washingtontimes--2020-08-01--Teenager sentenced to 40-45 years in Grand Island killing

GRAND ISLAND , Neb .
( AP ) - A Grand Island teenager has been sentenced to 40-45 years in @ @ @ @ @ of a man in 2019 .
Arek Friedricksen , 17 , of Grand Island was @ @ @ @ @ in the death of Vincent Arrellano Jr. , 32 , on April 24 , 2019 @ @ @ @ @ was 16 at the time of the shooting but a judge ruled that he should @ @ @ @ @ .
Arrellano was shot several times and died later at a Grand Island hospital .
@ @ @ @ @ charge to second-degree murder and dropped a weapons charge when Friedricksen agreed in May to @ @ @ @ @ lesser charge .
He will be eligible for parole in 20 years .

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) - A Grand Island teenager has been sentenced to 40-45 years in prison for the fatal shooting of a man in 2019.
Arek Friedricksen, 17, of Grand Island was sentenced Friday for second-degree murder in the death of Vincent Arrellano Jr., 32, on April 24, 2019, KNOP reported.
Friedricksen was 16 at the time of the shooting but a judge ruled that he should be tried as an adult.
Arrellano was shot several times and died later at a Grand Island hospital.
Prosecutors reduced a first-degree murder charge to second-degree murder and dropped a weapons charge when Friedricksen agreed in May to plead no contest to the lesser charge. He will be eligible for parole in 20 years.


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--State to hire 3rd inspector for dam safety program

LANSING , Mich. ( AP ) - A third inspector is expected to be hired for Michigan ’ s Dam @ @ @ @ @ of a senior environmental engineer will improve the safety of state-regulated dams , according to @ @ @ @ @ Environment , Great Lakes , and Energy ( EGLE ) .
The inspector will increase @ @ @ @ @ more than 1,050 state-regulated dams , EGLE said in a release .
Mid-Michigan ’ s @ @ @ @ @ steady rain in May , draining Wixom Lake and unleashing the Tittabawassee River , which @ @ @ @ @ , about 140 miles ( 225 kilometers ) north of Detroit .
In June , @ @ @ @ @ six independent experts who will perform an independent forensic investigation of the contributing factors that @ @ @ @ @ dams .
The team includes outside experts in geotechnical engineering , hydraulics , dam safety @ @ @ @

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - A third inspector is expected to be hired for Michigan’s Dam Safety Program.
The hiring of a senior environmental engineer will improve the safety of state-regulated dams, according to Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).
The inspector will increase team efficiencies in tracking the more than 1,050 state-regulated dams, EGLE said in a release.
Mid-Michigan’s Edenville dam failed during a steady rain in May, draining Wixom Lake and unleashing the Tittabawassee River, which then overwhelmed the Sanford dam, about 140 miles (225 kilometers) north of Detroit.
In June, EGLE announced a team of six independent experts who will perform an independent forensic investigation of the contributing factors that led to the failures of dams. The team includes outside experts in geotechnical engineering, hydraulics, dam safety and dam design.


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--Woman gets 30 years for baby's death from meth-tainted milk

PLYMOUTH , Ind .
( AP ) - A northern Indiana woman has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty in the death of her 2-month-old infant , who died after ingesting breast milk tainted with methamphetamine .
Ashlee Rans , 36 , was sentenced Thursday by a Marshall County judge after pleading guilty on July 8 to one count of neglect of dependent resulting in death , WNDU-TV reported .
The judge suspended 10 years of her sentence .
With that suspension and good time credit , the Plymouth woman must serve at least 17 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that on Dec. 19 , 2019 , Rans called 911 and told a dispatcher she had found her infant cold and not breathing .
She told officers said she had been breast feeding the baby since birth with no other supplements .
An autopsy performed the next day found that the baby had died from acute methamphetamine intoxication .
Meth can pass through breast milk and is present in the system for up to three days , court records state .
Rans initially denied any alcohol or drug use , but after an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s findings , she admitted to using meth two days before her baby died .
She also acknowledged that she was aware of the possibility of transferring ingested drugs during breastfeeding .
Marshall County Prosecutor E. Nelson Chipman , Jr. said that before she was discharged from the hospital with her newborn , Rans had acknowledged in writing the dangers of drugs passing from mother to infant through breast milk .
Chipman said Rans , who has three other children , is currently pregnant and due in September .
Her three children are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he said .

PLYMOUTH, Ind. (AP) - A northern Indiana woman has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty in the death of her 2-month-old infant, who died after ingesting breast milk tainted with methamphetamine.
Ashlee Rans, 36, was sentenced Thursday by a Marshall County judge after pleading guilty on July 8 to one count of neglect of dependent resulting in death, WNDU-TV reported.
The judge suspended 10 years of her sentence. With that suspension and good time credit, the Plymouth woman must serve at least 17 years of her sentence.
Court records show that on Dec. 19, 2019, Rans called 911 and told a dispatcher she had found her infant cold and not breathing. She told officers said she had been breast feeding the baby since birth with no other supplements.
An autopsy performed the next day found that the baby had died from acute methamphetamine intoxication. Meth can pass through breast milk and is present in the system for up to three days, court records state.
Rans initially denied any alcohol or drug use, but after an officer told her about the autopsy’s findings, she admitted to using meth two days before her baby died. She also acknowledged that she was aware of the possibility of transferring ingested drugs during breastfeeding.
Marshall County Prosecutor E. Nelson Chipman, Jr. said that before she was discharged from the hospital with her newborn, Rans had acknowledged in writing the dangers of drugs passing from mother to infant through breast milk.
Chipman said Rans, who has three other children, is currently pregnant and due in September. Her three children are in the custody of their biological father, he said.


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--Murder, arson charges filed against man in Seattle fire

SEATTLE ( AP ) - A deadly fire that sent people jumping from a fourth-floor window at an apartment building-turned motel in Seattle in July was apparently set in retribution over a stolen laptop , King County prosecutors said .
Jesse Puff , 24 , of Anchorage , Alaska , was charged Friday with two counts of murder , arson and three counts of assault in connection with the July 13 early-morning blaze prosecutors say was started in the building ’ s rear stairwell with jugs of gasoline .
After two people died from their injuries at Harborview Medical Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , The Seattle Times reported .
He remains jailed in lieu of $ 2 million bail .
It wasn ’ t known if he has a lawyer .
Rosanna McCurry , 32 , died July 17 , likely from inhalation of carbon monoxide , with burns to her body contributing to her death , the charges say .
Shadrack Baird , 24 , died July 22 from a combination of inhalation injuries that burned his airway and sepsis from an infection to burns on his body .
One woman is “ battling for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to regain consciousness , and two men are still being treated for serious injuries , the charges say .
Puff has been in Washington for the past two months , Senior Deputy Prosecutor Terence Carlstrom wrote in the charges .
Seattle police determined Puff called 911 on July 11 and reported that his van had been broken into and he ’ d tracked his stolen laptop to the motel on Aurora Avenue North , where he said he looked through windows and saw drugs inside , charges said .
Puff “ clearly planned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the upper floor where the victims were , charges said .
By his admission he estimated there were 10 to 12 people inside , ” Carlstrom wrote .
Puff brought containers of gasoline with him and hung around the motel until he was able to gain access to the rear stairwell , charging documents said .
The fire , which started 30 seconds later , is still being investigated .

SEATTLE (AP) - A deadly fire that sent people jumping from a fourth-floor window at an apartment building-turned motel in Seattle in July was apparently set in retribution over a stolen laptop, King County prosecutors said.
Jesse Puff, 24, of Anchorage, Alaska, was charged Friday with two counts of murder, arson and three counts of assault in connection with the July 13 early-morning blaze prosecutors say was started in the building’s rear stairwell with jugs of gasoline.
After two people died from their injuries at Harborview Medical Center, Puff was arrested Tuesday in Seattle, The Seattle Times reported.
He remains jailed in lieu of $2 million bail. It wasn’t known if he has a lawyer.
Rosanna McCurry, 32, died July 17, likely from inhalation of carbon monoxide, with burns to her body contributing to her death, the charges say. Shadrack Baird, 24, died July 22 from a combination of inhalation injuries that burned his airway and sepsis from an infection to burns on his body.
One woman is “battling for her life,” and has yet to regain consciousness, and two men are still being treated for serious injuries, the charges say.
Puff has been in Washington for the past two months, Senior Deputy Prosecutor Terence Carlstrom wrote in the charges.
Seattle police determined Puff called 911 on July 11 and reported that his van had been broken into and he’d tracked his stolen laptop to the motel on Aurora Avenue North, where he said he looked through windows and saw drugs inside, charges said.
Puff “clearly planned the attack and targeted the unit on the upper floor where the victims were, charges said. By his admission he estimated there were 10 to 12 people inside,” Carlstrom wrote. Puff brought containers of gasoline with him and hung around the motel until he was able to gain access to the rear stairwell, charging documents said.
The fire, which started 30 seconds later, is still being investigated.


