washingtontimes--2020-08-28--Football players at Ole Miss, Mississippi State boycott

OXFORD , Miss .
( AP ) - The wave of activism sparked by cases of police brutality around the nation has again landed in Mississippi with the Ole Miss football team deciding not to take to the practice field Friday after a similar demonstration a day earlier at Mississippi State .
Ole Miss players marched from the campus to the Oxford Square after boycotting practice .
The march was in protest of police brutality in the wake of the shooting of Jacob Blake , a Wisconsin man who was shot seven times in the back by a Kenosha police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has reignited protests and unrest nationwide .
“ As the Ole Miss football family , we are committed to change , ” the players said in a statement distributed by the university .
“ Police brutality and other injustices occurring across our nation have to end , and our team stands united to embrace our diversity and promote a culture of peace , equality and understanding .
Regardless of our backgrounds , we all need to listen to each other and learn to respect and love our differences.
” Friday ’ s action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country skipped practice on Thursday .
Mississippi State went to Unity Park in Starkville instead of practicing .
Earlier this summer , the Ole Miss athletics department held a Unity March on campus .
Football coach Lane Kiffin participated then and on Friday , joining his players during the march to the Square .
“ I ’ m proud of our players coming together for justice and change , ” Kiffin said in a statement released by the school .
“ We are going to continue to work together to improve the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Starkville on Thursday , about 80 Mississippi State football players gathered in solidarity to protest against racial injustice .
“ Black , brown , blue , whatever , it doesn ’ t matter , ” senior defensive end and Starkville native Kobe Jones said as players prepared to disperse .
“ We love you all.
” College football joined other boycotts as the NBA saw teams sit out on Wednesday and Thursday , not playing their scheduled playoff games .
Major League Baseball also had teams do the same as did the National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not practice this week .

OXFORD, Miss. (AP) - The wave of activism sparked by cases of police brutality around the nation has again landed in Mississippi with the Ole Miss football team deciding not to take to the practice field Friday after a similar demonstration a day earlier at Mississippi State.
Ole Miss players marched from the campus to the Oxford Square after boycotting practice. The march was in protest of police brutality in the wake of the shooting of Jacob Blake, a Wisconsin man who was shot seven times in the back by a Kenosha police officer earlier this month. The shooting has reignited protests and unrest nationwide.
“As the Ole Miss football family, we are committed to change,” the players said in a statement distributed by the university. “Police brutality and other injustices occurring across our nation have to end, and our team stands united to embrace our diversity and promote a culture of peace, equality and understanding. Regardless of our backgrounds, we all need to listen to each other and learn to respect and love our differences.”
Friday’s action came after several college football programs across the country skipped practice on Thursday. Mississippi State went to Unity Park in Starkville instead of practicing.
Earlier this summer, the Ole Miss athletics department held a Unity March on campus. Football coach Lane Kiffin participated then and on Friday, joining his players during the march to the Square.
“I’m proud of our players coming together for justice and change,” Kiffin said in a statement released by the school. “We are going to continue to work together to improve the world around us for everyone.”
In Starkville on Thursday, about 80 Mississippi State football players gathered in solidarity to protest against racial injustice.
“Black, brown, blue, whatever, it doesn’t matter,” senior defensive end and Starkville native Kobe Jones said as players prepared to disperse. “We love you all.”
College football joined other boycotts as the NBA saw teams sit out on Wednesday and Thursday, not playing their scheduled playoff games. Major League Baseball also had teams do the same as did the National Hockey League. NFL teams opted to not practice this week.


washingtontimes--2020-08-28--Pueblo weighs letting voters decide fate of Columbus statue

PUEBLO , Colo. ( AP ) - City officials in Colorado have scheduled a special meeting Monday to consider letting voters decide whether a statue of Christopher Columbus should stay up or be removed .
The Pueblo City Council is set to discuss sending a ballot question to voters in November asking about the future of the statue in the Mesa Junction , a historic district downtown , The Pueblo Chieftain reported .
“ Those of us that think it should go to the ballot , we feel it ’ s a community issue and we feel that there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ response for leave it where it is or an overwhelming response for take it down , ” Councilwoman Lori Winner said .
“ I don ’ t think it ’ s going to be very even either way.
” Pueblo Mayor Nick Gradisar disagreed with the idea , arguing that it should not be something residents should have to vote on .
The debate comes after residents have held protests where the statue sits across from the Robert Hoag Rawlings Public Library .
Some have called for the statue ’ s removal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @

PUEBLO, Colo. (AP) - City officials in Colorado have scheduled a special meeting Monday to consider letting voters decide whether a statue of Christopher Columbus should stay up or be removed.
The Pueblo City Council is set to discuss sending a ballot question to voters in November asking about the future of the statue in the Mesa Junction, a historic district downtown, The Pueblo Chieftain reported.
“Those of us that think it should go to the ballot, we feel it’s a community issue and we feel that there’s either going to be an overwhelming response for leave it where it is or an overwhelming response for take it down,” Councilwoman Lori Winner said. “I don’t think it’s going to be very even either way.”
Pueblo Mayor Nick Gradisar disagreed with the idea, arguing that it should not be something residents should have to vote on.
The debate comes after residents have held protests where the statue sits across from the Robert Hoag Rawlings Public Library. Some have called for the statue’s removal, while others insist it stay put.


washingtontimes--2020-08-28--Elon Musk wants YOU to build a brain-computer interface

Elon Musk isn ’ t content with electric cars , shooting people into orbit , populating Mars and building underground tunnels to solve traffic problems .
He also wants to get inside your brain .
His startup , Neuralink , wants to one day implant computer chips inside the human brain .
The goal is to develop implants that can treat neural disorders - and that may one day be powerful enough to put humanity on a more even footing with possible future superintelligent computers .
Not that it ’ s anywhere close to that yet .
In a video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees , Musk showed off a prototype of the device .
About the size of a large coin , it ’ s designed to be implanted in a person ’ s skull .
Ultra-thin wires hanging form the device would go directly into the brain .
An earlier version of the device would have been placed behind an ear like a hearing aid .
But the startup is far from a having commercial product , which would involve complex human trials and FDA approval among many other things .
Friday ’ s demonstration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gertrude , had a Neuralink implant .
Musk , a founder of both the electric car company Tesla Motors and the private space-exploration firm SpaceX , has become an outspoken doomsayer about the threat artificial intelligence might one day pose to the human race .
Continued growth in AI cognitive capabilities , he and like-minded critics suggest , could lead to machines that can outthink and outmaneuver humans with whom they might have little in common .
The proposed solution ?
Link computers to our brains so we can keep up .
Musk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with experience having “ shipped ” ( that is , actually created ) a product to apply .
“ You don ’ t need to have brain experience , ” he said , adding that this is something that can be learned on the job .
Hooking a brain up directly to electronics is not new .
Doctors implant electrodes in brains to deliver stimulation for treating such conditions as Parkinson ’ s disease , epilepsy and chronic pain .
In experiments , implanted sensors have let paralyzed people use brain signals to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In 2016 , researchers reported that a man regained some movement in his own hand with a brain implant .
But Musk ’ s proposal goes beyond this .
Neuralink wants to build on those existing medical treatments as well as one day work on surgeries that could improve cognitive functioning , according to a Wall Street Journal article on the company ’ s launch .
While there are endless , outlandish applications to brain-computer interfaces - gaming , or as someone on Twitter asked Musk , summoning your Tesla - Neuralink wants @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who have severe spinal cord injury to help them talk , type and move using their brain waves .
“ I am confident that long term it would be possible to restore someone ’ s full-body motion , ” said Musk , who ’ s also famously said that he wants to “ die on Mars , just not on impact.
” Neuralink is not the only company working on artificial intelligence for the brain .
Entrepreneur Bryan Johnson , who sold his previous payments startup Braintree to PayPal for $ 800 million @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on “ advanced neural interfaces ” to treat disease and extend cognition , in 2016 .
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is also interested in the space .
Facebook bought CTRL-labs , a startup developing non-invasive neural interfaces , in 2019 and folded it into Facebook ’ s Reality Labs , whose goal is to “ fundamentally transform the way we interact with devices.
” That might be an easier sell than the Neuralink device , which would require recipients to agree to have the device implanted in their brain , possibly by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to requests for comment on Friday .

