Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Nelson W. McCauley, age 44, of Sioux City, Iowa, most recently residing on the Omaha Nation Indian Reservation, was sentenced on October 18, 2024, in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for two counts of domestic assault by an habitual offender in Indian Country. Chief United States District Court Judge Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., sentenced McCauley to 90 months’ imprisonment on each count to be served concurrently. There is no parole in the federal system. After McCauley’s release from prison, he will begin concurrent 3-year terms of supervised release on both counts.
In August 2023, McCauley physically assaulted a female victim known to him by striking her repeatedly with his fists. In May 2024, McCauley physically assaulted the same female victim again by striking her multiple times with his fists. The victim required medical attention after each of McCauley’s assaults to address substantial bodily injuries, including large bruises, contusions, and a hematoma on her head. Prior to his assaults on the victim in August 2023 and May 2024, McCauley had already been convicted on multiple occasions of domestic violence offenses in federal and tribal courts.
This case was prosecuted in federal court because the offenses were felonies and occurred on the Omaha Nation Indian Reservation in Nebraska.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Eddie L. Houpt, age 60, of North Platte, Nebraska was sentenced on October 17, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln, Nebraska for one count of distribution of 5 grams or more of actual methamphetamine. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Houpt to a total of 100 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Houpt’s release from prison, he will begin a 4-year term of supervised release.
On June 12, 2022, a Confidential Informant (“CI”) set up a controlled buy from Houpt. Law enforcement provided the CI with $1,300 to purchase two ounces of meth from Houpt. Houpt picked the CI up and drove around for a little while before dropping the CI off. During the drive, the CI provided Houpt the money and Houpt gave the CI a container which had two baggies containing a white crystalline substance. The State Crime Lab confirmed the substance to be 42.68 grams of a meth mixture containing at least 40 grams of actual meth.
This case was investigated by the Tri-City Drug Enforcement Team (TRIDENT). TRIDENT is a task force with law enforcement personnel from the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Grand Island Police Department, Hall County Sheriff’s Office, Hastings Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, Kearney Police Department, and the Nebraska State Patrol.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
RENO – A Reno man was sentenced Monday by United States District Judge Anne R. Traum to five years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release for assaulting three teenagers, leaving one seriously injured, on the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony reservation.
According to court documents, on September 2, 2023, Roy Ramirez, 25, pistol-whipped a teenager in the face, pistol-whipped a second teenager in the head, and pointed the firearm at a third teenager. The second teenager was a 13-year-old child who suffered multiple life-threatening injuries. Ramirez was on state parole at the time of the assault.
Ramirez pleaded guilty to one count of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon Within Indian Country and one count of Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury Within Indian Country.
United States Attorney Jason M. Frierson for the District of Nevada and Special Agent in Charge Spencer L. Evans for the FBI made the announcement.
The FBI, Nevada Parole and Probation, and the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony Tribal Police investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Penelope Brady prosecuted the case.
Detectives are appealing for witnesses and information after a woman was attacked in Harrow.
Police were called at 23:45hrs on Saturday, 2 November, to reports that a woman had been raped on Church Hill in Harrow-on-the-Hill.
Officers attended and are continuing to provide the woman with specialist support.
A male was arrested on 4 November in connection with the investigation. He remains in custody and enquiries are ongoing.
Detectives would like to speak with anyone who was in the area at the time of the incident. Did you see or hear anything suspicious? Did you see a man running away?
Detective Sergeant Phil Inman said: “We know this will cause of lot of concern and anxiety in the area, especially as the attack took place in close proximity to the High Street.
“I am also asking that you review any CCTV, doorbell or dash cam footage that may assist our investigation – in particular between around 22:00hrs and midnight in the roads surrounding St Mary’s Church, Churchfields Open Space and Grove Open Space.
“If you have any concerns please speak with a local officer.”
Anyone with information is asked to call police via 101 quoting CAD 8605/02Nov. To remain anonymous contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Two symbolic characters at the centre of Auckland’s historic Farmers Santa Parade are turning out for the 91st time, delighting families who will fill the footpaths on Sunday 24 November (rain day 1 December).
The parade may have become bigger and brighter in 91 years, but the philosophy introduced by Farmers founder Robert Laidlaw in 1933 remains the same – a gift of fantasy and fanfare for the children of Auckland.
The star of the show is always Santa himself, but Queen Street has also been a constant presence throughout 91 years in the life of this legendary parade, believed to be one of the most enduring in the southern hemisphere.
Santa and his reindeer.
Queen Street has evolved over the decades. Once it was a four-lane street with narrow footpaths on either side. Now it is a two-lane, plant-filled boulevard hosting a more intimate festive parade.
But the character expected to rival even the longest-serving players is favourite television pup Bluey, who is joining Auckland’s Farmers Santa Parade for the first time. Fans will see the much-adored Bluey in person on her own float in the parade. Bluey and Bingo will later bring their live interactive experience to Santa’s Party at the close of the parade.
Bluey and Bingo on stage.
Deputy Mayor of Auckland, Desley Simpson, will also participate in the parade.
“Every year, the Farmers Santa Parade brings the centre of Auckland to life, filling our city with joy, wonder, and community spirit. It’s a time for families, friends and whānau to come together and welcome the magic of the season.
“This parade is more than an event; it’s a beautiful reminder of the unity and vibrancy that define our Auckland community,” Councillor Simpson says.
A new entrant in the parade this year will be the city centre’s newest elves – a team of community wardens who cast a watchful eye over city centre streets and spaces every day and night. The wardens are from the Auckland Council Community Safety Team, New Zealand Police, Māori wardens, Community Patrols NZ and Auckland Transport.
They will decorate their uniforms with Christmas tinsel for the occasion and walk with their families, accompanying Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson who graces the parade every year waving to the crowds from a vintage car.
After representing New Zealand at the 2024 Olympics, gold medal winning high jumper Hamish Kerr will open the parade as this year’s official grand marshal, leading the vibrant and colourful procession of festive floats.
One float will be constructed entirely of LEGO®, another inspired by K-pop in the shape of a giant pink guitar, and crowds will also witness a Kiwiana caravan float that encapsulates the essence of a Kiwi summer.
Additional funds have been made available this year from Auckland Council and the city centre targeted rate, helping bring the delight of the Farmers Santa Parade to the city centre.
Key moments to plan for:
The Farmers Santa Parade attracts around 150,000 spectators, 4,000 participants and over 200 items of Christmas magic over a 1.6km route.
Learn more about the 2024 parade here.
Transport options will be available additionally here.
What you need to know: After repeated warnings, California sued Norwalk for the city’s unlawful ban on homeless shelters and other housing.
LOS ANGELES — Governor Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta today filed a lawsuit against the city of Norwalk to compel the city to overturn its unlawful ordinance banning the establishment of new homeless shelters and other housing. The lawsuit alleges that the city’s ban violates numerous state laws. The lawsuit comes after multiple warnings and actions by the state, including revocation of the city’s housing element compliance.
“The Norwalk city council’s failure to reverse this ban, despite knowing it is unlawful, is inexcusable. No community should turn its back on its residents in need.”
Governor Gavin Newsom
“Today’s lawsuit should come as no surprise. Despite receiving several warnings, the City of Norwalk has refused to repeal its unlawful ban on new supportive housing for our most vulnerable residents. Enough is enough,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “Every city and county in California has a legal obligation to help solve our homelessness crisis. We have not, and will not hesitate, to ensure that everyone with the power to approve or disapprove housing takes their duties seriously.”
The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) sent Norwalk a notice of violation on September 16 after the city council adopted a 45-day urgency ordinance imposing a moratorium on emergency shelters, single-room occupancy housing, supportive housing, and transitional housing. Despite this, on September 17, the council extended that ordinance another 10 months and 15 days. The moratorium violates several state planning and fair housing laws, including the Housing Crisis Act, Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing, and Housing Element Law.
In addition, Norwalk has yet to meet its housing goals as required by state law. The city has only issued permits for 175 units during this housing element cycle, a mere 3.5% of its 5,034 unit Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) – the number of units required to ensure that communities have enough housing.
On October 3, in response to the city’s failure to repeal the ban, the state announced that it was decertifying the City of Norwalk’s housing element. The state’s action makes the city ineligible for significant housing and homelessness funding and means the city can no longer deny permits to “builder’s remedy” affordable housing projects.
“Norwalk’s moratorium on housing for its most vulnerable residents is not only unlawful — it is a rejection of people’s basic health, safety, and humanity,” said HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez. “We’re grateful for the Attorney General’s partnership to ensure all cities and counties are held accountable when they fail to comply with state housing law. I am disappointed the city did not reverse course on its own accord, choosing instead to waste time and public resources and be forced by the court to do the right thing.
