Ghana: CJID, DUBAWA harp on credible polls
NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers formally asked a judge Monday to throw out his hush money criminal conviction, arguing continuing the case would present unconstitutional “disruptions to the institution of the Presidency.“ In a filing made public Tuesday, Trump’s lawyers told Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchan that dismissal is warranted because of the extraordinary circumstances of his impending return to the White House. “Wrongly continuing proceedings in this failed lawfare case disrupts President Trump’s transition efforts,” the attorneys continued, before citing the “overwhelming national mandate granted to him by the American people on November 5, 2024.” Related Articles Prosecutors will have until Dec. 9 to respond. They have said they will fight any efforts to dismiss the case but have indicated openness to delaying sentencing until after Trump’s second term ends in 2029. Following Trump’s election victory last month, Merchan halted proceedings and indefinitely postponed his sentencing, previously scheduled for late November, to allow the defense and prosecution to weigh in on the future of the case. He also delayed a decision on Trump’s prior bid to dismiss the case on immunity grounds. Trump has been fighting for months to reverse the conviction, which involved efforts to conceal a $130,000 payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels, whose affair allegations threatened to disrupt his 2016 campaign. He has denied any wrongdoing. Trump takes office Jan. 20. Merchan hasn’t set a timetable for a decision. A dismissal would erase Trump’s historic conviction, sparing him the cloud of a criminal record and possible prison sentence. Trump is the first former president to be convicted of a crime and the first convicted criminal to be elected to the office. Merchan could also decide to uphold the verdict and proceed to sentencing, delay the case until Trump leaves office, wait until a federal appeals court rules on Trump’s parallel effort to get the case moved out of state court or choose some other option.The Chronicle's 2024 All-Area Football TeamMatt Gaetz Mocked With Scaramucci Comparisons After AG WithdrawalI'M A Celeb winner Danny Jones' McFly bandmates have reacted tonight's victory - and one joked that they voted for Coleen Rooney to win. The singer, 38, was crowned king of the jungle tonight after a battle for the top spot with WAG Coleen, also 38. Just moments after he was crowned winner, Dougie Poynter, Tom Fletcher and Harry Judd took to social media to celebrate. Dougie - who won the show back in 2011 - joked: "I'm actually really disappointed I have been voting for Coleen. "You know, whatever, I think she was the more deserving winner." He then shared another video saying: "I'm joking. Of course I'm f***ing joking!" Harry shared silent video of him laying in bed cheering after watching the final He captioned the post: "Silent celebration! "Go @dannyjonesofficial LEGEND! Deserved it!!! Love you mush." The star also explained the reason his video had no sound is because his wife Izzy was asleep next to him. And lastly, Tom posted the very moment that Danny was crowned winner on his Instagram story with the caption: "YEAH!!!!" He was so pleased for Danny, shouting: "YES!" The pop star also panned the camera at his wife Giovanna - who won I'm A Celeb in 2020 - who looked very emotional about the results. Danny managed 23 days in camp - and kept his cool with a python up his shorts in his very first trial. Crying after his name was announced, he said: "Thank you from the bottom of my heart, I gave it my all, it's a lovely feeling to be 'liked!'" Speaking to Ant and Dec, the dad-of-one revealed how the show had changed him. He added: "I've learned time is really important. "I came in here and just wanted to show Cooper how brave I was. "But I've actually gone further than that and deeper than that. "I never thought I'd say that, but I'm coming out of this jungle just knowing more about myself and appreciating way more, and that is, for me, is so worth it." During tonight's episode Danny, Coleen and Rev Richard Coles endured the final Bucktucker trial to win a feast fit for royalty. Danny’s began with mozzarella sticks paired with sweet chili sauce, followed by a buttermilk chicken burger and chips as his main. For dessert, he indulged in fresh cream profiteroles drizzled with warm Nutella sauce, all washed down with a cold glass of beer.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs denied bail by third judge as he awaits sex trafficking trial
