washingtontimes--2020-10-10--Virginia families recall loved ones killed on USS Cole

NEWPORT NEWS , Va. ( AP ) - Sarah Gauna Esquivel remembers the day her 19-year-old first-born , Tim , headed off to Naval Station Great Lakes for boot camp .
“ I ’ d just married , and he told my husband to take care of me .
Then he looked at me and said : ‘ He ’ s a keeper , mom , ’ ” she says .
It ’ s harder to remember when he came home .
“ We buried him three times , ” she says .
The first time was two weeks after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which killed her son and 16 shipmates 20 years ago .
A few weeks later , the Navy gave her Timothy Lee Gauna ’ s ashes .
She gave them to Pastor Russ Mills , who had know her and Tim all of Tim ’ s life , and who just a few weeks ago , promised to travel with her to Norfolk for a memorial service on the 20th anniversary of the attack .
He died of COVID-19 before he could .
Still later , she got word that additional remains had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sea , in the ancient naval tradition .
She ’ s crying as she says she hasn ’ t shared that story much .
“ A part of me died when he died , ” she says .
Every Valentine ’ s Day from 2001 on , Mona Gunn and her late husband Lou , a Navy veteran , would make the long drive up to Arlington Cemetery from Virginia Beach , to lay a heart-shaped wreath on the grave of their second-oldest son , Cherone .
He was just 21 when he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Valentine ’ s Day was his birthday .
His family and friends often felt that birthday had blessed him with a particularly happy , loving personality .
Shortly after he finished at Great Lakes in March , 2000 , and before joining the crew of the Cole , he had spent most of that July visiting aunts and uncles and school friends from his days at Kempsville High School .
There were lots of visits .
“ He said : ’ This is my first deployment , Mom , you ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll miss you , but I ’ ll be back , ” Mona Gunn remembers .
“ He ’ d head out saying : ’ I ’ ll be back , I ’ m going out to say my goodbyes.
” The Cole was also Tim Gauna ’ s first ship .
Just before posting there that summer , he had a few days leave and spent it back home , in Ennis , Tex .
“ We spent the time together , watching movies , eating pizza , ” Sarah says .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ wasn ’ t really looking forward to .
“ I think he had a feeling something was going to happen , ” she says .
“ He told me , maybe if I break a leg , I won ’ t have to go .
I said : ‘ think of it like a vacation you couldn ’ t afford , the memories you ’ ll come back with.
” Like many young Americans , Tim joined the Navy in hopes of finding a path to college .
His goal was to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ computer science , maybe play some baseball — he was a star first baseman and left-handed hitter in his high school days .
“ I was a single mom , he knew we couldn ’ t afford that , ” Sarah says .
“ He knew I had to work , he always understood — I had to miss some of his games … ” “ He was so responsible … he ’ d help look after his younger brothers and sisters , ” she says .
“ He was a real ‘ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ma ’ am , yes sir , no sir ’ kind of kid .
That ’ s the way I brought him up.
” When he called his mom , the weekend before the attack , he commiserated about the the Longhorns ’ stunning loss to arch-rivals Oklahoma — the score was 63-14 — and joked that he would need to throw away the tape because the Cole was full of OU fans who were sure to give him a hard time .
He said he couldn ’ t tell her where the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ d know if she watched the news , and griped a bit about a schedule change that had him eating lunch at 2 p.m .
THE NEWNESS OF A FIRST DEVELOPMENT Cherone Gunn ’ s calls home were filled with questions about the strange new world of a Navy ship on a deployment and lots of answers and good advice from his dad , remembering his own first cruise .
Cherone didn ’ t seem worried about the dangerous waters the Cole was headed into .
On his last call home , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finished with mess cranking — the chore all new sailors when newly assigned to a ship take on , helping the ship ’ s cooks serve and clean up .
He would die in the Cole ’ s galley .
That ’ s where bomb-laden boat that attacked the Cole struck the destroyer .
But from what his shipmates later told his mother , Cherone didn ’ t need to be there .
He was done with cranking .
But when he was on that never-popular duty , his shipmates remembered his cheerful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legacy of his days as a junior at Kempsville High , in the hospitality-catering cooperative education program and happy days working afternoons at a nearby Holiday Inn .
He had loved the part of his job at the hotel driving the airport shuttle , ferrying flight crews and pilots to and from the airport , and it had won him much good will and many smiles .
On the Cole , too , the cooks liked him a lot .
“ They ’ d tell him , ’ C ’ mon back here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Mona Gunn said .
“ I think that ’ s where he was that day.
” On that dreadful Tuesday morning , with reports that the boat-bomb that hit Cole struck it next to the galley , remembering that mild complaint about a late lunch schedule would give Sarah a reed of hope through six agonizing days .
It wasn ’ t until October 18 that that hope vanished .
That ’ s when his shipmates found Tim .
Still later , a shipmate — the Cole ’ s crew were a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told her Tim had just gotten up from the galley table to fetch some pineapple for himself and a friend when the bomb went off .
“ I keep thinking , if only he hadn ’ t got up , he might be alive , ” she says .
“ And then I think he wasn ’ t only my child .
He was God ’ s. ” It was in those last few months before enlisting , during Cherone Gunn ’ s adventure of trying out a new city — Atlanta — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that a new life goal took shape .
He was staying with his mom ’ s youngest brother , enjoying being hero-worshiped by a five year old cousin , still not certain if one of the many colleges in Atlanta was for him , when he picked up work as a security guard .
It really seemed to click , his mom says .
Cherone decided he wanted to be a police officer , maybe a state trooper .
And he knew that military service could be a leg up .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a 21-year Navy veteran .
His dad urged him to try .
He went off to boot camp in January , 2000 .
His parents were there in a still-chilly Illinois March to see him graduate ; he spent the next few months at Great Lakes , studying to be a signalman .
“ He was excited when he got the Cole .
He was coming back home , ” his mom recalls .
Mona Gunn says she ’ s luckier than some of the moms and dads and spouses of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four fatalities identified , and she was spared the days of waiting others faced .
But his death left a hole in her heart .
It took years before she came to understand that other Gold Star mothers might share that pain — and that she , too , could help others who lost their children by joining the 92-year-old American Gold Star Mothers association .
She organized the non-profit ’ s Hampton Roads chapter and this summer finished a term as the national group ’ s president — the first African American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most important thing we want is that people don ’ t forget , ” she says .
One who hasn ’ t is the little five year old who 20 years ago looked up to his big cousin Cherone .
“ Christian enlisted in the Navy in 2016 ; he said he wanted to honor Cherone and he wanted to finish the service Cherone had started and wasn ’ t able to finish , ” Mona Gunn says .
“ He ’ s just re-enlisted , too , ” she adds .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already made ( Petty Officer ) 2nd class .
”

