#connecticut department of transportation

[20th-century-railroading]

rn4-356 by George Hamlin Via Flickr: Old and new at Penn Central's former New Haven shop facility at Stamford, Connecticut on June 2, 1973. Note the steep track at left to access the main line, which is well above grade level at this location.

[aryburn-trains]

Power Swap at New Haven

F40's trade off with AEM7's on #171 the Mayflower at New Haven, CT. @1115 hrs.

Photographed by Craig Sturgeon, April 22, 1995.

[state-of-connecticut-official]

If everyone could go to @ctdot_official on Instagram and spam the shit out of their posts about the parking garage in Stamford, I would greatly appreciate it. It is one of the most useless things this stupid department could spend money on and the fact that they brag about their ugly LED wall is so fucking annoying. we need to tell them that it isnt okay.

[xtruss]

The DOT's challenge: Some Movers Who Lost Licenses Still Taking Customers

The DOT has said revoking licenses is one tactic it will use in a crackdown on moving companies announced earlier this year. But a Newsweek review shows it might not work.

— By Matt Clark | Monday 26 June 2023

At least 18 of the nation's companies with complaints lodged against them and whose licenses were revoked for various reasons in the second half of 2022 continued to advertise interstate moves in June, according to a Newsweek review. Some had licenses revoked for insurance lapses, not necessarily the complaint itself. TAPUI/Getty

Underscoring the challenges federal officials face in cracking down on moving companies, at least 18 of the nation's companies with complaints lodged against them and whose licenses were revoked for various reasons in the second half of 2022 continued to advertise interstate moves in June, according to a Newsweek review.

Several companies confirmed they had carried out such moves, though some said they had done them through affiliated companies. The Department of Transportation does not list whether licenses were revoked specifically because of the complaints, though some license revocations appear to be because of insurance lapses or safety violations.

DOT officials said revoking licenses is one tactic they would deploy in Operation Protect Your Move, a nationwide crackdown on the movers with the most consumer complaints announced earlier this year. But Newsweek's review underscores that even license revocation may be an ineffective tool to reverse the growing tide of moving company complaints with only limited legal authority. Agency officials have said they require additional authority from Congress.

The DOT's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration did not specifically say whether continuing to advertise interstate moves after a license is revoked violates departmental rules, saying it would look at each case individually. In a statement, it said the agency is assessing the more than 100 investigations launched during Operation Protect Your Move and its findings will be made public.

"Similar to the expectation that an individual will not operate a motor vehicle if their driver's license is revoked, companies are expected to cease related operations if their authority is revoked," the statement said. "If FMCSA is made aware that a broker or mover continues to operate even after its authority has been revoked by the agency, we may take additional administrative action. FMCSA has no criminal enforcement authority."

Operation Protect Your Move was announced after Connecticut Democrat Sen. Richard Blumenthal called for tougher action against moving company scams in a letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

Blumenthal's letter was spurred in part by a February Newsweek investigation into the mushrooming problem, including movers who hold customer possessions "hostage" until they are paid exorbitant fees. The letter acknowledged the limitations on the DOT's authority but said it could be more aggressive in referring cases for prosecution to the U.S. Justice Department. Blumenthal did not say whether he would introduce legislation to ramp up the agency's authority.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut, wrote a letter to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg seeking tougher action on moving companies after a Newsweek investigation of the firms. Stefani Reynolds/AFP/Getty

Under current law, officials at the DOT's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration have no authority to arrest or fine for moving company violations and have worked with the Justice Department to bring only 13 criminal cases and six civil cases against movers since January 1, 2017. The number of complaints against moving companies more than doubled between 2015 and 2022, from 3,030 to 7,647, including 3,644 alleging a "hostage" situation.

For this article, Newsweek examined 98 companies that were the subject both of a consumer complaint and had their license revoked for various reasons. Eighteen still advertised cross-country moves on their websites in June. Newsweek attempted to contact all the companies, but was only able to interview representatives with six of them.

Reached by phone in May, Kai, who said he was the manager when answering the phone of Pro Smart Movers of Alexandria, Virginia, and did not provide a last name, said the firm has done some interstate moves this year. The company's license was revoked in December 2022 and has been the subject of seven FMCSA complaints.

"It's become more slow than last year," Kai said of the firm's 2023 business.

Evelyn Antonsen knows what it's like to hire a mover that has seen its license revoked. The moving company she used was not among the 98 Newsweek examined, but had its license pulled earlier in 2019.

Fulfilling a lifelong wish to return to her birthplace of Puerto Rico from Washington, D.C., the 75-year-old retired school principal carefully packed only her most precious heirlooms into 31 boxes destined for her new, smaller home in Old San Juan.

The moving company she contacted had a good reputation among Puerto Ricans for years, she said, but it ultimately contracted her move to New Jersey-based Pryco Movers in July 2022, nearly three and a half years after its license was revoked. She is still waiting for the delivery nearly a year later.

Antonsen contacted authorities in Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, as well as at the FMCSA, which she said forwarded her complaint and others about the company to a New Jersey field office. Attempts to reach Pryco Movers were unsuccessful.

Not willing to wait around, Antonsen traveled to New Jersey in March after a Pryco employee confirmed her boxes were in a warehouse. She intended to have a different company move them out of storage. She called the local police department when she was refused access because, she was told, she needed to make an appointment with management to enter the warehouse. Later, she says, an officer who was permitted to enter found only a jumbled pile of boxes that could not be identified as hers.

The number of complaints against moving companies more than doubled between 2015 and 2022, from 3,030 to 7,647. LICEC/Getty

Earlier this month, Antonsen said she was notified by the Polk County Sheriff's Office in Lakeland, Florida, which she had contacted because it was also investigating the company, that her case and those of other Pryco customers had been forwarded to the FBI's Tampa field office. A spokeswoman with the office said the FBI does not confirm or deny the existence of an investigation.

Among the heirlooms she has been unable to get back, Antonsen said, is a family recipe book she recently needed to cook her mother's pork shoulder recipe for Mother's Day. There are paintings and other gifts given to her by her family, along with numerous family photos.

