washingtontimes--2020-04-16--Police: 3 Illinois gang members charged in Wisconsin killing

EAU CLAIRE , Wis. ( AP ) - Three members of an Illinois street gang are accused in the fatal shooting of a fellow gang member at a Wisconsin home last month , police said Thursday .
Eau Claire Police Chief Matt Rokus said that the victim , James Garcia-Smith , 29 , of Eau Claire , had ties to Chicago and was selling large quantities of marijuana at the time he was killed .
Two suspects , Juan Olivarez , 23 , and Joe Moya , 27 , both of Chicago , were arrested Wednesday and are being held @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Wisconsin .
A warrant has been issued for the third suspect , Ian Kearns , 22 , of Sandwich , Illinois , who remained at large .
All three men are charged with a felony count of first-degree intentional homicide as a party to a crime .
The police chief said there could be more arrests , the Leader-Telegram reported .
Garcia-Smith was found fatally shot at an apartment in Eau Claire on March 20 .
A 32-year-old woman also was shot in the leg but survived .
Three children in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ woman told investigators two men kicked in the door , confronted Garcia-Smith and pointed a gun at him .
The woman said she wrestled one of the intruders to the ground and held him in a headlock when she heard shots and realized that both she and Garcia-Smith were shot .

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (AP) - Three members of an Illinois street gang are accused in the fatal shooting of a fellow gang member at a Wisconsin home last month, police said Thursday.
Eau Claire Police Chief Matt Rokus said that the victim, James Garcia-Smith, 29, of Eau Claire, had ties to Chicago and was selling large quantities of marijuana at the time he was killed.
Two suspects, Juan Olivarez, 23, and Joe Moya, 27, both of Chicago, were arrested Wednesday and are being held in the Cook County Jail pending extradition to Wisconsin. A warrant has been issued for the third suspect, Ian Kearns, 22, of Sandwich, Illinois, who remained at large.
All three men are charged with a felony count of first-degree intentional homicide as a party to a crime.
The police chief said there could be more arrests, the Leader-Telegram reported.
Garcia-Smith was found fatally shot at an apartment in Eau Claire on March 20. A 32-year-old woman also was shot in the leg but survived. Three children in the home were not physically hurt.
The woman told investigators two men kicked in the door, confronted Garcia-Smith and pointed a gun at him. The woman said she wrestled one of the intruders to the ground and held him in a headlock when she heard shots and realized that both she and Garcia-Smith were shot.


washingtontimes--2020-04-16--3 accused white supremacists denied bond amid virus concerns

ROME , Ga. ( AP ) - Three Georgia men accused of belonging to a white supremacist group and of plotting to kill a couple were denied bond Thursday after requesting a hearing because of coronavirus concerns , authorities said .
Floyd County Superior Court Chief Judge Bryant Durham rejected bond requests for 25-year-old Michael Helterbrand of Dalton ; 19-year-old Jacob Kaderli of Dacula ; and 21-year-old Luke Lane of Silver Creek , news outlets reported .
The three men face charges of conspiring to kill members of a militant anti-fascist group and participation in a criminal gang .
Floyd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ the Base , ” a group described by the FBI as a collective of hardcore neo-Nazis , operating as a paramilitary organization that is hostile to minority communities .
An arrest affidavit said the men planned to kill a married couple who were anti-fascist protesters - part of the Antifa movement - and believed that killing the couple would send a message to enemies of The Base .
The men were previously denied bond in February but requested another hearing amid coronavirus concerns and delays .
Lane ’ s attorney , Emily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in jail and inmates don ’ t have access to disinfectants .
Matson and the other attorneys argued they couldn ’ t adequately represent their clients because of massive amounts of evidence presented by the FBI and limited access to their clients because of COVID-19 restrictions .
The judge told the attorneys to appeal in two weeks .
Floyd County Sheriff ’ s Sgt .
Anthony Cromer said there have been no cases of COVID-19 in the jail .
“ We are screening all of our staff two times per shift at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Base recruit fellow white supremacists online - especially veterans because of their military training - and use encrypted chat rooms and train members in military-style camps in the woods , according to experts who track extremist groups .
The group , which has the motto “ learn , train , fight , ” brings together white supremacists of varying ideologies , the experts say .

ROME, Ga. (AP) - Three Georgia men accused of belonging to a white supremacist group and of plotting to kill a couple were denied bond Thursday after requesting a hearing because of coronavirus concerns, authorities said.
Floyd County Superior Court Chief Judge Bryant Durham rejected bond requests for 25-year-old Michael Helterbrand of Dalton; 19-year-old Jacob Kaderli of Dacula; and 21-year-old Luke Lane of Silver Creek, news outlets reported.
The three men face charges of conspiring to kill members of a militant anti-fascist group and participation in a criminal gang.
Floyd County police said the men belong to “the Base,” a group described by the FBI as a collective of hardcore neo-Nazis, operating as a paramilitary organization that is hostile to minority communities.
An arrest affidavit said the men planned to kill a married couple who were anti-fascist protesters - part of the Antifa movement - and believed that killing the couple would send a message to enemies of The Base.
The men were previously denied bond in February but requested another hearing amid coronavirus concerns and delays.
Lane’s attorney, Emily Matson, said social distancing was impossible in jail and inmates don’t have access to disinfectants. Matson and the other attorneys argued they couldn’t adequately represent their clients because of massive amounts of evidence presented by the FBI and limited access to their clients because of COVID-19 restrictions.
The judge told the attorneys to appeal in two weeks.
Floyd County Sheriff’s Sgt. Anthony Cromer said there have been no cases of COVID-19 in the jail.
“We are screening all of our staff two times per shift at least,” Cromer said.
Organizers of The Base recruit fellow white supremacists online - especially veterans because of their military training - and use encrypted chat rooms and train members in military-style camps in the woods, according to experts who track extremist groups.
The group, which has the motto “learn, train, fight,” brings together white supremacists of varying ideologies, the experts say.


washingtontimes--2020-04-16--PG&E:  Wildfire victims backing bankruptcy plan so far

BERKELEY , Calif. ( AP ) - A Pacific Gas & Electric lawyer told a federal judge that the beleaguered company ’ s plan for getting out of bankruptcy is winning support from the victims of Northern California wildfires ignited by the utility ’ s crumbling equipment , despite concerns they will be shortchanged in a $ 13.5 billion settlement .
The disclosure made Thursday by PG & E ; lawyer Kevin Orsini is an early indication that PG & E ; is thwarting an attempt to pressure the San Francisco company into revising a deal that it reached in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suffered during catastrophic wildfires in 2017 and 2018 .
A bankruptcy committee representing the victims recently has been raising red flags about the $ 13.5 billion settlement that it helped negotiate because half of the amount consists of PG & E ; stock that has been fluctuating wildly amid the economic turmoil caused by the coronavirus pandemic .
Just last week , lawyers for the victims ’ committee unsuccessfully tried to persuade U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Dennis Montali to approve a letter warning that the $ 13.5 billion deal wasn ’ t panning out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ value of the promised stock , the victims ’ committee is also worried the bankruptcy plan will miss its Aug. 29 date for raising the money needed to pay claims .
The letter would have advised more than 82,000 to delay voting until at least April 25 to give the committee time to address its concerns , but Montali declined to put the court ’ s seal of approval on the warning .
The voting on PG & E ; ’ s plan began earlier this month and will continue through May 15 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ another wildfire matter , Orsini told U.S. District Court Judge James Donato that the victims so far are “ overwhelmingly ” voting in favor of the company ’ s plan .
Orsini didn ’ t say how many of the victims ’ ballots have been cast so far .
PG & E ; declined any further comment .
The plan also needs backing from a wide range of investors , lenders , government agencies and insurers that also have claims in PG & E ; ’ s bankruptcy case , but their support @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
PG & E ; ’ s biggest challenge has been getting the wildfire victims on board , given their deal represents more than half of the $ 25.5 billion in settlements contained within PG & E ; elaborate plan .
While the victims ’ committee has been griping about shortcomings in the plan , it has continued to gain support from other lawyer representing people who lost family , homes and businesses in the wildfires that drove PG & E ; into bankruptcy and caused the company to plead guilty to 84 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawyers siding with PG & E ; contend the company plan is the best hope to get money to victims at a time when the crumbling economy threatens to make some of them even more destitute than they are .
Even so , almost everyone agrees the stock market turmoil is threatening to erode the original value of the $ 13.5 billion fund for the wildfire victims .
One financial expert that company stock pledged in the deal may turn out to be worth $ 4.85 billion , instead of the promised $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the PG & E ; stock could still rebound and end up paying victims even more than they hoped .
The company ’ s shares closed Thursday at $ 11.13 .
That ’ s down dramatically from the stock ’ s six-month high of $ 18.34 , but a rebound from its recent low of $ 7.85 earlier this month .

