Saturday, January 10, 2015
Newspaper apologises for 'major error' in story
The News-Enterprise, based in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, has apologised and fired two members of staff for what it calls a major error after printing a story which erroneously quoted the Hardin County sheriff as saying that most police "have a desire to shoot minorities."
In a story on the front page of the January 8 edition, the newspaper printed "Hardin County Sheriff John Ward said those who go into the law enforcement profession typically do it because they have a desire to shoot minorities."
In a press release issued on Thursday afternoon, Editor Ben Sheroan apologised and said no such statement had been made. Sheriff Ward said he began receiving calls at around 5:30 Thursday morning about the story, which was written by reporter Anna Taylor. In a phone interview, Ward said the reporter's original story correctly quoted him as saying officers get into law enforcement "because they have a desire to serve the community."
Ward believes the story was intentionally changed by someone before it was printed. He said the change might have been malicious or intended as a joke. Sheroan said the newspaper is investigating how the mistake made it into print and will take appropriate actions immediately. Staff at the newspaper originally thought a word had simply been dropped from the sentence, but now they believe it was a production error, the result of "a failure to follow established procedures," Sheroan said.
The online version of the story has now been removed entirely. At the top of the page, the paper writes the following retraction: "This story - as it appeared in print - contained a major error and misquoted Sheriff John Ward. The version here has been corrected. The newspaper apologises to the sheriff and other law-enforcement officers offended by its typographical mistake. - Ben Sheroan, editor." "This statement is not in any way reflective of Sheriff Ward, the Hardin County Sheriff's Office or other law enforcement in our community," he said. The News-Enterprise later published an apology.
There are news videos here and here.
In a press release issued on Thursday afternoon, Editor Ben Sheroan apologised and said no such statement had been made. Sheriff Ward said he began receiving calls at around 5:30 Thursday morning about the story, which was written by reporter Anna Taylor. In a phone interview, Ward said the reporter's original story correctly quoted him as saying officers get into law enforcement "because they have a desire to serve the community."
Ward believes the story was intentionally changed by someone before it was printed. He said the change might have been malicious or intended as a joke. Sheroan said the newspaper is investigating how the mistake made it into print and will take appropriate actions immediately. Staff at the newspaper originally thought a word had simply been dropped from the sentence, but now they believe it was a production error, the result of "a failure to follow established procedures," Sheroan said.
The online version of the story has now been removed entirely. At the top of the page, the paper writes the following retraction: "This story - as it appeared in print - contained a major error and misquoted Sheriff John Ward. The version here has been corrected. The newspaper apologises to the sheriff and other law-enforcement officers offended by its typographical mistake. - Ben Sheroan, editor." "This statement is not in any way reflective of Sheriff Ward, the Hardin County Sheriff's Office or other law enforcement in our community," he said. The News-Enterprise later published an apology.
There are news videos here and here.
Man arrested for driving while intoxicated
A man from Niagara Falls, New York, was charged with DWI after a traffic stop in the Town of Niagara on Sunday.
Brian M. McGuire, 26, of Niagara Falls, was stopped by a New York State Police trooper for failure to keep right.
He appeared intoxicated and failed field sobriety tests. McGuire was charged and taken to the Niagara barracks where he refused a breath test.
McGuire was charged with DWI and refusal to take a breath test. His next court date is January 26.
Brian M. McGuire, 26, of Niagara Falls, was stopped by a New York State Police trooper for failure to keep right.
He appeared intoxicated and failed field sobriety tests. McGuire was charged and taken to the Niagara barracks where he refused a breath test.
McGuire was charged with DWI and refusal to take a breath test. His next court date is January 26.
Couple arrested following romantic encounter on top of car at dealership
A Florida couple were arrested early on Tuesday after they were spotted having sex on top of a 2004 Kia Sedona at a West Palm Beach auto dealership, police say.
Officers responding to Mike’s Auto Sales discovered Erin Byrd, 18, and Ramon Mitchell, 29, “inside of a dealership vehicle which did not belong to either subject,” according to a police report.
Officers were summoned to the closed business shortly before midnight by a witness who “advised officers he just witnessed both suspects having sex on top of the vehicle in plain sight.” The 39-year-old man added that he heard the trysting duo moaning. Upon exiting the vehicle, Byrd and Mitchell were arrested.
As the 300-pound Mitchell was being handcuffed, he spit in the face of a female officer, police reported. Owner Michael Melendez arrived at the dealership and told police that he “did not authorize anyone to be in his property after the business was closed,” the report states. Byrd and Mitchell were each charged with auto burglary, trespass, and lewd and lascivious behaviour.
Mitchell, who told police he works at the Improv comedy club in West Palm Beach, was given a felony charge of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer for allegedly spitting on Officer Sarah Burgoon. Byrd was freed from the Palm Beach County jail, while Mitchell remains locked up in lieu of $11,000 bail.
