CityNews Halifax
A Colorado man is charged with arson in a wildfire that destroyed 29 homes
LOVELAND, Colo. (AP) — A Colorado man was charged with arson after an investigation into a wildfire this summer that destroyed 29 homes and caused more than $30 million in property damage, authoriti ...More ...
LOVELAND, Colo. (AP) — A Colorado man was charged with arson after an investigation into a wildfire this summer that destroyed 29 homes and caused more than $30 million in property damage, authorities said Wednesday.
Jason Alexander Hobby, 49, was arrested Tuesday, Larimer County Sheriff John Feyen said. He appeared in court Wednesday on a first-degree arson charge in connection with the fire, which started on a guest ranch where he worked west of Loveland, about 60 miles (97 kilometers) north of Denver.
His bail was set at $450,000.
The fire escaped a fire ring on the guest ranch on July 29, Feyen said. It’s unclear whether it was intentional or accidental, he said. The wildfire, which also damaged four other homes and destroyed 21 outbuildings, burned 15 square miles (39 square kilometers) of land before it was contained on Aug. 17.
The cost to put out the fire was more than $11 million, District Attorney Gordon McLaughlin told the court.
Hobby was fired from his job at the guest ranch after he became a suspect in the fire, Feyen said.
Hobby also is charged with impersonating a police officer, menacing and false imprisonment for allegedly stopping travelers on the guest ranch’s property while driving an SUV designed to look like a law enforcement vehicle. Hobby reportedly represented himself as law enforcement, falsely told individuals they were trespassing, and pointed a firearm at them, investigators said. That happened in March 2023, one of the victims said in court on Wednesday.
Hobby had a pickup truck equipped to look like a wildland firefighter truck and used it to get past checkpoints during the fire, the sheriff said. He is also charged with two misdemeanor counts of impersonating a public official.
Hobby’s bail was initially set at $250,000, but McLaughlin asked for it to be increased to $1 million cash. He said he was concerned Hobby might leave the area and that he is being investigated for fires set in Wyoming. McLaughlin did not say when or where those fires happened and court officials said the affidavit was sealed.
A public defender unsuccessfully argued for his bail to remain at $250,000, saying Hobby had his own business and lived in Loveland with his wife.
Hobby’s next court appearance is set for Sept. 24.
___
This story has been corrected to show the fire destroyed 29 homes, not 26.
The Associated Press
11 Sep 2024 21:39:01
NTV
Your Community: Public Library Launchpads
You can now add educational tablets to the list of things you can borrow from your public library. NTV’s Amanda Mews has the details.
11 Sep 2024 21:38:34
NTV
Backstage Pass: Mount Pearl friends in finale of Amazing Race Canada
The season finale of the Amazing Race Canada aired Tuesday night on CTV with a couple of familiar faces. NTV’s Amanda Mews has the Backstage Pass on two Mount Pearl friends who were vying for th ...More ...
The season finale of the Amazing Race Canada aired Tuesday night on CTV with a couple of familiar faces. NTV’s Amanda Mews has the Backstage Pass on two Mount Pearl friends who were vying for the top spot.
11 Sep 2024 21:38:21
Halifax Examiner
Committee hears about Nova Scotia’s emergency health care hits and misses
In addition to hearing about many improvement measures implemented since February, committee members also heard from one MLA who shared her terrible personal experience with the emergency health car ...More ...
In addition to hearing about many improvement measures implemented since February, committee members also heard from one MLA who shared her terrible personal experience with the emergency health care system.
The post Committee hears about Nova Scotia’s emergency health care hits and misses appeared first on Halifax Examiner.
11 Sep 2024 21:38:19
Winnipeg Free Press
Century-old rivalry games in Week 3? Welcome to the new reality of college football
A matchup between the Big Ten and the Pac-12 traditionally would be a clash of differing styles between schools from the Midwest and the West Coast. Better yet, it could […]
11 Sep 2024 21:36:11
Winnipeg Free Press
Marvin Harrison Jr.’s NFL debut was a letdown, but Cardinals say the production is coming
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Marvin Harrison Jr. had grandiose plans for his first professional football game, one he hoped would be filled with amazing catches, touchdowns and a victory for […]
11 Sep 2024 21:33:20
CityNews Halifax
Former South Carolina, Jets RB Kevin Long dies at 69
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Kevin Long, who played running back at South Carolina before getting drafted by the New York Jets, has died at age 69. The university said Long died Tuesday. Curtis Frye, the f ...More ...
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Kevin Long, who played running back at South Carolina before getting drafted by the New York Jets, has died at age 69.
The university said Long died Tuesday. Curtis Frye, the former track coach at South Carolina who was a close friend of Long, spoke with Long’s wife and informed the university of his death. A cause of death was not provided.
Long, who was from Clinton, South Carolina, played with the Gamecocks from 1973-76 and became the first running back in program history to surpass 1,000 yards in a season with 1,133 in 1975.
Long is 10th on the school’s all-time rushing list with 2,372 yards. He is a member of the university’s athletic Hall of Fame along with the state of South Carolina’s Hall of Fame.
Long was taken by the Jets in the seventh round of the 1977 NFL draft. He played there five seasons, rushing for 2,190 yards and 25 touchdowns. He caught 74 passes for 539 yards and three TDs.
He finished his career in the USFL.
___
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The Associated Press
11 Sep 2024 21:33:18
CBC Calgary
Daily water use in Calgary finally falls to sustainable 'green zone'
Water demand dropped to 481 million litres on Tuesday, the lowest total since the Labour Day weekend and a below the sustainability threshold the city had previously set. ...More ...
Water demand dropped to 481 million litres on Tuesday, the lowest total since the Labour Day weekend and a below the sustainability threshold the city had previously set.
