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Mother of 6-year-old who shot teacher in Virginia gets 2 years in prison for child neglect

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:15 GMT

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (AP) — The mother of a 6-year-old who shot his teacher in Virginia was sentenced Friday to two years in prison for felony child neglect, nearly a year after her son used her gun to critically wound the educator.Friday’s sentencing was the second time Deja Taylor was held to account for the classroom shooting, which stunned the nation and shook the military shipbuilding city of Newport News.The state sentence she received Friday from Circuit Court Judge Christopher Papile was stiffer than what is called for in state sentencing guidelines and harsher than a joint sentencing recommendation of six months prosecutors and Taylor’s lawyers had agreed to in a plea deal.Taylor was sentenced in November to 21 months in federal prison for using marijuana while owning a gun, which is illegal under U.S. law. The combination of her state and federal sentences amounts to a total punishment of nearly four years behind bars.Taylor’s son told authorities he got his mother’s 9m...

Sunrise man arrested for alleged threats, assault and animal cruelty in Florida Keys

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:15 GMT

BIG PINE KEY, Fla. (WSVN) – A South Florida man is facing charges of assault, battery and animal cruelty following an investigation by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department. MCSO deputies responded to a call on Dec. 11 at a residence in Big Pine Key, where three women reported that Steven Maltese, 28, of Sunrise, had allegedly threatened to kill them. According to MCSO, the incident involved Maltese choking one of the women, pushing them and throwing a coffee mug at them. One victim was transported to Fishermen’s Hospital in Marathon for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.Maltese then allegedly placed a dog in a suitcase with a cloth tie wrapped around its neck before closing the suitcase. The dog sustained no serious injuries.Maltese had reportedly left the scene before authorities arrived, but warrants were subsequently obtained for his arrest. He was apprehended and booked into jail on Friday.

Palmetto Expressway reopens after downed power lines blocked lanes

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:15 GMT

Most lanes on the Palmetto Expressway have reopened following a traffic jam in both directions due to a downed power line on Friday afternoon Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and Florida Highway Patrol arrived at the scene on State Road 826, near Northwest 47th Avenue in the Miami Gardens, after receiving reports of downed power lines that blocked the lanes.7Skyforce hovered over the scene, where northbound and southbound traffic was at a standstill.No injuries were reported. Florida Power and Light crews were seen working on a pole in the area. Please check back on WSVN.com and 7News for more details on this developing story.

Patriots-Chiefs injury report: Bill Belichick adds 2 starters to 7 questionable for Sunday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:15 GMT

The Patriots added starting linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley and defensive lineman Christian Barmore to their final injury report Friday.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Bill Belichick explains Patriots veteran running back’s lack of playing time New England Patriots | Patriots down another starter at Friday practice before Chiefs game New England Patriots | Patriots’ Demario Douglas cleared concussion protocol, trending to play Week 15 New England Patriots | Bill Belichick, Jerod Mayo, Patriots’ defense have something to prove vs. Chiefs New England Patriots | Callahan: What tricks does Bill Belichick have left for Patrick Mahomes? Bentley has a new knee injury, while Barmore, who did not practice, continues to battle a shoulder issue. They were among seven players listed as questionable, including starting left tackle Trent Brown and veteran wide receivers DeVante Parker and Ju...

Shanghai Disneyland sets opening date for Zootopia-themed world

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:15 GMT

Lacey Pfalz | TravelPulse (TNS)Shanghai Disney Resort’s newest land, inspired by the hit Disney movie, “Zootopia,” is officially opening on Dec. 20 as the eighth themed land in Shanghai Disneyland.The park’s approach of being “Authentically Disney, Distinctly Chinese” will combine Disney’s beloved film with Chinese culture, bringing the characters and world to life.The new area, which has been developed over several years, will offer several exciting attractions and experiences Disney fans won’t experience anywhere else.Characters from the film will greet and have fun with guests, who are also encouraged to identify as their favorite animal residents.Additionally, guests will be immersed in a living city, with animals greeting one another and the guests from the windows of Zootopia Park Apartments.Fashions by Fru Fru is where guests can purchase Zootopia-themed merchandise, while the new world will offer several casual walk-up dining options._________©2023 Northstar Travel Media, LL...

