washingtontimes--2020-05-30--Landlords lining up to evict hundreds once freeze expires

TAMPA , Fla. ( AP ) - In the seven weeks since Gov .
Ron DeSantis issued an executive order to protect people from losing their homes during the coronavirus pandemic , hundreds of eviction cases have stacked up in Florida courts , waiting for the order to lapse .
They include more than 250 in Hillsborough County alone - one of which has Shirley Shumake ’ s name on it .
A single mother of two girls , she worked as a chef at the USAA Crosstown Center until she was laid off March 12 .
She still hasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and she owes $ 1,800 in rent for her 3-bedroom duplex in Tampa .
When Shumake , 35 , was served an eviction notice May 14 , It stated she had to pay up or leave by Friday and did not mention DeSantis ’ order .
She was resigned to moving until told by a reporter about Florida ’ s stay on evictions .
“ I don ’ t have anywhere to go or anyone who can help me , ” she said .
“ Not knowing where my kids will sleep tomorrow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with.
” Her landlord , Hagai Donat , said he took her to court because she did not respond to his messages about unpaid rent .
She contends she never heard from him until the eviction notice .
DeSantis recently extended the stay on evictions until June 2 , but even attorneys are unclear what will happen next .
The rush to protect tenants from homelessness has resulted in a confusing patchwork of local , state and federal protections , most of which have little or no legal precedent .
In Hillsborough County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allows the Sheriff ’ s Office not to enforce a writ of possession , the final step of an eviction .
But no such protection exists in neighboring Pinellas County , where about 190 evictions have been filed since DeSantis ’ order .
Then there is a statewide order issued by Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Canady .
It suspends the requirement to issue writs of possession to county sheriffs through May 29 , though in practice it stays in effect as long as DeSantis ’ order does .
Muddying the waters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which prohibits evictions in residential properties that receive government subsidies , such as Section 8 , or that have federally backed mortgages - that is , mortgages owned or secured by government entities such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac .
The CARES Act ’ s eviction suspension expires July 25 .
Lawyers including St. Petersburg attorney Matt Weidner have questioned whether it was legal for landlords to file eviction cases while DeSantis ’ executive order is in effect .
In some cases , clerks have issued summonses to tenants .
In other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ judgments against renters who didn ’ t respond quickly enough ( those motions have not been granted in cases that fall under DeSantis ’ order ) .
“ There ’ s no question that violates the spirit and the express terms of ( the governor ’ s ) order , ” said Weidner , who ’ s representing renters facing eviction .
“ The order is not intended to allow them to move the ball all the way to the end zone , and the moment it expires , they cross for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eviction at a recent hearing , Weidner said it was difficult to find previous cases to cite - perhaps emblematic of the unprecedented legal terrain created by the pandemic .
“ We ’ re creating this plane as it ’ s flying , ” he said .
Advocates for affordable housing say the economic shutdown will put millions at risk of homelessness .
The National Low Income Housing Coalition estimates that at least $ 100 billion in emergency rental assistance is needed nationwide .
DeSantis has not said he will extend his order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said that she would provide an update “ if an extension is considered.
” With June 2 quickly approaching , the fate of Florida tenants facing eviction may depend on where they live and how their building was paid for .
Chief Judge Ron Ficarrotta on March 18 signed a Hillsborough County order pausing evictions to “ protect the public in this time of crisis.
” Similar orders were passed in Miami-Dade and Orange counties .
Hillsborough ’ s stay has no expiration date .
But Ficarrotta may follow DeSantis ’ lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ follow any direction that Tallahassee will give us , ” he said .
That would leave the CARES Act as the only reprieve .
But it ’ s difficult to estimate how many rental units that would cover , because eligibility depends on whether landlords have federally backed mortgages or participate in government subsidy programs .
Even data experts have struggled to measure the law ’ s full impact .
An analysis by the University of Florida ’ s Shimberg Center for Housing Studies found at least 34 percent of the state ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anne Ray , who manages the center ’ s housing data clearinghouse , said that percentage is an undercount , because it doesn ’ t include properties with fewer than five units and federally backed mortgages , for which there is not publicly available data .
She said the federal government should compile a complete list of protected addresses .
“ We need to make it easy for renters to find out where they stand , ” Ray said .
Tenants and landlords can check their address to see if a property is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The nonprofit news site ProPublica created a similar search tool nationwide , as have Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac .
But none are comprehensive , because they exclude that same category of smaller rental properties .
Even if tenants know that they live in a property covered by the CARES Act , they may not be able to afford to use that defense in court .
That ’ s because Florida law requires most tenants to pay the amount of outstanding rent before they can fight an eviction .
“ A large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the CARES Act don ’ t know or don ’ t even have a way of raising that defense , ” said Alana Greer , co-director of the Community Justice Project , a Miami-based group that provides legal services for low-income clients .
The deadlines for eviction move quickly , with a landlord required to give tenants three days ’ notice before filing in court .
After they receive the summons , tenants have five days to respond and deposit all unpaid rent into the court registry .
“ Obviously , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t be there in the first place , ” Greer said .
“ Florida is the only state I know of with such harsh tenant laws.
” Other states , such as Michigan , require that landlords certify that their properties do not fall under the CARES Act before filing for eviction , removing that burden from tenants .
Paul Flemming , spokesman for the Office of the State Courts Administrator , said two work groups that have been discussing court operations during the pandemic have raised this topic .
They haven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are eyeing the coronavirus laws passed by Congress but through a different lens .
The CARES Act ’ s eviction protections threaten the income of anyone who depends on rent .
Roughly half of all rental units in the U.S. are owned by individuals , as opposed to large corporations , according to an analysis completed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development .
Donat , the landlord who filed for eviction against Shumake , said he has taken that step against tenants who did not respond to texts or emails @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do something to get their attention , ” he said .
He and his brother own about 40 rental properties in the Tampa Bay area .
They have given tenants who lost jobs more time to pay and are not charging late fees , he said .
“ We still have to pay mortgages , ” he said .
“ We still have to pay water bills on some of them , and taxes.
” He said the government ’ s stimulus package should have included specific funds for rent payments rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as they see fit .
He said his revenue from renters is down about 10 percent .
“ Right now , we are taking a financial hit from people who know they can not be evicted , ” he said .
In the week after DeSantis ordered his stay , Park Pointe Apartments in Tampa filed eviction notices against five tenants .
They had failed to make April rent payments on time , the notices state .
Four of the five tenants contacted by the Times said they were late because they lost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The fifth could not be reached .
The tenants were charged late fees of $ 50 , plus $ 5 for every day the rent was late .
At least two tenants said they were told to pay an additional $ 800 to cover court costs and attorney fees .
Attorney Albert Salem III , the attorney for the apartment complex , is also the manager of the company that owns it , state records show .
He did not respond to multiple requests for an interview .
A reporter spoke with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rental office who said they would pass along a request for comment , but no one called back .
Tenant April Palmer said she contacted the complex ’ s office after losing her job as an administrator at a fitness studio when the pandemic forced it to close but received “ no empathy whatsoever.
” She has since gotten a job delivering groceries but hasn ’ t earned enough to afford rent .
Along with attorney and late fees , she said she owes around $ 1,800 .
“ It ’ s just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ you don ’ t know if you will have a place to live .
”

