Justina Pelletier [Facebook]Boston — The parents of Justina Pelletier reacted as any decent parent would, with tears and shouts of anger after learning at a Boston courthouse today that the Department of Children and Families wants to place their teenage daughter in foster care on Boston’s North Shore, according to reports.
The media was not allowed near the court room due to the gag order that was issued by the judge in past weeks still being in place.
The judge told the parents they are not to speak of their daughters illness or the fact she has been held captive for one year by the Boston Children’s Hospital and DCF.
However, Justina’s father did break his silence. And shortly after Justina’s father, Lou Pelletier, broke his silence, the DCF immediately filed court papers requesting Lou Pelletier be held in contempt of court and arrested.
The judge involved in this case also ordered a seal on Justina’s medical records at DCF’s request. The judge said that the parents are not to have access to the medical records, but if they do the records are not to be release to the public and Justina’s condition cannot be discussed with another doctor.
The Pelletiers’ primary attorney declined comment, citing the gag order. However he did say that he has never in his career seen, nor has he ever read any case law about a judge ordering parents to remain silent about their own child’s medical treatment at the request of DCF.
Justina has a condition called mitochondrial disease. It is caused by a disruption in the cellular energy centers of our bodies, the mitochondria, and it is very difficult to diagnose. Justina’s gut stopped working a couple of years ago, a common problem for mito patients, resulting in a tube to help her digest and eliminate food. Mito patients also struggle with muscle weakness, pain, memory loss, erratic blood pressure, vision problems, hearing problems, and debilitating fatigue.
13 months ago Justina was referred to Boston Children’s Hospital by her primary doctor because she was having severe GI issues. However after looking at the child, Boston Children’s Hospital doctors felt it was all in Justina’s mind.
Justina was diagnosed with a psychiatric condition at Boston Children’s Hospital, moved to a locked psychiatric unit, and was not treated for her current illness or for the mitochondrial disease, which requires a daily regimen of supplements and dietary adjustments. She became even more sick, she was unable to eat, and even after her body weakened to the point that she became confined to a wheel chair, doctors continued to tell Justina her condition was all in her head. The doctors at Boston Children’s Hospital even refused to consult with Justina’s primary doctor.
Despite the court ruling, the family and advocates for the family plan to fight.
Ocala Post sent several e-mails to DCF in Boston as well as Boston Children’s Hospital. All replies back to Ocala Post cited the gag order.
The family has now hired the legal group Liberty Counsel. The group plans to have the gag order removed by the end of the week.
Marion County, Florida — Investigators are now trying to find the person or team responsible for shooting windows and causing thousands of dollars in vehicle damages.
This crime spree took place from 2 p.m., Friday, February 21, 2014 through 10 a.m., Saturday, February 22, 2014 in neighborhoods from Ocklawaha to Belleview to Silver Springs Shores to the Forest community. The Marion County Sheriff’s department does not have any leads at this time.
More than two dozen vehicles were damaged. Each incident had similar elements: a window was damaged by someone shooting a BB gun at the vehicle. The vehicles were SUV’s, cars, pickup trucks and vans. The attacks were on side and back windows or front windshields.
“Apparently, the suspect(s) didn’t target any specific model of vehicle. Also, it is apparent, the suspect(s) are committed to criminal mischief,” said Judge Cochran, Public Information Officer for the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
These incidents are very similar to several occurrences that took place in Marion Oaks recently, but no connection between the two have been made.
Investigators need your help. If you know anything, saw anything or heard anything, please call the sheriff’s department immediately.
Phone anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers of Marion County at 368-STOP or 368-7867. Text tips to 274637 using keyword 368STOP. Tips can also be submitted at www.
ocalacrimestoppers.com.
Ocala, Florida — Head on down to Tuscawilla Park tomorrow February 22, 2014 for the 2nd Annual Rotary Discovery Fest. Games and activities for the kids, Cow Pie Bingo, fresh vittles and live music! Be there early to watch the cattle drive through down town! For more information call the Discovery Center at 352-401-3900.
Matthew Rossi’s Vehicle [Click to Enlarge]Ocala, Florida — Today at approximately 2:15 p.m., a serious car accident claimed the life of 92-year-old Matthew Rossi of Ocala.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Rossi was northbound on SW 73rd St. Rd. (near Jasmine Plasa) at the stop sign at the intersection of SR 200. The second driver, William Watkins, 27, of Ocklawaha was traveling eastbound (towards Ocala) on SR 200 in the inside (left) lane.