"Those are my memories—my physical memories—things I can look at and say, 'this was my mom's or that was my grandson's,'" Antonsen said. "Those items are who I am. They represent me. They represent my family and my grandkids."

Antonsen's story is not unusual, given the thousands of moving company victims each year.

The FMCSA logged 55 complaints against Imperial Freight Lines, including 22 complaints of goods being held hostage, in 2022. The company's license allowed it to serve as a "broker"—meaning an intermediary between a customer and an often-small "carrier" with trucks that performs the move.

Its license was revoked in October 2022, but the Imperial Freight Lines website advertised across state-lines moves when visited in June. It warned that only licensed movers follow strict federal guidelines.

"Don't stress out though, because we here at Imperial Freight Lines have got you covered," the website says. "We can take your important belongings from the East Coast all the way to the West Coast."

Imperial Freight Lines representatives hung up when called for comment on this story. No response was received to emails sent to an address on the company's website. It is not clear whether the company was, in fact, still conducting interstate moves.

Bad brokers have been particularly problematic for customers and the FMCSA. None of the five brokers among the 18 companies still advertising cross-country moves could be reached for comment for this story.

Newsweek's February investigation showed how brokers offer low cost moves in exchange for large, up-front deposits before connecting consumers with carriers that often hold their goods hostage. When bad internet reviews and FMCSA complaints pile up, the firms, which are mostly based in Florida, "reincarnate" as a new company with a new name and president and begin again.

Reached by phone, some of the carrier representatives Newsweek interviewed said their moves were being completed by another company, not the unlicensed one featured on their websites. Federal regulations prohibit a company from conducting a move in the name of another mover.

After contacting Allstate Moving of Kent, Washington, a representative who responded said he was with another, licensed company and did not know how he received Newsweek's inquiry. A message left for the other company with the representative was not returned. Allstate Moving lost its license in July 2022 and 17 complaints have been made with the FMCSA about the company.

Amber Hallaman, co-owner of A&M Friendly Movers of Carolina Shores, North Carolina, confirmed her company does interstate moves, but through a separate company she and her co-owner have a partial ownership interest in. She said A&M operates out of several locations associated with different companies and one of them lost its license because of a lapse in insurance.

"So, unfortunately that happened at that location, but we closed the location," Hallaman said. "We no longer run out of that."

Hallaman said her customers' cross-country moves were now being done through another company that she did not name. No response was received after additional requests for comment. A&M Friendly Movers had been the subject of one FMCSA complaint.

Like A&M, many of the movers' licenses appear to have been revoked after their insurance coverage lapsed, according to FMCSA records. The records do not specify why a license was revoked, but do show that revocations often coincide with insurance lapses, which experts said is a common reason movers lose a license.

At some companies, officials said their revocations were because of motor carrier safety violations such as drivers not getting required rest or failing to have a doctor certification of their fitness to operate trucks. Though the FMCSA cannot fine for moving company violations, it can fine for safety violations.

Under current law, officials at the DOT's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration have no authority to arrest or fine for moving company violations and have worked with the Justice Department to bring only 13 criminal cases and six civil cases against movers since Jan. 1, 2017. They can fine for motor carrier safety violations such as those discovered in roadside inspections. Paul J. Richards/AFP/Getty

Manager Carlos Torres of Bay Area Express Moving in San Jose said the company stopped doing moves after it was fined $15,000 for drivers failing to log the time they spent driving. The company's license was revoked in November 2022 because of failing to pay the fine, he said.

"So, basically we're not doing business right now, because as you know the license has been revoked because we didn't pay a fine," Torres said.

Torres said the company continues to take customer calls to schedule future moves because he expects the fine to be paid in the coming weeks. The FMCSA received 12 complaints about Bay Area Express in 2021 and four in 2022. Eight of them alleged hostage situations.

Regal Moving Services of Sterling, Va., has been the subject of only two complaints since 2021, but company president Stanley Burke said it lost its license in November 2022 after two drivers failed to present current medical certifications.

"Really don't do much interstate nowadays," Burke said. "I just focus on local moves."

To conduct local moves within Virginia, companies must be licensed with the state. According to Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Spokeswoman Ava Adenauer, Regal Moving Services' license to conduct Virginia moves was revoked in January 2020 after its liability insurance was cancelled. Burke did not return additional calls for comment.

Clifford Agnant said he shuttered his company Mid America Movers of Pembroke, Florida, after competition from scam moving companies made it too difficult to operate. Agnant said the firm automatically lost its license when he stopped paying insurance premiums for the company, which had been the subject of six FMCSA complaints. He said the firm's website remains active because it was paid for in advance.

"If anybody wants to call, I just refer them to somebody that still has a license to do their move," Agnant said.

Teresa Murray, director of the consumer watchdog program at the national nonprofit advocacy organization Public Interest Research Group, said that aside from the importance of educating consumers, the biggest impediment to stopping moving scams is a lack of regulation, particularly of moving brokers. She said revoking licenses is unlikely to help.

"Anybody that's going to screw someone with a move, you know, they're not going to care that they're not licensed," Murray said. "It seems like regulators aren't doing enough."

Lawrence Hawthorne, who retired from the FMCSA in 2020 after more than 40 years as an investigator focused primarily on movers, said he believes the industry may now be taking advantage the FMCSA's inability to fine for moving company violations, which it lost in a 2019 arbitration decision.

Hawthorne said brokers were previously not allowed to issue estimates that many have used to lure customers into making large deposits on promises of low-cost moves. Reversing that and restoring the agency's ability to fine could alleviate many scams, Hawthorne said.

"It's just that in today's environment, especially with Congress, it's kind of hard for them to get things done," Hawthorne said, referring to political party divisions. "They need to take care of this situation so that they can go back to issuing fines."

Antsonsen, who hopes to one day get her belongings to Puerto Rico, said she is worried about how her boxes are being treated and whether any items have been damaged. She becomes overwhelmed with emotion as she explains what happened with her move.

She's not just fighting the movers, she said, "I'm fighting the system that's supposed to be helping the consumer."

Mover Red Flags

If you must hire a company to move your possessions, be sure it is licensed. For moves across state lines, check the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Protect Your Move website, www.protectyourmove.gov. For moves within a particular state, check with that state's government. The FMCSA warns consumers to watch for red flags, including when a company:

Does not perform an on-site or video inspection before providing a written estimate or says costs will be determined after loading.

Demands cash or a large upfront deposit.

Asks you to sign bills of lading or contract documents that have not been filled out with the details of your move.

Does not provide a copy of an FMCSA booklet and brochure explaining your rights for interstate moves.

Has a website with no local address or registration or insurance information.

Claims all goods are covered by its insurance.

Answers the phone with "movers" or "moving company" rather than the company's name.

Has offices or warehouses that are in poor condition or nonexistent.

Arrives with a rental truck on moving day rather than a company-owned or marked fleet truck.

Claims you are moving more belongings than estimated.

[palms-upturned]

For US unions like the UAW — which has thousands of members in weapons factories making the bombs, missiles, and aircraft used by Israel, as well in university departments doing research linked to the Israeli military — the Palestinian trade union call to action is particularly relevant. When the UAW’s national leadership came out in support of a cease-fire on December 1, they also voted to establish a “Divestment and Just Transition Working Group.” The stated purpose of the working group is to study the UAW’s own economic ties to Israel and explore ways to convert war-related industries to production for peaceful purposes while ensuring a just transition for weapons workers.

Members of UAW Labor for Palestine say they have started making visits to a Colt factory in Connecticut, which holds a contract to supply rifles to the Israeli military, to talk with their fellow union members about Palestine, a cease-fire, and a just transition. They want to see the union’s leadership support such organizing activity.

“If UAW leaders decided to, they could, tomorrow, form a national organizing campaign to educate and mobilize rank-and-file towards the UAW’s own ceasefire and just transition call,” UAW Labor for Palestine members said in a statement. “They could hold weapons shop town halls in every region; they could connect their small cadre of volunteer organizers — like us — to the people we are so keen to organize with; they could even send some of their staff to help with this work.”

On January 21, the membership of UAW Local 551, which represents 4,600 autoworkers at Ford’s Chicago Assembly Plant (who were part of last year’s historic stand-up strike) endorsed the Palestinian trade unions’ call to not cooperate in the production and transportation of arms for Israel. Ten days later, UAW Locals 2865 and 5810, representing around forty-seven thousand academic workers at the University of California, passed a measure urging the union’s national leaders to ensure that the envisioned Divestment and Just Transition Working Group “has the needed resources to execute its mission, and that Palestinian, Arab and Muslim workers whose communities are disproportionately affected by U.S.-backed wars are well-represented on the committee.”

Members of UAW Locals 2865 and 5810 at UC Santa Cruz’s Astronomy Department have pledged to withhold any labor that supports militarism and to refuse research collaboration with military institutions and arms companies. In December, unionized academic workers from multiple universities formed Researchers Against War (RAW) to expose and cut ties between their research and warfare, and to organize in their labs and departments for more transparency about where the funding for their work comes from and more control over what their labor is used for. RAW, which was formed after a series of discussions by union members first convened by US Labor Against Racism and War last fall, hosted a national teach-in and planning meeting on February 12.

Meanwhile, public sector workers in New York City have begun their own campaign to divest their pension money from Israel. On January 25, rank-and-file members of AFSCME District Council (DC) 37 launched a petition calling on the New York City Employees’ Retirement System to divest the $115 million it holds in Israeli securities. The investments include $30 million in bonds that directly fund the Israeli military and its activities. “As rank-and-file members of DC 37 who contribute to and benefit from the New York City Employees’ Retirement System and care about the lives of working people everywhere, we refuse to support the Israeli government and the corporations that extract profit from the killing of innocent civilians,” the petition states.

In an election year when President Joe Biden and other Democratic candidates will depend heavily on organized labor for donations and especially get-out-the-vote efforts, rank and filers are also trying to push their unions to exert leverage on the president by getting him to firmly stand against the ongoing massacre in Gaza. NEA members with Educators for Palestine are calling on their union’s leaders to withdraw their support for Biden’s reelection campaign until he stops “sending military funding, equipment, and intelligence to Israel,” marching from AFT headquarters to NEA headquarters in Washington, DC on February 10 to assert their demand. Similarly, after the UAW International Executive Board endorsed Biden last month — a decision that sparked intense division within the union — UAW Labor for Palestine is demanding the endorsement be revoked “until [Biden] calls for a permanent ceasefire and stops sending weapons to Israel.”

[justbeingnamaste]

The Biden Administration has admitted to flying as many as 320,000 illegal immigrants on secret flights into the U.S., in an effort to decrease the number of illegal immigrant encounters at the Southern Border.

“It means that while record numbers of migrants were flowing over the southern border last year, the Biden White House was also directly transporting them into the country.

Use of a cell phone app has allowed for the near undetected arrival by air of 320,000 aliens with no legal rights to enter the United States.

It comes after a controversy over a 2022 transportation program in which the administration used taxpayers money to move migrants throughout the country on overnight flights.”

JOE BIDEN’S BORDER CRISIS BY THE NUMBERS:

Since Joe Biden took office:

There have been 8.7 million illegal crossings nationwide. 

There have been OVER 7.2  MILLION illegal crossings of our Southern Border.

The total number of illegal immigrants who have entered through our Southern Border is greater than the population of 36 states. Including;

Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. 

There have been 1.8 million known gotaways who evaded U.S. Border Patrol.  

Since the start of FY 2024 there have been OVER 1 million illegal immigrant encounters.

In January, there were 176,205 illegal immigrants encountered at the Southern Border. 

January was the 35th straight month, where monthly illegal immigrant encounters have been higher than even the highest month seen under President Trump. 

Under Biden, over 340 of these individuals whose names appear on the terrorist watchlist were stopped trying to cross the Southern Border.

So far in FY24, there have been 58 individuals whose names appear on the terrorist watch list who have been stopped trying to enter the U.S. illegally between ports of entry. 

This total is more than the encounters in all FY17, FY18, FY19, FY20, FY21, and FY22 combined. 

