Latest news with #SpringBreak
CNET
3 days ago
- General
- CNET
We Use These 11 Home Security Tips and Checks for a Worry-Free Vacation
If you have a vacation coming up, having your home security system dialed in to keep intruders at bay is ideal. The combination of the right security devices with key adjustments to the alarm system does a lot to protect your home when you're away. We consulted Batten home security expert Kirk MacDowell about vacation security tips for times like spring break. "Try to make it look like someone is home. Have a neighbor grab your mail, water your plants and take out the trash while you're gone. Simple things like that can make a big difference," he said. That's an excellent way to get started (if you have kind neighbors), but using smart tech effectively can make things even easier and give you more control. Here are our top recommendations. Set up Away or Vacation modes Many smart devices have vacation or away modes you can set up to simulate a lived-in house. CNET Today's smart home and home security settings don't just have Away modes, they also frequently have a Vacation mode. That's a routine you can set up to work while you're away for several days or more (if your home app doesn't have a vacation mode, you can tweak your Away or Eco mode, or set a whole new routine). Devices like Philips Hue lights and platforms like IFTTT make it easy to create full routines that cover multiple devices. CNET Vacation routines can switch smart lights on and off, indoors and out, to make it look like someone is still home. They can also operate other compatible devices, such as managing smart irrigation systems, arming smart cameras and more. Set a routine like this once, and you can use it over and over for trips. Check the motion detection settings for your video doorbell A key tool for keeping watch on your house: video doorbells. Ring/CNET Video doorbells excel at keeping an eye on the action, and their algorithms are getting consistently better at detecting humans and other objects. Companies like Eufy are even working on motion detection that can identify suspicious behavior like dodging main pathways and can look for poor security. However, the motion detection that works best in your daily life isn't always the kind of detection that works when you're on vacation. We suggest visiting the doorbell and home camera apps to look at your motion detection settings. Consider steps like: Turning up motion detection sensitivity Set object detection to only humans to cut down on alerts Set detection zones to close-up spots at your house and windows where people may try to get access Turn up beeps or light indicators that show a camera is on and watching Set notification to push to your phone screen instead of staying only within the app Look for web app options, like Nest's support for online viewing and controls, which is ideal for overseas vacations Additionally, if you pay for a subscription plan, check if it supports 24/7 emergency assistance contact so you can immediately call the police or fire department from an alert. It may be worth upgrading to that type of plan if you'll be gone for a month or two. Finally, Batten security expert Kirk MacDowell also mentioned checking that the lenses on all your home security cameras are clean. If it's been a long, dirty winter you should gently clean off video doorbells and cams so they have the clearest view when you're away. Keep your curtains open or automated To keep your home looking lived in, it's a good idea to have your curtains open during vacations (and it lets the sun in to keep things from getting musty). Or if you have smart curtains or smart shades -- which are also available as a retrofit for existing curtains -- you can program them. Create a schedule for them to open during the day and close at night for best effect. Smart blinds like these don't have to be expensive: Even Ikea has an affordable version. Manage remote entry with a smart lock Aqara's smart lock deadbolt replacement looks and feels great. CNET/Tyler Lacoma Smart locks don't just let you know if you forget to lock the door. They also autolock for you under certain conditions and support a variety of scheduling options. Most useful smart locks, like the Aqara U100 or the Schlage Smart Lever, allow you to create passes or temporary codes to give to visitors. That lets you arrange checkups for pet sitters, plant waterers, helpful neighbors and others you might want to let inside, but only at certain times. Smart locks combine especially well with video doorbells -- just make sure you're in an area with a reliable Wi-Fi connection to use them remotely. Adjust your heating and cooling Ecobee offers a dedicated vacation mode for its smart thermostat. Ecobee/CNET Smart thermostats from Nest, Ecobee and others also have Eco and Away modes you can use to set up separate vacation schedules. Ecobee also has a dedicated Vacation mode