Latest news with #KevinKelly
The Guardian
a day ago
- General
- The Guardian
Woman wrongly held for years on US death row dies in Irish house fire
After enduring hellish years on America's death row for a crime she did not commit, Sonia 'Sunny' Jacobs found an idyll, and healing, in rural Ireland. But in a final, cruel twist, her sanctuary claimed her life. Jacobs, 78, and her carer, Kevin Kelly, were found dead on Tuesday after a fire at her cottage near the village of Casla, in County Galway. It was a tragic end to a remarkable life that was chronicled in books, a play and a film and made Jacobs a symbol of second chances and the campaign against capital punishment. Emergency services were alerted to the blaze at 6.19am and pronounced Jacobs and Kelly, a local man in his 30s, dead at the scene. Police are examining the bungalow to determine the cause of the fire. The news prompted grief and tributes from Jacobs' friends and supporters. 'Sunny was a fierce advocate for justice and a guiding light,' the Sunny Center Foundation, a nonprofit she founded that campaigns against wrongful convictions, said in a statement. 'Fair winds and full sails on your crossing, Sunny. Your memory is a blessing to us.' In 1976, Jacobs was a 28-year-old American hippy travelling in Florida with her 10-month-old daughter Christina, nine-year-old son Eric, and boyfriend Jesse Tafero, Christina's father. They accepted a lift from an acquaintance, Walter Rhodes, unaware he had a criminal record and had broken parole conditions. At a traffic stop, Rhodes shot dead two police officers and sped away with his passengers. He later surrendered, and in a plea deal he blamed the murders on Jacobs and Tafero, who were sentenced to death despite both maintaining their innocence. Rhodes later confessed to the murders, although he subsequently recanted. Tafero was executed in 1990. A malfunctioning electric chair meant it took several attempts and 13 minutes to kill him. Flames reportedly shot out of his head. Jacobs spent 17 years in prison, including five years in a tiny, windowless cell on death row and in solitary confinement, before being exonerated and released in 1992, aged 45. During her incarceration, her parents died in a plane crash, further traumatising her children. Christina was put into foster care and Eric, then in his mid-teens, supported himself as a pizza delivery boy. Jacobs sought to rebuild a bond with her children and to live without bitterness, drawing in part on the yoga and meditation that had sustained her in prison. In 1998 she visited Ireland to speak at an Amnesty International event and met Peter Pringle, a Dubliner who had been condemned to death and served 15 years in prison for the murder of two gardaí, John Morley and Henry Byrne, during a bank robbery, before the conviction was quashed and he was released. Jacobs married Pringle and lived with him in Galway's Irish-speaking Gaeltacht area. They grew vegetables, shared their home with dogs, cats, hens, ducks and goats and each published memoirs. Jacobs' story was included in a play, The Exonerated, that was performed in New York, Edinburgh and London and was turned into a film in 2005. She was played by actors such as Mia Farrow, Lynn Redgrave, Susan Sarandon, Kathleen Turner, Brooke Shields and Marlo Thomas. Jacobs gave talks, set up the Sunny Center Foundation and, despite meagre income, shared an apparently happy life with Pringle. 'Everyone gets challenged in life and you can either spend the rest of your life looking backwards or you can make a decision to keep going. That's the choice I made,' she told the Guardian in 2013. Pringle died in 2023, aged 84. In recent years Jacobs suffered from ill health and disability, but neighbours said she remained upbeat and mentally sharp in her adopted homeland. 'The stone in the west of Ireland makes me feel grounded; it anchors me,' Jacobs once told an interviewer.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
The Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum and ACO Partner for a Historic Celebration of Le Mans in Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 14–15, the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum will become the epicenter of endurance racing in North America with its annual 24-hour tribute to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In proud partnership with the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO)—the official organizer of Le Mans—the 2025 edition of "24 Heures du Simeone" will mark a transformative moment in motorsport storytelling. For the first time, this immersive event will feature live, direct coverage of the race from Le Mans, made possible through a unique collaboration with the ACO USA. This exclusive access offers attendees an insider's perspective, with content and coverage not available to the general public. This year's theme, "The Heroes of Le Mans," explores the human dimension of endurance—the drivers, engineers, and visionaries who, through courage and persistence, forged the legacy of the world's most demanding race. Event Highlights Include: Historic vehicle demonstrations on the museum's 3-acre tarmac, featuring over 30 automobiles from the Simeone Collection including icons like the Aston Martin DBR1, Ford GT MK IV, and Porsche 917 LH Official ACO USA broadcast of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, available exclusively at the Simeone Museum Special appearances by veteran Le Mans drivers The unveiling of a major new addition to the museum collection A nighttime light and sound show capturing the mood of midnight at Circuit de la Sarthe An exclusive preview of "DriverVision," the museum's upcoming immersive experience Exclusive ACO swag, memorabilia, and discounted memberships available for attendees Live Le Mans storytelling sessions, expanding on the museum's signature Demo Day format with a rich lineup of narrative segments that bring racing history to life throughout the weekend Screenings of exclusive video interviews with legendary Le Mans drivers, conducted by author and historian Harry Hurst "This partnership represents more than a shared love of endurance racing—it's a shared responsibility to honor its legacy," said Kevin Kelly, Executive Director of the Simeone Museum. "We're not just watching the race—we're telling its story, with the people and the partners who make that story matter." Event Timing: Begins: Saturday, June 14 at 10:00 AMEnds: Sunday, June 15 at 12:00 PM Tickets and full schedule available at: For press inquiries, please contact: William Murphy Director of Communications and Digital Operations396154@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Irish Independent
