washingtontimes--2020-09-25--Utah family sues police, claiming 'gratuitous violence'

SALT LAKE CITY ( AP ) - The family of a Utah man who was shot at nearly 30 times and killed as he ran from police filed a lawsuit Friday against Salt Lake City and its police department .
The family of Bernardo Palacios-Carbajal family allege the officers engaged in “ gratuitous violence ” by shooting at him between 27 and 29 times after he was already on the ground and incapacitated .
They also say Palacios-Carbajal ’ s body remained in a parking lot where he was shot for about seven hours .
“ Despite the family ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apparent that the SLCPD and the Salt Lake City Mayor ’ s Office ( are ) not interested in real reform , ” the family ’ s attorneys wrote in a statement .
“ It is further apparent that the recent proposed changes and statements made by public officials have simply been hollow words designed to placate a discouraged and frustrated public.
” Palacios-Carbajal , 22 , was struck 13 to 15 times shortly after midnight on May 23 as he ran away from officers who were investigating a gun-threat call and had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to prosecutors .
District Attorney Sim Gill ruled that the officers ’ use of force was justified because Palacios-Carbajal had repeatedly dropped and picked up a gun while running away .
Gill , a Democrat , said he was unable to pursue prosecution because the law protects officers if they fear that they or someone else are at risk .
Gill ’ s decision to clear the officers prompted protests that resulted in an officer being injured .
Demonstrators have chanted Palacios-Carbajal ’ s name , posted fliers calling for justice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s office red to symbolize blood .
“ We are concerned that the district attorney ’ s decision to not prosecute the officers and SLCPD ’ s failure to discipline these officers have merely galvanized an already ingrained belief that certain citizens are not deserving of due process , fairness and common decency , ” the family ’ s attorneys wrote .
Salt Lake City police did not immediately return a message seeking comment on the lawsuit .
Sophia Eppolito is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues .

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - The family of a Utah man who was shot at nearly 30 times and killed as he ran from police filed a lawsuit Friday against Salt Lake City and its police department.
The family of Bernardo Palacios-Carbajal family allege the officers engaged in “gratuitous violence” by shooting at him between 27 and 29 times after he was already on the ground and incapacitated. They also say Palacios-Carbajal’s body remained in a parking lot where he was shot for about seven hours.
“Despite the family’s attempts to negotiate, it is apparent that the SLCPD and the Salt Lake City Mayor’s Office (are) not interested in real reform,” the family’s attorneys wrote in a statement. “It is further apparent that the recent proposed changes and statements made by public officials have simply been hollow words designed to placate a discouraged and frustrated public.”
Palacios-Carbajal, 22, was struck 13 to 15 times shortly after midnight on May 23 as he ran away from officers who were investigating a gun-threat call and had yelled for him to drop a gun, according to prosecutors.
District Attorney Sim Gill ruled that the officers’ use of force was justified because Palacios-Carbajal had repeatedly dropped and picked up a gun while running away. Gill, a Democrat, said he was unable to pursue prosecution because the law protects officers if they fear that they or someone else are at risk.
Gill’s decision to clear the officers prompted protests that resulted in an officer being injured. Demonstrators have chanted Palacios-Carbajal’s name, posted fliers calling for justice and painted the street outside Gill’s office red to symbolize blood.
“We are concerned that the district attorney’s decision to not prosecute the officers and SLCPD’s failure to discipline these officers have merely galvanized an already ingrained belief that certain citizens are not deserving of due process, fairness and common decency,” the family’s attorneys wrote.
Salt Lake City police did not immediately return a message seeking comment on the lawsuit.
___
Sophia Eppolito is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues.


washingtontimes--2020-09-25--Albuquerque police chief's staffer cleared of misspending

ALBUQUERQUE , N.M. ( AP ) - The head of the outgoing Albuquerque police chief ’ s staff has been @ @ @ @ @ a city credit card and getting an inappropriate pay raise .
The Albuquerque Police Department @ @ @ @ @ an internal investigation of John Ross , the chief of staff for Chief Mike Geier @ @ @ @ @ in July accused Ross of using the city-issued card for personal purchases like a $ @ @ @ @ @ the probe , Ross only committed a minor infraction .
He did not list the @ @ @ @ @ the card within the required three days of their acquisition .
Geier and his entire @ @ @ @ @ day with the department Friday .
Geier announced his retirement earlier this month .
He @ @ @ @ @ 2017 .
The local police union said rank-and-file officers had lost confidence in him .
@ @ @ @ @ taking over as acting chief .
The city plans to conduct a search for a @ @ @

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - The head of the outgoing Albuquerque police chief’s staff has been cleared of allegations of abusing a city credit card and getting an inappropriate pay raise.
The Albuquerque Police Department announced Friday the results of an internal investigation of John Ross, the chief of staff for Chief Mike Geier.
Geier’s secretary in July accused Ross of using the city-issued card for personal purchases like a $2,500 laptop.
Geier called for the investigation.
According to the probe, Ross only committed a minor infraction. He did not list the purchase of two items on the card within the required three days of their acquisition.
Geier and his entire executive team had their last day with the department Friday. Geier announced his retirement earlier this month. He has been chief since December 2017. The local police union said rank-and-file officers had lost confidence in him.
Deputy Chief Harold Medina is taking over as acting chief.
The city plans to conduct a search for a long-term replacement.


washingtontimes--2020-09-25--Canada Mounties charge man with falsely claiming terrorism

TORONTO ( AP ) - Canada ’ s national police force has arrested and charged a Canadian man with falsely claiming to have committed terrorist acts .
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said Friday that the criminal charge against Shehroze Chaudhry , 25 , stems from numerous media interviews in which he described travelling to Syria in 2016 to join the extremist Islamic State movement and committing acts of extremism .
Chaudhry is charged with a criminal code offense of perpetrating a hoax related to terrorist activity .
He is to appear in court on Nov. 16 .
The RCMP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s interviews were published in multiple media outlets , aired on podcasts and featured in a television documentary , raising public safety concerns .
RCMP Supt .
Christopher deGale said hoaxes can generate fear by creating the illusion there is a potential threat to Canadians .
“ As a result , the RCMP takes these allegations very seriously , particularly when individuals , by their actions , cause the police to enter into investigations in which human and financial resources are invested and diverted from other ongoing priorities , ″ said deGale @ @ @ @ @ @ @ team .
The RCMP said it collaborated with several other agencies during the course of the investigation .

TORONTO (AP) - Canada’s national police force has arrested and charged a Canadian man with falsely claiming to have committed terrorist acts.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said Friday that the criminal charge against Shehroze Chaudhry, 25, stems from numerous media interviews in which he described travelling to Syria in 2016 to join the extremist Islamic State movement and committing acts of extremism.
Chaudhry is charged with a criminal code offense of perpetrating a hoax related to terrorist activity. He is to appear in court on Nov. 16.
The RCMP said the Burlington, Ontario, man’s interviews were published in multiple media outlets, aired on podcasts and featured in a television documentary, raising public safety concerns.
RCMP Supt. Christopher deGale said hoaxes can generate fear by creating the illusion there is a potential threat to Canadians.
“As a result, the RCMP takes these allegations very seriously, particularly when individuals, by their actions, cause the police to enter into investigations in which human and financial resources are invested and diverted from other ongoing priorities,″ said deGale, commander of an RCMP security enforcement team.
The RCMP said it collaborated with several other agencies during the course of the investigation.


washingtontimes--2020-09-25--2 Spokane cops shoot, kill man they were trying to arrest

SPOKANE , Wash. ( AP ) - Police say two Spokane officers shot a man to death Thursday afternoon while @ @ @ @ @ Police went to a motel to arrest the man , who was suspected on Monday @ @ @ @ @ ’ s residence and firing a weapon , and on Wednesday assaulting that person , @ @ @ @ @ Spokesman-Review reported .
Sgt .
Teresa Fuller said the man arrived at the motel in @ @ @ @ @ exited , police said he was armed with a pistol .
Fuller said there was @ @ @ @ @ ” between the officers and the man before officers fired at him .
She said @ @ @ @ @ the man fired a weapon .
Police said the man died despite a surgeon ’ @ @ @ @ @ County Medical Examiner identified him as 43-year-old Erik Mahoney .
The cause of death was @ @ @ @ @ , and the manner was listed as homicide .
The Spokane Independent Investigation Response Team @ @ @ @ @ enforcement from several local agencies , is investigating the shooting , police said .

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) - Police say two Spokane officers shot a man to death Thursday afternoon while trying to arrest him.
Police went to a motel to arrest the man, who was suspected on Monday of breaking into his ex’s residence and firing a weapon, and on Wednesday assaulting that person, among other crimes, The Spokesman-Review reported.
Sgt. Teresa Fuller said the man arrived at the motel in an RV. As he exited, police said he was armed with a pistol.
Fuller said there was “an exchange of words” between the officers and the man before officers fired at him. She said she could not say if the man fired a weapon.
Police said the man died despite a surgeon’s efforts. The Spokane County Medical Examiner identified him as 43-year-old Erik Mahoney. The cause of death was listed as multiple gunshot wounds, and the manner was listed as homicide.
The Spokane Independent Investigation Response Team, made up of law enforcement from several local agencies, is investigating the shooting, police said.


washingtontimes--2020-09-25--Trump calls on GOP to investigate new disclosures of FBI malfeasance

President Trump urged Republican lawmakers on Friday to investigate bombshell disclosures that the FBI relied on a suspected Russian spy to justify secret surveillance of his campaign in 2016 in search of evidence of collusion with Moscow .
At a campaign rally in Atlanta , Georgia , the president called out to Republican Sen. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler , and Rep. Doug Collins , who were in the audience , to get to work on the scandal .
“ David , if you guys can start working on that when you get back , ” the president called out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ please , if you don ’ t mind .
Kelly , start working on that with David , please , okay ?
I think Monday morning would be okay.
” William Barnett , an FBI agent assigned to special counsel Robert Mueller ’ s investigation , said he believed there was a “ get Trump ” attitude among some people in the special counsel ’ s office and that prosecutors , rather than FBI investigators , pushed most of the decisions .
A summary of his comments was disclosed late Thursday in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flynn by the Justice Department as part of its request to have the case dismissed .
Other disclosures in text messages show that FBI and CIA personnel purchased personal liability insurance because they were worried about the implications of the agencies ’ actions in the FBI ’ s probe of the Trump campaign .
And the so-called Steele dossier , on which the FBI based its suspicions of Russian collusion , included allegations from a suspected Russian spy , a fact never disclosed to the secret court that granted the surveillance warrants .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the allegations of Russian collusion against him turned out to be “ the exact opposite.
” He said the Obama administration was in bed with Moscow .
“ They were the ones that were dealing with Russia .
It was a disinformation campaign , ” he said .

