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5 sentenced in Illinois on federal drug trafficking charges

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:30:20 GMT

BENTON, Ill. - A Los Angeles man appeared in federal court Tuesday as the last of five defendants to be sentenced in a large-scale drug trafficking operation in southern Illinois.Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois said Robert Smith, 42, had pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and one count of conspiracy to launder money.Smith was part of a five-person plot to distribute more than 100 pounds of methamphetamine. He was sentenced to 27 years in federal prison.Three of Smith's co-conspirators were from Illinois, while the fourth was from St. Louis. Clerk shot and killed at St. Louis City gas station "Despite the attention given to fentanyl, methamphetamine remains the top drug seized by quantity in southern Illinois and is still responsible for destroying many lives," said Special Agent in Charge Michael A. Davis, head of the Drug Enforcement Administration division that leads DEA investigations in sout...

Englewood council members to face recall election Oct. 3 as some residents fume over density concerns

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:30:20 GMT

Two members of Englewood’s city council will face a recall election on Oct. 3, with a third also likely to go before voters after a protest period expires this week — all targeted by residents opposed to what they say is overly aggressive and dense development in this southern suburb.Englewood City Council on Monday set the election for Oct. 3 after Clerk Stephanie Carlile presented the council with petitions for four council members deemed sufficient for recall. However, one of the targeted council members, Cheryl Wink, resigned just before Monday’s meeting, rendering her recall election moot.According to a letter she submitted, Wink said she was stepping down because she’d been offered “a new opportunity that is the exciting and logical next step in my software engineering career — an opportunity which no longer allows me to fulfill my duties as council member.”Mayor Othoniel Sierra and Councilwoman Chelsea Nunnenkamp were approved for rec...

Bicyclist dies in Sunday hit-and-run collision on East Louisiana Ave.

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:30:20 GMT

A bicyclist died Sunday after being struck by an unknown SUV whose driver fled the scene.The driver of the SUV was heading west on East Louisiana Avenue near South Birch Street about 5 a.m. Sunday when they hit the bicyclist at the intersection, according to a Denver Police Department tweet. The bicyclist died from their injuries.CRIME STOPPERS: #Denver you have any information about this investigation? If so, call @CrimeStoppersCO at 720-913-7867 — you can remain anonymous and earn a cash reward! pic.twitter.com/pG1wI4sP5p— Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) July 17, 2023 The SUV driver continued driving west after the collision. The vehicle, only described as a dark-colored SUV, sustained damage to one of its headlights.Anyone with information on the crash is asked to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Hit-and-run driver sentenced to 20 years for hitting two cyclists near Evergreen last summer Crim...

Elderly woman brutally attacked while gardening at her home in East Los Angeles; suspect identified

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:30:20 GMT

Authorities are asking the public for help Tuesday in their search for a man who assaulted an elderly woman as she was working in her garden in the East Los Angeles area over the weekend.The victim was working in her yard in the 1000 block of Fraser Avenue around 6:15 a.m. Saturday when she was approached from behind by the suspect, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said.The suspect, identified Tuesday as 21-year-old Sergio Andrew Garcia, repeatedly punched the victim in the face before pulling down her pants and underwear, the spokesperson said. A neighbor eventually came by and scared the suspect, who initially fled on foot before getting on a "fixie" bicycle that was nearby. Sergio Andrew Garcia is seen in photos released by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department on July 18, 2023. Authorities released photos of Garcia and described him as being 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 180 pounds. He was wearing a brown sweatshirt, gray shorts, white sho...

'What to you have to lose?': Joe Exotic of 'Tiger King' says presidential run gaining steam

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:30:20 GMT

You might remember Joseph Maldonado-Passage as the eponymous "Tiger King" from Netflix's show or as a felon convicted of hiring hitmen to kill a rival in the world of big cats, but if he's right, those items would only be footnotes in the history of the 47th president of the United States."Joe Exotic has raised the funds needed to get on the ticket in New Hampshire," his campaign announced on Tuesday. "Running from prison at the Fort Worth Medical Center in Texas, Joe Exotic is making history with his grassroots 2024 Presidential campaign."Exotic, 60, was convicted in 2019 of animal abuse charges and hiring a hitman to kill Carole Baskin, a woman who ran Big Cat Rescue and frequently butted heads and traded allegations with Exotic. Earlier this year, it was announced that the animal sanctuary would close. ‘Joe Exotic’ says he’s running for president as a Democrat His 22-year sentence was handed down in January 2020, just a couple of months before "Tiger King" blew up on Netflix at...

