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Texas prosecutors drop murder charges against 2 of 3 people in fatal stabbing of Seattle woman

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:57 GMT

DALLAS (AP) — Texas prosecutors have dropped murder charges against two people in the fatal stabbing of a 23-year-old Seattle woman as a trial continues with the third defendant.The 2020 killing of Marisela Botello-Valadez drew international attention last year when two of the people arrested in her killing cut off their ankle monitors and left the country while free on bond. The dismissal of charges comes only days after a Texas man who cut of his ankle monitor went on a shooting rampage, drawing renewed attention to questions about the use of technology in freeing people ahead of their trials. The trial of Lisa Dykes, who still faces murder charges, began last week and continued Monday. But newly public court records show that a judge approved prosecutors’ Friday motions to dismiss the murder charges against the other woman and a man also charged in Botello-Valadez’s killing “in the interest of justice.”A spokesperson Dallas County District Attorney’s Office did ...

Palestinian flag lodged in public Hanukkah menorah in Connecticut sparks outcry

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:57 GMT

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) — A person briefly hung a Palestinian flag from a Hanukkah menorah in a public area, prompting widespread condemnation and a police investigation.The unidentified person scaled the menorah at a public green near the Yale University campus during a nearby pro-Palestinian rally Saturday and lodged a Palestinian flag between the candles. Police said the menorah was not vandalized and they were not sure if the incident will be categorized as a hate crime.But the placement of the flag touched a nerve at a time of rising fears of antisemitism since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. In particular, universities across the U.S. have been accused of failing to protect Jewish students.Public officials denounced the act at a news conference on Monday.“I’m proud of the group that has come here today to say enough is enough. Not in America, not anywhere, as long as we speak out and stand up,” Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal said at the news conference.Yale President P...

Suspect in Montana vehicle assault said religious group she targeted was being racist, witness says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:57 GMT

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A woman who police said repeatedly drove through a group of religious demonstrators, wounding one person in Montana’s largest city, allegedly told a clerk at a nearby convenience store that she was upset members of the group were expressing racist views against white people, the clerk said.The demonstrators targeted in the weekend assault in Billings are members of Israel United in Christ, according to police. The group has been described by the Southern Poverty Law Center as “an extreme and antisemitic sect of Black Hebrew Israelites” based in the Bronx, New York. Members of the group were standing on a sidewalk, holding signs and speaking through an amplifier when the woman drove at or through them several times, said Billings police spokesperson Lt. Matt Lennick. A 45-year-old man who was struck suffered minor injuries, police said.Genevienne Rancuret, 55, was arrested a few hours later and jailed on suspicion of eight counts of felony assault with a ...

Man shoots woman and 3 children, then himself, at Las Vegas apartment complex, police say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:57 GMT

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A man shot and killed a woman and two children and critically wounded a third child Monday before fatally shooting himself at a Las Vegas apartment complex, authorities said. What police described as a murder-suicide took place just five days after three professors were fatally shot by a lone gunman at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.“It does not have to end like this,” police homicide Lt. Robert Price told reporters outside the sprawling apartment complex where he said the man, woman and children were discovered about 10 a.m. by the man’s brother.Price did not immediately identify the man, who he said had been under house arrest in an unspecified court case. He said police also don’t yet know if the shooter and his victims were related.The shootings happened at an apartment complex about a 40-minute drive northwest of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where a lone gunman walked onto campus last week and opened fire in a building housing the busin...

Missing Gary woman found dead in Little Calumet River

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:57 GMT

GARY, Ind. — The search for a missing Gary woman has come to a tragic end after her body was found in a river in northwest Indiana over the weekend, according to the Lake County Coroner’s Office.Authorities say the body of 36-year-old Brittni Campbell was found in an area near 3000 Chase Street in the Little Calumet River around noon on Saturday. Missing Carpentersville teen’s car pulled from pond in Vernon Hills Campbell, who had been reported missing on Sept. 12, was identified by family members on Monday.According to authorities, an autopsy was performed at the Lake County Forensic Science Center in Lake Point, but details on the cause and manner of death are pending.Currently, it is unclear what led to Campbell's disappearance.