11 Sep 2024 21:31:58
Winnipeg Free Press
Lane Thomas has 4 RBIs to lead Guardians over White Sox 6-4
CHICAGO (AP) — Lane Thomas had four RBIs and the Cleveland Guardians held on behind their bullpen to beat the Chicago White Sox 6-4 on Wednesday for a three-game series […]
11 Sep 2024 21:31:55
Business in Vancouver
'I'm not going to listen to you': Singh claps back at Poilievre ahead of House return
MONTREAL — A battle is heating up between Pierre Poilievre and Jagmeet Singh ahead of the return of the House of Commons next week, as the Conservatives challenge the NDP to help them bring down the ...More ...
MONTREAL — A battle is heating up between Pierre Poilievre and Jagmeet Singh ahead of the return of the House of Commons next week, as the Conservatives challenge the NDP to help them bring down the government.11 Sep 2024 21:31:24
Village Report
'I'm not going to listen to you': Singh claps back at Poilievre ahead of House return
MONTREAL — A battle is heating up between Pierre Poilievre and Jagmeet Singh ahead of the return of the House of Commons next week, as the Conservatives challenge the NDP to help them bring down the ...More ...
MONTREAL — A battle is heating up between Pierre Poilievre and Jagmeet Singh ahead of the return of the House of Commons next week, as the Conservatives challenge the NDP to help them bring down the government.11 Sep 2024 21:31:24
Global News
Over half of Canadians don’t want an early election: Ipsos poll
The Ipsos poll conducted exclusively for Global News found Canadians want opposition parties to work with the government despite persistent low approval for the Liberals.
11 Sep 2024 21:30:45
Winnipeg Free Press
England’s new white-ball era off to shaky start in loss to Australia in first T20 cricket match
SOUTHAMPTON, England (AP) — A new era for England’s white-ball teams got off to a shaky start with a 28-run loss to Australia on Wednesday in the first of three […]
11 Sep 2024 21:30:27
Global News
Cougar that killed Alberta family’s cat returns to house hours later: ‘It was terrifying’
A young cougar that came onto a rural Alberta property on Tuesday afternoon and killed a family's cat returned to the house again later that evening.
11 Sep 2024 21:29:33
Kingstonist
‘No Respite’: hospital unions’ report says without change ‘It’s going to get worse’
A new report finds that Ontario needs five times more hospital beds than the provincial government has planned – and that the province faces a 13,800-bed shortfall by 2032.
11 Sep 2024 21:29:01
CityNews Halifax
Fed official broke ethics rules but didn’t violate insider trading laws, probe finds
WASHINGTON (AP) — A government investigation into Atlanta Federal Reserve President Raphael Bostic’s securities trades and investments has found he violated several of the central bank’s ...More ...
WASHINGTON (AP) — A government investigation into Atlanta Federal Reserve President Raphael Bostic’s securities trades and investments has found he violated several of the central bank’s ethics policies.
The Fed rules violations “created the appearance” that Bostic acted on confidential Fed information and that he had a conflict of interest, but the Fed’s Office of Inspector General concluded there were no violations of federal insider trading or conflict of interest laws, according to a report issued Wednesday.
The probe reviewed financial trades and investments in a roughly five-year period starting in 2017 made by several investment managers on Bostic’s behalf — transactions that in October 2022 he said he had been initially unaware of.
Among the findings, investigators concluded that securities trades were made on Bostic’s behalf multiple times during “blackout” periods around meetings of the central bank’s policy-making Federal Open Market Committee. The investigation also found that Bostic at times did not report securities transactions and holdings, or failed to do so accurately, on annual disclosure forms.
Bostic also at one point was in breach of the Fed’s policy against holding more than $50,000 in U.S. Treasury bonds or notes.
In 2022, Bostic acknowledged that many of his financial trades and investments inadvertently violated the Fed’s ethics rules and said he took action to revise all his financial disclosures.
At the time, the board of the Atlanta Fed accepted Bostic’s explanations for the oversights and announced no further actions.
Still, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell asked the Fed’s Office of Inspector General to review Bostic’s financial disclosures.
The Associated Press
11 Sep 2024 21:28:30
CBC Ottawa
Ottawa prepares for tax hike and major rise in transit levy, fares
Staff in charge of drafting the City of Ottawa's next budget have given councillors only loose directions for filling a major transit shortfall — with a worst case scenario bringing the equivalent o ...More ...
Staff in charge of drafting the City of Ottawa's next budget have given councillors only loose directions for filling a major transit shortfall — with a worst case scenario bringing the equivalent of a 9.9 per cent tax hike.
11 Sep 2024 21:27:57
Winnipeg Free Press
Alberta Premier Smith says she wants Calgary Green Line to proceed as first pitched
LLOYDMINSTER, Alta. – Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she’s committed to Calgary’s multibillion-dollar Green Line light-rail transit project, but as it was originally envisioned. Smi ...More ...
LLOYDMINSTER, Alta. – Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she’s committed to Calgary’s multibillion-dollar Green Line light-rail transit project, but as it was originally envisioned. Smith declined to say how much […]11 Sep 2024 21:26:43
Brandon Sun
Alberta Premier Smith says she wants Calgary Green Line to proceed as first pitched
LLOYDMINSTER, Alta. – Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she’s committed to Calgary’s multibillion-dollar Green Line light-rail transit project, but as it was originally envisioned. Smi ...More ...