Rossi attempted to cross the eastbound lanes on SR 200 and crossed into the path of Watkins, violating his right of way. The front end of Watkins’ Chevy S10 slammed into the left front side of Rossi’s Toyota Corolla, causing Rossi’s vehicle to veer to the right where it then came to its final resting place facing northeast.
William Watkins’ vehicle [Click to Enlarge]Matthew Rossi was transported to West Marion Community Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
Watkins had only minor injuries, according to FHP.
It has not yet been determined if alcohol played a part in the accident.
It is standard procedure for toxicology testing in accidents of this caliber.
Melinda Johnson [Mugshot]Ocala, Florida — On Wednesday, the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team (UDEST) was conducting an undercover operation on Pine Street in Ocala. The undercover operation was for the sole purpose of catching street walkers (hookers) in the act of soliciting sex in exchange for money.
It didn’t take long! Almost immediately, two undercover officers operating an unmarked vehicle were approached by a woman, later identified as Melinda Johnson, 34, in front of the Star Motel, an establishment well known for drugs and prostitutes.
Johnson engaged in conversation with both of the undercover officers and told them she would “Blow them both” (oral sex) for $20.00 each.
Johnson was then placed under arrest.
She denied offering to exchange sexual favors for money, however, the operation was recorded and monitored as it occurred.
According to reports, Johnson was very uncooperative during her arrest, and she claimed she was only making casual small talk about sex.
Records indicated that Johnson is registered as a resident at the Star Motel.
A search of her person turned up a crack pipe tucked away under her left breast.
Johnson was transported to the Marion County Jail and charged with Prostitution and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Nestlé USA’s Prepared Foods Division today announced the voluntary recall of HOT POCKETS® brand Philly Steak and Cheese in three different pack sizes and HOT POCKETS® brand Croissant Crust Philly Steak and Cheese, in the two pack box.
The voluntary recall is limited to these two products, which were distributed nationwide. No other batches, sizes, including multi-packs, or varieties of HOT POCKETS® brand products are affected by this recall. The reason is due to the recall announced last week by Rancho Feeding Corporation which affects many companies. Our teams at Nestlé have reviewed our vendor records and have determined that one Nestlé brand has been impacted by the Rancho meat recall.
While Nestlé did not purchase meat directly from Rancho, their procurement teams worked with their supply chain to understand whether any company in this chain may have purchased meat from Rancho Feeding at any time during 2013, the period of time covered by the Rancho Feeding recall.
From this review they have confirmed that a small quantity of meat from Rancho was used at Nestlé’s Chatsworth, California production operation, a facility devoted entirely to HOT POCKETS® brand sandwiches. The affected batches of the two varieties in our range of HOT POCKETS® brand sandwiches are being removed from the marketplace.
Consumers who may have purchased the affected batches of HOT POCKETS® brand Philly Steak and Cheese should not consume the product, but instead should return it to the place of purchase for a full refund or contact Nestlé Consumer Services at (800) 392-4057.
USDA notes that no illnesses have been reported in relation to the Rancho Feeding Recall.
4. HOT POCKETS CROISSANT CRUST Philly Steak and Cheese 8x9ozUS
43695 05634 1
3211544512 3248544512 3283544512
SEP ‘14 NOV ‘14 DEC ‘14
Nestle released the following statement–“Nestlé is dedicated to food quality, and the health and safety of its consumers. For these reasons, the company initiated this recall. We apologize to our retail customers and consumers and sincerely regret any inconvenience created by this voluntary product recall.”
Mugshots starting from the top left: Amos Oliver, Angel Marin, Dewayne Lambert, Dexter Lewis, Grechen Walker, Joseph Buddington, Joshua Moore, Julian Mesa, Justin, Ojeda, Kaadir Pollins, Kirkland Small, Mitchel Davis, Ralph Blackmon, and Zayd Pollins.
Ocala, Florida — The Marion County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the United States Postal Inspection Service conducted a month long interdiction operation that targeted illegal drugs and firearms shipped through the U.S. Mail destined for Central Florida.
The operation ran from January 13, 2014 to February 12, 2014 and involved numerous law enforcement agencies throughout Central Florida. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office Tactical Investigations Unit and Interdiction Unit assisted Postal Inspectors in locating suspicious inbound packages at Post Offices throughout Marion County and then conducted investigations to determine their contents and identify the drug distributors.
