washingtontimes--2020-12-02--Police: Tennessee Wendy's manager bit teen worker's shoulder

MURFREESBORO , Tenn. ( AP ) - A 53-year-old manager at a Tennessee fast food restaurant was charged with simple assault after police said he admitted to biting a teenage worker on the shoulder while on the job .
The confrontation happened Nov. 23 at a Wendy ’ s in Murfreesboro , according to a report filed by the unnamed 17-year-old employee .
The teenager accused the manager of walking up to her during her afternoon shift and biting her on her left shoulder , the Murfreesboro Police Department said in the report .
No injuries were reported .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ was in the way of the fryer ” when she came in for her shift , and that “ he was joking when he came up to her and growled , ” the report said .
He admitted to putting “ his mouth on her shoulder , ” according to the documents .
The manager was booked into jail and released on a $ 1,000 bond , Rutherford County Sheriff ’ s Office spokeswoman Lisa Marchesoni said .
He was set to appear in court Dec. 14 .
The manager ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was unclear whether he had an attorney who could comment for him .

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) - A 53-year-old manager at a Tennessee fast food restaurant was charged with simple assault after police said he admitted to biting a teenage worker on the shoulder while on the job.
The confrontation happened Nov. 23 at a Wendy’s in Murfreesboro, according to a report filed by the unnamed 17-year-old employee.
The teenager accused the manager of walking up to her during her afternoon shift and biting her on her left shoulder, the Murfreesboro Police Department said in the report. No injuries were reported.
The manager told an officer that the teen “was in the way of the fryer” when she came in for her shift, and that “he was joking when he came up to her and growled,” the report said. He admitted to putting “his mouth on her shoulder,” according to the documents.
The manager was booked into jail and released on a $1,000 bond, Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Lisa Marchesoni said. He was set to appear in court Dec. 14.
The manager’s name was not immediately released. It was unclear whether he had an attorney who could comment for him.


washingtontimes--2020-12-02--California firefighters critically injured setting backfires

SACRAMENTO , Calif. ( AP ) - Two firefighters critically burned while trying to set backfires to slow the spread of a Southern California wildfire in October likely shouldn ’ t have been there in the first place given the extraordinarily dangerous conditions , according to an investigation of the incident .
It appears , but is not certain from the report by the Orange County Fire Authority , that wind-driven embers spreading from the backfires themselves are what trapped the agency ’ s firefighters .
It says firefighters left themselves in danger from unburned fuels , increasing erratic winds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ burnout may have backfired , ” said Timothy Ingalsbee , a former federal firefighter who reviewed the report at the request of The Associated Press .
“ That ’ s a horrible thought.
” The wind was blowing so hard it kept extinguishing the drip torches the crew was using to ignite fires intended to create a wider buffer against the advancing flames by preemptively burning the available fuel that was feeding the Silverado Fire .
The speed at which the fire could spread under conditions at the time was at “ historical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fast as the previous record for that location , and was “ the main factor ” in the crew becoming trapped by a spot fire that jumped the safety line , according to the report .
” These were explosive fire conditions - the classic what we call ‘ blowup conditions ’ - and the crews were really , really pushing the envelope ” by trying to set backfires , said Ingalsbee , executive director of Firefighters United for Safety , Ethics , and Ecology .
The Silverado Fire ignited early Oct. 26 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 35 miles ( 56 kilometers ) south of Los Angeles , eventually damaging or destroying 14 homes and structures .
That fire and another blaze just to the north at one point forced the evacuation of 130,000 people .
Orange County Fire Authority spokeswoman Colleen Windsor said the wildland firefighters , Dylan Van Iwaarden , 26 , and Phi Le , 31 , remain in critical condition .
She declined to comment or provide more information or clarification beyond what is in the report itself .
The state ’ s firefighting agency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The crew was trying to fight a spot fire that exploded from the size of a living room rug to a 10,000-square-foot ( 3,048 square meters ) inferno in just five to 10 seconds .
Then the second fire ignited below them .
“ Get out of there , there ’ s a spot !
” yelled one of the crew members , according to the report .
But they never had a chance , nor any time to deploy the portable fire shelters designed as a last-chance shield against the flames .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to contain the fire with hand tools , chain saws and fire hoses were overrun by the flames .
Six reported singed hair , eyebrows , and eyelashes , while one firefighter came “ staggering out of the fire , critically burned ” while the second critically burned firefighter was spotted 30 seconds later at the edge of the blaze .
Graphic photos of their fire-resistant uniforms included in the report show their yellow jackets singed and torn .
But while one firefighter ’ s trousers are torn and discolored , the second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ length of a patchwork pair of shorts .
“ Human flesh burns well before the ignition point of that fabric , so just from the radiant heat , the convective heat of the hot winds , those crews were cooking well before the flames even reached their clothing , ” Ingalsbee said .
“ I think it ’ s a minor miracle they were able to stumble out to safety and are alive.
” The area is covered in grass and brush and will quickly grow back , he said .
And with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he questioned why crews tried to stop the fire ’ s advance in an area where it may be beneficial to let it burn .
The Southern California Edison utility reported to state officials that it is investigating whether its equipment might have sparked the blaze .
It told utility regulators that a “ lashing wire ” that ties a telecommunications line to a supporting cable may have come into contact with a separate 12,000-volt conductor line above it .
The wire may have belonged to T-Mobile , not Edison , the utility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ utility regulators .
But the company is also evaluating other potential causes such as human activity or the construction , maintenance , and design of overhead wires a few hundred feet from where the fire started , spokesman David Song said Wednesday .
Associated Press writer Christopher Weber contributed to this report from Los Angeles .

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - Two firefighters critically burned while trying to set backfires to slow the spread of a Southern California wildfire in October likely shouldn’t have been there in the first place given the extraordinarily dangerous conditions, according to an investigation of the incident.
It appears, but is not certain from the report by the Orange County Fire Authority, that wind-driven embers spreading from the backfires themselves are what trapped the agency’s firefighters. It says firefighters left themselves in danger from unburned fuels, increasing erratic winds and frequent spot fires.
“Their burnout may have backfired,” said Timothy Ingalsbee, a former federal firefighter who reviewed the report at the request of The Associated Press. “That’s a horrible thought.”
The wind was blowing so hard it kept extinguishing the drip torches the crew was using to ignite fires intended to create a wider buffer against the advancing flames by preemptively burning the available fuel that was feeding the Silverado Fire.
The speed at which the fire could spread under conditions at the time was at “historical levels,” nearly three times as fast as the previous record for that location, and was “the main factor” in the crew becoming trapped by a spot fire that jumped the safety line, according to the report.
”These were explosive fire conditions - the classic what we call ‘blowup conditions’ - and the crews were really, really pushing the envelope” by trying to set backfires, said Ingalsbee, executive director of Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics, and Ecology.
The Silverado Fire ignited early Oct. 26 near Irvine, a city of 280,000 about 35 miles (56 kilometers) south of Los Angeles, eventually damaging or destroying 14 homes and structures. That fire and another blaze just to the north at one point forced the evacuation of 130,000 people.
Orange County Fire Authority spokeswoman Colleen Windsor said the wildland firefighters, Dylan Van Iwaarden, 26, and Phi Le, 31, remain in critical condition. She declined to comment or provide more information or clarification beyond what is in the report itself. The state’s firefighting agency referred questions to the local authority.
The crew was trying to fight a spot fire that exploded from the size of a living room rug to a 10,000-square-foot (3,048 square meters) inferno in just five to 10 seconds.
Then the second fire ignited below them.
“Get out of there, there’s a spot!” yelled one of the crew members, according to the report.
But they never had a chance, nor any time to deploy the portable fire shelters designed as a last-chance shield against the flames.
All eight members of the crew trying to contain the fire with hand tools, chain saws and fire hoses were overrun by the flames. Six reported singed hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes, while one firefighter came “staggering out of the fire, critically burned” while the second critically burned firefighter was spotted 30 seconds later at the edge of the blaze.
Graphic photos of their fire-resistant uniforms included in the report show their yellow jackets singed and torn. But while one firefighter’s trousers are torn and discolored, the second set of trousers is burned to the length of a patchwork pair of shorts.
“Human flesh burns well before the ignition point of that fabric, so just from the radiant heat, the convective heat of the hot winds, those crews were cooking well before the flames even reached their clothing,” Ingalsbee said. “I think it’s a minor miracle they were able to stumble out to safety and are alive.”
The area is covered in grass and brush and will quickly grow back, he said. And with no homes in the immediate area, he questioned why crews tried to stop the fire’s advance in an area where it may be beneficial to let it burn.
The Southern California Edison utility reported to state officials that it is investigating whether its equipment might have sparked the blaze.
It told utility regulators that a “lashing wire” that ties a telecommunications line to a supporting cable may have come into contact with a separate 12,000-volt conductor line above it.
The wire may have belonged to T-Mobile, not Edison, the utility said in a recent filing with state utility regulators. But the company is also evaluating other potential causes such as human activity or the construction, maintenance, and design of overhead wires a few hundred feet from where the fire started, spokesman David Song said Wednesday.
___
Associated Press writer Christopher Weber contributed to this report from Los Angeles.


washingtontimes--2020-12-02--Agency declines special protection request for tufted puffin

