WebProNews

Author: Val Powell

  • Monica Seles: Owner Of The Buffalo Bills?

    Monica Seles: Owner Of The Buffalo Bills?

    Hungarian tennis pro Monica Seles, 40, is engaged to 72-year-old Tom Golisano, the former owner of the NHL team, Buffalo Sabres.

    Seles is known for being stabbed by a fan of German tennis star and rival Steffi Graf. Due to the injury, Seles had to stop playing tennis for two years. She retired in 2008.

    Seles and Golisano started dating in 2009. In a visit to Bishop Kearney High School in Irondequoit on Thursday, Golisano announced their engagement.

    According to reports, Golisano has shown his interest in purchasing the Buffalo Bills that was founded and owned by the late Ralph Wilson. Wilson’s family has been in charge of the team since Wilson’s death on March 25 of this year.

    Given the big age gap between Seles and Golisano, it is most likely that Seles will outlive the businessman and philanthropist. If plans of purchasing the Buffalo Bills push through, Seles could be the future owner of the NFL team. Of course, this all depends on the pre-nuptial agreements that have to be settled before their marriage.

    Seles played professional tennis from 1989 to 2003, and became the youngest French Open champion at the age of 16. Between 1990 and 1993, she achieved eight grand slam titles before the age of 20, and was consistently ranked no. 1 in the world. However, she never got back to her great form after returning from her stabbing. In 2011, Seles was named one of “30 Legends of Women’s Tennis: Past, Present and Future” by Time.

    Golisano, a billionaire, is the founder of the Paychex payroll processing company. He is the former owner of the Buffalo Bandits lacrosse team and the Buffalo Sabres hockey team. Golisano is now spending his time awarding grants and giving donations to various charities.

    Seles and Golisano now live in Florida.

    Image via YouTube

  • World Cup Gear: U.S. Team Jerseys Still Not Made In America

    In 2012, Ralph Lauren received backlash regarding the uniforms he designed for U.S. team to wear during the opening ceremonies at the Summer Olympics. People said that the beret was “too European” while others said that the athletes looked like chic crossing guards. However, the main reason the designer faced criticism was that the uniforms were made in China.

    “Why shouldn’t we have pride not only in the American athletes but in the American manufacturers and laborers who are the backbone of our country,” fashion designer Nanette Lepore asked.

    The 2012 incident was not the first time the designer found himself in hot water. In 2008, there were reports that Lauren’s uniform for the Beijing Olympics were also manufactured in China.

    After the backlash, Lauren committed to making the uniforms for the 2014 Winter Games in the USA. In a statement, the company said, “Ralph Lauren promises to lead the conversation within our industry and our government addressing the issue of increasing manufacturing in the United States.”

    Now, the World Cup is fast approaching and Nike soccer uniforms are available to the public. Many would think that the 2012 incident with Ralph Lauren wouldn’t happen again. However, the uniforms are still being made outside the U.S.

    According to reports, the Nike soccer uniforms including dri-fit shirts, t-shirts, and polo shirts were made in Sri Lanka, Honduras, Vietnam, and Turkey. People are now wondering whether it’s really that difficult or expensive to have the uniforms manufactured in the good ole’ U.S. of A.

    Well, for soccer fans who aren’t opposed to buying imported World Cup gear, Nike offers a wide array of caps, shoes, jerseys and the shirts for all 32 teams competing in this years event.

    This year, Brazil will host the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The event is set to kick off on June 12, Thursday, and will run through July 13, Sunday.

    Check out the U.S. team’s World Cup jersey

     Image via YouTube

  • Mono Mono Twins Finally Get To Go Home

    After spending over a month in Akron General Medical Center in Ohio, mono mono twins Jenna and Jillian were finally able to go home.

    The twins shared an amniotic sack during their mother’s pregnancy, which makes the pregnancy vulnerable to complications. Sarah Thistlethwaite, Jenna and Jillian’s mother, spent two months in the hospital before the twins were delivered via C-section in order to lessen the risk of complications.

    Jenna and Jillian made waves on the web, as they were born holding hands. They were born prematurely at 33 weeks. The twins had to spend time in the hospital, as they needed to get stronger and gain more weight before going home.

    After more than a month of waiting, doctors have finally given them the green light to go home. The twins have an older brother, Jaxon, who is 15 months old.

    “It’s just nice to have everyone under the same roof. It was really stressful – you want to pay attention to the little one at home and you just gave birth to two little babies. It was a pull and a tear as to where to go,” Thistlethwaite said.

