Monday, October 31, 2016
EARTHQUAKES Powerful quake spares lives, but strikes at Italy's identity Published October 30, 2016
NORCIA, Italy – The third powerful earthquake to hit Italy in two months spared human life Sunday but struck at the nation's identity, destroying a Benedictine cathedral, a medieval tower and other beloved landmarks that had survived the earlier jolts across a mountainous region of small historic towns.
Lost or severely damaged in the shaking were ancient Roman walls, Gothic and Baroque churches and centuries-old paintings crushed beneath tons of brick, sandstone and marble.
Italian Premier Matteo Renzi said the nation's "soul is disturbed" by the series of quakes, starting with the deadly Aug. 24 event that killed nearly 300 people, two back-to-back temblors on Oct. 26, and the biggest of them all, a 6.6-magnitude quake that shook people out of bed Sunday morning. It was the strongest quake to hit Italy in 36 years.
There were no reports of fatalities — a fact attributed to the evacuation of sensitive areas and fragile city centers. Nearly 8,000 people have been moved to shelters or hotels following the quakes last week and Sunday, and Italy's Civil Protection agency was expecting that number to reach 11,000 by Monday morning. Many who stayed behind were sleeping in campers or other vehicles, out of harm's way.
Renzi vowed to rebuild houses, churches and business, saying, "a piece of Italian identity is at stake at this moment."
"Feeling the earth collapse beneath your feet is not a metaphorical expression but is what happened this morning, and half of Italy felt this," Renzi said.
The quake struck another painful blow to the rich artistic heritage of villages that dot the Apennine Mountains.
The worst damage was reported in Norcia, a town in Umbria closest to the epicenter. Two churches were destroyed — the 14th century Basilica of St. Benedict, built on the traditional birthplace of St. Benedict, founder of the Benedictine monastic order; and the Cathedral of St. Mary Argentea, known for its 15th century frescoes. Only the cracked facades were still standing, with most of the structures disintegrating into piles of rubble and dust.
Television images showed nuns rushing into the main piazza as the bell tower appeared on the verge of collapse. Later, nuns and monks knelt in prayer in the main piazza. A firefighter appealed to a priest to help keep residents calm in an effort to prevent them from looking for loved ones.
When the quake stuck, nuns from the Saint Mary of Peace monastery in Norcia were praying and singing hymns. The shaking caused their building to collapse and badly damaged their sleeping quarters. Later, firefighters escorted them back inside to retrieve holy books. Then an aftershock hit.
"But we had courage, because we were in our house and the Lord protects us," one nun told The Associated Press.
Large sections of Norcia's ancient Roman city walls — which suffered damage and cracks in the previous quakes — crumbled, along with towers.
Amatrice, the town that bore the brunt of destruction on Aug. 24, sustained blows to treasures that had withstood the quakes of the past weeks.
The community's medieval bell tower stood tall amid the rubble after the August quake, becoming a symbol of hope and resilience for the stricken population. During a visit to the quake zone earlier this month, the pope prayed alone amid the rubble, the brick tower still standing in the background. But the latest shaking partially collapsed it. The 15th century Church of Sant'Agostino also fell down.
"The monster is still there," Amatrice Mayor Sergio Pirozzi told Sky TG24.
The quake was felt as far north as Salzburg, Austria, and all the way down the Italian peninsula to the Puglia region, the heel of the boot. In Rome, some 150 kilometers (95 miles) away, people rushed into the streets in pajamas.
The basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, a site of Christian worship in Rome since the 4th century, had to be closed for inspections after sustaining cracks and damage to some molding. There were also cracks in the cupola of Sant'Ivo alla Sapienza church in Rome, a baroque masterpiece by Francesco Borromini, an architectural giant of the 17th century.
The quake forced the temporary closure of some of Rome's most important tourist sites, including the presidential palace, so authorities could check for damage.
The crowds in St. Peter's Square interrupted Pope Francis with applause when he mentioned the quake during his weekly Sunday blessing.
