Entergy and PowerOutage.US. reported how they are progressing in their efforts to restore the power for the residents of Mississippi who are facing rough weather conditions. Many are seeing snow for the first time as snow storms and high winds are not typical for this state.
According to WLBT, authorities is urging the general public not to drive, unless they really need to. The roads are still very icy and drivers and truckers get stranded in the snow easily. Also, a number of accidents due to the icy roads have been reported in the recent period.
Dedication to our residents! DeShawonte Cooley came to work for her shift today. You may think that’s not a big deal….
However, for a woman named DeShawonte Cooley, the weather is not an obstacle for her to get on her job at Pinecrest Guest Home. According to the facility, Cooley “drove her 4-wheeler from her home in Byram to Hazlehurst – a distance of over 25 miles.”
She’s described as a “tough lady” and she definitely deserves to be called that. Cooley is aware that people like her who take care of the most vulnerable among us are now needed more than ever having in mind that the coronavirus pandemic is still ongoing and the virus keeps spreading very quickly.
WOW! “Tough Lady” DeShawonte Cooley drove her 4-wheeler from Byram to Hazlehurst for her shift at Pinecrest Guest Home. https://t.co/5altlHsn1L
A “deeply disturbing” video, as described by the Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, of a woman later identified as a Marine sergeant emerged on the social platform TikTok on Thursday, as per Insider.
The woman could be seen crying and explaining how “a man who had admitted to misconduct of a sexual nature had been allowed to stay in the Corps,” although she was told before that the man in question would be released from service. She also accused the Corps of not taking care of her as promised.
The video continues with the disturbed Marine saying: “This is exactly why f—ing females in the military f—ing kill themselves. This is exactly why nobody f—ing takes it seriously.”
Secretary Austin, who is a retired four-star Army general, spoke of the video during a briefing at the Pentagon and expressed his concerns regarding it, saying he had asked for more information from his staff. “We have to get the facts,” he said. “We have to understand what just happened.”
“I care about each and every one of our troops,” the secretary added. “I’m going to ask that her chain of command makes sure that someone is looking out after her needs and is making sure that we’re taking care of her.”
The Marine Corp released a statement saying that “sexual assault is a crime, is unacceptable, and violates our core values of honor, courage, and commitment,” as per Insider.
Later, however, they explained how this wasn’t a matter of sexual assault but an allegation of misconduct regarding the wrongful appropriation & distribution of personal information, something the advocacy group Not in My Marine Corps didn’t agree with.
We are aware of the video of the Marine in distress. The Marine Corps takes all allegations of misconduct seriously. The Marine’s command @iimefmarines has taken action to ensure the Marine is safe.
Captain Angelica Sposato, a spokeswoman for the unidentified woman’s unit, II Marine Expeditionary Force saidthe incident is being investigated and “the current administrative separation process for the accused perpetrator mentioned in the video is ongoing.”
“The Marine in the video is safe and has been afforded the opportunity to meet with senior representatives in her command,” she added.
On his second day as a Defense Secretary, Lloyd Austin “ordered a review of the military’s sexual assault and harassment prevention efforts,” according to Stars and Stripes. “We’ve been working at this for a long time, in earnest, but we haven’t gotten it right,” Austin said Friday about sexual assault in the military. “We’re going to do everything in our power to get it right.”
Stories of abuse always trigger feelings of anger and rage, but when little kids are involved, it’s even harder for us to understand how can certain people be so vicious and hurt someone so innocent.
The death 8-year-old Gabriel Fernandez suffered is not only tragic, but chilling. He was tortured to the extent that is difficult to be even read about.
Gabriel’s Justice
It was on May 22, 2013 when the emergency center received a call about a boy that was said to stop breathing. It was Gabriel’s mother who made that call.
The sight that the paramedics stumbled upon at the family’s home was gruesome. The poor boy’s body was naked and covered in bruises. Many of his teeth were missing and he had broken ribs and fractures in the head.
Unfortunately, it was too late for him to be saved, and Gabriel passed away two days after the chilling call was made.
