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Forecast Calls for 2-4 Inches of Snow, Possible Coastal Flooding

March 25, 2013, 3:19 am
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Forecast Calls for 2-4 Inches of Snow, Possible Coastal Flooding Patch Galloway, NJ --

Spring arrived last week and the area is bracing for yet another possible snow storm.

This time, the National Weather Service out of Mount Holly is calling for 2-4 inches of snow on Monday, March 25, and a Coastal Flood Advisory is in effect between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. Monday night.

Snow was set to begin overnight on Sunday, but the real storm was forecast to begin with a mix of rain and snow before 9 a.m., followed by snow between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. and a return to the mix of rain and snow after 2 p.m.

The storm was expected to revert back to snow after 10 p.m., with less than half an inch of additional accumulation expected thereafter. Rain and snow is expected to continue through Tuesday, with skies clearing up Tuesday night.

If the forecast proves true, it would be the third time the area has seen snow since the arrival of spring on March 21. It may be the first significant snowfall of the year. Reported by Patch 6 hours ago.
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40 mph Wind Gusts Today, Freezing Temperatures Tonight in Holly Springs

March 25, 2013, 3:03 am
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40 mph Wind Gusts Today, Freezing Temperatures Tonight in Holly Springs Patch Holly Springs-Hickory Flat, GA --

Holly Springs and Hickory Flat are under a wind advisory until 6 p.m. today. But though the winds will slow, the weather will only get colder as a freeze warning goes into effect at 2 a.m. Tuesday.

The National Weather Service has issued the freeze warning and wind advisory for all of North and Central Georgia. Winds are out of the west at 15-25 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph.

These winds could knock medium to large limbs from trees and even blow down weak or drought stressed trees.

Temperatures overnight and early Tuesday will be in the middle to upper 20s in the higher elevations, but elsewhere in the lower 30s. The freeze warning is in effect from 2-10 a.m. Tuesday morning.

Bundle the kids up for school – the freeze watch starts at 2 a.m. Tuesday, but it doesn't end until 10 a.m.

Today's forecast calls for it to be mostly cloudy with a high of 44. The overnight low will be 29.

The freezing temperatures will impact early budding and flowering vegetation. Strong winds can make driving difficult. Boats, too, should exercise extra caution, as rough chop could occur on area lakes.

Temperatures on this spring morning will be in the upper 20s to lower 30s.

"Those with agricultural interests in the watch area should make preparations to protect sensitive vegetation and young trees," the National Weather Service advises. Reported by Patch 6 hours ago.
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Help Keep Neighborhoods Safe with Holly Springs Police

March 25, 2013, 3:03 am
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Help Keep Neighborhoods Safe with Holly Springs Police Patch Holly Springs-Hickory Flat, GA -- Reported by Patch 6 hours ago.
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Sold: Large, Single Family On Cul De Sac Off East Street in Middletown

March 25, 2013, 5:22 am
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Sold: Large, Single Family On Cul De Sac Off East Street in Middletown Patch Middletown, CT --

 

The Middletown town clerk's office reports the following properties changed hands recently:

