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HIGHFILL, Ark. — The Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA) looks forward to a major facelift.
XNA is preparing to break ground on its new skybridge by the end of this year or early 2023. A second-story connection will be from the parking garage into the main lobby and baggage claim area.
XNA says the project will completely renovate and renew the face of the airport.
"Really, the goal of the skybridge is to make sure that there's efficiency in getting our passengers from their parking garage, from their parking spot to their gate as quickly as possible, so they don't miss their flight, so that's kind of the goal right now," Alex English, XNA public affairs manager, said. "And it also offers completely covered walkways to the airport if there is inclement weather."
The airport is hoping to get back to pre-pandemic numbers in terms of traffic by the end of the year. Meaning in a few years, another project in the works will be its "B" concourse as Northwest Arkansas continues to grow.
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https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/xna-skybridge-project-arkansas-airport/527-38692ecb-9382-45f2-a40a-4976e7872d27
| 2022-04-29T23:46:24
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https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/xna-skybridge-project-arkansas-airport/527-38692ecb-9382-45f2-a40a-4976e7872d27
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PORTLAND, Ore. — After years of effort including community rallies and state legislative action, the Portland City Council gave final approval on Thursday to transfer 82nd Avenue to the city’s jurisdiction, taking over management of the “orphan highway” corridor from the Oregon Department of Transportation.
The milestone drew widespread cheers from elected officials and nearby residents, mixed with reminders about the urgency of safety improvements and the massive scale of the needed upgrades along the 7-mile corridor.
The Portland Bureau of Transportation plans to spend $80 million on 82nd Avenue over the next four years to address its notoriously dangerous reputation. The corridor saw nearly 2,000 crashes from 2015 to 2019, according to PBOT director Chris Warner, and 76 people were killed or seriously injured over the same time period, most of whom were pedestrians.
“Lots of people have worked on this for decades to get 82nd cleaned up, and so I feel like now we’re in a shift in the right direction,” said Heidi Schultz, whose son attends Leodis V. McDaniel High School on Northeast 82nd Avenue.
Schultz is part of a group of parents within the school’s Parent Teacher Student Association who have formed a safety committee to draw attention to concerns about traffic hazards, shootings and criminal activity along the 82nd Avenue corridor.
“There’s a lot of speeding, a lot of running red lights,” she said. “I mean, the scope of safety issues on 82nd obviously go beyond PBOT’s jurisdiction, but some of the issues that have been brought up are the shootings that are happening frequently and in front of the school or near the school during school hours. There’s a question of, could we put cameras at a light north of school? Could we do things that somehow deter this kind of behavior?”
The parents would also like to see a 20 mile per hour school speed zone put in place on 82nd Avenue next to the school, she said, like the one in place by Vestal Elementary School, which is located a bit further south along 82nd Avenue.
McDaniel reopened in September after being closed for a two-year renovation project, and the current school year has been an uncomfortable eye-opener for many parents and students about the dangers of the corridor.
RELATED: Man shot and killed in Northeast Portland is fourth homicide in the area in last eight months
Schultz’s son Dawson, who is attending the renovated McDaniel for his sophomore year after a year of remote learning, said he’s had to be mindful of speeding traffic while walking along 82nd Avenue to get snacks at lunch.
“It is dangerous, you have to just be on alert,” he said. “Most of my friends, they just all know you never jaywalk that street, you never just run across it even if it looks empty because you never know when someone could just come speeding down the way.”
Many of the people providing invited or public testimony at Thursday’s meeting recounted the years of traffic tragedies and close calls on the corridor, and noted that the mismatched thoroughfare has become a symbol of neglect for East Portland residents.
“82nd avenue has been such a dividing line for so many years, both in terms of race as well as class and health impacts, and as we know it’s one of the most racially diverse areas of our state with countless stores, immigrant-owned small businesses, schools, restaurants,” said State Rep. Khanh Pham, whose district includes much of the Southeast Portland portion of the corridor. “And it’s been really dangerous for so many people just merely walking across the street or biking across the street, particularly our youth and elders and people with disabilities, as well as immigrants.”
Ashton Simpson, director of the nonprofit Oregon Walks, urged the council to prioritize safety improvements but also make sure residents who live, work and travel along 82nd Avenue are at the center of envisioning how it should be redesigned.
“Now that we have ownership as a city over the corridor, it will be up to us to decide what that road will look like and how it will work for the community,” he said. “This effort must be led by centering the voices of community and lifting up how they would like to see this corridor work for them.”
Kiel Johnson of the advocacy group Bike Loud PDX also urged the council not to stop at 82nd, but work to take control of other state-owned roads like Barbur and Powell Boulevards.
“The work is far from over. One of the reasons we are here is that ODOT and PBOT have very different missions,” he said. “For so many of the other parts of our city to be successful, we need to be the city in control of our streets.”
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https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/portlanders-hope-transformational-action-82nd-avenue-transfer/283-9c75a37b-2cf7-42fa-b16a-ed75ceea52a5
| 2022-04-29T23:49:22
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https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/portlanders-hope-transformational-action-82nd-avenue-transfer/283-9c75a37b-2cf7-42fa-b16a-ed75ceea52a5
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DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks came home with a playoff series win for the first time since 2011 after beating the Utah Jazz in Game 6 on Thursday night.
Clara Montiel was in high school when the Mavs got this far and went on to beat the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.
"I did come downtown, it was packed. It was exciting that we made it through the first round and ready for Phoenix," said Montiel.
Anthony Partee says he was partying on his couch last night when the Mavs won and ran out to buy a jersey on Friday.
"Last night when we beat the Utah Jazz, I was jumping up and down for joy," said Partee.
Not only are Mavs fans buying their team gear, they started snatching up playoff tickets as soon as the game ended.
"The tickets are flying out of here. You can’t keep them on the shelves like if they were a can of produce," said Robert Lodes of Metro Tickets.
Lodes says he hasn’t seen this much excitement since 2011. And he was at the championship game when the Mavs beat the Heat.
"I was in Miami at the game that clinched the championship. There is nothing like being a fan on the road in the Miami Heat stadium and beating Lebron, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. You could hear the Mavs fan walking around the arena yelling 'Let’s go Mavs!'" said Lodes.
While the Phoenix Suns do have some star power with Chris Paul and Devin Booker, Mavs fans say we have Luka and Brunson -- and they have faith that’s enough.
”We have all the all-stars and key players to make it and our head coach has really helped us and our defense,” said Montiel.
“We have all the pieces and the potential we could go all the way this year,” said Lodes.
Fans say it’s electrifying going to the games and they know it will be a tough road, but they think the Mavs will get it done.
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https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/dallas-mavs-fans-buying-tickets-team-gear-first-playoff-series-win-since-2011/287-d2505e0f-ba3b-4d54-a2dc-6aa50ac7aaee
| 2022-04-30T00:07:03
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https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/dallas-mavs-fans-buying-tickets-team-gear-first-playoff-series-win-since-2011/287-d2505e0f-ba3b-4d54-a2dc-6aa50ac7aaee
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TARRANT COUNTY, Texas — Some Tarrant County children got the chance to learn this week that some of the myths about snakes just are not true.
They learned it from wildlife expert Brandi Nickerson. She says Texans can expect to have more snake encounters as the temperatures start to heat up across the state.
But snakes move around during the colder months too.
"What we want to do is educate people and empower people," said Nickerson.
As someone who has learned to handle all kinds of snakes and other wildlife animals, Nickerson wants to help families learn what to do when a snake visits their home.
"What we want people to understand and learn is that snakes are a part of this ecosystem and that they should be respected, that's it," said Nickerson.
Recently, a homeowner in Crowley warned her neighbors on the Nextdoor app about her surprise snake visit. As she enjoyed a cup of coffee on her patio this week, she recalled hearing a hissing sound. She knew right away it was not her cat and investigated the strange sound.
After looking to the patio floor near the legs of her chair, Crowley spotted a snake. People on the app helped her identify the fact it was not a poisonous snake, so she allowed it to crawl away.
Hours later, Crowley updated her post to say she spotted the same snake in the garage.
In cases like this, Nickerson helps people in the Facebook group “What kind of snake is this?”. There are about 167,000 members in the group, and that number is growing every week.
"You can post a picture of a snake you saw, and almost in less than a minute you can get an identification for that snake,” said Nickerson.
Although most of the snakes roaming around in Texas are not poisonous, Nickerson recommends only taking a photo or video of a snake when it's safe to do so.
Nickerson also warns don't make your home the perfect habitat for snakes: Avoid things like stacking firewood on the ground. Don't overlayer your mulch in flowerbeds, which would give snakes space to burrow.
She also suggests making sure crawl spaces under your home or shed are not easily accessible for snakes or other small animals.
"For your bushes and shrubs, keep those trimmed up off the ground at least 12 inches so you take away a snake's hiding place," said Nickerson.
But, as a wildlife expert, she stresses education is the best weapon to protect yourself against possible snake bites, especially at a young age.
"You can also teach your kids from a very young age what a snake looks like and to leave it alone,” said Nickerson.
Contrary to popular belief snakes do not chase people. They do bite to protect themselves as a self-defense mechanism or if stepped on accidentally, according to Nickerson in many cases.
You can learn more about protecting yourself and identifying snakes at:
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https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/texas/snake-season-in-texas-wildlife-expert-tips-protect-your-home/287-13aea14e-480f-4e87-aeef-d5833e2e7f67
| 2022-04-30T00:07:09
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https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/texas/snake-season-in-texas-wildlife-expert-tips-protect-your-home/287-13aea14e-480f-4e87-aeef-d5833e2e7f67
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DALLAS — The streets will be buzzing with energy in the Deep Ellum area of Dallas this weekend. Some local women will be setting the creative tone.
Among them are artists like Brandy Michele Adams and Jenny Lane. They’re busy creating a women’s empowerment mural near Elm and Malcolm X Boulevard, in one of Deep Ellum’s rideshare flow zones.
“To see a female presence really take share in a space that people will be walking over every day… it’s a thrilling time,” said Adams.
One block away, you’ll find Black women entrepreneurs selling a variety of goods and services in a pop-up shop at 2823 Main Street.
“We wanted to do something to support Black-owned businesses,” said Abeni Jewel Haynes, founder of West Wall Street.
West Wall Street was created for Friendship West Baptist Church as a nod to history. The initiative recognizes the impact of the once-thriving business area in Tulsa, Oklahoma known as Black Wall Street.
“It’s a good opportunity to, in a sense, give back to a community that has been marginalized a lot of the time. Also, it’s also just good to support small business,” said Haynes.
A partnership with the Deep Ellum Foundation is helping to bring the entrepreneurs to Dallas’ busy entertainment district for the weekend.
“Most of the vendors here are female-owned. We would love for you to come out and see what we have to offer and support us,” said jeweler Frances Webb.
You can find everything from clothing, accessories, hair and skin care products, childrens books, tasty treats, realtors, financial services, tutoring programs and more.
“This is a great opportunity for us to advance our summer camps,” said business owner Nikki James.
West Wall Street will open Friday, April 29 and Saturday, April 30 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 2823 Main Street in Dallas.
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https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/west-wall-street-pop-up-women-black-owned-businesses-debuts-in-deep-ellum/287-312bb028-77e9-4072-a215-0a18b2a7bb76
| 2022-04-30T00:07:15
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https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/west-wall-street-pop-up-women-black-owned-businesses-debuts-in-deep-ellum/287-312bb028-77e9-4072-a215-0a18b2a7bb76
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STOCKTON, Calif. — With the smell of barbecue smoke in the air and colorful balloons decorating tables and tents, victims of crimes were connected to resources and offered a meal Friday at the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office.
The resource fair and barbecue in downtown Stockton were the culmination of the District Attorney's Office's commemoration of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.
"This week is National Crime Victims' Rights week across the nation where we honor and acknowledge each and every victim and survivor throughout the United States. But here in the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office, we do that every day," San Joaquin County District Attorney Tori Verber-Salazar said. "We wanted to bring all of our resources together so that anybody in need or anybody wanting to learn about the resources can come downtown, to our building, and see all the incredible work that goes on every day."
On hand at the three-hour event were representatives from organizations offering support for crime victims and survivors. A barbecue held during the event raised funds for the Victims of Violent Crimes Support Group.
Some of the support offered by the organizations include counseling, financial reimbursements, relocation help and legal services.
Letecia Galvan, a crime survivor who founded the Luis G. Alvarez Jr. Rewards for Justice organization knows the experience of pain and confusion that some families may feel in the days following a violent crime.
Galvan said it was important to be at the fair Friday to show and familiarize others with the number of resources that are available for crime victims.
"It's really easy if you know and if they give you the resources, where to go. Victim Witness is a great resource here in San Joaquin County. We just go to them, they help us out in everything," Galvan said.
Galvan's son was killed during a shooting in Lodi six years ago. She says the lack of a substantial reward for information in the case led her to start her group which raises funds to offer larger rewards for information on various criminal cases in northern California.
"The reward was up to $1,000. We didn't think that was enough," Galvan said. "After everything was said and done- the funeral and all, we decided that we needed to do an organization to help get a higher reward. We believe that with a higher reward, people will come forward."
In Galvan's case, an arrest was made a year after the killing. However, she says that is not always the case for others, which is why she decided to start working with the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office to help other families that are in the position she once was.
"We have been down in Sacramento, both Letecia and I, fighting for more resources for Victim Witness programs, as well as for our survivors," Verber-Salazar said. "There's lost wages, maybe you no longer feel secure in the housing that you're in, there's funeral costs or medical bills associated with it, and of course, counseling, which can be expensive."
In 2021, the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office estimated they helped nearly 20,000 victims of crimes. Verber-Salazar says there is still more work to do and more people to help.
"We need to continue to invest here in California, in those services for our survivors," Verber-Salazar said. "When you become a victim of a crime, your life changes both physically, emotionally and mentally."
Organizations offering resources for crime victims in San Joaquin County:
- Adult Protective Service
- Attorney General’s Office Victim Services
- Child Abuse Prevention Council
- Child Protective Service
- Department of Child Support Services
- El Concilio
- San Joaquin County Family Justice Center
- San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office
- Stockton Police Department Chaplains
- Victims of Violent Crime Support Group
- Women’s Center- Youth and Family Services
Watch more from ABC10: Stockton welcomes 2,000 new Amazon employees during ribbon-cutting ceremony
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https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/stockton/san-joaquin-county-crime-victim-resources-fair/103-0b01cbed-9106-4500-a88c-615339c676b1
| 2022-04-30T00:13:55
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https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/stockton/san-joaquin-county-crime-victim-resources-fair/103-0b01cbed-9106-4500-a88c-615339c676b1
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It is with great joy that we announce the Grand Opening of the Midland Trail Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The first of its kind in Midland, the park will sport 8 miles of multi-use trail (2 more on the way), a skills area for advanced cyclists, an 18-hole disc golf course, a unique biosphere and the best water feature that you will find in all West Texas. Four legged friends are welcome. Come out and see some of the best bird watching in the area, while relaxing under some of Midland’s largest trees.
Harris Field and the Midland Trail Park is yet another example of how Midland shines through our public/private partnerships. The West Texas Trail Alliance, Permian Basin Bicycling Association and various local philanthropists and donors have worked together to make the park a reality. This new facility will cost the taxpayers no money and will be a great step to improving all our collective quality of life. We invite you all to head out and experience it for yourselves.
We also want to share with you that the Midland Trail Park is the beginning of a new vision for the health and quality of life for all Midlanders. As part of the vision of the current Midland City Council, the city is planning to add hike and bike paths along our draw system as we expand it for more drainage capacity. This will happen gradually, in small stages, as we repair, replace and expand the draws throughout Midland. You will see the first phase of this plan develop in southeast Midland, heading south along the Scharbauer Draw from Reyes-Mashburn-Nelms Park.
Ultimately, we envision that the Midland Trail Park will eventually connect to Scharbauer Draw, over time creating what could be a first-rate hike and bike trail. Such a trail could connect the new park with a newly improved Hogan Park, a downtown cultural and entertainment district, which are currently in the works, and eventually to the “Wildcatter Trail,” which will run from UTPB in Odessa to the Sports complex in Midland.
This initial development of the Midland Trail Park project would not have been possible without the leadership of Stephen Mitchell, who has worked countless hours through rain, wind and dust to make sure the trails are just perfect. Stephen and the Permian Basin Bicycle Association were responsible for raising more than $150,000 for construction of the facilities. Anyone interested in coming to the park will be expected to pay a $35 annual fee per family to the Permian Basin Bicycle Association and will go to toward the ongoing maintenance of the park. Payment can be made at Midland Trail Park or at their website, https://pbbatx.com/.
We would also like to thank our private and corporate sponsors for their help in making this dream a reality. A special thanks to Cary and Jill Brown, Bob and Elizabeth Davenport, Diamondback Energy, Jones Bros Dirt and Paving, SM Energy, VIM Racing, JD King Construction, Plains Pipeline and LOA Land Development.
Access to the park is located at 3215 Farm to Market 307 (Greenwood Highway) with the entrance located adjacent to the west of Harris Field Fire training center.
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https://www.mrt.com/news/local/article/Opinion-Midland-Trail-Park-start-of-quality-of-17137521.php
| 2022-04-30T00:23:33
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https://www.mrt.com/news/local/article/Opinion-Midland-Trail-Park-start-of-quality-of-17137521.php
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CAPE CORAL, Fla. — When we met Matthew Addison at his Cape Coral home this week, he was as happy as a boy could be. Matthew was playing with his toys and surrounded by people who love him. He had no idea that in less than an hour, his world would be turned upside down.
“This little boy is going to be lost. I am (his) mama, those are sissies, he doesn’t know these people he’s never met them,” said Annmarie Narber, who became Matthew’s caretaker 16 months ago.
Matthew’s biological mother, Amanda Landron, is in prison for drug trafficking. When Charlotte County deputies pulled her over in October of 2020, they found meth under the steering column, and Matthew, just two weeks old at the time, in the back seat.
Narber got involved because her best friend had adopted Matthew’s older brother, Jerick, after Landron was previously arrested for drugs. This is where Landron’s brother, the uncle of the boys, comes into the story.
“When Annmarie got the baby, we contacted him to let him know that the brothers were together. He said he was happy about that and had no interest in taking the baby,” said Narber’s friend, who asked to not be identified.
Narber says she wanted to adopt Matthew, but last July, seven months after she became his custodian, she says the Department of Children and Families told her that the uncle wanted the boy after all. He lives in Pennsylvania and has never met Matthew. Narber challenged the decision but the judge in Sarasota ruled that the circumstances didn’t even warrant a hearing.
“They’re removing a baby from an environment that he’s been thriving in, because mom still has the parental rights and said this is where I want him with my brother so I can build a white picket fence when I get out of prison,” said Narber.
And so, this past Monday, DCF workers came to Narber’s Cape Coral home with a judge’s order and took Matthew.
The scene was gut-wrenching to watch, but experts say this is how the system is designed to work.
“There is a presumption that you do want to have blood relatives involved in the raising of a child,” said attorney Steven Martin, who is not involved in this case.
I asked Martin if that presumption changes since Matthew’s brother also lives in Cape Coral and now they won’t see each other anymore.
“I don’t want to say it changes anything, but that’s one of the considerations that the court has to take under advisement when trying to decide what’s in the best interest of the child,” said Martin.
NBC2 reached out to DCF for comment on this case but they never responded.
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https://nbc-2.com/news/local/2022/04/29/foster-care-battle-splits-up-two-cape-coral-brothers/
| 2022-04-30T00:27:28
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https://nbc-2.com/news/local/2022/04/29/foster-care-battle-splits-up-two-cape-coral-brothers/
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BEAVERTON, Ore. (KOIN) — A Washington County Sheriff’s Deputy who was hit in a fatal car crash Wednesday is still in the hospital, as are three students from Southridge High School. Meanwhile, the family and friends of two students killed in the crash are mourning the loss of the ones they love.
“It just sucks that their life got cut so fast and so sudden,” said Abel Navarro.
Navarro knew both students killed in the crash, Matthew Amaya and Juan Pablo Pacheco Aguilera.
Amaya and Navarro were cousins, though both being only-children growing up one year apart from each other, their bond was much stronger.
“He was more of a brother instead of a cousin,” Navarro said. “We had the same issues in the past so we could really relate to it.”
A relationship more like siblings brought out a similar rivalry in their trucks: Navarro drove a red Ford F-150, and Amaya had a blue Chevy Silverado.
Amaya, a passenger in the car that hit Deputy Trotter’s cruiser, died doing something he and Abel would often do. Cruising the streets while they listened to music and talked about life was one of their favorite things to do together.
“He told me…when we are older we’re going to drive Ferraris and I’m going to be the best uncle and you’re going to be the best uncle to my kids,” Navarro recalled. “I’m like, ‘Yeah, that’s how we’re going to do it.’ But, it shows one life decision can affect everything else.”
Thousands of dollars have flooded into online fundraisers for all the families involved.
Money raised for Deputy Trotter has already crossed the $80,000 dollar mark. Navarro created the fundraiser to benefit his aunt, already raising over $10,000.
The dollar amounts aside, it’s a reminder of the impact his cousin, who he calls Mateo, had on people around him.
“He had a big impact to the community because he was very kind, very respectful, funny guy. You just can’t have an issue with him, he’s just so nice and just the perfect person in general.”
The Tualitan Valley Highway has always scared Navarro, he says he’s avoided a crash at the same intersection Amaya was killed.
Navarro hopes other young drivers take this crash as a lesson because he certainly will.
“Speed took my cousin,” he said. “I’m not going to speed anymore.”
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https://www.koin.com/local/washington-county/speed-took-my-cousin-family-remembers-teen-killed-in-tv-hwy-crash/
| 2022-04-30T00:50:19
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https://www.koin.com/local/washington-county/speed-took-my-cousin-family-remembers-teen-killed-in-tv-hwy-crash/
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NORTHPORT, Ala. (WIAT) — A Northport family is speaking out about their frightening experience and survival. Early Tuesday morning Debbie Acklin and her daughter and husband were able to escape from their burning home.
Debbie says she is thanking God she and her family are still alive.
“Everyone got out safely and my daughter went to the hospital, but my husband and I went in the ambulance. And we had smoke inhalation and our noses and mouths were covered in soot. They gave us breathing treatments and our lungs were clear and outside of a cough we have and we have inhalers for that.”
The fire happened Tuesday morning around 3:15 am on Pelican Avenue in the Northwood Lake subdivision. Authorities believe the blaze started in the family’s garage. The Acklins lost everything including cars and a boat, Debbie says her cat came into her bedroom and woke her up then she heard a woman outside yelling that the house was on fire.
“She was the first one to call 911 and she started blowing her horn to wake everyone up and she was yelling your house is on fire your house is on fire”.
Amy Acklin who is Debbie’s daughter says it’s so difficult to lose everything, but she too is thankful to be alive.
“I can’t even explain it because by all accounts we should not be here. it’s a miracle all three of us got out. You spend a lifetime gathering things and it’s all gone. In just a matter of an hour or two, it’s all gone”.
Neighbors and friends are raising money and collecting clothing to help the Acklin family. There is a GoFundMe that’s been set up for anyone who would like to help. The Acklin family is living with a family member, and they plan to rebuild a new house at the same address.
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https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/northport-family-of-three-survives-horrific-fire/
| 2022-04-30T00:58:55
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https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/northport-family-of-three-survives-horrific-fire/
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Benjamin Sifrit denied parole in Ocean City 2002 Memorial Day weekend murder
The Maryland Parole Commission denied parole for one of the two people convicted in an infamous Ocean City murder case from nearly two decades ago.
Benjamin Sifrit, now 44 years old, had a parole hearing Thursday morning at Roxbury Correctional Institution. It lasted about an hour and 40 minutes, according to the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
Sifrit was convicted of second-degree murder, first-degree assault and accessory after the fact in the killing and dismemberment of Martha Gene Crutchley.
Benjamin Sifrit and his now ex-wife Erika Sifrit were suspects in the slayings of Crutchley and Joshua Ford, a couple visiting Ocean City from Fairfax, Virginia, for Memorial Day weekend in 2002.
Crutchley and Ford were initially reported missing, and evidence discovered when the Sifrits were arrested in a botched burglary attempt at an Ocean City Hooters connected them to the Virginia couple's disappearance.
The investigation determined Crutchley and Ford had been killed in the room the Sifrits were renting at The Rainbow condominiums. The bodies were dismembered and dumped, but investigators recovered them from a Delaware landfill.
Although Benjamin Sifrit was found not guilty on all charges in Ford's killing, a judge gave him the maximum penalty on his murder charge in Crutchley's case. He was sentenced to 38 years in total.
Jurors found Erika Sifrit guilty of first-degree murder in Ford's death and second-degree murder in Crutchley's. She was sentenced to life in prison plus 20 years.
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The Thursday parole hearing was the first for Benjamin Sifrit, according to a correctional services spokesperson. In addition to Sifrit, two commissioners and a correctional case manager, four people representing the victims also attended the hearing virtually.
The department said that the commissioners gave an introduction summarizing the crime, then allowed one of the people present on behalf of the victims to speak for about eight minutes.
Sifrit also spoke briefly before commissioners questioned him. The commissioners then fielded questions from the victims' representatives after which they decided to refuse parole for Sifrit, according to Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
It will be two years until Sifrit can request another hearing. At that time, he would have to write a letter to commissioners "to indicate that he has compelling new information he believes would necessitate a new hearing," the department said.
His mandatory release date is set for 2030, though that could change depending on credits earned during his incarceration.
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https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/maryland/2022/04/29/ocean-city-md-memorial-day-2002-murder-benjamin-sifrit-denied-parole/9582551002/
| 2022-04-30T01:08:25
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Police seek answers after man found fatally shot after crash
Investigators are asking for tips from the public about a fatal Thursday morning shooting in Accomack County.
Troopers responded just after 7:30 a.m. to a single-vehicle crash on Route 13 at the intersection with Front Street and Mary N Smith Road, according to Virginia State Police.
Troopers arrived to find a silver 2011 Ford Focus in the median. Police said the driver, 25-year-old, Dajon Trikece Wise of Parksley, had suffered a gunshot wound. He died at the scene.
The investigation is ongoing.
More:Virginia Eastern Shore crash: 1 dead, 2 taken to hospital
More:Benjamin Sifrit denied parole in Ocean City 2002 Memorial Day weekend murder
Anyone who was in the area of Route 13 near Front Street and Mary N Smith Road around the time of the incident and has information about the shooting or witnessed suspicious behavior is asked to contact state police at 757-424-6800 or questions@vsp.virginia.gov.
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https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/news/local/virginia/2022/04/29/fatal-accomack-county-shooting-under-investigation-crash-route-13-thursday/9586894002/
| 2022-04-30T01:08:31
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Ravens 2022 NFL Draft grades: Analysis of each pick, including Hamilton and Linderbaum
Baltimore came into this year's draft with 10 draft picks at their disposal that they could use to vault themselves back into the playoffs. And with needs on both sides of the ball, finding value would be a top priority.
On Day 1, Baltimore traded away their top wide receiver but drafted two college All-Americans in the first round they will likely play immediate roles on the team.
Here's are grades for each Ravens' selection in the 2022 NFL Draft:
Round 1, No. 14: Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
As the Ravens came closer and closer to making their selection with the No. 14 overall pick, the teams around them engaged in a frenzy of trades, moving up and trading back for the prospects they coveted. Baltimore would do the same shortly after, but for their first pick they waited patiently and watched as a premier safety prospect fell right into their lap.
The Ravens just signed Marcus Williams in free agency, and now they grabbed Hamilton to partner with him in the defensive backfield. Hamilton is incredibly versatile and can play all over the field, and Baltimore's patience in waiting for him to fall to them allowed them to grab one of the top players in the draft and field a legit safety tandem next year alongside Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters.
Grade: A
Round 1, No. 25: Tyler Linderbaum, C, Iowa
Baltimore gave up Marquise Brown and a third round pick to put themselves back in the first round, and then picked up an extra fourth rounder after trading back to spot. The starting center position was a need for them going into the draft after losing Bradley Bozeman in free agency, and bouncing back with the best center in college football last year is definitely a win for Baltimore.
