Northeast
NYC Department of Ed manager brought family to Disney World with funds meant for homeless children
A New York City Department of Education manager and five other employees brought their own family to Disney World and on other excursions with city funds meant for homeless students, according to a report.
The New York Post first reported that the Special Commissioner of Investigation (SCI) for New York City schools alleges the workers’ actions robbed disadvantaged children of the opportunity to go to the Magic Kingdom and on other trips to Washington, D.C., New Orleans, Boston, Rocking Horse Ranch Resort in upstate New York and Frost Valley YMCA campground between 2016 and 2019.
Linda Wilson, the regional manager for the NYC Department of Education’s Queens Students in Temporary Housing, took her two daughters on city-funded excursions while encouraging her colleagues to do the same with their families, according to the SCI report released this month.
While some students were brought on these trips, investigators alleged that spots were taken up by the employees’ family members. DOE rules state that employees cannot bring family on trips even if the DOE is reimbursed.
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Wilson allegedly skirted the rules by “forging permission slips in the names of students,” the report said.
Wilson scheduled some of these trips under the belief that students would be visiting colleges, according to the report. Instead of visiting the schools, the investigation found that Wilson would take trips to other destinations.
On one such trip in June 2018, Wilson allegedly went with students to visit Syracuse University. But the university said that Wilson never toured the school. The subsequent investigation alleged that Wilson instead took a detour to Niagara Falls.
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In 2018, Wilson learned that someone told others within the DOE of their actions, the report says, prompting her to cancel a visit to Philadelphia. She then allegedly told her colleagues, “What happens here stays with us.”
Workers have blamed Wilson for telling staff that they could bring family on these trips, with one employee telling the Post that Wilson instructed them “to lie to investigators.”
“She said everyone should stick to the same story that we did not take our children on the trip,” the employee said.
The other Students in Temporary Housing workers accused of bringing family members on these trips include Program Manager Shaquieta Boyd, Family Assistant Joanne Castro, Family Assistant Mishawn Jack, Family Assistant Virgen Ramos and Community Coordinator Maria Sylvester.
The SCI completed its probe in January 2023 and recommended to Chancellor David Bank that all six employees be terminated and pay restitution to the DOE.
The cases were not referred for criminal prosecution due to “the lack of available documentation,” an SCI spokesperson told the newspaper.
Read the full article from Here
Vermont
Vermont State Police confirm identities of Pawlet triple-murder victims
PAWLET, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont State Police have officially confirmed the identities of the victims of the triple-murder that took place in Pawlet over the weekend.
As we told you, Channel 3 News learned through multiple sources that three members of a family were killed. Now Vermont State Police say the medical examiner has completed the autopsies and confirms the victims were Brian Crossman, a Pawlet select board member, his wife Erica, and Erica’s teenage son.
State police say the autopsies determined Brian Crossman’s cause of death was gunshot wounds to the head and torso, Erica Crossman’s cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head, and Erica’s son’s cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds.
Vermont state police say right now, no one is in custody, but sources tell us that police identified a person of interest, who is a relative of the victims.
We’ll continue to follow this story and bring you any information when we get it.
Copyright 2024 WCAX. All rights reserved.
Boston, MA
Kenny Chesney makes
BOSTON – Even before Kenny Chesney filled Gillette Stadium three nights in a row last month, several Massachusetts charities were already cheering his quiet generosity.
“Getting the call from Kenny’s team and finding out we were getting a very generous gift was wonderful news,” said Jackie Smith, the vice president of development for the Animal Rescue League of Boston.
The Animal Rescue League of Boston is celebrating 125 years of supporting animals in need and keeping their homes healthy and safe. Last year alone the ARL helped nearly 21,000 animals in Massachusetts – through adoption, food and supplies, and medical care.
ARL relies solely on donations
“I think a lot of folks assume there is government funding for animal sheltering. There actually is not. The ARL has to rely solely on donations because we don’t get any government grants or public funding,” she explained.
And just as Chesney parades his beloved dog Poncho on stage and social media, his commitment to this cause brings valuable awareness.
“Our hopes are that people will learn about us, that the bright spotlight he has will shine onto us. It all makes a difference. It all helps us help animals and the people who love them,” Smith added.
Pittsburg, PA
Liquor enforcement agents raid Oakland’s Panther Pit
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