Texas bartender arrested for serving shooter before deadly rampage
PLANO, Texas — Authorities in suburban Dallas have arrested a bartender who served drinks to a man who later went to his estranged wife’s home and fatally shot her and seven others as they gathered to watch the Dallas Cowboys play.
Lindsey Glass was arrested last week and charged with a misdemeanor violation of “sale to certain persons.”
The law prohibits the sale of alcohol to a “habitual drunkard or an intoxicated or insane person.”
Authorities say 32-year-old Spencer Hight in September 2017 already showed signs of intoxication at the Plano bar before leaving for the home of Meredith Hight and opening fire.
Spencer Hight was shot and killed by responding officers.
Glass had tried to persuade Hight not to drive and her attorney, Scott Palmer, said her arrest “is not in the interest of justice.”
via: https://pix11.com/2019/05/07/texas-bartender-arrested-for-serving-shooter-before-deadly-rampage/
Photo Credit: pix11.com
There’s a push for classes on the Bible in public schools
Legislators across the country have reignited the fight for, and debate over so-called “Bible literacy classes” — elective courses in public schools about Scriptures’ impact.
Alabama, Florida, Missouri, North Dakota, Virginia and West Virginia are among the states that have seen Bible literacy bills so far in 2019. Several of those efforts have fallen along the wayside.
While advocates for such classes believe students ought to be able to learn about the Bible’s influence on world history, culture and language, opponents tout separation of church and state and their concerns that teachers might possibly stray into proselytizing.
Missouri’s House Bill 267, nearly identical to other states’ drafted legislation, allows and encourages public high schools to adopt elective classes focusing on the history, writing style and influence of “the Hebrew Scriptures or New Testament.”
Doug Jacobson has a unique perspective on the matter: He’s pastor of Eureka Baptist Church in Richland, Missouri, and elementary superintendent at the small public Swedeborg R-3 School District.
Jacobson — who has officiated at weddings of former students and is asked to pray for the families of students — agrees with those who say a comparative religion class could be a less controversial route for educators, rather than emphasizing the Bible.
“Why not open it up to world religions and all different faiths, then you’re not trying to proselytize anyone into any particular religion or denomination,” he said.
The pastor-superintendent said that many of the Bible’s core moral teachings are already ingrained in the way that we teach children.
But backers of bills that promote a “Judeo-Christian framework” for classes were buoyed earlier this year by a January tweet by President Donald Trump, “Numerous states introducing Bible Literacy classes, giving students the option of studying the Bible. Starting to make a turn back? Great!”
Florida and the King James version of the Bible
Several of the Bible literacy bills have already been struck down or are no longer being considered in current sessions.
Legislation filed in Florida — which recently died in committee — is typical of the debate over the Bible and public classrooms.
“One thing that the Bible does teach is wisdom,” Rep. Mike Hill, co-sponsor of Florida’s House Bill 195, told CNN last month. “I don’t think anyone could deny that we so desperately need wisdom in our public schools right now.”
Rep. Anthony Sabatini, a fellow Republican co-sponsor of the state’s Bible literacy bill, told CNN that classes would focus on the Bible as a work of literature, specifically the King James Bible, an English translation used in Protestant churches.
“The King James Bible is considered one of the two or three greatest works of literature in Western civilization. This is a class that recognizes that and focuses on the language of the book,” Sabatini said.
Mark Chancey, an expert on the political, academic and constitution issues raised by Bible courses in public schools, says selecting a specific translation of the Bible can lead to unconstitutional territory. The professor cited the Philadelphia nativist riots of 1844 that broke out partially over the use of the King James version in public schools and what some called anti-Catholic rhetoric.
“If a course says, ‘We’re going to use the King James,’ then they’re basically — knowingly or not — promoting Protestantism,” Chancey said during an interview with CNN. He said that there is nothing wrong with examining this translation, but the most constitutional approach would include multiple translations.
Linda K. Wertheimer, author of “Faith Ed: Teaching about Religion in an Age of Intolerance,” said while Bible literacy classes could be beneficial, they generally don’t aim to educate students for the sake of critical thinking.
“The question is, are they really creating these courses to improve both biblical literacy and religious literacy?” she told CNN. “Or are these particular courses that are being started right now part of the effort from the religious right or evangelical Christians to push Christianity back into the schools?”
Project Blitz and the backlash
The movement behind Bible literacy classes has ebbed and flowed throughout the past 20 years, but is the most emboldened during the years under a Republican leadership in the White House.