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (AP) - Sarah Gauna Esquivel remembers the day her 19-year-old first-born, Tim, headed off to Naval Station Great Lakes for boot camp.
“I’d just married, and he told my husband to take care of me. Then he looked at me and said: ‘He’s a keeper, mom,’” she says.
It’s harder to remember when he came home.
“We buried him three times,” she says. The first time was two weeks after the terrorist attack on USS Cole, which killed her son and 16 shipmates 20 years ago.
A few weeks later, the Navy gave her Timothy Lee Gauna’s ashes. She gave them to Pastor Russ Mills, who had know her and Tim all of Tim’s life, and who just a few weeks ago, promised to travel with her to Norfolk for a memorial service on the 20th anniversary of the attack. He died of COVID-19 before he could.
Still later, she got word that additional remains had been found, and were buried at sea, in the ancient naval tradition.
She’s crying as she says she hasn’t shared that story much.
“A part of me died when he died,” she says.
A HEART SHAPED WREATH
Every Valentine’s Day from 2001 on, Mona Gunn and her late husband Lou, a Navy veteran, would make the long drive up to Arlington Cemetery from Virginia Beach, to lay a heart-shaped wreath on the grave of their second-oldest son, Cherone. He was just 21 when he died in the attack on USS Cole.
Valentine’s Day was his birthday. His family and friends often felt that birthday had blessed him with a particularly happy, loving personality.
Shortly after he finished at Great Lakes in March, 2000, and before joining the crew of the Cole, he had spent most of that July visiting aunts and uncles and school friends from his days at Kempsville High School.
There were lots of visits.
“He said: ’This is my first deployment, Mom, you’re going to miss me and I’ll miss you, but I’ll be back,” Mona Gunn remembers.
“He’d head out saying: ’I’ll be back, I’m going out to say my goodbyes.”
FIRST SHIP
The Cole was also Tim Gauna’s first ship. Just before posting there that summer, he had a few days leave and spent it back home, in Ennis, Tex.
“We spent the time together, watching movies, eating pizza,” Sarah says.
But sea duty loomed, and Tim wasn’t really looking forward to.
“I think he had a feeling something was going to happen,” she says. “He told me, maybe if I break a leg, I won’t have to go. I said: ‘think of it like a vacation you couldn’t afford, the memories you’ll come back with.”
Like many young Americans, Tim joined the Navy in hopes of finding a path to college. His goal was to go to the University of Texas and study computer science, maybe play some baseball — he was a star first baseman and left-handed hitter in his high school days.
“I was a single mom, he knew we couldn’t afford that,” Sarah says. “He knew I had to work, he always understood — I had to miss some of his games …”
She’s crying again,
“He was so responsible … he’d help look after his younger brothers and sisters,” she says. “He was a real ‘yes, ma’am, no ma’am, yes sir, no sir’ kind of kid. That’s the way I brought him up.”
When he called his mom, the weekend before the attack, he commiserated about the the Longhorns’ stunning loss to arch-rivals Oklahoma — the score was 63-14 — and joked that he would need to throw away the tape because the Cole was full of OU fans who were sure to give him a hard time.
He said he couldn’t tell her where the Cole was headed but said she’d know if she watched the news, and griped a bit about a schedule change that had him eating lunch at 2 p.m.
THE NEWNESS OF A FIRST DEVELOPMENT
Cherone Gunn’s calls home were filled with questions about the strange new world of a Navy ship on a deployment and lots of answers and good advice from his dad, remembering his own first cruise.
Cherone didn’t seem worried about the dangerous waters the Cole was headed into.
On his last call home, he told his mom he’d just finished with mess cranking — the chore all new sailors when newly assigned to a ship take on, helping the ship’s cooks serve and clean up.
He would die in the Cole’s galley. That’s where bomb-laden boat that attacked the Cole struck the destroyer.
But from what his shipmates later told his mother, Cherone didn’t need to be there.
He was done with cranking. But when he was on that never-popular duty, his shipmates remembered his cheerful spirit and efficient help — perhaps a legacy of his days as a junior at Kempsville High, in the hospitality-catering cooperative education program and happy days working afternoons at a nearby Holiday Inn. He had loved the part of his job at the hotel driving the airport shuttle, ferrying flight crews and pilots to and from the airport, and it had won him much good will and many smiles.
On the Cole, too, the cooks liked him a lot.
“They’d tell him, ’C’mon back here, have some food with us,” Mona Gunn said. “I think that’s where he was that day.”
THAT FATEFUL LUNCHTIME
On that dreadful Tuesday morning, with reports that the boat-bomb that hit Cole struck it next to the galley, remembering that mild complaint about a late lunch schedule would give Sarah a reed of hope through six agonizing days.
It wasn’t until October 18 that that hope vanished. That’s when his shipmates found Tim.
Still later, a shipmate — the Cole’s crew were a close-knit group and stay in touch — told her Tim had just gotten up from the galley table to fetch some pineapple for himself and a friend when the bomb went off.
“I keep thinking, if only he hadn’t got up, he might be alive,” she says.
“And then I think he wasn’t only my child. He was God’s.”
A NEW GOAL, A CONTINUING COMMITTMENT
It was in those last few months before enlisting, during Cherone Gunn’s adventure of trying out a new city — Atlanta — far from the familiar neighborhoods of home, that a new life goal took shape.
He was staying with his mom’s youngest brother, enjoying being hero-worshiped by a five year old cousin, still not certain if one of the many colleges in Atlanta was for him, when he picked up work as a security guard.
It really seemed to click, his mom says. Cherone decided he wanted to be a police officer, maybe a state trooper.
And he knew that military service could be a leg up. The Navy was a natural for the son of a 21-year Navy veteran. His dad urged him to try.
He went off to boot camp in January, 2000. His parents were there in a still-chilly Illinois March to see him graduate; he spent the next few months at Great Lakes, studying to be a signalman.
“He was excited when he got the Cole. He was coming back home,” his mom recalls.
Mona Gunn says she’s luckier than some of the moms and dads and spouses of the victims. Cherone was among the first four fatalities identified, and she was spared the days of waiting others faced.
But his death left a hole in her heart. It took years before she came to understand that other Gold Star mothers might share that pain — and that she, too, could help others who lost their children by joining the 92-year-old American Gold Star Mothers association. She organized the non-profit’s Hampton Roads chapter and this summer finished a term as the national group’s president — the first African American to serve.
“I think the most important thing we want is that people don’t forget,” she says.
One who hasn’t is the little five year old who 20 years ago looked up to his big cousin Cherone.
“Christian enlisted in the Navy in 2016; he said he wanted to honor Cherone and he wanted to finish the service Cherone had started and wasn’t able to finish,” Mona Gunn says.
“He’s just re-enlisted, too,” she adds. “And in his first hitch, he already made (Petty Officer) 2nd class.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--Refuge for women veterans, children to open in Delaware city

SMYRNA , Del .
( AP ) - The enthusiasm surrounding the Eden Veteran ’ s Refuge in downtown Smyrna is evident as volunteers hold banners around the white two-story house every Thursday , imploring people to stop in for a free lunch .
That excitement for Smyrna native and Pastor Tyshee Jackson , who serves as the executive director of the facility , promises to only increase as the anticipated early 2021 opening of the sanctuary for women veterans and their children grows closer .
“ Eden Veteran ’ s Refuge is going to be a veterans ’ transitional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said .
“ Every Thursday , what we do is free lunches , grab and go , for anybody that ’ s in need .
There ’ s no age requirement .
There ’ s no asking questions .
Anybody that ’ s in need can come and get as many lunches as they want .
If you have a large family , … we do not discriminate ( against ) anybody .
“ At Eden Refuge , we will have about six rooms available that , once we finish @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and women with children , and there ’ s no limit guidelines to how long they can stay , as we want to make sure that we ’ re managing them to be able to have their own home , ” she added .
Pastor Jackson noted that in its 2017 annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress , the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development estimated that more than 40,000 veterans were homeless on a single night in January of that year .
Of those , 9 % were women .
From @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homeless female veterans increased by 7 % , compared to 1 % for their male counterparts .
“ I think it ’ s just a wonderful commitment by the people involved here , ” said Michael McConnell , a board member with EVR who also helps with construction .
“ Not only for the community here in Smyrna , but it also reaches our veterans and what we hope to accomplish by giving them a place that they can call home .
“ Unfortunately , the path that certain people take leads them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think to a point , women are usually overlooked .
As a veteran myself , I just feel committed to giving something back .
There are people in need , women in need , and they have children , and we want to give them a safe environment - one that doesn ’ t compete for their resources .
This will help them to get back on their feet.
” Pastor Jackson and her husband , Bishop Jared Jackson of Eden International church , nearby the new refuge , aren ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make a difference in their community .
The facility , at 53 W. Commerce St. , is currently open on weekdays and offering free lunch every Thursday for those in need , as well as job training , job-placement assistance , resume building , counseling , coaching and financial budgeting courses .
“ Here at EVR , we do community ( work ) during the week , which means , during the week , we ’ re open to job training , resume building , and we actually have a school that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jones Way , where they actually help with certifying ( commercial driver ’ s license ) drivers , and it ’ s all also community-based , ” said Pastor Jackson .
“ Jones Way is actually located upstairs , and I think they have schools in New Jersey and a couple other states , and they just brought it here to Delaware , where they help CDL drivers get their license , and they do the training and help them get the hours that they need and everything .
“ Our community base @ @ @ @ @ @ @ already opened up our community resources .
We just haven ’ t been able to open up to our ladies until we get everything renovated.
” She added that EVR is already accepting donations , including clothing for women and babies , car seats , canned foods and other items , and individuals are welcome to drop items off at the facility from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays .
Bishop Jackson said the diversity of the programs that are designed to get people back on their feet has been backed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Town Council , Eden International , the Delaware Veterans Association and the Dover Women ’ s Support Network .
“ One of the great things that we are excited about is that this is not just a residential home .
It ’ s also a community center during the day for job training , job placement , resume building .
You name it , you can do it here at Eden Veteran ’ s Refuge , so we ’ re very excited to make that happen for the town of Smyrna and for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ Jones Way Trucking is who we partnered with to help individuals who come in off the street looking for job placement and job training .
They can train an individual to receive their commercial driver ’ s license , so that ’ s one of the businesses we partnered with , along with Dover Downs that provides us with food .
You name it , we ’ re building those business relationships , as well as community relationships , here in the town of Smyrna and the state of Delaware.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s nonprofit status allows the facility to have greater flexibility to accept tax-deducted donations and more fluidity working with government agencies .
He said it ’ s going to be much more than just putting a roof over the heads of female veterans and their children .
EVR is prepared to offer its residents an opportunity to live a fuller life , as they assist in school enrollment , activities and tutorial support , he said .
Its five or six volunteers will share their expertise in childhood nutrition , psychological therapy and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the women veterans ’ sanctuary was expected to welcome its first residents in mid-2020 , it was not immune to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic , as construction was slowed by workers who could not maintain regular schedules .
So , in the process , they are also concentrating heavily on their work in the Smyrna community , and Pastor Jackson said the facility is COVID-19-compliant when it comes to wearing face masks , social distancing and sanitizing frequently .
“ We took a little hit , but nothing that we can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help the community , ” she said .
On Thursdays , EVR offers free bags of lunch for anybody in need .
They contain ham or turkey sandwiches , chips , snacks , juice and water .
The volunteers have handed out 600 to 700 free lunches since starting the program July 16 .
So far , they have managed to give away their entire allotment of 80 lunches every week .
That ’ s a relief to Pastor Jackson , who said she was concerned with children growing hungry in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not have any opportunities for students to receive free lunches like several other districts did amid the pandemic .
Now , she can ’ t wait until the drywall , new painting and flooring is complete in the sanctuary and they can open the door for their first guests .
She said it ’ s important to give women veterans and their children an opportunity to hit the reset button .
“ We have a lot of different avenues for our men veterans , but we don ’ t see many for our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ So we wanted to be sure that we were helping , especially with the economy that we ’ re in .
We already know that we have things stacked against women veterans , because they are women , they have children , so they have different odds when they come out already .
We wanted to alleviate some of those factors .
“ We want to also help those women whose husbands ( have ) passed away in the military .
That is something that we also help.
” For Pastor Jackson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just something that comes naturally .
She is a major part of the positive vibe that emanates from the front door of EVR .
“ It ’ s so exciting .
We ’ ve gotten such a good feedback from the community , ” she said .
“ Smyrna has always been a place where we help each other .
We love each other .
You know exactly where you can come to get the help that you need , so it ’ s a blessing to be able to bring that back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help those that are in need .
“ So being born and raised here is something that we just enjoy .
People ride by , they donate , they wave , and it ’ s a blessing just to be able to see them .
”

