Paradise News

Tag: United States

  • Georgia man accused of attacking and killing 77-year-old man in his home

    CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. (TCD) — A man is in custody on suspicion of severely beating a 77-year-old man inside a bathroom using a shower rod and a towel to allegedly commit the crime. The victim later died.

    According to a news release from the Clayton County Police Department, on July 26 at approximately 5:47 p.m., officers responded to the 2000 block of Deann Drive to a report of an injured person and made contact with the victim, 77-year-old Ivan Millman, and another male outside of the home.

    Police said that both Millman and the male stated that Millman had been attacked at a different location in Atlanta, but they couldn’t specify the exact place. Officers documented the report and transported Millman to a hospital for medical care.

    Between July 26 and Aug. 7, several of Millman’s relatives contacted police in reference to the attack. One person said they found blood inside his home July 30. A Clayton County officer went to the residence and photographed the area, but the home was not processed as a crime scene at the time.

    Clayton County Police said there is an investigation into “why more appropriate measures were not taken at that time.”

    Then, on Aug. 7, police received another call from a biohazard cleaning crew who “had some concerns that the home may have possibly been a crime scene.” Investigators soon determined the crime occurred in the home and not in Atlanta as they originally said. Millman was in hospice care at the time, and he died the next day.

    Police identified Millman’s son, Kevin Flowers, as the suspect and obtained a warrant for him Oct. 6 on charges of felony murder and aggravated assault. He had been taken into custody on unrelated charges two days prior. Clayton County Police said they spoke with Flowers about Millman’s death, and he provided “inconsistent statements.”

    Millman’s daughter told WAGA-TV their family first became concerned when they hadn’t heard from Millman, so she asked a neighbor to check on him.

    The neighbor reportedly encountered a man at the door who claimed Millman wasn’t there. The victim’s daughter told WAGA the neighbor became suspicious and “heard some moaning and groaning.” The neighbor reportedly went inside the home and found Millman severely beaten and called 911.

    The victim’s daughter said Flowers allegedly used a towel and shower rod to attack Millman, adding, “There was blood everywhere.”

    WAGA reports Millman was also living with bone cancer.

    Source

  • Fact Check: Video of people dressed as dogs is part of a fetish festival, not a ‘trans-species rights’ protest

    Were people howling in the streets of Germany for (non) human rights? 

    A Sept. 24 viral video claimed that “hundreds of people, who identify as dogs, are currently protesting on the streets of Germany in support of ‘trans species rights.’” 

    This Instagram video was shared by conservative influencers and prompted stories making similar claims from outlets such as the New York Post and The Daily Mail. But this story is fabricated.


    (Screenshot of Instagram post) 

    This post was flagged as part of Meta’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram.)

    The gathering of people in dog costumes was not a protest for “trans-species rights.” It was an event called a “puppy walk” which was part of Folsom Europe, a days-long fetish festival held annually in Berlin.

    The walk was for those who engage in “puppy play,” a role-playing fetish for people who dress up like dogs, typically in leather costumes. Those people do not identify as animals. 

    The gathering took place Sept. 8 outside of the Potsdamer Platz train station in Berlin, which can be seen in the background of the viral video. The Folsom Europe Facebook page shared a picture of the event that matches several features of the video shared on Instagram, including the flag on the right side and several distinct costumes. 

    Folsom Europe did not respond to a request for comment.

    The term “trans-species” is used in academia including a field of psychology that seeks to show the commonalities between human and animal cognition, and in genetics research with the term “trans-species polymorphism.”

    PolitiFact could find no evidence of an organized “trans-species” movement for the right of people to identify as animals. This is not the first instance where people have tried to conflate transgender identities with animals. In 2022, PolitiFact rated Pants on Fire a viral claim that schools were installing litter boxes for students who identify as furries.

    We rate the claim that this video shows a “trans species rights” protest False.
     



