In the news
Jeb Bush, the ex-Florida governor, ended his relationships with his business consulting firm Jeb Bush & Associates and his consulting firm Britton Hill Partners, clearing the way for an all-but-declared Republican candidacy for president.
Phil Collins, 63, the British pop star, was named an honorary Texan as state lawmakers saluted his donation of hundreds of Alamo artifacts back to the historic outpost.
Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany has declined an invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend a military parade in Moscow marking the 70th anniversary of the defeat of the Nazis, officials said, citing tensions over Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
Kim Do Hee, 27, the Korean Air flight attendant who was verbally and physically attacked by the airline’s heiress on Dec. 5 for serving macadamia nuts in a bag, is suing the airline and the heiress.
Dan Sowell, the property appraiser in Bay County, Fla., revoked the tax-exempt status of The Life Center: A Spiritual Community, a church that hosted naked paint parties and slumber-party Sundays featuring the “sexiest ladies on the beach.”
Maurice Franklin, who police in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., say dropped to the ground and rolled in dog waste to avoid being arrested for public drunkenness, ended up being taken into custody anyway.
Wayne Skinner, a 13-year veteran of the Nashville, Tenn., police who is accused of kicking a subordinate in the chest and groin area during a discussion of gun rights, submitted his resignation as a criminal-assault investigation was begun.
James Wiles, 45, of Springhill Township, Pa., was charged with simple assault and harassment, accused of throwing a “Jesus” vanity license plate at his brother during a fight, cutting him badly enough to require treatment by paramedics.
Michael Pavelek, 66, of Fairview Township, Pa., pleaded guilty to harassment and was fined $150 plus court costs as he admitted kicking a 102-yearold woman in the shin at his mother’s nursing home, complaining that she kept following them.
Jeffrey Thomas Carr, 41, and his father, Joseph Thomas Carr, 67, both of Gainesville, Ga., were sentenced to prison after their conviction on racketeering charges, accused of swindling a 93-year-old Cobb County widow, Frances Perkins, out of millions.