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Ronald G. released on parole; "I've been framed. Typical anti-Italian discrimination", says Ronald G; "Outrageous attempt to associate him with LCN", says his attorney
BY LSNN
Los Santos, SA - On the 11th of May, 2021, at 4 pm, Ronald G. walked out of the Twin Towers Correctional Facility; released on parole. The Superior Court of San Andreas has come to a verdict on the allegations and delivered a ruling on the case State of San Andreas v. Ronald G. The court ruled that the defendant Ronald G. is guilty of Bribery of a Public Official, Pandering/Pimping, Pandering/Pimping (2nd offence), Pandering/Pimping (3rd offence), Pandering/Pimping (4th offence), Pandering/Pimping (5th offence), Conspiracy to Pandering/Pimping, Racketeering, Battery and not guilty of Assault.
Ronald G. seated inside the car
On the 10th of May, 2021, Honorable Justice Michael McMurray announced the charges, then proceed announcing the punishment for Ronald G - Life Imprisonment in state penal confinement with possibility of parole immediately as a basis of current time served due to the extent of the trial.
Prior to that, Ronald G's attorney Jordan Yong has expressed his disagreement with the prosecution many times in the courtroom. Meanwhile, Ronald G. could be seen calmly seated, with an annoyed facial expression from time to time.
In front of TTCF
"Racketeering. The most important charge in this whole case. Now that we have established that La Cosa Nostra exists, it couldn’t be easier to link the defendant to said criminal organization. The amount of evidence against the defendant regarding the racketeering charge is overwhelming, to say the least. Frankly, the People do not even have to prove that the defendant is a part of La Cosa Nostra, although that’s more than clear at this point. We’ve proved that he was a part of a criminal organization, who focused mainly on their brothel. Numerous people were involved in that brothel - not only escorts, but also management. An organized group of people, committing crimes - that’s the very definition of racketeering. Numerous ads, solid prices, employees, the property - that was all organized. There is nothing that could be said to contradict what was gathered. The defense will say pretty much anything to convince this Court that the defendant wasn’t associated with La Cosa Nostra, because they want their secret community to actually stay secret", is a part of Prosecutor Melanie Cromwell's closing statement in the courtroom.
"This has been a long, drawn out case, compounded by stacks of documents which had drowned out the key elements of this case. What we're dealing with here is an outrageous attempt by the prosecution to associate the defendant with the La Cosa Nostra. Ronald G. has his faults, he has made his share of mistakes, but this case is riddled with problems. Untenable accusations of Assault, Battery, Bribery, Pimping when the actions of the defendant do not even fit the prerequisites of these titles. Accusations without any physical evidence to support them. Accusations based on personal belief and views. A case built only on audio recordings", is a part of Attorney Jordan Yong's statement.
Ronald G. could be seen entering the backseat of a car and departing
In the courtroom, Ronald G. wore prison clothes, however, he took the chance to show his elegancy upon walking out of the TTCF, following his parole release, dressed in a grey suit, wearing glasses. While silent in the courtroom, just as he stepped foot out of prison, he had something to say to the media:
"Statement? Whaddaya want me to say? I believe I've been framed. Typical anti Italian discrimination. What goes around, comes around. And guess there's many more to come", said Ronald G. in an exclusive statement for LSNN.
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Levan "Lion" Botkoveli wins Fight Night at The Rockford Dome
BY LSNN
Los Santos, SA - On the 15th of April, 2021, at 8 pm, The Rockford Dome hosted a MMA fight night consisted of several fighters in top performance. The audience was cheering for their favourite fighters, with barely any space left out for spectators, as MMA fans occupied The Dome. The fight of the night was between Sala "The Maestro" Bolo and Levan "Lion" Botkoveli.
Sala Bolo (left), Levan Botkoveli (right)
The atmosphere during the match of the night was tense. Fans were cheering for Mr. Bolo and Mr. Botkoveli. No one could predict the result, until the very end of the match. And then, all of sudden, Botkoveli threw the final punch and left the cage as the winner of the fight night. Meanwhile, host Frank Palma was commenting the match along with retired professional boxer Angelo Sisca.
"Ho! Down goes the Maestro", said Mr. Palma, the fight night's host.
"He's a little wobbly, give him a couple of seconds. Cold water and he's okay to go", added Mr. Sisca.
When asked why did he decide to quit boxing, Sisca replied:
"I broke my nose three times when I was nineteen. I had to quit. I said to my manager, you got to fix my nose. You got to pay for the surgery, front it. He said no. That was the end of it. I got breathing problems now", said Mr. Sisca in a statement for the LSNN.
Frank Palma (left), Angelo Sisca (right)
"First of all I want to shoutout our gym which is South Central Boxing Gym. I invite everyone to come to our gym and train with us. It is a gym of future champions. And yeah, I'm feeling really great! People can call it easy fight, but it was a tough fight. I don't care who's going to be the next opponent. I'm the Lion. Step over and show yourself", said Mr. Botkoveli in a statement for the LSNN.
Botkoveli was surrounded by his friends and fans, who were visibly happy about his success. All of sudden, everything was covered in champagne, along with one of the LSNN cameras! The audience began leaving The Dome as the event ended, while some of them stayed to have a chat with their favourite fighters.
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Annoucements: Dennis Sidwell joins LSNN Management Team
BY LSNN
Los Santos, SA - The Los Santos News Network is excited to announce an addition to it's management team. Internationally acclaimed journalist, reporter, news anchor and editor Dennis Sidwell (35) has joined the LSNN management team. As a reporter, Sidwell has covered the most globally-discussed events of the past years. Sidwell will be based in Los Santos and starts his new role effective as of 12th March, managing all LSNN News broadcasting operations.
Dennis Sidwell in the LSNN studio
"I'm pleased to welcome Sidwell to the management team", said Network's President Christopher Gardner in a statement. "As always, we aim to deliver information that empowers by passionately delivering fast, accurate, unbiased, and accessible information. He was the ideal candidate to lead the LSNN News broadcasting team. I have great confidence in him."
"I'm glad to be on this position in the LSNN. This job is the right job for me, no doubt. I love every aspect of journalism", said Sidwell.
Sidwell obtained a master degree in journalism in one of the Boston Universities. He has been working in a News Network in Boston. One of his career highlights is the Broadcasting Management position in the said Network.
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Annoucements: News Anchor Victoria Miller joins LSNN Management Team
BY LSNN
Los Santos, SA - The Los Santos News Network is excited to announce an addition to it's management team. Internationally acclaimed broadcast journalist, news anchor, reporter, and producer Victoria Miller (28) has joined the LSNN management team. As an anchor and reporter, Miller has covered and analyzed the most significant global economic, financial, and geopolitical events of the past decade. Miller will be based in Los Santos and starts her new role effective 7th March, managing all LSNN News broadcasting operations.
Victoria Miller in the LSNN studio
"I'm thrilled to welcome Miller to the management team", said Network's President Christopher Gardner in a statement. "We aim to deliver information that empowers by passionately delivering fast, accurate, unbiased, and accessible information. Victoria, with her wide-ranging news broadcast background and exclusive reporting acumen, was the ideal candidate to lead the LSNN News broadcasting team."
