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JEROME — A man has been sentenced to prison for second-degree murder following a deadly 2020 incident in which a man was mortally wounded when a rifle fired while two other men fought for control of the firearm.
Jose Valdez-Castillo, 28, on Monday received a uniform sentence of 50 years, with 20 years determinate and 30 years indeterminate, for murder. Judge Rosemary Emory also handed down a sentence of 15 years for a charge of assault with intent to commit a serious felony, with the sentences running concurrently.
The sentence will run consecutively with a Gooding County case in which Valdez-Castillo was charged with grand theft, records say. That sentence will be satisfied in full on July 16, 2025, records say.
He will receive credit for 1,009 days in which he sat in the Jerome County Jail on a $500,000 bond.
Valdez-Castillo on March 9 submitted a written Alford plea, pleading guilty but not specifically admitting to the guilt itself.
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Jonathan Bonilla-Carvajal died shortly before midnight on Aug. 14, 2020, after being shot as two men scuffled over a rifle at a residence at 285 W. 125 N., reports say.
Valdez-Castillo confronted the boyfriend of his sister, court records say, after the boyfriend had a physical altercation with her earlier in the day. Valdez-Castillo arrived at the residence and pointed a rifle — a Smith & Wesson M&P — at the man’s chest and pulled the trigger, but the gun did not fire, records say. The two then began fighting over the gun and the gun fired several times.
Another man in the home heard Bonilla-Carvajal say he’d been hit, and he was taken to the St. Luke’s Jerome Medical Center.
Prosecutors also want Valdez-Castillo to pay restitution of almost $19,500, but public defender Steven McRae asked for 14 days to respond to the request. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/jerome-man-sent-to-prison-for-2020-murder/article_e81f80da-f9c2-11ed-87db-cf028abf3d57.html | 2023-05-24T14:34:30 | 0 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/jerome-man-sent-to-prison-for-2020-murder/article_e81f80da-f9c2-11ed-87db-cf028abf3d57.html |
TWIN FALLS — For as long as Melody Mack can remember, owning a bookstore had been a dream.
“I’ve been talking about owning a book store, I think, the whole time I’ve been able to speak,” Mack told the Times-News.
An avid reader from an early age, the born-and-raised Twin Falls resident has nurtured a lifelong love of books.
That’s why, when Mack saw a contest to become the owner of a bookstore in downtown Twin Falls, she knew she couldn’t pass it up.
“I’m doing online schooling for my bachelors, I’m homeschooling four kids,” Mack told the Times-News. “Yes, I’ll take a bookstore!”
Sequoia Schmidt has owned the building at 250 Main Ave. N. since 2020, and most of it serves as the main distribution center for her publishing company, DiAngelo Publications.
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In October 2022, Schmidt opened a retail storefront as DAP Books, stocked with titles from the vast DiAngelo Publications catalog. Schmidt soon realized that operating a retail store while running a publishing company created conflicts, and she decided it was time to make a change.
So she published a post to a local moms and wives group on Facebook, inviting women to submit an application to become the new owner of DAP Books.
When reviewing applications, Schmidt was looking for someone who loved books and who was solidly entrenched in Twin Falls.
“I wanted somebody who has been a part of this community for many, many years, and who’s going to be in this community for many, many years,” Schmidt said.
Schmidt said she figured a mom would make the best candidate, because moms are good at navigating hectic environments.
“A lot of the applicants were moms, and that was something we wanted to gear toward,” Schmidt said. “Running a business is no joke. It is hands-down one of the hardest things in the world,” Schmidt said. “Generally what I’ve found with my friends who are moms is they can handle hard things. They have challenges thrown at them all the time, and they find a way to make it work, and they keep that little human alive, and that’s kind of like keeping a business alive.”
Schmidt still owns the building and it will continue to serve as the main distribution center for DiAngelo Publishing. Mack now owns the retail store, and will lease the storefront and a large additional room.
The selection of books will be split between books from the DiAngelo Publications titles, and anything Mack wants to stock.
With thousands of her own used books to add to the inventory, Mack said that, despite the whirlwind of changes, the temptation to get lost in a book is constant.
“The hardest part I think is that right now I just want to sit down and read everything,” Mack said.
With experience in event planning, graphic design and teaching, Mack has an abundance of ideas on programs, classes and events that she wants to offer to the community.
She homeschools her four children, and has noticed an increase in the number of families who have been homeschooling since the pandemic. She looks to create services and events for that demographic.
“Some of these parents, they want to teach a class but they have nowhere to do so,” Mack said. “And now I have the space where they would be able to come in and do that.”
Mack even has ideas for teaching art classes, holding painting nights, and other events that will develop over the next several weeks.
In a short amount of time, DAP Books has subtly grown, with used books that Mack has curated intentionally to compliment the selection available from DiAngelo Publications.
“I like being able to get lost in a story. I have various styles that I like ... but I’m not against any other genre,” Mack said. “I have found some of the best books I’ve ever read by walking through a store and randomly picking one that I would have never picked before.”
Schmidt founded the company when she was 17 and Di Angelo Publications has grown to include a catalog of more than 125 titles. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/she-entered-a-contest-and-won-a-bookstore-what-comes-next-is-up-to-her/article_38276a78-f9a2-11ed-a359-2334d561d61a.html | 2023-05-24T14:34:36 | 1 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/she-entered-a-contest-and-won-a-bookstore-what-comes-next-is-up-to-her/article_38276a78-f9a2-11ed-a359-2334d561d61a.html |
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Evergy Connect held an event in Wichita on Tuesday to help renters apply for the City of Wichita’s housing stability program. It is a program that helps renters pay rent and utility bills.
“If you’re struggling, please contact us so we can help you connect you with resources, get you on a payment plan, just kinda have us help you find out what’s available to you,” said Kaley Bohlen, Evergy communications manager.
Staff advised customers on saving money when the Kansas heat kicks in and provided LED lightbulbs and fans.
Customers that were unable to attend the event can visit Evergy Connect during business hours, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and receive personal assistance. In addition, they can access public-use computers, printers and scanners to complete and submit applications for the housing stability program.
To complete the application process, proof of income (bank statement, two most recent pay stubs or unemployment statement), rental/lease agreement (including any eviction notices), valid state or federal-issued ID, social security numbers of all household members and most recent utility bills (electric, gas and water) are required.
Evergy Connect is located at 111 South Ellis Street, off of Douglas. The number to call is 316-440-2070. | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/evergy-helps-customers-who-need-rent-help/ | 2023-05-24T14:45:26 | 1 | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/evergy-helps-customers-who-need-rent-help/ |
TEXAS, USA — Governor Greg Abbott has signed a bill filed by State Representative Tom Craddick that would increase the punishment for Aggravated Assault offenses.
House Bill 467 will increase misdemeanor assault punishments from two to three years, while felony assault punishments against a family member or victims with close relationships would increase from three years to five years.
“Misdemeanor and felony assault against a family member is a serious offense," Craddick said. "Giving our law enforcement and related agencies time to properly identify the crime and a potential aggressor is a positive step to protecting Texans from violence. I am honored to have sponsored this legislation and would like to think Senator Pete Flores for working with me on this bill. This legislation will give victims the time they need to ensure aggressors are properly prosecuted.”
The bill will go into full effect on September 1, 2023. | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/governor-abbott-signs-craddicks-bill-focused-on-increasing-punishments-for-aggravated-assault-offenses/513-ba69e181-9e1f-455c-8005-db013cb97620 | 2023-05-24T14:48:40 | 1 | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/governor-abbott-signs-craddicks-bill-focused-on-increasing-punishments-for-aggravated-assault-offenses/513-ba69e181-9e1f-455c-8005-db013cb97620 |
TEXAS, USA — Governor Abbott has signed a bill that will ensure gasoline and diesel-powered engines cannot be prohibited by local government in the State of Texas.
State Representative Brooks Landgraf sponsored Senate Bill 1017, which was the companion legislation to House Bill 2374 that was filed by Langraf.
“This is a win for consumer freedom and Texas energy,” Landgraf said. “SB 1017 is about individual liberty, and when people are free to choose and the market is allowed to be competitive, Texas oil and natural gas always win. It’s an honor to fight for the hard-working men and women of the Permian Basin, to fight for freedom and for energy independence.”
The bill outlaws gas stations from being banned as any other related wholesaler and energy producer to provide the access to energy sources. It also ensures that local governments will not be able to restrict the use, sale or lease of an engine based on its fuel source.
“SB 1017 will be a bulwark against local politicians who want to undermine the individual liberties of Texans and the industry that makes the heart of Texas beat,” Landgraf said. “I will keep fighting for common sense legislation like this that makes Texas more free and protects oil and gas jobs. No big-city politicians are going to California our Texas on my watch.”
The bill will go into full effect on September 1, 2023. | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/governor-abbott-signs-landgraf-sponsored-bill-prohibiting-cities-from-banning-gas-engines/513-003dc847-255a-4c64-877c-b7febdf05538 | 2023-05-24T14:48:46 | 1 | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/governor-abbott-signs-landgraf-sponsored-bill-prohibiting-cities-from-banning-gas-engines/513-003dc847-255a-4c64-877c-b7febdf05538 |
SNYDER, Texas — Snyder Junior High School will be closed today due to multiple power outages throughout the community.
All other campuses in Snyder ISD will have two hour delayed start times. Busses will operate on a two-hour delay.
For more updates about rescheduled events and the outages, people can go to the Snyder ISD website. | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/snyder-isd-junior-high-closed-today-due-to-power-outage-issues/513-ea83faa9-8b90-4a01-ab87-b9e61bb5fae0 | 2023-05-24T14:48:52 | 0 | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/snyder-isd-junior-high-closed-today-due-to-power-outage-issues/513-ea83faa9-8b90-4a01-ab87-b9e61bb5fae0 |
Alex Murdaugh to be deposed in Mallory Beach wrongful death suit. Here's what to know.
Convicted family annihilator Alex Murdaugh, an accused habitual fraudster whose lies took center stage during his recent double murder trial, will soon be expected to provide information to parties involved in a high-profile wrongful death suit against him.
On Monday, South Carolina circuit court judge Daniel D. Hall filed a consent order in Hampton County Court of Common Pleas "granting leave for parties to conduct the deposition" of Murdaugh in connection with the March 2019 wrongful death suit filed by the family and estate of Mallory Beach against Murdaugh and other parties.
Beach was ejected into Beaufort County waters and killed during a February 2019 drunken boating incident involving Murdaugh's boat and his late son, Paul Murdaugh ― an incident which sparked an international crime saga and, ultimately helped lead to murder, say authorities.
The motion, filed in response to a May 3 request from co-defendant Gregory Parker and Parker's Corporation, orders the S.C. Department of Corrections to make Murdaugh available for interviews "at an agreed-upon time, date, location, and means scheduled by counsel for the parties..." involved in this wrongful death suit.
Murdaugh is currently serving consecutive life sentences without parole in protective custody at an undisclosed maximum security S.C. state prison.
According to the order, the depositions may be taken virtually or in person, as determined by the parties, and that all parties, including Murdaugh and his counsel, have consented.
The primary defendants in this case are Murdaugh and Parker's, who is accused of selling alcohol to the underaged boaters but denies criminal and civil liability in the case.
Also named in the suit are Murdaugh's surviving son, Richard Alexander "Buster" Murdaugh Jr., who is accused of giving his ID to his brother, Paul, for the fraudulent purchase of alcohol; Alex Murdaugh's younger brother, JohnMarvin Murdaugh, as P.R. of the Estate of Margaret Kennedy Branstetter Murdaugh; and his older brother Randolph Murdaugh IV, as P.R. of the Estate of Paul Terry Murdaugh.
Margaret and Paul Murdaugh were brutally shot and killed June 7, 2021, at their Colleton County home, Moselle. Murdaugh, who was convicted in those killings March 2, 2023, was driven to murder in part by the threat and pressure of this multi-million wrongful death suit, prosecutors said during his trial, and partly to distract from scores of financial and drug-related crimes.
During the murder trial, prosecutors presented evidence that revealed Murdaugh lied to investigators for months about being at the crime scene, and lied to countless clients and law partners in order to steal millions, which may call into question the accuracy of any deposition he gives in this pending civil case.
Murdaugh admitted to many of those lies during his March murder trial, and in sentencing Judge Clifton Newman commented on Murdaugh's "web of lies."
The Beach civil suit is set for trial in Hampton County Aug. 14. No trial dates have been set in Murdaugh's remaining 104 criminal allegations.
Hampton County Guardian Editor Michael DeWitt, the Greenville News and USA TODAY Network will continue to follow the ongoing criminal and civil cases surrounding the Murdaugh crime saga. Follow DeWitt on Twitter at @mmdewittjr and support his local and national journalism with a digital subscription. | https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/local/south-carolina/2023/05/24/accused-fraudster-admitted-liar-alex-murdaugh-to-be-deposed-in-beach-wrongful-death-suit-updates/70251461007/ | 2023-05-24T14:59:33 | 1 | https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/local/south-carolina/2023/05/24/accused-fraudster-admitted-liar-alex-murdaugh-to-be-deposed-in-beach-wrongful-death-suit-updates/70251461007/ |
Every morning, NBC 5 Today is dedicated to delivering you positive local stories of people doing good, giving back and making a real change in our community. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/something-good/frisco-family-donates-teddy-bears-to-uvalde-school-shooting-survivors/3264126/ | 2023-05-24T15:00:30 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/something-good/frisco-family-donates-teddy-bears-to-uvalde-school-shooting-survivors/3264126/ |
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PHOENIX — Neda Sharghi visited Phoenix over the weekend to attend the Mercury’s first home game of the season and to welcome Brittney Griner home.
“It gives me energy to fight,” Neda said.
It was important for Neda to be inside the Footprint Center because Griner’s return and release from a Russian prison are giving her family hope that Neda’s brother, Emad Shargi, will be released from an Iranian prison.
“It’s been too long. Five years of his life has been wasted,” Neda said.
The last photograph Emad Shargi took before being taken, smiling and happy, is part of a new mural. It sits on the west side of the Footprint Center, the home to the WNBA's Pheonix Mercury and NBA's Suns.
“What you see in that picture is an ordinary American citizen who has a family, who has a life, who has things to offer to his community,” Neda said.
Emad was on vacation visiting Iran in 2018 with his wife when he was taken. She said he is now being used as a "negating pawn" because he is an American.
Emad’s image, along with 13 other people who are being wrongfully detained or held hostage overseas, now covers a wall of the downtown arena near Jefferson and 1st streets.
Neda is advocating for people to support their group Bring Our Families Home (BOFH), which Griner is also supporting to raise awareness. The BOFH logo is also courtside inside the Footprint Center.
“We saw what the fans did for Brittney,” Neda said. “We weren’t allowed to forget her for one second, and that’s the most important thing, hostages and wrongful detainees worry they will be forgotten."
A local artist was called to do the new mural. Antoinette Cauley felt many emotions when she was asked to work on it.
“It was this overwhelming feeling of like ‘wow’ this is huge in the sense of the message, the impact, and I just felt this sense of I have to do this,” Cauley said.
Cauley is seeing so much success as an artist she’s currently living in Berlin, Germany, furthering her career. But by chance, Cauley said was visiting her hometown in Phoenix when she got the call about working on the mural. She shared she extended her trip to do the free-hand painting.
“It was important for me to learn their stories and it was heartbreaking,” Cauley said. “I thought about my own family members and if they were being detained how I would feel."
She and her team had a deadline to finish the artwork ahead of the Mercury’s season opener. This mural truly is an example of teamwork and community because Cauley was sick while working on it and two other artists, Shoreigh Williams and Giovannie, otherwise known as Just Created It, helped her to meet the deadline and finish the mural on time.
Now — she hopes all who pass the work of art it will be inspired.
“I want them to feel a sense of empathy and maybe they want to take some action,” Cauley said.
Neda also hopes people who attend a game or concert at the Footprint Center will go home thinking of her brother and the others. She asks for people to share their stories on social media, reach out to their local representative and support the Mercury as the team and Griner support BOFH.
Members of the organization hope the current attention to wrongful detainees will lead to a meeting with the president. Neda said the families all want to share their own stories with him and want the U.S. government to use all their tools to bring their loved ones back to the U.S.
“Cherelle Griner, Brittney's wife, had the opportunity, it meant the world to her, and we are asking the President to give up his time to us, so we can talk to him as well,” Neda said.
She knows the negotiation for Griner’s release from Russia was not easy, and watching Griner play basketball at home again gives her hope the same can be done for her brother, Emad.
For more information on wrongful detainees and hostages being held overseas, you can visit Bring Our Families Home website here.
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12 News YouTube channel. Subscribe today. | https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/brittney-griners-return-gives-hope-to-families-of-other-wrongful-detainees/75-f8201872-fe25-4bc9-b137-4f5908b7878f | 2023-05-24T15:10:25 | 0 | https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/brittney-griners-return-gives-hope-to-families-of-other-wrongful-detainees/75-f8201872-fe25-4bc9-b137-4f5908b7878f |
BOISE, Idaho — Caldwell High School student, Nick Mendez, is reaching for the stars this summer as he and two other Idaho high school students were just selected to intern for NASA.
When it comes to the world of STEM, Mendez said he has always had a passion and curiosity about the field.
"I know that in the future I would want to do something in STEM, more specifically aerospace engineering," Mendez said. "I'm interested in learning more about space and stars. I've always had an interest — especially in NASA sending people to space, building rockets and satellites."
An interest that just landed him the opportunity of a lifetime: an internship with NASA.
"It's an internship partnered with the University of Texas at Austin and NASA," Mendez said. "They invite incoming high school juniors and seniors to go over and do NASA-based research in a field of their choosing."
Mendez is also a member of Caldwell High’s Robotics team and said being in that space has elevated his passion for STEM, which helped him get the internship.
"I have been able to work with others and find a love for STEM just by building coding and using those robots to see what they are capable of doing," Mendez said.
Mendez credits his TRIO advisor, Joshua Angler, for the achievement since it was Angler who helped Mendez find the internship and supported him along the way.
"He is one of the most driven students that I've worked with," Angler said. "He's also very intellectually curious."
Mendez is one of the first students in Idaho to get this internship. Angler believes opportunities like this one will bring value to the high school and encourage others to follow in Mendez’s footsteps.
"Students inspire me, and I think I have gained a lot more from them probably than they have from me," Angler said. "When other students get to see another student from Caldwell High School take an opportunity like this, it means a lot. They see themselves represented in him and what he's doing. It changes what students think is possible for themselves."
For Mendez, he sees this as the first step in making the field of STEM more diverse.
"People come from all sorts of backgrounds, and because they come from those backgrounds, they have their own unique experiences that they will be able to offer up at the table," Mendez said. "So by having Idaho students, they will be able to get a unique perspective in different issues in STEM."
But this is much more than an internship for Mendez; he sees it as a chance to represent his culture, his parents and the state of Idaho.
"They always say we wanted to go here so we can have a better life. This just goes to show their hard work being able to be paid off. It's also an opportunity to give back to my community," Mendez said. "I'm really excited to represent not just Caldwell but also all my heritage and my community — so going out to represent the Hispanic and Latinx people."
His internship starts July 8, and will run for two weeks. Mendez has already connected with the other two students; one from Meridian and the other from Xavier Charter School in Twin Falls.
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See the latest news from around the Treasure Valley and the Gem State in our YouTube playlist: | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/caldwell-high-school-student-selected-for-nasa-internship-nick-mendez/277-0f3c8d24-ee8f-4c97-9c71-3034d43442fe | 2023-05-24T15:14:30 | 0 | https://www.ktvb.com/article/news/local/caldwell-high-school-student-selected-for-nasa-internship-nick-mendez/277-0f3c8d24-ee8f-4c97-9c71-3034d43442fe |
PLANT CITY, Fla. — Deputies with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office are in a Plant City neighborhood working on a situation involving a person who refuses to surrender.
The agency says the Wednesday morning situation in the area of Swindell and Charlie Taylor roads only involves one person, and no other residents are in danger.
Homes in the surrounding area haven't been evacuated, but neighbors are being asked to remain indoors.
No other information has been released about the incident at this time.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates. | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/hillsboroughcounty/barricaded-person-plant-city/67-ebb0eeb7-c37e-44b4-8557-ac7ac35ebeff | 2023-05-24T15:14:37 | 1 | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/hillsboroughcounty/barricaded-person-plant-city/67-ebb0eeb7-c37e-44b4-8557-ac7ac35ebeff |
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is teaming up with the Tampa Police Department and other law enforcement agencies for “Operation Safe and Sober” this holiday weekend.
AAA’s 2023 Memorial Day forecast shows around 2.4 million Floridians are expected to travel this weekend.
Both agencies will have extra patrols monitoring the roadways.
"We have too many people being injured and being killed by impaired drivers. There is no reason to take the risk,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said.
FWC officials are also reminding people ahead of Memorial Day to keep safety in mind out on the water. One of the biggest reminders they are sharing is to have life jackets on board. They say 27% of all fatal boating accidents statewide in 2022 resulted from falls overboard.
They are also encouraging people to take a boating course before heading out on the water and attempting to operate a boat. According to FWC, 70% of drivers involved in fatal boating accidents did not have a formal boater education in 2022. | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/hillsboroughcounty/memorial-day-travel-tampa-florida-busy/67-c5a342a8-ca76-4420-a06d-58e94f415fac | 2023-05-24T15:14:37 | 0 | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/hillsboroughcounty/memorial-day-travel-tampa-florida-busy/67-c5a342a8-ca76-4420-a06d-58e94f415fac |
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — St. Petersburg police arrested two men they say were involved in the shooting death of a 32-year-old man on Friday.
Kevin Lassiter, 32, was arrested and is facing a first-degree murder charge while Troy Lassiter, 26, was arrested and charged with principal to murder in the first degree, police said in a news release.
According to the St. Petersburg Police Department, officers responded to a call of a person shot around 5:39 p.m. Friday at Baypointe Preserve Apartments, located at 11901 4th St. N.
Once at the scene, they reportedly found a 32-year-old man, identified as Derrick Mims, suffering from gunshot wounds. He was taken to the hospital where he later died from his injuries.
Detectives reportedly believe Mims knew the two men and the shooting wasn't random.
The investigation is still ongoing at this time. | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/pinellascounty/men-arrested-deadly-st-pete-shooting/67-1b9bc3c1-7378-4aea-ad74-a1aaeec45863 | 2023-05-24T15:14:38 | 1 | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/pinellascounty/men-arrested-deadly-st-pete-shooting/67-1b9bc3c1-7378-4aea-ad74-a1aaeec45863 |
What to Know
- A 39-year-old Queens man with no known record, according to the Manhattan DA's office, is accused of attempted murder in the random shove of a 35-year-old into a Lexington Avenue subway train
- Emine Yilmaz Oszoy remains hospitalized in critical condition; she's currently paralyzed from the neck down, prosecutors say. A GoFundMe page to help with staggering medical bills has raised five figures
- According to her husband, the Turkish-born woman is an "award-winning artist" who lived and worked in Istanbul before the couple moved to NYC in 2017. They live in Jackson Heights
Prosecutors revealed chilling details Wednesday as they outlined their attempted murder case against a Queens man whose alleged random shove of a woman into the side of a Manhattan subway last weekend left her paralyzed.
Kamal Semrade, a 39-year-old with no prior record known to the Manhattan district attorney's office, was remanded after his arraignment on the criminal complaint. It provides a jarring account of the injuries that the woman, identified by her family as 35-year-old Emine Yilmaz Ozsoy, endured on her way to work.
Authorities have said it appears Ozsoy was attacked at random, blindsided from behind by a man who shoved her head into the side of a train at Lexington Avenue and 63rd Street around 6 a.m. Sunday. It wasn't clear if he made any sort of comment before the shove, but the NYPD says the attack was entirely unprovoked -- and the woman was critically hurt.
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According to court papers, Semrade and Ozsoy boarded the same train in Queens that morning. Both of them got off the train at 63rd and Lex in Manhattan. He was walking behind her on the platform, the complaint says, and as it began to move, he "grabbed her head with both his hands and shoved her with all his force into the moving subway car."
Prosecutors say Ozsoy's face and head hit the train, then her body rolled alongside it and crashed back to the platform. She was "instantly paralyzed," according to court papers, and currently can't move anything below her neck. Ozsoy's injuries include a cervical spine fracture, broken fingers, a scalp laceration and damage to four major blood vessels.
Local
Authorities say there's still a risk the 35-year-old artist could suffer a stroke or die. She remained hospitalized in critical condition Wednesday. Prosecutors say they have eyewitness accounts and surveillance video to support their case.
One of those witnesses is Nancy Marrero.
"I just see him walk up beside her to her left side and with palms open just shove her head onto the train as it moved: she recounted. "He just took both hands, not at her body, aimed specifically at her head like he wanted the head to hit. So when he shoved her into it, so her head hit and her body like tumbling in a circle and she just dropped onto the platform."
The man took off, Marrero screamed and ran to try to do what she could for the disoriented victim.
"Why would you do that to her? I go up to her and I kneel down and I was like, 'Are you OK? Are you OK?'" Marrero asked, as Ozsoy was bleeding and not moving. "When she landed, because she tumbled, she landed on her stomach with her hand like this and this arm twisted, and she said, 'I have no feeling to my arm.'"
Marrero comforted Ozsoy, who she says kept asking if she was going to die -- as her forehead was "split from the front all the way to the back," the good Samaritan said. She was so badly bloodied that the woman's Face ID feature on her phone didn't recognize her, Marrero said. She stayed with Ozsoy until first responders arrived.
A GoFundMe page to help raise funds for her staggering medical bills, which the organizers say already top six digits, raised nearly $45,000 in two days, thanks to more than 700 separate donations. The goal is now $500,000.
According to a statement from her husband, Ferdi Ozsoy, Emine Yilmaz Ozsoy is a Turkish-born artist who lived and worked in Istanbul before moving to New York City in 2017. She's lived here since, and is an "award-winning artist, illustrator and painter who works has appeared in many magazines, and for many nationally known clients," he adds.