"I'm praying for the injured and the families who have suffered the most damage, as well as for rescue and first aid workers," he said.
ANSA reported that the quake damaged the church of St. Joseph in Jesi, a town encircled by medieval walls southwest of the coastal city of Ancona. The roof caved in partially and cracks appeared near the altar.
In Tolentino, there was visible damage to the Cathedral of San Catervo and the Basilica of St. Nicolas, which contains artwork and architectural elements dating from the 14th to the 17th centuries.
With a preliminary magnitude of 6.6, it was the strongest earthquake since a 6.9 temblor near Naples killed some 3,000 people on Nov. 23, 1980.
Some 20 people suffered mostly minor injuries. Authorities responded with helicopters to help the injured and monitor collapses, as many roads were blocked by landslides.
The Salaria highway, one of the main highways in the region, was closed at certain points. Some local rail lines in Umbria and Le Marche were also closed as a precaution.
Seismologists said the shaking came from a series of faults in the Apennines, and they could not rule out more, possibly stronger quakes in the near future.
"It is normal for the Apennines," said the president of Italy's National Institute for Geophysics and Vulcanology, Carlo Doglioni. He cited a similar sequence of three events within a period of months in 1703 in the region.
Natural law dictates that after such an event there will be more quakes, "which means we can expect some 5 magnitude quakes and many of magnitude 4," Doglioni said.
Already on Sunday, more than 200 other seismic events were recorded by the institute, including 15 temblors between magnitude 4 and 5.
NEW YORK Teen who went to Halloween party with friend is among 2 dead Published October 30, 2016
NEWBURGH, N.Y. – A high school senior who was among two people killed at a Halloween party where gunfire broke out had made a last-minute decision to go with a friend, her mother said.
Omani Free, who was 18 years old, decided to go to the party, about five blocks from her home in Newburgh, when a friend became available on Saturday night and otherwise would have been due home around the time the gunfire broke out, said her mother, Rhonda Valentine-Free.
Police in Newburgh, 70 miles north of New York City, said the shooting took place just before 1 a.m. Sunday inside an apartment building, killing Free and 20-year-old Tabitha Cruz. Five people were wounded, but none of the injuries was considered life-threatening. Authorities were looking for a suspect or suspects, who fled the scene.
Valentine-Free said she had left home for her own social engagement and didn't know her daughter had decided to go to the party. She said she and her husband first got word that something had happened when a friend of their 15-year-old son who had been at the party called to say their daughter had been shot. She said they went to a hospital, where their daughter died hours later.
"She was a sweet girl," Valentine-Free said. "She was my chocolate baby."
She said her daughter had gone to a party in another section of the building before without incident.
POLITICS Funeral set for NY trooper killed on duty SOUTH GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (AP) — Funeral services are set for a New York state trooper who died after being struck by a car while assisting a trucker who had stopped in a highway median. Trooper Timothy Pratt had just started his shift early Wednesday morning when he stopped to assist a tractor-trailer driver who had stopped in front of the trooper station in Wilton where Pratt worked. Officials say Pratt stepped into the path of a car after talking to the truck driver.
The 55-year-old Pratt worked as a road patrol trooper for most of his 30-year career. The funeral is Monday morning at a South Glens Falls church. Pratt, an Air Force veteran, will be buried at Saratoga National Cemetery.
Sunday, October 30, 2016
POLITICS Jurors in bridge trial to hear from lawyers once more NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Jurors in the George Washington Bridge lane-closing trial in New Jersey are going to hear from lawyers one more time. A defense lawyer for a former aide to Republican Gov. Chris Christie will give his closing argument on Monday. The prosecution will then get a chance to present a rebuttal summation before jurors begin deliberations.
US Police: Weeklong Oklahoma manhunt ends with suspect dead LEEDEY, Okla. (AP) — The subject of a weeklong manhunt who was wanted in a string of violent crimes, including the killing of two relatives, the shooting of two Oklahoma police officers and multiple carjackings, has been killed in a shootout, federal and local police said on Sunday.