Gardner added: "Victoria is a superb journalist with powerful interviewing skills and first-rate reporting. I have great confidence that she will guide LSNN News to a new era of audience growth, bringing our global news coverage to the next level."
"I am very excited to join the broadcasting management team and help it continue to excel as the leading source of variated content and to further expand news coverage. We will continue to provide LSNN viewers and readers with reliable, accurate news and fact-based analysis, insight, and opinion", said Miller.
Miller graduated from Manhattan University, obtaining a master degree in journalism. Some of her career highlights include working as a News Anchor for Manhattan News Network, located in New York. She hosted Sheriff Rick Washington and President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Frank Ernst on air and helped launch new programs in January 2021. Working as a journalist and broadcaster for years, Miller has extensive experience creating and producing flagship news programs.
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Sheriff Washington & LSSD host Davis Charity Event
BY VICTORIA MILLER
Los Santos, SA - On the 27th of February, 2021 at 9PM, the Los Santos County Sheriff's Department organized a charity event in Davis. Deputies were on scene directly volunteering and providing people in need with food. The event had a large turnout, with a lot of citizens in need attending it and accepting the deputies' help.
Deputies handing out food to those in need
Sheriff Rick Washington, head of the department, made the time to attend the event personally. He freely spoke with the various people who were interested in meeting the Sheriff. A local retired war veteran, Richard Hall, also had the opportunity to talk to the Sheriff and spoke with the LSNN team right after.
R. Hall with Sheriff Washington
"I'm Sergeant Richard Hall, Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division Reinforced. I thank the Sheriff for this food drive. My granddaughter is struggling. It's good that we have this charity event, it means a chance for me to eat something else too, not only microwaved food", Sgt. Hall told LSNN.
Assistant Sheriff Takada (left), Sheriff Washington (third from the left) with their deputies
Sheriff Washington told LSNN, "Our wonderful deputies from the Paleto Bay Patrol Station along with our information desk decided that it'd be great to give back to our community. Obviously in these trying times, food security is a huge issue. And it upsets me deeply that folks here in the United States, especially children go to bed hungry. With our partners in the community, we elected to provide simple food and basic necessities to folks in the communities we serve."
When asked to provide the media with a comment regarding the court case involving Deputy L.M. v. Los Santos Police Department, he briefly stated the following: "I can't comment too much in regards to ongoing court cases, even if they are civil. That being said, at the conclusion we will have a statement prepared."
The event didn't only attract the Los Santos County Sheriff's Department, however, Assistant District Attorney Jacqueline Keating was spotted attending the charitable event in a strong showing of support from the District Attorney's Office.
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Inmate murder at TTCF sparks DA investigation, concerns about inmate safety
BY VICTORIA MILLER
Los Santos, SA - On the 24th of January, 2021, an inmate of Hispanic descent was murdered with a sharp, medium-sized object resembling a knife while he in the custody of the Twin Towers Correctional Facility. On the 29th, the DA's Office indicted Mr. Kamil Houghton recommending a penalty of life imprisonment with no chance of parole on two charges of Attempted Murder and one First Degree Murder charge. He was found guilty of all charges.
Los Santos Twin Towers Correctional Facility
On the 25 of January, Deputy Sheriff Rin Kazama conducted an arrest on inmate Kamil H. for the murder of the inmate, whose identity is not able to be disclosed at this time. The arrest narrative detailed the harrowing scene:
"Deputy Sheriff Kazama arrived inside Pod A after handling an inmate release and other administrative tasks. Kazama stands at the guard station and observes the inmates talking. Moments later a fight breaks out on the top floor and Kazama calls for backup over the radio. As seen in the attached footage from Pod A, multiple inmates are seen falling to the ground with blood covering them. Deputies then enter the Pod en masse. After securing each inmate with handcuffs, each of them are then frisked for weaponry. Kamil was found to have two shanks on his person covered in blood. Kamil stayed quiet after being led to the isolation block."
The arrest report also detailed supporting footage that was offered to the court which detailed the events yet again in startling detail:"Camera footage in Pod A which shows a huge brawl between a large group of inmates. Three inmates would be seen on the ground bleeding after the group disperse. Deputies would secure the Pod and handcuff everyone one by one. Deputies would then frisk each person and find two shanks inside the pocket of one of the inmates. The camera footage can't tell who actually stabbed the inmates."
One of the TTCF pods, photo taken by Nayeli Greyfeather
The autopsy report revealed the extent of the brutal injuries sustained by the deceased, LSNN warns users that the contents of the report are disturbing and this constitutes a content warning:
Spoiler
Judge Eleanor Vailatti ruled on the case, finding Kamil guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of all charges:
"The Los Santos County District Attorney's Office has proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Mister Kamil Houghton is guilty of two (2) counts of attempted murder and one (1) count of murder in the first degree. They established this with forensically obtained evidence, matching the blood of three of the victims stabbed by the two bladed weapons, as well as the fingerprints of Mister Kamil H. found on said weapons. As for the footage provided from the Twin Towers Correctional Facility, it proves that Mister Kamil H. was there at the scene of the crime, as well as have participated (although it doesn't show to what degree) and that the bladed weapons were discovered on his person. Premeditation has been established, due to Mister Kamil H. having two handmade bladed weapons on his person. The Defense has failed to dispute these claims, and the Prosecution has established a burden of proof for the series of events.”
This recent death among more frequent outbreaks of prisoner violence have many in the city wondering whether TTCF is struggling to maintain the prison population; certainly as election season heats up conditions at TTCF for both prisoners and guards will be a hot button issue that many citizens will be interested in hearing bold new plans to resolve.
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LSNN Podcasts and News Minute Audiocasts aim to give you up to date news every hour on the hour. Tune into Station 310 for the latest news.
Original air date: 2/21/2021
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Edited February 12 by LSNN
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State Senate confirms Attorney General William Eden & State Treasurer Cecil Grosvenor
BY RANA KHATI
Los Santos, SA - On the 18th of February 2021, the San Andreas State Senate confirmed William Eden, formerly the Distict Attorney of Los Santos, to Attorney General and Cecil Grosvenor, former policy-writer for Senator Ernst, to the State Treasury.
William Eden attending the Political Act Reform hearing a day prior to his confirmation hearing.
Mr. Eden has served as Los Santos District Attorney since former DA Ms. Saeko Nishijima stepped down from the role into the judiciary. As DA, Eden pursued all areas of criminal activity relentlessly, but did show a notable lenience towards marijuana related crimes namely with regards to personal possession and use yet still pursued the sentencing of large scale drug trafficking endemic in gang crime without reservation. Critics presume he will continue with this even-keel approach to policy as the state's leading Law Enforcement Official.
Cecil Grosvenor entering the Political Reform Act hearing a day prior to his confirmation hearing.
