Latest news with #BoyScout
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Neighbors express shock after former Boy Scout leader's child molestation arrest
Neighbors of a former Boy Scout leader charged with molesting a boy and spying on minors say the allegations don't square with the man they know. Andrew Howard Whaley, 61, is charged with sexually abusing a boy he met while in the scouts. Investigators said they also found a hidden camera in a bathroom at his Forsyth County home that he allegedly used to record minors. 'It is shocking, especially right in your backyard, and you know, we couldn't believe it,' said Dianne Lacefield, whose house backs up to a cow pasture Whaley owns in Forsyth County. Channel 2's Bryan Mims said the driveway to Whaley's property on Aaron Sosebee Road near Cumming is blocked by a gate. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation said this is where agents found the hidden camera and child pornography. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Whaley also owns a cabin and business in Lumpkin County, where he's accused of molesting a boy and possessing child pornography. 'I'm shocked, I really am, and I'm angry if this is all true,' said Susan Colangelo, another Forsyth County neighbor who lives in the Villages at Concord Farms subdivision. PREVIOUS STORY: Former Forsyth Co. scout leader charged with child molestation, possession of child porn She said she spoke with Whaley when his cows often got loose in the neighborhood. And because she's a nurse, she said Whaley asked for help in caring for his ailing father. 'He was a very devoted dad to his kids, but he was very devoted to his father,' she said. 'I feel very sorry for his family. He loved his animals.' In Forsyth County, Whaley is charged with six counts of creation of child pornography and 13 counts of eavesdropping and surveillance. TRENDING STORIES: SWAT team, multiple DeKalb police units respond to barricaded suspect on Lavista Road 'Life doesn't feel real:' Family mourns GA 9-year-old found shot in car Strong to severe storms moving through metro Atlanta In Lumpkin County, he's charged with one count of aggravated child molestation, one count of child molestation and one count of possession of child pornography. Whaley is locked up in the Lumpkin County jail. The GBI said 'this investigation is active and ongoing.' Anyone with additional information may contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Cleveland at 706-348-4866. Tips can also be left by contacting the GBI Tipline at 1-800-597-TIPS (8477), online or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Toronto Star
27-05-2025
- Toronto Star
There were plenty of witnesses to the alleged Hockey Canada assault — but apparently no objectors
There is no virtue in weighing anchor from what looks like, sounds like, and was unfolding like an orgy. And I'm not referring to the alleged sexual assault in which five former junior hockey players have pleaded not guilty. What I mean is the interpretation of events by four ex-teammates — none of whom were charged or have been accused of criminal wrongdoing — who have testified that they took their leave of Room 209 at the Delta Armouries hotel in London, Ont., after witnessing at least some of what was unfolding in the early morning hours of June 19, 2018. The trial, now dragging into its sixth week, hinges on whether the sex was consensual or not and if that can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. But either way, it was sordid, tribal behaviour of the most repellent kind by a mini mob of hockey players. Three of the player-witnesses have said they had girlfriends at the time, two of them citing those relationships as their reason for bailing from what has been repeatedly described by those witnesses as consensual sex, with the complainant as instigator and aggressor. The complainant — known as E.M., her identity protected by a publication ban — has testified that she never told the young men to stop, never asserted her unwillingness, never tried to leave and no one ever stopped her from doing so. Still, sorry not sorry, no Boy Scout badge for withdrawing because of an existing romantic attachment. Nor for failure of any intervention. Canada NHLer Brett Howden doesn't remember much from night of alleged sex assaults — but says what he saw was '100 per cent consensual' Vegas Golden Knight centre Brett Howden texted a teammate several days after that night. The prosecution has called his message 'very critical Canada NHLer Brett Howden doesn't remember much from night of alleged sex assaults — but says what he saw was '100 per cent consensual' Vegas Golden Knight centre Brett Howden texted a teammate several days after that night. The prosecution has called his message 'very critical For the complainant, what she lost was her humanity, treated — as described in her testimony — like a sex doll. For the accused, much has also been lost: Carter Hart had been with the Philadelphia Flyers for six seasons but didn't receive a qualifying offer last summer; Cal Foote had played for four NHL teams, most recently the New Jersey Devils, and became a restricted free agent last summer, with no NHL takers, signing on with two teams in the Slovakia league; Michael McLeod, six years with the Devils, wasn't re-signed last summer either, and left the NHL for the KHL; Dillon Dubé had six seasons with the Calgary Flames on a deal that expired last June; Carter Hart, six years with the Philadelphia Flyers, didn't receive a qualifying offer last summer and, according to published reporters, has walked away from hockey entirely, switching to a career in construction. Even if acquitted, it's unlikely they'll ever play in the NHL again. They were all among the cream of the crop from that 2018 world junior championship team, a squad that included future NHL star Cale Makar and current NHLers Jonah Gadjovich, Drake Batherson and (ex-Leaf) Conor Timmins. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Some were among the players who'd assembled at Jack's Bar, where they made the acquaintance of E.M. It was all fun and drinking and dancing until the after-party continued in McLeod's room, where the complainant said she'd gone in full expectation that they'd have sex. She was not, however, prepared for the up to 10 players who filed through that room later, many (not all) in response to a 'three-way' invitation from McLeod. Whatever brought them there, none was compelled to stay when the scene became uneasy, demeaning and clearly too disquieting. Yet not a one said: Knock it off. Canada 'I just didn't care': Why a Hockey Canada investigator's 'unfair' probe led to the exclusion of a 'virtual treasure trove' of evidence The players were 'compelled' to sit for an interview with Hockey Canada. But they weren't told the investigator knew police wanted access to her Canada 'I just didn't care': Why a Hockey Canada investigator's 'unfair' probe led to the exclusion of a 'virtual treasure trove' of evidence The players were 'compelled' to sit for an interview with Hockey Canada. But they weren't told the investigator knew police wanted access to her Brett Howden, fourth ex-teammate summoned to the stand as a Crown witness, last week agreed to the accuracy of a statement he'd made to the Hockey Canada investigator about comments he'd heard in the room after E.M. had allegedly implored the players to have sex with her, including what he'd said to an apparently conflicted Hart: 'If she wants to have sex with you, I guess it's OK,' and 'if she'd consent and she wants you, then sure,' and 'it's up to you.' Howden is in his seventh season as a forward with the Vegas Golden Knights. There's no indication that, had he not left when he did, Howden — now married with two young children — would have participated in the sexual activity. But he hasn't been spared the disgrace either. He's told of how ashamed he was, having to explain those events to his family, his girlfriend and Hockey Canada. That specific recollection brought him to tears. He admitted even to fearing his father. Yet he didn't speculate how he might have changed the outcome that has been alleged, in the hour he was present, if he'd even tried to shake some sense into his teammates, steer them away from what E.M. was allegedly offering. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Back on the stand Monday by remote video link from Vegas, Howden was handed from one defence lawyer to another for cross-examination when the trial finally reconvened following a protracted voir dire — a trial within a trial — after the Crown attorney Meaghan Cunningham had argued forcibly for some of Howden's texts to be ruled admissible. It was a plea the prosecution lost, with the judge ruling the texts were hearsay evidence; their truth and reliability couldn't be guaranteed. Canada Why didn't police lay charges in 2019? Inside the London police investigations in the Hockey Canada sex assault case London police documents make clear the high-profile sex assault investigation was reopened in 2022 due to 'a resurgence in media attention' — with Canada Why didn't police lay charges in 2019? Inside the London police investigations in the Hockey Canada sex assault case London police documents make clear the high-profile sex assault investigation was reopened in 2022 due to 'a resurgence in media attention' — with 'I just remember nobody at the time wanted to take her up on it,' Howden told David Humphrey, who represents McLeod. 'I do remember guys backing off essentially.' Humphrey: 'But she was the one making offers to have sex?' Howden: 'Yeah.' Humphrey: 'It's not the case that guys were telling her to do things?' Howden: 'No.' The witness said he saw E.M. performing oral sex on McLeod and Hart. 'It was uncomfortable and awkward seeing this stuff, just awkward … not wanting to stare, I guess.' E.M. has testified that she was exceedingly drunk and the players should have realized that. But Howden repeated to Humphrey what he'd told the Hockey Canada investigator in 2018: 'She said she was too sober for this.' Howden was directed back to a previous statement in which he said he'd heard E.M. crying as he was leaving. On Monday, however, Howden agreed that what may have sounded like crying was related to the complainant's embarrassment that there were no further takers after she'd given McLeod and Hart oral sex. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW When Megan Savard, representing Hart, took over the cross-examination reins, Howden continued in a similar vein. 'We were all put in a weird position because of how forthcoming she was being.' Savard: 'People were laughing at this but nobody was making fun of her, correct?' Howden: 'Correct.' Savard: '(Hart) didn't want to take up her offer, he may have been trying to look cool in front of his teammates?' Howden 'Correct.' Howden looked in Hart's face as he was receiving oral sex and Hart looked embarrassed, the witness agreed. In previous statements, Howden said both McLeod and Hart had kept their hands near their waists, never otherwise touched E.M. 'It was not an aggressive blowjob,' he'd told the Hockey Canada investigator. Savard, on Monday: 'Throughout your time in the room, you have no doubt that what you saw was 100 per cent consensual?' ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Howden: 'Yeah.' In Howden's memory, the players caused E.M. no harm, no duress, no ridicule. Seven years later, he seems belatedly aware of the shame and injury he caused himself as a bystander struck dumb.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Broad Top honors veterans with its Memorial Day ceremony
