Every day, we wake up with a choice. We can choose to embrace the day as a new opportunity to learn, grow, and make a positive impact on the world, or we can let fear, doubt, and negativity hold us back. It's easy to get caught up in the challenges and obstacles we face, but it's important to remember that these challenges are what shape us into who we are. Each obstacle is a chance to learn something new, to become stronger, more resilient, and more capable than we were before. But we don't hav
Friday, June 19, 2009
Authorities say they found child pornography on a computer belonging to James von Brunn
Authorities say they found child pornography on a computer belonging to James von Brunn, the white supremacist charged with killing a security guard at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum last week. (June 18)
Bonny Brown has another baby
Singer Bobby Brown and girlfriend Alicia Etheridge welcomed the birth of Brown's fifth child, a son named Cassius Brown. Brown has four other children, one named Bobbi whom he had with singer Whitney Houston, and three from previous relationships. (Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic/Getty Images)
Neil Patrick Harris, and his partner are ready to start a family
"How I Met Your Mother" star Neil Patrick Harris, 36, and his partner of five years, David Burtka, are currently searching for a surrogate to carry their child, Star reports, after the two passed a screening process conducted by Growing Generations, the agency Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick chose to help find a woman to carry their twins. Harris, who came out publicly in Nov. 2006 via People magazine, was quoted as saying, "I am happy to dispel any rumors or misconceptions and am quite proud to say that I am a very content gay man living my life to the fullest and feel most fortunate to be working with wonderful people in the business I love." Looks like his life will be getting even fuller. ( Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic/Getty Images)
Tattoo gone wrong
In one of the most bizarre cases of tattoo jobs gone wrong, a Belgian woman named Kimberley Vlaminck claims that 56 stars were tattooed on the left side of her face, after she only asked for 3. The 18-year-old is suing tattoo artist Rouslan Toumaniantz, claiming that she fell asleep during the procedure. Although Toumaniantz maintains that Vlaeminck asked for all 56 stars, he has agreed to split the cost of removal. "Kimberley is unhappy and it is not my wish to have an unsatisfied client," Toumaniantz said. "There is a way to remove the tattoos with the help of a laser. I accept to pay for half the cost." (ABC News)
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Flordia teen arrested and charged with the mutilation of 19 cats
A Florida teen was arrested and charged over the weekend in connection with the murder and mutilation of 19 cats in Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay. Tyler Weinman, 18, faces 19 counts of animal cruelty, 19 counts of improper disposal of animal remains and four counts of burglary, reports CBS station WFOR-TV in Miami. Weinman is being held on $249,500 bail. The attacks began more than a month ago and cat-owners had been urged recently to keep their pets confined indoors or use fencing to keep the cats in their yards. Residents were also asked to be vigilant for any suspicious activity in the neighborhood. Weinman was taken into custody Saturday night while he attended a party. Police were still investigating whether he had any accomplices in the alleged attacks.
No Underwear, No Deodorant, No Job?
A Florida city is cleaning up with a new dress code that requires city workers to wear underwear and use deodorant. The city council in Brooksville north of Tampa recently approved a dress code that instructs employees to observe "strict personal hygiene." It also prohibits exposed underwear, clothing with foul language, "sexually provocative" clothes and piercings anywhere except the ears.
Pilot died in mid-flight at the controls, plane landed safely
A Continental Airlines en route from Belgium landed safely in Newark, N.J., today after the pilot died in mid-flight at the controls of a jet with 247 passengers on board.
The Federal Aviation Administration says a plane carrying a pilot who died in mid-flight has landed safely at the airport in Newark, N.J.(ABC News)
The crew abord 777 Boeing jet included two trained pilots who took control of the plane and landed it at the airport just outside New York City. There were also federal air marshals aboard on the flight, Continental Flight 61.
The 61-year-old pilot died of natural causes, and the passengers were not immediately told of his death, according to the airline.
Related
"The captain of Continental flight 61, which was en route from Brussels to Newark, died in flight, apparently of natural causes," Continental said in a statement. read more
The Federal Aviation Administration says a plane carrying a pilot who died in mid-flight has landed safely at the airport in Newark, N.J.(ABC News)
The crew abord 777 Boeing jet included two trained pilots who took control of the plane and landed it at the airport just outside New York City. There were also federal air marshals aboard on the flight, Continental Flight 61.
The 61-year-old pilot died of natural causes, and the passengers were not immediately told of his death, according to the airline.
Related
"The captain of Continental flight 61, which was en route from Brussels to Newark, died in flight, apparently of natural causes," Continental said in a statement. read more
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Wireless Giants Deny Price-Fixing Texts
CNET) Executives from the nation's largest phone companies went to Capitol Hill Tuesday to defend themselves against allegations that they've been fixing prices on text messaging. Executives from AT&T and Verizon Communications testified before the Senate Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights, saying their companies have not been involved in a conspiracy to hike text messaging rates. And they argued that competition is alive and well in the wireless market. The hearing was called in response to a letter sent in September from Sen. Herb Kohl (D-Wis.) to the four major U.S. operators - Verizon, AT&T, Sprint Nextel, and T-Mobile USA - asking them to explain why their text rates had all increased to 20 cents per message. Kohl noted in his letter that these rates marked a 100 percent increase since 2005. Shortly after the letter was sent, about 37 separate class action lawsuits were filed against wireless operators alleging price-fixing on text-messaging services. Both AT&T and Verizon have denied these claims. And the companies came to Capitol Hill to clear their names. "Especially in light of this litigation firestorm, we want to make it perfectly clear that AT&T sets the prices for all of its products on a unilateral basis," said Wayne Watts, general counsel for AT&T, in his written testimony. "There is no evidence to support an accusation that anyone at AT&T engaged in any inappropriate, much less illegal, behavior as alleged in these lawsuits." read more
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
MySpace is cutting nearly 30 percent of its work force
LOS ANGELES (AP) - MySpace said Tuesday it is cutting nearly 30 percent of its work force in a bid to become more efficient, bringing its staffing level more in line with its more popular rival, Facebook.
The move, the latest cost-cutting effort at the site, comes less than two months after the unit of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. (NWS) (NWSA) hired former Facebook executive Owen Van Natta, 39, as its new chief executive.
It also comes a day after data from tracking firm comScore show Facebook has caught up with MySpace in monthly U.S. visitors for the first time.
"Simply put, our staffing levels were bloated and hindered our ability to be an efficient and nimble team-oriented company," Van Natta said in a statement.
The cuts amount to about 420 people, bringing the total number of MySpace's U.S. staff to 1,000. As of May, Facebook had about 850 employees worldwide, the vast majority in the United States.
MySpace's user base has stagnated at about 125 million worldwide users, while Facebook said its usage has doubled to more than 200 million in less than a year.
Until now, MySpace still had the edge among U.S. users. But numbers from comScore show that in May, MySpace and Facebook both had about 70 million users apiece in the United States.
MySpace generates more revenue, according to Internet research firm eMarketer; it estimates that MySpace generated about $605 million in global advertising revenue last year, compared with $250 million for Facebook. MySpace's revenue is expected to shrink next year while Facebook's is seen as growing. read more
The move, the latest cost-cutting effort at the site, comes less than two months after the unit of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. (NWS) (NWSA) hired former Facebook executive Owen Van Natta, 39, as its new chief executive.
It also comes a day after data from tracking firm comScore show Facebook has caught up with MySpace in monthly U.S. visitors for the first time.
"Simply put, our staffing levels were bloated and hindered our ability to be an efficient and nimble team-oriented company," Van Natta said in a statement.
The cuts amount to about 420 people, bringing the total number of MySpace's U.S. staff to 1,000. As of May, Facebook had about 850 employees worldwide, the vast majority in the United States.
MySpace's user base has stagnated at about 125 million worldwide users, while Facebook said its usage has doubled to more than 200 million in less than a year.
Until now, MySpace still had the edge among U.S. users. But numbers from comScore show that in May, MySpace and Facebook both had about 70 million users apiece in the United States.
