OTTAWA, ILLINOIS — A Mason City man convicted of involuntary manslaughter in Illinois has had his bid for a new trial judge denied.44-year-old Mason Shannon was charged along with 22-year-old Joseph Brewer in the death of Michael Castelli. Shannon and Brewer were accused of putting Castelli in a choke hold during a fight on July 20th of 2017 on the grounds of a commercial plant grower just northeast of Ottawa Illinois.During a bench trial, Judge Chris Ryan found him guilty of involuntary manslaughter, but before Shannon was to be sentenced in January, his lawyer learned of a potential conflict of interest with the court reporter being the wife of Shannon’s trial judge. Shannon’s defense team argued that violated ethical codes and demanded that he be assigned a new judge.The News Tribune of LaSalle reports that the request for a new judge was denied by a visiting judge from another county, adding that the judge found no prejudice or bias against Shannon during the trial. Shannon could still ask for a new trial.When sentenced, Shannon faces between two to five years in prison.
August 13, 2020
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The woman who designed Florida’s COVID-19 dashboard and was later fired is also facing an open criminal investigation for sexual cyber harassment and cyber stalking, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced on Wednesday.Rebekah Jones told West Palm Beach television station WPEC this week that her termination was “not voluntary,” adding that she was taken out of the job for refusing to censor data on the online dashboard.She claims that officials directed her to “manually change data to drum up support for the plan to reopen.”However, the governor says that Jones was actually released for insubordination, and repeated that during a visit in Orlando with Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday.“She didn’t listen to people who are her superiors,” explains DeSantis. “Come to find out she’s also under active criminal charges in the state of Florida. She’s being charged with cyber stalking and cyber sexual harassment.”A Tallahassee police report states that a man claimed to be a victim of revenge porn by Jones last summer. He told police that he had an injunction against Jones for a year. It expired recently. Additionally, the man alleged that Jones posted naked pictures of him online, and that she shared the content with his employer and family. Jones pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor stalking charges. She listed the Florida Department of Health (DOH) as her employer upon her arrest.DeSantis says Jones is not a scientist nor the chief architect of the online dashboard. He adds that she holds degrees in journalism, communications, and geography.“She was putting data on the portal which the scientists believed didn’t believe was valid data,” DeSantis explains. “So she didn’t listen to the people who were her superiors.”Jones has a Ph.D. in Geography from Florida State University, a Master’s degree in Geography and Mass Communication from Louisiana State University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Syracuse in Geography and Journalism, according to a resume posted on FSU’s website.Florida’s COVID-19 portal is designed and operated through a data mapping software from a company called ESRI. An April 2020 article on their website says Jones led the creation of the state’s COVID-19 dashboard.“She put [her] work on hold and quickly created a COVID-19 dashboard,” the company’s article says. “She spent the weekend compiling cases data and configuring the dashboard.”Gov. DeSantis says the data on the dashboard is transparent, and, “Any insinuation otherwise is just typical partisan narrative trying to be spun.”
The award ceremony is set for 7 p.m. when Nelson Minor Hockey salutes is star, most sportsmanlike and most improved players, officials and coaches.The local hockey association gets a kick start on next season Tuesday, April 19th in the New Grand Hotel banquet room with the annual general meeting.Anyone wishing to have input in the direction of Nelson Minor Hockey should attend. Nelson Minor Hockey officially concludes the 2011 season with the annual awards banquet Wednesday at the the Selkirk College Tenth Street Campus Mary Hall.Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with dinner to follow at 6 p.m.
