Everything fell perfectly into place for the Steelers on Night One of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Northeast
NYC shop owner with concealed carry permit faces 7 years for inadvertently shooting would-be thief
A New York City liquor store owner could face seven years behind bars after a video shows he shot a would-be thief who had been kicked off the premises along with an accomplice. But the head of a large bodega organization is calling on prosecutors to drop the charges.
Francisco Valerio, 53, who owns Franja Wine and Liquors in Ridgewood, Queens, caught the two shoplifters stealing liquor bottles from the store at around 7:40 p.m. Monday and booted them out with the help of another clerk, the Queens District Attorney’s Office says. Video from inside the store shared with Fox News Digital shows one of the suspects dressed in red trying to stuff a liquor bottle into his jacket.
The situation outside then turned violent when 20-year-old suspect Kevin Pullatasi charged at the liquor store door. He pushed the door against the store worker, who responds by waving his hand at him as a shouting match ensues, video shows. The store worker is the owner’s brother.
Pullatasi then walked away before dropping his bag and charging at the door again. Pullatasi can be seen on video trying to kick and punch the store worker.
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A New York City liquor store owner, Francisco Valerio, could face seven years behind bars after video shows he shot a would-be thief, left. One of the suspects was seen trying to steal a bottle of liquor, right. (United Bodegas of America)
That’s when store owner Valerio appears in the video and can be seen trying to pistol-whip Pullatasi, who then drops to the ground having been shot. Pullatasi then dragged himself against a car before Valerio went over to check on him.
Valerio has been charged with assault in the second and third degrees, reckless endangerment in the first degree and criminal possession of a weapon in the fourth degree. The DA’s office says that Valerio has a concealed carry permit and that the gun was concealed in his rear waistband.
Pullatasi, who was treated in hospital for a gunshot wound, was charged with petit larceny, as was Edwin Poaquiza. They both have addresses in Brooklyn and prosecutors say they stole two bottles of liquor.
“All three of the defendants in this incident will have to answer charges against them,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said in a statement.
JUDGE JUDY HAS SCATHING MESSAGE FOR CITIES ENGULFED IN BRAZEN CRIME, PINPOINTS ‘RIDICULOUS’ POLICIES
Valerio goes to check on the would-be thief. (United Bodegas of America)
“After the store was targeted by these shoplifters, the stolen merchandise was recovered and the two men were escorted out of the store. At that point, the store owner was physically attacked by one of the men. Unfortunately, as alleged, that led to a reckless shooting by the store owner on a public street in broad daylight.”
The decision to prosecute Valerio was slammed by Fernando Mateo, the founder and spokesperson for United Bodegas of America, who said that the perpetrators’ crew had targeted the store at least four times before.
“Frequent flier thieves must be stopped, we have the right to defend ourselves, our businesses and our communities,” Mateo told Fox News Digital via a statement. “District attorneys must stop prosecuting victims and charging criminals when they commit crimes.”
Mateo said that business owners are constantly dealing with looting, shoplifting, assaults and robberies, among other crimes. He also slammed New York’s often perceived soft-on crime policies, including bail reform which he demanded be changed.
The suspect kicks the store door, left, and the duo are seen outside, right. (United Bodegas of America)
“Francisco Valerio is a licensed gun owner, has been married for 30 years, has two children and is a Columbia graduate. He is a liquor store owner and a member of the 83rd precinct community, he will lose everything he has worked for if prosecuted,” Mateo said.
“DA Malinda Katz is holding his future in her hands, she must drop the charges.”
Neighbors living near the store said they supported Valerio’s actions.
“He had a permit to carry it and they were assaulting him, and it was an accident. He shouldn’t be in trouble,” one neighbor told Fox 5.
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Only two receivers were selected in the top 15 picks, and a slew of offensive linemen followed with a very random Ty Simpson to the Rams pick sprinkled in for good luck.
With a league-leading 12 selections ahead of the first round, the Steelers had every tool in the belt to pull off exactly what they wanted to do – draft Makai Lemon. Yet instead of doing so, they remained stagnant, much like they’ve done as a franchise for the better part of a decade.
