04-12T01:23:15 | 1 | https://www.twincities.com/2022/04/11/brian-cashman-confirms-he-never-made-an-offer-to-carlos-correa-or-freddie-freeman/ |
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Britney Spears, less than five months after her conservatorship ended, confused some fans Monday when she posted on Instagram that she’s pregnant, and apparently married.
“I lost so much weight to go on my Maui trip only to gain it back,” the pop star wrote in part Monday, accompanied by a photo of flowers and a cup of coffee. “I thought ”Geez … what happened to my stomach???” My husband said “No you’re food pregnant silly!!!” So I got a pregnancy test … and uhhhhh well … I am having a baby. …”
Spears — with liberal use of various emojis — didn’t name partner Sam Asghari as the “husband” and added: “I obviously won’t be going out as much due to the paps getting their money shot of me like they unfortunately already have.”
While some, including Paris Hilton, congratulated Spears.
Monday evening, Asghari added an Instagram post of his own accompanied by a painting of a lion family with three members.
“Marriage and kids are a natural part of a strong relationship filled with love and respect. Fatherhood is something i have always looked forward to and i don’t take lightly. It is the most important job i will ever do,” he wrote.
Spears spoke of suffering from perinatal depression in the past, calling it “absolutely horrible” and saying she’s heartened that the condition is spoken of more freely among women now than at the time of her previous go arounds with her sons, ages 15 and 16. She shares the teens with ex Kevin Federline.
She said “some people considered it dangerous if a woman complained like that with a baby inside her … but now women talk about it everyday … thank Jesus we don’t have to keep that pain a reserved proper secret … This time I will be doing yoga every day !!! Spreading lots of joy and love!!!”
The 40-year-old Spears has said she longed for a baby with the 28-year-old Asghari, a personal trainer, but she has said the nearly 14-year-long conservatorship forced her to remain on birth control.
The two met on the set of her “Slumber Party” video in 2016.
Multiple email requests for confirmation from Spears’ representative were not immediately returned Monday. | https://www.twincities.com/2022/04/11/britney-spears-confuses-some-with-instagram-pregnancy-news/ | 2022-04-12T01:23:21 | 1 | https://www.twincities.com/2022/04/11/britney-spears-confuses-some-with-instagram-pregnancy-news/ |
Bruce Zimmermann allowed the emotions to wash over him Sunday night. He snuck onto the darkened field at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, soaking in the silence — a silence far from anything he’d experience the next afternoon.
When he grew up in Ellicott City, the Loyola Blakefield graduate had dreamt of moments such as these. And because of those dreams, Zimmermann hoped taking some time in the pitch-dark quiet would make Monday easier.
There was no avoiding the magnitude: The 27-year-old left-hander was the starting pitcher for his childhood ballclub on Opening Day. But there was a chance to dull it just enough, to allow himself to experience the awe by himself rather than with 44,461 onlookers shouting his name.
“Walking out on that field and seeing the ‘Opening Day’ spray-painted on the grass and the new left field wall and the warehouse lit up, it was kind of storybook in a way,” said Zimmermann, the first Maryland-born pitcher to start a home opener in 30 years at Oriole Park.
And as is the case in any good story, there was a happy ending. Zimmermann pitched four scoreless innings, holding the Milwaukee Brewers largely in check before handing the ball over to the bullpen to secure a 2-0 win in the home opener.
“The way today went was kind of the cherry on top,” Zimmermann said.
When Zimmermann sat in his childhood bedroom not far from Camden Yards all those years ago, his dreams had included him running out on the orange carpet from center field. He didn’t have that distinction Monday, warming in the bullpen during those pregame introductions.
But that amendment to his dream was minute considering the overall nature of his outing, as he struck out four Brewers while allowing three hits. He worked out of danger in the third inning, when he loaded the bases with two walks before forcing an inning-ending fielder’s choice. He showed emotion throughout, earning choruses of an elongated “Bruce” from a hometown crowd lauding one of their own.
All that made missing the orange carpet introduction worthwhile.
“I think he’d much rather be pitching,” Zimmermann’s father, Bruce Sr., said.
“We’d much rather have him pitching,” his mother, Marcie, added.
His parents were in the crowd, as well as several of his aunts and uncles and siblings. His college coach at Mount Olive, Carl Lancaster, invited himself, texting Zimmermann for tickets as soon as he heard the young pitcher would start.
It was Lancaster’s first time seeing Zimmermann in person at the major league level, and given how well his former pupil pitched Monday, it probably won’t be the last. Zimmermann mixed his changeup in with his fastball heavily, but his slider — used sparingly — also kept the Brewers off balance.
“His changeup has always been really good, all the way through,” Lancaster said. “And it looks like his slider is much better than it was back in the day. Velo’s up and he’s very composed out there. We’re all excited for him, very proud of him, and he’s very deserving. He’s worked hard. He’s a hard worker.”
To be here, on the bump for Opening Day at Camden Yards, it took more than a solid spring training. Zimmermann dealt with a disjointed 2021, hampered with bicep tendonitis and a severely sprained right ankle. But despite a stint on the 60-day injured list, he returned in six weeks from that ankle injury, determined to make a good impression to position himself to be in the starting rotation this season.
The results were a mixed bag. He allowed one run across four innings in his first start back, a 4-2 win over the Boston Red Sox, before recording just two outs and allowing three runs in a 12-4 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. Still, being on the mound showed his perseverance — an aim for bigger moments in the future.
“He was driven to make those starts at the end of last season thinking about that for this year,” his father said. “He wanted to leave an impression before this season started.”
Usually, Zimmermann will take a peek into the stands to see his parents, a quick acknowledgment before he refocuses on his next pitch. But Zimmermann didn’t so much as glance into section 38 on Monday, not even as he departed the mound after the fourth inning.
But if Zimmermann didn’t look at his parents, they could hardly look anywhere else.
As they watched their son on the mound for Opening Day, at the ballpark they had routinely attended through the years, there were shakes of the head, smiles and laughs, and shouts whenever Zimmermann retired another batter. Expressing that emotion in other ways, though, was more arduous.
“No words,” Bruce Sr. said.
“Indescribable,” Marcie said.
“Pretty awesome, man,” Lancaster said. “I think everyone in the ballpark is very proud of him.”
() | https://www.twincities.com/2022/04/11/for-orioles-bruce-zimmermann-and-his-family-a-start-on-opening-day-is-a-dream-come-true-indescribable/ | 2022-04-12T01:23:27 | 0 | https://www.twincities.com/2022/04/11/for-orioles-bruce-zimmermann-and-his-family-a-start-on-opening-day-is-a-dream-come-true-indescribable/ |
As the Orlando Magic walked off the floor and into the hallways of Amway Center after finishing their season Sunday, they did so with an energy that didn’t resemble a team with a 22-60 record.
It helped that the Magic ended the season by tying their single-game 3-point record (23) in a 125-111 win over the Miami Heat in which both teams sat most of their starters.
But the spirit Orlando had as it closed out its season was the embodiment of what first-year Magic coach Jamahl Mosley has spoken about since he was hired in July.
“Our guys understand there’s a bigger picture than just this moment here,” Mosley said Sunday. “Our guys have embraced every single moment; every single day of getting better every game. That’s how you keep that energy, and we have a special group of young men. They care about each other so much, continue to encourage each other and fight for one another.”
That care was shown in the little and big moments throughout the seven-month-long regular season: from the entertaining postgame walk-off interviews and celebrating each other’s personal accolades such as Franz Wagner’s Rookie of the Month award for December to wearing Markelle Fultz t-shirts when he returned from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in late February.
The Magic ultimately understood the 2021-22 season, their first full season after kick-starting a rebuild at the March 2021 trade deadline, was more about the development of their younger players than their final record.
From a development standpoint, progress was made.
Wendell Carter Jr. came into his own with the Magic a year after being traded to Orlando from the Chicago Bulls by averaging career-highs in points (15), rebounds (10.5) and assists (2.8) and a true-shooting percentage (60.1%), which is a formula that incorporates free throws and higher-value 3-point shots.
Wagner, the No. 8 pick in last year’s draft, played with a steadiness, versatility and efficiency not displayed by most young players, averaging 15.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 79 games (the most among rookies).
Second-year guard Cole Anthony averaged career-highs in points (16.3), assists (5.7) and rebounds (5.4). Mo Bamba also put up career-highs in points (10.6), rebounds (8.1) and blocks (1.7) in a bigger role.
When available, Jalen Suggs showed the defensive presence and passing vision that made him the No. 5 pick in last year’s draft.
Fultz came back from his injury seemingly not missing a beat, averaging 10.8 points (47.4% shooting), 5.5 assists and 1.1 steals in 20 minutes.
R.J. Hampton and Chuma Okeke also took steps forward in their development, especially defensively.
The Magic’s defensive rating from Jan. 1 to the end of a season — their final 46 games — of 111.3 was the league’s 10th-best mark.
“I know the record doesn’t always show what’s grown and progressed, but this group of young men stayed together. There’s been a spirit on the court every single night and that’s just going to turn up another level as we walk into next year,” Mosley said. “Our guys are excited about it and the fans should be extremely excited about it because they see the way in which these young men play for one another and battle no matter what’s happening.”
There was a common phrase used by multiple players Sunday: “The sky’s the limit.”
“With us being so young, it gives us an opportunity to really mold everyone,” Carter said. “We’re in a perfect opportunity where everybody understands what everyone’s capable of and we all like each other. No one’s hating on each other. None of that’s going on. That’s rare. We got an opportunity to be really special.”
Suggs was one of the players who echoed those words when speaking with the media.
“I mean that wholeheartedly,” Suggs said. “I don’t say that with fake confidence. I say that because I truly believe in it.”
But the Magic also know more steps will need to be taken.
And for as much young talent as they have, with seven lottery picks since 2017 on the roster, leveling up next season will be more difficult than it was this year.
It’ll help that the Magic will have a 52.1% chance of securing a top-four pick in the June 23 draft, giving Orlando even more talent to build with next season.
Orlando’s odds in the draft will be: 14% for the No. 1 pick; 13.4% for No. 2; 12.7% for No. 3; 12% for No. 4; 27.8% for No. 5; 20% for No. 6.
But as Wagner said, “Potential’s just potential at the end of the day. It’s on us to get better and move forward.”
Added Fultz: “It’s not going to be easy at all. We all understand that. We can be something special, but it’s not going to be easy. It’s going to take a lot of hard work, a lot of trust, [and] a lot of learning. We’re all ready for that challenge.”
As the Magic put the final touches on the season, they did so feeling confident that next year and the seasons to follow will bring more success because the foundation they laid during 2021-22 was a strong one to build off.
“The one thing we’ve talked about with these guys is the foundation is set,” Mosley said. “Now it goes into the little things, the tiniest of details that they have to understand of what we’re trying to do. Leveling up one more.”
Or as Carter said, “We’re going to be lit next year.”
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Khobi Price at khprice@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on Twitter at @khobi_price.
() | https://www.twincities.com/2022/04/11/magic-encouraged-by-foundation-theyve-built/ | 2022-04-12T01:23:33 | 1 | https://www.twincities.com/2022/04/11/magic-encouraged-by-foundation-theyve-built/ |
Whether or not players enjoy the play-in tournament, now in Year 2, the Nets finished the regular season in seventh. That means they are not a lock for the postseason just yet.
Instead, they will have to defend their playoff positioning in a showdown against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday.
“I think somebody’s in the back room, hip-hip-hooraying, whoever created the tournament,” Nets star Kyrie Irving said after Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Pacers. “I guess somebody’s in the back room saying that this works, but as a competitor, it feels like one of those Game 6s, Game 5s, Game 7s where it’s a must-win.”
The winner will take the seventh seed for a date with the Celtics in the first round. The loser will have to play the winner of the nine-ten game, with the winner of that securing the eighth seed and the loser securing a trip to Cancun.
If it’s giving Game 7 vibes, that’s because it feels like one. The Nets, in theory, can afford to lose a game before facing elimination, but losing on Tuesday is not the plan for a team with its sights set on a championship.
“Absolutely,” Steve Nash said Monday when asked if it felt like a Game 7.“We’re only focusing on tomorrow. If we happen to lose and have to play a subsequent game, we’ll focus on that game. But right now we’ll play this like it’s our opportunity to get in and give the requisite focus and energy.”
The Nets must first handle the task at hand: a young and fun Cavaliers team with an All-Star guard in Darius Garland and two ghosts from Brooklyn’s past in Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert.
Allen’s availability for Tuesday has yet to be determined. He fractured his left ring finger on March 6 and has not played since, but went through a heavy pregame warmup with tape on his left finger while the Cavaliers were in Brooklyn for their matchup last Friday. LeVert is still seeking to find his rhythm on the Cavaliers after a midseason trade from the Indiana Pacers, but he is still a talented scorer and playmaker who posted 16 points and four assists against the Nets in their last matchup.
Garland, however, is the head of the Cavs’ snake. He is a first-time All-Star, a candidate for the league’s Most Improved Player, and one of the more crafty point guards in all of basketball, averaging just under 22 points and nine assists per game.
“He’s cold,” said backup center Nic Claxton, calling guarding him a “team effort.”
“All five guys, we’ve gotta be locked in.”
The Nets, though, are not the Cavs. Where the Cavs have Garland, Allen and LeVert, the Nets raise them an Irving, a Durant, and possibly a Ben Simmons, the 25-year-old All-Star point forward who has yet to make his Nets debut since arriving in Brooklyn but has increased his workload and is striving to play his first game in either the first or second round of the playoffs.
Simmons is not going to be available Tuesday, but the Nets have been a difficult team to defend with their five active starters of Durant, Irving, Seth Curry, Bruce Brown and Andre Drummond. Curry and Drummond are relatively new, arriving with Simmons as part of the Harden deal. Drummond once categorized this upcoming playoff push as similar to “playing pickup,” in that the players are relatively unfamiliar with each other, so they’re learning each other’s game on the fly.
“We’re all excited. We’re still getting to know this group,” Nash said on Monday. “There’s confidence in there, but there’s excitement to continue to grow and build and compete. We don’t really know a ton about our group relatively to the other teams who have been together for longer periods of time or had longer continuity this season. … We should be excited about what we could build, what we can accomplish in a short period of time here and how difficult we could be to beat in a playoff situation.”
As much of a challenge as the Nets pose on paper, they have shown a propensity to play beneath the championship standard, especially against lesser opponents, which the Cavs, as good as they are, qualify as. For example, the Nets surrendered a 18-point lead to the Pacers in the season finale. They let the Knicks run up a 21-point lead before coming back to win in the second half, and in last Friday’s matchup against the Cavaliers, they blew a 17-point lead before opening the game back up in the fourth quarter.
“It’s risky,” Durant said after the Nets came back to beat the Knicks at Madison Square Garden last week. “I hate being down. I hate even being that team. Get down and fight back. Like I don’t like that s—. I don’t want that to be a part of who we are.”
History, however, should be on the Nets’ side. They have won the season series against the Cavs, 3-1, have the better and more experienced roster on paper and have their sights set on far more than just a playoff appearance.
() | https://www.twincities.com/2022/04/11/nets-say-first-play-in-is-a-game-7-its-a-must-win/ | 2022-04-12T01:23:39 | 1 | https://www.twincities.com/2022/04/11/nets-say-first-play-in-is-a-game-7-its-a-must-win/ |
By MICHAEL RUBINKAM
Philadelphia became the first major U.S. city to reinstate its indoor mask mandate on Monday after reporting a sharp increase in coronavirus infections, with the city’s top health official saying she wanted to forestall a potential new wave driven by an omicron subvariant.
Confirmed COVID-19 cases have risen more than 50% in 10 days, the threshold at which the city’s guidelines call for people to wear masks indoors, said Dr. Cheryl Bettigole, the health commissioner. Health officials believe the recent spike is being driven by the highly transmissible BA.2 subvariant of omicron, which has spread rapidly throughout Europe and Asia, and has become dominant in the U.S. in recent weeks.
“If we fail to act now, knowing that every previous wave of infections has been followed by a wave of hospitalizations, and then a wave of deaths, it will be too late for many of our residents,” said Bettigole, noting about 750 Philadelphia residents died in the wintertime omicron outbreak. “This is our chance to get ahead of the pandemic, to put our masks on until we have more information about the severity of this new variant.”
Health inspectors will begin enforcing the mask mandate at city businesses on April 18.