JUNEAU , Alaska ( AP ) - The tufted puffin - a black seabird known for its white “ mask ” and orange bill - does not warrant Endangered Species Act protections , the U.S .
Fish and Wildlife Service announced Wednesday .
The agency was petitioned in 2014 by the Natural Resources Defense Council to provide protections .
The environmental group cited , in part , steep declines in breeding populations over the last three decades in California , Oregon and Washington .
It asked the agency to list as threatened or endangered the contiguous U.S. population as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to list the entire species if the population in the contiguous U.S. did not meet agency standards for a distinct population .
The Fish and Wildlife Service on Wednesday said climate change and oil spills pose the biggest threat to the species .
It said its review found the birds are “ undergoing a range contraction , specifically on the southern end of their range , but that the species continues to be widely distributed across the northern part of its range and maintains high overall abundance.
” The agency said tufted puffins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Coast and Alaska , and in British Columbia , Russia and Japan .
Stewart Cogswell , supervisor of the agency ’ s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office in Anchorage , said the agency will continue participating in efforts to monitor the species .
The commissioner of Alaska ’ s Department of Fish and Game , Doug Vincent-Lang , agreed with the Fish and Wildlife Service ’ s decision .
Brad Sewell , senior director of the Natural Resource Defense Council ’ s oceans program , in a statement Wednesday called puffins “ iconic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ long worked to protect the species and “ won ’ t stop until they get the protections needed .
”

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - The tufted puffin - a black seabird known for its white “mask” and orange bill - does not warrant Endangered Species Act protections, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Wednesday.
The agency was petitioned in 2014 by the Natural Resources Defense Council to provide protections. The environmental group cited, in part, steep declines in breeding populations over the last three decades in California, Oregon and Washington.
It asked the agency to list as threatened or endangered the contiguous U.S. population as a “distinct population segment,” or to list the entire species if the population in the contiguous U.S. did not meet agency standards for a distinct population.
The Fish and Wildlife Service on Wednesday said climate change and oil spills pose the biggest threat to the species. It said its review found the birds are “undergoing a range contraction, specifically on the southern end of their range, but that the species continues to be widely distributed across the northern part of its range and maintains high overall abundance.”
The agency said tufted puffins in the U.S. nest along the West Coast and Alaska, and in British Columbia, Russia and Japan.
Stewart Cogswell, supervisor of the agency’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office in Anchorage, said the agency will continue participating in efforts to monitor the species.
The commissioner of Alaska’s Department of Fish and Game, Doug Vincent-Lang, agreed with the Fish and Wildlife Service’s decision.
Brad Sewell, senior director of the Natural Resource Defense Council’s oceans program, in a statement Wednesday called puffins “iconic species.”
Sewell said his group has long worked to protect the species and “won’t stop until they get the protections needed.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-02--Survey finds race- and sex-based harassment 'common' at FEMA

WASHINGTON ( AP ) - More than a quarter of employees at the Federal Emergency Management Agency said they were harassed or discriminated against based on their gender or race , according to a survey released Wednesday as part of the fallout from allegations of sexual harassment by a senior official at the organization .
The survey by the RAND Corp. found that such civil rights violations were “ common ” at FEMA , reported by about 29 % of the employees surveyed last year .
FEMA requested the survey in response to an internal report that found that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ personnel office had improper sexual relationships with subordinates and created a “ toxic ” work environment , including by giving preferential treatment to his fraternity brothers .
The official resigned from FEMA and the agency took steps to address the allegations , including creating an office of professional responsibility and requiring all of the nearly 20,000 employees to undergo anti-harassment training .
FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor said the agency would be taking additional measures in the coming months .
“ Even though the data from this survey is more than a year and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are alarming and simply not acceptable , ” Gaynor said in a statement issued as the RAND survey data was released .
In a statement , the agency detailed a series of actions it has taken to address issues raised in the 2018 internal report , which included conducting an audit of hiring decisions taken under the former head of personnel and directing its Office of Equal Rights to address a backlog of cases .
FEMA also created a Culture Improvement Action Plan with the goal of ensuring employees feel “ valued and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their ability without fear and in an environment free of harassment and misconduct.
” The report featured responses from nearly 9,000 employees at the agency that leads the U.S. response to natural disasters and managed an airlift to bring in huge supplies of protective medical gear and equipment in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic .
It found that 20 % of FEMA employees reported harassment and discrimination on the basis of sex .
A little more than 18 % reported violations based on their race or ethnicity .
Few people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees saying they believed their complaint would not be addressed or they would face retaliation .
There are few , publicly available studies of employee discrimination with comparable data , so it is difficult to compare the FEMA results with other organizations .
RAND conducted a similar study at the Department of Defense , but that population is more male and younger .
That earlier survey found 24 % of women in the military experienced sexual harassment , slightly higher than what was found for women at FEMA .
The findings are also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poll that found 21 % of Americans said they had experienced sexual harassment in the workplace , including 27 % of women and 14 % of men .
Coreen Farris , the lead author of RAND ’ s report on FEMA , said the results will provide a baseline for a follow-up survey planned for this spring .
“ Changing organizational culture and climate is no easy task , but one vital component is measurement of the problem , ” she said .
FEMA requested the study after the allegations against the former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation that revealed systemic problems at the agency .
The former official , Corey Coleman , resigned in June 2018 , as the probe was underway .

WASHINGTON (AP) - More than a quarter of employees at the Federal Emergency Management Agency said they were harassed or discriminated against based on their gender or race, according to a survey released Wednesday as part of the fallout from allegations of sexual harassment by a senior official at the organization.
The survey by the RAND Corp. found that such civil rights violations were “common” at FEMA, reported by about 29% of the employees surveyed last year.
FEMA requested the survey in response to an internal report that found that the former head of the agency’s personnel office had improper sexual relationships with subordinates and created a “toxic” work environment, including by giving preferential treatment to his fraternity brothers.
The official resigned from FEMA and the agency took steps to address the allegations, including creating an office of professional responsibility and requiring all of the nearly 20,000 employees to undergo anti-harassment training.
FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor said the agency would be taking additional measures in the coming months.
“Even though the data from this survey is more than a year and a half behind us, these findings are alarming and simply not acceptable,” Gaynor said in a statement issued as the RAND survey data was released.
In a statement, the agency detailed a series of actions it has taken to address issues raised in the 2018 internal report, which included conducting an audit of hiring decisions taken under the former head of personnel and directing its Office of Equal Rights to address a backlog of cases.
FEMA also created a Culture Improvement Action Plan with the goal of ensuring employees feel “valued and can meet the mission to the best of their ability without fear and in an environment free of harassment and misconduct.”
The report featured responses from nearly 9,000 employees at the agency that leads the U.S. response to natural disasters and managed an airlift to bring in huge supplies of protective medical gear and equipment in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It found that 20% of FEMA employees reported harassment and discrimination on the basis of sex. A little more than 18% reported violations based on their race or ethnicity.
Few people felt comfortable reporting the violations, with employees saying they believed their complaint would not be addressed or they would face retaliation.
There are few, publicly available studies of employee discrimination with comparable data, so it is difficult to compare the FEMA results with other organizations. RAND conducted a similar study at the Department of Defense, but that population is more male and younger.
That earlier survey found 24% of women in the military experienced sexual harassment, slightly higher than what was found for women at FEMA.
The findings are also in line with an Edison Research 2018 poll that found 21% of Americans said they had experienced sexual harassment in the workplace, including 27% of women and 14% of men.
Coreen Farris, the lead author of RAND’s report on FEMA, said the results will provide a baseline for a follow-up survey planned for this spring. “Changing organizational culture and climate is no easy task, but one vital component is measurement of the problem,” she said.
FEMA requested the study after the allegations against the former head of personnel led to an internal investigation that revealed systemic problems at the agency. The former official, Corey Coleman, resigned in June 2018, as the probe was underway.


washingtontimes--2020-12-02--85-year-old woman killed, son arrested

85-year-old woman killed, son arrested

ALBANY , Ore. ( AP ) - A man was arrested Tuesday east of Albany after the Linn County Sheriff ’ s Office received a 911 hang-up call , investigated and discovered his 85-year-old mother had been killed .
Kris Fiala , 54 , was arraigned on Wednesday in Linn County Circuit Court on charges of second-degree murder and aggravated harassment in the death of Astrid Gladys Fiala , The Albany Democrat-Herald reported .
Judge Brendan Kane ordered Fiala be held at the Linn County Jail without bail , as recommended by prosecutor Richard Wijers .
Defense attorney Kyla Mazhary-Clark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Fiala had strong ties to the community , had no history of failing to appear in court and was unemployed and receiving no benefits .
The 911 call came in to Linn County dispatch at 10:04 p.m. Tuesday .
When dispatch called back , a man answered and a person could be heard yelling in the background for help , according to the sheriff ’ s office .
Deputies responded to the location outside of Lebanon and found Fiala holding a knife .
“ Deputies detained Kris , who spit blood in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to a statement from the sheriff ’ s office .
Court documents show Fiala has been charged previously with violent crimes against various family members .
A probable cause affidavit for the murder case wasn ’ t immediately available after Wednesday ’ s hearing .