SMYRNA, Del. (AP) - The enthusiasm surrounding the Eden Veteran’s Refuge in downtown Smyrna is evident as volunteers hold banners around the white two-story house every Thursday, imploring people to stop in for a free lunch.
That excitement for Smyrna native and Pastor Tyshee Jackson, who serves as the executive director of the facility, promises to only increase as the anticipated early 2021 opening of the sanctuary for women veterans and their children grows closer.
“Eden Veteran’s Refuge is going to be a veterans’ transitional home for women and women with children,” she said. “Every Thursday, what we do is free lunches, grab and go, for anybody that’s in need. There’s no age requirement. There’s no asking questions. Anybody that’s in need can come and get as many lunches as they want. If you have a large family, … we do not discriminate (against) anybody.
“At Eden Refuge, we will have about six rooms available that, once we finish construction, will be available for women and women with children, and there’s no limit guidelines to how long they can stay, as we want to make sure that we’re managing them to be able to have their own home,” she added.
Pastor Jackson noted that in its 2017 annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development estimated that more than 40,000 veterans were homeless on a single night in January of that year.
Of those, 9% were women. From 2016 to 2017, the number of homeless female veterans increased by 7%, compared to 1% for their male counterparts.
“I think it’s just a wonderful commitment by the people involved here,” said Michael McConnell, a board member with EVR who also helps with construction. “Not only for the community here in Smyrna, but it also reaches our veterans and what we hope to accomplish by giving them a place that they can call home.
“Unfortunately, the path that certain people take leads them into a situation of need, and I think to a point, women are usually overlooked. As a veteran myself, I just feel committed to giving something back. There are people in need, women in need, and they have children, and we want to give them a safe environment - one that doesn’t compete for their resources. This will help them to get back on their feet.”
MORE THAN A SANCTUARY
Pastor Jackson and her husband, Bishop Jared Jackson of Eden International church, nearby the new refuge, aren’t waiting for the opening of the sanctuary to make a difference in their community.
The facility, at 53 W. Commerce St., is currently open on weekdays and offering free lunch every Thursday for those in need, as well as job training, job-placement assistance, resume building, counseling, coaching and financial budgeting courses.
“Here at EVR, we do community (work) during the week, which means, during the week, we’re open to job training, resume building, and we actually have a school that we work with that’s called Jones Way, where they actually help with certifying (commercial driver’s license) drivers, and it’s all also community-based,” said Pastor Jackson. “Jones Way is actually located upstairs, and I think they have schools in New Jersey and a couple other states, and they just brought it here to Delaware, where they help CDL drivers get their license, and they do the training and help them get the hours that they need and everything.
“Our community base is still here, so we have already opened up our community resources. We just haven’t been able to open up to our ladies until we get everything renovated.”
She added that EVR is already accepting donations, including clothing for women and babies, car seats, canned foods and other items, and individuals are welcome to drop items off at the facility from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
Bishop Jackson said the diversity of the programs that are designed to get people back on their feet has been backed by several local partners, including Smyrna Town Council, Eden International, the Delaware Veterans Association and the Dover Women’s Support Network.
“One of the great things that we are excited about is that this is not just a residential home. It’s also a community center during the day for job training, job placement, resume building. You name it, you can do it here at Eden Veteran’s Refuge, so we’re very excited to make that happen for the town of Smyrna and for the state of Delaware,” he said.
“Jones Way Trucking is who we partnered with to help individuals who come in off the street looking for job placement and job training. They can train an individual to receive their commercial driver’s license, so that’s one of the businesses we partnered with, along with Dover Downs that provides us with food. You name it, we’re building those business relationships, as well as community relationships, here in the town of Smyrna and the state of Delaware.”
Bishop Jackson added that EVR’s nonprofit status allows the facility to have greater flexibility to accept tax-deducted donations and more fluidity working with government agencies.
He said it’s going to be much more than just putting a roof over the heads of female veterans and their children.
EVR is prepared to offer its residents an opportunity to live a fuller life, as they assist in school enrollment, activities and tutorial support, he said. Its five or six volunteers will share their expertise in childhood nutrition, psychological therapy and the activities of daily living.
ADJUSTING DURING THE COVID-19 ERA
While the women veterans’ sanctuary was expected to welcome its first residents in mid-2020, it was not immune to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, as construction was slowed by workers who could not maintain regular schedules.
So, in the process, they are also concentrating heavily on their work in the Smyrna community, and Pastor Jackson said the facility is COVID-19-compliant when it comes to wearing face masks, social distancing and sanitizing frequently.
“We took a little hit, but nothing that we can’t handle, especially being able to help the community,” she said.
On Thursdays, EVR offers free bags of lunch for anybody in need. They contain ham or turkey sandwiches, chips, snacks, juice and water. The volunteers have handed out 600 to 700 free lunches since starting the program July 16. So far, they have managed to give away their entire allotment of 80 lunches every week.
That’s a relief to Pastor Jackson, who said she was concerned with children growing hungry in the area because the Smyrna School District did not have any opportunities for students to receive free lunches like several other districts did amid the pandemic.
Now, she can’t wait until the drywall, new painting and flooring is complete in the sanctuary and they can open the door for their first guests.
She said it’s important to give women veterans and their children an opportunity to hit the reset button.
“We have a lot of different avenues for our men veterans, but we don’t see many for our women,” said Pastor Jackson. “So we wanted to be sure that we were helping, especially with the economy that we’re in. We already know that we have things stacked against women veterans, because they are women, they have children, so they have different odds when they come out already. We wanted to alleviate some of those factors.
“We want to also help those women whose husbands (have) passed away in the military. That is something that we also help.”
For Pastor Jackson, giving back to her community is just something that comes naturally. She is a major part of the positive vibe that emanates from the front door of EVR.
“It’s so exciting. We’ve gotten such a good feedback from the community,” she said. “Smyrna has always been a place where we help each other. We love each other. You know exactly where you can come to get the help that you need, so it’s a blessing to be able to bring that back to the community and to be able to help those that are in need.
“So being born and raised here is something that we just enjoy. People ride by, they donate, they wave, and it’s a blessing just to be able to see them.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--Love of job keeps 80-year-old EMT working during a pandemic

CHARLOTTE , Mich. ( AP ) - Most people don ’ t start a full-time career in their 60s .
At 80 years old , he ’ s been an EMT for decades alongside a career in human resources and working as a firefighter .
His first run was in 1962 , shortly after he graduated from Olivet College , responding to the call of a woman with a heart issue .
At that time , he didn ’ t have equipment on the ambulance to save her life in time .
“ We had none of the technology , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I have ( the ability ) now to have certainly gotten her to the hospital , ” he said .
It ’ s also become more in demand .
Before the pandemic , it wasn ’ t unusual for See to work 60 hours a week as he and his colleagues responded to increasing numbers of calls .
See jokes that while he ’ s working fewer hours during the COVID-19 pandemic , his wife , Judy , would “ just as soon I wasn ’ t doing any of this.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sit , ” he said , even as he acknowledges he ’ s coming close to the end of his career .
He couldn ’ t even sit right after his honeymoon .
The first night the couple got home , there was a medical call , and See hopped in the ambulance in their garage and left to help .
“ She said it wasn ’ t funny that night , ” See said , though they laugh about it now .
See has been an EMT since 1962 .
His dad @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learning about safety and fire in scouting “ just kinda snowballed.
” In that time , his wife has gotten used to dinners and other events being interrupted , See said .
For most of See ’ s time as an EMT , he ’ s been making runs alongside a full-time career in human resources .
That changed after the housing crash , when he was laid off because of the 2008 recession .
“ I was going stir crazy at that point , ” See said .
He was around retirement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eaton Area EMS , though he ’ d been a first responder since his 20s .
In that time , See has changed along with the profession .
While he can ’ t do everything he could when he was younger , he ’ s still able to do many of the things he did 20 years ago .
See adds a caveat - he works “ a lot smarter , ” at things like heavy lifting , and technology and his co-workers help with that .
What hasn ’ t changed is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is why See loves the job so much .
It ’ s especially gratifying when the people he helps or their loved ones come back afterward to say thank you , he said .
‘ You got to be able to set it aside ’ after a hard call Then there are the tough calls .
Years ago , See and his partner at the time were coming back from a run when they got the call that a mother had stabbed two young children .
By the time they got there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There was nothing that I could do , ” See said .
His partner , who was a full-time police officer , quit on the spot .
See said while you don ’ t get a lot of those kinds of calls , they always have an impact .
“ You got to be able to set it aside , ” he said .
It helps to talk it out , he said , and it ’ s crucial to have a good person outside work to turn to for support .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s been more true than ever during the ongoing pandemic .
Dan Sowles , who ’ s worked for Eaton Area EMS for 26 years and with See for 20 years , said calls decreased in volume from mid-March to about Memorial Day .
People weren ’ t calling for smaller injuries or even for major problems , Sowles said , because they were worried about being exposed to the virus .
After Memorial Day , though , it “ went right back to 100 mph , ” he said .
They ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff members – they ’ ll run one or two ambulances for the whole county when they used to run four .
“ It ’ s been the most stressful time probably in my whole life , ” Sowles said of being a paramedic during the pandemic .
See said he ’ s noticed people were , at least initially , nervous and uncomfortable .
“ I think it ’ s just the unknown , ” he said .
“ We ’ ve always dealt with things that we could handle , encompass.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ off because his wife , Judy , has health problems – the couple spent a week in isolation at the end of January .
And while See is still “ very cautious , ” he couldn ’ t stay away from work for long .
That ’ s not surprising to Roy Gilberston , who ’ s worked 22 years for Eaton Area EMS .
See has “ got ta have something to do , ” Gilbertson said .
Gilbertson describes See as a dedicated but easy-going guy who doesn ’ t get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him “ lose his cool.
” He doesn ’ t usually work shifts with See , but he does encounter him a lot when making runs to Olivet while See is on shift as a firefighter there .
He ’ s always grateful to have someone on the other end of the call who can handle the stress , he said .
“ He doesn ’ t panic , ” Gilbertson said .
“ He ’ s not going to blow a situation out of proportion.
” And See manages to keep his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to being on call or even on shift for Olivet ’ s fire department , Sowles said .
“ He never misses a day of work , ” Sowles said .
“ Never.
” There ’ s a reason for that , See says .
The job requires commitment .
See stresses there ’ s more to being an EMT than hopping in an ambulance with flashing red lights and a screeching siren and rushing off to save the day .
He says it ’ s a tough but rewarding profession that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve got to be a caring person , ” See said .
“ You ’ re helping older people .
You ’ re helping people in distress who need attention .
”

