washingtontimes--2020-09-17--Trump, Biden divide on school choice, education policies stark

President Trump is pushing schools to reopen amid the COVID-19 pandemic , saying parents want it , the children can handle it and the economy needs it .
Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden says the teachers don ’ t want it , the children can spread the coronavirus and the country can ’ t stomach another surge of COVID-19 cases he fears would result .
That gulf between the two men carries through to the rest of their education plans .
Education is usually on the list when voters are asked about issues most important to them , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drives them to the polls on Election Day .
Rarely , though , has the dividing line been so stark as it is this year .
Mr. Trump is calling for major strides in school choice , and Democrats are intent on blocking him .
“ The Trump campaign is hoping that an emphasis on school choice will appeal not only to private and charter school families but also to parents in traditional public districts who may be frustrated with how their schools are responding to the COVID threat , ” said Jeffrey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ College and professor of political science at Columbia University .
For Mr. Trump , school choice is symbolic as well as substantive and puts parents as the priority in education .
His campaign also figures it can help make headway with Black voters , who largely support the concept .
Mr. Trump highlighted the issue during his State of the Union address this year and announced he was awarding a scholarship to a Black fourth-grader from Philadelphia .
“ In the most important election of our lifetime , President Trump is the only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s students over special interests , ” said Samantha Zager , deputy national press secretary for the president ’ s reelection campaign .
Beyond school choice , Mr. Trump and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos have rescinded Obama administration rules on school discipline , racial disparities and gender identity , and have given states more flexibility in meeting federal mandates .
They also have submitted budgets that would trim the Education Department , though Congress has rejected the cuts and Mr. Trump has ended up signing budget increases instead .
Mr. Biden counters Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a teacher-centered platform , promising the money will flow to public education instead .
He wants to triple federal spending on schools with significant low-income populations and require that much of that cover higher salaries for teachers .
He also would increase the availability of student loan forgiveness for graduates who go on to work in education .
Mr. Biden ’ s campaign says he will hire up to 60,000 more psychologists for schools to help with what he warned is a mental health crisis .
His unity platform , reached with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , opposes vouchers that support private schools and takes a dim view of public charter schools .
The Biden-Sanders plan would impose bureaucratic standards for diversity and discipline on charter schools , cut off money for those deemed underperforming and impose an outright ban on federal money for for-profit charter schools .
“ It has become the Democrats ’ position to make that the line in the sand — that to say for-profit is the problem , ” said Sarah Reckhow , a political science professor at Michigan State University .
Education has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than a decade .
The Pew Research Center found that 73 % of voters listed education as a top issue heading into the 2008 election .
That number fell to 69 % in 2012 and 66 % in 2016 .
Pew ’ s most recent survey in August didn ’ t even list education as a choice .
It did , however , list gun policy , which Mr. Biden is trying to tie to education .
He says parents worry that their children may not come home from class one day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his campaign website , Mr. Biden says his solution is “ defeat the National Rifle Association — again — in order to make our schools safer.
” He rejects Mr. Trump ’ s plan to allow teachers to arm themselves and says the answer is fewer guns .
He backs a ban on some firearms .
Where Mr. Trump leans on Ms. DeVos as his education point person , Mr. Biden counters with his wife , Jill , who has spent decades teaching English in high schools and community colleges .
When Mrs. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Convention last month , she did so from a classroom where she had taught high school in Wilmington , Delaware .
She told Americans she understands their fears and frustration about the COVID-19 pandemic upsetting the school year .
“ Like so many of you , I am left asking , ‘ How do I keep my family safe ?
’ ” she said .
Her husband has put forward some ideas .
He said this month that if he were president he would use funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is an emergency , and Donald Trump and his FEMA should treat it as one , ” the former vice president said .
He has released a “ road map to reopening ” for schools that called for pumping tens of billions of dollars into state and local budgets to help keep teachers on the payroll .

ISSUES DRIVING THE VOTE:
President Trump is pushing schools to reopen amid the COVID-19 pandemic, saying parents want it, the children can handle it and the economy needs it.
Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden says the teachers don’t want it, the children can spread the coronavirus and the country can’t stomach another surge of COVID-19 cases he fears would result.
That gulf between the two men carries through to the rest of their education plans.
Education is usually on the list when voters are asked about issues most important to them, but it ranks low when voters say what drives them to the polls on Election Day.
Rarely, though, has the dividing line been so stark as it is this year. Mr. Trump is calling for major strides in school choice, and Democrats are intent on blocking him.
“The Trump campaign is hoping that an emphasis on school choice will appeal not only to private and charter school families but also to parents in traditional public districts who may be frustrated with how their schools are responding to the COVID threat,” said Jeffrey Henig, an education professor at Teachers College and professor of political science at Columbia University.
For Mr. Trump, school choice is symbolic as well as substantive and puts parents as the priority in education. His campaign also figures it can help make headway with Black voters, who largely support the concept.
Mr. Trump highlighted the issue during his State of the Union address this year and announced he was awarding a scholarship to a Black fourth-grader from Philadelphia.
“In the most important election of our lifetime, President Trump is the only candidate who will work for America’s students over special interests,” said Samantha Zager, deputy national press secretary for the president’s reelection campaign.
Beyond school choice, Mr. Trump and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos have rescinded Obama administration rules on school discipline, racial disparities and gender identity, and have given states more flexibility in meeting federal mandates.
They also have submitted budgets that would trim the Education Department, though Congress has rejected the cuts and Mr. Trump has ended up signing budget increases instead.
Mr. Biden counters Mr. Trump’s parent-centered approach to education with a teacher-centered platform, promising the money will flow to public education instead.
He wants to triple federal spending on schools with significant low-income populations and require that much of that cover higher salaries for teachers. He also would increase the availability of student loan forgiveness for graduates who go on to work in education.
Mr. Biden’s campaign says he will hire up to 60,000 more psychologists for schools to help with what he warned is a mental health crisis.
His unity platform, reached with former opponent Sen. Bernard Sanders of Vermont, opposes vouchers that support private schools and takes a dim view of public charter schools.
The Biden-Sanders plan would impose bureaucratic standards for diversity and discipline on charter schools, cut off money for those deemed underperforming and impose an outright ban on federal money for for-profit charter schools.
“It has become the Democrats’ position to make that the line in the sand — that to say for-profit is the problem,” said Sarah Reckhow, a political science professor at Michigan State University.
Education has been declining as a voting issue for more than a decade.
The Pew Research Center found that 73% of voters listed education as a top issue heading into the 2008 election. That number fell to 69% in 2012 and 66% in 2016. Pew’s most recent survey in August didn’t even list education as a choice.
It did, however, list gun policy, which Mr. Biden is trying to tie to education. He says parents worry that their children may not come home from class one day because of a school shooting.
On his campaign website, Mr. Biden says his solution is “defeat the National Rifle Association — again — in order to make our schools safer.”
He rejects Mr. Trump’s plan to allow teachers to arm themselves and says the answer is fewer guns. He backs a ban on some firearms.
Where Mr. Trump leans on Ms. DeVos as his education point person, Mr. Biden counters with his wife, Jill, who has spent decades teaching English in high schools and community colleges.
When Mrs. Biden delivered her speech at the Democratic National Convention last month, she did so from a classroom where she had taught high school in Wilmington, Delaware. She told Americans she understands their fears and frustration about the COVID-19 pandemic upsetting the school year.
“Like so many of you, I am left asking, ‘How do I keep my family safe?’” she said.
Her husband has put forward some ideas. He said this month that if he were president he would use funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help reopen schools.
“This is an emergency, and Donald Trump and his FEMA should treat it as one,” the former vice president said.
He has released a “road map to reopening” for schools that called for pumping tens of billions of dollars into state and local budgets to help keep teachers on the payroll.
• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-09-17--Biden frames election as contest between 'Scranton and Park Avenue'

Joseph R. Biden on Thursday said that President Trump is too consumed with Wall Street to understand the struggles of @ @ @ @ @ ends meet .
“ I really do view this campaign as a campaign between Scranton @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Biden said in a CNN town hall .
Mr. Biden said all that working-class @ @ @ @ @ are looking for is an opportunity to climb the socioeconomic ladder .
“ All they @ @ @ @ @ shot — just a shot , ” he said .
“ All that Trump can @ @ @ @ @ Wall Street .
All he thinks about is the stock market telling him , ‘ @ @ @ @ @ all right , everybody owns stock.
’ ” But Mr. Biden said working-class neighborhoods are @ @ @ @ @ the market as Mr. Trump .
“ How many of you own stock in my @ @ @ @ @ Scranton ?
” Mr. Biden said .
“ Not a whole hell of a lot @ @ @ @ @ ”

Joseph R. Biden on Thursday said that President Trump is too consumed with Wall Street to understand the struggles of ordinary people trying to make ends meet.
“I really do view this campaign as a campaign between Scranton and Park Avenue,” Mr. Biden said in a CNN town hall.
Mr. Biden said all that working-class people from his childhood home are looking for is an opportunity to climb the socioeconomic ladder.
“All they are asking for is a shot — just a shot,” he said. “All that Trump can see from Park Avenue is Wall Street. All he thinks about is the stock market telling him, ‘We are going to do all right, everybody owns stock.’”
But Mr. Biden said working-class neighborhoods are not as deeply invested in the market as Mr. Trump.
“How many of you own stock in my [old] neighborhood of Scranton?” Mr. Biden said. “Not a whole hell of a lot of people own stock.”
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-09-17--Joe Biden: I can't mandate masks, except on federal property

Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden on Thursday said he can not force the public to wear masks in general but that he would make people wear them while on federal property to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus .
“ I can not mandate people wearing masks , ” Mr. Biden said at a CNN town hall event .
“ I would make sure that I would call every governor in the country into the White House , say ‘ you should be putting mandates out.
’ And if they don ’ t , I ’ d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their cities and say put out mandates.
” He said he wants to see governors enforce mask mandates .
“ I can do that on federal property , ” he said .
“ As president , I will do that .
On federal land I ’ d have the authority .
If you ’ re on federal land , you must wear a mask .
In a federal building , you must wear a mask and we could have a fine for them not doing it.
” Mr. Biden said on Wednesday that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authority to issue some kind of executive order on mask-wearing but that he couldn ’ t guarantee that he did .
Mr. Biden had suggested a national mask mandate last month at the Democratic National Convention .
Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala D. Harris then said nobody would be punished if they violated the mandate , calling it a “ standard.
” The “ drive-in ” event on Thursday was being held at PNC Field , home of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders , the New York Yankees ’ Triple-A affiliate .
Audience members and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
President Trump lampooned the format en route to his own rally in Wisconsin on Thursday evening .
“ On Air Force One heading to Wisconsin .
Biden refused to go there to apologize for not showing up for the failed Democrat Convention .
So funny to watch the Fake News fawning over Sleepy Joe ’ s ridiculous ‘ car press conference ’ .
Pathetic !
” the president said on Twitter .

Democratic presidential nominee Joseph R. Biden on Thursday said he cannot force the public to wear masks in general but that he would make people wear them while on federal property to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
“I cannot mandate people wearing masks,” Mr. Biden said at a CNN town hall event. “I would make sure that I would call every governor in the country into the White House, say ‘you should be putting mandates out.’ And if they don’t, I’d call the mayors in their towns and their cities and say put out mandates.”
He said he wants to see governors enforce mask mandates.
“I can do that on federal property,” he said. “As president, I will do that. On federal land I’d have the authority. If you’re on federal land, you must wear a mask. In a federal building, you must wear a mask and we could have a fine for them not doing it.”
Mr. Biden said on Wednesday that he believes he would have the legal authority to issue some kind of executive order on mask-wearing but that he couldn’t guarantee that he did.
Mr. Biden had suggested a national mask mandate last month at the Democratic National Convention.
Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala D. Harris then said nobody would be punished if they violated the mandate, calling it a “standard.”
The “drive-in” event on Thursday was being held at PNC Field, home of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, the New York Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate.
Audience members and cars were spaced out due to COVID-19.
President Trump lampooned the format en route to his own rally in Wisconsin on Thursday evening.
“On Air Force One heading to Wisconsin. Biden refused to go there to apologize for not showing up for the failed Democrat Convention. So funny to watch the Fake News fawning over Sleepy Joe’s ridiculous ‘car press conference’. Pathetic!” the president said on Twitter.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-09-17--Karen Pence backs military as Trump campaign eyes Arizona

PHOENIX ( AP ) - Vice President Mike Pence ’ s wife Karen made a swing through Arizona Thursday to encourage support for military families and spouses .
The visit by Karen Pence to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson and Luke Air Force Base in the Phoenix suburb of Glendale came as President Donald Trump ’ s re-election campaign makes a push in Arizona .
Karen Pence ’ s visit was less focused on the political but fit neatly into the president ’ s re-election push as he tries to solidify military and veteran support .
After visiting the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barbara Barrett , Pence led a roundtable discussion in Phoenix on barriers to employment for military spouses .
She heard from military spouses who had difficulty finding work in their profession because of state licensing rules .
Pence was joined by Republican Gov .
Doug Ducey , who has championed a new state law that recognizes professional licenses issued by other states .
Karen Pence and the Trump Administration are pushing that idea to other states .
“ These are the kind of people that you want to hire , ” Pence said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has two events scheduled in metro Phoenix on Friday .
Trump visited Phoenix Monday , his daughter Ivanka Trump made a campaign swing Wednesday .

PHOENIX (AP) - Vice President Mike Pence’s wife Karen made a swing through Arizona Thursday to encourage support for military families and spouses.
The visit by Karen Pence to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson and Luke Air Force Base in the Phoenix suburb of Glendale came as President Donald Trump’s re-election campaign makes a push in Arizona.
Karen Pence’s visit was less focused on the political but fit neatly into the president’s re-election push as he tries to solidify military and veteran support.
After visiting the bases with Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett, Pence led a roundtable discussion in Phoenix on barriers to employment for military spouses. She heard from military spouses who had difficulty finding work in their profession because of state licensing rules.
Pence was joined by Republican Gov. Doug Ducey, who has championed a new state law that recognizes professional licenses issued by other states. Karen Pence and the Trump Administration are pushing that idea to other states.
“These are the kind of people that you want to hire,” Pence said of military spouses.
Vice President Pence has two events scheduled in metro Phoenix on Friday. Trump visited Phoenix Monday, his daughter Ivanka Trump made a campaign swing Wednesday.


washingtontimes--2020-09-17--Fire damages, destroys about 20 trucks on Indianapolis lot

INDIANAPOLIS ( AP ) - A fire that damaged or destroyed about 20 trucks on an Indianapolis lot is being @ @ @ @ @ blaze was reported about 3:30 a.m. Thursday at M & K ; Truck Center .
@ @ @ @ @ the fire was visible for miles from nearby Interstate 465 .
Hundreds of gallons of @ @ @ @ @ tanks .
Semitrailers and dump trucks were among the vehicles that burned .
The company @ @ @ @ @ are a total loss and seven others suffered significant damage .
Damage is estimated at @ @ @ @ @ .

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - A fire that damaged or destroyed about 20 trucks on an Indianapolis lot is being investigated as arson.
The blaze was reported about 3:30 a.m. Thursday at M&K Truck Center.
Fire officials said smoke from the fire was visible for miles from nearby Interstate 465. Hundreds of gallons of diesel fuel spilled from truck tanks.
Semitrailers and dump trucks were among the vehicles that burned. The company said 12 of the vehicles are a total loss and seven others suffered significant damage.
Damage is estimated at more than $1 million.


washingtontimes--2020-09-17--11 more houses near Michigan State quarantined due to virus

EAST LANSING , Mich. ( AP ) - Ingham County health officials have identified 11 more large houses near Michigan State University ’ s campus where there are known exposures to the COVID-19 virus .
The health department has ordered residents in those houses to quarantine for the next two weeks .
Mandatory quarantines now have been ordered for 25 fraternity and sorority houses and 14 large rental houses in East Lansing .
The houses have known cases or exposure to COVID-19 .
The quarantine , which is mandatory , means students or others living in the buildings can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that can not be delivered .
East Lansing has experienced a 315 % increase in confirmed virus cases since Sept. 1 and that nearly entirely is driven by an outbreak among Michigan State students that directly accounts for 80 % of all new cases , according to the health department .
On Saturday , the health department said at least a third of the 342 people affiliated with the university testing positive for the virus since Aug. 24 attended parties or social gatherings .
At least one third of the gatherings were associated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ three weeks before the surge , only 23 people affiliated with the university had tested positive .
“ I do not take this lightly , but there is an outbreak centered on Michigan State University and it is quickly becoming a crisis , ” Health Officer Linda Vail said earlier this week in a statement .
“ The surge in cases we have seen over the past few weeks is alarming.
” The school is offering online-only instruction after encouraging students to not live in dorms and instead stay home .
The state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed virus cases and 6,632 deaths .