Michael Dale Vance Jr. was wanted on multiple charges, including two counts of first-degree murder. A massive manhunt for Vance began after he shot and wounded two police officers on Oct. 23 in Wellston, 35 miles northeast of Oklahoma City, authorities said.
Dave Turk, spokesman for the U.S. Marshals Service, said Vance was shot and killed after a shootout with an officer in Dewey County, Oklahoma. The shootout was near the town of Leedey, said Mark Opgrande, spokesman for the Oklahoma County Sheriff's office. Leedey is about 130 miles northwest of Oklahoma City.
Vance, 38, was suspected of shooting a woman and stealing her vehicle at a mobile home park near Wellston, then driving about 8 miles to his relatives' mobile home in Luther and killing them, Opgrande has said.
Ronald Everett Wilkson, 55, had been shot and had stab wounds to his neck "consistent with an attempt to sever his head," an arrest affidavit said. Valerie Kay Wilkson, 54, had similar neck wounds along with defensive wounds on her arms, the affidavit stated.
Authorities also believe Vance filmed two Facebook Live videos documenting his run from police before going to the Wilksons' mobile home.
SENATE Harry Reid says FBI Director James Comey 'may have broken' federal law Published October 30, 2016 FoxNews.com
Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid set off a firestorm of criticism Sunday after he said that FBI Director James Comey "may have broken" a federal law when he disclosed on Friday that his office was pursuing potential new evidence related to Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton's use of a private email server less than two weeks before the presidential election.
The Senate minority leader from Nevada wrote in a letter that Comey may have violated the Hatch Act, which bars government officials from using their position to influence an election.
"I am writing to inform you that my office has determined that these actions may violate the Hatch Act, which bars FBI officials from using their official authority to influence an election," Reid wrote. "Through your partisan actions, you may have broken the law."
Reid, who is retiring from the Senate at the end of his term, added that Comey's "highly selective approach to publicizing information, along with your timing, was intended for the success or failure of a partisan candidate or political group."
The FBI did not immediately respond to requests for comment about Reid's letter.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal, Rep. Jason Caffetz, R-Utah, Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, disputed Reid's claims about Comey.
“Director Comey is updating his previous testimony, and he should do that,” Chaffetz told the newspaper. “Hillary Clinton can only blame herself for this mess. She created this problem, not Director Comey.”
Other Republicans also reacted to Reid's letter.
Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., called Reid a "disgrace to American politics."
"Harry Reid is a disgrace to American politics, among worst men ever in Senate. He can't go soon enough, & many Democrats privately agree," Cotton posted on Twitter.
Harry Reid is a disgrace to American politics, among worst men ever in Senate. He can't go soon enough, & many Democrats privately agree. twitter.com/brithume/statu…
In an interview Sunday night on "Special Report with Bret Baier," Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C. called Reid "a hack."
"Thank god he's leaving is my initial reaction," he said, adding that "anyone capable of sending that press release has to be under the influence of something."
Gowdy, chairman of the House Select Committee on Benghazi, said that the American people "have to have confidence in the FBI and Department of Justice."
In a seperate action, former Attorney General Eric Holder and dozens of other former federal prosecutors signed a letter Sunday night critical of Comey's recent actions in the Clinton email case.
The letter says that Comey deviated from Justice Department policy when he alerted Congress to the new discovery of emails potentially related to the Clinton email investigation.
Justice Department officials are instructed not to discuss ongoing investigations and to "exercise heightened restraint near the time of a primary or general election," to avoid the appearance of prosecutorial influence in the electoral process, according to the letter.
"We cannot recall a prior instance where a senior Justice Department official — Republican or Democrat — has, on the eve of a major election, issued a public statement where the mere disclosure of information may impact the election's outcome yet the official acknowledges the information to be examined may not be significant or new," the letter states.
Comey acknowledged in a memo to FBI colleagues on Friday that he knew the letter was at risk of being misunderstood so close to the election, but that he felt obliged to update Congress on the emails after having earlier told lawmakers that the email inquiry had been closed.
