Latest news with #Schmitt
Washington Post
a day ago
- General
- Washington Post
She lost her diamond. A crew of strangers began looking on hands and knees.
April Schmitt was never superstitious about Friday the 13th. She got engaged on Friday, March 13, 1992, and married on another Friday the 13th that November. For more than three decades, those dates marked happy milestones. But on Friday, June 13, Schmitt found herself wondering if her luck had run out. After a stressful week managing a work event in Los Angeles, Schmitt landed in Pittsburgh. Her trip home had already hit a couple of snags — a delayed flight, an unanticipated overnight stay in Philadelphia — and she was eager to be back with her family. About 30 minutes into her 40-minute drive home, Schmitt noticed something strange. 'I touched my ring, and it felt sharp,' Schmitt said. 'I look down, and there were just four empty prongs staring at me. I instantly felt sick to my stomach. My heart sank.' She turned her car around and rushed back to Pittsburgh International Airport. On the way, she retraced her steps and realized her round diamond — the one her husband of 32 years proposed to her with — likely came loose at baggage claim. 'I think the bag sort of shifted, and I pinched my hand between the suitcase and the carousel,' Schmitt said. 'I jerked my hand back and didn't actually think anything of it.' When she got back to the airport, she started frantically looking around American Airlines Baggage Claim B. She reported the lost diamond to an airline staffer, who then alerted airport staff. A group of 6 airline service technicians promptly arrived at the carousel to search for the diamond. 'I found the woman on her hands and knees with the flashlight on her phone looking,' said Tom Riordan, a stationary engineer who has worked at the airport for 20 years. While some airport workers climbed underneath the carousel to look inside, others searched the exterior. Some travelers joined the effort, too. 'Several good Samaritans were trying to crawl around and look as well,' Schmitt said. 'These are just good, wholesome people. … They could see how much it meant to me.' After an hour and a half of looking, Schmitt was beginning to lose hope. Although the diamond was insured, Schmitt said, no replacement stone would have had the same sentimental value. 'I just felt so deflated,' Schmitt said. The workers told her there would be a lull in incoming flights shortly, and staff on the next shift would continue looking for her diamond. 'I must confess, I didn't really 100 percent believe that they were going to,' said Schmitt, who decided to cut her losses and drive home. But, to Schmitt's surprise, the airport staff kept their word. A few hours later, around 3:45 p.m., Schmitt got a call. The diamond had been found. 'I was like, 'Wait, what?!'' said Schmitt, who drove back to the airport. 'I was just so excited.' Sean Dempsey, a stationary engineer at the airport, found the diamond inside the debris-filled carousel — in the exact spot Schmitt believed it popped out of the prongs. The service technicians explained that there is a trapdoor at the top of the carousel, giving them access to climb underneath. 'I just was crawling with a flashlight, and we had paint sticks to scrape all the dirt away,' he said. 'The diamond caught a little bit of light, and I found it.' Airport staff said supporting travelers is their primary job. 'This is one of several incidents that we've recently had, including golf clubs that needed to get returned to somebody at the U.S. Open,' said Christina Cassotis, chief executive of Pittsburgh International Airport. 'It's not the first time we've found a diamond. This is what we do.' 'She was so grateful, with tears in her eyes that the diamond was found,' Riordan said of Schmitt. 'It was so nice to be able to get it back to her.' Schmitt said she offered to bring the staff food, make a donation or give them gifts to show her appreciation. They declined. 'They were like, 'Seeing your smile is all the reward we need,'' said Schmitt, who returned to the airport on June 26 to give each person who assisted a small gift and a thank-you card. Schmitt said she still feels stunned she got her diamond back, and that so many strangers were willing, for hours, to help. 'It so restored my faith in humanity,' she said. Schmitt took the ring to be repaired at the same jeweler where her husband designed it years ago. The diamond, Schmitt said, has even more meaning now. 'It's very special,' she said. And as it turns out, Friday the 13th kept its lucky streak for Schmitt. 'It was just such a gift to me to be reminded of how good people can be,' she said.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Oklahoma Sooners projected to land 4-star OT out of Colorado
