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Media owner files complaint alleging interference by Costa Rica’s president in custody dispute

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:58 GMT

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) — A banker and media owner said Tuesday he had filed a legal complaint against Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves, alleging that his administration interfered in his child custody dispute.The animosity between Chaves and the complainant Leonel Baruch, who owns online news site CR Hoy, is well known.Baruch’s complaint, which alleges influence trafficking by the president and top officials, is one that any citizen can file, and does not necessarily lead to any charges. The dispute came to light when the former head of Costa Rica’s child welfare agency, Gloriana López Fuscaldo, claimed she had received a phone call from Chaves’ chief of staff, telling her the president wanted her to “rule well” on the custody case. López Fuscaldo later went to neighboring Panama, claiming she feared for her safety.Chaves did not immediately respond to Baruch’s complaint, but said López Fuscaldo could return at any time.“I just want to tell Gloriana that she can r...

Saratoga Springs passes amendment to firearms ordinance

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:58 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Saratoga Springs City Council passed an amendment to its firearms ordinance on Tuesday night. Officials say it was necessary because the ordinance has not been updated since the 1970s.The amendment prohibits the possession of firearms while intoxicated in public spaces. It includes penalties for each firearm discharge. Every gun shot while intoxicated is susceptible to a fine ranging from $250 to $2,500.The changes were introduced by Commissioner of Public Safety James Montagnino, after the off-duty Vermont deputy involved shooting late last year.He said he saw a disconnect when he learned the individuals involved in that shooting were licensed to carry and had the foresight to get designated drivers knowing they would be impaired.“There’s something terribly wrong about the notion that you know that you’re likely to have your judgment impaired to the point where you shouldn’t be driving and yet you can carry your licensed weapon,” said Montagni...

Family of fallen city employee struggle for death benefits

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:58 GMT

NORMANDY, Mo. – Harold Parker died cutting down a tree in Normandy’s Hoelzel Park this past January. He was doing a public works job that his children never dreamed would cost him his life.“He was such a great guy. He had lots of kid, but they were all loved equally by him,” Parker’s daughter, Sky, told us days after losing their father, adding at the time, “He did what he needed to do to provide for his family.”Parker’s former employer however, the city of Normandy, has not even reimbursed Parker’s family for the minimum funeral costs that attorney Crista Johnson told us is laid out by law.“We have sent all of the receipts and bills to Normandy for this reimbursement,” she said. “We were told it shouldn’t be a problem back in March. That they should issue this right away. We are still yet to have any sort of reimbursement issued.”Johnson also filed in March for the family’s workers’ compensation death benefits, in which she says only Parker’s minor children are eligible. She says t...

Museums and local artists struggling to stay afloat, sees new hope with RAC multi-million dollar grant

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:58 GMT

ST. LOUIS - With the help of the city, artists can now apply for a grant totaling $3 million, the ARPA funds, made possible through the Regional Arts Commission.There is a program that is benefiting both arts organizations and local artists. This grant has been made possible due to the Arts Revenue and Income Replacement Grants, which are a part of the American Plan Rescue Act.“It could make the difference between whether or not our doors are open, or whether or not our doors are closed," said Jacqueline Dace, executive director of St. Louis ArtWorks.It's an arts organization that allows youth the opportunity for a paid job-training program. It provides a platform for young people aged 14 to 19 to express themselves while also earning a living.Dace's fear is shared by many others, especially given the decline in funding for local artworks. It’s not just those putting paintbrush to paper who have been suffering. Illinois family still shaken after vandals poured oil into their pool,...

South St. Louis residents worry tree in neighborhood may cause serious harm

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:58 GMT

ST. LOUIS – South St. Louis residents on Neosho Street are fearful of a city-owned tree call our Your Paid For It team looking for assistance. With all the damage and death caused by falling trees in recent storms, the residents want the city to cut this one down.Lauren Price said she’s already felt the impact of falling branches from the tree.“Yes, it dented the top of my car. We had a really bad storm—what was it, two days ago—you never know. Like I work 12 hours coming home to a tree on my house, I would never know,” she said.Resident Sharon Rice is also worried about the tree. Falling branches have damaged her car too.“And I’m scared it’s going to fall down on somebody, hurt somebody, or fall on somebody’s car,” she said.Neighbors said they’ve been trying for a long time to get city hall to listen, that they’ve called time and again. Price said she’s tried calling dozens of times. Johnny Johnson execution taking place tonight “I would say probably 45 times, 55 times – yeah,” s...

