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Sixteen Stockton University track and field athletes earned United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association all-Metro Region honors Wednesday.
To qualify for the honor, competitors needed to be ranked in the top five in the region in an individual event or top three in a relay. Three Ospreys earned the honor in two events — Khristina Washington (Hammonton H.S.), Shahyan Abraham and Joseph Morales.
Kaitlyn Vervier (Lacey Township), Ryan Fisher (Barnegat), Dontay Turner (Oakcrest), Anthony Gentile (Lower Cape May Regional), Gavin Lum and Megan Campanile (Southern Regional), Michaela Pomatto (Egg Harbor Township), Erik Ackerman, Kayla Kass, Carson Latham, Susann Foley, Kierstin Clem and Madison Fey also earned all-region honors.
Washington ranked third in the region in the women's triple jump (11.08 meters) and fifth in the long jump (5.34m). She was also all-region in the same two events in the 2023 indoor season. Overall, she has earned five-career USTFCCCA all-region honors.
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Abraham ranked second in the women's shot put (13.67m) and fourth in the discus (39.42m). She has eight career USTFCCCA all-region honors. She also was the indoor USTFCCCA Metro Region Field Athlete of the Year in the indoor season. Morales ranked second in the men's pole vault (4.6m) and fifth in the long jump (6.94m).
Foley and Vervier each tied for fifth in the high jump to earn the honor. The duo each had a leap of 1.57 meters, which tied with five others in the region. Ackerman ranked third in the 1,500 run in a school-record 3 minutes, 53.94 seconds. Kass ran a school-record 2:12.07 in the 800, which ranked second in the region.
Latham ranked third in the men's 4x100, which also set a school record (41.85). Fisher, Turner and Gentile were also on the relay team, earning their first-career all-region honors. The accolade was Latham's fifth of his career.
Campanile ranked second in the women's javelin (39.52), and Pomatto was third in the discus (42.19). Clem was fifth in the 10,000 (39:54.66), and Fey tied for fifth in the pole vault. um tied for fourth in the men's pole vault (4.45). | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/16-stocton-track-and-athletes-earn-ustfccca-all-metro-region-honors/article_e7ccf2b6-fa49-11ed-a35b-6f73ae0dbf1b.html | 2023-05-24T22:43:34 | 1 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/sports/local/16-stocton-track-and-athletes-earn-ustfccca-all-metro-region-honors/article_e7ccf2b6-fa49-11ed-a35b-6f73ae0dbf1b.html |
If you look up what Texas is known for, it's no surprise guns are right up there with cowboys and country music.
But, how about us as a state, teaching school teachers and staff to carry a weapon on campus and protect our children?
"We have two grade levels in the cafeteria at a time, I want to make sure those babies are protected," said Martha Shirley, a cafeteria worker.
But what does that really look like?
The gunman in Uvalde was so heavily armed it caused those we rely on to protect us, to be unwilling to move in, worried for their safety.
Could what trained officers were unable to do a year ago, truly be pulled off by one armed person whose primary role is something a lot different?
"We've seen neighboring school districts put out the sign in front of schools saying some of our staff are armed, we use force to protect our students. That kept me up at night," said John Kuhns, superintendent of the Mineral Wells ISD.
"If heaven forbid, lightening strikes in my town and we have an active shooter on campus and we didn't have that sign out front that says we're armed and protect students, how many people are going to attribute the horrific act to not having that program," said Kuhns.
In a survey, 90% of the community wanted armed staff.
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So, Mineral Wells ISD came up with a plan so secret, they won't even say how many people were interested in signing up.
Jeff Sellers runs "Schools on Target," which created a state-approved training program for arming teachers. Selllers did it after his own son was put at serious risk.
"Our son was on a high school field trip to Fort Hood. They were seconds away from going into the cafeteria when the shooting happened," he said.
Now, he trains educators to protect kids.
Rule number one: You have to have prior experience with guns and the right mindset.
"There are several who say, 'yeah, this isn't for me, I can't do that.' Elementary school principals are one of the main ones that say, 'yeah I probably couldn't do this.' Their hearts are different," said Sellers.
We spoke to one of the staff members trained to be armed and protect students in Mineral Wells.
"We're not just sticking guns in everybody's hands," he said. "I grew up with firearms in my life, I've hunted and fished and all of the above my entire life."
Only a select few know who any of the armed staff are. So, no one in this tiny community could seek him out in a shooting.
"They're out of sight. They can't be seen. They're not walking around waving a gun everywhere, but their training allows them to be ready," he said of himself and his armed peers.
His added duties gave confidence to the community.
"It does make us feel a little more secure because if someone does come in there's teachers or someone in there, who can step in, and hopefully stop this person," said Doris Rucker, the grandparent of a Mineral Wells ISD kindergartener.
The superintendent buys in, too.
"I'm very satisfied with it, I do think it makes us safer and stronger because it reduces the response time," said Kuhns.
He may sleep easier, but the superintendent says school districts were forced to make calls lawmakers refused to handle.
"I need folks to worry about governing rather than politicking. I need adults to be adults," said Kuhns. "I see a game being played that has turned into world wrestling federation, it's just turned into entertainment instead of having a bunch of adults get in a room and solve a problem. It's very frustrating for those of us on the front lines of society making decisions about how to educate kids."
Since Texas approved arming teachers and school staff in 2013, 316 school districts out of nearly 1,200 have armed school staff.
National Education Association President Becky Pringle cites arming teachers as a factor in the nationwide teacher shortage.
"When we add safety to the many things they are being asked to do for our students, it's an additional load and it absolutely impacts whether our teachers are willing to stay in the profession," said Pringle.
Sudden, quick responses as we saw from the officer at the mall in Allen or the church in White Settlement seem effective.
It's still a ton of pressure for the lone school employee.
"A lot of folks that go into education are really nice people. They're not necessarily the most aggressive people a lot of times," said Kuhns.
But still, they're trusted to pull it off.
"At the end of the day I sleep better knowing I do have the training, the confidence, and I'm willing to protect not just my children but all the children in the building," said the trained school staffer.
Research at universities across the country has studied the impact a lone armed guardian would have on stopping someone with a high-powered weapon and found it to be largely ineffective -- something that may make us feel better, but leads to little change. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/carter-in-the-classroom/arming-teachers-debated-as-safety-measure-across-texas-schools/3264455/ | 2023-05-24T22:44:18 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/carter-in-the-classroom/arming-teachers-debated-as-safety-measure-across-texas-schools/3264455/ |
In the days following the tragedy in Uvalde, the world stopped to reflect on the 21 lives lost. Then, the focus turned to those who survived and what it would take to make them feel safe.
“I think I began to think in that moment, 'what could you do?' It finally dawned on me towards the end of that first week that those children could never go back into Robb Elementary,” said former Texas State Senator Beverly Powell.
Powell was among a small circle who began talking in those early days, discussing how Texans could help this town of 15,000 move forward.
“A community the size of Uvalde is traumatized by an event like this in ways that make it pretty hard to do the planning and lay all the groundwork for a bond initiative. Sometimes that takes years. And when you think about it, you can’t imagine children waiting years to get back in a new facility,” she said.
Just one month after the tragedy, the Uvalde CISD Moving Forward Foundation was formed to raise money for and design a replacement for Robb Elementary on a plot across town.
It’s a process that’s been guided in part by a 50-member community advisory committee, along with families of the victims, according to executive director Tim Miller.
“Getting input from the community has been a big part of it because it’s not the foundation’s school, it’s the Uvaldians school. So that process that we’ve gone through so far has resulted in a school that incorporates the colors and the feel and the materials that are available in Uvalde and the surrounding area,” said Miller.
Fort Worth-based Huckabee Architects, who signed on to the project free of charge, drafted the schematics that were approved by Uvalde’s board of trustees last month.
CEO Chris Huckabee said there were several challenges, including the fact that this would be the district’s first new school since the 1980s.
“Uvalde didn’t have the benefit of the security of a school today,” said Huckabee.
While some of the new school’s safety measures will be visible, like card key accessed doors and fencing, Huckabee said most won’t be made public.
“We’re willing to take parents privately through and show them the level of thinking and the level of layering that’s put into this project, but we don’t want to talk about it publicly for obvious reasons. We feel like it needs to be private and kept with the community, but it is a substantially heightened level of security and awareness that’s put into this building,” he said.
Also unique to the project is its heavy reliance on trauma-informed design.
Larger than most, the new elementary will include breakout spaces for counseling and gathering places for the community.
It will also pay tribute to the lives lost through memorials like a tree complete with 21 branches.
The foundation said it’s 70% of the way to raising the money needed. It hopes fundraisers, like one held in Dallas last month, and a crowdsourcing campaign can help them reach their goal of $60 million.
At the end of the day, organizers hope the project will be a labor of love made possible by Texans from all over the state.
“Uvalde should not be remembered for the tragedy. What Uvalde should be remembered for is how they came together and healed through the process,” said Miller. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/foundation-with-north-texas-ties-plans-new-uvalde-elementary/3264526/ | 2023-05-24T22:44:24 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/foundation-with-north-texas-ties-plans-new-uvalde-elementary/3264526/ |
Uvalde’s El Progreso Memorial Library was founded in 1903. In addition to books, access to the internet, and learning resources, the library has a local history room and archive.
"We've had an archive at the library for many decades. Virginia Davis is our professionally trained archivist," said Mendell Morgan, the director of the local public library.
"We will always have this as a very deep scar on the soul of our community, but it's not the only thing about our community. And I would like people to know that Uvalde is much more than what happened, that we had a colorful history. We're the town who produced the governor of the State of Texas, Dolph Briscoe; was the home of John Nance Garner, who was the former vice president of the United States; home of Matthew McConaughey."
However, the library's role shifted towards one of a community and healing hub.
"We are grateful for every single card, letter, thought, prayer, every dollar sent, every book," Morgan said. "It took us 119 years to build a collection of 76,000 items, and then to have 9,000 more sent in just a few months has been also overwhelming for our cataloger."
The change began the day after the Robb Elementary shooting that left 19 children and two teachers dead.
"My first thought was that we needed to keep as normal an operation going as possible because we could no longer serve the people who sadly passed away as a result of the tragedy," Morgan said. "I felt we needed to be thoughtful of the people who were still living, and that certainly included the preschoolers who normally come to their story hour on Wednesday morning."
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The children and their parents experienced a first moment of joy.
"They were acting like children normally do. They were laughing and smiling and interacting," Morgan said.
People from across the nation felt compelled to offer their time to host free special programs and events for the children and community of Uvalde.
Meanwhile, the mementos continued to fill the library.
"I was very grateful because we had an outreach by Eric Lipner, who is the director of Humanities Texas in Austin, and he perceived that we were going to need help," Morgan said. "Eric realized that in the midst of this tragedy, we were being bombarded and inundated with things that it was significant and they need to be held and maintained for posterity. So, he said, I'm aware that there is funding under the National Endowment for the Humanities."
Through a grant, El Progreso Memorial Library was able to hire an archivist solely dedicated to the Los Angelitos de Robb Archive.
"We were so fortunate that one of the candidates was Tammi Sinclair," Morgan said. "She's a Uvalde girl. She was born and reared here, was a teacher in the schools, and had gone away to work for the Texas Education Agency in Austin."
Morgan knew she was the perfect fit for the job.
"Her heart was really in doing library work and archives. So, during the last few years, she had enrolled at the University of North Texas and has just finished her Master of Library Information Science with a focus in archival work," Morgan said.
Since January, Sinclair has helped catalog and preserve the wave of love that followed the massacre.
"These are not strangers to me," Sinclair said. "And I will say I didn't know everyone, but it is Uvalde and we're a tight-knit community."
Her role is to go through the thousands of items donated and fill out the deed of gift receipt.
"We've really focused on making sure that the most sensitive materials that we are properly storing them with archival quality boxes and tissue paper. We use acid-free tissue paper," Sinclair said. "If we think if these were just left outside or not properly stored, what are they going to look like? Some of these items would be nonexistent because of the elements, right? Acid in the rain could deteriorate if it was a textile and it's left out in the rain. And then you bring it in and there's mold. So, we have to really be careful with those things."
She thinks about the impact the archive will have for years and centuries to come.
"One beautiful thing is keeping their stories alive, and that we remember them and really just doing justice. And these collections are for the families, for survivors, for researchers, also for the people, the artist or the children," Sinclair said. "This is a piece of our history that people will never forget. We will never forget that this happened, and we want to keep that piece of history preserved."
While the salary for the archivist is only good for a year, El Progreso Memorial Library explores other options to keep Sinclair as a full-time employee.
"I imagine by the end of December she will have done the majority of that work and then the grant will end. So, I had proposed to the board that at the time that happened, I felt it would be time for me to step down as library director," Morgan said. "And I would like to have her appointed to run the library and oversee the special archives as well. And then I would like to stay on to help try to raise funds for some projects that we have to improve the library building."
Currently, the library has a display of 21 hand-painted wood cutouts that capture the unique personality of each victim. The display is in a glass case located in the lobby of the library across from its bookstore. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-news/library-in-uvalde-hires-archivist-to-preserve-mementos-honoring-the-21-victims/3264654/ | 2023-05-24T22:44:30 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-news/library-in-uvalde-hires-archivist-to-preserve-mementos-honoring-the-21-victims/3264654/ |
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News from around the state of Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-news/library-shines-hope-for-uvalde-community/3264646/ | 2023-05-24T22:44:37 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-news/library-shines-hope-for-uvalde-community/3264646/ |
A Republican-led investigation on Wednesday accused Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton of committing multiple crimes in office — including felonies — during an extraordinary public airing of scandal and alleged lawbreaking that plunged one of the GOP's conservative stars into new political and legal risk.
For more than three hours, investigators presented findings alleging Paxton sought to hide an affair, misused his office to help a donor, skirted protocols “grossly outside” norms and built a culture of fear and retaliation in his office. Investigators told the GOP-led House General Investigating Committee that there was evidence that Paxton repeatedly broke the law over the years, including by misusing official information, abusing his official capacity and retaliation.
The dramatic turn of events in the Texas Capitol unleashed a new test of Paxton's durability in a way he has not previously confronted despite a felony indictment in 2015 and an ongoing FBI investigation. The House committee's investigation has been quietly going on for months and did not come to light until Tuesday.
The committee ended Wednesday's hearing without acting on the findings. The panel is led by Republican state Rep. Andrew Murr, who afterward declined to discuss next steps or whether a recommendation to impeach or censure Paxton was possible.
The legislative session ends Monday and any action against Paxton would have to be taken by then, unless GOP Gov. Greg Abbott calls a special session. In Texas, unlike in the U.S. government, an official who’s impeached by the House is suspended from office pending the outcome of a Senate trial. The governor can appoint an interim to fill the vacant post.
Wednesday's hearing amounted to a remarkable rebuke from Republicans in a building where Paxton has long maintained defenders and allies, including Abbott, who lauded Paxton while swearing him in to a third term in January.
Paxton called the hours of testimony by investigators “false,” accused the committee of misleading the public and attacked Republican House Speaker Dade Phelan as a “liberal.” Paxton also has claimed repeatedly since Tuesday that Phelan has been drunk on the job, something Phelan’s office has brushed off as an attempt by Paxton to “save face.”
“It is not surprising that a committee appointed by liberal Speaker Dade Phelan would seek to disenfranchise Texas voters and sabotage my work as Attorney General,” Paxton said in a written statement.
The hearing came as Paxton is seeking legislative approval for more than $3 million in taxpayer dollars to a settle a whistleblower lawsuit with top aides who accused him of corruption. The whistleblowers' lawyers on Wednesday thanked the committee for recognizing that their clients “suffered real harm in retaliation” for accusing Paxton and called on lawmakers to fund the deal.
Accusations laid out by investigators surround actions by Paxton that previously have been uncovered by reporters or disclosed in court records. Despite the cloud that has hung over Paxton, he has remained popular with GOP voters in Texas and elevated his profile nationally through lawsuits against President Joe Biden's administration and through his defense of former President Donald Trump.
Paxton’s former staff members reported him to the FBI in 2020 on accusations of breaking the law to help a campaign contributor. The donor, Austin real estate developer Nate Paul, employed a woman with whom Paxton acknowledged having had an extramarital affair. In February, the Justice Department’s Washington-based Public Integrity Section took over the federal criminal investigation of Paxton.
Since April, the House committee has issued at least 12 subpoenas for testimony and information to people and entities as part of its probe, according to meeting minutes that note the parties were left anonymous to “prevent reprisal and retaliation.”
During Wednesday's hearing, state Rep. Ann Johnson, a Houston Democrat and vice chair of the committee, asked whether “it was fair to say” that the attorney general's office "was effectively hijacked for an investigation by Nate Paul through the attorney general.”
“That would be my opinion," replied attorney Erin Epley, one of the investigators.
Lawyers for Paul did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Each of Paxton’s accusers later quit or was fired. In the years since, his agency has come unmoored by disarray behind the scenes, with seasoned lawyers quitting over practices they say aim to slant legal work, reward loyalists and drum out dissent. But until now, GOP lawmakers had shown little appetite for looking into Paxton.
Among the new revelations Wednesday were details of Paxton's high-end home renovation, which previously came under FBI scrutiny, and that his affair continued longer than previously known.
It ended “briefly” in 2019 when Paxton’s wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton, found out, “but then it resumed and was underway again by 2020,” said Epley, a former state and federal prosecutor.
That year, Paxton renovated his million-dollar Austin home. Epley said an attorney general's employee overheard Paxton telling a contractor that his wife wanted granite countertops. According to Epley, the contractor replied that the counters would cost $20,000 and said, “I'll have to check with Nate.” | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-news/texas-attorney-general-ken-paxton-likely-broke-laws-republican-investigation-finds/3264564/ | 2023-05-24T22:44:43 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-news/texas-attorney-general-ken-paxton-likely-broke-laws-republican-investigation-finds/3264564/ |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/thieves-target-nursing-home-residents-the-connection/3264383/ | 2023-05-24T22:44:50 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/thieves-target-nursing-home-residents-the-connection/3264383/ |
A Dallas man is exonerated after spending decades in prison and fighting to clear his name.
Family and friends packed a Dallas County courtroom Wednesday to hear a judge declare Tyrone Day innocent, wrongfully convicted of a crime he did not commit 33 years ago.
“There’s a weight lifted off my shoulders,” said Day. “This is justice.”
In 1990, Day was convicted of sexually assaulting a woman near Fair Park.
Unable to afford an attorney, Day pleaded guilty to the crime despite maintaining his innocence. He feared a trial might lead to a longer sentence in prison.
“A lot of people say they would never do that, but I come from a single-family home,” Day said. “I was given a choice. Either take this 40 years and whatever evidence we have against you or you can go to trial and take 99 to life.”
He spent 25 years locked up.
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His daughters were ages 2 and 3 when he was sent away. Daughter Dametra Harper’s earliest memories are writing letters to her father in prison.
“It really weighed heavy on me as I grew up and became older and understood what was going on,” said Harper. “It weighed very heavy on me.”
At the urging of Day and his attorney with The Innocence Project, the Conviction Integrity Unit of the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office began looking into the case.
DNA testing cleared him.
“This is a prime example of a person who didn’t give up on himself,” said Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot.
According to a release by the district attorney’s office, DNA testing, unavailable at the time of the crime, excluded Day. It also identified two other men as possible suspects, further corroborating Day’s claims of innocence.
However, based on the statute of limitations and other information developed during the re-investigation, the district attorney’s office said it remains doubtful those men could or would be prosecuted today.
The re-investigation also found evidence in the case amounted to a single eye witness.
The Conviction Integrity Unit found the woman’s identification of Day was based solely on a similar hat he wore and that she was not shown a photo lineup, nor could she identify Day in any other way, according to the release.
“It’s a sad state of affairs,” Creuzot said. “This case should have never been presented to the grand jury. It was not properly investigated by the police. This case was not properly investigated by the [district attorney’s] office.
Day was released on parole in 2015 but had to register as a sex offender. He’s been working with Restorative Farms to bring fresh produce to food deserts in Southern Dallas.
“It’s been a struggle, but I made the best of whatever I had to make of my life being out,” Day said. “It’s been a success so far.”
"He never gave up on making this day happen," said Vanessa Potkin with The Innocence Project. "He's one of the relatively few people who have DNA in his case. Most people who are convicted, most crimes don't have any type of DNA to advance getting to the truth."
Day's cases mark the 44th overall exoneration for Dallas County since 2001.
"There are innocent people convicted all over the country, but one thing I can say is that Dallas County today, under DA Creuzot and the Conviction Integrity Chief Cynthia Garza, is the most likely place in the country to have a wrongful conviction today set aside," said defense attorney Gary Udashen with The Innocence Project of Texas."
"Because in Dallas County we're working and the DA's office is working hard at doing the right thing and people like Tyrone Day are the beneficiaries of that," Udashen said. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/this-is-justice-dna-evidence-determination-exonerates-dallas-man/3264619/ | 2023-05-24T22:44:56 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/this-is-justice-dna-evidence-determination-exonerates-dallas-man/3264619/ |
Teaching kids to fish focus of Great Falls Family Fishing Day
Families are invited to kick off their summer of outdoor fun on Saturday, June 3, at Great Falls Family Fishing Day at Wadsworth Pond Park in Great Falls.
The annual event is typically the largest fishing clinic of its kind in Montana, attracting as many as 1,000 kids and 800 adults each year. No fishing license is required for the day, and the age of participants is not limited. However, the day’s activities are geared toward youngsters just learning how to fish.
Since 1995 thousands of youngsters and adults have taken part in Great Falls' annual fishing day for kids. A few of them catch fish, while everyone learns something about fishing.
Family Fishing Day features a series of short educational stations on fish identification, knot tying, casting, and fly tying, followed by open fishing for all who attend. Youth who take part and complete all education stations are eligible to receive a free rod/reel fishing outfit donated by the Great Falls Chapter of Walleyes Unlimited.
After the event ends, youth and adults are welcome to stay at the pond and continue to fish until sunset on Saturday and may return the following day to continue fishing without a license until sunset, June 4.
Family Fishing Day is a cooperative effort to teach basic fishing skills and encourage participation in the outdoors by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks along with volunteers and support from Montana Walleyes Unlimited, Montana Trout Unlimited, Sun River Watershed Group, City of Great Falls Parks and Recreation Department, and Red Horse Squadron at Malmstrom AFB.
The fun begins at 9 a.m. and Wadsworth Pond Park. To reach the pond head west on Central Avenue over Interstate 15, turn north on 34th Street Northwest, then turn west on Wilkinson Lane and follow signs to the park.
For more information on the event, contact the Great Falls FWP Region 4 Office at 406-454-5840. | https://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/local/2023/05/24/summer-fun-kicks-off-june-3-with-great-falls-family-fishing-day/70252596007/ | 2023-05-24T22:46:47 | 0 | https://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/news/local/2023/05/24/summer-fun-kicks-off-june-3-with-great-falls-family-fishing-day/70252596007/ |
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) – An annual motorcycle ride that stretches from California to Washington D.C. made a stop in Greeneville Wednesday.
The Run for Wall aims to honor veterans and those who are considered MIA or POWs. 2023 marks the 33rd year of the ride, and a local travel center has participated each year since its inception.
“We usually return to the same spot over and over, and we get the camaraderie with them, and they support us,” said Run for the Wall assistant ambassador Bobby Manuel.
More than 300 riders stopped at the Davey Crockett TA Travel Center. Fuel is donated to participants on their way to visit war memorials in D.C.
“The experience for me is the camaraderie,” Manuel said. “This is almost like a family group, but we take anybody, any bike and we honor veterans across the country.”
During their stop, the riders retired and replaced the travel center’s American Flag during a special ceremony.
Along the journey, riders stop at VA cemeteries and hospitals as well as schools. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/annual-run-for-the-wall-motorcycle-ride-honoring-veterans-stops-in-greeneville/ | 2023-05-24T22:51:17 | 0 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/annual-run-for-the-wall-motorcycle-ride-honoring-veterans-stops-in-greeneville/ |
BRISTOL, Va. (WJHL) – It will soon cost more for solid waste pickup in Bristol, Virginia.
The Bristol Virginia City Council approved its 2023-2024 budget at its meeting Tuesday night.
The budget will nearly double the city’s solid waste fee from $33 to $60. This increase, and all other items in the budget, will take effect beginning on July 1.
Bristol City Councilman Anthony Farnum said that the increase is to help pay to fill the city landfill.
“That work is ongoing now, and I’m happy that it’s being done,” Farnum said. “We have to pay to fix it and close it properly”
Farnum said that estimates show it’s going to take roughly $50 million in order to properly fill the landfill. He said that it’s a tough situation, but there is still plenty for residents to be positive about. Farnum said that the economic success of the casino and the Amazon facility are reasons for residents to be optimistic about the future.
“My hope is that this is temporary and we get through these landfill expenses over the next year or two,” Farnum said. “Then we’ll be in a position where we’ll have new revenues coming in.”
However, some concerns still remain about the fee increase. Bristol resident Judy Farmer said that the higher cost could turn potential residents away.
“It could deter people from wanting to move here,” Farmer said. “It could be a factor, you never know.”
Farnum said that city leaders could lower the trash service fee sometime in the future.
“My hope is that the city council as a whole can reassess as we go, and hopefully be able to lower these taxes and fees again,” Farmer said. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/solid-waste-fee-to-nearly-double-in-bristol-va/ | 2023-05-24T22:51:23 | 1 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/solid-waste-fee-to-nearly-double-in-bristol-va/ |
BEL AIR, Md. — Annie's Playground was built to honor 6-year-old Annie Cumpston after she was killed by a hit-and-run driver back in 2003.
On Wednesday the newly remodeled playground in Fallston reopened.
Annie's Playground at Edgeley Grove Park underwent a $1.5 million renovation.
That includes a tree-house with an elephant-shaped slide, a rock wall, a variety of swings, gliders, and catwalks.
The playground was originally built in 2005.
Annie's dad was at the reopening.
"Annie's up there. She's smiling down. She's got her wings over us. She's looking over us all. And that's what it's all about. She's here. She's here. I don't even think twice," said Tom Cumpston.
The renovation to the 2 to 5-year-olds section was completed last spring. | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/annies-playground-in-fallston-reopens-after-undergoing-1-5-million-renovations | 2023-05-24T22:52:11 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/annies-playground-in-fallston-reopens-after-undergoing-1-5-million-renovations |
BALTIMORE — Coppin State University is helping students facing food insecurity.
On Wednesday they held a ribbon cutting for 'Coppin Corner.'
It's an on-campus food and toiletry pantry.
There, students can get non-perishables, frozen foods, personal hygiene products, and cleaning supplies.
"It is important, as Dr. Moore noted, and that as we've been talking about, making sure that food insecurity is not a factor that impacts students retention, success, and wellness at Coppin State University," said Dr. Anthony Jenkins, President of Coppin State University.
The university is opening Coppin Corner now so students in need can stock up for summer break.
The pantry will be open year-round. | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/coppin-state-holds-ribbon-cutting-for-new-on-campus-pantry | 2023-05-24T22:52:17 | 0 | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/coppin-state-holds-ribbon-cutting-for-new-on-campus-pantry |
SEVERN, Md. — He's patrolling part of Severn with a rifle in his arms.
While what he's doing is legal, several groups want him to stop.
On Wednesday the Caucus of African American Leaders held a news conference to denounce J'Den McAdory.
They say his patrol is a recipe for violence and his protest patrol isn't something his neighborhood wants.
"Mr. McAdory, his actions were not encouraged by the community. Nor was it community oriented, but selfish on his part because all he could think about was how legal it is for him to carry. Never asking any community association if they desire his help in such a way. Mr. McAdory was not being responsible with his rights," said Bishop Antonio Palmer, President of the United Black Clergy.
McAdory says he's patrolling Severn in protest of recently signed gun laws and because he feels crime is rising in his neighborhood.
He knows people don't like what he's doing.
"Nobody is always going to always agree. This is America. You know what I mean? I respect their opinion to disagree, but they have to respect my opinion to do what I want do to, let me express a little bit of freedom in this country," McAdory said.
McAdory is protesting a law Governor Wes Moore recently signed that restricts where guns can be legally carried.
That law however, does not take into effect until October 1.
The NRA has also sued to block the law, calling it unconstitutional.
RELATED: Governor Moore signs bills restricting guns into law, NRA responds with lawsuit | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/i-respect-their-opinion-to-disagree-local-group-denounces-efforts-of-man-protesting-gun-control-legislation | 2023-05-24T22:52:23 | 1 | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/i-respect-their-opinion-to-disagree-local-group-denounces-efforts-of-man-protesting-gun-control-legislation |
PORTLAND, Ore. — The parents of a Portland man who died following a fire that destroyed an apartment in 2021 have filed a lawsuit against Legacy Health.
The lawsuit alleges that an employee took photos of their son's burned body and shared them with others not involved in their son's medical treatment for "entertainment and amusement."
On July 4, 2021, firefighters responded to a massive fire at the Heidi Manor Apartments near Northeast 22nd Avenue and Weidler Street. Investigators later determined that fireworks caused the fire.
Some residents jumped from the upper levels of the apartment building to escape the flames. Several people were injured and two men died including Seth Thompson, who was 31 years old at the time. A woman, Thompson's girlfriend, died at a hospital months after the fire, The Columbian reported.
Thompson's parents filed the lawsuit on May 19 and are seeking $75,000 in damages. The lawsuit says Thompson and his girlfriend jumped about 30 feet to the ground. He was injured by burns and the fall and was taken to Legacy Medical Center where he died.
The lawsuit claims that a Legacy Health employee electronically shared photos of Thompson's body and violated the family's constitutional rights to control the images of his remains.
