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How are Venezuela's media covering the protests?

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(Read caption) Opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez, dressed in white and holding up a flower stem, is taken into custody by Bolivarian National Guards, in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, Feb 18, 2014. Lopez re-emerged from days of hiding to address an antigovernment demonstration and then he turned himself in to authorities Tuesday.

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 David Smilde is the moderator of WOLA's blog: Venezuelan Politics and Human Rights. The views expressed are the author's own.

[Yesterday's] protest and speech by Leopoldo López was covered live by television news channel Globovisión. At least in part. Globovisión split their screen so that they could transmit the opposition protest and government march at the same time and also cut away from the speech before López was done.

This, however, was a significant improvement over media coverage of the violence during the Feb.12 march (see David’s comments in the Financial Times).

That day when the student’s protests turned increasingly violent, private television stations stopped their live coverage of the incidents. Globovisión, the news channel that used to be considered the main pro-opposition media but is now owned by a business group said to be close to the government, had initially given ample – but not live – coverage to the protests. But as soon as violence erupted in the afternoon, they switched to a fashion program.

Public television channels did not cover any of the opposition protests, concentrating instead on a government organized patriotic youth march commemorating the anniversary of La Victoria battle of the war of independence.

People with access to cable television services turned to the Colombia-based news channel NTN24 for live coverage of the incidents. As violence erupted, the channel broadcasted videos reportedly filmed by protestors showing Venezuelan police officers firing on protestors. The government ordered cable providers to take NTN24 out of their grids. Viewers reported by twitter that by leaving the channel on it could still be viewed in Venezuela, but as soon as it was changed or the cable set turned off and on again, the image was lost. The web page of the channel was also blocked from access in Venezuela. But it was available live on

President Nicolás Maduro justified the censuring measure declaring: “a television channel [NTN24] that is trying to compete with Telesur [Venezuelan government backed Latin American news television channel], attempted to broadcast the chaos of a coup d’état…I had to defend Venezuela’s peace.” He also scolded Agence France-Presse news service for using local reporters to “harm the truth about Venezuela.”

The president of the government’s media control agency CONATEL, William Castillo, also warned via twitter against international coverage of the protests: “We call upon the international media to respect the Venezuelan people. The promotion of violence and the lack of recognition of authorities is a crime [in Venezuela].”

On the evening of Feb. 13, Twitter users in Venezuela reported that they were unable to upload images and videos to their accounts. Social media networks such as Twitter had been used during the day to upload images of the protests. International news agencies claimed that the Venezuelan government had, through its web provider CANTV, blocked the service to the country. But in contrast to the way President Maduro assumed responsibility for censuring NTN24, CANTV quickly denied the accusations.

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Commentators have compared the Feb. 12 coverage to the television blackout of April 12 - 13 of 2002. After the coup against former President Hugo Chávez on that date, Television stations chose to broadcast cartoons instead of covering live the popular protests and military realignments and movements that eventually brought Mr. Chávez back to power.

Paradoxically that 2002 case of concerted information blackout by the media has been repeatedly used by the Venezuelan government as an argument for the need to closely control private media. Furthermore, pro-government analysts have justified the recent censorship precisely in order to preclude a repetition of the 2002 coup.

Before last week’s student protests, Maduro warned that private television channels were fueling criminal violence by broadcasting programs that carried “anti-values of capitalism.” He added that the new Pacification Plan would include measures to purge that “culture of violence” from the media.

On the days before the Feb. 12 protests and the media blackout, tensions seemed to have been building up inside Globovisión. On Feb. 11 for example, a long-time lead reporter of the channel, José Vicente Antonetti, announced that his daily program Primera Plana had been canceled and that he had therefore been de facto sacked from Globovisión.

Then on Feb. 13, during the protests, the channel’s information coordinator Cecilia Colmenares quit her job because of her disagreement over the editorial line and the lack of coverage of the events. Another Globovisión reporter, Betriz Adrián, tweeted during the day: “several of the reporters asked that [Globovisión] broadcast what was happening in both events [government acts and opposition protests]. But it was impossible.” According to El Universal popular journalists and news anchors such as Leopoldo Castillo, Carla Angola, “Kiko” Bautista, Gladys Rodríguez, and Roman Lozinski have quit the channel because of changes in its editorial line.

On Feb. 15, several journalist organizations held a meeting in which they analyzed the situation and called for unity among journalists and a renewed push to provide independent coverage.

On Feb. 16 Globovisión responded to criticisms with a statement claiming objectivity and neutrality in its news coverage and adding: “We disagree with the use of broadcast media as an instrument for agitation, propaganda, or confrontation, and with its use as a weapon to attack the well being of the nation or to alter the social stability of the country.”

Pressures regarding news coverage have also affected print media. Journalists at Venezuela’s largest daily newspaper Últimas Noticias were upset on Feb. 13 when UN did not give front page coverage to the deaths of three students. However, on Sunday, Ultimas Noticias published on its web page a very detailed report describing and analyzing internet videos and pictures of the protests and the violence in downtown Caracas on Feb. 12.

The analysis seems to corroborate denunciations of police officers from the Servicio Bolivariano de Inteligencia (SEBIN) and non-uniformed motorcyclists firing at students with hand guns. On a national cadena, broadcast that airs on all channels, on Feb. 16, Maduro acknowledged that a group of SEBIN officers did fire at protestors. He suggested that they had not remained in their barracks as ordered.

–  David Smilde is the moderator of WOLA's blog: Venezuelan Politics and Human Rights.

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Sunday, August 30 Local

Mountain top mining protesters appear in court

STAMFORD -- Fourteen members of Hands Off Appalachia, who took over a downtown construction crane and locked themselves in UBS headquarters just before Thanksgiving, appeared in state Superior Court on Wednesday and had their cases continued for three weeks while prosecutors determine how much the incident cost local businesses.

The protesters, who come as far away as Texas, while others come from North Carolina, Massachusetts, New York, Maryland, Maine, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington D.C., will return to court Feb. 6.

Some of the protesters commandeered the construction boom of a crane 200 feet above Summer Street on Nov. 25 where they unfurled a 40-foot-by-60-foot banner demanding UBS stop its support of mountaintop removal, a type of strip mining that blasts the tops off mountains in Appalachia.

Just as the four of the protesters were being taken into custody after climbing down the long ladder from the top of the crane, UBS security called police to report that other protesters had appeared inside their building.

Two protesters had gotten into the UBS headquarters and used bicycle locks to attach themselves to an inside railing on a mezzanine in the main foyer of the building, from which they unfurled a banner that read, "UBS Divest from Mountaintop Removal."

Workers at the building under construction that were using the crane that day said they were unable to get any work done from the early morning until noon, when the protesters unlocked the crane hatch and gave themselves up to police.

None of the protesters entered pleas in the case Wednesday.

Defense attorney David Marantz, who is acting as a special public defender for Dustin Steele, 22, of West Virginia, who was charged with criminal trespass, breach of peace and conspiracy to commit criminal trespass and breach of peace at UBS headquarters, said while he understands that police had to be sent downtown to keep an eye on the protesters, he did not think the city suffered any real loss.

He said the prosecutor's main concern is the protest's cost to the crane company, and part of the reason the case was continued to early February was to get a more accurate figure of their losses.

Marantz said it may be possible to arrive at a restitution agreement and that could go a long way to resolve the case. He said the protesters only wanted to irritate UBS.

"I know the protesters goal was not to harm a construction company that had nothing to do with it. The goal was to bring attention to their cause," Marantz said.

Marantz said he understood the protesters frustration when a big corporation takes advantage of the common man.

"The allegation is there are mountain tops being sheared off in West Virginia, polluting the water supply and destroying the natural habitat of many species. That being said, it shouldn't come down to this, but if it was happening in your back yard, you would be mad too," he said.

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Defense attorney Eugene Riccio, who is representing Caitlin Myers, 20, of Bethesda, Md., on identical charges, said he has made an application for Myers to participate in a court diversionary program for first-time offenders.

It would expunge her charges if she completes the program successfully.

Riccio said his client had a perfect right to protest what she believes to be a terrible wrong.

"I think these people are exercising their freedom of speech in the best fashion of our constitutional forebears. They have a right to express their views for the betterment of society and our environment," Riccio said.

