Washington Mother Says School Planned to Put Desk in Bathroom for Her 11-Year-Old Son With Autism
A Washington mother is furious with the Bellingham School District after discovering a desk was being placed in a school bathroom for her son, KTLA sister station KCPQ in Seattle reported Thursday.
Danielle Goodwyn told the station her son Lucas has special needs and requires a quiet learning environment. But she received unwelcome news this week when she went into her son’s classroom at Whatcom Middle School.
“The teacher informed us that he would be studying in the bathroom,” she told KCPQ.
In a photo that Goodwyn took, a desk is seen sitting over the toilet, and a chair is next to the sink.
“And a napping mat, so he was expected to use that mat to sleep on the bathroom floor,” she said.
Goodwyn told KCPQ that Lucas has autism and loud sounds are a trigger for him.
“We were trying to find a quieter place for him to work,” she said.
Goodwyn said there have been no issues with meeting Lucas’ education needs at the district in the past. He started sixth grade this year, and says he now feels scared.
“I thought this was going to be where I was for the rest of the year,” he said.
According to Goodwyn, the faculty at Whatcom Middle School did not provide any alternative learning space for her son, so she took him out of school.
“We are still waiting to hear from the district,” she said.
Bellingham School District officials issued the following statement to KCPQ:
We are continuing to look into this, but at this time, it appears that the restroom was set up as a possible separate quiet learning space, but no student was placed in there.
The desk has been removed, and staff at the school are aware that the space should not be used for that purpose in the future.
While we aren’t able to share specific details about our students, we can tell you that keeping our students safe and engaged in learning are our top priorities.
“Great that they removed the desk, but that doesn’t help my son’s self-esteem, his embarrassment,” Goodwyn said.
Goodwyn says she shared her story to warn parents, and that if she did not go into her son’s class that day she would never have known about any of this.
The district said they received the complaint Thursday morning and are still investigating. They said that to their knowledge bathrooms have not been used as alternative learning spaces.
Photo Credit: ktla.com
Suzanne Whang, Host of HGTV’s ‘House Hunters’, Dies at 57
Suzanne Whang, whose smooth, calm voice provided the narration for HGTV’s “House Hunters” for years, has died. She was 57.
Her Tuesday death was confirmed Friday by her longtime agent, Eddie Culbertson. Whang first gained fame as the on-screen host of the show, where anxious home buyers are shown trying to choose between three potential options. Later, she was moved to the narration role only, but her recognizable voice was as much a draw as the homes.
Culbertson says Whang was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006 and in 2011 was told she would not live a year. She beat the disease for years until it returned in October 2018.
Culbertson says Whang — who was also a comedian and actress— included her cancer battle in stage performances.
“Her courage, humor, determination and optimism, with which she notably confronted the disease, emboldened and gave hope to countless others facing serious life challenges,” he said in a statement. “She remained a loving spirit, and in the end she passed away peacefully at home with her great love by her side, having been true to herself and the journey she chose.”
She is survived by her parents and a sister.
via: https://ktla.com/2019/09/20/suzanne-whang-host-of-hgtvs-house-hunters-dies-at-57/
Photo Credit: Getty Images/ktla.com
Man to drink ‘iconic shot’ with his own severed toe in it
Soon, all of him will be toe-gether again.
When Nick Griffiths lost his big toe to frostbite in February last year, he gave it a second life — as a morbid cocktail. This June, the British man donated his detached digit to a bar in Canada, which has a decades-long tradition of serving a whiskey shot garnished with a dehydrated human toe.
Next week, Griffiths will reunite with his severed appendage, taking the inaugural sip of his very own toe tipple.
The legendary $5 drink, called the Sourtoe Cocktail, has been served at Yukon’s Downtown Hotel since 1973. Drinkers must touch their lips to the toe to earn a certificate of completion. To date, more than 90,000 have.
The titular toe of the Sourtoe is so sought-after that it frequently gets stolen (and sometimes returned) — hence the bar’s need for Griffiths’ toe. He saw a “Toe Wanted” poster from the hotel shortly after losing his own to frostbite during the Yukon Arctic ultramarathon and mailed in the specimen.
The hotel was delighted.
“We have been without a big toe for some time, so his generous toe-nation will help ensure the tradition continues,” says the hotel’s general manager, Adam Gerle, in a statement.
Also over the moon about the fresh toe was Terry “Toe Master” Lee, who is in charge of preserving the toes used in the drink. He quickly got to work on Griffiths’ digit to make it garnish-ready.
