Florida Supreme Court: Law enforcement isn’t required to withhold victims’ names

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 01:42:14 GMT

Florida Supreme Court: Law enforcement isn’t required to withhold victims’ names TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida law enforcement agencies began refusing to publicly release crime victims’ names after voters passed a victims’ rights constitutional amendment, but the state Supreme Court ruled on Thursday they weren’t required to do so.Legally, the name of a crime victim doesn’t have to be withheld from the public, the court ruled. The amendment, rather, protects information that could be used to locate and harass a victim.“One’s name, standing alone, is not that kind of information or record; it communicates nothing about where the individual can be found and bothered,” the court ruled.Marsy’s Law was passed by voters five years ago and allows crime victims or their families to request their names be withheld from public documents. The ruling was on a case focused on whether Tallahassee police officers who fatally shot armed suspects could claim they were crime victims, and thus prevent the city from releasing their names. But the court ru...

Holiday parade brings joy to children fighting cancer at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 01:42:14 GMT

Holiday parade brings joy to children fighting cancer at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital The spirit of the season came alive as the Batmobile and police cars from departments across South Florida joined a special holiday parade at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital.Organized by BSO and the Mystic Force Foundation, the parade aimed to salute the real heroes — children fighting cancer. Some of the children, along with their dedicated healthcare staff, watched the procession from the windows of their hospital rooms.Santa Claus made a surprise appearance, arriving in an armored SWAT truck to spread holiday cheer.

Dolphins aim to avoid a tumble from 8-3 like last season when they open December at Washington

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 01:42:14 GMT

Dolphins aim to avoid a tumble from 8-3 like last season when they open December at Washington December was the cruelest month to the Miami Dolphins a year ago.Going in 8-3, they lost five in a row and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to a season-ending concussion, falling out of first place in the process.The Dolphins, again 8-3, hope this December is not as much of a wasteland, starting with their game Sunday at the Washington Commanders that they’re favored to win and pad their lead atop the AFC East.“This is where you make your money here,” Tagovailoa said. “It’s going to be closer games, going to be one-score games. It’s going to come down to whoever gets the ball last, and you’ve got to go win the ballgame from there.”Miami hasn’t been 9-3 since 2001. The Dolphins enter Week 13 with the NFL’s top offense, visiting the Commanders (4-8) fresh off coach Ron Rivera firing defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio and taking over the play-calling duties on defense.After blowing out the New York Jets and with their next game coming up at home against Tennessee (4-7...

Man appears in court after allegedly stealing ambulance from Gardner hospital, leading police on chase

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 01:42:14 GMT

Man appears in court after allegedly stealing ambulance from Gardner hospital, leading police on chase A 21-year-old Spencer man was arraigned in court Thursday after authorities said he allegedly stole an ambulance from Heywood Hospital in Gardner and led police on a chase Wednesday evening. The incident happened around 5:40 p.m. Wednesday. Harrison Barjolo later was taken into custody after eventually driving back to Heywood Hospital, according to police.In court on Thursday, Barjolo’s defense attorney said his client is having a mental health crisis. The judge subsequently opted to sent Barjolo to Bridgewater State Hospital for a mental health evaluation. Barjolo is a seniorat Franklin Pierce University, where he studies IT and plays varsity football. Barjolo is on the dean’s list at Franklin Pierce.Previously speaking with reporters, Barjolo’s father said his son was at Heywood Hospital for mental health reasons after he started making delusional statements. Barjolo’s father, Harrison Barjolo, Sr., also said his son was not sleeping.“My son ran out of the hospital. He s...

‘They are eager to work’: State holds work authorization clinic for migrants in Reading

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 01:42:14 GMT

‘They are eager to work’: State holds work authorization clinic for migrants in Reading More than 1,700 people showed up in Reading Thursday as the state of Massachusetts held a work authorization clinic for migrants who are new to the state.The clinic is part of an effort to help migrants get jobs. Speaking on Tuesday, officials said such efforts will help free up space more quickly in the state’s shelter system. “These migrants are all here legally and they are eager to work,” said Massachusetts Emergency Assistance Director Scott Rice. “Our business is to help them get employed.”Through initiatives like this week’s work authorization clinic, the state is trying to help people do in one day what might otherwise take them weeks and multiple visits. Clinic attendees can get vaccinations. They can talk to lawyers about their legal cases. And there are people on sight to take care of their children while they move through the clinic itself. The push to get work authorization for migrants, in turn, comes as the waiting list for shelter space in Massachusett...

