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5th person charged in Toronto kidnapping of ‘Crypto King’

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:09:02 GMT

Toronto police have charged a fifth person allegedly involved in the violent December 2022 kidnapping of Aiden Pleterski, the self-proclaimed Crypto King.Last week, police said officers were notified of a missing person in the city’s downtown core on Dec. 5, 2022.It’s alleged that the victim was lured into a vehicle by the suspects, and once inside the vehicle, two suspects pointed firearms at them. Local authorities did not provide a precise location of where the kidnapping occurred.Toronto police have not released the victim’s name, but court documents obtained by the New York Times show that Pleterski, 24, was kidnapped on Dec. 5.Police said the victim was held captive for three days and taken to various locations where they were repeatedly assaulted.The suspects later released the victim in downtown Toronto and demanded a large amount of Canadian currency. Police said the victim’s life and family were threatened.Investigators arrested four people in July ...

‘Help me’ sign leads to rescue of kidnapped Texas girl in Southern California

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:09:02 GMT

LONG BEACH, Calif. (AP) — A 13-year-old girl kidnapped in Texas was rescued in Southern California when passersby saw her hold up a “help me” sign in a parked car, police said.The rescue occurred July 9 in Long Beach, south of Los Angeles, when officers responded to a trouble call and found the “visibly emotional and distressed girl,” police said in a press release Thursday.“Through their investigation, officers learned the Good Samaritans were in a parking lot when they saw the victim in a parked vehicle holding up a piece of paper with “help me” written on it. They acknowledged the note and immediately called 9-1-1,” police said.Steven Robert Sabalan, 61, of Cleburne, Texas, was located and detained.Police said the victim had been near a bus stop in San Antonio, Texas, on July 6 when the suspect approached in a vehicle, pointed a gun at her and demanded that she get in.Detectives determined that the girl was sexually assaulted while being brought to California, and they found a re...

Friends and admirers of Tony Bennett react to the news of his death

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:09:02 GMT

Reaction to the death of Tony Bennett at age 96:“RIP Tony Bennett. The best of the best. The last of the legends. A man whose heart was as big as his voice. The world’s foremost practitioner of the ‘Art of Excellence.’ Deepest love and condolences to my friend Danny and the family.” — Stevie Van Zandt, via Twitter.“Sending my prayers for and condolences to the family of #TonyBennett whose legendary career spanned seven decades. He marched with us in 1964. He was dedicated to civil and human rights and to the arts. He will lives as long as we remember him. #IleftmyheartinSanFrancisco.” — Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., via Twitter.“This one shouldn’t sting so much because any of us would take 96 years, but man is it hard to imagine a world without the great Tony Bennett.” — Josh Gad, via Twitter.“The world was a better place with Tony Bennett at the microphone in a tuxedo, singing. To one of the kindest, most loving people I’ve ever known… Rest in peace, dear Tony.” —...

Parents to be notified if student identifies as transgender in California school district

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:09:02 GMT

(KTLA) - Hundreds attended a heated California school board meeting as a controversial policy requiring parental notification of transgender children passed with a 4-1 vote.The policy requires staff to notify parents in writing within three days after a student requests to identify with a gender different than what is on their birth certificate, according to Chino Valley Unified School District.The notification also applies to students who request a pronoun change or to be called a different name that is not listed on official school records. The request to use a different bathroom will also activate the notification policy.The board voted on the policy Thursday night in an hours-long meeting filled with tension. State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thurmond, was in attendance and spoke against passing the policy during the public comment period.During his speech, he was cut off and a shouting match erupted from the audience as he was escorted out of the building."I was ...

How Jimmy Carter has changed the conversation around hospice

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:09:02 GMT

(The Hill) -- Former President Jimmy Carter’s public disclosure in February that he was entering hospice care — where he remains nearly six months later — is shifting the perception of end-of-life care for patients and their families.Many assumed the 98-year-old former president was on his deathbed, but his family says he has continued to enjoy ice cream and stay up to date on the work of the Carter Center.Ben Marcantonio, interim CEO of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, told The Hill this week that the belief that hospice care is a short-term situation “can be a very common understanding.”“The main marker identified in the benefit [of hospice care] is six months or less,” said Marcantonio. “Yet it also says that’s if the course of the illness or illnesses run their normal course. And so, it's not like a definitive marker.”The average length of hospice care is roughly 90 days, which Marcantonio notes includes situations where it only lasts a few days o...