To no surprise, officials said majority of the packages were mailed to addresses in the Silver Springs Shores area. Officials said most of the names on the packages were fake and some of the packages were delivered to vacant homes.
During the operation, investigators recovered six weapons, three of which had been reported stolen, according to the sheriff’s office. Drugs that were recovered include, 25 pounds of synthetic marijuana, 1/2 kilogram of cocaine, 69 pounds of high grade marijuana, 79 oxycodone pills, more than 30 methadone pills, 300 Viagra pills and 370 Cialis pills.
In regards to cash, investigators recovered more than $6,000.
In total, 14 criminals were arrested, many of them are already convicted felons.
Marion Oaks — Diamond L. Polycarpe, 19, of Marion Oaks is in jail facing numerous charges related to the sexual assault of a child.
A case concerning Polycarpe was developed when detectives learned that the victim was taken to MRMC by her mom, to be treated for alcohol intoxication. According to reports, the victims blood alcohol level was .189, more than twice the state’s legal limit of .08.
The victim told investigators she met Polycarpe (a.k.a “Majesty”) on Facebook, and she and a friend went to the Marion Oaks Community Center park to meet him. The victim stated that she saw him pull up, walked over to his car to give him a hug and began a conversation. Sometime during the conversation the two decided to leave, the victim turned to her friend and asked, “Are you comfortable with this?” Her friend responded, “No.”
Polycarpe and the victim left the community center and drove to a wooded area behind the community center, where Polycarpe parked. The victim said it was at that time [he] got out of the vehicle and retrieved a bottle of liquor from the trunk. When Polycarpe returned to the vehicle the victim said he forced her to drink with him.
Polycarpe then asked her to get into the backseat, where she says he asked her to consume more liquor. According to the victim, Polycarpe pulled her out of the car and began pulling down her pants. The victim stated that she told him no, but he was successful because she was to weak from consuming so much alcohol.
The victim told investigators that Polycarpe told her to get on her knees and she did. She said that is when Polycarpe forced her to perform oral sex on him. She said he then stood her up, and finished removing her pants while kissing her. The victim stated they then had sex in the car, but told investigators that Polycarpe did not ejaculate during intercourse. The victim also told investigators that she passed out during the intercourse, and woke up on the ground as Polycarpe was pulling away. The victim described Polycarpe as a light skinned black boy with a crooked eye.
Polycarpe was located at the McDonalds on 484 and transported to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office for questioning. During questioning, Polycarpe admitted to having sex and drinking with the victim, and said [his] encounter with the victim was not forceful in any way. Polycarpe told investigators that the victim told him she was 18.
Polycarpe was not actually charged with Sexual Assault, he was charged with two counts of Lewd and Lascivious Battery and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor. He is currently being held at the Marion County jail.
If you know anything about Polycarpe’s activities involving children, you are urged to call your local law enforcement agency. Phone anonymous tips to Crime Stoppers of Marion County at 368-STOP or 368-7867. Text tips to 274637 using keyword 368STOP. Tips can also be submitted at www.ocalacrimestoppers.com.
Ocala, Florida — In November Ocala Post reported the Marion County jail was understaffed and studies showed corrections officers are being put at risk.
The Department of Justice and the Florida Sheriff’s Association provided a strict and precise criteria to have the risk factor at the Marion County Jail evaluated. The evaluation showed that corrections officers were unable to take days off due to under-staffing. The evaluation also showed the under-staffing was so critical that corrections officers would have to obtain a note from a doctor, sometimes costing $30.00 for an appointment, just to get a day off in order to rest. The conclusion of the evaluation, according to the Department of Justice criteria, was that the Marion County Jail is dangerously understaffed and officers’ lives are being put in jeopardy; all due to the lack of funding.
Sheriff Chris Blair estimates the jail to be understaffed by approximately 60 officers. And because of the lack of officers to guard the inmates, the jail closed two pods; making the remaining pods over crowded by more than 300 inmates.
If the jail does not receive the funding to hire at least 60 new corrections officers, Marion County residents could soon see more criminals whom are currently in jail, released and on the streets.
While nothing has been set in stone, Sheriff Chris Blair is pushing for electronic GPS ankle monitoring.