Cecil Grosvenor is lesser known in the public eye but has coordinated with Republican policymakers for years; most recently coming out with the Political Reform Act of 2021 that aims to shore up election integrity in the wake of the corruption scandal of former Mayor Halford shedding a light on municipal corruption and lax campaign finance laws. Mr. Grosvenor's bill has been criticized by individuals in the opposition party for a stipulation that if left in the bill would have set the minimum donation an individual could make to a political candidate at $50,000 dollars. Mr. Grosvenor and Senator Ernst insist this was a clerical error that is being blown out of proportion by political enemies.
See More:
SpoilerLSNN reached out to both sides for their take on the confirmations.
Senator Gabriella Morales (D)
QuoteMistakes happen and I don't believe there was ill intent from the author of the bill to purposely price people out of donating to political efforts, although it was a rather large blunder which was further exploited, in my eyes, by the Republican Party. In return for the Republican Party confirming Mr. Eden, we compromised and confirmed the State Treasurer. The Democratic Party aren't voting on party lines, but on progress, that's how we continue to work for you.
President Pro Tempore, Senator Frank Ernst (R)
QuoteThe nominees have my full faith and confidence. The Democrats cited the wrong section of the bill in reference to the exchange you're referring to, which obviously confused Mr. Grosvenor. Anyone with remote links to Republican officials are going to come under scrutiny by the Democrats in an election season. That much is obvious.
Both nominees were unanimously confirmed by all State Senators to assume their respective roles, revealing that the rhetorical flourishes and dug in stances of either party are not materially interfering with the bipartisan agenda of the Senate. While hopeful, there is still a distinct air of tension and ambiguity from citizens as to whether Governor Brandt will continue to unilaterally veto bills unanimously passed by the Senate or whether the political fallout from his widely criticized Marijuana Legalization veto was enough to move him to regard his duty to the will of the people more regularly.
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Opinion Editorial Disclaimer
Opinion editorials do not reflect the perspective of LSNN as a whole nor its management board. Opinion editorials may be submitted by citizens of all walks of life, all political perspectives, and all points of view and are reviewed only for conflicts of interest and appropriateness within LSNN content guidelines and journalistic ethics. Opinion Editorials may be responsive to news stories or even other Op-Eds and you may submit them to us at our
email [email protected] ((@LSNN))
High Stakes, Low Bar
BY CHLOE KNIGHT, DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR STATE SENATE
Chloe Knight, second to the right, seated at the Political Reform Act hearing.
Tonight I sat in the gallery as Republican and Democratic Senators mulled over the details of Senate Bill N. 03 'Political Reform Act'. As a legislative advisor to Senator Gabriela Morales, I've been dissecting and taking notes for consideration on this bill for quite a while now. Something glared at me the first time I read it. I emailed my boss immediately about it. In Chapter III Section II(a) of the bill as it was submitted for consideration, the bill authored by Republican Senators Frank Ernst and Daniel Cardenas (co-written by Cecil Grosvenor) contained the following text:
Quote(a) Candidates shall only accept a minimum of $50,000 per donation by an individual, business or any other organization per election cycle.
Now, there's going to be a wave of Republicans citing this as a simple typo. However, it was my notes on the legislation that moved Senator Morales to bring up this section during committee last night. The Republicans seemed to have no interest in doing so until called out. Here's the problem.
If this section had been left unaltered which, for all intents and purposes it seems like it was meant to be overlooked and left, citizens by law would be allowed to only contribute to a campaign if their donation contributed $50,000 or more. That's one hell of a typo. More startling is what happened when Senator Morales aired the issue. The GOP senators present, along with Mr. Grosvenor, read from the wrong section and forced her time to be used up by them trying to determine what section of the bill was being taken issue with.
During Senator Morales' time speaking, Senator Ernst - President of the Senate, mind you all - left his chair to whisper with other Republican Senator Ethan Schmidt. Words exchanged that would not be taken on the record. Frank Ernst and Ethan Schmidt would continue to whisper back and forth repeatedly throughout the night. Afterwards, the same issue regarding a $50,000 minimum donation was brought up by Senator Schmidt and - like by magic! - Mr. Grosvenor and Senator Ernst seemed to finally understand what was being talked about! Heroically, a Republican Senator was able to fix this 'typo' on the bill when a Democrat had already tried to do so.
This doesn't just speak to the Political Reform Act. This all speaks to the Republican Party and their endemic corruption, electioneering, need for 'wins' over good policy, and a genuinely potential attempt to disenfranchise poor voters who would like to make donations to candidates smaller than $50,000.
The stakes are never higher before an election than when election reform is being talked about. The integrity of our electoral process is at stake here and the Republican bill was ready to be pushed through with either absolute neglect in how it was written at best, or a blatant attempt to tell the poor to 'sit down and shut up' at worst.
We can do better. Los Santos, and the State of San Andreas as a whole deserves better than this. The corruption of Oswald Halford lingers within the Republican party, and last night's committee hearing makes that clearer than ever.
I ask voters to keep this in mind when they hit the polls. Senator Morales asked Frank Ernst last night why we need to fix his bill for him. That's a powerful question. The choice is clear, folks. Democrats are here to work for you, and Republicans are here to work for 'wins' and optics.
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Political Reform Act of 2021 advances to Senate Floor after tense hearing; bipartisan agreement wins out.
BY RANA KHATI
Los Santos, SA - The State Senate convened on the 15th of February 2021 for a hearing of the Senate Rules & Ethics Committee to deliberate on the Republican-proposed Political Reform Act of 2021; an act aiming to shore up election integrity and set much needed campaign finance regulation in place for elections throughout San Andreas. Notably absent were Senators Dwight Burris and Daniel Cardenas, leaving the committee with the minimum required for quorum. Cecil Grosvenor, former Senior Policy Advisor & Legislative Assistant to Senator Frank Ernst was called to the hearing before the Senate. Mr. Grosvenor is also notably on the shortlist for nomination to the State Treasurer position.
Senate Rules & Ethics Committee convenes with Senator Ernst (Left) as Chairman Cecil Grosvenor (Right) provides his opening statement while seated.
Cecil Grosvenor's Opening Statement:
QuoteI'd like to begin by briefly explaining the purpose of the bill, this bill governs the disclosure of political campaign contributions and spending by political candidates. It fundamentally sets ethics rules for state and local government officials that impose strict limits affecting the official's financial interests - overall, it requires them to regularly report their earnings, their interest and involvement in other matters which may be deemed to hinder or affect their duties as a state official.
The theory here is to help ensure that they are free from bias caused by their own financial interests or the financial interests of those who have supported them into public office.
It regulates lobbyist practices and financial disclosure and campaign financing to ensure there is complete transparency and public trust in the electoral system. The findings outlined in the Act present a very real problem we face at a state and local level, especially as we approach the next elections.
I believe we must make sure that we take all the necessary steps to ensure a precedent of fair and transparent elections, and to minimize the disproportionate influence over governmental decisions by lobbying and think-tank organizations via campaign financing and other contributions.
LSNN found broad bipartisan agreement on the spirit of the bill with Senator Ernst on behalf of Republicans telling us that it's "necessary to ensure transparency in our electoral process" and that "(g)iven San Andreas' history of corruption in its politics, this bill seeks to alleviate the issue. Ultimately, sunlight is the best disinfectant to corruption" and spokeswoman for the Democratic Party and Candidate for State Senate, Ms. Chloe Knight, telling LSNN that it is "obviously something that Democrats align strongly with. Transparency, honesty, and accountability in elections is paramount to the integrity of elections."