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Ingham County health officials have identified 11 more large houses near Michigan State University’s campus where there are known exposures to the COVID-19 virus.
The health department has ordered residents in those houses to quarantine for the next two weeks.
Mandatory quarantines now have been ordered for 25 fraternity and sorority houses and 14 large rental houses in East Lansing. The houses have known cases or exposure to COVID-19.
The quarantine, which is mandatory, means students or others living in the buildings cannot leave except for medical care or necessities that cannot be delivered.
East Lansing has experienced a 315% increase in confirmed virus cases since Sept. 1 and that nearly entirely is driven by an outbreak among Michigan State students that directly accounts for 80% of all new cases, according to the health department.
On Saturday, the health department said at least a third of the 342 people affiliated with the university testing positive for the virus since Aug. 24 attended parties or social gatherings. At least one third of the gatherings were associated with fraternities or sororities.
In the three weeks before the surge, only 23 people affiliated with the university had tested positive.
“I do not take this lightly, but there is an outbreak centered on Michigan State University and it is quickly becoming a crisis,” Health Officer Linda Vail said earlier this week in a statement. “The surge in cases we have seen over the past few weeks is alarming.”
The school is offering online-only instruction after encouraging students to not live in dorms and instead stay home.
The state of Michigan on Thursday reported nearly 114,700 confirmed virus cases and 6,632 deaths.


washingtontimes--2020-09-17--California paid leave law among nation's broadest

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - A new law in California lets more people than almost anywhere else in the country take up to three months off from work to care for a family member thanks in part to a nursing mother who brought her baby to work with her on the final day of the state legislative session to vote for it .
Gov .
Gavin Newsom signed the law on Thursday about two weeks after it squeaked through the state Legislature just minutes before a midnight deadline .
It passed in part because Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Legislature from her maternity leave to vote for it after her request to vote by proxy was denied by Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon .
He later apologized to Wicks .
Wicks ’ cast her vote with her baby by her side .
A video of her bringing her baby onto the Assembly floor was alter widely shared on social media .
“ I wanted to be casting that vote , ” she said .
“ With my daughter by my side , that felt very important.
” California was the first state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks off from work to care for a family member while still getting paid a portion of their salary .
The money comes from disability insurance taxes the workers pay .
But since that law took effect in 2004 , many people who work for smaller companies haven ’ t used it because they are not guaranteed to keep their jobs .
In most cases , state and federal law only protect jobs for people who work at companies with at least 50 employees .
The law Newsom signed Thursday extends those job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees .
The law is one of the most expansive in the country , according to the National Conference of State Legislatures .
“ The COVID-19 pandemic has only further revealed the need for a family leave policy that truly serves families and workers , especially those who keep our economy running , ” Newsom said in a news release .
California already allows women to take up to four months of unpaid leave for pregnancy disability .
But it ’ s rare for women to take the full four months because they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that interferes with their job duties .
The bill was a priority for labor unions , but it almost didn ’ t happen because of stiff opposition from business groups .
The California Chamber of Commerce said it was “ disappointed ” Newsom signed the law because it adds “ a new burden to small employers.
” President and CEO Allan Zaremberg urged small businesses to “ pay close attention to what is now required of them , ” noting they could be sued for not following the law .
The law Newsom @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worked at least 1,250 hours in the past year , or about 24 hours per week .
It covers bonding with a new child or caring for a parent , grandparent , grandchild , sibling , spouse or domestic partner .
“ With this bill , millions of hard-working Californians will finally be able to use the paid family leave benefits they pay for without fear of losing their jobs , ” said Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson , who authored the bill .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - A new law in California lets more people than almost anywhere else in the country take up to three months off from work to care for a family member thanks in part to a nursing mother who brought her baby to work with her on the final day of the state legislative session to vote for it.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the law on Thursday about two weeks after it squeaked through the state Legislature just minutes before a midnight deadline. It passed in part because Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks, a Democrat from Oakland, returned to the Legislature from her maternity leave to vote for it after her request to vote by proxy was denied by Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon. He later apologized to Wicks.
Wicks’ cast her vote with her baby by her side. A video of her bringing her baby onto the Assembly floor was alter widely shared on social media.
“I wanted to be casting that vote,” she said. “With my daughter by my side, that felt very important.”
California was the first state to let people take up to 12 weeks off from work to care for a family member while still getting paid a portion of their salary. The money comes from disability insurance taxes the workers pay.
But since that law took effect in 2004, many people who work for smaller companies haven’t used it because they are not guaranteed to keep their jobs. In most cases, state and federal law only protect jobs for people who work at companies with at least 50 employees.
The law Newsom signed Thursday extends those job protections to companies with at least five employees. The law is one of the most expansive in the country, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has only further revealed the need for a family leave policy that truly serves families and workers, especially those who keep our economy running,” Newsom said in a news release.
California already allows women to take up to four months of unpaid leave for pregnancy disability. But it’s rare for women to take the full four months because they must have had a pregnancy related complication that interferes with their job duties.
The bill was a priority for labor unions, but it almost didn’t happen because of stiff opposition from business groups.
The California Chamber of Commerce said it was “disappointed” Newsom signed the law because it adds “a new burden to small employers.” President and CEO Allan Zaremberg urged small businesses to “pay close attention to what is now required of them,” noting they could be sued for not following the law.
The law Newsom signed only applies to employees who have worked at least 1,250 hours in the past year, or about 24 hours per week. It covers bonding with a new child or caring for a parent, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse or domestic partner.
“With this bill, millions of hard-working Californians will finally be able to use the paid family leave benefits they pay for without fear of losing their jobs,” said Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson, who authored the bill.
___
The legislation is SB 1383.


washingtontimes--2020-09-17--Police arrest suspect in shooting death of campaign worker

MINNEAPOLIS ( AP ) - Authorities on Thursday said they have arrested a suspect in the killing of a 17-year-old @ @ @ @ @ man who had done work for a Minnesota congressional candidate .
The man was arrested @ @ @ @ @ elude police , they said .
His identity wasn ’ t immediately released .
The @ @ @ @ @ A second person who also worked for Republican Lacy Johnson was wounded in the attack @ @ @ @ @ , who is challenging Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar , said the shootings didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ do with politics or the campaign .
The teen was identified as Andre Conley .
@ @ @ @ @ was hospitalized and was expected to survive .

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Authorities on Thursday said they have arrested a suspect in the killing of a 17-year-old boy and wounding of a man who had done work for a Minnesota congressional candidate.
The man was arrested in Plymouth after trying to elude police, they said. His identity wasn’t immediately released.
The shooting occurred on Monday. A second person who also worked for Republican Lacy Johnson was wounded in the attack. Both police and Johnson, who is challenging Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, said the shootings didn’t appear to have anything to do with politics or the campaign.
The teen was identified as Andre Conley. The man who was wounded was hospitalized and was expected to survive.


washingtontimes--2020-09-17--Coronavirus cases in Oregon top 30,000

Coronavirus cases in Oregon top 30,000

PORTLAND , Ore. ( AP ) - The Oregon Health Authority reported no additional deaths and 215 more COVID-19 cases @ @ @ @ @ Oregonians with confirmed or suspected infections topped 30,000 since the start of the pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ any fatalities Thursday .
It ’ s the first time since Aug. 23 that health @ @ @ @ @ The Oregonian/OregonLive reported .
The state Thursday reported 109 Oregonians with confirmed infections are currently @ @ @ @ @ five from Wednesday .
Oregon remains well below its capacity , with hundreds of hospital @ @ @ @ @ Oregon has reported 30,060 confirmed or presumed infections and 521 deaths , among the lowest @ @ @ @ @ To date , 624,164 Oregonians have been tested .
The percentage of Oregonians tested for @ @ @ @ @ to have the disease has risen steadily since mid-May and now stands about 4 % @

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - The Oregon Health Authority reported no additional deaths and 215 more COVID-19 cases as the total number of Oregonians with confirmed or suspected infections topped 30,000 since the start of the pandemic.
State officials did not report any fatalities Thursday. It’s the first time since Aug. 23 that health authorities reported no deaths, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported.
The state Thursday reported 109 Oregonians with confirmed infections are currently in the hospital, down five from Wednesday. Oregon remains well below its capacity, with hundreds of hospital beds and ventilators available.
Oregon has reported 30,060 confirmed or presumed infections and 521 deaths, among the lowest totals in the nation. To date, 624,164 Oregonians have been tested.
The percentage of Oregonians tested for the coronavirus who are confirmed to have the disease has risen steadily since mid-May and now stands about 4%.


washingtontimes--2020-09-17--Feds charge man accused of holding gun to officer's face

FARGO , N.D. ( AP ) - A man accused of holding a loaded gun to the face of Fargo @ @ @ @ @ in federal court , U.S. Attorney Drew Wrigley announced Thursday .
Authorities say Shawn Larkin @ @ @ @ @ , was pulled over on an outstanding warrant shortly after 1 a.m. on Sept. 9 @ @ @ @ @ wanted to walk to his apartment first and an altercation ensued .
The suspect allegedly @ @ @ @ @ semi-automatic handgun at the officer before the gun was confiscated .
Federal court documents show @ @ @ @ @ possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon .
His record includes a @ @ @ @ @ a police officer in Ward County in 2012 .
He is being held in jail @ @ @ @ @ hearing .
Larkin ’ s federal public defender , Christopher Lancaster , could not be @ @ @ @ @ .

