U.S. dismisses charges against Saskatoon mother accused of faking deaths

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:24:45 GMT

U.S. dismisses charges against Saskatoon mother accused of faking deaths SASKATOON — A United States court has dismissed charges against a Saskatchewan woman accused of faking her death and that of her child before they crossed the border. Dawn Walker was given a one-year conditional sentence in Saskatoon court last Thursday, after she pleaded guilty to charges of forgery and abduction.The following day, the U.S. Attorney’s Office asked a district court in Oregon to dismiss her charges there, saying it was in the interest of justice based on Walker’s plea and sentencing in Canada. The court granted the motion. Walker had been facing two charges in the U.S. related to identity fraud for allegedly crossing the border with fake identification.Walker and her child were reported missing in July 2022, after her pickup truck was found near a river at a park south of Saskatoon. Some people feared the pair drowned, and a vigil and searches were organized.U.S. authorities found them two weeks later in Oregon City, Ore.Provincial court Judge Brad Mitchell said last...

Nia DaCosta makes her mark on Marvel history with ‘The Marvels’

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:24:45 GMT

Nia DaCosta makes her mark on Marvel history with ‘The Marvels’ NEW YORK (AP) — Nia DaCosta, director of the upcoming “The Marvels,” has a diagnosis for the recent struggles of superhero movies. It basically comes down to, she says, “Mo’ money, mo’ problems.”Success inevitably breeds bigger budgets. Box-office expectations get inflated. Even superhero spandex can’t sustain endless cycles of wash, rinse and repeat. “Growth has to stop at some point,” says DaCosta. “As you make more and more films, you want those films to be more interesting, more dynamic and to appeal to different audiences. But that requires risk. And there’s a conundrum where you’re so big that you can’t take risks. I think that’s what the audience is feeling. They’re like: ‘I’ve seen it before, and I liked it the first time.’”When “The Marvels” opens in theaters Friday, it will be debuting in uncommonly uncertain times for superhero films. There’s talk of over-saturation. DC and Warner Bros. are in makeover mode. Box office-dominance this year has been ceded to Barbie and Mari...

Memo: Overview of Austin airport safety operations expected next week

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:24:45 GMT

Memo: Overview of Austin airport safety operations expected next week AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Interim Austin City Manager Jesús Garza sent a memo to the mayor and city council members following a second death of an employee working at the Austin airport this year. Employee dies after being hit by fuel truck at Austin airport Garza said in the memo he asked Jim Smith, interim director of the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, to review the Department of Aviation's safety programs to "help identify what elements of the airport enterprise is specifically under the City’s purview, the initiatives currently underway by the Department to support safety at the airport, and how we can influence safety measures outside of the City’s direct control." Garza also noted in the memo that an overview that "lays out our operations related tosafety including these tragic events and following recent near-miss incidents involving federalair traffic controllers and aircraft operators" will be provided to the mayor and council members next week. OSHA investigation clo...

Key Gophers football commitment Koi Perich gets offer from Ohio State

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:24:45 GMT

Key Gophers football commitment Koi Perich gets offer from Ohio State The college recruitment of Esko, Minn., star football player Koi Perich continues to heat up with national signing day only six weeks away.Perich picked up a scholarship offer from Ohio State on Monday. The Buckeyes want the four-star safety prospect, who is ranked the best recruit in the state of Minnesota for the 2024 class.“Thankful for my 13th offer from THE Ohio State University!” Perich posted on social media, tagging Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day and safeties coach Perry Eliano.Perich, a do-everything player for the smaller school southwest of Duluth, committed to the Gophers on April 19, and the Buckeyes had reached out about him the same day.The Buckeyes aren’t the only big-name program still in pursuit of Perich. Southern California offered a scholarship on Oct. 1, and Florida State did the same on Oct. 23.In early October, Perich told the Pioneer Press that he was intrigued about visiting USC because he had never been to California. His father, George Perich, a teacher and...

Jesus Christ Superstar coming to Proctors Theatre

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:24:45 GMT

Jesus Christ Superstar coming to Proctors Theatre SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Proctors Theatre will be hosting multiple performances of the Jesus Christ Superstar 50th Anniversary Tour in 2024. The shows will run from April 5 to April 7. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The awarding-winning production by Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in London continues the legacy of the legendary rock opera, which was originally released as a double concept album in 1970. The show tells the story of the final weeks of Jesus Christ's life as seen through the eyes of Judas, with music composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics written by Tim Rice. Directed by Timothy Sheader, the production stars Jack Hopewell as Jesus, Elvie Ellis as Judas, Jaden Dominique as Mary Magdalene, Grant Hodges as Caiaphas, Alex Stone as Pontius Pilate and Mekhi Holloway as Annas. There will be five total performances across the weekend, which are scheduled for the following dates and times: Jesus Christ Supersta...