    According to doctors, mono mono twin births are rare and happen in about one of every 10,000 pregnancies. Thistlethwaite said that she already noticed the unique bond that her twins share. “When I try to feed them on the feeding pillow, they gradually migrate toward each other,” she said.

    On Saturday, the entire family, including grandparents and great grandparents, went to the Thistlethwaite home to welcome the twins. The family spent the rest of the weekend getting to know the twins and spending time with each other. Bill Thistlethwaite, Sarah’s husband, is glad that his daughters are home in time for Father’s Day.

    Although the twins were born prematurely, doctors said that they are not anticipating complications to arise.

    Image via YouTube

  • Cedar Point Closed: Amusement Park Working To Fix Water Main Break

    Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio, was closed on Saturday morning, due to a broken water main that supplied the park with water. Reports said that it will be closed until June 9, Monday.

    Park officials called their employees and told them to stay at home until further notice.

    According to park officials, crews were working feverishly to bring back the water supply to the park. After the water main gets fixed, crews will have to do additional procedures to ensure that the park can operate normally, since water is needed for the park’s restrooms, concession stands, and water rides.

    Cedar Point officials announced that they will be accepting all tickets on any operating day in 2014 when the park reopens its doors to the public.

    Many of the visitors arrived at the park, not knowing that it was closed. Roger and Debbie Balderas, and their daughter and her friend, drove four hours from South Bend, Indiana all the way to the amusement park only to be disappointed. “This was our vacation,” Roger said.

    Debbie had to wait in line for an hour just to get a refund, and although they got a refund, they still had to pay for a nearby hotel.

    The amusement park released a statement on their website saying, “We recognize that this situation has caused many of our guests to be disappointed. We are sorry that this has happened.”

    Cedar Point is said to be the biggest amusement park in the United States as measured by the number of attractions and rides. They get over 3 million visitors yearly, which makes them the most visited amusement park in the state of Ohio.

    Image via YouTube

  • Melanie Griffith And Antonio Banderas Call It A Wrap After 18 Years Of Marriage

    Melanie Griffith, 56, and Antonio Banderas, 53, are getting a divorce after 18 years of marriage. They share a child together, Stella Banderas, who is now 17 years old.

    Reports say that the couple had relationship issues for a long time. According to a source, “They used to be so affectionate with each other, but more recently they’ve been drifting apart.”

    Griffith hired Laura Wasser as her attorney and cited irreconcilable differences as the cause of the divorce. “We have thoughtfully and consensually decided to finalize our almost 20 years marriage in a loving and friendly manner honoring and respecting each other, our family and friends and the beautiful time we have spent together,” Banderas and Griffith said through their publicist.

    Griffith is seeking child support, spousal support, and joint legal and sole physical custody of their daughter Stella.

    Griffith and Banderas have been through a lot together. Griffith was admitted to rehab thrice for alcohol and drug addiction, and she also underwent surgery for skin cancer.

    On Saturday, Griffith was seen in public for the first time after filing for divorce. She was driving a black Bentley in Malibu, and she looked a bit pensive and worn out. Reports also said that a bouquet of pink flowers was delivered to her home.

    A close friend of Griffith’s said that there were no clues that she was planning to file for divorce when she attended the AFI Life Achievement Award gala on Thursday. “They’ve been down this road before but I never though it would actually happen,” the friend said.

    When Griffith attended the gala, she was holding Eva Longoria’s hand and was still wearing her wedding band.

    This is Griffith’s fourth divorce. She was married twice to actor and recording artist Don Johnson, and was also married to actor Steve Bauer. It is the second divorce for Banderas.

    Image via YouTube

  • Burt’s Bees Co-Founder Ousted After Affair With Employee

    The public always thought that Burt Shavitz of Burt’s Bees left his own company in order to live a private life in Maine.

    Shavitz is the subject of the upcoming documentary Burt’s Bees and he revealed the real story behind his sudden escape from his corporate life. According to Shavitz, he was ousted by Burt’s Bees co-founder Roxanne Quimby after his affair with one of their employees.

    When he left the business, he was given 37 acres in Maine and a sum of money. “In the long run, I got the land, and land is everything. Land is positively everything. And money is nothing really worth squabbling about. This is what puts people six feet under. You know, I don’t need it,” he said in an interview.

    In the interview, Shavitz refused to discuss his relationship with his former business partner. He only said, “What I have in this situation is no regret. The bottom line is she’s got her world and I’ve got mine, and we let it go at that.”

