washingtontimes--2020-06-13--Ocala off-roading: Illegal routes damages the environment

OCALA , Fla. ( AP ) - In the nearly 387,000-acre Ocala National Forest , wild Florida shows its true colors for recreationists of all interests , whether they travel on foot , bike , horseback , ATV or by car .
And while the forest is largely open and uninhibited by signage or other human inventions , there are rules and regulations in place designed to protect ecosystems and the public lands for future generations .
That same public land is threatened when off-roaders , wittingly or not , wander off marked routes and into fragile wetlands .
Gathered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March afternoon , a team of U.S. Forest Service employees , whose job it is to protect the forest and ensure responsible usage , displayed a map of routes through the forest .
The black lines showed forest roads , while the green lines represented previously legal roads that were closed .
There were pink lines sprawled all over the map .
Wildlife biologist Liz Ramirez explained those are all illegal , user-created trails caused by off-roaders going where they shouldn ’ t .
It was jarring to see how many of them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ non-designated use has multiple roots , and sometimes recreationists may be driving on roads that seem legitimate even when they ’ re not .
Millions of people visit Florida ’ s national forests - Ocala , Apalachicola and Osceola - each year .
But while visiting , some may not realize that following common GPS apps could lead them astray .
Or visitors who have fond memories of exploring certain places decades ago might not understand that those areas are now closed .
The misunderstanding can be explained by a change in methodology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open unless it was designated as no access , ” said Jay Perry , recreation program manager for Ocala National Forest .
“ As we converted it , our chief back in the early 2000s determined one of the four threats to the national forest ’ s land was unmanaged motorized recreation.
” In 2004 and 2006 , there were phased road closures to help mitigate some of the damage caused by previously legal off-roading .
And now , areas are closed unless marked open .
“ This is one of the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , so we get a lot of use and a lot of people travel through here all the time , ” said Kyle Titus , wildlife technician .
“ I ’ ve run into plenty of people that say , ‘ I was here in 2002 , we used to go back to this place .
How did I get there ?
’ ” In addition , mapping data on Google Maps and other popular platforms isn ’ t consistent with some of the re-routed roads and closures in the forest , leading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t know are illegal .
The lack of updated maps has been known to affect modern explorers who ’ ve gotten lost or stranded while following outdated guidance from their GPS .
“ We ’ ve had people that wanted to get to the ranger station , they missed it , went down 11 and then turned off some side road that sent them down a sugar sand road , ” Ramirez said .
“ They were driving a Volkswagen bug .
They sunk it in 200 feet and they had no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes by using an app called Avenza Maps , in which recreationists can download updated forest road maps .
Using that , there ’ s no questioning whether a route is legal or not .
Creating illegal trails and routes can have devastating ramifications for the forest ’ s wildlife and ecosystems .
In one of the forest ’ s wetlands , cavalier off-roaders created a makeshift racetrack for mudding , creating deep ruts in the soggy earth .
“ A lot of folks have a great time taking an ATV out to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Ramirez said .
“ This is one of the most horrific , most damaging things you can do to our forest … There ’ s no room for tolerance when it comes to this.
” Creating these muddy tracks can have major impacts on the forest ’ s smallest critters and hydrological flow .
“ There ’ re newts , salamanders , all kinds of dragonfly larvae , crayfish .
Hundreds of species use a wetland like this , ” Titus said .
“ They need that gradual transition in and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ every layer of that to filter water as it comes in .
Now , anytime it rains , water is going to flood down through here.
” And while the Forest Service ’ s first step doesn ’ t always involve issuing citations and violations , they take wetland damage seriously .
“ All but one of our citations and violation notices that we write for anything that happens out in the forest are all class B federal misdemeanors , ” Perry said .
“ They ’ re punishable by up to six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5,000 fine.
” He said if he found anyone using a damaged wetland for mudding , he ’ d write them a $ 530 violation notice that could potentially include a court appearance .
But the purpose isn ’ t just to scare people off .
“ The whole purpose of doing that is to protect these resources , not just to close off areas for no reason , ” said Susan Blake , public affairs specialist with the U.S. Forest Service in Florida .
Repairing these fragile wetlands can take time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been spared if people followed the rules .
Muddy tracks take only five minutes to create but the resulting disturbed land can take decades to fully recover .
Or thousands of dollars and heavy equipment , also a preventable impact , that comes at the expense of the Forest Service .
Titus said that restoring even one damaged wetland area is a big task .
“ It ’ s going to be tens of thousands of dollars in rental fees and paying other people , ” he said .
“ And it wouldn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if we never touched it again , probably.
” Closing off illegal routes might sound easy , but that can involve rerouting roads - a process that requires a huge effort to mitigate impacts to wildlife - and sometimes only provides a temporary solution .
One dirt berm closing off a route had to be rebuilt three times .
And other than inconspicuous signposts marking numbered roads , the Forest Service prefers not to put up signs everywhere designating what ’ s open and not , wishing to avoid “ sign pollution.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s of recreation .
Education , engineering - that ’ s always there with bollards , signs and educating people about why it ’ s closed off , ” Titus said .
“ Enforcement is kind of the last straw … Sometimes people take signs down and open areas up because they want to go back there .
Then people that want to do the right thing don ’ t know that they ’ re doing the wrong thing if something is taken away.
” Another solution has come through offering people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ damaging the forest .
Almost 200 miles of trail was designed for off-highway vehicles such as ATVs , motorcycles and side-by-sides .
“ This is one of the few large trail systems in the state , ” Titus said .
“ On public lands and for $ 10 , there ’ s nowhere else to ride for 200 miles.
” Over at Juniper Springs , recreationists bathed in the cool waters and basked in the sun .
What those same people may not realize is that the health of Florida ’ s springs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sticking to marked routes within the forest .
“ This whole forest is a water recharge area .
… It ’ s all connected .
We ’ re above the Floridan aquifer , where all of this water filters down and comes back up out of the springs , ” Ramirez said .
“ When you have ATVs going through wetlands and compacting that land and making the percolation filled with pollution , you ’ re spreading invasives , all of that ’ s going to have a bigger impact down the line.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ have huge positive results for the forest ’ s wildlife .
“ When we did restoration at Salt Springs and shut it down for a couple of months , the river otters were swimming up into it , there were so many birds and turtles , ” Ramirez said .
“ They were just frolicking in the water.
” And it may be possible to recreate in harmony with the forest ’ s native plants and animals , as long as everyone follows the rules .
But preserving a national forest is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the natural environment express its wild beauty while allowing recreationists to enjoy it how they wish .
Responsibly and legally , of course .
Regardless of efforts , sometimes it can be difficult to correct bad behavior , as proven by Juniper Springs visitors who had pulled up and destroyed eelgrass from the spring-fed swimming hole .
“ Keeping the natural resources there for future generations in healthy shape and keeping those opportunities to enjoy hiking , off-highway vehicle use , riding your horses , all that stuff - for everyone to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ balancing all of that , ” Titus said .