in its thermostat settings you can use just for this. The best temperature range varies by season but should be less than you schedule while you're home. For summer, that would mean setting the thermostat 5 to 10 degrees higher in the day, but with a hard cap around 80 to 85 degrees to protect indoor plants and so on. For winter, aim for the reverse with a hard cap around 50 degrees for the daytime. That temperature calculus changes if you have pets in a hot climate. You'll want to keep the home more comfortable by limiting the temperature ranges somewhere in the mid to upper 70s for cooling and around 60 for heating. Set up a "listening" service like Alexa Emergency Assist Alexa's emergency assistant is an affordable listening and contact service. Amazon Listening features use simple algorithms to identify "uh-oh" noises like breaking glass, smoke detector alarms and even dogs barking loudly. Home security systems like Abode or Ring offer listening options, but you don't always need a home security device to enable it. Amazon's Alexa smart speakers and smart displays, for example, have the Alexa Emergency Assist service, the successor to Alexa Guard. It costs around $6 monthly, and gives you access to sound detection as well as 24/7 emergency response services and emergency contacts for family. That's a nice deal to enable for a few months if you're going on plenty of vacations for a season, and the two-way audio on all Alexa speakers means you can talk through them live whenever you want. Keep watch with an armed security system If your home doesn't have a whole house security system that can monitor multiple access points like windows and doors, this is a fine time to consider one. Today's home security systems don't need professional installation, or even a monthly subscription, to guard your home -- and many work with third-party smart devices, too. Take a look at our guides on the best DIY home security systems, the best cheap security systems and the best systems overall for your home to learn a whole lot more about your choices. Add a leak detector to vulnerable home spots Kangaroo includes a climate sensor, aka leak detector, in its expanded eight-piece home monitoring kit. Kangaroo A leak detector is a clever little device with an open circuit lying against the floor. When water completes that circuit, it sets off all sorts of alarm bells and app notifications letting you know there's a leak present. That makes them valuable when you're away from home for extended periods of time. Stick them by the toilet, under the kitchen sink, next to the water heater or under pipes that may be in danger of freezing during a winter vacation. Leak detectors are available as an add-on for most home security systems, but you can also find standalone versions like Eufy's $35 model (requires a HomeBase) or the Alexa-compatible Kidde Leak Detector starting at $45. We suggest these models because they work with apps, which is important when you'll be away from home entirely. Tell your home monitoring center you'll be gone If you do splurge for professional home monitoring, look up their website and find a contact email or phone number to let them know that you'll be on vacation. Many home monitoring centers will adjust their official responses when they know that everyone is going to be away from home. Give your mail service a call (optional) Calling the post office used to be a go-to step when leaving for vacation. And if your vacay is going to be longer than a week or so, we still highly recommend messaging your local mail service and requesting to hold your mail. It's really easy to do and you can complete the steps online in a couple of minutes. However, we aren't getting as much mail these days as we once did, and it's harder than ever for strangers to notice when someone's mail is piling up. If you're only going to be gone for several business days or say, you can probably skip this step safely. Stay cautious about what you post online Vacations are awesome, but be wary about posting too much info on social media. mihailomilovanovic via Getty We know it's tempting to post about your vacation plans on social media, but this can also be an invitation for burglars or trespassers to make a visit. Unfortunately, it's difficult to know and trust everyone on your friends list, or friends of their friends who may see status updates as well. To stay safe, avoid posting info and pics about your trips until they are finished. Then you can cut loose and unleash all those perfect shots on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook. Bonus tip: If you're renting, look at your lease Some leases require tenants to let landlords know if they'll be going on vacation for a certain amount of time, like longer than a week. Others don't mention it at all. Check your lease for details. Even if you don't have to alert anyone, you may find additional requests like shutting off water mains, setting the temperature to a certain level, arranging pet sitter access and so on. Finally, now is the perfect time to stop by our guide on how to deter burglars from every trying your house in the first place, information on if thieves are actually using Wi-Fi jammers on smart homes, and the all-around security cheat sheet for setting up different parts of home security.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Seaside sets new curfew for this weekend; see when it goes into effect
WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – The Seaside community in Walton County is once again instituting a curfew for the rest of the week. Starting Thursday night, May 29, anyone 18 years old or younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian after 7 p.m. Seaside posted the news on the resort's social media platforms. Panama City woman charged with child neglect and animal cruelty Management says they've seen a growing number of unsupervised teens around downtown seaside the past few nights. They say they haven't had any major issues, but don't want to jeopardize anyone's safety. Seaside has implemented curfews in the past, usually around Spring Break and major holidays, to help control crowds at Seaside Square. The weekend's Seaside curfew will be lifted Monday morning. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Daily Record
Horrifying death of woman found naked with throat slit after 'blood chilling' scream
Kristin O'Connell, 20, was found naked in a cornfield with her throat slashed after she went to visit a man she'd met on Spring Break and was horrified to learn he had a girlfriend A 20-year-old woman from Minnesota in the US met a grim end when she was discovered dead in a cornfield, naked with her throat slashed and multiple stab wounds, after visiting a man she connected with during Spring Break. Kristin O'Connell's ill-fated 1985 journey to Ovid, New York, came despite her mother Phyllis's misgivings, She went to see James Vermeersch, with whom she had been corresponding since meeting on holiday in Florida. Kristin's excitement about exploring the Finger Lakes region turned to disappointment when she learned James was secretly involved with someone else. Eagerly arranging for her travels on August 12, Kristin's mother confided to NBC's Dateline she and her father let their adult daughter have her freedom, although Kristin's dad Michael knew James had been seeing someone else, which he was meant to share with his daughter on her arrival. "She was so bright with excitement," Phyllis said, but alarm bells rang soon after as Kristin made a disconcerting call from an Ovid payphone indicating plans to cut her visit short. "Something wasn't right in her voice," said a troubled Phyllis to Dateline. Only hours later, the chilling tale would take a grisly twist as Kristin was discovered murdered – and even four decades on, detectives seem no nearer to unmasking her murderer. Pursuing a degree in hotel-motel management, Kristin was merely weeks away from her third year at university, set to start in September 1985, reports the Mirror US. At a trailer parked on James' family land with his pals and his friends mentioned he'd nipped out for pizza, Kristin opted for a customary late-night stroll – a regular habit back at her home. But when James's return with no sign of Kristin, the group launched a search, but she had vanished without a trace. The subsequent afternoon, August 15, 1985, James notified Ovid authorities of Kristin's disappearance. He pinpointed the last sighting between 11pm and 11.30pm, with her leaving the trailer shoeless and without her handbag. Even after an hunt at 1:30 am by the party attendees, Kristin was still nowhere to be discovered. James' pal, 17-year-old David Chamberlain, confirmed James's account and dismissed any notion of friction at the bash. 'She just went for a walk and didn't come back,' he said. 80 firefighters and police mounted a search in the hope of locating Kristin, all to no avail. Then, an appalling reality emerged on August 16, 1985, as searchers stumbled upon a harrowing sight. Kristin's body was found in a cornfield, less than a mile from where she was last seen. She suffered multiple stab wounds and her throat had been cut. Locals described hearing a "horrifying" scream at the time she was believed to have been murdered. The absence of evidence suggesting sexual assault did not stop detectives from speculating that she may have been resisting such an encounter when killed. New York State Police quickly set about identifying individuals who might wish harm upon the young woman. It was noted the route near the cornfield was often travelled by workers from the nearby Seneca Army Depot and outdoor enthusiasts en route to the Golden Buck, a well-frequented watering hole close to James' trailer. Eyewitness accounts confirmed Kristin's presence on County Road 139 around the timeframe of 11.50pm