The winner of last year's Rimington Award, Tyler Linderbaum and his strength and athleticism will go along way towards helping protect Lamar Jackson and leading their offensive line.
Grade: A
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https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/sports/local/2022/04/29/baltimore-ravens-draft-grades-2022/9587655002/
| 2022-04-30T01:08:37
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https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/sports/local/2022/04/29/baltimore-ravens-draft-grades-2022/9587655002/
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NFL Draft: Three things to know about Ravens pick David Ojabo, pass rusher from Michigan
After a first round filled with fireworks, the Ravens selected Michigan edge rusher David Ojabo with the No. 45 overall pick in the second round.
Here's three things to know about the Baltimore Ravens' first pick of Day 2:
He just started playing football five years ago
The edge rusher from Michigan was born in Nigeria, where he lived until he moved to Scotland at the age of seven. After playing soccer and basketball growing up, Ojabo first started playing football at the age of 17 when he moved to the states.
He was a part of a stellar pass rush at Michigan
Ojabo was not the only pass rushing phenom who suited up for the Michigan Wolverines last year. Across from Ojabo was All-American defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, who was selected at No. 2 overall yesterday by the Detroit Lions. Together, Ojabo and Hutchinson combined for 25 sacks as a duo.
He fell to No. 45 due to a pre draft injury
Despite still being new to the game of football and only starting for one year at Michigan, Ojabo was considered a first-round level prospect by many. But after tearing his left Achilles during his Pro Day workout at Michigan, his draft outlo began to fall.
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https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/sports/local/2022/04/29/ravens-second-round-pick-3-things-know-david-ojabo/9580253002/
| 2022-04-30T01:08:43
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Baltimore Ravens select Michigan defensive end David Ojabo with No. 45 pick in 2022 NFL Draft
Alec Branch
Salisbury Daily Times
With the No. 45 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, the Baltimore Ravens selected David Ojabo out of Michigan.
The Michigan pass rusher fills a need for the Ravens as an athletic edge rusher who racked up 11 sacks at Michigan last season in his first year as a starter. For a Ravens team that only averaged two sacks a game last season, Ojabo will be asked to help put pressure on opposing quarterback.
David Ojabo was considered a first round level prospect for much of the pre-draft process, but after tearing his left Achilles during his Pro Day workout, Ojabo now falls to Baltimore at No. 45.
The Ravens have loaded up on defense so far in this draft, picking Kyle Hamilton with their first pick and now grabbing Ojabo in the second round.
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https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/sports/local/2022/04/29/ravens-select-david-ojabo-no-45-pick-nfl-draft-baltimore-michigan/9585709002/
| 2022-04-30T01:08:49
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PORTLAND, Ore. — A homeless camp on Southeast Division Street is taking over an RV mobile home park. Residents of the mobile home park say people living in the camp have broken into the park, robbed tenants and threatened them with weapons.
The residents told KGW it feels as if they are living through a nightmare and they don’t feel safe leaving their homes.
The sidewalk on Southeast 157th Avenue is covered in trash, tents and broken-down cars.
Piles of clothes and old bikes line a chain link fence – the only separation between Tall Firs RV mobile home park and the camp.
“It’s everybody over here on this side of the park that’s having the biggest problems,” said Jeremy Robeson, who owns the park.
He said the homeless camp moved into the area months ago, but the problem is getting worse. Now he has tenants who are leaving, which puts his business in jeopardy.
“My ability to get new tenants in there is basically zero because nobody wants to live next to everything that’s going on over there,” he said.
People from the homeless camp are breaking in, threatening tenants with weapons and setting things on fire, according to residents.
“It’s horrendous I’ve lived here 13 years, never once has this ever been like this," said Darla Sheets. “Junk everywhere, rats, no respect whatsoever— taking over the street."
She put up barricades behind her home to stop people from camping there.
Another resident named Sandra Lundy said her home was just broken into and now she's afraid to leave. "I’m paranoid," she added.
Lundy said those at the homeless camp are going through her trash and plug into her electricity. She wants to move but can’t afford it.
“We bought, we paid for it, we’re surviving and we’re doing everything we can to survive— we don’t need them to add to it,” she said.
“We keep finding them in the middle aisles under people’s trailers taking anything from cinder blocks to lawn mowers to children’s bicycles,” added Louis Hanset who also lives at Tall Firs.
The residents are frustrated by the lack of response from the city and police.
“The police, even when they show up they say 'Oh well they’re homeless, we can give them a ticket but we really can’t arrest them or do anything about that,'” Robeson added.
Tenants have looked into putting up a six-foot fence but fear being attacked if they get too close to the camp.
KGW has reached out to the city, police and fire departments and are still waiting on a response.
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https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/homeless/portland-homeless-camp-overtakes-mobile-home-park/283-f6235707-b039-4e4c-adaa-af91d08bb410
| 2022-04-30T01:33:30
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PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland city leaders said they’re disappointed with an independent review into racial and political biases within the Portland Police Bureau and that investigators didn’t answer important questions.
The City Council commissioned the review in the spring of 2021, sparked in part by an incident in which a PPB officer falsely identified commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty as a suspect in a hit-and-run last March.
Mayor Ted Wheeler later fired the officer who the information to the press.
The report, conducted by OIR Group — an independent police oversight and review organization — was reviewed by commissioners Thursday night.
It lists 28 recommendations for change, but stops short of answering whether Portland Police Bureau policies, culture and actions are driven by racial or political bias — a key focus of the study.
"I’m not really sure what to make of this report, we’ve paid you for it, you’ve provided it, it doesn’t meaningfully impact anything, as I’ve said there’s some recommendations I’ll continue to move forward on, but I don’t think we really addressed the core issue," Mayor Wheeler said in the meeting.
RELATED: City disciplines 2 other Portland police officers for leaking false information about Hardesty
Investigators were also tasked with looking into where there's a resistance to change within the Portland Police Bureau.
In the presentation, investigator Michael Gennaco said they found some disturbing incidents of racial bias.
"The consideration that they were jokes, or to highlight an in-custody death case and suggest by mimicking t-shirts that the conduct was tolerable and okay, there was that undercurrent that was certainly identified," Gennaco said.
He added that they found that the false identification of Hardesty as allegedly involved in a hit-and-run, and the leak of that information, went beyond the actions of just one officer.
"What was striking to me in doing that investigation was that it wasn’t just one individual that leaked information it was actually five city employees that leaked information in various situations regarding the incident," he said.
Hardesty herself said she was greatly frustrated with the results of the review and concerned that city leaders had lost additional credibility waiting a year for this report.
RELATED: Lawsuit: Jo Ann Hardesty sues Portland police union over leak of false hit-and-run accusation
"I am profoundly disappointed, this is not what I asked for, and it does not give us a road map moving forward," Hardesty said. "I find your report very problematic because it didn’t answer the questions and didn’t engage the community."
Gennaco said investigators were limited by the rise of the delta and omicron COVID variants, which prevented town halls and in-person community responses, but said they determined there's a clear community perception of racial and political bias within PPB.
"Portland, you have a problem, the community recognizes you have a problem, and the recommendations are intended to address the problem," Gennaco said.
However, he said his team couldn't answer whether officer policies and actions are widespread or driven by these root causes, saying there's a lack of preponderance of evidence beyond various incidents.
Wheeler said he was looking for more, particularly regarding the false claims about Hardesty.
"I had to ask myself 'how did this happen and what do we need to do to change to prevent it from ever happening again,' that was the genesis of this report, and it did not meet my expectations," Wheeler said.
City leaders didn’t vote to do anything with the study results, choosing to take the information as is and move on.
More than 80% of the police officers surveyed in the report said their actions are not influenced by racial or political biases.
However, the report also outlined how racial disparities in arrests, stops and other areas persist, showing the contradiction at the heart of the matter.
Among the 28 recommendations listed, OIR Group said PPB should increase investigations and penalties for officers associated with hate groups, train officers on community-based and programs that aren't produced by law enforcement and do more with racial disparity data.
Commissioner Carmen Rubio said many of the recommendations felt like things the city and police bureau are already doing to make improvements.
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https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/portland-leaders-frustrated-report-racial-political-biases-police/283-ba0f6850-34f0-401f-a8d7-f9d39de023a1
| 2022-04-30T01:33:36
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DALLAS — The City of Dallas is arguing against an appeals court ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court, saying qualified immunity defies a court decision allowing for Dallas police to be sued.
A writ of certiorari submitted to the Supreme Court comes after a ruling in December by the Fifth Circuit U.S. appeals court determined four Dallas police officers could be sued following the death of Tony Timpa, who died while in police custody in August 2016.
“The Fifth Circuit conceded it was necessary to ‘provide clarity and guidance to law enforcement’ in its decision in this case,” the document reads. “It is precisely these situations— where the lack of clarity requires additional guidance— that qualified immunity applies. Review is warranted to enforce the Court’s qualified immunity jurisprudence.”
Qualified immunity is a legal principle introduced by the U.S. Supreme Court which provides immunity to government officials from civil suits unless the official violated clearly established constitutional or statutory rights any reasonable person would know.
The appeals court ruled in December officers had violated Timpa’s Constitutional rights, meaning they can be sued for his death.
"Not only did the judges determine that the evidence we brought show that the officers used unreasonable force -- but deadly force against a man who was not resisting at all," attorney Geoff Henley said in a statement at the time.
Tony Timpa's death in August 2016 has been at the center of this legal fight for years. According to court documents, Timpa, 32, called 911 for help, saying he was a schizophrenic, was off his prescriptions and had taken cocaine.
In bodycam video from that night, he is seen handcuffed and face-down with officers on top of him for about 14 minutes. Timpa cries for help, then loses consciousness.
The family claims that there was excessive force used, and bystander liability.
City attorneys argue in the document that, even if the appeals court was correct in determining Timpa’s restraint was unreasonable, the law didn’t clearly forbid Officer Dustin Dillard’s restraint of Timpa.
City attorneys argue in the court filing that Timpa’s persistent attempts to run into the street even after being handcuffed necessitated his restraint.
“The duration of Timpa’s restraint cannot be divorced from the purpose for which he was restrained, namely, to get him medical attention,” the court document states. “It was Timpa’s resistance that thwarted paramedics’ initial attempt to assess him and render aid, and Dillard only continued holding Timpa prone after his legs had been restrained because at that time…paramedics asked Dillard to keep Timpa in place.”
The document sent to the Supreme Court argues that the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals hadn’t identified any case law clear enough to establish that the remaining three of the four officers being sued— Raymond Dominguez, Kevin Mansell and Danny Vasquez—were constitutionally obligated to stop the restraint.
“The Court should grant review to articulate the level of specificity required of case law to impose liability upon bystander officers who are not themselves accused of excessive force,” the document concludes.
It is not yet known whether the Supreme Court will agree to review the appeals court’s ruling.
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https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/dallas-argues-qualified-immunity-case-against-dallas-cops/287-c39e9030-3f89-44b9-86ce-790f188670a7
| 2022-04-30T01:42:02
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FORT WORTH, Texas — Time to dust off those cowboy hats and polish up those boots. The King of Country Music is coming home.
George Strait, the country star from Texas, has announced a special concert event set for later this year at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth.
Two concerts featuring Strait and fellow country singer Tenille Townes are scheduled for Friday, Nov. 18, and Saturday, Nov. 19.
Tickets go on sale to the general public on May 13 at 10 a.m. Here's how to purchase tickets: Friday | Saturday.
Strait has been keeping his concert appearances to special events since he stopped touring in 2014.
His most recent performance is a grand opening event at the new Moody Center in Austin, Texas, alongside country star Willie Nelson.
He also played at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in March.
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https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/george-strait-fort-worth-special-two-night-event-how-to-get-tickets/287-a3e496d7-5733-4d29-8451-7c7812216c9f
| 2022-04-30T01:42:08
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HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — A coyote attacked and seriously injured a girl on Southern California's famed Huntington Beach, police said.
Officers were called to the beach near the Huntington Beach Pier around 9:45 p.m. Thursday and found the girl, police spokesperson Jennifer Carey said in a statement.
She received serious but non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital, authorities said.
The girl was with two women and another small child sitting near the waves when she wandered “a mere few feet" and was attacked, state Department of Fish and Wildlife Capt. Patrick Foy said.
The coyote came out of the dark, hit and knocked over the girl and attacked her for 12 seconds before her cry alerted adults and the animal ran off, Foy said.
However, it stayed around, pacing, before finally fleeing, Foy said.
The family did nothing to antagonize the coyote, he added.
Police later shot two coyotes. One was found dead on the sand about a mile (1.6 kilometers) north of the pier Friday morning while the other was spotted Friday afternoon under a mobile home and was euthanized, Foy said.
Officials will check the animals for rabies and will try to determine if their DNA matches to the attack, he said.
Coyotes are found almost everywhere in California, including cities, and authorities have long warned that small children and pets can be at risk. Last year, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife began workshops to help communities deal with coyotes because of an increase in the number conflicts with people.
Foy said coyotes usually are shy and try to avoid humans. He estimated there are only about 10 to 12 attacks per year around the state, mostly involving smaller children but full-grown adults were attacked in a few cases.
Carey said police have conducted increased coyote trapping efforts throughout the city for the past several weeks and asked residents to report coyote sightings.
Huntington Beach, on the Orange County coast, has one of California's classic surf breaks and is known as “Surf City USA.”
No other information about the girl will be released because she is a juvenile, Carey said.
ABC10: Watch, Download, Read
Watch more from ABC10: Oak Ridge High School teen battles cancer with his teammates by his side
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https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/california/coyote-attack-huntington-beach-california-girl-injured/103-58b9de92-252b-4556-85ea-b06dd3cfed41
| 2022-04-30T01:52:53
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OLYMPIC VALLEY, Calif. — The late spring storms resulted in more than seven feet of snow falling in the Sierra, therefore, Palisades Tahoe has officially extended its season to Memorial Day, May 30th.
After this weekend, however, the resort will be open from Friday to Sunday only, with Memorial Day on Monday as an exception.
For now, lifts will be open from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., but Palisades Tahoe may shift their hours to 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. if there is a large amount of snowmelt.
What's still open?
- Belmont Terrain Park will remain open through May 1st
- The base area of Mountain Run will still be open for guests to ski through May 1st
- The Funitel, the Aerial Tram, Shirley, Gold Coast, Big Blue, Mountain Meadow, Bailey’s Beach, Siberia, Granite Chief, Belmont, and possibly Solitude through May 1st
- Granite Chief and Siberia will likely remain on schedule through May 8th
- Reverse Traverse
What's fully closed?
- KT-22 chairlift and terrain
- The Alpine side of the resort and all lower mountain lifts on the Palisades side (with the exception of Wa She Shu)
In addition to extended dates, the annual 'Made In Tahoe' Festival will be coming back to The Village at Palisades Tahoe, on both May 28th and 29th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
There will be workshops, live music, performances, and Lake Tahoe Basin and Truckee chefs that celebrate all things created and made in Tahoe. Palisades Tahoe invites everyone to come and explore Tahoe’s community of creators.
Also, Palisades Tahoe will also start to have themed weekends with fun costumes, so you could be wearing all denim while skiing one week and wearing surf trunks or a bikini the next!
WATCH MORE ON ABC10: Michelle Apon's Weather Explainer: Why the warmer temperatures?
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https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/palisades-tahoe-extending-season/103-dfe8a901-b1f7-40d7-901a-a5096ff634df
| 2022-04-30T01:52:59
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BRADENTON, Fla. — Investigators say a man has been pronounced dead after being hit by a vehicle traveling northbound on U.S 41.
The 81-year-old victim was crossing U.S 41 when a vehicle approaching the intersection of 55th Avenue West collided with the man, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
The victim has not been identified at this time.
This crash investigation remains ongoing.
Count on NBC2 News to bring you the latest information as soon as it is released.
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https://nbc-2.com/news/local/2022/04/29/north-port-man-dies-after-being-hit-by-vehicle-in-manatee-county/
| 2022-04-30T02:32:24
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — Veteran journalist and anchor Art Franklin signed off CBS 42 for the last time Friday. Franklin, a Detroit native, served as the first Black man to anchor the primetime news in Birmingham.
Watch above as Franklin says goodbye to the CBS 42 audience and hands the broadcast off to his longtime coanchor Sherri Jackson and new CBS 42 anchor Ben Hoover.
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin also sent a message to Franklin, wishing him well as he moves into the next chapter of his professional life.
On Monday, CBS 42 will release The Farewell Interview with Art Franklin, a digital exclusive that profiles Franklin’s life, from his childhood in Detroit to his career in the Magic City. You can watch his message below.
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https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/watch-art-franklins-final-sign-off/
| 2022-04-30T02:49:52
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ADAIR COUNTY, Okla. — According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP), a head-on crash in Adair County Thursday, April 28, claimed the lives of four people, including two children. The crash happened on Highway 59 at Bakery Feed Mill Road just before 6 p.m. and now a vigil is being held for those who lost their lives.
“We’re one big, happy family, whether they went to school here before or going here now, we all consider them our kids, and we’re here for the families and here to do everything we can to help anybody that’s dealing with any kind of grief and those kinds of things," said Westville Public Schools Superintendent Terry Heustis.
With a population of 1,600, everyone is family, which is why Friday night, April 29, the Westville community gathered together to remember the lives of the lost and injured in the crash. A Stateline Christian Academy van with 11 people inside crossed the highway centerline and collided with a 1991 Dodge Ram with two passengers inside on Thursday night, April 28.
"For unknown reasons, the van crossed the centerline, striking the truck in a head-on collision," Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Mark Southall told 5NEWS.
According to the crash report, the van driver, a 34-year-old female, a 13-year-old girl, and an 11-year-old girl were pronounced dead at the scene.
Four girls, ages 5, 7, 13, and 14, and three boys, ages 2, 8, and 10, were transported to the hospital due to their injuries. According to OHP, the 10-year-old and the 8-year-old were released from the hospital. The passenger of the van, Chad Murray, 37, was transported to the hospital and released.
The Dodge Ram driver, Larry Valentine, from Cane Hill, Ark., was also pronounced dead at the scene, and his passenger, Asa Valentine, 25, was transported to the hospital in critical condition.
The Westville School District released the following statement on social media about the crash:
"Our Westville Community was hit with a tragedy today. A State Line Christian Academy van was involved in a head-on collision in Watts this afternoon. Counselors and clergy will be available tomorrow at school."
Here's a list of the crash victims' conditions according to OHP:
- Van driver: 34-year-old unidentified female pronounced dead at the scene.
- Van passenger: 37-year-old Chad Murray from Westville, Okla.
- Condition: Transported to Washington Regional Hospital in Fayetteville, treated and released with internal head injuries.
Child van passengers:
- 2-year-old boy from Westville, Okla:
- Condition: transported to Springdale Regional Medical Center, admitted in fair condition with head and internal injuries.
- 5-year-old girl from Westville, Okla:
- Condition: Transported to Arkansas Children's Hospital, admitted in critical condition with head and trunk internal injuries.
- 7-year-old girl from Westville, Okla:
- Condition: Transported to Arkansas Children's Hospital, admitted in critical condition with head and trunk injuries.
- 8-year-old boy from Westville, Okla:
- Condition: Transported to Siloam Springs Medical Center, treated and released with head, leg, and trunk internal injuries.
- 10-year-old boy from Westville, Okla:
- Condition: Transported to Siloam Springs Regional Hospital, treated and released with head and trunk internal injuries.
- 11-year-old female from Westville, Okla:
- Condition: Pronounced dead at the scene with head and internal injuries.
- 13-year-old girl from Westville, Okla: pronounced dead at the scene with multiple injuries.
- Second 13-year-old girl from Westville, Okla:
- Condition: Transported to Arkansas Children's Hospital and admitted in critical condition with head, leg, and trunk internal injuries.
- 14-year-old girl from Westville, Okla:
- Condition: Transported to Washington Regional Hospital in Fayetteville, admitted in fair condition with head and trunk internal injuries.
- Dodge Ram driver: Larry Valentine, 61, of Caney Hill, Ark., pronounced dead at the scene with multiple injuries.
- Dodge Ram Passenger: Asa Valentine, 25-year-old male of Lincoln, Ark.
- Condition: Transported to Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Mo., admitted in critical condition with head and trunk internal injuries.
Oklahoma Highway Patrol Officers say the investigation into this crash could take weeks if not months to wrap up.
“So early right now that we don’t know a lot as far as you know what exactly happened," said Southall.
State Line Ministries say they have a memorial fund set up for the victims. To donate, you can visit any Oklahoma Arvest Bank and look under the Little John Memorial.
Stay with 5NEWS for updates on this developing story.
Crash involving school van leaves four dead in Oklahoma
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https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/crash-school-van-westville-oklahoma-4-dead-2-children/527-f18de069-77f5-4a5d-8fb7-0fa95e17a4c6
| 2022-04-30T03:06:18
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https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/crash-school-van-westville-oklahoma-4-dead-2-children/527-f18de069-77f5-4a5d-8fb7-0fa95e17a4c6
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SALEM, Ore. — The brand-new Oregon State Treasury building is an architectural marvel, with millions of dollars of safety upgrades designed to withstand a major earthquake and laundry list of other potential disasters, but the average person passing by might not know it. The state-of-the-art building sits just off Highway 22 in southeast Salem, behind a Denny's parking lot.
Its safety features even caught national attention with a feature in the New York Times.
Michael Kaplan, Oregon’s Deputy State Treasurer, accompanied KGW on a tour of the unique building.
“Our intent was an exercise in imagination,” said Kaplan, about plans for the building.
It was constructed to withstand not only the predicted 9.0 Cascadia subduction zone earthquake, but all sorts of disasters, from wind and ice storms to fires and even civil unrest.
“Having a building that would support Treasury’s functions throughout any kind of disaster is what we were aimed at,” Kaplan said.
“The old building we were in, we had no confidence that it would be standing after an earthquake.”
Kaplan said the roughly 34,000 square foot building can go into “full island mode,” where the entire place could become completely self-sufficient for 80 to 100 Treasury staff in a disaster for at least 96 hours. That time could be extended. That depends on energy use and the number of people inside the building.
“The idea here is that we can withstand virtually anything and have a building that has functional water, power, that can support life within the building,” Kaplan said.
He said the building has battery backups, diesel, solar panels and a backup well for water. Fresh air is also continuously filtered and pumped inside.
The first stop on the walking tour showcased the base isolators in the basement of the building. They’re contraptions that keeps the building safe and operational if and when “the big one” hits.
“A traditional building is anchored to the ground. What a base isolator does is it lifts the building and then puts an elastic layer in between where the building is anchored to the ground and the actual structure itself,” said Kaplan.
That means the building doesn’t actually touch the ground. In the basement, the elevator shaft floats above the foundation. Think of base isolators as really big shock absorbers, designed to reduce shaking in the event of an earthquake by up to 75%.
In addition, the structures inside the building are built to move as the building sways in an earthquake.
“In this case, 18 inches horizontally, a foot-and-a-half in any direction, so it can absorb the shaking and the energy of the earthquake.”
Throughout the rest of the building, the exposed piping is noticeable overhead. Kaplan said the design was intentional, not only reducing the overall weight of the building but also allowing speedier visual inspection of the ducts and other structures immediately after an earthquake.
A hand-painted mural inside the building pays homage to Indigenous cultures and lands.
The windows in the building look normal to the average eye, but they’re also meant to withstand impact if there’s civil unrest. They also bring in more natural light to lessen energy consumption, allowing backup power sources to last longer. The next stop on the tour was the roof, where the building’s solar panels are located.
“A major resiliency feature is our ability to generate our own electricity. So, we do that primarily through solar,” said Kaplan.
"Additionally, as a sustainability feature, so far we’re not consuming energy of the grid, we're actually contributing to it. So only been open a month but we have yet to take energy off the grid,” Kaplan said.
“We're completely below net zero actually.”
According to Byron Williams, the chief administrative officer at the Oregon State Treasury, nine months out of the year, the building generates enough solar power to fuel operations. Some of the battery and diesel may be used for the remaining three months of the year.
So, why the treasury building? Kaplan said the state treasurer spearheaded the effort knowing the Oregon State Treasury is at the center of everything the state does. The Treasury is also responsible for making sure state employees get paid.
Kaplan said in addition to a disaster-resistant building, software products were moved to the cloud and the state made sure employees had laptops and could be mobile, all to make sure they’d be prepared in an emergency. For instance in an emergency, like a fire, frontline crews would need funding.
“If we had a disaster and FEMA wanted to send money to Oregon, if the treasury’s not up we can’t accept that money. So we are literally at the heart of everything that comes in or goes out of the state so nothing functions statewide, from a finance perspective, if we're not here,” Kaplan said.
Like many other state agencies, the treasury is a tenant in the building. It’s leasing the space from a developer who pumped about $40 million into the roughly two-year building process. Kaplan said the agreement is for the Oregon State Treasury to stay a tenant for the next 100 years.
“It was a public-private partnership in the best possible sense,” said Kaplan.
While the building is complete, the planning continues as staff build up a stockpile of drinkable water, emergency food and even satellite phones.
Kaplan said the treasury is the only state agency operating out of a disaster-resistant building. He said the hope is for other state, local, and federal agencies to start thinking about how to move toward more sustainable and resilient buildings so that important government functions can continue during a disaster.
“We have to make investments. We have to take the risk to do these types of things to prepare for what we know is inevitable.”
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https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/oregon-state-treasury-building-built-disasters/283-314603b6-74a0-4d7a-9999-bad31b0684cf
| 2022-04-30T03:16:44
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https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/oregon-state-treasury-building-built-disasters/283-314603b6-74a0-4d7a-9999-bad31b0684cf
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LINCOLN, Calif. — The Lincoln City Council is calling for City Councilman William Lauritsen to resign after he is being accused of hitting a local businessman.
On Monday, April 25, while attending California's 3rd Congressional District Candidate Forum, Matthew Oliver who owns businesses in Lincoln and Roseville, approached Lauritsen while filming on Facebook live to discuss his thoughts on the forum and ask Lauritsen questions.
After some back and forth between the two, things suddenly took a turn. The Facebook live video shows Lauritsen grabbing Oliver's phone for a brief moment before handing it back, but Oliver told ABC10 he never expected to experience what he says happened next.
"Once I got it (the phone) back, I said 'He just assaulted me' and he goes, 'That wasn't an assault. This is an assault' and then he smacks me on the face.' I wasn't prepared for it, he was behind me, it completely shook me," Oliver said.
Lauritsen told ABC10 that Oliver's characterization isn't true and he only demonstrated an actual slap after being accused of assault by Oliver — saying that Oliver pushed the phone in his face and hit his nose. Oliver says that's false.
"The whole point was he said I was assaulting him. I said 'No, that's not assault. If I went like this' and I didn't hit him, I said 'That would be assault' and we were both laughing so I don't really know what his problem was," Lauritsen said.
Lincoln Mayor Holly Andreatta said the councilman's actions were "very unfortunate, very horrific."
"We are all so embarrassed and humiliated by that and we have been working on this since that night and taking action to address it," Andreatta said.
At a city council meeting on April 26, Oliver spoke about the altercation, highlighting the comments Lauritsen allegedly made about his adopted son who is Filipino.
"I am absolutely horrified that he is allowed to sit here today after he physically assaulted me and he made racist attacks on my child, telling him that 'he needed to be deported and he doesn't belong in the United States,'" Oliver said in his statement at the council meeting.
Lauritsen disputes Oliver's claim.
"No, I did not say that. He came up to me and said because I was arguing with his father that I'm not a real American. I guess because I'm a Democrat, and I said 'Of course, I'm a real American, are you a real American' that's it. I never said he should be deported and anything else, I didn't even know he was Filipino," Lauritsen said.
Andreatta said legally the council could not exclude Lauritsen from the council meeting, which is why he was allowed to attend. The city council had an emergency closed session on April 27 to further discuss the matter.
The city released a statement, saying at its April 27th meeting, city staff were directed to "prepare a resolution of censure."
"The motion for censure will include a statement of charges and a resolution, which will be heard during general business at the next regular meeting of the City Council on May 10, 2022. Councilmember Lauritsen will have an opportunity at that meeting to defend his conduct," the letter from the city reads.
