washingtontimes--2020-07-16--Oakland to pay $32.7M to settle deadly warehouse fire suits

OAKLAND , Calif. ( AP ) - Oakland will pay $ 32.7 million to settle lawsuits filed over a 2016 fire at an illegally converted warehouse dubbed the Ghost Ship that killed 36 people , the city announced Thursday .
The City Council authorized settlements of lawsuits filed by the families of 32 victims .
The amount also includes more than $ 9 million for Sam Maxwell , who survived the blaze but “ will live with severe , lifelong injuries and major medical expenses , ” a city statement said .
“ This was a horrific tragedy that deeply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said the statement from the city attorney ’ s office .
The settlement is one of the largest in city history but Paul Matiasic , an attorney for five families , called it “ insignificant.
” “ There ’ s no amount of money in the world that can bring their loved ones back , ” he told the East Bay Times .
His clients contended the city was negligent and should have red-tagged the building .
The city doesn ’ t acknowledge any liability in the agreement but decided to settle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the statement said .
The settlement does not include about a dozen people who lived at the warehouse and were a part of the lawsuit , attorney Mary Alexander told the newspaper .
“ These people are like wildfire victims , they had to run for their lives through smoke and flames and lost their homes , many of them displaced for a long time , ” Alexander said .
On Dec. 2 , 2016 , fire swept through the warehouse during an electronic music party .
The industrial building had illegally been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an event venue .
The building was packed with furniture , extension cords and other flammable material but had only two exits and no smoke detectors , fire alarms or sprinklers , authorities said .
Prosecutors contend that Derick Almena , the master tenant on the warehouse lease , was criminally negligent when he converted and sublet the space .
They charged him with 36 counts of involuntary manslaughter but a judge declared a mistrial last fall .
His retrial is scheduled for October .
The blaze killed many young people trapped on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the victims received no warning and had little chance to escape down a narrow , ramshackle staircase .
The cause of the fire hasn ’ t been determined , although some lawsuits said there were serious electrical problems with the building .
Almena ’ s attorneys argued city workers were to blame for not raising concerns about fire hazards in the warehouse .
City officials had said the building hadn ’ t been inspected for three decades , and when inspectors did visit the site in November 2016 , they were unable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illegal construction .
Almena , who had been jailed since 2017 , was released earlier this year over coronavirus concerns after dozens of cases were reported at the facility where he was held .
He is confined to home without written court approval .
A co-defendant , Max Harris , was acquitted of involuntary manslaughter charges last year and no longer lives in the state .

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Oakland will pay $32.7 million to settle lawsuits filed over a 2016 fire at an illegally converted warehouse dubbed the Ghost Ship that killed 36 people, the city announced Thursday.
The City Council authorized settlements of lawsuits filed by the families of 32 victims. The amount also includes more than $9 million for Sam Maxwell, who survived the blaze but “will live with severe, lifelong injuries and major medical expenses,” a city statement said.
“This was a horrific tragedy that deeply impacted every corner of our community,” said the statement from the city attorney’s office.
The settlement is one of the largest in city history but Paul Matiasic, an attorney for five families, called it “insignificant.”
“There’s no amount of money in the world that can bring their loved ones back,” he told the East Bay Times. His clients contended the city was negligent and should have red-tagged the building.
The city doesn’t acknowledge any liability in the agreement but decided to settle because of the possible legal costs, the statement said.
The settlement does not include about a dozen people who lived at the warehouse and were a part of the lawsuit, attorney Mary Alexander told the newspaper.
“These people are like wildfire victims, they had to run for their lives through smoke and flames and lost their homes, many of them displaced for a long time,” Alexander said.
On Dec. 2, 2016, fire swept through the warehouse during an electronic music party. The industrial building had illegally been turned into a residence for artists and an event venue.
The building was packed with furniture, extension cords and other flammable material but had only two exits and no smoke detectors, fire alarms or sprinklers, authorities said.
Prosecutors contend that Derick Almena, the master tenant on the warehouse lease, was criminally negligent when he converted and sublet the space. They charged him with 36 counts of involuntary manslaughter but a judge declared a mistrial last fall. His retrial is scheduled for October.
The blaze killed many young people trapped on the illegally constructed second floor. Prosecutors said the victims received no warning and had little chance to escape down a narrow, ramshackle staircase.
The cause of the fire hasn’t been determined, although some lawsuits said there were serious electrical problems with the building.
Almena’s attorneys argued city workers were to blame for not raising concerns about fire hazards in the warehouse. City officials had said the building hadn’t been inspected for three decades, and when inspectors did visit the site in November 2016, they were unable to enter to investigate a report of illegal construction.
Almena, who had been jailed since 2017, was released earlier this year over coronavirus concerns after dozens of cases were reported at the facility where he was held. He is confined to home without written court approval.
A co-defendant, Max Harris, was acquitted of involuntary manslaughter charges last year and no longer lives in the state.
The building’s owner, Chor Ng, wasn’t charged with a crime.


washingtontimes--2020-07-16--California requires cellphone towers to add backup power

SAN FRANCISCO ( AP ) - California regulators will require 72 hours of backup power at cell towers in emergency situations , including electricity shutoffs during fire seasons .
The California Public Utilities Commission voted unanimously Thursday to adopt the measure , the San Francisco Chronicle reported .
Last fire season , more than a million people lost service during planned blackouts by Pacific Gas & Electric designed to prevent its equipment from sparking blazes during strong winds .
The resulting public outcry prompted legislators and advocates to push for measures that would require backup power in vulnerable areas , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are dependent on reliable cellphone service in times of emergencies , and need to get through to 911 as well , ” Commissioner Genevieve Shiroma said .
She added that 88 % of 911 calls come from wireless devices , according to the state Office of Emergency Services .
Commissioner Martha Guzman Aceves said that cell service is also needed for receiving emergency alerts during disasters , calling internet data service “ a basic necessity.
” The decision means that wireless service providers are required to develop comprehensive communications resiliency plans to maintain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chronicle said .
Providers must also “ improve their coordination with emergency response agencies ” in addition to the 72-hour backup power requirement .
AT & T ; said after the vote that it is focused on ensuring that backup power is available routinely during public safety power shut-offs .
“ We agree with the California PUC on the importance of keeping customers and first responders connected during emergencies , including power shutoffs , ” AT & T ; ’ s assistant vice president for corporate communications Jim Greer said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invested more than $ 8.7 billion in our California networks from 2017 to 2019 and announced a three-year , $ 340 million plan to add back up power to more cell sites .
”

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - California regulators will require 72 hours of backup power at cell towers in emergency situations, including electricity shutoffs during fire seasons.
The California Public Utilities Commission voted unanimously Thursday to adopt the measure, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
Last fire season, more than a million people lost service during planned blackouts by Pacific Gas & Electric designed to prevent its equipment from sparking blazes during strong winds. The resulting public outcry prompted legislators and advocates to push for measures that would require backup power in vulnerable areas, the newspaper said.
“These customers are dependent on reliable cellphone service in times of emergencies, and need to get through to 911 as well,” Commissioner Genevieve Shiroma said. She added that 88% of 911 calls come from wireless devices, according to the state Office of Emergency Services.
Commissioner Martha Guzman Aceves said that cell service is also needed for receiving emergency alerts during disasters, calling internet data service “a basic necessity.”
The decision means that wireless service providers are required to develop comprehensive communications resiliency plans to maintain service during emergencies or disasters, the Chronicle said. Providers must also “improve their coordination with emergency response agencies” in addition to the 72-hour backup power requirement.
AT&T said after the vote that it is focused on ensuring that backup power is available routinely during public safety power shut-offs.
“We agree with the California PUC on the importance of keeping customers and first responders connected during emergencies, including power shutoffs,” AT&T’s assistant vice president for corporate communications Jim Greer said in a statement. “That is why we have invested more than $8.7 billion in our California networks from 2017 to 2019 and announced a three-year, $340 million plan to add back up power to more cell sites.”


washingtontimes--2020-07-16--Sheriff: Deputies fatally shoot man armed with rifle

NORTH FORT MYERS , Fla. ( AP ) - Florida deputies fatally shot a man armed with a rifle outside @ @ @ @ @ authorities said .
The shooting occurred at the Aloha Motel in North Fort Myers , @ @ @ @ @ said during a news conference .
Deputies had responded to the motel to conduct a @ @ @ @ @ white man , Marceno said .
As deputies attempted to make contact , the man @ @ @ @ @ rifle and charged toward the deputies .
Marceno said the deputies gave verbal commands before @ @ @ @ @ .
Deputies began life-saving measures immediately and continued until rescue workers arrived , the sheriff @ @ @ @ @ declared the man dead at the scene .
Officials did not immediately release the man @ @ @ @ @ many deputies were involved in the shooting .

NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) - Florida deputies fatally shot a man armed with a rifle outside a motel Thursday afternoon, authorities said.
The shooting occurred at the Aloha Motel in North Fort Myers, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno said during a news conference.
Deputies had responded to the motel to conduct a welfare check on a 60-year-old white man, Marceno said. As deputies attempted to make contact, the man came outside armed with a rifle and charged toward the deputies. Marceno said the deputies gave verbal commands before firing and striking the man.
Deputies began life-saving measures immediately and continued until rescue workers arrived, the sheriff said. Emergency medical services declared the man dead at the scene.
Officials did not immediately release the man’s name or how many deputies were involved in the shooting.


washingtontimes--2020-07-16--Press, legal observers remain exempt from dispersal orders

PORTLAND , Ore. ( AP ) - Journalists and legal observers will remain exempt from Portland police orders requiring protesters to disperse under an injunction issued by a federal judge Thursday .
Earlier this month , U.S. District Judge Michael H. Simon issued a 14-day temporary order after a class-action lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon against the Portland Police Bureau and the city on behalf of journalists and legal observers .
The journalists and observers say they have been targeted and attacked by the police while documenting protests .
As part of Thursday ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through Oct. 30 , police also can not arrest , threaten to arrest or use physical force against a person “ who they know or reasonably should know ” is a journalist or legal observer .
The order says officers are not to seize their cameras , audio or videotaping equipment or press passes unless police have probable cause to believe a crime has been committed .
Police are also barred from ordering journalists or legal observers to stop photographing , recording or observing a protest .
“ This injunction is a critical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their fundamental right to record and observe police activities at these important protests , ” said Matthew Borden , partner at BraunHagey & Borden LLP and pro bono counsel for the ACLU Foundation of Oregon .
“ We are looking forward to fully and finally vindicating the rights of journalists and legal observers while this protection is in place.
” The court order says journalists may be identified by having a press pass , badge or clothing that identifies them as a member of the press .
Legal observers included in the order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Guild hats or blue ACLU of Oregon vests .
The lawsuit in Federal District Court in Portland says police have used tear gas , shot rubber bullets and thrown flash bangs at journalists and legal observers in addition to arresting them .
The complaint lists six primary plaintiffs - two ACLU observers and four journalists .
The lawsuit seeks damages for those injured .
A City of Portland spokesperson has said the city does not comment on pending litigation .

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Journalists and legal observers will remain exempt from Portland police orders requiring protesters to disperse under an injunction issued by a federal judge Thursday.
Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Michael H. Simon issued a 14-day temporary order after a class-action lawsuit was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon against the Portland Police Bureau and the city on behalf of journalists and legal observers. The journalists and observers say they have been targeted and attacked by the police while documenting protests.
As part of Thursday’s order, which is in effect through Oct. 30, police also cannot arrest, threaten to arrest or use physical force against a person “who they know or reasonably should know” is a journalist or legal observer.
The order says officers are not to seize their cameras, audio or videotaping equipment or press passes unless police have probable cause to believe a crime has been committed. Police are also barred from ordering journalists or legal observers to stop photographing, recording or observing a protest.
“This injunction is a critical protection for journalists and legal observers exercising their fundamental right to record and observe police activities at these important protests,” said Matthew Borden, partner at BraunHagey & Borden LLP and pro bono counsel for the ACLU Foundation of Oregon. “We are looking forward to fully and finally vindicating the rights of journalists and legal observers while this protection is in place.”
The court order says journalists may be identified by having a press pass, badge or clothing that identifies them as a member of the press. Legal observers included in the order can be identified by green National Lawyers Guild hats or blue ACLU of Oregon vests.
The lawsuit in Federal District Court in Portland says police have used tear gas, shot rubber bullets and thrown flash bangs at journalists and legal observers in addition to arresting them. The complaint lists six primary plaintiffs - two ACLU observers and four journalists.
The lawsuit seeks damages for those injured.
A City of Portland spokesperson has said the city does not comment on pending litigation.


washingtontimes--2020-07-16--Board votes to remove Hiawatha statue from La Crosse park

LA CROSSE , Wis. ( AP ) - After decades of debate , a Hiawatha statue will be removed from @ @ @ @ @ .
The La Crosse Board of Park Commissioners voted unanimously Thursday to remove the statue @ @ @ @ @ Tim Kabat had pushed for the western Wisconsin city to follow the lead of other @ @ @ @ @ cultural appropriation .
For decades Indigenous people and their allies had called for the statue @ @ @ @ @ it represents exaggerated racial stereotypes and inaccurately depicts Native American tribes of the area .
@ @ @ @ @ honor to us .
It does not teach anything .
People don ’ t learn @ @ @ @ @ they see a statue .
It was a tourist attraction not meant to teach anything @ @ @ @ @ during the board meeting .
Littlejohn has long advocated for the statue ’ s removal @ @ @ @ @ stored at the city ’ s Municipal Service Center for at least one year until @ @ @ @ @ finds a new home for it , the La Crosse Tribune reported .

LA CROSSE, Wis. (AP) - After decades of debate, a Hiawatha statue will be removed from a park in La Crosse.
The La Crosse Board of Park Commissioners voted unanimously Thursday to remove the statue from Riverside Park. Mayor Tim Kabat had pushed for the western Wisconsin city to follow the lead of other cities in addressing racism and cultural appropriation.
For decades Indigenous people and their allies had called for the statue’s removal, saying it represents exaggerated racial stereotypes and inaccurately depicts Native American tribes of the area.
“It is not an honor to us. It does not teach anything. People don’t learn about the Ho-Chunk people because they see a statue. It was a tourist attraction not meant to teach anything,” Tracy Littlejohn said during the board meeting. Littlejohn has long advocated for the statue’s removal.
The statue will be stored at the city’s Municipal Service Center for at least one year until the artist’s family finds a new home for it, the La Crosse Tribune reported.


washingtontimes--2020-07-16--Jobless claims jump in Washington amid virus outbreak

SEATTLE ( AP ) - Washington state saw a surge in new claims for unemployment insurance as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to hurt the economy .
The Seattle Times reports that for the week ending July 11 , workers filed 40,466 new , or “ initial , ” claims for unemployment insurance , according to data released Thursday by the state Employment Security Department .
That ’ s a 42.5 % increase from the prior week and a marked change after six weeks when claims either fell or rose only modestly .
Nationally , initial weekly claims fell roughly 0.8 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. Labor Department reported Thursday .
Among the hardest hit sectors in Washington : accommodation and food services , which saw a 47 % increase from the previous week , to 4,534 initial claims ; retail , up 36 % to 3,023 ; and manufacturing , up 13 % to 2,952 .
“ Over the past several weeks we ’ ve seen new claims continue to fluctuate as the economy moves with the shifting realities of this pandemic , ” ESD Commissioner Suzi LeVine said in a statement .
Since March 7 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 1.3 million individuals have filed for unemployment benefits in Washington , according to the department .

SEATTLE (AP) - Washington state saw a surge in new claims for unemployment insurance as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to hurt the economy.
The Seattle Times reports that for the week ending July 11, workers filed 40,466 new, or “initial,” claims for unemployment insurance, according to data released Thursday by the state Employment Security Department.
That’s a 42.5% increase from the prior week and a marked change after six weeks when claims either fell or rose only modestly.
Nationally, initial weekly claims fell roughly 0.8%, to 1.3 million, the U.S. Labor Department reported Thursday.
Among the hardest hit sectors in Washington: accommodation and food services, which saw a 47% increase from the previous week, to 4,534 initial claims; retail, up 36% to 3,023 ; and manufacturing, up 13% to 2,952.
“Over the past several weeks we’ve seen new claims continue to fluctuate as the economy moves with the shifting realities of this pandemic,” ESD Commissioner Suzi LeVine said in a statement.
Since March 7, when the big pandemic-related layoffs began, nearly 1.3 million individuals have filed for unemployment benefits in Washington, according to the department.


washingtontimes--2020-07-16--Jarrett Pace claims lighting Molotov cocktail protected by First Amendment