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  • Activity center offers meals to seniors through nutrition center

    Activity center offers meals to seniors through nutrition center

    Published 2:30 pm Monday, October 9, 2023

    The Andalusia Adult Activity Center nutrition staff includes, from left, Amber Vanderryt, Donna Turner, and Sandra Broom. The nutrition center offers the community 28 meals in-house and 41 deliveries each weekday. (PHOTO BY ZACK MAIO)

    The Andalusia Adult Activity Center offers a wide assortment of activities to the community, but what some may not know is that the AAAC is also a nutrition center offering meals.

    Amber Vanderryt serves Mary Brazell a plate at the Andalusia Adult Activity Center. The meal was meat loaf, mashed potatoes, English peas, cornbread, and a serving of Jell-O with fruit. (PHOTO BY ZACK MAIO)

    Requirements are in place for those who visit the activity center and inquire about meals offered. Those who choose to eat must be aged 60 or over, complete a participant enrollment form, and sign a release. Although there is no fee for meals, a contribution is suggested at $2.00 per meal. All contributions remain local to help with center expenses.

    The activity center can serve a maximum of 28 individuals in house. Delivery is offered to 41 consumers within the city limits. If an individual wishes to come eat, he/she must contact the activity center ahead of time and inquire if there is an opening on that particular day. Availability of meals is on a first-come, first-serve basis.

    “We are contracted with SARCOA to offer our elderly nutritious meals through TRIO Community Meals. Each meal is a third of the nutrition needs for seniors and a good resource for energy,” AAAC Program Coordinator Sonja Godwin said.

    According to a presentation provided to the Star-News, food products used on the menu must meet contract requirements. Meals contain at least 3 ounces of edible protein including non-meats such as cheese. All ground beef and ground beef patties must be purchased pre-cooked and be 100 percent beef with no added textured vegetable protein. All fruits and vegetables must meet USDA Grade A approval. The activity center receives a quarterly calendar with a daily menu. Recipe changes are based on meal presentation, senior center comments, or practicality.

    “I feel very blessed to have staff that genuinely cares about our seniors. Our seniors love coming here and being apart of our programs. One of the hardest parts of my job is when I hear that someone is lonely or stays at home all the time and doesn’t get out. If they would just come for a few days, I truly believe it would change their outlook on life. Stepping out of one’s comfort zone means facing one’s fears. We are here to help with that loneliness, anxiety, and/or depression that one often experiences later in life,” Godwin said.

    Sandra Broom, Donna Turner, and Amber Vanderryt work out of the nutrition center at the activity center.

    Vanderryt delivers meals each day to those in the city limits within a two-hour window.

    “I love what I do and have been here for almost two years. I hand out 41 meals and really enjoy meeting the elderly and bringing a smile to their faces. When I return from doing deliveries, I help out in the kitchen and wherever I’m needed,” Vanderryt said.

    “I’ve been working at the center for nine years, and it has been such a blessing. I enjoy my job and thoroughly enjoy and love my seniors. I appreciate each and every one of them. We have such a good time eating and fellowshipping together,” Turner said.

    “I love working with seniors and have been working five years at the nutrition center. Seniors can get a balanced meal and enjoy the day. We would love for you to join us,” Broom said.

    Godwin added that while the activity center’s nutritional meals are important, there are plenty of other benefits for seniors at the activity center.

    “Our meals pale in comparison to the social benefits. There is so much more to the Andalusia Adult Center than most individuals realize. We have many activities for those who like to sew, paint, or do crafts including the Cricut classes. We offer all kinds of special events like our peanut boil, ice cream social, fashion show, game day, bingo and monthly dinner dances, just to menion a few. For those individuals that love to travel we offer trips like Hawaii, South Carolina, and more. We have guest speakers come share their knowledge on topics like avoiding being scammed, heart healthy habits, and Medicare open enrollment. In addition to all that we also have a full gym, curves room, toning beds, line dancing and much more.”

    Godwin added that the activity center also has access to other services for senior adults through SARCOA, which brings together funding sources and providers to deliver services. SARCOA will be at the center on Wednesday, Nov. 1, from 11:45 a.m. until 1:15 p.m. to offer enrollment for the state health insurance program to Medicare.

