washingtontimes--2020-12-09--Editorial Roundup: North Carolina

Editorial Roundup: North Carolina

The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer on the modified stay-at-home order that requires North Carolina residents to remain off the streets between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. : Three weeks ago , as other states tightened COVID-19 restrictions , North Carolina Gov .
Roy Cooper warned of worsening virus metrics but announced no new COVID measures .
Two weeks ago , as hospitalizations and positive tests rates continued an alarming rise , Cooper told North Carolinians : “ We are in danger.
” Now , the governor has little choice but to act .
North Carolina is experiencing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and although hospital capacity is not urgently threatened at the moment , a continued spread could bring dire strain to health care systems in both urban and rural counties .
On Tuesday , Cooper took an incremental step toward confronting that surge with a “ modified stay-at-home order ” that will require people to stay at home and businesses to close from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m .
The order also will require all on-site alcohol consumption sales to stop at 9 p.m. “ With this additional action beginning Friday , we hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cooper said .
His order might not be enough .
States that imposed similar measures weeks ago saw the virus slow initially but only temporarily .
“ It ’ s a half-measure and maybe less than a half-measure , but that ’ s better than no measure at all , ” Raymond Niaura , interim chair of the epidemiology department at the New York University School of Global Health , said of curfews to CNN .
That ’ s why some states are enacting or contemplating the next apparent step : a targeted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worked in Europe , which experienced a COVID-19 resurgence in the fall .
Attacking the virus aggressively now in North Carolina might be the best path to preventing prolonged misery this winter .
A North Carolina stay-at-home order wouldn ’ t need to be as stringent as Cooper ’ s restrictions in March .
In California , Gov .
Gavin Newsom issued rules that took effect Monday , including requiring restaurants to halt in-person dining and offer food only for delivery and takeout .
Retail can remain open at 20 percent capacity , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hair and nail salons , playgrounds , breweries and wineries must close , however , and gatherings of people from different households are prohibited , with the exception of outdoor religious services .
Like California , Cooper could also target the order regionally or to individual counties instead of imposing it statewide as he did in the spring .
California ’ s stay-at-home restrictions apply to any of the five regions where less than 15 percent of hospital ICU units are available .
Such an order , even targeted regionally , will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individuals already devastated by COVID-19 .
The reality in North Carolina , however , is that too many people continue to either doubt or dismiss the danger of COVID .
While many businesses , restaurants and bars have become more attentive to COVID measures , too many are too crowded with people behaving as if it ’ s 2019 .
A new stay-at-home order wouldn ’ t change the minds of many skeptics , but the evidence and science behind COVID restrictions are clearer now .
Closing or limiting capacity of places where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indoors , helps reverse the upward trend of COVID-19 .
Such measures , however , must be accompanied by relief for businesses and workers .
We ’ re encouraged that a bipartisan group of U.S. House and Senate lawmakers have agreed to the outlines of a $ 908 billion COVID-19 relief plan that would offer expanded unemployment benefits ( $ 300 for 18 weeks ) and renew the Paycheck Protection Program for businesses .
The plan also would provide funding for state and local government needs , including schools , vaccine distribution and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the financial devastation caused by a stay-at-home order , should one eventually be necessary here .
Cooper warned that such a step might be coming if North Carolina ’ s COVID-19 numbers continue to rise .
“ None of us want that , ” he said .
He ’ s right .
But while a vaccine is coming soon , its full effects won ’ t be realized until at least the spring .
We need to confront COVID-19 ’ s surge now , and we need to provide a bridge to businesses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Winston Salem-Journal on how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting pet ownership : Since the COVID sequestration began , one class of resident has had an advantage over others : pet owners .
Struggling with the inherent stress of a pandemic and its losses - which often includes elements of depression and anxiety - they ’ ve been able to turn to the unconditional love offered by their canine and feline companions .
Many , sensing what was coming , went to local animal shelters and adoption agencies earlier this year to adopt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus was beginning to take its toll - so many that some shelters simply ran out of pets .
A unique situation , for sure .
Now , for some of these pet owners , another challenge has to be faced : keeping their faithful companions fed .
As unemployment has affected more of us , some pet owners have surrendered their companions , fearing not being able to take proper care of them .
As Jennifer Tierney of Fur-Ever Friends of North Carolina recently told the Journal editorial board , “ Today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and affected by COVID-19 , many are simply having trouble making ends meet .
This list includes the unemployed , the underemployed , single parents , heroic victims of domestic violence , proud war veterans , the disabled , fixed-income seniors and more .
“ When people must choose what to cut from their grocery lists , pets often are among those that suffer most .
And for those who can ’ t afford to keep their pets fed , the consequences are greater than just an empty stomach .
Many pets will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many more will be abandoned .
Families will be heartbroken and pet lives will be lost , simply because there ’ s not enough money to buy pet food.
” But that ’ s not acceptable to pet adoption agencies such as Fur-Ever Friends and the Forsyth Humane Society .
They ’ ve been lining up donations of food and other necessities to share with pet owners .
“ We have heard stories of people struggling financially who either go without eating themselves in order to feed their pets , or have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the shelter , ” the Forsyth Humane Society states on its website .
“ We hope that if free food is provided , then this burden will be eased and they will be able to keep their pets in their homes where they are loved.
” The Humane Society distributes food from its Sturmer Park Circle location , off University Parkway .
Call 336-955-1750 to make an appointment .
Fur-Ever Friends also hosts “ Share the Warmth ” community events to accept and give away food .
More information can be found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the area also provide pet food , but many have irregular hours .
More is needed to support this vital cause .
Of course , food is not all that our furry friends need .
Don ’ t forget the slogan : If you ’ re cold , they ’ re cold .
Some pets are built for cold weather , but many are not .
They need to be kept inside , safe and warm with the ones they love , to avoid pain that could be debilitating .
Pet ownership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more so at a time like this , when illness and unemployment are possibilities .
But it ’ s a responsibility that provides unlimited rewards of joy and cheer .
Don ’ t take it for granted .
And don ’ t surrender it easily .
The Greensboro News & Record on efforts to enforce coronavirus safety restrictions in Greensboro , North Carolina : Coming soon to a business near you : City inspectors and other staff members with orders to warn , fine and , if necessary , close establishments that are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spelled out the penalties in an emergency order on Nov. 20 .
The City Council added juice to that order on Tuesday by unanimously passing an ordinance that designates establishments that violate the order as public nuisances .
The law applies to businesses that violate reduced occupancy limits and allows the city to impose a civil penalty of $ 100 for every person at a business or in an office that exceeds those limits .
The first violation involves only a warning , but the city could close a business for 24 hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offenders could be closed for as long as 72 hours .
You wouldn ’ t think people would need further convincing that this is serious .
Local hospitals are scrambling to find enough beds as COVID-19 patients begin to strain capacity .
Nationally , the U.S. reached a grim milestone on that same day : 3,100 deaths , the most in one day since the pandemic broke out … and more than the losses of life on 9/11 .
And , after initially ranking as a critical-risk red zone under a new state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guilford County now is classified as yellow , which still means “ significant risk.
” So the mayor ’ s declaration of a state of emergency last week was hardly an overreaction .
In reinforcing statewide mandates already imposed by Gov .
Roy Cooper , the mayor ’ s order requires that businesses in Greensboro : Allow entry only to customers and clients who wear face coverings .
Have all employees who interact with the public wear face coverings and provide hand sanitizer .
“ Looking at the positivity rate and the number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health system , ” Vaughan said , “ we had to do something to stem the tide.
” In case you ’ re wondering , Cone Health officials have cited an “ alarming ” number of COVID patients that was on track to significantly outpace their projections for this month at its five hospitals in the Triad .
Yet you don ’ t have to look far to see people here who willfully flout rules intended to make them and their neighbors safer from the spread of COVID-19 .
Most apparent is their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some use no face coverings at all .
Others sport their masks as if they were fashion accessories - necklaces dangling around their necks or chin straps .
This defeats the point of capturing droplets from our mouths and noses that can spread the disease .
Even with an imminent vaccine , it ’ s not here yet .
And it won ’ t be a panacea .
Until the vaccine arrives - and even after it arrives - it still will be necessary to take proper precautions to avoid infecting ourselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ordinance , Greensboro police officers will not be involved .
City staff from fire code enforcement , inspections and other departments will take on that job .
Businesses are hurting .
It ’ s not easy confronting the customers you have to follow the rules .
Some of us don ’ t like to be told what to , even if it ’ s in our best interest .
Likewise , city employees may not be comfortable in levying fines or other penalties .
But in a crisis you do what you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t a choice in Greensboro .
It ’ s a necessity .
While what the mayor and council have done probably won ’ t be remembered as one of their most popular decisions , it may be one of their most important ones .
As for the city employees who have been pressed into duty to monitor our behavior , let ’ s make it easy on them and us by giving them little to do .
The intent and spirit of the rules is to create a clear set community standards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dark alleys .
So let ’ s be safe and follow the mayor ’ s order .
Let ’ s do the right thing because we want to , not because we have to .