Over 20,000 Communist Chinese nationals have illegally crossed the Southern Border since FY24 began in October. 

Communist Chinese nationals are exploiting Joe Biden’s failed Far Left open border policies at “record-breaking figures,” becoming “the fastest-growing demographic entering the country illegally.”

The surge in Communist Chinese nationals encountered at our Southern Border has raised serious concerns that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is exploiting the Biden border crisis for nefarious reasons.

Biden’s Far Left open border policies are to blame for this historic crisis. 

There are OVER 60 instances of Joe Biden and his Administration taking actions that undermined our nation’s border security, including halting the construction of the border wall. 

In August 2022, Biden and his Administration decided to make the border crisis WORSE by formally ending former President Trump’s successful ‘Remain in Mexico’ program.”

The Biden Administration announced on May 10, 2023, that it would allow for the release of some migrants into the U.S. with no way to track them. 

Biden’s Department of Homeland Security has now admitted that 40 percent of catch-and-release migrants have disappeared. 

Despite this historic crisis Joe Biden has only visited the Southern Border ONCE, and it was widely panned as nothing more than a photo-op.

  https://www.gop.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=742   

[typhlonectes]

How road crossings help wildlife survive a climate change-warped new reality

Policy shifts reflect importance of overpasses, other structures

Why does the black bear cross the road? It depends.

Sometimes it’s because she has to herd cubs from point A to point B, as in the case of one harried mama in Connecticut in 2021. Sometimes it’s to bring a big salmon dinner home, as was caught on video a couple months ago in Alaska. And sometimes no goal can be discerned by our simple human brains beyond getting to the other side.  

Whatever punchline you prefer, this much is no joke: Black bears and other wildlife are routinely forced to navigate the grid of roadways, fences, walls and other obstacles we've plopped down atop their habitat and migration corridors over the last couple hundred years.

A lot of the time, it doesn’t work out. Annually, there are estimated to be more than 1 million instances of vehicles crashing into large mammals (a study focusing on California alone found more than 557 black bears killed during one five-year period). The Department of Transportation has previously found that 21 threatened or endangered animals, including the Canada lynx and Florida panther, face road mortality as a “major threat” to their survival. It’s quite dangerous for the people behind the wheel, too...

Read more: https://www.wilderness.org/articles/blog/how-road-crossings-help-wildlife-survive-climate-change-warped-new-reality

[female-malice]

Vivian Silver, Missing Israeli-Canadian Peace Activist, Confirmed Killed in Oct 7 Hamas Attack

A founding member of the Israeli-Palestinian Women Wage Peace movement and other peace organizations, Vivian Silver was thought to have been kidnapped by Hamas and taken to the Gaza Strip

Judy Maltz and Haaretz | Nov 14, 2023

Vivian Silver, the veteran peace activist who was believed to be among the approximately 240 Israeli civilians and soldiers kidnapped by Hamas on October 7, is now confirmed to have been killed on the morning of the attack.

More than five weeks after the attacks, forensic experts informed Silver's family on Monday that they had successfully identified her remains.

A longtime member of Be’eri – one of the kibbutzim on the Gaza border invaded by dozens of Hamas terrorists on October 7 – Silver had volunteered for years to help Palestinian residents of Gaza in need of medical aid in Israel.

Silver, who had been widowed several years ago, lived alone in Be’eri. According to her son Yonatan Zeigen, she was last heard from Saturday morning at 11:07 A.M. Before that, she notified friends and family that she was hiding behind a closet in her safe room.

“First we spoke by phone, but then when we heard the gunshots getting closer, we decided it was best to move to text messaging,” he told Haaretz.

In his last message to his mother, Zeigen recounted, he wrote “I’m with you.”

“I feel you,” she responded.

Describing his mother as “a very resilient person,” he relayed that in their last phone conversation, she joked that she had not brought a knife with her into the safe room. “For us, that was funny because my mom was such a pacifist,” he said.

Zeigen, who lives in Tel Aviv, had planned to come with his family to Be’eri for the weekend in order to spend the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah with his mother. “In our phone conversation, we both said how fortunate it was that I hadn’t come,” he relayed.

Silver’s other son Chen lives in Connecticut.

The 74-year-old, born in Winnipeg, immigrated to Israel 50 years ago with Habonim Dror, a Socialist Zionist youth movement. She was among a group of young North Americans who helped found Kibbutz Gezer in central Israel.

A grandmother of four, Silver moved from Gezer to Be’eri with her family in 1990 and has lived there ever since. She was a founding member of the Israeli-Palestinian Women Wage Peace movement, which was established in late 2014 after the last major war in Gaza.

Just a few days before her kibbutz was overrun by terrorists, Silver had participated in a march that Women Wage Peace holds each year during the Sukkot holiday.

In an interview with Haaretz six years ago, after yet another round of fighting between Israel and Gaza had ended in a truce, she said: “With what’s happening now, I think our message is more timely than ever. The only way to bring all this violence to an end is by negotiating a peace agreement. This cease-fire may last a few weeks or a few months, but until the two sides sit down and talk, it’s not going to be over.”

Silver was particularly active in promoting equality for the Bedouin communities in southern Israel, located not far from her own kibbutz. She served as the co-CEO – together with Amal al-Sana – of The Arab-Jewish Center for Equality, Empowerment and Cooperation, which promotes shared society among Jews and Arabs in Israel and peacemaking efforts between Israelis and Palestinians.

Among her various volunteer activities over the years, Silver was an active member of Road to Recovery, an organization that helps transport patients from Gaza to hospitals in Israel so that they can receive proper medical care.

She had decided to immigrate to Israel after spending her junior year abroad at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. In 1974, a day after she completed her final exams at university in Canada, she boarded a one-way flight back to Israel.

In 1981, Silver founded a department promoting gender equality within the kibbutz movement, and she later served on the board of the New Israel Fund.

In 1998, she was appointed executive director of the Negev Institute for Strategies of Peace and Development in Beersheba. Until the outbreak of the second intifada in the early 2000s, she traveled to Gaza frequently as a participant in various people-to-people peacemaking initiatives.