LLOYDMINSTER, Alta. – Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she’s committed to Calgary’s multibillion-dollar Green Line light-rail transit project, but as it was originally envisioned. Smith declined to say how much […]11 Sep 2024 21:26:43
Winnipeg Free Press
Canada’s Roger Sloan using analytics to prepare for critical FedEx Cup Fall season
The chase for the remaining PGA Tour cards for the 2025 season begins Thursday at the Procore Championship. Roger Sloan of Merritt, B.C., is one of the players hunting to […]
11 Sep 2024 21:26:17
Brandon Sun
Canada’s Roger Sloan using analytics to prepare for critical FedEx Cup Fall season
The chase for the remaining PGA Tour cards for the 2025 season begins Thursday at the Procore Championship. Roger Sloan of Merritt, B.C., is one of the players hunting to […]
11 Sep 2024 21:26:17
Village Report
Canada's Roger Sloan using analytics to prepare for critical FedEx Cup Fall season
The chase for the remaining PGA Tour cards for the 2025 season begins Thursday at the Procore Championship. Roger Sloan of Merritt, B.C.
11 Sep 2024 21:26:17
Winnipeg Free Press
2 people walk away after a small plane crashes at a Denver-area golf course
DENVER (AP) — A small plane crashed and landed upside down on a Denver-area golf course Wednesday, but both people on board were able to walk away, authorities said. One […]
11 Sep 2024 21:25:29
CityNews Halifax
2 people walk away after a small plane crashes at a Denver-area golf course
DENVER (AP) — A small plane crashed and landed upside down on a Denver-area golf course Wednesday, but both people on board were able to walk away, authorities said. One person who had minor injurie ...More ...
DENVER (AP) — A small plane crashed and landed upside down on a Denver-area golf course Wednesday, but both people on board were able to walk away, authorities said.
One person who had minor injuries did not want to be taken to the hospital, South Metro Fire Rescue said in a post on the social platform X. The second person didn’t suffer any injuries, it said.
The Cessna 172 crashed shortly after taking off from Centennial Airport, about 5 miles (8kilometers) north of Meridan Golf Club, South Metro Fire Rescue said. It landed near the seventh hole, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said.
The crash will be investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration, the sheriff’s office and fire rescue said.
The Associated Press
11 Sep 2024 21:25:29
Sherbrooke Record
Just plane fun
Local George Weller’s Annual Fly-In to take off for the 14th time By William Crooks Local Journalism Initiative George Weller, a well-known figure in Stanstead’s aviation and farming communiti ...More ...
Local George Weller’s Annual Fly-In to take off for the 14th time
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
George Weller, a well-known figure in Stanstead’s aviation and farming communities, is preparing for his 14th Annual Fly-In, which will take place on Sept. 14. This event, which has grown in popularity over the years, brings together aviation enthusiasts, pilots, and members of the local community for a day of flying, food, and conversation at Weller’s private airfield. What started as a small gathering has expanded significantly, now attracting pilots from across Quebec, Ontario, and even further afield.
In a Sept. 9 interview, Weller shared how his love for flying started in the 1960s while he was working at a paper mill in Wisconsin. “I started flying when I was in Wisconsin at a paper mill, working for a big company,” Weller recalled. After moving to Stanstead in 1970, he became more serious about aviation. His journey took a significant turn in 1980. “I found a wrecked airplane at Newport Airport and bought it. My wife and I, along with my oldest son, fixed it up.”
That airplane, a 1946 Aeronca Champ, became a symbol of Weller’s passion for aviation. The process of rebuilding it not only rekindled his love for flying but also inspired his son. “He went on [to become] an aeronautical engineer,” Weller said proudly.
Weller’s airfield, located at his farm near Stanstead, has grown over the years, largely due to his own hard work and resourcefulness. “I brought the plane back to my field because I didn’t want to pay rent at the airport in Newport. Over time, it took me 10 years to build [my] airport,” he said. Since then, Weller has extended his runway and transformed the airfield into a hub for local aviation activities.
In an email sent ahead of the event, Weller shared more details about the Fly-In, which has become a highlight of the year for many local and visiting pilots. “In the past, there were about 20 or 30 planes that would fly in. Recently, there’s been around 60 planes,” Weller noted. Visitors can expect a wide variety of aircraft, including certified planes, home-built airplanes, and even gyrocopters. “We’ve had all sorts of planes here—everything from single-engine planes to experimental aircraft,” Weller shared. He recalled one of the more unique visitors to the airfield: a Russian Antonov with a 1,200-horsepower radial engine. “That plane could carry a ton or more,” Weller noted.
Despite its status as a private airfield, Weller welcomes pilots to land at his farm, although they must agree to take personal responsibility for their safety. “People are welcome to come, ” Weller explained, “They have to agree that they’re responsible for anything that happens.” For those who appreciate Weller’s hospitality, a donation mailbox is located on the hangar door.
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L’article Just plane fun est apparu en premier sur Sherbrooke Record.
11 Sep 2024 21:25:23
Swift Current Online
The Big One is fast approaching, with only a week to go
A line up of classic pickup trucks at the end of last night's Taillight Tuesday. (photo by Hayden Michaels).captiontext { font-size:90%;font-style: italic;margin-right:20px; } With a week to go until ...More ...
With a week to go until The Big One returns, Taillight Tuesday is really starting to heat up.
The parking lot at the Living Sky Casino was packed again last night, with people coming from as far as Maple Creek and further beyond to attend the weekly show n' shine.
For both Cory Schultz and Dustin Vipond, two of the co-founding members of the Rogue Cruisers car club, the success of the event is evident in how there is always something new parked at each show.
"We've had guys come out from Alberta and B.C. and places like Assiniboia for the evening," said Schultz. "So if you're ready for it next week is The Big One."
Last year, The Big One set a record for the largest car show in Swift Current history with over 300 cars in attendance. This year, things are shaping up to be The Even Bigger One, as folks have already booked hotels and pre-registered their entrees.