    Shavitz, 79, served in the Army as a photographer for Time-Life. When he got back, he made a living by selling honey in Maine. His chance encounter with Quimby changed his simple life. Quimby started to make products from Shavitz’s beeswax.

    In the documentary Shavitz said, “Roxanne Quimby wanted money and power, and I was just a pillar on the way to that success.”

    Quimby sent an email to the Associated Press and said that everyone in her company was treated fairly “and in some cases very generously.”

    Shavitz now resides in a small house with no hot water. His life today is very different from the life he had when he was running a business. He is happy with his life now, living with three golden retrievers in a wide expanse of land. “No one has ever accused me of being ambitious,” he said in the documentary.

    Image via YouTube

  • Gustnado: What is It? Should You Be Worried?

    “Gustnado”, or “gust-front tornado,” is a low-level rotating cloud that is short-lived. It can sometimes form within a severe thunderstorm. Reports say that the average gustnado lasts just seconds to a few minutes.

    According to the National Weather Service, gustnadoes are wispy, and their wind speeds could reach up to 80 mph. Gustnadoes have less in common with tornadoes, and have more in common with whirlwinds.

    Deaths and injuries are not typically associated with gustnadoes. However, strong gustnadoes can bring extensive damage to an area.

    Just yesterday, 12 tornadoes were reported in western Wyoming, Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska. This was accompanied by severe flooding and baseball-size hail. The intense weather activity has sparked interest in lesser known weather terminology like, “derecho“, and “gustnado”.

    A number of people in the Midwest reported seeing gustnadoes within the past few days.

    Dramatic footage of gustnadoes in action

    Yesterday, NBC News erroneously tweeted a warning at 7:30 a.m., stating that “Severe storms, destructive winds and a ‘gustnado’ threaten millions today.” Gustnadoes cannot threaten millions. As the video footage reveals, gustnadoes are comparable to whirlwinds. However, there have been instances where winds destroyed property, and caused deaths.

    Nonetheless, much of the areas highlighted in red did not even get rain.

    Other reports stated that over 35 million Americans were affected by destructive winds of yesterday’s storm in the Midwest. Late Tuesday, the National Weather Service recorded 1.08 inches of rain at the Omaha Airport over the span of 8 minutes—about 8 inches per hour. As a result, the airport closed.

    Although “gustnado” has not yet been accepted as official weather terminology, the term is widely used in the Midwest of the United States, where sightings of the phenomenon are most common.

    What Is A Gustnado?

    Image via YouTube

  • Derecho Threat: Severe Storm Pummels Midwest

    A derecho is often classified as a type of extreme weather phenomenon, which refers to an inland-type of hurricane accompanied by heavy thunderstorms. Derechos are capable of inflicting extensive damage to wide areas. According to the Storm Prediction Center, derechos are at least 240 miles wide and produce long-lived straight-line wind damage.

    On Tuesday, extreme weather, heavy flooding and severe storms brought on by a possible derecho, affected more than 35 million people in Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska. Weather agencies placed a rigid watch on the storm as it continued to wreak havoc throughout the Midwest region until late Wednesday, according to a weather report on FOX19-WXIX.

    The National Weather Service Omaha put out a warning on Twitter, advising residents of eastern Nebraska and western Iowa not to walk or drive through the area due to rising floodwaters and “potentially life threatening flash flooding”.

    According to the National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center, wind gusts measuring over 80 mph battered the Midwest region. The strong winds uprooted trees and utility poles and forced Eppley Airfield, three miles northeast of Omaha, to close. Joe Rotterdam,  assistant manager of airline affairs, said the closing caused the cancellation of 33 flights.

    Flash floods, hail measuring the size of baseballs, and strong winds were all part of the intense storm that hit the Midwest. In Omaha, Nebraska, more than 12,000 urban residents experienced power outages due to flooding and heavy rainfall from the possible derecho.

    The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration stated that a derecho can occur when a storm spans a distance of more than 240 miles with gusts reaching more than 58 mph. This kind of storm brought massive destruction back in June 2012 when it ripped through the states of Illinois and Virginia, causing an estimated $1 billion in damages and 13 fatalities.

    Image via YouTube

  • Justin Bieber Caught Telling Yet Another N-Word Joke

    Justin Bieber seems to be making headlines for the wrong reasons…again. Another video of Bieber has surfaced, and this time, he is shown singing a parody of his own song entitled “One Less Lonely Girl.”

    In the video, Bieber sang about the KKK. He replaced the lyrics of his song, and sang, “If I kill you/ I’ll be part of the KKK. There’ll be one less lonely n****.” The video was said to be taken when The Biebs was just 14 years old.