BROAD TOP CITY, Pa. (WTAJ) — Broad Top City in Huntingdon County joined in on Memorial Day with its own ceremony. For this year's ceremony, Broad Top invited U.S. Navy Veteran Elmer Weimert as the guest speaker. He served for four years in active duty, with another two in a reserve unit. He is still active to this day, being the commander of Broad Top's American Legion. Boy Scout honors family legacy and serves community with Eagle Scout project 'It's an honor for me to still serve veterans and the community,' Weimert said. 'I mean, we do so much for the community. Thousands and thousands of dollars we donate to the community.' Along with honoring the flag, the Tussey Mountain High School Concert Choir also marked the day with song. Weimert hopes more young people will see Memorial Day as important — not just an extended weekend.'I think it's important that we uphold the tradition of what Memorial Day was meant to be,' he said. 'And I think we're losing that, with the younger generations.' To learn more about the legion, visit its website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Boy Scout honors family legacy and serves community with Eagle Scout project
SINKING VALLEY, Pa. (WTAJ) — A Boy Scout is honoring his family's legacy and serving his community through his Eagle Scout project. Blake Riddle is a Boy Scout with Troop 3015 in Blair County. He had high hopes for his project to earn the rank of Eagle Scout: Create a park in honor of his great aunt Helen Riddle. 'I figured what better way to honor her and to also achieve my Eagle Scout by doing this project,' Riddle said. It was a huge undertaking, and one he was not sure about taking on at first. 'My question to him was, 'Is it going to benefit the community?' Because that's what your Eagle Scout project's supposed to do,' Troop 3015 Scoutmaster Donald Irvin Jr. said. Eleven cats rescued from Altoona barbershop Riddle knew his project would benefit the community, but that did not make the task any easier. He had to plan out the project, work with his local government to get permission to change the landscape and, of course, put in a lot of elbow grease. The end result: 2,000 ft of fully blazed trail 5 benches ADA accessible picnic table Multiple navigational signs The benches have names engraved of members of the Riddle family who have passed on. According to Irvin, Riddle has grown up throughout the over-year-long process. 'I could see there was a big change in him,' Irvin said. Riddle's next step is to become a naval officer. He is currently under review for the Naval Academy and wants to major in mechanical engineering. Whether it is his country or his own community, his future is sure to be blazed with service in visit the Helen M. Riddle Memorial Park, go to McMullen Road in Sinking Valley, then the destination will be on the left. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘I'm lucky to be here': People across metro Atlanta honor the fallen on this Memorial Day
People across North Georgia and the rest of the country paused on Monday to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country. This Memorial Day brought special meaning to the family of Benjamin Franklin Clure. The World War II veteran died in 1960, but his grave went unmarked until now. 'There was nothing there. There was just bare ground,' said Stephanie Isaacs, manager of Sugar Hill Cemetery. 'When we find someone who hasn't been able to be celebrated like in 60 years, it's very special.' Clure's surviving family members, who never knew his story, attended Monday's ceremony. A marker with Clure's name now stands alongside nearly 150 other veterans honored in the Sugar Hill Historic Cemetery. 'The stories make it real. It brings it down to the people level and remember that there's people and family behind all these markers,' Navy veteran Eric Krause said. TRENDING STORIES: Man accused of gunning down Georgia Tech student in targeted shooting has turned himself in Risk of severe storms tonight with damaging winds 'I'm scared:' Family seeks answers after missing pregnant woman walks away from Atlanta hospital In Marietta, people gathered at the National Cemetery, where over 18,000 graves mark local Georgians who died for our country. For Marine Veteran Steve Grillo and his son Vincent, the ceremony is a longstanding tradition that started with Vincent was just 8. 'It's emotional that we get to do this every year,' Vincent Grillo said. 'It's kind of tough to talk about, but you sit here and look at all these families, every one of these graves represents a family that didn't get somebody home,' Steve Grillo said. 'I'm lucky to be here for my son; other guys don't have their dad.' Boy Scout troops had placed American flags all over the gravestones at the cemetery. In Alpharetta, veterans laid a wreath at the memorial outside Alpharetta's City Hall. The memorial was built 10 years ago to honor the fallen in that city. At Monday's ceremony, U.S. Rep. Rich McCormick served as the keynote speaker. McCormick is a Marine and former helicopter pilot. 'Knowing there's a high probability you'll die going into battle, but still volunteering. Not forced in, but volunteering for service on something so special. That's what makes it stand out to me. That's what I know my friends died for,' McCormick said. This year, on the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, there was special recognition for those soldiers, including three from North Fulton who were killed in action. Channel 2's Matt Johnson, Steve Gehlbach, and Michele Newell contributed to this story.