Officers were summoned to the closed business shortly before midnight by a witness who “advised officers he just witnessed both suspects having sex on top of the vehicle in plain sight.” The 39-year-old man added that he heard the trysting duo moaning. Upon exiting the vehicle, Byrd and Mitchell were arrested.
As the 300-pound Mitchell was being handcuffed, he spit in the face of a female officer, police reported. Owner Michael Melendez arrived at the dealership and told police that he “did not authorize anyone to be in his property after the business was closed,” the report states. Byrd and Mitchell were each charged with auto burglary, trespass, and lewd and lascivious behaviour.
Mitchell, who told police he works at the Improv comedy club in West Palm Beach, was given a felony charge of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer for allegedly spitting on Officer Sarah Burgoon. Byrd was freed from the Palm Beach County jail, while Mitchell remains locked up in lieu of $11,000 bail.
Men stole identities in order to buy cars and breast implants
Houston police and US Postal Inspectors worked together on a case involving numerous luxury cars being purchased with stolen identities. Police said the case began with a tip about a single car purchase that seemed "irregular."
Police said five men used other people's identities to rack up hundreds of thousands of dollars in car purchases.
Police said the men bought Porsches, Audis, Land Rovers, BMWs and a Chevy Camaro. "Most of the dealerships didn't know they had been a victim yet, before we were calling them saying, 'Hey, there's a problem with this deal, you might want to look at it and come get your car,'" said Sgt. Tolan Harding.
Police said that in little more than a month, the group used seven identities at eight dealerships to buy 12 luxury cars for a total of $485,136. Joel Cruz, Darion Wells, Devante Ruffin and Jamonte Booker have all been arrested and charged with fraud and identity theft.
Police said in addition to the cars, Booker and Ruffin used other people's IDs to get lines of credit so they could get breast implants for themselves. A fifth person, Obinna Uzozie, was also arrested. Police said Uzozie was a salesman at one of the dealerships. Cruz, Wells, Ruffin and Uzozie have been charged in federal court. Booker has been charged in state court.
With news video.
Police said the men bought Porsches, Audis, Land Rovers, BMWs and a Chevy Camaro. "Most of the dealerships didn't know they had been a victim yet, before we were calling them saying, 'Hey, there's a problem with this deal, you might want to look at it and come get your car,'" said Sgt. Tolan Harding.
Police said that in little more than a month, the group used seven identities at eight dealerships to buy 12 luxury cars for a total of $485,136. Joel Cruz, Darion Wells, Devante Ruffin and Jamonte Booker have all been arrested and charged with fraud and identity theft.
Police said in addition to the cars, Booker and Ruffin used other people's IDs to get lines of credit so they could get breast implants for themselves. A fifth person, Obinna Uzozie, was also arrested. Police said Uzozie was a salesman at one of the dealerships. Cruz, Wells, Ruffin and Uzozie have been charged in federal court. Booker has been charged in state court.
With news video.
Indian civil servant finally sacked after failing to turn up to work for 24 years
The Indian government has sacked a civil servant who went on leave in 1990 and never came back to work.
Urban development minister M Venkaiah Naidu said a case of "wilful absence" had been proved against electrical engineer AK Verma.
Mr Verma had been under investigation since 1992, but had refused to co-operate, the minister said. Correspondents say absenteeism is a pervasive problem in government-run offices in India.
Mr Naidu said in a statement that Mr Verma joined the Central Public Works Department in 1980. He had risen to the rank of executive engineer by 1990, when he went on leave. An inquiry was set up in 1992, but formal proceedings to dismiss him were not begun until 2007.
It took a further seven years for the department to reach a decision and dismiss him. It is not clear whether he was paid during his time off. India’s civil servants have long been notorious for arriving late, taking long lunches or spending parts of their day on the golf course.
Mr Verma had been under investigation since 1992, but had refused to co-operate, the minister said. Correspondents say absenteeism is a pervasive problem in government-run offices in India.
Mr Naidu said in a statement that Mr Verma joined the Central Public Works Department in 1980. He had risen to the rank of executive engineer by 1990, when he went on leave. An inquiry was set up in 1992, but formal proceedings to dismiss him were not begun until 2007.
It took a further seven years for the department to reach a decision and dismiss him. It is not clear whether he was paid during his time off. India’s civil servants have long been notorious for arriving late, taking long lunches or spending parts of their day on the golf course.
Crocodile skull macramé pendant seized by customs officials
A crocodile skull designed to be worn as a giant pendant has been seized by biosecurity officers at Christchurch Airport in New Zealand.
A passenger arriving from Indonesia declared the skull to Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) officers earlier this week.
It was nearly 25 centimetres long and was attached to a string with a macramé basket. The passenger planned to wear the pendant to parties, and was disappointed to lose it, MPI border clearance team manager Michael Walker said. "There's the obvious biosecurity risk of such items carrying pests or diseases," Walker said.