Inmates would be released and monitored by an electronic GPS ankle bracelet, however research shows electronic monitoring does not stop a criminal from breaking the law, or removing the monitoring device.
Studies within the last six months have indicated monitoring is not fail safe, and often times alarms go unanswered, or are reported after the criminal being monitored has committed another crime.
“I think the perception … is that these people are being watched 24 hours a day by someone in a command center. That’s just not happening,” said Rob Bains, director of court services for Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit Court, which last spring halted its monitoring programs after two people wearing the devices were involved in separate shootings.
More than 100,000 sex offenders, parolees and people free on bail or probation wear ankle bracelets that can sound an alarm if they leave home without permission, fail to show up for work or linger near a playground or school.
In 2013 Corrections officials in Orange County, Florida reported they were so inundated with alerts that they halted all real-time notifications except when people tried to remove their bracelets; allowing Bessman Okafor, awaiting trial for a home invasion, to violate his curfew 53 times in a single month without any action being taken. During one of those outings last September, Okafor shot three people, killing a 19-year-old man who was a witness set to testify against [him.]
In Apopka, after a man on a GPS monitor was involved in an Easter Sunday shooting, administrators in Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit Court pointed to a “lack of procedures” for handling alarms. In a June 2013 report, the company in charge of monitoring more than 80 inmates that had been released on the electronic monitoring program, only had one person on duty. After the shooting, it took six hours before the company notified law enforcement that the criminal had removed his tracking device and disappeared.
Ocala Post reached out to a few of the manufacturers of the bracelets to inquire about the reliability of the systems and got a surprising response. The manufactures said, ” We stress that these devices were never intended to be foolproof.”
Reports also indicate that if agencies are understaffed, alarms for monitors often times go unanswered, or the officer responds after it is too late.
With the Marion County Sheriff’s Department being understaffed in the jail as well as on the streets, Marion County residents could possibly be put at risk if criminals are released on the electronic monitoring program.
Often times, even a non-violent offender released on GPS monitoring can turn tragic, or lead to witness intimidation, according to reports.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office did make it clear that this issue could be resolved, and the closed jail pods reopened with funding to hire at least 30 more corrections officers.
Sheriff Blair maintains that his first priority is the safety of his officers, as well as the safety of Marion County residents.
“We would only be releasing non-violent offenders back into the community, and it would only be done with the blessing of the court,” said Sheriff Blair. “The monitoring system that would be used, is not the standard monitoring system. For example, the monitors would issue an alert to victims of domestic violence and if the subject places themselves in an area that is off-limits, both the victim and law enforcement would be notified.”
New technology for bracelet monitoring has come a long way. For instance, the monitoring ankle bracelet called the BI TAD (TAD) could be used for non-violent criminals suck as habitual DUI offenders.
TAD is a monitoring device which measures an offender’s alcohol consumption levels through vapors and perspiration passing through the skin.
TAD consists of an ankle-worn bracelet, which includes a sensor that detects drinking events; a base station placed in the offender’s home, communicates with a host computer maintained at BI’s national monitoring center. The TAD sensor measures for drinking via sweat or vapor, logs that data in the home base station, which then wirelessly forwards that data to the host server. That data is then matched against an offender’s profile, and supervising authorities are alerted if abnormalities exist for someone who is on a probation that prohibits drinking.
Residents should also know that if the monitoring devices the sheriff’s office plans to use are tampered with or removed, a signal will automatically prompt a response from law enforcement.
Kayla Finley [Mugshot]Pickens County, South Carolina — A South Carolina woman was arrested for stealing an ancient artifact nine years ago; that artifact was a VHS movie.
Kayla Finley, 27, rented the Jennifer Lopez VHS tape ‘Monster-in-Law’ when she was just 18 years old, but forgot to return it. She rented it from Dalton Video, a now nonexistent video store.
Finley reportedly went to the sheriff’s office to report a crime, and when her name was taken and entered into their data base, it returned information showing [she] was wanted on a nine year old warrant.
The former owner of the video store had taken the matter to court nine years ago and was able to get a judge to agree to a warrant, however Finley was never served with papers.
“It’s obvious that Pickens County has nothing better to do,” Finley said. “I fully intend on fighting this, it’s ridiculous I had this happen to me,” she said.
Finley was arrested and charged with Petit Larceny.