The Republican Party put the Bible literacy push into writing in its official 2016 platform: “A good understanding of the Bible being indispensable for the development of an educated citizenry, we encourage state legislatures to offer the Bible in a literature curriculum as an elective in America’s high schools.”
A key supporter of such classes is the Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation and additional evangelical conservative groups, who together created Project Blitz. This aims “to protect the free exercise of traditional Judeo-Christian religious values and beliefs in the public square, and to reclaim and properly define the narrative which supports such beliefs.”
Americans United for Separation of Church and State has been fighting Project Blitz for more than a year, arguing that “church-state separation as the only way to ensure freedom of religion.”
The group sent a letter to Florida legislators in response to the pending legislation, warning of the potential for proselytizing and putting pressure on pupils to take classes “designed to promote a particular religion.”
CNN reached out several times to the Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation for comment but received no reply.
Are classes a Trojan horse for a bigger agenda?
Schools districts that currently or may one day offer Bible literacy classes are walking a potential tightrope.
Who would be qualified to teach such an elective course?
The Missouri bill would have instruction in a social studies setting and establish guidelines “in maintaining and accommodating the diverse religious views, traditions and perspectives and students in the school.” A student would be able to use his or her own translation of the text.
Chancey, a professor at Southern Methodist University, said that regardless of a teacher’s intent, missteps happen — which can land them in legal trouble.
He first began examining classroom curriculum for dozens of Bible classes across Texas during the 2005-06 school year, then even more in 2011-12.
Chancey said that his studies found most of the classes were problematic. Throughout his report, Chancey laid out examples of proselytization of students, teaching elements of the Bible as fact, use of pseudoscience, among other things that some teachers were practicing. Two Texas school districts dropped the classes several years ago.
Opponents see such school offerings as a Trojan horse to bring far-right Christian views into schools.
Heather Weaver, senior staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union, says it’s rare that these classes hold legal muster.
“Although they are often dressed up in neutral terms and they say these courses are not allowed to promote religion, these schools know that when it comes to implementing these courses, students are subjected to religious proselytizing and minority students are subjected to feeling excluded when these courses are offered,” she said.
State Rep. Aaron McWilliams co-sponsored North Dakota’s Bible literacy bill, which failed to advance to a final vote earlier this year.
It would have allowed students to replace any half-unit of their three required social studies credits with Bible studies. The North Dakota division of the ACLU called the bill “blatantly unconstitutional” and said school districts would likely be subject to litigation.
McWilliams told CNN he introduced the bill for his “mainly Judeo-Christian” constituency. “You can like or hate Christianity, but it’s very hard to expel the influence that it’s had on world history,” McWilliams said.
via: https://pix11.com/2019/05/07/theres-a-push-for-classes-on-the-bible-in-public-schools/
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Lyft driver sexually assaulted passenger during multiple stops in Chicago
CHICAGO — A Lyft driver is accused of sexually assaulting a passenger at two separate stops in the Chicago suburbs on the same trip last week, according to WGN.
Alexander Sowa is charged with kidnapping and criminal sexual assault.
Police allege the 34-year-old picked up a woman who requested a ride using the Lyft app about 6:45 a.m. Thursday. She wanted to go from suburban Elk Grove to Des Plaines.
Sowa drove the passenger, who had been drinking, to a parking lot near Busse Road and Oakton Avenue in Elk Grove, where he sexually assaulted her, police said.
Sowa then drove around before taking the woman to a parking garage in the first block of South Emerson Street in Mount Prospect, where he sexually assaulted her again, according to authorities. Police said the woman was able to escape and find someone to call 911.
Lyft released the following statement: “Safety is our top priority. The behavior described is deeply disturbing and absolutely unacceptable. Immediately upon becoming aware of the allegations we permanently banned the driver from the Lyft community and reached out to the passenger to express our support. We have been in touch with law enforcement to offer our assistance with their investigation.”
Detectives from Mount Prospect and Elk Grove investigated the case.
Sowa was arrested Thursday. Bond was set at $10,000 at a weekend hearing. He will next appear in court Tuesday.
Photo Credit: pix11.com
Utah teens in polygamous group travel to Colorado to marry their cousins
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — A woman who says she was pushed to marry her cousin when she was a teenager is now trying to raise awareness about the marriage laws in Colorado.
Shanell DeRieux was born and raised in a polygamist group.