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Category wins all the rage for Drogheda & District athletes at Enfield 5k
Conditions on the night were favourable, with little or no wind, and the quality field of runners were chomping at the bit as the Starter called the athletes to the line. This race always attracts the middle ground of Irish distance running, the quality club athletes, and this year was no exception, with the race being won in an impressive 14:25 by Kevin Kelly from St. Coca's AC. First home in the red vest for Drogheda & District was the flying firefighter Paul Smith who finished well up the field when taking the runner-up spot in his M45 category in an eye opening 15:37. Next in and close behind was Colin Leonard in a lively 15:53, followed by Colin Dyas who perhaps had the run of the night with his 32-second PB time of 15:58. Dyas is one to watch out for over the coming season and his upper body strength from his previous sporting career as a boxer showed in spades on the run-in to the finish. Close behind were Brian Martin in 16:00, followed by Stephen Kelly in 16:34, while Rodney Thornton ran well to cross the line in 17:09. Also running well were Colm Reilly 17:22), John Reilly (17:48) and Derek Hackett (18:41). The M70 category saw Giancarlo Orlandi take the win in 23:30, while arch rival Conor Cooney finished runner-up in 25:20. Amongst the Drogheda & District ladies, first home was Mary Leech (inset) who's coming into good form and her run of 18:55 saw her win her W50 category. Leech's training partner Yasmin Canning finished fourth in the same category in a solid 20:10. Meanwhile, one of the club's newest members - Kathryn Meade - gave a glimpse of her emerging talent when running the course in 19:32 and she's a real find for Drogheda & District AC. Orange Group coach Andrea McArdle is reaping the rewards for her dedication in training after she recorded a new PB time of 21:11, and the sub-21 time is on the cards by the end of the season. The ever present Nuala Reilly, Ireland's answer to the Duracell Bunny, showed her opponents a clean pair of heels when winning her M65 category in 24:07, while daughter Olivia ran the course in 24:14. Others who ran included Fiona Murphy (24:04) and Carmel Keenan. Just 24 hours later it turned out to be a fantastic evening for Drogheda & District AC at the Louth Relays, held in beautiful sunshine and perfect conditions for racing at the Lourdes Stadium. The club entered a remarkable 14 teams across various age groups and delivered an outstanding performance, bringing home an even more remarkable six gold medals! The club's U11 and U12 girls teams are heading to the Leinster Relays this coming weekend.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Resonetics® Invests in Nitinol Gun Drilling Capabilities Through Purchase of Assets from Medical Component Specialists
Establishes nitinol input tube operation to support premium, implant-grade tubing initiative and strengthen supply chain resilience NASHUA, N.H., May 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Resonetics® announced today that it has acquired the nitinol gun drilling operations and related assets of Medical Component Specialists' (MCS) New Boston, NH facility. This acquisition marks another key investment in Resonetics' comprehensive U.S.-based nitinol strategy. This transaction follows the meaningful steps that Resonetics has taken to expand the availability of material and supply of nitinol, a crucial material for the most innovative next generation medical devices. Gun drilling is a highly specialized machining operation that creates a precision hole along the center of a bar. This foundational manufacturing step in the production of high-performance nitinol tubing serves as the starting point for seamless-drawn nitinol tubing. MCS has been a supplier of nitinol input tubes in support of Resonetics' growing nitinol tubing business. MCS' automated long-stroke gun drilling process both drives efficiency and meets the exacting demands of the medical device industry. "Nitinol gun drilling is critical to our premium tubing initiative and our ability to improve material availability and reduce lead times for our customers," said Kevin Kelly, CEO of Resonetics. "Combined with the recent investments we've made in melt capacity and raw material and in-process inventory, this acquisition further reduces supply chain risk - all while supporting our long-term growth and innovation in nitinol." This investment also builds on Resonetics' recent nitinol tubing capability expansion in Bethel, Connecticut (see announcement) related to its acquisition of the former Memry Corp. and SAES Smart Materials, creating the broadest and most advanced nitinol portfolio in the industry (see announcement). By bringing gun drilling in-house, Resonetics ensures the precision, control, and flexibility needed for rapid prototyping and scalable manufacturing of complex implants and delivery systems. "As we expand our tubing and component capabilities, we remain committed to being an open-source supplier to both medical device OEMs and contract manufacturers," added Kelly. "We welcome partnerships with customers of all sizes, and we're focused on delivering the quality, responsiveness, and innovation that accelerates medical device breakthroughs." About ResoneticsFounded in 1987, Resonetics is a pioneer in advanced engineering and manufacturing solutions for the medical device industry. Resonetics is a leader in laser