Sunday, December 27, 2009
Franklin County Sheriff Arrested
Ewell Hunt is indicted on charges of not properly maintaining records. His daughter, Ashley, was reportedly being paid for hours she did not work. The 19-year-old also reportedly accompanied deputies on drug buys.
A scathing grand jury report on the Franklin County Sheriff's Office describes a dysfunctional agency where the sheriff's teenage daughter disrupted the chain of command and lax evidence handling allowed seized drugs to show up at the high school.
Sheriff Ewell Hunt was arrested Monday after a special grand jury indicted him on a misdemeanor charge of not properly maintaining the records Virginia law requires a sheriff to keep.
A statement from Hunt's attorney, William Stanley, said Hunt is innocent.
"We completely disagree with the conclusions, speculations, and conjecture that are the underpinnings of the report," the statement said.
Hunt, who is finishing his second year as sheriff, has no plans to resign, the statement said.
The charge against him follows other serious allegations against sheriffs in Henry and Page counties in recent years.
The special grand jury spent more than six months investigating the sheriff's office after allegations that Ashley Hunt was getting paid for hours she hadn't worked. She was not indicted.
A report by the special grand jury made public Monday described Ashley Hunt's work schedule as "very irregular and, in its extreme, surprising and highly suspicious." The panel found that the sheriff had directed Maj. Josh Carter to approve Ashley Hunt's timecards, even though Carter questioned their accuracy.
Carter reported the issue to the commonwealth attorney's office. The sheriff fired Carter, and Lt. Allan Arrington, in May.
Sheriff Ewell Hunt"I'm just glad the report is out and it clears any wrongdoing on my part," Carter said Monday.
"I've always prided myself on doing the right thing."
The report said that Carter improperly approved Ashley Hunt's timecards, but that it didn't rise to the level of a criminal offense.
Ashley Hunt earned $11,494 last year.
The report found that not only was Ashley Hunt paid for time she didn't work, but she also went with deputies to stakeouts, drug buys, drug arrests and roundups without proper training and without being a sworn officer.
And once, the sheriff, who was in a department vehicle with his daughter, let her drive as they pursued a suspect at speeds up to 90 miles per hour, according to the report.
Ashley Hunt was hired at the sheriff's office as a part-time temporary employee when she was 14 years old. Hunt was then a lieutenant under former Sheriff Quint Overton.
At some point before January 2008, Ashley Hunt became the primary person responsible for purchasing, storage issuance and the management of equipment and supplies including uniforms, communication equipment, vehicles and other items, according to the report. It also said that she issued those items to those deputies whom she favored.
By January 2008, when Hunt was sworn in as sheriff, Ashley Hunt "self-prescribed her duties" and took on responsibilities of sworn deputies, the report says. She had access to police radios, and wore clothing that resembled or were identical to the deputies' uniforms.
"Ashley Hunt's employment was detrimental to the morale of the Sheriff's Department," the report says. "Her assignments were well beyond the usual responsibility given and tasks performed by other temporary, part-time clerks."
The report also said Ashley Hunt countermanded officers and disrespected the sheriff with uncontrolled emotional outbursts.
"She played an important, if not pivotal role, in preventing the Sheriff from realizing the potential of his staff and maintaining leadership," the report said.
Stanley, Ewell Hunt's attorney, also defended Ashley Hunt. "We completely disagree with the unfounded statements and conclusions about Ashley," he wrote.
The special grand jury also looked into the handling of evidence.
When Hunt was sworn in, the sheriff's office had a practice of storing evidence in closets, cars and "other questionably secure locations," the report said.
Following a January 2008 directive, deputies were supposed to have turned in all of their evidence.
The panel found "scant evidence" that deputies followed the directive.
In March 2008, the sheriff's office began storing evidence at a storage facility and hired a part-time evidence technician.
In June 2008, Arrington's son was charged with having illicit drugs at Franklin County High School. The special grand jury concluded that the drugs likely came from Arrington's evidence. The grand jury tried to locate all of the evidence connected to Arrington, but found that at least 26 bags of evidence remain missing.
The panel found that Arrington improperly possessed controlled substances because of the sheriff's office's lack of policy. He was not charged because his actions lacked criminal intent, the report said.
Arrington could not be reached Monday.
Franklin County Commonwealth's Attorney Cliff Hapgood did not return phone calls Monday about whether the mismanagement of evidence has, or might, affect the prosecution of cases in his office.
Pittsylvania County Commonwealth's Attorney David Grimes, the special prosecutor in the case, also could not be reached Monday.
Members of the special grand jury contacted Monday said they were directed by a judge not to speak publicly about the report.
Hunt is the latest Western Virginia sheriff indicted in recent years, following Frank Cassell in Henry County and Danny Presgraves in Page County.
