Southeast
Haitian couple alleges Virginia town targeted their food truck
A married couple who fled Haiti for Virginia achieved their American dream when they opened a variety market on the Eastern Shore, selling hard-to-find spices, sodas and rice to the region’s growing Haitian community.
When they added a Haitian food truck, people drove from an hour away for freshly cooked oxtail, fried plantains and marinated pork.
But Clemene Bastien and Theslet Benoir are now suing the town of Parksley, alleging that it forced their food truck to close. The couple also says a town councilman cut the mobile kitchen’s water line and screamed, “Go back to your own country!”
VIRGINIA DEMS PUSH TO EXPAND STATE-FUNDED HEALTH INSURANCE TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT CHILDREN
“When we first opened, there were a lot of people” ordering food, Bastien said, speaking through an interpreter. “And the day after, there were a lot of people. And then … they started harassing us.”
A federal lawsuit claims the town passed a food truck ban that targeted the couple, then threatened them with fines and imprisonment when they raised concerns. They’re being represented by the Institute for Justice, a law firm that described a “string of abuses” in the historic railroad town of about 800 people.
“If Theslet and Clemene were not of Haitian descent, Parksley’s town government would not have engaged in this abusive conduct,” the lawsuit states.
Theslet Benoir and Clemene Bastien stand inside their Eben-Ezer Haitian food truck in Parksley, Virginia, on Jan. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben Finley)
The town council is pushing back through a law firm it hired, Pender & Coward, which said its own investigation found many allegations “simply not true.”
The couple failed to apply for a conditional use permit and chose to sue instead, the law firm countered. It said the council member cut an illegal sewage pipe — not a water line — after the food truck dumped grease into Parksley’s sewage system, causing damage.
The councilman had authority to do so as a public works department representative, the law firm said.
“We expect to prevail once the evidence is presented,” attorneys Anne Lahren and Richard Matthews said.
Conflicts between local governments and food trucks have played out in the U.S. for decades, often pitting the aspirations of entrepreneurial immigrants against the concerns of local officials and restaurants. Tensions can spark debates about land use, food safety and food truck owners’ rights in underserved communities.
The Parksley dispute is unfolding on a narrow peninsula of farmland and coastline between the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean, where the population is majority white but growing increasingly diverse.
Black and Hispanic migrant workers from Florida, Haiti and Latin America began picking fruits and vegetables in the 1950s. Many people from Haiti and Latin America now work in the coops and slaughterhouses of the expanding poultry industry, which extends north into Maryland and Delaware.
Several community members said the lawsuit unfairly maligns a town that has integrated recent immigrants into its 0.625 square miles.
Parksley has two Caribbean markets, a Haitian church and a Latin American restaurant, all of which sit near the hardware store, flower shop and iconic five & dime.
Jeff Parks, who serves on the Accomack County Board of Supervisors, said the town “has welcomed any business which operates within the rules.”
Once a transportation hub for trains and trucks that hauled away grains and produce, Parksley has lost two grocery stores, a bank and a garment factory in recent decades. Some shops on the town square sit empty.
“It’s disheartening to see a town that is so open to everyone and welcoming new businesses into its storefronts to be mischaracterized,” Parks said. “We have multiple Haitian businesses, so it wouldn’t make sense that this one was being targeted.”
Bastien and Benoir said they were singled out.
“We did everything we’re supposed to do,” Bastien said.
The couple came to the U.S. in the 2000s and received asylum after fleeing this hemisphere’s poorest nation. Benoir is a U.S. citizen, while Bastien is a permanent resident.
They initially worked in a poultry processing plant. But in 2019, the couple opened the Eben-Ezer Variety Market in Parksley.
The food truck opened in June on the store’s property after the couple passed a state health inspection and obtained a $30 business license, their lawsuit stated. But Nicholson, the councilman, allegedly complained the food truck would hurt restaurants that buy equipment from his appliance store.
Nicholson cut the water line, causing $1,300 in spoiled food, the lawsuit said, and then tried to block a food shipment and screamed: “Go back to your own country!” when Bastien confronted him.
Nicholson declined to comment.
In October, Parksley’s council passed its ban on food trucks, except for special events. Mayor Frank Russell said it wouldn’t impact the food truck until its one-year business license expired.
But Parksley’s position changed after the Institute for Justice raised concerns, the lawsuit said. The town claimed food trucks were always illegal under zoning laws and threatened fines of $250 a day and 30 days in jail for each day the food truck remained open.
The couple quickly closed the town’s only permanent food truck, which now sits empty.
“We’re waiting to see what justice we’re going to get,” Bastien said. “And then we’ll see if we reopen.”
