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Dispatcher testifies that failing radios hampered deputies’ response to Parkland school massacre

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:57 GMT

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — The Florida deputy on trial for allegedly failing to act during the Parkland school massacre and his colleagues were severely hampered by radios widely known to work poorly in that region, the dispatcher who coordinated the response testified Friday before the defense rested its case.Samantha Oakley told former Broward County Deputy Scot Peterson’s jury that — even before the Feb. 14, 2018 murder of 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School — it was known to dispatchers, deputies and administrators that the county’s radio system often failed in Parkland.From the first minutes of the shooting, the system repeatedly failed as more and more deputies tried to radio information as they arrived at the suburban Fort Lauderdale school where Peterson was the on-campus deputy. Instead, the deputies got a tone that was the equivalent of a busy signal.Peterson’s primary defense to the felony child neglect charges is that the gunshots’ echo made i...

Jury reaches verdict in case of former Miami Garden officer accused of placing knee on woman’s neck

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:57 GMT

A jury reached a verdict in the case of a former Miami Gardens Police officer who was accused of placing his knee on woman’s neck.After a two day trial, Jordy Martel, 33, was found guilty of one count of battery with a taser and one count of tresspasing, Friday afternoon. He was found not guilty on three other charges of battery, which included his knee on the woman’s neck, and two counts of official misconduct. The case stemmed from a Jan. 14, 2020 takedown during a confrontation with a waitress over food inside Tootsie’s Cabaret.Martel worked an off-duty security job at the time.

Bill prohibiting marriage licenses to minors signed into law in Connecticut

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:57 GMT

HARTFORD, Connecticut (WFSB) — A bill that bans the granting of marriage licenses to those under the age of 18 was signed into law on Friday.Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, serving in her capacity as acting governor, signed the bill during a ceremony.Bysiewicz’s office said the legislation, Public Act 23-44, was sought by advocates in an effort to prevent children from being forced into marriages. It was part of a growing nationwide movement to enact state laws that prevent minors from being able to marry.The law officially takes effect on July 1.“I am proud that Connecticut has joined its neighbors in ending child marriage and closed a loophole that would allow some to venue shop for marriage in our state,” Bysiewicz said. “When we allow child marriage, we deprive children of their childhood and their future. The legislature has set a number of reasonable restrictions for persons under the age of 18, and through this new law we are eliminating a practice that undermines our childre...

Home Showcase: Ashmont Hill Victorian a classic

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:57 GMT

Tucked into a quiet, residential side street in Ashmont Hill moments from the Ashmont T station is an adorable Victorian with sweet vintage touches and square footage to spare.Located at 51 Mellen Street, the circa-1910 single family is much larger than you’d think — boasting just under 3,000 square feet plus a finished basement. Easygoing landscaping, a fenced-in yard with a patio, and off-street parking complete a family residence that checks off all the boxes.Both well maintained and renovated where upgrades were needed, the home’s unique period character is mostly — and thankfully — undisturbed. You get warm hardwood floors, French doors, bay windows, built-ins, and a welcoming foyer with its intricately detailed staircase.Open up the French doors and the home’s wide doorways and easy flow make it ideal for entertaining. Guests can mill about in the living and sitting room before heading to the formal dining area Here, a decorative fireplace with a distinctive carved mantle adds...

Mets expected to pursue David Stearns again this offseason after Brewers contract is up

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:57 GMT

PHILADELPHIA — They say where there’s smoke, there’s fire and there appears to be some smoke signals coming from Citi Field.The Mets appear poised to pursue Milwaukee Brewers advisor David Stearns to fill the vacant president of baseball operations role after his contract is up at the end of the season. At this point, it’s probably the worst-kept secret in baseball. It’s been widely reported that the former architect of the Brewers will be headed back home to New York to lead the baseball operations efforts of his childhood team. Industry sources have told the Daily News they believe it will happen.The 38-year-old Stearns has long been coveted by the Mets and owner Steve Cohen. A Manhattan native with family in the area, Stearns previously worked for the Mets after graduating from Harvard. Cohen has pursued him in the past, but Brewers owner Mark Attanasio has denied the Mets permission to talk to his former head of baseball operations. Like many owners...