CHARLOTTE, Mich. (AP) - Most people don’t start a full-time career in their 60s.
Lyle See isn’t most people.
At 80 years old, he’s been an EMT for decades alongside a career in human resources and working as a firefighter.
His first run was in 1962, shortly after he graduated from Olivet College, responding to the call of a woman with a heart issue. At that time, he didn’t have equipment on the ambulance to save her life in time.
“We had none of the technology,” See told the Lansing State Journal.
That’s changed over the intervening 58 years.
“I have (the ability) now to have certainly gotten her to the hospital,” he said.
It’s also become more in demand.
Before the pandemic, it wasn’t unusual for See to work 60 hours a week as he and his colleagues responded to increasing numbers of calls.
See jokes that while he’s working fewer hours during the COVID-19 pandemic, his wife, Judy, would “just as soon I wasn’t doing any of this.”
“But I can’t sit,” he said, even as he acknowledges he’s coming close to the end of his career.
He couldn’t even sit right after his honeymoon.
The first night the couple got home, there was a medical call, and See hopped in the ambulance in their garage and left to help.
“She said it wasn’t funny that night,” See said, though they laugh about it now.
See has been an EMT since 1962. His dad was a firefighter, and his years learning about safety and fire in scouting “just kinda snowballed.”
In that time, his wife has gotten used to dinners and other events being interrupted, See said.
For most of See’s time as an EMT, he’s been making runs alongside a full-time career in human resources.
That changed after the housing crash, when he was laid off because of the 2008 recession.
“I was going stir crazy at that point,” See said.
He was around retirement age when he started full time with Eaton Area EMS, though he’d been a first responder since his 20s.
In that time, See has changed along with the profession. While he can’t do everything he could when he was younger, he’s still able to do many of the things he did 20 years ago.
See adds a caveat - he works “a lot smarter,” at things like heavy lifting, and technology and his co-workers help with that.
What hasn’t changed is the chance to work with people, which is why See loves the job so much.
It’s especially gratifying when the people he helps or their loved ones come back afterward to say thank you, he said.
‘You got to be able to set it aside’ after a hard call
Then there are the tough calls.
Years ago, See and his partner at the time were coming back from a run when they got the call that a mother had stabbed two young children.
By the time they got there, it was too late.
“There was nothing that I could do,” See said.
His partner, who was a full-time police officer, quit on the spot.
See said while you don’t get a lot of those kinds of calls, they always have an impact.
“You got to be able to set it aside,” he said.
It helps to talk it out, he said, and it’s crucial to have a good person outside work to turn to for support.
For many in the profession, that’s been more true than ever during the ongoing pandemic.
Dan Sowles, who’s worked for Eaton Area EMS for 26 years and with See for 20 years, said calls decreased in volume from mid-March to about Memorial Day.
People weren’t calling for smaller injuries or even for major problems, Sowles said, because they were worried about being exposed to the virus.
After Memorial Day, though, it “went right back to 100 mph,” he said. They’re now doing more runs with fewer staff members – they’ll run one or two ambulances for the whole county when they used to run four.
“It’s been the most stressful time probably in my whole life,” Sowles said of being a paramedic during the pandemic.
See said he’s noticed people were, at least initially, nervous and uncomfortable.
“I think it’s just the unknown,” he said. “We’ve always dealt with things that we could handle, encompass.”
See did take a few months off because his wife, Judy, has health problems – the couple spent a week in isolation at the end of January.
And while See is still “very cautious,” he couldn’t stay away from work for long.
That’s not surprising to Roy Gilberston, who’s worked 22 years for Eaton Area EMS.
See has “gotta have something to do,” Gilbertson said.
Gilbertson describes See as a dedicated but easy-going guy who doesn’t get stressed. He’s never seen him “lose his cool.”
He doesn’t usually work shifts with See, but he does encounter him a lot when making runs to Olivet while See is on shift as a firefighter there. He’s always grateful to have someone on the other end of the call who can handle the stress, he said.
“He doesn’t panic,” Gilbertson said. “He’s not going to blow a situation out of proportion.”
And See manages to keep his cool despite working long shifts then going back to being on call or even on shift for Olivet’s fire department, Sowles said.
“He never misses a day of work,” Sowles said. “Never.”
There’s a reason for that, See says. The job requires commitment.
See stresses there’s more to being an EMT than hopping in an ambulance with flashing red lights and a screeching siren and rushing off to save the day.
He says it’s a tough but rewarding profession that requires compassion.
“I think you’ve got to be a caring person,” See said. “You’re helping older people. You’re helping people in distress who need attention.”


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--AP source: No new positive tests again for Titans, Patriots

NASHVILLE , Tenn. ( AP ) - The Tennessee Titans and the New England Patriots had no positive tests Saturday , and both teams will be allowed to go back to their facilities , a person familiar with the situation told Te Associated Press .
The Titans will be returning for the first time since the NFL closed them down Sept. 29 .
The Titans now have had no positive test results four of the past six days , according to the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because neither the NFL nor the Titans announced the latest results @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past three days following the positive test for reigning NFL Defensive Player of the year Stephon Gilmore .
He joined quarterback Cam Newton on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday , and the Patriots also had a defensive tackle from the practice squad on the list .
This keeps the Titans ( 3-0 ) on track to host Buffalo ( 4-0 ) on Tuesday , with the Patriots hosting Denver on Monday after both games were rescheduled from Sunday .
The league already postponed , then rescheduled the Titans ’ game with Pittsburgh from Oct. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
All New York Jets players and coaches tested negative for COVID-19 after their training facility closed Friday because of a presumptive positive coronavirus test for one player .
The Jets posted a statement on social media Friday night , and their game Sunday against Arizona will be played on time .
The Titans , who had 23 positive tests with 21 since Sept. 29 , have new protocols to follow inside their building from the NFL and its players ’ union .
That will continue until officials deem Tennessee has gotten past @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The Tennessee Titans have heard some of the calls for the NFL to punish them harshly for the team’s role in the league’s first COVID-19 outbreak, and they have some words of caution after first-hand experience.
It’s still a pandemic.
And testing, even as much as the NFL does, is not perfect.
Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill said Saturday it’s been a roller coaster as people with no symptoms test positive while others with full-blown symptoms receive consecutive negative tests on multiple days. He noted everyone had said from the beginning that testing would not prevent the virus from being spread.
“It was really eye-opening and just the fact of we really don’t know, so we have to treat everyone as if they have the virus, unfortunately,” Tannehill said. “I feel like we probably lost faith in the testing system just through everything we’ve been through over over the past week and a half.”
As the Titans’ outbreak grew to 23 with 21 positive tests returned since Sept. 29, safety Kevin Byard said he heard calls for Tennessee to forfeit games as the NFL first postponed, then rescheduled its game with Pittsburgh to Oct. 25. The league also moved Pittsburgh-Baltimore to Nov. 1.
The Titans (3-0) hope now to host Buffalo (4-0) on Tuesday night.
“If anybody went into the season thinking that there weren’t going to be a couple of positive tests or outbreak somewhere of all 32 teams, I think that was kind of foolish to think,” Byard said. “I mean, obviously, we wasn’t trying to be the team that had the outbreak. We’re not trying to get COVID-19.”
What the Titans weren’t talking about was just how this outbreak occurred, not until the NFL and NFL Players Association speak first.
“We’ve been completely transparent with the NFL, the NFLPA throughout this entire process, and we’re going to wait for their summary before commenting further on any of those discussions,” coach Mike Vrabel said.
The Titans and the New England Patriots had no positive COVID-19 tests Saturday, allowing both teams to return to their facilities. The Patriots had not been at their facility since reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore’s test came back positive Wednesday.
Tennessee (3-0) hadn’t been together on a field since Sept. 27 when the Titans beat the Vikings 31-30 in Minnesota. Rain forced the Titans inside for practice Saturday.
Vrabel said the Titans have been transparent with both the NFL and the NFLPA during the review about how they followed protocols. Every player and coach was made available to talk with the officials running the investigation.
As a result, the Titans have moved 30 lockers from their locker room to their indoor practice field. Vrabel said the team made adjustments to the way meals are taken, and any in-person meetings among coaches will be held at the indoor field.
Both Tannehill and Byard declined to comment when asked about player workouts Sept. 30, a day after the NFL closed the Titans’ facility, saying they had been “transparent” with the review done by the NFL and union. Vrabel said they’re very confident in how they’ve handled their end of the review.
“I’m sure that this won’t be the first time that somebody says something bad about us or one of our players or one of our coaches or me or our team,” Vrabel said.
New England coach Bill Belichick said the Patriots won’t be making any decisions or long-range plans until they have more information. His plan was to get through Saturday with a practice planned to maximize their time back on a field. Their game with Denver was moved from Sunday to Monday.
“One thing we’ve learned this year is that we all have to be able to adapt to changes and adjustments and make adjustments, so that’s what we’re going to do,” Belichick said.
Tennessee has gone without a positive test for the fourth time in six days with the latest results, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because neither the NFL nor the Titans announced the latest results.
Now that both the Titans and Patriots are back at work, the question is whether either team gets any of the players currently on the reserve/COVID-19 list back for their next games. The NFL and union updated protocols for when players who test positive can return to play, depending on whether the player experienced symptoms.
Neither Gilmore nor quarterback Cam Newton, both on the reserve/COVID-19 list, practiced Saturday. Belichick, speaking before practice, would not say whether either would play Monday.
Vrabel said the Titans might get some players back if they clear the protocols to return, including long snapper Beau Brinkley. The Titans have possible replacements going through testing protocols in case Brinkley isn’t back for a team that won its first three games by a field goal inside the final two minutes.
Later Saturday, the Titans activated offensive lineman Isaiah Wilson, their first-round pick who had been out since Sept. 6, and defensive back Greg Mabin, a member of the practice squad, off the reserve/COVID-19 list.
The Jets scheduled a walkthrough at their facility. All players and coaches tested negative for COVID-19 after being sent home from their training facility Friday because of a presumptive positive coronavirus test for one player. Their game Sunday against Arizona will be played on time.
___
AP Pro Football Writer Barry Wilner and freelancer Gethin Coolbaugh contributed to this report.
___
Follow Teresa M. Walker at https://twitter.com/TeresaMWalker
___
More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--Voting-related lawsuits pepper US before Election Day