· 158 NEWTOWN STREET — Joseph S. Kmietek to Deborah A. Hull and Anthony R. Hull on March 13 for $100,000.
· 886 LONG HILL ROAD — Ricardo M. Mickens to Joseph Mulling and Anna Terry on March 11 for $130,000.
· 485 ATKINS STREET — Hope Shiynah Suplita to Toni Langevin on March 11 for $155,000.
· 14 VILLA STREET — Pacifica L. Fourteen LLC to Thomas M Schmelter on March 8 for $70,000.
· 115 WANDA LANE — Ameritage LLC to Liza Vignori on March 6 for $396,177.
· 94 CYNTHIA LANE B6 — Christopher Jones to Marlene Jones on March 5 for $155,000.
· 226 CARRIAGE LANE UNIT 12101 — Salvatore Filingeri to Deborah A. Boggio on March 4 for $105,000.
· 37 BENJAMIN LANE — Kevin B. and Mary Ann Martin to David R. Eberhart on March 1 for $266,000.
· 111 SISK STREET — Estate of Katie H. Ruimerman ℅ Linda Cunningham to Route 66 Enterprises LLC on March 1 for $160,000.
· 1099 ARBUTUS STREET — SCP Properties LLC to Thomas C. and Barbara A. Maddaloni on March 1 for $270,000.
· 71 ANNELLO WAY — Ameritage LLC to Annette Neleber and Dominic Farina on March 1 for $270,000.
· 598 BUTTERNUT STREET — Peter J. Dombi to Michael T. Long and Holly Tracy on Feb. 28 for $189,000.
· 614-616 HIGH STREET — Louis J. and Raymond L. D'Amato Jr. to Douglas Felton on Feb. 25 for $195,000.
· 46 NORFOLK STREET — Mary Kruszewski to Kelly A. and Brian S. Oleksiw on Feb. 28 for $169,900. Reported by Patch 4 hours ago.
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Video: Cyprus gets $13B bailout

March 25, 2013, 5:47 am
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The nation of Cyprus is getting a $13 billion bailout, which calls for sweeping changes to the country's economy and banking system. Holly Williams reports. Reported by CBS News 3 hours ago.
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Breastfeeding is the biggest challenge, says Holly Madison

March 25, 2013, 5:33 am
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Washington, March 24 : Holly Madison has been a mom for two weeks now, and she thinks parenthood is the best role of her life. Reported by newKerala.com 4 hours ago.
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Holly Willoughby reveals how she balances work and family life

March 25, 2013, 6:40 am
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Holly Madison Flaunts Slim Post-Baby Body in Short Dress—See the Pic!

March 25, 2013, 6:55 am
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Talk about a hot mama! On Friday, just two weeks after giving birth, Holly Madison showed off her already slim, post-baby body in Las Vegas. Rainbow Aurora's mom, 33, stunned in a... Reported by E! Online 2 hours ago.
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Holly Madison's post-baby physique

March 25, 2013, 8:52 am
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Holly Madison is red carpet ready. The new mom showed off her post-baby body just three weeks after giving birth to her daughter Rainbow Aurora. All smiles, Madison, 33, attended the Cirque Du Soleil World Water Day celebration at the Hyde Bellagio in Las Vegas Friday. Reported by NY Daily News 12 minutes ago.
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Dorland Health’s 5th Care Coordination Summit to Take Place in National Harbor, MD, May 7-8

March 25, 2013, 8:23 am
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The 5th Care Coordination Summit firmly embraces the need to create a sustainable healthcare system that will subsist long into the future. With its mission of Paving the Way Toward a Sustainable Healthcare System, the Care Coordination Summit delivers critical intelligence, resources, case studies, best practices and real working models to case managers and professionals involved in care coordination as they seek to address challenges, reduce costs, optimize the delivery of care and create viable payment structures.

Rockville, MD (PRWEB) March 25, 2013

The only event designed for all members of the care coordination team, the two-day Care Coordination Summit covers practical topics for professionals working in the field of managed care, acute care, the military, long-term care, behavioral health, rehabilitation, home care, or other settings through which consumers access healthcare. The Summit is designed to shed light on issues related to finances and quality of care in the expansive areas of care coordination. Seeking to improve quality and reduce costs, the Summit focuses on some of the top-trending areas that impact modern healthcare infrastructure, including the ongoing redesign of the delivery of care, shared decision making, innovations leading to reducing waste, patient and family engagement, and ways in which organizations are improving the quality of care across the care continuum.

The Summit brings together a diverse group of speakers from all slices of healthcare and will feature three keynote addresses: Eileen Carlson, JD, RN, Associate Director of Government Affairs, American Nurses Association, on the new reimbursement policies governing transitions of care; Dr. Peter Goldbach, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dialog, on the growing domain of shared decision making; and Holly A. Toomey, RN, BSHM, Associate Vice President, Care Management Strategy, McKesson Health Solutions, whose opening session will set the stage of healthcare at “the tipping point.”

