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A marathon in every state: Navy vet and former NYPD cop runs across US to help deserving nonprofit

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A marathon in every state: Navy vet and former NYPD cop runs across US to help deserving nonprofit

A miliary veteran has hit the ground running in terms of helping other heroes.

John Barnett, a U.S. Navy veteran and retired New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) police officer, has set out to run a marathon in all 50 U.S. states to raise awareness for local nonprofit Paws of War, which helps rescue and train service dogs for veterans.

The Long Islander enlisted with the Navy in 1986 and retired as a commander in 2011. Barnett continued his service with the MTA police department after he left the military, until an incident on the Fourth of July ended his career.

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On July 4, 2012, the officer was on routine patrol at the Long Island Railroad’s Jamaica Station when he was “ambushed” on the sidewalk, he told Fox News Digital in an interview.

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The criminal, who had a knife, attacked Barnett — and stabbed him in the eye.

John Barnett, pictured here, served as a detective with the NYPD until 2012. (Paws of War)

“I told him to drop the knife, and then I shot him,” he said. (See the video at the top of this article.)

Barnett underwent several surgeries to restore his retina — but his vision was beyond repair. 

He was left blind in his left eye. 

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“I’ve been retired ever since,” he said. 

Since the attack, Barnett has been receiving eye treatment and therapy for PTSD.

Barnett, pictured at center, was in “great spirits, laughing with colleagues as he left the hospital” after the incident, according to Paws of War. (Paws of War)

After the incident, Barnett noticed a sign outside Paws of War’s headquarters in Nesconset, New York, located less than half a mile from his house.

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The sign mentioned that the organization helps America’s veterans and first responders.

“This is just my way of giving back and helping other first responders, brothers and sisters.”

“And I said, ‘Oh, well, I need to go in there, because I need help, and I’m a first responder — and a veteran,” he said. “So, I went in and they helped me out.”

Since then, Barnett said Paws of War has offered him “numerous” services, including veteran training for his two dogs, counseling and “camaraderie” within a community of other veterans.

Barnett has two service dogs, a German weimaraner and a German shorthaired pointer, both pictured here. (Paws of War)

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While Barnett has always been an avid runner and has completed more than 30 marathons, the veteran decided to run for Paws of War to increase others’ awareness of the nonprofit and its good works.

“This is just my way of giving back and helping other first responders, brothers and sisters,” he told Fox News Digital.

“Everyone who goes through Paws of War has struggles, and if I can help one person, I feel good.”

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Barnett emphasized that the organization has helped him “significantly” through its various services.

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“I would love for other first responders and veterans to receive the same help that I got from Paws of War,” he said. “By running, I can help others … This is my main goal. Just helping and giving back.”

Barnett said that listening to music, specifically to Steve Winwood or Elton John, while running a marathon helps him “feel great.” (Paws of War)

He added, “I think it’s one of the best services in the world for veterans and first responders.”

The Montana Marathon in Billings, Montana, on May 19 marked Barnett’s first run for Paws of War. His next race will take place in Anchorage, Alaska, on June 22 — which will mark his 27th U.S. state marathon.

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Although Barnett has run the New York City Marathon five times, he said his top two favorite marathons were in Burlington, Vermont, and Sugarloaf, Maine.

“Because you smell pine trees for 26 miles,” he said. “If you love the smell of pine trees, you’ll love that marathon.”

As Barnett’s goal is to get more veterans and first responders the help they need, he encouraged them to also reach out to their local VA hospital for immediate help.

“If I could just reach one veteran while I’m running a marathon and for them to reach out to Paws of War and say, ‘I need help’ — that would be great.” (Paws of War)

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Paws of War co-founder Robert Misseri, who is based in New York, expressed his support for Barnett in a statement to Fox News Digital.

“John’s resilience and appreciation of giving back to Paws of War is another reason why we need to support our veterans and first responders,” he said. 

For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle

“His efforts could save someone’s life.”

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Paws of War’s mission, according to its website, is “to honor and support our veterans, active military members, and first responders with services that enrich their lives through the rescue and training of service dogs for independence, adoption of companion animals, rescue of overseas animals in war zones, and other essential services to assist our heroes in need.”

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Northeast

Rhode Island teacher accused of sexting, kissing high school boy

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Rhode Island teacher accused of sexting, kissing high school boy

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A married high school physical education teacher has been indicted on two counts of third-degree sexual assault after being accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a male student. 

Alisha Crins is accused of exchanging sexually suggestive messages and engaging in sexual contact with the student while he was enrolled at Ponaganset High School in Rhode Island as a 17-year-old, according to an affidavit cited by WPRI.

The investigation began after the former student filed a formal complaint with Rhode Island State Police in October, the documents obtained by WPRI show.

According to the affidavit, the student told investigators Crins began texting him while he was a sophomore after allegedly finding his cellphone number online.

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A sign marks the main entrance to Ponaganset High School in Rhode Island. (Google Maps)

He said she initially asked him to do work for her while she was on vacation, but the two continued communicating through text messages and social media after that plan fell through.

The student alleged the relationship escalated during his junior year. He told investigators Crins frequently complimented his appearance and once asked to wear his jersey during a school pep rally.