Oliver said he interviewed multiple people on Facebook live at the forum without issues including Sheriff Scott Jones, former Placer County Supervisor Kirk Uhler and the Mayor of Rocklin Bill Halldin.
The council is demanding that Lauritsen resign.
"No, I'm not going to resign," Lauritsen said. "If they wanted to reprimand me for jostling with Oliver that's fine, but saying they're going to take me off all committees and everything else, this is just too far."
At Tuesday's city council meeting Lauritsen was not allowed to comment on the matter but said he would not resign while Andreatta was speaking.
"What we all believe is that in the span of 15 minutes he just broke the trust that we have built because people are appalled and it doesn't matter who instigated it doesn't matter if somebody was egging somebody on, doesn't matter you cannot behave that way. And to physically strike somebody and then say a bunch of things — it's not acceptable, and it has done a lot of damage to all of the work that we have done over the last several years. So I'm upset about it," Andreatta said.
The matter will continue to be discussed during the council meeting on May 10, where Andreatta said they are looking at removing Lauritsen from his appointments, meetings, events and other commitments.
"We can't trust him to represent us in any way," Andreatta said.
Several residents have also called for Lauritsen to resign and Andreatta said the recall process must be initiated by the public and can be started by contacting the city clerk.
Lauritsen will have a chance to address the allegations at the May 10 meeting. ABC10 has reached out to Lauritsen for comment, but he has not responded.
Oliver told ABC 10 he filed a police report following the incident.
(Editor's Note: This story was updated Friday with comments from Lauritsen and Oliver.)
READ MORE FROM ABC10:
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Is COVID-19 rising in California?
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https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/lincoln/lincoln-city-council-demands-resignation-after-councilman-hits-businessman-update/103-25fb55a2-ac37-4d31-bc62-fcd5f7c0b3f0
| 2022-04-30T03:30:57
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https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/lincoln/lincoln-city-council-demands-resignation-after-councilman-hits-businessman-update/103-25fb55a2-ac37-4d31-bc62-fcd5f7c0b3f0
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GREENBELT, Md. — Roommates returned from vacation to find all of their belongings gone and two strangers sleeping in a bed in their Greenbelt apartment earlier this month.
According to Greenbelt City Police, the roommates left their apartment in the 9300 block of Edmonston Road on March 28 to go on vacation. The victims told officers when they left, the apartment was fully furnished.
The victims came home on April 5, telling investigators that when they got home, they found the front door was damaged and the apartment was completely empty.
As the victims walked into the unit, police say they found a Black man and white woman they did not know lying on a bed, the only piece of furniture still in the apartment.
The victims told police the suspects admitted to taking their items and "became aggressive" before running away. The victims were able to share pictures of the suspects with officers.
The roommates told police the apartment, which was fully furnished when they left, was completely empty when they returned except for black trash bags filled with items and trash on the walls.
Investigators say the kitchen was completely empty and cabinet doors were missing. Both bedrooms and closets were empty, except for the bed the suspects were found lying on.
Both victims told police they did not know the suspects.
According to Greenbelt police, the victims lost nearly $50,000 in property.
Anyone with information should contact Greenbelt police at (301) 474-7200 or email greenbeltpd@greenbeltmd.gov.
WATCH NEXT: RAW : Security cam catches Thief stealing $24,000 Rolex off sleeping man's wrist in DC hotel lobby
Armin Zeyafatzadeh says he was robbed of his $24K Rolex while sound asleep in the lobby of the Residence Inn Courtyard by Marriott hotel.
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https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/roommates-apartment-cleaned-out-suspects-lying-on-bed-in-bedroom-police-say/65-88cde6dd-affc-40e2-8ae0-9c411ec6aeb1
| 2022-04-30T03:31:03
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https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/roommates-apartment-cleaned-out-suspects-lying-on-bed-in-bedroom-police-say/65-88cde6dd-affc-40e2-8ae0-9c411ec6aeb1
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SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Racist, sexist, hateful words and images interrupted a public candidate forum this week, leaving the candidates disappointed—but not surprised, they say.
Michael Lynch and Karina Talamantes are competing to represent the newly redrawn District 3 on the Sacramento City Council. They made their case before voters at a candidate forum Wednesday hosted by the District 3 Community Coalition, made up of the district’s neighborhood associations.
However, they say, the meeting - held on zoom - got off to a disturbing start.
“In the beginning of the forum, I got two direct messages,” Lynch said. “The first direct message said, ‘kill black people,’ and the second direct message called me a (the N-word).”
He showed a screenshot of the direct messages to ABC10.
“As a Black man, I am – you know – used to, sometimes, the harassment and racism that comes with it. Something that I’ve had to endure, you know, throughout my life. Something that Black people in America has had to endure,” Lynch said.
Talamantes also experienced harassment at the start of the forum, she said.
“While I was speaking, a community member turned on their camera and showed genitalia, so as a woman – it didn’t feel good,” she said. “Sexist behavior and messaging has been very alive since January, when I announced my candidacy."
The candidates put out a joint statement this week, condemning what happened.
“We want to send a strong message that hatred, racism, bigotry, sexism was not accepted,” Lynch said.
Talamantes said she’d like to see more technical support for groups trying to do good by holding public forums like this.
“I think it’s important that the city of Sacramento equip neighborhood associations doing community outreach and engagement with the proper equipment, to be able to pay for the appropriate licenses,” Talamantes said. “Right now, those community members are fronting the price of the monthly zoom bill out of their own pockets.”
Sachiko Konatsu - president of the Natomas Community Association, one of the neighborhood groups that comprise the District 3 Community Coalition – said she is “thankful that Ms. Talamantes has a great solution for our future events.”
About the incident, Konatsu said in a statement to ABC10, “the chat was disabled upon learning about the abusive language immediately…I personally will be moving forward with Sacramento PD in this matter.”
Konatsu said she has been in touch with both Zoom and the Sacramento Police Department and hopes they can identify the people behind the accounts that sent the hateful words and images.
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https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/sacramento/sacramento-city-council-racist-sexist-words-and-images-interrupt-zoom/103-ffe00762-6a83-4c17-b05a-557ff8f42cef
| 2022-04-30T03:31:09
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https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/sacramento/sacramento-city-council-racist-sexist-words-and-images-interrupt-zoom/103-ffe00762-6a83-4c17-b05a-557ff8f42cef
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The rate of new COVID-19 cases continued to rise in Coconino County, with 88 reported the week ending April 23. Overall, the county continues to have a low community level.
The community level indicators have remained the same as the past two weeks, according to the dashboard data report. The rate of new COVID admissions is 0.7 per 100,000 and the percent of staffed in-patient beds is 2.3%, Medium transmission thresholds for each metric are 10 per 100,000 and 10%, respectively.
The rate of new cases per 100,000, while still well below the threshold for adjusted metrics of 200, rose from 45.6 per 100,000 to 61.7 per 100,000. The positivity yield also increased, to 5.5% from 3.9% last week.
County residents between the ages of 25 and 44 had the highest rate of both cases (83 per 100,000) and positivity (6.6%), followed by those 65 and older (who also had a positivity rate of 6.6%).
Both hospitalizations (from three to two) and hospital visits with COVID-like illness (CLI, from 3.2% to 3.1%) fell slightly for the week, as did COVID deaths (from two to one).
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Omicron continues to be the most prevalent variant in both the county and Arizona overall, with over 99% of sequenced genomes in Coconino County being of the BA.2 subvariant over the past two weeks, according to TGen’s Arizona COVID-19 Sequencing dashboard, accessed April 29.
Flagstaff Unified School District reported nine cases the week ending April 16. It added 16 new cases in its most recent reporting (the week ending April 23), bringing the district's total for the year so far to 2,535.
The number of tests conducted on Northern Arizona University's campus fell (to 321 from 887 the previous week), though percent positivity rose from 1.2% to 3.1%. Six of these were in individuals affiliated with the university.
More about COVID in Coconino County, including testing and vaccination sites, can be found at coconino.az.gov/2294/COVID-19-Information.
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https://azdailysun.com/news/local/covid-cases-rise-in-coconino-county-low-community-level-continues/article_67345e2c-c7e2-11ec-aa5b-df4fbc6cb58a.html
| 2022-04-30T03:57:11
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https://azdailysun.com/news/local/covid-cases-rise-in-coconino-county-low-community-level-continues/article_67345e2c-c7e2-11ec-aa5b-df4fbc6cb58a.html
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Stage 1 fire and smoking restrictions will take effect across the Coconino National Forest as well as the Williams and Tusayan districts of the Kaibab National Forest beginning 8 a.m. Thursday, May 5. The City of Flagstaff will enter Stage 1 restrictions at the same time.
Under these restrictions, fires, campfires, charcoal, coal and wood stoves are prohibited, except within developed recreation sites. Smoking is also prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle, building or developed recreation sites. As always, fireworks will remain prohibited on all national and state lands.
While seasonal fire restriction are the norm for northern Arizona, the restrictions will take effect about a week earlier than last year, said Randi Shaffer, U.S. Forest Service public information officer.
“The final decision wasn't really [the Forest Service] alone,” Shaffer said. “We have weekly calls with partner agencies and organizations where we all discuss fire restrictions. And we came to the conclusion that now is an appropriate time.”
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The timing comes, in part, as a response to the nearly 20,000-acre Tunnel Fire, which marked an early and aggressive start to Arizona’s fire season. Public demand for fire restrictions swelled soon after the blaze forced hundreds of evacuations northeast of Flagstaff.
“Given the severity of the Tunnel Fire, abiding by fire restrictions is as important as ever,” Shaffer said.
The hope is that slightly earlier fire restrictions do not significantly impact Flagstaff’s tourism economy, said Lori Pappas of Discover Flagstaff.
Her organization aims to be “stewards of the destination,” and will be launching a fire awareness campaign in early May.
“The values of the community are always at the top of mind and being pushed out to our visitors,” Pappas said. The Discover Flagstaff “We know you care, please be fire aware” campaign will be pushed to the “drive market” of Flagstaff tourism, including Phoenix, Southern California, Las Vegas and Albuquerque.
Additional restrictions could be forthcoming if conditions warrant them. Fire restrictions typically remain in effect until the area receives significant, widespread precipitation.
The criteria used to determine when to implement restrictions include current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, fire activity levels, enduring drought and available firefighting resources. Flagstaff remains in long-term drought. According to the National Weather Service, most northern Arizona counties remain in “Fire Weather Watch” status. There is no precipitation in sight for the forecast.
Select fire activities are permitted under Stage 1 restrictions. Using a device, such as a camp stove, that is solely fueled by pressurized liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off is allowed in areas that are barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the device.
Violations could result in mandatory appearance in a federal court, fines or jail time.
For information on all Arizona state and federal fire restrictions, including an interactive map, visit wildlandfire.az.gov/fire-restrictions. Additional information about the stages of fire restrictions, forest orders, and general forest conditions can be found at fs.usda.gov/kaibab and fs.usda.gov/coconino.
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https://azdailysun.com/news/local/stage-1-fire-restrictions-to-begin-may-5-in-northern-arizona/article_c51ef19a-c801-11ec-8b15-fba4510cb4bf.html
| 2022-04-30T03:57:17
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https://azdailysun.com/news/local/stage-1-fire-restrictions-to-begin-may-5-in-northern-arizona/article_c51ef19a-c801-11ec-8b15-fba4510cb4bf.html
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College of the Canyons is getting its second Coconino Panthers football player in the class of 2022. Senior Xavier Nakai, a center and nose tackle for the Panthers, will be attending the school in Santa Clarita, California, next academic year.
Nakai signed a letter of intent on Wednesday, surrounded by family and friends, at the Coconino High School gym.
Listed at 6-foot-1, 317 pounds in his senior season, Nakai has only grown since the Panthers ended their season in the fall. His size and strength make him an interesting prospect at the junior college level, and he believes College of the Canyons will be a great place to develop in order to get to an even higher level of competition.
“I liked their profile and who they are as a program. You see their coaches and their players, and how many kids they take from being high school players to D-I athletes is amazing, and I want to be part of that,” Nakai said.
Nakai is the second of his siblings to become a college athlete. He grew up in a household that valued sports, and his sister, JJ, played at various levels of college basketball before finishing her career with the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks.
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Xavier wanted to be just like his sister.
“Since I was a little kid, my mom and dad brought be up with the intentions that I’ve got to be No. 1 with whatever I was doing. And I saw my sister go to college, and I said, ‘Yeah, that’s what I want,’” he said.
Coconino football coach Mike Lapsley knew Nakai could be a solid player from the moment they started working together. Nakai played on a youth team coached by Lapsley before going to Coconino.
The coaching staff noticed his size -- always one of the biggest kids at any age -- and knew he could be a force in the trenches. Even more, he developed as a leader on the field throughout his Panthers career.
“He was a guy that was very competitive, always wanted to win his matchup, and wanted to help others do the same,” Lapsley said. “He didn’t say a whole lot, just knew what his job was. And he took pride in that. And when it came to the trenches, he was a leader. He was great at what he did and then also lifted up the other teammates and got them going for us.”
Nakai is the second Panthers commit to College of the Canyons following graduation this summer; senior Matias Ortiz also committed to play in Santa Clarita earlier this spring.
Playing with a longtime friend and trusted teammate is a bonus for Nakai at the next level.
“We’ve been teammates for a while now, and now we get to play another year or two years together; it’s amazing. It’s a stress-reliever, and he’s like a brother to me. We’re going to try to make each other better there,” Nakai said.
“I’m extremely confident those two will push each other and support each other and make sure they stick this thing out,” added Lapsley.
College of the Canyons recruits will join the team in June. Until then, Nakai and Ortiz are part of a group of players that are enjoying their final weeks of high school and working out to make sure they succeed in college football.
“I haven’t taken a day off. I’m lifting with some of my teammates that are also going off to the next level, because we want to make sure that when we show up to the first day of practice we ain’t soft,” Nakai said.
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https://azdailysun.com/sports/local/chs-senior-xavier-nakai-signs-to-college-of-the-canyons/article_43c6291a-c757-11ec-83af-dbf401a7a09f.html
| 2022-04-30T03:57:23
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https://azdailysun.com/sports/local/chs-senior-xavier-nakai-signs-to-college-of-the-canyons/article_43c6291a-c757-11ec-83af-dbf401a7a09f.html
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In what seemed inevitable, the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks will face the Weber State Wildcats for another Big Sky Conference championship Saturday morning in Phoenix.
The Lumberjacks first needed to get past the Idaho State Bengals in Friday's semifinal at the Phoenix Tennis Center. After a hard-fought doubles point went in favor of the Lumberjacks, a rapid succession of three singles wins gave Northern Arizona a 4-0 win.
Just as they did in last season's semifinals, the Lumberjacks split the first two doubles matches of the day and added some drama to their postseason opener.
Needing just three wins in singles to clinch the win, Sofia Markova handed Lola O'Lideadha a 6-1, 6-2 loss at No. 3 to quickly put the Lumberjacks in front 2-0 and earn her first career win in the Big Sky Tournament. Laura Duhl did the same at No. 6, beating Alexandra Arkhipov 6-4, 6-0 for her first-ever postseason win.
"As a freshman I can see her, especially in the last month or so, she's just improving," coach Ewa Bogusz said of Duhl, who bounced back from a doubles loss with an impressive win against an Idaho State senior. "She is playing every match better and better. I am also excited to see what she is going to do tomorrow."
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Gina Dittmann finished off her 14th consecutive singles victory 6-2, 6-2 at No. 1 singles. The win extended Northern Arizona's run to nine straight matches since mid-March.
Northern Arizona will face Weber State in Saturday's title round, taking on a a team its lost 4-3 to earlier in the season. It's also a rematch of last season's title match.
Men's tennis
The Lumberjacks were bounced in the semifinal round of the Big Sky tourney, falling 4-3 to the Montana State Bobcats Friday.
The Lumberjacks suffered losses in the doubles point, at the No. 4, 2 and 5 positions, failing to defend their conference title.
"I'm super proud, they left it all on the court," coach Maciej Bogusz said. "We had chances in doubles, we had chances in singles, it was just two good teams going at each other, both teams were nationally ranked this season and it just speaks how good the conference has gotten."
The Lumberjacks closed out the 2022 season with an overall record of 19-9.
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https://azdailysun.com/sports/local/nau-roundup-womens-tennis-advances-to-conference-tourney-title-round/article_80278ece-c80d-11ec-a9a1-ab74d90d9a33.html
| 2022-04-30T03:57:29
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https://azdailysun.com/sports/local/nau-roundup-womens-tennis-advances-to-conference-tourney-title-round/article_80278ece-c80d-11ec-a9a1-ab74d90d9a33.html
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GOLDEN GATE ESTATES, Fla. — Sara Kilduff said she was terrified when her son woke her up Wednesday night telling her a bullet and glass was on his bed.
“I got very upset, sweating, crying, and throwing up. Just the thought of something like that happening just innocent while we are at him,” said Kilduff.
Her 12-year-old daughter Addison Kilduff was home alone Wednesday afternoon when the bullet hit the window.
“I didn’t know it had hit the window. I just thought maybe the turkey had moved or something or tried to fly off and hit the window,” said Addison Kilduff.
When they searched the backyard, they saw a bullet hole on either side of the shed, so the bullet went right through it to the window.
“The fact that my brother wasn’t in his room he got so so lucky that he had left and it was only an hour- hour 30 minutes after he left,” said Addison Kilduff.
The family said they hear gunshots often because people like to hunt in the area, but in the eight years they’ve lived there it’s never come so close to home.
The family filed a report with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office and they are investigating.
While you can shoot a gun on your property, firing a gun recklessly or negligently is a misdemeanor.
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https://nbc-2.com/news/local/2022/04/29/golden-gate-estates-family-worried-after-stray-bullet-hits-home/
| 2022-04-30T04:30:24
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https://nbc-2.com/news/local/2022/04/29/golden-gate-estates-family-worried-after-stray-bullet-hits-home/
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DALLAS, Texas — Who says you can't mix two passions together? For Dallas Independent School District softball Coach Mark Stout, he's done it weekly this season.
Stout warms up his team at W.T. White High School every home game and then, for a brief moment, plays the national anthem on the trumpet to get to that exciting umpire line: play ball! He started doing it before games last season.
The reason why? Simple.
"Someone had to!" Stout said with a laugh. "In previous years, I've had some of the girls on the team sing it. Many of them were in the choir, and this current team only thinks they can sing -- haha."
Stout didn't pick coaching as his first career path, the 68-year-old started life on a music scholarship to Lamar University.
He played trumpet there, and he shifted gears during college.
"I'm just a nice average player; I play for fun and my church," Stout said. "I kind of quit playing in college because I realized I couldn't be a professional player. I wasn't good enough for that."
Stout eventually started a printing business, mainly pumping out medical forms but sold it around 2013.
That's when he decided to be a teacher and a coach.
It was a pivotal move after starting as a self-proclaimed band nerd.
"Being in marching band was the most fun in my life. In fact, I learned everything in softball from my band director, and he taught me how to focus on details and work on fundamentals. It's really the same thing, band and sports," Stout said.
Right now, Stout's Longhorns are hoping to make school history by being the first softball team to make it out of the first round of the playoffs.
On Thursday, they took one step closer to that goal by beating Sunset High School 12-5.
Games two and three of a three-game series will be played Friday.
Before the first pitch Thursday, Stout did what he's done all season: pull a trumpet out of the dugout, play the anthem, then return to coaching.
"Everybody stands up, and you get chills, even with as many games as I've done, you still get a chill whenever it starts," Stout said.
"Don't tell DISD this, but I'd do this for free."
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https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/dallas-isd-softball-coach-trumpets-national-anthem-before-every-home-game/287-5f50b7d9-b105-49af-b8c5-7cabcd8a83e9
| 2022-04-30T04:56:04
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PLANO, Texas — Earl and Gloria Dedman have exchanged many gifts over 61 years of wedded bliss but nothing like one gift from several Christmases ago. They invested in an Apple Watch and didn't realize its full capabilities until Earl Dedman started to have dizzy spells that caused him to fall.
"I think it could have probably saved my life," said Earl Dedman.
Last Sunday evening in their Plano home, the pair had just finished dinner and were in separate parts of the house. Dedman was in the bedroom when he started to feel dizzy again.
"I had no idea he had fallen. I was in the house with him and had no idea," said Gloria.
She didn't know something was up until she heard someone out front of their home. It was Plano Fire-Rescue from nearby Station 12.
"She didn't even know that they were coming until she heard banging on the front door," said Dedman.
At first, Gloria thought the house was on fire, and then realized the first responders were alerted by Dedman's Apple Watch. She told WFAA when she found her husband he was unconscious and on the tiled floor of the vanity.
"We've actually seen a lot of people come in with the fall alert," Medical City Plano Emergency Doctor Brandon Meek said. "They call this the art of medicine, but technology is helping us move to the science of medicine."
It is a function of the Apple Watch called "fall detection". Fall detection first alerts the person wearing the watch, connects directly to 9-1-1, and then notifies emergency contacts.
"I wish they had it when my kids were growing up," laughed Gloria.
Doctors told WFAA that Dedman's heart was working too hard and it could have lead to heart failure.
On Thursday, Dedman had a procedure called ablation, which helps the heart maintain a normal heart rhythm. He is resting and rehabbing at Medical City Plano.
Meek puts it bluntly, "Earl was lucky."
"I was absolutely scared to death," said Gloria.
Dedman already has golf plans for next week. He needs assistance walking around right now, but is expected to make a full recovery.
"I'm grateful for the watch, and I'm grateful for this hospital," said Gloria.
She's just happy the watch acts as another pair of eyes when she's not around. She said her husband absolutely loves wearing it, and it has replaced an old Rolex he wore for many years.
"I think it's a great investment. I'd do it again in a heartbeat," said Dedman.
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https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/plano-man-falls-in-home-and-apple-watch-alerts-first-responders/287-12711381-7258-4dff-904c-59ba49db12aa
| 2022-04-30T04:56:10
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https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/plano-man-falls-in-home-and-apple-watch-alerts-first-responders/287-12711381-7258-4dff-904c-59ba49db12aa
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Police on Long Island are investigating after a man was killed during a drive-by shooting in front of his home Friday morning.
Suffolk County police responded to calls of shots fired in front of a home on Wildwood Road in Ronkonkoma just before 9 a.m. Officers who arrived first at the scene found Terry Long shot outside the house.
Police said that the 32-year-old Long was warming up his car when another car drove down the street, and a gunman opened fire from inside.
Long was struck multiple times. He was taken to Stony Brooklyn University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Police believe the shooting may have been targeted, and were reviewing security video and interviewing witnesses for clues.
No arrests have been made in the deadly shooting, and investigators ask anyone with information to contact the Suffolk County Police Department's Homicide Squad at (631)852-6392 or call the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at 1-800-220-TIPS.
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https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/man-killed-in-drive-by-shooting-in-front-of-his-long-island-home-police/3669908/
| 2022-04-30T05:00:13
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FOLSOM, Calif. — Folsom Parks and Recreation is hosting its 8th annual Love My Mom 5K honoring and celebrating moms this weekend.
The popular event, in partnership with the Palladio and Kaiser, will be held at Folsom's Palladio at Broadstone on Sunday, May 1.
The race will kick off at Whole Foods in the Palladio at around 8:00 a.m. The race's course will take participants in and around the Palladio, eventually ending back at Whole Foods.
The race's course, which is flat and paved, is ideal for walkers or runners of any age. There will be a Kids Dash Event for children ages 10 and under at 8:00 a.m. before the 5k begins. Those who participate in the Kids Dash will be awarded a commemorative medal.
"There is truly something for everyone at this event," Frankie Nelson, the Recreation Coordinator II for Folsom Parks and Recreation, told ABC10. "Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate with their moms."
Participants in the 5k will be electronically timed. The race's top participants will be awarded in various categories such as single and double stroller divisions, top mom, top female, top male, and more. All participants will receive a commemorative dry-fit shirt and a custom medal.
Following the race, a post-race festival with vendor booths, refreshments, music, and activities will be held near the finish line.
"The event holds a special place in participants' hearts as they walk or run the event with their moms, grandmothers, & grandkids," Nelson said.
Registration for the event will be open online and on-site until 8:00 a.m. on the day of the race.
ABC10: Watch, Download, Read
Watch more from ABC10: Oak Ridge High School teen battles cancer with his teammates by his side
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https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/folsom-orangevale/folsom-love-my-mom-5k/103-759e7d12-8103-4ed3-9fed-3cc7bf5a1eb2
| 2022-04-30T05:08:48
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https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/folsom-orangevale/folsom-love-my-mom-5k/103-759e7d12-8103-4ed3-9fed-3cc7bf5a1eb2
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STOCKTON, Calif — Earlier this week, the White House announced a first-of-its-kind collaboration between the Department of Justice and the Department of Labor.
The plan calls for job skills training for federal inmates and "individualized employment and reentry plans."
The goal is to provide a "seamless transition to employment and reentry support upon release."
The Biden-Harris Administration calls it part of their "Second Chance Month."
"You do the best you can to survive and then one day make it out into the community and be a citizen," says Jason Gottlieb who served state prison time in Folsom, San Quentin and Solano.
In 1980, the 66-year-old Gottlieb got 25 years to life in prison for a deadly shooting he says he didn't commit, but he was convicted as an accomplice to the crime.
Gottlieb says he was exonerated for his crime by then-Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
That was only after he had served 25 years, getting out in 2005.
But, along the way he realized he had a knack for counseling others behind bars.
"Can you imagine doing thirty years in a state prison and you come back out here in the community. It's very alien to you," added Gottlieb.
Gottlieb is now a case manager for nearly three dozen former inmates getting their release at the non-profit "Friends Outside."
Established in 1955, it has affiliate offices around California.
"Friends Outside" performs a number of services including resources for referral for housing, mental health, jobs, education and much more.
"We can usually tell within the first visit if this is somebody really committed and really wants to change," says "Friends Outside" Executive Director Gretchen Newby.
Newby has worked for "Friends Outside" for forty years.
She welcomes any source of money in the hopes of helping to make former inmates viable citizens again.
"They're taking advantage of what we have to offer and the other assets that we have here in the community that we can leverage and helping them. Then, their future is going to be pretty good," said Newby.
Out of prison at age 50, Jason Gottlieb's life has been transformed.
He's married with children and grandchildren.
He wants to be an example for others that life on the outside can be a successful reality, too.
"All I wanted to do was be part of my family's life and live a life," said Gottlieb.
For more information on the non-profit, go to www.friendsoutside.org.
MORE FROM STOCKTON: San Jose Police Department's Deputy Chief Stan McFadden has been chosen to lead the Stockton Police Department as the city's 50th Police Chief, the city announced Wednesday.
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https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/stockton/friends-outside/103-081dfa04-5577-4102-bc23-0847a0007752
| 2022-04-30T05:08:54
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Man tests drives truck, doesn't return it. West Sacramento police are investigating | Caught on Video
West Sacramento police are investigating the case of a man taking a truck for a test drive but not returning it. The dealer has video of the man driving away.
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https://www.abc10.com/video/news/local/west-sacramento/man-tests-drives-truck-doesnt-return-it-west-sacramento-police-are-investigating-caught-on-video/103-74ddbd12-ab95-4280-838d-bac2ccc12df8
| 2022-04-30T05:09:00
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https://www.abc10.com/video/news/local/west-sacramento/man-tests-drives-truck-doesnt-return-it-west-sacramento-police-are-investigating-caught-on-video/103-74ddbd12-ab95-4280-838d-bac2ccc12df8
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Federal prosecutors on Friday urged a jury to reject a retired New York City police officer's argument that he was acting in self-defense when he swung a flagpole at police officers and tackled one of them during the U.S. Capitol riot.
Thomas Webster, a 20-year NYPD veteran, is the first Capitol riot defendant to be tried on an assault charge and the first to present a jury with a self-defense argument.
Jurors went home for the weekend about 30 minutes after getting the case. They're due back Monday for deliberations.
During the trial's closing arguments, Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Kelly urged jurors to use their common sense and trust what they saw on several videos that captured the confrontation. Kelly said the videos show Webster swing his metal flagpole like a club, “bull rush” Metropolitan Police Department officer Noah Rathbun and then grab the officer's gas mask with both hands.
