HARTFORD, Conn. --

Court records obtained by The Associated Press show that the contractor, Michael Borcina, and his company settled Matthew Badger's lawsuit in Hartford Superior Court on Dec. 10. Badger's lawyer confirmed the settlement amount Tuesday.

The fire in Stamford killed 7-year-old twins Grace and Sarah Badger, 9-year-old Lily Badger and their maternal grandparents, Lomer and Pauline Johnson. The girls' mother, Madonna Badger, and Borcina were dating at the time and escaped the fire.

Authorities said the fire began after Borcina left a bag of fireplace ashes in a bin in a mudroom in the house. Borcina, who was renovating the $1.7 million Victorian home, was accused in the lawsuit of contributing with other defendants to make the house a "firetrap," including failing to install a smoke detection system during the construction.

A lawyer for Borcina didn't return a message Tuesday seeking comment. A phone listing for Borcina could not be found. Matthew Badger and Madonna Badger did not return messages seeking comment.

Richard Emery, a New York lawyer representing Matthew Badger, said the $5 million settlement is the first in the lawsuit, which remains pending against several other defendants.

"It is nowhere near reflective of the ultimate value of this case: three little girls' lives," Emery said. "No money could compensate for that."

Matthew Badger filed the lawsuit in July 2012 against Borcina, his company Tiberias Construction of New York City, the city of Stamford and others. Claims against the city and other defendants remain unresolved.

"The girls died before they could escape the home, which had become a firetrap as a result of months of substandard construction leading up to the fire," according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit also says city officials knew or should have known that Borcina served as the home's general contractor but didn't have a state home improvement contractor's license. Stamford officials previously denied any wrongdoing in connection with the fire. The city's corporation counsel, Kathryn Emmett, declined to comment Tuesday.

Continued here:
Settlement reached in Stamford Christmas Day fire

HARTFORD A contractor who accidentally caused a fire at a Stamford home that killed three girls and two of their grandparents on Christmas morning in 2011 has agreed to settle part of a wrongful death lawsuit by paying the children's father $5 million.

Court records obtained by The Associated Press show that the contractor, Michael Borcina, and his company settled Matthew Badger's lawsuit at Superior Court in Hartford on Dec. 10. Badger's lawyer confirmed the settlement amount Tuesday.

The fire in Stamford killed 7-year-old twins Grace and Sarah Badger, 9-year-old Lily Badger, and their maternal grandparents, Lomer and Pauline Johnson. The girls' mother, Madonna Badger, and Borcina were dating at the time and escaped the fire.

Authorities said the fire began after Borcina left a bag of fireplace ashes in a bin in a mudroom in the house. Borcina, who was renovating the $1.7 million Victorian home, was accused in the lawsuit of contributing with other defendants to make the house a "firetrap," including failing to install a smoke detection system during the construction.

A lawyer for Borcina didn't return a message Tuesday. A phone listing for Borcina could not be found. Matthew Badger and Madonna Badger did not return messages seeking comment Tuesday.

Richard Emery, a New York lawyer representing Matthew Badger, said that the $5 million settlement is the first in the lawsuit, which remains pending against several other defendants.

"It is nowhere near reflective of the ultimate value of this case: three little girls' lives," Emery said. "No money could compensate for that."

Matthew Badger filed the lawsuit in July 2012 against Borcina, his company Tiberias Construction of New York City, the city of Stamford and others. Claims against the city and other defendants remain unresolved.

"The girls died before they could escape the home, which had become a firetrap as a result of months of substandard construction leading up to the fire," according to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit also says that city officials knew or should have known that Borcina served as the home's general contractor but didn't have a state home improvement contractor's license. Stamford officials previously denied any wrongdoing in connection with the fire. The city's corporation counsel, Kathryn Emmett, didn't return a message Tuesday.

More:
$5 Million Settlement Reached In Stamford Christmas Fire

GROSSROEHRSDORF, Germany (AP) The 17 North African refugees turned up just before Christmas - and Simon Richter felt nothing to cheer.

The electrician and his friends organized a meeting that sent out a message loud and clear: We don't want the foreigners in our midst. Within days, authorities caved to pressure and moved the young men elsewhere.