The Oklahoma Sooners have been building momentum in the 2026 recruiting class, picking up several commitments over the last week, headlined by last Friday's commitment from four-star quarterback Bowe Bentley. The Sooners have also picked up pledges from kicker Trace Rudd, linebacker Beau Jandreau, and defensive end Daniel Norman following the ChampU BBQ. But Oklahoma may be on the verge of adding some more offensive help in the class. The Sooners were projected to land four-star offensive tackle Deacon Schmitt by Josh McCuistion of SoonerScoop and On3 on Wednesday evening. Schmitt is considered the No. 1 player in the state of Colorado by On3 and is considered the No. 19 offensive tackle in the class by ESPN. He currently holds offers from 21 Power Four schools, including seven SEC schools. Schmitt took official visits with Alabama, Oklahoma, USC, Tennessee, and Nebraska and will announce his commitment on Saturday June 28. He's down to three schools, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Alabama and it looks like the Sooners are the favorites to win his commitment. The Sooners currently have just one offensive lineman committed in the 2026 cycle, interior offensive lineman Noah Best. Adding a talent like Schmitt gives the Sooners another blue-chip offensive lineman, and in Schmitt, someone who can play on the inside at guard or continue to develop his game at offensive tackle. Deacon Schmitt Recruiting Profile Watch Deacon Schmitt highlights on Hudl Vitals Ratings Offers Per 247Sports Social Media Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow John on X @john9williams.
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Colorado football targets four key 2026 commitments ahead of early July decisions
Whether the outcomes are positive or not, the Colorado Buffaloes are nearing a pivotal stretch in their 2026 recruiting campaign. Head coach Deion Sanders, although currently away from the team, has a pair of three-star commitments already in the fold — tight end Gavin Mueller from Illinois and defensive lineman Domata Peko Jr. — but that list is likely to grow in the coming weeks. Several highly touted prospects are expected to announce their college commitments soon, with four Colorado targets announcing their decisions by July 12. Here is a breakdown of the four recruits who could potentially become the next additions to Colorado's 2026 class: 4-star OL Deacon Schmitt Commitment date: June 28 The top in-state product per 247Sports, Deacon Schmitt, is set to choose between Colorado, Alabama and Oklahoma. Schmitt is from Windsor, Colorado, which is just a short drive from Boulder. He could choose to stay close to home and become an immediate fan favorite. "The environment is always a blast!" Schmitt told On3. "Growing up in Colorado, I have been around Boulder a lot! The opportunity to become a hometown hero is very special to me. I love CU in general. Everyone there is awesome and they are working on something very special!" 3-star OL Tripp Skewes Commitment date: July 1 Skewes is another in-state product, but played his high school ball south of Boulder, closer to downtown Denver. The 6-foot-7, 300-pound offensive tackle is narrowing his focus to Colorado, Vanderbilt, North Carolina and Texas Tech. After visiting all four schools this summer, the Buffs appear to have momentum thanks to their proximity. 5-star WR Cederian Morgan Commitment date: July 2 Morgan can be a game-changing receiver at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds. He ranks as one of the elite pass catchers in the 2026 class. His recent visit to Colorado was a surprise, perhaps indicating increased interest between the two parties. Landing him would be a signature recruiting victory for Sanders, who typically is good for at least one big splash per recruiting cycle. 4-star LB Rodney Colton Jr. Commitment: July 12 With depth at linebacker being a big priority, Colton would be an impact addition for the Buffs. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound recruit recently wrapped up a visit to Boulder and will choose between Colorado, Penn State, Florida State, UCLA and Ole Miss. July could be a transformative month for a Colorado recruiting class that only has two commitments through mid-June. Follow Charlie Strella on X, Threads and Instagram. Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.