Recent editorials from North Carolina newspapers:
___
Dec. 8
The News & Observer and The Charlotte Observer on the modified stay-at-home order that requires North Carolina residents to remain off the streets between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.:
Three weeks ago, as other states tightened COVID-19 restrictions, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper warned of worsening virus metrics but announced no new COVID measures. Two weeks ago, as hospitalizations and positive tests rates continued an alarming rise, Cooper told North Carolinians: “We are in danger.”
Now, the governor has little choice but to act. North Carolina is experiencing record highs of cases and hospitalizations, and although hospital capacity is not urgently threatened at the moment, a continued spread could bring dire strain to health care systems in both urban and rural counties.
On Tuesday, Cooper took an incremental step toward confronting that surge with a “modified stay-at-home order” that will require people to stay at home and businesses to close from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. The order also will require all on-site alcohol consumption sales to stop at 9 p.m. “With this additional action beginning Friday, we hope to get these numbers down,” Cooper said.
His order might not be enough. States that imposed similar measures weeks ago saw the virus slow initially but only temporarily. “It’s a half-measure and maybe less than a half-measure, but that’s better than no measure at all,” Raymond Niaura, interim chair of the epidemiology department at the New York University School of Global Health, said of curfews to CNN.
That’s why some states are enacting or contemplating the next apparent step: a targeted, precise shutdown. Such measures have worked in Europe, which experienced a COVID-19 resurgence in the fall. Attacking the virus aggressively now in North Carolina might be the best path to preventing prolonged misery this winter.
A North Carolina stay-at-home order wouldn’t need to be as stringent as Cooper’s restrictions in March. In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued rules that took effect Monday, including requiring restaurants to halt in-person dining and offer food only for delivery and takeout. Retail can remain open at 20 percent capacity, as can schools that already were open. Hair and nail salons, playgrounds, breweries and wineries must close, however, and gatherings of people from different households are prohibited, with the exception of outdoor religious services.
Like California, Cooper could also target the order regionally or to individual counties instead of imposing it statewide as he did in the spring. California’s stay-at-home restrictions apply to any of the five regions where less than 15 percent of hospital ICU units are available.
Such an order, even targeted regionally, will be met with backlash from businesses and individuals already devastated by COVID-19. The reality in North Carolina, however, is that too many people continue to either doubt or dismiss the danger of COVID. While many businesses, restaurants and bars have become more attentive to COVID measures, too many are too crowded with people behaving as if it’s 2019.
A new stay-at-home order wouldn’t change the minds of many skeptics, but the evidence and science behind COVID restrictions are clearer now. Closing or limiting capacity of places where people from different households interact, especially indoors, helps reverse the upward trend of COVID-19.
Such measures, however, must be accompanied by relief for businesses and workers. We’re encouraged that a bipartisan group of U.S. House and Senate lawmakers have agreed to the outlines of a $908 billion COVID-19 relief plan that would offer expanded unemployment benefits ($300 for 18 weeks) and renew the Paycheck Protection Program for businesses. The plan also would provide funding for state and local government needs, including schools, vaccine distribution and food assistance.
COVID relief would ease the financial devastation caused by a stay-at-home order, should one eventually be necessary here. Cooper warned that such a step might be coming if North Carolina’s COVID-19 numbers continue to rise. “None of us want that,” he said.
He’s right. But while a vaccine is coming soon, its full effects won’t be realized until at least the spring. We need to confront COVID-19’s surge now, and we need to provide a bridge to businesses and workers through the hard weeks ahead.
Online: https://www.newsobserver.com/
Online: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/
___
Dec. 7
Winston Salem-Journal on how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting pet ownership:
Since the COVID sequestration began, one class of resident has had an advantage over others: pet owners. Struggling with the inherent stress of a pandemic and its losses - which often includes elements of depression and anxiety - they’ve been able to turn to the unconditional love offered by their canine and feline companions.
Many, sensing what was coming, went to local animal shelters and adoption agencies earlier this year to adopt or foster a pet just as the virus was beginning to take its toll - so many that some shelters simply ran out of pets. A unique situation, for sure.
Now, for some of these pet owners, another challenge has to be faced: keeping their faithful companions fed. As unemployment has affected more of us, some pet owners have surrendered their companions, fearing not being able to take proper care of them.
As Jennifer Tierney of Fur-Ever Friends of North Carolina recently told the Journal editorial board, “Today, with over 300,000 North Carolinians unemployed and affected by COVID-19, many are simply having trouble making ends meet. This list includes the unemployed, the underemployed, single parents, heroic victims of domestic violence, proud war veterans, the disabled, fixed-income seniors and more.
“When people must choose what to cut from their grocery lists, pets often are among those that suffer most. And for those who can’t afford to keep their pets fed, the consequences are greater than just an empty stomach. Many pets will be surrendered to already overburdened shelters, many more will be abandoned. Families will be heartbroken and pet lives will be lost, simply because there’s not enough money to buy pet food.”
But that’s not acceptable to pet adoption agencies such as Fur-Ever Friends and the Forsyth Humane Society. They’ve been lining up donations of food and other necessities to share with pet owners.
“We have heard stories of people struggling financially who either go without eating themselves in order to feed their pets, or have to make the hard decision to surrender them to the shelter,” the Forsyth Humane Society states on its website. “We hope that if free food is provided, then this burden will be eased and they will be able to keep their pets in their homes where they are loved.”
The Humane Society distributes food from its Sturmer Park Circle location, off University Parkway. Call 336-955-1750 to make an appointment.
Fur-Ever Friends also hosts “Share the Warmth” community events to accept and give away food. More information can be found online at www.fureverfriendsnc.org/.
Some food pantries in the area also provide pet food, but many have irregular hours. More is needed to support this vital cause.
Of course, food is not all that our furry friends need. Don’t forget the slogan: If you’re cold, they’re cold. Some pets are built for cold weather, but many are not. They need to be kept inside, safe and warm with the ones they love, to avoid pain that could be debilitating.
Pet ownership should always be taken seriously, and more so at a time like this, when illness and unemployment are possibilities. But it’s a responsibility that provides unlimited rewards of joy and cheer. Don’t take it for granted. And don’t surrender it easily.
Online: https://journalnow.com/
___
Dec. 3
The Greensboro News & Record on efforts to enforce coronavirus safety restrictions in Greensboro, North Carolina:
Coming soon to a business near you: City inspectors and other staff members with orders to warn, fine and, if necessary, close establishments that are flouting COVID-19 precautions.
Mayor Nancy Vaughan spelled out the penalties in an emergency order on Nov. 20.
The City Council added juice to that order on Tuesday by unanimously passing an ordinance that designates establishments that violate the order as public nuisances.
The law applies to businesses that violate reduced occupancy limits and allows the city to impose a civil penalty of $100 for every person at a business or in an office that exceeds those limits.
The first violation involves only a warning, but the city could close a business for 24 hours following a second violation. And repeat offenders could be closed for as long as 72 hours.
You wouldn’t think people would need further convincing that this is serious.
Local hospitals are scrambling to find enough beds as COVID-19 patients begin to strain capacity.
On Wednesday, North Carolina suffered 82 coronavirus-related deaths.
Nationally, the U.S. reached a grim milestone on that same day: 3,100 deaths, the most in one day since the pandemic broke out … and more than the losses of life on 9/11.
And, after initially ranking as a critical-risk red zone under a new state system that color-codes COVID hot spots, Guilford County now is classified as yellow, which still means “significant risk.”
So the mayor’s declaration of a state of emergency last week was hardly an overreaction.
In reinforcing statewide mandates already imposed by Gov. Roy Cooper, the mayor’s order requires that businesses in Greensboro:
Post signs requiring face coverings for entry.
Post capacity limits at every entrance.
Allow entry only to customers and clients who wear face coverings.
Have all employees who interact with the public wear face coverings and provide hand sanitizer.
“Looking at the positivity rate and the number of beds being used in the Cone Health system,” Vaughan said, “we had to do something to stem the tide.”
In case you’re wondering, Cone Health officials have cited an “alarming” number of COVID patients that was on track to significantly outpace their projections for this month at its five hospitals in the Triad.
Yet you don’t have to look far to see people here who willfully flout rules intended to make them and their neighbors safer from the spread of COVID-19.
Most apparent is their resistance to wearing masks in public spaces.
Some use no face coverings at all. Others sport their masks as if they were fashion accessories - necklaces dangling around their necks or chin straps.
This defeats the point of capturing droplets from our mouths and noses that can spread the disease.
Even with an imminent vaccine, it’s not here yet. And it won’t be a panacea.
Until the vaccine arrives - and even after it arrives - it still will be necessary to take proper precautions to avoid infecting ourselves or others.
As for enforcement of the ordinance, Greensboro police officers will not be involved. City staff from fire code enforcement, inspections and other departments will take on that job.
It’s a delicate responsibility.
Businesses are hurting. It’s not easy confronting the customers you have to follow the rules. Some of us don’t like to be told what to, even if it’s in our best interest.
Likewise, city employees may not be comfortable in levying fines or other penalties.
But in a crisis you do what you have to do. The ordinance isn’t a choice in Greensboro. It’s a necessity.
While what the mayor and council have done probably won’t be remembered as one of their most popular decisions, it may be one of their most important ones.
As for the city employees who have been pressed into duty to monitor our behavior, let’s make it easy on them and us by giving them little to do.
The intent and spirit of the rules is to create a clear set community standards - not to root out scofflaws in dark alleys.
So let’s be safe and follow the mayor’s order.
Let’s do the right thing because we want to, not because we have to.
Online: https://greensboro.com/


washingtontimes--2020-12-09--Continuance granted in case against Mississippi city's mayor

ABERDEEN , Miss .
( AP ) - The trial date for a Mississippi city ’ s mayor accused of embezzlement has been pushed to next year .
Aberdeen Mayor Maurice Howard was indicted in October 2019 on five counts of embezzlement for allegedly receiving about $ 3,500 in taxpayer-funded travel reimbursements for five trips he is alleged to have never taken .
The trial was originally set to begin Dec. 14 , but a continuance was granted Monday that pushes the trial to Feb. 1 , The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reported .
Howard sought the continuance after he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his former attorney , John Robbins of Tupelo , was disbarred in October .
He is now represented by Carlos Tanner III of Tanner & Associates LLC of Jackson and Michael Todd Sterling of Dreyer Sterling of Atlanta .
A former Atlanta mayoral candidate , Sterling is the husband of Eva Marcille Sterling , a winner of “ America ’ s Next Top Model ” who has had roles on numerous television shows including “ The Real Housewives of Atlanta ” and “ The Young and the Restless.
” Tanner previously worked as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Office .
He founded his own firm and has handled both civil and criminal cases in federal and state courts throughout the United States .