President Trump urged Republican lawmakers on Friday to investigate bombshell disclosures that the FBI relied on a suspected Russian spy to justify secret surveillance of his campaign in 2016 in search of evidence of collusion with Moscow.
At a campaign rally in Atlanta, Georgia, the president called out to Republican Sen. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler, and Rep. Doug Collins, who were in the audience, to get to work on the scandal.
“David, if you guys can start working on that when you get back,” the president called out with a smile. “Doug, please, if you don’t mind. Kelly, start working on that with David, please, okay? I think Monday morning would be okay.”
William Barnett, an FBI agent assigned to special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation, said he believed there was a “get Trump” attitude among some people in the special counsel’s office and that prosecutors, rather than FBI investigators, pushed most of the decisions.
A summary of his comments was disclosed late Thursday in the case of former national security adviser Michael Flynn by the Justice Department as part of its request to have the case dismissed.
Other disclosures in text messages show that FBI and CIA personnel purchased personal liability insurance because they were worried about the implications of the agencies’ actions in the FBI’s probe of the Trump campaign. And the so-called Steele dossier, on which the FBI based its suspicions of Russian collusion, included allegations from a suspected Russian spy, a fact never disclosed to the secret court that granted the surveillance warrants.
The president said the revelations show that the allegations of Russian collusion against him turned out to be “the exact opposite.” He said the Obama administration was in bed with Moscow.
“They were the ones that were dealing with Russia. It was a disinformation campaign,” he said.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-09-25--Suit challenges NC's strict liability law on felons voting

GREENSBORO , N.C. ( AP ) - A North Carolina law making it a serious crime for convicted felons to vote before their right is restored , even when it ’ s an unintentional mistake , is racially discriminatory and needs to be blocked for the November election , a federal lawsuit says .
Two civil rights advocacy groups suing the State Board of Elections and the attorney general contend the 1931 law also is unconstitutionally vague and requires a broad review of state law to determine when an ex-offender is allowed to vote again .
Although violations of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attorneys in some counties are still prosecuting these residents , the groups ’ attorneys say .
Evidence of someone deliberately trying to break the law isn ’ t a prerequisite for a conviction , according to the lawsuit filed late Thursday in central North Carolina federal court .
“ These high-profile criminal cases , as well as the vague wording of the ( law ) , have chilled countless eligible voters with criminal convictions from exercising their rights to cast a ballot , ” the lawsuit reads .
The A. Philip Randolph Institute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down as unconstitutional and blocked from enforcement for the 2020 election .
The law originates from the 19th century as a way to specifically deter Black residents from voting , according to the lawsuit .
Convictions of the low-grade felony are punishable by up to two years in prison .
The lawsuit was filed three weeks after state judges ruled the voting rights of felons should be restored if outstanding restitution , fees or other court-imposed monetary obligations are the only portions of their sentence remaining .
The ruling , if upheld , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ felons to have their voting rights restored , beginning with the fall election .
In North Carolina , felons have been able to register to vote again once they complete all aspects of their sentence , which can range from prison time to financial penalties .

GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) - A North Carolina law making it a serious crime for convicted felons to vote before their right is restored, even when it’s an unintentional mistake, is racially discriminatory and needs to be blocked for the November election, a federal lawsuit says.
Two civil rights advocacy groups suing the State Board of Elections and the attorney general contend the 1931 law also is unconstitutionally vague and requires a broad review of state law to determine when an ex-offender is allowed to vote again.
Although violations of the law are almost always unintentional, district attorneys in some counties are still prosecuting these residents, the groups’ attorneys say. Evidence of someone deliberately trying to break the law isn’t a prerequisite for a conviction, according to the lawsuit filed late Thursday in central North Carolina federal court.
“These high-profile criminal cases, as well as the vague wording of the (law), have chilled countless eligible voters with criminal convictions from exercising their rights to cast a ballot,” the lawsuit reads.
The A. Philip Randolph Institute and Action NC want the law struck down as unconstitutional and blocked from enforcement for the 2020 election.
The law originates from the 19th century as a way to specifically deter Black residents from voting, according to the lawsuit. Convictions of the low-grade felony are punishable by up to two years in prison.
The lawsuit was filed three weeks after state judges ruled the voting rights of felons should be restored if outstanding restitution, fees or other court-imposed monetary obligations are the only portions of their sentence remaining. The ruling, if upheld, could pave the way for thousands of felons to have their voting rights restored, beginning with the fall election.
In North Carolina, felons have been able to register to vote again once they complete all aspects of their sentence, which can range from prison time to financial penalties.


washingtontimes--2020-09-25--Texas health department reports 3,306 new coronavirus cases

AUSTIN , Texas ( AP ) - Texas health officials reported 3,306 new cases Friday of the coronavirus that causes @ @ @ @ @ new deaths from the illness .
The newly reported cases raised the total number of @ @ @ @ @ virus started in March to 728,552 , with an estimated 67,045 cases now active and @ @ @ @ @ , the Texas Department of State Health Services reported .
However , the true number @ @ @ @ @ though because many people haven ’ t been tested and studies suggest people can be @ @ @ @ @ .
Meanwhile , the Texas death toll for the outbreak rose to 15,364 .
For @ @ @ @ @ causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and a cough that clear up @ @ @ @ @ .
For some , especially older adults and people with existing health problems , it @ @ @ @ @ , including pneumonia , and death .

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Texas health officials reported 3,306 new cases Friday of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, along with 97 new deaths from the illness.
The newly reported cases raised the total number of cases since tracking of the virus started in March to 728,552, with an estimated 67,045 cases now active and 3,221 of those requiring hospitalization, the Texas Department of State Health Services reported.
However, the true number of cases is likely higher though because many people haven’t been tested and studies suggest people can be infected and not feel sick.
Meanwhile, the Texas death toll for the outbreak rose to 15,364.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and a cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.


washingtontimes--2020-09-25--Judge won’t extend time to count ballots from Navajo Nation

PHOENIX ( AP ) - A judge has refused to give officials an extra 10 days after election day to count mail-in ballots for Navajo Nation members who live on the tribe ’ s reservation in Arizona and whose ballots are postmarked by the close of voting on Nov. 3 .
U.S. District Judge Murray Snow said in a ruling Friday that most Navajo Nation residents don ’ t have access to home delivery of mail and must travel long distances to get their mail .
But he concluded those pushing for the change compared only mail delivery times on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rural areas in the state .
The judge also said Navajo voters have other options for delivering completed ballots , such as dropping them off at county recorder ’ s offices , in drop boxes , at early voting locations or at polling places on election day .
“ As Navajo voters have access to several voting options that allow them to turn their ballots in later than the return posting of their ballot allows , plaintiffs have not shown a disparate burden , ” Snow wrote .
In a separate case filed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked a judge for a court order allowing him to use videoconferencing to help people vote if they are in a hospital or a long-term care facility and don ’ t have a trusted family member or caregiver to help them mark a ballot .
In the case over ballots for Navajo Nation members , six tribal members had asked Snow for more time for elections workers to count ballots from the reservation because mail service there is much slower and less accessible than other parts of the state .
It ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ruling .
Chris McClure , one of the attorneys representing those who filed the lawsuit , didn ’ t immediately return a call seeking comment on the ruling .
The lawsuit said people who aren ’ t Native American and live in affluent communities such as Scottsdale would have 25 days to cast and return their mail-in ballots , while Navajo Nation members would have only 15 days , given the slower speed of mail delivery on the Navajo reservation .
They argued Arizona ’ s requirement that ballots be turned in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night would disenfranchise tribal members .
Secretary of State Katie Hobbs ’ office urged the judge to reject the request , saying those who filed the legal challenge hadn ’ t explained why they can ’ t meet the existing deadline and adding that creating a rule for only Navajo Nation members would cause confusion among other voters .
The lawsuit came amid concerns that the U.S .
Postal Service will not be able to properly handle a crush of Americans voting by mail .
It seeks a Nov. 13 deadline for counting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live on the reservation in Arizona .
In the dispute over using videoconferencing to help people in hospitals or long-term care facilities vote , Fontes used videoconferencing to help 10 voters cast ballots in the August primary , and Hobbs issued guidance for all counties for the November general election .
But Gov .
Doug Ducey said this week that practice is illegal and asked Attorney General Mark Brnovich to weigh in .
Fontes and Hobbs are Democrats ; Ducey and Brnovich are Republicans .
A videoconferencing option is crucial for helping voters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , Fontes said .
Visitation is restricted at long-term care facilities and hospitals to control the spread of COVID-19 .
Without video conferencing , Fontes said , “ some of our most vulnerable citizens ’ voting rights are at risk.
” The dispute is over the use of special election boards , which consist of one Republican and one Democrat who fill out ballots for voters who can ’ t do it themselves or with the help of someone they know and trust .
Ducey says special election boards are required to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Fontes say videoconferencing can satisfy that requirement .
____ Associated Press writer Jonathan Cooper in Phoenix contributed to this report .