Thanksgiving Weekend Sports Guide: Your roadmap to NFL matchups, other games, times, oddsMADRID (AP) — Getafe scored twice in three minutes midway through the second half to beat struggling Valladolid 2-0 and record only its second win in La Liga on Friday. The victory ended Getafe’s five-game winless run and lifted it into 15th place in the 20-team standings. Valladolid remained second to last. In the buildup to the match, Getafe sporting director Rubén Reyes described the game as a final but his team was lucky not to go behind as Valladolid created more of the early chances. However, the home side took control in the 69th minute when substitute Álvaro Rodríguez got the opener. Three minutes later, man of the match Allan Nyom made it 2-0. “There’s been a lot of games where we’ve run and fought but lost or drawn,” Nyom, the veteran Cameroon full back, said. “A game that reflects the effort we’ve put in in training is very welcome.” Adding to Valladolid’s woes, coach Paulo Pezzolano was sent off before halftime. The Uruguayan has the league’s worst disciplinary record, with seven yellow cards before Friday’s red. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
A hamstring injury silenced George Pickens. His Steelers teammates picked up the slack vs. Browns
The United States saw an 18.1% increase in homelessness this year, a dramatic rise driven mostly by a lack of affordable housing as well as devastating natural disasters and a surge of migrants in several parts of the country, federal officials said Friday. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said federally required tallies taken across the country in January found more than 770,000 people were counted as homeless — a number that misses some people and does not include those staying with friends or family because they don't have a place of their own. That increase comes on top of a 12% increase in 2023, which HUD blamed on soaring rents and the end of COVID-19 pandemic assistance. The 2023 increase also was driven by people experiencing homelessness for the first time. The numbers overall represent 23 of every 10,000 people in the U.S., with Black people being overrepresented among the homeless population. A man walks past a homeless encampment Oct. 25, 2023, in downtown Los Angeles. "No American should face homelessness, and the Biden-Harris Administration is committed to ensuring every family has access to the affordable, safe, and quality housing they deserve," HUD Agency Head Adrianne Todman said in a statement, adding that the focus should remain on "evidence-based efforts to prevent and end homelessness." Among the most concerning trends was a nearly 40% rise in family homelessness — one of the areas that was most affected by the arrival of migrants in big cities. Family homelessness more than doubled in 13 communities impacted by migrants including Denver, Chicago and New York City, according to HUD, while it rose less than 8% in the remaining 373 communities. Almost 150,000 children experienced homelessness on a single night in 2024, reflecting a 33% jump from last year. Disasters also played a part in the rise in the count, especially last year's catastrophic Maui wildfire, the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century. More than 5,200 people were in emergency shelters in Hawaii on the night of the count. Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries agents assist state police as they order people living in a homeless encampment to move to a different designated location during a sweep ahead of a Taylor Swift concert in New Orleans. "Increased homelessness is the tragic, yet predictable, consequence of underinvesting in the resources and protections that help people find and maintain safe, affordable housing," Renee Willis, incoming interim CEO of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, said in a statement. "As advocates, researchers, and people with lived experience have warned, the number of people experiencing homelessness continues to increase as more people struggle to afford sky-high housing costs." Robert Marbut Jr., the former executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness from 2019 to 2021, called the nearly 33% increase in homelessness over the past four years "disgraceful" and said the federal government needs to abandon efforts to prioritize permanent housing. "We need to focus on treatment of substance use and mental illness, and bring back program requirements, like job training," Marbut said in an email. The numbers also come as increasing numbers of communities are taking a hard line against homelessness. People living in a homeless encampment pick up belongings Oct. 23 after Louisiana State Police ordered them to move to a different designated location during a sweep ahead of a Taylor Swift concert in New Orleans. Angered by often dangerous and dirty tent camps, communities — especially in Western states — have enforced bans on camping. That follows a 6-3 ruling this summer by the Supreme Court that found outdoor sleeping bans don’t violate the Eighth Amendment. Homeless advocates argued that punishing people who need a place to sleep would criminalize homelessness. There was some positive news in the count, as homelessness among veterans continued to trend downward. Homelessness among veterans dropped 8% to 32,882 in 2024. It was an even larger decrease for unsheltered veterans, declining 11% to 13,851 in 2024. "The reduction in veteran homelessness offers us a clear roadmap for addressing homelessness on a larger scale," Ann Oliva, CEO of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, said in a statement. "With bipartisan support, adequate funding, and smart policy solutions, we can