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St. Louis alderman recuses himself from hearings after FOX Files uncovers connection to short-term rentals

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:16:33 GMT

ST. LOUIS – St. Louis Alderman Shane Cohn (Ward 3) will step aside from future hearings on short-term rentals after the FOX Files discovered Cohn currently has properties available for rent on Airbnb.Cohn serves as chairman of the city’s Transportation and Commerce Committee, the same committee holding hearings on two bills that would crack down on short-term rental properties.He’s also an Airbnb “superhost” – which he did not publicly disclose during a hearing earlier this week.The committee met for more than two hours on Tuesday. They discussed two bills, one of which would require a permit to operate a short-term rental property. Cohn did not disclose at the time that he has two different properties listed on Airbnb. Woman charged with ramming, shooting thieves who stole sister’s car In a phone interview with FOX 2, Cohn said he hadn’t planned on voting on either bill, but thought it was important that he be included in the hearings. He said the properties available on Airbnb a...

Fatal explosion at Olin Corporation in East Alton, Illinois

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:16:33 GMT

EAST ALTON, Ill. – One person died in an explosion Thursday at the Olin Corp. ammunition plant in East Alton.The explosion happened just before 4 p.m. at the plant, located on Powder Mill Road.First responders at the scene said a primer truck exploded.This is a developing story and will be updated as we acquire more information.

Local leaders meet to discuss youth outreach due to rise in gun violence

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:16:33 GMT

ST. LOUIS - St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones and community leaders held a meeting to discuss youth outreach on Thursday. This comes after last weekend's deadly mass shooting downtown.The meeting was held at the Gateway region YMCA, located in the Midtown neighborhood. The group gathered to talk about the alarming trend of violence surrounding youth and to give teens safe and fun places to hang out over the summer.With 17-year-old Makeo Moore dead and 10 other juveniles injured during a party at a short-term rental early Sunday morning.Community leaders and youth program coordinators said they plan to expand the hours of weekend youth programs at Wohl and Marquette recreation centers.From Friday and Saturday, it will be 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. for kids 15 and under and 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. for ages 16 and up. The extended hours will continue until August.Leaders said they want to keep youth engaged.“We talked with many mayors across the country. One of the things is reducing crime," Jones said....

Response to fiery Ohio derailment frustrated by poor communication and incomplete information

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:16:33 GMT

By JOSH FUNK (AP Business Writer)OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Firefighters who responded to February’s fiery train derailment in Ohio struggled to immediately identify the hazardous chemicals the train was hauling due to a lack of communication from the railroad, officials said Thursday.During a public hearing in East Palestine — where thousands of residents had to evacuate their homes because of the derailment — National Transportation Safety Board chairwoman Jennifer Homendy asked why Norfolk Southern was able to provide details of the freight to one of its contractors within 10 minutes of the Feb. 3 derailment, but that it took an hour to get that information to first responders.Knowing what was on the train helps firefighters determine the proper response.The two-day NTSB hearing was designed to provide information to residents, officials and investigators about the emergency response and the crucial decision three days after the derailment to release toxic vinyl c...

As Dick’s Sporting Goods Park prepares for more heavy storms after Colorado Rapids’ postponement Wednesday, modern turf techniques will keep field in shape

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:16:33 GMT

COMMERCE CITY — The Colorado Rapids will have to wait until Saturday to play for their first home win of the 2023 MLS season.The Rapids had their game against the Vancouver Whitecaps postponed Wednesday night due to inclement weather. But for how concerning the weather was, the field should hold up for Saturday’s game against LA Galaxy.A torrential amount of wind, hail and rain battered Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in numerous bands, and after a four-hour, eight minute delay, at 11:41 p.m., the game was officially postponed by MLS officials without a ball being kicked. The first delay came at 7:36 p.m., just after the pregame national anthems wrapped up. The game will be rescheduled at a later date, and tickets will be valid for whenever the game will be made up.Once it hit DSGP, the storm lashed throughout the night. It was severe enough that a bolt of lightning struck near the east side of the stadium just after 9 p.m., which resulted in “electrical difficulties” as it knocked...