The Summit takes place at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, National Harbor, Md. To view the agenda and register for the event, visit the Summit website at http://www.dorlandhealth.com/care_coordination_summit. Early bird registration ends Tuesday, March 26th.

About Dorland Health
Dorland Health, an Access Intelligence, LLC Company, is a leading publisher and media company providing education, training, tools, information resources, guidance and practical advice for practitioners and specialists in the area of case management and care coordination. Dorland Health services include the Professional Patient Advocate Institute, Case In Point, Case In Point Weekly, OR Manager, Patient Advocate Report, industry-specific resource directories and reports, conferences and events, webinars, award programs, special reports, and offers continuing education credit. Reported by PRWeb 40 minutes ago.
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Holly Madison Shows Off Amazing Post-Baby Bod!

March 25, 2013, 12:46 pm
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*Holly Madison* gave birth to her daughter Rainbow Aurora earlier this month, and looks like she already lost the baby weight! Holly stepped out in a cute blue dress at a Cirque Du Soleil event in Las Vegas not even three weeks after little Rainbow arrived. Check out the video above for more on what Holly said about being a mother, breastfeeding and getting in shape!

*What do you think about Holly's quick transformation? Share your opinions in the comment box below and tweet us @OKMagazine!*

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EXCLUSIVE: Get a Sneak Peek At the 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' Season Finale!

Photo credit: 
Getty Images
2252917913001 Reported by OK! Magazine 23 hours ago.
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Taste of Sequoyah Promises Food, Fundraising

March 25, 2013, 12:49 pm
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Taste of Sequoyah Promises Food, Fundraising Patch Holly Springs-Hickory Flat, GA --

The Sequoyah High School Band of Chiefs just got back from marching in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York City, but that doesn't mean they're taking a break to rest on their laurels.

Ensembles from the Band of Chiefs will be playing at "A Taste of Sequoyah," a fundraiser on Tuesday, March 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the high school. Hosted by the Sequoyah High School Musical Arts Booster Club and The Sequoyah Instrumental Music Foundation, the taste will feature the culinary stylings from 13 local restaurants accompanied by live music from the Band of Chiefs.

Some of the restaurants that will be offering samples or full plates are as follows:

· Bodocks Bar and Grill
· Panda Express
· La Parilla
· Shane's Rib Shack
· Smoothie King
· Frosty Frog
· La Bamba

"The fine arts budget is usually the first one cut when school districts need to save money," said Sequoyah Instrumental Music Foundation President Virginia Roberson. "We parents end up paying for a lot of our kids out of pocket."

Roberson said that bands are part of the communities in which they serve, and are important parts of sporting events and other school functions.

A Taste of Sequoyah is the big, all-band fundraiser held every year to help shoulder the costs of maintaining the band and its members. Although band members will intermittently raise money by hosting car washes or selling wrapping paper, A Taste of Sequoyah is the largest fundraiser held.

Admission is $1. Sample plates may cost more depending on the restaurant. Roberson says that $5 will easily feed one person.

According to Roberson, the fundraiser generated roughly $2,800 for the band in 2012, an amount she hopes will increase in 2013. Roberson is also hopeful that turnout will top the 300 mark, another improvement over 2012's event.

To learn more about the event, visit the Holly Springs-Hickory Flat Patch events page.

*Keep up with Holly Springs-Hickory Flat Patch news by **subscribing to our newsletters** and following us on **Twitter** and **Facebook**! * Reported by Patch 23 hours ago.
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Holly Springs Police Investigate Home Invasion, Burglary

March 25, 2013, 12:49 pm
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Holly Springs Police Investigate Home Invasion, Burglary Patch Holly Springs-Hickory Flat, GA --

Holly Springs Police are looking for clues to help them nab two male suspects they believe were involved in a home invasion last week. 

At around 11:28 a.m. last Thursday, two men entered the back door at a home at 444 Crestmont Lane. The suspects allegedly forced their way iinto the house by breaking the glass out of the door, according to a Nixle alert by the department. 

The suspects allegedly went through drawers in the home and took two kitchen knives that were later found lying on the kitchen floor. 