replicate this success and reduce homelessness nationwide. Federal investments are critical in tackling the country's housing affordability crisis and ensuring that every American has access to safe, stable housing." Several large cities had success bringing down their homeless numbers. Dallas, which worked to overhaul its homeless system, saw a 16% drop in its numbers between 2022 to 2024. Los Angeles, which increased housing for the homeless, saw a drop of 5% in unsheltered homelessness since 2023. A rat sniffs the hand of a sleeping man experiencing homelessness Dec. 18 in downtown Los Angeles. California, the most populous state in the U.S., continued to have the nation's largest homeless population, followed by New York, Washington, Florida and Massachusetts. The sharp increase in the homeless population over the past two years contrasts with success the U.S. had for more than a decade. Going back to the first 2007 survey, the U.S. made steady progress for about a decade in reducing the homeless population as the government focused particularly on increasing investments to get veterans into housing. The number of homeless people dropped from about 637,000 in 2010 to about 554,000 in 2017. The numbers ticked up to about 580,000 in the 2020 count and held relatively steady over the next two years as Congress responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with emergency rental assistance, stimulus payments, aid to states and local governments and a temporary eviction moratorium. Homelessness is intertwined with the cost of living, and the high cost of living is hitting older adults fairly hard. A Westat survey for the Department of Health and Human Services found that older adults are the fastest-growing cohort of the homeless population. Emergency housing for seniors can keep that number from climbing higher. Caring.com details how to access it. The number of homeless seniors isn't based solely on people remaining homeless as they age; it also includes those whose first experience with homelessness came after they turned 50. In 2023, The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) reported that 1 in 5 homeless people were over the age of 55. For seniors and other older adults, fixed incomes make it hard to battle the ever-increasing cost of expenses. Endhomelessness.org cites that 2.35 million older adults are paying over half of their limited income to rent. Based on Caring.com's July 2024 survey of seniors in the workforce , that's exactly why 1 in 15 retired seniors worry about losing their homes. Shelter use in homeless people older than 51 has gone up over 10% from 2007 to 2017, according to the HUD. But luckily, so has the number of shelters. Between 2022 and 2023, the HUD reports that emergency shelters added 28,760 more beds in emergency shelters, though this is a reduction in the amount of beds available during the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic. Emergency homeless assistance, or emergency housing, is a temporary solution. It's designed to provide shelter while those facing housing instability figure out their next step. Emergency housing for homeless seniors gives someone the immediate ability to remain housed and safely sheltered. Local nonprofits are often involved in placing people experiencing homelessness or housing instability into emergency shelters. Low-income seniors, seniors who are low on funds and might not make rent, or seniors who need to leave their homes for other reasons can use emergency housing. Many cities have their own emergency housing programs. There are also nationwide programs that provide emergency housing for seniors. The internet is the fastest tool for locating local emergency housing. Libraries have free internet access, for those who might not have a computer or Wi-Fi to begin their search. The list below leads to websites that include phone numbers for emergency homeless assistance. Seniors in need of immediate assistance and resources should call 2-1-1 or contact the United Way online . The 2-1-1 crisis hotline partners with United Way, which is committed to helping homeless seniors find local shelters or access transitional housing. The service can also connect seniors with other resources, including food, mental health support, or funding for health care expenses. Calling 2-1-1 is often required as a prerequisite before trying to get into a shelter or obtaining other assistance. Because 2-1-1 is for people in crisis, there are no eligibility requirements. However, some programs seniors may access through 2-1-1 do have eligibility requirements. Seniors can simply dial 2-1-1 from nearly anywhere in the U.S. to be put in touch with the programs and resources they need. Designed specifically for seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income families, the Housing Choice Voucher Program is a federal program offering low-income housing options and rent assistance. These vouchers are available through your local public housing agency (PHA). This program enables and encourages participants to choose their own housing. Housing options don't need to be a part of subsidized housing projects, but there are limits on