Colorado and federal agencies warn public of new fentanyl threats

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:16:33 GMT

Although deaths from fentanyl plateaued in Colorado from 2021 to 2021, deadlier and more potent versions of the drug are being seized in record amounts in 2023.“Fentanyl is deadly, and we are seeing new combinations of drugs mixed with fentanyl making it even more dangerous,” said Cole Finegan, U.S. Attorney for Colorado in a Thursday news release from the FBI. “Unless a drug comes from a licensed pharmacist, don’t take it. Your life depends on it.”According to the news release, fentanyl remains the leading cause of drug-related deaths in Colorado, increasing by more than 70% throughout the state in 2021. Two milligrams of fentanyl, just enough to fit on the tip of a pencil, is considered a potentially lethal dose.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Grand County officials searching for missing teen last seen Wednesday Crime and Public Safety | Denver Police Department lacks clear plan to tackle low morale and high turnover, city audit finds Crim...

Firefighters battle blaze in downtown Los Angeles

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:16:33 GMT

Los Angeles firefighters battled a blaze at a downtown building Thursday afternoon.The fire was first reported around 3:15 p.m. at a building on the 700 block of South San Pedro Street.According to Los Angeles Fire Department officials, a commercial building was heavily engulfed in flames.The building was occupied and firefighters were working to ensure all the occupants safely evacuated. The buildings on that block appeared to be mixed use with apartments located on top of businesses. Video posted to the Citizen app showed smoke pouring out of the building as crews worked to evacuate all occupants. Aerial video from Sky5 showed two parts of the building burning with black smoke coming from both the front and back of the building. San Pedro Street was closed in the immediate vicinity of the blaze as firefighters were on scene.

Black people disproportionately arrested for violating L.A. homeless ordinance, controller report shows

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:16:33 GMT

Black people have been disproportionately arrested for violating a city ordinance that critics say is used to punish the unhoused, according to a new report released by the Los Angeles City Controller's Office.Controller Kenneth Mejia released a detailed interactive map Thursday that shows a breakdown of the arrests made under Los Angeles Municipal Code 41.18, which prohibits sitting, lying or storing items in the public right-of-way. Between January 2012 and May 2023, authorities arrested 36,807 people for violating the municipal code, according to Mejia's office, citing data obtained from the Los Angeles Police Department.Of those arrests, more than 42% were Black people. Recent U.S. Census data indicates Black or African Americans make up less than 10% of the general population of Los Angeles. A chart shows the breakdown of arrests in Los Angeles for violation of Municipal Code 41.18, also known as the anti-camping law. (Los Angeles Controller’s Office)LAMC 41.18 is a highly-cont...

2 Killed, Girl Hospitalized after Fiery Crash on Davis Street [San Leandro, CA]

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:16:33 GMT

Stolen Vehicle Pursuit Near A Street and Hathaway Avenue Resulted in Two FatalitiesSAN LEANDRO, CA (June 22, 2023) – Early Monday morning, a police pursuit following a fiery crash on Davis Street left two suspects dead and a girl injured.Deputies responded to a chase shortly before 2:00 a.m. near A Street and Hathaway Avenue in the city of Hayward.Subsequently, authorities managed to locate the stolen 2007 gray Toyota Camry that was carjacked by a victim on Sunday.Deputies tried to pull over the Toyota while traveling north on I-880 near Highway 238. However, the driver ignored law enforcement and exited the highway at a high rate of speed.Eventually, the suspect lost control of the vehicle in the area of Davis Street after attempting to evade a tire deflation device. The suspect then crashed head-on into a tree near Preda Street.Authorities declared the two suspects inside the vehicle dead at the scene. Their identities remain undisclosed by the police. Meanwhile, a 14-year-o...

The Diamond Bank Is A Hidden Gem Against LA’s Jewelry Trove

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 12:16:33 GMT

            It’s often said that artists are defined by their eyes and how they see the world around them, which extends into the art of jewelry making and craftsmanship. Diamond diving is more precarious than you might imagine, for natural diamonds sparkle singularly in their own light, each one shaped and sculpted uniquely from the next. An eye for detail and diversity are required to identify true treasures, and The Diamond Bank, one of the most recognizable names in jewelry in Los Angeles and beyond, has perfected the art of ornamentation through decades of refinement and trust baked into the community, and the eyes that search for these pieces. Part of the charm that defines The Diamond Bank is their bespoke nature even after years of growth and development, retaining a distinctly artisanal quality unrivaled in the jewelry space. Much of this work is attributed to Chris Arakel, owner and lead designer, who embarked on his own journey 25 years ago.            Fittingly tucked in...