BERKELEY, Calif. (AP) - A Pacific Gas & Electric lawyer told a federal judge that the beleaguered company’s plan for getting out of bankruptcy is winning support from the victims of Northern California wildfires ignited by the utility’s crumbling equipment, despite concerns they will be shortchanged in a $13.5 billion settlement.
The disclosure made Thursday by PG&E lawyer Kevin Orsini is an early indication that PG&E is thwarting an attempt to pressure the San Francisco company into revising a deal that it reached in December to pay for the staggering losses suffered during catastrophic wildfires in 2017 and 2018.
A bankruptcy committee representing the victims recently has been raising red flags about the $13.5 billion settlement that it helped negotiate because half of the amount consists of PG&E stock that has been fluctuating wildly amid the economic turmoil caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Just last week, lawyers for the victims’ committee unsuccessfully tried to persuade U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Dennis Montali to approve a letter warning that the $13.5 billion deal wasn’t panning out as envisioned. Besides concerns about the value of the promised stock, the victims’ committee is also worried the bankruptcy plan will miss its Aug. 29 date for raising the money needed to pay claims.
The letter would have advised more than 82,000 to delay voting until at least April 25 to give the committee time to address its concerns, but Montali declined to put the court’s seal of approval on the warning. The voting on PG&E’s plan began earlier this month and will continue through May 15.
In Thursday’s hearing involving another wildfire matter, Orsini told U.S. District Court Judge James Donato that the victims so far are “overwhelmingly” voting in favor of the company’s plan. Orsini didn’t say how many of the victims’ ballots have been cast so far. PG&E declined any further comment.
The plan also needs backing from a wide range of investors, lenders, government agencies and insurers that also have claims in PG&E’s bankruptcy case, but their support has been widely expected for several months. PG&E’s biggest challenge has been getting the wildfire victims on board, given their deal represents more than half of the $25.5 billion in settlements contained within PG&E elaborate plan.
While the victims’ committee has been griping about shortcomings in the plan, it has continued to gain support from other lawyer representing people who lost family, homes and businesses in the wildfires that drove PG&E into bankruptcy and caused the company to plead guilty to 84 felony counts of involuntary manslaughter.
The lawyers siding with PG&E contend the company plan is the best hope to get money to victims at a time when the crumbling economy threatens to make some of them even more destitute than they are.
Even so, almost everyone agrees the stock market turmoil is threatening to erode the original value of the $13.5 billion fund for the wildfire victims. One financial expert that company stock pledged in the deal may turn out to be worth $4.85 billion, instead of the promised $6.75 billion. On the flip side, the PG&E stock could still rebound and end up paying victims even more than they hoped.
The company’s shares closed Thursday at $11.13. That’s down dramatically from the stock’s six-month high of $18.34, but a rebound from its recent low of $7.85 earlier this month.


washingtontimes--2020-04-16--Religious leaders skeptical of Paycheck Protection Program, which provides coronavirus relief funds

San Antonio attorney John Litzler says he has worked with more than 100 Texas churches interested in applying for the Paycheck Protection Program intended to prop up employers ravaged by the coronavirus .
Many had the same question : What ’ s the catch ?
“ Quite frankly , there ’ s a great distrust , even though this bill passed unanimously , there is just this fear that , come November or a turnover in the [ U.S. ] Senate to a Democratic-leaning view , then there will be strings attached to this loan , ” said Mr. Litzler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups and churches .
The short answer , he tells them , is there is no catch .
“ Yes , the government ’ s involved .
But it ’ s really a loan through the banks , ” Mr. Litzler said .
“ And churches borrow money from banks all the time.
” The Paycheck Protection Program , which offers $ 350 billion in coronavirus relief funds , is managed by the Small Business Administration ( SBA ) .
The program is open to faith-based groups , including churches .
If religious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their borrowed funds to pay custodians , teachers or pastors , the federal government will forgive the loans , meaning the groups do not have to repay what they borrowed .
Churches are mostly tax-exempt but do withhold payroll taxes for non-ministerial employees .
The SBA did not respond Thursday to a query about how many churches and faith-based groups had applied for loans .
It said this week it has made more than 1 million loans under the program .
SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza said the first-come , first-served program ran out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support in Congress and the White House to add funds to it .
In a statement on a webpage meant to clarify the eligibility of faith-based groups , the SBA noted that borrowers will be held to “ certain nondiscrimination obligations.
” However , the statement says that a religious group will “ retain its independence , autonomy , right of expression , religious character , and authority over its governance.
” Still , confusion , distrust or a lack of appetite for applying remains among some religious groups .
Large numbers of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nonprofits are estimated to have applied , but some clergy have expressed concern about taking funds that could better help employers of larger staffs .
Other pastors were worried about strings attached to any federal program .
“ Don ’ t join what one pastor describes as the ‘ gold rush ’ because it seems so urgent right now , ” Christian financial adviser Chuck Bentley wrote in Christian Post this month .
“ You will be glad you were very careful before getting entangled with Caesar.
” In a Facebook Live interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s leading theologian , Russell Moore , said that , while he encourages churches to apply for the SBA funds , he understands their hesitancy to do so .
Non-discrimination law forbids religious groups that accept federal funds from excluding people from secular activities based on sex , race , religion or age .
For example , a church operating a coffee shop that ’ s open to the public can ’ t refuse to serve someone who is not a practicing Christian .
However , it can ensure that the coffee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ There are some churches that don ’ t think you ought to borrow money at all , ” Mr. Moore said .
“ That church ought to obey its conscience.
” Meanwhile , many churches are reeling amid social distancing restrictions — and might not have the wherewithal to refuse the government ’ s helping hand .
Last week , The Atlanta Constitution-Journal reported that some churches have experienced up to a 60 % shortfall in tithing .
A Roman Catholic church in a working-class Philadelphia neighborhood told The National Catholic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in giving during its Easter Mass .
And Philadelphia Catholic schools reported cutting nearly 200 teachers and staff , while the Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington also laid off dozens of staff members .
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics , 1.72 million people in 2018 were employed in the “ religious organizations.
” Mr. Litzler said the relief program in some respects recognizes what many have said : Churches and religious aid organizations provide meaningful work , especially during a health crisis .
“ If a church [ accepting SBA funds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , now they don ’ t have to ask , ‘ Do we put this toward personnel or toward buying groceries for someone who needs them ?
” he said .

San Antonio attorney John Litzler says he has worked with more than 100 Texas churches interested in applying for the Paycheck Protection Program intended to prop up employers ravaged by the coronavirus.
Many had the same question: What’s the catch?
“Quite frankly, there’s a great distrust, even though this bill passed unanimously, there is just this fear that, come November or a turnover in the [U.S.] Senate to a Democratic-leaning view, then there will be strings attached to this loan,” said Mr. Litzler, who tailors his work to Christian groups and churches.
The short answer, he tells them, is there is no catch.
“Yes, the government’s involved. But it’s really a loan through the banks,” Mr. Litzler said. “And churches borrow money from banks all the time.”
The Paycheck Protection Program, which offers $350 billion in coronavirus relief funds, is managed by the Small Business Administration (SBA). The program is open to faith-based groups, including churches. If religious groups spend at least 75% of their borrowed funds to pay custodians, teachers or pastors, the federal government will forgive the loans, meaning the groups do not have to repay what they borrowed.
Churches are mostly tax-exempt but do withhold payroll taxes for non-ministerial employees.
The SBA did not respond Thursday to a query about how many churches and faith-based groups had applied for loans. It said this week it has made more than 1 million loans under the program.
SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza said the first-come, first-served program ran out of money Thursday; there is bipartisan support in Congress and the White House to add funds to it.
In a statement on a webpage meant to clarify the eligibility of faith-based groups, the SBA noted that borrowers will be held to “certain nondiscrimination obligations.”
However, the statement says that a religious group will “retain its independence, autonomy, right of expression, religious character, and authority over its governance.”
Still, confusion, distrust or a lack of appetite for applying remains among some religious groups.
Large numbers of church groups, Catholic schools and religious nonprofits are estimated to have applied, but some clergy have expressed concern about taking funds that could better help employers of larger staffs.
Other pastors were worried about strings attached to any federal program.
“Don’t join what one pastor describes as the ‘gold rush’ because it seems so urgent right now,” Christian financial adviser Chuck Bentley wrote in Christian Post this month. “You will be glad you were very careful before getting entangled with Caesar.”
In a Facebook Live interview this week, the Southern Baptist Convention’s leading theologian, Russell Moore, said that, while he encourages churches to apply for the SBA funds, he understands their hesitancy to do so.
Non-discrimination law forbids religious groups that accept federal funds from excluding people from secular activities based on sex, race, religion or age. For example, a church operating a coffee shop that’s open to the public can’t refuse to serve someone who is not a practicing Christian. However, it can ensure that the coffee shop is open only for church members.
“There are some churches that don’t think you ought to borrow money at all,” Mr. Moore said. “That church ought to obey its conscience.”
Meanwhile, many churches are reeling amid social distancing restrictions — and might not have the wherewithal to refuse the government’s helping hand.
Last week, The Atlanta Constitution-Journal reported that some churches have experienced up to a 60% shortfall in tithing.
A Roman Catholic church in a working-class Philadelphia neighborhood told The National Catholic Reporter it saw a 75% decline in giving during its Easter Mass.
And Philadelphia Catholic schools reported cutting nearly 200 teachers and staff, while the Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington also laid off dozens of staff members.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1.72 million people in 2018 were employed in the “religious organizations.”
Mr. Litzler said the relief program in some respects recognizes what many have said: Churches and religious aid organizations provide meaningful work, especially during a health crisis.
“If a church [accepting SBA funds] receives a $100 tithe check, now they don’t have to ask, ‘Do we put this toward personnel or toward buying groceries for someone who needs them?” he said.
• Christopher Vondracek can be reached at cvondracek@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-04-16--Nancy Pelosi wants to make nonprofits more eligible for virus-related relief

