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Three arrested in human smuggling, kidnapping investigation, SMPD says

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:01:56 GMT

SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) -- Three people were arrested on charges of kidnapping and smuggling undocumented immigrants, according to a news release from the San Marcos Police Department.Mason Castillo, Robert Cruz and Jeremiah Villarreal are facing charges including Smuggling of Persons, Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, Aggravated Robbery and Aggravated Kidnapping for Ransom/Reward, according to police.SMPD said it was the sole law enforcement agency investigating the crimes beginning in August, when a group of immigrants were smuggled from Mexico to Austin and kidnapped by force in transit to their destination.“The investigation took about four weeks until sufficient probable cause was developed to issue arrest warrants on all three suspects and for the issuance of multiple search warrants,” said San Marcos Police Detective, Casey Tennant, in the news release.The three men are accused of holding at least 10 undocumented immigrants until they paid them several thousand dollar...

Jury awards $30K to man after St. Paul officers entered his apartment without warrant, arrested him

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:01:56 GMT

A jury awarded $29,500 Tuesday to a man after a federal judge found three St. Paul police officers violated his constitutional rights by entering his apartment without a warrant, and arresting and searching him.David Elgersma, 34, filed a lawsuit over the 2019 incident and U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez ruled in January that the officers’ actions were unlawful.A trial began Monday and the only issue for jurors to decide was how much money Elgersma was entitled to. He testified, as did the three officers.Assistant St. Paul City Attorney Tony Edwards told jurors the city was requesting $1, the required minimum, in compensatory damages and nothing in punitive damages. Elgersma’s attorney, Tim Phillips, said in court that would mean “paying the weakest penalty on earth in response to the most important rights on which our society is based.”Phillips asked the jury to award $10,000 in compensatory damages for Elgersma’s emotional distress and $50,000 ...

Shooting Sports Course promotes gun safety to youth

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:01:56 GMT

BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. (NEWS10) – A local group looking to start a conversation around guns and children by showing another side of how firearms can be used. James Pettis Jr., President of the Shooting Sports Committee for Saratoga County, said the 4-H Shooting Sports Course aims to promote the athletic side of firearms while teaching another very important lesson.“One, what a firearm will do. Responsibility while you’re handling a firearm. And safety while you’re using a firearm,” he said. Get the latest news, weather, and sports delivered right to your inbox! Organizers say that this recreational activity has led to other opportunities for many students. Leland Bunting, 4-H Resource Educator at the Cornell Cooperative Extension for Saratoga County, said that many of their students become hunters or shoot recreationally at competitions.“It’s really important for these kids to get this training upfront so that they’re not left to what they learn online or what they learn from video ga...

Three houses catch fire in U-City; infant hospitalized for smoke inhalation

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:01:56 GMT

UNIVERSITY CITY, Mo. – A house fire spread to neighboring residences in University City early Tuesday evening, prompting a response from multiple departments.The University City Fire Department received a call just before 6:10 p.m. for a two-alarm fire in the 6500 block of Etzel Avenue. Authorities were initially told two homes were ablaze.Units from the St. Louis City and Maplewood fire departments arrived to assist in extinguishing the spreading blaze and check for any potential rescues. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News SIGN UP NOW University City Fire Chief William Hinson said three children suffered smoke inhalation. Only one, an 8-month-old, had to be taken to a local hospital.The fire began in the middle of the three houses.A neighbor said one of...

Adam Wainwright finally earns his 199th victory, and Cardinals top AL-leading Orioles 5-2

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:01:56 GMT

BALTIMORE (AP) — Adam Wainwright pitched five solid innings for his 199th win, and the St. Louis Cardinals spoiled John Means' return for Baltimore, beating the Orioles 5-2 on Tuesday night.Richie Palacios homered in his first two plate appearances after entering the game as a pinch-runner for an injured Nolan Gorman in the second. It was that kind of night for the Cardinals. Wainwright (4-11) snapped a seven-start losing streak and a run of 11 in a row without a victory. The 42-year-old right-hander, who is retiring after this season, allowed two runs and seven hits.It was a frustrating loss for the Orioles, who entered with a three-game lead over Tampa Bay atop the AL East, but on this night, the big question for Baltimore was how Means (0-1) would pitch. He was making his first appearance since having Tommy John surgery in April of last year.Means allowed homers to Paul Goldschmidt in the first and Palacios in the fourth, but he made it through five innings allowing only four hit...