EMILY L. MAHONEY and CHRISTOPHER O'DONNELL, The Tampa Bay Times

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - In the seven weeks since Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order to protect people from losing their homes during the coronavirus pandemic, hundreds of eviction cases have stacked up in Florida courts, waiting for the order to lapse.
They include more than 250 in Hillsborough County alone - one of which has Shirley Shumake’s name on it.
A single mother of two girls, she worked as a chef at the USAA Crosstown Center until she was laid off March 12. She still hasn’t received an unemployment check, and she owes $1,800 in rent for her 3-bedroom duplex in Tampa.
When Shumake, 35, was served an eviction notice May 14, It stated she had to pay up or leave by Friday and did not mention DeSantis’ order.
She was resigned to moving until told by a reporter about Florida’s stay on evictions.
“I don’t have anywhere to go or anyone who can help me,” she said. “Not knowing where my kids will sleep tomorrow is really hard for me to deal with.”
Her landlord, Hagai Donat, said he took her to court because she did not respond to his messages about unpaid rent. She contends she never heard from him until the eviction notice.
DeSantis recently extended the stay on evictions until June 2, but even attorneys are unclear what will happen next.
The rush to protect tenants from homelessness has resulted in a confusing patchwork of local, state and federal protections, most of which have little or no legal precedent.
In Hillsborough County, for example, an administrative order allows the Sheriff’s Office not to enforce a writ of possession, the final step of an eviction. But no such protection exists in neighboring Pinellas County, where about 190 evictions have been filed since DeSantis’ order.
Then there is a statewide order issued by Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Canady. It suspends the requirement to issue writs of possession to county sheriffs through May 29, though in practice it stays in effect as long as DeSantis’ order does.
Muddying the waters further is the federal CARES Act, which prohibits evictions in residential properties that receive government subsidies, such as Section 8, or that have federally backed mortgages - that is, mortgages owned or secured by government entities such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The CARES Act’s eviction suspension expires July 25.
Lawyers including St. Petersburg attorney Matt Weidner have questioned whether it was legal for landlords to file eviction cases while DeSantis’ executive order is in effect. In some cases, clerks have issued summonses to tenants. In other instances, landlords have filed motions for judgments against renters who didn’t respond quickly enough (those motions have not been granted in cases that fall under DeSantis’ order).
“There’s no question that violates the spirit and the express terms of (the governor’s) order,” said Weidner, who’s representing renters facing eviction. “The order is not intended to allow them to move the ball all the way to the end zone, and the moment it expires, they cross for a touchdown.”
Still, while fighting an eviction at a recent hearing, Weidner said it was difficult to find previous cases to cite - perhaps emblematic of the unprecedented legal terrain created by the pandemic.
“We’re creating this plane as it’s flying,” he said.
Advocates for affordable housing say the economic shutdown will put millions at risk of homelessness. The National Low Income Housing Coalition estimates that at least $100 billion in emergency rental assistance is needed nationwide.
DeSantis has not said he will extend his order.
His spokeswoman, Helen Aguirre Ferré, said that she would provide an update “if an extension is considered.”
With June 2 quickly approaching, the fate of Florida tenants facing eviction may depend on where they live and how their building was paid for.
Chief Judge Ron Ficarrotta on March 18 signed a Hillsborough County order pausing evictions to “protect the public in this time of crisis.” Similar orders were passed in Miami-Dade and Orange counties.
Hillsborough’s stay has no expiration date. But Ficarrotta may follow DeSantis’ lead.
“We’ll look to follow any direction that Tallahassee will give us,” he said.
That would leave the CARES Act as the only reprieve. But it’s difficult to estimate how many rental units that would cover, because eligibility depends on whether landlords have federally backed mortgages or participate in government subsidy programs.
Even data experts have struggled to measure the law’s full impact. An analysis by the University of Florida’s Shimberg Center for Housing Studies found at least 34 percent of the state’s rental units would qualify. But Anne Ray, who manages the center’s housing data clearinghouse, said that percentage is an undercount, because it doesn’t include properties with fewer than five units and federally backed mortgages, for which there is not publicly available data.
She said the federal government should compile a complete list of protected addresses.
“We need to make it easy for renters to find out where they stand,” Ray said.
Tenants and landlords can check their address to see if a property is covered under the CARES Act at www.florida.evictionprotection.org. The nonprofit news site ProPublica created a similar search tool nationwide, as have Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
But none are comprehensive, because they exclude that same category of smaller rental properties.
Even if tenants know that they live in a property covered by the CARES Act, they may not be able to afford to use that defense in court. That’s because Florida law requires most tenants to pay the amount of outstanding rent before they can fight an eviction.
“A large percentage of people who should be protected under the CARES Act don’t know or don’t even have a way of raising that defense,” said Alana Greer, co-director of the Community Justice Project, a Miami-based group that provides legal services for low-income clients.
The deadlines for eviction move quickly, with a landlord required to give tenants three days’ notice before filing in court. After they receive the summons, tenants have five days to respond and deposit all unpaid rent into the court registry.
“Obviously, if you could pay anything, you wouldn’t be there in the first place,” Greer said. “Florida is the only state I know of with such harsh tenant laws.”
Other states, such as Michigan, require that landlords certify that their properties do not fall under the CARES Act before filing for eviction, removing that burden from tenants.
Paul Flemming, spokesman for the Office of the State Courts Administrator, said two work groups that have been discussing court operations during the pandemic have raised this topic. They haven’t taken action.
Landlords also are eyeing the coronavirus laws passed by Congress but through a different lens. The CARES Act’s eviction protections threaten the income of anyone who depends on rent. Roughly half of all rental units in the U.S. are owned by individuals, as opposed to large corporations, according to an analysis completed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Donat, the landlord who filed for eviction against Shumake, said he has taken that step against tenants who did not respond to texts or emails about unpaid rent.
“I had to do something to get their attention,” he said.
He and his brother own about 40 rental properties in the Tampa Bay area. They have given tenants who lost jobs more time to pay and are not charging late fees, he said.
“We still have to pay mortgages,” he said. “We still have to pay water bills on some of them, and taxes.”
He said the government’s stimulus package should have included specific funds for rent payments rather than giving people a check to spend as they see fit. He said his revenue from renters is down about 10 percent.
“Right now, we are taking a financial hit from people who know they cannot be evicted,” he said.
Other landlords are charging late fees.
In the week after DeSantis ordered his stay, Park Pointe Apartments in Tampa filed eviction notices against five tenants. They had failed to make April rent payments on time, the notices state.
Four of the five tenants contacted by the Times said they were late because they lost work as a result of the pandemic. The fifth could not be reached.
The tenants were charged late fees of $50, plus $5 for every day the rent was late. At least two tenants said they were told to pay an additional $800 to cover court costs and attorney fees.
Attorney Albert Salem III, the attorney for the apartment complex, is also the manager of the company that owns it, state records show.
He did not respond to multiple requests for an interview. A reporter spoke with two employees at the complex’s rental office who said they would pass along a request for comment, but no one called back.
Tenant April Palmer said she contacted the complex’s office after losing her job as an administrator at a fitness studio when the pandemic forced it to close but received “no empathy whatsoever.”
She has since gotten a job delivering groceries but hasn’t earned enough to afford rent. Along with attorney and late fees, she said she owes around $1,800.
“It’s just really stressful,” she said, “you don’t know if you will have a place to live.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-30--Dry then wet: Everglades birds are in for weak season

PALM BEACH , Fla. ( AP ) - Before a surveillance flight to count wading birds around water conservation areas south of Palm Beach , ecologist Mark Cook was hoping to see signs that recent rains in South Florida had replenished the parched marshes , helping to revive shallow pools packed with fish the birds rely on right now to feed their young .
But what the scientist saw on Friday ( May 22 ) left him worried .
It rained too much , too soon .
After exceptionally dry conditions in winter and spring , too much water at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be bad news for the birds .
“ All the rain we had filled up the Glades a lot more than I had hoped for , ” said Cook , the lead scientist for the Everglades systems assessment section of The South Florida Water Management District .
“ If birds get too much water too soon , they will abandon their nestlings.
” There are still thousands of birds nesting in the Everglades , from roseate spoonbills , the pink-plumed birds that were hunted to near extinction for their feathers a century ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost disappeared in the early 1980s .
They need the right balance of wet and dry soil to breed and successfully fledge their nestlings .
Last week , Tropical Storm Arthur formed off the Florida coast , its tail end pounding the region with heavy rainfall and gusty winds even before the hurricane season ’ s official start on June 1 .
Wading birds are a key indicator of overall Everglades health , and water managers closely monitor their nesting activity every year .
They ’ ve had a hard time this year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weak , which didn ’ t help the Everglades produce enough fish before breeding season started in November .
At that point , the marshes where storks , spoonbills and blue herons like to build their nests were only 40 % wet , too dry for prey to become abundant enough to support significant population growth .
Then , the fragile ecosystem saw very little rain in the winter months , with the unseasonably dry season culminating in a record-dry March that dried off canals and scorched foraging habitats for the birds .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ record for Florida , with an average of just 0.24 inches of rain - the driest in 89 years , according to the Water Management District .
The result was that many of the areas where birds traditionally found shallow pools packed with fish disappeared .
“ I barely saw any foraging birds at all , ” Cook said .
There was more bad news during the 3.5-hour flight over four large water conservation areas southeast of Lake Okeechobee : from between 400 and 450 wood storks that were nesting in those areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the surveillance flight .
Nesting may have failed because the wood storks started very late this season , and didn ’ t have enough food during the dry months .
Cook said he was hoping that enough water would have lasted through the dry season , but that didn ’ t happen .
When wetlands dry completely , the small fish are forced into refuges where they ’ re often consumed by large fish , alligators , or other predators , or simply dry out .
Without consistent access to prey during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t feed .
Unlike the storks , the white ibises tend to use larger areas in the Everglades to forage in , and have done better this season .
Cook said he saw thousands of white ibises , many still nesting .
This species will likely build on the success of the stellar 2018 nesting season , when wading birds made more nests than any other year in the past eight decades .
The record-breaking nesting event was only possible because of the right balance of wet and dry conditions in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bird nests were counted in the Everglades during the 2018 nesting season , which ranged from December 2017 to July 2018 .
Overall in South Florida more than 140,000 nests were found , the most since counting began in 1995 , compared with an average of about 40,000 a year in the past decade .
Still , the Everglades ’ s low-nutrient , unproductive environment is a challenge for the leggy birds .
Fish grow slowly , and if the heavily-altered system doesn ’ t get enough water at the right places at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won ’ t survive .
Environmentalists and wading bird lovers are hoping that Everglades restoration projects that seek to replicate some of the natural conditions found before the ecosystem was drained by canals and levees will help the birds .
If water conditions are more balanced all year round , wading birds won ’ t be so vulnerable to the whims of the weather , they say .
Too much water is bad , too , because it disperses prey .
That ’ s Cook ’ s biggest fear now , as weather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season , with chances of active storm and hurricane activity .
Nesting season runs from about December to July and depends on the species .

PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) - Before a surveillance flight to count wading birds around water conservation areas south of Palm Beach, ecologist Mark Cook was hoping to see signs that recent rains in South Florida had replenished the parched marshes, helping to revive shallow pools packed with fish the birds rely on right now to feed their young.
But what the scientist saw on Friday (May 22) left him worried. It rained too much, too soon. After exceptionally dry conditions in winter and spring, too much water at the start of the rainy season could be bad news for the birds.
“All the rain we had filled up the Glades a lot more than I had hoped for,” said Cook, the lead scientist for the Everglades systems assessment section of The South Florida Water Management District. “If birds get too much water too soon, they will abandon their nestlings.”
There are still thousands of birds nesting in the Everglades, from roseate spoonbills, the pink-plumed birds that were hunted to near extinction for their feathers a century ago, to threatened wood storks, which almost disappeared in the early 1980s. They need the right balance of wet and dry soil to breed and successfully fledge their nestlings.
Last week, Tropical Storm Arthur formed off the Florida coast, its tail end pounding the region with heavy rainfall and gusty winds even before the hurricane season’s official start on June 1.
Wading birds are a key indicator of overall Everglades health, and water managers closely monitor their nesting activity every year.
They’ve had a hard time this year. The wet season last year was weak, which didn’t help the Everglades produce enough fish before breeding season started in November. At that point, the marshes where storks, spoonbills and blue herons like to build their nests were only 40% wet, too dry for prey to become abundant enough to support significant population growth.
Then, the fragile ecosystem saw very little rain in the winter months, with the unseasonably dry season culminating in a record-dry March that dried off canals and scorched foraging habitats for the birds. March this year was the hottest on record for Florida, with an average of just 0.24 inches of rain - the driest in 89 years, according to the Water Management District. The result was that many of the areas where birds traditionally found shallow pools packed with fish disappeared.
“I barely saw any foraging birds at all,” Cook said.
There was more bad news during the 3.5-hour flight over four large water conservation areas southeast of Lake Okeechobee: from between 400 and 450 wood storks that were nesting in those areas, only about 60 were still visible during the surveillance flight.
Nesting may have failed because the wood storks started very late this season, and didn’t have enough food during the dry months. Cook said he was hoping that enough water would have lasted through the dry season, but that didn’t happen.
When wetlands dry completely, the small fish are forced into refuges where they’re often consumed by large fish, alligators, or other predators, or simply dry out. Without consistent access to prey during the breeding season, wood storks can’t feed.
Unlike the storks, the white ibises tend to use larger areas in the Everglades to forage in, and have done better this season. Cook said he saw thousands of white ibises, many still nesting.
This species will likely build on the success of the stellar 2018 nesting season, when wading birds made more nests than any other year in the past eight decades. The record-breaking nesting event was only possible because of the right balance of wet and dry conditions in the delicate ecosystem.
More than 122,000 wading bird nests were counted in the Everglades during the 2018 nesting season, which ranged from December 2017 to July 2018. Overall in South Florida more than 140,000 nests were found, the most since counting began in 1995, compared with an average of about 40,000 a year in the past decade.
Still, the Everglades’s low-nutrient, unproductive environment is a challenge for the leggy birds. Fish grow slowly, and if the heavily-altered system doesn’t get enough water at the right places at the right time, chances are birds won’t survive.
Environmentalists and wading bird lovers are hoping that Everglades restoration projects that seek to replicate some of the natural conditions found before the ecosystem was drained by canals and levees will help the birds. If water conditions are more balanced all year round, wading birds won’t be so vulnerable to the whims of the weather, they say.
Too much water is bad, too, because it disperses prey. That’s Cook’s biggest fear now, as weather forecasts are calling for a wet rainy season, with chances of active storm and hurricane activity. Nesting season runs from about December to July and depends on the species.


washingtontimes--2020-05-30--Curfews in effect or imminent in more than a dozen U.S. cities facing rising unrest following the de

MINNEAPOLIS ( AP ) - Curfews in effect or imminent in more than a dozen U.S. cities facing rising unrest @ @ @ @ @ Floyd .

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Curfews in effect or imminent in more than a dozen U.S. cities facing rising unrest following the death of George Floyd.
Copyright © 2023 The Washington Times, LLC.


washingtontimes--2020-05-30--Evacuation ordered after brush fire breaks out in Cave Creek

CAVE CREEK , Ariz. ( AP ) - A brush fire is burning in the town of Cave Creek , destroying nearly a dozen structures and leading to a mandatory evacuation order .
The fire was reported Saturday afternoon and is estimated to be around 750 acres , state forestry officials said .
Ten structures have burned and more , including residences , are threatened .
It was not immediately known how many homes were impacted by the order .
Maricopa County sent out an evacuation alert around 1:45 p.m .
According to the alert , residents south of Tonto @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Road , east of New River Road and west of Scopa Trail must leave their homes .
Sheriff ’ s deputies were assisting with evacuations .
The American Red Cross has set up a relief station at Cactus Shadows High School .
So far , the blaze has zero containment .
Rural Metro Fire crews are trying to get control of the fire .
Crews from Daisy Mountain and Phoenix are helping .
Tiffany Davila , spokeswoman for Arizona State Forestry and Fire Management , said the fire is growing in the north @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strong winds and dry vegetation .
This comes a week after crews contained another brush fire near Cave Creek , about 33 miles ( 53 kilometers ) north of Phoenix .
More than 130 homes were temporarily evacuated as a precaution with some of the homes less than a mile from the fire .
That blaze was believed to be human-caused .

CAVE CREEK, Ariz. (AP) - A brush fire is burning in the town of Cave Creek, destroying nearly a dozen structures and leading to a mandatory evacuation order.
The fire was reported Saturday afternoon and is estimated to be around 750 acres, state forestry officials said. Ten structures have burned and more, including residences, are threatened. It was not immediately known how many homes were impacted by the order.
Maricopa County sent out an evacuation alert around 1:45 p.m. According to the alert, residents south of Tonto National Forest, north of Cave Creek Road, east of New River Road and west of Scopa Trail must leave their homes. Sheriff’s deputies were assisting with evacuations.
The American Red Cross has set up a relief station at Cactus Shadows High School.
So far, the blaze has zero containment. Rural Metro Fire crews are trying to get control of the fire. Crews from Daisy Mountain and Phoenix are helping.
Tiffany Davila, spokeswoman for Arizona State Forestry and Fire Management, said the fire is growing in the north and the west. Firefighters are facing strong winds and dry vegetation.
This comes a week after crews contained another brush fire near Cave Creek, about 33 miles (53 kilometers) north of Phoenix.
More than 130 homes were temporarily evacuated as a precaution with some of the homes less than a mile from the fire.
That blaze was believed to be human-caused.


washingtontimes--2020-05-30--Woman who torched police van during protest facing attempted murder charge: NYPD

A New York woman is facing attempted murder charges after she hurled a Molotov cocktail into an occupied New York Police Department van during the civil unrest Friday night in Brooklyn , the police said Saturday .
Samantha Shader , 27 , of Catskill , New York , torched the van throwing the Molotov Cocktail through its rear window , police said .
The van was stationed at the corner of Eastern Parkway and Washington Avenue in Brooklyn around 10:40 p.m. , according to the police .
The officers were able to quickly exit the vehicle before it became engulfed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the police arrested Ms. Shader , she bit one of the officers in the leg , according to the police .
Her sister , 21-year-old Darian Shader , tried to interfere with the arrest and was also taken into custody , the police said .
Samantha Shader faces four counts of attempted murder of a police officer , attempted arson , assault on an officer , criminal possession of a weapon and reckless endangerment .
Her younger sister is charged with resisting arrest and obstruction of governmental administration .
Catskill is a two-hour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighborhood where the Shaders were arrested .
Thousands of people protested in the streets of Brooklyn on Friday to protest the killing of George Floyd , while in police custody in Minneapolis .
More than 200 people were arrested and dozens of officers were injured during the unrest , New York Police Department Commissioner Dermot Shea said in a press conference Saturday .

A New York woman is facing attempted murder charges after she hurled a Molotov cocktail into an occupied New York Police Department van during the civil unrest Friday night in Brooklyn, the police said Saturday.
Samantha Shader, 27, of Catskill, New York, torched the van throwing the Molotov Cocktail through its rear window, police said. The van was stationed at the corner of Eastern Parkway and Washington Avenue in Brooklyn around 10:40 p.m., according to the police.
The officers were able to quickly exit the vehicle before it became engulfed in flames, police said.
As the police arrested Ms. Shader, she bit one of the officers in the leg, according to the police.
Her sister, 21-year-old Darian Shader, tried to interfere with the arrest and was also taken into custody, the police said.
Samantha Shader faces four counts of attempted murder of a police officer, attempted arson, assault on an officer, criminal possession of a weapon and reckless endangerment. Her younger sister is charged with resisting arrest and obstruction of governmental administration.
Catskill is a two-hour drive from the Prospect Park, Brooklyn neighborhood where the Shaders were arrested.
Thousands of people protested in the streets of Brooklyn on Friday to protest the killing of George Floyd, while in police custody in Minneapolis.
More than 200 people were arrested and dozens of officers were injured during the unrest, New York Police Department Commissioner Dermot Shea said in a press conference Saturday.
• Jeff Mordock can be reached at jmordock@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-05-30--Confederate monument at Ole Miss vandalized; 1 arrested

OXFORD , Miss .
( AP ) - A Confederate monument on the campus of the University of Mississippi was vandalized Saturday .
The words “ spiritual genocide ” were painted on each side of the monument , along with red handprints , The Oxford Eagle reported .
University police officers arrested one unidentified person at the scene Saturday evening , according to the newspaper .
The vandalism occurred as demonstrators across the country protested the death of George Floyd , a handcuffed black man who pleaded for air as a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delayed acting on a recommendation by university administrators , student leaders and faculty leaders to move the statue from a central spot on campus to a Civil War cemetery that is still on campus but in a secluded location .
The University of Mississippi was founded in 1848 , and the marble statue of a saluting Confederate soldier was put up in 1906 .
It is one of many Confederate monuments erected across the South more than a century ago .
Critics say its display near the university ’ s main administrative building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Confederacy and glosses over the South ’ s history of slavery .
The statue statue was a rallying point in 1962 for people who rioted to oppose court-ordered integration of the university .