ABERDEEN, Miss. (AP) - The trial date for a Mississippi city’s mayor accused of embezzlement has been pushed to next year.
Aberdeen Mayor Maurice Howard was indicted in October 2019 on five counts of embezzlement for allegedly receiving about $3,500 in taxpayer-funded travel reimbursements for five trips he is alleged to have never taken.
The trial was originally set to begin Dec. 14, but a continuance was granted Monday that pushes the trial to Feb. 1, The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reported.
Howard sought the continuance after he was forced to retain new counsel when his former attorney, John Robbins of Tupelo, was disbarred in October.
He is now represented by Carlos Tanner III of Tanner & Associates LLC of Jackson and Michael Todd Sterling of Dreyer Sterling of Atlanta.
A former Atlanta mayoral candidate, Sterling is the husband of Eva Marcille Sterling, a winner of “America’s Next Top Model” who has had roles on numerous television shows including “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” and “The Young and the Restless.”
Tanner previously worked as a federal prosecutor for the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He founded his own firm and has handled both civil and criminal cases in federal and state courts throughout the United States.


washingtontimes--2020-12-09--Hudson imposes curfew to deal with increased traffic, crime

HUDSON , Wis. ( AP ) - Increasingly large weekend crowds and a fatal stabbing in the Wisconsin border city of Hudson has led to new restrictions for bars and restaurants .
Authorities have tied the influx of visitors to Minnesota ’ s ban on indoor restaurant and bar service because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Wisconsin has no such restriction .
The Hudson Common Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to impose a 10 p.m. curfew for bars and restaurants on Thursday , Friday and Saturday .
Any violation of the ordinance could result in the suspension or revocation of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The past three weekends have been busier and busier since the Minnesota lockdown went on , ” Police Chief Geoff Willems told the council and Mayor Rich O ’ Connor , who initially proposed a curfew on every night of the week .
Willems said his officers are overwhelmed by increases in reported robberies , assaults and EMS responses to “ unconscious people lying in the street , ” the Star Tribune reported .
The ordinance applies to all establishments that sell liquor for on-site consumption and will be in effect beginning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Early Sunday morning , a 26-year-old man , later identified as Cain Solheim from New Brighton , was killed and two others were injured in a stabbing outside a bar in downtown Hudson .
Police say two people have been arrested in connection to the stabbing .

HUDSON, Wis. (AP) - Increasingly large weekend crowds and a fatal stabbing in the Wisconsin border city of Hudson has led to new restrictions for bars and restaurants.
Authorities have tied the influx of visitors to Minnesota’s ban on indoor restaurant and bar service because of the coronavirus pandemic. Wisconsin has no such restriction.
The Hudson Common Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to impose a 10 p.m. curfew for bars and restaurants on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Any violation of the ordinance could result in the suspension or revocation of the business’s alcohol license.
“The past three weekends have been busier and busier since the Minnesota lockdown went on,” Police Chief Geoff Willems told the council and Mayor Rich O’Connor, who initially proposed a curfew on every night of the week. Willems said his officers are overwhelmed by increases in reported robberies, assaults and EMS responses to “unconscious people lying in the street,” the Star Tribune reported.
The ordinance applies to all establishments that sell liquor for on-site consumption and will be in effect beginning Dec. 11 through Jan. 3, 2021.
Early Sunday morning, a 26-year-old man, later identified as Cain Solheim from New Brighton, was killed and two others were injured in a stabbing outside a bar in downtown Hudson.
Police say two people have been arrested in connection to the stabbing.


washingtontimes--2020-12-09--Recovery cost of Vermont hospital cyberattack could be $63m

BURLINGTON , Vt. ( AP ) - A late October cyberattack on the computer systems of the University of Vermont Medical Center is costing the hospital about $ 1.5 million a day in lost revenue and recovery costs , its CEO said .
The Oct. 28 attack crippled the computer systems of the hospital system that serves much of Vermont and parts of upstate New York .
Hospital CEO Dr. Stephen Leffler estimates they are about 70 % recovered from the attack .
Leffler says they ’ re still trying to pinpoint the exact root of the cyberattack , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the investigation next week , including whether it was a ransomware attack similar to what other hospitals around the country experienced .
“ It is fortunate that the cyberattack is mostly behind us and we can put more focus into dealing with COVID in Vermont and our patients , ” Leffler said Tuesday .
“ And we ’ re ramping up to start vaccinating our staff , getting ready to have vaccines for our community.
” ’ Leffler says the attack infected all 5,000 computers on the hospital ’ s network .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decouple parts of the network and they ’ re upgrading security measures .

BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) - A late October cyberattack on the computer systems of the University of Vermont Medical Center is costing the hospital about $1.5 million a day in lost revenue and recovery costs, its CEO said.
The Oct. 28 attack crippled the computer systems of the hospital system that serves much of Vermont and parts of upstate New York.
Hospital CEO Dr. Stephen Leffler estimated on a call with reporters on Tuesday that they are about 70% recovered from the attack.
Leffler says they’re still trying to pinpoint the exact root of the cyberattack, but they hope to provide more details about the investigation next week, including whether it was a ransomware attack similar to what other hospitals around the country experienced.
“It is fortunate that the cyberattack is mostly behind us and we can put more focus into dealing with COVID in Vermont and our patients,” Leffler said Tuesday. “And we’re ramping up to start vaccinating our staff, getting ready to have vaccines for our community.”
Leffler says the attack infected all 5,000 computers on the hospital’s network. He says that going forward they are planning to decouple parts of the network and they’re upgrading security measures.


washingtontimes--2020-12-09--Fire officials: 2 killed in rural Missouri house fire

POTOSI , Mo .
( AP ) - Two people , including a child , died in a rural eastern @ @ @ @ @ week , fire officials said .
The fire broke out Monday in a house near @ @ @ @ @ the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported .
Potosi Fire Department Lt. Robert Lang Jr. said fire @ @ @ @ @ p.m. Monday to the house in the unincorporated community of Cadet .
Arriving firefighters found @ @ @ @ @ flames .
Lang said crews later found the bodies of two people - a 53-year-old @ @ @ @ @ - in the burned-out house .
Officials did not immediately released the victims ’ names @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday .
Fire officials have not said what caused the fire .

POTOSI, Mo. (AP) - Two people, including a child, died in a rural eastern Missouri house fire earlier this week, fire officials said.
The fire broke out Monday in a house near Potosi in Washington County, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported. Potosi Fire Department Lt. Robert Lang Jr. said fire crews were called around 5:30 p.m. Monday to the house in the unincorporated community of Cadet.
Arriving firefighters found the house fully engulfed in flames. Lang said crews later found the bodies of two people - a 53-year-old woman and her 11-year-old grandchild - in the burned-out house.
Officials did not immediately released the victims’ names and said autopsies were performed Tuesday. Fire officials have not said what caused the fire.


washingtontimes--2020-12-09--Group says new virus rules could shutter many restaurants

DOVER , Del .
( AP ) - The Delaware Restaurant Association says that new coronavirus restrictions in the state could force up to 40 % of restaurants to shutter within a year without a financial lifeline .
The Delaware State News reported Tuesday that the most recent COVID rules restrict capacity in restaurants to 30 % .
The regulations were issued as Delaware experiences its highest rate of new daily cases and hospitalizations .
The Delaware Restaurant Association said that restaurants are being unfairly scapegoated for the surge .
“ Although we continue to support action to protect the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is an unfounded impression that restaurants are part of the problem , ” DRA President and CEO Carrie Leishman said .
“ As a result , restaurants will severely suffer from these inconsistent and restrictive mandates not applied to other industries.
” But Gov .
John Carney has said that contact tracing data points to restaurants as places where people who have tested positive have been .
“ Places where you gather and you ’ re drinking alcohol and you might let your guard down , ” Carney said .
“ That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a pandemic .
”

DOVER, Del. (AP) - The Delaware Restaurant Association says that new coronavirus restrictions in the state could force up to 40% of restaurants to shutter within a year without a financial lifeline.
The Delaware State News reported Tuesday that the most recent COVID rules restrict capacity in restaurants to 30%. The regulations were issued as Delaware experiences its highest rate of new daily cases and hospitalizations.
The Delaware Restaurant Association said that restaurants are being unfairly scapegoated for the surge.
“Although we continue to support action to protect the health of all Delawareans, we believe there is an unfounded impression that restaurants are part of the problem,” DRA President and CEO Carrie Leishman said. “As a result, restaurants will severely suffer from these inconsistent and restrictive mandates not applied to other industries.”
But Gov. John Carney has said that contact tracing data points to restaurants as places where people who have tested positive have been.
“Places where you gather and you’re drinking alcohol and you might let your guard down,” Carney said. “That’s problematic only when we have a pandemic.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-09--Demolition work begins at condemned Anchorage middle school

ANCHORAGE , Alaska ( AP ) - Demolition work has started at an Alaska school that was condemned after an architectural inspection found substantial earthquake damage .
Houston Middle School in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough community of Big Lake was damaged in the magnitude 7.1 earthquake that shook the region in 2018 , Alaska ’ s News Source reported Monday .
“ Classrooms were destroyed , foundations were cracked , walls were cracked , ” Principal Ben Howard said .
“ So we couldn ’ t go back to school after what happened with the earthquake.
” The Matanuska-Susitna Borough School @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the school , including the gym and administrative wing .
But another inspection found additional , severe damage .
Repairs would only bring the school within 60 % of building code requirements , the borough determined .
The facility constructed in 1985 became a gathering place for residents in the town about 64 miles ( 103 kilometers ) from Anchorage , in addition to serving as a school , Howard said .
“ I ’ ve been there for eight years and it ’ s a community structure , ” Howard said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of different events that have happened at this school.
” The demolition work should last about 30 days before crews begin rebuilding the school , Howard said .
The estimated cost to raze and replace the building is about $ 35 million , with a new school expected to open by the fall of 2022 .
There are many Houston graduates and leveling the building has “ a lot of emotion tied to it , ” Houston said .
“ But we ’ re ready to look to the future and this is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for , ” Houston said .