The charge is a misdemeanor, and authorities said they had no choice but to arrest her for the warrant no matter how old or ridiculous it sounds.
Alexandra Westover [Mugshot]Palm Beach, Florida — A woman who told authorities she had been raped on the Florida Turnpike has been arrested.
On Tuesday, February 11, 2014, at approximately 9:00 a.m., Alexandra Westover, 21, told deputies she had been traveling north on the Florida Turnpike between the Palm Beach Gardens and Jupiter exits when she got a flat tire and pulled over to the side of the road.
Shortly after, she said a white male driving a white vehicle pulled over and asked if she needed assistance. Westover told deputies that the suspect asked [her] to retrieve an object to assist in removing the hubcap. Westover said she walked over to the passenger side of her car, opened the door, and as soon as she leaned inside the vehicle, the suspect came up behind her and pushed her in the vehicle.
Westover told deputies after she was forced into the vehicle, the suspect raped her.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s said, “it was all a lie.”
Investigators said the already had suspicions about Westover’s story after FHP did not find her vehicle on highway security footage.
According to the sheriff’s office, Westover’s father called the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s office a few days later and told them his daughter had fabricated the entire incident.
Westover said, “I made up the story because I needed a good excuse to miss work.”
Authorities said they wasted over 100 man hours on one person’s false claim of sexual assault.
Westover was arrested and charged with Falsely Reporting a Crime.
Miranda Barbour [Left] Elytte Barbour [Right]Sunbury, Pennsylvania — Nineteen-year-old Satanist and Craigslist killer Miranda Barbour, says Troy LaFerrara of Port Trevorton was not her only victim.
In a prison interview Friday night with The Daily Item, Barbour said LaFerrara was just one of dozens of victims she killed.
She and her husband, Elytte Barbour, 22, have been charged by Sunbury Police in the November 11, 2013, fatal stabbing of Laferrara after the couple lured him in through Craigslist.
Miranda told reporters that she has killed so many people, that after 22 victims, she stopped counting. Miranda claimed she has murdered multiple people across four states is six years. She said she has killed in Alaska, Texas, North Carolina, and California; with majority of the killings taking place in Alaska.
Police confirmed they had been investigating other possible Craigslist killings prior to Miranda releasing her statement, however, police would not go into detail about the case.
Miranda told police, “I can pinpoint on a map where you can find them.” Meaning the other bodies.
“I remember everything,” Miranda Barbour said. “It is like watching a movie.”
She said she agreed to sex for $100 with LaFerrara, whom she met through a Craigslist ad. The two met in the parking lot of the Susquehanna Valley Mall in Hummels Wharf, and drove nearly six miles to Sunbury. Miranda said she was going to let LaFerrara out of her car, but didn’t.
“He said the wrong things,” she said. “And then things got out of control. I can tell you he was not supposed to be stabbed. My husband was just supposed to strangle him.”
According to police reports, Miranda Barbour knifed LaFerrara 20 times as Elytte Barbour sprang from the floor of the back seat to strap a cord around LaFerrara’s neck. Miranda said that LaFerrara tried to grope her, but she said it was his words that set her off.
“I lied to him and told him I just turned 16,” she said. “He told me that it was OK. If he would have said no, that he wasn’t going to go through with the arrangement, I would have let him go.”
Miranda told reporters she wanted to come clean and get everything off of her chest, tell her life story and stop living a lie.
She said she was molested by a relative when she was just four-years-old. Elizabeth Dean, Miranda’s mother, confirmed Saturday that her sister’s husband was later arrested and charged with sexual abuse of a minor and sentenced to 14-years in prison.
“It was bad,” Dean said. “I never let [her]stay anywhere except for my sister’s house, and I was devastated when I found out.”
Miranda also claimed she was introduced to murder at the age of 13, when she was a member of a Satanic Cult. She said she has always held on to [her] Satanic beliefs.
Miranda said she does not feel remorse for any murder she has committed. “I only kill bad people,” she said.
Even though police would not comment on the case, they did say that they are very concerned about the claims [she] has come forward with.
Investigators said they are not leaving any stones un-turned, and will be reviewing all of Miranda’s statements.
Tammy Hamilton [Mugshots]Ocala, Florida — On Saturday February 15, 2014, Officer Barry with the Ocala Police department responded to the 200 block of SW Fort King Street in regards to a vehicle being stolen.
