American Scene: 4 killed when plane crashes near airport

“Should the next military judge find it necessary to address [Maj. Hasan’s] beard, such issues should be addressed and litigated anew,” judges wrote in the ruling.

Maj. Hasan appealed after Col. Gross ordered that he must be clean-shaven or be forcibly shaved before his military trial, which had been set to begin three months ago but has been on hold pending the appeals.

In a statement issued Monday night, Fort Hood officials said proceedings in the case will resume after a new judge is appointed by the Army’s highest legal branch. That indicates Army prosecutors will not appeal this ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court.

GEORGIA

Girl recalls dolphin bite at SeaWorld

ATLANTA — An 8-year-old Georgia girl says it “really, really hurt” when a dolphin snatched her hand in its mouth while she fed the animal as part of an attraction at SeaWorld in Orlando, Fla.

Jillian Thomas of Alpharetta, Ga., said she raised the paper carton she was holding, and “when the dolphin saw that, it leaped at me and bit me, ate the carton.”

“It really, really hurt,” Jillian said in an interview Monday with ABC’s “Good Morning America.”

Jillian suffered three puncture wounds to her hand. Her father, Jamie Thomas, who was with her at the theme park when the dolphin lunged from its pool Nov. 21, described his reaction as “instant fear.”

After his initial thought that he might have to dive into the tank to rescue his daughter, a SeaWorld employee offered to help.

SeaWorld officials said in a statement that the safety of their guests is paramount, and they are taking the situation seriously.

OHIO

Town helps post office keep Rudolph postmark

RUDOLPH — Volunteers in the northwest Ohio village of Rudolph have come together to save the most famous postmark of all.

Thousands of letters flood the village post office every December so that they can be stamped with a Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer postmark.

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