MySpace generates more revenue, according to Internet research firm eMarketer; it estimates that MySpace generated about $605 million in global advertising revenue last year, compared with $250 million for Facebook. MySpace's revenue is expected to shrink next year while Facebook's is seen as growing. read more
Baby Sitter Arrested After Baby Drowns In Bucket
A New York City baby sitter faces charges following the death of an 11-month-old boy. Authorities say the toddler may have fallen head-first into a mop bucket. Police say 28-year-old Krystal Khan was arrested Monday on a charge of endangering the welfare of a child. Authorities responded to a call of an unconscious child at her home in Queens. James Farrior died at a hospital. BlogWatch: What The Blogs Are SayingAn autopsy will be performed on Tuesday to determine the cause of his death. The name of Khan's attorney was not immediately on record. There was no answer at a telephone number listed for her home. EMS units responded to the call just before 11 a.m. at a home on 108th Street in Richmond Hill.Neighbors say the woman who runs the place came outside screaming. "When I came outside I heard the baby fell into a bucket of water," said Angie Singh, who lives nearby. The child was in cardiac arrest when paramedics arrived. "They said he's not breathing, and then the firemen just ran with him," said neighbor Liz Rivero. One neighbor said CPR was being performed on the child as he was taken from the house. read more
Father and son sentenced to two years in prison Friday for stealing more than $3 million from a California church
SANTA ANA, Calif., June 12 (UPI) -- A father and son were sentenced to two years in prison Friday for stealing more than $3 million from a California church where both served as pastors.
Richard Wimberly Cunningham, 76, of Moreno Valley, Calif., and Philip Ladd Cunningham, 52, of Laurinburg, N.C., appeared in court in Orange County, the Los Angeles Times reported. Both had pleaded guilty to grand theft.
Prosecutors said the Cunninghams wrote checks to themselves on eight accounts belonging to the Calvary Baptist Yorba Linda Church and School. They also used church credit cards for personal expenses.
The money was spent on time shares in Hawaii and Palm Springs, Calif., memberships in country clubs and expensive cars. The Cunninghams have already paid $3.1 million in restitution, the newspaper said.
Richard Wimberly Cunningham, 76, of Moreno Valley, Calif., and Philip Ladd Cunningham, 52, of Laurinburg, N.C., appeared in court in Orange County, the Los Angeles Times reported. Both had pleaded guilty to grand theft.
Prosecutors said the Cunninghams wrote checks to themselves on eight accounts belonging to the Calvary Baptist Yorba Linda Church and School. They also used church credit cards for personal expenses.
The money was spent on time shares in Hawaii and Palm Springs, Calif., memberships in country clubs and expensive cars. The Cunninghams have already paid $3.1 million in restitution, the newspaper said.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Blogger's baby was a hoax
The unmarried mother's story about giving birth to a child diagnosed as terminally ill in the womb hit a major nerve on the Internet.Every night for the last two months, thousands of abortion opponents across the nation logged on to a blog run by the suburban Chicago woman who identified herself only as "B" or "April's Mom."People said they prayed that God would save her pregnancy. They e-mailed her photos of their children dressed in pink, bought campaign T-shirts, shared tales of personal heartache and redemption, and sent letters and gifts to an Oak Lawn P.O. box in support.As more and more people were drawn to her compelling tale, eager advertisers were lining up. And established parenting Web sites that oppose abortion were promoting her blog -- which included biblical quotes, anti-abortion messages and a soundtrack of inspirational Christian pop songs.
Related links
On the Web: Snapshot of blog from June 2, 2009
By Sunday night, when "April's Mom" claimed to have given birth to her "miracle baby" -- blogging that April Rose had survived a home birth only to die hours later -- her Web site had nearly a million hits.There was only one problem with the unfolding tragedy: None of it was true.Not the pregnancy, and not the photos posted on the blog of the supposed mother and Baby April Rose, swaddled in white blankets. The baby was actually a lifelike doll, which immediately raised the suspicion of loyal blog-followers."I have that exact doll in my house," said Elizabeth Russell, a dollmaker from Buffalo who had been following the blog. "As soon as I saw that picture, I knew it was a scam."By Monday, outraged followers on dozens of Christian parenting Web sites unmasked "April's Mom" as a hoaxer, and hundreds more vented their anger."She needs to be exposed and held accountable," Russell said.Sensing people were close to establishing her identity, "April's Mom" on Monday raced in vain to delete her Web site and Twitter and Facebook accounts.But it was too late. The online community found out her true identity: Beccah Beushausen, 26, a social worker from Mokena. more
Related links
On the Web: Snapshot of blog from June 2, 2009
By Sunday night, when "April's Mom" claimed to have given birth to her "miracle baby" -- blogging that April Rose had survived a home birth only to die hours later -- her Web site had nearly a million hits.There was only one problem with the unfolding tragedy: None of it was true.Not the pregnancy, and not the photos posted on the blog of the supposed mother and Baby April Rose, swaddled in white blankets. The baby was actually a lifelike doll, which immediately raised the suspicion of loyal blog-followers."I have that exact doll in my house," said Elizabeth Russell, a dollmaker from Buffalo who had been following the blog. "As soon as I saw that picture, I knew it was a scam."By Monday, outraged followers on dozens of Christian parenting Web sites unmasked "April's Mom" as a hoaxer, and hundreds more vented their anger."She needs to be exposed and held accountable," Russell said.Sensing people were close to establishing her identity, "April's Mom" on Monday raced in vain to delete her Web site and Twitter and Facebook accounts.But it was too late. The online community found out her true identity: Beccah Beushausen, 26, a social worker from Mokena. more
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Cristiano Ronaldo accepts a world record £80m bid
Manchester United have performed an incredible about-turn on Cristiano Ronaldo by accepting a world record £80m bid from Real Madrid for the Portuguese winger. Ronaldo, currently on holiday in Los Angeles, has informed Manchester United of his desire to leave Old Trafford for the Bernabeu and the Premier League champions have now granted his wish by allowing him to speak to Real over a transfer.
In a brief statement issued on the club website this morning, United confirmed that they have accepted Real's offer, while stipulating that the deal must be wrapped up by June 30.
The statement said: "Manchester United have received a world-record, unconditional offer of £80million for Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid.
"At Cristiano's request - who has again expressed his desire to leave - and after discussion with the player's representatives, United have agreed to give Real Madrid permission to talk to the player.
"Matters are expected to be concluded by 30 June. The club will not comment until further notice.
Having failed to prise Ronaldo away from Old Trafford last summer, Real have now stunned United with the size of their offer for the 24 year-old, who cost the Premier League champions £12.2m as a 17-year-old from Sporting Lisbon in 2003.
Ronaldo has done little to hide his desire to play for Real and his behaviour towards the end of last season, when he reacted angrily to being substituted against Manchester City at Old Trafford, highlighted cracks in his relationship with manager Sir Alex Ferguson. more
In a brief statement issued on the club website this morning, United confirmed that they have accepted Real's offer, while stipulating that the deal must be wrapped up by June 30.
The statement said: "Manchester United have received a world-record, unconditional offer of £80million for Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid.
"At Cristiano's request - who has again expressed his desire to leave - and after discussion with the player's representatives, United have agreed to give Real Madrid permission to talk to the player.
"Matters are expected to be concluded by 30 June. The club will not comment until further notice.
Having failed to prise Ronaldo away from Old Trafford last summer, Real have now stunned United with the size of their offer for the 24 year-old, who cost the Premier League champions £12.2m as a 17-year-old from Sporting Lisbon in 2003.
Ronaldo has done little to hide his desire to play for Real and his behaviour towards the end of last season, when he reacted angrily to being substituted against Manchester City at Old Trafford, highlighted cracks in his relationship with manager Sir Alex Ferguson. more
David Carradine did not commit suicide
LOS ANGELES (AP) - The independent forensics expert who examined David Carradine's body says the actor didn't commit suicide, and Carradine's brothers are asking for understanding as Thai authorities investigate.
Keith and Robert Carradine say they're grateful for the outpouring of support during what they call a "profoundly painful time." In a statement read Thursday in Los Angeles, they also thanked U.S. and Thai authorities for their work.
Carradine was found dead a week ago, hanging in a closet of a Bangkok hotel room.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
LAPD detective Stephanie Lazaraus is charged in the murder love triangle 23 years later
She had a sworn duty to protect others. But her fellow police officers allege that one of their own -- a detective -- is a murderer who was involved in a love triangle more than two decades ago.
Los Angeles police Detective Stephanie Lazarus, 49, is being held without bail on charges that she killed Sherri Rasmussen in 1986 after Rasmussen married Lazarus' ex-boyfriend, John Ruetten.
