Teen accused of murdering his father, critically wounding 12-year-old brother over room cleaning argument
MADISON COUNTY, Ala. – A domestic shooting in Alabama over the weekend ended with the father dead, a child injured, and a juvenile behind bars.
Deputies say they received multiple 911 calls about a dispute at the house on Barberry Lane in Toney Saturday afternoon.
Jeffrey Dale Wanca, 16, is charged with the murder of his father, 43-year-old Chad Wanca, and attempted murder of his 12-year-old brother, Hunter, who remains in critical condition at Children’s Hospital of Alabama in Birmingham.
Police haven’t said what led up to the double shooting, but Wanca’s grandparents, Linda and Rick McNamara, told WAFF that the incident happened after their grandson was told to clean his room.
Wanca is charged as an adult and is in the Madison County Jail on a combined $200,000 bond and is set for a felon examination in court on September 4.
Deputies who responded to the 911 calls say they found the 16-year-old outside of the home. They say he walked toward them with his hands raised. He was later arrested after questioning.
Family members and several neighbors say there was dysfunction in the home, but not necessarily more than most families go through. Madison County Deputies are trained to respond to domestic incidences by always expecting the worst.
“We realize and we recognize that domestic violence and involuntary mental health commitments are the most dangerous situations that you go to,” says Madison County Sheriff Office Spokesperson Lt. Donny Shaw.
Many people are saying Chad Wanca was doing his best as a single father raising two boys. His mother, Linda McNamara, says she still loves her grandson who is currently in jail and wants to help him, despite the circumstances.
“Chad was a good father. He loved his sons so much. He will be terribly missed by his family and his friends. Please pray for my grandsons, as they need all prayers and support they can get,” said Linda McNamara.
The sheriff’s office said they expect more details to come out in preliminary hearings as they work to find out what happened.
Madison County Sheriff Kevin Turner released a statement about the shooting Monday afternoon:
“This is a tragic event for the family and the community. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Wanca family and, especially Hunter. Domestic violence is something that can affect any family regardless of income or race. If anyone knows someone who is suffering as a victim of domestic violence, we ask them to please contact law enforcement. See something, say something.”
Community members are rallying together to pray for all involved, especially the 12-year-old shooting victim.
“It’s a tragic incident for that family, for that community and for Madison County as a whole. We have a student that is not going to be going to Madison County schools. We have another one that is injured and will be some time before they go back to school,” said Lt. Shaw.
Both juveniles are in the Madison County Schools system, which issued a statement saying that counselors would on hand to provide extra counseling hours as needed.Advocates at the National Domestic Violence Hotline are available 24-hours a day, 365 days a year to talk confidentially with anyone experiencing domestic violence, seeking resources or information, or questioning unhealthy aspects of their relationship just call 1 (800) 799-7233.
Photo Credit: pix11.com
Mother and daughter accused of stealing crab legs in purse, punching manager
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A trip to the grocery store ended with a Memphis mother and daughter being arrested after allegedly stealing hundreds of dollars worth of crab legs.
Police said Felicia Hollins and daughter Gabrielle Hodges stuffed hundreds of dollars worth of food into a purse at an East Memphis SuperLo Foods on Quince Road, and when a store manager tried to stop them, detectives said things took another bizarre turn.
Police said when the manager tried stopping the pair, she was reportedly “struck twice in the face” while Hollins and Hodges got away.
“What’s wrong with them?” shopper Clord Thornton wondered. Thornton said the solution to enjoying things like crab legs is simple: work for it.
“I’m 78, I have a lawn service business, and I work 7 days a week,” Thornton said.
Another manager told WREG they weren’t too surprised to hear the seafood was swiped. They said crab legs and oxtails are both targeted items.
Hollins and Hodges were later arrested, and detectives said the mom and daughter admitted to running out with the costly crab, which was valued at around $200.
Both Hollins and Hodges are charged with theft of property and assault. They’re set to face a judge Wednesday.
