Eyewitness NewsTAMPA -- In a symbolic gesture, the Tampa Bay Buccaneerssigned Rutgers defensive tackle Eric LeGrand, whose playing career was ended by a spinal cord injury, on Wednesday morning.
LeGrand played for Tampa Bay coach Greg Schiano at Rutgers. In a game Oct. 16, 2010, against Army, LeGrand suffered fractures of two vertebrae and a spinal cord injury.
LeGrand initially was told he would be a quadriplegic and would have to remain on a ventilator.
Five weeks later, LeGrand began breathing on his own. Later, he became able to stand upright with the aid of a metal frame.
LeGrand resumed his studies in spring 2011. He led the Scarlet Knights onto the field for an Oct. 29, 2011, game and has remained close with Schiano.
"Leading up to the draft, I couldn't help but think that this should've been Eric's draft class," Schiano said. "This small gesture is the least we could do to recognize his character, spirit and perseverance. The way Eric lives his life epitomizes what we are looking for in Buccaneer Men."
The Buccaneers also decided to make the signing May 2, to represent LeGrand's college number (52).
He put up a photo of a Tampa Bay helmet on his Twitter page, tweeting, "We ready!!!"
LeGrand is planning to graduate this fall with a degree in labor studies.
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NEW YORK (WABC) -- John Jewett says he was victimized twice. First, by a young man he met at a bar and then by the Midtown North Precinct. It all began, last March when the man he met allegedly attacked him with a wood table and threatened to kill him. Police responded, and Jewett was rushed by ambulance to the hospital. He had a fractured rib, numerous cuts and bruises and broken teeth.
Jewett says that the police did everything in their power not to have him file complaint. When he went to the Precinct to get the assault report, he was told there was no record of the incident. For weeks, he pleaded with the Precinct to file it as a crime and charge the man who attacked him.
"They didn't want to report it, they didn't want a statistic," Jewett said.
The NYPD says that the night of the incident that Mr. Jewett stated he was NOT assaulted. But then they say he changed his mind six months later after being contacted by the victim's compensation board. However, Jewett says police never questioned him that night, and it was obvious he sustained serious injuries since he was taken to the hospital by ambulance.
Two months after Jewett was attacked, his alleged assailant went on a crime spree in Connecticut, and was charged with threatening someone with a knife, stealing a car, and fleeing police in a high-speed chase.
One year after Jewett was attacked, the felony charges were filed against that man, however Jewett suspected that police just wanted the crime to go away.
The NYPD apparently wanted to go away too. The 75-year-old keeps busy by looking for discarded items left on the curb which she then sells on ebay. But during her hunt for valuables a few months ago, a young woman assaulted her:
"She grabbed my wrist; she didn't make me fall. She slammed me against the concrete sidewalk - I wound up with my head almost to the door there," said Lou Ellen Davis.
Davis was treated for head injuries and a concussion by her doctor. During that time, she made repeated attempts to get a detective at the 108th precinct to take her assault seriously.
"He obviously did not want to do anything with this case. It's obvious because of the way he did not call me back, despite my repeated calls and my repeated messages," said Davis.
Fourteen days later her assailant was charged, but not with a felony. Instead, the assailant was charged with third degree assault, a misdemeanor. The NYPD's own guidelines clearly state that "intent to cause personal injury to a person 65 or over by a person more than 10 years younger than the victim" is a felony assault.
"Somebody wants themselves to look good that the crime in New York is down. I did not know until recently that misdemeanors are not counted in crimes. I learned that recently.
Davis has been issued an order of protection against her assailant.
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NEW YORK -- Occupy protesters are spreading out to picket at banks and other New York City businesses to mark International Workers Day, or May Day.
The group is also denying it had any link to white powder sent to several banks on Monday.
Events and disruptions are planned in cities across the United States and the world on Tuesday.
Several dozen protesters gathered at Bryant Park in Manhattan Tuesday morning. They planned to march to financial institutions including Chase, Citibank and Bank of America.
Another group picketed outside New York University to protest the university's expansion plans in Greenwich Village.
Occupy leaders said they planned "creative disruptions" in New York throughout the day.
Events are planned in cities across the United States and the world on Tuesday as well.
Some say they're willing to get arrested, staging surprise actions to make their point - that financial inequality is destroying our society.
The biggest known plan has the support of thousands of union members.
About 100 unions are listed online as planning to participate in a rally starting at 8 a.m. in midtown Manhattan's Bryant Park. Organizers say the park will function as a staging area for picket lines fanning out across midtown to spots where labor organizations have ongoing disputes.
