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Ex-millionaire who had ties to corrupt politicians gets 5-plus years in prison for real estate fraud

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:16:50 GMT

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) — A one-time millionaire real estate developer with past ties to corrupt Connecticut politicians was sentenced to more than five years in prison on Monday for fraud involving a failed hotel-condominium project in Florida and properties elsewhere.Robert Matthews requested a prison sentence of no more than 27 months, but instead got 65 months from Judge Victor Bolden during a hearing in federal court in Bridgeport, Connecticut.Prosecutors said Matthews, of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and formerly of the Connecticut town of Washington, scammed foreign investors out of millions of dollars from 2012 to 2018 while trying to develop the Palm House Hotel in Palm Beach. More than 60 investors contributed at least $500,000 apiece, officials said.Matthews made attractive but false assertions that celebrities and politicians — including former Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton — would be involved in the project, authorities said. Matthews and his co-defendants use...

ACLU of Indiana asks state’s high court to keep hold on near-total abortion ban in place for now

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:16:50 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana asked the state’s high court Monday to keep Indiana’s near-total abortion ban on hold while it pursues a narrower preliminary injunction in a trial court to address the scope of the ban’s exemption allowing women facing serious health risks to obtain abortions.The petition seeking a rehearing will delay the ban from taking effect as soon as Tuesday while the Indiana Supreme Court considers the matter. The ACLU of Indiana’s request comes after the high court ruled on June 30 that Indiana’s Republican-backed ban doesn’t violate the state constitution.The ACLU of Indiana, representing Planned Parenthood and other abortion clinic operators, had challenged the constitutionality of the ban. A county judge later ruled that the ban likely violated the state constitution’s privacy protections.But in its June ruling, the high court struck down the county judge’s injunction that has blocked a ...

Nigerian state relaxes curfew after warehouses and shops are looted

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:16:50 GMT

ABUJA, Nigeria (AP) — Authorities in northeastern Nigeria’s Adamawa state have relaxed a curfew announced in response to what they said was widespread looting of shops and warehouses. The 24-hour curfew has been eased to last only from dusk to dawn, Adamawa Gov. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri said, according to a statement issued by his office.The governor had declared the curfew in response to “escalating violence by hoodlums attacking people and businesses” in the state capital, his spokesperson said in an earlier statement. He alleged the law-breakers assaulted residents in Yola while breaking into businesses and homes and “carting away property.”Several government policies introduced by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, who took office in late May, have further squeezed millions of people battling with hunger and poverty in Africa’s biggest economy. The government ended decades-long gasoline subsidies, more than doubling the price of gas and causing a spike in prices of food and other essen...

Cubs acquire Jeimer Candelario from Nationals

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:16:50 GMT

CHICAGO — Not only are the Cubs not going to be selling at the 2023 Major League Baseball trade deadline, they're actually going to be buyers as they hope to end a three-year playoff drought. The first of those moves went down on Monday, about 24 hours before the deadline. The Cubs have made official the acquiring of third baseman Jeimer Candelario from the Nationals in exchange for minor league left-handed pitcher DJ Herz and infielder Kevin Made..@WGNNews pic.twitter.com/qSXXE2fwOW— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) July 31, 2023The Cubs acquired third baseman Jeimer Candelario from the Nationals in exchange for minor league pitcher DJ Herz, who is currently at Double-A Tennessee, and shortstop Kevin Made, who is currently at High-A South Bend.This is a full-circle moment for Candelario, who returns to the team that gave him his start in Major League Baseball. The Cubs signed him in 2010 as he joined their minor league system before earning his call-up to the majors in 2016. Cand...

Blackhawks announce plans to honor late owner Rocky Wirtz

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:16:50 GMT

CHICAGO — Less than a week after his death, the Chicago Blackhawks have announced plans to publically honor their late owner.It will happen at a place he helped turn into one of the best venues in all of the National Hockey League over the previous 16 years.The @NHLBlackhawks have announced the details for a public memorial to honor late chairman Rocky Wirtz on Wednesday, August 9th at the @UnitedCenter..@WGNNews pic.twitter.com/aSMRVSmKMh— Larry Hawley (@HawleySports) July 31, 2023On Monday evening, the Blackhawks announced plans to honor late chairman Rocky Wirtz on Wednesday, August 9 at the United Center. The event is expected to begin at 11 a.m. and will be open to the public, with first-come, first-serve seating for the formal ceremony. Once completed, the United Center will remain open to fans to pay their respects to the late owner, who died after a brief illness on July 25. Fans attending the event can start doing so at 9:30 a.m. through Gates 6 & 7 on the south s...

