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Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Inconsistent deposition testimony in case alleging SJCSO illegally released sexual battery report
Depositions in a lawsuit brought by a former St. Johns County judicial candidate over the alleged illegal release of a sexual battery police report to her opponent's campaign reveal inconsistencies in law enforcement's account of events. St. Johns County Sheriff Rob Hardwick, former Undersheriff and current General Counsel Matthew Cline, and former St. Johns County Commissioner Jeremiah Blocker were all recently deposed under oath. The sheriff's office is being sued by a former judicial candidate and alleged sexual battery victim, who has claimed the police report she filed with the department in 2018 was illegally shown to multiple people. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] The lawsuit alleges that her decision not to pursue charges in the case and her effort to prevent the release of the police report were used to smear her during the campaign, which she ended up losing. During his testimony, Cline recalled when he first learned Josh Woolsey, the husband of the alleged victim's opponent, submitted a public records request seeking the police report. 'I had some real concerns about releasing it as a public record just 'cause I knew that there was a political race involved and it was just gonna be a first class shit show,' said Cline. Personal identifying information of alleged victims of sexual battery are exempt from public record, and violations carry the weight of a second-degree misdemeanor. Read: First bid to construct new Duval County jail received by the city Cline claimed Woolsey already had intimate knowledge of the details in the report and he agreed to show him an unredacted copy in an effort to discourage him from pursuing the records request. 'I said, here's what's going to happen. I'm going to let you look at this report because I want you to understand the gravity of it. You can't take any notes. You can't take any pictures of it,' said Cline. Cline also admitted to discussing the sexual battery report with Commissioner Blocker during a meeting with Sheriff Hardwick. Meanwhile, Sheriff Hardwick testified he didn't remember any conversation with Blocker about the sexual battery report. 'I just don't recall. I just don't. I mean, I remember meeting with commissioners about the budget,' said Hardwick. However, Blocker testified he was shown an unredacted copy of the report, which he claims the sheriff characterized as a 'false police report'. 'I believe he said that David Shoar should have arrested her for filing a police, or false police report,' said Blocker. Blocker also claimed the sheriff commented on how the report would be politically damaging to the candidate. 'You can't survive this politically. She's not going to win. We're under pressure to release this by Josh Woolsey. To that effect,' said Blocker. Cline, on the other hand, testified the discussion with Blocker and the Sheriff centered around litigation that sought to prevent the release of the report, and if Blocker were shown a copy of the report, it would have been redacted. 'It's not uncommon to discuss our lawsuits that we have with the county. And the reason for that is, if there's liability on the sheriff, and that liability exceeds the statutory amount, the county's on the hook for that,' said Cline. Action News Jax reached out to the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office seeking comment on the different accounts of events between the three men's depositions. 'It would not be appropriate for us to comment at this time out of respect for the active litigation,' a spokesperson for the sheriff's office told us in an emailed statement. Read: Federal agents raid Dymeng Technology Solutions in St. Augustine [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
BPH Surgical Treatment Market Report 2025-2030: Forecast to Reach $17.19 Billion by 2030 - Shares Breakdown by Type, Drug Type, Therapy and End-user at the Global and Regional Level
BPH Surgical Treatment Market Dublin, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "BPH Surgical Treatment Market by Type (TURP, Laser, Rezum, Urolift, Ablation, PAE), Drug Type (Alpha Blocker (Alfuzosin), Alpha Reductase Inhibitor (Dutastride), Therapy (Mono, Combination), End Users (Hospitals) - Global Forecast to 2030" report has been added to global BPH surgical treatment market is valued at an estimated USD 12.62 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 17.19 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 5.3% during the forecast period. The growing elderly male population is leading to the cause of BPH patients globally. Therefore, BPH is related to age, and aging is known as a risk factor for BPH. Approximately 50% of men over the age of 50 and around 80% of men over the age of 70 are under the influence of BPH. The global BPH surgical treatment market is segmented into six regions - North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East & Africa, Latin America, and the GCC Countries. Throughout the forecast period, the BPH surgical treatment market is expected to grow at the fastest rate in the Asia-Pacific region. The demand for BPH surgical treatment in the APAC is mainly driven by the growing geriatric population, the increasing GDP of Asian countries, the rising healthcare expenditure in the APAC countries, and growing public CoverageIn this report, the BPH surgical treatment market has been categorized based on drug type (alpha-blockers, 