    “Thanks to the Mayor and Council’s approval, we applied for and have been awarded two conversion vans through ALDOT. Once we receive those, we will be able to attend more local events as a group and take more one-day outings. If you think you live in a small town and there is nothing to do, then I invite you to look around, we in Andalusia are blessed beyond measure and are growing every day.”

    The Adult Activity Center is located at 401 Walker Avenue in downtown Andalusia near the Ballet. Hours of operation are weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

    “If you are signed up for meals, remember the nutrition center begins serving at 11 a.m., but you need to be at the center by 10:30. We look forward to welcoming you,” Godwin said.

    For more information call 334-222-6891.

    Source

  • Maine man arrested for allegedly killing girlfriend's daughter on Christmas

    EDGECOMB, Maine (TCD) — State Police took a 29-year-old man into custody for allegedly killing his girlfriend’s young daughter on Christmas.

    On Friday, Oct. 6, Maine State Police arrested Tyler Witham-Jordan on a murder charge in connection with the death of 3-year-old Makinzlee Handrahan. According to State Police, on Dec. 25, 2022, at approximately 7:37 a.m., Lincoln County officials received a call regarding an unresponsive child. The little girl died, and the medical examiner declared her death a homicide.

    Maine State Police said they were withholding the cause of death.

    Witham-Jordan was in a relationship with Makinzlee’s mother when she was killed.

    WGME-TV reports Makinzlee’s mother got a protective order against Witham-Jordan for her and her sons two days after her daughter’s death. She reportedly called Witham-Jordan “verbally, mentally, and physically abusive,” adding, “Tyler has held me down to not let me up after screaming at me and trying to bite me.”

    Then, the sons’ father got a protective order against Makinzlee’s mother.

    The mother reportedly ended the protective order in January.

    Maine State Police said Witham-Jordan is due in court this week.

    Source

  • Fact Check: Video shows Iranian lawmakers chanting ‘death to America’ in 2020, not 2023

    After Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, old footage of Iranian lawmakers chanting “death to America” in the country’s parliament started to recirculate social media. 

    But multiple posts are describing the footage as if it were recent. It’s not.

    “Iran law makers chant death to America… didn’t Joe Biden just give Iran $6 billion?” reads text flanking the video. “Joe Biden’s 2nd war while in office… god speed Israel!”

    A ticker reading “breaking news” scrolls below the clip. 

    An Oct. 7 Instagram post sharing the video was flagged as part of Meta’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram.)


    (Screengrab from Instagram)

    This video is from January 2020, and captured events after a U.S. airstrike killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani.

    The “death to America” chant is also unrelated to $6 billion in funds that were recently unfrozen in a U.S.-Iran prisoner swap.

    We rate claims that this video shows events in 2023 False.

     



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  • Wilson will showcase woodworking talent at festival Oct. 14-15

    Wilson will showcase woodworking talent at festival Oct. 14-15

    Published 1:00 pm Monday, October 9, 2023

    Andalusia native Mike Wilson will take his woodworking skills and talent to the 52nd Kentuck Festival of the Arts in Northport, Alabama, on Oct. 14-15. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

    Andalusia native Mike Wilson has been working with wood for most of his life.

    Right out of high school, he trained as a carpenter under his grandfather and uncle for several years before venturing down other paths. Mike has worked in farming, he spent 17 years working offshore for a drilling company, and he has built houses.

    He even spent time as a carny, hawking games on the carnival midway, which is where he met his wife, Zelda. But woodworking is in his blood. And once he retired, he developed a love of woodturning.

    “I’d always wanted a lathe but never would spend the money to get it,” he says. “About 10 years ago, my wife got tired of hearing me talk about it and bought me a little one to play with.”

    Mike enjoyed his first lathe enough that he got a little bigger one. And he found that he was pretty good at creating functional art. While he may have something in mind when he begins a project, ultimately, he lets the wood become what the wood wants to be.