While Lazarus has, for now, traded her badge for an orange jumpsuit, the attorney for Rasmussen's family said he was outraged that the LAPD did not investigate its detective for 23 years and accused the department of ignoring vital clues from Rasmussen's parents. more
Los Angeles police Detective Stephanie Lazarus, 49, is being held without bail on charges that she killed Sherri Rasmussen in 1986 after Rasmussen married Lazarus' ex-boyfriend, John Ruetten.
While Lazarus has, for now, traded her badge for an orange jumpsuit, the attorney for Rasmussen's family said he was outraged that the LAPD did not investigate its detective for 23 years and accused the department of ignoring vital clues from Rasmussen's parents. more
Police Officer Tases Great Grandmother
Dashcam video shows Texas cop using his Taser gun on a 72-year-old woman.
Bieze said Winkfein was physically "non-complaint" after he pulled her over for driving 60 mph in a 45 mph speed zone on her way to Austin, Texas.
What the DashCam Shows
The video, which was released this week, shows Winkfein refusing to sign her speeding ticket.
She then got out of her pick-up truck and then the confrontation got nastier.
"Give me the f--king ticket now," she said. "Get over here now," Bieze replied.
Bieze then shoved the woman. He said it was to keep her out of traffic whizzing by.
"You're gonna shove me?! You're gonna shove a 72 year old woman," Winkfein said.
But Bieze would do more than just shove Winkfein.
"If you don't stand back, I'm gonna tase you," he tells Winkfein.
"Go ahead, taser me," Winkfein replied.
After warning Winkfein a half dozen times, Bieze makes good on all of those threats.
"Get on the ground! Get on the ground," Bieze can be heard yelling as Winkfein screams. "Now put your hands behind your back." "Put your hands behind your back or you're going to be tased again," see more
Bieze said Winkfein was physically "non-complaint" after he pulled her over for driving 60 mph in a 45 mph speed zone on her way to Austin, Texas.
What the DashCam Shows
The video, which was released this week, shows Winkfein refusing to sign her speeding ticket.
She then got out of her pick-up truck and then the confrontation got nastier.
"Give me the f--king ticket now," she said. "Get over here now," Bieze replied.
Bieze then shoved the woman. He said it was to keep her out of traffic whizzing by.
"You're gonna shove me?! You're gonna shove a 72 year old woman," Winkfein said.
But Bieze would do more than just shove Winkfein.
"If you don't stand back, I'm gonna tase you," he tells Winkfein.
"Go ahead, taser me," Winkfein replied.
After warning Winkfein a half dozen times, Bieze makes good on all of those threats.
"Get on the ground! Get on the ground," Bieze can be heard yelling as Winkfein screams. "Now put your hands behind your back." "Put your hands behind your back or you're going to be tased again," see more
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
77 Suspects Arrested on Child Pornography Charges in Florida, 5 Young Victims Rescued
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — State, local and federal authorities have arrested 77 suspects on child pornography charges and rescued five young victims.
Gov. Charlie Crist announced the 10-week crackdown Tuesday at a news conference with "America's Most Wanted" TV host John Walsh and Attorney General Bill McCollum.
The suspects range in age from 17 to 83 and include two registered sex offenders. The last person was arrested Tuesday in Tallahassee.
Walsh called the crackdown "historic" and heaped praise on Crist and McCollum, saying he hoped both Republicans will win their next political races.
Crist is running for U.S. senator and McCollum for governor.
Gov. Charlie Crist announced the 10-week crackdown Tuesday at a news conference with "America's Most Wanted" TV host John Walsh and Attorney General Bill McCollum.
The suspects range in age from 17 to 83 and include two registered sex offenders. The last person was arrested Tuesday in Tallahassee.
Walsh called the crackdown "historic" and heaped praise on Crist and McCollum, saying he hoped both Republicans will win their next political races.
Crist is running for U.S. senator and McCollum for governor.
The new IDF robot snakePhoto:
A robot snake, capable of recording video and sound on the battlefield, is on the way to join the the IDF's hi-tech arsenal.
According to a Channel 2 report, click herethe spying robot, which is about two meters long and covered in military camouflage, mimics the movements and appearance of real snakes, slithering around through caves, tunnels, cracks and buildings, while at the same time sending images and sound back to a soldier who controls the device through a laptop computer.
Able to bend its joints so well that it can squeeze through very tight spaces, the new device will be used to find people buried under collapsed buildings. The snake is also able to arch its body, allowing it to see over obstacles through its head camera. more
According to a Channel 2 report, click herethe spying robot, which is about two meters long and covered in military camouflage, mimics the movements and appearance of real snakes, slithering around through caves, tunnels, cracks and buildings, while at the same time sending images and sound back to a soldier who controls the device through a laptop computer.
Able to bend its joints so well that it can squeeze through very tight spaces, the new device will be used to find people buried under collapsed buildings. The snake is also able to arch its body, allowing it to see over obstacles through its head camera. more
Monday, June 1, 2009
Another female teacher arrested for having sex with students
There on the front page was yet another case of an adult female teacher being arrested for admitting to having had sex with an underage male student. This time the alleged perp was Maria Guzman Hernandez, a 32-year-old instructor at the private Our Lady of Charity school in Hialeah; her victim was 15. But she just as well could have been the 34-year-old Jacksonville public-school science teacher arrested last month for allegedly having sex with a 14-year-old student, once in her SUV; the 32-year-old St. Petersburg teacher collared in March for allegedly "sexting" nude pictures of herself to an eighth-grade boy; or the 45-year-old teacher at a private Christian academy in South Daytona who was arrested days before for allegedly having sex with a boy from her class in various Daytona Beach hotels.
Other female teachers in Florida have been booked for the same crime this year — and scores of others have been arrested or disciplined in the past few years for sexual misconduct with students, according to a recent investigation by the Orlando Sentinel, which noted the problem is rising in the state "among female educators in particular." Florida, of course, is hardly the only state where female teachers have been nabbed for preying on boys. And nationwide, male teachers still commit far more acts of sexual misconduct than females. A 2004 Education Department study found that about 10% of the nation's 50 million public-school students had experienced some kind of improper sexual attention from teachers and other school employees, and a 2007 Associated Press report indicated that men were involved almost 90% of the time. What's more, even in Florida, those offenders are a small fraction of the state's more than 200,000 public- and private-school teachers. (See the top 10 crime stories of 2008.) more
Other female teachers in Florida have been booked for the same crime this year — and scores of others have been arrested or disciplined in the past few years for sexual misconduct with students, according to a recent investigation by the Orlando Sentinel, which noted the problem is rising in the state "among female educators in particular." Florida, of course, is hardly the only state where female teachers have been nabbed for preying on boys. And nationwide, male teachers still commit far more acts of sexual misconduct than females. A 2004 Education Department study found that about 10% of the nation's 50 million public-school students had experienced some kind of improper sexual attention from teachers and other school employees, and a 2007 Associated Press report indicated that men were involved almost 90% of the time. What's more, even in Florida, those offenders are a small fraction of the state's more than 200,000 public- and private-school teachers. (See the top 10 crime stories of 2008.) more
Dr. George Tiller was shot and killed while serving as an usher at his Wichita church
Dr. George Tiller, whose Kansas women's clinic frequently took center stage in the U.S. debate over abortion, was shot and killed while serving as an usher at his Wichita church Sunday morning, police said.
Dr. George Tiller was one of the few U.S. physicians that performed late-term abortions.
Wichita police said a 51-year-old man from the Kansas City, Kansas, area was in custody in connection with the slaying of Tiller, who was one of the few U.S. physicians who still performed late-term abortions.
The killing, which came about 16 years after Tiller survived a shooting outside his Wichita clinic, took place shortly after 10 a.m. Sunday at Reformation Lutheran Church. Officers found the 67-year-old dead in the foyer, police said.
Witnesses provided a description of the car and a license number of the killer's getaway vehicle, Wichita police spokesman Gordon Bassham said. Police stopped a blue Ford Taurus matching the description about three hours later in Gardner, about 30 miles southwest of Kansas City, and took the driver into custody.
No charges had been filed Sunday evening and no motive for the killing was immediately known, but Wichita police Detective Tom Stoltz told reporters: "We think we have the right person arrested." more
Dr. George Tiller was one of the few U.S. physicians that performed late-term abortions.
Wichita police said a 51-year-old man from the Kansas City, Kansas, area was in custody in connection with the slaying of Tiller, who was one of the few U.S. physicians who still performed late-term abortions.