The Steelers sat on their hands and stayed put with the No. 21 overall pick instead of moving up to ensure his selection in front of the record-breaking 320,000 fans in front of Acrisure Stadium. As the Dallas Cowboys were set to be on the clock at No. 20, the Steelers gave Lemon a call. Only they weren’t the only Pennsylvania area code to ring the USC star.
As the Steelers were getting ready to tell Lemon he would be calling Pittsburgh home, Howie Roseman and the Philadelphia Eagles made a trade with the Cowboys to jump in front of the Steelers to steal the star pass-catcher from their grasp. Clearly caught off guard, the Steelers had to pivot and selected Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheachanor, much to the chagrin of the large number of Steelers fans on hand who audibly groaned at Pittsburgh selecting its third first-round tackle in four years.
It’s almost poetic that it was the Eagles who jumped the Steelers, considering Pittsburgh so obviously wants to be Philadelphia from a team standpoint. Assistant general manager Andy Weidl came from the Eagles, and the way the Steelers have gone about roster building in the trenches is similar to what Philadelphia has done over the last 5-10 years.n Unfortunately, the Steelers lack the killer instinct that Roseman and the Eagles have.
When the Eagles see the potential to add a game-changer, they do it. Whether it’s trading for A.J. Brown, signing Saquon Barkley, or getting rid of players and coaches when they begin to fail, no matter how successful they’ve been before, the Eagles have always stayed ahead of the curve while the Steelers have perennially been behind it.
While the Eagles built a near-flawless roster that resulted in their second Super Bowl appearance under Nick Sirriani and Jalen Hurts and their first win (second in the last decade), the Steelers were bringing in re-run veteran quarterbacks hoping they would be just good enough for a good defense to carry, a project that has failed twice. And instead of moving in a new direction, the Steelers are letting a 42 year-old quarterback dictate their offseason for a second straight year.
Fumbling Lemon wasn’t just a massive mishandling of the first round by the Steelers, it was an embarrassment. To be metaphorically noogied like that in your home city when, again, you had every possible opportunity to trade up for the player you wanted is completely indefensible.
It’s also an unfortunate reminder that the Steelers are still a ways away from being among the elite teams in the NFL. Despite the addition of Michael Pittman, the receiver position continues to be largely neglected, as they have just two other receivers behind Pittman and DK Metcalf – those receivers combined for 16 catches in 2025. Sure, they can select a receiver on Day Two, but it’s hard to get excited for Day Two pass-catchers in a thin class for the position when they could have easily landed arguably the most talented player at said position if they had just gotten the least bit aggressive.
And while organizations like the Eagles are moving up and trying to build a roster that can get them to a third Super Bowl in five years, the Steelers kept their feet in the sand as they wait for a text back from the oldest active player in the NFL, hoping he can help them win their first playoff game in nine years.
It’d be funny if it weren’t so pathetic. But what the heck, I’ll laugh anyway.
Let us know what you think in the comments. Be sure to bookmark Behind the Steel Curtain for all the latest news, breakdowns, and more!
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — State and local leaders are urging lawmakers to expand a bill protecting renters.
The proposed legislation would expand the “Just Cause” bill, which protects residents over 62 years old and living with a disability, or in public housing, from eviction without cause.
The expansion would cover new tenants in five-unit buildings after the first year of moving in. They said the goal is to help stabilize housing for thousands of people.
“Your apartment is your home, your apartment is dignity, your apartment is respect, your apartment is access to a local school for your child, knowing where that’s going to be and knowing it’s not going to change on short notice,” Gov. Ned Lamont (D) said. “Knowing you have a little continuity and a little bit of respect. And this bill is about a little bit of respect for the folks who are playing by the rules.”
The Connecticut Apartment Association said in response:
“Connecticut needs more housing in more places, and legislators need to focus on bills that will grow more housing for all incomes. Our members will stay at the table with them to craft sustainable responses that ensure accountability and solve Connecticut’s housing crisis.”
By Ed Pierce
Democrat Joseph A. Campbell of Windham will try to unseat incumbent Republican Mark Cooper as State Representative for Maine House District 107 in the general election in November.