OXFORD, Miss. (AP) - A Confederate monument on the campus of the University of Mississippi was vandalized Saturday.
The words “spiritual genocide” were painted on each side of the monument, along with red handprints, The Oxford Eagle reported.
University police officers arrested one unidentified person at the scene Saturday evening, according to the newspaper.
The vandalism occurred as demonstrators across the country protested the death of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man who pleaded for air as a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee on his neck.
The state College Board has delayed acting on a recommendation by university administrators, student leaders and faculty leaders to move the statue from a central spot on campus to a Civil War cemetery that is still on campus but in a secluded location.
The University of Mississippi was founded in 1848, and the marble statue of a saluting Confederate soldier was put up in 1906.
It is one of many Confederate monuments erected across the South more than a century ago. Critics say its display near the university’s main administrative building sends a signal that Ole Miss glorifies the Confederacy and glosses over the South’s history of slavery.
The statue statue was a rallying point in 1962 for people who rioted to oppose court-ordered integration of the university.


washingtontimes--2020-05-30--Trump calls for delay in Group of 7 meeting, seeks expansion

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - President Donald Trump said Saturday he will postpone a meeting of Group of 7 nations @ @ @ @ @ an expansion of the group ’ s membership because he considers it an outdated group @ @ @ @ @ represent what ’ s taking place in the world .
The G7 members are Canada @ @ @ @ @ Italy , Japan , the United Kingdom and the United States .
Trump singled out @ @ @ @ @ Korea and India as possible additions .
The leaders of the world ’ s major @ @ @ @ @ in June in the U.S. , but the coronavirus outbreak hobbled those plans .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ One as he returned from Florida that he had not yet set a new date @ @ @ @ @ gathering could take place in September around the time of the annual meeting of the @ @ @ @ @ said it might wait until after the November election .

ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE (AP) - President Donald Trump said Saturday that he will postpone until the fall a meeting of Group of 7 nations he had planned to hold next month at the White House despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. And he said he plans to invite Russia, Australia, South Korea and India as he again advocated for the group’s expansion.
Trump told reporters on Air Force One as he returned to Washington from Florida that he feels the current makeup of the group is “very outdated” and doesn’t properly represent “what’s going on in the world.”
He said he had not yet set a new date for the meeting, but thought the gathering could take place in September, around the time of the annual meeting of the United Nations in New York, or perhaps after the U.S. election in November.
Alyssa Farah, White House director of strategic communications, said that Trump wanted to bring in some of the country’s traditional allies and those impacted by the coronavirus to discuss the future of China.
The surprise announcement came after German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s office said Saturday that she would not attend the meeting unless the course of the coronavirus spread had changed by then.
The leaders of the world’s major economies were slated to meet in June in the U.S. at Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland, but the coronavirus outbreak hobbled those plans. Trump announced in March he was canceling the summit because of the pandemic and that the leaders would confer by video conference instead. But Trump then switched course, saying a week ago that he was again planning to host an in-person meeting.
“Now that our Country is ‘Transitioning back to Greatness’, I am considering rescheduling the G-7, on the same or similar date, in Washington, D.C., at the legendary Camp David,” Trump tweeted. “The other members are also beginning their COMEBACK. It would be a great sign to all - normalization!”
The G7 members are Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. The group’s presidency rotates annually among member countries.
Trump has repeatedly advocated for expanding the group to include Russia, prompting opposition from some members, including Canada’s Justin Trudeau, who told reporters he had privately aired his objection to Russian readmittance.
“Russia has yet to change the behavior that led to its expulsion in 2014, and therefore should not be allowed back into the G7,” he said at a news conference.
The House also passed a bipartisan resolution in December 2019 that supports Russia’s previous expulsion from the annual gathering.
Russia had been invited to attend the gathering of the world’s most advanced economies since 1997, but was suspended in 2014 following its invasion of Ukraine and annexation of Crimea.
___
Freking reported from Washington.


washingtontimes--2020-05-30--Bars, clubs in largest Kansas city packed after rules eased

WICHITA , Kan. ( AP ) - Hundreds of people in Kansas ’ largest city flocked to bars and clubs on the first weekend they were open after Gov .
Laura Kelly and local officials lifted restrictions meant to check the spread of the coronavirus .
By 11 p.m. Friday , bars in the Old Town district of downtown Wichita were packing in customers for a celebration after being closed for two months , The Wichita Eagle reported .
Knots of people moved through the streets , hugging friends they met and , in some cases , turning cartwheels .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ school reunion , ” said Megan Gilbert , who works in Old Town and for a roofing company .
“ I ’ m seeing all of these people that it seems like I haven ’ t seen in years.
” Bars and clubs in Wichita reopened as the state reported Friday that coronavirus cases had surpassed 9,200 .
Johns Hopkins University on Saturday reported more than 9,600 cases , with 215 COVID-19-related deaths .
Kelly this week converted her directives for a phased reopening of the state ’ s economy into recommendations for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan would have kept bars and nightclubs closed over the weekend .
The Democratic governor had been under pressure for weeks from the Republican-controlled Legislature to reopen the economy more quickly .
She had planned to keep some restrictions in place until June 23 , but ceded the power to set the rules to county officials after vetoing GOP legislation that would have curbed the state ’ s power to direct the pandemic response .
After the governor ’ s action , the Sedgwick County Commission decided not to enact any binding rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night clubs to reopen .
Dr. Lee Norman , the state ’ s health secretary , called bars and clubs “ inherently dangerous ” and suggested that people stay away .
Several popular Old Town night spots remained closed , some out of concern for the coronavirus and others working to hire and train new staff to replace workers who aren ’ t coming back after being laid off for two months .
Bars put out fewer tables in an effort to keep at least 6 feet of separation between groups of customers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ social distancing .
They stood in the spaces between tables and danced in clusters on the dance floor .
The only masks to be seen were worn by some servers .
Across the county line in Sumner County , hundreds of people tried their luck at the state-owned Kansas Star Casino .
It was far from capacity but a large enough turnout to surprise 70-year-old Janis Jackson , of Wichita , who was there with her husband to celebrate his birthday .
It was her first leisure excursion since the pandemic hit in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ends of rows to maintain social distancing .
About a quarter of the casino ’ s patrons , including Jackson , wore protective masks .
She also said hand sanitizer in her purse kept her feeling safer .
“ I can ’ t live in fear , ” she said .
“ I just try to be cautious .
”

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - Hundreds of people in Kansas’ largest city flocked to bars and clubs on the first weekend they were open after Gov. Laura Kelly and local officials lifted restrictions meant to check the spread of the coronavirus.
By 11 p.m. Friday, bars in the Old Town district of downtown Wichita were packing in customers for a celebration after being closed for two months, The Wichita Eagle reported. Knots of people moved through the streets, hugging friends they met and, in some cases, turning cartwheels.
“It feels like a freaking high school reunion,” said Megan Gilbert, who works in Old Town and for a roofing company. “I’m seeing all of these people that it seems like I haven’t seen in years.”
Bars and clubs in Wichita reopened as the state reported Friday that coronavirus cases had surpassed 9,200. Johns Hopkins University on Saturday reported more than 9,600 cases, with 215 COVID-19-related deaths.
Kelly this week converted her directives for a phased reopening of the state’s economy into recommendations for local officials to follow. Her reopening plan would have kept bars and nightclubs closed over the weekend.
The Democratic governor had been under pressure for weeks from the Republican-controlled Legislature to reopen the economy more quickly. She had planned to keep some restrictions in place until June 23, but ceded the power to set the rules to county officials after vetoing GOP legislation that would have curbed the state’s power to direct the pandemic response.
After the governor’s action, the Sedgwick County Commission decided not to enact any binding rules on businesses, allow Wichita bars and night clubs to reopen.
Dr. Lee Norman, the state’s health secretary, called bars and clubs “inherently dangerous” and suggested that people stay away. Several popular Old Town night spots remained closed, some out of concern for the coronavirus and others working to hire and train new staff to replace workers who aren’t coming back after being laid off for two months.
Bars put out fewer tables in an effort to keep at least 6 feet of separation between groups of customers, but most patrons weren’t social distancing. They stood in the spaces between tables and danced in clusters on the dance floor. The only masks to be seen were worn by some servers.
Across the county line in Sumner County, hundreds of people tried their luck at the state-owned Kansas Star Casino.
It was far from capacity but a large enough turnout to surprise 70-year-old Janis Jackson, of Wichita, who was there with her husband to celebrate his birthday.
It was her first leisure excursion since the pandemic hit in March. Slot machines were open on the ends of rows to maintain social distancing.
About a quarter of the casino’s patrons, including Jackson, wore protective masks. She also said hand sanitizer in her purse kept her feeling safer.
“I can’t live in fear,” she said. “I just try to be cautious.”


washingtontimes--2020-05-30--Los Angeles mayor imposes downtown curfew

Protesters were back in the streets Saturday .
Garcetti said everyone must be off the downtown streets of the sprawling @ @ @ @ @ time until 5:30 a.m.. Several police cars were torched Saturday afternoon as some protesters ignored @ @ @ @ @ demonstrations following a night of violence that saw windows smashed , stores robbed and fires @ @ @ @ @ arrested 533 people last night .
This story has been corrected to say that Mayor @ @ @ @ @ is for downtown Los Angeles only .

