Comment on Smith, Rufus C. "Rusty"

A memorial for the 3 motorcycle deputies killed in an on-duty crash, Corporal Luis Paez, Deputy Sheriff Ralph "Butch" Waller, and Deputy Sheriff Ignacio "Dan" Diaz at the iThink Amphitheater in West Palm Beach on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024.

By CHARLOTTE KRAMON, Associated Press/Report for America ATLANTA (AP) — The long-running gang and racketeering trial that led Atlanta rapper Young Thug to plead guilty in October ended on Tuesday with the last two defendants found not guilty of racketeering, murder and gang-related charges. Deamonte Kendrick, who raps as Yak Gotti, was acquitted of all charges and Shannon Stillwell was found guilty only of gun possession.

You better watch out, Wilton Manors: Helen Roper is coming to town. The wiggy series of costumed bar takeovers known as the Mrs. Roper Romp — a global phenomenon — will make its debut in Wilton Manors on Saturday, Dec. 7, a “holiday caftan crawl” along Wilton Drive that is open to anyone who wants to join in. The tour will begin at LIT (2440 Wilton Drive) for 2 p.m.

FORT LAUDERDALE — The Florida Panthers are keeping starting goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky at home to start a two-game road trip and sending standout rookie Mackie Samoskevich down to the minors. There’s an excellent reason for both moves. With Bobrovsky and his wife expecting a baby, the Panthers recalled goaltender Chris Driedger from their AHL affiliate in Charlotte on Monday and loaned Samoskevich to the Checkers to ensure that the move would be salary-cap compliant. The Panthers were scheduled to play at Pittsburgh on Tuesday and at Philadelphia on Thursday. Bobrovsky is 11-5-1 this season for the defending Stanley Cup champions.

By SAMY MAGDY and JOSEF FEDERMAN, Associated Press CAIRO (AP) — Palestinian officials say Fatah and Hamas are closing in on an agreement to appoint a committee of politically independent technocrats to administer the Gaza Strip after the war. It would effectively end Hamas’ rule and could help advance ceasefire talks with Israel. The rival factions have made several failed attempts to reconcile since Hamas seized power in Gaza in 2007.

Thousands of law enforcement officers from across the state gathered in the South Florida Fairgrounds Tuesday morning to honor the three Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office motormen who died in a crash less than two weeks ago. In the wings of the iThink Financial Amphitheatre, screens were lit up with pictures of the three men: Deputy Ignacio “Dan” Diaz, 51, Cpl.