Police seek Long Beach teen who's been missing for nearly 2 months

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:30:20 GMT

The Long Beach Police Department and a girl's family are asking for the public's help in bringing her home safety, as she has been missing for nearly two months.Diana Rojas, 15, was last seen near her home in the 1000 block of Raymond Avenue on just before 8 p.m. on May 29, police said in a bulletin. She is believed to have run away, as she has done in the past. "The last time she ran away she was located in Los Angeles," the bulletin said. However, police also noted that she "may be loitering in the surrounding area," so Long Beach residents should remain vigilant.Rojas is 5-foot-3 and weighs about 165 pounds. She has brown hair and eyes.Anyone with information is asked to call 562-570-7246 or 562-435-6711.

Woman hands infant to couple dining at Hollywood restaurant, police say

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:30:20 GMT

A couple surrendered a baby that was handed to them by a woman at a Hollywood restaurant early Tuesday, police said.The incident occurred just after midnight at Chris N Eddy’s, located at 5539 Sunset Blvd., according to the Beverly Hills Police Department, which was originally handling the case.The couple was eating at the restaurant when they were approached by a woman holding a 1-month-old baby. The woman apparently told the couple that she could no longer care for the child and gave them the baby, police said.The couple then took the baby and surrendered him or her to the Beverly Hills Police Department, though it is unknown why they took the child there.The child appeared to be in good condition and was taken to a hospital for a checkup.The case was eventually handed over to the Los Angeles Police Department since the original incident occurred in their jurisdiction, Beverly Hills police explained in a statement.The LAPD will then determine if the incident qualifies as a safe su...

Chipotle plans to open restaurants in the Middle East in 2024

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:30:20 GMT

Chipotle Mexican Grill announced Tuesday that the company has plans to open restaurants in the Middle East.In a partnership with international franchise retail operator Alshaya Group, Chipotle will open restaurants in Dubai and Kuwait early next year before expanding further into a region, a news release said. Chipotle is testing guacamole-making robot The deal marks the first time Chipotle has worked with a franchise partner. Alshaya Group has also worked with other brands, including Starbucks, Shake Shack and Texas Roadhouse, CNBC reported.“We are excited to offer guests in the Middle East our responsibly sourced, classically-cooked real food, and look forward to furthering our purpose to cultivate a better world in this new territory,” Brian Niccol, the CEO of Chipotle, said in a statement.This isn’t the first time the restaurant company has expanded its brand. McDonald’s testing out new menu items in Southern California In February, the company announced it would open a spin...

10 Fun Company Bonding Activities To Try in Summer 2023

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:30:20 GMT

Photo Source: Adobe Stock Summer is here. The temperatures are climbing, the sun is shining, and the days are longer, which gives your company a chance to put together some incredibly fun and unique bonding activities. There are many reasons to prioritize company and team bonding within your organization. Specifically, it can promote collaboration, lead to stronger problem-solving, and make people feel more comfortable contributing to the team in their roles.However, constantly coming up with new ideas to bring the company team members together can be hard. To help spark your imagination, look through the list of 10 different summer activities you could implement into your organization’s team-bonding schedule.As Jeff Murphy writes, “Believe it or not, fun team-building activities for work are critically important to the success of your business. In fact, the personal bonds formed between team members actually give your company a competitive edge.”1. KayakingTo start the list, ...

Onsego GED Prep and High School Equivalency Diploma

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:30:20 GMT

Onsego offers online GED courses for people who want to pass the GED test quickly. Students who pass the GED test, get a high school equivalency diploma. This diploma has the same value as a regular high school diploma.Gone are the days when having a GED® was considered a “bad” thing. Nowadays, earning a high school equivalency diploma is “normal.”This change in GED diploma perception is due to continuous improvement by GED Testing Service (GED.com).This joint venture of the American Council on Education, which started the GED program in 1942, and education publisher Pearson.After Pearson joined GED Testing Service, the test went through a huge makeover from the academic and public relations point of view.During the past eight decades, the GED test went through several updates to reflect changing educational requirements, but over the years, it has remained a critical path for adults that still need to complete high school.The GED diploma is the equivalent of...