Democrat Joseph A. Campbell of Windham will try to unseat incumbent Republican Mark Cooper as State Representative for Maine House District 107 in the general election in November.
| Joseph A. Campbell of Windham, a Democrat, will be a candidate in November for State Representative in Maine House District 107, representing part of Windham. He is a long-term substitute teacher at Gray/New Gloucester High School and a graduate student at the University of Maine. SUBMITTED PHOTO |
Campbell, a long-term Substitute at Gray/NewGloucester High School and a graduate student at the University of Maine, was a candidate for the Windham Town Council At Large position last fall, a seat eventually won by Katie Cook.
He says that he is running to represent House District 107, representing part of Windham, because he loves Maine and sees it as all our responsibility to make our voices heard in how the state is run.
“As someone navigating the difficult process of settling down, establishing a career, and pursuing higher education, I believe my perspective is representative of many Mainers who don’t normally see themselves in the legislature,” Campbell said. “When elected, I would feel accomplished once I could say that the common-sense goals of owning a home, starting a family, and maybe even retiring someday are more attainable than they were at the start of my term.”
The most significant issue in the race is the rising cost of housing, he said.
“Skyrocketing housing expenses are hurting the whole spectrum of Windham residents, from renters just trying to get by and save, to seniors struggling to afford their family home,” Campbell said. “We need to find a way to grease the wheels for first time buyers, responsibly build enough for supply to meet demand, and decouple critical services like schools from the local mil rate.”
Along with affordable housing, Campbell says ensuring a solid education system would be another of his priorities if elected.
“Schools, students, and teachers are all struggling, and we need to find a way to ensure kids are getting what they need to learn, while teachers and districts have the energy, professionalism, and resources they need to make that happen,” he said. “We expect a lot from teachers, as we should, and they deserve a proportional level of compensation and respect for the work they do. Additionally, academic excellence is only possible when we’re exposed to diverse thoughts and ideas. We need to give kids books and encourage literacy, banning books is never the right way forward.”
Currently finishing a master’s degree in international and political history at the University of Maine, Campbell says that as a historian, he thinks we have a responsibility as citizens of a democracy to do right by the system that people have fought and died for by making sure that we’re an educated electorate.
“Working with the kids at the high school is one small way I like to try and do my part,” he said. “It’s really refreshing to see young people working hard and getting ready to enter the adult world, and I think we owe it to them to make sure that that world is something good. As to why I study history, it’s because I believe that just like we learn from our own mistakes and find inspiration in how far we’ve come as individuals, we can do the same as communities. If you look back 90 years ago, Mainers were able to survive the Great Depression, reject fascism, and would go on to weather World War II. If we could make it through those times, we can figure out how to rein in property taxes, give kids a good education, and do something about folks’ CMP bills. This is all very doable, and I like to think that we can make it easier upon ourselves by paying attention to those who came before us.”
According to Campbell, he enjoys living in Windham and says the parks and trails in the town are great recreational opportunities, specifically Black Brook Preserve and Donnabeth Lippman Park.
“My wife Chelsea and I make sure to get outside for a quick picnic, walk, or hike at least a couple of times a week while we’re lucky enough to have some good weather,” he said. “It’s really heartening to see a place like Windham navigate growth and development, while making absolutely sure to carve out and preserve space for nature.”
If elected, Campbell says that he’d like to see if legislators could find a way to rely less on local property taxes to get the schools what they need.
“We should work toward more equitable state taxes, focusing on those with the ability to pay, while relieving working and middle-class Mainers who may own a home, but aren’t flush with cash,” Campbell said. “That revenue should go toward the school districts, with the added benefit of making sure that your school’s budget isn’t forever tied to the real estate in town. With a responsible budget, working class Mainers could see their mil rate go down, and wealthy Mainers can know that their tax dollars are going toward their children and grandchildren getting a good education.”
Along with Democrat State Senator incumbent Tim Nangle, Republican State Senate candidate Peter Violette and Republic House 107 incumbent Mark Cooper, Campbell’s campaign is funded by the Maine Clean Elections Act. To support any of these campaigns, nonpartisan $5 contributions may be made at maine.gov/ethics website.
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