Obtaining IDs essential for released inmates in Cook County

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:57 GMT

COOK COUNTY, Ill. – For years, Chicago's Safer Foundation has worked with former inmates to help rebuild their lives after serving time.Step one, always, is to get an ID.Now, inmates leaving the Cook County Jail will have a much easier time obtaining that essential ID.On Monday, Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart and Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced a partnership to provide free state ID cards for inmates being released from Cook County Jail. Read more: Inmates leaving Cook County Jail will receive free state ID cards It's the first program of its kind instituted for a county in the entire country, following a pilot program started two years ago on the state level to get inmates IDs upon release.That program has been invaluable for people like Safer Foundation client Calvin Brooks, who served 22 years and got his ID within a week of being released."It’s a tremendous advantage for guys like myself who've been gone for a while to have the help," says Brooks, w...

GoFundMe page created for off-duty Chicago police officer killed in crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:57 GMT

TINLEY PARK, Ill. -- A GoFundMe page was created for the off-duty police officer who died in a car crash in Tinley Park Saturday. The Will County Coroner's Office identified the man as 34-year-old Timothy Siwula of Chicago. Wauconda math teacher dies after being struck head-on by alleged intoxicated driver Police said the crash happened near the intersection of 179th Street and LaGrange Road early Saturday morning. Both drivers were transported to Silver Cross Hospital. Siwula was pronounced dead shortly after. The other driver was transported to Loyola University Medical Center for further treatment. A GoFundMe page was made to help pay for Siwula's funeral and memorial services."Tim left everyone heartbroken with his tragic passing. We miss you Tim, and we will continue to spread your kindness. Rest easy Bud. Watch over us," the page said.

Missing teen's car pulled from Illinois pond as search continues

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:57 GMT

CARPENTERSVILLE, Ill. (WGN) — One week after a 17-year-old Illinois teen disappeared, search crews have recovered her SUV from a retention pond, according to authorities. Brissa Romero has been missing since Dec. 4 and was last seen in Vernon Hills, located about 45 miles north of Chicago, according to the Carpentersville Police Department. Police said the teen, who lives in Carpentersville, was traveling to a bowling alley in Vernon Hills for a holiday party before she vanished. During a Monday evening press conference, authorities said a review of Romero's cellphone data brought investigators to a retention pond in Vernon Hills. ‘A Call from Gaza’: Chicagoland businesses, schools strike to call attention to thousands of Palestinian deaths A resident who lives in the area notified officers about a backpack that appeared to have floated to the edge of the pond, according to investigators. Police said they believed the items belonged to Romero and crews were brought in to conduct ...

Bears showing progress with back-to-back wins after beating NFC North-leading Detroit

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:57 GMT

Justin Fields is making plays with his arm and legs, the defense is dominating and the wins are starting to stack up for the Chicago Bears.Things seem to be falling into place.“You can just feel confidence,” coach Matt Eberflus said Monday. "The guys have always been confident in their approach and confident in their abilities. But you can see the feeling of confidence when you actually see it, the progress. When you see the result, you can certainly feel that with the players and the staff. The guys are upbeat and they’ve always been that way."But you can certainly feel the confidence growing as we start stacking these wins.” Former NHL player, coach Tony Granato diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma The Bears (5-8) still are last in the NFC North. But they are in a better spot than they were not long ago.Beating the Detroit Lions 28-13 at Soldier Field on Sunday and getting some payback for a late collapse against the division leaders in Week 11 at Ford Field was a ...

Police searching for Round Rock woman after 'unexplained disappearance'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:57 GMT

ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) — The Round Rock Police Department is searching for a missing 39-year-old woman who was last seen early Sunday morning.Police said Amy Castellanos left her home around 3 a.m. Sunday to go to a local clinic for abdominal pain. She has not returned home since then. The van she was driving, a gray 2019 Toyota, was found nearby in the neighborhood.Police said they are concerned about her safety "due to her unexplained disappearance."Castellanos is described by police as:Hispanic FemaleAge: 39 years old5’4”Around 150 lbs.Brown hairBlue eyesLast seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, brown tank top, and gray sweatpants.Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Turck at 512-218-7048 or email [email protected].