Winston Groom dies
On Sept. 16, Winston Groom, American novelist and author of “Forrest Gump,” died at the age of 77 in Alabama. According to the Trussville Tribune, “Mayor Karin Wilson of Fairhope, AL, said in a message posted on social media that Groom had died in that south Alabama town. The death was confirmed by a local funeral home, which said arrangements were pending.” Groom was known as an “iconic author” by his family, peers and fans.
Hawaii to reopen to tourists
On Sept. 16, Governor of Hawaii David Ige announced that there will be a new leadership team overseeing the state’s public health responses to COVID-19 and the pre-travel testing program for COVID-19. With that, Hawaii tentatively plans to reopen to tourists on Oct. 15. According to the State of the State press release, “Travelers will have their temperatures checked upon arrival and must fill out a travel and health form. Upon arrival in Hawaii, passengers unable to provide proof of an approved negative test will be required to go into quarantine for 14 days or until they can provide proof of negative test results.”
Alaska dentist sentenced to jail
Seth Lookhart, 35, a former dentist convicted of 46 felony and misdemeanor counts in January — who was also filmed extracting a patient’s tooth while standing on a hoverboard — was sentenced to 12 years in jail on Sept. 14. According to CNN, “Anchorage Superior Court Judge Michael Wolverton sentenced Lookhart on Monday to serve 20 years in jail with eight years suspended, the statement said. That means Lookhart will serve 12 years behind bars. He also cannot practice dentistry during his 10 years of probation.”
Opa-Locka repeals ban on sagging pants
During a video conference on Sept. 16, the Opa-Locka City Commission voted 4-1 to repeal the 13-year ordinance against sagging pants after critics argued the law had unfairly targeted African Americans. Since city officials were not able to provide immediate enforcement data, it is not clear how often this ordinance had been enforced. According to Fox News, “‘I was never in support of it, even as a resident,’ Vice Mayor Chris Davis, who sponsored the repeal, told the Herald. ‘I felt it disproportionately affected a certain segment of our population, which is young African-American men.’”