Hundreds of lawsuits about voting have been filed before the Nov. 3 election .
The cases concern the fundamentals of the American democratic process , including how ballots are cast and counted .
A look at some of the top lawsuits in battleground states : ARIZONA : A federal judge ruled in favor of Democrats by holding that voters who neglected to sign their early ballots before mailing them in get up to five days after the election to fix the problem .
The judge ruled that it was not fair for elections officials not to give voters a chance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The case has since been appealed to the 9th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals .
IOWA : Several of the election disputes involve mail-in voting rules .
In one , Democrats are challenging a new GOP-backed law that blocks county auditors from filling in any missing voter ID information on absentee ballot applications returned by voters .
In a related case , Republicans have persuaded judges to invalidate tens of thousands of absentee ballot applications submitted by voters whose ID information had been pre-filled on the forms by county auditors .
Democrats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s rules that drop boxes must be located on county property and not at grocery stores or other community sites .
MICHIGAN : Officials are mired in litigation over how long ballots can be counted after Nov. 3 .
State law requires the ballots to be counted by Election Day .
But a state judge , citing mail delays , has ordered that they be counted if they are postmarked by Nov. 2 and arrive by Nov. 17 .
The Republican-led Legislature is appealing .
The issue could be crucial in determining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the state , which Trump won by less than 10,000 votes in 2016 .
Absentee voting has only been permitted since 2018 , but some 2.7 million people have requested absentee ballots .
MINNESOTA : Republicans have challenged the state ’ s Nov. 10 deadline for mail-in ballots to arrive this year , a 7-day extension granted because of the pandemic .
Under a consent decree , the ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3 .
Republicans are appealing the plan .
Meanwhile , Democratic U.S. Rep. Angie Craig has challenged a state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ District seat to February due to the Sept. 21 death of Legal Marijuana Now Party candidate Adam Weeks .
A delay could have national implications if the presidential election remains in dispute in January and the seat remains empty when her first term concludes in January .
NEVADA : The Democratic-led Legislature passed a law this year that sends mail-in ballots to every registered voter and lets someone else return it on the voter ’ s behalf .
The latter practice , known as ballot harvesting , had previously been illegal .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steve Sisolak , also let county election officials start counting mailed ballots on Oct. 19 .
The Trump campaign challenged the law , suggesting mail-in voting was rife with fraud , but a federal judge said they failed to show any actual harm .
NEW HAMPSHIRE : A judge in April struck down a 2017 New Hampshire law that made it more difficult for people to vote if they registered the month before the election .
The judge said the added paperwork was “ unreasonable.
” The Republican-led Legislature had passed the law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2016 .
State officials have appealed to the state Supreme Court .
Meanwhile , the American Federation of Teachers , citing the pandemic , challenged some state voting procedures in August , including an Election Day deadline and lack of prepaid postage for absentee ballots .
Both the Trump campaign and state officials pushed back , and a judge mostly dismissed the suit while ordering the state to help would-be voters obtain registration forms .
NORTH CAROLINA : The Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee are suing in federal court to block @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that could boost the number of ballots counted .
That includes guidance that will allow the fixing of absentee ballots with deficient information without forcing the voter to fill out a new blank ballot .
OHIO : A federal judge in Cleveland this month ruled that a new Ohio directive allowing ballot drop boxes at locations “ outside ” boards of elections means they can be placed at multiple locations - a ruling at odds with the intention of the state elections chief .
It ’ s not yet clear how many drop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before the election .
Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose moved to appeal .
A state appeals court ruled that requests for an absentee ballot can not be sent by fax or email , finding it could swamp local election officials and threaten the security of the election .
PENNSYLVANIA : Pennsylvania has seen a frenzy of election-related suits as state officials prepare for some 3 million people , about half the expected turnout , to cast mail-in ballots .
Trump ’ s campaign has asked the courts to bar counties from using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ collect mail-in ballots ; to throw out state guidance on signature discrepancies ; to overturn a county residency requirement on poll watchers ; and to let campaign representatives watch people register or fill out mail-in ballots in election offices .
Republican lawmakers have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse a ruling that gives counties three days after Election Day to receive and count eligible ballots .
VIRGINIA : The key court case over the election in Virginia involves the requirement that absentee voters find a witness to watch them sign their ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ filed suit over the issue , a federal judge issued a decree allowing voters to skip that step given the pandemic if they don ’ t feel it ’ s safe to have a witness present .
The Republican Party of Virginia , which opposed the consent decree , is now challenging the state guidance on the issue , saying it ’ s likely to confuse voters .
WISCONSIN : A federal appeals court upheld a six-day extension for counting absentee ballots in Wisconsin as long as they are postmarked on or before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats in the state at least a temporary victory in a case that could nonetheless by appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court .

Hundreds of lawsuits about voting have been filed before the Nov. 3 election. The cases concern the fundamentals of the American democratic process, including how ballots are cast and counted. A look at some of the top lawsuits in battleground states:
ARIZONA: A federal judge ruled in favor of Democrats by holding that voters who neglected to sign their early ballots before mailing them in get up to five days after the election to fix the problem. The judge ruled that it was not fair for elections officials not to give voters a chance to “cure” the problem. The case has since been appealed to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
IOWA: Several of the election disputes involve mail-in voting rules. In one, Democrats are challenging a new GOP-backed law that blocks county auditors from filling in any missing voter ID information on absentee ballot applications returned by voters. In a related case, Republicans have persuaded judges to invalidate tens of thousands of absentee ballot applications submitted by voters whose ID information had been pre-filled on the forms by county auditors. Democrats are challenging the Republican secretary of state’s rules that drop boxes must be located on county property and not at grocery stores or other community sites.
MICHIGAN: Officials are mired in litigation over how long ballots can be counted after Nov. 3. State law requires the ballots to be counted by Election Day. But a state judge, citing mail delays, has ordered that they be counted if they are postmarked by Nov. 2 and arrive by Nov. 17. The Republican-led Legislature is appealing. The issue could be crucial in determining the winner of the presidential contest in the state, which Trump won by less than 10,000 votes in 2016. Absentee voting has only been permitted since 2018, but some 2.7 million people have requested absentee ballots.
MINNESOTA: Republicans have challenged the state’s Nov. 10 deadline for mail-in ballots to arrive this year, a 7-day extension granted because of the pandemic. Under a consent decree, the ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3. Republicans are appealing the plan. Meanwhile, Democratic U.S. Rep. Angie Craig has challenged a state law that pushed voting for her 2nd District seat to February due to the Sept. 21 death of Legal Marijuana Now Party candidate Adam Weeks. A delay could have national implications if the presidential election remains in dispute in January and the seat remains empty when her first term concludes in January.
NEVADA: The Democratic-led Legislature passed a law this year that sends mail-in ballots to every registered voter and lets someone else return it on the voter’s behalf. The latter practice, known as ballot harvesting, had previously been illegal. The law, signed by Democratic Gov. Steve Sisolak, also let county election officials start counting mailed ballots on Oct. 19. The Trump campaign challenged the law, suggesting mail-in voting was rife with fraud, but a federal judge said they failed to show any actual harm.
NEW HAMPSHIRE: A judge in April struck down a 2017 New Hampshire law that made it more difficult for people to vote if they registered the month before the election. The judge said the added paperwork was “unreasonable.” The Republican-led Legislature had passed the law after Trump’s loss there in 2016. State officials have appealed to the state Supreme Court. Meanwhile, the American Federation of Teachers, citing the pandemic, challenged some state voting procedures in August, including an Election Day deadline and lack of prepaid postage for absentee ballots. Both the Trump campaign and state officials pushed back, and a judge mostly dismissed the suit while ordering the state to help would-be voters obtain registration forms.
NORTH CAROLINA: The Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee are suing in federal court to block state election officials from enforcing rule changes that could boost the number of ballots counted. That includes guidance that will allow the fixing of absentee ballots with deficient information without forcing the voter to fill out a new blank ballot.
OHIO: A federal judge in Cleveland this month ruled that a new Ohio directive allowing ballot drop boxes at locations “outside” boards of elections means they can be placed at multiple locations - a ruling at odds with the intention of the state elections chief. It’s not yet clear how many drop boxes will be available across the state before the election. Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose appealed, and on Friday a three-judge panel on the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals approved his request to put the lower court’s decision on hold. A state appeals court ruled that requests for an absentee ballot cannot be sent by fax or email, finding it could swamp local election officials and threaten the security of the election.
PENNSYLVANIA: Pennsylvania has seen a frenzy of election-related suits as state officials prepare for some 3 million people, about half the expected turnout, to cast mail-in ballots. Trump’s campaign has asked the courts to bar counties from using unstaffed drop boxes or mobile sites to collect mail-in ballots; to throw out state guidance on signature discrepancies; to overturn a county residency requirement on poll watchers; and to let campaign representatives watch people register or fill out mail-in ballots in election offices. On Saturday, a federal judge dismissed challenges to the poll-watching law and efforts to limit how mail-in ballots can be collected and which of them can be counted. Republican lawmakers have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reverse a ruling that gives counties three days after Election Day to receive and count eligible ballots.
VIRGINIA: The key court case over the election in Virginia involves the requirement that absentee voters find a witness to watch them sign their ballots. After the League of Women Voters filed suit over the issue, a federal judge issued a decree allowing voters to skip that step given the pandemic if they don’t feel it’s safe to have a witness present. The Republican Party of Virginia, which opposed the consent decree, is now challenging the state guidance on the issue, saying it’s likely to confuse voters.
WISCONSIN: A federal appeals court upheld a six-day extension for counting absentee ballots in Wisconsin as long as they are postmarked on or before Election Day. The recent ruling gave Democrats in the state at least a temporary victory in a case that could nonetheless by appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--Mideast wildfires kill 2, force thousands to flee homes