PHOENIX (AP) - A judge has refused to give officials an extra 10 days after election day to count mail-in ballots for Navajo Nation members who live on the tribe’s reservation in Arizona and whose ballots are postmarked by the close of voting on Nov. 3.
U.S. District Judge Murray Snow said in a ruling Friday that most Navajo Nation residents don’t have access to home delivery of mail and must travel long distances to get their mail. But he concluded those pushing for the change compared only mail delivery times on the reservation to cities, not other rural areas in the state.
The judge also said Navajo voters have other options for delivering completed ballots, such as dropping them off at county recorder’s offices, in drop boxes, at early voting locations or at polling places on election day. “As Navajo voters have access to several voting options that allow them to turn their ballots in later than the return posting of their ballot allows, plaintiffs have not shown a disparate burden,” Snow wrote.
In a separate case filed Friday, Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes asked a judge for a court order allowing him to use videoconferencing to help people vote if they are in a hospital or a long-term care facility and don’t have a trusted family member or caregiver to help them mark a ballot.
In the case over ballots for Navajo Nation members, six tribal members had asked Snow for more time for elections workers to count ballots from the reservation because mail service there is much slower and less accessible than other parts of the state.
It’s unknown whether the challengers intend on appealing the ruling. Chris McClure, one of the attorneys representing those who filed the lawsuit, didn’t immediately return a call seeking comment on the ruling.
The lawsuit said people who aren’t Native American and live in affluent communities such as Scottsdale would have 25 days to cast and return their mail-in ballots, while Navajo Nation members would have only 15 days, given the slower speed of mail delivery on the Navajo reservation.
They argued Arizona’s requirement that ballots be turned in to authorities by 7 p.m. on election night would disenfranchise tribal members.
Secretary of State Katie Hobbs’ office urged the judge to reject the request, saying those who filed the legal challenge hadn’t explained why they can’t meet the existing deadline and adding that creating a rule for only Navajo Nation members would cause confusion among other voters.
The lawsuit came amid concerns that the U.S. Postal Service will not be able to properly handle a crush of Americans voting by mail. It seeks a Nov. 13 deadline for counting votes cast by Navajo Nation members who live on the reservation in Arizona.
In the dispute over using videoconferencing to help people in hospitals or long-term care facilities vote, Fontes used videoconferencing to help 10 voters cast ballots in the August primary, and Hobbs issued guidance for all counties for the November general election.
But Gov. Doug Ducey said this week that practice is illegal and asked Attorney General Mark Brnovich to weigh in. Fontes and Hobbs are Democrats; Ducey and Brnovich are Republicans.
A videoconferencing option is crucial for helping voters with disabilities who are isolated during the pandemic, Fontes said. Visitation is restricted at long-term care facilities and hospitals to control the spread of COVID-19.
Without video conferencing, Fontes said, “some of our most vulnerable citizens’ voting rights are at risk.”
The dispute is over the use of special election boards, which consist of one Republican and one Democrat who fill out ballots for voters who can’t do it themselves or with the help of someone they know and trust. Ducey says special election boards are required to be conducted in person, while Hobbs and Fontes say videoconferencing can satisfy that requirement. ____ Associated Press writer Jonathan Cooper in Phoenix contributed to this report.


washingtontimes--2020-09-25--$8 billion Suffolk Downs project wins planners' approval

BOSTON ( AP ) - The Boston Planning and Development Agency approved the $ 8 billion redevelopment of the Suffolk @ @ @ @ @ The project led by HYM Investment Group includes 10,000 apartments and condos and office space @ @ @ @ @ 109-acre lot , MassLive Media reported .
The project could take two decades to complete @ @ @ @ @ , a 40-acre publicly accessible open space system , and two retail squares .
The @ @ @ @ @ million square feet of development , 520,000 square feet of corporate use space , a @ @ @ @ @ feet for retail , three residential buildings and 800 townhomes .

BOSTON (AP) - The Boston Planning and Development Agency approved the $8 billion redevelopment of the Suffolk Downs racetrack on Friday.
The project led by HYM Investment Group includes 10,000 apartments and condos and office space for 25,000 workers on the 109-acre lot, MassLive Media reported.
The project could take two decades to complete and includes a mixed-use neighborhood, a 40-acre publicly accessible open space system, and two retail squares.
The first phase includes nearly 1.39 million square feet of development, 520,000 square feet of corporate use space, a plaza with over 100,000 square feet for retail, three residential buildings and 800 townhomes.


washingtontimes--2020-09-25--Mississippi prison system announces 2 more deaths of inmates

JACKSON , Miss .
( AP ) - The Mississippi Department of Corrections on Friday announced the deaths of two inmates , saying that one of them will be buried at a prison because the department could not find his relatives .
Charles William Morris , 72 , died Sept. 14 at the Merit Health Central hospital in Jackson .
He will be buried at Central Mississippi Correctional Facility , where he had been serving his sentence .
Morris was serving life plus 25 years for murder and rape convictions .
He was sentenced Nov. 7 , 2002 , after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ homeowner whose body was found in a shallow grave several days after she went missing in Harrison County .
The Mississippi Court of Appeals upheld his conviction in 2004 .
Danny Kaye Watts , 66 , died Thursday at the hospital of the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman , where he had been since Sept. 17 .
Watts was serving 20 years .
He was sentenced Dec. 2 , 2008 , for unlawful touching of a child and sexual battery in Pike County .
Autopsies were set for Watts and Morris .
Watts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ die in Mississippi prisons since late December .
Several inmates died during outbursts of violence in late December and early January .
The U.S. Justice Department announced in February that it is investigating the state ’ s prison system .

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - The Mississippi Department of Corrections on Friday announced the deaths of two inmates, saying that one of them will be buried at a prison because the department could not find his relatives.
Charles William Morris, 72, died Sept. 14 at the Merit Health Central hospital in Jackson. He will be buried at Central Mississippi Correctional Facility, where he had been serving his sentence.
Morris was serving life plus 25 years for murder and rape convictions. He was sentenced Nov. 7, 2002, after being convicted of killing and raping a homeowner whose body was found in a shallow grave several days after she went missing in Harrison County. The Mississippi Court of Appeals upheld his conviction in 2004.
Danny Kaye Watts, 66, died Thursday at the hospital of the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman, where he had been since Sept. 17. Watts was serving 20 years. He was sentenced Dec. 2, 2008, for unlawful touching of a child and sexual battery in Pike County.
Autopsies were set for Watts and Morris.
Watts was at least the 79th inmate to die in Mississippi prisons since late December. Several inmates died during outbursts of violence in late December and early January. The U.S. Justice Department announced in February that it is investigating the state’s prison system.


washingtontimes--2020-09-25--Judges: Alaska Native corporations ineligible for aid funds

JUNEAU , Alaska ( AP ) - Alaska Native corporations are not eligible to receive a share of the $ 8 billion in federal coronavirus relief funding set aside for tribes , a federal appeals court panel ruled Friday in overturning a lower-court decision .
The three-judge panel of the U.S. District Court of Appeals District of Columbia Circuit found an Alaska Native corporation can not qualify as an Indian tribe under the federal Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act unless it has been “ recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” None have been recognized as such , according to the ruling .
The decision parses the language from the 1975 law and delves into what it says have been shifting positions on the “ political status ” of Alaska Natives by the federal government since the Alaska Purchase of 1867 .
The federal coronavirus aid package , passed earlier this year , references the 1975 law to define an Indian tribe .
The decades-old law defines the term as “ any Indian tribe , band , nation , or other organized group @ @ @ @ @ @ @ village or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act … , which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians , ” according to the ruling .
Judge Karen LeCraft Henderson said she agreed with her colleagues on Friday ’ s ruling but believed the decision was “ an unfortunate and unintended consequence of high-stakes , time-sensitive legislative drafting , ” referring to the speed with which the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She wrote it is “ indisputable ” that services Alaska Native corporations provide their communities “ have been made only more vital due to the pandemic , ” adding she could think of no reason that Congress would exclude them from receiving and spending aid dollars .
Congress may have believed the definition it used included Alaska Native corporations but it did not , she said , leading to a “ harsh result.
” Riyaz Kanji , an attorney for some of the tribal plaintiffs , by email said his clients appreciated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ careful exposition of the statutory and historical factors making it clear that Alaska Native Corporations are not Indian Tribes , a term restricted to sovereign Tribes enjoying a government-to-government relationship with the United States.
” It was not immediately clear if the decision would be appealed .
After-hour messages were left for the U.S. Justice Department .
In a joint statement , Alaska U.S. Sens .
Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and Rep. Don Young said they disagree with Friday ’ s ruling .
“ It is unconscionable that COVID-19 aid would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people simply because of the unique tribal system that exists in Alaska , ” they said .
The Alaska Native Village Corporation Association and ANCSA Regional Association called the ruling flawed .
The ANCSA Regional Association ’ s board is made up of leaders of Alaska Native regional corporations .
They said until now , their status as Indians under the 1975 law “ has never been called into doubt .
”