The couple’s lawsuit is seeking compensation for $1,300 in spoiled food, financial losses and attorneys’ fees. They also want $1 in nominal damages for violations of their constitutional rights.
Food truck disputes in America date back to the 1970s, said Ginette Wessel, an architecture professor at Roger Williams University in Rhode Island.
Restaurants often accuse food truck vendors of playing by their own rules, while immigrants can face perceptions they’re doing something unsanitary or illegal.
Wessel said lawsuits often end in compromise: “The (food trucks) do get restrictions, but they don’t get elimination. Or the city backs down and says, ‘OK, we can negotiate.’”
Meanwhile, the region’s Haitian community keeps growing as more people work in the poultry industry, said Thurka Sangaramoorthy, an American University anthropology professor who studies the area’s immigrant populations.
U.S. Census numbers show that 600 people identify as Haitian in Accomack County, with several thousand more on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and in lower Delaware. Sangaramoorthy said the region’s Haitian population likely numbers in the tens of thousands.
She said Parksley’s Haitian food truck provided something vital — familiar foods that remind people of their homeland — to people often working long hours.
“It’s a community that is triply marginalized for being foreign, Black and speaking Haitian Creole,” Sangaramoorthy said. “They feel like they need to keep to themselves, so it’s surprising that this couple was brave to even file a lawsuit.”
Read the full article from Here
A 12-year-old Tennessee girl is charged with suffocating her 8-year-old cousin as she slept while they were visiting family, prosecutors said last week.
Home security video shows the girl, who will turn 13 this week, allegedly used bedding to suffocate her cousin on July 15 at a home in Humboldt, 98 miles northeast of Memphis, and then cleaned up the victim and re-positioned her body, authorities said.
The younger girl was sleeping in ther top bunk of the bunk beds they shared. The older girl is charged with first-degree murder and tampering with evidence.
SUSPECTS ARRESTED AFTER MISSING GEORGIA WOMAN FOUND DEAD IN TENNESSEE
Demeria Hollingsworth, 8, was suffocated to death in her sleep by her cousin, authorities said. (GoFundMe)
The victim’s mother, Rayana Smith, identified her as Demeria Hollingsworth, Fox 59 reported.
“She liked to read books, go swimming, play outside, ride her bike every day, play with the kids in the neighborhood, play with my friends’ kids. My baby was sweet,” Smith told the news outlet.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Smith, who said the girls were staying with their grandmother for the summer.
Before the killing, they had both argued over an iPhone, she said.
MISSISSIPPI FAMILY FEARS RETALIATION FROM CARJACKERS CAUGHT ON HOME CAMERA: ‘IT’S NOT SAFE’
“When they told me about that, I should have just gone to get my kid,” she said. “But they were having fun for the summer and I didn’t think she would kill my baby.”
Frederick Agee, the district attorney general for the 28th District in West Tennessee, said his office is petitioning Juvenile Judge Mark Johnson to transfer the child to Circuit Court to be tried as an adult, which would allow for a weightier sentence.
A Humboldt police vehicle (Humboldt Police Department)
“I consider this to be one of the most disturbing violent acts committed by either an adult or juvenile that my office has prosecuted,” he said in a statement.
A service for Hollingsworth will be held on July 26, according to a GoFundMe page created by her mother.
CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Metro Nashville Public Schools confirmed to Fox News Digital that Hollingsworth attended Cockrill Elementary School.
“The Cockrill community is mourning the unexpected loss of Demeria Hollingsworth, a beloved student who had been part of Cockrill since Pre-K. Demeria was known for her hard work, intelligence, and sweet demeanor,” school Principal Casey Campbell said in a statement provided by the school district. “She was cherished by everyone who knew her. Her passing has left all of us at Cockrill devastated. She will be greatly missed.”
Read the full article from Here
Former President Trump and Ohio Sen. JD Vance are planning a stop in Minnesota, a surprisingly close state that hasn’t gone to a Republican presidential candidate in 52 years.
Trump and Vance plan to make the trip to St. Cloud, Minnesota, on Saturday, the campaign announced Tuesday, with a Real Clear Politics report noting that Trump pollster John McLaughlin believes the state is in play.
McLaughlin believes Vance, who Trump announced as his running mate on the first day of the Republican National Convention last week, could help put Trump over the top in the state, with the Ohio native expected to have appeal to voters throughout the Midwest.
Trump narrowly lost the state to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2016, coming up about 1.5% short. The former president’s 2020 performance against President Biden wasn’t as encouraging, with Trump losing Minnesota by about 7% that year.
