New England Sun-Times

Pulaski County, Indiana, is home to less than 14,000 people. In all of 2012, they saw only 11 larceny or theft incidents, one murder and a grand total of 17 property crimes. Yet, their police force has a mine-resistant ambush protection vehicle at their disposal. Mine resistant vehicles and other wartime assets are going to law enforcement agencies across the nation. The Pulaski County Sheriff in Indiana received an MRAP to police its roughly 14,000 citizens, and a county with the same name in Arkansas got one as well, shown here (Image source: KTHV-TV). “It’s more intimidating than a Dodge,” Pulaski County Sheriff Michael Gayer told the Indianapolis Star . Eight Indiana law enforcement agencies acquired MRAPs from military surplus since 2010, The Indianapolis Star reported. The vehicles are among a broad array of 4,400 items — everything from coats to computers to high-powered rifles — acquired by police and sheriff’s departments across the state. “The United

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Rhode Island State Police charged an East Providence man for withdrawing over $70,000 from customer accounts at Bank Rhode Island. Victor N. Silva, 34, reportedly used the funds to pay his mortgage and other personal expenses. Silva was the East Providence Branch Manager, and also filled in as Pawtucket Branch Manager at Bank Rhode Island. State Police say he withdrew money several times at both locations from three separate customer accounts. The former Bank RI Branch Manager reportedly forged withdrawal slips to make the unauthorized transactions. Silva was arraigned at the Sixth Division District Court on charges of embezzlement by a bank officer or employee over $1,500 and forgery. He was released on $10,000 personal recognizance and is scheduled to return to district court on August 14 for a pre-arraignment conference. If convicted, Silva could be face 20 years in prison and a $21,000 fine.

(Reuters) - Baltimore has become the latest U.S. city planning to set curfews for teenagers to curb rising crime, with critics calling the move legal overreach. The Baltimore City Council voted late on Monday to require children under 14 to be off the streets by 9 p.m., and those under 16 to be home by 10 p.m. Parents can be fined $500 if their children are caught on the street after the curfew. Democratic Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said she would sign the law next month, calling it a much-needed tool. The curfew would take effect in July. "We all know that when children are on the streets late at night without proper supervision, they are more likely to either become the perpetrators or the victims of violent crime," she said in a statement. Indianapolis; Oakland, California; and Austin, Texas are considering curfews. Several other U.S. cities have already imposed them, including Miami, Philadelphia and Houston. The clampdown in Baltimore come

By Amanda Milkovits amilkovi@providencejournal.com Leon Taylor, 31, is wanted by the Providence police for the stabbing death of David Simmons  PROVIDENCE, R.I.  – The police are asking for the public’s help to find a Providence man accused of fatally stabbing another man in Elmwood on Monday. Leon Taylor, 32, is wanted in the murder of David Simmons, 32, who was found dying on Dartmouth Avenue. Police said they may have been fighting over a woman related to Taylor. Simmons, who is originally from Flushing, N.Y., had moved in with someone on Dartmouth Avenue recently from Brockton, Mass. Taylor may be driving a green or blue  Nissan Maxima with temporary Rhode Island plates, according to the police. Earlier Wednesday, the police said Taylor could be in the company of a woman.  Hours after releasing Taylor's mugshot and requesting the public's help in finding him, the police announced that they were no longer looking for the woman, who is b

A major disaster, war has happened to you and to your area, to such a degree that the govt. has declared Martial Law. The more often used "State of Emergency" is similar to this, only weaker. Martial Law means that the governance is under total military control, and that certain things, such as due process is no longer in effect, and the military can and will kill all who violate all laws without trial, etc. Here is how you should behave to survive a period of Martial Law. In the USA: The President of the US A State governor - for his/her state only When this is done, all military forces are called up into active duty and will remain active until what prompted the declaration is negated. Other nations have different criteria for declaring Martial Law. Example: In Pakistan: The Chief of Army Staff In Argentina: The President with authorization from two thirds of the Congress. Steps 1 . Comply with all directives. Failure to do so will g

R&B's "King of Stage" Bobby Brown is reinventing himself as a barbecue connoisseur with the launch of his own collection of sauces, seasonings and mixes. The New Edition star reveals cooking has always been a passion of his and he is now turning his hobby into a business. He says, "I learned to cook a long time ago. When I was younger and on punishment, that was my punishment, where I had to stay in the kitchen with my mother and actually learn how to cook. "This is not something that is new to me; it's been a part of my life for a long time." The Bobby Brown Foods product line, created from the singer's personal recipes, includes flavours such as Bobby's Original BBQ Sauce, Boston Blend Seasoning and Sweet and Spice Sauce. The items will go on sale this autumn. Brown isn't the only celebrity to enter the saucy industry - R&B legend Patti LaBelle owns her own Good Life range of hot sauces and relishes, whil

Carmen Cobain Boston Hip-Hop has lost one of it's greatest rappers. Carmen Cobain, who's freestyles and written lyrics were considered top notch, was a great among the men and women in Boston's Hip-Hop scene. Carmen battled self esteem issues, had a few stints in jail and drug treatment programs, and battled the demons inside her for years. She worked through her issues through music, and had ups and downs along the way. One of the rappers who worked with Carmen Cobain, Louis Armstrong, was obviously grieved of hearing today's news of his friend's death:   Armstrong's sentiments are heartfelt and shared by many rappers from the Boston rap scene, including Roxbury's own Bay Holla, who posted on her Facebook page:   "Just heard about my fellow MC Carmen Cobain . May she rest in peace. I worked with her on her first project. My heart goes out to #LouArmstrong . My heart is with the HM squad. Dam my heart hurts. NEW ENGLAN

‘Integrity units’ studying whether justice was served By Jennifer Peltz  | Associated Press   June 08, 2014   Robert Hill (center) stood with his attorneys, Harold Ferguson and Sharon Katz, in May as a Supreme Court justice in Brooklyn exonerated him of a decades-old killing. NEW YORK — When three half-brothers’ decades-old murder convictions were thrown out last month, they became a dramatic example of an idea spreading among prosecutors nationwide: ‘‘integrity units’’ dedicated to double-checking convictions to determine whether justice was served. Over the last seven years, more than a dozen prosecutors’ offices across the country have created such teams or expert panels to review wrongful conviction claims. The groups have agreed to revisit more than 4,900 cases, resulting in at least 61 convictions tossed so far, according to a tally compiled from interviews, prosecutors’ reports, and news accounts.