“I got married to a cousin at 18 years old,” DeRieux told KDVR.
On July 3, 2008, DeRieux and two of her younger half-sisters drove to Grand Junction with their cousins and parents to become legally married.
“Out of me and my sisters, I was the only one who was 18. The other two were 16,” DeRieux said. The grooms were 22.
They all belonged to the Davis County Cooperative Society also known as the Kingston Group. They left their homes in the Salt Lake area and crossed the border into Colorado to marry their cousins at the Mesa County Courthouse.
“We took a trip in a 15-passenger van. We took a trip to get married,” DeRieux said.
It’s illegal to marry a cousin in Utah unless one is over the age of child bearing years or 55 years of age. Colorado is one of 19 states where it is legal to marry one’s first cousin.
“We walked into the courthouse, filled out the paperwork and basically walked out with our marriage licenses,” said DeRieux, who said she is a former member of the sect.
Colorado does not require an official ceremony to marry.
DeRieux’s father, John Kingston, signed as a witness to the weddings. Three of his wives, mothers to the newlyweds, also made the trip. The parents of the 16-year-olds filled out papers for the marriage licenses.
“I didn’t choose to get married, I was pushed,” DeRieux told KDVR last month.
DeRieux now stars with two of her sisters in “Escaping Polygamy” on Lifetime network. She left her cousin who became her husband and has since happily re-married.
“I personally don’t think first cousins should be married,” DeRieux said.
The former Davis County Cooperative Society member is speaking out to raise awareness.
“Oh my gosh, I can’t even tell you how many of my cousins have married cousins,” DeRieux said.
She said her wedding day marked the beginning of an abusive relationship.
“The reason they pursue a license is to make it harder, specifically, to leave.” DeRieux said.
The former polygamist told KDVR the Kingston Group uses marriage to control women in the society. DeRieux explained that men can go outside the group to marry, but women cannot.
KDVR wanted to know how often Utah teens travel to Mesa County to marry, so the station reviewed hundreds of marriage licenses and consulted with The Salt Lake Tribune.
Actual statistics of cousin marriages are not available since the state does not track marriages between cousins nor release marriage documents.
Marriage applications only ask if couples are related and there are no consequences for lying since marrying your first cousin is legal in Colorado.
Salt Lake Tribune reporter Nate Carlisle has covered polygamy for five years and has researched teen marriage between Utah couples in Colorado.
“When you go through the marriage records enough, you see some common last names,” Carlisle said.
KDVR found seven marriage licenses between April 2018 and thus far this year between couples from the Salt Lake area.
Colorado marriage license between Utah cousins
Carlisle also identified several cousin marriages taking place in Colorado over the last 20 years.
“I was a little surprised not just cousin marriage is still legal in Colorado, but that it has created a small industry of people traveling to Colorado,” Carlisle said.
Carlisle told us even though he’s uncovered several cousin marriages, he found nothing illegal.
“At least a half-dozen times a year, there are kids traveling to Grand Junction, Colorado to marry their cousins,” Carlisle said.
Colorado is the closest state to Utah that allows cousin marriages.
KDVRT tried reaching out to the Kingston Group without success.
The sect’s spokesman Kent Johnson had previously told The Salt Lake Tribune, “The DCCS reaffirms that each individual has their free agency to choose whom and when they will marry. They should refrain from this decision until they can be well-informed to make a mature and thoughtful decision before entering into marriage.”
Long-time Mesa County Clerk and current treasurer Sheila Reiner said they uphold the state statue.
“We are following the law. It doesn’t mean we are condoning anything,” Reiner said.
Reiner also doesn’t think government can tell people who they can and cannot love.
“I think we live in a free country,” Reiner said,
Colorado lawmakers did not debate cousin marriages, but they did recently approve changes to teen marriage laws. Gov. Jared Polis is expected to sign legislation banning marriage under the age of 15. The bill also requires a judge’s approval for marriage of 16- and 17-year-old teenagers.
Utah lawmakers raised the state’s minimum marriage age to 16 in March.
“Escaping Polygamy” follows its stars, DeRieux, Andrea Brewer and Jessica Christensen, as they help rescue members of fundamentalist Mormon sects in Utah and elsewhere.
Photo Credit: pix11.com
In Brooklyn, two new social clubs emerge to cater to people of color: ‘A club just for us, by us’
BROOKLYN — In the heart of an ever-evolving and ever-gentrifying Brooklyn, there is a push to create a professional and emotional support network for a familiar, but specific demographic.