Florence man arrested in 1967 murder case

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:01:56 GMT

An 86-year-old Florence man was arrested on suspicion of killing a 14-month-old baby in 1967, according to a grand jury indictment filed in Fremont County last week.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Authorities uncover new alleged attack linked to Colorado rock-throwing spree that killed woman Crime and Public Safety | Aurora police arrest 16-year-old boy in fatal shooting, theft of scooters Crime and Public Safety | Two suspects arrested in connection to Aurora shooting death Crime and Public Safety | Aurora homicide suspect arrested; allegedly beat man to death at RTD station Crime and Public Safety | Six face murder charges in Aurora organized crime investigation As first reported by the Cañon City Daily Record, Keith Emmanuel Smith was arrested Thursday on suspicion of second-degree murder following a grand jury investigation.Few details were available about the 55-year-old cold case. The ind...

Temecula school board’s proposed flag policy prompts concern over LGBTQ+ issues

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:01:56 GMT

A proposal for a new flag policy at the Temecula Valley Unified School District is on the agenda at the board’s Tuesday night meeting.School officials will discuss whether certain flags should be limited for display, which some critics believe will be used to censor LGBTQ+ support.If approved, the move would only allow state and U.S. flags to be displayed at schools. All other flags would require the superintendent’s approval.Community members who wanted to speak at the meeting were seen lining up earlier in the day to secure tickets to the event.The school board president placed the flag policy discussion on the agenda. No text in the policy specifically mentions Pride flags on school campuses, however, members of the LGBTQ+ community believe the ban is being aimed at preventing Pride flags from being flown.If a flag is approved to be displayed, it would only be allowed for a limited time and must be used for educational purposes only, according to the proposed policy.Temecula Vall...

6 takeaways from Apple’s iPhone 15 event

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:01:56 GMT

(CNN) — Apple unveiled its iPhone 15 lineup along with other major updates during its September keynote event on Tuesday. The company announced it will switch to USB-C charging from its proprietary Lightning charging cable with the iPhone 15, marking a milestone for the company by adopting universal charging. The change aims to ultimately streamline the charging process across various devices — and brands.The company also showed off its Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 smartwatches, with new colors and features including gesture control, and a new iteration of its AirPods Pro wireless earbuds, also with USB-C charging. The iPhone charger update, along with changes to its design and camera system, comes as Apple looks to give consumers more reasons to upgrade their iPhones. Last month, Apple’s sales fell for the third consecutive quarter. iPhone revenue came in at $39.7 billion for the quarter, marking an approximately 2% year-over-year decline, as people update the...

San Jose vehicle burglary spree ends in arrests of four juveniles

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:01:56 GMT

SAN JOSE – Four juveniles were arrested in connection with roughly 50 vehicle burglaries over the weekend in Willow Glen and South San Jose, according to authorities.Around 2:50 a.m. Sunday, the San Jose Police Department received reports of multiple vehicle burglaries on streets including Ashbrook Circle, as well as between Willow Street and Glen Eyrie Avenue, Sgt. Jorge Garibay said in a news release.Officers collected several pieces of evidence and linked a white Hyundai sedan and a black 2013 Land Rover SUV to the vehicle burglaries, according to Garibay.Garibay said officers found the Hyundai unoccupied in the area and issued a “be on the lookout” broadcast for the Land Rover. Around 5 p.m. Sunday, automated license plate reader cameras detected the Land Rover and relayed its location to a San Jose police air unit. The air unit then guided ground units to the Land Rover’s location.When officers stopped the Land Rover, four juveniles got out and tried to run away, according to G...

Four-bedroom home sells in Piedmont for $2.4 million

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:01:56 GMT

4 Abbott Way – Google Street ViewA spacious house located in the first block of Abbott Way in Piedmont has a new owner. The 4,511-square-foot property, built in 2000, was sold on July 27, 2023. The $2,433,000 purchase price works out to $539 per square foot. This two-story house offers a spacious layout with four bedrooms and four baths. Additionally, the house provides a three-car garage, granting ample space for parking and storage purposes.These nearby houses have also recently changed hands:On Moraga Avenue, Piedmont, in July 2023, a 1,866-square-foot home was sold for $1,657,000, a price per square foot of $888. The home has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.A 3,927-square-foot home on the first block of Templar Place in Oakland sold in February 2023, for $3,470,000, a price per square foot of $884. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.In June 2022, a 1,961-square-foot home on Amy Drive in Oakland sold for $2,000,000, a price per square foot of $1,020. The home has 4 bedrooms 1 bat...