HARRIS GOES OVER THE TOP IN SECURING THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION
Former President Trump and Sen. JD Vance greet supporters during a rally at the Dayton International Airport on Nov. 7, 2022, in Vandalia, Ohio. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
But polling shows signs that Minnesota, which hasn’t gone to a Republican presidential candidate since Richard Nixon in 1972, could be competitive once again in 2024. A June poll of likely voters in Minnesota conducted by the Star Tribune, MPR News and KARE 11, showed Trump trailing Biden by just 4% in the state, 45-41.
The Real Clear Politics polling average in the state is even slightly closer, with Trump coming in only 3 points behind Biden. One poll cited in the average, a Hill/Emerson poll, shows Trump and Biden tied in the typically dependably blue state.
The Trump campaign has become increasingly bullish that it can put more states in play in 2024, attempting to expand the map from the most heavily contested swing states of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Minnesota and Virginia have been of particular interest to the campaign, which has insisted the two states could be winnable for the former president.
Like Minnesota, Trump has trended favorably in Virginia in recent weeks. The former president now holds a narrow lead in the state, the Real Clear Politics polling average shows, with the two most recently cited polls showing Trump up two and three points, respectively.
Former President Trump holds his first public campaign rally with his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, at the Van Andel Arena on July 20, 2024, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. (Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)
HEAD HERE FOR THE LATEST FOX NEWS REPORTING ON HARRIS REPLACING BIDEN AS THE DEMOCRAT’S 2024 PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE
Reached for comment by Fox News Digital, a Trump campaign spokesperson pointed to recent Emerson polling that shows Trump with a one-point lead in Minnesota. The spokesperson also noted that the campaign has opened eight new field offices in the state.
Trump has also mentioned Minnesota as a potential state he could grab, touting Vance’s Midwestern roots as a reason the state could be in play in November.
“J.D. has had a very successful business career in Technology and Finance, and now, during the Campaign, will be strongly focused on the people he fought so brilliantly for, the American Workers and Farmers in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Minnesota, and far beyond,” Trump said in a Truth Social post that announced Vance as his running mate.
But Trump and Vance’s trip to Minnesota comes amid a rapidly shifting race, with Biden announcing Sunday that he was dropping out. Biden immediately endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to take his place at the top of the ticket, spurring Democrats to rally around her.
Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during an NCAA championship teams celebration on the South Lawn of the White House on July 22, 2024. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
Less polling has been done on how Trump would fare against Harris in battleground states, though the former president will hope to get a head start on taking the state with his trip on Saturday.
Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.
Read the full article from Here
If you are traveling to Mississippi, there is no shortage of activities to take part in during your travels.
Mississippi is filled with ravishing natural beauty and museums where you can take a deeper dive into history.
In Mississippi, there is something for everyone, from scenic hikes to testing your luck at the blackjack table at one of the state’s numerous casinos.
EXPLORING NEW MEXICO: A TRAVEL GUIDE TO THE LAND OF ENCHANTMENT
Use this guide as inspiration for stops to make during your trip to Mississippi.
- Visit one of the state’s many museums
- Head to the casino
- Relax on Biloxi Beach
- Visit Vicksburg National Military Park
- See Windsor Ruins
- Go to Longwood
- Drive the Natchez Trace Parkway
- Take kids to Mississippi Aquarium
- Go to the birthplace of Elvis Presley
Mississippi is home to many different attractions tourists enjoy, like a large aquarium and the house where Elvis Presley was born. (Getty Images)
1. Visit one of the state’s many museums
Mississippi is home to many different museums throughout the state.
One popular one to visit is the Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale.
The Delta Blues Museum is the state’s oldest music museum, according to its website. The museum is filled with exhibits that explore the history of blues music. Check the museum’s website to see the exhibits that will be running during your visit.
5 SECRET SUMMER TRAVEL PACKING HACKS TO MAXIMIZE CARRY-ON SPACE AND MINIMIZE STRESS
Another museum located in Mississippi is the GRAMMY Museum. This museum can be found in Cleveland. The 28,000-square-foot museum has more than 24 exhibits that cover different music genres, from rock to hip-hop to country, according to its website.
2. Head to the casino
Mississippi has many different luxurious casinos throughout the state where you can play slot machines and table games.
One of the most popular to visit is Beau Rivage Casino in Biloxi. In addition to the games you can play, there are also many dining opportunities and a hotel on-site if you want to stay at the casino.
There is live entertainment at the casino, too, so be sure to check in and see who will be playing prior to your visit.
3. Relax on Biloxi Beach
Biloxi Beach is a popular tourist attraction in Mississippi.