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France 24 Mobile – International News 24/7

UNESCO names Church of Nativity a Heritage site over Israeli objections

Latest update : 30/06/2012

Article text by News Wires

UNESCO recognised on Friday the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem as a World Heritage site despite opposition from Washington and Tel Aviv, which regard the move as an affirmation of Palestinian sovereignty in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

AP - UNESCO’s World Heritage committee on Thursday approved a Palestinian bid to place the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem on its list of sites of World Heritage in Danger - a move seen by some nations as dangerously mixing politics and culture.
Palestinian spokesman Hanan Ashrawi said the vote was an affirmation of Palestinian sovereignty over the site which marks the place where Christians believe Jesus was born.

The 21-member committee, meeting in St. Petersburg, Russia, voted 13-6 to include the church and pilgrimage route, located in the Israeli-controlled West Bank, on its list of sites. There were two abstentions.

The United States and Israel, neither of which is on the committee, were among nations opposed to the Palestinian proposal of an emergency candidacy for the iconic Christian site, shortcutting what is usually an 18-month-long process to apply for World Heritage recognition.

The church - which drew some 2 million visitors last year and parts of which are 1,500 years old - stands above the grotto that Christians believe was the birthplace of Jesus. The Palestinians’ application asks for recognition as a site of "outstanding universal value" urgently in need of attention.

The application cited lack of regular restoration of the church due to the political situation since 1967 when Israel occupied the territories, and difficulties procuring equipment because of lack of free movement imposed by Israeli forces.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization voted to admit Palestine as a full member in October. The emergency candidacy for the church clearly showed the Palestinian’s intention of making the most of their position, after a failure to join the main U.N. body because Palestine is not a recognized state.

The Palestinians bid to place the Church on the list showed that they plan to put forward other sites for the prestigious World Heritage recognition, eventually linking various landmarks to the life of Jesus.

"The message to Israel today is that unilateral actions will not work and that Israel cannot continue challenging the world despite its powerful allies," Palestinian spokeswoman Hanan Ashrawi said.

The U.S. ambassador to UNESCO, David Killion, said the United States is "profoundly disappointed" by the World Heritage committee’s decision. "This body should not be politicized," he said.

His statement noted the candidacy was opposed by a UNESCO experts committee, whose conclusions are almost always heeded.

The three churches acting as custodians of the site had also been opposed.

"The site clearly has tremendous religious and historical significance," Killion’s statement said. "However, the emergency procedure used in this instance is reserved only for extreme cases."

The drive to get the Nativity church quickly recognized as a World Heritage site is part of the Palestinians’ bid to win international recognition since attempts to establish a Palestinian state through negotiations with Israel are frozen. The Church of the Nativity drew some 2 million visitors last year. It is built above the grotto widely believed by Christians to be the site where Jesus was born.

While the church needs restoration, including repair of a leaky roof, it was not seen by the experts committee as being in imminent threat of destruction - the criteria usually reserved for the emergency procedure.

    Fresh violence threatens Gaza truce efforts

    Read more

    Iceland recognises Palestinian state

    Read more

    Abbas attends raising of Palestinian flag at UNESCO

    Read more


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 World War II Nisei honored | Hood River News

World War II Nisei honored

The Congressional Gold Medal, awarded in 2011 to Japanese American World War II veterans in the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the Military Intelligence Service (MIS), will be on view at the Oregon Historical Society’s Oregon History Museum in Portland, from Aug. 24 through Sept. 29.

The medal is on a national tour that will visit seven cities in 2013, and the Oregon History Museum is the only Pacific Northwest venue on the tour.

Several Hood Rive Nisei are honored as part of the exhibit.

To kick off this historic exhibit, an opening ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 24, at the Oregon Historical Society. Local Nisei veterans will be invited for a preview tour of the exhibit, and then at 10:30 a.m. the public is invited to a special ceremony where these American heroes will be honored.

Following the ceremony, there will be a luncheon at the Hilton Portland & Executive Tower Grand Ballroom beginning at 11:30 a.m., which will feature keynote presentations by U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs The Honorable Eric K. Shinseki and U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden.

Tickets for the luncheon are $50 per seat, and can be purchased online at oregonnikkei.org or by phone at 503-224-1458.

Following the luncheon, there will be a screening at 2 p.m. of “Honor and Sacrifice,” a documentary about World War II Nisei veteran Roy Matsumoto.

“Nikkei Endowment is excited to bring this historic tour to the Northwest and to partner with the Oregon Historical Society,” said Endowment Executive Director Lynn Fuchigami.

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Rotation candidate Carrasco endures rough outing

A's erupt for 13 unanswered runs, including five earned runs off righty

Rotation candidate Carrasco endures rough outing

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The battle for the final spot in the Indians' rotation finally hit its first snag on Wednesday afternoon. The A's used an outburst of offense to force an early exit from right-hander Carlos Carrasco in a 13-3 victory over Cleveland at Goodyear Ballpark.

Carrasco was scheduled to work five innings in relief of Indians starter Danny Salazar, but lasted fewer than three frames. Oakland tagged Carrasco for eight runs (five earned) on nine hits in just 2 2/3 innings, during which the right-hander ended with two strikeouts and two walks.

The Indians have one vacancy in their starting rotation and currently have Carrasco, Josh Tomlin and Aaron Harang as the three leading candidates, with prospect Trevor Bauer as a darkhorse. The four virtual locks for Cleveland's starting staff include Justin Masterson, Corey Kluber, Zach McAllister and Salazar.

Salazar started against the A's and turned in 3 2/3 shutout innings, finishing with three strikeouts and two walks.

"Right now, I feel ready for the season," said Salazar, who might be slotted into the fifth spot of the rotation. "If you're there, first or second or even fifth, that means you're good. You're good enough to be there."

The Indians initially planned on having Salazar work four innings, but pulled him after he reached his pitch limit.

"I got behind in the count a couple times," Salazar said. "I think that's why they took me out, because I threw too many pitches [in the first inning]. My fastball, I tried to work down [in the zone]. In the bullpen, I threw really good. Out there, I was a little wild."

Oakland starter Dan Straily -- projected to open the year in the fifth spot of the rotation -- allowed three runs on five hits in four innings, ending with three strikeouts against three walks. Mike Aviles contributed an RBI single in the third inning. In the fourth, Bryan LaHair doubled and scored on a single from Matt Carson and top prospect Francisco Lindor chipped in an RBI single to put the Indians up, 3-0.

Things began to unravel for Carrasco and Cleveland in the fifth inning, when Yoenis Cespedes capped off a two-run burst with a run-scoring single. One inning later, when pinch-hitter John Jaso used a two-run single to highlight a three-run showing that pushed the A's in front, 5-3. In the seventh, Oakland added three runs to Carrasco's line.

Three of Carrasco's runs were unearned due to a fielding error by Indians third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall at the start of the sixth inning. Chisenhall made his first two errors of the spring in the contest, during which Carlos Santana logged five innings behind the plate. Santana and Chisenhall have been competing for playing time at third base this spring.

"We started off an inning where we didn't convert a play. But then he didn't limit the damage," manager Terry Francona said of Carrasco. "I thought he worked away from his fastball a little bit. It's a frustrating outing. The good part is it was Spring Training, but we're looking for him to build. It was a little disappointing."

In the eighth inning, Oakland's Nate Freiman belted a three-run home run off Indians Minor Leaguer Shawn Armstrong to pad the A's lead.

Up next: Following a scheduled off-day on Thursday, Indians Opening Day starter Justin Masterson is slated to log six innings against the Rockies in a 4:10 p.m. ET Cactus League clash at Salt River Fields. Cleveland will likely feature a considerable amount of its regulars in the lineup after enjoying a day off. Blake Wood, C.C. Lee, Scott Atchison, David Aardsma and Cody Allen are also penciled in as possibilities to pitch. The game will be available on WTAM-1100 AM, across the Indians Radio Network and on

Jordan Bastian is a reporter for Read his blog, Major League Bastian, and follow him on Twitter @MLBastian. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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View new IOLmobile

Long balls killed Bafana’s gameplan

By Nkareng Matshe

Johannesburg – As anti-climaxes go, this was probably up there with the worst. Bafana Bafana had done it before, in the 2009 Fifa Confederations Cup, when they could only return a 0-0 draw with Iraq in the opening match to send the entire country into despair.

But this was more terrible. For starters, persistent rain had fallen throughout Saturday and, some South Africans would understandably have toyed with the idea of staying under roof in their own homes rather than go to the National Stadium to watch their beloved Bafana in the Africa Cup of Nations opener.

Yet they made the trip to Nasrec in their droves, inconvenienced by the atrocious logistics around the stadium, where traffic queues were nightmarish and stewards deployed to assist barely knew what they had to do.