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--Virtual public meetings in August on proposed police changes

MONTPELIER , Vt. ( AP ) - Two Vermont House committees will be hosting virtual public hearings later this month @ @ @ @ @ changes to law enforcement in the state .
The panels are considering ways police practices @ @ @ @ @ including policies on use of force , citizen oversight , use of body cameras , @ @ @ @ @ officers , and other relevant issues .
The move follows protests nationwide sparked by the @ @ @ @ @ Minneapolis .
The committees say they want to hear residents ’ experiences with law enforcement @ @ @ @ @ how to improve interactions between the police and communities of color and other marginalized groups @ @ @ @ @ .
The two-hour meetings will be held on Aug. 6 at 1 p.m. ; Aug. @ @ @ @ @ and Aug. 16 at 4 p.m. People interested in giving testimony are asked to fill @ @ @ @ @ .
Written testimony may also be submitted to [ email protected ] with police reform @ @ @ @ @

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - Two Vermont House committees will be hosting virtual public hearings later this month to get input on proposed changes to law enforcement in the state.
The panels are considering ways police practices in Vermont should change, including policies on use of force, citizen oversight, use of body cameras, hiring and training of police officers, and other relevant issues. The move follows protests nationwide sparked by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
The committees say they want to hear residents’ experiences with law enforcement in Vermont and suggestions on how to improve interactions between the police and communities of color and other marginalized groups, the Times Argus reported.
The two-hour meetings will be held on Aug. 6 at 1 p.m.; Aug. 12 at 6 p.m.; and Aug. 16 at 4 p.m.
People interested in giving testimony are asked to fill out an online registration form. Written testimony may also be submitted to testimony@leg.state.vt.us with police reform in the subject line.


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--BOYCOTT GAMES: Fields harbors no anger despite missing '80

COLORADO SPRINGS , Colo. ( AP ) - In the grand scheme of things , Benn Fields knows he ’ s lucky .
His career as an elite high jumper has taken him around the globe more than once - to Nigeria , Mexico , Guatemala , the Middle East , even Russia .
Many of those trips came while selling track and field equipment , a product he became very familiar with decades before while becoming one of the best in the world at his sport .
The trip that never happened was the one to the Moscow Olympics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known as a U.S. Olympian , he also will always wonder about what might have been had the U.S. government not spearheaded a boycott of those games 40 years ago .
“ When I used to be introduced , they ’ d say , ‘ Here is an Olympian , ’ ” Fields said .
“ And the first thing they asked you is , ’ What medal did you win ?
’ The second thing is , ‘ Where do you keep it ?
’ ” Fields is one of 227 American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 1980 U.S. Olympic team , only to see the trip to the actual games ripped away from them , then never get another chance .
“ The legacy is that he was in peak condition , he ’ d beaten everyone , he was right at a world record and he didn ’ t get a chance to compete , ” said Edwin Moses , a 1980 teammate of Fields ’ who , himself , would get other chances at Olympic glory .
Fields had cleared 7 feet 5 1/2 inches in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He won the Olympic trials in 1980 and was ranked No .
1 in the U.S. that summer .
But those trials were held in June - two months after the U.S. Olympic Committee had acceded to the urging of the government and agreed to pull the plug on going to Moscow .
The government wanted a boycott to protest the Soviet Union ’ s invasion of Afghanistan .
What ’ s true today was true back then : oftentimes making the U.S. Olympic track team is every bit as difficult as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The 1980 Olympians would be honored at the White House later that summer .
All of it came as small consolation for the recognition they really wanted .
“ I always figured that , especially if you were Black , if you did well and won a gold medal in Communist Russia , your marketing opportunities would ’ ve been great , ” Fields said .
“ That ’ s what I was targeting , to market myself after doing well in Russia.
” Instead , Fields tried to hang on and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ high-jumping career that he had had every intention of leaving behind in the aftermath of 1980 .
He didn ’ t make another Olympics .
He went on to a successful career - first in the construction industry , then selling track and field equipment overseas .
One of his best business decisions , or so he thought , was bringing loads of faded jeans to Moscow on a 1979 trip to a meet called Spartakiad , which was an Olympic tuneup of sorts .
He knew he could get good money for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Iron Curtain .
It worked out - in one way , at least .
“ I ended up with so many rubles , that I couldn ’ t spend them all , ” he said .
“ And you couldn ’ t take it out of the country , so I was kind of stuck.
” There were , of course , bigger disappointments to come .
Forty years after the boycott , Fields says his friends and family harbor more resentment than he does .
What gives him solace is a line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To each his reach .
And if I don ’ t cop , it ain ’ t mine to have.
” “ I did make the effort , ” Fields says .
“ But there are no guarantees in life .
And if it ’ s not for me to have , the point is to get over it and live with it .
”

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - In the grand scheme of things, Benn Fields knows he’s lucky. His career as an elite high jumper has taken him around the globe more than once - to Nigeria, Mexico, Guatemala, the Middle East, even Russia.
Many of those trips came while selling track and field equipment, a product he became very familiar with decades before while becoming one of the best in the world at his sport.
The trip that never happened was the one to the Moscow Olympics, and though Fields will forever be known as a U.S. Olympian, he also will always wonder about what might have been had the U.S. government not spearheaded a boycott of those games 40 years ago.
“When I used to be introduced, they’d say, ‘Here is an Olympian,’” Fields said. “And the first thing they asked you is, ’What medal did you win?’ The second thing is, ‘Where do you keep it?’”
Fields is one of 227 American athletes who built their lives around making the 1980 U.S. Olympic team, only to see the trip to the actual games ripped away from them, then never get another chance.
“The legacy is that he was in peak condition, he’d beaten everyone, he was right at a world record and he didn’t get a chance to compete,” said Edwin Moses, a 1980 teammate of Fields’ who, himself, would get other chances at Olympic glory.
Fields had cleared 7 feet 5 1/2 inches in 1979 and defeated the world record holder. He won the Olympic trials in 1980 and was ranked No. 1 in the U.S. that summer. But those trials were held in June - two months after the U.S. Olympic Committee had acceded to the urging of the government and agreed to pull the plug on going to Moscow. The government wanted a boycott to protest the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan.
What’s true today was true back then: oftentimes making the U.S. Olympic track team is every bit as difficult as winning a medal at the Olympics themselves. The 1980 Olympians would be honored at the White House later that summer. All of it came as small consolation for the recognition they really wanted.
“I always figured that, especially if you were Black, if you did well and won a gold medal in Communist Russia, your marketing opportunities would’ve been great,” Fields said. “That’s what I was targeting, to market myself after doing well in Russia.”
Instead, Fields tried to hang on and milk four more years out of a high-jumping career that he had had every intention of leaving behind in the aftermath of 1980. He didn’t make another Olympics. He went on to a successful career - first in the construction industry, then selling track and field equipment overseas.
One of his best business decisions, or so he thought, was bringing loads of faded jeans to Moscow on a 1979 trip to a meet called Spartakiad, which was an Olympic tuneup of sorts. He knew he could get good money for American products that were scarce behind the Iron Curtain.
It worked out - in one way, at least.
“I ended up with so many rubles, that I couldn’t spend them all,” he said. “And you couldn’t take it out of the country, so I was kind of stuck.”
There were, of course, bigger disappointments to come.
Forty years after the boycott, Fields says his friends and family harbor more resentment than he does.
What gives him solace is a line from an old funk song: “To each his reach. And if I don’t cop, it ain’t mine to have.”
“I did make the effort,” Fields says. “But there are no guarantees in life. And if it’s not for me to have, the point is to get over it and live with it.”


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--Long Island boat collision leaves 1 dead, 6 injured

FREEPORT , N.Y. ( AP ) - Two boats collided on waters off of Long Island , killing a 25-year-old @ @ @ @ @ , police said .
Several people were thrown into the water when the boats collided @ @ @ @ @ in Freeport Creek near Cow Meadow Park , the Nassau County Police Department told Newsday @ @ @ @ @ minor injuries and two passengers suffered “ serious trauma , ” according to police .
@ @ @ @ @ on the cause of the collision or the names of the victims .

FREEPORT, N.Y. (AP) - Two boats collided on waters off of Long Island, killing a 25-year-old man and injuring six others, police said.
Several people were thrown into the water when the boats collided just before 7 p.m. Saturday in Freeport Creek near Cow Meadow Park, the Nassau County Police Department told Newsday.
Four other people sustained minor injuries and two passengers suffered “serious trauma,” according to police.
Officials did not release information on the cause of the collision or the names of the victims.


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--As school begins amid virus, parents see few good options

WOODSTOCK , Ga. ( AP ) - John Barrett plans to keep his daughter home from elementary school this year in suburban Atlanta , but he wishes she was going .
Molly Ball is sending her teenage sons to school in the same district on Monday , but not without feelings of regret .
As the academic year begins in many places across the country this week , parents are faced with the difficult choice of whether to send their children to school or keep them home for remote learning because of the coronavirus pandemic .
Many are unhappy with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s healthy for a child to go back to school , ” said Ball , who feels her sons , William and Henry , both at River Ridge High School in Georgia ’ s Cherokee County district , suffered through enough instability in the spring .
“ At the same time , I wish they weren ’ t going back to school right now .
It ’ s very scary.
” Offering parents choices eases some of the problems facing schools .
If some students stay home , that creates more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But the number of families with a choice has dwindled as the virus ’ s spread has prompted school districts to scrap in-person classes - at least to start the academic year - in cities including Los Angeles , Philadelphia and Washington , as well as parts of the South and Midwest where school is starting this week .
Many districts that don ’ t begin instruction until after Labor Day are warily tracking the virus - and weighing concerns of educators and parents - as they consider plans including hybrid approaches , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days a week .
In Cherokee County , administrators have stuck with plans to offer in-person school five days a week despite pressure from some parents and teachers .
The countywide district also rejected demands to require masks inside school buildings .
The families of about 23 % of Cherokee County ’ s 43,000 students have opted for them to learn remotely from home .
Barrett said the mask decision contributed to his decision to keep Autumn , who is in a special education program , home to start third grade at Bascomb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , there ought to be a mask mandate , and maybe a staggered schedule .
They ’ re not interested in responding to the realities of the virus as it ’ s happening in Georgia , ” Barrett said .
Barrett works from home and his wife , who has an educational background , isn ’ t employed .
He says that gives them “ an ability to bridge the gap.
” But he worries that Autumn will still fall behind , especially on her individualized education program , the plan written for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gives up a lot of the ability to make progress on her IEP , ” Barrett said .
“ It ’ s a big decision , and it feels like a definite loss.
” Parents are not the only ones who are struggling .
Districts that offer two modes of instruction create new challenges for teachers as well , especially those in smaller districts who are being asked to educate students in person and online at the same time .
“ The key is going to be the complexity , how they handle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive director of the National Rural Education Association .
“ Is it going to be standards-driven , what students need to move to the next grade level ?
Is it going to be equal to face-to-face or better than face-to-face ?
” Denise Dalrymple is reluctantly sending her two sons back to first and sixth grades in Cherokee County because she says it ’ s impossible for her to work otherwise .
Like many districts , the county says it will have increased academic expectations for online learning this fall , compared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make the student ’ s education time a priority over your own job , ” Dalrymple said .
Others are more enthusiastic about a return .
“ It was automatic because my husband and I both work , because it would have upset both of our schedules , ” said Jackie Taylor , who has three school-aged children and lives in nearby Canton .
She said her children have been around other kids this summer , making the transition back to school less concerning .
“ We use the neighborhood pool , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said as she watched her son practice baseball .
“ Obviously they ’ re in close proximity in the dugouts.
” Siana Onanovic said her son Kelvin will be attending Woodstock High , also in the Cherokee district , in person as a freshman .
That ’ s in part because the special science and engineering curriculum that drew her family to the school ’ s attendance zone isn ’ t available online .
But , like many , she had her reservations .
“ There are so many pros and cons on @ @ @ @ @ @ @

