Wednesday, August 20, 2014

McCarthur man injured in single vehicle crash

File Photo
McCATHUR – A single-vehicle crash sent the driver to a Columbus hospital with what the Highway Patrol described as incapacitating injuries. The crash occurred Monday at approximately 11:45 a.m. on County Road 16 south of Township Road 13A in northern Vinton County.

Nathan D. Wright, 18, of McArthur was driving a 2002 Chevrolet Impala when it traveled off of the left side of the roadway. The vehicle struck an embankment, overturned and struck a tree coming to rest on its top.

Wright was flown to the Wexner Ohio State University Medical Center by Med-Flight helicopter.


Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Vinton County Emergency Medical Services and Laurelville Fire Department. The crash remains under investigation.


Rubber Bullets, Tear Gas and Jail: Ferguson Police Crack Down on Journalists Covering Protests | Democracy Now!

From Democracy Now!

"Protests over the fatal police shooting of unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown have continued for a 10th night in Ferguson, Missouri. The Committee to Protect Journalists has called on the Ferguson Police Department to stop harassing and detaining journalists. At least 11 journalists have been detained while covering the protests sparked by the shooting of Brown. We speak to Ryan Devereaux of The Intercept. On Monday night covering the demonstrations, he was shot by a rubber bullet, arrested and jailed overnight."

Read More: Rubber Bullets, Tear Gas and Jail: Ferguson Police Crack Down on Journalists Covering Protests | Democracy Now!

OIU agents to bystanders: If you see drinks being drugged – Don’t turn your back, ACT

COLUMBUS - As students at Ohio’s colleges begin returning to campus, agents with the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Ohio Investigative Unit want to remind everyone - don’t turn your back, ACT.

Drugging drinks, or drink tampering, happens to both female and males, at bars or even house parties, and often leads to sexual assault or robbery.

“We want friends to look out for their friends, fellow bar-goers to look out for fellow bar-goers and bar staff to look out for their patrons,” said Agent-in-Charge Eric Wolf. “We want everyone to be safe. If you see someone tampering with another person’s drink – don’t turn your back on them, don’t be afraid to step up and act.”

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

31 Arrested in Ferguson Protests Overnight; 2 Shot During Unrest

Photo by Jon Swaine, Guardian USA
From Democracy Now!

FERGUSON, Mo. - Monday saw "another night of heavy unrest in the ongoing uproar over the fatal police shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown. At least 31 people were arrested as street clashes erupted between groups of demonstrators and riot police. Police are claiming they came under "heavy gunfire" and that unknown suspects shot two people over the course of the night. Highway Patrol Captain Ron Johnson blamed what he called a small group of "lawbreakers.""



Read More: 31 Arrested in Ferguson Protests Overnight; 2 Shot During Unrest

Monday, August 18, 2014

Ferguson, Missouri Day 10

Tweets, videos, features and Vines from Ferguson, Missouri. Click for a live video and audio feed from Argus Radio 






'A Human Rights Crisis': Amnesty International Sends Monitors to Ferguson

Democracy Now "After a week that saw a militarized police crackdown and the imposition of a nighttime curfew, Amnesty International USA has taken an "unprecedented" step by sending a 13-person delegation to monitor the developments in Ferguson, Missouri. It is the first time the Amnesty organization has deployed observers inside the United States. We speak to Steven Hawkins, executive director of Amnesty International USA."





'A Human Rights Crisis': In Unprecedented Move, Amnesty International Sends Monitors to Ferguson | Democracy Now!

St. Louis Pastor: Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson Should Resign

Watch Democracy Now host Amy Goodman interview Rev. Clinton Stancil, senior pastor at the Wayman AME Church, says Police Chief Tom Jackson should resign. He also says that efforts are being made to galvanize African-American voters in the next election to address concerns over the lack of diversity in the city’s elected officials.

St. Louis Pastor: Ferguson Police Chief Tom Jackson Should Resign | Democracy Now!

Pathologist: Michael Brown died of gunshot to the head

Gov. Nixon mobilizes National Guard to Ferguson after another night of violence

Michael Brown (Family Photo)
By Michael O'Brien

FERGUSON, MO – In a news conference Monday morning, the family of Michael Brown released details of a private autopsy conducted on Michael. Brown, 18, of Ferguson was fatally shot August 9 following an altercation with Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson.

The family brought in forensic pathologist Dr. Michael Baden to conduct one of three autopsies. Baden, a former New York City medical examiner, has been called involved in several high-profile forensic cases. Baden said a bullet that hit Brown near the top of his head was fatal.