BEIRUT ( AP ) - Wildfires around the Middle East triggered by a heatwave hitting the region have killed two people , forced thousands of people to leave their homes and detonated landmines along the Lebanon-Israel border , state media and officials said Saturday .
The areas hit by the heatwave are Syria , Lebanon , Israel and the Palestinian territories .
The fires come amid an intense heatwave that is unusual for this time of the year .
Wildfires spread across different areas of Israel and the West Bank for a second day Saturday , forced thousands of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement firefighters and police forces evacuated 5,000 residents from the city of Nof Hagalil in northern Israel .
One of the hardest hit countries is war-torn Syria where fires have killed two people and left dozens suffering from breathing problems over the past two days .
The wildfires also burnt wide areas of forests , mostly in the central province of Homs and the coastal province of Latakia .
With fire fighters overwhelmed , some residents helped them using primitive methods such as carrying water in buckets and pouring them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Forestry Department in Latakia Agricultural Department , Bassem Douba , was quoted as saying by state news agency , SANA , that the number of fires reached 85 in different sites .
Also in Latakia province , fires in President Bashar Assad ’ s hometown of Qardaha heavily damaged a building used as a storage for the state-owned tobacco company , part of which collapsed .
In Lebanon , firefighters backed by army helicopters fought fires in the country ’ s north , center and south .
A big fire in the southern @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trees and was getting close to homes when it was put under control .
Along the border with Israel , fires were reported by Lebanon ’ s state news agency in several villages , some of them triggering explosions of land mines placed along the heavily-guarded front .

BEIRUT (AP) - Wildfires around the Middle East triggered by a heatwave hitting the region have killed three people, forced thousands of people to leave their homes and detonated landmines along the Lebanon-Israel border, state media and officials said Saturday.
The areas hit by the heatwave are Syria, Lebanon, Israel and the Palestinian territories. The fires come amid an intense heatwave that is unusual for this time of the year.
Wildfires spread across different areas of Israel and the West Bank for a second day Saturday, forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes.
Israeli Police said in a statement firefighters and police forces evacuated 5,000 residents from the city of Nof Hagalil in northern Israel.
One of the hardest hit countries is war-torn Syria where fires have killed three people and left dozens suffering from breathing problems over the past two days. The wildfires also burnt wide areas of forests, mostly in the central province of Homs and the coastal province of Latakia.
With fire fighters overwhelmed, some residents helped them using primitive methods such as carrying water in buckets and pouring them on the fire.
On Saturday, special rain prayers were held in mosques around different parts of Syria imploring God to send rain to ease drought and stop the fires.
Director of the Forestry Department in Latakia Agricultural Department, Bassem Douba, was quoted as saying by state news agency, SANA, that the number of fires reached 85 in different sites.
Also in Latakia province, fires in President Bashar Assad’s hometown of Qardaha heavily damaged a building used as a storage for the state-owned tobacco company, part of which collapsed.
In Lebanon, firefighters backed by army helicopters fought fires in the country’s north, center and south. A big fire in the southern village of Bater burnt hundreds of pine trees and was getting close to homes when it was put under control.
Along the border with Israel, fires were reported by Lebanon’s state news agency in several villages, some of them triggering explosions of land mines placed along the heavily-guarded front.


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--Bidding rules hold up $50M in Kansas COVID testing funds

TOPEKA , Kan. ( AP ) - Nearly $ 50 million in funding for COVID testing is still moving through the state ’ s bidding system more than three weeks after Kansas legislators approved the spending , state officials say .
At the state Legislative Budget Committee meeting this past week , Sen. Carolyn McGinn expressed frustration that Wichita State University , which has completed necessary paperwork and has labs ready to process tests , doesn ’ t have a go-ahead from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment .
Marci Nielsen , a special advisor to Gov .
Laura @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow time for potential testing organizations to submit proposals for government funding .
Decisions on which organizations will receive the money will not be made until later this month , The Kansas City Star and The Wichita Eagle reports .
Nielsen said that while the Wichita State proposal could be accepted , the state needs to meet the requirement of ensuring a “ unified strategy ” is in place .
In an email to The Star , Friday , a KDHE spokeswoman said the request for proposals would end on Oct. 21 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ when supplies would be distributed .

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Nearly $50 million in funding for COVID testing is still moving through the state’s bidding system more than three weeks after Kansas legislators approved the spending, state officials say.
At the state Legislative Budget Committee meeting this past week, Sen. Carolyn McGinn expressed frustration that Wichita State University, which has completed necessary paperwork and has labs ready to process tests, doesn’t have a go-ahead from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.
Marci Nielsen, a special advisor to Gov. Laura Kelly, told lawmakers that state regulations allow time for potential testing organizations to submit proposals for government funding. Decisions on which organizations will receive the money will not be made until later this month, The Kansas City Star and The Wichita Eagle reports.
Nielsen said that while the Wichita State proposal could be accepted, the state needs to meet the requirement of ensuring a “unified strategy” is in place.
In an email to The Star, Friday, a KDHE spokeswoman said the request for proposals would end on Oct. 21. She did not have a timeline for when supplies would be distributed.


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--Maryland Senate Republicans elect new leadership

ANNAPOLIS , Md .
( AP ) - Republicans in the Maryland Senate elected new leadership on Saturday .
The Senate Republican Caucus elected Sen. Bryan Simonaire , of Anne Arundel County , as minority leader .
The caucus also elected Sen. Michael Hough as minority whip .
Hough ’ s district includes parts of Frederick and Carroll counties .
The Maryland General Assembly is controlled by Democrats , who hold a 32-15 advantage in the 47-member state Senate .
Simonaire said Senate President Bill Ferguson , a Baltimore Democrat , has shown a genuine willingness to work with all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ looks forward to working with him .
“ However , we must realize that while Maryland politicians have constructed a one-party dominant legislature , we are not a one-party state , ” Simonaire said in a statement .
“ Nearly half of all Marylanders are not in the Democratic Party and even more do not subscribe to the recent far-left trajectory taken by the Senate.
” “ I look forward to working collaboratively to build a stronger Maryland , particularly as we face the challenging times ahead , ” Ferguson said in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focus on policy .
“ We will cooperate to make wiser laws and be careful guardians of the people ’ s checkbook , ” Hough said .

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Republicans in the Maryland Senate elected new leadership on Saturday.
The Senate Republican Caucus elected Sen. Bryan Simonaire, of Anne Arundel County, as minority leader. The caucus also elected Sen. Michael Hough as minority whip. Hough’s district includes parts of Frederick and Carroll counties.
The Maryland General Assembly is controlled by Democrats, who hold a 32-15 advantage in the 47-member state Senate.
Simonaire said Senate President Bill Ferguson, a Baltimore Democrat, has shown a genuine willingness to work with all senators, and that the Republican caucus looks forward to working with him.
“However, we must realize that while Maryland politicians have constructed a one-party dominant legislature, we are not a one-party state,” Simonaire said in a statement. “Nearly half of all Marylanders are not in the Democratic Party and even more do not subscribe to the recent far-left trajectory taken by the Senate.”
Ferguson met with them Saturday afternoon.
“I look forward to working collaboratively to build a stronger Maryland, particularly as we face the challenging times ahead,” Ferguson said in a statement.
Hough said Maryland Republicans will focus on policy.
“We will cooperate to make wiser laws and be careful guardians of the people’s checkbook,” Hough said.


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--Kansas man sues over crash that kills wife, 4 children

WICHITA , Kan. ( AP ) - A Kansas man is suing a over a crash that killed his wife , three of his children and his stepdaughter .
Jeffrey Williams , of Viola , is seeking more than $ 75,000 in damages in the wrongful death lawsuit filed this month against Andrew Specht and his employer , Wellington-based L.B .
White Trucking Inc , The Wichita Eagle reports .
The suit alleges that Specht was driving a tractor-trailer loaded with grain at a “ reckless speed ” on Sept. 25 when he ran a stop sign and slammed into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ family was riding in southwest Sedgwick County .
The impact instantly killed 32-year-old Jessica Noel , 10-year-old Anaiah Brady , 4-year-old Jeffrey Thompson III and 4-month-old Hank Thompson .
A fourth child , 23-month-old Mack Thompson , died later at a hospital .
The paternal grandparents of Anaiah Brady , whose biological father died in 2012 , filed their own wrongful death lawsuit last month .
The Eagle was unable to reach Specht by phone or Facebook messages .
The trucking company ’ s owner , Ronald White , previously called the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t commented on the lawsuits .
Williams ’ attorney , Joseph Fried , said in an email that Williams is “ fighting to just breathe right now and be the best father he can be for his sole surviving daughter.
” He said the family ’ s dog also died in the crash .