Colette Avital, a former diplomat and Knesset member who was friends with Silver, said, “Whenever and wherever I met her, she was always enthusiastic about some new idea, embracing some new initiative, always optimistic, always ready to help, always with a smile on her face.”

She continued, “I cannot help but think, to try to imagine what her last thoughts must have been, when she saw the men for whom she fought, the men she helped, come to brutally take away her life. And I cannot stop my tears. For her, for peace."

[beardedmrbean]

Unaccompanied migrant children arrived on flights to a rural New York community and local officials said Friday they were given no advance notice by the Biden administration.

Montgomery police chief Paul Arteta and Mayor Steve Brescia joined "Fox & Friends First" to explain what happened when the flights arrived at Orange County Airport from Texas, carrying minors between 13-18 years old.

"I've never seen anything like this before," said Brescia, whose town is located in the Hudson Valley, about 75 miles north of New York City. 

MARIST COLLEGE DAD MURDER: SUSPECT THREATENED TO SHOOT MAN IN FACE PRIOR TO NEW YORK ROBBERY

Arteta said officials don't know where the parents are, but the children continued on to other areas of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. 

Brescia said he wished he had received some alert before the flights arrived.

"They thought that the village or town knew about it and we knew nothing. And there wasn't much we could do about it, unfortunately. But just a little forewarning or little information would have helped us considerably," he told Carley Shimkus.

BIDEN ADMIN RESUMES FLIGHTS TO SUBURBAN NEW YORK: REPORT

Brescia said the leaders in his community were worried about the safety of the children and did not have answers to provide to residents. He said the town would have had to handle the response if "God forbid" the bus that picked up the migrants at the airport was involved in an accident. 

Arteta said after "dozens of phone calls" to local officials, they were able to verify that the flight was sanctioned by the Office of Refugee Resettlement within the federal Department of Health and Human Services.

Arteta said officers were alerted by a resident who called to report "suspicious" activity. 

"It astounds me," Brescia told Brian Kilmeade on "Fox & Friends" on Friday.

"We're being dumped on and we're not going to put up with it. We hope there's no more flights coming into the airport because we can't handle it. There's not enough security there. There's not enough resources in our community. The taxpayers cannot absorb what they did to us," he said.

Meantime, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is tapping the National Guard to help with New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ migrant tent city, Fox News Digital has confirmed. 

The development comes after Adams announced Monday night that the city was relocating its first humanitarian emergency response and relief center for asylum seekers from Orchard Beach, condemned for being flood prone and far from public transportation to Randall's Island.

In the past several months, New York City has seen an influx of more than 16,000 asylum seekers, Adams' office said Monday. But according to figures from Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s office Friday, the southern border state has bused just over 2,900 migrants to New York City since Aug. 5. 

_____________

Time to play spot the major difference between this and the different governors doing similar

[wikifoxnews]

Who is Katelyn McClure ( Sentenced to 3 years for role in $400K GoFundMe scam ) Wiki, Bio, Incident details, Arrest, Investigation and More details

Katelyn McClure Biography                                   Katelyn McClure Wiki

A New Jersey woman Katelyn McClure was sentenced to three years in prison on Friday for her role in a $400,000 GoFundMe scam in which she and her then-boyfriend lied about helping a homeless veteran in Philadelphia. 3 Years in NJ State prison. That’s sentence for woman in $402,000 GoFundMe scam. Katelyn McClure,32, is already in prison serving the one year federal prison sentence for the federal charges in the same case. The 3 year state time runs concurrently. 1/2 @FOX29philly pic.twitter.com/pnWhyZzhGG — Steve Keeley (@KeeleyFox29) January 6, 2023

Katelyn McClure Age

Katelyn McClure, 32, was not present for her sentencing in Burlington County because she is already serving her one-year federal sentence in the case at a Connecticut jail, according to Burlington County prosecutors. Her state sentence is running concurrently, and the former New Jersey Department of Transportation employee is permanently barred from ever working as a public employee in the state. In 2017, McClure and then-boyfriend Mark D'Amico pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy after they fabricated a heartwarming but false story in which they claimed a homeless veterinarian, Johnny Bobbitt Jr., had just passed his last 20 years Dollars Spent to Help McClure filled up her gas tank while stranded on I-95 in Philadelphia. The couple launched a GoFundMe campaign called "Paying it Forward," which donors believed was intended to get Bobbitt off the streets and into a home. The story quickly gained traction as McClure and D'Amico conducted interviews with local and national media. In less than a month, they had swindled more than 14,000 donors out of $400,000. Funds were transferred to the couple's personal accounts by GoFundMe. The two squandered most of their money over the next three months on personal expenses. The couple told Bobbitt about the fake story they spun and the money - which he had previously not known about. According to officials, D'Amico opened a bank account for Bobbitt in December 2017 and the two deposited $25,000 into the account. D'Amico, 43, pleaded guilty in December 2019 and was sentenced to five years in state prison, a sentence that also coincided with a previous federal sentence. He and McClure were both instructed to fully refund GoFundMe. Read the full article

[vomitdodger]

https://rwmalonemd.substack.com/p/wef-graduates-in-the-usa-elected?r=11si4j&s=r&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email

From the newsletter:

I need your help. A new crop of elected officials or those running in November primaries were selected by United States citizens yesterday.

So here is the job: please compare the list of World Economic Forum Graduates below to any new elected official(s) that you are aware of from yesterday’s election. It there are any changes to the existing politicians careers or electoral status, please leave the changes in the comments also.

These WEF graduates have their primary alliances with a foreign entity, that being the WEF. They should register as foreign agents in my opinion. Are these the ones that “we the people” really want running OUR country?

If any of the people listed below are up for re-election in 2022, please also make note of that in the comments. Let’s see if we can’t generate an updated and complete list of those we need to work to ensure their electoral loss!

Thank you everyone for your help in this - it means a great deal to me.

