B.C. chief coroner Lisa Lapointe retiring, saddened by overdose crisis policy

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:57:47 GMT

B.C. chief coroner Lisa Lapointe retiring, saddened by overdose crisis policy VICTORIA — British Columbia’s Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe has announced she is leaving her post after 13 years, deeply saddened the province has been unable to reduce the “tragic impacts” of toxic drugs on thousands of people.Lapointe says in a statement today the coroners service has been forever altered by the public health emergency that continues to take the lives of people of all ages in communities throughout B.C., including more than 2,000 people so far this year.Lapointe says recommendations by coroners service death-review panels, including providing a safe supply of drugs without prescription, are needed to end the overdose crisis, but she was “unable to influence the essential change necessary” to do so.The B.C. government rejected the recommendations last month, minutes before Lapointe was set to deliver a report on them at a news conference.Lapointe, whose third term ends with her retirement on Feb. 18, 2024, says she’s had the honour...

White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf meets with Nashville mayor during Winter Meetings

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:57:47 GMT

White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf meets with Nashville mayor during Winter Meetings NASHVILLE, Tenn. — White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf met with Nashville mayor Freddie O'Connell Tuesday during the Winter Meetings.First reported by Politico, the mayor's office told WGN News the meeting was "introductory in nature."They also stated that O'Connell did not share anything that he "previously hasn't said publicly."It's been reported that Nashville has been interested in bringing a Major League franchise to the Music City.O'Connell told WGN's sister station WKRN Friday prior to the Winter Meetings that he is treating the situation as "informal" but he hoped to at least meet with Commissioner Rob Manfred."I'm treating this as informal. We are certainly not ready as a city and as an administration to say about any particular group, team, whatever — that we are already seeking that," O'Connell said. "I do hope to at least have an opportunity to formally meet with the commissioner and we will see about that. It would just be in the basis of introducing him to the city more...

15-year-old Joliet girl missing nearly a month may be in Chicago, police say

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:57:47 GMT

15-year-old Joliet girl missing nearly a month may be in Chicago, police say CHICAGO — A search is underway for a missing Joliet teen Chicago police say may be in Chicago.Edith De La Fuente, 15, was last seen in the 5900 block of W. Diversey Ave. on Nov. 7. According to police, the teenage girl may be in the city's Belmont Cragin neighborhood.Edith stands 5 feet tall, weighs 160 pounds and has brown eyes and black hair. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Anyone with information about Edith's whereabouts is asked to call Area 5 Detective at (312) 746-6554 or 911.

12 men arrested following Lake County Sheriff's Office prostitution sting

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:57:47 GMT

12 men arrested following Lake County Sheriff's Office prostitution sting LAKE COUNTY, Ill. - A recent human trafficking suppression operation resulted in the arrest of 12 men, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday. The Sheriff's Office Special Investigations Group conducted a web-based operation targeting customers of prositutes.When the "Johns" arrived and offered money to undercover detectives for the sexual acts, they were arrested and booked at Lake County Jail. Police: 3 women arrested after stealing from Ulta, leading police on pursuit before crash in Oak Brook The following individuals have all been charged with solicitation of a sexual act:Nicholas B. SteeleVictor AndralaTraian BigSteven D. CarrIsrael G. Cisneros-SanchezDouglas M. DockeryChristian FelixNicholas A. HuemannRyan A. JugaAliaksandr KorsMichael P. MarcianoTheodore E. PfaffNicholas B. Steele, 44, of the 18100 block of Loretta Drive, MarengoVictor Andrala, 43, of the 1500 block of Eva Avenue, Park CityTraian Big, 49, of the 3700 block of Harlem Avenue, ChicagoSteven D. Carr,...

'We heard gunshots': Austin business owner near shooting spree site recalls events 

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:57:47 GMT

'We heard gunshots': Austin business owner near shooting spree site recalls events  AUSTIN (KXAN) – Frank Prior is the owner of ATX Bikes in South Austin. A group of around 50 mountain bikers meet at his shop every Tuesday evening for a group ride in a network of trails behind the store's shopping center off Slaughter Lane and the MoPac Expressway. “Shortly after 6 [p.m.],” Prior said, “we heard gunshots. We heard a few of them.” MORE: Six people dead after shooting spree in Austin, double homicide in Bexar Co. Prior said one person, who was planning to join the group, went out on the trail with his bike to warm up before the ride. “He comes back distressed with a gunshot wound, informing us there's someone out there with a gun who fired at him,” Prior said. “He wasn't even aware he'd been hit at that point. But he sure enough was,” he recalled. Prior told KXAN that the cyclist had a straight-through wound near his elbow.“The version that we heard is he's spinning on the trail, and in what he described as an ambush – this person stepped out, pointed the...

