Latest news with #Orenstein
Miami Herald
29-05-2025
- Miami Herald
Driver shot by Miami cop near Bayfront facing 4 felonies, but judge sets low bond
The driver of a BMW shot by a Miami police officer while he was on the hood of the car outside a music festival last weekend was charged Thursday with four felonies and two misdemeanors — while he was recuperating in the hospital. But his bond was considerably less than expected after a judge denied a request from state prosecutors to keep the man behind bars. Menelek Emmanuel Clarke was being treated at Jackson Memorial Hospital with three bullet wounds when Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Mindy Glazer convened the Zoom hearing. She questioned probable cause in three of the charges, denied the state's request for pre-trial detention and set the shooting victim's bond for all the charges combined at $8,653. READ MORE: A Miami cop on car hood shot driver through windshield at music festival. Is it permitted? Clarke, 21, is facing charges of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, leaving the scene of an accident, fleeing and eluding law enforcement and resisting arrest with violence, all felonies. He's also been charged with failure to obey a police officer and reckless driving, both misdemeanors. When Glazer questioned three of the charges, including leaving the scene and fleeing and eluding, Clarke's attorney Michael Orenstein agreed, saying his client wasn't trying to get away from police. 'He was shot multiple times,' Orenstein told the judge. Clarke was shot inside his car on Biscayne Boulevard at Northeast Second Street early Sunday evening, just after the start of a Caribbean music festival at Bayfront Park called the Best of the Best. His mother had just gotten out of the car to meet family and get tickets. Clarke's sister was in the back seat during the shooting. She said her brother did not hit the officer intentionally and was slowly trying to turn past him. Cellphone video of the incident posted on YouTube and Only in Dade begins with Miami police officer Mauricio Delgado clinging to the car's hood, his weapon in his right hand pointed into the vehicle only inches from the front windshield. The car slowly makes its way north on Biscayne Boulevard and begins to turn west on Northeast Second Street, when Delgado fires at least three times. The vehicle stops directly in front of a Miami police car. Clarke jumps out of his car in a white shirt and jeans and walks quickly east toward the park, his hands going down to his waist, then up in the air as ordered. It doesn't appear as if he's injured. He obeys police commands to go to the ground, turns over and is handcuffed. Blood can be seen on the back of his shirt as an officer gets on top of him. Delgado was treated for minor injuries and released. Orenstein said Clarke was shot three times, in the right arm, his chest — which collapsed his lung — and in his thigh. Miami Police policy says officers should avoid firing at moving vehicles unless someone inside the vehicle — not the vehicle itself — poses a severe threat to the officer or anyone else. No weapon was found on Clarke. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting.
Boston Globe
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Hannah Orenstein wanted to write a love letter to her lake house
Other aspects of the novel required research, she adds — to accurately portray one of the book's central characters, a sommelier, Orenstein took a class and sat for a certification from WSET (Wine and Spirits Education Trust). Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up At the book's heart is the relationship between two half-sisters who have never met until their shared father's death calls them both to the lake house: Lucy, a native Mainer, is seeking refuge after the end of her marriage, while Vivian, a New Yorker, has driven up to prepare the house for a quick sale. What unfolds is a story of conflict but also growth, and the shy appearance of hope. 'Vivian and Lucy sort of represent the two different sides of me,' says Orenstein. 'When I'm in New York, I am out every night. I'm at fun restaurants. I love to get dressed up. When I'm in Maine, I am barefoot. I don't wear makeup for months on end. It's just a much slower pace of life.' Advertisement The author adds that she hopes readers will be able to experience something like the peace she feels at the lake. 'I really wanted this to be escapist. I wanted people to feel like they were on vacation at the lake,' she says.'But also I think there's a lot in the book about forgiveness and how you can work through complicated relationships. No family is perfect. Lots of families are messy, and I hope this [book] can maybe help some readers process their own complicated feelings about their families.' Hannah Orenstein will read at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 22, at And now for a few recommendations…. In ' ' Advertisement Alison Bechdel's new graphic novel, ' Kate Tuttle edits the Globe's Books section. Kate Tuttle, a freelance writer and critic, can be reached at
CBS News
01-04-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Pennsylvania State Senate advances bill making changes to non-monetary bail
Pennsylvania state lawmakers are pushing forward with changes to non-monetary bail as a handful of Senate Democrats joined all Republicans in the State Senate to pass the bill. The bill was inspired by controversial decisions by an Allegheny County judge. Bridgeville Republican Devlin Robinson's bill would limit bail options for people who have a violent crime history, have injured or fled from authorities, or who possess 10 grams or more of fentanyl. He said too many judges are trying to legislate from the bench. Citing Magistrate Judge Xander Orenstein's orders to release defendants who were charged with drug offenses or assault and allegedly went on to commit other crimes. Allegheny County's President Judge pulled Judge Orenstein from arraignment hearings after he gave non-monetary bail to a man named Hermas Craddock, who police said never showed up to court after he was charged with leading state police on a high-speed chase, nearly ramming two troopers. Orenstein also released a New York City man on non-cash bail after he was arrested and charged with dealing more than $1 million of suspected fentanyl. Then, late last year, Benjamin Brallier, an off-duty state police liquor enforcement officer, was stabbed to death on the Montour Trail. Police said Anthony Quesen is the suspect and he was also let go on non-cash bail. Quesen was released despite being charged with a robbery at Point State Park in 2023. All three of the suspects never showed in court after being granted non-cash bail. Five Senate Democrats, including Nick Pisciotanno, voted in support of the plan. Democrats who opposed the bill called it unconstitutional. It now heads to the state house for consideration.