FARGO, N.D. (AP) - A man accused of holding a loaded gun to the face of Fargo police officer has been charged in federal court, U.S. Attorney Drew Wrigley announced Thursday.
Authorities say Shawn Larkin, 38, of Fargo, was pulled over on an outstanding warrant shortly after 1 a.m. on Sept. 9. Larkin told police he wanted to walk to his apartment first and an altercation ensued. The suspect allegedly pointed a loaded .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun at the officer before the gun was confiscated.
Federal court documents show that Larkin is charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. His record includes a conviction for simple assault of a police officer in Ward County in 2012. He is being held in jail and faces Sept. 28 detention hearing.
Larkin’s federal public defender, Christopher Lancaster, could not be reached for comment late Thursday.


washingtontimes--2020-09-17--County exec pitches diversion program, sheriff’s office cuts

SEATTLE ( AP ) - King County Executive Dow Constantine in Seattle this week proposed several initiatives that would reduce funding to the county Sheriff ’ s Office , shift resources from the traditional criminal system toward community-based alternatives and move away from longstanding fare enforcement on buses .
His pitch Wednesday brought immediate pushback from Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht , whose office said she was not consulted , The Seattle Times reported .
The proposals are part of the biennial budget that Constantine will present next week and were spurred by months of protests against police violence and systemic racism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And they come as the coronavirus pandemic has forced cutbacks across most branches of county government .
“ We have a system that is wildly racially disproportionate , and it ’ s disproportionate despite what Fox News will tell you , because Black and brown people are treated differently throughout our society , including by every element of the criminal and legal system , ” Constantine said .
Almost all the proposals will require the OK from the Metropolitan King County Council , which will review Constantine ’ s budget this fall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million in funding that the Sheriff ’ s Office receives from tax on retail marijuana sales .
That money would be used instead to help people vacate old marijuana-related convictions and settle fines and fees .
Chase Gallagher , a Constantine spokesperson , said the Sheriff ’ s Office was consulted , although the sheriff disagrees .
More savings will come from continuing to limit the county ’ s jail population , Constantine said .
The number of jailed adults dropped from about 1,900 before the coronavirus pandemic to about 1,300 now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , Constantine said the county would repurpose its new youth jail by 2025 and close the adult jail in Seattle at an undetermined point in the future .
The county will launch new restorative justice programs , for both adult and youth offenders , aimed at keeping people out of the criminal judicial system .
A $ 6.2 million program called “ Restorative Community Pathways ” would refer up to 800 young people , by 2023 , to community-based services already established locally .
An additional $ 2.7 million investment would divert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the judicial system .
It would be the county ’ s first diversion program in this form for felony offenders , said Anita Khandelwal , director of the King County Public Defender ’ s office .
Marlon Brown , a board member of Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County , called the changes a first step .

SEATTLE (AP) - King County Executive Dow Constantine in Seattle this week proposed several initiatives that would reduce funding to the county Sheriff’s Office, shift resources from the traditional criminal system toward community-based alternatives and move away from longstanding fare enforcement on buses.
His pitch Wednesday brought immediate pushback from Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht, whose office said she was not consulted, The Seattle Times reported.
The proposals are part of the biennial budget that Constantine will present next week and were spurred by months of protests against police violence and systemic racism that have dominated the nation this summer. And they come as the coronavirus pandemic has forced cutbacks across most branches of county government.
“We have a system that is wildly racially disproportionate, and it’s disproportionate despite what Fox News will tell you, because Black and brown people are treated differently throughout our society, including by every element of the criminal and legal system,” Constantine said.
Almost all the proposals will require the OK from the Metropolitan King County Council, which will review Constantine’s budget this fall.
Constantine is proposing cutting $4.6 million in funding that the Sheriff’s Office receives from tax on retail marijuana sales. That money would be used instead to help people vacate old marijuana-related convictions and settle fines and fees.
Chase Gallagher, a Constantine spokesperson, said the Sheriff’s Office was consulted, although the sheriff disagrees.
More savings will come from continuing to limit the county’s jail population, Constantine said. The number of jailed adults dropped from about 1,900 before the coronavirus pandemic to about 1,300 now, according to the county.
Earlier this year, Constantine said the county would repurpose its new youth jail by 2025 and close the adult jail in Seattle at an undetermined point in the future.
The county will launch new restorative justice programs, for both adult and youth offenders, aimed at keeping people out of the criminal judicial system.
A $6.2 million program called “Restorative Community Pathways” would refer up to 800 young people, by 2023, to community-based services already established locally.
An additional $2.7 million investment would divert about 1,000 first-time, nonviolent adult offenders from the judicial system. It would be the county’s first diversion program in this form for felony offenders, said Anita Khandelwal, director of the King County Public Defender’s office.
Marlon Brown, a board member of Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County, called the changes a first step.


washingtontimes--2020-09-17--Virginia Supreme Court rejects Kanye West's ballot bid

RICHMOND , Va. ( AP ) - The Supreme Court of Virginia has rejected an appeal from rapper Kanye West @ @ @ @ @ ’ s presidential ballot .
The brief order issued Thursday by the high court upholds @ @ @ @ @ rejected his ballot application because he failed to meet a requirement that 13 people pledge @ @ @ @ @ .
Numerous people who signed papers supporting West ’ s bid said they were misled @ @ @ @ @ .
Democratic Attorney General Mark Herring , who opposed West ’ s effort to be @ @ @ @ @ the Supreme Court ’ s ruling should be the final word on the matter .
@ @ @ @ @ in July and has been trying to get his name on the ballot in multiple @ @

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - The Supreme Court of Virginia has rejected an appeal from rapper Kanye West to appear on the state’s presidential ballot.
The brief order issued Thursday by the high court upholds a lower court ruling that rejected his ballot application because he failed to meet a requirement that 13 people pledge their support for his campaign. Numerous people who signed papers supporting West’s bid said they were misled about what they were signing.
Democratic Attorney General Mark Herring, who opposed West’s effort to be on the ballot, said the Supreme Court’s ruling should be the final word on the matter.
West launched a presidential bid in July and has been trying to get his name on the ballot in multiple states.


washingtontimes--2020-09-18--Kosovo awards Trump with Order of Freedom for peace efforts

PRISTINA , Kosovo ( AP ) - Kosovo ’ s awarded U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday with one of the country ’ s highest honors for his government ’ s efforts on peace and reconciliation in the former war-torn region .
President Hashim Thaci awarded Trump with Kosovo ’ s Order of Freedom “ for his exceptional contribution for the freedom of Kosovo and the strengthening of Peace and reconciliation in the region.
” The honor is given to local and foreign citizens for their high contribution in defending Kosovo ’ s freedom .
Trump ’ s administration has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Kosovo , two former Balkan war foes , and two weeks ago Serbian President Aleksander Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti signed an economic normalization deal at the White House .
Thaci also awarded Trump ’ s National Security Adviser Robert O ’ Brien and his envoy for Serbia-Kosovo talks Richard Grenell with the lower Presidential Medal of Merits , saying they were “ indispensable ” for the deal .
Kosovo , a former Serbian province , and Serbia have been negotiating under European Union mediation since 2011 on normalizing their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war with separatist fighters in Kosovo .
The war ended after NATO conducted a 78-day airstrike campaign against Serbia .
Kosovo was run by the United Nations for nine years before it declared independence in 2008 .
Most western nations recognize Kosovo ’ s statehood , but not Serbia .
In another nod to inroads made this year , a member of Sweden ’ s parliament nominated the governments of the U.S. , Kosovo and Serbia for the Nobel Peace Prize .
In a letter sent to Trump , Thaci said that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under the powerful leadership of the United States of America .
Your role in that process is vital.
” Thaci also invited Trump for a visit to Kosovo .

PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) - Kosovo’s awarded U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday with one of the country’s highest honors for his government’s efforts on peace and reconciliation in the former war-torn region.
President Hashim Thaci awarded Trump with Kosovo’s Order of Freedom “for his exceptional contribution for the freedom of Kosovo and the strengthening of Peace and reconciliation in the region.”
The honor is given to local and foreign citizens for their high contribution in defending Kosovo’s freedom.
Trump’s administration has been working to normalize relations between Serbia and Kosovo, two former Balkan war foes, and two weeks ago Serbian President Aleksander Vucic and Kosovo Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti signed an economic normalization deal at the White House.
Thaci also awarded Trump’s National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien and his envoy for Serbia-Kosovo talks Richard Grenell with the lower Presidential Medal of Merits, saying they were “indispensable” for the deal.
Kosovo, a former Serbian province, and Serbia have been negotiating under European Union mediation since 2011 on normalizing their ties. Serbia fought a brutal 1998-1999 war with separatist fighters in Kosovo. The war ended after NATO conducted a 78-day airstrike campaign against Serbia.
Kosovo was run by the United Nations for nine years before it declared independence in 2008. Most western nations recognize Kosovo’s statehood, but not Serbia.
In another nod to inroads made this year, a member of Sweden’s parliament nominated the governments of the U.S., Kosovo and Serbia for the Nobel Peace Prize.
In a letter sent to Trump, Thaci said that the Kosovo-Serbia deal can be achieved “only under the powerful leadership of the United States of America. Your role in that process is vital.”
Thaci also invited Trump for a visit to Kosovo.


washingtontimes--2020-09-18--Kansas City police investigate fatal hit-and-run

KANSAS CITY , Mo .
( AP ) - Police in Kansas City , Missouri , are investigating after a @ @ @ @ @ to his car was fatally struck by a vehicle .
Police say the incident happened @ @ @ @ @ when a man was leaving Percy ’ s Bar .
He was walking across Oldham @ @ @ @ @ him and left the scene .
The victim was taken to a hospital and pronounced @ @ @ @ @ .
His name has not been released .
Police say they have no description of @ @ @

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Police in Kansas City, Missouri, are investigating after a man walking from a bar to his car was fatally struck by a vehicle.
Police say the incident happened just before 12:30 a.m. Friday when a man was leaving Percy’s Bar. He was walking across Oldham Road when a vehicle struck him and left the scene.
The victim was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead a short time later. His name has not been released.
Police say they have no description of the vehicle.


