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Bush Targets Democrats Clinton and Sanders

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Jeb Bush has a new set of targets in his sights, shifting focus from other Republicans to Democratic rivals Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton during a speech Thursday to Nevada voters.

Bush spoke about Sanders’ plan to roll out $18 trillion in new spending programs, calling it “impossible to imagine.”

The Republican presidential candidate said his plan to shrink the government and taxes is the “proper” way to boost economic growth in the country.

Bush briefly spoke about the second round of Republican debates on Wednesday, calling it a “crazy” and “different” experience.



Photo Credit: AP

Viral Arrest Video

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The Stockton Police Department is coming under fire after a video was posted on YouTube showing nine officers forcibly arresting a 16-year-old boy accused of jaywalking, and the teen’s family filed a formal complaint Thursday.

The video begins after the initial confrontation, just before 7 a.m. Tuesday, when witnesses said a single officer told the teen to walk onto the sidewalk and not in the bus-only lane. The incident escalated and the video begins with the boy sitting on the edge of a planter with the cop over him, baton drawn.

Witnesses can be heard yelling at the officer, who calls for backup.

Eight additional officers quickly arrive and several of them forcibly put the teen on the ground together and arrest him.

The video was posted by witness Edgar Avedaño, who gave his version of the incident on his Facebook page.

“Here's the info of what happened,” he wrote. “The kid got stopped for ‘jaywalking’ when he barely stepped out of the bus he was 2 feet away from the sidewalk when the cop stopped him for ‘jaywalking’. The cop was telling him to take a sit but the teen kept walking to his bus but the cop kept grabbing his arm & the kid took off the cop's hand off his arm so the cop took out his baton & that's when I started recording because everything happened too quick. He didn't have to hit the kid with the baton & no need to call about 20 cops. And as you can see his body cam is on the floor. Smh” (sic)

The police department contends the detainment and arrest was within policy.

According to spokesman Officer Joseph Silva, the teen did not comply with the officer’s request that he stop walking in a bus-only lane and cussed at the officer in reply. He continued walking in the street, Silva said.

Silva said that a struggle ensued, and the teen knocked the officer’s body camera to the ground and tried to grab his baton. The officer requested backup, and asked for additional officers because of the crowd that was forming.

"If everyone would just learn to comply with the lawful orders from police officers and not try to hold or grab any of our weapons, force would never have to be used," Silva said.

The teen was cited for trespassing and resisting arrest, Silva said.

An initial review indicated that the officers acted within policy, he added, but there would be additional investigation.

NBC Investigations' Andrew Blankstein contributed to this report.



Photo Credit: Video Courtesy Edgar Avendano

Police Rule Out Connection in Colorado Shootings

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Police in northern Colorado are investigating the possible relationship between shootings at a health care center and an elementary school over the weekend and are ruling out a connection to four other shootings that left two people dead, NBC News reported.

A spokesperson for the Northern Colorado Shooting Task Force said police have poured over leads and interviewed 10 people, but nothing is connecting the new shootings with the original four.

Someone fired shots on Sunday at the Banner Health Center building in Fort Collins, north of Denver, police said. No one was hurt. That same day, shots were fired at the Cottonwood Plains Elementary School in Fort Collins.

The FBI is offering a reward in the cases.



Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Park Officials I.D. 7 Flood Victims

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Six of the seven hikers killed in Zion National Park this week in a flash flood were from Southern California.

The hikers were killed when fast-moving floodwaters rushed through a narrow park canyon Monday afternoon.

The park listed the Southern California fatalities as Mark MacKenzie, 56, of Valencia; Linda Arthur, 57, and Steve Authur, 58, both of Camarillo; Gary Favela, 51, of Rancho Cucamonga; Muku Reynolds, 59, of Chino; and Robin Brum, 53, of Camarillo. The seventh flooding victim was Don Teichner, 55, of Mesquite, Nevada.

Park officials said Linda Arthur's body was found Thursday a few miles from the sandstone gorge where the group got trapped during a violent rainstorm, in an area that had been unreachable previously amid fears of more flooding. The rest of the victims were found earlier this week.

Some in the group were new to rappelling and were swimming through narrow canyons in a sport called canyoneering, but park policy prevents rangers from assessing their skill level or stopping them from going, even after repeated warnings of the flood risk Monday.