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - Alaska Native corporations are not eligible to receive a share of the $8 billion in federal coronavirus relief funding set aside for tribes, a federal appeals court panel ruled Friday in overturning a lower-court decision.
The three-judge panel of the U.S. District Court of Appeals District of Columbia Circuit found an Alaska Native corporation cannot qualify as an Indian tribe under the federal Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act unless it has been “recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.” None have been recognized as such, according to the ruling.
The decision parses the language from the 1975 law and delves into what it says have been shifting positions on the “political status” of Alaska Natives by the federal government since the Alaska Purchase of 1867.
The federal coronavirus aid package, passed earlier this year, references the 1975 law to define an Indian tribe. The decades-old law defines the term as “any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act …, which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians,” according to the ruling.
Judge Karen LeCraft Henderson said she agreed with her colleagues on Friday’s ruling but believed the decision was “an unfortunate and unintended consequence of high-stakes, time-sensitive legislative drafting,” referring to the speed with which the coronavirus relief package was drafted and implemented.
She wrote it is “indisputable” that services Alaska Native corporations provide their communities “have been made only more vital due to the pandemic,” adding she could think of no reason that Congress would exclude them from receiving and spending aid dollars.
Congress may have believed the definition it used included Alaska Native corporations but it did not, she said, leading to a “harsh result.”
Riyaz Kanji, an attorney for some of the tribal plaintiffs, by email said his clients appreciated the court’s “thorough, careful exposition of the statutory and historical factors making it clear that Alaska Native Corporations are not Indian Tribes, a term restricted to sovereign Tribes enjoying a government-to-government relationship with the United States.”
It was not immediately clear if the decision would be appealed. After-hour messages were left for the U.S. Justice Department.
In a joint statement, Alaska U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and Rep. Don Young said they disagree with Friday’s ruling.
“It is unconscionable that COVID-19 aid would be withheld from a subset of Alaska Native people simply because of the unique tribal system that exists in Alaska,” they said.
The Alaska Native Village Corporation Association and ANCSA Regional Association called the ruling flawed. The ANCSA Regional Association’s board is made up of leaders of Alaska Native regional corporations.
They said until now, their status as Indians under the 1975 law “has never been called into doubt.”


washingtontimes--2020-09-25--William Perry Pendley, Bureau of Land Management acting director, removed by federal judge

BILLINGS , Mont .
— A federal judge ruled Friday that the Trump administration ’ s leading steward of public lands has been serving unlawfully and has blocked him from continuing in the position .
U.S. District Judge Brian Morris said U.S. Bureau of Land Management acting director William Perry Pendley served unlawfully for 424 days without being confirmed to the post by the U.S. Senate .
Montana ’ s Democratic governor had sued to remove Pendley , saying the the former oil industry attorney was illegally overseeing an agency that manages almost a quarter-billion acres of land , primarily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s position as acting director was one of several major leadership roles that the Trump administration has sought to fill through temporary appointments and without going through the normal confirmation process .
Trump said he was nominating Pendley in June .
But the nomination was withdrawn earlier this month after the confirmation process threatened to become contentious , potentially disrupting key U.S. senate races in Colorado and Montana , where Bullock is seeking to unseat incumbent Republican Steve Daines .
But Pendley continued to hang on to the post , under an arrangement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In a May 22 order , Pendley made his own position , deputy director , the bureau ’ s top post while the director ’ s office is vacant .
After establishing that succession order , Pendley actions included approval of two sweeping land resource management plans in Montana that would open 95 % of federal land in the state to oil and gas development , attorneys for Bullock contended in court filings .
The bureau ’ s holdings are sweeping , with nearly 1 out of every 10 acres nationally under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West .
Pendley was a longtime industry attorney and property rights advocate from Wyoming who had called for the government to sell its public lands before joining the Trump administration .
After joining the government , he declared that his past support for selling public lands was irrelevant because his boss , Interior Secretary David Bernhardt , opposes the wholesale sale of public lands .
Interior Department and Bureau of Land Management representatives did not immediately respond to the ruling .

BILLINGS, Mont. — A federal judge ruled Friday that the Trump administration’s leading steward of public lands has been serving unlawfully and has blocked him from continuing in the position.
U.S. District Judge Brian Morris said U.S. Bureau of Land Management acting director William Perry Pendley served unlawfully for 424 days without being confirmed to the post by the U.S. Senate.
Montana’s Democratic governor had sued to remove Pendley, saying the the former oil industry attorney was illegally overseeing an agency that manages almost a quarter-billion acres of land, primarily in the U.S. West.
Pendley’s position as acting director was one of several major leadership roles that the Trump administration has sought to fill through temporary appointments and without going through the normal confirmation process.
Trump said he was nominating Pendley in June. But the nomination was withdrawn earlier this month after the confirmation process threatened to become contentious, potentially disrupting key U.S. senate races in Colorado and Montana, where Bullock is seeking to unseat incumbent Republican Steve Daines.
But Pendley continued to hang on to the post, under an arrangement that Pendley himself set up months ago. In a May 22 order, Pendley made his own position, deputy director, the bureau’s top post while the director’s office is vacant.
After establishing that succession order, Pendley actions included approval of two sweeping land resource management plans in Montana that would open 95% of federal land in the state to oil and gas development, attorneys for Bullock contended in court filings.
The bureau’s holdings are sweeping, with nearly 1 out of every 10 acres nationally under its dominion, mostly across the U.S. West.
Pendley was a longtime industry attorney and property rights advocate from Wyoming who had called for the government to sell its public lands before joining the Trump administration.
After joining the government, he declared that his past support for selling public lands was irrelevant because his boss, Interior Secretary David Bernhardt, opposes the wholesale sale of public lands.
Interior Department and Bureau of Land Management representatives did not immediately respond to the ruling.
___
Follow Matthew Brown on twitter: @matthewbrownap


washingtontimes--2020-09-25--California virus hospitalizations could surge in next month

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - California has begun to see concerning upticks in coronavirus data after a sustained period of decline , the state ’ s top health official said Friday , urging people to renew efforts to prevent spread .
The increases include the rate of cases per capita , hospital emergency department visits for COVID-19 and new hospitalizations for confirmed or suspected cases , California Secretary of Health and Human Services Dr. Mark Ghaly said .
The trends appear to be attributable to gatherings and activities around the Labor Day holiday , Ghaly said .
Other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses and massive wildfires that forced evacuations and millions to change their routines because of unhealthy air .
A troubling short-term forecast sees an 89 % increase in COVID-19-related hospitalizations from the current 2,578 - the lowest figure since early April - to just under 5,000 by Oct. 25 , Ghaly said .
An added concern is the upcoming flu season .
Ghaly noted that the state was heading into another hot weekend , which could lead to more people congregating with others and providing more opportunities for transmission of the virus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is continue to do what helped us get to a lower risk .
safer , lower transmission environment across our state , ” he said .
Ghaly urged people to wear face coverings , maintain physical distancing , avoid mixing with others , get a flu shot and to “ use good judgment.
” “ All of those tools that we have in our toolkit should be used this weekend and moving forward so we can really bring these upward trends back down , and even bring them further down , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conduct its own independent review of potential COVID-19 vaccines , signaling its distrust of the Trump administration ’ s accelerated initiative .
The state state will assemble a review board of leading scientists to assess the safety and effectiveness of any vaccine candidate , he said .
“ We think it is an appropriate approach to take , especially because things are moving so quickly , ” he said .
“ We want to make sure - despite the urge and interest in having a useful vaccine - that we do it with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Earlier this week , more of California was cleared to reopen additional businesses , including most of the San Francisco Bay Area .
The lifting of some restrictions in counties that have shown improvement comes as California tries for a second time to recover from the devastating impact COVID-19 has had on business .
An earlier effort to reopen more quickly backfired with a surge in cases and hospitalizations in late spring and early summer .
California has the most confirmed cases in the country with 801,000 , and the fourth-most deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by Johns Hopkins University .
The statewide infection rate for the last week was 2.8 % , the lowest since the start of the pandemic , But it has started rising again in parts of the state .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - California has begun to see concerning upticks in coronavirus data after a sustained period of decline, the state’s top health official said Friday, urging people to renew efforts to prevent spread.
The increases include the rate of cases per capita, hospital emergency department visits for COVID-19 and new hospitalizations for confirmed or suspected cases, California Secretary of Health and Human Services Dr. Mark Ghaly said.
The trends appear to be attributable to gatherings and activities around the Labor Day holiday, Ghaly said. Other factors could include the recent reopening of businesses and massive wildfires that forced evacuations and millions to change their routines because of unhealthy air.
A troubling short-term forecast sees an 89% increase in COVID-19-related hospitalizations from the current 2,578 - the lowest figure since early April - to just under 5,000 by Oct. 25, Ghaly said. An added concern is the upcoming flu season.
Ghaly noted that the state was heading into another hot weekend, which could lead to more people congregating with others and providing more opportunities for transmission of the virus.
“I think our key message today is continue to do what helped us get to a lower risk. safer, lower transmission environment across our state,” he said.
Ghaly urged people to wear face coverings, maintain physical distancing, avoid mixing with others, get a flu shot and to “use good judgment.”
“All of those tools that we have in our toolkit should be used this weekend and moving forward so we can really bring these upward trends back down, and even bring them further down,” he said.
Ghaly also said California will conduct its own independent review of potential COVID-19 vaccines, signaling its distrust of the Trump administration’s accelerated initiative. The state state will assemble a review board of leading scientists to assess the safety and effectiveness of any vaccine candidate, he said.
“We think it is an appropriate approach to take, especially because things are moving so quickly,” he said. “We want to make sure - despite the urge and interest in having a useful vaccine - that we do it with the utmost safety of Californians in mind.”
Earlier this week, more of California was cleared to reopen additional businesses, including most of the San Francisco Bay Area.
The lifting of some restrictions in counties that have shown improvement comes as California tries for a second time to recover from the devastating impact COVID-19 has had on business. An earlier effort to reopen more quickly backfired with a surge in cases and hospitalizations in late spring and early summer.
California has the most confirmed cases in the country with 801,000, and the fourth-most deaths with 15,461, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. The statewide infection rate for the last week was 2.8%, the lowest since the start of the pandemic, But it has started rising again in parts of the state.


washingtontimes--2020-09-25--Japan's new prime minister vows to host Olympics next year

TOKYO ( AP ) - Japan ’ s new prime minister said Saturday that he ’ s determined to host the Tokyo Olympic Games next summer as “ proof that humanity has defeated the pandemic.
” The 2020 Games were postponed as the coronavirus spread worldwide , and there ’ s been widespread doubt about their future .
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said in a prerecorded speech at the U.N. General Assembly that he will “ spare no effort in order to welcome you to Games that are safe and secure.
” Surveys have shown that a majority of Japanese @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think the Olympics will , or should , happen next year .
A poll published in June by Japanese broadcaster NHK said two-thirds of sponsors were undecided about extending for another year .
Keeping domestic sponsors on board is financially critical , and Japanese leaders have been eager to signal the Games ’ viability next year .
Recruited by Japanese advertising agency Dentsu Inc. , domestic sponsors have paid a record $ 3.3 billion - at least twice any previous Olympics - to the local organizing committee .
That ’ s on top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have signed long term with the International Olympic Committee .
Some also have individual contracts with Tokyo organizers .
Japanese organizers are saying little , however , about how 15,400 Olympic and Paralympic athletes , staff and officials will be safe with no vaccine or treatment for the virus yet available .