"Her life has been profoundly impacted by this tragic act of violence. She has suffered a severe injury to her neck that has resulted in significant limitations," her husband explained. "Unfortunately, her mobility is expected to be affected, greatly impacting her daily life. But of course, faith and hope are never-ending. She’s young. She’s a strong woman. She’s creative. She’s empathetic. She’s a warrior. She’s a true friend who goes out of her way to help people."
Ferdi Oszoy describes his wife as a carefree, creative spirit who loves strolling through art galleries and teaching art to communities. He says he was born and raised in New York City and moved to Turkey in 2009. He met Emine in 2011, they got married in 2014 and in 2017 opted to move to the United States.
"We took a chance. We wanted to start a new life," Ferdi Oszoy says.
The husband says his wife has no family here but him and they're working to get emergency visas, so people can help. He also expressed profound gratitude to the NYPD, the good Samaritans and others who already lent hands.
Friends and family were initially told the prognosis was poor as far as her ability to regain movement below her neck, but they say she's already proving the doubters wrong. Still, she has a long road to recovery ahead.
"The individuals that surrounded her on that train station, that comforted her and told her that everything was going to be okay until the EMTs came, they were there to keep her motivated to hang on to life and I really appreciated the New Yorkers who came to her aid in that moment," Ferdi Oszoy's statement continued. "Once she was brought to Weill Cornell Medical Center, the doctors over here performed a really difficult surgery, I would like to thank them as well for their hard work and dedication to her. They’ve been really supportive to us."
The MTA said it was pleased by the swift arrest.
"The NYPD acted quickly, using pictures from MTA cameras, to arrest a suspect and start delivering justice to the victim, who is in our thoughts at this terrible time," NYC Transit President Richard Davey said in a statement. "It’s now up to prosecutors to pursue maximum consequences available under the law."
Semrade faces three charges of assault -- one first-degree count, two second-degree counts -- along with a single charge of second-degree attempted murder, and a high state prison sentence if convicted.
It wasn't clear if he entered a plea at Wednesday's arraignment. Semrade is being represented by The Legal Aid Society, which typically doesn't comment on active cases. He's due back in court Friday. | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/nyc-subway-shove-victim-emine-yilmaz-ozsoy-was-instantly-paralyzed-manhattan-da-says/4362021/ | 2023-05-24T15:18:39 | 1 | https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/nyc-subway-shove-victim-emine-yilmaz-ozsoy-was-instantly-paralyzed-manhattan-da-says/4362021/ |
Stark woman killed, 3 others, including baby, seriously injured in Clinton County crash
- Heidi Wright, 20, of Beach City, died when a vehicle she was traveling struck another vehicle head on.
- Police say the driver of the vehicle, Kara Metz, attempted to pass several vehicles and struck another one head on.
- Wright died at the scene. Metz, her infant and the driver of the other vehicle were seriously injured.
A Stark County woman is dead and three others — including an infant — were seriously injured in a head-on crash Friday near Wilmington in Clinton County.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the two-vehicle fatal crash that killed Heidi Wright, 20, of Beach City.
According to the investigators, Kara Metz, 22, of East Sparta, was driving a Toyota Scion TC north on U.S. Route 68 around 6:49 p.m. Friday in Washington Township. Metz reportedly tried to pass several vehicles and hit a Ford Focus that was traveling south on Route 68 head-on.
Wright died at the scene.
Fatal crash:One driver killed, two others injured in early morning crash in Marlboro Township
Metz and her infant child were transported from the scene via medical helicopter to Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton with serious injuries. Metz remains hospitalized. It is unclear if her baby is still hospitalized.
The driver of the Focus, Thomas Cogan, 82, of Beavercreek, was taken to Clinton Memorial Hospital by ambulance with serious injuries. He was later transferred to Miami Valley Hospital. Cogan remains at Miami Valley in the ICU.
The patrol was assisted at the scene by the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office, Clinton County Coroner's Office, Wilmington Fire Department and Emergency Medical Service, Clinton Warren Joint Fire Department and Emergency Medical Service.
According to Wright's obituary, she was a 2021 graduate of Fairless High School and R.G. Drage Career Center in animal science. She was a student at Ohio State University's Agricultural Technical Institute in Wooster and had plans to become a veterinarian.
The crash remains under investigation at this time.
Reach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com.
On Twitter: @aknappINDE | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/stark-county/2023/05/24/heidi-wright-of-beach-city-killed-in-clinton-county-head-on-crash/70251724007/ | 2023-05-24T15:21:01 | 1 | https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/stark-county/2023/05/24/heidi-wright-of-beach-city-killed-in-clinton-county-head-on-crash/70251724007/ |
HIGH POINT — High Point’s Planning & Zoning Commission has recommended in favor of a Guilford County Schools' request for the city to rezone land along Bunker Hill and Boylston roads for a new K-8 school. The zoning commissioners voted 6-1 in favor of recommending the rezoning from agricultural to institutional conditional use.
The vote Tuesday night came despite concerns raised by people living in the area including the potential for increased traffic and safety issues, noise and light pollution, harm to the environment and to the views from neighboring properties.
The zoning commission makes recommendations to High Point City Council, which is scheduled to take up the matter on June 20. Council will vote on whether to annex the three Colfax properties, which are currently part of unincorporated Guilford County, as well as the request to rezone.
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Getting High Point to annex the properties would allow for the school to hook up to High Point's water and sewer systems.
The Katherine G. Johnson School for Science and Mathematics could serve up to 900 students: 600 in elementary and 300 in middle school grades, according to the draft recommendations of the traffic impact analysis for the site.
This a breaking news update. Check back later for more. | https://greensboro.com/news/local/education/high-point-zoning-commission-k-8-school-katherine-johnson-colfax-boylston-bunker-hill-road-traffic-safety-environment-second-amendment/article_11b9a79c-f9a8-11ed-bef4-eb6ad2a4e2e4.html | 2023-05-24T15:31:05 | 0 | https://greensboro.com/news/local/education/high-point-zoning-commission-k-8-school-katherine-johnson-colfax-boylston-bunker-hill-road-traffic-safety-environment-second-amendment/article_11b9a79c-f9a8-11ed-bef4-eb6ad2a4e2e4.html |
Autopsy confirms illness caused 6-year-old Detroit student's death last month
A 6-year-old student who died last month amid a wave of illnesses at a Detroit school succumbed to a bacterial infection, an autopsy has confirmed.
Jimari Aiden Williams, a student at Marcus Garvey Academy, died April 26, two days after his sixth birthday.
According to his autopsy report, the Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office determined the manner of his death to be natural and lists Waterhouse-Friderichsen Syndrome due to Haemophilus influenzae beta as the cause of death.
The Detroit News obtained the information from the medical examiner's office Wednesday through a Freedom of Information Act request.
Earlier this month, Detroit health department officials confirmed there were two cases of Haemophilus influenzae at Marcus Garvey. The school, which is located on the city's east side and serves students in pre-K through eighth grades, was closed for days following Jimari's death to allow for intense cleaning.
Haemophilus influenzae is an infection caused by bacteria known as H. influenzae, which has six types, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The bacteria can cause different types of infections in infants and children.
Though living in human noses and throats and usually causing no harm, it can sometimes move to other body parts and cause infection, according to the CDC.
The school was closed for days following Jimari's death.
cramirez@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @CharlesERamirez | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2023/05/24/autopsy-confirms-illness-caused-6-year-old-detroit-students-death-last-month/70251978007/ | 2023-05-24T15:35:32 | 0 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2023/05/24/autopsy-confirms-illness-caused-6-year-old-detroit-students-death-last-month/70251978007/ |
'We lacked sensitivity': Skincare brand, MSU grad, influencer apologize for TikTok post
A national skincare brand and TikTok influencer who is a Michigan State University graduate are apologizing after a promotional video linking nasal trips to the school's "traumatic" Feb. 13 mass shooting has ignited backlash.
In a recent video for Bioré, Cecilee Max-Brown says her partnership with Tokyo-based skincare company came in support of Mental Health Awareness Month to "strip away the stigma of anxiety," linking the company's nasal strips to the East Lansing tragedy that left three students slain and five others severely injured.
"Life has thrown countless obstacles at me this year, from a school shooting to having no idea what life is going to look like after college," Max-Brown said in the video.
The sponsored video has been deleted from the video-sharing platform, less than 24 hours after it was posted. It's unclear exactly when the video was posted. Biore issued an apology Saturday.
Some critics have accused Max-Brown and Bioré of trying to capitalize on the tragedy. Stitching the video in response, one TikTok user said she still has side effects from the shooting, recalling sitting on the floor with roommates for four hours, wondering about the shooter's whereabouts.
"You were trying to make money off of a school shooting; one that I was involved in," said one critic.
With nearly 30,000 followers on TikTok, Max-Brown took to the platform on Monday, saying the video wasn't meant to "desensitize" the tragedy but rather help spread awareness about the struggles she and other students experienced since the campus attack.
"I did not mean to desensitize the traumatic event that took place as I know the effects that it has had on me and the Spartan community," Max-Brown said. "I take accountability for this and will ensure to be smarter in the future."
Bioré also took to Facebook on Saturday, saying their sponsorship of the video let their community and creators down by not providing better guidance.
"We lacked sensitivity around an incredibly serious tragedy, and our tonality was completely inappropriate," the Japanese brand said in a statement.
"We know a lot of you are angry at us right now, and we get it. We just ask that you direct any anger our way, not towards the creators themselves."
jaimery@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @wordsbyjakkar | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2023/05/24/we-lacked-sensitivity-skincare-brand-msu-grad-influencer-apologize-for-tiktok-post/70251337007/ | 2023-05-24T15:35:38 | 0 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2023/05/24/we-lacked-sensitivity-skincare-brand-msu-grad-influencer-apologize-for-tiktok-post/70251337007/ |
Exonerated man files $100M lawsuit after spending nearly 32 years in prison
Detroit — A Holt man exonerated after serving almost 32 years in prison has filed a $100 million federal lawsuit against Oakland County, the city of Pontiac and others, claiming he was wrongly convicted because of false testimony, fabricated evidence and junk science.
Gilbert Poole, 58, filed the lawsuit Tuesday, almost two years after he was exonerated in the June 1988 murder of 35-year-old Robert Mejia in Pontiac. The conviction was vacated on May 26, 2021, by then-Oakland County Circuit Judge Rae Lee Chabot after DNA testing showed Poole was not the killer, according to the lawsuit.
Officials from the city and Oakland County were deliberately indifferent to Poole's constitutional rights, fabricated and withhheld evidence, waged a malicious prosecution and committed willful misconduct, Poole's lawyer Kevin Riddle argued, according to the 90-page lawsuit.
The lawsuit attacked testimony from a "bite mark" expert who helped convict Poole, despite the evidence being "knowingly false and without a scientific" basis, Riddle wrote.
"This lawsuit seeks to remedy those constitutional rights that were violated and the injustice of 31 years in prison for a crime he in fact did not commit," Riddle wrote.
The lawsuit included as defendants Pontiac police officers, former Oakland County Prosecutor Richard Thompson, a Michigan State Police lab scientist and an expert forensic odontologist. There was no immediate comment from Pontiac Mayor Tim Greimel or Thompson and Oakland County spokesman Steve Huber declined comment.
In the lawsuit Tuesday, Poole's lawyer criticized testimony from the prosecution team's expert witness, Dr. Allan Warnick, who examined a mark on Mejia's upper right arm.
Warnick compared the mark to Poole's dental work and concluded "the odds that two people would make the same bitemark is 2.1 billion to 1," according to the lawsuit.
But bite mark comparison is not recognized as a scientific means to link someone to a crime scene, Poole's lawyer wrote, calling Warnick's opinion "unscientific" and "knowingly false."
"Dr. Warnick was deliberately indifferent to Poole's constitutional rights in knowingly giving false testimony of statistical evidence which had no scientific support," the lawyer wrote.
Warnick did not respond to messages seeking comment.
In 2021, the year Poole was freed, Michigan was among the states with the largest number of exonerations for criminal convictions, according to a national research project that tracks wrongful imprisonments.
At 11 exonerations, Michigan tied with California for having the third-highest number, according to a report by the National Registry of Exonerations.
After leaving prison, Poole filed a compensation claim with the state and was awarded $1,597,577. And last spring, Poole was honored by Pontiac officials along with three other exonerees: Juwan Deering; George DeJesus and Melvin DeJesus.
"Deeper investigations should be done earlier on complaints (of innocence) than doing something down the road," said Poole. "But I'm glad they're acknowledging mistakes."
rsnell@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @robertsnellnews | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/oakland-county/2023/05/24/gilbert-poole-files-100m-lawsuit-after-spending-decades-in-prison/70249299007/ | 2023-05-24T15:35:44 | 1 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/oakland-county/2023/05/24/gilbert-poole-files-100m-lawsuit-after-spending-decades-in-prison/70249299007/ |
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — One person was killed in a crash on Highway 50 Wednesday morning in Sacramento, according to Caltrans.
The crash happened around 2 a.m. The highway was closed between 65th Street and Stockton Boulevard until about 6:45 a.m.
The highway was closed so CHP could investigate the crash and the crash could be cleared. A spokesperson for Caltrans said a portable electrical sign and a cone truck were damaged.
It is unclear what led up to the crash.
Watch more on ABC10 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/sacramento/person-killed-highway-50-sacramento/103-71a293e3-c67c-4f6e-89c8-8d1e6a8ec702 | 2023-05-24T15:38:50 | 0 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/sacramento/person-killed-highway-50-sacramento/103-71a293e3-c67c-4f6e-89c8-8d1e6a8ec702 |
CLEVELAND — Earlier this month, the U.S. Marshals in Northern Ohio completed an operation that resulted in the recovery of 35 missing children.
"Operation We Will Find You" was a national missing child operation that came in conjunction with federal, state, and local agencies to recover endangered missing children. The Northern District of Ohio was one of 16 regions selected to take part in this operation, due to the agency's past success carrying large-scale missing child operations.
The operation, which ran from March 1, 2023, until May 15, 2023, resulted in the recovery of 35 missing children from Northern Ohio, with a focus on the metropolitan areas of Cleveland, Toledo, Akron, Canton, Youngstown, and surrounding counties. The operation led officers across Ohio, and even across the country to states including California, Arizona, and West Virginia.
Critical risk factors placed the missing children in an elevated danger of physical or sexual abuse, neglect, substance abuse or human trafficking. According to a release, operations such as this one "help bring a larger scale approach to add resources, broaden the reach of the local police departments, and streamline investigative effort, especially when they cross state and jurisdictional line."
“The Marshals Service is fully committed to assisting federal, state, and local agencies with locating and recovering endangered missing children," U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott said in a release. "The main objective of Operation We Will Find You was to find as many critically missing children as possible. The epidemic of missing children in our country needs a spotlight, it needs our focus. We hope operations like this sharpen that focus. Every child deserves a safe environment to grow up in, and we are dedicated to helping provide that for the children and families in Northern Ohio."
Anybody with information regarding a wanted fugitive or missing child can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833). Web tips can also be submitted here. Reward money is available, and tips can remain anonymous.
Editor's note: the videos in this story are from previous stories. | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/us-marshals-recover-35-missing-children-northern-ohio/95-22bf71c7-407c-4d23-8245-e4eb5affbe75 | 2023-05-24T15:38:56 | 0 | https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/us-marshals-recover-35-missing-children-northern-ohio/95-22bf71c7-407c-4d23-8245-e4eb5affbe75 |
Joint Finance Committee OKs plan to give state employees up to 9% raises
DOVER, Del. — Members of the Delaware legislature's budget-writing committee began marking up Gov. John Carney's spending plan for the upcoming fiscal year on Tuesday by approving across-the-board pay raises of up to 9% for state employees.
The Joint Finance Committee approved Carney's plan to give state workers pay raises ranging from 3% to 9%, depending on their pay grades. Employees making less than $50,000 a year would see their pay increase between 7% and 9%, with the lowest pay grades receiving the highest percentage increases. Employees making roughly $100,000 or more annually would see a 3% pay raise.
Public school employees also would receive a 3% raise, with teachers getting an additional 6% pay hike for a total salary increase of 9%.
MARIJUANA LEGAL IN DELAWARE:Carney allows Delaware weed bills to become law without signature. 'It’s time to move on'
The average state employee salary of $52,033 per year would increase 6%.
The pay increases approved Tuesday follow pay hikes ranging from 2% to 9% that government workers received this year. The new fiscal year begins July 1.
"As we responsibly did last year, we're targeting working Delawareans who most need a raise," committee co-chair Rep. William Carson, a Smyrna Democrat, said in a news release.
"By continuing to use a sliding scale for raises, we are ensuring all employees receive a raise, but we're preventing those on the lower end of the pay scale from falling further behind," Carson added, noting the rising costs of goods and services.
The committee also Carney's recommendation of establishing a $15 minimum wage for full-time state employees.
Panel members also added millions of dollars and several new positions to Carney's recommended budget to reflect passage of a marijuana legalization bill that the Democratic governor allowed to become law without his signature.
GUN LAW:House advances handgun permit requirement bill. Can Delaware afford it?
The committee added more than $2.2 million and 34 new positions to Carney's recommended budget to begin implementing a state-licensed and regulated marijuana industry. On Wednesday, the panel is expected to approve another $1.9 million in one-time costs for the marijuana program.
The funding approved Tuesday includes money to staff a new Office of the Marijuana Commissioner and add 14 new positions in the Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Enforcement to administer and enforce Delaware's Marijuana Control Act. Lawmakers also approved funding for new marijuana tax auditors in the Department of Finance, new investigators in the Division of Public Health, as well as pesticides and weights and measures personnel in the Department of Agriculture.
"I'm just getting high just sitting here," Rep. Stephanie Bolden, a Wilmington Democrat, quipped at one point.
Carney announced last month that he would allow bills legalizing recreational marijuana use by adults in the state and authorizing the establishment of a state-licensed and regulated cannabis industry to become law without his signature. The move marked a turnaround from last year, when he vetoed a legalization bill championed by fellow Democrats. That led to a failed veto override attempt by House Democrats.
Budget committee co-chair Sen. Trey Paradee, a Dover Democrat, expressed confidence that Delaware will make money off its new marijuana industry, despite economic problems experienced in the legal marijuana industry in many West Coast states.
"Make no mistake, we will see a return on the investment we are making here today, both in terms of the jobs that will be created and the lives that will be spared as we bring an end to the failed criminalization of marijuana," Paradee said in a news release.
Currently, recreational marijuana use is permitted in 22 states and the District of Columbia. | https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/2023/05/24/joint-finance-committee-approves-state-pay-raises-adds-marijuana-industry-funds/70251829007/ | 2023-05-24T15:45:41 | 1 | https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/2023/05/24/joint-finance-committee-approves-state-pay-raises-adds-marijuana-industry-funds/70251829007/ |
MAYS LANDING — A Galloway Township woman pleaded guilty to charges that she left a young girl malnourished enough to be hospitalized and struck her in front of another child, authorities said on Wednesday.
Stephanie Gregory, 58, pleaded guilty to two counts of endangering the welfare of a child before Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Dorothy Garrabrant on Tuesday, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said in a news release.
She faces concurrent five-year prison sentences through her plea agreement, the Prosecutor's Office said.
Under the terms of the plea agreement Gregory can not have contact with the victims or their mother.
Gregory confessed that, in 2020, she starved a 9-year-old girl enough to cause her severe malnutrition that led to her hospitalization. Gregory also admitted that she struck the girl in front of another child, 6.
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Both children were in her care at the time, but the Prosecutor's Office did not specify if Gregory is related to the children.
Detectives with the Special Victims Unit helped investigate the case. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/galloway-woman-pleads-guilty-to-child-endangerment-charges/article_d323d6e4-fa40-11ed-81e5-f7edc55c2d0a.html | 2023-05-24T15:49:35 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/galloway-woman-pleads-guilty-to-child-endangerment-charges/article_d323d6e4-fa40-11ed-81e5-f7edc55c2d0a.html |
Local police forces remain overwhelmingly made up of white officers following calls to diversify, but officials say not enough people of color are interested in joining law enforcement.
That's likely a product of police encounters with Black people that have turned deadly, says Atlantic City Councilman Khaleem Shabazz, who is president of the city's NAACP chapter.
To reverse it, policing needs to gradually improve community relations, he said.
"Across the country, there's a concern about people becoming police officers, and that's for a whole lot of reasons - historical reason, the murder of George Floyd obviously didn't help, and every time we have an incident, that doesn't help," Shabazz said.
Based on police data collected by The Press, local figures show Atlantic City has one of the area's most-diverse police forces, different from its counterpart on the mainland. Black and Latino officers combined represent about 38% of the resort's force.
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Even that level of diversity falls short of Atlantic City's community, where roughly 60% of its residents identify as being Black of Hispanic.
"The Atlantic City Police Department is committed to promoting diversity in recruitment and hiring so that our workforce reflects the diversity of the residents of Atlantic City," police spokesperson Kevin Fair said in a statement. "Our leadership is constantly evaluating our recruitment, hiring, and retention strategies, as well as the age, gender, race, ethnicity, etc., of our members, to ensure that no group is underrepresented."
Atlantic City has 297 officers of which 53.54% identify as white; 22.56% as Black; 15.82% as Hispanic/Latinx; 8.08% as Asian/Pacific Islander. It has 69 ranked officers among its sworn members, 18 of whom are people of color.
A special investigation by Lee Enterprises showed that of 105 agencies serving communities identified as diverse, 76 underrepresented the percentages of people of color by 10 points or more.
Other town's police departments nearby aren't as diverse.
Hamilton Township, Galloway Township, Ocean City and Egg Harbor Township are overwhelmingly made of white officers.
Neither Galloway and Hamilton townships have a ranked officer that identifies as a person of color, according to the data.
Galloway Township Mayor Anthony Coppola agrees with Shabazz's belief that violent and fatal police encounters have gone viral in the last few years have weakened interested in joining law enforcement.
That challenge is one felt throughout the country, officials said.
"We no longer require a bachelor's degree to apply and be hired," Coppola said. "We no longer require that you've completed the academy. We're putting people through the academy for the first time in a while again."
Hamilton Township police department officials did not return multiple phone calls requests for comment for this story.
The May 2020 murder of George Floyd, a Black man whose death sparked public protests and violence across the nation led to protests and sustained calls to reform policing.
Since the 46-year-old was murdered by a white police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, police have tried meeting public demands to aggressively diversify their departments, hiring and promoting more Black officers to model the force to better represent the community they serve.
Lawmakers have also worked toward formulating policies that will promote diversity in police forces across the state.
In 2021, Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law a bill requiring the state’s Civil Service Commission to implement programs to make law enforcement more representative and equitable. Among the measures listed in the bill, a mandate is set forth to analyze the racial composition of police agencies, making it a goal for those that could benefit from eliminating hiring preferences based on applicants’ residency.
“Since day one of this administration, Gov. Murphy has made it a priority to increase diversity in law enforcement to ensure departments across the state reflect the communities they serve," Tyler Jones, a spokesperson for the Governor's Office, said in a statement in response to questions from The Press. "The governor, along with the State Civil Service Commission (CSC), has taken several steps to increase diversity in law enforcement, and will continue to assist the CSC in this effort.”
That commitment has not translated into diverse local forces in several communities where The Press obtained data.
Ocean City's police department has only two officers, or about 2.86% of it's force, that identify as Black.
Ocean City police officials did not return a request for comment.
In Hamilton Township, which has 54 officers, 87% are white, 7% are Black, 4% are Hispanic, and 2% are Asian. Among the department's 15 officers of supervising rank, none identify as a person of color.
Census data shows the community is 63% white, 13% black, 12% Hispanic, 5% Asian and 9% biracial/other.
In Galloway, 81.43% of its officers are white, and 18.57% identify as Black.
Nusret Sahin, an associate professor of criminal justice at Stockton University and former Turkish National police officer, says departments should target their relations with the public to dispel beliefs of racial bias. That, in turn, could prompt a higher turnout of Black and Hispanic recruits to narrow racial gaps.
"When they see that (no racial bias), they're more likely to apply to that agency," Sahin said.
Coppola hasn't dismissed the idea of the situation improving.
"They're out there. We just got to work a little harder now," Coppola said of police recruitment.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/south-jersey-police-police-diversity/article_a2e64140-c1e4-11ed-b0de-f7a6ef03751a.html | 2023-05-24T15:49:41 | 1 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/south-jersey-police-police-diversity/article_a2e64140-c1e4-11ed-b0de-f7a6ef03751a.html |
ATLANTIC CITY — City Council will hold a public hearing on the city's $225.8 million annual budget Wednesday evening, which the mayor has said will include a 5-cent drop in the local tax rate.
The tax rate will fall from $1.5997 per $100 of property value, according to Mayor Marty Small Sr., to $1.5474 per $100 valuation.
The owner of a property valued at $125,000 would see their local taxes decrease by about $60.38, according to Small.
City Council will also consider final passage of an ordinance Wednesday evening to spend $6 million in American Rescue Plan funds to renovate city parks and a city bridge.
Of that amount, $4 million would go towards the parks and $2 million towards replacing the Venice Lagoon Bridge.
The ordinance passed on first reading at the last meeting. A second reading and passage is needed to allow the funds to flow. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/budget-hearing-wednesday-on-atlantic-citys-225-8-million-spending-plan/article_9727b8cc-fa3b-11ed-b93b-6b857ce00fb3.html | 2023-05-24T15:49:47 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/budget-hearing-wednesday-on-atlantic-citys-225-8-million-spending-plan/article_9727b8cc-fa3b-11ed-b93b-6b857ce00fb3.html |
DALLAS — Mosquitos are back, folks. And according to Orkin, Dallas-Fort Worth is the worst area in all of Texas for those pesky pests.
