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DENVER A second video showing how some Denver Police officers behaved during and after the arrest of a pair of unarmed drug suspects sheds new light on allegations of misconduct.

The incident in question is the August arrest of Honduran immigrant David Flores and his pregnant girlfriend Myra Lyzos-Guererro by members of District Four Narcotics Team and several uniformed officers.

On a recording shot by witness Levi Frasier, a uniformed officer is seen punching Flores in the face six times in an attempt to get him to open his mouth. That same officer also does a leg sweep on Guererro.

Flores ended up going to the hospital.

Denver police have repeatedly released statements saying the use of force was reasonable, but after Frasiers video surfaced in November, internal affairs reopened the investigation into the case.

FOX31 Denver has learned that one of the additional items police investigators are reviewing is video from a city-operated HALO camera. The camera is mounted on a pole about three blocks from the arrest scene at West 5th Avenue and Federal Boulevard.

Levi Frasier, a citizen who shot the street-level recording on his Samsung tablet and provided it to FOX31 Denver for air three weeks ago, has told the FBI he was threatened with incarceration unless he turned over his tablet to Denver officers.

Frasier also says when he refused police took it anyway without a warrant, scrolled through his electronic device, then when they returned it, he could not find the video clip. He later restored it from the cloud.

Denver police have attacked Frasiers credibility by publicly releasing his criminal record and telling FOX31 Denver he is a liar.

However, the HALO video appears to support most of what Frasier has been saying from day one.

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Second video sheds new light on allegations of misconduct involving Denver police officers

December 15, 2014

Provided by Cody Mooneyhan, Society of Vertebrate Paleontology

Mammals that lived during the time of the dinosaurs are often portrayed as innocuous, small-bodied creatures, scurrying under the feet of the huge reptiles. In reality, this wasnt the case, and a new fossil from Madagascar further underscores this point, revealing fascinating perspectives on the growing diversity of Mesozoic mammals.Vintana sertich had previously been described in a preliminary note in November of this year, but a new memoir in theJournal of Vertebrate Paleontology delves far deeper into the morphology and paleoecology of this amazing fossil animal. The memoir brings together multiple experts to conduct a range of descriptive and comparative analyses and consists of multiple papers describing the geological setting of the fossil, its cranial anatomy, its dental morphology and function, its braincase, and its sensory abilities.

David W. Krause of Stony Brook University, the editor of the volume and lead investigator on the project, says, From an organizational perspective, there are two things about this monograph with which I am particularly delighted. First, that I was fortunate enough to be able to assemble such an outstandingly capable mix of specialists, students, and technicians to focus their attention on this amazing specimen. Second, the emphasis on micro-CT imaging, and the thousands of hours spent on digital segmentation of each cranial element, was instrumental in allowing us to describe and understand the detailed internal anatomy of the cranium of this bizarre mammal.

Vintana is a member of an extinct and, until now, very poorly known group of mammals, the gondwanatherians, which are named based on their geographic distribution on the southern continents, also known as Gondwana. Previously known fossils of gondwanatherians had consisted only of isolated teeth and a few fragmentary lower jaw specimens. The new specimen is a nearly complete and only slightly distorted cranium, which was painstakingly removed from a large block of sediment and later micro-CT scanned to provide fine details of both the external and internal anatomy of the animal. These scans also allowed the investigators to digitally separate, or segment, individual cranial bones and allowed them to virtually dissect the specimen without actually destroying it. These hi-res scans also allowed the authors to include with the memoir, as supplementary material, 3D-interactive PDFs and high-resolution images.

Image: Top: Right lateral (side) view of the actual specimen of Vintana sertichi. Middle: Digitally segmented version of the skull, with individual bones highlighted in unique colors. Bottom: Reconstruction of the head of Vintana sertichi. Credit: Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology

Krause says, We hope that the memoir will serve as a useful reference for all future discoveries and analyses of gondwanatherian mammals represented by craniodental material.

The cranium displays some bizarre features, like enlarged flanges for attachment of chewing muscles, a strangely tilted braincase, and large eye sockets. Analysis of these features and others reveals that Vintana was a badger-sized, herbivorous animal that was agile and active, with keen senses of smell, vision, and hearing.