ALBANY, Ore. (AP) - A man was arrested Tuesday east of Albany after the Linn County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 hang-up call, investigated and discovered his 85-year-old mother had been killed.
Kris Fiala, 54, was arraigned on Wednesday in Linn County Circuit Court on charges of second-degree murder and aggravated harassment in the death of Astrid Gladys Fiala, The Albany Democrat-Herald reported. Judge Brendan Kane ordered Fiala be held at the Linn County Jail without bail, as recommended by prosecutor Richard Wijers.
Defense attorney Kyla Mazhary-Clark had requested $50,000 bail, noting that Fiala had strong ties to the community, had no history of failing to appear in court and was unemployed and receiving no benefits.
The 911 call came in to Linn County dispatch at 10:04 p.m. Tuesday. When dispatch called back, a man answered and a person could be heard yelling in the background for help, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies responded to the location outside of Lebanon and found Fiala holding a knife. “Deputies detained Kris, who spit blood in a deputy’s face,” according to a statement from the sheriff’s office.
Court documents show Fiala has been charged previously with violent crimes against various family members.
A probable cause affidavit for the murder case wasn’t immediately available after Wednesday’s hearing.


washingtontimes--2020-12-02--Georgia man arrested, charged in 2002 triple homicide

REBECCA , Ga. ( AP ) - Georgia authorities on Wednesday arrested a man in connection with a 2002 triple homicide where the victims included a woman eight-and-a-half months pregnant with his child .
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced in a news conference that Jason Michael Walker , 47 , of Pulaski County , was arrested and charged with murder in the deaths of Tommy Joe Wideman , Deborah Wideman and their daughter , Melissa Wideman .
Investigators said the three adult victims were found inside a burning home in Rebecca , Georgia , in 2002 .
Walker also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Melissa Wideman ’ s unborn fetus , who was Walker ’ s biological child , the agency said .
“ It ’ s been a long time , a hard case for everybody .
This is a close-knit community , ” Turner County Sheriff Andy Hester said in a news conference .
“ We ’ ve worked tirelessly with GBI on this case for a long time.
” Hester asked for anyone with information about the case to come forward and to refrain from speculation .
It was not immediately known if Walker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behalf .
The case began on March 22 , 2002 , when a passing truck driver reported a house on fire in Rebecca .
Investigators said in a press conference that firefighters discovered the three dead adults inside the home and that Melissa Wideman , 20 , was over eight months pregnant at the time of her death .
Autopsies by the GBI Medical Examiner ’ s Office found that all three adults had been shot and died prior to the fire .
The GBI said the case was reassigned in December 2014 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forward and identified a white male leaving the scene of the Wideman residence during the time frame in which the murders occurred .
The Associated Press reported in 2002 that the deaths of the well-known family shook the small community , where homicides were a rare occurrence .
Tommy Joe Wideman had served about 12 years as the chief property appraiser of Turner County and chairman of the county Board of Appraisers in Ashburn .
Deborah Wideman owned a bridal services shop .
Melissa Wideman had been scheduled for a late April delivery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d already named Abbie , the AP reported in 2002 .

REBECCA, Ga. (AP) - Georgia authorities on Wednesday arrested a man in connection with a 2002 triple homicide where the victims included a woman eight-and-a-half months pregnant with his child.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation announced in a news conference that Jason Michael Walker, 47, of Pulaski County, was arrested and charged with murder in the deaths of Tommy Joe Wideman, Deborah Wideman and their daughter, Melissa Wideman.
Investigators said the three adult victims were found inside a burning home in Rebecca, Georgia, in 2002. Walker also is charged with causing the death of Melissa Wideman’s unborn fetus, who was Walker’s biological child, the agency said.
“It’s been a long time, a hard case for everybody. This is a close-knit community,” Turner County Sheriff Andy Hester said in a news conference. “We’ve worked tirelessly with GBI on this case for a long time.”
Hester asked for anyone with information about the case to come forward and to refrain from speculation.
It was not immediately known if Walker has an attorney to comment on his behalf.
The case began on March 22, 2002, when a passing truck driver reported a house on fire in Rebecca. Investigators said in a press conference that firefighters discovered the three dead adults inside the home and that Melissa Wideman, 20, was over eight months pregnant at the time of her death.
Autopsies by the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office found that all three adults had been shot and died prior to the fire.
The GBI said the case was reassigned in December 2014, and a new witness recently came forward and identified a white male leaving the scene of the Wideman residence during the time frame in which the murders occurred.
The Associated Press reported in 2002 that the deaths of the well-known family shook the small community, where homicides were a rare occurrence.
Tommy Joe Wideman had served about 12 years as the chief property appraiser of Turner County and chairman of the county Board of Appraisers in Ashburn. Deborah Wideman owned a bridal services shop. Melissa Wideman had been scheduled for a late April delivery of her baby, a girl she’d already named Abbie, the AP reported in 2002.


washingtontimes--2020-12-02--Prosecutors to retry man accused of killing police officer

LOS ANGELES ( AP ) - Prosecutors will re-try a case against a man accused of killing a Los Angeles police officer over 30 years ago , but the incoming district attorney will not seek the death penalty again despite the family ’ s wishes for capital punishment .
Kenneth Earl Gay , 62 , is charged with murder in the death of Officer Paul Verna in 1983 .
The California Supreme Court has twice overturned Gay ’ s death sentence and in February vacated his original conviction , forcing Los Angeles prosecutors to decide if they would pursue the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and as anti-police sentiments gripped the country .
A judge has ruled against a defense motion that would have excluded information from the previous proceedings - a decision that Gay is expected to appeal .
The case returns to court Jan. 14 .
In 1983 , Verna was a motorcycle officer and had been awarded a medal of valor for trying to rescue children from a burning building .
He was married with two young sons , both of whom would later join the LAPD .
In 2016 , California voters rejected a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but Gov .
Gavin Newsom later signed an executive order that placed a moratorium on the death penalty .
“ The people of California voted to implement the death penalty , and it ’ s amazing to me that a few individuals can override the entire state , ” Verna ’ s oldest son , Bryce , said Monday after a court hearing .
“ It ’ s a travesty of justice.
” District Attorney Jackie Lacey lost her re-election bid last month against former San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largest prosecutions office .
Lacey decided to re-try Gay ’ s case in her final days in office .
Her spokesman said Wednesday the decision on whether to seek the death penalty again has not been made , although Gascon - who will be sworn in Monday - pledged during his campaign not to seek the death penalty .
“ The Verna family - like all families in death penalty cases - has been forced to relive their trauma over decades of proceedings , ” Gascon spokesman Maxwell Szabo said , “ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 37 years later it appears questions remain as to who pulled the trigger .
These reasons , coupled with the exorbitant cost to taxpayers , is why the DA-elect plans to immediately take the death penalty off the table.
” The Los Angeles Police Protective League , which represents LAPD rank-and-file officers , said it hopes Gascon keeps moving forward on the case to “ ensure a clear message is sent that the murder of law enforcement officers will not be tolerated in our community.
” “ Gay ’ s heinous crime robbed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was a proven hero , robbed a wife of her husband and robbed two sons of the chance to know their father , ” union president Craig Lally said .
The Verna family fears that during a retrial , jurors might not find Gay guilty again - a stronger likelihood in the current political climate than in the 1980s - and that Gay could be released from prison in a matter of months .
Authorities say Raynard Cummings fired one bullet into Verna ’ s body and Gay then fired five more during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Valley .
Both defendants pointed to the other as the shooter during the trial and both were sentenced to death .
The California Supreme Court later wrote that Gay ’ s attorney , Daye Shinn - who was later disbarred and has since died - among other things , did not introduce crucial evidence that might have persuaded the jury to reach a different verdict .
Gay maintains his innocence and is currently incarcerated in the county jail .
His public defender did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ defender who represented Gay in his second appeal of the death penalty , previously said several witnesses had described what Cummings looked like , although they believed Gay had fired the final shots .
Others said said Gay was not involved in the shooting , Powell said .
Gay previously apologized to the Verna family .
“ Mrs .
Verna , for what it is worth , I extend my sincere and heartfelt condolences to you and your family , but I didn ’ t kill the guy , ” he said in @ @ @ @

