County

New Hanover County Schools Votes to Hire Additional Legal Counsel for Exceptional Children Caseload

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Wilmington, North Carolina – The New Hanover County Schools board has voted to hire additional legal counsel to handle exceptional children (EC) matters, following a split between the current representative, Vogel Law Firm, and two attorneys who previously handled the caseload. The decision was prompted by a motion from board member Josie Barnhart, who advocated for seeking different legal counsel for EC cases. Ultimately, the board voted in favor of this move, with some members who had previously opposed hiring Vogel Law Firm now supporting the decision. Barnhart initially suggested hiring the law firm of … Read more

Former Orange County Spokesman Settles Discrimination Lawsuit, Resigns from Position

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GOSHEN, N.Y. – A discrimination lawsuit brought by a former Orange County spokesman against his former supervisor has been settled. Justin Rodriguez, who served as an assistant to the Orange County executive, will also be leaving his position. Rodriguez claimed that his supervisor, Harold Porr, created a hostile work environment based on his religious and ethnic background. His lawsuit alleged that Porr, who was aware that Rodriguez’s mother is Jewish and his father is of Puerto Rican descent, made derogatory comments and exhibited demeaning behavior towards him. Rodriguez refrained from making an official complaint out … Read more

Pope County Judge Enthusiastic About Cherokee Nation’s Vision for New Casino in Russellville

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RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Pope County in Arkansas may soon see the construction of a new casino, following years of anticipation. Judge Ben Cross, a key figure in the county, supports the proposal put forth by Cherokee Nation Businesses (CNB) of Catoosa, Oklahoma. Drawing inspiration from CNB’s successful Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa, which Cross reminisces as a lone structure rising from the surrounding countryside, he envisions a similar development in Russellville. Cross believes that CNB’s $320 million Legends Resort & Casino, featuring 50,000 square feet of gaming space and 200 guest rooms, will come … Read more

Lawton Man Convicted of Aggravated Fentanyl Trafficking, Eluding Police: Split Decision Reached in County Jury Trial

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LAWTON, Okla. — A Lawton man has been convicted of aggravated trafficking in fentanyl and endangering others while eluding police in Comanche County. The jury delivered a mixed verdict on Tuesday following a two-day trial in Judge Jay Walker’s courtroom. Ty Dontrell Howard, 27, was found guilty of the felony charges of aggravated trafficking in fentanyl and endangering others while eluding/attempting to elude police. However, he was acquitted of trafficking in methamphetamine and a misdemeanor count of failure to stop at a red light. Earlier felony charges of child endangerment by permitting the presence of … Read more