When Officer Barry arrived at the scene, he met with the victim who stated that a female by the name of Tammy Hamilton, 53, had taken his SUV without permission. The victim stated that on February 14, 2014 he picked up Hamilton from down the street and took her back to his apartment where they spent the day and night together.
The victim told police that on February 15, 2014 when he exited his apartment he realized Hamilton had fled with his SUV. “I checked my bedroom dresser where I left the keys and they were gone,” he told police.
After Hamilton was located in possession of the vehicle, she denied stealing SUV.
According to reports, while Hamilton was being questioned by Officer Barry Hamilton yelled to the victim, “We f***ed last night, you F***ed me.”
Hamilton began to tell the officer that the victim had paid her to have sex, but after Hamilton was placed in handcuffs, she changed her story. As officer Barry was escorting Hamilton to his patrol car she began to scream, “he raped me, he raped me.”
The victim admitted to having sex with Hamilton, but says he did not rape her.
Hamilton was transported to the hospital for examination. Further investigation by officer Barry as well as the hospital determined Hamilton made the rape story up in an attempt to stay out of jail.
Hamilton was arrested and charged with Grand Theft Auto and False Report to Law Enforcement.
Hamilton has previous convictions for Battery, Grand Larceny, and Robbery With a Weapon.
Hamilton is currently begin held at the Marion County Jail.
Ocala, Florida — The Florida Department of Health in Marion County will launch the WIC electronic benefits transfer system in all Marion County WIC offices March 3, 2014.
Marion County WIC offices in Ocala, Belleview, Dunnellon, Lynne and Reddick will close February 24th–28th to allow staff to complete the conversion from paper checks to the electronic benefit transfer, or EBT debit card system. WIC offices will reopen March 3, 2014 and begin issuing the new EBT cards.
WIC, the federal Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, is rolling out the EBT system statewide to better serve Florida families who rely on the program. The EBT debit cards will replace the paper check system currently in use.
“The EBT system will make it easier for families who need WIC services to get the nutritious foods they need,” said Cheryl Brown, acting health officer for the Florida Department of Health in Marion County. “Easier access to healthy foods will mean better health for moms, kids and babies.”
“The transition to the EBT system will be more efficient and cost effective for the WIC program, for vendors, and for Marion County families,” said Mary Anne Hitson, director of the Public Health Nutrition Program at the Florida Department of Health in Marion County. “The electronic card will allow for faster checkout times for families, and easier processing for vendors.”
WIC is a federally funded program that provides healthy food, as well as breastfeeding education and nutrition counseling to needy families. Marion’s WIC Program operates five sites throughout the county where families improve their diet and food choices with the assistance of licensed nutritionists and nutrition educators. In Marion County, the average annual value of WIC foods received by WIC clients is more than $7 million.
For more information on WIC services in Marion County call 352- 622-1161.
Belle Glade, Florida — As of February 11, 2014, ROTH FARMS Inc. of Belle Glade, Florida, is recalling its “ bunched Curly Parsley” because it has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
The recalled “Curly Parsley” was distributed in South Florida distribution centers.
The product comes in a Three Wire Wooden Crate with the lot # AG01GN on the outside tag.
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem. The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the company revealed the presence of Salmonella in some “Curly Parsley” samples.
Production of the product has been suspended while FDA and the company continue their investigation as to the source of the problem.
Consumers with questions may contact the company at 561-996-2991
EU — The European Parliament should withhold its consent to an EU-U.S. trade deal unless it fully respects EU citizens’ data privacy, says an inquiry report on U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) and EU member states surveillance of EU citizens, approved by the Civil Liberties Committee on Wednesday. It adds that data protection rules should be excluded from the trade talks and negotiated separately with the U.S.
The text, passed by 33 votes to 7 with 17 abstentions, condemns the “vast, systemic, blanket collection of personal data of innocent people, often comprising intimate personal information”, adding that “the fight against terrorism can never be a justification for un-targeted, secret or even illegal mass surveillance programs”.
“We now have a comprehensive text that for the first time brings together in-depth recommendations on Edward Snowden’s allegations of NSA spying and an action plan for the future. The Civil Liberties Committee inquiry came at a crucial time, along with Snowden´s allegations and the EU data protection regulation. I hope that this document will be supported by the full Parliament and that it will last beyond the next European Parliament’s mandate”, said rapporteur Claude Moraes (S&D, UK), after the vote.