Elon Musk isn’t content with electric cars, shooting people into orbit, populating Mars and building underground tunnels to solve traffic problems. He also wants to get inside your brain.
His startup, Neuralink, wants to one day implant computer chips inside the human brain. The goal is to develop implants that can treat neural disorders - and that may one day be powerful enough to put humanity on a more even footing with possible future superintelligent computers.
Not that it’s anywhere close to that yet.
In a video demonstration Friday explicitly aimed at recruiting new employees, Musk showed off a prototype of the device. About the size of a large coin, it’s designed to be implanted in a person’s skull. Ultra-thin wires hanging form the device would go directly into the brain. An earlier version of the device would have been placed behind an ear like a hearing aid.
But the startup is far from a having commercial product, which would involve complex human trials and FDA approval among many other things. Friday’s demonstration featured three pigs. One, named Gertrude, had a Neuralink implant.
Musk, a founder of both the electric car company Tesla Motors and the private space-exploration firm SpaceX, has become an outspoken doomsayer about the threat artificial intelligence might one day pose to the human race. Continued growth in AI cognitive capabilities, he and like-minded critics suggest, could lead to machines that can outthink and outmaneuver humans with whom they might have little in common. The proposed solution? Link computers to our brains so we can keep up.
Musk urged coders, engineers and especially people with experience having “shipped” (that is, actually created) a product to apply. “You don’t need to have brain experience,” he said, adding that this is something that can be learned on the job.
Hooking a brain up directly to electronics is not new. Doctors implant electrodes in brains to deliver stimulation for treating such conditions as Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy and chronic pain. In experiments, implanted sensors have let paralyzed people use brain signals to operate computers and move robotic arms. In 2016, researchers reported that a man regained some movement in his own hand with a brain implant.
But Musk’s proposal goes beyond this. Neuralink wants to build on those existing medical treatments as well as one day work on surgeries that could improve cognitive functioning, according to a Wall Street Journal article on the company’s launch.
While there are endless, outlandish applications to brain-computer interfaces - gaming, or as someone on Twitter asked Musk, summoning your Tesla - Neuralink wants to first use the device with people who have severe spinal cord injury to help them talk, type and move using their brain waves.
“I am confident that long term it would be possible to restore someone’s full-body motion,” said Musk, who’s also famously said that he wants to “die on Mars, just not on impact.”
Neuralink is not the only company working on artificial intelligence for the brain. Entrepreneur Bryan Johnson, who sold his previous payments startup Braintree to PayPal for $800 million, started Kernel, a company working on “advanced neural interfaces” to treat disease and extend cognition, in 2016. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is also interested in the space. Facebook bought CTRL-labs, a startup developing non-invasive neural interfaces, in 2019 and folded it into Facebook’s Reality Labs, whose goal is to “fundamentally transform the way we interact with devices.”
That might be an easier sell than the Neuralink device, which would require recipients to agree to have the device implanted in their brain, possibly by a robot surgeon. Neuralink did not respond to requests for comment on Friday.


washingtontimes--2020-08-28--Prosecutors to seek stiff penalties for cops in Floyd death

ST. PAUL , Minn. ( AP ) - Prosecutors in the case against four former Minneapolis police officers charged in the death of George Floyd intend to seek stiff sentences if the men are convicted , saying in court documents filed Friday that Floyd was vulnerable as he was handcuffed with his chest pressed against the ground and he was treated with particular cruelty .
Attorney General Keith Ellison ’ s office also noted that the former officers were in a position of authority at the time and “ inflicted gratuitous pain on Mr. Floyd ” as witnesses , including @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Black man , died May 25 after Derek Chauvin , who is white , pressed his knee against Floyd ’ s neck for nearly eight minutes as Floyd said he couldn ’ t breathe and became motionless .
Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder , third-degree murder and manslaughter .
Three other officers , J. Kueng , Thomas Lane and Tou Thao , are charged with aiding and abetting both second-degree murder and manslaughter .
All four were fired .
Under the state ’ s sentencing guidelines , a conviction on second-degree @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presumptive sentences of 12.5 years .
But a judge can order a sentence ranging up to 15 years without departing from the guidelines .
For second-degree manslaughter , the guidelines call for four years in prison , or a discretionary range up to 4.75 years .
But prosecutors said Friday that they will ask for an “ upward departure ” from the sentencing guidelines for all four men - meaning they intend to seek even higher penalties .
The second-degree murder charge carries a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison , while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 25 years and manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of 10 years .
The documents don ’ t indicate how much prison time prosecutors will request if the men are convicted .

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Prosecutors in the case against four former Minneapolis police officers charged in the death of George Floyd intend to seek stiff sentences if the men are convicted, saying in court documents filed Friday that Floyd was vulnerable as he was handcuffed with his chest pressed against the ground and he was treated with particular cruelty.
Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office also noted that the former officers were in a position of authority at the time and “inflicted gratuitous pain on Mr. Floyd” as witnesses, including multiple children, watched.
Floyd, a Black man, died May 25 after Derek Chauvin, who is white, pressed his knee against Floyd’s neck for nearly eight minutes as Floyd said he couldn’t breathe and became motionless. Chauvin is charged with second-degree murder, third-degree murder and manslaughter.
Three other officers, J. Kueng, Thomas Lane and Tou Thao, are charged with aiding and abetting both second-degree murder and manslaughter. All four were fired.
Under the state’s sentencing guidelines, a conviction on second-degree unintentional murder and third-degree murder both carry presumptive sentences of 12.5 years. But a judge can order a sentence ranging up to 15 years without departing from the guidelines. For second-degree manslaughter, the guidelines call for four years in prison, or a discretionary range up to 4.75 years.
But prosecutors said Friday that they will ask for an “upward departure” from the sentencing guidelines for all four men - meaning they intend to seek even higher penalties. The second-degree murder charge carries a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison, while third-degree murder carries a maximum of up to 25 years and manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of 10 years.
The documents don’t indicate how much prison time prosecutors will request if the men are convicted.


washingtontimes--2020-08-28--Man injured after crashing small plane on Arizona highway

TUSAYAN , Ariz. ( AP ) - The Coconino County Sheriff ’ s Office says a 24-year-old man was injured @ @ @ @ @ small plane he was flying died , causing him to crash on a highway near @ @ @ @ @ Canyon .
The sheriff ’ s office says the man suffered neck and back injuries @ @ @ @ @ the highway but crashing into a light pole , which caused the plane to crash @ @ @ @ @ plane temporarily blocked traffic on the highway .
The man works for a skydiving company @ @ @ @ @ Grand Canyon airport .
There were no other injuries .

TUSAYAN, Ariz. (AP) - The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office says a 24-year-old man was injured when the engine on the small plane he was flying died, causing him to crash on a highway near the entrance to the Grand Canyon.
The sheriff’s office says the man suffered neck and back injuries after trying to land on the highway but crashing into a light pole, which caused the plane to crash and flip over. The plane temporarily blocked traffic on the highway.
The man works for a skydiving company that operates out of the Grand Canyon airport.
There were no other injuries.


washingtontimes--2020-08-28--GOP California senators vote remotely for first time