    “There’ll Be One Less Lonely N—–” By Justin Bieber 

    According to reports, the video has already been viewed 203 million times on YouTube. Just this week, another video came out with Bieber telling a racist joke. Bieber apologized and said, “I’m very sorry. I take all my friendships with people of all cultures very seriously and I apologize for offending or hurting anyone with my childish and inexcusable behavior.”

    In his statement, Bieber also said that at the time the video was taken, he didn’t realize that what he said wasn’t funny and that his actions were signs of ignorance. “Now that these mistakes from the past have become public I need to apologize again to all of those who I have offended.”

    In this video, Justin Bieber tells us why black people are afraid of chainsaws.

    Bieber’s camp told TMZ that the Bieber wanted the video out in the public “because he wants to own what he did.”

    Bieber also claimed that people have been trying to extort him over videos that have been recently leaked. He stands firm and says that he will not be shaken and he wants people to see the videos, so that he can accept responsibility for his actions.

    Ever since the videos leaked, Bieber has been facing backlash from his fans. A source close to TMZ said, “People need to see this. Normal kids in society do not make these kind of jokes. He is protected by a network of staff, but the camera doesn’t lie.”

    Image via YouTube

  • Susan Spencer-Wendel, Best-Selling Author, Dies At 47

    Susan Spencer-Wendel, Best-Selling Author, Dies At 47

    Susan Spencer-Wendel, writer of the best-selling book Until I Say Goodbye, died on Wednesday in her home. She was 47 years old.

    Spencer-Wendel was suffering from Lou Gehrig’s disease – a neurodegenerative disease. The symptoms for the disease include muscle atrophy, difficulty breathing, swallowing, and speaking.

    Spencer-Wendel was a court reporter for The Palm Beach Post in 2009 when she first noticed symptoms of the disease. She was only diagnosed 2 years after, but she had already decided to live her life the way she wanted, and the best she could.

    She travelled the world and visited places, such as Budapest , the Caribbean, Cyprus, and Yukon. She also took time to find her birth mother, and shared memorable experiences with her family.

    While travelling, Spencer-Wendel documented her trips for The Palm Beach Post, and it caught the eye of HarperCollins. They gave her a $2.3 million deal and Universal Pictures also gave her a seven-figure offer.

    Her travels and experiences are now documented in her 357-page book entitled Until I say Good By: My Year of Living with Joy. The memoir was published in 2013.

    Nancy Maass Kinnally, Spencer-Wendel’s friend since childhood said, “She never stopped seeing the beauty that surrounded her and the love that surrounded her, and she never stopped putting love out into the world.”

    Her husband John said in an interview, “She’s sort of my inspiration. I take cues from her. Every day I wake up, and I think, ‘This is just horrible.’ Then I go in, and I’ll see her wake up and I’m like, ‘Oh, you’re smiling? I probably should be, too.’ That’s what’s getting me through.’”

    Spencer-Wendel’s disease caught up with her last year, when she could no longer use her thumb properly. Reports say that she died surrounded by her loved ones.

    Spencer-Wendel is survived by her husband and three children, Marina, 16; Aubrey, 12; and Wesley 10.

    Image via YouTube

  • Is Simona Halep’s Breast Surgery Boosting Her Tennis Career?

    Simona Halep’s breast surgery may just have saved her tennis career. The 22-year-old Romanian tennis pro has propelled herself to the fourth round at Roland Garros for the first time in her career, and many are thinking that her breast reduction has something to do with it.

    Halep had the world junior number one spot and the Roland Garros girls title in 2008, but her career didn’t take off.

    Halep underwent breast reduction when she was 18 years old and went from a 34DD to a 34C. Halep has already mentioned that the change in her body has had a positive impact on her game. She said that she is able to move better, has more speed, and her footwork is better. This month, she is ranked a career-high no. 4 seed in the world.

    Simona Halep before her breast reduction

    Halep’s breasts are no longer a hinderance

    On Wednesday, Halep defeated Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-2, 6-2  to advance to the semifinal round.  Kuznetsova said, “She plays always very smart tennis. She doesn’t overpower you. She takes off the speed very well.”

    “For me to be here it’s not a surprise, because I’m more confident now in myself,” said Halep. The tennis player is very happy to get the chance to play in the fourth round, but remains very focused on winning this year’s French Open title.

    Last year, Halep was voted WTA’s Most Improved Player, and for good reason. Halep has won seven titles in the past 13 months, bested only by Serena Williams. Halep, however, won titles on hard courts, clay, and grass—the only player to do so within that period of time.