Embed from Getty ImagesAshleigh Barty claimed her first major title when she defeated Marketa Vondrousova in the final of this year’s French Open, but with a further two majors to go, could this be just the start of a period of domination for the Australian?In US Open tennis betting, Barty is priced at 15/2, some way behind the current favourite Serena Williams (3/1). These odds will certainly change if Barty can put in a good display at Wimbledon in July, but how realistic is it to assume Barty will be the next big star in the women’s game?Australian OpenSince making her debut at the Australian Open in 2012, Barty struggled to progress past the first round, being eliminated at that stage in 2012, 2013 and 2014. She was absent for the 2015 and 2016 tournaments as she switched to cricket, but made a comeback to tennis in 2016 in time for Wimbledon where she could only reach the second qualifying round.As a wildcard entry in the 2017 tournament, Barty defeated German Annika Beck and American Shelby Rogers to reach the third round, where she was defeated by German qualifier Mona Barthel.2018 was a similar story for Barty, as she defeated Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus and Italian, Camila Giorgi. In the third round she came up against Japan’s Naomi Osaka, who was unseeded for the tournament. She lost in straights sets to the woman who went on to win the 2018 US Open and 2019 Australian Open.A much-improved Barty reached the quarter-finals of this year’s tournament, losing in straight sets to the eventual runner-up Petra Kvitova.Embed from Getty ImagesFrench OpenUntil winning the tournament this year, Barty had previously never progressed beyond the second round of the French Open. Without a doubt she was a surprise winner of this year’s tournament, although she faced six unseeded players in seven matches, fortunately avoiding the likes of Serena Williams and Simona Halep along the way.This tournament is likely to be considered a tournament of missed opportunities for a lot of players, most notably Simona Halep and Johanna Konta. Regardless, Barty won’t mind, and her form going into Wimbledon and the US Open should put her in good stead to continue her progression.WimbledonA visit to SW19 is next on the agenda for Barty, and having just won the French Open, all eyes will be on her as she looks to continue her good season. Last year was her best result to date on the grass court, losing out to 14th seed Daria Kasatkina in the third round in straight sets.Victory at the French Open should give her a more favourable draw in this year’s Wimbledon, so don’t be surprised if she progresses beyond the third round. US OpenThe way Barty is continuing to improve on her previous bests at the majors, the US Open presents a great opportunity for her to claim another Grand Slam title. With a hard court surface like the Australian Open, there’s no reason why she can’t replicate the same form from Down Under in the States. The quarter-finals should be the minimum for Barty this year, particularly as she reached the fourth round of last year’s US Open. Follow West London Sport on TwitterFind us on Facebookby Taboolaby TaboolaSponsored LinksSponsored LinksPromoted LinksPromoted LinksRecommended for youAspireAbove.comRemember Pauley Perrette? Try Not To Smile When You See Her NowAspireAbove.comUndoLifestly.com25 Celebs You Didn’t Realize Are Gay – No. 8 Will Surprise WomenLifestly.comUndoUsed Cars | Search AdsUsed Cars in Tuen Mun Might Be Cheaper Than You ThinkUsed Cars | Search AdsUndoTopCars15 Ugliest Cars Ever MadeTopCarsUndoFood World Magazine15 Fruits that Burn Fat Like CrazyFood World MagazineUndoHappyTricks.comHer House Always Smells Amazing – Try her Unique Trick!HappyTricks.comUndoezzin.com20 Breathtaking Places to See Before You Dieezzin.comUndoDrhealth35 Foods That Should Never Be Placed in the RefrigeratorDrhealthUndo
7 September 2005Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk has announced his intention to proclaim South Africa’s 22nd national park in the area surrounding Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape.Provisionally named the Karoo National Park, the proposed new park has been made possible by the World Wide Fund for Nature South Africa (WWF-SA), which donated the 14 500 hectare Karoo Nature Reserve – worth an estimated R23-million – to form the centrepiece of the project.“With the boost that this development will bring to the Camdeboo area and its people, we are again proving that conservation and communities prosper best together,” Van Schalkwyk said at the site of the proposed park on Tuesday.“Our department will invest another R6-million over the next three years to create jobs and further develop the necessary facilities to make this new park an engine of growth for the region.”The Peace Parks Foundation and the SA National Parks Trust have each pledged a further R1-million to South African National Parks (SANParks) over the next two years for the management of the new park.Van Schalkwyk said public consultations would soon be held to find a name for the new park.The longer-term plan, Van Schalkwyk said, was to link the new park up with the Mountain Zebra National Park, creating a unique African Karoo wildlife experience and protecting a huge diversity of plant and animal species, including the endangered Cape Mountain Zebra.The Mountain Zebra National Park has expanded from its original 6 500 hectares to more than 23 000 hectares. Linking the two parks would result in a 500 000-hectare mega-conservation area over 120 kilometres long.“Although the Eastern Cape is among the three most visited provinces by our domestic tourists, it ranks third-lowest in terms of attracting international visitors,” Van Schalkwyk said.For this reason, he said, developing world-class ecotourism attractions, combined with the unmatched cultural heritage of the area, would help increase the benefits of tourism to all communities.The Camdeboo area generated about R99-million in tourism revenue in 2004, supporting almost 700 jobs.With a projected growth rate of five percent per year – soon to be further boosted by the new park – it is estimated that annual tourism revenue will increase to more than R154-million by 2009.Source BuaNews Want to use this article in your publication or on your website?See: Using SAinfo material
