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17-year-old charged in paddleboarder’s killing at Maine pond

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PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Authorities in Maine said Friday they have charged a 17-year-old with murder in the death of a paddleboarder who went missing on a rural pond that is a popular summer destination.

The body of Sunshine Stewart, 48, of St. George, was found this month on Crawford Pond in Union, about 80 miles (130 kilometers) north of Portland and about 15 miles (24 kilometers) from some of the state’s scenic coastal areas. The killing shocked and scared the community, where trips to the pond and nearby campground are a summer staple.

Maine State Police said a 17-year-old boy was taken into custody in Union on Wednesday night in connection with the homicide investigation but initially did not elaborate and declined to release additional information about him. On Friday, the state attorney general’s office said the teen was charged with one count of murder.

Court documents identified the teen as Deven Young, of Frankfort, Maine. He made a brief initial court appearance on Friday in which he entered a denial to the charge. His attorney, Jeremy Pratt, declined to comment to The Associated Press via email.

A medical examiner determined Stewart’s cause of death was strangulation and blunt force trauma, police said.

Authorities have not revealed a motive. Court documents contain little detail other than stating that Young is a juvenile and “did intentionally or knowingly cause the death of another human being, namely Sunshine Stewart.”

Police said in a statement Friday that they were not releasing any additional information and that the case was “still a very active investigation.” They have said they are seeking information from anyone who may have seen Stewart paddleboarding on July 2 on Crawford Pond.

Stewart lived about 21 miles (34 kilometers) from the pond in the Tenants Harbor neighborhood in St. George. A person reached by phone who identified herself as Stewart’s sister on Thursday declined to comment.

Friends of Stewart have posted online testimonials remembering her as fiercely independent and always up for a challenge, including outdoor adventures and building projects. Over the years, she worked in many roles, including as a fisherman, boat captain, carpenter and bartender, friends said.

A lifelong friend, Bethany Leach Parmley of Washington, Maine, described Stewart as “dauntless,” and the glue of a group of friends who stayed close even as life took them in different directions. Parmley said Stewart was a longtime paddleboarder who previously taught lessons in the activity.

“She was just a wonderful friend, a really loyal, wonderful friend,” Parmley said. “She was just so fun and funny and you couldn’t help but have a good time around her.”

She renovated her home in Tenants Harbor, a neighborhood in St. George, said Bruce Twyon, a friend who knew Stewart from her time living in the Virgin Islands. That spoke to her self-motivation and spirit of “getting things done and enjoying life every day,” he said.

“She was such a sweet person and very strong and independent, and took care of a lot of people,” Twyon said.

The pond, in the 2,400-resident town of Union, is about 600 acres (243 hectares) and does not have public access. It is available for a variety of uses, including boating and fishing. The 100 Acre Island preserve in the center of the pond is a wooded island reachable by canoe, kayak or paddleboard from a nearby campground.

The pond has numerous nooks and narrow areas, so it’s possible there were other boaters on the water at the time of the killing who were unaware someone was in danger.

Police said the defendant was taken to Long Creek Youth Development Center in South Portland. Young is due back in court on Aug. 22, according to court documents. His hometown of Frankfort is about 41 miles (66 km) from Union.

Stewart — known as “Sunny by her friends — would have turned 49 next month. Loved ones launched a GoFundMe page to help celebrate her life. The page said memorial service dates were being determined.





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Kamala Harris to remain under protection after Trump revokes Secret Service detail

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Former Vice President Kamala Harris will receive protection from the California Highway Patrol, after her Secret Service detail was revoked by President Donald Trump.

Law enforcement sources told the LA Times that officials in The Golden State have stepped up to offer their services to Harris when her extended Secret Service protection comes to an end.

Trump signed an order on Thursday which retracted the protection Harris was offered from Monday onwards.

The offer came after discussions between the offices of California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass about how to best handle the situation, the outlet reported.

Vice Presidents are usually entitled to six months of protection after leaving office, while presidents are afforded protection for the rest of their lives.

But one of Biden’s final actions was to extend her protection through to July 2026. The move came after a request from Harris’ aides.

Typically when the six-month protection expires, former vice presidents – including Mike Pence and Joe Biden – have paid for their own private security. 

Other than Harris, the only other former vice president to receive protection beyond the six-months was Dick Cheney after requesting approval from then-President Barack Obama in 2009. 

Former Vice President Kamala Harris will receive protection from Highway Patrol in California after her Secret Service detail was revoked by President Donald Trump

Trump signed an order on Thursday which retracted the protection Harris was offered from Monday onwards

Governor Gavin Newsom’s office told the publication: ‘Our office does not comment on security arrangements.

‘The safety of our public officials should never be subject to erratic, vindictive political impulses.’ 

Newsom would be required to sign off on any such arrangement with Highway Patrol. 

Harris will not only lose 24/7 in-person Secret Service protection from federal agents, but she will also no longer have threat detection intelligence. 

Mayor Karen Bass slammed Trump’s decision, stating: ‘This is another act of revenge following a long list of political retaliation in the form of firings, the revoking of security clearances and more. 

‘This puts the former Vice President in danger and I look forward to working with the governor to make sure Vice President Harris is safe in Los Angeles.’