Woman's carbon monoxide alarm helps save Clayton high-rise

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:24:45 GMT

Woman's carbon monoxide alarm helps save Clayton high-rise CLAYTON, Mo. -- A high-rise building is being evacuated in Clayton after a carbon monoxide detector went off in one of the units. Firefighters tell FOX 2 that they received a call about the issue from the Clayton on the Park building at the corner of Bonhomme and Brentwood at around 6:30 a.m. That call potentially saved lives.The 23-story building has about 20 floors of occupied condos. Bommarito Automotive Group SkyFOX was over the scene this morning. Windows can be seen open in the building and people are on the street level waiting for clearance to go back in at around 8:15 a.m.Firefighters determined that the unit providing heat to the entire building is malfunctioning. It is sending carbon monoxide to the entire building. Incriminating comment helps solve 1993 cold case Arnold, Missouri murder Everyone is out of the building and there are no injuries reported. Firefighters are going through the building and testing for carbon monoxide. They will let everyone back in when it ...

Illinois man breaks back into a Missouri police department

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:24:45 GMT

Illinois man breaks back into a Missouri police department BALLWIN, Mo. -- An Illinois man is under arrest for breaking into the Ballwin Police Department after he was recently released. Oscar Martinez-Leiva, 21, from Brussells, Illinois, faces felony charges including burglary, property damage, and resisting arrest. He is being held on a $100,000 cash-only bond.The incident happened on Saturday, November 4, 2023, following his arrest by Ballwin Police for a municipal larceny charge. After his release, he returned to the police department and kicked in a door's keypad. He then tried to access a secure area of the police department, causing over $1,000 in damages. Incriminating comment helps solve 1993 cold case Arnold, Missouri murder During the incident, a Ballwin officer drew her gun when Martinez-Leiva approached her while acting erratically. He resisted arrest by fighting with the officers trying to handcuff him. After being tased on his lower back, he was finally handcuffed.The sentencing range for these charges is from five to 15 ye...

Kenny Chesney brings 'Sun Goes Down 2024 Tour' to Kansas City

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:24:45 GMT

Kenny Chesney brings 'Sun Goes Down 2024 Tour' to Kansas City KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Eight-time Entertainer of the Year Kenny Chesney has announced his 2024 tour, and Kansas City earned a spot on his list.The "Sun Goes Down 2024 Tour" heads to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday, July 6, 2024. Morgan Wallen brings ‘One Night at a Time’ Tour to Kansas City Chesney is bringing a group of musical talents along with him. The Zac Brown Band, Megan Moroney and Uncle Kracker will be on the Arrowhead stage as well. Chesney is thrilled to go back on tour starting in April.“So, I can’t wait to get back out there, stadium-sized ’cause there’s nothing like 60,000 members of No Shoes Nation singing these songs. It’s gonna be awesome," Chesney said.Tickets for the stadium shows will go on sale next Friday, Nov. 17. If you are interested in any of the various types of pre-sale tickets, click here.

Missouri among states with the highest car theft rates

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:24:45 GMT

Missouri among states with the highest car theft rates (KTLA) — Between 2021 and 2022, reported carjackings in the U.S. increased by 8.1%, recently released FBI data shows. The vast majority of those involved an assailant with a weapon, and someone was injured in more than a quarter of all carjackings. A new report shows some states have been hit harder by car thieves than others. The National Insurance Crime Bureau, a not-for-profit organization, reviewed data collected by the FBI's National Crime Information Center to find which states had the highest vehicle theft rates in 2022 per 100,000 residents.Overall, they found states primarily on the West Coast and in the Southwest had the worst vehicle theft rates. No more right turn on red? As pedestrian deaths rise, US cities consider bans For the second year in a row, Colorado topped the list, reporting a theft rate of over 731 cars per 100,000 residents in 2022, up more than 10% compared to 2021, according to the NICB. Ranking second on the list wasn't a state at all: the District of...

Opinion: Colorado’s mountain lion hunting helps maintain a delicate balance

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:24:45 GMT

Opinion: Colorado’s mountain lion hunting helps maintain a delicate balance In the picturesque landscapes of Colorado, a unique form of hunting has been stirring debate for years — hunting mountain lions with hounds. This controversial practice, deeply ingrained in the state’s heritage, holds several key benefits that deserve consideration. In this article, we explore the importance of predator-prey balance, human conflict avoidance, and selective harvest.Colorado’s wilderness is home to a diverse ecosystem, where maintaining predator-prey balance is essential for the health of both wildlife and the surrounding environment. Mountain lions, also known as cougars or pumas, are apex predators vital to the ecological equilibrium of the state. When the population of these large carnivores grows unchecked, it can lead to imbalances, causing devastating consequences for other species, such as deer and elk.These consequences, in turn, have negative impacts on the mountain lions themselves. Statistics from Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) indicate...