Most states and cities dropped their masking requirements in February and early March following new guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that put less focus on case counts and more on hospital capacity. The CDC said at that time that with the virus in retreat, most Americans could safely take off their masks.
Philadelphia ended its indoor mask mandate March 2, and Bettigole acknowledged “it was wonderful to feel that sense of normalcy again.”
Confirmed cases have since risen to more than 140 per day — still a fraction of what Philadelphia saw at the height of the omicron surge — while only 46 patients are in the hospital with COVID-19. The CDC says community spread in Philadelphia remains low, a level at which the agency says that masking can be optional.
The restaurant industry pushed back against the city’s reimposed mask mandate, saying workers will bear the brunt of customer anger over the new rules.
“This announcement is a major blow to thousands of small businesses and other operators in the city who were hoping this spring would be the start of recovery,” said Ben Fileccia, senior director of operations at the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association.
PolicyLab at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia said Friday that while it expects some increased transmission in the northern U.S. over the next several weeks, hospital admissions have remained low and “our team advises against required masking given that hospital capacity is good.”
Bettigole said requiring people to mask up will help restaurants and other businesses stay open, while a huge new wave of COVID-19 would keep customers at home. She said hospital capacity was just one factor that went into her decision to reinstate the mandate.
“I sincerely wish we didn’t have to do this again,” Bettigole said. “But I am very worried about our vulnerable neighbors and loved ones.”
In New York City, Mayor Eric Adams has paused his push to unwind many of the city’s virus rules as cases have risen, opting for now to keep a mask mandate for 2 to 4-year-olds in city schools and preschools. But Adams, a Democrat who has said New Yorkers should not let the pandemic run their lives, has already lifted most other mask mandates and rules requiring proof of vaccination to dine in restaurants, work out at gyms or attend shows.
Adams was asked at a virtual news conference Monday afternoon if he was considering reimposing the New York City mask mandate in light of Philadelphia’s decision. The mayor said he would listen to his team of medical doctors for their advice on whether to bring back any restrictions. Adams himself tested positive for COVID-19 on Sunday.
New York City is now averaging around 1,800 new cases per day, about three times higher than in early March when New York began easing rules. That does not include the many home tests that go unreported to health officials.
The latest outbreak has struck many high-profile officials in Washington, including Cabinet members and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and the governors of New Jersey and Connecticut. Some universities have reinstated mask mandates.
D.C. health officials say they have no immediate plans to change virus protocols, but they reserve the right to change course down the road.
___
Rubinkam reported from northeastern Pennsylvania. Associated Press reporter Michelle L. Price in New York contributed to this story. | https://www.twincities.com/2022/04/11/philadelphia-to-restore-indoor-mask-mandate-as-cases-rise/ | 2022-04-12T01:23:45 | 0 | https://www.twincities.com/2022/04/11/philadelphia-to-restore-indoor-mask-mandate-as-cases-rise/ |
By STEVE KARNOWSKI
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minnesota judge heard arguments Monday on whether he has the authority to allow live video coverage of the upcoming trial of three former Minneapolis police officers charged with aiding and abetting the murder of George Floyd, while prosecutors revealed that the three rejected a plea deal in March.
Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill took the rare step of allowing live audiovisual coverage of ex-Officer Derek Chauvin’s murder trial last year, making an exception to the normal rules of Minnesota courts. He cited the extenuating circumstance of the need to balance protecting participants from COVID-19 against the constitutional requirement for a public trial.
Now that the U.S. has entered a new phase of living with the coronavirus, Cahill must decide whether to allow the same sort of access for the trial set to begin in June for former Officers Tou Thao, Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng. He did not rule during their pretrial hearing, and said he won’t until after the Minnesota Judicial Council — a panel of leading judges and court administrators — meets Thursday to discuss the issue, according to pool reports from the courtroom.
Prosecutor Matthew Frank did not disclose details of the plea offers but said they were identical and were made after their convictions in February on federal civil rights charges stemming from Floyd’s death.
Lane’s attorney, Earl Gray, said it was hard for the defense to negotiate when the three still don’t know what their federal sentences will be. The judge in that case has not set a sentencing date, and all three remain free on bail.
Attorney Leita Walker, who represents a coalition of media organizations, including The Associated Press, urged Cahill to allow video coverage again, saying it’s the most reasonable way to ensure public and media access to the trial. She said the public got to watch Chauvin’s trial, and that interest remains high because both involve Floyd’s death.
Thao, Lane and Kueng are charged with aiding and abetting both manslaughter and murder when Chauvin used his knee to pin Floyd, a Black man, to the pavement for 9 1/2 minutes on May 25, 2020. Kueng knelt on Floyd’s back, Lane held his legs and Thao kept bystanders back. The killing, which was recorded on video, sparked protests around the world and a national reckoning on race.
“The public is just not going to understand why they got to watch that one gavel to gavel and they won’t be able to watch this one,” Walker said.
But Cahill questioned Walker’s assertions that he has the authority to make another exception and that the pandemic is still an extenuating circumstance.
“COVID-19 is less of a pandemic and more of an endemic issue now,” Cahill said.
Cahill noted that while he has publicly said he now believes the legal presumption should be to allow televised trials, he pointed out that that’s not the rule yet. “I’m still sworn to uphold the law,” he said.
Defense attorneys said they still oppose audiovisual coverage of the upcoming trial, and renewed concerns about the willingness of witnesses to testify.
Minnesota court rules generally require the consent of all parties for audiovisual coverage of trials, with fewer restrictions for sentencings. Chauvin’s trial was the first in Minnesota to be entirely televised, from jury selection to his murder conviction to his sentencing to 22 1/2 years in prison. People worldwide tuned into the livestreams.
“I think livestreaming that trial enabled people here and around the world to see the inner workings of a system that was handling one of the most important trials of our time,” Suki Dardarian, senior managing editor and vice president of the Star Tribune of Minneapolis, which is part of the media coalition, said before the hearing.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office initially opposed having cameras in the court for Chauvin’s trial, but now supports them for the other officers’ upcoming trial.
“The Chauvin trial demonstrated the benefits of robust public access to this important case and proved that the Court could successfully navigate the concerns animating the State’s initial opposition to audio and video coverage,” prosecutors wrote last week. “The Court’s commendable transparency inspired public confidence in the proceedings and helped ensure calm in Minneapolis and across the country.”
Due to federal court rules, live video coverage was not allowed for the first trial of Thao, Lane and Kueng this year, when all three were convicted of violating Floyd’s civil rights. Nor was it allowed for Chauvin’s federal case in which he pleaded guilty to civil rights violations. But it was allowed in the December state court trial of former Brooklyn Center Officer Kim Potter in the death of Daunte Wright, who was killed one year ago Monday.
An advisory committee to the Minnesota Supreme Court is considering whether to allow more video coverage of criminal proceedings. It’s due to release its report by July 1.
Cahill, in a letter to the committee, said he had opposed cameras in criminal cases before, but that his experience in Chauvin’s case changed his opinion, and he now believes they should be presumptively allowed, subject to the trial judge’s discretion.
Hennepin County Judge Regina Chu, who presided over Potter’s trial, told the Star Tribune in an interview that both the Potter and Chauvin trials convinced her that cameras can be present without being disruptive.
“I forgot they were even there,” Chu told the newspaper. | https://www.twincities.com/2022/04/11/plea-deal-rejected-by-3-ex-officers-in-george-floyds-death/ | 2022-04-12T01:23:51 | 0 | https://www.twincities.com/2022/04/11/plea-deal-rejected-by-3-ex-officers-in-george-floyds-death/ |
Twins pitchers are hearing voices now. Literally.
Instead of stepping on the mound and peering intently at the catcher, looking for a set of wiggling fingers, pitchers this year are getting their signs from a system called PitchCom.
Affixed to either Ryan Jeffers’ or Gary Sanchez’s left wrist, you can now find a small device filled with buttons that catchers now use to relay signs. A small receiver placed in the pitcher’s hat then reads out the information in a robotic voice. The Twins first started testing out the new system, which is designed to cut down on sign stealing, during spring training, and now all of their pitchers are using it.
“I really liked it,” starter Sonny Gray said this spring after first using it. “I really, really did. I think the days, for us at least, of catchers putting down signals has come and gone.”
A New York Times story posted shortly before Opening Day suggested only half of the teams were planning on using it to begin the season, though more are expected to as the season wears on.
The Twins were on board from the get-go.
“Everyone’s using it, because everyone sees the benefits in it,” Jeffers said. “I think it can aid in speeding up the tempo of the game in general and avoid obviously sign stealing.”
Getting used to the new system, Jeffers said, didn’t take a terribly long amount of time to get used to. Each pitcher wants his signs delivered slightly differently — some don’t care when they get it, some want it only when they’ve stepped on the mound — but learning that wasn’t too difficult for Jeffers, either.
Though there are still things to be ironed out, reliever Tyler Duffey believes everything will become much more fluid and routine as the season goes on.
“I think it’ll be good on the whole at the end of the year. It’ll be something that is really useful,” Duffey said. “I had runner on second base and didn’t have to worry about trying to remember anything signs wise. It’s just like, ‘Alright, yep, alright, nope,’ and go for it, and so it’s just that part of it is definitely going to be a lot better.”
It could also help speed things along, with pitchers getting signs quicker and thus being ready to deliver their next pitch sooner.
That would be A-OK with Twins manager Rocco Baldelli.
“I like a nice crisp pace. I kind of came up in the game thinking, you get on the mound, you get your pitch, keeps the guys behind you ready to go. I think those things are all positives. But I do think some pitchers have really benefited in their jobs by slowing things down, frankly,” Baldelli said. “I’d say the timing and the pace of the game has a chance to change.”
In addition to the pitcher and the catcher, the Twins can allocate three more PitchCom receivers, which have gone to their players up the middle: Carlos Correa at shortstop, Jorge Polanco at second base and Byron Buxton in center.
The new system has gotten a thumbs up from Twins position players, too. While Buxton says he goes off his instincts more than anything, he called PitchCom a “good help.” Same goes for Correa.
“I always look at the signs. I always know what’s coming. But knowing for sure, hearing it in your ear, it’s pretty cool stuff,” Correa said. “I’m on board.”
BRIEFLY
Correa was presented with his Gold and Platinum Glove awards on Monday before the game. It’s Correa’s first Gold Glove. The Platinum Glove is awarded to the best defensive player in each league. | https://www.twincities.com/2022/04/11/twins-turn-to-pitchcom-to-combat-sign-stealing/ | 2022-04-12T01:23:57 | 0 | https://www.twincities.com/2022/04/11/twins-turn-to-pitchcom-to-combat-sign-stealing/ |
The energy wasn't the only thing that was electric at the 2022 CMT Music Awards.
The red carpet at the Monday ceremony was temporarily paused due to a storm beating down on the Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Tennessee, where the event was held. Celebrity arrivals were just getting underway when guests and crew were asked to briefly evacuate from the carpet due to lightning.
The awards' official live stream was halted, as well as a feed of the carpet from local news outlet The Tennessean.
"The red carpet is being delayed for lightning in Nashville," The Tennessean reported in the chat of its YouTube stream, explaining that "we are just waiting for everyone to get back in place!"
When things were back up and running, stars like Carrie Underwood, Maren Morris, LeAnn Rimes and Jessie James Decker made their way down the red carpet.
The weather delay was not the first hiccup the CMT Music Awards experienced this year. Just hours before event, Kelsea Ballerini announced that she cannot attend the ceremony in person and will instead perform her hosting duties, which she'll share with Anthony Mackie, virtually after testing positive for COVID-19 this week.
All the Celebrity Couples at the CMT Music Awards 2022
Entertainment News
"The good news is that I'm feeling a lot better and the incredible CMT family and my team have brought part of the CMT set to my house, to my little bubble, and set it up to where I can still host and perform," she shared on Instagram. "It is certainly not what we had expected or planned for, but we are doing our damn best."
As the saying goes: The show must go on! Keep scrolling to see at the stars who braved the rainy weather to attend the CMT Music Awards. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/cmt-music-awards-2022-red-carpet-evacuated-amid-lightning-storm/3641148/ | 2022-04-12T01:26:01 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/cmt-music-awards-2022-red-carpet-evacuated-amid-lightning-storm/3641148/ |
Some vendors on Etsy say they are halting sales of their items on the site for a week to protest a hike in the fees the crafts e-commerce marketplace charges them.
Starting Monday, Etsy sellers must pay a 6.5% commission on each transaction, up from the 5% in place since 2018.
A protest organizer, Kristi Cassidy, said thousands of Etsy sellers — a fraction of the 5.3 million vendors on the site — have temporarily halted selling their items. Cassidy, who has been selling gothic and punk costumes on Etsy since 2007, also launched a petition that so far has garnered more than 50,000 signatures from buyers and sellers. Roughly 20,000 are sellers. Cassidy said it's hard to estimate the exact number of sellers that have actually stopped selling on the site.
Cassidy and others are also taking issue with Etsy’s advertising policy implemented early in 2020. It requires sellers making at least $10,000 a year on Etsy and who have have their products advertised on Etsy's offsite social media and search-engine partners, to pay a 12% advertising fee on sales made through the ads.
Cassidy also said that Etsy needs to crack down on resellers, people selling mass-produced goods that they have not designed themselves.
Raina Moskowitz, chief operating officer at New York-based Etsy, said that the new fee structure will enable the company to increase spending on marketing, customer support and removing listings that don’t meet its policies.
“Our sellers’ success is a top priority for Etsy," she said in a statement.
Business
Etsy, best known for selling handmade soap and jewelry, was one of the few beneficiaries in the pandemic as more people stayed at home and either made items or sought homemade items online.
But it’s now under pressure to ramp up its offerings to compete better with Amazon. As part of its growth strategy, it made two acquisitions last year. It bought Depop, an app that’s popular among young people looking to buy and sell used clothing and vintage fashions from the early 2000s. It also acquired Elo7 — known as the “Etsy of Brazil” for its popular marketplace for crafty creators.
Cassidy said the protest over fees is just the beginning. She told The Associated Press she wants to actually “build an equivalent of a union" for Etsy sellers and said she's been inspired by the union organizing activity heating up at such companies as Amazon and Starbucks.
“As individual crafters, makers and small businesspeople, we may be easy for a giant corporation like Etsy to take advantage of," Cassidy wrote on the online petition. “But as an organized front of people, determined to use our diverse skills and boundless creativity to win ourselves a fairer deal, Etsy won’t have such an easy time shoving us around."
The Rhode Island-based mother of two young children said she has seen her income drop last year to one third of what it was in 2019, blaming in part to some of the moves Etsy has made. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/business/etsy-sellers-protest-fees-by-halting-their-sales-for-a-week/3641150/ | 2022-04-12T01:26:07 | 0 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/business/etsy-sellers-protest-fees-by-halting-their-sales-for-a-week/3641150/ |
Who was the worst NBA player in 2021-22? originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
The best players in the NBA will take center stage during the playoffs after finishing out the regular season. Other players, however, will want to put this year in the rearview for all the wrong reasons.
Ten teams are already onto the offseason and turning their attention to the draft lottery. As could be expected, those bad teams had rosters with bad players.
MVP debates have become an exhausting exercise, and there is a distinction between “most valuable” and “best,” but the award is a tangible way of honoring the premier player from that season. But what is the best system for determining the worst player in the NBA, and who would get that dishonor this season?
Using three statistics, here’s a look at the players who had the roughest seasons:
Which NBA player had the worst net rating this season?
Net rating is one metric that could be used to quantify a player’s overall impact.
Sports
Net rating is determined by subtracting a player’s defensive rating from their offensive rating. Offensive rating is the number of points produced by a player per 100 individual possessions and defensive rating is the number of points allowed by a player per 100 individual possessions.
The player with the top net rating for 2021-22 is none other than … Ahmad Caver? The guard had an eye-popping 200.0 offensive rating and suffocating 66.7 defensive rating, giving him a net rating of 133.3. That number is pretty skewed, though, considering he logged just 0.8 minutes in his only appearance with the Indiana Pacers this season.
When it comes to players who are regular starters and rotation players, more noticeable names rise to the top. Jayson Tatum (12.1) led the league among those who played at least 41 games, followed by George Hill (11.7), Steph Curry (10.7) and Jae Crowder (10.2).