“Don't let the defendant off the hook for what he did that day,” Kelly said.
Webster, 56, testified Thursday that he was trying to protect himself from a “rogue cop” who punched him in the face. He also accused Rathbun of instigating the confrontation.
Rathbun testified that he didn’t punch or pick a fight with Webster as a mob attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, disrupting Congress from certifying President Joe Biden’s electoral victory.
Defense attorney James Monroe said Webster had a right to defend himself against a “bad cop” who was using excessive force.
“Acquit this man. Send him back to New York,” Monroe told jurors. “Get behind the truth. And I'm talking about the whole truth.”
Webster’s jury trial is the fourth for a Capitol riot case. The first three defendants to get a jury trial were convicted of all charges in their respective indictments. A judge decided two other cases without a jury, acquitting one of the defendants and partially acquitting the other.
A grand jury indicted Webster on six counts, including a charge that he assaulted Rathbun with a dangerous weapon, a metal flagpole. He wasn’t accused of entering the Capitol on Jan. 6.
Webster drove alone to Washington, D.C., from his home near Goshen, New York, on the eve of the Jan. 6 “Stop the Steal” rally. He was wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying a U.S. Marine Corps flag on a metal pole when he approached the Capitol, after listening to then-President Donald Trump address thousands of supporters.
Webster said he went to the Capitol to “petition” lawmakers to “relook” at the results of the 2020 presidential election. But he testified that he didn’t intend to interfere with Congress’ joint session to certify the Electoral College vote.
Rathbun’s body camera captured Webster shouting profanities and insults before they made any physical contact. Webster said he was attending his first political protest as a civilian and expressing his free speech rights when he yelled at officers behind a row of bike racks.
The body camera video shows that Webster slammed one of the bike racks at Rathbun before the officer reached out with an open left hand and struck the right side of Webster’s face. Webster said it felt like he had been hit by a freight train.
Rathbun said he was trying to move Webster back from a security perimeter that he and other officers were struggling to maintain.
After Rathbun struck his face, Webster swung a metal flagpole at the officer in a downward chopping motion, striking a bike rack. Rathbun grabbed the broken pole from Webster, who charged at the officer, tackled him to the ground and grabbed his gas mask.
Rathbun testified that he started choking as the chinstrap on his gas mask pressed against his throat.
Webster said he grabbed Rathbun by the gas mask because he wanted the officer to see his hands and know that he didn't pose a threat.
"Does that make any amount of sense to any of you?" Kelly asked jurors.
Rathbun reported a hand injury from a separate encounter with a rioter inside the Capitol. He didn’t report any injuries caused by Webster, but jurors saw photos of leg bruises that Rathbun attributed to his confrontation with the retired officer.
Webster faces six counts: assaulting, resisting or impeding an officer using a dangerous weapon; civil disorder; entering and remaining in restricted grounds with a dangerous weapon; disorderly and disruptive conduct in restricted grounds with a dangerous weapon; engaging in physical violence in restricted grounds with a dangerous weapon; and engaging in an act of physical violence on Capitol grounds.
Webster retired from the NYPD in 2011 after 20 years of service, which included a stint on then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s private security detail. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1985 to 1989 before joining the NYPD in 1991.
More than 780 people have been charged with riot-related federal crimes. The Justice Department says over 245 of them have been charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement.
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https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/juror-weigh-former-nypd-officers-claim-of-self-defense-in-capitol-riot-trial/3669925/
| 2022-04-30T05:20:50
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Posted: Apr 29, 2022 / 10:22 PM PDT Updated: Apr 29, 2022 / 10:41 PM PDT SHARE PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Police are responding to the 2600 block of East 205th Avenue in Fairview following a report of shots fired in the area. Police are responding to reports of shots fired in the 2600 block of East 205th Avenue in Fairview. April29, 2022 (KOIN) . A KOIN 6 News crew is on the scene. This is a developing story.
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https://www.koin.com/local/multnomah-county/police-respond-to-report-of-shots-fired-in-fairview/
| 2022-04-30T05:41:32
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NEW YORK (AP) — The most commonly held taboo in the arts is uttering the word “Macbeth” inside a theater. Daniel Craig and Ruth Negga don’t buy it.
Shakespeare’s tragedy was said to be cursed before its first performance more than 500 years ago. Since then, the superstition forbids the show’s title to ever be spoken inside a theater. Instead it’s referred to as “the Scottish play.”
Before taking the stage for opening night of the Broadway revival on Thursday, Craig and Negga were more brazen, preferring not to buy into the superstition that some tragedy will occur if someone utters its name.
“Individually, I don’t know we’re that powerful,” Craig told The Associated Press, adding that he also doesn’t abide by the ways of undoing the curse, like walking in circles outside the theater and waiting to be invited back inside.
“I have my own superstitions about all sorts of things, but not particularly about this,” said Craig, who plays the Scottish anti-hero.
His co-star, who plays Lady Macbeth, was even more brash. “We say it all the time,” Negga said. Like Craig, she admits to being superstitious, just not about saying the name of the play inside the theater.
While Craig and Negga hold a looser attitude when it comes to the curse, Maria Dizzia, who plays one of the witches, wondered if they were truly left unscathed.
“We said ‘Macbeth,’ and then we all got COVID,” Dizzia said.
She added: “The show closed for, you know, 10 days, which we felt was like a kind of curse that was put on the play.”
And director Sam Gold expressed second thoughts.
“I’m not a superstitious person, but this process will teach me to be one the next time. I definitely said the word ‘Macbeth’ a lot and everyone definitely got COVID,” Gold said.
It’s important to note that “Macbeth” was not the only show that had a shutdown due to a recent wave of COVID-19.
“The Music Man” had a string of cancelled performances after a COVID-19 outbreak. Other shows affected in some way, included “A Strange Loop,” “Company” and “Plaza Suite.”
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https://www.cbs42.com/local/at-macbeth-daniel-craig-ruth-negga-on-the-unspoken-word/
| 2022-04-30T06:25:56
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https://www.cbs42.com/local/at-macbeth-daniel-craig-ruth-negga-on-the-unspoken-word/
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BERLIN (AP) — The annual Oktoberfest festival is on again for this fall, the city of Munich said Friday, following a two-year pause due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Dieter Reiter, the mayor of the Bavarian capital, said the popular beer festival will be held without restrictions from Sept. 17 to Oct. 3 – Germany’s national day.
The Oktoberfest, first held in 1810 in honor of the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria to Princess Therese, has been canceled dozens of times during its more than 200-year history due to wars and pandemics.
The announcement was welcomed by the Bavarian hotel and restaurant association.
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https://www.cbs42.com/local/cheers-munich-to-stage-1st-oktoberfest-after-2-year-hiatus/
| 2022-04-30T06:26:03
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LOS ANGELES (AP) — Reigning “Jeopardy!” champion Mattea Roach represents a new generation of the quiz show’s all-star players.
As of Friday, the 23-year-old Canadian has won 19 games and amassed $469,184 in prize money, putting her among the top 10 contestants for both consecutive victories and regular-season winnings in “Jeopardy!” history.
Roach, who begins her fifth week of competition Monday, is in the company of veteran standout players including Ken Jennings, who’s currently hosting the show, and this season’s champs Amy Schneider and Matt Amodio.
“The fact that I’m now one of the best players of all time hasn’t fully sunk in yet. It doesn’t really feel real,” said Roach, the first Gen Zer to be dubbed a “super champion” by the show for achieving a double-digit string of wins. (Generation Z generally refers to those born from 1997 to 2012.)
A tutor for aspiring law school students, and perhaps one herself, she plays with a breezy confidence. Roach is relaxed enough to casually think out loud about her approach, as she did when she hit a crucial Double Jeopardy last Wednesday.
“You know what, if I wager a lot and lose today, like whatever, I had such a good run,” Roach mused, then successfully wagered a hefty $8,000 and ended up taking the game from formidable challenger Ben Hsia of Fremont, California.
The category was anatomy, the clue was “To gently tease another person,” and Roach’s slightly exasperated response: “I should have wagered more. What is ‘rib’?”
Besides conservative bets, her play has been distinguished by the broad range of knowledge and buzzer command that “Jeopardy!” champs have. Athletic skill doesn’t contribute to the latter, said Roach, who admits that sports isn’t a favored category.
Among her trademarks are an engaging smile and demure wave to the camera at the start of a game; tattoos including Talking Heads song lyrics, and attire that’s on the serious side but with a touch of personal flair. For a recent interview, however, she paired a T-shirt with denim.
“There’s no denim on ‘Jeopardy!’” Roach said, helpfully. As for her on-camera wardrobe, it’s all clothes she already owned — “I hate shopping,” she said — and which she figured would send the right message.
“I wanted to be comfortable, I wanted to look professional and I wanted to express my personality, and I think I accomplished that,” she said.
A native of Halifax, Nova Scotia, who lives in Toronto, Roach credits her love of learning to her mother, Patti MacKinnon, an auditor, and her father, Phil Roach, who works in human resources. Mattea Roach began reading at age 3, skipped a grade in elementary school and enrolled at the University of Toronto when she was 16.
After mom and dad helped pay for the first two years of college, Roach put herself through the rest.
“I have three younger siblings at home, and even with them (her parents) both working there’s only so much money to go around,” she said. “I figured I can work, so why would I not be?”
She majored in sexual diversity studies and earned minors in political science and women and gender studies. The school’s debate program helped her gain poise and tackle unfamiliar subjects, presumably helpful training for “Jeopardy!” — and maybe politics.
As a youngster, Roach said, she had a vague interest in the “workings of government” and, while she’s retained an interest in it, she realized it wouldn’t be a good fit. Despite the flurry of media and online attention that “Jeopardy!” has brought, “I’m actually a very private person, and I prefer to have a relatively more normal job,” she said.
She was applying to law school when “Jeopardy!” summoned her to be a contestant. Her success and that of Amodio (38 wins, $1.52 million) and Schneider (40 wins, $1.38 million) has made the show’s 2021-22 season a memorable one.
Roach mentioned on air that she would be able to pay off her student loans after her first win. What is she planning to do as the sum has grown?
“I’m so boring. I don’t want to splurge on anything,” she said.
Roach intends to invest the windfall for her future, although some of it will go toward realizing travel plans derailed by the pandemic. Another possible indulgence occurred to her.
“I hopefully will not be afraid of buying concert tickets anymore,” she said.
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https://www.cbs42.com/local/first-jeopardy-gen-z-super-champs-streak-hits-19-games/
| 2022-04-30T06:26:10
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SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) — Ballet dancers Adrian Blake Mitchell and Andrea Lassakova moved to Russia years ago to chase their dream of performing with the best in a country where people live and breathe ballet.
But days after Russia invaded Ukraine, the couple uprooted their lives and left behind their prized jobs with the prestigious Mikhailovsky Ballet Company in St. Petersburg.
Mitchell, who is American, and Lassakova, who is from Slovakia, are among the dozens of foreign dancers who have left Russia since the war started in February. The two are now in the U.S., preparing for a performance in Southern California.
They say the war is bound to take Russian ballet back to the isolation of the Soviet era.
“Most of our friends are international. They left, and I don’t think they will come back soon,” Lassakova said.
Amy Brandt, editor in chief of Pointe, an American online magazine about the world of ballet, said there were likely fewer than 100 foreign dancers working in Russia when the war started. But based on social media posts and hiring announcements by dance companies outside Russia, most have left, she said.
Russia opened its ballet world to the West in the decades after the Soviet Union’s collapse. In 2011, American ballet dancer David Hallberg became the first foreigner to be named a principal dancer at the storied Bolshoi Ballet.
But in recent weeks, Russian ballet companies have experienced backlash over the war. The Bolshoi Ballet and Mariinsky Ballet companies, Russia’s most renowned ballet institutions, performed in the United States every year as part of their international tour, but already performances scheduled for this year have been canceled.
“It feels like we’re going backward in time in a lot of ways,” Brandt said.
Mitchell and Lassakova lived in Russia for seven years but decided to leave the country in early March after Russian troops invaded Ukraine and as rumors of martial law, financial collapse and the loss of liberties loomed. They hired a taxi and hurriedly left with their dog for Estonia.
While in Russia, the pair didn’t involve themselves in politics, despite seeing many pro-democracy protesters marching outside their apartment. But once across the border, and now in the U.S., the dance partners have been vocal about their opposition to the war.
“We had a difficult situation. But what’s happening to the people of Ukraine is just the most tragic, terrible thing I could imagine,” Mitchell said during an interview at Westside Ballet studios in Santa Monica, California, where he was once a student and where the couple will perform next month to raise funds for the school.
Mitchell believes dancers, both Russian and the few foreign ones who remain, may oppose the war but fear the consequences of protesting.
“You hear very few Russian dancers speaking out, but many of them want to leave because they want to be able to speak out,” he said.
Russian ballerina Olga Smirnova quit the Bolshoi Ballet last month to protest the Russian invasion. She now dances with the Dutch National Ballet.
Since arriving in the U.S., Mitchell and Lassakova have been traveling the country, doing benefit performances and giving talks in support of Ukraine.
They are currently rehearsing at Santa Monica’s Westside Ballet for a performance of Russian choreographer Oleg Vinogradov’s “Barber’s Adagio.”
It’s a ballet Mitchell and Lassakova performed in St. Petersburg. Now they fear they may never dance in Russia again.
“Russian ballet is definitely going to be totally isolated,” Mitchell said. “Isolated from the West.”
___
Associated Press writer Olga R. Rodriguez in San Francisco contributed to this report.
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| 2022-04-30T06:26:17
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BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — “American Idol” winner Laine Hardy was arrested Friday after being accused of putting a listening device in his ex-girlfriend’s college dorm room, authorities said.
Hardy, 21, of Livingston, Louisiana, faces a felony charge of interception and disclosure of wire, electronic or oral communication, Louisiana State University spokesman Ernie Ballard said. Hardy surrendered to the LSU Police Department and was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison.
A spokesman for Hardy, who is not an LSU student, did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
Hardy’s attorney, C. Frank Holthaus, said in a statement to USA Today that his client “has been and will continue to be completely cooperative with the Louisiana State University Police Department on this matter.”
Holthaus did not immediately respond to a telephone message from The Associated Press seeking comment.
According to the arrest warrant, a woman and her roommate found a recording device inside their dorm room on April 6. The following day, they reported the finding to LSU police. The woman told police she found the device, which looked like a phone charger, under her futon, the warrant stated.
She told officers that she believed her ex-boyfriend, Hardy, had left the device in her room earlier because he appeared to know details about what was going on in her life even though she hadn’t told him about them. Police said they later found evidence of secret recordings made over 10 days in February, the warrant said.
“The victim advised she immediately confronted him, to which he admitted to her that he left a ‘bug’ in her room but discarded it in his pond,” a police affidavit said.
Hardy, who won Season 17 of the television talent show “American Idol” in 2019, told his nearly 750,000 followers about the investigation in a Facebook post Thursday.
“I understand that my career has thrust me into the public spotlight, and I embrace that wholeheartedly as my entire world belongs to my music and my fans. However, due to the sensitive nature of this allegation, I humbly ask for privacy at this time. I have the utmost respect for the law and will assist in their investigation as needed moving forward,” he wrote.
If convicted, Hardy faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
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| 2022-04-30T06:26:24
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https://www.cbs42.com/local/idol-winner-laine-hardy-accused-of-bugging-exs-dorm-room/
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WASHINGTON (AP) — The public tour route in the White House featured a new addition in April.
With April designated as the Month of the Military Child, Jill Biden added a temporary display of more than 20 pieces of artwork by military-connected children from across the United States and around the world. The exhibit includes painted face masks, framed colored drawings and works of poetry. All will be on display in the White House East Wing through the end of the month.
The first lady, the daughter and mother of military service members, is an advocate for military and veteran families, caregivers, and survivors through a White House initiative called Joining Forces. She commemorated the Month of the Military Child by writing essays for various publications and touring a Defense Department school at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri.
More than 4 million children have parents serving in the active-duty military, or in the National Guard or Reserves, according to the White House.
The Military Child Education Coalition and Kids Rank, non-profit organizations that work to support the social and emotional well-being of children of service members and veterans, provided the artwork to the White House.
President Joe Biden signed a proclamationdesignating April as the Month of the Military Child.
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https://www.cbs42.com/local/jill-biden-displays-artwork-by-military-kids-in-new-exhibit/
| 2022-04-30T06:26:31
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LOS ANGELES (AP) — A judge on Friday threw out part of the case against Kim Kardashian in former reality TV star Blac Chyna’s lawsuit while the jury deliberates on the elements that remain.
Judge Gregory Alarcon ruled that Chyna’s attorney Lynne Ciani did not provide any statement during the trial from Kardashian that was defamatory toward Chyna.
The case against Kardashian for interference with a contract remains alive. The jury is deciding on that and both defamation and contract-interference cases against Kris Jenner, Khloé Kardashian and Kylie Jenner.
Jurors went home Friday without reaching a verdict after their first full day of deliberations. Their instructions had to be revised after the Kim Kardashian decision, and attorneys and the judge gave answered several questions that they submitted. They’re scheduled to resume Monday morning.
Chyna’s lawsuit alleges that the women falsely told television producers and executives that Chyna had violently attacked her then-fiancé Rob Kardashian in December 2016 in an attempt to get her reality show, “Rob & Chyna,” canceled.
Ciani argued during closing arguments Thursday afternoon that the women had no reason to believe the attack had occurred, as testimony, photos and video from the time showed no significant injuries to Rob Kardashian.
“He didn’t have a mark on him,” Ciani said. “There was no call to the police, no trip to the hospital, not even a Band-Aid.”
Kardashian attorney Michael G. Rhodes argued during his closing that the women had every reason to believe the accounts of the attack from Rob Kardashian and from Kris Jenner’s longtime boyfriend Corey Gamble, who broke up the dispute and was a key defense witness.
“Do you remember how Rob looked on the stand yesterday? His pain was real,” Rhodes said. “This is a real family. Yeah, they’re famous, but they’re real people. He got really badly hurt here.”
Ciani provided clear examples of statements via text messages and emails from Kris Jenner, Khloé Kardashian and Kylie Jenner, telling the show’s producers and the E! network, which the show appeared on, about the abuse allegation.
But the case she made against Kim Kardashian was more vague.
After Alarcon read the jury its instructions Thursday, Rhodes pointed out that there was no potentially defamatory statement in them from Kim Kardashian.
Ciani was angered by the assertion, but the frustrated judge rebuked her, saying she had agreed to the jury instructions before the trial began.
A similar argument emerged in court Friday over Alarcon’s unusual method of jury selection. Instead of choosing 12 jurors and four alternates, the judge had the lawyers select 16 jurors, then chose by random drawing after closing arguments which four were the alternates.
The judge again pointed out to Ciani that she had agreed to the process before trial.
In the civil case, nine of the 12 jurors will need to agree on whether three of the Kardashian defendants either knowingly lied about Chyna abusing Rob Kardashian, or spread the word about it with reckless disregard for the truth. The same number will need to decide whether each of the four illegally interfered with Chyna’s contract with the E! network.
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This story has been corrected to show the first name of the attorney for the defense is Michael, not David.
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Follow AP Entertainment Writer Andrew Dalton on Twitter: https://twitter.com/andyjamesdalton
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https://www.cbs42.com/local/judge-tosses-part-of-blac-chyna-case-against-kim-kardashian/
| 2022-04-30T06:26:38
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https://www.cbs42.com/local/judge-tosses-part-of-blac-chyna-case-against-kim-kardashian/
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MILWAUKEE (AP) — Actor Willem Dafoe is set to receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee next month.
University officials announced Friday that Dafoe will receive the doctorate of arts on May 22. He’s slated to speak at the school’s two graduation ceremonies that day. He’ll receive the degree during the second ceremony of the day.
Dafoe attended UW-Milwaukee in 1973 and 1974 before leaving to become part of Theatre X, an independent experimental theater company. He appeared on stage at UW-Milwaukee in “Phaedra” and “A Moon for the Misbegotten.”
Dafoe said in a statement issued by UW-Milwaukee that his time at the university was “a very formative and positive experience.”
“I was young and very unsophisticated, but eager to train and perform,” he said. “I was totally involved and spent most nights on a couch in the theatre because I was always working and studying and didn’t want to go home.”
Dafoe has appeared in more than 100 films, including “Platoon” and the Spider-Man franchise. He’s been nominated four times for an Academy Award for his work in “Platoon,” “Shadow of the Vampire,” “The Florida Project” and “At Eternity’s Gate.” He’s currently appearing in “The Northman.”
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This story has been corrected to fix a typographical error in Dafoe’s name.
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https://www.cbs42.com/local/willem-dafoe-to-receive-honorary-uw-milwaukee-doctorate/
| 2022-04-30T06:26:45
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BEAVERTON, Oregon — The Sunset High School baseball team and community remembered one of their own Friday night. Army Specialist John Pelham was killed in action in Afghanistan on Feb. 12, 2014. Pelham graduated from Sunset in 2012 and played four years of baseball while he was there. Six years ago, the team began playing a memorial baseball game to honor Pelham.
“This has got to be one of my favorite days of the year,” said Sunset senior pitcher, Peter Coakley. “Both my grandparents served and I just love what this stands for… [John] is a real inspiration for all of us."
During the game, players wore special hats embroidered with "JP8," Pelham’s initials and jersey number. American flags lined the baseball field and the Patriot Guard Riders led a procession onto the field before the game.
“I just told [the team] that today is bigger than baseball,” said Sunset coach John Barnes. “The best thing you can do is play as hard as you possibly can, win lose or draw, leave it all on the field.”
Pelham’s father, Wendall Pelham threw out the first pitch. He said he's touched by how the community remembers his son every year.
“Unless we talk about them, we will forget them,” said Pelham. “And the most powerful thing I think we can do as a community is remember how expensive freedom costs, and I don't mean monetarily.”
John Pelham played left field for the Apollos; before the game, the team revealed a new banner in left field, honoring him.
“Every spring his name will be up there in left field,” said Barnes. “It's a really cool deal.”
During the game, players also honored 2008 Southridge High School graduate, Army PFC Andrew Keller. Keller was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2012, just 18 months before Pelham, and also played baseball.
“The boys played against each other one year,” recalled Wendall Pelham with a smile.
Besides baseball, John Pelham's legacy shines on through a special nonprofit called Live Like John. It supports the nation's military Gold Star Families and veterans.
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https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/sunset-high-school-honors-graduate-killed-in-afghanistan/283-c3c285c4-da2e-4acd-8308-09100a411b48
| 2022-04-30T06:31:37
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CORBETT, Ore. — Amid continued drought and seeking to avoid a repeat of 2020's devastating fires, Oregon power companies are taking steps to prevent their power lines from sparking wildfires this summer.
Bill Messner, Portland General Electric's director of wildfire mitigation and resiliency, says the company is spending tens of millions of dollars to keep tree branches away from power lines. A single broken branch could short out a power line, sending a spark into the air and easily igniting a tree, or even take a whole power line to the ground, starting a natural disaster in seconds.
PGE is prepared to cut power to those lines if the weather calls for it.
"If the weather does turn, and it has strong winds, low humidity, vegetation has low moisture content. How our agency partners are positioning themselves, that is when we would have that criteria to say, OK, lets turn off the power," Messner explained.
PGE is also upgrading older, bare conductor wires with safer, insulated power lines, but it's a slow process.
"That is not going to happen overnight," Messner said. "This is going to take years for us to make those investments to minimize this risk for our community."
PGE recently released its high-risk fire zone map for 2022. It has grown to include 10 areas, covering as many as 30,000 customers, where PGE will be watching for the right conditions to shut off power this summer.
They include the West Hills and areas north of Highway 26, which PGE calls the North West Hills, Tualatin Mountains, areas east and south of Forest Grove and parts of the Willamette Valley around Sheridan and Willamina. East of Portland, areas include the Columbia River Gorge, the Mount Hood corridor, stretching from Sandy up and over the mountain, Estacada and other portions of Clackamas County.
It's a far cry from two years ago, when that map had just one high-risk fire zone, stretching from Sandy to Mount Hood.
PGE did shut down power in that area during an unprecedented wind storm in September 2020, and there were no fires in that corridor.
But to the south, the massive Beachie Creek fire roared to life, pushed by the same hot, dry, windy weather. The fire eventually covered 192,000 acres, destroyed 1,300 structures and killed 5 people.
Later, a class action lawsuit accused Pacific Power, another utility that operates in Oregon, arguing some of its power lines added to the fire. Pacific Power did not cut power to its lines.
In 2021, the Oregon Legislature required power companies to identify high-risk fire areas and establish plans to help keep them safe. As a result, PGE expanded its map.
Pacific Power generated a similar map for 2022 and identified 13 high-risk areas. They include both rural and urban areas of Hood River, as well as areas west and south of Medford.
PGE is placing remote weather stations in each of the high-risk fire zones to get constant updates from each location. Meteorologists and fire experts will monitor approaching storms from PGE's new multimillion-dollar facility in the Portland area, where operators can kill power in specific locations with the push of a button.
Messner said affected communities will receive advance notice, including warnings via emergency alerts and through the media. Customers can expect to receive warnings beginning three days in advance, and multiple times up through the day power will be shut off.
"We will implement our incident command center about seven days in advance," he said. "So we're seeing that weather, we're starting to monitor it. We're not telling everybody what's going on yet because we don't know if its going happen. Then we have criteria that we would tell our public safety partners, 'hey, this looks like its going to happen.' Then we're going to lean in and start telling our customers as well."
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https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/the-story/power-companies-prevent-downed-lines-wildfires/283-38a07780-f7d9-42bb-a6c5-331819a55202
| 2022-04-30T06:31:43
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https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/the-story/power-companies-prevent-downed-lines-wildfires/283-38a07780-f7d9-42bb-a6c5-331819a55202
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Police in Westchester County said a veterinarian entrusted to take care of pets has been doing the exact opposite, and now faces multiple counts of animal abuse after photos showed him allegedly hitting — and even choking — animals.
The disturbing details out of Main Street Animal Hospital in Elmsford are enough to make anyone cringe. Pictures given to NBC New York by the Westchester SPCA show the alleged abuse at the hands of Dr. Javier Diaz, as one photo shows him appear to choke a dog. Investigators said he also kicked a three legged German Shepard as part of the abuse the SPCA said took place between April 9-22.
"He was kicking some animals. He was punching other animals in the ribs," said Earnest Lungaro of the Westchester SPCA. "That’s why we really had to move in and shut him down last night."
A sign on the front door of the animal hospital Friday said that it had been shut down by the village; another sign told customers to call another clinic. Looking in through a window, the inside appeared that the clinic was closed down abruptly, and no pets to be found.
Diaz bolted out of the Elmsford Police Department when NBC New York asked him questions regarding the abuse, simply shouting "No!" as he ran away. It came after he was released by a judge.
Barbara Moroch, whose cat was treated by Diaz, came by the clinic after she found out police had arrested the veterinarian. She stopped coming in December.
"I’m glad I took my cat away from him.," Moroch said.
News
Investigators believe there could be more victims.
"Devastating if the accusation is true. It would just be heartbreaking," said Michael Eannazzo, who recently lost his dog. He said the charges make him wonder what happened behind closed doors.
"I pray to god he wasn’t but the circumstances we kind of felt all along there wasn’t something right," said Eannazzo. "But we don’t know."
In court, it was learned that three employees reported Diaz to police, and prosecutors alleged that Diaz also threatened three staff members. He’s charged with forgery, six counts of animal cruelty and assault. Attorney information for Diaz was not immediately available.
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https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/ny-veterinarian-accused-of-animal-abuse-seen-in-photos-choking-and-hitting-pets/3669926/
| 2022-04-30T08:00:12
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An ATM crime spree has spanned two months and two boroughs, as a pair of thieves at the center of the operation aren't just taking the cash — they're stealing the entire cash machines themselves.
The dastardly duo have hit at least five different businesses across Brooklyn and Queens, targeted shops that are closed.
