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The Associated Press March 15, 2012

By Steve Szkotak

CHRISTIANSBURG

The state is giving strong signals that it will appeal a jury's decision that Virginia Tech officials were negligent in their actions leading up to the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history.

The verdict in the wrongful death lawsuit is the latest of three decisions that have faulted the university for its actions on April 16, 2007, when it hesitated at letting students know of a gunman on campus who ultimately fatally shot 32 people before killing himself.

Jurors sided with the parents of two students slain in the massacre Julia Pryde and Erin Peterson that officials should have known the campus was at risk without a gunman in custody. The parents said the botched response led to the deaths of their daughters.

Virginia Tech spokesman Mark Owczarski said after the verdict that the school would review the case with the attorney general's office before deciding on any further options.

"We are disappointed with today's decision and stand by our long-held position that the administration and law enforcement at Virginia Tech did their absolute best with the information available on April 16, 2007," Owczarski said in a statement.

Likewise, the attorney general's office said it was discussing "our options" with the Virginia Tech administration on an appeal.

Officials stuck with their argument that President Charles Steger and other university officials relied on the best information they had that morning involving the rampage by student gunman Seung-Hui Cho.

Excerpt from:
Va. Tech verdict likely not the last legal word

Rod Blagojevich. (Photo by John Gress/Getty Images)

MICHAEL TARM Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) - Prison-bound former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich says he has faith in his appeal and that his legal saga "is not over."

Blagojevich spoke to reporters outside his Chicago home Wednesday, less than 24 hours before he's due to report to a Colorado prison to begin serving a 14-year sentence for corruption.

With his wife by his side, Blagojevich said preparing to leave for prison is the hardest thing he's ever done.

The 55-year-old Blagojevich was convicted of 18 criminal counts during two trials, including charges the tried to sell or trade an appointment to President Barack Obama's vacated U.S. Senate seat.

Prison authorities haven't confirmed where Blagojevich will be imprisoned. But he asked to go to the Federal Correctional Institution Englewood in suburban Denver.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Associated Press

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On last day free, Blagojevich offers last word

CHICAGO (AP) On his last full day of freedom, Rod Blagojevich will do what he loved doing while Illinois governor and as he unsuccessfully defended himself against corruption charges: He'll step up to a microphone and talk.

Blagojevich, known for colorful speeches and a habit of quoting historical figures, is set to speak outside his Chicago home Wednesday evening. The 55-year-old Democrat is due to report to a Colorado prison on Thursday to begin a 14-year sentence, making him the state's second governor in a row to go to prison for corruption.

More than 50 reporters were swarming his home by mid-afternoon, including two television helicopters hovering overhead and a dozen TV trucks parked along his street. Some neighbors were signing a banner hung over a railing on Blagojevich's house that read, "Thanks Mr. Governor. We Will Pray."

Blagojevich timed his departing statement to begin at precisely 5:02 p.m. so it could appear live on the evening news. His publicist even planned to give a two-minute warning via Twitter so newscasts could be ready.

Since his sentencing in December, the impeached governor hasn't spoken in interviews or addressed the media corps following every step of his legal saga. His attorneys said he wanted to depart in a dignified way, without a media frenzy.

That fueled speculation he'd try to slip out of Chicago undetected, but his spokesman said Blagojevich never entertained that idea.

Blagojevich was convicted of 18 criminal counts over two trials, including charges that accused him of attempting to sell or trade an appointment to President Barack Obama's vacated U.S. Senate seat.

Prison authorities haven't confirmed where Blagojevich will be imprisoned. But he asked to go to the Federal Correctional Institution Englewood, in suburban Denver, and that's where he's expected to report by 2 p.m. Thursday. Blagojevich's predecessor, George Ryan, is serving a 6 -year sentence in a Terre Haute, Ind., prison.

Blagojevich apologized for his actions at his sentencing in December, but also has said he would appeal his convictions.