The killing, which came about 16 years after Tiller survived a shooting outside his Wichita clinic, took place shortly after 10 a.m. Sunday at Reformation Lutheran Church. Officers found the 67-year-old dead in the foyer, police said.
Witnesses provided a description of the car and a license number of the killer's getaway vehicle, Wichita police spokesman Gordon Bassham said. Police stopped a blue Ford Taurus matching the description about three hours later in Gardner, about 30 miles southwest of Kansas City, and took the driver into custody.
No charges had been filed Sunday evening and no motive for the killing was immediately known, but Wichita police Detective Tom Stoltz told reporters: "We think we have the right person arrested." more
Kimora Lee Simmons is a new mother
Hip-Hop fashion mogul Kimora Lee Simmons is a new mother, after giving birth to a boy on Saturday morning (May 30).
Kimora Lee and partner Djimon Hounsou announced the birth of the on Simmons’ Twitter page. “It’s a boy,” Simmons exclaimed. “Thanks to everyone out there for all your well wishes! More to come. Thank God. And God Bless!”
She also was quick to note that the hospital picture she took was a departure from her usual, high-profile photo shoots.
“My hosp [hospital] pic was NO make-up guys. Be for real. I'll send another soon,” Kimora Lee Tweeted on Sunday.
Kimora Lee was married to Hip-Hop pioneer Russell Simmons, but the pair officially divorced in February of 2009.
Kimora Lee, who stars on The Style Network’s reality show Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane, has two other dau
Kimora Lee and partner Djimon Hounsou announced the birth of the on Simmons’ Twitter page. “It’s a boy,” Simmons exclaimed. “Thanks to everyone out there for all your well wishes! More to come. Thank God. And God Bless!”
She also was quick to note that the hospital picture she took was a departure from her usual, high-profile photo shoots.
“My hosp [hospital] pic was NO make-up guys. Be for real. I'll send another soon,” Kimora Lee Tweeted on Sunday.
Kimora Lee was married to Hip-Hop pioneer Russell Simmons, but the pair officially divorced in February of 2009.
Kimora Lee, who stars on The Style Network’s reality show Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane, has two other dau
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Fairfax prom queen is actually a guy...
Sergio Garcia, a gay student, beats out the female candidates. His campaign started out as a bit of a stunt, but it ended up generating dialogue about gender roles on the L.A. campus.
By Ari B. Bloomekatz May 28, 2009
Sergio Garcia stood in the gymnasium and told the senior class at Fairfax High School not to worry: If he was elected, he wouldn't wear a dress."I will be wearing a suit," Garcia said, "but don't be fooled, deep down inside, I am a queen!"
Garcia, 18, spent most of his years at Fairfax openly gay and wanted to be part of the Los Angeles school's prom court -- but not as prom king. He felt that vying for prom queen would better suit his personality, so he decided to seek that crown, running against a handful of female classmates.He said it started out as a bit of a stunt and challenge -- he wasn't sure the school would allow it. But his campaign for queen ended up being serious and sparking dialogue about gender roles on campus.A few days before the dance and election, the contenders gave short speeches on why they deserved the crown.
"At one time, prom may have been a big popularity contest where the best-looking guy or girl were crowned king and queen. Things have changed and it's no longer just about who has the most friends or who wears the coolest clothes," Garcia told the crowd of seniors. "Sure, I'm not your typical prom queen candidate. There's more to me than meets the eye."The audience erupted in applause after his speech, and a group of his female friends spent the rest of the week wearing pink crowns and campaigning for him.On Saturday night at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, wearing a charcoal-gray tuxedo and a black bow tie, he was named prom queen."I felt invincible," Garcia said.He's among the first male students in Southern California to take the title usually owned by female high school beauties."It just shows how open-minded our class is," said Vanessa Lo, 18, the school's senior class president. more
By Ari B. Bloomekatz May 28, 2009
Sergio Garcia stood in the gymnasium and told the senior class at Fairfax High School not to worry: If he was elected, he wouldn't wear a dress."I will be wearing a suit," Garcia said, "but don't be fooled, deep down inside, I am a queen!"
Garcia, 18, spent most of his years at Fairfax openly gay and wanted to be part of the Los Angeles school's prom court -- but not as prom king. He felt that vying for prom queen would better suit his personality, so he decided to seek that crown, running against a handful of female classmates.He said it started out as a bit of a stunt and challenge -- he wasn't sure the school would allow it. But his campaign for queen ended up being serious and sparking dialogue about gender roles on campus.A few days before the dance and election, the contenders gave short speeches on why they deserved the crown.
"At one time, prom may have been a big popularity contest where the best-looking guy or girl were crowned king and queen. Things have changed and it's no longer just about who has the most friends or who wears the coolest clothes," Garcia told the crowd of seniors. "Sure, I'm not your typical prom queen candidate. There's more to me than meets the eye."The audience erupted in applause after his speech, and a group of his female friends spent the rest of the week wearing pink crowns and campaigning for him.On Saturday night at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, wearing a charcoal-gray tuxedo and a black bow tie, he was named prom queen."I felt invincible," Garcia said.He's among the first male students in Southern California to take the title usually owned by female high school beauties."It just shows how open-minded our class is," said Vanessa Lo, 18, the school's senior class president. more
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Mother arrested on a felony neglect charge for not providing child with dental care
MANATEE COUNTY - Police say a Palmetto mother neglected to provide her child with needed dental care, which led to severe tooth decay.AC =Tamika S. White, 19, was arrested Wednesday on a felony neglect charge.
Her daughter, whose age was not listed, has suffered from tooth pain for more than a year, according to a Palmetto Police Department report.
The child's grandmother urged White to take the child to the dentist.
White took the child to a dentist who told her the child had bottle mouth -- tooth decay common in infants and toddlers, the report said.
But White's Medicaid coverage would not pay for the treatment, and she refused to seek money for treatment through child-support payments from the child's father, police said. more
Victoria Gotti home is under foreclosure
Victoria Gotti's palatial Long Island estate -- which she and her sons once flaunted in the reality show "Growing Up Gotti" -- is now under foreclosure.
Despite a vast fortune amassed by her late father, Gambino boss John "Dapper Don" Gotti, the flashy Mafia princess has skipped two years of loan payments and will lose her home in tony Old Westbury, according to court records.
The 46-year-old former reality-TV star owes $650,000 to lender JPMorgan Chase -- a debt secured by a mortgage on the nearly $4.2 million mansion that she won in her divorce with ex-husband Carmine Agnello.
"I was awarded full ownership of marital property . . . and all I inherited was a house with millions of dollars' worth of debt," Gotti told The Post yesterday. more
Despite a vast fortune amassed by her late father, Gambino boss John "Dapper Don" Gotti, the flashy Mafia princess has skipped two years of loan payments and will lose her home in tony Old Westbury, according to court records.
The 46-year-old former reality-TV star owes $650,000 to lender JPMorgan Chase -- a debt secured by a mortgage on the nearly $4.2 million mansion that she won in her divorce with ex-husband Carmine Agnello.
"I was awarded full ownership of marital property . . . and all I inherited was a house with millions of dollars' worth of debt," Gotti told The Post yesterday. more
Man bit by snake while sitting on toliet
TAIPEI (Reuters) - A Taiwanese man became a sitting target for a snake, which bit his penis as sat on the toilet at his rural home, local media reported on Monday.
"As soon as he sat down, he suddenly felt a knife-like pain and reacted instinctively by standing up," the China Times said. "When he looked down, he saw the big snake."
The 51-year-old man, from Nantou County, was under medical care with minor injuries, a director at Puli Christian Hospital said.more
"As soon as he sat down, he suddenly felt a knife-like pain and reacted instinctively by standing up," the China Times said. "When he looked down, he saw the big snake."
The 51-year-old man, from Nantou County, was under medical care with minor injuries, a director at Puli Christian Hospital said.more
Woman arrested after flicking cigarette on baby
A Copperas Cove woman was in custody Wednesday after a cigarette was flicked at her 1-year-old baby girl during an argument.
Amanda Briscoe, 30, is charged with injury to a child.
She was arrested Tuesday night.
Police say she and her husband were arguing at their home when the cigarette was flicked, producing a shower of ashes that caused a small burn on the infant’s scalp.
The girl did not require hospital treatment, police said Wednesday.