Photo Credit: pix11.com
2 Men Arrested for Allegedly Threatening to Shoot Up Las Vegas Nightclub
Two men were recently arrested by police after they allegedly threatened to shoot up the XS Nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas, authorities said.
Braxton Ryback, 25, and Johnny Young, 22, were taken into custody by Las Vegas police after the incident on Aug. 10, Las Vegas television station KTNV reported.
Police were told that Ryback and Young were shouting, “White privilege, white power, we are white supremacist,” and locking their fists like they were going to hit people, the KTNV report stated. Police were also told that the men told security that they were going to come back and shoot the place up. Young then allegedly returned to the hotel-casino with pepper spray.
During an interview with police, Young allegedly told police that he had a weapon in his vehicle at the Wynn and another weapon in his apartment, KTNV reported.
He also told police that Ryback spent time on a website called “Daily Stormer” and that he shared Ryback’s beliefs.
Young also allegedly told police that he was drunk and angry at security because they had stopped him from taking photos of security cameras, but he never had any intention of hurting someone. He said he intended to only use the pepper spray for protection if needed, KTNV reported.
Young also explained that Ryback was from Canada and that he ran an illegal AirBnB, and Young and his girlfriend were staying with him.
Ryback told people that he did not remember what he said and did not recall making any threats and did not want to talk to detectives.
Police removed several items in Young’s and Ryback’s apartment including a loaded Cobra handgun, ammunition, a global entry ID and Belgium ID, a Nevada driver’s license, a Macbook Pro, an iPhone and a Samsung phone.
Police also removed a pellet gun and hard drive from Young’s car at the Wynn, according to KTNV.
Based on numerous witness statements and the fact that Young specifically stated he would return with a gun, both people are being charged with making threats or conveying false information concerning an act of terrorism or the presence with the intent to injure, intimidate or alarm any person.
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U.S. Throws Away at Least 3,500 Donated Kidneys Every Year
There are currently 93,000 people in the United States on a waiting list for a donated kidney, yet at least 3,500 donated kidneys are discarded every year, according to a study published Monday in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine.
The lack of organs for kidney failure patients is a major public health problem and one that President Donald Trump addressed in July when he signed an executive order promising to transform kidney care in this country.
More than 37 million Americans have chronic kidney disease and roughly 5,000 die each year while on the kidney waiting list. That’s about 12 people each day, making kidney disease the ninth leading cause of death in the United States.
In this new study, researchers looked at the number of deceased donors with organs offered to kidney transplant centers between 2004 and 2014. Over that time period, 156,089 kidneys were donated; 128,102 were transplanted; 27,987 were discarded. That means more than 17% of kidneys donated in this United States were discarded.
Since the end of the study period in 2014, the number of discarded kidneys has increased. In 2016, 3,631 donated kidneys — about 20% — were discarded, according to the researchers.
In comparison, in France, only about 9% of donated kidneys were discarded during the study period. The difference was because, in France, doctors were more willing to use older kidneys and kidneys from people who had other ailments such as diabetes or hypertension.
Research has found that new treatment approaches to manage the complications of donated organs make the transplant even of a lesser quality organ, a better option than dialysis, but US policies haven’t kept up.
One of the main drivers of this trend, the authors say, is that there is “intense regulatory scrutiny of US transplant programs, which may lose credentials if their one-year death and graft failure outcomes exceed predicted outcomes.” In other words, if the organ isn’t in the best shape, transplant centers may be risk averse and reluctant to take a chance.
There are guidelines, but there is no one universally applied method to determine which kidneys will be transplanted and which kidneys will be discarded.
There are several other reasons a kidney would be discarded. It could be in bad shape, there could be an abnormal biopsy on the organ, or some other physical issues. But there are also financial and regulatory reasons that they get discarded. An older kidney or one with comorbidities costs more to transplant, because a patient is hospitalized longer and it takes a patient longer to recover.