An online service is needed to view this article in its entirety. You need an online service to view this article in its entirety.

Sign up now for a digital only subscription to omaha.com for just $25.00 a month. As an All Access digital only subscriber you will have unlimited access to the ePaper and Omaha.com content.

Subscriptions will automatically renew. You may cancel at any time. You will be notified in advance of any price increases.Sales tax may apply.

Access to Omaha.com is available at no charge to members. You will be asked to provide your subscription address to confirm you are eligible for this option.

Sign up now for All-Access to Omaha.com for just $7 a month if you are a 7-day Omaha World-Herald print subscriber. As an All-Access subscriber you will have unlimited access to the ePaper and Omaha.com content. You will be asked to provide your subscription address to confirm you are eligible for this option.

Subscriptions will automatically renew. You may cancel at any time. You will be notified in advance of any price increases. Sales tax may apply.

Sign up now for full access to Omaha.com for just $9.95 a month if you are a less than 7-day Omaha World-Herald print subscriber. As an All-Access subscriber you will have unlimited access to the ePaper and Omaha.com content. You will be asked to provide your subscription address to confirm you are eligible for this option.

Subscriptions will automatically renew. You may cancel at any time. You will be notified in advance of any price increases. Sales tax may apply.

Original post:
Fear, far right among roots of Germany's anti-Islam rallies

Bella Davison, now six months, was born prematurely at 23 weeks Doctors are advised not toresuscitatebabies born before this time Her parents were told to prepare for the worst, but Bella survived Her mother is now calling for abortion limit to be 'significantly lowered

By Madlen Davies for MailOnline

Published: 05:51 EST, 8 January 2015 | Updated: 11:41 EST, 8 January 2015

143 shares

14

View comments

It was a day Bella Davison's parents feared they would never see - their daughter home for the first time.

The six-month-old was born a week before the legal abortion limit at only 23 weeks into her mother's pregnancy, weighing just over 1lb - the same as a bag of sugar.

Doctors are advised not to resuscitate babies born before 23 weeks and her parents, Vicky Jackson and Graeme Davison, an electrician, were told by doctors to prepare for the worst.

But their daughter fought hard to survive and is now thriving.

Here is the original post:
Baby born at 23 weeks finally goes home after six months in hospital

It was a day Bella Davisons parents feared they would never see - their daughter home for the first time.

Yet the miracle baby left hospital today after spending her entire life under the care of medics at Newcastles Royal Victoria Infirmary.

The brave six-month-old was born a week before the legal abortion limit at only 23 weeks into her mums preganancy, weighing just over 1lb.

Parents Vicky Jackson and Graeme Davison, an electrician, were told by doctors to prepare for the worst. But determined Bella fought hard to survive and is now thriving.

Mum Vicky, 30, of Morpeth, Northumberland, said: It was very emotional to bring Bella home as there was a time when we thought this might not happen.

Premature baby Bella Davison, is back home in Morpeth at 25 weeks old after spending six months in the RVI hospital. Pictured with mum and dad Vicky Jackson and Graeme Davison

The day after Bella was born we were told she would not survive the night but she did and now she is home - its amazing. It is great to see how well Bellas doing as she looks like any other baby, and you would not know that she was premature, she is just a little miracle. Bella 100% wanted to be here and she has just dealt with everything, she has such a strong little character.

Bella and her twin sister Sophia were born by Caesaran section at Wansbeck General Hospital, four months before their due date. Bella came out breathing on her own and was taken straight to the RVI for treatment, spending most of her time in the Special Care Baby Unit. But Sophia suffered complications and doctors were unable to save her.

VIEW GALLERY

Vicky said: We are devastated that Sophia did not make it. But we are very lucky that Bella is here with us as there was a chance that we would not have either of our daughters. The last time Bella was weighed she was 12lb 11oz and shes doing well.