"But the main reason for seizing the skull was New Zealand's obligations under the Trade in Endangered Species Act. The passenger didn't have an official permit, so the skull couldn't come in." He said the passenger did the right thing in declaring the skull. "For biosecurity reasons . . . we take a hard line on those who don't," Walker said.
"Passengers should be aware of the biosecurity risk of any souvenirs they bring back from overseas." The skull was given to the Department of Conservation. Walker said it was unusual for MPI staff to intercept crocodile heads. They occasionally came in from Australia. "I have to say it's very odd to see one used as a macramé necklace," Walker said.
It was nearly 25 centimetres long and was attached to a string with a macramé basket. The passenger planned to wear the pendant to parties, and was disappointed to lose it, MPI border clearance team manager Michael Walker said. "There's the obvious biosecurity risk of such items carrying pests or diseases," Walker said.
"But the main reason for seizing the skull was New Zealand's obligations under the Trade in Endangered Species Act. The passenger didn't have an official permit, so the skull couldn't come in." He said the passenger did the right thing in declaring the skull. "For biosecurity reasons . . . we take a hard line on those who don't," Walker said.
"Passengers should be aware of the biosecurity risk of any souvenirs they bring back from overseas." The skull was given to the Department of Conservation. Walker said it was unusual for MPI staff to intercept crocodile heads. They occasionally came in from Australia. "I have to say it's very odd to see one used as a macramé necklace," Walker said.
Police seek prolific obese confectionery thief
An obese man with a chronic sugar craving, who police have dubbed “the candy man”, is believed to be stealing confectionery in the Doncaster suburb of Melbourne, Australia.
Doncaster detective Senior Constable Leanne Trusler said the man had stolen $9000 worth of sweets from Coles at Westfield Doncaster by smuggling them past staff in a shopping trolley three times.
He targets mainly chewing gum, Mentos, Tic Tacs, Butter-Menthols and Anticols, she said. Police are appealing to anyone with information to come forward to find the candy man. Once inside the store the man fills up empty environmental shopping bags with boxes of assorted confectionery.
He then leaves the store without paying. Constable Trusler said the man had allegedly stolen from Coles Doncaster on November 2 and December 7 and 13, and attempted to steal from the store on December 20. “He must have a good dentist,” she said. “He will load up with a large amount, about $4000 at a time.”
Staff approached the man and asked him to leave the store on December 20. “No stealing is good but it’s unusual for that amount of confectionery to be taken.” The offender is described as Caucasian, 30-40 years old, obese with thinning short dark hair. Police have released images of a man that they believe may be able to assist with their inquires.
He targets mainly chewing gum, Mentos, Tic Tacs, Butter-Menthols and Anticols, she said. Police are appealing to anyone with information to come forward to find the candy man. Once inside the store the man fills up empty environmental shopping bags with boxes of assorted confectionery.
He then leaves the store without paying. Constable Trusler said the man had allegedly stolen from Coles Doncaster on November 2 and December 7 and 13, and attempted to steal from the store on December 20. “He must have a good dentist,” she said. “He will load up with a large amount, about $4000 at a time.”
Staff approached the man and asked him to leave the store on December 20. “No stealing is good but it’s unusual for that amount of confectionery to be taken.” The offender is described as Caucasian, 30-40 years old, obese with thinning short dark hair. Police have released images of a man that they believe may be able to assist with their inquires.
Woman fined after being kissed while driving
A female driver in Spain’s Galicia region has been given an €80 (£62.50, $95) fine after police spotted her boyfriend kissing her while she was at the wheel.
"I was so shocked - I thought it was a joke and that there must be a hidden camera," she said after police in the town of O Carballiño explained why she had been fined. "I couldn't believe it. I keep asking myself if they didn't have more important things to do,” she said after being pulled over on Tuesday.
Officers on the scene justified the fine by saying the kiss had restricted the woman’s ability to drive, but she said this was not the case. She said her boyfriend had kissed her "in the way you would kiss your mother, but I didn't turn my face or my body. I didn't do anything strange.
"He just leaned over and gave me a kiss". When the driver realised that police were determined to implement the fine, she asked them to specify the reasons in writing. They responded by noting she had been "engaging in affectionate behaviour with" her passenger. She now plans to appeal the fine.
"I was so shocked - I thought it was a joke and that there must be a hidden camera," she said after police in the town of O Carballiño explained why she had been fined. "I couldn't believe it. I keep asking myself if they didn't have more important things to do,” she said after being pulled over on Tuesday.
Officers on the scene justified the fine by saying the kiss had restricted the woman’s ability to drive, but she said this was not the case. She said her boyfriend had kissed her "in the way you would kiss your mother, but I didn't turn my face or my body. I didn't do anything strange.
"He just leaned over and gave me a kiss". When the driver realised that police were determined to implement the fine, she asked them to specify the reasons in writing. They responded by noting she had been "engaging in affectionate behaviour with" her passenger. She now plans to appeal the fine.
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