WOODSTOCK, Ga. (AP) - John Barrett plans to keep his daughter home from elementary school this year in suburban Atlanta, but he wishes she were going. Molly Ball is sending her teenage sons to school in the same district on Monday, but not without feelings of regret.
As the academic year begins in many places across the country this week, parents are faced with the difficult choice of whether to send their children to school or keep them home for remote learning because of the coronavirus pandemic. Many are unhappy with either option.
“I definitely think it’s healthy for a child to go back to school,” said Ball, who feels her sons, William and Henry, both at River Ridge High School in Georgia’s Cherokee County district, suffered through enough instability in the spring. “At the same time, I wish they weren’t going back to school right now. It’s very scary.”
Offering parents choices eases some of the problems facing schools. If some students stay home, that creates more space in buildings and on buses.
But the number of families with a choice has dwindled as the virus’s spread has prompted school districts to scrap in-person classes - at least to start the academic year - in cities including Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Washington, as well as parts of the South and Midwest where school is starting this week.
Many districts that don’t begin instruction until after Labor Day are warily tracking the virus - and weighing concerns of educators and parents - as they consider plans including hybrid approaches, with in-person learning at least a few days a week.
In Cherokee County, administrators have stuck with plans to offer in-person school five days a week despite pressure from some parents and teachers. The countywide district also rejected demands to require masks inside school buildings. The families of about 23% of Cherokee County’s 43,000 students have opted for them to learn remotely from home.
Barrett said the mask decision contributed to his decision to keep Autumn, who is in a special education program, home to start third grade at Bascomb Elementary School.
“At a minimum, there ought to be a mask mandate, and maybe a staggered schedule. They’re not interested in responding to the realities of the virus as it’s happening in Georgia,” Barrett said.
Barrett works from home and his wife, who has an educational background, isn’t employed. He says that gives them “an ability to bridge the gap.” But he worries that Autumn will still fall behind, especially on her individualized education program, the plan written for each special education student.
“She gives up a lot of the ability to make progress on her IEP,” Barrett said. “It’s a big decision, and it feels like a definite loss.”
Parents are not the only ones who are struggling. Districts that offer two modes of instruction create new challenges for teachers as well, especially those in smaller districts who are being asked to educate students in person and online at the same time.
“The key is going to be the complexity, how they handle it,” said Allen Pratt, executive director of the National Rural Education Association. “Is it going to be standards-driven, what students need to move to the next grade level? Is it going to be equal to face-to-face or better than face-to-face?”
Denise Dalrymple is reluctantly sending her two sons back to first and sixth grades in Cherokee County because she says it’s impossible for her to work otherwise. Like many districts, the county says it will have increased academic expectations for online learning this fall, compared to the spring.
“You basically have to make the student’s education time a priority over your own job,” Dalrymple said.
Others are more enthusiastic about a return.
“It was automatic because my husband and I both work, because it would have upset both of our schedules,” said Jackie Taylor, who has three school-aged children and lives in nearby Canton.
She said her children have been around other kids this summer, making the transition back to school less concerning.
“We use the neighborhood pool, we do the sports,” Taylor said as she watched her son practice baseball. “Obviously they’re in close proximity in the dugouts.”
Siana Onanovic said her son Kelvin will be attending Woodstock High, also in the Cherokee district, in person as a freshman. That’s in part because the special science and engineering curriculum that drew her family to the school’s attendance zone isn’t available online.
But, like many, she had her reservations.
“There are so many pros and cons on each side,” she said.
—
Follow AP’s pandemic coverage at http://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--How the F-35 is driving a wedge between the U.S. and a key NATO ally

It was supposed to be an object lesson in bringing a recalcitrant ally back into line , but kicking Turkey out of the Pentagon ’ s $ 1.6 trillion F-35 program has proved much more difficult than expected , raising questions about whether Washington made a threat it wasn ’ t fully ready to back up .
More than a year after the Trump administration formally ousted Turkey , a key NATO ally , from the 21st-century fighter aircraft initiative because of Ankara ’ s growing military ties with Russia , Turkish companies remain embedded in U.S. supply chains with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out .
All Turkish participation in the program was supposed to end by March , but defense industry leaders said it ’ s likely to continue for at least another year .
Officials with Lockheed Martin , the F-35 lead manufacturer , told The Washington Times last week that the company “ continues moving away ” from Turkish suppliers but offered no specific dates for a full and final break .
Defense Department officials conceded earlier this year that Turkish involvement would continue long past the original March deadline .
The U.S. and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without avail the plan by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to purchase a major Russian missile defense system , warning it could compromise alliance security systems .
Turkey said it turned to Moscow only after it was blocked from buying a U.S. alternative .
The inability to break ties with Turkey is the latest setback for the high-profile F-35 program , which has been plagued by cost overruns and other issues .
Anger has been mounting on Capitol Hill as well .
Lawmakers argued last week that millions of dollars in taxpayer money @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contracts and a lack of proper oversight .
The F-35 production process was conceived as an alliance-enhancing measure , with key allies such as Turkey allowed to share in lucrative parts of the production process .
Defense insiders say the Pentagon and its partners in the private sector have struggled to find non-Turkish companies capable of making certain key parts for the cutting-edge aircraft .
The COVID-19 pandemic also has slowed production lines and hampered coordination , further delaying a complicated transition away from Turkish firms .
“ I think it was harder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Air Force Gen. Herbert “ Hawk ” J. Carlisle , now president and CEO of the National Defense Industrial Association ( NDIA ) .
“ People at Lockheed Martin , people at DoD … it was more difficult than they thought , by some degree , and then you put COVID-19 on top of that , ” he told The Washington Times in an interview .
“ I think it ’ s a manufacturing readiness and a capacity and scale capability [ issue ] .
The Turks produced a manufacturing capability … to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complex jet to make the parts they ’ re making for them .
Cut that off , and you have to find a company that has the background and the capability to do it.
” Turkish companies still provide hundreds of parts for the F-35 program , arguably the most ambitious air program in Pentagon history and one that is designed to produce planes that will replace legacy jets in the Air Force , Navy and Marine Corps .
The Turkish firms mainly provide parts related to the F-35 ’ s physical frame @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complex sensors , systems and electronics inside the aircraft .
While Turkish involvement is somewhat limited , lawmakers of both parties are angry that Ankara is still playing any role at all .
Last year , the White House and Pentagon ousted Turkey from the F-35 program because of Ankara ’ s decision to buy the Russian-made S-400 missile system .
U.S. officials argued that the F-35 and S-400 can not be used together because the S-400 — a highly sophisticated system in its own right — could learn and exploit any weak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ undermining NATO security .
When Mr. Erdogan went ahead with the Russian deal , the U.S. kicked out Turkish pilots who were in America learning to fly the plane and halted sales of completed aircraft to Ankara .
Earlier this month , the Air Force confirmed that it will buy eight F-35s that were supposed to be delivered to Turkey .
Also as part of the new policy , all Turkish participation in the manufacturing process was set to end by March , and members of Congress want to know why that hasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Turkish manufacturers are still producing and delivering key components of the aircraft despite the statutory prohibition on such participation in manufacturing line of the program .
We believe more urgency is needed and hope you will accelerate the process to ensure a more prompt removal , ” reads a July 6 letter to Defense Secretary Mark Esper from Republican Sens .
James Lankford of Oklahoma and Thom Tillis of North Carolina , and Democratic Sens .
Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland .
“ Based on recent revelations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not following its own timeline or the intent of Congress in this matter , ” the senators wrote .
“ We encourage you to reexamine the present approach and take action to ensure an expedited removal of Turkey from the manufacturing line as required by law.
” The lawmakers argued that Congress already has set aside tens of millions of dollars to help the Pentagon find alternative sources for parts .
They also raised concerns that the current Pentagon plan seemingly could allow for contracts with Turkish companies through 2022 .
Defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a full break should be made by next summer .
Lockheed Martin told The Times that the company is moving away from Turkish suppliers as contracts end and “ fully qualified alternatives ” are found .
The complex technical and security parameters of the F-35 program , industry sources said , make it difficult to find fully qualified companies that can produce parts at scale on the schedule the administration initially envisioned .
Although industry may be optimistic about a quicker transition , Defense Department officials seem reluctant to make more promises they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A Pentagon spokesperson told The Times that “ extended transition times ” away from Turkish parts do not signal any change in U.S. policy and that Turkey remains suspended from the program .
Although a majority of Turkish parts have been removed from the supply chain , Pentagon officials would guarantee only that the final Turkish products will be delivered by the end of 2022 .
The COVID-19 outbreak , officials said , also has greatly complicated matters while exposing the larger U.S. dependence of unreliable foreign suppliers in many industries critical to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just one piece of the much larger movement to “ onshore ” production of military and medical equipment in order to prevent other countries from holding the U.S. hostage during a crisis .
“ The challenge we face — in the middle of on-shoring some stuff from Turkey — [ is ] you ’ re on-shoring all this other stuff inside defense and outside defense , ” Gen. Carlisle said .
Meanwhile , the F-35 program as a whole has come under fire from lawmakers and other critics who say Lockheed Martin ought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that weren ’ t fully ready to be installed on the planes .
Defense Department officials say their personnel in many cases had to fix “ electronic equipment logs ” that come on some key F-35 parts .
The Pentagon is estimated to have incurred at least $ 183 million in labor costs .
Lockheed Martin , on the other hand , can receive bonuses if F-35s hit certain flight time thresholds , even if it was Pentagon personnel who carried out the crucial final few steps to make the craft airworthy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ damage , you need to rethink the terms of that contract , ” Rep. Stephen F. Lynch , Massachusetts Democrat , told Lockheed Martin officials last week during a hearing of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform .
Lockheed Martin officials said they are still negotiating with the Pentagon and are in the process of figuring out how much money , if any , should be returned .
“ It ’ s a complex problem , ” Greg Ulmer , Lockheed Martin ’ s vice president and general manager of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hearing .
“ It ’ s not all associated with Lockheed Martin performance .
”