OCALA, Fla. (AP) - In the nearly 387,000-acre Ocala National Forest, wild Florida shows its true colors for recreationists of all interests, whether they travel on foot, bike, horseback, ATV or by car.
And while the forest is largely open and uninhibited by signage or other human inventions, there are rules and regulations in place designed to protect ecosystems and the public lands for future generations. That same public land is threatened when off-roaders, wittingly or not, wander off marked routes and into fragile wetlands.
Gathered in the Lake George Ranger Station one March afternoon, a team of U.S. Forest Service employees, whose job it is to protect the forest and ensure responsible usage, displayed a map of routes through the forest. The black lines showed forest roads, while the green lines represented previously legal roads that were closed. There were pink lines sprawled all over the map.
Wildlife biologist Liz Ramirez explained those are all illegal, user-created trails caused by off-roaders going where they shouldn’t. It was jarring to see how many of them there were.
But the problem of non-designated use has multiple roots, and sometimes recreationists may be driving on roads that seem legitimate even when they’re not.
OUTDATED INFORMATION
Millions of people visit Florida’s national forests - Ocala, Apalachicola and Osceola - each year. But while visiting, some may not realize that following common GPS apps could lead them astray.
Or visitors who have fond memories of exploring certain places decades ago might not understand that those areas are now closed.
The misunderstanding can be explained by a change in methodology in the mid-2000s.
“Everything was open unless it was designated as no access,” said Jay Perry, recreation program manager for Ocala National Forest. “As we converted it, our chief back in the early 2000s determined one of the four threats to the national forest’s land was unmanaged motorized recreation.”
In 2004 and 2006, there were phased road closures to help mitigate some of the damage caused by previously legal off-roading. And now, areas are closed unless marked open.
“This is one of the most urban forests in the Forest Service system, so we get a lot of use and a lot of people travel through here all the time,” said Kyle Titus, wildlife technician. “I’ve run into plenty of people that say, ‘I was here in 2002, we used to go back to this place. How did I get there?’”
In addition, mapping data on Google Maps and other popular platforms isn’t consistent with some of the re-routed roads and closures in the forest, leading some people to explore routes they don’t know are illegal.
The lack of updated maps has been known to affect modern explorers who’ve gotten lost or stranded while following outdated guidance from their GPS.
“We’ve had people that wanted to get to the ranger station, they missed it, went down 11 and then turned off some side road that sent them down a sugar sand road,” Ramirez said. “They were driving a Volkswagen bug. They sunk it in 200 feet and they had no cell phone service.”
A good alternative comes by using an app called Avenza Maps, in which recreationists can download updated forest road maps. Using that, there’s no questioning whether a route is legal or not.
ECOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES
Creating illegal trails and routes can have devastating ramifications for the forest’s wildlife and ecosystems.
In one of the forest’s wetlands, cavalier off-roaders created a makeshift racetrack for mudding, creating deep ruts in the soggy earth.
“A lot of folks have a great time taking an ATV out to the wetlands and then creating … racetracks,” Ramirez said. “This is one of the most horrific, most damaging things you can do to our forest … There’s no room for tolerance when it comes to this.”
Creating these muddy tracks can have major impacts on the forest’s smallest critters and hydrological flow.
“There’re newts, salamanders, all kinds of dragonfly larvae, crayfish. Hundreds of species use a wetland like this,” Titus said. “They need that gradual transition in and out of a scrub. They need every layer of that to filter water as it comes in. Now, anytime it rains, water is going to flood down through here.”
And while the Forest Service’s first step doesn’t always involve issuing citations and violations, they take wetland damage seriously.
“All but one of our citations and violation notices that we write for anything that happens out in the forest are all class B federal misdemeanors,” Perry said. “They’re punishable by up to six months in federal prison and a $5,000 fine.”
He said if he found anyone using a damaged wetland for mudding, he’d write them a $530 violation notice that could potentially include a court appearance. But the purpose isn’t just to scare people off.
“The whole purpose of doing that is to protect these resources, not just to close off areas for no reason,” said Susan Blake, public affairs specialist with the U.S. Forest Service in Florida.
FIXING THE PROBLEM
Repairing these fragile wetlands can take time, money and resources that otherwise could have been spared if people followed the rules.
Muddy tracks take only five minutes to create but the resulting disturbed land can take decades to fully recover. Or thousands of dollars and heavy equipment, also a preventable impact, that comes at the expense of the Forest Service. Titus said that restoring even one damaged wetland area is a big task.
“It’s going to be tens of thousands of dollars in rental fees and paying other people,” he said. “And it wouldn’t be fixed for 50 years if we never touched it again, probably.”
Closing off illegal routes might sound easy, but that can involve rerouting roads - a process that requires a huge effort to mitigate impacts to wildlife - and sometimes only provides a temporary solution. One dirt berm closing off a route had to be rebuilt three times.
And other than inconspicuous signposts marking numbered roads, the Forest Service prefers not to put up signs everywhere designating what’s open and not, wishing to avoid “sign pollution.”
Fixing the problem of illegal off-roading involves a multi-pronged approach.
“There’s the three E’s of recreation. Education, engineering - that’s always there with bollards, signs and educating people about why it’s closed off,” Titus said. “Enforcement is kind of the last straw … Sometimes people take signs down and open areas up because they want to go back there. Then people that want to do the right thing don’t know that they’re doing the wrong thing if something is taken away.”
Another solution has come through offering people legal alternatives to driving off route and damaging the forest. Almost 200 miles of trail was designed for off-highway vehicles such as ATVs, motorcycles and side-by-sides.
“This is one of the few large trail systems in the state,” Titus said. “On public lands and for $10, there’s nowhere else to ride for 200 miles.”
IT’S ALL CONNECTED
Over at Juniper Springs, recreationists bathed in the cool waters and basked in the sun. What those same people may not realize is that the health of Florida’s springs depends on others following the rules and sticking to marked routes within the forest.
“This whole forest is a water recharge area. … It’s all connected. We’re above the Floridan aquifer, where all of this water filters down and comes back up out of the springs,” Ramirez said. “When you have ATVs going through wetlands and compacting that land and making the percolation filled with pollution, you’re spreading invasives, all of that’s going to have a bigger impact down the line.”
Sometimes, reducing human impact can have huge positive results for the forest’s wildlife.
“When we did restoration at Salt Springs and shut it down for a couple of months, the river otters were swimming up into it, there were so many birds and turtles,” Ramirez said. “They were just frolicking in the water.”
And it may be possible to recreate in harmony with the forest’s native plants and animals, as long as everyone follows the rules. But preserving a national forest is a delicate balance between active management and letting the natural environment express its wild beauty while allowing recreationists to enjoy it how they wish. Responsibly and legally, of course.
Regardless of efforts, sometimes it can be difficult to correct bad behavior, as proven by Juniper Springs visitors who had pulled up and destroyed eelgrass from the spring-fed swimming hole.
“Keeping the natural resources there for future generations in healthy shape and keeping those opportunities to enjoy hiking, off-highway vehicle use, riding your horses, all that stuff - for everyone to do it in perpetuity is the goal in balancing all of that,” Titus said.


washingtontimes--2020-06-13--Man sentenced for collecting dead mom's social security

TAMPA , Fla. ( AP ) - A Florida man has been sentenced to six months in federal prison for @ @ @ @ @ Social Security payments for nearly a decade after her death .
A federal judge in @ @ @ @ @ 54 , earlier this week , according to court documents .
The Brandon man pleaded @ @ @ @ @ of government funds .
Miller ’ s mother was receiving Social Security Retirement Insurance Benefits @ @ @ @ @ 2009 , according to court records .
Her death was never reported to the Social @ @ @ @ @ benefit payments continued .
Prosecutors said Miller continued to access the funds , totaling $ @ @ @ @ @ for his own personal expenses until June 2019 .
As part of his sentence , @ @ @ @ @ money .

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - A Florida man has been sentenced to six months in federal prison for collecting his mother’s Social Security payments for nearly a decade after her death.
A federal judge in Tampa sentenced Robert Miller, 54, earlier this week, according to court documents. The Brandon man pleaded guilty in January to theft of government funds.
Miller’s mother was receiving Social Security Retirement Insurance Benefits when she died in December 2009, according to court records. Her death was never reported to the Social Security Administration, and the benefit payments continued. Prosecutors said Miller continued to access the funds, totaling $75,984, and use them for his own personal expenses until June 2019.
As part of his sentence, Miller must repay the stolen money.


washingtontimes--2020-06-13--Police: Officer fatally shoots man suspected of carjacking

Missouri Highway Patrol spokesman Andy Bell said the shooting happened after a brief vehicle and foot pursuit , the Kansas @ @ @ @ @ said the officer fired one shot after the man “ presented some type of handgun.
@ @ @ @ @ placed on administrative leave , according to Kansas City police spokeswoman Doaa El-Ashkar .
Kansas @ @ @ @ @ the man who was shot was an “ adult white male.
” Additional details have @ @ @ @ @ The Highway Patrol will investigate the shooting , while the carjacking will be investigated by @ @ @ @ @ said .

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - A Kansas City police officer shot and killed a carjacking suspect Saturday afternoon, authorities said.
Missouri Highway Patrol spokesman Andy Bell said the shooting happened after a brief vehicle and foot pursuit, the Kansas City Star reported. Bell said the officer fired one shot after the man “presented some type of handgun.”
The officer has been placed on administrative leave, according to Kansas City police spokeswoman Doaa El-Ashkar.
Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said the man who was shot was an “adult white male.” Additional details have not yet been released.
The Highway Patrol will investigate the shooting, while the carjacking will be investigated by Kansas City police, Bell said.


washingtontimes--2020-06-13--Clemson football players lead hundreds in march for equality

CLEMSON , S.C. ( AP ) - Members of the Clemson University football team led hundreds of demonstrators on the school ’ s campus Saturday as they marched for equality and against police brutality toward African Americans .
The demonstration included a moment of silence for eight minutes and 46 seconds , the length of time prosecutors say George Floyd , a 46-year-old black man , was pinned to the ground under a white Minneapolis police officer ’ s knee before he died last month .
“ This is a historic time , and a challenging time , ” head @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during a speech .
“ But as I tell my team all the time , challenge is what creates change .
… Black lives more than matter - black lives significantly matter and equally matter .
For far too long that has not been the case for the black community.
” The protest was organized by quarterback Trevor Lawrence , linebacker Mike Jones Jr. , wide receiver Cornell Powell and running back Darien Rencher , according to news outlets .
The march came a day after Clemson trustees voted to rename its honors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name of former vice president and slavery proponent John C. Calhoun .
Calhoun , who was born in South Carolina , declared slavery a “ positive good ” on the U.S. Senate floor in 1837 .
Prior to the administrators ’ vote , an online petition by students calling for the name to be changed drew more than 20,000 signatures .
Clemson football alumni and onetime Houston Texans teammates DeAndre Hopkins and Deshaun Watson voiced support for the petition on social media .

