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2 men in Virginia defrauded millions in COVID relief

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:35:26 GMT

Two Northern Virginia businessmen will likely spend the next several years in prison after pleading guilty in a joint scheme to defraud banks and the Small Business Administration of around $7.6 million in COVID relief funds.Bennie Earl Magee, 54, of Manassas, Virginia, and Michael Gilcher, 45, of Bealeton, Virginia pleaded guilty in front of U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton on Friday.In April 2020, the two began falsifying payroll records and tax returns to inflate employee numbers, and apply for PPP and Economic Injury Disaster Loans.Magee would often list the names of real people, including friends and family without their consent, as employees of the businesses.One such business was Infinity Communications Solutions, a firm run and solely operated by Gilcher. The two listed falsely that there were dozens of employees and took two “draws” of PPP loans totaling over $1.4 million.Magee continued similar operations for other businesses he owned, including “Bounce Mania,” “Onyx S...

Scup? License-free fishing in Maryland this Saturday is no fluke

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:35:26 GMT

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is offering license-free fishing days for state residents and visitors this Saturday, then again on Saturday, June 10 and Tuesday, July 4. (Courtesy Getty/Andy Bowlin) The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is offering license-free fishing days for state residents and visitors this Saturday, then again on Saturday, June 10 and Tuesday, July 4. (Courtesy Getty/Andy Bowlin) With the unofficial start of summer in the rearview mirror, many of us will be looking for fun, outdoor activities this weekend — and it just so happens Saturday, June 3, is a license-free fishing day in Maryland.The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is offering license-free fishing ...

Dream 2nd year standout Rhyne Howard aims to be WNBA’s next ‘generational talent’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:35:26 GMT

Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard (10) shoots during a WNBA basketball game against the Chicago Sky, Tuesday, May 30, 2023, in College Park, Ga. The Atlanta Dream's hopes for moving up in the WNBA rest heavily on second-year player Rhyne Howard, the 2022 No. 1 overall pick who did not disappoint as an All-Star and Rookie of the Year.(AP Photo/John Bazemore) Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard (10) shoots during a WNBA basketball game against the Chicago Sky, Tuesday, May 30, 2023, in College Park, Ga. The Atlanta Dream's hopes for moving up in the WNBA rest heavily on second-year player Rhyne Howard, the 2022 No. 1 overall pick who did not disappoint as an All-Star and Rookie of the Year.(AP Photo/John Bazemore) COL...

Así se volvió viral Peso Pluma: “Ha habido momentos donde sí nos desestabiliza”

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:35:26 GMT

(CNN Español) — A pesar de su éxito global, Peso Pluma vive la viralidad de sus colaboraciones con tranquilidad y con los pies en la tierra.El cantante mexicano fue el cuarto artista más escuchado en Spotify la semana del 14 al 20 de abril. También, “Ella baila sola” de Eslabón Armando junto a Doble P (como también se le conoce al intérprete), destronó a “Flowers” de Miley Cyrus como la canción más escuchada en la plataforma sueca esa misma semana.“No te voy a mentir que sí llego todo muy rápido. Ha habido momentos donde sí nos desestabiliza, pero creo que gracias al equipo y a la buena química que tenemos, hemos sabido sobrellevar todo”, dice Peso Pluma a Zona Pop CNN, a través de Zoom.“Seguimos por el caminito que pavimentados un día y vamos poco a poco. No nos desesperamos, no nos avorazamos. Todo es a su momento. Siempre hemos dicho a nuestro equipo que los tiempos de Dios son perfectos y si se nos dio en este tiempo es por algo”, dice el intérprete.Pero ¿cómo es que Peso ...

Alex Murdaugh pleads not guilty — for now — to federal wire fraud and money laundering charges

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:35:26 GMT

FILE - Defendant Alex Murdaugh gives testimony during his murder trial at the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro, S.C., on Feb. 23, 2023. Convicted murderer Murdaugh is facing federal charges for the first time after being indicted on 22 financial fraud charges related to schemes the former attorney used to steal settlement money from clients. (Grace Beahm Alford/The Post And Courier via AP, Pool, File) FILE - Defendant Alex Murdaugh gives testimony during his murder trial at the Colleton County Courthouse in Walterboro, S.C., on Feb. 23, 2023. Convicted murderer Murdaugh is facing federal charges for the first time after being indicted on 22 financial fraud charges related to schemes the former attorney used to steal settlement money from clients. (Grace Be...