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Prosecutors will re-try a case against a man accused of killing a Los Angeles police officer over 30 years ago, but the incoming district attorney will not seek the death penalty again despite the family’s wishes for capital punishment.
Kenneth Earl Gay, 62, is charged with murder in the death of Officer Paul Verna in 1983. The California Supreme Court has twice overturned Gay’s death sentence and in February vacated his original conviction, forcing Los Angeles prosecutors to decide if they would pursue the case again during a fraught election cycle and as anti-police sentiments gripped the country.
A judge has ruled against a defense motion that would have excluded information from the previous proceedings - a decision that Gay is expected to appeal. The case returns to court Jan. 14.
In 1983, Verna was a motorcycle officer and had been awarded a medal of valor for trying to rescue children from a burning building. He was married with two young sons, both of whom would later join the LAPD.
In 2016, California voters rejected a ballot measure to abolish capital punishment, but Gov. Gavin Newsom later signed an executive order that placed a moratorium on the death penalty.
“The people of California voted to implement the death penalty, and it’s amazing to me that a few individuals can override the entire state,” Verna’s oldest son, Bryce, said Monday after a court hearing. “It’s a travesty of justice.”
District Attorney Jackie Lacey lost her re-election bid last month against former San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon in a race to lead the nation’s largest prosecutions office.
Lacey decided to re-try Gay’s case in her final days in office. Her spokesman said Wednesday the decision on whether to seek the death penalty again has not been made, although Gascon - who will be sworn in Monday - pledged during his campaign not to seek the death penalty.
“The Verna family - like all families in death penalty cases - has been forced to relive their trauma over decades of proceedings,” Gascon spokesman Maxwell Szabo said, “The death penalty is also irreversible, and 37 years later it appears questions remain as to who pulled the trigger. These reasons, coupled with the exorbitant cost to taxpayers, is why the DA-elect plans to immediately take the death penalty off the table.”
The Los Angeles Police Protective League, which represents LAPD rank-and-file officers, said it hopes Gascon keeps moving forward on the case to “ensure a clear message is sent that the murder of law enforcement officers will not be tolerated in our community.”
“Gay’s heinous crime robbed our city of a police officer who was a proven hero, robbed a wife of her husband and robbed two sons of the chance to know their father,” union president Craig Lally said.
The Verna family fears that during a retrial, jurors might not find Gay guilty again - a stronger likelihood in the current political climate than in the 1980s - and that Gay could be released from prison in a matter of months.
Authorities say Raynard Cummings fired one bullet into Verna’s body and Gay then fired five more during a traffic stop in the San Fernando Valley. Both defendants pointed to the other as the shooter during the trial and both were sentenced to death.
The California Supreme Court later wrote that Gay’s attorney, Daye Shinn - who was later disbarred and has since died - among other things, did not introduce crucial evidence that might have persuaded the jury to reach a different verdict.
Gay is incarcerated in the county jail. Monnica Thelen, deputy public defender representing Gay, called the earlier proceedings “a miscarriage of justice” and said her client has been denied his constitutional right to competent counsel from the start.
“Mr. Gay has maintained his innocence and we are hoping that the government will see that this case should not be re-tried,” Thelen said. “The killer, the sole killer of Officer Verna is currently on death row.”
Cummings remains on death row in San Quentin.
Therene Powell, a retired state public defender who represented Gay in his second appeal of the death penalty, previously said several witnesses had described what Cummings looked like, although they believed Gay had fired the final shots.
Others said said Gay was not involved in the shooting, Powell said.
Gay previously apologized to the Verna family. “Mrs. Verna, for what it is worth, I extend my sincere and heartfelt condolences to you and your family, but I didn’t kill the guy,” he said in court in 1985.


washingtontimes--2020-12-03--Town plans Christmas parade despite coronavirus concerns

YOUNGSVILLE , N.C. ( AP ) - A town in North Carolina is planning to hold a Christmas parade despite concerns from county health officials that the event could facilitate the spread of the coronavirus .
The Raleigh News & Observer reported Wednesday that Youngsville plans a mile-long parade with up to 300 people watching .
Those who are expected to attend include a volleyball team , a plumbing company and a hair salon .
The town has faced repeated warnings from the Franklin County Health Department .
It warns that COVID-19 cases are reaching record highs locally .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violate Gov .
Roy Cooper ’ s executive order limiting crowds .
Town Manager Phil Cordeiro told county officials that Youngsville ’ s parade falls under the same First Amendment exemption that allowed Raleigh protests this year .
He also said the parade is a permitted religious service because it starts in the parking lot of a church .
“ It ’ s just been a really bad year and we ’ re trying to do something to lighten people ’ s spirits and give them a little hope , ” Mayor Fonzie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t want it to be a situation where people don ’ t feel safe.
” But some in the town of about 1,800 people fear the parade could become a super-spreader event .
“ It will absolutely spread , ” said Steve Durant , who said he lives two minutes from the parade route .
“ The town is thumbing its nose at the state and county .
”

YOUNGSVILLE, N.C. (AP) - A town in North Carolina is planning to hold a Christmas parade despite concerns from county health officials that the event could facilitate the spread of the coronavirus.
The Raleigh News & Observer reported Wednesday that Youngsville plans a mile-long parade with up to 300 people watching. Those who are expected to attend include a volleyball team, a plumbing company and a hair salon.
The town has faced repeated warnings from the Franklin County Health Department. It warns that COVID-19 cases are reaching record highs locally. The county also said that the parade would violate Gov. Roy Cooper’s executive order limiting crowds.
Town Manager Phil Cordeiro told county officials that Youngsville’s parade falls under the same First Amendment exemption that allowed Raleigh protests this year. He also said the parade is a permitted religious service because it starts in the parking lot of a church.
“It’s just been a really bad year and we’re trying to do something to lighten people’s spirits and give them a little hope,” Mayor Fonzie Flowers told the newspaper. “We don’t want it to be a situation where people don’t feel safe.”
But some in the town of about 1,800 people fear the parade could become a super-spreader event.
“It will absolutely spread,” said Steve Durant, who said he lives two minutes from the parade route. “The town is thumbing its nose at the state and county.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-03--Man sentenced for breaking baby's bones

Man sentenced for breaking baby's bones

BEND , Ore. ( AP ) - A former hospital worker during sentencing Tuesday in Deschutes County Circuit Court said he was stressed by the COVID-19 pandemic when hurt his infant son .
Charles Medley was sentenced to three years probation with conditions including attending parenting and aggression control classes , The Bulletin reported .
Violating the conditions could result in a four-year prison sentence .
Medley pleaded guilty on Monday to three counts of first-degree criminal mistreatment .
Medley had no prior criminal record , which attorneys said factored into the sentencing recommendation .
Defense attorney Clark Fry acknowledged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 60 pretty fast.
” The case came to the attention of law enforcement April 23 when the then-15-week-old child arrived for a checkup at a hospital with injuries including skull and leg fractures and a brain bleed .
At the time , Medley worked the graveyard shift at St. Charles Bend emptying trash containers in the hospital .
He told police he was getting less than four hours of sleep a night and was experiencing stress from the child ’ s birth and isolation related to the COVID-19 pandemic .
A psychological exam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sympathy for his son and was receptive to undergoing intensive treatment .
Medley was in custody in the Deschutes County jail for 216 days , from his arrest in April until his sentencing Tuesday .
The victim ’ s mother spoke briefly by phone , asking the judge for leniency .
She said her child had fully healed and the Department of Health and Human Services recently closed its case on the incident .
Medley , who appeared by video from jail , said he was remorseful and that he knew there was @ @ @ @ @ @ @

BEND, Ore. (AP) - A former hospital worker during sentencing Tuesday in Deschutes County Circuit Court said he was stressed by the COVID-19 pandemic when hurt his infant son.
Charles Medley was sentenced to three years probation with conditions including attending parenting and aggression control classes, The Bulletin reported. Violating the conditions could result in a four-year prison sentence.
Medley pleaded guilty on Monday to three counts of first-degree criminal mistreatment. Medley had no prior criminal record, which attorneys said factored into the sentencing recommendation.
Defense attorney Clark Fry acknowledged his client went from “zero to 60 pretty fast.”
The case came to the attention of law enforcement April 23 when the then-15-week-old child arrived for a checkup at a hospital with injuries including skull and leg fractures and a brain bleed.
At the time, Medley worked the graveyard shift at St. Charles Bend emptying trash containers in the hospital. He told police he was getting less than four hours of sleep a night and was experiencing stress from the child’s birth and isolation related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A psychological exam of Medley found he showed remorse and sympathy for his son and was receptive to undergoing intensive treatment.
Medley was in custody in the Deschutes County jail for 216 days, from his arrest in April until his sentencing Tuesday.
The victim’s mother spoke briefly by phone, asking the judge for leniency. She said her child had fully healed and the Department of Health and Human Services recently closed its case on the incident.
Medley, who appeared by video from jail, said he was remorseful and that he knew there was no excuse for what he did.


washingtontimes--2020-12-03--Attorney: St. Paul officer shot Black man to protect others

ST. PAUL , Minn. ( AP ) - A St. Paul officer who shot and wounded a Black man who was being sought by police when the man emerged naked from a dumpster was trying to protect his fellow officers and himself , according to his attorney .
Anthony Dean ’ s lawyer , Robert Paule , said the man , identified by state investigators as Joseph Javonte Washington , “ claimed to have a gun and had used a knife earlier that evening in a violent assault and rape.
” “ Many attempts by law enforcement to de-escalate the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were unsuccessful and the suspect did not cooperate , ” Paule said in a statement Wednesday .
The Minneapolis Star Tribune and St. Paul Pioneer Press , citing law enforcement sources they did not identify , reported that Dean was fired following Saturday night ’ s shooting .
The officer ’ s race wasn ’ t immediately known .
St. Paul Police Chief Todd Axtell said Tuesday he took “ swift , decisive and serious action ” against the officer , but said state law precluded him from releasing details .
Axtell said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t “ reasonable and necessary ” and the officer failed to measure up to department standards .
Washington , who authorities said was naked and unarmed when he emerged from the dumpster , remained hospitalized Wednesday .
He has been charged with sexual assaulting , kidnapping and assaulting an ex-girlfriend , which led to the manhunt for him in St. Paul .
It wasn ’ t known whether Washington had a lawyer who could comment on his behalf .
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Investigation said there were no weapons found at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dumpster .
In body camera video released by police , and officer attempts to coax Washington out of the dumpster and onto the ground .
He gets out and an officer shouts “ Don ’ t run !
” before shots are fired .
Washington is bitten by a police K-9 and then screams for the dog to get off him .