Michael Belt, an organizer for 99 Picket Lines, said his group will target a range of locations, including banks like Wells Fargo and JP Morgan Chase.
The New York Police Department is bracing to respond to the protests, which come a day after a lawsuit was filed by five people who said their constitutional rights were violated when officers kept them inside an area surrounded by metal barricades for nearly two hours on Nov. 30 as they tried to participate in a demonstration.
The Occupy movement in New York has relied on demonstrations and marches around the city since Nov. 15, when police ousted hundreds of protesters from their base in Zuccotti Park near Wall Street, where they had camped since Sept. 17.
Paul Browne, the police department's chief spokesman, said recently that his department is "experienced at accommodating lawful protests and responding appropriately to anyone who engages in unlawful activity, and we're prepared to do both."
Meanwhile, police say the white powder contained in several envelopes that were mailed to various bank branches in New York City turned out to be non-toxic.
Police say seven envelopes were sent Monday to several Wells Fargo branches, a JP Morgan Chase branch and an office building.
"This is a reminder that you are not in control," the message said. "Just in case you needed some incentive to stop working, we have a little surprise for you. Think fast, you have seconds."
Police say the suspicious envelopes caused evacuations of several bank branches, but no injuries were reported. Police had no suspects.
The envelopes were sent on the eve of the planned May Day protests around the country.
Bill Dobbs, a spokesman for Occupy Wall Street, said the prank had nothing to do with their protest movement. He said the incidents distract from the May 1 events.
Eyewitness NewsNEW YORK -- Facebook wants to help you share your organs.
Users in the United States and the U.K. can enroll as organ donors via links to official registries on the world's biggest social networking site, said CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The links should make it easier for people who want to donate their organs to sign up.
Facebook users who are already organ donors can add that information to their profile page, now known as their timeline.
Zuckerberg spoke exclusively with ABC News about the program. CLICK HERE for more on the exclusive interview.
Zuckerberg said his friendship with Apple Inc. co-founder Steve Jobs, who had received a liver transplant before he died last year, helped spur the idea, as did talks with his girlfriend Priscilla Chan, a medical student.
More than 112,000 Americans are waiting for organs and 18 people die every day from the lack of available organs, according to Donate Life America, a nonprofit that is teaming with Facebook.
Zuckerberg announced the organ donor update to Facebook on "Good Morning America" Tuesday.
Facebook Inc., based in Menlo Park, Calif., is busy readying an initial public stock offering said to be pegged at $5 billion. Facebook's IPO could place the company's value at $100 billion.
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Eyewitness NewsCARMEL (WABC) -- Four people, including a New York police captain and his wife and children, died after after their Carmel home went up in flames and collapsed.
The fire burned through the home on Wyndham Lane in Carmel just after 2 a.m.
The house collapsed as flames quickly tore through the structure.
A 20-year-old man was able to escape and was being treated at a local hospital, but Larchmont police Captain Thomas Sullivan, his wife Donna and their two teenage daughters were unable to get out before the collapse.
"His son was the only one who made it out, in a family of five," Larchmont police Sergeamt Ronald Knudson told the Journal News. "His wife and two daughters perished with Tommy. His son is in the hospital and we don't know his status."
The blaze was so intense that it melted the siding of two nearby homes and prevented firefighters from entering, said Carmel Police Chief Michael Johnson.
Firefighters from Lake Carmel, Mahopac and Brewster assisted in bringing the fire under control at around 5 a.m.
Sullivan is a 15-veteran of the Larchmont police department. He had previously served six to seven years with the New York Police Department.
"He was a dedicated law enforcement individual, an extremely great family man," Knudson said. "His life revolved around his family and his job."
Police brought dogs to the scene to help search for victims.
It took four hours for firefighters to get a handle on the blaze, which remains under investigation.
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Advertisement Welcome to the WABC's "The Mirror Ball: Dancing with the Stars" blog. This blog is written by Jennifer Matarese, a loyal viewer of "Dancing with the Stars" and a WABC employee. This season we'll watch the stars struggle to become pro dancers and compete for the mirror ball trophy! I look forward to hearing all of your opinions on who you think should win! 04/30/2012 Classical Night Brings the First Perfect Score of the Season!
It’s Classical Night on “Dancing With the Stars” and this is the very week last year where we were first introduced to Katherine Jenkins. Now, instead of just being a guest performer, she’s a contestant.