While Mr. Grosvenor began with a strong opening statement on questioning he appeared confused at times with regard to the content of the bill, particularly regarding a provision that Democrats took particular issue with:Political Reform Act- Ch III. Sec II. (a)
QuoteCandidates shall only accept a minimum of $50,000 per donation by an individual, business or any other organization per election cycle.
Marijuana Activist Baba Black outside of the first historic marijuana hearings held by SA State Legislature.
Senator Morales pressed Grosvenor on the provision:
QuoteSenator Morales: To make a quick reference to Section II(a), would you not agree that a minimum donation requirement would deincentivize people from poorer backgrounds, or defer grassroots donations and campaigns, and instead force only the richest and biggest businesses and individuals to donate?
Cecil Grosvenor: Sorry I don't understand, the section you just cited has nothing to do with the concerns you raised. It simply makes a statement that the government should attend the needs of all people of the state equally without discrimination.
Senator Morales: My apologies, section two of chapter three.
Senator Ernst: The gentlewoman's time has expired, however, I'll extend time for Mr. Grosvenor to respond. Mr. Grosvenor, do you have a response to Senator Morales's questioning?
Cecil Grosvenor: Senator, it by no means deincentivizes anyone, what it does it stops campaigners for public office from receiving ridiculous amounts of money as donation, which would definitely be done in an attempt to manipulate and influence public policy, which is what this bill is trying to prevent. Furthermore, it makes sure that the amount is enough for the campaign, and not wasted on matters not connected with the campaign.
Senator Morales: Point of order, I believe the gentleman is looking at the wrong section.
With Mr. Grosvenor seemingly arguing that the $50,000 minimum donation to be some form of maximum cap, Senator Ethan Schmidt claimed time and concurred with Senator Morales line of questioning, driving the point home further.
QuoteSenator Schmidt: Now it makes sense to me as to why there would be a cap set for campaign donations done by a single party, but I do agree with Senator Morales, that we should remove the minimum. Which would be section 2 a of Chapter three where it states that a candidate can only accept a minimum of $50,000. Or is there a reason for why that's there Mister Grosvenor?
The gallery descended into whispers as Chairman Ernst rose from the Speaker's Chair and descended for a sidebar discussion with Senator Schmidt before Mr. Grosvenor offered his response. LSNN asked the both the Democratic and Republican Caucus about the exchange. We provide the two responses below.
Ms. Chloe Knight (D):
SpoilerThe impromptu deliberation as you've called it was certainly inappropriate and given the time, and the nature of the discussion at the time, suspect. When Senator Morales aired the issue regarding the minimum, Republicans acted as if they had no idea what she was talking about. After the whispering, Ethan Schmidt was able to swoop in and advocate for striking the section - what Senator Morales was already blatantly trying to do. It's another showcase of 'wins' and optics being more important to the Republicans than good-faith legislating. While we'd certainly hope such conduct will not be repeated in further sessions, it's not productive to speculate. It is not something we are worried about, no.
Senator Frank Ernst (R):
SpoilerThere's nothing unusual, against the Senate rules, or against decorum with having a side-bar conversation during a hearing. The fact that the opposition has highlighted this occurrence as a "corrupt" behavior, highlights their inexperience in government and the legislative process, and general unfamiliarity with the Standing Rules of the Senate. I wanted to communicate to my colleague, Senator Schmidt, that I was in agreement that there shouldn't be minimums in the bill.
Senator Morales and Ernst nonetheless shared a particularly contentious exchange before Mr. Grosvenor continued to defend the provision which was swiftly motioned to be struck down be motioned by Schmidt, one of the cosponsors of the bill.
The impromptu sidebar on the Senate Floor between Senators Schmidt and Ernst.
QuoteSenator Morales: Something you wish to share with the chamber, Senator Ernst?
Senator Ernst: Will the gentlewoman refrain from speaking out of order?
Cecil Grosvenor: The amount set is to make sure that individuals or organizations are not massively influencing the candidate running for public office. Any more than that and it may give the donator some form of entitlement harming the campaign. I do believe $50,000 per individual or organization, is reasonable enough.
Senator Schmidt: I would like to make an amendment. Strikeout Chapter 3. Section 2. Clause A.
Senator Ernst informed LSNN that the $50,000 dollar minimum amounted to a "clerical error during the drafting process" and noted to LSNN that the purpose of the hearing and amendment sessions were to look for errors like this and clarify them before put up for final vote. He provided no indication whether they intend to expand the maximum cap of $250,000 to individual donors rather than it's current purview over PAC's and Political Parties. Ms. Knight acknowledged it was an error but stated "absolutely, an error was made. An error that if left unaltered would have disenfranchised all poor voters in the state." With the impending election season heating up, it's clear that even routine hearings are becoming tests of public policy chops and will be more and more highly scrutinized by the public.
The Committees discussion turned to the topic of who should hold the reins on election integrity in Los Santos. With the bill proposed establishing an Office of the State Clerk, Chairman Ernst claimed time to press on the issue with Grosvenor, prompting a follow up by Senator Jones on the limited nature of the Special Counsel. Both found bipartisan compromise however in putting the purview of setting such authority under the office of the Attorney General:
QuoteSenator Ernst: Mr. Grosvenor, can you speak to the establishment of the Office of the State Clerk, its legal scope and responsibilities?
Cecil Grosvenor: The Act outlines the Office of the State Clerk responsible for the impartial administration, implementation and general enforcement of the provisions outlined. The State Clerk would become the local filing officer for all filings and statements required by the Act, which includes the campaign contribution and expenditure reports from candidates of all levels of government, as well as statements of economic interest from current and state and city officials and officers. Documents reporting financial statements is necessary and is required to be monitored in order to determine how funds are used and how much is donated.
Senator Ernst: Thank you Mr. Grosvenor. See, I'm all about government efficiency. Personally, after having some talks with stakeholders, I believe that these responsibilities run parallel to that of the Special Counsel. What do you make of that?
Cecil Grosvenor: On second thought, it would be best to let the Special Counsel handle this since his office is charged with investigating all types of government corruption and misuse of funds.
...
Senator Jones: While the office of the Special Counsel is charged with investigation on government corruption, I assume the position of the State Clerk would be a permanent one, whereas the Special Counsel is not. Therefore, I'm not sure if the Special Counsel is suited to deal with this, long-term. Unless we want to more clearly define the roles of the Special Council in the senate sessions, and provide ongoing definitions to the scope of his role. Do you have a comment on this, Mr. Grosvenor?
Cecil Grosvenor: If a bill is presented to firmly establish the Office of Special Counsel, then I'm sure we can incorporate it into the duties of the Special Counsel. Whether or not the plan was to make the office a permanent or temporary one, I am not sure. But I am sure some compromise can be made.