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) - Members of the Clemson University football team led hundreds of demonstrators on the school’s campus Saturday as they marched for equality and against police brutality toward African Americans.
The demonstration included a moment of silence for eight minutes and 46 seconds, the length of time prosecutors say George Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, was pinned to the ground under a white Minneapolis police officer’s knee before he died last month.
“This is a historic time, and a challenging time,” head football coach Dabo Swinney told the crowd during a speech. “But as I tell my team all the time, challenge is what creates change. … Black lives more than matter - black lives significantly matter and equally matter. For far too long that has not been the case for the black community.”
The protest was organized by quarterback Trevor Lawrence, linebacker Mike Jones Jr., wide receiver Cornell Powell and running back Darien Rencher, according to news outlets.
The march came a day after Clemson trustees voted to rename its honors college, stripping from the program the name of former vice president and slavery proponent John C. Calhoun.
Calhoun, who was born in South Carolina, declared slavery a “positive good” on the U.S. Senate floor in 1837.
Prior to the administrators’ vote, an online petition by students calling for the name to be changed drew more than 20,000 signatures. Clemson football alumni and onetime Houston Texans teammates DeAndre Hopkins and Deshaun Watson voiced support for the petition on social media.


washingtontimes--2020-06-13--Baseball players say talks futile, tell MLB to order return

NEW YORK ( AP ) — Baseball players told Major League Baseball additional talks to start the season during the coronavirus pandemic are pointless and said owners should order a return to work , which likely would spark lengthy litigation and the sport ’ s return to labor wars .
The union ’ s action Saturday night could lead to a season of about 50 games rather than the 82 initially proposed by MLB .
The Major League Baseball Players Association could respond by filing a grievance that would be heard by arbitrator Mark Irvings , arguing players are owed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ due to a shorter season .
“ It unfortunately appears that further dialogue with the league would be futile , ” union head Tony Clark said in a statement .
“ It ’ s time to get back to work .
Tell us when and where.
” There was no immediate response from MLB .
While the NBA , NHL and MLS have figured out deals to return in this summer of the coronavirus , baseball has descended into the fractious labor strife that led to eight work stoppages from 1972-95 .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreement in late 2016 that led to relatively flat salaries for five straight years , an unsuccessful grievance accusing the Chicago Cubs of manipulating third baseman Kris Bryant ’ s service time to delay his eligibility for free agency and a grievance accusing teams of improperly using revenue sharing proceeds , a process the union calls “ tanking.
” “ Given your continued insistence on hundreds of millions of dollars of additional pay reductions , we assume these negotiations are at an end , ” union chief negotiator Bruce Meyer wrote in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday that was obtained by The Associated Press .
“ If it is your intention to unilaterally impose a season , we again request that you inform us and our members of how many games you intend to play and when and where players should report .
It is unfair to leave players and the fans hanging at this point , and further delay risks compromising health and safety .
We demand that you inform us of your plans by close of business on Monday.
” Players and MLB agreed to a deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a deal that included $ 170 million in salary advances and a guarantee of service time for 2020 even if no games are played .
That deal gave baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred the right to start the season provided there were no travel restrictions and games could be played before fans in regular-season ballparks .
It called for “ good faith ” negotiations to play in empty ballparks or neutral sites .
Players insist they should not have to accept additional cuts .
“ The solidarity of the players has never been more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Boras , baseball ’ s most high-profile agent , who has three clients on the union ’ s eight-man executive subcommittee .
MLB made three economic offers , the last Friday , and the union proposed two .
The sides remain far apart on how much players should get of the $ 4 billion in salaries they originally were set to earn : MLB has offered to guarantee $ 1.27 billion and increase the total to $ 1.45 billion if the postseason is completed .
Players want $ 2.25 billion .
“ Players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who we are and what we do , ” Clark said .
“ Since March , the association has made it clear that our No .
1 focus is playing the fullest season possible , as soon as possible , as safely as possible .
Players agreed to billions in monetary concessions as a means to that end , and in the face of repeated media leaks and misdirection we made additional proposals to inject new revenues into the industry - proposals that would benefit the owners , players , broadcast partners , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now become apparent that these efforts have fallen upon deaf ears.
” Owners must now decide whether to go ahead with a shortened schedule , of perhaps 48 or 50 games .
A 50-game regular season at prorated salaries would total $ 1.23 billion , leaving the union to claim about $ 1 billion plus interest in damages should the case continue to a decision and players prevail .
The sides ’ March agreement stated “ each of the parties shall work in good faith to as soon as is practicable commence , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ championship season and post-season that is economically feasible ” consistent with the other provisions .
“ In recent days , owners have decried the supposed unprofitability of owning a baseball team and the Commissioner has repeatedly threatened to schedule a dramatically shortened season unless players agree to hundreds of millions in further concessions , ” Clark said .
“ Our response has been consistent that such concessions are unwarranted , would be fundamentally unfair to players , and that our sport deserves the fullest 2020 season possible .
These remain our positions today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regarding MLB ’ s national television rights - information we requested from the league weeks ago but were never provided.
” Players contend teams ’ financial accounts don ’ t reflect income they gain from regional sports networks , real estate projects surrounding ballpark developments and such below-the-line business such as the sale of equity in BAM Tech to The Walt Disney Co. and the NHL .
The New York Post reported Saturday that MLB and Turner were closing in on an agreement for rights starting in 2022 , the season after Turner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ League Championship Series and a package of Sunday regular-season broadcasts in the season ’ s second half .
“ We have fulfilled any obligation to ‘ discuss ’ with you the economic feasibility of playing games without fans , ” Meyer wrote .
Meyer criticized MLB ’ s opening economic discussion in May 12 , which claimed teams would lose $ 640,000 for each additional regular-season game played .
“ Your own self-serving slide presentation showed that the league as a whole will lose significantly less money playing a season than not playing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in response to a direct question , ” Halem wrote .
“ With respect to other assertions in the presentation , we found it incomplete , unclear and unpersuasive and requested information that would allow us to verify it .
Your eventual response was completely inadequate.
” MLB provided summaries of regional sports network agreements last month but not the actual deals .
“ For example , we still have never received unredacted RSN and national TV contracts or sponsorship agreements , the details of ongoing discussions with TV networks and sponsors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expanded playoffs , ” Meyer wrote .

NEW YORK (AP) — Baseball players told Major League Baseball additional talks to start the season during the coronavirus pandemic are pointless and said owners should order a return to work, which likely would spark lengthy litigation and the sport’s return to labor wars.
The union’s action Saturday night could lead to a season of about 50 games rather than the 82 initially proposed by MLB. The Major League Baseball Players Association could respond by filing a grievance that would be heard by arbitrator Mark Irvings, arguing players are owed hundreds of millions of dollars in damages due to a shorter season.
“It unfortunately appears that further dialogue with the league would be futile,” union head Tony Clark said in a statement. “It’s time to get back to work. Tell us when and where.”
There was no immediate response from MLB.
While the NBA, NHL and MLS have figured out deals to return in this summer of the coronavirus, baseball has descended into the fractious labor strife that led to eight work stoppages from 1972-95. The union has seethed followed a collective bargaining agreement in late 2016 that led to relatively flat salaries for five straight years, an unsuccessful grievance accusing the Chicago Cubs of manipulating third baseman Kris Bryant’s service time to delay his eligibility for free agency and a grievance accusing teams of improperly using revenue sharing proceeds, a process the union calls “tanking.”
“Given your continued insistence on hundreds of millions of dollars of additional pay reductions, we assume these negotiations are at an end,” union chief negotiator Bruce Meyer wrote in a letter to Deputy Commissioner Dan Halem on Saturday that was obtained by The Associated Press. “If it is your intention to unilaterally impose a season, we again request that you inform us and our members of how many games you intend to play and when and where players should report. It is unfair to leave players and the fans hanging at this point, and further delay risks compromising health and safety. We demand that you inform us of your plans by close of business on Monday.”
Players and MLB agreed to a deal March 26 calling for prorated salaries, a deal that included $170 million in salary advances and a guarantee of service time for 2020 even if no games are played.
That deal gave baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred the right to start the season provided there were no travel restrictions and games could be played before fans in regular-season ballparks. It called for “good faith” negotiations to play in empty ballparks or neutral sites.
Players insist they should not have to accept additional cuts.
“The solidarity of the players has never been more concentrated in years,” said Scott Boras, baseball’s most high-profile agent, who has three clients on the union’s eight-man executive subcommittee.
MLB made three economic offers, the last Friday, and the union proposed two. The sides remain far apart on how much players should get of the $4 billion in salaries they originally were set to earn: MLB has offered to guarantee $1.27 billion and increase the total to $1.45 billion if the postseason is completed. Players want $2.25 billion.
“Players want to play. It’s who we are and what we do,” Clark said. “Since March, the association has made it clear that our No. 1 focus is playing the fullest season possible, as soon as possible, as safely as possible. Players agreed to billions in monetary concessions as a means to that end, and in the face of repeated media leaks and misdirection we made additional proposals to inject new revenues into the industry - proposals that would benefit the owners, players, broadcast partners, and fans alike. It’s now become apparent that these efforts have fallen upon deaf ears.”
Owners must now decide whether to go ahead with a shortened schedule, of perhaps 48 or 50 games. A 50-game regular season at prorated salaries would total $1.23 billion, leaving the union to claim about $1 billion plus interest in damages should the case continue to a decision and players prevail.
The sides’ March agreement stated “each of the parties shall work in good faith to as soon as is practicable commence, play, and complete the fullest 2020 championship season and post-season that is economically feasible” consistent with the other provisions.
“In recent days, owners have decried the supposed unprofitability of owning a baseball team and the Commissioner has repeatedly threatened to schedule a dramatically shortened season unless players agree to hundreds of millions in further concessions,” Clark said. “Our response has been consistent that such concessions are unwarranted, would be fundamentally unfair to players, and that our sport deserves the fullest 2020 season possible. These remain our positions today, particularly in light of new reports regarding MLB’s national television rights - information we requested from the league weeks ago but were never provided.”
Players contend teams’ financial accounts don’t reflect income they gain from regional sports networks, real estate projects surrounding ballpark developments and such below-the-line business such as the sale of equity in BAM Tech to The Walt Disney Co. and the NHL.
The New York Post reported Saturday that MLB and Turner were closing in on an agreement for rights starting in 2022, the season after Turner’s current contract expires for one League Championship Series and a package of Sunday regular-season broadcasts in the season’s second half.
“We have fulfilled any obligation to ‘discuss’ with you the economic feasibility of playing games without fans,” Meyer wrote.
Meyer criticized MLB’s opening economic discussion in May 12, which claimed teams would lose $640,000 for each additional regular-season game played.
“Your own self-serving slide presentation showed that the league as a whole will lose significantly less money playing a season than not playing a season, and Rob admitted this in response to a direct question,” Halem wrote. “With respect to other assertions in the presentation, we found it incomplete, unclear and unpersuasive and requested information that would allow us to verify it. Your eventual response was completely inadequate.”
MLB provided summaries of regional sports network agreements last month but not the actual deals.
“For example, we still have never received unredacted RSN and national TV contracts or sponsorship agreements, the details of ongoing discussions with TV networks and sponsors, or projections of the value of any expanded playoffs,” Meyer wrote.


