Northeast
Trump shooter had multiple encrypted accounts overseas, including Germany: Rep. Waltz
![Trump shooter had multiple encrypted accounts overseas, including Germany: Rep. Waltz Trump shooter had multiple encrypted accounts overseas, including Germany: Rep. Waltz](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Crooks-Cellphone-Encryption-Thumb.jpg)
The gunman who nearly killed former President Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, last month used encrypted messaging accounts on multiple platforms based in Belgium, New Zealand and Germany, according to a House representative appointed to a congressional task force investigating the assassination attempt.
Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., a retired Green Beret appointed to the 13-member House bipartisan task force investigating the attempted assassination of Trump, told reporters about the accounts while at the Trump Hotel Chicago Wednesday.
One reporter asked Waltz what he and other members of the task force had learned during the investigation and about the encrypted messages on the shooter’s cellphone.
TRUMP SHOOTING: TIMELINE OF ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT
A House member on a committee investigating the attempted assassination of Trump said the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, had encrypted accounts on messaging apps based in Germany, Belgium and New Zealand.
“We still haven’t learned a lot. We haven’t learned that much about those overseas accounts,” he said, referring to accounts held by would-be assassin Thomas Matthew Crooks. “We do know that they were in, if I get this correctly, Belgium, New Zealand and Germany.
“Why does a 19-year-old kid who is a health care aide need encrypted platforms not even based in the United States, but based abroad, where most terrorist organizations know it is harder for our law enforcement to get into? That’s a question I’ve had since day one.”
The representative then turned his attention to the FBI and Secret Service, bashing them for not saying a thing until they complete their investigations months from now.
“They need to be releasing information as they come across it, because this wasn’t an isolated incident,” Waltz said. “The threats are continually Iran’s threats.”
TRUMP ASSASSINATION ATTEMPT FORMED FROM ‘CAREFUL PLANNING,’ SCOPING OUT RALLY SITE, FBI SAYS
![Afghanistan Withdrawal retrospective](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/1724297184_944_Trump-shooter-had-multiple-encrypted-accounts-overseas-including-Germany-Rep.jpg)
Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., said he has learned Thomas Matthew Crooks, the would-be Trump assassin, held encrypted accounts overseas. (Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Waltz then cited an alleged plot that was foiled regarding a Pakistani national who paid off hitmen to kill Trump and other U.S. officials.
The New York Post reported that the FBI is scheduled to brief members of the task force on Wednesday, which Waltz said he hopes will provide insight into the “ridiculously flawed” security detail at the Trump campaign in Butler July 13, 2024.
Both the FBI and Secret Service are conducting their own investigations into the assassination attempt, as is the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General.
On the evening of the rally, Crooks opened fire on the main stage, grazing Trump’s ear with a bullet. Crooks also killed rally attendee Corey Comperatore, 50, and wounded 57-year-old David Dutch and 54-year-old James Copenhaver.
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Massachusetts
Massachusetts town with state’s first EEE human case since 2020 urges sports to move indoors
![Massachusetts town with state’s first EEE human case since 2020 urges sports to move indoors Massachusetts town with state’s first EEE human case since 2020 urges sports to move indoors](https://www.bostonherald.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/MethuenEEEnc1.jpg?w=1024&h=683)
Days after learning it had recorded the state’s first human case of EEE in four years, a town outside of Worcester has recommended sports practices be held outside of evening hours and moved indoors if possible.
Oxford is one of the four towns where the state Department of Public Health raised the risk level for EEE to critical last Friday after an 80-year-old man was exposed to a mosquito infected with the disease.
Oxford’s neighboring towns of Sutton, Webster and Douglas are also at critical risk.
The recommendation to finish outdoor activities before “peak mosquito biting time” – before 6 p.m. through Sept. 30 and before 5 p.m. starting Oct. 1 until the first hard frost – came during a heated Board of Health meeting on Wednesday.
Oxford schools will be following the recommendation, which health board Chairwoman Kerrie Singer and Director of Public Health Services Rike Sterrett stressed is not a ban on outdoor activities after those times.
“The hope is they, when able, will move the activities to those indoor locations or move practices up or move them to the weekend,” Sterrett said. “I understand this is not ideal for anybody, but we take this really seriously.”
Private and recreational leagues or organizations that decide to use town property and not follow recommendations must “complete and file an indemnification form with and provide proof of adequate insurance coverage to both the Recreation Commission and Town Manager’s Office.”
That’s according to a memo Town Manager Jennifer Callahan wrote to the Board of Health. In it, she explained she’s been in touch with a family member of the individual diagnosed twice within the past week. The man remains hospitalized, “courageously battling this virus,” she wrote.
“They want people to be aware this is an extremely serious disease with terrible physical and emotional consequences,” Callahan wrote of the family. “They want residents to take the public health recommendations … seriously.”
Other recommendations to keep safe include applying insect repellent and mosquito-proofing homes, consistent with the state Department of Public Health. Sutton, Webster and Douglas have also implemented the guidelines.
Singer said the board learned about the EEE risk being raised to critical last Friday, and Wednesday’s meeting marked the first discussion on the development and protocols.
“I would ask that you give us the opportunity to please discuss this and not interrupt us during this meeting,” she said. “I think you would be very enlightened to hear what we have to say and be educated about this.”