Amanda Briscoe, 30, is charged with injury to a child.
She was arrested Tuesday night.
Police say she and her husband were arguing at their home when the cigarette was flicked, producing a shower of ashes that caused a small burn on the infant’s scalp.
The girl did not require hospital treatment, police said Wednesday.
Regional Pilots earn Low Pay of $12.50 hour
Pilots who work for regional airlines can earn as little as $12.50 per hour, less than the average hourly wage of a New York City taxi driver, FOXNews.com has learned.
Hourly wages for regional pilots start at $12.50, according to Avjobs.com. In comparison, a cabbie in New York averages $17 an hour, the city's Taxi & Limousine Commission officials told FOXNews.com.
Regional pilots, who carried 160 million American passengers across America last year, receive the same FAA-approved training as their counterparts at larger airlines, but they must endure low pay and long hours, among other hardships, if they hope to reach the "major leagues," according to a former National Transportation Safety Board official. more
Hourly wages for regional pilots start at $12.50, according to Avjobs.com. In comparison, a cabbie in New York averages $17 an hour, the city's Taxi & Limousine Commission officials told FOXNews.com.
Regional pilots, who carried 160 million American passengers across America last year, receive the same FAA-approved training as their counterparts at larger airlines, but they must endure low pay and long hours, among other hardships, if they hope to reach the "major leagues," according to a former National Transportation Safety Board official. more
Springfield man gets 90 days for shooting wife during sex
URBANA — A Springfield man was sentenced to serve 90 days in jail Tuesday, May 12, despite the victim’s claims that a shooting last November was accidental.
Timothy Havens, 38, of Hilliard Street, was sentenced to serve the time in a case in which he was accused of shooting his wife with a handgun. He had called 911 to report that he shot his wife “during sex.”
Champaign County Common Pleas Court Judge Roger Wilson also ordered Havens to serve 80 hours of community service, attend anger management counseling, pay a $300 fine and serve three years probation. He was also ordered not to have contact with the victim. He did receive credit for time already served.
Havens had previously pleaded guilty to one count of violating a protection order and one count of assault.
Champaign County Prosecutor Nick Selvaggio said the case was complicated, in part because the victim maintained that the shooting was an accident throughout the investigation.
However, he also argued some of the evidence in the case did not seem to match the story and there had been a history of violence in the home.
The victim had also filed a protection order, which meant Havens should not have been in the home when the shooting occurred. Even after the shooting, both Havens and the victim were trying to reconcile and continued to violate the protection order, he said.
Kevin Lennen, Havens’ attorney, argued Havens has never been in serious legal trouble previously, and stressed that the victim had maintained the shooting was accidental from the beginning.
He said because the victim had filed with the court to rescind the protection order, there was some confusion about whether they were allowed to see each other.
However, Wilson said he believes both parties simply ignored the protection order, and should be kept apart for now.
Timothy Havens, 38, of Hilliard Street, was sentenced to serve the time in a case in which he was accused of shooting his wife with a handgun. He had called 911 to report that he shot his wife “during sex.”
Champaign County Common Pleas Court Judge Roger Wilson also ordered Havens to serve 80 hours of community service, attend anger management counseling, pay a $300 fine and serve three years probation. He was also ordered not to have contact with the victim. He did receive credit for time already served.
Havens had previously pleaded guilty to one count of violating a protection order and one count of assault.
Champaign County Prosecutor Nick Selvaggio said the case was complicated, in part because the victim maintained that the shooting was an accident throughout the investigation.
However, he also argued some of the evidence in the case did not seem to match the story and there had been a history of violence in the home.
The victim had also filed a protection order, which meant Havens should not have been in the home when the shooting occurred. Even after the shooting, both Havens and the victim were trying to reconcile and continued to violate the protection order, he said.
Kevin Lennen, Havens’ attorney, argued Havens has never been in serious legal trouble previously, and stressed that the victim had maintained the shooting was accidental from the beginning.
He said because the victim had filed with the court to rescind the protection order, there was some confusion about whether they were allowed to see each other.
However, Wilson said he believes both parties simply ignored the protection order, and should be kept apart for now.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Photo of controversial fly pver is released
CNN) -- The White House indicated Wednesday that a report and a photo from the controversial low-altitude New York flyover by a 747 plane used as Air Force One could be released this week.
A 911 caller on the day of the flyover said, "There's a plane falling. There is a big aircraft falling
Earlier, White House officials had said that there were no plans to release photos to the public.
But the tone seemed to change on Wednesday.
"The report, I believe, will be concluded at some point this week. We'll release its findings and release a photo," White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said during his daily press briefing.
The review, led by Deputy Chief of Staff Jim Messina, will focus on "why that decision was made and to ensure that it never happens again," Gibbs said.
The flyover, officials said, was a training mission -- it was also a classified government-sanctioned photo shoot.
Military officials also estimate that the mission and the photo shoot, aimed updating file photos of Air Force One -- cost around $328,835 in taxpayer money. more
A 911 caller on the day of the flyover said, "There's a plane falling. There is a big aircraft falling
Earlier, White House officials had said that there were no plans to release photos to the public.
But the tone seemed to change on Wednesday.
"The report, I believe, will be concluded at some point this week. We'll release its findings and release a photo," White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said during his daily press briefing.
The review, led by Deputy Chief of Staff Jim Messina, will focus on "why that decision was made and to ensure that it never happens again," Gibbs said.
The flyover, officials said, was a training mission -- it was also a classified government-sanctioned photo shoot.
Military officials also estimate that the mission and the photo shoot, aimed updating file photos of Air Force One -- cost around $328,835 in taxpayer money. more
Two other Florida prisons zapped visiting kids with stun guns
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yahooBuzzArticleHeadline = "Two other Florida prisons zapped visiting kids with stun guns";
yahooBuzzArticleSummary = "The Indian River and Martin lockups shocked visitors, prompting 10 suspensions. Two more state prisons have acknowledged incidents in which guards zapped visiting children with handheld stun guns, bringing to three the number of facilities where the unapproved demonstration was used on "Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day."";
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Featured
Ikea speak - What does it mean?
Police dogs find final resting place
Man arrested for throwing baby out onto I-275
School on guard for swine flu
Plasma Pat turns himself in
Baby Donkey Orphaned After Mother Shot
Sea World unleashes new thrill ride
Dom DeLuise, 1933-2009
Casey Anthony Wants Trial Moved
Lakeland man kills wife, child, infant
Shooting victim..."Police arrested the wrong person."
Teddy bear robber strikes again
Graziano lawyers use disabled son in arguments
Just across the border
Saitimbanco is touring Florida
Gator captured at Pasco car dealership
Hulk Hogan tries to avoid future lawsuits
IKEA Tampa prepares for May 6 grand opening
Recovering, one day at a time
"The quest for liberty is timeless."
Graziano says he's innocent in alleged plot to kill his wife
Tampa Bay Water reservoir is almost dry
Kitchen surprise: 8-foot gator
For their own good
Feud over woman leads to shooting
The girl in the window
Hulk Hogan says O.J. comments were out of context
Multiple bank robber continues to evade police
Officials investigate Lealman fire
A banner raising day for the Rays
Largo coach opens home to grieving students
Four teens killed in Seminole crash
Take a tour of the newly renovated Ft. Harrison Hotel
Hulk Hogan gets in shouting match with Bollea's lawyer
$(document).ready(function() {
tpcv.slider('2652468001');
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Two more state prisons have acknowledged incidents in which guards zapped visiting children with handheld stun guns, bringing to three the number of facilities where the unapproved demonstration was used on "Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day."
On Friday, the Department of Corrections said that several kids visiting Franklin Correctional Institution in the Panhandle on April 24 were shocked by a guard who was demonstrating what corrections officers do at work. On Tuesday, the department revealed that children visiting Indian River Correctional Institution in Vero Beach and Martin Correctional Institution in Indiantown were also zapped with 50,000-volt electronic immobilization devices.
The devices used on the children, who are between the ages of 8 and 14, require bodily contact. Used on unruly inmates, the devices usually knock victims to the ground, cause a few minutes of disorientation and leave two small burn marks.
The daughter of the warden at Indian River was among the victims.