End of television contract creates some revenue uncertainty for Twins, other MLB teams

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:57:47 GMT

End of television contract creates some revenue uncertainty for Twins, other MLB teams NASHVILLE — It may be some time still before the Twins know where their television home is — and thus, how much revenue they’ll be getting from their new deal — creating some uncertainty for the front office as it tries to attend to the Twins’ offseason needs.It was a relatively quiet Winter Meetings for the Twins — and much of Major League Baseball, as well — though Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said that uncertainty hadn’t changed their preparation or approach to the meetings in any way.The Twins’ deal with Bally Sports North concluded at the end of last season and the Twins expect to get less than they received for their telecast rights — around $55 million — in their new deal. They’re certainly not the only team dealing with these issues.“I think there are a host of clubs that are in that same conversation. We are definitely a part of that with the expiration of our deal this past offseason,” Falvey said. “There is some uncertainty. Certainly somethin...

A cougar caught on video roaming through a Minneapolis backyard is likely dead

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:57:47 GMT

A cougar caught on video roaming through a Minneapolis backyard is likely dead A cougar that was spotted Monday in Minneapolis’ Lowry Hill neighborhood was apparently struck and killed early Wednesday on Interstate 394 in Golden Valley.Dan Stark, a large carnivore specialist with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, told the Associated Press that it was almost certainly the same cougar, as the animals are exceedingly rare in that area. Until this week, a cougar hadn’t been seen in Hennepin County in nearly two decades.Robyn Bruggeman posted a video of her neighbor’s home surveillance footage to the Uptown neighborhood’s Nextdoor page. It showed a cougar walking through a backyard, setting off a pair of motion sensing security lights as it made its way toward a playground set.The video went viral on social media Tuesday and the Minnesota DNR confirmed it was, indeed, a cougar. Minneapolis Animal Control and the DNR also warned parents of small children and pet owners to be cautious.Stark said the cougar had an ear tag placed on...

Children's Holiday Program seeing more families in need

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:57:47 GMT

Children's Holiday Program seeing more families in need TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Children's Holiday Program at Unity House has been a staple, providing gifts to families in Rensselaer County. Parents who participate in the program will get to visit the holiday store and select presents for their kids. Others create wish lists where you can adopt their list and purchase gifts for a specific family in need. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The annual program typically serves 1,000 children. This year, they're seeing more families in need and wish lists for 75 children are yet to be adopted. “It’s at least a few hundred more families, children that we are serving," Moira Geracitano, Children's Holiday Program Coordinator, said. With the lingering effects of the pandemic and cost of living creating barriers for families, Geracitano said their program provides an avenue for kids to receive presents without forcing families to make more difficult choices. Albany colleges working to s...

Utah man pleads guilty to murder-for-hire scheme

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:57:47 GMT

Utah man pleads guilty to murder-for-hire scheme ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Utah man charged with a murder-for-hire scheme in 2021 is facing up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Christopher Pence, 43, pleaded guilty to using the Internet to solicit and pay for the murders of two Hoosick Falls residents. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Pence admitted to using a website on the Darknet and paying the website administrator approximately $16,000 in Bitcoin to facilitate the murders. Pence provided the names of the intended victims, as well as their address and photographs. Pence also instructed to make the murder look like an accident or botched robbery and requested no harm come to the children who lived with the intended victims.The FBI arrested Pence in Utah on October 27, 2021. The intended victims were not harmed. Sentencing is scheduled for April 2, 2024.

Where to get dinner for the holidays in the Capital Region

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:57:47 GMT

Where to get dinner for the holidays in the Capital Region ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- With the holidays quickly approaching, you may be preparing to cook for the family or dreading the hassle of preparing a big meal. Luckily, you have a few options whether you're thinking of going with the traditional ham or Italian dishes. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! While very few restaurants are open for Christmas Day, there are several places where you can get your meal catered for the holidays. Here are some Capital Region businesses that are offering special packages for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and even New Year's.Mazzone Hospitality, Clifton ParkMazzone Hospitality is offering its "Home for the Holidays" dinner packages. The packages include glazed spiral-cut ham, roast beef tenderloin, prime rib, or roast turkey with au gratin potatoes, roasted vegetables, asparagus, house rolls with butter, gingerbread bundt cake, and white chocolate truffle cheesecake. The dinner serves up to 10 peopl...