West Virginia
West Virginia man pleads guilty to obstructing Pittsburgh synagogue shooting trial
A West Virginia man Tuesday pleaded guilty to obstructing the federal hate crime trial of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooter after sending threatening messages to jurors and witnesses in the case.
Hardy Lloyd, 45, admitted to relaying hostile social media posts, comments and emails throughout the trial of Robert Bowers, who in 2018 killed 11 congregants at the Tree of Life Synagogue. Bowers was convicted on 63 counts; a jury recommended a death sentence in August.
A self-identified “reverend” of a white supremacy, Lloyd previously described Bowers as a “lone wolf hero” and criticized jurors who convicted him as “guilty of anti-White racism,” according to the Justice Department.
“Free Robert Bowers Now!! … We need to support anyone who kills jews,” he posted on one Russian social media site, according to prosecutors.
Lloyd’s white supremacist organization’s website also contained an “enemies page,” which lists those individuals’ home addresses, workplaces, family photos and contact information. He threatened to post online the jurors’ information — which was sealed during the trial — to “keep the trial honest,” according to court filings.
“Y’all who are on the jury, make sure to vote what you know in your heart is morally correct,” he wrote online with two winking-face emoticon. “Free Richard Bowers, city of Pittsburgh or else there will be ‘legal’ consiquences (sic)!”
As part of his plea agreement, Lloyd stipulated that he intentionally picked jurors and government witnesses as targets “due to the actual or perceived Jewish religion of the witnesses and the Bowers victims,” the Justice Department said in a statement.
“Hardy Lloyd attempted to obstruct the federal hate crimes trial of the deadliest antisemitic attack in American history,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. “His guilty plea underscores that anyone who attempts to obstruct a federal trial by threatening or intimidating jurors or witnesses will be met with the full force of the Justice Department.”
FBI Director Christopher Wray said the agency “will not tolerate the intimidation of citizens participating in our criminal justice system.”
If a judge accepts Lloyd’s plea deal, he will spend 78 months — about six-and-a-half years — in prison, according to the Justice Department.
Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
OHIO VALLEY (WTRF) — It was a generous donation that will benefit two local organizations in a big way.
On Friday, the Ohio Valley Jaycees Charitable Fund presented two checks totaling $10,000.
That money was split between the Appalachian Christmas Project and Ohio Valley Young Life.
The Young Life Organization serves teen parents and underprivileged and disabled children throughout the area.
The Appalachian Christmas Project offers hope and encouragement to area seniors, veterans, and the homeless. They distribute personal hygiene items to individuals, service agencies, and drug rehab centers.
We are so thankful for all of the generosity of the Jaycee’s fund. Young Life has been serving the Ohio Valley for over 50 years. We are using this for general programing, mentoring for teen parents and their children and disabled middle and high school students.”
Sean McCartney, Area Director, Young Life
We serve other areas as well. Anywhere from locally into Kentucky. But this is designated money for Ohio and Marshall County and I’m just thankful we have it because we serve so many in these two counties as well.”
Diane Reineke Stout, CEO Appalachian Christmas Project
Last year the Appalachian Christmas Project serves over 1,000 people in Ohio County and over 800 in Marshall County.
Visitors encouraged to complete summer bucket list for a chance to win a free fall getaway
WHEELING, W.Va. (WTRF) — The West Virginia Department of Tourism, in partnership with Oglebay and Wheeling Park Commission, has announced a new Almost Heaven swing located in the state’s northern panhandle.
This swing is perched upon the scenic mountains of Oglebay, just off the Susan Wheeler Walking Trail on the western side of the arboretum.
“We are proud to participate in this West Virginia Tourism-led initiative, generously supported by a gift from Cindy and Chris Freeman,” said Oglebay Marketing Director Wendy Hodorowski. “The swing is located to showcase one of the park’s most amazing views, which will undoubtedly become a social media moment that generates both statewide and national attention for Oglebay Park.”
There are now more than 20 Almost Heaven photo-op swings available throughout the state, making it easy for travelers to check off this adventure on the West Virginia Summer Bucket List.
Visitors are encouraged to share their photos on social media using #AlmostHeaven.
“Visiting the newest Almost Heaven swing location in Wheeling is the perfect way to start checking off your West Virginia Summer Bucket List,”said West Virginia Department of Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby. “Our summer bucket list will make your travel planning easier and offers an opportunity to win a free autumn getaway.”
Oglebay encompasses more than 2,000 acres of year-round activities including a golf course, pool, zoo, walking trails, Bissonnette Gardens, horseback riding, on-site restaurants and more.
To view the 2024 West Virginia Summer Bucket List and begin checking off your adventures, visit wvtourism.com/summer-bucket-list. For a complete list of swing locations, click here.
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — A 14-year-old boy from West Virginia was bitten by a shark as he was swimming at a beach in North Carolina.
Blayne Brown of Cabell County, West Virginia, was bit on the leg and ankle by a shark at Topsail Beach Access No. 4 in Pender County, North Carolina, on Sunday, The Herald-Dispatch reported. The boy was reportedly swimming in waist-deep water at around noon with a friend when he was bitten. Brown was about 30 or 40 feet away from the shore, the newspaper reported.
The newspaper reported that beachgoers helped provide medical attention to the teen before first responders arrived and took him to Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune.
“I didn’t know what it was,” he told The Herald-Dispatch. “I just felt something that hurt a lot.”
He underwent surgery and a specialist was brought in because the injury was more extensive than doctors originally thought, the newspaper reported.
Brown returned home to West Virginia on Tuesday, though his mother said he may need another surgery.
The Associated Press reported that there were 69 unprovoked shark bites worldwide last year, and 10 of those were fatal, according to the International Shark Attack File. That was higher than the recent average of six deaths per year.
Dallas Mavericks emerge as suitor for Klay Thompson
San Jose Sharks select Boston University center Macklin Celebrini with No. 1 pick in NHL draft
Denver Nuggets Reportedly Sign New Player
Seattle Mariners Roster Move: Lefty called up to pitching staff
US Navy sailors killed in fiery I-5 crash identified
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
At least 2 dead as tornadoes hit Alabama, damage homes across Southeast
Trump sways independent voters over Biden on immigration in Fox News Digital focus group
Tension and stand-offs as South Africa struggles to launch coalition gov’t
Supreme Court denies Steve Bannon's plea to stay free while he appeals
First 2024 Trump-Biden presidential debate: Top clashes over issues from the border to Ukraine
Why is Emmanuel Macron so disliked by French voters?
-
News1 week agoRead the Ruling by the Virginia Court of Appeals
-
News1 week agoTracking a Single Day at the National Domestic Violence Hotline
-
Fitness1 week agoWhat's the Least Amount of Exercise I Can Get Away With?
-
News1 week agoSupreme Court upholds law barring domestic abusers from owning guns in major Second Amendment ruling | CNN Politics
-
Politics1 week agoTrump classified docs judge to weigh alleged 'unlawful' appointment of Special Counsel Jack Smith
-
Politics1 week agoSupreme Court upholds federal gun ban for those under domestic violence restraining orders
-
Politics1 week agoNewsom seeks to restrict students' cellphone use in schools: 'Harming the mental health of our youth'
-
Politics1 week agoTrump VP hopeful proves he can tap into billionaire GOP donors