Federal agents arrested the then-governor at his home on Dec. 9, 2008. When an FBI official called to tell Blagojevich agents were at his door to arrest him, he reportedly responded in disbelief, "Is this a joke?"

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On last day free, Blagojevich to offer last word

Smart911 to Recognize Public Safety Pros During National Telecommunicators Week

Framingham, Mass. (PRWEB) March 14, 2012

Individuals are encouraged to nominate 9-1-1 call-takers and dispatchers they feel deserve to be recognized for leadership, performance, compassion for callers, ability to inspire co-workers and overall contributions to their Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs). Winners will be announced during National Telecommunicators Week, April 8-14, in order to highlight the critical public safety role these telecommunicators play.

9-1-1 call-takers and dispatchers alleviate stressful situations and save lives throughout each and every day, ensuring citizens immediately get the help they need, said Tom Axbey, CEO of Rave Mobile Safety. Effective emergency response requires strong public-private partnerships. Whereas telecommunicators play such a vital role, we want to ensure the public has the opportunity to recognize them for the positive impact they have on their communities.

The public may submit nominees for the Smart Telecommunicator Awards at http://www.ravemobilesafety.com/smarttelecommunicator through March 21 at 11:59 PM EDT. On March 26, finalist nominations will be posted online, kicking off a public vote that will run through March 30. Smart911 will name a national winner at a ceremony during National Telecommunicators Week, and make a donation of $1,000 to the charity of the winners choice. Four regional honorees will also receive awards, along with a $500 donation to the charities of their choosing.

Both Smart911 and iCERT continually work towards improving 9-1-1 services across the U.S. We know that without these talented and dedicated telecommunicators, our efforts would be for naught. This is our way of thanking them for all that they do, stated iCERT Executive Director, George Rice.

Smart911 is a national system that provides citizens with the ability to enter information that they want to make available to 9-1-1 telecommunicators through a secure website at http://www.Smart911.com. Information can include childrens photos, medical conditions, disabilities, home addresses of cellphone callers, or other rescue-related information. Smart911 delivers this information automatically with a 9-1-1 call to participating PSAPs. Smart911 enables emergency responders to be more effective because they have access to a rich source of critical health and logistics information before arriving at the scene of an emergency. Smart911 also supports the critical need to effectively capture and manage data for special needs citizens.

About Rave Mobile Safety

Rave Mobile Safety is the most trusted software partner for campus and public safety. Used by leading Institutes of Higher Education and State and Local Agencies, the award-winning portfolio of RaveAlert, RaveGuardian, Eyewitness, Smart911 and SmartPrepare enables millions to feel safe, secure and connected. Rave Mobile Safety is headquartered in Framingham, MA. For more information please visit http://www.ravemobilesafety.com.

About iCERT- the 9-1-1 Industry Alliance

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Only One Week Remains to Nominate 9-1-1 Professionals for Smart Telecommunicator Awards

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A killer is on the run after a shooting at party that police say got out of control. Hundreds of teenagers were reportedly at the party, all crammed into a vacant house in southeast Houston.

It happened at a home on Allison near Cullen. Police were on the scene investigating for several hours after the massive Spring Break foam party advertised on social media turned into a deadly shooting.

Willie Armstrong, 19, and a group of friends were among what Houston police say was anywhere from 300 to 600 or more teens and college students all crowded in the house.

Party-goers tell Eyewitness News it was a massive bubbles and foam party. But around midnight, after calls from several neighbors, police, including off-duty HPD officers working security, shut the party down.

"Then about 30 minutes later all hell broke loose -- gunfire," said neighbor Amos Miles.

Police say there were several people firing. Witnesses say bullets were coming from everywhere.

"Like 10 over here, three over here, six over there," said witness Fredrick Johnson.

That's when Armstrong, who was running from gunshots, looked up and saw one of the gunmen.

"He was just walking and then he just pulled out a gun and started shooting," he said.

Then he saw the gunman fire at a teen.

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One killed at rave party in southeast Houston