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti has imposed a downtown curfew this evening,
Protesters were back in the streets Saturday. Garcetti said everyone must be off the downtown streets of the sprawling city by 8 p.m. local time until 5:30 a.m..
Several police cars were torched Saturday afternoon as some protesters ignored authorities’ call for peaceful demonstrations following a night of violence that saw windows smashed, stores robbed and fires set. Los Angeles police arrested 533 people last night.
—
This story has been corrected to say that Mayor Eric Garcetti’s curfew is for downtown Los Angeles only.


washingtontimes--2020-05-30--US faith leaders wrestle twin traumas in protests, virus

NEW YORK ( AP ) - American religious leaders across faiths are grappling with the heavy burden of helping to heal two active traumas : rising civil unrest driven by the police killing of George Floyd and the coronavirus pandemic .
Christian , Jewish and Muslim leaders have raised their voices to condemn racial bias in the justice system while discouraging violence in response to the killing of Floyd , a black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee into his neck .
Those words of solidarity , for many clergy , came as their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that has forced them to rely on digital or outdoor gathering .
At Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Minneapolis , which has provided relief and medical help to demonstrators this week as protests roiled the city , associate pastor Angela T. Khabeb said the shared pain caused by Floyd ’ s death was exposing the brutal double toll being exacted on people of color .
“ There were other pandemics we didn ’ t always talk about that faced black communities , indigenous , Latinx ” before the virus outbreak , Khabeb said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poverty .
“ And then we layer on COVID-19 , which disproportionately affects black , indigenous , Latinx communities.
” Khabeb acknowledged that she felt challenged by the task of tending to her congregation during the current crisis when the latest police killing of a black American had caused “ a crisis of my own that ’ s very personal.
” Among the religious leaders in Minnesota organizing for spiritual care since Floyd ’ s death was Bernard Hebda , the Catholic archbishop of the Twin Cities .
Hebda held a Friday online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peace ” alongside Rev .
Erich Rutten , the priest of a historic African American parish in St. Paul .
The Revs .
Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton also traveled to Minneapolis on Thursday , with Jackson speaking at a local Baptist church .
Imam Asad Zaman , the Muslim American Society of Minnesota ’ s executive director , outlined multiple law enforcement reform proposals in response to Floyd ’ s death .
Zaman noted in an op-ed this week that “ the Qur ’ an teaches us that to save a single @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” But as the frustration sparked by Floyd ’ s killing scorched dozens of other cities , religious denominations nationwide began speaking out to sympathize with the pain that brought protesters into the streets .
White Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has been charged with murder in connection with Floyd ’ s death , which follows the highly-publicized killings of two black Americans this year — Georgian Ahmaud Arbery , shot while running , and Breonna Taylor , shot by police in her Louisville , Kentucky home .
Seven senior members of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ statement calling racism “ not a thing of the past or simply a throwaway political issue , ” adding : “ While it is expected that we will plead for peaceful non-violent protests , and we certainly do , we also stand in passionate support of communities that are understandably outraged.
” The National Association of Evangelicals rooted its call for racial equality in the Bible , while Southern Baptist leaders released a statement noting Biblical teachings against “ injustice and the misuse of authority and force.
” One pastor planning to reopen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , amid ongoing tension over the public health risk of physical services , said the protests show communities have a strong need for religious institutions during a time of crisis .
“ I think the church is essential , and I think people need church in America , and the church has got to stand against social injustice , ” said Danny Carroll , of Water of Life Community Church in Fontana , California .
For Rev .
Jacqui Lewis , whose church plans to keep forgoing in-person worship as the pandemic goes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can happen just as effectively online .
Lewis , senior minister at New York City ’ s Middle Collegiate Church , urged other faith leaders to respond to Floyd ’ s killing by taking their sympathy from words to actions .
“ Grief is not enough .
Prayer is not enough , “ Lewis said .
“ It ’ s a baby , first step for denominations to decry the violence .
The next step is , what will you do to make sure your congregations are not racist ?
” This week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as interfaith leaders prepared to mark a national day of mourning and lament for those killed by the coronavirus on Monday , an effort backed by the U.S. Conference of Mayors .
Sen. Chris Coons , D-Delaware , part of an accompanying bipartisan congressional proposal for a civic moment of silence , said the effort to honor the dead would “ show the best of what faith means in America.
” The demonstrations also erupted just ahead of the Christian holy day of Pentecost and the Jewish holiday of Shavuot , both celebrated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days in the faiths .
That count imbued this holy day with a more solemn meaning for Rabbi Rick Jacobs , president of the Union for Reform Judaism .
Just as Jews have counted the days between Passover and Shavuot , Jacobs said , they have been “ counting the dead from COVID-19 , and sadly , tragically , we ’ re counting more black people killed in our country at the hands of law enforcement.
” “ We could treat all of these things as separate … but I do think there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic ’ s outsized effect on communities already struggling with racism , he added .
Associated Press religion coverage receives support from the Lilly Endowment through the Religion News Foundation .
The AP is solely responsible for this content .

NEW YORK (AP) - American religious leaders across faiths are grappling with the heavy burden of helping to heal two active traumas: rising civil unrest driven by the police killing of George Floyd and the coronavirus pandemic.
Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders have raised their voices to condemn racial bias in the justice system while discouraging violence in response to the killing of Floyd, a black man who died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed a knee into his neck. Those words of solidarity, for many clergy, came as their worship routines remained upended by a virus that has forced them to rely on digital or outdoor gathering.
At Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, which has provided relief and medical help to demonstrators this week as protests roiled the city, associate pastor Angela T. Khabeb said the shared pain caused by Floyd’s death was exposing the brutal double toll being exacted on people of color.
“There were other pandemics we didn’t always talk about that faced black communities, indigenous, Latinx” before the virus outbreak, Khabeb said, citing “institutionalized racism” and poverty. “And then we layer on COVID-19, which disproportionately affects black, indigenous, Latinx communities.”
Khabeb acknowledged that she felt challenged by the task of tending to her congregation during the current crisis when the latest police killing of a black American had caused “a crisis of my own that’s very personal.”
Rev. Raphael Warnock, senior pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, the Atlanta church where Martin Luther King Jr., preached, said during Sunday’s Livestream service that his virtual congregation needed to stay focused.
“Don’t allow undisciplined provocateurs of hate who engage in looting or who tweet about shooting to highjack the high moral message,” said Warnock, who is running for the U.S. Senate. “Stay on high moral ground and we will win.”
Among the religious leaders in Minnesota organizing for spiritual care since Floyd’s death was Bernard Hebda, the Catholic archbishop of the Twin Cities. Hebda held a Friday online prayer service “for racial justice and peace” alongside Rev. Erich Rutten, the priest of a historic African American parish in St. Paul. The Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton also traveled to Minneapolis on Thursday, with Jackson speaking at a local Baptist church.
Imam Asad Zaman, the Muslim American Society of Minnesota’s executive director, outlined multiple law enforcement reform proposals in response to Floyd’s death. Zaman noted in an op-ed this week that “the Qur’an teaches us that to save a single life is to save all of humanity.”
But as the frustration sparked by Floyd’s killing scorched dozens of other cities, religious denominations nationwide began speaking out to sympathize with the pain that brought protesters into the streets. White Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has been charged with murder in connection with Floyd’s death, which follows the highly-publicized killings of two black Americans this year — Georgian Ahmaud Arbery, shot while running, and Breonna Taylor, shot by police in her Louisville, Kentucky home.
Seven senior members of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a statement calling racism “not a thing of the past or simply a throwaway political issue,” adding: “While it is expected that we will plead for peaceful non-violent protests, and we certainly do, we also stand in passionate support of communities that are understandably outraged.”
The National Association of Evangelicals rooted its call for racial equality in the Bible, while Southern Baptist leaders released a statement noting Biblical teachings against “injustice and the misuse of authority and force.”
One pastor planning to reopen his church for in-person worship this week, amid ongoing tension over the public health risk of physical services, said the protests show communities have a strong need for religious institutions during a time of crisis.
“I think the church is essential, and I think people need church in America, and the church has got to stand against social injustice,” said Danny Carroll, of Water of Life Community Church in Fontana, California.
For Rev. Jacqui Lewis, whose church plans to keep forgoing in-person worship as the pandemic goes on, spiritual comfort and social organizing can happen just as effectively online. Lewis, senior minister at New York City’s Middle Collegiate Church, urged other faith leaders to respond to Floyd’s killing by taking their sympathy from words to actions.
“Grief is not enough. Prayer is not enough,“ Lewis said. “It’s a baby, first step for denominations to decry the violence. The next step is, what will you do to make sure your congregations are not racist?”
This week’s protests against racial injustice came as interfaith leaders prepared to mark a national day of mourning and lament for those killed by the coronavirus on Monday, an effort backed by the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
Sen. Chris Coons, D-Delaware, part of an accompanying bipartisan congressional proposal for a civic moment of silence, said the effort to honor the dead would “show the best of what faith means in America.”
The demonstrations also erupted just ahead of the Christian holy day of Pentecost and the Jewish holiday of Shavuot, both celebrated at a set time after previous holy days in the faiths. That count imbued this holy day with a more solemn meaning for Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for Reform Judaism.
Just as Jews have counted the days between Passover and Shavuot, Jacobs said, they have been “counting the dead from COVID-19, and sadly, tragically, we’re counting more black people killed in our country at the hands of law enforcement.”
“We could treat all of these things as separate … but I do think there’s an intersection” given the pandemic’s outsized effect on communities already struggling with racism, he added.
___
Giovanna Dell’Orto contributed for AP from St. Paul/Minneapolis and AP writer Kate Brumback contributed from Atlanta.
___
Associated Press religion coverage receives support from the Lilly Endowment through the Religion News Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for this content.