    “I’ll put something on the lathe and start turning it. It might start out as a bowl and turn into a vase. It depends on what the wood will let me do.”

    Mike started out working with oak and then ventured into magnolia, pecan, and black walnut. “Whatever tree I found, I would cut it open and see if I could make something out of it.”

    Mike has been known to take on a construction job here or there, but when he isn’t helping a friend or playing with his grandkids, you can find him out back in his metal shed, turning wood into something beautiful.

    Mike’s work will be featured at the 52nd Kentuck Festival of the Arts Oct. 14-15 in Northport, Alabama.

    About the Kentuck Festival of the Arts
    Kentuck has a rich 52-year history as a nationally known crossroads of creativity and community. The two-day festival has its roots in folk art and features more than 270 artists, live music, spoken word, activities for children, folk and contemporary craft demonstrations, food trucks, and local craft brews.

    Featured in numerous publications, Kentuck Festival of the Arts was most recently recognized by Alabama Department of Tourism as one of the top-ten events to attend in Alabama in 2018 and by Alabama Magazine as one of the “Best of Bama 2022.”

    Kentuck has also been featured in Smithsonian Magazine, Southern Living, American Style Magazine, and National Geographic Traveler. In 2018, the Festival was named fifth in the nation (based on artists’ self-reported sales) in the category of Classic and Contemporary Craft Shows by Sunshine Artists Magazine.

    Source

  • Fact Check: Airstrike video predates October Hamas attack on Israel

    A video of an Israeli airstrike in the northern Gaza Strip is being shared on social media in the wake of an Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. 

    “BREAKING: Israeli Air Force is striking terror targets in Gaza,” reads on Oct. 7 Facebook post sharing the video. 

    But this video predates the recent violence by about five months.

    This post was flagged as part of Meta’s efforts to combat false news and misinformation on its News Feed. (Read more about our partnership with Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram.)

    The footage was first posted online May 13 by The Associated Press. The news outlet’s caption of the video on YouTube says “smoke and sand rising from explosion after Israeli airstrike targeted house in northern Gaza Strip.” 

    The airstrike followed several days of attacks between Israel and Palestinian militants, The Associated Press said.

    We rate claims that this footage shows a response to the Oct. 7 Hamas attack False.

     



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  • Appointments of Counsel for October 13, 2023

    Appointments of Counsel for October 13, 2023

    Published 12:00 pm Monday, October 9, 2023

    Following are appointments of counsel to be heard at the Covington County Courthouse on October 13, 2023, at 9 a.m. with Judge Charles A. Short presiding.