    With her success at Roland Garros, it’s clear that Halep’s tennis career is on the upswing, and it may indeed be because of her breast reduction.

    Halep will be facing Andrea Petkovic on Thursday. If she beats her, she will then face Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard, or Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova.

    Image via YouTube

  • Madeleine McCann: Search For Missing Girl Reopens In Portugal

    The search for Madeleine McCann is reopened once again.

    About 30 searchers will be digging in the area where the girl disappeared seven years ago.

    British police will be spearheading the search for the girl, who was only a few weeks shy of celebrating her fourth birthday when she went missing.

    On Monday, press people gathered outside a restricted section of Praia da Luz, the beach resort town where Madeleine was last seen. A source has mentioned that a blue tent will be covering the area and dogs are going to be brought in to aid in the search.

    “It should not be assumed that this substantial upcoming phase of work in Portugal will immediately lead us to the answers that will explain what has happened. What you will see is normal police activity you would expect in any such major investigation,” mentioned Assistant Commissioner, Mark Rowley, who is head of specialist crime and operations about the search for Madeleine.

    On May 3rd 2007, Madeleine’s parents, Gerry and Kate McCann, left her and her twin siblings sleeping inside their apartment as the couple went to dinner with their friends at a nearby tapas restaurant. The couple took turns checking on their children every 30 minutes, but at around 10 pm, Kate found out that her eldest daughter was missing.

    Police sources also mentioned that it’s highly likely that the search will be expanded to other areas of the resort within this week. However, there is a chance that the search might be called off if there are no significant discoveries by Friday.

    Eight months ago, a TV appeal was done and spurred a lot of phone calls about new leads regarding possible suspects and some potential clues that sparked the interest of detectives to rekindle the case once more.

    In 2008, Portuguese police closed the case, stating that no crime has ever taken place. However, last year, a judge in Lisbon decided to reopen the investigation, as new leads that emerged might finally solve the case.

    Image via YouTube

  • Iraq F-16 Takes Flight For The First Time

    Iraq F-16 Takes Flight For The First Time

    On May 2, the first Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 52 jet for the Iraqi Air Force made its first flight from the company’s facility located in Fort Worth, Texas.

    In 2011, Iraq confirmed the purchase of 18 F-16s, and reports say that they have also ordered another 18 units. Orders for the F-16 have been extended to 2017. Today, over 4,000 units of F-16 have already been delivered. This seals the jet’s reputation of being an affordable, yet versatile multi-role fighter.

    The F-16 has a new color that is quite different from the desert-themed colors that were used before. Now, the jets have a two-tone grey camo theme.

    F-16 Fighting Falcon In Flight

    According to reports, Iraq is rebuilding its Armed Forces. In addition to the T-50s and F-16s, Baghdad is also procuring Night Hawk helicopters, while Apache attack choppers are being evaluated.

    The U.S. Air Force has already swapped the Combat Avionics Programmed Extension Suite (CAPES) with 300 Block 40-52 aircrafts, because of budget constraints, yet they are still asking for $1.4 billion for the next five years in order to develop service-life extension programs (SLEPs) and spend for the modernization of the F-16.

    Reports say that the U.S. Air Force still wants to improve on the jets’ operational flight program, as well as upgrade the electronic attack pod and the modular mission computer.

    Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh of the U.S. Air Force said in a Congress statement in April that the F-16 will be replacing the A-10 Thunderbolt for budget reasons.

    The improvements they are aiming to complete will allow new weapons to be integrated in to the jet, such as targeting pods, and the JASSM-ER. The SLEP will also improve the jets’ life to 10,000 or more hours. In addition, more modifications are still being developed for the Block 40-52 fleet.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • New York City Teachers Approve Nine-Year Labor Contract

    New York City teachers have voted and approved a nine-year labor contract on Tuesday. The contract states that teachers will be given back pay, and their salaries will be increased by 18 percent. However, questions regarding their health benefits are still left unanswered.

    About 90,000 votes were cast by union members, and out of those, 77 percent were said to have voted in favor of the contract. The negotiators reached a deal on May 1, almost five years after the labor dispute.

    Michael Mulgrew, president of the United Federation of Teachers, said “The new agreement gives teachers and parents a larger voice in how their schools are run and how they can better serve their students.”

    Mayor Bill de Blasio said that education determines a child’s destiny, and the contract was sought in order to transform public education.

