Latest news with #10OnYourSide
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Franklin Mayor apologizes for using the word ‘thugs'
FRANKLIN, Va. (WAVY) — The city of Franklin remains in recovery mode following the Blackwater River flood of 1999 that destroyed 100 homes and 182 businesses. A storm of another kind hit in 2009 when International Paper shutdown its Franklin Mill. More than a thousand people lost their jobs and the city lost more than $13 million in annual revenue. The city's recovery could take another hit as the public school system faces turmoil now. Superintendent Dr. Carlton Carter's job is on the line amid complaints from earlier this year when he reassigned the popular principal of Franklin High School. Wednesday, Dr. Carter agreed to sit for an interview with 10 On Your Side, but upon arrival at Morton Elementary School, Carter reversed course and issued a statement. 'Ma'am, unfortunately, the School Board has directed me not to comment on this [reassignment controversy] at this time,' said Dr. Carter, who was sworn in as Superintendent in March of 2023. At the time, Dr. Carter promised to increase parental and community engagement. The engagement turned against him on Valentine's Day when some students at Franklin High School attempted a walk-out in protest of Dr. Carter's decision to reassign the principal of Franklin High School to administrative duties, which included coordination of extra curricular activities. Mayor Paul Kaplan, who has previously called for Dr. Carter's resignation, used a pejorative term to describe Dr. Carter and his supporters in a July 9 email. The email was addressed to a former teacher who is apparently taking legal action. 10 On Your Side shared a portion of the Mayor's email with Mona Murphy, who is a former member of the school board and the city council. The email in part reads: … I was a big supporter of Dr. Carter and the board until Feb. 14th when all hell broke loose and Carter and his central office staff were proven to be what we've discovered they are. Especially the staff. I believe some of the board has just drunk the kool-aid like I had. I found an antidote and I don't understand why they haven't. It's an absolute shame what this board has allowed Carter and his thugs to get away with. I pray we will find a solution to this terrible situation very soon! Murphy was visibly upset by the tone and tenor of Kaplan's email. 'To call us thugs, I think is the most racist tone that you can get. [To] call our staff, to talk about Dr. Carter like that, because he has done more in the few years that he has been the superintendent than the past history,' said Murphy, who is a community advocate. During Monday's Council meeting and in a telephone interview with 10 On Your Side, Mayor Kaplan doubled down on the use of the word 'thug'. Regina Mobley: So you continue to stand by the use of the word thug? Paul Kaplan: Yes, because of the retaliations that are done against staff members… against staff who have spoken out, and corroborated reports, of what appears to be retaliation and that's why I use the word 'thugs.'10 On Your Side asked the mayor if he suspects fraud is an issue in the Franklin School system since the word thug is often associated with criminal activity. 'I don't have any reason to believe, at this point, that anybody was padding their personal bank accounts, but I think there was there's a possibility that [whether] they were watching the use of their money properly. My hope is that all of this gets cleared up and that they were using their money properly,' Kaplan said. The controversy apparently exposed the mayor's improper use of city email. The email in question was addressed to a former teacher, but was sent to Dr. Carter, members of the School Board and every member of the City Council. During Monday's council meeting Mayor Kaplan explained that he accidentally hit reply all instead of reply in responding to the former teacher's email. The one click mistake may have created a violation since the widely distributed exchange may have formed virtual city council and school board meetings. State law requires public notification when three members or more gather to discuss city business. Later in the telephone interview, 10 On Your Side pressed Mayor Kaplan on the use of the word 'thug' by revealing Mona Murphy called the statement racist and stated that the former schoolboard and council member called for his resignation. '[Murphy] knows me very well and she knows me better than that. I have actually been a champion for racial equality my entire life,' Kaplan said. Is an apology in order? 'Apology? Maybe for the choice of that word that I've used,' Kaplan said. Did he also use the word in a city council meeting? 'I don't know if I said the word,' Kaplan said. 'I think I said I stand by what I said. But it's certainly not intended as a racial slur in any way, shape or form. And I've never heard the word thug as a racial slur.' The Franklin School Board meets Thursday evening for a regularly scheduled meeting. A full schedule of their meetings can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Polls officially open in Virginia for June primaries
