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Outgoing Orono Mayor Dennis Walsh appointed a new council member Monday night, despite objections from colleagues who said the move would erode trust with residents. Claire Berrett, a longtime Orono resident criticized by some as being too supportive of Walsh, took the oath of office during a contentious City Council meeting in which officials and audience members at times shouted over each other. “It’s an honor,” Berrett said during the meeting. “It feels awkward to me right now, because I wasn’t expecting this, but I will promise you this: I will always vote in the best interests of Orono and its citizens.” The selection comes as Orono is bracing for major political turnover and grappling with contentious issues like the future of its fire department . Earlier this month, voters selected a new mayor and two new council members, who are set to begin their jobs in January. One week after the election, Council Member Matt Johnson resigned with about two years left on his term. Berrett filled his seat, though it’s not yet clear how long she might be there. Orono City Attorney Soren Mattick said he expects the appointment will last through November of 2026, though he left open the possibility officials could pass a special election ordinance that somehow changes that. Incoming Mayor Bob Tunheim said he believes city leaders exceeded their authority in appointing Berrett and that a special election needs to be held. “I can’t speak for the rest of the incoming council, but I think the community will want us to move quickly to put in motion the steps necessary to hold a special election,” Tunheim said in an interview Tuesday. He added: “I intend to be professional and civil with Ms. Berrett and I look forward to working with her for the time she remains on council.” Berrett didn’t immediately respond to a message Tuesday. Election vs. appointment Berrett’s sudden appointment surprised some people, who expected Monday night’s meeting to include a presentation on an application process for people who were interested in taking Johnson’s seat. Materials prepared for the council and included in a meeting packet note that “past practice of the city has been to fill council vacancies through an application, interview and appointment process.” When Johnson resigned earlier this month, city officials said they expected they would also need to hold a special election next year. But at Monday’s meeting, Walsh cited advice from state officials and said that because there isn’t a city ordinance addressing special elections, “there will not be one.” In a text message Tuesday, Walsh said it was “our duty” to put someone in place who will take care of Orono. “Claire is overly qualified to make sure that any decisions moving forward will be done with Orono’s best interest in mind when she votes,” he said. Walsh moved Monday night to appoint Barrett to the position. Orono City Council Member Alisa Benson, who had been the only one set to return to office next year, urged the council to hold off, saying multiple people had expressed interest in the job. “It’s the exact opposite of honoring those election results and the message that the voters have sent with it by doing this sort of maneuver at this meeting tonight,” she said. Council Member Maria Veach previously took her seat through an appointment process and said she “dealt with its aftermath for my entire term.” “I knew that really well-intentioned people won’t be given a chance, and the appointment process is brutal,” Veach said. “Unfortunately, what we’re tasked with is unprecedented yet again.” Berrett’s appointment failed on a 2-2 vote, with Walsh and Council Member Richard Crosby voting for her selection and Benson and Veach voting against. The city attorney said that, in the event of a tie, state law allows the mayor to appoint a new council member. Walsh immediately appointed Berrett, eliciting boos from the audience. During public comment, multiple people spoke against Berrett’s selection, with some raising concerns about the process and some saying they knew little about her except that she had ties to a group that held a forum featuring Walsh in the runup to the election. (Walsh received just one-third of the votes in the November election, losing to Tunheim.) Berrett didn’t address that head-on, but said she would tell people a little bit about herself. She said she has been an Orono resident for 29 years and has a “servant’s heart,” adding that she had served on a parents’ association and a parish council. “I hope to get to know you all in a real, face-to-face way, not behind keyboards,” she said. “...And I’m looking forward to the civility that incoming Mayor Tunheim has promised, and I hope that filters through all of Orono.”LG PRESENTS "LIVE BEYOND" WITH EXPANDED SECOND-GENERATION LG SIGNATURE LINEUP AT CES 2025PIANA TECHNOLOGY'S ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND GOVERNANCE (ESG) REPORT UNDERSCORES ITS UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY AND INNOVATION
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — KyKy Tandy scored 21 points and Florida Atlantic pulled away late in the second half to beat Oklahoma State 86-78 on Thursday in the Charleston Classic. It was the second straight loss by a Power Four team in the tournament after Miami fell to Drake in the opener. Florida Atlantic (4-2) plays the Bulldogs in the semifinals on Friday, while Oklahoma State (3-1) battles the Hurricanes in a consolation game. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, obituaries, sports, and more.Red Wings Report About Coaching Change False [Correction]WEBER STATE 68, PEPPERDINE 53
