Latest news with #NissanSentra
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Murdered priest alleged to have sexually abused boys (and maybe his killer)
A law firm that represents survivors of sexual abuse sued the Diocese of Orlando on Friday and planned to reveal 'compelling and concrete new information' to back allegations that a Catholic priest murdered in Brevard County last year had sexually molested boys. The lawsuit seeks 'not less than $25 million' in damages from the diocese for alleged negligence 'arising from the sexual abuse of a child' by Father Robert 'Bob' Hoeffner, 76, who was shot to death Jan. 28, 2024, in his Palm Bay home. Hoeffner had spent 25 years in Orlando parishes, including a stint as a teacher at Bishop Moore Catholic High School, before taking a post in Brevard. He retired in 2016. Palm Bay police said Brandon Kapas, 24, killed Hoeffner, the priest's housemate and sister, Sally Joan Hoeffner, 69, and Kapas' grandfather, William Michael Kapas, 78, who was fatally shot at a separate residence. Kapas also wounded two Palm Bay police officers before they shot and killed him. Police said at the time they had not been able to identify any motive or relationship between Kapas and the priest. But a 76-page investigative police report now shows the priest had bought Kapas a Nissan Sentra, shared a bank account with him and the two had a 'weird' relationship, according to a characterization Palm Bay police attributed to Hoeffner's surviving sister, Lisa. After the murders, Kapas' aunt, with whom he'd been living, told police she suspected Hoeffner had sexually abused her nephew, though the young man never told her that, the report shows. Another relative described their relationship as 'unhealthy.' A 25-year-old man now living in New York also called Palm Bay police after the shootings to tell officers Hoeffner had molested him when he was a boy. That man told police he went to Catholic school with Kapas but did not know if Kapas or other children also had been abused. It's not clear if the man who called police is the same one named in the lawsuit as his named was blacked out in the police documents. The lawsuit, filed by the Herman Law firm in Boca Raton, alleges 'Father Bob groomed [a former student at St. Joseph Catholic School] and made him feel special, ultimately making him into a compliant victim.' The Orlando Sentinel is not identifying the victim, who is now an adult. The lawsuit also names a B.K. as a victim. It's not clear if those initials refer to Brandon Kapas. The law firm is to hold a press conference about the lawsuit on Friday afternoon. Jennifer Drow, a diocese spokesperson, said in an email today the Diocese of Orlando 'was not made aware of any allegations of abuse during Fr. Robert Hoeffner's pastoral leadership, nor after he retired in 2016. We continue to pray for the Palm Bay and St. Joseph communities and all involved.' The alleged sexual abuse took place from 2012 when the plaintiff was in seventh grade through 2014 and occurred on multiple occasions and in different locations, including in the school counselor's office, at the priest's Palm Bay home and in the priest's car. Shootings in Brevard take life of retired Catholic priest who worked in Orlando According to the lawsuit, the plaintiff frequently spent time in 2013 and 2014 with a friend 'B.K.' at the priest's home. 'There, Father Bob sexually abused plaintiff in his bedroom on multiple occasions. Often, following these abuse incidents, the priest's sister Sally was waiting outside the bedroom with B.K., who would then enter the bedroom with Father Bob while the plaintiff waited outside with Sally.' The law firm contends the church and diocese' alleged negligence caused their client to suffer and continue to suffer 'severe and permanent psychological, emotional and physical injuries, shame, humiliation and the inability to lead a normal life.' Hoeffner, ordained in 1973, had moved from service in Orlando in 1998 to Palm Bay, becoming pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Both the parish and an affiliated Catholic school are named as co-defendants in the 12-page lawsuit. The diocese said he moved to be closer to his parents, who were in poor health. According to the investigative report, neighbors recalled seeing a male matching Kapas' description at the Hoeffners' home on a number of occasions, 'but it appeared to always be friendly interactions.' On the day the Hoeffners' bodies were discovered, police said they found no evidence of forced entry at the home and 'nothing appeared to have been rummaged through.' shudak@
Miami Herald
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Nissan's Future Lies in Its Past? Unpacking a Bold Revival Strategy
Plagued with a mundane lineup of lackluster offerings, a workforce too costly for its actual needs, and buyers who are no longer willing to tolerate questionable build quality and a notorious lack of reliability, Nissan has found itself in a position of extreme desperation. Perhaps it's easier said than done to suggest that a more exciting and innovative lineup could turn the brand around, but certain concept cars and discontinued models from Nissan's past offer a glimpse into the creative capabilities of the brand that never quite came to fruition, and maybe if they hadn't been shelved, the Nissan brand we know and criticize today might have looked entirely different. Using generative text-to-image artificial intelligence and Adobe Photoshop, we imagine what a few new Nissan models could look like when inspired by past Nissan concept cars, as well as discontinued Nissan models of the past and from other global markets. These images are for speculative purposes only and in no way depict any actual Nissan products. Inspired by the 2005 Nissan Azeal concept, which was essentially a sporty, two-door version of the Nissan Sentra, a driver-oriented hybrid coupe with unique, rounded proportions could offer North