The park is investigating what led to the deaths and reviewing its policies, but the process for canyon entry permits is decided at the national level and any changes would likely need to come from the top down, park spokesman David Eaker said.

The flash flooding also killed at least 12 other people, including nine children, in a nearby polygamous town on the Utah-Arizona border. Raging waters swept two cars downstream, leaving a 6-year-old boy still missing. Three other children survived.

Authorities in Mohave County, Arizona, said Thursday they were searching for a 33-year-old man from the area who has been missing since the flash floods hit Monday. Ryan Mertlich's car was discovered heavily damaged in a flood plain about 15 miles west of Colorado City.

Mertlich's family reported him missing Tuesday, saying he typically drives the back roads in the area, said Mohave County sheriff's spokeswoman Trish Carter.

North in Zion, the seven hikers were clambering through a popular canyon when a deluge seen only once a century unleashed a wall of churning water. The flooding likely rushed over their heads in moments and carried them miles downstream, Eaker said.

"It would be just like a drain, it just funnels down in there very quickly, very fast," he said.

Officials believe the group entered Keyhole Canyon late Monday afternoon, after some of those new to canyoneering took a course, he said. The route is considered entry level, according to canyoneering experts.

In an earlier identification, the Ventura County Sheriff's Department in Southern California said Sgt. Steve Arthur and his wife Linda were part of the group.

Only 80 people a day can visit Keyhole Canyon. The group was told of the danger of flash flooding when they got their entry permit, a common warning during the rainy season, park officials say. They decided to go anyway.

Rangers closed the park's canyons after the storm hit, but there was no way to warn those already inside the majestic slot formations, which can quickly fill with rain water and leave people with no escape.

Aside from one spot near the entrance of Keyhole Canyon, "there really is no high ground. You're in a slot pretty much the whole way," Eaker said.

Exploring slot canyons found in the desert Southwest can require a combination of hiking, climbing, swimming and caving. Canyoneering has grown in popularity in recent years, attracting people who enjoy the challenge and the beauty of the canyons.

Even a small amount of rain can turn a trip deadly as the moisture runs off the desert landscape and fills the canyon with water, branches, rocks and debris.



Photo Credit: AP

Donald Trump Fields Question About Muslims

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Two leading presidential candidates visited the Granite State on Thursday ostensibly to build excitement ahead of New Hampshire's early primary.

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump was greeted by a huge crowd at a town hall-style rally in Rochester, New Hampshire and Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton held three events around the state.

Trump may leave with the bigger headline after a supporter asked Trump a question about Muslims in America.

"We have a problem in this country. It's called Muslims," the supporter said.

"We know our current president is one," he added. "You know he's not even an American."

"We need this question," Trump replied, smiling.

"That's my question," the man said. "When can we get rid 'em?"

Trump did not attempt to correct the record about President Obama's faith or nationality.

"We are going to be looking at a lot of different things," Trump said in response.

NBC News reached out to the Trump campaign for clarification on the remark. His staff told NBC News that Trump meant to say that "Christians need support in this country. Their religious liberty is at stake."

When pressed whether Trump believes that Muslims are "a problem" in this country, a staffer replied: "Mr. Trump was referring to the need to protect Christians' religious liberties as his previous statements said and nothing more."

Other supporters asked about veterans issues. Trump says a plan is coming.

"You’re going to go to private practice," he said. "It'll be less expensive and you'll get much better service. But you're not going to be waiting in rooms for five and six and seven days."

Trump also talked about taking jobs and bringing manufacturing back to the U.S., continuing his harsh words about Oreos.

A former employee of Lucent Technologies brought up Republican challenger Carly Fiorina, saying she cost her part of her retirement when she helped run the company and the stock price eventually plunged.

Clinton held three rallies Thursday, covering several issues. The last of those rallies took place at the same time as Trump's.

Her day began in typical "political stump" fashion, with a diner stop to meet and chat with voters.

From there, she had two early events - one in Nashua, the other in Laconia - to talk about the drug problem.

Then, it was on to Concord for a town hall meeting where she was asked about the best way to fight terrorism.

"This is an ongoing learning process," she said. "I think we have to be very, very careful, and we have to use force as a last resort, not a first resort," she said. "

Clinton will remain in New Hampshire through Saturday, when she's scheduled to speak at the New Hampshire Democratic Party State Convention along with Lincoln Chafee, Lawrence Lessig, Martin O'Malley and Bernie Sanders.