Both suspects then made their way upstairs and forced themselves into the master bedroom with what appeared to be a crow bar. As the suspects walked into the bedroom, the resident who was hiding in the room ran into the master bathroom and closed the door. 

One suspect forced his way into the bathroom where he discovered the resident. The resident began to scream and both suspects left the house. 

"Neither subject said anything to the resident and it is believed that they did not know anyone was at home," the release states. 

One suspect is described to be between 5'6 and 5'8 with slender build and was wearing all black clothing, a black hoodie over his head and blue bandanna over face.

Another suspect stood between 6' and 6'3 with a husky build and was wearing a tan short sleeve t-shirt and possibly had wireless Bluetooth device in his right ear.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective  Johnny L. Shirley at (770) 721-7528 email jshirley@hollyspringsga.us

*Keep up with Holly Springs-Hickory Flat Patch news by **subscribing to our newsletters** and following us on **Twitter** and **Facebook**! * Reported by Patch 23 hours ago.
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Observing Passover in Holly Springs: What You Need To Know

March 25, 2013, 12:49 pm
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Observing Passover in Holly Springs: What You Need To Know Patch Holly Springs-Hickory Flat, GA --

It’s time to break out the matzo.

Passover, which arrived on Monday March 26, is a time when Jews across the world will come together to retell the Exodus story over four cups of wine (or grape juice for those who can't indulge), and of course, a large, festive feast.

*Passover Traditions*

As the story goes, during their flight from slavery, the Jews did not have enough time for their dough to rise, resulting in a flaky cracker that is eaten instead of bread for a full week during Passover.

The diet changes go beyond bread, however, and depend on family tradition. As a general rule, just look for the “Kosher for Passover” label, which thankfully spreads to more products year after year.

Prior to the holiday, Jews clean their homes and get rid of chametz—food that is forbidden during Passover.

Check to see if any of your local food pantries will accept your chametz or if your fire department is holding a safe burning of the chametz. The day before, this year on March 24, kids have the chance to search their homes by candlelight for any pieces of chametz left behind.

*The Seder*

On the first two nights of Passover, a Seder is held. This is when the story of Passover is told with the reading of the Haggadah. Some families even dress up and act out the story.

Songs are sung, including "Dayenu," and as tradition, children sing the Four Questions, or Ma Nishtana. Over the course of the night, four cups of wine are consumed to celebrate freedom. Bitter herbs are also eaten as a reminder of the pain of the Jewish slaves.

The middle of the holiday, from March 28 to 31, is an intermediate period, or Chol HaMoed, when there are fewer restrictions.

On these days more observant Jews are allowed to drive and use electronics, and in rare instances, work. The final two days of Passover fall on April 1 and 2, and are considered Holy Days.

Just south of Holly Springs, the Chabad Jewish Center in Kennesaw will observe Passover as well as Marietta's Temple Kol Emeth with its 2013 TKE Second Night Seder, which starts tonight at 6 p.m. 

Kroger and Publix are among the stores that sell kosher goods. For a complete list of retailers, check the *Holly Springs-Hickory Flat Patch business directory*.

For some educational fun with the kids, check out the Rugrats Passover special here.

*-- Share your Passover plans in the comments below.*

*Keep up with Holly Springs-Hickory Flat Patch news by **subscribing to our newsletters** and following us on **Twitter** and **Facebook**! * Reported by Patch 23 hours ago.
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Holly Madison Wedding Update - Wants to Marry Pasquale Rotella in August 2013

March 25, 2013, 1:21 pm
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New mom Holly Madison has a wedding wish for her fiance Pasquale Rotella - she wants an August wedding. The former Playboy's 'Girls Next Door' star has a two-week-old daughter named Rainbow Aurora and now says she wants to tie the knot later this year, and though she haven't set a date yet, Holly knows when she wants the nuptials to take place.... Reported by The National Ledger 22 hours ago.
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Holly Energy Partners First Quarter 2013 Earnings Release and Conference Webcast

March 25, 2013, 3:13 pm
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Filed under: Investing

*Holly Energy Partners First Quarter 2013 Earnings Release and Conference Webcast*

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Holly Energy Partners, L.P. (NYS: HEP) (the "Partnership") plans to announce results for its quarter ending March 31, 2013 on April 30, 2013, before the opening of trading on the NYSE. The Partnership has scheduled a webcast conference on April 30, 2013 at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time to discuss financial results.

