News of the Day From Across the Nation
1 Fatal fire: Investigators will examine whether bars on the windows of a home in Clinton, Miss., prevented a mother and her six children from escaping a fire Saturday. The bars were intended to keep burglars out. Investigators will also be looking for smoke alarms, Clinton spokesman Mark Jones said. Officials identified the dead as: Brittany Presley, 33, and her children Landon Brookshire, 15; Lane Presley, 13; Lawson Presley, 12; Grayson Presley, 6; Malcom Presley, 4; and Felicity Presley, 1. The father tried to save family members and suffered smoke inhalation, burns, cuts and bruises, according to Jones.
2 Virus prank: A 19-year-old man suspected of spraying disinfectant inside a Walmart in suburban Chicago last week while announcing to startled customers that he was infected with the new coronavirus turned himself in to police. Tyler Wallace of Joliet is charged with misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct, retail theft and criminal trespass to property. Police allege that Wallace put a surgical mask over his mouth and a homemade sign on his back that read “Caution I have the coronavirus,” then walked through the store spraying Lysol. “It appears to have been a prank that went too far,” police Sgt. Chris Botzum said.
3 UAW fraud: A former senior official at the United Auto Workers has pleaded guilty to a corruption scheme, admitting that he conspired to conceal the use of union cash for vacation villas, golf, cigars and booze. Vance Pearson was based in the St. Louis area. The corruption probe so far that has netted nine guilty pleas from union officials and a spouse, and three more from Fiat Chrysler employees. Pearson pleaded guilty to a single charge of conspiring to embezzle union money. His involvement was limited to an amount between $250,000 and $500,000, the plea deal states.
4 Registration targeted: A man in Florida is under arrest after he deliberately drove a van into a tent where voters were being registered, authorities in Jacksonville said Sunday. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said Gregory William Loel Timm, 27, has been charged with aggravated assault. There were no injuries. The Republican Party of Duval County set up the tent Saturday. The county GOP said six volunteers for President Trump’s campaign “were intentionally targeted while registering voters.” In a tweet, GOP Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said, “These unprovoked, senseless attacks on @realDonaldTrump’s supporters need to end.” Trump retweeted the message and added, “Be careful tough guys who you play with!”
5 Fake cop: A man driving what appeared to be a police car didn’t fool a suburban Detroit sheriff. Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard said he pulled over a vehicle with an array of lights and a decal that read “emergency response.” He said there was a fake radar on the dash and a police-style computer. He also found a loaded gun and a knife. “He looks at me and says, ‘Who are you?’ And I said, ‘I’m the sheriff. Who are you?’” Bouchard said. “He initially said that sometimes he helps police. I don’t know what that means.” Charges are pending.
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