The show opened with a stunning performance by a world class violinist Joshua Bell. It was just amazing, and the Dance Troupe did an amazing job dancing to it. This genre of music is a lot harder to dance to because there’s no distinctive beat; you just have to go by the count in the music.
Up first with a Rumba, is Katherine Jenkins and Mark Ballas dancing to Cannon in D. This is going to be interesting, it’s a sensuous dance that you normally wouldn’t think of doing to classical music. Right off the bat, I think they took a little too long to get into the dance by Mark making a huge production of him taking off his shirt. Len probably won’t like that. However, it was really full of grace and beautiful lines from Katherine. It was a slower Rumba, but it did have a lot of complicated holds, so we’ll see what the judges think about that. The crowd sure loved it! Len appreciated that they kept it elegant and he liked that Katherine stayed on time. He did mention him taking his top off! I knew it! Bruno said that she was the embodiment of the power of beauty. Bruno said that he would have liked to see the dance a little raunchier, but technically thought it was superb. Carrie Ann said that she is unmatched in the competition.
Their Scores: Carrie Ann – 9, Len – 9, and Bruno – 9, for a total of 27 out of 30.
Continue reading "Classical Night Brings the First Perfect Score of the Season!" » Technorati Tags:dancing with the stars, donald driver, jackie evancho, jaleel white, katherine jenkins, maria menounos, melissa gilbert, roshon fegan, william levy Posted by WABC on April 30, 2012 in DWTS Season 14 | Permalink | Comments (0) Meet Katherine Jenkins
She was a virtual unknown when the season began, but thanks to Dancing With The Stars, Katherine Jenkins is slowly becoming a household name. Each week, millions are rooting for the Welsh opera singer. Eyewitness News Reporter Kemberly Richardson had a chance to talk to the woman who some are calling her America's new sweetheart.
Technorati Tags:Dancing With The Stars, Katherine Jenkins Posted by WABC on April 30, 2012 in Celebrity Dancers, Season 14 | Permalink | Comments (0) Dancers square off on 'Classical Night'
Monday's "Dancing with the Stars," themed Classical Night, opens with a stunning live performance from classical music superstar Joshua Bell, who will be performing "Vivaldi's Summer," accompanied by the Troupe.
Other special musical artists joining the evening are soprano prodigy Jackie Evancho and world renowned Italian tenor Vittorio Grigolo, who will grace the stage, accompanying dance performances throughout the evening.
Evancho will be performing "Dark Waltz" during a pro dance performance with Tristan MacManus and Karina Smirnoff. The seven remaining couples will compete to famous pieces of classical music and return to the ballroom floor later in the night for their always entertaining Team Dances.
Team Paso's Melissa and Maks, William and Cheryl and Donald and Peta battle Team Tango's Katherine and Mark, Maria and Derek, Roshon and Chelsie and Jaleel and Kym during Monday night’s show.
Earlier this season, he charmed audiences as we watched him Samba and Foxtrot, but on Tuesday night, Gavin DeGraw returns to the ballroom as a special musical guest. He will be performing his new hit single "Sweeter," accompanied by Karina Smirnoff and Louis Van Amstel.
And the final Dance Duel will be held this week, with the bottom two couples performing the Rumba, to the same song at the same time as the judges decide who will be the next eliminated couple.
Tuesday night not only brings back DeGraw and eliminates one more couple, it also brings us "Dancing with the Stars: Ballroom Battle." This competition features six pro dancers who paired together and held auditions for amateur couples throughout America. One couple was selected to represent each pro-dancer team in a head-to-head Ballroom Battle. On Tuesday, the three winning couples with their coaches – Cheryl Burke, Tony Dovolani and Louis Van Amstel – will compete in a live finale on stage. Each couple will perform a no-holds-barred Jive and the judges will name the Ballroom Battle champions.
Also, during Tuesday night’s show, there will be an "AT&T's Spotlight" performance by Richard "Steelo" Vazquez, who will perform with the Groovaloos for a very exciting and uplifting performance. "Steelo" was one of the top B-boy dancers working in music, film and television and a member of the popular dance group The Groovaloos. Sadly, in 2011 he suffered a brain aneurysm which resulted in him losing his ability to speak and walk. He spent six months in the hospital and now goes to physical rehabilitation five days a week, seven hours a day. On Tuesday, Steelo will reunite with the Groovaloos for the first time since his aneurysm.
Although he isn't back to full strength, this performance will be a testament to the perseverance he, his family and friends have shown despite all odds being against them.