"They came in, they went straight to the atm machine, yanked it, all the wires came out," said Pantelis Sideris, the manager of the Ominia Cafe on Third Avenue in Bay Ridge. The shop doesn't close until 1 a.m., but less than a month ago, the thieves waited for two hours to break in and steal the machine.
In surveillance images provided by police, the pair came equipped with a cloth to cover the ATM, and then wheel it out to a waiting Chrysler minivan, which has been used in most cases.
"They came equipped with a dolly a hand truck and something to cover it," Sideris said. "He was a professional, let's put it that way, and he probably had scoped out the place."
Sideris said one the the thieves also tried to break into the cash register.
"Yeah, he did a lot of damage in the store," the manager said. "Damaged a couple of doors and rummaged through the whole place."
News
So far, police said the burglars have hit five businesses since February, stealing nearly $20,000 in all.
"It’s happening a lot, it’s happening a lot. It even happened in Jersey the other day," said Sideris, referring to a wild bank robbery in South Brunswick on Tuesday.
In that instance, a damaged ATM and $40,000 in cash were left behind in a Chase bank parking lot after police say “professional thieves” pulled the machine off its cement base.
They believe it took only 90 seconds.
Police said that in March, the pair in the NYC crime spree took $8,200 from a Queens market. At the Omonia Cafe, police said the thieves only made off with $3,500 — but it's enough to hurt a business trying to recover from the pandemic.
"It’s tough you know, it’s tough," Sideris said. "We have to pay somebody stay the extra six hours nobody’s here overnight."
Sideris believes these guys are no strangers to crime, and hopes they’re caught and prosecuted.
"Get them off the street and keep them off the street. So they don’t come back and do it again," he said.
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https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/two-nyc-thieves-steal-20k-from-five-atms-in-months-long-spree-police-say/3669976/
| 2022-04-30T08:00:18
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https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/two-nyc-thieves-steal-20k-from-five-atms-in-months-long-spree-police-say/3669976/
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Nashville housing model might help thousands in Sarasota-Manatee, experts hope
Amid skyrocketing rents and surging calls for help, local housing advocates are pursuing an innovative Nashville model for increasing housing access that could potentially assist thousands of local families facing homelessness.
The Nashville project, titled Low Barrier Housing Collective, is a collaboration between social service agencies and private property owners who receive incentives in exchange for lowering or removing rental obstacles that often confront low-income individuals and working families.
In operation since last fall, the collective sprang from a housing crisis similar to that facing Sarasota and Manatee counties, with Nashville rents spiking between 30% and 50% and renters often given less than 60-day notices to leave their homes, said Lizzie Goddard, architect of Nashville’s model.
Affordable Housing Crisis:As rents go up and evictions increase, Sarasota's seniors struggle to find places to live
Rent Spikes:United Way Suncoast's new data shows half of all local renters now rent-burdened
While pushing for long-term plans to construct more affordable housing, Nashville community leaders and nonprofits sprang into action to find short-term solutions to the emergency as well, she added.
“We can’t tell our clients, ‘Hey, if you can just hold on a few years while more units are built, that would be great,’” Goddard said during a recent virtual presentation to area housing advocates and service providers.
For local housing advocates, Nashville's results – already capturing national attention – were impressive.
In just six months, from September to March, the number of private rental units available to help service providers find housing for homeless or nearly homeless distressed renters soared by almost 68%. That amounts to an additional 6,700 units, for a total of about 16,500 homes, Goddard said.
What’s more, the time it takes for many Section 8 voucher holders to find an affordable apartment – a delay climbing as high as three months or more during the crisis – has been steadily declining, she said.
Now, instead of Goddard and her colleagues scouring Craigslist or apartments.com for property owners willing to participate in the collective, landlords are finding them through word of mouth.
“They are actually coming to us, saying, ‘Hey, I have a few units coming up, how do I get involved,’ and that is super exciting,” she said.
Sarasota-Manatee housing advocates and nonprofits agree.
“As far as I’m concerned, I think it is one of the best models out there right now,” Chris Johnson, chief executive officer of the Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness, said following the meeting and Goddard’s presentation.
Housing Help:Sarasota Housing Authority opens waiting list for Section 8 vouchers
Johnson, as head of the lead agency for the Continuum of Care network on homelessness issues for Sarasota and Manatee counties, had invited Goddard to make her presentation at several online meetings for local community leaders.
Afterward, Johnson said members of the Continuum of Care have reached a consensus to start working on how to adapt a version of the Nashville model for this region.
Possibly no place needs it more than Sarasota and Manatee counties, ranked by the Apartment List as having the fastest-increasing rents in the nation, year-over-year – 48.4% for Sarasota County and 47.7% for Manatee.
For the past several months, nonprofits, philanthropists, real estate agents and community leaders have been holding meetings – sometimes weekly – on housing solutions, trying to figure out what to do, Johnson said.
“The market has shifted so high, so quickly, our community didn’t have a response for that,” he said.
Since the fall, area agencies in the Continuum of Care have seen a 25% increase in families and individuals seeking homelessness services, with almost 2,000 people accessing services, Johnson said.
That does not include people on the brink of losing their housing – a number, he conceded, “that is going to be astronomical.”
In March, United Way Suncoast released new data showing that half of all renting households in a five-county area that includes Sarasota and Manatee are “rent-burdened” – or paying more than 30% of their monthly income in rent.
“Those that we are talking about in housing instability and currently losing housing, these are our health care workers, our school workers, our teachers and their families, our service workers,” Johnson added.
Rents:Rents for Sarasota, Bradenton and North Port area among most expensive for midsize metros in US
In recent weeks, the Sarasota County Commission agreed to contribute $25 million in its allotted federal pandemic relief funds to help develop almost 700 new units of affordable housing, while the Manatee County Commission approved a series of major initiatives to address affordable housing and homelessness.
But many of those plans will take years to come to fruition in a region plagued by a severe lack of affordable housing that long predated the immediate crisis.
“Our community is known for its philanthropy and for agencies that care, that work tirelessly to try to solve these problems,” he said. “We need the broader community, we need to plead to the hearts of landlords who we know are out there who could offer some of those units.”
That’s where Nashville’s model comes into play.
While it appeals to the hearts of landlords – many of whom suffered losses themselves during pandemic-era eviction moratoriums – it also has to make sense for their bottom lines, said Goddard.
“We are putting ourselves in the shoes of owners,” Goddard said, describing the approach to have landlords lower screening criteria for homeless applicants. “If you are going to take a chance on them, here is how we are going to take care of you.”
How the Nashville model works
Using federal pandemic relief dollars, rental assistance funds, philanthropic donations as well as additional rental vouchers for residents, Nashville’s housing collective presents a portfolio of incentives to property owners to mitigate or ease their risk.
In exchange, landlords relax screening criteria and other barriers for renters experiencing homelessness – barriers that can typically include low income, previous evictions, poor credit or criminal history, restricting their housing options in an already tight market, Goddard said.
The incentives for landlords are as follows:
- $1,000 on top of the deposit in the case of damages to the property, and up to two months rent if the renter breaks the lease
- $2,000 sign-up bonus for the first five units leased through the collective
- A large pool of potential applicants
- An online database to share information with more than two dozen nonprofits
- Access to community mediation with the tenant, if needed
- And – importantly – wraparound case management from the nonprofits to help the renters with housing stability on everything from employment support to health services
“We’re not asking landlords to be social workers,” she said. “That’s what our service providers do.”
So far, since the fall, between 200 and 300 households have been placed in permanent housing through the housing collective, Goddard told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. All of the referrals through the collective require a minimum of a 12-month lease. Properties are also screened and inspected to help safeguard tenants' rights.
Most renters through the collective – about 70% – are on some sort of rental assistance vouchers while the remaining residents receive help from rapid rehousing program funds that taper over time and get replaced by vouchers or the tenants' employment income, she said.
Goddard, who now works as a consultant for Nashville and other communities nationwide that are seeking to replicate the housing collective, added that like countless residents in the Sarasota and Manatee area, many applicants amid the current housing crisis are facing homelessness for the first time.
“They never before had to ask for assistance at all,” she said. “They don’t understand how to navigate the system or access resources available to them.”
Johnson of the Suncoast Partnership said a local version of the model has enormous potential to help not only the homeless but also thousands of individuals and families currently with a roof over their heads but struggling to survive in the housing crisis.
He envisions that with the area's strong philanthropic community, private donations could be poured into the model to serve a larger pool of people -- supplementing government-backed vouchers to provide more badly needed workforce housing.
The help can't come fast enough, said P.J. Brooks, chief operating officer of the local nonprofit Community Assisted and Supported Living, or CASL.
To meet the rapidly intensifying demand for workforce housing, CASL has had to expand beyond its traditional mission of providing affordable and permanent homes for adults with developmental and mental health issues.
“Now we’re looking at people entering homelessness that would never have been our clients to serve,” he said.
With some minor tweaking, Brooks said he thinks the Nashville model could help meet that demand for thousands of local families.
“We have to start the conversation and the dialogue and the brainstorming,” Brooks said. “All of us coming together to do that is going to have the best hope.”
This story comes from a partnership between the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. Saundra Amrhein covers the Season of Sharing campaign, along with issues surrounding housing, utilities, child care and transportation in the area. She can be reached at samrhein@gannett.com.
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https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/local/sarasota/2022/04/30/housing-collective-may-help-sarasota-manatee-residents-housing-crisis/7415180001/
| 2022-04-30T09:40:35
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Third round: Three things to know about Ravens draft pick Travis Jones of UConn
Travis Jones became the newest Baltimore Raven on Friday night when the team selected him in the third round of the draft.
He should fit in nicely with a defense that is adding new players early in the draft. Here's some things to know about the newest defensive tackle who should contribute immediately.
He missed a year
The Connecticut year got a year off in 2020 when the Huskies didn't play due to the pandemic. But when the Huskies played, Jones came up huge. He started 10 games his freshman year, registering 46 tackles, and 11 more as a sophomore, notching 40 tackles. As a senior, he had 47 stops, including 4.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for losses in 11 starts.
Could have gone earlier
Projected as a nose tackle, the massive lineman excelled at the Senior Bowl and combine and many expected he would hear his name called in the second round. HIs improvement, year over year, makes scouts think he will continue to get better at the next level.
Fast for his size
Jones looked great at the combine, running a 4.92-second 40-yard dash, and had a broad jump of 110 inches. His vertical jump was 28.5. In most events, he was among the best at his position.
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https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/sports/local/2022/04/29/nfl-draft-ravens-pick-travis-jones-heres-what-know-lineman/9585746002/
| 2022-04-30T11:53:42
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https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/sports/local/2022/04/29/nfl-draft-ravens-pick-travis-jones-heres-what-know-lineman/9585746002/
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Baltimore Ravens select defensive tackle Travis Jones with No. 76 pick in NFL Draft
Alec Branch
Salisbury Daily Times
With the No. 76 pick in the NFL Draft, the Baltimore Ravens selected Travis Jones, a defensive tackle out of Connecticut.
This marks the third defensive player selected by the Ravens in the first three rounds this year, with Baltimore shoring up its defense with young talent.
Jones lined up at nose tackle for UCONN during his career, and made 48 tackles, 4.5 sacks during the 2021 season. During the pre-draft process, Jones was a standout at the Senior Bowl, where he won the Defensive Tackle of the Week award and was selected by his opposing OL at the Senior Bowl as the best defensive tackle.
Standing at 6'4" and 325 lbs., Jones is a massive tackle prospect that the Ravens will add to their defensive line.
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https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/sports/local/2022/04/29/ravens-select-travis-jones-no-76-pick-nfl-draft-uconn/9585736002/
| 2022-04-30T11:53:48
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https://www.delmarvanow.com/story/sports/local/2022/04/29/ravens-select-travis-jones-no-76-pick-nfl-draft-uconn/9585736002/
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Northern Arizona University (NAU) student Melissa Wheeler was recently named one of ten Rising Graduate Scholars nationwide by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education.
Wheeler is in her fourth year of the university’s counseling and school psychology education doctoral program and recently joined the NAU Center for Health Equity and Research’s (CHER) new Culturally Centered Addictions Research Training (C-CART) program.
Through C-CART, Wheeler will be studying culturally appropriate substance use treatment approaches with tribal members around Flagstaff. This has also become the focus of her dissertation.
Wheeler described culturally sensitive treatment as using the “types of strengths within Native American populations [to] continue to support individuals with their mental health and other co-occuring disorders.”
These approaches include having community role models and participating in cultural practices, such as ceremonies. Another is talking circles, a group setting practice where people take turns speaking on a certain topic.
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“It really gets [you] to listen to what the client is coming in with, some of the things they would want to address and some things that they need help with,” Wheeler said. “..... I think all of those are protective factors that we've seen in the research really reduce and prevent substance use and manage mental health. “
Wheeler came to psychology as an undergraduate at the University of North Dakota (UND), where she also earned a master’s in counseling psychology and worked for a few years as a research specialist at the medical school.
“When I was in high school, I didn’t think this was something that I could do,” Wheeler said of her area of study. She initially wanted to go into the arts and was even accepted into art school. Instead, she went to UND as “I thought that this was more exciting.”
“I was living in Albuquerque and I wanted to live across the country,” she said. “....I wanted to get away and experience something new and I met with several people from the American Indian Center that really just mentored me.”
These mentors were doctoral students and upperclassmen at the time and showed her some of their research on mental health. Being included in these projects and having a research group got her excited about the field.
“I’d never been involved prior to that in a Native American research group where everyone in that organization identified as Indigenous or wanted to work with Indigenous populations, so that was exciting to me,” she said.
This is similar to what she said drew her to NAU--the emphasis on collaborating with tribal communities. Several Native American professionals were involved in her interviewing at the school, she said as an early example she saw.
“Since coming here, I’ve been given so many opportunities to work with Indigenous communities in different ways, not just through counseling, but through research and community building and now, through my dissertation work with a community organization in town.”
Wheeler also said her cultural background played a large role in her pursuing education, both for herself and others. She grew up with her mother and grandparents in Round Rock, who encouraged her to continue her education.
“I'm pursuing higher education because my single mother as well as my grandparents never really had the opportunity to do that,” she said. “They always taught me the value of hard work and humility but also the importance of obtaining an education and that was always something we were taught. ...It ties into going back to those protective factors, having a role model in early education, having people that expect you to go to college, having values of family and support within a community that really does impact the trajectory of a child.
"…It comes full circle for me, because although I feel like I had a role model in college, I didn't know an older person…that I could look up to and ask advice from, ask for advice on how to get to college…. So I do that for my younger siblings...and try and continue that message of education is important, because that's something no one can take away.”
One of the reasons she was recognized by Diverse was that she began a peer counseling program for Native American students at NAU.
The education part of her major “focus[es] on early adolescence, how do we support students, not just within tribal communities, but other communities as well,” Wheeler said.
As part of a doctoral practicum, Wheeler also worked with a school counselor at Flagstaff Unified School District as part of her doctoral practicum. This happened while learning was still remote in the district, meaning changes to their work of supporting students.
“We all [had] to come together and try to come up with a plan of how to..s support students, especially those that have learning disabilities during COVID-19, because disabilities don't go away,” she said. “They need to learn to adapt through telehealth during that time for these students.”
Wheeler still has another year of school, where she’ll be working on an internship and defending her dissertation. She’s considering a postdoctoral program afterwards, though she’s not certain what she’ll end up doing.
One hope is to end up in the Flagstaff area and continue working with Indigenous communities, she said.
“I've grown to love Flagstaff and the community members that I've met throughout the years and established relationships with,” she said. “I think that that's important to have and….that work on the Navajo Nation too. I don’t know what that looks like but I know that there is a need for sure.”
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https://azdailysun.com/news/local/education/nau-student-named-rising-graduate-scholar/article_991adf60-c7fb-11ec-9d68-5b8566343030.html
| 2022-04-30T14:01:34
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https://azdailysun.com/news/local/education/nau-student-named-rising-graduate-scholar/article_991adf60-c7fb-11ec-9d68-5b8566343030.html
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The Episcopal Church of The Epiphany Apr 30 — The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, 423 N. Beaver St., Flagstaff. 928-774-2911. 8 a.m.- May 1, 10:30 a.m., WELCOMING ALL: with Rev Alison Lee: SAT 5:30PM; SUN: 8:00AM & 10:30AM - with organ, choir, and congregational singing); IN PERSON or on-line at epiphanyaz.org; SUN: Congregation Q&A - 9am-10am: Parish Hall; 5PM FLG Youth Co-op Midschoolers; TU 9 AM-Contemplative Conversation; WE 6:30PM, FLG Youth Co-op (@flagyouthcoop); With Open Doors Gallery - http://www.opendoorsartinaction.com: Between Two Edges by Debra Edgerton - Intersecting Cultural Identities; 928-774-2911. https://go.evvnt.com/1123260-0.
Beacon UU Service: “A Profession Is Not A Personality” May 1 — Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 510 N. Leroux St., Flagstaff. (928) 779-4492. 10-11 a.m., Back in 1884, in his essay entitled “Estranged Labor,” Karl Marx argued that workers are objectified and made into miserable shells. Whether or not you agree with this assessment, in our current world of work, too many people who strive for success self-objectify as excellent work machines. This has only been made worse as we’re increasingly chained to laptops or subjected to Amazon warehouse-style productivity metrics. Our colleagues are often two-dimensional avatars. And yet, the allure and growth of gig work, self-employment, and personal branding has blurred the lines between identity and profession. Are we what we do? Is “job” a noun or a verb for you? Rev. Robin Landerman Zucker preaching, with Worship Associate Andy Hogg offering a personal reflection and music from Jason Drahos and Austin Shaw. https://go.evvnt.com/1118891-0.
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Flagstaff Federated Community Church: Please join us for in person services Sundays at 10 a.m. We are located at 400 W Aspen Ave. on the corner of Aspen and Sitgreaves in Downtown Flagstaff. All are welcome to our services. For more information about Flagstaff Federated Community Church please call our office at 928-774-7383, Mon – Thurs 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Living Christ Lutheran Church: Living Christ Lutheran Church is a diverse and LGBTQ-affirming community of disciples embraced by God's unconditional love and enduring grace. You are invited to celebrate with us God's love and presence in your life, grow in your discipleship, and leave empowered to be God's hands in the world. We worship through music, teaching, prayer, and the sacraments each Sunday at 10 a.m. with Rev. Kurt Fangmeier leading. We offer worship both in-person (masks are respected, not required; encouraged for unvaccinated) and online. Learn more about us at our new website: lclcflag.org.
Leupp Nazarene Church: The church, near mile post 13 or Navajo Route 15, has been holding services by teleconferences and doing drive-up meetings. For information, call pastor Farrell Begay at 928-853-5321. Teleconference number: 1-7170275-8940 with access code 3204224#. Services are 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sundays and 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays.
Christian Science Society of Flagstaff: 619 W. Birch Ave. The Christian Science Society of Flagstaff has opened for Sunday services while continuing to have them available via Zoom for online and phone. Wednesday testimony meetings are available only via Zoom. For phone Sunday Services: Dial: 669-900-9128, Meeting ID: 369 812 794#, Passcode: 075454#. For phone Wednesday meetings, dial: 669-900-9128, Meeting ID: 971 672 834#, Passcode: 894826#. The access for Zoom on Sundays is: https://zoom.us/j/369812794. The Zoom access for Wednesdays is: https://zoom.us/j/971672834. The password to use to enter both is CSS. We welcome all to attend our Sunday Services in person, or live by Zoom, at 10:00 o’clock, and to attend our Wednesday Testimony meetings live by Zoom, at 5:30 o’clock. Our Reading Room will be open on Wednesdays from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 10-12 noon. For further information please call 928-526-5982.
Church of the Resurrection Sunday Church Service Apr 24 — 740 W. University Heights Drive S., 740 W. University Heights Drive S., Flagstaff. 928-699-2715. 10-11:30 a.m., Church of the Resurrection Presbyterian Church in America (PCA): We invite you to join us for worship at 10 a.m. on Sundays at 740 W. University Heights Drive South as Rev. Joshua Walker preaches through the book of Acts. Please feel free to contact us for information on our mid-week gatherings and for more information on our church. You can find us at www.cor-pca.org and www.facebook.com/CORFlagstaff or we can be reached at corflagstaff@gmail.com and (928) 699-2715.
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https://azdailysun.com/news/local/flagstaff-religion-news-for-april-30/article_70ba6f06-c80d-11ec-a628-33d7aa41570d.html
| 2022-04-30T14:01:40
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https://azdailysun.com/news/local/flagstaff-religion-news-for-april-30/article_70ba6f06-c80d-11ec-a628-33d7aa41570d.html
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A community meeting concerning the future design of the Thorpe Park Annex parcel will happen onsite at 192 N. Thorpe Road on Saturday from noon to 2 p.m.
The meeting will be hosted by the City of Flagstaff parks, recreation, open space and events division in partnership with Southwest Decision Resources and Wheat Design Group. The afternoon will include food trucks, opportunities to learn and provide feedback on initial ideas for the parcel, and a “build a park” activity where participants can collectively design elements of the park in a hands-on manner.
“We are excited to welcome the community in person for this design discussion,” said Rebecca Sayers, director of the parks, recreation, open space and events division. “Everyone’s input is requested and valued, and we can’t wait to engage with you on this important process.”
During the event the public will have the opportunity to explore stations set up across the 8.5 acres of the parcel. These stations will share programming ideas derived from the 1,000-plus results of a recent community survey.
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The robust survey turnout was “really exciting,” said Andi Rogers, senior program associate with Southwest Decision Resources. “But no one has been onsite yet.”
By allowing the people to walk the site with survey results and potential designs in mind, Rogers explained that the aim of the event is to give the public an opportunity to refine their ideas with firsthand perspective.
“What we'd like them to do is just visit these stations and quickly look at what the community weighed in on and ask themselves, ‘Does this make sense? Could they envision this?’”
There are roughly 20-30 potential programming ideas that have been generated from the community survey, Rogers explained, reflecting competing interests for the space.
A few front-runners emerged in higher percentages of respondents. They included athletic courts and fields, an indigenous community cultural center, community event space, public gardens, open air markets, an amphitheater and performing arts space. Rogers stressed that these front-running ideas from the community survey by no means constitute a “vote” or final decision about the parcel’s design.
“We want to continue to make this a really robust dialogue,” she said. “We have one shot to do this, so let's do it in a way that makes the most sense. Let's do it in a really transparent way where people can roll up their sleeves and have some great conversations.”
The feedback gathered from Saturday’s event will be used to refine design ideas that will be presented back to the public on June 11. A third event -- this being virtual -- will also be announced around that time. For more information, visit www.thorpecommunityinvolvement.com.
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https://azdailysun.com/news/local/future-of-thorpe-park-parcel-to-be-discussed-during-public-event-saturday/article_2cf09e4c-c747-11ec-9d03-b36a1809eab5.html
| 2022-04-30T14:01:46
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https://azdailysun.com/news/local/future-of-thorpe-park-parcel-to-be-discussed-during-public-event-saturday/article_2cf09e4c-c747-11ec-9d03-b36a1809eab5.html
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I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Gardening and farming in northern Arizona are hard. Okay, so it’s not much of a secret. Growing here can be heartbreaking. Where we live is dry. We have hot summers, cold winters, and daily, 60-degree temperature swings sprinkled throughout fall and spring. Mix in high winds and we never know what we’re going to get. The recent and early wildfires are horrific cases in point.
But the truth is, Mother Nature doesn’t want to eat your heart.
She just doesn’t think about you at all.
Once we accept that, though, the experience of growing with (or despite) her can be a great opportunity for learning. Because if we want to be the recipient of her bounty, we need to face the challenges with stoic resolve and joy in the process.
How do we do that? By being a grower who, in any kind of environment, works to be innovative and think outside the tomato cage. This happens by doing what our ancestors did for eons and that is to embrace the game of trial and error. Since the first agrarian seed was put in the ground, a struggle has been in play. The challenges can be pests, wind, cold, heat, too much water, too little water, too little sun, too much sun, depleted soils, or no soil all together.
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This month one of the challenges is seasonal frosts. On April 13th, temperatures dipped in the high teens and low 20s. I grow food and flowers in both Yavapai and Coconino Counties, and in both places, I heard temperatures reported from gardeners as low as 16 degrees. Many a fruit tree blossom and, in some cases, even cold hardy onions and garlic bit it in the freeze. This is an April cold even some old-timers in Oak Creek Village, Paulden, and Cornville hadn’t seen in their lifetimes. I personally lost almost all my peaches, a privet, pomegranates, and every apple blossom. It won’t be the first time I get a gardening set back nor will it be the last. And, likely, it isn’t the final freeze for our area this season either.
But does this mean it’s time to give up? Absolutely not. Every community, in every condition, needs those who will grow food and beauty locally because learning to grow food and landscape plants no matter where we live is worth it. It teaches us resiliency, sufficiency, and accomplishment. It teaches us to be invested in our local economy. And gardening efforts feed our souls, even when we find heartbreaks along the way. Most of all, gardening teaches us how to mitigate hurdles like lack of water, pests, and yes, even late spring frosts.
Developing new ways to do things comes best from necessity. For example, I didn’t like how much water I was using in my garden, so I tried burying my irrigation drip tape lines and it cut my water usage in half. Simple modifications can bring about answers to the stark realities of growing in our climate. What about the challenges of spring freezes? Try covering your plants with frost cloths, plant the right plant in the right spot, and of course, educate yourself on what it takes to grow where you live.
Because here’s the thing about gardening: we love it. We keep loving it. We don’t need Mother Nature’s stamp of approval nor the best tomato in the county fair to prove we love it. We just need to have our hands in the dirt and the occasional warmth in our hearts that stems from helping things grow. Eventually, through age-old trial and error, more success will come. And as it does, frustrations will decrease.
So, don’t give up. Mother Nature may not be invested in you, but I’m going to guess you’re invested in her. And instead of having your heart devoured, it likely runs over with a happiness that can only come from the fulfilling work of growing plants.
Jackee Alston has been gardening and farming in the Flagstaff and Verde Valley since 2005 and 2015, respectively. She is the co-editor of the Gardening, Etcetera column, a Coconino Master Gardener with Arizona Cooperative Extension, founder of the Grow Flagstaff! Seed Library, Development Specialist for the Rocky Mountain Seed Alliance, children’s author, and the mother of three remarkable humans. She honors those whose land she now calls home, including the Hohokam, Hopi, Western Apache, Pueblo, and Dine peoples.
If you have a gardening question, email CoconinoMasterGardener@gmail.com or call the Master Gardener Hotline at 928-773-6115 and leave a message. A Master Gardener will get back to you.
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https://azdailysun.com/news/local/gardening-etcetera-mother-nature-doesnt-want-to-eat-your-heart/article_deeb3fea-c80e-11ec-88d3-773906c0ec0e.html
| 2022-04-30T14:01:52
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https://azdailysun.com/news/local/gardening-etcetera-mother-nature-doesnt-want-to-eat-your-heart/article_deeb3fea-c80e-11ec-88d3-773906c0ec0e.html
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The Northern Arizona women’s golf team is finally back in a spot it has thoroughly missed since 2015 -- conference champion.
The Lumberjacks won their first Big Sky Championship in seven years on April 20 in Scottsdale, shooting an impressive 8-over-par 872 (288-287-297) through three days of play and beating second-place Sacramento State by six shots. Sacramento State was the defending champion. Sophomore Ekaterina Malakhova won the individual tournament, shooting 211 (-5), and junior Lorel Hayward joined her on the All-Tournament team with a score of 219 (+3) and tied for fourth overall.
Coach Brad Bedortha, who has seen the program at both its highs and lows, said that the win serves to honor the players’ effort all season.
“For them to see a reward for all the work they’ve put in, with our three seniors that have seen years where we were at the bottom of our program and to get to the top, was a really cool experience. To see the joy on their faces, and the elation, pride and overall glee of being able to win was quite amazing,” Bedortha said.
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“I’m just so excited. Everyone knows here, and people are coming up to us saying congratulations. It’s just cool to be a winner,” added Malakhova.
After placing second in the Big Sky in 2021, the Lumberjacks brought back pretty much the same roster. All five of the Lumberjacks on this year’s team were returners. They also took second in a pair of tournaments during the 2022 regular season, inching toward what they thought could be a championship moment.