Under-fire SNP minister Neil Gray under MORE pressure over trip to glitzy film premiere
LeBron James made his Christmas debut in 2003. Victor Wembanyama was born 10 days later. That’s right: James has been featured on the NBA’s big day for longer than Wembanyama has been alive. And on Wednesday — when the league celebrates Christmas with games for the 77th time — the league’s oldest player and brightest young star will be big parts of the holiday showcase. It’s another Christmas quintupleheader, with Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs visiting the New York Knicks, Minnesota going to Dallas for a Western Conference finals rematch, Philadelphia heading to Boston to renew a storied rivalry, James and the Los Angeles Lakers taking on Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors, and Denver playing at Phoenix in the nightcap. “Very excited, of course,” Wembanyama said of his first Christmas game opportunity. “First of all, spending Christmas in New York, it’s going to be like the movies, I hope. Get a little snow.” His first Christmas wish came true: Light snow fell in Manhattan on Tuesday morning. James said he’s relishing another chance to share the holiday spotlight with Curry — someone he’s played against on Christmas three previous times. “Any time you get an opportunity to be on the court and compete against one of the greatest to ever play this game, you don’t take it for granted,” James — who turns 40 next week — said of facing his U.S. Olympic teammate. “I don’t know how many more opportunities we’ll get to go against each other.” The Christmas games have been looked at for decades as the time when more fans tend to start watching basketball. The NFL — which is going head-to-head against the NBA on Wednesday — is seeing its regular season winding down, and the five NBA games will all be shown nationally either on ABC or ESPN. The Spurs-Knicks game will also have a special alt-cast starring Mickey Mouse and some of his friends, the first animated presentation of an NBA game. It’ll be shown on ESPN2 and stream on Disney+ and ESPN+. “I wish there were more of our great players who had a chance to play on that stage on Christmas Day,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. “It’s been an interesting turnaround from certainly my earlier days in the league when we got a lot of complaints about playing on Christmas — and now it comes the other way, which is, ‘Why aren’t we playing on Christmas?’ I wish we could accommodate even more teams.” Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Taoiseach pays tribute to ‘trailblazer’ Gemma Hussey following her death aged 86
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Suspected gang members opened fire on journalists in Haiti's capital on Tuesday as they were covering the attempted reopening of the country's largest hospital, wounding or killing an unknown number of people. Haiti's interim president, Leslie Voltaire, said in an address to the nation that journalists and police were among the victims of the vicious Christmas Eve attack. He did not specify how many casualties there were, or give a breakdown for the dead or wounded. “I send my sympathies to the people who were victims, the national police and the journalists,” Voltaire said, pledging “this crime is not going to go unpunished.” There were concerns there could be fatalities — a video posted online by the reporters trapped inside the hospital showed what appeared to be two lifeless bodies of men on stretchers, their clothes bloodied. One of the men had a lanyard with a press credential around his neck. Radio Télé Métronome initially reported that seven journalists and two police officers were wounded. Police and officials did not immediately respond to calls for information on the attack. Street gangs have taken over an estimated 85% of Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince. They forced the closure of the General Hospital early this year during violence that also targeted the main international airport and Haiti’s two largest prisons. Authorities had pledged to reopen the facility Tuesday but as journalists gathered to cover the event, suspected gang members opened fire. Video posted online earlier showed reporters inside the building and at least three lying on the floor, apparently wounded. That video could also not be immediately verified. Johnson “Izo” André, considered Haiti’s most powerful gang leader and part of a gang coalition known as Viv Ansanm that has taken control of much of Port-au-Prince , posted a video on social media claiming responsibility for the attack. The video said the gang coalition had not authorized the hospital's reopening. Haiti has seen journalists targeted before. In 2023, two local journalists were killed in the space of a couple of weeks — radio reporter Dumesky Kersaint was fatally shot in mid-April that year, while journalist Ricot Jean was found dead later that month. In July, former Prime Minister Garry Conille visited the Hospital of the State University of Haiti, more widely known as the General Hospital, after authorities regained control of it from gangs. The hospital had been left ravaged and strewn with debris. Walls and nearby buildings were riddled with bullet holes, signaling fights between police and gangs. The hospital is across the street from the national palace, the scene of several battles in recent months. Gang attacks have pushed Haiti’s health system to the brink of collapse with looting, setting fires, and destroying medical institutions and pharmacies in the capital. The violence has created a surge in patients and a shortage of resources to treat them. Haiti’s health care system faces additional challenges during the rainy season, which is likely to increase the risk of water-borne diseases. Poor conditions in camps and makeshift settlements have heightened the risk of diseases like cholera, with over 84,000 suspected cases in the country, according to UNICEF. Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-americaStandout running back Sunday that he’ll return to Cal for his senior season. Ott, after rushing for more than 1,300 yards in 2023, posted on X that he’s coming back to Berkeley. Ott’s return is welcome news for the Bears, who lost starting quarterback Fernando Mendoza to the transfer portal, where he eventually landed at Indiana University. Ott ran for 1,315 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2023, while also catching 25 passes for 169 yards and two touchdowns. Ott suffered an ankle injury in the season opener and never could seem to get it completely healed as he rush for just 385 yards on 116 carries with four touchdowns. A resurgence by Ott would give Cal a strong backfield as Jaivian Thomas is also back for a Bears squad that went 6-7 and 2-6 in their first year in the Atlantic Coast Conference this season. Thomas was Cal’s leading rusher with 626 yards on 100 carries, and he scored seven touchdowns.Former US President Jimmy Carter Passes Away at 100
WEST LAYFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Trey Kaufman-Renn had 18 points and Myles Colvin and Camden Heide each scored 13 to lead No. 6 Purdue to an 80-45 rout of Marshall on Saturday. Colvin and Heide were making their first starts of the season for Purdue (5-1). Braden Smith, who was averaging 14.6 points, was scoreless on an 0-for-4 shooting day. Smith had a team-high nine assists. Nate Martin led Marshall (3-2) with nine points, playing 24 minutes before fouling out with several minutes left in the game. The Boilermakers shot 55% in the first half to take a 39-24 halftime lead. However, Purdue made only one field goal in the final nine minutes of the first half. Purdue picked up the intensity in the second half, leading by as many as 41 points. The Boilermakers shot 50% for the game and held the Thundering Herd to 30%. No. 10 NORTH CAROLINA 87, HAWAII 69 HONOLULU (AP) — R.J. Davis scored 14 of his 18 points in the first half and No. 10 North Carolina pulled away from Hawaii. Elliot Cadeau had 17 points on 7-of-8 shooting, Seth Trimble scored 11 of his 13 points after halftime and Ian Jackson added 11 for the Tar Heels (3-1). Davis, an All-American guard, moved into fourth place on North Carolina’s all-time career scoring list. He overtook Sam Perkins with his free throw at the 11:59 mark of the first half. Gytis Nemeiksa led Hawaii with 16 points and had 10 rebounds. Akira Jacobs made three 3-pointers and scored 13 points off the bench. Tanner Christensen had 10 points and 10 rebounds and Marcus Green added 10 points for the Rainbow Warriors (4-1). No. 15 MARQUETTE 880, GEORGIA 69 NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — David Joplin scored a career-high 29 points and made six 3-pointers, Chase Ross had 14 points and five steals, and No. 15 Marquette beat Georgia. Joplin scored five straight Marquette points to begin a 12-3 run that Stevie Mitchell capped by banking in a shot with 1:33 remaining for a 78-66 lead. Mitchell made a steal at the other end to help seal it. Ben Gold scored a career-high 14 points and Kam Jones had 10 points and seven assists for Marquette (6-0). Jones was coming off the program’s third triple-double in more than 100 seasons when he had 17 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists in 36 minutes against No. 6 Purdue on Tuesday. Gold’s previous high was 12 points at UConn on Feb. 7, 2023, while Joplin’s was 28 at DePaul on Jan. 28, 2023. Blue Cain scored 17 points and Tyrin Lawrence added 15 for Georgia (5-1). Dakota Leffew had 11 and Silas Demary Jr. 10. The Bulldogs turned it over 18 times, leading to 27 points by Marquette. No. 18 CINCINNATI 81, GEORGIA TECH 58 ATLANTA (AP) — Dillon Mitchell had 14 points and 11 rebounds for his first double-double of the season, and No. 18 Cincinnati beat Georgia Tech. Jizzle James and Cole Hickman also scored 14 points apiece for the Bearcats (5-0), who passed the first true test of the young season against their first major conference opponent in the Yellow Jackets of the ACC. Naithan George made three 3-pointers while scoring 13 points for Georgia Tech (2-3). Duncan Powell added 10 points, while leading scorer Baye Ndogo finished with just five points. No. 25 ILLINOIS 87, Md-Eastern Shire 40 CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) — Will Riley scored his 19 points in the second half and No. 25 Illinois beat Maryland Eastern Shore. Kylan Boswell added 13 points, Tomislav Ivisic had 11 and Morez Johnson Jr. finished with 10 for the Illini (4-1), who shot 25% (10 for 40) from 3-point range but committed just nine turnovers. Tre White grabbed 11 rebounds and Kasparas Jakucionis seven for Illinois, which outrebounded the Hawks 59-38. Jalen Ware scored 10 points and Christopher Flippin had 10 rebounds for Maryland Eastern Shore (2-6), which had its lowest point total of the season. The team’s previous low came in 102-63 loss to Vanderbilt on Nov. 4.