Other than Harris, the only other former vice president to receive protection beyond the six-months was Dick Cheney after requesting approval from then-President Barack Obama in 2009. 

One of Biden's final actions was to extend her protection through to July 2026. The move came after a request from Harris' aides

One of Biden’s final actions was to extend her protection through to July 2026. The move came after a request from Harris’ aides

Trump canceled a previously undisclosed directive from President Joe Biden that granted Harris Secret Service protection for an additional year

Trump canceled a previously undisclosed directive from President Joe Biden that granted Harris Secret Service protection for an additional year

Trump’s sudden removal of his 2024 rival’s protection will have immediate ramifications as Harris prepares to launch a nationwide book tour next month for her upcoming memoir ‘107 days.’ 

The book reportedly focuses on her failed short-lived 107 day presidential campaign following Biden’s departure from the race. 

Harris’ tours stops will mostly take place in deep-blue cities, and will start off on September 24th in New York City, the day after her book is released. 

Former presidents and White House officials often face security threats from around the world. 

Trump famously survived two assassination attempts during the 2024 presidential election. 

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Israel identifies body of hostage retrieved from Gaza

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Israel identified the body of hostage Idan Shtivi, recovered from the Gaza Strip in a military operation this week that retrieved the remains of two hostages, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said on Saturday.

Netanyahu’s office had announced on Friday the retrieval of Ilan Weiss’s body along with the remains of another hostage, whose identity is now known to be that of Shtivi but had not been disclosed at the time.

With Weiss and Shtivi‘s bodies recovered, Israel says 48 hostages remain in Gaza, of whom only 20 are believed to be alive.

“Idan Shtivi was abducted from the Tel Gama area and brutally murdered by Hamas terrorists after acting to rescue and evacuate others from the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023. He was 28 years old at the time of his death,” the Israeli military said on Saturday in a statement.

Around 1,200 people were killed and about 251 taken hostage when the Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israeli southern communities in October 2023, Israel’s tallies show.

Gaza’s health ministry says Israel’s subsequent military assault has killed over 63,000 Palestinians. The war has displaced nearly the enclave’s entire population, devastated infrastructure, and triggered a humanitarian crisis.



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Your lookahead horoscope: August 31, 2025

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HOROSCOPES

Open this photo in gallery:

Virgo.iStockPhoto / Getty Images

IF TODAY IS YOUR BIRTHDAY

The message of your birthday chart is that you must know your own mind and follow what it tells you to the letter. Ignore those who complain about your aims, because there is nothing they can do to hinder you – and they certainly won’t help!

Aries (March 21 – April 20):

Someone who is important to you on both a personal and a professional level will be difficult to get through to over the next few days. It’s no big deal though, so don’t panic. They will be back on the same wavelength before the end of week.

Taurus (April 21 – May 21):

Although your financial situation may not be as bad as you fear you have been a bit too free and easy with your cash in recent weeks. Cut back on your spending over the next few days – make it essentials only from now on.

Gemini (May 22 – June 21):

You may be of a mind to give up on a project that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere but don’t be hasty. While Saturn is going through its retrograde phase it may seem as if you are making no progress but that will change very soon.

Cancer (June 22 – July 23):

News you hear from afar will put a spring in your step over the next 24 hours but don’t get carried away. Take extra care when making plans to visit friends and relatives as there are sure to be delays and diversions along the way.

Leo (July 24 – Aug. 23):

The fact that no one seems to believe in what you are doing is neither here nor there. The only thing that matters is that you believe in yourself, so keep going and don’t let other people’s negativity affect you – in fact, let it energize you!

Virgo (Aug. 24 – Sept. 23):

The more time you spend trying to understand the motivations of a friend or family member the further away from the truth your efforts will take you, so give it a miss and just accept them for who and what they are, whatever that is!

Libra (Sept. 24 – Oct. 23):

The positive signals you have been getting from people you work with is nice but can you believe they really want to see you succeed? While Saturn continues its retrograde phase it might be safer to act as if you don’t really trust them.

Scorpio (Oct. 24 – Nov. 22):

You may be feeling more optimistic about an artistic or creative project of some kind but you can also expect some delays in getting it finished. Be patient and handle setbacks as and when they arrive. You will get there in the end.

Sagittarius (Nov. 23 – Dec. 21):

What a friend tells you today may not be what you were expecting or hoping to hear but don’t ignore it. They may have seen something that you missed, and that something could trip you up if you are too proud to take advice.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 – Jan. 20):

Your ruler Saturn moves back into the social and travel area of your chart this week, which suggests you may have to change some of the arrangements you made in recent weeks. It’s no big deal, so accept the inevitable and get it done.

Aquarius (Jan. 21 – Feb. 19):

Something of a financial nature needs to be treated with a great deal of care. You may think it’s no big deal but the planets warn you could end up out of pocket if you act as if other people are as honest as you – because they’re not!

Pisces (Feb. 20 – Mar. 20):

As Saturn moves back into your sign this week it may feel as if problems you thought you had dealt with never actually went away. The good news is there will be just one small thing that you need to change. It’s really no big deal.

Discover more about yourself at sallybrompton.com



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