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Man found guilty in first-degree murder of postal carrier in Longmont, sentenced to life

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:57:20 GMT

Andrew Ritchie, the second defendant in the Longmont shooting of a postal carrier, has been found guilty by a jury and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.Ritchie, 36, was found guilty of first-degree murder after deliberation Wednesday for the death of Jason Schaefer, 33, who was fatally shot while on his postal route in Longmont on Oct. 13, 2021. In closing statements, Ritchie was described as the “eyes and ears” of Devan Schreiner, 28, who was found guilty in March of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison for fatally shooting Schaefer.A photo of United States Postal Service worker Jason Schaefer is seen on a mailbox before the start of a candlelight vigil in his honor in Longmont on Oct. 20, 2021. (Matthew Jonas/Staff Photographer)“With today’s guilty verdict, the two people responsible for this premeditated and cold-blooded murder will be held fully responsible for killing Jason Schaefer while he was delivering mail,” Boulder County Distri...

Powerball jackpot inches closer to $1 billion after no winners

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:57:20 GMT

The projected jackpot for Saturday night’s Powerball drawing inches closer to the billion-dollar mark after the prize money increased to $960 million, California Lottery officials announced Friday.The current jackpot prize is the game’s second-largest prize of the year and the fourth-largest jackpot in the game’s history, a news release said. Powerball ticket worth nearly $800K sold in California Should someone win the prize money Saturday night, they can choose between taking a lump cash sum or receiving annuity payments for 30 years. The estimated cash value stands at $441.4 million.The California Lottery is required by law to withhold federal taxes, which can vary based on the winner’s resident status. At the very least, the lottery office is required to withhold 24% of the prize money for federal taxes, according to the California Lottery Winner’s Handbook.No one has won the Powerball jackpot since July, when an unidentified California Lottery player won the $1.08 billion jack...

Wyatt Gordon Arrested after Fatal Speeding Crash on Highway 132 [Modesto, CA]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:57:20 GMT

49-Year-Old Victim Dies in Speeding Car Accident near Gates RoadMODESTO, CA (September 29, 2023) – Thursday morning, Wyatt Gordon was in police custody after a deadly high-speed collision on Highway 132.At approximately 7:31 a.m., officers arrived at the location, just west of Gates Road.According to initial reports, Gordon was behind the wheel of a Lexus sedan, traveling at excessive speeds when he suddenly swerved left. The Lexus then crossed into the westbound lanes, colliding with a Hyundai sedan.Upon impact, the Lexus flipped over and came to rest in a field just north of Highway 132. Emergency medical personnel pronounced two individuals, aged 64 and 67, who were occupants of the Hyundai, deceased at the scene.Additionally, a third woman, who was trapped inside the Hyundai, was airlifted to a nearby hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries.Following standard procedures, law enforcement officers determined that Gordon was operating the vehicle under the influen...

1 Killed in Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident on Interstate 20 [Odessa, TX]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:57:20 GMT

One Pronounced Dead after Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Collision along Grant AvenueODESSA, TX (September 29, 2023) – Thursday afternoon, a pedestrian lost their life in a hit-and-run accident on Interstate 20.Emergency responders arrived at the scene at approximately 5:33 p.m., near Grant Avenue in the 300 block of the westbound lanes of I-20 on September 14th.The circumstances leading up remain unclear. Preliminary findings suggest that the pedestrian was crossing the westbound lanes when they were struck by two vehicles. The collision’s force was so severe that the pedestrian was declared deceased at the scene.To facilitate cleanup and initial investigative tasks, authorities temporarily shut down the westbound lanes of Interstate 20. As of now, a thorough investigation is in progress to uncover more details.Once additional information becomes available, it will be shared with the public.The team at Sweet James would like to take this opportunity to extend their sincere cond...

One Hospitalized after Pedestrian Collision on Copia Street [El Paso, Texas]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:57:20 GMT

Pedestrian Collision on Copia Street near Rivera Avenue Leaves One InjuredEL PASO, TX (September 29, 2023) – Friday, a collision on Copia Street left a pedestrian with major injuries.The incident happened on September 15th, on Copia Street and Rivera Avenue.According to officials, a pedestrian was walking in the area when they were struck by an oncoming vehicle. Emergency crews responded to the injury crash and paramedics transported the injured pedestrian to a local hospital for treatment.At this time, the circumstances that led to the crash, the identities of the people involved, and the description of the vehicles were not yet available.Thinking, reasoning and muscle coordination are essential in operating a vehicle safely. However, alcohol and certain medications or illegal drugs impair these functions when they are in the body. Never drive while impaired as the consequences can be devastating for you and others. When buzzed or drunk, it is best to request an Uber, Lyft, o...