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi urged her Democratic colleagues to lobby the Federal Reserve to make nonprofits better eligible for coronavirus-related relief ahead of a Thursday deadline for input for the Fed .
“ I urge you to lift up this issue and encourage nonprofits and universities in your district to make their voices heard by submitting feedback to the Federal Reserve through its online resource , ” Mrs. Pelosi wrote in a letter to fellow Democrats .
The Coronavirus Aid , Relief , and Economic Security Act ( CARES ) put the Federal Reserve in charge of a Main Street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and mid-sized businesses .
Mrs. Pelosi told her fellow lawmakers that the Fed and President Trump ’ s administration were excluding nonprofits , universities and minority-serving institutions from its existing loan options .
Nonprofits are eligible for other relief provisions of the CARES Act , though not yet through the Main Street Lending Program .
The California Democrat labeled the Fed ’ s anticipated action excluding nonprofits a “ significant blow ” because such nonprofits could not participate in the two lending options offered — new loans of $ 1 million to $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a small business ’ bank-provided loan up to a $ 150 million limit .
Mrs. Pelosi and nonprofits of differing political agendas are unlikely allies in their pursuit of CARES Act lending eligibility , although they may find a more fruitful remedy in future legislation to build upon the CARES Act .
The Napa Legal Institute , which provides nonlitigation legal counsel to Catholic nonprofits , said Thursday that the network of nonprofits it works with would benefit from the Federal Reserve extending loan eligibility to nonprofits .
“ As a matter of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be favorable for certain nonprofits , especially those who provide vital goods and services , ” said Joshua Holdenried , Napa Legal Institute executive director , in an email .
“ With that said , the category of ‘ nonprofit ’ includes a broad class of organizations with very diverse needs and funding models.
” Mr. Holdenried said the Main Street Lending Program ’ s aim will not meet the needs of all small nonprofits , and he said religious nonprofits must determine whether federal assistance either jeopardizes or enhances their individual missions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ensure lawmakers ’ next coronavirus-relief package explicitly benefits the nonprofit sector .
More than 200 national nonprofits wrote to Mrs. Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell last week and asked Congress to explicitly include a “ Nonprofit Track ” in any CARES Act 2.0 proposals .
Among the groups pushing Congress for greater relief for the nonprofit sector are the American Cancer Society , American Heart Association , Goodwill Industries International , Habitat for Humanity International , and the United Way Worldwide among many others .
“ United Ways and our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the unemployed , and students struggling to learn from home , and many more who represent the faces and frontlines of this crisis , ” said Brian Gallagher , United Way Worldwide CEO , in a statement last week .
“ Without greater support , society ’ s most vulnerable — from the homeless to senior citizens — will suffer and the effects of the pandemic will be exacerbated .
”

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi urged her Democratic colleagues to lobby the Federal Reserve to make nonprofits better eligible for coronavirus-related relief ahead of a Thursday deadline for input for the Fed.
“I urge you to lift up this issue and encourage nonprofits and universities in your district to make their voices heard by submitting feedback to the Federal Reserve through its online resource,” Mrs. Pelosi wrote in a letter to fellow Democrats.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) put the Federal Reserve in charge of a Main Street Lending Program that makes loans to small and mid-sized businesses. Mrs. Pelosi told her fellow lawmakers that the Fed and President Trump’s administration were excluding nonprofits, universities and minority-serving institutions from its existing loan options.
Nonprofits are eligible for other relief provisions of the CARES Act, though not yet through the Main Street Lending Program.
The California Democrat labeled the Fed’s anticipated action excluding nonprofits a “significant blow” because such nonprofits could not participate in the two lending options offered — new loans of $1 million to $25 million, or the expansion of a small business’ bank-provided loan up to a $150 million limit.
Mrs. Pelosi and nonprofits of differing political agendas are unlikely allies in their pursuit of CARES Act lending eligibility, although they may find a more fruitful remedy in future legislation to build upon the CARES Act.
The Napa Legal Institute, which provides nonlitigation legal counsel to Catholic nonprofits, said Thursday that the network of nonprofits it works with would benefit from the Federal Reserve extending loan eligibility to nonprofits.
“As a matter of equal access, extending this eligibility would be favorable for certain nonprofits, especially those who provide vital goods and services,” said Joshua Holdenried, Napa Legal Institute executive director, in an email. “With that said, the category of ‘nonprofit’ includes a broad class of organizations with very diverse needs and funding models.”
Mr. Holdenried said the Main Street Lending Program’s aim will not meet the needs of all small nonprofits, and he said religious nonprofits must determine whether federal assistance either jeopardizes or enhances their individual missions.
Some nonprofits have already begun organizing to ensure lawmakers’ next coronavirus-relief package explicitly benefits the nonprofit sector.
More than 200 national nonprofits wrote to Mrs. Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell last week and asked Congress to explicitly include a “Nonprofit Track” in any CARES Act 2.0 proposals.
Among the groups pushing Congress for greater relief for the nonprofit sector are the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Goodwill Industries International, Habitat for Humanity International, and the United Way Worldwide among many others.
“United Ways and our fellow nonprofits directly support healthcare workers, the unemployed, and students struggling to learn from home, and many more who represent the faces and frontlines of this crisis,” said Brian Gallagher, United Way Worldwide CEO, in a statement last week. “Without greater support, society’s most vulnerable — from the homeless to senior citizens — will suffer and the effects of the pandemic will be exacerbated.”
• Ryan Lovelace can be reached at rlovelace@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-04-16--Man gets 5-year sentence for pouring corrosive liquid on dog

EDWARDSVILLE , Ill. ( AP ) - A southern Illinois man was sentenced Thursday to five years in prison after @ @ @ @ @ and aggravated animal cruelty for his attack on a dog .
Rodney W. Johnson of @ @ @ @ @ a 10-year-old Maltese mix with a corrosive liquid that caused the loss of skin over @ @ @ @ @ dog ’ s body .
The dog was dropped off at the Madison Police Department @ @ @ @ @ beat the odds against his survival , however it lost all its hair .
Assistant @ @ @ @ @ Attorney Chad Loughrey said Johnson , 45 , became a suspect because he was living @ @ @ @ @ owner .
State ’ s Attorney Tom Gibbons said Johnson received the maximum sentence for @ @ @ @ @ wished the law allowed more prison time .
Johnson has a criminal record dating to @ @ @ @ @ of burglary .
He also has convictions for possession of a controlled substance , possession @ @ @ @ @ a 2014 burglary conviction and 13 misdemeanors .

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (AP) - A southern Illinois man was sentenced Thursday to five years in prison after pleading guilty to animal torture and aggravated animal cruelty for his attack on a dog.
Rodney W. Johnson of Granite City admitting to spraying a 10-year-old Maltese mix with a corrosive liquid that caused the loss of skin over a large portion of the dog’s body. The dog was dropped off at the Madison Police Department after the attack. It beat the odds against his survival, however it lost all its hair.
Assistant Madison County State’s Attorney Chad Loughrey said Johnson, 45, became a suspect because he was living with the dog’s owner.
State’s Attorney Tom Gibbons said Johnson received the maximum sentence for animal torture, but he wished the law allowed more prison time.
Johnson has a criminal record dating to 2001 when he was convicted of burglary. He also has convictions for possession of a controlled substance, possession of methamphetamine manufacturing materials, a 2014 burglary conviction and 13 misdemeanors.


washingtontimes--2020-04-17--Suspect in shooting death of teen girl held without bail

BOSTON ( AP ) - An 18-year-old Boston man charged with murder in the fatal shooting of a teenage girl @ @ @ @ @ his arraignment , authorities said .
Anthony Kelley was arraigned Thursday in Boston Municipal Court @ @ @ @ @ in broad daylight Wednesday of 17-year-old Alissa King , according to a statement from the @ @ @ @ @ office .
A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf .
King was killed @ @ @ @ @ Dorchester neighborhood at about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday .
She suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was @ @ @ @ @ .
No possible motive or relationship between the victim and suspect was immediately disclosed .
@ @ @ @ @ at a vigil Thursday that King was a talented basketball player and attended a city @ @ @

BOSTON (AP) - An 18-year-old Boston man charged with murder in the fatal shooting of a teenage girl was held without bail at his arraignment, authorities said.
Anthony Kelley was arraigned Thursday in Boston Municipal Court in connection with the shooting in broad daylight Wednesday of 17-year-old Alissa King, according to a statement from the Suffolk district attorney’s office. A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf.
A message was left with Kelley’s attorney.
King was killed in the city’s Dorchester neighborhood at about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. She suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene.
No possible motive or relationship between the victim and suspect was immediately disclosed.
Friends of the victim said at a vigil Thursday that King was a talented basketball player and attended a city high school.


washingtontimes--2020-04-17--Donald Trump snubs Mitt Romney, not invited on bipartisan task force to reopen the country

Sen. Mitt Romney was the only Republican senator not asked to participate in President Trump ’ s task force , @ @ @ @ @ parties , aimed at reopening the country after the COVID-19 pandemic .
All other Republican @ @ @ @ @ “ the Opening Up America Again Congressional Group , ” according to CNN , which @ @ @ @ @ list of 100 lawmakers tapped for the group before it was finalized .
Mr. Romney @ @ @ @ @ a testy relationship for years , but the conflict grew when Mr. Romney became the @ @ @ @ @ from his party and vote for one of the House Democrats ’ articles of impeachment @ @ @ @ @ year .

Sen. Mitt Romney was the only Republican senator not asked to participate in President Trump’s task force, composed of lawmakers from both parties, aimed at reopening the country after the COVID-19 pandemic.
All other Republican senators were invited to join “the Opening Up America Again Congressional Group,” according to CNN, which notes Mr. Trump reviewed the list of 100 lawmakers tapped for the group before it was finalized.
Mr. Romney and the president have had a testy relationship for years, but the conflict grew when Mr. Romney became the only GOP senator to break from his party and vote for one of the House Democrats’ articles of impeachment against Mr. Trump earlier this year.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-04-17--CDC director says opening up after COVID-19 will be 'step-by-step' process for states

Dr. Robert Redfield , the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , said Friday some states will open up county by county while others may open up altogether , touting the administration ’ s guidelines for Americans to return to work .
“ Let the states look at it their public health systems , ” he told NBC ’ s “ Today Show , ” saying jurisdictions should be able to do rapid testing and contact tracing before returning citizens to public life .
“ It ’ s going to be a step-by-step , prudent process , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are certain areas that have the ability now to make a rapid diagnosis .
Dr. Redfield ’ s comments come one day after the administration released a three-phase plan to return to life as normal after the COVID-19 pandemic .
Phase one keeps vulnerable populations sheltering in place , social distancing policies of no more than 10 people remain enforced , telework is still encouraged , and nonessential travel should be minimized .
Elective surgeries can resume and gyms can reopen , but schools and bars remain closed .
Phase two lifts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools and allows nonessential travel to resume .
Phase three allows the vulnerable population to return to public interactions .