For the lowest net rating, the biggest number is tough to even comprehend. Sam Dekker had a -250.0 net rating, combining a 0.0 offensive rating with a -250.0 defensive rating. Like Caver, the number came in a minuscule sample size, as Dekker played just 0.9 minutes in his lone outing for the Toronto Raptors.
Here are the bottom 10 players ranked by net rating regardless of playing time:
1. Sam Dekker, Raptors: -250.0
2. Jordan Goodwin, Wizards: -110.0
3. Zylan Cheatham, Jazz: -106.8
T-4. Arnoldas Kulboka, Hornets: -100.0
T-4. CJ Miles, Celtics: -100.0
T-4. Joe Johnson, Celtics: -100.0
T-4. Matt Mooney, Knicks: -100.0
T-4. Tyler Hall, Knicks: -100.0
9. David Johnson, Raptors: -75.0
10. Jaden Springer, 76ers: -72.4
Here are the bottom 10 NBA players who logged at least 500 minutes ranked by net rating with one non-playoff team standing out:
1. Brandon Williams, Trail Blazers: -20.4
2. Keon Johnson, Trail Blazers: -19.0
3. Trendon Watford, Trail Blazers: -17.9
4. Greg Brown III, Trail Blazers: -17.6
5. Ignas Brazdeikis, Magic: -15.7
6. R.J. Hampton, Magic: -14.5
7. CJ Elleby, Trail Blazers: -14.3
8. Garrett Temple, Pelicans: -13.7
9. Ben McLemore, Trail Blazers: -13.1
10. Drew Eubanks, Trail Blazers: -12.8
Which NBA player had the worst PER this season?
John Hollinger created a formula in 2007 meant to capture a player’s overall impact on the game. His player efficiency rating (PER) uses positive accomplishments and negative accomplishments to calculate a player’s per-minute productivity. Hollinger sets the league average to 15.00 each season.
On the positive end, Nikola Jokic (32.94), Giannis Antetokounmpo (32.12) and Joel Embiid (31.24), the top three candidates for MVP, led the league in PER for the 2021-22 season.
On the lower end, Keifer Sykes (5.97) had the lowest PER among qualified players who logged at least 500 minutes. Here’s who ended the year in the bottom 10 for PER:
1. Keifer Sykes, Pacers: 5.97
2. Kent Bazemore, Lakers: 6.04
3. Tony Snell, Blazers/Pelicans: 6.37
4. Wesley Matthews, Bucks: 6.97
5. Joshua Primo, Spurs: 7.18
6. Rodney Hood, Bucks/Clippers: 7.20
7. Austin Rivers, Nuggets: 7.24
8. Aaron Nesmith, Celtics: 7.35
9. Maurice Harkless, Kings: 7.69
10. Isaiah Joe, 76ers: 7.71
Which NBA player had the worst true shooting percentage this season?
True shooting percentage measures shooting efficiency by accounting for 2-point field goal attempts, 3-point attempts and free throw attempts. Though it doesn’t account for the defensive side of the ball, true shooting percentage gives a glimpse at which players were the most effective and efficient scorers by lumping all types of shots into one statistic.
True shooting percentage favors forwards and centers whose shots predominantly come around the basket. Rudy Gobert (73.2%), Jarrett Allen (69.8%) and Montrezl Harrell (68.0%) led the league.
Conversely, the bottom of the list is filled with guards, as nine of the bottom 10 are backcourt players. Inexperience is also evident near the bottom of the true shooting list with four rookies in the bottom 10.
Here’s the full bottom 10 in true shooting percentage among qualified players.
1. Jalen Suggs, Magic: 45.5%
2. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Pelicans/Jazz: 47.5%
3. Josh Giddey, Thunder: 47.8%
4. R.J. Hampton, Magic: 48.1%
5. Reggie Jackson, Clippers: 48.8%
6. Davion Mitchell, Kings: 48.9%
7. Cameron Payne, Suns: 50.0%
T-8. Chuma Okeke, Magic: 50.1%
T-8. Tre Mann, Thunder: 50.1%
10. Furkan Korkmaz, 76ers: 50.2% | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/sports/who-was-the-worst-nba-player-in-2021-22/3641132/ | 2022-04-12T01:26:33 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/sports/who-was-the-worst-nba-player-in-2021-22/3641132/ |
OXFORD — Keziah Mickler day at Monday’s Calhoun County track meet. Like, four events long, and she threw up between her third and fourth event.
That’s OK. The Oxford junior had lots to celebrate when it was all over.
She won the 100- and 200-meter dashes, anchored Oxford’s victorious 4x100 relay team and took second in the 400 dash to lead the Yellow Jackets to their first girls’ county title since 2014.
Oxford’s girls edged three-time defending champion Alexandria 148-143 to help Oxford sweep the day at Choccolocco Park. Oxford’s boys dominated for their fifth consecutive county title, outsourcing second-place Anniston 228-144.
Oxford boys and girls sweep #CalhounTrack22. pic.twitter.com/rJeZ7vWb81
— Joe Medley (@jmedley_star) April 11, 2022
Mickler was one of several big winners.
Anniston’s Christian Myles won the 800 and 1,600 runs, anchored the winning 4x400 relay team and took fourth in the 3,200. His time of one minute, 59.51 seconds broke the meet record for the 800, set by Anniston’s Michael Brooks in 1985.
Anniston’s 4x400 relay team set a new mark of 3:30.55, breaking the old record of 3:32.95 set by Anniston in 1986.
Myles’ big day at county track came after he took the fall cross country season off.
“I was going through some difficulties back in cross country,” he said. “It didn’t determine my whole year, and that’s why I’ve got to thank the Man above. If it wasn’t for Him, I wouldn’t be here right now.”
Anniston boys, #CalhounTrack22 runners-up. pic.twitter.com/4Zc2tGoS31
— Joe Medley (@jmedley_star) April 11, 2022
Ohatchee’s Chris Ferguson pole vault of 13 feet, seven inches broke the record set by White Plains’ Matthew Moore of 13-06 in 2018, and Jorda Crook’s javelin throw of 128-06 shattered the record of 118-05.5 set by Oxford’s Haley Dempsey in 2019.
White Plains’ Maddyn Conn and Anna Strickland both beat the meet record for the 1,600. Conn took first in 5:25.26, and Strickland was second in 5:28.67, beating former Jacksonville runner Rebecca Hearn’s 2016 mark of 5:38.31.
Conn and Strickland also finished first and second in the 3,200, and Strickland won the 800.
Doing their part to give Oxford the sweep “means a lot” to the girls, Mickler said.
“It’s the first time we’ve won county since I’ve been here,” she said. “It’s just a huge accomplishment. All our girls stepped up today.”
Oxford’s girls also got a first-place finish from Chaci Whitfield in the 300 hurdles (49.75 seconds). She also took third in the high jump (4-08).
Distance ace Katie Keur delivered three second-place finishes … 800 (2:25.15), 1,600 (5:25.37) and 3,200 (11:56.94).
The county breakthrough for Oxford’s girls was all about participation, Oxford coach Landon Delozier said.
“It’s getting girls out to our team,” he said. “We’ve done a lot of in-house recruiting and just getting girls out and running again.”
One example is Shaniya Calloway, who played for Oxford’s state-finalist basketball team. She came out for track this year and gave Oxford a third-place finish in the 300 hurdles (53.26) Monday.
Reygan White, who also plays soccer, added a third in the triple jump (31-08.5).
As for Mickler’s day, “she’s just an amazing athlete,” Delozier said.
She didn’t feel so amazing after running the 400, her third event of the day.
“I was a little burned out,” she said. “After the 400, I did feel horrible and threw up. I was just like, I felt sick, but I felt better by the 200.
“I was just like, it’s my last event. I can do it, and I can win it. I just had the mentality today that I was going to get a medal in all of my events, and hopefully first place.”
Everything mattered in such a close meet with Alexandria.
Alexandria girls, #CalhounTrack22 runners-up. pic.twitter.com/3aDSKyu97T
— Joe Medley (@jmedley_star) April 11, 2022
The Valley Cubs got big points from Jordyn Walker, who won the 400 (1:01.21), took second in the 100 (13.19) and long jump (15-02) and placed third in the 200 (27.75). Mariah Munford took second with a shot put throw of 30-11.
The Valley Cubs also got a first in the 4x800 relay and a second in the 4x400.
In the boys’ meet, Oxford got several firsts: Cristian Gibson, 110 hurdles (16.07); Antonio Hicks, 200 dash (22.94); Kendric Croft, 300 hurdles (42.14); Noah George, 3,200 (9:59.47); Jordan Dobbins, javelin (152-04); Ashton Mitchell, long jump (21-04.50) and triple jump (42-07); Brian Rivas, shot put (41-01); 4x100 relay (43.28); and 4x800 relay (9:03.21).
Results for #CalhounTrack22. Some meet records listed cover only the time in which Xpress Timing has timed the meet or was able to obtain and input information that predates the company's involvement: https://t.co/yzMrCl8kY2
— Joe Medley (@jmedley_star) April 12, 2022
Delozier credits cooperation with Sam Adams, who’s been on the job as Oxford’s head football coach one year.
“We had a really good conversation with Coach Sam Adams as soon as he came in,” Delozier said. “His desire was to get his guys out here with us, and for us to kind of help each other.
“He sends me guys, and hopefully I develop them to make them faster when they go out and play football.”
Dobbins came out for track as a senior and gave Oxford a first-place in the javelin.
“It was just my senior year,” Dobbins said. “I just didn’t want to go out not doing nothing else but football. …
“This adds something different. It’s not just football. I was good at this, so I can be good at anything. I’ve just got to put my mind to it.” | https://www.annistonstar.com/sports/high_school/track-jackets-oxford-girls-rejoin-oxford-boys-atop-county-track/article_128bb43a-b9f3-11ec-a562-fb9f255fcdd8.html | 2022-04-12T01:27:17 | 1 | https://www.annistonstar.com/sports/high_school/track-jackets-oxford-girls-rejoin-oxford-boys-atop-county-track/article_128bb43a-b9f3-11ec-a562-fb9f255fcdd8.html |
CARMEL, Ind. — A charter school looking to add a new location in Hamilton County has filed a lawsuit against the Carmel Clay School Board of Trustees.
Valor Classical Academy filed a suit Friday in Hamilton Superior Court saying the Carmel Clay School Board did not comply with Indiana Code when it failed to notify the state Department of Education of its closure of Orchard Park Elementary School.
In a release from Valor sent Monday, they allege that CCSB did not properly “report the decision to close and avail the school building to a charter organization for one dollar” and therefore broke the law.
Valor’s founders said their hope for the lawsuit is that “the Court will determine that CCSB must report the closure of Orchard Park and follow all the rules which pertain to the closure and any change of use in the building thus opening a window of time in which a charter may claim the building.”
“Orchard Park is owned by the taxpayers and is no longer being used for classroom instruction,” Valor founder Holly Wilson said. “We’d like to restore this facility back to a productive use by opening a classical school that supports parents, students and educators and adds new opportunities and value to this vibrant community.”
In response to the filing, Carmel Clay School Board sent the following:
“The Orchard Park property is an important asset to the neighborhood and we remain pleased to partner with Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation for the property’s future use to benefit our entire community. We are aware of the lawsuit initiated by Indiana State Representative Christopher Jeter on behalf of the Indiana Classical Schools Corporation. The response to a complaint with the Indiana Attorney General’s office confirmed we have been fully compliant with the law regarding the use of our property. CCS will now efficiently address the matter through the judicial process as needed.”
Emily Bauer, Director of Community Relations for Carmel Clay School Board
This is a developing story. This article will be updated with more information as it becomes available. | https://fox59.com/indiana-news/charter-school-files-suit-against-carmel-clay-school-board/ | 2022-04-12T01:29:44 | 1 | https://fox59.com/indiana-news/charter-school-files-suit-against-carmel-clay-school-board/ |
Gas prices are easing slightly, with some sub-$4-per-gallon prices posted in Santa Fe.
As of Thursday, the average price for regular unleaded fuel in Santa Fe fell 7 cents from the prior week to $4.03 per gallon, the AAA New Mexico Weekend Gas Watch reported.
The Santa Fe average price peaked at $4.16 per gallon March 29, according to AAA.
The statewide average price dropped 5 cents to $4.10, a nickel lower than the national average of $4.15. Albuquerque had the cheapest gas among New Mexico metro areas at $4, Farmington the most expensive at $4.44 and Las Cruces was at $4.17.
“The latest round of headlines about oil reserve releases have been driving retail gas and crude oil prices down,” AAA New Mexico spokesman Daniel Armbruster said in a news release. “Gasoline demand also hasn’t been as strong over the past few weeks, but that will likely change as we get closer to the summer driving season.”
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Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham often has referred to her mother, Sonja Lujan, as a tireless advocate for disabled children and an inspiration for her career.
Lujan, 82, died Sunday of natural causes in hospice care at the governor's mansion in Santa Fe, the Governor's Office said in a news release Monday.
The governor paid tribute to her mother, calling Lujan a role model — particularly as she cared for her physically disabled daughter Kimberly, who died at 21.
“My mother was truly one of a kind," Lujan Grisham said in the statement. "Like so many caring and devoted mothers, she became a dedicated advocate for my sister Kimberly and children with disabilities across the country simply because there was no other choice.
"She worked to right every wrong and fought for the best standard of care, refusing to back down when she knew there was more that could be done," Lujan Grisham added. "Her tenacity and determination in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges has inspired me every single day of my adult life."
According to information provided by the Governor's Office, Lujan was born Sonja Lee Jackson on Jan. 18, 1940, in Brazil, Ind. Her father served in the U.S. Air Force, and she often lived abroad when he was stationed overseas.
In 1959, she married Llewellyn Eugene “Buddy” Lujan, a U.S. Air Force veteran and dentist who was known for providing free community dental care to the poor. He died in 2011.
Lujan Grisham said in a 2013 Politico interview her parents fought "to protect their family. … That inspired me to want to make a difference not only for us but for other families."
State Sen. Pete Campos, D-Las Vegas, said he recalled the Lujan family, including Sonja, "always being involved in the community. It was a very strong, supportive family of our governor."
Sonja Lujan, he said, "would not get discouraged."
Kimberly Lujan's childhood challenges included a brain tumor and blindness, disabling conditions that pushed her mother into advocacy work. Her efforts to find a prekindergarten program for Kimberly in the early 1970s helped fuel the start of New Vistas, a 61-year-old local nonprofit that works to provide an array of services for people with disabilities.
Mary Russell, the first executive director of New Vistas, said Sonja Lujan was "determined. She was certainly an advocate in this field."
Lujan was a member of the Santa Fe Junior Women's Club, Russell said, which at that time had a mission of helping to fulfill unmet needs in the community. Women in the club helped spearhead New Vistas.
"Kimberly and Sonja Lujan were the reason we went in that direction," Russell said.
As a mother, Sonja Lujan "was determined to find something suitable for her daughter [Kimberly] so she could be with other children at that age, starting preschool and having the experiences that we now expect if you have a child who has a disability."
Lujan Grisham often referred to her mother during the coronavirus pandemic, speaking of her own personal pain in not being able to visit with Lujan at an assisted living facility in Albuquerque due to the public health orders.
She posted annual Mother's Day salutations to Lujan, including one with a photo of her visiting her mother in 2021, after the most severe health restrictions were lifted.
She wrote in one Mother's Day Facebook post, "My mother is the embodiment of a strong, New Mexican woman and I'm so proud to be her daughter."
House Speaker Brian Egolf, D-Santa Fe, wrote in an email Monday, “My heart goes out to Governor Lujan Grisham and her family as they grieve the death of her mother, Sonja Lujan. I know how difficult it is to lose a parent. I also know that Sonja’s fighting spirit lives on in Michelle’s determination to make life better for the people of our state.”
Sonja Lujan also is survived by a son, Gregory Lujan, who lives in Santa Fe and works in the hospitality business. | https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/governors-mother-a-tireless-advocate-for-children-with-disabilities-dies-at-82/article_61da633e-b9b6-11ec-a0fd-0b3bb6d06764.html | 2022-04-12T01:37:13 | 0 | https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/governors-mother-a-tireless-advocate-for-children-with-disabilities-dies-at-82/article_61da633e-b9b6-11ec-a0fd-0b3bb6d06764.html |
A pilgrimage long has been at the heart of activities for those in Northern New Mexico commemorating Holy Week — one of the most sacred periods for the Christian church.