All those hassles seemed negligible, however, when compared to the utterly poor display Bafana fans had to endure on Saturday, as Gordon Igesund’s team huffed and puffed to a draw against Cape Verde.

The warning signs that our lot could produce a performance as dreadful as this had been there. We had seen them lose to a youthful Norway two weeks ago. We saw them flatter to deceive in the friendly against Algeria. But somehow, we believed they could, for once, show some guts. Our belief, in the main, was fuelled by Igesund, the national coach who should probably double up as the team’s spokesperson (already, he is, for he fields himself to speak to the media on a daily basis).

“The team will be ready,” Igesund had said in the build up to Saturday’s game. Languid performances in the previous clashes, our coach insisted, were the result of him not showing all his cards. He was planning to “surprise” the opposition.

As it turned out, Igesund did surprise many of us with his selections. For some time he had indicated he would start with Dean Furman and Kagisho Dikgacoi as his central midfield partnership. On Saturday, he dropped Furman for Reneilwe Letsholonyane, which was not a bad decision as Yeye was one of the few Bafana players who were not below average.

Igesund also chose to hand Lehlohonolo Majoro a start up front, perhaps thinking his outstanding partnership with Bernard Parker at Kaizer Chiefs could be the answer at Bafana level. It wasn’t to be, however, as both strikers hardly had a sniff against Cape Verde’s excellent defenders. But the biggest surprise was the absence of Thulani Serero from the Bafana XI. Having hailed him as our equivalent of Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi, Igesund did not bring Serero on before an hour into the match.

The coach reasoned that the Ajax Amsterdam man may not have been fully fit (which, if true, would be scandalous to have him in camp), but Serero, asked about this, merely shrugged and said: “I don’t know about that.”

Serero not knowing about having supposedly told the coach that he was not ready to start perhaps exposes the fact that even behind closed doors Bafana are as confused as we are.

Igesund has done a lot of flip-flopping on many of his decisions. But time has run out now. Bafana face Angola on Wednesday and there can’t be any more experimentation and indecision.

Bafana have to win to stand a chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals. To win, they will have to score. To score they will have to play way better than they did on Saturday. To play better, Igesund will have to alter his tactics and spend the next day or two telling his players, in particular Siyabonga Sangweni, to stop hoofing the ball forward and hoping it lands on a lone teammate’s head.

Solace could be drawn from the fact that Angola and Morocco also played to a draw on Saturday, but that both sides are expected to beat Cape Verde could mean Bafana have a mountain to climb if they fail to win on Wednesday. Surely, Bafana fans won’t go into that game with expectations as high as this past weekend. It would be foolish. And South Africans are no fools. That’s why, in the end, they booed this pathetic performance. – The Star

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2-year-old drowns in Pontotoc County swimming pool

Published On: Oct 26 2012 08:40:55 AM CDT

A 2-year-old boy is dead after police say he drowned in a swimming pool Thursday afternoon.

Pontotoc County Sheriff John Christian said Bronson Gilmore's grandmother was doing dishes in the kitchen and noticed the boy was missing. Officers say she searched around the neighborhood, about six miles northeast of Ada, and when she couldn't find him, she called police.

Bronson was found in a neighbor's swimming pool.

While you're here, peruse these breaking news photos from our U Local website. When YOU see breaking news happen, email your photos to ulocal@koco.com -- or post them (and your videos) to http://ulocal.koco.com.

The views expressed are not those of this site, this station or its affiliated companies. By posting your comments you agree to accept our terms of use.
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Police: Man arrested after son brought pipe bomb to school

Published On: Dec 06 2012 02:57:16 PM CST   Updated On: Dec 06 2012 08:38:58 PM CST
Police lights generic

Police lights

Federal authorities have arrested a man after they said his son brought a pipe bomb to an Oklahoma high school.

Kent Bartell, 46, is now in the Creek County Jail.

According to investigators, when Tulsa officers searched his property they found Molotov cocktails, an exploded pipe bomb, black powder and fireworks. Authorities were contacted after his son's principal was alerted when he brought explosives to school.

While you're here, peruse these breaking news photos from our U Local website. When YOU see breaking news happen, email your photos to ulocal@koco.com -- or post them (and your videos) to http://ulocal.koco.com.

The views expressed are not those of this site, this station or its affiliated companies. By posting your comments you agree to accept our terms of use.
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Trial Date Set for Man Who Allegedly Stabbed His Girlfriend's Father at Starbucks

Published On: Feb 11 2013 06:05:27 PM CST

Travis Kuks

REDDING, Calif. -

A trial date has been set for a Redding man accused of stabbing his girlfriend's father at a Starbucks last October.

Travis Kuks, 19, will appear in Shasta County court on April 9 for his first day of trial. Last month Kuks pled not guilty to attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon after he allegedly stabbed Samuel Yount, 37 at Starbucks on Cypress Avenue.
Police said Kuks and Yount met at the Starbucks and got into an argument about Kuks's relationship with Yount's daughter. Kuks remains in Shasta County Jail, his bail is set at $500,000. He faces 13 years to life in prison if convicted of the charges.


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Pueblo City Council reevaluating pot on planes

Published On: Jan 06 2014 08:47:30 PM CST

Pueblo City Council reevaluating pot on planes

PUEBLO, Colo. -

Pueblo City Council is reevaluating whether passengers can fly out of Pueblo Memorial Airport with marijuana.

Passengers can leave the Pueblo airport carrying the legal limit of marijuana but none of the cities the airport flies into allow passengers to possess pot.

"In theory, an individual could board an aircraft in Pueblo and then catch a flight to Albuquerque and they could take their marijuana with them," said aviation director Mark Lovin. "They're subject to prosecution not only in Denver at this time but certainly at their arrival in Albuquerque."

Four flights head out of Pueblo to Denver every day. Denver International Airport has already banned marijuana on its premises.

"Allowing folks to fly out of our community with marijuana is inconsistent with being a good model for the rest of the state and the country," said Pueblo County Commissioner Sal Pace.

Lovin said it's up to city council to decide whether to ban pot at the Pueblo Airport. "I don't have the jurisdiction to enforce laws or rules," he said.

City Manager Sam Azad said the city is working on its policy so it can be consistent with other Colorado airports.

The Pueblo airport averages two to three out-of-state flights a month. Even though passengers face a felony if they take marijuana out of Colorado, no airport official at the Pueblo Airport is stopping them.

"I think that opens the door to the feds looking at our community or Colorado as a whole and putting a target on us for federal action," Pace said.

Lovin said he hasn't heard of anyone trying to fly with pot in Pueblo this year, but he said the city needs to stay ahead of the issue. Lovin plans on putting up signs this week reminding people they cannot fly into Denver with marijuana. The city is working with the airport on its policy.

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Elk Driving Tours

Elk in the Wild at Peck Ranch Conservation Area

Peck Ranch CA

Our self-guided driving tour at Peck Ranch Conservation Area begins at the office and is marked along the way. Peck Ranch is located near Winona in Shannon County with entrances off both Route 19 and Route 60. It's open sunrise to sunset seven days a week — except during calving season (April 1 to July 1), managed deer hunts, fall firearms deer season, and in the event roads are closed due to weather.

Current River CA

The self-guided driving tour at Current River Conservation Area runs from Highway 106 to South Road out of Ellington. The route includes roads 1, 10, and 9, passing the shooting range, the log cabin, and the fire tower.

Peck Ranch driving tour closed

  • April 1–July 1

Aim for sunrise and sunset

Your best chances of seeing elk are the hours right after sunrise or right before sunset. We can’t guarantee an elk sighting, but the tour is a beautiful drive though fields, forests, and glades, where you can also see deer and other wildlife. Feel free to take photographs and to get out of your vehicle for a better view — but please do not disturb the elk or other wildlife in any way. Note that the gravel roads on Peck Ranch may not be accessible to vehicles without adequate ground clearance, and some roads may also be impassible at times due to high water at stream crossings.

For more information on elk or other area wildlife, visit our Twin Pines Conservation Education Center.

Key Messages:

Missourians care about conserving forests, fish and wildlife.

Elk Tour Map

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Elk are back in Missouri, and you can see them at Peck Ranch and Current River Conservation Areas. Download and print this map of the elk-viewing routes.

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Sox searching for Papelbon's successor

Boston set to hold tryouts for closer's job

BOSTON -- There won't be an actual vacancy sign hanging over the Spring Training complex when pitchers and catchers report for the Red Sox on Feb. 16, but the opening is very real and won't be far from anyone's mind.