Some regions discard more kidneys than others, the study said, suggesting that a decision to keep or discard a donated organ is at least somewhat subjective.
A 2016 study of discarded kidneys deemed unfit for transplant was reviewed by a panel of transplant experts that found as many as 50% of the kidneys that were discarded could have been transplanted, according to the National Kidney Foundation.
To address this issue, the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) — which governs the transplant system in the United States — created a kidney donor profile index that’s been used since 2012. The score predicts the survival of deceased donor kidneys. In 2014, UNOS changed the kidney allocation system so that lower quality kidneys can be offered to a wider region, but neither of these initiatives changed the rate of discarded organs. The number of discarded organs has actually risen to 20%, according to a study published in January 2019. It was 14.9% in 2006, and in some regions the discard rate is even higher than 30%.
For years, kidney advocacy organizations have called for a change in the standards used to determine if a donated kidney should be transplanted or discarded.
An invited commentary that accompanied Tuesday’s study mentions that Europe uses an “old-for-old” approach, meaning an older kidney that may otherwise be rejected, might be a good fit for an older patient. Biopsies that are commonly done in the US may not be the best predictor of organ quality. Biopsies are less frequently performed in Europe. The commentary also suggests that regulations will need to change.
“It is recognized that the overly stringent and restrictive process of monitoring transplant programs in the United States has resulted in many transplant programs taking a risk averse approach,” wrote Dr. Ryoichi Maenosono and Dr. Stefan G. Tullius of Brigham and Women’s Hospital, in the commentary. “Hospital administrators and patients alike are attracted by superficial five-star ranking approaches that are easy to read but not necessarily reflective of the approach of individual programs aiming to provide their patients on waiting lists with the best opportunities.”
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has been considering eliminating some regulations that put these transplant programs funds at risk if the programs don’t meet expected outcomes.
Kidney disease is a costly problem for the United States. The government currently spends more than $114 billion each year on patients with kidney disease. According to HHS Secretary Alex Azar, That is one-fifth of the spending of all Medicare dollars.
via: https://ktla.com/2019/08/26/u-s-throws-away-at-least-3500-donated-kidneys-every-year-study-finds/
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Arizona Border Agents Arrest Couple Allegedly Transporting Meth Disguised as Ice Pops
U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents in Arizona arrested two people for allegedly transporting more than nine pounds of methamphetamine disguised as frozen Ice Pops on Sunday, the agency said in a news release.
Blythe Station agents working at the Highway 78 Immigration Checkpoint arrested the 38-year-old female driver and a 38-year-old male passenger Sunday afternoon after a Border Patrol canine working the primary inspection lane detected an odor on a Toyota Corolla.
Agents searched the vehicle and found a cooler containing brightly colored bags disguised as frozen Ice Pops, which were determined to contain approximately 9.21 pounds of methamphetamine.
Agents said the two arrested were a lawfully admitted permanent resident and a U.S. citizen.
Photo Credit: ktla.com
Oklahoma mother who forced kids to eat dog feces avoids prison
AY, Okla. – A woman who starved her children and made them eat dog feces will avoid jail time after pleading no contest to charges connected to the crime.
Mary Elizabeth Moore’s 5-year-old and 3-year-old children were hospitalized in the intensive care unit and were “so malnourished that hospital staff had to place them on a special diet and applied nasal feeding tubes to both children,” according to court documents obtained by KFOR.
Investigators say the 5-year-old weighed just 26 pounds, while the 3-year-old weighed 18 pounds.
“While DHS was at the hospital and speaking with one of the children, the child disclosed that she was allegedly being fed dog feces,” said Delaware County Undersheriff Tracy Shaw. “This is definitely an extreme case of child neglect, one of the worst that I’ve seen.”
The affidavit went on to say one of the children “had pinworms in her stool as well” and indicated she “gets spanked for hitting and laughing.”
According to court documents, Moore was in denial about the extent of the neglect. At the time, she claimed she didn’t want them hospitalized because she had a meeting with DHS the next day.
