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Chicago mayor, interim police superintendent respond to Memorial Day weekend violence

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:02:57 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said the city saw "community divestment, poverty and trauma" the city has "struggled with for far too long" over the deadliest Memorial Day weekend in eight years.Over the holiday weekend, at least 11 people were shot and killed and 50 were injured. The youngest person who was shot was just two years old. Over 50 shot, 11 killed over holiday weekend in Chicago Johnson and Fred Waller, the city's interim police superintendent, spoke about the violence Wednesday afternoon at a press conference following the city council meeting."We are all grieving today," Johnson said. "What we saw this weekend was a manifestation of community disinvestment, poverty, trauma that our city has struggled with for far too long."Waller took a minute to acknowledge those who died due to gun violence."I want to acknowledge the people that we lost to senseless gun violence this weekend and those who will forever live with the trauma of gun violence," Waller said. Bot...

'Gradutate': Over 600 high school students receive misspelled stoles for graduation

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:02:57 GMT

RICH TOWNSHIP, Ill. — Parents and students of a south suburban high school are upset after the school distributed more than 600 graduation stoles to seniors with the word 'graduate' misspelled on them.What makes matters worse is that the mistake wasn't noticed until after some students walked went through with their graduation ceremonies.The misspelling of 'graduate' on the misprinted Rich Township High School stoles.Yasir Bilal, a newly graduated student from Rich Township High School (RTHS), described the moment when his family noticed the gaffe as he walked across the stage, pointing out that the word 'graduate' was spelled 'gradutate.'"They could have checked before [the ceremony], because they made 600-plus," Bilal said. "And all of them were spelled wrong." What to know about Taylor Swift’s Soldier Field concerts In a letter to community members, RTHS admitted they never checked the stoles beforehand, and said they are trying to make amends by photoshopping the misspelled wo...

How the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force played a role in locating, arresting Raul Meza Jr.

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:02:57 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- After court documents gave details of what led to murder charges for an Austin man called a "serial killer" by a city official, KXAN got more insight on what led up to the man's arrest and the moment he was apprehended.Raul Meza Jr., 62, was identified and arrested and charged after confessing to the murder of his roommate Jesse Fraga, 80. Meza also implicated himself in the murder of Gloria Lofton, 66, in 2019, three years after Austin Police said he was released from Travis County Jail.Image of Raul Meza Jr. provided by the Pflugerville Police DepartmentKXAN's Jennifer Sanders interviewed Deputy U.S. Marshal Brandon Filla, and he talked about the role the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force played in arresting Meza Jr.Filla said the task force got involved on May 24 after the Pflugerville Police Department requested the agency's assistance to locate and apprehend Meza Jr., who had a warrant for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.However, later that day, Filla said this...

Loons nearly find late equalizer but fall 2-1 to Austin FC

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:02:57 GMT

Zarek Valentin’s scream summed it up.The Loons fullback expressed his frustration when teammates couldn’t clear a long throw-in that Austin FC star midfielder Sebastian Driussi scored on to provide the difference in a 2-1 win Wednesday at Q2 Stadium.Austin FC (5-6-4, 19 points) moves even with the Loons (5-6-4, 19 points) in the Western Conference standings.The Loons had a flurry of late chances, including four consecutive corners in stoppage time. Goalkeeper Brad Stuver denied shots from Bongi Hlongwane, D.J. Taylor and Micky Tapias.MNUFC and Austin FC traded goals from the most likely and unlikeliest players within seven first-half minutes.Austin leading scorer Jon Gallagher found a lot of space on the back post and rifled a shot past Dayne St. Clair in the 19th minute.On a counterattack in the 26th minute, Mender Garcia made the extra pass for Joseph Rosales’ open finish. It was the Honduran’s first MLS goal after he logged his first MNUFC goal in the U.S. Open Cup against ...

Guilderland continues Costco public hearings

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:02:57 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Later this year, Costco will officially open in the Capital Region on Western Avenue and Crossgates Road, but not everyone is excited. On Wednesday night, demonstrators appeared before a public hearing to protest against the developer, The Pyramid Corporation, from receiving any tax breaks since Costco is a retail store.“I think this is a pretty outrageous thing,” Lynne Jackson, Save the Pine Bush volunteer, said. “What Pyramid is asking for is over $2 million in tax breaks.” Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! But a lawyer for the retailer says that the tax break is only for the initial development of the building.“I would like to emphasize that the sales tax exemption being requested is only on initial construction and fill-out of the facility. It does not apply to the ongoing operation of the Costco facility,” he said.Still, volunteers with Save the Pine Bush say they are worried about how the increas...

