Latest news with #MichelleSmith
CTV News
02-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
‘It was magical': B.C. woman sees grizzly bear and cubs from balcony
A Big White resident was treated to a rare sight of a grizzly bear and her two cubs over the weekend. A resident of a ski resort in B.C.'s Okanagan was treated to a rare sight over the weekend. On Saturday morning, Michelle Smith spotted a mother grizzly bear and two cubs from her balcony, right in the village at Big White. She watched the cubs play and roll around on the hill while their mom ate grass. After about an hour and a half, a car from a nearby construction site drove through the area and the bears moved into the woods. 'It was magical to watch and to see the babies just instinctively following mum around,' Smith told CTV News. 'It was beautiful to watch, absolutely beautiful, but I was glad that I was three levels up on my balcony.' In her six years of living at Big White, Smith says she's never seen or heard of grizzly bears entering the town. She says the community has committed to being noisier in the coming days to encourage the bear family to move somewhere less populated, for the safety of the animals and locals. 'Obviously we're living in their habitat, but we don't want them right in the village around people and on the walking paths,' she said. 'I hope that all of the community work together to discourage them, like by keeping all their trash inside, keeping their dogs on leash and staying away from them, just being loud when they're out and about, that's my hope. I don't want anything to happen to them, but I don't want anything to happen to any humans either.' CTV News has reached out to the B.C. Conservation Officer Service to determine whether they have been notified about the grizzlies or are taking any actions, and will update this story if a response is received. If you encounter a grizzly bear, WildSafeBC says to stay calm and back away slowly. If the animal approaches, use bear spray, and if it attacks, the organization says the best defense is to lie on your stomach, protect the back your head with your hands and spread your feet slightly apart to avoid getting rolled over.
Geek Vibes Nation
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
'Satan Wants You' Blu-Ray Review - Engaging Documentary Shows The Timelessness Of Moral Hysteria
Satan Wants You tells the untold story of how the Satanic Panic of the 1980s was ignited by 'Michelle Remembers', a lurid memoir by psychiatrist Larry Pazder and his patient Michelle Smith. Supported by the Catholic Church, the bestselling book relied on recovered-memory therapy to uncover Michelle's childhood abduction by baby-stealing Satanists. Amplified by law enforcement and America's Daytime TV boom, satanic rumors spread through panic-stricken communities across the world, leaving a wave of destruction and wrongful convictions in their wake. This film digs deep into the roots of moral panics and cult conspiracies, showing how these events still affect and distort our reality today. For in-depth thoughts on Satan Wants You , please see my colleague Mike Vaughn's review from its original festival release here. Video Quality Satan Wants You comes to Blu-Ray from ETR Media with a marvelous HD source which presents this documentary exactly as intended. This feature is a mixture of recent interviews along with older clips, pictures, and other archival material to help round out the history of the original incident and subsequent movement. All older footage seems to be sourced from the most stable source possible, leaving more recent footage looking stronger and clips from the early days looking pretty rough at times. The new talking head interview segments have great production value. Each subject appears crisp and clear with natural skin tones and some highly detailed facial features such as age lines and makeup. The oldest talk show appearances have very few instances of detail and heavy artifacts. The colors spotlighted in the footage such as clothing and background furniture have a nice sense of vibrancy to them. The encode does not come up short when it comes to compression artifacts or unwanted digital nuisances. While not all the footage thrives with an HD presentation, this documentary deserves a place on Blu-Ray. Audio Quality This Blu-Ray disc comes with a favorable DTS-HD 2.0 Master Audio track that captures this material to nice effect. Dialogue is the focus in the center channel as you get these recollections and theories delivered in a stable environment. The interviews deliver a worthy lineup of talking heads to supplement the archival footage. Any incidental music comes through with fine fidelity. This may only be a stereo presentation, but the room feels purposefully saturated when you are viewing the film. There are no notable digital anomalies or other issues spotted. This track delivers what you want. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided. Special Features Booklet: A multi-page booklet featuring an essay from film critic Heather Drain is provided here. Final Thoughts Satan Wants You is an engaging documentary that not only gives you an idea of how moral hysteria spiraled a bit out of control in the 1980s, but it also makes a compelling argument for why we are doomed to repeat this history if we do not learn from it. The film does not travel down too many unnecessary paths, and the interviews that are provided are prescient and insightful. The film moves along at a good pace so you get all the appropriate information without feeling sluggish or like the film overstays its welcome. If you are interested in the Satanic Panic movement, you should enjoy this one. ETR Media has released a Blu-Ray featuring a great A/V presentation but not much in the way of special features. Recommended Satan Wants You is currently available to purchase on Standard Edition Blu-Ray or with a Limited Edition Slipcover exclusively through Vinegar Syndrome. Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the Blu-Ray. Disclaimer: ETR Media & OCN Distribution have supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
USA Today
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Find your next favorite local author at The BookSmiths Shoppe in Connecticut
Find your next favorite local author at The BookSmiths Shoppe in Connecticut Independent bookstores are the heartbeats of their communities. They provide culture and community, generate local jobs and sales tax revenue, promote literacy and education, champion and center diverse and new authors, connect readers to books in a personal and authentic way and actively support the right to read and access to books in their communities. Each week, we profile an independent bookstore, sharing what makes each one special and getting their expert and unique book recommendations. This week we have Michelle Smith, owner of The BookSmiths Shoppe in Danbury, Connecticut. What's your store's story? In February 2023, we opened the first independent bookstore in Danbury, Connecticut. We are a woman-owned enterprise, and the core mission of our bookstore is to cater to local authors. We hear that they are often ignored by larger and more popular bookstores for author events and exposure and we give them a voice. We also won the James Patterson Holiday Bonus in 2023. As a hybrid bookstore, we are proud to sell new and used books in the same space, offering a more curated and elevated book stack. What makes your independent bookstore unique? We are located in a one-million-square-foot corporate park, so we're not your typical brick-and-mortar store. The building is home to corporations, apartments, retail and doctors' offices. We provide a respite for the employees who sit at their desks and need a break. What's your favorite section in your store? The local author section is my favorite and the first thing you see when you enter the bookstore. We are happy to display the books these authors have published for years. What book do you love to recommend to customers and why? "Remarkably Bright Creatures" by Shelby Van Pelt is not only wholesome, but creative and well written. It moved me, and appeals to all types of readers. The connection between humans and other life sources is celebrated in this book when humans fail to provide much-needed intimacy. What book do you think deserves more attention and why? "I Wasn't Supposed To Be Here" by Jonathan Conyers. In 2023, I had the pleasure of meeting Conyers at the Bookmarks Festival in North Carolina. His story depicts the epitome of survival when the odds are against you in life. From the moment he was conceived, he wasn't wanted, yet he thrived and survived through the storms, challenges and trials of being Black, the child of drug-addicted parents and living in poverty. I absolutely love his story – it reminds me to appreciate my life, shortcomings and practice immense gratitude. Why is shopping at local, independent bookstores important? We support local authors, care about the environment, offer a curated selection of books, assist our local library and donate to non-profits. We also hold book signing events, networking and health seminars and cooking demonstrations, keeping literacy alive. The truth is, we rely on the support of our community to thrive. Every purchase, every visit, every word of mouth recommendation makes a difference. We'll continue to be here, serve our community and share our love of books as long as we have that support. It's a symbiotic relationship, and one that's essential for the vibrancy of our neighborhoods. What are some of your store's events, programs, or partnerships coming up that you would like to share? We co-host the "Hat City to Hollywood" series in collaboration with The Danbury Cultural Commission, the Danbury Library, the Danbury Railway Museum, Rosy Tomorrows and Lesser Evil Snacks. This series explores Danbury's real-life locations that have made it to the silver screen. June 13's event is "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2." We also have author signings in July with Shawniel Chamanlal and Chris Deflorio.
