TTL News

Quote

 

Kansas City shooting survivor Jacob Gooch, Sr., who was shot in the ankle, told "CBS Mornings" on Thursday that he overheard an altercation prior to the mass shooting following a parade and rally for the Super Bowl champions Kansas City Chiefs on Wednesday. 

Gooch told CBS' Gayle King that before gunfire started, he heard a woman tell a presumed shooter, "don’t do it, not here; this is stupid."

Gooch said his wife and daughter then saw a gun being drawn. 

“My daughter said that some lady was like holding him back, and people had started backing up, and then he pulled it out and just started shooting and spinning in a circle,” he told King. 

Gooch said he, his wife and his son were all shot. He told CBS his wife was shot in the calf, while Gooch was shot in the ankle and sustained breaks to a few metatarsal bones in his foot. Gooch did not specify his son’s injuries or provide an update on his son’s medical status.

 

Quote

 

Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Trey Smith took cover like so many other bystanders when gunfire erupted after a Super Bowl celebration Wednesday, leaving one dead and more than 20 injured, but he helped calm frightened people trying to escape the danger, including children.

Smith told ABC that a security guard ushered them away when the shooting started, and he realized, "'OK, this is not a joke. It's the life-and-death-type situation.'"

Smith said he found shelter in a closet and guided others to safety.

"Right before I run in there, there's like a little kid in front of me, so I just grabbed him — just yanked him — (and) was telling him, ‘You're hopping in here with me, buddy,’ so I don't know how many people that were in the closet. Maybe 20-plus?"

Smith said Kansas City Chiefs long snapper James Winchester was also “very instrumental in helping keep people calm.”

After authorities cleared them to leave the closet, they walked to the team buses, which quickly filled with the frightened bystanders.

Smith, who had been carrying a World Wrestling Entertainment championship belt as a prop through the Super Bowl parade, noticed a small boy who he said was panicked.

“I just handed him the belt," Smith said, telling the boy, "'Hey, buddy, you're the champion. No one's gonna hurt you. No one's gonna hurt you, man. We got your back.'" 

 

See these and other updates about this incident here.

Quote

 

WASHINGTON — House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner, R-Ohio, released an unusual statement Wednesday warning of a "serious national security threat" without providing additional details, pre-empting what the White House said was a planned briefing for congressional leaders.

Four sources with knowledge of the issue told NBC News that the threat is a Russian military capability.

President Joe Biden has been tracking the national security threat and directed White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan to engage congressional leaders, according to two U.S. officials.

White House officials conceded the matter is “serious” but there are ways to “contain” the threat without triggering mass panic, these officials said.

 

Read more. 

Quote

 

KANSAS CITY (AP) — Minutes after Kansas City Chiefs players vowed to go for a third-straight Super Bowl title Wednesday, shots were fired and multiple people near the parade route were carried away on stretchers. 

Fire Department Battalion Chief Michael Hopkins said eight to 10 people were injured but declined further comment, saying only that additional information will be released soon.

Police said in a news release that two people were detained. Fans were urged to exit the area as quickly as possible. 

 

Source

John Stewart has returned to host The Daily Show on Monday nights:

Quote

 

While the farmer in me may have a difficult time admitting that creatures such as gophers possess anything other than evil intentions in their hearts, deep down I understand that they—along with the other wild animals—all have an important role to play in maintaining a balanced ecosystem. What is imperative to realize is just how much of that also translates to the overall health of the farm: Wildlife biodiversity is far more significant than many people (farmers included) appreciate. 

Most of us already have some understanding of the importance of biodiversity on our property, at least from the perspective of beneficial insects and songbirds. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed installing Audubon-approved nesting boxes around my gardens to increase the populations of swallows that visit each year. They have made an enormous dent in the number of mosquitoes and biting flies that plague me and my livestock during the summer. This is a simple solution for increasing bird biodiversity, but what about when it comes to the larger animals? 

Welcoming birds and bugs onto your land is easy in comparison with wildlife such as deer, elk or even predators such as coyotes. For help on this topic, I turned to my local Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife office, where I spoke to Reagan Harris, a wildlife conflict specialist who assists rural residents and farmers in learning how to coexist with wildlife on their property. 