TOKYO (AP) - Japan’s new prime minister said Saturday that he’s determined to host the Tokyo Olympic Games next summer as “proof that humanity has defeated the pandemic.”
The 2020 Games were postponed as the coronavirus spread worldwide, and there’s been widespread doubt about their future.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said in a prerecorded speech at the U.N. General Assembly that he will “spare no effort in order to welcome you to Games that are safe and secure.”
Surveys have shown that a majority of Japanese companies and the public don’t think the Olympics will, or should, happen next year. A poll published in June by Japanese broadcaster NHK said two-thirds of sponsors were undecided about extending for another year.
Keeping domestic sponsors on board is financially critical, and Japanese leaders have been eager to signal the Games’ viability next year.
Recruited by Japanese advertising agency Dentsu Inc., domestic sponsors have paid a record $3.3 billion - at least twice any previous Olympics - to the local organizing committee. That’s on top of a dozen permanent Olympic sponsors who have signed long term with the International Olympic Committee. Some also have individual contracts with Tokyo organizers.
Japanese organizers are saying little, however, about how 15,400 Olympic and Paralympic athletes, staff and officials will be safe with no vaccine or treatment for the virus yet available.


washingtontimes--2020-09-25--Congressman accuses opponent of harassment over 2015 memoir

MILWAUKEE ( AP ) - A Democratic Wisconsin congressman on Friday accused his Republican opponent of sexual harassment over a 2015 memoir in which the former Navy Seal wrote of exposing a male lieutenant ’ s genitals to two female junior officers while the lieutenant was being treated for poison oak at a military hospital .
Derrick Van Orden , who faces Rep. Ron Kind in November , said he was simply training the officers in possible medical treatments .
Van Orden wrote about the incident in “ Book of Man : A Navy SEAL ’ s Guide to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote about a five-day training mission in which he and other SEALS had to hide in “ rabbit holes ” in brush that included poison oak - causing breathing problems and other ailments , including swollen testicles .
One lieutenant was later taken to a Naval hospital , where he sat with a towel between his legs and his scrotum swollen to the size of a “ cantaloupe , ” Van Orden wrote .
“ That ’ s when I spotted two ensigns , who happened to be young girls in their early @ @ @ @ @ @ @ approached two “ cute girls ” and walked them over to the lieutenant , who was behind a curtain .
“ I whipped the curtain back .
‘ Have you ever seen anything like this ?
’ I asked .
They gasped in horror as they saw the LT in all of his glory .
I ’ m sure they never wanted to have anything to do with a man ever again , ” he wrote .
Kind , who is seeking his 13th term , called the incident sexual harassment , saying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it ’ s something to be condemned.
” “ It ’ s outrageous and wrong , ” Kind said in a statement .
“ This is not the behavior of someone who should be representing Wisconsin in Congress.
” Van Orden said in a statement that he held the highest medical qualifications possible for an enlisted member of the U.S. military , and that one of his duties was to train others in diagnostics and medical procedures .
“ Regarding the single vignette referenced from the 230 pages of the book , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officers in recognition and treatment for an advanced case of contact dermatitis involving the airway of another Navy SEAL who was exposed to poison oak over a period of five days during a Special Reconnaissance training mission , ” he said .
In the memoir , Van Orden recounted the incident as he wrote about leadership .
He wrote that while on the training mission , he noticed the lieutenant was having a reaction to the poison oak and he urged him to leave , but the lieutenant refused - showing what Van @ @ @ @ @ @

MILWAUKEE (AP) - A Democratic Wisconsin congressman on Friday accused his Republican opponent of sexual harassment over a 2015 memoir in which the former Navy Seal wrote of exposing a male lieutenant’s genitals to two female junior officers while the lieutenant was being treated for poison oak at a military hospital.
Derrick Van Orden, who faces Rep. Ron Kind in November, said he was simply training the officers in possible medical treatments.
Van Orden wrote about the incident in “Book of Man: A Navy SEAL’s Guide to the Lost Art of Manhood.” Van Orden wrote about a five-day training mission in which he and other SEALS had to hide in “rabbit holes” in brush that included poison oak - causing breathing problems and other ailments, including swollen testicles.
One lieutenant was later taken to a Naval hospital, where he sat with a towel between his legs and his scrotum swollen to the size of a “cantaloupe,” Van Orden wrote. “That’s when I spotted two ensigns, who happened to be young girls in their early twenties.”
Van Orden wrote that he approached two “cute girls” and walked them over to the lieutenant, who was behind a curtain. “I whipped the curtain back. ‘Have you ever seen anything like this?’ I asked. They gasped in horror as they saw the LT in all of his glory. I’m sure they never wanted to have anything to do with a man ever again,” he wrote.
Kind, who is seeking his 13th term, called the incident sexual harassment, saying it is not something to brag about, it’s something to be condemned.”
“It’s outrageous and wrong,” Kind said in a statement. “This is not the behavior of someone who should be representing Wisconsin in Congress.”
Van Orden said in a statement that he held the highest medical qualifications possible for an enlisted member of the U.S. military, and that one of his duties was to train others in diagnostics and medical procedures.
“Regarding the single vignette referenced from the 230 pages of the book, I was instructing two junior Medical Corps officers in recognition and treatment for an advanced case of contact dermatitis involving the airway of another Navy SEAL who was exposed to poison oak over a period of five days during a Special Reconnaissance training mission,” he said.
In the memoir, Van Orden recounted the incident as he wrote about leadership. He wrote that while on the training mission, he noticed the lieutenant was having a reaction to the poison oak and he urged him to leave, but the lieutenant refused - showing what Van Orden described as poor leadership.


washingtontimes--2020-09-26--Thousands protest COVID-19 restrictions in central London

LONDON ( AP ) - Thousands gathered Saturday at London ’ s Trafalgar Square to protest lockdowns and social distancing rules imposed to slow the spread of COVID-19 .
London ’ s Metropolitan Police has warned demonstrators to follow social-distancing rules .
Police said before the event that officers will first engage with people and explain the social distancing rules , but they may take enforcement action if protesters still fail to comply .
As the protest began , police were visible around the edges of the crowd but didn ’ t confront protesters , most of whom weren ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is great frustration to these regulations , but they have been designed to keep everyone safe from what is a lethal virus , ” Cmdr .
Ade Adelekan said .
“ By flagrantly gathering in large numbers and ignoring social distancing , you are putting your health and the health of your loved ones at risk.
” The demonstration comes as Parliament prepares to review COVID-19 legislation and the government imposes new restrictions to control the disease .
Some lawmakers have criticized the government for implementing the rules without parliamentary approval .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 p.m. curfew on bars and restaurants nationwide , along with tougher facemask requirements and increased fines for non-compliance .
It has also banned most social gatherings of more than six people , but there is an exemption for protests as long as organizers submit a risk assessment and comply with social distancing .
The demonstration comes a week after a similar event during which thousands of people crowded into the iconic square .
Police say several officers were hurt during that event when a “ small minority ’ ’ of protesters became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ worst death toll from the pandemic , with nearly 42,000 confirmed deaths tied to COVID-19 .
New infections , hospitalizations and deaths have all risen sharply in recent weeks .
In addition to the nationwide COVID-19 rules , several jurisdictions have imposed tighter restrictions to control local spikes in the disease .
By Monday , one-quarter of the U.K. ’ s 65 million people will be living under these heightened restrictions .
London , home to almost 9 million people , on Friday was added to the British government ’ s COVID-19 watchlist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That means the U.K. capital could face new restrictions as well , if infections continue to rise in the city .

LONDON (AP) - London police clashed with demonstrators on Saturday as they broke up a protest in Trafalgar Square against COVID-19 restrictions amid rising tensions over limits on everyday life as the government tries to stem a sharp rise in infections.
Police and protesters were injured when officers moved in after three hours of speeches in front of thousands of people who packed the iconic square in London waving placards opposing mandatory vaccinations, face mask requirements and limits on civil liberties.
Nine police officers were injured, including two who required hospital treatment for head injuries. Sixteen people were arrested for a variety of offences including breaching coronavirus regulations, assaulting a police officer and violent disorder.
“As the crowds began to swell in Trafalgar Square, it became impossible for people to maintain social distancing and keep each other safe,” Metropolitan Police Cmdr. Ade Adelekan said. “Likewise, there appeared to be no efforts by organizers to engage with crowds and keep those assembling safe from transmitting the virus.”
Police said they intervened because the demonstrators refused to comply with the very social-distancing rules they were there to protest. Officers removed sound equipment, bottles were thrown and police drew their batons in confrontations with protesters. Several people were seen being led away in handcuffs.
The demonstration was held as Parliament prepares to review COVID-19 legislation and the government imposes new restrictions to control the disease. Some lawmakers have criticized the government for implementing the rules without parliamentary approval.
Speakers at the rally denied they were conspiracy theorists, arguing they were standing up for freedom of expression and human rights.
Dan Astin-Gregory, a leadership trainer, acknowledged the deaths and suffering caused by the pandemic, but said the response to COVID-19 has been out of proportion to the threat caused by the disease.
“We are tired of the fear mongering and the misrepresentation of the facts,” he told the crowd. “We are tired of the restrictions to our freedoms.″
The government earlier this week ordered a 10 p.m. curfew on bars and restaurants nationwide, along with tougher facemask requirements and increased fines for non-compliance. It has also banned most social gatherings of more than six people, but there is an exemption for protests as long as organizers submit a risk assessment and comply with social distancing rules.
Before the demonstration began, police said they would encourage protesters to follow the rules, but they would take enforcement action if protesters failed to comply.
As the demonstration began, officers in high-visibility vests and surgical masks were visible around the perimeter of the square but there was no effort to silence speakers or prevent protesters from gathering.
The atmosphere turned tense later in the afternoon and officers in soft caps were replaced by others wearing riot helmets and face shields. As some protesters shouted, “You’re part of the tyranny,” others sang, “All you need is love.”
Saturday’s demonstration came a week after a similar event during which thousands of people crowded into Trafalgar Square. Police said several officers were hurt during that event when a “small minority’’ of protesters became violent.
Britain has Europe’s worst death toll from the pandemic, with nearly 42,000 confirmed deaths tied to COVID-19. New infections, hospitalizations and deaths have all risen sharply in recent weeks.
In addition to the nationwide COVID-19 rules, several jurisdictions have imposed tighter restrictions to control local spikes in the disease. By Monday, about one-quarter of the U.K.’s 65 million people will be living under these heightened restrictions.
London, home to almost 9 million people, on Friday was added to the British government’s COVID-19 watchlist as an “area of concern.” That means the U.K. capital also could face new restrictions if infections continue to rise in the city.