Vipond has confirmed that, unlike last year, they have secured the entire parking lot at the Living Sky Casino for The Big One. Alternative parking will be available at both Wholesale Foods and The Brick Parking lot nearby.
"Dustin's been working hard," credited Schultz. "We've got a good crew of guys picking up door prizes and the community support again has been just fantastic. They're more than willing to help us out and they have been."
Joining the Rogue Cruisers at Taillight Tuesdays for the entire month of September is the Southwest Faciltiy Foundation. The SWFF has been raising proceeds for its campaign to help fund a new aquatic centre for Swift Current, which would also double as an indoor track and field facility.
So far, donations have been steadily coming in from people attending the weekly version of Taillight Tuesday. The Big One is shaping up to be perhaps the biggest night ever as the crowd is expected to be in the hundreds, all potentially able to donate to the cause.
"The table was always busy, and it looked like lots of donations for them," said Vipond. "They looked pretty happy."
Everyone who comes out will be able to buy hotdogs from the Living Sky Casino team, who will be grilling up a storm. Last year, the hotdogs sold out so fast they had to run and buy more boxes. This year, they are armed to the spatula with buns, dogs, and condiments.
As always, even for The Big One, next Tuesday's car show will be completely free to enter. All they ask is for people to donate what they can spare to the SWFF. The show will start at 3 p.m. next Tuesday, Sept. 17. The show will be officially done at 9 p.m., hopefully marking a second great entry into Taillight Tuesday's The Big One.
11 Sep 2024 21:24:52
Swift Current Online
The Big One is fast approaching, with only a week to go
A line up of classic pickup trucks at the end of last night's Taillight Tuesday. (photo by Hayden Michaels).captiontext { font-size:90%;font-style: italic;margin-right:20px; } With a week to go until ...More ...
With a week to go until The Big One returns, Taillight Tuesday is really starting to heat up.
The parking lot at the Living Sky Casino was packed again last night, with people coming from as far as Maple Creek and further beyond to attend the weekly show n' shine.
For both Cory Schultz and Dustin Vipond, two of the co-founding members of the Rogue Cruisers car club, the success of the event is evident in how there is always something new parked at each show.
"We've had guys come out from Alberta and B.C. and places like Assiniboia for the evening," said Schultz. "So if you're ready for it next week is The Big One."
Last year, The Big One set a record for the largest car show in Swift Current history with over 300 cars in attendance. This year, things are shaping up to be The Even Bigger One, as folks have already booked hotels and pre-registered their entrees.
Vipond has confirmed that, unlike last year, they have secured the entire parking lot at the Living Sky Casino for The Big One. Alternative parking will be available at both Wholesale Foods and The Brick Parking lot nearby.
"Dustin's been working hard," credited Schultz. "We've got a good crew of guys picking up door prizes and the community support again has been just fantastic. They're more than willing to help us out and they have been."
Joining the Rogue Cruisers at Taillight Tuesdays for the entire month of September is the Southwest Faciltiy Foundation. The SWFF has been raising proceeds for its campaign to help fund a new aquatic centre for Swift Current, which would also double as an indoor track and field facility.
So far, donations have been steadily coming in from people attending the weekly version of Taillight Tuesday. The Big One is shaping up to be perhaps the biggest night ever as the crowd is expected to be in the hundreds, all potentially able to donate to the cause.
"The table was always busy, and it looked like lots of donations for them," said Vipond. "They looked pretty happy."
Everyone who comes out will be able to buy hotdogs from the Living Sky Casino team, who will be grilling up a storm. Last year, the hotdogs sold out so fast they had to run and buy more boxes. This year, they are armed to the spatula with buns, dogs, and condiments.
As always, even for The Big One, next Tuesday's car show will be completely free to enter. All they ask is for people to donate what they can spare to the SWFF. The show will start at 3 p.m. next Tuesday, Sept. 17. The show will be officially done at 9 p.m., hopefully marking a second great entry into Taillight Tuesday's The Big One.
11 Sep 2024 21:24:52
Winnipeg Free Press
The NFLPA would like to see more consistency when it comes to playing surfaces at home and abroad
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The NFL Players Association would like to have more consistency in what kind of turf its members play on, be it at home or overseas. NFLPA executive […]
11 Sep 2024 21:24:05
Sherbrooke Record
North Hatley town council meeting highlights
Invasive species, zoning changes, Beach House resolutions, and reported squatters By William Crooks Local Journalism Initiative The North Hatley Town Council’s monthly public meeting on Sept. 9, pre ...More ...
Invasive species, zoning changes, Beach House resolutions, and reported squatters
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
The North Hatley Town Council’s monthly public meeting on Sept. 9, presided over by Mayor Marcella Davis-Gerrish, focused on a variety of important local issues. These included a new invasive species bylaw, a zoning change for the Interfaith Centre, resolutions on the new Pleasant View Beach House, and concerns over squatters near a local dental clinic. These topics sparked lively discussion in the small hall adjoining Sainte-Élisabeth Church, highlighting the Council’s ongoing efforts to address environmental protection, community safety, and infrastructure development.
New invasive species bylaw
The Council passed a bylaw targeting invasive and exotic species in the municipality, aiming to protect both public and private properties from species that could damage the local ecosystem. This legislation stems from regional MRC guidelines and is part of a broader environmental strategy. Under the new bylaw, property owners are responsible for removing invasive species from their land at their own expense, while the town will offer guidance and resources to assist with identification and management.
A few residents raised concerns about the costs associated with compliance, particularly for larger properties. One resident questioned the effectiveness of enforcement, citing past difficulties the town has had in implementing similar regulations. A member of the Council acknowledged these concerns but stressed that the town is committed to better enforcement this time around. Education campaigns are planned to help residents understand their responsibilities under the bylaw and how they can contribute to the overall health of the local environment.