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY)— It's primary day in Virginia. The outcome will determine who appears on the ballot for the general election in November. 10 On Your Side was outside the Chrysler Museum, one of the polling locations in Norfolk, early this morning when polls opened at 6 a.m. If you do not live in Norfolk, registered voters can vote in any primary in their precinct. Most localities in the 757 will be having just a Democratic Party primary. All 133 Virginia counties and cities have Democratic primaries, but only 31 will have a Republican primary. Virginia June 2025 Primary Voter Guide Tuesday morning, voters cast their ballots, saying every election is an important one. 'Essentially, if you're going to get the people you want in charge, we're going to make for a better situation here,' said voter Christine Drake. Today, Virginia Democrats will vote on a six-way primary for lieutenant governor. There is no Republican primary for lieutenant governor because one of the two candidates dropped out for health reasons, making former radio host John Reid the Republican nominee. 'In this new ugly era, I'm what we call a conservative fighter': John Reid fires back at Henrico rally 'I think it's our civic duty to participate in the elections whenever we can,' said voter Frank Drake. Here in Norfolk, the Commonwealth's Attorney for the Democratic candidate is between John F. Butler and incumbent Ramin Fatehi. Frank Drake says, for him, the role of Commonwealth's Attorney is crucial in this primary. 'We need to have people who can sense where crime is happening, who can make good decisions about whom to prosecute and who not to prosecute, and who can follow through and make sure that the facts are learned and that the appropriate judgment is rendered,' said Drake. One of the big races is for Virginia's Attorney General. Two Democratic candidates, Jay Jones and Shannon Taylor, will be on the ballot against incumbent Republican candidate Jason Miyares, who has served since 2022. Jones, Taylor make final pitch to voters ahead of Democratic Attorney General primary 'Integrity is so important in voting for people to make sure that what they say and what they do are the same on the same page,' said Christine Drake. Polls will close tonight at 7 p.m. For more information on candidates, click here. Continue to check for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
Unfolding investigation of Seaman Angelina Resendiz's death
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — 10 On Your Side is learning more about the next steps in the unfolding case of Seaman Angelina Resendiz's death. NCIS: Body confirmed as missing Norfolk Naval Station sailor; Navy sailor in confinement A fellow sailor is in pretrial confinement in connection with her death. The sailor's name has not been officially released, but he is likely confined at the Naval Consolidated Brig in Chesapeake, where individuals in pre-trial confinements are housed. 'He is believed to be there if he is in pretrial confinement in this area. That is exactly where he is,' said Attorney Robert Canoy. Active-duty military attorneys are called Judge Advocates or JAG Officers for short, and that is the type of work that Attorney Robert Canoy did for 11 years before becoming a private attorney with McCormack & McCormack. Within two days, a probable cause hearing is expected. There is an Initial Review Officer's Hearing within seven days to determine if he gets released or held in confinement. 'Essentially, at that point, the prosecution has to demonstrate to that officer that there's evidence supporting the charges, probable cause, or what could be charges and that he is either a flight risk or a danger to commit additional misconduct in order to hold him there,' said Canoy. Secondly, there is an Article 32 Preliminary Hearing, 'Similar to what we do in civilian court, that has to happen first. That would kind of be his first major public hearing,' Canoy said. Then, general court-martial, arraignment, and trial happens afterwards. 'In terms of the system, like the biggest differences between civilian and military court hearings, you do not have to have a unanimous verdict in the military. Three quarters is good enough, so those are kind of some of the basic differences,' Canoy said. Bonds are handled differently as well. 'So, there are no cash bonds or money to get out. It's just whether they believe there's grounds to hold him or not. There is no such thing as bonds in the military in terms of an unsecured or secured bond. Like you pay money, and you come out. It's either they believe that there's sufficient evidence, that he's a flight risk, or a danger to commit additional misconduct or not, and that those things don't have to be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, but a lower standard of evidence,' Canoy said. 'If those things exist, they will hold him there pending trial, and if they do not, then they would have to release him. That decision then becomes reviewable by a military judge down the road. An actual judge.' The mother of Esmerelda Castle has issues with how the investigation was handled. 