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - For a few horrifying seconds , Scott Wilk thought everyone had heard him .
The California Republican state senator was trying to cast his vote on a bill from his apartment in Sacramento , having been barred from the Capitol along with most of his GOP colleagues because of their exposure to the coronavirus a few days earlier .
It was the first time in the state Legislature ’ s 158-year history lawmakers were voting without being present in the chamber , and things were not going smoothly .
Wilk ’ s computer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were having trouble hearing him on the video chat .
When it came time for him to vote , lawmakers - and whoever else was watching the publicly streamed feed - could clearly see , but not hear , Wilk swear in frustration .
Senators erupted in laughter , and Wilk covered his mouth with his hand in shock .
He relaxed again after he mouthed the words “ can you hear me , ” and his colleagues murmured “ no.
” “ Thank goodness I was muted .
I could hear them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Wilk said afterward .
“ I ’ m just glad the kids are back in school.
” It was a rare moment of levity for the normally august body , where things are so formal lawmakers aren ’ t allowed to call each other by name .
But it was a perfect moment for 2020 , when the coronavirus has redefined what ’ s normal by forcing people to change how they work .
State lawmakers are no exception .
Since March , legislatures in 25 states have changed their rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in floor sessions or committee meetings , according to the National Conference of State Legislatures .
California lawmakers had resisted remote voting because of legal concerns .
An opinion from the Office of Legislative Counsel earlier this year said remote voting would likely violate the state Constitution .
An effort to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot to allow remote voting failed to qualify for the November ballot .
But this week , Senate leaders were forced to act after Republican state Sen. Brian Jones tested positive for the virus and exposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ directives say anyone exposed , even if they test negative for the virus , must stay isolated for two weeks .
But Monday is the deadline for lawmakers to pass bills this year .
Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins ’ office has said they are confident remote voting would withstand a legal challenge .
She said the Senate ’ s preparation for this possibility is what allowed all senators to have the opportunity to vote on Friday .
“ It was important for us to get this right , ” Atkins said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hiccup or two , but when your goal is to protect people ’ s health , I ’ ll take hiccups over a pandemic any day of the week.
” On Friday , things moved a little slower in the Senate as it took longer for lawmakers to cast their votes .
Senate staff had to hear and see lawmakers cast their votes , meaning senators had to sometimes repeat themselves .
At one point , people could hear a senator talking to someone on the phone when it was time for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right now .
You can call me back after lunch , ” the senator said .
Senate staff had to rush a new computer to Wilk ’ s apartment to fix his audio issues .
After that , he had no issues being heard - when he wanted to be heard .
But Wilk said he didn ’ t think the remote voting process would be a long-term solution .
“ I don ’ t think it works .
I think it ’ s too hard for the people to petition their government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members to communicate with one another , ” he said .
“ It should only be used in the rarest of circumstances .
”

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - For a few horrifying seconds, Scott Wilk thought everyone had heard him.
The California Republican state senator was trying to cast his vote on a bill from his apartment in Sacramento, having been barred from the Capitol along with most of his GOP colleagues because of their exposure to the coronavirus a few days earlier.
It was the first time in the state Legislature’s 158-year history lawmakers were voting without being present in the chamber, and things were not going smoothly. Wilk’s computer was having problems, and his colleagues were having trouble hearing him on the video chat. When it came time for him to vote, lawmakers - and whoever else was watching the publicly streamed feed - could clearly see, but not hear, Wilk swear in frustration.
Senators erupted in laughter, and Wilk covered his mouth with his hand in shock. He relaxed again after he mouthed the words “can you hear me,” and his colleagues murmured “no.”
“Thank goodness I was muted. I could hear them, they couldn’t hear me,” Wilk said afterward. “I’m just glad the kids are back in school.”
It was a rare moment of levity for the normally august body, where things are so formal lawmakers aren’t allowed to call each other by name. But it was a perfect moment for 2020, when the coronavirus has redefined what’s normal by forcing people to change how they work.
State lawmakers are no exception. Since March, legislatures in 25 states have changed their rules to let lawmakers participate or vote remotely in floor sessions or committee meetings, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
California lawmakers had resisted remote voting because of legal concerns. An opinion from the Office of Legislative Counsel earlier this year said remote voting would likely violate the state Constitution. An effort to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot to allow remote voting failed to qualify for the November ballot.
But this week, Senate leaders were forced to act after Republican state Sen. Brian Jones tested positive for the virus and exposed nine of his colleagues. Public health directives say anyone exposed, even if they test negative for the virus, must stay isolated for two weeks. But Monday is the deadline for lawmakers to pass bills this year.
Senate President Pro Tempore Toni Atkins’ office has said they are confident remote voting would withstand a legal challenge. She said the Senate’s preparation for this possibility is what allowed all senators to have the opportunity to vote on Friday.
“It was important for us to get this right,” Atkins said. “There may have been a hiccup or two, but when your goal is to protect people’s health, I’ll take hiccups over a pandemic any day of the week.”
On Friday, things moved a little slower in the Senate as it took longer for lawmakers to cast their votes. Senate staff had to hear and see lawmakers cast their votes, meaning senators had to sometimes repeat themselves.
At one point, people could hear a senator talking to someone on the phone when it was time for a vote.
“We’re live right now. You can call me back after lunch,” the senator said.
Senate staff had to rush a new computer to Wilk’s apartment to fix his audio issues. After that, he had no issues being heard - when he wanted to be heard. But Wilk said he didn’t think the remote voting process would be a long-term solution.
“I don’t think it works. I think it’s too hard for the people to petition their government and it’s too hard for members to communicate with one another,” he said. “It should only be used in the rarest of circumstances.”


washingtontimes--2020-08-28--Head of jewelry theft crew sentenced to federal prison

SANTA ANA , Calif. ( AP ) - The Los Angeles head of a ring that tracked and robbed traveling jewelry salespeople , stealing at least $ 835,000 worth of goods , was sentenced to federal prison Friday , prosecutors said .
Federico Santiago Quiroz Lucca was sentenced to 45 months in prison and was ordered to pay $ 835,000 in restitution , the U.S. attorney ’ s office announced .
Lucca , 52 , pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery .
Prosecutors said that from 2017 into 2019 , Lucca and his crew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area , the San Francisco Bay Area and in Denver .
“ Lucca led and organized the crew ’ s activities , enlisting help from several Colombian nationals who traveled to Los Angeles to participate in the conspiracy and robberies .
He also used his apartment as a base of operations and meeting place where some co-conspirators lived , and equipment and stolen goods were stored , ” the statement said .
According to prosecutors , the crew would use a “ scout ” to identify a target - typically jewelers doing business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They would be followed , sometimes for hours and many miles , until they could be robbed by force or tricked out of their goods .
One ruse involved puncturing a car tire and having a crew member pose as a Good Samaritan to steal a bag containing the goods , prosecutors said .
In 2019 , a couple who ran a jewelry business in Connecticut lost a bag containing about $ 400,000 in jewelry during a show at the Los Angeles Convention Center when a man in a yellow and orange @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their belongings in a cart in order to make off with the bag , authorities said .
The crew had tracked the victims for days , the U.S. attorney ’ s statement said .
Lucca and two others were arrested last year in Northern California .
Three co-conspirators have pleaded guilty in the case and another man faces trial next year in Los Angeles .

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) - The Los Angeles head of a ring that tracked and robbed traveling jewelry salespeople, stealing at least $835,000 worth of goods, was sentenced to federal prison Friday, prosecutors said.
Federico Santiago Quiroz Lucca was sentenced to 45 months in prison and was ordered to pay $835,000 in restitution, the U.S. attorney’s office announced.
Lucca, 52, pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery.
Prosecutors said that from 2017 into 2019, Lucca and his crew robbed jewelry salespeople in the Los Angeles area, the San Francisco Bay Area and in Denver.
“Lucca led and organized the crew’s activities, enlisting help from several Colombian nationals who traveled to Los Angeles to participate in the conspiracy and robberies. He also used his apartment as a base of operations and meeting place where some co-conspirators lived, and equipment and stolen goods were stored,” the statement said.
According to prosecutors, the crew would use a “scout” to identify a target - typically jewelers doing business at stores, malls or trade shows.
They would be followed, sometimes for hours and many miles, until they could be robbed by force or tricked out of their goods.
One ruse involved puncturing a car tire and having a crew member pose as a Good Samaritan to steal a bag containing the goods, prosecutors said.
In 2019, a couple who ran a jewelry business in Connecticut lost a bag containing about $400,000 in jewelry during a show at the Los Angeles Convention Center when a man in a yellow and orange safety vest helped them pack and push their belongings in a cart in order to make off with the bag, authorities said.
The crew had tracked the victims for days, the U.S. attorney’s statement said.
Lucca and two others were arrested last year in Northern California. Three co-conspirators have pleaded guilty in the case and another man faces trial next year in Los Angeles.


washingtontimes--2020-08-28--Another 481 COVID-19 cases found at University of Alabama

