Latest news with #JosephPerkins
ABC News
02-07-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Council investigates dog deaths linked to Townsville beach
Three dogs have died after sniffing around coconuts on a popular off-leash dog beach in Townsville. Vets are mystified and say the only common factor is the dogs had been playing with coconuts found in the sand. Veterinarian Alistair Graham-Evans said the three family pets died from acute liver failure this week, falling ill hours after separate visits to the Pallarenda dog beach in Townsville. "Tragically they have all died despite intensive care," Dr Graham-Evans said. "The common factor to all three is that they were all on Pallarenda dog beach and all three were eating, chewing, or playing with coconuts." Dr Graham-Evans said his team alerted authorities who were investigating possible toxic exposure to beach coconuts contaminated with blue-green algae. He said the exact cause of death could only be proven through a post-mortem exam, which the dogs' owners were reluctant to authorise. James Cook University PhD candidate Joseph Perkins said it was possible microorganisms such as blue-green algae, stemming from a larger algal bloom, had attached onto the coconut fibres. "The cyanobacteria, they're microscopic organisms and they're natural within the environment and under certain conditions they can rapidly grow and cause these algal blooms," he said. "It seems like what's happening with this tragic incident is that it could be through contact with these microscopic organisms." Mr Perkins said water sample tests could determine if there was an algal bloom off the coast. A Townsville City Council spokesperson said in a statement it was investigating the matter and would update the community as soon as possible. Dr Graham-Evans said he urged pet owners to be cautious about the exposure risk. "To our knowledge, three dogs have been affected and the circumstances are similar enough to issue a warning," he said.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Yahoo
Pekin man convicted of attempting to lure minor for sex
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — A Pekin man was convicted by a federal jury Wednesday for attempting to lure what he thought was a 13-year-old girl to Peoria to have sex with her. Joseph Perkins, 32, was found guilty after about two hours of deliberations on the charge of attempted enticement of a minor. He will be held in the custody of the U.S. marshals pending his Aug. 13 sentencing by Senior U.S. District Judge Michael Mihm. Testimony in the three-day trial at Peoria's federal courthouse indicated that Perkins engaged in several sexually explicit chats with the 'girl' — in reality an FBI agent. The chats, according to federal court records, began in January 2023 and lasted through March 2024. Finally, Perkins set up an time to meet with the 'girl' at a Starbucks location in Peoria. When he arrived at the store, agents found him and arrested him. He said, according to court records, that he had gone to the store to have sex with the 'girl' but while on his way, changed his mind. He now faces at least 10 years and possibly up to life in prison when he's sentenced. He could also be placed on a lifetime term of supervised release — the federal version of probation — if he's released from custody. The case against Perkins was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative by the Justice Department to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Yahoo
T.F. Green Airport security chief resigns after four months on the job
The departure lane at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport in Warwick. (Photo by Janine L. Weisman/Rhode Island Current) The head of security at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport abruptly resigned Tuesday after only four months on the job over what he said are 'leadership failures.' He also accused management of wanting to get rid of its police department. Joseph Perkins confirmed his departure from the director of security job he began last September via text message Wednesday afternoon. Perkins had retired that same month as chief of police of Middleboro, Massachusetts, after a 35-year career in law enforcement, including a decade leading the town's force. 'I came from out of state — I knew no one in the state prior to accepting the job and certainly no one at the airport,' Perkins told Rhode Island Current. 'After 90 days on the job, I quickly surmised that remaining employed at the airport under the current administrative leadership was something I would not do.' He declined to state specific issues that led to his resignation. In a message to coworkers Tuesday obtained by Rhode Island Current, Perkins apologized for being unable to promote a more positive atmosphere at the airport. 'I am sorry I was not able to become what I and most of you expected when I took this job,' Perkins wrote. Perkins alleged airport leadership wants to 'eliminate the police department and most of all the union.' Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC) spokesperson Bill Fischer denied the claim. 'There are no plans to eliminate the RIAC police department and the department is properly staffed and able to fulfill its mission,' he said in a statement. The department has 27 officers, he confirmed. Fischer claimed the airport never received a letter of resignation from Perkins and that no concerns were ever raised to management. 'Mr. Perkins did not notify his department head and direct report who found this development to be somewhat of a surprise – if not odd behavior,' Fischer said. Perkins said he submitted his resignation to the Rhode Island State Police. Rhode Island State Police when asked for comment replied as follows: 'Joseph Perkins is not an employee of Rhode Island DPS (Department of Public Safety). Respectfully, all questions regarding Chief Perkins should be directed to either the Rhode Island Airport Corporation or Chief Perkins.' Perkins called his decision to resign 'honorable and justified.' 'Walking away and not notifying someone of the issues I observed during my time there is not something my conscience or my professional character and oath would allow,' he said Wednesday. Perkins said he was a non-union 'uncontracted employee-at-will director' and awaiting certification in Rhode Island to be the airport's chief of police. His departure is the latest personnel change in a turbulent relationship between labor and management at the airport. Workers organized under RI Council 94 for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) have been working without a contract since last June. T.F. Green Airport union leader accused of trespassing after getting fired 'The abrupt resignation of Public Safety Director Perkins is reflective of the issues the union has been raising for months,' Jim Cenerini, legislative affairs/political action coordinator at Rhode Island Council 94 AFSCME said in an interview Wednesday. 'The Rhode Island Airport Corporation treats both their union and non-union employees horribly.' In early October, RIAC announced it had retained DeSisto's firm after learning airlines received anonymous letters claiming the airport had a toxic work environment — including one sent to airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration claiming the airport would be closed Aug. 13 due to an employee walkout. No walkout ever happened. The situation escalated further with the firing of the union's president last October, followed by a trespassing accusation that only deepened the rift. In November, roughly a dozen airport employees were warned not to destroy records related to the anonymous letters. Contract negotiations remain ongoing, according to both Fischer and Cenerini. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