Norwalk issued the ordinance only weeks after Governor Newsom issued an executive order that, among other things, urges local governments to use the unprecedented funding provided by the state to address unsanitary and dangerous encampments within their communities and provide people experiencing homelessness in the encampments with the care, housing, and supportive services they need. Since 2019, HCD has awarded Norwalk nearly $29 million in housing and homelessness funds.
The lawsuit was referred to the Attorney General by HCD’s Housing Accountability Unit, which was launched by Governor Newsom in 2021 to assist cities and counties in fulfilling their legal responsibilities to plan for and permit their fair share of housing, and to hold accountable those that fail to do so. This focus on accountability has in part led to a 15-year high in housing starts in California. Since its establishment, the Housing Accountability Unit has supported the development of more than 7,600 housing units, including more than 2,800 affordable units, through enforcement actions and by working with local jurisdictions to ensure compliance with housing law. In 2024 the Unit was expanded to include a focus on homelessness issues — including compliance with state laws as they relate to homeless housing.
Recent news
Nov 4, 2024
News Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom issued the following statement today on the passing of musician, producer, and composer Quincy Jones:”A titan of music, culture, and philanthropy, Quincy Jones brought the world endless joy with his optimistic spirit…
Nov 2, 2024
News Welcome to The California Weekly, your Saturday morning recap of top stories and announcements you might have missed. News you may have missed1. ❤️ SUPPORTING CALIFORNIA KIDSThe Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) broke ground on a new behavioral health…
Nov 1, 2024
News What you need to know: Governor Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta have reached a settlement with La Habra Heights to bring the city into compliance with state housing law. SACRAMENTO — Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced the…
Nov 4, 2024
What you need to know: After repeated warnings, California sued Norwalk for the city’s unlawful ban on homeless shelters and other housing.
LOS ANGELES — Governor Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta today filed a lawsuit against the city of Norwalk to compel the city to overturn its unlawful ordinance banning the establishment of new homeless shelters and other housing. The lawsuit alleges that the city’s ban violates numerous state laws. The lawsuit comes after multiple warnings and actions by the state, including revocation of the city’s housing element compliance.
“The Norwalk city council’s failure to reverse this ban, despite knowing it is unlawful, is inexcusable. No community should turn its back on its residents in need.”
Governor Gavin Newsom
“Today’s lawsuit should come as no surprise. Despite receiving several warnings, the City of Norwalk has refused to repeal its unlawful ban on new supportive housing for our most vulnerable residents. Enough is enough,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “Every city and county in California has a legal obligation to help solve our homelessness crisis. We have not, and will not hesitate, to ensure that everyone with the power to approve or disapprove housing takes their duties seriously.”
The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) sent Norwalk a notice of violation on September 16 after the city council adopted a 45-day urgency ordinance imposing a moratorium on emergency shelters, single-room occupancy housing, supportive housing, and transitional housing. Despite this, on September 17, the council extended that ordinance another 10 months and 15 days. The moratorium violates several state planning and fair housing laws, including the Housing Crisis Act, Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing, and Housing Element Law.
In addition, Norwalk has yet to meet its housing goals as required by state law. The city has only issued permits for 175 units during this housing element cycle, a mere 3.5% of its 5,034 unit Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) – the number of units required to ensure that communities have enough housing.
On October 3, in response to the city’s failure to repeal the ban, the state announced that it was decertifying the City of Norwalk’s housing element. The state’s action makes the city ineligible for significant housing and homelessness funding and means the city can no longer deny permits to “builder’s remedy” affordable housing projects.
“Norwalk’s moratorium on housing for its most vulnerable residents is not only unlawful — it is a rejection of people’s basic health, safety, and humanity,” said HCD Director Gustavo Velasquez. “We’re grateful for the Attorney General’s partnership to ensure all cities and counties are held accountable when they fail to comply with state housing law. I am disappointed the city did not reverse course on its own accord, choosing instead to waste time and public resources and be forced by the court to do the right thing.
Norwalk issued the ordinance only weeks after Governor Newsom issued an executive order that, among other things, urges local governments to use the unprecedented funding provided by the state to address unsanitary and dangerous encampments within their communities and provide people experiencing homelessness in the encampments with the care, housing, and supportive services they need. Since 2019, HCD has awarded Norwalk nearly $29 million in housing and homelessness funds.
The lawsuit was referred to the Attorney General by HCD’s Housing Accountability Unit, which was launched by Governor Newsom in 2021 to assist cities and counties in fulfilling their legal responsibilities to plan for and permit their fair share of housing, and to hold accountable those that fail to do so. This focus on accountability has in part led to a 15-year high in housing starts in California. Since its establishment, the Housing Accountability Unit has supported the development of more than 7,600 housing units, including more than 2,800 affordable units, through enforcement actions and by working with local jurisdictions to ensure compliance with housing law. In 2024 the Unit was expanded to include a focus on homelessness issues – including compliance with state laws as they relate to homeless housing.
Recent news
Nov 4, 2024
News Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom issued the following statement today on the passing of musician, producer, and composer Quincy Jones:”A titan of music, culture, and philanthropy, Quincy Jones brought the world endless joy with his optimistic spirit…
Nov 2, 2024
News Welcome to The California Weekly, your Saturday morning recap of top stories and announcements you might have missed. News you may have missed1. ❤️ SUPPORTING CALIFORNIA KIDSThe Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) broke ground on a new behavioral health…
Nov 1, 2024
News What you need to know: Governor Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta have reached a settlement with La Habra Heights to bring the city into compliance with state housing law. SACRAMENTO — Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced the…
U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, Congressman Seth Magaziner, Congressman Gabe Amo, and Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) Director Peter Alviti, Jr. today gathered with Amtrak leadership and other federal, state and local leaders to kick off a long-awaited project to renovate Providence Station.
Built in 1986, Providence Station has grown to serve more than two million passengers a year, making it the 11th most utilized train station in the country. While improvements have been made over the years, many station elements are original. Various infrastructure elements and systems are not in a state of good repair, and station capacity is strained. This project will modernize and expand the station in addition to upgrading access to it and making that access safer and easier.
The project was made possible by a $12.5 million Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) State of Good Repair Grant delivered by Senator Reed in 2019. Amtrak provided $9.75 million and RIDOT put in $7.75 million. This builds on previous funding the congressional delegation secured, including $5.2 million for station enhancements and $3 million for planning, design, and environmental reviews.
The project includes many improvements for passenger amenities and public spaces. This includes expanding the station floorplan by enclosing the plaza on the western side of the station, adjacent to Caf� La France, and providing additional seating; modernizing and expanding the restrooms; consolidating ticketing and baggage operations; upgrading the public address system with visual displays; making accessibility improvements; and upgrading the station’s mechanical, electrical, fire protection, and plumbing systems.
“For millions of passengers each year, the Providence Station is a gateway to Rhode Island and our capital city. This project will help Providence Station meet growing ridership with a welcoming space that is more modern, accessible, and efficient,” said Senator Reed, a leading member of the Appropriations Committee. “I was proud to help deliver a $12.5 million competitive grant to advance this critical renovation project. When it’s completed, it will be a major improvement for passengers, tourism, and the community as a whole.”
“Providence Station currently serves many more passengers than it was originally designed for, and the wear and tear is evident,” said Senator Whitehouse, a senior member of the Environment and Public Works Committee. “This is an exciting project that will greatly improve the travel experience for the millions of passengers who spend time in the Station every year. Once again, our Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is at work delivering convenient and reliable transportation upgrades for Rhode Islanders.”
“Providence Station is an essential transit hub for Rhode Islanders and is overdue for an upgrade,” said Representative Magaziner. “This federal funding will modernize amenities and improve accessibility to better serve the millions of passengers that pass through this station each year.” “Providence Station currently serves more than two million loyal riders every year. I’m proud to be one of them,” said Congressman Amo. “Thanks to Senator Jack Reed � who played a key role in securing federal funds for this over $30 million renovation � we’re working to modernize this vital transportation hub. Once open, it will signal to residents and visitors alike that Providence is a leader in providing a 21st-century travel experience.”
“Providence Station is not only the busiest transit center in Rhode Island, it’s one of the busiest in the entire country,” Director Alviti said. “The improvements are well-deserved and will serve passengers for generations to come while encouraging greater use of transit services for trips within Rhode Island as well as out of state.”
“Providence Station serves as a vital hub for our community. This renovation will enhance and modernize this space for the millions of passengers who rely on this station every year,” said Providence Mayor Brett P. Smiley. “The state-of-the-art amenities and improved safety and access features that will be implemented at this critical transit center will further cement Providence as a top destination for people to live, work and visit. I want to thank Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, Congressmen Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo, the Federal Railroad Administration and RIDOT for their commitment to this important project.”
“Transforming Providence Station into a more modern facility and expanding the customer amenities and space, while still keeping the original charms of the current station, will simultaneously enhance the customer experience and encourage more residents and visitors to take the train,” said Tom Moritz, Amtrak’s assistant vice president of infrastructure access and investment. “Thanks to Senators Reed and Whitehouse, Congressmen Magaziner and Amo, Mayor Smiley, our partners at RIDOT and the FRA, as well as many more federal, state, and local officials, we are proud to take the next step and begin work to update and upgrade Providence Station.”
During construction, pedestrian areas may be temporarily blocked with detours established. Amtrak intends to maintain restroom facilities, the Oakwells convenience store, and the caf� operations during the project although some services may be temporarily limited.
There also will be an increased safety presence with a more prominent Amtrak Police entrance and counter. In an already completed phase of work, RIDOT made improvements to the pedestrian walkways in Station Park in 2023, which connects the station to Francis Street, opposite Providence Place Mall. The total value of all improvements is $30 million.
All construction projects are subject to changes in schedule and scope depending on needs, circumstances, findings and weather.
The Providence Station of Good Repair Project is made possible by RhodeWorks and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. RIDOT is committed to bringing Rhode Island’s infrastructure into a state of good repair while respecting the environment and striving to improve it. Learn more at www.ridot.net/RhodeWorks.
To date, the Attorney General has secured nearly $50 billion in nationwide opioid settlements and bankruptcies
California is expected to receive up to $4.2 billion in opioid abatement funds under these settlements and bankruptcy plans
OAKLAND – California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced the completion of a $1.37 billion settlement agreement with Kroger, addressing the grocery chain’s role in the opioid crisis. California will receive up to $122 million for opioid abatement, with payments anticipated to begin early next year. The settlement will resolve allegations that the company failed to appropriately oversee the dispensing of opioids at its pharmacies.
“At the California Department of Justice, we are committed to holding entities, like Kroger, accountable for their role in fueling the opioid epidemic,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Today’s announcement builds on our commitment in our continued fight for justice and relief. The funds secured in this settlement will allow the state and eligible cities and counties to continue addressing the harms inflicted by this epidemic through comprehensive prevention, treatment and recovery programs, and other resources. I want to thank my team and our partners nationwide in making this settlement possible.”
In the settlement, Kroger has agreed to injunctive relief that requires its pharmacies to monitor, report, and share data about suspicious activity related to opioid prescriptions. Kroger operates in California through a number of subsidiaries, including principally Ralph’s.
To date, the Attorney General has secured nearly $50 billion in abatement funding through nationwide settlements and bankruptcies. California is expected to receive up to $4.2 billion in opioid abatement funds under these settlements, with the bulk of these funds going to our local governments. Recognizing the impact of the opioid and fentanyl crisis to both public health and public safety, the Attorney General issued guidance to provide local governments with suggestions for the permissible, effective, and strategic use of opioid settlement abatement funds. This guidance is aimed at helping local governments maximize impact, save lives, and strengthen public health infrastructures to tackle the opioid and fentanyl crisis.
A copy of the multistate settlement agreement, which must still be entered by a state court judge, can be found here.
The Shediac RCMP is asking for the public’s help to locate a missing 77-year-old woman from Grand Digue, N.B.
Theresa Jones was last seen walking on Beaverbrook Road in Grand Digue in early October. She was reported missing to police on November 1, 2024. Police have followed up on several leads to try and locate her, but have so far been unsuccessful. Police and her family are concerned for her wellbeing.
Theresa Jones is described as having hazel eyes and short grey hair.
Anyone who has seen Theresa Jones recently or has any information on her whereabouts is asked to contact the Shediac RCMP at 506-533-5151.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Daniel Webster (11th District of Florida)
Clermont, FL — Today, Florida Congressman Daniel Webster, R-Clermont, announced his office reached a milestone of returning over $2.7 million to constituents in compensation, pension, or retroactive payments from agencies including the VA, IRS, Social Security, and Medicare.
“Providing first-class assistance to my constituents with issues involving federal agencies is one of my top priorities,” said Rep. Webster. “I am pleased that we have been able to intercede on behalf of so many constituents to ensure they receive the services and compensation they have earned.”
Congressman Webster’s office works diligently with agency liaisons on a constituent’s behalf to answer questions, find solutions, or simply cut through the red tape. Recently, a veteran in Laky Lake contacted Rep. Webster for regarding delays with his appeals that were pending at the Board of Veterans Appeals. Webster’s office submitted an inquiry, monitored the process, and provided regular updates to the veteran. After a mostly favorable decision by the Veterans Law Judge, the veteran received a retro payment of over $100,000.
If you are a constituent in Congressional District 11 in need of assistance with a federal agency, call 352-241-9220 or visit https://webster.house.gov/casework.
Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Northern Territory Police conducted a proactive Wanding Operation in the Katherine CBD between Thursday and Saturday of last week.
During the operation 399 individuals were scanned, resulting in five arrests, one Notice to Appear and six cautions. There were 20 positive indications for weapons, leading to the seizure of multiple pairs of scissors, a screwdriver, a knife, two machetes, a bullet and 71 litres of alcohol.
Commander Kylie Anderson stated, “Strike Force Cerberus and Katherine General Duties officers carried out this operation to prevent and deter the carrying of edged weapons which, in turn, enhances community safety.
“By removing these dangerous items from circulation, we aim to create a safer environment for everyone in the Katherine region.”
BLUEFIELD, WV — Gov. Jim Justice today announced the award of a $58 million contract for the construction of a 2.5-mile stretch of the King Coal Highway, connecting Littlesburg to the Mercer County Airport.
The King Coal Highway is a four-lane highway approximately 95 miles long running through McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Wyoming, and Wayne counties, along or near currently existing US 52 from US 119 near Williamson to Interstate 77 in Bluefield.
The Roads to Prosperity Project is helping open Southern West Virginia to economic development.
“Years ago, I had a vision for Roads to Prosperity, and it’s taken off in ways I never thought possible,” Gov. Justice said. “The King Coal Highway is one of our most crucial projects because it unlocks the potential for Southern West Virginia. It sat on the sidelines for 30 years until we had a leader who truly believed in our state and the benefits our roads could bring. Today, we’re celebrating another big milestone for the King Coal Highway, with even more projects on the way. We’re not slowing down or taking a backseat—West Virginia is on the move, and we’re going to keep it rolling.”
BLUEFIELD, WV — Gov. Jim Justice today announced the contract award for Roaring Run Bridge, completing the Kerens to Parsons section of Corridor H. Triton Construction Inc. has been awarded the over $77 million project.
Gov. Justice made the announcement during an event along the King Coal Highway, where he announced another contract award.
“Getting the Roaring Run Bridge project off the ground is just another piece of the puzzle for Corridor H,” Gov. Justice said. “This final piece for the Kerens to Parsons section is a massive milestone in our ultimate goal of finishing this corridor. These announcements bring us closer to running through the finish line on Corridor H. I’ve said it over and over again, but Corridor H is the most important project for West Virginia. Celebrating these days feels amazing, and when we finally say that Corridor H is finished, it will be a historic day for West Virginia.”
Transportation Secretary Jimmy Wriston, P.E. said. “This accomplishment involved many late nights of work and after-hour meetings involved in coordinating with our partners at FHWA, Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Monongahela National Forest, local leaders, our design consultants, and residents of the local communities. With this project now being underway, only two sections remain in achieving the ultimate goal of fully completing Corridor H.”
Kerens to Parsons carries Corridor H through some of the most rugged terrain on the entire route.
When Gov. Jim Justice took office in 2017, he made completing Corridor H a priority of his administration. The four-lane highway begins at Weston and travels across central West Virginia to eventually link up with Interstate 81 in Strasburg, Virginia.
The highway is expected to open some of West Virginia’s most remote areas in Grant, Tucker, and Hardy counties to economic development, connect West Virginia’s highlands with eastern ports, speed travel times through the mountains, and provide a smooth, safe highway for travelers and residents.
This October, students from Watson Lake Secondary School (WLSS)’s grade 12 class participated in an on the land hunting adventure on Kaska Traditional Territory alongside Watson Lake RCMP and Yukon conservation officers.
Following the success of the youth hunt collaboration in 2023, the First Nations School Board met with key stake holders and purchased canvas wall tents, stoves, and a Utility Task Vehicle (UTV), ensuring the program could continue.
This year, the hunt was held the week of October 7 to 11. David Dickson, Land and Language Connector for WLSS, organized Elders to attend the camp for the week to share the knowledge of the area, traditions, and culture of the Kaska Nation. Elder Agnes Chief, who was born at Frances Lake, told of stories about living off the land and making the long journey down the Frances River to Watson Lake for supplies. Students also learned about the community of Frances Lake and the forts that existed during the fur trade.
Elder Charlie Dickson, taught the students about traditional methods of preparing a moose head. Elder Agnes Chief taught about local, traditional medicines, where to find them and how to prepare them for consumption.
The youth were shown how to field dress and care for meat. They learned about giving thanks to the animals and the traditional ways of giving respect to the harvested moose. The harvested meat was shared throughout the community, benefiting Elders, students, community members, Liard Aboriginal Women Society, and the First Nations Health Program. The First Nations Heath Program will use the meat for traditional meals and will be shared among all three Yukon Hospitals for patients.
“Traditions being passed down to the younger generation is what life is all about, I was very honoured to be apart of such a meaningful hunt. Seeing Elders and youth interact together brought back so many memories from when I was young. Being raised to hunt was always apart of my upbringing, and now that I’m older and able to provide for my family it has taken on a whole different meaning. Being that role model to my kids but also being a strong woman role model for young lady hunters is also very empowering. Seeing the young ladies dive in with no fear of getting dirty was very heart filling and made me proud” – Nicole Donovan from First Nations Health Program
“The Yukon Territory provides unparalleled access to incredible outdoor recreation opportunities. The WLSS Grade 12 Youth Hunt, with the support of the Watson Lake RCMP Detachment, Yukon Conservation Officer Services, Liard First Nation, First Nations School Board, and local community members, is an impressive joint-effort to ensure that the next generation is exposed to these amazing opportunities. The experiences, skills, ethics, and knowledge shared with the youth will stay with them for the rest of their lives, and hopefully provide some youths with the first step to taking on the age-old tradition of being a provider to one’s family and community. As a Conservation Officer, I believe that there is no experience more fulfilling to a young man or woman than putting hard work into a hunt, and as a result, providing wholesome food for their family and community. There is a deep sense of pride instilled in a young person when they experience the incredible sense of accomplishment that comes from a hunt. That is the greatest benefit of the youth hunt, and I am optimistic that all of the participating youth will carry that sense of accomplishment and pride with them for the rest of their lives.” – Yukon Conservation Officer, Parker Antal
“The continued success of this program could not have been achieved without the community support of Liard First Nations, First Nations School Board, Liard Aboriginal Women Society, WLSS, Yukon Conservation Officer Services, and the community volunteers. We look forward to 2025. ” – Sergeant Jordan Cropper, Detachment Commander Watson Lake RCMP
“It’s important for me to be part of this initiative, on my traditional territory. I am happy to participate. Sógá sénlá’.” – David Dickson, Land and Language Connector with the First Nation School Board
Just one day after President Prabowo Subianto’s inauguration, a minister announced plans to resume the transmigration programme in eastern Indonesia, particularly in Papua, saying it was needed for enhancing unity and providing locals with welfare.
Transmigration is the process of moving people from densely populated regions to less densely populated ones in Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s most populous country with 285 million people.
The ministry intends to revitalise 10 zones in Papua, potentially using local relocation rather than bringing in outsiders.
The programme will resume after it was officially paused in Papua 23 years ago.
“We want Papua to be fully united as part of Indonesia in terms of welfare, national unity and beyond,” Muhammad Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara, the Minister of Transmigration, said during a handover ceremony on October 21.
Iftitah promised strict evaluations focusing on community welfare rather than on relocation numbers. Despite the minister’s promises, the plan drew an outcry from indigenous Papuans who cited social and economic concerns.
Papua, a remote and resource-rich region, has long been a flashpoint for conflict, with its people enduring decades of military abuse and human rights violations under Indonesian rule.
Human rights abuses Prabowo, a former army general, was accused of human rights abuses in his military career, including in East Timor (Timor-Leste) during a pro-independence insurgency against Jakarta rule.
Simon Balagaize, a young Papuan leader from Merauke, highlighted the negative impacts of transmigration efforts in Papua under dictator Suharto’s New Order during the 1960s.
“Customary land was taken, forests were cut down, and the indigenous Malind people now speak Javanese better than their native language,” he told BenarNews.
The Papuan Church Council stressed that locals desperately needed services, but could do without more transmigration.
“Papuans need education, health services and welfare – not transmigration that only further marginalises landowners,” Reverend Dorman Wandikbo, a member of the council, told BenarNews.
Transmigration into Papua has sparked protests over concerns about reduced job opportunities for indigenous people, along with broader political and economic impacts.
Apei Tarami, who joined a recent demonstration in South Sorong, Southwest Papua province, warned of consequences, stating that “this policy affects both political and economic aspects of Papua.”
We firmly reject Indonesia’s new transmigration policy to relocate Indonesians to West Papua, along with the world’s biggest deforestation project in Merauke, as it threatens the survival of West Papuans.
— Free West Papua Campaign (Nederland) (@FreeWestPapuaNL) November 4, 2024
Human rights ignored Meanwhile, human rights advocate Theo Hasegem criticised the government’s plans, arguing that human rights issues are ignored and non-Papuans could be endangered because pro-independence groups often target newcomers.
“Do the president and vice-president guarantee the safety of those relocated from Java,” Hasegem told BenarNews.
The programme, which dates to 1905, has continued through various administrations under the guise of promoting development and unity.
Indonesia’s policy resumed post-independence on December 12, 1950, under President Sukarno, who sought to foster prosperity and equitable development.
It also aimed to promote social unity by relocating citizens across regions.
Transmigration involving 78,000 families occurred in Papua from 1964 to 1999, according to statistics from the Papua provincial government. That would equal between 312,000 and 390,000 people settling in Papua from other parts of the country, assuming the average Indonesian family has 4 to 5 people.
The programme paused in 2001 after a Special Autonomy Law required regional regulations to be followed.
Students hold a rally at Abepura Circle in Jayapura, the capital of Indonesia’s Papua Province, yesterday to protest against Indonesia’s plan to resume a transmigration programme, Image: Victor Mambor/BenarNews
Legality questioned Papuan legislator John N.R. Gobay questioned the role of Papua’s six new autonomous regional governments in the transmigration process. He cited Article 61 of the law, which mandates that transmigration proceed only with gubernatorial consent and regulatory backing.
Without these clear regional regulations, he warned, transmigration lacks a strong legal foundation and could conflict with special autonomy rules.
He also pointed to a 2008 Papuan regulation stating that transmigration should proceed only after the Indigenous Papuan population reaches 20 million. In 2023, the population across six provinces of Papua was about 6.25 million, according to Indonesia’s Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS).
Gobay suggested prioritising local transmigration to better support indigenous development in their own region.
‘Entrenched inequality’ British MP Alex Sobel, chair of the International Parliamentarians for West Papua, expressed concern over the programme, noting its role in drastic demographic shifts and structural discrimination in education, land rights and employment.
“Transmigration has entrenched inequality rather than promoting prosperity,” Sobel told BenarNews, adding that it had contributed to Papua remaining Indonesia’s poorest regions.
Pramono Suharjono, who transmigrated to Papua, Indonesia, in 1986, harvests oranges on his land in Arso II in Keerom regency last week. Image: Victor Mambor/BenarNews]
Pramono Suharjono, a resident of Arso II in Keerom, Papua, welcomed the idea of restarting the programme, viewing it as positive for the region’s growth.
“This supports national development, not colonisation,” he told BenarNews.
A former transmigrant who has served as a local representative, Pramono said transmigration had increased local knowledge in agriculture, craftsmanship and trade.
However, research has shown that longstanding social issues, including tensions from cultural differences, have marginalised indigenous Papuans and fostered resentment toward non-locals, said La Pona, a lecturer at Cenderawasih University.
Papua also faces a humanitarian crisis because of conflicts between Indonesian forces and pro-independence groups. United Nations data shows between 60,000 and 100,000 Papuans were displaced between and 2022.
As of September 2024, human rights advocates estimate 79,000 Papuans remain displaced even as Indonesia denies UN officials access to the region.
Pizaro Gozali Idrus in Jakarta contributed to this report. Republished with the permission of BenarNews.
Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia
Senator Reverend Warnock, Colleagues Urge Federal Agencies Expand Outreach on Discharging Student Loan Debt in Bankruptcy
New data shows vast majority of borrowers using the new guidance received recommendations for either full or partial debt discharge
ICYMI from Business Insider: More student-loan borrowers are taking advantage of an updated route to get rid of their debt in bankruptcy court, top Democratic senators say
Senator Reverend Warnock, lawmakers: “We encourage your agencies to continue to expand awareness of the guidance so that the 43 million borrowers in the United States… may be able to access relief if they need to file for bankruptcy”
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) urged the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Education (ED) to continue expanding awareness to student loan borrowers who are struggling financially about available resources to discharge their student loans in bankruptcy.
