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Attorneys make divergent closings in trial of Haitian mayor

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:22 GMT

BOSTON (AP) — An attorney for three Haitian men who claimed in a U.S. lawsuit that the former mayor of their small hometown subjected his political opponents to violence and terror called the defendant “a small, petty tyrant” during closing arguments Monday.But an attorney for the defendant spent his time poking holes in the testimony of witnesses and saying the plaintiffs were motivated by money when they brought the case against Jean Morose Viliena.The case against Viliena, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. who now lives in Malden, Massachusetts, shed light on the broader issue of political violence in the Caribbean nation and its ineffective judicial system.Bonnie Lau, who represents the plaintiffs, asked the jury during closings to award $35 million in compensatory and punitive damages.“We have the overwhelming weight of the evidence in our favor,” she said.Peter Haley, Viliena’s attorney, said testimony from witnesses in the civil suit being heard in U.S. Dist...

Sexual harassment complaint filed against DC mayor’s former chief of staff

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:22 GMT

A sexual harassment complaint has been filed against former D.C. Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development John Falcicchio, who abruptly left his post last week.“We represent an employee of the District of Columbia who came forward to report serious allegations of sexual harassment by former Chief of Staff and Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development John Falcicchio,” the statement from attorneys Debra S. Katz and Kayla Morin said. “It is our understanding that this behavior is longstanding and our client is cooperating fully with the investigation, which Mayor Bowser initiated immediately.”The statement went on to say: “Our client is courageous. She came forward to ensure accountability and protect other women. Given the gravity of our client’s allegations – which involve unwelcome advances and sexual contact – we ask the media to respect her privacy. ”At a news conference earlier Monday, Bowser said an attorney in the Mayor’s ...

Hornets’ Ball anticipates being ready for training camp

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:22 GMT

CHARLOTTE, N.C (AP) — Charlotte Hornets point guard LaMelo Ball said he anticipates being ready for training camp in September after suffering through an injury-plagued 2022-23 season in which he sprained his left ankle three times and fractured his right ankle, all of which limited him to 36 games.Whether he’ll consider wearing ankle braces moving forward remains to be seen.“It’s tough,” Ball said Monday. “I mean probably annoying just going through it, but I’m still alive and stuff like that, so you can’t really be too mad. Just go through the rehab, do that whole process and try to come out on top.”Ball, wearing a walking boot on his right foot and leaning on crutches, spoke to reporters for the first time since undergoing season-ending surgery on his broken right ankle on March 1.The Hornets had playoff expectations this season, but Miles Bridges’ legal troubles over the summer and a series of injuries to key players like Ball, Gordon Hayward, Cody Martin and Kelly Oubre Jr. wre...

Mountain lion attacks man in Colorado hot tub

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:22 GMT

NATHROP, Colo. (KDVR) -- A man was attacked by a mountain lion while sitting in an in-ground hot tub Saturday night, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.The attack happened around 8 p.m. at a home in a heavily wooded area near Nathrop, a town in Chaffee County.The man was sitting in a hot tub with his wife when he felt something grab his head. What are the rules of hunting mountain lions in Colorado? He and his wife began to scream and splash water at the lion. His wife also got a flashlight and shined it on the mountain lion.The commotion and the light caused the animal to retreat about 20 feet away from them. After they kept screaming at it, it moved to the top of a hill and began to watch them.The couple was able to get back into the house and clean the scratches on the man's head.When CPW officers arrived, they attempted to find the mountain lion but were unable to find tracks due to the freezing temperatures and frozen snow on the ground. Dentist searched ‘how to make ...

Former Palmetto Senior High teacher sentenced to 20 years in prison for sexually harassing, abusing female students

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:22 GMT

It was sentencing day for a South Florida teacher who was convicted of crossing the line with a student. Jason Meyers, 47, had already been convicted for sexually harassing and abusing female students. Monday, the former Miami-Dade County Public Schools teacher was sentenced to 20 years in prison with 10 years of probation upon his release.The sentencing came just two months after Meyers was found guilty on three counts of engaging in sex with a minor. The inappropriate behavior happened all while he was a teacher at Miami Palmetto High School.“He used his classroom as a bedroom,” said a prosecutor. “He committed multiple crimes and the state will prove that to you.”The state was able to prove just that.Meyers, who was arrested back in 2016, decided not to take the stand during the trial. Instead, his wife testified on his behalf.Also testifying was one of Meyers’ victims, who said she was silenced by the disgraced teacher.“He told me that I wasn&...