    • Justin Aaron Blackmon, appointment of counsel, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while license revoked, expired tag, failure to carry insurance
    • Christopher Michael Thames, arraignment, Attorney Bill Alverson
    • April Michelle Hart, appointment of counsel, third degree burglary, first degree theft of property
    • Christopher Shawn Carnley, appointment of counsel, first degree theft of property
    • David Ted Deboer, appointment of counsel, third degree theft of property
    • Jordan Russell Wallace, appointment of counsel, two counts of third degree burglary, fourth degree theft of property, second degree theft of property
    • Savannah Lowry Hutto, appointment of counsel, first degree criminal mischief
    • Zacquary Darryl Vincent, appointment of counsel, third degree burglary, third degree theft of property
    • Laura Nicole Webster, appointment of counsel, third degree burglary, third degree theft of property
    • Diandre Nicholas Sheridan, appointment of counsel, first degree robbery
    • Roosevelt Weaver III, appointment of counsel, first degree robbery
    • Tyler Ryan Faulk, appointment of counsel, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia
    • Melissa Bess Cook, appointment of counsel, possession of a controlled substance, second degree possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, improper lane use, driving under the influence
    • Zytristen J. Daniels, appointment of counsel, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while license suspended, switched tag
    • Malcolm Freeman Person, appointment of counsel, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, second degree possession of marijuana
    • Brian Gray Falkenberry, appointment of counsel, possession of a controlled substance, second degree possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia
    • Breanna Cree Williams, appointment of counsel, possession of a controlled substance, second degree possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while license suspended, no insurance
    • Hannah Alyshia Smith, appointment of counsel, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving under the influence
    • Ronnie Lee Fisk, appointment of counsel, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, second degree possession of marijuana, speeding, switched tag
    • Terry Shaw, appointment of counsel, possession of a controlled substance, second degree possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia
    • Daniel Scott Hadaway, appointment of counsel, SORNA violation
    • Jennelle Matthews, appointment of counsel, third degree theft of property
    • Jordan Ray Lee, appointment of counsel, third degree burglary, fourth degree theft of property
    • Misty Ann Henson, appointment of counsel, third degree theft of property
    • Danny Lee Stewart, appointment of counsel, first degree theft of property
    • Samantha D. Wilson, arraignment, Attorney Manish Patel
    • Anthony Kyle Sherman, arraignment, Attorney Larry Grissett
    • William Seth Thames, arraignment, Attorney David Baker
    • Lekelyus Dishay Horstead, arraignment, Attorney Chris Sledge
    • Kelly Wayne Hardy, arraignment, Attorney Larry Grissett
    • Chloe Lynn Baker, arraignment, Attorney Diana Mock
    • Joseph Alexander Ford, arraignment, Attorney William Alverson
    • Alexandra Danielle Farrington, appointment of counsel, two counts of chemical endangerment of a child
    • O’Darius Akeem Fort, arraignment Attorney Larry Grissett
    • Aaliyah Jade McCormick, arraignment, Attorney William Alverson
    • Litisha Sharise Robinson, arraignment, Attorney David Baker
    • Hunter Levi Saultz, arraignment, Attorney Trey Burgess

    The above criminal motion cases were filed by the clerk’s office on Oct. 6, 2023.

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  • Fact Check: Cotham falsely says NC budget includes ‘largest’ ever income tax cut

    A North Carolina legislator who recently switched political parties is touting what she characterized as her new party’s efforts to deliver historic tax cuts.

    State Rep. Tricia Cotham of Mecklenburg County, a longtime Democrat when she was elected, joined the Republican Party in April. In a Sept. 25 interview with WBT-FM radio, Cotham slammed members of her former party for not supporting the GOP-authored state budget.

    Most Democrats said they opposed the budget partly because they fear it won’t generate enough revenue to fund the needs of a growing state. 

    “Now this budget does cut taxes,” Cotham said. “It’s going to be the largest cut in our personal income tax that we’ve ever seen.”

    Cotham didn’t clarify what time period she was talking about. But it’s clear she was referring to the budget that was enacted this week, which lays out a plan to incrementally lower the income tax rate over the next 10 years. 

    So, should North Carolinians expect an imminent record-setting cut? That wasn’t a claim we saw in press releases about the budget from Republican Senate leader Phil Berger or Republican House Speaker Tim Moore.

    And there could be a reason for that: Although legislative leaders continue to push the income tax rate to new modern-day lows, this budget’s cut of the income tax rate isn’t historically large. The state’s current personal income tax is 4.75%. If the state meets certain revenue benchmarks, the rate would be as low as 2.49% in 2033 — a reduction of 2.26 percentage points. 

    Many North Carolinians saw bigger tax-rate cuts in the previous 10 years. 

    Rates through the years

    From 1989 to 2013, North Carolina’s personal income tax rate ranged from 6% to 8.25%. A person’s rate depended on how much taxable income they reported and how they chose to file: single, married filing jointly, married filing separately, etc. 

    About 52% of taxpayers qualified at 7% in 2013, but some paid a rate as high as 7.75%. That year, Republican legislators launched a plan to cut the personal income tax rate over time. 

    For people on the upper end of the range in 2013, the tax rate has been cut by 3 percentage points to today’s rate — far more than what is planned in the new budget.   

    Now, let’s look at this on a year-over-year basis. In 2014, lawmakers enacted a flat personal income tax rate of 5.8% — a cut of 1.2 percentage points or more for those paying 7% and nearly 2 percentage points for those who paid a 7.75% rate in 2013. 