washingtontimes--2020-09-26--Virginia farmers market aims to remain proactive in pandemic

BLACKSBURG , Va. ( AP ) - The Blacksburg Farmers Market has mostly kept moving throughout the pandemic , but the people who run the long-existing institution are working to ensure that the operation continues to experience as few disruptions as possible .
Fencing has been installed around Blacksburg ’ s Market Square Park , while several white circles have been spray -painted on the lawn area facing the pavilion-covered sections occupied by vendors .
Also , orange and diagonally arranged dots are currently being painted on the surrounding Draper Road and Roanoke Street sidewalks to keep patrons at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are waiting in line to enter the market .
Ian Littlejohn , the market director , said the recent additions to the park are part of an effort to reduce the risk of spread at what is a destination in town .
He said the additions supplement other measures such as face covering requirements .
The orange dots intend to keep patrons at a safe distance from one another whenever they are waiting to enter the market , and particularly when lines are long .
“ We ’ ve taken a little bit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by , ” Littlejohn said .
“ We don ’ t want to give the impression that it ’ s unsafe in any manner .
We really just want to show proactivity .
… It ’ s about as safe as this gets in this environment.
” The fencing , Littlejohn said , helps control how many people walk into the market .
“ Any time it ’ s not COVID , people are kind of coming from every direction , ” he said , adding that a main entrance has been established @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has worked with us to install a perimeter around the market.
” Then , the white circles on the lawn are intended to help keep groups at a safe distance from one another whenever they decide to stay at the park for a while , Littlejohn said .
For Quinne Jimenez , a freshman math major at Virginia Tech , the measures seem effective so far .
“ I feel safe .
I feel that it ’ s a good experience , it ’ s a good atmosphere , ” she said while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s benches on Wednesday afternoon .
Tanner Joyce , another Tech student who was seated with Jimenez , said he came out to the park to see what the market had to offer .
He then held up a small bag of peppers that he bought from one merchant .
Wednesday was Jimenez ’ s first time at the market , whereas Joyce had visited the grounds before .
Joyce said he enjoys the market ’ s casual atmosphere and first visited at the suggestion of some friends “ Really , I had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like , ‘ Hey , let ’ s go to the farmers market one day , ’ ” he said .
“ I went with them , and I was honestly very surprised .
It was really awesome.
” For at least a few merchants , the volumes have been steady , but the measures have helped curb some of the sudden rushes that have hit them in the past .
That ’ s definitely been the case for Christiansburg-based Den Hill Permaculture , said vendor employee Christian Walkup .
Den Hill , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just under a decade , specializes in produce that includes mushrooms and a variety of peppers , including shishitos .
Den Hill is also in its first year of hemp harvesting , Walkup said .
When the Blacksburg market did temporarily halt earlier this year immediately following the start of the pandemic , Den Hill briefly sold its produce out of a food truck in the parking lot of Annie Kay ’ s in Blacksburg .
The vendor is still operating under some adjustments .
Den Hill is currently not selling its botanical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its sales is based on customers physically touching the items themselves , Walkup said .
Those products , however , are still available via pre-ordering , he said .
Den Hill is also not doing Kombucha refills at the market for now , Walkup said .
Taylor Medley , an employee for the Check-based Weathertop Farm , said they only come to the Blacksburg market on Wednesday to try to cater to people avoiding the typically larger Saturday crowds .
“ As you see , there ’ s less vendors .
That ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an alternative where they don ’ t have to wait in line or kind of be queued in , ” Medley said .
“ It ’ s nice to see people show up and be supportive of the local farmers during this time.
” Medley said it ’ s also good to see the market ’ s operators take the concerns of the pandemic seriously .
Weathertop specializes in regenerative meats , which come from the practice of grazing the farm animals in organized rotations .
Among other benefits , the practice helps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ steers the animals clear of environments deemed detrimental to them .
The Blacksburg market ’ s roster has a total of 40 vendors , Littlejohn said .
Currently , the market typically sees about 32 vendors on Saturday and 12 on Wednesday , he said .

BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) - The Blacksburg Farmers Market has mostly kept moving throughout the pandemic, but the people who run the long-existing institution are working to ensure that the operation continues to experience as few disruptions as possible.
Fencing has been installed around Blacksburg’s Market Square Park, while several white circles have been spray -painted on the lawn area facing the pavilion-covered sections occupied by vendors.
Also, orange and diagonally arranged dots are currently being painted on the surrounding Draper Road and Roanoke Street sidewalks to keep patrons at a physical distance from each other when they are waiting in line to enter the market.
Ian Littlejohn, the market director, said the recent additions to the park are part of an effort to reduce the risk of spread at what is a destination in town. He said the additions supplement other measures such as face covering requirements.
The orange dots intend to keep patrons at a safe distance from one another whenever they are waiting to enter the market, and particularly when lines are long.
“We’ve taken a little bit of heat from folks who have driven by,” Littlejohn said. “We don’t want to give the impression that it’s unsafe in any manner. We really just want to show proactivity. … It’s about as safe as this gets in this environment.”
The fencing, Littlejohn said, helps control how many people walk into the market.
“Any time it’s not COVID, people are kind of coming from every direction,” he said, adding that a main entrance has been established from Draper Road. “The town has worked with us to install a perimeter around the market.”
Then, the white circles on the lawn are intended to help keep groups at a safe distance from one another whenever they decide to stay at the park for a while, Littlejohn said.
For Quinne Jimenez, a freshman math major at Virginia Tech, the measures seem effective so far.
“I feel safe. I feel that it’s a good experience, it’s a good atmosphere,” she said while seated at one of the lawn’s benches on Wednesday afternoon.
Tanner Joyce, another Tech student who was seated with Jimenez, said he came out to the park to see what the market had to offer. He then held up a small bag of peppers that he bought from one merchant.
Wednesday was Jimenez’s first time at the market, whereas Joyce had visited the grounds before.
Joyce said he enjoys the market’s casual atmosphere and first visited at the suggestion of some friends
“Really, I had some friends come up and they were like, ‘Hey, let’s go to the farmers market one day,’ ” he said. “I went with them, and I was honestly very surprised. It was really awesome.”
For at least a few merchants, the volumes have been steady, but the measures have helped curb some of the sudden rushes that have hit them in the past. That’s definitely been the case for Christiansburg-based Den Hill Permaculture, said vendor employee Christian Walkup.
Den Hill, which has been a market regular for just under a decade, specializes in produce that includes mushrooms and a variety of peppers, including shishitos. Den Hill is also in its first year of hemp harvesting, Walkup said.
When the Blacksburg market did temporarily halt earlier this year immediately following the start of the pandemic, Den Hill briefly sold its produce out of a food truck in the parking lot of Annie Kay’s in Blacksburg.
The vendor is still operating under some adjustments.
Den Hill is currently not selling its botanical products at the market because much of its sales is based on customers physically touching the items themselves, Walkup said. Those products, however, are still available via pre-ordering, he said.
Den Hill is also not doing Kombucha refills at the market for now, Walkup said.
Taylor Medley, an employee for the Check-based Weathertop Farm, said they only come to the Blacksburg market on Wednesday to try to cater to people avoiding the typically larger Saturday crowds.
“As you see, there’s less vendors. That’s been really nice for giving people an alternative where they don’t have to wait in line or kind of be queued in,” Medley said. “It’s nice to see people show up and be supportive of the local farmers during this time.”
Medley said it’s also good to see the market’s operators take the concerns of the pandemic seriously.
Weathertop specializes in regenerative meats, which come from the practice of grazing the farm animals in organized rotations. Among other benefits, the practice helps reduce carbon emissions into the air and steers the animals clear of environments deemed detrimental to them.
The Blacksburg market’s roster has a total of 40 vendors, Littlejohn said. Currently, the market typically sees about 32 vendors on Saturday and 12 on Wednesday, he said.


washingtontimes--2020-09-26--Delaware juggler falls short of Guinness World Record