According to Harris, hedgerows are one of the best ways to increase wildlife biodiversity and habitat as well as direct animal movements away from valuable crops. Hedgerows don’t have to take up a great deal of space either: They can be something as simple as a 20-foot-wide row of shrubs or trees that run along a fence line or a riparian area. Hedgerows can also greatly benefit farmers by serving as erosion control on stream banks or as windbreaks for fields. These hedgerows not only help to create important areas of food and cover for a wide range of birds and other animals, but they also maintain critical travel corridors that help wildlife to move from one section of habitat to another. 

 

Read the rest here.

Quote

 

The State University of New York has launched a system-wide effort to have college students produce local news.

Pointing to numbers showing 80 million Americans live in news deserts, the Institute for Local News will link young journalists with media outlets across New York. SUNY says it’s the first initiative of its kind.

University of Vermont professor Richard Watts is a graduate of SUNY Cortland and Director of the Center for Community News at UVM. Watts has been tapped by SUNY to get the program up and running across the 64-campus system as interim coordinator.

“The State University of New York is this enormous system that has this opportunity to try and build these programs across multiple campuses,” he said.

Watts says programs like this can help reverse the growing loss of local news that experts say is contributing to a lack of trust in and engagement with democracy. 

Here’s how it works: a SUNY campus gives journalism students academic credit or funding to report under the supervision of a professional in collaboration with a media outlet. The student gets experience and the outlet gets news coverage it might not be able to offer otherwise. 

 

Read more about it here.

In 2024, Summer Cohesion will celebrate 50 years of recreational, educational, and cultural enrichment programming for youth and families in Chemung County according to a press release sent out last week. 

In 1972, Hurricane Agnes and the infamous flood wreaked widespread destruction throughout Chemung County. It also emphasized the critical need for our community to conduct collaborative program planning for summer youth programs to better meet the needs of our children and families.

The Elmira City School District, along with seven key partners: the United Way, the City of Elmira, the Town of Southport, ARC, the Jewish Community Center, YMCA, and YWCA, all came together to meet that need. In 1974, the program now known as Summer Cohesion was created.

From 1974 until 1976 Summer Cohesion was administered through the Elmira City School District. Summer Cohesion officially became a county program when it was placed under the newly formed Chemung County Youth Bureau in 1977.

Although a county-operated program, Summer Cohesion still maintains its collaborative community roots.

The Youth Bureau says they plan to have two celebratory events in the coming months, and they hope Cohesion parents, participants, and staff from the past,
present, and future join them to commemorate this milestone.

On February 6th, 2024 at approximately 7:48 PM Elmira Police Officers were investigating a domestic incident when they located the subject of the investigation at an address in the 500 block of
Park Pl.

Officers detained the subject identified as Leroy A. Weekes at which time he was found to possess a Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard .380 handgun. The handgun was found to be a stolen weapon.

Weekes was charged with Criminal Possession of a Weapon 2nd Degree a Class C Felony and Criminal Possession of Stolen Property 4th a Class E Felony for the handgun. Weeks was additionally charged with Menacing 2nd a Class A Misdemeanor, Assault 3rd a Class A Misdemeanor, and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 7th a Class A Misdemeanor concerning the domestic investigation.

Quote

 

It may have just gotten easier to become an entrepreneur in Chemung County. 

That’s the goal of IncubatorWorks, which is debuting a new Elmira business incubator with a 5:30-7:30 p.m. open house Wednesday night on the third floor of 318 Madison Ave., on Corning Community College's Elmira campus. 

It’s the first Chemung County site for IncubatorWorks, a nonprofit that already supports entrepreneurs and start-up companies in Steuben and Allegany counties in the Southern Tier. 

The Elmira Incubator was founded with support from Chemung County. 

“This initiative embodies our commitment to fostering economic development in our region,” said Mark Margeson, chairman of the Chemung County Legislature. “We are excited to see the positive impact the incubator will have on our community.” 

 

Read more here. 

Quote

 

Hamas has proposed a 135-day cease-fire plan that would include the release of remaining militant-held hostages, withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip and an end to the war that has killed tens of thousands and left the enclave in ruins.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were meeting to discuss the plan Wednesday, exactly four months after a Hamas-led assault on Israeli border communities ignited the conflict.