washingtontimes--2020-06-13--Buffalo teen who cleaned up after protests gets job offer

BUFFALO , N.Y. ( AP ) - A Buffalo teenager who spent 10 hours cleaning up glass and garbage following protests in his city got a job offer Saturday from the mayor .
It was the latest honor for Antonio Gwynn Jr. since word of his actions began circulating a week ago .
The 18-year-old high school senior already has received a 2004 Ford Mustang from an admirer .
Medaille College in Buffalo will provide him a full scholarship .
Mayor Byron Brown offered him a job in the city ’ s buildings department .
“ I ’ m actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have an actual plan , but now this is helping me put more of my life ahead , ” Gwynn told reporters after being recognized at a city ceremony .
After a night of unrest following the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police , Gwynn set about cleaning up , hours before others arrived with the same intention .
“ Antonio , without anyone asking him to do it , without anyone telling him to do it , got out after two o ’ clock in the morning and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Avenue , in his neighborhood , ” Brown said .
Gwynn said he will study business at Medaille with hopes of owning his own cleaning company .

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) - A Buffalo teenager who spent 10 hours cleaning up glass and garbage following protests in his city got a job offer Saturday from the mayor.
It was the latest honor for Antonio Gwynn Jr. since word of his actions began circulating a week ago. The 18-year-old high school senior already has received a 2004 Ford Mustang from an admirer. Medaille College in Buffalo will provide him a full scholarship.
Mayor Byron Brown offered him a job in the city’s buildings department.
“I’m actually pretty excited because I didn’t have an actual plan, but now this is helping me put more of my life ahead,” Gwynn told reporters after being recognized at a city ceremony.
After a night of unrest following the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police, Gwynn set about cleaning up, hours before others arrived with the same intention.
“Antonio, without anyone asking him to do it, without anyone telling him to do it, got out after two o’clock in the morning and spent over 10 hours cleaning up Bailey Avenue, in his neighborhood,” Brown said.
Gwynn said he will study business at Medaille with hopes of owning his own cleaning company.


washingtontimes--2020-06-13--Baseball players tell owners "further dialogue with the league would be futile" and MLB should order

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Baseball players tell owners “ further dialogue with the league would be futile ” @ @ @ @ @ to work .

NEW YORK (AP) - Baseball players tell owners “further dialogue with the league would be futile” and MLB should order return to work.
Copyright © 2023 The Washington Times, LLC.


washingtontimes--2020-06-13--Floyd's cousin implores marchers to be a force for change

RICHMOND , Va. ( AP ) - Thousands of people gathered in Richmond on Saturday for Virginia ’ s “ 5000 Man March , ” a demonstration against racism that included a speech by the cousin of George Floyd , the black man whose death at the hands of police has prompted weeks of protests around the world .
The demonstrators gathered at the city ’ s famed monument of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee before making a loop around the downtown .
They returned to the monument about two hours later to hear speakers , including a relative of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ month after a Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck for several minutes as he pleaded for air .
Tavares Floyd , George Floyd ’ s cousin , stepped onto the Lee monument and was welcomed by applause from the surrounding crowd of demonstrators in the former capital of the Confederacy .
WRIC-TV reports that Floyd spoke about many different racial inequalities that the black community faces in Virginia and throughout the nation .
Floyd asked everyone to take a deep look at themselves , and implored them to be the change they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t breathe , ” Floyd said , reciting some of his cousin ’ s final words .
“ My cousin perished and he died pleading for his mother , and he died at the hands of police officers .
That ’ s what it means to be a black man in this country.
” The Lee statue , erected in 1890 , has become a focal point of protests in Richmond since Floyd ’ s death .
After years of calls by black activists to remove Confederate statues in Virginia , Gov @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down the Lee statue , while Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney has vowed to remove other Confederate statues on the same street .

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Thousands of people gathered in Richmond on Saturday for Virginia’s “5000 Man March,” a demonstration against racism that included a speech by the cousin of George Floyd, the black man whose death at the hands of police has prompted weeks of protests around the world.
The demonstrators gathered at the city’s famed monument of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee before making a loop around the downtown. They returned to the monument about two hours later to hear speakers, including a relative of Floyd, the man who died last month after a Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck for several minutes as he pleaded for air.
Tavares Floyd, George Floyd’s cousin, stepped onto the Lee monument and was welcomed by applause from the surrounding crowd of demonstrators in the former capital of the Confederacy.
WRIC-TV reports that Floyd spoke about many different racial inequalities that the black community faces in Virginia and throughout the nation.
Floyd asked everyone to take a deep look at themselves, and implored them to be the change they want to see.
“I can’t breathe,” Floyd said, reciting some of his cousin’s final words.
“My cousin perished and he died pleading for his mother, and he died at the hands of police officers. That’s what it means to be a black man in this country.”
The Lee statue, erected in 1890, has become a focal point of protests in Richmond since Floyd’s death. After years of calls by black activists to remove Confederate statues in Virginia, Gov. Ralph Northam has pledged to take down the Lee statue, while Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney has vowed to remove other Confederate statues on the same street.


washingtontimes--2020-06-13--Authorities look for woman who was last seen police station

KANSAS CITY , Mo .
( AP ) - Authorities are looking for a woman who was last seen leaving @ @ @ @ @ more than two weeks ago .
Police said 39-year-old Marina Bischoff hasn ’ t been @ @ @ @ @ May 28 .
Police said Bischoff had been arrested the night before on suspicion of @ @ @ @ @ the scene of a crash .
Police said she made multiple phone calls while in @ @ @ @ @ appear impaired when she left the station .
Police have conducted extensive searches of wooded @ @ @ @ @ , drones and dogs .
On Friday , police said detectives also have been investigating @ @ @ @ @ to try to determine where she may be .
Police said she is a social @ @ @ @ @ Mercy Hospital and frequents a church in south Kansas City , the International House of @ @ @ @ @ told police they are concerned for her well-being .

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Authorities are looking for a woman who was last seen leaving a Kansas City police station more than two weeks ago.
Police said 39-year-old Marina Bischoff hasn’t been seen since the morning of May 28. Police said Bischoff had been arrested the night before on suspicion of driving while impaired and leaving the scene of a crash.
Police said she made multiple phone calls while in detention and didn’t appear impaired when she left the station.
Police have conducted extensive searches of wooded areas and waterways with volunteers, drones and dogs. On Friday, police said detectives also have been investigating Bischoff’s prior contacts to try to determine where she may be.
Police said she is a social worker for Children’s Mercy Hospital and frequents a church in south Kansas City, the International House of Prayer.
Family members have told police they are concerned for her well-being.


washingtontimes--2020-06-13--Police arrest 7 protesters after clash in Stockton

Police arrested seven people after protesters demonstrating in Stockton against the police killing of George Floyd blocked traffic on a road , struck vehicles attempting to pass them and threw rocks and bottles at officers who tried to push them back onto the sidewalk .
The protesters were arrested on charges including resisting arrest , vandalism , battery and assault on a peace officer , police said in a statement .
The Stockton Record reports protesters marched to Hammer Road Friday evening and only allowed cars to pass once drivers honked their horns as a sign of support .
Some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drivers refused to honk .
One person was thrown to the ground after attempting to block a vehicle and another was hit by an SUV making its way through the crowd .
Police said when officers went to the scene and tried direct the protesters back to the sidewalk , several protesters threw rocks and bottles at them .
The Stockton Record reported that during a short but heated confrontation , a protester punched an officer ’ s face shield and an officer shoved a protester with his baton , causing him to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to disperse and most the protesters ultimately complied .

Police arrested seven people after protesters demonstrating in Stockton against the police killing of George Floyd blocked traffic on a road, struck vehicles attempting to pass them and threw rocks and bottles at officers who tried to push them back onto the sidewalk.
The protesters were arrested on charges including resisting arrest, vandalism, battery and assault on a peace officer, police said in a statement.
The Stockton Record reports protesters marched to Hammer Road Friday evening and only allowed cars to pass once drivers honked their horns as a sign of support. Some of the protesters hit car windows when drivers refused to honk. One person was thrown to the ground after attempting to block a vehicle and another was hit by an SUV making its way through the crowd.
Police said when officers went to the scene and tried direct the protesters back to the sidewalk, several protesters threw rocks and bottles at them.
The Stockton Record reported that during a short but heated confrontation, a protester punched an officer’s face shield and an officer shoved a protester with his baton, causing him to fall back.
Police ordered the crowd to disperse and most the protesters ultimately complied.


washingtontimes--2020-06-13--Officer involved in shooting in Kansas City, police say

KANSAS CITY , Mo .
( AP ) - Kansas City police say an officer has been involved in a @ @ @ @ @ KCTV5 News that there was a carjacking and a pursuit , then shots were fired @ @ @ @ @ provided no details about the shooting , including the extent of any injuries , in @ @ @ @ @ The Missouri State Highway Patrol is handling the investigation .