Senator Ernst: The gentlewoman's time has expired. I'll recognize myself for five minutes. Alright, I think we are in general agreement here, but perhaps the duties of overseeing elections could be determined by an individual appointed by the Attorney General. that way we could ensure more longevity to the position.
Senator Ernst: Would Senator Jones be open to that?
Senator Jones: Yes.
Senator Ernst: Excellent. Mr. Grosvenor?
Cecil Grosvenor: Absolutely.The hearing thereafter went smoothly, the entire Committee voting unanimously to strike the donation minimum, to amend the Office of the State Clerk to an analogous role under the Attorney General's purview, and finally to advance the much-needed legislation to the Senate floor for amendment, debate, and a final vote. But despite the three unanimous votes, recent events begged the question, will this bill if it passes in the Senate be spared the red VETO stamp by the elusive Governor Brandt?
LSNN got final statements to see if either party was able to scry the potential of the bill in the executive branch.
Senator Ernst:
QuoteWe have spoken to the Brandt Administration. The decision to remove the establishment of the Office of the State Clerk was a compromise struck with them. We hope Brandt will do the right thing and sign this legislation into law when it comes to his desk. Having said that, when I met with the Administration on marijuana legalization, they indicated only full support for the issue, while vetoing the bill later. This administration, unfortunately, is unpredictable.
Ms. Knight:
QuoteWe are confident that the Governor will sign this bill.
Voters will certainly be looking at election integrity in this upcoming campaign cycle and LSNN will work ardently as ever to provide you the news you need to make informed decisions in choosing your next elected State Senate.
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LSNN Podcasts and News Minute Audiocasts aim to give you up to date news every hour on the hour. Tune into Station 310 for the latest news.
Spoiler((OOC Note: We're still actually building the radio platform so it might not play clips like this just yet but it's in the works!))
Original Broadcast Date: 2/4/2021
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Sala "The Maestro" Bolo, 42, wins Fight Night at The Sweathouse Gym.
BY VICTORIA MILLER
Los Santos, SA - On 11th February, 2021, at 8 pm, The Sweathouse Gym hosted a MMA fight night consisting of eight male fighters and four MMA matches. What started as a casual fight night quickly got heated as all the contestants were in top performance condition. The busy audience hyped up the atmosphere and there was barely any space left out in the gym for spectators with all the seats occupied by enthusiastic MMA fans who were cheering and applauding for their favorite fighters.
MMA fight night in The Sweathouse Gym
The winner of the first match was Isaac "The Dragon" Ryu who fought opponent Nicky Castles. "Let's welcome the Dragon himself, a protégé of Beau French!", boomed from the sound system as Isaac was introduced to the crowd.
"Like I said, I say it time and time again... I am one of the fastest fighters in this cage. Even though this was my pro debut, I didn't even get hit once against a veteran fighter", The Dragon told LSNN.
The second match was Anthony Ramirez versus Johnny Henning. Anthony Ramirez left the ring victorious and with a smile on his face. "I'm going to say one thing. Easy fight. Get me real men.", Ramirez told LSNN as his opponent left the ring in defeat.
Anthony "Rider" Ramirez (left), Seymour "The Bear Man" Berman (middle), and Sala "The Maestro" Bolo (right) with manager Frank Palma.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere amongst the audience began to heat up again. The next match was quickly announced between Goran Baranov and Seymour "The Bear Man" Berman. "Touch gloves guys, and let's go to war" boomed the host. It seemed like those words encouraged both fighters as well as the audience as everyone began cheering and applauding as the fight started.
"My score is 1-0. This was my first fight. That guy is real strong, real tough, really had me pressured a few times. This is a blast. I'd like to thank my opponent and everyone who made this possible", said Berman "The Bear Man" to the LSNN team. "He is going to be a star", said his manager, Frank Palma, the host of the event and the manager of The Sweathouse Gym.The night progressed towards the final match, which was also the main match of the night. Sala "The Maestro" Bolo versus Beau "Frenchie" Badeaux. At 42, the Maestro took down Frenchie in record time. "It is a delight, Frenchie is a strong fighter. It was hard competition, but I never doubt myself", said Bolo smiling to the cameras.
The Palmas' of The Sweathouse Gym
LSNN spoke with the owners of the Sweathouse Gym, Frank and Nicole Palma.
"We were meant to have a female fight tonight too. But unfortunately, one of the female fighters got involved in a car accident. She's okay though, thankfully. When it comes to the male fighters... Isaac Ryu is going places. I manage most of these guys. The only winner who isn't mine is Anthony Ramirez. He won his bout. The real bitter news, Seymour Berman. He is a natural, just signed with me. Sala Bolo though, guy is going to be at the Dome. Right now? He can't be stopped. He is a wrecking machine. He is older, but he is clever", Mr. Palma told LSNN.
When asked what interested him in Mixed Martial Arts fighting, he told LSNN: "I was a fighter myself. I'm only thirty one, but I took a hit to the knee a few years back. I got the knowledge, but I can't go with these kids anymore though, you know?"
He mentioned that without his wife's help, he wouldn't have been able to organize the event. "I am satisfied with tonight's event and I couldn't have done it without my wife here. I handle the fighters, but she does everything else. The business, the brains", said Mr. Palma with a proud smile on his face.Nicole Palma smiled and nodded. She then added: "My job generally is to get things advertised, find the right people to work here, make sure everyone has everything they need. They all work hard, I guess I make sure they get paid good. I prefer that my husband is a manager, not a fighter anymore. There is nothing worse than watching your husband in the cage like that. Having female fighters was Frank's idea. I was happy to hear that. Shame it never happened because of the car accident, but I'm glad that she is okay. Health is most important."
After the event ended, the audience began leaving the gym, while some of them stayed a while longer to get an autograph and talk with their favorite fighters.
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Username: LSNN
Comment: Article updated with response from District Attorney William Eden
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Username: LSNN
Comment: Article updated to include comment from State Sen. Gabriela Morales' office. -
Governor Robert Brandt vetoes Marijuana Legalization in break with Unanimous Passage by State Senate.
BY RANA KHATI
Los Santos, SA - In a bombshell Senate veto on the 8th of February 2021, Governor Robert Brandt (D) vetoed the Cannabis Legalization Act of 2021and broke with not just the State Democratic Party as well as the entire State Senate of San Andreas.
In a devastating blow to the criminal justice and legalized marijuana movement, Governor Robert Brandt inexplicably broke with public mandate and a rare unanimous consensus in the State Senate and unilaterally vetoed a legalized marijuana bill. While at this time he has not provided any explanation for his decision to override the will of the people expressed by their elected officials of both parties, LSNN has received reliable information that might shed a light on possible motivations.
Marijuana Activist Baba Black outside of the first historic marijuana hearings held by SA State Legislature.
After a massive protest at City Hall earlier in January and the repeated demonstrations by legal marijuana advocates, the public will towards a state that recognizes legal recreational marijuana is hard to ignore. With even bipartisan support from traditionally oppositional parties, the efforts of these activists have gone a long way towards shaping legislative efforts and substantiating pro-marijuana sentiment across the City of Los Santos and State of San Andreas. The State Senate passed the Cannabis Legalization Act of 2021 unanimously in a rare show of overwhelming support by legislators before being vetoed by the Governer himself.