unit size. Typically, participants must pay 30% of their monthly adjusted income towards their rent, and the voucher program pays the remainder. Applicant income and family size help the PHA determine eligibility. Citizenship and eligible immigration status also play a factor. The family's income cannot exceed 50% of the median income for the county or metropolitan area where they're applying to live. Of the vouchers, 75% must go to people whose income is at or less than 30% of their area's median income. Contact your local public housing agency . The Section 202 program helps expand the supply of affordable housing with supportive services for seniors. This program gives low-income seniors options that allow them to live independently, with support for cooking, cleaning, transportation, etc. This program is open to any very low-income household that has at least one person 62 years old or older. Applicants must submit an application in response to a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) posted on Grants.gov . The HUD-VASH program was created as emergency homeless assistance for veterans. Its goal is to give homeless veterans access to permanent housing through public housing authorities. Veterans receive rental assistance through the HUD Housing Choice Voucher program and additional case management services through the VA. By December 2023, the HUD had allocated nearly 112,000 vouchers to help house veterans nationwide. To help veterans achieve stability and remain housed, VA case managers may connect veterans with support services such as health care, mental health treatment, and substance use counseling. If you or your loved one is a low-income senior with eligible military service, you may apply. Your local VA can tell you if your service qualifies you for HUD-VASH. Senior veterans may apply online or call (877) 424-3838. Click here to learn more about the emergency housing options for seniors available in your state. Low-income seniors who aren't in assisted living or independent living communities might find themselves facing housing instability. Emergency housing for seniors can help you or your loved one seek shelter. Crisis hotlines and public housing agencies can offer support. Finding emergency housing for seniors depends heavily on your area. The first step is to call the Crisis Hotline at 2-1-1. Finding a shelter takes less time than applying and getting approved for low-income housing voucher programs. The 2-1-1 hotline can direct you to local resources and locators. Yes and no. The duration depends on the type of housing. Shelters have limits that vary. Some shelters allow people to stay for up to six months, though that can vary based on demand. Seniors can remain in Section 202 supportive housing as long as they meet age and income requirements. Yes. Many counties have financial emergency programs that help seniors handle home repairs or short-term financial crises like utility shutoff. These programs allow the senior to focus their funds on their rent or mortgage. This story was produced by Caring.com and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.
Is Enron back? If it's a joke, some former employees aren't laughingAfter a previous sell-out performance, Miles Jupp is returning to The Haymarket in January with his show sharing his experiences after major neurosurgery following a brain seizure. Jupp's tales will touch on themes of surprise, fear, luck, love and interactions with medical practitioners. Due to overwhelming demand, Jimmy Carr's show will be at The Anvil in February, although tickets have already sold out, with more shows planned in June. Fans of Carr's dark humour can look forward to these performances. Jon Culshaw is scheduled to appear at The Anvil in February with his show . Known for his roles in BBC Radio 4's and BBC One's , Culshaw's performance promises an evening of comedy and music, featuring a variety of well-known personalities from entertainment, politics and beyond. In March, Mark Steel will take to The Haymarket stage with , sharing his ongoing battle with throat cancer. star Paul Chowdhry is also set to perform, captivating audiences with his sharp delivery and observational comedy. Al Murray returns to The Anvil with , following high demand for tickets. The Pub Landlord is expected to deliver his usual style of humour, offering answers to everyday questions. April will see Joel Dommett at The Haymarket, sharing glamorous tales from behind the camera and anecdotes of first-time fatherhood. Dara Ó Briain, whose last tour was named UK Comedy Tour of the Year 2023 by Chortle, will be back in May with his new show . His new show promises stories and audience interaction, ensuring a lively night. June will bring Katherine Ryan to The Anvil with and Suzi Ruffell to The Haymarket with . With a diverse array of acts, Anvil Arts is set to provide a wide range of entertainment, ensuring something for everyone. Tickets for these performances are expected to sell quickly. For ticket prices and more information, contact the Anvil Arts box office on 01256 844244 or visit at . Remember to check any age restrictions and guidance before purchasing tickets.