John Wible, of the Carnegie Museum in Pittsburgh and one of the experts on the investigation who analyzed the skull and ear region of the fossil, says With this monograph, the shroud of mystery over the enigmatic, extinct mammal clade Gondwanatheria is lifted. Through CT scans, the amazingly preserved skull ofVintana sertich is dissected, described, and reconstructed. The authors breathe life into this fossil by reconstructing its brain, inner ear, jaw musculature, orbit, and nasal cavity, and set the bar high for how such studies will be done in the future.

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New Fossil Sheds Light On Mesozoic Mammals

Mumbai, Dec 16:

The Sensex and the Nifty plunged nearly 1.3 per cent on sustained selling by funds and retail investors owing to weak global cues.

Domestic sentiment was dampened as crude oil prices sank to fresh multi-year lows and the rupee breached the 63-level mark to trade at 63.47 against the dollar on heavy dollar demand and fresh capital outflows.

At 11.45 a.m., the 30-share BSE index Sensex was trading down by 361.98 points at 26,957.58 and the 50-share NSE index Nifty fell 110.95 points to trade at 8,108.65.

Sectoral indices

Barring IT and TECk, all other BSE sectoral indices were trading significantly in the red. Among them, metal index fell the most by 3.00 per cent, followed by realty 2.87 per cent, consumer durables 2.56 per cent and banking 2.15 per cent, while IT index was up 1.46 per cent and TECk 0.94 per cent.

Gainers, losers

TCS (2.34%), BHEL (1.19%), Infosys (0.78%) and Wipro (0.58%) were the only four Sensex gainers, while the top five losers were Hindalco (6.13%), SSLT (5.04%), ICICI Bank (3.52%), Dr Reddy's (3.05%) and ONGC (3.00%).

Early trade

The markets fell soon after the morning bell, dragged down by auto, metal and banking stocks. The Sensex tumbled 273.05 points, or 1 per cent, to 27,046.51. The gauge had lost 511.54 points in the previous three sessions. Similarly, the Nifty declined by 64 points, or 0.78 per cent, to 8,155.60.

Originally posted here:
Sensex sheds 144 points in early trade

LONDON (MarketWatch) The U.K.s benchmark stock index erased an earlier gain and finished sharply lower Monday, with oil shares pulling back and mining companies falling further.

The FTSE 100 UKX, -1.87% closed down 1.9% at 6,182.72, its sixth consecutive loss and lowest close since June 2013, according to FactSet data.

An earlier rise for the benchmark was supported by gains among oil and gas shares as oil prices had been turning positive. But those moves fell apart, with West Texas Intermediate crude-oil futures CLF5, -0.70% falling below $57 a barrel. Brent crude futures LCOF5, -0.82% returned below $62 a barrel.

There was an element of misplaced optimism in early trade as (Brent Crude) oil found some buyers at $60/bbl this helped to lead indices higher with many falsely caught long on what was essentially some profit taking on last weeks sell off, offered Brenda Kelly, chief market strategist at IG, in emailed comments.

Among oil majors, BP PLC BP., -3.22% fell 3.2% and Royal Dutch Shell PLC RDSB, -2.09% lost 2.1%.

After ranking at the top of the FTSE 100 earlier Monday, Tullow Oil PLC TLW, -2.31% shares fell 2.3% and BG Group PLC BG., -2.92% gave up 2.9%, with the shares suffering in recent sessions as oil prices have tumbled to five-year lows due to oversupply concerns.

The oil and gas group last week dropped more than 3%.

The London benchmark also turned lower along with the broader European market on Monday, with Russian stocks and the ruble sliding further against the U.S. dollar. Russias central bank said Monday it expects a deeper economic contraction if oil prices stay at the $60-a-barrel level.

Miners BHP Billiton PLC BLT, -3.70% BHP, -2.23% BHP, -3.21% and Rio Tinto PLC RIO, -2.46% RIO, -2.58% RIO, -1.59% came under further pressure as the session wore on, down by 3.7% and 2.5%, respectively. BHP was downgraded at RBC Capital Markets to underperform from sector-perform.