New limited edition bourbon honors fallen St. Louis Marine; bottles for sale raising money for veterans

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:58 GMT

ST. PETERS, Mo. – There’s a limited edition, barrel pick bourbon honoring St. Louis area Marine Lance Cpl. Jared Schmitz, who was killed during the Aug. 26, 2021, U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. He was 20 years old.It’s called Devil Dog, inspired by the Marine Corps’ historic nickname. The label features Lance Cpl. Schmitz. The bottles are now on sale only at the Beer Sauce shop in St. Peters. All proceeds will go toward doing something incredibly special for our veterans.Bourbon fan “Smokey” Scott Sheeley sipped a sample Tuesday.“I’m picking up some oak, picking up some caramel. Smells like it’s got a little bit of heat, not much. I like it,” he said.Jared Schmitz’s father welcomes the review. The process of selecting, bottling, and now selling the bourbon has taken about six months. Illinois family still shaken after vandals poured oil into their pool, breaking window “This young man has made me so proud throughout his very brief life. To do something like this to honor him wa...

Rockies succumb to Juan Soto’s two home runs in 8-5 loss to Padres

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:58 GMT

Peter Lambert was so close to starting August on a note worthy of his July.As he returned to the dugout in the fifth inning, he had conceded one run to the fearsome Padres lineup. But the bases he left loaded behind him posed a lingering threat to the Rockies, and to Lambert’s final stat line. Tommy Doyle was charged with facing Fernando Tatis Jr. and Juan Soto with one out.Doyle did a reasonable job with the first challenge, inducing a run-scoring groundout. Looking on, Lambert didn’t get so lucky a result from MLB’s perennial on-base king.The first of Soto’s two home runs, a three-run shot just left of center field, broke open a 5-1 Padres lead and resulted in an 8-5 loss for the Rockies on a wet Tuesday night at Coors Field. It also brought Lambert’s total to 4 1/3 innings, four earned runs. He didn’t allow a single earned run across three big-league starts and 14 innings in July.Ryan McMahon drove in four runs for the Rockies, including a thre...

3 men arrested for robbing victims of video gaming systems

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:58 GMT

Three men have been arrested and face charges of robbery, conspiracy and weapons violations after robbing video gaming systems from victims attempting to sell them in Riverside County, authorities announced Tuesday.  On July 28, The Riverside Sheriff’s Lake Elsinore Special Enforcement Team and Robbery/Burglary Enforcement Team responded to two separate thefts that occurred in Lake Elsinore.  “The investigation revealed that the suspects arranged to purchase video gaming systems and games from the victims, who were selling the items via a social media application,” a RCSD news release stated. In the first incident, the suspects, identified as 21-year-old Davon Patterson Jr. and 18-year-old Edward Bullock, both residents of Perris, along with 18-year-old Moreno Valley resident Elijah Robinson, took the gaming system from the victim and fled the scene. In the second incident, authorities said the three suspects “forcibly” stole the victim’s property and, again, fled the...

Search continues for man who disappeared on Catalina Island

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:58 GMT

Loved ones are searching for a Los Angeles County man who went missing on Catalina Island nearly two weeks ago.The man was identified as Jack Stanley Thomas, 55, by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Thomas also goes by the nickname, “Doc,” officials said.He was last seen on July 19 near Avalon Bay in the city of Avalon around 10 p.m. Avalon is the only incorporated city on Catalina Island.Thomas is described as a white man standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 220 pounds. He has gray hair, light-colored eyes, a full beard and eyeglasses.Authorities say the man might have possibly been headed to San Diego. Thomas' family has not heard from him since and is concerned for his well-being. They’ve released a photo of the man, hoping the public may have spotted him.Jack Stanley Thomas, 55, in an undated photo from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.Avalon Bay is located on the southeast end of Catalina Island and is a popular tourist destination about 22 miles of...

Twisted Metal, Good Omens 2 and Dolores Roach: Good vs. Evil TV

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:46:58 GMT

Streaming services, cable TV and Primetime television are fighting for your viewership now more than ever. UNBINGED is here to help you weed through it all, with reviews of the latest shows that highlight what we love, what we hate and what we love to hate-watch, too.Sometimes the decision to be good or bad isn’t so easy. Usually, people reside in the gray areas. In three new adaptations, the nature of good vs. evil is turned upside down and inside out.  Based on a book, a play (and a podcast), and a video game, hot Summer shows including Good Omens, Twisted Metal and The Horror of Dolores Roach examine good people (or beings) who carry out questionable deeds for dubious reasons– or vice versa. Some are more successful than others. Good Omens 2 (Amazon Prime)There is a war brewing between Heaven and Hell, and Earth is the battleground. Sound exciting? It would be, if either side had an inkling of what the hell they were doing. As it stands, both sides are completely...