But the ex-prosecutors say Comey's letter was so devoid of detail as to "invite considerable, uninformed public speculation" about the emails' significance. They note that Comey did not reveal who had sent or received the emails, whether the emails include duplicates of messages that have already been reviewed or whether the emails contain any classified information.
The letter is signed by dozens of attorneys, including former Justice Department officials in Washington — among them, former deputy attorneys general James Cole, Jamie Gorelick, Larry Thompson and David Ogden — and a group of United States attorneys and assistant U.S. attorneys.
MANHUNT Oklahoma fugitive dies in shootout with police Published October 31, 2016 FoxNews.com
Authorities in Oklahoma shot and killed fugitive Michael Vance on Sunday night after an 8-day manhunt.
Vance had been wanted on multiple charges, including two counts of first-degree murder for the near-decapitations of two relatives in the town of Luther that Oklahoma County Sheriff John Whetsel described as "rage killings.”
Vance was killed in shootout with police near Butler, according to Fox 25. Authorities received a tip that he had been spotted in the afternoon and a new manhunt was launched.
According to The Oklahoman, a Dewey County Sheriff was wounded in the gun battle but suffered non-life threatening injuries.
Authorities believe he was living in a makeshift camp site he had set up near Hammon.
Police were worried that Vance could’ve been anywhere since they lost track of him after he ran from police just over a week earlier.
The search began Sunday night after Hampton and another police officer exchanged gunfire with Vance after responding to shots fired in Wellston, about 35 miles northeast of Oklahoma City. The other officer was also hurt but is expected to recover. The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office said one person was arrested, but that Vance fled in a patrol vehicle.
Vance is suspected of later shooting a woman and stealing her vehicle at a mobile home park near Wellston, then driving about 8 miles to his relatives' mobile home in Luther and killing them, Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office spokesman Mark Opgrande said.
Ronald Everett Wilkson, 55, had been shot and had stab wounds to his neck "consistent with an attempt to sever his head," an arrest affidavit said. Valerie Kay Wilkson, 54, had similar neck wounds along with defensive wounds on her arms, the affidavit stated.
Authorities also believe Vance filmed two Facebook Live videos documenting his run from police before going to the Wilksons' home.
In one video, a man wearing a backward baseball cap and a shirt that appears to be covered in blood says he's about to steal another vehicle and that it's "gonna be intense." In another, which seems to be filmed inside a second vehicle, the same man says: "Letting y'all know, look, this is real," before panning to a long gun on the passenger seat.
He said: "If you want to know what's up next, stay tuned to your local news."
Vance also is suspected of shooting a man in the leg in an attempted carjacking early Monday at a convenience store in Sayre, about 30 miles from the Texas border. Sayre Police Chief Ronnie Harrold said the man identified Vance as the man who shot him.
The arrest warrant for Vance also includes charges of an unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and possession of a firearm after former conviction of a felony. Court records show Vance has been charged in the sexual abuse of a 15-year-old girl in Lincoln County and has a court hearing Nov. 7.
MLB Cubs, Chapman hang on to beat Indians in Game 5, keep World Series hopes alive Published October 31, 2016
Chicago Cubs' Willson Contreras, left, Aroldis Chapman and Anthony Rizzo celebrate after Game 5 of the Major League Baseball World Series against the Cleveland Indians, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, in Chicago. (AP)
They've waited 108 years for a championship. So with this World Series on the verge of slipping away, the Chicago Cubs could not wait any longer.
Manager Joe Maddon summoned closer Aroldis Chapman from the bullpen in the seventh inning for the first eight-out save of his big league career, needing to hold off the Cleveland Indians in Game 5.
As nervous fans fretted at Wrigley Field, Chapman fired his 100 mph heat and preserved the Cubs' 3-2 win Sunday night, cutting Cleveland's lead to 3-2.
The Cubs won a Series game at Wrigley for the first time since Game 6 in 1945.