KGW asked Legacy Health for comment, and a spokesperson provided the following statement:
"As of December 23, 2021, the individual in question is no longer employed by Legacy Health. At Legacy Health, the safety and protection of our patients is our top priority," Legacy Health said in a statement. "Legacy Health has a policy in place that adheres to all HIPAA Privacy laws and regulations to protect individuals' medical records and other individually identifiable health information."
Legacy Health declined to commend further due to pending litigation. | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/apartment-fire-victim-family-lawsuit-legacy-health/283-b57c84a5-de6e-40c8-b777-1864b535a8a2 | 2023-05-24T22:56:12 | 1 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/apartment-fire-victim-family-lawsuit-legacy-health/283-b57c84a5-de6e-40c8-b777-1864b535a8a2 |
MCMINNVILLE, Ore. — 3rd Street Pizza Company, a pizzeria and movie theater in McMinnville, was damaged in a fire early Wednesday morning. Firefighters stopped the blaze from spreading to neighboring businesses, though the two businesses on either side of the pizzeria suffered smoke damage.
McMinnville Fire Department Fire Marshal Ty Darby said he expects the two next-door businesses, NW Food & Gifts and Cabana Club, to be closed for at least a couple weeks because of the smoke damage.
The fire started Wednesday shortly after 5:20 a.m. at 3rd Street Pizza Company, located at 433 Northeast 3rd Street in McMinnville. The building sustained "a lot of fire damage," the fire department said, noting that the flames spread through the building and vented out through the roof.
Because of the close proximity to other businesses along Northeast 3rd Street, McMinnville Fire requested help from neighboring agencies. Fire crews were able to knock down the fire in about 30 minutes.
Darby credited Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue and fire crews from Dayton, Carlton, Amity and Sheridan with help in putting out the fire.
"We had a great response from all our neighboring agencies and we got a quick stop on the fire," Darby said. "The fire is out and there were no civilian or firefighter injuries."
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
3rd Street Pizza Company opened on Northeast 3rd Street in McMinnville more than 20 years ago. It's a hybrid restaurant and movie theater, with the Moonlight Theater located in the same building.
Photos: Fire at pizzeria in McMinnville
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See a typo in this article? Email web@kgw.com for corrections | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/fire-mcminnville-3rd-street-pizza-company/283-cb3f465e-64ee-4ad6-949e-50fb4b64de8c | 2023-05-24T22:56:19 | 0 | https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/fire-mcminnville-3rd-street-pizza-company/283-cb3f465e-64ee-4ad6-949e-50fb4b64de8c |
BRISTOL, Tenn. (WJHL) – The cave system that makes up Bristol Caverns has been around for eons, but co-owner Gary Barnett says it’s just as alive today as it was thousands of years ago.
“You can see most anything inside the cave here, it is still an active cave,” Barnett said. “The formations are still growing and active, you can see the water dripping”
That inflow of water is what formed the cave in the first place. Rain and runoff dissolved material inside the caverns for millions of years before it came into contact with humans in the area. It also served as a touchpoint for residents in the area, Barnett said, and was used by local residents as a water source before being converted into an attraction in the early 1900s.
Today, Bristol is still a destination for curious spelunkers. Tours are available year-round, and the caverns stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
“You actually go down 180 feet inside the cave, and it’s on three different levels,” Barnett said. “The tour does tour through each level of the cave there. Right now we’re showing about a third of it.”
During a walk-through of the cavern, Barnett shared that a resource like this is rare.
“There are so many caves throughout he country that are wild caves,” Barnett said. “There’s over 60,000 known caves in the country today, and you have very few that are actually a business like this where you can actually tour through it and see it.”
From school kids to professional geologists, there’s something magical for everyone once you get that far below ground. Just watch out for Headache Rock, or you’ll learn how it got its name.
“It’s an absolute honor and joy being able to show off a natural wonder like this,” Reid Barnett, Gary’s nephew and one of the business’s co-owners said. “A lot of people come out and are just absolutely awestruck, especially ones that have never been in a cavern before or have been in some smaller caves and caverns. They come out and they’re just like ‘Wow, it’s so big on the inside.'”
Now the cavern is up for sale, and Gary hopes a new owner will continue his 42 years of tradition. From cave weddings to off-trail scrambles through the dark, the business’s underground chambers hold many stories.
“We want to sell to someone that we know that’s going to preserve and protect it over the years and take care of it, and just show it in that type of a manner,” Gary Barnett said. “Not to allow it to be damaged in any way.”
Bristol Caverns is one of the oldest attractions in not only Bristol, Tennessee – but also northeast Tennessee. | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/celebrating-70-years/bristol-caverns-offers-eons-of-entertainment-for-adventurers/ | 2023-05-24T22:58:29 | 0 | https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/celebrating-70-years/bristol-caverns-offers-eons-of-entertainment-for-adventurers/ |
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Contact Us | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/superintendent-of-philadelphia-schools-prepares-plan-to-keep-students-safe/3572990/ | 2023-05-24T23:09:04 | 0 | https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/superintendent-of-philadelphia-schools-prepares-plan-to-keep-students-safe/3572990/ |
STATEWIDE -- After a longer wait than usual, Maine's ATV trails will soon be back open.
Many of Maine's ATV trails will be opening on Friday -- just in time for Memorial Day weekend.
Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands representatives say roughly 90 percent of the state's trails will be available. Some Rockwood, Jackman, and Anson trails will remain closed for cleanup.
Before you rev up your favorite ATV, some say it's important to remember that safety is always a priority on the trails.
"Have a plan, let them know ahead of time where you're going and how long you might be gone. Just like when you go hiking or anything else," said Daryl Friedman, Eastern vice president of ATV Maine.
While ATV lovers may be excited to hit the trails, officials say that riders aren't out of the woods just yet -- and they should be on the lookout for any remaining debris caused by flooding.
"We have gotten them open so that you can get through them, but people should be paying attention -- because you might be driving along on what appears to be good road and come around a corner and find a section that is passable but not anywhere near as smooth," said Brian Bronson, ATV program supervisor for the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands.
Officials say so far this year, there have already been more than 100 reported washouts on ATV trails, with some repairs running as high as $10,000 dollars.
ATV club members explained what to do if you come across serious debris.
"Call the local trail master. Let them know what's down, what trail it's on, and about where it's at," said Friedman.
Others stressed safety tips for those who head out this weekend.
"We certainly want people to ride safe. And with that, have your lights on -- keep your lights on for riding," said Vinal Applebee, president of Rocky Mountain Trail Riders ATV club. "Watch your speed, and be considerate of landowners. All of our trails -- a majority of them -- are on private land." | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/maine-atv-trails-to-reopen-in-time-for-memorial-day-weekend/article_8c85a84a-fa7a-11ed-a36c-9f91779c4354.html | 2023-05-24T23:11:52 | 1 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/maine-atv-trails-to-reopen-in-time-for-memorial-day-weekend/article_8c85a84a-fa7a-11ed-a36c-9f91779c4354.html |
BANGOR -- When nurses at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center's Intensive Care Unit are not caring for their patients, they still find time to give back to the community in other ways.
Once a month, a group of nurses from the ICU volunteer their time and skills at the Bangor Salvation Army's Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen.
SUPER: JACQUELINE PUSHARD // INTERNM NURSE MANAGER, NORTHERN LIGHT EASTERN MAINE MEDICAL CENTER
"It's very humbling to be here. It gives us some sort of promise to the community so we can help them in their times of need," said Jacqueline Pushard, interim nurse at Northern Light Eastern Eastern Maine Medical
These hardworking nurses help make meals for those who are homeless or experiencing food insecurity.
"We prepare the food and we deliver it to numerous people who come that have this food insecurity many of which range from older-aged to very young, which has touched our hearts tremendously," said Pushard.
Bangor Salvation Army community liaison Kristie Clark says she is very grateful for the effort put in by the nurses and others who take time to give back.
"Even an hour of volunteer time is important here. We depend highly on the village around us including the ICU nurses that come and help us prepare these meals, and serve the community. Without these amazing groups you see behind me making the meal and helping us do it, it would very hard, near impossible to put out the numbers we do," said Clark.
Clark says anyone interested in volunteering should call the Bangor Salvation Army at 941-2990 or visit their website. | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/nurses-volunteering-time-at-local-soup-kitchen/article_036ad614-fa7c-11ed-a0b2-ff9e1111b354.html | 2023-05-24T23:11:58 | 1 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/nurses-volunteering-time-at-local-soup-kitchen/article_036ad614-fa7c-11ed-a0b2-ff9e1111b354.html |
AUSTIN, Texas — The drug overdose crisis is getting worse in Austin and Travis County.
On the one-year mark since Travis County leaders declared the overdose crisis a public health emergency, community advocates said more needs to be done to prevent accidental drug deaths.
On Wednesday, the Texas Harm Reduction Alliance and other non-profits called on Travis County and the City of Austin to create a community advisory process.
Their belief is that input from the community will help ensure that the millions of dollars the city and county have received from opioid abatement funds will help fight the surge of overdose deaths.
Without it, advocates said the money will continue funding broken systems.
Travis County Judge, Andy Brown, said the county and city each received more than $1 million so far. More is expected.
According to the Travis County Medical Examiner's 2022 Annual Report, accidental drug deaths from illicit drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine and Fentanyl have increased since 2019.
Deaths from meth and Fentanyl saw big increases from 2021 to 2022.
For Fentanyl overdose deaths:
2019 - 22
2020 - 35
2021 - 118
2022 - 245
For meth overdose deaths:
2019 - 68
2020 - 94
2021 - 129
2022 - 248
For cocaine overdose deaths:
2019 - 51
2020 - 61
2021 - 112
2022 - 137
The only number that's decreased from 2021 to 2022 is accidental drug deaths from heroin:
2019 - 51
2020 - 56
2021 - 44
2022 - 33
Cate Graziani is the Executive Director of the Texas Harm Reduction Alliance.
"We are devastated by the loss of our community members, loved ones, neighbors, friends. But it's not because what we're doing isn't working, it's because we need to do more. We've taken some steps in the right direction but we need to go further," Graziani said.
"The Fentanyl deaths have skyrocketed again and they would have been worse if it weren't for the Texas Harm Reduction Alliance and others who are distributing Narcan," Judge Brown said.
Travis County has already allocated approximately $350,000 toward programs that help reduce overdose deaths. Judge Brown said he asked Travis County Commissioners to invest another $750,000 in the next budget cycle.
Judge Brown also announced that the county is working with the Texas Harm Reduction Alliance to create a community organization made up of people with lived experiences, elected officials, public health workers and others to help determine how to spend the opioid dollars coming from settlements.
Both said Texas lawmakers had a chance to pass meaningful overdose prevention efforts, like legalizing Fentanyl testing strips, this session but failed.
Travis County Commissioner, Ann Howard, said the opioid crisis has affected every school district and community in Travis County.
"Every single one of them is experiencing death from the opioid addiction," said Commissioner Howard.
Austin City Council Member, Vanessa Fuentes, said in the coming weeks, the city plans to unveil a dashboard to keep track of fatal and non-fatal drug overdoses. Council Member Fuentes also said the dashboard will offer resources, like where to find Narcan, for people seeking help.
"This is about standing shoulder to shoulder with our organizers, with our advocates... we're all committed to reducing harm in our community, ensuring that we are destigmatizing drug use and providing services to our community," Council Member Fuentes said.
Austin City Council Member, Zo Qadri, said no one should ever have to die on our streets, referring to the unhoused population affected by the opioid overdose crisis.
"Many of these neighbors of ours are dealing with substance abuse issues and there are dealers that are preying upon them with Fentanyl laced products," Council Member Qadri said. | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/overdose-prevention-advocates-call-for-community-oversight-opioid-fund-distribution/269-6ed0283e-db35-43ee-a417-9eb20f5109bb | 2023-05-24T23:12:00 | 0 | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/overdose-prevention-advocates-call-for-community-oversight-opioid-fund-distribution/269-6ed0283e-db35-43ee-a417-9eb20f5109bb |
LAMOINE - Glamorous camping, also known as glamping, is a steadily growing industry. Now, residents of a local town are considering whether to allow the construction of a glamping resort.
The project is called Clear Sky Acadia a glampground with 90 domed guest units and its been presented to the Lemoine planning board a few times over the past six months.
Now the board has acknowledged the completion of the glampground's application.
"We've met. We did a site walk recently with the planning board. And we're scheduled for a public hearing on June fifth."
Clear sky resorts, an Arizona-based glamping company, is responsible for the project and its completion.
Locally, Clear Sky Acadia is being represented by Herrick and Salsbury, the land surveying and consulting company.
Stephen Salsbury of Herrick and Salsbury says he expects the public hearing to be fairly run of the mill and he's not particularly worried about opposition.
"We will put on a five minuet presentation., " says Salsbury, "We typically keep them pretty short because really our energy is focused towards the planning board. They're the ones we have to convince that we've met all the criteria and we will perform as the ordinance directs us to perform".
There are however those in the town who plan on attending the hearing to voice their opposition.
Frank E. Donnelly has been a resident of Lamoine for 40 years and he thinks a decision that could bring hundreds of people to the town should go to a vote rather than just being the decision of the town's planning board.
Donnelly says, "Most of the people who have business here are small scale. Nothing as big as this. I just think its too big of a development for the town".
The public hearing will be held on Monday June 5th at 7 pm in the gymnasium of the Lamoine Consolidated School. | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/town-to-hold-glamping-public-hearing/article_9456edaa-fa7e-11ed-ac0d-af0d88084c5e.html | 2023-05-24T23:12:05 | 1 | https://www.foxbangor.com/news/local/town-to-hold-glamping-public-hearing/article_9456edaa-fa7e-11ed-ac0d-af0d88084c5e.html |
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against the Hilton hotel chain for what he claims are misleading claims about the true costs of hotel rooms in violation of Texas consumer protection laws.
The lawsuit follows a similar lawsuit Paxton filed earlier this month against Hyatt Hotels and a settlement with Marriott International.
In a release, Paxton said Hilton had a “troubling” pattern of forcing mandatory fees onto its customers. He said consumers are often not fully made aware of these fees or, in some instances, they are shown the fees in ways that would be difficult to notice.
“Many major hotel chains, including Hilton, have been deceiving their customers for far too long,” said Paxton. “I warned these companies they would face consequences for this behavior, and Texas has delivered aggressive action to protect consumers, promote price transparency in the hotel and travel industries, and ensure that companies violating our laws are held responsible for misleading the public.”
The lawsuit claims Hilton misleadingly charges consumers higher rates than initially advertised. Paxton’s lawsuit claims the services purportedly funded by the fees “are often complimentary or included in the room rate at other non-resort locations.”
“Hilton has further compounded the illegal deception by changing the room rates during checkout and charging nominal mandatory fees twice – first as a ‘fee’ and then as a ‘tax,’ amounting in the aggregate to millions of dollars in fraudulent charges,” the Office of the Texas Attorney General said.
The full lawsuit can be read on the Texas attorney general’s website. | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/texas/texas-attorney-general-ken-paxton-hilton-hotels-lawsuit/269-1cdd0de6-1e86-40f7-a50b-f939e4615e6a | 2023-05-24T23:12:06 | 0 | https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/texas/texas-attorney-general-ken-paxton-hilton-hotels-lawsuit/269-1cdd0de6-1e86-40f7-a50b-f939e4615e6a |
New half-mile Southwest Greenway in Detroit opens
Detroit -- The new half-mile Southwest Greenway bike/pedestrian path opened Wednesday, which links two of the city's widely heralded developments: the downtown RiverWalk and Ford Motor Co. Michigan Central campus in Corktown.
The path runs from Bagley Street to Jefferson Avenue along the historic site of May Creek and a former railway corridor, connecting Corktown, Mexicantown and communities throughout southwest Detroit directly to the riverfront.
From the riverfront, the Southwest Greenway will link to the future Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Centennial Park, on West Jefferson near Rosa Parks Boulevard, that is expected to open in 2024. In the southwest, the path ends near the former Michigan Central train station and Roosevelt Park.
Michigan Central is now the anchor of a 30-acre, nearly $1 billion campus Ford is developing in Corktown. It includes the renovation of multiple buildings, office space for thousands of workers from Ford and elsewhere, and 14 acres of public outdoor areas. Many of the spaces are still being worked on. Roosevelt Park, in front of the former train station, is going through a $6 million renovation and is slated to reopen this summer. The former train depot, which had been empty and blighted for decades, was originally targeted to open this year but Ford officials have not verified that date recently.
The Southwest Greenway will play a big role in transforming the relationship many communities in southwest Detroit have with the riverfront, said Mayor Mike Duggan at Wednesday's grand opening.
"For more than the 100 years, the people of southwest Detroit experienced the riverfront negatively," Duggan said. "Talk to somebody about the riverfront, what do they think about? It is noise. It is odor. It is traffic."
The renovated Riverside Park, the Southwest Greenway and the future Roosevelt Park will change that relationship, he said.
"It is almost indescribable the way the future is going to be shaped," Duggan said. The mayor also credited Ford CEO Jim Farley for telling him the train station is the "gateway to southwest Detroit" and public spaces should be inclusive to the area.
Frank Venegas Sr., chairman of the Ideal Group in southwest Detroit, said he remembers the site of the new greenway as a child.
"This was one of the places they found bodies," he said Wednesday. "It's all changed. When I moved into southwest Detroit 25 years ago, it was horrible. Now it's the safest police district in Detroit," Venegas said.
The debut of the greenway also marked a new stage in the collaborative effort to help raise the $350 million to complete the Detroit riverfront, fund construction of the 27.5-mile Joe Louis Greenway and help maintain both projects. That effort is called the Unified Greenway Campaign.
On Wednesday, it was announced $229 million has been raised toward the $350 million goal. That includes more than $70 million in new funding, with lead gifts from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation of $35 million; William Davidson Foundation with $20 Million;, Gilbert Family Foundation at $15 Million; and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation ($5 Million).
laguilar@detroitnews.com | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2023/05/24/new-half-mile-southwest-greenway-in-detroit-opens/70235648007/ | 2023-05-24T23:13:17 | 0 | https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2023/05/24/new-half-mile-southwest-greenway-in-detroit-opens/70235648007/ |
SunCoke Energy and Cleveland-Cliffs reached a 12-year extension of their deal to supply coke to Indiana Harbor Works in East Chicago.
Under the deal, SunCoke will provide 1.22 million tons of metallurgical coke, a purified form of coal, to the steel mill in Indiana Harbor.
"This contract renewal affirms the long-term partnership of SunCoke and Cleveland-Cliffs," said Mike Rippey, CEO of SunCoke. "We are pleased to continue supplying coke from our Indiana Harbor facility to the largest blast furnace in North America."
Cleveland-Cliffs burns the coke in its blast furnace to make iron, which is turned into steel for cars, appliances, buildings and a wide array of other end uses.
"Extending this contract positions Indiana Harbor well for the future," said SunCoke President Katherine Gates.
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Lisle-based SunCoke supplies coke for steelmaking and iron production in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Virginia and Brazil. Its coke-making operation in East Chicago is its largest facility in the country. It has been using heat recovering technology since 1998.
The deal drew criticism from environmental groups, who are encouraging Cleveland-Cliffs to lessen its carbon footprint by investing in new technologies like hydrogen to supplant the use of fossil fuels that cause climate change.
“Indiana steel mills should seize the opportunity to be international leaders in clean steel production and green hydrogen instead of risking further job losses with outdated technologies,” said Chris Chyung, executive director of Indiana Conservation Voters. “The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act offer titanic federal incentives to modernize steelmaking, create thousands of high wage union jobs, and clean up pollution in disadvantaged communities in Lake and Porter counties.”
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Pierogi stand, Brown Skin Coffee and Alpha Family Resale opening; Ixxa and Dan's Pierogies updating
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219 News Now 5/19/23
NWI Business Ins and Outs: Unbeatable Eatables, DRIPBaR Crown Point, Taco Depot and Flashback Antiques open; Da Burger House closes | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/business/cleveland-cliffs-and-suncoke-extend-indiana-harbor-deal-for-12-years/article_48ad211a-fa49-11ed-ba2a-1bf00a26d4e8.html | 2023-05-24T23:13:59 | 1 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/business/cleveland-cliffs-and-suncoke-extend-indiana-harbor-deal-for-12-years/article_48ad211a-fa49-11ed-ba2a-1bf00a26d4e8.html |
VALPARAISO — Two brothers nabbed with just more than 120 pounds of cocaine were found not guilty early Wednesday evening on felony counts of dealing the illegal drug.
The verdict, which came back around 4:30 p.m. after two hours of deliberations, came one day after a defense attorney told the Porter County jury his clients did not know the illegal drug was inside the semi truck they were driving.
Attorney Jason Jackson said Baljinder Singh and Gurwinder Singh, both of California, don't dispute that the large amount of cocaine was found in the rear of the truck and both were cooperative during the Dec. 7, 2020 seizure and arrests.
But prosecutors have no evidence showing the brothers were aware of the drug, he said.
The defense was presented in the trial before Porter Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Clymer, who was livestreaming the proceedings online.
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"Cameras were prohibited in Indiana courts until 2020, when the Supreme Court allowed 'virtual' appearances, Zoom hearings and livestreaming of court proceedings because of travel restrictions," Clymer had said when announcing his bid for re-election earlier this month.
"I am proud to allow the public to see what happens in my court by simply watching online. Livestreaming should give the public confidence in what is happening in my court because anyone can watch as it happens."
Each of the defendants were provided with a Punjabi language interpreter during the trial, the court said.
"To those who would commit these crimes and travel through Lake County, let me be clear: We are looking for you," the sheriff said. "We will find you and bring you to justice."
Porter County Deputy Prosecutor Christopher Hammer told jurors during opening arguments Tuesday afternoon that, "this is not a small amount by any means."
An Indiana State police trooper said he was called out to the eastbound I-94 truck scales in Porter County at about 1:30 p.m. on the day in question for an unknown substance in a duffel bag and suitcase found by an inspector in the rear of a semi containing a partial load of garlic.
The truck had been randomly chosen at the scales when problems were discovered, Hammer said.
The bags contained 47 white-colored and three brown-colored bricks that tested positive as cocaine, police said. The stash was weighed at 54,500 grams, or just more than 120 pounds.
The system has also proved useful in other offenses such as auto theft and leaving the scene of a crash, and in warrant arrests.
The pair reportedly told police they dropped off part of their load near Chicago, during which time they never left their vehicle. They then slept in the truck the night before and were heading to a warehouse outside of Detroit where they expected to have their truck unloaded, police said.
During an initial court appearance just days after their 2020 arrests, the brothers were told they have an immigration hold on them
Clymer explained when setting bond at $100,000 surety and $10,000 cash that even if the amount were posted, the accused would not be released from custody because of the hold by the federal government.
Chesterton-based attorney Eric Blankenship, who represented Gurwinder, said he wanted to have a bond in place in case the immigration hold is lifted.
Gallery: Recent arrests booked into the Porter County Jail
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An Indianapolis man died of a fentanyl poisoning last year. The man who gave it to him was recently implicated in his death
Jason Platipodis (right) poses with his triplet siblings Jessica and Jeff. They are the first set of triplets successfully born in Valparaiso.
INDIANAPOLIS — Marion County 911 dispatchers answered a call around 7:15 a.m. Jan. 3, 2022. The voice of a 6-year-old girl traveled through the receiver. She told dispatchers she couldn't wake her father and needed help.
Indianapolis police and medical personnel swiftly arrived at the scene to do a welfare check on the girl's father at his apartment in the 7000 block of River Walk Drive. The medics found Jason Platipodis, 40, deceased.
Jason's brother, Jeff, who lived in the area, arrived at Jason's apartment and grabbed Jason's phone. While scrolling through messages, he saw texts between Jason and a contact called "Johnny Boy." Messages showed that Johnny Boy had acquired some sort of drugs and given them to Jason.
Jason had a history of drug abuse but had been clean for six years. Jeff was shocked.
"I saw him every day. We worked together," Jeff said. "If he had relapsed, I would have known."
Jeff brought Jason's phone to the Indianapolis Metro Police Department and handed it to a detective, which was the beginning of an investigation that would last over a year into how Jason died and who would be held responsible for giving him the lethal substance that ended his life.
Fighting for Jason
Jonathan Spurling, 38, of Valparaiso was charged March 22 with dealing a controlled substance resulting in death, a Level 1 felony, for his role in Jason's death. If convicted, he is looking at 20 to 50 years in prison.
A law passed in 2018 gave prosecutors the ability to file charges against anyone who allegedly provided a drug that resulted in death, but the cases are difficult to prove. The charges against Spurling are one of few cases in Indiana in which charges have been filed since the law was passed.
In the Region, charges related to this statute are seldom filed. There have been seven cases charged in Lake County, six in LaPorte County and three in Porter County, according to data from the Indiana Supreme Court.
Shortly after Jason's death, his uncle Scott Westergren said he read an article about a woman named Susan Fox who lost her son, Nathan May, to a fentanyl overdose in 2020. Fox had worked to collect evidence that implicated the man who provided the lethal drug to her son. She presented the evidence to police, who involved the Drug Enforcement Administration. Charges were filed in June against the man who provided the drug.
Westergren sent an email to her. She responded and connected him with the DEA agents who worked on her son's case.
DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Chip Cooke said families have taken a crucial role in these cases when it comes to gathering evidence.
"It’s really the families who are driving this," Cooke said. "Every time [law enforcement] investigate or come upon an overdose victim, I don’t think the thought is, ‘this is a homicide.’ It’s really the families of the victims who are getting involved and going to state local law enforcement.”
Westergren said he knew the case was being investigated but was not aware of the details until charges were filed.
“I am so grateful that the DEA and Indianapolis police were able to pursue these charges,” he said. "We got to fight for Jason."
Jason's story
Jason, a triplet, grew up in Valparaiso. His triplet brother, Jeff, said Jason worked as a carpenter. The two lived in Indianapolis but would drive back to the Region every weekend to work on a home improvement project. Jason loved fishing and spending time with his daughter. Jeff described him as a "family man" who always had a smile on his face.
"He's the type of guy that would give you the shirt off his back," Jeff said. "He was a good dad, a hard worker, a family man."
Jason Platipodis poses with his nephew. His family remembers him as someone who enjoyed bringing all generations of his family together for ac…
Jason was prescribed an opioid pain reliever for back pain early in adulthood, Westergren said. He said their family has a history with substance abuse but believes the prescription could have been the catalyst that fueled Jason's opioid abuse. When Jason's daughter was born, he worked to get sober and "transformed."
"He’s dearly missed," Westergren said. "There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about him."
His triplet sister, Jessica, said she remembers him taking all his nieces and nephews swimming, boating and fishing. He wanted to involve the "younger generation" in every activity.
“He was the glue to our family," she said. "He always tried to get our family together while he was out in Valparaiso.”
By bringing awareness to the circumstances surrounding Jason's death and the charges filed against his alleged dealer, the family said they hope it can bring awareness to substance-abuse disorders and bring justice to other victims of drug poisonings.
Proving their case
Investigations related to dealing a controlled substance resulting in death are handled as homicide investigations, LaPorte County Drug Task Force Sgt. Kyle Shiparski said.
Techniques used to investigate are similar. Detectives rely on evidence from cellphones, witnesses toxicology reports and forensic evidence on scene. The difficulties lie in proving that a person died from a specific instance in which they were supplied a drug and subsequently ingested it.
This can be hard, Shiparski said, if a person has multiple suppliers or died with a combination of drugs in their system. More challenges include underlying conditions or other risks surrounding death. The cases are not black-and-white.
“What we’re seeing with these cases is, they’re much harder to prove and investigate," Shiparski said. "And when they get in front of a jury, they become even harder to prove in that setting.”
The deaths are often labeled as accidental overdoses, Shiparski said. Once the cause of death is determined, investigators can begin to explore the case, searching into what happened on scene. Law enforcement are reliant on cellphones and witnesses to provide information, and a timeline of events is created.
Official cellphone data showed that Jason communicated with Spurling in the days before his death. According to court documents, Spurling traveled to a location in the Chicago area to obtain drugs from another source. Jason asked Spurling to "grab me a couple," purportedly referencing the drugs Spurling was purchasing. The men planned to meet up Jan. 2, 2022 at Spurling's home in Valparaiso. After obtaining the drugs, Jason and his daughter, who were in Valparaiso that weekend, subsequently drove back to Indianapolis.
In one of the messages, Spurling said: "Promise it did the trick but wasn’t overwhelming?" Investigators believe this indicates that Spurling knew the drug had the potential to have an "overwhelming" effect. Spurling told police he gave Jason heroin and nothing else, according to court documents.
Shiparski said there are some people who do not agree with how the law reads. The language of the law targets anyone who "knowingly manufactures or delivers" a drug that results in death, but the ultimate goal is to find the drug dealers who are widely distributing the counterfeit pills.
“You try to climb that ladder and hold the initial source of supply accountable,” Shiparski said.
Kristen Martin, founder of Gary Harm Reduction, said she believes laws related to dealing resulting in death are counterproductive to curbing the drug epidemic in the United States. She said stricter laws could instill fear in people who are using drugs, making them scared to ask for help.
"If we’re charging people, no one is going to want to ever call for help if somebody is overdosing," Martin said. "They’re going to leave more people left for dead.”
Martin said some trust has been built in communities of people who use drugs, erring on the side of nonjudgment and leading with compassion to help people struggling with substance abuse to find help. Martin and other organizations offer free naloxone and fentanyl testing strips to reduce harm for anyone who uses drugs. She worries that if laws surrounding the prosecution of individuals who deal or use drugs villainize those who are struggling with addiction, it will do more harm than good.