washingtontimes--2020-09-18--Libya's east-based commander promises end of oil blockade

DUBAI , United Arab Emirates ( AP ) - Libya ’ s commander who rules the eastern half of the country and who was behind a year-long military attempt to capture the capital , Tripoli , said Friday that oil production would restart soon , ending a months-long blockade of the nation ’ s vital oil fields .
The Tripoli-based National Oil Corporation , however , remained skeptical , and previous attempts to end the oil blockade have repeatedly broken down .
The commander , Khalifa Hifter , promised in a televised address , that oil would start pumping again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He also said exports would resume “ with conditions that ensure a fair distribution of revenue so that they not be used to support terrorist militias ” - his jargon for forces loyal to the western-based administration in Tripoli .
He did not elaborate on a political deal that would allow the long-contested fields to go back online .
Hifter ’ s forces , backed by Russia , Egypt and the United Arab Emirates , control the country ’ s major oil fields and terminals .
Libya is divided between two rival @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s east and west , which the U.N. has been trying to steer toward peace talks aimed at ending their years-long conflict .
Earlier this month , the two sides agreed on a preliminary deal that would include elections within 18 months and a demilitarization of the contested city of Sirte , controlled by Hifter and the gateway to Libya ’ s major oil fields and export terminals .
Earlier Friday , the head of the Tripoli-based National Oil Corporation , issued a statement indicating the resumption of oil production was less certain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not lift force majeure , a legal maneuver that lets a company get out of its contracts because of extraordinary events , until Russian mercenaries leave the oil fields and export terminals .
Sanallah rejected what he called “ secret ” and “ disorganized negotiations ” aiming to undercut an internationally-brokered political process to reopen the fields .
Libya ’ s highly prized , light crude has long been a factor in its civil war , as rival militias and foreign powers jostle for control of Africa ’ s largest oil reserves .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2011 uprising that ousted and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi , the North African country has been split west to east .
The U.N.-supported administration in the capital , Tripoli , holds sway over the west , while Hifter and his allies rule the east and south .
“ We pledge to block these useless negotiations that aim for nothing except to gain limited political profits , ” said Sanallah .
He was referring to back-door talks between Ahmed Matiq , the deputy prime minister of the Tripoli-based administration , and Hifter ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end to the oil paralysis and create a new mechanism to distribute the country ’ s petrodollars more equitably .
Hifter ’ s side agreed to enter the talks only after its campaign to take the Libyan capital by force failed in June and the Tripoli-based militias , backed by Turkey , turned the tide of war .
Powerful eastern tribes loyal to Hifter first seized control of the oil fields in January , cutting Libya ’ s production to a trickle and starving the country of badly needed cash , to protest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of oil wealth and the diversion of revenue to Turkish-backed mercenaries fighting on behalf of the Tripoli-based government , which oversees Libya ’ s Central Bank .
The blockade has deprived the National Oil Corporation of nearly $ 10 billion in revenue and led to nationwide fuel shortages .
Power outages across the divided country have piled on misery for millions of Libyans struggling to cope with a dire coronavirus outbreak and devastated infrastructure , triggering street demonstrations that have intensified pressure on the parties to reach a settlement over the country ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to immediately reopen Libya ’ s fields and ports came as part of an economic settlement over oil revenue , involving a joint committee to form a budget , transfer funds and resolve financial disputes between the rival factions .
He did not address the scores of Russian mercenaries from Wagner , a Kremlin-linked private security company , stationed across oil fields that the National Oil Corporation says remain a barrier to the resumption of exports .
Hifter ’ s announcement comes just days after his key rival , Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would hand over power to a new administration in October , raising fears about a possible succession struggle within the government as the U.N. presses ahead with political talks , set to resume soon in Geneva .

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - Libya’s commander who rules the eastern half of the country and who was behind a year-long military attempt to capture the capital, Tripoli, said Friday that oil production would restart soon, ending a months-long blockade of the nation’s vital oil fields.
The Tripoli-based National Oil Corporation, however, appeared skeptical earlier on Friday, and previous attempts to end the crippling oil blockade have broken down.
The commander, Khalifa Hifter, promised in a televised address that oil would start pumping again for the first time since January “with conditions that ensure a fair distribution of revenue.”
His spokesman, Ahmed al-Mosmari, said the breakthrough stems from a “Libyan-Libyan dialogue” led by Ahmed Matiq, the rival Tripoli government’s deputy prime minister, seeking to resolve the oil paralysis and create a new mechanism to distribute the country’s petrodollars more equitably.
“We are ready to open oil fields to secure the future of Libya for a period of one month,” he said.
Since Libya descended into chaos following the 2011 uprising that ousted and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi, the North African country has been split west to east. A U.N.-supported administration in Tripoli, propped up by Turkey, holds sway over the west. Hifter, backed by Russia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, controls the east and south, including the country’s major oil fields and terminals.
The U.N. has been trying to steer the rival sides toward peace talks aimed at ending their years-long conflict. Diplomatic efforts gained traction after Hifter’s campaign to capture the Libyan capital failed in June and the Tripoli-based militias, backed by Turkey, turned the tide of war.
The two sides agreed on a preliminary deal earlier this month that would include elections within 18 months and a demilitarization of the contested city of Sirte, controlled by Hifter and the gateway to Libya’s major oil fields and export terminals.
Earlier Friday, the head of the Tripoli-based National Oil Corporation issued a statement indicating the resumption of oil production was less certain. The company had apparently been excluded from the back-door talks between Matiq and Hifter’s allies.
Mustafa Sanallah said the corporation would not lift force majeure, a legal maneuver that lets a company get out of its contracts because of extraordinary circumstances, until Russian mercenaries leave the oil fields and export terminals. Sanallah rejected what he called “secret” and “disorganized negotiations” aiming to undercut an internationally-brokered political process to reopen the fields.
Libya’s highly prized, light crude has long been a factor in its civil war, as rival militias and foreign powers jostle for control of Africa’s largest oil reserves.
Powerful eastern tribes loyal to Hifter first seized control of the oil fields in January, cutting Libya’s 1.2 million barrels a day to a trickle and starving the country of badly needed cash, to protest the distribution of revenues to the east and the alleged corruption of Libya’s Tripoli-based Central Bank, through which oil proceeds flow.
The blockade has deprived the National Oil Corporation of nearly $10 billion in revenue and led to nationwide fuel shortages. Power outages have piled on misery for millions of Libyans struggling to cope with a dire coronavirus outbreak and gutted infrastructure, triggering street demonstrations that have intensified pressure on the parties to reach a deal.
Matiq said the decision to “immediately” reopen Libya’s fields and ports came as part of an economic settlement over revenue, involving a joint committee to form a budget, transfer funds and mediate financial disputes between the rival factions. He did not address the scores of Russian mercenaries from Wagner, a Kremlin-linked private security company, stationed across oil fields that the National Oil Corporation says remain a barrier to the resumption of exports.
The secret talks between Matiq and Hifter’s representatives come just days after Hifter’s key rival, Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj of the Tripoli-based government, announced he would hand over power to a new administration in October. There was no formal announcement from the Tripoli-based administration about the deal to reopen contested oil fields, suggesting that Matiq may be positioning himself to exploit the void once Sarraj resigns.
Meanwhile, the U.N. is pressing ahead with political talks between rival delegates, set to resume soon in Geneva. But Russia and Turkey, power brokers on opposite sides of the conflict, have mounted their own diplomatic efforts to forge a political agreement and held separate consultations this week in Ankara.
In Istanbul on Friday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed regret that his ally Sarraj would soon be stepping down.
“To receive such news was saddening for us,” he said. “Through our intervention … Sarraj and his team … were able to evade what I may call (Hifter’s) invasion.”
___
Associated Press writer Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey, contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-09-18--VIRUS DIARY: Always learning from 'happy little accidents'