It was supposed to be an object lesson in bringing a recalcitrant ally back into line, but kicking Turkey out of the Pentagon’s $1.6 trillion F-35 program has proved much more difficult than expected, raising questions about whether Washington made a threat it wasn’t fully ready to back up.
More than a year after the Trump administration formally ousted Turkey, a key NATO ally, from the 21st-century fighter aircraft initiative because of Ankara’s growing military ties with Russia, Turkish companies remain embedded in U.S. supply chains with no clear time frame to get them out. All Turkish participation in the program was supposed to end by March, but defense industry leaders said it’s likely to continue for at least another year.
Officials with Lockheed Martin, the F-35 lead manufacturer, told The Washington Times last week that the company “continues moving away” from Turkish suppliers but offered no specific dates for a full and final break. Defense Department officials conceded earlier this year that Turkish involvement would continue long past the original March deadline.
The U.S. and a number of other NATO countries protested without avail the plan by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to purchase a major Russian missile defense system, warning it could compromise alliance security systems. Turkey said it turned to Moscow only after it was blocked from buying a U.S. alternative.
The inability to break ties with Turkey is the latest setback for the high-profile F-35 program, which has been plagued by cost overruns and other issues. Anger has been mounting on Capitol Hill as well. Lawmakers argued last week that millions of dollars in taxpayer money has been lost because of poorly written contracts and a lack of proper oversight.
The F-35 production process was conceived as an alliance-enhancing measure, with key allies such as Turkey allowed to share in lucrative parts of the production process.
Defense insiders say the Pentagon and its partners in the private sector have struggled to find non-Turkish companies capable of making certain key parts for the cutting-edge aircraft. The COVID-19 pandemic also has slowed production lines and hampered coordination, further delaying a complicated transition away from Turkish firms.
“I think it was harder than people anticipated,” said retired Air Force Gen. Herbert “Hawk” J. Carlisle, now president and CEO of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA).
“People at Lockheed Martin, people at DoD … it was more difficult than they thought, by some degree, and then you put COVID-19 on top of that,” he told The Washington Times in an interview. “I think it’s a manufacturing readiness and a capacity and scale capability [issue]. The Turks produced a manufacturing capability … to meet all the requirements for a very complex jet to make the parts they’re making for them. Cut that off, and you have to find a company that has the background and the capability to do it.”
Turkish companies still provide hundreds of parts for the F-35 program, arguably the most ambitious air program in Pentagon history and one that is designed to produce planes that will replace legacy jets in the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps.
The Turkish firms mainly provide parts related to the F-35’s physical frame, industry sources said, not the complex sensors, systems and electronics inside the aircraft.
Missed deadlines
While Turkish involvement is somewhat limited, lawmakers of both parties are angry that Ankara is still playing any role at all. Last year, the White House and Pentagon ousted Turkey from the F-35 program because of Ankara’s decision to buy the Russian-made S-400 missile system.
U.S. officials argued that the F-35 and S-400 cannot be used together because the S-400 — a highly sophisticated system in its own right — could learn and exploit any weak spots in the F-35 program, potentially undermining NATO security.
When Mr. Erdogan went ahead with the Russian deal, the U.S. kicked out Turkish pilots who were in America learning to fly the plane and halted sales of completed aircraft to Ankara. Earlier this month, the Air Force confirmed that it will buy eight F-35s that were supposed to be delivered to Turkey.
Also as part of the new policy, all Turkish participation in the manufacturing process was set to end by March, and members of Congress want to know why that hasn’t happened.
“Unfortunately, Turkish manufacturers are still producing and delivering key components of the aircraft despite the statutory prohibition on such participation in manufacturing line of the program. We believe more urgency is needed and hope you will accelerate the process to ensure a more prompt removal,” reads a July 6 letter to Defense Secretary Mark Esper from Republican Sens. James Lankford of Oklahoma and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, and Democratic Sens. Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland.
“Based on recent revelations, it is clear that the Pentagon is not following its own timeline or the intent of Congress in this matter,” the senators wrote. “We encourage you to reexamine the present approach and take action to ensure an expedited removal of Turkey from the manufacturing line as required by law.”
The lawmakers argued that Congress already has set aside tens of millions of dollars to help the Pentagon find alternative sources for parts. They also raised concerns that the current Pentagon plan seemingly could allow for contracts with Turkish companies through 2022.
Defense industry officials dispute that date and say a full break should be made by next summer.
Lockheed Martin told The Times that the company is moving away from Turkish suppliers as contracts end and “fully qualified alternatives” are found. The complex technical and security parameters of the F-35 program, industry sources said, make it difficult to find fully qualified companies that can produce parts at scale on the schedule the administration initially envisioned.
Although industry may be optimistic about a quicker transition, Defense Department officials seem reluctant to make more promises they may not be able to keep. A Pentagon spokesperson told The Times that “extended transition times” away from Turkish parts do not signal any change in U.S. policy and that Turkey remains suspended from the program.
Although a majority of Turkish parts have been removed from the supply chain, Pentagon officials would guarantee only that the final Turkish products will be delivered by the end of 2022.
Deeper problems
The COVID-19 outbreak, officials said, also has greatly complicated matters while exposing the larger U.S. dependence of unreliable foreign suppliers in many industries critical to national security.
F-35 production is now just one piece of the much larger movement to “onshore” production of military and medical equipment in order to prevent other countries from holding the U.S. hostage during a crisis.
“The challenge we face — in the middle of on-shoring some stuff from Turkey — [is] you’re on-shoring all this other stuff inside defense and outside defense,” Gen. Carlisle said.
Meanwhile, the F-35 program as a whole has come under fire from lawmakers and other critics who say Lockheed Martin ought to repay American taxpayers for delivering parts that weren’t fully ready to be installed on the planes. Defense Department officials say their personnel in many cases had to fix “electronic equipment logs” that come on some key F-35 parts.
The Pentagon is estimated to have incurred at least $183 million in labor costs. Lockheed Martin, on the other hand, can receive bonuses if F-35s hit certain flight time thresholds, even if it was Pentagon personnel who carried out the crucial final few steps to make the craft airworthy.
“If you want to avoid reputational damage, you need to rethink the terms of that contract,” Rep. Stephen F. Lynch, Massachusetts Democrat, told Lockheed Martin officials last week during a hearing of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Lockheed Martin officials said they are still negotiating with the Pentagon and are in the process of figuring out how much money, if any, should be returned.
“It’s a complex problem,” Greg Ulmer, Lockheed Martin’s vice president and general manager of the F-35 program, told lawmakers at the hearing. “It’s not all associated with Lockheed Martin performance.”
• Ben Wolfgang can be reached at bwolfgang@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--Portland protests grow violent again

Portland protests grow violent again

Protestors wearing “ press ” insignias threw bottles at police Saturday night as the demonstrations in Portland , Oregon , intensified after several days of relative calm , police said .
State and city officials had insisted the reason for the violence was the presence of federal law enforcement protecting a courthouse downtown .
Under a deal between the governor and the feds , those officers pulled back their presence on Thursday .
The first two nights following that move were relatively quiet as the protesters polices themselves , squelching fires started by rogue demonstrators and pulling others down from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But Saturday night saw a new round of clashes - this time in a part of the city away from the courthouse .
After a paint-filled bottle was thrown , striking a city police officer , police declared the gathering unlawful and that sparked a new round of clashes .
“ People with ‘ press ’ written on their outer garments repeatedly threw objects at officers , ” Portland Police said .
They also reported having to slash the tires of a car being used to block them from dispersing the crowd .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a journalist and it was an attack on press freedom .
A second round of clashes also saw “ people with ‘ press ’ written on their outer garments ” again throwing things at police , authorities said .
Two people were arrested for interfering with police .
Back downtown , near the courthouse , city police reported no arrests .
A federal judge last week said he wad disturbed by people using press passes to shield themselves from consequences for rioting .
He had issued a restraining order against police using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he is pondering asking the ACLU to effectively license reporters so only legitimate ones are involved in covering protests and protected by his order .