“There’s a fine line between drug dealer and drug user,” Martin said. “It’s not getting at the root of the problem. How is ruining someone else’s life by putting them in prison going to help the issue?”
Seeking justice
Spurling, who posted bond April 4, is set to stand trial May 30 in Marion Superior Court, according to online court records. The family has traveled from Valparaiso to attend some of the court hearings and plan to attend the trial.
Jason's family said they will continue to bring awareness to the law that they believe will help them get justice for their brother.
"We understand it’s not going to bring Jason back, but it could save another family from going through what we went through," Jessica said. "Something needs to be done. People who are dealing need to be held accountable."
Gallery: Recent arrests booked into the Porter County Jail
Heather Wood
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Thomas Littlefield
Kevin Carrico
Barry Rogers
Jonathan Riley Jr.
Crysta Carrico
Cynthia Cruz
Cory Hebda
Prince Pugh
DeMario Young Jr.
Tyler Roark
Christopher Deming
Mitchell Demeter
Cassidy Stewart
Colin Page
Martell Joe
Willie Key Jr.
Stephen Williams
William Jackson
Brittany Jeleniewski
Janese Moore
Shawn Sparks
Bryce Parlin
Matthew Martin
Solitaire Johnson
Edward Levine
Michael Gilpin
David Caldwell
An Indianapolis man died of a fentanyl poisoning last year. The man who gave it to him was recently implicated in his death
Jason Platipodis (right) poses with his triplet siblings Jessica and Jeff. They are the first set of triplets successfully born in Valparaiso.
INDIANAPOLIS — Marion County 911 dispatchers answered a call around 7:15 a.m. Jan. 3, 2022. The voice of a 6-year-old girl traveled through the receiver. She told dispatchers she couldn't wake her father and needed help.
Indianapolis police and medical personnel swiftly arrived at the scene to do a welfare check on the girl's father at his apartment in the 7000 block of River Walk Drive. The medics found Jason Platipodis, 40, deceased.
Jason's brother, Jeff, who lived in the area, arrived at Jason's apartment and grabbed Jason's phone. While scrolling through messages, he saw texts between Jason and a contact called "Johnny Boy." Messages showed that Johnny Boy had acquired some sort of drugs and given them to Jason.
Jason had a history of drug abuse but had been clean for six years. Jeff was shocked.
"I saw him every day. We worked together," Jeff said. "If he had relapsed, I would have known."
Jeff brought Jason's phone to the Indianapolis Metro Police Department and handed it to a detective, which was the beginning of an investigation that would last over a year into how Jason died and who would be held responsible for giving him the lethal substance that ended his life.
Fighting for Jason
Jonathan Spurling, 38, of Valparaiso was charged March 22 with dealing a controlled substance resulting in death, a Level 1 felony, for his role in Jason's death. If convicted, he is looking at 20 to 50 years in prison.
A law passed in 2018 gave prosecutors the ability to file charges against anyone who allegedly provided a drug that resulted in death, but the cases are difficult to prove. The charges against Spurling are one of few cases in Indiana in which charges have been filed since the law was passed.
In the Region, charges related to this statute are seldom filed. There have been seven cases charged in Lake County, six in LaPorte County and three in Porter County, according to data from the Indiana Supreme Court.
Shortly after Jason's death, his uncle Scott Westergren said he read an article about a woman named Susan Fox who lost her son, Nathan May, to a fentanyl overdose in 2020. Fox had worked to collect evidence that implicated the man who provided the lethal drug to her son. She presented the evidence to police, who involved the Drug Enforcement Administration. Charges were filed in June against the man who provided the drug.
Westergren sent an email to her. She responded and connected him with the DEA agents who worked on her son's case.
DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Chip Cooke said families have taken a crucial role in these cases when it comes to gathering evidence.
"It’s really the families who are driving this," Cooke said. "Every time [law enforcement] investigate or come upon an overdose victim, I don’t think the thought is, ‘this is a homicide.’ It’s really the families of the victims who are getting involved and going to state local law enforcement.”
Westergren said he knew the case was being investigated but was not aware of the details until charges were filed.
“I am so grateful that the DEA and Indianapolis police were able to pursue these charges,” he said. "We got to fight for Jason."
Jason's story
Jason, a triplet, grew up in Valparaiso. His triplet brother, Jeff, said Jason worked as a carpenter. The two lived in Indianapolis but would drive back to the Region every weekend to work on a home improvement project. Jason loved fishing and spending time with his daughter. Jeff described him as a "family man" who always had a smile on his face.
"He's the type of guy that would give you the shirt off his back," Jeff said. "He was a good dad, a hard worker, a family man."
Jason Platipodis poses with his nephew. His family remembers him as someone who enjoyed bringing all generations of his family together for ac…
Jason was prescribed an opioid pain reliever for back pain early in adulthood, Westergren said. He said their family has a history with substance abuse but believes the prescription could have been the catalyst that fueled Jason's opioid abuse. When Jason's daughter was born, he worked to get sober and "transformed."
"He’s dearly missed," Westergren said. "There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about him."
His triplet sister, Jessica, said she remembers him taking all his nieces and nephews swimming, boating and fishing. He wanted to involve the "younger generation" in every activity.
“He was the glue to our family," she said. "He always tried to get our family together while he was out in Valparaiso.”
By bringing awareness to the circumstances surrounding Jason's death and the charges filed against his alleged dealer, the family said they hope it can bring awareness to substance-abuse disorders and bring justice to other victims of drug poisonings.
Proving their case
Investigations related to dealing a controlled substance resulting in death are handled as homicide investigations, LaPorte County Drug Task Force Sgt. Kyle Shiparski said.
Techniques used to investigate are similar. Detectives rely on evidence from cellphones, witnesses toxicology reports and forensic evidence on scene. The difficulties lie in proving that a person died from a specific instance in which they were supplied a drug and subsequently ingested it.
This can be hard, Shiparski said, if a person has multiple suppliers or died with a combination of drugs in their system. More challenges include underlying conditions or other risks surrounding death. The cases are not black-and-white.
“What we’re seeing with these cases is, they’re much harder to prove and investigate," Shiparski said. "And when they get in front of a jury, they become even harder to prove in that setting.”
The deaths are often labeled as accidental overdoses, Shiparski said. Once the cause of death is determined, investigators can begin to explore the case, searching into what happened on scene. Law enforcement are reliant on cellphones and witnesses to provide information, and a timeline of events is created.
Official cellphone data showed that Jason communicated with Spurling in the days before his death. According to court documents, Spurling traveled to a location in the Chicago area to obtain drugs from another source. Jason asked Spurling to "grab me a couple," purportedly referencing the drugs Spurling was purchasing. The men planned to meet up Jan. 2, 2022 at Spurling's home in Valparaiso. After obtaining the drugs, Jason and his daughter, who were in Valparaiso that weekend, subsequently drove back to Indianapolis.
In one of the messages, Spurling said: "Promise it did the trick but wasn’t overwhelming?" Investigators believe this indicates that Spurling knew the drug had the potential to have an "overwhelming" effect. Spurling told police he gave Jason heroin and nothing else, according to court documents.
Shiparski said there are some people who do not agree with how the law reads. The language of the law targets anyone who "knowingly manufactures or delivers" a drug that results in death, but the ultimate goal is to find the drug dealers who are widely distributing the counterfeit pills.
“You try to climb that ladder and hold the initial source of supply accountable,” Shiparski said.
Kristen Martin, founder of Gary Harm Reduction, said she believes laws related to dealing resulting in death are counterproductive to curbing the drug epidemic in the United States. She said stricter laws could instill fear in people who are using drugs, making them scared to ask for help.
"If we’re charging people, no one is going to want to ever call for help if somebody is overdosing," Martin said. "They’re going to leave more people left for dead.”
Martin said some trust has been built in communities of people who use drugs, erring on the side of nonjudgment and leading with compassion to help people struggling with substance abuse to find help. Martin and other organizations offer free naloxone and fentanyl testing strips to reduce harm for anyone who uses drugs. She worries that if laws surrounding the prosecution of individuals who deal or use drugs villainize those who are struggling with addiction, it will do more harm than good.
“There’s a fine line between drug dealer and drug user,” Martin said. “It’s not getting at the root of the problem. How is ruining someone else’s life by putting them in prison going to help the issue?”
Seeking justice
Spurling, who posted bond April 4, is set to stand trial May 30 in Marion Superior Court, according to online court records. The family has traveled from Valparaiso to attend some of the court hearings and plan to attend the trial.
Jason's family said they will continue to bring awareness to the law that they believe will help them get justice for their brother.
"We understand it’s not going to bring Jason back, but it could save another family from going through what we went through," Jessica said. "Something needs to be done. People who are dealing need to be held accountable."
Gallery: Recent arrests booked into the Porter County Jail
Heather Wood
Shannon Uttal
Thomas Littlefield
Kevin Carrico
Barry Rogers
Jonathan Riley Jr.
Crysta Carrico
Cynthia Cruz
Cory Hebda
Prince Pugh
DeMario Young Jr.
Tyler Roark
Christopher Deming
Mitchell Demeter
Cassidy Stewart
Colin Page
Martell Joe
Willie Key Jr.
Stephen Williams
William Jackson
Brittany Jeleniewski
Janese Moore
Shawn Sparks
Bryce Parlin
Matthew Martin
Solitaire Johnson
Edward Levine
Michael Gilpin
David Caldwell
An Indianapolis man died of a fentanyl poisoning last year. The man who gave it to him was recently implicated in his death
Jason Platipodis (right) poses with his triplet siblings Jessica and Jeff. They are the first set of triplets successfully born in Valparaiso.
INDIANAPOLIS — Marion County 911 dispatchers answered a call around 7:15 a.m. Jan. 3, 2022. The voice of a 6-year-old girl traveled through the receiver. She told dispatchers she couldn't wake her father and needed help.
Indianapolis police and medical personnel swiftly arrived at the scene to do a welfare check on the girl's father at his apartment in the 7000 block of River Walk Drive. The medics found Jason Platipodis, 40, deceased.
Jason's brother, Jeff, who lived in the area, arrived at Jason's apartment and grabbed Jason's phone. While scrolling through messages, he saw texts between Jason and a contact called "Johnny Boy." Messages showed that Johnny Boy had acquired some sort of drugs and given them to Jason.
Jason had a history of drug abuse but had been clean for six years. Jeff was shocked.
"I saw him every day. We worked together," Jeff said. "If he had relapsed, I would have known."
Jeff brought Jason's phone to the Indianapolis Metro Police Department and handed it to a detective, which was the beginning of an investigation that would last over a year into how Jason died and who would be held responsible for giving him the lethal substance that ended his life.
Fighting for Jason
Jonathan Spurling, 38, of Valparaiso was charged March 22 with dealing a controlled substance resulting in death, a Level 1 felony, for his role in Jason's death. If convicted, he is looking at 20 to 50 years in prison.
A law passed in 2018 gave prosecutors the ability to file charges against anyone who allegedly provided a drug that resulted in death, but the cases are difficult to prove. The charges against Spurling are one of few cases in Indiana in which charges have been filed since the law was passed.
In the Region, charges related to this statute are seldom filed. There have been seven cases charged in Lake County, six in LaPorte County and three in Porter County, according to data from the Indiana Supreme Court.
Shortly after Jason's death, his uncle Scott Westergren said he read an article about a woman named Susan Fox who lost her son, Nathan May, to a fentanyl overdose in 2020. Fox had worked to collect evidence that implicated the man who provided the lethal drug to her son. She presented the evidence to police, who involved the Drug Enforcement Administration. Charges were filed in June against the man who provided the drug.
Westergren sent an email to her. She responded and connected him with the DEA agents who worked on her son's case.
DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Chip Cooke said families have taken a crucial role in these cases when it comes to gathering evidence.
"It’s really the families who are driving this," Cooke said. "Every time [law enforcement] investigate or come upon an overdose victim, I don’t think the thought is, ‘this is a homicide.’ It’s really the families of the victims who are getting involved and going to state local law enforcement.”
Westergren said he knew the case was being investigated but was not aware of the details until charges were filed.
“I am so grateful that the DEA and Indianapolis police were able to pursue these charges,” he said. "We got to fight for Jason."
Jason's story
Jason, a triplet, grew up in Valparaiso. His triplet brother, Jeff, said Jason worked as a carpenter. The two lived in Indianapolis but would drive back to the Region every weekend to work on a home improvement project. Jason loved fishing and spending time with his daughter. Jeff described him as a "family man" who always had a smile on his face.
"He's the type of guy that would give you the shirt off his back," Jeff said. "He was a good dad, a hard worker, a family man."
Jason Platipodis poses with his nephew. His family remembers him as someone who enjoyed bringing all generations of his family together for ac…
Jason was prescribed an opioid pain reliever for back pain early in adulthood, Westergren said. He said their family has a history with substance abuse but believes the prescription could have been the catalyst that fueled Jason's opioid abuse. When Jason's daughter was born, he worked to get sober and "transformed."
"He’s dearly missed," Westergren said. "There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about him."
His triplet sister, Jessica, said she remembers him taking all his nieces and nephews swimming, boating and fishing. He wanted to involve the "younger generation" in every activity.
“He was the glue to our family," she said. "He always tried to get our family together while he was out in Valparaiso.”
By bringing awareness to the circumstances surrounding Jason's death and the charges filed against his alleged dealer, the family said they hope it can bring awareness to substance-abuse disorders and bring justice to other victims of drug poisonings.
Proving their case
Investigations related to dealing a controlled substance resulting in death are handled as homicide investigations, LaPorte County Drug Task Force Sgt. Kyle Shiparski said.
Techniques used to investigate are similar. Detectives rely on evidence from cellphones, witnesses toxicology reports and forensic evidence on scene. The difficulties lie in proving that a person died from a specific instance in which they were supplied a drug and subsequently ingested it.
This can be hard, Shiparski said, if a person has multiple suppliers or died with a combination of drugs in their system. More challenges include underlying conditions or other risks surrounding death. The cases are not black-and-white.
“What we’re seeing with these cases is, they’re much harder to prove and investigate," Shiparski said. "And when they get in front of a jury, they become even harder to prove in that setting.”
The deaths are often labeled as accidental overdoses, Shiparski said. Once the cause of death is determined, investigators can begin to explore the case, searching into what happened on scene. Law enforcement are reliant on cellphones and witnesses to provide information, and a timeline of events is created.
Official cellphone data showed that Jason communicated with Spurling in the days before his death. According to court documents, Spurling traveled to a location in the Chicago area to obtain drugs from another source. Jason asked Spurling to "grab me a couple," purportedly referencing the drugs Spurling was purchasing. The men planned to meet up Jan. 2, 2022 at Spurling's home in Valparaiso. After obtaining the drugs, Jason and his daughter, who were in Valparaiso that weekend, subsequently drove back to Indianapolis.
In one of the messages, Spurling said: "Promise it did the trick but wasn’t overwhelming?" Investigators believe this indicates that Spurling knew the drug had the potential to have an "overwhelming" effect. Spurling told police he gave Jason heroin and nothing else, according to court documents.
Shiparski said there are some people who do not agree with how the law reads. The language of the law targets anyone who "knowingly manufactures or delivers" a drug that results in death, but the ultimate goal is to find the drug dealers who are widely distributing the counterfeit pills.
“You try to climb that ladder and hold the initial source of supply accountable,” Shiparski said.
Kristen Martin, founder of Gary Harm Reduction, said she believes laws related to dealing resulting in death are counterproductive to curbing the drug epidemic in the United States. She said stricter laws could instill fear in people who are using drugs, making them scared to ask for help.
"If we’re charging people, no one is going to want to ever call for help if somebody is overdosing," Martin said. "They’re going to leave more people left for dead.”
Martin said some trust has been built in communities of people who use drugs, erring on the side of nonjudgment and leading with compassion to help people struggling with substance abuse to find help. Martin and other organizations offer free naloxone and fentanyl testing strips to reduce harm for anyone who uses drugs. She worries that if laws surrounding the prosecution of individuals who deal or use drugs villainize those who are struggling with addiction, it will do more harm than good.
“There’s a fine line between drug dealer and drug user,” Martin said. “It’s not getting at the root of the problem. How is ruining someone else’s life by putting them in prison going to help the issue?”
Seeking justice
Spurling, who posted bond April 4, is set to stand trial May 30 in Marion Superior Court, according to online court records. The family has traveled from Valparaiso to attend some of the court hearings and plan to attend the trial.
Jason's family said they will continue to bring awareness to the law that they believe will help them get justice for their brother.
"We understand it’s not going to bring Jason back, but it could save another family from going through what we went through," Jessica said. "Something needs to be done. People who are dealing need to be held accountable."
Gallery: Recent arrests booked into the Porter County Jail
Heather Wood
Shannon Uttal
Thomas Littlefield
Kevin Carrico
Barry Rogers
Jonathan Riley Jr.
Crysta Carrico
Cynthia Cruz
Cory Hebda
Prince Pugh
DeMario Young Jr.
Tyler Roark
Christopher Deming
Mitchell Demeter
Cassidy Stewart
Colin Page
Martell Joe
Willie Key Jr.
Stephen Williams
William Jackson
Brittany Jeleniewski
Janese Moore
Shawn Sparks
Bryce Parlin
Matthew Martin
Solitaire Johnson
Edward Levine
Michael Gilpin
David Caldwell
An Indianapolis man died of a fentanyl poisoning last year. The man who gave it to him was recently implicated in his death
Jason Platipodis (right) poses with his triplet siblings Jessica and Jeff. They are the first set of triplets successfully born in Valparaiso.
INDIANAPOLIS — Marion County 911 dispatchers answered a call around 7:15 a.m. Jan. 3, 2022. The voice of a 6-year-old girl traveled through the receiver. She told dispatchers she couldn't wake her father and needed help.
Indianapolis police and medical personnel swiftly arrived at the scene to do a welfare check on the girl's father at his apartment in the 7000 block of River Walk Drive. The medics found Jason Platipodis, 40, deceased.
Jason's brother, Jeff, who lived in the area, arrived at Jason's apartment and grabbed Jason's phone. While scrolling through messages, he saw texts between Jason and a contact called "Johnny Boy." Messages showed that Johnny Boy had acquired some sort of drugs and given them to Jason.
Jason had a history of drug abuse but had been clean for six years. Jeff was shocked.
"I saw him every day. We worked together," Jeff said. "If he had relapsed, I would have known."
Jeff brought Jason's phone to the Indianapolis Metro Police Department and handed it to a detective, which was the beginning of an investigation that would last over a year into how Jason died and who would be held responsible for giving him the lethal substance that ended his life.
Fighting for Jason
Jonathan Spurling, 38, of Valparaiso was charged March 22 with dealing a controlled substance resulting in death, a Level 1 felony, for his role in Jason's death. If convicted, he is looking at 20 to 50 years in prison.
A law passed in 2018 gave prosecutors the ability to file charges against anyone who allegedly provided a drug that resulted in death, but the cases are difficult to prove. The charges against Spurling are one of few cases in Indiana in which charges have been filed since the law was passed.
In the Region, charges related to this statute are seldom filed. There have been seven cases charged in Lake County, six in LaPorte County and three in Porter County, according to data from the Indiana Supreme Court.
Shortly after Jason's death, his uncle Scott Westergren said he read an article about a woman named Susan Fox who lost her son, Nathan May, to a fentanyl overdose in 2020. Fox had worked to collect evidence that implicated the man who provided the lethal drug to her son. She presented the evidence to police, who involved the Drug Enforcement Administration. Charges were filed in June against the man who provided the drug.
Westergren sent an email to her. She responded and connected him with the DEA agents who worked on her son's case.
DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Chip Cooke said families have taken a crucial role in these cases when it comes to gathering evidence.
"It’s really the families who are driving this," Cooke said. "Every time [law enforcement] investigate or come upon an overdose victim, I don’t think the thought is, ‘this is a homicide.’ It’s really the families of the victims who are getting involved and going to state local law enforcement.”
Westergren said he knew the case was being investigated but was not aware of the details until charges were filed.
“I am so grateful that the DEA and Indianapolis police were able to pursue these charges,” he said. "We got to fight for Jason."
Jason's story
Jason, a triplet, grew up in Valparaiso. His triplet brother, Jeff, said Jason worked as a carpenter. The two lived in Indianapolis but would drive back to the Region every weekend to work on a home improvement project. Jason loved fishing and spending time with his daughter. Jeff described him as a "family man" who always had a smile on his face.
"He's the type of guy that would give you the shirt off his back," Jeff said. "He was a good dad, a hard worker, a family man."
Jason Platipodis poses with his nephew. His family remembers him as someone who enjoyed bringing all generations of his family together for ac…
Jason was prescribed an opioid pain reliever for back pain early in adulthood, Westergren said. He said their family has a history with substance abuse but believes the prescription could have been the catalyst that fueled Jason's opioid abuse. When Jason's daughter was born, he worked to get sober and "transformed."
"He’s dearly missed," Westergren said. "There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about him."
His triplet sister, Jessica, said she remembers him taking all his nieces and nephews swimming, boating and fishing. He wanted to involve the "younger generation" in every activity.
“He was the glue to our family," she said. "He always tried to get our family together while he was out in Valparaiso.”
By bringing awareness to the circumstances surrounding Jason's death and the charges filed against his alleged dealer, the family said they hope it can bring awareness to substance-abuse disorders and bring justice to other victims of drug poisonings.
Proving their case
Investigations related to dealing a controlled substance resulting in death are handled as homicide investigations, LaPorte County Drug Task Force Sgt. Kyle Shiparski said.
Techniques used to investigate are similar. Detectives rely on evidence from cellphones, witnesses toxicology reports and forensic evidence on scene. The difficulties lie in proving that a person died from a specific instance in which they were supplied a drug and subsequently ingested it.
This can be hard, Shiparski said, if a person has multiple suppliers or died with a combination of drugs in their system. More challenges include underlying conditions or other risks surrounding death. The cases are not black-and-white.
“What we’re seeing with these cases is, they’re much harder to prove and investigate," Shiparski said. "And when they get in front of a jury, they become even harder to prove in that setting.”
The deaths are often labeled as accidental overdoses, Shiparski said. Once the cause of death is determined, investigators can begin to explore the case, searching into what happened on scene. Law enforcement are reliant on cellphones and witnesses to provide information, and a timeline of events is created.
Official cellphone data showed that Jason communicated with Spurling in the days before his death. According to court documents, Spurling traveled to a location in the Chicago area to obtain drugs from another source. Jason asked Spurling to "grab me a couple," purportedly referencing the drugs Spurling was purchasing. The men planned to meet up Jan. 2, 2022 at Spurling's home in Valparaiso. After obtaining the drugs, Jason and his daughter, who were in Valparaiso that weekend, subsequently drove back to Indianapolis.
In one of the messages, Spurling said: "Promise it did the trick but wasn’t overwhelming?" Investigators believe this indicates that Spurling knew the drug had the potential to have an "overwhelming" effect. Spurling told police he gave Jason heroin and nothing else, according to court documents.
Shiparski said there are some people who do not agree with how the law reads. The language of the law targets anyone who "knowingly manufactures or delivers" a drug that results in death, but the ultimate goal is to find the drug dealers who are widely distributing the counterfeit pills.
“You try to climb that ladder and hold the initial source of supply accountable,” Shiparski said.
Kristen Martin, founder of Gary Harm Reduction, said she believes laws related to dealing resulting in death are counterproductive to curbing the drug epidemic in the United States. She said stricter laws could instill fear in people who are using drugs, making them scared to ask for help.
"If we’re charging people, no one is going to want to ever call for help if somebody is overdosing," Martin said. "They’re going to leave more people left for dead.”
Martin said some trust has been built in communities of people who use drugs, erring on the side of nonjudgment and leading with compassion to help people struggling with substance abuse to find help. Martin and other organizations offer free naloxone and fentanyl testing strips to reduce harm for anyone who uses drugs. She worries that if laws surrounding the prosecution of individuals who deal or use drugs villainize those who are struggling with addiction, it will do more harm than good.
“There’s a fine line between drug dealer and drug user,” Martin said. “It’s not getting at the root of the problem. How is ruining someone else’s life by putting them in prison going to help the issue?”
Seeking justice
Spurling, who posted bond April 4, is set to stand trial May 30 in Marion Superior Court, according to online court records. The family has traveled from Valparaiso to attend some of the court hearings and plan to attend the trial.
Jason's family said they will continue to bring awareness to the law that they believe will help them get justice for their brother.
"We understand it’s not going to bring Jason back, but it could save another family from going through what we went through," Jessica said. "Something needs to be done. People who are dealing need to be held accountable."
Gallery: Recent arrests booked into the Porter County Jail
Heather Wood
Shannon Uttal
Thomas Littlefield
Kevin Carrico
Barry Rogers
Jonathan Riley Jr.
Crysta Carrico
Cynthia Cruz
Cory Hebda
Prince Pugh
DeMario Young Jr.
Tyler Roark
Christopher Deming
Mitchell Demeter
Cassidy Stewart
Colin Page
Martell Joe
Willie Key Jr.
Stephen Williams
William Jackson
Brittany Jeleniewski
Janese Moore
Shawn Sparks
Bryce Parlin
Matthew Martin
Solitaire Johnson
Edward Levine
Michael Gilpin
David Caldwell
An Indianapolis man died of a fentanyl poisoning last year. The man who gave it to him was recently implicated in his death
INDIANAPOLIS — Marion County 911 dispatchers answered a call around 7:15 a.m. Jan. 3, 2022. The voice of a 6-year-old girl traveled through the receiver. She told dispatchers she couldn't wake her father and needed help.
Indianapolis police and medical personnel swiftly arrived at the scene to do a welfare check on the girl's father at his apartment in the 7000 block of River Walk Drive. The medics found Jason Platipodis, 40, deceased.
Jason's brother, Jeff, who lived in the area, arrived at Jason's apartment and grabbed Jason's phone. While scrolling through messages, he saw texts between Jason and a contact called "Johnny Boy." Messages showed that Johnny Boy had acquired some sort of drugs and given them to Jason.
Jason had a history of drug abuse but had been clean for six years. Jeff was shocked.
"I saw him every day. We worked together," Jeff said. "If he had relapsed, I would have known."
Jeff brought Jason's phone to the Indianapolis Metro Police Department and handed it to a detective, which was the beginning of an investigation that would last over a year into how Jason died and who would be held responsible for giving him the lethal substance that ended his life.
Fighting for Jason
Jonathan Spurling, 38, of Valparaiso was charged March 22 with dealing a controlled substance resulting in death, a Level 1 felony, for his role in Jason's death. If convicted, he is looking at 20 to 50 years in prison.
A law passed in 2018 gave prosecutors the ability to file charges against anyone who allegedly provided a drug that resulted in death, but the cases are difficult to prove. The charges against Spurling are one of few cases in Indiana in which charges have been filed since the law was passed.
In the Region, charges related to this statute are seldom filed. There have been seven cases charged in Lake County, six in LaPorte County and three in Porter County, according to data from the Indiana Supreme Court.
Shortly after Jason's death, his uncle Scott Westergren said he read an article about a woman named Susan Fox who lost her son, Nathan May, to a fentanyl overdose in 2020. Fox had worked to collect evidence that implicated the man who provided the lethal drug to her son. She presented the evidence to police, who involved the Drug Enforcement Administration. Charges were filed in June against the man who provided the drug.
Westergren sent an email to her. She responded and connected him with the DEA agents who worked on her son's case.
DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Chip Cooke said families have taken a crucial role in these cases when it comes to gathering evidence.
"It’s really the families who are driving this," Cooke said. "Every time [law enforcement] investigate or come upon an overdose victim, I don’t think the thought is, ‘this is a homicide.’ It’s really the families of the victims who are getting involved and going to state local law enforcement.”
Westergren said he knew the case was being investigated but was not aware of the details until charges were filed.
“I am so grateful that the DEA and Indianapolis police were able to pursue these charges,” he said. "We got to fight for Jason."
Jason's story
Jason, a triplet, grew up in Valparaiso. His triplet brother, Jeff, said Jason worked as a carpenter. The two lived in Indianapolis but would drive back to the Region every weekend to work on a home improvement project. Jason loved fishing and spending time with his daughter. Jeff described him as a "family man" who always had a smile on his face.
"He's the type of guy that would give you the shirt off his back," Jeff said. "He was a good dad, a hard worker, a family man."
Jason was prescribed an opioid pain reliever for back pain early in adulthood, Westergren said. He said their family has a history with substance abuse but believes the prescription could have been the catalyst that fueled Jason's opioid abuse. When Jason's daughter was born, he worked to get sober and "transformed."
"He’s dearly missed," Westergren said. "There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think about him."
His triplet sister, Jessica, said she remembers him taking all his nieces and nephews swimming, boating and fishing. He wanted to involve the "younger generation" in every activity.
“He was the glue to our family," she said. "He always tried to get our family together while he was out in Valparaiso.”
By bringing awareness to the circumstances surrounding Jason's death and the charges filed against his alleged dealer, the family said they hope it can bring awareness to substance-abuse disorders and bring justice to other victims of drug poisonings.
Proving their case
Investigations related to dealing a controlled substance resulting in death are handled as homicide investigations, LaPorte County Drug Task Force Sgt. Kyle Shiparski said.
Techniques used to investigate are similar. Detectives rely on evidence from cellphones, witnesses toxicology reports and forensic evidence on scene. The difficulties lie in proving that a person died from a specific instance in which they were supplied a drug and subsequently ingested it.
This can be hard, Shiparski said, if a person has multiple suppliers or died with a combination of drugs in their system. More challenges include underlying conditions or other risks surrounding death. The cases are not black-and-white.