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - A St. Paul officer who shot and wounded a Black man who was being sought by police when the man emerged naked from a dumpster was trying to protect his fellow officers and himself, according to his attorney.
Anthony Dean’s lawyer, Robert Paule, said the man, identified by state investigators as Joseph Javonte Washington, “claimed to have a gun and had used a knife earlier that evening in a violent assault and rape.”
“Many attempts by law enforcement to de-escalate the situation using a variety of non-lethal methods were unsuccessful and the suspect did not cooperate,” Paule said in a statement Wednesday.
The Minneapolis Star Tribune and St. Paul Pioneer Press, citing law enforcement sources they did not identify, reported that Dean was fired following Saturday night’s shooting. The officer’s race wasn’t immediately known.
St. Paul Police Chief Todd Axtell said Tuesday he took “swift, decisive and serious action” against the officer, but said state law precluded him from releasing details. Axtell said the officer’s actions weren’t “reasonable and necessary” and the officer failed to measure up to department standards.
Washington, who authorities said was naked and unarmed when he emerged from the dumpster, remained hospitalized Wednesday. He has been charged with sexual assaulting, kidnapping and assaulting an ex-girlfriend, which led to the manhunt for him in St. Paul.
It wasn’t known whether Washington had a lawyer who could comment on his behalf.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Investigation said there were no weapons found at the site of the shooting or in the dumpster.
In body camera video released by police, and officer attempts to coax Washington out of the dumpster and onto the ground. He gets out and an officer shouts “Don’t run!” before shots are fired. Washington is bitten by a police K-9 and then screams for the dog to get off him.


washingtontimes--2020-12-03--Tractor driver killed in crash with train in Missouri

BUCKNER , Mo .
( AP ) - A man died when the tractor he was driving was hit be @ @ @ @ @ northwestern Missouri , authorities said .
The crash happened just after 3 p.m. Wednesday in @ @ @ @ @ station KMBC reported .
The Jackson County Sheriff ’ s Office said the man was @ @ @ @ @ tracks when his tractor was hit by an eastbound freight train .
No one aboard @ @ @ @ @ investigators said .
Authorities had not released the tractor driver ’ s name by Thursday @ @ @ @ @ under investigation .

BUCKNER, Mo. (AP) - A man died when the tractor he was driving was hit by a train near Buckner in northwestern Missouri, authorities said.
The crash happened just after 3 p.m. Wednesday in rural Jackson County, television station KMBC reported.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said the man was trying to cross Union Pacific tracks when his tractor was hit by an eastbound freight train. No one aboard the train was injured, investigators said.
Authorities had not released the tractor driver’s name by Thursday morning. The crash remains under investigation.


washingtontimes--2020-12-03--U.S. hits 100K hospitalizations for the coronavirus

U.S. hospitalizations for COVID-19 reached 100,000 for the first time and the nation hit an all-time high for deaths in a single day , according to new figures that show the country is paying the price for widespread transmission .
Pandemic-trackers on Thursday said 2,885 people died of COVID-19 in the U.S. on Wednesday , topping the previous daily mark of 2,752 on April 15 .
The previous record was set during the springtime crush in New York and other Northeast states .
Now , the disease is spreading far and wide across the nation , making it difficult for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Hospitalizations for COVID-19 stand at 100,226 , according to the COVID Tracking Project .
The good news is that a lower share of people who test positive for the disease are dying from it .
The case-fatality rate in the U.S. is at 2 % , down from over 6 % at the start of the pandemic , and a pair of promising vaccines are set for approval later this month .
However , the sheer breadth of transmission means more families will be scheduling funerals while the immunization campaign plays out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ averaging over 164,000 newly reported cases per day , and elevated transmission typically presages an uptick in hospitalizations , which in turn signals an upturn in deaths a couple of weeks later .
That trend is playing out as people gather for holidays or huddle from the cold indoors , adding to the world-leading U.S. death toll of nearly 274,000 .
Dr. Robert Redfield , the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , said the coming months will present the biggest public health challenge the nation has ever faced .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , however .
He implored everyone to wear masks and observe basic mitigation measures like physical distancing and hand-washing .
“ We ’ re not defenseless .
The truth is that mitigation works , ” Dr. Redfield told the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation .
“ But it ’ s not going to work if half of us do what we need to do — probably not even if three-quarters do .
”

U.S. hospitalizations for COVID-19 reached 100,000 for the first time and the nation hit an all-time high for deaths in a single day, according to new figures that show the country is paying the price for widespread transmission.
Pandemic-trackers on Thursday said 2,885 people died of COVID-19 in the U.S. on Wednesday, topping the previous daily mark of 2,752 on April 15.
The previous record was set during the springtime crush in New York and other Northeast states. Now, the disease is spreading far and wide across the nation, making it difficult for over-taxed hospitals to borrow staff from elsewhere.
Hospitalizations for COVID-19 stand at 100,226, according to the COVID Tracking Project.
The good news is that a lower share of people who test positive for the disease are dying from it. The case-fatality rate in the U.S. is at 2%, down from over 6% at the start of the pandemic, and a pair of promising vaccines are set for approval later this month.
However, the sheer breadth of transmission means more families will be scheduling funerals while the immunization campaign plays out over several months.
The nation is averaging over 164,000 newly reported cases per day, and elevated transmission typically presages an uptick in hospitalizations, which in turn signals an upturn in deaths a couple of weeks later. That trend is playing out as people gather for holidays or huddle from the cold indoors, adding to the world-leading U.S. death toll of nearly 274,000.
Dr. Robert Redfield, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the coming months will present the biggest public health challenge the nation has ever faced. He said Americans control their own fate, however.
He implored everyone to wear masks and observe basic mitigation measures like physical distancing and hand-washing.
“We’re not defenseless. The truth is that mitigation works,” Dr. Redfield told the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. “But it’s not going to work if half of us do what we need to do — probably not even if three-quarters do.”
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-03--Obama, Abrams, headlining virtual rally ahead of Georgia runoff races

President Obama and Stacey Abrams are set to headline a virtual get out the vote rally Friday for the Democrats @ @ @ @ @ of seats in the Georgia runoff races next month .
The Jan. 5 runoff races @ @ @ @ @ and Ralphael Warnock against GOP Sens .
David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler , and have @ @ @ @ @ world .
If Democrats win both seats there will be a 50-50 partisan split in @ @ @ @ @ Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris the tie-breaking vote .
President Trump is slated on Saturday to @ @ @ @ @ boosting Mr. Perdue and Ms. Loeffler .
On Friday , Mr. Obama and Ms. Abrams @ @ @ @ @ in the Georgia House and 2018 gubernatorial nominee , will be focused on energizing voters @ @ @ @ @ deadline to register to vote , and reminding them that early in-person voting starts on @ @ @ @ @ hustling to register young voters that were not eligible to vote last month in Georgia @ @ @ @ @ had turning out voters in the Nov. 3 election .

Former President Barack Obama and Stacey Abrams are set to headline a virtual get out the vote rally Friday for the Democrats seeking to flip a pair of seats in the Georgia runoff races next month.
The Jan. 5 runoff races pit Democrats Jon Ossoff against and Ralphael Warnock against GOP Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler, and have the attention of the political world.
If Democrats win both seats there will be a 50-50 partisan split in the Senate, giving presumptive Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris the tie-breaking vote.
President Trump is slated on Saturday to hold a rally aimed at boosting Mr. Perdue and Ms. Loeffler.
On Friday, Mr. Obama and Ms. Abrams, the former minority leader in the Georgia House and 2018 gubernatorial nominee, will be focused on energizing voters ahead of the Dec. 7 deadline to register to vote, and reminding them that early in-person voting starts on Dec. 14.
Democrats are hustling to register young voters that were not eligible to vote last month in Georgia and repeat the success they had turning out voters in the Nov. 3 election.
• Seth McLaughlin can be reached at smclaughlin@washingtontimes.com.


washingtontimes--2020-12-03--Hayes and Trethewey receive Bobbitt poetry awards

NEW YORK ( AP ) - Poets Terrance Hayes and Natasha Trethewey are receiving honors from the Library of Congress @ @ @ @ @ that Hayes ‘ book “ American Sonnets for My Past and Future Assassin ” has @ @ @ @ @ National Prize for Poetry .
Trethewey is being given a Bobbitt prize for lifetime achievement @ @ @ @ @ presented every two years and named for former President Lyndon B. Johnson ’ s late @ @ @ @ @ the awards .
Hayes and Trethewey , who each will receive $ 5,000 , are @ @ @ @ @ s most honored poets .
Hayes won the National Book Award in 2010 for “ @ @ @ @ @ the Pulitzer Prize in 2007 for “ Native Guard.
” She is also a former @ @ @ @

NEW YORK (AP) - Poets Terrance Hayes and Natasha Trethewey are receiving honors from the Library of Congress.
The Library announced Thursday that Hayes’ book “American Sonnets for My Past and Future Assassin” has won the Rebekah Johnson Bobbitt National Prize for Poetry. Trethewey is being given a Bobbitt prize for lifetime achievement. The Bobbitt awards are presented every two years and named for former President Lyndon B. Johnson’s late sister, whose family funds the awards.
Hayes and Trethewey, who each will receive $5,000, are two of the country’s most honored poets. Hayes won the National Book Award in 2010 for “Lighthead” while Trethewey won the Pulitzer Prize in 2007 for “Native Guard.” She is also a former U.S. poet laureate.
Previous Bobbitt winners include Jorie Graham, Claudia Rankine and Gerald Stern.