Netanyahu's office released a brief statement saying the proposal details "are being thoroughly evaluated." But Netanyahu has repeatedly said that Israeli forces will oversee security in Gaza, even after the war. Israel's Channel 13quoted a senior Israeli official it did not name as saying the Hamas proposal is unacceptable and a debate within the government involves whether to reject the plan outright or enter into negotiations.

 

Source

Quote

AP news: Bud brings back Clydesdales as early Super Bowl ad releases offer up nostalgia, humor, celebrities

See the article here.

All things related to this weekend's Super Bowl can be found here. 

Quote

 

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — A federal appeals court shot down claims Monday that New Jersey residents’ refusal to wear face masks at school board meetings during the COVID-19 outbreak constituted protected speech under the First Amendment. 

The 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling in two related cases stemming from lawsuits against officials in Freehold and Cranford, New Jersey.

The suits revolved around claims that the plaintiffs were retaliated against by school boards because they refused to wear masks during public meetings. In one of the suits, the court sent the case back to a lower court for consideration. In the other, it said the plaintiff failed to show she was retaliated against. 

 

Source

Quote

 

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Nikki Haley was swamped in Nevada’s symbolic Republican presidential primary as GOP voters resoundingly picked the “none of these candidates” option on the ballot in a repudiation of the former U.N. ambassador who is the last remaining major rival to front-runner Donald Trump.

Trump didn’t compete in Tuesday’s primary, which doesn’t award any delegates needed to win the GOP nomination. The former president is instead focused on caucuses that will be held Thursday and will help him move closer to becoming the Republican standard-bearer.

 

Source

Quote

 

In a statement, X’s head of business operations Joe Benarroch said, “As a sign of X Corp’s commitment to free speech, we’re proud to provide financial support for Gina Carano’s lawsuit, empowering her to seek vindication of her free speech rights on X and the ability to work without bullying, harassment, or discrimination.”

Lucasfilm in 2021 announced that Carano would not be returning to the hit series after sharing a post in which she said, “most people today don’t realize that to get to the point where Naxi soldiers could easily round up thousands of Jews, the government first made their own neighbors hate them simply for being Jews. How is that any different from hating someone for their political views?”

It was the latest in a long string of posts in which the former MMA fighter drew the ire of social media users for positions seen as right-wing on hot-button issues. Carano, who was dropped by UTA following the controversy, previously mocked government mandates to wear masks during the COVID-19 pandemic and falsely suggested that voter fraud occurred during the 2020 presidential election.

In a statement clarifying the post on X, Carano on Tuesday said, “My words were consistently twisted to demonize & dehumanize me as an alt right wing extremist.”

 

Read more here.

Quote

 

An ancient forest in Upstate New York has left behind big impressions, causing scientists to declare it the “world’s oldest forest.”

According to Binghamton University, the forest is located in Cairo, New York and was first discovered in 2009 by Charles Ver Straeten, curator of sedimentary rocks at the New York State Museum. 

Found at the bottom of an abandoned municipal highway department quarry in the Catskills, traces of roots belonging to the oldest trees in the world were found beneath a ridge and forest pool 387 million years ago. This recorded evidence meant that the site in Cairo is two million years older than the Gilboa fossil forest, just down the road.

Since its discovery, paleobotanists from Binghamton University and the University of Cardiff in Wales have been studying the fossilized woody roots of the extremely early plants characteristic of the Middle Devonian period. By tracing root impressions, researchers have been able to map out the world’s oldest foresttree by tree.

 

See the rest of the article here.

Quote

 

The milkweed movement is commonly associated with a way to help the monarch butterfly. In recent years, it’s become a popular way to support the species—since milkweed is the only type of plant on which monarchs will lay their eggs. 

However, landscape designer and author Benjamin Vogt cautions against leaning too much on milkweed as the silver bullet for monarch conservation. Adult monarchs need a diversity of plants on which to nectar.

“A more diverse habitat planting fosters a thriving ecosystem, one in which countless other interactions are occurring, which not only benefit monarchs but all sorts of other butterfly and insect and bug species,” wrote Vogt to Modern Farmer in an email. “Gardening for monarchs means gardening for everyone else.”

 

Read more here. 

