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'A long time coming': Northeast Austin neighborhood gets new solar lights installed amid safety concerns

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:24 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The need for more lighting in some Austin neighborhoods has been top of mind recently, especially in areas where people have gone missing. It's raised safety concerns city-wide. In Northeast Austin, The African American Wellness Alliance of Central Texas got wind of neighbors feeling unsafe in one of its community parks and decided to do something about it. The process started back in 2020. Marva Overton, Executive Director of the alliance said they contacted the City of Austin's Parks and Recreation Department for help since it owns and maintains the park. From there, Overton said they were connected to the Public Works Department. They went through a community partnering program, which funded the installation of five new solar lights in the park. New solar lights installed in North East Neighborhood Park (KXAN photos/Jake Sykes).Crime hasn’t been an issue in the area, according to neighbors. However, they said there’s an issue with homeless people.There are a lot o...

Ely photographer wins National Geographic award

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:24 GMT

ELY — Minnesota native Jim Brandenburg, the Ely-based photographer who has traveled the world to capture stunning images of nature and wildlife, has won National Geographic’s Lifetime Achievement Award.The award was presented recently by the Photo Society, composed of 200 of the magazine’s photographers.“I have been so very fortunate over the years to have received some precious and treasured awards around the world, but this one is unique for me because it is from my peers — some of the finest photographic talent in the world,” Brandenburg, 77, said in a statement announcing the honor.Only five other National Geographic photographers have received the award over the years.Jim Brandenburg, of Ely, has won the Lifetime Achievement Award from National Geographic for his worldwide images of nature and wildlife. (Courtesy of Judy Brandenburg)Brandenburg last contributed to the magazine in 2016 with his mega photo essay “93 Days of Spring.” He has been part of the National Geograph...

#1 Syracuse remains unbeaten with win over Louisville

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:24 GMT

LOUISVILLE, Ky.(SU ATHLETICS) – No. 1 Syracuse women’s lacrosse scored 50 seconds into the game and never looked back as it recorded a 17-5 victory at Louisville on Saturday. The Orange improve their overall record to 11-0 and their ACC mark to 5-0.Meaghan Tyrrell recorded seven points and moved into third place on Syracuse’s all-time points list with 366. She also took over sole possession of fifth place on the ‘Cuse career goals list (228) and second place in career assists (138).Tyrrell led a balanced offensive attack that featured 10 goal scorers. Emma Tyrrell scored four goals, while Sierra Cockerille had a goal and three assists.Meaghan Tyrrell and Emma Tyrrell combined for the Orange’s first five goals. Emma Tyrrell scored three times in the first six minutes of the game, all of which came on assists from Meaghan. Syracuse extended the lead to 6-0 before the Cardinals converted on a free position with 4:34 left in the first quarter to get on the scoreboard.The Orange led 7-1 ...

Hundreds climb Metropolitan Square in fight against lung disease

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:24 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Hundreds of people climbed the steps at Metropolitan Square for a great cause Saturday. The event was put on by the American Lung Association. As volunteers cheered them on, participants in the "Fight For Air Climb" prepared to climb 42 floors up the Metropolitan Square building.This fundraiser happened for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. Hundreds of climbers of all fitness levels braved the challenge. Top Stories: Missouri House approves new round of income tax cuts One of those was Sheryl Leonard Schneck."I actually am an Ironman Triathlete, so this is my interval training, and I've done three climbs this year," she said."I love type two fun. Type two fun is where you hate it while you're doing it, but you look back on it fondly," said Jill Paha.The goal is to raise awareness and research funding for lung disease."My mother-in-law passed from lung cancer, so my husband and I come and do these climbs in her memory as well," said Leonard Schneck.The L...

What state control could mean for the St. Louis Police Department

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:24 GMT

This story was originally published by the Kansas City Beacon. In a vote watched closely in Kansas City, Missourians approved a statewide ballot measure in 2012 to return control of the St. Louis Police Department to the city itself. Just over a decade later, the Missouri legislature is debating multiple pieces of legislation to reverse that decision and put the department under state control.Proponents say that crime and police understaffing point to significant problems with local control, and that a state takeover would help counter the problems the city and the police department are facing.Opponents point to Kansas City’s long history with state control of its police department, which they say has done little to curb violent crime or improve staffing issues. They also draw attention to Missouri’s loose gun laws, where they say some changes could improve the safety of all Missourians.The ongoing debate over the Civil War-era policy of state control of local police ...