“What we’re seeing with these cases is, they’re much harder to prove and investigate," Shiparski said. "And when they get in front of a jury, they become even harder to prove in that setting.”
The deaths are often labeled as accidental overdoses, Shiparski said. Once the cause of death is determined, investigators can begin to explore the case, searching into what happened on scene. Law enforcement are reliant on cellphones and witnesses to provide information, and a timeline of events is created.
Official cellphone data showed that Jason communicated with Spurling in the days before his death. According to court documents, Spurling traveled to a location in the Chicago area to obtain drugs from another source. Jason asked Spurling to "grab me a couple," purportedly referencing the drugs Spurling was purchasing. The men planned to meet up Jan. 2, 2022 at Spurling's home in Valparaiso. After obtaining the drugs, Jason and his daughter, who were in Valparaiso that weekend, subsequently drove back to Indianapolis.
In one of the messages, Spurling said: "Promise it did the trick but wasn’t overwhelming?" Investigators believe this indicates that Spurling knew the drug had the potential to have an "overwhelming" effect. Spurling told police he gave Jason heroin and nothing else, according to court documents.
Shiparski said there are some people who do not agree with how the law reads. The language of the law targets anyone who "knowingly manufactures or delivers" a drug that results in death, but the ultimate goal is to find the drug dealers who are widely distributing the counterfeit pills.
“You try to climb that ladder and hold the initial source of supply accountable,” Shiparski said.
Kristen Martin, founder of Gary Harm Reduction, said she believes laws related to dealing resulting in death are counterproductive to curbing the drug epidemic in the United States. She said stricter laws could instill fear in people who are using drugs, making them scared to ask for help.
"If we’re charging people, no one is going to want to ever call for help if somebody is overdosing," Martin said. "They’re going to leave more people left for dead.”
Martin said some trust has been built in communities of people who use drugs, erring on the side of nonjudgment and leading with compassion to help people struggling with substance abuse to find help. Martin and other organizations offer free naloxone and fentanyl testing strips to reduce harm for anyone who uses drugs. She worries that if laws surrounding the prosecution of individuals who deal or use drugs villainize those who are struggling with addiction, it will do more harm than good.
“There’s a fine line between drug dealer and drug user,” Martin said. “It’s not getting at the root of the problem. How is ruining someone else’s life by putting them in prison going to help the issue?”
Seeking justice
Spurling, who posted bond April 4, is set to stand trial May 30 in Marion Superior Court, according to online court records. The family has traveled from Valparaiso to attend some of the court hearings and plan to attend the trial.
Jason's family said they will continue to bring awareness to the law that they believe will help them get justice for their brother.
"We understand it’s not going to bring Jason back, but it could save another family from going through what we went through," Jessica said. "Something needs to be done. People who are dealing need to be held accountable." | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-courts/update-brothers-nabbed-with-120-pounds-of-cocaine-found-not-guilty-of-dealing-the-drug/article_65d35708-fa23-11ed-93f0-53606f07df55.html | 2023-05-24T23:14:05 | 0 | https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/crime-courts/update-brothers-nabbed-with-120-pounds-of-cocaine-found-not-guilty-of-dealing-the-drug/article_65d35708-fa23-11ed-93f0-53606f07df55.html |
DULUTH — A Midway Township man has been charged with multiple sex crimes after authorities said a victim came forward to report a long pattern of abuse starting more than three decades ago.
Brian Keith Eliason, 53, was arraigned Wednesday on six felony counts, a day after a warrant was issued for his arrest and he was taken into custody.
A criminal complaint states that the victim first reported the abuse to authorities in September 2021 and was able to provide significant corroborating details of various times she was inappropriately touched or raped by Eliason between the early 1990s and early 2000s.
A witness to one assault also provided an account confirming the circumstances, and St. Louis County Sheriff's Office investigators conducted a surreptitious phone call in which Eliason made incriminating statements, according to the charging document.
"This day has been haunting me my whole life," he allegedly told the victim on the recorded call.
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The victim was approximately 4-15 years old at the time of the alleged assaults. She told investigators that the abuse occurred "nearly daily" at times, while other instances could be pinpointed based on certain events.
The complaint, for instance, alleges occasions when she said she was forcibly touched by Eliason around the time of a major snowstorm, a wedding and a memorable school field trip, allowing the St. Louis County Attorney's Office to bring individual charges based on those events.
The woman also reported being raped by Eliason after he invited her and a friend to watch him compete in a local dirt track race one summer. Eliason allegedly provided marijuana to the girls, who were approximately 10, and ended up driving them around into the early morning. He then stopped on a rural road in the Proctor area, taking the victim outside and raping her, according to the complaint.
Authorities said they subsequently spoke with the friend, who confirmed the incident, saying she was afraid and believed Eliason was engaging in appropriate behavior, though the victim did not want to talk about it at the time.
The sheriff's office last November arranged for the victim to place an undercover phone call to Eliason and confront him about the abuse.
"It started backfiring, and I started feeling bad," he allegedly told her, stating that she was the "only one" and that he "never touched" others.
Eliason is charged with four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count each of second- and third-degree criminal sexual conduct. He could face a presumptive prison term in excess of 12 years if convicted of any of the top counts.
Records show Eliason has a 2013 felony conviction for terroristic threats after threatening to kill his then-wife. A handful of other offenses include possession of a controlled substance and domestic assault.
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Judge David Johnson set bail at $100,000 without conditions, or $25,000 with intensive pretrial release, and ordered no contact with the victim. Eliason's next court appearance was scheduled for June 20. | https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/midway-township-man-accused-of-decades-old-child-sexual-abuse | 2023-05-24T23:22:23 | 0 | https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/local/midway-township-man-accused-of-decades-old-child-sexual-abuse |
DES MOINES, Iowa — Des Moines Councilmember Indira Sheumaker continues to have an empty seat at city council meetings.
The last time the Ward 1 councilmember attended a full meeting of the city council was on March 6.
The Des Moines Register reported in April that according to her father, Sheumaker had been hospitalized, but didn't provide details on the reason for or length of her stay.
Local 5 visited the family's home seeking more information, but no one responded, although two vehicles were parked on the property during our visit.
This isn't the first time Sheumaker's attendance has raised concerns: she missed a string of meetings in 2022, which she attributed to a combination of COVID and depression in a statement.
Constituents were sympathetic but wanted more communication from their councilmember.
"If she's ill, I hope she's taking care of herself as well," said Tracy Struble, a resident of Ward 1. "But I think her constituents probably need to know what's going on, people that voted for her."
Sheumaker's absence has led some to wanting her out of office altogether. Angelo Thorne started a petition that received over 220 signatures, asking for the councilmember to step down.
"I did talk to the state secretary, they did give me some information on the process," Thorne said. "It looks like I need about 25% of her votes."
Not everyone wants Sheumaker to leave her position; many voters are simply hoping for her to fill her seat again for future meetings, bringing their voice back to the city's government.
"Hopefully she makes contact with the city council and let them know what's going on and potentially get back into the meetings," Struble said.
Local 5 has attempted to connect with Sheumaker as we've covered her absence, but she has not responded to any of our requests for comment. | https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/local/indira-sheumaker-petition-absences-city-council/524-caed9815-eb40-48b9-8f2f-48b5b21e97c9 | 2023-05-24T23:26:12 | 1 | https://www.weareiowa.com/article/news/local/indira-sheumaker-petition-absences-city-council/524-caed9815-eb40-48b9-8f2f-48b5b21e97c9 |
CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. – A company with local roots is expanding.
On Wednesday, Advance Auto Parts celebrated the opening of a new store in Christiansburg.
Local officials were there for the ribbon cutting at the new location on Conston Avenue Northwest, which is across the street from Aldi.
The store has 10 employees and also offers curbside services.
“There’s a lot of individuals on this side of town that have really looked for another auto parts store for years and we’re just glad we could be there to service them whenever they have a need,” David Pauly, general manager said.
The chain was founded in Roanoke in 1932. Now it’s one of the largest automotive retailers in the country with more than 47 hundred locations nationwide. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/05/24/advance-auto-parts-holds-ribbon-cutting-ceremony-for-new-christiansburg-location/ | 2023-05-24T23:26:52 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/05/24/advance-auto-parts-holds-ribbon-cutting-ceremony-for-new-christiansburg-location/ |
ROANOKE, Va. – A bear in the backyard was an unexpected visitor for some Star City neighborhoods and nearby Round Hill Elementary on Wednesday.
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources sent a crew to check it out at the school, according to spokesperson Paige Pearson.
“Searched the area, made sure, looked up in the trees, trash cans stuff like that, made sure there weren’t any bears behind anything that they could get big bushes or anything like that,” Pearson said. “They looked around the entire school to make sure everything was good and didn’t see any sign of a bear.”
The bear was later found off 10th Street near the I-581 bridge, where there are more people and pets.
Neighbor Joe Word said his next-door neighbor alerted him to the bear that ran through her yard.
He said he’s glad his dogs were fenced in when it happened, and wildlife officials should keep an eye on it.
“They can’t leave it alone, “ Word said. “Something got to be done about it. Something definitely got to be done about it.”
President of the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center Sabrina Garvin said that bears are actually common in the area, she said nearby Valley View has a lot of restaurants and businesses with trash that attracts them.
Garvin said it’s up to the Department of Game and biologists as to how they take action.
“If it kept hanging around, I’m sure that they would intervene and possibly try to tranquilize it, move it on, but I can’t say what they would do,” Garvin said. “Typically, it’s an area with a lot of food, a lot of dumpsters around the restaurants, so let’s hope it moves on, otherwise they may intervene.”
Word says he’s got nothing but well wishes, as long as it stays away from his home.
“Take care bear wherever you at,” Word said. “You know just don’t come ‘round here.” | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/05/24/bear-sighting-near-round-hill-elementary-surprises-neighbors/ | 2023-05-24T23:26:59 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/05/24/bear-sighting-near-round-hill-elementary-surprises-neighbors/ |
ROANOKE, Va. – Aubrey Scaletta was involved in a tragic accident about a week ago on May 17, that caused her to lose both of her feet.
We’re told she underwent a six-hour surgery to repair her amputated feet. She is currently in the pediatric intensive care unit and will likely be in Carilion for a while.
According to a family friend, Dan and Lauren Scaletta’s daughter, Aubrey’s wounds look good.
Details are limited as to what happened to Aubrey, but 10 News learned through Lauren’s co-worker that Aubrey and her sister were in the back seat of a truck playing with a ratchet strap.
Somehow it flew out the window, and one end wrapped around the truck’s axle while the other end wrapped around Aubrey’s feet. Both feet were ripped off.
The community has come together to show support after a family friend set up a GoFundMe page where more than $35,000 has been raised.
We reached out to the family, but they declined to speak.
Virginia State Police Association is helping spread the word about the fundraiser and 10 News learned through the association that Daniel Scaletta is a trooper.
They tell us in part, “Both feet seem to be receiving good blood flow after being reattached, and as of this morning, doctors have taken off the ventilator. There are quite a few more surgeries that will need to be completed with reattaching her tendons and skin grafts in the near future. The Scaletta’s are very thankful for all the prayers and support they have received after this tragic incident.”
There are several organizations if you would like to help the Scaletta’s, one being a GoFundMe page. You can also donate to the Virginia State Police Association, Emergency Relief Fund at 804-320-6272.
Officials tell us 100 percent of the donations to VSPA, go directly to support the Scaletta’s. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/05/24/community-rallies-around-family-after-child-loses-both-feet-in-tragic-incident/ | 2023-05-24T23:27:05 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/05/24/community-rallies-around-family-after-child-loses-both-feet-in-tragic-incident/ |
ROANOKE, Va. – Violent crime continues to be on the rise across the region and the country.
To combat this, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia is getting additional resources.
U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia, Chris Kavanaugh says his office is getting six additional prosecutors to help with their caseload.
“We are getting six new prosecutors to cover that territory and we are going to be adding a substantial portion to the Roanoke and cover the valley,” he said.
Out of the positions, three of them will be assistant U.S. Attorneys to focus on domestic terrorism and violent crime.
Two will be focused on civil rights, one for COVID fraud and another position as a support staff position to help fight domestic terrorism and violent crime.
“It is absolutely a surge in resources that we have not seen in our history. And we think it’s a recognition from the Department of Justice and Washington D.C. for the great work that we are doing here,” Kavanaugh said.
Already this past year, the Western District of Virginia’s office has increased its caseload.
The number of violent crimes the office has prosecuted has gone up by 63% and gun crime prosecution is up 193%.
“As you can see that is a substantial increase in the amount of work and that lines up with the commitment this administration has to fight violent crime in our communities,” Kavanaugh said.
Officials say these six new positions will be posted by the end of this week and hope to fill them soon. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/05/24/federal-gun-crime-prosecution-up-by-193-according-to-us-attorney-for-western-district-of-virginia/ | 2023-05-24T23:27:11 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/05/24/federal-gun-crime-prosecution-up-by-193-according-to-us-attorney-for-western-district-of-virginia/ |
ROANOKE, Va. – The Roanoke City Sheriff’s Office held a hot dog and nacho bar sale to raise money for the Special Olympics ahead of Memorial Day weekend.
Community members came out and could buy food and drinks at the corner of 3rd Street and Campbell Avenue in Roanoke.
Not only were they selling food, but they also offered Dunk a Deputy. For $2, you were given three tries to dunk a deputy.
“Most people should know by now that sheriff hash is all about servitude. We are constantly thinking of ways we can serve the community and this is just one of those ways,” Tameka Paige, public information officer for the RCSO said.
This was their second event of the month. Earlier this month, they collected money at the Red Robin during their Tip the Deputy event. During that event, they were able to raise $1,676 for Special Olympics Virginia.
The department’s next and final event to raise money for the Special Olympics is the Torch Run, which is slated to be held on June 7 in collaboration with other Roanoke emergency officials.
There’s no update yet as to how much money was raised during the food sale fundraiser and Dunk a Deputy on Wednesday. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/05/24/roanoke-city-sheriffs-office-hosts-hot-dog-sale-dunk-a-deputy-to-raise-money-for-special-olympics-virginia/ | 2023-05-24T23:27:17 | 1 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/05/24/roanoke-city-sheriffs-office-hosts-hot-dog-sale-dunk-a-deputy-to-raise-money-for-special-olympics-virginia/ |
ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, Va. – A local high school senior is being recognized.
Sofia Vargas received the first-ever Captain Andrew Ross Leadership Award at Rockbridge County High School Tuesday night.
The award is made possible through the Drew Ross Memorial Foundation, a 29-year-old special forces soldier who died serving his second tour in Afghanistan.
Vargas received the award for her honorable character and leadership abilities. | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/05/24/rockbridge-county-high-school-student-receives-drew-ross-leadership-scholarship/ | 2023-05-24T23:27:23 | 0 | https://www.wsls.com/news/local/2023/05/24/rockbridge-county-high-school-student-receives-drew-ross-leadership-scholarship/ |
Man suspected of fatally striking bicyclist with SUV in Mesa while meth was in his system
Mesa police arrested a man who is suspected of fatally striking a bicyclist with his SUV while he had methamphetamine and other drugs in his system on Monday afternoon.
Police say the man, 46-year-old Christopher Anderson, was driving his 2003 Ford Excursion on Ellsworth Road south of McKellips Road when he drifted into the dedicated bicycle lane and struck the curb. Police say Anderson struck a bicyclist with the front-right side of the vehicle as he corrected course. The bicyclist fell to the ground and was run over by the vehicle's front-right tire and was later pronounced dead.
Anderson later told officers that the cyclist swerved into the road and that he had tried avoiding him but was unsuccessful, court documents state.
Officers noted that Anderson had "bloodshot and watery eyes" along with constricted pupils and slow speech. Court documents state Anderson admitted to smoking marijuana at about 7 p.m. the night before. Anderson submitted to a drug test that found methamphetamine and marijuana in his system.
Court documents say Anderson then admitted to also smoking meth the night before after officers confronted him about the drug test results.
Anderson was arrested and booked into jail on one count of manslaughter. It was not immediately clear when his next scheduled court appearance would be.
Police have yet to identify the bicyclist. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/mesa/2023/05/24/mesa-police-man-suspected-of-fatally-striking-bicyclist-with-suv-while-meth-was-in-his-system/70254203007/ | 2023-05-24T23:30:34 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/mesa/2023/05/24/mesa-police-man-suspected-of-fatally-striking-bicyclist-with-suv-while-meth-was-in-his-system/70254203007/ |
Man arrested in connection to shooting death of security guard in Phoenix
Police arrested a suspect on Wednesday in connection with the death of a security guard at Montana Hookah Lounge in Phoenix.
At around 3:45 a.m. on Saturday, Phoenix police officers responded to the hookah lounge, near 27th and Augusta avenues, for reports of a shooting.
Upon arrival, officers found 50-year-old Nixon Petit on the ground outside the building with multiple gunshot wounds. Petit was taken to a local hospital and was pronounced dead that morning.
According to court documents, investigators responded to the scene where they learned that the lounge had been operating as an after-hours nightclub and bar at which Petit had been working as a security guard.
Petit wore a black shirt that identified him as security and was tasked with patting down patrons for weapons before entry.
Witnesses told police that the suspect, later identified as 26-year-old Justine Demunga, tried to pass Petit on his way into the club without receiving a pat down, court documents state. Both Petit and another employee tried to block Demunga from entering when an argument ensued.
Witnesses said Petit had tried to de-escalate the situation, but Demunga remained "argumentative and aggressive" before the argument turned physical. During the struggle, court documents state, a gunshot was heard and Petit fell to the ground. Demunga also fell to the ground and fired several rounds before fleeing, according to court documents.
Video footage collected by officers from the hookah lounge showed Demunga arriving just after 2 a.m., but remaining in the parking lot, socializing and drinking with a group of people, according to court documents. When Demunga tried to enter at around 3:45 a.m., Petit is seen blocking him.
Court documents state that in the footage Demunga appeared to be yelling at Petit before reaching for his waistband. Petit then grabbed his arms, trying to prevent him from drawing a weapon. The two men fell, and from a sitting position is where Demunga shot Petit, court documents state.
Through the course of the investigation, police received a tip about a Facebook profile under the name Rico Pablo, who the source believed was responsible for the shooting. According to court documents, information as well as photos posted on the account were of Demunga, who bore a strong resemblance to the suspect investigators had seen in the video.
Police were able to confirm Demunga was the shooter by having witnesses identify him from a photographic lineup, as well as tracing his phone number through Cash App.
A search warrant was then obtained to track the device with the assigned number, which showed Demunga at or near the area at the time of the shooting.
Police were able to track down Demunga using the device location, revealing him to be in the north Tucson area.
Phoenix police investigators made the trip, ultimately finding Demunga at work on a construction site in Tucson before taking him into custody.
According to court documents, a records check revealed that Demunga had felony convictions from the state of Texas, which prohibited him from possessing firearms.
Demunga was booked into jail and faces two charges: one count of second-degree murder and one count of possession of a weapon by a prohibited person. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix-breaking/2023/05/24/man-arrested-shooting-death-montana-hookah-lounge-security-guard-phoenix/70253559007/ | 2023-05-24T23:30:40 | 0 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix-breaking/2023/05/24/man-arrested-shooting-death-montana-hookah-lounge-security-guard-phoenix/70253559007/ |
Maricopa County will pay to defend against Bar complaint involving prosecutor it fired
Maricopa County will pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to defend against an Arizona State Bar complaint involving a former prosecutor it fired for improperly accusing protesters.
The county Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Wednesday to "Authorize Risk Management to pay additional defense fees and costs up to the amount of $350,000" in defense against a Bar complaint involving April Sponsel, who was fired in 2022 over her involvement with indicting 2020 protesters on gang charges.
Sponsel was part of the County Attorney's Office First Responders Bureau that wrongfully charged 15 protesters as gang members in 2020.
Last month, social justice advocates criticized Surprise after Sponsel taught a class about courtroom testimony at the Surprise Police Department.
The County Attorney and Board of Supervisors did not immediately respond to questions regarding the payment submitted on Wednesday afternoon. Nor did the Bar immediately respond to a request for comment.
This is a continuing story; return to azcentral for updates.
Republic reporter Sasha Hupka contributed to this article.
Have a news tip about the Maricopa County Attorney's Office? Reach the reporter at jjenkins@arizonarepublic.com or at 812-243-5582. Follow him on Twitter@JimmyJenkins.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2023/05/24/maricopa-county-will-pay-to-defend-against-bar-complaint-involving-prosecutor-it-fired/70253683007/ | 2023-05-24T23:30:46 | 0 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2023/05/24/maricopa-county-will-pay-to-defend-against-bar-complaint-involving-prosecutor-it-fired/70253683007/ |
Casa Grande woman accused of killing her boyfriend by running him over with her car
A Casa Grande woman was facing murder charges after authorities say she ran her boyfriend over with her car and caused fatal injuries to his skull on Saturday.
The Pinal County Sheriff's Office identified the woman as Shelly Shears, 51.
According to the Sheriff's Office, just after 8:30 a.m. Shears and her boyfriend, an 89-year-old man whose identity was not released, argued because the night before Shears' boyfriend had taken $5 from $50 that Shears had set aside for a car payment.
Court records say video footage obtained by the Sheriff's Office shows Shears' boyfriend walked out of the house, followed by Shears, who quickly backed the car out of the driveway as he continued walking away on the sidewalk.
Shears positioned her car next to her boyfriend and began yelling at him, asking him where he was going. He replied he was going to get her the $5, according to court records.
Court documents state that Shears is seen in video footage stopping, accelerating and stopping the car again as she continued yelling while her boyfriend continued to walk unbothered, according to court documents. Shears then suddenly accelerated the car, squealing tires and turning it onto the sidewalk where her boyfriend was, records show.
Her boyfriend was pushed to the ground and had multiple face and skull fractures and a large hematoma, court documents said.
Video footage showed Shears sitting on the brakes for a moment before slowly backing the car off the sidewalk, according to court records. She then continued yelling and using coarse language toward her boyfriend. Records show she got out of the car and yelled, "Why do you wanna push me like this?"
Shears "angrily" walked to the sidewalk where she found her boyfriend lying in blood and yelled, "Oh my God, no!" according to court documents.
Shears' boyfriend was taken by helicopter to a hospital where he later died.
According to court records, there was a history of domestic abuse between Shears and her boyfriend. Violent episodes in which Shears started arguments while her boyfriend tried to walk away were becoming more frequent or intense, court records state.
Shears told the Sheriff's Office that her car's wheel bearings were malfunctioning and they would suddenly accelerate and turn on their own. Shears' friends told deputies that wasn't true and that the car's wheel bearings were working well. Shears told the Sheriff's Office her friends were lying, court documents state.
When Shears was told her boyfriend had died, she started to cry out threats and rammed her head into the wall at the detention facility. Shears has an extensive criminal history with multiple arrests, convictions and failures to appear in court, according to court documents.
Shears was booked into Pinal County Jail under one count of second-degree murder. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/pinal/2023/05/24/shelly-shears-murder-charge-death-of-boyfriend/70253411007/ | 2023-05-24T23:30:52 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/pinal/2023/05/24/shelly-shears-murder-charge-death-of-boyfriend/70253411007/ |
EASTPORT, Maine — The easternmost city in the United States also has the distinction of being the smallest city in Maine. Just under 1,300 people live in Eastport. In New York or California, that’s not the population of a city—it’s the population of an apartment building.
Against the odds, Eastport still has its own high school, Shead High School, with an enrollment of just 87 students. While no one gets lost or left behind in such an intimate environment, the low numbers present formidable challenges. Music teacher Robert Sanchez puts it plainly: “If you can play and you’re good, you’re going to be in the jazz program.”
And what a program it is. This year, the school’s quartet, the Shead Ahead Jazz Combo, won the only gold medal at the state high school jazz festival—an impressive accomplishment in itself for a school with so few students.
Dig deeper, though, and the story gets even better. Little more than a year ago, two members of the quartet, bassist Antonio Vizcarrondo and guitarist Nate Tardiff, didn’t even play an instrument. As they were watching the school’s jazz group, an idea struck. They thought it would be “cool if we were just up there kind of shredding away on the guitars,” Vizcarrondo said.
“A couple of weeks later we found out we could get into the classes," Vizcarrondo added. "We started coming in here and practicing every day, and before we knew it we were in the band.”
Also in the band was Ellis Zipper-Sanchez, an eighth grader who is an exceptionally gifted guitar player and admirer of jazz legend Wes Montgomery, and Kieran Weston, a drummer who apparently came out of the womb with musical talent.
“I’ve never had one [drum] lesson in my life,” Weston said. “And I couldn’t tell you the last time I practiced.”
One month after the state championship, Shead Ahead traveled to Philadelphia to compete in the prestigious National Jazz Festival. The other schools there had all kinds of advantages—more students, more support, more money.
“I went and watched all these different bands from Princeton, New Jersey, and Manhattan, and all these places,” Weston recalls. “I said this is just amazing, the level of music is amazing. And I said we’ll just do the best we can, just do our thing.”
An intimidating atmosphere? It certainly was to Nate Tardiff.
“I was shaking a lot,” Tardiff said. “It was like at some points after I played a chord, I looked down and I was shaking.”
When this national competition ended, the four musicians—not one of whom can read music—from a school with 87 students on the far edge of Maine, had finished second. Take that, Manhattan.
“Robert Sanchez won’t take the credit for that,” Shead High School Principal Paul Theriault said of the quartet’s director and arranger. “But, boy, he is just an amazing, amazing person.” | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/207/how-four-musicians-from-a-tiny-maine-high-school-soared-above-national-competition-music-life/97-16c43b23-d8cd-4ecd-b8da-d4b66ead3b9d | 2023-05-24T23:31:36 | 0 | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/207/how-four-musicians-from-a-tiny-maine-high-school-soared-above-national-competition-music-life/97-16c43b23-d8cd-4ecd-b8da-d4b66ead3b9d |
PORTLAND, Maine — As Memorial Day approaches, experts say 10 million air travelers are expected to pass through TSA checkpoints this holiday weekend.
Whether you're traveling a long distance via plane or car, Dr. Allyson Coffin has a few tips to minimize any aches and pains.
"Traveling is a very cool way to connect with your family, to have a nice time, and make those memories," Dr. Coffin said. "But when you get out of that plane seat or the car seat you can feel like your body is going to break in half."
Dr. Coffin shared these three simple tips to help:
- Move your head in a normal range of motion to stretch your muscles
- Drink water
- Adjust your headrest
To learn more about these tips and see what moving your head in a "normal range of motion" looks like, watch the 207 segment above. | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/207/how-to-avoid-aches-and-pains-while-traveling-this-holiday-season-health/97-9ab7bd98-d85e-424c-af16-88e73a63882e | 2023-05-24T23:31:42 | 0 | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/207/how-to-avoid-aches-and-pains-while-traveling-this-holiday-season-health/97-9ab7bd98-d85e-424c-af16-88e73a63882e |
PORTLAND, Maine — "When we started, we realized the home was in tough shape," Fred Raymond said.
Fred and his wife Jean own a two-story home on the west side of Peaks Island.
The couple say they've owned property on Peaks Island for more than two decades and purchased this current home about two years ago. The two hoped to renovate the home originally built in the 1860s but realized early in the process it just wasn't feasible.
"Usually we just have to tear down a house and put it in a dumpster, which is really sad," Heather Thompson, co-owner of Juniper Design + Build, said.
Thompson and her company are the contractors working with the Raymonds on the project. Thompson said she and her team were made aware of the Maryland based nonprofit Second Chance, which specialized in deconstructing homes, and repurposing valuable materials.
"Fifty-two percent of all the trash in Maine is from construction waste, and 90 percent of that is demolition, so we're doing a small part," Thompson said.
"That much more occupancy in a landfill that all this material's going to take up, it just seemed the proper thing to do," Fred said about when Thompson and her team shared details of 'Second Chance.'
Over the last week and a half, crews from Second Chance have been on Peaks Island alongside Juniper Design + Build fully deconstructing the historic home. Piece by piece, crews are taking apart the home and saving as much as possible to be donated.
The Raymonds are donating all portions salvaged from their aging home to Second Chance. Second Chance will then sell the items and materials, with proceeds going to support the organizations workforce training program, which helps provide job readiness and other training for individuals with barriers to entering the workforce, like prior incarceration.
"We give you your second chance. You need to earn it, you need to drive your bus to the place you want to go, but we're a mechanism to facilitate that and we're here to help you," Mark Foster, president and founder of Second Chance, said.
Once deconstruction is completed, the Raymonds' plan to work with Thompson and Juniper Design + Build to construct a new home, with roughly the same footprint.
"The opportunity to build a new house that's going to last for another 150 years is pretty exciting," Thompson said.
Foster said Second Chance hopes to repurpose as much of the material as possible in various projects happening across Peaks Island. | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/housing/juniper-design-build-second-chance-peaks-island-deconstruction-donation/97-3c246775-4f30-45be-99da-1747541f4d77 | 2023-05-24T23:31:48 | 1 | https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/news/local/housing/juniper-design-build-second-chance-peaks-island-deconstruction-donation/97-3c246775-4f30-45be-99da-1747541f4d77 |
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Clackamas County commissioners have passed a motion to audit its sheriff’s office budget following claims from the sheriff that county tax dollars were being misused.
On Wednesday, the county’s top budget managers refuted Sheriff Angela Brandenburg’s claims that general fund restrictions were made to pay for a new courthouse. Instead, the budget managers and commissioners say general fund cuts are happening across the board and are not targeting the sheriff’s office.