Frank Gonzalez, the owner of Self-Defense USA, a large stun gun company in San Diego, describes the 50,000-volt shock as "similar to grabbing a live wire in your house with a wet hand — like a hard punch in the stomach with the added trauma of electricity running through your body." more
E-mail this story
Contact the editor
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yahooBuzzArticleHeadline = "Two other Florida prisons zapped visiting kids with stun guns";
yahooBuzzArticleSummary = "The Indian River and Martin lockups shocked visitors, prompting 10 suspensions. Two more state prisons have acknowledged incidents in which guards zapped visiting children with handheld stun guns, bringing to three the number of facilities where the unapproved demonstration was used on "Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day."";
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Let's Talk: Readers express outrage
It's Your Times: Zapping kids? What was sergeant thinking?
Corrections sergeant shocks kids with stun gun during prison visit (May 2)
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Featured
Ikea speak - What does it mean?
Police dogs find final resting place
Man arrested for throwing baby out onto I-275
School on guard for swine flu
Plasma Pat turns himself in
Baby Donkey Orphaned After Mother Shot
Sea World unleashes new thrill ride
Dom DeLuise, 1933-2009
Casey Anthony Wants Trial Moved
Lakeland man kills wife, child, infant
Shooting victim..."Police arrested the wrong person."
Teddy bear robber strikes again
Graziano lawyers use disabled son in arguments
Just across the border
Saitimbanco is touring Florida
Gator captured at Pasco car dealership
Hulk Hogan tries to avoid future lawsuits
IKEA Tampa prepares for May 6 grand opening
Recovering, one day at a time
"The quest for liberty is timeless."
Graziano says he's innocent in alleged plot to kill his wife
Tampa Bay Water reservoir is almost dry
Kitchen surprise: 8-foot gator
For their own good
Feud over woman leads to shooting
The girl in the window
Hulk Hogan says O.J. comments were out of context
Multiple bank robber continues to evade police
Officials investigate Lealman fire
A banner raising day for the Rays
Largo coach opens home to grieving students
Four teens killed in Seminole crash
Take a tour of the newly renovated Ft. Harrison Hotel
Hulk Hogan gets in shouting match with Bollea's lawyer
$(document).ready(function() {
tpcv.slider('2652468001');
});
Two more state prisons have acknowledged incidents in which guards zapped visiting children with handheld stun guns, bringing to three the number of facilities where the unapproved demonstration was used on "Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day."
On Friday, the Department of Corrections said that several kids visiting Franklin Correctional Institution in the Panhandle on April 24 were shocked by a guard who was demonstrating what corrections officers do at work. On Tuesday, the department revealed that children visiting Indian River Correctional Institution in Vero Beach and Martin Correctional Institution in Indiantown were also zapped with 50,000-volt electronic immobilization devices.
The devices used on the children, who are between the ages of 8 and 14, require bodily contact. Used on unruly inmates, the devices usually knock victims to the ground, cause a few minutes of disorientation and leave two small burn marks.
The daughter of the warden at Indian River was among the victims.
Frank Gonzalez, the owner of Self-Defense USA, a large stun gun company in San Diego, describes the 50,000-volt shock as "similar to grabbing a live wire in your house with a wet hand — like a hard punch in the stomach with the added trauma of electricity running through your body." more
Dad accused of using dog shock collar on his kids",
A Salem man was arrested Tuesday for putting an electric dog collar on each of his four children and shocking them.
triggerAd(1,PaginationPage,17);
Todd Marcum, 41, said he did it "because he thought it was funny," Salem Police Lt. Dave Okada said.
The four children, ages 3, 6, 8 and 9, had been shocked while wearing the collar at least once, according to a statement from their father, Okada said.
Marcum told police that he would chase the 3-year-old boy around with the collar, making him cry at the thought of being shocked. Okada said that because of the boy's behavior, it is likely that the children were shocked more than once.
Oregon Department of Human Services workers on Tuesday summoned police to Marcum's Salem home.
Marcum was taken into custody on four charges of first-degree criminal mistreatment. He is in the Marion County jail.
The four children were left in the custody of their mother, Okada said. The case has been handed over to DHS.
Dog shock collars are used in training and to control barking, said John Seroczynski, the national sales manager for D.T. Systems.. more
triggerAd(1,PaginationPage,17);
Todd Marcum, 41, said he did it "because he thought it was funny," Salem Police Lt. Dave Okada said.
The four children, ages 3, 6, 8 and 9, had been shocked while wearing the collar at least once, according to a statement from their father, Okada said.
Marcum told police that he would chase the 3-year-old boy around with the collar, making him cry at the thought of being shocked. Okada said that because of the boy's behavior, it is likely that the children were shocked more than once.
Oregon Department of Human Services workers on Tuesday summoned police to Marcum's Salem home.
Marcum was taken into custody on four charges of first-degree criminal mistreatment. He is in the Marion County jail.
The four children were left in the custody of their mother, Okada said. The case has been handed over to DHS.
Dog shock collars are used in training and to control barking, said John Seroczynski, the national sales manager for D.T. Systems.. more
Commentary: Man up and be a real dad
Imagine looking at the man whose DNA you carry standing in your home, telling you those chilling words, as he wields a shotgun.
The frightening image is a scary thought. But according to former Major League Baseball star Darryl Strawberry, it was an actual scene, one that begins his book, "Straw: Finding My Way."
I vividly remember the towering home runs hit by the former star, who played for four big league teams, including the New York Mets and Yankees -- and of course, the many times he was in the news for failing drug tests, beating wives, getting cancer twice, going to prison. He was a man fighting enormous demons.
Yet as I read the book, there is one consistent theme that runs throughout and that sheds a spotlight on a figure that continues to plague neighborhoods all across the country: the missing-in-action father.
Strawberry makes a point repeatedly in "Straw" that he does not blame his dad for the trials and tribulations in his life; he says all decisions he made willingly. But he does speak to the issue of having a father who, by Strawberry's account, while technically in the house, was a raging drunk who spent his paycheck doing what he wanted, showing no love and affection towards his children, viciously beating Strawberry and his brother, all while telling them that they would be nothing in life. Watch Darryl Strawberry talk to Roland Martin about his father » more
The frightening image is a scary thought. But according to former Major League Baseball star Darryl Strawberry, it was an actual scene, one that begins his book, "Straw: Finding My Way."
I vividly remember the towering home runs hit by the former star, who played for four big league teams, including the New York Mets and Yankees -- and of course, the many times he was in the news for failing drug tests, beating wives, getting cancer twice, going to prison. He was a man fighting enormous demons.
Yet as I read the book, there is one consistent theme that runs throughout and that sheds a spotlight on a figure that continues to plague neighborhoods all across the country: the missing-in-action father.
Strawberry makes a point repeatedly in "Straw" that he does not blame his dad for the trials and tribulations in his life; he says all decisions he made willingly. But he does speak to the issue of having a father who, by Strawberry's account, while technically in the house, was a raging drunk who spent his paycheck doing what he wanted, showing no love and affection towards his children, viciously beating Strawberry and his brother, all while telling them that they would be nothing in life. Watch Darryl Strawberry talk to Roland Martin about his father » more
Chrysler Won't Pay Back U.S. Loans
Taxpayers may never get back billions of dollars lent to Chrysler, according to various reports. Testifying in bankruptcy court on Monday, one of the top financial advisers overseeing Chrysler's restructuring said the U.S. government may never get back its loans to the company. "They're offering financing with a low likelihood of being repaid," said Robert Manzo, an executive director for Capstone Advisory Group LLC, according to the Associated Press. more
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
man arrested for allegedly throwing his ex-girlfriend's 4-month-old baby out of a car window
A man was caught in Tampa Tuesday for allegedly throwing his ex-girlfriend's 4-month-old baby out of a car window, killing the child.
Richard Anthony McTear Jr., 21, was arrested Tuesday morning, hours after police say he tossed the infant boy onto Interstate 275, according to Hillsborough County authorities.
Police say he got into a fight with the baby's 17-year-old mother and attacked both of them.
He then fled with the child in his blue Chevrolet Impala.
The baby, Emanuel Wesley Murray, was found dead near the interstate about 4 a.m. just as police were preparing to issue an Amber Alert, FOX affiliate WTVT reported. more
Richard Anthony McTear Jr., 21, was arrested Tuesday morning, hours after police say he tossed the infant boy onto Interstate 275, according to Hillsborough County authorities.
Police say he got into a fight with the baby's 17-year-old mother and attacked both of them.
He then fled with the child in his blue Chevrolet Impala.