Republican candidate Bobby Jindal is also scheduled to be in the state on Friday.



Photo Credit: necn

Son of Missing Easton Couple Indicted on Federal Gun Charge

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The son of a missing Easton, Connecticut couple, was indicted Thursday on a federal gun charge, and sources have told NBC Connecticut he's a person of interest in his parents' disappearance.

Kyle Navin, 27, of Bridgeport, has been charged with possession of a firearm by someone who is illegally using or addicted to a controlled substance, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

He has been in custody since his arrest Sept. 8. A federal grand jury returned an indictment on Thursday.

State, local and federal authorities searched Kyle Navin's home last month as part of the investigation into his parents' disappearance.

They discovered two guns and several rounds of ammunition in his bedroom, along with evidence of heroin use, empty bottles of oxycodone and other prescription drugs, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

A search of his cellphone revealed text messages discussing Navin's use of heroin, oxycodone and Xanax.

Investigators also found a receipt from a shooting range dated Aug. 5, the day after his parents, Jeffrey and Jeanette Navin, disappeared from their Easton home.

Jeffrey Navin, 56, serves as president of the J&J Refuse sanitation company in Westport, while Jeanette Navin, 55, works as a school library aide in Weston. Police said they had recently moved to Easton from Westport.

Kyle Navin works as operations manager of J&J Refuse and told police the family was in the process of selling the company, according to search warrants obtained by NBC Connecticut.

Police records indicate Kyle Navin saw his parents the morning they vanished. According to the warrants, Jeffrey and Jeanette Navin visited him and asked to take him out to dinner, but Kyle Navin said he had a broken back and declined.

That was the last anyone heard from Jeffrey and Jeanette Navin.

Kyle Navin's arraignment has not been scheduled. He could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

It's not clear if he has an attorney.



Photo Credit: Weston Forum/NBCConnecticut.com

Body Found Next to Mailbox in Franklin

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State police major crimes detectives converged on a property in Franklin after a body was found on the side of the road Thursday night.

NBC Connecticut crews watched as investigators examined the body, which was lying next to a mailbox along Route 32/Windham Road. Police appear to be focusing on 796 Windham Road.

State police said detectives are investigating an untimely death. A medical examiner arrived at the scene shortly after 10 p.m. and will work to determine the person's cause and manner of death.

Police have been tight-lipped about the investigation but said there is no danger to the public. It's not clear if the body appears to be that of a man or woman.

They expect Route 32 to remain closed between Route 207 and Pleasure Hill Road for an extended period of time.

Check back for updates on this developing story.



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

Woman Rescued from Car in New Haven Marsh

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A woman was rescued her from her car on Friday morning after it went into a marsh in New Haven.

The accident happened at Legion Avenue and Ella T Grasso Boulevard and police are not sure how long she was in there, waiting for help.

After rescuing the woman, crews pulled her mud-covered car from the riverbank, but it was no easy task.

Two tow trucks broke in the process.

First responders who rescued the woman said this is not the first time something like this has happened.

Sometimes, drivers coming off the highway don’t realize the road is ending and wind up by the march.


'Nazis Speak Arabic': Ky. Mosque Vandalized With Graffiti

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Muslims and Jews in Louisville, Kentucky, plan to join together Friday after several anti-Islamic messages were spray-painted in red on a mosque this week, NBC News reported.

The hate-filled graffiti was first spotted Wednesday at the Louisville Islamic Center, and includes the messages, "Nazis speak Arabic," "Moslems — leave the Jews alone," and "This is for France," a possible reference to the Islamic terrorist attack on a Paris-bound train last month.

In response, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer has asked the community to come to the center and help paint over the graffiti Friday afternoon as a way to unite the community.

“We do not tolerate intolerance of any people; we are a city of compassion and united in condemning this vandalism,” Fischer wrote in a Twitter post.



Photo Credit: @Louisvillemayor

Police ID Ansonia Woman Killed While Standing Outside Car After Prior Crash

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A 33-year-old Ansonia woman who was standing on the side of the road after a minor crash in Woodbridge was struck by another car and killed on Tuesday evening, according to police.

On Friday, police identified the woman as Nicole Graves.