Orkin released its top 50 Mosquito Cities List, and DFW ranked No. 5 in the entire country. It was the highest Texas city, ahead of Houston (No. 9), San Antonio (No. 39) and Austin (No. 46).
On last year's list, Dallas ranked 6th in America for mosquitos. Los Angeles topped the list for the third year in a row.
This comes from Orkin's data, which is based on the metro areas where the pest control company performed the most mosquito control services from April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023. The list includes both residential and commercial mosquito treatments.
Here's a look at the Top 50
- Los Angeles
- Chicago
- New York
- Atlanta
- Dallas/Ft. Worth
- Washington, DC
- Philadelphia
- Detroit
- Houston
- Charlotte
- Raleigh-Durham
- Tampa
- Miami
- Orlando
- Denver
- San Francisco
- Seattle
- Cleveland, OH
- Baltimore
- Indianapolis
- Minneapolis
- Phoenix, AZ
- Grand Rapids
- Nashville
- Norfolk, VA
- Greenville, SC
- Columbus, OH
- Oklahoma City
- St. Louis
- Richmond
- Memphis
- Milwaukee
- Boston
- Kansas City, KS & MO
- Flint
- Sacramento
- Pittsburgh
- San Diego
- San Antonio
- Tulsa
- New Orleans
- Cincinnati
- Knoxville
- Myrtle Beach
- West Palm Beach
- Austin
- Greensboro, NC
- Spokane
- Bakersfield, CA
- Fresno
We generally see about 40% of the calendar year with mosquitos. On average over the past 30 to 40 years, we've gained about two days of mosquitos.
Tips to repel and prevent mosquito bites include:
- Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
- Apply an EPA-registered mosquito repellent containing products such as DEET, picaridin or IR3535.
- Eliminate standing water in bird feeders, water bowls for pets, potted plants, wading pools and other children’s toys.
- Regularly clean debris in gutters that provide moisture and harborage.
WFAA sister station, KHOU, contributed to this article.
More Texas headlines: | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/dallas-texas-mosquito-worst/287-440b2862-37d6-4805-a447-ca7e110626a0 | 2023-05-24T15:50:06 | 1 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/dallas-texas-mosquito-worst/287-440b2862-37d6-4805-a447-ca7e110626a0 |
UVALDE, Texas — Nineteen students and two teachers were killed at Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022.
Shortly after the shooting, we began to learn about the victims. Below are those who lost their lives one year ago.
Eva Mireles
Eva Mireles was one of the first victims identified in the Uvalde school shooting. She was a fourth-grade teacher.
She has been described as a loving mother and wife who lived life to the fullest.
“She was adventurous. I would definitely say those wonderful things about her. She is definitely going to be very missed,” said 44-year-old relative Amber Ybarra, of San Antonio.
In a post on the school’s website at the start of the school year, Mireles had introduced herself to her new students.
“Welcome to the 4th grade! We have a wonderful year ahead of us!” she wrote, noting she had been teaching 17 years, loved running and hiking, and had a “supportive, fun, and loving family.” She mentioned that her husband was a school district police officer, and they had a grown daughter and three “furry friends.”
Annabell Guadalupe Rodriguez
Annabell Guadalupe Rodriguez, 10, was a third-grader at Robb Elementary.
Her dad had spent much of Tuesday afternoon looking for her. When he spoke to KHOU 11 News earlier in the day, he said no one had any answers on the whereabouts of his daughter.
"They don't know where she's at ... her name is not here," Rodriguez said. "They're not letting us in at the hospital right now so we don't know where to go."
He later received the devastating news that Annabell was one of the 19 students killed in the shooting.
Her family said she was in the same classroom as her cousin, who was also shot and killed.
Xavier James Lopez
The Associated Press spoke with Lisa Garza, 54, of Arlington, Texas, who identified her cousin, Xavier Javier Lopez, 10, as one of the victims.
She said Xavier had been eagerly awaiting a summer of swimming.
“He was just a loving 10-year-old little boy, just enjoying life, not knowing that this tragedy was going to happen today,” she said. “He was very bubbly, loved to dance with his brothers, his mom. This has just taken a toll on all of us.”
Layla Salazar
Vincent Salazar said his 10-year-old daughter, Layla, loved to swim and dance to Tik Tok videos. She was fast — she won six races at the school’s field day, and Salazar proudly posted a photo of Layla showing off two of her ribbons on Facebook.
Each morning as he drove her to school in his pickup, Salazar would play “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” by Guns ‘n’ Roses and they’d sing along, he said.
“She was just a whole lot of fun,” he said.
Uziyah Garcia
Manny Renfro told the Associated Press he got word Tuesday that his grandson, 8-year-old Uziyah Garcia, was among those killed.
“The sweetest little boy that I’ve ever known,” Renfro said. “I’m not just saying that because he was my grandkid.”
Renfro said Uziyah last visited him in San Angelo during spring break.
“We started throwing the football together and I was teaching him pass patterns. Such a fast little boy and he could catch a ball so good,” Renfro said. “There were certain plays that I would call that he would remember and he would do it exactly like we practiced.”
Rogelio Torres
The father of Rogelio Torres confirmed to KHOU 11’s Anayeli Ruiz Wednesday morning that his son was killed during the shooting at Robb Elementary School.
Rogelio was 10 years old.
Eliahna García
Among those left to grieve were relatives of 10-year-old Eliahna Garcia.
“She was very happy and very outgoing,” said Eliahna’s aunt, Siria Arizmendi, a fifth-grade teacher at Flores Elementary School in the same school district as Robb Elementary. “She loved to dance and play sports. She was big into family, enjoyed being with the family.”
Nevaeh Bravo
Nevaeh Alyssa Bravo also was killed and her aunt noted Naveah’s first name is Heaven spelled backward. In a Facebook posting, Yvonne White described Nevaeh and Jailah, her cousin who was also killed in the massacre, as “Our Angels.”
Eliahana Cruz Torres
Fourth-grader Eliahana Cruz Torres was looking forward to her last softball game of the season before she was killed Tuesday.
"She was very excited about her softball game today. She was kind of nervous," her aunt said. "I talked to her last night and she was kind of nervous, saying that it was her last game and she didn't want softball to end. And she was excited because there were gonna, I guess, announce the ones that made it to all-stars. And she was also saying, like, 'what if I make it? I'm gonna be so nervous.' And I was like, 'girl you got this. You're gonna be good at it. You got this.' So she was excited."
Jailah Nicole Silguero
Veronica Luevanos, whose 10-year-old daughter, Jailah Nicole Silguero, was among the victims, tearfully told Univision that her daughter did not want to go to school Tuesday and seemed to sense something bad was going to happen. Jailah’s cousin, Naveah, also died in the shooting.
Jose Manuel Flores Jr.
Jose's parents told CNN that the 10-year-old was helpful around the house and loved his younger siblings. “He was just very good with babies,” his mother said. His father told CNN that Jose loved baseball and video games and “was always full of energy.” A photo taken at school Tuesday shows him smiling and proudly holding a certificate to show he made the honor roll.
Amerie Jo Garza
Medical assistant Angel Garza also hurried to the school and immediately found a girl covered in blood among the terrified children streaming out of the building.
“I’m not hurt. He shot my best friend,” the girl told Garza when he offered help. “She’s not breathing. She was just trying to call the cops.”
Her friend was Amerie Jo Garza — Angel Garza’s stepdaughter.
Amerie was a happy child who made the honor roll and loved to paint, draw and work in clay. “She was very creative,” said her grandmother Dora Mendoza. “She was my baby. Whenever she saw flowers she would draw them.”
Maranda Mathis
The mother of a close friend described Maranda as “very loving and very talkative.” She told the Austin American-Statesman that her daughter and Miranda had been in the same classes and that Maranda would ask to have her hair done like her daughter’s.
Alithia Ramirez
Ryan Ramirez rushed to Robb Elementary when he heard about the shooting, hoping to find his daughter, Alithia, and take her home. But Alithia, too, was among the victims.
Ramirez’s Facebook page includes a photo, now shown around the world, of the little girl wearing the multi-colored T-shirt that announced she was out of “single digits” after turning 10 years old. The same photo was posted again Wednesday with no words, but with Alithia wearing angel wings.
Irma Garcia
Irma Garcia was also killed in the shooting. She taught at the school for 23 years.
According to reports, she died while shielding her students from the shooter.
Jackie Cazares
Javier Cazares said he found out Tuesday afternoon that his 9-year-old daughter Jacklyn Cazares was killed in her classroom. She was with a group of five girls, including her second cousin, Annabelle Rodriguez, who formed a tight group of friends.
“They are all gone now,” Cazares said.
The extended families of the slain cousins gathered Wednesday to mourn and comfort each other over barbecue.
Cazares described his daughter as a “firecracker” who “had a voice, she didn’t like bullies, she didn’t like kids being picked on.”
“All in all, full of love. She had a big heart,” he said.
Jayce Carmelo Luevanos
Carmelo Quiroz's grandson, Jayce Luevanos, 10, had begged to go along with his grandmother on Tuesday as she accompanied her great-granddaughter’s kindergarten class to the San Antonio Zoo. But, he said, the family told Jayce it didn’t make sense to skip school so close to the end of the year. Besides, Jayce liked school.
“That’s why my wife is hurting so much, because he wanted to go to San Antonio,” Quiroz told USA Today. “He was so sad he couldn’t go. Maybe if he would have gone, he’d be here.”
Makenna Lee Elrod
Makenna's aunt started a GoFundMe page to help the family.
"Words cannot express the pain my sister and our family is going through. I know in the coming weeks my sister is going to be overcome with so much and any support is appreciated. Please pray for our family and remember Makenna. She was beautiful, funny, smart, and amazing. She had the biggest heart and loved her family and friends so much. Her smile would light up a room."
Tess Marie Mata
Faith Mata told The Washington Post that her sister loved TikTok dance videos, Ariana Grande, the Houston Astros, and having her hair curled.
Alexandria 'Lexi' Rubio
Uvalde County Sheriff’s Deputy Felix Rubio and his wife had been at the school Tuesday morning to celebrate with their daughter, 10-year-old Alexandria “Lexi” Aniyah, since the fourth-grader had made honor roll with all A's and received a good citizen award.
In a Facebook post, Kimberly Rubio wrote, “We told her we loved her and would pick her up after school. We had no idea this was goodbye.”
Maite Rodriguez
After a rough time with Zoom classes during the pandemic, Maite Rodriguez made the honor roll for straight As and Bs this year and was recognized at an assembly on Tuesday, said her mother, Ana Rodriguez. Maite especially liked physical education, and after she died, her teacher texted Ana Rodriguez to say she was highly competitive at kickball and ran faster than all the boys. Her mother described Maite as “focused, competitive, smart, bright, beautiful, happy.” Maite wanted to be a marine biologist and after researching a program at Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi she told her mother she wanted to study there.
Maite's family member created a GoFundMe page, saying:
"It is with a heavy heart I come on here on behalf of my cousin Ana who lost her sweet baby girl in yesterday's senseless shooting we are deeply saddened by the loss of this sweet smart little girl. Donations for funeral expenses as well for time away from work to allow her to grieve her loss anything helps God bless and may she R.I.P Maite Rodriguez we love you." | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/texas/robb-elemtary-victims/285-a8623f15-babc-43f8-9cac-01e6459589a3 | 2023-05-24T15:50:12 | 1 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/texas/robb-elemtary-victims/285-a8623f15-babc-43f8-9cac-01e6459589a3 |
Gold Star Mothers embrace, remember, share a seat with POWs – a York first on Memorial Day
American Gold Star Mothers gathered in York before Memorial Day weekend to remember their veteran children and support each other by touring the Veterans Memorial Gold Star Healing & Peace Garden and help dedicate a special chair at WellSpan Park that highlights their mission.
“I feel personally that the Gold Star mothers represent veterans better than veterans do,” Ron Lewis said before the event. Lewis, from York, who retired from the U.S. Air Force and served in Vietnam from 1968-69, is founder and chair of the seat dedication program.
It was a mother’s love that was sent with Christopher K. A. Slutman to serve and find a new purpose as a Marine.
He told his mother, Mary Slutman of Lower Windsor Township, that after 15 years with the Fire Department of New York “he wasn’t doing enough. … Well mom, I know you will support me. I know you're not happy,” his mother remembers his words when he told her that he wanted to join the Marines, “like his baby brother” did.
More:Christopher Slutman hailed as hero at funeral in New York
Christopher K. A. Slutman was killed in action while conducting combat operations near Bagram, Afghanistan in 2019 after a long military career. He is one of the last two names to be etched among lists of veterans remembered on the dark, polished stone walls of the York memorial.
Mary Slutman said that when two Marines stepped into her house on that fateful Sunday night in April 2019, “the worst part is the look on their face when I said which one. That blew their minds.” Slutman said that she was sure it was her son, Peter, who had already seen six deployments, four wars and “three times blown up and he’s still walking.” Christopher was always the cautious one, she said.
She has had four children who have served or continue to serve in the military.
“I’m proud of my son. He gave his life for his country, and that’s what he wanted”, Slutman said.
As a recent Gold Star Mother, for an organization that started in 1928, Slutman said that the organization “helps keep the memory alive … and helps families who lost loved ones in the line of duty.”
According to Sarah Taylor, national president of the organization who attended the garden tour, there are about 1,000 registered members across the United States, adding that membership peaked during World War II with 30,000 members.
During the second part of the program, a new Gold Star Mother chair at Wellspan Park has been paired with an existing POW-MIA chair that has been in place in the stadium for eight years. Both chairs, now facing each other as if they were having a conversation, are displayed in a prominent location.
Photos:Gold Star Garden Memorial Day Celebration 2022
The white and black seats on a steel riser are roped off with plaques to explain their significance. They are not for sitting, but to remember those who were lost and remind visitors of the Gold Star Mothers who continue to support veterans today.
The organization bringing the chair to York says that it’s the first time both chairs have been paired together for a display. York has Gold Star Mother chair number two. Number one is in Philadelphia.
Back at the Healing & Peace Garden, Slutman searched for her son’s name on the stone slab and cradled the last two names on the list with her two outer fingers to highlight them when asked about their location.
“I hope these are the last,” she said. | https://www.ydr.com/story/news/local/2023/05/24/gold-star-mothers-honored-on-memorial-day-wellspan-park-veterans/70249552007/ | 2023-05-24T15:50:45 | 1 | https://www.ydr.com/story/news/local/2023/05/24/gold-star-mothers-honored-on-memorial-day-wellspan-park-veterans/70249552007/ |
CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — Clayton County Police need help to find a missing 20-year-old woman who may be the victim of a domestic disturbance case.
Shelby Rachel was last seen at a home off Stonewall Jackson Drive in Jonesboro. Officers were called to the home Tuesday night at around 10:30 p.m.
When police arrived, they learned that Rachel was involved in a domestic disturbance with another. When they tried to speak to her, they discovered she had left the home through a bedroom window.
Police are urging residents to be on the lookout for Rachel.
A Mattie's call was issued for the 20-year-old, who is diagnosed with bipolar disorder and also needs medication for a sleep disorder, according to a release from the Clayton County Police Department.
Rachel is 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 125 pounds. She had black hair and brown eyes, the release said.
Police said Rachel was last seen wearing a black Adidas coat, black pants and black and white Nike shoes. She may also be wearing a Field Training t-shirt.
If you have any information about Rachel’s whereabouts, call the CCPD at 770-477-3550 and select extension eight. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/clayton-county-police-need-help-finding-missing-20-year-old-may-victim-domestic-disturbance-jonesboro/85-6b61f21d-e7f5-47ad-8a47-9939ebda79f6 | 2023-05-24T15:51:36 | 1 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/clayton-county-police-need-help-finding-missing-20-year-old-may-victim-domestic-disturbance-jonesboro/85-6b61f21d-e7f5-47ad-8a47-9939ebda79f6 |
MARIETTA, Ga. — We've recently see it far too often - kids, sometimes not even teenagers - getting shot and killed.
It's one reason 11Alive's Molly Oak started digging deeper and asking police questions. The main one - why does this keep happening?
The country, state and communities are all dealing with this issue. Police say they often trace it back to the same source: Gangs.
"Kids are being recruited now when they're in middle school, in elementary school. This is not a high school problem," Gov. Brian Kemp, who has made the issue one of his signature policies, said last year.
And gang recruitment is becoming harder to track because of the creative ways they are connecting with their newest - and youngest members.
"We are not immune." Marietta Police Public Information Officer Chuck McPhilamy warns. "And it is frightening to hear from a state level that these gangs are learning how to go into communities and recruit children."
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says that gang members are getting creative, now targeting new members using social media - usually with music - and hosting social settings like basketball tournaments, barbecues and bounce houses that can draw kids in.
Police say they've even seen gangs recruit with ice cream trucks.
"And so the kids let their guard down and they see these gang members as friends and family, especially those where both parents are away from the home or working," McPhilamy said.
The GBI says this not only hides the recruitment effort behind the events, but also prevents law enforcement from immediately catching on.
"The gangs are always looking for ways to beat the legal system, and they know that if they recruit children young enough, those children are going to end up at the youth detention center with a slap on the wrist and probation and be right back out on the street with no real way to hold them in a prison setting the way that you would an adult," McPhilamy explained.
He noted the devastating consequences of these decisions, in many cases being made by kids too young to really understand them.
"It's heartbreaking when you see a child making the wrong decision, when you know they don't have the mental capacity yet to make that decision," he said. "But those life choices have already potentially forever changed their path and it's catastrophic what it does to the families, to the community, to every one of their classmates within the school system."
McPhilamy said the draw for young people is that "gang members are looking at it as luring them into a life or a family" - strong bonds that can often be missing from other sources.
"It's up to us to give them alternatives," he said. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/gang-recruitment-problem-georgia-young-members/85-892ff43f-1f93-4fe8-a5d3-48444bb80909 | 2023-05-24T15:51:43 | 0 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/gang-recruitment-problem-georgia-young-members/85-892ff43f-1f93-4fe8-a5d3-48444bb80909 |
DES MOINES, Iowa — A 27-year-old man is in custody following an assault that lead to another man's death earlier this month, Des Moines police say.
Police responded to a reports of a man with a knife around 1:40 p.m. on May 3 near the 2200 block of Capitol Avenue. There, they found 23-year-old Ilvin Torres armed with a knife and suffering from "minor face injuries."
The Des Moines Fire Department then helped transport Torres to the downtown Des Moines Mercy One facility for care.
According to court documents, Torres suffered a brain bleed. Hospital staff claimed his condition worsened on May 4.
Police then began investigating the source of his injuries.
Officers allege that 27-year-old Dylan Millard approached Torres on May 3 and hit him in the head multiple times following a short conversation.
Des Moines police arrested Millard for willful injury causing serious injury on May 9, but his charge was amended to second-degree murder after Torres died from his injuries on May 12.
Millard is still in custody. Police say this is the 10th homicide of 2023.
Local 5 will update this story as more information becomes available. Download the We Are Iowa app or subscribe to Local 5's "5 Things to Know" email newsletter for the latest. | https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/local/des-moines-iowa-police-second-degree-murder-charge-assault-may/524-82d5a23f-abab-464c-831c-9b845b0896b3 | 2023-05-24T16:00:21 | 1 | https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/local/des-moines-iowa-police-second-degree-murder-charge-assault-may/524-82d5a23f-abab-464c-831c-9b845b0896b3 |
DES MOINES, Iowa — Des Moines residents waking up Wednesday noticed the smell of smoke and a haze in the air. Unlike last week's air quality and visibility issues caused by Canadian wildfires, Wednesday's smoky haze is caused by something more local.
The root cause is likely driftwood burning near Saylorville Lake, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
"The lake maintenance crew is burning driftwood collected from the shoreline that had recently accumulated due to the high water. This burning is being done with a county permit and should complete today," U.S. Army Corps of Engineers representative Allen Marshall said.
The Des Moines Fire Department told Local 5 they sent officials out to investigate the source of the scent and smoke around 5 a.m., but crews did not find anything.
Per the National Weather Service Des Moines, "The smoke should be close to the source given the inversion and light flow [winds]". That was around 4:30 a.m., before we were made aware of the root cause.
Des Moines recorded the worst air quality in the U.S. around 5:30 a.m. Wednesday, but air quality will continue to improve as the temperature increases and the inversion lifts.
Local 5 will update this story as more information becomes available. Download the We Are Iowa app or subscribe to Local 5's "5 Things to Know" email newsletter for the latest. | https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/local/des-moines-iowa-weather-smoke-haze-smell-downtown-may-24-updates/524-a1d0a3b1-a3d5-4a41-9c4f-83757ebcf167 | 2023-05-24T16:00:27 | 0 | https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/local/des-moines-iowa-weather-smoke-haze-smell-downtown-may-24-updates/524-a1d0a3b1-a3d5-4a41-9c4f-83757ebcf167 |
Henrico Police have asked for assistance from the public in investigating a homicide near the Richmond Raceway Tuesday afternoon.
Police responded to the 5900 block of Queens Thorpe Court around 2 p.m. Tuesday after reports of a shooting.
First responders and officers arriving on the scene located an adult male in a car with "obvious signs of trauma," according to a statement from Henrico Police.
The victim, Lavelle Lee Roe, 36, of Henrico County, was pronounced dead at the scene. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the exact cause and manner of death.
Police are looking for any information from community members about what they may have seen or heard in the area as early as noon Tuesday.
Anyone with information, even small details, is encouraged to call Detective Rosser of the Henrico Police at (804) 501-5247 or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at (804) 780-1000. | https://richmond.com/news/local/crime-courts/henrico-police-investigating-tuesday-afternoon-homicide-near-richmond-raceway/article_6325aed0-fa40-11ed-9e03-4f6e00deca50.html | 2023-05-24T16:02:29 | 0 | https://richmond.com/news/local/crime-courts/henrico-police-investigating-tuesday-afternoon-homicide-near-richmond-raceway/article_6325aed0-fa40-11ed-9e03-4f6e00deca50.html |
Prosecutors have charged Lott, 32, with three felonies for allegedly returning fire in the April 16 shootout, which transpired at around 3 a.m. in an apartment parking lot at 3237 Portia St., investigators alleged in court filings.
Lott — who was one of three people to arrive at a local hospital with gunshot wounds in the aftermath of the shooting — was charged with second-degree assault, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and use of a firearm to commit a felony.
The 32-year-old is accused of exchanging gunfire with 35-year-old Tramel Patterson, who also arrived by private care in the hospital shortly after the shooting but left soon after, police said in court records.
Patterson is accused of shooting both Lott and a 35-year-old woman, who police believe were part of a love triangle that had enraged Patterson, according to the court filings.
Lott, who had evaded police custody for more than a month after the shooting, is expected to make his initial court appearance Wednesday afternoon.
A Kansas City, Missouri, native, Andrew Wegley joined the Journal Star as breaking news reporter after graduating from Northwest Missouri State University in May 2021. | https://journalstar.com/news/local/crime-courts/second-lincoln-man-arrested-in-april-shootout-at-apartment-complex/article_3537485e-fa3a-11ed-a0a8-c718514ee5d5.html | 2023-05-24T16:02:58 | 1 | https://journalstar.com/news/local/crime-courts/second-lincoln-man-arrested-in-april-shootout-at-apartment-complex/article_3537485e-fa3a-11ed-a0a8-c718514ee5d5.html |
Organizations participating in Give to Lincoln Day gathered at Tower Square in 2022 share their stories of supporting the community.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star file photo
The annual Give to Lincoln Day is officially underway as the community gathers together to help raise money for local nonprofits.
“It’s about creating and facilitating giving, but it’s also about celebrating the act of giving,” said Alec Gorynski, President for the Lincoln Community Foundation. “We like to call this Lincoln’s one big day of giving and it’s about being in a community of giving.”
As of 9:30 a.m., more than $4.8 million had been raised from nearly 13,000 donors. Cedars was leading in donations with $381,546 raised. Cedars provides a safe environment for children to stay while experiencing homelessness.
The next leading organization, Food Bank of Lincoln, was just over $281,000. The Food Bank of Lincoln works to help alleviate hunger in Southeast Nebraska.
Each donation today will be amplified with a portion of a $500,000 match fund sponsored by the Lincoln Community Foundation, presenting sponsor West Gate Bank and 24 other sponsors.
The other organizations in the top 10 include the University of Nebraska Foundation, Center for People in Need, Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach, Clinic with a Heart, Pickleball Lincoln, Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties, CenterPointe and the Friendship Home.
Nineteen organizations have not received a donation yet. Those in the last 50 spots are eligible to win West Gate Bank’s Small but Mighty Prizes. The 9 a.m. winner was Bike LNK. The Lincoln Community Foundation will draw again from the bottom leaderboard spots for a winning nonprofit to receive $500 at noon, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, the Tower Square festival will be returning at 13th and P streets. Nearly 70 organizations will be in attendance offering activities and demonstrations and providing information to donors about their missions. Live music from The Midnight Wanderers will be at noon, and donors can give at the West Gate Bank’s Donation Station.
Donations will be accepted online until 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, and checks or cash can be dropped off until 5 p.m. at the Lincoln Community Foundation office, 215 Centennial Mall South. Checks should be made to the Lincoln Community Foundation with the selected charity written in the memo line. The minimum donation is $10 and donors can select which charities they would like to designate their gifts to. The full list of organizations is available at GiveToLincoln.com .
A volunteer shortage is affecting charities across the country. In the Phoenix Arizona, Ronald McDonald House volunteer opportunities like "Dinner Time Hero's" are only seeing 50 percent of the slots filled. Kerry Schulman, Chief Executive Officer, said that while no one knows the exact reason she suspects the amount of people working at home may have an effect. The shortage has forced them to hold off on improvements including hiring more staff. According to a recent U.S. Census Bureau and AmeriCorps survey, formal volunteer participation dropped 7% between 2019 and 2021. That's the largest decrease the survey has recorded since a version of it started in 2002. It’s reached the point where the lack of volunteers strains the safety net that nonprofits provide to many of society’s most vulnerable. The largest drop between 2019 and 2021 in any state was Colorado at 16.1%. Hawaii. Wisconsin and Ohio also saw double-digit drops. Utah also saw a 8.8% drop, but still has the highest rate of volunteering in the country.