LSNN received the below anonymous tip earlier this month and had been working tirelessly to substantiate it before the marijuana vote came to a close, unfortunately we were unable to gain comments from officials before this came to a vote and so we were unable to publish it as per our editorial standards guidelines.
The veto from Governor Brandt however has substantiated the main claim which is why we reproduce it faithfully for you below:
Spoiler
The now substantiated anonymous tip suggests that Governor Brandt not only went against the will of the State Senate and his own party but also may have broken with his own administration in making this unilateral decision.
LSNN is reaching out to the State Democratic Party, the Brandt Administration, and local marijuana activists for comment on this developing story. This article will be updated as we receive commentary from all parties involved.
Updated 9:00 PM 2/8/21
Senator Gabriela Morales sent LSNN her comment:
Quote"The news from Governor Brandt is merely an additional hurdle to the inevitable and is more of a suggestion that he is out of touch with the general public than anything else. I can, and will, continue to fight for the legalisation of recreational marijuana, even if I have to go the long-route of decriminalising, medicinal and then recreational legalisation. I will not stop until the people are heard and their will acted upon."
Updated 9:09 PM 2/8/21
Senator & President Pro Tempore of the Senate Frank Ernst provided his comment:
QuoteRepublican lawmakers were shocked by the abrupt veto of the marijuana legalization bill that Republicans developed, introduced and passed. This is another sign of a fractured Democrat Party that is unable to produce meaningful policies or maintain a coherent public policy agenda. We were wholly unaware of Democrat Governor Brandt's position on this bill, and it never came up in my many meetings with Lieutenant Governor Holland. Nor did the Democrats offer ANY amendments during the legislative process. This is a step backward for San Andreas, criminal justice reform, and small businesses.
Updated 4:21 AM 2/9/21
Dr. Danielle Shaw, Director of Pillbox Hill Medical Center offered her personal take (not reflective of the LS City Gov nor PHMC at large:
QuoteThis afternoon it was brought to my attention a man I have never before heard of, struck down a bill which for once unified this state's political spheres. A bill in which various figures across the state were consulted for their opinions and to give relevant facts upon. I myself spoke out about the numerous benefits Marijuana can have in the field of healthcare, or even home treatments. And sadly despite all parties agreement, professionals agreement and the public's agreement; our voices and our knowledge were silenced.
I would like to say I am surprised by these turn of events, but with events from earlier this year still burned into our collective mindset, we all know the feeling of being silenced. I'm not sure what my good friend Senator Morales has in store, but she is a brilliant mind and I am confident in her resolve over the matter. I would like to use this time to iterate to the public, this statement is not reflective of the position I hold within bureaucracy, but that of my own personal belief and mindset.
Updated 12:59 AM 2/10/21
District Attorney Eden provided the following statement:
Quote"I am disappointed in this decision by the governor in vetoing the Cannabis Legalization Act. It is a rare occurrence that the legislature of any state unanimously agrees to the passage of a bill, especially one on a topic that has proven to be a contentious issue throughout the country. A more detailed response from the District Attorney's Office will be released in the next few days."
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Senators Morales & Jones host State Democratic Party Town Hall Event; Marijuana, G6, & Green Economy Plans Announced.
BY VICTORIA MILLER
Los Santos, SA - On 7th February, 2021, Democratic Senator Gabriela Morales, held an open meeting at The Democratic Party Headquarters in Mission Row, Los Santos.
The Town Hall Event kicking off.
"So, to quickly brief you on what the Democrats are doing for you at the moment. Within the next week, we're planning to introduce an act forcing more regulations on security firms throughout the state. We want to ensure that things like what happened with Gruppe Six aren't repeated, and that security firms are held to account for their actions" Senator Gabriela Morales said in her prepared remarks.
"Furthermore, very soon we will be introducing the HOME Act, a housing act that charges municipalities with the responsibility to provide affordable public housing, and economic pathways out of that housing to make sure everyone has a place to live", continued Senator Diana Jones, representing Los Santos’ West District.
"I want to update you on our current efforts in the State Senate. Both the updated SHAFT Act, as well as the Recreational Marijuana Bill are both on-track to pass the senate for the Governor's approval. Keeping you safe, and expanding social liberties, are the very cornerstone of the Democratic Party, and we're looking forward to hearing from you tonight on how we can achieve more of that goal. Again, if you're interested in running through the election, try and catch one of us today for a brief chat about it", continued Senator Morales.
When asked regarding economic plans for the city:
"Social liberties are nothing without a strong economic structure to back it up. While there's no current economic bills in the state legislature, we're hoping, via the HOME Act as our flagstone policy for the next month, we can continue to elevate people out of poverty. From there, we're looking to expand to allow businesses to grow via a series of state-given grants, and working with green firms to achieve carbon neutrality in the state of San Andreas.”
When asked regarding governmental transparency legislation:
“One of the opposing senators recently published a political transparency bill, we have our own series of amendments we seek to push. Essentially, our main goal is to prevent crooks such as Oswald Halford from taking office at any level in the state again.”
When asked regarding where marijuana dispensaries fit into the legislative goals:
“We're planning to introduce marijuana dispensaries in a later legislative bill in either this state session or the next, hopefully after this one passes the governor's desk”
The event concluded with one on one’s with citizens who attended the meeting. LSNN will continue to follow the campaigns and public events of both state parties and individual candidates as they announce their bids and hit the election trail.
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"Defund LSSD" Protest at Rockford City Hall prompts Gov Response to Allegations of LSSD Abuse.
BY RANA KHATI, SAMANTHA WHITEFIELD, & VICTORIA MILLER
Nikki James (left) of the Defund LSSD protest and Noah Gashi (right) of the Cancel 6 protest.
Rockford Plaza, LS- On 31st January, 2021, local BMX enthusiast Nikki James, 19, kicked off a protest dubbed the "Defund LSSD" protest, calling for the government to investigate and pursue legal action against the Los Santos Sheriff's Department following the violent crackdown on protesters in Sandy Shores a number of days ago. Present for this protest were many city notables including District Attorney William Eden, Director of State Security Thomas Price, Secretary of Labor Diane Renwick, Director of Pillbox Hill Medical Center Dr. Danielle Shaw, CEO of Gruppe Six Mr. Clifford Hunter, and the leader of the Cancel 6 movement and victim of alleged LSSD abuse, Mr. Noah Gashi. Senator Diane Jones (D) of the West District also made an appearance but provided LSNN with no comment at this time.
LSNN's Rana Khati interviewed the protest leader, Nikki James, right before the protest kicked off:
Nikki James Interview
SpoilerRana Khati: Are you the lead organizer for this protest and what are you calling for in this protest in a few words?
Nikki James: I am, and we demand a reform in internal policies of the LSSD's operations, aswell as a government investigation into the G6 protest last week.
Rana Khati: And do you have a byline, like the "Cancel 6" line from that protest?
Nikki James: Uh, do you mean ''Defund SD''? Because its either that or the reform. We'd be satisfied with both.