By Tuesday evening’s end, one couple will be eliminated, as determined by a combination of the judges’ scores and viewers’ votes on dances performed on Monday’s performance show. Who among the seven couples will be the next to leave the ballroom?
Posted by WABC on April 30, 2012 | Permalink | Comments (0) 04/24/2012 It Comes Down to Youth vs. Experience in Motown Week's 'Dance Duel'
The dance troupe kicked things off with a dance medley to some Motown hits. I really liked how they used the whole ballroom and showed off Louis Van Amstel’s awesome choreography.
William & Cheryl, Maria & Derek, Jaleel & Kym, and Melissa & Maks were all up first to find out if they were safe or in jeopardy. The first couple safe was Jaleel & Kym! Yay! I really like them. The first couple in jeopardy was Maria & Derek, I am shocked! William & Cheryl found out they were safe and Melissa & Maks also found out they were in jeopardy. We’ll find out later if either of the couples in jeopardy are actually in the bottom two and if they will have to face off in the dance duel.
Continue reading "It Comes Down to Youth vs. Experience in Motown Week's 'Dance Duel'" » Technorati Tags:dancing with the stars, gladys knight, motown, roshon fagan Posted by WABC on April 24, 2012 in DWTS Season 14 | Permalink | Comments (0) 04/23/2012 Motown Dance Marathon Shakes Things Up on 'Dancing With the Stars'
The show started right off the bat this week with a performance by legend Smokey Robinson. The Troupe members did a great job dancing to “Tracks of My Tears” and then out of nowhere, Martha Reeves started singing “Dancing in the Street”. If that wasn’t enough, “The Temptations” come out with “Get Ready” and then the party was really started! It’s Motown Week on “Dancing With the Stars”!
Something weird happened during the intro and they didn’t show Donald and Peta. Instead they showed a trumpet player. Where’s Donald? After watching it back, they were there, and it looks like it was a camera mistake. They were standing there in the lineup at the end of the stair walk downs so I guess it was just a mistake. It is after all live TV! Jaleel and Kym look like a prince and princess I must say! Then they revealed the band and they will be accompanying the Motown legends all night long.
Continue reading "Motown Dance Marathon Shakes Things Up on 'Dancing With the Stars'" » Technorati Tags:dancing with the stars, martha reeves, motown, motown week, smokey robinson, the temptations Posted by WABC on April 23, 2012 in DWTS Season 14 | Permalink | Comments (0) Motown Week on 'Dancing With the Stars'
On this week's "Dancing with the Stars", it's Motown Week! It's going to be full of legends like Smokey Robinson, The Temptations and Martha Reeves. The legends will actually kick off the show tonight, performing an unforgettable live Motown medley accompanied by the Dance Troupe. For the first time ever, each artist will perform with the talented "DWTS" band and musical director Harold Wheeler before each of the remaining eight couples begin their competitive dance.
Continue reading "Motown Week on 'Dancing With the Stars'" » Technorati Tags:dancing with the stars, gladys knight Posted by WABC on April 23, 2012 in DWTS Season 14 | Permalink | Comments (0) 04/17/2012 First Ever Dance Duel Elimination on 'Dancing With the Stars'
This elimination was the first time that the bottom two would go head to head in a Cha Cha dance duel where the judges would decide who to save.
The judges decided that they would like to see Maria and Derek’s sexy Salsa dance again. Maria didn’t seem as into it this time as she did last night when they were getting judged on it, she was like, more relaxed or something. So Derek took off his shirt again, but this time instead of kissing Maria, he ran over to Carrie Ann, the band stopped and he laid a big one on her (pretty sure it was just her cheek). Then as they walked away, I’m pretty sure she had a little wardrobe malfunction and she had to put her chest back in her top.
Continue reading "First Ever Dance Duel Elimination on 'Dancing With the Stars'" » Technorati Tags:dance duel, dancing with the stars, gavin degraw, karina smirnoff Posted by WABC on April 17, 2012 in DWTS Season 14 | Permalink | Comments (1) 04/16/2012 Latin Night Heats Up 'Dancing With the Stars'
Wow, really?! It’s already the half way point of the competition! It’s Latin Night and all things are hot and spicy including the band! They had a great opening number along with Carlos Santana.
Then it was time to greet the stars. Was William Levy there? That is what I was waiting to see. And what do you know…there he was! Hooray, he strutted down the stairs, shirt half open. Do you know who also looked really good tonight, Melissa Gilbert! Her hair looked great!