This webcast may be accessed at: https://event.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1015237




An audio archive of this webcast will be available using the above noted link through May 14, 2013.

About Holly Energy Partners, L.P.:

Holly Energy Partners, L.P., headquartered in Dallas, Texas, provides petroleum product and crude oil transportation, tankage and terminal services to the petroleum industry, including HollyFrontier Corporation, which currently owns a 39% interest (including a 2% general partner interest), in the Partnership. The Partnership owns and operates petroleum product and crude pipelines, tankage, terminals and loading facilities located in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arizona, Washington, Kansas, Wyoming, Idaho and Utah. In addition, the Partnership owns a 75% interest in UNEV Pipeline, LLC, the owner of a Holly Energy operated refined products pipeline running from Salt Lake City, Utah to Las Vegas, Nevada, and related product terminals and a 25% interest in SLC Pipeline LLC, a 95-mile intrastate pipeline system serving refineries in the Salt Lake City, Utah area.





Holly Energy Partners, L.P.
Julia Heidenreich, 214-954-6511
Vice President, Investor Relations
or
M. Neale Hickerson, 214-954-6511
Investor Relations

*KEYWORDS:*   United States  North America  Texas

*INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:*

The article Holly Energy Partners First Quarter 2013 Earnings Release and Conference Webcast Reported by DailyFinance 21 hours ago.
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High Winds Take Down Traffic Light; Police Release Details in Park Suicide

March 25, 2013, 7:23 pm
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High Winds Take Down Traffic Light; Police Release Details in Park Suicide Patch Holly Springs-Hickory Flat, GA --

*Traffic Light Falls; Traffic Slowed in Buckhead *- Buckhead Patch

The traffic light at the intersection of Lenox Road and East Paces Ferry Roadcame crashing to the ground Monday morning due to high winds, reports 11Alive News.

No one was reported as hurt, but traffic was being reported as slowed down and backing up just south of Lenox Mall. See Buckhead Patch for more on this story.

*Police Release Additional Details Regarding Bogan Park Suicide* - Buford Patch

A 57-year-old man who was found bleeding in the parking lot of Bogan Park in Buford died of self-inflicted wounds, according to police.

In an email to Buford Patch, Gwinnett County Police Department public information officer Cpl. Jake Smith said the death was "definitely a suicide."

Officers were dispatched to Bogan Park on March 20 at 4:41 p.m. in response to a medical call. Upon arrival, they found Gustavo Figueroa, 57, of Buford, lying in the parking lot next to his vehicle. See Buford Patch for more on this story.

*High School Students Say Man With Gun Tried to Stop School Bus Monday* - East Atlanta Patch

The Atlanta Police Department and Atlanta Public Schools security officials are investigating a Monday morning incident in which high school students claim that a man approached their school bus and brandished a gun.

Initial reports came via Twitter stating that children were seen running from a school bus and that a man with a weapon had boarded the bus near Ralph David Abernathy and McDaniel Street and hit a student. See East Atlanta Patch for more on this story.

*Cobb Jury Convicts Man of Murder* - East Cobb Patch

A Cobb County jury has convicted Jesus Hernandez Perez of murder, aggravated assault and other charges in connection with the September 2010 robbery and beating death of a 27-year-old Marietta man.

Perez, 31, and co-defendant Jose “Gordo” Marcelino Badillo beat Boydrick Powell to death with a baseball bat and threw him off a balcony at the Autumn View apartment complex on Franklin Road in Marietta on Sept. 18, 2010, said Kim Isaza, the spokeswoman for Cobb County District Attorney Vic Reynolds. See East Cobb Patch for more on this story.