The motion to audit passed nearly unanimously with one commissioner abstaining from the vote.
The sheriff says the way to correctly cut those funds would be to eliminate 34 positions, most of which are already vacant. The county denied her plan — saying the sheriff’s office should use money from a public safety levy passed in 2021 — so that they don’t have to cut staff.
“It’s the sheriff who has defunded her own program. It’s the sheriff who is defunding police while this board sits here and defends the police,” Clackamas County Chair Tootie Smith said during Wednesday’s budget committee meeting. “The question that we all need to ask, including the media, is: Why is she doing this? And Sheriff Brandenburg, what are you afraid of if we take a deep dive into your budget?”
Brandenburg says the commissioner’s plans to use levy funds is a misuse of the money.
“These taxpayers already pay for the sheriff’s office to have their base services, they pay for me and the undersheriff with their taxes,“ Sheriff Brandenburg previously said. “We’re General Fund funded, and because they voted yes for 36 positions of additional deputies that they’re paying for – that the county’s not paying for – they get the gift of being charged again.”
The board of commissioners still has to review how much a performance audit of the sheriff’s office would cost and how long it would take. | https://www.koin.com/local/clackamas-county/what-are-you-afraid-of-clackco-to-audit-sheriffs-office-after-misused-fund-claims-tootie-smith-angela-brandenburg/ | 2023-05-24T23:31:50 | 0 | https://www.koin.com/local/clackamas-county/what-are-you-afraid-of-clackco-to-audit-sheriffs-office-after-misused-fund-claims-tootie-smith-angela-brandenburg/ |
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Commuters in Portland will need to set aside more bus money in 2024 after TriMet voted to approve a fare increase during a budget meeting Wednesday afternoon.
In its first Adult fare increase in more than a decade, TriMet’s Board of Directors approved a price hike of 30 cents for standard 2.5-hour tickets – leading to a public protest at the meeting.
As of Jan. 1, 2024, adult and LIFT paratransit tickets will cost $2.80 and honored citizen and youth tickets will cost $1.40. Adult day passes will cost $5.60 and honored citizen and youth passes will cost $2.80.
The board voted 6-1 to increase fares as protestors gathered outside. The board members walked out of the room to continue the meeting virtually as protestors fought the price hike.
“We’re going to continue and I’m going to speak next and if any one of you opens your mouth we’re going virtual…” said Trimet Board President Linda Simmons before members left the room.
The board continued the meeting in the next room behind a closed door manned by two security guards. Protestors stood outside the door, chanting and calling board members “cowards.”
TriMet issued the following statement after the vote:
“The FY2024 budget includes $825.4 million in day-to-day operating expenses and $328.3 million in capital and operating projects. Along with those expenses and other financial requirements, the budget comes to $1.93 billion. It incorporates a fare increase, which was approved by the Board moments before the final adoption of the budget.”
Stay with KOIN 6 as this story develops. | https://www.koin.com/local/multnomah-county/trimet-board-members-approve-2024-fare-increase-despite-protesters-outcries/ | 2023-05-24T23:31:56 | 0 | https://www.koin.com/local/multnomah-county/trimet-board-members-approve-2024-fare-increase-despite-protesters-outcries/ |
Tina Turner sang the hits in Knoxville long before she became a global pop star
Legendary performer Tina Turner - who died May 23 at the age of 83 - was born in West Tennessee, but she had early ties to Knoxville as well.
In her 2018 autobiography, “Tina Turner: My Love Story," Turner shared fond childhood memories of Knoxville.
"Some of my earliest memories are my mother taking me shopping when she and my father lived in Knoxville,” she wrote. “Unlike Nutbush, Knoxville was a big city with all kinds of stores. When the salesgirls found out that I could sing, they put me on a stool – I was maybe 4 or 5 at the time – and listened while I performed my version of the latest hits.”
Robert Booker, former director of the Beck Cultural Exchange Center, previously researched reports that Turner had attended Maynard Elementary School in Knoxville when she was known by her birth name, Anna Mae Bullock. Her parents, Floyd and Zelma Bullock, lived and worked in Knoxville during World War II. Teacher Alfredda Delaney, a Beck Center board member in the 1970s, said she had taught a student named Anna Mae Bullock at Maynard Elementary.
Booker checked with the Knox County Archives and looked through city directories but did not find any records of Anna Mae Bullock or her parents. He shared his findings in a 2020 column for Knox News.
Turner returned to Knoxville years later to perform, including concerts at Thompson-Boling Arena in 1997 and 2000.
Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter. Email devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com. Twitter @dturner1208. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe. | https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/local/2023/05/24/tina-turner-visited-knoxville-tennessee-as-child/70253806007/ | 2023-05-24T23:35:39 | 1 | https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/local/2023/05/24/tina-turner-visited-knoxville-tennessee-as-child/70253806007/ |
PHOENIX — A former University of Arizona swimming star said Wednesday anyone born male should not be able to compete in girls' sports, no matter their age.
Marshi Smith, the 2005 NCAA and Pac-10 Conference women's backstroke champion, already was on record as opposing the NCAA policy of allowing transgender athletes born male to compete against females. At an event in January, she read a letter from 45 current and former female athletes and coaches threatening action against the organization, which regulates intercollegiate sports, if it does not rescind the policy.
On Wednesday, Smith said this goes beyond college and high school level sports. She said her experience convinces her that boys as young as 4 have an inherent physical advantage.
Smith expressed her views at a news conference to support Arizona schools chief Tom Horne's defense of a 2022 Arizona law that forbids transgender girls from participating in girls' sports.
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Horne is seeking dismissal of a lawsuit filed in federal court on behalf of two transgender girls who want to compete.
One is an 11-year-old who attends an elementary school in Tempe's Kyrene School District and is set to attend Aprende Middle School in July, where she would like to try out for girls' soccer and other teams. Her lawyers said she has "lived her life as a girl'' since she was 5. They also said she has not started puberty.
The other is a 15-year-old transgender girl who attends The Gregory School, a private school in Tucson. The lawsuit says she has been on puberty-blocking medication since age 11.
Their lawyers want U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer Zipps to declare the 2022 law cannot be enforced against the two students because of their prepubescent status.
Horne contends that is irrelevant, saying there are studies showing an inherent advantage for those born biological males at all ages.
Smith said she doesn't need to see the studies. She said she has seen it for herself, as she has a son who is 4 and a daughter who is 7.
"I can tell as a mother the difference between my 4-year-old son as compared to my daughter at the same age,'' Smith said.
Smith has been at the forefront of the fight with the NCAA since it allowed Lia Thomas to compete on the University of Pennsylvania's women's team. In 2022, Thomas became the first male-born athlete to win an NCAA women's title after transitioning to female. That occurred after Thomas competed for three years on the men's team and was not among top contenders.
That "was really shattering to me and many of my fellow teammates,'' Smith said.
The letter to the NCAA she and others signed seeks repeal of policies they said "allow male athletes to take roster sports on women's teams and/or compete in women's events.'' The letter threatened legal action "if you do not protect female athletes from discrimination on the basis of sex.''
Legislators approved Arizona's 2022 law amid questions of discrimination and whether a state statute is needed.
The Arizona Interscholastic Association, which governs high school sports, already had protocols to handle requests, case by case, by transgender athletes to participate in sports. Dr. Kristina Wilson, who was on the AIA's medical advisory board, testified that out of 170,000 high school athletes, there had been 16 requests by transgender individuals to compete.
Horne was unimpressed. "Not only am I critical of the AIA, I've been critical of the Biden administration who wants to make it a case-by-case basis,'' said Horne, a Republican elected to his post in November.
Last month the U.S. Department of Education proposed a rule about how it will interpret Title IX, the section of federal law that prohibits schools from denying equal opportunities in sports based on sex.
The proposed rule would make illegal any categorical ban on students participating on sports teams "consistent with their gender identity just because of who they are.'' It would, however, allow for instances in which schools could limit participation, though that would depend on things such as grade and education level, with an allowance that such discrimination may be justified at the high school and collegiate levels in certain sports.
Horne said that doesn't work. "The problem with making it case-by-case is you have people of a far-left persuasion in positions of education who will lean toward letting transsexuals defeat girls in sports,'' he said.
"It's a biological difference between males and females,'' Horne said. "And we need a rule and not let people, based on their political convictions, violate that rule of nature.''
Horne brushed aside the fact that the lawsuit involves only prepubescent transgender girls, insisting that this is just the first step by law firms that champion transgender rights.
"These big law firms are trying to change our whole system and our whole culture and we have to fight them at this stage,'' he said.
Smith agreed there should be a hard-and-fast ban against anyone born male participating in girls' sports.
"Our daughters deserve fair competition,'' she said. "They deserve equal opportunities. They deserve not only a chance to play but a chance to win.''
At Horne's news conference, Shawna Glazier of Phoenix also shared her experience, saying competition from transgender females is unfair.
"In a cycling road race, I was forced to compete against someone who was born a male and identified as a female,'' she said, saying the cyclist's physical advantages in outperforming women were obvious.
"It is degrading to be forced to race with them,'' Glazier said.
No date has been set for the court hearing.
Howard Fischer is a veteran journalist who has been reporting since 1970 and covering state politics and the Legislature since 1982. Follow him on Twitter at @azcapmedia or email azcapmedia@gmail.com. | https://tucson.com/news/local/subscriber/former-u-of-a-swim-star-defends-arizona-law-vs-transgender-sports/article_9de5fa2c-fa52-11ed-8b5f-e31830556d9e.html | 2023-05-24T23:38:12 | 0 | https://tucson.com/news/local/subscriber/former-u-of-a-swim-star-defends-arizona-law-vs-transgender-sports/article_9de5fa2c-fa52-11ed-8b5f-e31830556d9e.html |
Federal regulators have given final clearance to a new power line connecting a massive wind farm in New Mexico to the grid in Arizona by way of the Lower San Pedro River Valley east of Tucson.
The approval from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management clears the way for Pattern Energy Group to break ground on its 550-mile-long SunZia Southwest Transmission Project, which will deliver power from a 3,500-megawatt wind energy project the company also plans to build across three New Mexico counties.
According to the San Francisco-based renewable giant, the two projects, totaling $8 billion, represent the largest renewable energy infrastructure investment in U.S. history. The wind farm would be the biggest in the Western Hemisphere, with enough capacity to serve more than 1 million people.
Pattern officials have previously said they hope to finish both the array of towering wind turbines and the transmission line by late 2025.
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The Biden administration is touting the project as “another milestone” in its efforts to lower power costs for consumers, boost employment and move toward a 100% clean-energy grid by 2035.
“The Department of the Interior is committed to expanding clean energy development to address climate change, enhance America’s energy security and provide for good-paying union jobs,” said Laura Daniel-Davis, Interior’s principal deputy assistant secretary for land and minerals management, in a written statement announcing the final approval of SunZia.
Several national environmental groups have come out in favor of the transmission project, but it still faces opposition from small, all-volunteer conservation groups on the Lower San Pedro River. Activists there want to see the power lines built elsewhere using established transmission routes.
“We're talking about 33 miles of the most remote and ecologically sensitive portion of the last remaining natural and intact river ecosystem in Southern Arizona,” said Peter Else, one of those grassroots advocates who lives along the San Pedro near Mammoth. “It demonstrates a lack of respect for local conservation efforts, both by the White House and by the professional environmental groups that are either standing on the sidelines or, worse yet, promoting this poorly routed project.”
Arizona power regulators signed off on SunZia in November, but Else is challenging that decision in Maricopa Superior Court.
The roughly 200-mile route in Arizona includes approximately 780 towers, some as much as 195 feet tall. Each structure would carry two 500-kilovolt lines — one owned by Pattern to move its wind energy to markets in Arizona and California, and the other separately owned and expected to primarily carry other renewable power generated in the region.
The transmission lines will enter Arizona in southern Greenlee County and cross through rural areas north of Bowie and Willcox, before angling southwest toward the San Pedro River.
The approved powerline corridor crosses the river about 14 miles north of Benson, then turns up the sparsely populated and biologically rich valley on the east slope of the Rincon Mountains on its way toward San Manuel and Oracle.
SunZia will connect to the grid by way of a yet-to-be-built substation just east of Red Rock in Pinal County.
Contact reporter Henry Brean at hbrean@tucson.com or 573-4283. On Twitter: @RefriedBrean | https://tucson.com/news/local/subscriber/power-line-from-n-m-to-southern-arizona-wins-final-us-approval/article_e5109344-f9c1-11ed-a2ab-93ddf64f3f52.html | 2023-05-24T23:38:18 | 0 | https://tucson.com/news/local/subscriber/power-line-from-n-m-to-southern-arizona-wins-final-us-approval/article_e5109344-f9c1-11ed-a2ab-93ddf64f3f52.html |
A popular vacation rentals site on Wednesday said it will implement restrictions on select holiday period bookings to reduce the “risk of disruptive and unauthorized parties in Indiana.”
Airbnb said in a news release that it continues to “draw a hard line on parties and promote responsible travel.”
One primary step involves blocking questionable one-night and two-night reservations over both Memorial Day weekend and Fourth of July weekend for entire home listings in Indiana and throughout the United States. The “amplified defenses” affect bookings identified as potentially higher-risk and complement Airbnb’s other party prevention systems, the news release said.
“While these incidents on Airbnb are rare, we are committed to helping our hosts promote responsible travel in their neighborhoods and working to reduce the risk of disruptive parties, which are banned on our platform and unwelcomed in the communities we serve,” the news release said.
Airbnb said it expects 300 million guest arrivals booked through its platform this year. Summer is a peak travel period.
Airbnb piloted a party-blocking initiative over Memorial Day and Fourth of July weekends last year, similar to what was announced Wednesday. And the platform believes the steps reduced the number of disruptive parties.
In Indiana, the business estimates that more than 100 people were deterred from booking entire home listings over Memorial Day weekend due to its cautionary measures.
The party defense system looks at factors relating to the guest’s account and their booking attempt that may indicate a higher risk for a disruptive or unauthorized party incident, Airbnb said in its news release. The system considers factors including whether the guest has a history of positive reviews, the distance to the listing, and whether the booking is last-minute.
“We are also encouraging neighbors in Indiana to get in touch with us in real-time if they spot a party in progress at a home they believe is listed on Airbnb,” the news release said. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/airbnb-announces-steps-to-prevent-holiday-season-party-rentals/article_975f9d54-fa7d-11ed-a1f0-bb280c7b0762.html | 2023-05-24T23:39:12 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/airbnb-announces-steps-to-prevent-holiday-season-party-rentals/article_975f9d54-fa7d-11ed-a1f0-bb280c7b0762.html |
A federal judge has ordered the state of Indiana's TikTok lawsuit to be sent back to the Allen Superior Court because she didn't find a federal issue in the complaint.
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana Judge Holly Brady, who penned the opinion and order, criticized the complaint's length and contents. She said of the 51-page complaint, only 15 paragraphs and two pages addressed the actual legal claim.
Brady said she did not fault the defendants, TikTok Inc., and its parent company, ByteDance Inc., for the "jurisdictional maneuvering." However, the case should not have been sent to federal court to begin with, she added.
Allen Superior Court Judge Craig Bobay said earlier this month that the local court lacked jurisdiction over TikTok and its parent company in an order that removed the case and denied the state's request. Because Bobay said the court lacked jurisdiction, he also ruled the state was not entitled to the request.
Brady disagreed with Bobay's order. She said because of the state's inclusion of extraneous information, the defendants were able argue the case is governed by federal common law.
"Had Indiana filed short and plain statement of its claim, this case would have stayed in the Allen County, Indiana, Superior Court where it was filed," Brady wrote.
Ultimately, Brady found that the case had no reason to be removed a higher court because she found that the state's lawsuit doesn't include a fundamental federal issue. The state claims TikTok did not properly disclose to its users the truth about what happens with their data.
"That one sentence thesis statement is then stretched into a work longer than Kafka’s 'The Metamorphosis,' " she said in the order.
Brady then says the complaint described a span of information gathered by the TikTok app, connections between the app's parent company and the Chinese Government and how, in the state's view, that information is assumed to be accessible by China and the Communist Party. After reading through most of the complaint, though, the state's claim can be found, she said.
"On page 47, Indiana finally states its one claim: that Defendants have violated Indiana’s Deceptive Consumer Sales Act," Brady said.
The next hearing in the Allen Superior Court is slated for June 6. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/courts/states-tiktok-lawsuit-sent-back-to-allen-superior-court/article_960fd0a0-fa6d-11ed-9b59-3b59f29c9f4d.html | 2023-05-24T23:39:18 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/courts/states-tiktok-lawsuit-sent-back-to-allen-superior-court/article_960fd0a0-fa6d-11ed-9b59-3b59f29c9f4d.html |
Indiana’s lottery expects to send a whopping $361.7 million to state coffers, up 4% from last year’s payout but down from a pandemic-era record-high.
“As proven across multiple years, we will work hard to maximize revenue returns to the state and support our shared mission,” said Donald Redic, interim chief operating officer for services provider IGT Indiana. He spoke at a Tuesday meeting of the State Lottery Commission.
IGT Indiana is the contract operator of the Hoosier Lottery, handling product development, marketing, sales and distribution services.
The lottery expects to make $1.7 billion in sales by the end of the fiscal year, which ends June 30, according to Redic. That’s up 1.6% compared to last year.
Scratch-offs made up the bulk of those sales at $1.3 billion, but were down 4% from last year, he said. Draw games, in contrast, were just $436 million of total sales but were up 21%.
After prize claims, lottery retail commissions and operating expenses, the lottery expects to net $387.5 million – a 5% increase. That’s above an agreed-upon minimum net income, so IGT Indiana will not pay a penalty intended to make the state whole.
It’s also above an incentive net income mark, above which the state and IGT Indiana split extra money. The operator expects to earn a $19.4 million bonus this fiscal year.
Surplus money returned to the state goes toward retirement and pension funds for police, firefighters and teachers, as well as to lower the motor vehicle excise tax by as much as 50%.
Though gaming officials celebrated the year’s high revenue and sales, they cautioned that three multi-state, billion-dollar jackpots – which boosted revenue – weren’t stable elements for future budgeting and planning.
“You still don’t know how the multi-state jackpot games are going to run (or) what big runs are going to happen,” Executive Director Sarah Taylor told reporters after the meeting. “So it’s important not to overestimate, because the state takes us into account for their budgeting.”
“The big jackpots carried the day,” commission chair William Zielke said during the meeting. “And I think as we go through the business plan here today, that gets to be a key issue for us, is to look at what the scratch-offs are going to do for us and what we’re going to do with, quite frankly, an old product that has to be new and innovative.”
IGT Indiana said it plans to focus on launching new games, using pop-culture and holiday themes to get “light” and lapsed players participating more often, and so on, according to a presentation of the operator’s 2024 business plan.
Another kind of innovation lottery – and other gaming – officials have for years examined is digital.
A bill legalizing online an online lottery and other gaming activities didn’t get a hearing this year, but lottery officials said they spent the recent legislative session working on relationships.
“We used this session really to educate and inform members of the General Assembly about what we do here at the lottery, talking about those give-backs, talking about where we fit in,” External Affairs Director Jared Bond said. He also spoke with industry representatives “to become better partners with our retailers.”
Taylor told reporters that the lottery would continue to refrain from proactive lobbying on iLottery.
“They’re the decision makers,” she said of lawmakers. “We’re here to provide information. We’re always happy to answer questions. And if that changes, and we become more advocates, we’re happy to engage with them to share the reasons why.”
Indiana Capital Chronicle is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Indiana Capital Chronicle maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Niki Kelly for questions: info@indianacapitalchronicle.com. Follow Indiana Capital Chronicle on Facebook and Twitter. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/indiana-lottery-to-send-expected-362-million-surplus-back-to-state/article_4ebdd610-fa7d-11ed-bdf0-5bdf0ec492b3.html | 2023-05-24T23:39:24 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/indiana-lottery-to-send-expected-362-million-surplus-back-to-state/article_4ebdd610-fa7d-11ed-bdf0-5bdf0ec492b3.html |
More than a dozen northeast Indiana realtors met Wednesday with Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch to discuss topics including the area’s housing shortage and how to attract new residents to the state.
Crouch, who once worked as a realtor before getting involved in politics, briefly spoke before leading a roundtable at the Upstate Alliance of Realtors, alongside Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority Executive Director Jake Sipe and Maggie McShane from the Indiana Association of Realtors.
McShane commended Crouch’s willingness to travel the state shortly after the legislative session’s end, calling her the “Energizer bunny” and a great friend to the real estate industry.
Crouch, in turn, said realtors have been leaders in guiding state policy, including on property tax relief efforts this year. She said her office is committed to working with realtors and talked about the state agencies she oversees, including the housing authority.
Sipe said the agency provided a record $25 million in down payment assistance for homebuyers last year and is on pace for an even higher figure in 2023.
For every 100 jobs added in the state, only about 44 housing units have been built, Sipe said. Higher interest rates coupled with increased property values have put pressure on prospective first-time home buyers.
During the roundtable discussion, area realtors brought up concerns about the state and region. The issues included a dearth of rental housing options, a need for new businesses with higher-paying jobs and the lack of affordable child care and preschool.
Crouch said the conversation was important so she can take those concerns and ideas back to the Statehouse. She heaped praise on the realtors’ profession as well.
“You all are ambassadors for the people that … are coming from outside,” she said. “You’re probably their first kind of interaction with a Hoosier.”
As for Fort Wayne, Crouch said the state has a strong economic foundation but its next chapter will be focused on residents’ quality of life. She pointed to programs like the state’s regional development grants as an example of how the government can best help in those areas.
“Government doesn’t drive progress; it’s the private sector that drives progress,” Crouch said. “But what the government can do is be a catalyst.”
Indiana has been outspent in the past on marketing by neighboring states, Crouch said. But she thinks a funding increase in this year’s biennial budget for the Indiana Destination Development Corporation can help the state close the gap.
“We don’t do a very good job of telling people not only within our state but outside of our state about how great Indiana is,” Crouch said.
Bernice Helman, a regional vice president with Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group, said Crouch’s work with the Destination Development Corporation has been a boon to the industry.
“In an age where employees of corporations can live anywhere, and many are working from home, I think there are a lot of things about Indiana that are very attractive,” she said after the discussion.
Helman said focusing on quality of life is crucial, including the quality of K-12 education.
“It’s critical to the growth of our state and to our economic development,” Helman said. | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/indiana/statehouse/lt-gov-crouch-discusses-housing-with-local-realtors/article_ec7b2bf8-fa75-11ed-b9f2-af2275bf37e4.html | 2023-05-24T23:39:30 | 0 | https://www.journalgazette.net/local/indiana/statehouse/lt-gov-crouch-discusses-housing-with-local-realtors/article_ec7b2bf8-fa75-11ed-b9f2-af2275bf37e4.html |
ATLANTA — An Atlanta City Council committee approved new money for the proposed public safety training center Wednesday. It will add more than $30 million in funding for the site.
The city council’s finance committee support for the infusion of taxpayer money into the project, which opponents have deemed "Cop City," was in stark contrast to the numerous folks who showed up to speak against it.
"We don’t want 'Cop City' in our backyard. We don’t want 'Cop City' anywhere," Dawn O'Neal told members of the finance committee.
It was a message Atlanta City Council members have grown accustomed to hearing, in street protests, at the DeKalb County site of the public safety training center, and in the Atlanta City Council chamber.
"Atlanta doesn’t need a school for assassins to train foreign police in urban warfare," Gloria Tatum told council members.
About four dozen people in the audience cheered on Tatum and other opponents of the project.
"I am an outsider. And yes, I am agitating this whole system you got going on up here," Keyanna Jones said.
The public safety training center project has become a flashpoint for residents of Atlanta and beyond – who want to push back against police violence by denying a new, upgraded training center.
Backers say the project would fill a training void in the city. Atlanta firefighter Nate Bailey was a lone voice in the audience in support of the project.
"Our citizens and visitors deserve the best fire department. And to be the best, we must have a world-class training center," Bailey told council members.
Backers of the project say police and fire training now takes place irregularly in out-of-state locations.
"Our police officers, many of them have not been on a vehicle obstacle course since they were recruits," Lachandra Burks, Deputy Chief of Staff to Mayor Andre Dickens, told council members.
The finance committee voted five to one with one abstention to provide the new funding for the project – which appears due to go to the full council next month. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/atlanta-city-council-committee-approves-funds-proposed-public-safety-training-center/85-347b8ccc-617f-4d4e-be35-c452484caa00 | 2023-05-24T23:43:38 | 1 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/atlanta-city-council-committee-approves-funds-proposed-public-safety-training-center/85-347b8ccc-617f-4d4e-be35-c452484caa00 |
ATLANTA — The Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will receive $500,000 in federal funds to support businesses in rural Georgia.
The half-a-million dollars in congressional direct spending funds will be used to expand the Atlanta-based businesses organization's Hispanic Business Center.
For more than 17 years, the business center has served as the educational branch for GHCC, according to the organization's website. The center provides business education and training essential for the growth of Hispanic businesses in the state.
The expansion will allow GGHC to service economically distressed areas in rural cities, like Tifton, and coastal cities like Savannah.
Venezuelan-American fashion designer Elena Carne is one of the business owners who will benefit from the federal funds.
"With the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, I try to participate in every program," Carne said. "Part of the resources and all the benefits and the things that I have been receiving is because they are there for me."
Carne first came to the U.S. in 2003 as a political refugee from Venezuela. She credits the GHCC for helping establish her clothing manufacturing business in Americus, Georgia called T31.
Carne said she currently participates in the "ELEVA para Mujeres" program offered by GHCC, which will receive part of the federal funds. The program helps female business owners with more entrepreneurial experience succeed.
Vice President Kamala Harris recently recognized the Venezuelan-American business owner for her clothing manufacturing business.
Program funding
U.S. Sen. Reverend Raphael Warnock and Sen. Jon Ossoff secured funding for the Hispanic Business Center in 2022.
"We are grateful to U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock and U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff for their continuous support and dedication to investing in the Hispanic business community in our great state of Georgia", said Verónica Maldonado-Torres, President and CEO of the GHCC.
The $500,000 will be split between the four programs the business center provides. The programs are split into three levels.
Programs that will receive funding
- LEVEL one: La Jefa League program - A business development program in Spanish for Hispanic women who are owners of emerging startups. This program aims to support and help women entrepreneurs during the early stages of development when they are most at risk of failure.
- Level two: ELEVA - A fast-paced, comprehensive program in English designed for Hispanic business owners with some entrepreneurial experience (2-4 years operating).
- Level two: ELEVA para Mujeres / ELEVA for Women - This program is the same as ELEVA, except it's in Spanish for Hispanic women business owners.
- Level three: ALTITUD program - A program designed to equip established Hispanic business owners with the necessary tools and strategies to understand and build systems that will help them to ensure profitable and productive business processes.
The GHCC said its waiting on the Small Business Administration to distribute the federal funds before moving forward.
Carne encourages all Hispanic business owners to contact GHCC if they need help maintaining their businesses.
"Don't be afraid to reach the Hispanic Business Center. It doesn't cost you. Just knock at their door," Carne said.
For information on current GHCC programs, click here. | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/rural-georgia-hispanic-businesses-financial-support/85-2439ac53-1236-4d83-8de1-bb95ab613415 | 2023-05-24T23:43:42 | 1 | https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/rural-georgia-hispanic-businesses-financial-support/85-2439ac53-1236-4d83-8de1-bb95ab613415 |
A swath of homes and businesses in the southeastern section of Henrico County could get connected to broadband internet services for the first time within the next couple of years. The largely rural section of the Varina District is expected to get an upgrade now that the county has gotten funding from a state grant.
The unconnected rural area largely straddles the county’s line along the James River. The proposed project area includes about 412 addresses, including 376 residences, 22 businesses and 14 other buildings like churches, nonprofits and county facilities.
Henrico wants to achieve “universal broadband” in the county, meaning that 100% of addresses have internet access, with the exception of a few outliers. The currently proposed project in southeastern Henrico would address all of the major neighborhoods and clusters of homes in the area.
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“Access to high-speed, broadband internet services is absolutely critical for students, families and businesses to succeed in the 21st century. It’s also a matter of equity,” said Varina District Supervisor Tyrone E. Nelson. “…We look forward to making this essential service available to every corner of our county in the next few years.”
The county partnered with All Points Broadband in securing a $501,620 grant through the Virginia Telecommunications Initiative (VATI).
The total cost of the Varina area project is proposed to be about $6.5 million. All Points Broadband is finalizing a contract to work with Dominion Energy to install fiber optic cables for broadband service.
Based on the most recent U.S. Census Bureau Statistics, 89.5% of Henrico households subscribe to broadband internet service. Travis Sparrow, director of Information Technology for Henrico, said the county’s biggest challenge was identifying “holes” in service areas, with broadband already available to a large portion of the county.
The VATI grant was awarded to Henrico and All Points for the 2022 grant cycle. The county previously partnered with Comcast to submit an application in 2021 but was unsuccessful.
Sparrow said that the need for universal broadband access became apparent during the pandemic.
“There was so much focus on remote work and remote learning,” Sparrow said in an email. “Henrico has many school-age children with challenges connecting to online school due to lack of availability. This also is true with health care and related services.”
All Points Broadband’s pending agreement with Dominion would see All Points build the “last mile” of fiber optic cables that connect to homes. Dominion will build the “middle mile” infrastructure, into which the last mile will connect.
Of the remaining costs after the application of the VATI grant, $1.4 million will come from Henrico, $1.5 million will come from All Points Broadband and $3.1 million will come from Dominion Energy. Henrico is seeking another federal grant that could be worth up to $725,000.