Dr. Robert Redfield, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said Friday some states will open up county by county while others may open up altogether, touting the administration’s guidelines for Americans to return to work.
“Let the states look at it, their public health systems,” he told NBC’s “Today Show,” saying jurisdictions should be able to do rapid testing and contact tracing before returning citizens to public life.
“It’s going to be a step-by-step, prudent process,” Dr. Redfield added.
He noted there are certain areas that have the ability now to make a rapid diagnosis.
Dr. Redfield’s comments come one day after the administration released a three-phase plan to return to life as normal after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Phase one keeps vulnerable populations sheltering in place, social distancing policies of no more than 10 people remain enforced, telework is still encouraged, and nonessential travel should be minimized. Elective surgeries can resume and gyms can reopen, but schools and bars remain closed.
Phase two lifts social distancing to 50 people, opens schools and allows nonessential travel to resume.
Phase three allows the vulnerable population to return to public interactions.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-04-17--Philippine economic chief resigns amid coronavirus crisis

MANILA , Philippines ( AP ) - The Philippine economic planning secretary has resigned partly due to “ differences in development philosophy ” with some Cabinet members as the country scrambles to deal with the pandemic that ’ s setting back the economy .
President Rodrigo Duterte accepted the resignation of Ernesto Pernia and designated Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua to temporarily replace him , Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said Friday .
Pernia , who was appointed by Duterte to head the National Economic Development Authority after the president took office in mid-2016 , was in charge of plans for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He has warned of social unrest if a massive lockdown in the main northern Luzon region , home to more than 50 million people , is extended indefinitely .
“ This is due partly to personal reasons and partly to differences in development philosophy with a few of my fellow Cabinet members , ” Pernia said , without elaborating .
Pernia has been regarded as among the more independent members of Duterte ’ s Cabinet who spoke his mind .
In an initial report last month on the possible impact of the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pernia warned that the government response should be delicately balanced between health and economic objectives .
“ Otherwise , the situation could deteriorate to a social and political crisis , ” the report said , adding that widespread tests for the coronavirus are “ key to a successful medical response.
” On Thursday , a majority of senators demanded the resignation of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III , blaming him partly for failing to immediately stockpile coronavirus test kits and making them available to the public .
Duterte rejected the senators ’ call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him to work harder to set aside doubts about his capability .
Duque said he would stay on and help lead the government ’ s response to the virus .

MANILA, Philippines (AP) - The Philippine economic planning secretary has resigned partly due to “differences in development philosophy” with some Cabinet members as the country scrambles to deal with the pandemic that’s setting back the economy.
President Rodrigo Duterte accepted the resignation of Ernesto Pernia and designated Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua to temporarily replace him, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said Friday.
Pernia, who was appointed by Duterte to head the National Economic Development Authority after the president took office in mid-2016, was in charge of plans for economic recovery from the coronavirus crisis. He has warned of social unrest if a massive lockdown in the main northern Luzon region, home to more than 50 million people, is extended indefinitely.
“This is due partly to personal reasons and partly to differences in development philosophy with a few of my fellow Cabinet members,” Pernia said, without elaborating.
Pernia has been regarded as among the more independent members of Duterte’s Cabinet who spoke his mind.
In an initial report last month on the possible impact of the pandemic, the economic planning agency led by Pernia warned that the government response should be delicately balanced between health and economic objectives. “Otherwise, the situation could deteriorate to a social and political crisis,” the report said, adding that widespread tests for the coronavirus are “key to a successful medical response.”
On Thursday, a majority of senators demanded the resignation of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, blaming him partly for failing to immediately stockpile coronavirus test kits and making them available to the public.
Duterte rejected the senators’ call and decided to keep Duque but asked him to work harder to set aside doubts about his capability. Duque said he would stay on and help lead the government’s response to the virus.


washingtontimes--2020-04-17--Police: Kansas City tow-truck operator shot fleeing driver

KANSAS CITY , Mo .
( AP ) - A Kansas City tow truck driver has been arrested , accused of chasing down and shooting a man whose vehicle he had been trying to tow , police said .
The Kansas City Star had previously described the Tuesday night incident as a rolling gun battle between two tow truck drivers .
But the newspaper reported Friday that police determined the shooting occurred after the victim spotted two tow trucks preparing to tow his vehicle in Raytown , then jumped into his vehicle and drove off .
Police said Prentiss Burks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truck , opening fire on the fleeing vehicle .
The chase ended near the Glen Lake neighborhood in Kansas City after Burks shot the fleeing vehicle ’ s driver twice in the legs .
Investigators later found a handgun in Burks ‘ possession that matched the shell casings found along the road where shots were fired , police said .
Burks has been charged with second-degree assault , two counts of armed criminal action and a weapons count and is being held on $ 50,000 bond .
Prosecutors are seeking to have his @ @ @ @ @ @

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - A Kansas City tow truck driver has been arrested, accused of chasing down and shooting a man whose vehicle he had been trying to tow, police said.
The Kansas City Star had previously described the Tuesday night incident as a rolling gun battle between two tow truck drivers. But the newspaper reported Friday that police determined the shooting occurred after the victim spotted two tow trucks preparing to tow his vehicle in Raytown, then jumped into his vehicle and drove off.
Police said Prentiss Burks, 42, followed in his tow truck, opening fire on the fleeing vehicle. The chase ended near the Glen Lake neighborhood in Kansas City after Burks shot the fleeing vehicle’s driver twice in the legs.
Investigators later found a handgun in Burks’ possession that matched the shell casings found along the road where shots were fired, police said.
Burks has been charged with second-degree assault, two counts of armed criminal action and a weapons count and is being held on $50,000 bond. Prosecutors are seeking to have his bond increased to $100,000.


washingtontimes--2020-04-17--NYC paramedic haunted by COVID-19 toll: 'You hear the cries'

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Elizabeth Bonilla pulled her ambulance up to a set of Bronx row houses .
Another ambulance and a fire truck were already there , their flashing lights painting the dark streets an eerie shade of orange .
Neighbors gathered on their stoops to watch .
Some were sipping wine .
“ We got ta gown up , ” she said as she climbed out of the vehicle .
This call was a suspected COVID-19 case , which meant she needed gloves , masks and a full-body , plastic smock .
An empty gurney waited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ workers , Bonilla included , rushed upstairs .
About 45 minutes later , three medics emerged .
Bonilla , a 43-year-old Fire Department paramedic , followed five minutes after that .
She walked slowly , an oxygen tank in the bag on her back .
“ This one is hard , ” she said .
“ Real hard.
” The coronavirus pandemic has killed at least 8,900 people in New York City , plus as many as 3,900 more whose deaths were never confirmed by a lab test .
At its peak , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ average .
Call volume has dropped in recent days in a sign that the crisis could be easing .
Still , the FDNY ’ s 4,000 emergency medical workers are straining to keep up .
“ I don ’ t think that anyone was prepared for this , ” Bonilla said .
To get a sense of the challenges paramedics like Bonilla face , The Associated Press followed her through the first half of her 16-hour double shift Wednesday .
Bonilla arrives early for her 3 p.m. start time , but the crew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A call at the end of their shift had kept them out longer than scheduled - a standard occurrence in recent weeks .
When the vehicle finally arrives , Bonilla pulls it around to the front of FDNY EMS Station 3 , located in the South Bronx ’ s Castle Hill neighborhood .
She loads her personal supplies in through the driver ’ s side door .
She stashes a clear plastic bag filled with sanitizing supplies and hangs up her pink stethoscope .
Her thermos , holding a home brewed ginger-lemon tea @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The hot beverage - along with regular prayer - helps keep her calm .
She pulls wipes from the plastic bag and begins to disinfect .
She rubs down her seat , the steering wheel and the rest of the drivers ’ station , then moves onto the passenger side .
She finishes by sterilizing the treatment area in back .
Bonilla ’ s neon-pink tools make her easy to spot - pink scissors , pink keys , pink tape on her walkie talkie and hand sanitizer .
She also has three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family member .
A green and orange one for her mother , who has leukemia and skin cancer , a blue one for her father , who has prostate cancer , and a pink one for her aunt with breast cancer .
“ Hair is life , ” she said .
“ And when you ’ re a cancer patient you lose your hair , and for a mental thing , it kind of makes me feel like I have them with me.
” She hasn ’ t seen her mother or father @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t because of her exposure to the virus and their high-risk status .
She ’ s been trying to help manage their lives remotely with her sparse downtime .
“ I ’ m a single parent , ” the mother of sons aged 22 and 16 said .
“ I ’ m handling things at home , and I ’ m being a parent to my parents , and then I ’ m coming into work and I ’ m taking care of people , and then I do it all over again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of others is my calling .
It has to be.
” Nearly two hours into their shift , Bonilla and her partner have yet to be pinged by dispatchers - an unthinkable lull as recently as a week ago .
They had been making between 5-7 calls each shift and often working two shifts per day , doing their best to aid patients even as they ran low on N95 facemasks and oxygen tanks .
Social distancing measures have slowed the virus ’ spread , and that ’ s eased the demand for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the calm will be short lived , fearing another surge in COVID-19 cases when New Yorkers begin returning to work .
“ It ’ s the eye of the storm , ” she said .
The first call finally comes around 4:50 , and five minutes later , Bonilla parks the ambulance in front of an apartment building .
She jumps out of the truck , puts on gloves and a mask , grabs the necessary equipment and rushes in .
Minutes later , she emerges wheeling a patient who is alert but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They pull into a nearby emergency room 30 minutes later and pass off the patient to doctors and nurses waiting in full protective gear — gloves , face shields and floor-length gowns .
Bonilla brings the empty gurney back to the ambulance , sprays it with disinfectant and loads back up .
A backlog of ambulances builds in the ER bay while Bonilla ’ s unit finishes paperwork , and when they get their next call , they realize they ’ ve been completely blocked in .
Dispatchers eventually give the call to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ later they ’ re back on the road , rushing to a different scene .
They arrive at a house and find a family in disarray .
A shouting match breaks out on the front porch , a disagreement between family members over whether the patient should risk virus exposure by going to the hospital .
Bonilla calls for police assistance , and two officers cordon off an angry , middle-aged man while Bonilla evaluates his step-son in the ambulance .
Twenty minutes later , Bonilla ’ s vehicle takes off with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ step-father alternates crying and shouting as they pull away .
After delivering the patient to the hospital , Bonilla and her partner return to the station for a snack .
She rushes out of the building moments later , a box of donuts and a half-finished coffee in hand , and says they ’ ve received an urgent call that took her a short distance to the row house , just down the street from the Whitestone Bridge , which connects the Bronx and Queens .
Bonilla loaded the oxygen tank and an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She walks around the rig , out of sight from the neighbors .
She pulls down her face mask , reaches for a paper towel and wipes tears from her eyes .
“ You can ’ t do nothing , ” she says .
Slowly , she removes her gown , gloves and mask .
She walks back around to the driver ’ s door , grabs a Lysol bottle in her plastic bag and douses herself head to toe .
A family member emerges from the house , a young man about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ oldest .
He sits on the stoop , hands on his face , and sobs .
Bonilla takes a sip from her thermos and keeps her gaze straight ahead .
Bonilla has been sleeping with the lights on and playing gospel music through the night .
Anything to shake the replays from her head from calls like the last one .
“ You hear the cries , ” she said .
“ You just hear and you see everything all over again.
” She ’ s back at the station now , getting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set to punch back in at 11 and start another 8-hour run , covering an overnight shift for a co-worker who needed the night off to rest and tend to family .
“ I ’ m just drained right now , ” she said .
“ I ’ m emotionally drained and physically drained and definitely mentally drained.
” She changes the subject to prayer , explains how her faith keeps her going .
Her family , too .
And then there are the pandemic victims , new ones every day , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and support .
“ The moment we walk through the door , the families , it ’ s almost like they ’ ve seen God , ” Bonilla said .
“ They are looking for help immediately .
They have this sense of relief , and then they go ahead and pass all responsibility on you .
“ You want to make sure you ’ re strong for them .
”