Nurse Alison, who works at the hospital where the boy was admitted told ABC7, “There were abrasions. There were open wounds. There was bruising. There was swelling. There was marks on the legs. There was skin missing off the top of the neck, so there were multiple injuries on Gabriel…head to toe.”
Gabriel’s Justice
The story behind this tragic event raised the alarm about the way social services and authorities fail to step in for victims of abuse. The whole nation was in disbelief and everyone agreed that if something was done in time, Gabriel would still be alive.
During the period of 2003 and 2012, more than 60 reports about torture and abuse were filed against his mother and her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre.
The mistreatment he was getting from those who were supposed to love him and take care of him was first noticed by Gabriel’s first grade teacher. She contacted the authorities multiple times reporting that the boy was coming to school with black eyes, scars, cracked lips and injured hands.
Gabriel’s Justice
Unfortunately, the case was never fully investigated. Police did visit Gabriel’s mother in one occasion but she told them he moved places and was living with his grandmother in Texas, and it looked like they weren’t willing to ask for any prove or get into details.
Despite the numerous reports against this mother from hell, nothing was done. She wasn’t arrested or taken to the station.
Gabriel’s Justice
After the news of Gabriel’s death, the police received massive criticism from the wide public and four social workers were fired from their job, which they obviously weren’t doing properly. But a life was already lost, and people were outraged.
“The red flags were all over the place. They were ignored. It is just inexplicable to me,” said Los Angeles county Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky.
Gabriel’s mother, Pearl Fernandez, 34, and her boyfriend Isauro Aguirre, 37, were arrested.
During the trial against the cruel killers, many of the horrific things they did to the poor boy were revealed. The jury and the judge cried.
Gabriel’s Justice
Apparently, the reason behind their cruel behavior against Gabriel was because they though he was gay.
The boy’s older sister said how they mocked him and forced him to wear dresses and play with dolls.
“This wasn’t about drugs. This wasn’t about mental health issues,” Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Hatami said. “Gabriel was abused “because [Aguirre] didn’t like him … he believed Gabriel was gay and to him, that was a bad thing … he did it out of hatred of a little boy.”
Gabriel’s Justice
Gabriel’s brother, Ezequiel, 16, also testified of the abuse his little brother suffered during the years.
The boy was ridiculed on a daily basis and was forced to eat old cat food. He was often locked in a cabinet without any access to food or water. What’s most, his mother and her boyfriend found the torture funny and amusing.
Gabriel’s first-year teacher, Jennifer Garcia, appeared at court and cried while speaking about the boy.
“I find comfort in believing he is now at peace,” she said, adding: “And I know that unlike him, his abusers will never have peace. They will have a lifetime of suffering to endure, and I know I’m not alone in hoping they experience the same abuse in their lifetime and worse.”
Facebook / KTLA News
The evil mother said how she was sorry and wished her son was alive. But it was way too late for her to feel like that, as she was the reason the boy suffered such tragic death.
After a long trial, the verdict was finally there and everyone was in anticipation of hearing it.
Facebook / CBS Los Angeles
Pearl Fernandez was sentenced to life imprisonment and Isauro Aguirre received the death penalty.
Justice was finally served. The two didn’t get anything less than what they deserved.
Gabriel’s family is now running a Facebook page where they openly speak of everything the boy suffered. They hope authorities won’t ever let another child suffer the way Gabriel did.
Gabriel’s Justice
They say that before the torture took place, Gabriel was a happy and vibrant boy everyone loved.
Gabriel’s Justice
As a result of Gabriel’s death, the LA police introduced major changes in the way reports of abuse are treated. Social workers get more practical work in order to become even more competent in solving such cases.
Rest in peace little one.
Gabriel’s Justice
Most parents of children with disabilities dream of a world in which their kids will be treated equally as every other child out there. However, the reality is that people who have certain disabilities are many times either overlooked or stared at, and that breaks their parents’ hearts.