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Kansas City police say an officer has been involved in a shooting.
Dispatch confirmed to KCTV5 News that there was a carjacking and a pursuit, then shots were fired.
Police spokeswoman Doaa Al-Ashkar provided no details about the shooting, including the extent of any injuries, in an email Saturday afternoon.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol is handling the investigation.


washingtontimes--2020-06-13--U.S. Soccer president addresses repeal of anthem policy

U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone apologized Saturday for the federation ’ s lack of leadership in the fight against racism as she addressed its decision to repeal a policy that required players to stand during the national anthem .
The federation ’ s board of directors voted earlier this week to repeal the rule , adopted in 2017 after national team player Megan Rapinoe kneeled during the anthem in support of Colin Kaepernick .
“ We are committed to doing better to help fight racism and discrimination in all its forms , ” Parlow Cone said .
“ Repealing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Policy 604-1 states : “ All persons representing a Federation national team shall stand respectfully during the playing of national anthems at any event in which the Federation is represented.
” The board passed the rule on Feb. 9 , 2017 and got rid of it during a conference call on Tuesday .
Parlow Cone called the special meeting after first broaching the idea of repealing the rule last week , and three players spoke on the call .
Rapinoe faced criticism for her protest .
But sentiment among the public has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over the death of George Floyd .
Floyd , a black man , died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Floyd ’ s neck while Floyd was handcuffed and saying that he couldn ’ t breathe .
It was the first board meeting Parlow Cone has led as president .
She took over in March after Carlos Cordeiro ’ s abrupt resignation amid fallout over the federation ’ s legal stance in the gender discrimination lawsuit filed by the women ’ s national team .
In her comments Saturday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other minorities “ for us not being leaders in this fight.
” “ We will continue to engage with our players , our staff and soccer stakeholders to help us be a positive force for change going forward , ” Parlow Cone said .
“ And this is not about short-term initiatives .
This is about writing these ideals into our DNA.
” In calling for repeal of the policy earlier this week , the U.S. Soccer Athletes ’ Council called on the federation to foster a “ positive relationship to exist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national team players Alex Morgan and Ali Krieger , as well as former players like Landon Donovan .
The U.S. Women ’ s National Team Players Association also called for an apology from U.S. Soccer and a plan to substantively address racial inequities .
ESPN reported that Parlow Cone personally apologized to Rapinoe .
“ Until USSF does so , the mere existence of the policy will continue to perpetuate the misconceptions and fear that clouded the true meaning and significance of Colin Kaepernick , Megan Rapinoe and other athletes taking a knee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not been and continue to not be afforded the same liberties and freedoms as white people and that police brutality and systemic racism exist in this country , ” the players said in a statement .
Rapinoe kneeled during the anthem at a pair of national team matches in 2016 .
She said she wanted to express solidarity with Kaepernick , the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback who silently took a knee during the national anthem before NFL games to raise awareness of police brutality and racial injustice .

U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone apologized Saturday for the federation’s lack of leadership in the fight against racism as she addressed its decision to repeal a policy that required players to stand during the national anthem.
The federation’s board of directors voted earlier this week to repeal the rule, adopted in 2017 after national team player Megan Rapinoe kneeled during the anthem in support of Colin Kaepernick.
“We are committed to doing better to help fight racism and discrimination in all its forms,” Parlow Cone said. “Repealing Policy 604-1 was just the first step.”
Policy 604-1 states: “All persons representing a Federation national team shall stand respectfully during the playing of national anthems at any event in which the Federation is represented.”
The board passed the rule on Feb. 9, 2017 and got rid of it during a conference call on Tuesday. Parlow Cone called the special meeting after first broaching the idea of repealing the rule last week, and three players spoke on the call.
Rapinoe faced criticism for her protest. But sentiment among the public has changed in the wake of global protests over the death of George Floyd.
Floyd, a black man, died after a white Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck while Floyd was handcuffed and saying that he couldn’t breathe.
It was the first board meeting Parlow Cone has led as president. She took over in March after Carlos Cordeiro’s abrupt resignation amid fallout over the federation’s legal stance in the gender discrimination lawsuit filed by the women’s national team.
In her comments Saturday, Parlow Cone apologized to African Americans and other minorities “for us not being leaders in this fight.”
“We will continue to engage with our players, our staff and soccer stakeholders to help us be a positive force for change going forward,” Parlow Cone said. “And this is not about short-term initiatives. This is about writing these ideals into our DNA.”
In calling for repeal of the policy earlier this week, the U.S. Soccer Athletes’ Council called on the federation to foster a “positive relationship to exist going forward.” The panel includes current national team players Alex Morgan and Ali Krieger, as well as former players like Landon Donovan.
The U.S. Women’s National Team Players Association also called for an apology from U.S. Soccer and a plan to substantively address racial inequities. ESPN reported that Parlow Cone personally apologized to Rapinoe.
“Until USSF does so, the mere existence of the policy will continue to perpetuate the misconceptions and fear that clouded the true meaning and significance of Colin Kaepernick, Megan Rapinoe and other athletes taking a knee - that Black people in America have not been and continue to not be afforded the same liberties and freedoms as white people and that police brutality and systemic racism exist in this country,” the players said in a statement.
Rapinoe kneeled during the anthem at a pair of national team matches in 2016. She said she wanted to express solidarity with Kaepernick, the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback who silently took a knee during the national anthem before NFL games to raise awareness of police brutality and racial injustice.
___
More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-06-13--Arkansas sees another 548 coronavirus cases, one more death

LITTLE ROCK , Ark .
( AP ) - There are 548 new coronavirus cases in Arkansas and one additional @ @ @ @ @ the illness caused by the virus , the Arkansas State Department of Health reported Saturday @ @ @ @ @ least 12,095 confirmed cases and 177 deaths in the state , up from 1 1,547 @ @ @ @ @ actual number of people who have contracted the virus is likely higher because many people @ @ @ @ @ and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick .
A total of @ @ @ @ @ from the illness , according to the department .
For most people , the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ that clear up within weeks .
But for others , especially older adults and people @ @ @ @ @ the highly contagious virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal .
The vast majority @ @ @ @

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - There are 548 new coronavirus cases in Arkansas and one additional deaths due to COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus, the Arkansas State Department of Health reported Saturday.
There have been at least 12,095 confirmed cases and 177 deaths in the state, up from 1 1,547 cases reported Friday. The actual number of people who have contracted the virus is likely higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
A total of 7,863 Arkansas residents have recovered from the illness, according to the department.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up within weeks. But for others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, the highly contagious virus can cause severe symptoms and be fatal. The vast majority of people recover.


washingtontimes--2020-06-13--Patrol: 2 killed in motorcycle crash in southeast Kansas

CHANUTE , Kan. ( AP ) - Authorities say two people have been killed in a motorcycle crash in southeast @ @ @ @ @ Patrol reports that it happened around 12:30 a.m. Saturday when the motorcycle went off a @ @ @ @ @ , continued across railroad tracks and overturned .
The driver , 52-year-old Ronald Bigpond , @ @ @ @ @ Richard Standridge , were pronounced dead at the scene .
Neither was wearing a helmet @

CHANUTE, Kan. (AP) - Authorities say two people have been killed in a motorcycle crash in southeast Kansas.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reports that it happened around 12:30 a.m. Saturday when the motorcycle went off a road just west of Chanute, continued across railroad tracks and overturned.
The driver, 52-year-old Ronald Bigpond, and his passenger, 47-year-old Richard Standridge, were pronounced dead at the scene. Neither was wearing a helmet.


washingtontimes--2020-06-13--Medical supply company claims Virginia bank hurt reputation

ALEXANDRIA , Va. ( AP ) - A medical supply company created by two political consultants during the coronavirus pandemic have filed a lawsuit alleging that officials at a Virginia bank caused the firm to lose a $ 600 million equipment order and ruined its reputation .
The Washington Post reports that in the lawsuit filed in federal court in Alexandria Friday , Blue Flame Medical LLC alleges that officers of Chain Bridge Bank improperly told California officials that the company might be “ fraudulent , ” prompting the state to suspend its contract with Blue Flame and demand return @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
State and local officials across the country ran into a confusing international market as they sought to secure personal protective equipment this spring .
The lawsuit alleges that the Republican consultants who founded Blue Flame - John Thomas and Michael Gula - suffered damage to their personal reputations as a result of the bank ’ s actions .
Chain Bridge Bank rejected the claims .
The bank “ acted properly and fulfilled its legal and regulatory responsibilities , ” spokesman Rich Danker said .
Ethan Bearman , Blue Flame ’ s general @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beginning of a process “ of setting the record straight ” about Blue Flame .
He said the company “ has persevered and completed deliveries to satisfied customers .
”

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) - A medical supply company created by two political consultants during the coronavirus pandemic have filed a lawsuit alleging that officials at a Virginia bank caused the firm to lose a $600 million equipment order and ruined its reputation.
The Washington Post reports that in the lawsuit filed in federal court in Alexandria Friday, Blue Flame Medical LLC alleges that officers of Chain Bridge Bank improperly told California officials that the company might be “fraudulent,” prompting the state to suspend its contract with Blue Flame and demand return of a $450 million down payment.
State and local officials across the country ran into a confusing international market as they sought to secure personal protective equipment this spring.
The lawsuit alleges that the Republican consultants who founded Blue Flame - John Thomas and Michael Gula - suffered damage to their personal reputations as a result of the bank’s actions.
Chain Bridge Bank rejected the claims. The bank “acted properly and fulfilled its legal and regulatory responsibilities,” spokesman Rich Danker said.
Ethan Bearman, Blue Flame’s general counsel, said the lawsuit was the beginning of a process “of setting the record straight” about Blue Flame. He said the company “has persevered and completed deliveries to satisfied customers.”