‘Reacher’ review Season 2: The big guy is back, guns blazing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:15 GMT

Nina Metz | Chicago TribuneIs Jack Reacher, mountain of a man that he is, the kind of guy who can stroll into any old thrift store and find a pair of jeans that fit, let alone a jacket big enough for those arms? Probably not. But that’s the sly joke of “Reacher,” which is back for a second season on Amazon.Adapted from the book series by Lee Child (he’s written 28 in all), Reacher is an exaggerated cliche of masculinity, letting his muscles do most of the talking (that square jaw is best used for taking punches) and resisting anything so “soft” as putting down roots or (shudders) domestication.If there’s a reason to suspend your disbelief and just go with it, that would be Alan Ritchson’s performance, which allows for flickers of humor and a subtle grin occasionally playing around his lips. Ritchson takes the role seriously, but he’s in on the joke, and it’s a great tonal balance.Which is why he can deliver ridiculous lines without losing the audience. “A hundred thousand years ago,...

Oprah Winfrey reflects on ‘full circle’ journey with ‘The Color Purple’ and turning 70

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:15 GMT

Vivian Kwarm | New York Daily NewsFor Oprah Winfrey, bringing a new adaptation of “The Color Purple” to theaters has been a “completely full circle” moment.Winfrey, who played the role of Sophia in the 1985 film debut, served as executive producer of the new musical version, coming to theaters on Christmas. “What I felt the moment I got the role in ‘The Color Purple’ was, ‘Wow, God can dream a bigger dream for me than I can dream for myself’ because I never thought I was going to be playing a role,” she told The Daily News.The media mogul went on to earn an Oscar nomination for the breakout role. Almost four decades later, she has passed the baton to Danielle Brooks, Fantasia and Taraji P. Henson, who star in the upcoming musical adaptation.Steven Spielberg and Quincy Jones also serve as  producers alongside the Winfrey, which is another full-circle experience for the trio, since Spielberg directed the 1985 film with Jones serving as producer.And Winfrey says “The Color Purple” is s...

A slow cooker is the help you need for this year’s holiday dinner

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:15 GMT

Meredith Deeds | Star Tribune (TNS)Some of the best and most comforting dishes take a long time to cook. With time more precious than ever during the holiday season, meals can add an extra level of pressure. But smart hosts know that a make-ahead plan, with a slow-cooker assist, can be the key to a memorable, relaxing meal.Slow cookers don’t get the respect they deserve. You just put the food in, and the slow cooker does the heavy lifting while you go about your day. Well, almost. To get the best results from a slow cooker, you often need to add a step or two before you hit the power button.In the case of a braise, like this Slow Cooker Spiced Pomegranate Beef Brisket, simply throwing everything into the pot can leave you with a piece of tender but flavorless meat swimming in a watery sauce. This happens because the cooking environment is sealed, and the liquid doesn’t evaporate during the cooking process. So as the beef cooks, and exudes liquids of its own, the flavors ...

Chelmsford native Dan Curran named head football coach at Holy Cross

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:15 GMT

Holy Cross Associate Vice President for Athletics Kit Hughes announced on Friday that Dan Curran has been hired as the Crusaders’ head football coach.Curran replaced Bob Chesney, who took the head coaching position at James Madison after guiding the Crusaders to unprecedented success over six seasons. Chesney was 44-21 overall and 28-4 in the Patriot League, including six straight conference titles.“Holy Cross is truly a special place, one where student-athletes can have an elite academic experience and compete for championships,” said Curran.Curran was an All-Scholastic from Chelmsford who played collegiately at New Hampshire. He spent the last 11 seasons at Merrimack, guiding the program’s transition from Division II to FCS in the Northeast Conference.Curran is the all-time winningest coach in program history with 53 wins while leading the Warriors to the NE title game the past two seasons.RICH THOMPSON

Boston’s ‘electeds of color’ party table posted by mayor

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:56:15 GMT

Here’s the official photo of the no-whites-need-apply Christmas party at the Parkman House Wednesday night.Related ArticlesPolitics | Boston City Hall roiled by email party invitation for ‘electeds of color’ sent to all By my count, the table includes one jailbird ex-con, at least three hacks who’ve been fined by the State Ethics Commission and one who’s been jammed up with OCPF.From left, clockwise: Rep. Samantha Montano; Rep. Russell Holmes (the organizer); Mrs. Holmes; fiance of lame duck City Councilor Ricky Ricardo Arroyo; Ricky Ricardo himself; Suffolk DA Kevin Hayden, who Arroyo tried to fix the 2022 election against with disgraced ex-US atty Rachael Rollins; Mrs. Hayden (woman in blue who covered her face going into Parkman House); City Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune; Ayanna Pressley’s ex-con husband Conan Harris, strangely sitting at the head of the table instead of the mayor; Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins; retiring C...