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) - Demolition work has started at an Alaska school that was condemned after an architectural inspection found substantial earthquake damage.
Houston Middle School in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough community of Big Lake was damaged in the magnitude 7.1 earthquake that shook the region in 2018, Alaska’s News Source reported Monday.
“Classrooms were destroyed, foundations were cracked, walls were cracked,” Principal Ben Howard said. “So we couldn’t go back to school after what happened with the earthquake.”
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough School Board initially approved plans to rebuild parts of the school, including the gym and administrative wing. But another inspection found additional, severe damage.
Repairs would only bring the school within 60% of building code requirements, the borough determined.
The facility constructed in 1985 became a gathering place for residents in the town about 64 miles (103 kilometers) from Anchorage, in addition to serving as a school, Howard said.
“I’ve been there for eight years and it’s a community structure,” Howard said. “There have been a lot of different events that have happened at this school.”
The demolition work should last about 30 days before crews begin rebuilding the school, Howard said.
The estimated cost to raze and replace the building is about $35 million, with a new school expected to open by the fall of 2022.
There are many Houston graduates and leveling the building has “a lot of emotion tied to it,” Houston said.
“But we’re ready to look to the future and this is the day we’ve been waiting for,” Houston said.


washingtontimes--2020-12-09--3 officers off protest duty to avoid alleged contempt motion

PORTLAND , Ore. ( AP ) - The city of Portland will take three police officers off protest duty while they ’ re under investigation for allegedly using excessive force against ACLU legal observers and journalists .
The city didn ’ t release the officers ’ names .
The move is part of an agreement the city reached with the ACLU , journalists and legal observers who sued the city over the alleged police use of excessive force , The Oregonian/OregonLive reported .
The negotiated pact , filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Portland , says the plaintiffs agreed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ask a judge to find the city in contempt of a September court order that prohibited Portland officers from “ arresting , threatening to arrest or using physical force ” against journalists or legal observers .
The city had agreed to the terms of the September preliminary injunction after facing a lawsuit filed by six journalists and legal observers .
Tuesday ’ s four-page agreement acknowledges only that the plaintiffs claimed the city violated the injunction on several occasions in August and September .
Those claims include the dislocation of ACLU legal observer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allegedly picked her up by the handcuffs during an Aug. 9 arrest and an officer ’ s alleged grabbing of ACLU legal observer Stasia Brownell by the throat and throwing her to the ground as she and another legal observer filmed the officer ’ s arrest of Mahoney .
The alleged claims also include encounters with independent journalist Maranie Staab who said police pushed her in the back Aug. 10 while she tried to leave an area as ordered , used force against her on Aug. 16 in retaliation for filming an officer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 29 when she was filming an officer pepper-spraying a protester .
The plaintiffs provided the city with video evidence of their allegations and were prepared to pursue a contempt motion against the city but decided to resolve the matter through negotiations , according to court records .
The city , by entering into the agreement , doesn ’ t admit liability or admit that any of the allegations are true .
The city is continuing to investigate them , the agreement says .

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - The city of Portland will take three police officers off protest duty while they’re under investigation for allegedly using excessive force against ACLU legal observers and journalists.
The city didn’t release the officers’ names. The move is part of an agreement the city reached with the ACLU, journalists and legal observers who sued the city over the alleged police use of excessive force, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported.
The negotiated pact, filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Portland, says the plaintiffs agreed not to pursue an immediate motion to ask a judge to find the city in contempt of a September court order that prohibited Portland officers from “arresting, threatening to arrest or using physical force” against journalists or legal observers. The city had agreed to the terms of the September preliminary injunction after facing a lawsuit filed by six journalists and legal observers.
Tuesday’s four-page agreement acknowledges only that the plaintiffs claimed the city violated the injunction on several occasions in August and September.
Those claims include the dislocation of ACLU legal observer Kat Mahoney’s shoulder when police allegedly picked her up by the handcuffs during an Aug. 9 arrest and an officer’s alleged grabbing of ACLU legal observer Stasia Brownell by the throat and throwing her to the ground as she and another legal observer filmed the officer’s arrest of Mahoney.
The alleged claims also include encounters with independent journalist Maranie Staab who said police pushed her in the back Aug. 10 while she tried to leave an area as ordered, used force against her on Aug. 16 in retaliation for filming an officer and used force against her on Sept. 29 when she was filming an officer pepper-spraying a protester.
The plaintiffs provided the city with video evidence of their allegations and were prepared to pursue a contempt motion against the city but decided to resolve the matter through negotiations, according to court records.
The city, by entering into the agreement, doesn’t admit liability or admit that any of the allegations are true.
The city is continuing to investigate them, the agreement says.


washingtontimes--2020-12-09--Trump says administration will join Texas' election challenge at Supreme Court

President Trump announced Wednesday that his administration will join in Texas ’ lawsuit at the Supreme Court seeking to block four swing states from casting their electoral votes for presumptive President-elect Joseph R. Biden .
“ We will be INTERVENING in the Texas ( plus many other states ) case , ” Mr. Trump tweeted .
“ This is the big one .
Our Country needs a victory !
” Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton , a Republican , petitioned the high court this week to invalidate the election results in Georgia , Michigan , Pennsylvania and Wisconsin , all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The complaint argues that those states expanded mail-in voting options illegally because their legislatures never approved the action .
Mr. Paxton wants the Supreme Court to order the states to choose their presidential electors in their legislatures , all of which are controlled by Republicans .
The high court on Tuesday rejected , without comment , a request by Pennsylvania Republicans to reverse the state ’ s certification of its election results .
Mr. Trump said Wednesday that the complaint filed by Republican Rep. Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania “ was not my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been waiting for is the State ’ s case with Texas and numerous others joining , ” Mr. Trump said .
“ It is very strong , ALL CRITERIA MET .
How can you have a presidency when a vast majority think the election was RIGGED ?
” The justices set a deadline for the four battleground states to respond to Texas ’ complaint by Thursday afternoon .
Other red states expressed interest in the legal challenge .
Alabama ’ s Attorney General Steve Marshall said if the court grants the Texas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gets involved .
Jeff Landry , the attorney general for Louisiana , made a bolder statement , saying the high court should hear the case .
“ Louisiana citizens are damaged if elections in other states were conducted outside the confines of the Constitution while we obeyed the rules , ” he said .

President Trump announced Wednesday that he will join in Texas’ lawsuit at the Supreme Court seeking to block four swing states from casting their electoral votes for presumptive President-elect Joseph R. Biden.
“We will be INTERVENING in the Texas (plus many other states) case,” Mr. Trump tweeted. “This is the big one. Our Country needs a victory!”
The president called Rep. Mike Johnson, Louisiana Republican, on Wednesday to praise his effort to recruit other GOP lawmakers to sign onto a “friend of the court” legal brief in the Texas case.
“He specifically asked me to contact all Republican members of the House and Senate today, and request that all join on to our brief,” Mr. Johnson said in an email to the House GOP. “He said he will be anxiously awaiting the final list to review.”
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, petitioned the high court this week to invalidate the election results in Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, all of which were won by Mr. Biden. The complaint argues that those states expanded mail-in voting options illegally because their legislatures never approved the action.
Mr. Paxton wants the Supreme Court to order the states to choose their presidential electors in their legislatures, all of which are controlled by Republicans.
The high court on Tuesday rejected, without comment, a request by Pennsylvania Republicans to reverse the state’s certification of its election results.
Mr. Trump said Wednesday that the complaint filed by Republican Rep. Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania “was not my case.”
“The case that everyone has been waiting for is the State’s case with Texas and numerous others joining,” Mr. Trump said. “It is very strong, ALL CRITERIA MET. How can you have a presidency when a vast majority think the election was RIGGED?”
The justices set a deadline for the four battleground states to respond to Texas’ complaint by Thursday afternoon.
Other red states expressed interest in the legal challenge.
Alabama’s Attorney General Steve Marshall said if the court grants the Texas case, that will determine whether Alabama gets involved.
Jeff Landry, the attorney general for Louisiana, made a bolder statement, saying the high court should hear the case.
“Louisiana citizens are damaged if elections in other states were conducted outside the confines of the Constitution while we obeyed the rules,” he said.
In an email obtained by CNN, Mr. Johnson told GOP colleagues that the Texas case could be their “last opportunity” to voice their concerns about the election.
“The simple objective of our brief is to affirm for the court (and our constituents back home) our serious concerns with the integrity of our election system,” he said. “We are not seeking to independently litigate the particular allegations of fraud in our brief. … We will merely state our belief that the broad scope of the various allegations and irregularities in the subject states merits careful, timely review by the Supreme Court.”
• Alex Swoyer contributed to this report.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-09--France unveils draft law to fight Islamist radical 'enemy'

PARIS ( AP ) - A draft law aimed at arming France against Islamist radicalism was unveiled Wednesday , a measure promoted by President Emmanuel Macron to rout out what he calls “ separatists ” undermining the nation .
Parliament is expected to open what is likely to be a lively debate on the draft law in the months ahead .
The measure , long in the making and refined until days before its presentation , has gone through various name changes and is now known by the delicate title “ Supporting Republican Principles.
” Prime Minister Jean Castex said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and spread hate and violence ” are at the center of “ separatism.
” Separatism is especially dangerous because it “ is the manifestation of a conscious , theorized , political-religious project with an ambition to make religious norms predominate over the law , ” he said at a news conference .
In an interview with the newspaper Le Monde he said the nature of a law is long-term and it would apply to any political ideology that threatens French values , “ even if today it is radical Islamism that we try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and others insist that neither Islam as a religion nor regular Muslims are targeted by the draft law .
Neither is named in the text made up of about 50 articles aimed at enabling better oversight of mosques , associations , public services and schools .
The aim is to reduce the space where radicals can operate and ensure that French values , including secularism , are guaranteed .
Among notable measures is making school obligatory from age 3 with the ability to opt out in favor of home schooling for special cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ending so-called clandestine schools run by fundamentalists with their own agenda .
Another article encourages mosques to register as places of worship , so as to better identify them .
Many of the nation ’ s more than 2,600 mosques currently operate under rules for associations .
Foreign funding for mosques , while not forbidden , would have to be declared if more than 10,000 euros .
The draft law would make it a crime punishable by fines and up to one year in prison for a doctor to provide a young woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of marriage .
To do away with forced marriages , a measure requires the couple to meet separately for an interview with an official when there is a doubt about free consent .
If the doubt persists , the official must take the issue to a prosecutor who could forbid the marriage .
Those practicing polygamy would be forbidden French residence cards .