Daily Mail
25-04-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE The shocking truth about love languages and how they could DESTROY your relationship
We've been taught to believe that understanding our partner's love language is the secret to a happy, lasting relationship. Acts of service, words of affirmation, physical touch - it all sounds sweet and simple, but what if this popular relationship theory is actually setting us up for failure? Beneath the surface of this well-meaning concept lies a potential trap, one that can create unrealistic expectations, fuel resentment, and even sabotage intimacy, a relationship expert has now revealed. spoke to multiple experts to learn more about love languages and how they can be doing more harm than good. Michelle Smith, LPC, LMHC, and LCMHC, broke down what love languages really are. 'A "love language" describes a way someone is best able to receive love and affection,' she explained. 'There are five primary love languages including physical touch, acts of service, gifts, words of affirmation, and quality time.' She added: 'We tend to give love the way we best receive it. 'For example, if my primary love language is words of affirmation I am likely to show love for my partner through my words.' Despite this seeming like a simple and effective way to mesh with a partner, it comes with its own difficulties. 'The problem tends to come with love languages because it is almost never that partners are aligned in love languages,' Michelle detailed. 'We tend to have to learn to "speak" each other's languages which is not always an easy process.' Michelle said she has seen couples weaponize their love languages and use them to criticize their partner rather than connect with them. 'For example, someone whose primary love language is "words of affirmation" would be absolutely devastated if their partner utilized the "silent treatment" during an argument because it is utilizing the information they know against them in a weaponized way to make them feel even worse,' she explained to She advised: 'Talk with your partner about how the information around love languages can improve the relationship between each other versus be utilized in a negative way!' Seth Eisenberg, PAIRS (Practical Application of Intimate Relationship Skills) Trainer and CEO of PAIRS Foundation, added: 'One partner might say, "You know I need words of affirmation - how could you not compliment me today?" or, "If you really loved me, you'd do more acts of service." 'It becomes less about learning how to give and more about measuring how someone fails. 'That kind of scorekeeping creates resentment and defensiveness, pushing partners further apart rather than bringing them closer.' He added that another dangerous 'illusion' is assuming that once you 'master' your partner's love language 'that's all it takes.' 'Love is far more complex than any one framework. Life stages, emotional states, and external stressors can all shift what we need from a partner,' Seth explained to 'What felt like love last year might feel hollow today. Relying too heavily on a single love language as the benchmark for connection creates unrealistic expectations, and worse, a rigid emotional blueprint that doesn't adapt with time. 'True connection comes from attunement - not just knowing your partner's preferences, but staying present and curious about how those preferences evolve.' Seth added: 'When couples treat these preferences like fixed identities instead of starting points for deeper understanding, it can backfire. 'I've seen people cling so tightly to their "primary" love language that they overlook the many ways love shows up in their lives. 'They miss gestures of affection simply because those gestures don't match their preferred dialect, and instead of feeling grateful, they feel neglected. 'The focus becomes so narrow that it blocks emotional generosity and flexibility—qualities essential for sustaining intimacy through life's ups and downs.' Aubrey Aust, an MA Candidate studying Psychology & Philosophy at New York University, said if we get wrapped up in assuming love must come in the form you prefer, 'we risk turning love into a checklist... and relationships don't thrive on checklists.'
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Yahoo
Indiana man sentenced to life in prison for 2023 murder in Fayette County
FAYETTEVILLE, WV (WVNS) — A 29-year-old man from Indiana was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for his role in the 2023 murder of a woman in Fayette County. According to Fayette County Prosecuting Attorney Anthony Ciliberti Jr., Andres M. Torres Jr., of Goshen, Indiana was sentenced in a Fayette County courtroom on Thursday, January 30, 2025. The sentencing was for the murder of Michelle Smith in Fayette County in February 2023. Indiana man found guilty of First-Degree Murder, Kidnapping Torres and his co-defendant, Amanda Soultz, arrived in Fayette County from Indiana in January of 2023 and had known the Michelle Smith since they had previously lived in the area. According to court documents, Torres pawned a watch to Smith for $50, which she then posted for sale on Facebook. Torres reportedly became angry after seeing the post which led him and Soultz to go to the home of Michelle Smith to get the watch back on February 16, 2023. This led to Michelle Smith being robbed, kidnapped, and murdered. Amanda Soultz pleaded guilty to First-Degree Murder in December 2024. She will be sentenced on February 11, 2025. Through questioning, Amanda Soultz said Torres had forced her to comply with the crimes that were committed. Once in jail, calls were recorded between Torres and Soultz where they said they intended to get married and that Torres was going to take the fall so that Soultz could potentially walk free. Andres Torres Jr. was also sentenced to a consecutive term of not less than one nor more than five years for the felony crime of conspiracy and a fine of $10,000. Before the murder trial began, Torres was already serving a two to ten year sentence for malicious assault of another inmate at the Southern Regional 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