Rana Khati: You're quite young. What motivated you to the original protest and this protest?
Nikki James: I was at Fantasia Event Hall when the original incident took place. G6 shooting that unarmed black male, and emptying their magazines into him. This sparked me to take part of the original G6 protest. For which I got arrested a day later.
Rana Khati: Were you charged with any crimes from that arrest?
Nikki James: Yes. Obstruction and Evasion.
Rana Khati: And did you plea guilty, no contest, or not guilty if you're willing to share.
Nikki James: I plead guilty.
Rana Khati: Do you anticipate a peaceful protest today?
Nikki James: It is more intention, yes. I have communicated with several LSPD officers and they are confident they can supress any form of riots before they start,
Rana Khati: Those who you know who are coming to the protest, have they been told it's going to be a peaceful engagement?
Nikki James: Yes. I specifically told people to not even bring weapons. CCW and PF will be disallowed here. I did warn them to bring a gasmask and possibly a plate carrier like Im wearing right now.
* Nikki James shows the gasmask in her hand.
Rana Khati: So, readers might ask why bring the gear if you expect it to be nonviolent?
Nikki James: Emotions can run deep and we are afraid. Not of the people, but of the LSSD. We are afraid they will come here to ''assist'', and make things worse. Their mere presence could be enough for provocation.
Rana Khati: When I covered the G6 protest, the anxiety of violence protesters had were that G6 guards might become violent. To your knowledge, who initiated the violence at the Cancel 6 protest?
Nikki James: I don't know. All I saw was LSSD starting it all. That's why we are here today.
Rana Khati: So the demands of this protest in short are that the LSSD be held accountable for the damages from the protest and reform their policies to prevent a repeat. Defund is more of an alternative if they fail to do that, correct?
Nikki James: That is correct.
Rana Khati: Do your parents live in Los Santos? if so, how do they feel about your involvement in these political demonstrations?
Nikki James: My parents live in Canada. And uh, mom is cool with it. Dad was just pissed that I ended up in jail.
Rana Khati: Do they know you're leading this demonstration today?
Nikki James: They sure do.
Rana Khati: If there's any final message you want our readers to know about this demonstration, what would that be?
Nikki James: To not be intimidated by the LSSD their unlawful actions. In these times its upmost important to speak up and hold them accountable for their crimes.
Clifford Hunter, CEO of GruppeSIx appears right in a cowboy hat.
Throughout the course of the rally Mr. Clifford Hunter, CEO of Gruppe Six Corporate Security was on scene and making his disapproval of the protest and it's organizer known. LSNN was able only to record small number of his statements but as some are explicit in nature and includes slurs, we're going to place it behind a reader discretion filter:
Statements Made by Mr. Clifford Hunter (READER DISCRETION ADVISED):
Spoiler[20:15:54] Clifford Hunter shouts: Go back to the kitchen!
[20:20:18] Clifford Hunter shouts: Should've went to protest in front of the vibrator store!
[20:57:27] Clifford Hunter says: You gotta be a fucking r*tard to protest against your own police.
[20:59:33] Clifford Hunter says: The whole hood is here.
[21:00:15] Clifford Hunter says: You're a r*tard.
[21:13:38] Clifford Hunter says: Evolution hasn't hit him yet.
[21:19:58] Clifford Hunter shouts: N*ggas got a job unlike you!
[21:24:50] Clifford Hunter says: You homeless, man?
[21:25:18] Clifford Hunter says: Should've went to school.
[21:25:38] Clifford Hunter says: How many debt credits you got, man?
An African-American protester says: Tellin' me we ain't go to school?
[21:27:07] Clifford Hunter says: You dont.
[21:27:13] Clifford Hunter says: Your whole neighborhood does nothing but sell drugs to children.
[21:27:18] Clifford Hunter says: And rob innocent people.
[21:27:23] Clifford Hunter says: That's why you hate the police.
[21:37:46] Clifford Hunter shouts: Cancel Nikki James and other 19 year old felony virgins inciting riots!At another point in the protest, Mr. Hunter challenged Dr. Danielle Shaw, Director of Pillbox Hill Medical Center, on her presence at the protest right near the LSNN News Van conflating her attendance with support for "riots" and making various implications in an attempt to denigrate her professionalism publicly.
Dr. Shaw was largely disinterested with interacting with Mr. Hunter given the rhetoric he was employing and informed him that the contract termination between Pillbox Hill and G6 was a decision she initiated without hesitation.
Mr. Clifford Hunter, CEO of G6, engaging in a heated discourse with Dr. Danielle Shaw of Pillbox Hill Medical Center.
At one point a masked man (pictured below) struck a female protester, LSNN reported on this instigation live and the masked assailant fled the scene. The man had been harassing Dr. Shaw as well as generally heckling the Defund LSSD organizer. His counter-protests amounted to shouted slurs and incendiary comments intended to instigate a violent response that never came. If you have information about this man or his whereabouts, LSNN advises you to reach out to the District Attorney's Office with information as to his identity.
The currently unidentified man who struck a Defund LSSD protester, behind him to his left you can see Nikki James talking down the group of masked agitators.
As the protest began to dwindle in numbers, a group of masked men arrived shouting anti-government slogans. They were not present during the original protest and began to collect at the police barricade. LSNN noted the original protest was collected around the fountain while these masked individuals seemed to make a straight shot for the barricades where they could most directly confront police.
Cancel 6 protest leader, Noah Gashi, spoke with LSNN's Samantha Whitefield:
QuoteSamantha Whitefield: What is your take to these people inciting violence at th[is]... protest.
Noah Gashi: I don't approve. Nikki wanted peacefulness. It WAS peaceful. Those 4 masked people came and started aggravating cops. Pushing them, trespassing on ACTUAL private property. They're instigators trying to cause civil unrest. Nobody from the original protest is here except.. the people trying to cause a fight.
Samantha Whitefield: If you could speak to these violent instigators, what would you say, Mister Gashi?Noah Gashi: I'd ask them to take a step back, consider that nothing will get done if they continue to behave like animals. They ruin the message by instigating violence. And nothing can get done if the original message is tarnished. This is why I called off the protest the other night. I turned it into a vigil because.. I knew it would end like this. I just wish people would think about the consequences of their actions.
Nikki (top) tells protesters to step away from the barricades.. (Photocred Victoria Miller - middle image)
After a number of the masked individuals attempted to breach the perimeter multiple times only to be struck by beanbag rounds, the remainder filtered off and the scene quieted. LSNN then interviewed District Attorney William Eden about whether the DA's Office was responsive to the demands of the protesters and asked for some insight into the phenomenon of masked "party crashers" agitating at this and other protests:
QuoteRana Khati: The leader of the Cancel 6 movement claims these masked protesters are not affiliated with the main group and tend to show up regardless of protest cause. In your experience as District Attorney, is it common for individuals unaffiliated with protest movements to attach themselves to cause scenes like behind us?
William Eden: It has become increasingly common in the past few years, yes. As protesters come to realize that their portrayal in the press can make or break their message, it has become a tactic of opposition groups to attempt to hijack, for lack of a better term, the protests of their opponents in an effort to delegitimize them or make them appear more violent than they truly are. This is not a phenomenon restricted to one side of the political spectrum, however, and seems to be universal.