    Mulgrew also stated that he fought hard in order for the union members to accept the contract. Some of the members had problems with the deal, since the raises would be paid out over the years and not immediately. The deal also promised to lessen health care costs by as much as $1.3 billion, but members said that number can be achieved through other efficient means.

    The United Federation of Teachers only rejected a contract once, when the teachers were asked to take a two-year wage freeze. After a few changes to the contract, they ended up approving the deal.

    The majority of the members agreed with the new contract, since they say that it is the best that they can get. Others also agreed to the contract as a way to support de Blasio, as local residents see him as a friendlier mayor, compared to Bloomberg.

    Suzette Freedman, a third-grade teacher said, “The last mayor was not very pro-teacher and wasn’t interested in our well-being.

    After the results announcement, de Blasio said, “We are going to help good educators stay and grow in this profession, and usher reform that will lift up kids across the whole system.” He continued, “At the same time, we are securing unprecedented health care savings, which makes this a fiscally responsible contract that protects our budgets and our taxpayers.”

    Image via YouTube

  • Baseball-Size Hail Batters Northeast Nebraska

    Severe thunderstorms swept through Nebraska and produced baseball-size hail that surprised many residents. According to the National Weather Service, northern and eastern Nebraska, northeast Missouri, and western and southern Iowa are at risk for severe weather conditions.

    Additionally, there will be severe thunderstorm outbreaks that are expected to hit South Dakota, Kansas, and Illinois. The baseball-size hail was reported in northeast Nebraska on Tuesday afternoon.

    As the storms landed, the National Weather Service received reports of flooding and hail damage, accompanied by winds as strong as 85 mph. On Tuesday evening, the storms were just about to begin. Residents were advised to stay indoors.

    Bill Bunting, head of forecast operations at the Storm Prediction Center in Oklahoma said, “This is one of these days we can’t let our guard down. It’s unfortunately panning out as we thought it would. This is shaping up as a very dangerous evening.”

    Nebraska residents shared their photos on Twitter and Facebook to show the extent of damage brought by the large hailstones. In Omaha, a police sergeant shared an image of a car that was dented by the hailstones.

    Other residents showed pictures of shattered windows of their vehicles and homes, due to the strong hail. Residents from low areas were evacuated in order to keep them safe from flooding and the threat of the storm.

    Observation program leader for the National Weather Service in Nebraska Terry Landsvork said, “The storms, we call it training. It’s like a train going down the track. One car goes by, another one follows. That’s what’s happening.” He explained that the thunderstorms were moving over the same areas, referring to western Iowa and Nebraska.

    In Iowa, Gov. Terry Branstad declared a storm disaster proclamation for Pottawattamie County on Tuesday night, as the storms landed while voters were on their way to the polls for the primary elections.

    Image via NDN video

  • Paris Hilton Phone Hacker Pleads Guilty To String Of Cyber Crimes

    Cameron Lacroix, also known as “cam0,” “leetjones,” or “Freak,” is once again in trouble with the authorities. In 2005, Lacroix hacked Paris Hilton’s cellphone and leaked incriminating photos of the socialite.

    Now, Lacroix is facing new charges as he allegedly stole bank information from over 14,000 account holders. Prosecutors said that he has been doing it for the last three years. He is also accused of breaking into the network of a law enforcement computer and computers in his college. He is facing two counts of computer intrusion and one count of access device fraud.

    The 25-year-old hacked into the computers at Bristol Community College several times in order to manipulate his grades and the grades of two other college students. In 2012, he hacked into a computer at the Massachusetts police department and gained access to private information, such as sex offender information, arrest warrants, intelligence reports, and police reports.

    According to the US District Attorney, Lacroix already agreed to plead guilty to all the charges. He will be serving four years in jail, followed by three years of supervised release.

    After the Paris Hilton incident, Lacroix already served 11 months in a juvenile detention center. He was a minor at that time, and was said to be the youngest member of a hacker group.

    In addition to the hacking activities, Lacroix has also pleaded guilty to being responsible for making bomb threats to two separate high schools. In 2005, the prosecutors reported that Lacroix’s victims sustained $1 million in damages due to his criminal activities.

    Prosecutors are now asking Lacroix to surrender a thumb drive and his Toshiba notebook computer, which he used for his hacking activities.

    The FBI Boston Division Cyber Task Force department investigated Lacroix’s case. Bristol Community College also cooperated with the investigation.

    Lacroix’s plea hearing has not been scheduled yet.