Police said she was driving a 2013 Kia, heading west on Rimmon Road/Route 313 shortly after 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, when she was involved in a minor crash with a stopped vehicle that was turning into a driveway.

The drivers were standing outside their cars on the side of the road when a 2014 Toyota driven by an 84-year-old Woodbridge resident hit Graves, according to police.

She was rushed to Yale-New Haven Hospital and was pronounced dead soon after.

Police are investigating and reconstructing the crash scene.



Photo Credit: Getty Images

Target Shooters Accidentally Shoot Woman

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Police are investigating after a person shooting at targets accidentally shot a 21-year-old woman in the torso in Preston on Tuesday afternoon.

Police responded to Backus Hospital at 3:15 p.m. on Tuesday after the victim walked into the hospital with a gunshot wound, according to police.

A 27-year-old man and a 31-year-old man were both target shooting on Prodell Road when the accident happened and one of them drove the victim to the hospital after learning she’d been hit.

The victim’s injuries are not life-threatening and both men are cooperating with the investigation, police said.

The investigation continues. NBC Connecticut has not released the names of the two men because no charges have been filed. -



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

Police Make 2 Huge Heroin Busts in Hartford

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Hartford police made two huge heroin busts on Thursday night and seized well over $80,000 worth of heroin.

The first raid was at a second-floor apartment at 224 Putnam Street at 6:20 p.m.

Inside, police found 1,872 bags of heroin, 6 ounces of marijuana and $880 in cash. The resident was arrested on several drug charges and booked.

At 11:30 p.m., detectives from the Hartford Police Department Vice and Narcotics Unit, the Statewide Narcotics Task Force and the FBI Task Force made an even bigger bust when they learned that a large shipment of drugs was going to be delivered in the area of New Britain Avenue and Newfield Street.

So, authorities set up surveillance and the followed a vehicle a target was driving to 61 Stafford Street.

Police originally found 300 grams of raw heroin, police said, but they found another kilogram when they searched the house.

The heroin in the Stafford Street bust is estimated at a value of $80,000.

Police said they arrested the targeted suspect on federal narcotics charges and the person taken into federal custody.
 



Photo Credit: Hartford Police

Crash Closes Route 109 in Washington

Fire That Destroyed Chinese Restaurant Was Arson

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Someone intentionally set the fire that destroyed the Golden Wok Chinese restaurant in Prospect early Tuesday morning, according to police.

No one was in the restaurant, located at 14 Waterbury Road/Route 6, or an attached business when fire broke out.

Prospect Mayor Robert Chatfield happened to be at a nearby Dunkin' Donuts around 5 a.m. when he noticed the fire at 9 and called for help.

"Smoke was coming out the front door," Chatfield described. "Seconds upon my arrival, fire blew out of the building because the windows were breaking."

Firefighters from Waterbury, Cheshire and Bethany responded and got the fire under control within about an hour.

"There was heavy fire conditions pretty much all throughout the building," Prospect Fire Chief Jason Kolodziej said. "It's pretty bad inside."

The local department and Connecticut State Police are investigating.



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

House Passes Bill to Defund Planned Parenthood

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The House passed two abortion-related bills on Friday, one of which would take away funding for Planned Parenthood if they do not stop performing abortions.

Senate Democrats have enough votes to block the two bills and the White House has promised to veto them. 

The bill does not include abortions for unwanted pregnancy as a result of rape, incest, or if the woman suffers from any physical injury or illness that would put a woman's life in danger if an abortion was not performed. 

Conservative Republicans are moving ahead with the bills after secretly recorded videos of Planned Parenthood officials discussing taking tissue from aborted fetuses for medical research was made available to the public.

Carly Fiorina targeted Planned Parenthood and top Democrats during the second GOP debate.

"I dare Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama to watch these tapes, watch a fully formed fetus on the table, its heart beating, its legs kicking," Fiorina said.

Planned Parenthood shot back calling Fiorina's claims "completely false" and went on to say the videos were "heavily edited."  One of the fetuses came from a woman who had miscarried, Planned Parenthood wrote in a letter to the Republican presidential candidate. 

Clinton also responded to the outrage over the Planned Parenthood videos.

"Planned Parenthood has served to provide necessary healthcare for millions of women," the former Secretary of State said in an interview with CNN.

The federal government could shutdown at the end of the month over this Planned Parenthood funding issue is not resolved by Oct. 1.