Read more:
Miracle premature baby makes it home to Morpeth for the first time

Aquilla and Catherine Brant met in 1939 when the war broke out The loving couple celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary last year They died, aged 100 and 96, days apart after both suffered pneumonia Their daughter reveals the lovebirds had a pact not to beseparated

By Sam Matthew for MailOnline

Published: 13:02 EST, 2 January 2015 | Updated: 14:01 EST, 2 January 2015

99 shares

35

View comments

A devoted couple who met on the day World War II broke out and vowed never to be parted, have died within days of each other.

In a story worthy of a tear jerking Hollywood script Aquilla Brant, 100, passed away just 12 days after 96-year-old Catherine, his wife of 72-years.

The inseparable couple, who were both suffering from pneumonia, will now be cremated together.

Their daughter, Sue Brant, 68, revealed that the doting pair, who met in 1939, had a pact not to be parted.

More:
Aquilla Brant and wife Catherine married for 72 years die within 12 days of each other

Mackenzie Ackerman was the first Whidbey baby born this year.

image credit: Photo provided

New Year's celebrations began at Naval Hospital Oak Harbor in the early hours of Jan. 1 when proud parents David and Courtney Ackerman delivered Whidbey Island's first baby of 2015.

Mackenzie Ackerman made her debut into the world at 6:13 a.m. New Year's Day. She weighed in at 7 pounds, 6 ounces.

David Ackerman is assigned to Whidbey Island Naval Air Station's Fleet Readiness Center as an Aviation Electricians Mate First Class. He is from Olney, Md. His wife, Courtney, is from Toms River, N.J. They currently reside in Oak Harbor.

Baby MacKenzie was named by combining Davids birth family name of McKenzie with Courtneys maiden name of Maclaine. She is the couples first daughter and second child to big brother Cole, who is 20 months old.

When asked how Cole reacted to his new baby sister, Courtney replied, He is very curious, but also very excited.

The Naval Hospital Oak Harbor Special Delivery Unit delivers 340-360 babies each year and staffers expressed excitement about having delivered the first child on Whidbey Island in 2015.As of press time, Whidbey General Hospital had yet to deliver a baby in the new year.

View post:
Whidbey's first baby of 2015 born Jan. 1

Published: Fri, January 2, 2015 @ 12:00 a.m.

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Two new members were appointed recently to the five-member Mahoning County Veterans Service Commission.

James Dill replaces Steve Miner, who died in September; and Tony Revetti replaces Leo Connelly Jr., who resigned for health reasons, effective Oct. 7.

Dill, of Struthers, a Vietnam War Army veteran, represents the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

He worked for 35 years as an electrician in the steel industry, retiring in 2002, then was a custodian in the Struthers City Schools, retiring in 2013.

A member of VFW Post 3538 in Struthers since 1966, he has been post commander for the past eight years.

Dill also has served as county, district and state commander of that organization.

Dill and his wife, the former Judy Morell, have two daughters and four granddaughters.

See the original post:
Two appointed to veterans panel

Spaniard's Bay's Darci Ryan received a surprise at the annual Ascension Collegiate awards night in Bay Roberts on Dec. 16.

Photo by Nicholas Mercer/The Compass

For as long as there have been graduations, it has been customary for students to celebrate by hurling their caps in the air above them. The students of the 2013-2014 graduating class at Ascension Collegiate in Bay Roberts honoured that tradition at the school's annual awards night on Dec. 16. After a countdown from teacher Michelle Cleary-Haire, students turned their heads towards the ceiling as they threw the caps into the air.

The 18-year-old finished at the top of her class and brought home a basketful of awards at the gala.

Ryan took home some $8,380 in awards. In all the school announced $133,000 worth of awards, of which $21,000 Ascension awarded itself.

As the top student in her graduating class, she received the highly coveted Governor General's Award as the top Level III student.

The Governor General's award is considered by many as the most prestigious award given to a student graduating from a Canadian high school.

"I had no idea I was getting this," she said moments after walking across the stage to receive her diploma.

She had no idea she had finished in the No. 1 spot of the 2014 Ascension graduating class and did not find out until she opened the program.

"I was really shocked, actually," said Ryan. "I had been third and fifth in previous years and this was a big push up for me."