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, and other drug types), type (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP), Laser Surgery, UroLift Procedure, Rezum Procedure, Robot-assisted waterjet ablation, Prostatic Stenting, Transurethral Microwave Thermotherapy (TUMT), Transurethral Needle Ablation of the Prostate (TUNA), Prostatic arterial embolization (PAE) and others) end user (hospitals, ASCs & clinics, and home care settings), therapy (monotherapy and combination drug therapy), and region (Europe, Middle East & Africa, North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, and the GCC Countries).Comprehensive information regarding the main drivers, barriers, opportunities, and challenges influencing the BPH surgical treatment market's expansion is included in detail in this study. An exhaustive study of the key players in the cochlear implants market has been done to provide insights into their business profiles, products offered, noteworthy strategies, product launches, and approvals, and other recent activities pertaining to the Attributes Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 329 Forecast Period 2024-2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $12.62 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $17.19 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 5.3% Regions Covered Global Market Dynamics Drivers Expanding Aging Population and Increasing Prevalence of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Rising Cases of Obesity in Males Growing Preference for Minimally Invasive Surgeries Restraints Side Effects Associated with BPH Medications High Cost of BPH Surgical Treatment Opportunities High Growth Potential of Emerging Economies Favorable Funding Investments for BPH Drug Development Challenges Shortage of Skilled Professionals Low Awareness Regarding Prostate Health Product Recalls Additional Insights Covered in the Report Value Chain Analysis Supply Chain Analysis Ecosystem Analysis Key Stakeholders & Buying Criteria Regulatory Scenario Pricing Analysis Technology Analysis PESTLE Analysis Patent Analysis Trade Analysis Key Conferences & Events, 2025-2026 Trends/Disruptions Impacting Customers' Businesses Impact of Generative AI/AI on BPH Surgical Treatment Market Investment & Funding Scenario Companies Profiled in this BPH Surgical Treatment Market Report GlaxoSmithKline PLC Eli Lilly and Company Teleflex Incorporated Boston Scientific Corporation Procept Biorobotics Corporation Astellas Pharma Inc. Alembic Pharmaceuticals Limited Asahi Kasei Corporation Organon & Co. Olympus Corporation Coloplast Group IPG Photonics Corporation Viatris Inc. AbbVie Inc. Prostalund AB Karl Storz SE & Co. KG Richard Wolf GmbH Unilab, Inc. Biolitec Holding GmbH & Co KG Urologix, LLC. Advin Health Care Medifocus, Inc. Jenasurgical (Asclepion Laser Technologies GmbH) PNN Medical A/S Surgical Lasers Inc. Quanta System Allium Ltd. SRS Medical Laborie Medical Technologies Cook Medical For more information about this report visit About is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment BPH Surgical Treatment Market CONTACT: CONTACT: Laura Wood,Senior Press Manager press@ For E.S.T Office Hours Call 1-917-300-0470 For U.S./ CAN Toll Free Call 1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
St. Johns County Airport Authority board member wants policy review after claims of statute breaches
Board member Dennis Clarke is calling for a special meeting of the St. Johns County Airport Authority board of directors after new allegations sent in a recent email from Matt Liotta, the husband of fellow board member Jennifer Liotta. The email to Clarke claims the authority has violated Florida public meetings laws and even its policies, which require at least five days' notice with relevant details before authority meetings. Liotta also mentioned other allegations of policy violations. 'Somebody should have that set up on a tickler system and just get those notices out and you know, so I can't disagree with that,' Clarke told Action News Jax on Tuesday. 'But I don't have any firsthand knowledge as to when it was actually, when the notices were actually published and versus when the meeting was held.' Action News Jax was also the first to tell you about the allegations of Florida public record law violations by board chair Reba Ludlow and board member Len Tucker. Those claims were raised by the authority's former legal team, which withdrew its representation of the authority after raising the ethical and legal concerns. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Now, in light of those recent and new allegations, Clarke is calling for the board to have a third-party review of what he said have been long-outdated policies related to operational procedures and transparency. 'We have policies and procedures that are published on our website that are, by and large, still valid, but they're dated from 1997,' Clarke said. 'There have been many changes in everything since that time.' Clarke is also calling for greater transparency after the allegations against his two fellow board members by the board's former attorney Joshua Blocker. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] 'I've saw Mr. Blocker's letter … if he has a concern, then that worries me,' Clarke said. 'But on the other hand, let's put it on the table, and let's deal with it.' Action News Jax reached out to Blocker for a response and in a statement he said: 'As per Florida bar rules and Florida statute, all information that is pertinent to this matter has been disclosed to the appropriate law enforcement agency for review.' Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Yahoo