NEW YORK (AP) - Elizabeth Bonilla pulls her ambulance up to a set of Bronx row houses. Another ambulance and a fire truck are already there, their flashing lights painting the dark streets an eerie shade of orange. Neighbors gather on their stoops to watch. Some sip wine.
“We gotta gown up,” she says as she climbed out of the vehicle. This call is a suspected COVID-19 case, which means she needs gloves, masks and a full-body plastic smock.
An empty gurney waits by the front steps while four EMS workers, Bonilla included, rush upstairs.
About 45 minutes later, three medics emerge. Bonilla, a 43-year-old Fire Department paramedic, follows five minutes after that. She walks slowly, an oxygen tank in the bag on her back.
“This one is hard,” she says. “Real hard.”
The coronavirus pandemic has killed at least 8,900 people in New York City, plus as many as 3,900 more whose deaths were never confirmed by a lab test.
At its peak, emergency calls nearly doubled from their usual average. Call volume has dropped in recent days in a sign that the crisis could be easing. Still, the FDNY’s 4,000 emergency medical workers are straining to keep up.
“I don’t think that anyone was prepared for this,” Bonilla says.
To get a sense of the challenges paramedics like Bonilla face, The Associated Press followed her through the first half of her 16-hour double shift Wednesday.
3:30 p.m.
Bonilla arrives early for her 3 p.m. start time, but the crew using her ambulance is running late. A call at the end of their shift has kept them out longer than scheduled - a standard occurrence in recent weeks.
When the vehicle finally arrives, Bonilla pulls it around to the front of FDNY EMS Station 3, in the South Bronx’s Castle Hill neighborhood.
She loads her personal supplies in through the driver’s side door. She stashes a clear plastic bag filled with sanitizing supplies and hangs up her pink stethoscope.
Her thermos, holding a home-brewed ginger-lemon tea, gets dropped into a cup holder. It - along with regular prayer - helps keep her calm.
She pulls wipes from the plastic bag and begins to disinfect. She rubs down her seat, the steering wheel and the rest of the drivers’ station, and then moves to the passenger side. She finishes by sterilizing the treatment area in back.
Bonilla’s neon-pink tools make her easy to spot - pink scissors, pink keys, pink tape on her walkie-talkie and hand sanitizer.
She also has three bright braids each dedicated to a cancer-stricken family member. A green and orange one for her mother, who has leukemia and skin cancer; a blue one for her father, who has prostate cancer; and a pink one for her aunt with breast cancer.
“Hair is life,” she says. “And when you’re a cancer patient you lose your hair, and for a mental thing, it kind of makes me feel like I have them with me.”
She hasn’t seen her mother or father in two months; she can’t because of her exposure to the virus and their high-risk status. She’s been trying to help manage their lives remotely with her sparse downtime.
“I’m a single parent,” says the mother of sons ages 22 and 16. “I’m handling things at home, and I’m being a parent to my parents, and then I’m coming into work and I’m taking care of people, and then I do it all over again every day. I think taking care of others is my calling. It has to be.”
4:45 p.m.
Nearly two hours into their shift, Bonilla and her partner have yet to be pinged by dispatchers - an unthinkable lull as recently as a week ago.
They had been making between five and seven calls each shift and often working two shifts per day, doing their best to aid patients even as they ran low on N95 face masks and oxygen tanks.
Social distancing measures have slowed the virus’s spread, and that has eased the demand for paramedics’ services. Bonilla is certain the calm will be short-lived, fearing another surge in COVID-19 cases when New Yorkers begin returning to work.
“It’s the eye of the storm,” she says.
The first call finally comes around 4:50, and five minutes later, Bonilla parks the ambulance in front of an apartment building. She jumps out of the truck, puts on gloves and a mask, grabs the necessary equipment, and rushes in. Minutes later, she emerges wheeling a patient who is alert but hooked up to a breathing aid.
They pull into a nearby emergency room 30 minutes later and pass off the patient to doctors and nurses waiting in full protective gear - gloves, face shields and floor-length gowns. Bonilla brings the empty gurney back to the ambulance, sprays it with disinfectant and loads back up.
6:55 p.m.
A backlog of ambulances builds in the ER bay while Bonilla’s unit finishes paperwork, and when they get their next call, they realize they have been completely blocked in. Dispatchers eventually give the call to another EMS team.
A few minutes later they’re back on the road, rushing to a different scene.
They arrive at a house and find a family in disarray. A shouting match breaks out on the front porch, a disagreement between family members over whether the patient should risk virus exposure by going to the hospital.
Bonilla calls for police assistance, and two officers cordon off an angry middle-aged man while Bonilla evaluates his stepson in the ambulance.
Twenty minutes later, Bonilla’s vehicle takes off with the patient still in the back. The stepfather alternates between crying and shouting as they pull away.
9:15 p.m.
After delivering the patient to the hospital, Bonilla and her partner return to the station for a snack. She rushes out of the building moments later, a box of doughnuts and a half-finished coffee in hand, and says they’ve received an urgent call that took her a short distance to the row house, just down the street from the Whitestone Bridge, which connects the Bronx and Queens.
Bonilla loaded the oxygen tank and an empty gurney back onto her ambulance.
She walks around the rig, out of sight of the neighbors. She pulls down her face mask, reaches for a paper towel and wipes tears from her eyes.
“You can’t do nothing,” she says.
Slowly, she removes her gown, gloves and mask. She walks back around to the driver’s door, grabs a Lysol bottle in her plastic bag and douses herself head to toe.
A family member emerges from the house, a young man about the same age as Bonilla’s oldest. He sits on the stoop, hands on his face, and sobs.
Bonilla takes a sip from her thermos and keeps her gaze straight ahead.
10:55 p.m.
Bonilla has been sleeping with the lights on and playing gospel music through the night. Anything to shake the replays from her head from calls like the last one.
“You hear the cries,” she says. “You just hear and you see everything all over again.”
She’s back at the station now, getting a brief break. She’s set to punch back in at 11 and start another eight-hour run, covering an overnight shift for a co-worker who needed the night off to rest and tend to family.
“I’m just drained right now,” she says. “I’m emotionally drained and physically drained and definitely mentally drained.”
She changes the subject to prayer, explains how her faith keeps her going. Her family, too.
And then there are the pandemic victims, new ones every day, that she knows are relying on her expertise and support.
“The moment we walk through the door, the families, it’s almost like they’ve seen God,” Bonilla says. “They are looking for help immediately. They have this sense of relief, and then they go ahead and pass all responsibility on you.
“You want to make sure you’re strong for them.”
___
Follow Jake Seiner: https://twitter.com/Jake_Seiner


washingtontimes--2020-04-17--Officers cleared in fatal Dickinson shooting

DICKINSON , N.D. ( AP ) - The Stark County State ’ s Attorney has determined the use of deadly @ @ @ @ @ officers who fatally shot a man they were attempting to arrest in Dickinson .
The @ @ @ @ @ Plains Fugitive Task Force was seeking 25-year-old Dakota Chlarson on a warrant for armed robbery @ @ @ @ @ , Bismarck officers Casey Bosch and Tom Grosz , fired their weapons when Chlarson charged @ @ @ @ @ following a standoff at a Dickinson apartment Feb. 13 , according to authorities .
Chlarson @ @ @ @ @ ’ orders and attempts to subdue him with less-than-lethal means were unsuccessful , prosecutor Tom @ @ @ @ @ “ the deceased ’ s own actions caused the necessity of use of deadly force @ @ @ @ @ Bismarck Tribune reports Grosz and Bosch were placed on administrative leave after the shooting , @ @ @ @ @ duty .