American buyers one of the brand's first hybrid-powered vehicles. Aimed squarely at the upcoming Honda Prelude, which also combines hybrid power with a driver-focused, two-door sport coupe body, a hybrid production model Nissan Azeal could bring some much-needed excitement to the brand. Shown off by Nissan at the 1987 Tokyo Motor Show, the Nissan Judo Concept paired a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, a manual transmission, and all-wheel drive with a two-door coupe styled off-roader. Although the concept never took off in its proposed form, the idea was essentially an early form of what we now know and loathe as the "crossover." However, despite the dreary blandness of most modern-day crossovers, the Nissan Judo was all about putting the 'fun' in functionality. In a world where crossovers have lost their soul, an inexpensive, no-frills off-roader could offer buyers who don't want to be stuck in a Toyota RAV4 or even a Nissan Rogue something truly unique. Using the 310-horsepower, naturally-aspirated 3.8-liter V6 found in the contemporary Nissan Frontier, paired with a shortened wheelbase, a standard six-speed manual transmission, an optional nine-speed automatic, and genuine four-wheel drive with a dual-range transfer case, an all-new Nissan Judo would directly appeal to younger buyers who want rugged off-road chops, just enough space for friends and sports equipment, that doesn't cost an arm and a leg to purchase. Shown to the world in 2013, Nissan's IDx Freeflow and IDx NISMO concept cars were meant to see the light of day as small, inexpensive, rear-wheel drive sport coupes. Inspired by Datsun 510 coupes of the early 1970s, the IDx aimed to bring driving thrills to younger audiences and would have competed directly with the likes of the Toyota GR86, the Subaru BRZ, and the Mazda MX-5 Miata. Cars like these are what get enthusiasts and younger generations hooked not only on driving and on sports cars, but on your brand. Think back to the kind of Nissan brand loyalty that followed the introduction of the Nissan S13 platform, which at one point became so cheap to buy that every high-schooler with a penchant for pulling handbrake turns in the school parking lot had one, and fell madly in love with the Nissan brand thereafter. Could a Nissan IDx become the spiritual successor to the 240SX of the 1990s? Inspired by the Nissan Jura Minivan Concept, also shown at the 1987 Tokyo Auto Show, this render depicts a pre-production prototype version of a minivan that could compete with the likes of the massively popular Toyota Sienna and the Chrysler Pacifica. Offering a slew of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and perhaps even fully-electric powertrains, an electrified minivan could be a serious heavy hitter in its segment, which happens to be filled with aging and dated offerings like the V6-powered Honda Odyssey. While most of these proposals seem like relative long-shots, the idea that Nissan should try its hand in neglected market segments could be a solid way for the brand to broaden its market appeal. Where most manufacturers stick to cookie-cutter vehicle segments that offer comfortable profits, Nissan can't afford not to take risks any longer. By offering innovative models that transcend traditional segments, such as the proposed Nissan Judo off-roader concept, Nissan could gain a competitive edge over other manufacturers and regrow their reputation as a brand full of innovative thinking and cutting-edge design. Without taking such risks, Nissan might soon be destined to fail. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Report: Nissan model eyes US production to escape tariffs
Published: | Updated: The Nissan Sentra was poised to take over as the most affordable new car in the US in 2026. Then came President Donald Trump's tariffs. With the $17,190 Nissan Versa to be discontinued after the 2025 model year, the $21,590 Sentra was on track to become the country's lowest-priced new vehicle. Not anymore. Final assembly of the Sentra takes place in Aguascalientes, Mexico, which makes the sedan vulnerable to Trump's tariffs on foreign-built vehicles. As consumer advocates have repeatedly warned, tariffs will increase car prices — and for budget cars like the Sentra, even a modest bump could push them out of reach for inflation-strained buyers. To get ahead of the potential impact, Nissan is reportedly weighing a shift in production. According to Automotive News, Nissan is reportedly looking into sidestepping some tariffs by shifting Sentra production to its underutilized facility in Canton, Mississippi. Nissan already builds two vehicles — the Altima sedan and Frontier pickup — at the American factory. The report cites a supplier familiar with the matter. When reached for comment, Nissan didn't confirm the shift. 'We regularly evaluate our industrial strategy with supplier partners based on market requirements,' a Nissan spokesperson told 'We've made no changes to our plan.' Even if Sentra production is moved stateside, the car may still be caught in the tariff crossfire. Trump's tariffs include taxes on automotive parts, and Nissan sources many key components — including elements of the powertrain — from its Mexican facilities. The administration's existing tariffs on aluminum and steel could also further inflate the cost of building cars domestically. Michael DeLong, a research and advocacy associate with the Consumer Federation of America, warned that these policies could have broad financial consequences. 