North Carolina
ReOpen NC protester suing Gov. Cooper over arrest during stay-at-home order
A protester who police arrested three years in the past throughout a rally opposing the pandemic stay-at-home order has filed a federal lawsuit claiming her civil and constitutional rights had been violated.
Monica Ussery, who lived in Holly Springs on the time of her arrest, was taken into custody on April 14, 2020, whereas standing in a state-owned car parking zone on the nook of Jones and Wilmington streets in downtown Raleigh in the course of the first ReOpen NC rally.
Faucet right here: Learn the lawsuit filed by Monica Ussery
The ReOpen NC motion mobilized on-line in March 2020 after Gov. Roy Cooper introduced restrictions to colleges, companies and gatherings to gradual the unfold of COVID-19.
As the group grew on that day in April, Raleigh police instructed the group to disperse from the world. The division posted on Twitter that day declaring “protesting is a non-essential exercise.” Cooper mentioned the following day his orders “don’t intervene with individuals’s constitutional rights” however with “illegal mass gatherings.”
The roughly 100 individuals who gathered for the rally finally dispersed after repeated warnings from police — introduced utilizing a speaker system — to go away as a result of the protesters had been violating the mass gathering restrictions.
In physique digital camera video leaked this month and posted on-line by an impartial journalist, officers will be heard discussing a plan for warning the group and making ready to make arrests.
“I need to go forward and begin making some strikes now as a result of I don’t need the group to proceed to develop and all the things so I need to go forward and begin locking individuals up as quickly as doable and all the things so that may encourage all people else to disperse,” one officer will be heard saying on the physique digital camera video.
Ussery was the one protester arrested by police for not leaving. She mentioned she didn’t hear the a number of warnings over honking automobiles from the place she was standing within the car parking zone and she or he believes she was not given sufficient discover to go away.
“After a police officer mentioned, ‘Ma’am, that you must additionally go away,’ I had handcuffs on me inside 5 seconds. I counted,” Ussery recalled. “We heard nothing that was coming from the sidewalk or throughout the road.”
The North Carolina State Capitol Police wrote in a report that Ussery refused a number of calls for to go away and informed officers she was “designated for arrest” whereas she was being transported to the Wake County Detention Middle.
“She was the one one who ended up being arrested and I feel what you see on the finish of that video is her intent to not comply and at that time legislation enforcement has a accountability to implement the legislation,” mentioned Wake County District Lawyer Lorrin Freeman.
Ussery mentioned she didn’t launch the video that was leaked on-line April 14 exhibiting Raleigh Police Division officers; nevertheless, she should seem for a contempt listening to on April 28 as a result of the choose’s order was violated.
“The truth is legislation enforcement went out of their method to — in a protected area — give individuals a possibility to train their first modification proper and achieve that voluntary compliance and to get individuals to disperse.”
In a bench trial in 2021, Ussery was discovered responsible of two misdemeanors — violating an govt order and trespassing. She appealed the ruling. The fees had been dropped this February earlier than the case reached a trial.
The three-year ordeal is the inspiration of a federal lawsuit towards Cooper, Freeman and several other legislation enforcement officers that alleges violations of Ussery’s civil and constitutional rights and challenges the constitutionality of the pandemic-era govt orders.
“Whether or not it was shuttering homes of worship, closing faculties, or destroying small companies, within the identify of public well being…These officers’ energy grabs had been exceptional, unprecedented in American historical past and far-reaching, with the results nonetheless being felt years later,” reads the lawsuit, which was filed within the U.S. District Court docket for the Japanese District of North Carolina.
Ussery mentioned she hopes new authorized precedent is about for future lockdowns and govt orders.
“I feel the following individual standing within the car parking zone who’s daring to disagree with any governor [or] any elected official ought to have that proper protected and shouldn’t be picked on,” Ussery mentioned.
Within the midst of her prison case, Ussery’s protection group secured physique digital camera video from the Raleigh Police Division and State Capitol Police. The choose dominated the video could possibly be launched however couldn’t be disseminated publicly.
North Carolina
NBA Draft Scouting Report: Texas’ Tre Johnson
Drake Powell
Guard | UNC
Height: 6’5” | Weight: 185 lbs
2025 Draft Age: 19.78
As a natural wing or off-ball guard, Powell has what it takes to be an impact player at the next level. He boasts the positional size and athleticism to exploit his opponents on either end of the floor. Overall, he’s a very smart player with a competitive edge and is willing to adapt to what his team needs to win.
Powell is really best as an off-ball player offensively, especially given he’s not known for being a self-creator or primary ball-handler. However, he is a smart cutter and has found ways to position himself for success when finding space. To really take his game overall to the next level, the North Carolina freshman will need to prove he can become a better shooter. Whether it’s in the mid-range or beyond the arc, his jumper is inconsistent. Again, as an offensive prospect, he needs to improve to really become a two-way threat. The physical traits are there for him to get where he needs to be, but the development of his offensive game is a huge swing for Powell in terms of draft stock.
On the defensive end of the floor, Powell really shines. His athletic tools allow him to be all over the place and make plays on and off of the ball. He is quick, boasts length and is very smart as a defender. When thinking about what will differentiate him from other prospects at the next level, it will be his upside as a defensive prospect. He plays with tremendous energy and effort and he makes those around him better on the defensive side of the ball. In fact, he is one of the best defenders in the entire freshman class.
If Powell can convince NBA teams that he has the future projection of being a better offensive player, there’s no question he could be one of the most impactful players in the draft. In the meantime, he can lean on his defensive abilities to contribute to winning. The former five-star recruit is following in the footsteps of his father as a Tar Heel, as he played baseball for North Carolina when he was in school.
Mid to Late Lottery Pick in 2025 NBA Draft.
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North Carolina
WATCH: Steamy and Stormy in North Carolina on Friday, Heat Advisory in the eastern Triad
Friday, August 2: High humidity remains Friday with highs reaching into the 90s and feels like temperatures expected near 100 degrees. A Heat Advisory for the heat index reaching between 105 to 107 degrees is in effect from 11 a.m. Friday until 8 p.m. in the easter Piedmont Triad. Spotty to scattered storms may also bring a severe threat for the afternoon. Storms that do become severe may bring damaging wind and hail.
North Carolina
Body of 20-year-old North Carolina man recovered after 400-foot fall at Grand Canyon National Park
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, Ariz. — The body of a North Carolina man who fell 400 feet (122 meters) near a scenic viewpoint on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park has been recovered, authorities said Thursday.
Park rangers said they received a report about a park visitor falling from the Pipe Creek Vista around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. They said the body of Abel Joseph Mejia, 20, of Hickory, was later recovered about a quarter-mile from the overlook.
Park officials said Mejia accidentally fell when he was near the edge of the rim. The National Park Service and the Coconino County medical examiner’s office are investigating.
Authorities said park staff encourages visitors to stay on designated trails and walkways, keep a safe distance of at least 6 feet (1.8 meters) from the edge of the rim and stay behind railings and fences at overlooks.
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