The baby, Emanuel Wesley Murray, was found dead near the interstate about 4 a.m. just as police were preparing to issue an Amber Alert, FOX affiliate WTVT reported. more
Texas police shake down drivers, lawsuit claims
TENAHA, Texas (CNN) -- Roderick Daniels was traveling through East Texas in October 2007 when, he says, he was the victim of a highway robbery.
Police in the small East Texas town of Tenaha are accused of unjustly taking valuables from motorists.
The Tennessee man says he was ordered to pull his car over and surrender his jewelry and $8,500 in cash that he had with him to buy a new car.
But Daniels couldn't go to the police to report the incident.
The men who stopped him were the police.
Daniels was stopped on U.S. Highway 59 outside Tenaha, near the Louisiana state line. Police said he was driving 37 mph in a 35 mph zone. They hauled him off to jail and threatened him with money-laundering charges -- but offered to release him if he signed papers forfeiting his property.
"I actually thought this was a joke," Daniels told CNN.
But he signed.
"To be honest, I was five, six hundred miles from home," he said. "I was petrified." more
Police in the small East Texas town of Tenaha are accused of unjustly taking valuables from motorists.
The Tennessee man says he was ordered to pull his car over and surrender his jewelry and $8,500 in cash that he had with him to buy a new car.
But Daniels couldn't go to the police to report the incident.
The men who stopped him were the police.
Daniels was stopped on U.S. Highway 59 outside Tenaha, near the Louisiana state line. Police said he was driving 37 mph in a 35 mph zone. They hauled him off to jail and threatened him with money-laundering charges -- but offered to release him if he signed papers forfeiting his property.
"I actually thought this was a joke," Daniels told CNN.
But he signed.
"To be honest, I was five, six hundred miles from home," he said. "I was petrified." more
More Americans taking drugs for mental illness
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Many more Americans have been using prescription drugs to treat mental illness since 1996, in part because of expanded insurance coverage and greater familiarity with the drugs among primary care doctors, U.S. researchers said on Tuesday.
They said 73 percent more adults and 50 percent more children are using drugs to treat mental illness than in 1996.
Among adults over 65, use of so-called psychotropic drugs -- which include antidepressants, antipsychotics and Alzheimer's medicines -- doubled between 1996 and 2006.
"What we generally find is there has been an increase in access to care for all populations," said Sherry Glied of Columbia University in New York, whose study appears in the journal Health Affairs.
"Mental health has become much more a part of mainstream medical care," Glied said in a telephone interview.
In 2006, they said 16 percent of adults 65 and older had some form of mental health diagnosis. more
They said 73 percent more adults and 50 percent more children are using drugs to treat mental illness than in 1996.
Among adults over 65, use of so-called psychotropic drugs -- which include antidepressants, antipsychotics and Alzheimer's medicines -- doubled between 1996 and 2006.
"What we generally find is there has been an increase in access to care for all populations," said Sherry Glied of Columbia University in New York, whose study appears in the journal Health Affairs.
"Mental health has become much more a part of mainstream medical care," Glied said in a telephone interview.
In 2006, they said 16 percent of adults 65 and older had some form of mental health diagnosis. more
Microsoft lays off workers, more job cuts coming?
SEATTLE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp said on Tuesday it is laying off more workers, almost completing its plan to cut 5,000 jobs by June 2010, and left the door open for yet more job cuts. more
Monday, May 4, 2009
Justices Toss Appeals Court Ruling Against FCC, in regards to Janet Jackson Breast Case
The Supreme Court on Monday ordered a federal appeals court to re-examine its ruling in favor of CBS Corp. in a legal fight over entertainer Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction. The high court on Monday directed the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia to consider reinstating the $550,000 fine that the Federal Communications Commission imposed on CBS over Jackson's breast-baring performance at the 2004 Super Bowl. The order follows the high court ruling last week that narrowly upheld the FCC's policy threatening fines against even one-time uses of curse words on live television. more
Cowboys scout paralyzed after canopy collapse
A scout for the Dallas Cowboys is permanently paralyzed from the waist down because of injuries suffered when a canopy covering the team's practice field was blown down by a storm on Saturday, the National Football League team said.
In a statement late on Sunday the team said scouting assistant Rich Behm, 33, had sustained a fracture that "caused a severing of the spinal cord ... causing permanent paralysis from the waist down." more
In a statement late on Sunday the team said scouting assistant Rich Behm, 33, had sustained a fracture that "caused a severing of the spinal cord ... causing permanent paralysis from the waist down." more
Woman accused of taking 500 pounds of gold from job
A New York woman was charged Wednesday with stealing as much as $12 million in gold bullion and jewelry over a period of six years, lifting the ill-gotten booty from her employer by concealing the stash in the lining of her pocketbook.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
man, 20, arrested for attempted murder of grandmother
PONOTOC COUNTY, Okla. -- A 20-year-old Pontotoc County man stands accused of trying to kill his grandmother. Daniel Lewis Whelchel was arrested Monday just outside of Ada.
According to the Pontotoc County Sheriff's Department, Whelchel lived with his grandmother, 60-year-old Elaine Welchel, and had done so for over 18 years.
On Sunday night, Mr. Whelchel told his grandmother he was tired of waiting for her to die naturally, and according to the sheriff, asked her if she wanted to die.
Mr. Welchel then allegedly tried to break her neck, beat her until she was unconscious, and left her in a field near Ada.
Elaine Whelchel is now recovering at a local hospital.
Daniel Whelchel faces attempted murder charges.
According to the Pontotoc County Sheriff's Department, Whelchel lived with his grandmother, 60-year-old Elaine Welchel, and had done so for over 18 years.
On Sunday night, Mr. Whelchel told his grandmother he was tired of waiting for her to die naturally, and according to the sheriff, asked her if she wanted to die.
Mr. Welchel then allegedly tried to break her neck, beat her until she was unconscious, and left her in a field near Ada.
Elaine Whelchel is now recovering at a local hospital.
Daniel Whelchel faces attempted murder charges.
St. Lucie man arrested, drank wine as he rode electric store cart, police say
ST. LUCIE COUNTY — A man who apparently drank blackberry wine while cruising through Publix on an electric cart was arrested after leaving without paying, according to a recently released arrest affidavit.
Joseph Leonardi, 68, reportedly also said he took a bite out of a candy bar about 11:45 a.m. Monday in the store in the 7500 block of South U.S. 1.
An employee reportedly spotted Leonardi, of the 1400 block of Southeast Sunshine Avenue, with a bottle of wine in the front of his electric cart. The bottle was three-quarters full.
“As Leonardi rounded the next corner it was no longer in his cart,” the affidavit states.
The employee found the bottle — half full — on the next aisle.
Asked if he drank the wine, Leonardi allegedly asked the employee, “What are you going to do, call the cops?” Leonardi also reportedly said he took a bite out of a candy bar, and investigators took the bottle and wrapper into evidence.
A deputy, who saw Leonardi’s vehicle near Kitterman Road, stopped Leonardi. He said he was coming from Publix and had opened some blackberry wine. He said he didn’t like it and put it back on a shelf. Leonardi faces two counts of larceny.
Joseph Leonardi, 68, reportedly also said he took a bite out of a candy bar about 11:45 a.m. Monday in the store in the 7500 block of South U.S. 1.
An employee reportedly spotted Leonardi, of the 1400 block of Southeast Sunshine Avenue, with a bottle of wine in the front of his electric cart. The bottle was three-quarters full.
“As Leonardi rounded the next corner it was no longer in his cart,” the affidavit states.
The employee found the bottle — half full — on the next aisle.
Asked if he drank the wine, Leonardi allegedly asked the employee, “What are you going to do, call the cops?” Leonardi also reportedly said he took a bite out of a candy bar, and investigators took the bottle and wrapper into evidence.
A deputy, who saw Leonardi’s vehicle near Kitterman Road, stopped Leonardi. He said he was coming from Publix and had opened some blackberry wine. He said he didn’t like it and put it back on a shelf. Leonardi faces two counts of larceny.
CHECK! (CAREFULLY!) some restaurants are charging you for bread and butter.
Recession-hit restaurants are helping themselves to your wallet by serving you an extra side of super sneaky charges.
The Post last week found city eateries subtly billing customers for things usually free -- including bread and butter.
Although managers claim the prices are clearly marked on menus, the outrageous charges can backfire on restaurants, experts said.
"Doing this at this time could be ultimately suicidal," said Zagat founder Tim Zagat.