Business Upturn
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Upturn
SEDA Experts Enhances AML and Fraud Investigations Capabilities with Addition of Colin L. Schmitt
New York, NY, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — 'We are delighted to welcome former FBI Special Agent Colin Schmitt to SEDA Experts,' said Peter Selman, Managing Partner of SEDA Experts. 'Colin brings extraordinary investigative experience and a deep understanding of financial crime, which will be of great value to our clients globally.' Colin Schmitt is a seasoned investigator and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) with over 25 years of distinguished experience in federal law enforcement and private investigations. Retired from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Mr. Schmitt served as a Special Agent, Supervisory Special Agent, and Unit Chief, specializing in range of critical national and international investigations, including financial fraud, healthcare fraud, public corruption, civil rights enforcement, and counterterrorism operations. During his FBI tenure, Mr. Schmitt led the Financial Crimes, Public Corruption, and Civil Rights Squad in Riverside, under the Los Angeles Field Office. He established the first Public Corruption Task Force in collaboration with the District Attorney's Offices of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. Under his leadership, the task force executed the largest cash bribe sting in FBI history—paying a $1.2 million bribe. Mr. Schmitt also directed the logistics support component of the San Bernardino terrorist investigation, coordinating over 900 leads within 20 days and contributing to the successful prosecution of remaining co-conspirators. Before his leadership in Riverside, Mr. Schmitt was stationed at FBI Headquarters within the Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Directorate. As Supervisory Special Agent and later Unit Chief of the Operations Unit, he oversaw the national Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Coordinator Program and led multi-agency training exercises in partnership with U.S. intelligence entities. Over his career, he contributed to more than 40 major federal cases involving crimes such as terrorism financing, fraud, conspiracy, and money laundering. He also served in specialized roles including SWAT Operator, Profiler, Informant Coordinator, and Inspector-in-Place. Following his retirement from the FBI, Mr. Schmitt founded Chronos Investigations, where he applies his deep expertise as a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) to conduct high-stakes corporate investigations. His private-sector work includes cases involving workers' compensation fraud, embezzlement, sexual assault, hostile workplace complaints, and inventory shrinkage. Mr. Schmitt holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Economics from the University of Missouri – Columbia and an MBA from Northeastern University – Boston. About SEDA Experts LLC SEDA is a leading expert witness firm specializing in financial services. We support international law firms by offering the highest level of expertise across the financial industry and providing access to the most influential financial services industry leaders. We provide superior independent advice, data analytics, valuation, and elite expert reports and testimony services to law firms, regulators, and leading financial institutions. Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same. Ahmedabad Plane Crash
Fox Sports
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Gabriel Arias and Guardians spoil Rafael Devers' Giants debut with 3-2 win
Associated Press SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Gabriel Arias hit a go-ahead homer in the sixth inning and doubled in the ninth on a night when San Francisco celebrated new slugger Rafael Devers at every chance, and the Cleveland Guardians spoiled the fun by beating the Giants 3-2 on Tuesday. Jung Hoo Lee singled to start the bottom of the ninth against Emmanuel Clase, and Devers singled one out later before Heliot Ramos walked to load the bases for Dominic Smith. He flied out and Casey Schmitt struck out to end it as Clase earned his 15th save. Devers went 2 for 5 with two strikeouts in his Giants debut after being acquired in a trade from the Boston Red Sox on Sunday. He hit a go-ahead double in the third inning only for the Guardians to answer on Carlos Santana's RBI single in the fourth. Devers struck out in the first and fifth. Schmitt and Mike Yastrzemski hit consecutive singles to start the eighth against Hunter Gaddis, then Wilmer Flores entered as a pinch hitter. Flores lined out to left fielder Steven Kwan, who fired to second to get Schmitt for the double play. Arias connected for his fifth homer off lefty Robbie Ray (8-2), who struck out five and walked two, allowing three runs on five hits over six innings. Austin Hedges had a sacrifice fly in the third for Cleveland. Slade Cecconi (2-3) struck out six over five innings for the Guardians, who were coming off a sweep by the Mariners in Seattle and had lost five of six overall. Key moment Aside from Ramos' rocket throw home from left field to save a run with a double play to end the top of the ninth, for the Giants the best part of the day began long before first pitch when many of Devers' new teammates took time ahead of their pregame routines to attend his introductory news conference. Key stat The Giants came in with a .667 winning percentage (16-8) all-time vs. Cleveland, their best against any opponent. Up next Cleveland LHP Logan Allen (4-4, 4.28 ERA) faces Giants RHP Justin Verlander (0-3, 4.33), who returns from the injured list to make his 11th start this season. ___ AP MLB: recommended
