Polk County, FL

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Fort Meade, FL

Uncovering Florida

The Polk County Sheriff's Office has made an arrest after conducting an investigation into a case of credit card fraud involving 28-year-old Burger King employee, Kellyn Miley. The incident was discussed in detail during this morning's briefing with Sheriff Grady Judd.

Burger King Employee Caught Using Customer's Credit Card for Food at Former Job

Ohio State

The Lantern

On Tuesday, licensed Ohio dispensaries began legally selling non-medical marijuana to consumers; however, the drug’s possession, growth and/or usage are still prohibited on Ohio State’s campus. Credit: Jefferee Woo/Tampa Bay Times/TNS [Original caption: Four citizen-led petitions with proposals to update Dallas’ charter hit the 20,000 valid signature threshold to make it on the Nov. 5 election ballot, including one that would ban police officers from arresting or citing people carrying less than four ounces of marijuana.] As of Tuesday, students 21 and older can now legally purchase marijuana in Ohio.

Dispensary sales of recreational marijuana began Tuesday; possession and usage still prohibited on Ohio State’s campus

Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville Today

A historic marker could be erected to honor the victims of the racist mass shooting at the Dollar General store in Jacksonville’s New Town neighborhood nearly a year ago. If approved by the Jacksonville City Council, a marker would be installed at Kings Road and Canal Street on Aug. 25, a day before the first anniversary of the shooting, when a white gunman took the lives of three Black people.

Memorial considered to honor Dollar General victims

Colorado State

David Heitz

A bill quietly introduced this spring in the Colorado legislature to decriminalize the possession of drug paraphernalia obtained by harm reductionists has become law. As low-key as the legislation was introduced, the bill was signed into law without fanfare June 6. It garnered little to no media attention.

Colorado legalizes needles, pipes for meth and crack if obtained by harm reduction group

Denver, CO

In addition to collecting more than 8,000 used needles in the past year from Denver drug users, the Harm Reduction Action Center passed out 10,000 meth pipes and “snort kits,” according to a newsletter sent to its supporters Thursday. They also connected about 1,700 people to medical, mental health and substance abuse treatment.

Denver group hands out 10K meth pipes, ‘snort kits,’ connects 1,700 to treatment annually

Georgia State

Winder, GA

Daily Coffee Press

A 50-year-old former jailer has been charged by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) with cruelty to inmates and violation of oath of office. On Sunday, July 21, the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office requested the GBI to investigate an incident involving one of their jailers, Lolita Lightner of Winder, Georgia.

Former Jailer at Georgia County Jail Arrested

According to officials with the Southern District of Georgia, two recently unsealed federal indictments have charged 23 defendants in a series of broad conspiracies involving the use of drones to smuggle methamphetamine, marijuana, and cell phones into state prisons in Georgia.

23 Defendants Charged in Federal Indictments for Drone-Smuggling Drug Operation in Georgia

Florida State

Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters said he will consider more DUI patrols if voters legalize recreational marijuana use in Florida. Voters will consider Amendment 3 in November. It would allow adults 21 or older to possess, purchase or use marijuana products and marijuana accessories for non-medical purposes.

More DUI patrols possible if marijuana issue passes

Thomson, GA

A Georgia city mayor has been arrested by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation following an investigation and a grand jury indictment. According to GBI officials, the Thomson Police Department requested the agency to investigate an allegation that Thomson City Mayor, 52-year-old Benjamin Cary Cranford, provided alcohol to an inmate on work detail within the city limits on June 4, 2024.

Georgia City Mayor Arrested for Allegedly Giving Alcohol to an Inmate on Work Det

More dangerous substances are entering the Denver drug supply, Harm Reduction Action Center warned in a newsletter this week. “The Iron Law of Prohibition posits that as law enforcement becomes more intense, the potency of prohibited substances increases,” HRAC Executive Director Lisa Raville wrote in the newsletter. That is exactly what is happening, she said.

Dangerous substances entering Denver drug supply

Salem, OH

Northern Kentucky Tribune

Every day, 8-year-old Emma sits in a small garden outside her grandmother’s home in Salem, Ohio, writing letters to her mom and sometimes singing songs her mother used to sing to her.