The Council emphasized that the bylaw is a proactive measure, designed to prevent the kinds of environmental damage seen in other regions where invasive species were allowed to spread unchecked. Specific species covered by the bylaw will be identified in a list provided by the MRC, and property owners will be informed about best practices for removal. The Council assured residents that enforcement will be accompanied by town-led initiatives to address invasive species on public lands, setting an example for private landowners.
Interfaith Centre zoning change
The potential rezoning of the Interfaith Centre at 124 Church was another key topic of discussion. The current owner said he has been seeking a zoning change for over 14 years, hoping to convert the building from its current designation as a place of worship to a commercial property. The owner explained that dwindling congregation numbers and rising maintenance costs have made it impossible to continue using the building for its original purpose.
Several residents voiced concerns about rezoning the property before the town completes its master plan for the village center. One resident, who has been involved in local planning efforts, urged the Council to delay the decision, arguing that the rezoning should be considered as part of a broader strategy for the area’s development. The resident pointed out that hasty zoning changes could lead to disjointed growth and that the Interfaith Centre’s historical significance should be factored into any future plans.
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L’article North Hatley town council meeting highlights est apparu en premier sur Sherbrooke Record.
11 Sep 2024 21:24:05
CityNews Halifax
Court won’t allow public money to be spent on private schools in South Carolina
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina’s law allowing parents to spend taxpayer money on private schools violates the constitution, the state’s highest court ruled Wednesday. The 3-2 ruli ...More ...
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina’s law allowing parents to spend taxpayer money on private schools violates the constitution, the state’s highest court ruled Wednesday.
The 3-2 ruling prohibits paying tuition or fees with “Education Scholarship Trust Funds,” but it does allow parents to use that money for indirect private expenses like tutoring, textbooks and other educational material.
Nearly 3,000 students have already been awarded $1,500 each under the program. The court won’t require it be paid back if spent on private school tuition or fees. The case was argued before the high court in March, well before the money was distributed.
The South Carolina law is part of a nationwide movement. Groups that study the programs report that at least 16 states have some form of the vouchers.
The South Carolina case centered on part of the state constitution that says “no money shall be paid from public funds nor shall the credit of the State or any of its political subdivisions be used for the direct benefit of any religious or other private educational institution.”
Lawyers who think the program is illegal said giving the private schools public money is a direct benefit even if the program allows students to pay fees or transportation to attend a public school outside of their district.
“A parent who chooses to use a scholarship to pay their child’s private school tuition is undoubtedly using public funds to provide a direct benefit to the private school,” wrote Justice Gary Hill in his first major opinion since joining the court a year ago.
Hill’s sharply written ruling tracked the history of why South Carolina voters had to amend their constitution in 1972 to affirm the right of a free public school education for all children after state lawmakers spent two decades trying to keep Black children from going to school with white children through a flurry of maneuvers and proposals including eliminating public school entirely.
“Our General Assembly knew how to draft an amendment to present to the people that would allow public funding for private schools, but it did not,” Hill wrote of lawmakers more than 50 years ago.
Supporters of the now overturned law said putting the money into a trust fund was key. The money goes to parents, who get to make a decision on where to spend it instead of state government directly paying the private schools themselves.
In a dissent, Chief Justice John Kittredge said the ruling ignores the broad power South Carolina’s Legislature has to create policy.
“The literary style of the majority opinion may be appealing, but its underlying rationale is anathema to the rule of law,” Kittredge wrote.
The chief justice also suggested other programs where private money goes toward public education institutions like college scholarships paid with money from the state lottery or the pre-kindergarten program First Steps.
Hill responded in his decision those programs have a different structure than the trust fund driven vouchers.
Supporters of the law can appeal. They also could attempt in 2025 or beyond to put a constitutional amendment before voters eliminating the constitutional provision, but fears that getting a majority vote could be tricky prevented them from trying that the first time.
“Families cried tears of joy when the scholarship funds became available for their children, and today’s Supreme Court ruling brings those same families tears of devastation,” Republican State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver said in a statement that promised to work to find a way to get the program started again.
Republican Gov. Henry McMaster said the state will ask the state Supreme Court to reconsider its ruling because it “may have devastating consequences for thousands of low-income families.”
The decision goes against what lawmakers saw in past court opinions, said Republican Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey.
“The Court changed the rules, and poor children lose,” Massey said in a statement.
The new law allowed vouchers of up to $6,000 for as many as 5,000 students a year, eventually expanding to about 15,000 students, or about 2% of the statewide school age population. Only families making under about $120,000 could get the assistance.
Allowing parents to spend public money on private schools has been a two-decade effort that ran through three governors, four House speakers and five education superintendents in a state where Republicans have been consolidating and expanding their power.
Jeffrey Collins, The Associated Press
11 Sep 2024 21:21:06
Global News
TIFF stands by ‘Russians at War’ doc after TVO pulls support amid outcry
The festival defended its inclusion and screening of the documentary on free speech grounds, after documentary filmmakers expressed outrage over TVO's decision.
11 Sep 2024 21:20:38
Nunatsiaq News
Cruise ship worker charged with child pornography offences appears in Iqaluit court
An employee of a cruise ship on Frobisher Bay who was arrested after allegedly being found with child pornography appeared in an Iqaluit courtroom Wednesday. Akshay Somaroo, 31, a Mauritian national, ...More ...
An employee of a cruise ship on Frobisher Bay who was arrested after allegedly being found with child pornography appeared in an Iqaluit courtroom Wednesday.