Rana Khati: The protesters are calling for decisive action to be taken in response to the recent LSSD crackdown on protesters in Sandy Shores. I understand it's not permitted to discuss potential ongoing investigations, but has the DA's Office registered protesters concerns?
William Eden: We have and we continue to collect witness statements from the incident, as well as other forms of evidence and information. We invite anybody with information to come forward and speak to my office. We wish to collect as much evidence as possible before coming to a decision on how to proceed.
Rana Khati: Any final statements for the public?
William Eden: Just one. Nobody is above the law.
From the halls of city hall itself to the back alleys of Los Santos, all must play by the same rules and be held accountable.
Shortly after the protest ended, the District Attorney's Office released the following press release directly responsive to the demands of the protesters for restorative justice.
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Firefighter C. Williams with lining up with academy students
Firefighter arrested for Sexual Assault
A Los Santos Fire Department Firefighter was arrested and charged for Sexual Assault, the Department has yet to comment
A Los Santos Fire Department Firefighter was arrested and charged today with sexual assault on a unnamed female, the incident happened on the 17th of August and in the case filed this morning in the Superior Courts of San Andreas, it outlined some damning evidence against the Firefighter.
In the initial court filing, Williams admitted to pinning a female down and did not remember if he had sex or not. In the filing, the Firefighter had admitted to sexually assaulting the female, who's name was redacted from the court documents to protect her identity.
**CONTENT WARNING**
"Cortel Williams: I began groping her slightly and—I didn't get the reaction I expected. She wasn't quite receptive.
Cortel Williams: I backed off a bit but then I began to grope her a bit more.
Cortel Williams: She once again wasn't too fond of my actions and tried to shove me away, afterwards I grabbed her and held her down as I groped her.
Cortel Williams: But as it went on for some time, I had realized what I was doing and decided to stop before the situation had escalated any further." - Court Documents State v. Cortel Williams.
Firefighter C. Williams (R) at the Fire Academy
The case now puts into question if the Department can be trusted with sensitive scenes, especially the fairly new Liberty Concept announced by the Fire Department to combat sexual harassment.
The Los Santos Fire Department did not return calls for comment.
No ads shall be ran on content involving sexual assault.
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Lifeguards close Vespucci waters after shark attacks
We strongly urge all readers to avoid the Vespucci Waters for the time being
Following recent shark incidents in along the Vespucci Beach, the Lifeguards have now shut down parts of the waters around Vespucci Beach in order to protect citizens and swimmers. The marked areas are currently a No Swim area and it's strongly advised not to swim in that area, as Lifeguards cannot guarantee peoples safety.
No Swim Waters marked out - Los Santos County Lifeguards
LSNN attempted to talk with several lifeguards over the past few days, but they declined to comment, citing new policies around talking to the press, due to this, we're unable to collect any further information.
No ads shall be ran on articles that contain health and safety information.
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Fire Department Splashes The Cash
The Fire Department has confirmed it's purchased multiple new vehicles to replace it's aging fleet, they have also shared wages data with LSNN.
The Los Santos Fire Department has confirmed to LSNN it has purchased some brand new vehicles for it's expanding engine fleet at Station Three and Seven by purchasing a brand new 2020 MTL Fire Apparatus Engine, which is set to cost the department $400'000 for these new vehicles. LSNN were able to confirm that the department's budget $17'000'000 for Q2 but they expressed that they'll require more funds in October, due to higher operating costs, improvements and updates to the department.
MTL Fire Apparatus. Credits: Fire Department
In a written statement, they provided the following
"Following the recent collaboration with location manufacturing companies around Los Santos, the Los Santos Fire Department has welcomed three brand new 2020 MTL Fire Apparatus Engines to the fleet. Stations Seven and Three have both been given one of the departments brand new 2020 MTL Fire Apparatus Engines and two MTL Fire Apparatus Heavy Rescue (USAR & Hazmat). All of the department's fire engines are Triple Combination Fire Engines meaning that they can all pump water, carry hose and have a water tank, these types of fire engines are usually given the name 'triples'.
Station Three has been given both a 2020 MTL Fire Apparatus Engine and Two MTL Fire Apparatus Heavy Rescue for both USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) and Hazmat. The USAR team is usually dispatched to calls such as earthquakes, train wrecks or aircraft accidents but are also able to respond to both medical and fire calls to give assistance. Everyone operating out of the USAR division are all US&R certified firefighters." - Isabel Lopez - Public Relations DivisionThe Fire Department also announced it's annual wages to Los Santos News, following a request, detailing the impressive wages the Department pays out.
Fire Chief - $261,749 to $284,548
Assistant Chief - $218,593 to $241,310
Deputy Chief - $170,736 to $197,045
Battalion Chief - $140,000 to $162,968
Fire Captain II - $127,331 to $129,472
Fire Captain I - $113,065 to $127,201
Engineer - $71,846 to $103,669
Firefighter III - $73,315 to $94,059
Firefighter II - $48,625 to $65,511
Firefighter I - $42,625 to $53,766
Probationary Firefighter - $35,521 to $40,174
Chief Fire Marshal - $140,000 to $162,968
Deputy Chief Fire Marshal - $127,331 to $129,472
Senior Fire Marshal - $71,846 to $103,669
Fire Marshal - $42,625 to $53,766
Probationary Fire Marshal - $35,521 to $40,174
Lifeguard Chief - $140,000 to $162,968
Lifeguard Captain - $127,331 to $129,472
Lifeguard - $48,625 to $65,511
Lifeguard Trainee - $35,521 to $40,174
Civilian Management - $140,000 to $162,968
Civilian Staff - $48,625 to $65,511"
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Fire Marshals Have A New Home
The Fire Marshals open a brand new office in Vespucci
The Office of the Fire Marshal has announced it's moving its base of operations away from the Fire Department's Station 7 in El Burro Heights to a new office located in Vespucci, beside the beach walk. LSNN had the chance to take a look around the new facility and got exclusive pictures. Chief Fire Marshal Jones shown us around the new facility and explained it's main uses, and yes, the cell is indeed real. He explained it's only used for investigative purposes and holding suspected suspects for arson related incidents.
The Fire Marshal Office's Meeting Room in Vespucci.
Recreational Room on the top floor.
LSNN thanks the Fire Marshals for allowing us a exclusive look inside!
Make sure your property is up to code, request a inspection today! [Link] (Not affiliate)
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YB/Dennis Sidwell [3]
in Concluded Reports
Posted · Edited by LSNN
It's me YB, I'm from phone now (I don't know my password on the YB account) because I went outside but I want to add something. I personally spoke with the guy who reported me, we've spoken and I tried to show him that I've deleted all of my messages in the IFC discord because of shyness and that I didn't mean to delete only that messages to hide something and to not report me, to solve this in private, but he refused. If an admin approves, I want to tell the admin the guy's other forum account. Again, I realise my fault in this and I'm really sorry about that, but we could've solved this in private. That tells about his intentions, in my opinion.