washingtontimes--2020-05-30--Nebraska sees new jump in coronavirus cases, COVID-19 deaths

LINCOLN , Neb .
( AP ) - Nebraska continued Saturday to see an increase in novel coronavirus infections , @ @ @ @ @ .
It also reported another six COVID-19-related deaths .
State Department of Health and Human @ @ @ @ @ of coronavirus cases rose by 4.9 % or 644 from Thursday night to Saturday evening @ @ @ @ @ pandemic began .
The state is now reporting 170 COVID-19-related deaths , up 3.7 % @ @ @ @ @ steady increases in cases , Gov .
Pete Ricketts has moved to ease social-distancing restrictions @ @ @ @ @ relaxed rules will allow for larger crowds at public events , and bars and other @ @ @ @ @ first time in months .
For some infected people , especially older adults and people @ @ @ @ @ the virus can cause severe illness or death .
But for most people , it @ @ @ @ @ , such as fever and cough , that clear up in two to three weeks @

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Nebraska continued Saturday to see an increase in novel coronavirus infections, with confirmed cases approaching 14,000. It also reported another six COVID-19-related deaths.
State Department of Health and Human Services data showed the number of coronavirus cases rose by 4.9% or 644 from Thursday night to Saturday evening, to 13,905 since the pandemic began. The state is now reporting 170 COVID-19-related deaths, up 3.7% since Thursday night.
Despite steady increases in cases, Gov. Pete Ricketts has moved to ease social-distancing restrictions, starting Monday. The relaxed rules will allow for larger crowds at public events, and bars and other attractions will reopen for the first time in months.
For some infected people, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the virus can cause severe illness or death. But for most people, it causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks.


washingtontimes--2020-05-30--Protests over Floyd's death sparks violence in SC; curfew up

COLUMBIA , S.C. ( AP ) - Violent protests broke out Saturday in South Carolina over the death of George Floyd , a handcuffed black man who pleaded for air as a white police officer pressed his knee on his neck .
Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook said at a news conference that four of his officers were hurt , one seriously , and sent to a hospital for treatment .
One required stitches , while another suffered a broken leg .
Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said deputies fired rubber bullets into a crowd that was attacking officers trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being attacked by a mob .
He called the move “ very effective.
” “ This group here is not going to be allowed to take over Columbia , ” Lott said .
“ They ’ re not going to destroy the city .
We are not going to let that happen.
” Miranda Parnell , a television reporter for WIS-TV was injured by rocks thrown amid protests outside the Columbia Police Department .
WIS anchor Judi Gatson tweeted that Parnell said “ a person wearing a MAGA hat showed up at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then rocks were thrown … one of them hitting Miranda.
” Parnell told The Associated Press that everything started peacefully until the crowd gathered in front of the city ’ s police department .
“ They began throwing water bottles and sandwiches … and as we were walking away , someone in a red hat showed up and protesters began chasing that person down .
A new police line formed and some protesters began throwing rocks .
I got caught in the cross fire , ” she said .
“ I was dazed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I remember people asking me if I was OK and I kept saying ‘ I think so .
I don ’ t know.
’ But then I felt blood running down my face and it had drenched my shirt and my cellphone and that ’ s when I went to the hospital , ” Parnell said .
Parnell said doctors told her she was lucky because the rock missed a major artery and she wouldn ’ t need stitches .
“ I know people are upset for a reason , ” she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that can ’ t be ignored and I wanted to tell the story .
I don ’ t want the message they ’ ve been trying to tell to get lost because I got hit .
The vast majority of them just want justice and equality and that ’ s what they should take home in the end.
” Several hundred people participated in the demonstration , tearing down the U.S. and state flags in front of the police department ’ s headquarters .
They also swarmed a Columbia police car , breaking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hood and roof of a police SUV .
At least two police cars were burned , as well as cars in at least one downtown parking garage .
In the city ’ s commercial district known as the Vista , windows at bars , stores and a popular restaurant were shattered .
There was no immediate word on whether arrests occurred .
Mayor Steve Benjamin issued a curfew that remains in effect for the city ’ s downtown area until 6 a.m. Monday .
Columbia officials said it appears many of the protesters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of town .
In Charleston , hundreds participated in protests throughout the historic coastal city , flooding onto Interstate 26 , defacing a Confederate statue near The Battery along the peninsula ’ s southern edge and flipping tables in the historic market area .
Charleston Police Chief Luther Reynolds said officers were working to arrest a small group who “ have no interest in peaceful protest.
” A curfew was set to go into effect in Charleston County at 11 p.m. Meg Kinnard can be reached at http : //twitter.com/MegKinnardAP

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Violent protests broke out Saturday in South Carolina over the death of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man who pleaded for air as a white police officer pressed his knee on his neck.
Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook said at a news conference that four of his officers were hurt, one seriously, and sent to a hospital for treatment. One required stitches, while another suffered a broken leg.
Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said deputies fired rubber bullets into a crowd that was attacking officers trying to save people who he said were being attacked by a mob. He called the move “very effective.”
“This group here is not going to be allowed to take over Columbia,” Lott said. “They’re not going to destroy the city. We are not going to let that happen.”
Miranda Parnell, a television reporter for WIS-TV was injured by rocks thrown amid protests outside the Columbia Police Department.
WIS anchor Judi Gatson tweeted that Parnell said “a person wearing a MAGA hat showed up at the rally, protestors confronted that person & then rocks were thrown … one of them hitting Miranda.”
Parnell told The Associated Press that everything started peacefully until the crowd gathered in front of the city’s police department.
“They began throwing water bottles and sandwiches … and as we were walking away, someone in a red hat showed up and protesters began chasing that person down. A new police line formed and some protesters began throwing rocks. I got caught in the cross fire,” she said.
“I was dazed at first,” she recalled. “I remember people asking me if I was OK and I kept saying ‘I think so. I don’t know.’ But then I felt blood running down my face and it had drenched my shirt and my cellphone and that’s when I went to the hospital,” Parnell said.
Parnell said doctors told her she was lucky because the rock missed a major artery and she wouldn’t need stitches.
“I know people are upset for a reason,” she said. “That’s something that can’t be ignored and I wanted to tell the story. I don’t want the message they’ve been trying to tell to get lost because I got hit. The vast majority of them just want justice and equality and that’s what they should take home in the end.”
Several hundred people participated in the demonstration, tearing down the U.S. and state flags in front of the police department’s headquarters. They also swarmed a Columbia police car, breaking its windows, also jumping on the hood and roof of a police SUV.
At least two police cars were burned, as well as cars in at least one downtown parking garage. In the city’s commercial district known as the Vista, windows at bars, stores and a popular restaurant were shattered.
There was no immediate word on whether arrests occurred.
Mayor Steve Benjamin issued a curfew that remains in effect for the city’s downtown area until 6 a.m. Monday. Columbia officials said it appears many of the protesters breaking laws and causing violence were from out of town.
In Charleston, hundreds participated in protests throughout the historic coastal city, flooding onto Interstate 26, defacing a Confederate statue near The Battery along the peninsula’s southern edge and flipping tables in the historic market area. Charleston Police Chief Luther Reynolds said officers were working to arrest a small group who “have no interest in peaceful protest.”
A curfew was set to go into effect in Charleston County at 11 p.m.
___
Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP
___
Reporter Jeffrey S. Collins contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-05-30--Judges deny emergency injunction sought by Delaware pastor

WILMINGTON , Del .
( AP ) - A federal judge and a federal appeals panel have rejected a request from a Delaware preacher for an emergency injunction to lift state restrictions on church worship to prevent spread of the coronavirus .
Neither the ruling Friday from a judge in Wilmington nor the 2-1 ruling Saturday from the federal appeals court in Philadelphia end the matter .
They only leave the restrictions in place while a judge considers the merits of the issue .
Christopher Allan Bullock , a well-known Wilmington pastor and community activist , had requested an emergency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday , which is Pentecost .
Judge Colm Connolly said the pastor could not prove he would be irreparably harmed , a legal standard required for issuing an injunction .
But he made clear in his ruling that Bullock ’ s claims “ implicate one of our most treasured rights protected by the Constitution - the right to exercise freely one ’ s religion.
” And he said he would give Bullock ’ s arguments full consideration .
Delaware ’ s restrictions on church services have evolved .
Initially services could not exceed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lifted but others are in place , including limits on capacity , staggered arrival times and encouraging congregants 65 and older to stay home .