List of US Politicians (please update in the comments):

Huma Abedin US Department of State Deputy chief of staff and aide to Hillary Clinton (2009– 2013) and vice chair of Hillary's presidential campaign

Penny Abeywardena Mayors office City of New York Mayors office City of New York

Robert E. Andrews United States House of Representatives Congressman from New Jersey (D), 1st District

Ruben Barrales Office of the President of the United States Assistant to the President and Director, Intergovernmental Affairs

Evan Bayh Senate of Indiana, USA Senator Indiana (1999–2011) Karan K. Bhatia Office of the US Trade Deputy Trade Representative

Matt Blunt State of Missouri Governor of Missouri

David A. Bray Atlantic Council GeoTech Center Federal Communications Commission

Aja Brown City of Compton, California Mayor of Compton

Carol M. Browner Office of the President of the United States Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change Policy (2009–2011)

George P. Bush Texas General Land Office Land Commissioner (2015–)

Pete Buttigieg Government of the United States Secretary of Transportation (2021–)

Julian Castro Government of the US US Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (2014 –2017)

David Chiu City of San Francisco City Attorney of San Francisco

Jim Cooper U.S. House of Representatives Democrat Congressman Tennessee 32 yrs

Tom Cotton U.S. Senate Senator from Arkansas (R)

Daniel Crenshaw United States Congress Rep. from Texas, 2nd District (2019–)

Artur Davis US Congress Congressman from Alabama, 7th District (D)

Brian Deese National Economic Council National Economic Council

Joshua DuBois White House Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Sophal Ear Crescenta Valley Town Council, California Council Member

Mike Espy Government of the US Secretary of Agriculture (1993–1994)

Daniel C. Esty State of Connecticut, USA Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (2011–2014)

Jon Favreau Office of the President of the United States Office of the President of the United States

Steven Fulop Jersey City, N.J. Mayor of Jersey City (2013–)

Tulsi Gabbard United States House of Representatives Congresswoman from Hawaii (D), 2nd District

Kate Gallego City of Phoenix, Arizona Mayor of Phoenix

Pete Geren Texas Cultural Trust Former congressman Texas

Gabrielle Giffords US Congress US Congressman (Dem) for Arizona (2007–2012)

Garlin II Gilchrist State of Michigan Lieutenant Governor

Cyrus Habib Society of Jesus (Jesuits) Lieutenant Governor of Washington State (2017–2021)

Nikki Haley US Government US Ambassador to the UN

Rachel Haot (Sterne) City of New York Executive Director of the Transit Innovation Partnership

Jaime Herrera Beutler US House of Representatives Congresswoman from Washington (R), 3rd District

Benjamin Jealous NAACP -

Bobby Jindal State of Louisiana Governor of Louisiana

Patrick J. Kennedy II US House of Representatives Representative for Rhode Island (1995–2011)

Joseph P. Kennedy III US House of Representatives Rep for the suburbs of Boston, Massachusetts

Kwame Kilpatrick City of Detroit Mayor of Dieroit (2002–2008)

Adam Kinzinger Illinois American Politician

Mark Lippert Boeing US Ambassador to South Korea 2014-2017

Kathleen McGinty Office of the Governor of Pennsylvania Chief of Staff (2015); Environmental advisor to VP Al Gore and President Clinton Kimberly A. Moore US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (2021–) Chief judge

Seth Moulton U.S. House of Representatives Democrat Rep. from Massachusetts's 6th district (2015–)

Vivek Murthy United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps

Nicole Nason National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Administrator

Michael R. Nelson City of Carrobro, North Carolina Mayor of Carrboro, NC

Gavin Newsom State of California Governor of California (2019–)

Jared Polis State of Colorado, USA Governor of Colorado (2019–)

Samantha Power National Security Council (NSC) Past US Ambassador to UN

Adam Putnam Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Luke Ravenstahl City of Pittsburgh Mayor, Pittsburgh 2006-2014

Julissa Reynoso US Embassy US Ambassador to Spain and Andorra (2022–)

Nilmini Rubin Meta US Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Richard L. Scott Columbia/HCA US Governor/Senator - Florida

Kunihiko Shimada KS International Strategies, Inc. Former UN mediator on peace and security issues

Kristen Silverberg US Government US Ambassador to the EU (2008–2009)

Edward Smith DLA Piper LLP Department of Commerce under Obama

Elise Stefanik US House of Representatives Congresswoman from New York, 21st District (R)

William Steiger USAID Director of the Office of Global Health Affairs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Lawrence H. Summers Harvard University Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs

John E. Sununu United States Institute of Peace (USIP) Congressman and Senator Lauren Underwood Representative for Illinois

Heather Zichal The White House Deputy assistant to President Barack Obama for Energy and Climate Change

Jeffrey Zients Advisory Board Company White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator since 2021

[booknridecarservice]

Identifying the Optimal Times to Luxuriate in Limousine Transport

Have you ever wanted to rent a limo car service? Limo car services are synonymous with elegance, wealth, luxury, and a fascinating history. These lavished vehicles allow passengers to ride in comfort and style while they enjoy amenities and entertainment systems. Limousines provide exceptional transportation for nearly every event. There are many different occasions when you may want or need to hire a Greenwich, CT limo car service. Discover the occasions or events that call for a limousine ride.

Your Wedding Day

So, you and your beloved partner decide to publicly express your love! It is important to depart from the ceremony or reception memorably. Opt for the luxurious Greenwich, CT limo car service. It allows your loved ones, friends & family to bid you farewell as you embark on your journey together. Entrust the driving responsibilities to some experts. It allows you and your spouse to fully immerse in each other's company. We offer complimentary champagne and strawberries as an added touch. We ensure that the celebration of your special day continues until the end.

Your Prom Night

For many years, adolescents have commemorated the most significant evening of their high school years by indulging in a stretch limousine. These extended vehicles are capable of accommodating larger groups. We ensure that you can spend the entire night with all of your friends. Therefore, hiring our Greenwich, CT limo car service can be a way to take your evening to the next level. We will transport you and your partner from dinner to the dance. Subsequently, we will take you to any essential after-parties that you must attend.