DICKINSON, N.D. (AP) - The Stark County State’s Attorney has determined the use of deadly force was necessary by police officers who fatally shot a man they were attempting to arrest in Dickinson.
The U.S. Marshals Service High Plains Fugitive Task Force was seeking 25-year-old Dakota Chlarson on a warrant for armed robbery.
Two task force members, Bismarck officers Casey Bosch and Tom Grosz, fired their weapons when Chlarson charged at them with a scissors following a standoff at a Dickinson apartment Feb. 13, according to authorities.
Chlarson refused to comply with officers’orders and attempts to subdue him with less-than-lethal means were unsuccessful, prosecutor Tom Henning said, adding that “the deceased’s own actions caused the necessity of use of deadly force in this instance.”
The Bismarck Tribune reports Grosz and Bosch were placed on administrative leave after the shooting, but have now returned to duty.


washingtontimes--2020-04-17--SC theater shuttered by virus moving its movies online

A South Carolina theater that ’ s closed because of the coronavirus is making a switch to showing movies online @ @ @ @ @ wife have owned the Park Plaza Cinema on Hilton Head Island for more than a @ @ @ @ @ theaters in the U.S. , they ’ ve had to shut down amid efforts to @ @ @ @ @ spreading .
The Island Packet reports the couple revamping the theater ’ s website to @ @ @ @ @ on platforms such as Netflix .
Mann says streaming movies on his site will generally @ @ @ @ @ Initial offerings will include “ The Roads Not Taken ” starring Javier Bardem and Elle @ @ @ @ @ Once Were Brothers : Robbie Robertson and the Band.
” “ If we could figure @ @ @ @ @ popcorn , we would do that , too , ” Mann said .

A South Carolina theater that’s closed because of the coronavirus is making a switch to showing movies online.
Larry Mann and his wife have owned the Park Plaza Cinema on Hilton Head Island for more than a decade. Like other movie theaters in the U.S., they’ve had to shut down amid efforts to prevent the new virus from spreading.
The Island Packet reports the couple revamping the theater’s website to stream films not yet available on platforms such as Netflix. Mann says streaming movies on his site will generally cost about $12.
Initial offerings will include “The Roads Not Taken” starring Javier Bardem and Elle Fanning the rock documentary “Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and the Band.”
“If we could figure out how to get everyone popcorn, we would do that, too,” Mann said.


washingtontimes--2020-04-17--Boeing to resume building airplanes, will take precautions during coronavirus pandemic

Boeing plans to begin building airplanes again next week after having suspended production during the COVID-19 pandemic .
About 27,000 @ @ @ @ @ work in Washington between April 20th and 24th , but production at Boeing South Carolina @ @ @ @ @ announced in a press release it will be taking precautions to continue to fight the @ @ @ @ @ disease caused by the novel coronavirus , including handwashing stations and the use of face @ @ @ @ @ and safety of our employees , their families and communities is our shared priority , @ @ @ @ @ president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes .
“ This phased approach ensures we have @ @ @ @ @ our personal protective equipment is readily available , and we have all of the necessary @ @ @ @ @ resume essential work for our customers , ” he added .
Since the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ financial hit with the number of people traveling down 95 percent since last month , @ @ @ @

Boeing plans to begin building airplanes again next week after having suspended production during the COVID-19 pandemic.
About 27,000 employees will gradually return to work in Washington between April 20th and 24th, but production at Boeing South Carolina remains paused.
The company announced in a press release it will be taking precautions to continue to fight the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, including handwashing stations and the use of face masks.
“The health and safety of our employees, their families and communities is our shared priority,” said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
“This phased approach ensures we have a reliable supply base, our personal protective equipment is readily available, and we have all of the necessary safety measures in place to resume essential work for our customers,” he added.
Since the coronavirus pandemic, airlines have taken a financial hit with the number of people traveling down 95 percent since last month, according to NPR.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-04-17--Widow sues lawyer who drew up will leaving estate to church

CROOKSTON , Minn. ( AP ) - The widow of an East Grand Forks man is suing an attorney who drew up a will that left her husband ’ s estate of more than $ 5 million to a church the couple did not attend .
Cindy Driscoll is suing East Grand Forks attorney Gerard Neil and his law firm in Polk County District Court , alleging malpractice , negligence and fraudulent misrepresentation .
Driscoll says Neil , who wrote a new will for her husband Randy in the weeks before his death in 2015 , was the registered agent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and a board member .
The Star Tribune says Neil vehemently denies the allegations in Driscoll ’ s lawsuit which focuses on Neil ’ s actions in drawing up Randy Driscoll ’ s will and trust and gaining Cindy Driscoll ’ s consent to them .
The money issues over Randy Driscoll ’ s estate have been largely settled .
In 2018 , the Driscoll family and Sacred Heart agreed to a deal that gave the church $ 1.5 million .
Cindy Driscoll got the title to her home and $ 1 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prime Red River Valley farmland went to other Driscoll family members , who had to come up with nearly $ 900,000 to complete the deal .

CROOKSTON, Minn. (AP) - The widow of an East Grand Forks man is suing an attorney who drew up a will that left her husband’s estate of more than $5 million to a church the couple did not attend.
Cindy Driscoll is suing East Grand Forks attorney Gerard Neil and his law firm in Polk County District Court, alleging malpractice, negligence and fraudulent misrepresentation.
Driscoll says Neil, who wrote a new will for her husband Randy in the weeks before his death in 2015, was the registered agent for the Sacred Heart Catholic Church foundation and a board member.
The Star Tribune says Neil vehemently denies the allegations in Driscoll’s lawsuit which focuses on Neil’s actions in drawing up Randy Driscoll’s will and trust and gaining Cindy Driscoll’s consent to them.
The money issues over Randy Driscoll’s estate have been largely settled. In 2018, the Driscoll family and Sacred Heart agreed to a deal that gave the church $1.5 million. Cindy Driscoll got the title to her home and $1 million in cash.
Five hundred acres of prime Red River Valley farmland went to other Driscoll family members, who had to come up with nearly $900,000 to complete the deal.


washingtontimes--2020-04-17--Authorities: Man found dead inside burning Pittsburgh home

PITTSBURGH ( AP ) - A fast-moving fire that roared through a western Pennsylvania home early Friday left a man @ @ @ @ @ Emergency responders found Gerard Anthony Koch , 56 , on the first floor of the @ @ @ @ @ pronounced dead at the scene a short time later .
Firefighters responded to the home @ @ @ @ @ heavy smoke and flames shooting from the two-story home .
The fire was brought under @ @ @ @ @ , authorities said .
It wasn ’ t immediately known if Koch lived at the @ @ @ @ @ one else was in the residence at the time of the fire .
No other @ @ @ @ @ cause of the fire remains under investigation .

PITTSBURGH (AP) - A fast-moving fire that roared through a western Pennsylvania home early Friday left a man dead, authorities said.
Emergency responders found Gerard Anthony Koch, 56, on the first floor of the Pittsburgh home. He was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.
Firefighters responded to the home around 12:20 a.m. and found heavy smoke and flames shooting from the two-story home. The fire was brought under control about 30 minutes later, authorities said.
It wasn’t immediately known if Koch lived at the home, and apparently no one else was in the residence at the time of the fire. No other injuries were reported.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.


washingtontimes--2020-04-17--Refugees protest under coronavirus lockdown in Rwanda

KIGALI , Rwanda ( AP ) - Rwanda ’ s coronavirus lockdown has led to a protest by refugees and migrants who were relocated to the country last year from crowded detention camps in Libya , witnesses said .
They gathered in their camp on Wednesday to organize a demonstration against the lockdown “ but authorities came in quickly and stopped it , ” Elise Villechalane , spokeswoman with the U.N. refugee agency , told The Associated Press .
Nearly 300 refugees and migrants are living in the Gashora emergency transit center outside the capital , Kigali .
Rwanda took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United Nations and African Union after repeated allegations of dire conditions in Libya ’ s detention centers including beatings , rapes and other abuses .
Some refugees had been screened and approved to move to countries such as Norway or Canada - the first large group was resettled in February - but virus-related travel restrictions have stranded the others for now .
Rwanda was the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to issue a lockdown and recently extended it , to some anxiety .
“ We understand these refugees are stressed and some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they have to abide by these measures like other Rwandans , ” Villechalane said .
The refugee agency said it and Rwanda ’ s government had printed posters in multiple languages with coronavirus messaging .
Residents who live near the transit center said the refugees and migrants exchanged bitter words with camp authorities .
“ Some of the refugees said they should be allowed to go back home to the countries of their origin , ” Jean Claude Habananimana , who coaches a football team for the refugees and migrants , told the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rwanda , they had been allowed to go out and play football with neighboring communities as well as go to church or the mosque .
“ They can not go to Europe either , ” Habananimana said .
“ Now their lives are confined in one place .
”

KIGALI, Rwanda (AP) - Rwanda’s coronavirus lockdown has led to a protest by refugees and migrants who were relocated to the country last year from crowded detention camps in Libya, witnesses said.
They gathered in their camp on Wednesday to organize a demonstration against the lockdown “but authorities came in quickly and stopped it,” Elise Villechalane, spokeswoman with the U.N. refugee agency, told The Associated Press.
Nearly 300 refugees and migrants are living in the Gashora emergency transit center outside the capital, Kigali. Rwanda took them in under an agreement signed with the United Nations and African Union after repeated allegations of dire conditions in Libya’s detention centers including beatings, rapes and other abuses.
Some refugees had been screened and approved to move to countries such as Norway or Canada - the first large group was resettled in February - but virus-related travel restrictions have stranded the others for now.
Rwanda was the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to issue a lockdown and recently extended it, to some anxiety.
“We understand these refugees are stressed and some still have trauma from Libya, but they have to abide by these measures like other Rwandans,” Villechalane said. The refugee agency said it and Rwanda’s government had printed posters in multiple languages with coronavirus messaging.
Residents who live near the transit center said the refugees and migrants exchanged bitter words with camp authorities.
“Some of the refugees said they should be allowed to go back home to the countries of their origin,” Jean Claude Habananimana, who coaches a football team for the refugees and migrants, told the AP.
Before the coronavirus spread to Rwanda, they had been allowed to go out and play football with neighboring communities as well as go to church or the mosque.
“They cannot go to Europe either,” Habananimana said. “Now their lives are confined in one place.”


washingtontimes--2020-04-17--Patrol says deputy shot suspect in south-central Nebraska