Did the government confirm aliens exist?

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:16:50 GMT

(NewsNation) — As in decades past, the question of whether aliens exist continues to captivate Americans. Following Wednesday's widely-watched Congressional hearing on UAPs and UFOs, people flocked to social media — many proclaiming the government confirmed aliens exist. But that's not actually what happened at the hearing. While witnesses and lawmakers discussed the issue of UFOs, the government has not issued any official confirmation of alien life and what was said at the hearing, by witnesses and even a lawmaker, remains unverified. As lawmakers continue to probe the issue, join NewsNation's Brian Entin at 9 p.m. ET Sunday night for a two-hour special report on the hearing, including analysis from UFO experts. Find out how to tune in to NewsNation on your local channel lineup.Here's what we do (and don't) know after the hearing: Whistleblower David Grusch largely recounted second-hand testimony and provided no evidence to support his claims. Grusch is a former member of the UAP ...

New this year at the Washington County Fair? Motokazie motocross racing

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:16:50 GMT

Motocross racing gets a bad rap as the demolition derby of motorcycle racing, but racing dirt bikes and ATVs over hills and humps and around berms at top speeds can be “as safe as you want to make it,” says Cody Slark, the owner of Jordan-based Motokazie Racing.Motokazie races will be the featured event on Friday night at the Washington County Fair in Baytown Township. The fair, now in its 152nd year, starts Wednesday and runs through Sunday.Slark, who started racing dirt bikes when he was 8 years old, said the sport is physically and mentally demanding, “but at this level, it’s more fun than anything else.” And, yes, he stresses, it is safe — even for first-time racers, several of whom will be competing on Friday night. “We have safety guidelines the racers have to follow and protocols in place,” Slark said.Among the obstacles the racers on Friday will face is a 10-foot-high hill that is 60 to 70 feet long, Slark said. Racers will compete in a number of categories...

History of pearl-button industry in Stillwater area subject of talk

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:16:50 GMT

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, clammers would drag 12-foot crowfoot bars along the bottom of the St. Croix River. Mussels, sensitive to disturbance, would clamp tightly onto the hooks.Their shells were harvested and turned into buttons for the St. Croix Pearl Button Co. in Stillwater.Historian Robyn Stoller will discuss the history of freshwater mussels and the pearl button industry in the St. Croix and Mississippi river valleys during a program sponsored by the Washington County Historical Society at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Washington County Heritage Center in Stillwater; the presentation will also be presented virtually on Zoom.The pearl-button industry was short-lived in the Stillwater area. “Advances in plastics technology and mussel over-harvesting led to its early demise, but its history is amazing and includes unique stories of locals ‘making it big’ during the pearl-button boom,” according to a press release from the WCHS.Stoller, a longtime member ...

NYSCOPBA discusses recruitment efforts

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:16:50 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (WTEN) -- Right now, the unemployment rate across New York is four percent, down just a little compared to last year. While that number may be decreasing, certain workforces are feeling the impacts of unemployment the hardest. Our Capitol Correspondent Amal Tlaige spoke with Department of Corrections and Community Supervision to see how the shortage is impacting them. Free Narcan training to be held in Clifton Park "Shortage, statewide for law-enforcement in general, approximately around 2019, 2020 is when that started the numbers have just dropped," said Chris Summers, Executive Vice President for the New York State Correctional Officer and Police Benevolent Association. He said the shortage could be directly related to criminal justice reform that limits the amount of time a person can spend in solitary confinement to a maximum of 15 days, "Our hands have been tied to the new law that the legislators have made, there is no more consequences anymore for them." Summe...

Group of volunteers offers help to first responders during emergencies

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:16:50 GMT

FLORISSANT, Mo. - It takes a team to help in an emergency, from the operators at the 911 center to the EMS, police, and fire personnel who respond.On Monday afternoon in Florissant, the firefighters stocked their coolers before being called to a scene.In certain emergencies, the need for an ambulance and multiple fire trucks may arise. At such times, the first responders require some support, and these individuals are present on the site to provide it.“But on a typical fire, they'll go through that really quickly,” said Danny Cunningham, president of St. Louis First Responder Canteen. “We're usually there about 30 minutes before and after the initial arrival on scene, and when we get there, they've gone through their supplies that they're able to carry.” Overnight carjacking attempt in St. Louis foiled by disconnected battery The St. Louis First Responders' Canteen is a nonprofit organization consisting of volunteers who have undergone community emergency response team training. T...