As Biden rallies for abortion rights, conservatives a mile away are pushing a 15-week national ban

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:57 GMT

By COLLEEN LONG (Associated Press)WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is banking on reproductive rights to be a galvanizing issue for voters in the 2024 election as he collects three top-level endorsements, hosts a rally and issues an executive order seeking to bolster access to contraception as the nation marks a year since the Supreme Court decision overturning federal abortion protections.Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday are being endorsed by Planned Parenthood Action Fund, NARAL Pro-Choice America and Emily’s List. The groups are throwing their early support behind the reelection effort in part to highlight the importance of the issue for Democrats heading into the election year, the groups’ leaders told The Associated Press.“I think that President Biden has been an incredibly valuable partner, along with Vice President Harris, in fighting back against the onslaught of attacks that we have seen,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, preside...

Keyshia Cole honors late mother with the naked truth in new Lifetime biopic

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:57 GMT

Vivian Kwarm | New York Daily NewsKeyshia Cole can now add actress to her list of accomplishments.The songstress is making her acting debut in the Jun. 24 premiere of “Keyshia Cole: This Is My Story.” The Lifetime film details the life of the beloved R&B star, specifically diving into her complicated relationship with her late mother, Frankie Lons.Lons died on her 61st birthday in July of 2021after a decades-long battle with drug and substance abuse.While the biopic doesn’t hold back in addressing Cole’s tumultuous relationship with Lons, the Grammy-nominated star explained the main purpose of the movie with three words when speaking with the Daily News at the film’s Jun. 21 premiere screening: “Because of love.”“I’ve done a lot of crying and reflecting and everything like that. For the most part, I think it’s just a reflection of my life and the love I have for my mom and I hate that it ended the way that it did but the truth is this is just my life.”Director of photography Jas...

10 Florida summertime destinations for a relaxing getaway

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:57 GMT

It’s the sweltering summertime in the Sunshine State and many resident Floridians are turning their vacations northward in search of cooler temperatures.But even within a few hours of Orlando, there are pristine beaches to behold, shimmering springs to swim and quirky attractions to explore. Some destinations have history abound, while others have modern local eats and amenities for a comfortable stay.Here are ideas for summer getaways fit for a quick weekend away or a weeklong vacation.Rainbow Springs State Park provides visitors with three manmade waterfalls, a remnant of the park’s private attraction days, near Dunnellon. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)Rainbow Springs/DunnellonNothing helps beat the summer heat quite like taking a dip in crystal-clear 72-degree waters. Visit Rainbow Springs State Park to take a plunge into sapphire-blue springs, which together pump out more than 400 million gallons of water per day. Tubing, snorkeling and paddling are popular activities in th...

How much did Titan search cost? US Coast Guard’s bill alone will be in the millions, experts say

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:57 GMT

By DAVID SHARP (Associated Press)PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The cost of the unprecedented search for the missing Titan submersible will easily stretch into the millions of dollars, experts said Friday.The massive international effort by aircraft, surface ships and deep-sea robots began Sunday when the Titan was reported missing. Searchers raced against a 96-hour clock in the desperate hope to find and rescue the vessel’s occupants before their oxygen supply ran out.But all hope was extinguished Thursday when officials announced the submersible had suffered a catastrophic implosion, killing all five aboard.A scaled-back search remained in place Friday as the robots — remotely operated vehicles, known as ROVs — continued to scan the sea floor for evidence that might shed light on what occurred in the deep waters of the North Atlantic.The search area spanned thousands of miles — twice the size of Connecticut and in waters 2 1/2 miles (4 kilometers) deep —...

Live updates | Unconventional design subjected Titan submersible to more water pressure, experts say

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:30:57 GMT

By The Associated PressFollow along for live updates on the submersible that imploded deep in the Atlantic Ocean, killing all five people aboard during a voyage down to the Titanic shipwreck.___TITAN’S UNCONVENTIONAL DESIGN SUBJECTED CRAFT TO MORE WATER PRESSUREThe deadly implosion of the Titan submersible raises questions about whether the vessel exploring the Titanic wreckage was destined for disaster because of its unconventional design and its creator’s refusal to submit to safety checks that are standard in the industry.The Titan, owned and operated by OceanGate Expeditions, first began taking people to the Titanic in 2021. It was touted for a design that included a carbon fiber composite hull and an elongated chamber for crew and passengers — a departure from more traditional spherical cabin areas and all-titanium construction.Experts say the cabin where people sit in most submersibles is spherical because water pressure is exerted equally on all areas. By co...