Continue reading "Latin Night Heats Up 'Dancing With the Stars'" » Technorati Tags:dancing with the stars, latin night Posted by WABC on April 16, 2012 in DWTS Season 14 | Permalink | Comments (1) Preview of Latin Night on 'Dancing With the Stars'
It's going to get hot, hot, hot out on the dance floor tonight on "Dancing With the Stars"! That's because it's Latin Night!
The remaining nine couples will dance either the Salsa, Argentine Tango, or the Samba! Sounds muy caliente!
UPDATE: The contestant I was most excited to see dance tonight, might be out for the night! William Levy injured his ankle during rehearsals. He's getting an MRI to find out how bad he is hurt, let's hope he can still dance!
Also, Global Music Icon Carlos Santana is expected to perform this week! It's going to be a great show that you won't want to miss. The fun begins at 8 p.m. tonight on ABC!
Technorati Tags:dancing with the stars, latin night Posted by WABC on April 16, 2012 in DWTS Season 14 | Permalink | Comments (0) 04/10/2012 Shocking Bottom Two on 'Dancing With the Stars' Elimination Show
“KISS” kicked off the show with another rockin’ performance of “Lick it Up”.
The pros Mark Ballas, Chelsie Hightower, Henry Byalikov and Oksana Dmytrenko did a high energy ballroom dance and it was a great way to start the show and get the crowd pumped!
First up to learn their fate were Gavin & Karina and Melissa & Maks. We all know that Melissa suffered a concussion and some whiplash. They showed the clip again and you could see when Maks twirled her on the ground, she hit her head.
She was taken to the hospital and because of that she needs a rest day, so Maks took the stage without her and said that Melissa is already looking for next week. The first couple saved was Melissa & Maks. Gavin & Karina were also safe! This is the first time he hasn’t ended up in the bottom two!
Continue reading "Shocking Bottom Two on 'Dancing With the Stars' Elimination Show" » Technorati Tags:dancing with the stars, melissa gilbert, roshon fagen, sherri shepherd, val chmerkovskiy Posted by WABC on April 10, 2012 in DWTS Season 14 | Permalink | Comments (1) Categories Bristol Palin Celebrity Dancers DWTS Season 13 DWTS Season 14 Season 14 Sports Television Recent PostsClassical Night Brings the First Perfect Score of the Season!Meet Katherine JenkinsDancers square off on 'Classical Night'It Comes Down to Youth vs. Experience in Motown Week's 'Dance Duel'Motown Dance Marathon Shakes Things Up on 'Dancing With the Stars'Motown Week on 'Dancing With the Stars'First Ever Dance Duel Elimination on 'Dancing With the Stars'Latin Night Heats Up 'Dancing With the Stars'Preview of Latin Night on 'Dancing With the Stars'Shocking Bottom Two on 'Dancing With the Stars' Elimination ShowRecent Commentsmeghan on First Ever Dance Duel Elimination on 'Dancing With the Stars'feemykitty on Latin Night Heats Up 'Dancing With the Stars'Terri on Shocking Bottom Two on 'Dancing With the Stars' Elimination ShowPeggy on Stars Try to Rock Out on 'Dancing With the Stars', Some Fall FlatMichelle on Stars Try to Rock Out on 'Dancing With the Stars', Some Fall FlatElizabeth on Tough Elimination on 'Dancing With the Stars', Rules Change Next WeekT. Bronson on The First Star Has Been Eliminated on 'Dancing With the Stars'renee on New cast of Dancing With The Stars revealed!Jennifer on The Best 'Dancing With the Stars' Premiere EVERAndy on The Best 'Dancing With the Stars' Premiere EVERArchivesApril 2012March 2012February 2012November 2011October 2011September 2011August 2011July 2011June 2011May 2011April 2012SunMonTueWedThuFriSat123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930 document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https://sb" : "http://b") + ".scorecardresearch.com/beacon.js'%3E%3C/script%3E"));COMSCORE.beacon({ c1: 2, c2: "6035669", c3: "", c4: "http://wabc.typepad.com/dancingwiththestarsblog/", c5: "", c6: "", c15: ""});
Eyewitness NewsTAMPA -- In a symbolic gesture, the Tampa Bay Buccaneerssigned Rutgers defensive tackle Eric LeGrand, whose playing career was ended by a spinal cord injury, on Wednesday morning. 
NEW YORK -- Occupy protesters are spreading out to picket at banks and other New York City businesses to mark International Workers Day, or May Day. 
Eyewitness NewsCARMEL (WABC) -- Four people, including a New York police captain and his wife and children, died after after their Carmel home went up in flames and collapsed. 
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