Officials expect the construction would take about two years to complete once a contract is finalized.
Residential broadband customers would pay a $199 installation fee to start services, plus monthly fees of $59.99, $89.99 or $119.99 for three tiers of service. Upload and download speeds would be 50/50 megabits, 100/100 megabits and 1 gigabit per second, based on level of service.
“We wanted to make sure that whatever broadband service we brought to currently unserved areas of the county would be something that the residents would be able to afford,” Sparrow said. “We believe the plan that we’ve developed with All Points Broadband accomplishes that.” | https://richmond.com/news/local/henrico-project-set-to-bring-broadband-access-to-rural-varina-outskirts/article_b5eeb140-fa70-11ed-94d9-933ab06443fe.html | 2023-05-24T23:44:31 | 0 | https://richmond.com/news/local/henrico-project-set-to-bring-broadband-access-to-rural-varina-outskirts/article_b5eeb140-fa70-11ed-94d9-933ab06443fe.html |
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. – A Florida man was arrested after police said he was trespassing at a preschool in Virginia on Tuesday, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.
Police announced the arrest on social media, saying that the man — identified as 32-year-old Eric Sandow of Gainesville — was found at the Dolly Madison Preschool in McLean.
McLean, who was unarmed at the time, reportedly said that “he was making his way to the CIA,” investigators explained.
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Yesterday, our officers took an AK-47 off the streets after a man was trespassing at the Dolly Madison Preschool in McLean. Officers found the unarmed man who said he was making his way to the CIA. #FCPD pic.twitter.com/l3Vdo12Ks8
— Fairfax County Police (@FairfaxCountyPD) May 24, 2023
A search warrant executed on Sandow’s vehicle yielded two firearms, including an AK-47, a release from the department states.
Sandow faces charges of felony possession of a firearm on school property.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/05/24/florida-man-accused-of-bringing-ak-47-to-virginia-preschool/ | 2023-05-24T23:45:09 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/05/24/florida-man-accused-of-bringing-ak-47-to-virginia-preschool/ |
OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office says they plan to issue more body-worn cameras to their deputies this year. A spokesperson for Sheriff Marcos Lopez says that since taking office, he has ensured all members on patrol have body cameras, but there are other scenarios where sworn personnel are on the job without this equipment.
News 6 asked his communications team why the sheriff has waited until now to add additional body cameras, and we were told he was not available to explain his reasoning Wednesday. His office said he would be available Thursday to discuss some of the “issues and obstacles” he has faced.
In an email, the sheriff’s office confirmed their plan to have an additional 75 cameras online by September. The next phase would include issuing all school resource officers within Osceola County with body cameras. The sheriff will then be “ensuring that every deputy who is doing proactive police work will be utilizing a body camera.”
The sheriff’s office did provide current stats to show how many sworn personnel they have now and how many body cameras they have issued:
- Total sworn personnel: 478
- Total body cams issued: 285
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A spokesperson for the sheriff explained that there are many sworn positions that will not require cameras, such as trainers, range operators, background investigators, and community relations personnel.
News 6 looked at the department’s own body-worn camera policy which does acknowledge that cameras improve the agency’s ability to review things like arrest procedures, member and citizen interaction, and general quality control.
In April 2022, on the night of a shooting in a Target parking lot where deputies shot and killed a man, the deputies were not wearing body cameras, according to Sheriff Lopez. He has released limited details about his deputies’ response since the encounter but has said previously that they were not wearing body cameras because they were training nearby. Jayden Baez, 20, died, and two other men were injured.
Attorney Mark NeJame, who is representing Baez’s family, has called for transparency since the encounter.
“Why would you not [wear body cameras]?” asked Nejame. “And, in this case we determined, we believe there is a lot that’s been hidden.”
NeJame says in his opinion deputies should be wearing body cameras.
“There is no rational reason that I have heard in the long time that I have been advocating for this that deputies should not be wearing body cameras. And most good law enforcement would concur with that,” said Nejame.
Last week, NeJame announced his office plans to file a lawsuit against Sheriff Lopez for the deadly Target shooting, citing “excessive, unreasonable, and unnecessary force.”
At this point, it’s unclear if that high-profile case and the demands for answers that have followed have anything to do with the sheriff’s decision regarding adding body cameras.
It is important to note, not all law enforcement agencies in Central Florida use body-worn cameras. The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, for instance, does not use the cameras at all.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/05/24/more-body-cameras-coming-for-osceola-county-deputies-sheriffs-office-says/ | 2023-05-24T23:45:15 | 1 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/05/24/more-body-cameras-coming-for-osceola-county-deputies-sheriffs-office-says/ |
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – Deputies are looking for a man accused of defrauding elderly victims in multiple scams in Volusia and Orange counties.
According to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office, the man scammed a Deltona woman out of several thousand dollars after she received a call from someone she thought was a family member.
The female caller told the victim she was being arrested and needed money to get out of jail, and the victim complied, deputies said.
The man, pictured above, was also involved in similar scams throughout Orlando as part of a scheme to defraud seniors, according to deputies.
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Deputies said they believe he lives in Orlando or the Orange County area. He is described as having distinct tattoos on his left leg and calf.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office about Case No. 23-5911 at 386-248-1777 or 911 in an emergency. To remain anonymous, tipsters can contact Crime Stoppers of Northeast Florida by calling 1-888-277-8477 or using the P3 app.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/05/24/volusia-deputies-search-for-man-accused-of-scamming-elderly-victims/ | 2023-05-24T23:45:22 | 0 | https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2023/05/24/volusia-deputies-search-for-man-accused-of-scamming-elderly-victims/ |
Things do this Memorial Day weekend in Shreveport
Memorial Day is this weekend, which means a three-day weekend for many. With that extra day, here are just a few things going on in the Shreveport-Bossier area.
If you are in the shopping mood, check out Bewley's Furniture and Red River Range for some sales. If you want to spend your time watching a new movie, check out "The Little Mermaid," "The Machine" and "About My Father," which are hitting the big screen this weekend. And don't forget the Shreveport-Bossier area has plenty of activities to keep you busy all weekend long.
Louisiana lawmaker says private eye hired to dig up dirt to influence vote on film credits
Memorial Day weekend sales
It is Memorial Day weekend, which means stores across the nation will be cutting prices. If you are hoping to stay local, here are just three businesses offering sales in the Shreveport-Bossier area.
Bewley's Furniture Center
Location: 900 W. 70th Street, Shreveport
Hours: Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed Sunday and open Monday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
The Memorial Day sale has already started and storewide mark downs on sectionals and more.
Red River Range
Location: 8450 River Range Road, Shreveport, Louisiana
Hours: Friday-Saturday 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sunday, 1 p.m.-6 p.m. Closed Memorial Day
Red River Range is hosting its annual sale, which is 10% off all firearms in stock, 15% off all accessories and apparel and 15% off annual memberships and renewals.
To receive the discount all sales must be in store not online.
Johnson's Furniture Store
Location: 1403 E. 70th Street, Shreveport
Hours: Thursday-Friday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Closed Sunday and open 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Memorial Day
This weekend is celebrating not only Memorial Day but Johnson's 60th anniversary. To celebrate the store will be offering this discount for every $1,000 spent you save $200 or up to 60 months interest free financing.
Come explore the new exhibits, camps and movies at the R.W. Norton Art Gallery this summer
Memorial Day weekend movies
Memorial Day weekend is the undesignated kick-off for summer and with that comes movies. Here are just three that are hitting the big screen in the Shreveport-Bossier area this Memorial Day weekend.
The Little Mermaid
Duration: 2 hr 15 min
Content Rating: G
Ariel a young mermaid with a desire for adventure visits the surface and falls in love with a Prince. Ariel is forced to make a deal with an evil sea witch to experience life on land.
This movie is a live action adaptation of the 1989 Disney animated musical.
The Machine
Duration: 1 hr 52 min
Content Rating: R
A man named Bert Kreischer is forced to retrace the steps of his younger self after a murderous mobster tries to kidnap him to atone for his crimes. With the help of Bert's estranged father, the crime family goes to war.
About My Father
Duration: 1 hr 30 min
Content Rating: PG-13
The tale of a father and son and the true meaning of family. A man and his father spend the weekend with the sons wealthy and exceedingly eccentric fiancée's family. During the weekend a cultural clash develops, and the father and son discover the meaning of family.
American Rose Society honors Louisiana woman with "Heart of the Garden" award
Memorial Day weekend activities
Looking for something fun to do this weekend, here are just three activities taking place in the Shreveport-Bossier area.
Mudbug Madness
Dates: May 25-28
Time: Thursday, 5-10 p.m. and Friday-Sunday, 11 a.m.- 11 p.m.
Location: 629 Spring St., Shreveport
Mudbug Madness is a festival in downtown Shreveport that celebrates Louisiana's culture with Cajun, Zydeco, Blues and Jazz artists. As well as Cajun cuisine, raucous contests and fun for all ages.
This three-day festival is held each Memorial Day weekend and is recognized as the Southeast Tourism Society's Top 20 Events.
Bossier City Farmers Market
Date: May 27
Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: 2950 E. Texas Street, Bossier City
Over 75 vendors will be coming out to the Pierre Bossier Mall selling fresh veggies and fruits, jams, salsa, honey, baked goods, jellies, pickles, tamales, handmade soap, flowers, kettle corn, BBQ, shaved ice, fresh-squeezed lemonade, boudin, real fruit smoothies, seasoning blends, peppers, wood and metal crafts and art.
Live music and local food trucks will be there, as well as face painters and balloons.
This Saturday activity is open to all even your furry friends.
Exercise in Caddo Common Park
Date: May 27
Time: 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Location: 869 Texas Ave., Shreveport
Three free exercise classes will be led by area instructors. This is a free weekly event that will feature five exercises, plus food trucks, art market, DJ, live painting and more.
Classes will be led by Cardio SPOT, humm Yoga and more local instructors.
Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com. | https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/local/2023/05/24/things-do-this-memorial-day-weekend-in-shreveport/70242189007/ | 2023-05-24T23:48:23 | 0 | https://www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/local/2023/05/24/things-do-this-memorial-day-weekend-in-shreveport/70242189007/ |
SAN ANTONIO DE ARECO, Buenos Aires Province — One year after the shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas, parents around the country are still uncertain and anxious about security in schools. They want to know if their school is doing everything possible to keep students from harm.
“School officials are scrambling to check themselves to see if they’re doing everything, questioning themselves and at the same time trying to convince parents that they’re doing everything to keep their kids safe,” said Ken Trump, a school security expert who runs National School Safety and Security Services.
Many schools are focusing on strengthening security measures with technology like cameras, metal detectors, and fences, but it might provide a false sense of security.
“Having analyzed the nation's highest profile school shootings, we know that the allegations of failures involve allegations of failures of security, hardware products, and technology,” Trump said. “When security works, it’s because of people. When it fails, it’s because of people.”
He recommended schools invest in the time to train staff and stduents in best security practices.
“The first and best line of defense remains a well-trained, highly alert staff and student body,” Trump said. “The number one way we find out about weapons, plots, and kids who are going to cause harm is when a kid comes forward and tells an adult that they trust.”
Overall, school security is seeing improvements.
“The good news is schools are much better at preventing shootings and other violence than they were 10 or 20 years ago,” Trump said. “The bad news is we’re dealing with human behavior. Incidents still fall through the cracks. Our job is to reduce the risk and tighten those cracks to prevent as many incidents as possible.”
Here is what parents can do to help protect their students:
“Let your children know that there are adults there working hard to keep them safe," Trump said. "If they have a concern, tell their parents. Tell the trusting adult at school. Speak up, see something, say something."
He said to tell students that looks out of place, it should be reported such as a stranger on school grounds, or an out-of-place car at arrival or dismissal. | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/a-look-at-school-security-one-year-after-uvalde/273-85e7f7a9-082f-4c47-9c9b-39036e53306c | 2023-05-24T23:49:04 | 1 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/a-look-at-school-security-one-year-after-uvalde/273-85e7f7a9-082f-4c47-9c9b-39036e53306c |
UVALDE, Texas — As you make your way through Uvalde, you’ll see signs of strength and beautiful reminders of the 21 souls lost one year ago.
Just blocks away from Robb Elementary, survivor Miah Cerrillo is surrounded by love as she endures her long journey of healing.
“The kids understand that she goes through some stuff and we’re all there for her to make sure that she’s comforted,” said Miah’s mom, Abigale Veloz.
Veloz, a mother of five, has helped absorb the pain felt by her daughter, who witnessed the murder of her classmates and teacher in room 112.
As Cerrillo testified in a pre-recorded before Congress, she quietly called 911 while covered in her peer’s blood, hoping for an end to the horror.
Since May 24, Cerrillo has struggled.
“Showering was hard for her. One of us had to be in there with her. Moving around the house, she didn’t like to do it by herself, so she always had her brothers or someone else to go with her,” Veloz said.
There are also barriers of trust when it comes to opening up.
“She doesn’t like to go to counseling, so we have to find a person that she feels comfortable talking to,” Veloz said.
Such barriers are broken with some of Cerrillo’s classmates who somehow made it out alive.
“If one has a nightmare, they have a group chat where they contact each other and ask questions about hey, can you go to sleep or do you want me to call your parents,” Veloz said.
Through all the trauma, Veloz said her warrior of a daughter is slowly overcoming the pain and she is grateful for the community members who continue to express support.
“Since May 24, just her being able to come out of her room on her own out of her room, little stuff that she used to be afraid of now she has moved forward,” Veloz said.
“We love the prayers and we thank everybody that prays for the kids. The first stories that we did were the sad ones where she couldn’t really do much and she couldn’t smile or laugh like she is now and just having her friends to make her smile is a really good feeling.”
Cerrillo and her classmate Khloe Torres, who also called 911 from inside Robb Elementary, were awarded for their actions at the Texas Public Safety Conference in Galveston.
In June, Cerrillo and fellow survivors of room 212 will be spending several days at Disneyland. A GoFundMe organized by Cerrillo’s mom has generated more than $40,000 so far. | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/mother-of-girl-911-uvalde-shooting/273-02900d15-b690-46f0-8a6a-bd737a29c23f | 2023-05-24T23:49:10 | 1 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/mother-of-girl-911-uvalde-shooting/273-02900d15-b690-46f0-8a6a-bd737a29c23f |
SAN ANTONIO — The shooting at Robb Elementary highlighted a need for access to mental health resources.
However, Texas ranked last in the US for mental healthcare access in 2022. Counselors around the state are making efforts to fill in that gap.
“Technology has advanced enormously in order to make those services more widely available,” Dr. Robert Cuyler, Chief Clinical Officer at Freespira helped establish a mental health clinic at the Uvalde Community Hospital. But, that was 20 years ago.
Last year, the Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas opened a campus in Uvalde in following a large fundraising campaign.
“Grief is not a linear process,” said Marian Sokol, Executive Director for CBCST in a news release a month after the shooting. “The Uvalde community and surviving families will go through many stages over an extended period of time – most likely years. We will be here for them for as long as it takes.”
The San Antonio chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness understands that grief and recovery are a lengthy process.
“Directly after the shooting we had parents who were saying their child was scared to go to school for fear it would happen at their school. That being revisited is normal,” Donna Costa works for NAMI San Antonio and says it can be triggering for both parents and children to remember the Uvalde shooting.
Costa says creating a safe space for adults and children in the family to grieve can be beneficial.
“Say ‘yeah, I’m thinking about that too, it’s bringing stuff up for me and I’m feeling sad.’ It helps the child know that I’m not just on an island,” Costa adds.
Whether its in Uvalde or across Texas, there will be different ways to mentally cope with the one year mark since the shooting.
“Social support and connection with people that matter to you in a situation like this is probably the single best thing we can do,” Dr. Cuyler adds.
For mental health resources, you can visit the NAMI San Antonio website or the Children’s Bereavement Center. | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/uvalde-grief-mental-health-counselors-health/273-434d920f-0a75-4c3d-be11-345516dcac27 | 2023-05-24T23:49:16 | 0 | https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/uvalde-grief-mental-health-counselors-health/273-434d920f-0a75-4c3d-be11-345516dcac27 |
BLOOMINGTON — A Bloomington man has been charged with burglary, a Class 2 felony; and forgery, a Class 3 felony.
Prosecutors allege that Eugene S. Stursa, 27, took a check from Prairie Signs Inc. that had been written for around $1,500 and made out to a plumbing company. They said he forged the check so that it was directed to himself and worth over $3,800.
Prosecutors said Stursa took the forged check to a Bank of Pontiac branch in Bloomington, where he attempted to cash it.
Stursa, who is already in custody on other matters, had his bond set in this case at $40,000 with 10% to apply, meaning he would have to post $4,000 plus court fees to be released on this matter. He also has been ordered not to have contact with the Bank of Pontiac branch.
His next court date is 9 a.m. June 9.
Photos: Police respond to Turnberry Drive shooting | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/bloomington-man-charged-with-burglary-forgery/article_a9a83f62-fa68-11ed-a5b6-9ff5b03d0838.html | 2023-05-24T23:52:30 | 0 | https://pantagraph.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/bloomington-man-charged-with-burglary-forgery/article_a9a83f62-fa68-11ed-a5b6-9ff5b03d0838.html |
Orion Ross, the man who tried to escape out a window with a teenager who came out shooting and fatally wounded a Lincoln police officer in 2020, is set for sentencing after entering a plea agreement.
At a hearing Wednesday via Zoom with Ross appearing from the Saline County jail in Wilber, the now 22-year-old pleaded no contest to escape using deadly force and unlawful transfer of a firearm to a juvenile.
In exchange, Lancaster County Attorney Pat Condon dismissed five other felonies, including aiding and abetting first-degree murder.
Now, Ross will face up to 24 years at his sentencing in July.
That's in addition to the up to 20 years he faces at a June sentencing on federal charges related to his involvement in the No Name Demons gang. And, unlike state court, there is no parole in the federal system.
Condon told the judge that on Aug. 26, 2020, Ross and Felipe Vazquez were barricaded in a locked bedroom at 33rd and Vine streets as Lincoln police closed in around the house to arrest Vazquez.
After about 20 minutes, Ross broke the window with a mug and Vazquez started firing shots, including one that struck Lincoln Police Officer Mario Herrera in the chest, and the two leaped out and ran up Vine Street.
Mario Herrera
Courtesy photo
They both were caught nearby, Ross on a school playground across the street.
At Vazquez's trial last year, Ross testified that just before he broke the window, Vazquez asked if he could "shoot out."
He said Vazquez "upped the gun," pointing it at the window, while he pulled the curtain back and threw a mug to break the window.
Ross said he thought the plan was to fire a shot to scare police, so they could get away.
"I just remember him … lowering it," he said of Vazquez and the gun that day.
Condon said Vazquez, then 17, fired off rounds from the black Smith & Wesson — which Condon said had been stolen earlier that summer from the house where Ross was living — as he went out the window.
Herrera, a 50-year-old father of four, succumbed to his injuries on Sept. 7, 2020.
Following his conviction at a jury trial in Columbus, Vazquez was sentenced a year ago to life in prison plus 129 years for his murder.
Photos, video: End of watch for Investigator Mario Herrera
Mario Herrera vigil, 9.7
Two LPD officers are reflected in a marble pulpit as people pay their respects to Officer Mario Herrera during a candlelight vigil held at St. Teresa's Catholic Church on Monday in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Mario Herrera procession 9.7
Two LPD officers, who did not give their names, embrace after the motorcade for fallen officer Mario Herrera passes by Monday in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Mario Herrera procession 9.7
Supporters and mourners line the streets during a motorcade procession for fallen officer Mario Herrera on Monday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star file photo
Mario Herrera vigil, 9.7
Mourners who came to pay their respects light a candle for Lincoln Police Officer Mario Herrera during a candlelight vigil held at St. Teresa's Catholic Church on Monday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Mario Herrera procession 9.7
Officer Erin Spilker embraces a fellow mourner during a motorcade procession for fallen officer Mario Herrera on Monday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Watch Now: Bystander on how she is feeling
Mario Herrera procession 9.7
Officers stand at attention and salute as the motorcade for fallen officer Mario Herrera passes by them Monday in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Mario Herrera procession 9.7
Officer Erin Spilker is hugged during a motorcade for fallen officer Mario Herrera on Monday in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Mario Herrera vigil, 9.7
Mourners are reflected on a pulpit as they light candles during a candlelight vigil held for fallen Lincoln Police Officer Mario Herrera at St. Teresa's Catholic Church on Monday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Mario Herrera vigil 9.7
A mourner lights a candle during a candlelight vigil held for fallen Lincoln Police Officer Mario Herrera at St. Teresa's Catholic Church on Monday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Mario Herrera procession 9.7
A motorcade for fallen officer Mario Herrera comes into downtown Lincoln on Monday afternoon. Herrera, who was shot Aug. 26 while helping serve a warrant, died earlier in day at an Omaha hospital. The procession traveled down I-80 from Omaha.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Mario Herrera vigil, 9.7
A mourner who brought her own candle holds it during a candlelight vigil held for fallen Lincoln Police Officer Mario Herrera at St. Teresa's Catholic Church on Monday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Mario Herrera vigil, 9.7
A candlelight vigil was held for fallen Lincoln Police Officer Mario Herrera at St. Teresa's Catholic Church on Monday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Mario Herrera vigil, 9.7
A woman bows her head in prayer during a candlelight vigil held for fallen Officer Mario Herrera at St. Teresa's Catholic Church on Monday in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star
Watch Now: Procession reaches downtown Lincoln
Mario Herrera vigil, 9.7
A woman makes her way into the church during a candlelight vigil held for fallen Officer Mario Herrera at St. Teresa's Catholic Church on Monday in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Mario Herrera vigil, 9.7
Mourners line up and wait for their turn to light candles during a candlelight vigil held for fallen Officer Mario Herrera at St. Teresa's Catholic Church on Monday in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Mario Herrera vigil, 9.7
Mourners light hundreds of candles around a small shrine featuring a photo of Mario Herrera during a candlelight vigil held for the fallen police officer at St. Teresa's Catholic Church on Monday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Mario Herrera vigil, 9.7
A small shrine with a photo of Mario Herrera on it is presented during a candlelight vigil held for the fallen officer at St. Teresa's Catholic Church on Monday in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Mario Herrera vigil, 9.7
Two LPD officers pay their respects to Mario Herrera during a candlelight vigil held for the fallen officer at St. Teresa's Catholic Church on Monday. Herrera died early Monday at an Omaha hospital from injuries he suffered Aug. 26 when he was shot while helping serve a warrant.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Mario Herrera procession 9.7
Supporters and mourners line downtown Lincoln streets during a motorcade for fallen officer Mario Herrera on Monday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Mario Herrera procession 9.7
Caitlin Mace wears an honor hoodie to show her support during a motorcade procession for fallen officer Mario Herrera on Monday.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star file photo
Mario Herrera procession 9.7
Flowers and cards are laid on a cruiser parked in of the County-City Building to honor the fallen officer during a procession for fallen officer Mario Herrera on Monday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Mario Herrera procession 9.7
Katie Penas waits for the motorcade procession for fallen Officer Mario Herrera on Monday.
KENNETH FERRIERA Journal Star file photo
Mario Herrera procession 9.7
A badge sculpture was set up in honor of the fallen officer during a motorcade procession for fallen officer Mario Herrera on Monday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Watch Now: Bystander on why he’s there
Mario Herrera procession 9.7
Caitlin Mace wipes tears from her eyes after the motorcade procession for fallen officer Mario Herrera on Monday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Mario Herrera procession 9.7
Officer Erin Spilker is hugged by a first responder during a motorcade procession for fallen officer Mario Herrera on Monday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Mario Herrera procession 9.7
Samantha Binder waits along an overpass near Waverly for the motorcade procession for fallen officer Mario Herrera on Monday
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Mario Herrera procession 9.7
Flags were flown at half-staff after the death of Lincoln Police Officer Mario Herrera during a procession for Herrera on Monday.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Watch Now: Procession at 10th and K beside the County-City Building
Mario Herrera procession 9.7
Gary Binder holds the stars and stripes before draping it over the 134 Street overpass over I-80 during a funeral procession for fallen officer Mario Herrera on Monday in Lincoln.
KENNETH FERRIERA, Journal Star
Overpass
Nearly every overpass Monday afternoon from Omaha to Lincoln had cars and people gathered to honor the processional carrying Officer Mario Herrera.
Nebraska State Patrol
Car
Flowers on the cruiser in front of the County-City Building Monday in honor of Officer Mario Herrera.
JoANNE YOUNG, Journal Star
Shield
Lincoln police brought out a shield Monday to display in honor of Investigator Mario Herrera.
JoANNE YOUNG, Journal Star
Mayor, council
Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and City Council members wait for the procession carrying Officer Mario Herrera's body in front of the County-City Building.
JoANNE YOUNG, Journal Star
Watch Now: Vehicles lined up on overpass near Waverly
Draping
The scene Monday in front of the County-City Building.
JoANNE YOUNG, Journal Star
Cruiser
A cruiser sits in front of the County-City Building on Monday with flowers on top and flags at half staff.
Kenneth Ferriera
Procession
People watch the procession for Officer Mario Herrera from Ninth and Q streets.
PAT SANGIMINO, Journal Star
Cruiser
Flowers rest on a police cruiser Monday in honor of slain officer Mario Herrera.
Kenneth Ferriera
Omaha procession
People gather on a pedestrian bridge to watch a procession for Lincoln police officer Mario Herrera on Monday near 42nd and Grover in Omaha. Herrera passed away early Monday after being shot on duty August 26th.
Z LONG/THE WORLD-HERALD
Omaha procession
Lincoln police officer Mario Herrera is escorted on Monday near 42nd and Grover in Omaha. Herrera passed away early Monday after being shot on duty August 26th.
Z LONG/THE WORLD-HERALD
Omaha procession
Lincoln police officer Mario Herrera is escorted on Monday near 42nd and Grover in Omaha. Herrera passed away early Monday after being shot on duty August 26th.
Z LONG/THE WORLD-HERALD
Omaha procession
Lincoln police officer Mario Herrera is escorted on Monday near 42nd and Grover in Omaha. Herrera passed away early Monday after being shot on duty August 26th.
Z LONG/THE WORLD-HERALD
Omaha procession
People gather before a procession for Lincoln police officer Mario Herrera on Monday near 42nd and Grover in Omaha. Herrera passed away early Monday after being shot on duty August 26th.
Z LONG/THE WORLD-HERALD
Omaha procession
People gather before a procession for Lincoln police officer Mario Herrera on Monday near 42nd and Grover in Omaha. Herrera passed away early Monday after being shot on duty August 26th.
Z LONG/THE WORLD-HERALD
Omaha procession
People stand on 42nd Street north of Pacific street to watch as law enforcement officers escort the body of Lincoln police officer Mario Herrera back to Lincoln after he died on Monday, September 07, 2020. Herrera was shot Aug. 26 while trying to serve a warrant.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Omaha procession
An Omaha police officer salutes the law enforcement escort of the body of Lincoln police officer Mario Herrera back to Lincoln after he died on Monday, September 07, 2020. Herrera was shot Aug. 26 while trying to serve a warrant.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Omaha procession
People stand on 42nd Street north of Pacific street to watch as law enforcement officers escort the body of Lincoln police officer Mario Herrera back to Lincoln after he died on Monday, September 07, 2020. Herrera was shot Aug. 26 while trying to serve a warrant.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Omaha procession
People stand on 42nd Street north of Pacific street to watch as law enforcement officers escort the body of Lincoln police officer Mario Herrera back to Lincoln after he died on Monday, September 07, 2020. Herrera was shot Aug. 26 while trying to serve a warrant.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Omaha procession
People stand on 42nd Street north of Pacific street to watch as law enforcement officers escort the body of Lincoln police officer Mario Herrera back to Lincoln after he died on Monday, September 07, 2020. Herrera was shot Aug. 26 while trying to serve a warrant.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Omaha procession
People stand on 42nd Street north of Pacific street to watch as law enforcement officers escort the body of Lincoln police officer Mario Herrera back to Lincoln after he died on Monday, September 07, 2020. Herrera was shot Aug. 26 while trying to serve a warrant.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Omaha procession
People stand on 42nd Street north of Pacific street to watch as law enforcement officers escort the body of Lincoln police officer Mario Herrera back to Lincoln after he died on Monday, September 07, 2020. Herrera was shot Aug. 26 while trying to serve a warrant.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Omaha procession
People stand on 42nd Street north of Pacific street to watch as law enforcement officers escort the body of Lincoln police officer Mario Herrera back to Lincoln after he died on Monday, September 07, 2020. Herrera was shot Aug. 26 while trying to serve a warrant.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Omaha procession
People stand out on 42nd Street north of Pacific street tow atch as Omaha police officers escort the body of Lincoln police officer Mario Herrera back to Lincoln after he died on Monday, September 07, 2020. Herrera was shot Aug. 26 while trying to serve a warrant.
CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Reach the writer at 402-473-7237 or lpilger@journalstar.com .
On Twitter @LJSpilger
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Get local news delivered to your inbox! | https://journalstar.com/news/local/crime-courts/lincoln-man-enters-plea-to-escape-gun-charges-in-connection-to-officers-fatal-shooting/article_e7ac9aae-fa65-11ed-ac6e-ffbea28ea5a1.html | 2023-05-24T23:52:56 | 1 | https://journalstar.com/news/local/crime-courts/lincoln-man-enters-plea-to-escape-gun-charges-in-connection-to-officers-fatal-shooting/article_e7ac9aae-fa65-11ed-ac6e-ffbea28ea5a1.html |
Katie Cordova, donor relations coordinator at Capital Humane Society, holds Mackenzie, a 10-week-old pit bull mix, as Chueqa Yang of Lincoln pats the dog during Give to Lincoln Day on Wednesday at Tower Square.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Nonprofits set up tents at Tower Square on Wednesday, which was Give to Lincoln Day.