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) - A federal judge and a federal appeals panel have rejected a request from a Delaware preacher for an emergency injunction to lift state restrictions on church worship to prevent spread of the coronavirus.
Neither the ruling Friday from a judge in Wilmington nor the 2-1 ruling Saturday from the federal appeals court in Philadelphia end the matter. They only leave the restrictions in place while a judge considers the merits of the issue.
Christopher Allan Bullock, a well-known Wilmington pastor and community activist, had requested an emergency injunction to lift the restrictions ahead of Sunday, which is Pentecost.
Judge Colm Connolly said the pastor could not prove he would be irreparably harmed, a legal standard required for issuing an injunction. But he made clear in his ruling that Bullock’s claims “implicate one of our most treasured rights protected by the Constitution - the right to exercise freely one’s religion.” And he said he would give Bullock’s arguments full consideration.
Delaware’s restrictions on church services have evolved. Initially services could not exceed 10 worshipers. That restriction has been lifted but others are in place, including limits on capacity, staggered arrival times and encouraging congregants 65 and older to stay home.


washingtontimes--2020-05-30--The Latest: Inslee activates National Guard due to protests

SEATTLE ( AP ) - The Latest on protests in the Northwest sparked by the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis ( all times local ) : Washington Gov .
Jay Inslee on Saturday evening activated up to 200 members of the National Guard to respond to violent protests in downtown Seattle that forced the closure of Interstate 5 and the imposition of a citywide curfew .
Inslee said the guard personnel will be unarmed and be directed by Seattle officials , who requested the help to protect property and manage crowds who had gathered in response to the killing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mayor Jenny Durkan announced a 5 p.m. curfew for Saturday following rowdy protests that spilled onto Interstate 5 , forcing the freeway ’ s closure through the central part of the Northwest ’ s largest city .
Thousands of people gathered in downtown and a largely peaceful early afternoon rally turned rowdier , with police pepper spraying demonstrators and deploying flash bands .
Police said arrests were made but an exact figure wasn ’ t available .
Portland ’ s mayor declared an 8 p.m. PDT curfew for Saturday after that city saw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State Patrol closed both directions of Interstate 5 through downtown Seattle as a protest over the killing of George Floyd spilled onto the freeway Saturday afternoon .
“ The freeway is not a safe or appropriate place for demonstration , ” state patrol Chief John Batiste said in a statement .
Thousands of people gathered in downtown and a largely peaceful early afternoon rally turned rowdier , with police pepper spraying demonstrators and deploying flash bands .
Police said arrests were made but an exact figure wasn ’ t available .
Thousands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the killing of George Floyd and a largely peaceful gathering turned rowdier Saturday afternoon .
Police deployed flash bangs and pepper sprayed some demonstrators who got close to police lines .
Police on bicycles pushed back several protesters .
A police spokeswoman , Sgt .
Lauren Truscott , said some people were arrested though she didn ’ t have an exact figure .

SEATTLE (AP) - The Latest on protests in the Northwest sparked by the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis (all times local):
11:23 p.m.
Portland police say officers have arrested at least 31 people during demonstrations Saturday evening against the killing of George Floyd. Police released no further information about who was arrested or the reasons for the arrests.
Police were still trying move people out of the streets just before 10 p.m., nearly two hours after the mayor’s imposed 8 p.m. curfew. News footage showed police in vehicles over loudspeakers telling people to go home or be arrested and in the streets throwing flash bangs and yelling at people to go home.
8:27 p.m.
Portland police have labeled a demonstration an unlawful assembly after people moved through the Northwest part of the city tagging buildings with George Floyd’s name and slurs against police.
On Twitter and by bullhorn, police warned people of the 8 p.m. curfew Saturday, telling them to go home. They also said they had arrested one person but didn’t give details.
By about 7 p.m. the crowd appeared to reach at least a thousand people and were marching, according to The Oregonian/OregonLive.
After 8 p.m., police began tossing flash bangs to disperse crowds.
7:45 p.m.
Seattle police fired tear gas and flash bangs to try to disperse black-clad looters who smashed downtown businesses fronts, stole merchandise and tossed mannequins onto the street.
Dozens of people remained on city streets in defiance of a 5 p.m. Saturday curfew enacted by Mayor Jenny Durkan following unrest that included fires and demonstrators marching onto Interstate 5.
“These criminal acts will not be allowed to continue,” Durkan said at a news conference.
News footage showed at least one destroyed police cruiser and other vehicle blazes. There have been arrests but no specific numbers were immediately available.
___
6:35 p.m.
City officials in Eugene, Oregon, enacted a 9 p.m. Saturday curfew in part of the city following destructive protests over the George Floyd killing Friday.
Seattle and Portland, Oregon, also issued Saturday night curfews due to unrest.
Eugene is home to the University of Oregon.
____
5:49 p.m.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Saturday evening activated up to 200 members of the National Guard to respond to violent protests in downtown Seattle that forced the closure of Interstate 5 and the imposition of a citywide curfew.
Inslee said the guard personnel will be unarmed and be directed by Seattle officials, who requested the help to protect property and manage crowds who had gathered in response to the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
—-
4:55 p.m.
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan announced a 5 p.m. curfew for Saturday following rowdy protests that spilled onto Interstate 5, forcing the freeway’s closure through the central part of the Northwest’s largest city.
Thousands of people gathered in downtown and a largely peaceful early afternoon rally turned rowdier, with police pepper spraying demonstrators and deploying flash bands. Police said arrests were made but an exact figure wasn’t available.
Portland’s mayor declared an 8 p.m. PDT curfew for Saturday after that city saw fiery protests Friday night.
___
4:50 p..m.
The Washington State Patrol closed both directions of Interstate 5 through downtown Seattle as a protest over the killing of George Floyd spilled onto the freeway Saturday afternoon.
“The freeway is not a safe or appropriate place for demonstration,” state patrol Chief John Batiste said in a statement.
Thousands of people gathered in downtown and a largely peaceful early afternoon rally turned rowdier, with police pepper spraying demonstrators and deploying flash bands. Police said arrests were made but an exact figure wasn’t available.
___
3:36 p.m.
Thousands of people gathered in downtown Seattle to protest the killing of George Floyd and a largely peaceful gathering turned rowdier Saturday afternoon.
Police deployed flash bangs and pepper sprayed some demonstrators who got close to police lines. Police on bicycles pushed back several protesters.
A police spokeswoman, Sgt. Lauren Truscott, said some people were arrested though she didn’t have an exact figure.


washingtontimes--2020-05-30--Iowa sees coronavirus cases surpass 19K, another 9 deaths

DES MOINES , Iowa ( AP ) - Iowa reported another 345 coronavirus cases Saturday , surpassing 19,000 total for the pandemic , with another nine COVID-19-related deaths .
The state Department of Public health reported that the number of coronavirus cases rose 1.8 % since Friday afternoon , bringing the total to 19,243 .
The number of COVID-19-related deaths in the pandemic rose 1.7 % to 531 , the department said .
More than half of the state ’ s confirmed cases were concentrated in six counties , Polk , Woodbury , Black Hawk , Linn , Marshall and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 43 % of cases were in adults 18 to 40 and another 36 % in adults 41 to 60 .
While adults 61 and older accounted for 19 % of confirmed cases as of Saturday , they were 87 % of the deaths .
For some infected people , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , the coronavirus can cause severe illness and death .
For most people , it causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough , that clear up in two to three weeks @

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Iowa reported another 345 coronavirus cases Saturday, surpassing 19,000 total for the pandemic, with another nine COVID-19-related deaths.
The state Department of Public health reported that the number of coronavirus cases rose 1.8% since Friday afternoon, bringing the total to 19,243. The number of COVID-19-related deaths in the pandemic rose 1.7% to 531, the department said.
More than half of the state’s confirmed cases were concentrated in six counties, Polk, Woodbury, Black Hawk, Linn, Marshall and Dallas.
The state health department said 43% of cases were in adults 18 to 40 and another 36% in adults 41 to 60. While adults 61 and older accounted for 19% of confirmed cases as of Saturday, they were 87% of the deaths.
For some infected people, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the coronavirus can cause severe illness and death. For most people, it causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks.


washingtontimes--2020-05-30--SC report nearly 270 new novel coronavirus cases

COLUMBIA , S.C. ( AP ) - Hundreds more cases of the novel coronavirus were reported Saturday in South Carolina @ @ @ @ @ of Health and Environmental Control announced 266 new cases and four additional deaths .
Those @ @ @ @ @ of people confirmed to have COVID-19 in South Carolina to 11,394 and those who have @ @ @ @ @ of the latest deaths occurred in elderly individuals from Clarendon ( 1 ) and Williamsburg @ @ @ @ @ and one in a middle-aged individual from Florence County .
As of Saturday , the @ @ @ @ @ total tests have been conducted in the state .
To reach more people in underserved @ @ @ @ @ state has scheduled 103 mobile testing events through July 2 .
Find a mobile testing @ @ @ @ @ scdhec.gov/covid19mobileclinics .

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - Hundreds more cases of the novel coronavirus were reported Saturday in South Carolina.
The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control announced 266 new cases and four additional deaths. Those numbers bring the total number of people confirmed to have COVID-19 in South Carolina to 11,394 and those who have died to 487.
Two elderly individuals in Williamsburg County were among the latest deaths, in addition to one elderly person in Clarendon County and one in a middle-aged individual from Florence County.
As of Saturday, the data also shows that 199,735 total tests have been conducted in the state.
To reach more people in underserved and rural communities, the state has scheduled 103 mobile testing events through July 2. Mobile testing clinic events can be found at scdhec.gov/covid19mobileclinics.


washingtontimes--2020-05-30--For father battling cancer, a graduation to victory lane

