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Weapons charges dropped in 2018 raid on family compound in desert that turned up child’s remains

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:12:09 GMT

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Two firearms charges were dismissed Thursday amid preparations for a trial against an extended family arrested in a 2018 law enforcement raid on a ramshackle desert compound in northern New Mexico and the discovery of a young boy’s decomposed body.The changes narrow the case to terrorism and kidnapping charges against five defendants in a trial scheduled to begin Monday with jury selection at U.S. District Court in Albuquerque.Authorities had been searching for a sickly 3-year-old who had been reported missing by his mother in Georgia when, in August 2018, they burst into a ramshackle encampment in the remote desert surrounded by berms of used tires with an adjacent firing range. Sheriff’s deputies and state agents initially found 11 hungry children and a small arsenal of ammunition and guns. After days of searching, they recovered the decomposed remains of the 3-year-old in an underground tunnel.The trail was delayed repeatedly amid the logistical challe...

Destructive West Kelowna blaze that spurred B.C.’s wildfire crisis is under control

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:12:09 GMT

WEST KELOWNA, B.C. — The large wildfire that destroyed dozens of homes in West Kelowna, B.C., and was a key front in the province’s most devastating fire season on record is now considered “held” after raging out of control since mid-August. The 139-square-kilometre McDougall Creek fire destroyed or damaged nearly 190 properties and forced the evacuation of thousands of people. The province’s wildfire service said that while holding the fire is an important milestone, there’s still much work ahead and multiple hazards are present in some areas.The classification means officials believe the blaze is not likely to spread past predetermined boundaries under current conditions.“The response to a fire of this scale requires strong teamwork and collaboration across jurisdictions,” an online statement by the BC Wildfire Service said.“Thanks to partner agencies, First Nations and local governments, national and international resources, as well as the many...

Tears of joy after Brazil’s Supreme Court makes milestone ruling on Indigenous lands

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:12:09 GMT

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Indigenous people celebrated Thursday after Brazil’s Supreme Court ruled to enshrine their land rights, removing the imminent threat those protections could be rolled back.The justices had been evaluating a lawsuit brought by Santa Catarina state, backed by farmers, seeking to block an Indigenous group from expanding the size of its territorial claim. Nearly all of the high court’s justices voted to support the Indigenous group, which has far-reaching implications for territories nationwide.Dozens of Indigenous people in traditional yellow feather headdresses and body paint danced, sang and jumped around in front of a multitude of flashing cameras in the capital of Brasilia after the decisive vote was cast. Some wiped away tears of joy.“I’m shaking. It took a while, but we did it. It’s a very beautiful and strong feeling. Our ancestors are present — no doubt about it,” said Jéssica Nghe Mum Priprá, who is from the Xokleng-Laklano Indigenous group.In...

Former Mouseketeer in Memphis gets help from community

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:12:09 GMT

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG) — He's lived among the stars and even been one himself, but in his later years, a Highland Heights man could use a little help after a burst pipe forced him to live without plumbing for months.Ric Morgan has been experiencing a few lows, but he's seen plenty of highs. He served as a theatrical and entertainment caterer, spending 10 years on the road with Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks and others. Booking a COVID-19 vaccine? Some are reporting canceled appointments or insurance issues In 1955, Ric Morgan was one of the original Walt Disney Mickey Mouse Club Mouseketeers. An old photo even shows him with actress Annette Funicello.“Well you know, they say most people have 15 minutes of fame. I had 65 years,” he said.Ric Morgan hugs Alice Harrington on the steps of his Memphis home.Ric retired from the bright lights and settled back in Memphis at his modest family home. He brought joy to many throughout his long career. Later he used his catering talents to coo...

APD investigating south Austin homicide

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:12:09 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is investigating a homicide that occurred in south Austin Thursday.APD will hold the briefing in the 7200 block of Congress Avenue.This is a developing story and will be updated as more information become available.