BETHANY BEACH , Del .
( AP ) - Juggler Carlos Mir left the Bethany Beach Ocean Suites Hotel this month , believing he had spun himself what would ultimately prove to be a second Guinness World Record .
So did the Delmar resident ’ s wife Heather Mir , Ocean Suites staff and a handful of hotel guests .
“ Bethany Beach Ocean Suites is home of this world record holder , ” proclaimed Lorna Petchy , sales/marketing director for Bethany Beach Ocean Suites .
“ He comes in and entertains our families and friends .
What better place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for us to host his world record attempt .
And it was incredible .
And I am sure in a couple months when we hear back from GWR , they are going to be like , ‘ Yeah , you did it !
’ and by a freaking landslide.
” But it was not be .
It was learned this month that a recent Guinness World Record website update shows his attempts to set a Guinness record in the helicopter spins with devil sticks fell short of the published record established earlier this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Guinness World Record site lists the most helicopter spins in one minute at 106 , achieved by Aki Ueno in Koganei , Tokyo , Japan , on July 10 of this year .
This month , Mr. Mir , who holds the Guinness World Record in the diabolo , logged “ unofficial ” tallies on 91 , 91 and 93 in three one-minute attempts .
The mark Mr. Mir thought he thought he had to top was 60 .
“ I totally didn ’ t know , ” said Mr. Mir , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months to review video and documentation and potentially confirm a world record .
“ I know I checked , like in August .
So , it ( the record 106 ) must have just got posted.
” Mr. Mir , known as Cascading Carlos in the juggling circle , had planned to attempt the helicopter spin stunt last October but put it off following the death of his father .
“ We were going to do it in May , then coronavirus .
As soon as the coronavirus let loose , then Delaware @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Mr. Mir .
According to the GWR website , Mr. Ueno attempted this record to celebrate his 10-year anniversary of starting devil-stick juggling .
So , this revelation means required video , eyewitness and judging accounts and required documentation will not be sent to London-based Guinness World Records , a 65-year-old reference that annually lists world records of human achievements and extremes of the natural world .
Mr. Mir may consider another attempt , although he admits the 106 mark may be tough to top .
“ I ’ m sure I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” said Mr. Mir .
“ I ’ ve got to figure it out.
” But for those on hand , it was an incredible effort .
Twenty-year-old Cory Clendaniel of Preston , Maryland served as designated judge for Mr. Mir ’ s helicopter spin attempts .
He saw no flaws , violations or infractions .
“ I did not see any .
They looked all clean to me , ” said Mr. Clendaniel , a young juggler who has known Mr. Mir for five years .
Deven Kester and Gregory Hampton also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Bethany Beach Ocean Suites front office supervisor , said it was “ very nerve-racking ” yet quite amazing .
“ Watching him twirl the stick around multiple times , I am blown away by his talent , ” Ms. Kester said .
“ Carlos , we ’ ve seen him do a whole bunch of his tricks here before .
We ’ re very fortunate and happy to host Mr. Carlos in his journey.
” “ I ’ m from Delaware , ” said Mr. Mir , noting the support he receives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I am part of their activities for their summer program so I thought it would be a great honor to try to do a Guinness World Record in Delaware , and to also use their facility .
It is a beautiful facility .
And they are so kind to me.
” While neither of Mr. Mir ’ s attempts will stand as the Guinness record , Mr. Hampton was nonetheless amazed .
Mr. Hampton knows a thing or two about being in the spotlight .
During the 2019 NFL Draft the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chosen the lucky winner - two season tickets for the next 100 years , plus other ticket and travel perks - in celebration of the NFL ’ s 100th season .
He was on stage in late April 2019 with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell , then Tennessee Titan QB Marcus Mariota ( now Las Vegas Raiders ) and NFL Hall of Famers Joe Green and Tim Brown .
Interestingly , Ms. Petchy , who came to America from England 15 years ago , had a previous role in a Guinness World Record try @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have time-kept before for another Guinness World Record attempt back in England , in Blackpool , ” she said .
“ That one was for acrobatics .
They missed by three.
” Mr. Mir is the current Guinness record-holder for the highest diabolo throw - 78 feet , 5 inches - set in July 2015 next to the Holiday Inn in Ocean City , Maryland .
Derived from the Chinese yo-yo , diabolo is a juggling/circus prop consisting of an hourglass shaped axle with two cups that is spun using a string @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helicopter spin ?
It ’ s a form of gyroscopic juggling or equilibristics , with manipulation of the devil stick consisting of manipulating one stick between two other sticks - one in each hand .
The baton is lifted , struck and/or stroked by the two control sticks , stabilizing the baton through gyroscopic motion .
Juggling and performing has been Mr. Mir ’ s fulltime job for the last four years .
Overall he has been juggling for about 25 years .
“ When I got the ( diabolo ) Guinness World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see that I could make a living , ” Mr. Mir said .
“ Now , the coronavirus … that changed everything this year .
But hopefully things will change by next year .
Obviously I wear a mask .
I clean all my equipment now so I can fit with the new norm.
” His assault on Guinness World Records is not finished .
“ I have another application no one else has done .
I am going to throw the devil stick the highest in the world .
I am going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr. Mir said .
“ It is very exciting .
He continues to impress me every day .
I can ’ t do any of these things , ” she said .
“ I actually encouraged him.
” However , there are some do ’ s and don ’ ts at their home in Delmar , like no juggling eggs .
“ There are some household rules .
He used to juggle plates for fun … and they break .
Usually , like if I hear one loud crash , I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re done for the day .
Out in the yard.
’ It ’ s like telling the kids , ‘ Go out and play , ’ ” said Ms. Mir .
One year for Valentine ’ s Day she gave her husband a gift that included juggling knives .
“ Nothing says ‘ I Love You ’ like , ‘ Juggle these knives , Hun !
’ ” said Ms. Mir .

BETHANY BEACH, Del. (AP) - Juggler Carlos Mir left the Bethany Beach Ocean Suites Hotel this month, believing he had spun himself what would ultimately prove to be a second Guinness World Record.
So did the Delmar resident’s wife Heather Mir, Ocean Suites staff and a handful of hotel guests.
“Bethany Beach Ocean Suites is home of this world record holder,” proclaimed Lorna Petchy, sales/marketing director for Bethany Beach Ocean Suites. “He comes in and entertains our families and friends. What better place than ‘home’ for him and for us to host his world record attempt. And it was incredible. And I am sure in a couple months when we hear back from GWR, they are going to be like, ‘Yeah, you did it!’ and by a freaking landslide.”
There was celebration.
But it was not be.
It was learned this month that a recent Guinness World Record website update shows his attempts to set a Guinness record in the helicopter spins with devil sticks fell short of the published record established earlier this summer by a man from Japan.
The Guinness World Record site lists the most helicopter spins in one minute at 106, achieved by Aki Ueno in Koganei, Tokyo, Japan, on July 10 of this year.
This month, Mr. Mir, who holds the Guinness World Record in the diabolo, logged “unofficial” tallies on 91, 91 and 93 in three one-minute attempts. The mark Mr. Mir thought he thought he had to top was 60.
“I totally didn’t know,” said Mr. Mir, noting Guinness World Records typically take several months to review video and documentation and potentially confirm a world record. “I know I checked, like in August. So, it (the record 106) must have just got posted.”
Mr. Mir, known as Cascading Carlos in the juggling circle, had planned to attempt the helicopter spin stunt last October but put it off following the death of his father.
“We were going to do it in May, then coronavirus. As soon as the coronavirus let loose, then Delaware was allowing people to gather,” said Mr. Mir.
According to the GWR website, Mr. Ueno attempted this record to celebrate his 10-year anniversary of starting devil-stick juggling.
So, this revelation means required video, eyewitness and judging accounts and required documentation will not be sent to London-based Guinness World Records, a 65-year-old reference that annually lists world records of human achievements and extremes of the natural world.
Mr. Mir may consider another attempt, although he admits the 106 mark may be tough to top.
“I’m sure I could pick up an easy 10,” said Mr. Mir. “I’ve got to figure it out.”
But for those on hand, it was an incredible effort.
Twenty-year-old Cory Clendaniel of Preston, Maryland served as designated judge for Mr. Mir’s helicopter spin attempts. He saw no flaws, violations or infractions.
“I did not see any. They looked all clean to me,” said Mr. Clendaniel, a young juggler who has known Mr. Mir for five years.
Deven Kester and Gregory Hampton also served as official eyewitnesses.
Ms. Kester, Bethany Beach Ocean Suites front office supervisor, said it was “very nerve-racking” yet quite amazing.
“Watching him twirl the stick around multiple times, I am blown away by his talent,” Ms. Kester said. “Carlos, we’ve seen him do a whole bunch of his tricks here before. We’re very fortunate and happy to host Mr. Carlos in his journey.”
“I’m from Delaware,” said Mr. Mir, noting the support he receives from the Bethany Beach Ocean Suites Hotel. “I am part of their activities for their summer program so I thought it would be a great honor to try to do a Guinness World Record in Delaware, and to also use their facility. It is a beautiful facility. And they are so kind to me.”
While neither of Mr. Mir’s attempts will stand as the Guinness record, Mr. Hampton was nonetheless amazed.
“It was awesome,” said Mr. Hampton. “I loved it.”
Mr. Hampton knows a thing or two about being in the spotlight.
During the 2019 NFL Draft the diehard New York Giants football fan was chosen the lucky winner - two season tickets for the next 100 years, plus other ticket and travel perks - in celebration of the NFL’s 100th season. He was on stage in late April 2019 with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, then Tennessee Titan QB Marcus Mariota (now Las Vegas Raiders) and NFL Hall of Famers Joe Green and Tim Brown.
Interestingly, Ms. Petchy, who came to America from England 15 years ago, had a previous role in a Guinness World Record try in Great Britain.
“Actually, I have time-kept before for another Guinness World Record attempt back in England, in Blackpool,” she said. “That one was for acrobatics. They missed by three.”
Mr. Mir is the current Guinness record-holder for the highest diabolo throw - 78 feet, 5 inches - set in July 2015 next to the Holiday Inn in Ocean City, Maryland.
Derived from the Chinese yo-yo, diabolo is a juggling/circus prop consisting of an hourglass shaped axle with two cups that is spun using a string attached to two sticks/batons.
And the helicopter spin? It’s a form of gyroscopic juggling or equilibristics, with manipulation of the devil stick consisting of manipulating one stick between two other sticks - one in each hand. The baton is lifted, struck and/or stroked by the two control sticks, stabilizing the baton through gyroscopic motion.
Juggling and performing has been Mr. Mir’s fulltime job for the last four years. Overall he has been juggling for about 25 years.
“When I got the (diabolo) Guinness World Record it opened up the doors to see that I could make a living,” Mr. Mir said. “Now, the coronavirus … that changed everything this year. But hopefully things will change by next year. Obviously I wear a mask. I clean all my equipment now so I can fit with the new norm.”
His assault on Guinness World Records is not finished.
“I have another application no one else has done. I am going to throw the devil stick the highest in the world. I am going to do that next May,” Mr. Mir said.
Wife Heather Mir has been Cascading Carlos’ longtime supporter.
“It is very exciting. He continues to impress me every day. I can’t do any of these things,” she said. “I actually encouraged him.”
However, there are some do’s and don’ts at their home in Delmar, like no juggling eggs.
“There are some household rules. He used to juggle plates for fun … and they break. Usually, like if I hear one loud crash, I’m like, ‘OK, you’re done for the day. Out in the yard.’ It’s like telling the kids, ‘Go out and play,’” said Ms. Mir.
One year for Valentine’s Day she gave her husband a gift that included juggling knives. “Nothing says ‘I Love You’ like, ‘Juggle these knives, Hun!’” said Ms. Mir.