He further alleged Crins invited him to meet near her Cranston home, where they kissed inside his vehicle. During a later encounter, she allegedly climbed into the back seat and engaged in sexual contact, according to the affidavit. The student denied having sexual intercourse with her.

The alleged assaults took place between April 1, 2024, and June 30, 2024, according to WJAR.

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A Rhode Island State Police cruiser parked near a waterfront with boats visible in the background. (Rhode Island State Police Facebook)

When questioned by investigators, Crins denied “getting physical” beyond a single kiss but admitted to flirting and exchanging text messages that contained “sexual innuendos,” the affidavit states.

She also acknowledged sending photos and videos and told investigators the two discussed plans to have sex once he turned 18, though she said they never acted on those plans.

The Foster-Glocester Regional School District said Crins resigned from her role at the school Oct. 1, 2025, according to WJAR.

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File image of a woman texting. According to an affidavit, the student told investigators Crins began texting him while he was a sophomore after allegedly finding his cellphone number online. (iStock)

In a statement obtained by the outlet, the district said it is cooperating with authorities and referred further inquiries to state police.

Fox News Digital has reached out to state police for comment.

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Boston, MA

When did Southie get richy-rich? – The Boston Globe

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When did Southie get richy-rich? – The Boston Globe


Write to us at startingpoint@globe.com. To subscribe, sign up here.


Born and raised in Southie, Heather Foley has seen her neighborhood morph over the past three decades of scrubbing, renovation, and new construction for higher-income new arrivals.

But even Foley was surprised to discover that her South Boston, where kids once went to the corner to buy milk and cigarettes for parents, has emerged with the city’s second-highest average income, even ahead of Charlestown and Beacon Hill.

Her first thought?: “I gotta start being nicer to my neighbors if that’s the kind of money they’re making.”

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What’s a household?

Decades ago, when “Good Will Hunting” was filmed in the neighborhood and Southie was known as a working-class area, there were more kids around and maybe just a single breadwinner in some homes.

Since then, Southie saw more two-earner households, fewer kids, and spiffier rental units where three or four roommates could contribute to a “household.” The changes, along with spillover from the adjacent, pricier Seaport, or South Boston waterfront, are factors in Census data showing more than 40 percent of Southie households earn more than $200,000 a year.

Staying put

Foley, 46, a photo shoot producer, considers herself lucky. She didn’t move out to the South Shore like many neighborhood longtimers. She’s living in a family home on a block with residents — oldtimers and newer arrivals — who aren’t flipping properties for big bucks.

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Another blessing, particularly valuable this winter? She has a driveway.

As a kid, she went to church and school at Gate of Heaven, St. Brigid, and St. Peter, and jokes that she’s “so sad I didn’t buy a three-decker with my First Communion money, because I probably could have.”

Waves of gentrification

She remembers the earlier waves of newcomers, when glassy sports bars like Stats Bar & Grille muscled in among longtime restaurants like Amrheins.

But now, even the popular Stats is moving out at the end of the month. The property owner is developing a five-story, mixed-use residential building at the site.

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A small silver lining

Foley notes that some of the onetime “newcomers” have been here for three decades — and in some ways, have stabilized the place. Many have raised kids, who, like her son, may return to the neighborhood as young adults (albeit splitting a rented apartment with friends). Stats, the sports bar, says it will also return to the neighborhood’s thriving food scene.

“We have a lot of great restaurants now,” Foley says, “and everyone cleans up after their dog.”

Read: These maps show Boston’s wealthiest and most populous neighborhoods — plus other key trends.


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Patriots, strippers, and hookahs: A downtown restaurant’s liquor license is in jeopardy after it allegedly hosted Patriots players and guests after their AFC Championship in January. A decision is expected today.

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‘Culture of secrecy’: In a scathing report, R.I. authorities accused the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence of decades of “inaction, concealment, and revictimization” in complaints of clergy sexual abuse of hundreds of children.

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🎥 Quiz: Test yourself with the Globe’s Academy Awards quiz.

⚽ Will $7.8 million stop the World Cup from coming here? Can Foxborough’s insistence on up-front security payments force the world’s soccer governing body to send matches somewhere else this summer?

♯ Teenage dreams: The future rock stars were teenagers when they wrote songs, influenced by David Bowie and Stevie Wonder, about a fictional nightclub. A half-century later, Squeeze has reworked and is releasing those songs.

💻 Death by chatbot? A new lawsuit alleges Google’s chatbot sent a man on missions to find an android body it could inhabit. When that failed, it set a suicide countdown clock for him. (WSJ)

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Thanks for reading Starting Point.

This newsletter was edited by Heather Ciras and produced by Ryan Orlecki.

❓ Have a question for the team? Email us at startingpoint@globe.com.

✍🏼 If someone sent you this newsletter, you can sign up for your own copy.

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Dave Beard can be reached at dave.beard@gmail.com. Follow him on X @dabeard.





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Pittsburg, PA

As his polarizing Pitt career winds down, a banged-up Cam Corhen has saved his best for last

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As his polarizing Pitt career winds down, a banged-up Cam Corhen has saved his best for last






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