Data protection must be excluded from trade talks
Parliament’s consent to the final Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) deal with the US “could be endangered as long as blanket mass surveillance activities and the interception of communications in EU institutions and diplomatic representations are not fully stopped and an adequate solution for data privacy rights of EU citizens, including administrative and judicial redress is not found”, MEPs say.
Parliament should therefore withhold its consent to the TTIP agreement unless it fully respects fundamental rights enshrined in the EU Charter, the text adds, stressing that data protection should be ruled out of the trade talks.
MEPs call for the “immediate suspension” of the Safe Harbor privacy principles (voluntary data protection standards for non-EU companies transferring EU citizens’ personal data to the US). These principles “do not provide adequate protection for EU citizens” say MEPs, who urge the US to propose new personal data transfer rules that meet EU data protection requirements.
The Terrorist Finance Tracking Program (TFTP) deal should also be suspended until allegations that US authorities have access to EU citizens’ bank data outside the agreement are clarified, say MEPs. The EU-US data protection framework agreement to be struck in spring 2014 must ensure proper judicial redress for EU citizens whose personal data are transferred to the US, they add.
Digital “new deal”
The EU needs a “digital new deal”, to be delivered by the joint efforts of EU institutions, member states, research institutions, industry and civil society, say MEPs, noting that some telecoms firms have clearly neglected the IT security of their users and clients.
MEPs also urge member states to accelerate their work on draft EU data protection reform legislation so that it can be passed by the end of this year.
Trust in US cloud computing and cloud providers has been damaged by surveillance practices, MEPs note. They propose that Europe should develop its own clouds and IT solutions to ensure a high standard of personal data protection. They note that by 2016, the cloud market is likely to be worth $207 billion a year, double its 2012 value.
EU whistle-blower and media protection program
The resolution urges the European Commission to examine whether a future EU law establishing a “European whistle-blower protection program” should also include other fields of EU competence “with particular attention to the complexity of whistleblowing in the field of intelligence”. EU member states are also asked to consider granting whistle-blowers international protection from prosecution.
MEPs also cite the UK’s detention of David Miranda and seizure of material in his possession under the UK Terrorism Act and its demand that the Guardian newspaper hand over or destroy such material. They see these acts as “possible serious interference with the right of freedom of expression and media freedom”, as recognized by the European Convention on Human Rights and the EU Charter.
EU countries should check their own secret services
The UK, France, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands and Poland should clarify the allegations of mass surveillance – including potential agreements between intelligence services and telecoms firms on access to and exchange of personal data and access to transatlantic cables – and their compatibility with EU laws, it says.
Other EU countries, in particular those participating in the “9-eyes” (UK, Denmark, France and the Netherlands) and “14-eyes” arrangements (those countries plus Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain and Sweden) are also urged to review their national laws and practices governing the activities of intelligence services, so as to ensure that they are subject to parliamentary and judicial oversight and public scrutiny and that they comply with fundamental rights obligations.
MEPs deem bilateral “anti-spying” arrangements concluded or under negotiation between some EU countries (the UK, France and Germany) and the US as “counterproductive and irrelevant, due to the need for a European approach to this problem”.
Next steps
The full Parliament will vote on the resolution on 12 March in Strasbourg.
The Civil Liberties Committee inquiry into mass surveillance of EU citizens began in September 2013. A total of 15 hearings have been held since then.
Over the past few weeks, I have listened to a growing number of Northwest Floridians who have strong opinions about the medical use of cannabis, or marijuana. In the grocery store, in church, in the emails I receive and during my door-to-door neighborhood walks, folks are sharing their questions and concerns.
Part of the reason the issue is being talked about is that cannabidiol (CBD), a non-euphoric ingredient in some marijuana plants, has been found effective in helping children suffering from violent seizures associated with severe epilepsy. This substance is called “Charlotte’s Web” and it is not the marijuana that is smoked recreationally to create a “high.”
Parents of children with frequent and severe seizures recently brought their sons and daughters to a hearing before the House Criminal Justice Committee. One of the dads from our area is a former law enforcement officer and now a respected lawyer. His wife is a nurse. If they were to even possess the CBD that would ease their child’s profound and perhaps fatal suffering they would be breaking the law. So they are caught – between the life of their child and their respect for the law.