PARIS (AP) - The French government unveiled a draft law Wednesday aimed at better arming France against Islamist radicalism, a project promoted by President Emmanuel Macron to root out what he calls “separatists” undermining the nation.
France has suffered numerous Islamist terrorist attacks, including the gruesome beheading of a teacher in October who had showed his class cartoons of Islam’s prophet, followed by an attack inside Nice’s largest church that killed three.
The proposed legislation targets home schools, mosques or associations that promulgate an ideology running counter to French values, which authorities have called the “Islamist hydra” that can cultivate violence in some.
With claims by some that the draft law is too soft, or a political maneuver by Macron ahead of 2022 presidential elections to capture followers on the far right, it is likely to see lively debate when it goes before Parliament in coming months.
The topic is delicate because of the large Muslim population in France, estimated at 5 million. The proposed law, with the title “Supporting Republican Principles,” directly mentions neither Islam nor Islamism in an effort to avoid stigmatizing Muslims.
Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, also in charge of faiths, said separately later that Macron has asked him to organize a parliamentary mission to fight anti-Christian, anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim acts.
“The hate of religion is increasing. It touches everyone. It hurts,” he said on BFMTV.
Introducing the draft law to fight separatism, Prime Minister Jean Castex stressed that it “is not a text against religions or against the Muslim religion in particular.” Instead, he said, it is “a bill of freedom, a bill of protection, a bill of emancipation from Islamist fundamentalism” or other ideologies pursuing the same goals.
Castex, speaking at a news conference after the draft law was presented to Cabinet, said those who seek to “divide, and spread hate and violence” are at the heart of “separatism.”
Separatism is especially dangerous because it “is the manifestation of a conscious, theorized, political-religious project with an ambition to make religious norms predominate over the law,” he said. France “intends to defend itself,” Castex added.
Among notable measures is making school obligatory from age 3, allowing the option of home schooling in special cases only. The measure is aimed at ending so-called clandestine schools run by fundamentalists with their own agenda.
Another article encourages mosques to register as places of worship, so as to better identify them. Many of the nation’s more than 2,600 mosques, which often have Quranic schools attached, currently operate under rules for associations.
In addition, a judge can forbid anyone convicted of provoking terrorism, discrimination, hate or violence from frequenting mosques. Foreign funding for mosques, while not forbidden, would have to be declared if it exceeds 10,000 euros ($12,000).
The draft bill also makes changes to France’s much-cherished 1905 law separating church and state and guaranteeing a secular nation in order to modernize and clarify matters of faith, Castex said.
Changes in “morals, practices and threats” make modifications necessary to the secularism law and an older 1901 law governing associations, the prime minister said.
In a section on human dignity, the draft law would make it a crime punishable by fines and up to one year in prison for a doctor to provide a young woman with a certificate that she’s a virgin, sometimes demanded ahead of Muslim marriage ceremonies.
To do away with forced marriages, a measure requires the couple to meet separately for an interview with an official when there is a doubt about free consent. If the doubt persists, the official must take the issue to a prosecutor, who could forbid the marriage.
Those practicing polygamy would be forbidden French residence cards.
Macron spelled out in a speech in October his reasons for wanting to tackle Islamist extremism in all its forms. He said extremists want “to create a parallel order, build other values, develop another organization of society, initially separatist but with a final goal of taking complete control.”
The beheading - by an 18-year-old Chechen refugee - in October of a teacher outside his school gave new urgency to ensuring French values. Social network users helped inform the attacker of the teacher’s location and other vital information.
The draft law creates a new crime for endangering others by disseminating information about people’s private or professional life with the intention of identifying, locating and exposing the person or their family to an immediate danger.
Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti said the measure was inspired by the teacher’s killing.


washingtontimes--2020-12-09--Police: Motorcyclist dies in 3-vehicle crash in Kansas City

KANSAS CITY , Mo .
( AP ) - A motorcyclist died in a crash involving two other vehicles and @ @ @ @ @ Interstate 35 in Kansas City at the height of rush hour , police said .
@ @ @ @ @ p.m. Tuesday on southbound I-35 when the motorcyclist attempted to drive between a car and @ @ @ @ @ both vehicles and was thrown from the bike , police said in a news release @ @ @ @ @ was wearing a helmet at the time , but that it wasn ’ t secured @ @ @ @ @ in the crash .
The motorcyclist was rushed to an area hospital , where he @ @ @ @ @ ’ s name had not been released by Wednesday morning .
Police said the crash @ @ @ @ @ stretch of I-35 for about 2 1/2 hours .

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - A motorcyclist died in a crash involving two other vehicles and shut down a portion of Interstate 35 in Kansas City at the height of rush hour, police said.
The crash happened around 3 p.m. Tuesday on southbound I-35 when the motorcyclist attempted to drive between a car and a box truck, hit both vehicles and was thrown from the bike, police said in a news release. Investigators said the motorcyclist was wearing a helmet at the time, but that it wasn’t secured and flew off his head in the crash.
The motorcyclist was rushed to an area hospital, where he later died. The motorcyclist’s name had not been released by Wednesday morning.
Police said the crash forced the closure of the stretch of I-35 for about 2 1/2 hours.


washingtontimes--2020-12-09--Holding a phone while driving will soon be illegal in Va.

RICHMOND , Va. ( AP ) - It will soon be illegal in Virginia to hold a phone while driving @ @ @ @ @ the new state law takes effect in January .
Authorities say that making the practice @ @ @ @ @ important step toward reducing deaths on the road .
“ If you ’ re looking @ @ @ @ @ texting or checking an email , you ’ re not looking at the road and @ @ @ @ @ , so badly , so fast , ” Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam said .
@ @ @ @ @ that 80 % of all crashes involve driver inattention .
“ Last year , believe @ @ @ @ @ were more than 23,000 - I ’ ll repeat that , 23,000 - crashes in @ @ @ @ @ distracted driving , and 120 of those individuals lost their lives , ” Northam said @ @ @ @ @ the new legislation earlier this year .
Drivers can still talk on the phone .
@ @ @ @ @ the device .
Drivers who are caught face a fine of $ 125 .

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - It will soon be illegal in Virginia to hold a phone while driving.
WAVY-TV reported Tuesday that the new state law takes effect in January.
Authorities say that making the practice illegal and enforceable is an important step toward reducing deaths on the road.
“If you’re looking down at your phone, texting or checking an email, you’re not looking at the road and that can go so far, so badly, so fast,” Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam said.
Researchers at Virginia Tech found that 80% of all crashes involve driver inattention.
“Last year, believe it or not, there were more than 23,000 - I’ll repeat that, 23,000 - crashes in Virginia that were caused by distracted driving, and 120 of those individuals lost their lives,” Northam said.
The General Assembly passed the new legislation earlier this year. Drivers can still talk on the phone. But they cannot hold the device. Drivers who are caught face a fine of $125.


washingtontimes--2020-12-09--Black bikers see racism in Myrtle Beach, SC, traffic plan

COLUMBIA , S.C. ( AP ) - Motorcycle clubs roar into Myrtle Beach , South Carolina , each May for separate week-long rallies , one mostly white , the other mostly Black .
Each brings millions of dollars , spent by hundreds of thousands of bikers , and some inevitably let loose , with binge drinking , public nudity and noise competitions that rattle the beachfront high-rises .
At 60 , Metris Batts says she parties a little more responsibly than many others , but she still rides to be seen at the Black event , cruising atop her silver-gray @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and rhinestone-studded jeans .
There ’ s a thrill to riding fast , Batts says , so it ’ s infuriating to be stuck for hours in a 23-mile ( 37-kilometer ) one-way detour .
Police put up the barricades along Ocean Boulevard during the peak nights of Black Bike Week , officially known as the Atlantic Beach Bikefest .
White bikers rolling in days earlier for Harley Week each May are treated differently , Black bikers say .
“ If you get in a cattle chute , you can ’ t get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ride for freedom.
” Civil rights lawyers have now accused the city in federal court of racial discrimination by creating an experience so unpleasant that Black visitors will eventually go away .
In opening arguments last week to five Black and four white jurors , an NAACP lawyer said Myrtle Beach during Bikefest is “ like a city under martial law , ” The Sun News of Myrtle Beach reported .
City attorneys have countered that “ different traffic control strategies ” apply to each festival , and that the police response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following a spate of shootings and robberies six years ago .
Three people were killed and seven injured that weekend in 2014 .
Then-Gov .
Nikki Haley called for getting rid of the Black event altogether , calling it a “ pollution of South Carolina.
” Bikefest originated along historically segregated beaches , where white bikers had congregated as early as 1940 for the annual Harley Week .
Around 1980 , a local Black motorcycle club called the Carolina Knight Riders started holding a family-and-friends gathering at Atlantic Beach , a hamlet just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Black Pearl ” for its reputation as a haven for African American beachgoers .
The Atlantic Beach event soon sprawled into nearby towns , including Myrtle Beach , where most of the 35,000 residents are white .
Organizers say it ’ s the single largest yearly influx of Black visitors to the area , and like Harley Week , it has grown far beyond any one group ’ s ability to control it .
Myrtle Beach , always struggling to promote South Carolina ’ s Grand Strand as a family-friendly upscale destination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helmet requirements and noise ordinances , only to be taken to court by white and Black bikers alike .
The city also lost to the NAACP when a federal judge said its early-2000s Bikefest traffic plan was racially motivated ; that one forced riders into one-way traffic for 5 miles ( 8 kilometers ) .
Encountering unfriendly shopkeepers and officers has become part of the Bikefest experience , said bikers interviewed by The Associated Press .
The NAACP has sued accusing restaurants and a hotel of discriminating against African American tourists during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorities in other tourist destinations where Black visitors say they ’ ve suffered abusive policing .
“ If my motorcycle ran out of gas in Myrtle Beach , I would push it until I got out of the city limits , ” said Lewis Clark , a biker in Rocky Mount , North Carolina , who helped organize the event in prior years .
Myrtle Beach city and Chamber of Commerce officials refused to talk about the trial .
Jason Eastman , a sociologist at Coastal Carolina University , likens both Black Bike @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carnival and spring break , when visitors think social norms can be upturned .
What separates them is how residents have responded , Eastman said .
About a decade ago , he dug through 8,500 online reader comments about the bike weeks on articles by The Sun News .
He found that while the behavior of bikers at the events are similar , commenters frame “ the mostly white Harley riders as successful in their educations and careers , ” while stereotyping Black bikers as “ unemployed , uneducated , immature , underclass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Black Bike Week ” moniker , trying to steer the event back to Atlantic Beach , where it all started , supporting hole-in-the-wall joints and hanging out in the local Hooters parking lot or at the Carolina Knight Riders clubhouse .
“ That ’ s where the real partying is , ” Batts said .
“ That ’ s where the real networking is .
That ’ s where the real relationships are.
” This year ’ s Bikefest - which would have been in its 40th year - was canceled because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already planning an event next May to make up for what they missed .
“ We ’ re calling it the 40 Plus One , ” said Aaron Cox , the club ’ s business manager .
Michelle Liu is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative .
Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues .

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Motorcycle clubs roar into Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, each May for separate week-long rallies, one mostly white, the other mostly Black. Each brings millions of dollars, spent by hundreds of thousands of bikers, and some inevitably let loose, with binge drinking, public nudity and noise competitions that rattle the beachfront high-rises.
At 60, Metris Batts says she parties a little more responsibly than many others, but she still rides to be seen at the Black event, cruising atop her silver-gray Honda VTX in brightly colored cowboy boots and rhinestone-studded jeans.
There’s a thrill to riding fast, Batts says, so it’s infuriating to be stuck for hours in a 23-mile (37-kilometer) one-way detour. Police put up the barricades along Ocean Boulevard during the peak nights of Black Bike Week, officially known as the Atlantic Beach Bikefest. White bikers rolling in days earlier for Harley Week each May are treated differently, Black bikers say.
“If you get in a cattle chute, you can’t get out,” Batts said. “We ride for freedom.”
Civil rights lawyers have now accused the city in federal court of racial discrimination by creating an experience so unpleasant that Black visitors will eventually go away. In opening arguments last week to five Black and four white jurors, an NAACP lawyer said Myrtle Beach during Bikefest is “like a city under martial law,” The Sun News of Myrtle Beach reported.
City attorneys have countered that “different traffic control strategies” apply to each festival, and that the police response to Bikefest was imposed to prevent violence following a spate of shootings and robberies six years ago.
Three people were killed and seven injured that weekend in 2014. Then-Gov. Nikki Haley called for getting rid of the Black event altogether, calling it a “pollution of South Carolina.”
Bikefest originated along historically segregated beaches, where white bikers had congregated as early as 1940 for the annual Harley Week. Around 1980, a local Black motorcycle club called the Carolina Knight Riders started holding a family-and-friends gathering at Atlantic Beach, a hamlet just north of Myrtle Beach known as the “Black Pearl” for its reputation as a haven for African American beachgoers.
The Atlantic Beach event soon sprawled into nearby towns, including Myrtle Beach, where most of the 35,000 residents are white. Organizers say it’s the single largest yearly influx of Black visitors to the area, and like Harley Week, it has grown far beyond any one group’s ability to control it.
Myrtle Beach, always struggling to promote South Carolina’s Grand Strand as a family-friendly upscale destination, tried to push bikers out with helmet requirements and noise ordinances, only to be taken to court by white and Black bikers alike. The city also lost to the NAACP when a federal judge said its early-2000s Bikefest traffic plan was racially motivated; that one forced riders into one-way traffic for 5 miles (8 kilometers).
Encountering unfriendly shopkeepers and officers has become part of the Bikefest experience, said bikers interviewed by The Associated Press. The NAACP has sued accusing restaurants and a hotel of discriminating against African American tourists during the event, just as it has challenged authorities in other tourist destinations where Black visitors say they’ve suffered abusive policing.
“If my motorcycle ran out of gas in Myrtle Beach, I would push it until I got out of the city limits,” said Lewis Clark, a biker in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, who helped organize the event in prior years.
Myrtle Beach city and Chamber of Commerce officials refused to talk about the trial.
Jason Eastman, a sociologist at Coastal Carolina University, likens both Black Bike Week and Harley Week to events like Carnival and spring break, when visitors think social norms can be upturned. What separates them is how residents have responded, Eastman said.
About a decade ago, he dug through 8,500 online reader comments about the bike weeks on articles by The Sun News.
He found that while the behavior of bikers at the events are similar, commenters frame “the mostly white Harley riders as successful in their educations and careers,” while stereotyping Black bikers as “unemployed, uneducated, immature, underclass criminals.”
Bikefest old-timers often disavow the “Black Bike Week” moniker, trying to steer the event back to Atlantic Beach, where it all started, supporting hole-in-the-wall joints and hanging out in the local Hooters parking lot or at the Carolina Knight Riders clubhouse.
“That’s where the real partying is,” Batts said. “That’s where the real networking is. That’s where the real relationships are.”
This year’s Bikefest - which would have been in its 40th year - was canceled because of COVID-19. The Knight Riders are already planning an event next May to make up for what they missed. “We’re calling it the 40 Plus One,” said Aaron Cox, the club’s business manager.
___
Michelle Liu is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.


washingtontimes--2020-12-09--Protesters in Armenia besiege parliament, demand PM resigns

YEREVAN , Armenia ( AP ) - Thousands of protesters converged on the parliament building in Armenia ‘ s capital Wednesday to push for the resignation of the ex-Soviet nation ’ s prime minister over his handling of the fighting with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh .
Nikol Pashinyan ’ s opponents are angry at a peace deal that ended six weeks of fighting over the separatist region but saw Azerbaijan take over wide areas that have been controlled by Armenian forces for more than a quarter-century .
Armenia ‘ s opposition parties gave Pashinyan an ultimatum to resign by Tuesday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defending the peace deal as a bitter but necessary move that prevented Azerbaijan from overrunning the entire Nagorno-Karabakh region .
About 15,000 protesters marched through downtown Yerevan to the parliament building , chanting “ Nikol go away !
” The opposition has been pushing for Pashinyan ’ s resignation since the Russia-brokered peace deal took effect on Nov. 10 .
Protests have grown over the past days , with demonstrators blocking traffic in various sections of the capital , and also rallying in other cities .
The Armenian Apostolic Church and all three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have joined the demand for Pashinyan to step down .
Undeterred , the prime minister told lawmakers in parliament Wednesday that the nation needs consolidation in the current difficult period .
“ Voices of different groups mustn ’ t be mistaken for the people ’ s voice , ” he said .
Speaking outside parliament Wednesday , Artur Vanetsyan , the former head of the National Security Service who leads the Homeland opposition party , argued that Pashinyan should step down to allow opposition forces to “ normalize the situation ” in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the job raises a new threat to the nation , ” Vanetsyan said .
Nagorno-Karabakh lies within Azerbaijan but has been under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia since a separatist war there ended in 1994 .
That war left Nagorno-Karabakh itself and substantial surrounding territory in Armenian hands .
In 44 days of fighting that began in late September and left more than 5,600 people killed on both sides , the Azerbaijani army forged deep into Nagorno-Karabakh , forcing Armenia to accept the peace deal that saw Azerbaijan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with surrounding areas .
Azerbaijanis have celebrated it as a major victory , and the country is set to hold a massive military parade Thursday - to be attended by visiting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan .
Turkey strongly backed Azerbaijan during the conflict , which it used to expand its clout in the region .
Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow contributed to this report .