‘Don’t hurt her – she’s my everything’: Authorities search for dog snatched off street in Beacon Hill

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:22 GMT

A search got underway in Boston’s Beacon Hill neighborhood on Monday after witnesses say a dog was stolen right off of a sidewalk.Witnesses said someone grabbed a 10-year-old terrier, jumped into a car and took off while the anima’s dog walker was picking up another pet around noon on the corner of Walnut Street and Mount Vernon Street.The dog’s owner took to social media after this incident, asking for help in finding her animal and appealing to those responsible. “Whoever has her, please don’t hurt her,” Maura Howley said. The dog’s name is Rose McNugget. Howley said she weighs 11 pounds, describing her as “a little terrier mix.” “She’s very sweet,” Howley said. “She’s not aggressive. I’ll give you whatever you want. Just bring her back.”The dog walker, Dominic Mariano, said he had just picked up the dog and tied her to a fence. Rose was with three other dogs while the dog walker was just steps away picking up a fifth dog to add to the pack. Mariano said ...

Grand jury activity continues after Trump’s claim of possible arrest

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:22 GMT

Grand jury activity continued on Monday after Former President Donald Trump said over the weekend that he expected to be arrested on Tuesday in connection with an investigation into alleged hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels. Trump insider Robert Costello arrived at the Manhattan District Attorney’s office on Monday to testify to the grand jury at the request of the Trump legal team. Costello has said he can offer evidence that contradicts when Michael Cohen, a key witness against Trump, has said publicly about alleged hush money payments. Cohen also arrived by car Monday, saying the prosecutor’s office has him on standby to respond to Costello’s testimony. “Sounds like he’s going to be a surrogate for Trump testifying,” Former Federal Prosecutor Shan Wu said of Costello. The continuing activity this week suggests Trump may have jumped the gun over the weekend when he announced on his Truth Social account that he expected to be arrested o...

Winter to Spring

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:22 GMT

Today was the day we turned the page from winter to spring! Well, actually if you’re reading this before 5:24 pm, it’s still **TECHNICALLY** winter. Spring begins at 5:24 this evening.Today reflected the season change perfectly. It was cold this morning! Temperatures fell to the 20s overnight, Jaffrey to the teens even. So this morning did feel a little more winter-like especially with the wind. But this afternoon was definitely a spring feel with temperatures rebounding to the 50s!But the wind wasn’t all bad. That wind was the warm, spring-like air surging back into New England. The strong March sun combined with that wind gave our temperatures quite the turnaround today.Get used to the wind/breeze. It’ll be with us all week — that’s a classic sign of spring in New England.While the breeze is back again tomorrow, so is the sun and warm temperatures. We’ll keep the sunshine, temperatures climb a little higher than today, and the breeze is a ...

DEA warns of spike in fentanyl mixed with xylazine: ‘Making the deadliest drug threat… even deadlier’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:22 GMT

The Drug Enforcement Administration is sounding the alarm on a surge of fentanyl mixed with the animal tranquilizer xylazine, “making the deadliest drug threat… even deadlier.”The DEA issued a public safety alert about a spike in the trafficking of fentanyl mixed with xylazine, also known as “Tranq” — a powerful sedative that the Food and Drug Administration has approved for veterinary use.Xylazine and fentanyl mixtures put drug users at a higher risk of suffering a fatal drug poisoning. Because xylazine is not an opioid, Narcan does not reverse its effects.“Xylazine is making the deadliest drug threat our country has ever faced, fentanyl, even deadlier,” DEA Administrator Anne Milgram said in a statement.“DEA has seized xylazine and fentanyl mixtures in 48 of 50 states,” Milgram added. “The DEA Laboratory System is reporting that in 2022 approximately 23% of fentanyl powder and 7% of fentanyl pills seized by the DEA ...

Free ice cream at Dairy Queen, Rita’s Italian Ice to celebrate the first day of spring

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:47:22 GMT

Do we all scream for ice cream on the first day of spring?If the ice cream is free, then maybe so. Dairy Queen and Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard are giving away cold treats Monday to welcome spring and, theoretically, warmer temperatures.IT'S FINALLY HERE! Say goodbye to winter and hello to GETTING A FREE SMALL CONE TODAY!!! Grab your free cone only at participating DQ locations pic.twitter.com/hwukUFsLbJ— Dairy Queen (@DairyQueen) March 20, 2023Dairy Queen fans can make their way to any non-mall location in the U.S. for a free small vanilla soft-serve cone. The celebration lasts all day but is limited to one cone per person while supplies last, and may not be available on delivery or mobile orders.Everyone's favorite First Day of Spring FREE Ice Giveaway is back, today only! (No app needed.) Plus, enter for a chance to win FREE ICE FOR A YEAR when you download the Rita's Ice mobile app and enter promo code SPRING23 Official rules: https://t.co/pJXy8Xjim...