MONTGOMERY , Ala. ( AP ) - The University of Alabama reported Friday that an additional 481 students have tested positive for COVID-19 , bringing the total to more than 1,000 infections since students returned to campus for the fall .
The University of Alabama System released new numbers on its dashboard of cases for all three campuses .
The additional 481 cases on the Tuscaloosa campus were reported between Aug. 25 and Aug. 27 .
The university system said no students are hospitalized .
“ We are closely monitoring our data daily , and we will continue to adjust @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said UA System Chancellor Finis St. John in a statement accompanying the release of the numbers .
He said testing for the virus was a “ key pillar ” of the university ’ s health and safety plan .
St. John said every student on the three campuses has the option of moving to fully online instruction at any time , remaining either on campus or returning home to continue their course work .
The university has not announced official fall enrollment figures .
Kellee Reinhart , a spokeswoman for the university system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of 30,000 , which would equate to infections being reported in about 3.3 percent of all students .
The quick rise in COVID-19 cases on campus prompted action from city and university officials to try to limit student gatherings and off-campus socializing .
The university last week announced a 14-day moratorium on all in-person student events outside classroom instruction .
Social gatherings are prohibited on and off campus and the common areas of dormitories and fraternity and sorority houses are closed , according to the new guidelines .
Visitors are not allowed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On Monday , the mayor of Tuscaloosa ordered bars closed for the next two weeks .
Maddox said an unchecked spread of the virus threatens both the health care system and the local economy if students are sent home for the semester to do remote learning .
“ The truth is that fall in Tuscaloosa is in serious jeopardy , ” Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox said earlier in the week .
The university system said in a news release that because it takes several days after exposure for an individual to test positive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measure and other compliance strategies “ will not be reflected in testing data for several more days.
” “ We remain concerned that off-campus transmission is our greatest risk , which is why we asked Mayor Maddox to consider that action .
We thank him for making that difficult decision to protect our campus community and Tuscaloosa.
” The Tuscaloosa campus has accounted for the bulk of student cases in the three-campus university system .
Since Aug. 19 , there have been 10 student cases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alabama at Huntsville .
While most people who contract the coronavirus recover after suffering only mild to moderate symptoms , it can be deadly for older patients and those with other health problems .
Follow AP coverage of the outbreak at https : //apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https : //apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak .

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - The University of Alabama reported Friday that an additional 481 students have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total to more than 1,000 infections since students returned to campus for the fall.
The University of Alabama System released new numbers on its dashboard of cases for all three campuses. The additional 481 cases on the Tuscaloosa campus were reported between Aug. 25 and Aug. 27. The university system said no students are hospitalized.
“We are closely monitoring our data daily, and we will continue to adjust operations as the situation warrants,” said UA System Chancellor Finis St. John in a statement accompanying the release of the numbers. He said testing for the virus was a “key pillar” of the university’s health and safety plan.
St. John said every student on the three campuses has the option of moving to fully online instruction at any time, remaining either on campus or returning home to continue their course work.
The university has not announced official fall enrollment figures. Kellee Reinhart, a spokeswoman for the university system, said the enrollment will be upwards of 30,000, which would equate to infections being reported in about 3.3 percent of all students.
The quick rise in COVID-19 cases on campus prompted action from city and university officials to try to limit student gatherings and off-campus socializing.
The university last week announced a 14-day moratorium on all in-person student events outside classroom instruction. Social gatherings are prohibited on and off campus and the common areas of dormitories and fraternity and sorority houses are closed, according to the new guidelines. Visitors are not allowed in dormitories or sorority and fraternity houses.
On Monday, the mayor of Tuscaloosa ordered bars closed for the next two weeks. Maddox said an unchecked spread of the virus threatens both the health care system and the local economy if students are sent home for the semester to do remote learning.
“The truth is that fall in Tuscaloosa is in serious jeopardy,” Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox said earlier in the week.
The university system said in a news release that because it takes several days after exposure for an individual to test positive, the benefits of the bar closing measure and other compliance strategies “will not be reflected in testing data for several more days.”
St. John thanked Maddox for taking that action.
“We remain concerned that off-campus transmission is our greatest risk, which is why we asked Mayor Maddox to consider that action. We thank him for making that difficult decision to protect our campus community and Tuscaloosa.”
The Tuscaloosa campus has accounted for the bulk of student cases in the three-campus university system. Since Aug. 19, there have been 10 student cases at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and 10 student cases at the University of Alabama at Huntsville.
While most people who contract the coronavirus recover after suffering only mild to moderate symptoms, it can be deadly for older patients and those with other health problems.
___
Follow AP coverage of the outbreak at https://apnews.com/VirusOutbreak and https://apnews.com/UnderstandingtheOutbreak.


washingtontimes--2020-08-28--Owner of Trump hotel in Vancouver files for bankruptcy

VANCOUVER , Canada ( AP ) - The company that owns the Trump International Hotel in Vancouver has filed for bankruptcy .
According to the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy Canada , TA Hotel Management Limited Partnership filed for bankruptcy on Thursday .
Records show the company has CDN $ 4.7 million ( US $ 3.59 million ) in liabilities and CDN $ 1.1 million ( US $ 840,000 ) in assets .
The first meeting of creditors is expected on Sept. 16 .
A call to the hotel ’ s reservation desk was not answered , nor was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The hotel officially opened in February 2017 with Donald Jr. and Eric Trump attending , along with developer Tiah Joo Kim .
Protestors gathered outside and then Mayor Gregor Robertson and other local politicians did not attend the ceremony .
The 63-story building is the second tallest building in Metro Vancouver .
The hotel ’ s 147 guest rooms , amenities , and ballrooms occupy the first 15 floors .
Above that are 217 condominiums .
TA Hotel Management Ltd. Limited Partnership is a subsidiary of TA Global Berhad , which is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kim has been the company ’ s CEO since January 2016 .
The company ’ s website lists the Trump International Hotel & Tower Vancouver “ amongst the landmarks that we have created.
” Kim is also CEO of Vancouver-based Holborn Group , which has a licensing agreement to use the Trump name .

VANCOUVER, Canada (AP) - The company that owns the Trump International Hotel in Vancouver has filed for bankruptcy.
According to the Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy Canada, TA Hotel Management Limited Partnership filed for bankruptcy on Thursday. Records show the company has CDN$4.7 million (US$3.59 million) in liabilities and CDN$1.1 million (US$840,000) in assets.
The first meeting of creditors is expected on Sept. 16.
A call to the hotel’s reservation desk was not answered, nor was a call to TA Hotel Management Ltd.
The hotel officially opened in February 2017 with Donald Jr. and Eric Trump attending, along with developer Tiah Joo Kim. Protestors gathered outside and then Mayor Gregor Robertson and other local politicians did not attend the ceremony.
The hotel employed about 250 people.
The 63-story building is the second tallest building in Metro Vancouver. The hotel’s 147 guest rooms, amenities, and ballrooms occupy the first 15 floors. Above that are 217 condominiums.
TA Hotel Management Ltd. Limited Partnership is a subsidiary of TA Global Berhad, which is based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Kim has been the company’s CEO since January 2016.
The company’s website lists the Trump International Hotel & Tower Vancouver “amongst the landmarks that we have created.”
Kim is also CEO of Vancouver-based Holborn Group, which has a licensing agreement to use the Trump name.


washingtontimes--2020-08-28--Restaurants, gyms slam California virus rules, see closings

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - Owners of restaurants , gyms and nail salons criticized California ’ s new rules guiding when businesses can reopen during the coronavirus pandemic , saying the plan will bring financial misery to their industries and further weaken the state ’ s battered economy .
The California Restaurant Association said in a statement Friday that restaurants will continue to close permanently around the state because Gov .
Gavin Newsom ’ s plan will continue to keep most indoor dining rooms closed , while others will have strict limits on capacity .
The group called on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Legislature to work on an aid package .
Restaurants “ are closing for good , by the thousands , ” association President Jot Condie said in a statement .
The group estimates as many as 1 million restaurant workers have been furloughed or laid off during the pandemic .
Francesca Schuler , an advisory board member of the California Fitness Alliance , called Newsom ’ s revised rules a step backward that would devastate the struggling industry .
She said she was perplexed why health clubs are being slapped with stricter limits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ customers can work out individually , on spaced-out equipment and wear masks .
“ We will not survive this as an industry , ” she said .
Newsom ’ s color-coded system for reopening California businesses moves slower and more gradually than the state ’ s first attempt last spring .
Counties will move through the system based on their rate of coronavirus cases and the percentage of positive tests .
Previously , the state used several other metrics , like hospitalizations and testing capacity , to determine whether counties could reopen .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a state that has a nation ’ s highest number of confirmed cases is continued restrictions that will cut into their bottom line .
For example , beginning Monday , hair salons and barbershops can open statewide , including indoors , providing they follow physical distancing and other requirements .
But in most of the state , nail care only be done outdoors .
“ Separating hair from nails-skin services is arbitrarily discriminatory , dividing our barbering-beauty industry along gender , racial and industry-sector lines , ” said a statement from the Professional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start of the pandemic , many restaurants have been limited to takeout and delivery , and in other cases outdoor dining .
Under the new rules , counties with the highest infection rates would continue to be limited to outdoor dining only , along with takeout and delivery .
If a county improves and moves to the next tier , restaurants could operate with 25 % capacity indoors or 100 patrons , whichever is fewer .
But even if they get to the tier with the lease restrictions , indoor capacity can only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not sustain themselves or their employees when they operate with strict capacity limits , ” said the restaurant association ’ s Condi .
Taxin reported from Orange County , California .
Associated Press Writer Olga R. Rodriguez in San Francisco contributed .