PHOENIX ( AP ) - I ’ m not alone in confessing that I have always enjoyed those Bob Ross instructional painting programs that ran on PBS for many years .
Perhaps it was his soothing voice as a tree appeared like magic on a lake with the flick of his wrist .
Maybe it was his Mr. Rogers-like guidance that there were no mistakes , “ just happy little accidents.
” Bob died 25 years ago .
But his legacy lives on , thanks to YouTube videos , books , even a collection of T-shirts .
Sometime in March @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ? )
, as it became clear that the coronavirus pandemic was going to be keeping us out of movie theaters , restaurants , concert halls and ballparks , we came across a Bob Ross video as we searched through our obscene number of cable channels and streaming services .
“ Did you know , I used to enjoy doing paint-by-numbers when I was a kid , ” I said to my sweetheart , the person destined to share our couch for more hours than we had ever contemplated .
“ You should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ You ’ re getting ready to retire , and this might be something you would enjoy .
Besides , what else do you have to do ?
” In an instant , she was searching the internet for paint-by-numbers kits .
Turns out that craft supplies , like many things in the pandemic ’ s early days , were hard to come by .
We finally came across a modestly priced painting of the Beatles ’ “ Abbey Road ” cover that could be obtained in a week to 10 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” I said almost dismissively .
“ I ’ ll give it a try.
” Before long , a 16x20 blank canvas with John , Paul , George and Ringo had arrived with two dozen tiny paint containers , each embossed with a number to guide you down the long and winding road .
I learned quickly that this was not going to come together in the half hour that old Bob Ross took to create one of his babbling brook masterpieces .
But where was I going , anyway ?
Little by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filled in Paul ’ s pants legs , No .
12 yellow brought the Volkswagen parked up the street to life , and Nos .
12 , 16 , 18 and 19 of various shades of green helped the trees frame the Fab Four on their stroll across the legendary London crosswalk .
With daily encouragement from my muse , it was finished .
She ordered a wooden frame to give the work a proper place in our alcove .
Soon , we found an online paint-by-numbers company that had more products ready @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scene of an old red barn adorned with a faded American flag and a rusting old farm truck sitting in a field nearby .
I was on my way .
Streaks of reddish brown came down the barn ; tiny birds found themselves flying across a blue sky filled with puffy white clouds .
Then , as I was nearly finished , disaster struck .
I had put some of the dark blue paint for the truck on a paper plate and laid it on a corner of the painting .
It seeped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of navy blue running through the clouds and into some trees .
I was distraught .
Then I remembered Bob Ross .
I got out some very fine sandpaper , gently sanded away the blue , then took some white and painted two coats over the scar .
After it dried , I restored the sky without numbers to guide me .
The trees came back to life with a little freehand technique I had seen on those shows .
When I was finished , no one would know how close I came @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hobby , in the trash .
But I was inspired by the rescue and am now working on more masterpieces .
No mistakes .
Just “ happy little accidents.
” Virus Diary , an occasional feature , showcases the coronavirus pandemic through the eyes of Associated Press journalists around the world .
West Desk editor Frank Eltman retires from AP today after 32 years .
Follow him on Twitter at http : //twitter.com/feltman41

PHOENIX (AP) - I’m not alone in confessing that I have always enjoyed those Bob Ross instructional painting programs that ran on PBS for many years. Perhaps it was his soothing voice as a tree appeared like magic on a lake with the flick of his wrist. Maybe it was his Mr. Rogers-like guidance that there were no mistakes, “just happy little accidents.”
Bob died 25 years ago. But his legacy lives on, thanks to YouTube videos, books, even a collection of T-shirts.
Sometime in March or April (who can remember anymore?), as it became clear that the coronavirus pandemic was going to be keeping us out of movie theaters, restaurants, concert halls and ballparks, we came across a Bob Ross video as we searched through our obscene number of cable channels and streaming services.
“Did you know, I used to enjoy doing paint-by-numbers when I was a kid,” I said to my sweetheart, the person destined to share our couch for more hours than we had ever contemplated. “You should do it again,” she said. “You’re getting ready to retire, and this might be something you would enjoy. Besides, what else do you have to do?”
In an instant, she was searching the internet for paint-by-numbers kits. Turns out that craft supplies, like many things in the pandemic’s early days, were hard to come by. We finally came across a modestly priced painting of the Beatles’ “Abbey Road” cover that could be obtained in a week to 10 days.
“Sure, order it,” I said almost dismissively. “I’ll give it a try.”
Before long, a 16x20 blank canvas with John, Paul, George and Ringo had arrived with two dozen tiny paint containers, each embossed with a number to guide you down the long and winding road. I learned quickly that this was not going to come together in the half hour that old Bob Ross took to create one of his babbling brook masterpieces. But where was I going, anyway?
Little by little, the No. 2 black filled in Paul’s pants legs, No. 12 yellow brought the Volkswagen parked up the street to life, and Nos. 12, 16, 18 and 19 of various shades of green helped the trees frame the Fab Four on their stroll across the legendary London crosswalk. With daily encouragement from my muse, it was finished. She ordered a wooden frame to give the work a proper place in our alcove.
I was hooked.
Soon, we found an online paint-by-numbers company that had more products ready to ship. Next: a bucolic scene of an old red barn adorned with a faded American flag and a rusting old farm truck sitting in a field nearby. I was on my way. Streaks of reddish brown came down the barn; tiny birds found themselves flying across a blue sky filled with puffy white clouds.
Then, as I was nearly finished, disaster struck. I had put some of the dark blue paint for the truck on a paper plate and laid it on a corner of the painting. It seeped through the plate, leaving a streak of navy blue running through the clouds and into some trees. I was distraught.
Then I remembered Bob Ross. I got out some very fine sandpaper, gently sanded away the blue, then took some white and painted two coats over the scar. After it dried, I restored the sky without numbers to guide me. The trees came back to life with a little freehand technique I had seen on those shows.
When I was finished, no one would know how close I came to tossing the picture, and the hobby, in the trash. But I was inspired by the rescue and am now working on more masterpieces.
No mistakes. Just “happy little accidents.”
___
Virus Diary, an occasional feature, showcases the coronavirus pandemic through the eyes of Associated Press journalists around the world. West Desk editor Frank Eltman retires from AP today after 32 years. Follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/feltman41


washingtontimes--2020-09-18--Providence College deals with surge of student virus cases

PROVIDENCE , R.I. ( AP ) - Saying “ we are out of options , ” the president of Providence College announced that the school is moving to remote-only learning for at least two weeks after a surge of new coronavirus cases among students .
More than 80 students tested positive for the disease in just two days , the private Catholic university ’ s president , Rev .
Kenneth Sicard , wrote in a message to the community Thursday .
Most students live off campus .
The school has now had 106 positive student cases .
Providence has about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campus can not leave their apartments , and students who live on campus will be tested and are not allowed to leave campus , he said .
Gatherings of any kind are banned .
Students who violate the rules face suspensions , Sicard said , and if things get worse , campus may be shut down for the semester .
“ We recognize how serious and difficult these directives are , but this is our last chance to remain together in person for the fall semester , ” Sicard said .
“ Between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already have taken – especially in the past few days – we have used virtually every tool at our disposal .
We are out of options .
”

The president of Providence College announced that the school is moving to remote-only learning for at least two weeks after a surge of new coronavirus cases among students, saying “we are out of options.”
The private Roman Catholic university’s president, Rev. Kenneth Sicard, wrote to the school community Thursday that more than 80 students tested positive for the virus in just two days, but the state Department of Health said Friday that the number was actually 120.
School spokesperson Steven Maurano explained the discrepancy in an email Friday. The school reported just the people who had tested positive at a campus testing site, he said, but some students were tested at off-campus sites and the school was not made aware of them.
Most students who tested positive live off campus. The school has about 4,800 students.
The state Department of Health is responding to the outbreak through investigations of each case and aggressive contact tracing, the agency said in an email Friday. It is also working with the school to support students in quarantine and isolation.
The agency also suggested that residents of the neighborhood around the school and people who work at businesses frequented by Providence College students monitor themselves for symptoms and gets tested.
Students who live off campus cannot leave their apartments, and students who live on campus will be tested either Friday or Saturday and are not allowed to leave campus, Sicard said. Gatherings of any kind are banned.
Students who violate the rules face suspensions, Sicard said, and if things get worse, campus may be shut down for the semester.
“We recognize how serious and difficult these directives are, but this is our last chance to remain together in person for the fall semester,” Sicard said. “Between these actions and the serious steps we already have taken – especially in the past few days – we have used virtually every tool at our disposal. We are out of options.”
___
UPDATED NUMBERS
Rhode Island health officials reported 124 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and three additional virus-related deaths on Friday.
The new cases were out of almost 8,500 tests conducted, for a positivity rate of about 1.5%.
The seven-day rolling average of the positivity rate in the state has risen slightly over the past two weeks from 1.07% on Sept. 3 to 1.2% on Thursday, according to the Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering.
The seven-day rolling average of daily new cases in Rhode Island has risen over the past two weeks from more than 79 on Sept. 3 to almost 101 on Thursday, according to Johns Hopkins statistics.
Rhode Island has now had more than 23,600 confirmed cases and 1,088 fatalities, according to the state Department of Health.
The daily count of residents in the hospital with the disease has remained roughly the same for several days and was 85 as of Wednesday, the latest day for which the information was available. Seven of those patients were in intensive care.
___
UNEMPLOYMENT
Rhode Island’s unemployment rate was 12.8% in August, up 1.5 percentage points from the revised July rate of 11.3%, giving the state the second-highest unemployment rate in the nation, state and federal labor officials announced Friday.
Only Nevada had a higher rate, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The number of unemployed Rhode Island residents - those classified as available for and actively seeking employment - was up 6,400 in August to 69,500 as the state continues to recover from the coronavirus pandemic, according to the state Department of Labor and Training.
The accommodation and food services sector added 1,700 jobs in August after shedding more than 34,000 jobs between March and April when the state’s economy was virtually shut down. The sector has recovered nearly 64% of the lost jobs.


washingtontimes--2020-09-18--Big wedding in fictional home of 'The Godfather' fuels virus

ROME ( AP ) - The Sicilian town of Corleone , made famous by the fictional Mafia clan in “ The Godfather , ” has ordered schools closed and a limited lockdown after a spate of coronavirus infections were tied to a big wedding there last week .
The city administration told all 250 guests at the Sept. 12 wedding and anyone who lives with them to self-isolate and inform their doctors and city health authorities while awaiting virus tests .
In a Facebook post , Mayor Nicolò Nicolosi said he expected “ maximum cooperation to overcome the current crisis.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the province of Palermo , has reported at least seven positive cases in recent days .
Nicolosi said Friday that schools in Corleone and nearby towns were ordered closed because 30 of the wedding guests were students .
Italian schools reopened for the first time since March on Monday .
Nicolosi urged the town ’ s 10,000 residents to wear protective masks , keep their distance and wash hands while stressing that “ Corleone isn ’ t a red zone , ” or a designated quarantine area where no one enters or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were spared the first big wave of COVID-19 , which hit harder in Italy ’ s north .
But like the rest of southern Italy , Sicily has seen a new spate of infections since August , with more than 500 of Sicily ’ s 5,500 cases overall registered in the past three weeks .
The Corleone administration ordered schools closed and put a 10 p.m. curfew on bars and an 8 p.m. closing time on gyms .
It suspended conferences , museum openings , the weekly market and any other public gatherings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name of the fictional crime clan of “ The Godfather ” fame .
But it was also the real-life stronghold of the late convicted mobster and reputed chieftain , Bernardo Provenzano .
In 2016 , the Italian government dissolved the municipal government after determining the mob had infiltrated it .