Planned Parenthood gets approximately $450 million a year from federal funding mostly through Medicaid reimbursements, according to the Congressional Budget Office. A majority of the money goes to contraceptive counseling, pregnancy testing, and other healthcare services for women. Federal money can only be used on circumstantial abortions, like ones needed because the mother is at risk of dying. 

With over 700 clinics across the country, federal funding is only about one-third of Planned Parenthood's $1.3 billion annual budget. 



Photo Credit: Getty Images
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What Will Be on Stage With Pope Francis?

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Expect much symbolism and excitement for Pope Francis' very first trip to the U.S. — just don't expect to see anything too lavish.

Hailed for his unextravagant approach to the papacy, Francis won't be surrounded by gilded decorations when he preaches to the masses at several stops on his East Coast trip, which culminates with the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia next weekend.

On stage with Francis at that meeting's main event, a Mass outside Independence Hall, will be just two chairs made by local craftsmen and a simple, though very historic, wooden lectern, said Fred Stein, event organizer for the World Meeting of Families.

"They’re simple in nature and that reflects Pope Francis’ feelings," Stein said.

It's not the only simple part of the pontiff's visit. Take a look backstage of Pope Francis' very first visit to the U.S. for a preview of what you'll see when you're watching at his stops in Washington, New York and Philadelphia.

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Student-designed altar: For his first public Mass in the U.S., the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Francis will sit on a temporary altar designed by three students.

The architecture and planning students from Catholic University of America won a competition with their design, whose arch mimics the Basilica's Romanesque-Byzantine architecture. It was delivered in late August. Learn more >>

The Basilica's symbolism: The cathedral itself carries its own symbolism: It's the largest Catholic church in North America, and in it, the first pope from the Americas will in Spanish canonize Junipero Serra, who brought the faith to California. The event fits into Francis' larger theme for this trip, immigration.

Francis' Mass will highlight Hispanics' contributions to the U.S. and the church, according to Cardinal Donald Wuerl, the archbishop of Washington. Learn more >>

NEW YORK CITY

Laborer-built chair: Though he'll be in the "World's Greatest Arena," Francis won't be seated at a grand throne for his Friday, Sept. 25, Mass at Madison Square Garden. Instead, he'll take his seat at a plain wooden chair made in a New York City suburb by immigrants and day laborers.

"It's more than a chair, it's a spiritual connection we have," said Hector Rojas of Don Bosco Workers in Port Chester, one of the carpenters who built the chair in a garage. 

"The Holy Father likes things simple," said Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York. "He doesn't like a lot of expense." Learn more >>

Broadway-style processionalWhen Francis enters the arena, he'll be accompanied by music that's rung out for two different popes' visits to New York.

Broadway composer Michael Valenti's song "Processional for a Pontiff," to be played at the Mass, was written for John Paull II's visit to Central Park in 1995. Valenti's music was also used for Pope Benedict XVI's visit seven years ago.

"Imagine three popes using your music and to be alive for it," he said. Learn more >>

 

PHILADELPHIA

The Pope's visit to Philadelphia will be by far the largest on this this tour, closing down much of central Philly to outside vehicles and requiring 40 Jumbotrons for the more than 1 million people expected to attend the World Meeting of Families.

Gettysburg Lectern: When Pope Francis speaks at Independence Mall, his printed remarks will rest on the same lectern that once held one of the most iconic speeches ever given: Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.

The Nov. 19, 1863, speech was given to dedicate a cemetery for soldiers killed fighting to end slavery, and many see similiarities between Lincoln's message and Francis' expected speech on inclusiveness of the immigrants and the poor.

The lectern's "simple beauty and humble role in one of American history's most important moments reflects, in many ways, Pope Francis' own world view," said Robert Ciaruffoli, president of the World Meeting of Families. Learn more >>

Nuns' Communion Bread: The Poor Clares, cloistered nuns from a Pennsylvania monastary, spent months baking the wafers that will be used for communion at the pope's public Mass.

"It is a very special work for us, and we take very good care — extra care — with how we make them," said Sister Anne Bartol. Learn more>>

Knights' Programs: The programs the faithful will be reading when the pope gives Mass in downtown Philadelphia will be imported – all the way from New Haven, where the Knights of Columbus donated about $100,000 worth of materials and labor to print up the 24-page booklets. Learn more>>

The Liberty Bell: Looking out on Independence Mall when he gives Mass, Francis will be able to see the Liberty Bell.

