Latest news with #Times-Union
21-07-2025
Father arrested in New York in death of 9-year-old daughter he had reported missing
LATHAM, N.Y. -- A Canadian man whose 9-year-old daughter was found dead after he reported that she had been abducted while they were vacationing in upstate New York was charged Monday with murder. Luciano Frattolin is charged with murder and concealing of a corpse in the death of his daughter, Melina Frattolin, New York State Police Capt. Robert McConnell said. A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf at the 45-year-old Montreal man's arraignment Monday, Times-Union of Albany reported. The lawyer and the public defender's office assigned to defend Frattolin did not immediately respond to Associated Press phone and email requests for comment. Luciano Frattolin called 911 Saturday night to report that has daughter had been abducted from a parking lot near Lake George, a resort town in the Adirondack region, authorities said. That led officials to issue an Amber Alert to enlist the public's help in finding her. But authorities said over the weekend that there were inconsistencies in the father's account, and that they concluded there was no evidence she had been taken. 'He fabricated the initial report of the abduction,' McConnell said. Investigators found the girl's body on Sunday in the shallows of a pond about 30 miles (48 kilometers) north of Lake George, near New York's border with Vermont, authorities said. Police said the father and daughter had been vacationing in the U.S. and were expected back in Montreal on Sunday. The girl lived with her mother, who has been estranged from Luciano Frattolin since 2019, police said. Frattolin did not respond to requests for comment sent via LinkedIn, Instagram and his company website over the weekend. He described himself as a 'loving father' on his Instagram profile, and on the website of a coffee company said to be founded by him, a post says that his daughter Melina is 'the light of his life.' —-
Politico
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Habba's term as US attorney expires Tuesday. Can she stay?
Good Thursday morning! Earlier this month, after President Trump nominated Alina Habba for a full term as U.S. attorney, I wrote that it was hard to see her lasting past her 120-day term as interim U.S. attorney given her conduct in office and opposition from Sens. Cory Booker and Andy Kim. Habba's term expires Tuesday. But the case of another controversial interim U.S. attorney is making me rethink that. John Sarcone's term in the Northern District of New York — home to such luminaries as me — expired July 14. The state's District Court judges did not vote to keep Sarcone in the position. Nor did they choose a successor. They avoided a fight with the Trump administration, which appears to have used work-arounds to keep Sarcone in the office. According to the Times-Union, Sarcone was made first assistant U.S. attorney — a position that automatically becomes acting U.S. attorney when there's a vacancy. And cited a memo from Attorney General Pam Bondi that said she appointed him as 'special attorney' with an 'indefinite' term. So could we expect something similar for Habba? I don't know, but what just happened in upstate New York shows the Trump administration may have some options. But I wonder if the Sarcone situation will influence the upcoming decision by New Jersey's U.S. District Court judges. Most of them are Democratic appointees, and they've doubtless read about Habba's controversies both in office and before it. Would they care enough about avoiding a fight with the executive to not act, potentially helping Habba stay in? If they don't act, could the Trump administration appoint a different interim U.S. attorney, as he did with Jeannine Pirro in Washington? Or even appoint Habba to another 120-day term? And if the judges do appoint a successor to Habba, could Trump fire that person? The 2020 attempt to oust Geoffrey Berman, the New York Southern District interim U.S. attorney named by the first Trump administration and affirmed by judges, almost answered that question but was ultimately resolved by Berman's resignation. There are many questions, and it's hard to come by any definite answers. FEEDBACK? Reach me at mfriedman@ WHERE'S MURPHY — In Maplewood at 1 p.m. to sign pedestrian and cyclist safety legislation QUOTE OF THE DAY: 'lol.' — Sussex County Commissioner Bill Hayden responding to his indictment for allegedly falsely claiming to be a veteran for a state tax exemption HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Chris Durkin, Lloyd Naideck, Scott Devlin, Kaleem Shabazz, Cristobal Slobodzian WHAT TRENTON MADE THE SUPREME COURT VIRTUE — State Supreme Court upholds charity care law, by POLITICO's Daniel Han: The state Supreme Court on Wednesday kept in place the state's charity care law, which requires hospitals to provide care to patients even if they are unable to pay. The ruling stems from a lawsuit filed by several hospitals, which argued the state's charity care law is unconstitutional. The premise of their argument is that the government was requiring them to provide services without charging patients and without proper reimbursement from the state — thus making it an unconditional taking of property. The court, however, wasn't convinced. The ruling essentially maintains the status quo for charity care and does not change how hospitals