“It takes six weeks to mummify a new toe on rock salt before it’s ready to serve,” Lee says. It is now ready, but he wants Griffiths to take the inaugural shot.
“We have been waiting for Nick to be first to do a shot with the new toe and make it extra special,” Lee says, adding, “Nick’s big toe is a beauty.”
The reunion will be a happy one for Griffiths.
“I am excited to be returning to the Yukon and reuniting with my detached digit,” Griffiths says.
The tourist board of the Canadian territory has footed the bill for Griffiths’ flight from Manchester, England, for the sake of his “toe ceremony,” which will take place at the Downtown Hotel on Monday.
“Doing the Sourtoe Cocktail with my own big toe will be a memory I will take to the grave,” Griffiths says.
via: https://nypost.com/2019/09/19/man-to-drink-iconic-shot-with-his-own-severed-toe-in-it/
Photo Credit: Richard Galloway
Teen calls out school cafeteria’s ‘grilled cheese’ lunch in viral post
This is barely better than bread and water.
A high school student in in St. Cloud, Minn., called out her cafeteria food as disgusting with a viral image that showed a pathetic-looking tray containing little more than a few baby carrots and hot dog bun covered in congealed cheese.
“It’s honestly sad to know that we go to school and pay around 3 dollars for something that cost .50 cents to make,” Maryn Holler posted on a Facebook post on Sept. 13.
In addition to nine baby carrots and the bizarre attempt at grilled cheese, the sad blue plastic tray also had a container that said marinara sauce on the label.
“I thank God everyday that my family has the money where i get to go home and eat actual food,” Holler wrote, “there are kids at this school who this is ALL THEY GET TO EAT, and we were given a hotdog bun with cheese.”
The school district posted a bid to remedy the “goof.”
“Oops! We goofed. Tried a new menu item today at lunch and we hear it was not a winner!” St. Cloud Area School District 742 quipped on Facebook. “Going forward, we will gather input from our students on new menu options. Thanks for the feedback!”
District officials also reached out to the hungry student directly hoping she could help institute change.
“I had a meeting with my school principal and was told I get to have a meeting with the districts nutritionist. Will keep it updated,” Holler said in an update to her original post. “This is the start of something that could forever change my district.”
But the district’s “apology” received mix reactions from parents.
“This cannot even qualify as a balanced meal, can it? I know this for sure, any more ‘new menu’ items that resemble this garbage, and I’ll be pursuing a refund for the balance left in our food account,” said Mike Abraham on Facebook.
Another was quick to blame Michelle Obama, whose school lunch rules were targeted by the Trump administration for requiring strict calorie limits.
“Michelle Obama was very proud of f—ing up the school lunch federal standard,” Bryan Koering posted.
But others were supportive of the lunch ladies’ efforts.
“Oh my gosh find something to complain about that matters! The people preparing and serving your children are doing their best with very limited choices. They have to deal with so many restrictions,” posted Susie Bieniek. “Why don’t you take a minute to THANK THEM for working hard everyday to put a meal together for your children.”
via: https://nypost.com/2019/09/19/teen-calls-out-school-cafeterias-grilled-cheese-lunch-in-viral-post/
Photo Credit: facebook
College student inflates lips 15 times — and might go bigger
Pucker up — and up.
A woman in Bulgaria has injected her lips with so many fillers, they’ve swelled to more than triple their natural size.
Following in the lip-prints of brave pout pioneers like Kylie Jenner, Andrea Emilova Ivanova, 22, says she’s gone under the needle 15 times — and spent more than $2,500 on various fillers to make her lips look more “fashionable.” And she’s not done yet.
The student at Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski says she plans to get even more injections to keep up with the times. “In Bulgaria, this is fashion now,” she says.
Ivanova, who says she’s gotten plenty of support from her 15,000 Instagram followers and even marriage proposals, says she’s not sure when she’ll be kissing the fillers goodbye and settling for a more subtle look.
For the student of German philology, it’s all relative.
“I can’t give any indication of how big is too big, or can lips be too big, because for each person, ‘big,’ ‘bigger’ and ‘too big’ are different concepts.”
Her obsession is among the more ridiculous things people are doing lately to make their lips look more luscious. Lately, teens have been gluing the tops of their lips, then folding them up for a plumper look. And it’s not just women like Ivanova, either. Men are lining up for plastic surgery like never before.