New Report Highlights Piana's Continued Momentum in Leading Sustainability Practices and Successfully Shrinking its Environmental Footprint CARTERSVILLE, Ga. , Nov. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Piana Technology , the 442-year-old Italian-made textile company renowned for its innovations in the fiber and nonwovens markets, proudly announced it has published its 2023 Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report. Piana Technology's report is a reflection of the company's continued commitment to building a better future for our planet through an ethical and caring approach to technological growth and application. "2023 has been a year of transformation and growth. We have deepened our commitment to sustainability, not only in our products but in every aspect of our operations," said Andrea Piana , CEO of Piana Technology. "This year, we achieved significant milestones, from reducing our carbon footprint across all facilities to pioneering new technologies that align with our zero-waste vision. Our innovations are driven by a steadfast belief that the future of industry lies in responsible stewardship of our planet's resources." In 2021, Piana Technology established benchmark sustainability metrics that enable the company to reduce its overall organizational, facility, and product-level environmental impact, especially its greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint. Piana Technology's 2023 ESG report highlights the company's tremendous growth in implementing new programs and systems to lessen its impact on all fronts. "At Piana Technology, ESG priorities are at the heart of our mission," said Silvia Galasso , Executive Vice President of Piana Sleep , the bedding division of Piana Technology. "We aim to lead and inspire as we make meaningful improvements in our environmental footprint and the wellbeing of our people." Piana Technology is dedicated to leading change through example, transforming into a business for good, and working with those who share the Piana vision. For more information on Piana Technology's 2023 ESG report, visit: https://www.piana.tech/sustainability About Piana Technology The Piana family's roots began in the textile business in 1582 in Biella, Italy , evolving over centuries to develop innovative solutions in the industry, starting with traditional textile dyeing in 1950 and opening their first American factory in Cartersville, Georgia in 1995. Today, Piana Technology is a multinational company addressing common problems with unique solutions in nonwovens, digital printing, and fiber treatments. Piana provides the hidden technology behind many everyday consumer products—from automotive to home furnishings—replacing conventional materials with socially and environmentally responsible technologies. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/piana-technologys-annual-environmental-social-and-governance-esg-report-underscores-its-unwavering-commitment-to-sustainability-and-innovation-302316825.html SOURCE Piana TechnologyFox News contributor Karl Rove discusses the outrage over President Biden's pardons of death row inmates. President-elect Trump on Monday pledged to seek the death penalty for certain federal criminal defendants, days after President Biden controversially commuted the death sentences for 37 inmates. Biden's move to reclassify the death sentences to life without the possibility of parole was heavily criticized by Republicans and many Democrats. 'SQUAD' DEM APPLAUDS BIDEN FOR SPARING MURDERERS FROM 'RACIST' DEATH PENALTY IN 11TH-HOUR CLEMENCY MOVE President-elect Donald Trump points at AmericaFest, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Phoenix. On Monday, Trump pledged to have the Justice Department pursue the death penalty following President Biden's move to commute death sentences for 37 inmates. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) "As soon as I am inaugurated, I will direct the Justice Department to vigorously pursue the death penalty to protect American families and children from violent rapists, murderers, and monsters," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. We will be a Nation of Law and Order again!" In his message announcing the move, the White House said Biden's actions would prevent the incoming Trump administration from "carrying out the execution sentences that would not be handed down under current policy and practice." BIDEN SETS RECORD WITH FIRST-TERM CLEMENCY GRANTS, HERE'S HOW OTHER PRESIDENTS RANK Only three men on federal death row failed to meet Biden's requirements for having their sentences commuted. They are: Robert Bowers, the Tree of Life Synagogue shooter who killed 11 people in 2018; Dylann Roof, a White supremacist who killed nine Black parishioners at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, in 2015; and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, who worked with his now-dead brother to carry out the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing that killed three people and injured hundreds. Trump spokesman Steven Chueng on Monday said Biden's action was a "a slap in the face to the victims, their families, and their loved ones." CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP During Trump's first term, 13 federal prisoners were put to death, the most under any president in a century. Upon taking office in 2021, Biden declared a moratorium on federal executions. Louis Casiano is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to louis.casiano@fox.com .