washingtontimes--2020-06-25--Birthday party leaves 18 in Texas family with coronavirus

CARROLLTON , Texas ( AP ) - A surprise birthday party that resulted in 18 people testing positive for the coronavirus has left a North Texas man horrified as his father continues to fight for his life in a hospital intensive care unit .
Ron Barbosa , who is married to a doctor and refused to attend the May 30 party for his daughter-in-law because of safety concerns amid the COVID-19 pandemic , said those hospitalized included his parents , both in their 80′s , and his sister , who is also battling breast cancer .
Barbosa said his nephew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hosted last month ’ s gathering of 25 people that only lasted a few hours and followed the state ’ s latest health standards .
During the party , he said the nephew interacted with seven relatives , who subsequently contracted the virus and spread it to 10 other family members , including two young children .
“ When people started getting sick , we really let everyone have it , ” Barbosa told WFAA-TV .
“ We knew this was going to happen , I mean , this whole time this has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terrified.
” Gov .
Greg Abbott on Thursday said Texas would halt its aggressive reopening as it deals with a surge in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations that has made the state a virus hot spot .
Statewide , the number of COVID-19 patients has more than doubled in two weeks .
Texas has reported more than 11,000 new cases in the previous two days alone .
Barbosa ’ s mother , Carole , who stopped by the function to drop something off , tested positive for coronavrius June 6 and was admitted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said his father , Frank , who didn ’ t attend the get-together but later contracted COVID-19 , was hospitalized June 17 .
He said his dad is currently “ hanging on by a thread ” in the ICU while on life support .
Frank received a plasma donation Wednesday from a recovered coronavirus patient , according to Barbosa ’ s Facebook page .
Barbosa said he hopes the procedure will save his dad ’ s life .
“ Prayers were answered today , ” Barbosa wrote on Facebook .
“ Now he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for mom and the Barbosa Family.
” Barbosa said his family remains united despite feeling a pendulum of emotions over the past few weeks .
“ We were horrified .
People couldn ’ t believe that they took it to a family member , ” he said .
“ But now , we ’ re holding on together.
” Carole has returned home to recover , according to a Facebook page the family created , which indicated that Barbosa ’ s sister , Kathy , is feeling better and back home to recuperate @

CARROLLTON, Texas (AP) - A surprise birthday party that resulted in 18 people testing positive for the coronavirus has left a North Texas man horrified as his father continues to fight for his life in a hospital intensive care unit.
Ron Barbosa, who is married to a doctor and refused to attend the May 30 party for his daughter-in-law because of safety concerns amid the COVID-19 pandemic, said those hospitalized included his parents, both in their 80′s, and his sister, who is also battling breast cancer.
Barbosa said his nephew, unknowingly infected with the virus, hosted last month’s gathering of 25 people that only lasted a few hours and followed the state’s latest health standards. During the party, he said the nephew interacted with seven relatives, who subsequently contracted the virus and spread it to 10 other family members, including two young children.
“When people started getting sick, we really let everyone have it,” Barbosa told WFAA-TV. “We knew this was going to happen, I mean, this whole time this has been going on we’ve been terrified.”
Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday said Texas would halt its aggressive reopening as it deals with a surge in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations that has made the state a virus hot spot. Statewide, the number of COVID-19 patients has more than doubled in two weeks. Texas has reported more than 11,000 new cases in the previous two days alone.
Barbosa’s mother, Carole, who stopped by the function to drop something off, tested positive for coronavrius June 6 and was admitted to the hospital a week later.
Barbosa said his father, Frank, who didn’t attend the get-together but later contracted COVID-19, was hospitalized June 17. He said his dad is currently “hanging on by a thread” in the ICU while on life support.
“It’s heartbreaking,” Barbosa said, holding back tears.
Frank received a plasma donation Wednesday from a recovered coronavirus patient, according to Barbosa’s Facebook page. Barbosa said he hopes the procedure will save his dad’s life.
“Prayers were answered today,” Barbosa wrote on Facebook. “Now he (Frank) needs to get well for mom and the Barbosa Family.”
Barbosa said his family remains united despite feeling a pendulum of emotions over the past few weeks.
“We were horrified. People couldn’t believe that they took it to a family member,” he said. “But now, we’re holding on together.”
Carole has returned home to recover, according to a Facebook page the family created, which indicated that Barbosa’s sister, Kathy, is feeling better and back home to recuperate.


washingtontimes--2020-06-25--Ohio woman dies after falling into Minneapolis creek

MINNEAPOLIS ( AP ) - An Ohio woman has died after falling into a creek fed by Minnehaha Falls in @ @ @ @ @ said .
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner ’ s office said Deeqa Said Mohamed , @ @ @ @ @ Ohio , died Tuesday at HCMC .
The cause of death was drowning , Mohamed @ @ @ @ @ south Minneapolis late in the afternoon on June 17 when she lost her footing , @ @ @ @ @ s office .
The Star Tribune reports she landed facedown in the creek , where @ @ @ @ @ under a rock .
The current kept her from getting her head above water .
@ @ @ @ @ water and conducted CPR until firefighters arrived , the sheriff ’ s office said .

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - An Ohio woman has died after falling into a creek fed by Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis last week, authorities said.
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s office said Deeqa Said Mohamed, 26, of Columbus, Ohio, died Tuesday at HCMC. The cause of death was drowning,
Mohamed was at the falls in south Minneapolis late in the afternoon on June 17 when she lost her footing, according to the sheriff’s office. The Star Tribune reports she landed facedown in the creek, where her foot stuck got stuck under a rock. The current kept her from getting her head above water.
Bystanders pulled Mohamed from the water and conducted CPR until firefighters arrived, the sheriff’s office said.


washingtontimes--2020-06-25--High court won't hear federal agent's Hawaii shooting case

HONOLULU ( AP ) - The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to hear a case over whether a federal agent should face a third trial over a fatal 2011 shooting in a Waikiki McDonald ’ s restaurant .
The refusal means prosecutors can ’ t pursue a manslaughter charge against U.S. State Department Special Agent Christopher Deedy .
“ The impact of this is that the manslaughter charge is now dismissed permanently and that Mr. Deedy can not be tried again on it , ” Deedy ’ s defense attorney Thomas Otake said in an email Thursday .
The case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Baehr , a spokesman for the Honolulu prosecuting attorney ’ s office .
A statement from the office called the decision “ regrettable ” but said the state will continue to pursue a trial for first-degree assault .
Prosecutors pursing a third trial took their quest to the Supreme Court after the 9th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a request for a wider panel of judges to hear the case .
A panel ruled that if prosecutors want to try Deedy a third time , it can only be for assault @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trial for Deedy ended in a hung jury .
A second jury in 2014 acquitted him of murder but deadlocked on manslaughter .
The issue of whether he can face a third trial accusing him of assault is pending , and Deedy ’ s lawyers are challenging that in a separate appeal , Otake said .
Deedy ’ s attorneys have argued that a third trial would violate the double jeopardy clause of the U.S. Constitution .
The Hawaii Supreme Court ruled that a retrial wouldn ’ t violate his double jeopardy rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ court system to prevent the state from trying him a third time .
Deedy had been in Honolulu providing security for the 2011 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit .
After bar-hopping with friends on his first night in Waikiki , Deedy is accused of fatally shooting Kollin Elderts during an altercation in a McDonald ’ s .
Deedy testified at two trials that he was protecting others from the aggressive Elderts .
Prosecutors have said Deedy was drunk , inexperienced and fueled by warnings from a fellow agent that Hawaii locals are hostile toward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ circumstances in which Christopher Deedy killed Kollin Elderts are similar to recent killings on the mainland that have sparked worldwide outrage , ” Acting Prosecuting Attorney Dwight Nadamoto said in a statement .
“ Deedy was a law enforcement officer who needlessly escalated an encounter with an unarmed citizen resulting in the unjustified use of lethal force .
”

HONOLULU (AP) - The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to hear a case over whether a federal agent should face a third trial over a fatal 2011 shooting in a Waikiki McDonald’s restaurant.
The refusal means prosecutors can’t pursue a manslaughter charge against U.S. State Department Special Agent Christopher Deedy.
“The impact of this is that the manslaughter charge is now dismissed permanently and that Mr. Deedy cannot be tried again on it,” Deedy’s defense attorney Thomas Otake said in an email Thursday.
The case isn’t over, said Brooks Baehr, a spokesman for the Honolulu prosecuting attorney’s office.
A statement from the office called the decision “regrettable” but said the state will continue to pursue a trial for first-degree assault.
Prosecutors pursing a third trial took their quest to the Supreme Court after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a request for a wider panel of judges to hear the case. A panel ruled that if prosecutors want to try Deedy a third time, it can only be for assault, not manslaughter.
A 2013 murder trial for Deedy ended in a hung jury. A second jury in 2014 acquitted him of murder but deadlocked on manslaughter.
The issue of whether he can face a third trial accusing him of assault is pending, and Deedy’s lawyers are challenging that in a separate appeal, Otake said.
Deedy’s attorneys have argued that a third trial would violate the double jeopardy clause of the U.S. Constitution. The Hawaii Supreme Court ruled that a retrial wouldn’t violate his double jeopardy rights and Deedy then turned to the federal court system to prevent the state from trying him a third time.
Deedy had been in Honolulu providing security for the 2011 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. After bar-hopping with friends on his first night in Waikiki, Deedy is accused of fatally shooting Kollin Elderts during an altercation in a McDonald’s.
Deedy testified at two trials that he was protecting others from the aggressive Elderts. Prosecutors have said Deedy was drunk, inexperienced and fueled by warnings from a fellow agent that Hawaii locals are hostile toward federal workers and outsiders.
“The circumstances in which Christopher Deedy killed Kollin Elderts are similar to recent killings on the mainland that have sparked worldwide outrage,” Acting Prosecuting Attorney Dwight Nadamoto said in a statement. “Deedy was a law enforcement officer who needlessly escalated an encounter with an unarmed citizen resulting in the unjustified use of lethal force.”


washingtontimes--2020-06-25--Worker killed in fall from Lakeville construction site ID'ed

LAKEVILLE , Minn. ( AP ) - Authorities have identified a construction worker who died in a fall from a @ @ @ @ @ .
According to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner ’ s office , Jose Francisco Cela @ @ @ @ @ Minneapolis died of blunt force trauma injuries .
He fell Monday from a balcony and @ @ @ @ @ His death was ruled an accident .
Lakeville Deputy Chief John Kornmann said safety items @ @ @ @ @ safety harnesses and railings , were in place at the time of the accident .
@ @ @ @ @ Safety and Health Administration are investigating , the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported .

LAKEVILLE, Minn. (AP) - Authorities have identified a construction worker who died in a fall from a town home site in Lakeville.
According to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s office, Jose Francisco Cela Guasco, 26, of Minneapolis died of blunt force trauma injuries. He fell Monday from a balcony and died at the scene. His death was ruled an accident.
Lakeville Deputy Chief John Kornmann said safety items, including hard hats, safety harnesses and railings, were in place at the time of the accident.
Lakeville police and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reported.


washingtontimes--2020-06-25--University of Kansas leaders challenge in-class mandate

KANSAS CITY , Kan. ( AP ) - Many department chairs at the University of Kansas are pushing back against the school ’ s plan to have classroom instruction in the fall , saying they should have the option to teach online .
On Monday , a letter signed by 38 department heads was emailed to Provost Barbara Bichelmeyer after Chancellor Douglas Girod announced last week that the school would hold in-class sessions starting Aug. 24 .
Since then , another 14 have signed , KCUR-FM reported Thursday .
Instructors can ask for an exemption from the requirement under the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heads call “ impossibly unwieldy , discriminatory and perhaps illegal.
” “ The process raises weighty confidentiality concerns , and we believe that many urgent questions remain to be answered about ” complying with the ADA and federal anti-discrimination and safety rules , the letter states .
“ The plan asks instructors to divulge personal health ( including mental health ) information that is not in fact counted as a disability by law in order to learn that our request may have been denied.
” The act bans discrimination against people with disabilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transportation and public accommodations .
The deadline for faculty chairs to submit a spreadsheet indicating how their fall classes comply with the school ’ s in-class requirement was Wednesday .
Bichelmeyer did not respond to KCUR-FM ’ s request for comment .
The university is in a difficult position because the pandemic has caused it to lose its local monopoly advantage .
Its main campus in Lawrence faces competition from cheaper schools online .
But it also has competition from elite schools with more resources .
Ani Kokobobo , the chair of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Literatures , said she would have preferred for the school to have consulted with people about the mandate .
“ I ’ m here weighing my family ’ s welfare and my university ’ s welfare together and , yes , sure , I ’ ll do whatever you need me to do , ” Kokobobo said .
“ I ’ ll sacrifice in some way .
But ask me , at the very least , because of the risk that is involved .
”

KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) - Many department chairs at the University of Kansas are pushing back against the school’s plan to have classroom instruction in the fall, saying they should have the option to teach online.
On Monday, a letter signed by 38 department heads was emailed to Provost Barbara Bichelmeyer after Chancellor Douglas Girod announced last week that the school would hold in-class sessions starting Aug. 24. Since then, another 14 have signed, KCUR-FM reported Thursday.
Instructors can ask for an exemption from the requirement under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which department heads call “impossibly unwieldy, discriminatory and perhaps illegal.”
“The process raises weighty confidentiality concerns, and we believe that many urgent questions remain to be answered about” complying with the ADA and federal anti-discrimination and safety rules, the letter states. “The plan asks instructors to divulge personal health (including mental health) information that is not in fact counted as a disability by law in order to learn that our request may have been denied.”
The act bans discrimination against people with disabilities in several areas, including employment, transportation and public accommodations.
The deadline for faculty chairs to submit a spreadsheet indicating how their fall classes comply with the school’s in-class requirement was Wednesday.
Bichelmeyer did not respond to KCUR-FM’s request for comment.
The university is in a difficult position because the pandemic has caused it to lose its local monopoly advantage. Its main campus in Lawrence faces competition from cheaper schools online. But it also has competition from elite schools with more resources.
Ani Kokobobo, the chair of the Department of Slavic and Eurasian Languages and Literatures, said she would have preferred for the school to have consulted with people about the mandate.
“I’m here weighing my family’s welfare and my university’s welfare together and, yes, sure, I’ll do whatever you need me to do,” Kokobobo said. “I’ll sacrifice in some way. But ask me, at the very least, because of the risk that is involved.”


washingtontimes--2020-06-25--MGM National Harbor casino to reopen Monday with 'contactless' strategy

When MGM National Harbor reopens to the public on Monday , prospective guests can expect “ contactless ” check-ins , single-use baccarat cards and Plexiglass galore to guard against COVID-19 .
Officials said the three-year-old resort in Prince George ’ s County will open to 50 % capacity , and its hotel will open roughly a third of its rooms , three months after a state order forced casinos to close as the coronavirus began to spread .
National Harbor ’ s check-in desks will be covered by Plexiglass windows , as are other points around the property , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ distance .
A key element of its “ contactless ” strategy is encouraging usage of MGM ’ s smartphone app , which will allow guests to check in , verify their identification and pay , as well as make reservations at the resort ’ s eight restaurants .
Dominique Bertolone , MGM Resorts ’ senior vice president of food and beverage strategy , said most restaurants will reopen Monday and guests will be able to scan a code with their app to reserve a table in a “ virtual queueing experience ” that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waiting together .
Guests will have two options for menus : one printed on disposable paper or a smartphone display via a barcode .
“ We actually believe that not only this is going to enhance the guest experience , but it ’ s part of our future , ” Mr. Bertolone said .
“ Think of all the applications Not only do we believe it ’ s going to stick , we believe it ’ s going to be expanded as well.
” MGM executives said these digital benefits were in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic came to the U.S. , they decided it was the right time to accelerate their projects .
“ It ’ s going to be something totally different .
It ’ s gon na take a little bit to get used to , ” said Anthony Caratozzolo , National Harbor ’ s vice president of hospitality .
“ It ’ s totally new .
But I think the guests are really going to enjoy it , because it just speeds up the whole process.
” National Harbor isn ’ t the first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : A resort in Mississippi , about half of its Las Vegas properties and a resort near Cleveland reopened earlier this month with increased safety protocols .
Those protocols include requiring face masks , maintaining 6-feet of social distance at all times and adding hand sanitizer stations .
National Harbor guests will undergo a temperature check via thermal imaging whenever they enter the casino .
John Flynn , MGM ’ s vice president of administration , said only 50 % of the card tables and gaming machines will open Monday and not all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to be back at work .
Employees have set up more Plexiglass at the tables to keep guests separated from each other and from the dealers .
Dealers will regularly sanitize equipment , including poker chips .
Cards will be dealt face-up for some games so that guests never touch them ; in others , like baccarat , cards will be “ single-use ” and thrown away after every game .
The resort will have a soft opening for a small number of rewards program members this weekend before opening to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We want to get the community comfortable with these new health and safety protocols , ” Mr. Flynn said .
“ We want to get our guests and our employees comfortable with it .
So I think generally speaking , making sure that we ’ re going nice and slow , that we ’ re doing this in a thoughtful way , is very important.
” Entertainment venues around the region and the country have started to allow guests back inside , including the Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore , which will open to @ @ @ @ @

When MGM National Harbor reopens to the public on Monday, prospective guests can expect “contactless” check-ins, single-use baccarat cards and Plexiglass galore to guard against COVID-19.
Officials said the three-year-old resort in Prince George’s County will open to 50% capacity, and its hotel will open roughly a third of its rooms, three months after a state order forced casinos to close as the coronavirus began to spread.
National Harbor’s check-in desks will be covered by Plexiglass windows, as are other points around the property, and only half will be open to create distance.
A key element of its “contactless” strategy is encouraging usage of MGM’s smartphone app, which will allow guests to check in, verify their identification and pay, as well as make reservations at the resort’s eight restaurants.
Dominique Bertolone, MGM Resorts’ senior vice president of food and beverage strategy, said most restaurants will reopen Monday and guests will be able to scan a code with their app to reserve a table in a “virtual queueing experience” that will help avoid large clusters of people waiting together.
Guests will have two options for menus: one printed on disposable paper or a smartphone display via a barcode.
“We actually believe that not only this is going to enhance the guest experience, but it’s part of our future,” Mr. Bertolone said. “Think of all the applications Not only do we believe it’s going to stick, we believe it’s going to be expanded as well.”
MGM executives said these digital benefits were in the works before this year, but once the pandemic came to the U.S., they decided it was the right time to accelerate their projects.
“It’s going to be something totally different. It’s gonna take a little bit to get used to,” said Anthony Caratozzolo, National Harbor’s vice president of hospitality. “It’s totally new. But I think the guests are really going to enjoy it, because it just speeds up the whole process.”
National Harbor isn’t the first MGM property in the country to reopen: A resort in Mississippi, about half of its Las Vegas properties and a resort near Cleveland reopened earlier this month with increased safety protocols.
Those protocols include requiring face masks, maintaining 6-feet of social distance at all times and adding hand sanitizer stations.
National Harbor guests will undergo a temperature check via thermal imaging whenever they enter the casino. John Flynn, MGM’s vice president of administration, said only 50% of the card tables and gaming machines will open Monday and not all of the resort’s employees will need to be back at work.
Employees have set up more Plexiglass at the tables to keep guests separated from each other and from the dealers. Dealers will regularly sanitize equipment, including poker chips.
Cards will be dealt face-up for some games so that guests never touch them; in others, like baccarat, cards will be “single-use” and thrown away after every game.
The resort will have a soft opening for a small number of rewards program members this weekend before opening to the public, Mr. Flynn said.
“We want to get the community comfortable with these new health and safety protocols,” Mr. Flynn said. “We want to get our guests and our employees comfortable with it. So I think generally speaking, making sure that we’re going nice and slow, that we’re doing this in a thoughtful way, is very important.”
Entertainment venues around the region and the country have started to allow guests back inside, including the Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore, which will open to the public on Sunday.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-06-25--Trail hikers see opportunity, risk in shutdowns