Quote

 

The state already prohibits high-volume hydraulic fracking, which uses water to extract gas from the ground. Legislators sponsoring the new bill say it builds on the previous ban, which the state formalized in 2015.

“It’s legislation that will simply expand our current definition of fracking, to include not being able to use carbon dioxide as another medium to do dangerous fracking in New York state,” said Assemblymember Anna Kelles, the bill’s lead sponsor in the assembly.

The actor Mark Ruffalo, who has long been involved in the movement to ban fracking in the state, joined the lawmakers for the announcement.

“This is a fight we're willing to have,” Ruffalo said. “It's ridiculous that the gas industry is now trying to get around our fracking ban by using an experimental form of extracting gas out of shale with carbon dioxide.”

 

Read more here.

Quote

 

BINGHAMTON (WBNG) -- Some residents have raised concerns about newly sworn-in Broome County District Attorney Paul Battisti. Specifically, they are concerned about his Facebook page and claim their comments are being monitored or deleted.

12 News learned of the possible censorship on the page, which is named, “Broome County District Attorney’s Office” through messages from viewers.

For constituents like Binghamton resident Kenny Brown, it’s supposed to be a platform where they can have their voices heard.

“Silencing anyone isn’t beneficial to progress or conversation,” said Brown. “I understand that he has the right to if he wants to, but at the same time, there are many public officials from both parties that have kept their comments open when facing dissent.”

Senior Policy Counsel for the NYCLU Justin Harrison told 12 News that on a government-run social media account, censoring comments may potentially be a violation of the First Amendment.

“If it’s a government account being operated by a public official in their official capacity, then it’s a First Amendment violation for them to either kick off users, delete posts, suppress posts -- generally based on the viewpoint of those posters,” said Harrison.

 

See the rest here.

Quote

 

DO Make your farm name a centerpiece. To paraphrase Dale Carnegie, to a farmer, his or her farm’s name is the sweetest sound. So remember say it often and make sure your farm’s name is on display. Make a bold, professional banner or paint a giant sheet of burlap (hey, it’s rustic!). Just hang it high.

DO Clearly label your produce with the crop’s name and price.Terri Kashima of K and K Ranch in Orosi, CA manages her booth at the Hollywood Farmers Market every Sunday. She rises well before dawn, packs the farm truck, arrives early, yet rarely has time to create display signage.So, nephew Zach Kano took over visual duties. He stripped old signs and replaced them with easy-to-read script. He paid attention to variety names and descriptions and angled the signage to get more eyes. Changes were simple, painless, and perhaps most importantly, nearly free. Within a week, Kashima saw a 10 percent increase in sales.

 

See the rest here.

by Carol Houssock

CHEMUNG - Chemung Speedrome’s 2023 banquet completed business for the year. A packed house gathered at the Best Western Grand Victorian ballroom in Sayre, PA for the event. Promoter Ray Hodge dedicated the banquet to the late Peyton Shaw, last year’s 4 Cylinder Rookie of the Year and Waverly High School senior killed in a tragic car accident just before Christmas.

Lee Sharpsteen backed up last year’s title by earning another in the Buckley’s Automotive Modified division. In 11 races, he picked up 4 wins and in 3 other races he was among the top five. In addition to running for the title, Lee’s family also ran up and down the Interstates so his son, Leevi, could compete at Millbridge Speedway in NC. The family also experienced tremendous sorrow with the death of Peyton Shaw, whose relationship with their children was more like family than many have with blood relatives. Sharpsteen plans to defend his title, and to bring Leevi on board in a Bandolero this year. He’ll also hope to capture the title at New Smyrna Speedway in Florida, where he’ll race in their Speedweeks for the 602 Modifieds beginning this weekend.

Nick Robinson started 2023 with a DQ, essentially missing the entire first race in the Blauvelt Funeral Home Super Stock division. He came back and won the next two races and two others later in the year. From week two on, in the 11 other events, he never finished lower than third in a division packed with hard-hitters and talent. Robinson also won the ROC FOAR Score championship in ’23. He is weighing options for the upcoming season.

Josh Parker is now three-for-three. Parker won his third championship in the Marion Decker Agency Hobby Stock division. In its three years of existence at Chemung, it’s the fastest-growing division and he’s the only champion ever crowned. In the 13 races run, Parker never finished outside the top five, and he picked up two feature wins along the way. He is also unsure of his plans for 2024.