If a player or two forgets for a moment that the Red Sox don't have a designated closer yet, there will be a helpful media member or two or 10 there to remind him.

The closer competition figures to be the most pressing issue in camp for manager Terry Francona and his staff.

Gentlemen, start your side sessions. There is a job to be won.

And rest assured, the Red Sox won't be going back in time to 2003 and bring back the closer-by-committee concept.

"We don't have one person designated as the closer yet, but we certainly will by the time the season breaks," said Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein. "Tito [Francona] and [pitching coach] John Farrell have been spending a lot of time on the phone going over these guys and what ways to get the best out of everybody. We're pretty confident there will be multiple candidates who step up and throw the ball really well, and put themselves in the mix to pitch effectively for us in the closer's role."

There will be no small list of candidates. Among those in the mix will be Joel Pineiro, Julian Tavarez, Brendan Donnelly, Mike Timlin and Craig Hansen. Manny Delcarmen and Devern Hansack can at least be viewed as long-shot candidates. Only Timlin has extensive closing experience of all the contenders, and the Red Sox would much prefer to have him working the seventh and eighth innings.

Until one man is actually anointed as the closer, there is bound to be at least a little external obsession on the man who did the job so well in 2006. For it isn't as if Jonathan Papelbon has gone anywhere. He will be in camp, just in his new -- and old -- role as a starting pitcher.

In a spring in which the Red Sox look deep in the starting rotation, is there any chance Papelbon could wind up performing "last call" again?

"No, we haven't talked about that," said Papelbon. "Nothing along those lines has been discussed. In my opinion, it's pretty much an open job this spring. Like I was saying earlier, that's the one thing about Spring Training, you go in there and there's competition and it's fun competition. That's what makes your team better."

The reason the Red Sox have opted to switch courses at closer is because of the arm problems Papelbon had last September. At that time, doctors determined it would be in the best interests over the long term for Papelbon's right shoulder to pitch every fifth day.

Still, Papelbon was asked recently if he'd be stunned if he wound up closing again.

"It wouldn't surprise me a whole lot, but at the same time, we've got some good competition at that spot," said Papelbon. "There's no doubt about it. The guys we have right now as far as Hansen, Delcarmen, Pineiro and the rest of the guys. ... The competition in the bullpen is going to be stiff. That's only going to make us better."

If there is a slight favorite, it's probably Pineiro, the one-time promising starter, who was non-tendered by the Mariners and signed by the Red Sox.

"Where [Pineiro] pitches in the bullpen, where he pitches in a game ... that will be Terry's decision," said assistant general manager Jed Hoyer. "We think we signed a very good pitcher, one that will make a very good transition."

The candidate who looks most like a closer when it comes to physique is Donnelly, the righty acquired from the Angels. Donnelly is big, strong and throws hard.

"I think Donnelly can be very interesting piece of the puzzle in our bullpen," Epstein said. "He's someone who prefers to pitch in important situations, prefers to pitch later in the game. He always wants the ball. He's got a very tough, competitive makeup, which we think will be a very good fit for our situation."

Tavarez definitely has the competitive makeup to be a closer. But would he be able to produce consistent results? Tavarez was inconsistent as a setup man in '06, but the veteran righty flourished after moving into the more high-profile starting role in September.

Could that confidence carry over into this spring and make him an effective closer for the Red Sox? It is, at least, an outside possibility, considering that Tavarez converted 11 out of 14 save chances in his brief run as the Pirates closer in 2003.

The man who has often been dubbed the closer of the future for the Red Sox is Hansen. Don't look for the hard thrower out of St. John's University to win the job out of camp, but he could emerge as the main man by the All-Star break if he makes enough progress.

"They told me to be ready to compete, and that is the philosophy I will take with me into Spring Training," Hansen said. "I've been looking to get into a major spot where the team could count on me whether it would be closing, starting, setup, middle relief, long relief -- it doesn't matter."

Make no mistake about it, Farrell, Francona and bullpen coach Gary Tuck are going to have a busy Spring Training narrowing down the playing field for the closer's role.

"There's an opportunity," said Farrell. "There's a quality list of candidates to land that job. I'm sure at this time a year ago, nobody thought that Jonathan Papelbon was going to be that guy.

"I think the one thing that we have is viable candidates internally to nail down the closer's position and have the rest of the bullpen fall in line, which ideally gives everyone some understanding of their role and confidence when they walk in the clubhouse every day."

Ian Browne is a reporter for This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Tigers avoid arbitration with Byrdak

Tigers sign Byrdak for 2008

Tim Byrdak has spent a great deal of the last 13 years bouncing around various organizations and navigating his way between the Majors and the Minors.

But a 2007 season in which he provided some relief to the Tigers bullpen has led to a nice reward for the left-hander.

The Tigers have avoided arbitration with Byrdak and signed him to a one-year deal for 2008, according to a source. Byrdak will reportedly make $712,500 next season, with $12,500 in incentives.

The 34-year-old Byrdak was a fifth-round pick in the 1994 First-Year Player Draft by the Royals, and he pitched in the Cleveland, Baltimore and San Diego systems, as well as the independent Northern League in the years that followed, enduring two elbow surgeries along the way.

In '07, though, his emergence from a Minor League contract was important for a Tigers team that had suffered the loss of Jamie Walker to free agency last winter and was in need of some left-handed relief help.

Byrdak made 39 appearances out of the Tigers bullpen, going 3-0 with a 3.20 ERA. He struck out 49 batters in 45 innings of work.

The Tigers still have six other players -- left-handers Dontrelle Willis, Nate Robertson and Bobby Seay, right-hander Chad Durbin, third baseman Miguel Cabrera and outfielder Marcus Thames -- eligible for salary arbitration. Wednesday is the deadline for the club to tender a contract to those players.

Anthony Castrovince is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Draft Preview: Lottery a Tribe emphasis

Draft Preview: Lottery a Tribe emphasis

CLEVELAND -- The Indians have done a good job identifying and acquiring talented prospects from other Major League clubs in recent years.

But with the First-Year Player Draft looming, the Indians recognize the need to bring in impact players from the amateur ranks. And they have a strong opportunity to do so with the 15th overall selection.

MLB.com will offer live coverage and analysis of the entire Draft on June 9-11. The MLB Network will broadcast the first round on the evening of June 9 from its Studio 42 in Secaucus, N.J., and those 32 selections also will be simulcast live on MLB.com.

Beginning with the 33rd pick, up-to-the-minute on-air coverage from the remaining rounds will shift exclusively to MLB.com/Live, where host Vinny Micucci will be joined by MLB.com Draft expert Jonathan Mayo and Major League Scouting Bureau director Frank Marcos.

Once the first night is done, the Draft will continue with the rounds 4-30, via conference call from MLB Headquarters in New York, at noon ET on Wednesday, June 10. Rounds 31-50 will be on Thursday, June 11, starting at 11:30 a.m. ET.

Here's a quick glance at what the Indians have in store as the First-Year Player Draft approaches:

In about 50 words
After the pick at No. 15, the Indians will pick at No. 63 overall in the second round, and they'll have the 14th pick of every ensuing round from there. Recognizing an organizational need and a Draft depth, the Tribe figures to go heavy on pitching talent this year.

The scoop
"The focus is always on that first-round pick, and that's usually where your impact players come from. There's always pressure, every year, with every first-round pick we take. But picking in the top half, we certainly feel even more pressure to make sure we're successful with that selection." -- scouting director Brad Grant, on the Indians' spot at No. 15.

First-round buzz
Grant has reason to feel pressure with that 15th overall pick, because the Indians' history with first-round picks in the last 10 years is shaky at best. Not one first-round pick since CC Sabathia at No. 20 in 1998 has made a sustained, positive impact in the big leagues with the Indians. With that in mind, the Indians will try to take as safe a bet as possible. If they go with an arm -- and it appears they are apt to do so -- they might lean toward a college guy if all else is equal.

Shopping list
In addition to pitching, the Indians have a tendency to place an emphasis on middle-infield and catching depth. The middle infield is an area where the Tribe remains thin. As for catching, Grant said this year's class is weak on collegiate catchers but strong on high school catchers.

Trend watch
Grant believes this year's Draft is deep in pitching at both the high school and collegiate levels. So look for the Indians, who have placed a heavy emphasis on position players in recent years, to place a heavier emphasis on the arms this year. Last year, the Indians paid several players above the slot to ensure they wouldn't remain in school, and they might take a similar approach this year, even with what might be a smaller budget.