The coronavirus has created opportunities for trail hikers by providing time to pursue the leisure activity as they practice social distancing in wide open spaces .
Jake Caples , 27 , says he has traversed 500 of the Appalachian Trail ’ s 2,190 miles since May 23 as coronavirus shutdowns slowed his work as a touring audio technician in Hampstead , Maryland .
“ Otherwise , hiking the Appalachian Trail was a long lifetime goal .
I thought I ’ d be doing it in retirement like most folks out here , ” Mr. Caples said from the trail .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Appalachian Trail since March 14 , said even the most experienced hikers have been “ dropping like flies ” due to worries about the spread of the coronavirus .
“ When people talk about the AT , they ’ re like , ‘ I love the AT but it ’ s getting way too crowded.
’ This year , it ’ s like we ’ re hiking like back in the 70s when nobody did it , ” said Ms. Sands , 24 , a traveling nurse whose father is an editor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million people hiked in the U.S. in 2018 , according to Statista , a German company that compiles statistics for market and opinion research .
Wesley Trimble , program outreach and communications manager for the American Hiking Society , said there are a variety of risks along the spectrum of day hiking to thru-hiking ( walking an extensive trail from end to end ) in the age of COVID-19 .
“ Most of our guidance has been around encouraging people to stay local in their areas because by traveling distances , there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the virus , ” Mr. Trimble said of his nonprofit organization , which focuses on preserving trails .
The hiking society advises its 7,500 members to use their “ best judgment.
” Its guide to COVID-19 states that sharing public restrooms and shopping for supplies at campgrounds could bring hikers in contact with the virus or spread it to others .
Sherrie Dulany , an avid hiker in western North Carolina , says restrooms aren ’ t the only shared items hikers are wary of .
“ I did notice that many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ take and text pictures to other families/couples rather than being passed phones to take the pics on theirs .
It was nice .
A little unsettling giving your number to someone else with your picture , but it felt safer than spreading germs , ” said Ms. Dulany , 49 , a special education coordinator .
Cleaning restrooms is a priority for the maintenance staff at Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area , said Chris Derman , chief of interpretation and education at the site .
Mr. Derman said Big South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is lucky to have open spaces in its campgrounds and trails , so they have not had to enforce crowd control at popular spots .
“ It ’ s a park that is popular to people because on almost any given day , you can go out on the trail and feel like you have the whole place to yourself , ” he said , adding that other campgrounds with closely packed campsites have resorted to closing every other site to ensure spacing between groups .
According to American Hiking Society , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trails on federal lands across the country , including 73,000 miles managed by the U.S. Forest Service and 9,000 miles overseen by the National Park Service .
Some of the longest U.S. trails include the 6,800-mile American Discovery Trail , which starts in Delaware and cuts through 15 states to end in California ; the 6,800-mile Great Western Loop , which spans nine states in the West and the Pacific Northwest ; and the 5,400-mile Eastern Continental Trail , which snakes northward from Key West , Florida , to Belle Isle , Newfoundland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Georgia to Maine , currently has only 5.2 miles of its total length closed , says the Appalachian Trail Conservancy .
The nonprofit preservation group says it likely will recommend hikers to return to the trail , barring increases in coronavirus cases .
Mr. Caples said there is a split in the hiking community about whether thru-hiking is safe right now .
“ Well , I think with the right concessions and with the right change in how you do things a little bit , just like everybody else has , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right now , ” he said from the Appalachian Trail near Damascus , Virginia .
Bob Palin , vice president of public relations for the American Discovery Trail , said his team recommends its hikers take only day hikes right now and isn ’ t tracking thru-hikers , though there are some on the trail .
“ It basically reflects the whole of society .
It ’ s a split between the people who think being outside and not having a lot of contact makes it worth being up and those of us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stay closed until we know it ’ s safe , ” Mr. Palin said .

The coronavirus has created opportunities for trail hikers by providing time to pursue the leisure activity as they practice social distancing in wide open spaces.
Jake Caples, 27, says he has traversed 500 of the Appalachian Trail’s 2,190 miles since May 23 as coronavirus shutdowns slowed his work as a touring audio technician in Hampstead, Maryland.
“Otherwise, hiking the Appalachian Trail was a long lifetime goal. I thought I’d be doing it in retirement like most folks out here,” Mr. Caples said from the trail.
Nora Sands, who has been hiking the Appalachian Trail since March 14, said even the most experienced hikers have been “dropping like flies” due to worries about the spread of the coronavirus.
“When people talk about the AT, they’re like, ‘I love the AT but it’s getting way too crowded.’ This year, it’s like we’re hiking like back in the 70s when nobody did it,” said Ms. Sands, 24, a traveling nurse whose father is an editor at The Washington Times.
About 48 million people hiked in the U.S. in 2018, according to Statista, a German company that compiles statistics for market and opinion research.
Wesley Trimble, program outreach and communications manager for the American Hiking Society, said there are a variety of risks along the spectrum of day hiking to thru-hiking (walking an extensive trail from end to end) in the age of COVID-19.
“Most of our guidance has been around encouraging people to stay local in their areas because by traveling distances, there are greater chances of the spread and transmission of the virus,” Mr. Trimble said of his nonprofit organization, which focuses on preserving trails.
The hiking society advises its 7,500 members to use their “best judgment.” Its guide to COVID-19 states that sharing public restrooms and shopping for supplies at campgrounds could bring hikers in contact with the virus or spread it to others.
Sherrie Dulany, an avid hiker in western North Carolina, says restrooms aren’t the only shared items hikers are wary of.
“I did notice that many of us that take pictures offered to take and text pictures to other families/couples rather than being passed phones to take the pics on theirs. It was nice. A little unsettling giving your number to someone else with your picture, but it felt safer than spreading germs,” said Ms. Dulany, 49, a special education coordinator.
Cleaning restrooms is a priority for the maintenance staff at Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, said Chris Derman, chief of interpretation and education at the site.
Mr. Derman said Big South, which runs from Kentucky to Tennessee, is lucky to have open spaces in its campgrounds and trails, so they have not had to enforce crowd control at popular spots.
“It’s a park that is popular to people because on almost any given day, you can go out on the trail and feel like you have the whole place to yourself,” he said, adding that other campgrounds with closely packed campsites have resorted to closing every other site to ensure spacing between groups.
According to American Hiking Society, there are nearly 88,000 miles of hiking trails on federal lands across the country, including 73,000 miles managed by the U.S. Forest Service and 9,000 miles overseen by the National Park Service.
Some of the longest U.S. trails include the 6,800-mile American Discovery Trail, which starts in Delaware and cuts through 15 states to end in California; the 6,800-mile Great Western Loop, which spans nine states in the West and the Pacific Northwest; and the 5,400-mile Eastern Continental Trail, which snakes northward from Key West, Florida, to Belle Isle, Newfoundland.
The Appalachian Trail, which stretches from Georgia to Maine, currently has only 5.2 miles of its total length closed, says the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. The nonprofit preservation group says it likely will recommend hikers to return to the trail, barring increases in coronavirus cases.
Mr. Caples said there is a split in the hiking community about whether thru-hiking is safe right now.
“Well, I think with the right concessions and with the right change in how you do things a little bit, just like everybody else has, I think hiking can be a safe option right now,” he said from the Appalachian Trail near Damascus, Virginia.
Bob Palin, vice president of public relations for the American Discovery Trail, said his team recommends its hikers take only day hikes right now and isn’t tracking thru-hikers, though there are some on the trail.
“It basically reflects the whole of society. It’s a split between the people who think being outside and not having a lot of contact makes it worth being up and those of us who are more conservative and want to stay closed until we know it’s safe,” Mr. Palin said.


washingtontimes--2020-06-25--More options where to carry handgun OK'd by N.C. legislature

RALEIGH , N.C. ( AP ) - More people in North Carolina could carry their concealed weapons while working and @ @ @ @ @ measure given final legislative approval late Thursday .
The House and Senate voted for the @ @ @ @ @ to Gov .
Roy Cooper ’ s desk .
The bill would allow people with @ @ @ @ @ handgun at a religious place of worship that is also the location of a private @ @ @ @ @ could only carry the gun outside of the school ’ s operating hours .
Two @ @ @ @ @ would be allowed to wear their concealed weapons in some situations .
They include emergency @ @ @ @ @ SWAT teams .
Bill manager Sen. Danny Britt of Robeson County also mentioned the case @ @ @ @ @ works the front desk of a police department alone and gets permission from the police @ @ @ @

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - More people in North Carolina could carry their concealed weapons while working and while attending church in a measure given final legislative approval late Thursday.
The House and Senate voted for the compromise bill, sending it to Gov. Roy Cooper’s desk.
The bill would allow people with concealed permits to carry their handgun at a religious place of worship that is also the location of a private school. A permit holder could only carry the gun outside of the school’s operating hours.
Two more categories of workers also would be allowed to wear their concealed weapons in some situations. They include emergency medical technicians who work with SWAT teams. Bill manager Sen. Danny Britt of Robeson County also mentioned the case of an administrative assistant who works the front desk of a police department alone and gets permission from the police chief to carry.


washingtontimes--2020-06-25--Alabama players, Saban appear in anti-racism video

TUSCALOOSA , Ala. ( AP ) - The University of Alabama football team released an emotional video on Thursday speaking out against racism and ending with the message that “ all lives can ’ t matter until Black lives matter.
” Head Coach Nick Saban and many prominent players , both Black and white , appear in the video that was written by Alabama left tackle Alex Leatherwood .
The video begins with the players saying , “ We are a team , Black , white , brown .
Together , we are a family .
We are brothers who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hometowns , our university and our country.
” The players and coach speak of the importance of listening to understand another person ’ s perspective .
“ In this moment in history , we can ’ t be silent .
We must speak up for our brothers and sisters , for our sons and daughters , ” Saban says in the video .
“ Until I listen with an open heart and mind , I can ’ t understand his experience and his pain.
” The video ends with the message , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Black lives matter.
” ’ The video was released Thursday afternoon on the team ’ s social media accounts and was quickly shared thousands of times .
It drew wide praise and some criticism online from commenters .
Some commenters offered to “ happily take ” season tickets from anyone who was offended by the video .