Cassell eventually pleaded guilty to making a false statement to investigators and was sentenced to eight months in prison and fined $15,000.
Presgraves pleaded guilty to racketeering and was given a 19-month prison sentence and fined $1,000. A $75,000 forfeiture also was imposed against Presgraves.
Credit: Roanoke.com
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Microsoft: Windows 7 on track for 2010
•Finally Microsoft has gone on the record: The next version of Windows, known currently only as Windows 7, is slated for delivery to consumers by 2010. The confirmation is a reversal of months of Microsoft's refusal to commit to a ship date for the product, or even more than a vague acknowledgment that, yes, there would be another version of Windows somewhere down the line.
Windows 7 development seems well underway now. In fact the company has delivered a version of the OS to government regulators so it could be checked for compliance with the various antitrust rulings and verdicts against the company. (One quite credible rumor says that Windows 7 will be highly integrated with Microsoft's Windows Live online services, hence the additional antitrust concern.) But other than looking at leaked timelines and conjecture about what Windows 7 might look like, no reliable intel has emerged about features, interface, or much of anything else. (When rumors swirl around an updated version of Paint and the Calculator, you know there's not much to talk about.)
Still, 2010 isn't sounding like too long to wait for a new OS, for those users looking to leapfrog Vista and go directly from XP to W7. Of course, Microsoft would greatly prefer you buy Vista immediately instead of waiting, hence the silent treatment on Windows 7.
Meanwhile, a new build of Windows 7 is rumored for arrival in the late spring or early summer. Hopefully the code will fall into more hands by then, along with the opportunity for us all to take a little closer look. Stay tuned.
Windows 7 development seems well underway now. In fact the company has delivered a version of the OS to government regulators so it could be checked for compliance with the various antitrust rulings and verdicts against the company. (One quite credible rumor says that Windows 7 will be highly integrated with Microsoft's Windows Live online services, hence the additional antitrust concern.) But other than looking at leaked timelines and conjecture about what Windows 7 might look like, no reliable intel has emerged about features, interface, or much of anything else. (When rumors swirl around an updated version of Paint and the Calculator, you know there's not much to talk about.)
Still, 2010 isn't sounding like too long to wait for a new OS, for those users looking to leapfrog Vista and go directly from XP to W7. Of course, Microsoft would greatly prefer you buy Vista immediately instead of waiting, hence the silent treatment on Windows 7.
Meanwhile, a new build of Windows 7 is rumored for arrival in the late spring or early summer. Hopefully the code will fall into more hands by then, along with the opportunity for us all to take a little closer look. Stay tuned.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Why Is Google Spelled Wrong? 'Googlle' Celebrates 11th Birthday
Eagle-eyed web users may have noticed that 'Google' is spelled "Googlle' today. Our Google overlords spelled the name of their website "Googlle" on Sunday morning. So why is Google spelled wrong? To celebrate Google's 11th birthday, Google has two Ls in it to represent the number 11.
Of course, the real question is when is Google's birthday? Last year, Google put up its 10th birthday logo on September 2 and its Wikipedia entry, Google was incorporated company on Sep. 4 1998.
It seems that Google can't seem to figure out their birthdate or how to spell Google. Still, they seem be doing something right. One of the top Google Trends right now is "Why is Google spelled wrong?" So even when the site looks like they've made a mistake, people still look to it for answers.
Of course, the real question is when is Google's birthday? Last year, Google put up its 10th birthday logo on September 2 and its Wikipedia entry, Google was incorporated company on Sep. 4 1998.
It seems that Google can't seem to figure out their birthdate or how to spell Google. Still, they seem be doing something right. One of the top Google Trends right now is "Why is Google spelled wrong?" So even when the site looks like they've made a mistake, people still look to it for answers.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Microsoft tablet snatches the spotlight
Courier tablet ... a first look at the new device that is reportedly being developed by Microsoft.
Microsoft has snatched back some of the limelight in its long-running battle with Apple after pictures of a prototype tablet computer reportedly being developed by the software giant shook the blogosphere this week.
Details of the tablet PC, published on gadget website Gizmodo, caught industry watchers completely unaware and closely followed reports of a similar tablet device leaked by Apple insiders in July.
A tablet PC is typically smaller than a laptop but larger than a personal digital assistant (PDA), can function as a web browser, media player or book reader and is operated by stylus or touchscreen.
Although Microsoft founder Bill Gates has been evangelising on the merits of tablet devices for more than a decade, the images are the first evidence of an actual device in the pipeline.
Gizmodo reported that the Courier is a late-stage prototype featuring dual 7-inch screens, which are hinged together and operated by pen and touch. It said the device might also feature wireless charging and a digital camera.