washingtontimes--2020-06-13--Mayfield "absolutely" will kneel during national anthem

CLEVELAND ( AP ) - Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield plans to kneel during the national anthem this upcoming season to support protests of social injustice , police brutality and racism .
In answering a post from a fan on his Instagram account Saturday that pleaded with him not to kneel , Mayfield responded : “ Pull your head out .
I absolutely am.″ Mayfield has been outspoken about the need for more understanding and justice in the nation following the killing of George Floyd , a black man , while in police custody in Minneapolis .
“ It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Mayfeld said Thursday .
“ What ’ s being addressed now obviously has been going on for a long time .
So now everybody ’ s finally coming together to address it .
And doing it the right way of holding people accountable.
” Mayfield wore an “ I Can ’ t Breathe ” T-shirt while working out .
Later , he posted another message outlining his stance on kneeling .
“ Everybody so upset about my comment doesn ’ t understand the reason behind kneeling in the first place , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ utmost respect for our military , cops , and people that serve OUR country .
It ’ s about equality and everybody being treated the same because we are all human .
It ’ s been ignored for too long and that it my fault as well for not becoming more educated and staying silent.
” “ If I lose fans , that ’ s OK.
I ’ ve always spoken my mind .
And that ’ s from the heart.
” On Friday , Houston Texans coach Bill O ’ Brien said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they chose to do so during the anthem .
Earlier this week , while not going as far as O ’ Brien , new Browns coach Kevin Stefanski made it clear he would back his players in any peaceful demonstrations .
“ My position is I want to make sure I support our players , ” Stefanski said .
“ First things first , I want to make sure I sit down with them and talk .
… I can just promise you this , we will spend as much time as needed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the same page and we are a united front from a player , staff , you name it ( standpoint ) .
” Stefanski attended a peaceful protest last weekend and has encouraged his players to “ get in the arena .
”

CLEVELAND (AP) - Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield plans to kneel during the national anthem this upcoming season to support protests of social injustice, police brutality and racism.
In answering a post from a fan on his Instagram account Saturday that pleaded with him not to kneel, Mayfield responded: “Pull your head out. I absolutely am.″
Mayfield has been outspoken about the need for more understanding and justice in the nation following the killing of George Floyd, a black man, while in police custody in Minneapolis.
“It’s a pivotal time for change,” Mayfeld said Thursday. “What’s being addressed now obviously has been going on for a long time. So now everybody’s finally coming together to address it. And doing it the right way of holding people accountable.”
Mayfield wore an “I Can’t Breathe” T-shirt while working out. Later, he posted another message outlining his stance on kneeling.
“Everybody so upset about my comment doesn’t understand the reason behind kneeling in the first place,” Mayfield wrote. “I have the utmost respect for our military, cops, and people that serve OUR country. It’s about equality and everybody being treated the same because we are all human. It’s been ignored for too long and that it my fault as well for not becoming more educated and staying silent.”
“If I lose fans, that’s OK. I’ve always spoken my mind. And that’s from the heart.”
On Friday, Houston Texans coach Bill O’Brien said he would kneel with his players if they chose to do so during the anthem.
Earlier this week, while not going as far as O’Brien, new Browns coach Kevin Stefanski made it clear he would back his players in any peaceful demonstrations.
“My position is I want to make sure I support our players,” Stefanski said. “First things first, I want to make sure I sit down with them and talk. … I can just promise you this, we will spend as much time as needed to make sure that we are all on the same page and we are a united front from a player, staff, you name it (standpoint).”
Stefanski attended a peaceful protest last weekend and has encouraged his players to “get in the arena.”
___
More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL


washingtontimes--2020-06-13--Police: 3 face charges in road rage shooting that hurt girl

Two men and a women face charges after what authorities call a road rage shooting in Ohio that left a @ @ @ @ @ wound to the leg , Cincinnati police allege that 19-year-old Dailion Glover fired a handgun @ @ @ @ @ 20-year-old Imani Glover in West Price Hill on Friday afternoon .
The other vehicle was @ @ @ @ @ including three minors aged 7 , 10 and 15 , and the 10-year-old girl was @ @ @ @ @ police said .
Authorities said the injury wasn ’ t life-threatening .
Police said Saturday @ @ @ @ @ were both charged with five counts of felonious assault each .
Another man was charged @ @ @ @ @ .
It ’ s unclear whether the defendants have retained attorneys who could speak on @ @ @ @ @ numbers for them couldn ’ t be found Saturday .

Two men and a women face charges after what authorities call a road rage shooting in Ohio that left a 10-year-old girl with a gunshot wound to the leg,
Cincinnati police allege that 19-year-old Dailion Glover fired a handgun from a vehicle driven by 20-year-old Imani Glover in West Price Hill on Friday afternoon.
The other vehicle was occupied by five people, including three minors aged 7, 10 and 15, and the 10-year-old girl was hit in the leg, police said. Authorities said the injury wasn’t life-threatening.
Police said Saturday that Dailion and Imani Glover were both charged with five counts of felonious assault each. Another man was charged with weapon and drug counts.
It’s unclear whether the defendants have retained attorneys who could speak on their behalf, and listed numbers for them couldn’t be found Saturday.


washingtontimes--2020-06-13--Texas again sets record high of COVID-19 hospitalizations

DALLAS ( AP ) - Texas saw more than 2,000 new cases of the novel coronavirus Saturday , along with @ @ @ @ @ had a record number of people with COVID-19 hospitalized for the second day in a @ @ @ @ @ reported 2,331 new cases , bringing the total infections to 86,011 and the fatalities linked @ @ @ @ @ .
However , the true number is likely higher because many people have not been @ @ @ @ @ people can be infected and not feel sick .
The number of Texans hospitalized with @ @ @ @ @ , exceeding Friday ’ s record high of 2,166 .
The new cases come in @ @ @ @ @ ’ reopening that began in May .
While thousands of hospital beds remain available , @ @ @ @ @ For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever @ @ @ @ @ up in two to three weeks .
For some , especially older adults and people @ @ @ @ @ it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .

DALLAS (AP) - Texas saw more than 2,000 new cases of the novel coronavirus Saturday, along with another 18 deaths, and had a record number of people with COVID-19 hospitalized for the second day in a row.
State health officials reported 2,331 new cases, bringing the total infections to 86,011 and the fatalities linked to COVID-19 rose to 1,957. However, the true number is likely higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
The number of Texans hospitalized with the disease hit 2,242 Saturday, exceeding Friday’s record high of 2,166.
The new cases come in an upward trend following Texas’ reopening that began in May. While thousands of hospital beds remain available, officials are voicing concern.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.


washingtontimes--2020-06-13--Georgia nursing staff back with family after virus lockdown

STONE MOUNTAIN , Ga. ( AP ) - Nadia Williams shrieked with surprise and emotion Saturday as she embraced her mother for the first time since agreeing nearly three months ago to live at the elder-care facility where she works .
Park Springs just outside Atlanta took the unusual approach of having roughly 70 employees shelter in place on campus to protect its residents from the coronavirus .
It lifted that restriction over the weekend , and Williams and other employees headed home for the first time since March 30 .
“ It shocked me a lot , ” Williams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mom .
“ I didn ’ t think I was going to be able to see them for another few weeks.
” Nursing homes - among the hardest hit places by the pandemic - have limited visitors and screened people for the virus .
Park Springs ’ administrators said they feared those strategies might not be enough to keep their more than 500 residents safe .
But the staff lockdown was not a measure they could sustain forever , said Donna Moore , chief operating officer of the company that owns Park Springs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Moore said on a Zoom call Wednesday .
Around the country , coronavirus cases are rising in nearly half the states , according to an Associated Press analysis , a worrying trend that could intensify as people return to work and venture out during the summer .
Park Springs was shifting to “ personal responsibility and safety measures , ” Moore said , including requiring staff to take a coronavirus test before coming back on Monday .
The return home Saturday was bittersweet for staff , who gathered at a lunch before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Some cried and hugged each other .
The company gave each of them a plaque inscribed with their names and a record of their sacrifice : “ COVID-19 Shelter-In-Place 2020.
” “ Sometimes I said , ‘ I can ’ t do this , ’ ” O ’ Neil Marriott , a maintenance technician , recalled .
But he said the rest of the staff gave him support to stay .
“ I appreciate everyone in here because you really made me feel like family , ” he said .
The staff walked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and applause from Park Springs ’ administrators .
Some had carts loaded with shopping bags of supplies they had brought to sustain them during the lockdown .
Williams , a health care administrator at Park Springs , missed her sister ’ s wedding to shelter in place .
She said she also missed laughing with her boyfriend , Lanre Adabale , who was also there to greet her and said the experience had strengthened their relationship .
“ This sacrifice that she just gave at her place of work means a lot to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roberts , a nursing director , embraced her husband , mom and five children , but clung to her youngest , 3-year-old Rojuane .
“ Today , I get to hold him , squeeze him , ” she said .
She bought a house while she stayed at Park Springs and said she looked forward to seeing it for the first time , taking a shower in her own bathroom and eating a good Jamaican meal .
The employees who stayed represent a fraction of Park Springs ’ normal 300-person staff .
Another @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but the majority were furloughed .
Moore said the senior home was shifting to two , 12-hour shifts instead of three , eight-hour shifts to reduce the number of employees on campus as another safety precaution .
It plans to bring 90 % of furloughed staff back , but will lay some people off , she said .
Park Springs ’ lockdown started after four employees and a resident tested positive for the virus .
They all recovered .
Since the lockdown , the facility has seen two additional cases - both residents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 96-year-old dementia patient - was visited by her daughter and a caregiver after doctors said she had little time left to live and then tested positive .
She later died .
The other tested positive after requiring medical care off campus and recovered from the virus .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , and the vast majority recover .
But for some others , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia or death .
Moore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tent in a community hall while also staying on site at Park Springs .
She also went home for the first time since the end of March on Saturday and said the experience had given her a new appreciation of the importance of caring for people .
She made a change for her return to work on Monday : a new office location .
“ I ’ m not going back to a quiet place on a hidden-away hallway , ” she said .
“ I want to be with these people and @ @ @ @ @ @

STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. (AP) - Nadia Williams shrieked with surprise and emotion Saturday as she embraced her mother for the first time since agreeing nearly three months ago to live at the elder-care facility where she works.
Park Springs just outside Atlanta took the unusual approach of having roughly 70 employees shelter in place on campus to protect its residents from the coronavirus. It lifted that restriction over the weekend, and Williams and other employees headed home for the first time since March 30.
“It shocked me a lot,” Williams, 30, said about seeing her mom. “I didn’t think I was going to be able to see them for another few weeks.”
Nursing homes - among the hardest hit places by the pandemic - have limited visitors and screened people for the virus. Park Springs’ administrators said they feared those strategies might not be enough to keep their more than 500 residents safe. But the staff lockdown was not a measure they could sustain forever, said Donna Moore, chief operating officer of the company that owns Park Springs.
“This is week eleven,” Moore said on a Zoom call Wednesday.
Around the country, coronavirus cases are rising in nearly half the states, according to an Associated Press analysis, a worrying trend that could intensify as people return to work and venture out during the summer.
Park Springs was shifting to “personal responsibility and safety measures,” Moore said, including requiring staff to take a coronavirus test before coming back on Monday.
The return home Saturday was bittersweet for staff, who gathered at a lunch before their departures to share their experience. Some cried and hugged each other. The company gave each of them a plaque inscribed with their names and a record of their sacrifice: “COVID-19 Shelter-In-Place 2020.”
“Sometimes I said, ‘I can’t do this,’” O’Neil Marriott, a maintenance technician, recalled. But he said the rest of the staff gave him support to stay.
“I appreciate everyone in here because you really made me feel like family,” he said.
The staff walked out to meet loved ones to music and applause from Park Springs’ administrators. Some had carts loaded with shopping bags of supplies they had brought to sustain them during the lockdown.
Williams, a health care administrator at Park Springs, missed her sister’s wedding to shelter in place. She said she also missed laughing with her boyfriend, Lanre Adabale, who was also there to greet her and said the experience had strengthened their relationship.
“This sacrifice that she just gave at her place of work means a lot to me,” he said.
Teisha Roberts, a nursing director, embraced her husband, mom and five children, but clung to her youngest, 3-year-old Rojuane.
“Today, I get to hold him, squeeze him,” she said. She bought a house while she stayed at Park Springs and said she looked forward to seeing it for the first time, taking a shower in her own bathroom and eating a good Jamaican meal.
The employees who stayed represent a fraction of Park Springs’ normal 300-person staff. Another 30 or so worked from home, but the majority were furloughed.
Moore said the senior home was shifting to two, 12-hour shifts instead of three, eight-hour shifts to reduce the number of employees on campus as another safety precaution. It plans to bring 90% of furloughed staff back, but will lay some people off, she said.
Park Springs’ lockdown started after four employees and a resident tested positive for the virus. They all recovered. Since the lockdown, the facility has seen two additional cases - both residents. One of those residents - a 96-year-old dementia patient - was visited by her daughter and a caregiver after doctors said she had little time left to live and then tested positive. She later died. The other tested positive after requiring medical care off campus and recovered from the virus.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, and the vast majority recover. But for some others, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia or death.
Moore slept on an air mattress in a tent in a community hall while also staying on site at Park Springs. She also went home for the first time since the end of March on Saturday and said the experience had given her a new appreciation of the importance of caring for people. She made a change for her return to work on Monday: a new office location.
“I’m not going back to a quiet place on a hidden-away hallway,” she said. “I want to be with these people and engaging with them everyday.”


washingtontimes--2020-06-13--Oregon governor to release some inmates to slow virus spread

PORTLAND , Ore. ( AP ) - Oregon Gov .
Kate Brown has asked for a list names by June 22 of inmates eligible for possible release to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the state prison system .
The state Department of Corrections was asked to perform a “ case-by-case analysis ” of inmates who are vulnerable to the coronavirus and meet the outlined criteria for possible commutation , The Oregonian/OregonLive reported .
The criteria includes inmates who are particularly vulnerable , those who have not been convicted of a crime against another person and those who have served @ @ @ @ @ @ @ department officials said .
About 100 inmates were identified .
“ Given what we now know about the disease and its pervasiveness in our communities , it is appropriate to release individuals who face significant health challenges should they contract COVID-19 , ” said Brown , a Democrat .
Studies show distancing is a challenge in prisons and jails because people live in close quarters .
For most people , the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ people with existing health problems , it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia and death .
The vast majority of people recover .
A 2018 study also shows Oregon has an aging prison population and houses the highest percentage of inmates over age 55 in the country .
The Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem has confirmed more than 100 inmates and several employees have tested positive for COVID-19 , the department said .
Many inmates have refused testing for fear they will be transferred to an even more restrictive setting so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Inmates would be required to take a COVID-19 test before release and anyone with symptoms or who has tested positive would be ineligible for release until they have recovered .
The Oregon District Attorneys Association said in a statement Friday that it has “ significant public safety concerns about prison inmates being released prior to the completion of their sentences.
” Corrections Chief Colette Peters has said the department is working closely with “ our community public safety and public health partners throughout this process to protect the public to the best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have confirmed cases , officials said .
There were 25 cases at Shutter Creek Correctional Institution in North Bend , nine cases at Santiam Correctional Institution in Salem and one case at Two Rivers Correctional Institution in Umatilla .

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Oregon Gov. Kate Brown has asked for a list names by June 22 of inmates eligible for possible release to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the state prison system.
The state Department of Corrections was asked to perform a “case-by-case analysis” of inmates who are vulnerable to the coronavirus and meet the outlined criteria for possible commutation, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported.
The criteria includes inmates who are particularly vulnerable, those who have not been convicted of a crime against another person and those who have served at least half of their sentences, department officials said. About 100 inmates were identified.
“Given what we now know about the disease and its pervasiveness in our communities, it is appropriate to release individuals who face significant health challenges should they contract COVID-19,” said Brown, a Democrat.
Studies show distancing is a challenge in prisons and jails because people live in close quarters.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death. The vast majority of people recover.
A 2018 study also shows Oregon has an aging prison population and houses the highest percentage of inmates over age 55 in the country.
The Oregon State Penitentiary in Salem has confirmed more than 100 inmates and several employees have tested positive for COVID-19, the department said. Many inmates have refused testing for fear they will be transferred to an even more restrictive setting so the number of cases may be underrepresented.
Inmates would be required to take a COVID-19 test before release and anyone with symptoms or who has tested positive would be ineligible for release until they have recovered.
The Oregon District Attorneys Association said in a statement Friday that it has “significant public safety concerns about prison inmates being released prior to the completion of their sentences.”
Corrections Chief Colette Peters has said the department is working closely with “our community public safety and public health partners throughout this process to protect the public to the best of our ability.”
Three other prisons have confirmed cases, officials said. There were 25 cases at Shutter Creek Correctional Institution in North Bend, nine cases at Santiam Correctional Institution in Salem and one case at Two Rivers Correctional Institution in Umatilla.


washingtontimes--2020-06-13--Missouri State offers scholarship to help former students

SPRINGFIELD , Mo .
( AP ) - Missouri State University is offering a new scholarship to help former students complete their degrees .
The Springfield News-Leader reports that the Return to Finish scholarship is now available to help eligible students with at least 90 credit hours .
The scholarship offers up to $ 500 per year for students enrolling in six or more credit hours or $ 200 for those enrolling in three to five credit hours .
“ Life circumstances often creep up on students and interfere with the completion of a degree program , ” said Provost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ But the goal to finish lives on and is attainable .
Finishing one ’ s degree program is a foundation to opening new doors of opportunity , so we want to give students a boost toward their goals.
” To be eligible , students must have completed at least 90 undergraduate credit hours and have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher , been out of school for more than one year , and owe less than $ 1,000 to Missouri State .
The university also offers a parallel Return to Finish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of graduation .