The federal government says it was arson .
The protester charged with igniting a Molotov cocktail outside the District of Columbia police station during the recent race riots says it is protected First Amendment speech .
Jarrett Jeremy Pace , on the night he set the fire , had said on Facebook he wanted to “ burn a 12 station to the ground !
” The number “ 12 ” is street slang for police .
But now , Mr. Pace argues in federal district court he was speaking metaphorically , that he actually tossed the firebomb on the street @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than at it , and that his action was not meant to burn the station but rather to express solidarity with George Floyd and protesters in Minneapolis .
“ Ranging from inappropriate to deplorable , fire has historically been used as an expression of speech , ” Eugene Ohm , Mr. Pace ’ s lawyer at the federal public defender ’ s office , wrote in briefs asking for his release .
Arson cases are mounting daily as Justice Department prosecutors , under the urging of President Trump and Attorney General William P. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ protests , looking for cases to make into federal crimes .
On Wednesday alone , prosecutors announced charges against six men in New York , all accused of igniting fires aimed at government property in Rochester and Buffalo .
Prosecutors in Seattle announced arson charges against a man they say set a fire outside a city police precinct there .
Mr. Pace was initially charged in superior court in the District but had the case sent to federal district court days later .
“ I think it ’ s pretty clear why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a street block to a federal crime , ” said John David Betras , a lawyer in Ohio who has tracked some of the ongoing legal battles during the protests .
“ What the Justice Department is saying is ‘ You want to protest , OK , we ’ re going to prosecute you federally.
’ ” According to police , as riots engulfed Minneapolis , including the burning of a police station there , Mr. Pace posted to Facebook early in the morning on May 29 that he wanted to bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He shared a map link to the Fourth District station , on Georgia Avenue Northwest .
Authorities say Mr. Pace filled a plastic laundry bottle with gasoline and filmed himself as he approached the station and lit a paper towel fuse stuck into the bottle .
But he botched the setup and gasoline fumes escaped from the bottle and ignited , burning him and forcing him to drop the firebomb .
Police chased him down and arrested him .
While he was at the hospital being treated for burns , authorities say Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worse and he justified his actions : “ This is what you all deserve , ” he told an officer guarding him .
His lawyers now say he never wanted to burn the building but intended to light a fire — at a distance — to express his anger .
And that , they say , is allowed under the First Amendment , as an expression of solidarity with Black Lives Matter and fringe leader Hawk Newsome , who urged supporters to “ burn down this system and replace it.
” “ While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fire and burning are words that have become synonymous with a demand for systemic change in police practices , ” Mr. Pace ’ s lawyers wrote .
They called the sidewalk plaza in front of the police station where the fire occurred a public forum where First Amendment protections apply , and they compared his attempt to burning a cross or a flag , both of which they said are protected expression .
They dismissed Mr. Pace ’ s extensive criminal record , saying “ almost all ” of the convictions were misdemeanors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health problems , including bipolar disorder , post-traumatic stress disorder and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder .
The lawyers said he was unable to get his medications because of the coronavirus crisis .
Prosecutors say it ’ s tough to square Mr. Pace ’ s new claim that he only wanted to light a small fire on the sidewalk with his own remarks in his video and with the gallon of gasoline he had , which produced more than a small fire .
“ More obviously , one need not fashion a bomb @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gallon container of gasoline in order to create a ‘ small fire , ’ ” wrote Assistant U.S. Attorney James B. Nelson .
Mr. Betras said the free speech defense will be a tough sell , since the government is arguing the fire itself is a violation of law , regardless of damage or intent .
“ I don ’ t see how any successful First Amendment argument can be made , ” he told The Washington Times .
“ They ’ re not saying you can ’ t set a fire because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying no fires .
Generally if it ’ s content neutral you ’ re not going to win that argument.
” Indeed , in a key ruling from 1968 , the Supreme Court upheld a criminal prohibition on burning draft cards during the Vietnam war .
The high court ruled the Draft Card Mutilation Act of 1965 , which banned mutilation , furthered an important government interest and wasn ’ t intended to chill speech , so it didn ’ t impinge on the First Amendment .
In Mr. Pace ’ s case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yet succeeded .
A magistrate judge ordered Mr. Pace held pending without bond pending trial .
Mr. Ohm , his lawyer , warned that given the coronavirus-influenced schedule , he may not get a trial until 2021 .
Mr. Ohm did not respond to an inquiry from The Washington Times .
The Justice Department justified the federal charges by pointing to the gasoline , which prosecutors said traveled across state lines , and making threats on the internet , both of which made the offenses a matter of interstate commerce and subject to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In a bizarre quirk , federal prosecutors erroneously filed their pretrial Pace document in another criminal case stemming from the protests .
That case involves Micah Avery , 26 , who is accused of painting “ Yall not tired yet ?
” on a pedestal on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial .
Mr. Avery was released on bail , and it ’ s not clear what his defense might be .
In Iowa , local prosecutors have slapped two BLM protesters with a charge of disseminating confidential police information .
They say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ details of a lookout for protesters from the pocket of an officer , and another protester shared it with a local television reporter who aired video of the document .
“ Those documents are not supposed to be shared .
It ’ s actually written on them .
As soon as they did that , the charge was appropriate , ” Des Moines police spokesman Sgt .
Paul Parizek told the Associated Press In Cincinnati , protesters charged with violating the mayor ’ s imposed curfew have argued to the court that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city council wasn ’ t involved .
Local 12 , the city ’ s CBS affiliate , reported 494 people were charged with violating curfew .
Nationwide , thousands of people — perhaps tens of thousands — were arrested for curfew violations .
Some have begun to beat the charges .
In Philadelphia , Mayor Jim Kenney last week announced all curfew code violations during June would be waived .
He said the demonstrators had turned out for a good cause — the Black Lives Matter movement — which excused their violations .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ violation charges early last month .
In Denver , protesters proposed a class-action lawsuit claiming some 350 curfew arrests were illegal and challenging the methods police used to disperse crowds , saying that using tear gas or flashbang grenades not only trampled on First Amendment rights but also increased risks of contracting the coronavirus during their time in custody .

The federal government says it was arson. The protester charged with igniting a Molotov cocktail outside the District of Columbia police station during the recent race riots says it is protected First Amendment speech.
Jarrett Jeremy Pace, on the night he set the fire, had said on Facebook he wanted to “burn a 12 station to the ground!” The number “12” is street slang for police.
But now, Mr. Pace argues in federal district court he was speaking metaphorically, that he actually tossed the firebomb on the street near the Fourth District police station rather than at it, and that his action was not meant to burn the station but rather to express solidarity with George Floyd and protesters in Minneapolis.
“Ranging from inappropriate to deplorable, fire has historically been used as an expression of speech,” Eugene Ohm, Mr. Pace’s lawyer at the federal public defender’s office, wrote in briefs asking for his release.
Arson cases are mounting daily as Justice Department prosecutors, under the urging of President Trump and Attorney General William P. Barr, scour the last seven weeks’ protests, looking for cases to make into federal crimes.
On Wednesday alone, prosecutors announced charges against six men in New York, all accused of igniting fires aimed at government property in Rochester and Buffalo. Prosecutors in Seattle announced arson charges against a man they say set a fire outside a city police precinct there.
Mr. Pace was initially charged in superior court in the District but had the case sent to federal district court days later.
“I think it’s pretty clear why he’s elevated starting a fire on a street block to a federal crime,” said John David Betras, a lawyer in Ohio who has tracked some of the ongoing legal battles during the protests. “What the Justice Department is saying is ‘You want to protest, OK, we’re going to prosecute you federally.’”
According to police, as riots engulfed Minneapolis, including the burning of a police station there, Mr. Pace posted to Facebook early in the morning on May 29 that he wanted to bring that level of vitriol to Washington. He shared a map link to the Fourth District station, on Georgia Avenue Northwest.
Authorities say Mr. Pace filled a plastic laundry bottle with gasoline and filmed himself as he approached the station and lit a paper towel fuse stuck into the bottle. But he botched the setup and gasoline fumes escaped from the bottle and ignited, burning him and forcing him to drop the firebomb.
Police chased him down and arrested him.
While he was at the hospital being treated for burns, authorities say Mr. Pace told police he could have done worse and he justified his actions: “This is what you all deserve,” he told an officer guarding him.
His lawyers now say he never wanted to burn the building but intended to light a fire — at a distance — to express his anger.
And that, they say, is allowed under the First Amendment, as an expression of solidarity with Black Lives Matter and fringe leader Hawk Newsome, who urged supporters to “burn down this system and replace it.”
“While the words may make some uncomfortable, fire and burning are words that have become synonymous with a demand for systemic change in police practices,” Mr. Pace’s lawyers wrote.
They called the sidewalk plaza in front of the police station where the fire occurred a public forum where First Amendment protections apply, and they compared his attempt to burning a cross or a flag, both of which they said are protected expression.
They dismissed Mr. Pace’s extensive criminal record, saying “almost all” of the convictions were misdemeanors. And they pointed to his mental health problems, including bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder. The lawyers said he was unable to get his medications because of the coronavirus crisis.
Prosecutors say it’s tough to square Mr. Pace’s new claim that he only wanted to light a small fire on the sidewalk with his own remarks in his video and with the gallon of gasoline he had, which produced more than a small fire.
“More obviously, one need not fashion a bomb by stuffing a wick into a one- gallon container of gasoline in order to create a ‘small fire,’” wrote Assistant U.S. Attorney James B. Nelson.
Mr. Betras said the free speech defense will be a tough sell, since the government is arguing the fire itself is a violation of law, regardless of damage or intent.
“I don’t see how any successful First Amendment argument can be made,” he told The Washington Times. “They’re not saying you can’t set a fire because of this, they’re just saying no fires. Generally if it’s content neutral you’re not going to win that argument.”
Indeed, in a key ruling from 1968, the Supreme Court upheld a criminal prohibition on burning draft cards during the Vietnam war.
The high court ruled the Draft Card Mutilation Act of 1965, which banned mutilation, furthered an important government interest and wasn’t intended to chill speech, so it didn’t impinge on the First Amendment.
In Mr. Pace’s case, his fire-as-free speech defense has not yet succeeded.
A magistrate judge ordered Mr. Pace held pending without bond pending trial. Mr. Ohm, his lawyer, warned that given the coronavirus-influenced schedule, he may not get a trial until 2021.
Mr. Ohm did not respond to an inquiry from The Washington Times.
The Justice Department justified the federal charges by pointing to the gasoline, which prosecutors said traveled across state lines, and making threats on the internet, both of which made the offenses a matter of interstate commerce and subject to the jurisdiction of the federal government.
In a bizarre quirk, federal prosecutors erroneously filed their pretrial Pace document in another criminal case stemming from the protests.
That case involves Micah Avery, 26, who is accused of painting “Yall not tired yet?” on a pedestal on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
Mr. Avery was released on bail, and it’s not clear what his defense might be.
In Iowa, local prosecutors have slapped two BLM protesters with a charge of disseminating confidential police information. They say one protester pilfered a police bulletin with details of a lookout for protesters from the pocket of an officer, and another protester shared it with a local television reporter who aired video of the document.
“Those documents are not supposed to be shared. It’s actually written on them. As soon as they did that, the charge was appropriate,” Des Moines police spokesman Sgt. Paul Parizek told the Associated Press
In Cincinnati, protesters charged with violating the mayor’s imposed curfew have argued to the court that the curfew wasn’t legal because the city council wasn’t involved.
Local 12, the city’s CBS affiliate, reported 494 people were charged with violating curfew.
Nationwide, thousands of people — perhaps tens of thousands — were arrested for curfew violations. Some have begun to beat the charges.
In Philadelphia, Mayor Jim Kenney last week announced all curfew code violations during June would be waived. He said the demonstrators had turned out for a good cause — the Black Lives Matter movement — which excused their violations.
And Los Angeles canceled thousands of curfew violation charges early last month.
In Denver, protesters proposed a class-action lawsuit claiming some 350 curfew arrests were illegal and challenging the methods police used to disperse crowds, saying that using tear gas or flashbang grenades not only trampled on First Amendment rights but also increased risks of contracting the coronavirus during their time in custody.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-07-16--Woman, 3 teens arrested in fatal Bloomington hotel shooting