ROME (AP) - The Sicilian town of Corleone, made famous by the fictional Mafia clan in “The Godfather,” has ordered schools closed and a limited lockdown after a spate of coronavirus infections were tied to a big wedding there last week.
The city administration told all 250 guests at the Sept. 12 wedding and anyone who lives with them to self-isolate and inform their doctors and city health authorities while awaiting virus tests. In a Facebook post, Mayor Nicolò Nicolosi said he expected “maximum cooperation to overcome the current crisis.”
The town, which is part of the province of Palermo, has reported at least seven positive cases in recent days. Nicolosi said Friday that schools in Corleone and nearby towns were ordered closed because 30 of the wedding guests were students. Italian schools reopened for the first time since March on Monday.
Nicolosi urged the town’s 10,000 residents to wear protective masks, keep their distance and wash hands while stressing that “Corleone isn’t a red zone,” or a designated quarantine area where no one enters or leaves.
Palermo and Sicily in general were spared the first big wave of COVID-19, which hit harder in Italy’s north. But like the rest of southern Italy, Sicily has seen a new spate of infections since August, with more than 500 of Sicily’s 5,500 cases overall registered in the past three weeks.
The Corleone administration ordered schools closed and put a 10 p.m. curfew on bars and an 8 p.m. closing time on gyms. It suspended conferences, museum openings, the weekly market and any other public gatherings.
Corleone was the homeland and last name of the fictional crime clan of “The Godfather” fame. But it was also the real-life stronghold of the late convicted mobster and reputed chieftain, Bernardo Provenzano. In 2016, the Italian government dissolved the municipal government after determining the mob had infiltrated it.


washingtontimes--2020-09-18--Man sentenced to repay millions in marijuana lab explosion

MEDFORD , Ore. ( AP ) - A man has been sentenced to nearly three years in prison and ordered @ @ @ @ @ for his role in a marijuana lab explosion that caused a wildfire in which a @ @ @ @ @ Mail Tribune reports 24-year-old Michael Cashmareck was sentenced in Jackson County Circuit Court this week @ @ @ @ @ and assault charges in connection with the East Evans fire in August 2019 .
He @ @ @ @ @ $ 4 million in restitution for causing an explosion near Rogue River that quickly became @ @ @ @ @ evacuations in the neighborhood .
Cashmareck had been making butane honey oil , a concentrated @ @ @ @ @ was contained within a day .
One firefighter working in difficult terrain at night was @ @ @ @ @ serious injuries .

MEDFORD, Ore. (AP) - A man has been sentenced to nearly three years in prison and ordered to repay millions of dollars for his role in a marijuana lab explosion that caused a wildfire in which a firefighter got hurt.
The Mail Tribune reports 24-year-old Michael Cashmareck was sentenced in Jackson County Circuit Court this week after pleading guilty to arson and assault charges in connection with the East Evans fire in August 2019.
He was ordered to pay nearly $4 million in restitution for causing an explosion near Rogue River that quickly became a wildfire that prompted mandatory evacuations in the neighborhood. Cashmareck had been making butane honey oil, a concentrated marijuana extract.
The fire was contained within a day. One firefighter working in difficult terrain at night was flown to a hospital with serious injuries.


washingtontimes--2020-09-18--Supreme Court upholds conviction in sexual assault case

PIERRE , S.D .
( AP ) - The South Dakota Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of a man accused of sexually assaulting a woman with dementia , ruling that prosecutors didn ’ t have to prove whether he knew she couldn ’ t consent to sex .
A Pennington County jury in 2018 convicted Roger Jackson , now 73 , of third-degree rape , which says it ’ s a crime for any person to have sex with someone incapable of giving consent because of physical or mental incapacity .
He appealed his conviction , saying the state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knew the victim wasn ’ t mentally capable of giving consent and that the state should have questioned the victim , the Argus Leader reported .
The court this week decided that Roger Jackson didn ’ t have to know the 52-year-old woman wasn ’ t legally mentally capable of consenting to be held accountable for the assault .
The justices noted other parts of South Dakota law , including whether a victim is a minor or too intoxicated , where a criminal mindset isn ’ t required to commit a crime .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ at an assisted living facility in Rapid City in 2016 and continued to visit her when when was later moved to a dementia care facility .

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - The South Dakota Supreme Court has upheld the conviction of a man accused of sexually assaulting a woman with dementia, ruling that prosecutors didn’t have to prove whether he knew she couldn’t consent to sex.
A Pennington County jury in 2018 convicted Roger Jackson, now 73, of third-degree rape, which says it’s a crime for any person to have sex with someone incapable of giving consent because of physical or mental incapacity.
He appealed his conviction, saying the state should have had to prove that Jackson knew the victim wasn’t mentally capable of giving consent and that the state should have questioned the victim, the Argus Leader reported.
The court this week decided that Roger Jackson didn’t have to know the 52-year-old woman wasn’t legally mentally capable of consenting to be held accountable for the assault.
The justices noted other parts of South Dakota law, including whether a victim is a minor or too intoxicated, where a criminal mindset isn’t required to commit a crime.
Jackson befriended the woman when she was at an assisted living facility in Rapid City in 2016 and continued to visit her when when was later moved to a dementia care facility.


washingtontimes--2020-09-18--Official rips critics for attack on daughter with COVID-19