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Owners of restaurants, gyms and nail salons criticized California’s new rules guiding when businesses can reopen during the coronavirus pandemic, saying the plan will bring financial misery to their industries and further weaken the state’s battered economy.
The California Restaurant Association said in a statement Friday that restaurants will continue to close permanently around the state because Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan will continue to keep most indoor dining rooms closed, while others will have strict limits on capacity.
The group called on Newsom to hold a special session of the Legislature to work on an aid package.
Restaurants “are closing for good, by the thousands,” association President Jot Condie said in a statement. The group estimates as many as 1 million restaurant workers have been furloughed or laid off during the pandemic.
Francesca Schuler, an advisory board member of the California Fitness Alliance, called Newsom’s revised rules a step backward that would devastate the struggling industry. She said she was perplexed why health clubs are being slapped with stricter limits on capacity than restaurants, especially because customers can work out individually, on spaced-out equipment and wear masks.
“We will not survive this as an industry,” she said.
Newsom’s color-coded system for reopening California businesses moves slower and more gradually than the state’s first attempt last spring. Counties will move through the system based on their rate of coronavirus cases and the percentage of positive tests. Previously, the state used several other metrics, like hospitalizations and testing capacity, to determine whether counties could reopen.
But the result for many businesses in a state that has a nation’s highest number of confirmed cases is continued restrictions that will cut into their bottom line.
For example, beginning Monday, hair salons and barbershops can open statewide, including indoors, providing they follow physical distancing and other requirements. But in most of the state, nail care only be done outdoors.
“Separating hair from nails-skin services is arbitrarily discriminatory, dividing our barbering-beauty industry along gender, racial and industry-sector lines,” said a statement from the Professional Beauty Federation of California.
Since the start of the pandemic, many restaurants have been limited to takeout and delivery, and in other cases outdoor dining. Under the new rules, counties with the highest infection rates would continue to be limited to outdoor dining only, along with takeout and delivery.
If a county improves and moves to the next tier, restaurants could operate with 25% capacity indoors or 100 patrons, whichever is fewer. But even if they get to the tier with the lease restrictions, indoor capacity can only reach 50%.
“Restaurants cannot sustain themselves or their employees when they operate with strict capacity limits,” said the restaurant association’s Condi.
___
Taxin reported from Orange County, California. Associated Press Writer Olga R. Rodriguez in San Francisco contributed.


washingtontimes--2020-08-29--Drone work in Maryland discovers unmarked graves of veterans

SALISBURY , Md .
( AP ) - Brent Zaprowski ’ s home happens to edge the grounds of Parsons Cemetery .
The Salisbury University geography professor walks his dogs nearly every day down scenic , long-stretched rows of historic resting places , in peaceful quiet .
But one of those days , about two years ago , he came across cemetery officials looking to mark veteran gravestones - aiming to take part in Wreaths Across America that December .
“ And I said , ‘ Well how do you know where they all are ?
’ ” Zaprowski recalled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly 200 years .
“ They said , ‘ We don ’ t really know how they ’ re all here , we just kind of go around looking for them and put out flags every year.
’ ” It was a time-consuming process on the cemetery ’ s 18 acres , where not every veteran stone is clearly marked .
“ I figured there was a better way to start doing this - and that ’ s when I began the mapping project , ” said the volunteer .
The Victorian-era cemetery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than its 1873 establishment , has now been honored for that 21st-Century thinking .
Preservation Maryland formally presented Parsons with its Community Choice Award Wednesday morning .
The oldest and largest preservation organization in the state presented the award as part of its Best of Maryland 2020 , one of just four of its kind this year , according to Parsons .
The awards go to “ small projects with big impact , ” Preservation Maryland said .
Zaprowski and Stuart Hamilton of the Geography and Geoscienses Department , as well as their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GPS to discover hundreds of unmarked veterans graves - and tell their stories .
“ I was able to not only map out where they are , but to actually know who the veterans are , ” Zaprowski said .
“ Between databases online and the drone imagery , I was able to really do a good , thorough job of mapping out where all the veterans are.
” Parsons now knows roughly 1,254 veterans lay between its walls , some from as early as the War of 1812 .
The cemetery had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ process , Parsons used social media to share the discoveries and tell once-forgotten stories .
There are many other stories to tell within the Salisbury cemetery - the founders of Salisbury University , Peninsula Regional Medical Center , the first female postmaster in the U.S. , a 19th Century Salisbury fire chief buried with his horse , as well as one Maryland governor with a large role in rebuilding Salisbury after its last great fire , are all buried there .
Parsons does not plan to rest its partnership with 21st Century technology @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Committee said one of the strongest ways to grow its perpetual care fund is to remain relevant - which means growing with today ’ s technology .
From a website to Facebook , Parsons started sharing its history and developing walking tours .
New software also maintains stronger records of those buried on the grounds .
“ We have many other people - from rich , poor , politicians to humanitarians - who all made important contributions to Salisbury itself who rest here , ” she said , under a chorus of cicadas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , maintaining the cemetery is really a high priority.
” The cemetery hopes to expand walking tours , self-led using a smartphone , as well as pursue reenactments in videos or community events .
The committee has started developing a plan for such “ living history ” of those buried on the grounds , according to Smith .
What was once a rural cemetery of sleeping history is now an urban green space - attracting joggers , families exploring a view of Johnson ’ s Pond and others looking for a quiet escape @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is new again , ” reads a closing line of one committee press release .

SALISBURY, Md. (AP) - Brent Zaprowski’s home happens to edge the grounds of Parsons Cemetery. The Salisbury University geography professor walks his dogs nearly every day down scenic, long-stretched rows of historic resting places, in peaceful quiet.
But one of those days, about two years ago, he came across cemetery officials looking to mark veteran gravestones - aiming to take part in Wreaths Across America that December.
“And I said, ‘Well how do you know where they all are?’ ” Zaprowski recalled, having known some graves go back nearly 200 years. “They said, ‘We don’t really know how they’re all here, we just kind of go around looking for them and put out flags every year.’”
It was a time-consuming process on the cemetery’s 18 acres, where not every veteran stone is clearly marked.
“I figured there was a better way to start doing this - and that’s when I began the mapping project,” said the volunteer.
Zaprowski brought technology to the Lower Eastern Shore relic.
The Victorian-era cemetery, whose layers of memory stretch further than its 1873 establishment, has now been honored for that 21st-Century thinking. Preservation Maryland formally presented Parsons with its Community Choice Award Wednesday morning.
The oldest and largest preservation organization in the state presented the award as part of its Best of Maryland 2020, one of just four of its kind this year, according to Parsons. The awards go to “small projects with big impact,” Preservation Maryland said.
Zaprowski and Stuart Hamilton of the Geography and Geoscienses Department, as well as their Salisbury University students, used drones and GPS to discover hundreds of unmarked veterans graves - and tell their stories.
“I was able to not only map out where they are, but to actually know who the veterans are,” Zaprowski said. “Between databases online and the drone imagery, I was able to really do a good, thorough job of mapping out where all the veterans are.”
Parsons now knows roughly 1,254 veterans lay between its walls, some from as early as the War of 1812. The cemetery had previously identified about 650.
Throughout this process, Parsons used social media to share the discoveries and tell once-forgotten stories.
There are many other stories to tell within the Salisbury cemetery - the founders of Salisbury University, Peninsula Regional Medical Center, the first female postmaster in the U.S., a 19th Century Salisbury fire chief buried with his horse, as well as one Maryland governor with a large role in rebuilding Salisbury after its last great fire, are all buried there.
Parsons does not plan to rest its partnership with 21st Century technology.
Carol Smith of Parsons’ Advisory Committee said one of the strongest ways to grow its perpetual care fund is to remain relevant - which means growing with today’s technology.
From a website to Facebook, Parsons started sharing its history and developing walking tours. New software also maintains stronger records of those buried on the grounds.
“We have many other people - from rich, poor, politicians to humanitarians - who all made important contributions to Salisbury itself who rest here,” she said, under a chorus of cicadas on the cemetery grounds. “So, maintaining the cemetery is really a high priority.”
The cemetery hopes to expand walking tours, self-led using a smartphone, as well as pursue reenactments in videos or community events. The committee has started developing a plan for such “living history” of those buried on the grounds, according to Smith.
What was once a rural cemetery of sleeping history is now an urban green space - attracting joggers, families exploring a view of Johnson’s Pond and others looking for a quiet escape.
“At Parsons, everything old is new again,” reads a closing line of one committee press release.