BLOOMINGTON , Minn. ( AP ) - Police have arrested a woman and three teenagers in a fatal shooting at @ @ @ @ @ .
The body of a 39-year-old Minneapolis woman was found Sunday in a room at @ @ @ @ @ said Jennifer Swaggert was shot in the upper body .
A 39-year-old woman with no @ @ @ @ @ suspicion of second-degree murder .
Police also are holding three 17-year-olds , two from Minneapolis @ @ @ @ @ .
Details of the killing were not released .
Deputy Bloomington Police Chief Mike Hartley @ @ @ @ @ expects the adult to be charged in Hennepin County court by the end of Friday @ @

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (AP) - Police have arrested a woman and three teenagers in a fatal shooting at a Bloomington hotel last weekend.
The body of a 39-year-old Minneapolis woman was found Sunday in a room at the LaQuinta Hotel. Police said Jennifer Swaggert was shot in the upper body.
A 39-year-old woman with no permanent address is jailed on suspicion of second-degree murder. Police also are holding three 17-year-olds, two from Minneapolis and one from St. Paul.
Details of the killing were not released. Deputy Bloomington Police Chief Mike Hartley told the Star Tribune he expects the adult to be charged in Hennepin County court by the end of Friday morning.


washingtontimes--2020-07-16--Police department employee on leave after George Floyd post

MOCKSVILLE , N.C. ( AP ) - An employee at a North Carolina police department has been placed on administrative leave following a social media post about George Floyd , officials said Thursday .
Screenshots appeared to show that Christy Wikes-Jones , a police records specialist with the Mocksville Police Department , shared a Facebook post depicting Floyd portrayed in a drawing holding a gun in his right hand and his left arm wrapped around the neck of a pregnant woman , the Winston-Salem Journal reported .
According to the newspaper , Wikes-Jones shared the post with the comment suggesting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook page could not be found Thursday evening .
The Associated Press reported last month that in August 2007 , Floyd , who died May 25 after a Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee on the Black man ’ s neck , was arrested and charged with aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon .
Investigators said he and five other men barged into a woman ’ s apartment and Floyd pushed a pistol into her abdomen before searching for items to steal .
Floyd pleaded guilty in 2009 and was sentenced to five @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report or in court records indicated the woman was pregnant or that she was raped .
The Mocksville Police Department issued a statement regarding the post , saying it did not condone or agree with it , and it would investigate the incident .

MOCKSVILLE, N.C. (AP) - An employee at a North Carolina police department has been placed on administrative leave following a social media post about George Floyd, officials said Thursday.
Screenshots appeared to show that Christy Wikes-Jones, a police records specialist with the Mocksville Police Department, shared a Facebook post depicting Floyd portrayed in a drawing holding a gun in his right hand and his left arm wrapped around the neck of a pregnant woman, the Winston-Salem Journal reported.
According to the newspaper, Wikes-Jones shared the post with the comment suggesting Floyd raped the women. Wikes-Jones’ Facebook page could not be found Thursday evening.
The Associated Press reported last month that in August 2007, Floyd, who died May 25 after a Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee on the Black man’s neck, was arrested and charged with aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon. Investigators said he and five other men barged into a woman’s apartment and Floyd pushed a pistol into her abdomen before searching for items to steal. Floyd pleaded guilty in 2009 and was sentenced to five years in prison. Nothing in the report or in court records indicated the woman was pregnant or that she was raped.
The Mocksville Police Department issued a statement regarding the post, saying it did not condone or agree with it, and it would investigate the incident.


washingtontimes--2020-07-17--Woman killed after getting out of vehicle in Kansas City

KANSAS CITY , Mo .
( AP ) - A Lee ’ s Summit woman was killed when she got @ @ @ @ @ a minor traffic accident along Interstate 435 and was hit by another vehicle , police @ @ @ @ @ The incident happened late Wednesday night in the northbound lanes of I-435 when 40-year-old Heather @ @ @ @ @ a truck collided , police said .
Investigators believe the car was left disabled in @ @ @ @ @ traffic , and Fitzgerald got out of the car and stood on the shoulder of @ @ @ @ @ a northbound sport utility vehicle then came upon the disabled car and tried to avoid @ @ @ @ @ onto the shoulder , hitting the car and Fitzgerald .
Fitzgerald died at the scene @ @ @ @ @ driver of the SUV stopped at the crash and was released pending further investigation , @ @ @

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - A Lee’s Summit woman was killed when she got out of her car following a minor traffic accident along Interstate 435 and was hit by another vehicle, police in Kansas City said.
The incident happened late Wednesday night in the northbound lanes of I-435 when 40-year-old Heather Fitzgerald’s car and a truck collided, police said.
Investigators believe the car was left disabled in the far left lane of traffic, and Fitzgerald got out of the car and stood on the shoulder of the interstate. Police said a northbound sport utility vehicle then came upon the disabled car and tried to avoid it by veering around it onto the shoulder, hitting the car and Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald died at the scene, police said.
The driver of the SUV stopped at the crash and was released pending further investigation, police said.


washingtontimes--2020-07-17--Tokyo Olympic venues lined up, schedule remains the same

TOKYO ( AP ) - The 42 venues for next year ’ s delayed Tokyo Olympics have been secured and the competition schedule will remain almost identical to the one that would have been used this year .
The Athletes Village and the main press center have also been lined up for 2021 .
That was the message delivered Friday to IOC members by Tokyo organizing committee President Yoshiro Mori and CEO Toshiro Muto .
They spoke from Japan to a full session of the IOC membership meeting online .
Estimates in Japan say the delay will cost $ 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Japanese taxpayers picking up the bills .
Olympic officials have not given any overall cost estimate .
The opening ceremony for the Olympics will be on July 23 , 2021 .
However , women ’ s softball and soccer will open on July 21 , men ’ s soccer on July 22 , and archery and rowing on July 23 .
On July 24 , the first full day after the opening , the first medal event will be the women ’ s 10-meter air rifle .
Unlike the large , public celebration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the last minute have put together a small , non-public event for Thursday inside the new national stadium to mark one year to go .
Organizers have teased a possible appearance of the Olympic flame .
IOC President Thomas Bach said earlier this week that “ multiple scenarios ” are being thought about to pull off the Olympics next year .
He said empty stadiums were an option , but not a preference , in the long list of possibilities .
“ It includes all different countermeasures : quarantine , you name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But , Olympic Games behind closed doors is clearly something we do not want .
We are working for a solution of the Olympic Games which , on the one hand is safeguarding the health of all the participants , and on the other hand is also reflecting the Olympic spirit .
”

TOKYO (AP) - The 42 venues for next year’s delayed Tokyo Olympics have been secured and the competition schedule will remain almost identical to the one that would have been used this year.
The Athletes Village and the main press center have also been lined up for 2021.
That was the message delivered Friday to IOC members by Tokyo organizing committee president Yoshiro Mori and CEO Toshiro Muto.
They spoke from Japan to a full session of the IOC membership meeting online.
Estimates in Japan say the delay will cost $2 billion to $6 billion, with Japanese taxpayers picking up most of the bills. Olympic officials have not given any overall cost estimates, and have not specified the cost of renegotiating contracts for venues and other facilities.
“Now we have a mammoth task ahead of us,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said Friday. “Organizing these postponed Olympic Games is very different from organizing Olympic Games in normal circumstances. Nobody knows today how the world will look in July and August of next year. This is why we have to prepare for multiple scenarios.”
The opening ceremony for the Olympics will be on July 23, 2021. However, women’s softball and soccer will open on July 21, men’s soccer on July 22, and archery and rowing on July 23.
On July 24, the first full day after the opening, the first medal event will be the women’s 10-meter air rifle.
Unlike the large, public celebration of a year ago, local organizers at the last minute have put together a more modest, non-public event for Thursday inside the new $1.43 billion national stadium to mark one year to go. Organizers have teased a possible appearance of the Olympic flame.
Mori said the flame, which arrived in Japan in March, was being stored and still burned in the Japanese capital. He said putting it on display at Japan’s new Olympic museum was being planned “at a future date.” He did not offer any specifics.
Mori, addressing the roughly 100 IOC members, said: “I know that the postponement of the games has been very difficult for all of you. It has been painful for me, too.”
Bach, speaking earlier in the week, said empty venues were an option - but not a preference - in the long list of possibilities for Tokyo.
“It includes all different countermeasures: quarantine, you name it,” Bach said. “But, Olympic Games behind closed doors is clearly something we do not want. We are working for a solution of the Olympic Games which, on the one hand is safeguarding the health of all the participants, and on the other hand is also reflecting the Olympic spirit.”
Japan has been spared the severe effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. It has reported about 1,000 deaths, but new infections in Tokyo have been rising for the last few weeks. They reached almost 300 on Friday, the highest single day count in the capital.
Bach and Japanese officials have talked about the need to “simplify” the games, but have given no specifics. There have been reports about downsizing the torch relay, or combining the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics and Paralympics.
The IOC and organizers have ruled out cutting sporting events, or the participation of 11,000 Olympic athletes and 4,400 Paralympic athletes. Organizers have said they will wait until the fall to reveal more concrete plans.
“Beginning in autumn we will move forward with full-scale planning for COVID-19 countermeasures,” Muto said, adding the national government and the Tokyo city government would assist on matters like immigration, testing, medical treatment, accommodation and transportation.
“We intend to prepare safe and secure games for everyone involved, including athletes, officials, spectators, volunteers and staff,” Muto said.
Muto said previously purchased tickets bought in Japan and abroad would be valid for next year. He said organizers would offer refunds “on request” beginning in the fall “to those who are not able to attend in 2021.”
He also said he hoped to have “an overall picture” of the added costs in the fall.
“We expect additional costs to occur in the future due to the need for COVID-19 countermeasures and related matters,” Muto said.
Before the postponement, Tokyo said it was officially spending $12.6 billion to organize the Olympics. But a national audit said the cost was twice that much. All but $5.6 billion is public money.
Mori was quoted earlier in some Japanese media saying April was the deadline for deciding if the Olympics could go ahead. Japanese organizers dismissed the comment.
The IOC and organizers have vowed the games will go ahead and have said they cannot be postponed again. Both have said if they cannot be held this time, they will be canceled.
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washingtontimes--2020-07-17--Child who drowned in Massachusetts identified as Iowa boy

SOUTHBRIDGE , Mass .
( AP ) - The child who drowned in a pool in Massachusetts last weekend has @ @ @ @ @ a 4-year-old Iowa boy who was visiting relatives .
Gavin Bagley of Corning , Iowa @ @ @ @ @ from the pool at a Southbridge home at about 4 p.m. Sunday , the office @ @ @ @ @ Early Jr. said in a statement Thursday .
A 911 caller reported a child at @ @ @ @ @ , Fire Chief Paul Normandin Jr. said .
Someone at the house jumped in the @ @ @ @ @ .
A Southbridge police officer who was first on the scene started performing CPR on @ @ @ @ @ paramedics arrived minutes later .
Resuscitation efforts continued on the way to the hospital , @ @ @ @ @ authorities said .

SOUTHBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) - The child who drowned in a pool in Massachusetts last weekend has been identified by authorities as a 4-year-old Iowa boy who was visiting relatives.
Gavin Bagley of Corning, Iowa, died after being pulled from the pool at a Southbridge home at about 4 p.m. Sunday, the office of Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early Jr. said in a statement Thursday.
A 911 caller reported a child at the bottom of the pool, Fire Chief Paul Normandin Jr. said.
Someone at the house jumped in the pool and grabbed the child.
A Southbridge police officer who was first on the scene started performing CPR on the boy. Fire department paramedics arrived minutes later.
Resuscitation efforts continued on the way to the hospital, but the child died, authorities said.
The death remains under investigation.


washingtontimes--2020-07-17--US home construction jumps 17.3% in June as some states reopened, but still lags behind last year's

SILVER SPRING , Md .
( AP ) - US home construction jumps 17.3 % in June as some states @ @ @ @ @ behind last year ’ s pace .

SILVER SPRING, Md. (AP) - US home construction jumps 17.3% in June as some states reopened, but still lags behind last year’s pace.
Copyright © 2023 The Washington Times, LLC.


washingtontimes--2020-07-17--Felony sexual assault charge reduces to a misdemeanor

BISMARCK , N.D. ( AP ) - A Bismarck man charged with felony sexual assault , a crime which could @ @ @ @ @ for life , has been sentenced to six months behind bars on a lesser charge @ @ @ @ @ to misdemeanor sexual assault for 23-year-old Blaine Hardy .
The victim told South Central District @ @ @ @ @ sentencing hearing Thursday that she suffers emotionally on a daily basis as a result of @ @ @ @ @ County State ’ s Attorney Anna Argenti said the new charge “ much better fit @ @ @ @ @ Lloyd Suhr said the facts of the case support Hardy ’ s guilty plea .
@ @ @ @ @ the woman said no , even as “ there was significant evidence of consent , @ @ @ @ @ must also spend a year on supervised probation .
He will not have to register @ @ @ @ @ the Bismarck Tribune reported .

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A Bismarck man charged with felony sexual assault, a crime which could have sent him to prison for life, has been sentenced to six months behind bars on a lesser charge.
The felony was reduced to misdemeanor sexual assault for 23-year-old Blaine Hardy.
The victim told South Central District Judge Douglas Bahr during a sentencing hearing Thursday that she suffers emotionally on a daily basis as a result of the assault.
Assistant Burleigh County State’s Attorney Anna Argenti said the new charge “much better fit the situation.”
Defense attorney Lloyd Suhr said the facts of the case support Hardy’s guilty plea.
There was a point where the woman said no, even as “there was significant evidence of consent,” Suhr said.
Hardy must also spend a year on supervised probation. He will not have to register as a sex offender, the Bismarck Tribune reported.


washingtontimes--2020-07-17--Maryland public school to hold online classes until January

ELLICOTT CITY , Md .
( AP ) - A public school system in Maryland has announced all classes for students will be held online until January 2021 due to coronavirus safety concerns .
The Howard County Public Schools board approved the measure in a 6-1 vote Thursday , news outlets reported .
The vote came after school officials conducted a survey among parents , students and staff on how to reopen the schools .
The fully virtual option was the least popular option among the respondents , but school officials say it ’ s the safest one for students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extraordinary efforts , it is not guaranteed that COVID-19 won ’ t infiltrate our schools and offices and be spread between students and staff , ” Howard County Public Schools Superintendent Michael Martirano told The Baltimore Sun .
School officials will work on developing hybrid or in-person models that could be used for the second half of the academic year .
But as right now , Martirano says officials will need to focus on reopening the school in September .
“ We don ’ t know what October , November or next February @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Attempting to make those decisions now for months in advance is premature.
” The public school system must send its detailed reopening plans to state officials by August .

ELLICOTT CITY, Md. (AP) - A public school system in Maryland has announced all classes for students will be held online until January 2021 due to coronavirus safety concerns.
The Howard County Public Schools board approved the measure in a 6-1 vote Thursday, news outlets reported. The vote came after school officials conducted a survey among parents, students and staff on how to reopen the schools.
The fully virtual option was the least popular option among the respondents, but school officials say it’s the safest one for students and staff.
“Even with their extraordinary efforts, it is not guaranteed that COVID-19 won’t infiltrate our schools and offices and be spread between students and staff,” Howard County Public Schools Superintendent Michael Martirano told The Baltimore Sun.
School officials will work on developing hybrid or in-person models that could be used for the second half of the academic year. But as right now, Martirano says officials will need to focus on reopening the school in September.
“We don’t know what October, November or next February will look like,” he said. “Attempting to make those decisions now for months in advance is premature.”
The public school system must send its detailed reopening plans to state officials by August.


washingtontimes--2020-07-17--Joe Biden endorses Sara Gideon in race against Sen. Susan Collins

Joseph R. Biden , the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee , endorsed Sara Gideon Friday in her bid to challenge Sen. @ @ @ @ @ “ Ending the Trump nightmare is not enough .
We can ’ t just go @ @ @ @ @ were , ” Mr. Biden said in a statement .
“ We need to make @ @ @ @ @ the climate crisis , criminal justice reform on our courts , and so much more @ @ @ @ @ , I need Sara Gideon in the U.S. Senate.
” Ms. Collins , a vulnerable @ @ @ @ @ month that she would be staying out of the presidential race and not campaign against @ @ @ @ @ him “ very well.
” Democrats see the tight race between Ms. Collins and Ms. @ @ @ @ @ Maine House , as one of their best chances to flip the state , which @ @ @ @ @ do to take control over the upper chamber .

Joseph R. Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, endorsed Sara Gideon Friday in her bid to challenge Sen. Susan Collins in Maine.
“Ending the Trump nightmare is not enough. We can’t just go back to the way things were,” Mr. Biden said in a statement. “We need to make progress on health care, the climate crisis, criminal justice reform on our courts, and so much more. And to do that, I need Sara Gideon in the U.S. Senate.”
Ms. Collins, a vulnerable moderate Republican, said this month that she would be staying out of the presidential race and not campaign against Mr. Biden because she knew him “very well.”
Democrats see the tight race between Ms. Collins and Ms. Gideon, speaker of the Maine House, as one of their best chances to flip the state, which they’ll need to do to take control over the upper chamber.
• Gabriella Muñoz can be reached at gmunoz@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-07-17--Princess Beatrice marries in private ceremony at Windsor

LONDON ( AP ) - Princess Beatrice got married in a private ceremony Friday , with her grandmother , Queen Elizabeth II , in attendance , Buckingham Palace said Friday .
Beatrice married Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi at The Royal Chapel of All Saints at Royal Lodge , Windsor .
The monarch , the Duke of Edinburgh and other close family members attended .
Guidelines in place to stop the spread of COVID-19 were followed , the palace said .
Beatrice , the daughter of Prince Andrew and his former wife Sarah Ferguson , had originally planned to marry the property @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Royal at St James ’ s Palace .
The ceremony was postponed because of the pandemic .
Friday ’ s ceremony had not been announced and images of the ceremony were not immediately released .
The families of the newlyweds have known one another for many years .
The pair are said to have started a relationship after meeting again at the wedding of Beatrice ’ s sister , Princess Eugenie .
Andrew and Sarah , who remain on very good terms despite their 1996 divorce , said at the time of Beatrice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thrilled ” with the news .

LONDON (AP) - Princess Beatrice got married in a private ceremony Friday, with her grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, in attendance, Buckingham Palace said Friday.
Beatrice married Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi at The Royal Chapel of All Saints at Royal Lodge, Windsor. The monarch, the Duke of Edinburgh and other close family members attended.
Guidelines in place to stop the spread of COVID-19 were followed, the palace said.
Beatrice, the daughter of Prince Andrew and his former wife Sarah Ferguson, had originally planned to marry the property tycoon on May 29 in the Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace. The ceremony was postponed because of the pandemic.
Friday’s ceremony had not been announced and images of the ceremony were not immediately released.
The families of the newlyweds have known one another for many years. The pair are said to have started a relationship after meeting again at the wedding of Beatrice’s sister, Princess Eugenie.
Andrew and Sarah, who remain on very good terms despite their 1996 divorce, said at the time of Beatrice’s engagement that they were “thrilled” with the news.
Their younger daughter, Eugenie, married Jack Brooksbank in 2018.


washingtontimes--2020-07-17--Former coach who raped teens sentenced to 22 years in prison

SPOKANE , Wash. ( AP ) - A former Spokane assistant football coach who raped two girls under the age of 16 has been sentenced to more than 22 years in federal prison .
Charles Eglet , 31 , was sentenced Thursday , The Spokesman-Review reported .
Eglet pleaded guilty earlier this year to production of child pornography and online enticement of a minor as part of a plea deal .
U.S. District Court Judge Frem Nielsen also sentenced Eglet to lifetime supervision once he leaves prison .
Court records say Eglet was arrested in August 2018 after he ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , using Snapchat to communicate with her and solicit pornographic images .
Court documents say Eglet also raped a 15-year-old girl that summer after communicating with her over the social media platform .
The grandmother of the 15-year-old told Nielsen she ’ d discovered the rape by looking through the text messages of her granddaughter .
Both girls have sought counseling , their families said , and avoided enrolling in traditional high schools because of the incidents .
Roger Peven , Eglet ’ s attorney , said his client had pushed for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to avoid prolonging the experience for the two minor victims .
“ That is acceptance of accountability , and that ’ s what ’ s happened in this case , ” Peven said .
Eglet was formerly a coach at Ferris High School .