Top Journal Star photos for May 2023
Kloefkorn Elementary School students and teachers walk through nearby neighborhoods for the annual Kloefkornucopia Parade to honor the past year's students and the school's namesake on Monday, May 22, 2023.
LARRY ROBINSON Journal Star
Gov. Jim Pillen kisses newborn Gemma Pond of Lincoln at the signing ceremony of LB574 on Monday at the Capitol.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Brady's Dillion Miller (right) celebrates after finishing first in the class D 100 meter dash final on the fourth day of the 2023 State Track and Field championships on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at Burke Stadium in Omaha.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Lincoln Lutheran's Logan Lebo celebrates as he crosses the finish line during the class C boys 800 meter final on the fourth day of the 2023 State Track and Field championships on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at Burke Stadium in Omaha.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Lincoln East's Troy Peltz (2) celebrates with Landon Sandy (16) and others after his throw to home plate retired the potential game-winning run in the Class A championship game Friday at Tal Anderson Field.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
D Mack and Billie Douglass of Lincoln console each other after senators passed a bill limiting gender-affirming care and abortion in Nebraska. Hundreds of protesters again gathered in the Rotunda on Friday for votes on the bill.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Lincoln Northeast's Laney Songster and Lincoln Pius X's Kate Campos leap over hurdles during the Class A girls 100-meter hurdles final at the state track and field meet Thursday at Burke Stadium in Omaha.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Blair's Myles Jackson reacts after he sets a record in the Class B boys 100 meter dash final at the state track and field meet Thursday at Burke Stadium in Omaha.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
They Might Be Giant's trombonist Dan Levine, trumpet player Mark Pender and saxophonist Stan Harrison play together during a live performance on Sunday at the Bourbon Theatre in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Wayne's Laura Hasemann is photographed through a bush of flowers as she rounds the far corner of the track during the girls 4x800 meter relay on the first day of the 2023 State Track and Field championships on Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at Burke Stadium in Omaha.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Norfolk's Jackson Bos prepares to throw during shot put warmups on the first day of the 2023 state track and field championships on Wednesday at Burke Stadium in Omaha.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Omaha Skutt players celebrate against Norris during the Class B girls state soccer tournament, Monday, May 15, 2023, at Morrison Stadium in Omaha.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Wahoo's Conor Booth (14) is called out at third base after trying to steal against Elkhorn's Ryan Ellison (left) during a Class B state baseball game Saturday at Werner Park.
LARRY ROBINSON Journal Star
The ball sails just over Omaha Duchesne's Claire Niehaus, who is defended by Norris' Nicole Keetle (left) and Clare Macklin (right) in the second half of a Class B state semifinal Saturday in Omaha.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Elkhorn South's Cole Eaton celebrates after scoring a triple in the sixth inning during the Class A boys state baseball tournament, Friday, May 12, 2023, at Werner Park in Papillion.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Lacey Eddy (right), Scottish Rite Educator of the Year, embraces kindergarten students, including Reina Schomaker (left), after she was honored at an announcement ceremony Friday at Hartley Elementary.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Creighton Prep's Thomas Pisasale (3) hits a back flip while being cheered on by Max Matthies (7) and Jack Johnson (11) after scoring the go-ahead goal against Lincoln Southwest during a Class A state semifinal match Friday in Omaha.
LARRY ROBINSON Journal Star
Omaha Duchesne's Sophie Owens (left) looks to pass to an open teammate during the Class B girls state soccer tournament, Thursday, May 11, 2023, at Morrison Stadium in Omaha.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Lincoln fighter Andrew Huffman is stuck in the face by Kwajuan Mensah during their bout in Dynasty Combat Sport's Annual Spring Brawl on Saturday, May 6, 2023, at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Bennington's Ethan Korth (from left) and Conestoga's Kaden Simmerman and Rowdy Watson compete for the ball during the Class B boys state soccer tournament, Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at Morrison Stadium in Omaha.
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
Lincoln Southwest runs to celebrate after defeating Lincoln Pius X in a penalty kick shootout at the Class A girls state soccer tournament Tuesday in Omaha.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Lincoln Southeast's Angel Arellanes (right) and Papillion-La Vista South's Brodie Anderson (16) clash during the Class A boys state soccer tournament Monday in Omaha.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Mid-Plains Community College's Casey Reis gets shaken off during a bull-riding event for the Cornhusker College Rodeo at the Lancaster Event Center on Saturday, May 6, 2023.
LARRY ROBINSON Journal Star
Conestoga's Pelayo Biagioni lifts Jayden Widler on his shoulders to celebrate a 3-2 shootout win against Norris in the B-8 district championship on Saturday in Firth.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Kristin Syde carries her niece Margot Wyrick, 1, as she runs with her daughter Anna Syde, 6, during the Mayor's Run Saturday at the state Capitol.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Wahoo/BN/LL's players celebrate after defeating Waverly in the B-2 District final at Sam Crawford Field on Friday in Wahoo.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Lincoln Southwest players take turns kissing the A-2 District championship plaque after defeating Elkhorn South on Thursday at Seacrest Field.
LARRY ROBINSON Journal Star
Lincoln East JV's Reid Voog loses his grip on his golf club after driving the ball from the sixth hole tee box during the LPS Boys Golf Championship on Thursday, May 4, 2023, at Mahoney Golf Course in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Cars drive across a bridge along North 27th street, as a low water level measuring around 2.0 ft reveals the creek bed underneath, one year before on the same date the water level was measuring nearly 4 ft, on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 in Lincoln. Drought conditions have gotten so bad in Lancaster County that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has declared it a disaster area. This most recent announcement expands drought disaster designations to more than two-thirds of the state's counties. Last month, the department designated 55 counties as primary disaster areas.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Lincoln City Council candidate Tom Duden (right) embraces his wife Ronda Duden (center), along with his brother-in-law Rob Treptow at a Republican election night watch party Tuesday at Rosie's Downtown.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Adam Morefeld is hugged by Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird as she enters an election night party for Democrats on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at the DelRay Ballroom in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
An excavator works to clear debris from the area where a section of the Gold's Building once stood as redevelopment of the site continues on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, along 11th and N streets in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Arwen Wiechman, third grade, spins around while learning ballet during the Everett Community Learning Center after-school program on Monday. Dancers from the American Ballet Theatre led the students in dance exercises in advance of the company's performances on Tuesday and Wednesday of "Giselle" at the Lied Center for Performing Arts.
LARRY ROBINSON, Journal Star
Reach the writer at 402-473-7241 or ajohnson2@journalstar.com . On Twitter @ajohnson6170
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Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. | https://journalstar.com/news/local/early-gift-giving-on-annual-give-to-lincoln-day-surpasses-4-million/article_810ce63c-fa38-11ed-961f-b317bf2e9d8f.html | 2023-05-24T16:03:04 | 1 | https://journalstar.com/news/local/early-gift-giving-on-annual-give-to-lincoln-day-surpasses-4-million/article_810ce63c-fa38-11ed-961f-b317bf2e9d8f.html |
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Attorneys for Adnan Syed are asking the Supreme Court of Maryland to review an appellate ruling last month reinstating his murder conviction.
Syed's defense team argues the Appellate Court of Maryland's decision was based on a procedural error that would not have impacted the outcome of a hearing before a lower court.
The hearing in question was held back in September in Baltimore City Circuit Court at the request of then City State's Attorney Marilyn Mosby.
Her office asked a judge there to vacate Syed's conviction and sentence based on newly uncovered evidence which they say put his guilt into doubt.
That judge approved Mosby's request and freed Syed.
He'd been sentenced to life in prison for the 1999 murder of his ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee.
Her brother, Young Lee, claims to only been given one business day's notice about the hearing.
He wanted to attend in person, but was unable to make it due to living in California.
The circuit judge declined Lee's request to delay the hearing, instead allowing him to appear on Zoom.
RELATED: Maryland Court of Appeals reinstates Adnan Syed's murder conviction
Lee filed an appeal, claiming his rights were violated by the lack of notice and being denied a chance to show in person.
The Appellate Court for those reasons sided with Lee, ordering a new vacatur hearing in City Circuit Court.
As result the appellate judges reinstated Syed's conviction and sentence, but did not order him back to jail.
In their latest appeal Syed's defense team is asking the state's highest court to consider the following four questions.
- Whether [Mosby's] decision to dismiss charges against Syed made the appellate challenge moot?
- Whether zoom attendance satisfied [Young Lee's] right to attend the hearing?
- Whether the notice of the hearing was sufficient given the ability to attend virtually?
- Whether [conviction reinstatement] is appropriate without showing the result of the vacatur hearing would have been different?
The first three questions were addressed in the appellate court's ruling reinstating Syed's conviction.
"The State’s entry of a nolle prosequi did not render the Mr. Lee’s appeal moot under the circumstances of this case," the March 28 opinion stated in part. "Allowing a victim entitled to attend a court proceeding to attend in person, when the victim makes that request and all other persons involved in the hearing appear in person, is consistent with the constitutional requirement that victims be treated with dignity and respect."
The panel of judges declined to reconsider their opinion based off the fourth question, however they denied Lee's motion to challenge new evidence the state claims to have that clears Syed of his sister's murder. To that end the appellate court ordered the circuit judge to allow Lee's impact statement to be given in person and for the new evidence to actually be presented by the state and heard before a ruling is made on the case.
"We remand for a new, legally compliant, transparent hearing on the motion to vacate, where Mr. Lee is given notice of the hearing that is sufficient to allow him to attend in person, evidence supporting the motion to vacate is presented, and the court states its reasons in support of its decision."
MORE: Appellate court refuses to reconsider ruling reinstating Adnan Syed sentence
Read the full appellate court decision here. | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/adnan-syed-asks-maryland-supreme-court-to-review-reinstated-murder-conviction | 2023-05-24T16:05:54 | 0 | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/adnan-syed-asks-maryland-supreme-court-to-review-reinstated-murder-conviction |
SHADY SIDE, Md. — A Shady Side man was robbed at gunpoint Wednesday after inviting a female escort to his home.
Police say the victim arranged the overnight meeting online.
When the escort arrived at the victim's home on Lincoln Road, she was dropped off by another man.
Later while the victim was showering, the man returned with a gun.
The escort and armed suspect then ransacked the victim's home before taking off in a maroon pickup truck.
Anyone with information should call detectives at 410-222-1960 or the Tip Line at 410-222-4700. | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/shady-side-man-robbed-at-gunpoint-after-inviting-online-escort-to-home | 2023-05-24T16:06:00 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/shady-side-man-robbed-at-gunpoint-after-inviting-online-escort-to-home |
BLOOMINGTON — The Bloomington Police Department is giving away 312 gun safes to city residents to promote firearm safety.
According to a Tuesday press release, BPD, in partnership with the Be Smart Organization, will hand out vouchers at the Downtown Bloomington Farmers Market on Saturday, June 10. The vouchers must be redeemed that day.
Recipients must have a valid Firearm Owner Identification card and proof of Bloomington residence. Vouchers can be taken to Bloomington Fire Station #5 near the intersection of Six Points Road and Fedor Circle where residents will receive a gun safe that is a 24-inch cube and weighs about 100 lbs.
Questions can be directed to Public Information Officer Brandt Parsley at 309-434-2355. | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/bpd-giving-away-gun-safes-to-residents/article_e7b81dc4-f980-11ed-9f35-2fd99c6596ad.html | 2023-05-24T16:07:12 | 0 | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/bpd-giving-away-gun-safes-to-residents/article_e7b81dc4-f980-11ed-9f35-2fd99c6596ad.html |
OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – A 34-year-old man was arrested Tuesday in an Osceola County crash that killed two people on Christmas Eve in 2021, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
An arrest warrant was issued for Jerrod Deonta James last year in the wreck that killed Angelina Joline Anderson and Giovanna Danaisha Shacqui Anderson.
According to troopers, James was driving a vehicle carrying four others when the car slammed into the Golden Link Hotel at the intersection of U.S. 192 and Vineland Road.
The FHP said James was driving while under the influence.
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News 6 spoke with Anderson’s mother earlier this month during an event hosted by Mothers Against Drunk Driving of Central Florida, or M.A.D.D.
“You don’t only take their lives, you kill their families too. We’re all broken. We all died that day,” Marion Areizaga said. “Angelina was the baby of eight.”
Areizaga said her daughter, who was 18 years old when she was killed, had just finished high school. She was in the JROTC, loved to travel and wanted to be a real estate broker.
James faces charges of DUI manslaughter, vehicular homicide and driving with a suspended license involving death.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/05/24/man-arrested-in-christmas-eve-crash-that-killed-2-at-osceola-county-hotel/ | 2023-05-24T16:07:47 | 1 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/05/24/man-arrested-in-christmas-eve-crash-that-killed-2-at-osceola-county-hotel/ |
ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando International Airport is preparing for a particularly busy week ahead of and during Memorial Day.
Airport officials said they’re expecting to see more than 1.1 million passengers traveling through OIA from Thursday, May 25, to Wednesday, May 31.
According to OIA, that’s about 16% more passengers over the same time period than the year prior.
“For many, Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of the summer travel season. Early indications, including growing demand and an increase in airline service and seat capacity, point to a busy summer for MCO, the global gateway to Central Florida,” airport officials said in a release.
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OIA is planning to open the West Park Place parking lot, located on Tradeport Drive, to provide an additional 3,100 spaces for the influx of passengers.
Airport officials also provided the following summer travel tips for those traveling:
- If you lose your driver’s license, other forms of ID can also be accepted, including military, tribal, passports and trusted traveler.
- Slip-on shoes and socks are recommended to make the security process go smoothly.
- Leave on your jewelry during the screening.
- Any electronic larger than a cellphone must be placed in its own bin for screening.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/05/24/orlando-international-airport-prepares-for-busy-memorial-day-weekend/ | 2023-05-24T16:07:53 | 1 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/05/24/orlando-international-airport-prepares-for-busy-memorial-day-weekend/ |
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) – A multimillion-dollar investment by a manufacturer to expand operations in Greeneville will create nearly 70 new jobs.
On Tuesday, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee’s office and the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) announced that Meco would invest $27.8 million to expand its Greeneville headquarters.
In doing so, Meco will create 67 new jobs, a TNECD release states.
“Tennessee’s unprecedented economic growth, unmatched business climate and skilled workforce make our state the ideal location for companies to expand and thrive,” Lee stated in the release. “I thank Meco Corporation for its continued investment in Tennessee and for creating nearly 70 new jobs to provide greater opportunity for Tennesseans across Greene County.”
The Meco Corporation was founded in 1959 and manufactures several items like steel folding furniture, step stools and barbecue grills. The release states Meco has made millions of grills in Greeneville.
“We are very proud of Meco and its storied history of quality manufacturing and job creation here in Greene County,” said Greene County Mayor Kevin Morrison. “It has been a pillar of our valued industrial community for as long as I can remember. Additionally, Meco has contributed immeasurably in sponsorships of our schools and many vital community events and activities through the years. It is and has been an all-around, first-class supporter of everything Greene County, and we are tremendously grateful and blessed to have the company here.” | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/company-expansion-to-create-67-new-jobs-in-greene-county/ | 2023-05-24T16:11:28 | 0 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/company-expansion-to-create-67-new-jobs-in-greene-county/ |
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Va. (WJHL) — Washington County, Virginia will pay Holston Medical Group (HMG) $400,000 to open a new urgent care in Abingdon.
The county is providing HMG the money under the condition that the group provides a capital investment of $6 million.
The new 20,000-foot urgent care will be located near Russell Road and Campus Drive in Abingdon, near HMG’s primary care office, and is set to open in 2024. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/new-urgent-care-opening-next-year-in-abingdon/ | 2023-05-24T16:11:32 | 1 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/new-urgent-care-opening-next-year-in-abingdon/ |
Judge orders Lilly to pay $183.7M in damages in Medicaid lawsuit
A federal judge in Illinois ordered Indianapolis-based pharmaceuticals giant Eli Lilly and Co. to pay $183.7 million in damages to state and local governments after a whistleblower complaint.
Ronald J. Streck, the whistleblower, brought the lawsuit eight years ago, alleging the company, along with others, misreported prices and made false claims about the Medicaid rebate program. Streck alleged that Lilly misreported price data to Medicaid and underpaid rebates in violation of the federal False Claims Act and various related state acts.
A jury determined the actual damages to be over $61 million, but the federal False Claims Act requires that the company is liable for three times the actual damages, in addition to accounting for inflation. The federal judge ruled recently that Lilly was liable for those tripled damages.
More:'We're hurting good people': Eli Lilly contractor accused of underpaying IT employees
The case, first filed in November 2014, alleged that Lilly, along with other defendants, underreported its average manufacturer prices in order to underpay rebates to Medicaid. In so doing, Streck alleged, state and federal governments lost millions of dollars.
Because the higher the average manufacturer price is, the higher the rebate that the company owes to Medicaid, underreporting drug prices would mean that the company would be required to pay the government less. A judge ruled that Lilly's price calculations were "factually and legally false."
Lilly did this by not including drug price increases in its submission of average manufacturer pricing. The company began including this information in 2017, according to documents filed with the court.
Following the ruling requiring the company to pay damages, Lilly filed a post-trial motion requesting a new trial, which was, for the most part, denied.
Lilly did not immediately respond to request for comment.
Contact Claire Rafford at 317-617-3402 or crafford@gannett.com. | https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/indianapolis/2023/05/24/judge-orders-lilly-pay-187-million-damages-medicaid-lawsuit-ronald-j-streck-whistleblower/70246794007/ | 2023-05-24T16:11:56 | 0 | https://www.indystar.com/story/news/local/indianapolis/2023/05/24/judge-orders-lilly-pay-187-million-damages-medicaid-lawsuit-ronald-j-streck-whistleblower/70246794007/ |
ABILENE, Texas — Two rescued bald eagles have arrived at the Abilene Zoo.
15-month-old Sparky and 16-month-old Leu came to Abilene after being rehabilitated at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey in Maitland, Florida.
Donors helped facilitate a year-long process to renovate part of the zoo’s Elm Creek exhibit into Sparky and Leu's permanent home. It now serves as the Keith Garner Bald Eagle Habitat, named in memory of Abilene Zoological Society board member Keith Garner.
EagleWatch, an organization whose main objective is to watch nesting activity and current population trends of eagles in Florida, was actively monitoring Sparky’s and Leu’s nests when it was able to identify a need for help for them. They notified the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey.
Both bald eagles were rescued at approximately two months of age, evaluated and deemed non-releasable by US Fish & Wildlife Service because they were not able to fly.
“We are thrilled that after an extensive process of renovation and federal permitting we are bringing the first bald eagles to the Abilene Zoo,” Abilene Zoo Director Jesse Pottebaum said in the release. “We thought the upcoming Memorial Day weekend was the perfect time to introduce these majestic birds to the community, honoring those who have died in service to our country.”
Sparky and Leu are adolescent eagles, approximately one-year-old. A release from the zoo said while they are fully grown, they won’t get their white heads until they are five to seven years old. | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/abilene-zoo-announces-arrival-of-two-rescued-bald-eagles/504-59f3cef7-2cc8-413b-9f9c-963c8d334c06 | 2023-05-24T16:27:22 | 1 | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/abilene-zoo-announces-arrival-of-two-rescued-bald-eagles/504-59f3cef7-2cc8-413b-9f9c-963c8d334c06 |
TEXAS, USA — Drive through Texas on the interstate and you're surely to cross paths with one of the many Buc-ee's convenience stores.
You can't miss them. The gas pump islands have seemingly the cleanest bathrooms and top tier snack options. It's easily a Lone Star staple for road trips.
And among the Buc-ee's brilliant bites: beaver nuggets. The sugar-coated crunchy, puffy corn pop bites were named Texas' best snack in a review by Food and Wine.
The publication set out to name the best snacks in every state, focusing on snacks "able to ship without a lot of effort" that "paint a broad picture of American food culture, and to celebrate the considerable breadth and diversity of what's on offer."
Food & Wine called them "deliciously evil" and "not for the faint-of-teeth."
Touché.
They're so good and such an icon that the Beaver Nuggets immediately came to our mind last year when brainstorming new Blue Bell flavors after two flavors were added to the rotation in honor of National Ice Cream Month. One of those flavors, Dr Pepper, was created this month.
After coming up with our list of flavors, WFAA actually made our own Buc-ee's Beaver Nugget ice cream and tried it. It was also once made into a beer by Panther Island brewing.
Clearly, the Beaver Nugget is the obvious choice for Texas' top treat.
What were the best snacks from other states?
Snacks in the states nearby included:
- Oklahoma: Fried pies
- New Mexico: Biscochito
- Louisiana: Pralines
- Arkansas: Cured venison
- Mississippi: Kool-Aid pickles
- Colorado: Edibles
- Kansas: Sunflower seeds
- Missouri: Red Hot Riplets
For a look at the full list, visit Food and Wine here.
More Texas headlines: | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/bucees-beaver-nuggets-best-snack-in-texas-report-food-and-wine/287-cee76c60-a88a-4498-9314-b372a57f6e27 | 2023-05-24T16:27:28 | 0 | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/bucees-beaver-nuggets-best-snack-in-texas-report-food-and-wine/287-cee76c60-a88a-4498-9314-b372a57f6e27 |
MIDLAND, Texas — A gender reveal was being celebrated in Midland before a drunk neighbor plowed their car into a group of people.
Jessica Estrada was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and driving while intoxicated, and by a miracle no one was severely injured.
"She came over to hurt somebody, we all believe that," said Zachery Throckmorton, the owner of the house and neighbor of Estrada.
Estrada walked into the house during a gender reveal party angry, uninvited and intoxicated.
"We finally got her outside, and as she came outside, she started just getting even more aggressive and she finally ended up walking home," said Throckmorton.
Estrada got home, got into her car, backed up and drove straight into the group of people on the driveway.
"Pointed her car towards our driveway and just stepped on the gas," said Throckmorton.
The crash injured Throckmorton's children and their family friends they were having the gender reveal for.
"Which in return threw my buggy into my Toyota, and then rolled over my 2-year-old son," said Throckmorton. "Our friend, which is pregnant, she was holding my 1 and a half year old son. She hit her, threw her about five and half feet."
Throckmorton also suffered two fractured vertebrae, putting him out of work for six weeks.
None of the injuries were life-threatening, but it was still an extremely traumatic experience.
"I mean, it's an emotional rollercoaster," said Throckmorton. "I mean, you've got grown people having nightmares, and I mean not sleeping."
The family is still wondering what would make someone do something like this.
"I mean it was completely intentional, there was no accident, there was no 'oops, I'm sorry I did it,'" said Throckmorton "She knew what she was doing. She might have been just completely gone, obliterated, but she knew exactly what she was doing."
After the crash, Estrada exits her car waving her hands. Right now, the family just wants to make sure they are safe.
"File restraining orders, file safety precautions, so if she does get out, what's going to stop her from coming right back across the street," said Throckmorton.
The family also said they have thousands of dollars in damages from Estrada hitting their car, buggy and items in their garage. | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/drunk-neighbor-plows-car-into-group-of-people/513-97cf5263-38c9-4ec4-9902-b533d5f76cfe | 2023-05-24T16:27:34 | 0 | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/drunk-neighbor-plows-car-into-group-of-people/513-97cf5263-38c9-4ec4-9902-b533d5f76cfe |
TEXAS, USA — Governor Abbott has signed a bill that will ensure gasoline and diesel-powered engines cannot be prohibited by local government in the State of Texas.
State Representative Brooks Landgraf sponsored Senate Bill 1017, which was the companion legislation to House Bill 2374 that was filed by Langraf.
“This is a win for consumer freedom and Texas energy,” Landgraf said. “SB 1017 is about individual liberty, and when people are free to choose and the market is allowed to be competitive, Texas oil and natural gas always win. It’s an honor to fight for the hard-working men and women of the Permian Basin, to fight for freedom and for energy independence.”
The bill outlaws gas stations from being banned as any other related wholesaler and energy producer to provide the access to energy sources. It also ensures that local governments will not be able to restrict the use, sale or lease of an engine based on its fuel source.
“SB 1017 will be a bulwark against local politicians who want to undermine the individual liberties of Texans and the industry that makes the heart of Texas beat,” Landgraf said. “I will keep fighting for common sense legislation like this that makes Texas more free and protects oil and gas jobs. No big-city politicians are going to California our Texas on my watch.”
The bill will go into full effect on September 1, 2023. | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/governor-abbott-signs-landgraf-sponsored-bill-prohibiting-cities-from-banning-gas-engines/513-003dc847-255a-4c64-877c-b7febdf05538 | 2023-05-24T16:27:40 | 1 | https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/local/governor-abbott-signs-landgraf-sponsored-bill-prohibiting-cities-from-banning-gas-engines/513-003dc847-255a-4c64-877c-b7febdf05538 |
What are the most popular baby names in Oregon? Hint: olives are still in
There were 40,042 new Oregon babies brought into the world in 2022, and parents continued recent trends when choosing their names.
Two olive-derived names, Olivia and Oliver, lead the pack as the most popular name for baby girls and boys in the state, according to data from the Social Security Administration.
Here's a breakdown of top baby names in Oregon and historical trends.
What were the top Oregon baby girl names in 2022?
Olivia took back her crown from Evelyn in 2022. Evelyn dropped from its 2021 top spot, but continues to stay in the top five. Olivia was also the top girls name in 2020, 2019, 2016 and 2008, and hasn't left the top five since 2005.
The top five 2022 girls' names in order from 2022 (with number of occurrences):
- Olivia - 156
- Amelia - 133
- Charlotte - 130
- Evelyn - 129
- Emma - 125
Olivia, Amelia, Charlotte and Evelyn were all in the top five in 2021 as well.