WEST PALM BEACH , Fla. ( AP ) - A Florida county commissioner is firing back at an anti-mask critic who took to social media , claiming to show the official ’ s hypocrisy for pushing coronavirus safety precautions on the public while letting her COVID-19 positive daughter defy them .
After Palm Beach County Commissioner Melissa McKinlay announced Tuesday that her 19-year-old daughter was in the emergency room with COVID-19 , Boca Raton resident Rachel Eade posted pictures and video on Facebook taken from the commissioner ’ s daughter ’ s Instagram page .
Eade has pushed for reopening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quash the county ’ s mask policy , the Palm Beach Post reported .
McKinlay shot back with a fiery missive of her own on her county commission Facebook page at those accusing her daughter of wrongdoing .
“ My God , the hate in this community is absurd , ” she wrote .
“ You should be ashamed of it .
I don ’ t give a damn if you don ’ t vote for me again .
Your vote isn ’ t one I want.
” McKinlay , a Democrat , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ term in 2018 , and will be forced out by term limits in 2022 .
Eade told the newspaper she made the post to hold McKinlay accountable because it was “ no different ” than when commissioners used images of people flouting COVID-19 rules at nightclubs to “ make a point that ‘ health advice ’ was not being heeded.
” “ As a representative of the people , this board can not expect to stop the world , shutter businesses in our community , destroy livelihoods , take food off the plates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breathing and movement of an entire community , and not expect there to be individuals who investigate whether their actions back up their words , ” Eade told the newspaper .
Critics of the county ’ s measures to control the coronavirus quickly added their own thoughts to Eade ’ s Facebook post .
Josie Machovec , a fellow plaintiff in the mask mandate lawsuit , wrote that the post made her “ rageful because she ( McKinlay ) expects all of us to change our behavior to ‘ protect ’ her child @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fact that those things can and do harm our children she doesn ’ t care .
Only her child ’ s comfort is important.
” “ As a mother , I certainly wish no child ill , but we have to ask why she feels her own child is not bound by the rules she is creating and trying to enforce ?
” Eade wrote .
In one image attached to Eade ’ s post , McKinlay ’ s daughter shows off a tattoo .
She lip-syncs with a friend in a video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her with a friend .
Three days later , she was tested for the coronavirus and learned a week later she was positive , the commissioner said .
McKinlay ’ s test was negative .
“ She was home with me all summer .
She followed the rules , she wore her mask , she washed her hands , ” McKinlay said .
Her daughter attends the University of Central Florida in Orlando , where her mother says she is adhering to the schools coronavirus policies .
“ She takes that threat seriously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finds it absolutely ridiculous and laughable that people are making these accusations.
” In an Instagram post made Thursday , the daughter said she likely contracted the virus from a friend of her roommate who visited their Orlando apartment .
“ This should show many of you , that jumping to conclusions can often leave you looking quite dense .
Maybe if you put half the time you spent stalking a college girl ’ s Instagram , into worrying about more important things going on in the world , you could help a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , attaching links to wildfire relief , child trafficking awareness , addiction prevention and Black Lives Matter .
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) - A Florida county commissioner is firing back at an anti-mask critic who took to social media, claiming to show the official’s hypocrisy for pushing coronavirus safety precautions on the public while letting her COVID-19 positive daughter defy them.
After Palm Beach County Commissioner Melissa McKinlay announced Tuesday that her 19-year-old daughter was in the emergency room with COVID-19, Boca Raton resident Rachel Eade posted pictures and video on Facebook taken from the commissioner’s daughter’s Instagram page.
In one image Eade grabbed from the teen’s Instagram account, McKinlay’s daughter shows off a tattoo. She lip-syncs with a friend in a video. And a Sept. 6 photo shows her with a friend, with neither wearing a mask.
Tattoo parlors have reopened across much of Florida and it is not clear when the daughter got the tattoo. Also, McKinlay says her daughter is following all protocols at the University of Central Florida in Orlando where she attends classes.
Three days after the Sept. 6 photo, she was tested for the coronavirus and learned a week later she was positive, the commissioner said. McKinlay’s test was negative.
Eade has pushed for reopening shuttered businesses and joined a lawsuit to quash the county’s mask policy, the Palm Beach Post reported.
After Eade’s post, McKinlay shot back with a fiery missive of her own on her county commission Facebook page at those accusing her daughter of wrongdoing.
“My God, the hate in this community is absurd,” she wrote. “You should be ashamed of it. I don’t give a damn if you don’t vote for me again. Your vote isn’t one I want.”
McKinlay, a Democrat, won re-election to a second four-year commission term in 2018, and will be forced out by term limits in 2022.
Eade told the newspaper she made the post to hold McKinlay accountable because it was “no different” than when commissioners used images of people flouting COVID-19 rules at nightclubs to “make a point that ‘health advice’ was not being heeded.”
“As a representative of the people, this board cannot expect to stop the world, shutter businesses in our community, destroy livelihoods, take food off the plates of families and children, restrict the breathing and movement of an entire community, and not expect there to be individuals who investigate whether their actions back up their words,” Eade told the newspaper.
Critics of the county’s measures to control the coronavirus quickly added their own thoughts to Eade’s Facebook post.
Josie Machovec, a fellow plaintiff in the mask mandate lawsuit, wrote that the post made her “rageful because she (McKinlay) expects all of us to change our behavior to ‘protect’ her child. But when we bring up the fact that those things can and do harm our children she doesn’t care. Only her child’s comfort is important.”
Eade called McKinlay’s announcement about her daughter Tuesday a “partial sob story.”
“As a mother, I certainly wish no child ill, but we have to ask why she feels her own child is not bound by the rules she is creating and trying to enforce?” Eade wrote.
McKinlay said her daughter is not defying coronavirus protocols.
“She was home with me all summer. She followed the rules, she wore her mask, she washed her hands,” McKinlay said. Her daughter attends the University of Central Florida in Orlando, where her mother says she is adhering to the schools coronavirus policies.
“She takes that threat seriously,” McKinlay said. “She finds it absolutely ridiculous and laughable that people are making these accusations.”
In an Instagram post made Thursday, the daughter said she likely contracted the virus from a friend of her roommate who visited their Orlando apartment.
“This should show many of you, that jumping to conclusions can often leave you looking quite dense. Maybe if you put half the time you spent stalking a college girl’s Instagram, into worrying about more important things going on in the world, you could help a cause in need,” she wrote, attaching links to wildfire relief, child trafficking awareness, addiction prevention and Black Lives Matter.
___
Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.


washingtontimes--2020-09-18--Pandemic leads to $90M in cuts to UVA's budget for his year

CHARLOTTESVILLE , Va. ( AP ) - The impact of the coronavirus on the University of Virginia has spurred an estimated $ 90 million in cuts to this year ’ s budget .
The Daily Progress reported Thursday that the figure amounts to a 2.3 % reduction in the budget that officials proposed in June .
The $ 3.76 billion budget was approved Sept. 11 by the Board of Visitors .
The spending plan .
The cuts affect faculty and staff salaries as well as services such as travel .
The pandemic led to a delay in the budget approval @ @ @ @ @ @ @ normally approves the budget in June for the fiscal year that begins July 1 .
But administrators delayed adoption to better predict the pandemic ’ s impacts .
The university anticipates net tuition and fee income to be reduced by nearly 4 % in the 2020-21 budget .
State appropriations for the school are expected to fall as much as 14.2 % .
School officials said they expect financial losses in services such as housing , dining and in athletics .
Enrollment numbers did not decline significantly .
But the number of students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The athletic department is being impacted as well because spectators are allowed at the university ’ s sports contests .

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) - The impact of the coronavirus on the University of Virginia has spurred an estimated $90 million in cuts to this year’s budget.
The Daily Progress reported Thursday that the figure amounts to a 2.3% reduction in the budget that officials proposed in June.
The $3.76 billion budget was approved Sept. 11 by the Board of Visitors. The spending plan. The cuts affect faculty and staff salaries as well as services such as travel.
The pandemic led to a delay in the budget approval process. The university’s board normally approves the budget in June for the fiscal year that begins July 1. But administrators delayed adoption to better predict the pandemic’s impacts.
The university anticipates net tuition and fee income to be reduced by nearly 4% in the 2020-21 budget. State appropriations for the school are expected to fall as much as 14.2%.
School officials said they expect financial losses in services such as housing, dining and in athletics. Enrollment numbers did not decline significantly. But the number of students living in dorms decreased by 34%.
The athletic department is being impacted as well because spectators are allowed at the university’s sports contests.


washingtontimes--2020-09-18--Baseball field named after coach who died of COVID-19

OLATHE , Kan. ( AP ) - A baseball field in suburban Kansas City is being named after a longtime @ @ @ @ @ battling the coronavirus .
WDAF-TV reports that Derek Leppert was an assistant baseball coach and @ @ @ @ @ at Olathe West High School in Olathe , Kansas .
He died Sept. 10 from @ @ @ @ @ On Thursday , the high school announced it was naming its baseball field Derek Leppert @ @ @ @ @ Baseball Coaches Association also plans to present the Derek Leppert Assistant Coach of the Year @ @ @ @ @ honor .
The news came as family , friends and players gathered Thursday for a @ @ @

OLATHE, Kan. (AP) - A baseball field in suburban Kansas City is being named after a longtime coach who recently died after battling the coronavirus.
WDAF-TV reports that Derek Leppert was an assistant baseball coach and a front office staff member at Olathe West High School in Olathe, Kansas. He died Sept. 10 from complications related to COVID-19.
On Thursday, the high school announced it was naming its baseball field Derek Leppert Memorial Field.
The Kansas Baseball Coaches Association also plans to present the Derek Leppert Assistant Coach of the Year Award every year in his honor.
The news came as family, friends and players gathered Thursday for a memorial service.


washingtontimes--2020-09-18--Vermont House OKs deal on bill to allow marijuana sale, tax

MONTPELIER , Vt. ( AP ) - The Vermont House of Representatives has approved a deal on a bill that would allow for the legal sale of marijuana , as well as taxation on those sales .
The legislative conference committee report passed the House by a vote of 92-56 on Thursday , the Bennington Banner reported .
It now heads to the state Senate , where a vote is expected next week .
House members of the conference committee had agreed to drop language that would have prevented advertising for cannabis-related businesses .
They also gave up their insistence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reason for motor vehicle stops as part of the legislation .
Senators on the committee agreed to a House proposal collecting fees from cannabis licensees and distributing proceeds to towns hosting such entities .
They also agreed to a roadside saliva test , obtained with a warrant .
The bill establishes a 14 % excise tax on cannabis products .
Of that , 30 % is earmarked for substance abuse prevention .
The bill also extends the 6 % sales tax to cannabis products .
The possession of small amounts of recreational marijuana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been no way to buy or sell it legally or tax sales .

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - The Vermont House of Representatives has approved a deal on a bill that would allow for the legal sale of marijuana, as well as taxation on those sales.
The legislative conference committee report passed the House by a vote of 92-56 on Thursday, the Bennington Banner reported. It now heads to the state Senate, where a vote is expected next week.
House members of the conference committee had agreed to drop language that would have prevented advertising for cannabis-related businesses. They also gave up their insistence upon seat belt use becoming a primary reason for motor vehicle stops as part of the legislation.
Senators on the committee agreed to a House proposal collecting fees from cannabis licensees and distributing proceeds to towns hosting such entities. They also agreed to a roadside saliva test, obtained with a warrant.
Gov. Phil Scott has made roadside testing a condition for signing a bill.
The bill establishes a 14% excise tax on cannabis products. Of that, 30% is earmarked for substance abuse prevention. The bill also extends the 6% sales tax to cannabis products.
The possession of small amounts of recreational marijuana was legalized in 2018, but there has been no way to buy or sell it legally or tax sales.