Thousands of parents die of overdoses; advocates say their kids need more help

Most people are guilty of doing it at least once in their lives, many people do it by accident, some do it because they find it fun, and others do it for reasons like honoring loved ones. Regardless of the situation, just about everyone has released a balloon. The difference is that intentionally releasing balloons is now illegal by House Bill 321’s standards.

Law Signed By DeSantis Makes It Illegal To Release Balloons In Florida

Orange County, CA

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Tega Cay Sun

Federal prosecutors announced they have charged three former law enforcement and military officers in connection with a staged raid designed to extort a businessman in Orange County, California, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California announced. The individuals, who allegedly posed as legitimate officers during the operation, are accused of conducting the sham raid to intimidate the victim into paying a large sum of money.

Former Law Enforcement and Military Officers Charged in Alleged Sham Raid to Extort Orange County

Sheppton, PA

The Shenandoah (PA) Sentinel

SHEPPTON – Off-road vehicles aren’t permitted on state highways or the vast majority of local...
The post Illegal ATVs towed, impounded in crackdown in East Union first appeared on The Shenandoah Sentinel.

Illegal ATVs towed, impounded in crackdown in East Union

Columbus, OH

One man is dead after a five-hour standoff with police Sunday morning near Ohio State’s South campus. Credit: Lantern File Photo. One man is dead after an over-five-hour-long barricade standoff with the Columbus Division of Police Sunday morning.

One dead after five-hour standoff with police in the University District Sunday morning

Bristol, VA

John M. Dabbs

BRISTOL, Va. – Nestled in the heart of Bristol, Virginia, the historic Burger Bar continues to delight patrons with its nostalgic charm and delectable offerings. A cornerstone of the community since its opening in 1942, the Burger Bar remains a beloved destination for locals and visitors alike.

Historic Burger Bar in Bristol, Virginia: A Classic Dining Experience

Wyoming State

Buffalo, WY

WyoFile

The House Draw Fire burning in northern Wyoming grew to more than 163,000 acres on Thursday — nearly the combined size of Denver and Salt Lake City — threatening structures, prompting evacuation orders and forcing the closure of Interstate 90.

Wildfire burns 163,000 acres in northern Wyoming, forcing evacuations and I-90 closure

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The Lens

This year’s area of low oxygen in the Gulf of Mexico is larger than average, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced on Thursday. The “dead zone” is approximately 6,705 square miles , as measured last week. Within NOAA’s 38 years of measuring the dead zone, this year’s assessment marks the 12th-largest area of low to no oxygen, which can kill fish and marine life.

Gulf ‘dead zone’ larger than average, larger than expected for 2024, scientists announce

Newark, NJ

New Brunswick, NJ

Morristown Minute

NEWARK, N.J. -A Middlesex County man, Kenneth Strickland, 57Kenneth Strickland, 57, from New Brunswick, has been convicted of his involvement in a large-scale conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and heroin. U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced that Strickland was found guilty on July 29, 2024, of all six counts in a superseding indictment.

NJ Man Convicted in Large-Scale Fentanyl & Heroin Trafficking

New Jersey State

West Windsor Township, NJ

Princeton Junction resident faces severe penalties after being found guilty of evading $1.25 million in taxes over four years. Princeton Junction, N.J. - A Mercer County man has been found guilty of evading federal income taxes and filing false tax returns, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced Friday, August 16, 2024. Gordian A. Ndubizu, 69, of Princeton Junction, New Jersey, was convicted on August 15, 2024, on all eight counts of an indictment that included four counts of tax evasion and four counts of filing false tax returns for the tax years 2014 through 2017.

NJ Professor Guilty of Tax Evasion: $1.25M Fraud

NewsBreak

State board rules for Yuba Community College faculty in labor dispute; district appeals decision

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A state administrative law judge has ruled that the Yuba Community College District violated labor law and workers’ rights in its negotiations...

State board rules for Yuba Community College faculty in labor dispute; district appeals decision

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