Pilgrims will be taking to the road all week to bring their prayers to a small church in Chimayó. The busiest day, traditionally, is Good Friday. The destination: El Santuario de Chimayó and its tiny room containing dirt believed to have healing properties.
At this place, during this time, these pilgrims are demonstrating their faith through action. They are happy to be back. For the two years of the coronavirus pandemic, the pilgrimage was canceled. A few individuals made the journey, but not the tens of thousands who typically travel during Holy Week.
For anyone new to the area, or to long-timers who have forgotten what time of year it is, the pilgrims walking alongside highways offer more reason to take care with driving. From Albuquerque along Interstate 25, from Peñasco down the High Road, or from Santa Fe over U.S. 84/285 to N.M. 503 and N.M. 76, people will be walking where normally there are but a few strollers alongside the road.
Watch for them, so tradition does not turn into tragedy.
The Chimayó pilgrimage is a tradition unique to Northern New Mexico, rooted in Catholicism but welcoming all people who walk with a sincere heart and goodwill. Pilgrimages, of course, happen around the world. But the custom of walking to Chimayó had faded in the 20th century.
That changed after World War II, when National Guardsmen who had survived the Bataan Death March came home, grateful to be alive. To give thanks, these veterans began walking to the santuario. One man, Conrado Vigil, walked from Belen in 1946. He was 28 and had been released from a prisoner-of-war camp only for seven months. His example prompted other Bataan survivors to follow suit. Their expression of faith spread. In typical years, as many as 30,000 people visit the santuario during Holy Week.
The throngs of walkers make it essential for all involved to take care. As is customary, the state Department of Transportation will be directing its resources to make the journey safer. Electric signs proclaiming, “Watch for walkers, proceed with caution” will be up to remind drivers to be alert.
Officers from the state police, as well as deputies from Santa Fe and Rio Arriba counties, will provide security and traffic control.
Pedestrians can help see to their own safety, too.
They are reminded to wear reflective clothing so they can be seen during day or night. Walkers should carry a flashlight or glowing light, wear comfortable shoes, bring plenty of water and wear sunscreen. Packing a few Band-Aids isn’t a bad idea, either, although a first-aid station will be placed along N.M. 503. Two medical units are set up, and Santa Fe County is providing 37 portable toilets, too.
There even are trash cans along the route, something we trust pilgrims will use — a spiritual journey is no excuse to leave the temporal world covered in litter.
Together, the walkers and support agencies will work to ensure the 2022 pilgrimage is safe. May it be a journey in which promises are kept and prayers are answered. The return of this tradition is a sign of hope in a world of troubles where prayers and good thoughts are necessary. | https://www.santafenewmexican.com/opinion/editorials/return-of-santuario-pilgrimage-offers-hope/article_60f4cafa-b9bf-11ec-8532-8f5e3bfe1bed.html | 2022-04-12T01:37:19 | 0 | https://www.santafenewmexican.com/opinion/editorials/return-of-santuario-pilgrimage-offers-hope/article_60f4cafa-b9bf-11ec-8532-8f5e3bfe1bed.html |
Judge: Lori Vallow, charged with killing her children, now fit for trial
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — An Idaho judge ruled Monday that a mother accused of conspiring to kill her children, her estranged husband and a lover’s wife is now mentally competent to stand trial on some of the charges in Idaho.
Daybell and her new husband, Chad Daybell, face numerous charges in the complicated case involving allegations of bizarre spiritual beliefs involving “zombies” and doomsday predictions.
Prosecutors have said that Lori and Chad Daybell espoused the religious beliefs in an effort to encourage or justify the murders.
The case against her had been hold for months after Judge Steven Boyce ordered her committed to a mental facility so she could undergo treatment in an effort to make her mentally fit enough to assist in her own defense.
Boyce’s new order said Lori Vallow Daybell “is restored to competency and is fit to proceed” in the Idaho murder case. He did not provide other details about her treatment or mental condition.
She is scheduled to be formally arraigned in court next week and both Lori and Chad Daybell are set to stand trial together early next year.
Tare charged withconspiracy to commit murder and first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Lori Daybell’s children 7-year-old Joshua “JJ” Vallow, 16-year-old Tylee Ryan, as well as Chad Daybell’s first wife, Tammy Daybell.
Lori Daybell is also charged in Arizona with conspiring to kill her former estranged husband, Charles Vallow, with the help of her now-deceased brother, Alex Cox.
Chad Daybell has pleaded not guilty to the charges and Lori Daybell has not yet had an opportunity to enter a plea. Chad Daybell’s attorney, John Prior, declined to comment on the case. Lori Daybell’s attorney, Jim Archibald, did not immediately respond to voice and email messages requesting comment.
An indictment said Chad and Lori Daybell in 2018 while still married to other people began espousing an apocalyptical system of religious belief.
Lori Daybell’s brother Alex Cox shot and killed her estranged husband, Charles Vallow, in suburban Phoenix, according to an indictment in Arizona.
Cox asserted the shooting was in self-defense, and he was never charged. At the time, Charles Vallow was seeking a divorce, saying his wife believed she had become a god-like figure responsible for ushering in the biblical end of times. Cox later died of an apparent blood clot in his lung.
Shortly after Charles Vallow’s death, Lori Daybell — who then had the last name Vallow — and her children moved to the rural eastern Idaho community of Rexburg, near where Chad Daybell lived. At the time, Chad Daybell was married to Tammy Daybell. She died in October of 2019, and her obituary said the death was from natural causes.
Authorities grew suspicious, however, when Chad and Lori Daybell got married just two weeks later, and investigators had Tammy Daybell’s body exhumed for an autopsy. Authorities have not released her cause of death.
Police began searching for Lori Daybell’s youngest two children in November after relatives raised concerns. The Daybells quickly left town, and were found months later in Hawaii without the children.
Investigators later found the bodies of JJ and Tylee buried in Chad Daybell’s yard back in Idaho. They have not disclosed causes of death but court documents said Tylee’s body was partially burned.
Friends of the Daybells told investigators that the couple believed people could become “zombies” if they were possessed by evil spirits, a state in which their soul was trapped in limbo, according to police reports. The couple reportedly believed that the only way to rid a person of a zombie was for their body to die, according to police reports.
A friend of the couple, Melanie Gibb, told investigators that Lori Daybell referred to her youngest children as “zombies,” and police in Arizona said the couple exchanged text messages saying that Tammy Daybell had been possessed by a dark spirit.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.wnem.com/2022/04/12/judge-lori-vallow-charged-with-killing-her-children-now-fit-trial/ | 2022-04-12T01:37:28 | 1 | https://www.wnem.com/2022/04/12/judge-lori-vallow-charged-with-killing-her-children-now-fit-trial/ |
South Carolina park ‘consistently’ being used for illegal sexual activity, police say
GREENVILLE, S.C. (WHNS/Gray News) - Authorities said they are investigating illegal sexual activity that is occurring “consistently” at a park in South Carolina.
Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis said his agency has received numerous complaints about people having sex at Pelham Mill Park in Greer, South Carolina.
The incidents have occurred in the parking lot, in the woods and even out in the open, according to the sheriff. Despite arrests, the activity has continued, WHNS reports.
Innocent bystanders including children have witnessed the activity, according to the sheriff.
“Under no circumstance should a young child or community member who is trying to enjoy a peaceful day at a park have to be exposed to this sort of activity,” Lewis said. “We are continuing our efforts to patrol the area and to identify those who are blatantly exposing themselves and engaging in illegal sexual activity, but we also need the community’s help with reporting this suspicious behavior.”
Anyone who witnesses this activity is asked to call the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office at 864-271-5210.
“More importantly, I want to speak to the people who are committing these acts and simply let them know that we are familiar with the apps you use to engage in this activity, we know your intentions, and to stop,” Lewis said. “There are appropriate places to engage in adult activities, and a public place is not that area. We must think about others when we act, and I ask the community to be considerate of one another and especially our youth.”
Copyright 2022 WHNS via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.wnem.com/2022/04/12/south-carolina-park-consistently-being-used-illegal-sexual-activity-police-say/ | 2022-04-12T01:37:34 | 1 | https://www.wnem.com/2022/04/12/south-carolina-park-consistently-being-used-illegal-sexual-activity-police-say/ |
INDIANAPOLIS — Internationally-known, Grammy-award-winning Pitbull will return to Indiana this September.
Pitbull, also known as Mr. Worldwide, will bring his Can’t Stop Us Now Tour to Ruoff Music Center in Noblesville featuring Iggy Azalea.
Pitbull has sold 25 million albums and has more than 15 billion cumulative video views.
The tour stops in Indiana on Friday, Sept. 2, and is part of the Coors Light Concert Series.
Tickets go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 15.
TOP STORIES: IUPUI commencement ceremony subject of uproar as some students won't be able to walk | Gainbridge concertgoers say they were denied access to rescheduled Elton John show; told tickets invalid | Meteor likely cause of mysterious explosion-like noise that rattled parts of Indiana, AMS says | Carvana building demolished to clear way for construction of new I-465 interchange | Apple to pay $14.8M to iCloud subscribers over breached contract | https://www.wrtv.com/news/mr-worldwide-returning-to-indiana-for-show-at-ruoff-music-center | 2022-04-12T01:41:09 | 1 | https://www.wrtv.com/news/mr-worldwide-returning-to-indiana-for-show-at-ruoff-music-center |
Jury selection began on Monday in a long-anticipated libel lawsuit Johnny Depp filed against his ex-wife, actress Amber Heard, whom he accuses of falsely portraying him as a domestic abuser.
The actor sued Heard over an op-ed piece she wrote in The Washington Post in 2018 in which Heard refers to herself as a "public figure representing domestic abuse." The article doesn't mention Depp by name, but he says it clearly refers to allegations Heard made in other forums that she suffered physical abuse at his hands. Depp denies the accusations.
The lawsuit brought a little bit of Hollywood to a courthouse that has a long history of dealing with high-profile crimes, just not those involving movie stars.
More than a dozen women, some waving signs saying "Justice for Johnny," joined other fans who waved pirate flags in recognition of Depp's signature role in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies, waited outside the courthouse an hour before the hearing.
The courtroom in the city of Fairfax, Virginia, was closed to the public Monday, with limited closed-circuit access in an overflow courtroom. People lined up before 7 a.m. for the wristbands granting access.
The judge overseeing the trial, Penney Azcarate, has imposed a series of access rules to try to maintain decorum in the courthouse. Most significantly, neither Depp nor Heard are permitted to pose for photos or sign autographs in the courthouse or on the courthouse grounds.
In a separate lawsuit Depp filed against a British newspaper, a judge dismissed the case, finding that Depp assaulted Heard on a dozen occasions and put her in fear for her life on multiple occasions.
Heard has filed a countersuit against Depp that accuses his lawyers of defaming her at his direction.
Heard's lawyers tried unsuccessfully to have the case moved to California, where the actors reside. A Fairfax judge ruled that Depp was within his rights to bring the case here because the Post's online editions are published through servers located in Fairfax County. Depp's lawyers have said they brought the case in Virginia in part because the laws here are more favorable to their case.
The trial is expected to last more than a month.
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.wrtv.com/news/national/johnny-depp-defamation-suit-against-amber-heard-begins | 2022-04-12T01:41:15 | 1 | https://www.wrtv.com/news/national/johnny-depp-defamation-suit-against-amber-heard-begins |
(MOSCOW) — Russian opposition activist Vladimir Kara-Murza Jr., who was twice sickened in incidents he suspected were poisonings, has been detained in Moscow by police, another prominent opposition figure said on Monday.
Ilya Yashin said on Twitter that Kara-Murza was detained on Monday near his Moscow residence. It was unclear whether he had been charged.
Kara-Murza was hospitalized with poisoning symptoms twice, in 2015 and 2017. A journalist and associate of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, who was shot and killed in 2015, and oligarch-turned-dissident Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Kara-Murza nearly died from kidney failure in the first incident. He suspects he was poisoned but no cause has been determined.
Kara-Murza was taken to a hospital with a sudden, similar illness in 2017 and put into a medically induced coma. His wife said doctors confirmed that he was poisoned. | https://www.wrtv.com/news/national/russia-ukraine-conflict/prominent-russian-opposition-activist-detained-in-moscow-unclear-if-charges-imposed | 2022-04-12T01:41:21 | 1 | https://www.wrtv.com/news/national/russia-ukraine-conflict/prominent-russian-opposition-activist-detained-in-moscow-unclear-if-charges-imposed |
FORT PIERCE, Fla. — Police are looking for a man who threw two Molotov cocktails at a Fort Pierce home in Florida on Sunday morning, causing a fire and explosion.
Video of the brazen attack was posted on the Fort Pierce Police department's Facebook page.
Police said officers responded to the home and investigators said after the attacker tossed the homemade bomb at the front of a window, he ran to the side of the house and threw another bottle over the roof.
WATCH: Man throws Molotov cocktails at home
Video shows large flames coming from the window of the home after the attack, shortly afterward, the man fled from the scene.
The homeowner's cousin, Juanita Anderson, said there were three people at the home when the attack occurred.
Anderson was sitting across the street when it all happened.
"I heard my cousin screaming that someone was throwing a bomb through her house," Anderson said.
She said her cousin and the two others who were at the home are doing fine.
"I don't know why would that happen or why that did happen," Anderson said. "I hope they don't come back."
Police are calling the attack an isolated incident.
This story was published by Scott Sutton and Briana Nespral of WPTV in West Palm Beach, Florida. | https://www.wrtv.com/news/national/video-shows-man-toss-molotov-cocktails-at-florida-home | 2022-04-12T01:41:27 | 0 | https://www.wrtv.com/news/national/video-shows-man-toss-molotov-cocktails-at-florida-home |
GARY — Police in Northwest Indiana say the discovery of what was initially believed to be the body of a missing 23-year-old woman on Sunday was actually a "lifelike mannequin," ABC 7 Chicago reported.
A NIPSCO (Northern Indiana Public Service Company) found the life-sized silicone or rubber doll at first thought to be the body of Ariana Taylor, who has been missing for more than a week, ABC 7 reported.
Last weekend, Taylor's SUV was found crashed and badly damaged near the junction of Interstate 80/94 and Interstate 65 in Lake County. Since the car was empty, investigators can't even be sure Taylor was driving it at the time of the crash, ABC 7 reported.
"It did not look like that individual used the brakes at all. Went down into a ravine and came to a stop, and had flat tires. Was she being chased? Was she just intoxicated? We're not sure," Gary police Cmdr. Jack Hamady told ABC 7.
Taylor's mother told ABC 7 she has a 4-year-old son. Taylor's family say they believed foul play is involved.
Taylor is described as a Black woman, 5 feet and 6 inches tall and 200 pounds. She was last seen wearing a red sweater, ripped blue jeans and gym shoes.
If you have any information about her whereabouts contact Detective Sergeant Mark Salazar at 219-881-1209 or the Gary police crime tip line at 866-CRIME-GP. | https://www.wrtv.com/news/public-safety/discovery-of-what-appeared-to-be-body-of-missing-woman-in-gary-was-a-mannequin-police-say | 2022-04-12T01:41:33 | 0 | https://www.wrtv.com/news/public-safety/discovery-of-what-appeared-to-be-body-of-missing-woman-in-gary-was-a-mannequin-police-say |
INDIANAPOLIS — Hoosiers can soon expect an additional tax refund from the state.
Nearly all Indiana taxpayers will receive a one-time $125 automatic taxpayer refund after the state finished its fiscal year with a surplus. This means $545 million to be sent to Indiana residents as a refundable tax credit.
The refunds, which are expected to begin heading to bank accounts in May, according to the Indiana Department of Revenue, will be for $125 per person that filed or $250 per couple who filed jointly.
Eligible taxpayers will not see these deposits come at the same time as their typical refund.
Payments will continue through the Summer and some Hoosiers will receive the refund as a check.
Am I eligible for the automatic taxpayer refund?
Any Hoosier who filed an Indiana tax return for the 2020 tax year with a postmark date of Jan. 3, 2022, or earlier will receive the automatic taxpayer refund.
Residents must have filed Form IT-40, Form IT-40PNR or Form SC-40.
How will I get my money?
Indiana residents can expect to receive a direct deposit to their accounts sometime between mid-May and September 1 if they filed for 2020 before Jan. 3, 2022, filed for 2021 before April 18, 2022 and they listed a direct deposit checking or savings account for their 2021 Indiana Income Tax refund.