Separately, Australia on Monday projected iron-ore prices will trade around $60 a metric ton, much lower than its previous estimate of $92 a metric ton.

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London Markets: FTSE 100 sheds gains as oil, mining stocks drop

Theres an upside and a downside to extending sewer lines.

The potential benefits of sewer line extensions wastewater problems solved for good, septic system pumping and repairs relegated to history, property values increased brought residents of two neighborhoods, the Soundview area and New Street, to last Thursdays Water Pollution Control Authority meeting.

And potential problems that seem almost certain to come with sewer line extensions pressure for more development, affordable housing projects that brush aside density limits using the states zone-busting statute 8-30g brought out worried members of the Planning and Zoning Commission.

When we get rainfall, we definitely get some sort of odor. Im assuming its septic odor, a Wilton Road West resident said.

We have pumped frequently. I want to say maybe six times last year.

A sewer line extension could be a big help to the area Soundview Road, Wilton Road West, Creamery Lane, and Marcardon Avenue which has smaller lots and a high water table.

But extending sewers to new areas the Soundview neighborhood off south Main Street, or New Street, west of north Main Street could cause headaches for planning and zoning authorities.

From a planning and zoning perspective, once it becomes served, it becomes a potential property for affordable housing, said Planning and Zoning Commission Chairman Rebecca Mucchetti.

This is always an issue, said Water Pollution Control Authority Chairman Amy Siebert, the push-me pull-you of development.

In all, 21 people spoke 13 residents, six members of the Planning and Zoning Commission, Town Sanitarian Ed Briggs, and a lawyer for Bennetts Pond developer Eureka V LLC.

See the rest here:
Sewer lines: Extending them solves problems, but creates others

Published: Saturday, December 13, 2014 at 11:12 p.m. Last Modified: Saturday, December 13, 2014 at 11:12 p.m.

Advocates for the referendum say the strong Election Day showing 75 percent support is a statement that voters want officials in Tallahassee to reinstate money for conservation programs that had proven track records for decades before they were largely defunded in the wake of the recession.

Those initiatives include Florida Forever, which once received $300 million annually, the Florida Communities Trust land acquisition fund for local governments and environmental nonprofits, Save Our Rivers and the Surface Water Improvement and Management Program for impaired water bodies.

Will Abberger, the campaign manager of the political committee that launched the voter petition drive to get the referendum on the ballot, said Amendment 1 is intended to put additional wildlife habitat and land near water resources into protection and to meet unfunded needs to manage conservation land through ecological restoration, the removal of invasive plant species and the provision of public access, including trail systems. The cleanup of Indian River Lagoon and the restoration of the Everglades are specific large projects in the mix, he said.

Skeptical conservation advocates, the Alachua County Commission and the Florida Association of Counties have all come out in opposition to the possibility of the Legislature and governor using money set aside by the amendment at least 33 percent of the revenues raised from the state document stamp tax on real estate transactions and loan documents to replace any of what the state currently spends on beach re-nourishment, springs protection or other environmental programs.

Some of the driving forces behind Amendment 1, including Abberger and Alachua County Commissioner Robert Hutch Hutchinson, also do not want to see millions of dollars set aside by the amendment put toward the construction or expansion of sewer systems on the rationale that they protect the springs by taking out nitrate-seeping septic tanks.

It remains to be seen what will happen with Amendment 1 funds next session or over the next 20 years, when projections have the measure generating anywhere from $10 billion to $18 billion.

Two lawmakers representing Alachua County, state Rep. Keith Perry, R-Gainesville, and state Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Orange Park, said they want robust discussion and public input before making a decision.

I think it is way too premature for any of us in the Legislature to make judgments until we hear from our colleagues and from the citizens of the state of Florida on what is the appropriate use of these funds, Bradley said.

At this point, there are several indications that some of the money could indeed end up going toward sewer projects or other areas that amendment proponents feel have questionable conservation value.

Link:
Conservationists wonder where Amendment 1 funds will go

HAMILTON, Ohio -- The Ohio State Fire Marshal's Office said Monday the fire that killed three children in Hamilton started in the living room of their rental home Friday.