    Image via Paris Hilton, Twitter

  • David Brockie: Autopsy Results Show The Gwar Frontman Died Of A Heroin Overdose

    Gwar frontman David Brockie, also known by his stage name Oderus Urungus, died in his home on March 23. He was 50 years old. On Tuesday, officials from the medical examiner’s office released a statement that Brockie’s cause of death was acute heroin toxicity. Administrator Arkuie Williams said that his death was an accident.

    Gwar, a 1980’s heavy metal rock band, is best known for their elaborate costumes while performing on stage. Brockie was with the band from the very beginning, although they have changed their lineup several times through the years.

    After Brockie’s death, his friends told the world how much they admire him. Former bassist of the band, Mike Bishop said “Dave was one of the funniest, smartest, most creative and energetic persons I’ve known.” Bishop said that Brockie was always crass and hilarious, but he was also an intelligent man who was interested in art, politics, history, and life.

    The death of Brockie prompted Gwar to establish a charity called the Dave Brockie fund. The charity aims to promote the advancement of performing arts and music. They are encouraging talented individuals who lack the funding to pursue what they love doing.

    In addition, the band is opening their own restaurant called the GWARbar, which will open in Richmond, VA. The band said that the restaurant was one of Brockie’s dreams.

    According to the restaurant’s press release, visitors at the restaurant will be able to taste a wide selection of dishes from the menu, which was designed by Balsac the Jaws of Death, the rhythm guitarist of Gwar. The band launched an IndieGoGo project to raise funds for GWARbar.

    With the death of Brockie, Gwar is left without any of its original founding members. The band will still be performing as scheduled at the Riot Fest in Chicago in September.

    Image via YouTube

  • San Francisco Sickout: Delays Continue For A Second Day

    And the San Francisco sickout continues…

    San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency workers called in sick for the second day in a row on Tuesday, resulting in hour-long delays all over the Muni system.

    The Muni system has 600 vehicles in their roster, however, only half were operating Tuesday morning, as mentioned by Paul Rose, the agency spokesman—which is much better than what occurred on Monday, where only a third of vehicles were operating.

    The agency eventually added a hundred more vehicles to improve services, but they still advised commuters to expect some disruption.

    They implemented express and limited buses to halt at every stop, unless they are already at full capacity. In addition, cable cars will be augmented with shuttle buses, albeit very limited.

    BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) will be honoring Muni fares that fall between the stations of Daly City and Embarcadero.

    SFMTA (San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency) has advised customers to find an alternative means of transportation while the sickout is ongoing.

    The sickout is being done by the operators as a way of protesting contract talks that have been stalled. The new contract proposes that the operators will receive a pay raise, however, they will be required to contribute a much larger amount for their pension plan.

    Workers are not allowed to go on strike, but they can opt to call in sick instead. Rose mentioned that they do not know how many employees called in sick.

    Alicia John-Baptiste, chief of staff of the transit agency, issued a memo on Monday, stating that “Operators claiming to be sick today, or in connection with any future ‘sickout,’ will be required to submit adequate verification from their health care provider in order to be eligible to receive paid sick leave.”

    The San Francisco Board of Supervisors will be holding a meeting so they can make plans on how to urge the workers to return to work. They cannot produce any return-to-work orders, as a court of law is required to issue those.

    Image via YouTube

  • Bowe Bergdahl: Was It A Mistake To Free Him?

    Obama is facing backlash for his decision to free Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl in exchange for the release of five top Taliban leaders from Guantanamo. The initial reaction was relief, but now many are questioning the President’s decision.

    Bergdahl had been in Taliban custody for almost five years before his release. When Bergdahl was released on Saturday, soldiers came forward and stated that Bergdahl abandoned his Army unit in Afghanistan in 2009 during a combat deployment.

    Bergdahl disappeared from his observation post on June 2009. Three men from his 30-man platoon said that they found his night-vision goggles, body armor, helmet, and rifle neatly stacked inside his tent.

    Before his disappearance, several soldiers said that Bergdahl had expressed his dissatisfaction with the Army, and had made statements about walking to India or China. Fellow soldiers have called Bergdahl a deserter, and say he should be charged with violating the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

    The military is now investigating Bergdahl’s reason for leaving his post. According to Army General Martin Dempsey, the U.S. military is being accused of turning their eyes away from misconduct. However, Dempsey said that Bergdahl’s case is “premature.” “Like any American, he is innocent until proven guilty. Our Army’s leaders will not look away from misconduct if it occurred,” he said.

    Obama officials are defending their decision to release Bergdahl by saying that he could have soon been killed by his captors.

    Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby said that the Pentagon does not qualify whom they try to recover. “It doesn’t matter how he was taken captive. It doesn’t matter under what circumstances he left. It doesn’t matter what his persuasions were, political or otherwise. We have an obligation to recover all of those who are missing in action.”

    The soldiers insisted that Bergdahl is a deserter, and many lives were lost while searching for him over the past five years. “More than a handful of soldiers got Purple Hearts looking for him,” former Army Spc. Cody Full, a former roommate of Bergdahl said.

    According to Full, Bergdahl mailed home all his personal effects before moving to the observation post in Afghanistan. “Why would you mail your stuff home unless you were not going to ever need it again?” he asked.

    The investigation was not completed, since Army officials were not yet able to talk to Bergdahl. He is being treated at a military hospital in Germany. In the investigation, military officers have gathered information that Bergdahl may have walked off voluntarily, but they are still open to the idea that he may have been taken prisoner while using the latrine.

    Andy Andrews, whose son was killed while looking for Bergdahl said, “Where is the honor in any of this?” His wife said, “Honorable soldiers risked their lives for someone who was a deserter, a traitor. It devalues their lives.”

    Many are now asking if the five Taliban leaders were released in exchange of a hero, or a deserter.

    If hard evidence of desertion is found, Bergdahl could face court-martial. If convicted, Bergdahl could face a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a dishonorable discharge.

    The five Guantanamo detainees swapped for Bowe Bergdahl

    Image via YouTube

  • Tim Tebow, Former NFL Quarterback, Wants To Make A Comeback

    Tim Tebow is still holding on to his NFL dream.

    The former NFL quarterback has been hired by ESPN to serve as an analyst on the SEC Network, which starts in August. Last pre-season, Tebow was dropped from the roster of the New England Patriots, but he is still quite outspoken about his desire to continue his career in NFL.

    And just to be sure, Tebow has been training nonstop, to be ready in case the NFL comes knocking on his door again. But then again, it’s already June, and if any teams were interested, they would have already given him a call by now.

    Tebow told The Tennessean, “I’m training every day and feel like I’m the best that I’ve ever been, I still love it, love playing, talking about it, and I’m just excited about whatever the future holds. Who knows what could happen? But I’m excited about it, though.”

    The 26-year-old has not been an NFL starter since the 2011 season. His hope for a comeback has two possible directions: either he can still strike a deal, or he can’t.

    If he really desires to come back to the NFL, he may want to considering changing his position, or switching to another league like the CFL. Once he has built himself back up, then there is a small chance that an NFL team might consider signing him on as part of their team.

    Being an analyst might not be so bad for Tebow, as this could turn out to be a much steadier gig than the one he had as an NFL quaterback. It is also interesting to know that there was a bidding war for Tebow among several sports networks.

    It is admirable that Tebow is still eyeing his dream. Nonetheless, congrats on the new analyst gig Tim!

    Image via YouTube

  • Letizia Ortiz, Future Queen Of Spain, Most Fashionable Royal?

    Letizia Ortiz is about to give Kate Middleton a run for her money. From her humble beginnings as a news reporter, to being the news itself, Ortiz, the Princess of Asturias, will be the Spain’s first Spanish-born queen since 1879.

    Slated to become a queen after the abdication of King Juan Carlos from the Spanish throne, the 41-year-old might become the world’s most glamorous queen. Her background is actually quite similar to Britain’s Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge. However, Ortiz had already been a well known news reporter in her country prior to marrying into royalty.

    In 2004, the commoner married Prince Felipe and they now have two daughters.

    Generally speaking, the princess is not known for being flashy when it comes to her fashion sense.  Just like Kate Middleton, Ortiz repeats some of her outfits, as chronicled by the blogs dedicated to the Spanish royal’s style moves.

    Her commoner background, and her status as a divorcee, raised a lot of eyebrows in Spain when she first became involved with the prince. It was not until the suicide of her sister Erika in 2007 that she won the sympathy of the people during her silent grieving.

    Prince Felipe fell in love with Ortiz while she was covering the Prestige oil tanker disaster in 2002. At the time, the prince offered his support to those affected by the tragedy. The two dated in secret for several months, before announcing their engagement in November 2003.

    Letizia Ortiz is well known for being independent, and once famously interrupted her husband by saying “Let me finish!” during their official engagement presentation.

    In terms of fashion, Spain is not that well regarded on the international stage, with only limited brands such as Balenciaga and Zara making rounds in the industry recently. Will Ortiz become the royal trendsetter who puts Spanish fashion on the map? Many in the world of fashion and entertainment will certainly have her on their radar.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons