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Ed the escaped zebra recaptured, Tennessee officials say

Ed the escaped zebra recaptured, Tennessee officials say

Sky News2 days ago

A runaway zebra that became an internet sensation has been safely recaptured, US officials have said.
Ed the pet zebra was on the loose for more than a week before being found in a pasture in Christiana, a small community in central Tennessee, the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office said on Facebook.
In a statement, the office said that Ed "was airlifted and flown by helicopter back to a waiting animal trailer" on Sunday.
0:49
A video posted by the sheriff's office showed Ed caught in a net with his head sticking out as he was carried by helicopter to an animal trailer.
Ed originally arrived in Christiana, which is around 40 miles southeast of Nashville, on 30 May, but his owner reported him missing the next day.
During his time on the run, Ed was seen on Interstate 24 - a major route which runs from southern Illinois to southern Tennessee - "scampering across the highways in both the eastbound and westbound lanes".
But before he could be grabbed, "he escaped into a wooded area and disappeared until being spotted Thursday," the sheriff's office said.
There were several sightings of him posted to social media, among them Ed trotting around a local neighbourhood.
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His adventures sparked a host of memes, including Ed eating waffles, a southern US favourite, while others had him visiting other Tennessee cities or begging on the side of the road.
Ed's 15 minutes of fame came a month after a runaway kangaroo shut down a section of a different Interstate in Alabama, inadvertently causing a two-car crash, before being caught.

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Woman country star Conner Smith 'ploughed down and killed' was grandmother and one of Tennessee's top lawyers
Woman country star Conner Smith 'ploughed down and killed' was grandmother and one of Tennessee's top lawyers

Daily Mail​

time6 hours ago

  • Daily Mail​

Woman country star Conner Smith 'ploughed down and killed' was grandmother and one of Tennessee's top lawyers

A beloved grandmother killed by a rising country singer's truck was a top Tennessee lawyer and longtime women's rights advocate. Dorothy 'Dot' Dobbins, 77, was walking her dog in a marked crosswalk near her Nashville home on Sunday when she was hit by 24-year-old musician Conner Smith, authorities have confirmed. Cops said Smith failed to yield the right of way as Dobbins crossed the street. They added he was not under the influence or distracted at the time of the crash and, as of Tuesday afternoon, no charges have been filed. While it was originally claimed she was a dog walker, her neice confirmed she was walking her own dog. The investigation is ongoing. Local residents fear it was a tragic accident on a notoriously busy road and are calling for improved safety measures, according to WZTV Nashville. Dobbins was a partner at Dobbins, Venick, Kuhn & Byassee and had recently retired after a long and celebrated legal career. She co-founded the Lawyers' Association for Women in Nashville and, according to the Tennessee Bar Association, helped launch a women's center at Scarritt-Bennett and played a key role in opening Nashville's first domestic violence shelter through the YWCA. Online profiles note she specialized in 'Divorce, collaborative family practice, and alimony cases.' She leaves behind a daughter, a nurse at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where Dobbins was rushed after the crash and later died. Her family shared new photographs showing Dobbins smiling with a birthday cake and completing a jigsaw puzzle, enjoying her time as a grandmother of four. In a moving Facebook post, her niece wrote: 'I'm devastated to share that my aunt, Dot Dobbins, was killed in an accident last night while walking her dog. 'We are in total shock and fully heartbroken. Dot was incredibly active and healthy, enjoying her retirement to the fullest. 'We are still finding our footing but my family has been overwhelmed with love and support. I'm so grateful. 'There is so much more to say about Dot, the incredible work she did, her role as D-Dot to 4 grand boys she doted on, and the both famous and infamous recipes she brought to every family event. 'For now I just want to thank you for the love and light being sent to the entire Dobbins family. ... We need it.' The YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee also paid tribute on Facebook, remembering Dobbins as a 'tireless advocate for justice and a fierce champion for women and families.' 'She joined us each year for our Past Board Chair Luncheon—most recently in September 2024—and remained a steadfast supporter of our mission throughout her life,' they wrote. 'Dot played a pivotal role in advancing domestic violence awareness in career reflected the same commitment to equity and compassion.' Conner Smith's attorney released a statement to TMZ, saying: 'On June 8th, Mr. Smith was involved in a car accident that tragically claimed a life. His heart goes out to Ms. Dobbins' family during this incredibly difficult time. 'Mr. Smith continues to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.' Just days before the fatal crash, Smith had performed at CMA Fest 2025, where he sang alongside fellow artist Dylan Marlowe. In his most recent Instagram post before Dobbins' death, Smith wrote: 'Hometown hits different.' An earlier video, shared weeks before the accident, showed the singer behind the wheel of his truck singing as he filmed himself driving. Smith rose to fame with his viral TikTok hit I Hate Alabama in 2021. He released his debut album Smoky Mountains in January 2024 and is slated to tour across the U.S. this summer. He is currently scheduled to perform in Fort Myers, Florida; Akron, Ohio; and Columbus, Ohio later this month. His team has not yet commented on whether the shows will proceed.

I married a convicted killer in prison ceremony…his MUM tried to cancel wedding & trolls say he'll kill me when he's out
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time13 hours ago

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I married a convicted killer in prison ceremony…his MUM tried to cancel wedding & trolls say he'll kill me when he's out

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Country musician Conner Smith fatally hit pedestrian with truck. No charges now, but probe ongoing
Country musician Conner Smith fatally hit pedestrian with truck. No charges now, but probe ongoing

The Independent

timea day ago

  • The Independent

Country musician Conner Smith fatally hit pedestrian with truck. No charges now, but probe ongoing

Country musician Conner Smith fatally hit a pedestrian while driving his truck in Nashville over the weekend, and he currently faces no charges as an investigation continues, police said. Metro Nashville Police said Smith, 24, hit Dorothy Dobbins, 77, Sunday evening while she was crossing the road inside a marked crosswalk. Dobbins, a retired attorney, later died at a hospital. The Tennessee Bar Association posted on its website that Dobbins had been out walking her dog when she was hit. Police say Smith showed no signs of impairment. They believe the 'preliminary contributing factor' appears to be that Smith did not yield the right of way to the pedestrian. Smith's attorney, Worrick Robinson, said his client is cooperating with the investigation. 'His heart goes out to Ms. Dobbins' family during this incredibly difficult time," Robinson said in a statement. Dobbins was a leader in the city's legal aid and family law communities, where she practiced for over 40 years, according to posts by the Bar Association and the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands. She played a 'foundational role in opening Nashville's first domestic violence shelter,' according to a Facebook post from the Legal Aid Society, and she wrote the state's first order of protection legislation. Smith was a 2024 new male artist of the year nominee at the Academy of Country Music Awards. He released his first full-length album, 'Smoky Mountains,' in 2024. The Nashville native has had gold-certified hits with 'Take it Slow' and 'Creek Will Rise,' according to his label, Big Machine. Smith had performed at Nashville's CMA Fest over the weekend.

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