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Chicago Tribune
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Column: Will Waukegan have to pay for alderman's tacky stunt?
There's an overall consensus that Waukegan Ald. Keith Turner exhibited bad taste last May when he posted a photo of a human body part on social media. But is that crass move worthy of a $500,000 claim against the city? An attorney for the family of the Milwaukee woman whose severed arm was found on the city's public beach is contending it could be. Turner surely didn't see a possible lawsuit coming as the family of Sade Robinson seeks closure in her grisly death. But then, this is a litigious society we live in. Anybody can be sued, even for a tacky stunt like the alderman pulled. According to Steve Sadin's front-page News-Sun story the other day, the attorney submitted a notice of claim informing Waukegan officials that the Turner incident is under review, and reserving the right to eventually file a lawsuit which might seek more than a half-million dollars. The estate will allege emotional distress and 'interference with the right to entomb and mourn.' Robinson was a 19-year-old student at the Milwaukee Area Technical College who disappeared in early April 2024. Other parts of her body were found scattered in the Milwaukee area. Maxwell Anderson, 33, of Milwaukee, was charged by Milwaukee police with murder, mutilating a corpse and arson in her killing. Robinson went missing after the two met for a first-date dinner. Anderson has pleaded not guilty, and his trial is slated to start May 27 in Milwaukee. After the arm, which was severed at the shoulder, was discovered on the Waukegan lakeshore, 53 miles from Milwaukee, Turner posted a photo of it on social media for a couple of days. It was his attempt at a 'gotcha moment,' aimed at the administration of then-Mayor Ann Taylor. That stunt backfired for the alderman, who ran for mayor in last month's city election. He finished a distant third, and his aldermanic seat is up for election in the 2027 election. Given numerous opportunities, he has yet to apologize for not only putting the city in a bad light, but also its taxpayers, who will be on the hook for any payment. That lack of remorse and any offering of atonement may have caused the lawsuit threat for municipalities that have those proverbial deep pockets when it comes to legal filings. Most of us know that not everything needs to be posted on social media, especially a queasy photo of a severed arm. Turner, though, couldn't resist and posted it on his 'Friends of Keith Turner' Facebook page. Imagine what Turner would do if the tables were turned. The body-part picture was accompanied by this teaser: 'Shocking discovery at Waukegan Beach! A severed arm found, but no report or mention from the administration. What's the story behind this mysterious incident?' Members of Robinson's family, though, going through the trauma of learning of their daughter's gruesome death, found the posting of her severed arm a disgusting thing to do. Most right-thinking folks would agree. Waukegan officials have been clear that city personnel didn't provide Turner with the photograph. Because it was an active criminal investigation, city officials didn't comment on the discovery of the body part until Turner's 'scoop.' At the time, Robinson's mother, Sheena Scarbrough, in an interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, questioned why a 'professional person' would post something like that. 'We're dealing with trauma,' she said. Taylor, echoing the family's sentiment, said in a statement: 'On behalf of the City of Waukegan, I find the posting of an image of this type to be morally disgusting, socially irresponsible, and extremely cruel to the victim's family. He was never given permission to post the photo on his Facebook page.' Most of Turner's City Council colleagues concurred with Taylor. Indeed, members of the City Council voted to censure Turner for the tasteless action by a 6-3 vote. That may not be enough mitigation to avoid a lawsuit. According to the filing, Robinson's mother first saw her daughter's arm on social media, Sadin reported. The attorney said in the document that she may want to gather evidence about the city's role in handling and identifying the remains, mishandling the arm, any role the city had with the posting of the arm on Turner's social media page, or acts of omission by city officials. That's a fairly wide net in alerting Waukegan legal eagles of what the basis of any lawsuit may entail. Those city lawyers may also include the newest law firm representing not the city, but its aldermen solely. If any lawsuit ends up in court, a judge or jury will have to decide if an indelicate social media posting is worth more than $500,000 for the bereaved of Sade Robinson. If it turns out to be so, it is another cautionary tale for those who post without thinking.
Observer
27-04-2025
- General
- Observer
Rare belongings of late Sultan Qaboos at Muscat International Book Fair
Muscat: The National Museum is participating in the 29th Muscat International Book Fair with a variety of cultural and museum activities. The museum's participation includes a display of its most prominent publications as well as a rare collection of belongings of the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said (may Allah the Almighty rest his soul in peace) and a number of artistic and educational activities. Visitors to the National Museum's corner will also have the opportunity to view two rare collections of the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said (may Allah the Almighty rest his soul in peace). The first is a copy of the Holy Qur'an penned by Mohammad bin Ali Haees, son of the prominent scholar Sayyid Abdul Salam al Asmar al Fayturi al Tarabulsi. The copy, which dates back to March 16, 1926, is made of leather, ink and gilding on paper. The second collection includes two silver bowls engraved with Surat Al Fatihah and the word Allah, a gift from Manmohan Singh, former prime minister of India, to the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said (may Allah the Almighty rest his soul in peace) in 2008. As part of the activities of the National Museum's corner at Muscat International Book Fair, the Learning Center of the National Museum is offering a number of art workshops inspired by the museum's collections, designed for children, to raise public awareness about Omani heritage. The Friends of the Museum and Community Outreach Department will also participate in an introductory lecture about the National Museum and its publications. The National Museum's participation at Muscat International Book Fair comes as part of its efforts to enhance its presence in cultural forums and affirm its position as a leading institution that conveys the museum's message to various society segments.