Go here to read the rest:
Ascension Collegiate honours top students

KNIGHTS BACHELOR

Theodore Agnew, DL. For services to education. (East Somerton, Norfolk) David Anthony Andrew Amess, MP. Member of parliament for Southend West. For political and public service. (Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex) Matthew David Baggott, CBE, QPM. Formerly chief constable, Police Service of Northern Ireland. For services to Policing in the United Kingdom. (Solihull, West Midlands) Professor Richard Robert Barnett. Vice-Chancellor University of Ulster. For services to Higher Education and Business in Northern Ireland. (Coleraine, Londonderry) Professor Andrew Jonathan Bate, CBE, FBA. Literary Scholar and Provost, Worcester College, University of Oxford. For services to Literary Scholarship and Higher Education. (Oxford, Oxfordshire) Dr Simon Fraser Campbell, CBE, FRS. Drug Discoverer and Scientific Adviser. For services to Chemistry. (Poole, Dorset) Dr Anthony Herbert Everington, OBE. Chair, NHS Tower Hamlets Clinical Commissioning Group. For services to Primary Care. Professor Julian Ernest Michael Le Grand, FBA. Richard Titmuss Professor of Social Policy, London School of Economics. For services to Social Science and public service. (Bristol)

Facebook

Pinterest

John Vincent Hurt, CBE. Actor. For services to Drama. (Norfolk) Peter Ashley Kendall. For services to the Agricultural Industry in England and Wales. (Baldock, Hertfordshire) Andrew Valentine Morris, OBE. Chief executive, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust. For services to the NHS. (Wokingham, Berkshire) Richard Leon Paniguian, CBE. Head, Defence and Security Organisation, UK Trade and Investment. For services to the UK Defence Industry. (London) Professor Martyn Poliakoff, CBE, FRS. Research Professor of Chemistry, University of Nottingham. For services to the Chemical Sciences. (Beeston, Nottinghamshire) Dickson Poon, CBE. For services to Business and to charity particularly Higher Education. (London) David Edward John Ramsden, CBE. Head, Government Economic Service. For services to Economic Policy Making. (London) Professor Nilesh Jayantilal Samani, DL. Professor of Cardiology, University of Leicester. For services to Medicine and Medical Research. (Leicester, Leicestershire) Professor Nigel John Thrift, DL, FBA. Vice-Chancellor, University of Warwick. For services to Higher Education. (Coventry, West Midlands) John Arthur Townsley. Executive Principal The Gorse Academics Trust, Leeds. For services to Education. (Cawood, North Yorkshire) David John Verey, CBE. Chair, The Art Fund. For services to Arts Philanthropy. (London) Professor Norman Stanley Williams. Past president Royal College of Surgeons of England. For services to Surgery. (London) Thomas Philip Winsor. HM chief inspector of Constabulary. For public service. (Kent)

Knight Commander (KCB) Evan Paul Silk. Formerly Chair Commission on Devolution in Wales. Forservices to the Parliaments of and Devolution in the UK. Companion (CB) Harold Mark Carter. Deputy Legal Adviser Legal Advisers Branch, Treasury Solicitors. For services to Government Legal Services and services to the community in Guildford, Surrey. (Guildford, Surrey) David Julian Cook. Second Parliamentary Counsel Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. For services to the Preparation of Legislation. (Colchester, Essex) Ms Alison Cottrell. Director HM Treasury. For services to Financial Services Consumers. (London) James Harra. Director general Business Tax, HM Revenue and Customs, London. For services to Tax Administration. (London) Dr Andrew John McDonald. For services to Parliament and voluntary service to Disability Awareness. (London) Nicholas Christopher Shanahan. Director general Operations, Department for Work and Pensions. For services to Welfare Reform. (Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands) Professor Christopher John MacRae Whitty. Chief Scientific Adviser Department for International Development. For public and voluntary service to Tropical Medicine in the UK and Africa. (London)

Dame Commander (DCVO) Mrs Elizabeth Shan Josephine The Honourable Legge-Bourke, LVO. Lord-Lieutenant of Powys.

Knight Commander (KCVO) Nicholas James Alexander The Earl of Caledon. Lord-Lieutenant of County Armagh.

Facebook

Pinterest

Go here to read the rest:
New year honours 2015: the full list