are reimbursed … An attorney for the hospitals said they are considering an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court .. The plaintiff hospitals included Englewood Hospital, Cooper University Hospital, Hackensack Meridian Health, St. Mary's General Hospital, Capital Health and the hospitals under the newly formed Hudson Regional Health. BOARD OF PUBLIC FUTILITY — Next governor can easily reshape the Board of Public Utilities, by POLITICO's Ry Rivard: New Jersey's next governor could quickly remake state energy policy after taking office by filling three seats on the powerful five-seat Board of Public Utilities. The board has been down a member for more than a year and a second vacancy opened on Wednesday following the abrupt departure of Republican member Marian Abdou, who said she was leaving to tend to her family. A third spot could open next March, when Democratic commissioner Zenon Christodoulou's term expires. That means unless Gov. Phil Murphy, a term-limited Democrat, can get the Senate to quickly approve a pair of new members, his successor will be able to totally reshape the board during their first months in office.' — BPU member steps down, leaving five-seat board with three members BLET'S SHAKE ON IT — 'Here's what this NJ Transit union could get in the new contract that ended a rail strike,' by NJ Advance Media's Larry Higgs: 'A tentative contract that ended the second rail strike in NJ Transit history is up for a vote by the agency's board of directors Thursday evening. The contract terms the board will vote on show that the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen got what they wanted without breaking the bank of the agency or commuters … The union got a desired hourly rate increase to $53 for engineers, that keeps NJ Transit competitive with the salaries of peers at other commuter and passenger railroads, such as Metro North, Amtrak and the Long Island Rail Road. … They also received a 3% annual increase, which was an issue that led to union members voting down the first tentative contract. … That issue was a tightrope walk for both NJ Transit and the union. Gov. Phil Murphy stressed the importance of an agreement that didn't 'blow up the budget' and leave the next administration with a financial headache to deal with.' BEACH OF TRUST — 'Camden senator says Platkin playing politics, seeks Senate hearing,' by New Jersey Globe's David Wildstein: 'A state senator from Camden County has accused Attorney General Matt Platkin of using his office to pursue a political agenda and wants the Senate to hold a public hearing this fall to investigate his allegations. The senator, James Beach (D-Voorhees), accused Platkin of having a 'longstanding obsession with South Jersey's political landscape, particularly within my home county of Camden.' …Beach cited Platkin's indictment of key South Jersey political and business leaders last year, including Democratic powerbroker George E. Norcross III, which a state court judge has dismissed, and the slowness of the state's prosecution of two South Jersey Transportation Authority officials last year – something Beach says has left them 'in limbo with their reputations in tatters.' … Platkin pushed back on Beach's allegations, saying it is 'no surprise that some of those in power do not like an attorney general who takes on the powerful.'' —'Sherrill leads Ciattarelli by 5 points in GOP poll' —'Thousands of unaffiliated voters switched, took part in NJ primary election' —'Op-Ed: Sherrill warns about loss of abortion rights, Planned Parenthood funding in NJ' —'Need a Real ID in New Jersey? You will have to wait until the fall' TRUMP ERA ICE — 'Masked men detain a HS student. He was fed bread and water for a week in N.J.,' by NJ Advance Media's AJ MacDougall and Jana Cholakovska: 'The masked men appeared out of nowhere. They descended on Alan Junior Pierre, confronting the high school junior last month as he left a routine immigration appointment in New York City. As the men drew closer, he noticed their badges. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. … Pierre would soon find himself in Delaney Hall. … He described tough but bearable conditions in an interview last week with NJ Advance Media, just hours after his July 9 release. He said he was given nothing but bread and water during his first week in the detention center. The food quality later improved, Pierre said, and he was fed three meals a day. … Pierre left Haiti amid a spiraling humanitarian crisis prompted by escalating gang violence and political instability. The 20-year-old man — who has no criminal record, according to Sykes — crossed the southern border legally in January under a humanitarian program granting him 'special parole status.'' —'NJ imam from Jordan can remain in US, appeals court rules' —'Andy Kim will hold town hall in Westfield, invites Tom Kean Jr. to join him' —'Spokesperson who handled press on Jan. 6 riot is fired from DOJ. She has N.J., Philly ties' —'Rally held in support of 25 Edison warehouse workers detained by ICE' CONCRETE EVIDENCE — 'Step by step, how a former Montclair mayor beat sidewalk ticket,' by Montclair Local's Matt Kadosh: 'The dismissal of former Montclair Mayor Sean Spiller's 2023 ticket for a 'defective' sidewalk shows how he skirted fines for an alleged violation that many residents are now paying out thousands of dollars to avoid. The violation came before the township