At a Glance

Appeals court says medical exam wasn’t false imprisonment

LANSING (AP) — A medical appointment that lasts hours might be an annoyance, but it’s not false imprisonment in Michigan.

A federal appeals court last week ruled in favor of an insurance company in a dispute over an exam for a man seeking to collect benefits for a workplace injury.

Craig Sheehan fell and injured his head while working for a trucking company. He sued an insurance company, claiming he was the victim of “false imprisonment” because he was told he could lose benefits if he wasn’t examined by a psychologist.

But the appeals court says Sheehan doesn’t have the law on his side.

The court says he wasn’t “manually seized” by Star Insurance and was warned that he could lose benefits if he didn’t get the exam — not threatened.

Obama signs legislation to improve veterans hotline

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama has signed into law a bill that seeks to ensure all telephone calls and other communications delivered through a Department of Veterans Affairs’ crisis line get answered in a timely manner by a qualified person.

The legislation comes after federal investigators substantiated allegations that some calls went into a voicemail system and that some veterans didn’t get immediate assistance.

The bill creates a quality assurance process. It requires the VA to develop a plan to ensure any communication to the crisis line or a backup center is quickly handled by someone in accordance with guidance established by the American Association of Suicidology.
 

Boy calls 911 to invite deputies to dinner

DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, Fla. (AP) — While his mother was preparing food in the kitchen, a 5-year-old Florida boy called 911 to invite law enforcement officers over for Thanksgiving dinner.

Monica Webster of the Walton County Sheriff’s Office tells the News Herald that with all the bad calls they receive every day, this was a happy call. But young Billy Nolin’s family had no idea he’d invited guests to dinner.

Mom Landi McCormick reprimanded Billy when he admitted calling 911. He was crying when Deputy Dannon Byrd drove up.

She says the deputy thanked Billy for his kind invitation, then reminded him he should only use 911 for emergencies. The deputy gave Billy a sheriff’s badge.

Policeman pops the question at parade

NEW YORK (AP) — Talk about a memorable trip to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The New York Police Department says an officer who was shot on duty last year proposed to his girlfriend at Thursday’s parade. And the NYPD says in a tweet, “She said yes!!!”

The NYPD tweeted a photo of the happy moment, which unfolded in front of the NYPD band. The Daily News first reported on the tweet and says Officer Andrew Dossi’s family confirms he proposed.

Dossi was shot in the elbow and back while responding to a holdup at a Bronx grocery store last year. A fellow officer was shot in the arm and chest during the encounter.

The shooting suspect has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and other charges.
 

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