Albany man arrested after alleged stolen vehicle crash

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:02:57 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Albany County Sheriff's Office arrested an Albany man after a crash in Albany. The sheriff's office said Ike Weems, 58, was a wanted fugitive out of the state of Rhode Island.Weems is accused of stealing a truck out of the city of Albany and crashing it into two unoccupied parked cars in the area of South Main and Hansen Avenue during a police pursuit Wednesday evening. Police said Weems is wanted out of Rhode Island for felony charges stemming from a burglary. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! He was charged with one count of Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Third Degree, Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the Fourth Degree, three counts of Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree, Unlawfully Fleeing a Police Officer in a Motor Vehicle in the Third Degree, Obstructing Governmental Administration in the Second Degree, and traffic violations.He is being held at the Albany County J...

Disabled veteran towed from casino because truck was too short

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:02:57 GMT

ST. LOUIS – A recent casino trip over the Memorial Day weekend cost a disabled veteran his truck.Denver Sullens parked his truck Saturday in a special area for vehicles deemed too big for the garage. He said he avoided the garage when he saw the 6-foot clearance bar.“Am I going to hit that or not? So, you pull over there where you know you won’t hit,” he said.Sullens’ truck lowers several inches when parked, which would put him barely under the height requirement when lowered. But he cannot drive it that low. He can only get in and out. They towed him anyway.“They said, ‘Your truck’s too short, you couldn’t park there,’ and I tried to explain to them my truck lowers to let me out because I got hurt in the military, and I have mobility issues,” he said.His truck has plates identifying him as a disabled veteran.“One of the security guys thought it was kind of funny that they took my truck on Memorial Day, being a veteran,” Sullens said. “They just kind of chuckled a little bit.”Meanwh...

RTD plans two months of free fares this summer — and may not charge younger riders after that

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:02:57 GMT

Riders won’t pay to board Regional Transportation District buses and trains for a full two months this summer under a plan approved Wednesday by the transit agency’s board — and younger riders’ fares could be suspended indefinitely under plans taking shape.The return of the state-funded “Zero Fare for Better Air” program in July and August is expected to cost RTD about the same as last year’s one-month outing under changes made to the initiative by lawmakers and Gov. Jared Polis this spring.After officials approached last year’s August free-fare pilot cautiously, the coming expansion, which depends on state approval of RTD’s grant application, reflects a more enthusiastic embrace of the program by metro Denver’s transit agency.It’s making plans to go even further by laying the groundwork to launch a one-year pilot of free fares for younger riders in September. If approved by the board in July as part of a larger packa...

Class 4A, 5A baseball Final Four preview: Severance, a new program four years ago, one win away from first state title

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:02:57 GMT

Four years ago, Severance baseball was a new team at a new school.Now, the Silver Knights are one win from becoming the Colorado prep version of the 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks.That D-backs team became the fastest expansion franchise to win a World Series in its fourth season. On Saturday, Severance can also win the program’s first state title — and first team championship in school history — with a victory at UCHealth Park.Severance’s quick ascent in Class 4A baseball came as coach Kevin Johnson inherited the right talent at the right time in ever-changing Weld County, where old rural is quickly blending with new suburban.“If I knew exactly how we did this so fast, I’d make a hell of a lot of money writing a book,” Johnson quipped. “But the big thing is we had the right mix of kids coming in, and a couple of assistants who worked with these kids when they were young. It all came together as a great mix of kids, and coaches, and the talent and drive...

Sexual assault suspect arrested in Monterey Park

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:02:57 GMT

A 37-year-old man has been charged for assault with the intent to commit rape after tackling and allegedly assaulting a woman in Monterey Park on Wednesday, authorities announced.  Officers with the Monterey Park Police Department responded to calls of a “sexual assault in progress” in the 1800 block of South Atlantic Boulevard just after 12:30 p.m.  Police were able to locate the suspect, now identified as El Monte resident Rudy Barboza, as he was attempting to flee the area, according to an MPPD news release.  The 37-year-old, who is currently on parole, was taken into custody and booked into jail. His bail was set at $1 million.  Rudy Barboza, 37, of El Monte, who is currently on parole, was charged with assault with intent commit rape on May 31, 2023. (Monterey Park PD)Detectives are encouraging anyone with information that could lead to the identification of additional victims to contact the Monterey Park Police Department at 626-573-1311.