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) - The University of Alabama football team released an emotional video on Thursday speaking out against racism and ending with the message that “all lives can’t matter until Black lives matter.”
Head Coach Nick Saban and many prominent players, both Black and white, appear in the video that was written by Alabama left tackle Alex Leatherwood.
The video begins with the players saying, “We are a team, Black, white, brown. Together, we are a family. We are brothers who represent ourselves, our families, our hometowns, our university and our country.”
The players and coach speak of the importance of listening to understand another person’s perspective.
“In this moment in history, we can’t be silent. We must speak up for our brothers and sisters, for our sons and daughters,” Saban says in the video. “Until I listen with an open heart and mind, I can’t understand his experience and his pain.”
The video ends with the message, “all lives can’t matter until Black lives matter.”’
The video was released Thursday afternoon on the team’s social media accounts and was quickly shared thousands of times. It drew wide praise and some criticism online from commenters.
Some commenters offered to “happily take” season tickets from anyone who was offended by the video.


washingtontimes--2020-06-25--Judge: McDonald’s store to remain closed after outbreak

OAKLAND , Calif. ( AP ) - A California judge has ordered a McDonald ’ s in Oakland to stay closed until the court decides whether to order the owner to improve his health and safety practices amid the coronavirus .
Workers sued the owner last week over an outbreak that they say affected 35 people , including one employee ’ s 10-month-old child .
The restaurant has been closed since May 26 , when workers went on strike , the East Bay Times reported .
According to the public nuisance lawsuit , the restaurant ’ s owner failed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the virus and have them self-quarantine , and that as a result , they failed to implement social distancing or cleaning protocols .
The five employees requested a temporary restraining order , forcing the restaurant to remain closed until it complied with minimum COVID-19 health and safety standards and Oakland ’ s paid sick leave laws , the workers said in their lawsuit .
“ In April , they gave us dog diapers and told us to make our own masks at work , ” Yamile Osoy , an employee at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with her 10-month-old son has tested positive for the coronavirus , said in a May 29 letter to CalOSHA .
Fellow worker Cindy Escalante said in the same letter : “ My employer did not establish a plan to keep us safe , to sanitize and social distance in case one of us got sick or a customer was sick .
We cleaned the restaurant every night , but not during the shifts before that .
We were not instructed to sanitize high-touch surfaces regularly.
” The owner of that McDonald ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immediately be reached for comment Thursday .
Four workers at a McDonald ’ s in the city of San Pablo have also contacted CalOSHA , saying they believe their health was put at risk due to bad business practices .
Workers at the Oakland and San Pablo locations are not in a union , according to Fight for $ 15 , an organization that advocates for fast food workers .
An Illinois state judge issued a similar injunction against a McDonald ’ s in Chicago after its workers filed a public nuisance lawsuit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them safe .
“ The potential risk of harm to these Plaintiffs and the community at large is severe , ” Judge Eve Reilly of Cook County Circuit Court wrote in her order issued Wednesday .
“ It may very well be a matter of life or death to individuals who come in contact with these restaurants or employees of these restaurants on a regular , or even semi-regular basis , during the COVID-19 pandemic.
” For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks .
But for some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - A California judge has ordered a McDonald’s in Oakland to stay closed until the court decides whether to order the owner to improve his health and safety practices amid the coronavirus.
Workers sued the owner last week over an outbreak that they say affected 35 people, including one employee’s 10-month-old child. The restaurant has been closed since May 26, when workers went on strike, the East Bay Times reported.
According to the public nuisance lawsuit, the restaurant’s owner failed to inform workers that they had been exposed to the virus and have them self-quarantine, and that as a result, they failed to implement social distancing or cleaning protocols.
The five employees requested a temporary restraining order, forcing the restaurant to remain closed until it complied with minimum COVID-19 health and safety standards and Oakland’s paid sick leave laws, the workers said in their lawsuit.
“In April, they gave us dog diapers and told us to make our own masks at work,” Yamile Osoy, an employee at the 4514 Telegraph Ave. location, who along with her 10-month-old son has tested positive for the coronavirus, said in a May 29 letter to CalOSHA.
Fellow worker Cindy Escalante said in the same letter: “My employer did not establish a plan to keep us safe, to sanitize and social distance in case one of us got sick or a customer was sick. We cleaned the restaurant every night, but not during the shifts before that. We were not instructed to sanitize high-touch surfaces regularly.”
The owner of that McDonald’s franchise, Michael Smith, could not immediately be reached for comment Thursday.
Four workers at a McDonald’s in the city of San Pablo have also contacted CalOSHA, saying they believe their health was put at risk due to bad business practices.
Workers at the Oakland and San Pablo locations are not in a union, according to Fight for $15, an organization that advocates for fast food workers.
An Illinois state judge issued a similar injunction against a McDonald’s in Chicago after its workers filed a public nuisance lawsuit saying the company was failing to keep them safe.
“The potential risk of harm to these Plaintiffs and the community at large is severe,” Judge Eve Reilly of Cook County Circuit Court wrote in her order issued Wednesday. “It may very well be a matter of life or death to individuals who come in contact with these restaurants or employees of these restaurants on a regular, or even semi-regular basis, during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. But for some - especially older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.


washingtontimes--2020-06-26--Kosovo president, indicted for war crimes, heads back home

PRISTINA , Kosovo ( AP ) - The president of Kosovo headed back to his country Friday after pulling out of a White House meeting due to his indictment for war crimes stemming from the 1990s armed conflict between ethnic Albanian separatists he helped lead and Serbian forces .
President Hashim Thaci , who had already left for Washington and was in Austria when the charges against him were announced , landed at Tirana International Airport in Albania and was said to be on his way to Kosovo by car .
The airport in Kosovo ’ s capital of Pristina @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thaci said he would address the people of Kosovo from his office on Sunday evening .
“ Wish you a calm weekend and remain hopeful that better days for Kosovo and the Albanian people are ahead , ” he posted on Facebook .
A special prosecutor who has been investigating alleged war crimes by the Kosovo Liberation Army during and after the 1998-99 conflict on Wednesday announced the indictment of Thaci and nine other former rebel fighters on murder and other charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity against ethnic Serbs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague is studying the indictment and could still reject it if there is not enough evidence to back it up .
Asked about Thaci ’ s draft indictment , Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said in Brussels that Belgrade has been very “ cautious ” and showed restraint in reacting to avoid fueling tensions over the issue .
“ We know that horrific crimes against Serbs took place , and in that sense it is good that there is justice , ” Vucic said .
Thaci was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or KLA , that fought for independence from Serbia .
The fighting left more than 10,000 dead , most of them ethnic Albanians , and 1,641 are still unaccounted-for .
The war ended after a 78-day NATO air campaign that forced Serbian troops to withdraw .
The vast majority of atrocities committed during the 1998-99 Kosovo war were committed by Serbian troops , international courts have confirmed with their sentencing of several top Serb officials and military commanders to lengthy jail terms .
U.S presidential envoy Richard Grenell had organized a White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaders scheduled for Saturday .
Thaci canceled his attendance after his indictment .
Kosovar Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti was expected to fill in co-leading the meeting with Vucic but then also canceled .
The White House meeting would have been be the first talks between Serbia and Kosovo in 19 months .
Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008 , a move Serbia has not recognized .
The United States and the European Union have been working to help normalize ties between the two countries .
Llazar Semini in Tirana , Albania and @ @ @ @ @ @

PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) - The president of Kosovo headed back to his country Friday after pulling out of a White House meeting due to his indictment for war crimes stemming from the 1990s armed conflict between ethnic Albanian separatists he helped lead and Serbian forces.
President Hashim Thaci, who had already left for Washington and was in Austria when the charges against him were announced, landed at Tirana International Airport in Albania and was said to be on his way to Kosovo by car. The airport in Kosovo’s capital of Pristina remains closed due to the coronavirus.
Thaci said he would address the people of Kosovo from his office on Sunday evening.
“Wish you a calm weekend and remain hopeful that better days for Kosovo and the Albanian people are ahead,” he posted on Facebook.
A special prosecutor who has been investigating alleged war crimes by the Kosovo Liberation Army during and after the 1998-99 conflict on Wednesday announced the indictment of Thaci and nine other former rebel fighters on murder and other charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity against ethnic Serbs, Roma and others.
A pretrial judge at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in The Hague is studying the indictment and could still reject it if there is not enough evidence to back it up.
Asked about Thaci’s draft indictment, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said in Brussels that Belgrade has been very “cautious” and showed restraint in reacting to avoid fueling tensions over the issue.
“We know that horrific crimes against Serbs took place, and in that sense it is good that there is justice,” Vucic said.
Thaci was a commander of the Kosovo Liberation army, or KLA, that fought for independence from Serbia. The fighting left more than 10,000 dead, most of them ethnic Albanians, and 1,641 are still unaccounted-for. The war ended after a 78-day NATO air campaign that forced Serbian troops to withdraw.
The vast majority of atrocities committed during the 1998-99 Kosovo war were committed by Serbian troops, international courts have confirmed with their sentencing of several top Serb officials and military commanders to lengthy jail terms.
U.S presidential envoy Richard Grenell had organized a White House meeting of the Kosovar and Serbian leaders scheduled for Saturday. Thaci canceled his attendance after his indictment. Kosovar Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti was expected to fill in co-leading the meeting with Vucic but then also canceled.
The White House meeting would have been be the first talks between Serbia and Kosovo in 19 months. Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008, a move Serbia has not recognized. The United States and the European Union have been working to help normalize ties between the two countries.
Tensions between Kosovo and Serbia remain high.
—-
Llazar Semini in Tirana, Albania and Dusan Stojanovic in Belgrade contributed.


washingtontimes--2020-06-26--Mixed-race women sue Belgium for crimes against humanity

BRUSSELS ( AP ) - Five mixed-race women born in Congo when the country was under Belgian rule who were taken away from their Black mothers have filed a lawsuit for crimes against humanity targeting the Belgian state .
With their claim , they hope Belgium will finally recognize its responsibility in the suffering endured by the thousands of mixed-race children , known as “ métis , ″ who were snatched away from families and placed in religious institutions and homes .
“ This systematic policy of racially motivated abduction is a crime against humanity , ” Michele Hirsch , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Associated Press on Friday .
“ It is not enough to say : ‘ We apologize.
’ Reality has to be taken into account .
Their lives have been shattered.
” Last year , Belgium ’ s then-prime minister , Charles Michel , apologised to the métis children who were kidnapped toward the end of the colonization period in the 1940s and 1950s .
The five women , all born between 1945 and 1950 , filed their lawsuit as the Democratic Republic of Congo prepares to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Belgium reassess its colonial past .
In the wake of the protests against racial inequality in the United States , several statues of King Leopold II , who is blamed for the deaths of millions of Africans during Belgium ’ s colonial rule , have been sprayed with paint , while a petition called for the country to remove all statues of the former king .
Hirsch said the five women - four who now live in Belgium and one in France - were aged between 2 and 4 when they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Belgian colonial administration , in cooperation with the local Catholic church authorities .
“ Their fathers were white and did not legally recognize their child , ” Hirsch said .
According to the legal documents , in all five cases the fathers did not exercise parental authority and the Belgian administration threatened the children ’ s Congolese families with reprisals if they refused to let them go .
The children were placed at a religious mission in Katende , in the province of Kasai , with the Sisters of Saint Vincent de Paul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 other mixed-race girls and Indigenous orphans in very hard conditions .
“ They arrived without clothes or shoes , having lost all their affective bonds , ” Hirsch said .
“ Some children were allowed to go to school , but they also needed to work.
” According to the lawyer , the Belgian state ’ s strategy aimed at preventing interracial unions and isolating métis children , known as the “ children of shame , ” to make sure they would not claim a link with Belgium later in their lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claim that the children were left abandoned by both the State and the Church , and that some of them were sexually molested by militia fighters .
The women have requested compensation of 50,000 euros each .
“ This is not for the money , ” Hirsch said .
“ We want a law that can apply to all so that the Belgian State recognizes the crimes committed and the suffering endured by métis children .
”

BRUSSELS (AP) - Five mixed-race women born in Congo when the country was under Belgian rule who were taken away from their Black mothers have filed a lawsuit for crimes against humanity targeting the Belgian state.
With their claim, they hope Belgium will finally recognize its responsibility in the suffering endured by the thousands of mixed-race children, known as “métis,″ who were snatched away from families and placed in religious institutions and homes.
“This systematic policy of racially motivated abduction is a crime against humanity,” Michele Hirsch, a lawyer for the women, told The Associated Press on Friday. “It is not enough to say: ‘We apologize.’ Reality has to be taken into account. Their lives have been shattered.”
Last year, Belgium’s then-prime minister, Charles Michel, apologised to the métis children who were kidnapped toward the end of the colonization period in the 1940s and 1950s.
The five women, all born between 1945 and 1950, filed their lawsuit as the Democratic Republic of Congo prepares to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the country’s independence amid growing demands that Belgium reassess its colonial past. In the wake of the protests against racial inequality in the United States, several statues of King Leopold II, who is blamed for the deaths of millions of Africans during Belgium’s colonial rule, have been sprayed with paint, while a petition called for the country to remove all statues of the former king.
Hirsch said the five women - four who now live in Belgium and one in France - were aged between 2 and 4 when they were taken away at the request of the Belgian colonial administration, in cooperation with the local Catholic church authorities.
“Their fathers were white and did not legally recognize their child,” Hirsch said.
According to the legal documents, in all five cases the fathers did not exercise parental authority and the Belgian administration threatened the children’s Congolese families with reprisals if they refused to let them go.
The children were placed at a religious mission in Katende, in the province of Kasai, with the Sisters of Saint Vincent de Paul. There, they lived with some 20 other mixed-race girls and Indigenous orphans in very hard conditions.
“They arrived without clothes or shoes, having lost all their affective bonds,” Hirsch said. “Some children were allowed to go to school, but they also needed to work.”
According to the lawyer, the Belgian state’s strategy aimed at preventing interracial unions and isolating métis children, known as the “children of shame,” to make sure they would not claim a link with Belgium later in their lives.
After independence, the legal documents claim that the children were left abandoned by both the State and the Church, and that some of them were sexually molested by militia fighters.
The women have requested compensation of 50,000 euros each.
“This is not for the money,” Hirsch said. “We want a law that can apply to all so that the Belgian State recognizes the crimes committed and the suffering endured by métis children.”


washingtontimes--2020-06-26--Alabama jail escapee captured in Mississippi after car chase

MERIDIAN , Miss .
( AP ) - A man who escaped from an Alabama jail was back in custody after being captured during a high-speed car chase through eastern Mississippi .
Daniel Cole Sikes , 20 , fled from a recreational area outside the Washington County Jail in southwestern Alabama and took a car on Thursday afternoon , authorities told news outlets .
Deputies spotted the man and gave chase across Wayne and Clarke counties in Mississippi .
Sikes was arrested later in Lauderdale County , where Sheriff Billy Sollie said officers spread spikes across a road and popped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car .
“ After having a collision with two vehicles , the individual jumped out of the wrecked vehicle and attempted to outrun the deputies on foot , ” Sollie said .
The man jumped off a highway overpass before two deputies arrested him without further incident , Sollie said .
“ Probably over a 100 miles this individual fled law enforcement , but it came to an end here in Lauderdale County , ” said Clarke County Sheriff Todd Kemp , who was part of the pursuit .
Sikes was previously arrested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

MERIDIAN, Miss. (AP) - A man who escaped from an Alabama jail was back in custody after being captured during a high-speed car chase through eastern Mississippi.
Daniel Cole Sikes, 20, fled from a recreational area outside the Washington County Jail in southwestern Alabama and took a car on Thursday afternoon, authorities told news outlets. Deputies spotted the man and gave chase across Wayne and Clarke counties in Mississippi.
Sikes was arrested later in Lauderdale County, where Sheriff Billy Sollie said officers spread spikes across a road and popped at least one tire on the fleeing car.
“After having a collision with two vehicles, the individual jumped out of the wrecked vehicle and attempted to outrun the deputies on foot,” Sollie said.
The man jumped off a highway overpass before two deputies arrested him without further incident, Sollie said.
“Probably over a 100 miles this individual fled law enforcement, but it came to an end here in Lauderdale County,” said Clarke County Sheriff Todd Kemp, who was part of the pursuit.
Sikes was previously arrested in Alabama for burglary, Sollie said.


washingtontimes--2020-06-26--Firefighter charged with setting blaze that killed responder

WELCH , W.Va. ( AP ) - A volunteer firefighter accused of setting a blaze that killed a fellow West Virginia fireman has been charged with murder and arson , according to authorities .
Robert Lee Beckner , 36 , was charged Thursday with first-degree murder and three counts of first-degree arson , according to a criminal complaint obtained by the Bluefield Daily Telegraph .
Beckner allegedly confessed to lighting a piece of paper on fire and using accelerant to spark a blaze at his own home in Iaeger last weekend , according to court documents filed by an investigator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Office .
Russell Roberson , 42 , was responding with the local volunteer fire department around 2:30 a.m. Sunday when he was injured while attempting to save a man from flames that had spread to a nearby mobile home , the newspaper quoted Iaeger Mayor Joe Ford as saying .
Roberson died while being transported to a hospital , authorities said .
The mayor added that Beckner and Roberson were “ good friends ” who had “ worked together at the fire department for several years.
” Beckner remained in jail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s unclear whether he had an attorney who could comment on his behalf .