In November 2022, the DOJ and ED issued guidance to DOJ attorneys that sought to streamline the process of discharging student loans in bankruptcy. Prior to this change, borrowers had to undergo a confusing, invasive, and time-consuming process in bankruptcy court to prove repayment would constitute an “undue hardship.”
“The ‘undue hardship’ standard historically set an unnecessarily high bar that essentially required borrowers to demonstrate a certainty of hopelessness to obtain relief,” wrote the senators.
99.9% of borrowers who filed bankruptcy from 2011 to 2019 did not have their student loans discharged — borrowers came to believe that there was no way out of the crushing weight of student loans, even through bankruptcy. Since DOJ and ED’s new process was announced, more and more borrowers have received relief. New data obtained by Senator Warren’s office show that, under the Biden administration’s new guidance, 85% of borrowers who sought relief received recommendations for either full or partial debt discharge.
The high rates of total or partial discharge for those who have applied through the new guidance suggest that many other borrowers could also qualify if they applied. The senators are pushing to expand awareness on the more transparent, fair, and accessible process.
“We thank you for your agencies’ ongoing commitment to helping borrowers struggling with student debt and urge continued outreach to expand awareness of the streamlined process for qualified borrowers,” concluded the senators.
Senator Reverend Warnock has long advocated for comprehensive action to address the student loan crisis and has continued pushing the Administration to deliver meaningful student debt relief. Most recently, Senator Warnock led the first Senate Banking committee hearing in over a decade to focus on private student loans and explored the lack of data and transparency in that market and loan servicing concerns while highlighting the potential legislative and regulatory recommendations and measures to stop these abusive practices and to better protect students and taxpayers. Additionally, in August of 2023, the Senator pushed President Biden to swiftly fulfill his promise to deliver targeted student debt cancellation to working and middle-class families following the misguided SCOTUS decision overturning the President’s student debt cancellation.
The letter can be found HERE and text of the letter is below:
Dear Attorney General Garland and Secretary Cardona:
We are writing today to highlight and support your agencies’ progress in making it easier for borrowers struggling financially to discharge their student loans in bankruptcy. In November 2022, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Education (ED) released guidance to DOJ attorneys that sought to streamline the process of discharging student loans in bankruptcy. In the time since, more and more borrowers have taken advantage of this guidance and received relief.
The 1978 Bankruptcy Code allowed borrowers to discharge their federal student loans by demonstrating that repayment would impose an “undue hardship” on the borrower or by showing that the loan became due at least five years before the borrower’s bankruptcy filing. Subsequent amendments benefitting lenders, however, removed the second option. Further, the “undue hardship” standard historically set an unnecessarily high bar that essentially required borrowers to demonstrate a certainty of hopelessness to obtain relief. The federal government’s aggressive challenges in bankruptcy court against students who pursued undue hardship claims only exacerbated the issue. The lack of clarity resulted in a situation where 99.9% of borrowers who filed bankruptcy from 2011 to 2019 did not have their student loans discharged and remained burdened by student loans even after exiting the bankruptcy process.
In November 2022, after we advocated for a more simplified and transparent process, DOJ and ED published new guidance to make it easier for borrowers to discharge student loans through bankruptcy. The guidance outlined a more transparent, fair, and accessible process designed to empower borrowers burdened with crippling student loan debt who previously had no clear pathway for relief.
Previously unpublished data obtained by our offices show the impressive growth of the program thus far. For example, while only roughly 200 borrowers attempted to discharge student debt in each of Fiscal Years (FY) 2021 and 2022, that number rose to 648 in FY 2023. In less than eight months in FY 2024, nearly 900 borrowers sought to discharge their student loans in bankruptcy, adding up to 1,520 borrowers since the guidance was implemented.
Equally important, both unpublished and publicly available data show that the overwhelming majority of those who sought discharge using the new guidance were provided debt relief through full or partial discharge. The Biden Administration recommended approximately seven in 10 borrowers who filed using the updated guidance for full student loan debt discharge. The Administration recommended another 15% of borrowers receive partial debt discharge, meaning 85% of borrowers using the new guidance received recommendations for either full or partial debt discharge. Critically, courts accepted those recommendations in 98% of cases, meaning borrowers received real relief at the end of this process.
ED and DOJ deserve praise for the complete turnaround of student loan bankruptcy outcomes and you should continue to build on the successes of the streamlined guidance so that more borrowers with crushing student loan debt can find relief. We encourage your agencies to continue to expand awareness of the guidance so that the 43 million borrowers in the United States, who carry a total of $1.6 trillion dollars in student loan debt, may be able to access relief if they need to file for bankruptcy. The high rates of total or partial discharge for those who have applied through the new guidance suggest that many other borrowers would also qualify if they have applied. For years, borrowers came to correctly believe that there was essentially no way out of the crushing weight of student loans, even through bankruptcy. ED and DOJ have changed this narrative and you should continue to educate potentially qualifying borrowers, their attorneys, and other individuals and organizations who work to help borrowers.
We thank you for your agencies’ ongoing commitment to helping borrowers struggling with student debt and urge continued outreach to expand awareness of the streamlined process for qualified borrowers. Further, for Congress and the public to better assess your agencies’ plans to increase borrowers’ access to relief through bankruptcy, please provide responses to the following questions by November 12, 2024:
What types of education and outreach have your agencies already used to reach borrowers regarding the new guidance?
What are your agencies’ plans for continued and improved education and outreach about the streamlined process to borrowers who may benefit from it?
What specific goals do your agencies have for measuring the success of increased education and outreach to borrowers who may benefit from the streamlined process? How will these goals change over time if at all?
Do your agencies have systems in place so that borrowers who have filed for bankruptcy can track their filing? If a system does not yet exist, what resources do your agencies need to create one?
How much time elapses, on average, between a borrower’s bankruptcy filing and a discharge determination entered by a court under the new process? Please provide a timeline of the different phases of the process (e.g., filing of an adversary proceeding, review by the assigned DOJ attorney, review by ED, recommendation filed by DOJ and ED) and how long each phase typically takes.
Do your agencies track or record the reasons for denial of discharge based on the factors considered under the guidance? If so, please describe the 3-5 most common reasons you have identified.
Do your agencies track or record student loan discharge outcomes by region? If so, please describe any regional trends you have observed.
How can Congress support your agencies as you increase your education and outreach efforts to borrowers?
Source: US State of California Department of Justice
OAKLAND — Ahead of tomorrow’s General Election, California Attorney General Rob Bonta joined a bipartisan coalition of 51 attorneys general in issuing the following joint statement condemning possible violence in response to the election results:
“Regardless of the outcome of Tuesday’s election, we expect that Americans will respond peacefully and we condemn any acts of violence related to the results. A peaceful transfer of power is the highest testament to the rule of law, a tradition that stands at the heart of our nation’s stability. As Attorneys General, we affirm our commitment to protect our communities and uphold the democratic principles we serve.
We call upon every American to vote, participate in civil discourse and, above all, respect the integrity of the democratic process. Let us come together after this election not divided by outcomes but united in our shared commitment to the rule of law and safety of all Americans. Violence has no place in the democratic process; we will exercise our authority to enforce the law against any illegal acts that threaten it.”
The joint statement, a copy of which can be found here, was issued by the attorneys general of: Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Dear Friends, Last week, I joined 26 other states in filing a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court, urging it to allow Virginia to continue removing non-citizens from its voter rolls. The Biden-Harris Department of Justice sued Virginia to halt this process, insisting that non-citizens remain on the rolls through the upcoming presidential election. Unfortunately, a lower court initially sided with the Administration, temporarily stopping Virginia’s efforts to maintain accurate voter lists. I’m pleased to share that, just 24 hours after our brief was filed, the Supreme Court rejected the Administration’s attempts to interfere. This decision allows Virginia to immediately resume its work to ensure that only eligible citizens are listed on its voter rolls. This is a critical win for election integrity. This victory reinforces our commitment to fair and transparent elections, safeguarding the voice of each eligible voter. Allowing non-citizens on voter rolls undermines confidence in our election process, and it’s alarming that the Biden-Harris Administration would legally challenge the removal of ineligible voters. Coupled with their lack of action at the southern border—where over 13 million people have crossed illegally—their resistance to basic election integrity raises serious questions. When the government fails to protect the integrity of our elections, it erodes public confidence in the entire system. Voting is one of our most fundamental rights in a democratic republic—a powerful act of self-determination. Ensuring that elections are fair, transparent, and free of outside interference is essential to maintaining that right. In Idaho, I have consistently fought to keep non-citizens off our voter rolls and to hold organizations accountable when they misrepresent themselves or their issues to voters. While this victory in Virginia is significant, the fight to protect our Republic and ensure election integrity continues across every city and state in our nation. As your Attorney General, I remain committed to preserving the integrity of our elections and the trust in our democratic processes. The foundation of our Republic deserves nothing less. Best regards, Not yet subscribed to the Labrador Letter? Click HERE to get our weekly newsletter and updates. Miss an issue? Labrador Letters are archived on the Attorney General website.