Ever-popular Emma returned to the top five in Oregon after getting sixth in 2021. Other than in 2021, she hasn't left the top five in 25 years.
All five names also made the U.S. top 10 list, with Olivia taking first, Amelia taking fourth, Charlotte taking third, Evelyn taking ninth and Emma taking second.
What were the top Oregon baby boy names in 2022?
Oliver held onto his top spot for the seventh year in a row, after bursting into the top five list in 2015.
The top 2022 boy names in order (with number of occurrences):
- Oliver - 245
- Liam - 207
- Henry - 179
- Theodore - 179
- Noah - 149
For the sixth year in a row, Oliver, Liam and Henry took the top three slots in Oregon.
All five names also made the U.S. top 10 list, with Oliver taking third, Liam taking first, Henry taking seventh, Theodore taking 10th and Noah taking second.
Does this mean my kid will be the next Olivia A., Olivia B., Olivia C.?
Interestingly, although these baby names show a clear trend, a popular name nowadays means something different than in decades past.
For example, in 1980, the most popular baby girl name in Oregon was Jessica with 764 babies named. The 156 Olivias born in Oregon last year means there is, comparatively, much less of a chance to have multiple girls named Olivia in one class.
Although birth rates fluctuate nationwide, the number of total births in the U.S. in 1980 − 3,635,744 − is comparable to 2022's total births − 3,648,019.
According to Social Security card applications, the most popular name in the 80s, Jessica was dubbed to 469,518 babies. The most popular name in the 2010s, Emma, was given to 194,917 babies in that decade. That's still a lot of tweens now named Emma, but compared to 2.5% of all baby girls being named Jessica in the 80s, only 1% of baby girls were named Emma in the 2010s, meaning you were more than twice as likely to have two Jessicas in your class at the time.
If this trend continues, it's likely that there will be an even lesser likelihood to have multiple girls named Olivia in one class by the end of the 2020s.
Miranda Cyr reports on education for The Register-Guard. You can contact her at mcyr@registerguard.com or find her on Twitter @mirandabcyr. | https://www.registerguard.com/story/news/local/2023/05/24/what-are-the-most-popular-baby-name-boy-girl-oregon-common-olivia-oliver-amelia-liam-charlotte-henry/70249118007/ | 2023-05-24T16:28:45 | 1 | https://www.registerguard.com/story/news/local/2023/05/24/what-are-the-most-popular-baby-name-boy-girl-oregon-common-olivia-oliver-amelia-liam-charlotte-henry/70249118007/ |
(DALLAS)KDAF— It’s time to play Texas Powerball! With a jackpot of $190 million, it’s an opportunity that you don’t want to miss! Here’s how to get in on the action:
1. Buy a ticket. Powerball tickets can be purchased at any authorized retailer in Texas. Find a retailer near you by visiting the Texas Lottery website.
2. Choose your numbers. You can either choose your own numbers or opt for a Quick Pick and let the computer randomly choose them for you.
3. Pay for your ticket. The cost of a single Powerball ticket is $2.
4. Wait for the drawing. The drawing takes place every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday evening at 10 pm.
5. Check your numbers. After the drawing, compare your numbers to the winning numbers displayed on the Texas Lottery website.
The numbers from Tuesday’s drawing were 9,38,48,52,68 and 25.
Still with no winners! The Powerball has climbed to $190 million with a cash option of $97.6 million for Thursday’s drawing. Make sure you play tonight! | https://cw33.com/news/local/190-million-up-for-grabs-play-the-texas-powerball-this-week-how-to-play/ | 2023-05-24T16:29:36 | 1 | https://cw33.com/news/local/190-million-up-for-grabs-play-the-texas-powerball-this-week-how-to-play/ |
Dallas (KDAF) — Bring life to the term, “Take flight” right here in Dallas!
With no limit to what you can experience, it’s no surprise that helicopter tours are a thing. Yep, you read that correctly “helicopter tours”.
This is definitely a rare experience that can create wonderful memories! From planning a perfect date/anniversary or birthday, this will make the perfect statement.
Here are some places to check out for your next helicopter experience.
- SKY Helicopters | Garland
- You Take Flight | Dallas
- Starlight Flight | Addison
- Epic Helicopters | Northside
So if you’re looking for a unique and breathtaking way to see Dallas, consider taking a helicopter tour! With stunning views of the city skyline and surrounding areas, it’s an experience you won’t soon forget. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to take flight and see Dallas from a whole new perspective. | https://cw33.com/news/local/did-you-know-dallas-offers-helicopter-tours-heres-how-to-take-flight/ | 2023-05-24T16:29:42 | 0 | https://cw33.com/news/local/did-you-know-dallas-offers-helicopter-tours-heres-how-to-take-flight/ |
DALLAS(KDAF)—Today’s temperatures are in the 70s with cloudy skies and a cool breeze. It is not expected to rain in North Texas, but more rain is expected in Central Texas. There is a chance of thunderstorms tomorrow but no severe weather.
NWS Fort Worth said, “Today will feature partly to mostly cloudy skies with afternoon highs rising into the low 80s across much of the region. There is a low chance for a few isolated showers and storms during the day across portions of North and Central Texas. Additional thunderstorms are expected to move into our western zones later tonight into Thursday morning. The severe potential looks low, but gusty winds and frequent lightning will be possible primarily west of Highway 281”.
On Thursday, a thunderstorm will bring rain and strong winds, as of right now it is not severe but there will be updates tomorrow.
NWS Fort Worth said, “Thunderstorms will again be possible Thursday and Thursday night, particularly west of I-35, but then we should see a lull in storm chances through the weekend. Temperatures will be near normal for this time of year. No severe weather is expected”. | https://cw33.com/news/local/get-ready-this-week-were-going-to-get-more-thunderstorms-strong-winds-and-rain/ | 2023-05-24T16:29:49 | 1 | https://cw33.com/news/local/get-ready-this-week-were-going-to-get-more-thunderstorms-strong-winds-and-rain/ |
STACKER—Whether for the weekend around town or to add to your out-of-town itinerary, free things to do are good. With the ever-rising costs of gas and food, the idea of disposable income can feel like a distant fantasy.
The cost of living continues to rise across the country, forcing each dollar earned to stretch further. While vacations are undoubtedly beneficial for mental health, maintaining savings, paying down debts amid inflation, and regular expenses likely take precedence. But, not everything enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there’s probably a roster of completely free things to do in your current area.
Think about the most common entries on a vacation getaway itinerary: Sightseeing, touring landmarks, or completing a nature walk. Or, maybe you’re just aiming to relax and want some peace and quiet.
The truth is: Whether you’re a history buff or aching to dip your toes in some cool water, you can find all this and more without swiping your card. Find and plan your next highly rated free activity in Texas on Tripadvisor, as compiled by Stacker. The TripAdvisor rankings factor in the average rating and number of reviews.
#30. Zilker Metropolitan Park
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (941)
– Type of activity: Parks • Gardens
– Address: 2100 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78746
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#29. Sundance Square
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,729)
– Type of activity: Neighborhoods • Points of Interest & Landmarks
– Address: 420 Main St, Fort Worth, TX 76102-3925
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#28. South Congress Avenue
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,498)
– Type of activity: Points of Interest & Landmarks
– Address: South Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#27. Grapevine Historic Main Street District
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,449)
– Type of activity: Historic Walking Areas
– Address: 400 Main St, Grapevine, TX 76051
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#26. Fort Worth Botanic Garden
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,195)
– Type of activity: Historic Sites • Nature & Wildlife Areas
– Address: 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107-3420
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#25. Main Street
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (2,054)
– Type of activity: Points of Interest & Landmarks
– Address: not available
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#24. Wildseed Farms
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,560)
– Type of activity: Farms
– Address: 100 Legacy Dr, Fredericksburg, TX 78624-7578
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#23. Fort Worth Water Gardens
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,706)
– Type of activity: Parks • Gardens
– Address: 1502 Commerce St, Fort Worth, TX 76102-6553
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#22. Mount Bonnell
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,637)
– Type of activity: Lookouts • Parks
– Address: not available
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#21. The Seawall
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (2,922)
– Type of activity: Historic Walking Areas
– Address: not available
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#20. Cadillac Ranch
– Rating: 4.0 / 5 (4,246)
– Type of activity: Points of Interest & Landmarks
– Address: 13651 I- 40 Frontage Road, Amarillo, TX 79124
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#19. Port Aransas Beach
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (2,106)
– Type of activity: Beaches
– Address: not available
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#18. Kimbell Art Museum
– Rating: 5.0 / 5 (1,675)
– Type of activity: Art Museums
– Address: 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107-2792
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#17. Dealey Plaza National Historic Landmark District
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (2,522)
– Type of activity: Historic Sites • Monuments & Statues
– Address: 500 Main St, Dallas, TX 75202-3521
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#16. Dallas Museum of Art
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (2,062)
– Type of activity: Art Museums
– Address: 1717 N Harwood St, Dallas, TX 75201-2398
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#15. Congress Avenue Bridge Bat Watching
– Rating: 4.0 / 5 (4,154)
– Type of activity: Points of Interest & Landmarks
– Address: 100 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701-4072
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#14. San Fernando De Bexar Cathedral
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (2,084)
– Type of activity: Churches & Cathedrals
– Address: 115 W Main Plz, San Antonio, TX 78205-2718
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#13. San Antonio River
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (3,669)
– Type of activity: Bodies of Water
– Address: not available
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#12. The Strand
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (3,096)
– Type of activity: Historic Walking Areas
– Address: 2100 Strand St, Galveston, Galveston Island, TX 77550-1633
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#11. San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,920)
– Type of activity: Points of Interest & Landmarks • Parks
– Address: 6701 San Jose Dr, San Antonio, TX 78214-2715
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#10. Japanese Tea Gardens
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (1,888)
– Type of activity: Theaters • Gardens
– Address: 3800 N Saint Marys St, San Antonio, TX 78212-3170
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#9. The Galleria
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (5,243)
– Type of activity: Ballets • Points of Interest & Landmarks
– Address: 5085 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77056-5673
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#8. Galveston – Port Bolivar Ferry
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (4,214)
– Type of activity: Ferries
– Address: 502 Ferry Rd, Galveston, Galveston Island, TX 77550-3146
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#7. Sea Turtle, Inc.
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (3,121)
– Type of activity: Nature & Wildlife Areas
– Address: 6617 Padre Blvd P. O. Box 3987, South Padre Island, TX 78597-7742
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#6. Lady Bird Lake Hike-and-Bike Trail
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (2,733)
– Type of activity: Hiking Trails
– Address: Lady Bird Lake Lady Bird Lake, Austin, TX 78701
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#5. Mission San Jose
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (3,466)
– Type of activity: Historic Sites • Missions
– Address: 6701 San Jose Dr, San Antonio, TX 78214-2715
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#4. Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (5,431)
– Type of activity: Historic Sites • Historic Walking Areas
– Address: 2501 Rodeo Plaza, Fort Worth, TX 76164-8212
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#3. Texas State Capitol
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (7,980)
– Type of activity: Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings
– Address: 1100 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704-1728
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#2. The Alamo
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (19,560)
– Type of activity: Historic Sites • History Museums
– Address: 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205-2606
– Read more on Tripadvisor
#1. San Antonio River Walk
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (26,887)
– Type of activity: Scenic Walking Areas
– Address: 849 E Commerce St, San Antonio, TX 78205-3939
– Read more on Tripadvisor | https://cw33.com/news/local/highest-rated-free-things-to-do-in-texas-according-to-tripadvisor/ | 2023-05-24T16:29:55 | 0 | https://cw33.com/news/local/highest-rated-free-things-to-do-in-texas-according-to-tripadvisor/ |
DALLAS (KDAF) — Dallas is known for its hustle and bustle, but it also has the great outdoors and scenic park routes that are waiting to be discovered.
A city with plenty of beautiful scenic routes waiting to be uncovered, biking is one of the best ways to explore! Whether you’re looking for a leisure ride or a challenging route, there’s something for everyone in Dallas.
Pedal your way through this list of best biking trails in Dallas:
- White Rock Lake Trail | White Rock Lake Park
Multiple parking spaces and a peaceful family atmosphere make this trail a must-see. White Rock Lake trail is a 9.2-mile loop trail, it would take 2h 47m to complete.
2. Katy Trail | Robert E. Lee Park
This trail is 3.0 miles with average bikers taking 57 mins to complete. This trail is good for biking.
3. Santa Fe Trail | Dallas
This trail is about 4.5 miles long on the East side of Dallas. This is generally considered one of the easier routes available in Dallas. It takes an average of 1h 19m to complete.
4. Ridgewood Trail | Ridgewood Park – Glencoe Park
A 2.5-mile trail that’s great for first beginners on biking trails. This route usually takes an average of 46 min to complete.
5. Northaven Trail | Dallas
This is the second longest trail on our list, this trail is 7.9 miles long. It will take 2h 26m to complete this route.
Dallas has a variety of different trails for all different types of skill levels and interests. So grab those helmets and those water bottles and go explore these trails! | https://cw33.com/news/local/uncover-these-fun-biking-trails-in-dallas/ | 2023-05-24T16:29:56 | 0 | https://cw33.com/news/local/uncover-these-fun-biking-trails-in-dallas/ |
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Support surges for farmworkers killed in Oregon highway crash, but hurdles remain
The aftermath of seven farmworkers killed May 18 in one of the deadliest highway crashes in recent Oregon history has highlighted a network willing and able to rally support for its more vulnerable members.
But the unique challenges the farmworker community faces when tragedy strikes also have been accentuated.
A van carrying 11 passengers, all contract farmworkers, was struck by a semitruck traveling north on Interstate 5 near Albany. Six people were killed on-site; a seventh died on the way to a regional hospital. The other four passengers were injured, some severely.
The truck's driver, 52-year-old Lincoln Smith of California, was arrested for manslaughter, DUII, assault and reckless driving.
It didn't take long for farmworker advocates, food banks and other service-based organizations to jump into action. PCUN, Oregon's farmworker union, made contact with some families of the victims within 24 hours of the crash. Oregon Human Development Corporation (OHDC) hosted a meeting Monday afternoon with local organizations to unify support efforts.
The agriculture community at-large also swiftly swept in to help. The Oregon Farm Bureau partnered with PCUN and PODER to create a unified GoFundMe, the proceeds of which will help survivors and families cover basic life expenses while they recover and grieve.
But the road to recovery will be long, OHDC regional supervisor Frances Alvarado told the group gathered in her Woodburn office Monday. Logistical hurdles and gruesome facts of the crash have delayed basic processes like notifying families and connecting with survivors.
And, Alvarado said, survivors and their families will need support long after public attention on the case has faded.
"It's not going to happen overnight," she said. "This is going to be a process."
Identification of victims delayed; bureaucratic hurdles
Oregon State Police released the names of the seven victims, as well as the names of the four people injured, Monday afternoon, four days after the crash.
Some names released by state police did not match the victims' names in court documents. It took time to identify and confirm each person, police said, due to both the nature of the crash and lack of identifiable information present on-scene. Police said some of the victims were not carrying identification at the time of the crash and others used nicknames.
OSP identified the victims as: Eduardo Lopez, 31, of Gervais; Alejandro Jimenez Hernandez, 36, of Gervais; Josue Garcia Garcia, 30, of Salem; Luis Enrique Gomez Reyes, 30, of Woodburn; Javier Suarez, 58, of Woodburn; Alejandra Espinoza Carpio, 39; and Juan Carlos Leyva Carrillo, 37, of Woodburn.
But the Mexican Consulate in Portland said its work identifying victims and notifying families is not done. It is working closely with state police, but it could still be several days before all identities are confirmed and notices given, said Consul General Carlos Quesnel.
"We have to be very careful," Quesnel said. "It's going to take a long time."
Quesnel said the Consulate also is helping repatriate victims' remains to their families in Mexico, but some remain stuck in bureaucratic limbo. It is not yet clear where each victim called home. Quesnel said he is fairly certain the 11 passengers in the Ford Econoline van are Mexican nationals or have ties to Mexico, but even that was "not 100%" as of Tuesday afternoon.
The Consulate's main priority is legal protection and supporting the victims and survivors, Quesnel said. It's work that will take months, even years, of follow-up.
"In my two and a half years here, I've never had something like this," Quesnel said.
Each logistical and bureaucratic hurdle also is a roadblock for the people organizing support efforts. But organizers said they're in it for the long haul.
Willamette Valley organizations rush to support
Despite limited and evolving information, Willamette Valley organizations have acted swiftly to support the victims and their families.
The biggest priorities right now, representatives said, are emotional and financial support. OYEN Emotional Wellness Center is offering free counseling to survivors and loved ones for as long as they need it, said co-founder Anthony Veliz. The counseling center already has scheduled several appointments.
"In these trying times, our compassion and shared sense of humanity guide our actions," Veliz said.
SAIF, Oregon's worker's compensation agency, will cover funeral costs and repatriation. Spokesperson Lauren Casler said she could not comment on specific claims, but SAIF's general policy is to pay for funeral and burial costs and extend benefits to surviving family members. Injured parties are eligible for worker's compensation benefits.
"Our hearts go out the families, friends, and co-workers of the victims of this terrible crash, as well as the survivors," Casler said.
The AWARE Food Bank in Woodburn is prepared to donate food to all impacted families.
The GoFundMe is live. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to surviving workers and families.
"The loss of these hardworking individuals has undoubtedly created a void in the lives of their loved ones and our community," said Oregon Farm Bureau Executive Director Greg Addington. "Their unwavering spirit to provide for their families and contribute to the growth and prosperity of our state was evident. Individually and as an organization, we extend our unwavering support as we mourn the lives of these individuals."
Anyone who wants to donate can visit gofundme.com/f/OFB-farmworker-families.
Shannon Sollitt covers agricultural workers through Report for America, a program that aims to support local journalism and democracy by reporting on under-covered issues and communities. Send tips, questions and comments to ssollitt@statesmanjournal.com. | https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/local/2023/05/24/oregon-highway-crash-farmworker-victims/70248448007/ | 2023-05-24T16:53:00 | 1 | https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/local/2023/05/24/oregon-highway-crash-farmworker-victims/70248448007/ |
Oregon wildfire season 2023: What to know as heat, dry conditions expected to return
Oregon is heading into wildfire season in relatively good shape following a snowy winter, wet spring and a fully stocked firefighting force.
Yet there are signs of danger. Summer is expected to be hotter and drier than normal, and a string of 90 degree days in May helped spark a handful of small wildfires. Two straight wet springs has led to the rapid growth of fine fuels that could dry out and bring an active fire season by late July and August, fire experts said.
For now, the only area projected to see above normal fire risk is central and southeastern Oregon, mainly in the grassland, while the rest of the state sits at “normal” danger through August.
"All things considered, we're in a pretty good shape," said Jessica Prakke, spokeswoman for the Oregon Department of Forestry. "Conditions are relatively good. And this slower start to the season buys us some time to get our fire crews hired and trained. But with the hot weather, Oregonians do need to keep fire prevention at the top of their minds."
Oregon's snowpack helps push back start of wildfire season
The "good start" is based partly on Oregon’s snowpack — which sits at 164% of normal — and should delay mountain forests from becoming ripe for ignition and fire spread through June and into July.
About half the state is considered in moderate drought right now, which isn't ideal but still is better than 76% a year ago, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
“Especially in the upper elevations of the mountains, the snow is working in favor of slowing the onset on fire season,” said John Saltenberger, fire weather program manager for the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center.
Fewer lightning strikes could help limit Oregon fire danger
Another factor working in Oregon’s favor is lightning strikes are projected to be at or below normal.
Last year, Oregon saw the most lightning strikes since 2014. Those strikes ignited blazes such as the Cedar Creek Fire, which eventually blew up into a 127,00-acre inferno that brought evacuations to Oakridge, and the Double Creek Fire, which became a 171,000-acre fire near Enterprise.
“We’re not expecting as many strikes as 2022 — I’d estimate lightning to stay at normal or below normal numbers this year,” Saltenberger said.
Summer lightning in the Northwest often develops from monsoons in the Southwest. This year is forecast to be a lighter monsoon season.
When will fire season start in Oregon?
Given the conditions, western Oregon is most likely to start entering the official fire season in early June in southwest Oregon and mid-June in northwest Oregon, Prakke said.
That doesn't mean fire danger would be high or campfires banned — only that wildfire would start becoming a real threat and limits on burning could be imposed.
'Started late and went long':Even in quieter season, wildfire impact felt across Oregon in 2022
Warmer summer could favor fires across Pacific Northwest
Long-term forecasts for the Pacific Northwest all favor hotter and drier conditions than normal, which could mean a tinderbox forest by late July, August and September.
All the fine fuels in Oregon’s forests that have been growing over the last two wet springs can dry out and become flammable.
“These kinds of wet springs really drives fuel development, making them more abundant,” Oregon State University forestry professor John Bailey said. “Later on when we dry out, those fuels will dry out. Those fuels and the warmth toward the end of fire season is what has most foresters worried.”
Saltenberger said that in southeast Oregon, fire officials were worried about “excessive fuel buildup” in the grasslands following two wet springs. That's what led to the above-normal fire risk, he said.
Record-sized wildland firefighting crews remain intact
Last year, Oregon and federal crews deployed their largest wildland firefighting force on record. This year, numbers will be pretty close to the same.
Oregon added 100 firefighters to its statewide crew in 2022 following passage of Senate Bill 762, along with an increasing number of remote cameras that watch the forests for fire starts. This year, Oregon has 93 remote cameras at 64 sites, with the goal of reaching 110 cameras by year's end.
Seasonal state firefighters are still in the process of being hired and will be trained through June.
Will our weather feel like California?Climatologist talks El Nino, warming future
On the federal level, the U.S. Forest Service plans to hire the same number of firefighters as last year — 11,300. The agency had hired 9,319, including 1,478 in the Pacific Northwest, as of earlier this month.
Firefighters were credited with stopping a lot of fires last summer, posting a 96% rate of putting fires out at smaller than 10 acres, which kept Oregon largely smoke free during the summer, until an east wind event on Labor Day fueled a significant blowup in the fall.
Firefighting has also become increasingly deadly — two firefighters died in action in Oregon last year — to bring Oregon’s wildland firefighter death count to four since 2020.
Predicting severity of wildfire season is difficult
In a lot of ways, Oregon’s wildfire season is similar to a sports season. You can take an educated guess about how the season will go, but you don’t really know until the games start.
Wildfire seasons are like that as well — you don't really know until the summer hits, the lightning strikes and the heat grows.
Some seasons, like 2017, show all the signs of being a quiet wildfire season but explode. Others, like 2015, Oregon's hottest year on record, have wildfires but not quite as much as might be expected.
“Conditions at the beginning of the season can set the stage — they can accelerate or delay fire season,” Saltenberger said. “But it’s really the weather during fire season that makes the biggest difference. And we won’t know that until it happens.”
Days of unhealthy air quality
This graph shows, over the years, the rise in the number of days with air quality measured at "unhealthy for sensitive groups" due to wildfire smoke.
Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 15 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. Urness is the author of “Best Hikes with Kids: Oregon” and “Hiking Southern Oregon.” He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or 503-399-6801. Find him on Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors. | https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/local/2023/05/24/oregon-wildfire-season-fire-risk-danger-projections-maps-lightning-drought/70245703007/ | 2023-05-24T16:53:06 | 1 | https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/local/2023/05/24/oregon-wildfire-season-fire-risk-danger-projections-maps-lightning-drought/70245703007/ |
ODESSA, Texas — The City of Odessa Traffic & Engineering Division and Odessa Police Department have asked for help regarding stolen street signs.
There have been multiple stop signs and speed limit signs stolen with the last week, which creates a safety hazard for several areas of the city.
Theft of a street sign is a misdemeanor and can lead to a fine of up to $500. People can either call OPD at 432-335-3333 or Odessa Crime Stoppers at 432-333-TIPS if they have any information about these thefts. | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/city-of-odessa-asks-for-help-regarding-stolen-street-signs/513-03fa45cc-9a5e-4800-bd86-78f864326d12 | 2023-05-24T16:54:51 | 0 | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/city-of-odessa-asks-for-help-regarding-stolen-street-signs/513-03fa45cc-9a5e-4800-bd86-78f864326d12 |
ODESSA, Texas — The Fallen Heroes Memorial Wall will be on display at Music City Mall at Dillard's Courtyard.
The exhibit will be up on May 27 from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and May 28 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The exhibit will honor West Texas Heroes from Desert Storm, Middle East Crisis, Vietnam, Korea and WWII.
There will be a ceremony on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. For more information, people can go to the Music City Mall website. | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/fallen-heroes-memorial-wall-to-be-on-display-at-music-city-mall/513-3988c59b-4b0d-4b82-ba60-c5f9a4cd498f | 2023-05-24T16:54:57 | 0 | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/fallen-heroes-memorial-wall-to-be-on-display-at-music-city-mall/513-3988c59b-4b0d-4b82-ba60-c5f9a4cd498f |
PECOS, Texas — The Pecos Splash Pad will officially open on May 26.
For the summer schedule, the area will be closed on Monday for maintenance, and then be open Tuesday-Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
For Memorial Day Weekend, the area will be open on Monday, May 29, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., while it will be closed on Tuesday, May 30, for maintenance.
For more information, people can go to the Town of Pecos City Facebook page. | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/pecos-splash-pad-to-open-on-may-26/513-33c7b8ee-9032-427a-80e8-5f59dcf1ee54 | 2023-05-24T16:55:03 | 0 | https://www.newswest9.com/article/news/local/pecos-splash-pad-to-open-on-may-26/513-33c7b8ee-9032-427a-80e8-5f59dcf1ee54 |
PORTLAND, Ore. — On Tuesday afternoon, Portland Fire & Rescue investigators went inside the May Apartments for the first time since flames tore through the aging structure a week ago.
Investigators went directly to the room where they believe the fire started on the third floor, but stayed for only a few minutes. They retreated so the technical rescue team, or structural collapse specialists, could go in and build safety shoring and reinforcements to protect against a collapse. Once that was complete, investigators went back inside and got to work.