If a Hoosier does not meet the requirements for direct deposit, filed an extension for their 2021 tax return, included direct deposit information for an account associated with refund advance loans or the refund could not otherwise be deposited directing into their bank account, they will receive a physical check in the mail.
Further information
The Department of Revenue said no additional action is required for Hoosiers to get their money.
If you have changed addresses, it is recommended that you visit this page to go through the change of address process.
Hoosiers may not receive their money because it is being withheld for multiple reasons. These reasons include offsetting unpaid state or federal tax liabilities and liabilities to other state agencies,
If your automatic refund is being withheld for those reasons, Hoosiers can expect a letter in the mail being told this and the reason why. | https://www.wrtv.com/news/state-news/hoosiers-can-expect-additional-tax-refund-this-summer | 2022-04-12T01:41:40 | 1 | https://www.wrtv.com/news/state-news/hoosiers-can-expect-additional-tax-refund-this-summer |
For the first time in its 33-year run, "The Simpsons" featured a deaf actor and American Sign Language. The episode featured Lisa Simpson meeting the son of her favorite musician, who is deaf.
Actor John Autry II played Monk, the son of Bleeding Gums Murphy. The characters used American Sign Language to communicate throughout the episode.
The show's executive producer Al Jean says he was excited to be able to have a "first" after so many years on air.
@TheSimpsons Meet Monk Murphy voiced by @johnautryll in The Sound of Bleeding Gums, Sunday @8 An episode that makes me smile whenever I think about it. pic.twitter.com/PjmN8z9b8Q
— Al Jean (@AlJean) April 4, 2022
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.wrtv.com/the-simpsons-features-deaf-actor-for-first-time | 2022-04-12T01:41:46 | 0 | https://www.wrtv.com/the-simpsons-features-deaf-actor-for-first-time |
WIMAUMA, Fla. (WFLA) – The search for a reckless driver in Wimauma turned out to be a rescue of a lost elderly driver from Lake Worth Beach.
Newly released body camera footage from April 2nd shows HCSO deputies respond to a report of a reckless driver in Wimauma.
When deputies on scene spoke to the driver, the 84-year-old man said he was lost and confused and more than three hours away from his home.
After speaking to a family member and coming up with a plan, deputies stayed with the man until he was safely reunited with his family.
The sheriff’s office wrote on Facebook, “Shoutout to all of the awesome deputies who kindly and patiently helped this man, assuring him along the way that he was in good hands!” | https://www.wfla.com/news/hillsborough-county/hcso-deputies-reunite-elderly-man-with-family/ | 2022-04-12T01:45:30 | 0 | https://www.wfla.com/news/hillsborough-county/hcso-deputies-reunite-elderly-man-with-family/ |
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Walgreens is on trial for the Florida opioid crisis as opening statements began Monday at the Pasco County Court House.
As Walgreens and the state battle it out in court, it’s sparking conversations within the rehabilitation communities.
“I say better late than never. I’m really happy to see that there’s some sort of accountability,” John Templeton Jr, founder of Footprints Beachside Recovery.
Templeton said large pharmaceutical companies should bear the weight of this out-of-control opioid crisis and believes whatever comes from the lawsuit between Walgreens and the state will not make up for the many lives destroyed and lost to addiction.
“It was criminal from the start when these pharmaceuticals started prescribing these ridiculously potent, addictive opioids misrepresenting their addictive qualities… I think any sort of accountability sends a message to others that we’re fighting against this.”
This current crisis is only growing every day. The opioid epidemic is linked to more than 500,000 deaths in the US over the past two decades.
Kirk Kirkpatrick is the CEO of Riverside Recovery of Tampa but is also a recovering addict. He told 8 On Your Side when addiction hits, it hits hard.
“I had a drinking and drug issue and the pain pills sort of got me… I spun around for a long time until I asked for help,” Kirkpatrick said.
He said he hopes smaller recovery programs and non-profits are first in line if there’s a financial settlement from this lawsuit.
“I think the number one thing is that it helps with the stigma of addiction and people can get the help that they need,” said Kirkpatrick.
Tampa Bay’s overdose rate is 50 percent higher than the nation’s, according to Project Opioid Tampa Bay. | https://www.wfla.com/news/hillsborough-county/tampa-bay-area-rehabilitation-centers-weigh-in-on-walgreens-lawsuit/ | 2022-04-12T01:45:36 | 1 | https://www.wfla.com/news/hillsborough-county/tampa-bay-area-rehabilitation-centers-weigh-in-on-walgreens-lawsuit/ |
The mother of a Puerto Rican Olympian was killed by a stray bullet while sewing in her Connecticut home over the weekend, according to the athlete and police.
Police believe Mabel Martinez, 56, was an innocent bystander and the intended target was apparently a man walking outside her home in the town of Waterbury. He was wounded in the leg and survived. No arrests have been announced.
Mabel Martinez was the mother of Yarimar Mercado Martinez, a rifle shooter on the Puerto Rico Olympic team who competed in the summer Olympics last year and in 2016.
Mabel Martinez died Sunday after being shot in the head Saturday afternoon, police said.
Mercado Martinez, 27, expressed her anguish in social media posts.
“Why you? Why this way? You were just sitting in your little house sewing, as you always did,” she wrote in Spanish.
“Two days ago you called me with excitement, asking me to save the date and help you prepare to renew your wedding vows with daddy in Puerto Rico,” she said Sunday. “There are so many things I still needed to learn from you … I was so far away without being able to do anything, I couldn’t even say goodbye to you.”
She wrote that the family intends to bring her mother’s body to Puerto Rico “so her friends and family can say goodbye.”
“I apologize to Puerto Rico because even if I wanted to, I really can’t compete, my place is with my family,” she wrote.
A message seeking comment was left Monday for Mercado Martinez.
The athlete flew out of Brazil late Sunday and has arrived in Connecticut, according to Gilberto Hernández, president of the Puerto Rico Shooting Association, the sport’s governing body in the U.S. territory.
Hernández said it’s not clear when the body would arrive for burial in Puerto Rico, adding that the shooting association is helping pay a portion of the funeral costs.
“We trust that she will overcome this,” he told The Associated Press. “She can count on us. … The doors of the association are always open.”
Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo said investigators believe the shooting was drug-related and had nothing to do with Mabel Martinez.
“This was definitely a random, tragic act of violence,” he told the AP. “She was in her house. She’s not the intended target.”
Spagnolo said relatives were extremely distraught, including Mabel Martinez’s husband, whom he described as inconsolable.
He said the investigation has been “very, very active” since Saturday. | https://www.wfla.com/news/national/puerto-rico-olympians-mother-killed-at-home-by-stray-bullet/ | 2022-04-12T01:45:42 | 1 | https://www.wfla.com/news/national/puerto-rico-olympians-mother-killed-at-home-by-stray-bullet/ |
Jury convicts former Virginia police officer in Jan. 6 case
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - Monday, a jury in Washington, D.C. found Thomas Robertson guilty on all of the six charges brought against him by the U.S. Department of Justice.
- Count 1 – Obstruction of an Official Proceeding and Aiding and Abetting
- Count 2 – Civil Disorder and Aiding and Abetting
- Count 3 – Entering and Remaining in a Restricted Building or Grounds
- Count 4 – Disorderly and Disruptive Conduct in a Restricted Building or Ground
- Count 5 – Disorderly Conduct in a Capitol Building
- Count 6 – Obstruction of an Official Proceeding
Thomas Robertson disputed the government’s charges against him and is just the third January 6th defendant to go to trail rather than take a plea deal.
Prosecutors relied heavily on video and Robertson’s social media posts. Robertson’s former co-defendant, and also former Rocky Mount police officer, Jacob Fracker testified against Robertson. Fracker took a plea deal last month.
Fracker provided key testimony supporting the sixth count, obstruction of an official proceeding. He testified that after the pair learned that they were under investigation for trespassing at the Capitol, Robertson asked him for his cell phone. Fracker said he was terrified that investigators would see other pictures and videos that he took on January 6th.
Text messages showed Robertson speaking with another acquaintance about whether he turned over a phone to investigators. Prosecutors say this text exchange on January 15th, 2021 shows Robertson admitting to destroying a phone.
Robertson: “Anything that may have been problematic is destroyed”
Unknown acquaintance: “So they didn’t seize your phone and search your house and interrogate your wife and dogs and neighbors who don’t have….”
Robertson: “Including my old phone”
Robertson: “Took a lake swim”
Robertson: “No. They asked for my phone but I’m not a re***d”
A sentencing date has not been set.
Copyright 2022 Gray DC. All rights reserved. | https://www.1011now.com/2022/04/11/former-virginia-police-offer-convicted-by-jury-jan-6th-case/ | 2022-04-12T01:50:12 | 0 | https://www.1011now.com/2022/04/11/former-virginia-police-offer-convicted-by-jury-jan-6th-case/ |
Governor Ricketts visits south central Nebraska to discuss The Road 739 Fire
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - Governor Ricketts traveled to Holdrege on Monday to meet with locals following the outbreak of the Road 739 Fire.
Representatives from the Nebraska Farm Bureau, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency and several local officials and community members met at the Sun Theatre to discuss conditions around the area following a major wildfire that burned thousands of acres across a 22-mile-long stretch of land in Furnas and Gosper Counties.
Conversation focused on the needs of landowners and first responders as they look toward a long road of recovery. Impacted infrastructure and the scarcity of available resources to replace what was damaged in the fire were among the top concerns.
Following that meeting, Governor Ricketts and emergency management leadership traveled to Arapahoe to speak with fire chiefs Brian Sisson and Wesley Hock who were in charge of the overall response to the fire. During a tour of the area to survey the damage, Chief Hock was able to discuss the many challenges first responders faced while fighting this fire.
Copyright 2022 KOLN. All rights reserved. | https://www.1011now.com/2022/04/12/governor-ricketts-visits-south-central-nebraska-discuss-road-739-fire/ | 2022-04-12T01:50:13 | 1 | https://www.1011now.com/2022/04/12/governor-ricketts-visits-south-central-nebraska-discuss-road-739-fire/ |
Judge: Lori Vallow, charged with killing her children, now fit for trial
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — An Idaho judge ruled Monday that a mother accused of conspiring to kill her children, her estranged husband and a lover’s wife is now mentally competent to stand trial on some of the charges in Idaho.
Daybell and her new husband, Chad Daybell, face numerous charges in the complicated case involving allegations of bizarre spiritual beliefs involving “zombies” and doomsday predictions.
Prosecutors have said that Lori and Chad Daybell espoused the religious beliefs in an effort to encourage or justify the murders.
The case against her had been hold for months after Judge Steven Boyce ordered her committed to a mental facility so she could undergo treatment in an effort to make her mentally fit enough to assist in her own defense.
Boyce’s new order said Lori Vallow Daybell “is restored to competency and is fit to proceed” in the Idaho murder case. He did not provide other details about her treatment or mental condition.
She is scheduled to be formally arraigned in court next week and both Lori and Chad Daybell are set to stand trial together early next year.
Tare charged withconspiracy to commit murder and first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Lori Daybell’s children 7-year-old Joshua “JJ” Vallow, 16-year-old Tylee Ryan, as well as Chad Daybell’s first wife, Tammy Daybell.
Lori Daybell is also charged in Arizona with conspiring to kill her former estranged husband, Charles Vallow, with the help of her now-deceased brother, Alex Cox.
Chad Daybell has pleaded not guilty to the charges and Lori Daybell has not yet had an opportunity to enter a plea. Chad Daybell’s attorney, John Prior, declined to comment on the case. Lori Daybell’s attorney, Jim Archibald, did not immediately respond to voice and email messages requesting comment.
An indictment said Chad and Lori Daybell in 2018 while still married to other people began espousing an apocalyptical system of religious belief.
Lori Daybell’s brother Alex Cox shot and killed her estranged husband, Charles Vallow, in suburban Phoenix, according to an indictment in Arizona.
Cox asserted the shooting was in self-defense, and he was never charged. At the time, Charles Vallow was seeking a divorce, saying his wife believed she had become a god-like figure responsible for ushering in the biblical end of times. Cox later died of an apparent blood clot in his lung.
Shortly after Charles Vallow’s death, Lori Daybell — who then had the last name Vallow — and her children moved to the rural eastern Idaho community of Rexburg, near where Chad Daybell lived. At the time, Chad Daybell was married to Tammy Daybell. She died in October of 2019, and her obituary said the death was from natural causes.
Authorities grew suspicious, however, when Chad and Lori Daybell got married just two weeks later, and investigators had Tammy Daybell’s body exhumed for an autopsy. Authorities have not released her cause of death.
Police began searching for Lori Daybell’s youngest two children in November after relatives raised concerns. The Daybells quickly left town, and were found months later in Hawaii without the children.
Investigators later found the bodies of JJ and Tylee buried in Chad Daybell’s yard back in Idaho. They have not disclosed causes of death but court documents said Tylee’s body was partially burned.
Friends of the Daybells told investigators that the couple believed people could become “zombies” if they were possessed by evil spirits, a state in which their soul was trapped in limbo, according to police reports. The couple reportedly believed that the only way to rid a person of a zombie was for their body to die, according to police reports.
A friend of the couple, Melanie Gibb, told investigators that Lori Daybell referred to her youngest children as “zombies,” and police in Arizona said the couple exchanged text messages saying that Tammy Daybell had been possessed by a dark spirit.
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | https://www.1011now.com/2022/04/12/judge-lori-vallow-charged-with-killing-her-children-now-fit-trial/ | 2022-04-12T01:50:15 | 0 | https://www.1011now.com/2022/04/12/judge-lori-vallow-charged-with-killing-her-children-now-fit-trial/ |
South Carolina park ‘consistently’ being used for illegal sexual activity, police say
GREENVILLE, S.C. (WHNS/Gray News) - Authorities said they are investigating illegal sexual activity that is occurring “consistently” at a park in South Carolina.
Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis said his agency has received numerous complaints about people having sex at Pelham Mill Park in Greer, South Carolina.
The incidents have occurred in the parking lot, in the woods and even out in the open, according to the sheriff. Despite arrests, the activity has continued, WHNS reports.
Innocent bystanders including children have witnessed the activity, according to the sheriff.
“Under no circumstance should a young child or community member who is trying to enjoy a peaceful day at a park have to be exposed to this sort of activity,” Lewis said. “We are continuing our efforts to patrol the area and to identify those who are blatantly exposing themselves and engaging in illegal sexual activity, but we also need the community’s help with reporting this suspicious behavior.”
Anyone who witnesses this activity is asked to call the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office at 864-271-5210.
“More importantly, I want to speak to the people who are committing these acts and simply let them know that we are familiar with the apps you use to engage in this activity, we know your intentions, and to stop,” Lewis said. “There are appropriate places to engage in adult activities, and a public place is not that area. We must think about others when we act, and I ask the community to be considerate of one another and especially our youth.”
Copyright 2022 WHNS via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. | https://www.1011now.com/2022/04/12/south-carolina-park-consistently-being-used-illegal-sexual-activity-police-say/ | 2022-04-12T01:50:23 | 0 | https://www.1011now.com/2022/04/12/south-carolina-park-consistently-being-used-illegal-sexual-activity-police-say/ |
Waverly alum, Anni Evans, receives scholarship
Published: Apr. 11, 2022 at 8:03 PM CDT|Updated: 45 minutes ago
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - Anni Evans was surprised at practice on Monday with a scholarship by head coach John Cook.
Evans played in 61 sets for the Huskers in 2021 finishing the year with 24 assists and 37 digs. Evans was awarded the Elite 90 award at the end of last season.
The award is given to the player with the highest GPA in the Final Four. Evans is heading into her junior year in 2022.
Copyright 2022 KOLN. All rights reserved. | https://www.1011now.com/2022/04/12/waverly-alum-anni-evans-receives-scholarship/ | 2022-04-12T01:50:30 | 1 | https://www.1011now.com/2022/04/12/waverly-alum-anni-evans-receives-scholarship/ |
This is the final week for special shopping hours at Costco for seniors, healthcare workers and first responders. The company, which was one of the first to enact the hours in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, will end them starting Monday.
Since March 2020, Costco locations offered an extra hour of shopping from 9-10 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays for those three groups. Seniors were considered those 60 and older. The extra hour ends as of April 18.
Back in July 2021, Costco announced plans to end the senior shopping hours, but reversed course just a few days later as COVID cases spiked around the country from the delta variant.
