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Virginia deputies charged in man’s death at mental hospital

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:07:19 GMT

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Seven Virginia sheriff’s office employees have been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of a 28-year-old man at a state mental hospital last week, a local prosecutor said Tuesday. Henrico County Sheriff’s Office personnel took the victim, Irvo Otieno, to Central State Hospital on March 6 to admit him as a patient, according to the prosecutor, Dinwiddie County Commonwealth’s Attorney Ann Cabell Baskervill. Otieno, who was physically restrained, died during the intake process, Baskervill said in a statement. “Mr. Otieno’s family was notified by my office this morning of these charges and I will continue to work with and for his family in relation to pursuing this case to its fullest extent,” Baskervill said. Baskervill’s statement did not state a cause of death but said Otieno’s body had been taken to a medical examiner’s office for an autopsy. Otieno’s family has previously raised concerns about his t...

New atmospheric river brings rain, wind to soggy California

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:07:19 GMT

WATSONVILLE, Calif. (AP) — The latest powerful atmospheric river to drench California put nearly 27,000 people under evacuation orders Tuesday due to flooding and landslide risks. On the central coast, workers hauled truckloads of rocks to plug a broken river levee amid steady rain and wind.Forecasters warned of potentially damaging winds with gusts up to 70 mph (113 kph), and there were numerous reports of falling trees. Power outages hit more than 330,000 utility customers in northern and central areas, according to poweroutage.us, which tracks outages nationwide.Crews raced to stabilize the Pajaro River’s ruptured levee Tuesday, placing rocks and boulders to finish filling the gap that opened late Friday, about 70 miles (110 kilometers) south of San Francisco. Workers will then raise that portion’s elevation to match the rest of the levee over the next few weeks to make it impermeable, officials said.Tuesday’s storm initially spread light to moderate rain over t...

17 wild horses shot dead near Kamloops, B.C., in ‘disheartening’ act: RCMP

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:07:19 GMT

KAMLOOPS, B.C. — Authorities in British Columbia are investigating after 17 wild horses were shot in what Mounties are calling a “disheartening act.”The RCMP say in a news release that Tk’emlups Rural RCMP received a report of several dead horses found about 65 kilometres west of Kamloops, near Walhachin, B.C., on Friday.Police say the RCMP’s Forensic Identification Section carefully examined the scene, along with a veterinarian and a livestock investigator.They say the animals appear to have been from a herd of feral horses that frequent that area.RCMP say the motive has not yet been confirmed and the investigation is ongoing. They say the horses are of cultural significance to the local Skeetchestn Band and are asking anyone with information to come forward.This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 14, 2023.The Canadian Press

Province announces new energy ‘framework’ on heels of LNG facility approval

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:07:19 GMT

VANCOUVER — The British Columbia government says it’s rolling out a new framework for approving oil and gas projects that will ensure the province meets its emissions targets in the coming decades. Premier David Eby says the new framework will require new liquefied natural gas facilities to have a “credible plan” for net-zero emissions by 2030, and there will be an emissions cap on the industry. Eby says his government will also establish a major projects and clean energy office to fast-track proposals that use clean technologies and create jobs. The government will also launch a task force within BC Hydro to speed-up the electrification of the provincial economy with a focus on renewable energy. Environment Minister George Heyman says the new framework ensures industry is under “strong” emissions reduction requirements, while allowing it to seize upon opportunities to use emerging clean energy technologies. A government statement says the new framework...

Transportation Safety Board urges better medical screening guidelines for pilots

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:07:19 GMT

EDMONTON — The Transportation Safety Board is calling for better screening of heart-related conditions of Canadian pilots.The recommendation comes after at least eight fatal or serious plane crashes between the early 2000s and 2021 — all believed to be linked to heart attacks or cardiovascular diseases among pilots.In a report published Tuesday, the independent federal agency recommended the Department of Transport “establish a framework for routine review and improvement” of its guidelines “to ensure it contains the most effective screening tools for assessing medical conditions,” including cardiovascular health issues.The most recent crash happened in October 2021 in central Alberta when a pilot flying an amateur-built plane died. An investigation into the crash in Lacombe, Alta., found evidence the pilot had a heart attack, but it was impossible to determine exactly when.But this wasn’t the first confirmed crash where cardiovascular disease was deter...