Owen Long has autism and his parents are going above and beyond to teach him how to adjust to the outside world so that he can function independently as much as he can. One time, they sent him to the Sun Cuisines, a local New York restaurant, to ask for a takeout menu while they were waiting for him in the car. Neither his mom nor dad expected for this experience to turn into one they will never forget.
YouTube
Owen practiced how to ask for the menu and once he felt ready, he left the vehicle and entered the place. His dad Pat waited for a while but realized it took too much time for Owen to get back so he suspected something turned wrong. When Pat got inside the restaurant to check on his son, he was stunned by what he saw. Owen was eating all by himself, and it made Pat extremely happy. But how did his son who struggles talking to strangers felt comfortable to sit and have his meal there?
YouTube
As it turns out, Owen asked for the menu, but then owner Aye Thein asked him whether he wanted something to eat there, to which Owen replied how he wanted beef. The chef prepared beef curry which the boy liked.
“Apparently, he told the hostess ‘I’m hungry.’ So she sat him down and asked what he wanted to eat, and he answered: ‘beef.’ She told her cooks, ‘hurry, this boy is very hungry,’ and made him a beef curry with rice. She said that he was so sweet she was planning on letting him eat for free,” Owen’s mom, Sandra, said.
“That is just so uncommonly kind. Like how often can you imagine someone, you know I’m gonna cry thinking about it,” she added.
The parents took a photo of their son and shared it online. In a matter of days, the owner, Aye, received praise from hundreds of people. She treated Owen with such kindness like he never experienced from a stranger before, and that meant the world for the family.
Sun Cuisines Restaurant in Williamsville / Facebook
Many media outlets were quick to pick up the story and contact Aye. She explained how the motto of their restaurant is “Ask and you shall receive” and how she was just practicing Mettā, part of Buddhism and her Burmese culture, which means love and kindness to everybody.
This story is truly heartwarming, not only because an autistic boy learned what kindness from strangers is, but because it shows just how important it is to embrace different cultures from people who come to America from many parts of the world.
You can check the whole story out in the video below. Heartwarming, indeed.
The following story, which sounds pretty incredible, honestly, comes from Ethiopia. Sadly, this country is known for forcing girls into marriage at very young age. According to the organization Girls not Brides, over 40% of the girls in Ethiopia are married before the age of 18, which makes the country the 16th highest nation in the world for child marriage.
A twelve-year-old girl would end up a victim of kidnapping and forced into marriage had it not been for three lions that saved her. I know some may find hard this to believe, but that’s exactly what happened.
Namely, the beasts were lurking when they heard the cries of the poor girl that was being beaten and chased after her kidnappers.
“They stood guard until we found her, and then they just left her like a gift and went back into the forest,” a police investigator told NBC News.
Stuart Williams, a wildlife expert spoke of this incredible case and said: “A young girl whimpering could be mistaken for the mewing sound from a lion cub, which in turn could explain why they didn’t eat her.”
The girl was treated for the injuries she sustained from the beating but is now feeling fine.
Whether you are a fan of her or maybe not that much, you have to agree that Ellen DeGeneres truly is an awesome host.
Besides inviting top celebrities to be part of her show, she always leaves room for prodigy kids who have a lot to give and show to the world, just like Justin Wilson II. What is special about this five-year-old boy is that he’s awesome at playing the drums. We all know that excelling this instrument takes a lot of practice and concentration, but when it comes to Justin, he just has it in himself.
Source: YouTube screenshot / TheEllenShow
Once a video of him playing Lenny Kravtiz’s classic “Fly Away” caught the attention of many and he was on Ellen’s show, she invited him over again a year later. This time, he perfected another of Kravitz’s songs, “Are You Gonna Go My Way,” or as Justin says, “Are You Gonna Go My Wayyyyyyy” as he points to his parents and explains how that’s something they do, making the audience laugh.
And now as everyone realizes he feels like home at the studio, Justin sits behind the drums and starts drumming like no one’s watching. But then comes a huge surprise. Kravitz himself gets on the stage, and as the audience goes wild, Justin doesn’t even notice his biggest idol is there as he’s concentrated on his drumming.