Police log: Woman charged in fight over pepperoni stick
A 40-year-old Coaldale woman was charged with assault after she fought with a 49-year-old Tamaqua man over a pepperoni stick, state police at Frackville said. Police were dispatched Feb. 9 to an address on West Early Avenue for a report of a domestic disturbance. They determined the defendant, Alicia Blocker, had gotten into a verbal argument over a pepperoni stick, and swung a knife in the man's direction. Blocker was taken into custody on charges of simple assault and reckless endangerment, according to police. Machinery stolen from Reading Anthracite Co. State police are investigating a theft of machinery owned by Reading Anthracite Co. that occurred in Mahanoy Twp. between Jan. 18 and 20. Police said the following equipment was stolen from the property on Brandonville Road: A Komatsu PC200 Light excavator, $555.93, and Komatsu PC200 key $10; a Caterpillar D10R crawler dozer, $999.99; and a Komatsu 375 Light, $999.99. Additionally, numerous lights were stolen from the three pieces of machinery, police said. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact state police at Frackville at 570-874-5300 with incident number #PA2025-73365. Man arrested in assault A 35-year-old Girardville man was charged with assaulting an 86-year-old man in the borough, state police at Frackville said. Police said that, during a verbal altercation outside on West Main Street, Jeremy Leatherman assaulted the victim. The man left the scene prior to police arriving. Police said they are investigating the incident. Truck driver hurt in crash A Mahanoy City man was injured in a one-vehicle crash on Route 54 in Rush Twp., according to state police at Frackville. Police said Eric V. Petritsch, 76, was traveling west on Hauto Highway (Route 54) in a Mack truck when he left the roadway on the north shoulder, went down an embankment and overturned. The truck sustained disabling damage, and Petritsch was transported to a hospital for suspected minor injuries, police said. Police said they contacted PPL for damaged utility pole wires.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
In searching for community, Renaldo Blocker helped establish a new alumni chapter of Black fraternity
Feb. 11—ROCHESTER — When Renaldo Blocker moved to Rochester from Los Angeles 12 years ago to accept a position at Mayo Clinic, he felt like he was on his own as a Black man navigating a mostly white city. "I knew absolutely no one," said Blocker, a faculty member and researcher in health systems delivery with Mayo Clinic. Unlike Blocker's home city of Atlanta, Rochester doesn't have predominantly Black neighborhoods where Blocker could expect to find a place to get his hair cut and his favorite familiar foods. "There's no place to go where the Black community is in this area," he said. "That may be good, it may be bad depending on how you look at it." Blocker reached out to a member of his college fraternity he knew lived in the Twin Cities. Unlike Atlanta, L.A. and Madison, Wisconsin, where he earned his doctorate, Rochester didn't have an alumni chapter of the fraternity. Founded in 1911 at Indiana University, Bloomington, Kappa Alpha Psi, is the second oldest collegiate historically Black, Greek-letter fraternity. That friend introduced him to a fraternity member who was living in Rochester. "He was able to help me out, help me look for housing, let me know which barbershops to go to," Blocker said. "Having a navigator here for you is huge." Later, Blocker recognized another brother who was wearing a fraternity lapel pin. Since then, the handful of KAP fraternity brothers living in Rochester would head to the Twin Cities for fraternity alumni balls, gatherings, fundraisers and service events. Now, enough members call Rochester home that Blocker is launching a Rochester alumni chapter. He and the chapter founders held a launch event on Saturday in downtown Rochester. Blocker said members plan to continue to be active in the Twin Cities as well, but for people with demanding residency schedules, that can be difficult. Serving the community through the fraternity's literacy programs and financial literacy for youth initiatives is also appealing to members, he added. The chapter will be easier to find for new arrivals in Rochester who are members and want to learn about the community. "It's not about looking up one person anymore," he said. Nationwide, fraternity alumni include Hakeem Jeffries, U.S. House Minority Leader, and former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick. About a dozen alumni live in Rochester now, Blocker said. "I think now is the right time, given the number of brothers that are here, and the potential of brothers who may be here," he said. Blocker said the number of alumni in the city will likely rise thanks to a combination of people studying, researching or working at Mayo Clinic and its partner organizations or people coming to Rochester for treatment. It's already starting to happen, he said. "Even going out shopping here, I'll run into a brother who I have not met," he said. Blocker added he would like to see an undergraduate chapter of the fraternity in Southeast Minnesota. That would likely need to include students from multiple schools, he said. However, for the first year of the chapter, aspiring members will have to wait. "We probably won't be doing member intake for the first year," Blocker said. The group will focus on building the chapter, ways to serve the community and finding partners to work with on service events.