Arkansas lawmakers OK anti-abortion monument at Capitol

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:07:19 GMT

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — A monument marking the number of abortions performed in Arkansas before Roe v. Wade was struck down would be built near the state Capitol under a bill lawmakers sent to Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Tuesday.The majority-Republican House approved by a 60-19 vote a proposal allowing the creation of a “monument to the unborn” on the Capitol grounds. The bill, which the Senate approved earlier this month, requires the secretary of state to permit and arrange the placement of the monument. It also requires the Capitol Arts and Grounds Commission to oversee the selection of the artist and the design of the monument with input from anti-abortion groups.Republican Rep. Mary Bentley, the bill’s House sponsor, said the legislation would allow the state to raise private money for a memorial to “remember those children we were not able to protect and we will not be able to forget.”A law Arkansas approved in 2019 banning nearly all abortions took effect last year when t...

Johnson, Vallas pick up endorsements, supporters trade barbs on campaign trail for mayor

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:07:19 GMT

CHICAGO — Candidates for Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas each picked up endorsements Tuesday."I am here today to proudly announce my strong support for Brandon Johnson as the next mayor of the city of Chicago," said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (9th Dist.).Schakowsky and members of the Personal PAC — an organization focused on protecting reproductive rights — announced their support for Johnson, while Alderwoman Silvana Tabares (23rd Ward) threw her hat in the ring with Vallas, along with aldermen Felix Cardona Jr. (31st Ward) and Ariel Reboyras (30th Ward). In announcing her endorsement, Tabares took a shot at Johnson on the topic of public safety."Every Chicagoan who is concerned about rising crime should be aware of one thing," Tabares said. "Brandon Johnson will defund the police and Paul Vallas will put crime reduction and public safety first."Schakowsky, meanwhile, took issue with Vallas and his personal opinion on abortion."We can’t take any chances," Schakowsky...

Man wanted for attempted murder after allegedly stabbing woman in South Chicago

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:07:19 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago police are searching for a man who allegedly stabbed a woman multiple times amid a domestic incident last month.According to police, Valentin Jacobo is suspected of stabbing a woman in the 8100 block of S. Brandon Ave., in South Chicago, on Feb 17. He faces an attempted murder charge, as well as domestic battery. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesPolice described Jacobo as a Hispanic male, 5-foot-9-inches, weighing 180-190 pounds. No one is in custody. Anyone with information may leave an anonymous tip at cpdtip.com.

A year later, Chris Collins answers the challenge to turn around Northwestern

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:07:19 GMT

EVANSTON - One year ago on Tuesday came a news release to members of the media that cover Northwestern athletics that bluntly stated the situation with the men's basketball program.Dated March 14, 2022, athletic director Dr. Derrick Gragg had a statement on the state of the team that had endured five-straight losing seasons after a breakthrough NCAA Tournament appearance in 2017. That included a 15-16 record in 2021-2022, prompting a meeting between the AD and Chris Collins. While the head coach's contract ran through 2024-2025, the statement made clear that a critical time was ahead for the man that had led the program to its first "Big Dance" just five years earlier.“I have tasked Coach Collins with making necessary changes to build towards success in the 2022-23 campaign. I am extremely grateful to all our supporters for their dedication and, most importantly, to our student-athletes for always representing our University with pride and passion," said Gragg at the end of the stat...

Illinois ban on cash bail in hands of state’s Supreme Court

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:07:19 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois lawmakers’ effort to end cash bail is in the state Supreme Court’s hands after justices heard arguments Tuesday on behalf of top Democrats, and a group of prosecutors and sheriffs who are challenging the law.The state Supreme Court ordered in January that the provision would not take effect as anticipated and agreed to an “expedited” review following a Kankakee County judge’s ruling that the General Assembly’s elimination of cash bail was unconstitutional. Illinois Supreme Court halts elimination of cash bail in SAFE-T Act Brief arguments before the Supreme Court’s seven justices in Springfield on Tuesday largely centered on whether lawmakers have the authority to make such a sweeping change to pretrial procedures.The clampdown on courts that require a monetary payment before a defendant can be released from jail ahead of a criminal trial is part of a criminal justice package that Illinois Democrats wrote following the killing of George Floyd by Minnea...