to 12.10am, matching what James had claimed. Phyllis pondered whether Kristin's discomfort with drug use at the gathering prompted her early departure. With summer unfolding, investigators encountered some troubling leads. Among them was a report claiming a blue or green car stopped alongside Kristin on the road, with another automobile in the vicinity. State Police Sgt Thomas Warren made an open call for more details, eagerly seeking to trace these vehicles should others have spotted anything similar. There were suggestions that Kristin might have been followed by two men on the night of her demise. Moreover, a pillowcase from a nearby mental health institution was discovered close to the scene, complicating the case further. Yet, the most peculiar twist came when authorities received an unsettling anonymous call shortly after the homicide. The frantic caller urged the police to inspect the boot of a green Chevy parked on Main Street in Waterloo for vital clues about Kristin's murderer. "I'm getting out of town because I told him not to do it. I told him not to do it. I'm heading out of town," the mysterious informant stated before abruptly ending the call. No such car has been documented. Despite law enforcement's view that the murder was a spontaneous act, gossip continues to circulate in Ovid and elsewhere that certain people are privy to what befell Kristin in 1985 yet choose to remain mum. At the time, officers said: "Everybody at this party came from well to families in the community they are respected in this area." Another intriguing detail shared on social media is the connection of local man Donald 'Nutsy' Chamberlain to the case. He owned the caravan where Kristin spent time just before her death. He also runs the Golden Buck eatery mentioned previously and displays a notice warning that discussions about the O'Connell murder will lead to expulsion from the venue. Then-District Attorney Donna Cathy named Gary Harris in the case, as chronicled by the Democrat and Chronicle back in 1995. Cathy noted that hairs from an African American were found at the scene, pointing out Harris was the only black man in Ovid at that time. Seneca County's interim Judge W Patrick Falvey called for DNA testing of the hair and blood samples taken in 1985 to aid in concluding the investigation; nevertheless, the efforts hit a snag due to a lack of adequate probable cause to connect Harris to the event. Harris's solicitor presented a robust defence: "Being in the community or being black in the community does not meet the requisite proof." The authorities have stressed that Harris is merely "one of many" individuals of interest in the ongoing inquiry. Scrutinizing the forensic details of this murder case brings to light complex issues. Take, for instance, Kristin's bloodstained clothes were found orderly laid next to her in the cornfield where she was found post-mortem, with officers acknowledging that rainfall that evening might have washed away some evidence. Nonetheless, there exists an overwhelming quantity of physical evidence – all 318 pieces pertinent to the horrific crime, encompassing everything from the victim's fingernails and blood-drenched jumper to the pillowcase and potentially hundreds of strands of hair. In spite of this extensive material and technological progress, no fresh forensic testing is underway. Despite a top-tier Dutch lab offering to analyse evidence from Kristin's case in 2009, the New York State Health Department rejected the proposal due to the facility not being certified in New York. District Attorney Richard Swineheart told the Ithaca Journal: "We feel this is our last, best effort to solve this case. We are very frustrated with the bureaucracy of the Department of Health." Kirsten's mother, Phyllis, along with assistance from a Minnesota senator, attempted to convince the department to make an exception and allow the Amsterdam lab to pursue certification but to no avail. The O'Connell family has started a petition on to push for DNA testing that could propel the investigation forward. To their dismay, in 2010, the New York Inspector General notified Phyllis of a forensic specialist, potentially connected to Kristin's case, having historical issues of falsifying evidence. Gerry Veeder was accused of engaging in a malpractice known as "dry-labbing", which entails feigning test performances to provide lab results, thus cutting corners. "In 1985 he did the initial evidence. I don't know how many items but anything to do with cloth because that's what he handled. I mean, my God - this is an important job they're doing there and how could they allow this and not be supervised properly?" exclaimed Phyllis. In a surprising turn of events, it was revealed last year that a cold case team led by the former head of the FBI's Violent Criminal Apprehension Program had offered the services of a New York State-approved forensics lab for free to examine all