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) - Missouri State University is offering a new scholarship to help former students complete their degrees.
The Springfield News-Leader reports that the Return to Finish scholarship is now available to help eligible students with at least 90 credit hours. The scholarship offers up to $500 per year for students enrolling in six or more credit hours or $200 for those enrolling in three to five credit hours.
“Life circumstances often creep up on students and interfere with the completion of a degree program,” said Provost Frank Einhellig, in a release. “But the goal to finish lives on and is attainable. Finishing one’s degree program is a foundation to opening new doors of opportunity, so we want to give students a boost toward their goals.”
To be eligible, students must have completed at least 90 undergraduate credit hours and have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher, been out of school for more than one year, and owe less than $1,000 to Missouri State.
The university also offers a parallel Return to Finish scholarship for graduate students who stopped short of graduation.


washingtontimes--2020-06-13--Trump supporters celebrate his birthday with boat parade

HARRISON TOWNSHIP , Mich. ( AP ) - Supporters of President Donald Trump celebrated his birthday Saturday with a parade @ @ @ @ @ Clair and the Detroit River in southeastern Michigan .
The procession began in Macomb County @ @ @ @ @ Trump won in 2016 , and moved southwest toward downtown Detroit and the Ambassador Bridge @ @ @ @ @ Canada .
Many boats had pro-Trump flags and U.S. flags .
Trump turns 74 Sunday @ @ @ @ @ president .
We believe he ’ s taking the country in the right direction , @ @ @ @ @ the Michigan Conservative Coalition .
Seely told WWJ radio that the boats would return to @ @ @ @ @ Monroe impersonator would sing “ Happy Birthday .
”

HARRISON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) - Supporters of President Donald Trump celebrated his birthday Saturday with a parade of boats in Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River in southeastern Michigan.
The procession began in Macomb County, a key county that Trump won in 2016, and moved southwest toward downtown Detroit and the Ambassador Bridge, which links Detroit to Canada.
Many boats had pro-Trump flags and U.S. flags. Trump turns 74 Sunday.
“We love our president. We believe he’s taking the country in the right direction,” said Matt Seely of the Michigan Conservative Coalition.
Seely told WWJ radio that the boats would return to Macomb County where a Marilyn Monroe impersonator would sing “Happy Birthday.”


washingtontimes--2020-06-14--Mississippi voucher program could get 4-year extension

JACKSON , Miss .
( AP ) - Mississippi legislators have voted to keep a school voucher program alive for another four years , sending a bill to Republican Gov .
Tate Reeves .
Senate Bill 2954 would reauthorize a program for educational scholarship accounts , with some changes .
The accounts allow special-needs students to receive $ 6,500 a year in public money to attend private schools .
The current program was established in 2015 and is set to expire at the end of June .
The Senate voted earlier this year to keep the program alive , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Reeves supported the program as lieutenant governor last term , and he steered an extra $ 2 million into it last year as he was running for governor .
The bill awaiting his consideration would set new limits on the program by requiring that the money could only be used in schools that provide services a student needs .
It also would eliminate the use of vouchers for out-of-state or online schools .
Grant Callen is president of Empower Mississippi , a group that has pushed to keep the program alive .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are disappointed for the children who will have their lives upended because schools that were meeting their needs are no longer eligible , ” Callen said in a statement Friday .
The Parents ’ Campaign , a group that lobbies for public schools , has opposed the voucher program .
The group ’ s executive director , Nancy Loome , wrote in an email this week that the bill “ takes important steps to limit this horribly flawed voucher program that takes scarce tax dollars away from public schools to pay tuition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students in the program have come from five urban school districts - Rankin County , Madison County , DeSoto County , Jackson and Hinds County .
People who would like to use the money have had problems finding schools in rural areas .

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - Mississippi legislators have voted to keep a school voucher program alive for another four years, sending a bill to Republican Gov. Tate Reeves.
Senate Bill 2954 would reauthorize a program for educational scholarship accounts, with some changes. The accounts allow special-needs students to receive $6,500 a year in public money to attend private schools.
The current program was established in 2015 and is set to expire at the end of June.
The Senate voted earlier this year to keep the program alive, and the House agreed to the bill Friday. Reeves supported the program as lieutenant governor last term, and he steered an extra $2 million into it last year as he was running for governor.
The bill awaiting his consideration would set new limits on the program by requiring that the money could only be used in schools that provide services a student needs. It also would eliminate the use of vouchers for out-of-state or online schools.
Grant Callen is president of Empower Mississippi, a group that has pushed to keep the program alive.
“While we celebrate this victory, we are disappointed for the children who will have their lives upended because schools that were meeting their needs are no longer eligible,” Callen said in a statement Friday.
The Parents’ Campaign, a group that lobbies for public schools, has opposed the voucher program. The group’s executive director, Nancy Loome, wrote in an email this week that the bill “takes important steps to limit this horribly flawed voucher program that takes scarce tax dollars away from public schools to pay tuition at private schools.”
Almost half the students in the program have come from five urban school districts - Rankin County, Madison County, DeSoto County, Jackson and Hinds County. People who would like to use the money have had problems finding schools in rural areas.


washingtontimes--2020-06-14--George Floyd 2004 arrest by Gerald Goines, Houston police officer, under review

DALLAS — Texas prosecutors are examining potential irregularities in a scandal-ridden former Houston police officer ’ s arrest of George Floyd on a minor drug charge - a probe that could expand the body of convictions possibly tainted by the officer ’ s conduct .
Floyd , whose death last month under the knee of a white Minneapolis police officer sparked national protests , pleaded guilty in 2004 and served time in a state jail over what prosecutors now describe as selling $ 10 worth of crack in a police sting .
But Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be among scores built on false evidence from Gerald Goines , who is facing murder charges after he allegedly lied to obtain the warrant in a botched 2019 drug raid that left two people dead .
He has pleaded not guilty .
“ Gerald Goines ‘ arrest of George Floyd reveals an offense report that is incomplete and suspect , ” Ogg said in a statement .
“ I have instructed prosecutors to verify the facts in this offense report.
” Prosecutors have already dismissed dozens of convictions dating back to at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Goines .
If the review of Floyd ’ s arrest reveals misconduct , they ’ ll presume all of Goines ‘ cases going back to 2004 are tainted , Ogg said .
Goines ’ attorney , Nicole DeBorde , accused Ogg of using Floyd ’ s death for political gain and announcing the review of the case to distract from her record .
The district attorney is up for re-election in November .
“ Regarding Ogg ’ s resurrecting of a decade and a half old case without a shred of new information @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort to capitalize on Floyd ’ s murder , ” DeBorde said .
Prosecutors initially flagged Floyd ’ s arrest as part of a wider investigation of cases involving Goines launched after the deadly drug raid , said Dane Schiller , a spokesman for the district attorney ’ s office .
Goines arrested Floyd after giving money to a third person , which the person then allegedly used to buy less than half a gram of crack from Floyd , Schiller said .
He said the money used in the buy was never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ identified in case records and the presented evidence likely would not meet prosecutors current standards .
The re-examination of Floyd ’ s cases was first reported by The Wall Street Journal .

DALLAS — Texas prosecutors are examining potential irregularities in a scandal-ridden former Houston police officer’s arrest of George Floyd on a minor drug charge - a probe that could expand the body of convictions possibly tainted by the officer’s conduct.
Floyd, whose death last month under the knee of a white Minneapolis police officer sparked national protests, pleaded guilty in 2004 and served time in a state jail over what prosecutors now describe as selling $10 worth of crack in a police sting.
But Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg said Saturday that Floyd’s case may be among scores built on false evidence from Gerald Goines, who is facing murder charges after he allegedly lied to obtain the warrant in a botched 2019 drug raid that left two people dead. He has pleaded not guilty.
“Gerald Goines’ arrest of George Floyd reveals an offense report that is incomplete and suspect,” Ogg said in a statement. “I have instructed prosecutors to verify the facts in this offense report.”
Prosecutors have already dismissed dozens of convictions dating back to at least 2008 that they say were marred by Goines. If the review of Floyd’s arrest reveals misconduct, they’ll presume all of Goines’ cases going back to 2004 are tainted, Ogg said.
Goines’ attorney, Nicole DeBorde, accused Ogg of using Floyd’s death for political gain and announcing the review of the case to distract from her record. The district attorney is up for re-election in November.
“Regarding Ogg’s resurrecting of a decade and a half old case without a shred of new information - this is a transparent and opportunistic effort to capitalize on Floyd’s murder,” DeBorde said.
Prosecutors initially flagged Floyd’s arrest as part of a wider investigation of cases involving Goines launched after the deadly drug raid, said Dane Schiller, a spokesman for the district attorney’s office.
Goines arrested Floyd after giving money to a third person, which the person then allegedly used to buy less than half a gram of crack from Floyd, Schiller said. He said the money used in the buy was never recovered, the third person is not identified in case records and the presented evidence likely would not meet prosecutors current standards.
The re-examination of Floyd’s cases was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.


washingtontimes--2020-06-14--Baltimore police officer shot

Baltimore police officer shot

BALTIMORE — A Baltimore police officer was shot and wounded , the police department announced early Sunday .
Few details @ @ @ @ @ but Baltimore police tweeted shortly after 6 a.m. that the unidentified officer was undergoing surgery @ @ @ @ @ in western Baltimore , according to an initial tweet from Baltimore police .
The address @ @ @ @ @ a residential block near St. Peter ’ s Cemetery .
Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison @ @ @ @ @ police said , adding that updates would be provided as available .
No information about @ @ @ @ @ the shooting were immediately released , and it was unclear whether anyone else was shot @

BALTIMORE — A Baltimore police officer was shot and wounded, the police department announced early Sunday.
Few details were available Sunday morning, but Baltimore police tweeted shortly after 6 a.m. that the unidentified officer was undergoing surgery.
The shooting took place in western Baltimore, according to an initial tweet from Baltimore police. The address provided appears to correspond to a residential block near St. Peter’s Cemetery.
Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison was at the hospital, police said, adding that updates would be provided as available. No information about the circumstances leading up to the shooting were immediately released, and it was unclear whether anyone else was shot.