Armstrong out as Livestrong head
Armstrong out as Livestrong head
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Already an outcast in cycling after a massive doping report, Lance Armstrong absorbed hits much closer to home Wednesday: to his wallet and his heart.
Armstrong was dumped by Nike, Anheuser-Busch and other sponsors, and he gave up the top spot at Livestrong, his beloved cancer-fighting charity, a week after an anti-doping agency released evidence of drug use by the seven-time Tour de France winner.
Armstrong stepped down as chairman of Livestrong in an attempt to minimize the damage caused by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency’s report. USADA banned Armstrong from the sport for life and has ordered that his Tour titles be stripped, which could come before the end of the month.
“This organization, its mission and its supporters are incredibly dear to my heart,” the cancer survivor said in a statement. “Today therefore, to spare the foundation any negative effects as a result of controversy surrounding my cycling career, I will conclude my chairmanship.”
Minutes later, Nike dropped its personal sponsorship contract with him and issued a blistering statement that the company had been duped by his denials over the years.
“Due to the seemingly insurmountable evidence that Lance Armstrong participated in doping and misled Nike for more than a decade, it is with great sadness that we have terminated our contract with him. Nike does not condone the use of illegal performance enhancing drugs in any manner,” the company said.
CDC: Meningitis deaths rise to 19
NEW YORK (AP) — Four more people have died in the national meningitis outbreak, bringing the death toll to 19, health officials said Wednesday.
The deaths are among the 247 people in 15 states sickened in the outbreak. They all received shots of an apparently contaminated steroid medication made by a Massachusetts specialty pharmacy.
Most of the patients contracted a rare fungal form of meningitis, after getting the shots for back pain over the past few months. Two developed infections from joint injections.
Of the latest deaths, two were in Tennessee and one each was reported in Florida and in Virginia, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Wednesday. That brings deaths to eight in Tennessee; three in Florida and Michigan, two in Indiana and Virginia, and one in Maryland.
Test results so far show infections with three kinds of fungus, most of them a form of black mold, the CDC said. Of 42 patients, 40 were infected with Exserohilum fungus. The others were infected with Aspergillus or Cladosporium. All are treated with the same anti-fungal medications.
Guilty plea in plot to kill ambassador
NEW YORK (AP) — A Texas man pleaded guilty Wednesday to plotting to assassinate Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States, agreeing to hire what he thought was a drug dealer in Mexico last year for $1.5 million to carry out the attack with explosives at a Washington restaurant.
Manssor Arbabsiar, 57, entered the plea to two conspiracy charges and a murder-for-hire count in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, where Judge John F. Keenan repeatedly asked Arbabsiar whether he intended to kill the ambassador. Arbabsiar, a U.S. citizen who holds an Iranian passport, said he did.
Sentencing was set for Jan. 23, when defense lawyers are likely to cite their claims that Arbabsiar is bipolar in asking for leniency. He faces up to 25 years in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Kim asked Arbabsiar if Iranian military officials based in Iran were involved in the plot. Arbabsiar said they were.
Coach quits amid
Zumba scandal
KENNEBUNK, Maine (AP) — A long-time high school hockey coach whose name appeared on a list of men accused of paying a local Zumba fitness instructor for sex has stepped down, the first known job loss associated with the scandal.
Kennebunk High School coach Donald Hill told school officials he wouldn’t seek to renew his contract for next season after 14 years as head coach, school Superintendent Andrew Dolloff said Wednesday. The coach cited personal reasons, Dolloff said.
Police on Tuesday released the names, ages and addresses of 21 men to receive summonses after being accused of engaging a prostitute, and many more names will be released in the coming weeks. A lawyer who’s seen the list said more than 150 people are suspected of being johns.
Hill, 52, was listed alongside a former mayor and several businessmen in southern Maine. Men from Massachusetts and New Hampshire also are on the list.
The coach, who’s from Old Orchard Beach, a few towns north of Kennebunk, didn’t immediately return a cellphone message seeking comment Wednesday. It was unclear if he is married or has a family.
Kennebunk, a town of about 10,000 residents known for its beaches, sea captain’s mansions and New England charm, was thrust into the media spotlight after 29-year-old Zumba instructor Alexis Wright was charged this month with engaging in prostitution in her dance studio and in an office across the street.
Police said Wright videotaped many encounters without her clients’ knowledge and kept meticulous records suggesting the sex acts generated $150,000 over 18 months.
Wright, from nearby Wells, has pleaded not guilty to 106 counts of prostitution, invasion of privacy and other charges. Her business partner, 57-year-old insurance agent and private investigator Mark Strong Sr., from Thomaston, has pleaded not guilty to 59 misdemeanor charges.
Local officials expected a big impact on the community.
Dolloff previously issued a memo to teachers and staff last week, instructing them to be on the lookout for students who have relatives on the list of names and may be teased or have trouble coping.
One of the players on the hockey team said Wednesday they were instructed not to talk to the media.
Team supporter Doug Oakman, who’s affiliated with the Kennebunk Ice Hockey Boosters, an organization that raises money for the team, lashed out when asked to comment about the coach’s departure, saying there are “more important things” to focus on.
Town residents who are growing weary of the attention can look forward to repeating the scenario several more times as names trickle out.
The police department plans to release the remaining names of john suspects every other week as they’re issued summonses. The next batch is due Oct. 26.
It will take months for all the summonses to be issued and for all the john suspects to have court appearances, police Lt. Anthony Bean Burpee said.
Around town on Wednesday, people were still talking about “the list” and what other names might be on it. But some locals were fed up of the spotlight.
“People are definitely sick of all the news vans on Main Street,” said Travis Munroe, general manager of H.B. Provisions, a general store and deli.