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Illinois man pleads not guilty in attack on Muslim mother and son

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:56 GMT

JOLIET, Ill. (AP) — A man accused of murder, attempted murder and a hate crime in an attack on a Palestinian American woman and her young son pleaded not guilty Monday following his indictment by an Illinois grand jury.Joseph Czuba, 71, is charged in the fatal stabbing of six-year-old Wadea Al-Fayoume and the wounding of Hanaan Shahin on Oct. 14. Authorities said the victims were targeted because of their Muslim faith and as a response to the war between Israel and Hamas. Shahin told police that Czuba, her landlord in Plainfield in Will County, was upset over the war and attacked them after she had urged him to “pray for peace.”Czuba appeared in court Monday wearing a red jail uniform, socks and yellow rubber slippers.His attorney George Lenard entered the not guilty plea after the judge read the 8-count indictment. Czuba did not speak, looking down at the podium with his hands folded behind his back as he stood before the judge in the court in Joliet, 50 miles (80 kilometers) south...

Maine mass shooter had numerous run-ins with authorities, showed warning signs long before shooting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:56 GMT

LEWISTON, Maine (AP) — Authorities in Maine spent Monday piecing together the events that led to the worst mass shooting in the state's history — with the suspect's record of interaction with police and warning signs involving mental illness and violent threats emerging as key threads.Those same authorities are facing growing scrutiny over how the shooter was able to keep his guns and remain on the street despite exhibiting signs that he might commit violent acts.Robert Card — the suspected shooter who was found dead Friday of a self-inflicted gunshot wound — underwent a mental health evaluation last summer after he began acting erratically at an Army training facility in New York, officials said. A bulletin sent to police shortly after last week’s attack said Card had been committed to a mental health facility for two weeks after “hearing voices and threats to shoot up” a military base.Authorities have not said whether they believe the 40-year-old Card planned his shooting rampage ...

St. Louis County scratchers player wins $100K prize

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:56 GMT

OAKVILLE, Mo. -- A fortunate Missouri Lottery player struck it big while scratching off a "$100,000 Super Crossword" ticket purchased at On the Run on Telegraph Road in Oakville.After receiving confirmation of their $100,000 top prize win, the player decided to share the joy with his sons by giving them some of the winnings. The celebration continued as the winner treated everyone to a special dinner for their birthday, complete with party favors. Missouri ‘time traveler’ missing after 1997 radio show The "$100,000 Super Crossword" is a $5 scratchers ticket, and it still holds six additional top prizes of $100,000, along with three $30,000 prizes waiting to be claimed. The chances of winning anything in this game, including $5, is around one in four. There is still around 11.5 million in unclaimed prizes in this game that started in June 2023.

Kiszla vs. Gabriel: Should Broncos trade Jerry Jeudy or Josey Jewell at the deadline?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:56 GMT

Kiz: While it’s unclear how a stunning 24-9 upset of Kansas City changes the Broncos’ strategy at the trade deadline, I am certain who won’t be going to the Super Bowl: Taylor Swift. With no wideouts to help Patrick Mahomes cook, the Chiefs look done like dinner. Coach Andy Reid should get on the horn to Denver and offer a first-round draft choice for Jerry Jeudy. OK, I know there’s no way the Broncos will trade him to an AFC West rival. But will Jeudy or linebacker Josey Jewell remain with the Broncos after the trade deadline passes?Gabriel: Terrific question, Kiz. Difficult to say at this point. I tend to think the Broncos are going to make at least a move if not a couple, still, before the Tuesday afternoon deadline. Those two would be near the top of the list, too, if you were ranking most likely candidates. But Denver clearly not just selling the dusty old cow farm. They’ve held the price high on several players and perhaps the win against Kansas City re...

Fort Collins beer stalwart to close at the end of November

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:56 GMT

A popular brewery in Fort Collins will soon pour its last pint.Over the weekend, Black Bottle Brewery announced it would close at the end of November with the expectation of selling its building to Loveland-based Verboten Brewing and Barrel Project.In a note on social media, owners Sean and Erin Nook cited ongoing hardships from the COVID-19 pandemic, which “hit us harder than anticipated,” as the reason for ending its 11-year run. The Nooks were not immediately available to elaborate on the circumstances of the closure.“Running a small business is no skate in the park, and now that we are on the other side, we have decided that it is time to move on,” the note reads, in part. “Black Bottle Brewery will always mean so much to the Nook family and staff, and we wish we could continue moving forward as easily as we enjoy pouring you all a cold beer. Unfortunately, it’s just not that simple.”A representative from Verboten Brewing did not return requests for comments on its plan in Fort ...

