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Army grounds aviators for training after fatal crashes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:26 GMT

By BECKY BOHRER (Associated Press)JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The U.S. Army has grounded aviation units for training after 12 soldiers died within the last month in helicopter crashes in Alaska and Kentucky, the military branch announced Friday. The suspension of air operations was effective immediately, with units grounded until they complete the training, said Lt. Col. Terence Kelley, an Army spokesperson. For active-duty units, the training is to take place between May 1 and 5. Army National Guard and Reserve units will have until May 31 to complete the training.“The move grounds all Army aviators, except those participating in critical missions, until they complete the required training,” the Army said in a statement. On Thursday, two Army helicopters collided near Healy, Alaska, killing three soldiers and injuring a fourth. The aircraft from the 1st Attack Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment at Fort Wainwright, near Fairbanks, were returning from training at the time ...

3.0-magnitude earthquake reported near El Centro

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:26 GMT

SAN DIEGO - An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 3.0 struck Friday near El Centro, the U.S. Geological Survey said. The quake was reported at 4:28 p.m. at a depth of about 6.1 miles, according to USGS. The epicenter was about 1.2 miles southwest of Heber, California. More loud booms may be heard across San Diego There were no reports of any injuries or damage.Friday's earthquake comes a day after a 3.1-magnitude quake rattled the Ocotillo Wells area in rural East County.Check back for updates on this developing story.

California man guilty of killing 3 after ‘ding dong’ prank

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:26 GMT

RIVERSIDE, Calif. (AP) — A Southern California man accused of killing three teenage boys by intentionally ramming their car after they played a doorbell-ringing prank on him was found guilty Friday of murder. Anurag Chandra was convicted in a Riverside County courtroom of three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of attempted murder. “The murder of these young men was a horrendous and senseless tragedy for our community. I thank the jury for their verdict. This is an important step toward justice,” county District Attorney Mike Hestrin said in a statement.Chandra’s attorney, David Wohl, did not immediately return a request for comment Friday.The victims, who were all 16 years old, were among six teens inside a Toyota Prius on Jan. 19, 2020 when Chandra intentionally rammed their vehicle off the road and fled, prosecutors said. The Prius’ driver lost control and the sedan slammed into a tree in Temescal Valley, about 60 miles (97 kilometers) southeast of downtown Los...

2 men wanted in suspicious incidents in Mississauga involving youths

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:26 GMT

Peel police are searching for two men in connection with a pair of suspicious incidents in Mississauga this past week. Police say two youths were in the area of River Grove Avenue and Riverdale Crescent around 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday when two unknown men exited a white cargo van and began running towards them. The youths managed to get to a nearby community centre and the suspects fled the scene.The following day, April 27, two men in a similar white cargo van approached a youth at St. Faustina Elementary School on McDowell Drive and attempted to entice them. The youth retreated back towards the school and the suspects fled the scene. The first male suspect is between 40 and 50 years of age, six feet tall with a thin build. He was last seen wearing black pants, a black hooded sweater, black bandana and black sunglasses. The second suspect is between 20 and 30 years of age, and was last seen wearing white clothing and dark sunglasses. They were last seen in a white van with windows vi...

New Mexico governor wants bill to address hazing allegations

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:26 GMT

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico’s governor wants legislators to help her enact a new anti-hazing law in the aftermath of allegations by New Mexico State University basketball players that they were sexually assaulted by teammates and that coaches and staff failed to respond.Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said Friday in a statement that she is appalled by the allegations of hazing and abuse and that New Mexico needs specific new legislation as a deterrent.Two former New Mexico State University basketball players recently filed a lawsuit alleging they were sexually assaulted by teammates and that the coaching staff and other administrators did nothing when they reported the abuse. The lawsuit says three teammates forced the plaintiffs to pull their pants down below their ankles, then assaulted them.The governor said it should be “unequivocal in state law that hazing is a crime and those who do harm to others will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.” Lu...