Akshay Somaroo, 31, a Mauritian national, was arrested aboard the ship on Sept. 1 as part of a joint operation by the RCMP and Canada Border Services Agency with support from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, an RCMP news release issued Wednesday said.
Somaroo is charged with one count each of possession of child pornography and importation of child pornography.
The pornography was allegedly found by CBSA officers during a routine customs examination on the ship after it arrived in Frobisher Bay.
Somaroo, who appeared in court before justice of the peace Nicol Sikma, remains in custody. Somaroo did not enter a plea.
The Crown investigation is ongoing but there aren’t any “named victims” in the case, Crown prosecutor Emma Baasch said in court.
In an interview outside court, Baasch confirmed Somaroo had been working on board the World Explorer ship.
The World Explorer is operated by Quark Expeditions, a travel company based in Seattle, Wash. According to its website, the 126-metre-long ship can accommodate up to 172 passengers and carries a staff and crew of 130.
A spokesperson for Quark Expeditions did not respond to a request for comment for this story.
Somaroo is ineligible to receive legal aid. However, defence lawyer Alison Crowe said in court that she will be “reaching out” to apply to have his legal fees covered.
Somaroo’s next court date, before a judge, is scheduled for Oct. 8 in Iqaluit.
11 Sep 2024 21:18:43
Winnipeg Free Press
Fake taxi scam rolls into city
A fake taxi scam has popped up in Winnipeg, prompting a warning from police, after unsuspecting victims in other Canadian cities were bilked out of millions of dollars. City police […]
11 Sep 2024 21:18:42
CityNews Halifax
Kamala Harris, gun owner, talks firearms at debate
WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris surprised some viewers during her debate with Donald Trump when she said that she’s a gun owner, raising the fact to counter her Republican oppon ...More ...
WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris surprised some viewers during her debate with Donald Trump when she said that she’s a gun owner, raising the fact to counter her Republican opponent’s accusation that she wants to confiscate firearms.
“Tim Walz and I are both gun owners,” Harris said, referencing her running mate. “We’re not taking anybody’s guns away.”
Harris previously talked about owning a gun in 2019 during her first campaign for president.
“I am a gun owner, and I own a gun for probably the reason a lot of people do — for personal safety,” Harris previously said. “I was a career prosecutor.”
At the time, her campaign said that Harris purchased a handgun years earlier and kept it locked up. A spokesperson did not provide any additional details when asked on Tuesday.
The exchange about gun ownership came as Trump tried to paint Harris, who started her political career as a San Francisco district attorney, as radically liberal.
“She is destroying our country,” he said. “She has a plan to defund the police. She has a plan to confiscate everybody’s gun. She has a plan to not allow fracking in Pennsylvania or anywhere else.”
Harris rebutted each of Trump’s allegations, adding that he should “stop with the continuous lying about this stuff.”
Walz, the Minnesota governor, has also talked about gun ownership and boasted of his marksmanship.
Republicans frequently describe Democrats as a threat to the second amendment, while Democrats describe their proposals as common sense measures to protect public safety.
Harris has called for implementing universal background checks and expanding red flag laws to take away guns from people who are deemed dangerous or unstable. She also wants to ban so-called assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
Chris Megerian, The Associated Press
11 Sep 2024 21:18:07
CityNews Halifax
PHOTO COLLECTION: Mexico Judicial Reform
This is a collection of photos chosen by AP photo editors. The Associated Press ...More ...
This is a collection of photos chosen by AP photo editors.
The Associated Press
11 Sep 2024 21:18:04
Winnipeg Free Press
Former South Carolina, Jets RB Kevin Long dies at 69
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Kevin Long, who played running back at South Carolina before getting drafted by the New York Jets, has died at age 69. The university said Long […]
11 Sep 2024 21:17:46
CityNews Halifax
Former South Carolina, Jets RB Kevin Long dies at 69
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Kevin Long, who played running back at South Carolina before getting drafted by the New York Jets, has died at age 69. The university said Long died Tuesday. Curtis Frye, the f ...More ...
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Kevin Long, who played running back at South Carolina before getting drafted by the New York Jets, has died at age 69.
The university said Long died Tuesday. Curtis Frye, the former track coach at South Carolina who was a close friend of Long, spoke with Long’s wife and informed the university of his death. A cause of death was not provided.
Long, who was from Clinton, South Carolina, played with the Gamecocks from 1973-76 and became the first running back in program history to surpass 1,000 yards in a season with 1,133 in 1975.
Long is 10th on the school’s all-time rushing list with 2,372 yards. He is a member of the university’s athletic Hall of Fame along with the state of South Carolina’s Hall of Fame.
Long was taken by the Jets in the seventh round of the 1977 NFL draft. He played there five seasons, rushing for 2,190 yards and 25 touchdowns. He caught 74 passes for 539 yards and three TDs.
He finished his career in the USFL.
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The Associated Press
11 Sep 2024 21:17:46
Winnipeg Free Press
Laura Loomer, who promoted a 9/11 conspiracy theory, joins Trump for ceremonies marking the attacks
Laura Loomer, a right-wing activist who posted last year that 9/11 was an “inside job,” joined Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in New York and Pennsylvania on Wednesday as he ...More ...
Laura Loomer, a right-wing activist who posted last year that 9/11 was an “inside job,” joined Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in New York and Pennsylvania on Wednesday as he […]11 Sep 2024 21:17:43
CityNews Halifax
Laura Loomer, who promoted a 9/11 conspiracy theory, joins Trump for ceremonies marking the attacks
Laura Loomer, a right-wing activist who posted last year that 9/11 was an “inside job,” joined Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in New York and Pennsylvania on Wednesday as he ...More ...
