Man who killed 4 during Houston drug robbery faces execution

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:40:00 GMT

Man who killed 4 during Houston drug robbery faces execution HOUSTON (AP) — A Texas inmate faces execution on Thursday for the drug-related killings of four people more than 30 years ago.Arthur Brown Jr. was condemned for the June 1992 deaths in a Houston home during a drug robbery. Authorities said Brown was part of a ring that shuttled drugs from Texas to Alabama and had bought drugs from Jose Tovar and his wife Rachel.Killed during the drug robbery were 32-year-old Jose Tovar; his wife’s 17-year-old son, Frank Farias; 19-year-old Jessica Quiñones, the pregnant girlfriend of another son of Rachel Tovar; and 21-year-old neighbor Audrey Brown. All four had been tied up and shot in the head. Rachel Tovar and another person were also shot but survived.“I don’t see how anybody could have just killed a pregnant woman and then made her suffer so much. It’s just beyond words,” said Maricella Quiñones, Jessica Quiñones’ older sister. Jessica Quiñones had been 9-months pregnant and had named her unborn daughter Alyssa.One of Brown’s accomplices in th...

Maine motorists appeal to keep naughty vanity license plates

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:40:00 GMT

Maine motorists appeal to keep naughty vanity license plates AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A Maine vegan whose custom license plate contains the word “tofu” is one of the motorists caught in a state crackdown on vulgar license plates. Car owners across the United States can pay an extra fee to customize license plates, sparking creativity and personality but causing headaches for state officials who have to decide what’s acceptable.Maine had for several years allowed people to put just about any combination of letters and numbers on their vehicle plates, including words and phrases that other states would ban. But the state decided to change course and this year recalled 274 plates it deemed inappropriate.Some people are fighting back.So far the state has rejected all of the appeals, including one brought by the vegan whose license plate referenced tofu.The state concluded the license plate “LUVTOFU” could’ve been seen as a reference to sex instead of admiration for bean curd. The motorist insisted there was no mistaking his intent because the back o...

Is Starbucks The World’s Largest Unregulated Bank?

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:40:00 GMT

Is Starbucks The World’s Largest Unregulated Bank?

Moldova President Confirms, It Will Not Seek NATO Membership

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:40:00 GMT

Moldova President Confirms, It Will Not Seek NATO Membership

Q&A with Denver City Council At-Large candidate Will Chan

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:40:00 GMT

Q&A with Denver City Council At-Large candidate Will Chan Go to: Denver Post Voter Guide • Candidate Q&A home pageWill ChanPROFESSIONCity administratorEDUCATIONGeorge Washington High School, Colgate University (BA), University of Denver (MA)EXPERIENCEPublic servant of nearly 20 years: labor organizer, expanded immigration services in libraries, city administrator in economic mobility for City and County of DenverWEBSITE • FACEBOOK • TWITTERBriefly describe the single most urgent issue facing the city of Denver and how it should be addressed.As a Denver-born first-generation American, I worry that the Denver of today does not afford the same opportunities for upward mobility that my immigrant parents used to lift themselves out of poverty. Denver has experienced rapid growth over the past few years and we have significant work ahead to prepare Denver for the future and protect families who are struggling to make ends meet. We need creative problem-solving to invest in housing availability, a next-generation workforce, critical phys...

Q&A with Denver City Council At-Large candidate Tim Hoffman

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:40:00 GMT

Q&A with Denver City Council At-Large candidate Tim Hoffman Go to: Denver Post Voter Guide • Candidate Q&A home pageTim HoffmanPROFESSIONDeputy District Attorney, Denver DA’s OfficeEDUCATIONCollege – Bucknell University, Law School – Georgetown LawEXPERIENCEOffice of Vice President Joe Biden – Advance TeamThe State Department – Near East DivisionUS Attorney’s Office, Colorado – SAUSADenver DA’s Office – Deputy DAWEBSITE • FACEBOOK • TWITTERBriefly describe the single most urgent issue facing the city of Denver and how it should be addressed.The increase in crime over the past several years makes Denverites feel less safe, hurts economic development, and drains our city of resources. We must bolster youth intervention programs, economic development, transitional and affordable housing, and treatment for addiction and mental health issues. These root causes of much criminal behavior are long-term investments that will impact the community now and into the future. At the same time, we need to ensure law enforcement ha...

Q&A with Denver City Council At-Large candidate Dominic Diaz

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:40:00 GMT

Q&A with Denver City Council At-Large candidate Dominic Diaz Go to: Denver Post Voter Guide • Candidate Q&A home pageDominic DiazPROFESSIONCompliance ProfessionalEDUCATIONEast High School, Some college at Community College of Denver – Political ScienceEXPERIENCE– 10-year Denver city employee– Vice chair of Denver Employee Volunteer Opportunities– Commissioner for Mayor’s Youth CommissionWEBSITE • FACEBOOK • TWITTERBriefly describe the single most urgent issue facing the city of Denver and how it should be addressed.Most urgent issue: Lack of housing options and affordability– Incentivize affordable development– Keep people in their homes– Create opportunities for homeownershipWhat should Denver leaders do to address the city’s lack of affordable housing?– Address permitting delays, considering fee waivers or reductions when appropriate, and leverage vacant city-owned property– Expand property tax relief and emergency rent assistance programs, provide tax credits for bu...

Q&A with Denver City Council At-Large candidate Travis Leiker

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:40:00 GMT

Q&A with Denver City Council At-Large candidate Travis Leiker Go to: Denver Post Voter Guide • Candidate Q&A home pageTravis LeikerPROFESSIONSenior Director of Development, University of ColoradoEDUCATIONMaster’s degree in Public Administration; bachelor’s degree in Political ScienceEXPERIENCE20 years experience in management, public policy, and higher education. Public sector leader, who has specialized in building long-term organizational sustainability and programmatic success.WEBSITE • FACEBOOK • TWITTERBriefly describe the single most urgent issue facing the city of Denver and how it should be addressed.Since launching my campaign, one theme remains clear—Denver needs a turnaround and leaders who can get processes moving. The remainder of the candidate’s answer was not responsive to the question.What should Denver leaders do to address the city’s lack of affordable housing?If elected, I would work with colleagues to take the following steps to onboard more affordable housing: (1) strengthen the Affordable ...

Q&A with Denver City Council At-Large candidate Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 12:40:00 GMT

Q&A with Denver City Council At-Large candidate Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez Go to: Denver Post Voter Guide • Candidate Q&A home pageSerena Gonzales-GutierrezPROFESSIONState RepresentativeEDUCATIONBA Psychology, CSUEXPERIENCESerena Gonzales-Gutierrez is a 3rd-generation North High School graduate and State Representative.WEBSITE • TWITTERBriefly describe the single most urgent issue facing the city of Denver and how it should be addressed.Housing is the most pressing issue facing our city today, and also the starting place to solving many of our other related challenges. When people experiencing homelessness are offered housing and services; they keep housing and stay in it; they spend less time in shelters, emergency rooms, and city detox facilities; and they are less likely to get caught up in the criminal legal system. Dense housing reduces our city’s climate impact, and affordable housing allows teachers to live in the neighborhoods where they teach. For families to put down generational roots in our city, we must first tackle our affordable hou...