'She has an issue with the communication of identification. She has an issue that she received word three to four hours early prior to being notified by NCIS,' said family spokesperson Michael Muhammad. Muhammad told 10 On Your Side the most troubling issue was the delay in the issuance of the Ashanti alert. 'Six days later, they issued a critically missing adult on the Ashanti alert. The unfortunate reality is critical time had passed,' said Muhammad. The mother of Esmerelda Castle is also attempting to figure out the suspect's relationship to her daughter. 'Mom is talking to friends. She's talking to coworkers and people who have known him and have known her daughter to try and understand what this connection was and what this relationship was,' said Muhammad. Attorney Robert Canoy said the suspect's name will be unveiled no later than Monday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
Hit-and-run victim in Norfolk left with serious injuries, driver still at large
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — A man named Owen Simmons was riding his bike from his occupation as a hairstylist when he was hit by a car and seriously injured in Norfolk on Sunday night, according to police. The hit and run happened at the intersection of Granby St and E Princess Anne Rd. The driver took off and is still yet to be found. 10 On Your Side spoke with Simmons' sister Melissa, who said another driver saw her brother on the road after he was struck and called 911. He was taken to Sentra Norfolk General Hospital for immediate care. 'He was going downhill quite a bit real fast. They ended up putting a breathing tube in him and took him up to the ICU,' said Melissa Sorey, Owen Simmons' sister. Simmons suffered bleeding in his brain, fractures to his face and a C4 spinal cord injury. Police stated his injuries were not life threatening, but Sorey disagrees. 'His face was all messed up and swollen. He had a seizure, and they said he had flatlined also. It was just really devastating to see him the way that he was,' said Sorey. Sorey said it took nearly 24 hours to discover her brother was in the hospital. She did not find out from authorities, but from coworkers who noticed that Simmons had been absent from work. 'I haven't heard anything from the police. He hadn't shown up to work. Another friend started calling around to the hospital and that's when they found him here at Norfolk Sentara,' said Sorey. 10 On Your Side also spoke with Kimberly Bruce, a family friend who had to find where Simmons was hospitalized. 'He had his wallet on him. So, they knew his address, they knew his name. That's the only reason they could identify who he was. Nobody was notified. I had to find him. I called Sentara Norfolk General. After conversing for a little while, I found out he was there,' said Bruce. Bruce and Sorey are calling on anyone with information to come forward so authorities can find the driver responsible. 'Just please come and say something. Anything. Even if you make an anonymous call, ring camera video, anything you've seen, even if it's a half license plate, come and say something to somebody,' said Bruce. The Norfolk Police Department asks anyone with information in this case to call the Norfolk Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP. Simmons will have a long road to recovery. If you'd like to help him get back on his feet, a link to his GoFundMe can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
$10M defamation lawsuit filed against Kellam High School principal over 'racist harassment' incident
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) – The families of three Kellam High School students are suing the school's principal, Ryan Schubart, alleging he 'published materially false and defamatory statements in an email addressed to the entire student body on or about March 13, 2025.' Schubart's email claimed that the students engaged in 'racist harassment' and that 'the students involved will be disciplined to the fullest extent possible.' But the civil complaint says that the plaintiffs were part of a 'close friend group' that included the student alleged to have been the victim of racist harassment. The incident took place on March 12, the birthday of the alleged victim. According to the lawsuit, before the start of school, the plaintiffs 'presented the gift recipient with a gift intended as a joke consisting of handwritten notes on a birthday card, a bag of fried chicken, and various candy, which was received in the same spirit as a friendly gift by the recipient.' The lawsuit also claims that security camera footage of the incident shows 'the plaintiffs, the gift recipient, and other students laughing, hugging, and engaging in friendly behavior,' and that the entire encounter lasted '2-3 minutes.' The three plaintiffs, who are remaining anonymous due to the sensitive nature of the allegations, were subsequently removed from the school, and according to the lawsuit, 'have been threatened and property damage has occurred.' 10 On Your Side's Cheyenne Pagan is interviewing attorney Tim Anderson, who is representing the three students, and will provide updates as they are made available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