Support staff was outside monitoring any movement of the exterior walls, wind speed and anything else that could negatively impact the structural integrity of the building.
"This is an unreinforced masonry building with a wooden façade and brick façade outside of that, so it's a convoluted sort of structure that's been significantly damaged by the fire and water, so absolutely we're taking this as seriously as it needs to be and there's a significant threat absolutely," Portland Fire & Rescue spokesman Rick Graves said.
Public records obtained by KGW indicate that firefighters have responded to the May apartments more than 30 times since late November 2022. Fully half of those responses came after someone intentionally pulled a fire alarm, with the most recent one just two days before the fire last Tuesday.
The public records suggest that all 16 of these intentional fire alarms were done for malicious or mischievous reasons. In all likelihood that will come up in the investigation.
Portland Fire investigators hope what they find in the building, coupled with the 3D imaging from drones, will help determine the cause of the blaze.
A city engineer red-tagged the building Wednesday, meaning no civilians are allowed inside because of the concerns about its structural integrity. The owners of the building have 30 days to decide if they will rebuild from what is left or tear down the building. That 30-day clock started last Thursday. | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/investigators-enter-portland-may-apartments-destroyed-large-fire/283-82c41cf8-e312-45ad-81cd-cf852191c94a | 2023-05-24T16:55:03 | 1 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/investigators-enter-portland-may-apartments-destroyed-large-fire/283-82c41cf8-e312-45ad-81cd-cf852191c94a |
SEATTLE — There are nearly 100,000 military members in Washington according to the Department of Defense.
When military members move to the state, they're often joined by spouses. There is now a new state law in Washington aimed at helping them find employment.
Tanya Rosales was working a booth Tuesday at the Seahawks Military Hiring and Resource Fair, looking to connect with veterans as a part of her role working with the Tacoma Vet Center. She also worked as a medic in the army and was a military spouse when her husband was serving.
“We moved probably 10 times in his 20 years of service,” said Rosales.
During those moves, she said finding employment as a military spouse was hard. She experienced challenges when she was working as a dental assistant.
“When we moved to Washington, all my licensure was not accepted. And so, it was a difficult time for me,” said Rosales.
This is a common setback military spouses face, which is why Olivia Burley, the Washington State Military Spouse Liaison, said the Washington Military Spouse Employment Act that passed in this year’s legislative session is needed.
“Employment is a huge issue for military families,” said Burley. “Military spouses face an unemployment rate in the 30% or higher realm.”
She said this new law supports military spouses in various ways, including allowing for expedited and temporary licensing for certain jobs, protecting spouses from penalties if they have to leave a job due to their spouse's military service and more.
“Everything from helping with professional licensure to providing a demonstration campaign for businesses to know the right ways to hire and retain military spouse employment talent,” said Burley.
Those who work with military families say spouses are often highly educated and looking for work.
“In the state of Washington, when people are looking for great talent, I mean, the military spouse talent is amazing,” said Mike Schindler, the CEO of Operation Military Family.
Schindler said this legislation will help lift burdens for military spouses.
“For them to have to come into a state and spend a year to get recertified in something that they've already done, I mean, for that to go away, that's huge,” said Schindler.
Rosales said she hopes this will help other military spouses going forward.
“Anything to make that process easier, I'm all for it,” said Rosales. | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/washington-law-help-military-spouses-employment/281-326f9a4d-693f-4dac-95f7-0e984809c9ac | 2023-05-24T16:55:09 | 0 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/washington-law-help-military-spouses-employment/281-326f9a4d-693f-4dac-95f7-0e984809c9ac |
The following is the opinion and analysis of the writer:
Re: the April 30 article “Tohono O’odham to receive ancestral land.”
First of all, I would like to clarify that the “movement of returning the ancestral land” to the Tohono O’odham Nation is not a new concept. I recall conversations with Richard Elias, Pima County Supervisor, regarding the return of Sentinel Peak and Tumamoc to the Nation several years prior to his death March 2020.
These conversations with Supervisor Elias serve as a genesis for a presentation to Rio Nuevo during the call to the audience in January 2018, where Josefina Cardenas — former chair of Barrio Kroeger Lane Neighborhood Association — and I advocated for the return of 28 acres that comprise Tucson’s Birthplace at the base of “A” Mountain (AKA the “A” Mountain Landfill) to the San Xavier District of the Tohono O’odham Nation. A meeting took place between Fletcher McCluster, chair of Rio Nuevo, and Chairman Austin Nunez, and was followed by a presentation by McCluster to the District Council. At the conclusion of the presentation the Council voted to receive the land once the landfill had been remediated.
People are also reading…
With the settlement of a lawsuit in 2013 with Rio Nuevo, the City of Tucson took over the ownership of the site known as Tucson Origins Heritage Park that is now in process of being transferred to the Nation. Initially the City planned to protect the land from development by passing in May 2016 City Resolution 22573. The resolution specified that the site would be placed on the National Register of Historic Places and that key stakeholders, including Menlo Park, Barrio Sin Nombre, Kroger Lane, and Friends of Tucson’s Birthplace, would be engaged in any pre-development or development planning. The language related to community engagement is prebatem to the language found in the 2013 Settlement Agreement. However, things remained status quo until January 2021.
This is when key stakeholders representing Menlo Park Neighborhood Association Board, Barrio Sin Nombre, Friends of Tucson’s Birthplace Board (Mission Garden), Tucson Pima County Historic Commission, Rio Nuevo Board and the University of Arizona President’s Office became aware the COT was planning on return the 10.5-acre site known as the TOHP to the Nation. At that time a faculty member of the UA architect and landscaping department was in the process of submitting a grant to the Mellon Foundation for a project on site. The lead faculty for this grant was advised that the City would not endorse this grant proposal as a discussion had already been initiated to return the ancestral site the Nation.
Regarding the Menlo Park Neighborhood Plan, this process was slowed down due to COVID-19. However, the subject of the land transfer to the Nation had been presented by this writer but no formal position has been taken by the Neighborhood Association.
Raul Ramirez is a retired social worker. | https://tucson.com/opinion/local/local-opinion-transfer-of-ancestral-land-to-the-tohono-oodham-nation/article_11c9e01c-f8c7-11ed-81fe-6b0b0a0a05e4.html | 2023-05-24T16:56:27 | 0 | https://tucson.com/opinion/local/local-opinion-transfer-of-ancestral-land-to-the-tohono-oodham-nation/article_11c9e01c-f8c7-11ed-81fe-6b0b0a0a05e4.html |
AUGUSTA -- Tuesday the appropriations and financial affairs committee began voting on initiatives listed in the Governor's change package.
The Governor released a change package budget following notification that there would be a surplus in revenue by over $200M.
According to state website the updates to the previously passed state budget would fund initiatives surrounding homelessness, food insecurity, emergency medical services and workforce development efforts.
Committee leader Margaret Rotundo helped explain the voting process, stating:
"We are in the process on deliberating on those [change package initiatives] proposals. We're starting the second part...of the budget and the change package or changes to that second part of the change package. That's what we will be deliberating on and in the coming weeks we hope to vote on the part two budget."
Committee members discussed funding to cover the increased cost of firefighter equipment that does not contain PFAS, as well as funding for various state organizations. | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/appropriations-committee-begins-voting-on-governors-change-package/article_2d64ba8e-fa40-11ed-a589-93013e649dc1.html | 2023-05-24T16:59:24 | 0 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/appropriations-committee-begins-voting-on-governors-change-package/article_2d64ba8e-fa40-11ed-a589-93013e649dc1.html |
FREEDOM -- Avian Haven received a generous donation that will help with its rehabilitation efforts.
The workers and volunteers who strive to rehabilitate and release injured birds back into the wild can now do so in disguise.
The Freedom based nonprofit received camouflaged gear with hoods and mitts which helps conceal the workers' identity so the animals they treat will not become comfortable with human interaction.
To learn more about Avian Haven, head to https://www.avianhaven.org/ | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/avian-haven-receives-generous-equipment-donation/article_07f74fd6-fa41-11ed-9669-df4d0b09da42.html | 2023-05-24T16:59:30 | 1 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/avian-haven-receives-generous-equipment-donation/article_07f74fd6-fa41-11ed-9669-df4d0b09da42.html |
BANGOR -- A Bangor man faces life in prison after pleading guilty to federal drug and firearm charges.
48 year-old Allen Henry pleaded guilty in U.S. District court in Bangor Tuesday to possessing controlled substances with the intent to distribute and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Court records show back in May of last year, Brewer police responded to a call and found Henry in a parked vehicle.
They found he had an active warrant and bail conditions that prohibited him from using or possessing alcohol or illegal drugs as well as a previous conviction that barred him possessing firearms.
Officers located more than 400 grams of fentanyl, approximately 30 grams of cocaine base and a firearm in his vehicle.
Henry faces a maximum term of life imprisonment. | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/bangor-man-pleads-guilty-to-federal-drug-and-firearm-charges/article_5c6c3f86-fa3c-11ed-bc38-a735701a5d49.html | 2023-05-24T16:59:36 | 1 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/bangor-man-pleads-guilty-to-federal-drug-and-firearm-charges/article_5c6c3f86-fa3c-11ed-bc38-a735701a5d49.html |
WGME -- Groups fighting domestic violence are saying we've come a long way -- with a long way still to go.
Tuesday, advocates met at the State House to raise awareness of their mission.
The Maine coalition to end domestic violence said today at the state house that often times it's invisible work to those on the outside but the numbers speak for themselves. Just last year advocates across Maine say they helped over 14,000 victims.
Making domestic abuse in Maine visible to society is how the coalition says we help survivors. According to Maine's domestic violence homicide review panel, two-thirds of intimate partner homicides have been committed with guns. Federal and state statutes recognize this trend but bringing this awareness to Maine's law enforcement community alone has ensured that when guns are ordered to be relinquished that they're actually taken.
The courts and victims are notified and in the first year of this new system, the group says an estimated 500 survivors are safer as a result.
This past year resource centers have provided around $500,000 to help victims get into new housing, away from dangerous relationships.
The 24/7 helpline is: 1-866-834-H-E-L-P | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/maine-coalition-to-end-domestic-violence-speaks-at-state-house/article_301d27cc-fa3e-11ed-8a9b-afbcdf5de9fa.html | 2023-05-24T16:59:42 | 1 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/maine-coalition-to-end-domestic-violence-speaks-at-state-house/article_301d27cc-fa3e-11ed-8a9b-afbcdf5de9fa.html |
FULTON, Miss. (WTVA) — Amory High School’s class of 2023 will get to share the best of memories, while also being remembered as a class that went through life-changing events.
They were freshmen when COVID-19 paused everything and each year felt like adjusting to a new normal.
Then during their last semester of high school, disaster struck when an EF-3 tornado damaged their school and destroyed their football stadium.
Amory High School usually holds its graduation ceremonies on its football field, but the storm forced the move to nearby Itawamba Community College.
"It’s just been such an exceptional day to know we’re blessed enough to still be here, to walk at our graduation, to still have our graduation, even through everything that we’ve been through,” valedictorian Parker Ford said.
Graduate Ada Colburn said, “To be honest, I think the wreckage is kind of sad to look at. And I feel sad that I'm having to leave. And people are going to be taking care of it. Things will get better as we come back over the holidays and whatnot. But it's good that we have the chance to graduate in a good building."
In fitting fashion, salutatorian Dayton Eubank ended his speech with “Carpe Diem,” which means “Seize the Day” in Latin. | https://www.wtva.com/news/local/amory-graduates-two-months-after-tornado-damaged-high-school/article_dcd95872-fa3f-11ed-9ea9-5b956cc6e7f3.html | 2023-05-24T16:59:46 | 1 | https://www.wtva.com/news/local/amory-graduates-two-months-after-tornado-damaged-high-school/article_dcd95872-fa3f-11ed-9ea9-5b956cc6e7f3.html |
SAGINAW TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WJRT) - A Michigan State Police trooper's patrol car was badly damaged and a motorist sustained minor injuries from a crash in Saginaw Township on Tuesday evening.
Around 5:45 p.m., the trooper driving a Ford Explorer patrol car east on State Street while responding to an emergency call in Chesaning. Investigators say the trooper's emergency lights and sirens were activated.
As the trooper turned south onto North Center Road, his vehicle collided with a Ford Flex. The trooper was not hurt but the person driving the Flex was taken to an area hospital for minor injuries.
Police will continue investigating the crash. Investigators did not announce any enforcement action against either driver Wednesday morning. | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/michigan-state-police-trooper-crashes-on-the-way-to-a-call/article_ce5efc50-fa4b-11ed-a202-23baa915608d.html | 2023-05-24T16:59:48 | 1 | https://www.abc12.com/news/local/michigan-state-police-trooper-crashes-on-the-way-to-a-call/article_ce5efc50-fa4b-11ed-a202-23baa915608d.html |
ACADIA -- Memorial day is the unofficial start to the summer tourist season as well as the first long weekend of the summer and officials with Acadia National Park have some tips for anyone planning a visit.
Rangers encourage visitors to arrive with a plan and a backup plan in case parking is not available.
They suggest learning about places to go and things to do before you arrive and consider some of the less popular locations in case you encounter crowds.
You can also use the island explorer bus service which is free and begins on May 24th on the Schoodic Peninsula.
They are also reminding people that a park pass and vehicle reservations are required for Cadillac Summit Road from May 24th through October 22nd. | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/visiting-acadia-memorial-day-weekend/article_bc1625fe-fa42-11ed-b729-33ec3134e271.html | 2023-05-24T16:59:49 | 1 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/visiting-acadia-memorial-day-weekend/article_bc1625fe-fa42-11ed-b729-33ec3134e271.html |
TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) — April West-McIntosh has been named the new principal at Carver Elementary in Tupelo.
The Tupelo Public School District Board of Trustees approved the hiring during a special called board meeting on Wednesday morning.
The Vardaman native has been with the school district for 21 years.
She spent 15 years as an elementary school teacher, four years as an assistant principal at Tupelo Middle School and two years as an assistant principal at Lawhon Elementary School.
She replaces Christy Carroll who will hold the same position at Thomas Street Elementary School, also in Tupelo.
Related - New principals named at two elementary schools in Tupelo | https://www.wtva.com/news/local/west-mcintosh-named-new-principal-at-carver-elementary-in-tupelo/article_2fe00800-fa44-11ed-a90e-8baf40a03a2e.html | 2023-05-24T16:59:52 | 1 | https://www.wtva.com/news/local/west-mcintosh-named-new-principal-at-carver-elementary-in-tupelo/article_2fe00800-fa44-11ed-a90e-8baf40a03a2e.html |
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Teeming with colorful and unique sea life, Oregon’s tide pools offer a fun and educational way to spend time on the Oregon Coast.
Home to sea stars, giant green anemones, hermit crabs, purple sea urchins, gumboot chitons and much more, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife says that the coast’s rocky shores are some of the most diverse ecosystems in the world.
“The Oregon Coast offers excellent opportunities for learning about and observing flora and fauna along shorelines,” the ODFW’s annual recreation report states. “Here in the intertidal, the tides rise and fall twice daily. Be sure to consult a tide table to know if tides are incoming or outgoing when you visit and always keep an eye on the waves to have a safe, enjoyable experience.”
Oregon State Parks provides the following the of tide pools open to the public on the Oregon Coast:
While tide pools can be enjoyed by people of all ages, Oregon State Parks states that beachgoers should take the following precautions to have the best tide pooling experience:
Travel slowly and carefully
- Many animals hide under marine plants such as seaweed to avoid the hot sun and predators. Also, rocks and marine algae can be slippery.
Always stay on marked trails
- Many tide pools are located near unstable headlands and bluffs
Always keep one eye on the ocean
- If a big wave heads your way, pretend you’re a sea star. Lie flat on the rocks and hold on tight. Exploring a tide pool places you near the waves.
Expect to get wet
- Wear appropriate clothing. If you get soaked, dry off soon. Hypothermia sets in quickly.
Never pull or pry an animal from a rock
- Animals in the tide pools stick to rocks because of the waves and strong currents that wash against them.
Consider the challenges each organism faces
- Please return any animal you pick up to the exact spot you found it.
Look at and in and under and around to discover hidden gems
- After looking at animals under rocks and seaweed, re-cover them to prevent drying by the air and sun.
Bring your binoculars
- Harbor seal pups often use rocks and beach areas as resting places while their mothers feed offshore. Seabirds also use rocks for nesting and rearing their young. Please enjoy these animals from at least a 50-foot distance.
Visit the tide pools at least one hour before low tide
- Walk to the tide pools closest to the ocean and work your way back with the incoming tide. Get a tide table at state parks or local businesses.
Tide pool plants and animals are protected by ODFW regulations. These special restrictions prohibit the collection of intertidal marine life with the exception of single mussel and razor clam harvest at Cape Perpetua. Additional protections are in place in Oregon State Parks.
“Please leave plants and animals just as you found them,” the Oregon State Parks says. “State parks are nature preserves, where all living things are protected for others to enjoy.” | https://www.koin.com/local/oregon-coast/popular-tide-pooling-spots-on-the-oregon-coast/ | 2023-05-24T17:03:57 | 1 | https://www.koin.com/local/oregon-coast/popular-tide-pooling-spots-on-the-oregon-coast/ |
LEE COUNTY, Fla. — Lee County is getting more than $1 billion from the U.S. Department of Housing and Community Development to help rebuild after Hurricane Ian.
They plan to distribute the money across the county.
To prepare and put in essentially a bid for their cut, the City of Cape Coral says they have $4.1 billion dollars of repairs and recovery.
Cape Coral staff came up with a list of what they say are high-priority needs. According to staff, these are the high-priority categories they would target first with their cut: Housing, Planning & Public Services, Economic Development & Revitalization, and Mitigation.
To read the full interim city manager’s proposal for the county, click here.
To read the full analysis for the development block grant disaster recovery, view the file below.
On Wednesday, the council will vote to adopt the plan and send it off to the county or not. | https://nbc-2.com/news/local/lee-county/2023/05/24/lee-county-gets-more-than-1-billion-from-u-s-department-of-housing-help-rebuild-after-hurricane-ian/ | 2023-05-24T17:06:28 | 1 | https://nbc-2.com/news/local/lee-county/2023/05/24/lee-county-gets-more-than-1-billion-from-u-s-department-of-housing-help-rebuild-after-hurricane-ian/ |
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — When a dozen people complained about a trash company that served Wichita and Haysville, the Sedgwick County district attorney’s office opened an investigation into the company.
Some Best Value Services LLC customers contacted KSN News last August to say their trash had not been picked up for weeks. They claimed the company was giving them excuses of trucks being broken down or employees on vacation.
In September, the Consumer Protection Division of the district attorney’s office opened an investigation. The office said 12 customers filed complaints requesting refunds for services they had not received.
By October, KSN News learned the company was no longer picking up trash for thousands of customers and was expected to close for good. The company did not respond to our requests for comment.
On Monday, District Attorney Marc Bennett announced the results of the investigation. He said that Best Value Trash responded to requests for records over several months and cooperated with the investigation.
An investigator verified that the company voluntarily provided all requested refunds to the customers, and the customers signed up with other trash companies.
“This office has determined that the voluntary actions by Best Value Trash sufficiently addressed our concerns; therefore, our office has closed the investigation into this matter,” Bennett said in a news release.
The customers’ complaints were typically about losses of less than $200 a person. But Bennett said the amount was irrelevant to whether his office would investigate. The Consumer Protection Division will take cases no matter the amount of loss.
Click here to learn more about the division and to find a consumer complaint form. You can also email the Consumer Protection Division at consumer@sedgwick.gov. | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/das-office-closes-investigation-of-wichita-and-haysville-trash-service/ | 2023-05-24T17:07:55 | 0 | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/das-office-closes-investigation-of-wichita-and-haysville-trash-service/ |
MICHIGAN CITY — Officials believe a mobile home fire, which sent an elderly woman and child to the hospital Tuesday, was intentionally set.
Emergency officials received word shortly before 8:30 a.m. Tuesday that a residence was on fire in the 100 block of Dunewod Drive, which is located within the Dunewood Village Mobile Home Community at 170 Ind. 212, Michigan City police Lt. Steve Westphal said.
"In addition to being on fire, it was reported that two people and a dog were trapped inside," he said.
Police, fire and emergency medical units from the area responded and it was learned that three men, who had been doing cement work in the park, put themselves in harms way to remove the two occupants and dog from the burning residence.
The two, who were taken to Franciscan Health Michigan City, were described as a 77-year-old woman and 4-year-old boy.
Animal control took possession of her dog, police said.
"The initial investigation revealed this fire was intentionally set and it is being investigated as an arson," according to Westphal.
The Michigan City Police Department asks that residents in the area of the fire check exterior cameras for footage of suspects or suspicious activity.
"The time frame to check would be 7 a.m. up until when the fire was reported," Westphal said.
Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to contact Michigan City Police Sgt. Melissa Sopher at 219-874-3221, extension 1049 or by email at msopher@emichigancity.com.
Tips can also be made via the department's Facebook Messenger, the crime tip hotline number at 219-873-1488 or the WeTip Hotline at 800-78-CRIME. People offerings tips can request anonymity.
Gallery: Recent arrests booked into LaPorte County Jail
Porter/LaPorte County Courts and Social Justice Reporter
Bob is a 23-year veteran of The Times. He covers county government and courts in Porter County, federal courts, police news and regional issues. He also created the Vegan in the Region blog, is an Indiana University grad and lifelong region resident. | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-courts/arson-suspected-in-region-mobile-home-fire-that-injured-2-officials-say/article_8d519c8a-fa47-11ed-a08a-579584944eea.html | 2023-05-24T17:12:08 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-courts/arson-suspected-in-region-mobile-home-fire-that-injured-2-officials-say/article_8d519c8a-fa47-11ed-a08a-579584944eea.html |
FAYETTE COUNTY, Ky. — Megan Huffman said anyone that follows her knows she's an open book – sharing the fun milestones of her children and family, the places they go and the things they do.
That all changed when she got a terrifying phone call.
The phone call is the reason why Huffman said she has changed what she shares on social media, especially about her children.
In December, she answered a call from an unknown number thinking it was an Instacart shopper for the groceries she ordered.
“It was this man, this man who had been following my family, for it seems like quite a long time,” she explained. “And it wasn't completely random. I met him when I was 8 years old, he was an old neighbor, neighbor of mine. And I haven't had contact with him since then.”
She told 10TV that the man described in detail, photos of her two young children.
Huffman then searched his name online and discovered he is a registered sex offender.
“Never do you think like, just posting a simple picture can be dangerous, and it can be harmful to your family,” she said.
Huffman has asked us not to share his name or photo for her family’s safety if he were to be released from jail, again.
Huffman recently moved with her family from Pickerington back to her childhood town in Kentucky.
According to the Kentucky State Police Sex Offender Registry, the man who called Huffman was convicted on charges of sodomy and sex abuse – the victim: 3 years old. The case was from 2011, according to Fayette County Circuit Court.
In January, he was on sex offender conditional discharge, but committed a technical violation of failing to abide by the rules of the halfway house where he was residing, according to the Kentucky Department of Corrections. He returned to jail on Jan. 13.
It was right before that violation, in late December, when Huffman answered a call from a person claiming to be him.
“He had said that he had seen that we were doing well and that he knew I had kids and he had, you know, my pictures in his prison cell, and he's tried to contact me for the past couple years," Huffman explained. "And now that he's out, he was able to call. The phone calls kept coming, they kept coming and coming, and they didn't stop until we got the police involved.”
Huffman is sharing her story to warn other parents.
“You don't know who's lurking in the shadows, you don’t know who is looking at your stuff.”
She’s making the following changes on social media: not sharing her children’s faces, locations of photos, or even those milestone pictures from the first day of school.
Her hope is that her lesson helps parents protect their children online.
“He didn't come into our home. He came into our lives online and that is what is so scary.” | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/social-media-safety-warning-for-parents/530-7fc778bc-79ef-4c8b-8fe9-2b393d21603e | 2023-05-24T17:12:57 | 1 | https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/social-media-safety-warning-for-parents/530-7fc778bc-79ef-4c8b-8fe9-2b393d21603e |
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — The Birmingham City Council approved changes to a “Solid Collection and Disposal” ordinance on May 23 in order to improve waste management.
The changes will allow current participating residents in the uniform garbage cart program to apply for an additional cart starting May 30.
The program covers nearly 45,000 single-family residential properties in Birmingham with a new once-a-week household garbage collection.
Starting May 30 residents can pay $120 for an additional cart. The $120 fee includes cost of cart, delivery and one year of once-a-week-service.
Single family residences will be limited to two carts and multifamily residences that contain no more than four carts can acquire more.
Find out more information about the garbage program here. | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/birmingham-city-council-approves-changes-to-waste-management-program/ | 2023-05-24T17:13:15 | 1 | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/birmingham-city-council-approves-changes-to-waste-management-program/ |
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin is calling out a Montgomery based company that “creates blight” in the community.
In a Facebook post made on Tuesday, Woodfin called out ATCF II, a company that buys properties to later sell or redevelop, for leaving Birmingham residents looking at “dilapidated” structures everyday. Woodfin said Jefferson County tax records list ATCF II as owning more than 170 properties.
Woodfin says that it should be noted that Alterna Tax Asset Group, along with its limited partnership counterpart, are based in Florida. “Both companies purchase properties by taking advantage of your (or our) tax debt,” said Woodfin.
“Those houses you pass everyday that are falling apart with the grass uncut all summer allowing rodents and stray animals to roam — it just might be owned by one of these companies,” Woodfin said.
Woodfin says an investigation has been opened. | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/birmingham-mayor-randall-woodfin-calls-out-company-for-creating-blight-in-the-community/ | 2023-05-24T17:13:21 | 1 | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/birmingham-mayor-randall-woodfin-calls-out-company-for-creating-blight-in-the-community/ |
Alex Murdaugh indicted on federal criminal charges. Here's what he faces
A disbarred and disgraced South Carolina attorney recently convicted of murdering his wife and younger child has now been struck with multiple federal criminal charges that may complicate an already convoluted legal saga.
