Latest news with #Billingsley
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Salute to Service: Phillies, Toyota surprise retired Army corporal in Delco
UPPER CHICHESTER, Pa. - It's not the Monday he expected to have, but it's surely one he deserves. Retired Army Corporal David Billingsley was surprised at his Upper Chichester home by the Phillies organization and Toyota. They rolled out the red carpet, which was lined with family, friends, and neighbors, to honor Billingsley for his service to our country. What they're saying Scott Palmer, of the Phillies, says, "We're here to tip our hats to you, Cpl. Billingsley!" A convoy led by the Phillie Phanatic, followed by police, EMS and fellow Warriors Watch riders gave a salute to Billingsley and warmly welcomed him to Delco. He and his wife moved into their home 46 days ago. Billingsley shared, "I had no idea any of this was taking place. None. I don't feel any of this is necessary for me." Dave remains humble and committed despite suffering a tragic injury while on duty. He regularly volunteers with several organizations that support veterans, including Team Foster and Warriors Watch, which were both involved in Monday's salute. Corporal Billingsley's wife, Kim, tells us, "He's the ear for a lot of soldiers that came back with some dark demons. People don't realize that people can't come back from seeing such ugliness that we're not raised with in this country and they can't turn that off and on." Dave's dedication is recognized by fellow veteran Erica Liermann, who showed up to support him. Liermann says, "Dave is the kind of guy who will pay attention and notice when you haven't been active or if you sound stressed. There was a time when I said, 'Oh,I'm just overwhelmed,' and he said, 'You're never alone. Call me any day, any time of night.'" "It's just something that is in us to make sure no veteran is ever forgotten, left behind," Billingsley said. Billingsley was gifted a personalized Phillies jersey and another surprise: an invitation to throw out the first pitch at the Phillies "Salute to Service" game on Saturday. "I think he thought somebody else deserved it more, but I can't thank you guys enough that you honored him," said Kim. "I couldn't be prouder."
Chicago Tribune
06-05-2025
- Chicago Tribune
Man on trial for ‘21 Merrillville hotel slaying
A trial opened Monday for a former North Carolina man charged in a Merrillville hotel murder. Barry 'Blu' Billingsley, 45, of Merrillville, is charged with murder, aggravated battery and a gun enhancement in the Oct. 2, 2021, shooting death of Anthony Gibbs, 36, of Highland. He has pleaded not guilty. Deputy Prosecutor Maureen Koonce — with co-counsel Judy Massa — told jurors in opening statements Monday that it was a 'senseless killing' by Billingsley, who was 'quick to anger' and 'eager to kill.' He fired four times, killing Gibbs with a shot to the face, Koonce said. He was later arrested in a traffic stop with a distinctive jean jacket and a baseball cap with the character Animal from The Muppets. The video showed he had the gun in a pocket when he opened fire. The jean jacket had a hold in it and tested positive for gun residue, she said. Defense lawyer Casey McCloskey — representing Billingsley with attorney Sonya Scott-Dix — declined to make an opening statement to jurors. Police were called to the Economy Inn, 8275 Louisiana St., and found Gibbs 'unresponsive' around 6 p.m. on the sidewalk outside, shot in the face and leg, according to court documents. His girlfriend was sitting on stairs nearby, shot in the foot, the affidavit states. Her pit bull was also wounded in the leg. The case has been rescheduled or delayed several times with lawyers clashing in legal filings and various unsuccessful motions to throw out the case. Judge Gina Jones declared a mistrial in January after a lawyer had a medical emergency. The trial continues this week.