BBC News
06-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
West Midlands King's Awards recognise volunteers helping others
Volunteers in areas including conservation, care and mental health support are being award for their contributions. Nineteen community groups from across the West Midlands will be presented with a King's Award for Voluntary Service on Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands Derrick Anderson said it was to recognise "the many wonderful people who give their precious time to others".The organisations being recognised are based in Birmingham, Coventry, Wolverhampton, Dudley, Sandwell and elsewhere in the Black Country. Among recipients will be Black Country Blokes, which supports the mental health of men in the group offers a podcast, radio slot, daily boxing and fitness classes and a Thought for the Day on social media, and evolved from founder Kevin Dillon's plans to create a boxing gym where men could open up about their problems and fears."Their approach works and makes talking and connecting accessible," the lieutenancy said. Friends of Di's Kitchen, which delivers meals in Wolverhampton, is also being there deliver food to more than 800 people each week, with extra treats provided on birthdays, Easter and Christmas, especially for children. Warwick Volunteers is offering a "win-win for all" through the support it gives to overseas students, organisers group places students in volunteer positions, working in areas from nature conservation to foodbanks, and also provides language skills for refugees, so that the students gain confidence and Anderson said the groups brought communities together and improved lives, adding the awards would make for an "uplifting and heartwarming" presents the awards on Sunday at the ICC in Birmingham city centre. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Spring lights to illuminate Battleship NC for the Azalea Festival. Here's when to see it
Battleship North Carolina is ready to get into the N.C. Azalea Festival spirit. The USS North Carolina Battleship Commission, in partnership with the Friends of the Battleship North Carolina, announced that the Battleship will be lit to impress with spring colors to celebrate the festival, according to a news release. Here's what to know. The Battleship's uplighting takes center stage throughout the extended weekend from Thursday, April 3-Sunday, April 6, from 7:30-9 p.m. The best place to enjoy the uplighting is from across the Cape Fear River in downtown Wilmington. Viewers and photographers on the Riverwalk, as well as the hospitality locations in downtown Wilmington, will have prime locations to enjoy the illuminated Battleship. Look for pops of pink, purple, and yellow to highlight the Battleship's historic silhouette. "As the official sponsors of the Azalea Festival fireworks, we are honored to contribute extra brilliance for the event series," said Dr. Jay Martin, Executive Director, Battleship North Carolina Memorial, in a news release. "Seeing the uplighting in-person is a memorable experience for both locals and visitors, so we are thankful for our outstanding partners with the Azalea Festival." Battleship grounds, parking lot, and SECU Walkway are closed every day at 5 p.m. and will be closed during lighting. Saturday's Boom & Bloom Fireworks Bonanza is a ticketed event. No outside parking will be available, with grounds and walkway closed. Battleship North Carolina is a decommissioned World War II warship, permanently moored as a memorial and state historic site on the Cape Fear River at Wilmington. The Battleship commemorates the heroism of U.S. sailors and soldiers from North Carolina during World War II. Cheryl M. Whitaker covers community news for the StarNews. Reach her at This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Battleship NC in Wilmington to get uplighting for Azalea Festival
USA Today
25-03-2025
- General
- USA Today
You can help name Jackie and Shadow's bald eagle babies: How to submit your suggestions
You can help name Jackie and Shadow's bald eagle babies: How to submit your suggestions Show Caption Hide Caption Big Bear eaglets naming contest underway The contest to name the viral baby eaglets runs through March 28. Fox - LA If you have ever wanted to name baby eagles, now is your chance. The nonprofit organization that operates the live, 24-hour webcam of the Big Bear bald eagles nest is inviting the public to suggest names for Jackie and Shadow's two remaining chicks. Friends of Big Bear Valley is hosting a bald eagle chick naming fundraiser that allows people to donate $5 for one name entry, $10 for three name entries or $25 for 10 name entries. "As a nonprofit we rely on donations to provide the Bald Eagle Cam livestream 24/7/365 as a public benefit, free from advertisements. Your kind-hearted support allows us to be who we are," the organization said on its website. The organization is accepting name submissions and donations until Friday, March 28 at 11:59 p.m. PT. From there, a computer will randomly select a list of finalists, and ballots with that list will be sent to Big Bear Valley elementary schools for a final vote on April 1. Jackie and Shadow: Eaglet that disappeared died in storm, livestream operator confirms "Historically the final name selection has belonged to Big Bear's 3rd grade students, since they study bald eagles during the school year," the organization said on its Facebook post announcing the contest. However, since Jackie and Shadow did not have any surviving eggs the last two years, the fourth and fifth graders at Big Bear will also vote on the names. The organization said it will tally up the votes and announce the new chick names on its Facebook, Instagram and YouTube pages, along with its website and other social media channels on the evening of Tuesday, April 1. "Anyone that entered a winning chick name will receive a certificate of recognition," the organization says on its website. Friends of Big Bear Valley asks for gender-neutral name suggestions only since the gender of the chicks is not yet known. Additionally, anything inappropriate will be automatically filtered out, the organization said. Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@