*Sandy Springs Police Identify Shooting Suspect at Large* - Sandy Springs Patch

Sandy Springs Police issued warrants for Matthew Terry, 42, in the Sunday shooting of Shawn Crew at Chastain Apartments on Roswell Road.

Terry's whereabouts were unknown Sunday night. He is considered armed and dangerous. See Sandy Springs Patch for more on this story. Reported by Patch 16 hours ago.
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Bethel Park Man Charged with Possessing Child Porn

March 25, 2013, 10:15 pm
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Patch Upper St. Clair, PA --

Agents from the state Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit accused a Bethel Park man of possessing and distributing child pornography on his personal computer.

David O’Connell, 34, was arrested and charged on March 21 after state agents and Bethel Park police raided the Holly Lynne Drive home he shares with his parents.

Investigators said they began tracking O’Connell’s Internet usage in January and eventually discovered he was sharing files of underage girls performing sex acts on themselves and others. Investigators said O’Connell admitted to possessing several videos on his computer of underage girls, some as young as 8, performing sex acts with adults or other children.

O’Connell faces five counts of possession of child pornography, five counts of distributing child pornography and one charge of illegal use of a communications facility. He waived all of the charges to court during his preliminary hearing on Monday afternoon with District Judge Robert Wyda.

His bond was reduced to 10 percent of $50,000. If O’Connell makes bail, Wyda ordered that he is not permitted to access the Internet nor use a computer or mobile device. He also is not allowed to have contact of any kind with anyone under the age of 18. Reported by Patch 14 hours ago.
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Man Charged with Possessing Child Porn

March 26, 2013, 12:51 am
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Man Charged with Possessing Child Porn Patch Chartiers Valley, PA --

Agents from the state Attorney General’s Child Predator Unit accused a Bethel Park man of possessing and distributing child pornography on his personal computer.

David O’Connell, 34, was arrested and charged on March 21 after state agents and Bethel Park police raided the Holly Lynne Drive home he shares with his parents.

Investigators said they began tracking O’Connell’s Internet usage in January and eventually discovered he was sharing files of underage girls performing sex acts on themselves and others. Investigators said O’Connell admitted to possessing several videos on his computer of underage girls, some as young as 8, performing sex acts with adults or other children.

O’Connell faces five counts of possession of child pornography, five counts of distributing child pornography and one charge of illegal use of a communications facility. He waived all of the charges to court during his preliminary hearing on Monday afternoon with District Judge Robert Wyda.

His bond was reduced to 10 percent of $50,000. If O’Connell makes bail, Wyda ordered that he is not permitted to access the Internet nor use a computer or mobile device. He also is not allowed to have contact of any kind with anyone under the age of 18.



*Like the Chartiers Valley Patch Facebook page or sign up for our Daily E-mail Newsletter*

 Reported by Patch 11 hours ago.
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40 Days for Life: Prayers and protests

March 26, 2013, 12:41 am
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Campaigners are harassing women and holding long Lenten prayer vigils outside abortion clinics. Holly Baxter reports on the impact of this growing trend

Outside the British Pregnancy Advisory Service in central London, a young man tells me that he's won his first "save" of the day. "She was 12 years old," he says excitedly, "and she didn't even know who the father was. Dead set on abortion. Now she's gone inside for an ultrasound, but she's agreed to come along with me afterwards. We have a clinic where she can get the loving help she needs to carry her baby full-term."

For Joseph, a fresh-faced man in his early 30s who claims that he has been an enthusiastic member of anti-abortion group 40 Days For Life "from birth", this is another small victory in the name of God. He explains that a "save" is when intervention from a group member results in a pregnant woman leaving an abortion clinic untreated. "Day 41," states the front page of the US-based 40 Days website, "554 babies saved!"

40 Days for Life is a religious anti-abortion campaign that sets up camp outside reproductive health clinics during Lent (which ends Easter Sunday), and attempts to prevent women from having terminations or accessing "baby-killing propaganda". Much has been made of their harassment techniques that range from the insidious (bursting into hymn as tearful women emerge from the clinics, giving out plastic rosary beads in powder pink or baby blue at the door) to the mendacious (leaflets disguised as NHS literature that address the reader as "Mum" and speak of "not being able to look your future children in the eye").