Baby found dead in Victoria parking lot died of natural causes: police

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:26 GMT

VICTORIA — Police in Victoria say an autopsy of a baby found dead in a parking lot Wednesday has concluded the newborn died of natural causes.A statement from the police department says they have located the mother of the baby and she is receiving medical care and support.  Police say circumstances are still under investigation by the major crimes unit and further details cannot be shared at this time. Officers and an ambulance were called Wednesday night to a report of a baby found in a parking lot in the city. At the time, police said investigators were concerned for the welfare of the mother.They said it’s believed the baby had been recently born, possibly in the area. This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 28, 2023.The Canadian Press

Bears select Florida DT Gervon Dexter Sr. with 53rd pick in 2nd round

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:26 GMT

LAKE FOREST — After making their first selection of the NFL Draft on Thursday, the Bears had to wait a bit in the second round to make their next pick. In the process, they got help at another position of need.With the 53rd overall pick in the draft, the Bears selected Gervon Dexter Sr. from Florida after picking offensive tackle Darnell Wright of Tennessee in the first round on Thursday.A native of Lake Wales, Florida, Dexter played in 48 games with the Gators over three seasons with five sacks for loss and 10 1/2 tackles for loss. He made 125 tackles and also had a pair of interceptions with Florida.During the 2022 season, Dexter had two sacks and four tackles for loss along with 55 tackles, an interception, and a pass deflection in 13 games. The 6-foot-6, 303-pound lineman will give the Bears the push they need in the middle of their defensive line after struggling with pass rush in 2022, finishing last in the NFL with 20 sacks.

Parent arrested after brawl at Bulls College Prep, 3 hospitalized

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:26 GMT

CHICAGO -- A brawl broke out at Chicago Bulls College Prep Friday that sent two staff members and student to a local hospital.According to the Chicago Fire Department, crews were called to the public high school on the 2000 block of West Adams Street on Chicago's near West Side around 12:45 p.m. Friday. Police: Shots fired during funeral service in Maywood The spokesperson for Chicago Bulls College Prep said it was a parent who instigated the altercation during class and used pepper spray on students and staff.Two staff members were transported to a local hospital in fair to good condition. One student was later brought to a hospital by their parents.The school said the disruptive parent was arrested.

'Brought the magic back:' A Chicago area runner's return to Boston Marathon after the bombing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:26 GMT

CHICAGO — There was no need to speed up to approach a personal record as she made the iconic final turn at the end of one of the world's greatest road races. Mary Ann Pell was going to take it all in on Boylston Street in 2023. "I actually didn't speed up," said the experienced marathoner from Naperville as she stared down the final stretch of the Boston Marathon. "I actually slowed down and tried to take it all in."She's done that before, completing the 26.2-mile race a few times during her career which includes 35 marathons. But this was so much different for Pell as she approached the yellow and blue finish line that is a dream for many runners to cross. Ten years earlier, she didn't have the opportunity to reach this point.Mary Ann Pell in the 2013 Boston Marathon, wearing a purple shirt with a white hat.She was under a mile away from completing the race on April 15, 2013, arriving at a place referred to as "Cannoli Corner." While in good health and good spirits, she wouldn't ge...

Federal judge grants injunction on Illinois assault weapons ban

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:26 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (NEXSTAR) -- A federal judge for the Southern District of Illinois issued an injunction Friday afternoon, ruling the assault weapons ban as unenforceable.Judge Steven McGlynn ruled the state cannot enforce the ban until the court can make a decision. Officials discuss DuPage sheriff’s refusal to enforce assault weapons ban He cited past Supreme Court cases as the reasons for his ruling."The Supreme Court in Bruen and Heller held that citizens have a constitutional right to own and possess firearms and may use them for self-defense," the judge wrote in his ruling. "[The ban] seems to be written in spite of the clear directives in Bruen and Heller, not in conformity with them." Illinois' assault weapons ban was signed into law in January. The law faced criticism and constitutional challenges ever since. The law bans the sale of certain weapons and attachments. The court's ruling will allow gun shops to sell these weapons and attachments, but all other measur...