Long associated with the War of Independence, the bell was actually a gift to the colony of Pennsylvania before the war even started, and, fittingly for the pope, represented religious freedom, said Fred Stein, the World Meeting of Families organizer.

"Whatever he says standing at the simple wooden lectern rings out, figuratively and literally," he said.

The musical acts playing in the hours before Francis speaks will have their own signfiicance. From a Ukrainian singer to Vietnamese fan dancers, the acts come from various communities around the world that reflect the immigrant communities that settled in Philadelphia, "a city of neighbors," Stein added. 



Photo Credit: ESM Productions

Missing East Haddam Teens Might Be Together

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Two East Haddam teens are missing and police believe they are traveling together.

Silver Alerts were issued on Thursday night for 14-year-old Shannon Stanley and 15-year-old Alyssa Lemonde.

They were last seen on Sept. 17.

Shannon has black hair, brown eyes, stands 5-feet-1 and weighs 140 pounds.

When she was last seen, she was wearing a black and white tank top and jean shorts.

Alyssa has blond hair, blue eyes. She is 5-feet-1 and weighs 100 pounds. When she was last seen, she was wearing shorts and a T-shirt, black sneakers and a black and white zebra print backpack.

Anyone with information on Alyssa’s whereabouts should call state police at Troop K at 860-896-3200.

Anyone with information on Shannon’s whereabouts should call state police at Troop K at 860-465-5400.



Photo Credit: Silver Alerts

Bush, Candidates Speak at Heritage Action for America Forum

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The Heritage Action for America Foundation sponsors a special presidential candidate forum in Greenville, South Carolina.



Photo Credit: AP

Zoo Releases Baby Flamingo Images

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The Lincoln Park Zoo in Illinois has released images of its Chilean flamingo that hatched Sept. 11.

The chick is the first of its kind at the zoo, which hopes that several eggs in incubation also hatch in the coming weeks. It weighed 95g, which is about the size of a bar of soap.

The chick’s gender has not been determined yet, but fragments of its shell have been sent in for DNA testing as a non-invasive way of figuring it out, the zoo said.

“We are absolutely elated to welcome our first Chilean flamingo chick,” said Curator of Birds Sunny Nelson. “As a first hatching for Lincoln Park Zoo and for the flock, the chick is currently raised behind-the-scenes and will be re-introduced to the flock once the chick is more independent.”

Man in Prison For Strangling Nurse

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A 43-year-old New York man has been sentenced to more than 20 years in prison for strangling a nurse co-worker to whom he had offered a room when she lost her home in Sandy.

A judge sentenced Richard Bloomfield to 21.5 years in prison, followed by five years post-release supervision, the district attorney's office said Friday. Bloomfield previously pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter.

Bloomfield was a dialysis tech who worked with 22-year-old Madonna Martin at the Columbia-Presbyterian dialysis center. According to prosecutors, Bloomfield had romantic interest in Martin, who had a boyfriend. When Sandy swamped Martin and her boyfriend's Far Rockaway apartment, Martin lived in her boyfriend's office for a few weeks, but then he moved to Florida for a new job.

Martin was expected to join him in Florida but needed a place to stay in the meantime, and Bloomfield offered her a room in the Mott Haven home he shared with his mother, prosecutors said.

Martin moved in Nov. 19, 2012. Less than five days later, she packed up, ready to move out to join her boyfriend in Florida, and Bloomfield strangled her hours before she was supposed to leave, prosecutors said. He then dragged her body into her car, stuffed all her clothing and belongings in the vehicle and drove off, according to court documents. He dumped her belongings in a dumpster a mile and a half away, maneuvered her body into the driver's seat and waited. Hours later, he called 911.

When police and EMTs responded, he admitted what he’d done, telling them, “I killed my friend. I killed my friend.” And when police went to his apartment and met his mother, she handed them her son’s handwritten note. It was an apology for killing Madonna Martin, court documents said.

At Bloomfield's sentencing, Martin's boyfriend, Mario Perez, said, "Madonna showed me how to enjoy life."

“Five days she was out of my sight – and that’s all it took for this man to kill her. No time will ever replace the time I would have had with her," he said. "You took pure joy from this world."



Photo Credit: Handout
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