Latest news with #Poke
Press and Journal
3 days ago
- General
- Press and Journal
Elgin man who wore nappies and offered girl, 14, money for sex avoids jail
An Elgin man who offered one underage girl cash for sex and another victim images of himself in nappies has been spared jail. Alex Bruce, 21, contacted his first victim, who was aged just 14, in the spring of 2023. He flattered her with compliments before offering her money to visit his home and have sex with him. Bruce went onto target a second girl, sending her videos of him shopping for nappies – and wearing them. At Elgin Sheriff Court on Monday, almost four months after admitting to his guilt, Bruce was finally sentenced. Bruce, who had been urged to work with the social-work department to complete background reports into his circumstances, will not serve any time behind bars despite his crimes. Instead, for the next three years, he will be under the supervision of the social work department. He will be made to complete any programmes the department staff see as necessary for his rehabilitation. Bruce, of Mossend Place, will also be under a conduct requirement during that period. which will monitor whether his behaviour is good. He was also made subject to the sex offenders notification requirement. This will force him to inform the police of any changes of address or name over the same period. Bruce's crimes had been laid bare in February when he appeared in court and admitted two charges related to his actions between the dates of April 1 and June 8, 2023. The first charge was sending an older child sexual written communications. The second charge was repeatedly sending an older child videos of himself and asking her to send an intimate image of herself. Fiscal depute Karen Poke revealed that, among his request for sex and messages to the victims, he would also send one girl images of himself urinating while in nappies. The court heard there were also pictures of himself in women's underwear, including a lace body suit and pictures of what he himself described as his 'thong collection'. Bruce would ask the girl to send him back illicit images of herself. Of the first girl receiving these messages, Ms Poke said: 'Initially, she and the accused communicated with each other on Snapchat. 'It turned sexual, the accused telling the witness she was 'pretty gorgeous' and 'beautiful'. 'The accused asked her if she would go round to his house.' Bruce then offered the girl £50 for sex, said Ms Poke. Bruce's second victim also received a friend request on Snapchat, where he began making contact with her, before sending her the videos and images. Ms Poke said that, when one of the girls asked Bruce why he had filmed the urination videos, 'he told her he thought it was funny.' Matthew O'Neill, Bruce's defence solicitor, had told the court his client had 'learning difficulties in the background' at a previous hearing.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pokeworks announces ten-unit deal in San Antonio, Texas
Fast-casual poke brand Pokeworks has announced a ten-unit franchise deal in the city of San Antonio, Texas, and the sell-out of available franchise territories in Houston. Poke is a traditional dish from Hawaii made with diced raw fish, typically tuna, marinated in a sauce and served in a bowl. It is often served over rice or with other toppings. Agustin Guzman, an experienced entrepreneur and former Olympic swimmer, is set to develop the greater San Antonio market and the Rio Grande Valley. Guzman operates Pokeworks' McAllen location, is opening a second in Mission, Texas, and is committed to opening ten stores within two years. His extensive experience across various industries and belief in Pokeworks' performance and potential fuel this planned expansion. "I've experienced success across varying industries, but what sets Pokeworks apart is their momentum - it's a high-performing brand that's constantly improving, innovating and growing," stated Guzman. "The brand's alignment with my values, alongside their strong unit economics and continued expansion, makes the decision to expand into San Antonio a clear one." The brand's strategic growth is also evident in Houston, where all available franchise territories have been claimed. The city's strong market performance and franchisees' continued investment underscore the brand's ability to succeed in competitive environments. Pokeworks co-founder and chief development officer Peter Yang expressed pride in the brand's Texas achievements. "Texas has always remained a key market for our growth plans, and selling out its largest city while locking in a major development deal in San Antonio is an incredible accomplishment," he said. "This is a true testament to our incredible franchisees, and a reflection of our continued commitment to support those in our franchise network and help them continue to grow and build within the brand. Seeing our recent performance, we look forward to seeing mirrored growth in other key Texas markets and across the nation." The restaurant chain achieved 11% same-store sales growth in March 2025. Founded in 2015, Pokeworks offers a range of flavours of Hawaiian poke. With a focus on customisable and healthy options, including vegan and gluten-free, the brand caters to diverse dietary needs and offers convenience for guests on the move. Pokeworks operates 72 locations across 20 US states, Taiwan and Canada. "Pokeworks announces ten-unit deal in San Antonio, Texas" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. 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
Indianapolis Star
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Indianapolis Star
My son has autism. He deserves better than RFK Jr.'s ignorance.