Source: YouTube screenshot / TheEllenShow
Few seconds later, the boy sees Kravitz and can’t believe his eyes. But just as a real professional, he continues playing the drums until his idol interrupts him in order to give him a high-five.
Justin meeting the celebrity he admires and looks up to is truly a cute sight to witness.
Source: YouTube screenshot / TheEllenShow
And if this surprise wasn’t enough, Ellen also gave Justin a huge hamper of Spiderman themed merch including games, toys, pillows, and a lot more.
We are sure Justin will never forget this special day. Take a look at him in the video below. Isn’t he a natural talent?
As if the situation with the coronavirus isn’t concerning and threatening enough, many U.S. states faced extremely bad weather and storms so powerful that millions were left freezing and without power. The high winds and blizzards made it extremely difficult for drivers to get to their destinations as most of them never experienced such severe weather conditions and icy roads.
The major snowstorm that first hit Texas and Oklahoma spread east across the Mississippi Valley into the Southeast United States. People are being hospitalized after they found themselves in a pileup caused by the icy roads in Oklahoma.
At least 20 people have died, and nearly 3 million customers remained without power in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi.https://t.co/Qmf3JTE8OZ
The snow led to many roads being shut. The major highway into the Mississippi city of Vicksburg has been closed, and that led many drivers, especially truckers, to get stranded in freezing conditions.
However, no matter how bad everything seems, you know how they say, “There is always light at the end of the tunnel,” and that ray of hope for many of these people who found themselves stuck in the snow and away from their homes is a woman named Evelyn Fletcher, a retired U.S. Army Veteran.
Crews from the Vicksburg Public Works Department are working to clear the Westbound lanes of I-20 between the Clay St exit and the Mississippi River Bridge. Thank you for your patience. pic.twitter.com/PRiAEiiSHp
Fletcher cooked 65 meals on Monday only and gave them to the truckers. “Just show people who God is outside the four walls of the church because we go to church,” she said. “We are a fellowship, but what good is it if we’re not helping our fellow man and woman?”
After she posted on Facebook about her meals, a lot of people from the community decided to join her. And not only them, but also the local catering company T’Beaux’s Crawfish and Catering in Clinton.
“We just wanted to help the community out,” Molly Kate Adams, whose family owns the catering, told WLBT News. “Some businesses are still struggling because of COVID. They don’t really have the extra food, but if you can it’s nice.”
Meal for tomorrow.
Most truckers are gone. However, the hotels are still full with guests and some staff are staying…
It is during the hardest of times that we see who our real friends are and who is a good person and who isn’t that much.
As we all know already, Texas got struck by extremely bad weather and low temperatures. Over 2.3 million homes and businesses were without power and Texans have been reported to be on the hunt for food and clean water. According to WFAA, although the power was restored in many areas, the citizens are still struggling to deal with the aftermath of the storm.
And as everyone is doing their best to overcome this situation, one person, Raymond Garcia, is spending his time offering help and fixing people’s broken pipes as well as shutting off water to those who want to protect their vital water supply. What’s most, he’s doing all that free of charge.
PAYING IT FORWARD: Raymond Garcia has gone door-to-door to help his neighbors in need. But aside from the crisis happening around him, he told us there’s a personal reason why he’s doing what he’s doing.
The reason why this kind-hearted person decided to step in and help those affected by the storm is that he lost his mother a few days ago due to COVID-19 and most of the people he knows, including his neighbors, were there by his side during his hard times and offered their help and support. According to Garcia, all he does is paying it forward.
On Wednesday, when he was supposed to bury his mother, Garcia went from home to home to help others survive instead. “My mom always taught me if you help and give to people, God will always bless you. And you know what, I’ve been blessed,” Garcia told ABC13 News.
A 😢💕Sweetheart ♥️. Prayers for the loss of your mom Raymond Garcia. God bless your soul. 🙏🏿❤️💋 ty