CBS News
01-05-2025
- CBS News
Pre-trial conference set for Jason Billingsley, accused of brutally attacking Baltimore woman
A pre-trial conference is set for Jason Billingsley a man accused of carrying out an arson and brutal attack in West Baltimore, days before murdering 26-year-old tech CEO Pava LaPere. April Hurley, a Baltimore woman, sued Billingsley, along with the property owner, and property management company that hired Billingsley as a maintenance worker at the property she lived in. According to court documents, Hurley was bound, sexually assaulted, had her throat slashed, and was set on fire along with another man in her West Baltimore home. Both victims survived, after being pulled from a basement window by neighbors. Civil rights attorney William "Billy" Murphy Jr., who is representing Hurley, said the lawsuit includes negligent hiring, premises liability, and breach of lease. At a press conference, Hurley said the attempt on her life could have been prevented, if the landlord and property manager did not hire Billingsley - who already had a criminal record. Billingsley is a convicted felon and registered sex offender. He was released from prison in 2022 on parole and pleaded guilty to sexual assault in 2015. The Pava LaPere case Jason Billingsley was sentenced to life for the August 2024 murder of Pava LaPere, the founder of EcoMap Technologies. LaPere was found beaten and strangled on the roof of her Mount Vernon apartment building in September 2023 after a missing persons report. The case prompted legislative change, including the Pava Marie LaPere Act, which blocks diminution credits for violent sex offenders.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
‘We've been through hardships before': Springdale clothing store feels impact of tariffs
SPRINGDALE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Local businesses are starting to feel the impacts of the 184% tariff placed on Chinese imports by the United States. Dela Deville's, a vintage clothing store on Emma Avenue in Springdale, has been open for almost seven years. 'It's just kind of like playing dress up every day,' Dela Billingsley, owner of Dela Deville's said. 'The shops are full of things that I love. You know, it's kind of hard to find true vintage pieces that are specializing in the forties and the fifties and the older styles. We just have a lot of fun with it.' On the right side of the store, Billingsley keeps the racks stocked with 'true-vintage' pieces like dresses, bright-colored pieces, and even denim. However, on the left side of the store, she keeps an inventory of reproduction items intended to reflect vintage style. 'Half of my store is vintage-inspired. So, these are all reproduction vintage styles that are made by a lot of really small businesses. It's a very niche market,' Billingsley said. She says it's the reproduction items that allow inclusivity, giving some the chance to embrace a more vintage look. Fed chair sounds alarm about tariffs 'We're able to go up to a 4X or a 5X, which isn't always readily available in the true vintage pieces,' Billingsley said. However, Billingsley says her store could change drastically after her wholesalers decided to cut ties over the weekend, citing the 184% tariff as the reason. 'One by one, all of my brands started emailing me, letting me know to 'get your orders in if you have any orders that you want to place. This is the last weekend for it,'' Billingsley said. 'They're being hit with tariffs on their end, and that kind of ripples down and affects us because they do wholesale those items to us. So, most of them are actually just shutting down their wholesale operations, which means we just won't be able to get any of those items until things are able to be sorted out. Which is super unfortunate.' Billingsley says this move could affect a large portion of her customer base, but she's confident they'll be able to stay afloat. 'We've been through hardships before with COVID. We had just been open for a year prior to that, so you just pivot. You make the changes that are necessary, and hopefully it all changes for the better,' Billingsley said. 'Everybody is really disappointed and sad, but very understanding. Everybody's so supportive of our business, and I just encourage people as much as you can to shop small and to support other small businesses that may be experiencing this same struggle for sure.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Vietnam War veterans honored in Saline County
BENTON, Ark. – Vietnam War veterans gathered with their loved ones Monday at the Saline County Courthouse to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the war's end. Lance Corporal Billingsley served in the United States Marine Corp. and was one of the four at the event. He received a one-of-a-kind Quilt of Valor for his service. Fallen Vietnam War veterans honored in Saline County ceremony Billingsley said it was an honor to be surrounded by residents of Saline County, thanking him and others for the sacrifice they made over 50 years ago in Vietnam. 'I was in '69, 1969 to 1972,' Billingsley said. 'I went in as a kid, 19 years old, and I learned a lot.' Billingsley said they had a two-year program to go to Vietnam at the time and that he knew he had to go without question. 'I was ready to make a change, I was, I was also understanding that the things that I did were very dangerous, and I said I've got to find a safe house if I'm ever going to make it back,' Billingsley said. Arkansas veteran of 3 wars turns 100 When asked what the word freedom means, he said 'it means the world to me.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