A federal grand jury in U.S. District Court in Charleston on May 23 returned a 28-page, 22-count indictment against convicted murderer and accused fraudster Richard “Alex” Murdaugh, 54, formerly of Hampton, for wire fraud, bank fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud and money laundering.
The indictments stem from an alleged decade-long, multi-county, multiple victim financial crime spree in which Murdaugh allegedly conspired with at least one local banker and one fellow attorney to steal more than $8.7 million.
The 22-count indictment alleges that Murdaugh, while working as a personal injury attorney at the Hampton law firm founded by his great-grandfather, engaged in three different schemes to obtain money and property from his personal injury clients.
“Trust in our legal system begins with trust in its lawyers,” said U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs in a news release on Wednesday. “South Carolinians turn to lawyers when they are at their most vulnerable, and in our state, those who abuse the public’s trust and enrich themselves by fraud, theft, and self-dealing will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. We are grateful to the FBI for their tireless work on this case and to the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division for their work to hold Alex Murdaugh, and those who enabled him, accountable in our state system. We remain committed to doing our part to further that effort in the federal system.”
According to the S.C. Attorney General's Office, Murdaugh, who was convicted of murder charges on March 2, still faces 102 criminal charges from state and local indictments. This 22-count indictment now brings his total number of charges to 124.
It is unclear how these new charges will impact Murdaugh's pending state charges or his two consecutive life sentences in state prison. It is also unclear how these charges could impact any money recovered for his alleged victims, as the federal indictment states, upon conviction, Murdaugh's assets could be seized by the federal government.
Murdaugh's assets are currently under control by state court-appointed receivers tasked with establishing a fund for his potential victims.
How did Alex Murdaugh reportedly violate federal law?
From the U.S. Attorney's Office news release
In one scheme, the indictment alleges that from at least September 2005 until at least September 2021, Murdaugh devised a scheme to defraud and to obtain money under false pretenses. The indictment alleges that, as part of the scheme, Murdaugh routed and redirected clients’ settlement funds to personally enrich himself, including by:
- Drafting, or directing law firm employees to draft, disbursement sheets to send settlement funds to Murdaugh’s accounts without proper disclosure or client or law firm approval;
- Claiming funds held in the law firm’s trust account as attorney’s fees and directing the disbursement of those funds for his benefit;
- Claiming and collecting attorney’s fees on fake or nonexistent annuities;
- Creating fraudulent “expenses” that were never incurred on client matters and directing the disbursement of settlement funds to pay the cited costs, including claimed medical expenses, construction expenses, and airline expenses;
- Directing other attorneys with whom he was associated on client matters to disburse attorney’s fees directly to him, rather than appropriately routing the fees through the law firm; and
- Intercepting insurance proceeds intended for beneficiaries and depositing them directly into his personal account.
In a second scheme, the indictment alleges that from around July 2011 until at least October 2021, Murdaugh conspired with his banker, Russell Laffitte, to commit wire fraud and bank fraud. Laffitte has already been convicted on federal charges in the matter.
The indictment alleges that Murdaugh and his law firm asked Laffitte to serve as personal representative or conservator for numerous personal injury clients. Laffitte collected over $350,000 in fees as personal representative or conservator for Murdaugh’s personal injury clients.
As part of the scheme, the indictment alleges Murdaugh directed law firm employees to make settlement checks payable to “Palmetto State Bank.” The checks were then delivered to Laffitte, whom Murdaugh directed to use the settlement funds for Murdaugh’s benefit. The funds were used to pay off Murdaugh’s personal loans and for personal expenses and cash withdrawals.
In November 2022, Laffitte was convicted on six federal charges, including conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud, bank fraud, and wire fraud for his role in this scheme. He is currently awaiting sentencing.
In a third scheme, the indictment alleges that in September 2015, Murdaugh created a bank account in the name of “Forge,” presenting as a legitimate corporation for structuring insurance settlements. Murdaugh was the owner of and the only authorized signer on this “fake Forge” account. The indictment alleges that from in or around May 2017 through at least July 2021, Murdaugh funneled stolen personal injury settlements through the “fake Forge” account. Murdaugh is charged with 14 counts of money laundering for using the transactions in the “fake Forge” account to conceal the proceeds of his fraud.
The indictment further alleges that, from in or around February 2018 until at least October 2020, Murdaugh conspired with a personal injury attorney in Beaufort to defraud the estate of Murdaugh’s former housekeeper and Murdaugh’s homeowner’s insurance carriers. In February 2018, Murdaugh’s housekeeper passed away after a fall at Murdaugh’s home. Murdaugh recommended that the housekeeper’s estate hire the Beaufort attorney to represent them and file a claim against Murdaugh to collect from his homeowner’s insurance policies.
Murdaugh’s insurance companies settled the estate’s claim for $505,000 and $3,800,000. The indictment alleges that Murdaugh and the personal injury attorney conspired to siphon settlement funds, disguised as “prosecution expenses,” for their own personal enrichment. The indictment further alleges that Murdaugh directed the Beaufort attorney to draft checks totaling $3,483,431.95 made payable to “Forge.” Murdaugh then deposited the checks into his “fake Forge” account and used the funds for his own personal enrichment. The estate did not receive any of the settlement funds.
What charges does Alex Murdaugh now face?
- One count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and bank fraud, punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000;
- One count of bank fraud, punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000;
- Two counts of wire fraud, punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000;
- Three counts of wire fraud, punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000;
- One count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000; and
- Fourteen counts of money laundering, punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily Limehouse, Kathleen Stoughton, and Winston Holliday are prosecuting the case.
Hampton County Guardian Editor Michael DeWitt, the Greenville News and USA TODAY Network will continue to follow the ongoing criminal and civil cases surrounding the Murdaugh crime saga. Follow DeWitt on Twitter at @mmdewittjr and support his local and national journalism with a digital subscription. | https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/local/south-carolina/2023/05/24/alex-murdaugh-indicted-federal-conspiracy-wire-fraud-bank-fraud-money-laundering/70251972007/ | 2023-05-24T17:15:56 | 0 | https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/local/south-carolina/2023/05/24/alex-murdaugh-indicted-federal-conspiracy-wire-fraud-bank-fraud-money-laundering/70251972007/ |
A bear on the loose prompted a hold & secure status at Round Hill Elementary School, according to Paige Pearson with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.
Authorities say the bear got inside a fence at about 10:30 a.m. but was gone by the time DWR officers arrived.
We’re told no one was hurt.
Officers with the Department of Wildlife Resources will remain at the scene to ensure the bear doesn’t return.
10 News currently has a crew at the scene working for you to learn more.
We will continue to update this article as information becomes more readily available | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/05/24/bear-on-the-loose-sends-roundhill-elementary-school-into-lockdown/ | 2023-05-24T17:21:23 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/05/24/bear-on-the-loose-sends-roundhill-elementary-school-into-lockdown/ |
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Transportation Security Administration officers stopped a Harrisburg woman from boarding a plane with a loaded handgun Tuesday at Harrisburg International Airport, the TSA announced.
The 9mm handgun, which was loaded with six bullets, was discovered in the woman's carry-on bag, the TSA said. Officers stopped the woman at a security checkpoint when the X-ray unit alerted the to the weapon.
Guns are not permitted through the security checkpoint and now the woman faces a stiff financial civil penalty, the TSA said.
The penalty for carrying weapons can reach a maximum of $15,000, according to TSA.
“The Memorial Day holiday may be several days away, but the summer holiday travel season has started,” said Karen Keys Turner, TSA’s federal security director for the airport. “Our officers are good at their jobs and are staying vigilant to keep all travelers safe and secure. Airports are congested, people are eager to travel and this is no time to be carrying prohibited or illegal items in your carry-on bag.
"Gun owners have a responsibility to know where their firearms are at all times and know that they should not be in a carry-on bag. It is concerning that most people who are stopped at TSA checkpoints with a firearm tell us that they forgot that they had it with them.
"Travelers need to come to the airport prepared to go through the security screening process and that means knowing the contents of their carry-on bags and knowing that there are no prohibited items inside.”
Passengers are only permitted to travel with firearms in checked baggage. Firearms must be unloaded then packed in a hard-sided locked case. The locked case should be taken to the airline check-in counter to be declared.
TSA has details on how to properly travel with a firearm posted on its website. | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/dauphin-county/tsa-harrisburg-international-airport-woman-detained-handgun/521-cf293eb5-b3cc-4ec7-9aed-bf4355385bc8 | 2023-05-24T17:27:18 | 1 | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/dauphin-county/tsa-harrisburg-international-airport-woman-detained-handgun/521-cf293eb5-b3cc-4ec7-9aed-bf4355385bc8 |
LANCASTER, Pa. — The Lancaster County District Attorney's Office said it will appeal the decision of a Lancaster County judge this week to allow bail in the case of a man charged with homicide in the death of his estranged wife in 1984.
Jere Bagenstrose, 68, was arrested last December by State Police and charged with the murder of his wife, Maryanne, who disappeared from her home on West Willow Road in Pequea Township on June 5, 1984.
At a hearing Tuesday, Lancaster County Judge Merrill Spahn set bail for Jere Bagenstrose at $925,000—a nearly unprecedented move in Lancaster County homicide cases.
Bagenstrose's attorney, Curt Schultz, argued at Tuesday's hearing that Pennsylvania’s constitution allows bail for all crimes except death-penalty eligible cases, crimes punishable by life in prison, or “unless no condition or combination of conditions other than imprisonment will reasonably assure the safety of any person and the community when the proof is evident or presumption great," according to reporting by LNP | LancasterOnline.
Defense attorneys cited a 2021 Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling that dealt with the burden of proof judges must consider to determine if someone is entitled to bail, and what the writers of the state constitution meant by "proof is evident or presumption is great."
In the case cited, Commonwealth v. Talley, Pennsylvania's Supreme Court said the “proof is evident or presumption great” phrase from the constitution means it is more likely than not that a defendant committed the crime they’ve been charged with.
In his opinion on Bagenstrose's bail, Spahn wrote that the Commonwealth "bears both a burden of production and a burden of persuasion" to meet the standard that "proof is evident or presumption is great."
Spahn said in his ruling that the prosecutors did not produce sufficient evidence to meet that standard, and therefore the court, "pursuant to Talley, is constrained to refuse the request and set bail."
Prosecutors argued that Bagenstrose was not entitled to bail, but if bail were allowed in the case, it should be set at $5 million, according to LNP.
Bagenstrose was still being held in Lancaster County Prison as of Tuesday night, court documents show.
Lancaster County District Attorney Heather Adams said in a statement that her office "received the court's order and opinion (Wednesday) morning and are in the process of evaluating an appeal."
Maryann Bagenstrose disappeared from her Pequea Township home on June 5, 1984.
At the time, she was separated from Jere Bagenstrose, and lived at the West Willow Road home with their two-year-old son and a boarder with whom she had a relationship.
In April 1984, Maryann was granted custody of her son. A formal custody hearing was scheduled for June 15. Maryann Bagenstrose did not appear at the custody hearing, and Jere Bagenstrose was awarded custody of their son.
Maryann was described as a devoted mother to her son, and people said she would have never left him behind.
Police say they spoke to Jere Bagenstrose on multiple occasions, who relayed that he last saw Maryann alive on June 5, 1984, when he arrived at the house that morning to take Maryann in to trade in her car. He allegedly said he took his son to Long's Park because Maryann was not ready.
When he returned back to the house, Jere Bagenstrose claimed, Maryann was not there, and had left a note that she had walked to a convenience store on Willow Street and he had not heard from her since.
Additional evidence gathered and relied on over the course of the investigation and cited in the affidavit of probable cause includes the following:
- Records obtained from Jere’s place of employment indicated that he had an unexcused absence for June 5, 1984, the date of Maryann’s disappearance.
- Jere Bagenstrose had an unexplained injury to his left arm which was covered by a bandage. He provided inconsistent statements to law enforcement on how and where he injured himself.
- Jere Bagenstrose provided multiple inconsistent statements to police on what the note left by Maryann said, why he would have dug a hole in his garage mere days after the victim’s disappearance, why he was present at the house that day, and what Maryann was doing when he arrived.
- Jere Bagenstrose stated that Maryann was having car trouble and walked to a store. Interviews with the victim’s neighbors and acquaintances revealed the car was working fine in the days leading up to the victim’s disappearance.
- An assistant manager at the convenience store stated she had not seen Maryann at the store on the day of her disappearance. Jere Bagenstrose told officers during the search warrant that the note did not say she was walking to that particular location, and that he only assumed that Maryann went to that store.
- A maintenance supervisor at Long’s Park related he had not seen Jere Bagenstrose's vehicle in the park on June 5, 1984, after being provided a picture of the vehicle. Two additional employees also had not seen the vehicle.
- In 1985, Jere Bagenstrose told investigators that people had relayed to him they recently saw Maryann. The defendant never reported this information to police.
- Multiple notes and postcards sent to Jere Bagenstrose purportedly from Maryann were never relayed to the police by the defendant.
- Witnesses relay that leading up to her disappearance, Maryann was in a good mood and looking forward to getting a new car.
In 2018, investigators with Pennsylvania State Police said they started reworking the investigation by focusing on the note that was seized during the June 13, 1984 search.
Investigators obtained public records and other documents to compare the writing of Jere Bagenstrose to the note. That data led to the execution of a search warrant at the West Willow Road home on Sept. 20, 2022.
Jere Bagenstrose was arrested in December, charged with one count of homicide in Maryann Bagenstrose's murder.
Her body has never been found. | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/lancaster-county/jere-bagenstrose-homicide-charge-bail-appeal-lancaster-da/521-a2d3c318-0e13-408a-90d2-b290b8c34368 | 2023-05-24T17:27:24 | 1 | https://www.fox43.com/article/news/local/lancaster-county/jere-bagenstrose-homicide-charge-bail-appeal-lancaster-da/521-a2d3c318-0e13-408a-90d2-b290b8c34368 |
Becker Road between Slusher and Gar Creek roads will be closed from 8 a.m. Thursday to 3 p.m. Friday during crossover-pipe replacement, the Allen County Highway Department said today.
Becker Road section to close Thursday, Friday
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Ants depart Coliseum, home for 15 seasons: Impact on the venue | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/becker-road-section-to-close-thursday-friday/article_f14402b4-fa51-11ed-83dd-2f932dc1649e.html | 2023-05-24T17:27:46 | 1 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/becker-road-section-to-close-thursday-friday/article_f14402b4-fa51-11ed-83dd-2f932dc1649e.html |
Local developer Jerry Starks had two reasons to celebrate today – his birthday and the start of his planned 131-lot subdivision that will lead to a $40 million investment in Fort Wayne’s southeast side in the next three to four years.
Mayor Tom Henry, at least five City Council members and other local officials joined Starks for a groundbreaking ceremony at his 126-acre Roosevelt Reserve Residential Development. The subdivision will be the largest market rate, single-family development built on the city’s southeast side in about 50 years, said Jonathan Leist, the city's deputy director of redevelopment.
Starks said he hoped to start groundwork today on the L-shaped plot of land at Tillman and Hessen Cassel roads, but he’s waiting on some feedback from the city on the sewer work. He plans to have a spec home built in August or September and start pouring foundations for other homes then.
Some lots have already been sold, he said.
The houses will be in the mid-$200,000 range. There’ll be single-story and two-story homes, as well as custom builds. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/groundbreaking-marks-start-of-first-southeast-side-subdivision-in-50-years/article_43343d8e-fa4b-11ed-b1d9-2b4a2fce7099.html | 2023-05-24T17:27:52 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/groundbreaking-marks-start-of-first-southeast-side-subdivision-in-50-years/article_43343d8e-fa4b-11ed-b1d9-2b4a2fce7099.html |
The southbound lane of Landin Road in New Haven between Landin Point Boulevard and North River Road will be restricted through June 2 during a gas-main installation, the community has announced.
There will be no restrictions when crews are not working or over the weekend, New Haven said in a statement. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/landin-road-lane-to-be-restricted-during-gas-main-work/article_36ca1dd2-fa4d-11ed-b512-879414752ddd.html | 2023-05-24T17:27:58 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/landin-road-lane-to-be-restricted-during-gas-main-work/article_36ca1dd2-fa4d-11ed-b512-879414752ddd.html |
Four Northwest Allen County Schools educators are beginning summer break with a new title – Teacher of the Year.
The district surprised four employees – Robbie McKerr, Linda Armbruster, Brian Sherck and Ali King – with that distinction during individual announcements, the last of which was today.
"NACS is fortunate to have these excellent teachers who are committed to their students and to the profession," Superintendent Wayne Barker said in a statement. "The four teachers being recognized this year as 'Teachers of the Year' are a great representation of the talent within our district."
The 8,200-student district annually recognizes two teachers or counselors from the elementary level and one at each the middle and high school levels, according to a news release.
The employees must have an evaluation rating of highly effective or mentor to qualify.
A panel of administrators reviewed the nominations, which were accepted from students, parents, colleagues and administrators, the release said. It included excerpts from nominations for each winner.
Nominations for McKerr, a U.S. government teacher at Carroll High School, recognized his ability to make lessons interesting.
"His energy is so radiant and contagious, which makes school way more fun and engaging," one student wrote. "I always looked forward to going to his class last semester, even though I don't like government."
One of McKerr's coworkers said his effect on students is obvious.
"The stream of seniors who sing his praises to me daily is staggering," the colleague said. "I also get a good feel for the enthusiasm of his students and his classroom through the frequent cheering that erupts between our shared wall."
A parent recognized Armbruster for providing a classroom where third graders can be their authentic selves. Armbruster teaches at Oak View Elementary School.
"My child has grown to be more independent, self-confident, and they have found a true love for going to school," the parent said.
A colleague commended Armbruster's work with students who are English language learners.
"It does not take long for Linda to have a plan of action in place to help a child be successful," the coworker said. "She navigates all aspects of learning with ease and advocates for children to have the right accommodations to be in place for optimal learning."
Students said Sherck makes math fun at Carroll Middle School.
"I had so much fun in math class," one student said. "He made his lessons clear and was always there to help when I had a question."
Another person described Sherck as a teacher parents want for their children. He makes math an experience, not a task.
"Brian is one of the few people who has the respect of everyone he encounters," the nominator said. "If he has an idea or a thought, everyone takes it to heart because they know he is genuine."
Nominations for King, who teaches third grade at Aspen Meadow Elementary School, described her as caring, attentive and calming. She was especially supportive to a student who broke her dominant arm.
"Miss King was right there giving my daughter encouragement and being very attentive to her," a parent wrote.
A coworker who has known King since she was a NACS student said it's been a pleasure watching her become a wonderful teacher.
"Her heart is vast when working with her students," the colleague said. "She cares first and foremost about them. She takes time to talk with each student each day, empathizes with them, and works all year to raise their self-esteem and self-worth."
Students' last school day is Friday. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/schools/northwest-allen-county-schools-announces-four-top-teachers/article_ef362b3c-f9ca-11ed-bdf9-87e135bead23.html | 2023-05-24T17:28:04 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/schools/northwest-allen-county-schools-announces-four-top-teachers/article_ef362b3c-f9ca-11ed-bdf9-87e135bead23.html |
KILLEEN, Texas — The Innovation Black Chamber of Commerce’s (IBCC) Economic Development Committee is hosting the 2nd Annual Community Economic Resource Summit with the purpose of connecting people to essential community resources in one location.
The event will provide citizens with resources to grow economically, information on upcoming city economic initiatives, and panel discussions with local leaders on the current state of our local economy.
The Community Economic Resource Summit will be held on Tuesday, May 30th at the Killeen Civic and Conference Center which is located at 3601 S WS Young Drive from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
Join industry partners, financial institutions, businesses, non-profits, employers, educational institutes, and more. They are building bridges and creating access to valuable resources for everyone.
The IBCC honors the essence of community in all that they do to support and uplift one another because they know - a rising tide lifts all boats.
The IBCC Economic Committee’s 2023 Community Economic Resource Summit welcomes and appreciates your participation and engagement to make this event successful.
Innovation Black Chamber of Commerce, a non-profit 501c3 organization, founded in 2020 by Mr. Ronnie Russell, aims to uplift, empower, and support black-owned businesses. The organization’s three pillars are business, veterans, and technology.
Come out to see the growth, potential, and opportunity available in Central Texas and get connected to the place we all call home. | https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/innovation-black-chamber-commerce-hosts-community-resource-summit-and-job-fair/500-c0151643-910c-459e-bbdf-cf385f378a94 | 2023-05-24T17:29:45 | 1 | https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/innovation-black-chamber-commerce-hosts-community-resource-summit-and-job-fair/500-c0151643-910c-459e-bbdf-cf385f378a94 |
MARLIN, Texas — Marlin ISD announced that it will be postponing high school graduation until June in order to give students more time to meet graduation requirements on Wednesday, May 24.
According to the school district, students that have not met the necessary requirements for graduation due to attendance or grades will now have more time to get things in order.
Superintendent Dr. Darryl Henson stated, "We hold firm to our belief that every student in Marlin ISD can and will achieve their potential. We maintain high expectations, not as an imposition, but as a show of faith in our students abilities."
"As we navigate these challenges, one thing is clear: students in Marlin ISD will be held to the same high standard as any other student in Texas," Henson added.
The school district stresses the importance of regular school attendance and how studies show that it is a powerful predictor of student success.
Marlin ISD will soon switch to a four-day school week come the fall. Chief Academic Officer Nikisha Edwards stated, "High standards serve as a benchmark for quality education and ensure that schools remain accountable for delivering high-quality instruction."
Senior parents are instructed to attend a mandatory meeting at the high school on Wednesday, May 24 at 6:30 p.m.
For more information, visit here.
Also on KCENTV.com: | https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/marlin-isd-postpones-graduation-allowing-more-students-meet-requirements/500-9f46f47f-626a-419f-8f29-2342805201dd | 2023-05-24T17:29:51 | 0 | https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/marlin-isd-postpones-graduation-allowing-more-students-meet-requirements/500-9f46f47f-626a-419f-8f29-2342805201dd |
CEDAR FALLS — The Historic Preservation Commission welcomes the community for a free walking tour Thursday of the Seerley Park Neighborhood to celebrate the nationally recognized Preservation Month of May.
Attendees will learn about the history of Seerley Park and the architectural styles of homes in the Seerley Park neighborhood. Eight will be on the tour with interactive opportunities to speak with homeowners and learn more about the history of the area.
Attendees can meet the tour guides at 6 p.m. at Seerley Park on West Seerley Boulevard. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/cedar-falls-historic-preservation-commission-to-host-walking-tour-on-may-25/article_0c716674-f996-11ed-8106-bf992ad9fbde.html | 2023-05-24T17:34:29 | 0 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/cedar-falls-historic-preservation-commission-to-host-walking-tour-on-may-25/article_0c716674-f996-11ed-8106-bf992ad9fbde.html |
WATERLOO — Police are investigating overnight shootings that damaged two homes and a parked vehicle late Tuesday.
No injuries were reported, and no arrest have been made.
Neighbors called police at about 8:25 p.m. to report gunfire on Logan Avenue and police found a home at 859 Logan had been struck twice by bullets.
Criminals look for people who are not paying attention to their surroundings and use the element of surprise to their advantage. Crime usually occurs when there is desire, ability and opportunity. You can reduce the opportunity by following these crime prevention tips.
Witnesses reported suspects had fled to 1017 Logan Ave., according to police. Officers searched the home and found 9 mm ammunition and magazines but no firearms, police said.
Then at 10:31 p.m., police were called to a report of shots fired. They found a house at 2925 Dell Drive and a parked Ford Explorer had been hit by gunfire.
It wasn’t clear if the shootings were related.
Photos: Guns in Northeast Iowa crime cases
Evidence photo of the Ruger 9mm pistol used to kill Jada Young-Mills in Waterloo in November 2020.
Contributed
Evidence photo of the .44-caliber revolver used to shoot Jean Smith at her Dundee home in March 2009.
Contributed photo
Evidence photo shows a 9mm Taurus PT92F handgun found in a couch during the search of 122 W. Wellington St. in January 2021.
contributed photo
Hi-Point C9 9mm handgun police seized from Marcus DeShawn Harmon-Wright in April 2020.
Contributed photo
Court exhibit photo shows a shortened .22-caliber Mossberg Plinkster rifle seized in May 2019 that had the fingerprints of Devonner Coleman.
contributed photo
Court exhibit photo shows a shortened .22-caliber Mossberg Plinkster rifle and bags of marijuana seized in May 2019 that had the fingerprints of Devonner Coleman.
Contributed photo
A SIG Sauer pistol investigators found near a truck parked at Dan Niebuhr’s Fairbank home in March 2019.
A SIG Sauer pistol investigators found near a truck parked at Dan Niebuhr’s Fairbank home in March 2019.
Jeff Reinitz
Police seized four handguns in connection with an investigation into three shootings on Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Contributed photo
Court exhibit photo shows military-style rifles, a handgun and ammo found in a trunk during a March 12, 2016, traffic stop in Charles City.
COURTESY PHOTO
Prosecutors allege Kyle Hattrup pointed this Mossberg shotgun at an officer who went to his home after Hattrup allegedly started a fire in his parents’ garage in 2015.
JEFF REINITZ
Courier staff writer
Prosecutors allege Kyle Hattrup pointed this Mossberg shotgun at an officer who went to his home after Hattrup allegedly started a fire in his parents’ garage in 2015.
JEFF REINITZ
One of five shotgun shells found in the street near where Gary Lee Wilson collapsed after being shot in the early morning hours of Aug. 2, 2014.
Police found a shotgun shell after responding to a report of gunfire in the area of Linn and Cottage streets on Thursday, June 4, 2015.
