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Five men arrested as part of a multi-state theft ring in central Illinois

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:30 GMT

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) -- The Bloomington Police Department arrested five men for their alleged involvement in a multi-state auto theft ring last Friday.According to Bloomington Public Information Officer Bryce Janssen, the five Texas men were all charged in McLean County Circuit Court with seven counts of possession of a stolen motor vehicle worth more than $25,000.The five men were:Carlos Guzman-Toledo, 48.Anthony Gomez-Gomez, 34.Henry Gomez-Gomez, 41.Jesus Arriaga, 36.Geovany Alvarez, 21.Bloomington police were notified that an auto-theft ring that was operating out of several states, including Texas and Wisconsin, was currently in the area. They were allegedly using social media to sell stolen cars, Janssen said.On Sept. 22, Bloomington officers executed a search warrant in Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Bloomington, located at 1 Lyon Court, at approximately 1:45 a.m. One of the men was arrested in his room, while the other four were arrested either outside the building or in a ho...

Six Flags unveils 'Rookie Racer': a kid-friendly coaster

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:30 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Tim Ezell takes on the new roller coaster "Rookie Racer" at Six Flags. It offers the appearance of a big, intense coaster while maintaining a kid-friendly appeal that young riders are sure to enjoy. The top speed is 27 mph. The coaster features exciting elements like climbs, dips, S curves, and even a horizontal loop, all designed with kids in mind. It provides plenty of fun without being overly intense. The Rookie Racer is tailored for kids measuring over 36 inches in height. Additionally, there's the option to run it for a single lap, which is particularly useful when there's a long line. However, most riders get the chance to experience it twice, adding to the enjoyment. Riders often come in, thinking their ride is over, only to be thrilled by a second round. 

How would a government shutdown impact Coloradans?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:30 GMT

On Sunday morning, many of services of the federal government could be disrupted for the first time since December 2018. In a fight over spending priorities for the next fiscal year, Congress has yet been able to pass a bill to fund the government.During the previous shutdown, garbage overwhelmed national parks, the aviation system was strained, the state’s domestic violence and sexual assault organizations worried about funding and federal employees found themselves furloughed and filing unemployment claims.The deadline for President Joe Biden to sign a bill to avoid a shutdown is midnight on Saturday.If a spending bill isn’t passed, the potential fallout in Colorado includes:• Some federal employees will be furloughed, while others in services deemed essential such as the military, federal law enforcement and the Transportation Security Administration will work without pay.• Airport travelers could face longer TSA wait times if fewer unpaid employees clock into work.• ...

National parks, and those who count on them, brace for possible shutdown

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:30 GMT

PHOENIX — It’s wedding season at Acadia National Park in Maine, and Tabitha Brown can barely keep up with the demand for her “luxury picnics” — Champagne and charcuterie served seaside.The fall rush around Acadia helps workers survive winter’s lean months. But that’s all at risk if a government shutdown forces America’s national parks and monuments to lock their gates, scuttling millions of vacations and school trips and costing tourist towns from the Everglades to Yellowstone to Death Valley an estimated $70 million a day.“I don’t know what anybody would do,” said Brown, who holds 90% of her picnics inside Acadia. “If the park shuts down, nobody wants to come. It would be tragic.”It would also be the fourth time in a decade. Business owners and workers say that recurrent shutdowns have become a new kind of disaster alongside the floods, wildfires and hurricanes that come with living at the doorstep of a natural wonder.“I’m getting to the point where it’s just part of the busi...

Former Adams County sheriff, top officials accused of falsifying state-mandated training records

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:30 GMT

Three former executive staff members of the Adams County Sheriff’s Office have been charged with forgery and conspiracy in a scheme to falsify records for state-mandated training they did not complete, state Attorney General Phil Weiser’s office announced Thursday.The attorney general’s office accused former Adams County Sheriff Richard Reigenborn, former Undersheriff Thomas McLallen and former Division Chief Michael Bethel of signing training rosters for classes they did not attend and submitting training certificates to Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training “an attempt to count these fictitious trainings towards their 2021 mandatory annual training hours,” according to a news release.Bethel also allegedly used McLallen’s online account password to complete training for McLallen on his account.A letter an Adams County sheriff’s commander sent to the state’s standards and training agency stated the three officials conducted thi...