WELCH, W.Va. (AP) - A volunteer firefighter accused of setting a blaze that killed a fellow West Virginia fireman has been charged with murder and arson, according to authorities.
Robert Lee Beckner, 36, was charged Thursday with first-degree murder and three counts of first-degree arson, according to a criminal complaint obtained by the Bluefield Daily Telegraph.
Beckner allegedly confessed to lighting a piece of paper on fire and using accelerant to spark a blaze at his own home in Iaeger last weekend, according to court documents filed by an investigator with the West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office.
Russell Roberson, 42, was responding with the local volunteer fire department around 2:30 a.m. Sunday when he was injured while attempting to save a man from flames that had spread to a nearby mobile home, the newspaper quoted Iaeger Mayor Joe Ford as saying.
Roberson died while being transported to a hospital, authorities said.
The mayor added that Beckner and Roberson were “good friends” who had “worked together at the fire department for several years.”
Beckner remained in jail without bond on Thursday. It’s unclear whether he had an attorney who could comment on his behalf.


washingtontimes--2020-06-26--Kansas City police arrest 2 for Andrew Jackson statue damage

KANSAS CITY , Mo .
( AP ) - Police in Kansas City have arrested two men suspected of vandalizing @ @ @ @ @ Jackson during a protest .
Officers were called to the Jackson County Courthouse around 5:30 @ @ @ @ @ people defacing the statue that stands outside the steps of the courthouse , police said @ @ @ @ @ for the 19th century U.S. president .
The statue had been spray-painted with expletives and @ @ @ @ @ , ” and police said responding officers saw the two men they believed were responsible @ @ @ @ @ did not give the names of the men arrested , but said both men were @ @ @ @ @ the Kansas City statue comes as protesters across the nation have defaced and torn down @ @ @ @ @ recent demonstrations against racial injustice .
Following the incident , Jackson County Executive Frank White @ @ @ @ @ for the removal of the Jackson statue , as well as an identical one that @ @ @ @ @ Independence .

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Jackson County Executive Frank White plans to ask county officials to remove statues of Andrew Jackson that stand in front of two county courthouses.
White issued a statement about the statues late Thursday, shortly after two men were arrested when the Jackson statue in front of the county courthouse in Kansas City was vandalized.
The statue was spray-painted with expletives and the words “Slave Owner.” The vandalism comes as statues of historic figures have been defaced and torn down across the country during demonstrations against racial injustice.
People who come to the courthouses in Kansas City and Independence are greeted by statues honoring a man who was a slave owner, opposed abolishing slavery and forced thousands of Native Americans off their land so white settlers could move in, White said.
“As long as these statues remain, our words about fairness, justice and equality will continue to ring hollow for many we serve,” White said.
White plans to ask the Jackson County Legislature to form a committee and hold public hearings to discuss removing the statues.
“I welcome the opportunity to work with the Legislature and fellow elected officials to find a better home for these statues where their history can be put into the appropriate context for us to learn from, but I am convinced that home is not in front of our courthouses,” White said.


washingtontimes--2020-06-26--Police officer killed, another hurt in head-on car crash

SALEM , Mass .
( AP ) - A Massachusetts police officer has been killed and another driver injured in @ @ @ @ @ authorities said .
The vehicles collided in Salem at about 11:20 p.m. Thursday , according @ @ @ @ @ Essex district attorney ’ s office .
Both drivers were taken to Salem Hospital , @ @ @ @ @ police patrolman was pronounced dead .
Authorities did not immediately release the condition of the @ @ @ @ @ attorney ’ s office did not release names .
The crash is under investigation by @ @ @ @ @ charges have issued .

SALEM, Mass. (AP) - A Massachusetts police officer has been killed and another driver injured in a head-on car crash, authorities said.
The vehicles collided in Salem at about 11:20 p.m. Thursday, according to a statement from the Essex district attorney’s office.
Both drivers were taken to Salem Hospital, where the 56-year-old off-duty Salem police patrolman was pronounced dead.
The officer was identified by Mayor Kim Driscoll as Dana Mazola.
“Dana was a conscientious and professional officer, a loving husband and father, and a devoted public servant to the people of Salem,” she said in a statement.
The district attorney’s office did not release the other driver’s name.
The crash is under investigation by Massachusetts State Police and no charges have issued.


washingtontimes--2020-06-26--Police officer stabbed during 'major incident' in Glasgow

LONDON ( AP ) - Police in Glasgow say emergency services are currently dealing with an incident in the center @ @ @ @ @ city and are urging people to avoid the area .
There is a heavy police @ @ @ @ @ with more than a dozen police vehicles in attendance .
Greater Glasgow Police said the @ @ @ @ @ at this time and there is no danger to the general public.
” In a @ @ @ @ @ , the Glasgow City Council said that due to “ a serious police incident ” @ @ @ @ @ currently closed .
According to Sky News , several people have been stabbed .

LONDON (AP) — A suspect shot by police during an incident Friday at a Glasgow hotel that appeared to be largely housing asylum-seekers and refugees has died and six other people, including a police officer, were in a hospital being treated for injuries, Scottish police said.
An officer, who appeared to have been stabbed during the incident at the Park Inn Hotel on West George Street around 1 p.m., was in “a critical but stable condition,” Police Scotland Assistant Chief Constable Steve Johnson said. He called on people to avoid the area.
“We would urge the public not to speculate about this incident or share unconfirmed information on social media,” Johnson added.
Police Scotland said the situation had been contained and that there was no threat to the wider public. Johnson said police weren’t searching for anyone else.
The Scottish Police Federation, which represents the large majority of Scottish police officers, said it has notified the family of the injured officer.
Craig Milroy, who witnessed the aftermath from a nearby office building, said he saw four people taken away in ambulances.
“I saw a man lying on the ground, of African descent, with no shoes on,” Milroy said. “He was on the ground with someone holding his side. I don’t know if it was a bullet wound, a stab wound, or what it was.”
Milroy said the man was one of the four taken away by paramedics and believed him to be a victim.
“We were still standing outside. After that the police all came down, the riot police and triage team told us to go back in and lock the door,” he said.
Images on social media appeared to show armed officers entering a building and a large number of emergency vehicles outside.
Positive Action In Housing, an organization that supports migrants and refugees, said the hotel was housing refugees for the Mears Group, a housing and social care provider.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the reports were “truly dreadful” and that she was being updated. She also said some of the information circulating is “unconfirmed” or “inaccurate.”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was “deeply saddened by the terrible incident in Glasgow” and that his thoughts are with “all the victims and their families.”


washingtontimes--2020-06-26--City workers take leave to mourn Black people killed by cops

PORTLAND , Ore. ( AP ) - Nearly 300 Portland employees have taken bereavement leave since Mayor Ted Wheeler encouraged city workers take paid time off to grieve the deaths of George Floyd , Breonna Taylor and other Black people killed by law enforcement or in racist acts .
Natasha Eberth , a Bureau of Human Resources spokesperson , told The Oregonian/OregonLive Thursday that it ’ s unclear if the 295 employees who ’ ve requested 40 hours of paid leave since Wheeler ’ s June 8 email did so because of the mayor ’ s message .
She said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff request bereavement leave .
In the email to all city employees , Wheeler announced the city was temporarily expanding its rules on funeral and bereavement leave and that he ’ d ordered managers and supervisors to approve requests without questioning any employees who request leave .
“ We acknowledge that Black employees are experiencing a collective grief and trauma coming from a culmination of oppression that is over 400 years old , ” Wheeler said in the email .
“ We hear and understand that many of our employees , especially our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Color ) employees , are deeply impacted by these recent events and are hurting.
” The city employs more than 7,600 people and about 2,000 are people of color , according to city data as of Thursday .
Of the city workforce , 73.5 % are white ; 7.1 % Latinx ; 7 % Asian ; 6.8 % Black ; 1.1 % Native American and 0.5 % Pacific Islander .
Another 3.9 % identify as multi-racial and 0.1 % of employees have declined to tell the city their ethnicity .

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Nearly 300 Portland employees have taken bereavement leave since Mayor Ted Wheeler encouraged city workers take paid time off to grieve the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and other Black people killed by law enforcement or in racist acts.
Natasha Eberth, a Bureau of Human Resources spokesperson, told The Oregonian/OregonLive Thursday that it’s unclear if the 295 employees who’ve requested 40 hours of paid leave since Wheeler’s June 8 email did so because of the mayor’s message. She said the city doesn’t track why staff request bereavement leave.
In the email to all city employees, Wheeler announced the city was temporarily expanding its rules on funeral and bereavement leave and that he’d ordered managers and supervisors to approve requests without questioning any employees who request leave.
“We acknowledge that Black employees are experiencing a collective grief and trauma coming from a culmination of oppression that is over 400 years old,” Wheeler said in the email. “We hear and understand that many of our employees, especially our (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) employees, are deeply impacted by these recent events and are hurting.”
The city employs more than 7,600 people and about 2,000 are people of color, according to city data as of Thursday. Of the city workforce, 73.5% are white; 7.1% Latinx; 7% Asian; 6.8% Black; 1.1% Native American and 0.5% Pacific Islander. Another 3.9% identify as multi-racial and 0.1% of employees have declined to tell the city their ethnicity.


washingtontimes--2020-06-26--House defense policy bill seeks to establish $1 billion coronavirus pandemic fund

A House-drafted version of the massive defense policy bill seeks to establish a $ 1 billion pandemic response and preparedness fund as the U.S. continues to see spikes in new COVID-19 cases .
The U.S. , with a population of 328.2 million , has reported more than 2.4 million cases of COVID-19 — two times more than any other country in the world .
More than 124,000 have died , and 663,562 have recovered , according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker .
In a version of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act drafted by House Armed Services Committee Chairman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bill would establish a $ 740.5 billion defense budget .
A summary of the “ chairman ’ s mark ” of the bill , released Thursday , states that $ 1 billion would go toward “ efforts to proactively increase the country ’ s ability to prepare for and respond to future pandemics.
” It would also contribute to protecting small businesses and boosting the Pentagon ’ s medical research .
A committee aide told reporters Thursday that the panel decided to “ do the things that we thought we could get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and let the members decide those big issues , both in the mark and on the floor.
” While the House version of the bill encompasses a host of initiatives , it leaves out the controversial issue of renaming military bases to eliminate the Confederate names — which the Senate panel opted to include in their version of the bill .
It is expected the committee will include such a provision when the full panel meets next week .
“ So our expectations are that there will be a lot of things that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ aide said , “ and certainly the renaming of bases is a good example .
”