Hundreds of community members and local leaders gathered Wednesday at Tower Square to help raise money for the city's nonprofits on Give to Lincoln Day.
“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 4:30 p.m., more than $6.2 million had been raised from more than 18,000 donors. Cedars was leading in donations with $409,615 raised. Cedars provides a safe environment for children to stay while experiencing homelessness.
Cedars Education Coordinator Jay Voigt said the donations will continue to fund the Carriage House, a semi-supervised independent-living house for young, pregnant moms to learn life and parenting skills for up to 120 days. Cedars hoped to raise $800,000 by the end of the day Wednesday.
The next leading organization, Food Bank of Lincoln, had raised $316,668 as of 4:30 p.m. The Food Bank of Lincoln works to help alleviate hunger in Southeast Nebraska.
Each donation will be amplified with a portion of a $500,000 match fund provided 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, People’s City Mission, Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties, Lincoln Literacy, Capital Humane Society and the Friendship Home.
But those not on the top of the leaderboard also benefit from the fundraising day. 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 and the noon winner was Supportive Services for Veteran Families. The 3 p.m. winner was Our Dream Achievers with the Art & Science Program. The Lincoln Community Foundation will draw one final winner from the bottom leaderboard spots for a winning nonprofit to receive $500 at 6 p.m.
BikeLNK will use the money raised Wednesday to help pay for operational funding, which allows the bikes from ROAM Share to be utilized and maintained in Lincoln, according to Logan Spackman, city manager for BikeLNK.
“I’m tremendously grateful for the opportunity that Lincoln Community Foundation and West Gate Bank have provided and the opportunity to get some additional donations,” Spackman said. “Lincoln is such a generous community. We’re excited to be part of it to serve in that and we think it’s just a great extension of what it means to be a community member in Lincoln.”
Nearly 70 organizations gathered at Tower Square from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. to offer activities and demonstrations and provide information to donors about their missions. Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird was in attendance and said she hopes Lincoln Community Foundation can break their total of over $8 million in donations from last year.
“This Give to Lincoln Day says so much about the generosity, kindness and awareness in our community about the need to pay it forward, to give back, to try to help make Lincoln a better place to call home,” Gaylor Baird said.
The Capital Humane Society received some of that generosity as they surpassed their goal of $110,000. At 4:30 p.m., the organization that helps furry friends had over $115,000.
Ruby Mussman, marketing and special events coordinator, said the money will go toward their community programs. The Pawsitive Impact Project is one of these programs that provides affordable preventative care for income-qualified pet owners such as vaccinations, deworming and microchipping as well as a free food and supply pantry.
Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach, another organization on the top 10 leaderboard, hopes to surpass last year’s donations of $200,000. By 4:30 p.m., they were just over $198,000.
“It is such a blessing to have this event in Lincoln,” said Director Lori Wellman. “It helps us all year-round helping people with homelessness, substance abuse and poverty.”
The money will be used for their programs throughout the year, including the Bold Hope Expands campaign, where families coming out of homelessness can get furniture, meeting spaces for hunger relief teams and additional office space.
“A lot of people think of us as a place to get food, but it’s so much more than that, so it’s great to get to educate people one-on-one and share more with people about all of our different services,” event planner Jenn Boettcher said.
Blue Star Mothers of America were also at Tower Square to interact with community members and spread awareness about their organization. Blue Star mothers help current military personnel or veterans and provide packages to deployed service members as well as support local moms of military members. The care packages are sent three to four times a year and include thank you notes, artwork from kids, snacks and hygiene products.
“It’s hard to be deployed and far away from home and be in scary places,” said Robin Keralis, mother of an Air Force member. “And then we support each other because we know it’s kind of scary to be a mom of a military kid sometimes with the world’s situation.”
Treasurer Erica Kutter also has a son in the reserves and said that every package costs about $100 to send. In addition to sending packages to their own children, the Blue Star Mothers of America also send the care items to military men and women who haven’t gotten mail since they’ve been deployed.
“Sometimes we’ll do a whole ship and we’ll send 50 boxes to a ship and it’s like Christmas they say,” Kutter said.
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.
Katie Cordova, donor relations coordinator at Capital Humane Society, holds Mackenzie, a 10-week-old pit bull mix, as Chueqa Yang of Lincoln pats the dog during Give to Lincoln Day on Wednesday at Tower Square. | https://journalstar.com/news/local/gift-giving-on-annual-give-to-lincoln-day-surpasses-6-million/article_810ce63c-fa38-11ed-961f-b317bf2e9d8f.html | 2023-05-24T23:53:02 | 1 | https://journalstar.com/news/local/gift-giving-on-annual-give-to-lincoln-day-surpasses-6-million/article_810ce63c-fa38-11ed-961f-b317bf2e9d8f.html |
Originally published May 23 on IdahoCapitalSun.com.
The Ukrainian Welcome Center is celebrating its first anniversary from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in Nampa.
Originally published May 23 on IdahoCapitalSun.com.
The Ukrainian Welcome Center is celebrating its first anniversary from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in Nampa.
The public, community organizations and government entities are encouraged to join in on the celebration, according to a press release issued by the organization.
According to its website, the Ukrainian Welcome Center’s main effort is to provide aid to those who are seeking refuge within Idaho from the war between Russia and Ukraine. The organization aims to provide multiple resources to those in need, including assistance with documentation, academic services and housing.
For those wanting to support the cause, there are different opportunities to do so. The center’s website includes a list of items to donate, as well as opportunities to sponsor or adopt a family.
The welcome center’s celebration will be held at 304 16th Ave. N. in Nampa and is free to attend. The event includes food and vendors, as well as activities for kids.
While the welcome center is holding a celebration for its opening anniversary, Tina Polishuk, the center’s director, said the event is bittersweet.
“We are honored to have the privilege of serving Ukrainians during this last year, but the circumstances that led to this need are unfortunate, and we hope the bloodshed will end soon," Polishuk said. "We are grateful to all community members and organizations that have stepped up to be a part of the healing process for our Ukrainian friends.”
The Ukraine Welcome Center encourages community members, friends and families to attend their anniversary celebration. It is hoping to expand awareness of the programs and resources that they offer, in person and virtually, as well as encouraging members of the community to support the organization.
More information is available at ukrainianwelcomecenter.org.
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A receipt was sent to your email. | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/idaho-s-ukrainian-welcome-center-celebrates-bittersweet-anniversary-on-saturday/article_7d7b5b48-fa65-11ed-be50-6b3be062911c.html | 2023-05-24T23:53:19 | 1 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/idaho-s-ukrainian-welcome-center-celebrates-bittersweet-anniversary-on-saturday/article_7d7b5b48-fa65-11ed-be50-6b3be062911c.html |
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Many campgrounds in the Boise National Forest are expected to open in time for Memorial Day weekend, and some have already opened for the summer season.
Weather conditions may delay some openings and snow could be lingering at higher elevations, a press release from the Forest Service said.
Campgrounds in the Idaho City Ranger District are scheduled to open Friday, except Edna Creek, which is closed until 2024 for renovation. Several campgrounds in the Lowman Ranger District opened May 21, but Deadwood Reservoir and Bull Trout remain closed, the release said.
Bull Trout and others in the area are expected to open June 19. All campgrounds in the Emmett Ranger District are projected to open by Friday. The campgrounds in the Cascade Ranger District were all scheduled to open May 20, except Amanita, which is closed and does not have a scheduled open date listed.
Most sites in the Mountain Home Ranger District should already be open, but Shafer Butte, Big Trinity Lake, Little Roaring River Lake and Big Roaring River Lake are scheduled to open by June 15.
Campgrounds are inspected annually, and some may not open by Memorial Day weekend if staff hasn't been able to inspect and prepare them, the release said. These inspections include taking water samples, removing hazardous trees and cleaning sites.
Fire managers have been conducting prescribed burns throughout the forest, so visitors may see or smell smoke. To prevent starting an unplanned forest fire, campers are reminded to put out their fire completely so it is cool to the touch.
Forest Service staff advises campers to be prepared by taking extra food, water and warm clothing. There is no cell service in the forest.
When in the national forest, practice leave no trace principles:
Plan and ahead and prepare; take a forest map or motor vehicle use map
Travel and camp on durable surfaces
Dispose of waste properly — whatever you pack in and pack out all trash
Leave what you find
Minimize campfire impacts
Respect wildlife
Be considerate of other visitors
Reservations can be made at recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/most-boise-national-forest-campgrounds-expected-to-open-soon-if-snowpack-allows/article_bc8ee40c-fa66-11ed-bee2-23f6eb899a3b.html | 2023-05-24T23:53:31 | 1 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/most-boise-national-forest-campgrounds-expected-to-open-soon-if-snowpack-allows/article_bc8ee40c-fa66-11ed-bee2-23f6eb899a3b.html |
Lori Vallow talks with her lawyers before the jury’s verdict is read at the Ada County Courthouse in Boise on Friday, May 12. The Idaho jury convicted Vallow of murder in the deaths of her two youngest children and a romantic rival, a verdict that marks the end of a three-year investigation.
Vallow will be sentenced on July 31 at 9 a.m. at the Fremont County Courthouse in St. Anthony, according to a press release from the State of Idaho Judicial Branch.
Public seating at the hearing will be first-come, first-served, according to a courtroom conduct order.
No personal electronic devices of those in attendance will be allowed to record audio or take video of the proceedings. The court will stream video of the sentencing hearing live for the public through Judge Steven Boyce's YouTube page.
Vallow was found guilty of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder and grand theft in connection with the deaths of her children Tylee Ryan, 16, and J.J. Vallow, 7, and of Tammy Daybell, the late wife of her husband, Chad Daybell, on May 12 at the Ada County Courthouse.
New filings for the case were posted Wednesday on the Judicial Branch’s Cases of Interest page, including the hearing notice and various orders regarding court access and procedure for sentencing. | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/sentencing-date-set-for-lori-vallow/article_4ee0a66e-fa72-11ed-9e59-2748353d1813.html | 2023-05-24T23:53:38 | 0 | https://www.idahopress.com/news/local/sentencing-date-set-for-lori-vallow/article_4ee0a66e-fa72-11ed-9e59-2748353d1813.html |
Federal case vs. FLDS polygamist group leader Samuel Bateman, 3 others widens to 11 people
A federal case against an Arizona-based polygamist fundamentalist cult has widened, with seven members being charged for the first time in a 53-felony-count indictment against them and their leader, Samuel Bateman.
Federal prosecutors filed the extensive indictment on May 18, replacing a more limited one against Bateman and three followers. The U.S. Attorney's Office now accuses Bateman, the self-proclaimed prophet of a splinter group of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and 10 others of causing sexual harm to nine girls whose ages ranged from 9 to 17 at the time the alleged offenses took place.
The new accusations rely, in part, on Bateman's own writings and remarks from some of the girls, according to documents filed in U.S. District Court in Arizona. The new indictment revealed stories of Bateman coercing little girls to have sex with him and other adults, trading nights with girls for luxury Bentley cars, coercing children into participating in livestreamed group sex acts and transporting across state lines the girls for sexual trade.
Originally charged: Bateman had been charged in December, along with Naomi Bistline, Donnae Barlow and Moretta Johnson, all of whom Bateman claimed to be his wives.
Originally, the four faced charges of kidnapping and destruction of evidence in a federal investigation. The U.S. Attorney's Office filed affidavits describing sexual coercion but had not filed charges against them.
Newly charged: Josephine Barlow Bistline, LaDell Bistline Jr., Brenda Barlow, Marona Johnson, Torrance Bistline, Leia Bistline, and Leilani Bistline were added to the indictment on May 18. They are all relatives, followers and others Bateman claimed as wives.
Now, the 11 co-defendants face an assortment of charges ranging from making child pornography to transporting kids for sex.
Short Creek showdown:Outsiders, FLDS battle for control of towns Warren Jeffs left behind
What happened?
On Aug. 28, Arizona Department of Public Safety troopers saw a GMC Denali pulled over on Interstate 40. They noticed a child's hand poking out of a trailer in tow and then arrested Samuel Rappylee Bateman. He was booked into a Coconino County jail on suspicion of child endangerment, but he returned home.
Why is the FBI involved?
Federal agents grew suspicious that Bateman was deleting records off a cellphone app during his arrest and communicating with supporters in Colorado City while he was in jail. On Sept. 13, agents searched his home there. On Sept. 15, he appeared in federal court on new federal charges dealing with interfering with destruction of records.
Who is Samuel Bateman?
He is 46 and a leader of an FLDS sect in Colorado City. Beyond that, much is still not known about him. He calls himself a prophet, according to Colorado City and Hilldale residents. | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2023/05/24/11-people-arizona-flds-polygamist-group-indicted-on-53-felony-counts/70254680007/ | 2023-05-24T23:56:40 | 1 | https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2023/05/24/11-people-arizona-flds-polygamist-group-indicted-on-53-felony-counts/70254680007/ |
HUTCHINSON, Kan. (KSNW) — A man from Hutchinson has been arrested for allegedly threatening a woman with a knife Tuesday.
According to the Hutchinson Police Department (HPD), they received a call at 10:35 a.m. in reference to an armed robbery in the 1000 block of North Main Street.
The HPD says an 82-year-old woman reported hearing someone rattling the back door of her home. Moments later, she walked out of her house and confronted a man in her yard.
The woman told the HPD the man displayed what she believed was a large knife and verbally threatened her, and demanded she give him money.
The woman was able to make her way to a nearby business to seek shelter and contact the police department.
The HPD says the man briefly entered the business, causing a verbal disturbance with employees.
Upon arrival by law enforcement on the scene, they were able to make contact with the man.
Hutchinson police say he was uncooperative and battered one of the officers while being taken into custody.
The 35-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of aggravated robbery, battery LEO, aggravated criminal threat, interference with law enforcement, disorderly conduct and possession of drug paraphernalia.
HPD says no injuries were reported by any of the victims.
KSN does not name suspects unless charges are filed in their case. | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/hutchinson-man-arrested-for-allegedly-threatening-woman-with-knife/ | 2023-05-25T00:02:05 | 1 | https://www.ksn.com/news/local/hutchinson-man-arrested-for-allegedly-threatening-woman-with-knife/ |
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — Audiences will have the chance to watch the inspiring story of “Coppélia” on stage next month.
According to the Dorothy Jemison Day Theater, this light-hearted ballet features Franz, the hero, who is smitten when he sees the beautiful Coppélia reading in the window of Dr. Coppélius’ workshop. Chaos follows, leaving his beloved Swanhilda to show Franz the error of his ways.
The musical will begin on June 2 and run through June 4 at the Dorothy Jemison Day Theater at ASFA. For tickets and information, visit Alabama Ballet’s official website. | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/alabama-ballet-to-perform-coppelia-at-dorothy-jemison-day-theater/ | 2023-05-25T00:03:10 | 0 | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/alabama-ballet-to-perform-coppelia-at-dorothy-jemison-day-theater/ |
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — The Birmingham Airport Authority announced Wednesday a groundbreaking ceremony has taken place to signify the BAA is preparing to start construction on a $27 million air cargo facility at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport.
According to the BAA, the new building will be homebase for a new line of business that includes weekly cargo flights from Germany.
“This has been a long-term goal of the airport and to see it all coming together is a huge win for our community,” BAA Chair Darlene Wilson said in a release. “We have the infrastructure in place. We have the best partners in the business. And we have the determination to continue building on what we established earlier this year.”
The airport joined with global logistics leader, Kuehne+Nagel, in February to bring regular international cargo flights into Birmingham. The BAA stated the partnership is poised to transform Birmingham into a long-term gateway to and from the southeastern corridor of the U.S. Currently, Kuehne+Nagel is operating out of a temporary hanger but will move into the new cargo facility when it’s completed.
The new building will feature 48,500 square feet of warehouse space, 17 bays in the load docs, five airside bay doors, and office space with conference rooms, restrooms and breakrooms. Construction is expected to finish next spring. | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/birmingham-airport-authority-holds-groundbreaking-ceremony-for-27-million-air-cargo-facility/ | 2023-05-25T00:03:16 | 1 | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/birmingham-airport-authority-holds-groundbreaking-ceremony-for-27-million-air-cargo-facility/ |
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — The University of Alabama at Birmingham celebrated the completion of community improvements in Bush Hills by Live HealthSmart Alabama, an initiative of the University of Alabama and in partnership with B.L. Harbert.
Over the past year, the city of Birmingham, Alabama Power and Goodwyn Mills Cawood have improved the community’s infrastructure by repairing existing sidewalks and building new ones.
They’ve installed ADA street ramps, new crosswalks, planted trees, enhanced green spaces, installed outdoor furniture and added street lighting in key locations to increase visibility.
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin and other community representatives were in attendance. | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/live-healthsmart-alabama-celebrates-bush-hills-demonstration-zone/ | 2023-05-25T00:03:22 | 1 | https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/live-healthsmart-alabama-celebrates-bush-hills-demonstration-zone/ |
CEDAR FALLS — The city of Cedar Falls reminds the public about decorating ordinances for area cemeteries with Memorial Day weekend approaching.
Families and friends may honor holidays by decorating gravestones; however, city staff does have to preserve the area to help accommodate all citizens that use the facility.
In order to keep the cemeteries maintained, the city ordinance mandates that those who decorate gravestones abide by these guidelines:
- Temporary placements at gravesites must be removed in a timely fashion after the holiday weekend so that staff can maintain grass growth throughout the cemetery. Residents have three days after the holiday to remove any temporary items. A temporary placement is one that is not in an urn or attached to the monument foundation. Flower bouquets and additional mementos such as figurines or flags that are not affixed to the gravestone are considered temporary.
- Shepard hooks are allowed at gravesites, but must be drilled into the monument base if they are intended as a permanant fixture.
- For safety purposes, no glass bottles are allowed upon a gravesite.
- No artificial flowers, wire structures, or other urns shall be placed directly into the ground at a gravesite.
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For additional questions regarding gravestone decorations, please email Chase Schrage, Cedar Falls public works director, at chase.schrage@cedarfalls.com. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/cedar-falls-issues-reminder-on-decorating-graves/article_5c0a79c8-fa77-11ed-b691-6bfdc4891374.html | 2023-05-25T00:05:59 | 0 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/cedar-falls-issues-reminder-on-decorating-graves/article_5c0a79c8-fa77-11ed-b691-6bfdc4891374.html |
WATERLOO — A North Liberty man allegedly threatened women with a knife before sexually assaulting them in two apartment break-ins this spring, according to recently released court records.
Asante Ajee Walker-Garcia Adams, 25, who also lived in Iowa City and Coralville, made his initial court appearance on Wednesday on charges of sexual assault and burglary in attacks near college campuses in Cedar Falls and Waterloo.
In court, Adams asked the judge about the ramification of the charges.
“With these allegations, if I’m convicted I can never leave the country, correct?” Adams asked.
He also said his phone had been seized by police and asked for a clarification as how much prison time he was facing.
County Attorney Brian Williams said the charges, if run consecutive, carry up to 100 years in prison with at least 35 years before parole consideration because of mandatory minimums. It also requires lifetime sex offender registration.
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Bond was set at $400,000 cash only and Adams will be under supervision if released pending trial. The court also entered orders prohibiting Adams from contacting the victims.
Court records allege Adams brandished a knife in both attacks.
In the Waterloo incident, the victim said she awoke around 5 a.m. on March 10 to find a stranger on top of her. The intruder claimed he was holding a knife to her child’s neck and would cut him if she yelled for help. He put a pillowcase over her head and led her to a couch where he sexually assaulted her, court records state.
In the April 10 attack in Cedar Falls, a woman said she awoke to a man on top of her with his hand around her neck. He threatened her with a knife, covered her face and sexually assaulted her, court records state.
It wasn’t until last week that Adams was identified as a suspect, and police said DNA testing linked him to the Waterloo and Cedar Falls crimes. | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/man-appears-in-court-in-waterloo-cedar-falls-attacks/article_ba55a904-fa4e-11ed-b748-23a4766c1405.html | 2023-05-25T00:06:05 | 1 | https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/man-appears-in-court-in-waterloo-cedar-falls-attacks/article_ba55a904-fa4e-11ed-b748-23a4766c1405.html |
A Twin Falls man has been charged with threatening another man with a handgun in February after an argument at a Twin Falls bar, police say.
Twin Falls police said James Rollins, 60, hit the man over the shoulder with a pool cue at about 11:30 p.m. Feb. 25 at the Klover Klub, 402 Main Ave. N., and when the man pursued Rollins out of the bar, Rollins took a shooting-style stance while holding a handgun, causing the man to retreat inside, according to a police report.
Police used security footage from the bar to track Rollins, who was arrested this month.
Rollins, who is charged with aggravated assault and battery, is being held on $10,000 bond and faces a June 2 preliminary hearing. | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/police-man-pulled-gun-on-individual-near-twin-falls-bar/article_40864cf0-fa80-11ed-8bd1-0367d30e8e64.html | 2023-05-25T00:06:12 | 1 | https://magicvalley.com/news/local/police-man-pulled-gun-on-individual-near-twin-falls-bar/article_40864cf0-fa80-11ed-8bd1-0367d30e8e64.html |
The Herkimer County Legislature is working on securing a million dollars in funding from the Northern Border Regional Commission to build a Children’s Center. The Commission provides grants for community development within the most distressed counties of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York. Herkimer County may be financially distressed, but is in dire need of Children’s Mental Health Services. Christina Cain, the Herkimer County Public Health Director, talked about the services this Children’s Center would provide.
"Everything from Childcare Provision, to a Children’s Mental Health Clinic, to a Diaper Bank, to a Connected Community Schools Impact Center that will be located in the community as opposed to just in the schools, to Childbirth Education, Lactation Counseling. There’s going to be some programming with Cornell Cooperative Extension to really focus on food insecurity. There is just going to be a whole variety….Therapy rooms for Early Intervention Services."
Herkimer County Legislature Chairman Vincent Bono says the County is hoping to have the project at least 75% funded through grants and outside sources.
"We’re trying to have zero put off on the taxpayer. Obviously it’s going to be funded through grants and State agencies, but we’re looking to have that…like I said, ¾ of it is going to be accommodated by grants of that sort, but as far as the local taxpayer, you know that remains to be seen."
Christina Cain says the County is also hoping to keep operational costs of the Center at a minimum.
"We have some grants coming through, especially for our Mental Health Clinic that will hopefully provide all the funding needed for the staff. The beauty of the building itself is that while it is definitely a cost up front, we’re hoping to secure enough grants to pay for it, and then the ongoing maintenance costs of the building actually are just going to be self-sustaining."
The County still has some fundraising to do, and an aggressive timeline. If all goes as planned the Child Care Center will be up and running at the Doufold site by the fall of next year. | https://www.wktv.com/news/local/herkimer-moves-forward-with-children-s-center/article_5cf9e3d6-fa69-11ed-963e-5fe568a306e3.html | 2023-05-25T00:06:49 | 0 | https://www.wktv.com/news/local/herkimer-moves-forward-with-children-s-center/article_5cf9e3d6-fa69-11ed-963e-5fe568a306e3.html |
Around noon Wednesday, a tractor trailer traveling east on Red Hill Road, plowed through Oneida Street without stopping, between two homes, through a backyard, and into Sauquoit Creek.
"I heard the sirens, but we were heading back to camp," said Lynn Rauscher.
Rauscher learned it was her daughter's yard and the tractor trailer missed her house by about six feet.
"Relieved that the house wasn't damaged. Fencing and whatever got damaged could be replaced very easily. Just glad the house was fine," said Rauscher.
The driver was taken to the hospital for evaluation and possible treatment.
"Nothing's under water. The creek's not that deep now, fortunately, so none of the cab was underwater," said Willowvale Fire Chief, Noel Ames.
There were no tire tracks or skid marks in the road, suggesting that the brakes possibly were not applied, or, potentially malfunctioned.
"Preliminarily that would be what I would think. I was at the scene. I did not see any tire tracks, but, again, our accident investigators are there and they'll formally process the scene," said New Hartford Police Chief, Ronald Fontaine. "Could be a mechanical issue, could be a medical issue. At this point and time, we'll look at everything. We'll interview the driver, we'lll interview some residents in the area. There's also some surveillance cameras that were noted in the area."
The house on the other side of the tractor trailer has a guide rail in front of it, which was put there years ago, after a vehicle hit the house. A Utica Fire Department hazmat crew, Oneida County Emergency Services and State Police were on the scene today, State Police, putting up a drone to get a closer look.
The DEC has to come and evaluate the scene before the tow tuck drivers can even begin the odyssey of getting the tractor trailer out of the creek, so it could remain in the creek until early Wednesday evening. | https://www.wktv.com/news/local/tractor-trailer-crashes-into-sauquoit-creek-in-chadwicks/article_55b5c87e-fa78-11ed-9686-2fe1cb6593c8.html | 2023-05-25T00:06:55 | 0 | https://www.wktv.com/news/local/tractor-trailer-crashes-into-sauquoit-creek-in-chadwicks/article_55b5c87e-fa78-11ed-9686-2fe1cb6593c8.html |
Jackson-Madison Co. schools retest 3rd graders in reading as state reports low scores
The Jackson-Madison County School System is conducting a state-mandated retesting window for third graders who scored below proficiency on the 2022-23 TCAP state achievement test in an effort to accommodate a new state law regarding third grade retention.
According to the new state law, third graders across Tennessee, who fall into two categories, "below" and "approaching" reading proficiency are tagged to retake an English and Language Arts test during a two-week time frame from May 22 to June 5.
The JMCSS has not disclosed how many of its third grade students are mandated to retake an ELA version of the TCAP exam, following requests by The Jackson Sun.
However, ahead of press time Wednesday, the Tennessee Department of Education released third grade average TCAP scores for each school district. Scores show low performance among students in JMCSS.
JMCSS average 2023 TCAP scores for third grade ELA are as follows:
40.88% - Below proficiency
39.52% - Approaching proficiency
15.97% - Meets proficiency
3.62% - Exceeds proficiency
19.59 - Total proficiency
- Courtesy of Tennessee Department of Education
The percentage of JMCSS students exempt from the state-mandated retesting is currently unknown, which would be factored into the total amount of third graders who are eligible to retest in reading.
The Tennessee Department of Education released on Friday a preliminary summary of third grade TCAP test results for each school district across the state (then not released publicly) so that educators could determine which third grade students need to be retested. Many school districts across the state at the time released the percentage of third graders affected in their districts.
However, the state has not released the full TCAP results for the 2022-23 school year for grades 3-5, as usually reported on the State Report Card in the fall. Only third grade average scores have been released.
JMCSS Superintendent Marlon King previously explained in an email to the Sun earlier this week that the "scores cannot publicly be released at this time."
Letter sent to parents
In a letter to parents, emailed to "families and community stakeholders" on Monday, the JMCSS said that 883 third grade students took the ELA TCAP test in April and that 375 third graders, or over 42%, are enrolled in Summer Learning Camp.
Summer camps were originally funded by the Tennessee General Assembly in 2021 to address learning loss among students during the pandemic. Students who are struggling to achieve proficiency are identified to attend summer learning programs. The camps are also open to any student who would like to attend, according to JMCSS correspondence.
The letter further explains that principals across JMCSS are in the process of sharing with parents raw preliminary scores from TCAP achievement tests to determine options for students.
"Schools are working with families to determine options and exemptions," the letter states.
According to King, families have many pathways that can lead to fourth grade promotion. He emphasized that just because a child did not reach proficiency on TCAP does not automatically mean the child will be retained.
"Many parents are concerned, but there are many pathways and options that can help students progress to the fourth grade," King said.
Who is exempt and what are the options?
For those third graders who received a mark of "below" or "approaching" on the ELA TCAP, the retake period began on May 22 and will continue through June 5, according to TDOE.
Students who retake the assessment will be notified within 48 hours of their promotion eligibility, according to TDOE.
Exemptions are determined by the district and King explained that "although some students may have fallen in these categories, there are exemptions that each school individually must consider."
The following students are considered "exempt":
- Those held back in a prior grade
- Students with disabilities or suspected disabilities that influence their development in literacy
- English language learners who have received less than two years of English language arts instruction
After exemptions are factored in, the remaining children who scored below the threshold will be subject to the following guidelines.
Children who score as approaching proficiency must complete one of the following to move on to fourth grade:
- Retest and score on grade level, with a retest window of May 22-June 5, which may vary by district
- Enroll in summer school, meet 90% attendance and show adequate growth
- Have a free state-provided tutor for the entirety of fourth grade
The state board of education defined "adequate growth" in a May 19 meeting as a student scoring at least 5 percentage points higher on a post-summer school test than their baseline score. The baseline can be either their initial TCAP English language arts score or their retake score.
Those who score as below proficiency have the following options to move on:
- Retest and score on grade level
- Enroll in summer school with 90% attendance rate and have a free state-provided tutor for the entirety of fourth grade
The measurement of "adequate growth" does not apply to students who scored as below proficiency. Retesting and summer school dates may vary by district.
Parents or legal guardians of students who score as approaching proficiency can also appeal retention decisions over the summer, according to the state education department. Students who scored in the 40th percentile or higher on a spring reading screening assessment or faced hardships during the days leading up to the TCAP can also appeal.
The appeal window is open from May 30-June 13.
JMCSS Deputy Superintendent Vivian Williams wrote in the email to parents that she encourages parents to respond to communications sent by the district in the upcoming days.