NEW JERSEY TRAVEL GUIDE TO EXPLORE SPARKLING BEACHES, THEME PARKS AND MORE
You can take a walk in the sand along the beach after visiting Beau Rivage Casino.
While at the beach, you can also enjoy many of the main fishing spots and grab a bite at one of the delicious seafood restaurants by the beach.
For great views of the beach 24 hours a day, stay at one of the many beachside hotels with quick access to the sandy shore.
Biloxi Beach is a great fishing spot in Mississippi. (Barry Lewis/InPictures via Getty Images)
4. Visit Vicksburg National Military Park
Vicksburg National Military Park is full of Civil War history. The Vicksburg campaign was a success for the Union Army, according to History.com, and one of the longest campaigns of the Civil War.
The Vicksburg Campaign began in 1862 and continued until July 4, 1863, with the Confederate surrender, according to the National Parks Service.
Today, you can visit Vicksburg National Military Park and see the 1,325 historic monuments and markers that fill the location, according to NationalParks.org.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
You can also find a restored Union gunboat, the USS Cairo, here and the Vicksburg National Cemetery.
5. See Windsor Ruins
Not far from Port Gibson is Windsor Ruins.
This location is where the Windsor plantation once stood but was destroyed by a fire in 1890, according to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.
Today, there are 23 columns left standing.
The Windsor Ruins is a free destination you can visit on your vacation. (Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
You may recognize the ruins from the movies they have been featured in: “Raintree County” and “Ghost of Mississippi.”
Guests can visit the ruins during operating hours at no cost.
6. Go to Longwood
Longwood is a mansion in Natchez.
For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle
The mansion is unique in its octagonal shape and an attraction that many tourists make time to see while they are visiting the state.
Guests can take a tour of Longwood seven days a week between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., according to the Visit Natchez website.
7. Drive the Natchez Trace Parkway
The Natchez Trace Parkway is a 444-mile scenic road that runs through three different U.S. states: Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee.
Take a scenic drive on the Natchez Trace Parkway during your trip to Mississippi. (Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
There are many places to hike or bike along the trail.
If you enjoy camping, there are numerous places to pitch a tent on the trail after a long day of hiking or driving.
8. Take kids to Mississippi Aquarium
The Mississippi Aquarium in Gulfport is a great destination for kids and adults alike.
This aquarium provides hours of family fun with so much to see during your visit.
This aquarium features an alligator habitat, Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, a freshwater river and a touch pool for guests to get up-close to horseshoe crabs, baby sharks and more.
For an additional cost, guests can also book special encounters with dolphins, penguins and others.
9. Go to the birthplace of Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo on Jan. 8, 1935.
If you are a fan of the King of Rock and Roll, stop at the two-room house where Presley was born.
When the house was originally built by his father, $180 was used to put together the home, according to Visit Mississippi.
The house is now part of the 15-acre Elvis Presley Park.
Here you can also find the “Elvis at 13” statue, a popular photo stop on the property, and Presley’s childhood church.
Read the full article from Here
Nebraska fisherman reels in new fish species in state: 'Bright orange with turquoise'
Cat in Texas weighing 26 pounds is placed on diet after animal rescuers step in
Tennessee girl charged with suffocating cousin, 8, in her sleep after fight over iPhone
Southern California man hospitalized after suspect steals coffee cart, leads police on wild chase
Why Nets Signed Former Pistons PG Killian Hayes
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
At least 2 dead as tornadoes hit Alabama, damage homes across Southeast
Trump announces to crowd he 'just took off the last bandage' at faith event after assassination attempt
Where are the world’s millionaires and how is wealth divided globally?
Sonya Massey killing: Black woman died from gunshot wound to head, confirms autopsy; attorney calls shooting 'senseless' – Times of India
Park Police union says officers ‘did everything they could’ during DC anti-Israel riot
Passengers face long, uncertain wait at stations amid rail disruption
-
World1 week agoOne dead after car crashes into restaurant in Paris
-
Midwest1 week agoMichigan rep posts video response to Stephen Colbert's joke about his RNC speech: 'Touché'
-
News1 week agoVideo: Young Republicans on Why Their Party Isn’t Reaching Gen Z (And What They Can Do About It)
-
Movie Reviews1 week agoMovie Review: A new generation drives into the storm in rousing ‘Twisters’
-
Politics1 week agoFox News Politics: The Call is Coming from Inside the House
-
News1 week agoVideo: J.D. Vance Accepts Vice-Presidential Nomination
-
World1 week agoTrump to take RNC stage for first speech since assassination attempt
-
News1 week agoRNC speakers want to separate the president from the person to show softer side of Trump