AP Trending SummaryBrief at 4:17 p.m. ESTMoment jobsworth binman is caught on doorbell camera removing rubbish bag from top of bin at Christmas By MILO POPE and SAM WRIGHT Published: 22:42 GMT, 27 December 2024 | Updated: 23:05 GMT, 27 December 2024 e-mail 9 View comments A 'petty' binman was caught on doorbell camera footage removing a rubbish bag from the top of a bin at Christmas . A Hull resident posted a video of the incident to social media, tagging his local council with the comment: 'Remind me why I pay you over £130 a month [Hull City Council].' The footage begins by showing a lorry travelling down a road as binmen go to collect the rubbish. When a binman reaches the person's house, he can then be seen removing a single bin bag on top of the wheelie bin. After that, he wheels the bin to the lorry and disposes of the rubbish before wheeling it back, leaving the single bag of rubbish. Furious people online shared their fury over the 'petty' move by the rubbish collector. One person wrote on X: 'Now an extra bag or the lid being open by 1cm is refused! It’s madness.' Another said: 'Count yourself lucky, I pay more than that and they didn’t even touch the bin when I left a bag on top of it.' Footage begins by showing a lorry travelling down a road as binmen collect the rubbish On this person's Ring doorbell footage, a binman can be seen picking up the bin bag After removing it, he then starts to wheel the bin away to remove what is inside The 'petty' move sparked fury online, with many people condemning his actions A third added: 'I think councils often forget they are a public service & when this is combined with tendering services to the lowest cost provider, this approach is the result.' A fourth wrote: 'I was a bin man in West Sussex for a bit and any out of bin extras we always threw in the lorry. Council need to sort it as bin man must leave it for a reason.' A fifth also said: 'Happened to me last Xmas. Two extra nearly tied bags next to the bin. Bin men Left them. I was watching and went out. Bloke thought I was about to argue. I simply picked the bags up and threw them in the van. Neither weighed more than 6 or 7kg. Jobsworths was my only comment.' However, some argued: 'Rules are clear. Rubbish has to be in a bin for them to take it. If you’ve run out of room, ask a neighbour if you can put it in theirs or take it to the tip.' Another also said: 'And then what happens when someone leaves two bags, and then three bags. Has to be a rule otherwise people in society will take the p***.' MailOnline has contacted Hull City Council for comment. Hull Share or comment on this article: Moment jobsworth binman is caught on doorbell camera removing rubbish bag from top of bin at Christmas e-mail Add commentAcross the recent three months, 5 analysts have shared their insights on Bank OZK OZK , expressing a variety of opinions spanning from bullish to bearish. Summarizing their recent assessments, the table below illustrates the evolving sentiments in the past 30 days and compares them to the preceding months. Bullish Somewhat Bullish Indifferent Somewhat Bearish Bearish Total Ratings 0 1 3 1 0 Last 30D 0 0 0 1 0 1M Ago 0 0 0 0 0 2M Ago 0 1 2 0 0 3M Ago 0 0 1 0 0 Analysts have set 12-month price targets for Bank OZK, revealing an average target of $49.6, a high estimate of $63.00, and a low estimate of $40.00. Witnessing a positive shift, the current average has risen by 4.2% from the previous average price target of $47.60. Decoding Analyst Ratings: A Detailed Look The analysis of recent analyst actions sheds light on the perception of Bank OZK by financial experts. The following summary presents key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets. Analyst Analyst Firm Action Taken Rating Current Price Target Prior Price Target Jared Shaw Wells Fargo Raises Underweight $40.00 $35.00 Brandon King Truist Securities Lowers Hold $46.00 $48.00 Matt Olney Stephens & Co. Raises Equal-Weight $51.00 $48.00 Stephen Scouten Piper Sandler Raises Overweight $63.00 $58.00 Brandon King Truist Securities Lowers Hold $48.00 $49.00 Key Insights: Action Taken: Responding to changing market dynamics and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their response to recent developments related to Bank OZK. This offers insight into analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company. Rating: Analysts assign