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) - A former Spokane assistant football coach who raped two girls under the age of 16 has been sentenced to more than 22 years in federal prison.
Charles Eglet, 31, was sentenced Thursday, The Spokesman-Review reported. Eglet pleaded guilty earlier this year to production of child pornography and online enticement of a minor as part of a plea deal.
U.S. District Court Judge Frem Nielsen also sentenced Eglet to lifetime supervision once he leaves prison. Court records say Eglet was arrested in August 2018 after he’d met and raped a 14-year-old twice, using Snapchat to communicate with her and solicit pornographic images.
Court documents say Eglet also raped a 15-year-old girl that summer after communicating with her over the social media platform.
The grandmother of the 15-year-old told Nielsen she’d discovered the rape by looking through the text messages of her granddaughter.
Both girls have sought counseling, their families said, and avoided enrolling in traditional high schools because of the incidents.
Roger Peven, Eglet’s attorney, said his client had pushed for the cases to be resolved together in order to avoid prolonging the experience for the two minor victims.
“That is acceptance of accountability, and that’s what’s happened in this case,” Peven said.
Eglet was formerly a coach at Ferris High School.


washingtontimes--2020-07-17--Arts organizations establish 'Literary Arts Emergency Fund'

NEW YORK ( AP ) - With a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation , three major literary arts nonprofits have teamed to administer $ 3.5 million for organizations struggling during the coronavirus pandemic .
Along with the Mellon foundation , the Academy of American Poets , the Community of Literary Magazines and Presses and the National Book Foundation announced Friday that they had formed the Literary Arts Emergency Fund .
The nonprofits will distribute one-time grants ranging from $ 5,000 to $ 50,000 , with the application process running from Friday through Aug. 7 .
The fund ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nonprofit Americans for the Arts that found 253 literary organizations had reported losses of more than $ 7.2 million because of the virus , often because of canceled events .
The impact of those organizations is diverse and nationwide , whether bringing writers into classrooms , sponsoring festivals or awarding fellowships .
“ Protecting organizations that exist to support writers is essential work , ” the poet and Mellon Foundation President Elizabeth Alexander said in a statement .
“ It ’ s the primacy of storytelling and poems that offers comfort , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and advance the discourse in American culture , and begins to bridge the spaces that divide us.
” National Book Foundation Executive Director Lisa Lucas told The Associated Press that the idea for an emergency fund came out of conversations among herself , poet academy director Jennifer Benka and Mary Gannon , director of the literary magazines and presses group .
“ We were all talking about what was going on and how everybody was having trouble , ” Lucas said .
“ Many of these organizations are small , wondering what ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what it feels like when there seems no help is coming.
” Applications can be found on literaryartsemergencyfund.submittable.com/submit This story corrects the application deadline to Aug. 7 .

NEW YORK (AP) - With a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, three major literary arts nonprofits have teamed to administer $3.5 million for organizations struggling during the coronavirus pandemic.
Along with the Mellon foundation, the Academy of American Poets, the Community of Literary Magazines and Presses and the National Book Foundation announced Friday that they had formed the Literary Arts Emergency Fund. The nonprofits will distribute one-time grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000, with the application process running from Friday through Aug. 7.
The fund’s administrators noted a recent survey by the nonprofit Americans for the Arts that found 253 literary organizations had reported losses of more than $7.2 million because of the virus, often because of canceled events. The impact of those organizations is diverse and nationwide, whether bringing writers into classrooms, sponsoring festivals or awarding fellowships.
“Writers create humanity’s vast and intricate record - they are the chroniclers of our joys and fears, our varied inner lives, our humor, anguish, and determination,” Elizabeth Alexander, poet and president of the Mellon Foundation, said in a statement. “This one-time emergency grant provides critical support both for these vital storytellers and for the organizations that ensure their written work remains accessible to enrich
National Book Foundation Executive Director Lisa Lucas told The Associated Press that the idea for an emergency fund came out of conversations among herself, poet academy director Jennifer Benka and Mary Gannon, director of the literary magazines and presses group.
“We were all talking about what was going on and how everybody was having trouble,” Lucas said. “Many of these organizations are small, wondering what’s going top happen to them and what it feels like when there seems no help is coming.”
____
Applications can be found on literaryartsemergencyfund.submittable.com/submit
___
This story corrects the application deadline to Aug. 7.


washingtontimes--2020-07-17--Virginia teachers group pushes back on in-person classes

VIRGINIA BEACH , Va. ( AP ) - A teachers group in Virginia said it can not support holding in-person @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus pandemic .
The statements by the Virginia Beach Education Association Thursday comes two weeks @ @ @ @ @ Board will decide on how to resume classes for students this fall , The Virginian-Pilot @ @ @ @ @ for the board include : virtual learning , reopening schools for in-person classes or a @ @ @ @ @ in-person and online instructions .
Kelly Walker , the president of the teachers group , @ @ @ @ @ received a barrage of messages from teachers anxious about the possibility of reopening schools for @ @ @ @ @ people are very scared , ” she said .
“ They ’ re frustrated .
@ @ @ @ @ what ’ s going to happen.
” The group said in a statement that Virginia @ @ @ @ @ not impose a return to school buildings “ until the division can guarantee the safety @ @ @ @ @ ”

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (AP) - A teachers group in Virginia said it cannot support holding in-person classes this fall amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The statements by the Virginia Beach Education Association Thursday comes two weeks before the Virginia Beach School Board will decide on how to resume classes for students this fall, The Virginian-Pilot reported.
The three options for the board include: virtual learning, reopening schools for in-person classes or a hybrid formula that uses both in-person and online instructions.
Kelly Walker, the president of the teachers group, told the newspaper she has received a barrage of messages from teachers anxious about the possibility of reopening schools for in-person classes.
“Many people are very scared,” she said. “They’re frustrated. They don’t know what’s going to happen.”
The group said in a statement that Virginia Beach City Public Schools should not impose a return to school buildings “until the division can guarantee the safety of students and employees.”


washingtontimes--2020-07-17--Taliban make big changes ahead of expected talks with Kabul

ISLAMABAD ( AP ) - In one of the most significant shake-ups in years , the Taliban put the son of the movement ’ s feared founder in charge of its military wing and added powerful figures to its negotiating team ahead of expected talks aimed at ending Afghanistan ’ s decades of war , Taliban officials say .
As head of a newly united military wing , 30-year-old Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob , brings his father ’ s fiercely uncompromising reputation to the battlefield .
Equally significant is the addition of four members of the insurgent group ’ s leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Taliban officials told The Associated Press .
The shuffle overseen by Taliban leader Mullah Hibatullah Akhunzada is meant to tighten his control over the movement ’ s military and political arms , the officials said on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the inner workings of the movement .
Analysts say the shake-up could be good news for negotiations with Afghanistan ’ s political leadership in Kabul , and a sign of just how serious the Taliban are taking this second - and perhaps most critical - step in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in February .
“ I ’ d say it appears to be a positive development because the Taliban are creating a delegation that seems more senior and more broad-based than they ’ ve used to date , or than might be strictly necessary for the opening stages of talks , ” said Andrew Wilder , vice president of the Asia Program at the Washington-based U.S. Institute of Peace .
“ If you want to see the glass as half full this strengthened Taliban delegation could be interpreted as a sign that the group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he said .
When the U.S. signed the deal with the Taliban on Feb. 29 , after more than a year and a half of negotiations , it was touted as Afghanistan ’ s best chance at peace in four decades of war .
It was also seen as a road map for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan , ending America ’ s longest war .
On Monday , four-and-a-half months since the signing , chief U.S. negotiator and peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad tweeted that “ a key milestone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” had been reached as American troop numbers dropped to 8,600 from about 12,000 and five bases were closed .
Even as Khalilzad chastised increased insurgent attacks on Afghan security forces , he said the Taliban had been true to their word not to attack U.S. and NATO troops .
“ No American has lost his/her life in Afghanistan to Taliban violence .
Regional relations have improved , ” he tweeted .
The Taliban have stepped up their military activity against government forces since Yaqoob ’ s appointment in May , a sign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s leadership may see battlefield wins as upping their leverage at the negotiation table .
“ I can see a lot of reasons for the Taliban to be pushing the envelope - perhaps as a negotiation tactic , but equally likely as a means to test U.S limits , ” said Daniel Markey , a senior research professor at Johns Hopkins University ’ s School of Advanced International Studies .
“ So far , the Trump administration looks like it is heading for the exit , no matter what .
Why not ratchet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victories can be won ?
” Surprisingly the shuffle also sidelined senior Taliban leader Amir Khan Muttaqi , removing him from the negotiating committee .
Seen as close to neighbor Pakistan , his removal could limit Pakistan ’ s influence and buttress their position with Kabul , which is deeply suspicious of Islamabad .
Already a deputy head of the movement , sudden appointment of the son of Mullah Mohammed Omar as military chief reportedly ruffled feathers among members of the leadership council , who had not been consulted .
Yaqoob , however @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over his dissenters , said officials .
“ Yaqoob ’ s appointment appears to be , at least in part , an effort by Mullah Akhundzada to shore up oversight of battlefield operations at a key moment for war fighting , as the insurgents ramp up violence to strengthen their negotiating position in preparation for potential peace talks with the Afghan government , ” said Michael Kugelman , deputy director of the Asia Program at the Washington-based Wilson Center .
In recent weeks , hopes have been raised of a July start to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kabul government seem bogged down in the final release of prisoners , a prerequisite to the start of negotiations .
The United Nations had expressed hope the negotiations could begin this month .
Countries have been lining up to host talks , with Germany being the latest to put in an offer .
Turkey , Iran , Indonesia , Japan and Norway are reportedly among the nations volunteering to play host .
However , Taliban and Afghan government officials say the first round is likely to be held in Doha , the capital @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where the Taliban maintain a political office .
The newly strengthened negotiating team includes Abdul Hakeem , a former Taliban chief justice and confidant of Akhunzada , as well as Maulvi Saqib , chief justice during the Taliban rule .
Under the U.S.-Taliban deal , the militant group that hosted al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden as he planned the 9/11 attacks on the U.S. may not host terrorist groups and guaranteed Afghanistan will not be used as a launching arena for future attacks against America .
In a tweet this week , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on counter-terrorism ” without elaborating .
This week , U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also spoke to the controversy surrounding the White House over reports of Russian money being paid to Afghan militias - reportedly with links to the Taliban - to kill U.S. troops .
“ There ’ s a lot of Russian footprint ; there are Russian weapon systems there .
We have made clear to our Russian counterparts that we ought to work together to get a more sovereign , more independent , peaceful Afghanistan , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington contributed to this report .