"High anxiety," first baseman Anthony Rizzo said. "A lot of deep breaths. Every pitch gets bigger and bigger as the game goes on. It's unbelievable. Great win here, we sent these fans off with a win, now we have to go to Cleveland and win."
Now, the team that led the majors in wins this year will try to extend its season again Tuesday night when Chicago right-hander Jake Arrieta faces Josh Tomlin at Cleveland in Game 6.
Chicago is trying to become the first club to overcome a 3-1 Series deficit since the 1985 Kansas City Royals and the first to do it by winning Games 6 and 7 on the road since the 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates.
Cleveland, in search of its first title since 1948, is in search of its third-ever title and has won the championship at home just once, in 1920.
Chapman hadn't pitched in the seventh inning since 2012. He threw 42 pitches, 15 of them at least 100 mph.
The lefty struck out four and fanned Jose Ramirez, who had homered earlier, with 101 mph heat to end it.
With the crowd at the Friendly Confines desperate for a win, Kris Bryant homered to start a three-run burst in the fourth off Trevor Bauer.
That gave Jon Lester a 3-1 lead. The Indians nicked him for a run in the sixth, and Carl Edwards Jr. took over to begin the seventh with a 3-2 edge.
Chapman came in with a runner on second and one out. He stranded the potential tying run at second base in the seventh and at third in the eighth, then pitched a 1-2-3 ninth.
Lester, the Game 1 loser, improved to 4-1 in Series play by allowing two runs and six hits.
Ramirez homered in the second to put the Indians ahead. Cleveland closed within a run in the sixth when Rajai Davis singled, stole second scored on a two-out single by Francisco Lindor.
Mike Napoli singled against Edwards leading off the seventh and took second on a passed ball by rookie catcher Willson Contreras, who had just replaced David Ross.
Carlos Santana flied out, and Chapman came in to strike out Ramirez with a 100 mph pitch. He hit Brandon Guyer on the left leg and retired Roberto Perez on a groundout as fans screamed in relief.
Then in the eighth, Davis singled with one out on a hard grounder down the line that Rizzo stopped with a dive — Chapman took a few seconds before heading to cover first, leaving Rizzo with no one to throw to. Davis stole second, and after Jason Kipnis fouled out, swiped third standing up.
Lindor, Cleveland's hottest hitter, took a 101 mph pitch at the knees for a called third strike, then stood in the batter's box for nearly 20 seconds in anger and frustration.
Bauer, his pinkie seemingly healed from a cut sustained while playing with a toy drone during the AL Championship Series, dropped to 0-2 in the Series, giving up three runs and six hits in four innings.
After a pair of relatively balmy autumn nights on the North Side, the temperature dropped to 50 degrees at game time and a 10 mph win added chill. Maddon wore a ski hat with a blue pompom rather than a baseball cap.
Bryant, in a 1-for-15 slide, led off the fourth with a drive into the left-field bleachers, where a fan in the first row dropped it.
Rizzo sent the next pitch off the ivy on the right-field wall for a double, admiring its flight before hustling, took third on Ben Zobrist's single and came home with the go-ahead run when Addison Russell reached out and topped a pitch down the third-base line for an infield single.
Jason Heyward took a called third strike, slumping Javier Baez dropped a bunt down the third-base line for a single that loaded the bases and Ross, a 39-year-old making perhaps his final big league start, hit a sacrifice fly for a 3-1 lead.
CARBON COPY
Ross allowed Santana's second-inning foul pop to glance off his glove and Rizzo batted the ball in the air with his bare hand, then gloved it. It was similar to Game 6 in 1980, when Philadelphia first baseman Pete Rose grabbed Frank White's foul pop after it nicked off catcher Bob Boone.
WEB GEM
Cubs right fielder Heyward climbed the brick wall in the right-field corner, then reached back to catch Bauer's wind-blown foul fly.
MOVING ON
This was the last game with the bullpens in foul territory at Wrigley, where new bullpens under the bleachers are to open next season. Zobrist had to climb the mound to catch Kipnis' seventh-inning fly.
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