washingtontimes--2020-12-03--Bangladesh begins relocating Rohingya refugees to island

DHAKA , Bangladesh ( AP ) - Authorities in Bangladesh have begun relocating thousands of Rohingya refugees to an isolated island despite calls by human rights groups for a halt to the process , officials said Thursday .
The United Nations has also voiced concern that refugees be allowed to make a “ free and informed decision ” about whether to relocate to the island in the Bay of Bengal .
The island ’ s facilities are built to accommodate 100,000 people , just a fraction of the million Rohingya Muslims who have fled waves of violent persecution in their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crowded , squalid refugee camps .
On Thursday , 11 passenger buses carrying refugees left Cox ’ s Bazar district on the way to the island , where they are expected to arrive after an overnight stopover , a government official involved with the process said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media .
He said “ a few thousand ” refugees were in the first batch .
Authorities in Cox ’ s Bazar did not say how the refugees were selected for relocation .
About @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cox ’ s Bazar after August 2017 , when the military in Buddhist-majority Myanmar began a harsh crackdown on the Muslim group following an attack by insurgents .
The crackdown included rapes , killings and the torching of thousands of homes , and was termed ethnic cleansing by global rights groups and the U.N. Foreign media have not been permitted to visit the island , called Bhashan Char , or floating island .
It was once regularly submerged by monsoon rains but now has flood protection embankments , houses , hospitals and mosques @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 112 million by the Bangladesh navy .
Located 21 miles ( 34 kilometers ) from the mainland , the island surfaced only 20 years ago and was never inhabited .
Contractors say its infrastructure is like a modern township , with multifamily concrete homes , schools , playgrounds and roads .
It also has solar-power facilities , a water supply system and cyclone shelters .
International aid agencies and the U.N. have vehemently opposed the relocation since it was first proposed in 2015 , expressing fear that a big storm could overwhelm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The U.N. said in a statement Wednesday that it has not been involved in preparations for the relocation or the selection of refugees and has limited information about the overall plan .
“ The United Nations takes this opportunity to highlight its longstanding position that Rohingya refugees must be able to make a free and informed decision about relocating to Bhasan Char based upon relevant , accurate and updated information , ” it said .
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch on Thursday urged the government to cancel the relocation plan .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Cox ’ s Bazar are overcrowded and unhygienic .
Disease and organized crime are rampant .
Education is limited and refugees are not allowed to work .
Still , most Rohingya are unwilling to return to Myanmar due to safety concerns .
Government officials didn ’ t have an estimate of how many refugees would be willing to be relocated to the island .
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has repeatedly told the U.N. and other international partners that her administration would consult them before making a final decision on the relocation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to move .
Bangladesh attempted to start sending refugees back to Myanmar under a bilateral framework last November , but no one was willing to go .
The Rohingya are not recognized as citizens in Myanmar , rendering them stateless , and face other forms of state-sanctioned discrimination .
A U.N.-sponsored investigation in 2018 recommended the prosecution of Myanmar ’ s top military commanders on charges of genocide , war crimes and crimes against humanity for the violence against the Rohingya .
Myanmar is defending itself in the International Court of Justice in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ West African nation of Gambia brought a case backed by the Organization for Islamic Cooperation , Canada and the Netherlands over the crackdown .

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) - Authorities in Bangladesh have begun relocating thousands of Rohingya refugees to an isolated island despite calls by human rights groups for a halt to the process, officials said Thursday.
The United Nations has also voiced concern that refugees be allowed to make a “free and informed decision” about whether to relocate to the island in the Bay of Bengal.
The island’s facilities are built to accommodate 100,000 people, just a fraction of the million Rohingya Muslims who have fled waves of violent persecution in their native Myanmar and are currently living in crowded, squalid refugee camps.
On Thursday, 11 passenger buses carrying refugees left Cox’s Bazar district on the way to the island, where they are expected to arrive after an overnight stopover, a government official involved with the process said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
He said “a few thousand” refugees were in the first batch. Authorities in Cox’s Bazar did not say how the refugees were selected for relocation.
About 700,000 Rohingya fled to the camps in Cox’s Bazar after August 2017, when the military in Buddhist-majority Myanmar began a harsh crackdown on the Muslim group following an attack by insurgents. The crackdown included rapes, killings and the torching of thousands of homes, and was termed ethnic cleansing by global rights groups and the U.N.
Foreign media have not been permitted to visit the island, called Bhashan Char, or floating island. It was once regularly submerged by monsoon rains but now has flood protection embankments, houses, hospitals and mosques built at a cost of more than $112 million by the Bangladesh navy.
Located 21 miles (34 kilometers) from the mainland, the island surfaced only 20 years ago and was never inhabited.
Contractors say its infrastructure is like a modern township, with multifamily concrete homes, schools, playgrounds and roads. It also has solar-power facilities, a water supply system and cyclone shelters.
International aid agencies and the U.N. have vehemently opposed the relocation since it was first proposed in 2015, expressing fear that a big storm could overwhelm the island and endanger thousands of lives.
The U.N. said in a statement Wednesday that it has not been involved in preparations for the relocation or the selection of refugees and has limited information about the overall plan.
“The United Nations takes this opportunity to highlight its longstanding position that Rohingya refugees must be able to make a free and informed decision about relocating to Bhasan Char based upon relevant, accurate and updated information,” it said.
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch on Thursday urged the government to cancel the relocation plan.
The current refugee camps near the town of Cox’s Bazar are overcrowded and unhygienic. Disease and organized crime are rampant. Education is limited and refugees are not allowed to work.
Still, most Rohingya are unwilling to return to Myanmar due to safety concerns. Government officials didn’t have an estimate of how many refugees would be willing to be relocated to the island.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has repeatedly told the U.N. and other international partners that her administration would consult them before making a final decision on the relocation, and that no refugees would be forced to move.
Bangladesh attempted to start sending refugees back to Myanmar under a bilateral framework last November, but no one was willing to go.
The Rohingya are not recognized as citizens in Myanmar, rendering them stateless, and face other forms of state-sanctioned discrimination.
A U.N.-sponsored investigation in 2018 recommended the prosecution of Myanmar’s top military commanders on charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity for the violence against the Rohingya.
Myanmar is defending itself in the International Court of Justice in the Hague, Netherlands, after the West African nation of Gambia brought a case backed by the Organization for Islamic Cooperation, Canada and the Netherlands over the crackdown.


washingtontimes--2020-12-03--Police: Couple flew to Hawaii despite positive virus tests

HONOLULU ( AP ) - A couple was arrested at a Hawaii airport for traveling on a flight from California despite knowing they were infected with COVID-19 , authorities said .
Wesley Moribe , 41 , and Courtney Peterson , 46 , boarded a United Airlines flight to Lihue with a 4-year-old child after San Francisco International Airport officials told them Sunday to isolate themselves and avoid the flight , the Kauai Police Department said .
Police escorted the couple to a designated isolation room after the plane landed , where they were arrested on suspicion of second-degree reckless endangering @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were released after posting $ 1,000 bail each .
The child was released into the care of a family member and the Child Protective Services division of the state Department of Human Services was notified .
Moribe and Peterson took COVID-19 detection tests before the flight as part of Hawaii ’ s pre-travel testing program , officials said .
They both tested positive for the virus and were taken to the San Francisco airport ’ s quarantine station and told not to fly .
“ They knowingly boarded a flight aware of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passengers of the flight in danger of death , ” Kauai police said .
Democratic Gov .
David Ige last week approved Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami ’ s request to temporarily allow the island to opt out of the state testing program .
The policy scheduled to take effect Wednesday requires travelers to Kauai to spend 14 days in quarantine regardless of whether they obtain a negative COVID-19 test .
For most people , the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms , such as fever and cough that clear up in two to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ older adults and people with existing health problems - it can cause more severe illness , including pneumonia , and death .

HONOLULU (AP) - A couple were arrested at a Hawaii airport after traveling from the U.S. mainland despite knowing they were infected with COVID-19, authorities said.
Wesley Moribe, 41, and Courtney Peterson, 46, boarded a United Airlines flight to Lihue with a 4-year-old child after testing positive for the coronavirus while returning home from international travel and transiting between Seattle, San Francisco and Hawaii, the Kauai Police Department said.
The couple took a COVID-19 test in Seattle after returning from abroad, police said, then received their positive results while flying between Seattle and San Francisco.
“The test taken in Seattle returned positive, but the couple was already en route to San Francisco,” a Kauai police spokeswoman said in an email to The Associated Press. “Officials notified the couple of positive test results and directed them to isolate.”
But the two, who had a layover in San Francisco, decided to continue on to Hawaii over the weekend.
According to police, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notified local authorities and upon arrival in Lihue, Moribe and Peterson were met by officials from the Department of Health and Kauai police. They were taken to a designated isolation room where they were arrested on suspicion of second-degree reckless endangering.
Doug Yakel, a spokesman for San Francisco International Airport, said officials at the airport’s quarantine station had no contact with the couple and they did not get tested there.
Perry Cooper, a spokesman for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, said the airport has a vendor, Discovery Health MD, that leases space at the airport for testing and that the company works with the local public health and the CDC for testing processes. The airport was not be involved, he said.
Calls to the CDC and Discovery Health MD were not immediately returned.
United said in a statement that all passengers must complete a checklist confirming they have not tested positive for COVID-19 within 14 days before flying. Moribe and Peterson have been banned from traveling with United Airlines, the statement said.
Moribe and Peterson, who are residents of Wailua on the island Kauai, were released after posting $1,000 bail each.
The child was released into the care of a family member and the Child Protective Services division of the state Department of Human Services was notified.
“They knowingly boarded a flight aware of their positive COVID-19 test results, placing the passengers of the flight in danger of death,” Kauai police said.
Peterson did not immediately return voicemail messages Thursday seeking comment. A phone number associated with Moribe had been disconnected.
Democratic Gov. David Ige last week approved Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami’s request to temporarily allow the island to opt out of the state’s pre-travel testing program after an uptick in travel-related infections on the island. Effective Wednesday, all travelers to Kauai must spend 14 days in quarantine regardless of whether they obtain a negative COVID-19 test.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and 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--2020-12-03--Suspect killed, officer wounded in Florida police shooting