    That change stands as the largest year-over-year cut in recent history. Under the proposed budget, the biggest year-over-year cut would be half a percentage point. And that’s only if revenue goals are met. 

    For 2024, the state budget sets an income tax rate of 4.5%, a year-over-year cut of 0.25 percentage points. It then implements rates of 4.25% in 2025 and 3.99% in 2026.

    Deeper cuts possible

    The budget allows for deeper cuts to the income tax rate — but not until 2027 and only if the state hits revenue benchmarks set by the budget.

    In the 2027 tax year, the personal income rate is scheduled to be 3.99%, but it can drop to 3.49% if the state generates $33.04 billion in revenue in fiscal year 2025-26. The rate can decrease another 0.5 of a percentage point each year thereafter, so long as the state hits those revenue targets.

    North Carolina could lower its income tax rate to 2.49% by 2030 — potentially giving the state the nation’s lowest flat income tax.

    PolitiFact NC reached out to Cotham for comment, but she didn’t respond. Responding on her behalf, Moore’s office referred to the 2030 goal and noted that the budget accelerates tax cuts in the coming years.

    “The budget puts North Carolina on a statutory path for a 2.49% income tax rate, while increasing the speed of previously enacted income tax cuts that will benefit NC families for years to come,” Moore’s office said in an email statement. “Once fully implemented, this will be the most significant tax reduction in state budget history.”

    Our ruling

    Cotham said North Carolina’s state budget includes “the largest cut in our personal income tax that we’ve ever seen.”

    If we look at year-over-year changes in the state’s personal income tax rate, the budget allows for, at most, a drop of half of a  percentage point — and only if revenue goals are met. That falls short of the single-year change from 2013 to 2014, when most North Carolina taxpayers experienced a rate drop of more than 1 percentage point.

    If we look at the budget’s plan for the next 10 years, the rate could drop 2.26 percentage points. That’s less than the 3-point drop some North Carolina taxpayers enjoyed between 2013 and 2023.

    Although the budget may represent a cut, it doesn’t represent the largest, as Cotham claimed. 

    We rate Cotham’s claim False.



    Source

  • Fact Check: Moore’s claim seniors are paying “no more than 35 cents” for prescription drugs is off base

    When Republican presidential hopefuls debated in Milwaukee in late August, politicians of all stripes were busy spinning.

    But a claim from U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, a Milwaukee Democrat who was touting President Joe Biden’s accomplishments, was truly dizzying.

    Moore took the stage in front of a crowded room at No Studios and touted the Biden administration’s passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, which allows Medicare to negotiate prescription drug prices. 

    Moore said thanks to negotiation of drug prices, “our seniors, instead of paying $500 a month for drugs, are paying no more than 35 cents.”

    Yes, 35 cents.

    That struck us as preposterously low. That would make prescription drugs cheaper than a foam brush for an art project. And the government has only just begun negotiating for lower prices.

    Let’s take a look. 

    Moore’s office admits to mistake

    We reached Moore’s office to learn where she got that information, and they said she misspoke. Asked what she was referring to, they cited the cost of insulin which, by one report, had been reduced to $35 per month. 

    Moore’s office sent us a summary of a report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services showing a list of projected savings by state if the cap had been in place in 2020. 

    According to the department, in 2020, insulin users in Wisconsin would have saved $628 in out-of-pocket costs per enrollee. 

    The $35 cap on insulin went into effect on January 1 for Medicare Part D and July 1 for Medicate Part B.

    In August, the department revealed 10 drugs selected for price negotiations, which will take place this year and in 2024. Any negotiated prices will become effective in 2026. 

    Ideally the negotiations should cause prices to go down for the drugs selected. 

    Our ruling

    Moore’s claim that under the Biden administration prescription drug prices for seniors has fallen to 35 cents.

    When questioned about the claim, Moore’s office said she misspoke and that she meant to cite the price of insulin being capped at $35 under the Inflation Reduction Act. 

    We rate the claim False.

     



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