“I’ve had patients saying, ‘I’m tired of people asking me when I’m going to retire. I want to be in the game,’” Park Avenue surgeon Dr. Melissa Doft told The Post earlier this year.
But the trend may be on the downswing — at least in New York. Doctors here say more people lately are deflating facial areas they had artificially plumped up.
Ivanova, for her part, isn’t one to judge either way.
“There are people who like me with bigger lips, and there are people who like me with smaller lips, but it doesn’t matter to me, because it’s important for me, how I like it.”
via: https://nypost.com/2019/09/20/college-student-inflates-lips-15-times-and-might-go-bigger/
Photo Credit: Jam Press
American Airlines passenger pops blister, splatters passengers with blood
Passengers on a recent American Airlines flight were likely left cringing after a woman’s foot blister popped during the flight, in a medical mishap that reportedly splashed blood onto two people, a book, the plane cabin’s walls and a window.
On Sept. 18, South Florida talk show host Andy Slater took to Twitter to share the disturbing incident which occurred during his flight to Miami, in a post that has since received over 1,100 comments and more than 700 shares to date.
“Bloody mess on my flight to Miami. Woman in aisle seat has blister on her foot pop. Blood splatters across aisle, including on the two guys in front of me, one of their books, and the window,” Slater said. “Flight attendant says @MiamiDadeFire will have to meet flight.”
“Update: She’s barefoot and was wearing these flip flops at one point. Hoping this blanket goes in the garbage,” Slater added in a follow-up message.
After landing, the sports radio talk show host explained that their plane was greeted by the Miami-Dade Fire Department and shared a video of a “great” flight attendant patiently explaining the next steps to the woman whose blood splattered and the two men the fluid hit.
“Due to US policies, we need the three of you to speak to the paramedics because of the blood,” the American Airlines staffer said in the clip.
Twitter users were predictably horrified with Slater’s tale and asked many questions about the incident, prompting him to offer more details on the seating situation and the fate of the plane itself.
In a larger sense, many commenters felt that the woman’s blister popping problem was a prime example of terrible travel behavior gone too far.
“Why her feet uncovered on an airplane anyway???” one asked.
“Airlines have to make passengers keep their feet covered at all times. This is ridiculous,” another agreed.
“[This is] one of the more disgusting stories I have heard in a while,” another chimed in.
“This is my worst possible nightmare not involving spiders,” another cried.
When contacted for comment, a spokesperson for American Airlines offered Fox News the following statement on the incident:
“Due to a medical-related issue that occurred inflight, American requested medical personnel meet American flight 1128 upon its arrival in Miami on Sept. 18. We thank the American crew who took great care of our customers on flight 1128,” a rep said on Thursday.
According to global flight tracker FlightStats, American flight 1128 traveled from Medellin, Colombia to Miami on Wednesday and landed in Florida on schedule.
Photo Credit: foxnews.com
Florida mom busted for leaving child in car to work at strip club
A Florida mom was busted this week for leaving her 3-year-old daughter alone in a car for hours while she worked at a strip club, police said.
Manouchika Daniels, 23, was charged with child neglect for the Tuesday incident, according to cops.
Police say that someone called 911 at around 2 a.m. Tuesday after Daniels’ child was spotted crying and wandering around the parking lot of the Vegas Cabaret jiggle joint in Lauderhill.
The child ultimately led police officers back to a vehicle that wasn’t running and had the back window cracked, according to Lauderhill police Lt. Michael Santiago.
About 30 minutes later Daniels showed up and identified herself to the officers as the child’s mother, authorities said.
“She admitted that she just left the child there briefly while she dropped somebody off, but later in the case we realized that was not the issue,” Santiago said, according to WPLG.
Cops determined that Daniels had left the tot in the car at around 11 p.m. Monday while she worked at the strip club.
“I mean, she could’ve been seriously hurt,” Santiago said of the child. “A 3-year-old is especially vulnerable in this type of situation. You have traffic flow on University Drive and it’s dark.”
Daniels was ordered held without bond and her daughter was taken into protective custody.
via: https://nypost.com/2019/09/20/florida-mom-busted-for-leaving-child-in-car-to-work-at-strip-club/
Photo Credit: Broward County Sheriff’s Office
White Teen Arrested For Stabbing Black Student To Death As Dozens Watched
The family of Khaseen Morris, 16, are mourning his death after he was fatally stabbed to death. The incident was caught on camera. Reportedly, over 50 people watched and recorded on their phone as Morris lost his life.