Eleview International Inc., Oleg Nayandin, 54, of Fairfax, Virginia, and Vitaliy Borisenko, 39, of Vienna, Virginia, made their initial appearance today in the Eastern District of Virginia pursuant to a now unsealed complaint charging them with conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act.
“As alleged, the defendants — a Virginia company and two of its senior executives — conspired through three evasion schemes to circumvent the export restrictions imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “U.S. companies are responsible for complying with laws that protect our national security. The National Security Division is committed to holding accountable individuals and companies who violate these laws and place financial profit over our collective security.”
“This company allegedly used not one, not two, but three different schemes to illegally transship sensitive American technology to Russia,” said Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew S. Axelrod of the Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). “Today’s charges, against both the company and two top executives, are a prime example of our work to bring to justice both the companies and the corporate executives alleged to have circumvented our rules in search of a fatter bottom line.”
“We must not allow critical systems and technologies to be transferred to anyone who may use them against America and our global partners,” said U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Guarding against these transfers is imperative, and violations of the laws that protect our national security will be met with ardent prosecution.”
“Export control evasion schemes put the American public at risk by concealing the true recipient,” said Special Agent in Charge Derek W. Gordon of Homeland Security Investigations Washington, D.C. “In this instance, HSI, working in partnership with our colleagues at Department of Commerce’s Office of Export Enforcement, uncovered this scheme was supporting a sanctioned country, thus threatening our national security and the safety of other countries. HSI is dedicated to preventing technology with military applications from falling into the wrong hands.”
According to the complaint, between approximately March 2022 and June 2023, Eleview International Inc. (Eleview), allegedly a Virginia-based company that operated a freight consolidation and forwarding business; Nayandin, the owner, president, and CEO of Eleview; and Borisenko, who oversaw the day-to-day operations of Eleview’s freight forwarding business, conspired to illegally export goods and technology from the United States to Russia by transshipping them through three countries bordering or near Russia.
As alleged, the defendants operated an e-commerce website that allowed Russian customers to order U.S. goods and technology directly from U.S. retailers, who shipped the items to Eleview’s warehouse in Chantilly, Virginia. The defendants then consolidated the packages before shipping them to the Russian customers, often using other freight forwarders as intermediaries, in exchange for a fee. After the Department of Commerce imposed stricter export controls in response to Russia’s further invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the defendants began shipping items to purported end users in Turkey, Finland, and Kazakhstan, knowing that the items were ultimately destined for end users in Russia. To facilitate these illegal exports, the defendants made numerous false statements to the Department of Commerce and other freight forwarders about the end users and ultimate consignees of the items in these shipments.
As part of the conspiracy, the defendants engaged in three export-control evasion schemes, each specific to a different intermediary country. In the Turkey scheme, the defendants exported about $1.48 million worth of telecommunications equipment to a false end user in Turkey, knowing that the equipment was intended for a Russian telecommunications company that supplied the Russian government, including the Federal Security Service, or FSB. The telecommunications equipment that the defendants illegally exported as part of the Turkey scheme had military applications, including use by the Russian military to create and expand communication networks in its war effort against Ukraine.
In the Finland scheme, the defendants exported about $3.45 million worth of goods purchased to Russia through Eleview’s e-commerce website to a false end user in Finland that neither purchased nor sold goods. Before consolidating the packages into larger pallets for shipment to Finland, the defendants affixed to each package a label with a Russian postal service tracking number so that the Russian postal service could easily ship the package to the customer in Russia. The goods that the defendants illegally exported as part of the Finland scheme included “high priority” items that the Department of Commerce has identified as particularly significant to Russian weaponry, including the same type of electronic component found on Russian “suicide” drones used to destroy Ukrainian tanks and jets.
In the Kazakhstan scheme, the defendants exported about $1.47 million worth of goods to Russia through an entity in Kazakhstan that advertises its ability to deliver goods to Russia. The goods that the defendants illegally exported as part of the Kazakhstan scheme included controlled dual-use items.
If convicted, Nayandin and Borisenko each face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The BIS and Homeland Security Investigations are investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gavin R. Tisdale and Amanda St. Cyr for the Eastern District of Virginia and Trial Attorney Garrett Coyle of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case with past assistance provided by then-First Assistant U.S. Attorney Raj Parekh.
The case is being coordinated through the Justice and Commerce Departments’ Disruptive Technology Strike Force and the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture. The Disruptive Technology Strike Force is an interagency law enforcement strike force co-led by the Justice and Commerce Departments designed to target illicit actors, protect supply chains, and prevent critical technology from being acquired by authoritarian regimes and hostile nation states. Task Force KleptoCapture is an interagency law enforcement task force dedicated to enforcing the sweeping sanctions, export restrictions and economic countermeasures that the United States has imposed, along with its allies and partners, in response to Russia’s unprovoked military invasion of Ukraine.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. Alldefendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Skyler Philippi, 24, of Columbia, Tennessee, was arrested by federal agents and charged with attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction and attempting to destroy an energy facility.
“As charged, Skyler Philippi believed he was moments away from launching an attack on a Nashville energy facility to further his violent white supremacist ideology – but the FBI had already compromised his plot,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “This case serves as yet another warning to those seeking to sow violence and chaos in the name of hatred by attacking our country’s critical infrastructure: the Justice Department will find you, we will disrupt your plot, and we will hold you accountable. I am grateful to the public servants of the FBI for their extraordinary work on this case and for the work they do every day to keep our country safe.”
“Those fueled by hate and inspired to violence by racial or ethnic bias pose a grave threat to our national security,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. “As alleged in today’s charges, Skyler Philippi, a man dedicated to white supremacist ideology and the destruction of our critical infrastructure, planned to attack Nashville’s power grid using a drone carrying an explosive device. Thanks to brave work by the FBI, his scheme was thwarted. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify, disrupt, and hold accountable those who seek to wage such hate-fueled violence, which has no place in America or anywhere else.”
“Driven by a racially motivated violent extremist ideology, the Defendant planned to attack the power grid with a drone and explosives, leaving thousands of Americans and critical infrastructure like hospitals without power,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “The FBI’s swift work led to the detection and disruption of the defendant’s plot before he could cause any damage. We are committed to holding accountable anyone who threatens the security of our critical infrastructure or seeks to harm American communities through domestic violent extremism.”
“Dangerous threats to our critical infrastructure threaten every member of this community and will not be tolerated,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Thomas J. Jaworski for the Middle District of Tennessee. “We will always work with our law enforcement partners to identify and stop any and all efforts to wreak this kind of havoc and will not hesitate in prosecuting those involved to the fullest extent of the law.”
“As alleged, the defendant in this case conducted extensive research into explosive devices and potential targets to launch an attack against critical infrastructure,” said Special Agent in Charge Joe Carrico of the FBI Nashville Field Office. “The FBI is committed to doing everything in our ability to detect, disrupt, and deter attacks by domestic violent extremists, and will continue to pursue those who look to commit acts of violence in furtherance of their ideological beliefs.”
Beginning in June 2024, Philippi told a confidential human source (CHS) about his desire to commit a mass shooting at a YMCA facility located in or around Columbia, Tennessee. In July 2024, Philippi told another CHS about the impact of attacking large interstate substations and said that attacking several substations would “shock the system,” causing other substations to malfunction. Philippi researched previous attacks on electric substations and concluded that attacking with firearms would not be sufficient. Philippi, therefore, planned to use a drone with explosives attached to it and to fly the drone into the substation.
In September 2024, Philippi drove with undercover employees (UCEs) of the FBI to an electric substation previously researched and targeted by Philippi, and Philippi conducted reconnaissance of the substation. While driving, Philippi ordered a plastic explosive composition known as C-4 and other explosives from the UCEs. Philippi later purchased black powder to be used in pipe bombs, which Philippi intended to use during the attack on the substation. Philippi texted the CHS: “if you want to do the most damage as an accelerationist, attack high economic, high tax, political zones in every major metropolis.” Referring to the substation, Philippi stated, “Holy sh**. This will go up like a fu**in fourth of July firework.” Philippi talked about operational security, including the need for disguises, the use of leather gloves (because latex and nitrile gloves can transfer fingerprints), wearing shoes that are too big, the need to burn their clothes after the attack, and not bringing smartphones on the night of the attack.