Group Transportation

Are you taking on the important role of organizing a friend's wedding festivities as the maid of honor or best man? As part of your responsibilities, it is crucial to arrange an unforgettable bachelor or bachelorette party. To ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience, consider incorporating our Greenwich, CT limo car service into the celebration. Our reliable transportation will effortlessly take you and your group from one exciting venue to another throughout the night.

Sealing a Business Deal

Do you have an existing or future client coming into the tri-state area of Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey? Are you in search of a luxury car service to pick up the business delegate or probable clients from the airport? We have the ground solution for you. We assure your client will appreciate the star treatment. Our top-notch Greenwich car service will create a lasting impression. You can use it to meet your client at the airport and start talking business on the way to your office.

Holiday Night on the Town

Certain holidays are designated for venturing out in the evening. A customary New Year's Eve entails attending multiple parties as you bid farewell to the previous year and embrace the new one. Furthermore, Valentine's Day may seem lacking without a sophisticated dinner rendezvous. Our Greenwich, CT limo car service is the perfect transportation for these holidays. You can use our Greenwich, CT limo car service to enjoy the fun while our driver deals with the extra traffic.

Cruise Ship Trip

Sometimes, people may need a reliable limousine service to reach the cruise ship terminals on time. Leaving for a cruise can be stressful. It is imperative that you arrive on time and do not miss the commencement. Those worries will fall by the wayside when you select our Greenwich, CT limo car service. We will design a travel plan for you & ensure your timely arrival at the terminal. Next time you arrange a cruise ship trip, hire a limousine to drive you to and from the ship terminals. You can lounge in the back and let our experts deal with traffic!

A Family Vacation

Do you and your immediate family plan for a trip to a major city? Hiring our Greenwich limo service can greatly enhance your family vacation experience. By having a professional driver at your disposal, you can effortlessly explore all the must-see attractions. With us, you should not take the stress of navigating through unfamiliar roads. Additionally, you can rest assured knowing that a reliable ride will be readily available for you once you finish exploring each attraction. Furthermore, your knowledgeable driver may even provide insider information about hidden gems that are not commonly known to tourists.

Medical & Funeral Transportation

We offer excellent medical transportation guaranteed at all times throughout the tri-state area of Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. We offer exceptional ground transfer service to people who need a safe transfer for their pre-scheduled healthcare appointments. Similarly, are you planning a funeral and in need of a Greenwich, CT limo car service? You can trust Book N Ride Executive Car Service! We have the right vehicle for the family and friends of the deceased.

Hire one of our Greenwich, CT limo car services if you have an important occasion coming up, a special client coming into town, or an ordinary day that needs to feel extraordinary! Contact us today to arrange your first-class transportation. Make sure to discuss the amenities you want in your ride so that we can ensure that your accommodations are just what you want for the special trip!

[regallaneexecutivecarservice]

Regal Lane - Executive Car Service CT

For those seeking unparalleled executive car services throughout Connecticut and Westchester County, NY, look no further. Our premier Car Service JFK to CT is the epitome of elegance and reliability, providing a seamless travel experience from the moment you depart John F. Kennedy International Airport to your destination in Connecticut. With a fleet of pristine vehicles and limo services at your disposal, we guarantee punctuality, comfort, and style as standard with every journey.

Whether it's for business or pleasure, our dedicated chauffeurs ensure that every trip is tailored to meet your specific needs. Attention to detail is paramount, which is why our cars are meticulously maintained to provide a luxurious environment where you can relax or work undisturbed while en route.

Our executive car service caters to individuals who expect nothing less than excellence in their ground transportation. With a deep understanding of the local landscape and traffic patterns across Connecticut and Westchester County NY, we navigate the quickest routes ensuring timely arrivals. All of this makes our Car Service JFK to CT not just a ride but an experience -- one that begins with your comfort and peace-of-mind as top priorities.

Our commitment extends beyond individual travel; we also accommodate group transfers with ease, making us an ideal choice for corporate events or larger parties who value exceptional limo service without compromise. Embark on your journey knowing that safety and sophistication are inextricably intertwined when you choose our revered car service.

Contact Us

Regal Lane - Executive Car Service CT

Address : 49 Greenwich Avenue, 2nd Floor Suite 9 , Greenwich , CT , 06831 , United States Phone : 203-927-1729 Website : https://www.regal-lane.com Hours of operation : Sunday : 00:00 - 23:59 Monday : 00:00 - 23:59 Tuesday : 00:00 - 23:59 Wednesday : 00:00 - 23:59 Thursday : 00:00 - 23:59 Friday : 00:00 - 23:59 Saturday : 00:00 - 23:59

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[springfieldvtpd]

Arrest - Domestic Assault

Offenses: Domestic Assault

Incident Number: 23SF005180

Investigating Officer: Franchi/Clark/Burnham

Date/Time of Incident/Arrest: 12/5/23 1900

Defendant: David Blais

Summary of Incident:

On 12/5/23, officers with the Springfield Police Department were notified of a domestic assault that occurred at 600 Old Connecticut River Road. Officers responded and conducted their investigation.

During the course of the investigation it was determined that the defendant, David Blais, allegedly assaulted the victim.

David was taken into custody without incident. David was transported to the Springfield Police Department for processing.

David was issued a criminal citation to appear in Vermont Superior Court, Criminal Division, Windsor Unit on December 6th, 2023 at 1230 pm to answer the alleged charge of Domestic Assault.

David was then transported to Southern State Correctional Facility where he was lodged on bail.

[ctairportlimoandcarservice]

Connecticut Limo Service: Enhancing Travel Experience in Hartford, CT

In the fast-paced world we live in, convenience and reliability are paramount, especially when it comes to transportation. Whether you are a business professional attending a crucial meeting or a leisure traveler exploring the charming city of Hartford, CT, having a dependable limo service can make all the difference. One such service that stands out in providing top-notch transportation solutions is the Connecticut Limo Service.

Hartford, the capital city of Connecticut, is known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and economic significance. Navigating through its bustling streets or heading to and from the airport requires a reliable and comfortable mode of transportation. Connecticut Limo Service has emerged as a go-to option for residents and visitors alike, offering a seamless and luxurious travel experience.