With federal officers taking a lower profile in Portland, Oregon, protesters are turning their ire on local police, using the same tactics of throwing bottles and firing lasers into officers’ eyes, as Black Lives Matter demonstrations enter their 10th week.
New violence over the weekend seems to undercut city and state leaders’ claims that it was the presence of the feds that had sparked the violence.
Portland police also reported Sunday morning that they’re seeing demonstrators cloaking themselves as journalists to engage in the violence — a tactic the federal officers also faced, and one that complicates questions about press freedom and the ability to control the crowds.
“People with ‘press’ written on their outer garments repeatedly threw objects at officers,” the city police department said in a wrap-up of Saturday night’s activities, which saw generally peaceful demonstrations near the federal courthouse in downtown Portland, but a more violent scene to the east near a city office building.
After those protesters started throwing bottles and aiming lasers at officers, police declared it an unlawful gathering and tried to disperse the crowd.
Police said they made two arrests of demonstrators who were fighting them, and at one point they had to slash the tires of a car that was being used to try to obstruct officers from clearing the scene.
Activists on Twitter claimed the car belonged to a reporter.
A federal judge last week said he was so concerned about demonstrators cloaking themselves as press that he is pondering asking the American Civil Liberties Union to license reporters on the scene.
Judge Michael Simon had previously issued a temporary restraining order directing police not to interfere with reporters doing their jobs in covering the events, but he said he’s worried about video he’s seen of people marked as press leading assaults on the federal courthouse.
“Given that we’ve seen some people at least commit some unlawful acts who were wearing a press helmet, am I not putting the law enforcement officers at unreasonable danger or risk?” he said during a telephone hearing on Friday.
At the same time, he also said he’s worried some officers are still targeting press despite his orders.
For them, he said he’s pondering having them wear sports team-style jersey numbers, so they can be identified and punished if they are violating his orders.
“I do think it might be appropriate to require any federal law enforcement officer who steps out of the fed courthouse building to wear a unique identifying code,” the judge said. “I’m kind of thinking a little bit like professional basketball or football jerseys — not with their names on it, but their numbers.”
The ACLU was excited about labeling the police, but was less enthusiastic about being put in charge of vetting authentic reporters, saying it doesn’t have the expertise — or, for that matter, enough vests to give out to designate people.
Judge Simon said he’ll ponder the idea more.
The Trump administration, during the Friday hearing, told Judge Simon the matter might be moot, because federal officers have pulled back from front-line enforcement under the deal between Oregon Gov. Kate Brown and acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad F. Wolf.
After weeks of violent clashes outside the federal Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse, Mr. Brown agreed to deploy the state police to protect the building, and Mr. Wolf said he would then withdraw the additional officers and agents he’d sent in.
The handoff took place Thursday and seemed to work immediately.
Portland police said there were mass marches and chants and some unruly behavior, including attempts to set fires inside the fence line at the federal courthouse that’s become the focal point of recent riots.
But both police and activists on the ground reported that the fires were quickly squelched by other protesters.
“Some people climbed on or near the fence at the federal courthouse, but others admonished them and they got down,” the Portland Police Bureau said in its recap of the night. “People could be heard in the crowd repeating that the protest was to remain peaceful.”
A similar scene played out Friday night as well, police said.
Portland Police Chief Chuck Lovell credited the protesters for moderating their own behavior.
“Thank you to all those who demonstrated peacefully last night as well as those who interceded to stop any attempts to light fires or throw projectiles,” he said Friday. “It’s time to move forward and make transformative changes.”
Ms. Brown also crowed over the more peaceful rallies.
“Last night, the world was watching Portland. Here’s what they saw: Federal troops left downtown. Local officials protected free speech. And Oregonians spoke out for Black Lives Matter, racial justice and police accountability through peaceful, nonviolent protest,” she said.
On Saturday, though, some of the violence returned — and this time it involved city police.
Police said the area around the courthouse remained “peaceful,” with a crowd marching around downtown but avoiding major mischief. But east of downtown, across the Willamette River, a city office build that also houses some Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office services became the focal point of violent clashes where police say they faced bottle-throwing and lasers.
Activists took to Twitter, meanwhile, to complain that they were threatened and assaulted by police who used batons and pepper spray.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan recovers from coronavirus

NEW DELHI ( AP ) - Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan was discharged from a Mumbai hospital on Sunday after undergoing @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus .
His actor son , Abhishek Bachchan , who is still in the @ @ @ @ @ the virus , said in a tweet that his father has tested negative and will @ @ @ @ @ were hospitalized on July 11 .
Abhishek Bachchan ’ s wife , Aishwarya Rai Bachchan @ @ @ @ @ , who both also contracted the virus , left the hospital last week after recovering @ @ @ @ @ a top Bollywood actress .
The elder Bachchan , 77 , has acted in more @ @ @ @ @ the past five decades .
He is also a former politician and television host .
@ @ @ @ @ Bollywood ’ s first family .
Amitabh Bachchan ’ s wife , Jaya , is @ @ @ @ @ one-time member of Parliament .
She was not hit by the coronavirus .

NEW DELHI (AP) - Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan was discharged from a Mumbai hospital on Sunday after undergoing three weeks of treatment for the coronavirus.
His actor son, Abhishek Bachchan, who is still in the Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital with the virus, said in a tweet that his father has tested negative and will rest at home. Both were hospitalized on July 11.
Abhishek Bachchan’s wife, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and their 8-year-old daughter, who both also contracted the virus, left the hospital last week after recovering. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is a top Bollywood actress.
The elder Bachchan, 77, has acted in more than 200 Indian films over the past five decades. He is also a former politician and television host.
The Bachchans are often called Bollywood’s first family. Amitabh Bachchan’s wife, Jaya, is also an actress and a one-time member of Parliament. She was not hit by the coronavirus.


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--Pawtucket, Central Falls share $230,000 development grant

PAWTUCKET , R.I. ( AP ) - The cities of Pawtucket and Central Falls have received a $ 230,000 federal grant to create a joint economic development action plan .
The funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration will be used to develop a detailed economic development plan to guide growth in the two industrial cities and examine existing workforce strengths and needs , according to a statement from local and federal officials .
The plan will include a feasibility study for the creation of a new workforce training and innovation center .
The grant will also allow the cities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 12-acre lot that was formerly the site of the Osram Sylvania light bulb factory in Central Falls .
The adjacent cities have been hit particularly hard by the coronavirus pandemic .
“ With the ongoing pandemic , this project has also taken on a new significance , particularly the workforce development and training center study component , which could be very helpful in identifying the job training and retraining needs of our workforce currently and post-pandemic , ” Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien said in a statement .
Pawtucket and Central Falls already share @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the development of the Conant Thread District that straddles the cities .

PAWTUCKET, R.I. (AP) - The cities of Pawtucket and Central Falls have received a $230,000 federal grant to create a joint economic development action plan.
The funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration will be used to develop a detailed economic development plan to guide growth in the two industrial cities and examine existing workforce strengths and needs, according to a statement from local and federal officials.
The plan will include a feasibility study for the creation of a new workforce training and innovation center.
The grant will also allow the cities to explore options for redeveloping a vacant 12-acre lot that was formerly the site of the Osram Sylvania light bulb factory in Central Falls.
The adjacent cities have been hit particularly hard by the coronavirus pandemic.
“With the ongoing pandemic, this project has also taken on a new significance, particularly the workforce development and training center study component, which could be very helpful in identifying the job training and retraining needs of our workforce currently and post-pandemic,” Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien said in a statement.
Pawtucket and Central Falls already share a joint planning commission tasked with supporting the development of the Conant Thread District that straddles the cities.


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--Montana man's fish story includes snake bite, hospital stay

