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5 Things To Know On Friday, December 10, 2021

While you were sleeping, we compiled the biggest stories of the day in one place. Each story has a quick and easy summary, so you're prepared for whatever the day brings.
Posted at 6:57 AM, Dec 10, 2021
and last updated 2021-12-10 06:57:45-05

While you were sleeping, we compiled the biggest stories of the day in one place. Each story has a quick and easy summary, so you're prepared for whatever the day brings. Just click on the links if you want to know more!

1. Palm Beach Gardens man threatened to harm congresswomen, district attorney, feds say
A Palm Beach Gardens man is facing federal charges after he called and threatened to injure two members of Congress and a district attorney, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida.

Paul Hoeffer, 60, was arraigned this week in U.S. District Court in Miami. He is charged with three counts of interstate transmission of threats to injure.

According to the federal indictment, Hoeffer called a congresswoman in March 2019 and threatened to come a "long, long way" to rattle her head with bullets and cut her head off.

Palm Beach Gardens man accused of threatening congresswomen, district attorney

2. More outdoor dining could come to West Palm Beach
The City of West Palm Beach is working to establish an ordinance that would allow businesses to set up dining spaces in place of parking spots.

The concept was originally meant to be a temporary solution, but places like Pistache report that over 50% of requests for dining are for outdoor sitting.

More outdoor dining could come to West Palm Beach

3. Photographs show injuries to Semmie Williams Jr. after jail scuffle
Photographs obtained Thursday by WPTV show the injuries Semmie Williams Jr. received after he got into a scuffle with corrections deputies while he was being booked into jail.

The 39-year-old murder suspect is accused of stabbing Ryan Rogers to death last month in Palm Beach Gardens during what police described as a "random" encounter with the 14-year-old boy who was riding his bicycle.

New photos show injuries to Semmie Williams Jr. after jail incident

4. Jury finds Jussie Smollett guilty on 5 of 6 counts of disorderly conduct
A jury found former "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett guilty on five of six felony counts of disorderly conduct for lying to Chicago police, according to CBS News and CNN.

The jury deliberated about eight hours after a weeklong trial. Two brothers testified that Smollett orchestrated the hoax to get publicity.

Jussie Smollett
FILE - In this Feb. 24, 2020 file photo, former "Empire" actor Jussie Smollett leaves the Leighton Criminal Courthouse in Chicago. A judge on Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, granted lawyers for Jussie Smollett more time to prepare arguments on several issues, including whether they can introduce a key witness’s previous conviction for battery. Cook County Judge James Linn Linn scheduled the next hearing in the case for Aug. 26. (AP Photo/Matt Marton, File)

5. Ghislaine Maxwell trial adjourned for day after attorney falls sick
The sex-abuse trial of Ghislaine Maxwell has been paused because an attorney on the case has gotten sick.

U.S. District Judge Alison Nathan told the in federal court in Manhattan on Thursday that an attorney was "ill and has to get care."

Sketch of Ghislaine Maxwell in federal court during trial, Dec. 9, 2021
This courtroom sketch shows Ghislaine Maxwell, left, conferring with her defense attorney Bobbi Sternheim before the start of her sex abuse trial Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021, in New York.

Today's Forecast
This afternoon, warm and muggy with highs in the low 80s, low clouds lifting throughout the morning making way for sunny conditions this afternoon.

South Florida weather 12/10/21

Get your complete hour-by-hour forecast here.

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Remember, you can join Mike Trim and Ashleigh Walters every weekday on WPTV NewsChannel 5 beginning at 4:30 a.m. And you can always watch the latest news from WPTV anytime on your favorite streaming device. Just search for "WPTV."