DEWEESE , Neb .
( AP ) - The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating the shooting of a suspect by @ @ @ @ @ in south-central Nebraska , officials said .
The patrol said in a news release that @ @ @ @ @ p.m. Thursday , when a Nuckolls County sheriff ’ s deputy responded to a 911 @ @ @ @ @ a Clay County investigation was in Deweese .
The patrol said the responded deputy encountered @ @ @ @ @ Hasting .
The deputy reported Blessing was armed with a handgun and that he shot @ @ @ @ @ law enforcement officers then arrived on the scene and rendered medical aid to Blessing , @ @ @ @ @ was taken to a Hastings hospital with serious injuries and later transferred to a Lincoln @ @ @ @ @ released the name of the deputy who shot Blessing .
Deweese is about 160 miles @ @ @ @

DEWEESE, Neb. (AP) - The Nebraska State Patrol is investigating the shooting of a suspect by a sheriff’s deputy in south-central Nebraska, officials said.
The patrol said in a news release that the shooting happened around 4 p.m. Thursday, when a Nuckolls County sheriff’s deputy responded to a 911 call that a suspect in a Clay County investigation was in Deweese.
The patrol said the responded deputy encountered 44-year-old Wesley Blessing, of Hasting. The deputy reported Blessing was armed with a handgun and that he shot Blessing.
Troopers and other law enforcement officers then arrived on the scene and rendered medical aid to Blessing, the patrol said. Blessing was taken to a Hastings hospital with serious injuries and later transferred to a Lincoln hospital.
Officials have not released the name of the deputy who shot Blessing.
Deweese is about 160 miles southwest of Omaha.


washingtontimes--2020-04-17--5 sign up for race to succeed late Georgia Sen. Jack Hill

STATESBORO , Ga. ( AP ) - Five candidates in southeast Georgia have signed up for a special election for @ @ @ @ @ state Sen. Jack Hill .
The 75-year-old Republican was found dead at his Reidsville office @ @ @ @ @ State Brad Raffensperger scheduled a special election for the seat on June 9 , when @ @ @ @ @ elections for state and federal offices .
Four Republicans qualified for the race to succeed @ @ @ @ @ , the Savannah Morning News reported .
They are Brooklet physician Scott Bohlke , Statesboro @ @ @ @ @ attorney Kathy Palmer , and retiree Neil Singleton of Collins .
A fifth candidate , @ @ @ @ @ run as an independent .
Hill spent nearly three decades in the state Senate was @ @ @ @ @ Senate Appropriations Committee , which oversees legislation on how tax dollars are spent .
The @ @ @ @ @ of Bulloch , Candler , Effingham , Evans and Tattnall counties .

STATESBORO, Ga. (AP) - Five candidates in southeast Georgia have signed up for a special election for the seat of the late state Sen. Jack Hill.
The 75-year-old Republican was found dead at his Reidsville office April 6. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger scheduled a special election for the seat on June 9, when Georgia will also hold primary elections for state and federal offices.
Four Republicans qualified for the race to succeed Hill by the deadline Wednesday, the Savannah Morning News reported. They are Brooklet physician Scott Bohlke, Statesboro accountant Billy Hickman, Swainsboro attorney Kathy Palmer, and retiree Neil Singleton of Collins.
A fifth candidate, Jared Sammons, qualified to run as an independent.
Hill spent nearly three decades in the state Senate was was chairman of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, which oversees legislation on how tax dollars are spent. The District 4 seat includes portions of Bulloch, Candler, Effingham, Evans and Tattnall counties.


washingtontimes--2020-04-17--Relief checks are a lifeline for some, a cushion for others

Millions of Americans received government relief checks this week , and more are on the way .
For some , the payment gets them to a more comfortable place financially ; for others , the money just gets them to next month .
Bridget Hughes , a mother of three , received a $ 2,200 stimulus check this week that allowed her to pay April ’ s rent and utilities , and to buy groceries .
But now she ’ s worried about rent for May .
Hughes usually works two fast-food jobs ; her husband works at a gas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it even harder for the Kansas City , Missouri family to make ends meet .
Hughes had to take two weeks off unpaid to quarantine herself after a relative tested positive and then her hours were greatly reduced .
Hughes won ’ t get another pay check until mid-May and her husband ’ s relief payment has yet to arrive .
While grateful for the federal aid , she remains anxious .
“ It was definitely was a necessity , ” she said .
“ But at the same time , I feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s going to get us through these next 30 days to where we ’ re not homeless … ( but ) we don ’ t have anything to fall back on.
” The coronavirus has ravaged the economy as limitations to stop its spread have shuttered many businesses .
About 22 million Americans have applied for unemployment benefits in the past month alone - that ’ s about one in seven workers .
The relief payments are just one piece of a massive $ 2.2 trillion economic rescue package rolled out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the devastating impacts of the pandemic .
Congress also approved increased and expanded unemployment benefits , delayed tax bills and created a lending program to help small businesses keep people on their payroll .
The one-time relief payments will offset some of the economic shock of the health crisis , said Mark Zandi , chief economist at Moody ’ s Analytics .
He expects the payments to boost U.S. gross domestic product — the broadest measure of economic output — by $ 293 billion , or about 1.4 % of pre-crisis levels , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expects most people will spend the money on necessities such as rent and food .
The Treasury Department says about 80 million Americans received their payments as of Wednesday .
Millions more have signed up to get direct deposit , and paper checks will be distributed starting later this month .
Eligible adults will see a payout up to $ 1,200 - married couples up to $ 2,400 - plus $ 500 per child .
Eligibility is cut off at earnings of more than $ 99,000 for individuals and $ 198,000 for married @ @ @ @ @ @ @ size of the stimulus payments given in 2008 , according to the Tax Policy Center .
Americans eager to find out the status of their payments caused delays on the IRS website and the sites of several banks this week as well as long waits on phone lines .
Credit counselors received a flurry of calls fomr people worried that debt collectors would take their payments to cover outstanding debts , said Bruce McClary , spokesman for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling .
( The funds are not protected , but debt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take them . )
The anxiety is just a small indicator of how financially stretched Americans were even before the virus outbreak .
Experts generally suggest people have three to six months of savings set aside for emergencies , but few do .
At least one-quarter of American adults say they wouldn ’ t be able to cover an unexpected expense of $ 400 , according to a survey done by the Federal Reserve before the pandemic .
Americans have also been taking on more debt in recent years , as a growing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the means to pay it off .
U.S. consumer borrowing is at an all-time high of $ 4.2 trillion , according to the Fed .
That does not include home mortgages or other loans secured by real estate .
Lenders have been encouraged to provide relief for loans as well as avoid evictions and foreclosures .
Wells Fargo , one of the nation ’ s largest lenders , said it deferred more than one million payments representing $ 2.8 billion of principal and interest and waived more than 900,000 fees worth more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beasley , Co-Founder of Common Cents Lab at Duke University said that “ many households are teetering.
” They will use the relief check to get current on bills they ’ ve already missed and to purchase food - in other words , the money has already been spent before it arrives .
Those who still have some income and savings may try to stretch the cash as far as possible .
Some taxpayers , however , admit the payment is nice to have - but not a must-have .
Charlette and Richard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 2,400 payment on Wednesday .
The retired couple used the money to pay some lingering credit card debt from Christmas and plan to use the rest to pay their state tax and maybe help pay some costs of their son ’ s wedding reception later this year .
While they welcome the money , they say there are others who could use it more - particularly those with lower incomes .
“ Those are the folks that are really going to be hurting , ” Richard Kremer said .
“ This $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wolf back from the door .
It ’ s not going to keep him away.
” Adrian Sainz in Memphis , Tennessee and Paul Wiseman in Washington contributed to this report .

Millions of Americans received government relief checks this week, and more are on the way. For some, the payment gets them to a more comfortable place financially; for others, the money just gets them to next month.
Bridget Hughes, a mother of three, received a $2,200 stimulus check this week that allowed her to pay April’s rent and utilities, and to buy groceries. But now she’s worried about rent for May.
Hughes usually works two fast-food jobs; her husband works at a gas station. The coronavirus outbreak is making it even harder for the Kansas City, Missouri family to make ends meet. Hughes had to take two weeks off unpaid to quarantine herself after a relative tested positive and then her hours were greatly reduced.
Hughes won’t get another pay check until mid-May and her husband’s relief payment has yet to arrive. While grateful for the federal aid, she remains anxious.
“It was definitely was a necessity,” she said. “But at the same time, I feel like it’s a Band-Aid. It’s going to get us through these next 30 days to where we’re not homeless … (but) we don’t have anything to fall back on.”
The coronavirus has ravaged the economy as limitations to stop its spread have shuttered many businesses. About 22 million Americans have applied for unemployment benefits in the past month alone - that’s about one in seven workers.
The relief payments are just one piece of a massive $2.2 trillion economic rescue package rolled out by the government to try and counter the devastating impacts of the pandemic. Congress also approved increased and expanded unemployment benefits, delayed tax bills and created a lending program to help small businesses keep people on their payroll.
The one-time relief payments will offset some of the economic shock of the health crisis, said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics. He expects the payments to boost U.S. gross domestic product — the broadest measure of economic output — by $293 billion, or about 1.4% of pre-crisis levels, mostly this spring and summer.
Zandi expects most people will spend the money on necessities such as rent and food.
The Treasury Department says about 80 million Americans received their payments as of Wednesday. Millions more have signed up to get direct deposit, and paper checks will be distributed starting later this month.
Eligible adults will see a payout up to $1,200 - married couples up to $2,400 - plus $500 per child. Eligibility is cut off at earnings of more than $99,000 for individuals and $198,000 for married couples.
The payouts are twice the size of the stimulus payments given in 2008, according to the Tax Policy Center.
Americans eager to find out the status of their payments caused delays on the IRS website and the sites of several banks this week as well as long waits on phone lines. Credit counselors received a flurry of calls fomr people worried that debt collectors would take their payments to cover outstanding debts, said Bruce McClary, spokesman for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. (The funds are not protected, but debt collectors would need a court judgment to take them.)
The anxiety is just a small indicator of how financially stretched Americans were even before the virus outbreak.
Experts generally suggest people have three to six months of savings set aside for emergencies, but few do. At least one-quarter of American adults say they wouldn’t be able to cover an unexpected expense of $400, according to a survey done by the Federal Reserve before the pandemic.
Americans have also been taking on more debt in recent years, as a growing economy gave them confidence they would have the means to pay it off. U.S. consumer borrowing is at an all-time high of $4.2 trillion, according to the Fed. That does not include home mortgages or other loans secured by real estate.
Lenders have been encouraged to provide relief for loans as well as avoid evictions and foreclosures. Wells Fargo, one of the nation’s largest lenders, said it deferred more than one million payments representing $2.8 billion of principal and interest and waived more than 900,000 fees worth more than $30 million.
Still, Mariel Beasley, Co-Founder of Common Cents Lab at Duke University said that “many households are teetering.” They will use the relief check to get current on bills they’ve already missed and to purchase food - in other words, the money has already been spent before it arrives. Those who still have some income and savings may try to stretch the cash as far as possible.
Some taxpayers, however, admit the payment is nice to have - but not a must-have.
Charlette and Richard Kremer of Lewiston, Idaho got their $2,400 payment on Wednesday. The retired couple used the money to pay some lingering credit card debt from Christmas and plan to use the rest to pay their state tax and maybe help pay some costs of their son’s wedding reception later this year.
While they welcome the money, they say there are others who could use it more - particularly those with lower incomes.
“Those are the folks that are really going to be hurting,” Richard Kremer said. “This $1,200 is just going to kick the wolf back from the door. It’s not going to keep him away.”
___
Adrian Sainz in Memphis, Tennessee and Paul Wiseman in Washington contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-04-17--Authorities: Emergency responders find body in burning car