As far as mask regulations go, Costco said on its website that it follows the lead of local jurisdictions -- something it has consistently done throughout the pandemic.
The omicron variant of COVID-19 has largely run its course, causing local and state governments, as well as business, to back off their pandemic restrictions. But the new, more contagious version of omicron called BA.2 is now the dominant strain in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In rare cases, research shows BA.2 can sicken people even if they’ve already had an omicron infection — although it doesn’t seem to cause more severe disease. Vaccines appear equally effective against both types of omicron. For both, vaccination plus a booster offers strong protection against severe illness and death.
Still, the increased infection rate has some places re-instituting restrictions. Philadelphia became the first major U.S. city to reinstate its indoor mask mandate on Monday after reporting a sharp increase in coronavirus infections. | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/costco-senior-covid-19-hours-ending/507-cd25d6f7-1dde-46eb-96d7-164c7a39e40c | 2022-04-12T01:50:30 | 0 | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/costco-senior-covid-19-hours-ending/507-cd25d6f7-1dde-46eb-96d7-164c7a39e40c |
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard sent a clear message at the trade deadline.
It's time for a shakeup.
After posting a second straight losing record at home, missing the playoffs for the first time in seven years and recording their fewest wins in a season since 1984-85, the Pacers are embarking on their biggest offseason overhaul in years.
A three-trade flurry in February culminated in sending two-time All-Star Domantas Sabonis to Sacramento and Caris LeVert, widely considered one of Pritchard’s cornerstone pieces, to the Cavaliers.
“This franchise, right now, is in one of the most exciting positions it could possibly be with the potential for a top-five pick and the potential to possibly have Cleveland’s [first-round] pick," coach Rick Carlisle said, noting Indiana also holds Houston's early second-round pick. “We’re going to get it right in the draft, and we’re going to have a great summer, and next year’s going to be an exciting year.”
Things certainly can't get much worse than they did this past season.
Injuries again derailed the Pacers' postseason plans as Carlisle won just 25 games in the first year of his second tenure with the team. Lengthy absences of guards Malcolm Brogdon and T.J. McConnell, forward T.J. Warren and center Myles Turner — all projected to be key rotational players — prompted Pritchard to pull the plug and start dealing.
The new plan is to build around point guard Tyrese Halburton. Indiana views the 22-year-old as a budding star, capable of ending its long quest to find a playmaking ball-handler.
Haliburton's new teammates embraced the move.
“I’m especially excited about playing with Tyrese, just the way he came in here and made an impact on our organization, on our fans and on the guys around him," Turner said Monday. “He makes everybody better."
What else did the Pacers learn from mixing, matching and experimenting with lineups over the final 26 games?
Buddy Hield, who came over from Sacramento with Haliburton, and Jalen Smith, who arrived in a trade with Phoenix, also were solid players. Rookie center Isaiah Jackson provides a different kind of post presence and rookie guard Chris Duarte became one of Indiana's most consistent players until an injured toe sidelined him.
Forward Oshae Brissett continued to develop, and Carlisle may have unearthed a couple more hidden gems with midseason pickups Duane Washington Jr. and Terry Taylor.
This summer could be equally busy as Pritchard tries to put the Pacers back in playoff position.
“I think first we've got to get healthy, that's obvious and then it'll be up to the front office what pieces they add, what pieces they trade,” Brogdon said. “When you make a move like we did, a monumental move in the middle of the season, I think there are other moves that follow and I think we'll be seeing that this summer.”
WHAT'S NEXT
Brogdon and Turner would be the most attractive trade candidates. Both are proven veterans, capable of helping a playoff team become a title contender and both are on expiring contracts. Brogdon counts $22.6 million against the salary cap while Turner, a two-time blocked shots champ, would be an $18 million cap hit. The Pacers could be looking to add more draft picks, free up cap space for free agency or add veterans.
WATCHING THE CAVS
The Pacers thought they'd definitely have two first-rounders when they got the Cavs' lottery-protected pick two months ago. But a late-season swoon has jeopardized that possibility. Cleveland finished eighth in the Eastern Conference and now needs to win one game to make the playoffs. Two losses would mean they'll keep the pick, preventing the Pacers from having three of the top 35 picks in June.
NOT FINISHED YET?
Fan favorite Lance Stephenson provided a second-half spark on and off the court for Indiana. While it seems unlikley Indiana would keep the soon-to-be 32-year-old on a young team building for the future, Stephenson isn't ready to end his career.
“I'm just trying to keep my body strong and sharp," he said. "I'm just mad that the season is over because I feel great right now, I feel like I can keep going." | https://www.kokomotribune.com/sports/pacers-start-long-offseason-looking-to-overhaul-roster/article_f3b7143c-b9ed-11ec-b0c3-9fb55fedf335.html | 2022-04-12T01:50:31 | 1 | https://www.kokomotribune.com/sports/pacers-start-long-offseason-looking-to-overhaul-roster/article_f3b7143c-b9ed-11ec-b0c3-9fb55fedf335.html |
WASHINGTON — After two years of extended deadlines due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tax Day is back in April -- but taxpayers still have a few more days than normal due to a D.C. holiday.
Tax Day is officially on Monday, April 18 (April 19 for Maine and Massachusetts due to Patriots' Day in those states). While the deadline is normally April 15, it was pushed back because of the Washington, D.C. holiday of Emancipation Day.
While Emancipation Day is technically on Saturday, April 16, it's observed by the government on the closest weekday. Tax Day was pushed back to the next weekday since D.C. holidays impact tax deadlines for everyone.
Taxpayers who request an extension will have until Oct. 17 to file.
There are also exceptions to the federal deadline for some areas that have suffered natural disasters, like severe storms and wildfires. The IRS lists tax relief information and counties with the extended May 16 deadline here.
Whether you've already filed your tax return or not, here's some things to know in 2022.
Your tax refund may be coming late this year
The IRS has repeatedly said most federal refunds are issued within three weeks for those who file electronically and choose direct deposit. But the agency says some payments may take longer than 21 days and "taxpayers shouldn't rely on getting a refund by a certain date."
Delays can happen if the return has errors, is incomplete, or if the filer is affected by identity theft or fraud. It's also possible for a refund to get delayed due to more niche claims or because the 2021 child tax credit or recovery rebate credit aren't accounted for.
Filing electronically and choosing direct deposit can help speed up your refund.
Online resources may be quicker than calling
Amid COVID-related tax changes last tax season, the IRS said its phone systems received more than 145 million calls from January 1 to May 17. It said the fastest way to get answers is often to use its website.
"Our phone volumes continue to remain at record-setting levels," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig in a statement. "We urge people to check IRS.gov and establish an online account to help them access information more quickly."
Don't forget your third stimulus check and child tax credit letters
You may have received the third COVID-19 economic impact payment in 2021 (better known as the third stimulus check) or the advance child tax credit. But you may not recall how much money you received.
Those who got either or both should have also received letters in the mail this year from the IRS detailing how much money in total they were given in 2021.
- Letter 6475 for the stimulus
- Letter 6419 for the child tax credit
This is important, in part, because the stimulus and child tax credit amounts were based on taxpayers' income level. That amount was estimated off their previous tax returns. If the taxpayer ended up with more or less income in 2021 than in 2020, they may be eligible for more money -- or may owe some back to the IRS.
Those who did not receive some or all of the third stimulus check but believe they are eligible for it can apply for a Recovery Rebate Credit.
Those who took the advance child tax credit last year were eligible to receive up to half the money in monthly installments in 2021 and can get the other half after filing taxes.
Chris McCrory and Travis Pittman contributed to this report. | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/nation-world/when-is-tax-day-2022/507-f4e8246e-3865-42d7-b126-e0896d08e235 | 2022-04-12T01:50:36 | 1 | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/nation-world/when-is-tax-day-2022/507-f4e8246e-3865-42d7-b126-e0896d08e235 |
SEBASTIAN COUNTY, Ark. — Here are your viewer video and photos of the hail, tornado rotations and hail damage as a result of the severe weather that moved through the area Monday night, April 11.
Severe weather in the River Valley
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To report a typo or grammatical error, please email KFSMDigitalTeam@tegna.com. | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/weather/severe-weather/severe-weather-river-valley-viewer-video-photos/527-febe343c-510c-476e-8e29-91a672c0eeff | 2022-04-12T01:50:43 | 1 | https://www.5newsonline.com/article/weather/severe-weather/severe-weather-river-valley-viewer-video-photos/527-febe343c-510c-476e-8e29-91a672c0eeff |
The Orlando Sentinel’s Edgar Thompson and Mark Long of the Associated Press join forces to revive the popular Swamp Things podcast. The two longtime reporters discuss Billy Napier’s massive rebuild and first spring football game, along with big man Colin Castleton’s big news for new men’s basketball coach Todd Golden. Edgar and Mark also share thoughts on Tiger Woods and the Masters, including the awe-inspiring and intimidating experience of taking on Augusta National Golf Club.
- Big man Colin Castleton’s big news (2:03)
- From Mike White to Todd Golden(4:46)
- Spring football game (13:18)
- Billy Napier’s massive rebuild (26:37)
- Tiger Woods and the Masters (30:52) | https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/florida-gators/swamp-things-podcast/os-ne-s6-gators-embark-on-new-era-swamp-things-podcast-ep-107-20220412-ymjeijlrfza5nd3rrt3unil5di-htmlstory.html | 2022-04-12T01:51:11 | 0 | https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/florida-gators/swamp-things-podcast/os-ne-s6-gators-embark-on-new-era-swamp-things-podcast-ep-107-20220412-ymjeijlrfza5nd3rrt3unil5di-htmlstory.html |
As the Orlando Magic walked off the floor and into the hallways of Amway Center after finishing their season Sunday, they did so with an energy that didn’t resemble a team with a 22-60 record.
It helped that the Magic ended the season by tying their single-game 3-point record (23) in a 125-111 win over the Miami Heat in which both teams sat most of their starters.
But the spirit Orlando had as it closed out its season was the embodiment of what first-year Magic coach Jamahl Mosley has spoken about since he was hired in July.
“Our guys understand there’s a bigger picture than just this moment here,” Mosley said Sunday. “Our guys have embraced every single moment; every single day of getting better every game. That’s how you keep that energy, and we have a special group of young men. They care about each other so much, continue to encourage each other and fight for one another.”
That care was shown in the little and big moments throughout the seven-month-long regular season: from the entertaining postgame walk-off interviews and celebrating each other’s personal accolades such as Franz Wagner’s Rookie of the Month award for December to wearing Markelle Fultz t-shirts when he returned from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in late February.
The Magic ultimately understood the 2021-22 season, their first full season after kick-starting a rebuild at the March 2021 trade deadline, was more about the development of their younger players than their final record.
From a development standpoint, progress was made.
Wendell Carter Jr. came into his own with the Magic a year after being traded to Orlando from the Chicago Bulls by averaging career-highs in points (15), rebounds (10.5) and assists (2.8) and a true-shooting percentage (60.1%), which is a formula that incorporates free throws and higher-value 3-point shots.
Wagner, the No. 8 pick in last year’s draft, played with a steadiness, versatility and efficiency not displayed by most young players, averaging 15.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 79 games (the most among rookies).
Second-year guard Cole Anthony averaged career-highs in points (16.3), assists (5.7) and rebounds (5.4). Mo Bamba also put up career-highs in points (10.6), rebounds (8.1) and blocks (1.7) in a bigger role.
When available, Jalen Suggs showed the defensive presence and passing vision that made him the No. 5 pick in last year’s draft.
Fultz came back from his injury seemingly not missing a beat, averaging 10.8 points (47.4% shooting), 5.5 assists and 1.1 steals in 20 minutes.
R.J. Hampton and Chuma Okeke also took steps forward in their development, especially defensively.
The Magic’s defensive rating from Jan. 1 to the end of a season — their final 46 games — of 111.3 was the league’s 10th-best mark.
“I know the record doesn’t always show what’s grown and progressed, but this group of young men stayed together. There’s been a spirit on the court every single night and that’s just going to turn up another level as we walk into next year,” Mosley said. “Our guys are excited about it and the fans should be extremely excited about it because they see the way in which these young men play for one another and battle no matter what’s happening.”
There was a common phrase used by multiple players Sunday: “The sky’s the limit.”
“With us being so young, it gives us an opportunity to really mold everyone,” Carter said. “We’re in a perfect opportunity where everybody understands what everyone’s capable of and we all like each other. No one’s hating on each other. None of that’s going on. That’s rare. We got an opportunity to be really special.”
Suggs was one of the players who echoed those words when speaking with the media.
“I mean that wholeheartedly,” Suggs said. “I don’t say that with fake confidence. I say that because I truly believe in it.”
But the Magic also know more steps will need to be taken.
And for as much young talent as they have, with seven lottery picks since 2017 on the roster, leveling up next season will be more difficult than it was this year.
It’ll help that the Magic will have a 52.1% chance of securing a top-four pick in the June 23 draft, giving Orlando even more talent to build with next season.
Orlando’s odds in the draft will be: 14% for the No. 1 pick; 13.4% for No. 2; 12.7% for No. 3; 12% for No. 4; 27.8% for No. 5; 20% for No. 6.
But as Wagner said, “Potential’s just potential at the end of the day. It’s on us to get better and move forward.”
Added Fultz: “It’s not going to be easy at all. We all understand that. We can be something special, but it’s not going to be easy. It’s going to take a lot of hard work, a lot of trust, [and] a lot of learning. We’re all ready for that challenge.”
As the Magic put the final touches on the season, they did so feeling confident that next year and the seasons to follow will bring more success because the foundation they laid during 2021-22 was a strong one to build off.
“The one thing we’ve talked about with these guys is the foundation is set,” Mosley said. “Now it goes into the little things, the tiniest of details that they have to understand of what we’re trying to do. Leveling up one more.”
Or as Carter said, “We’re going to be lit next year.”
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email Khobi Price at khprice@orlandosentinel.com or follow him on Twitter at @khobi_price. | https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-sp-magic-monday-folo-20220412-kclz62p4ivczff4wf5u4n3qvoy-story.html | 2022-04-12T01:51:17 | 0 | https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-sp-magic-monday-folo-20220412-kclz62p4ivczff4wf5u4n3qvoy-story.html |
FBI using Navajo language to help close unsolved cases
The department trying is a new approach to an unsolved 2014 case.
The department trying is a new approach to an unsolved 2014 case.
The department trying is a new approach to an unsolved 2014 case.
The FBI is trying to help bring closure to families across the Navajo Nation whose loved one was killed or went missing.
Recently, the FBI office in Albuquerque released a poster in Navajo. It's a first-of-its-kind effort for the department with the goal of closing some unsolved homicide cases.
"The FBI is going to communicate any way we can that makes it easier for people who may have information to contact us," said FBI spokesperson Frank Fisher. "It's justice for these victims and their families that we're after."
The first case they are highlighting in Navajo is the death of 75-year-old Wilson Joe Chiquito. He was from Counselor, New Mexico, and was beaten to death in February of 2014. He died due to blunt force trauma to his head.
"I was on our evidence response team that responded to that homicide and it was it was a horrible scene," Fisher said. "This man was living out his retirement years. He did not deserve to have this happen to him."
The department has a Navajo Translator in their Salt Lake City office and they work closely together. They hope by translating posters and audio into Navajo will not only bring attention to Chiquito's case but to other unsolved cases as well.
"Somebody out there knows what happened to Wilson Joe Chiquito, to Laverda Sorrell, to Anthonette Cayedito, to any number of people out there, that are either homicide victims or missing persons that are related to the Navajo Nation," Fisher said.
Each person Fisher named has a poster that has also been translated into Navajo. Audio versions of other posters are in the works.
Anyone with information about these cases is asked to contact the FBI.
There is a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the death of Chiquito. | https://www.koat.com/article/fbi-navajo-language-close-unsolved-cases-navajo-nation/39693444 | 2022-04-12T02:01:07 | 1 | https://www.koat.com/article/fbi-navajo-language-close-unsolved-cases-navajo-nation/39693444 |
Former police officers charged with George Floyd's death reject plea deal
Related video above: Jurors who decided case against Derek Chauvin speak out
A Minnesota judge heard arguments Monday on whether he has the authority to allow live video coverage of the upcoming trial of three former Minneapolis police officers charged with aiding and abetting the murder of George Floyd, while prosecutors revealed that the three rejected a plea deal in March.
Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill took the rare step of allowing live audiovisual coverage of ex-Officer Derek Chauvin's murder trial last year, making an exception to the normal rules of Minnesota courts. He cited the extenuating circumstance of the need to balance protecting participants from COVID-19 against the constitutional requirement for a public trial.
Now that the U.S. has entered a new phase of living with the coronavirus, Cahill must decide whether to allow the same sort of access for the trial set to begin in June for former Officers Tou Thao, Thomas Lane and J. Alexander Kueng. He did not rule during their pretrial hearing, and said he won't until after the Minnesota Judicial Council — a panel of leading judges and court administrators — meets Thursday to discuss the issue, according to pool reports from the courtroom.
Prosecutor Matthew Frank did not disclose details of the plea offers but said they were identical and were made after their convictions in February on federal civil rights charges stemming from Floyd's death.
Lane’s attorney, Earl Gray, said it was hard for the defense to negotiate when the three still don’t know what their federal sentences will be. The judge in that case has not set a sentencing date, and all three remain free on bail.
Attorney Leita Walker, who represents a coalition of media organizations, including The Associated Press, urged Cahill to allow video coverage again, saying it's the most reasonable way to ensure public and media access to the trial. She said the public got to watch Chauvin's trial, and that interest remains high because both involve Floyd's death.
Thao, Lane and Kueng are charged with aiding and abetting both manslaughter and murder when Chauvin used his knee to pin Floyd, a Black man, to the pavement for 9 1/2 minutes on May 25, 2020. Kueng knelt on Floyd’s back, Lane held his legs and Thao kept bystanders back. The killing, which was recorded on video, sparked protests around the world and a national reckoning on race.
“The public is just not going to understand why they got to watch that one gavel to gavel and they won’t be able to watch this one,” Walker said.
But Cahill questioned Walker’s assertions that he has the authority to make another exception and that the pandemic is still an extenuating circumstance.
“COVID-19 is less of a pandemic and more of an endemic issue now,” Cahill said.
Cahill noted that while he has publicly said he now believes the legal presumption should be to allow televised trials, he pointed out that that’s not the rule yet. “I’m still sworn to uphold the law,” he said.
Defense attorneys said they still oppose audiovisual coverage of the upcoming trial and renewed concerns about the willingness of witnesses to testify.
Minnesota court rules generally require the consent of all parties for audiovisual coverage of trials, with fewer restrictions for sentencings. Chauvin’s trial was the first in Minnesota to be entirely televised, from jury selection to his murder conviction to his sentencing to 22 1/2 years in prison. People worldwide tuned into the livestreams.
“I think livestreaming that trial enabled people here and around the world to see the inner workings of a system that was handling one of the most important trials of our time,” Suki Dardarian, senior managing editor and vice president of the Star Tribune of Minneapolis, which is part of the media coalition, said before the hearing.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office initially opposed having cameras in the court for Chauvin's trial, but now supports them for the other officers' upcoming trial.
“The Chauvin trial demonstrated the benefits of robust public access to this important case and proved that the Court could successfully navigate the concerns animating the State’s initial opposition to audio and video coverage,” prosecutors wrote last week. “The Court’s commendable transparency inspired public confidence in the proceedings and helped ensure calm in Minneapolis and across the country.”
Due to federal court rules, live video coverage was not allowed for the first trial of Thao, Lane and Kueng this year, when all three were convicted of violating Floyd's civil rights. Nor was it allowed for Chauvin's federal case in which he pleaded guilty to civil rights violations. But it was allowed in the December state court trial of former Brooklyn Center Officer Kim Potter in the death of Daunte Wright, who was killed one year ago Monday.
An advisory committee to the Minnesota Supreme Court is considering whether to allow more video coverage of criminal proceedings. It's due to release its report by July 1.
Cahill, in a letter to the committee, said he had opposed cameras in criminal cases before, but that his experience in Chauvin's case changed his opinion, and he now believes they should be presumptively allowed, subject to the trial judge's discretion.
Hennepin County Judge Regina Chu, who presided over Potter's trial, told the Star Tribune in an interview that both the Potter and Chauvin trials convinced her that cameras can be present without being disruptive.
“I forgot they were even there," Chu told the newspaper. | https://www.koat.com/article/former-police-officers-charged-with-george-floyds-death-reject-plea-deal/39696120 | 2022-04-12T02:01:17 | 1 | https://www.koat.com/article/former-police-officers-charged-with-george-floyds-death-reject-plea-deal/39696120 |
Democrat running for US Senate seat in Iowa plans to fight ruling removing her from ballot
U.S. Senate candidate Abby Finkenauer is challenging a decision that would keep her off the primary ballot in Iowa.
The Iowa Supreme Court will hear the case Wednesday.
On Sunday night, a judge ruled that Finkenauer, a Democrat, did not meet the requirements for signatures.
The former Congresswoman was running for the Democratic nomination to face Sen. Chuck Grassley in the fall.
A state objection panel last month found Finkenauer met the requirement to be on the ballot, but Judge Scott Beattie disagreed. Beattie decided on Sunday night the panel's interpretation of the law was incorrect and several signatures on her nominating petition weren't valid because the law requires them to include the date.
In court documents, Beattie wrote in part, “The Court takes no joy in this conclusion. This Court should not be in the position to make a difference in an election, and Ms. Finkenauer and her supporters should have a chance to advance her candidacy. However, this Court’s job is to sit as a referee and apply the law without passion or prejudice. It is required to rule without consideration of the politics of the day. Here the Court has attempted to fulfill that role.”
The state filed a notice of appeal on Monday afternoon. Sister station KCCI spoke with Finkenauer on Saturday, before the ruling.
"It is extraordinary what is happening here and quite frankly should be a wake-up call for all of us about how important it is that we get people elected who want to defend our democracy. I mean the idea that I could be accepted twice on the ballot and have folks still continue to do this — to try and take me off is pretty extraordinary," Finkenauer said.
In a tweet, Finkenauer said, "We are exploring all our options to fight back hard against this meritless partisan attack."
Finkenauer would have faced Democrats Mike Franken and Glenn Hurst in the state's June 7 primary election.
The attorney general asked the Iowa Supreme Court to expedite the case and the court announced Monday afternoon that it will hear arguments Wednesday at 1 p.m. The Secretary of State needs a decision on or about April 15 to set the ballot 45 days before an election.
In a statement, Iowa GOP Chairman Jeff Kauffmann said in part, "The severe lack of enthusiasm behind Iowa Democrats has real consequences and the first victim to fall is Abby Finkenauer. Not qualifying for the ballot is a complete and utter embarrassment." | https://www.koat.com/article/iowa-abby-finkenauer-to-fight-ruling-removing-her-from-june-7-ballot/39695970 | 2022-04-12T02:01:28 | 1 | https://www.koat.com/article/iowa-abby-finkenauer-to-fight-ruling-removing-her-from-june-7-ballot/39695970 |
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Activate your digital account | https://www.news-journalonline.com/restricted/?return=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.news-journalonline.com%2Fstory%2Fnews%2F2022%2F04%2F11%2Fvolusia-florida-sheriff-opposes-use-marsys-law-withold-names-police-mike-chitwood%2F7189975001%2F | 2022-04-12T02:16:55 | 0 | https://www.news-journalonline.com/restricted/?return=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.news-journalonline.com%2Fstory%2Fnews%2F2022%2F04%2F11%2Fvolusia-florida-sheriff-opposes-use-marsys-law-withold-names-police-mike-chitwood%2F7189975001%2F |
EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) – El Paso County officials and the governor of Texas have a much different take on life on the border post-Title 42.
Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday warned border sheriffs of an impending immigration and public safety catastrophe once the Biden administration lifts the public health order that has allowed border agents to swiftly expel 1.7 million unauthorized migrants since March 2020.
But when Abbott left the Texas Border Sheriffs Coalition meeting at the DoubleTree Hotel in El Paso, County Judge Ricardo Samaniego scoffed at such a dire prediction.
“He says Border Patrol drops them off in border communities; that’s only happened once in El Paso, in 2018,” Samaniego said. “After that, we coordinated (with Border Patrol) and they never dropped off people in our community.”
Samaniego said El Paso has witnessed the arrival of 300,000 migrants in the past three and a half years without that posing a strain on the county or its resources. He said things have gone smoothly thanks to good communication with the Border Patrol, stakeholders from local nonprofits and government officials in Juarez, Mexico.
“We want him to work with the plan we’ve been working off for three and a half years […] They (the State of Texas) should enhance existing programs, not create another program. That doesn’t make sense,” Samaniego said.
Abbott highlighted the Biden administration’s worst-case scenario of up to 18,000 migrants coming across the border every day once Title 42 ends. “I think whatever is being anticipated, whatever strategies are being put in place, it’s probably not going to enough to deal with the volume of people who are coming across the border,” the governor said.
But El Paso County Sheriff Richard Wiles says Far West Texas is unlikely to see such a surge.
“Here in El Paso, we don’t anticipate a significant increase in the numbers … the migration has mostly been in the counties east and then south of us,” Wiles said. “We have been working with Border Patrol and (Texas Department of Public Safety) in anticipation of what actually could happen. But, quite frankly, we don’t anticipate the same numbers in this region.”
According to the latest U.S. Customs and Border Protection statistics, the El Paso Sector is fifth nationwide in terms of migrant apprehensions in fiscal year 2022. The Rio Grande Valley sector has more than double the number of apprehensions and Del Rio has almost twice as many as El Paso.
Samaniego said coping with whatever comes on May 23 will depend on good communication between local governments, federal agencies and a third, key partner.
“If we work with Juarez (Mexico), if Juarez can hold them off for a little bit and have their shelters ready, that’s what we should be doing,” he said. “And we’ve done that before where they actually call us and say, ‘we’re going to have 300 show up at the border.’ So, there’s a way to handle this through collaboration.”
The migrant surge of late 2018 proved a challenge, with no one controlling access to U.S. ports of entry on the Mexican side. The state of Chihuahua in early 2019 began keeping a list on a first-come, first-served basis of migrants wanting to present themselves for asylum to prevent chaos on the Mexican side of international bridges.
Samaniego praised such regional collaboration and wishes the same was true of communication with Abbott.
“The mayor, he’s never gotten a call from the governor … He (Abbott) today mistook Mayor (Oscar) Leeser for the county judge. We are one of the most robust communities in all of Texas and on the border and he can’t recognize who the county judge and the mayor are. That says a lot,” Samaniego said.
The county judge said he would like to have a conversation with Abbott about what El Paso needs to pitch in managing migration challenges in the state.
“We get almost 200 people a day just on buses from Del Rio, we are getting people coming in. […] We need the flights to go out a little faster. We’re already working with Las Cruces, Albuquerque, San Antonio where we can channel,” Samaniego said. “We need to be able to sit down with him (Abbott) and say, ‘this is what El Paso needs, this is what could help us to make it better.’ Just being concerned that we’re going to be overwhelmed and creating some irrational thing about moving people all the way to Washington doesn’t make sense.” | https://www.wane.com/border-report-tour/county-judge-wants-abbotts-support-on-successful-migration-efforts/ | 2022-04-12T02:19:34 | 0 | https://www.wane.com/border-report-tour/county-judge-wants-abbotts-support-on-successful-migration-efforts/ |
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – Indiana Tech will be looking to bring home a title at the NAIA National Tournament this week in West Des Moines, Iowa, but Kyle Shondell is already adding some heavy hardware to the Tech trophy case as Shondell has been named the NAIA Coach of the Year by the American Volleyball Coaches Association.
Shondell’s team is 29-1 overall entering the NAIA Tournament where they will compete as the no. 3 seed. Tech won both WHAC regular season and tournament title. | https://www.wane.com/college-sports/indiana-techs-shondell-named-naia-coach-of-the-year/ | 2022-04-12T02:19:40 | 1 | https://www.wane.com/college-sports/indiana-techs-shondell-named-naia-coach-of-the-year/ |
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — Marketing changes by major COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers have people asking: What is Spikevax? What is Comirnaty?
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Spikevax is simply a new name for a product the public is already familiar with — the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Comirnaty is also just a new name for a familiar product — the Pfizer-BoiNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
“The vaccine has been known as the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, and will now be marketed as Spikevax, for the prevention of COVID-19 in individuals 18 years of age and older,” an online FDA publication said. “The vaccine that has been known as the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine will now be marketed as Comirnaty, for the prevention of COVID-19 in individuals 16 years of age and older.
The change is the result of the full approval of the vaccines by the FDA, which has previously only allowed their use on an emergency basis.
On March 29, the FDA authorized a second booster dose of the two vaccines for older and immunocompromised individuals. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has set up a website, Vaccines.gov, to help individuals find COVID-19 vaccines and boosters in their area. | https://www.wane.com/community/health/coronavirus/what-are-spikevax-and-comirnaty/ | 2022-04-12T02:19:48 | 1 | https://www.wane.com/community/health/coronavirus/what-are-spikevax-and-comirnaty/ |
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – Leo softball improved to 2-0 on the season with a 11-1 victory in five innings over Bishop Dwenger at the ASH Centre on Monday.
Lena Viggiano went 2-for-2 with 3 RBI, including a 2-run double in the first inning, to pace the Lions.
Mackenzie Arroyo gave up just one run and three hits over five innings while striking out 10 to earn the victory for the Lions.
Lexi Linder of Bishop Dwenger was 2-for-3 to pace the Saints. | https://www.wane.com/high-school-sports/leo-bests-bishop-dwenger-11-1-in-softball/ | 2022-04-12T02:19:54 | 1 | https://www.wane.com/high-school-sports/leo-bests-bishop-dwenger-11-1-in-softball/ |
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – The New Mexico teen who threw her newborn baby in a dumpster is now asking a judge to allow her to see the boy. Her attorneys have filed a motion to review conditions of release and are asking for more than just visitation.
“This wasn’t someone driving to the hospital, driving to a clinic, driving to a friend’s, driving to someone to seek help. She knew what she was doing at the time,” said a prosecutor during a preliminary hearing for Alexis Avila on February 28.
During that hearing, the judge declared there was enough evidence to go to trial for child abuse. It was January 7 when good Samaritans found the baby boy in a dumpster in Hobbs.
“In my 27 years of doing this, I have never seen anyone, child or adult, have a temperature that was not read with a digital thermometer,” prosecutors said during the hearing. They argued Avila’s actions were intentional in harming the infant.
Meanwhile, Avila’s defense attorneys made the case that she shouldn’t face felony child abuse with great bodily harm since the baby survived. Now, her attorneys are asking to grant permission for Avila to have supervised visits with the boy who lives with his teenage dad.
The night of her arrest, she was already asking to get the boy back. “If the baby is okay, I want it,” said Avila.
Her attorneys state she is attending counseling and is in parenting classes. They also say she completed her high school diploma requirement and has been accepted to a college where she’ll study psychology.
The boy’s father didn’t even know that she was still pregnant when she gave birth. Prosecutors are going to fight this. The only part of the motion they currently agree with is to allow Alexis Avila to be in her backyard while on house arrest.
Alexis Avila would also like to court to grant her permission to have contact with family members who are under the age of 10. No date has been set to hear this motion. | https://www.wane.com/news/hobbs-teen-wants-visitation-with-baby-shes-accused-of-tossing-in-dumpster/ | 2022-04-12T02:20:01 | 1 | https://www.wane.com/news/hobbs-teen-wants-visitation-with-baby-shes-accused-of-tossing-in-dumpster/ |
INDIANAPOLIS — Nursing schools have started work to enroll more students now that a new state law is in effect.
House Enrolled Act 1003, which went into effect last month after it was signed by Gov. Eric Holcomb, aims to address the state’s shortage of nurses.
Community Health Network has roughly twice the number of job openings for nurses compared to before the pandemic, according to Jean Putnam, chief nursing officer for Community Health Network.
“When you have a shortage, and then you tie that into now you actually need more than you did before, it’s quite a complex kind of arrangement,” Putnam said.
The new state law allows nursing schools to enroll more students and hire more part-time faculty members.
“For the 2021-2022 academic year, we turned away 300 students who are qualified,” said Mary Jane Michalak, vice president of public affairs for Ivy Tech Community College.
Ivy Tech Community College is now working to grow its nursing class sizes by about 40% over the next three years, Michalak said. Being able to hire more part-time instructors will help make that happen, she added.