Recent top picks
Last year's top pick was shortstop Lonnie Chisenhall at No. 29. He has been converted to third base. He's swung a solid bat at Class A Kinston, but he's also made quite a few errors in the field. ... First baseman Beau Mills, taken with the 13th overall pick in 2007, advanced to Double-A Akron this season and hasn't had a truly impactful presence yet. ... Left-hander David Huff, a sandwich round selection out of UCLA in '06, made his Major League debut this season, going 0-1 with a 10.97 ERA in three starts in May.

Rising fast
Zach Putnam, a fifth-round pick out of Michigan in last year's Draft, has already reached the Double-A level. The right-hander was converted to relief work and had a 2.25 ERA in his first 12 innings of work. He's already a name to watch as a candidate to join the Major League 'pen this season.

Cinderella story
Left-hander Tony Sipp, the 1,337th overall selection in the 2004 Draft, made his Major League debut earlier this season in the Tribe's bullpen.

In The Show
At this point, Huff is the only member of the Tribe's last three Draft classes to reach the Major Leagues.

Anthony Castrovince is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Showalter thinks Young can crack roster

Showalter thinks Young can crack roster

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Even with the Nelson Cruz acquisition, can Delmon Young still make the Orioles' roster?

Manager Buck Showalter thinks so.

"He can still make the club," Showalter said after Sunday's game, in which Young had two hits, including a double. "He can still be the DH against left-handed pitching, just like he was before. Nothing's changed there.

"We're still looking for that guy, because Nellie's going to play [in left field] against left-handed pitching, at least."

Young, who also homered in the team's intrasquad game, looked to be a solid candidate to make the club as a non-roster invitee given how well the right-handed hitter does against lefties. But the team's signing of Cruz looked to change things. Was there room for both Young, who owns a .303/.341/.471 line against lefties over his career, and Cruz on the roster? What about Steve Pearce, who can also play first base, and Nolan Reimold? That competition will be monitored all spring, but Young is making a good impression early and Showalter said new Oriole David Lough will be a platoon in left.

"We need to use Nelson's skills to make everybody better," Showalter said. "Right now going in, I don't plan yet on using [Lough] against left-handed pitching. So you'd have a DH spot for a right-handed hitter. He could evolve into that, too, a guy we trust against left-handed pitching. It's also a way to keep everybody involved, too."

The Orioles relied heavily on their regulars last year. They were the first club in the Majors to have seven or more players reach the 140 games played mark last year, and Showalter doesn't want to get into that same rut again in regards to his bench.

"Delmon can hit," Showalter said. "He's probably in as good a shape as he's been in in a long time. You bring in guys who have been around, they know the gig. They're not waiting to get their timing. They come in here with that mentality that every day is a chance to make an impression."

Brittany Ghiroli is a reporter for Read her blog, Britt's Bird Watch, and follow her on Twitter @britt_ghiroli. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Lyle Spencer

Napoli a persistent thorn in side of former team

Napoli a persistent thorn in side of former team

Napoli a persistent thorn in side of former team
ANAHEIM -- Mike Napoli drives home a point with all the subtlety of a sledgehammer.

The big man from Hollywood -- Hollywood, Fla., that is -- just won't let up on his old buddies, the Angels. With matching homers to right-center and left-center as the Rangers' designated hitter, he continued to inflict damage on former manager Mike Scioscia's pitching staff during Saturday's 9-2 Angel Stadium drubbing that returned Texas' six-game American League West lead.

"To come here and do well," said Napoli, hitting .451 in his old park as a Ranger, "it definitely feels good inside. Every player has a place they go to where they hit well against a team. I happen to be hitting well here. I like playing here. I played here five years, and I'm comfortable playing here."

Indeed. Napoli owns 56 career homers in 824 career at-bats at Angel Stadium, his 14.7 ratio the best in stadium history.

Since departing Southern California after the 2010 season in the Vernon Wells swap and landing in Texas courtesy of the Blue Jays, Napoli has been an Angels abuser without equal.

He's batting an even .400 in 85 at-bats against his original organization, unloading eight homers with 14 RBIs while scoring 21 runs.

Yorvit Torrealba -- back with the club after witnessing the birth of daughter Ashley Valentina by his wife, Millie, in Miami -- joined the Lone Star State home run party along with Adrian Beltre and Ian Kinsler.

Napoli and Torrealba hastened Angels starter Ervin Santana's demise by going back to back leading off the second inning.

"It was a huge day," Torrealba said. "I'm really happy and really excited. When I hit that home run, I said, 'That's for the baby.' We won, that's the main thing. But to have a good game, I couldn't ask for anything more."

Napoli's performance since the trade clearly suggests he acquires a slightly sharper edge when he sees Angels red.

Napoli was dealing with right knee pain and struggling with the bat coming into the series, having produced just two hits in his previous 22 at-bats. But he had three hits on Friday night, facing ace Jered Weaver, and the power arrived less than 24 hours later with his game-changing blows against Santana and reliever David Carpenter.

"They're tough," Napoli said. "I go in against them knowing I have to be extra competitive. It's nice that you can have a big day against your old team.

"It's a good feeling that everything was right with my swing. I'm close to where I want to be. I want to be consistent, repeat this. It's the right path I'm on.

"Catching all those guys, I have an idea what they like to do. They're going to attack me and find what my weaknesses are. It definitely helps knowing them, but they watched other pitchers get me out. I can see that being an advantage for them."

Offense has been unreliable from the Rangers' catchers, who were ninth in the AL in average (.234) and slugging (.369) coming into Saturday's matinee after they'd led the AL a year ago hitting .299 and slugging .500.

The lion's share of those 2011 numbers came from Napoli, whose torrid second half carried into the postseason. He batted a team-high .328 with three homers and 15 RBIs in 17 games, helping drive Texas to within one Game 6 out of a World Series championship before the Cardinals prevailed in Game 7.

Torrealba also had a solid season, hitting .273. He made all the right calls on Saturday for Yu Darvish, who overpowered the Angels with 11 strikeouts across seven dominant innings.

The Rangers figured to be smarting after the Angels made all the noise on Friday night, and they came out smoking against Santana. The reeling right-hander couldn't make it through the second inning following blasts by Napoli, Torrealba and Beltre.

Napoli smoked a first-pitch fastball to right-center -- "always a good sign for me," he said. Two pitches later, Torrealba went deep to center. Doubles by Craig Gentry and Kinsler had produced another run as the Rangers continue to attack early in counts.

"We were aggressive in our favor," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "We needed that."

Napoli, at 30, is looking at his first turn at free agency if he doesn't come to an agreement with the Rangers on an extension.

His reputation as a clutch hitter with major power was made last October. He also has upgraded his image defensively in Texas while guiding a multi-faceted pitching staff.

Torrealba rejoined the club on Friday night, having made the long journey from Miami via Dallas after missing four days on paternity leave.

The Venezuelan had been 1-for-18 before taking leave. His homer was his first at Angel Stadium.

"It's good to be back, obviously," Torrealba said. "But I still wish I was with my daughter. But I'm here and they played me, so it was nice to get back out there. I had a good offensive day, but the main thing was to focus on my pitcher and call a good game."

Nobody was happier to see Torrealba back behind the plate than Napoli, who has been recovering from a bruised quad in his right leg for a week -- the result of a slide in Seattle.

"It's good to get a break," Napoli said, grinning. "I'm feeling better, but it's still a little sore."

Catchers are never 100 percent physically. This time of the year, they're happy if they can get even close.

Lyle Spencer is a reporter for This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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More than 14,000 fans attend Redsfest

CINCINNATI -- FOX Sports Ohio Redsfest presented by PNC Bank drew more than 14,000 fans Dec. 6 and 7 the Duke Energy Convention Center.

"The weather certainly affected turnout for Friday based on the timing of when the snow fell," said Phil Castellini, Reds Chief Operating Officer. "But we were pleased with the crowd of over 10,000 on Saturday and I think everyone who ventured out had a great experience and got to connect with their favorite players."

Over 22,000 fans attended in 2012.

Highlights from 2013 Redsfest include:

• 76 current and former players, coaches and broadcasters attended including Joey Votto, Brandon Phillips, Aroldis Chapman and new manager Bryan Price along with 2014 Reds Hall of Fame inductee Ron Oester.

• The local chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America named center fielder Shin-Soo Choo the Ernie Lombardi Award winner as the team's Most Valuable Player. Starting pitcher Mat Latos earned the Johnny Vander Meer Award as most outstanding pitcher and right fielder Jay Bruce received the Joe Nuxhall Good Guy Award.