On Nov. 2, 2024, Philippi participated in a Nordic ritual, which included reciting a Nordic prayer and discussing the Norse god Odin. Philippi told the UCEs that “this is where the New Age begins” and that it was “time to do something big” that would be remembered “in the annals of history.” Philippi and the UCEs drove to the operation site. The UCEs moved to their assigned positions as lookouts for Philippi. Law-enforcement agents arrested Philippi. When he was taken into custody, Philippi was at the rear of the vehicle, with the drone powered up, and the explosive device was armed and located next to the drone.
Philippi is charged with attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction and attempted destruction of an energy facility. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The FBI Nashville Field Office is investigating the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Josh Kurtzman of the Middle District of Tennessee and Trial Attorneys Justin Sher and James Donnelly of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section are prosecuting the case.
A complaint is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
A Georgia poll worker was arrested today for mailing a letter to the Jones County Elections Superintendent threatening poll workers.
According to the criminal complaint, Nicholas Wimbish, 25, of Milledgeville, Georgia, was serving as a poll worker at the Jones County Elections Office on Oct. 16 when he allegedly had a verbal altercation with a voter. Later that evening, Wimbish conducted online research to determine what information about himself would be publicly available. The following day, Wimbish mailed a letter addressed to the Jones County Elections Superintendent, purportedly from a “Jones County Voter.”
The letter was allegedly drafted to make it appear as if it came from the voter, such as by stating that Wimbish had “give[n] me hell” and that Wimbish was “conspiring votes” and “distracting voters from concentrating.” The letter threatened that Wimbish and others “should look over their shoulder,” that “I know where they go,” that “I know where they all live because I found home voting addresses for all them,” and that the “young men will get beatdown if they fight me” and “will get the treason punishment by firing squad if they fight back.” Further, the letter threatened to “rage rape” the “ladies” and warned them to “watch every move they make and look over their shoulder.” The letter concluded with a handwritten note, “PS boom toy in early vote place, cigar burning, be safe.”
Wimbish is charged with mailing a bomb threat, conveying false information about a bomb threat, mailing a threatening letter, and making false statements to the FBI. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary for the Middle District of Georgia made the announcement.
The FBI Atlanta Field Office is investigating the case.
Trial Attorney Jacob R. Steiner of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Will R. Keyes for the Middle District of Georgia are prosecuting the case.
This case is part of the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force. Announced by Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and launched by Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco in June 2021, the task force has led the department’s efforts to address threats of violence against election workers, and to ensure that all election workers — whether elected, appointed, or volunteer — are able to do their jobs free from threats and intimidation. The task force engages with the election community and state and local law enforcement to assess allegations and reports of threats against election workers, and has investigated and prosecuted these matters where appropriate, in partnership with FBI Field Offices and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country. Three years after its formation, the task force is continuing this work and supporting the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and FBI Field Offices nationwide as they carry on the critical work that the task force has begun.
Under the leadership of Deputy Attorney General Monaco, the task force is led by PIN and includes several other entities within the Justice Department, including the Criminal Division’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section, Civil Rights Division, National Security Division, and FBI, as well as key interagency partners, such as the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. For more information regarding the Justice Department’s efforts to combat threats against election workers, read the Deputy Attorney General’s memo.
To report suspected threats or violent acts, contact your local FBI office and request to speak with the Election Crimes Coordinator. Contact information for every FBI field office may be found at www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/. You may also contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324) or file an online complaint at www.tips.fbi.gov. Complaints submitted will be reviewed by the task force and referred for investigation or response accordingly. If someone is in imminent danger or risk of harm, contact 911 or your local police immediately.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
BLAST (Building Lasting Relationships Between Police and Community) The BLAST Program Brings Law Enforcement and Communities Together
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – The United States Attorney’s Office, the Tallahassee Police Department, and Leon High School will present a BLAST event at Leon High School on Thursday, November 7. The BLAST event offers students an opportunity to meet and ask questions of prosecutors and law enforcement officers. The program is based on the belief that young people and law enforcement officers can benefit from spending time together discussing challenges and perspectives on law enforcement to reach a better understanding of each other. This productive interaction enhances relationships and replaces doubt with familiarity and trust.
During the three-hour program, law enforcement officers share the challenges in responding to dangerous or uncertain circumstances and the actions officers and civilians can take to de-escalate situations.
Agencies participating in the program include the ATF, DEA, FBI, United States Marshals Service, and the Tallahassee Police Department.
Members of the media are welcome to attend and photograph/video most segments of the BLAST (Building Lasting Relationships Between Police and Community) program.
Event: BLAST (Building Lasting Relationships Between Law Enforcement and Community) Location: Leon High School 550 East Tennessee Street Tallahassee, FL 32308
Date: Thursday, November 7, 2024
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. EST
Media: Please RSVP to chris.canova@usdoj.gov if you plan to attend.
The BLAST program schedule includes the following discussion sessions, during which students have a chance to participate in role-play with law enforcement officers. (Students with media permissions will be identified)
• Federal Crimes Scenario: Students evaluate video scenarios and learn about each phase of a federal criminal case, including investigation, prosecution, and sentencing. This session is open to the media, and videography and photography are permitted.
• Domestic Response / K-9 Demonstration: Students participate in a scenario in which law enforcement officers respond to a domestic disturbance. The discussion includes the challenges officers face, the rights of witnesses and suspects, and the benefits of providing information to law enforcement. Officers explain the role and capabilities of police K9s. This session is open to the media, and videography and photography are permitted.
• Traffic Stop Simulation: Students and officers alternate playing the roles of civilians and officers in a traffic stop. The discussion includes de-escalation and the uncertainty officers and vehicle occupants face during a traffic stop. This session is open to the media, and videography and photography are permitted.
• Use of Force: Facilitators and students discuss when law enforcement officers may use force and an officer’s reaction time when confronted with a life-threatening situation. This session is closed to the media. Reporters may try the simulator equipment after the event ends.
• The Way Forward – Returning from Prison: A formerly incarcerated individual shares his journey from prison to a productive citizen.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
The Albanese Labor Government has today announced the appointment of Ms Sam Meers AO as a member and future Chair, the reappointment of Mrs Penny Fowler AM as interim Chair and Ms Elizabeth Dibbs as a member of the Board to the National Portrait Gallery.
Mrs Fowler will serve as Chair for the remainder of her final term until March 2025 and will be succeeded by Ms Meers for a two and half year term. Ms Dibbs will be appointed as a member for a three year term from January 2025.
The National Portrait Gallery holds Australia’s largest collection of portraits of notable Australians, telling our story and increasing the understanding and appreciation of Australian people by examining their identity, history, culture, creativity and diversity.
Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said the experience and skills of the appointees would be invaluable to the Board.
“Sam has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to the Australian arts sector and her significant experience will provide continued strong leadership for the gallery.
“I’d also like to thank Penny and Elizabeth for their continued service and dedication to the National Portrait gallery.
“Penny has made a significant contribution in advancing the goals ofRevive at the gallery, including elevating First Nations representation in the collection and ensuring the institution can present Australian stories through the diverse and emotive genre of portraiture.”
Ms Sam Meers AO is co-founder and Chair of the Nelson Meers Foundation, a not-for-profit philanthropic foundation. Ms Meers has extensive experience in the arts and philanthropy sectors and was made an Officer for the Order of Australia in 2018. She is currently chairman of the Brett Whiteley Foundation and a director of Environmental Leadership Australia. Her board appointments have included chairman of Belvoir St Theatre; chairman of Documentary Australia; deputy chairman of the Federal Government Creative Partnerships Australia; a trustee of the Arts Gallery of NSW and a director of the State Library of NSW Foundation. Ms Meers holds degrees in Law and Arts and a Master of letters (literature) from the University of Sydney. She is a member of Chief Executive Women, and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Royal Society of NSW.
Ms Elizabeth Dibbs is currently a member of the Board where she has managed the role of chair of the Audit and Risk Committee for three years. She is deputy chancellor of Western Sydney University and chair of its Audit and Risk Committee. She is also deputy chair of the ACT City Renewal Authority and chair of United Way Australia. Elizabeth has previously served as the Western City District Commissioner for the Greater Cities Commission, as a Council Member of Chief Executive Women, chair of its Scholarship Committee and as chair of YWCA NSW.
Mrs Penny Fowler AM has served as chair of the of the Board since January 2022 after first being appointed as a member in March 2016. She is the chair of the Herald and Weekly Times and is News Corp Australia’s Community Ambassador. She is also chair of the Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal, chair of the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, a Board member of Tourism Australia, an Advisory Board member of Visy, and a Board member of Tech Mahindra. Ms Fowler is a member of Chief Executive Women and an ambassador for the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation and SecondBite. In 2024, Mrs Fowler was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia.
Headline: $6.4 million for local community infrastructure projects
Published: 5 November 2024
Released by: Minister for Gaming and Racing
Communities from Inverell to Albury and Bathurst to the Northern Beaches will benefit from $6.4 million funding under the NSW Government’s latest round of Infrastructure Grants.