Denver school board candidate Kwame Spearman, teachers union denounce campaign mailer as racist

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:56 GMT

Denver school board candidate Kwame Spearman and the city’s teachers union, which endorsed the former Tattered Cover CEO in his bid for an at-large seat, denounced as racist an election mailer attacking him as a bully. The mailer was sent to Denver residents by an independent expenditure committee called Better Leaders, Stronger Schools, which has spent at least $1 million on advertising in the race for three seats on Denver Public Schools’ Board of Education. The election is on Nov. 7. “I think that is some nasty personal attacks that are coming out,” said Rob Gould, president of the Denver Classroom Teachers Association.RELATED: Colorado voter guide: Stories, explainers and endorsements for the 2023 electionHe said he feels the mailer is racist because it features an upset white child on one side and calls Spearman a bully on the other side, implying that Spearman, who is Black, is bullying the kid. Gould called the advertisement “pretty gross.”Spearman, in a news release, c...

LASD: Father accused of killing 2 children, injuring 2 others not cooperating

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:56 GMT

Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies are continuing their lengthy investigation into what led up to a man killing two of his children and hospitalizing two others. The original murders occurred shortly before midnight on Saturday in Lancaster, when police say that the suspect, identified as Prospero Serna of San Bernardino County, inflicted “severe lacerations” on his four children after reportedly locking his wife out of their home. All four children were rushed to a nearby hospital where two were pronounced deceased. The other two children remain hospitalized in critical condition. Prospero Serna is seen being taken into custody shortly before midnight on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. (Luis Meza)Serna was eventually chased down by deputies, who tackled him and detained him in the street, video from the scene shows.  As he was being detained, his face was visibly bloody, and he could be heard screaming obscenities. He has been arrested on murder and child...

California High-Speed Rail proposes modification to L.A.-to-Anaheim segment

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:56 GMT

The California High-Speed Rail Authority is making some changes to its planned segment from Los Angeles to Anaheim. On Monday, CAHSR announced it now plans to add a fourth rail line between the two Southern California cities, allowing for commuter rail systems and freight trains to each have their own dedicated sets of tracks, rather than have to share and coordinate through the busy metropolitan section. The changes are minor in concept, but are expected to have a meaningful impact once the commuter train service begins operation in the next decade or so.The original plan called for a freight facility to be built in the city of Colton, which would house trains that aren't currently in operation and to allow for storage, maintenance and cleaning. But that plan was abandoned following some local pushback from Colton city officials and residents."The Colton community rightly pointed out that they weren't going to receive any of the benefits from High-Speed Rail, they were just going t...

Santa Ana winds fuel fires, prompt widespread power outages

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:56 GMT

Santa Ana winds continued to rip through parts of Southern California on Monday, prompting fire weather warnings and preemptive power shut-offs.Peak wind gusts topped 40 miles per hour across much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties with some gusts exceeding 60 mph, according to the National Weather Service.The warm and dry desert winds have kept first responders and utility crews busy since they arrived early Sunday.Winds fueled a fire that consumed several bushes and palm trees outside a hotel near John Wayne Airport - coincidentally in Santa Ana. Several hundred guests and staff members needed to be evacuated as embers spread to the roof of the building, authorities said. Palm trees ablaze outside a hotel in Santa Ana on Oct. 29, 2023. (OnScene.TV)A U.S. flag was shredded by the Santa Ana winds in the San Fernando Valley. Oct. 29, 2023. (RMG Media)High winds caused a semi-truck to overturn on I-210 west in Fontana on Oct. 29, 2023. (KeyNewsTV)A fire breaks out on a hillside near ...

Amazon Music’s Closeout to LAFW: Where Music Meets Fashion

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:30:56 GMT

Imagine an event that mixes music, fashion, and a whole lot of entertainment. Well, that’s what Amazon Music did last week in Los Angeles. They called it “The Future Is Ours…” and it was all about who will be defining the future of entertainment and how they will be doing so.The Amazon Music headquarters in Los Angeles was turned into a stylish and musical wonderland. It was a glimpse into the future, where the next big artists and their fans came together to show off their creativity and emotions.The event featured a unique fashion show, showcasing designs by Keyla Marquez, Fashion Director at the Los Angeles Times. There were live performances by the famous reggaeton artist Ryan Castro and a surprise guest, the rapper Rich the Kid. Fans and attendees enjoyed the closeness and intimacy of these artists’ performances as they were directly on the runway.After the show, Bb Trickz, a rising star from Spain, showed off her cute and charming talents to the audienc...