INDIANAPOLIS ( AP ) - Jacob Foxworthy and his parents waited patiently as their car crawled through pit road at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on this most unusual of graduation days .
When his turn came , the Speedway High School senior climbed out and walked across the race track ’ s iconic yard of bricks , his mother and father holding hands as they watched .
He crossed the finish line like his 121 classmates to wrap up a school year like no other - without in-person classes , without a senior prom and without the traditional pomp and circumstance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a cap-tossing celebration to express what this day meant .
Seeing Jacob in a cap and grown with his father in tow Saturday meant Ted Foxworthy had achieved a milestone of his own after a 4 1/2-year battle with a rare form of cancer .
“ I had one daughter graduating college and one daughter getting married , and I knew I ’ d be around for those two things , ” Foxworthy recalled , explaining his thoughts when he was first diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma in 2016 .
“ I knew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She ’ s a fighter .
So most of my focus was on Jacob .
He was 14 and I didn ’ t want him to grow up without a dad .
I wanted to be there when he walked across the stage .
I didn ’ t want him going , ‘ I wish my dad was there.
’ “ He was there Saturday , behind the wheel of the family car , driving through Gasoline Alley , and he was there for the family photo with the old race car that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the high school lobby six blocks away .
And then , as school officials whisked other families on and off the track , he grabbed his son ’ s arm , pulled him tight and gave him the hug of a lifetime .
School principal Luke Zartman and speedway officials came up with a plan that worked within the state ’ s social distancing guidelines to give these seniors an unforgettable moment .
“ When we realized we weren ’ t coming back and we realized the seniors would miss out on so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , to imagine them not being properly celebrated at the end was heartbreaking , ” Zartman said .
“ It just adds a bright spot to an otherwise dark time to to send them out the way they deserve.
” Sporting venues certainly have played their part in the coronavirus fight , from testing sites at major league ballparks and NFL stadiums .
Field hospitals were constructed at stadiums in California and Washington state and Texas Motor Speedway and Daytona also have held graduation ceremonies .
But this one felt different .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ during what is usually its biggest month , bringing the tiny enclave of Speedway along for the ride .
Residents lined Main Street and Crawfordsville Road for a parade .
Some stood in front of race shops with handmade signs bearing the names of seniors .
One by one , the cars came into the speedway , forming a three-car front row at the yard of bricks - for all the world looking like the front row for the Indianapolis 500 , postponed this year to August .
“ This has been amazing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s wife .
“ For the whole town of Speedway to come out for these kids the way they did really is a dream come true.
” In an email sent to Zartman a few days ago , Ted Foxworthy thanked school officials for finding a way to stage graduation during a global pandemic .
“ What you have provided means more to my family than just the ceremony , ” he wrote .
“ This has become a victory for my family.
” What he left out was the part about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , undergoing chemotherapy , and how his 14-year-old son cared for him .
“ Jacob had to go through this with us , he and Cindy .
She was still working and he was taking care of me , ” he said .
“ That ’ s asking a lot for a 14-year-old kid to spend your summer getting stuff when you ’ re dad needed it .
I was like a pickle that summer .
I was sitting in the recliner or laying on the coach , I was just gone , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closer , and Ted began counting the birthdays and the days to graduation amid a sobering prognosis .
Those who survive the first six months with this aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma , Foxworthy said , still face about an 80 % fatality rate after five years .
For now , the 55-year-old accountant is working from home and savoring every special moment .
Like the one with his 18-year-old son .
“ That ( my dad ) is the most important thing about today , ” Jacob said .
A few minutes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the car and sped off down victory lane .

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Jacob Foxworthy and his parents waited patiently as their car crawled through pit road at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on this most unusual of graduation days.
When his turn came, the Speedway High School senior climbed out and walked across the race track’s iconic yard of bricks, his mother and father holding hands as they watched. He crossed the finish line like his 121 classmates to wrap up a school year like no other - without in-person classes, without a senior prom and without the traditional pomp and circumstance.
The Foxworthys didn’t need a cap-tossing celebration to express what this day meant.
Seeing Jacob in a cap and grown with his father in tow Saturday meant Ted Foxworthy had achieved a milestone of his own after a 4 1/2-year battle with a rare form of cancer.
“I had one daughter graduating college and one daughter getting married, and I knew I’d be around for those two things,” Foxworthy recalled, explaining his thoughts when he was first diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma in 2016. “I knew my wife was going to be OK. She’s a fighter. So most of my focus was on Jacob. He was 14 and I didn’t want him to grow up without a dad. I wanted to be there when he walked across the stage. I didn’t want him going, ‘I wish my dad was there.’“
He was there Saturday, behind the wheel of the family car, driving through Gasoline Alley, and he was there for the family photo with the old race car that had been brought to the speedway from the high school lobby six blocks away.
And then, as school officials whisked other families on and off the track, he grabbed his son’s arm, pulled him tight and gave him the hug of a lifetime.
School principal Luke Zartman and speedway officials came up with a plan that worked within the state’s social distancing guidelines to give these seniors an unforgettable moment.
“When we realized we weren’t coming back and we realized the seniors would miss out on so many things at the end of the year, to imagine them not being properly celebrated at the end was heartbreaking,” Zartman said. “It just adds a bright spot to an otherwise dark time to to send them out the way they deserve.”
Sporting venues certainly have played their part in the coronavirus fight, from testing sites at major league ballparks and NFL stadiums. Field hospitals were constructed at stadiums in California and Washington state and Texas Motor Speedway and Daytona also have held graduation ceremonies.
But this one felt different.
The silent speedway roared back to life during what is usually its biggest month, bringing the tiny enclave of Speedway along for the ride.
Residents lined Main Street and Crawfordsville Road for a parade. Some stood in front of race shops with handmade signs bearing the names of seniors. One by one, the cars came into the speedway, forming a three-car front row at the yard of bricks - for all the world looking like the front row for the Indianapolis 500, postponed this year to August.
“This has been amazing,” said Cindy Foxworthy, Ted’s wife. “For the whole town of Speedway to come out for these kids the way they did really is a dream come true.”
In an email sent to Zartman a few days ago, Ted Foxworthy thanked school officials for finding a way to stage graduation during a global pandemic.
“What you have provided means more to my family than just the ceremony,” he wrote. “This has become a victory for my family.”
What he left out was the part about his first challenging summer four years ago, undergoing chemotherapy, and how his 14-year-old son cared for him.
“Jacob had to go through this with us, he and Cindy. She was still working and he was taking care of me,” he said. “That’s asking a lot for a 14-year-old kid to spend your summer getting stuff when you’re dad needed it. I was like a pickle that summer. I was sitting in the recliner or laying on the coach, I was just gone,I lost a summer.”
They grew closer, and Ted began counting the birthdays and the days to graduation amid a sobering prognosis. Those who survive the first six months with this aggressive form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Foxworthy said, still face about an 80% fatality rate after five years. For now, the 55-year-old accountant is working from home and savoring every special moment.
Like the one with his 18-year-old son.
“That (my dad) is the most important thing about today,” Jacob said.
A few minutes later, the family got back in the car and sped off down victory lane.


washingtontimes--2020-05-30--Squad cars damaged, protesters struck with batons in Chicago

CHICAGO ( AP ) - Several police cars were damaged , including at least one set on fire , as protests continued Saturday over the death of George Floyd , a handcuffed black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into his neck for several minutes .
Officers struck multiple demonstrators with batons amid the protest near the Trump Tower on the city ’ s Near North Side , the Chicago Sun-Times reported .
Video sent out by another local reporter also showed police in tactical gear walking on a downtown street .
The crowd of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Saturday ’ s protest march .
The demonstration began at 2 p.m. and protesters began marching north about 90 minutes later , the Chicago Tribune reported .
Saturday ’ s demonstration came after Chicago officials , following overnight clashes with protesters , asked that additional protests remain peaceful .
Demonstrations are expected throughout the weekend over Floyd ’ s death .
Chicago police Superintendent David Brown said peaceful protests that began Friday afternoon turned more confrontational as the night wore on , resulting in 108 arrests .
Protesters blocked traffic along major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at police vehicles and shattered the windows of downtown businesses .
About a dozen squad cars were damaged and some officers suffered minor injuries , including a broken wrist .
The violence in Chicago and many other cities was sparked by anger over over Floyd ’ s death in Minneapolis on Monday , which was captured on cellphone video .
It led to the firing Tuesday of the four police officers who were arresting Floyd for suspicion of passing a counterfeit bill and to third-degree murder and manslaughter charges being filed Friday against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pin Floyd down for more than eight minutes , even as Floyd pleaded for air and went limp .

CHICAGO (AP) - Several police cars were damaged, including at least one set on fire, as protests continued Saturday over the death of George Floyd, a handcuffed black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into his neck for several minutes.
Officers struck multiple demonstrators with batons amid the protest near the Trump Tower on the city’s Near North Side, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. Video sent out by another local reporter also showed police in tactical gear walking on a downtown street.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced a 9 p.m curfew that runs until 6 a.m. Sunday.
Lightfoot condemned Floyd’s death during a Saturday night news conference and defended the idea of demonstrating to honor him. But she added that a peaceful protest has “devolved into criminal conduct” and police will be aggressive with arrests for anyone caught damaging property.
“When you or anyone else behaves in this way, we all lose by giving the very same forces of oppression we are fighting against the false validation that they crave,” the mayor said.
The crowd of thousands converged on Chicago’s Loop for Saturday’s protest march. The demonstration began at 2 p.m. and protesters began marching north about 90 minutes later, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Saturday’s demonstration came after Chicago officials, following overnight clashes with protesters, asked that additional protests remain peaceful. Demonstrations are expected throughout the weekend over Floyd’s death.
Chicago police Superintendent David Brown said peaceful protests that began Friday afternoon turned more confrontational as the night wore on, resulting in 108 arrests. Protesters blocked traffic along major streets, threw bottles and other objects at police vehicles and shattered the windows of downtown businesses.
About a dozen squad cars were damaged and some officers suffered minor injuries, including a broken wrist.
The violence in Chicago and many other cities was sparked by anger over over Floyd’s death in Minneapolis on Monday, which was captured on cellphone video. It led to the firing Tuesday of the four police officers who were arresting Floyd for suspicion of passing a counterfeit bill and to third-degree murder and manslaughter charges being filed Friday against the officer who used his knee to pin Floyd down for more than eight minutes, even as Floyd pleaded for air and went limp.