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) - A Kansas man is suing a over a crash that killed his wife, three of his children and his stepdaughter.
Jeffrey Williams, of Viola, is seeking more than $75,000 in damages in the wrongful death lawsuit filed this month against Andrew Specht and his employer, Wellington-based L.B. White Trucking Inc, The Wichita Eagle reports.
The suit alleges that Specht was driving a tractor-trailer loaded with grain at a “reckless speed” on Sept. 25 when he ran a stop sign and slammed into the sport utility vehicle in which Williams’ family was riding in southwest Sedgwick County. The impact instantly killed 32-year-old Jessica Noel, 10-year-old Anaiah Brady, 4-year-old Jeffrey Thompson III and 4-month-old Hank Thompson. A fourth child, 23-month-old Mack Thompson, died later at a hospital.
The paternal grandparents of Anaiah Brady, whose biological father died in 2012, filed their own wrongful death lawsuit last month.
The Eagle was unable to reach Specht by phone or Facebook messages. The trucking company’s owner, Ronald White, previously called the crash “a tragedy” but hasn’t commented on the lawsuits.
Williams’ attorney, Joseph Fried, said in an email that Williams is “fighting to just breathe right now and be the best father he can be for his sole surviving daughter.” He said the family’s dog also died in the crash.


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--Virginia Beach man pleads guilty to wire fraud

NORFOLK , Va. ( AP ) - A Virginia Beach man has pleaded guilty in federal court to wire fraud @ @ @ @ @ benefits .
The Virginian-Pilot reports that Ronald A. Smith faces a maximum term of 60 @ @ @ @ @ left prison in 2012 after serving seven years for an internet-based loan scam that he @ @ @ @ @ net millions .
Court records say the former accountant created a new business similar to @ @ @ @ @ in prison .
This time his business partner was his new wife .
Smith and @ @ @ @ @ Miller , were arrested in August .
They were charged with conducting a scam investigators @ @ @ @ @ million from about 1,700 customers .
In his earlier fraud case , Smith and his @ @ @ @ @ , ran a similar business that they used to cheat more than 1,000 customers out @ @ @ @ @ .
Both pleaded guilty .
Smith was sentenced to seven years , and Kirkland to @ @

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) - A Virginia Beach man has pleaded guilty in federal court to wire fraud and fraudulently collecting federal unemployment benefits.
The Virginian-Pilot reports that Ronald A. Smith faces a maximum term of 60 years in prison.
Smith left prison in 2012 after serving seven years for an internet-based loan scam that he and his wife used to net millions.
Court records say the former accountant created a new business similar to the one that landed him in prison. This time his business partner was his new wife. Smith and his wife, Terri Beth Miller, were arrested in August.
They were charged with conducting a scam investigators said collected almost $1.3 million from about 1,700 customers.
In his earlier fraud case, Smith and his former wife, Denise Kirkland, ran a similar business that they used to cheat more than 1,000 customers out of about $2.75 million. Both pleaded guilty. Smith was sentenced to seven years, and Kirkland to three.


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--Former frat member sentenced for shooting student as hazing

ALBUQUERQUE , N.M. ( AP ) - A former New Mexico State University fraternity member who shot another student during @ @ @ @ @ was given an 18-month suspended sentence on Friday .
Miguel Altamirano , 22 , pleaded @ @ @ @ @ aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and negligent use of a deadly weapon while intoxicated @ @ @ @ @ troubling… and it goes beyond proper gun safety .
It can be deadly and fortunately @ @ @ @ @ case , ” said Judge Steven Blankinship .
Altamirano shot Jonathan Sillas in the leg @ @ @ @ @ 2019 during hazing for the Kappa Sigma fraternity at the university .
“ I expected @ @ @ @ @ .
I didn ’ t think they were going to hurt us , ” Sillas @ @ @ @ @ was hospitalized .
The university revoked Kappa Sigma ’ s charter and Altamirano was expelled @ @ @ @ @ can ’ t make up for what I did but I hope that one day @ @ @ @ @ to forgive me , ” said Altamirano .

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - A former New Mexico State University fraternity member who shot another student during a hazing ritual last year was given an 18-month suspended sentence on Friday.
Miguel Altamirano, 22, pleaded no contest to charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and negligent use of a deadly weapon while intoxicated.
“It’s troubling… and it goes beyond proper gun safety. It can be deadly and fortunately that’s not the case,” said Judge Steven Blankinship.
Altamirano shot Jonathan Sillas in the leg at a campground In November 2019 during hazing for the Kappa Sigma fraternity at the university.
“I expected a little bit of hazing. I didn’t think they were going to hurt us,” Sillas said two months after he was hospitalized.
The university revoked Kappa Sigma’s charter and Altamirano was expelled.
“I know words can’t make up for what I did but I hope that one day he’ll be able to forgive me,” said Altamirano.


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--PA sees most virus cases in 6 months amid testing increase

Pennsylvania reported its highest number of confirmed coronavirus infections in six months Saturday amid increased testing .
The Department of @ @ @ @ @ 1,742 people tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19 , the highest case count @ @ @ @ @ 10 .
As of Oct. 9 , the 7-day average of daily tests was 14,688 @ @ @ @ @ average of 7,242 tests as of April 10 , according to The COVID Tracking Project @ @ @ @ @ brings the statewide total to 171,050 , officials said .
Another 36 deaths were reported @ @ @ @ @ of deaths in the commonwealth since the pandemic began to 8,344 .
Of those deaths @ @ @ @ @ residents from nursing or personal care facilities , officials said .
On Thursday , Gov @ @ @ @ @ was “ very concerned ” about the rising numbers but added that the state was @ @ @ @ @ to handle the virus than it was at the outset of the pandemic .
Health @ @ @ @ @ among college and university students .

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) -
Pennsylvania reported its highest number of confirmed coronavirus infections in six months Saturday amid increased testing.
The Department of Health said Saturday that another 1,742 people tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19, the highest case count since the 1,751 recorded April 10. As of Oct. 9, the 7-day average of daily tests was 14,688, compared with a 7-day average of 7,242 tests as of April 10, according to The COVID Tracking Project.
Saturday’s total brings the statewide total to 171,050, officials said. Another 36 deaths were reported, bringing the total number of deaths in the commonwealth since the pandemic began to 8,344. Of those deaths, 5,551 have occurred in residents from nursing or personal care facilities, officials said.
On Thursday, Gov. Tom Wolf said he was “very concerned” about the rising numbers but added that the state was in a much better position to handle the virus than it was at the outset of the pandemic. Health officials have cited increased spread among college and university students.


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--Warming trend means California's lethal fire season not over

SAN FRANCISCO ( AP ) - Cool weather and light drizzle in some places provided relief for firefighters working to increase containment of numerous wildfires across California on Saturday , but the forecast for dry and warming conditions starting on Sunday signaled that the state ’ s lethal fire season is far from over .
Several of the wildfires were over 95 % contained , but full containment likely won ’ t be reached without rain , the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said .
But the prospect of significant weekend rain was fading , and the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to grow starting Sunday , bringing dry , warm conditions , with potential winds , through the week .
The forecast led Cal Fire to remind residents that the state historically experiences some of the most devastating wildfires in September and October .
“ Do not let your guard down !
” the department urged Saturday .
More than 8,400 wildfires have scorched well over 4 million acres ( 16,187 square kilometers ) since the beginning of the year .
There have been 31 fatalities and more than 9,200 structures have been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occurred since a mid-August blitz of lightning-ignited fires in northern and central sections of the state amid withering dry heat .
Several large fires have burned in Southern California .
More than 13,800 firefighters were on the lines of 21 major wildfires Thursday , Cal Fire said .

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Cool weather and light drizzle in some places provided relief for firefighters working to increase containment of numerous wildfires across California on Saturday, but the forecast for dry and warming conditions starting on Sunday signaled that the state’s lethal fire season is far from over.
Several of the wildfires were over 95% contained, but full containment likely won’t be reached without rain, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said.
But the prospect of significant weekend rain was fading, and the National Weather Service said a high-pressure system is expected to grow starting Sunday, bringing dry, warm conditions, with potential winds, through the week.
The forecast led Cal Fire to remind residents that the state historically experiences some of the most devastating wildfires in September and October.
“Do not let your guard down!” the department urged Saturday.
More than 8,400 wildfires have scorched well over 4 million acres (16,187 square kilometers) since the beginning of the year. There have been 31 fatalities and more than 9,200 structures have been destroyed.
Most of the loss has occurred since a mid-August blitz of lightning-ignited fires in northern and central sections of the state amid withering dry heat. Several large fires have burned in Southern California.
More than 13,800 firefighters were on the lines of 21 major wildfires Thursday, Cal Fire said.


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--Tool singer Maynard James Keenan discloses COVID-19 diagnosis: 'still coughing' after months

Maynard James Keenan , the singer for rock band Tool , revealed Friday he became sick from the novel coronavirus earlier this year and continues to have complications more than seven months later .
Mr. Keenan , a Grammy Award winner who also fronts the groups Puscifer and A Perfect Circle , said he contracted the coronavirus at the end of February and “ still dealing with the residual effects.
” Tool was performing internationally around the time Mr. Keenan , 56 , said he became infected with COVID-19 , the contagious and potentially deadly respiratory disease caused by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it wasn ’ t pretty .
So I definitely had to deal with that , ” Mr. Keenan , 56 , told the Arizona Republic .
“ I kind of didn ’ t want to run around screaming it .
But it ’ s real.
” Tool began the year by performing a dozen shows in the U.S. prior to embarking on a brief tour overseas .
The band played six concerts in Australia and two in New Zealand during the second half of February before returning to the U.S. for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last from March into May .
The coronavirus pandemic quickly cut the tour show , however , and the group ultimately performed only two shows upon returning from abroad : March 9 in Spokane , Washington , and March 11 , in Portland , Oregon .
It was not clear when Mr. Keenan learned he contracted the coronavirus of if he was performing these concerts while knowingly infected .
“ I had to go through some major medications to undo the residual effects , ” Mr. Keenan told The Republic .
“ Still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ damage.
” The singer ’ s apparent bout with the coronavirus as he described it began when the number of known positive infections within the U.S. was measurable by the dozens .
It has since exceeded 7 million .
Limited testing options existed for Americans when Mr. Keenan said he became infected , too .
Fewer than 4,000 people nationwide had been tested for COVID-19 as of Feb. 28 , per The Washington Post .
A week after Tool played a sold-out show in Auckland , the New Zealand Ministry of Health announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fourth person in the country to test positive for COVID-19 .