Laura Loomer, a right-wing activist who posted last year that 9/11 was an “inside job,” joined Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump in New York and Pennsylvania on Wednesday as he commemorated the anniversary of the attacks.
The 31-year-old provocateur and influencer posted photos from ground zero and shared a video of Trump talking with firefighters in Lower Manhattan on Wednesday morning, writing, “They were thrilled to see him.” She also accompanied the former president to Shanksville, Pennsylvania, where one of the planes crashed 23 years ago after crew members and passengers fought back against the hijackers.
“HAPPENING NOW: President Trump just visited the Shanksville Fire Department after visiting the memorial site of United Flight 93 and meeting with family members of 9/11 terrorist attack victims in Shanksville, Pennsylvania,” she posted on X on Wednesday afternoon. “NEVER FORGET!”
Loomer said in a text message to The Associated Press that she doesn’t work for the Trump campaign and that she was “invited as a guest.” She did not respond to questions about her past statements about 9/11. The Trump campaign did not respond to requests for comment on Loomer’s inclusion in the commemorative events.
Loomer was also spotted departing Trump’s plane when he landed in Philadelphia for Tuesday’s debate.
Trump has a long history of elevating and associating with people who trade in falsehoods and conspiracy theories, and he regularly amplifies posts on his social media site shared by those like Loomer, who promote QAnon, an apocalyptic and convoluted conspiracy theory centered on the belief that Trump is fighting the “deep state.” During the debate, Trump pushed baseless claims about migrants stealing and eating cats and dogs and later defended his comments by saying he was repeating things he’d seen on TV.
She frequently makes anti-Islam and anti-immigrant posts on social media and has been targeting Trump’s Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, with vile racist and sexist attacks. Last year, she shared a video on X that said “9/11 was an Inside Job!” and claimed it was somehow related to then-Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld’s announcing $2.3 trillion in “lost” government funds on Sept. 10, 2001.
The post misrepresented Rumsfeld’s remarks, which were about a challenge in tracking funds due to outdated technology. The day before 9/11 was not the first time the problem had been discussed.
The conspiracy theory that U.S. officials are hiding information about the Sept. 11 attacks or were somehow involved in the planning has taken hold among a segment of determined “truthers,” but many of their most prevalent claims have fallen apart upon further scrutiny.
Loomer’s stepped-up presence in Trump’s entourage comes as he has made a number of staff changes in recent weeks, including bringing back veterans of his 2016 and 2020 campaigns, like former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski. Lewandowski was known for the mantra “Let Trump be Trump.”
She has long served as one of Trump’s fiercest supporters in the Make America Great Again wing of the Republican Party. She led attacks against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Trump’s behalf during the primary phase of the 2024 campaign and has been deeply involved in pro-Trump politics — and the more extreme elements it has attracted — for years.
Some Trump allies would prefer the former president to distance himself from Loomer, but Trump has welcomed her as a semi-regular presence in recent months.
When she ran as a Republican for Congress in Florida in 2020, Loomer celebrated her primary win at a party attended by controversial figures including Gavin McInnes, the founder of the far-right extremist group the Proud Boys. She later lost the 2020 House race to Democrat Lois Frankel. She also ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2022.
The Associated Press
11 Sep 2024 21:17:43
Village Report
US and UK pledge almost $1.5B in aid for Ukraine during diplomats' visit to Kyiv
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The United States and Britain pledged nearly $1.
11 Sep 2024 21:17:28
Swift Current Online
Farm-based group homes to be constructed in Biggar
Farm in the Dell is set to open its second set of group homes. (Photo courtesy of Farm in the Dell website).captiontext { font-size:90%;font-style: italic;margin-right:20px; } A farm setting in Biggar ...More ...
A farm setting in Biggar will soon be established with two new group homes and day programming for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
The pair of five-bedroom homes and 96 acres of land, donated by the town of Biggar, will be operated by Farm in the Dell. The non-profit organization already runs a similar type of operation in Aberdeen.
"We have forever dreamt of expanding to other locations in the province," Farm in the Dell Executive Director Lynette Zacharias said. "We are thankful for the Government of Saskatchewan's support of this dream and look forward to partnering with the government to make this farm a reality. This will provide meaningful and productive work and a safe place to call home for many individuals in the community."
The provincial government announced on Monday that the Ministry of Social Services would provide $1.35 million in annual funding for the Biggar development, bringing their financial commitment toward Farm in the Dell to $3.05 million yearly.
"We are proud to partner with Farm in the Dell and the Town of Biggar to develop these new homes and programming," Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said. "We are committed to safe and affordable communities by ensuring that individuals with intellectual disabilities receive the necessary support for their physical, emotional, and social wellbeing, empowering them to live as independently as possible."
In addition to donating the land, the town of Biggar has also pledged to help Farm in the Dell raise $500,000 to construct the two homes.
"With services and commitments financially, we're getting there and we're on track," Biggar Mayor Jim Rickwood.
Rickwood said town council was approached with the idea about three years ago and after several open houses with the community, they felt it was the right opportunity to pursue.
Rickwood said town council was approached with the idea about three years ago and after several open houses with the community, they felt it was the right opportunity to pursue.
"The response was very overwhelming from our community for us to establish the second location," he said. "We're quite excited about it. The community embraced it wholeheartedly."
The RM of Biggar has also agreed to pave the road into the facility.
11 Sep 2024 21:15:02
Swift Current Online
Farm-based group homes to be constructed in Biggar
Farm in the Dell is set to open its second set of group homes. (Photo courtesy of Farm in the Dell website).captiontext { font-size:90%;font-style: italic;margin-right:20px; } A farm setting in Biggar ...More ...