St. Paul man sentenced for assaulting Oakdale police officer with an SUV

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:12:09 GMT

A St. Paul man was sentenced this week to just over five years in prison in connection with an assault of an Oakdale police officer with an SUV last year.Robert Paul Braun, 30, pleaded guilty in Washington County District Court to felony aiding and abetting second-degree assault for accelerating the SUV from the passenger seat as the officer was in the door frame and trying to subdue the driver. Four other charges against Braun relating to the June 21, 2022, incident were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.According to the charges, Oakdale officers were called to LA Fitness health club just before 8 p.m. on a report of a woman who stole a duffel bag. When officers arrived, they saw a woman, later identified as Samantha Rae Jasper, run and get into the driver’s seat of a Honda SUV. Braun was in the passenger seat.An officer positioned a squad car behind the Honda, while another tried to remove Jasper, who then put the SUV in gear, the charges say. With the officer in the door fram...

Vadnais Heights insurance broker charged with $650K fraud scheme

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:12:09 GMT

A former Vadnais Heights insurance broker invented customers and used phony Social Security numbers to earn nearly $650,000 in commission payments, according to prosecutors.Six felony charges filed this month in Ramsey County District Court allege that Kevin Anthony Meyers, 48, of Blaine, submitted hundreds of policy applications from fictitious customers while working for Cigna Corp. from 2018 to 2020.Meyers faces two counts each of insurance fraud, theft by swindle and identity theft. The most serious counts carry a sentence of up to 20 years in prison and a $100,000 fine. Meyers’ first court appearance is set for Oct. 10. An attorney for Meyers is not listed in court documents.According to the criminal complaint:Life Insurance Company of North America, a subsidiary of Cigna Corp., reported suspected insurance fraud to the Minnesota Commerce Fraud Bureau in January. Cigna reported that Meyers, who was one of its brokers, submitted hundreds of supplemental insurance policy applicat...

How are St. Paul police trying to recruit more women? Inviting them to see the department’s work.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:12:09 GMT

St. Paul police are inviting women and teens to see what they do as they continue grappling with staffing shortages and a stubborn underrepresentation of women on the force.During the free Women in Law Enforcement Seminar on Saturday, for girls and women 14 and older, female St. Paul officers will talk about their work as homicide and gang investigators. Attendees will have a chance to see law enforcement procedures first-hand and tour the department’s gun range.“We are trying to bridge that gap by trying different ways to approach women and invite them to come into law enforcement,” said Deputy Chief Pamela Barragan, currently the highest-ranked female officer in St. Paul. “Sometimes women don’t see themselves as an officer because societal norms have said that women should not do X, Y or Z, so we’re really intentionally trying to break those barriers for women.”The St. Paul department signed onto a national pledge in 2021 to increase the d...

Man charged following shootout with St. Louis County police

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:12:09 GMT

CLAYTON, Mo. – An Affton, Missouri, man was charged Thursday after getting into a shootout with St. Louis County police officers the night prior.According to the St. Louis County Police Department's probable cause statement, officers went to a home in the 9100 block of Rambler Drive shortly after 7:10 p.m. on Wednesday for a reported domestic disturbance.Two officers arrived at the residence and saw Karl Schuhe standing on the front porch, armed with two guns.Police claim Schuhe raised the firearms in the direction of the officers. Schuhe ignored commands to drop his guns and surrender. The officers and Schuhe shot at each other. Schuhe was wounded in the encounter. Neither officer was injured. The officers are 38 and 29 years of age, with 3.5 and 1.5 years of experience, respectively. Prisoner escapes Mercy South Hospital, police investigating Schuhe was taken to a local hospital to be treated for life-threatening injuries.Meanwhile, police recovered a revolver and a pistol at th...

15 years for man who sold fake pain pills containing fentanyl

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:12:09 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A St. Louis County man appeared in U.S. District Court on Thursday to be sentenced for selling fake pain pills containing fentanyl that killed a St. Charles County man last year.Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said Andrew Kendall Edwards, 27, pleaded guilty this past May to one count of distribution of fentanyl and one count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl.Edwards admitted selling the fake pills to the victim, his friend and coworker, on Aug. 28, 2022. After the victim was found dead, authorities discovered four tablets in his bedroom, two of which were imitation Oxycodone tablets containing fentanyl. City leaders want to reclaim Famous Barr building after owners stop paying for security Members of the St. Charles County Regional Drug Task Force also found the victim's phone and saw text messages between the victim and Edwards. Authorities used the victim's phone to arrange a meeting on Aug. 30, 2022...