Tyler Flach, 18, has been arrested for the killing and is charged with second-degree murder. Flack, who is white, is allegedly an aspiring rapper who goes by the name “BabyTy.”
Morris attended Oceanside High School in New York. According to his sister, Keyanna Morris, “He was a person that would help anyone, and no one helped him. He told my mom this is the first time in so long that he’s been so happy because he finally found a school where he could be himself with nobody judging him.”
Detective Lt. Stephen Fitzpatrick, the commander of the Nassau County Police Homicide Division said at a press conference, “Kids stood there and didn’t help Khaseen. They videoed his death instead of helping him.”
The New York Times reports, “Witnesses at the mall said a car drove up, then a group of boys emerged and rushed Khaseen and his friends. Video footage shows Khaseen collapsing to the ground, as teenagers around him film his fall but do not come to his aid, the police said.”
The New York Times also reports, “On Sunday, she said, a 10th-grade girl asked her brother to walk her home and he obliged. Ms. Morris said she believed that the girl had been trying to make her ex-boyfriend jealous. It appears to have worked.”
Khaseen reportedly received threatening text messages the night before he was killed.
According to Newsday, Flach “strongly maintains his innocence” and “took the responsible step of self-surrendering to eventually clear his name.”
Our condolences goes out to everyone affected by this tragedy and we hope Khaseen Morris’ family gets justice.
via: https://newsone.com/3887346/khaseen-morris-tyler-flach/
Photo Credit: wset.com
Teacher drove to school drunk, was 4 times over legal limit
A high school teacher in Michigan arrived at work drunk and epically failed a Breathalyzer, blowing more than four times the legal limit, police said.
The 44-year-old teacher showed up to work at 8 a.m. Wednesday at Lakeland High School in White Lake Township, and administrators immediately suspected he was drunk. He admitted to heavily imbibing before driving to school, WXYZ reports.
A Breathalyzer test revealed the man’s blood-alcohol content was .354 percent, or more than four times the state’s legal limit of .08 percent.
The teacher was escorted off school grounds, according to a statement released by administrators.
“A shelter in place was called so that students did not witness the situation,” the statement read. “The staff member will not be on campus while this matter is pending.”
The teacher, from West Bloomfield, is expected to be arraigned Thursday on charges of operating while intoxicated and driving on a suspended license, WDIV reports. He also had a warrant out for his arrest on identical charges stemming from an October 2018 incident, the station reports.
via: https://nypost.com/2019/09/19/teacher-drove-to-school-drunk-was-4-times-over-legal-limit-cops/
Photo Credit: nypost.com
88-year-old widow violently robbed of thousands she saved for late husband’s gravestone
EAST VILLAGE — Police are looking for a man accused of attacking and robbing a woman in her Manhattan apartment, stealing thousands she had saved up to buy a headstone for her late husband’s grave.
Just before noon Saturday, Maximina Osorio was arriving home at her Alphabet City apartment, near East 10th Street and Avenue D, when the unidentified man grabbed her from behind after she unlocked her door, police said. Police identified Osorio as being 89 years old, but she later told PIX she is 88.
Authorities said the man pushed Osorio through her doorway and to the ground before demanding to know, “Where’s the money?”
Osorio told PIX11 Thursday that the attacker told her to “shut up,” and not to scream, even grabbing her face and nearly choking her to stop her from making noise.
The frightened widow told the thief that her money was in a drawer in her bedroom, according to police.
The man proceeded to take $5,000 in cash from the woman’s bedroom before fleeing her apartment, officials said.
Osorio said she had been saving the money for two years and was planning to use it to buy a gravestone for her late husband Salvatore. The couple were married for 50 years until his death about a year ago.
Her husband’s death isn’t the only tragedy the resilient woman has known. Osorio told PIX11 she also had to bury a daughter in the past.
After the violent robbery, Osorio complained of neck and back pain, police said. EMS responded and she was taken to a local hospital.
Osorio said she spent three days in the hospital and is worried about a head injury.
While police have only released information about one man wanted in connection with the robbery, Osorio said he had an accomplice in the robbery, and that her attacker spoke both English and Spanish.
The NYPD has released the below surveillance images of one man they’re looking for. They describe him as standing about 5 feet, 8 inches tall, weighing about 160 pounds, with a full beard. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, a blue hooded sweatshirt, a blue t-shirt, white sneakers, a backpack, and a black and blue Philadelphia Flyers baseball cap, authorities said.
A local woman has launched a GoFundMe for Osario.
Photo Credit: pix11.com