adopted a long-awaited update to its sidewalk maintenance law — an update that, according to township records released Tuesday, was prompted in part by Spiller's own case. Code enforcement cited Spiller on July 13, 2023, for a sidewalk maintenance violation in front of a property he owns on South Willow Street. At the time, he was still serving as mayor. A copy of the ticket, obtained through a public records request by Montclair Local, states Spiller 'failed to replace defective concrete sections of sidewalk.' ... In an email, Essex County Prosecutor's Office spokesperson Carmen Martin said, 'We dismissed the case because Mr. Spiller remediated the issue along with the lack of discovery.' ... Asked by a reporter why his ticket was dismissed and its relation to the sidewalk ordinance update, Spiller said his sidewalk warning came before the council learned the local law needed updating.' THE SALEM RICH TRIALS — 'N.J. police director criminally charged by prosecutor. 'Character assassination,' he responds,' by NJ Advance Media's Kevin Shea: 'Penns Grove's civilian police director was criminally charged last month with obstruction of justice and harassment for alleged on-duty behavior, adding another twist to a force that since May has been supervised by the Salem County Prosecutor's Office. The director, Richard Rivera, said the charges are purely political and amount to 'character assassination' by Salem County Prosecutor Kristin J. Telsey. The charges, signed by a prosecutor's sergeant in June, allege Rivera made numerous intimidating or hostile messages to subordinates and took police equipment that prevented its use by officers, court records show. The alleged behavior occurred on May 20, the day Telsey's office assumed day-to-day control of the Penns Grove police.' THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN — 'No takers for Lakewood schools lawyer job; Search deadline extended,' by The Asbury Park Press' Joe Strupp: 'Former Board of Education attorney Michael Inzelbuch's exit has thrown the school district's legal representation into turmoil. Since Inzelbuch's last six-figure contract ended on June 30 - his reappointment was blocked by a state monitor - the district has been forced to cancel at least one board meeting due to lack of legal counsel. It also has extended the timeline for applicants to submit their names for his job. Inzelbuch, who had served as board attorney since 2017, had come under scrutiny for an annual contract that paid him an automatic $600,000 yearly, along with hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional litigation fees. He has received more than $6 million in the past eight years, in some cases taking home more than $1 million in a year. As of Tuesday, no lawyers have applied to replace Inzelbuch, according to Board Member Moshe Raitzik. The deadline for the Request for Proposals (RFP) issued by the district for applicants is now July 31. Meanwhile, at least two law firms that have served the district in recent years refuse to continue unless Inzelbuch is reappointed.' ANTI-NEPOTISM BUT PRO-NIPPLETISM — 'Toms River PBA says mayor slashes cop hiring standards; mayor says he's fighting nepotism,' by The Asbury Park Press' Jean Mikle: 'The Toms River police union has accused Mayor Daniel Rodrick of trying to 'gain total control of the hiring of future officers,' with a planned revamp of the police department's hiring process. Anthony Paciulli, president of Toms River Policemen's Benevolent Association Local 137, wrote in a letter posted to the PBA's Facebook page July 14 that an ordinance introduced last month by the Township Council would also lower standards for new hires. … The ordinance, which is likely to have a second reading and vote at the July 30 council meeting, would allow veterans to be hired without completing any college coursework. It would also permit the township to hire those already working as officers in other departments without any additional educational requirements. … Rodrick said he was left with a list of only 13 potential candidates following testing conducted by the previous police administration, and that number was supposed to supply the department with officers over a three-year period. He said the list was 'filled' with people who are related to Toms River police officers, and claimed that is why the PBA is 'upset' about the potential changes.' BEZOBOTS — 'Historic N.J. horse track could become massive Amazon distribution center,' by NJ Advance Media's Stephanie Loder and Eric Conklin: 'A 3-million square-foot Amazon fulfillment center with the potential to create hundreds of jobs is being planned for the former Atlantic City Race Course in Hamilton Township, officials told NJ Advance Media. Once a landmark in Atlantic County, the racetrack predated Atlantic City's casino industry in the 1970s, which contributed to its downfall. After closing 10 years ago, graffiti, overgrown grass and a decaying grandstand are all that remain. … Amazon is under contract to acquire 84 acres at the property's west end, occupied by dozens of stables, according to past minutes from township committee meetings. … The type of center being proposed is an Amazon Robotics Sortable facility. … Amazon said typically this type of facility would have 750 employees.' —'Family, friends remember 2 'loving' women who were killed in N.J. flash flood' —'Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission faces two lawsuits over methane power plant approval in Newark' —'South Brunswick cop from Bradley Beach charged with stealing from PBA local, shoplifting' —'Hackensack City Council moves to rescind developer deals made by lame-duck predecessors' —'New Essex family courthouse dedicated to trailblazing state senator's legacy' —'Hoboken discourse once again ends up in the gutter over … rabbit risotto? 