One of the key factors that set Connecticut Limo Service apart is its commitment to professionalism. From the moment you book your limo to the time you reach your destination, the service ensures a level of professionalism that exceeds expectations. The fleet of well-maintained and stylish limousines is operated by experienced and courteous chauffeurs, providing passengers with a sense of security and comfort throughout their journey.

The range of services offered by Connecticut Limo Service caters to various needs, making it a versatile option for different occasions. Whether you need airport transportation, corporate travel, special event transportation, or simply a stylish ride for a night out on the town, the service has you covered. The flexibility and adaptability of Connecticut Limo Service make it a preferred choice for a diverse range of customers.

For those arriving or departing from Bradley International Airport, the Connecticut Limo Service offers a convenient and reliable airport transfer service. Punctuality is a top priority, ensuring that passengers reach the airport or their destination on time, every time. The service's commitment to efficiency and reliability has earned it a reputation as a trusted partner for airport transportation in Hartford, CT.

Corporate travelers, in particular, appreciate the attention to detail provided by Connecticut Limo Service. The service understands the importance of making a positive impression, and the sleek and sophisticated limousines contribute to a professional and polished image. The punctuality and reliability of the service further enhance its appeal for business professionals who require prompt and efficient transportation for meetings, conferences, and other corporate events.

Special events become even more memorable when complemented by the elegance and luxury of a limousine. Connecticut Limo Service is well-equipped to handle various special occasions, including weddings, proms, anniversaries, and celebrations. The fleet includes a range of vehicles to suit different group sizes and preferences, ensuring that the transportation enhances the overall experience of the event.

The city of Hartford has a vibrant cultural scene, with numerous attractions and events happening throughout the year. Whether you're attending a concert, a sporting event, or a cultural festival, Connecticut Limo Service provides a stylish and comfortable way to get there. The service allows passengers to relax and enjoy the journey, arriving at their destination in style.

In addition to its commitment to professionalism, Connecticut Limo Service places a high priority on safety. The fleet undergoes regular maintenance, and the chauffeurs are trained to prioritize the well-being of passengers. The service's dedication to safety ensures that passengers can relax and enjoy their journey without any concerns.

Connecticut Limo Service goes beyond the traditional notion of transportation; it strives to create an experience. The luxurious interiors of the limousines are designed for comfort, with features that enhance the overall travel experience. From plush seating to advanced entertainment systems, the service pays attention to the details that make a journey truly enjoyable.

The booking process with Connecticut Limo Service is streamlined and user-friendly. Whether you prefer to book online or speak to a representative over the phone, the service aims to make the reservation process as smooth as possible. This customer-centric approach reflects the service's commitment to providing a hassle-free experience for its clients.

As we navigate the bustling streets of Hartford or travel to and from the airport, having a reliable and luxurious transportation option can transform the entire experience. Connecticut Limo Service has emerged as a trusted partner for those seeking a seamless and enjoyable journey in and around Hartford, CT. Whether you are a business professional, a leisure traveler, or someone celebrating a special occasion, Connecticut Limo Service is dedicated to providing top-notch service that goes beyond expectations.

In conclusion, when it comes to limo service in Hartford, CT, Connecticut Limo Service stands out for its professionalism, reliability, and commitment to customer satisfaction. The service's versatile offerings make it a go-to option for various travel needs, and its attention to detail ensures that passengers experience a level of luxury that enhances their overall journey. Choose Connecticut Limo Service for a transportation experience that combines style, comfort, and efficiency.

[leslie-allen-spillane]

Scott McMahon

Scott McMahon grew up in Connecticut and now resides in Columbia, Missouri where he is an Associate Professor of Art at Columbia College. He received his MFA from Massachusetts College of Art & Design in Boston, Massachusetts, and his BFA from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Photo Letters (Response Time)

Over the past several years, Ahmed Salvador and Scott McMahon have been collaborating on a project they call 'photo letters', as a way of communicating over their geographically distant situations.

For the project, Ahmed and Scott have been mailing pieces of unexposed film or photographic paper to each other. The packages containing the light sensitive materials were altered in such a way as to let in small amounts of light during transportation. As they receive each package, they develop the results and mail them back to the sender.

The play of light on film and paper usually produces abstract linear patterns and clouds, but at times the results are eerily representational images of glowing landscapes. Simply put, they are an elegy to the fading art of traditional photography, the act of light hitting a light-sensitive material, and to traditional snail-mail correspondences.

Sight [Un]Seen

There is speculation that the last image that passes through the eye when someone dies lingers on the retina for an undetermined amount of time. I find the thought of this possibility profoundly beautiful and poetic.

Many years ago, I came across a photographic image in Pinhole Journal (Volume 4 #1, 1988, Eric Renner & Nancy Spencer) that deeply intrigued me. The image was of a murky landscape taken by the Swedish playwright, novelist, poet, painter and photographer, August Strindberg (1849-1912). The depiction of the landscape wasn’t that remarkable, but the way in which it was created intrigued me the most. For this image, Strindberg used the biconvex lens from the eye of a beetle, in place of a standard camera lens to photographically render the landscape.

Since the camera lens is closely designed after the human eye, it only made sense to experiment with the human lens, as camera lens. In this series I replaced the camera lens with that of the human (cadaver) lens. Essentially, I approached this project as if making a pinhole camera. A box is used and made light-tight; a hole is drilled in one side of the box where the human lens is carefully held in place. Light-sensitive black and white photographic enlarging paper is secured in the box to receive the projected image. Upon chemical development, a photographic negative is produced and in turn, a positive print is made.

Sight [Un]Seen explores images that may have been formed after one departs their physical body. Rather than dwelling upon death this series focuses on the celebration of life. The images are hazy and ethereal, they are forming and dissipating, imprinting the familiar and at times, the unfamiliar. The majority of the series is comprised of portraits. Some of the portraits taken of the donors are made with their own lenses, a literal self-portrait, gathering light and forming a present visage. Additional portraits are made of the living as they peer through the lens of the departed to form their own likeness. Images of landscapes and architectural structures also appear in this series as a way of providing an environment or place one may have frequented.