“We finished second, so we realized that with basically the same team we were close, so let’s take it a step further and make it different, and obviously it worked,” Hayward said.
From the beginning, Northern Arizona had just five players on a regular basis, the exact number that score in a Division I golf tournament. It meant each player on the roster would play an impact in the team score, rather than move in and out of the starting lineup by the week.
Bedortha isn’t sure whether the pressure of knowing they were going to score each week actually helped or hurt the players’ mindset. His thoughts are that, despite not having a sixth or seventh player to challenge the top five in practice, the depth of Northern Arizona’s roster was what brought the Lumberjacks to the top of the mountain.
Out of 55 scorers in the conference tournament, each of the Lumberjacks’ five scorers placed in the top 25.
Hayward, specifically, made a major improvement in the last year. She had to change her level of competition completely, knowing she would be relied upon each competition, after being a seldom-used player for a couple of seasons.
“For me it was very hard at the beginning. I went from a backseat player to now being in the lineup every time -- which I wasn’t used to. The other four were used to it, but I had to learn to step up a little bit. It was really important to rely on whoever was in that fifth spot, really rely on everyone in the lineup because we all knew we were going to impact the score,” she said.
Now, after celebrating their conference victory and decompressing from three straight weeks of golf tournaments, the Lumberjacks have started to begin preparations for the NCAA Regional in Albuquerque, New Mexico, set to take place May 9-11. The Lumberjacks are seeded No. 11 out of 12 total squads, with the top four teams moving on to the national championship links.
There are still finals to deal with as the academic semester comes to a close, as well as graduation ceremonies for the three seniors.
Golf, Bedortha said, “is almost taking a backseat” while the players try to maneuver through their final weeks of the term.
The Lumberjacks finally got back to practicing this week. Bedortha said the team is simply looking to compete at its highest level come regionals.
Their finishing spot matters less than executing well against tremendous competition.
“But I’m not focused on top four or the national championship tournament. We want to go there and do the best we can, and not worry about that other stuff,” he said. “I also want to respect this, in the sense that we want to show up to regionals and showcase our university and conference, and not just ride the laurels of having won the Big Sky.”
Plus, there is an elusive conference championship victory to celebrate a bit more.
“We just started practicing and getting ready for regionals, but we’re still so excited about our win,” Malakhova said. “It may take a couple months for us to really realize we won that, because we wanted it for a long time.”
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https://azdailysun.com/sports/local/nau-golf-celebrating-big-sky-title-preparing-for-albuquerque/article_1cfc21ec-c755-11ec-9d12-27ca0d49ee0a.html
| 2022-04-30T14:01:58
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https://azdailysun.com/sports/local/nau-golf-celebrating-big-sky-title-preparing-for-albuquerque/article_1cfc21ec-c755-11ec-9d12-27ca0d49ee0a.html
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“The persona is a prison,” said John Mulaney early on during his set on Thursday night — the first of two sold-out shows at the Greek Theater in Berkeley.
It’s no secret that Mulaney has had a couple of wild, reputation-altering years. From multiple stints in rehab, to a public divorce, to a baby with a new woman, Mulaney has fully shed the clean cut, nice guy persona he had curated over his career.
But to hear Mulaney tell it, that persona may never have been who he actually was — sober or not.
Dressed in his trademark suit, his show was just as tight as ever. While he maybe did less physical comedy than in previous specials, he made up for it by leaning fully into absurd impressions, from his celeb pals Pete Davidson and Nick Kroll to an extremely absurdist Al Pacino.
Right off the bat, Mulaney struck a more combative tone, teasing the Berkeley crowd for needing to feel independent from San Francisco. “It’s cute, I bet you even have your own mayor,” he said. He also grumbled that Bo Burhnam is more popular than he is, and challenged everything from conceptions for how a recovering addict should act to the entire subject of science.
From there, his set mostly focused on his well-documented drug problem. The comic told stories of having no memory of interviews he did while high, and his star-studded intervention, and conning doctors into giving him drugs.
“Do you know how hard it is to convince a doctor to give you prescription drugs?” he asked the audience. “It’s not hard.”
He talked minimally about his relationship with Olivia Munn and new son Malcolm. He talked not at all about his divorce from Anna Marie Tendler.
The show was thankfully not a morality play about the fall and resurrection of an addict. Instead, he aired his frustration at not being recognized as a celebrity while in rehab and complained about having too many people (twelve) he’s in debt to for saving his life. As he put it, that's a lot of dinners he has to pick up the tab on for people who only Zoomed into his intervention.
Not all of his content was addiction related. In one of his few fully sincere moments, Mulaney described how happy he was to be back in the Bay Area because some of his favorite early memories as a standup were from sets at The Punch Line in San Francisco.
He poked fun at his most ardent fans for being very young women or young men who aren’t athletes (this reporter tried not to take offense) and spent a few incredibly funny moments complaining about needing to pretend to be supportive of CNN and the FBI during the Trump presidency.
For all his talk of his poor publicity, Mulaney’s turmoil didn’t seem to affect his popularity. The show was completely sold out and the line to get in stretched for over half a mile. The fans were treated to a new John Mulaney — who may have been the real Mulaney all along.
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https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/John-Mulaney-concert-review-berkeley-17131187.php
| 2022-04-30T14:23:36
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https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/John-Mulaney-concert-review-berkeley-17131187.php
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An eye-catching bus shelter ad that had some New York City commuters doing a double-take may have attracted too much attention -- enough to get it pulled from circulation.
Big, bright pink, and for some, a touch too much. The advertisement reads: "Your vagina called, it wants these."
"The ad itself is not what upset me. The upsetting part was that this advertisement was basically blown up 10 feet high for the public to see," Assemblyman Michael Tannousis, who represents parts of Brooklyn and Staten Island, said.
Tannousis said he was contact this week by a local mother who raised concerns over the ad posted at a Staten Island bus shelter.
If you missed the now controversial sign, there's little chance of seeing it on the street after it was pulled from stops around town. But the posting was up long enough to spark plenty of conversation.
Rebecca Rosentreter said she snapped a picture of the shelter ad after passing by earlier in the week.
"Me and my boyfriend, we just saw this the other day. I actually was just saying to him 'that's so like aggressive,'" she said.
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So where is it now? The ad came down this week after the assemblyman got involved.
"My contact has been with the NYC DOT because in my view, they are the ones responsible for the ads that go into the bus stops," Tannousis told News 4. "I believe the location of the signs, and in the manner in which they were posted, is what I find to be so inappropriate about them."
Attempts to reach the company or the advertisers Friday were unsuccessful.
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https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/complaints-prompt-removal-of-controversial-nyc-bus-shelter-ads/3670104/
| 2022-04-30T14:27:31
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https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/complaints-prompt-removal-of-controversial-nyc-bus-shelter-ads/3670104/
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Parker Munn of Americus, Tyler Cobb of Fitzgerald, Lindsey Alford of Ellaville, Janice Goodin of Ellaville, and Jada Barfield of Pelham won Student’s Choice Poster Award for their poster “Stroke Protocol.”
AMERICUS — Georgia Southwestern State University hosted its fourth annual Undergraduate Research Symposium recently featuring student research on topics such as politics and national policy, water quality, psychology, and issues in nursing.
Students from a variety of majors and fields shared their research projects with oral presentations and poster presentations.
“The symposium recognized undergraduate students and their faculty mentors for the outstanding research they are doing in their areas of study,” Suzanne Smith, GSW provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, said. “I love the diversity of ideas and variety of disciplines represented. It’s wonderful for students to see what their peers are doing in other areas on campus, and to have the opportunity to share their hard work with people across campus.
"While simply conducting the research is impressive enough, presenting it before an audience gave the students valuable experience for their future endeavors.”
The 2022 project award winners are:
-- First Place Presentation Award: Ian Wynn, “Utilization of a Modified SIR Model to Address Outbreak Policy Regarding Endemic-Stage COVID-19”
-- Second Place Presentation Award: Jacob Fontin, “Determination of Lead in Water Sources by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry”
-- Faculty Choice Poster Award: Elia Zarate for her poster “Vinegar Eelworm Turbatrix aceti [Nematoda: Panagrolaimidae] Population Growth Rate Comparisons in Monoxenic and Wildtype Culture”
-- Students’ Choice Poster Award: Jada Barfield, Lindsey Alford, Parker Munn, Janice Goodin, and Tyler Cobb for their poster “Stroke Protocol”
-- Provost’s Choice Poster Award: Madison Cheek, Morgan Christian, and Megan Townsend for their poster “Patient Satisfaction with Educational Information”
More than 40 students participated in the symposium: Nine presented their research in an oral presentation, 32 displayed their work on posters, and two served as moderators for the oral presentations.
The symposium was organized by a faculty committee and the Office of Academic Affairs, and was sponsored by donations to the Student Success Fund of the GSW Foundation.
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https://www.albanyherald.com/local/georgia-southwestern-students-showcase-research/article_df5f37c6-c7bc-11ec-abc7-472b140a2cc4.html
| 2022-04-30T14:33:51
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https://www.albanyherald.com/local/georgia-southwestern-students-showcase-research/article_df5f37c6-c7bc-11ec-abc7-472b140a2cc4.html
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Investigators are on the hunt for a man accused of choking a woman until she became unconscious, and then raping her inside a Downtown Brooklyn apartment this week.
Police said the suspect walked with the victim into an apartment building late Thursday night on Monument Walk. Once inside, they said he asked her for sex, which she refused.
The man began choking the woman, police said, until she was knocked out. When she woke up, the man was raping her, according to the NYPD.
Police said he stole $600 in cash and a cell phone from the woman before taking off.
EMS were called to the scene and transported the woman to a hospital where she was treated for bruising and scratches to her neck, police said.
Police said the attacker is 27 years old, was last seen wearing a light green jacket and blue pajama pants, and goes by the name "Todd."
The investigation is ongoing.
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https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/woman-choked-raped-in-brooklyn-apartment-after-refusing-sex-cops/3670132/
| 2022-04-30T15:42:30
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https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/woman-choked-raped-in-brooklyn-apartment-after-refusing-sex-cops/3670132/
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ALBANY – The Albany Area Chamber of Commerce will host an economic forecasting seminar in partnership with the Georgia Chamber of Commerce as part of the statewide organization’s 2022 New Georgia Economy Tour.
Presented by Wells Fargo, the New Georgia Economy Tour will gather input and data from all regions of the state to prepare a planning strategy for the future. The Region 10 event will be held in Albany on May 12 at Albany State University.
"The Albany Area Chamber is the leading advocacy organization for the Albany area and its business community,” Barbara Rivera Holmes, president and CEO of the Albany Area Chamber, said in a news release. “The New Georgia Economy tour provides valuable information to assist our organization and our community in continuing to be at the forefront of economic trends in order to proactively plan for the future. We appreciate the Georgia Chamber’s commitment to ensure the voice of rural Georgia is heard and reflected.”
The Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education will be on hand for the event, with its president, Dana Rickman, presenting alongside Georgia Chamber CEO Chris Clark, followed by a panel discussion covering the economics of education.
“Our goal with the tour is to listen and collect information from hard-working Georgians that can help us plan a more resilient economy,” Clark said. “In 2016, we conducted a similar tour that identified key trends Georgia would face in the coming years. With the onset of COVID-19, factors that were to evolve over 10 years rapidly took shape in 2020, demanding a re-evaluation of what we would need to consider in our planning for the next decade. This strategy will deliver some of those answers and help us prepare for the future.”
The regional event provides content specific to Georgia’s Region 10, comprising Baker, Calhoun, Colquitt, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Lee, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas and Worth counties.
The event will take place on ASU’s East Campus, in the C.W. Grant Student Union, 100 Dennis Drive. Check-in begins at 7:30 a.m., and the program begins at 8 a.m. Breakfast and coffee will be provided.
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https://www.albanyherald.com/local/state-chamber-to-bring-new-georgia-economy-tour-to-albany/article_8047de4a-c7d1-11ec-9995-abfda0e3ba98.html
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SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Deputies with the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office say they have arrested a man who led law enforcement on a chase through the Arden-Arcade area of Sacramento Friday evening.
According to the sheriff's office, deputies were called to the area of Howe Avenue and Enterprise Drive Friday around 7:15 p.m. on reports of a man violating a restraining order and possibly stalking someone.
When deputies arrived, they say they attempted to contact the man who then fled from the parking lot into a U-Haul cargo van. Officials have not said whether the van belonged to or was rented to the suspect.
A pursuit then began, at one point, going onto Interstate 80 before ending back in the Arden-Arcade area at a Korean restaurant near Howe Avenue and Enterprise Drive.
Dramatic video obtained by ABC10 shows the moments the U-Haul sped up to the front doors of the business followed quickly by a sheriff SUV.
The video shows the man promptly exiting the van and running into the restaurant, filled with diners.
In the video, sheriff's deputies appear to follow the man into the restaurant where they tackle him onto a table and then to the ground, as some patrons began running out of the restaurant.
The suspect was then led outside and taken into custody, the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office says.
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https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/sacramento/county-sheriff-chase-through-arden/103-a38d7f5e-1034-4836-a741-04ac5b30360b
| 2022-04-30T16:03:25
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North Kingstown teacher placed on leave after complaint of student harassment
NORTH KINGSTOWN — The School Department on Friday placed a teacher on leave whose actions as a middle school coach — and the way department administrators handled allegations against him — are now the subject of a new complaint with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
In a late-night email to “the North Kingstown Community,” interim superintendent Michael Waterman announced he was placing the unnamed teacher on administrative leave and asking the School Department’s independent investigator, lawyer Matthew Oliverio, to open a new investigation.
The School Committee hired Oliverio last year to investigate how officials handled allegations against another coach, former boys’ high school basketball coach Aaron Thomas. Some former athletes say Thomas conducted “fat testing” on them while they were naked and alone with him.
In the Thomas case, Oliverio found that Thomas had evaded scrutiny for years because of school administrators’ “blind allegiance” to him.
In the wake of Oliverio’s findings, Philip Auger and Denise Mancieri, then superintendent and assistant superintendent, respectively, resigned. Mancieri had also been the former high school principal.
Waterman’s suspension of the teacher on Friday came a day after Timothy Conlon, a lawyer representing several former high school students in the Thomas matter, filed a complaint with the U.S. Attorney’s Office on behalf of the parents of a former middle school girl.
The parents contend that the school's response to their concerns amounted to "deliberate indifference" to federal Title IX obligations to protect students.
In court:Former student sues North Kingstown officials over Aaron Thomas 'fat-testing' scandal
The parents allege that they complained to multiple school officials about the coach’s fixation and “stalking” of their daughter, starting in 2017 when she was 11 and continuing for the next two years.
In an email that the parents say they received from Auger, the then superintendent said, “In our investigation of your concerns, we have found that [the coach] has not purposely positioned himself to be in contact with or to intimidate your daughter.” He went on: “As I mentioned, we will continue to monitor this situation.”
As the child backed away from the coach’s overtures, Conlon wrote, “he also retaliated by shaming and ostracizing the child. She spent the better part of two school years crying about going to school while the coach continued to teach and stalk her.”
Recent investigation:Retired judge examining Aaron Thomas affair in North Kingstown seeks residents input
In the complaint, the girl’s mother also alleges that another teacher had warned her in 2017 that the coach “made it a practice of singling out and paying special attention to particular girls on his team.”
According to the complaint, the coach was removed from his position in 2019 only after the parents threatened to seek a restraining order against him. But he stayed on as a teacher.
Conlon contends the parents’ complaint should have been handled as a potential violation of Title IX, the federal law that protects against, among other things, sexual harassment.
Stepping down:Second North Kingstown school administrator resigns amid naked 'fat-testing' scandal
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is already investigating whether the Aaron Thomas case amounted to a federal civil rights violation. And this case also demands review, Conlon wrote.
"There are obvious overlaps with your existing investigation, both as to the nature of the reported conduct of the individual employee, and the practices of NKSD officials in addressing that conduct. "
— Email Tom Mooney at: tmooney@providencejournal.com
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https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/local/2022/04/30/north-kingstown-middle-school-coach-harassment-complaint-suspension/9598037002/
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A man was crushed to death Saturday morning on a Brooklyn street when a car crash pinned him between two cars parked on the road, police said.
The 46-year-old victim was reportedly standing between the two vehicles when a driver moving along East 89th Street crashed into a double parked car, according to the NYPD.
The crash sent the double parked car into the two vehicles where the man was standing. It wasn't immediately clear what caused the initial crash.
Police said the crash happened in Canarsie around 9:30 a.m.
The man was removed from the scene and taken to Brookdale Hospital where staff pronounced him dead.
Police took the causing driver into custody. An investigation is ongoing.
Copyright NBC New York
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| 2022-04-30T17:14:02
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Mayor Eric Adams scheduled a rare weekend meeting with top NYPD leadership Saturday to discuss crime strategies in the wake of citywide violence.
NYPD commanders are expected at One Police Plaza to take questions from the mayor on topics that include crime stats and homeless encampments.
Top precinct, transit and housing commanders will discuss crime reduction strategies in the wake of additional high-profile shootings this past week.
Two students were wounded when gunfire erupted on a Queens street Wednesday, apparent innocent bystanders caught in the fray. Among them, a 14-year-old girl shot in the neck, now paralyzed.
A broad daylight shooting late Friday morning claimed the life of a man in the East Village, gunned down on East 4th Street near Avenue C. No arrests have been made.
"New Yorkers have a right to be angry, a right to expect more, to feel safe, to be safe, to know that your city is looking out for you, your family and those in need," Adams said earlier this week in his first 100 days as mayor speech.
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https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/mayor-eric-adams-holds-weekend-crime-prevention-meeting-with-nypd-brass/3670176/
| 2022-04-30T17:14:08
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DALLAS — Two people are dead, and three others are injured after a crash caused by a driver going the wrong way in the Far North Dallas area on Friday night, police said.
Police said they responded to the two-vehicle crash just after 9 p.m. in the 13900 block of Esperanza Road, near Spring Valley and Coit roads.
According to police, investigators believe a pickup truck was going south in the northbound lane of Esperanza Road when it struck an SUV head-on.
Police said two people were transported to a hospital, where they died. Three others were also hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. Police did not specify which vehicles the victims were inside.
According to police, a suspect fled the crash scene and is currently at large. Additional details were not immediately released.
Sources told WFAA the two victims who died were teenagers.
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https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/two-dead-three-injured-head-on-crash-dallas-suspect-at-large/287-02e69a11-5972-4dda-8dbc-497e84713ee4
| 2022-04-30T17:57:54
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$2.3M Lemon Bluff Boat Ramp and park on St. Johns River officially ready for boaters
OSTEEN — Whether or not a brand new boat ramp and public park was the best option for the Lemon Bluff area depends on who you ask.
One thing's for certain, though — it's going to be well-utilized.
"We’re going to love having it here," Suzanne Luczak said Friday morning while visiting the newly completed park. "It’s the Bluff life and we don’t want to leave it."
Current and former local officials spoke about the area's natural beauty and what the boat ramp and park will do for the community along the St. Johns River at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday morning.
"It’s not every day that we get an opportunity to see projects like this come to fruition," Volusia County Councilman Danny Robins said. "Local boaters are absolutely going to love this new park."
Robins said the new ramp is safer and provides easier river access compared to the old ramp located just a 10th of a mile up Lemon Bluff Road.
The new ramp also includes a kayak and canoe launch.
Robins said the old ramp doesn't have sufficient parking, lighting or restrooms.
The $2.3 million ramp was funded with contributions from Volusia County park impact fees, the ECHO program, the Florida Inland Navigation District and the Florida Boating Improvement Fund.
The Volusia County Council awarded the construction contract to the Ormond Beach-based Saboungi Construction, Inc., in June 2020.
Former longtime Volusia County Council member Pat Northey recalled working "diligently to spearhead this mission and provide the local community with a fantastic park and boat ramp."
She said she hopes the ample parking for the new facility, located about 4 miles southeast of State Road 415, will mean less noise and traffic congestion for local residents.
"The St. Johns River is one of our greatest natural wonders and the only American Heritage River in Florida that features pristine waters, an abundance of native wildlife, recreational opportunities, wonderful plant life and, of course, some of the best bass fishing in the area and actually probably the nation," Northey said.
Save the St. Johns:Marvels of river come alive during tour aimed at protecting it
Full steam ahead:Steamboats on the St. Johns River
Longtime area resident Lee Giddens said the ramp will be nice for pontoons and other larger boats, but he otherwise didn't share in the excitement.
"We’ve been against this project from the very beginning because it creates so much activity on the weekend," Giddens said.
In 2012 Volusia County purchased the land by the ramp for $605,000 with funds from a special tax for environmental, cultural, historic and outdoor projects.
In addition to demolishing the old fish camp, "No parking" signs were installed along the road and deputies were tasked with ticketing violators. An RV park — where some stayed for extended periods of time — also was torn down and used as overflow parking for the original ramp.
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https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/news/local/volusia/2022/04/30/st-johns-river-boat-ramp-and-park-ready-boaters-osteen/9565317002/
| 2022-04-30T18:39:16
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Lake Local Band raises more than $15,000 through cow patty fundraiser
LAKE TWP. – The Lake Band Boosters Club raised more than $15,000 during Saturday's cow patty bingo fundraiser to help support the band's 2023 trip to Disney World.
About 200 people gathered at Lake High School's band practice field to watch a cow named Clarabelle wander around an enclosed patch of grass divided into squares.
Before the event, participants bought squares within the enclosed space, trying to predict where Clarabelle would drop her first cow patty.
More:Lake Local school board approves contract with classified staff
The winner would receive $1,000.
"(Clarabelle) was a little starstruck at first," Lake Band Boosters Club President Kari Willoughby said. "She kind of stood still and then she walked around a little bit. ... Prior to this event, I had said it would be nice if she had a patty around 10 o'clock. Lo and behold, 10:03 a.m. she had her first cow patty."
A Lake Local employee who was not in attendance was the big winner.
Willoughby said the donations will be distributed evenly among band students.
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https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/stark-county/2022/04/30/lake-local-band-raises-more-than-15-000-through-cow-patty-fundraiser/9575659002/
| 2022-04-30T18:50:52
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GALVESTON, Texas — Two children were killed early Saturday when their Galveston home caught fire, officials said.
Galveston firefighters were called to the home on Avenue K near 21st Street around 2:40 a.m., but there was no immediate word on the circumstances surrounding the fire.
The children are believed to be a four-year-old boy and a five-year-old girl.
They were pulled from the home by firefighters and were taken to UTMB Health's Trauma Center at John Sealy Hospital where they both died.
The children were in a back bedroom of the house at the time, according to a neighbor.
The father of the children was able to escape and was not hurt, Galveston Assistant Fire Chief Richie Pearson said.
It wasn't immediately clear how the fire started. The Galveston Fire Marshal is investigating the cause.
LISTEN: Firefighters communicate via radio during attempted rescue
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https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/2-children-dead-in-galveston-fire/285-c352c330-6eea-414c-b417-11d8680c99f8
| 2022-04-30T18:57:01
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SAN DIEGO — Not optimistic that anything will change by this weekend, Richard Rider, Chairman of San Diego Tax Fighters says San Diegans need to brace their wallets come this summer for the gas tax increase to take effect July 1.
"The tax goes up more this year because inflation is up, so instead of having a 1 cent or 2 cent increase, now it is three,” Rider said.
Going up from the current 51 cents, the gas tax is expected to rise to 54 cents.
What does the gas tax go to? It is comprised of three major parts:
- Base tax: 19.4 cents per gallon goes to pay for state highway maintenance, rehabilitation, and related administration.
- Incremental tax:18.7 cents goes to the state highway account for truck weight fee revenues.
- Senate Bill 1 tax: 13 cents goes to fund active transportation, bridge and culvert repairs, and transportation research.
"A gas tax actually makes sense if the money is used primarily for roads, but it is not. Most of the money is spent elsewhere, like it is spent on mass transit that very few people use or bike lanes and trails,” said Rider.
Charles Langley, Executive Director of Public Watchdogs says in a statement:
"We shouldn't have to make a choice between good government and roads and bridges. This is monstrous and will kick the consumer. Meanwhile local government benefits and gets anywhere between 9% to 11% per gallon of gas."
State Senator Brian Jones says he is disappointed the legislature did not act to stop the gas tax from going up. He wanted it suspended altogether.
“I’ve been fighting to suspend the gas tax and gas tax increases for almost a year. Not only did the Governor and Democrat leaders in the California Legislature refuse to suspend the gas tax and bring direct relief to Californians, they are doubling down and allowing the 5.6% gas tax increase to take effect in July. They believe suspending the tax increase would have too small of an impact on everyday Californians to matter, yet it has such a huge impact. Now the clock has run out, and the July gas tax hike is imminent. When Californians see record high gas prices again, they can thank the Governor and Democrat leaders in the Legislature,” said Senator Brian Jones
In a statement late Thursday, Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon said:
"Suspending the gas tax would reduce critical funds available for road repair and improvement projects. The Better for Families Rebate that the Legislature has proposed would provide the most meaningful relief to the most California families. We are continuing to work through the budget process to get financial help to Californians as quickly as possible."
Senator Jones says the gas tax hike is not a done deal yet with the state budget due May 10, and it being finalized on June 15, there's still a chance for change.
“That is the nice thing about the legislature, nothing is ever a done deal, there is always room for negotiation. I'm hoping that when we get back on Monday, we will continue to have conversations on this,” said Jones.
May 1st is listed as the deadline for lawmakers to act for the gas tax increase.
WATCH RELATED: California's gas tax will likely increase (April 2022)
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On a warm summer day, visitors to Wupatki Pueblo can lean over an opening in the ground to feel a cool breeze blow outward sufficient to ruffle the hair or lift a hat. Known as a blowhole, this natural vent is significant to local American Indian tribes and a recent project by the Museum of Northern Arizona and National Park Service reveals the long connections between tribal people and these openings in the earth.
Earth-cracks and blowholes are geologically rare phenomena that occur relatively frequently in the Flagstaff region, particularly within Wupatki National Monument. Most of these are created by settling, buckling of sedimentary sandstone and limestone layers associated with north-northeast by south-southwest trending faults, including the Lomaki Fissure and the Citadel Graben. The earth-cracks are simple areas of settling and faulting.
The blowholes connect to a maze of underground voids more than seven billion cubic feet in volume. This allows the blowholes to react to changes in barometric pressure and exchange air between the underground caverns and the atmosphere above ground, pulling in air overnight and releasing it during the day. The best known of these are Blowhole No. 1, which was extensively investigated in the 1960s and the blowhole at Wupatki Pueblo, which was formally documented in 1964 or 1965 when it was stabilized as part of the Wupatki Ballcourt excavations conducted by MNA.
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The blowhole at Wupatki Pueblo is of importance for the Pai, Hopi, Zuni, Diné (Navajo), and Southern Paiute peoples. The National Park Service recently completed ethnographic consultations with regional tribes about many topics, including the Wupatki Pueblo blowhole. Much like the sipapu — a small blowing vent within ceremonial kiva structures — the Wupatki blowhole remains a powerful symbol of this place of emergence and as an important connection between the surface, underworld, and sky. Known to the Hopi as Huukyangwuy Kii’at — wind’s home or breath from the mountains — the blowhole at Wupatki was previously home to a shrine. Hopi elders consulted during the study have also suggested that the vent may have been used to warn of impending changes to weather during critical agricultural seasons. Elders of other tribes consulted about the blowhole also stressed the importance of this place in their knowledge.
For the Zuni consultants, Awidehin T’sid’ane Yanak‘inanne or Where Mother Earth’s breath is felt is a place for power seeking, meditation, and for prayer. Modern Pai groups — Hualapai, Havaupai and Yavapai — all maintain a distinct cultural relationship with the blowhole. Pai elders confirm it is a place of immense power and an area to gather medicine and spiritual strength.
The various bands of Southern Paiute are also said to know the blowhole as a place of immense power and song learning that is deeply connected with the greater landscape on which it located. The Southern Paiute call the blowhole hurrikanni — Home of the Wind or House of the Wind. The San Juan Southern Paiute would travel to visit hurrikani to learn songs that would bring rain. Niyol Bighan or Wind Home remains an important location of significance for some Dine’ people who also maintained a shrine there. One elder shared that their family left offerings at the feature after someone from the community was knocked unconscious by a gust of wind. Another tells how the opening used to be buried, reasserting that the feature has changed quite a bit over time to its final appearance today.