A farm setting in Biggar will soon be established with two new group homes and day programming for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
The pair of five-bedroom homes and 96 acres of land, donated by the town of Biggar, will be operated by Farm in the Dell. The non-profit organization already runs a similar type of operation in Aberdeen.
"We have forever dreamt of expanding to other locations in the province," Farm in the Dell Executive Director Lynette Zacharias said. "We are thankful for the Government of Saskatchewan's support of this dream and look forward to partnering with the government to make this farm a reality. This will provide meaningful and productive work and a safe place to call home for many individuals in the community."
The provincial government announced on Monday that the Ministry of Social Services would provide $1.35 million in annual funding for the Biggar development, bringing their financial commitment toward Farm in the Dell to $3.05 million yearly.
"We are proud to partner with Farm in the Dell and the Town of Biggar to develop these new homes and programming," Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said. "We are committed to safe and affordable communities by ensuring that individuals with intellectual disabilities receive the necessary support for their physical, emotional, and social wellbeing, empowering them to live as independently as possible."
In addition to donating the land, the town of Biggar has also pledged to help Farm in the Dell raise $500,000 to construct the two homes.
"With services and commitments financially, we're getting there and we're on track," Biggar Mayor Jim Rickwood.
Rickwood said town council was approached with the idea about three years ago and after several open houses with the community, they felt it was the right opportunity to pursue.
Rickwood said town council was approached with the idea about three years ago and after several open houses with the community, they felt it was the right opportunity to pursue.
"The response was very overwhelming from our community for us to establish the second location," he said. "We're quite excited about it. The community embraced it wholeheartedly."
The RM of Biggar has also agreed to pave the road into the facility.
11 Sep 2024 21:15:02
Global News
Calgary hail storm the 2nd-costliest disaster in Canadian history after $2.8B in damage
The Insurance Bureau of Canada says a severe hail storm that battered Calgary last month is the second-costliest event in Canadian history.
11 Sep 2024 21:12:30
Winnipeg Free Press
Diamondbacks’ Merrill Kelly leaves start against Rangers in the fifth inning
PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly has left his start against the Texas Rangers after throwing a pitch in the fifth inning. Kelly walked the opening batter in […]
11 Sep 2024 21:12:14
Winnipeg Free Press
Fed official’s investments broke ethics rules but didn’t skirt insider trading laws, probe finds
WASHINGTON (AP) — A government investigation into Atlanta Federal Reserve President Raphael Bostic’s securities trades and investments has found he violated several of the central bank’s ...More ...
WASHINGTON (AP) — A government investigation into Atlanta Federal Reserve President Raphael Bostic’s securities trades and investments has found he violated several of the central bank’s ethics policies. The Fed […]11 Sep 2024 21:10:33
CityNews Halifax
Fed official’s investments broke ethics rules but didn’t skirt insider trading laws, probe finds
WASHINGTON (AP) — A government investigation into Atlanta Federal Reserve President Raphael Bostic’s securities trades and investments has found he violated several of the central bank’s ...More ...
WASHINGTON (AP) — A government investigation into Atlanta Federal Reserve President Raphael Bostic’s securities trades and investments has found he violated several of the central bank’s ethics policies.
The Fed rules violations “created the appearance” that Bostic acted on confidential Fed information and that he had a conflict of interest, but the Fed’s Office of Inspector General concluded there were no violations of federal insider trading or conflict of interest laws, according to a report issued Wednesday.
The probe reviewed financial trades and investments in a roughly five-year period starting in 2017 made by several investment managers on Bostic’s behalf — transactions that in October 2022 he said he had been initially unaware of.
Among the findings, investigators concluded that securities trades were made on Bostic’s behalf multiple times during “blackout” periods around meetings of the central bank’s policy-making Federal Open Market Committee. The investigation also found that Bostic at times did not report securities transactions and holdings, or failed to do so accurately, on annual disclosure forms.
Bostic also at one point was in breach of the Fed’s policy against holding more than $50,000 in U.S. Treasury bonds or notes.
In 2022, Bostic acknowledged that many of his financial trades and investments inadvertently violated the Fed’s ethics rules and said he took action to revise all his financial disclosures.
At the time, the board of the Atlanta Fed accepted Bostic’s explanations for the oversights and announced no further actions.
Still, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell asked the Fed’s Office of Inspector General to review Bostic’s financial disclosures.
The Associated Press
11 Sep 2024 21:10:33
Thunder Bay Newswatch
Driver who failed blood alcohol test had a child in the vehicle
Bringing a 6-year-old along was 'just unacceptable,' OPP said
11 Sep 2024 21:10:00
Winnipeg Free Press
Commanders want Jayden Daniels to ‘remain a passer’ after running 16 times in his NFL debut
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — Jayden Daniels has spent his life as a quarterback developing a feel for when to take off and run. “You don’t want to get hit by […]
11 Sep 2024 21:09:10
CTV News
'We persevere': Ladies group holds lifeline for southern Manitoba ghost town
Abandoned homes line the streets of Lauder, a town that's now a ghost of what it once was. Yet inside, a small community is thriving.
11 Sep 2024 21:08:00
The Flatlander
Manitoba grand chief’s death marked with ceremonies, mourners attend legislature
WINNIPEG — Grand Chief Cathy Merrick was remembered Wednesday as a leader who combined strength with compassion and who never stopped fighting to better people’s lives. Hundreds of people went ...More ...
WINNIPEG — Grand Chief Cathy Merrick was remembered Wednesday as a leader who combined strength with compassion and who never stopped fighting to better people’s lives. Hundreds of people went to the Manitoba legislature where Merrick, the first woman to head the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, was given the honour of lying in state — […]11 Sep 2024 21:05:39