GLEN , Mont .
( AP ) - When Bill Childrey woke up last Saturday morning , he saw that skies were overcast over his place on the Big Hole near Notch Bottom - perfect for summer dry-fly fishing .
He was right - the fishing was great .
He just didn ’ t know yet about the rest of his day : The suspected car theft and kidnapping .
The helicopter life flight .
As Paul Harvey would say , here ’ s the rest of the story .
Childrey , 75 , and his wife Elizabeth have lived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their place on the Big Hole for 21 years .
So he knows when a fishing day looks promising .
On July 25 , Childrey didn ’ t bother donning his usual fishing pants .
He didn ’ t bother with his cellphone .
He just pulled on a pair of jeans and wading boots and hit the stream .
“ I was pretty excited , ” he told The Montana Standard .
“ It just looked real good.
” Sure enough , he found browns and rainbows were enthusiastically chowing down on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nice fish .
Fishing his home water , he knew all the good spots .
So he headed to the next one , saw a fish rising , and stepped toward the river to make his cast .
Whack .
He was bitten on the leg by a rattlesnake .
“ I know better , ” he said .
“ I ’ m always careful about watching where I walk .
But I was just excited about the fishing.
” He must have startled the snake , “ a four- or five-footer , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t even let out a rattle .
It just attacked .
“ I didn ’ t step on it , but I stepped really near it , ” Childrey said .
“ I knew right away what happened.
” “ I was pretty panicked , ” he said .
“ Later I found out I probably had three hours to get to the hospital , but I didn ’ t know that then.
” He started walking back toward his house .
He had seen the neighboring ranch ’ s caretaker drive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Calling , heck , I was yelling , ” he said .
“ Then I saw the caretaker ’ s truck .
I looked inside it , and the keys were in it.
” So Childrey jumped in the truck and headed for another nearby ranch .
What he didn ’ t know was that the caretaker had seen him take the truck , but didn ’ t recognize him and assumed his truck had just been stolen .
So he called the sheriff .
Our snakebitten protagonist , by now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the yard of the Garrison place .
“ Floydena and Billy Garrison are good friends , ” Childrey said .
“ Floydena was mowing her lawn .
So I yelled at her.
” “ I just put him in the truck and took him to town , ” Floydena said .
“ I didn ’ t even grab my cellphone.
” When they arrived at Barrett Community Hospital in Dillon , the emergency room was pretty full and doctors there had only one vial of antivenin .
So doctors decided to life-flight Childrey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Everybody was so great at both hospitals , ” Childrey said .
“ The nurses were awesome , the doctors were great.
” Meanwhile , back at the ranch ( oh , the joy at being able to use that line ! )
Childrey was overdue at home .
He and Elizabeth had an online social appointment with friends .
“ That darn guy has gotten excited about fishing and has forgotten all about this , ” Elizabeth Childrey said to herself .
“ I ’ d better go get him.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Floydena Garrison , who by then had retrieved her phone .
“ She told me , ‘ Don ’ t panic but Bill was bitten by a rattlesnake.
’ ” Elizabeth , of course , panicked .
Floydena came over and drove Elizabeth to Butte to see Bill .
“ The kindness of our neighbors is incredible , ” Elizabeth Childrey said .
“ Here she just took Bill to Dillon and she comes right back and takes me to Butte.
” Meanwhile , back at the other ranch , the caretaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the Garrison place .
Trouble was , Floydena and her truck were missing .
People began to worry that whoever stole the first truck decided Floydena ’ s new truck was better and abducted it , along with her .
When she came back home , she found a crowd of worried family members in her yard .
“ Here they found that missing truck in our driveway , and I was gone , ” she said .
“ I told them what happened .
I didn ’ t do anything special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out.
” So finally , everything got straightened out , and people realized that Bill Childrey , aka the mystery man from the river , was not actually a car thief , but a snakebite victim .
And at the hospital , Childrey got good news .
Wearing his jeans turned out to be a great idea .
One of the snake ’ s fangs had struck the seam on his jeans , and so did not penetrate to the skin .
So he was officially a one-fang snakebite victim .
Doctors kept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while he was receiving antivenin , so they could keep an eye on him .
On Sunday , they let him go home .
“ We were so lucky , ” Elizabeth says .
“ The doctors say there ’ s no reason he shouldn ’ t make a full recovery .
Childrey is also taking a great deal of ribbing from friends from across the country .
“ They wanted to know why I didn ’ t stay and fish longer , ” he said .
“ If I ’ d known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the doctor .
I might have , ” he said .
“ The fishing was really good .
”

GLEN, Mont. (AP) - When Bill Childrey woke up last Saturday morning, he saw that skies were overcast over his place on the Big Hole near Notch Bottom - perfect for summer dry-fly fishing.
He was right - the fishing was great. He just didn’t know yet about the rest of his day: The suspected car theft and kidnapping. The helicopter life flight.
And the snake.
As Paul Harvey would say, here’s the rest of the story.
Childrey, 75, and his wife Elizabeth have lived 6 months out of the year at their place on the Big Hole for 21 years. So he knows when a fishing day looks promising.
On July 25, Childrey didn’t bother donning his usual fishing pants. He didn’t bother with his cellphone. He just pulled on a pair of jeans and wading boots and hit the stream.
“I was pretty excited,” he told The Montana Standard. “It just looked real good.”
Sure enough, he found browns and rainbows were enthusiastically chowing down on hoppers, and he caught several very nice fish.
Fishing his home water, he knew all the good spots. So he headed to the next one, saw a fish rising, and stepped toward the river to make his cast.
Whack. He was bitten on the leg by a rattlesnake.
“I know better,” he said. “I’m always careful about watching where I walk. But I was just excited about the fishing.”
He must have startled the snake, “a four- or five-footer,” he said, because it didn’t even let out a rattle. It just attacked.
“I didn’t step on it, but I stepped really near it,” Childrey said. “I knew right away what happened.”
“I was pretty panicked,” he said. “Later I found out I probably had three hours to get to the hospital, but I didn’t know that then.”
He started walking back toward his house. He had seen the neighboring ranch’s caretaker drive by, so he started calling out.
“Calling, heck, I was yelling,” he said. “Then I saw the caretaker’s truck. I looked inside it, and the keys were in it.”
So Childrey jumped in the truck and headed for another nearby ranch.
What he didn’t know was that the caretaker had seen him take the truck, but didn’t recognize him and assumed his truck had just been stolen. So he called the sheriff.
Our snakebitten protagonist, by now a car-theft suspect, pulled up in the yard of the Garrison place. “Floydena and Billy Garrison are good friends,” Childrey said. “Floydena was mowing her lawn. So I yelled at her.”
“I just put him in the truck and took him to town,” Floydena said. “I didn’t even grab my cellphone.”
When they arrived at Barrett Community Hospital in Dillon, the emergency room was pretty full and doctors there had only one vial of antivenin. So doctors decided to life-flight Childrey to St. James Healthcare in Butte.
“Everybody was so great at both hospitals,” Childrey said. “The nurses were awesome, the doctors were great.”
Meanwhile, back at the ranch (oh, the joy at being able to use that line!) Childrey was overdue at home. He and Elizabeth had an online social appointment with friends.
“That darn guy has gotten excited about fishing and has forgotten all about this,” Elizabeth Childrey said to herself. “I’d better go get him.”
About then, she got a call from Floydena Garrison, who by then had retrieved her phone.
“She told me, ‘Don’t panic but Bill was bitten by a rattlesnake.’” Elizabeth, of course, panicked.
Floydena came over and drove Elizabeth to Butte to see Bill.
“The kindness of our neighbors is incredible,” Elizabeth Childrey said. “Here she just took Bill to Dillon and she comes right back and takes me to Butte.”
Meanwhile, back at the other ranch, the caretaker’s pickup truck had been located at the Garrison place.
Trouble was, Floydena and her truck were missing. People began to worry that whoever stole the first truck decided Floydena’s new truck was better and abducted it, along with her.
When she came back home, she found a crowd of worried family members in her yard. “Here they found that missing truck in our driveway, and I was gone,” she said. “I told them what happened. I didn’t do anything special. I was just available to help out.”
So finally, everything got straightened out, and people realized that Bill Childrey, aka the mystery man from the river, was not actually a car thief, but a snakebite victim.
And at the hospital, Childrey got good news.
Wearing his jeans turned out to be a great idea. One of the snake’s fangs had struck the seam on his jeans, and so did not penetrate to the skin. So he was officially a one-fang snakebite victim.
Doctors kept him overnight at St. James Healthcare, while he was receiving antivenin, so they could keep an eye on him. On Sunday, they let him go home.
“We were so lucky,” Elizabeth says. “The doctors say there’s no reason he shouldn’t make a full recovery.
“He’s keeping his leg elevated.”
Childrey is also taking a great deal of ribbing from friends from across the country.
“They wanted to know why I didn’t stay and fish longer,” he said.
“If I’d known I had three hours to get to the doctor. I might have,” he said. “The fishing was really good.”


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--Woman charged with stealing from town faces October trial

GREAT BARRINGTON , Mass .
( AP ) - The trial of a former town treasurer ’ s office employee @ @ @ @ @ $ 100,000 from the community is tentatively scheduled to go on trial in October .
@ @ @ @ @ allegedly stole more than $ 100,000 in property and excise taxes paid in cash from @ @ @ @ @ as assistant treasurer/collector in Great Barrington , The Berkshire Eagle reports .
She has pleaded @ @ @ @ @ embezzlement charges and is free on personal recognizance .
She was fired in March 2019 @ @ @ @ @ commented .
She allegedly stole taxpayer money through a Ponzi scheme in which she would @ @ @ @ @ other tax payments made by check , according to investigators .
Whether her trial in @ @ @ @ @ October depends on several factors , including a backup of cases due to COVID-19 and @ @ @ @ @ court officials said .

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. (AP) - The trial of a former town treasurer’s office employee charged with stealing more than $100,000 from the community is tentatively scheduled to go on trial in October.
Deborah Ball, 64, allegedly stole more than $100,000 in property and excise taxes paid in cash from 2015 to 2018 while working as assistant treasurer/collector in Great Barrington, The Berkshire Eagle reports.
She has pleaded not guilty to larceny and embezzlement charges and is free on personal recognizance. She was fired in March 2019. Her attorney has not commented.
She allegedly stole taxpayer money through a Ponzi scheme in which she would hide cash shortfalls by applying other tax payments made by check, according to investigators.
Whether her trial in Berkshire Superior Court starts in October depends on several factors, including a backup of cases due to COVID-19 and the availability of jurors, court officials said.