physical evidence from Kristin's case. The proposed examinations were intended to be part of a documentary on the murder being produced by two-time Oscar winner Bill Guttentag, potentially bypassing the issues that arose over a decade ago with the Dutch lab. However, the New York State Police declined the offer and did not endorse the initiative. Mark O'Donnell, spokesperson for the New York State Police Troop, stated that it would violate policy to involve external parties in an ongoing murder investigation. The State Police declared: "As in all cases, the State Police does not share critical information, evidence or the techniques used in solving cases. By sharing such information, it could jeopardize the integrity of the investigation." Despite what seems to be substantial evidence in Kristin's murder case, it remains unsolved. In 2010, a $10,000 reward was put forward for information leading to the conviction of her killer, and in 2015, the police reported that over 1,900 leads had been pursued without success. Phyllis tirelessly pushes for the police to either re-examine the evidence with current forensic methods or close the investigation, which would permit her to file a Freedom of Information request to see the evidence herself. Additionally, Phyllis is campaigning for legislative changes mandating all police forces to establish dedicated cold case squads to stop cases like her daughter Kristin's from being shuffled between detectives for years. Expressing her frustration, she mentioned: "I think there are people up there who know what happened but are afraid to come forward. I believe people are scared. I know I can't bring her back. But I can't rest until I find out who did this to her." The Mirror has reached out to Seneca County Police for a statement. Meanwhile, the hunt for Kristin O'Connell's killer goes on, with law enforcement officials calling on anyone with information to contact the New York State Police Major Crimes Unit at (585) 398–4100.
USA Today
22-05-2025
- General
- USA Today
Endangered right whale gal pals Curlew and Koala spotted in Canada
Endangered right whale gal pals Curlew and Koala spotted in Canada Show Caption Hide Caption Two right whales take rogue winter trip across the Gulf coast Two female right whales traveled across the U.S. Gulf coast during the winter which is rare for the endangered whales, according to researchers. A pair of endangered right whales that made several surprise appearances off Florida's west coast this winter have returned to their feeding grounds in the North Atlantic. "After taking a nice little Spring Break trip in the tropics, the pair was seen a few days ago," said Erin Vande Ven, a senior communications manager with Oceana, an ocean conservation advocacy group. The gal pals, named Curlew and Koala, were seen on May 15 in the Gulf of St. Lawrence north of Canada's Prince Edward Island, Canadian officials said during an international right whale team meeting on Wednesday, Vande Ven said. The pair was spotted by an aircraft with the Conservation and Protection Program within Fisheries and Oceans Canada, according to interactive maps published by the U.S. and Canada. On maps, it appears they traveled a distance of roughly 2,700 miles since they were seen off St. Petersburg 34 days earlier, on April 11. That's an average of about 3.3 mph. Curlew and Koala spent almost three months off Florida's west coast, swimming north and south from near St. Petersburg to beaches along the western Panhandle a couple of times. Whale advocates worried the wayward whales might linger too long in the much warmer Gulf of America, formerly called the Gulf of Mexico. However, after Koala and Curlew were seen on April 11, they were next seen four days later off Bimini in the Bahamas. No known sightings were reported until the pair was spotted on May 15. A portion of the endangered right whale population migrates south to the waters of the U.S. Southeastern coast each winter, including pregnant females, juvenile whales and random male and female adult whales from the waters off New England and Nova Scotia. They navigate through busy shipping lanes and fishing grounds. It's uncommon for any of those whales to keep swimming south and around the Florida Keys. Right whales are identified by individual markings on their heads and bodies, with extensive photo catalogues managed by the New England Aquarium. Because they are critically endangered, with only an estimated 372 remaining, they are monitored by both the U.S. and Canadian governments, with a variety of agencies and nonprofits participating in efforts to conduct whale surveys and sighting networks. During the most recent calving season, 11 mother calf pairs were spotted in the waters between Florida and New England, far below the number officials say is needed to sustain the population. Scientists with Oceana and governmental and conservation organizations say the whales also face dangers from entanglement in commercial crabbing and fishing gear and vessel strikes. Dinah Voyles Pulver covers climate change, wildlife and the environment for USA TODAY. Reach her at dpulver@ or @dinahvp on Bluesky or X or dinahvp.77 on Signal.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lawmakers, Florida state troopers staffing shortage compromises public safety