• 7-foot-4 Harlem Globetrotters star "Stretch" Middleton teamed with Reds Minor League Player of the Year Seth Mejias-Brean to win the Celebrity Wiffleball Home Run Contest.

• Bill Kohler of Cincinnati outlasted over 570 poker players to win first place and the $11,000 top prize in the eighth annual Reds Community Fund Texas Hold 'Em Poker Tournament presented by Prestige A/V & Creative Services.

Proceeds from Redsfest benefit the Reds Community Fund and its baseball-themed outreach programs.

Visit and Jamie Ramsey's Better Off Red blog at for video highlights and photos from Redsfest.

Redsfest 2014 is scheduled for Dec. 5 and 6 at the Duke Energy Convention Center.


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Ubaldo places third in NL Cy Young vote

Ubaldo places third in NL Cy Young vote

DENVER -- Rockies right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez doesn't mind falling short of the National League Cy Young Award, which went to Roy Halladay on Tuesday.

Jimenez vows that his breakout performance in 2010 -- 19-8, 2.88 ERA -- was just a beginning.

"This is my third [full] year in the big leagues," Jimenez said. "I'm getting to the point that I'm starting to be a better pitcher. As the years go by, I'm supposed to be better. That gives me a lot of hope for the years to come."

Jimenez, who will turn 27 on Jan. 22, set club records for wins, ERA, strikeouts (214) and fewest home runs yielded (10). He also threw the first no-hitter in club history on April 17, a 4-0 victory over the Braves at Turner Field, and became the first Rockies pitcher to start the All-Star Game.

The Cy Young Award voting by the Baseball Writers' Association of America, in which Jimenez came in third place, offers a chance to honor the best pitching season in Rockies history. Celebrations already have taken place in his home country, the Dominican Republic.

Results of the BBWAA voting for the National League Cy Young Award. Points are awarded on a 7-4-3-2-1 basis.
PITCHER 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th PTS
Roy Halladay, Phillies 32 - - - - 224
Adam Wainwright, Cardinals - 28 3 - 1 122
Ubaldo Jimenez, Rockies - 4 19 8 1 90
Tim Hudson, Braves - - 3 13 4 39
Josh Johnson, Marlins - - 5 5 9 34
Roy Oswalt, Astros/Phillies - - 1 3 5 14
Brian Wilson, Giants - - - 1 5 7
Heath Bell, Padres - - 1 - 1 4
Mat Latos, Padres - - - 1 2 4
Brett Myers, Astros - - - 1 - 2
Tim Lincecum, Giants - - - - 2 2
Bronson Arroyo, Reds - - - - 1 1
Matt Cain, Giants - - - - 1 1

Last month, the Tigres de Licey, a team Jimenez has performed for in winter ball for several seasons, held a special on-field ceremony for him. Jimenez joined Ramon Martinez and one-time Rockies closer Jose Jimenez on the field as three of the four Dominicans to throw a Major League no-hitter. Hall of Famer Juan Marichal, who has reached out to Jimenez on many occasions, was the other no-no author.

Jimenez, who said he would like to pitch in the Dominican before Spring Training if the Rockies give him the go-ahead, accepts all of the adoration with an easy smile.

"Every time I pitched, they were in front of the TV. There were people just calling me. They even asked me, 'When are you coming? We want to go to the airport to see you, have a parade or something like that,'" Jimenez said. "I don't know. I'm not that kind [of guy]. But if I have to do it for them, I'll do it. They enjoy me."

But the honors don't lessen Jimenez's feeling that he isn't fully grown as a pitcher.

Through his first 12 starts, Jimenez had a microscopic 0.78 ERA, and the number didn't peek above 2.00 until his 17th outing. He was 15-1 at the All-Star break and was the first pitcher since the Braves' Greg Maddux in 1988 to have as many wins at the break.

In the second half, however, he was 4-7 with a 3.80 ERA.

In many of those starts, it was hard to fault Jimenez. Five times during the season, including three times after he tied the franchise wins record with his 17th on Aug. 4, the Rockies didn't score a single run with him on the mound. The Rockies' 6-5 victory over the Brewers at Coors Field on Aug. 15 should have gone under Jimenez's win column, but the normally dependable Clint Barmes misjudged an eighth-inning popup to allow Milwaukee to tie the game, and Colorado won it in the ninth.

"It's tough," Barmes said later. "I love 'Baldy' to death. He knows I'd do anything for him, and he's that type of guy. It's one of those where he's picked us up for a lot of years, as long as I've played with him. To drop a ball like that is not easy."

But his final start, in the next-to-last game of the Rockies' season, was most maddening. Jimenez held the Cardinals scoreless for eight innings and struck out 10. But the Rockies, who had serious problems functioning offensively after being eliminated from playoff contention, couldn't score against Kyle Lohse, who entered the game with a 7.00-plus ERA. The Cards won, 1-0, in 13 innings.

Now Jimenez is still looking for his first 20-win season.

"You look at the games that he's pitched from a run-support standpoint when it wasn't there, the job should already be done," Rockies manager Jim Tracy said at season's end.

Still, Jimenez points to himself, not to bad luck or teammates.

What sticks with Jimenez is the adjustments the most familiar opponents made late in the year. From July 3 to season's end, Jimenez faced NL West foes nine times. Jimenez was 3-5 with a 4.40 ERA, and the team was 3-6.

Jimenez went at least six innings in all but one game, lasted seven innings three times and eight innings once. Some of those could be blamed on a lack of run support. But Jimenez put some of the blame on himself.

"After the second time I faced a team like Arizona or the Padres, they had a different approach at the plate," Jimenez said. "They were taking a lot of pitches, and whenever I threw a strike, they were fouling it off. But I was beating myself in some of those situations. They're good hitters, but sometimes as a pitcher you beat yourself.

"I fell behind in the counts, and the count works in their advantage. That's something they were trying to do -- make me throw pitches just to see how many strikes I can throw."

The exacting self-evaluation pleases Rockies pitching coach Bob Apodaca. During the early part of the season, when Jimenez fashioned two streaks of 25 consecutive scoreless innings and experts were wondering if he would finish the year with a sub-2.00 ERA, Apodaca sensed Jimenez still was learning his craft.

"I kept saying over and over during the first half, 'Do I think he can get better?' Absolutely he can get better," Apodaca said. "He had to develop the ability to stay comfortable on the mound instead of trying to create more; more is not your ally. More can be your worst enemy. His last games were very important games for him in that he tried to do less but gained more. He didn't lose one mile per hour on his velocity. He threw much more economically. He executed his plan, instead of diverting from a play. It was something very welcoming to my eyes."

Now the Rockies are celebrating Jimenez being considered one of the best pitchers in his league. This time a year ago, they were wrestling with whether he was ready to be the No. 1 pitcher on the team.

"We were asking in our organization meetings was he a No. 1 pitcher on a starting staff?" Apodaca said. "Can he go out there and face the other team's No. 1 pitcher and control the ballgame?

"Did he have the ability to do it? Absolutely. But can he do it? Will he do it? This year answered that question."

Thomas Harding is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Hardball in the Rockies, and follow him on Twitter @harding_at_mlb. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Incantation is an American death metal band that was formed by John McEntee and Paul Ledney in 1989. They are one of the leaders in the New York Death Metal scene along with fellow bands Suffocation and Immolation, even though the band is currently located in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The band has seen many lineup changes in their 22-year history and guitarist John McEntee is the sole original member. Incantation is notable for mixing widely varied tempos into their music, often playing slow, down-tuned passages similar to those performed by other death-doom bands like Autopsy. To date the band has released seven studio albums, two live records, three EPs and one DVD.
Sorry, there are currently no shows for Incantation right now.


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Anarchy of a gang and two AK47s

Rachel Olding -Dec 23, 2012

Muscle ... the gang at Burwood Court.

Muscle ... the gang at Burwood Court. Photo: Kate Geraghty

When two men in traditional Middle Eastern dress sat down with the owner of a Bankstown restaurant recently, they were after only one thing.

At first they shared a hookah pipe and chatted amiably about religion, but the conversation quickly turned to extortion: they wanted $50,000 in exchange for ''protection''.

The terrified restaurant owner told Fairfax Media they asked him a menacing question he was sure was rhetoric: ''Have you heard of Brothers 4 Life?''

It's a question many south-west Sydney communities are grappling with as the gang founded by the murderer Bassam Hamzy attempts to flex its muscles in Sydney again.

With shootings and gun crime reaching fever pitch, the group's insignia of two crossed AK47 machine guns has appeared at crime scenes with increasing regularity.