'The Trump administration's tariffs are going to increase costs of various steel and other metals and drive up auto costs,' he told 'It's not going to be helpful to consumers. It would make auto costs increase for everyone.' The pressure comes at a time when car prices are already straining American budgets. The average price of a new vehicle in the US hit $48,000 last year, with average monthly payments exceeding $700. There are increasingly few new vehicles that have low prices in the American market. With the death of the Versa, no vehicle will start with a sub $20,000 starting price in the US. Meanwhile, pricing has remained a strong suit for competitors outside the US. Some vehicles that compete with American-made cars on the global market, including China's BYD Seagull, deeply undercut US vehicles on price. The Seagull's base model costs about $7,800. Nissan, with six models priced under $30,000, has maintained a foothold in the American budget segment — but that competitive pricing hasn't translated into strong profits. Its cars, which use dated powertrain parts, have been panned by gearheads as long in the tooth. The Japanese automaker reported a $93.6 million sales loss at the end of 2024, prompting Moody's to downgrade its credit rating to 'junk' status . Nissan had been in merger talks with Honda in order to stay alive. Those negotiations fell apart earlier this year, after the companies couldn't agree on the structure of a new deal.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
America's cheapest car model eyes US production to escape tariffs in huge victory for Trump
The Nissan Sentra was poised to take over as the most affordable new car in the US in 2026. Then came President Donald Trump's tariffs. With the $17,190 Nissan Versa to be discontinued after the 2025 model year, the $21,590 Sentra was on track to become the country's lowest-priced new vehicle. Not anymore. Final assembly of the Sentra takes place in Aguascalientes, Mexico, which makes the sedan vulnerable to Trump's tariffs on foreign-built vehicles. As consumer advocates have repeatedly warned, tariffs will increase car prices — and for budget cars like the Sentra, even a modest bump could push them out of reach for inflation-strained buyers. To get ahead of the potential impact, Nissan is reportedly weighing a shift in production. According to Automotive News, Nissan is reportedly looking into sidestepping some tariffs by shifting Sentra production to its underutilized facility in Canton, Mississippi. Nissan already builds two vehicles — the Altima sedan and Frontier pickup — at the American factory. The report cites a supplier familiar with the matter. When reached for comment, Nissan didn't confirm the shift. 'We regularly evaluate our industrial strategy with supplier partners based on market requirements,' a Nissan spokesperson told 'We've made no changes to our plan.' Even if Sentra production is moved stateside, the car may still be caught in the tariff crossfire. Trump's tariffs include taxes on automotive parts, and Nissan sources many key components — including elements of the powertrain — from its Mexican facilities. The administration's existing tariffs on aluminum and steel could also further inflate the cost of building cars domestically. Michael DeLong, a research and advocacy associate with the Consumer Federation of America, warned that these policies could have broad financial consequences. 'The Trump administration's tariffs are going to increase costs of various steel and other metals and drive up auto costs,' he told 'It's not going to be helpful to consumers. It would make auto costs increase for everyone.' The pressure comes at a time when car prices are already straining American budgets. The average price of a new vehicle in the US hit $48,000 last year, with average monthly payments exceeding $700. There are increasingly few new vehicles that have low prices in the American market. With the death of the Versa, no vehicle will start with a sub $20,000 starting price in the US. Meanwhile, pricing has remained a strong suit for competitors outside the US. Some vehicles that compete with American-made cars on the global market, including China's BYD Seagull, deeply undercut US vehicles on price. The Seagull's base model costs about $7,800. Nissan, with six models priced under $30,000, has maintained a foothold in the American budget segment — but that competitive pricing hasn't translated into strong profits. Its cars, which use dated powertrain parts, have been panned by gearheads as long in the tooth. The Japanese automaker reported a $93.6 million sales loss at the end of 2024, prompting Moody's to downgrade its credit rating to 'junk' status. Nissan had been in merger talks with Honda in order to stay alive. Those negotiations fell apart earlier this year, after the companies couldn't agree on the structure of a new deal. Toyota has reportedly considered adding Nissan to its portfolio of investments. Ivan Espinosa, a long-time Nissan employee, took over as CEO for the struggling carmaker in April. Nissan executives were privately telling reporters in November that the company had '12 to 14 months' of cash to survive.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
One dead, five hospitalized after two-car crash on Highway 26
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A woman was killed and five others hospitalized after a crash on Highway 26 near the Oregon Coast Saturday night. Just after 6 p.m., Oregon State Police troopers responded to reports of a two-vehicle crash at milepost 31 near Timber. McMinnville woman, dog killed after being hit by pickup truck Arriving at the scene, they found a westbound Toyota RAV4 had crossed the center line and crashed head-on into a Nissan Sentra. There were four people in the Nissan, officials said. The driver, Austin, Texas resident Bassam Moussan, 62, and two of the passengers, Matthew Moussan, 34, and Whitne Moussan, 30, were seriously injured and taken to a hospital. Matthew is from Vancouver, Wash. and Whitne from Davis, California. The third passenger, Michelle Moussan of Vancouver, died at the scene. She was 59. Burning car explodes, kills 1 in Lebanon, Oregon The SUV driver, Fred Camino, 64, and passenger Ann Martinez, 60 – both from Seattle – were also hospitalized with serious injuries. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