The Gentleman’s Factory one of these social clubs for men of color, is approaching full capacity at 100 paid members with more than 400 other names on a waiting list. Jeff Lindor founded The Gentleman’s Factory two years ago on Flatbush Avenue, across the street from Prospect Park, when he realized there weren’t enough spaces uniquely for men of color.
“I could always recall whenever I saw a person of color in graduate school, or in corporate America, I was super excited, because I always felt like I was the only one there, right? So it’s really great to be amongst people who share the unique experiences so you can all enhance and build with each other,” Lindor said.
U.S. Army veteran and Gentleman’s Factory member Tony Reid hails from Long Island’s North Shore, and owns Drone Tech UAS.
“When it stood out to me on LinkedIn, I said, ‘Wow, there’s actually an area where I can go to, where I can actually speak to other people that look like me,'” he said. “I was looking for an area where people of color, where we can actually, take our intelligence, and be able to sit at a roundtable and discuss the many things that are missing.”
The Gentleman’s Factory doesn’t have any flashy street signage, underscoring its exclusivity. The only reason to go upstairs is if you already know what’s upstairs. But this isn’t just a social club. Its founder, still carrying memories from his days at the Department of Corrections, wants to change the narrative of what it means when mainstream society sees a group of black and brown men getting together.
We mentioned to Lindor that there would likely be people reading this report who say, “This is a club just for men of color? That sounds pretty racist. What if a bunch of white guys were to go out and say ‘We want to found a club just for us, by us, to kind of bond with other white men.”
Lindor responded: “I would say that our approach is not even from an emotional standpoint, but from a data standpoint. It really speaks to the discrimination that we faced historically.”
Men of color are not alone in facing those historical challenges.
Naj Austin, 28, says Ethel’s Club – named after her late grandmother – will be open to both men and women of color when it debuts this fall.
“Since we’ve gotten started in January 2019, we have over 3,000 people signed up on our waiting list. What we look for in our members is a similar ethos to ours, which is an appreciation and an understanding for the advancement of people of color. The space is giving a group of people who are often marginalized, and often not heard – a place to be heard,” said Austin.
Ethel’s Club will also be membership based and, in accordance with anti-discrimination laws, like The Gentleman’s Factory, welcomes anyone and everyone to apply for membership.
“Every Ethel’s location will play home to a multipurpose oasis that is meant for you to be a better version of yourself,” Austin said. “So you will have a workspace, you will have a social lounge. There will be a room meant for events and specific kinds of programming.”
But make no mistake: entrepreneurs like Naj Austin and Jeff Lindor say demand exists beyond their borders in Brooklyn. They are both working to open social clubs for people of color across New York City and, eventually, across the country.
“A huge thing we are trying to solve for is wellness within the black and brown community,” Austin said.
2 in custody in Colorado school shooting that injured multiple students
A shooting at a suburban Denver middle school injured seven people Tuesday, and two suspects were in custody, authorities said.
Douglas County Undersheriff Holly Nicholson-Kluth says there is a possible eighth injury and doesn’t believe there are any other shooters, but tactical teams were still searching room by room. She did not know if there were fatalities or other details about the victims or the extent of their injuries.
Lines of firetrucks, ambulances and law enforcement vehicles from multiple agencies were at the school and medical helicopters landed on a grassy field.
The shooting occurred at the middle school at STEM School Highlands Ranch, a public charter with more than 1,850 students in kindergarten through 12th grades.
The sheriff’s office said deputies responded around 1:50 p.m. to the school in the Highlands Ranch community about 15 miles (24 kilometers) south of Denver.
Nicholson-Kluth said police and deputies got there almost immediately and heard shots as they arrived. The school is near a sheriff’s department substation.
The sheriff’s office directed parents to a nearby recreational center to pick up their children.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Destiny’s Child singer Michelle Williams and pastor Chad Johnson have taken to social media to confirm the rumors flying around the Internet — they are back together.
The couple was spotted looking very cozy and in love while attending the 2019 Kentucky Derby on Saturday in Louisville, Kentucky. They were accompanied by friend and singer Amerie.
Michelle and Chad dated for almost two years and were even engaged before splitting in late 2018 after appearing in the reality show, Chad Loves Michelle.