Patriots-Chargers injury report: Keenan Allen, Demario Douglas miss practice again Thursday

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 01:42:14 GMT

Patriots-Chargers injury report: Keenan Allen, Demario Douglas miss practice again Thursday The Patriots worked without leading receiver Demario Douglas for a second straight practice Thursday, as he continues to sit with a concussion.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Callahan: The Patriots’ season is now hurry up and wait New England Patriots | Here’s the latest on Patriots’ quarterback situation heading into Week 13 New England Patriots | Patriots-Chargers injury report: Keenan Allen, Demario Douglas out for Wednesday practices New England Patriots | Source: Patriots signing new kicker amid field goal woes New England Patriots | Patriots’ Joe Cardona knows how important Army-Navy game is Douglas’ availability for this weekend’s game against the Chargers is now in grave doubt. The rookie took a blow to the head while returning a punt in the second half of Sunday’s loss to the Giants. He was later ruled out with a head injury and entered concussion...

Danasia Greene, 27, identified as victim in Cambridge shooting

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 01:42:14 GMT

Danasia Greene, 27, identified as victim in Cambridge shooting A 27-year-old Cambridge woman has been identified as the victim of a fatal shooting in the city’s Central Square last week.Cambridge Police responded to 10 Magazine St. at around 12:30 a.m. on Nov. 23, where they found Danasia Greene, 27, of Cambridge, and an unidentified 26-year-old male suffering from gunshot injuries near a black Tesla, according to the Middlesex District Attorney’s officeThey were transported to a hospital in Boston, where Greene would succumb that day to her injuries. The male was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and has since been released, the DA’s office wrote in a statement.The shooting remains under investigation and authorities ask that anyone with any information contact police detectives by calling the tip line at 617-349-3370 or bu submitting a tip online at CambridgePolice.org/TIPS.

Hot Property: Medford house brings the charm

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 01:42:14 GMT

Hot Property: Medford house brings the charm If you’re artistically inclined, or just want to live like you are, 32 Cleveland Street in Medford is the ideal real estate companion for someone with a sense of whimsy.Filled to the brim with personality, fun details, and abundant natural light, the mid-century style single-family is a welcome sight if you’re grown a little weary of the millennial-gray-and-white condo scene.An interesting floor plan that spans two levels plus a snuggly loft space, huge deck, patio, and a quarter-acre lot  — there’s a lot of room to spread out and enjoy this utterly unique property. Rebuilt in 2010, the home welcomes with a sunny, breezy main level for dining and entertaining, featuring a sleek, updated kitchen with peninsula seating and tons of counter space. There’s even a first-floor bedroom and full bath.Follow the spiral staircase to the sun splashed second floor which reveals a massive primary bedroom under vaulted ceilings and skylights. Wrapped in oversized picture windows and clerestories, ...

Joe Mazzulla hopes Celtics can learn valuable lesson from In-Season Tournament

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 01:42:14 GMT

Joe Mazzulla hopes Celtics can learn valuable lesson from In-Season Tournament Joe Mazzulla recalled a quick story after Thursday’s practice. His father, Dan, played five seasons professionally in Chile and there was an instance of a game being decided by an aggregate best-of-two score differential. His dad’s team needed to win by six in the second game, but there was one problem: They led by just two with seconds remaining.So, Mazzulla said, his dad’s team scored on its own basket to force overtime so it could have a chance to win by six.Those circumstances were certainly unique. Mazzulla brought it up because his own unique situation earlier this week reminded him of it. The Celtics needed to win by 23 over the Bulls on Tuesday night to advance to the NBA’s inaugural In-Season Tournament’s quarterfinals, and successfully did so under non-traditional methods, which included intentionally fouling poor free throw shooter Andre Drummond while up 30 in the fourth quarter and keeping their starters playing in a blowout until there were less than two minutes remain...

Boston City Council says ‘no’ to Flynn domestic violence committee proposal

Published Tue, 24 Dec 2024 01:42:14 GMT

Boston City Council says ‘no’ to Flynn domestic violence committee proposal The Boston City Council shot down a proposal from the body’s president, Ed Flynn, who was seeking the creation of a new committee focused on domestic violence.The proposed rules change to create a City Council Committee on the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, which needed two-thirds approval from the 13-member body, was defeated by a 5-2-3 vote Wednesday after a lengthy discussion, with opponents largely stating that another committee is not needed to address the issue.Several opposing councilors, two of whom voted “no” and three of whom voted “present,” mentioned that there are already three committees that could conceivably cover those topics: Public Health, Homelessness and Recovery; Strong Women, Families and Communities; and Public Safety and Criminal Justice.“When we start to hyper-focus on specific issues, then how many committees will we have?” Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson, who voted present, said. “I’m actually of the opinion...