Master Angler Award given to Parker the Snow Dog

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:35:26 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Parker the Snow Dog became the first non-human to be awarded the Master Angler Award by Colorado Parks and Wildlife.The award is based on fish length, and it's open to anglers who get a catch within the qualifying length as long as it is made in compliance with Colorado fishing regulations. Colorado farmers markets near you Parker had the honor of accepting the award on behalf of his owner, Dustin Schaefer, according to a release from CPW.“There’s nothing better than being outside fishing and spending time with your four-legged best friend,” Schaefer said. “It’s even better when we catch a huge fish and get to share the moment together. It’s times like these you never forget.”Any fisher in Colorado can gain Master Angler status by applying for the award through the CPW Master Angler Program. It must fit within the requirements, though. The fish must be hooked, not speared, snagged or shot. It must be caught in Colorado within 60 days of the application. Parker ...

Denver Nuggets Way unveiled as ceremonial name for downtown street

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:35:26 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- In celebration of the Denver Nuggets' advancement to the NBA Finals, the city renamed Bannock Street Plaza to Denver Nuggets Way Wednesday.Mayor Hancock and employees of the City and County of Denver gathered with special guests from the Nuggets Wednesday morning for the unveiling. Nuggets mural on Colfax catching attention Rocky the mascot and the dancers will be there, along with their official DJ "Paws the Music" on Bannock Street Plaza for the ceremony.FOX31 streamed the event live, and you can watch a replay of it above.

Fast start to jury selection at trial of ex-deputy accused of failing to confront Parkland shooter

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:35:26 GMT

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Jury selection in the groundbreaking trial of a former sheriff’s deputy charged with failing to confront the killer of 14 students and three staff members at a Florida high school five years ago got off to a speedy start Wednesday, with the preliminary round nearing its conclusion in just a few hours.Circuit Judge Martin Fein had tentatively scheduled three days of preliminary jury selection, seeking 50 candidates whose schedules and employment would allow possibly two months of jury service at the trial of former Broward County Deputy Scot Peterson. Before Wednesday’s lunch break, the judge already had 41 finalists out of 200 prospects interviewed and it appeared he would get his full complement by the end of the day.Those 50 will be brought back Monday for questioning by prosecutors and Peterson’s attorney about their knowledge of the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman High School in Parkland, and whether they can be fair in judging Pe...

Neglected Shih Tzus rescued by Plantation Police seeking loving homes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:35:26 GMT

Ten Shih Tzus, neglected and suffering from skin infections and dry eyes, were rescued by Plantation Police. Now, they’re waiting to find new homes at the Humane Society of Broward County.The Plantation Police came across the Shih Tzus, aged between 6 months and 4 years, on Tuesday. Concerned neighbors had reported a bad smell, leading police to discover the neglected dogs.The owner, who wasn’t sure about the exact number of dogs they had, decided to surrender them to the shelter voluntarily.After a thorough examination, it was revealed that all the dogs were dealing with severe skin infections. Some of them also had dry eyes, which meant their tear production was insufficient, resulting in dryness.To treat their conditions, the dogs will need daily medication, possibly for the rest of their lives.“It is incredibly sad to see the dogs in this state.  Some are so matted they will have to be shaved completely while under anesthesia to relieve the discomfort they are i...

Trump’s latest policy pitch: A massive birthday party for the nation

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:35:26 GMT

Donald Trump’s latest idea to enshrine American greatness is to throw the country “the most spectacular” birthday bash — one that will last all year.In 2026, the U.S. will celebrate the semiquincentennial: the quarter millennial since its declaration of independence. To commemorate the anniversary, Trump is proposing a blowout, 12-month-long “Salute to America 250” celebration. In a new policy video, Trump calls for a “Great American State Fair,” featuring pavilions from all 50 states, nationwide high school sporting contests, and the building of Trump’s “National Garden of American Heroes” with statues of important figures in American history like Frederick Douglass and Amelia Earhart.“As a nation, we should be preparing for the most spectacular birthday party. We want to make it the best of all time,” Trump said in the new policy video previewed by POLITICO.A birthday celebration for the nation is the type of event that can be described as quintessentially Trump: heavy on patrioti...