As a father myself, I am unwilling to require these parents to be criminals in order to get treatment for their children. As the father of Representative Matt Gaetz, I am proud of my son for his political courage in fighting for these families as they fight for their children’s’ lives.
This past week, Matt has received the support of Speaker Weatherford to introduce a stand-alone bill (HB 843) to decriminalize this non-euphoric CBD solely for the purpose of helping these children with medical conditions that cause seizures. Today, a group of Republican Senators led by Senator Rob Bradley filed a companion bill in the Senate, SB 1030. To become law, this legislation will have to pass both House and Senate committees and earn the votes of a majority of legislators on the floor as well as the Governor’s signature. As your senator, I will support this legislation as it moves through the committee process and I will vote for it should it reach the Senate floor.
I recognize the position Matt and I have taken may be controversial in the minds of some of our Northwest Florida neighbors. It has taken time and prayer and struggle for me to arrive at my position. I respect those with differing points of view. Regardless of your opinion, I hope you will call, write, email or contact me with your questions, concerns or criticisms.
Let me assure you that my support for compassionate use of CBD in these extreme cases is far different from the marijuana constitutional amendment being sponsored by trial attorney John Morgan in an effort to generate voter turnout for his employee, Democrat gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist. That constitutional amendment misleads the public into a broad-based legalization of euphoric marijuana going far beyond acute medical justification.
On Tuesday, February 11, 2014 at approximately 9:00 a.m., a female traveling north in a red vehicle on the Florida Turnpike between the Palm Beach Gardens and Jupiter exits, had a flat tire and pulled over to the side of the road. Shortly after, a white male driving a white vehicle pulled over and asked the victim if she needed assistance. The suspect asked the victim to retrieve an object to assist in removing the hub cap. The victim walked over to the passenger side of her car, opened the door, and as soon as she leaned inside the vehicle, the suspect came up behind her and pushed her in the vehicle. After the victim was forced into the vehicle, the suspect sexually assaulted her.
If anyone was driving northbound on the Florida Turnpike between 8:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 11, 2014, and noticed two vehicles on the side of the road in the northbound lanes between Palm Beach Gardens and Jupiter, you are urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-458-TIPS or Detective Carey Jimenez at 561-688-4146.
Leroy Stevens [Mugshots]Ocklawaha, Florida — For the second time in less than a month, deputies responded to the 19600 block of 92nd Place in reference to construction material being illegally dumped.
On February 11, 2014 deputies were called out to the area and made contact with Leroy Stevens, 61.
Deputies advised Stevens that they had received a call stating [he] had been dumping construction material after being issued a warning for the same offense on January 14, 2014.
Upon investigation, deputies learned not only had Stevens dumped more, but he didn’t remove the previous construction material that had been dumped. When deputies asked Stevens why he didn’t take care of the previous materials, he responded, “I did, I covered them up with dirt.”
According to reports, Stevens dug a hole in the street (dirt road) and buried old tiles and other construction materials. Stevens said he was renovating a rental property and needed a place to put the construction materials in order to get the house ready and on the market quickly.
Stevens also said,” I dumped it there for filler, the ground is soft and people get stuck.”
Stevens was arrested and charged with Commercial Dumping of Hazardous Material over 500 Pounds (Felony) and booked into the Marion County Jail. He was released the same day on $2000.00 bond.
BJ Helvy [Mugshot]Belleview, Florida – Convicted felon BJ Helvy, 48, of Belleview has been charged with one count of Exploitation of the Elderly and one count of Fraud.
The investigation started January 14, 2014 when a victim who is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia hired Helvy to perform tree service around her Ocklawaha home. Helvy reportedly charged the 70-year-old victim $7,740 for the work, when all [he] actually did was trim the trees.
A family member helped the victim contact the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators learned from two other tree service companies that the charges were on the extreme end of excessive. Estimates put the actual value of the tree service between $1,700-$2,330 tops.
“That shows the suspect as grossly overcharging the victim for tree services,” Said investigators.
Helvy has been arrested 10 times since 2002. His previous charges include Battery, Obstruction, DUI, Leaving the Scene of an Accident Involving Injury, he is considered an Habitual Offender for Driving While License Suspend, and his driver’s license were permanently revoked prior to his 2002 arrest. Helvy also has previous convictions for Exploitation of an Elderly Person.
Helvy was booked into the Marion County Jail and later released on a $2,000 bond.