One fan said she is happy that Michelle is back with the pastor and added: “I hope they keep it private this time. Their friends should do the same. Looking beautiful and glowing. The presence of peace of love is all over you! ”
Another commenter shared: “She needs some happiness rn even if it’s with an ex. We are all soo happy all of you back together now it’s time to get married.”
his follower claimed: “Amerie knew what she was doing I’m glad he didn’t give up on her. Yasssssss I knew you would OWN that hat Look at you my Chelle that smile melts my heart, I love you so much!!
Welcome to my home city. I hope you enjoyed yourself! I briefly met you at Godfidence live a few years ago. ”
This Instagram user added: “@chadjohnson77 When you know it’s not right, it’s not right. You have to be happy within the relationship and you never wanna wake up one day and feel I made a mistake. I watched the entire show and there was some parts where I know you seemed very scared, and worried if this was for you and certain comments especially the one where you stated “ God told me to give you back” I felt it was a joke but sometimes in jokes the truth comes out. I admire your wanting to be as one but I can also respect you letting her go. No one needs a bigger heartache then leaving a marriage it’s nice you knew what you wanted, and you just was real within yourself. That’s what God wants is you to both be honest; it just wasn’t working, and we only see the outside; we don’t see everything.”
Fans are hoping that it will work this time around.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Police: Video shows Nashville man raping 5-year-old stepson
NASHVILLE (WSMV) – Investigators have arrested a man after his wife found video on his phone of him sexually abusing her 5-year-old son, his stepson.
On May 5, the victim’s mother contacted police saying she found video from March 22 around 7:42 a.m. that showed Calvillo engaged in sex acts with the young boy. The details of the affidavit are too explicit to publish.
The mother of the victim told police that when she saw the video she immediately identified her son’s voice who, in the video, identified the suspect as Calvillo.
Calvillo is facing charges of felony rape of a child. He is being held on $150,000 bond.
Photo Credit: kmov.com/MNPD
Florida Woman Pulls Alligator Out of Pants During Traffic Stop; 41 Turtles Found in Vehicle
Florida wildlife officials are investigating on Monday after a woman pulled an alligator out of her pants during a traffic stop, authorities said.
The woman was a passenger in a pickup truck that was pulled over around 3:15 a.m. in Punta Gorda after allegedly blowing past a stop sign, according to television station WBBH in Fort Myers, Florida.
While talking to deputies, the 22-year-old driver explained that he and the passenger had been out trying to collect frogs and snakes in the area, the station reported, citing an incident report.
Deputies then asked to check on the wildlife they collected to ensure it was legal.
The two were found to have 41 three-stripe turtles in her car, according to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office.
When pressed by law enforcement personnel whether she had “anything else,” the woman pulled out the small alligator from her pants, the Sheriff’s Office said on its Facebook page, posting a photo of the reptile.
The incident is being investigated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities did not identify the woman or the man; it was not immediately clear whether either or both would face any charges.
No additional information has been released.
Photo Credit: ktla.com/Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office /facebook
Calabasas Man Held on $3.6 Million Bail After Being Accused of Sexually Abusing 2 Stepdaughters Over 13-Year Period
A Calabasas man suspected of physically and sexually abusing his two stepdaughters over a period of 13 years has been arrested, authorities said Monday.
Micah Lanere Smith, 41, was arrested in Camarillo Sunday on suspicion of eight counts of lewd acts upon a child following a monthslong investigation, according to a news release from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office. His bail has been set at $13.6 million
Smith’s arrest came more than two months after one of the stepdaughters contacted the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and reported being abused, which sparked the inquiry.
Now an adult, the woman told investigators on February 15 that she had been molested by her stepfather between the ages of 9 and 18, the release stated.
L.A. County sheriff’s officials determined the allege abuse took place in Ventura County and sent a report on to the county Sheriff’s Office.
During the course of the investigation, the Thousand Oaks Police Department — which received the L.A. County report — learned that the woman’s sister had reported a similar incident back in 2014. Ultimately, she told detectives she did not want them to investigate, according to the release.
One of the stepdaughters lives in Lancaster, while the other resides in Oklahoma. Detectives conducted numerous interviews in both locations, where they determined the two had been physically and sexually abused over a span of 13 years.
Both stepdaughters were 9 when the alleged abuse began. Authorities did not disclose their current ages.
After his arrest, Smith was booked at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility. His bail was increased to $3.6 million “due to the nature of the crime,” officials said in the release.
Smith is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Tuesday afternoon.
Photo Credit: ktla.com/Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.