YEREVAN, Armenia (AP) - Thousands of protesters converged on the parliament building in Armenia’s capital Wednesday to push for the resignation of the ex-Soviet nation’s prime minister over his handling of the fighting with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh.
Nikol Pashinyan’s opponents are angry at a peace deal that ended six weeks of fighting over the separatist region but saw Azerbaijan take over wide areas that have been controlled by Armenian forces for more than a quarter-century.
Armenia’s opposition parties gave Pashinyan an ultimatum to resign by Tuesday, but he has ignored the demand, defending the peace deal as a bitter but necessary move that prevented Azerbaijan from overrunning the entire Nagorno-Karabakh region.
About 15,000 protesters marched through downtown Yerevan to the parliament building, chanting “Nikol go away!”
The opposition has been pushing for Pashinyan’s resignation since the Russia-brokered peace deal took effect on Nov. 10. Protests have grown over the past days, with demonstrators blocking traffic in various sections of the capital, and also rallying in other cities.
The Armenian Apostolic Church and all three of the country’s former presidents have joined the demand for Pashinyan to step down.
Undeterred, the prime minister told lawmakers in parliament Wednesday that the nation needs consolidation in the current difficult period. “Voices of different groups mustn’t be mistaken for the people’s voice,” he said.
Speaking outside parliament Wednesday, Artur Vanetsyan, the former head of the National Security Service who leads the Homeland opposition party, argued that Pashinyan should step down to allow opposition forces to “normalize the situation” in the country. “Each day he stays on the job raises a new threat to the nation,” Vanetsyan said.
Nagorno-Karabakh lies within Azerbaijan but has been under the control of ethnic Armenian forces backed by Armenia since a separatist war there ended in 1994. That war left Nagorno-Karabakh itself and substantial surrounding territory in Armenian hands.
In 44 days of fighting that began in late September and left more than 5,600 people killed on both sides, the Azerbaijani army forged deep into Nagorno-Karabakh, forcing Armenia to accept the peace deal that saw Azerbaijan reclaim much of the separatist region along with surrounding areas.
Azerbaijanis have celebrated it as a major victory, and the country is set to hold a massive military parade Thursday - to be attended by visiting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey strongly backed Azerbaijan during the conflict, which it used to expand its clout in the region.
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Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-12-09--Vermont  sets up text system for COVID exposure notification

MONTPELIER , Vt. ( AP ) - The Vermont Health Department is going to begin sending text messages to people @ @ @ @ @ contact with someone who has COVID-19 , an official said .
Health Commissioner Dr. Mark @ @ @ @ @ is intended to ensure the word gets to people who may have been exposed to @ @ @ @ @ possible .
The person who was exposed to the virus will provide the cellphone numbers @ @ @ @ @ have been exposed .
After receiving the texts , people will also receive calls from @ @ @ @ @ “ Our contact tracing team will help determine who gets these texts based on the @ @ @ @ @ said during the state ’ s virus briefing .
The person will receive two short @ @ @ @ @ .
The texts will be sent between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. “ If you @ @ @ @ @ please know it is a legitimate and important message from the department of health , @ @ @ @

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - The Vermont Health Department is going to begin sending text messages to people who may have come into contact with someone who has COVID-19, an official said.
Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine said Tuesday the system is intended to ensure the word gets to people who may have been exposed to the virus as quickly as possible.
The person infected with the virus will provide the cellphone numbers of the people who may have been exposed.
After receiving the texts, people will also receive calls from Health Department contact tracers.
“Our contact tracing team will help determine who gets these texts based on the exact situation,” Levine said during the state’s virus briefing.
The person will receive two short texts from the number 86911. The texts will be sent between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
“If you do get a text, please know it is a legitimate and important message from the department of health,” Levine said.
In other news related to the coronavirus:
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POLICE ACADEMY
Staff and cadets at the Vermont Police Academy in Pittsford are in quarantine after eight of 23 members of the potential graduating class had positive antigen tests and are now considered probable for having COVID-19.
It’s unclear how class members were exposed. Cadets and staff are quarantining at home until PCR testing can confirm the antigen tests and rule out more cases, William Sheets, the interim executive director of the Criminal Justice Council, told the Brattleboro Reformer.
The academy has been training officers with strict COVID-19 protocols and recruits in the Level 3 course had single occupancy rooms and did not eat meals together, Sheets said. The academy was scheduled to hold a graduation ceremony on Dec. 18.
Once the probable cases were detected, “we shut down the physical academy,” Sheets told the newspaper.
Recruits are doing their training remotely for now.
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NUMBERS
On Wednesday the Health Department reported 105 new cases of the virus that causes COVID-19, bringing the statewide total since the pandemic began to more than 5,280.
The state reports there are currently 25 people hospitalized with COVID-19, including two in intensive care.
The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Vermont has risen over the past two weeks from 92 new cases per day on Nov. 24 to 116.43 new cases per day on Dec. 8.
The latest average positivity rate in Vermont is 2.47%. State health departments are calculating positivity rate differently across the country, but for Vermont the AP calculates the rate by dividing new cases by test specimens using data from The COVID Tracking Project.
The seven-day rolling average of the positivity rate in Vermont has risen over the past two weeks from 1.33% on Nov. 24 to 2.47% on Dec. 8.
On Wednesday the state reported four new COVID-19 fatalities, bringing the statewide total since the pandemic began to 86.


washingtontimes--2020-12-09--Pennsylvania man hit New Jersey officials with fake liens

TRENTON , N.J. ( AP ) - A Pennsylvania man has admitted filing fraudulent liens against police and court officials @ @ @ @ @ for a motor vehicle ticket .
Solomon Lightner , 41 , of East Stroudsburg , @ @ @ @ @ to tampering with a witness , authorities said .
Officials said the charge was based @ @ @ @ @ lien against the police officer who issued the motor vehicle summons and who therefore was @ @ @ @ @ in court .
Several Denville Township officials became aware in February 2019 that Lightner had @ @ @ @ @ security interest in their personal property .
In a court hearing in July 2020 , @ @ @ @ @ of the filings against 32 officials in New Jersey .
Under terms of a plea @ @ @ @ @ recommend that Lightner be sentenced to probation .

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - A Pennsylvania man has admitted filing fraudulent liens against police and court officials in New Jersey in retaliation for a motor vehicle ticket.
Solomon Lightner, 41, of East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty Tuesday to tampering with a witness, authorities said. Officials said the charge was based on Lightner filing a fraudulent lien against the police officer who issued the motor vehicle summons and who therefore was expected to testify against him in court.
Several Denville Township officials became aware in February 2019 that Lightner had filed legal notice of a security interest in their personal property.
In a court hearing in July 2020, Lightner agreed to terminate all of the filings against 32 officials in New Jersey.
Under terms of a plea agreement, the state will recommend that Lightner be sentenced to probation.
Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 22.


washingtontimes--2020-12-09--UMD students to start spring semester with virtual classes

COLLEGE PARK , Md .
( AP ) - The University of Maryland will begin its spring semester with virtual learning and continue the semester with a similar “ look and feel ” to its fall classes , according to the school ’ s president .
Students will mostly have virtual classes for the first two weeks of the semester before the school shifts to hybrid learning , University President Darryll J. Pines wrote in a Tuesday letter to the university community .
Only about 25 % of the classes will be in-person when hybrid learning resumes .
“ If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learned throughout this pandemic , it is this : We must remain nimble and flexible and expect change , ” Pines wrote .
“ If new information comes to light , we will not hesitate to adapt our plans accordingly.
” All students are required to submit a negative COVID-19 test before coming back to campus .
Everyone who will be on campus will also have to get tested for the virus every two weeks .
Pines said students will have two weeks of virtual classes after spring break to allow for campus-wide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will also operate at a reduced capacity , with students residing only in single rooms .

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (AP) - The University of Maryland will begin its spring semester with virtual learning and continue the semester with a similar “look and feel” to its fall classes, according to the school’s president.
Students will mostly have virtual classes for the first two weeks of the semester before the school shifts to hybrid learning, University President Darryll J. Pines wrote in a Tuesday letter to the university community. Only about 25% of the classes will be in-person when hybrid learning resumes.
“If there is a lesson that we have learned throughout this pandemic, it is this: We must remain nimble and flexible and expect change,” Pines wrote. “If new information comes to light, we will not hesitate to adapt our plans accordingly.”
All students are required to submit a negative COVID-19 test before coming back to campus. Everyone who will be on campus will also have to get tested for the virus every two weeks.
Pines said students will have two weeks of virtual classes after spring break to allow for campus-wide testing before in-person classes resume. Dorms will also operate at a reduced capacity, with students residing only in single rooms.


washingtontimes--2020-12-09--The Latest: Packers to keep limited attendance at home games

The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world : The Green Bay Packers will @ @ @ @ @ games to team employees and their families for the remainder of the regular season .
@ @ @ @ @ is based on a continued high rate of coronavirus activity in Brown County and many @ @ @ @ @ The team is also concerned rates may spike with the holiday season approaching .
Packers @ @ @ @ @ says “ the health and safety of our community , players and fans is our @ @ @ @ @ reported that the Packers allowed a limited group of about 500 employees and their families @ @ @ @ @ games on Nov. 29 and last Sunday .
The Packers have two regular season home @ @ @ @ @ the Carolina Panthers on Dec. 19 and the Tennessee Titans on Dec. 27 .
The @ @ @ @ @ any potential home playoff games will be decided at a later date .

