| One family copes with addiction
After decades of drug abuse, Travis Morford died from a drug overdose just as he was starting to show signs of sobriety, family says. By Joshunda SandersAMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF Monday, August 13, 2007 After Travis Morford died from an accidental drug overdose July 8, his obituary read, "At age 25, Travis lost his long fight with the disease of addiction, a fight he could not win." His parents, Pete and Danni Morford, say that after years of struggling to kick heroin for what his family thought was the last time, Travis may ultimately have been killed by a combination of the anti-anxiety drug Xanax and alcohol. .
Group home for teens planned for Soudan
An organization that specializes in providing residential services to adolescents recovering from alcohol and drug addiction is looking to purchase the old Parkside Homes building in Soudan. Phoenix Group Homes currently operates three half way houses in the state and hopes to bring their fourth to this area. They are licensed through the Minnesota Department of Corrections as a group foster home and have been operating for 14 years. Weve been getting a number of referrals from the upper third of the state, and decided that we should look north. The property were looking at there in Soudan is perfect for what we would need, said Executive Director of Phoenix Group Homes, Howard Meier. Phoenix offers a variety of services to youth ages 14-19. The main concentration of the group is to provide a constructive transitionary period for individuals coming out of treatment facilities.
Government sues Strawberry for back taxes
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Darryl Strawberry is having more legal trouble. The government has filed a lawsuit against the troubled baseball star, seeking to collect nearly a half-million dollars in unpaid taxes. The complaint filed here Friday was years in the making. Strawberry was indicted in 1994 on federal tax evasion charges and pleaded guilty the following year. .
Reds: Hamilton eager to step out
Josh Hamilton studied the itinerary Sunday for the Reds' trip through Chicago and Milwaukee but had only one question. "How many starting left-handed pitchers do (the Cubs) have?" the left-handed-hitting Hamilton asked. The rookie center fielder had just ended a five-week stay on the disabled list because of a strained ligament in his right wrist. Nobody had to tell Hamilton that baseball never stands still for an injury. His absence and a season-ending knee injury to Ryan Freel have allowed Norris Hopper to step in as the starting center fielder. The ultra-gifted Hamilton, whose comeback from drug and alcohol addiction was the feel-good story of the season's first two months, now expects to share playing time with Hopper or to spell Adam Dunn in left field and Ken Griffey Jr.
Woman pleads guilty to purse thefts
A 23-year-old woman pleaded guilty in Circuit Court yesterday to stealing purses at churches in Makiki and Manoa earlier this year. Kellyn Cabral pleaded guilty to second-degree robbery, two counts of second-degree burglary and second-degree theft in connection with incidents at Makiki Christian Church, St. Pius X Church and St. Francis School. She faces up to 10 years in prison. Circuit Judge Richard Pollack granted Cabral supervised release on the condition that she heads directly to the Salvation Army Addiction Treatment Services from Oahu Community Correctional Center for drug treatment. ATS is a residential program in Nuuanu where Cabral is required to undergo drug treatment for a minimum of nine months. She needs the help that ATS can provide for her, said her attorney, Myles Breiner, outside the courtroom.
Buy And Sell Before School Starts
For many, the fun in the beginning of the school year is back to school shopping. With a month left before school bells ring, students are gearing up - and some found a way to do it without burning a hole in their wallets. Soon to be college freshman Michelle Allan found a way to make some cash while shopping. Monday, Allan walked away with $2.48. “Kids are pretty excited when they find out they can get cash for clothes, cash on the spot," Plato's Closet owner Diane Joseph said. Space works two jobs; selling her clothes may become her third. "It's a big deal because your parents don't always want to give you money. There's a point where they're going to cut you off," Space said. Consignment stores like Trading Closets and Plato's Closet buy from teens and people in their early 20s.
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