Investigators stopped short of saying what caused the blaze at 135 Franklin St., according to state fire marshal spokesperson Lindsey Burnworth. But she said there was a Christmas tree, heaters and electric outlets in the room.

Burnworth said it was too soon for investigations to determine what sparked the fire that killedAlex Flores-Ortiz, 7, and his sisters,SiclaliFlores-Ortiz, 10, andYeseniaFlores-Ortiz, 12.

RELATED:'Tragedy after tragedy:' Fire Marshal starts investigation in Hamilton fire that killed 3 children

Flores-Ortiz family members had earlier said Crystal Flores, the children's mother,believed the tree fell over in the living room and started the fire.

Trevor Snider, a Hamilton Fire Department investigator assisting in the case, said investigators found three battery-powered smoke detectors in the house.

"There was one on each floor," he said. "And, in addition, there was one on the first floor. Both were quite heavily damaged. One was actually missing to the point we could not check if it was operational or if it had a battery in it. The one on the second floor did have a battery and there was one in the basement with a battery."

Ismael"Michael" Flores-Ortiz, the children's father, remained at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

Ismael's sister told the Journal News on Monday that her brother suffered severe burns when he ran into the fire and tried to save his children trapped in their bedroom. He is improving, she said.

Crystal Flores and the couple's 2-year-old Anthony were treated and released from Fort Hamilton Hospital. A 9-year-old escaped the fire without injury.

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Fire Marshal: Deadly fire started in living room

Yannick Gagne stands in the new Musi-Cafe under construction in Lac-Megantic, Que., Wednesday, June 11, 2014. The restaurant-bar at ground zero of the deadly train derailment and explosion that killed 47 people in July 2013 is back in business.The Musi-Cafe quietly opened its doors to the public today in a new location, about 400 metres from the original site. | CP

MONTREAL - The restaurant-bar at ground zero of the deadly train derailment and explosion that killed 47 people in Quebec in July 2013 is back in business.

The Musi-Cafe quietly opened its doors to the public in Lac-Megantic on Monday, about 400 metres from the original site.

Owner Yannick Gagne said only three of the original employees have returned to work with him in his new establishment.

"One of them is my chef, a friend," he told The Canadian Press in a phone interview.

"I have a girl who worked for me for three or four years she's coming back and one of my good friends, Karine Blanchette, will handle all the artists who will come here."

At the time of the disaster, Blanchette told reporters two children were left orphans after one of her friends died in the tragedy.

Many of the 47 victims were inside the Musi-Cafe when a runaway oil-tanker train rolled off the tracks and exploded in the heart of the town.

Gagne lost three workers in the blast and about a dozen have decided not to come back to work with him.

Continue reading here:
Musi-Cafe, Restaurant At Centre Of Lac-Megantic Disaster, Reopens

Peter Rakobowchuk, The Canadian Press Published Monday, December 15, 2014 3:51PM EST Last Updated Monday, December 15, 2014 7:11PM EST

MONTREAL -- The restaurant-bar at ground zero of the deadly train derailment and explosion that killed 47 people in Quebec in July 2013 is back in business.

The Musi-Cafe quietly opened its doors to the public in Lac-Megantic on Monday, about 400 metres from the original site.

Owner Yannick Gagne said only three of the original employees have returned to work with him in his new establishment.

"One of them is my chef, a friend," he told The Canadian Press in a phone interview.

"I have a girl who worked for me for three or four years -- she's coming back -- and one of my good friends, Karine Blanchette, will handle all the artists who will come here."

At the time of the disaster, Blanchette told reporters two children were left orphans after one of her friends died in the tragedy.

Many of the 47 victims were inside the Musi-Cafe when a runaway oil-tanker train rolled off the tracks and exploded in the heart of the town.

Gagne lost three workers in the blast and about a dozen have decided not to come back to work with him.

He now has a staff of about 20, which is five more employees than before.

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Lac-Megantic restaurant at centre of deadly 2013 explosion reopens

Remodeling Projects For Your McDowell Mountain Ranch Home
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Remodeling Projects For Your McDowell Mountain Ranch Home - Video