Share Facebook Twitter Google + LinkedIn Pinterest 2015 Trade TalkRyan McAllister, Beck’s Hybrids Practical Farm Research (PFR) Director, visits with the Ohio Ag Net’s Ty Higgins about the studies Beck’s conducted in 2015 to help farmers with nitrogen loss. (Aired on OAN on 11/12/15)Becks Ryan McAllister PFR resultsAgTube: Crown Rot in Ohio Corn FieldsAgTube: Crown Rot in Ohio Corn FieldsBeck’s invites guests to research facility during FSRBeck’s invites guests to research facility during FSRBeck’s Closing Wheel StudyBeck’s Closing Wheel StudyBeck’s Partners with Country Music Band, The HenningsensBeck’s Partners with Country Music Band, The HenningsensBeck’s expands into eastern OhioBeck’s expands into eastern OhioAgTube: Soybean Treatment Evaluations: Beck’s Escalate™ vs. Non-TreatedAgTube: Soybean Treatment Evaluations: Beck’s Escalate™ vs. Non-Treated
New Delhi, Oct 13 (PTI) A bike expedition was undertaken by a group of six dialysis patients to encourage and empower people undergoing the treatment to lead “normal” lives.Organised by Nephroplus — a dialysis delivery network in the country, the four-day long journey kicked off on October 9 from Jalandhar, covering parts of Ludhiana, Kurukshetra, Panipat, and Sonipat on the way.The bikers, who rode over 400kms across eight cities, were felicitated by paralympic and Arjuna awardee Rajinder Singh Rahelu in Connaught Place today.”A lot of the people undergoing dialysis unfortunately believe that they cannot lead a normal life or cannot do things an otherwise healthy person can do.”We are creating a guest-centric culture at NephroPlus where all the 10,000+ guests are empowered to lead a normal life owing to our emphasis on holistic care,” Vikram Vuppala, founder and CEO OF NephroPlus said. Keeping in view the medical needs of the bikers, a fully equipped ambulance capable of conducting a dialysis session en route also accompanied them on the ride.”We are positive that seeing fellow people on dialysis taking part in this expedition will dramatically improve the confidence of kidney-disease patients across India,” Sohail Bhagat, Vice President of strategy at NephroPlus said.The expedition was flagged off as a curtain-raiser to the second edition of the worlds only Dialysis Olympiad to be held in Thyagaraj Sports Complex on October 29.The event will include a series of activities like running, cycling and basketball for the patients. PTI RJS TRS
Man Utd boss Mourinho not losing sleep over Champions League drawby Paul Vegas10 months agoSend to a friendShare the loveManchester United boss Jose Mourinho insists he’s not losing any sleep over tomorrow’s Champions League draw.The round of 16 is set to be settled.Mourinho said, “Yes. You look forward to Monday, I don’t. Really it’s not something that keeps me with an eye on the television. We know that the last 16 has lots of good teams, even the teams that finished first are not relaxed. “They know that they can get a very difficult opponent that finished second in their group. There will be a big match at Old Trafford to start, it doesn’t matter which opponent it is [against], so I’m relaxed and more focused on Liverpool and then Cardiff than on the draw.” About the authorPaul VegasShare the loveHave your say
About the authorAnsser SadiqShare the loveHave your say Chelsea hero Nevin: Willian, Jorginho reborn under Lampardby Ansser Sadiq9 days agoSend to a friendShare the loveChelsea hero Pat Nevin says Willian and Jorginho are “reborn” under Frank Lampard. The Scot also credited the work rate of Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham for helping the Blues win their last three out of four games.”There is a great affinity being built between our fans and the players just now,” Nevin told the official Chelsea website. “We know the initial reasons; this is Frank’s team so we are bound to be on board, the kids coming through are our kids so once again we are onside. ‘But look around and consider everyone else and the obvious work-rate and spirit from them, it has been superb this season even during the tougher times.”Take Jorginho, the statistics alone will tell you about his incredible work-rate but it is his passion for every tackle and every chase that shines almost as much as his ability on the ball. Willian obviously is reborn as well but try thinking of someone in the group that isn’t giving everything for every moment, it is impossible. “Tammy Abraham works until his legs run out and is often replaced but that is a positive sign that he is giving everything, not a negative one that he is playing badly. ‘There looks as though there are two Mason Mounts on the field most weeks as he seems to have the ability to turn up everywhere. On top of that have a look at the attitude of those coming off the bench. None of the subs are giving anything less than everything they have, whether it is for 30 minutes or 10.” 
Lexi Manzo, a student at Fordham University and daughter to TV personality Dina Manzo, created the Smashing Pediatric Cancer Challenge to spread awareness for pediatric cancer.September was childhood cancer awareness month, and pediatric cancer is a disease that is often underfunded and in need of more awareness. As the founder of Project Ladybug’s daughter, this is a cause that has always been near and dear to her heart.Over the course of the month of September the Smashing Pediatric Cancer Challenge surpassed 1 million views on the internet. Hundreds of people, including celebrities and sports figures participated in the challenge and the featured hashtags have been used on nearly all social platforms. John Sterling the voice of the NY Yankees announced the challenge at every Sept game!When you chose to participate in the Cupcakes For Cancer Challenge you contribute by raising awareness for those children who battle and suffer from cancer every single day. With your help, every child’s fight can be given a voice, every research project will be supported, and strides to curing the epidemic of pediatric cancer will be made. Your choice to participate and share with those around you – whether it be via social media or word of mouth – will give the millions of kids fighting for their life everyday the voice they deserve. Because kids can’t fight cancer alone.What To Do: Share via your social media pages a video of someone or yourself shoving a cupcake in your face with the hashtags #smashingpediatriccancer & #cupcakesforcancer. In your post nominate 3 others to participate in the challenge or to donate to a pediatric cancer charity of their choice. Feel free to do this in honor of a child who has been touched by cancer. Find out more here.