CHERRY HILL , N.J. ( AP ) - A body was found inside a burning car parked in a lot @ @ @ @ @ southern New Jersey , authorities said .
Emergency responders found the body around 9:20 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ Route 70 west in Cherry Hill , according to the Camden County Prosecutor ’ s @ @ @ @ @ after the fire was extinguished .
It ’ s not yet known who the person @ @ @ @ @ up in the vehicle , authorities said , The cause of the fire also remains @ @ @ @ @ injuries were reported in the incident .

CHERRY HILL, N.J. (AP) - A body was found inside a burning car parked in a lot off a major highway in southern New Jersey, authorities said.
Emergency responders found the body around 9:20 p.m. Thursday in the lot off Route 70 west in Cherry Hill, according to the Camden County Prosecutor’s Office. It was discovered after the fire was extinguished.
It’s not yet known who the person was or how they ended up in the vehicle, authorities said, The cause of the fire also remains under investigation.
No other injuries were reported in the incident.


washingtontimes--2020-04-17--Spanish sports clinic becomes center for virus patients

MADRID ( AP ) - Like for many people , things have changed for doctors at one of Spain ’ s top sports medicine clinics .
Instead of performing shoulder and knee surgeries or helping athletes recover from injury , they are now putting patients on ventilators and working to save the lives of people infected with the coronavirus .
The Clínica CEMTRO is one of the many private medical centers in Spain that are now being used to treat COVID-19 patients in the hard-hit European country that has registered nearly 190,000 confirmed cases of the virus , behind only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of three in Spain recognized by FIFA as a “ medical center of excellence.
” It was pulled into action after the country reshuffled its health system as the government declared a state of emergency and took control of all private hospitals and clinics .
Clínica CEMTRO medical director Ángel Galindo said that until recently one in every five COVID-19 patients in Madrid was being treated in private hospitals .
“ It was a big challenge to change all of our human and material resources , from the basic to the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Associated Press .
“ We were not used to treating these types of patients .
Everything is a lot more difficult to our staff now.
” The clinic previously treated athletes such as cyclist Alberto Contador , Real Madrid soccer player Marco Asensio , former Atlético Madrid defender Filipe Luis and badminton Olympic gold medalist Carolina Marín .
It also treated Spanish Olympic hopefuls such as boxer Lara García and race walker Diego García .
Among the staff at the clinic was Ana de la Torre , who works for Getafe and was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s top division .
The clinic suspended most of its regular activities in mid-March when the Spanish government declared the state of emergency that is expected to last at least until April 26 .
It had to transform itself in a short period of time , changing its routine and using nearly all of its resources to treat the coronavirus patients .
The staff had to be retrained to learn new medical protocols and how to protect themselves .
The changes took a toll both physically and emotionally .
“ When you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for everything , you more or less know when you will recover and when you will go back to your activity , ” Galindo said .
“ The problem we have now is that we know when we start the treatment , but we don ’ t know when it will end .
Emotionally , that is very exhausting.
” The clinic ’ s staff start their days sitting individually at separate tables during breakfast to reduce the risk of infection .
Protective gear is now part of their daily equipment , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the back of their protective suits , in a similar way to soccer jerseys .
Galindo said he sees the clinic as a soccer team , where everyone has to pitch in .
“ Strikers alone can ’ t score goals , ” he said .
“ You need a goalkeeper and defenders and the whole team .
I think at CEMTRO we have that , from the cleaning staff to the maintenance staff , administration staff and health care staff .
Everyone has come together as a team so we can overcome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still attends to patients who require emergency treatment for injuries , but the staff is mostly dedicated to the COVID-19 patients who are sent by the public hospitals that have been overwhelmed in recent weeks .
Nearly 19,500 people have died in Spain with the coronavirus .
About 75,000 have recovered .
The Clínica CEMTRO currently is not being paid by the government for its services even though most of its resources are now used to treat the coronavirus patients .
The government has helped by providing medications and some of the protective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s not the time to talk about that , ” Galindo said .
“ Right now we are just trying to help these patients .
We are doing our part as a private entity .
Everything else will be discussed later .
”

MADRID (AP) - Like for many people, things have changed for doctors at one of Spain’s top sports medicine clinics.
Instead of performing shoulder and knee surgeries or helping athletes recover from injury, they are now putting patients on ventilators and working to save the lives of people infected with the coronavirus.
The Clínica CEMTRO is one of the many private medical centers in Spain that are now being used to treat COVID-19 patients in the hard-hit European country that has registered nearly 190,000 confirmed cases of the virus, behind only the United States.
The clinic is one of three in Spain recognized by FIFA as a “medical center of excellence.” It was pulled into action after the country reshuffled its health system as the government declared a state of emergency and took control of all private hospitals and clinics.
Clínica CEMTRO medical director Ángel Galindo said that until recently one in every five COVID-19 patients in Madrid was being treated in private hospitals.
“It was a big challenge to change all of our human and material resources, from the basic to the most complex ones,” Galindo told The Associated Press. “We were not used to treating these types of patients. Everything is a lot more difficult to our staff now.”
The clinic previously treated athletes such as cyclist Alberto Contador, Real Madrid soccer player Marco Asensio, former Atlético Madrid defender Filipe Luis and badminton Olympic gold medalist Carolina Marín. It also treated Spanish Olympic hopefuls such as boxer Lara García and race walker Diego García.
Among the staff at the clinic was Ana de la Torre, who works for Getafe and was the first woman team doctor in Spain’s top division.
The clinic suspended most of its regular activities in mid-March when the Spanish government declared the state of emergency that is expected to last at least until April 26. It had to transform itself in a short period of time, changing its routine and using nearly all of its resources to treat the coronavirus patients. The staff had to be retrained to learn new medical protocols and how to protect themselves.
The changes took a toll both physically and emotionally.
“When you have surgery, you have a timetable for everything, you more or less know when you will recover and when you will go back to your activity,” Galindo said. “The problem we have now is that we know when we start the treatment, but we don’t know when it will end. Emotionally, that is very exhausting.”
The clinic’s staff start their days sitting individually at separate tables during breakfast to reduce the risk of infection. Protective gear is now part of their daily equipment, and some wear numbers and names drawn on the back of their protective suits, in a similar way to soccer jerseys.
Galindo said he sees the clinic as a soccer team, where everyone has to pitch in.
“Strikers alone can’t score goals,” he said. “You need a goalkeeper and defenders and the whole team. I think at CEMTRO we have that, from the cleaning staff to the maintenance staff, administration staff and health care staff. Everyone has come together as a team so we can overcome this very difficult situation.”
The clinic still attends to patients who require emergency treatment for injuries, but the staff is mostly dedicated to the COVID-19 patients who are sent by the public hospitals that have been overwhelmed in recent weeks.
Nearly 19,500 people have died in Spain with the coronavirus. About 75,000 have recovered.
The Clínica CEMTRO currently is not being paid by the government for its services even though most of its resources are now used to treat the coronavirus patients. The government has helped by providing medications and some of the protective gear, but not financially.
“It’s not the time to talk about that,” Galindo said. “Right now we are just trying to help these patients. We are doing our part as a private entity. Everything else will be discussed later.”
___
More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
___
Tales Azzoni on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tazzoni


washingtontimes--2020-04-17--AP Week in Pictures, North America

AP Week in Pictures, North America

This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by Associated Press photographers in the North @ @ @ @ @ ’ s selection includes children singing a hymn while another child bangs away at what @ @ @ @ @ on the slab that was James Hill Church after a tornado swept through the area @ @ @ @ @ people gathering at the Mount Davidson cross in San Francisco on Easter Sunday ; a @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 in a program administered by the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust in Miami ; and @ @ @ @ @ pedestrians and FDNY firefighters who gathered to applaud them outside Brooklyn Hospital Center in New @ @ @ @ @ curated by photo editor Courtney Dittmar in New York .

April 10–April 16, 2020
This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by Associated Press photographers in the North America region.
This week’s selection includes children singing a hymn while another child bangs away at what remains of a drum set on the slab that was James Hill Church after a tornado swept through the area in Prentiss, Mississippi; people gathering at the Mount Davidson cross in San Francisco on Easter Sunday; a homeless man being tested for COVID-19 in a program administered by the Miami-Dade County Homeless Trust in Miami; and medical workers cheering and acknowledging pedestrians and FDNY firefighters who gathered to applaud them outside Brooklyn Hospital Center in New York.
The gallery was curated by photo editor Courtney Dittmar in New York.
Follow AP visual journalism:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apnews
AP Images on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Images
AP Images blog: https://apimagesblog.com