Over the past several years, the state of Florida, the third largest in the United States, has seen a massive increase in new residents, along with a soaring number of tourists, with 146 million visitors last year alone. As Florida's population has steadily increased, so have the responsibilities and demands of Florida's state troopers, who continue to struggle with an unsustainable staffing shortage that significantly compromises public safety. As of May 5, 2025, there are only 1,256 troopers covering the entire state and who work across three shifts, meaning not all troopers are working at the same time. There are less than 150 Corporals available to supervise traffic homicides and less than 240 Sergeants to provide front-line supervision across a total area of over 65,700 square miles. There are currently over 150 vacancies with more and more Troopers retiring every month. Over the years, the FHP has cut 156 positions, while only adding approximately 23 positions, which was well over a decade ago. Despite the decline in manpower, our Troopers, who are also first-responders, have had their workloads and responsibilities multiply in response to the growing demands that the state has placed on them. Every time there is a major hurricane, and there have been many in recent years, troopers immediately respond to the devastated areas, clearing roads and assisting citizens who have been displaced or injured and rescuing citizens stranded due to floods. Opinion: Florida highway traffic is worse than ever. Pay the troopers protecting us more. In addition to responding to natural disasters, troopers play a major role in all facets of public safety. They are assigned to assist local authorities in the Florida Keys with dealing with illegal immigrants and Cuban refugees. They respond to civil disobediences and public disturbances throughout the state. They provide additional security to places of worship. They are deployed to enhance security during Spring Break at our state's most populated cities and they are deployed whenever the Governor issues an Executive Order calling on their essential services. All of these demands are in addition to their myriad daily responsibilities in keeping our roads and highways safe, and responding to emergencies on the road 24/7. Our responsibilities have also evolved as the federal government cracks down on illegal immigration. The FHP was the first state law-enforcement agency in the nation to be delegated with federal enforcement authority related to illegal immigration. We now have over 1,800 state troopers who have been credentialed and have that authority. This means that state troopers have the authority to detain, investigate, apprehend and deport illegal immigrants in all 67 counties across the state. To date, our state troopers have apprehended over 1,000 illegal immigrants, many of whom had prior criminal arrests for committing violent crimes and were associated with dangerous gangs. Immigration enforcement: ICE raids, mass deportation are 'the new normal,' modeled after Florida Years of insufficient funding and inadequate pay have created the staffing crisis facing the FHP. Florida troopers rank 48th in pay for state troopers in the U.S., with starting salaries just over $54,000, compared to other law enforcement agencies in our state where the starting pay is approximately $70,000 a year. Due to low salaries, the median years of service for a trooper is only seven years, with 11 years for Corporals and Sergeants. If these trends continue, Florida residents and the millions of visitors coming to our state every year will be impacted by the FHP's inability to provide optimal levels of safety and security across the state. That's why it's imperative for Florida legislators to take action. It's time to invest in a long-term plan to properly fund FHP to pay our troopers what they deserve, recruit more applicants to take this job and to retain our veteran troopers to remain in our ranks, especially our supervisory ranks. All state budgets are reflections of the priorities made by lawmakers. Investing in public safety must remain a top priority for Florida's lawmakers and those investments must start with ending the staffing crisis among our state troopers, and compensating these essential first-responders what they rightfully deserve. William Smith is the president of the Highway Patrol Chapter of the Florida Police Benevolent Association. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: FHP stretched by growing duties, immigration enforcement | Opinion