processing, nitinol manufacturing, thin-wall stainless steel, nitinol& precious metal tubing, and photochemical machining. With strategically located Lightspeed Labs® and AGILE Product Development® centers, Resonetics is committed to quality, speed, innovation, and a great customer experience. The company is ISO 13485:2016 certified with 17 facilities and more than 3,000 associates in the United States, Canada, Costa Rica, Israel, and Switzerland. Resonetics is backed by leading private equity firms Carlyle and GTCR. Learn more at About GTCRFounded in 1980, GTCR is a leading private equity firm that invests behind The Leaders Strategy™ – finding and partnering with management leaders in core domains to identify, acquire and build market-leading companies through organic growth and strategic acquisitions. GTCR is focused on investing in transformative growth in companies in the Business & Consumer Services, Financial Services & Technology, Healthcare and Technology, Media & Telecommunications sectors. Since its inception, GTCR has invested more than $30 billion in over 280 companies, and the firm currently manages $45 billion in equity capital. GTCR is based in Chicago with offices in New York and West Palm Beach. For more information, please visit Follow us on LinkedIn. About CarlyleCarlyle (NASDAQ: CG) is a global investment firm with deep industry expertise that deploys private capital across three business segments: Global Private Equity, Global Credit, and Carlyle AlpInvest. With $453 billion of assets under management as of March 31, 2025, Carlyle's purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its investors, portfolio companies, and the communities in which we live and invest. Carlyle employs more than 2,300 people in 29 offices across four continents. Further information is available at Follow Carlyle on X @OneCarlyle and LinkedIn at The Carlyle Group. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Resonetics, LLC Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
GM pauses $55M hydrogen plant with Piston Automotive in Detroit
General Motors has suspended a $55 million project with Piston Automotive to manufacture hydrogen fuel cells at a plant on the old State Fairgrounds site in Detroit. The automaker paused work at the plant and will determine whether to move forward with it in the coming weeks, a person familiar with the matter told Automotive News affiliate Crain's Detroit Business. Piston, which counts GM among its top customers, entered into an agreement with the automaker last September to lease and operate a 292,550-square-foot plant, where it expected to create 144 jobs. It is the first standalone plant dedicated to fuel cell production for GM. GM spokesman Kevin Kelly declined to provide details about the status of the project other than to say it has not been cancelled. Piston declined to comment. Sign up to get our afternoon video email. The video focuses on a new topic in the news each day. The reason for GM pausing the project is not clear, but it comes at a challenging time for the automotive industry. Carmakers and suppliers are navigating the impact of tariffs under the Trump administration and at the same time grappling with how to place their bets on future propulsion systems as regulations and consumer demand shift. GM executives said earlier this month they anticipate a $5 billion hit this year from tariffs. The hydrogen holdup is the latest GM project in Michigan facing uncertainty. The automaker is reassessing product plans for the long-delayed Orion Assembly Plant 35 miles North of Detroit in Oakland County and the future of the Renaissance Center in downtown Detroit remains unclear as GM prepares to move its headquarters to Dan Gilbert's Hudson's Detroit development. GM has plenty of company when it comes to indecision about new propulsion investments. Michigan saw a wave of hydrogen and battery plant announcements a couple of years ago, but many of them have either been stalled, shrunk or scrapped. Economic development officials say that most of the projects will pay off, but it will just take longer than expected. GM was among several manufacturers to be awarded a chunk of $750 million by the U.S. Energy Department a year ago under then-President Joe Biden to boost hydrogen fuel cell production. Some of that funding, which GM has yet to receive and is in question under President Donald Trump, was committed to pay for tooling at the Detroit plant. The plant was intended for low-volume production, but GM declined to say how it would use the fuel cells. It is likely they would be used in nonautomotive applications before going into trucks. In addition to the Piston supply deal, GM has a joint venture with Honda producing fuel cell systems at a 70,000-square-foot plant in Brownstown Township, 20 miles South of Detroit. Unlike the Piston plant, the one in Brownstown Township produces components in addition to fuel cells. Piston was awarded $1.5 million performance-based grant from the state in January to support the hydrogen project. Michigan Economic Development Corp. spokesman Otie McKinley said none of that money has been disbursed. Piston, owned by former Detroit Pistons guard Vinnie Johnson, a Crain's 2024 Newsmaker of the Year, has a large chunk of business tied to GM projects in a holding pattern. The supplier was tapped by GM to operate a $278 million, 960-job plant at the former Palace of Auburn Hills site to supply Orion Assembly. At the old State Fairgrounds site, Piston was tasked with making the investment and creating the jobs under a nine-year contract, though the exact financial structure of the deal is unclear, as is the amount of money that has been invested so far. The building occupied by the hydrogen program is part of a massive speculative redevelopment project completed by Sterling Group and Hillwood. Greg Scovitch, vice president of development for Hillwood, told Crain's this month he was unaware of any changes with the user's an opinion about this story? Tell us about it and we may publish it in print. Click here to submit a letter to the editor.