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--Ginsburg waited 4 months to say her cancer had returned

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is perhaps the most forthcoming member of the Supreme Court when it comes to telling the public about her many health issues .
But she waited more than four months to reveal that her cancer had returned and that she was undergoing chemotherapy .
One big difference from her past battles with cancer is that Ginsburg and the rest of the court have been out of the public eye since early March because of the coronavirus pandemic .
That ’ s when they decided to close the building except for official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreed to meet by telephone .
In some ways , the court was more accessible to the public than ever with its decision to provide live audio of telephone arguments in May .
But the inability to see the justices and , after arguments concluded on May 13 , hear them , made what went on in the late spring and early summer even harder to read than usual .
In an institution that zealously guards the justices ’ privacy , only a justice can decide when an injury or illness should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes with the job , it ’ s also up to them alone to decide when to retire .
Ginsburg , who was in and out of the hospital last week , said she intends to remain on the court , a decision that likely was influenced by the conservative nominee President Donald Trump would put up to replace her if she were to retire .
“ If there is one iron rule that the court tries to follow more than any other , it is that the justices do all that they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attacks during presidential election years when public scrutiny of government is heightened .
Ginsburg may simply be trying , to the extent she can , to protect the court and herself , from becoming a campaign issue in 2020 , ” said Artemus Ward , a political scientist at Northern Illinois University who has written about the politics of court retirements .
Ginsburg started receiving chemotherapy in May , a time of year when the justices typically take the bench at least once a week to announce decisions , and when the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Similarly , Chief Justice John Roberts suffered a forehead injury that required stitches on Father ’ s Day .
In a normal year , the court would have met in public the next day and Roberts ’ wound would have been easy to see .
Instead , opinions were released electronically , as they were throughout the spring and early summer .
Only after inquiries from The Washington Post did the court confirm that Roberts had taken a fall that kept him in the hospital overnight .
Ginsburg issued a statement on July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ February revealed lesions on her liver , which a subsequent biopsy determined were cancerous .
She declined an interview request from The Associated Press .
The lesions are the fifth time Ginsburg has dealt with cancer since 1999 , when she first underwent surgery for colorectal cancer .
Surgeries for tumors on her pancreas and lung took place in 2009 and 2018 , respectively , and Ginsburg underwent radiation therapy for a new growth on her pancreas last year .
By Supreme Court standards , Ginsburg was downright speedy in her most recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who retired in 2018 , said nothing publicly when he had a stent inserted to restore blood flow in an artery after experiencing mild chest pain in 2005 .
The court revealed the procedure 10 months later , when Kennedy returned to the hospital to have the stent replaced .
In July 2007 , Roberts suffered a seizure while on vacation in Maine .
The court issued an initial statement little more than an hour after the incident , saying only that Roberts had fallen and was taken to a hospital .
Several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he had suffered a seizure , but has never provided details of what tests Roberts underwent or whether he was prescribed medication .
He had a similar episode in 1993 , long before he was a justice .
The court said doctors had ruled out a seizure in the June fall .
Only after Justice Antonin Scalia ’ s death in 2016 did the public learn that he had coronary artery disease , diabetes , chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , sleep apnea , high blood pressure and several other ailments that probably contributed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to his doctor .
“ The lack of health information about individual justices is a glaring problem .
Declining , even incapacitated , justices hold their offices until they die .
And because justices play politics with their departure decisions , trying to retire under a politically favorable president and Senate if possible , the court ’ s history has been filled with declining justices who compromised the court ’ s work because they refused to depart for political or personal reasons , ” Ward said .
Like other Americans , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a range of ailments .
Justice Sonia Sotomayor has had diabetes since childhood .
Also , both she and Justice Stephen Breyer injured their shoulders so badly they needed replacement surgery .
Sotomayor had a fall at home and Breyer suffered a bicycle accident .
Both made prompt announcements of those incidents .
Her frail appearance may fool people , but Ginsburg has been remarkably resilient through her many health crises , which also have included broken ribs , infections and her own artery-clearing stent .
She had no surgery to remove the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is ongoing .
She has said she will receive doses of the chemotherapy drug gemcitabine every two weeks .
Ginsburg ’ s statement came 10 days after she said another medical scan “ indicated significant reduction of the liver lesions and no new disease.
” In that same period , the court also issued the last of its opinions and Ginsburg was in and out of the hospital for treatment of an infection that she said was unrelated to the cancer .
She maintained that she kept up with opinion writing and all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hospital stays .

WASHINGTON (AP) — Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is perhaps the most forthcoming member of the Supreme Court when it comes to telling the public about her many health issues. But she waited more than four months to reveal that her cancer had returned and that she was undergoing chemotherapy.
One big difference from her past battles with cancer is that Ginsburg and the rest of the court have been out of the public eye since early March because of the coronavirus pandemic. That’s when they decided to close the building except for official business, then later postponed arguments and agreed to meet by telephone.
In some ways, the court was more accessible to the public than ever with its decision to provide live audio of telephone arguments in May. But the inability to see the justices and, after arguments concluded on May 13, hear them, made what went on in the late spring and early summer even harder to read than usual.
In an institution that zealously guards the justices’ privacy, only a justice can decide when an injury or illness should be made public. And because life tenure comes with the job, it’s also up to them alone to decide when to retire.
Ginsburg, who was in and out of the hospital last week, said she intends to remain on the court, a decision that likely was influenced by the conservative nominee President Donald Trump would put up to replace her if she were to retire.
“If there is one iron rule that the court tries to follow more than any other, it is that the justices do all that they can to protect their institution from political attacks during presidential election years when public scrutiny of government is heightened. Ginsburg may simply be trying, to the extent she can, to protect the court and herself, from becoming a campaign issue in 2020,” said Artemus Ward, a political scientist at Northern Illinois University who has written about the politics of court retirements.
Ginsburg started receiving chemotherapy in May, a time of year when the justices typically take the bench at least once a week to announce decisions, and when the public can observe them in the courtroom.
Similarly, Chief Justice John Roberts suffered a forehead injury that required stitches on Father’s Day. In a normal year, the court would have met in public the next day and Roberts’ wound would have been easy to see.
Instead, opinions were released electronically, as they were throughout the spring and early summer. Only after inquiries from The Washington Post did the court confirm that Roberts had taken a fall that kept him in the hospital overnight.
Ginsburg issued a statement on July 17 saying that a medical scan in February revealed lesions on her liver, which a subsequent biopsy determined were cancerous. She declined an interview request from The Associated Press.
The lesions are the fifth time Ginsburg has dealt with cancer since 1999, when she first underwent surgery for colorectal cancer. Surgeries for tumors on her pancreas and lung took place in 2009 and 2018, respectively, and Ginsburg underwent radiation therapy for a new growth on her pancreas last year.
By Supreme Court standards, Ginsburg was downright speedy in her most recent public announcement. Justice Anthony Kennedy, who retired in 2018, said nothing publicly when he had a stent inserted to restore blood flow in an artery after experiencing mild chest pain in 2005. The court revealed the procedure 10 months later, when Kennedy returned to the hospital to have the stent replaced.
In July 2007, Roberts suffered a seizure while on vacation in Maine. The court issued an initial statement little more than an hour after the incident, saying only that Roberts had fallen and was taken to a hospital. Several hours later, the court confirmed that he had suffered a seizure, but has never provided details of what tests Roberts underwent or whether he was prescribed medication. He had a similar episode in 1993, long before he was a justice. The court said doctors had ruled out a seizure in the June fall.
Only after Justice Antonin Scalia’s death in 2016 did the public learn that he had coronary artery disease, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sleep apnea, high blood pressure and several other ailments that probably contributed to the heart attack that killed him, according to his doctor.
“The lack of health information about individual justices is a glaring problem. Declining, even incapacitated, justices hold their offices until they die. And because justices play politics with their departure decisions, trying to retire under a politically favorable president and Senate if possible, the court’s history has been filled with declining justices who compromised the court’s work because they refused to depart for political or personal reasons,” Ward said.
Like other Americans, Supreme Court justices live and work with a range of ailments. Justice Sonia Sotomayor has had diabetes since childhood. Also, both she and Justice Stephen Breyer injured their shoulders so badly they needed replacement surgery. Sotomayor had a fall at home and Breyer suffered a bicycle accident. Both made prompt announcements of those incidents.
Her frail appearance may fool people, but Ginsburg has been remarkably resilient through her many health crises, which also have included broken ribs, infections and her own artery-clearing stent.
She had no surgery to remove the latest cancerous growth, and her treatment is ongoing. She has said she will receive doses of the chemotherapy drug gemcitabine every two weeks.
Ginsburg’s statement came 10 days after she said another medical scan “indicated significant reduction of the liver lesions and no new disease.”
In that same period, the court also issued the last of its opinions and Ginsburg was in and out of the hospital for treatment of an infection that she said was unrelated to the cancer. She maintained that she kept up with opinion writing and all other court work throughout her treatment and hospital stays.


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--Bear complaints rise during pandemic

Bear complaints rise during pandemic

CONCORD , N.H. ( AP ) - The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department says the coronavirus pandemic is contributing to an increase in problems with bears .
Bear project leader Andrew Timmins says complaints have increased in part because dry weather in spring and early summer reduced natural food sources for bears , driving them into residential areas .
But the pandemic also is playing a role in several ways : More people are staying home , which means more garbage bins full of food waste to attract bears .
And bird watchers kept their feeders up longer into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to secure trash receptacles and garbage cans , take down bird feeders and stop leaving pet food outside at night .
“ Bears have an extremely acute sense of smell and long memories , so we really need the cooperation of residents and visitors this summer and fall to prevent bears from returning to locations where they previously found food , ” he said .
“ Bears are much better off in the wild , and we need to do our part to not entice them near people with food attractants .
”

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) - The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department says the coronavirus pandemic is contributing to an increase in problems with bears.
Bear project leader Andrew Timmins says complaints have increased in part because dry weather in spring and early summer reduced natural food sources for bears, driving them into residential areas. But the pandemic also is playing a role in several ways: More people are staying home, which means more garbage bins full of food waste to attract bears. And bird watchers kept their feeders up longer into the summer.
Timmins is reminding residents to secure trash receptacles and garbage cans, take down bird feeders and stop leaving pet food outside at night.
“Bears have an extremely acute sense of smell and long memories, so we really need the cooperation of residents and visitors this summer and fall to prevent bears from returning to locations where they previously found food,” he said. “Bears are much better off in the wild, and we need to do our part to not entice them near people with food attractants.”