On Wednesday, a handful of young men, wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the ''B4L'' logo, arrived at Owen Street in Punchbowl following the brutal execution of Bachir Arja, a petty criminal with drug links who was shot up to eight times on the front lawn of his mother's house.

In October, Yehya Amoud was shot dead as he and a friend, Bassam Hijazi, sat on Greenacre Road in an expensive Mercedes that bore the number plate ''B F L''. And in August, a 16-year-old boy was shot in the leg in a driveway scrawled with ''Brothers 4 Life'' graffiti. T-shirts with the insignia could also be seen being worn by people who were among the crowd during the violent Muslim protest in Hyde Park in September.

Underworld sources said the group was on a recruitment drive looking for young Middle Eastern men who could act as foot soldiers and carry out drug runs and criminal acts in exchange for protection and power.

A senior police office investigating gang activity, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the group had become more of a ''banner'' than a gang with a formal structure, making it impossible to estimate the number of members.

Unlike a bikie gang, there was no leader that succeeded Hamzy when he was imprisoned.

Young male criminals are increasingly using the banner as a means of creating muscle, generating fear and intimidation and galvanising each other during a period of spiralling shootings, extortion and gun crime.

''The name and the logo is more an identifier that they use for intimidation,'' the police source said.

The lack of defined structure had led to clashes and anarchic activity within the ranks as some fought for influence or conducted their own business to the chagrin of others.

Mr Amoud, 27, allegedly fell victim to such internal conflict. Fairfax Media understands his close friend, a relative of Hamzy's, turned on him on October 14 and sent a spray of bullets through the front windscreen of his Mercedes.

The pair, who had matching tattoos on their legs, had met earlier on the day of the shooting before relations soured.

Asked what caused the fallout, an associate said: ''Only those guys and God know.'' Associates said they knew who the gunmen was but weren't co-operating with detectives, who had yet to make an arrest.

One Middle Eastern underworld source said there was a power vacuum in the south-west that was about to ''explode''.

In the past four months, six men, including Mr Amoud and Mr Arja, had been brazenly executed on the streets as various conflicts bubbled over from drive-by shootings to full-blown murders.

In the mix were conflicts over drugs, families, extortion and even foreign policy and sectarian lines, the source said.

''The whole area is going to erupt pretty soon - Punchbowl, Bankstown, everywhere,'' he said. ''There are a lot of issues at hand at the moment and a power vacuum with younger guys challenging the old guys that want to hold on to the power. It's scary because these hits have been assassinations.''

He was positive there would be retribution for the shooting of Mr Arja - which he said was an in-house family dispute - because he was shot in front of his elderly mother, Malake.

''Even with criminals, there's a code of conduct,'' he said. ''Doing it in front of parents, wives and kids is not on.''

It had put a blanket of terror over law-abiding community members who feared being extorted or targeted.

A Middle Eastern community leader, Jamal Rifi, said people were aware of Brothers 4 Life but didn't know who was behind it because they operated well away from the gaze of the community.

''It happens off our radar so we are very much in the dark,'' he said. ''The feeling right now is that we are in a terrible place to raise our kids. We are going to too many funerals.''

Brothers 4 Life was formed by Bassam Hamzy, who was jailed for life in 2002 for the shooting murder of Kris Toumazis outside the Mr Goodbar nightclub in  Darlinghurst and further conspiring to kill a witness.

While in prison, he continued to exert huge influence. In 2008, it was revealed he had been using an illegal mobile phone from Lithgow prison to make more than 400 calls a day to run a $250,000-a-week drug ring, arrange kidnappings and co-ordinate the gang.

He was then moved to Goulburn Supermax where his influence has waned yet many members still bear tattoos of his name.

The group forged alignments with the Bandidos bikie gang and the 600-strong Muslim Brotherhood Movement in 2008, leading to clashes with rival gangs such as the Comancheros and Hells Angels.

The Muslim Brotherhood was later disbanded and the Bandidos lost some of its influence, leading to a lull in activity among the Brothers 4 Life in recent years.

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Photos: Mariah Carey, Victoria Justice, Lucy Hale & More Rock The TeenNick HALO Awards

11/19/2012 11:30am EST

Mariah Carey

On Saturday, Mariah Carey supported her husband Nick Cannon at his TeenNick HALO awards at the Hollywood Palladium. Stars such as Ne-Yo and Nicole Richie also helped recognize young volunteers at the fourth annual event.
Cannon launched the Nickelodeon bash in 2009 to honor teenagers who are making a difference in their communities by "helping and leading others."

"Pretty Little Liars" star Lucy Hale and and Nicklelodeon actress Victoria Justice presented awards, while Carey told reporters how proud she was of her husband for hosting and spearheading the event.

She explained, "I'm super proud of my hubby, Mr. Nick Cannon. I think this is amazing, that he conceptualised the whole thing. Really, he's so involved in this. It's all about... giving back... That's what the awards are all about."

Tyra Banks, Justin Bieber, Josh Duhamel and Emma Stone each met one of this year's four HALO Awards recipients to discuss their charity work, and footage of their visits will be shown when the special is broadcast in tonight.

See more photos from the event...

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Photo Credits: PR Photos
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The adaptable Adam Ashley-Cooper

Stathi Paxinos -Jun 12, 2012

Versatile: Adam Ashley-Cooper.

Versatile: Adam Ashley-Cooper. Photo: Reuters

IT IS somewhat apt that Adam Ashley-Cooper played his first Test for Australia without a number on the back of his jersey.

The Wallabies were playing South Africa in Perth in 2005 and Ashley-Cooper, then with only a handful of games with the Brumbies, was called into the squad from club rugby because of a spate of injuries and then minutes before the Tri-Nations clash he was called into the team and onto the bench when Elton Flatley was ruled out after a warm-up mishap. A numbered jersey could not be found in the rush to get him ready.

Now Ashley-Cooper cannot be defined by one position. He is regarded as one of the most versatile backs in world rugby, the 28 year old having played everywhere in the backline except half-back and five-eighth, and his position often decided by the selection needs — or whims — of the coach.

When asked if there could ever be a case of being too versatile, when that overall flexibility becomes a curse of not owning a position, Ashley-Cooper replied: ''not at all''.

''It happens in the game anyway,'' he said. ''You've got a number on your back but you don't necessarily end up in that position on the field so being versatile is certainly a key component of today's game.

''You look at the players in the backline at the moment and they can cover a range of positions so I think that is an important element of the backline mix and I'd like to think that won't change.

''I think it's still important to have an element of versatility no matter how specialist you are or what position you're in.

''The key component is if you're versatile you've actually had experience in other positions and that helps you understand the roles of the people around you and with that ... it allows you to connect a lot more as a team and especially as a backline and that's so important especially in today's game because it's just such a small detail that separates good to great.''

A series of injuries has again dictated where he has been named to play in this Test series against Wales. Ashley-Cooper played full-back in the Wallabies' 27-19 win over Wales last weekend and will again be in the No.15 for the second Test on Saturday at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne.

''It's always nice playing in the same position in back-to-back weeks but obviously there's always injuries and there's always changes so you can't get too focused on playing the one position because reality is it's not going to happen,'' Ashley-Cooper said.

Ashley-Cooper conceded that it probably helped that he enjoyed playing full-back, wing or in the mid-field equally.

''I don't really have a preferred spot to be honest. I actually don't it just comes with selection,'' he said.

''I've always considered the full-back and winger roles to be the same anyway. You might have a different number on your back but those three work as a unit and I've always considered those three to be three full-backs because not only do you need to know your own role, you need to know the other roles inside out for the unit to work effectively.''

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans yesterday voiced his appreciation of Ashley-Cooper's abilities.

''Coopy always plays well at this level, and the way he slotted back into 15 was remarkable,'' Deans said.

''He's a bloke that gives a lot of confidence to the people around him as well. There's nothing better for a defensive line to have than certainty behind them. It just gives them confidence not having to look over their shoulder and worry about what's happening, he's organised, he provides a lot of voice and he owns the ball in the air.''

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Cape Cod Times says reporter made up sources

Published On: Dec 05 2012 07:44:56 AM EST
HYANNIS, Mass. -

A Massachusetts newspaper says one of its longtime reporters made up sources for her stories, and it has issued an apology.

Cape Cod Times Publisher Peter Meyer and Editor Paul Pronovost said Tuesday an internal review found the reporter wrote dozens of stories with "sources who do not exist."

They say editors doing an audit of Karen Jeffrey's work can't find 69 people in 34 stories going back to 1998. They say Jeffrey admits inventing people and using fake names.