washingtontimes--2020-08-29--Interim pastor at West Virginia church ends 2-year position

FAIRMONT , W.Va. ( AP ) - Coming from the town of Roxboro , North Carolina , which has a population under 10,000 people , Fairmont is a step up in size for Evan Walker .
The size and overall demographics of the area were a plus to Walker , who comes to Fairmont to serve as pastor of First Presbyterian Church on Jackson Street .
“ I ’ m also excited we ’ re moving to a bigger town , ” Walker said .
“ I ’ m just really excited with this church because I think there ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on in this area.
” Walker , 36 , said his wife , Jennifer , had gotten a position at West Virginia University , where she will be teaching this fall .
This move provided opportunity for him as well , because the church had been without a full-time pastor for more than two years .
“ One of the major things that brought us up this direction is my wife just graduated with her ( doctorate ) and was offered a position at WVU , ” Walker said .
“ I started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ churches , and was really thankful this one came open.
” Rev .
D.D .
Meighen - a retired United Methodist pastor - has served as interim pastor at First Presbyterian Church since July 25 , 2018 .
Meighen stepped down Aug. 2 when he passed the torch to Walker who gave his first sermon at the church .
Although it was a long period of time to be interim pastor , Meighen said he was prepared for a long shift because of the process the church has to go through to select @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years is a chance for the congregation to review their history , review their policy and see what they expect and want out of a new minister , ” Meighen said .
“ During that time they send out information about their church and ministers who are looking to move can look at a brief of the church and see if it fits their resume .
“ The interim is supposed to help guide that process.
” Meighen said he started several initiatives during his time at First Presbyterian , including the Fairmont @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Shoes for Kids , which he did because he wanted to get the church more involved in community action and aid .
“ The church was good to me , ” Meighen said .
“ I have served four different denominations , so I have been around.
” Walker said the community initiatives he saw the church engage in was a reason why he wanted to take the job .
Following on the heels of Meighen , he said he would like to also take part in community engagement as pastor .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ were talking about was this church is very vocal about its open and affirming stance , ” Walker said .
“ Some of the work they have done with human rights issues have come up , and it ’ s always good to see a church active and putting action to faith.
” Walker also said he wants to bring new people into the church , namely younger members , which was an effort he made in his previous position as well .
“ I think that ’ s one of my gifts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to different generations , ” Walker said .
“ It ’ s still a struggle , trying to convince young people .
That was my main thing in North Carolina was getting more families.
” In addition to community engagement , Walker also said he would like to utilize more modern methods in the church , to potentially engage with more people as well .
When the coronavirus pandemic ruled out large in-person gatherings , First Presbyterian started streaming its services live through Facebook , which Walker said is an advancement many churches @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forced pretty much all churches to change , which has been one of the biggest struggles for many decades , ” Walker said .
“ Suddenly in 2020 , there is no such thing as doing what you have done the same way .
So you have to reevaluate and do things like YouTube or Facebook just to continue and reach.
” Meighen said the live streams have been helpful in keeping people in the church engaged amid the pandemic .
Despite only being interim pastor of the church , Meighen said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Walker will do well there also .
“ In terms of being an interim , it ’ s not a full-time minister , ” Meighen said .
“ But you guide the church , and my job as interim , from the first Sunday I ’ m there , is to get out of the church as soon as possible.
” Walker has already preached at a few services at the church , and invited people to speak to him there , or at other community events where he is present .
Listening @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these early months , because he would like to learn about the community before putting plans into action .
“ The first little bit here , my plan is just to listen and learn from people , ” Walker said .
“ I ’ ve got some ideas of broad things like putting faith into action , but what that looks like I think has to be really contextual for the church ; who we are , what our strengths are .
So I ’ m looking forward to discovering those .
”

FAIRMONT, W.Va. (AP) - Coming from the town of Roxboro, North Carolina, which has a population under 10,000 people, Fairmont is a step up in size for Evan Walker.
The size and overall demographics of the area were a plus to Walker, who comes to Fairmont to serve as pastor of First Presbyterian Church on Jackson Street.
“I’m also excited we’re moving to a bigger town,” Walker said. “I’m just really excited with this church because I think there’s a lot of good things going on in this area.”
Walker, 36, said his wife, Jennifer, had gotten a position at West Virginia University, where she will be teaching this fall. This move provided opportunity for him as well, because the church had been without a full-time pastor for more than two years.
“One of the major things that brought us up this direction is my wife just graduated with her (doctorate) and was offered a position at WVU,” Walker said. “I started looking around and talking to many different churches, and was really thankful this one came open.”
Rev. D.D. Meighen - a retired United Methodist pastor - has served as interim pastor at First Presbyterian Church since July 25, 2018. Meighen stepped down Aug. 2 when he passed the torch to Walker who gave his first sermon at the church. Although it was a long period of time to be interim pastor, Meighen said he was prepared for a long shift because of the process the church has to go through to select a new pastor.
“The two years is a chance for the congregation to review their history, review their policy and see what they expect and want out of a new minister,” Meighen said. “During that time they send out information about their church and ministers who are looking to move can look at a brief of the church and see if it fits their resume.
“The interim is supposed to help guide that process.”
Meighen said he started several initiatives during his time at First Presbyterian, including the Fairmont Homeless Coalition, Blessings in the Basement and Shoes for Kids, which he did because he wanted to get the church more involved in community action and aid.
“The church was good to me,” Meighen said. “I have served four different denominations, so I have been around.”
Walker said the community initiatives he saw the church engage in was a reason why he wanted to take the job. Following on the heels of Meighen, he said he would like to also take part in community engagement as pastor.
“One of the main things we were talking about was this church is very vocal about its open and affirming stance,” Walker said. “Some of the work they have done with human rights issues have come up, and it’s always good to see a church active and putting action to faith.”
Walker also said he wants to bring new people into the church, namely younger members, which was an effort he made in his previous position as well.
“I think that’s one of my gifts is to do inter-generational stuff and talk to different generations,” Walker said. “It’s still a struggle, trying to convince young people. That was my main thing in North Carolina was getting more families.”
In addition to community engagement, Walker also said he would like to utilize more modern methods in the church, to potentially engage with more people as well. When the coronavirus pandemic ruled out large in-person gatherings, First Presbyterian started streaming its services live through Facebook, which Walker said is an advancement many churches could benefit from.
“It definitely forced pretty much all churches to change, which has been one of the biggest struggles for many decades,” Walker said. “Suddenly in 2020, there is no such thing as doing what you have done the same way. So you have to reevaluate and do things like YouTube or Facebook just to continue and reach.”
Meighen said the live streams have been helpful in keeping people in the church engaged amid the pandemic. Despite only being interim pastor of the church, Meighen said he enjoyed his time there and is confident Walker will do well there also.
“In terms of being an interim, it’s not a full-time minister,” Meighen said. “But you guide the church, and my job as interim, from the first Sunday I’m there, is to get out of the church as soon as possible.”
Walker has already preached at a few services at the church, and invited people to speak to him there, or at other community events where he is present. Listening is actually part of his plan for these early months, because he would like to learn about the community before putting plans into action.
“The first little bit here, my plan is just to listen and learn from people,” Walker said. “I’ve got some ideas of broad things like putting faith into action, but what that looks like I think has to be really contextual for the church; who we are, what our strengths are. So I’m looking forward to discovering those.”