Chicago Tribune
24-03-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Wheeling synagogue, after an exhaustive search, selects new rabbi to lead the congregation
After an exhaustive search that included input from the entire congregation, Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Synagogue in Wheeling has selected Rabbi Schachar Orenstein as its new rabbi. Orenstein, who was born in Israel and raised in Canada, replaces founding Rabbi Eitan Weiner-Kaplow who retired. Executive Vice President Lisa Settler said that initially a committee, which included people from their 20s through their 70s, interviewed a number of rabbis from all over the country. 'When we met with Rabbi Schachar we all felt that we had found the right person,' Settler said. 'We were definitely looking for a rabbi that had experience but wasn't up towards retirement age. He also was very musical which was really important to us. He's very warm and friendly and had a lot of great ideas for helping us move toward the future.' Orenstein was invited to come to the synagogue for a three-day weekend to lead services. 'He engaged well with all different ages of people including the kids,' Settler said. 'By the time the weekend was over, the feedback coming from the congregants was extremely positive.' They brought in another rabbi for a 3-day weekend and then did a synagogue-wide survey. Orenstein 'overwhelming was the favorite,' Settler said. 'There were so many things that drew me in,' said Orenstein of his decision to leave Canada and accept the position at Shir Hadash Reconstructionist Synagogue. 'One of them is that the founding rabbi is magnificent, Rabbi Eitan. He, together with a bunch of founding members, created a lovely community where I felt that I could be myself. I was trying to bring American Judaism to Canada for many years and it was frustrating.' Orenstein noted that he fulfilled one of the necessary requisites of his new position — he plays guitar. He indicated that he also has the creativity that's required in the new position. Orenstein described the congregants as 'flexible, they're open and creative, and people are real. And that's what I aspire to be.' Orenstein has many talents and is sharing them with his congregation. 'I love to be nudged to offer my gifts and to nudge others so that they offer their gifts and contributions,' he said. Since the rabbi has four yoga certifications, he has led laughter yoga, yoga nidra, and chair yoga for the congregation. He has also offered musical Torah jams. 'When I got here, there were no regular Saturday morning services,' Orenstein said. One Saturday each month congregants of all ages are now invited to bring a musical instrument to the service. 'It's more informal and less structured than most services,' the rabbi explained. 'This is a way of engaging people through music. It's been very well received.' Orenstein, who founded Teva Quebec, the first Jewish environmental organization in the province, is also leading nature walks with the congregation. 'Nature is a key component to everything,' he said. 'That's our connection to the Divine — through nature.' Orenstein performed in the synagogue's 'Wicked'-themed Purim program, has led book discussions, and will participate in a pre-Passover Israeli wine tasting. The new rabbi is embracing the synagogue's Blue Zone program, which is geared toward ways to increase longevity and wellbeing. The initiative is based on what people do in the five places in what is defined as the Blue Zone where people live healthy lives into their hundreds. 'People need to be inspired and have reasons to come to community,' Orenstein said. 'If we do it right, it could be an inspiration not only for our community but other communities as well.' Orenstein was ordained from Yeshivat Noam Hatorah and Mercaz Hatalmud Rabbinical Seminary in Montreal. He also has a master's degree in Jewish Studies from McGill University and is currently pursuing advanced training in Dayanut (adjudicator and mediator) and somatic experience. Orenstein was the co-founder of Lev Shul (Open Shul) in Montreal and served as senior rabbi at the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue in Montreal, which is Canada's oldest congregation.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Complaint against controversial local magistrate dismissed
Channel 11 has learned that a complaint filed against controversial Magistrate Xander Orenstein with the state Judicial Conduct Board has been dismissed. The decision comes as multiple lawmakers and law enforcement leaders continue to call for the judge's dismissal. Orenstein was barred from hearing arraignments last April after a slew of controversial rulings RELATED COVERAGE >>> Local magistrate Xander Orenstein pulled from arraignments 'until further notice,' sources say 'It's incredibly disappointing,' State Rep. Valerie Gaydos said. She filed the complaint and told Channel 11 Orenstein had engaged in a pattern of poor judgment. Channel 11 has reported on Orenstein since 2023, when the judge released a man accused of trafficking millions of dollars of drugs into Pittsburgh on a Greyhound Bus on non-monetary bond. The suspect fled and took months to find. RELATED COVERAGE >>> 'Very dangerous decision': DA was not notified of accused drug trafficker's release from jail Orenstein was also criticized for releasing a high-speed chase suspect and another man police say violently attacked an elderly man downtown. Most recently, Orenstein released Anthony Quesen on non-monetary bond after a 2023 assault at Point State Park. Police later arrested Quesen in connection to the stabbing death of off-duty state liquor enforcement officer Benjamin Brallier along the Montour Trail. In its ruling, the PCB determined 'the result of its inquiry does not support a finding of probable cause of any judicial misconduct.' 'What it really comes down to is that has this judge done something that is specifically identified as illegal. The answer is no,' Gaydos said. 'The next step we can take is we're going to move forward with impeachment articles,' State Sen. Devlin Robinson said. The impeachment process begins in the House and then goes to the Senate. Gaydos cautions that the impeachment process could be lengthy and expensive. 'I think the only real solution is to un-elect judge Orenstein,' she said. We did attempt to reach Magistrate Orenstein for comment on this story but did not hear back. Orenstein has yet to comment on any of our reporting. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
