White headmaster who made Black student kneel resigns

The white headmaster of a New York Catholic school who made a Black student kneel as part of an apology to a teacher has resigned

ByThe Associated Press, March 24, 2021, 5:50 PM

UNIONDALE, N.Y. – The white headmaster of a New York Catholic school who made a Black student kneel as part of an apology to a teacher has resigned, the school said Wednesday.

The St. Martin de Porres Marianist school on Long Island posted a statement on its website saying it had “accepted the resignation of our former headmaster."

John Holian had been on leave in the wake of the controversy that had arisen over his handling of the punishment, which took place on Feb. 25.

The student involved, an 11-year-old boy, told his mother that he was reprimanded by a teacher after finishing his reading and starting another assignment, and that the teacher took him to Holian's office where he was told to get on his knees and apologize.

The mother called the school a few days later, and said Holian acknowledged that kneeling was not standard, but that he’d learned the approach from a Nigerian father who said it was an “African way” of apologizing.

The school said it was continuing to review the situation.

https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/white-headmaster-made-black-student-kneel-resigns-76663184

Angelina commissioner resigns citing shifting priorities

By KTRE Digital Media Staff | March 24, 2021 at 3:18 PM CDT - Updated March 24 at 3:31 PM

ANGELINA COUNTY, Texas (KTRE) - Stephen R. Allen has tendered his resignation from his office as the Angelina County Commissioner of Precinct 1.

According to the statement Allen sent out, this resignation will be effective as of this coming Friday. Allen said his decision is due in part to the fact that his priorities no longer align with the duties of the job.

“It was truly an honor to have been voted into this position by the voters of Precinct 1. There is much that I had hoped to accomplish and I sincerely hate that I will be unable to continue,” Allen said in the statement. “When I was elected to this position, it was my hope to use my knowledge and previous experience of road maintenance in order to improve the roads in Precinct 1. Now that the Unit Road System has been voted into place, the duties of an Angelina County Commissioner no longer align with the job that I had hoped to fill.

Allen also stated that he no longer finds himself in agreement or able to work with Angelina County Judge Don Lymbery.

“In addition, I am not in agreement with the recent behavior portrayed by the Angelina County Judge,” he said. “Unfortunately, I have found myself unable to successfully work with and communicate effectively with Mr. Lymbery for the betterment of Angelina County.”

https://www.kltv.com/2021/03/24/angelina-commissioner-resigns-citing-shifting-priorities/

Angelina County and City of Lufkin declare local state of disaster

By KTRE Digital Media Staff | March 19, 2020 at 3:31 PM CDT - Updated March 19 at 7:53 PM

LUFKIN, Texas (KTRE) - From the City of Lufkin:

Angelina County Judge Don Lymbery and City of Lufkin Mayor Bob Brown have each declared a Local State of Disaster Due to a Public State of Emergency today due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation. The respective declarations are effective at 11:59 p.m. March 20, 2020, and will be in place through March 27,2020, unless extended by the County Commissioners Court and City Council, for their jurisdictions, in the coming week.

“Today, we joined the County and the State in declaring a state of disaster due to a public health emergency. We took this step specifically to activate the City’s emergency management plan and to proactively prevent the rapid spread of the virus,” Mayor Bob Brown said.

County Judge Don Lymbery added, “We are working locally with the City and the Angelina County & Cities Health District to coordinate our efforts. Through the cooperation of our residents listening closely to our public health experts and practicing social distancing protocols, we can reduce our risks all over the County.”

The regulations contained in the Declarations include:

• A prohibition of gatherings of more than 10 people

• A prohibition of dine-in services for restaurants

• The closure of bars, lounges, taverns, private clubs, gyms, health studios, theaters and commercial amusement facilities

The regulations, which have the effect of ordinances during the duration of the declarations, are meant to protect life and property and preserve critical resources while a state of disaster is in effect.

The declarations carry with them a fine up to $1,000.00 or confinement in jail for a term that does not exceed 180 days, for violations of the regulations.

https://www.ktre.com/2020/03/19/angelina-county-city-lufkin-declare-local-state-disaster/

Bucks woman found dead in Florida hotel room; 2 spring breakers charged with rape

Joy Howe, Brian Sheehan Mar 23, 2021

A Bucks County woman was found dead after being allegedly drugged and raped in her Florida hotel room by two men on spring break.

Christine Englehardt's family says she left her Bucks County home alone for a trip to Miami Beach for spring break.

But the trip ended in heartbreak last week when Englehardt, 24, was found dead in her South Beach hotel room.

Local police say they have surveillance video showing Englehardt entering her hotel with two men 21-year-old Evoire Collier and 24-year-old Dorian Taylor, both of North Carolina who were on spring break too.

The men reportedly met Englehart at a restaurant, and on the way back to her hotel, court documents say one of the men admitted to giving her a "green pill."

Investigators say they could see in the surveillance video that Englehardt was clearly intoxicated and unable to consent to anything. In fact, one of the men had to hold her up, and once in the hotel room, police say the two men raped her, then stole her credit cards and phone and took off.

She was later found dead.

Police aren't sure yet if that green pill killed her, but they're looking into it. The two men were arrested, and a judge denied bond.

So far, the men are charged with burglary and sexual battery, but depending on what the coroner's report says, the pair could also face murder charges.

Samantha DiFrancesco, one of Englehardt's friends back home who set up a GoFundMe to help with her funeral expenses, says she just can't believe this is true.

"It just breaks your heart when you know she was a genuinely good person who would do anything for anybody. To think she went through what she went through, it's sickening; it's sick," DiFrancesco said.

https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/southeastern-pa/bucks-woman-found-dead-in-florida-hotel-after-allegedly-drugged-raped-by-2-spring-breakers/article_1ac6bb9e-8c0f-11eb-bf7e-37f4403331eb.html