The newspaper says the bogus sourcing typically was in lighter stories, such as one about a Boston Red Sox opening game. It says in some cases none of the people quoted can be found.

A story posted on the newspaper's website says Jeffrey no longer works there.

Jeffrey hasn't returned a phone message seeking comment.

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Ex-boxer breaks neck in trampoline accident

Published On: Jul 02 2013 12:05:17 PM EDT

Wiki Commons

A retired professional boxer who opened his own gym in Providence is in serious condition after a trampoline accident.

The Providence Journal reports that 38-year-old Gary "Tiger" Balletto was injured Sunday at his home. Philip Copper, a trainer at Balletto's Gym, told the paper Monday that Balletto underwent several hours of surgery at Rhode Island Hospital after suffering a broken neck.

Balletto formerly won the International Boxing Union's lightweight title. He boxed on the second season of ESPN's "The Contender" in 2006.

A spokeswoman for Rhode Island Hospital told The Associated Press on Tuesday morning Balletto is in serious condition.

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West Orange teen shooting suspect charged as adult

Published On: Dec 27 2013 09:48:45 AM EST   Updated On: Dec 27 2013 02:51:38 PM EST

The 17-year-old accused of shooting a student at West Orange High School earlier this month will be charged as an adult, court records show.

Images: Student shot at West Orange High School

J-Morian Bell was booked into the Orange County Jail Thursday around 3:45 p.m. with a violent offender hold.

Bell is charged with attempted first-degree murder with a firearm, aggravated battery with a firearm, discharge weapon on school grounds and possession of a firearm on school property.

WESH 2 Exclusive: Deputies arrest West Orange shooting suspect

He is accused of shooting 15-year-old Ja'Roderick Smith in the face and abdomen at West Orange High School on Dec. 4 in the school's bus loop.

A week after the shooting, Ja'Roderick spoke at a news conference organized by the teen's lawyer, Florida Sen. Gary Siplin.

"I miss school, I miss football, I can't wait to get back out there," Ja'Roderick said. "I appreciate every prayer. I appreciate all of it -- everything counts."

Siplin is representing Ja'Roderick, but would not clarify if he would be filing any lawsuits in the shooting case.

Video: West Orange student recovering after shooting

"The family of JA'Roderick Smith, my 15 year old client, has confidence in State Attorney Jeff Ashton's decision to try the shooter of a child on public school ground as an adult," said Siplin.

Shortly after the shooting, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said that the shooter is a documented gang member and that deputies are investigating if the shooting was gang-related.

"He had no beef with any student there," Siplin said.

Siplin said the boys did not have any relationship of any kind, but "knew each other in passing." Siplin did not clarify details about how the boys met or knew each other. "It was a spontaneous attack," Siplin said.

Sheriff's Office deputies took J-Morian into custody a few hours after the shooting about 4 miles from the school in Winter Garden.

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Police ID people killed over weekend

Published On: Nov 26 2012 01:34:54 PM CST   Updated On: Nov 26 2012 02:22:50 PM CST

Milwaukee police released information Monday about four violent deaths over the holiday weekend.

Andrew J. Brown, 25, was stabbed to death at 6:40 p.m. Wednesday at a home in the 2900 block of West Vliet Street during a family argument. A 15-year-old relative of Brown’s is in custody, police said.

Clemon G. Ferguson, Jr., 18, was shot during an armed robbery at a barbershop at 11:45 p.m. Wednesday at 2541 N. MLK Dr.

Police said this death was ruled self-defense by the district attorney's office and is not counted as a homicide. Police said Ferguson was shot by a 26-year-old customer as Ferguson and another armed man were committing a robbery at the business. The second armed robbery suspect, 21, is in custody.

Police said. Jessie W. Brown, 34, was shot at 1:13 a.m. Thursday at a suspected drug house in the 2100 block of South 14th Street in what appears to be a drug-related robbery. Police have no one in custody.

On Friday, Leandro Marin, 17, was shot by a friend at 11:45 p.m. inside a car in the 1800 block of South 32nd Street. Marin was inside a vehicle with the suspect when the fired a gun outside the vehicle and then accidentally shot his friend inside the vehicle.

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See and share beautiful fall foliage photos on u local

Published On: Sep 26 2012 02:12:54 PM EDT   Updated On: Sep 26 2014 01:44:05 PM EDT

Fall is here and the leaves are starting to change colors. Have you noticed any beautiful fall foliage where you live? If so, share photos on u local!

Upload your photos to the Fall Foliage category for them to appear in the slideshow above. Please include a brief description, along with the location of where the photo was taken. Your upload may appear on-air!

Start sharing today, not a member? Click here to join u local, it's quick and easy.

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Spring cleaning: how to get started

Published On: Apr 13 2012 02:53:19 PM EDT   Updated On: Apr 01 2015 09:01:38 AM EDT
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Police: 76-year-old accused of selling pain medication

Published On: May 02 2013 06:50:57 AM EDT   Updated On: May 02 2013 05:59:45 PM EDT

A 76-year-old Deering man has been accused of being a drug dealer after police said they determined he was selling prescription medication out of his home.

Robert "Burton" Johnson was charged with three counts of selling a narcotic following a search of his home Wednesday night. Police said they found thousands of dollars in cash, pill bottles and more than 50 guns.

Johnson was arrested following an eight-month investigation. Police in Weare said a confidential informant told them Johnson was selling pain pills.

"Robert Johnson was selling prescription medication that a cooperative individual agreed to go in and make some controlled buys with the Weare Police Department investigators," said Deering Police Chief James Pushee.

Police said they confiscated 57 guns, a combination of rifles and handguns, from Johnson's home, along with $3,100 in cash. Weare police said this should make a dent in prescription drug trafficking in their town.

"We do believe that Mr. Johnson was involved in a substantial operation involving both drugs and firearms," said Weare Sgt. Joe Kelley.

Police said they are still looking into where the drugs ended up. Officials said there is the possibility that charges could also be filed relating to the sale of weapons.

"At the same time there was controlled buys, he also did sell firearms to a convicted felon, so we are addressing that issue, as well," Pushee said.

Weare police said they have been in touch with officials from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives who are looking into the possibility of bringing federal charges.

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Click for Franklin, North Carolina Forecast

Opinion A green light to tax dodges

Scott MooneyhamRALEIGH – In the waning days of the legislative session, North Carolina lawmakers may give a big tax break to large, multi-state corporations that do business in the state.

Not that legislators will say that's what they are doing. They'll talk about tax fairness or uniformity.

In fact, if the bill in question passes, legislators will be giving multi-state corporations a green light to engage in the kind of creative accounting that state tax officials have been fighting for a couple of decades.

The result will be a tax break. No one will ever really know its true value.

It may be tens of millions of dollars. It may be hundreds of millions. Over time, it may be billions.

No one will know the exact value because it's impossible to predict how many corporations will stoop to tax dodges designed to shift income from North Carolina to other states that have no state corporate income tax.

What is known is that North Carolina has gone to court in the past to prevent these kind of tax dodges.

A decade ago, the state challenged mall retailer The Limited when it paid earning from North Carolina to a Delaware holding company for use of the holding company’s “trademarks.” The trademarks were retail outlet names and the holding company was a shell company owned by The Limited.

More recently, the state challenged some creative accounting from Wal-Mart. The retailer deducted rent payments to its outof- state holding company -- to which ownership of store buildings had been transferred -- from its state earnings.

In each case, the state won.

Wal-Mart paid $33 million. Other companies paid up without having to go to court. The result was that North Carolina trimmed a budget shortfall in the winter of 2009-10 by $400 million.

A big reason that the state was able to win the cases and stop the tax dodges is a state law that allows the state revenue secretary to require companies to file what are known as “consolidated returns” when he or she suspects income shifting. A consolidate return requires that a parent company show all income earned by it and its affiliated companies, and the ratio earned in North Carolina is then determined.

Twenty-one states use a similar method for all corporate income tax reporting purposes.

That hasn’t happened here. A bill scheduled to be considered by the state Senate on Tuesday would repeal the current state rules and make it far more difficult to force consolidated returns under any circumstances.

It would do so by creating a gaping loophole making the shifting of income legal as long as companies could demonstrate that the transaction had “economic substance.” That phrase is defined as having any material benefit to a company other than less taxes.

Accounting firms are no doubt dreaming up reams of “material benefits.”

The result is almost certain to be more pressure to pay more taxes by individuals and businesses who can't shift income or afford heavy-hitting accountants and lobbyists.

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