Maynard James Keenan, the singer for rock band Tool, revealed Friday he became sick from the novel coronavirus earlier this year and continues to have complications more than seven months later.
Mr. Keenan, a Grammy Award winner who also fronts the groups Puscifer and A Perfect Circle, said he contracted the coronavirus at the end of February and “still dealing with the residual effects.”
Tool was performing internationally around the time Mr. Keenan, 56, said he became infected with COVID-19, the contagious and potentially deadly respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus.
“I survived it, but it wasn’t pretty. So I definitely had to deal with that,” Mr. Keenan, 56, told the Arizona Republic. “I kind of didn’t want to run around screaming it. But it’s real.”
Tool began the year by performing a dozen shows in the U.S. prior to embarking on a brief tour overseas. The band played six concerts in Australia and two in New Zealand during the second half of February before returning to the U.S. for a round of North American dates scheduled to last from March into May. The coronavirus pandemic quickly cut the tour show, however, and the group ultimately performed only two shows upon returning from abroad: March 9 in Spokane, Washington, and March 11, in Portland, Oregon.
It was not clear when Mr. Keenan learned he contracted the coronavirus of if he was performing these concerts while knowingly infected.
“I had to go through some major medications to undo the residual effects,” Mr. Keenan told The Republic. “Still coughing. There’s still lung damage.”
The singer’s apparent bout with the coronavirus as he described it began when the number of known positive infections within the U.S. was measurable by the dozens. It has since exceeded 7 million.
Limited testing options existed for Americans when Mr. Keenan said he became infected, too. Fewer than 4,000 people nationwide had been tested for COVID-19 as of Feb. 28, per The Washington Post.
A week after Tool played a sold-out show in Auckland, the New Zealand Ministry of Health announced a man in the audience had become the fourth person in the country to test positive for COVID-19.
• Andrew Blake can be reached at ablake@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-10-10--Trump tells boisterous 'Blexit' crowd at White House to vote against Democrats

In his first public event since contracting COVID-19 , President Trump told several hundred mostly minority and vocal supporters at the White House that Blacks and Hispanics are rejecting the Democratic Party ’ s turn toward socialism and embracing his law-and-order message .
“ Black and Latino Americans are rejecting the radical socialist left , and they are embracing our pro-jobs , pro-worker , pro-police … and pro-American agenda , ” Mr. Trump said in an 18-minute address from a White House balcony overlooking the crowd on the South Lawn .
The president said the members of Blexit , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Owens , understand that “ to protect the lives of Black Americans , and all Americans , you have to have the support of our police.
” The crowd repeatedly interrupted him with chants of “ Four more years !
” and “ We love you !
” The president told the group , “ Get out and vote .
Keep that enthusiasm going .
We got to vote these people [ Democrats ] into oblivion.
” “ If the left gains power , they will launch a nationwide crusade against law enforcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , ” he said , “ taking away their funds , their firearms , and their fundamental authorities .
No one is hurt more by the left-wing war on cops than African Americans .
And the riots , looting , and arson disproportionately hurt Black and Latino communities.
” It was Mr. Trump ’ s first appearance in public since he was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Oct. 1 and was hospitalized for three days .
The president said he now feels “ perfect , ” after receiving an experimental treatment of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president ’ s speech was much shorter than his usual addresses , his voice sounded clear and strong .
He ad-libbed from his prepared remarks frequently as he played up to the enthusiastic crowd .
“ I want to thank you all for the prayers , ” Mr. Trump said .
“ Through the power of the American spirit , science and medicine , we will eradicate the China virus once and for all .
It is going to disappear , it is disappearing.
” Infections in the U.S. are on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died on Friday from the disease .
The president has said he was tested again for coronavirus on Friday and also planned to be tested on Saturday .
The White House has not disclosed the results of those tests .
The president is scheduled to return to the campaign trail next week with rallies in Florida on Monday , Pennsylvania on Tuesday and Iowa on Wednesday .
The president also referred to more problems emerging with mail-in ballots around the country .
“ Every day there ’ s a story about the ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have law enforcement watching .
I think we ’ re going to swamp ‘ em by so much , it ’ s not going to matter.
” More than 90 percent of Blacks typically vote for the Democratic candidate for president , and Blexit is encouraging them to leave the party .
Mr. Trump ’ s campaign has been trying to peel away Black support from Democratic nominee Joseph R. Biden , arguing that the former vice president ’ s policies on criminal justice and trade have been harmful to Blacks .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , poverty and trouble , ” he said of Democrats .
“ Sleepy Joe Biden has betrayed Black and Latino Americans .
If you think he can run this country , you ’ re wrong.
” White House deputy press secretary Judd Deere said the president ’ s speech on Saturday was not a campaign event .
Guests were given masks ; some appeared not to be wearing them on the South Lawn , where they were packed shoulder-to-shoulder in a fenced-in area beneath the balcony .
Most supporters were wearing blue T-shirts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president called the event a “ peaceful protest , ” a term used by Trump supporters to describe his campaign rallies and to mock gatherings of Black Lives Matter demonstrators that sometimes turn violent .
The president ’ s campaign accuses the media of hypocrisy for calling attention to Trump events in which people don ’ t wear masks or engage in social distancing , while ignoring similar behavior at social-justice protests .
He said his proposed ‘ platinum plan ’ for Blacks in his second term will create 3 million new jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 500 billion dollars , and advance home ownership and wealth building .
“ We will build up peaceful and safer neighborhood program … .
with the highest standards of policing , ” he said .
“ We will create a healthcare system that delivers better care at a lower cost — Obamacare is a disaster .
We want to get great health care… And you have to have school choice .
”

In his first public event since contracting COVID-19, President Trump told several hundred mostly minority and vocal supporters at the White House that Blacks and Hispanics are rejecting the Democratic Party’s turn toward socialism and embracing his law-and-order message.
“Black and Latino Americans are rejecting the radical socialist left, and they are embracing our pro-jobs, pro-worker, pro-police … and pro-American agenda,” Mr. Trump said in an 18-minute address from a White House balcony overlooking the crowd on the South Lawn.
The president said the members of Blexit, a group headed by conservative Black activist Candace Owens, understand that “to protect the lives of Black Americans, and all Americans, you have to have the support of our police.” The crowd repeatedly interrupted him with chants of “Four more years!” and “We love you!”
The president told the group, “Get out and vote. Keep that enthusiasm going. We got to vote these people [Democrats] into oblivion.”
“If the left gains power, they will launch a nationwide crusade against law enforcement … and they’ve already done that,” he said, “taking away their funds, their firearms, and their fundamental authorities. No one is hurt more by the left-wing war on cops than African Americans. And the riots, looting, and arson disproportionately hurt Black and Latino communities.”
It was Mr. Trump’s first appearance in public since he was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Oct. 1 and was hospitalized for three days. The president said he now feels “perfect,” after receiving an experimental treatment of an antibody cocktail created by Regeneron.
While the president’s speech was much shorter than his usual addresses, his voice sounded clear and strong. He ad-libbed from his prepared remarks frequently as he played up to the enthusiastic crowd.
“I want to thank you all for the prayers,” Mr. Trump said. “Through the power of the American spirit, science and medicine, we will eradicate the China virus once and for all. It is going to disappear, it is disappearing.”
Infections in the U.S. are on the rise, and about 1,000 more Americans died on Friday from the disease.
The president has said he was tested again for coronavirus on Friday and also planned to be tested on Saturday. The White House has not disclosed the results of those tests.
The president is scheduled to return to the campaign trail next week with rallies in Florida on Monday, Pennsylvania on Tuesday and Iowa on Wednesday.
The president also referred to more problems emerging with mail-in ballots around the country.
“Every day there’s a story about the ballots,” he said. “We have law enforcement watching. I think we’re going to swamp ‘em by so much, it’s not going to matter.”
More than 90 percent of Blacks typically vote for the Democratic candidate for president, and Blexit is encouraging them to leave the party. Mr. Trump’s campaign has been trying to peel away Black support from Democratic nominee Joseph R. Biden, arguing that the former vice president’s policies on criminal justice and trade have been harmful to Blacks.
“Their policies have delivered nothing but calamity, poverty and trouble,” he said of Democrats. “Sleepy Joe Biden has betrayed Black and Latino Americans. If you think he can run this country, you’re wrong.”
White House deputy press secretary Judd Deere said the president’s speech on Saturday was not a campaign event. Guests were given masks; some appeared not to be wearing them on the South Lawn, where they were packed shoulder-to-shoulder in a fenced-in area beneath the balcony. Most supporters were wearing blue T-shirts and red Trump campaign caps.
The president called the event a “peaceful protest,” a term used by Trump supporters to describe his campaign rallies and to mock gatherings of Black Lives Matter demonstrators that sometimes turn violent. The president’s campaign accuses the media of hypocrisy for calling attention to Trump events in which people don’t wear masks or engage in social distancing, while ignoring similar behavior at social-justice protests.
He said his proposed ‘platinum plan’ for Blacks in his second term will create 3 million new jobs, increase access to capital by $500 billion dollars, and advance home ownership and wealth building.
“We will build up peaceful and safer neighborhood program …. with the highest standards of policing,” he said. “We will create a healthcare system that delivers better care at a lower cost — Obamacare is a disaster. We want to get great health care… And you have to have school choice.”
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.