“We have started marketing to current nurses that they can come work for Ivy Tech on a part-time basis so that we can begin increasing that faculty,” Michalak said.
Nursing schools can also increase the number of simulation hours students perform in lieu of clinical hours, which can help in some situations.
“Especially for OB and mental health nursing and pediatric nursing, those are the most difficult clinical sites to get,” said Dorothy Gomez, dean of the Marian University Leighton School of Nursing.
Putnam said she considers the new law a first step in efforts to bring more Hoosiers into the profession.
“We really need to focus on funding for our nursing schools and other health care programs,” she said. “We have people who want to be nurses and want to work in health care but either aren’t accepted or there’s not room for them.”
The new law also allows foreign-educated nurses to obtain Indiana licenses more easily.
If lawmakers choose to make any changes to funding for nursing schools, that would happen early next year as they work on the new state budget. | https://www.wane.com/news/indiana/indiana-nursing-schools-working-to-enroll-more-students-as-new-law-takes-effect/ | 2022-04-12T02:20:07 | 1 | https://www.wane.com/news/indiana/indiana-nursing-schools-working-to-enroll-more-students-as-new-law-takes-effect/ |
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) — Officials from Northwest Allen County Schools announced on Monday night the approval of Cleve Million to be Carroll High School’s next principal.
For the past year Million has served as an assistant principal at the high school. Million replaces Brandon Bitting, Carroll’s current principal, who accepted a district position of chief operations officer (COO) in late January.
Million will begin his transition into the principal position over the next several months. Former principal Bitting is expected to begin his full-time COO responsibilities by June 8.
“I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity to take on this new role at Carroll,” said Million. “It has been exciting to watch the NACS community grow and evolve. I am excited to work with the dedicated teachers and staff to continue high academic achievement and celebrating the success of all students.”
Million had previously served Northrop High School for 17 years in positions including guidance coordinator and assistant principal-curriculum and instruction. Prior to that position, Million worked a year as a guidance counselor for Geyer Middle School in Fort Wayne Community Schools.
Million obtained his Master of Education in marriage and family therapy and school counseling from Indiana University Fort Wayne. He completed his undergraduate studies through Anderson University, Anderson, and DePauw University, Greencastle, Ind., and is currently licensed as a school counselor and building level administrator for grades P-12. | https://www.wane.com/news/local-news/carroll-high-schools-assistant-principal-promoted/ | 2022-04-12T02:20:13 | 1 | https://www.wane.com/news/local-news/carroll-high-schools-assistant-principal-promoted/ |
DEARBORN COUNTY, Ind. (WANE)–The Dearborn County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the disappearance of Paul Bradley, a 59 year old white male, 5 feet 11 inches tall, 210 pounds, gray hair with blue eyes, and was last seen driving a maroon 2000 Dodge Dakota with Indiana license plate TK431OAP.
Paul is missing from Lawrenceburg, Indiana and was last seen on Monday, April 11, 2022, at 1:35 pm. He is believed to be in extreme danger and may require medical assistance.
If you have any information on Paul Bradley, contact the Dearborn County Sheriff’s Department at 812-532-3200 or 911. | https://www.wane.com/news/silver-alert-issued-for-lawrenceburg-man/ | 2022-04-12T02:20:19 | 0 | https://www.wane.com/news/silver-alert-issued-for-lawrenceburg-man/ |
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – In response to long wait times at the commercial truck lanes at the Ysleta Port of Entry, truck drivers have blocked access to the lanes on the Mexican side of the border.
Drivers have parked their trucks in the inspection area in the northbound lanes – in Juarez – with their trailers blocking the southbound lanes as well, effectively blocking all commercial traffic.
Pedestrian and personal vehicle traffic is not impacted by this protest, and continues to flow both north and southbound.
The protest began around 3 p.m. with some drivers complaining they had spent several hours in line. Similar delays were reported on Friday, which coincided with the start of enhanced commercial inspections by the Texas Department of Public Safety. DPS has inspection facilities immediately north of U.S. customs and Border Protection port facilities.
“There’s a lot of traffic because they are blocking the street, you have the labor union, and truck drivers impeding traffic,” said Sergio Lopez, a truck driver who was able to cross from Juarez to El Paso after hours of waiting.
Lopez describing what the enhanced inspection was like.
“They don’t tell us anything because they ask us to get out,” said Lopez “It’s very slow here we don’t even know what’s going on they don’t let us know.”
Truckers were telling reporters at the scene they were greatly inconvenienced by the delays and worried that their deliveries of manufactured goods and other merchandise would get to their destinations late.
CBP’s website reported wait times of 420 minutes (seven hours) at the facility as of 4:30 p.m. Monday.
However, the passenger lanes are not experiencing long wait times, the time to cross is average for a Monday.
KTSM has a crew on the way to the scene on both sides of the border, and we will have updates here on KTSM.com and on our newscasts at 5, 6, and 10.
For local and breaking news, sports, weather alerts, video and more, download the FREE KTSM 9 News App from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. | https://www.wane.com/news/truckers-in-mexico-blocking-commercial-lanes-to-ysleta-port-of-entry/ | 2022-04-12T02:20:25 | 0 | https://www.wane.com/news/truckers-in-mexico-blocking-commercial-lanes-to-ysleta-port-of-entry/ |
FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – Monday is National Pet Day and with thunderstorms in the forecast this week, now is a good time to talk about how you deal with the thunderstorm anxiety felt by your pets.
Claire Porter with East State Veterinary Clinic in Fort Wayne says that thunderstorms can amplify any level of anxiety that pets feel. This includes general anxiety and noise phobias. Pets can even sense that storms will happen before they arrive.
If you notice shaking, panting, or pacing, this is a sign of storm anxiety. In more severe cases, pets will look for a way to escape. This can include jumping out of windows or hiding in hard-to-reach places.
Porter says the clinic can diagnose your pet with noise phobia or storm anxiety. Some cases require medication and regular veterinarian visits.
It is important to take steps to mitigate the storm anxiety your pets feel. Porter recommends using a sound machine. White noise and quiet thunderstorm noises can help prepare your pets for an actual thunderstorm. A gradual increase in the volume of the sound machine can help them get used to the sound. Giving them treats when they are staying calm can also help them understand. This process can be more effective when your pets are younger.
Porter suggests to keep an eye on the forecast and help prepare your pets in the hours before it will storm. Medication will help during this time. It can help them care a bit less and it takes the edge off the situation. Having a safe place your pets can access can also be helpful.
Purchasing a thundershirt is also a good idea. You can find one of these at many local stores. You wrap the shirt around your pet and this makes them experience a feeling of closeness, allowing them to feel more at ease.
During the storm, it is important to create a good experience and distract them. You can play their favorite game, turn on the TV or radio, or give them treats to keep them calm. It is also important for you to remain calm, as pets will feel their owner’s anxiety. A feedback cycle of anxiety can happen if you also feel scared.
Ultimately, you should ask your veterinarian for help upfront if you feel your pet is experiencing storm anxiety. Do not be afraid to call to receive advice before it gets worse.
Visit our WANE 15 Forecast page for the latest forecast updates so you and your pets can be prepared for the next time it storms. | https://www.wane.com/weather/how-to-manage-your-pets-thunderstorm-anxiety/ | 2022-04-12T02:20:31 | 0 | https://www.wane.com/weather/how-to-manage-your-pets-thunderstorm-anxiety/ |
BALTIMORE — Before making real decisions on Maryland's legislature, Governor Larry Hogan was in Baltimore enjoying the festivities that come with the Orioles' home opener.
Gov. Hogan hung out with Orioles' fans at Pickle's Pub before Monday's 3 p.m. game.
He was taking pictures and mingling with fans.
Had a great time hanging out with fellow @Orioles fans at Pickles Pub and on Eutaw Street before today’s home opener! #OpeningDay pic.twitter.com/CpYhbM5XMr
— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) April 11, 2022
Gov. Hogan even chugged a couple beers with his Orioles peers. He shared a social media post of him competing in a beer-chugging competition with fellow O's fans.
The governor walked Eutaw Street before attending the Orioles home opener against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Just hours later, Hogan was back in Annapolis discussing Sine Die 2022 and the last day of the legislation session.
The Orioles won their home opener, 2-0. | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/local-news/gov-larry-hogan-shares-social-media-posts-mingling-drinking-with-orioles-fans-ahead-of-home-opener | 2022-04-12T02:20:57 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/local-news/gov-larry-hogan-shares-social-media-posts-mingling-drinking-with-orioles-fans-ahead-of-home-opener |
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — One of the top priorities this legislative session for Maryland lawmakers was to address crime in Baltimore.
Two lawmakers from Baltimore said progress was made to reduce crime in the city. Most notably was a ban on ghost guns and more money to help police clear a backlog of arrest warrants .
More than 70 people have been shot and killed in Baltimore since the start of this year’s legislative session.
“We have 40,000 active warrants,” said Senator Cory McCray, from Baltimore.
McCray told WMAR-2 that progression is being made to help reduce and prevent violence in Baltimore.
McCray pointed to the passage of one his bills that will allocate more money to help police clear the backlog of arrest warrants.
“It’s very important that we drop those open and active warrants,” McCray said. “The reality is that we may be saving somebody’s life when we take them off the streets when they have an open or active warrant. That’s not always the victim, sometimes it’s the perpetrator who have somebody looking at them.”
McCray also touted the passage of a bill that would require the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services to notify Baltimore police when a defendant is released on bail.
“When folks were being reloaded, you would find out from people in the neighborhood versus the police department knowing.”
Delegate Stephanie Smith, from Baltimore, believes the ban on ghost guns will help in the crime fight as well.
“Ghost guns have been increasing in usage and quite frankly in makes it hard for people to solve those crimes with untraceable firearms,” Smith said.
Smith also said investments were made in education and workforce developments.
She said improving the quality of life for people living in Baltimore can help prevent crime.
“You can’t find me a place that’s safe and find me a place where people don’t have access to jobs and opportunity,” Smith said. | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/local-news/maryland-lawmakers-say-progress-being-made-to-address-violent-crime-in-baltimore | 2022-04-12T02:21:04 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/local-news/maryland-lawmakers-say-progress-being-made-to-address-violent-crime-in-baltimore |
A boy was treated for a shark bite on Monday afternoon in Palm Beach County, Florida fire rescue officials said.
Officials said the bite occurred at about 4 p.m. local time in Highland Beach, Florida. The child, described as an adolescent, said he saw a small shark dart toward him as he stood in shallow water.
DBFR responded to a shark bite at 4 p.m. at 3300 S. Ocean Blvd. An adolescent boy said he saw a small shark dart towards him as he stood in shallow water. It bit his right foot near his big toe before swimming away. Paramedics bandaged the wound and transported him to Bethesda. pic.twitter.com/fMWYZlh97K
— Delray Beach Fire Rescue (@DelrayBeachFire) April 11, 2022
The shark bit the boy's right foot near his big toe before swimming away. Delray Beach Fire Rescue said paramedics bandaged the wound and transported him to a local hospital.
Officials did not release information on the condition of the child. This is the second person bitten by a shark in Palm Beach County in the last few weeks.
A fisherman was bitten by a shark off Lake Worth Beach on March 31.
This story was originally published by Scott Sutton of WPTV in West Palm Beach, Florida. | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/national/child-bitten-by-shark-at-south-florida-beach-taken-to-hospital | 2022-04-12T02:21:10 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/national/child-bitten-by-shark-at-south-florida-beach-taken-to-hospital |
Jury selection began on Monday in a long-anticipated libel lawsuit Johnny Depp filed against his ex-wife, actress Amber Heard, whom he accuses of falsely portraying him as a domestic abuser.
The actor sued Heard over an op-ed piece she wrote in The Washington Post in 2018 in which Heard refers to herself as a "public figure representing domestic abuse." The article doesn't mention Depp by name, but he says it clearly refers to allegations Heard made in other forums that she suffered physical abuse at his hands. Depp denies the accusations.
The lawsuit brought a little bit of Hollywood to a courthouse that has a long history of dealing with high-profile crimes, just not those involving movie stars.
More than a dozen women, some waving signs saying "Justice for Johnny," joined other fans who waved pirate flags in recognition of Depp's signature role in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies, waited outside the courthouse an hour before the hearing.
The courtroom in the city of Fairfax, Virginia, was closed to the public Monday, with limited closed-circuit access in an overflow courtroom. People lined up before 7 a.m. for the wristbands granting access.
The judge overseeing the trial, Penney Azcarate, has imposed a series of access rules to try to maintain decorum in the courthouse. Most significantly, neither Depp nor Heard are permitted to pose for photos or sign autographs in the courthouse or on the courthouse grounds.
In a separate lawsuit Depp filed against a British newspaper, a judge dismissed the case, finding that Depp assaulted Heard on a dozen occasions and put her in fear for her life on multiple occasions.
Heard has filed a countersuit against Depp that accuses his lawyers of defaming her at his direction.
Heard's lawyers tried unsuccessfully to have the case moved to California, where the actors reside. A Fairfax judge ruled that Depp was within his rights to bring the case here because the Post's online editions are published through servers located in Fairfax County. Depp's lawyers have said they brought the case in Virginia in part because the laws here are more favorable to their case.
The trial is expected to last more than a month.
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/johnny-depp-defamation-suit-against-amber-heard-begins | 2022-04-12T02:21:16 | 0 | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/national/johnny-depp-defamation-suit-against-amber-heard-begins |
Less than two weeks after the now-infamous Oscars slap, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences banned actor Will Smith from any Academy event, including the Oscars, for 10 years.
That swift punishment and condemnation of violence were met with immediate criticism over the Academy's long history of celebrating men charged with assault.
An editorial in the Boston Herald referred to the Academy's response with selective outrage as producers like Harvey Weinstein, whose years of sexual misconduct was an open secret in Hollywood, has collected over 80 Academy Awards for his films, and directors like Roman Polanski, who fled the U.S. in 1978 after pleading guilty to raping a 13-year-old girl, won the Oscar for best director in 2003. The Academy gave his win a standing ovation.
It wasn't until the rise of the #MeToo movement in 2017 that the Academy expelled Weinstein and Polanski, as well as serial sexual assaulter Bill Cosby and cinematographer Adam Kimmel, who was a registered sex offender.
Weinstein enjoyed membership and attended the Oscars for years until the national fallout from multiple allegations of sexual assault prompted the Academy to expel him, and it took a big Variety investigation before the Academy revoked cinematographer Kimmel's membership.
Critics of the Academy are pointing out the gravity of those crimes compared to Smith's slap, though some argue the actor was more swiftly punished because the slap happened live on stage during the Oscars ceremony.
That being said, critics are also now comparing the slap to two other instances of inappropriate televised behavior during award shows like Adrian Brody's improvised kiss of Halle Berry during the 2003 Academy Awards and Jim Carrey's non-consensual kiss of Alicia Silverstone during the 1997 MTV Awards.
Videos of both incidents are resurfacing on social media, and that's leading to more criticisms over whether the Academy can play the role of moral arbiter.
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/the-entertainment-industrys-inconsistencies-with-responding-to-celebrity-behavior-is-examined | 2022-04-12T02:21:22 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/national/the-entertainment-industrys-inconsistencies-with-responding-to-celebrity-behavior-is-examined |
FORT PIERCE, Fla. — Police are looking for a man who threw two Molotov cocktails at a Fort Pierce home in Florida on Sunday morning, causing a fire and explosion.
Video of the brazen attack was posted on the Fort Pierce Police department's Facebook page.
Police said officers responded to the home and investigators said after the attacker tossed the homemade bomb at the front of a window, he ran to the side of the house and threw another bottle over the roof.
WATCH: Man throws Molotov cocktails at home
Video shows large flames coming from the window of the home after the attack, shortly afterward, the man fled from the scene.
The homeowner's cousin, Juanita Anderson, said there were three people at the home when the attack occurred.
Anderson was sitting across the street when it all happened.
"I heard my cousin screaming that someone was throwing a bomb through her house," Anderson said.
She said her cousin and the two others who were at the home are doing fine.
"I don't know why would that happen or why that did happen," Anderson said. "I hope they don't come back."
Police are calling the attack an isolated incident.
This story was published by Scott Sutton and Briana Nespral of WPTV in West Palm Beach, Florida. | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/national/video-shows-man-toss-molotov-cocktails-at-florida-home | 2022-04-12T02:21:28 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/news/national/video-shows-man-toss-molotov-cocktails-at-florida-home |