JEFF REINITZ
Police seized a .40-caliber Glock pistol found in Steve William Fordyce’s pickup truck shortly after Donald Harrington was shot on Locust Street in August 2015.
JEFF REINITZ
A pistol and magazine sit in a squad car after police found the weapon in the backyard of a home following gunfire on West Parker Street on Sunday.
JEFF REINITZ
Evidence photo shows a .40-caliber Smith and Wesson pistol ATF agents found in an Elma home were Michael Duane Strain was living in 2011.
contributed photo
Court exhibit of a .50-caliber Desert Eagle pistol found while searching Damon Montano’s RV in July 2018.
Contributed photo
Exhibit from government's sentencing memo shows photo of three pistols found on Wayne Jones' phone.
Contributed photo
This .22-caliber Sig Sauer pistol was stolen during an April 2011 burglary to a home on William Drive. Police recovered it when they stopped Queshandis Seals in July 2014. Seals was found guilty of firearm and drug charges following trial in August 2015.
Contributed photo
A .22-caliber Chiappas Firearms pistol found during a May 2014 traffic accident in Dunkerton had been stolen from a New Franken, Wis., gun shop in May 2013.
COURTESY PHOTO
Police seized a .25-caliber Raven Arms pistol following a shooting at the former Rumors Bar on July 22, 2012.
Contributed photo
Waterloo police seized a 9mm Tec-9 handgun, left, and a .380-caliber Lorcin pistol while searching a home at 525 Locust St. on Wednesday, June 19, 2013. (COURTESY PHOTO)
COURTESY PHOTO
Evidence photo shows an AR-7 takedown rifle ATF agents found in an Elma home were Michael Duane Strain was living in 2011.
Jeff Reinitz
Evidence photo of a refurbished Mosin Nagant, a Russian bolt-action surplus rifle ATF agents found when searching Michael Duane Strain’s Elma home in 2011.
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Authorities found this Ruger rifle during a June 6, 2017, search in Ossian while investigating opioid sales. The same gun had been seized in October 2012 during an investigation into a shooting in Calmar.
Contributed photo
Evidence photo showing a rifle seized during a search of an Ossian home during the investigation into furanyl fentanyl and heroin distribution on June 6, 2017.
Contributed photo
Police found a handgun, sawed-off shotgun and a shortened rifle in a Lehman Circle mobile home following a shooting Nov. 23, 2013.
COURTESY PHOTO
Authorities recovered an AK-47 style rifle, a 45-caliber handgun and a .40-caliber Glock handgun from Jeremiah Mumford and William Clayton following a bank robbery, chase and shootout that spanned two counties in October. A second rifle was found in the getaway vehicle. (Contributed photos)
Authorities recovered an AK-47 style rifle, a 45-caliber handgun and a .40-caliber Glock handgun from Jeremiah Mumford and William Clayton following a bank robbery, chase and shootout that spanned two counties in October. A second rifle was found in the getaway vehicle. (Contributed photos)
Authorities recovered an AK-47 style rifle, a 45-caliber handgun and a .40-caliber Glock handgun from Jeremiah Mumford and William Clayton following a bank robbery, chase and shootout that spanned two counties in October. A second rifle was found in the getaway vehicle. (Contributed photos)
Evidence photo shows a shotgun that ATF agents found in an Elma home were Michael Duane Strain was living in 2011.
contributed photo
Authorities found this Remington shotgun during a June 6, 2017, search in Ossian while investigating opioid sales. The same gun had been seized in October 2012 after it was used in a shooting in Calmar.
Contributed photo
Police found this altered Mossburg shotgun in the back of a parked car in August 2013. On Dec. 31, 2013, jurors found Patrelle Green-Bowman guilty of felon in possession of a firearm and unauthorized possession of a sawed-off shotgun following trial.
Courtesy Photo
Police found this altered Mossburg shotgun in the back of a parked car in August 2013. On Dec. 31, 2013, jurors found Patrelle Green-Bowman guilty of felon in possession of a firearm and unauthorized possession of a sawed-off shotgun following trial.
Courtesy Photo
Authorities said a resident found this Smith & Wesson handgun in an alley in April 2014 a few blocks from a June 2013 fatal shooting. It was entered as evidence in the trial of Antonio Hutchins on Monday, Jan. 12, 2015.
JEFF REINITZ
Waterloo police said they found this .22-caliber Beretta handgun in an alley behind Travon Jones’ Iowa Street home in Cedar Falls in January 2015.
JEFF REINITZ / Courier Staff Writer
Police photo of a .45-caliber handgun and a .22-caliber handgun recovered during the investigation into the death of Ronald Randall.
Waterloo police said they seized this H&R revolver in September 2017. The weapon was an exhibit in the trial of Davionte Dashawn Barksdale in February 2018.
JEFF REINITZ
An AR-15 rifle recovered by police in a traffic stop following a July 2018 shooting in Waterloo.
JEFF REINITZ
An AR-15 rifle recovered by police in a traffic stop following a July 2018 shooting in Waterloo.
JEFF REINITZ
The .38-caliber revolver that Vickie Butler was shot with during an argument with Michael Fristo in October 2016. Fristo was acquitted of charges in the shooting following trial on Nov. 30, 2017.
JEFF REINITZ
A photograph of the .357-magnum revolver prosecutors said was used to kill Robert Shannon as he sat in a car on Dec. 14, 2011. Introduced as evidence in the trial of Montez Caples on Oct. 31, 2012. (JEFF REINITZ/ Courier Staff Writer)
Police found a sawed-off Ithaca .410-bore shotgun in the back of Adrian Zarate’s girlfriend’s SUV when it was parked at the Isle Casino Hotel parking lot in October 2018.
Contributed photo
Police found a Jimenez Arms .380-caliber handgun with an obliterated seriall number in Adrian Zarate’s hotel room in October 2018.
Contributed photo
Savage Model 67F 20-gauge shotgun found while searching Levi Farren Miller’s West Mullan Avenue in Waterloo in February 2019.
Contributed
Crime scene photo shows were police found a shotgun resting in a cat dish while searching a Waterloo apartment on Feb. 2, 2019.
Police found this Ruger handgun under Delvonn Battles’ seat during a traffic stop in Waterloo in January 2013. The weapon was used in a Des Moines shooting in December 2012. (Contributed photo)
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Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/police-investigate-two-reports-of-gunfire-overnight/article_c99419c0-fa4c-11ed-ba27-8bf77e6e57ba.html | 2023-05-24T17:34:35 | 1 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/police-investigate-two-reports-of-gunfire-overnight/article_c99419c0-fa4c-11ed-ba27-8bf77e6e57ba.html |
An Atlantic City man will spend eight years in prison after he was found twice with various types of guns and cocaine, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said Wednesday.
Joaquin DeJesus, 53, was sentenced Tuesday on two counts of certain persons not to possess firearms before Superior Court Judge Bernard E. DeLury Jr.
On Oct. 29, 2021, Atlantic City police searched an apartment on South Mansion Avenue, where they found $1,200 in cash; about 38 clear plastic baggies of cocaine; an AM-15 rifle packaged in parts with extended magazines; a Colt .38 Special revolver loaded with six rounds of ball ammunition; a Beretta 9mm handgun with two magazines, one with 15 rounds of hollow point ammunition and one with 15 rounds of ball ammunition; and an MP Uzi 9mm with an extended magazine, the Prosecutor's Office said in a news release.
DeJesus was the sole occupant of the residence at the time.
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ATLANTIC CITY — A city man was arrested after police raided a hotel room Tuesday, recovering…
A plea agreement reached in that case on May 10, 2022, granted DeJesus' release from jail over the state's objection.
On. Aug. 16, 2022, before DeJesus was to return to court for sentencing in the first case, police searched a room at the Sheraton Atlantic City Convention Center Hotel where DeJesus was staying. There, they found a loaded Springfield Armory 9mm handgun, cocaine and $7,505 in cash in the safe, the Prosecutor's Office said.
Before the warrant was executed, police stopped DeJesus from entering his car after exiting the hotel and found him in possession of cocaine packaged for distribution, the Prosecutor's Office said. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/atlantic-city-man-sentenced-after-being-caught-with-drugs-and-weapons-in-two-separate-searches/article_c0f6abce-fa43-11ed-b271-878f478cf5b6.html | 2023-05-24T17:38:22 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/atlantic-city-man-sentenced-after-being-caught-with-drugs-and-weapons-in-two-separate-searches/article_c0f6abce-fa43-11ed-b271-878f478cf5b6.html |
A Galloway Township woman on Tuesday admitted she left a young girl malnourished enough to be hospitalized and struck her in front of another child, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said.
Stephanie Gregory, 58, pleaded guilty to two counts of endangering the welfare of a child before Atlantic County Superior Court Judge Dorothy Garrabrant.
She faces five years in prison when she is sentenced, the Prosecutor's Office said Wednesday in a news release. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 21.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Gregory cannot have contact with the victims or their mother.
In 2020, Gregory starved a 9-year-old girl and struck that same girl in front of another child, who was 6.
Both children were in her care at the time, but the Prosecutor's Office did not specify whether Gregory was related to the children. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/galloway-woman-pleads-guilty-to-starving-striking-child/article_d323d6e4-fa40-11ed-81e5-f7edc55c2d0a.html | 2023-05-24T17:38:28 | 1 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/galloway-woman-pleads-guilty-to-starving-striking-child/article_d323d6e4-fa40-11ed-81e5-f7edc55c2d0a.html |
NORTHFIELD — The Philadelphia Eagles and Nouryon, a global specialty chemicals company, recently announced that Brian Bowles, a teacher at Northfield Community Middle School, was named a 2022 Nouryon All-Pro Teacher.
The All-Pro Teachers program, now in its ninth year, accepts nominations from the Greater Philadelphia region for exceptional fifth through 12th grade teachers in local schools. Ten teachers were chosen for their commitment to their students, school and community.
Bowles has been in education for 15 years and is in his sixth year at Northfield. Bowles' teaching repertoire includes media, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math), coding and robotics, and he's a devout Eagles fan.
Honored teachers receive $2,000 for classroom supplies, an official NFL jersey and tickets to an Eagles home game. The Teacher of the Year winner receives an additional $5,000 and an Eagles Pep Rally.
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The program is now accepting nominations for 2023 Nouryon All-Pro Teachers. Nominations can be submitted through Oct. 26 at philadelphiaeagles.com/community/allproteachers. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/philadelphia-eagles-recognize-all-pro-teacher-from-northfield/article_90de06c4-f8b0-11ed-a4a6-6fed8c6780c7.html | 2023-05-24T17:38:34 | 1 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/philadelphia-eagles-recognize-all-pro-teacher-from-northfield/article_90de06c4-f8b0-11ed-a4a6-6fed8c6780c7.html |
Jessica Caraballo took out her phone to video her daughter Jada Elston’s telephone conversation with Fairleigh Dickinson University women’s basketball coach Stephanie Gaitley earlier this month.
Gaitley was calling to offer Elston, a Middle Township High School senior, an NCAA Division I scholarship. Caraballo wanted a memory of the moment forever.
“I’m not going to lie to you,” Elston said. “When I first found out (about the offer), I was speechless. At the same time, I was just grateful that coach Gaitley was able to see something in me. It (a college scholarship) has been a goal since I first started playing basketball in the third grade.”
Division I scholarships can change the life of a student athlete and their family. Scholarships were always a rarity for any high school athlete.
Today, it’s harder than ever for high school seniors to attract the attention of college coaches.
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“Those kids have been the ones lost the shuffle - the high school kids,” Gaitley said.
The shuffle began with the pandemic that gave college athletes an extra year of eligibility.
It was followed by the emergence of the transfer portal, which gave athletes more freedom than ever and enabled programs looking for a quick fix older and more experienced options.
The math is simple: A 23, 24 or even a 25-year-old man or woman is going to be a better player than nearly every 18-year-old high school graduate.
“The portal is going to continue to have a dramatic impact on things,” Gaitley said.
Elston’s recruiting story would have been the exception a few years ago. Now, it’s becoming more and more common.
Elston led the Panthers to the South Jersey Group II championship in March. She averaged 17.5 points and finished with 1,152 career points.
Still, there were no Division I scholarship offers, however, so Elston committed to Kean University, a Division III school.
“I knew that for my class, the class of 2023, it was kind of unfortunate,” Elston said. "I knew no matter where I went that I wanted to play basketball in college. I went into the recruiting process with an open mind, and I just knew I had to handle the cards that were dealt to me.”
What happened next for Elston is a combination of luck and being in the right spot at the right time.
Gaitley, a long-time college coach with 684 career wins in 36 seasons, coached the Ocean City High School girls team this past season and saw talent and potential in Elston, a versatile player who can play both point guard and shooting guard and be a standout defender.
“I thought she was a Division I player,” Gaitley said. “I think she has so much upside. A couple of things impressed me. One was the leader she was. You could tell she was extremely competitive. I loved her ability to draw the foul. A lot of kids don’t have that ability to get to the line.”
The dominoes fell Elston’s way this spring.
FDU women’s coach Angelika Szumilo left for Iona in April.
FDU hired Gaitley a few days later to replace Szumilo.
Several FDU players followed Szumilo to Iona, something that would have been impossible a few years ago.
Gaitley needed players. She thought of Elston.
“Any kid I brought in had a chance for playing time right away,” Gaitley said. “You’re more inclined to take a kid with two years of college experience over a high school kid. I wanted to be careful in building the foundation here. I didn’t want to do all one-year or two-year wonders. I wanted to have a foundation of young kids that could grow together.”
Elston jumped at the chance to play Division I.
“It was an exciting moment for me and my family,” Elston said. “It was nice to see it all pan out.”
FDU will open next season at women’s basketball power Iowa, which lost to LSU in the National Championship Game in April.
Elston will have gone from having no scholarship in April to six months later being on the court and competing against Iowa standout Caitlin Clark, who became one of the biggest stories in all of basketball with her NCAA Tournament performance this spring.
The lesson of Elston’s story is that these days elite high school athletes had better be ready and keep their mind’s open because the old rules of recruiting are gone. One never knows when, how or where the door to a college scholarship will open. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/highschool/must-win-jada-elston-lands-at-fdu-after-a-process-that-shows-just-how-much/article_05815fce-fa48-11ed-9c32-139b8e8aafd8.html | 2023-05-24T17:38:41 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/highschool/must-win-jada-elston-lands-at-fdu-after-a-process-that-shows-just-how-much/article_05815fce-fa48-11ed-9c32-139b8e8aafd8.html |
PALM BAY, Fla. – A Brevard County grand jury indicted a man for first-degree murder in the death a 69-year-old man in Palm Bay last month.
Justin Giambanco, 31, is accused of killing Paul Black, 69, in his Palm Bay home in late April.
Police said Giambanco’s cell phone was found under Black’s body.
Giambanco had already been arrested by Melbourne police that day for an unrelated burglary. Police said a firearm and other property belonging to Black was found in Giambanco’s car at the time of his arrest.
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Black’s son told News 6 that he did not believe Black and Giambanco knew each other.
Palm Bay police at the time of Giambanco’s arrest called him a violent repeat offender who preyed on Brevard County residents even while out on bond for other crimes.
Giambanco was originally facing a second-degree murder charge, but he was indicted by the grand jury on a first-degree murder charge instead, along with charges of armed burglary of a dwelling, false imprisonment, grand theft firearm and petit theft.
Giambanco is in jail without bond.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/05/24/brevard-county-man-indicted-in-killing-of-69-year-old-in-palm-bay/ | 2023-05-24T17:39:56 | 1 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/05/24/brevard-county-man-indicted-in-killing-of-69-year-old-in-palm-bay/ |
ORLANDO, Fla. – WKMG-TV News 6 has been honored by the Radio Television Digital News Association with a regional Edward R. Murrow award for Excellence in Innovation.
RTDNA awarded WKMG-TV for its News 6+ Takeover programming, which changes the way the audience views local news.
“I am very proud of WKMG’s reputation for innovation. The Takeover allows our team to connect with the audience on various levels showcasing not just our deep knowledge, but our authenticity — two critical components to building trust,” said Allison McGinley, WKMG-TV news director.
News 6 has innovated the delivery of news and information to its audience by spotlighting — on broadcast television — the content and convenience of its OTT streaming channel, News 6+.
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“The Takeover allows our people to connect in a more direct way with our viewers, and frees them from the heavily formatted constraints of a conventional newscast,” said Jeff Hoffman, WKMG-TV general manager.
Every weeknight at 5:30 p.m., instead of a traditional newscast, WKMG exposes TV audiences to its variety of podcasts and longer format journalism, including Florida’s Fourth Estate, Solutionaries, Florida Foodie and Talk to Tom, meeting that desire for inspiring content with local, community-based and solutions-oriented programming.
The RTDNA Edward R. Murrow Awards are among the most prestigious in broadcast and digital news.
The RTDNA has been honoring outstanding achievements in electronic journalism with the Murrow Awards since 1971.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/05/24/news-6-wins-regional-edward-r-murrow-award-for-excellence-in-innovation/ | 2023-05-24T17:40:02 | 1 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/05/24/news-6-wins-regional-edward-r-murrow-award-for-excellence-in-innovation/ |
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – A 35-year-old man who worked at an elementary school and a daycare in Merritt Island was arrested on child porn charges, according to the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said James Cohen worked as an instructional assistant with special needs students at Tropical Elementary School and with young children at KinderCare.
“When I say disturbing, I mean extremely disturbing. Sickening, disgusting, any other word that you can apply The word evil and concerning would tie into this,” Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said in a Facebook live video.
Ivey made the announcement on Wednesday during a livestreamed event but did not invite journalists. He said the investigation began on Jan. 24 when the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children sent the sheriff’s office a cyber tip about an IP address in the Brevard County area.
Ivey said the delay in the investigation was because it took the internet provider from Jan. 24 until May 15 to return the information needed to make an arrest.
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Once the information was obtained, investigators were able to quickly identify Cohen as the individual with the person who had control of the IP address.
“In my 42 years of law enforcement, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything as disturbing as the videos that we have recovered as part of this case,” Ivey said.
According to the sheriff, Cohen admitted last Thursday to downloading and viewing videos and images of child porn.
Investigators seized two laptops, a camera, five cell phones and two tablets as part of their investigation. Ivey said deputies found 170 videos on one device with victims as young as babies, “and in some cases even appear to be newborns.”
According to the sheriff, there is nothing to indicate that Cohen was producing the videos but said the investigation is still in its early phases.
“James Cohen prior had no criminal history of any significance,” Ivey said. “He only had a driving charge.”
“At KinderCare, nothing is more important to us than children’s safety. We take all concerns about the quality of our programs and our teachers seriously. As such, this teacher is no longer a KinderCare employee.”
KinderCare Communications Team
Cohen faces charges of 10 counts of possession of material depicting sexual performance of a child. Ivey said while there 170 videos, they picked the 10 worst so they could send the case to the state attorney’s office and “secure him behind bars.”
According to Ivey, Cohen is being held without bond and more charges are forthcoming.
“Our agents will continue to write the affidavits and add charges to him as we develop more charges,” he said.
The Brevard County School Board suspended Cohen and immediately removed him from the KinderCare facility upon learning about the investigation.
Deputies said if anyone has any concerns about Cohen or feel they have been hurt by him, they are asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 321-633-8400.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/05/24/sickening-disgusting-brevard-elementary-daycare-employee-arrested-on-child-porn-charges/ | 2023-05-24T17:40:08 | 1 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/05/24/sickening-disgusting-brevard-elementary-daycare-employee-arrested-on-child-porn-charges/ |
TITUSVILLE, Fla. – A Titusville man has been indicted by a grand jury on a first-degree murder charge in the shooting of his mother’s boyfriend.
Dominic Bland, 31, was indicted Tuesday in Brevard County.
Police said Bland shot Carl Wigfall, 56, during an argument on the morning of April 24. A witness told police they saw Bland shoot Wigfall twice as the victim was seated before pushing him off the chair and standing over his body, shooting him several times more and stating, “See what happens!” or something similar, according to an arrest affidavit.
The affidavit shows Bland may have been motivated by instances of domestic violence between Wigfall and Bland’s mother. Wigfall was arrested in November on accusations of hitting his girlfriend with a chair and threatening her with a knife. Charges against him were dropped.
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Bland also fled police when he was taken into custody two days later.
In addition to the charge of first-degree premeditated murder with a firearm, Bland also faces charges of fleeing and attempting to elude police, resisting arrest without violence, and driving while license suspended or revoked.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/05/24/titusville-man-indicted-on-murder-charges-in-death-of-mothers-boyfriend/ | 2023-05-24T17:40:14 | 1 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/05/24/titusville-man-indicted-on-murder-charges-in-death-of-mothers-boyfriend/ |
Circle K offering 40 cents off per gallon for 2nd Fuel Day. Here's when
Circle K is helping drivers get some relief at the gas pump Thursday by offering 40 cents off per gallon for its second Circle K Fuel Day.
The timing couldn't be better, too, as just before Memorial Day weekend kicks off, over 5,000 Circle K locations across the U.S. will offer the discount for customers.
“After an overwhelming response from customers, we are thrilled to bring back Circle K Fuel Day in a bigger way,” Louise Warner, Sr. Vice President, Global Fuels, for Circle K said in a release. “With summer right around the corner, we want to thank our customers for their loyalty by providing them an opportunity to fuel their adventures and enjoy some great savings.”
In addition to the Fuel Day savings, most Circle K locations will be giving drivers more opportunities to save throughout the summer by handing out a limited amount of fuel discount cards for 10 cents off per gallon.
Inflation:Arizona gas prices see slight dip while national averages remain stalled
When to save during Circle K Fuel Day
The 40-cent off deal will be on Thursday, May 25, between 4 and 7 p.m. local time.
What stores will be offering the discount?
The deal is of course only available at participating Circle K branded locations, of which, over 500 in Arizona will be taking part.
Drivers can head to the Circle K website at circlek.com/fuel-day to check for the nearest participating locations.
A car wash, too?
Yes! Customers can head over to any of the over 25 participating CleanFreak Car Wash locations in Arizona after gassing up their ride and get their first month free when subscribing to any car wash packages.
That deal also runs from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 25.
Upon signing up, drivers will also receive a fuel discount card, awarding them daily fuel savings at Circle K stores. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2023/05/24/circle-k-fuel-day-may-25/70252290007/ | 2023-05-24T17:41:05 | 0 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2023/05/24/circle-k-fuel-day-may-25/70252290007/ |
Teens can request Uber rides alone with parental permission in Phoenix and Tucson areas
The popular rideshare service Uber recently launched teen accounts in the Phoenix and Tucson areas allowing those between 13 and 17 years old to request rides without a parent or guardian present.
Andrew Hasbun, an Uber spokesman, told The Arizona Republic that only highly-rated drivers with hundreds of rides under their belt, who have a history of positive feedback from passengers, can choose to pick up teenage passengers. Hasbun noted that eligible drivers can toggle whether they wish to see ride requests from teenage users.
He said the company began looking into teen accounts to give parents another option should they or a family friend not be available to get their child where they need to go.
“We know that transportation is an issue for families all over the world,” Hasbun said. “Getting your kids from Point A to Point B while working or doing whatever can be a challenge.”
Technology for a safe ride
Rides involving solitary teens come with enhanced security measures that can’t be deactivated. Parents will be notified whenever their teen requests a ride and can follow their location live, explained Hasbun. Parents will also have the driver’s information, and can call the driver directly during the ride.
Teens will also receive a four-digit code that they will have to use to verify they are connecting with the correct driver.
“In addition, our RideCheck feature, which looks for trip anomalies such as like someone going off-course or a long stop that’s unexpected, will send the driver and the rider a notification on their app asking if everything’s OK,” Hasbun said.
Teens can only request rides for destinations within their respective area, meaning those in the Phoenix area can only request rides within the Valley, he added.
If teenagers give the app permission to access their phone’s microphone, the app will record audio of the ride for every trip which will be encrypted and stored on the teen’s device. The teen can then choose to attach the audio for a trip if they need to file an incident report. Hasbun noted that Uber won’t have access to the audio unless the teen decides to share it.
Hasbun said parents interested in participating in the program can add their teen by creating a family program and inviting their teen using their phone’s contact list.
He said that the company had tested teen accounts in the Phoenix and Tucson areas for months and received positive feedback from parents, but noted that the company wasn’t looking to be a teen’s main mode of transportation.
“We aren’t looking to replace the parent driving the kids somewhere,” Hasbun said. “This is for when there’s a need. And so we think this is a conversation that a parent of a teen should have when they want to use it. And we built this feature with all the foundation of all of the safety features that we have pioneered over the past five years.”
Hasbun said teens will also only have access to UberX, the company’s more affordable service as opposed to a fancier black car service. Teens will soon be able to order food from restaurants using Uber Eats, but won’t have access to businesses such as pharmacies.
He said Uber is also looking into implementing spending controls and budget limits for parents. Hasbun said the company has no plans to allow children younger than 13 to ride alone.
Read more:Waymo, Uber set aside past rift over self-driving car tech to team up on robotaxis in Phoenix
Service has parent-approved safety features
Ruth Stern, a single working mother in Scottsdale, told The Republic she opted to use the service for her 16-year-old daughter, who wanted to go home after her high school tennis match while Stern was still in Tempe.
Stern said she didn’t initially know about teen accounts when she tried adding her daughter to the family account, but said the service worked out well for both of them. She has also reviewed safety recommendations and things to look out for with her daughter, but said Uber’s safety features made her feel confident as a parent.
She added that the service also gave her increasingly independent daughter greater autonomy when Stern wasn’t available to get her to where she needed to go.
“It’s a great option for parents and for teens when you have logistical challenges if you need to get your child safely from one place to the next,” Stern said. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2023/05/24/teens-can-request-uber-rides-alone-with-parental-permission-in-phoenix-tucson-areas/70250743007/ | 2023-05-24T17:41:11 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2023/05/24/teens-can-request-uber-rides-alone-with-parental-permission-in-phoenix-tucson-areas/70250743007/ |
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