"It irritates the customer so much, and the last thing you want to do right now is annoy your customer."
Unexpected costs found by The Post include:
* A $1-per-person charge for water at West Village restaurant Bobo -- noted on the menu but not mentioned by waiters. The drink is filtered tap water.
Staff said the money funds the filtration.
"If anyone doesn't want to pay it, we take it off the bill," said manager Andy Vaughan.
* $3 for bread and another $2 for butter at Company, in Chelsea.
No cost was mentioned when bread was requested and delivered to a Post reporter last week -- and a waiter refused to give a refund.
"Bread and butter are not hidden charges," restaurant spokeswoman Danielle Pagano said. "They are both affordable menu items."
* A 10 percent charge for takeout food at the sushi hot spot Nobu Next Door in TriBeCa.
"It's for the packaging materials, the costs of handling the volume of calls," said managing partner Richie Notar.
* A 20 percent mandatory tip on all checks at the Little Italy tourist spot Grotta Azzurra. more
The Post last week found city eateries subtly billing customers for things usually free -- including bread and butter.
Although managers claim the prices are clearly marked on menus, the outrageous charges can backfire on restaurants, experts said.
"Doing this at this time could be ultimately suicidal," said Zagat founder Tim Zagat.
"It irritates the customer so much, and the last thing you want to do right now is annoy your customer."
Unexpected costs found by The Post include:
* A $1-per-person charge for water at West Village restaurant Bobo -- noted on the menu but not mentioned by waiters. The drink is filtered tap water.
Staff said the money funds the filtration.
"If anyone doesn't want to pay it, we take it off the bill," said manager Andy Vaughan.
* $3 for bread and another $2 for butter at Company, in Chelsea.
No cost was mentioned when bread was requested and delivered to a Post reporter last week -- and a waiter refused to give a refund.
"Bread and butter are not hidden charges," restaurant spokeswoman Danielle Pagano said. "They are both affordable menu items."
* A 10 percent charge for takeout food at the sushi hot spot Nobu Next Door in TriBeCa.
"It's for the packaging materials, the costs of handling the volume of calls," said managing partner Richie Notar.
* A 20 percent mandatory tip on all checks at the Little Italy tourist spot Grotta Azzurra. more
Pilot arrested 'for failing breath test' minutes before he was due to fly plane
Marching orders: Pilot Daniel Dufour was arrested for being over the alcohol limit just before take-off from Heathrow
A pilot was marched off his plane and arrested for being over the alcohol limit moments before he was set to take off from Heathrow Airport.
Security staff at Terminal 3 alerted police claiming they could smell alcohol on Daniel Dufour's breath.
The 45-year-old captain was then hauled out of the cockpit and arrested after failing a breath test.
Dufour had been due to fly 300 passengers on a nine-hour trip to Calgary from London on the Air Canada Flight AC851.
He had allegedly been drinking with colleagues the previous night, according to The Sun.
A police source told the newspaper: 'He was amazed to be still over the limit in the middle of the day.
'He was close to tears. At this stage he appears to have thrown away his distinguished career.'
A reserve captain was called in to fly the Airbus A330.
Dufour was taken to Heathrow police station where he gave a blood sample and was reportedly bailed for further inquiries.
Shock: Horrified crew and passengers looked on as Captain Dufour was led off an Air Canada plane
His arrest comes four months after Jet Airways pilot Michael Harr was arrested at Heathrow over fears he had drunk too much to fly. more
6 arrested in Hattiesburg prostitution sting
The undercover operation, which started around noon and ran about six hours, was law enforcement’s response to public outcry of what was believed to be acts of prostitution occurring in and around the downtown area.During the sting, police arrested:• Barbara Riels, 41, of Seminary, one count of prostitution• Carrie Reynolds, 33, Hattiesburg, one count of prostitution• Jennifer Garner, 41, Hattiesburg, one count of prostitution• Lori Watts, 39, Hattiesburg, one count of prostitution• Melissa Pittman, 41, Hattiesburg, one count of prostitution• Grena Ducksworth, 47, Hattiesburg, one count of prostitution and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. more
Couple caught having sex in dumpster by Saanich police
VICTORIA — Don’t bother knocking if the dumpster is rocking.
That’s what Saanich police found out early Friday, while following up on a call of “suspicious persons.”
A Saanich police officer arrived at a parking lot where he heard noises coming from a large garbage dumpster.
The officer called out to the people in the dumpster, but no one responded. When he looked inside, he was surprised to see two naked adults intertwined and oblivious to his presence.
The two adults, a 30-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man, were ordered to put their clothes on and get out of the dumpster, police said in a news release. more
That’s what Saanich police found out early Friday, while following up on a call of “suspicious persons.”
A Saanich police officer arrived at a parking lot where he heard noises coming from a large garbage dumpster.
The officer called out to the people in the dumpster, but no one responded. When he looked inside, he was surprised to see two naked adults intertwined and oblivious to his presence.
The two adults, a 30-year-old woman and a 26-year-old man, were ordered to put their clothes on and get out of the dumpster, police said in a news release. more
Illegal aliens delivering drugs to Wal-Mart
CEDAR CITY, Utah (ABC 4 News) - Three men are in jail telling a strange story about drugs and Wal-Mart. It started with a routine traffic stop. Iron County Sheriffs also found boxes of prescription medication in the car. The driver says he was delivering them to the chain store in Cedar City.Iron County Deputy Wade Lee says Diego Jimenez, Maricio Jimenez, and Kyle Gutierrez were on their way to the Cedar City Wal-Mart. They were stopped on Northbound I-15 at mile marker 45, where Deputy Lee clocked them driving 96 miles per hour. Lee says he grew suspicious when he saw a marijuana pipe in the glove compartment. After searching the car, he found two boxes of prescription narcotics. The stock invoice found with the drugs shows the retail value is over $30,000. Lee says two of the men admitted to being illegal aliens. The driver said he's been delivering prescription drugs for a company called "Nevada Courier" for several months. Lee explains, “He said ‘I was sitting at home and somebody called me and paid me $150 and a tank of gas to drive these medications down here and drop them off.’” Police say the men are from Las Vegas. They had made a delivery in Mesquite, two in Saint George, and their fourth delivery would have been in Cedar City. Lee says, “I called Wal-Mart and they said yeah they were expecting a delivery and the driver was late.” more
Monday, April 27, 2009
Iowa Issues Marriage Licenses To Gays
Same-sex couples in Iowa began applying for marriage licenses on Monday after a state Supreme Court ruling legalizing gay unions took effect. The court issued an order early in the day confirming that the appeals process in the case has officially concluded. Iowa county clerks were to begin processing same-sex marriage applications Monday, following the Iowa Supreme Court's ruling on April 3 that legalized same sex-marriage. Iowa typically requires a three-day waiting period for marriages, but judges can waive that and allow immediate weddings. In Des Moines, about a dozen gay and lesbian couples waited in the rain for the Polk County administrative building to open. more
Friday, April 24, 2009
Domino Pizza employees loose job and faces felony charges after posting a video to you tube.
When two Domino’s Pizza employees filmed a prank in the restaurant’s kitchen, they decided to post it online. In a few days, thanks to the power of social media, they ended up with felony charges, more than a million disgusted viewers, and a major company facing a public relations crisis.
In videos posted on YouTube and elsewhere this week, a Domino’s employee in Conover, N.C., prepared sandwiches for delivery while putting cheese up his nose, nasal mucus on the sandwiches, and violating other health-code standards while a fellow employee provided narration.
The two were charged with delivering prohibited foods.
By Wednesday afternoon, the video had been viewed more than a million times on YouTube. References to it were in five of the 12 results on the first page of Google search for “Dominos,” and discussions about Domino’s had spread throughout Twitter. more
In videos posted on YouTube and elsewhere this week, a Domino’s employee in Conover, N.C., prepared sandwiches for delivery while putting cheese up his nose, nasal mucus on the sandwiches, and violating other health-code standards while a fellow employee provided narration.
The two were charged with delivering prohibited foods.
By Wednesday afternoon, the video had been viewed more than a million times on YouTube. References to it were in five of the 12 results on the first page of Google search for “Dominos,” and discussions about Domino’s had spread throughout Twitter. more
"Youtube" Domino's Pizza Workers arrested, charged.
"Youtube" Domino's Pizza Workers arrested, charged.
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