The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:
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The Southeastern Conference championship game between No. 1 Alabama and No. 6 Florida will be played before a socially distanced crowd of 16,500 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
The game is set for Dec. 19 at the 75,000-seat, retractable-roof facility. All tickets have been sold, according to the SEC.
Face coverings must be worn inside the stadium at all times. Tailgating will be allowed up to five hours before the 8 p.m. kickoff, but one empty space must be maintained between each vehicle.
This will be the largest crowd to attend a football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium since the pandemic began. The NFL’s Atlanta Falcons have been playing before a restricted capacity of less than 10,000 fans.
This will be the ninth time Alabama and Florida have met in the SEC title game, which has been played in Atlanta since 1994.
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NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills says the Panthers’ COVID-19 transmission was linked back “to some gathering of players outside the team facility” during Carolina’s bye week. The Panthers placed eight players on the COVID-19/reserve list on Monday, forcing the team to close its facility for two days.
The NFL has worked with the club and the players involved and Sills said he thinks there will be improvement with repeated messaging about what players should and shouldn’t be doing away from the team’s facility.
Carolina reported no additional positive tests on Wednesday and eligible players returned to practice.
The Panthers potentially face fines and a loss of a draft pick. The Las Vegas Raiders were fined $500,000, coach Jon Gruden was docked $150,000 and the team lost a sixth-round pick for its COVID-19 protocol violations in about a month ago following a repeat offense.
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LSU has dropped out of the Holiday Hoopsgiving quadrupleheader set for Saturday at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.
Tournament organizers announced that Wofford would replace the Tigers, who withdrew from the event because of a possible COVID-19 exposure.
Wofford will now take on South Florida in the second of four games to be held throughout the day and evening at the home of the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks.
The other games are: Mississippi State vs. Dayton; Memphis vs. Auburn; and Clemson vs. Alabama.
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The Colorado State men’s basketball team returned to a full squad practice Wednesday after a 20-day program pause because of coronavirus infections.
The Rams announced their game against Northern Colorado scheduled for Saturday will instead be played Feb. 16 at Moby Arena.
The Rams will tip off their season against CSU Pueblo on Saturday.
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No. 16 North Carolina has added a home game against North Carolina Central for Saturday.
The schools announced the game Wednesday. The Tar Heels were originally scheduled to host Elon, but that game was put on hold after that program paused team activities due to a positive COVID-19 test.
UNC says it will work with Elon to reschedule that game for next season.
The UNC-N.C. Central game brings together two nearby programs, with the Tar Heels based in Chapel Hill and the Eagles of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference based in Durham about 20 minutes away.
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The kickoff between Utah and No. 21 Colorado in Boulder, Colorado, has been moved to Saturday morning.
The game was originally scheduled for Friday night. It was moved to take the place of the Michigan-Ohio State game, which was canceled due to COVID-19 issues within the Wolverines’ program. The Utah-Colorado game will start at 12:05 p.m. EST.
Colorado said in a release this will be the earliest kickoff time in Folsom Field’s 97-year history. The previous mark was set when Nebraska and Colorado began at 12:09 p.m. on Nov. 23, 2007.
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The Miami Dolphins have placed cornerback Jamal Perry on the reserve-COVID-19 list.
Perry has played in 10 games with one start this season.
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The University of Wyoming has banned new ticket sales to home sporting events until at least 2021 as new statewide public health orders were put in place by Republican Gov. Mark Gordon.
The university says no new tickets will be sold starting Wednesday until at least Jan. 8. Fans who bought tickets before 12 p.m. Tuesday for two upcoming home games scheduled this week will still be allowed to attend.
The new state orders were in response to the recent spike in statewide new coronavirus cases. The state reported 128 deaths from the disease in November, the most in a month since the pandemic began.
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Charleston Southern has paused its men’s basketball program and postponed its next two games, including a Saturday trip to No. 10 Duke due to a positive COVID-19 test.
The school said Wednesday that a non-player tested positive and was immediately isolated.
Charleston Southern is going through testing protocols and contact tracing in accordance with NCAA, Big South, Charleston Southern and local health guidelines.
The Buccaneers also postponed going to North Carolina Central on Tuesday.
Charleston Southern coach Barclay Radebaugh said while the team was disappointed at missing out on games, the safety of players and staffers was the priority.
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UConn has postponed a second men’s basketball game as it continues to deal with a player’s positive coronavirus test.
The Big East Conference announced the Huskies will not travel to face Georgetown on Sunday. Georgetown now will host St. John’s on Sunday instead of UConn.
The Huskies had already had postponed its planned Big East opener against St. John’s on Friday in Storrs after suspending team activities on Sunday.
UConn (3-0), which is returning to the Big East after seven years in the American Athletic Conference, is now scheduled to open conference play on Thursday, Dec. 17, at Providence.
This is the second coronavirus-related shutdown for the Huskies. They spent 14 days on pause in November after a positive coronavirus test result.
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Indiana and Purdue have canceled Saturday’s football game because of an increase in COVID-19 cases at each school.
It’s the first time since 1919 that the annual in-state rivalry will not be played.
Both teams canceled practices Tuesday, pausing all team activities. On Wednesday, Indiana athletic director Scott Dolson and Purdue athletic director Mike Bobinski mutually agreed to cancel the game.
“We’re certainly disappointed that we had to cancel the Old Oaken Bucket game,” they said in a joint statement, referring to the trophy that goes to the winner. “We both understand the history and tradition of one of the best rivalries in college football, but the safety and well-being of our student-athletes, coaches and staff is our primary priority. We will continue to monitor the situation on both campuses and listen to the advice of our medical professionals.”
Indiana will keep the trophy for another year after winning last year’s game in overtime. The Hoosiers (6-1) had already clinched the No. 2 seed in the Big Ten East. Purdue (2-4) has lost four in a row.
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Andrea Lee has withdrawn from the U.S. Women’s Open after testing positive for the coronavirus.
Lee tested negative in a pre-arrival test by the USGA last week in Dallas while playing an LPGA Tour event. She traveled to Houston and tested positive, with mild symptoms.
The U.S. Women’s Open, the final golf major of the year, starts Thursday. Lee, who is eligible for next week’s CME Group Tour Championship, was replaced by Ayaka Watanabe of Japan.
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Marshall says Friday’s regular-season football finale against Charlotte has been canceled due to injuries and a lack of available Thundering Herd players at key positions, which it attributed to COVID-19 issues.
“Due to the developments this week, myself and our medical team felt that it was unsafe to put the team on the field Friday evening,” Marshall athletic director Mike Hamrick said in a statement.
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Butler has postponed Monday’s men’s basketball game against St. John’s and will now open its Big East season on Dec. 16 at No. 9 Villanova.
The Bulldogs (1-0) haven’t played since Nov. 25 after a Tier 1 member of the program tested positive for COVID-19. Anyone deemed a close contact to that person was instructed to quarantine for 14 days.
School officials announced the next day that all team activities had been paused.
Butler already had postponed games against Eastern Illinois, Northern Kentucky and Kansas State.
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Washington has paused football activities after a rise in positive COVID-19 cases within the Huskies’ program, putting in doubt the fate of its game this Saturday against Oregon.
Washington did not reveal the number of cases but said it would not practice Wednesday while undergoing additional PCR testing.
The school said it would announce the status of the Oregon game when more information becomes available. Should the game be played, the winner of the Washington-Oregon matchup will be Pac-12 North champions and play in the conference title game on Dec. 18.
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North Carolina State has paused men’s basketball activities amid positive COVID-19 tests and contact tracing.
The school announced the move Wednesday. That comes after the Wolfpack had to cancel a “Bubbleville” game against Connecticut in the Huskies’ home state last weekend as well as postpone Tuesday’s trip to Michigan for the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
Because of the pause, N.C. State’s scheduled game against Florida Atlantic this weekend won’t be played. The schedule beyond that game is unclear.
At the time of the UConn cancellation, N.C. State said all program members had tested negative before traveling to Connecticut to face Massachusetts-Lowell and again after their arrival. But a subsequent test came back positive the day before the matchup with the Huskies.
N.C. State’s announcement says there have been two members of the traveling party who have tested positive.
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The Atlantic Coast Conference says it will allow limited fans to attend its football championship game between No. 2 Notre Dame and No. 4 Clemson on Dec. 19.
The state of North Carolina previously issued public-gathering restrictions for outdoor venues because of the coronavirus pandemic, allowing schools to fill 7% of their stadium capacity for fans. Following that guidance, the ACC said Wednesday that capacity would be set at 5,240 for Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
The league says fans and staff must wear masks in the stadium and follow social-distancing markers displayed throughout the stadium.
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The Green Bay Packers will limit attendance at Lambeau Field games to team employees and their families for the remainder of the regular season.
The team says the decision is based on a continued high rate of coronavirus activity in Brown County and many areas of the state. The team is also concerned rates may spike with the holiday season approaching.
Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy says “the health and safety of our community, players and fans is our top priority.”
WLUK-TV has reported that the Packers allowed a limited group of about 500 employees and their families during their last two home games on Nov. 29 and last Sunday.
The Packers have two regular season home games remaining. They face the Carolina Panthers on Dec. 19 and the Tennessee Titans on Dec. 27.
The team says an approach to any potential home playoff games will be decided at a later date.
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More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-12-09--2 men sentenced in Great Smoky Mountains National Park rapes

KNOXVILLE , Tenn. ( AP ) - Two men have been sentenced to federal prison in the rapes of young male victims in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park , according to federal prosecutors .
Dusty William Oliver , 41 , and Richard Graham , 49 , both from Blaine , Tennessee , were sentenced in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee in Knoxville on Monday , according to a Department of Justice statement .
Oliver and Graham pleaded guilty to an indictment charging them with two counts of aggravated sexual abuse .
Oliver was sentenced to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 15 years of supervised release and Graham was sentenced to just over 19 years in prison , with 15 years ’ supervised release .
Prosecutors alleged that in June 2012 and in November 2015 the defendants raped two different male victims in the national park , which straddles the line between North Carolina and Tennessee .
The defendants sought out men who were homeless and addicted to drugs , who they believed were unlikely to report the attacks to law enforcement , according to the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office for the Eastern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accused of “ quickly befriending ” the victims along a roadside in Knoxville before having them hike “ unfamiliar trails in pitch darkness ” through the park until they were assaulted by Oliver and Graham , the office said .
“ The defendants exploited vulnerable victims ; however , the victims were brave enough to come forward and report their attacks , ” said U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Overbey .
“ The victims ’ cooperation throughout the investigation and prosecution was necessary , and I commend them for seeing it through .
”

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Two men have been sentenced to federal prison in the rapes of young male victims in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, according to federal prosecutors.
Dusty William Oliver, 41, and Richard Graham, 49, both from Blaine, Tennessee, were sentenced in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee in Knoxville on Monday, according to a Department of Justice statement.
Oliver and Graham pleaded guilty to an indictment charging them with two counts of aggravated sexual abuse. Oliver was sentenced to 25 years in prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release and Graham was sentenced to just over 19 years in prison, with 15 years’ supervised release.
Prosecutors alleged that in June 2012 and in November 2015 the defendants raped two different male victims in the national park, which straddles the line between North Carolina and Tennessee. The defendants sought out men who were homeless and addicted to drugs, who they believed were unlikely to report the attacks to law enforcement, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Tennessee.
The men were accused of “quickly befriending” the victims along a roadside in Knoxville before having them hike “unfamiliar trails in pitch darkness” through the park until they were assaulted by Oliver and Graham, the office said.
“The defendants exploited vulnerable victims; however, the victims were brave enough to come forward and report their attacks,” said U.S. Attorney J. Douglas Overbey. “The victims’ cooperation throughout the investigation and prosecution was necessary, and I commend them for seeing it through.”