County

Portage County Joins Select Ohio Counties in New ICE Collaboration to Enforce Immigration Laws

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RAVENNA, Ohio — Portage County has become one of three counties in Ohio to forge a partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), enabling selected deputies to perform federal immigration law enforcement duties. This collaboration follows a national trend as more local law enforcement bodies align themselves with ICE to broaden their operational reach. Under the 1996 Immigration Reform Act, local agencies can enter into 287(g) agreements which empower appointed deputies to act in capacities similar to ICE agents, including the execution of immigration warrants and detaining individuals on immigration grounds. Currently, Portage joins … Read more

$10 Million Awarded to Teen Severely Injured in Jefferson County HVAC Workplace Accident

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Birmingham, Alabama — A Jefferson County jury delivered a $10 million verdict to a former teenage employee who suffered catastrophic injuries at a local HVAC company back in 2019. Destiny Longs, then only 17 years old, endured severe injuries following a workplace accident which allegedly violated Alabama child labor laws. The lawsuit, initiated by Destiny’s mother, Denisha Longs, highlighted the hazardous working conditions at the facilities run by Comfort Systems USA (Midsouth) and H&M Mechanical Inc., both companies specializing in commercial HVAC systems. Destiny was assigned to the facility by her employer, InTime Staffing LLC, … Read more

Pierce County Wraps Up Groundbreaking $100-a-Day Jury Pay Pilot, Eyes Long-Term Changes

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Tacoma, WA – Pierce County Superior Court recently concluded a significant pilot program that increased jury compensation to $100 per day from the standard $10 in an effort to evaluate whether higher pay could diversify jury pools and lessen barriers to jury service. The pilot, which began on October 14 of the previous year, is set to complete its final phase by mid-May after the last trials commence the week of April 14. The pilot program, backed by over $1.5 million in funding from the Washington State Legislature and support from the Washington State Supreme … Read more

Orange County Judge Hosts Eighth-Graders for Courtroom Leadership and Career Exploration Day

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GOSHEN, N.Y. — A local courtroom in Goshen became a classroom this week when Orange County Court Judge Craig Brown hosted a group of promising eighth-graders from the Junior Leadership Orange (JLO) program. The students had the unique opportunity to observe real criminal proceedings and engage in discussions about the workings of the legal system and potential career paths within it. Judge Brown, along with other notable attendees including Judge Hyun Chin Kim, Sheriff Paul Arteta, and Undersheriff Will Garcia, took part in the educational initiative, emphasizing the importance of guiding young minds toward leadership … Read more