A House-drafted version of the massive defense policy bill seeks to establish a $1 billion pandemic response and preparedness fund as the U.S. continues to see spikes in new COVID-19 cases.
The U.S., with a population of 328.2 million, has reported more than 2.4 million cases of COVID-19 — two times more than any other country in the world. More than 124,000 have died, and 663,562 have recovered, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker.
In a version of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act drafted by House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith, Washington State Democrat, the bill would establish a $740.5 billion defense budget.
A summary of the “chairman’s mark” of the bill, released Thursday, states that $1 billion would go toward “efforts to proactively increase the country’s ability to prepare for and respond to future pandemics.” It would also contribute to protecting small businesses and boosting the Pentagon’s medical research.
A committee aide told reporters Thursday that the panel decided to “do the things that we thought we could get bipartisan agreement on and then move on and let the members decide those big issues, both in the mark and on the floor.”
While the House version of the bill encompasses a host of initiatives, it leaves out the controversial issue of renaming military bases to eliminate the Confederate names — which the Senate panel opted to include in their version of the bill. It is expected the committee will include such a provision when the full panel meets next week.
“So our expectations are that there will be a lot of things that speak to these issues,” the aide said, “and certainly the renaming of bases is a good example.”
• Lauren Toms can be reached at lmeier@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-06-26--Vienna police brace for violence after Kurdish demo attacked

VIENNA ( AP ) - Police in Vienna are bracing for possible violence at a protest by Kurdish groups Friday @ @ @ @ @ previous rallies in the Austrian capital this week .
Vienna police said stones , bottles @ @ @ @ @ confrontations between the two groups Thursday afternoon that continued for several hours .
Police said @ @ @ @ @ with two of them and a service dog injured .
Three people were detained .
@ @ @ @ @ of Kurdish groups protesting Turkey ’ s recent offensive against Kurdish separatists .
Vienna police @ @ @ @ @ for the coming days and “ several hundred officers will actively , decisively and resolutely @ @ @ @ @ by extremist groups .
”

VIENNA (AP) - Police in Vienna are bracing for possible violence at a protest by Kurdish groups Friday after Turkish nationalists attacked two previous rallies in the Austrian capital this week.
Vienna police said stones, bottles and fireworks were thrown during confrontations between the two groups Thursday afternoon that continued for several hours.
Police said officers were also attacked, with two of them and a service dog injured. Three people were detained.
This followed a protest Wednesday of Kurdish groups protesting Turkey’s recent offensive against Kurdish separatists.
Vienna police said further rallies are planned for the coming days and “several hundred officers will actively, decisively and resolutely act against disruptions and provocations by extremist groups.”


washingtontimes--2020-06-26--Alabama announcing plan for reopening schools

MONTGOMERY , Ala. ( AP ) - Alabama is announcing its plan to operate schools this fall amid warnings the @ @ @ @ @ much of the state .
State School Superintendent Eric Mackey scheduled a news conference for @ @ @ @ @ a blueprint for state school districts to reopen in a matter of weeks .
Many @ @ @ @ @ and switched to online or virtual learning in March , but such arrangements pose difficulties @ @ @ @ @ internet connections are scarce .
Alabama has reported almost 33,000 cases of COVID-19 , the @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus , and at least 880 deaths from the virus .
More than a quarter @ @ @ @ @ reported in the last two weeks , and health officials are worried by increasing hospital @ @ @ @ @ the rate of positive test results .
Infection rates are highest in some rural counties @ @ @ @ @ long distances to reach school and internet service is spotty at best .

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - All Alabama schools will reopen for traditional classes this fall, but they’ll also offer options for virtual learning for children whose parents aren’t comfortable sending them back, the state school superintendent said Friday.
And even as Superintendent Eric Mackey announced plans for restarting the educational system, he warned at a news conference that the road map is subject to change “based on the spread of the virus.”
“This is going to be the most difficult school year we have ever faced,” he said.
Parents and children won’t see the exact same thing at any two schools, he said, but things like cleaning procedures and lunchtime will change everywhere.
“Every school is going to look different,” Mackey said.
Guarding against the virus could be particularly challenging in classes for the youngest students, where Mackey said current “best practices” call for children to sit close together, often at small tables. While old-fashioned rows of individual desks might enable more social distancing, some schools don’t even have them anymore.
Districts shut down traditional schooling in March on order of the state and many switched to online or virtual learning. A survey showed about 15% of parents still are not comfortable sending their children back to school, he said.
So virtual lessons will be still used, with changes to increase access in places where broadband internet connections are scarce.
Extracurricular activities including football will resume, Mackey said, even though Dr. Scott Harris, the state health officer, said some areas will likely see flare-ups of the virus as people attend activities like sporting events.
“I think that’s likely to happen,” said Harris.
The state has the power to close all schools again if the virus outbreak gets too bad, and a parent guide published by the state said local officials could shut down individual systems or campuses as needed in consultation with health officials.
Alabama is already seeing many more infections. The state has reported more than 33,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, and more than 880 people have died. More than a quarter of the cases have been reported in the last two weeks, and health officials are worried by increasing hospital caseloads and a rise in the rate of positive test results.
A team from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is headed to Alabama to assist in the state’s response to the pandemic, health officials said. Among other things, the group could help plan public education efforts aimed a specific groups.
Health officials have said increasing virus problems in the state may be linked to more people traveling and simply getting tired of social distancing rules.
Jefferson County, where Birmingham is located, announced a new rule requiring anyone older than 8 to wear a face mask in most public places starting Monday, but the requirement doesn’t include churches or schools.
Infection rates are highest in some rural counties where students travel long distances to reach school and internet service is spotty at best.
Mackey said everyone from coaches to choir teachers are still figuring out how to make it all work. Everything, he said, “will look different.”


washingtontimes--2020-06-26--Gunmen injure Mexico City police chief; deaths reported

MEXICO CITY ( AP ) - Heavily armed gunmen attacked and wounded Mexico City ’ s police chief in a brazen operation that left some people dead , Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum said Friday .
Sheinbaum said on Twitter that the capital ’ s Security Secretary Omar García Harfuch was being treated in a hospital , but was out of danger .
“ There were deaths and several arrests , ” she said .
Sheinbaum said she would share more information at a news conference later in the day .
The police said in a statement that gunmen armed with .50 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the chief ’ s security detail .
The statement said two police were wounded .
Harfuch was hospitalized in stable condition , it said .
The attack occurred around 6:30 a.m. on Mexico City ’ s grand boulevard Paseo de la Reforma in an area of large homes surrounded by walls and foreign embassies .
There was no immediate word on motive or the identity of the attackers , but a number of organized crime groups operate in the city .
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador offered his support and solidarity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ security forces .
“ It has to do without a doubt with the work he is carrying out to guarantee peace and tranquility , ” López Obrador said .