Abigail Fitzgibbon, public policy manager for BPAS, says that clinic employees attempt to minimise distress to clients as best they can, but ultimately remain powerless. I witness the effects myself during four weeks observing the protesters: a teenager waiting for his girlfriend who absentmindedly takes a leaflet and leaves upset; a couple who hide in a bush for an hour, waiting in vain for the "prayer vigil" to leave; a middle-aged mother-of-three, navigating a pushchair, is heckled with: "You have kids already! What are you doing?"

Joseph, who grew up in a home where his parents would regularly bring home pregnant teenage girls to "rescue", speaks of "converting" the employees as well as the patients. "God loves everybody", he reminds me, "even those who commit genocide." Inside the building that Joseph pickets in Bloomsbury, a BPAS employee tells me that she sees the protesters set up their "prayer vigils" every day. "We respect their right to peaceful protest," she says, wearily, "but anyone can see that this is all about intimidation. They know our short hours of operation but stay here until 8pm, often with babies in tow. Last year, a particularly threatening man took photos of our clients at the door and when we spoke to 40 Days, they claimed he was nothing to do with them. Perhaps he really was an isolated criminal, but if you create that menacing atmosphere, you have to take responsibility for the type of person that will naturally attract. Recently, one lone man watched me make my way home in the dark every night."

The pronouncements of certain Conservative MPs – Nadine Dorries claiming that a spot on reality TV would help her to "spread awareness" about time limits, health secretary Jeremy Hunt's support for a 12-week limit – has ensured that abortion in the UK has returned to the spotlight. There have been debates in parliament and a slew of newspaper opinion pieces. In response, BPAS has rolled out its first ever advocacy campaign in support of a woman's right to choose. Billboards across the country say: "What do you call a woman who's had an abortion? Mother. Daughter. Sister. Friend."

Meanwhile, anecdotal evidence suggests that the 40 Days for Life protests in the UK – especially in London and Birmingham – have become larger and more vocal in the past two years. But they're still far smaller than groups in the US, with individual members often kneeling on freezing pavements for hours to hold the 12-hour presence demanded by the group HQ that's ^located "somewhere in Texas".

"Twelve hours is as long as we can do now practically, but we did one 24-hour vigil this year, which went well," UK director Robert Colquhoun tells me. "Since 2010, we've grown from one vigil in London to 10 across the country, and now we do 500 hours in total every Lent. Between 2011 and 2013, we've seen numbers increase exponentially – 2013 has been our most successful year."

A Marie Stopes spokesperson says that their main concern is targeting the "misleading information ... given to [women] by protesters". Flicking through a 40 Days leaflet, it's clear that this is a problem. Saturated in emotive language about "your tiny baby", its pseudo-medical statements imply that abortions often cause "serious physical complications"– a tactic that has earned them the moniker 40 Days for Lies among counter-protesters.

And yet, on a personal level, the people behind the placards are not the monsters you might think.Seeking to understand why the protesters would do this, I find them friendly at least, even when I say I'm a journalist. Almost all those I talk to are immigrants from largely Catholic countries, such as Poland, whose churches have suggested they attend "for the community". The younger ones are surprisingly lacking in evangelical zeal; they lounge on camping chairs, share hot chocolates, refer to the vigil as a "social gathering with friends", as they make up the numbers and say they don't agree with all the content in "these leaflets from America".

"The biggest enemy we face is indifference," Colquhoun had told me, and these words ring in my ears as I observe the next generation of anti-abortion campaigners, making jokes around boxes of plastic model foetuses. It's difficult not to imagine that the group has an expiry date. Will they fade away with the social effects of a recession, or really go from strength to strength, as Colquhoun imagines? It hardly matters for those individuals who were turned around at the gates by 40 Days for Life, of course. For them, the effects of their presence will be lifelong. Reported by guardian.co.uk 11 hours ago.
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