“The Courier user experience presented here is almost the exact opposite of what everyone expects the Apple tablet to be, a kung fu eagle claw to Apple's tiger style,” Gizmodo said.
Some industry commentators consider the device a direct challenge to Apple as it comes under pressure to produce a new gadget to rival the runaway success of the iPod MP3 player and the iPhone.
Based on leaked news reports of Apple's tablet, its device would differ substantially from the Courier prototype. With a 10-inch screen, it is expected to take the form of a large iPhone and function as a games console, book reader and home media and internet hub.
Apple's device may even be in stores before Christmas, according to a report in the Financial Times, which may account for the timing of the Courier prototype leak.
However, some technology news sites remained sceptical about Microsoft's credentials to compete with Apple on this new front.
“It's nice to get excited about a drawing of a fantasy product. We'd all love a cheap, digital booklet that takes pictures and loads maps super-fast over the Internet," wrote Dan Frommer from the Silicon Valley Insider.
"But let's not lose touch with reality - and Microsoft's history in the gadget industry. When's the last time Redmond actually made something that works like this? What's changed that might make this a reality now?”
Microsoft is yet to make any official endorsement of the prototype, but technology news website Cnet said the Courier was one of several prototypes being developed under the watch of company executive J. Allard.
“Microsoft has been trying to keep Allard's work under wraps - even locating Allard's team well away from the rest of Microsoft's main Redmond campus. Until it was shown by Gizmodo, not only was Courier's existence a surprise to many outside Redmond, few inside the company were aware of it either,” Cnet said.
Although Microsoft dominates the software sector, it has not had the smoothest of rides in developing hardware. Its Zune music player has struggled to make headway against the iPod and the Xbox360 gaming console has had its own issues, with a large number of users reporting serious hardware faults.
In other moves against its long-time rival, Microsoft announced plans in July to open retail spaces next door to Apple stores. It has also been trying to hit back against a highly targeted advertising campaign by Apple that portrays PC users as nerds who have fallen behind the times.
Microsoft has snatched back some of the limelight in its long-running battle with Apple after pictures of a prototype tablet computer reportedly being developed by the software giant shook the blogosphere this week.
Details of the tablet PC, published on gadget website Gizmodo, caught industry watchers completely unaware and closely followed reports of a similar tablet device leaked by Apple insiders in July.
A tablet PC is typically smaller than a laptop but larger than a personal digital assistant (PDA), can function as a web browser, media player or book reader and is operated by stylus or touchscreen.
Although Microsoft founder Bill Gates has been evangelising on the merits of tablet devices for more than a decade, the images are the first evidence of an actual device in the pipeline.
Gizmodo reported that the Courier is a late-stage prototype featuring dual 7-inch screens, which are hinged together and operated by pen and touch. It said the device might also feature wireless charging and a digital camera.
“The Courier user experience presented here is almost the exact opposite of what everyone expects the Apple tablet to be, a kung fu eagle claw to Apple's tiger style,” Gizmodo said.
Some industry commentators consider the device a direct challenge to Apple as it comes under pressure to produce a new gadget to rival the runaway success of the iPod MP3 player and the iPhone.
Based on leaked news reports of Apple's tablet, its device would differ substantially from the Courier prototype. With a 10-inch screen, it is expected to take the form of a large iPhone and function as a games console, book reader and home media and internet hub.
Apple's device may even be in stores before Christmas, according to a report in the Financial Times, which may account for the timing of the Courier prototype leak.
However, some technology news sites remained sceptical about Microsoft's credentials to compete with Apple on this new front.
“It's nice to get excited about a drawing of a fantasy product. We'd all love a cheap, digital booklet that takes pictures and loads maps super-fast over the Internet," wrote Dan Frommer from the Silicon Valley Insider.
"But let's not lose touch with reality - and Microsoft's history in the gadget industry. When's the last time Redmond actually made something that works like this? What's changed that might make this a reality now?”
Microsoft is yet to make any official endorsement of the prototype, but technology news website Cnet said the Courier was one of several prototypes being developed under the watch of company executive J. Allard.
“Microsoft has been trying to keep Allard's work under wraps - even locating Allard's team well away from the rest of Microsoft's main Redmond campus. Until it was shown by Gizmodo, not only was Courier's existence a surprise to many outside Redmond, few inside the company were aware of it either,” Cnet said.
Although Microsoft dominates the software sector, it has not had the smoothest of rides in developing hardware. Its Zune music player has struggled to make headway against the iPod and the Xbox360 gaming console has had its own issues, with a large number of users reporting serious hardware faults.
In other moves against its long-time rival, Microsoft announced plans in July to open retail spaces next door to Apple stores. It has also been trying to hit back against a highly targeted advertising campaign by Apple that portrays PC users as nerds who have fallen behind the times.
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