'F*** you'' EVERYTHING ELSE SHOULD THEY REBRAND AS DOGTAMONT OR DOGSTOCK '99? — 'Coachella challenges Newark dog fest over name use,' by NJBIZ's Kimberly Redmond: 'Popular California music and arts festival Coachella is apparently barking mad over the name of a festival celebrating all things canine that recently debuted in Newark. Advertised as 'Barkchella'' the 'dog lifestyle festival' took place in late June 'Because Barkchella was a HUGE success … the big bad attorneys over at Coachella Music Festival decided to hit us up with a cease & desist over their 'chella' trademark,' event organizer Gary George wrote in a July 12 update … George provided a copy of the letter to NJBIZ. According to the correspondence, Coachella noted its federally registered trademarks used to identify goods and services associated with its festival. It went on to say, 'We do not endorse your endeavors, nor do we consent to allow you to use our brand to attract traffic to your own commercial ventures.' George said his marketing and event planning firm 'tried working it out but their legal team are playing hardball.' As a result, they 'decided to go the easy route and rebrand.' To stay out of the doghouse, George said they'll change the event's name.' POP GO THE MEASLES — 'Officials tracking if child spread measles at 2 North Jersey hospitals, a mall, elsewhere,' by The Record's Scott Fallon: 'State health officials are investigating whether a Hudson County child spread measles at several public locations throughout North Jersey in recent weeks — including two hospitals, a doctor's office, a mall, a coffee shop, a pharmacy and a restaurant. The case is the latest in a string of isolated measles cases this year in New Jersey that have not resulted in any reported outbreaks, unlike Texas, where more than 700 cases have been documented. Measles cases in the U.S. have hit a record high this year for the first time since the virus was believed eradicated in 2000.' —'New Jersey gambling revenue up 18.5%; in-person casino win increases' —'N.J. woman gets $8.7M judgment after man posted stolen intimate photos of her online' —'Prudential announces more NJ layoffs after axing over 600 employees last year' —'NJ native Scott Riccardi wins ninth straight 'Jeopardy!' game to set season record'
New York Post
14-07-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Board of federal judges blocks Trump-appointed US attorney for upstate NY office
A board of federal judges rejected interim top prosecutor John Sarcone III's bid to lead the upstate New York US attorney's office permanently Monday – despite his claim last week he received the panel's approval. The group of US District Court judges announced they declined to appoint him US Attorney for the Northern District of New York after Sarcone was first appointed by the Department of Justice temporarily in March. The jurists did not explain their reasoning and Sarone's tenure could end this week. The setback for the Republican comes after he told a local news station Friday that the panel signed off on his appointment to lead the office. But the board of judges quickly threw cold water on that claim, noting no action was taken yet. John Sarcone was rebuked by a panel of judges Monday. Dennis A. Clark A spokesperson for Sarcone, Assistant US Attorney Tamara Thomson, then claimed to that Associate Deputy General Attorney Aakash Singh signaled the permanent appointment was moving in the right direction. 'We stressed the importance of needing to have this handled ASAP and they acknowledged,' Singh said of the judges, according to a readout of messages Thomson provided the newspaper. 'We are going to continue communicating with them until it's done, but sounds like there aren't any issues and that it's moving according to plan.' A phone call to the US Attorney for the Northern District of New York was not returned Monday afternoon. Sarcone could still clinch a temporary reappointment from the Trump administration with a source briefed on the matter telling the Times-Union the Department of Justice is expected to take that action. Trump has not nominated Sarcone for the position that would require US Senate approval. An email to the Department of Justice was not immediately returned Monday afternoon. Trump could reappoint Sarcone to the position. AP Sarcone accused a knife-wielding migrant of threatening to slit his throat in June, leading to an arrest. The Albany County District Attorney's Office ultimately only charged the suspect, Saul Morales-Garcia, with menacing and the 40-year-old El Salvadoran national pleaded guilty to that charge. Morales-Garcia admitted earlier this month to putting the federal prosecutor 'in reasonable fear of death by displaying and pointing a knife at the victim while also charging at the victim,' according to the Times-Union. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail, the newspaper reported. Sarcone assumed the office shortly after Biden appointee Carla Freedmam left her position in mid-February.