washingtontimes--2020-08-29--Delaware man helps former inmates reenter society

WILMINGTON , Del .
( AP ) - Haneef Salaam spent the early years of his adulthood in and out of prison , first for drug distribution , then for probation violations that landed him back in jail multiple times .
Being a young Black man from the Southbridge area of Wilmington during the crack epidemic , the odds were already stacked against him .
Poverty leads to crime , Mr. Salaam said , and without fair economic opportunities and resources available , what options are there for urban communities ?
“ Poverty breeds crime and violence , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Americans have been neglected equal economic opportunities for a long , long time .
While there are opportunities to gain employment , when you look at a livable wage or a livable salary , a salary that one can live off of and also save and build off of , those opportunities are few and far between for African Americans , with or without a criminal background.
” Before his then-girlfriend , Qaadirah - who is now his wife - gave birth to their first daughter 17 years ago , Mr. Salaam ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , for the past 15 years , he has been working for local nonprofits to help formerly incarcerated individuals like himself reintegrate into society and find success .
Mr. Salaam said he ’ s in the unique position of being able to effectively communicate with urban communities , while also connecting them to professionals who can provide aid .
“ I actually think knowing the criminal justice system and just having a firm understanding of urban communities , or ‘ the hood ’ as I would typically say , is one of my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Because of my desire to be a professional and engage in this work , I now have the unique ability to be relatable and effectively communicate in two different societies , because the hood is very different than regular , typical society , ” he said .
“ So I could go in some of the roughest parts of Wilmington and communicate with them and help them to understand how to better themselves .
I can also communicate with professional , elected officials and business leaders to help them understand how they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Early in his childhood , Mr. Salaam said his life was relatively normal .
That changed when his house was hit by the crack epidemic of the ’ 80s and ’ 90s , he said .
“ Growing up here in Wilmington in the Southbridge area , my life was a bit different .
Growing up and to this day , my mother and father are still married .
So my parents raised me and my brother with a lot of solid morals , principles and values , and instilled in us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the early ’ 90s when the crack epidemic was really affecting a lot of African Americans , it affected my household , as far as my parents and their lifestyle , ” Mr. Salaam said .
He detailed the “ dramatic change ” his life took as he entered his teen years due to the impact of drug use in his family and neighborhood .
This change would pave the way for his later decision to sell drugs .
“ My life took a dramatic turn at like the age of 12 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to identify with my peers and the things that were going on in my neighborhood more than I had in the past , ” he said .
“ I did finish high school and went to Delaware State ( University ) for three semesters , ( but ) while at Delaware State , I was arrested and later convicted for felony drug charges.
” Being a first-time offender when he was arrested in 1999 , Mr. Salaam said they let him off relatively easily , yet minor probation violations would continuously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next four years .
At the time , probation violations as small as missing curfew or testing positive for marijuana could land someone like Mr. Salaam back in prison for anywhere between 30 days to a year .
“ I got quite into the probation system .
And today , as I fight for probation reform , a lot of that is because of the unfair treatment I felt I got while I was on probation , ” Mr. Salaam said .
“ Once I was in the probation system , I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in and out of jail over that next four-year period of my life .
From the age of 19 to 23 , I never saw four years home , … and it wasn ’ t due to any new charges after that initial drug charge .
After that , it was all violations of probation.
” Soon after his last probation violation that would land him in prison for a year , Qaadirah learned she was pregnant with their first daughter .
Mr. Salaam said missing the pregnancy and birth of his elder @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from his now-wife , is what made him decide to turn his life around .
“ It was my wife , who was my girlfriend at the time , even before giving birth to my daughter , who really started planting the seed and questioning my actions , saying , ‘ You ’ re going in and out of jail .
Yeah , you always have money , but why do you live like this ?
’ ” he said .
“ She always questioned why I had such a hatred towards doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ She planted the seed , and then when I was locked up and had to leave her alone for the pregnancy of my daughter , that ’ s when really I made the commitment to never do anything to jeopardize my freedom .
I came home knowing I was going to be a good father and do whatever I needed to do to ensure I would stay in the life of my daughter , ” Mr. Salaam said .
After being released from prison for the last time in 2004 , he started @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his passion for construction .
This business did relatively well until Mr. Salaam got in a car accident in 2005 , which resulted in serious injuries to himself and 12 months of physical rehabilitation .
Once construction was out of the question , Mr. Salaam got his first job working in nonprofits at Public Allies Delaware , an organization that helps youth overcome racial and socioeconomic barriers to find education and employment .
In the mid-2000s , this was one of the only nonprofits that would hire Mr. Salaam with his criminal background @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Salaam has spent the past 15 years working and volunteering for other nonprofits , while also giving motivational speeches in his free time .
This type of work led to the advocate ’ s belief that economic opportunity is the key to fighting discrimination .
Wilmington , and the Southbridge area specifically , has been marked by the U.S. Census Bureau as one of the worst places in the country for economic mobility , meaning people born to impoverished families often make the same or less income than their parents as adults .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the neighborhood a child grows up in plays a significant role in his economic prospects as an adult .
“ I believe you have to give individuals the opportunity to make a decent living for themselves and their family , whether that ’ s through employment , whether it ’ s through technical and financial support for entrepreneurship - I think that ’ s really imperative , ” Mr. Salaam said .
“ I ’ m one that believes African Americans are due ( for ) reparations .
If we help other oppressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and land to be able to build generations , then why not African Americans ?
After going through slavery and years of injustice and discrimination , why not provide financial resources strictly for that group of people to have an opportunity to fulfill their duties ?
” he said .
“ I think without economic equality , the system of oppression will always exist.
” Mr. Salaam also touched on how many African Americans are repeatedly traumatized by their encounters with police , who he believes often target Black individuals and neighborhoods .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ be real .
Let ’ s look at how police are policing .
Not just in Delaware but across our country , they are in predominantly African American neighborhoods , ” he said .
“ If you go to a young , white child and ask them if they know the police and what they ’ re for , they say , ‘ Yes , the police are my friend .
They ’ re there to help me , and when I need help , they show up.
’ “ If you ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ child that same question , most times they ’ ll say , ‘ Oh , they ’ re trying to hurt me and my family .
I don ’ t trust them , and I don ’ t like them.
’ That just shows that it appears police often come in predominantly urban communities , African American communities , searching or hunting for people that are not abiding by the laws.
” Now , Mr. Salaam works as the in-reach coordinator for the Wilmington HOPE Commission , where he recruits inmates from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help them find jobs after prison and otherwise reintegrate into normal life .
He still lives in Wilmington with Qaadirah , his wife of 11 years , and their two daughters , 17 and 15 .
His older daughter plans to pursue a career in nursing after graduating high school .
Over the past 15 years working for nonprofits , Mr. Salaam has been employed at many places , such as the Welfare to Work program in Philadelphia , where he helped people receiving government assistance find stable jobs to support themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coalition of Smart Justice , where state organizations work together to advocate for police and prison reform .
Most recently , Mr. Salaam was appointed to a subcommittee within the Delaware General Assembly ’ s Law Enforcement Accountability Task Force to recommend laws on police reform to the state ’ s Legislature .
The group , formed in June after the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis , will report back to lawmakers at some point before its mid-2022 deadline .
Mr. Salaam said it fulfills him to make a living helping people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find success by adopting a new mindset .
“ I just try to help people change their thinking and believe they can make it , ” he said .
“ Living a criminal lifestyle , I had to change my mindset .
I had to understand that wasn ’ t the only option .
It ’ s hard .
It ’ s easier said than done .
So I just try to help people change their mindset and understand they can make it , because when I share my story with … people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still see the things that I do today , it ’ s motivation that it can be done .
“ There ’ s a lot of doubt within our people in these communities because they ’ ve been oppressed , beat up and kicked for so long that they just don ’ t believe anything will ever change .
And that ’ s all I ’ m trying to do for them : instill inspiration in people and motivate them to live their best life .
”