ISLAMABAD (AP) - The Taliban have put the son of the movement’s feared founder in charge of their military wing and added several powerful figures to their negotiating team, Taliban officials said. The shake-up, one of the most significant in years, comes ahead of expected talks with Kabul aimed at ending decades of war in Afghanistan.
As head of a newly united military wing, 30-year-old Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob brings his father’s fiercely uncompromising reputation to the battlefield.
Equally significant is the addition of four members of the insurgent group’s leadership council to the 20-member negotiating team, Taliban officials told The Associated Press.
The shuffle, overseen by Taliban leader Mullah Hibatullah Akhunzada, is meant to tighten his control over the movement’s military and political arms, the officials said on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the inner workings of the Taliban.
Analysts say the shake-up could be good news for negotiations with the Afghan political leadership, and a sign of how seriously the Taliban are taking this second - and perhaps most critical - step in a deal Washington signed with the insurgents in February.
“I’d say it appears to be a positive development because the Taliban are creating a delegation that seems more senior and more broad-based than they’ve used to date, or than might be strictly necessary for the opening stages of talks,” said Andrew Wilder, vice president of the Asia Program at the Washington-based U.S. Institute of Peace.
“If you want to see the glass as half full, this strengthened Taliban delegation could be interpreted as a sign that the group is planning to engage in serious discussions,” he said.
When the U.S. signed the deal with the Taliban on Feb. 29, after more than a year and a half of negotiations, it was touted as Afghanistan’s best chance at peace in four decades of war. It was also seen as a road map for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan, ending America’s longest war.
On Monday, four-and-a-half months since the signing, chief U.S. negotiator and peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad tweeted that “a key milestone in the implementation of the U.S.-Taliban agreement” had been reached as American troop numbers dropped to 8,600 from about 12,000 and five bases were closed in Afghanistan.
Even as Khalilzad chastised increased insurgent attacks on Afghan security forces, he said the Taliban had been true to their word not to attack U.S. and NATO troops.
“No American has lost his/her life in Afghanistan to Taliban violence. Regional relations have improved,” he tweeted.
The Taliban have stepped up their military activity against Afghan government forces since Yaqoob’s appointment in May, a sign the militants under his leadership may see battlefield wins as upping their leverage at the negotiating table.
“I can see a lot of reasons for the Taliban to be pushing the envelope - perhaps as a negotiation tactic, but equally likely as a means to test U.S limits,” said Daniel Markey, a senior research professor at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies. “So far, the Trump administration looks like it is heading for the exit, no matter what. Why not ratchet up the violence to see what greater victories can be won? ”
Surprisingly, the shuffle also sidelined senior Taliban leader Amir Khan Muttaqi, removing him from the negotiating committee. Seen as close to neighboring Pakistan, his removal could limit Pakistan’s influence and buttress their position with Kabul, which is deeply suspicious of Islamabad.
Already a deputy head of the movement, the sudden appointment of the son of Mullah Mohammed Omar as the Taliban military chief reportedly ruffled feathers among members of the leadership council, who had not been consulted. Yaqoob, however, met with the council and won over the dissenters, said the Taliban officials.
“Yaqoob’s appointment appears to be, at least in part, an effort by Mullah Akhundzada to shore up oversight of battlefield operations at a key moment … as the insurgents ramp up violence to strengthen their negotiating position in preparation for potential peace talks with the Afghan government,” said Michael Kugelman, deputy director of the Asia Program at the Washington-based Wilson Center.
In recent weeks, hopes have been raised of a July start to negotiations but the Taliban and the Kabul government have become bogged down in the final release of prisoners, a prerequisite for the start of negotiations. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told the AP on Friday that the Taliban reject government efforts to substitute prisoners from the originally negotiated list for the exchange.
Countries have been lining up to host the talks, with Germany being the latest to put in an offer and Turkey, Iran, Indonesia, Japan and Norway reportedly among the nations volunteering. However, the Taliban and Afghan government officials say the first round is likely to be held in Doha, the capital of Qatar, where the Taliban maintain a political office.
The newly strengthened negotiating team includes Abdul Hakeem, the Taliban’s chief justice and confidant of Akhunzada, as well as Maulvi Saqib, who was chief justice during the Taliban rule.
Under the U.S.-Taliban deal, the Taliban - who during their rule of Afghanistan hosted al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden as he planned the 9/11 attacks - have pledged to no longer host any terror groups. They also guarantee that Afghanistan will not be used as a launching arena for future attacks against America.
In a tweet this week, Khalilzad said “more progress is needed on counter-terrorism,” without elaborating.
This week, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also spoke about the controversy surrounding the White House over reports of Russian money being paid to Afghan militias - reportedly with links to the Taliban - to kill U.S. troops.
“There’s a lot of Russian footprint; there are Russian weapon systems there. We have made clear to our Russian counterparts that we ought to work together to get a more sovereign, more independent, peaceful Afghanistan,” he said.
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Associated Press writer Matthew Lee in Washington and Tameem Akghar in Kabul, Afghanistan contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-07-17--Passport Health Plan to be purchased by competitor

LOUISVILLE , Ky. ( AP ) - Passport Health Plan , a Kentucky-based Medicaid managed care company , has agreed to be purchased by a competitor in a deal expected to preserve hundreds of jobs .
Molina Healthcare of California announced Friday that the purchase price for Passport is about $ 20 million and that it will fund the purchase with cash on hand , the Courier Journal reported .
The announcement comes six weeks after Passport was shut out of a new state Medicaid contract - which could have spelled the demise of the Louisville-based company .
Molina was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s multi-billion-dollar Medicaid plan that covers 1.4 million people .
The companies described the transaction as a move that would save most of the jobs of Passport ’ s 600 employees , allow it to keep the “ brand ” of Passport ’ s name and preserve stability for the 320,000 people Passport serves , the majority in the Louisville region .
The agreement is subject to regulatory approval .
Molina serves more than 3 million customers in 14 states , focusing on government health plans including Medicare and Medicaid , according @ @ @ @

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Passport Health Plan, a Kentucky-based Medicaid managed care company, has agreed to be purchased by a competitor in a deal expected to preserve hundreds of jobs.
Molina Healthcare of California announced Friday that the purchase price for Passport is about $20 million and that it will fund the purchase with cash on hand, the Courier Journal reported.
The announcement comes six weeks after Passport was shut out of a new state Medicaid contract - which could have spelled the demise of the Louisville-based company. Molina was one of the successful bidders for Kentucky’s multi-billion-dollar Medicaid plan that covers 1.4 million people.
The companies described the transaction as a move that would save most of the jobs of Passport’s 600 employees, allow it to keep the “brand” of Passport’s name and preserve stability for the 320,000 people Passport serves, the majority in the Louisville region.
The agreement is subject to regulatory approval.
Molina serves more than 3 million customers in 14 states, focusing on government health plans including Medicare and Medicaid, according to its website,


washingtontimes--2020-07-17--Miami-Dade plans to fine people not following COVID rules

MIAMI ( AP ) - Miami-Dade County plans to start aggressively enforcing rules designed to combat the rapidly spreading coronavirus .
The county ’ s commission unanimously approved an emergency order on Thursday that gives all code and fire inspectors authority to issue tickets of up to $ 100 for individuals and $ 500 for businesses not complying with guidelines to wear masks and practice social distancing .
Police officers have already had this enforcement power .
“ We ’ re going to put a heck of a lot of people out there , ” Mayor Carlos Gimenez told commissioners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people are going to go everywhere.
” Gimenez noted that because people , and especially younger people , have not been following the “ new normal ” guidelines , the county needed another enforcement tool .
In Miami-Dade County , which is Florida ’ s most populous and the current epicenter of the outbreak , there were more than 3,100 new coronavirus cases reported on Thursday .
Statewide , there were 13,965 new coronavirus cases and 156 deaths reported on Thursday .
The order took place immediately upon approval .
Gimenez said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who choose to disobey the rules , the Miami Herald reported .
“ This is an all-hands-on-deck approach .
We need to have not just police officers , but all inspectors - our code inspectors , our fire inspectors - on deck to enforce the rules we know people are not complying with , ” Gimenez said .
Violators who receive the civil fines can avoid financial hardship by serving community service hours through the county ’ s Diversion Program .
The goal of the ordinance is to “ increase the manpower desperately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orders , ” so that people listen without having to be arrested , said Commissioner Sally Heyman .