A women and children’s refuge, musical society, marine rescue organisation and Aboriginal youth gym are among 46 recipients to share a total of $12.75 million this financial year.
Infrastructure Grants are funded by ClubGRANTS Category 3, which directs profits from registered clubs’ gaming machines into community projects, while clubs receive a tax concession in return.
The grants support local community projects across four categories: sport and recreation, disaster readiness, community infrastructure, and arts and culture.
Key projects supported in this latest funding round include:
$200,000 to Tumbarumba Equine Club near the Snowy Mountains for roofing, power, lighting, water troughs and an additional disaster evacuation stock holding area for large animals
$270,100 to Ngarabal Aboriginal Corporation in Inverell to upgrade a gym facility to provide year-round boxing, martial arts and self defence programs for youth at risk
$51,600 to Wagga Wagga Art Gallery for new exhibition spaces, a print workshop, expanded storage and improved environmental and safety equipment
$55,300 to Western Suburbs Lawn Tennis Association in Ashfield to install new lighting to two synthetic tennis courts
$70,000 to Parkes Musical & Dramatic Society for an upgrade of digital microphones
$187,600 to Marine Rescue Cottage Point on Sydney’s Northern Beaches to replace engines and electronics on two rescue vessels
$50,000 to Margaret House Refuge in Young for refurbishment of a cottage that provides a safe and welcoming environment for women and children fleeing domestic violence and/or experiencing homelessness.
Applications for the next round of Infrastructure Grants are open until Monday 25 November. For more information visit Clubgrants Category 3 fund.
The NSW Government’s review into the effectiveness of ClubGRANTS is ongoing amid continuing work across government to improve integrity and public trust in grants. This is the first formal review into the scheme since 2013.
Minister for Gaming and Racing David Harris said:
“I’m pleased to see this round of Infrastructure Grants go to many worthy groups who work hard for their communities across the state.
“I am impressed by the many and varied ways organisations are working to benefit their communities.
“Infrastructure Grants improve local facilities that bring people together, help them prepare for and recover from disasters, and promote participation in sport, recreation and the arts.”
Chinese lawmakers are discussing a draft law amendment that is expected to improve the regulations for lawmakers to better perform duties. The amendment to the Law on Deputies to the National People’s Congress and to the Local People’s Congresses at Various Levels was submitted on Monday to an ongoing session of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee for deliberation. All levels of the standing committees of the people’s congresses should maintain close contact with deputies, supporting and safeguarding their lawful performance of duties and fully utilizing their roles, says the draft. All levels of governments, supervisory commissions, courts, and procuratorates should strengthen their connections with deputies and listen to their opinions and suggestions. Further enriching the forms and content of lawmakers’ connection with the public, the draft adds provisions that lawmakers should, based on the principle of proximity, carry out activities to strengthen their connection with the public, listen to, and convey the opinions and suggestions of the people. The standing committees of the people’s congresses above the county level should broaden deputies’ participation in legislative, supervisory, and other duties, fully utilizing their roles, it adds. The draft also clarifies that all levels of governments and their departments, supervisory commissions, courts, and procuratorates may invite deputies to participate in relevant work and activities and listen to their opinions and suggestions.
Enquiries are continuing into a crash in Invercargill last month, and Police would like to speak to any witnesses.
About 1:40am on Sunday 20 October, Police were called to a two-vehicle crash at the intersections of Ness Street and Janet Street.
One person remains in hospital following the crash, three others have since been discharged.
Police would like to hear from anyone who saw a silver Mazda station wagon around Pomona Street, near John Street, and the surrounding areas between 1:30am and 1:40am.
We would also like to hear from anyone who has footage from dashcam or CCTV from around that area on the night of the crash.
If you have any information that could help our enquiries, please update us online now or call 105.
Please use the reference number 241020/5642.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Please attribute to Detective Inspector Callum McNeill, Waitematā CIB:
A Police investigation is underway following a fire at a mosque in New Lynn this morning.
At about 9am Police were called following a report of a fire at the building on Astley Avenue.
Upon arrival, Police and fire investigators have established the fire has been deliberately lit.
CCTV shows a person allegedly broke in just before 1am and lit the fire, which smoulded until just after 9am when it became visible and emergency services were called.
The investigation remains ongoing, however Police are following positive lines of enquiry to locate the person responsible.
At this early stage, Police are still investigating possible motive and we cannot say at this point that it is a hate-related crime.
We are providing support to the Muslim community and want to reassure the wider community we are working hard to locate the person responsible.
There will be an increased Police presence around mosques throughout Tāmaki Makaurau to ensure the community feels safe.
Anyone who may have seen this incident, or has any information, is urged to contact Police and reference file number 241105/3764.
Hutt Valley Police are investigating a fire at a previously targeted Stokes Valley residential address which left one person fighting for his life.
Around 3:10am this morning emergency services responded to a block of flats in Hanson Grove, an 81 year old man was located in a critical condition and was transported to Wellington Hospital.
The area was cordoned and a forensic scene examination is currently being conducted with the assistance of Fire and Emergency New Zealand and ESR.
The fire is being treated as suspicious and is suspected to be linked to two other fires at the same block of flats on Thursday 10 and Monday 14 October 2024, both of which were also lit during the early hours of the morning.
Police are appealing for information from people who have CCTV footage, witnessed the incident, or were in the area at the time of the fire to please get in contact.
Even the smallest piece of information could prove vital in our investigation.
If you have any CCTV footage from dashcam, residential, or commercial premises in any areas of Stokes Valley, witnessed any three of the fires, or were in the area at the time of the fires, even if you didn’t witness the incidents please contact us.
To report information please update us online now or call 105.
Please use the reference number 241105/2249 and quote Operation SOVE.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Police acknowledge the recent sentencing of Oliver Kiesanowski, who was convicted last month in the Christchurch District Court on charges relating to sextortion against 8 identified, and 9 unidentified victims. Police believe there could be more victims who have not come forward and encourage any who have not contacted Police to make a report.
Mr Kiesanowski was found guilty on charges which relate to activity where he posed online as a woman named Rebecca, and connected with several young male victims in the Christchurch area over the period 2017 to 2023.
He obtained explicit images from those victims and used them to blackmail them to force them to send further explicit images.
The offender was sentenced to five years imprisonment and has been placed on the child sex offenders’ register.
Acting Detective Sergeant Michael Hawke of Canterbury CIB says he is pleased to see justice done for these victims.
“This offender subjected his victims to protracted periods of living with stress and fear that their online activity would be revealed to their friends and family, not to mention routinely forcing them to create explicit material they did not want to.
“We hope that if there is anyone who was not identified through our investigation who has been out there living in fear, that they can now feel safe in the knowledge that this offender will be behind bars for years to come.”
Acting Detective Sergeant Hawke says anyone who wants to disclose offending of this nature to Police can be assured they will be heard and treated with respect.
“We know that unfortunately some of these victims don’t want to talk about what has happened to them as they are embarrassed or ashamed about getting drawn in.
“But we want you to know – we know how insidious this type of offending is and how easily victims can become trapped.
“Anyone who wants to make a report to us about this kind of offending will be treated with dignity.”
HOW TO SPOT THIS TYPE OF OFFENDING:
Meeting on one app, then being encouraged to continue a conversation on a different platform could be an indicator.
Inconsistencies with a profile or language, and there might be signs that English is a second language.
Introduction of sexualised conversations.
The other person may say that their webcam or microphone not working for video calls/chats, so they could be avoiding giving their true identity.
ADVICE FOR VICTIMS:
Avoid sending any more images or videos – even if they are threatening you.
Remember – once you have complied with their demands there is nothing preventing them targeting you again.
Save all the online chat, immediately take screenshots. This is important for making a report to the police, we need all the evidence that you can gather.
Block the profile.
Report the content to the platform (e.g. Facebook, Snapchat, PornHub) it is on and request the content is removed
Make a report to Police (via 105) or Netsafe to find out what other options are available to you.
Digby RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance in locating 14-year-old Summer Herman-Fontaine. She was last seen at approximately 5:50 p.m. on Queen St. in Digby.
Herman-Fontaine is described as being approximately 4-foot-8. She has brown eyes and dark brown hair, which she had in a ponytail. She was last seen wearing a white long-sleeved shirt with “Twinkle twinkle little star; brave & wonderful is what you are” printed on the front, a copper/dark orange coloured zip-up hoodie, pink leggings, and dark green Crocs.
When someone goes missing, it has deep and far-reaching impacts for the person and those who know them. We ask that people spread the word respectfully.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Summer Herman-Fontaine is asked to contact Digby RCMP at (902) 245-2579. To remain anonymous, call Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips app.