ST. PETERSBURG , Fla. ( AP ) - A 20-year-old man who shot a police officer while resisting arrest was mortally wounded when officers returned fire , a sheriff said .
St. Petersburg police searching for Dominque Daquan Harris found him Wednesday afternoon outside a grocery store , where he refused orders to get out of his car , Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said during a news conference .
“ The officers tried to open the car door and couldn ’ t get it open .
They attempted to get into the car by breaking the car window , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had blocked Harris with their cars , but he hit a cruiser and a pole as he attempted to get away , the sheriff said .
“ As the detective tried to get out of his car , Harris reached out the window of his vehicle with a semi-automatic handgun and fired rounds at the St. Petersburg detective , ” said Gualtieri .
The officer returned fire , hitting Harris .
Other officers fired as well , more than a dozen shots , and Harris was hit multiple times , Gualtieri said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to show the shooting from inside the grocery store , was posted to Facebook .
The officer was struck in the lower torso and underwent surgery , the sheriff said .
“ I would almost call it point-blank range , ” Gualtieri said .
“ He is very fortunate and we ’ re all very fortunate that it wasn ’ t worse , that he wasn ’ t shot in a more vulnerable location.
” Another officer injured her knee and suffered a concussion , the sheriff said .
Harris died a short @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
His family and friends waited for three hours there for updates on his condition , and had not been told of his death before the sheriff announced it during the news conference , the Tampa Bay Times reported .
Word of his death spread through the crowd and was greeted by desperate wails , as people collapsed into sobs on the ground , the newspaper reported .
The sheriff said Harris had been sought on a child abuse charge after slamming a 15-year-old on a basketball court in October .
Sheriff ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Black man , had been jailed for eight months on charges of burglary and fleeing police and violation of parole before being released in July .
Investigators found a firearm and at least one spent shell inside Harris ‘ car on Wednesday , “ providing evidence and proof that Harris was shooting ” at the officer , Gaultieri said .
The officers involved in Wednesday ’ s shooting , whose names haven ’ t been released , will be placed on administrative leave pending an investigation .

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - A 20-year-old man who shot a police officer while resisting arrest was mortally wounded when officers returned fire, a sheriff said.
St. Petersburg police searching for Dominque Daquan Harris found him Wednesday afternoon outside a grocery store, where he refused orders to get out of his car, Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said during a news conference.
“The officers tried to open the car door and couldn’t get it open. They attempted to get into the car by breaking the car window,” Gualtieri said.
The plainclothes officers had blocked Harris with their cars, but he hit a cruiser and a pole as he attempted to get away, the sheriff said.
“As the detective tried to get out of his car, Harris reached out the window of his vehicle with a semi-automatic handgun and fired rounds at the St. Petersburg detective,” said Gualtieri.
The officer returned fire, hitting Harris. Other officers fired as well, more than a dozen shots, and Harris was hit multiple times, Gualtieri said. A bystander’s video, appearing to show the shooting from inside the grocery store, was posted to Facebook.
The officer was struck in the lower torso and underwent surgery, the sheriff said.
“I would almost call it point-blank range,” Gualtieri said. “He is very fortunate and we’re all very fortunate that it wasn’t worse, that he wasn’t shot in a more vulnerable location.”
Another officer injured her knee and suffered a concussion, the sheriff said.
Harris died a short time after the shooting at a hospital. His family and friends waited for three hours there for updates on his condition, and had not been told of his death before the sheriff announced it during the news conference, the Tampa Bay Times reported. Word of his death spread through the crowd and was greeted by desperate wails, as people collapsed into sobs on the ground, the newspaper reported.
The sheriff said Harris had been sought on a child abuse charge after slamming a 15-year-old on a basketball court in October. Sheriff’s office records also show Harris, a Black man, had been jailed for eight months on charges of burglary and fleeing police and violation of parole before being released in July.
Investigators found a firearm and at least one spent shell inside Harris’ car on Wednesday, “providing evidence and proof that Harris was shooting” at the officer, Gaultieri said.
The officers involved in Wednesday’s shooting, whose names haven’t been released, will be placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.


washingtontimes--2020-12-03--County's resolution opposes governor's COVID guidelines

RUSTBURG , Va. ( AP ) - Officials in Virginia ’ s Campbell County have passed a resolution that expresses opposition to the governor ’ s new safety guidelines that aim limit the spread of the coronavirus .
The Lynchburg News & Advance reports that the county ’ s supervisors declared the county on Tuesday to be a “ First Amendment sanctuary.
” The resolution is considered to be mostly symbolic and is similar to a Second Amendment sanctuary resolution that was passed by the county ’ s board more than a year ago .
Gov .
Ralph Northam ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gatherings to no more than 25 people .
It also directs restaurants and bars to halt alcohol sales at 10 p.m. and close by midnight .
The county ’ s resolution claims the Democratic governor ’ s mandate violates the state ’ s constitution and seeks to oppose enforcement of his executive order .
It asks the sheriff ’ s office “ not assist any state law enforcement officer , state health agent or federal agent ” attempting to enforce the order .
The Virginia Department of Health enforces the governor ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Supervisor Steve Shockley said the resolution is a largely symbolic gesture .
And Campbell County Attorney Tripp Isenhour said he still is evaluating the implication of the resolution .
He was unable to say the effect it would have on the county .
County agencies have “ very little role ” in enforcing executive mandates ,

RUSTBURG, Va. (AP) - Officials in Virginia’s Campbell County have passed a resolution that expresses opposition to the governor’s new safety guidelines that aim limit the spread of the coronavirus.
The Lynchburg News & Advance reports that the county’s supervisors declared the county on Tuesday to be a “First Amendment sanctuary.” The resolution is considered to be mostly symbolic and is similar to a Second Amendment sanctuary resolution that was passed by the county’s board more than a year ago.
Gov. Ralph Northam’s executive order limits indoor and outdoor gatherings to no more than 25 people. It also directs restaurants and bars to halt alcohol sales at 10 p.m. and close by midnight.
The county’s resolution claims the Democratic governor’s mandate violates the state’s constitution and seeks to oppose enforcement of his executive order. It asks the sheriff’s office “not assist any state law enforcement officer, state health agent or federal agent” attempting to enforce the order.
The Virginia Department of Health enforces the governor’s mandates, not local law enforcement agencies.
Supervisor Steve Shockley said the resolution is a largely symbolic gesture. And Campbell County Attorney Tripp Isenhour said he still is evaluating the implication of the resolution. He was unable to say the effect it would have on the county.ery little role” in enforcing executive mandates,


washingtontimes--2020-12-03--Grady High panel aligns with students on Midtown name change

ATLANTA ( AP ) - Students at an Atlanta high school named after a white supremacist have chosen a new name for their school , causing a renaming committee to drop its previous recommendation .
With a 61.4 % vote , students at Henry W. Grady High School chose Midtown High School as their new school name , news outlets reported .
The choice of Ida B .
Wells High School received 19.8 % of the vote and the third choice of Piedmont High School received 18.8 % .
District officials said about 46 % of the student body , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appointed by the school board chairman recommended naming the school after Wells , a journalist and civil rights activist whose work exposed racism and lynching in the early 1900s .
Students were allowed to voice their opinion in a vote after critics said the committee disregarded earlier surveys that favored Midtown as the new name , The Atlanta Journal-Constitution previously reported .
After the vote , the committee reconsidered its earlier recommendation Tuesday and unanimously voted on the Midtown name .
“ I think the geographic name seemed to be something that people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and there ’ s certainly a nice culture and history to Midtown as well , ” said board member Leslie Grant , who led the committee .
Ultimately the school board must approve the decision .
The group will meet Monday to consider the Midtown name .
Grady , an editor and part-owner of The Atlanta Constitution , advocated for a “ New South ” after the Civil War , but he also campaigned against equality for freed slaves , saying “ the supremacy of the white race of the South must be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prominently on high-profile Georgia institutions such as Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta and the University of Georgia ’ s journalism school .
Biographies in Georgia often describe Grady with glowing praise , omitting his views about Black people .