Within minutes, Singer found herself in an exchange with a resident, repeatedly saying “I’m going to ask you to please sit as we continue.” The resident responded “Madam chair, I’m just asking to make sure that we will be heard tonight,” and then “Madam chair, I’m trying to be as professional as possible.”
Singer did not allow comments from the public, calling questions from residents an “open meeting violation.” The board chair recessed the meeting for roughly 10 minutes.
Before Oxford became designated as a critical risk, the state had collected mosquito traps and sampling about every two weeks. Trapping is now being conducted much more often, Sterrett said.
Though rare, EEE is serious and a potentially fatal disease that can affect people of all ages, according to state health officials.
There were 12 human cases of EEE in Massachusetts in 2019 with six deaths, and five human cases with one death in 2020. There were no human cases of EEE in Massachusetts in 2021, 2022, or 2023.
The first symptoms include high fever, stiff neck and a lack of energy which typically occur within 3 to 10 days after being bitten by a mosquito infected with EEE, Sterrett said. Symptoms could progress to encephalitis, the swelling of the brain, she said, adding how 22 people have died in Massachusetts within the past couple of decades.
“Those who do survive Triple E will often be permanently disabled due to neurological damage,” Sterrett said. “Few people who get Triple E, who are diagnosed with it, recover completely. That’s why, knowing all of this … we do take this very seriously.”
Originally Published:
New Hampshire
New Hampshire Small Game Hunting Seasons Open September 1 – eagletimes.com | Serving the Twin State Valley
![New Hampshire Small Game Hunting Seasons Open September 1 – eagletimes.com | Serving the Twin State Valley New Hampshire Small Game Hunting Seasons Open September 1 – eagletimes.com | Serving the Twin State Valley](https://eagletimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/20240821_cet_pr_SmallGameHunting.webp)
CONCORD, NH. – Small game hunting season for gray squirrel starts on September 1 and is a great way to introduce someone new to hunting. On October 1, ruffed grouse, woodcock, cottontail rabbit, pheasant, and snowshoe hare seasons each open, all of which are exciting species to pursue and make excellent table fare. Small game hunters will want to check out the 2023/2024 New Hampshire Small Game Summary Report, which presents data from the annual Small Game Hunter Survey. Participation in these surveys by hunters significantly enhances the Department’s management of these species.
While the New Hampshire Small Game Summary Report includes a variety of species, the most data received and the primary focus is the Granite State’s two most sought-after small game birds: ruffed grouse and woodcock. The report provides long-term statistical trends for both species of birds, which comprised 90% of reported hunter effort during 2023. Other species of interest to small game hunters included in the report are snowshoe hare and gray squirrel.
“Crisp fall air will be here soon, and hunting small game is a great way to kick off the season,” said New Hampshire Fish and Game’s Small Game Program Supervisor Brett Ferry. “Pursuing small game provides a unique opportunity to introduce youth and novice hunters to the sport. Because small game species are habitat dependent, new hunters must learn about the food and cover requirements of the species which adds to the experience. Hunters have the ability to assist in our understanding and management of small game populations by providing data related to observations, harvest, and effort. These surveys are easy to obtain and complete, and they provide the Department with necessary data to promote small game populations and opportunities to enjoy this resource.”
If you hunt small game, please take part in this year’s surveys:
Everyone who completes either of these two surveys will be entered into a raffle to win a firearm donated by Sturm Ruger and the Ruffed Grouse Society, respectively.
“A big thank you to all the small game hunters who participated in our survey efforts,” said Ferry.
Learn more about small game hunting in New Hampshire at www.wildlife.nh.gov/hunting-nh/small-game-and-upland-bird-hunting.
New Jersey
New Jersey bill would offer tax deductions for E-ZPass tolls. Here’s how it would work.
![New Jersey bill would offer tax deductions for E-ZPass tolls. Here’s how it would work. New Jersey bill would offer tax deductions for E-ZPass tolls. Here’s how it would work.](https://assets2.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2022/10/04/81ec64d5-89f2-430c-aa3c-f4ee8f391fd9/thumbnail/1200x630/6ccfbdee60b8789efe92057d091ba304/gettyimages-672508050.jpg?v=fd6e213336f58b575c9e836e95546d26)
TRENTON, N.J. – A proposed bill in New Jersey would offer some relief to drivers who use E-ZPass.
It would allow individuals to deduct up to $1,000 from their gross income on their state income tax returns for tolls paid via the E-ZPass system. This deduction would apply to tolls paid on any toll road within New Jersey, as well as interstate toll bridges and tunnels connecting the state with neighboring areas.
The bill does specify, however, that certain toll-related expenses would not qualify for the deduction, including fines for toll violations.
Sen. James Holzapfel, who represents District 10 in Monmouth and Ocean counties, and Sen. Patrick Diegnan Jr., who represents District 18 in Middlesex County, are sponsoring the bill.
They say the bill is designed to help commuters offset the rising costs of transportation, particularly in light of recent increases in the state gasoline tax.
“By providing toll-paying commuters with a way to offset a portion of their costs, this bill recognizes that these individuals are paying more than their fair share of the burden of maintaining safe, modern, and ample roadways in the State,” the bill says.
The bill was introduced in the Senate on Jan. 9 and referred to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. The committee has not discussed the bill in any of its five most recent meetings, according to the New Jersey Legislature’s website.
It is unknown when the next Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee meeting will take place.
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