I'm the father of a child with autism. My son is smart, curious, and endlessly creative. He loves Pokémon, plays video games with friends, and has a wonderful way of using wordplay for laughs. He thinks on a macroscale about the injustices of the world and how we should lead with kindness. And like many of his peers with a similar condition, he thinks about things on a microscale — he can solve complex math with ease, has a deep knowledge of intricate storylines and lore from a multitude of cultures and literary sources, and he has a very defined understanding of what is right and what is wrong. So when I heard Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently claim that people with autism 'will never pay taxes, never hold a job, never go on a date, or use a toilet unassisted,' I wasn't just offended. I was heartbroken — and furious. This is my son we're talking about. And millions of others like him. They are not statistics. They are not burdens. They are not broken. They are people. Kennedy's comments don't reflect science, compassion or truth. They reflect ignorance. And ignorance at this level, when held by someone in his position, is dangerous. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. Opinion: Make Indiana Healthy Again is about cost-cutting, not wellness Autism is a spectrum. That's not a metaphor — it's a medical reality. Some individuals do need lifelong support. Others live independently, pursue careers, fall in love and raise families. Many are somewhere in between. According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 1 in 36 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with autism, and there's growing research into how autistic adults thrive when supported with inclusive education, employment opportunities and community engagement. But reducing every autistic person to a hopeless stereotype isn't just wrong. It causes actual harm. It undermines inclusion. It increases stigma. And it sends a message — to my son and to others like him — that they're not worth the effort. That's unacceptable. My son deserves better. So does every person with autism. So do the parents, educators, therapists, and communities working every day to support them — not 'fix' them, but meet them where they are and help them grow. Autism doesn't need to be "cured." It needs to be understood. And autistic people don't need pity — they need opportunity, support and respect. They need people in power to stop speaking about them without listening to them. To be clear, I'm not suggesting that autism isn't without challenges. We know the realities. But we also know the beauty, the resilience, the insight that comes from seeing the world differently. My son has taught me more about patience, perception, and empathy than any book, classroom, or has-been politician ever could. Opinion: If Braun wants to make Indiana healthy again, here's how to do it So here's my message to Kennedy and anyone else who sees autism as a tragedy: Spend a day with someone like my son. Talk to autistic adults. Visit an inclusive classroom. Walk into that experience with curiosity, not assumptions. Because the problem isn't autism. The problem is the way people talk about it. It's time we stop talking about autism like it's the end of something. It's time to listen to autistic voices. It's time to elevate stories that show the full humanity of people across the spectrum. For our family — and for so many others — it's simply a different beginning. One filled with joy, complexity and, yes, extraordinary love. Anyone who can't see that shouldn't be speaking for our future. Joseph Ball lives with his family on the northwest side of Indianapolis. He is a marketing and communications manager, has worked as the digital editor for Indianapolis Monthly and is chair of Tonic Ball, a charitable music festival that benefits Second Helpings.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Yahoo
Family of murder victim in ‘love triangle' speaks out about guilty verdict
HOUSTON COUNTY, Ala. (WDHN) — After over two years of dwelling in pain of their loved one being murdered, the Poke family says the nightmare is over after Brent Guilford who was facing capital murder in the death of Lashawn Poke was found guilty by Houston County jurors. 'I was pleased how it came out,' Dorothy Poke said. 'It was some hurtful things I saw, seen, and heard I didn't know but I feel like justice was served.' The murder happened in November one day after Thanksgiving in 2022 on Sunset Drive near Taylor at the home of Poke and his girlfriend they dated and lived together for about six months — but she was still legally married to Guilford. Poke's family said that on Thanksgiving, Guilford was mad that his wife, who had previously filed a protection from abuse order against him, was ignoring him all day and night while she was with Poke. So, he went to their house in the early morning hours, found his wife and Poke sleeping, and decided to take his frustration out by shooting Poke nine times. Guilford had been living at the house while Poke was serving time in community corrections — yet, he didn't know they were still together Poke's sister said it was a difficult few days seeing the pictures of their loved one dead and learning about the nature of the crime. 'The way and the manner he did it he knew he killed him and shot him in the head and then proceeded to do it more I just ran out of the courtroom seeing it,' She said. 'It's like I lost him all over again.' Poke said Guilford showed no remorse during any of the court hearings. 'He just smiled and smirked he knew he killed my brother and acted like nothing happened,' She added. Poke said her brother was a father of nine trying to turn his life around, he was not a violent person, he had a happy spirit and didn't like drama. 'Lashawn was a good nephew, and respectful I never heard anything bad when I came home that he was getting into,' Charles Pruitt said. Now that their loved one's murderer was found guilty, they are anxiously waiting for his sentencing. 'I feel like he needs the death penalty nobody deserves to be done like that it was a heinous crime,' She said. Guilford will be sentenced on April 2nd at 9 a.m. at the Houston County Courthouse. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
18-03-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
'I need this': Fans react as Lego and Pokémon announce new partnership starting in 2026
Get ready to not only catch 'em all, but build 'em all next year. Lego and Pokémon announced on Tuesday that they have entered a multi-year partnership to bring "Lego Pokémon" to life in 2026. The announcement doesn't share details about the partnership, whether folks can expect Pokémon building sets; a Lego Pokémon video game; or limited edition playing cards, but fans have already begun to speculate. Instead, a short teaser video featuring a Pikachu tail made of Lego bricks bounces across the screen. "I need this, I need this," TikTok user Eric Bricks said in a video on Tuesday. "I can already see this theme selling like hot cakes. We know how crazy Pokémon fans are." With the news hot off the presses, here's what we know so far about the Lego and Pokémon partnership. What does the Lego Pokémon partnership include? As of Tuesday, Lego and Pokémon's announcement remains quite vague for what their "multi-year partnership" includes. Fans are encouraged to check in on the Lego Pokémon website for updates at Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. When will Lego Pokémon be released? Lego Pokémon will be released in 2026, the companies shared. Have Lego and Pokémon worked together before? No, Lego has not made Pokémon building sets before. Up until now, popular Pokémon buildable sets have almost exclusively been created and sold by Mattel under the company's Mega Bloks brand. What are builders, trainers saying? Lego and Pokémon fans alike have taken to social media to share their excitement for the collaboration. "I have lost count of the amount of times people have asked me what my dream Lego theme would be and I always answer the same way: 'Pokémon. Give me Pokémon.' And it's finally happening," TikTok user Block Party UK said in a video sharing the news. TikTok user cjBricklz, a Lego ambassador, said he hopes the brands release each of the first generation Pokémon (think Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle) as brick-build characters. "I think those would be some amazing 18+ sets and I would spend hundreds on those," cjBricklz said in his video. The Pokémon collaboration isn't the first time Lego has dipped its toes in the video game waters. Over the years, Lego has released Super Mario Bros., The Legend the Zelda, Minecraft and Animal Crossing sets. Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretalcross. Story idea? Email her at gcross@