Track champions (L to R): Joey Allowatt (Bandolero Outlaw); Josh Parker (Hobby Stock); Lee Sharpsteen (Modified); Joey Bevacqua (4 Cylinder); Nick Robinson (Super Stock). Missing from photo Devin Gullo (Bandolero Bandit/Overall Champion)

When the season began, Joey Bevacqua had some big events coming up, such as leaving to attend UNOH in August. They sold the Super Stock and he focused on his 4 Cylinder he would run when he could. He ran the full season and was one of just two drivers to park in victory lane. He did that four times and put together a solid season to earn his first championship. Now part of an ARCA team through UNOH, he said he will race when he can this season.

In the Serendipity Ice Cream Bandolero division, Devin Gullo claimed the overall championship running in the Bandit age group. Joey Allowatt, last year’s overall winner, won the Outlaw title. Both young men dominated the action in ’23 and both visited victory lane as either the overall or division winner in 8 of the 9 features. Gullo will join his older brother, Anthony, in the Hobby Stock division this season.

Special awards: Rookie of the Year, Tyler Harbst (Modified); Best Appearing Car, Brandon Ameigh (Hobby Stock); Mechanic of the Year, George Kent (Modified); and Sportsmanship, Modified car owner Frank Morich.

Track promoter, Ray Hodge, thanked the track’s sponsors and employees, and spoke of some new sponsors coming on board for this year. Both Ray and Operations Manager Jerry Sinsabaugh provided some comic relief, with random pictures and unique captions and some light-hearted digs. Hodge mentioned that racers will have one week off in May, June, July and August again this year, something that gives everyone a break. He added that the ROC will be at the track four times, two with the Modified Tour and two with the Sportsman Series. The schedule has been out but will soon include greater detail. Begun last year, Hodge then presented two awards to loyal fans. They went to Jim Monaco and to Mark and Lilly Taylor.

Emcee and track announcer Carol Houssock mentioned that George Kent from Horseheads, NY was inducted into the Eastern Motorsport Press Association’s Hall of Fame. Houssock, an EMPA Board member, presented Kent with his award since he had been unable to attend the organization’s banquet last month. She highlighted his Hall of Fame-worthy career. Kent was thankful to be recognized for his decades in the sport.

Track announcer and Board member of the Eastern Motorsport Press Association Carol Houssock George Kent his EMPA Hall of Fame award.

Houssock highlighted many of the special moments everyone experienced at the Speedrome in 2023, both light-hearted and serious. She also thanked all the race teams, Ray and Ellen Hodge, sponsors, and everyone at the track for their hard work and investment in racing at the Speedrome.

Race teams and fans are encouraged to watch for the detailed 2024 schedule and other news on the track’s website www.chemung-speedrome.com and on the official Facebook page ‘Chemung Speedrome – Racing at the Drome’. Anyone having questions regarding the schedule, rules, track rental, or track operations can call Ray Hodge at 607-483-3468.

Quote

 

There are approximately 66,900 migrants under the care of New York City, a City Hall spokesperson told CNN on Thursday. More than 173,900 migrants have arrived in the city since spring 2022, the spokesperson said.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement declined comment.

The incident happened as officers were attempting to break up a “disorderly group” outside the shelter near Times Square and a physical altercation ensued, police said.

When the officers tried to take a person into custody, “multiple unidentified individuals repeatedly kicked and punched the officers in the head and body” and later fled on foot, police said. The officers had minor injuries and were treated on the scene, police said.

According to a criminal complaint, while Brito was being apprehended, a struggle ensued with the officers, leading them to fall to the ground. While they were on the ground, other suspects are accused of striking and kicking while Brito is accused of fleeing from the scene.

Mayor Eric Adams was asked Thursday morning during a radio interview about growing calls to deport those responsible for the attack. Adams told La Mega 97.9 FM the city does not have the authority to deport.

“I think it was disgusting, and they should be held accountable,” Adams said of the attack. “We cannot allow people to abuse our symbol of authority. The police uniform is not only the individual, it is the symbol of authority and law and order and this is not a city of disorder. We’re going to be a city of order.”

 

See the full article here.