qualitative assessments to stocks, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings convey the analysts' expectations for the relative performance of Bank OZK compared to the broader market. Price Targets: Understanding forecasts, analysts offer estimates for Bank OZK's future value. Examining the current and prior targets provides insight into analysts' changing expectations. Analyzing these analyst evaluations alongside relevant financial metrics can provide a comprehensive view of Bank OZK's market position. Stay informed and make data-driven decisions with the assistance of our Ratings Table. Stay up to date on Bank OZK analyst ratings. Delving into Bank OZK's Background Bank OZK is a bank holding company that owns and operates a community bank, Bank of the Ozarks. The bank operates offices in Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Texas, California, New York and Mississippi. It provides a range of banking services which include deposit services such as checking, savings, money market, time deposit and individual retirement accounts to loan services like real estate, consumer, commercial and industrial loans. Apart from providing traditional banking products and services it also provides treasury management, trust and wealth management, financial planning, online banking and other related services. Financial Milestones: Bank OZK's Journey Market Capitalization Analysis: Above industry benchmarks, the company's market capitalization emphasizes a noteworthy size, indicative of a strong market presence. Revenue Growth: Bank OZK's revenue growth over a period of 3 months has been noteworthy. As of 30 September, 2024, the company achieved a revenue growth rate of approximately 7.64% . This indicates a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to its peers, the company achieved a growth rate higher than the average among peers in Financials sector. Net Margin: Bank OZK's net margin is impressive, surpassing industry averages. With a net margin of 41.88%, the company demonstrates strong profitability and effective cost management. Return on Equity (ROE): Bank OZK's ROE stands out, surpassing industry averages. With an impressive ROE of 3.43% , the company demonstrates effective use of equity capital and strong financial performance. Return on Assets (ROA): Bank OZK's ROA stands out, surpassing industry averages. With an impressive ROA of 0.48% , the company demonstrates effective utilization of assets and strong financial performance. Debt Management: With a below-average debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12 , Bank OZK adopts a prudent financial strategy, indicating a balanced approach to debt management. The Significance of Analyst Ratings Explained Benzinga tracks 150 analyst firms and reports on their stock expectations. Analysts typically arrive at their conclusions by predicting how much money a company will make in the future, usually the upcoming five years, and how risky or predictable that company's revenue streams are. Analysts attend company conference calls and meetings, research company financial statements, and communicate with insiders to publish their ratings on stocks. Analysts typically rate each stock once per quarter or whenever the company has a major update. Analysts may enhance their evaluations by incorporating forecasts for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue, delivering additional guidance to investors. It is vital to acknowledge that, although experts in stocks and sectors, analysts are human and express their opinions when providing insights. Breaking: Wall Street's Next Big Mover Benzinga's #1 analyst just identified a stock poised for explosive growth. This under-the-radar company could surge 200%+ as major market shifts unfold. Click here for urgent details . This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Published 5:05 pm Friday, December 27, 2024 By Daily Herald By Tim Ruzek Dynamite exploded in the night March 1919 on the frozen Cedar River at Austin Mill Pond as police, firefighters and citizens searched for a local businessman. Marcus Evans, 38, who ran the Manhattan Oil Co. in Austin and was active in business groups and the Methodist church, apparently drowned himself in the Cedar. Evans left a note March 11, 1919, at home for his wife, Jean, saying his body would be found at a boat landing upstream