USA Today
01-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Miles Russell, the top-ranked junior golfer in America, has made his college decision
Miles Russell of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, the No. 1-ranked player on the American Junior Golf Association Polo Rankings, has verbally committed to play college golf at Florida State. first reported the news and the Times-Union confirmed it with Russell's father Joe. Russell, who is home-schooled, has a 2027 graduation year listed by the AJGA. That means he could begin playing for FSU in the fall of 2027 if he signs with the Seminoles during the fall sports signing period in 2026. Russell has won numerous major junior tournaments, including the Junior PGA, the Junior Players Championship, the AJGA Tournament of Champions and the Sage Valley Invitational. He broke Tiger Woods' record as the youngest player to be named the AJGA Player of the Year in 2023. He has also played in two PGA Tour events and four Korn Ferry Tour events, and in 2024, at the age of 15, became the youngest player to make the cut on the Korn Ferry Tour at the LECOM Suncoast Classic. Russell was a member of the Junior Ryder Cup and the Junior Presidents Cup and was a member of the inaugural USGA Junior National team.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
After 26 years, another Jacksonville craft brewery and restaurant calls it quits
💻 Sign up for Dining Notes, the free weekly restaurant newsletter from the Times-Union's Gary Mills delivered to your email inbox each Wednesday. Sign up now. One of Jacksonville's best-known craft breweries has abruptly shut its doors after 26 years, with its owners saying the business was no longer financially sustainable. Lunchtime customers arrived June 24 to find Seven Bridges Grille & Brewery, at 9735 Gate Parkway N. in Tinseltown, empty except for a few employees doing inventory and other final details, including preparing to hang up a "closed" sign. "It's due to a lack of business," Jonathan Blair, chief operating officer of the Kelly Companies of Southern California, a private equity company which owns Seven Bridges and multiple other restaurants, told the Times-Union. More closings: Restaurants we've lost in Jacksonville in 2025 "I feel bad for our team, but we couldn't turn it around," said Blair, adding the company is reaching out to other restaurants in an effort to help former Seven Bridges employees find new jobs. "We haven't gotten that far," said Blair when asked about the possibility of Seven Bridges reopening, relocating, or changing concepts. Dating back to January 1999, Seven Bridges was known for its multiple craft beers on tap as well as its food menu, including steaks, burgers, wings, sandwiches, pizza, and salads. The closure comes five months after another longtime microbrewery, Ragtime Tavern, shut its doors, ending nearly 42 years at 207 Atlantic Blvd. in Atlantic Beach. Ragtime had similar offerings, such as craft beer, seafood, steaks, and more, at the high-profile corner of First Street and Atlantic Boulevard since it first opened with just 12 tables in 1983. The Kelly Companies bought both Seven Bridges and Ragtime plus three other brewery brands — Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery, Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant, ChopHouse & Brewery — from SPB Hospitality of Houston, Texas, last December, Nation's Restaurant News reported. 'With heavy hearts': Jacksonville's last Burrito Gallery abruptly closes 'Uncorked. Unbothered': New wine bar opens at former microbrewery in historic Springfield Jekyll Brewing, 131 1st Ave. N. in Jax Beach Town Center in Jacksonville Beach, closed May 10 after almost two years. Barley & Pie Brewing Co.: Just nine months after opening on Fleming Island, the restaurant known for its signature American lager Clay Lite, and handcrafted sourdough neo-Neapolitan pizzas closed April 5. A1A Ale Works: After 29 years, closed at 1 King St. in St. Augustine. Hyperion Brewing Co.: At 1744 N Main St. in Jacksonville's historic Springfield neighborhood, closed in March 2024 after more than six years. Brewer's Pizza: The home of Pinglehead Brewing Company, 14B Blanding Blvd. in Orange Park, closed in November 2023 after 14 years. Lemonstreet Brewing Co.: At 2100 Dennis St. in Jacksonville's Rail Yard District, closed in December 2023 after four years. Tabula Rasa Brewery: At 2385 Corbett St., also in the Rail Yard District, closed in August 2023 after five years. Teresa Stepzinski is the dining reporter for the Times-Union. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @TeresaStepz or reach her via email at tstepzinski@ If you're a subscriber, thank you. If not, become a subscriber to get the latest dining coverage. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Seven Bridges Grille & Brewery permanently closes in Jacksonville, FL