Juvenile shot in Longmont crashes vehicle, dies at hospital

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:24 GMT

A juvenile hit a traffic pole in Longmont and died after being shot while driving, police said.The incident unfolded about 9 p.m. Friday, when an officer responded to Twin Peaks Square Shopping Center on a report of shots fired, the Longmont Police Department said in a news release.When the officer arrived, a crowd had gathered at a “car meet up,” the release said.A suspect was identified, with juveniles running to a car. The officer stopped the vehicle, and a backseat passenger got out and ran off, police said. Additional officers arrived and detained the juveniles who were still in the vehicle.Police then received a report of a vehicle hitting a pole at Nelson Road and Hover Street, the release said. Officers arrived and found “a juvenile driver of a vehicle who had been shot.”The juvenile, who was not identified, was taken to a hospital, where he died of his injuries, police said. The juveniles in the stopped vehicle were interviewed and released. Investig...

Broncos HC Sean Payton rounds out coaching staff with vet Joe Vitt, LSU’s Jamar Cain and several support roles

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:24 GMT

Sean Payton rounded out his first Broncos coaching staff Saturday with a familiar, veteran face and several young additions.Payton is hiring longtime Saints linebackers coach Joe Vitt as a senior defensive assistant and LSU assistant Jamar Cain as a pass-rush coaching specialist in Denver, the franchise announced Saturday.The Broncos also formally acknowledged the hires of several other staffers, as well, in addition to several previously reported assistant coaches, as well.Vitt was the linebackers coach in New Orleans from 2006-16 and served as the Saints’ interim head coach for the second part of the 2012 season when Payton was suspended for the entire year because of the Bounty Gate scandal. Vitt was suspended for the first six games of the season because of the scandal, but then joined Aaron Kromer as interim coach when the suspension was finished.Coincidentally, Vitt’s first game back after his suspension was a 34-14 loss to the Broncos in Denver on Oct. 24, 2012.In total, he s...

Authorities searching for missing 13-year-old girl with 'impeccable attendance record' and 4.0 GPA in Pico Rivera

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:24 GMT

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is looking for a missing 13-year-old girl from Pico Rivera after she was last seen leaving her residence on Thursday. Annahi Tejeda was last seen on March 22 at around 11:50 p.m. in the 8900 block of Gallatin Road near Rosemead Boulevard in Pico Rivera. Soon after, surveillance video showed her in the area of Beverly Boulevard and Poplar Avenue in Montebello. Tejeda is a 5-foot, 2-inch Hispanic girl with black, shoulder length hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a black hoodie and gray or white sweatpants. She attends middle school in Rosemead, where she has “an impeccable attendance record and maintains a 4.0 GPA," according to LASD. A news conference including LASD Pico Rivera Sheriff’s Station Detectives and Tejeda’s family will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the front entrance of the Pico Rivera Sheriff’s Station, located at 6631 Passons Blvd. in Pico Rivera. The press conference will be streamed live on the LASD's Instagram ...

$10K of wine stolen from Napa winery

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:24 GMT

NAPA, Calif. (KRON) -- A former employee of a shipping company was arrested after he was allegedly caught stealing $10,000 worth of wine from a Napa winery, according to the Napa County Sheriff's Department and an employee of the winery. The suspect was identified as Jose Humberto Martinez. According to police, Martinez claimed he was holding the wine as a way to get his final paycheck.An image (below) shows a large number of boxes piled into a white van. Image from the Napa County Sheriff's Department.The wine and the van were returned to their owners, police said. Martinez was booked into jail for grand theft, taking a vehicle without consent and receiving stolen property. In Hayward, a Home Depot employee was busted on Tuesday for allegedly stealing from their employer. California Highway Patrol said it recovered 600 items worth a total of more than $50,000 in addition to nearly $90,000 in cash.

Hard Rock Lake Tahoe and Highway 50 reopen after police activity

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:13:24 GMT

(KTXL) -- Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Stateline has re-opened after police activity in the area early Saturday morning closed down the hotel and Highway 50, according to Hard Rock. The Nevada State Police confirmed at around 12:10 p.m. that Highway 50 near Hard Rock has been reopened. "Thank you to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies who skillfully handled the challenge and kept all guests and team members safe," Hard Rock shared on social media. Highway 50 has been closed in both directions at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in South Lake Tahoe, according to the Nevada State Police. Law enforcement is asking drivers to use Lake Parkway as an alternative route. Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is located at 50 Hwy 50 in Stateline, NV. The hotel is located about two hours from Sacramento via Highway 50. This is a developing story.