MEXICO CITY (AP) - A high-sided construction truck and a white SUV pulled into the path of Mexico City’s police chief just as dawn was breaking Friday on the capital’s most iconic boulevard and assailants opened fire with .50-caliber sniper rifles and grenades on his armored vehicle.
The cinematic ambush involving two-dozen gunmen left chief Omar García Harfuch wounded with three bullet impacts and shrapnel. Two members of his security detail were killed, as was a woman who happened to be driving by.
The high-powered armament and brazenness of the attack suggested the Jalisco New Generation Cartel and hours after the attack, García blamed them via Twitter from the hospital.
“This morning we were attacked in a cowardly way by the CJNG,” García tweeted, using the Spanish-language acronym for Mexico’s most violent criminal group.
“Two colleagues and friends of mine lost their lives,” García wrote. “I have three bullet wounds and various pieces of shrapnel. Our nation has to continue standing up to cowardly organized crime. We will continue working.”
His office later said he was undergoing surgery.
Federal Security Secretary Alfonso Durazo, referring to García’s tweet blaming the Jalisco cartel, said in a news conference that “this is one of the hypotheses that the Mexico City prosecutor’s office is investigating.”
Durazo said Mexico’s intelligence agency apparently had information that the cartel was planning an attack, but did not offer additional details. He said García was shot in the shoulder, collar bone and the knee.
Mexico City Attorney General Ernestina Godoy Ramos said on Twitter that 12 suspects were arrested and that her office was investigating the attack.
The attack was meticulously planned and involved a total of 28 gunmen hired three weeks before, according to Ulises Lara, the spokesman for the Mexico City prosecutors office. It was so closely studied that three separate possible ambush points were set up on major thoroughfares, including one - which wasn’t used - in the heart of Mexico City, one block from the Independence Monument.
Lara said the gunmen had been divided into four different cells and were given ski masks and guns the night before. They were taken to the ambush points at 4 a.m. to lie in wait for their target.
Lara said the 12 suspects detained after the shooting included one Colombian, and men from five different states - Jalisco, Guerrero, Nayarit, Chihuahua and Michoacan - as well as Mexico City.
However, Lara did not say who the suspects said had hired them, or how much they were paid.
Later, capital police arrested an alleged head of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel’s hitmen Friday, suggesting he could have been the mastermind of Friday’s attack, said a Mexico City police official who was not authorized to speak publicly.
The official said police arrested José Armando Briseño on the east side of the city. Nicknamed “Cow,” he is allegedly the gang’s chief of hitmen in the city of Tonalá in Jalisco.
Jalisco is the same gang that U.S. prosecutors said tried to buy belt-fed M-60 machine guns in the United States and that once brought down a Mexican military helicopter with a rocket-propelled grenade. In October, cartel gunmen ambushed and killed 14 state police officers in Michoacán.
But such a high-profile attack in Mexico’s capital is a blow to a federal government struggling to respond to record levels of violence across the country.
The gang has established a nearly national presence, from the white-sand beaches of Cancun to Mexico City and the country’s most important ports, as well as key border cities traditionally controlled by other cartels.
Friday’s attack came two weeks after rumors swirled for a day that Jalisco’s leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, better known as “El Mencho,” had been captured or killed - though officials later denied that. Oseguera is the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s most-wanted fugitive, with a $10 million price on his head.
In March, U.S. authorities arrested hundreds of Jalisco operatives in raids across the country. They said the gang controls between one-third and two-thirds of the U.S. drug market.
“This kind of attack is not normal, they crossed a line. You have to read it like an exceptional act,” said security analyst Alejandro Hope. “You have two very serious attacks in two weeks. First, the murder of the federal judge and now the attack on the city’s police chief.”
Earlier this month, a federal judge and his wife were killed at their home by gunmen in the western state of Colima. The judge had handled several cases related to organized crime.
If it is the Jalisco gang, the government would have to target them like it did with the hyper-violent Zetas gang between 2010 and 2013, Hope said. They have become a systematic threat to government authority. There should be “an exceptional response, dismantle the criminal group … like they did at the time with the Zetas.”
Hope said the Jalisco gang has long had a presence in the capital. In this case, they likely recruited local gunmen through their alliances, he said.
The attack, which lasted barely a minute, occurred along a stretch of Mexico City’s grand Paseo de la Reforma that is home to foreign embassies and large houses surrounded by walls. Grainy security camera footage showed at least seven men standing up in the bed of the truck and firing in a blaze of light while more gunmen fired from the ground.
Later, forensic technicians began marking hundreds of shell casings that littered the street. Relatives of the bystander who was killed embraced and cried.
While authorities rarely like to name cartels, especially in Mexico City, the Jalisco gang’s name has been coming up more and more.
In May 2019, local news media reported that federal authorities had arrested the gang’s Mexico City boss. In July, Jalisco was blamed for the murder of two Israeli men in an upscale Mexico City mall and eventually Mexico City police tracked one of the killers to Guadalajara, capital of Jalisco state. Earlier this year, alleged Jalisco operators warned in a video of cleaning the criminal competition out of two Mexico City bproughs.
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador offered his support and solidarity to Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum and the city’s police forces.
“It has to do without a doubt with the work he is carrying out to guarantee peace and tranquility,” López Obrador said.
Durazo, who was travelling with the president, condemned what he called a “cowardly” attack. “It’s clear that the work of the (police) is touching strong criminal interests,” he tweeted.
Garcia, 37, is a former head of the Federal Police investigation division and from 2016 to 2019, he led the branch of the federal Attorney General’s Office that leads investigations and arrests of organized crime members.
Before being named Mexico City police chief, he spent several months as the mayor’s intelligence coordinator.
Hope, the analyst, said Friday’s attack could have stemmed from an earlier period in García’s career. “It could have something to do with a story years back, it could be some kind of revenge for something he did,” he said.
___
Associated Press writer Mark Stevenson and AP photojournalist Rebecca Blackwell contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-06-26--Judge: Candidates can gather signatures electronically

PROVIDENCE , R.I. ( AP ) - A federal judge has ruled that candidates for political office in Rhode Island can collect signatures electronically during the coronavirus pandemic to reduce the risk of exposure .
U.S. District Court Judge Mary McElroy wrote in her decision Thursday that electronic signature gathering was in the public interest .
“ In-person signatures amid a pandemic , one comprised of a highly contagious virus transmitted through close human contact , actually would undermine the public interest , ” she wrote .
The decision only applies to candidates running for office this year .
Under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ papers to voters and have them returned the same way .
The nomination papers can also be returned to the appropriate board of canvassers either in person , via drop box , mailed , or faxed .
The lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island on behalf of six Senate candidates said in-person signature gathering “ needlessly exposes candidates , their supporters , and the general public to risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic with no justifiable countervailing government interest.
” The state argued that electronic signature gathering opened @ @ @ @ @ @

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) - A federal judge has ruled that candidates for political office in Rhode Island can collect signatures electronically during the coronavirus pandemic to reduce the risk of exposure.
U.S. District Court Judge Mary McElroy wrote in her decision Thursday that electronic signature gathering was in the public interest.
“In-person signatures amid a pandemic, one comprised of a highly contagious virus transmitted through close human contact, actually would undermine the public interest,” she wrote.
The decision only applies to candidates running for office this year.
Under the decision, candidates can email nomination papers to voters and have them returned the same way. The nomination papers can also be returned to the appropriate board of canvassers either in person, via drop box, mailed, or faxed.
The lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island on behalf of six Senate candidates said in-person signature gathering “needlessly exposes candidates, their supporters, and the general public to risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic with no justifiable countervailing government interest.”
The state argued that electronic signature gathering opened the state to cyber attack.


washingtontimes--2020-06-26--Motorcyclist dies in collision with pickup truck

NEWPORT , N.H. ( AP ) - A motorcyclist died in a collision with a pickup truck as the truck was pulling out of a driveway , police in New Hampshire said .
Police in Newport said Robert Bushway Jr. , 47 , of Lempster , was heading east on a street early Thursday when the truck made a left-hand turn out of the private driveway .
The motorcycle struck the driver ’ s-side door of the truck , ejecting Bushway , who suffered life-threatening injuries and died at the scene , police said .
Police said they were reconstructing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to it .
Detective Stephen Lee said the speed limit there is 35 mph , and that there is a “ Blind Drive ” warning sign for drivers heading east on the street as they near the crest of a hill .
Bushway ’ s partner of 23 years , Cindy Linn , told the Valley News he was riding his motorcycle to work this week because his truck was being serviced .
She said she was told Bushway had come over the crest of the hill as the truck was pulling out @ @ @ @

NEWPORT, N.H. (AP) - A motorcyclist died in a collision with a pickup truck as the truck was pulling out of a driveway, police in New Hampshire said.
Police in Newport said Robert Bushway Jr., 47, of Lempster, was heading east on a street early Thursday when the truck made a left-hand turn out of the private driveway. The motorcycle struck the driver’s-side door of the truck, ejecting Bushway, who suffered life-threatening injuries and died at the scene, police said.
Police said they were reconstructing the collision to determine whether speed contributed to it.
Detective Stephen Lee said the speed limit there is 35 mph, and that there is a “Blind Drive” warning sign for drivers heading east on the street as they near the crest of a hill.
Bushway’s partner of 23 years, Cindy Linn, told the Valley News he was riding his motorcycle to work this week because his truck was being serviced. She said she was told Bushway had come over the crest of the hill as the truck was pulling out of the driveway.


washingtontimes--2020-06-26--Columbia now requiring pandemic face masks in public

COLUMBIA , S.C. ( AP ) - South Carolina ’ s capital is now requiring most everyone to wear a @ @ @ @ @ guard against spreading the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19 .
The law , which took @ @ @ @ @ by city leaders earlier this week , requires most people over the age of 10 @ @ @ @ @ inside a building that ’ s open to the public or while interacting with others @ @ @ @ @ exemptions for health problems , but violators could face fines .
Cities including Clemson , @ @ @ @ @ approved rules requiring masks .
The measures came as both hospitalizations and the rate of @ @ @ @ @ the rise in South Carolina .
State Epidemiologist Linda Bell said COVID-19 is spreading quickly @ @ @ @ @ for a statewide mask rule , something Gov .
Henry McMaster has resisted .

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - As South Carolina reported a record-high number of COVID-19 hospitalizations Friday, Gov. Henry McMaster doubled down on his stance that a statewide mask requirement could not be enforced.
“There’s no way we can make somebody do something that they just don’t want to do,” McMaster told reporters Friday afternoon.
South Carolina reported 1,273 confirmed COVID-19 cases Friday and one additional death, bringing the state total to 30,263 confirmed cases and 694 deaths. Health officials also reported 906 people currently hospitalized - a record-high daily count in the state.
Both hospitalizations and the rate of positive tests have risen sharply this month, making South Carolina one of the country’s hot spots for the virus, health officials said.
Six states are now requiring that people traveling from South Carolina quarantine upon arrival, according to Director of Public Health Joan Duwve.
The number of infections in the country is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.
The governor emphasized the progress the state had made in reopening businesses. He added that he was directing the state Department of Health and Environmental Control to develop a plan to allow immediate family members to visit relatives in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. McMaster is also extending the state of emergency for the pandemic.
State leaders have previously said they will not shut down the state again, calling on people to show personal responsibility by wearing masks and practicing social distancing.
This week, cities including Charleston, Columbia and Greenville approved rules requiring people to wear face masks in public. Most include a $25 fine for failing to do so.
State Epidemiologist Linda Bell suggested a statewide mask rule earlier this week, telling reporters that COVID-19 appeared to be spreading too fast to wait for cities and counties to pass their own rules on face coverings.
On Friday, McMaster implored people younger than 40 to wear masks, wash their hands and stay home when sick.
State officials pointed to clusters of cases among teenagers and young adults who had gathered in social settings including beaches, saying they were putting the health of their families and communities at risk.
The governor said he was not lifting restrictions on many of the social activities and institutions frequented by young people, including nightclubs, concert venues and spectator sports, until the infection rate starts going down.
Earlier this week, state lawmakers approved about $1.2 billion in federal relief funds to deal with COVID-19, $500 million of which will go toward refilling the state’s unemployment trust fund.
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Liu is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
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Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.