Earlier in the week, the Department of Justice ordered a federal autopsy with a third examination conducted by the St. Louis  County Medical Examiner. Details of the state’s examination have not yet been released.

“We’re here as forensic scientists to reach a final conclusion,” Baden said. “When somebody dies after encounter with police, its predictable that there are community and family concerns or distrust of the government .” Baden said“The sooner the information gets out, the sooner it calms concerns about any possible cover up.”

Sunday, August 17, 2014

Ferguson, Missouri Day 9

Video feeds courtesy of Argus Radio direct from Ferguson.


Early Monday morning law enforcement held a press conference at the command center.




Police continue to harass and threaten members of the media.



Tensions between protesters and law enforcement begin to rise

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Authorities bust Vinton County meth lab

NEW PLYMOUTH – While executing a search warrant on a New Plymouth residence Thursday, deputies with the Vinton Co Sheriff's Office Special Operations Team uncovered an operating methamphetamine lab.

Wayne A. Corbin
According to a media release from Vinton County Shawn Justice, Wayne A. Corbin, 43, was arrested prior to the raid after trying to purchase pseudoephedrine products from two different businesses in Logan. A search of Corbin uncovered 2 lithium batteries.

Pseudoephedrine and lithium are common ingredients used in the so-called “shake and bake” method of manufacturing meth.

Following Corbin’s arrest the sheriff’s office obtained a search warrant for 27674 Route 328. Ingredients to make methamphetamine along with suspected cooked meth were found inside the residence.

Corbin was transferred to the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail, SEORJ, in Nelsonville. A bond hearing is scheduled for Tuesday in Vinton County Court.

Members of the Vinton County Special Operations Team include personnel from the Vinton County Sheriff’s Office and McArthur Police Department. The Logan Police Department, McArthur Fire Department, Vinton Co Emergency Medical Services, Gallia County Sheriff’s Office and Gallipolis Police Department assisted in the investigation.

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Wednesday, August 13, 2014

State Fire Marshal warns of dangers associated with “fire challenge”

COLUMBUS - The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal is urging Ohioans not to engage in the “fire challenge.” Recently made popular through social media, the challenge involves a person pouring a flammable liquid onto their body and then lighting themselves on fire. That person then nominates other friends to take part in the challenge.

Doing this could result in serious injuries, including first, second and third degree burns or even death.

“Fire is not something to be played with. The fire challenge is not only extremely dangerous for the people involved, but it could also be a danger to other people or structures around you,” said Fire Marshal Larry Flowers. “We urge you to not take part in this new fad.”

Many of the participants in the “fire challenge” are teenagers. That’s why Marshal Flowers is asking parents to talk with their children about the consequences of setting themselves on fire. He believes making young people aware of the severity of the challenge may deter them from taking part.

Sit down with your kids and let them know this isn’t a safe game,” said Flowers. “We need to make sure our children understand how dangerous this challenge actually is.”

If you know of someone who has taken part in the fire challenge, please contact your local law enforcement agency, fire department or the Office of the State Marshal, 614-752-8200 or toll-free, 888-252-0803.

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The growing pay gap between journalism and public relations

In a sad but predictable turn, journalism is being outpaced by public relations. The average salary for a journalist is falling as are the number of available openings. Many journalism schools are churning out more public relations graduates than journalists.

A new Pew Research study shows the handwriting on the wall:

"The salary gap between public relations specialists and news reporters has widened over the past decade – to almost $20,000 a year, according to 2013 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data analyzed by the Pew Research Center. At the same time, the public relations field has expanded to a degree that these specialists now outnumber reporters by nearly 5 to 1 (BLS data include part-time and full-time employees, but not self-employed.)"

Read more:
The growing pay gap between journalism and public relations

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Press conference sheds new light on Robin Williams' death

SAN RAFAEL, CA – The Marin County Coroner’s Office released new details in the death of actor and comedian Robin Williams. At a press conference Tuesday, Lt. Keith Boyd with the Marin County Sheriff’s Office and Assistant Chief Deputy confirmed certain aspects of Williams’s death.

Williams, 63, lived with his wife Susan Schneider at a home on St. Thomas Drive in Marin County. He was pronounced dead by firefighters from the Tiburon Fire Department at 12:02 p.m. PDT Tuesday.

“On August 11 at approximately 11:55 a.m., Marin County communications received a 911 telephone call reporting a male adult had been located unconscious and not breathing,” Boyd said “The caller was distraught and indicated an apparent suicide due to a hanging had taken place and rigor mortis had set in.”

Boyd said Williams was last seen alive by his wife at approximately 10:30 p.m. local time Sunday evening being retiring for the evening.