Shaw said that while DHS had received “many complaints” about Moore in the past, this was the first time the sheriff’s office was alerted to the case.
“As the investigator got around to the actual allegations, she became very upset and walked out of the interview,” Shaw said. “If somebody had not reported this, the hospital records and the child abuse expert that examined them in Tulsa stated that they would probably be dead.”
Moore was ultimately charged with two counts of child neglect.
Last week, Moore pleaded no contest to the charges and was given a suspended seven-year sentence. According to online court records, Moore has been ordered to not have contact with the victims.
via: https://pix11.com/2019/08/26/oklahoma-mother-who-forced-kids-to-eat-dog-feces-avoids-prison/
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Young girl killed at apartment with her parents; child was looking forward to 10th birthday party
ST. LOUIS – Six people were murdered in the city of St. Louis this weekend. Three of them under the age of 16. The deaths bring the total number of children killed in the city this year to 14 including five this month alone. The latest victims: a 9-year old girl and her parents.
Police identified Nyla Banks, her mother Antoinette Banks, and father Gene Watson. Nyla’s family said she was looking forward to celebrating her 10th birthday Sunday. Now, her family is trying to figure out why they were murdered.
It’s heartbreak and tragedy; the lives of a family of three cut short over the weekend. On Sunday, police made the gruesome discovery inside an apartment at the Edge Lofts on 21st Street near downtown St. Louis.
Police are calling it a triple homicide.
“My household is gone. I went home the other day to an empty house,” said Marquis Banks, Nyla’s brother.
The family said Nyla just started the fourth grade at a private elementary school in the Central West End and was gearing up for a big birthday party on September 1.
“She was so kind and so sweet and when others were sad she knew how to cheer people up,” Marquis said.
Her brother said Nyla was a joyous little girl, her mother was described as sweet and loving, and her father we are told adored his children.
Police said two of the victims were shot and one was stabbed. Now police are trying to figure out what happened and why.
Police do not have a motive or any suspects at this time and police are encouraging anyone with information to contact CrimeStoppers 866-371-TIPS.
The family did not have life insurance and has set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for funeral expenses.
Photo Credit: fox2now.com
Teen registers people to vote as they wait in line at Popeyes
(Meredith) — As customers waited in line to try the new chicken sandwich at Popeyes, one North Carolina teen saw it as the perfect opportunity to register people to vote.
David Ledbetter, 17, stood outside the Charlotte restaurant on Saturday with a small group of volunteers to encourage other people in their community to get involved with local politics, WCNCreported.
“I decided to register people to vote after I saw there was a lack of young people politically involved,” Ledbetter told the station. “I believe that it is our duty to vote as American citizens, and it would be wrong not to exercise our political voice.”
In total, the high school senior said he helped register 16 people to vote over the weekend. He said many of the customers he spoke to were already registered voters.
Popeyes created a social media frenzy last week with the launch of its new crispy chicken sandwich. The restaurant chain even went toe-to-toe with Chick-fil-A and Wendy’s on Twitter, causing #ChickenWars to trend on the social media site.
Thousands of fans joined in on the Twitter feud and created even more buzz around the new menu item. In fact, there was so much hype, some restaurants reported being sold out of the sandwich.
According to a report from Apex Marketing Group, Popeyes received an estimated $23 million in equivalent ad value within 11 days — thanks to all that hype.
Photo Credit: David Ledbetter/Instagram
KFC to start testing Beyond Meat fried chicken
Kentucky fried plant-based chicken is coming to a KFC in Atlanta this week.
In a test of Beyond Meat’s latest fake meat creation, KFC will offer “Beyond Fried Chicken” at a single restaurant in Smyrna, Georgia, near Atlanta’s SunTrust Park.
Beyond Meat has added chicken to its lineup of plant-based products, which include burger, ground beef and sausage alternatives, among other meat substitutes. KFC will become the first nationwide fast food restaurant to test Beyond Meat’s plant-based chicken.