Dean's Weekender: Tacos Y Tamales Festival, Southside Summer Fest and more

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:09:02 GMT

Check out Dean's Weekender for the latest events coming to the Chicagoland area this weekend from the 'Tacos Y Tamales' festival in Pilsen to the Southside Summer Fest and more.Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks recipes too!

Bus monitor was wearing earbuds while child suffocated on bus, prosecutors say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:09:02 GMT

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, N.J. (WPIX) – A 27-year-old school bus monitor in New Jersey has been charged in connection with the death of a 6-year-old student on the way to an extended school year program.On Monday, Franklin Township police responded to a call for an unresponsive 6-year-old child with special needs. The child was in a wheelchair in the back of the bus, according to the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office. At some point on the bus ride to school, bumps in the road caused the child to slump, causing a four-point harness to become tight around her neck and restrict her breathing, the prosecutor's office said.Amanda Davila, the bus monitor, was seated near the front, on the phone, with earbuds in both ears, according to the prosecutor's office. "The investigation revealed that this was in violation of policies and procedures," officials wrote.Franklin Township Police transported the child to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Cops investigating possible link between Gi...

APD: Officer shoots, kills man in south Austin after he reportedly chased woman through apartment complex

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:09:02 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is investigating after a man was shot and killed by an officer in south Austin Thursday morning. APD Chief Joseph Chacon said during a briefing the department responded to a 911 call at an apartment complex in the 3600 block of Menchaca Road shortly before 5 a.m. That area is near the intersection of South Lamar Boulevard. The caller reported that a woman was knocking on their door asking for help. Chacon said three officers arrived on the scene within five minutes and spoke with the woman, who said she was being chased by a man through the complex and feared for her life. Chacon said the man approached police minutes later and it appeared he had a knife in his hand. Officers told the man to drop the knife then drew their guns and started trying to de-escalate the situation, Chacon said. According to Chacon, the man yelled at police to shoot and kill him. Officers stunned the man to try to stop him but he kept approaching, Chacon said. O...

LIVE: Travis County leaders talk about wildfire dangers, preparations

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:09:02 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Travis County emergency responders are meeting Friday morning to talk to the public about wildland fire dangers and how residents can prepare. The Travis County Emergency Services Districts will hold a press conference at 10 a.m. to talk about fire dangers and preparations. The conference will be livestreamed in a video player at the top of this story and on KXAN's Facebook page. Travis County Fire Chiefs will provide insights, statistics and firsthand experiences to emphasize the importance of preparedness and vigilance in safeguarding communities against the impact of wildland fires, according to a release. Aircraft playing critical role during wildfire season The conference aims to raise awareness about the risks posed by wildland fires and provide valuable insights into how individuals, communities and organizations can effectively prepare and prevent these devastating incidents, the release said. Just this week, there have been two wildfires in Central Texas...

Austin businesses could be eligible for grants to help with their employee commutes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 12:09:02 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An Austin-based transportation management association is working to help local businesses combat the costs that come along with commuter employees by offering grants and other incentives. KXAN Traffic Anchor Erica Brennes sat down with the new Executive Director of Movability to talk about the ways the organization is trying to help. According to its website, Movability works with employers and individuals to improve the region through commuter options that save time and money.Brennes: "Joining me today is Lonny Stern. He is the new Executive Director of Movability. Tell me a little bit about what this new role means."Stern: "Well, a lot of the work that we do serves our local businesses that may be struggling with the cost of parking, maybe if they're downtown, also the struggles of getting people back to work in the office. Or maybe there's just a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday problem now that we're all virtual officing. And so we help businesses, whether it's thin...