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) - Miami-Dade County plans to start aggressively enforcing rules designed to combat the rapidly spreading coronavirus as Florida reported more than 11,000 new cases Friday adding to a caseload that is straining the state’s hospitals.
The Miami-Dade County Commission unanimously approved an emergency order Thursday that gives all code and fire inspectors authority to issue tickets of up to $100 for individuals and $500 for businesses not complying with guidelines to wear masks and practice social distancing. Police officers have already had this enforcement power.
“We’re going to put a heck of a lot of people out there,” Mayor Carlos Gimenez told commissioners during a Zoom meeting. “Our people are going to go everywhere.”
Gimenez noted that because people, and especially younger people, have not been following the “new normal” guidelines, the county needed another enforcement tool.
Meanwhile, in neighboring Broward County, officials announced a curfew beginning Friday that bars most people from being outside from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. at least through Aug. 1. There are exceptions for such things people going to work, walking pets, the news media and people seeking medical care.
Broward County also issued an order limiting private gatherings, indoor or outdoor, to no more than 10 people. Broward is seeing about 1,300 new cases on average every day and a positive coronavirus test rate of more than 16%, according to the county.
The state Department of Health on Friday reported 11,466 new cases of the coronavirus, raising Florida’s pandemic total to more than 327,000. There were 130 new reported deaths, raising the Florida total to more than 4,800.
Hospitalizations for the coronavirus, which have tapped out intensive care units of some hospitals around the state, continued to rise though not quite as steeply as in many of the days of the past week. As of late morning Friday, there were 8,886 hospitalizations compared with 8,809 at the same time Thursday. Hospitals in the Miami, Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville areas have seen surges in recent days.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a Republican and ally of President Donald Trump, downplayed the fact that Florida has become a hotbed for the virus, saying other regions from Southern California to South Carolina have seen similar increases.
“The fact that we’re testing so much has led to case numbers that have been put out there that I think kind of unfairly are maligning the state … If some of those states like New York and New Jersey were testing 100,000 a day at their height, they would have had 40,000 or 50,000 cases a day, so I think it’s important to put that in perspective,” the governor said.
In Miami-Dade County, which is Florida’s most populous and the current epicenter of the outbreak, there were more than 2,442 coronavirus cases Friday, according to Florida’s Department of Health. The county now has 77,867 confirmed cases.
The order took place immediately upon approval. Gimenez said it’s time for repercussions for people who choose to disobey the rules, the Miami Herald reported.
“This is an all-hands-on-deck approach. We need to have not just police officers, but all inspectors - our code inspectors, our fire inspectors - on deck to enforce the rules we know people are not complying with,” Gimenez said.
Violators who receive the civil fines can avoid financial hardship by serving community service hours through the county’s Diversion Program.
Shaun Alley, the assistant manager of Blue Collar, a Miami restaurant that serves comforting, diner-like food, said that all of the customers eat outside on picnic tables.
Everyone in the small restaurant wears masks and is vigilant about telling the customers to wear them when not eating, too. They don’t want to be fined - or to expose themselves to the coronavirus.
“Nobody wants to get a citation for nothing. We tell people flat out. Either you comply or we have the right not to serve you,” he said. “We haven’t had any issues so far. This is everywhere so people should understand.”
Alley said he doesn’t know anyone personally who has gotten the coronavirus, but he’s being careful because he has a newborn and a wife.
“I’m worried anywhere I go,” he said.
The goal of the ordinance is to “increase the manpower desperately needed to follow up on these executive orders,” so that people listen without having to be arrested, said Commissioner Sally Heyman.
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Associated Press writers Curt Anderson and Tamara Lush in St. Petersburg contributed to this report.
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Follow AP coverage of the pandemic at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.


washingtontimes--2020-07-17--Authorities: 3 killed in fiery crash; man, child injured

TROTWOOD , Ohio ( AP ) - A fiery crash that left three people dead and two others injured , including a young child , occurred when one driver went through a red light , authorities said .
The crash in Trotwood occurred around 9:40 p.m. Wednesday , according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol .
A car driven by Antonion Ward , 19 , of Dayton , failed to yield for a red signal and struck a car driven by Leah Smith , 35 , also of Dayton .
Both vehicles went off the roadway , then one struck @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a wooded area , flipped and caught on fire , authorities said .
Smith was killed in the crash , along with two 18-year-old passengers in Ward ’ s car - Elgin Wilson IV , of Dayton , and Michael Stephens , of Trotwood .
Ward suffered serious injuries and remains hospitalized , while a 3-year-old passenger in Smith ’ s car who was secured in a child safety seat was treated for minor injuries .
The cause of the crash remains under investigation , but authorities said alcohol and drugs were not @ @ @ @ @ @

TROTWOOD, Ohio (AP) - A fiery crash that left three people dead and two others injured, including a young child, occurred when one driver went through a red light, authorities said.
The crash in Trotwood occurred around 9:40 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
A car driven by Antonion Ward, 19, of Dayton, failed to yield for a red signal and struck a car driven by Leah Smith, 35, also of Dayton. Both vehicles went off the roadway, then one struck a tree while the other went into a wooded area, flipped and caught on fire, authorities said.
Smith was killed in the crash, along with two 18-year-old passengers in Ward’s car - Elgin Wilson IV, of Dayton, and Michael Stephens, of Trotwood. Ward suffered serious injuries and remains hospitalized, while a 3-year-old passenger in Smith’s car who was secured in a child safety seat was treated for minor injuries.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation, but authorities said alcohol and drugs were not a factor in the accident.


washingtontimes--2020-07-17--Bucks guard tests positive for the coronavirus

MILWAUKEE ( AP ) - Milwaukee Bucks guard Eric Bledsoe has tested positive for COVID-19 , but has said he @ @ @ @ @ symptoms associated with the coronavirus .
Bledsoe hasn ’ t been with the team since @ @ @ @ @ week , the Journal Sentinel reported .
The Bucks began a second training camp early @ @ @ @ @ down after someone from the organization tested positive for the coronovirus .
They didn ’ @ @ @ @ @ the time .
Bledsoe is among other NBA players to announce positive COVID-19 tests since @ @ @ @ @ bubble at Disney ’ s Wide World of Sports complex last week , including Houston @ @ @ @ @ Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes and Indiana ’ s Malcolm Brogdon .
Bledsoe is averaging @ @ @ @ @ 5.4 assists per game this season .
All 22 NBA teams invited to conclude the @ @ @ @ @ before the postseason begins .

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) - Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer confirmed Eric Bledsoe tested positive for COVID-19, but remains cautiously optimistic the veteran point guard will be ready for the start of the season’s resumption.
“With the virus you’re never sure,” Budenholzer said Friday. “There are certainly things that you have to kind of clear and cover, but the opener, if it’s two weeks away, then I think most medical, most things and research would say he is going to be available.’’
Budenholzer’s comment came a day after multiple reports indicated Bledsoe said he had tested positive but was asymptomatic.
The Bucks, who have an NBA-leading 53-12 record, will face the Boston Celtics on July 31 in their first game since the pandemic-imposed hiatus began in mid-March.
Budenholzer added that the Bucks will “prepare without him and welcome him with open arms when he does come.’’
The 30-year-old Bledsoe is averaging 15.4 points, 5.4 assists and 4.6 rebounds.
Budenholzer declined to say whether any other players hadn’t yet joined the team in Florida.
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More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports


washingtontimes--2020-07-17--Man critically wounded in gunfight with deputies in Syracuse

SYRACUSE , N.Y. ( AP ) - A man was critically wounded in a gunfight with sheriff ’ s deputies @ @ @ @ @ Friday .
Sgt .
Jon Seeber of the Onondaga County Sheriff ’ s Office said @ @ @ @ @ s detectives was conducting surveillance at about 11 p.m. Thursday when he saw activity that @ @ @ @ @ a sport utility vehicle .
The detective called for backup and followed the SUV .
@ @ @ @ @ corner , the people inside got out and began firing at the detective ’ s @ @ @ @ @ a news release .
The detective returned fire before the people got back in the @ @ @ @ @ said .
Shortly after the shooting , officers from the Syracuse Police Department spotted the @ @ @ @ @ inside it .
The man had been shot and was taken to a hospital in @ @ @ @ @ was nearly struck and was taken to a hospital for evaluation , Seeber said .
@ @ @ @ @ battle and searching for the remaining people from the SUV , he said .

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) - A man was critically wounded in a gunfight with sheriff’s deputies in Syracuse, authorities said Friday.
Sgt. Jon Seeber of the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office said one of the department’s detectives was conducting surveillance at about 11 p.m. Thursday when he saw activity that he thought was suspicious involving a sport utility vehicle. The detective called for backup and followed the SUV.
As the SUV turned a corner, the people inside got out and began firing at the detective’s car, Seeber said in a news release. The detective returned fire before the people got back in the SUV and fled, Seeber said.
Shortly after the shooting, officers from the Syracuse Police Department spotted the SUV with an unconscious man inside it. The man had been shot and was taken to a hospital in critical condition.
The detective was nearly struck and was taken to a hospital for evaluation, Seeber said.
Detectives were investigating the gun battle and searching for the remaining people from the SUV, he said.