Plant-based meat alternatives have grown popular in supermarkets and restaurants across the world, as people search for environmentally friendly and healthier foods to eat. Although the health benefits of plant-based meat continue to be debated, meat consumption — particularly red meat — increases people’s mortality rates, according to a study published in the medical journal BMJ last month.
Beyond Meat’s stock has surged since its May initial public offering, rising to $150 from its $25 IPO price. At one point, Beyond was trading about 10 times higher than its IPO price. The stock has cooled off since then, but investor enthusiasm remains as sales soar. Rival Impossible is rumored to be planning an IPO as well.
KFC, owned by Yum Brands, joins a growing list of fast-food and quick-serve restaurants that are adding meat substitutes to their menus. Customers are demanding them, and companies so far have been happy to oblige, and pleased with the results.
Although KFC said the Beyond Meat test will remain limited to one store for a short time, other restaurants that have tested plant-based meat alternative products have ultimately expanded their availability. Burger King recently made its plant-based Impossible Whoppers available across the United States. They started as a small test in St. Louis. Similarly, Restaurant Brands’ Tim Hortons started offering Beyond Meatbreakfast sandwiches as a small test and expanded them across Canada. Dunkin’ istesting Beyond Meat sausage and egg sandwiches in New York, and announced in July that it plans to bring plant-based sandwiches to every American store in the near future.
KFC will offer Beyond Fried Chicken in two forms: nuggets or boneless wings, each available in six or 12-piece combo meals. The wings cost $1 each ($6 for a half-dozen and $12 for a dozen), and the nuggets are $6.49 for six and $8.49 for 12. Customers can buy four plant-based chicken nuggets a la carte for $1.99.
In its advertising, KFC says the alternative chicken is “still finger lickin’ good.”
“KFC Beyond Fried Chicken is so delicious, our customers will find it difficult to tell that it’s plant-based,” said Kevin Hochman, chief concept officer for KFC US. “I think we’ve all heard ‘it tastes like chicken’ — well our customers are going to be amazed and say, ‘it tastes like Kentucky Fried Chicken!’”
via: https://pix11.com/2019/08/26/kfc-will-start-testing-beyond-meat-fried-chicken/
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Rosa Parks and Sally Ride get their very own Barbie dolls
Children everywhere are going to get the chance to have two historical female role models as part of their play sets.
Mattel is honoring Rosa Parks and Sally Ride with their very own Barbie dolls.
Rosa Parks was an American activist known as the Mother of the Modern Civil Rights Movement and Sally Ride was the first American woman — and youngest American — to fly in space.
Each doll comes with educational material about each woman’s contributions to society, authentic clothing and unique accessories.
“Both Sally Ride and Rosa Parks made the world better for future generations of girls,” a Mattel spokesperson told CNN. “By celebrating their achievements with dolls made in their likeness, we hope girls will be inspired to pursue their dreams.”
It’s only fitting that these two new Barbies debuted on Women’s Equality Day.
“Women’s Equality Day celebrates the hard-won achievement of women’s suffrage and pays tribute to the trailblazers who paved the way for future generations,” the Mattel spokesperson said.
According to Mattel, research has shown that starting at the age of five, many girls are less likely than boys to view their own gender as smart and begin to lose confidence in their own competence — this is coined the “Dream Gap.” Showing girls more role models, historical and present, and telling their stories can help close that gap.
The new dolls are part of the Inspiring Women Series, which debuted on International Women’s Day in 2018. Its mission is to honor historical role models who paved the way for generations of girls to dream bigger than before.
Amelia Earhart, Katherine Johnson and Frida Kahlo are also part of this collection.
Both dolls are available for purchase Monday, August 26.
via: https://pix11.com/2019/08/26/rosa-parks-and-sally-ride-get-their-very-own-barbie-dolls/
Photo Credit: pix11.com