Holidays | Photo by Monica Brutto | The Wright State Guardian
From local happenings to national topics and global events, here is the news worth knowing from the week of Dec. 18, 2023.
Local
2 killed, including deputy, in early morning crash
On Monday, Dec. 18, Preble County Deputy Joshua Hamilton was killed in a head-on crash, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Michael Gayhart was the other victim of the crash. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine ordered flags in the state to be lowered to honor the deputy.
Hamilton was a U.S. Navy veteran from 2009 to 2015 and joined the U.S. Army National Guard in January 2023, according to Hamilton’s obituary.
National
Two paramedics charged in death of Elijah McClain
On Friday, Dec. 22, two paramedics were charged for the ketamine overdose of Elijah McClain in 2019, according to an Associated Press release.
“The case involving the 23-year-old Black man’s death was the first among several recent criminal prosecutions against medical first responders to reach trial, potentially setting the bar for prosecutors for future cases,” the release reads.
Global
Pope Francis approves blessings for same-sex couples
On Monday, Dec. 18, the Holy See press office released a declaration “Fiducia Supplicans” on the Pastoral Meaning of Blessings, which allows Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples without the formal ritual blessing of a marriage. The declaration offers a broad understanding of the word “blessing,” maintaining the Church’s ban on gay marriage.
14 killed, 25 injured in Prague mass shooting
On Thursday, Dec. 21, a student at Charles University in Prague opened fire in the philosophy department building and killed 14 people while injuring 25 others, according to an Associated Press release. The gunman also died in the shooting. According to Prague Police Chief Martin Vondrasek, the gunman might be linked to other murders in the area.