Slaying of California deputy reignites death penalty debate

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:30 GMT

LOS ANGELES - The debate over capital punishment in California has resurfaced with the family of slain Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer incensed by District Attorney George Gascón's decision not to seek the death penalty for the alleged killer.“I don’t feel [Gascón] felt my son's life was worth anything,” Kim Clinkumbroomer, his mother, told KTLA's Rich Chambers on Wednesday. “You're telling me that this individual’s life is more important than my son’s.”“He’s just making us feel like we’re nobody, and we’re not important enough and Ryan’s life wasn’t important enough,” said Brittany Lindsey, Clinkunbroomer’s fiancée.Ryan Clinkunbroomer, Brittany LindseyProsecutors say Kevin Salazar, 29, fatally shot Clinkunbroomer with a .22 revolver on Sept. 16 as the deputy was stopped at a red light in his patrol vehicle near the Palmdale Sheriff's Station.Salazar, whose family says suffers from mental health issues, was arrested two days later after a standoff at his...

Taco Bell's Nacho Sauce goes vegan

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:30 GMT

Another popular Taco Bell item is going vegan.Beginning on Oct. 12, customers can have a side of vegan nacho cheese dip to accompany an order of nacho fries, which return to menus nationwide on Thursday for the 10th time. The sauce, which consists of a soy and chickpea base to replace the dairy components found in the traditional sauce, will also have a nationwide release.Beginning on Oct. 12, customers can have a side of vegan nacho cheese dip to accompany an order of nacho fries, which return to menus nationwide on Thursday. (Taco Bell) Taco Bell, other food chains could move to digital-only sales: CFO Nacho Fries with Vegan Nacho Sauce is Taco Bell's first vegan menu item to have a national release, a news release said.The national release of the Vegan Nacho Sauce comes after select customers were able to try it when it debuted on the Vegan Crunchwrap in June. Vegan Taco Bell fans responded positively to the sauce, according to company officials. Taco Bell offering month of ...

2 Hospitalized after Two-Car Collision on Interstate 5 [Seattle, WA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:30 GMT

43-Year-Old and 36-Year-Old Victims Hospitalized after 2-Vehicle Collision near Seneca Street ExitSEATTLE, WA (September 28, 2023) – Early Thursday morning, two people were hospitalized following a two-car collision on Interstate 5.The incident happened just before 5:00 a.m., September 14th, in the northbound lanes of the highway, just south of the Seneca Street exit.Furthermore, the collision involved two vehicles which resulted in two injuries, a 43-year-old and a 36-year-old man. However, the events leading up still remain unclear.Paramedics rushed both injured persons to Harborview Medical Center for treatment of their injuries.Moreover, the authorities blocked the northbound lanes of the interstate but it was later reopened by 7:30 a.m. No other information was added by the investigators, and an active investigation into what led to the collision is still ongoing.Make our roads safer by abiding by all traffic laws and following the conditions of the road. Remember that wi...

Robert Ortiz Dies in Motorcycle Accident on Victorian Avenue [Sparks, NV]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:30 GMT

35-Year-Old Man Fatally Struck in Motorcycle Collision near Pyramid WaySPARKS, NV (September 28, 2023) – Tuesday morning, a motorcycle accident claimed the life of Robert Ortiz on Victorian Avenue.Around 6:38 p.m., authorities rushed to the 900 block of Victorian Avenue, near Pyramid Way, in response to the incident.According to officers, Ortiz was operating his motorcycle at high speeds and failed to navigate a turn successfully. This resulted in the motorcycle colliding with the curb, forcibly ejecting Ortiz onto the roadside.Due to the severity of his injuries, medical personnel pronounced Ortiz, aged 35, deceased at the accident site.After clearing operations, officers initiated efforts to locate two vehicles present in the vicinity: a blue Dodge four-door truck from the 2000s and a white single-cab Chevrolet pickup-truck from the 2000s.Those with additional information regarding this incident are strongly urged to reach out to local authorities.The team at Sweet James off...

Ernest Palacio Junior Killed in Pedestrian Crash on South Loop 289 [Lubbock, TX]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:43:30 GMT

Michael Ray Involved in Fatal Pedestrian Accident Avenue WLUBBOCK, TX (September 28, 2023) – Sunday night, a pedestrian crash in the 1900 block of South Loop 289 killed Ernest Palacio Junior.The incident happened on September 10th, at around 9:00 p.m. near the intersection of South Loop 289 and Avenue W.According to reports, Palacio Junior was trying to cross an access road when an SUV driven by 49-year-old Michael Ray struck him. The impact of the collision left Palacio Junior with serious injuries.Emergency crews at the site of the collision pronounced 58-year-old Ernest Palacio Junior dead at the scene.Meanwhile, Ray stayed at the site of the accident and cooperated with authorities. No arrests have been made as a result of the accident.Following the crash, crews shut down the areas surrounding the collision to perform cleanup and preliminary duties. At this time, an active investigation is currently underway.Sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Ernest Palacio Ju...