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--Don't open those weird seed packets, Maine ag officials say

AUGUSTA , Maine ( AP ) - Maine agriculture authorities are asking residents who receive unsolicited packages of seeds from @ @ @ @ @ avoid opening them and contact the state .
People around the country have reported receiving @ @ @ @ @ Department of Agriculture , Conservation and Forestry said recipients should contact its Division of Animal @ @ @ @ @ weekday to report the arrival of the seeds .
The state said recipients can also @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service , which has an @ @ @ @ @ ’ s also asking recipients to fill out an online form .
The Maine agriculture @ @ @ @ @ onto the seeds and packaging , including the mailing label .
The seeds typically arrive @ @ @ @ @ lettering and the words “ China Post.
” The USDA is investigating the seed shipments @

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - Maine agriculture authorities are asking residents who receive unsolicited packages of seeds from China in the mail to avoid opening them and contact the state.
People around the country have reported receiving the packages. The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry said recipients should contact its Division of Animal and Plant Health during a weekday to report the arrival of the seeds.
The state said recipients can also contact federal authorities such as the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, which has an office in Hermon. It’s also asking recipients to fill out an online form.
The Maine agriculture department said residents should hold onto the seeds and packaging, including the mailing label. The seeds typically arrive in white packages displaying Chinese lettering and the words “China Post.” The USDA is investigating the seed shipments.


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--Vermonters warned about unsolicited seeds from China

MONTPELIER , Vt. ( AP ) - The Vermont Agency of Agriculture is asking residents who have received unsolicited packages @ @ @ @ @ have come from China not to open them or plant them and to report the @ @ @ @ @ The type of seeds have not yet been identified and the agency had been notified @ @ @ @ @ sent such packages , which it called agricultural smuggling .
The seeds could be invasive @ @ @ @ @ to local plants , or could be harmful to livestock , the agency said in @ @ @ @ @ .
“ There is concern that if germinated they could wreak havoc on the environment @ @ @ @ @ plants and insects or disease could severely damage crops , ” the agency said .

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - The Vermont Agency of Agriculture is asking residents who have received unsolicited packages of seeds that appear to have come from China not to open them or plant them and to report the package to the agency.
The type of seeds have not yet been identified and the agency had been notified of several Vermonters who were sent such packages, which it called agricultural smuggling.
The seeds could be invasive species, could introduce diseases to local plants, or could be harmful to livestock, the agency said in social media post this week.
“There is concern that if germinated they could wreak havoc on the environment, displace or destroy native plants and insects or disease could severely damage crops,” the agency said.


washingtontimes--2020-08-02--Survivors of slain Ohio-based Marines mark grim anniversary

CINCINNATI ( AP ) - Jason Dominguez remembers vividly his last conversation with David Kreuter , as they were doing an overnight security watch from a rooftop in western Iraq .
Marine Cpl .
Dominguez and Sgt .
Kreuter usually joked around , but this night 15 years ago was different .
Kreuter proudly showed him a photo of his 7-week-old son .
“ Wow , you ’ re a father !
” Dominguez exclaimed .
“ Yeah , I am , ” replied Kreuter , 26 , who then talked excitedly about getting to see and hold baby Christian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ priorities in life had just shifted , ” recalled Dominguez , who , like the rest of the Lima ( pronounced LEE ’ -muh ) Company Marines , also looked forward to the end of their tour of duty in a couple more months .
The next day , Aug. 3 , Kreuter was among 15 people killed by a roadside bomb near the town of Hiditha .
Eleven of them were Lima Company Marines .
The Columbus , Ohio-based Reserve unit was among the hardest-hit of the war in Iraq , losing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2005 .
They held a reunion in 2015 , and another was planned this month but had to be canceled amid coronavirus restrictions .
The first day of the reunion would have included a Marines-only workshop on coping with their painful memories and trauma all these years later , said Bryan Hillberg , a survivor who lives near the village of Waynesville in southwest Ohio .
“ Some stuff is seared into your brain and some of it is just fuzzy , ” said Hillberg , 39 .
Seared in : Aug. 3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were out of his amphibious assault vehicle as the lance corporal served as gunner for the second vehicle in the convoy , just ahead of the one hit by the bomb .
“ When it blew , it shook everything , ” he said .
“ I remember looking back and it flipped it and split it in a way that with all the dust and everything , the shape looked normal .
I looked at my buddy and said ‘ Thank God , they missed.
’ ” He quickly realized he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the exploded one .
“ You saw the orange ball of fire and you just knew , ” Dominguez said .
It was the final blow of a deadly week in that area : Two Lima Company Marines also were killed while “ clearing ” houses of any possible insurgents , and six Marine snipers were lost when their outposts were overrun by insurgents .
Lima Marines who witnessed the bombing were invited by their commanders to return to their base and meet with counselors , Hillberg said .
They declined , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their company traces roots to wouldn ’ t have left the battle on Iwo Jima .
The following few days are the fuzzy ones .
One day when they were clearing houses , Hillberg suddenly couldn ’ t go into the next one .
He told his team leader , who directed him to take cover nearby .
Soon , tears were rolling down from behind his sunglasses .
“ I was just bawling , ” Hillberg said .
“ I cried it out … then we just pushed on.
” Although the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parents were recently able to host an annual golf tournament that benefits a memorial scholarship fund .
It was iffy for a while , especially before the state reversed an order closing golf courses .
Ken Kreuter said they ’ ve raised more than $ 125,000 through the tournament that grew out of an annual pancake breakfast in David ’ s honor .
They award $ 1,000 scholarships to Cincinnati-area students .
His wife , Pat Murray , helps keep up a network of the Marines ’ survivors , although Kreuter said they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others also have memorials and benefits in their children ’ s names , and a traveling tribute exhibit was created more than a decade ago .
“ The saddest thing , ” Pat said a few days ago , “ is no new memories have been created with David .
That really hurts.
” Dominguez , a father of two children , has his rituals this time of year .
On July 28 , he visited the grave of Columbus-area native Cpl .
Andre Williams , one of two Lima Marines killed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As he always does , he left a coin for Williams .
On Aug. 3 , he usually meets up with other survivors and family members , winding up at a Waffle House to trade stories and memories .
Because of pandemic restrictions and concerns , he ’ s not sure how many people will participate this year .
“ You celebrate the time you had with them , ” Dominguez said of the slain Marines .
“ You tell your kids about it .
You think about the choices you have , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worthy of their sacrifice .
”

CINCINNATI (AP) - Jason Dominguez remembers vividly his last conversation with David Kreuter, as they were doing an overnight security watch from a rooftop in western Iraq.
Marine Cpl. Dominguez and Sgt. Kreuter usually joked around, but this night 15 years ago was different. Kreuter proudly showed him a photo of his 7-week-old son. “Wow, you’re a father!” Dominguez exclaimed.
“Yeah, I am,” replied Kreuter, 26, who then talked excitedly about getting to see and hold baby Christian for the first time. “His priorities in life had just shifted,” recalled Dominguez, who, like the rest of the Lima (pronounced LEE’-muh) Company Marines, also looked forward to the end of their tour of duty in a couple more months.
The next day, Aug. 3, Kreuter was among 15 people killed by a roadside bomb near the town of Haditha. Eleven of them were Lima Company Marines.
The Columbus, Ohio-based Reserve unit was among the hardest-hit of the war in Iraq, losing 23 men after 180 deployed in early 2005. They held a reunion in 2015, and another was planned this month but had to be canceled amid coronavirus restrictions.
The first day of the reunion would have included a Marines-only workshop on coping with their painful memories and trauma all these years later, said Bryan Hillberg, a survivor who lives near the village of Waynesville in southwest Ohio.
“Some stuff is seared into your brain and some of it is just fuzzy,” said Hillberg, 39.
Seared in: Aug. 3. Hillberg’s head and shoulders were out of his amphibious assault vehicle as the lance corporal served as gunner for the second vehicle in the convoy, just ahead of the one hit by the bomb.
“When it blew, it shook everything,” he said. “I remember looking back and it flipped it and split it in a way that with all the dust and everything, the shape looked normal. I looked at my buddy and said ‘Thank God, they missed.’”
He quickly realized he was wrong.
Dominguez was two vehicles back from the exploded one.
“You saw the orange ball of fire and you just knew,” Dominguez said.
It was the final blow of a deadly week in that area: Two Lima Company Marines also were killed while “clearing” houses of any possible insurgents, and six Marine snipers were lost when their outposts were overrun by insurgents.
Lima Marines who witnessed the bombing were invited by their commanders to return to their base and meet with counselors, Hillberg said. They declined, some saying the World War II Marines their company traces roots to wouldn’t have left the battle on Iwo Jima.
The following few days are the fuzzy ones.
One day when they were clearing houses, Hillberg suddenly couldn’t go into the next one. He told his team leader, who directed him to take cover nearby. Soon, tears were rolling down from behind his sunglasses.
“I was just bawling,” Hillberg said. “I cried it out … then we just pushed on.”
Although the reunion is canceled, Kreuter’s parents were recently able to host an annual golf tournament that benefits a memorial scholarship fund. It was iffy for a while, especially before the state reversed an order closing golf courses.
Ken Kreuter said they’ve raised more than $125,000 through the tournament that grew out of an annual pancake breakfast in David’s honor. They award $1,000 scholarships to Cincinnati-area students.
His wife, Pat Murray, helps keep up a network of the Marines’ survivors, although Kreuter said they have lost touch with some. Some others also have memorials and benefits in their children’s names, and a traveling tribute exhibit was created more than a decade ago.
“The saddest thing,” Pat said a few days ago, “is no new memories have been created with David. That really hurts.”
Dominguez, a father of two children, has his rituals this time of year. On July 28, he visited the grave of Columbus-area native Cpl. Andre Williams, one of two Lima Marines killed that day in 2005 while clearing houses. As he always does, he left a coin for Williams.
On Aug. 3, he usually meets up with other survivors and family members, winding up at a Waffle House to trade stories and memories. Because of pandemic restrictions and concerns, he’s not sure how many people will participate this year.
“You celebrate the time you had with them,” Dominguez said of the slain Marines. “You tell your kids about it. You think about the choices you have, choices to live a life that is worthy of their sacrifice.”
___
This story has been corrected to show that the attack was near the town of Haditha, not Hiditha.
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Follow Dan Sewell at https://www.twitter.com/dansewell