washingtontimes--2020-09-26--Virginia city's underground music scene fights to survive

HARRISONBURG , Va. ( AP ) - By day , Grant Penrod peruses town in suit and tie as a lawyer , but when dusk falls he transforms into Gnat King Cruel , an alien come to Earth along with his trusty crew of bandmates who together are known as Crab Action .
Smeared in face paint and illustrated by bizarre neon beasts , Crab Action is practically royalty for Harrisonburg ’ s underground music scene .
In another dimension , Crab Action is still shredding and slashing to clusters of moshing , enthralled crowds most nights .
But in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basements to roar under dimmed bulbs , the rocking aliens are damned to the same fate as the rest of the underground music world : finding refuge playing in basements and garages in wait for brighter ( er , darker ? )
days ahead .
“ It ’ s simple - it sucks .
There are no shows , the bands can ’ t get together or do what we love to do , ” Penrod said .
Before the pandemic , Harrisonburg ’ s do-it-yourself art scene was a lively , pulsing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ obscure , funky and loud .
Everything from metal to hip-hop and indie rock were genres that fell under the umbrella of independent and DIY music in the Shenandoah Valley , enthusiastically embraced by music lovers of all ages .
Across different sounds and styles , what connected the culture of underground music before was the harmony of acceptance .
Without the ability to come together , Penrod said building connections across communities is paused .
“ So much of what is done is just people doing things and a lot of it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and a lot of times the next show is being planned at the current show , ” Penrod said .
“ People are coming together to watch the music and talk and that ’ s how bands are formed .
… When you take that in-person aspect out of it , that ’ s going to be the challenge.
” Krode is another thrash band born in the Blue Ridge that often opened for award-winning metal and punk troupes stopping in the Valley .
Praveen Chhetri , punk and metal guitarist for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ losing himself to the music is his main social outlet , so he ’ s found comfort in video chatting with friends over beers and listening to heavy metal radio shows .
“ I ’ ve been playing shows most of my adult life , and that ’ s my way of socializing , ” he said .
“ Harrisonburg being a place where international touring heavy metal and punk bands can come through and have a good show and have a decent support too , so that ecosystem , I miss that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to virtual streaming of shows to maintain the rhythm missing from venues , but Penrod said the option simply can not capture or replace the throbbing synergy that unifies the underground scene .
“ No one wants to sit on their couch and watch a punk show ; that ’ s just not what the experience is , ” he said .
Infamous for its colorful bar , sizzling pizza and basement shows , the Golden Pony is Harrisonburg ’ s primary music venue with a deep history of cultivating independent artists where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the bill .
Owner Paul Somers said he misses “ being in a room with a bunch of people experiencing the same artistic catharsis at the same moment ” but feels abundantly proud of the underground arts community ’ s handling and abidance to regulations .
“ The underground arts community is one of the communities to take the pandemic the most seriously , ” he said .
“ It ’ s doing a lot of damage and breaking the continuity of the network of touring bands around the country … but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot of faith that given the freedom of safety to get together and commence , the scene will brighten back up pretty quickly.
” All that is to say , if the Golden Pony can stay open .
While some bands are being ripped apart by members moving home to their families to survive the financial strain of the pandemic , venues are no different than other businesses suffering from the inability to entertain and serve patrons .
In the evening , the Golden Pony remains shrouded by the cloud of regulars puffing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members fear the possibility of its closure .
To help withstand blows , Somers has joined other venue owners in the national campaign # SaveOurStages to preserve its service .
On the positive side of things , with the music world holding its breath for shows comes additional time to invest and create for bands able to safely meet up .
Penrod said he expects Crab Action will have a completed album by the end of the pandemic , while it usually takes five years for the band to record an album .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s underground scene and plays for Krode and psychedelic rock group Paracosm .
He said opportunities to play are barren , but some bands have remained internally active and focused on growth , so given that local venues can stay afloat , there will be music when the pandemic subsides .
“ Venues have closed across the country , and that kind of sucks .
There ’ s less places people can go and play live .
Locally , there are still venues in town that have not , thankfully , closed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll be a time that will be remembered , ” Zimmerman said .
Restlessly on an outbreak-induced hiatus , the Valley ’ s DIY scene may be hidden from sight , but Penrod said he knows the community will rise from the ashes when the time comes .
“ The history of underground music in Harrisonburg goes back to when I was a teenager , if not before , but I think it ’ d be hard to erase something that ’ s that ingrained , ” he said .
“ If there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen , it ’ ll happen .
”

HARRISONBURG, Va. (AP) - By day, Grant Penrod peruses town in suit and tie as a lawyer, but when dusk falls he transforms into Gnat King Cruel, an alien come to Earth along with his trusty crew of bandmates who together are known as Crab Action. Smeared in face paint and illustrated by bizarre neon beasts, Crab Action is practically royalty for Harrisonburg’s underground music scene.
In another dimension, Crab Action is still shredding and slashing to clusters of moshing, enthralled crowds most nights. But in this dimension, without venues and musty basements to roar under dimmed bulbs, the rocking aliens are damned to the same fate as the rest of the underground music world: finding refuge playing in basements and garages in wait for brighter (er, darker?) days ahead.
“It’s simple - it sucks. There are no shows, the bands can’t get together or do what we love to do,” Penrod said.
Before the pandemic, Harrisonburg’s do-it-yourself art scene was a lively, pulsing undercurrent welcoming all: the strange, obscure, funky and loud. Everything from metal to hip-hop and indie rock were genres that fell under the umbrella of independent and DIY music in the Shenandoah Valley, enthusiastically embraced by music lovers of all ages.
Across different sounds and styles, what connected the culture of underground music before was the harmony of acceptance. Without the ability to come together, Penrod said building connections across communities is paused.
“So much of what is done is just people doing things and a lot of it is done through word-of-mouth and personal connections, and a lot of times the next show is being planned at the current show,” Penrod said. “People are coming together to watch the music and talk and that’s how bands are formed. … When you take that in-person aspect out of it, that’s going to be the challenge.”
Krode is another thrash band born in the Blue Ridge that often opened for award-winning metal and punk troupes stopping in the Valley.
Praveen Chhetri, punk and metal guitarist for Harrisonburg bands Earthling and Krode, said losing himself to the music is his main social outlet, so he’s found comfort in video chatting with friends over beers and listening to heavy metal radio shows.
“I’ve been playing shows most of my adult life, and that’s my way of socializing,” he said. “Harrisonburg being a place where international touring heavy metal and punk bands can come through and have a good show and have a decent support too, so that ecosystem, I miss that for sure.”
Some bands have turned to virtual streaming of shows to maintain the rhythm missing from venues, but Penrod said the option simply cannot capture or replace the throbbing synergy that unifies the underground scene.
“No one wants to sit on their couch and watch a punk show; that’s just not what the experience is,” he said.
Infamous for its colorful bar, sizzling pizza and basement shows, the Golden Pony is Harrisonburg’s primary music venue with a deep history of cultivating independent artists where all music genres can find a place on the bill. Owner Paul Somers said he misses “being in a room with a bunch of people experiencing the same artistic catharsis at the same moment” but feels abundantly proud of the underground arts community’s handling and abidance to regulations.
“The underground arts community is one of the communities to take the pandemic the most seriously,” he said. “It’s doing a lot of damage and breaking the continuity of the network of touring bands around the country … but at the same time I have a lot of faith that given the freedom of safety to get together and commence, the scene will brighten back up pretty quickly.”
All that is to say, if the Golden Pony can stay open. While some bands are being ripped apart by members moving home to their families to survive the financial strain of the pandemic, venues are no different than other businesses suffering from the inability to entertain and serve patrons. In the evening, the Golden Pony remains shrouded by the cloud of regulars puffing cigarettes on the patio, but community members fear the possibility of its closure. To help withstand blows, Somers has joined other venue owners in the national campaign #SaveOurStages to preserve its service.
On the positive side of things, with the music world holding its breath for shows comes additional time to invest and create for bands able to safely meet up. Penrod said he expects Crab Action will have a completed album by the end of the pandemic, while it usually takes five years for the band to record an album.
Jared Zimmerman grew up in the Valley’s underground scene and plays for Krode and psychedelic rock group Paracosm. He said opportunities to play are barren, but some bands have remained internally active and focused on growth, so given that local venues can stay afloat, there will be music when the pandemic subsides.
“Venues have closed across the country, and that kind of sucks. There’s less places people can go and play live. Locally, there are still venues in town that have not, thankfully, closed down, but I think it’ll be a time that will be remembered,” Zimmerman said.
Restlessly on an outbreak-induced hiatus, the Valley’s DIY scene may be hidden from sight, but Penrod said he knows the community will rise from the ashes when the time comes.
“The history of underground music in Harrisonburg goes back to when I was a teenager, if not before, but I think it’d be hard to erase something that’s that ingrained,” he said. “If there are people who want to make it happen, it’ll happen.”