State results: Nearly two-thirds of students not proficient
Preliminary third grade ELA results from the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program were released to school districts by the Tennessee Department of Education in the late afternoon on Friday, revealing that nearly two-thirds of third graders across the state do not meet proficiency standards.
More:Third grade reading scores: Tennessee reports 60% fall short on TCAP test
Previous results: JMCSS TCAP scores, 2021-22
The most recent state Report Card shows that 24.5% of students in the third through fifth grade met ELA proficiency during the 2021-22 school year.
More:How the West TN counties stacked up against each other in TNReady performance, ratings
Third through fifth graders were grouped together in the initial report card and were not differentiated between grade levels.
Comparatively across all grades in Tennessee as a whole, 36.5% of students met ELA proficiency standards.
Rachel Wegner and Kerri Bartlett contributed to this story. | https://www.jacksonsun.com/story/news/local/2023/05/24/jackson-madison-co-schools-retest-3rd-graders-amid-low-reading-scores/70247702007/ | 2023-05-25T00:07:57 | 0 | https://www.jacksonsun.com/story/news/local/2023/05/24/jackson-madison-co-schools-retest-3rd-graders-amid-low-reading-scores/70247702007/ |
A D.C. Superior Court official Wednesday disputed a deputy mayor’s claim that the Department of Motor Vehicles had not been alerted to the past DUIs of a woman who is charged in a fatal crash that killed three people on Rock Creek Parkway, increasing pressure on city officials to explain how they handled the woman’s license.
D.C. Superior Court spokesman Doug Buchanan asserted that his records showed the motor vehicle agency had been properly notified of Nakita Marie Walker’s three past DUI convictions, which came in the years before she was charged with second-degree murder in the fatal crash that killed three. Police allege that Walker had a blood alcohol level above the legal limit in tests administered after she crashed into a sedan on Rock Creek Parkway in March — killing a Lyft driver and the two young men he was driving home.
District government officials have not responded to multiple questions about whether Walker had a valid driver’s license at the time of the crash. But Lucinda M. Babers, deputy mayor for operations and infrastructure, said at a D.C. Council hearing Tuesday that the Superior Court did not notify the DMV of Walker’s convictions in prior DUI cases, which would have triggered a process inside the department that often results in driver’s license suspensions. She cited a breakdown in communication.
Buchanan denied that accusation Wednesday.
“Evidence has been shared with District officials, indicating the computer transmissions of information in the cases connected to Ms. Nakita Walker were each successfully shared with the DC DMV’s computer system,” he said in a statement.
Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) on Wednesday said she was briefed on the situation but said she was not familiar with the communication between the court and DMV. She suggested there might be a technical problem.
“Whatever gaps there are, we will fill them,” Bowser said. “It sounds like a technology solution and a fix that can potentially make it safe on the road. So it will have my full attention.”
Bowser’s spokeswoman Susana Castillo declined to respond to questions about the court’s dispute that the notification was successfully made, instead referring a reporter to Bowser’s statement.
The District is one of a few jurisdictions that receive such notifications electronically, Babers said Tuesday, and the DMV has a verification system in place to ensure that notifications are reviewed and processed in a timely manner. She said that the city learned of Walker’s DUI convictions in news reports Monday and that the DMV had no knowledge of her record.
Babers also said that past technical glitches in the electronic notification system had been resolved and that she expected existing protocols would be reviewed. The DMV, she said, would have “to figure out some other way to do it, because that didn’t get us what we needed.”
D.C. law requires the mayor to revoke the license of any person convicted of a DUI for a minimum of six months for a first offense, one year for a second offense and two years for a third offense. The law also requires that the DMV handle the revocation process after being notified by the courts of a conviction.
Walker was last charged with a DUI in 2020. She pleaded guilty and was sentenced in 2022. She had previous DUI charges in 2015 and 2018. The vehicle that she was driving on Rock Creek Parkway — which she co-owned with her estranged husband, according to court records — had 49 outstanding tickets with unpaid fines that totaled $12,300 at the time.
City elected leaders and residents have raised questions about whether more cases like hers have slipped through the cracks, allowing drunk drivers to maintain licenses that should be revoked.
D.C. Council member Christina Henderson (I-At Large) on Tuesday urged Babers and the DMV to audit cases of individuals who have been convicted of driving infractions and ensure their driving privileges’ have been removed. Henderson said there should be a better mechanism to ensure that someone with a record like Walker’s isn’t driving with a valid license — noting that lives were lost in the crash police say she caused.
The three people killed in the March 15 crash were Mohamed Kamara, a 42-year-old Lyft driver working extra hours to save up for a trip to see his wife and daughter in Sierra Leone; and 23-year-old friends Olvin Torres Velasquez and Jonathan Cabrera Mendez, who called for a ride after a late dinner in D.C.
“This is not minor,” Henderson said. “This is a big thing.” | https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/2023/05/24/dc-dmv-past-duis-rock-creek-parkway-crash/ | 2023-05-25T00:10:31 | 1 | https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/2023/05/24/dc-dmv-past-duis-rock-creek-parkway-crash/ |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/city-of-uvalde-and-state-of-texas-continue-to-aim-for-stronger-school-security/3264699/ | 2023-05-25T00:13:51 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/city-of-uvalde-and-state-of-texas-continue-to-aim-for-stronger-school-security/3264699/ |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/community-shares-memories-of-loved-ones-lost-in-uvalde-school-shooting/3264773/ | 2023-05-25T00:13:58 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/community-shares-memories-of-loved-ones-lost-in-uvalde-school-shooting/3264773/ |
After years of bitter fighting the Dallas City Council Wednesday unanimously endorsed the state plan to replace Interstate 345, but there was a catch that could one day reverse the endorsement.
The unmarked, elevated roadway separates downtown Dallas from Deep Ellum, linking Interstate 45 to the south with U.S. 75 Central Expressway to the north.
The compromise -- meant to appease critics who want the road removed entirely -- calls for an additional independent study of the potential benefits and whether funding could be found to pay for removal.
Supporters say traffic from the highway could move to a new grid of surface-level boulevards, clearing more land for new housing and restoring neighborhoods destroyed when the road was built.
“It’s not just a transportation issue. It’s a social issue. It’s a community issue. It’s a historical issue,” downtown resident Caleb Roberts said.
After so much debate over the years, supporters of the boulevard option lined up again before the city council vote in person and online.
“We’ve got a once-in-a-generation chance to tear a scab off of some of the most valuable parts of the city and allow it to heal into a happier, more healthy and prosperous part of the city,” said Nate Hemby with the group Dallas Neighborhoods for Housing.
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Critics of the state plan say it was devised by the Texas Department of Transportation.
“TxDOT has a duty to move cars. We as a city have a fiduciary duty to do other things. We want to move cars but we want to do other things. We want to find housing for people closer to jobs,” Councilman Chad West said.
Transportation planners say the aging road carries 180,000 vehicles a day and must be replaced. They’ve said removing it entirely would violate federal law and would not be approved by the state.
Michael Morris with the North Central Texas Council of Governments said removing the roadway would hurt downtown Dallas.
“I don’t see where the capacity for economic development is going to come from when the thoroughfare street is being used for traffic that used to be on the freeway system,” Morris said.
The state plan calls for a below-grade replacement like Central Expressway to the north, with fewer access ramps and a smaller path. Deck parks and even buildings could be constructed over the roadway.
“This is not a perfect solution, but at the end of the day what we can say if we support this is that today TxDOT and the City of Dallas have decided to take down a highway and we’re going to put something better there in its place,” West said.
Council members said the revised state plan offers much of what boulevard supporters want.
“So as frustrating as this may be, we must now make lemonade from this situation,” Council Member Jaynie Schultz said.
Council Member Cara Mendelsohn said the critics should recognize that eliminating the roadway will not happen.
“People who’ve decided to make this their passion project, I would highly advise them to focus on what it can be with these other options with the decking, with the capping. There’s a lot of great things that can happen,” Mendelsohn said.
The compromise that helped achieve the unanimous vote was instructing the city manager to seek funding for additional study not conducted by the state transportation agency.
Councilman Omar Narvaez said the amendment also requires TxDOT compliance with recently adopted Dallas climate, racial equity and economic development plans, inclusion of capping options in initial designs and bi-annual briefings to the city.
“Based on the outcome of studies and pursuant to the availability of funding, city reserves the right to fully or partially withdraw its support of the refined hybrid option recommended by TxDOT,” Narvaez said.
Councilman Paul Ridley who represents portions of the I-345 path, agreed to drop his opposition with those stipulations.
“I will support this resolution as it has been amended because I think it is the best path forward at this point in time,” Ridley said.
Boulevard supporters said they believe there is federal money available for studies of highway impediments to reconnecting neighborhoods.
But city officials said the state will require repayment for the cost of design work that will begin now as well as the cost of land if the city someday tries to reverse Wednesday’s vote. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-city-council-approves-i-345-replacement-with-a-catch/3264691/ | 2023-05-25T00:14:05 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-city-council-approves-i-345-replacement-with-a-catch/3264691/ |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-city-council-endorses-plan-to-replace-i-345-highway/3264782/ | 2023-05-25T00:14:11 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-city-council-endorses-plan-to-replace-i-345-highway/3264782/ |
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The latest news from around North Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-isd-student-receives-special-royal-treatment/3264717/ | 2023-05-25T00:14:20 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-isd-student-receives-special-royal-treatment/3264717/ |
The start of school Wednesday at Marcus Leadership Academy in the Dallas ISD didn't have the traditional bell. It had police sirens, police officers, princesses, and cheerleaders.
"She's coming," teacher and Make-A-Wish North Texas volunteer Cristina Vela told classmates. "Let's say it all together: Go Mia!"
Mia Aguilar arrived at school, greeted by a "royal guard" who placed a tiara on her head and gave her flowers. She was ushered into the school auditorium where classmates wore Mickey Mouse ears and waved Mickey Mouse cutouts and cheered.
"Because she is getting very healthy, as you can see, she's beautiful," Vela said.
"We found out she had leukemia on May 20," Mia's mom Elizabeth Aguinaga said. "When you're in the hospital you feel almost alone."
That was two years ago. Mia is in remission from cancer now.
"After two years of not knowing if things were going to be OK, just being sad, I think this is finally our next chapter in our book of life," Aguinaga said. "It feels magical."
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Mia and her family are going to the Magic Kingdom of Disney World in June, thanks to Make-A-Wish North Texas.
"I thought they forgot about it, like my wish," Aguilar said. "But turns out, they remembered it!"
"My wish is that she enjoys every single moment with her family, forgetting about all the hardships they've been going through," Vela said.
Vela said Mia's classmates are learning about empathy and doing things for others without expecting anything in return.
Mia says she's learned a lot about herself in the last two years. "That I can do hard things," she said. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-isd-student-surprised-with-make-a-wish-assembly/3264570/ | 2023-05-25T00:14:26 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/dallas-isd-student-surprised-with-make-a-wish-assembly/3264570/ |
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News from around the state of Texas. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-news/arming-teachers-debated-as-safety-measure-across-texas-schools/3264645/ | 2023-05-25T00:14:52 | 0 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-news/arming-teachers-debated-as-safety-measure-across-texas-schools/3264645/ |
Eleven children and four adults survived the massacre at Robb Elementary School thanks to doctors in Uvalde and San Antonio.
We’ve heard many of their heart-wrenching stories over the year. Children, injured or covered in blood to appear dead, waited over an hour to be rescued.
Noah Orona is among the survivors.
“What he saw, what he experienced,” said Noah’s father Oscar Orona with a sigh. “My wife and I have a hard time dealing with it and we’re adults. We weren’t even there. I can’t even begin to imagine how he is managing to deal with it.”
It took Noah nine months to feel ready. On Valentine’s Day, he sat in the town square, facing a memorial for his friends and teachers.
“Physically I’d say he’s about 80%,” said Orona.
Noah has completed physical therapy for wounds sustained in the May 24, 2022, school shooting.
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The fourth grader survived a shot through the back.
“He’s got fragments here and he’s got wounds under his arms,” said Orona pointing to his right side.
But it’s the invisible wounds he fears will be tough to mend.
“Is he going to be able to go out there and have a meaningful life and fend for himself and provide for himself?” he worries.
Their rambunctious son now but a shadow of who he was before.
“We cannot leave the house, just go outside, without telling him we’re going,” said Orona. “Also, we have to announce ourselves. ‘Noah hey, we’re going to your room, buddy.’ Because if he’s doing something, drawing or whatever, and we kind of sneak up on him it startles him. So, he’s not the same.”
Hoping to help Uvalde navigate grief and loss for years to come is the Ecumenical Center.
More than 20 therapists are in the small community, offering a wide range of therapy programs for people of all ages and needs.
“It’s a large undertaking,” said the center’s CEO Mary Beth Fisk.
Fisk is not able to provide details on how many people have reached out for help and if the number includes any survivors or the families of those killed.
The center arrived in town the day of the shooting and has planned to remain "as long as is necessary."
“Just as in Sutherland Springs, that event happened in 2017,” said Fisk. “Six years later, we have three offices.”
Mass shootings often leave many people in communities with survivor’s guilt.
“Survivor’s guilt is that feeling that I made it out and my friend did not,” she said. “It’s a real emotion. With our professional counselors, we can process through those feelings when they’re ready.”
Some people, including families of those killed and survivors, could take years to seek help.
When it comes to how one should or shouldn’t mark May 24 today and in the years to come, Fisk advises doing what feels right to you.
“That means that for some: attending mass, for some: a prayer vigil, for some: they may need to leave the community and return later on,” she said. “There’s no right or wrong answer.”
In Noah’s case, the family plans to gather with the community for a prayer vigil.
He’s slowly moving forward and spent his 11th birthday earlier this month dancing a cumbia with his sister Laura.
Small steps forward with a supportive family in tow.
“My wife said it best when she said: We’re not going to let this monster determine our son’s outcome,” said Orona. | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-news/uvalde-survivors-noahs-journey-toward-healing/3264738/ | 2023-05-25T00:14:59 | 1 | https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/texas-news/uvalde-survivors-noahs-journey-toward-healing/3264738/ |
Those looking for a staycation will still have an excuse to use a passport this summer with the return of the "Passport to Adventure" program for several Casper museums.
Museums of Casper, a group that represents the cultural resources available in Casper, according to their Facebook page, announced in a press release that the program will start on Memorial Day and continue through Labor Day. At many museums, participants can enter drawings, and the drawings will take place live on Sept. 9 on Facebook for those who entered.
There are 12 participating locations around Casper, and passports can be picked up at any one:
- The Nicolaysen Art Museum & Discovery Center;
- the Tate Geological Museum;
- the Werner Wildlife Museum;
- The Science Zone;
- the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center;
- The Bishop House;
- Art321;
- Visit Casper;
- Crimson Dawn;
- the Casper Planetarium;
- Fort Caspar Museum; and
- the Wyoming Veterans Memorial Museum.
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The program is geared towards families with children, the press release said, but anyone is welcome to participate. | https://trib.com/news/local/casper/passport-to-adventure-museum-program-to-return-to-casper/article_2108a6f4-fa65-11ed-b28a-57dec753d923.html | 2023-05-25T00:18:00 | 0 | https://trib.com/news/local/casper/passport-to-adventure-museum-program-to-return-to-casper/article_2108a6f4-fa65-11ed-b28a-57dec753d923.html |
GLEN BURNIE, Md. — Nicholas Patrick of Embrace Wellness CBD has decided to shut down.
He owns three shops here in Maryland and he’s closing his doors in late June.
“Maryland has absolutely, 100%, unequivocally turned their back on the hemp industry," said Patrick.
The cannabis reform bill caps unregulated sale of THC at 2.5 milligrams per package.
To sell any more, Patrick has to get his hands on one of the 300 recreational licenses that’ll be given out on a lottery basis.
Until he knows if he gets one, which is expected to be announced sometime early next year, he has to shut down.
“Yeah I could continue to sell it if I was given a recreational cannabis license, but they’re only giving out a couple hundred of those over the next few years for the entire state. So the first round they’re giving out 80 dispensary licenses, so I would throw my name along with thousands of other people into a pot to maybe get granted a license possibly," said Patrick.
Patrick says his products are much less potent than weed from a dispensary and that all of the products he sells have been third party tested.
He doesn’t know what to do with the thousands of dollars in inventory that he has across his shops.
“At least give me time to sell through my inventory and figure out a plan. You can’t just spring this on an entire industry like 'oh, you’re illegal now,' and expect us to have a backup plan," said Patrick.
With no other option, he’s deciding to shut down and look at other states to open up his business.
His fear is other shop owners haven’t been paying attention and get shut down on July first for operating without a license. | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/cbd-shop-owners-forced-to-shut-down-following-cannabis-reform-bill-passing | 2023-05-25T00:22:07 | 0 | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/cbd-shop-owners-forced-to-shut-down-following-cannabis-reform-bill-passing |
BALTIMORE COUNTY — Baltimore County Police have announced they've arrested and charged a suspect in connection to the fatal shooting of 25-year-old Tracey Carrington in 2018.
Kenneth Davis, 32, has been charged in connection with this incident.
The homicide occurred on September 6, 2018, in the unit block of W. Overlea Avenue.
Police said Carrington and a friend left S&S Lounge around 8:40 p.m. The two were getting into Carrington's car, parked on Overlea Avenue, when Davis walked up and allegedly started shooting, only at her.
RELATED: Former Morgan State basketball player killed in Overlea late Thursday night
Carrington was struck multiple times. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
She is a former student-athlete at Morgan State University.
Carrington graduated in 2015 with a degree in sociology. She was a guard on the basketball team.
According to LinkedIn, the former basketball standout was an assistant coach for a school in Baltimore County.
Police add Carrington was set to be a witness in an upcoming murder case.
After a lengthy investigation, detectives were able to identify Davis as the suspect in this case nearly five years later.
He is currently being held at the Maryland Correctional Training Center. | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/police-suspect-arrested-for-shooting-former-morgan-state-basketball-player-in-2018 | 2023-05-25T00:22:13 | 0 | https://www.wmar2news.com/local/police-suspect-arrested-for-shooting-former-morgan-state-basketball-player-in-2018 |
A former corrections officer at Bayside State Prison in Maurice River Township was sentenced Wednesday to 2½ years in prison for conspiring to assault inmates, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.
John Makos, 42, of Millville, pleaded guilty in November before U.S. District Judge Karen M. Williams to conspiring with others to deprive inmates of their right not to be subjected to cruel and unusual punishment. Williams imposed the sentence in Camden federal court.
“Corrections officers are responsible for protecting the civil rights of the people in their custody,” U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said in a news release. “Incarcerated persons may have broken the law, but equal treatment is one of our country’s founding principles, and civil rights do not cease to exist at a prison’s gates. This defendant allowed incarcerated persons under his care to be brutalized and abused his authority as a law enforcement officer.”
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From at least April through December 2019, Makos and others at Bayside agreed to physically assault certain inmates for actual and perceived violations of the prison’s rules and customs, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. The assaults took place while the inmates were under Makos’ supervision and in areas of the prison’s kitchen that were out of sight of surveillance cameras.
On Dec. 7, 2019, Makos watched and did not attempt to intervene when multiple inmates pinned another inmate to the floor and punched the victim-inmate about 25 times. Makos did not report this assault to his supervisors or medical personnel, despite knowing he was required to do so.
In addition to the prison term, Williams sentenced Makos to three years of supervised release and fined him $10,000.
The FBI investigated Makos' case, with assistance from the New Jersey Department of Corrections. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/ex-cumberland-prison-guard-sentenced-for-assaulting-inmates/article_a03d938e-fa84-11ed-9fcf-87c7697c2251.html | 2023-05-25T00:23:07 | 1 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/ex-cumberland-prison-guard-sentenced-for-assaulting-inmates/article_a03d938e-fa84-11ed-9fcf-87c7697c2251.html |
DALLAS — Exactly one year ago, a gunman killed 19 students and 2 teachers in Uvalde classrooms.
Since then, several school districts across North Texas have updated their security plans.
Here's a comprehensive list of changes made in our independent school districts since May 24, 2022.
PILOT POINT ISD
This school year, Pilot Point ISD installed “Go to Green” in its schools. It's an emergency evacuation system that uses light sensors to show students where a shooter is and where it’s safe to run to.
"I went to school to be an English teacher," Pilot Point ISD's superintendent Todd Southard told WFAA.
"And now I have to be a security expert. That's the world we live in, and we've got to do it."
FRISCO ISD
In the last year Frisco ISD launched a new program to put more school resource officers in elementary schools.
Every high school and middle school in the district have had a dedicated school resource officer, but that's not the case at elementary schools. Traditionally, an SRO from a middle school would also be responsible for two to three elementary schools.
In August the district hired three new SROs to exclusively patrol elementary schools. Administrators said then that they hope eventually to continue expanding the program.
PLANO ISD
According to Plano ISD, beginning summer 2023, all elementary schools in the district will begin adding doors to all classrooms currently without doors, and will begin installing entry-resistant film to all main entries, secondary entries, as well as windows strategically throughout the building. Expected completion district-wide is December 2023.
DESOTO ISD
Desoto ISD banned backpacks in April for middle and high school students for the remainder of the school year.
“Across the country, there is genuine concern around how we keep schools safe," Tiffanie Blackmon-Jones, chief of communications, told WFAA.
DALLAS ISD
Dallas ISD also implemented a ban on backpacks that aren’t clear or mesh for middle and high school students in the fall.
The district also says it’s changed how it handles work orders. Any maintenance issue related to safety, for example, a broken door, is immediately prioritized. The goal is to have those high priority work orders completed between 24 and 36 hours.
KELLER ISD
Keller ISD approved a plan to allow teachers and staff to conceal carry on campus.
In a 4-3 vote, the school board voted to approve the state's "guardian" program, which is utilized by hundreds of districts. It allows the school board to authorize certified employees to carry guns on campus.
FORT WORTH
Fort Worth ISD implemented a new emergency management communication system – and pledged to look to reduce its number of portable classrooms.
BURLESON
Burleson ISD also announced this year it would hire eight additional armed school safety officers. | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/comprehensive-list-of-school-security-updates-in-north-texas-since-uvalde-shooting/287-59ba6e3b-80b8-48fb-a78f-5fd62cbe57e1 | 2023-05-25T00:23:13 | 1 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/comprehensive-list-of-school-security-updates-in-north-texas-since-uvalde-shooting/287-59ba6e3b-80b8-48fb-a78f-5fd62cbe57e1 |
OCEAN CITY — Opponents of plans for offshore wind power development plan to show their opposition with a march along the walkway on the Route 52 causeway from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.
There is a rain date set for June 3.
“Yes, you can do something to stop offshore wind turbines — help us inform all the Memorial Day weekend visitors of the wind turbine blight to their vacation spot,” reads the posted announcement of the event.
The organization is listed as “Guardians of the East Coast,” a private group on Facebook formed this year, that describes itself as “a proactive group of Patriots that are currently working around the clock to stop offshore wind from destroying our ecosystem, killing our mammals, and will destroy local economies, kill tourism, small businesses, and our fishing industry.
“Please join us, we will not rest until this becomes a 2024 ticket topic to ban offshore wind on the East Coast and order the decommissioning of many obsolete turbines already in our waters and lands across America,” the description continues.
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There are several groups fighting plans to build wind turbines off the New Jersey coast, including a project that could start construction this year. Ocean Wind 1 plans 98 turbines beginning 15 miles from shore.
The federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management recently completed an environmental impact study on that project, and opened public comment on a draft environmental impact study on another project, Atlantic Shores, planned to the north of the Ocean Wind project.
State and federal officials have lauded the wind energy projects, saying they will bring good jobs to New Jersey and provide clean, renewable electricity. Gov. Phil Murphy describes wind power as a key part of plans to ween the state off of fossil fuels.
Participants in the Saturday march plan to gather at 9:30 a.m. at Mark Soifer Park at Ninth Street and Asbury Avenue. | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/march-planned-against-offshore-wind-turbines-in-ocean-city/article_228c533c-fa78-11ed-b76b-97d56c304e0a.html | 2023-05-25T00:23:13 | 0 | https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/march-planned-against-offshore-wind-turbines-in-ocean-city/article_228c533c-fa78-11ed-b76b-97d56c304e0a.html |
DALLAS — It took 34 years.
But now when Tyrone Day tells you he is an innocent man, he knows that the law and the Dallas Country district attorney will vouch for him and stand by his side.
In late 1989, an 18-year-old woman reported a sexual assault near Fair Park. She said she had been attacked by three men. And, as police interviewed her, she pointed to a Black man walking nearby wearing a white hat.
Day wore a similar hat as one of the woman's assailants. That single witness' testimony led to Day's arrest and a threat of a criminal trial -- for which he would face 99 years to life if convicted.
Day was poor, couldn't afford an attorney, and accepted a plea deal of 40 years, with a suggestion from his legal counsel that he might be able to get out of prison on parole in just four years. Instead, he lingered in prison, all while fighting his conviction for nearly 26 years.
Extensive re-investigation by the Dallas County District Attorney's Office Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU) and DNA testing concluded that Day is "actually innocent."
While out of prison and on parole for nearly eight years now, Day had to stay registered as a sexual offender. But, at an exoneration hearing Wednesday, May 24, at Dallas County Criminal Court, his name was finally, and legally, cleared.
Day's family erupted in cheers when the judge made it official.
"Mr. Day, how the heck are you," WFAA reporter Kevin Reece asked him afterward.
"I'm fine. Great," Day said. "It's been a long time coming. I'm great. It gives me a sense of relief with the injustice that was done."
"Mr. Day, the state apologizes for this miscarriage of justice against you," said Cynthia Garza, chief of CIU. "We apologize for the time that you've lost, and we wish you the best of luck going forward."
Day's case was pursued by the CIU, in collaboration with Day's attorneys at the Innocence Project. There was DNA evidence in his case and they agreed to extensive DNA testing as part of the re-investigation with technology that was not available in 1990. It excluded Day as a genetic contributor to the evidence collected at the time, and it implicated two separate unnamed assailants.
"This is just another example of never giving up because you know what the truth is. And we're finally here today and I'm happy to stand behind him," Dallas County DA John Creuzot said as he, literally, stood behind Day following his exoneration.
"We're dismissing this case because he didn't do it," Creuzot said, as Day's family and friends applauded again.
"We are pleased to be able to right this wrong, and while we know Mr. Day can't get back the years lost, we hope he finds some solace in seeing that justice has finally been done today," said Creuzot.
"That's the weight that's been lifted up off my shoulders. This is justice right here today. This is justice," Day said. "I can't explain it. But it's overwhelming."
In the time he's been out of prison, he's shown who he really is, starting Restorative Farms in South Dallas, helping people from poor backgrounds just like his and fighting food insecurity and poverty and the same time.
Next for him, an eventual financial payment from the State of Texas: the dollar amount yet to be determined. But today, he'll accept the priceless gift of his good name.
"And I made it by the grace of God," he said.
The Innocence Project says that eyewitness misidentification has contributed to approximately 63% of the 243 wrongful convictions the organization has helped overturn. And the factors that contribute to it include challenges associated with cross-racial identification.
"I would say never give up," Day said, when asked what he would say to other inmates pursuing their own exonerations. "Keep pursuing your justice, your freedom. Keep pursuing the truth, because that's what I did."
This marks the 44th overall exoneration (cases of actual innocence) for Dallas County since 2001 when the post-conviction DNA statute went into effect. | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/dallas-man-officially-exonerated-after-34-years/287-de8e0976-7a6d-4e1c-b7ec-1108e9986c8b | 2023-05-25T00:23:19 | 0 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/dallas-man-officially-exonerated-after-34-years/287-de8e0976-7a6d-4e1c-b7ec-1108e9986c8b |
ARGYLE, Texas — Denton County Emergency Services District No. 1 may be in trouble, as after years of a mismanaged budget by its former fire chief who is now facing prison time, the district may not be able to pay their firefighters come August.
Sam Johnson, president of Argyle Professional Firefighters Local 5190, said the former chief, Troy Hohenberger, had falsified the department's budget for several years, leaving the department with a deficit estimated between $1.5 and $2 million.
If Denton County doesn't bail the department out, Johnson said the department's 37 firefighters won't be getting paid once August comes around.
"We will run out of operational funds by the end of August," Johnson said. "Which will lead to firefighters not receiving paychecks."
Johnson said the department has no intention of abandoning the community, but that the lack of pay would lead to drastic changes to the department.
"We're hopeful we don't reach that point," Johnson said.
The department has been in talks with the Denton County Commissioners' Court, and Johnson said they feel there's a collective effort being made to keep the worst-case scenario from happening.
"We need to receive funds from the county or the state to help us bridge the gap through next year, and then we'll be able to reassess our budget and workshop in the fall and hopefully be able to implement the correct tax rate for next year to where we can sustain moving forward," he said.
The department did receive a $300,000 grant from the Lantana Education Foundation, Johnson said, but that would only cover a couple of weeks.
Denton County, along with the cities of Argyle and Northlake, have all passed resolutions saying if the department did certain things, they would help the department stay afloat. Johnson said all the issues addressed by them have now been corrected.
"There are a lot of people who pledged promises when we got to this point, now we're hopeful they're going to come forward at this point and hold those promises true," he said.
Hohenberger was arrested last November after he allegedly stole money from the fire department's pension fund. He faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted. | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/denton-county-fire-department-may-not-be-able-pay-firefighters-if-not-bailed-out-county/287-3935c36d-5651-4670-850f-e457b91485b4 | 2023-05-25T00:23:25 | 1 | https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/denton-county-fire-department-may-not-be-able-pay-firefighters-if-not-bailed-out-county/287-3935c36d-5651-4670-850f-e457b91485b4 |
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