Last summer MNA and NPS collaborated on an intensive archaeological inventory around some of the blowhole and earth-crack sites. Five of the six surveyed areas contained archaeological sites, three blowhole areas contained prehistoric or ethnohistoric features directly associated with blowholes, and three earth-cracks or fissures contained direct material cultural associations. They documented one site, a 500-foot deep earth-crack known as Sipapu Cavern, that had been blocked off the NPS since 1964, as well as two blowholes that had been filled in recently.
In all, the survey identified 47 isolated cultural features or artifacts, and 160 features associated with 23 archaeological sites, providing fine-grained documentation of the long-standing interest people have had in these holes in the ground. The findings ranged from a single piece of marine shell found adjacent to a previously undocumented earth-crack, to the large residential complexes at Kaibab House and Box Canyon. Kaibab House features elaborate banded masonry, a visual signal that also appears at Wupatki Pueblo and a few other sites not open to the public. The opening to Box Canyon, a fault, is flanked by twin pueblos thought by some to be defensive. A blowhole is also located nearby, within a ceremonial kiva.
The next time you visit Wupatki National Monument, look around and reflect on the many ways that the ancient dwellings were built to take advantage of impressive views, color contrasts, and more subtle landscape features like fissures, blowholes and earth-cracks.
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https://azdailysun.com/news/local/mna-column-wupatki-where-the-earth-breathes/article_efa45178-c804-11ec-a439-83b9df7d5c4c.html
| 2022-04-30T19:05:57
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Primary Election 2022: Meet the candidates running for Springfield City Council's Ward 5
Two candidates are running in the May 17 election to fill the Springfield City Council Ward 5 seat: Mark Molina and Victoria Doyle. The two are vying to take the spot that will be left by Councilor Marilee Woodrow, who is leaving her position.
The ward includes the second-furthest east part of Springfield, covering the area between 42nd Street east to Straub Parkway. Here are profiles of the candidates:
Victoria Doyle
Victoria Doyle, a land use review assistant for Eugene in its engineering department, said she wants to help change Springfield for the better, and said she knows what to expect having previously served as a Cottage Grove city councilor from 2011 to 2014. Doyle has also served on Springfield's budget committee since she moved back to the area in 2015.
Doyle said she thinks her past experience in city government should help her "hit the ground running" as a new Springfield councilor. She also noted having an understanding of changes with middle housing, given her job as a land review assistant, which she thinks will be useful as a councilor. One of the issues Doyle said she's most concerned about is the city's Main Street Safety Project, which is intended to change road infrastructure to make the street safer. Doyle said she opposes the plan in its current state, and she thinks it needs some changes after having talked with local businesses.
One problem Doyle said she has noticed is there being poor communication between the city and residents about when public meetings are held. Improving outreach from the city's end would be one area she wants to fix so residents are better tuned-in to city developments.
"We need to figure out why people feel like they're disconnected from their government and why they don't know about this stuff, and try to change the way we reach out to people," Doyle said in an interview with The Register-Guard.
Doyle added that she feels honored to have gotten support and endorsement from incumbent councilor Woodrow, who has held the Ward 5 position for 12 years and is now stepping away. Doyle has lived in Eugene and Springfield most of her life aside from her 13 years in Cottage Grove.
Mark Molina
Mark Molina said he wants to run for City Council to support residents and bring his own past experience as a leader to benefit the community. Issues Molina listed that he most wants to focus on include ensuring Springfield residents have access to the city's budget process and are factored into the final allocation process, and advocating for more inclusive housing.
"I want to support the residents in the role of the City Council to recover from the pandemic with all thoughtfulness," he said. "It is going to take empathy, compassion and awareness of the people to be most effective in the decision-making processes."
That includes adding better housing options for everyone from first-time home buyers to low-income people or those without any income, Molina said in his email to The Register-Guard.
Molina said he also wants to establish better trust and positive engagement between Springfield police and residents who are concerned about fair policing in the community.
Molina has a long history of volunteerism in Springfield, which he first visited in 1985 when he was on active duty in the U.S. Army while traveling to Germany. He decided to return to the city 10 years later and make it his adopted home. Molina began coaching and refereeing soccer games, volunteered as a cub master for Maple Elementary and as a scoutmaster for Troop 51 in the city's Thurston neighborhood.
Molina has served on the Springfield Utility Board in Position 5 since January 2020. Also in 2020, Molina created his own leadership coaching and development business to help others grow, called Molina Leadership Solutions and has a podcast show where he interviews other leaders in the community.
Louis Krauss covers breaking news for The Register-Guard. Contact him at lkrauss@registerguard.com, and follow him on Twitter @LouisKraussNews.
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HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — Gambling has gotten easier to do over the last few years in Arkansas, but that also presents its fair share of problems.
It has potentially opened the door for gambling addiction, something some Arkansas groups are trying to help.
"If we're going to have gambling here, we want to be responsible to the residents of Arkansas," Janet Miller, Executive Director of the Louisiana Association on Compulsive Gambling, said.
Miller knows the signs of addiction – she helps answer the calls from Arkansans who need help.
"We've answered almost 68,000 calls, texts, and chats," Miller said.
So, why is a Louisiana organization helping Arkansans?
There isn't a hotline specific to Arkansas, and even if there was, there aren't trained staff ready to help.
It's part of the reason why Miller was in Hot Springs on Friday.
"Also looking at responsible gambling for anybody who is gambling, but also those who are not to treat the problem," she said.
The Arkansas Problem Gambling Council held a symposium Friday to discuss ways to help those who are struggling. Chairman Vena Schexnayder said it's a problem that impacts more than 20,000 Arkansans.
"So we call it a silent addiction, right? A lot of times with the drug or alcohol issues, that's something prevalent that you can see," she said. "But again, sometimes with the gambling, you can't quite see it."
Schexnayder said they're not for or against gambling, they just want to connect people with the right resources, though she admits it's difficult when things there's not a phone line that's specific to Arkansas.
"There's a push to help collaborate with Louisiana to be able to receive those calls and kind of have like a rollover into the community treatment services and community mental health providers," she said.
Another thing they're trying to work through – mobile sports betting.
"So that access does open up the door to others, but then also that access also may increase addiction as well," Schexnayder said.
It's why they're pushing to help anyone struggling with gambling addiction-- to make sure those who need help get it.
"It's not a shame or blame game," Schexnayder said. "We just want everybody to be responsible."
If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling addiction, you can call 1-800-522-4700 for help.
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https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/arkansas-battles-gambling-addiction/91-15e17781-6aa4-49bc-84d6-820f39c9d19b
| 2022-04-30T19:51:19
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LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas — Saturday is one of the best chances to help prevent drug abuse and addiction.
Police departments across the state will be collecting old and unwanted medications for Arkansas Drug Take Back Day.
From someone who is in long-term recovery... Kyle Brewer said these days are so important.
Brewer had wisdom teeth surgery when he was younger and they gave him a prescription of oxycodone, later becoming addicted and going down a dark path to heroin and other drugs.
"It really destroyed every aspect of my life," said Brewer.
He is now in long-term recovery and works to help others who have a substance-use disorder. He wants to make sure those drugs don't do harm to others.
"Unused medications - if they are just on the counter and they're just sitting around they could fall into the wrong hands," said Brewer. "Someone could take them and become dependent on the drugs, but also someone could take them and not necessarily know what they are."
There will be 300 collection sites around the state on Saturday where people can safely dispose of expired or unneeded medications.
"A lot of times people will flush these drugs down the drain or put them in the trash and [they] end up in our water table eventually in the ground," said Lt. Cody Burk with the Pulaski County Sheriff's Office.
If you miss Drug Take Back Day, you can still dispose of your drugs.
Police departments across Arkansas have collection sites where you can drop of those medications any given time. Here is a map of those collection sites.
The drugs you dispose at a collection site will be taken to an incinerator where they will be destroyed safely.
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https://www.5newsonline.com/article/news/local/arkansas-drug-take-back-day-fights-addiction/91-b4728bef-8b1d-4593-9619-c94834a394f7
| 2022-04-30T19:51:25
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Collier-Lee Honor Flight Mission 22 has taken off for Washington, D.C. with two CCSO guardians aboard. Both are escorting military Veteran honorees and both are military Veterans themselves.
Collier County Sheriff Kevin Rambosk served as a guardian on a previous Honor Flight and spoke about this flight.
“This is an incredibly impactful and richly deserved experience for the Veterans and their guardians,” he said. “The Honor Flight pays tribute to the service and sacrifice of our Veterans in perhaps the most meaningful way possible.”
The Honor Flight’s mission is to transport local veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit those memorials dedicated to honor their service and sacrifice.
Captain J.J Carroll is escorting U.S. Army Veteran Ronald Maclean. Maclean served from 1959 to 1970, including a tour in the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1965. Captain Carroll served in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1983 to 1987 where he was selected for the U.S.C.G. Presidential Honor Guard.
Sgt. Fritzler Bernagene is escorting U.S. Air Force Veteran Murray H. Hendel, who served from 1950 to 1954. Sgt. Bernagene served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1999 to 2004 where he received a Meritorious Mass for outstanding performance during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
People are invited to welcome the more than 80 World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War Honor Flight Veterans as they return from their trip to Washington, D.C., at 8:30 p.m. Saturday at Southwest Florida International Airport in the American Airlines terminal.
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https://nbc-2.com/news/local/2022/04/30/military-veterans-honored-during-collier-lee-honor-flight-mission-22/
| 2022-04-30T20:06:24
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Plans to open a New York City homeless shelter later this year in Chinatown have been shuttered following community protests against its opening.
City officials confirmed the news on Friday, following a growing outcry that resulted in public protests against the proposed shelter.
"After reviewing planned shelter sites to open in Chinatown, we have decided to re-site this shelter capacity to an area with fewer services and shelter for those experiencing unsheltered homelessness," Julia Savel, a spokesperson for NYC Homeless Services, said.
The shelter, which would have opened at 47 Madison Street, was supposed to hold 49 beds for unsheltered New Yorkers. That location was one of three shelters planned for Chinatown.
"Our goal is always to work with communities to understand their needs, equitably distribute shelters, and prioritize sites that can come online in a timely way to serve our most vulnerable New Yorkers," Savel added.
The city's Department of Homeless Services is said to be focusing on opening new sites at locations that require less renovation work. The Madison site needed demolition and was expected to carry a "substantial cost" before coming online in 2 to 3 years.
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https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/nyc-pulls-future-homeless-shelter-in-chinatown-after-community-outcry/3670223/
| 2022-04-30T20:20:56
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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Several cars and homes were rattled by gunfire Friday night in Fairview, and authorities arrested who they believe to be one of multiple suspected shooters.
According to the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, 21-year-old Jesus Rafael Guerrero tried to flee when deputies responded around 9:30 p.m. to a report of shots fired near the corner of NE 205th Avenue and Sandy Boulevard.
Deputies recovered “numerous” shell casings and found several cars and occupied homes that were hit by the bullets. MCSO said no one was injured.
Guerrero was arrested on multiple charges related to the shooting, however, MCSO said multiple shooters are believed to have been involved.
Deputies are asking anyone with information about the shooting or any suspect’s whereabouts to contact Detective Chris Stephens or submit a tip online at Crime Stoppers of Oregon.
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https://www.koin.com/local/multnomah-county/cars-homes-hit-with-bullets-1-of-multiple-suspected-shooters-arrested/
| 2022-04-30T20:32:54
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SAN ANTONIO — UT Health San Antonio doctors have seen cases of a mysterious liver disease in otherwise healthy children. Naveen Mittal, Chief of the Pediatric Gastroenterology division added that one child is being treated for the illness at a San Antonio hospital.
Dr. Mittal said they are staying in touch with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding the cases they have seen.
"The first case we received that met the criteria was about ten days ago," he said.
He said they are currently monitoring the one hospitalized child and providing nontransplant intervention.
On April 21, the CDC alerted providers about the cases of hepatitis with unknown origins. At the time, nine children, ages 1 - 6 in Alabama had been identified with hepatitis and adenovirus. The CDC asked physicians to be on the lookout and report any suspected cases to local and state health departments.
According to the World Health Organization, cases have been found in children 1 month - 16 years old. About 10% have required liver transplants, and one death has been reported.
Dr. Tiffany Ponzio, a pediatrician at Southwest Children's Center in San Antonio. She spoke with KENS5 about what we know about this rare form of hepatitis so far.
What symptoms should parents look for?
Dr. Ponzio: Hepatitis is just a word for inflammation of the liver. With that we tend to see fever, fatigue, loss of appetite nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, sometimes you’ll even notice dark urine or really pale colored stools, and of course jaundice which is just yellowing of the eyes and skin.
What do we know so far about this form of hepatitis?
Dr. Ponzio: We still have a lot to learn. We do know thought that they’ve ruled out the main hepatitis virus’ (as the root cause) hepatitis a, b, and c, those do not appear to be linked to what we’re seeing. There does appear to be a link to adenovirus, which is a really common childhood virus that we see. It typically causes respiratory illness, but we do know that it can cause GI illness, like your common stomach bug symptoms as well as pink eye or even bladder infections.
What kind of testing is available?
Dr. Ponzio: Right now there’s no specific test for this exact strain of hepatitis that we’re seeing. So, we look at liver enzymes, we have the ability to order those tests here or at most pediatricians office.
What about treatment?
Dr. Ponzio: There is no definitive treatment for this type of hepatitis right now, but we do know kids are being closely monitored, supportive care is being given and the lab monitoring is really crucial, that we trend those labs until resolution.
Dr. Mittal and Dr. Ponzio both recommend addressing any concerns with a pediatrician or primary care physician.
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https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/child-rare-case-hepatitis-san-antonio-hospital-pediatricians-symptoms-to-look-young/273-6fcd0df6-f0ad-4f12-b23c-850fc021a608
| 2022-04-30T20:33:16
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STOCKTON, Calif — Earlier this week, the White House announced a first-of-its-kind collaboration between the Department of Justice and the Department of Labor.
The plan calls for job skills training for federal inmates and "individualized employment and reentry plans." The goal is to provide a "seamless transition to employment and reentry support upon release."
The administration made the announcement during "Second Chance Month."
"You do the best you can to survive and then one day make it out into the community and be a citizen," Jason Gottlieb, who served state prison time in Folsom, San Quentin and Solano, said.
In 1980, the 66-year-old Gottlieb got 25 years to life in prison for a deadly shooting he says he didn't commit, but he was convicted as an accomplice to the crime. Gottlieb was later exonerated by former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. That was after he had already served 25 years, getting out in 2005.
But, along the way, he realized he had a knack for counseling others behind bars.
"Can you imagine doing thirty years in a state prison and you come back out here in the community," Gottlieb said. "It's very alien to you."
Gottlieb is now a case manager for nearly three dozen former inmates getting their release at the nonprofit Friends Outside, a nonprofit organization that provides resources for referral for housing, mental health, jobs, and education to former prisoners reentering society.
"We can usually tell within the first visit if this is somebody really committed and really wants to change," Gretchen Newby, Friends Outside Executive Director, said.
Newby has worked for Friends Outside for 40 years and welcomes any source of money in the hopes of helping former inmates viable citizens again.
"They're taking advantage of what we have to offer and the other assets that we have here in the community that we can leverage and helping them. Then, their future is going to be pretty good," Newby said.
Out of prison at age 50, Gottlieb's life has been transformed. He's married with children and grandchildren. Now, he wants to be an example for others that life on the outside can be a successful reality, too.
"All I wanted to do was be part of my family's life and live a life," Gottlieb said.
For more information on the non-profit, go to www.friendsoutside.org.
MORE FROM STOCKTON: San Jose Police Department's Deputy Chief Stan McFadden has been chosen to lead the Stockton Police Department as the city's 50th Police Chief, the city announced Wednesday.
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| 2022-04-30T21:27:09
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A rather difficult forecast pattern is shaping up for the next 7 days across Alabama. The best advice is to plan for warm weather and summer-like scattered storms over the next several days.
Tonight: Showers and storms come to an end shortly after sunset. Temperatures drop into the low to mid 60s, and the sky remains partly to mostly cloudy.
Sunday: More storms arrive in the morning, with the chance for a few additional isolated showers and storms in the afternoon. Rain chances decrease the later in the day you get, and we dry out by Sunday night. Highs around 80°, but some spots may stay cooler depending on the duration and timing of rain and storms.
The Week Ahead: As previously noted, this is a rather difficult forecast pattern. Gulf and Caribbean moisture will be surging into the state of Alabama over the next several days. This will help fuel rain chances through the week. The amount of total water in our atmosphere will run at least a little above average from Sunday to Thursday (minus a brief dry stretch Sunday night into Monday morning).
We have the moisture to support plenty of rain this week, but we don’t have a big trigger for that rain. From Sunday to Wednesday, the only things that could trigger showers and storms are small scale features in the atmosphere, and forecasting those small scale features is quite finnicky. Based on available moisture, and the upper-air pattern we are in, I’d expect a few scattered showers and storms across the state most of the week, but pinpointing exactly where and when is going to be next to impossible. Be prepared for summer-like downpours this week, and perhaps the occasional strong storm. Because we don’t have a big “trigger” for rain in the next few days, our rain chances Monday-Wednesday aren’t particularly high, but it doesn’t mean we won’t see much rain. It just means not everyone will see rain. Those who do could see a lot of it. I’d expect an average of about a third of an inch of rain over the next 7 days across Central Alabama, but some may get a lot more, and a few may get nothing. Temperatures will be highly dependent on rain and rain timing each day, with some getting into the upper 80s, and some who see rain only just approaching 80°. We finally get a cold front to push through Thursday into Friday. That will increase rain chances a bit, and drop our temperatures and rain chances as we head into next weekend.
Be sure to follow the CBS 42 Storm Team:
Follow Us on Facebook: Chief Meteorologist Ashley Gann, Meteorologist Dave Nussbaum, Meteorologist Michael Haynes and Meteorologist Alex Puckett
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https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/stormy-and-warm-pattern-for-central-alabama/
| 2022-04-30T21:48:40
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Rochester school officials are investigating allegations that a white teacher told his class of mostly Black students to pick seeds out of cotton and put on handcuffs during lessons on slavery in a seventh-grade social studies class.
“It made me feel bad to be a Black person,” student Jahmiere O’Neal told news outlets.
The teacher has been put on leave while the school system investigates the allegations. They came to light after an appalled parent posted on Facebook that her daughter was confronted with the cotton-picking lesson Tuesday.
“He made a mockery out of slavery,” the mother, Precious Tross, who also goes by Precious Morris, told news outlets later.
“I don’t have a problem with you teaching our kids about slavery and what our ancestors went through and how they had to pick cotton,” she said. “Our teachers back in the day told us that, but they don’t bring in cotton and make you pick cotton seeds out of cotton.”
School officials haven't identified the teacher. Teachers union President Adam Urbanski told WXXI-AM that “if someone departs from what they should be doing, they should suffer the consequences, but due process has to be allowed first.”
Tross and Vialma Ramos-O’Neal, who is Jahmiere's mother, said the teacher let white children refuse to take part in the cotton-picking while not letting kids of color opt out.
News
“I immediately was like, ‘Oh, I’m not doing that,’” said Morris' daughter, Ja’Nasia Brown. “And then he was like, ‘Do it. It’s for a good grade.’”
On another occasion, the teacher brought in handcuffs and shackles, according to the students. Tross said that when her daughter balked at putting them on, the teacher threatened to send her to the principal's office or the school counselor.
The parents are calling for the teacher's firing and for his teaching license to be revoked.
School Principal Kelly Nicastro told parents in a letter that school leaders “take these allegations very seriously,” and a statement from the school board called them “extremely troubling.”
“In a district of Black and brown students, it is important to be sensitive of the historical framework by which our students are engaging and learning,” board President Cynthia Elliott said. About half the School of the Arts’ students are Black.
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https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/ny-teacher-under-fire-for-cotton-cuffs-in-class-on-slavery/3670318/
| 2022-04-30T21:52:14
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Reports of a possible shooting at the Westfield Garden State Plaza that appeared to spur panic at the New Jersey mall Saturday afternoon were unfounded, police said.
There was no shooting at the mall located in Paramus, the police department tweeted. Social media reports of an evacuation started around 4 p.m.
Officers were dispatched to the mall for reports of a fight, police said. About an hour after the commotion began, police said the people involved had left the area.
There were no reports of any injuries. Detectives are continuing to investigate.
This story is developing.
Copyright NBC New York
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https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/police-say-no-shots-fired-at-garden-state-plaza-after-report-of-evacuation/3670314/
| 2022-04-30T21:52:21
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2022 De Soto Heritage Festival Grand Parade canceled due to weather
The Hernando De Soto Historical Society announced Saturday afternoon that the De Soto Grand Parade, originally scheduled to take place at 7:00 p.m. Saturday, would be canceled due to weather.
"We have officially canceled the 2022 De Soto Grand Parade presented by Cox Chevrolet & MOR-TV due to the weather conditions and the safety of everyone attending or in the parade," said a post on the organization's official Facebook page.
With more than 150 groups and floats scheduled to be in the parade, it is one of the oldest and largest parades in the area. Tens of thousands of spectators usually line the route to watch the parade and catch strands of beads thrown from the floats.
According to a Tweet from the City of Bradenton, the parade will not be rescheduled this year.
Things to Do:Looking for fun events? Top 5 Things to Do This Weekend in Sarasota, Bradenton: April 29-May 1
Restaurant and Bar News:Brewery closing original Bradenton location
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https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/local/manatee/2022/04/30/2022-de-soto-heritage-festival-grand-parade-canceled-due-weather/9601757002/
| 2022-04-30T22:10:12
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PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland police said they were spread thin after a spate of major calls between Friday evening and Saturday morning, ranging from hit-and-run crashes to shootings — including many where the suspects have yet to be apprehended.
Stolen van crash, 5:01 p.m. (Case # 22-113627)
The night started when officers responded to a report of a stolen van found near Southeast 20th Avenue and Southeast Division Avenue. The van driver tried to flee from police, eventually crashing into another driver and two pedestrians near Southeast 26th Avenue and Southeast Ash Street. Both pedestrians were hospitalized, and one of the victims had life-threatening injuries, police said.
Multiple people got out of the stolen van and ran away after the crash, according to the Portland Police Bureau (PPB), and no arrests have been made in the case.
Shots fired at I-205 overpass, 6:54 p.m. (Case #22-113690)
Less than two hours later, officers responded to a report people "throwing objects" from the Northeast Glisan Street overpass above I-205, along with a report of shots fired.
"Portland Police were monitoring a protest 'convoy' that was driving through Portland and counterdemonstrators confronting them," PPB said in a statement. "Officers determined that the shot fired call was likely related."
Officers did recover evidence of at least one shot fired, but did not find anyone who had been hit. PPB said that a group of about 15 people were "yelling at and harassing officers" during the investigation. No arrests were made.
Stolen ambulance chase, 7:48 p.m. (Case #22-113738)
About an hour after the I-205 call, PPB learned that troopers from Oregon State Police were chasing the driver of a stolen ambulance, heading into Portland.
"Several calls came in about the driver of the ambulance driving recklessly, including driving on sidewalks and going the wrong way on some one-way streets," PPB said.
According to OSP, troopers had originally responded to reports of a single-vehicle crash on I-5 near Woodburn. But the driver ran away when police arrived, before returning and stealing an ambulance that had responded.
The driver continued north on I-5 toward Portland, continuing to elude police. Troopers tried to pin the ambulance, but the driver allegedly rammed a patrol car, hit a building, and kept going.
Troopers caught up with the ambulance again on the southwest end of Portland. The driver stopped on I-5 and tried to get into someone else's car before troopers caught and took him into custody.
30-year-old Noor Mohammed Baheej of Winnetka, Calif., allegedly had a blood alcohol content of 0.21, more than two and a half times the legal limit.
While OSP was the lead agency in the the chase and arrest, PPB said officers assisted by looking for any potential hit-and-run victims in the aftermath.
82nd hit-and-run crash, 11:59 p.m. (Case #22-113738)
Just before midnight, officers responded to a report of a pedestrian who had been hit by a vehicle at Southeast 82nd and Southeast Henderson. They arrived to find a man suffering from severe injuries. The driver had left the scene.
The victim of the crash was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. The Traffic Investigations Unit took over the investigation, which is still underway.
SE Woodstock shooting, 12:37 p.m. (Case #22-113943)
Little more than a half hour later, officers responded to the 7200 block of Southeast Woodstock Boulevard for a report that someone had been shot at a convenience store. Officers arrived to find two shooting victims, applying a tourniquet in an attempt to stem the bleeding of one victim.
Both victims were taken to the hospital, and PPB said that their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. No arrests have been made.
Hazelwood shooting, 1:17 a.m. (Case #22-113966)
Again, less than an hour later, officers responded to reports of a shooting near Southeast 127th Avenue and Burnside. One shooting victim was found at the scene and taken to the hospital with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening. No arrests have been made.
Powellhurst-Gilbert shooting, 2:06 a.m. (Case #22-113989)
A little after 2 a.m., officers again responded for reports of a shooting, this time in the 14100 block of Southeast Woodward Street in the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood. Two people were found dead at the scene, and police believe that it was a murder-suicide.
Hawthorne bar shooting, 2:18 a.m. (Case #22-113992)
Minutes later, there was another reported shooting at a bar in the 3200 block of Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard. Officers found one victim at the scene, who was taken to the hospital in an ambulance.
"A short time later, another possible victim arrived at a hospital by private vehicle, although it is not clear if he was related to this shooting," PPB said. "A third male was hurt by possible shrapnel and arrived at the hospital by private vehicle."
PPB said that all victims were adult men, and their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. No arrests have been made, and the Enhanced Community Safety Team is now investigating.
St. Johns fatal crash, 6:10 a.m. (Case #22-114077)
Hours later, shortly after 6 a.m., officers responded to a reported crash on Northwest St. Helens Road just south of the St. Johns Bridge. There was just one vehicle involved, which had crashed into a power pole and brought down live wires.
PPB said that one person in the vehicle died, while another was taken to the hospital with undisclosed injuries. The Major Crash Team is now investigating the crash.
"As a result of the extremely heavy call load and series of significant events, all three precincts were placed on high priority (life safety) calls only for various times most of the night," PPB said. "The Portland Police Bureau is aware that many lower priority calls have not gotten a response, and we are grateful for the patience from the community as we work through the calls."
Anyone with information about any of the incidents who has not already spoken to police is asked to email to e-mail crimetips@portlandoregon.gov and include the case number.
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https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/portland-shootings-crashes-overnight-police/283-91119b1b-19a4-468f-9fd2-df56c50f4366
| 2022-04-30T22:31:53
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Did RI native turn her back on US family and leave $700,000 estate to Greek charity?
Matoula Papadopouli, born and educated in Rhode Island, turned her back on her American family and moved to her ancestral homeland of Greece.
She lived her last 15 years on the island of Skiathos in the Aegean Sea off the Greek coast. She hand-wrote a will leaving everything to a Greek charity called The Smile of the Child. She told a lawyer she didn't want her American relatives to inherit anything.
In 2015, she died in a Greek hospital.
At least, that's one version of her final years.
The other is of a librarian, with a bachelor's degree from Tufts University and a master's from the University of Rhode Island, who had served in the Army, stationed in Turkey and Greece.
She was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2014. When she became unable to care for herself, she moved from her Portsmouth condo to the Middletown home of her cousin, Cynthia Kendall.
Kendall and her husband, Robert, took Papadopouli to cancer treatments and doctor's appointments.
As the cancer robbed her of her cognitive abilities, Papadopouli, in a fit of anger, ripped up a formal will that had been drafted by a lawyer that left everything to Kendall and Kendall's two sisters. Soon after destroying the will, Papadopouli tearfully apologized to the Kendalls and promised to fix things.
With the end nearing in April 2015, Papadopouli returned to Skiathos before being admitted to the hospital, where she died on Oct. 4 of that year.