ATLANTA (AP) - Students at an Atlanta high school named after a white supremacist have chosen a new name for their school, causing a renaming committee to drop its previous recommendation.
With a 61.4% vote, students at Henry W. Grady High School chose Midtown High School as their new school name, news outlets reported.
The choice of Ida B. Wells High School received 19.8% of the vote and the third choice of Piedmont High School received 18.8%. District officials said about 46% of the student body, 687 students, voted.
A committee appointed by the school board chairman recommended naming the school after Wells, a journalist and civil rights activist whose work exposed racism and lynching in the early 1900s.
Students were allowed to voice their opinion in a vote after critics said the committee disregarded earlier surveys that favored Midtown as the new name, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution previously reported.
After the vote, the committee reconsidered its earlier recommendation Tuesday and unanimously voted on the Midtown name.
“I think the geographic name seemed to be something that people felt safe with and proud of, and there’s certainly a nice culture and history to Midtown as well,” said board member Leslie Grant, who led the committee.
Ultimately the school board must approve the decision. The group will meet Monday to consider the Midtown name.
Grady, an editor and part-owner of The Atlanta Constitution, advocated for a “New South” after the Civil War, but he also campaigned against equality for freed slaves, saying “the supremacy of the white race of the South must be maintained forever.”
His name is featured prominently on high-profile Georgia institutions such as Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta and the University of Georgia’s journalism school. Biographies in Georgia often describe Grady with glowing praise, omitting his views about Black people.


washingtontimes--2020-12-03--Hawaii court ruling closes loophole for aquarium fishing

KAILUA-KONA , Hawaii ( AP ) - The state of Hawaii plans to comply with a court order to close a loophole allowing commercial aquarium fishing despite a previous ruling for the practice to be halted .
The Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources said Monday it will stop issuing commercial marine licenses for aquarium fishing until the completion of an environmental review ordered by the Hawaii Supreme Court , West Hawaii Today reported .
Environmental groups and a individual plaintiffs filed a lawsuit in January alleging the land and natural resources department allowed commercial aquarium @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s order - issuing or renewing at least 72 commercial marine licenses to commercial aquarium collectors .
Environmental Court Judge Jeffrey Crabtree ruled Friday that the department violated the Hawaii Environmental Policy Act by failing to complete the required environmental review process .
The court understands the ruling “ will cause economic hardship to aquarium fishers , their families , employees , and vendors .
That is truly unfortunate , especially during the hardships already occurring from the pandemic , ” Crabtree wrote .
A group of 41 current license holders reporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , state officials said in a statement .
The one-year licenses remain valid because the court declined to issue an injunction stopping the practice .
The state Supreme Court halted aquarium fishing in September 2017 by ruling that fish collection without environmental review violates the Hawaii Environmental Policy Act .
The activity is opposed by some Native Hawaiians and marine conservation groups .
Many reef advocates have urged more state scrutiny for decades .
“ We are relieved that the court shut this illegal loophole so our reefs can finally rest while the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effects , ” plaintiff and Big Island resident Kaimi Kaupiko said .

KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii (AP) - The state of Hawaii plans to comply with a court order to close a loophole allowing commercial aquarium fishing despite a previous ruling for the practice to be halted.
The Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Aquatic Resources said Monday it will stop issuing commercial marine licenses for aquarium fishing until the completion of an environmental review ordered by the Hawaii Supreme Court, West Hawaii Today reported.
Environmental groups and a individual plaintiffs filed a lawsuit in January alleging the land and natural resources department allowed commercial aquarium collection to continue despite the high court’s order - issuing or renewing at least 72 commercial marine licenses to commercial aquarium collectors.
Environmental Court Judge Jeffrey Crabtree ruled Friday that the department violated the Hawaii Environmental Policy Act by failing to complete the required environmental review process.
The court understands the ruling “will cause economic hardship to aquarium fishers, their families, employees, and vendors. That is truly unfortunate, especially during the hardships already occurring from the pandemic,” Crabtree wrote.
A group of 41 current license holders reporting aquarium fish catches will retain their licenses, state officials said in a statement. The one-year licenses remain valid because the court declined to issue an injunction stopping the practice.
The state Supreme Court halted aquarium fishing in September 2017 by ruling that fish collection without environmental review violates the Hawaii Environmental Policy Act.
The activity is opposed by some Native Hawaiians and marine conservation groups. Many reef advocates have urged more state scrutiny for decades.
“We are relieved that the court shut this illegal loophole so our reefs can finally rest while the agency examines the industry’s harmful effects,” plaintiff and Big Island resident Kaimi Kaupiko said.


washingtontimes--2020-12-03--Foxconn not expect to meet hiring goals in next 3 years

MADISON , Wis. ( AP ) - Foxconn Technology Group is not expected to receive tax credits in the next three fiscal years , continuing its failure to meet goals for hiring and investing in its Wisconsin manufacturing complex , according to state officials .
The Department of Administration ’ s projection came in its budget request for the fiscal years 2022 and 2023 .
Administrators say the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. doesn ’ t expect Foxconn to comply with the state agreement that provides up to $ 2.8 billion in tax credits , the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ invest up to $ 10 billion in a Racine County plant that could generate 13,000 jobs and make large LCD screens .
Since then , FoxConn has scaled back its plans to a Gen 6 plant that would make screens for TV ’ s , smart phones and tablets .
In October , WEDC decided not to award Foxconn tax credits because it has made substantial changes in the manufacturing plans for the Mount Pleasant site and was out of compliance with the tax credit agreement .
The agency said Foxconn hired only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 300 million in capital expenditures .
Foxconn is challenging the agency ’ s determination , saying it “ not only deviates from that understanding but also deviates from contractual timelines .
”

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Foxconn Technology Group is not expected to receive tax credits in the next three fiscal years, continuing its failure to meet goals for hiring and investing in its Wisconsin manufacturing complex, according to state officials.
The Department of Administration’s projection came in its budget request for the fiscal years 2022 and 2023. Administrators say the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. doesn’t expect Foxconn to comply with the state agreement that provides up to $2.8 billion in tax credits, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.
In 2017, Foxconn said it would invest up to $10 billion in a Racine County plant that could generate 13,000 jobs and make large LCD screens.
Since then, FoxConn has scaled back its plans to a Gen 6 plant that would make screens for TV’s, smart phones and tablets.
In October, WEDC decided not to award Foxconn tax credits because it has made substantial changes in the manufacturing plans for the Mount Pleasant site and was out of compliance with the tax credit agreement.
The agency said Foxconn hired only 281 eligible employees and made only $300 million in capital expenditures.
Foxconn is challenging the agency’s determination, saying it “not only deviates from that understanding but also deviates from contractual timelines.”


washingtontimes--2020-12-03--NH man arrested twice on same day for assaulting woman

NASHUA , N.H. ( AP ) - A New Hampshire man arrested for allegedly hitting a woman returned to her @ @ @ @ @ that same day after being released from jail , officials said .
Jency Diaz , @ @ @ @ @ was being held Thursday at the Hillsborough County House of Corrections in Manchester after police @ @ @ @ @ woman twice in a matter of hours , WMUR-TV reported .
Diaz was arrested by @ @ @ @ @ 28 for allegedly striking the woman he knows and breaking her phone , according to @ @ @ @ @ later , Diaz was released on $ 200 bail and ordered not to contact the @ @ @ @ @ police Diaz returned to her home , where he punched , slapped , head-butted and @ @ @ @ @ looking into the way the matter was handled .
Diaz is due in court for @ @ @ @ @ in Superior Court didn ’ t indicate whether he had an attorney .

NASHUA, N.H. (AP) - A New Hampshire man arrested for allegedly hitting a woman returned to her home and attacked her again that same day after being released from jail, officials said.
Jency Diaz, 28, of Nashua, was being held Thursday at the Hillsborough County House of Corrections in Manchester after police said he allegedly beat the woman twice in a matter of hours, WMUR-TV reported.
Diaz was arrested by Nashua police early on Nov. 28 for allegedly striking the woman he knows and breaking her phone, according to court documents.
Three hours later, Diaz was released on $200 bail and ordered not to contact the victim. The victim told police Diaz returned to her home, where he punched, slapped, head-butted and whipped her.
Police are looking into the way the matter was handled.
Diaz is due in court for on Dec. 29. Documents in Superior Court didn’t indicate whether he had an attorney.


washingtontimes--2020-12-03--Seattle rents down 20% since start of COVID-19 pandemic

SEATTLE ( AP ) - Rents in Seattle are continuing to decline month after month amid the coronavirus pandemic .
@ @ @ @ @ found that Seattle rents declined 5.6 % month over month and are down nearly 20 @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic in March .
For the past eight months straight , Seattle has seen @ @ @ @ @ Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported .
Median rents in Seattle were $ 1,395 for a one-bedroom and @ @ @ @ @ .
The only city that saw rents decrease more than Seattle since the start of @ @ @ @ @ , where rents have declined about 25.4 % .
Nationally , rents fell just about @ @ @ @ @ and are down about 1.3 % year over year .

SEATTLE (AP) - Rents in Seattle are continuing to decline month after month amid the coronavirus pandemic.
November data from ApartmentList, found that Seattle rents declined 5.6% month over month and are down nearly 20% since the start of the pandemic in March. For the past eight months straight, Seattle has seen its rents fall, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported.
Median rents in Seattle were $1,395 for a one-bedroom and $1,739 for a two-bedroom.
The only city that saw rents decrease more than Seattle since the start of the pandemic was San Francisco, where rents have declined about 25.4%.
Nationally, rents fell just about 0.5% month over month and are down about 1.3% year over year.