from Mill Pond. A family rented boats there (the original YMCA’s future site) on a stretch filled during the 1960s when the city redirected the river. With his overcoat left on a fence, Evans axed a hole through 1 foot of ice. His hat was floating in the hole, and a note pinned to his coat said he chose the spot for its quietness. While the Mower County Transcript-Republican declared March 12 that Evans ended his life, the Austin Daily Herald asked “Is Marcus Evans Dead?,” noting many didn’t believe it. On March 11, Evans had $200 and played checkers much of the afternoon at Abe Usem’s office. That evening, Evans and his wife left their southwest Austin home for a party. The couple had moved in 1913 from Iowa to Austin and often were named in the newspaper for attending or hosting social events, including for 35 people at their home a month before Evans’ disappearance. On their way to the party, Evans said he forgot to shut their furnace draft. Jean waited at a friend’s house but became worried and went home, where she found money and the note. She went with friends to the landing. A search of the Cedar started at 10 p.m. March 11 after a fire alarm drew dozens of people. Dynamite broke ice and was hoped to bring the body to the surface. Searchers worked until 3 a.m. March 12, regrouped six hours later and searched all day. Men cut long ice strips while crews dragged the Cedar for days. A week later, river draggers from Waterloo, Iowa, searched for two days as high water removed most ice. Still, there were no traces of Evans. Locals considered draining Mill Pond. Those who believed Evans took his life remained “tireless in their search of the river,” the Herald wrote March 19. “If Evans has played this trick on his family and wife, the greatest indignation will be felt towards him.” Rumors circulated of Evans being seen alive, and many believed his note aimed to misdirect searchers. A railroad conductor, who just returned to Austin, then reported a man used a flashlight March 11 to flag his train a few miles south of Austin near Varco (now a “ghost town” west of U.S. 218). Sweating profusely, the man boarded with two heavy satchels. Giving the name “William Roberts,” he said he was working for a farm when he heard his mother in Nebraska was ill and he needed to get there soon. Later, the conductor found Manhattan Oil Co. tags with the name “Evans” in a restroom. He didn’t think much about it until learning later about Evans missing. On March 21, newspapers reported Evans did not drown. Viewing a photo, trainmen identified Evans as the man who boarded near Varco and paid to travel to Omaha, Neb. A week later, Jean Evans wrote in the Herald about reuniting with her husband at a train station near Omaha. He looked unwell and remorseful about his disappearance stemming financial problems. After hearing the train stories, Jean had phoned her brother near Omaha. He thought he could find Marcus. She headed there by train and was surprised to see Marcus instead of her brother. “(Marcus) expressed the deepest regret for the anxiety and expense he caused the people of Austin as he had no intention of being such a burden to them,” Jean wrote March 29. After friends declined to help, Evans thought his only solution was his parents and repaying them. “He felt that he was in a financial vise that would squeeze the life out of him before he could adjust matters satisfactorily and honestly while the plan he chose would give him a chance to make good without sacrificing everything he had,” she wrote. Jean forgave her husband and asked others to forgive him and be less harsh. Friends thought Evans’ brain was affected by falling in October 1918 from a work wagon that “partially paralyzed” him for some time. Overall, the city spent about $2,500 in today’s dollars searching for Evans. Financial issues surfaced afterward for Evans, including a 1919 lawsuit for owing someone nearly $600 in today’s dollars and a mortgage foreclosure in 1928 for farmland he bought near Austin. In April 1919, Jean and her son moved to her sister’s Iowa home; their Austin house was sold that summer. Evans moved to Illinois, where he later reunited with his family. In Illinois, the Evans welcomed two children – a son in 1923 who died as an infant and a daughter in 1925. Marcus worked for 13 years as a church custodian and died in 1943 from illness at age 62.