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) - Haneef Salaam spent the early years of his adulthood in and out of prison, first for drug distribution, then for probation violations that landed him back in jail multiple times.
Being a young Black man from the Southbridge area of Wilmington during the crack epidemic, the odds were already stacked against him.
Poverty leads to crime, Mr. Salaam said, and without fair economic opportunities and resources available, what options are there for urban communities?
“Poverty breeds crime and violence,” said Mr. Salaam, 41. “African Americans have been neglected equal economic opportunities for a long, long time. While there are opportunities to gain employment, when you look at a livable wage or a livable salary, a salary that one can live off of and also save and build off of, those opportunities are few and far between for African Americans, with or without a criminal background.”
Before his then-girlfriend, Qaadirah - who is now his wife - gave birth to their first daughter 17 years ago, Mr. Salaam’s life looked very different. Now, for the past 15 years, he has been working for local nonprofits to help formerly incarcerated individuals like himself reintegrate into society and find success.
Mr. Salaam said he’s in the unique position of being able to effectively communicate with urban communities, while also connecting them to professionals who can provide aid.
“I actually think knowing the criminal justice system and just having a firm understanding of urban communities, or ‘the hood’ as I would typically say, is one of my gifts,” Mr. Salaam said.
“Because of my desire to be a professional and engage in this work, I now have the unique ability to be relatable and effectively communicate in two different societies, because the hood is very different than regular, typical society,” he said.
“So I could go in some of the roughest parts of Wilmington and communicate with them and help them to understand how to better themselves. I can also communicate with professional, elected officials and business leaders to help them understand how they can best help individuals who need them.”
Early in his childhood, Mr. Salaam said his life was relatively normal. That changed when his house was hit by the crack epidemic of the ’80s and ’90s, he said.
“Growing up here in Wilmington in the Southbridge area, my life was a bit different. Growing up and to this day, my mother and father are still married. So my parents raised me and my brother with a lot of solid morals, principles and values, and instilled in us the desire for success. Unfortunately, in the early ’90s when the crack epidemic was really affecting a lot of African Americans, it affected my household, as far as my parents and their lifestyle,” Mr. Salaam said.
He detailed the “dramatic change” his life took as he entered his teen years due to the impact of drug use in his family and neighborhood. This change would pave the way for his later decision to sell drugs.
“My life took a dramatic turn at like the age of 12 or 13, where I started to be able to identify with my peers and the things that were going on in my neighborhood more than I had in the past,” he said. “I did finish high school and went to Delaware State (University) for three semesters, (but) while at Delaware State, I was arrested and later convicted for felony drug charges.”
Being a first-time offender when he was arrested in 1999, Mr. Salaam said they let him off relatively easily, yet minor probation violations would continuously land him back in prison over the next four years. At the time, probation violations as small as missing curfew or testing positive for marijuana could land someone like Mr. Salaam back in prison for anywhere between 30 days to a year.
“I got quite into the probation system. And today, as I fight for probation reform, a lot of that is because of the unfair treatment I felt I got while I was on probation,” Mr. Salaam said. “Once I was in the probation system, I was caught up in a cycle of going in and out of jail over that next four-year period of my life. From the age of 19 to 23, I never saw four years home, … and it wasn’t due to any new charges after that initial drug charge. After that, it was all violations of probation.”
Soon after his last probation violation that would land him in prison for a year, Qaadirah learned she was pregnant with their first daughter. Mr. Salaam said missing the pregnancy and birth of his elder daughter, in addition to the guidance from his now-wife, is what made him decide to turn his life around.
“It was my wife, who was my girlfriend at the time, even before giving birth to my daughter, who really started planting the seed and questioning my actions, saying, ‘You’re going in and out of jail. Yeah, you always have money, but why do you live like this?’” he said.
“She always questioned why I had such a hatred towards doing the right thing and living right. She planted the seed, and then when I was locked up and had to leave her alone for the pregnancy of my daughter, that’s when really I made the commitment to never do anything to jeopardize my freedom. I came home knowing I was going to be a good father and do whatever I needed to do to ensure I would stay in the life of my daughter,” Mr. Salaam said.
After being released from prison for the last time in 2004, he started his own home renovation business because of his passion for construction. This business did relatively well until Mr. Salaam got in a car accident in 2005, which resulted in serious injuries to himself and 12 months of physical rehabilitation.
Once construction was out of the question, Mr. Salaam got his first job working in nonprofits at Public Allies Delaware, an organization that helps youth overcome racial and socioeconomic barriers to find education and employment. In the mid-2000s, this was one of the only nonprofits that would hire Mr. Salaam with his criminal background. Following Public Allies Delaware, Mr. Salaam has spent the past 15 years working and volunteering for other nonprofits, while also giving motivational speeches in his free time.
This type of work led to the advocate’s belief that economic opportunity is the key to fighting discrimination.
Wilmington, and the Southbridge area specifically, has been marked by the U.S. Census Bureau as one of the worst places in the country for economic mobility, meaning people born to impoverished families often make the same or less income than their parents as adults. Research by Harvard University also suggests that the neighborhood a child grows up in plays a significant role in his economic prospects as an adult.
“I believe you have to give individuals the opportunity to make a decent living for themselves and their family, whether that’s through employment, whether it’s through technical and financial support for entrepreneurship - I think that’s really imperative,” Mr. Salaam said.
“I’m one that believes African Americans are due (for) reparations. If we help other oppressed groups of people receive resources, finances and land to be able to build generations, then why not African Americans? After going through slavery and years of injustice and discrimination, why not provide financial resources strictly for that group of people to have an opportunity to fulfill their duties?” he said.
“I think without economic equality, the system of oppression will always exist.”
Mr. Salaam also touched on how many African Americans are repeatedly traumatized by their encounters with police, who he believes often target Black individuals and neighborhoods.
“I mean, let’s be real. Let’s look at how police are policing. Not just in Delaware but across our country, they are in predominantly African American neighborhoods,” he said. “If you go to a young, white child and ask them if they know the police and what they’re for, they say, ‘Yes, the police are my friend. They’re there to help me, and when I need help, they show up.’
“If you ask a same-age, young, African American child that same question, most times they’ll say, ‘Oh, they’re trying to hurt me and my family. I don’t trust them, and I don’t like them.’ That just shows that it appears police often come in predominantly urban communities, African American communities, searching or hunting for people that are not abiding by the laws.”
Now, Mr. Salaam works as the in-reach coordinator for the Wilmington HOPE Commission, where he recruits inmates from the city to be in its reentry programs to help them find jobs after prison and otherwise reintegrate into normal life. He still lives in Wilmington with Qaadirah, his wife of 11 years, and their two daughters, 17 and 15. His older daughter plans to pursue a career in nursing after graduating high school.
Over the past 15 years working for nonprofits, Mr. Salaam has been employed at many places, such as the Welfare to Work program in Philadelphia, where he helped people receiving government assistance find stable jobs to support themselves. He also volunteers at the Delaware Coalition of Smart Justice, where state organizations work together to advocate for police and prison reform.
Most recently, Mr. Salaam was appointed to a subcommittee within the Delaware General Assembly’s Law Enforcement Accountability Task Force to recommend laws on police reform to the state’s Legislature. The group, formed in June after the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, will report back to lawmakers at some point before its mid-2022 deadline.
Mr. Salaam said it fulfills him to make a living helping people with pasts like his realize they can find success by adopting a new mindset.
“I just try to help people change their thinking and believe they can make it,” he said. “Living a criminal lifestyle, I had to change my mindset. I had to understand that wasn’t the only option. It’s hard. It’s easier said than done. So I just try to help people change their mindset and understand they can make it, because when I share my story with … people who know me, watch me and still see the things that I do today, it’s motivation that it can be done.
“There’s a lot of doubt within our people in these communities because they’ve been oppressed, beat up and kicked for so long that they just don’t believe anything will ever change. And that’s all I’m trying to do for them: instill inspiration in people and motivate them to live their best life.”