Woman Hurt after Train vs. Car Collision at Raymond Avenue [Pasadena, CA]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:57:20 GMT

Metro Train Crash near California Boulevard Pushses Car onto Building, One HospitalizedPASADENA, CA (September 29, 2023) – Thursday morning, a train vs. car collision at Raymond Avenue in Pasadena sent a woman to a hospital.The crash happened around 9:20 a.m. at Raymond Avenue and California Boulevard along the Metro A Line tracks.According to the news report, a train collided with a Toyota Corolla driven by a woman in her 40s. The impact of the collision caused damage to the infrastructure of the rain crossing.Responding firefighters managed to extricate the female driver and transported her to a nearby hospital for serious injuries.The train passengers, believed to be more than 50, did not sustain injuries from the incident. However, the train conductor was sent to a hospital for further medical evaluation.The surrounding area was temporarily shut down to allow for cleanup and preliminary duties.At this time, the police are interviewing the witnesses to identify the cause of...

Judge: Michigan school shooter eligible for life, no parole

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:57:20 GMT

By Ed White | Associated PressDETROIT — A teenager who killed four fellow students at Michigan’s Oxford High School is eligible for life in prison with no chance for parole, a judge ruled Friday, finding only a “slim” chance for rehabilitation after the 2021 attack.Judge Kwamé Rowe announced the decision over video conference, weeks after hearing from experts who clashed over Ethan Crumbley’s mental health and witnesses who described the terror of the day in sharp detail.He will be sentenced in Oakland County court on Dec. 8, a day when survivors and families can tell the judge about how the shooting affected their lives.First-degree murder carries an automatic life sentence for adults in Michigan. But the shooter was 15 at the time, which now gives the judge options: life in prison or a shorter term — somewhere from 25 years to 40 years at a minimum — and an eventual opportunity for freedom.At Friday’s hearing, the burden was on prosecutors to show tha...

Feinstein’s death forces tough Senate appointment on Gov. Newsom that could upend race for her seat

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:57:20 GMT

Gavin Newsom publicly dreaded the decision he has to make.With the death Thursday night of Dianne Feinstein, Newsom’s friend and California’s longest-serving senator, the moment has come, forcing a decision the Democratic governor has made much harder for himself by his public promises to appoint a Black woman who isn’t already running for the seat.“It’s a choice that should have been easy — who among the state’s deep Democratic bench would he like to elevate?” said Thad Kousser, a political science professor at the University of California-San Diego. “But the governor’s commitments and comments have made it more complex for him.”Asked on Meet the Press earlier this month about the possibility of having to fill the seat of California’s ailing, 90-year-old senator,  Newsom said, “I don’t want to make another appointment, and I don’t think the people of California want me to make another appointm...

Navy to start testing SEALs, other troops for steroids

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:57:20 GMT

By Lolita C. Baldor | Associated PressWASHINGTON — The Navy will begin randomly testing its special operations forces for steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs beginning in November, taking a groundbreaking step that military leaders have long resisted.Rear Adm. Keith Davids, commander of Naval Special Warfare Command, announced the new program Friday in a message to his force, calling it necessary to protect their health and military readiness. The Navy will be the first to begin random testing, but Army Special Operations Command said it will soon follow suit, although no start date has been set.The Army and Navy have the largest and most well known special operations forces, including the Navy SEALs and Army’s Delta Force, Green Berets and Ranger Regiment. They are often called on to do the military’s most sensitive and dangerous missions. The physical and mental challenges of getting through their selection and training programs and the pressures of the risk...

New York City under state of emergency as heavy rains bring flooding

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:57:20 GMT

Damaging downpours dumped more than 5 inches of rain across New York City early Friday, snarling travel on land and at the airports with the nasty weather expected to last all day. Gov. Kathy Hochul declared New York City was in a state of emergency.A flash flood warning was in place for Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island, said the National Weather Service, warning of rain continuing for hours and the threat of continued flooding on highways, streets and underpasses. Major havoc was reported in city subways as 3 to 5 inches of rain was expected across the region, with the possibility of up to 8 inches before the storm disappeared, according to the NWS.“The city is bullseye with this band of rain,” said NWS meteorologist Dominic Ramunni, warning of additional flash flooding as the day goes on.NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 29: A person walks along a flooded sidewalk on Church Avenue amid a coastal storm on September 29, 2023 in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn borough...