A fake will? Skimming money?
The Smile of the Child and the Kendalls are now locked in a battle that spans the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, fighting over an estate that, according to one estimate, is worth $700,000.
Neither side is talking publicly, so the story of Matoula A. Papadopouli is drawn from court papers and public records.
The Kendalls have said that the handwritten will leaving everything to the charity is a forgery and claimed that a man living in Papadopouli's basement in Greece, who was granted the right to spend the rest of his life in her house, exerted undue influence on her.
The charity has questioned tens of thousands of dollars — more than $100,000 — that the Kendalls transferred from Papadopouli's bank accounts to their own. The Kendalls have said that the money was a gift that Papadopouli wanted them to spend on improvements to their home, taking care of Cynthia Kendall's parents and payments on the Kendalls' adult sons' student loans.
Born in Newport on Jan. 12, 1955, Papadopouli was the only child of Greek immigrants Alexandros Papadopoulis and Despina Michail.
"Basically, we grew up together," Cynthia Kendall said in a court deposition. "We were always very close throughout the years. We were like sisters. She had no siblings, and my sisters and I were like sisters to her."
Conflicting views on Greek housemate
Other than eight years during and after college, Kendall has always lived in Middletown, while Papadopouli, who was known as Matoula Papas as a girl and as Matoula Evanitsky during a marriage that ended in divorce, lived in several states.
While living in Pennsylvania in 2001, she had a lawyer draft a will, which was notarized, and left everything to Kendall and Kendall's sisters, all of whom were Papadopouli's first cousins.
Papadopouli held dual citizenship in the United States and in Greece and owned property in both places, including a condominium in Portsmouth.
In a court filing, Kendall said that Papadopouli's primary residence was Portsmouth, though she spent summers on Skiathos, Greece, while visiting the island at other times of the year to check on property she owned there.
More news:Sea change could be coming to agency that regulates RI coastal development
On Skiathos, she lived for the last four years of her life with Giannis Kontomanis, who was also known as Ioannis N. Kontomanis, or Yanni.
The two sides picture her relationship with the man quite differently.
In a court filing, the charity described him as "Ms. Papadopouli's life partner."
But Kendall said that's not how Papadopouli had characterized the relationship.
"She, in private conversations with me, said that he was not her boyfriend," Kendall said in her deposition. "The basic feeling was that he was a friend, he needed a place to stay."
Kendall, who had visited Skiathos, didn't like what she saw in the space where he made his home. "A lot of junk and animals, and my cousin was not happy with what she called a big mess," she said.
Papadopouli writes a new will — or does she?
In 2013, Papadopouli supposedly hand-wrote a new will:
"I Matouli Papadopouli of Alexander I inherit all my property to Hamogelo tou Paidiou. [Greek for The Smile of ohe Child] (www.hamogelo.gr) Giannis N. Kontomanis will have the right to stay living in my house in Skiathos, St. George, as long as he lives to take care of my animals"
It is said that, when she finished the handwritten will, she gave it to Styliani Lilou, a friend who is a lawyer.
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In the years leading up to her death, Papadopouli told Lilou that she "did not wish any of her assets to pass to her relatives in the United States, and rather, she wished to ensure her assets would go toward a noble cause," another Greek lawyer, Ioannis Kelemenis, said in an affidavit filed with the Middletown Probate Court.
After Papadopouli died, Lilou presented the will to a Greek probate court and had The Smile Of The Child declared the sole owner of all of Papadopouli's property.
When they became aware of the handwritten will, the Kendalls were suspicious. The informality of the whole thing, the misuse of "inherit" and the near lack of punctuation did not match the meticulous librarian they had known. They hired a handwriting analyst from Athens to evaluate whether the will was legitimate.
"It was not produced by ... Mataoula Papadopouli, but by a third party, in an effort to accurately imitate her letters," wrote Magda-Maria Kabouri.
Cynthia Kendall's father, Charles Michael, who has since died, appealed, saying the will was fake. Michael was Papadopouli's uncle, the brother of her mother. Her family in Rhode Island said he was her next of kin because she wasn't married, had no children, and her parents had died before her.
A Greek Court of First Instance, roughly the equivalent of Rhode Island's District Court, upheld the will. The family has appealed that ruling to a higher court, which is scheduled to take up the case in November.
A cancer diagnosis and a torn-up will
On Sept. 9, 2014, Papadopouli was on Skiathos talking on the phone when trouble struck.
"She could not get any words out. She then passed out and the friend on the phone called her live-in boyfriend who found her unconscious." according to a report from the Tufts Medical Center.
She was taken to a hospital on the Greek mainland, where an MRI show a mass in her brain. Another MRI two weeks later showed that the mass had grown.
"She called me the morning after she had passed out ... to tell me what had happened hysterically on the phone," Cynthia Kendall said in her deposition. "I told her then that she needed to come to the States right away, and that we would take care of her."
Back in America, a biopsy at Tufts revealed that Papadopouli had Stage IV gliosarcoma. She began radiation and chemotherapy.
In January 2015, against the doctors' advice, she returned to Greece, but her condition worsened within a week. "She was having a lot of paranoid hallucinations," the Tufts report said.
The Kendalls flew to Greece and brought Papadopouli back to the United States.
In March that year, Papadopouli had a friend drive her to a lawyer's office, after which the friend told Cynthia Kendall that Papadopouli had "ripped" the 2001 will that would have left everything to Kendall and her sisters.
The next day, Robert Kendall returned home to find Papadopouli having a seizure. She was rushed to Newport Hospital, and then transferred to Tufts.
Later, she talked to Robert Kendall.
"She was speaking to my husband on the phone," Cynthtia Kendall said, "and crying and apologizing, and just sort of out of her mind about being very regretful and sorry about what she had done."
Said Robert Kendall: "She apologized and said she would fix it, and that she would take care of it. ... It was my understanding that she would rewrite the will."
But she never did.
The next month, she returned to Greece for the last time, leaving behind a mystery that is still unfolding on two continents.
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https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/local/2022/04/30/did-newport-rhode-island-native-leave-700000-estate-to-greek-charity-instead-of-middletown-family/7446883001/
| 2022-04-30T23:15:47
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https://www.providencejournal.com/story/news/local/2022/04/30/did-newport-rhode-island-native-leave-700000-estate-to-greek-charity-instead-of-middletown-family/7446883001/
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Solid pitching, defense and some timely home runs kept Coconino softball’s season alive Saturday, as the No. 5 Panthers defeated No. 12 Pueblo in the first round of the 4A Conference playoffs.
Down 1-0, the Panthers scored five runs in the third inning to take a major lead. Four of them came on a grand slam from junior KodyLynn Watson, who hit a deep shot to center field that the crowd knew was out the moment it came off her bat.
“I’ve been struggling a lot dipping my back shoulder, but my approach to the plate was that the first good strike I see, I’m going for it. And I knew she was pitching a lot of first-pitch strikes so I just jumped at the first pitch. There was a lot of adrenaline. It was crazy,” she said.
Her home run changed the game for Coconino offensively. Manager Kimberly Dennis said it altered the players’ approach at the plate.
“We weren’t being very disciplined at. And Marissa Rodriguez went up there with a great disciplined at-bat, and we followed it with two singles. And then Kody was just ready for it,” she said. “It was huge at that moment, because they had challenged us and gotten a run and a couple hits off of Kaitlyn. And we weren’t being very disciplined, so it was a huge hit because it changed some of that.”
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Two batters later, sophomore Hanna Thornsley hit a solo home run to push the lead to 5-1. Freshman Kaitlyn Tso hit another solo home run in the top of the fourth inning to give the Panthers a 6-1 lead they would never squander.
Tso also pitched a complete game, giving up just one run and striking out 10 batters. Five of the strikeouts came in the final two innings. Beside the Warriors’ RBI triple in the top of the second inning, Tso had control at the mound for he majority of the game, especially late.
“She settled in a little bit, and getting the lead helped. But obviously we had faith in her the whole way,” Dennis said.
Coconino got solid offensive games from its whole lineup. Eight of the nine starting batters reached base at least once.
The Panthers had a chance to extend their lead late, with runners on second and third base in the bottom of the sixth inning. They stranded the runners, though Pueblo never truly threatened to score in the final innings.
Having scored enough to win comfortably, Watson said she was happy with the overall effort. But she said the Panthers need to be better at executing offensively.
“I think we struggle with base running a lot, and that’s the biggest thing,” she said.
“But when you hit homers you don’t need the base runners,” she added, chuckling.
The Panthers (16-3, 10-2 Grand Canyon) will play at No. 4 Paradise Honors in Surprise on Tuesday. After advancing past the first round, the tournament now becomes double-elimination. But, Dennis said playing well against Paradise Honors will take another great game.
“This is season two. It doesn’t matter what we did in season one because anybody can beat anybody from here on out,” she said.
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https://azdailysun.com/sports/local/panthers-cruise-past-first-round-with-solid-defense-homers/article_c0df49c8-c8c8-11ec-8c93-9f098c844166.html
| 2022-04-30T23:26:56
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https://azdailysun.com/sports/local/panthers-cruise-past-first-round-with-solid-defense-homers/article_c0df49c8-c8c8-11ec-8c93-9f098c844166.html
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“I can’t help but have my suspicions, ‘cause I ain’t quite as dumb as I seem.” — Ambrosia
♦ (Reason No. 13 — with a bullet! — of the 84,642 reasons I believe life would be just fine without social media: All the bullsthat’s foisted on gullible people like me.)
I got an email the other day from one of my journalistic heroes, Danny Carter. Carter, as many will remember, retired from The Herald a few years ago, and he hasn’t looked back. I tell people when they ask about Danny that he is the one person I know who is doing retirement right: enjoying himself without a trace of that “I’m not going to work everyday” guilt trip that so many fall into.
Well, let me back up for a second. I didn’t get an email from Carter the other day. I got an email from a person who said they were Danny.
The email was friendly enough, had just about the right tone, so I thought it was indeed Carter reaching out as he does on occasion. When I emailed back, telling him how great it was to hear from him and all that, I sent my new (to him) cell number and told him to give me a call when he got the chance.
I heard back almost immediately.
It was an email from “Carter” telling me, with an appropriate amount of hemming and hawing embarrassment, that he had gotten in a pickle financially and needed some money right away — get this — so he could buy videogaming equipment for his “kid.” Sharp cookie that I am, I kind of caught wind of a few red flags right away.
First of all, I think Carter thinks about as much of videogames as I do, that is, little or none at all. If he were buying something for his “kid,” I’ve got a feeling it wouldn’t be videogame equipment.
Secondly, and probably most significant for an eagle-eye like me, Carter’s kid — Abby — is a grown up and married woman who probably has about as much use for videogame equipment as I do.
I did find it kind of funny, though, that “Danny” asked me to send him funds in gift cards to make it easier for him when making the purchases that were going to thrill his “kid.”
I have — and I know many others who have as well — gotten similar emails in the past from people I know well who have had some kind of mishap while on vacation and needed funds immediately just to get home. (One such solicitation was from a person who has enough money to buy me and 10 more like me, plus a private jet or two if he got “stuck” and needed money right away. The fact that he’d reach out to me was kinda flattering ... if it weren’t so stupid.)
Yes, the trolls who try — many, unfortunately, successfully — to con us out of our money have come a long way since that African prince who needed help in sending his millions of dollars in treasure to us. I rank that one right up there with the male enhancement offers and “we have video of you ... ahem, pleasuring yourself ... while you were looking at porn on your computer and we’re going to send that video all over the world if you don’t pay us now ... in bitcoin only.”
And, of course, there’s this new one:
“I have a beautiful piano to give away, would you like to have it or refer someone who loves to play? I am moving into a smaller apartment and won’t have a need for it so I am giving it away.”
I realize the idea is to get you hooked so that, in jumping on this once-in-a-lifetime bargain — a free piano!!! — you give out personal information that allows the scumbag who sent you the email the opportunity to rob you. But, since this is about the seventh time I’ve gotten some version of this same email in the last couple of weeks, I’m pretty confident it’s another lame excuse for a scam. Or else there is suddenly a bumper crop of free pianos out there for the taking.
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https://www.albanyherald.com/local/carlton-fletcher-free-piano-is-this-how-elton-john-got-his-start/article_c9a644d8-c89d-11ec-8bc0-bb2e60f1e9c7.html
| 2022-04-30T23:46:05
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https://www.albanyherald.com/local/carlton-fletcher-free-piano-is-this-how-elton-john-got-his-start/article_c9a644d8-c89d-11ec-8bc0-bb2e60f1e9c7.html
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Bill Murray on Saturday acknowledged that his behavior on set led to a complaint from a woman and the suspension of filming on his latest movie.
The actor and comedian, in his first comments about the shutdown of “Being Mortal,” described the incident as a “difference of opinion” but declined to provide specifics on what transpired, or who it involved.
“I did something I thought was funny and it wasn’t taken that way,” he told CNBC during an interview at the annual shareholders meeting for Berkshire Hathaway. “The movie studio wanted to do the right thing so they wanted to check it all out, investigate it and so they stopped the production.”
Murray said he and the unnamed woman are talking it through and “trying to make peace with each other.” He didn’t say when or if production would resume and whether he’d continue to take part in the film.
“We’re both professionals,” Murray said of the woman. “We like each other’s work. We like each other I think and if you can’t really get along and trust each other, there’s no point in going further working together or making a movie as well.”
The 71-year-old “Ghostbusters” and “Caddyshack” comedian suggested the changing nature of what’s considered appropriate humor was a factor.
“It’s been quite an education for me,” he said. “The world is different than it was when I was a little kid. What I always thought was funny as a little kid isn’t necessarily the same as what’s funny now. Things change and the times change so it’s important for me to figure it out.”
Murray added: “I think it’s a sad dog that can’t learn anymore. I don’t want to be that sad dog and I have no intention of it.”
Searchlight Pictures has confirmed production was suspended but has so far declined to elaborate, citing the ongoing inquiry. The entertainment website Deadline reports the complaint against Murray was filed earlier this month and production was halted last week.
“Being Mortal” stars Murray, Seth Rogen and Aziz Ansari, who is writing, directing and producing the movie.
Production started in Los Angeles in March and the film was slated to be released in theaters next year. The film is based on surgeon and author Dr. Atul Gawande’s 2014 non-fiction book on end-of-life care, “Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End.”
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https://www.cbs42.com/local/bill-murray-says-his-behavior-led-to-complaint-films-pause/
| 2022-05-01T00:16:58
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https://www.cbs42.com/local/bill-murray-says-his-behavior-led-to-complaint-films-pause/
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LVIV, Ukraine (AP) — Hollywood actress and U.N. humanitarian Angelina Jolie made a surprise visit to the western Ukrainian city of Lviv on Saturday, the Lviv regional governor said on Telegram.
According to Maksym Kozytskyy, Jolie — who has been a UNHCR Special Envoy for Refugees since 2011 — had come to speak with displaced people who have found refuge in Lviv, including children undergoing treatment for injuries sustained in the missile strike on the Kramatorsk railway station in early April.
The attack in the eastern Ukrainian city appeared to deliberately target a crowd of mostly women and children trying to flee a looming Russian offensive, killing at least 52 and wounding dozens more.
“She was very moved by (the children’s) stories,” Kozytskyy wrote. “One girl was even able to privately tell Ms. Jolie about a dream she’d had.”
He said Jolie also visited a boarding school, talk with students and took photos with them, adding “she promised she would come again.”
According to Kozytskyy, Jolie also met with evacuees arriving at Lviv’s central railway station, as well as with Ukrainian volunteers providing the new arrivals with medical help and counseling,
“The visit was a surprise to us all,” he wrote. “Plenty of people who saw Ms. Jolie in the Lviv region could not believe that it was really her. But since Feb. 24, Ukraine has shown the entire world that there are plenty of incredible things here.”
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Follow all AP stories on the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine.
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https://www.cbs42.com/local/hollywoods-jolie-makes-surprise-visit-to-war-torn-ukraine/
| 2022-05-01T00:17:05
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https://www.cbs42.com/local/hollywoods-jolie-makes-surprise-visit-to-war-torn-ukraine/
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SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — A nonprofit group plans to restore a Savannah home used by a Black artist to establish her own museum during segregation.
The Historic Savannah Foundation bought the former home of Virginia Jackson Kiah to save it from demolition. Neighbors in the surrounding Cuyler-Brownsville neighborhood applauded the move, saying it’s important to keep Kiah’s legacy alive.
“I’ve been saying someone needs to get that building and bring it back alive,” neighbor Ronald Bolden told WTOC-TV.
Kiah used the home to start her own museum in 1959 because, as a Black woman during segregation, she wasn’t allowed to enter other museums as a visitor, much less to exhibit her artwork. She became known as a civil rights activist in Savannah, where the Savannah College of Art and Design now has an art museum named for her.
The house deteriorated following Kiah’s death in 2001 and faced a risk of being torn down. The Historic Savannah Foundation was able to close on the property recently following a two-year legal battle in probate court.
“It’s a way to preserve Kiah’s legacy,” said Ryan Arvay, the foundation’s director of preservation and historic properties.
The foundation hopes to restore the building to its 1950s appearance, and plans to get feedback from the community before making any final decisions. Meanwhile, supporters of the project plan to install a historic marker at the home on May 9.
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https://www.cbs42.com/local/savannah-foundation-saves-home-black-artist-used-as-museum/
| 2022-05-01T00:17:18
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https://www.cbs42.com/local/savannah-foundation-saves-home-black-artist-used-as-museum/
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NEW YORK (AP) — The 500 audience members were sitting in neat rows, and they’d definitely gotten the memo on attire: All were perfectly dressed in a classic gray Thom Browne suit.
They were very quiet, too, perhaps because they knew Browne’s show Friday evening was a special occasion, held in New York rather than Paris where he usually stages shows, to coincide with Monday’s Met Gala. But also probably because they were stuffed animals.
To be precise, these were teddy bears, lined in tiny chairs to hear a motivational “Teddy Talk.”
It was yet another Browne extravaganza, more a slice of theater or performance art than a runway show, this time with an unusually playful vibe. In his narrated script, Browne — a consummate showman who is also one of America’s most successful designers — sought to educate the crowd of bears and humans (in bigger chairs) about finding one’s authentic self. In this case, Browne was saying, we all have a “toy version” that’s more exaggerated and crazier, but one that’s worth connecting with.
How did this high concept connect to fashion? That’s a question that Browne answers, luckily, with ensembles that are small feats of creative engineering. Here, his toy-store theme extended from countless versions of his classic gray suit, trimmed and pleated in brightly colored silks, to his whimsical handbags and footwear, like the alphabet-block purses and platform shoes, or the “Hector” handbags, inspired by his own dog, extended to toy ponies and other nursery creatures.
Theshow,staged in an airy theater on Manhattan’s far west side, began with two huge doors opening on an imaginary shop. A few shoppers entered in tweeds and tall, stovepipe-like hats, a vaguely 19th-century look. One group together carried an extra-long “Hector” bag, with three sets of handles.
“New York, where you come to find yourself,” announced the soundtrack. “A lifelong search, a lifetime of questions … finally and completely answered.” The “Teddy Talk” was beginning.
The speaker or “head bear” was dressed in a signature Browne gray flannel short suit, but with a teddy-themed hat and bear-like shearling gloves and platform boots. Via the soundtrack, he told his bear-filled audience about his favorite New Yorkers who had been lost, until they came to this store, “to find their true selves.”
A procession followed of 25 smartly dressed adults, both women and men in various tweeds and flannels but with the classic looks brightened with bright colors — red, white and blue trim, or sometimes gold and green. Their hair was styled in dramatic topiary-like creations amounting to head-topping modern sculptures. But the fantasy element was yet to come: a second procession of 25 more models, each a “toy version” of one of the previous 25.
These human toys had splotchy makeup and exaggerated features. The toys they represented were old-school, like Slinkys, those classic colored alphabet blocks, or jack-in-the-boxes. Each “adult” element was exaggerated — sometimes literally blown up to fantastical proportions. Accessories were particularly fanciful, especially those alphabet-block shoes — literally piles of blocks which, it must be said, were better navigated by the female models than the men.
In the front row was recent Grammy winner Jon Batiste, in a checked Browne suit, and actor-musician Leslie Odom Jr. in a cream-colored shorts ensemble, among others. Vogue’s Anna Wintour, three days away from the Met Gala she runs, was next to Andrew Bolton, head of the Met’s Costume Institute and curator of the exhibit to be launched by the gala, “In America: An Anthology of Fashion.” Bolton is also Browne’s life partner.
The culmination of the sartorial storytelling was a “meeting” of the two groups, when both the adults and their toy versions came back out, then turned to face and actually speak to each other, laughing and smiling.
Models laughing and talking on the runway? That may have been the most unique element of all. “Finding your true self,” the speaker intoned at the end. “Unique. Authentic. Confident. Always be true to yourselves.”
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https://www.cbs42.com/local/thom-browne-holds-a-teddy-talk-in-playful-toy-themed-show/
| 2022-05-01T00:17:25
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https://www.cbs42.com/local/thom-browne-holds-a-teddy-talk-in-playful-toy-themed-show/
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BANKS, Ore. — Firefighters successfully rescued two people on Saturday morning after their truck rolled down a steep embankment in a remote area northwest of Banks.
According to Banks Fire District 13, dispatch received a 911 call just before 5 a.m. from a caller who said they'd gone off the road and down a hill. However, first responders did not have more than an approximate location.
Banks firefighters worked with staff from the Washington County Sheriff's Office and Metro West Ambulance to scour the area southwest of Timber, using sirens in short blasts and listening for the caller's horn honking in reply.
The steep, heavily wooded terrain hampered search efforts, as did spotty phone service. Banks Fire said that they were able to ping the caller's phone, to an extent.
"Neither of the phones were able to hit more than one tower which is necessary to give a good triangulation," said Scott Adams, public information officer for Banks Fire. "The best location we had from the phones was what tower they were hitting, and in the coast range that can be very misleading."
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About two hours after the initial call, rescuers came across a hiker who was able to tell them the location of the crash.
Search crews finally found the truck and contacted the two people within. One had managed to get out of the vehicle, but another was trapped inside. That necessitated a high-angle rope rescue, fire officials said.
Rescuers successfully got both people free and up to the road. One was taken to the hospital by Life Flight in serious condition.
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https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/banks-firefighters-rescue-rollover-crash-embankment/283-95a33ac0-f80c-43df-ba5c-bd440b1023fc
| 2022-05-01T00:50:39
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https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/banks-firefighters-rescue-rollover-crash-embankment/283-95a33ac0-f80c-43df-ba5c-bd440b1023fc
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PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland police say that one person is dead and a number of others injured after a crash in the Kenton neighborhood on Saturday afternoon.
Officers from the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) responded at 2:23 p.m. to a report of a crash at North Columbia Boulevard and North Peninsular Avenue. They arrived at the scene to find two vehicles that had collided.
One person was found dead at the scene. Another person ran away from the scene of the crash, PPB said, but was found nearby and taken to the hospital with undisclosed injuries.
There were five people in the other vehicle involved, including three children. All of them were taken to the hospital with undisclosed injuries.
PPB's Major Crash Team responded to conduct an investigation, shutting down North Columbia Boulevard in both directions between North Peninsular and North Argyle Way. Traffic was detoured on North Columbia Blvd. Frontage Road.
A spokesman for Portland police said that the person who ran from the scene of the crash could face charges if the investigation determines that they were legally required to remain on scene, or if evidence points to criminal culpability.
The PPB spokesman could not confirm whether or not that person was the driver for one of the vehicles involved.
This is the 26th crash this year to activate the Major Crash Team, PPB said, and the third in less than 24 hours. It's the 21st traffic-related death in Portland this year.
Between Friday evening and Saturday morning, Portland police responded to a spate of major crashes and shootings. Three people died and ten were injured between the various incidents.
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https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/kenton-crash-deadly-portland-multiple-injured/283-28856eaa-9e94-4a90-b794-00ae9efe1614
| 2022-05-01T00:50:45
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https://www.kgw.com/article/news/local/kenton-crash-deadly-portland-multiple-injured/283-28856eaa-9e94-4a90-b794-00ae9efe1614
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VAN ZANDT COUNTY, Texas — Van Zandt County Sheriff Steve Hendrix has confirmed to CBS19 he has submitted his resignation after about 18 months in office.
Hendrix's resignation will be effective May 14 following his arrest and indictment on charges of giving a false statement to a peace officer.
His letter of resignation to Van Zandt County Judge Don Kirkpatrick reads as follows:
It has been an honor to serve as Van Zandt County Sheriff and I am forever grateful for the trust and belief that the residents of Can Zandt County has in me when they elected me as their Sheriff. After careful thought, prayer, and consulting with my family, it is with a heavy heart that I send you this, my official letter of resignation.
As law enforcement continues to be under assault in our society, this job becomes harder with each passing day. After carefully weighing the consequences of negative publicity for our county, I have decided that my resignation is the right choice not just for myself, and my family, but also for Van Zandt County.
My resignation will be effective on May 14, 2022 at midnight. I will continue to serve in my capacity as Sheriff until this time. I appreciate the strong working relationship I have had with you and the entire commissioner's court. It has truly been a blessing.
According to the Van Zandt County District Attorney's Office, Hendrix, Chief Dep. Jerry Wood and Sgt. Blake Snell were found to have witnessed ex-chief deputy Craig Shelton's use of excessive force against an inmate, identified as Nicholas Crouch, and lied to a Texas Ranger when interviewed prior in Dec 2021, according to the indictment handed up by a local grand jury.
Biggs & Greensdale Law, the attorneys representing Sheriff Hendrix, released the following statement on their client's behalf:
Our firm along with Attorney Greg Waldron have been retained to represent Van Zandt County Sheriff Stephen Hendrix regarding the recent indictment returned by a Van Zandt County Grand Jury for False Statement to a Peace Officer.
It is our understanding that these allegations surround the Sheriff’s account of events that resulted in the resignation of former Chief Deputy Craig Shelton. Despite recent media reports and other comments made publicly, no false statement was made during or since the inception of the investigation into the alleged misconduct of Mr. Shelton.
The Van Zandt County Sheriff has been and will continue to be fully cooperative with any state or federal investigators who seek to acquire information related to this alleged misconduct. We believe the charges brought in this indictment are baseless and the Sheriff looks forward to defending the allegations in court.
Due to the ongoing nature of a criminal prosecution, the Sheriff and his representatives cannot make any further comment on the matter.
The Sheriff is extremely grateful for the outpouring of support and respectfully asks for patience until this matter can be resolved in court.
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https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/van-zandt-county-sheriff-submits-resignation/501-f71791f1-892e-4282-a20b-d40b6010b7aa
| 2022-05-01T01:12:08
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https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/van-zandt-county-sheriff-submits-resignation/501-f71791f1-892e-4282-a20b-d40b6010b7aa
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SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Sacramento County Sheriff's Office has identified 30-year-old Evan Mcfarland as the man killed in a shooting on Elverta Road in Sacramento County Tuesday, April 26.
According to the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office, just before 3 a.m. on Tuesday, Sac Metro Fire crews called sheriff's deputies to the 7900 block of Acappella Circle after they found Mcfarland on the ground suffering from a gunshot wound.
Firefighters transported the victim to an area hospital where he later died. On Thursday, sheriff's deputies say they arrested 24-year-old Edgardo Ernesto Torres, suspected of murder in the shooting death of Mcfarland.
According to the sheriff's office, Torres was known to law enforcement and is on searchable probation due to a 2021 case of vehicle theft and receiving stolen property.
Sheriff deputies have not released information on a potential motive in the homicide but ask for witnesses to come forward. Those with information can call the Sheriff’s Office at 916-874-5115 or the Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at 916-443-4357.
Watch More from ABC10: Man tests drives truck, doesn't return it. West Sacramento police are investigating | Caught on Video
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https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/sacramento/evan-mcfarland-killed-thursday-shooting/103-9983a0a0-8bbb-4cbc-a77c-dca9c99fcc6c
| 2022-05-01T02:03:22
| 1
|
https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/sacramento/evan-mcfarland-killed-thursday-shooting/103-9983a0a0-8bbb-4cbc-a77c-dca9c99fcc6c
|
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