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Missouri man executed for 2002 abduction, killing of 6-year-old girl lured to abandoned factory

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:36 GMT

BONNE TERRE, Mo. (AP) — A man who abducted a 6-year-old Missouri girl and beat her to death at an abandoned factory two decades ago was put to death Tuesday evening, shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a request to block the execution over arguments he was mentally incompetent.Johnny Johnson, 45, received a a lethal injection dose of pentobarbital at a state prison in Bonne Terre and was pronounced dead at 6:33 p.m. CDT, authorities said. He was convicted of the July 2002 killing of Casey Williamson in the St. Louis area suburb of Valley Park.Johnson expressed remorse in a brief handwritten statement released by the Department of Corrections hours before being executed. “God Bless. Sorry to the people and family I hurt,” Johnson’s statement said.As he laid on his back with a sheet up to his neck, Johnson turned his head to the left, appearing to listen to his spiritual adviser shortly before the injection began. He then faced forward with his eyes closed, with no further p...

Indiana police make arrest after weekend shooting at block party kills 1, injures 17

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:36 GMT

MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) — Police said Tuesday they have made an arrest in connection with a weekend shooting that left one person dead and 17 others wounded in a central Indiana city.Deputy Muncie Police Chief Melissa Criswell said a 36-year-old Muncie man had been preliminarily charged with several felonies and that evidence would be forwarded to Delaware County Prosecutor Eric Hoffman for review “and consideration of additional charges.”The preliminary charges against the man arrested were not specified in Criswell’s news release.The shooting early Sunday unfolded at a block party attended by hundreds of revelers as police were calling the venue’s owner to shut down the gathering, authorities said Monday.The shooting killed 30-year-old Joseph E. Bonner III, whom Muncie Police Chief Nathan Sloan said was among those attending the large party in the city about 60 miles (100 kilometers) northeast of Indianapolis.Sloan said police were aware that the owner of a business that periodica...

Your Mega Millions ticket can score you a sweet prize at Krispy Kreme this week, win or lose

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:36 GMT

CLEVELAND (WJW) – Even if you don't hit the Mega Millions jackpot on Tuesday, your ticket could still be the winner of a sweet prize.Krispy Kreme is offering guests one original glazed donut during its “Mega Glaze Days" on August 1 and 2. All you have to do is show your Mega Millions lottery ticket at the store. Feeling lucky? Mega Millions jackpot at $1.1B for Tuesday’s drawing “Krispy Kreme fans, you’re all winners in our hearts,” Krispy Kreme said in a press release.Your ticket also has a decent chance of winning you some money, even if you don't land the grand prize. You have a one in 24 chance of winning any prize, according to Mega Millions game officials. The lowest possible prize is $2, while the second-largest is $5 million. Why the winner of the $1.1B Mega Millions jackpot would take home way less If your ticket has matched any numbers, regardless of the possible prize size, be sure to hang onto it and sign it. Where you can claim your prize and how long you have to d...

Democratic leaders: Trump indictment 'most serious and most consequential thus far'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:36 GMT

(The Hill) – Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jefferies (D-N.Y.) on Tuesday said the third indictment of former President Trump is the "most serious and most consequential thus far" and "will stand as a stark reminder to generations of Americans that no one, including a president of the United States, is above the law." “The insurrection on January 6, 2021 was one of the saddest and most infamous days in American history, personally orchestrated by Donald Trump and fueled by his insidious Big Lie in an attempt to undermine the 2020 election,” the Democratic leaders said in their joint statement on Tuesday. “In a deadly effort to overturn the will of the American people and block the peaceful transition of power, our nation’s Capitol—the very symbol and home of American patriotism and democracy—fell under attack to thousands of vicious and violent rioters.”The lawmakers also said in their statement that the latest indictment provides deta...

Powder Keg Pine Fire in Bastrop estimated at 40 acres, 35% contained

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:36 GMT

BASTROP, Texas (KXAN) — First responders said they're working Tuesday afternoon to evacuate homes as a "precautionary measure" because of a wildfire burning near Bastrop State Park. The fire, which is now called the Powder Keg Pine Fire, is estimated at 40 acres and is 35% contained as of 6:45 p.m., according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.Additionally, the Austin Fire Department said it and other Travis County ESDs sent multiple units as mutual aid to to the fire.Smoke seen from Bastrop County fire Aug. 1, 2023. (KXAN ReportIt photo)Smoke from Bastrop wildfire Aug. 1, 2023 (KXAN ReportIt Photo)Smoke from a Bastrop fire Aug. 1, 2023 (Courtesy Morgan Hay)Smoke from a Bastrop fire Aug. 1, 2023 (Courtesy Morgan Hay)First responders said the houses affected by the evacuations are located between Harmon Road and Pine Hill Loop in Bastrop. It's unclear how many homes are impacted at this time. Neighbors are advised to contact the county hotline at (512) 303-4300 for more information....

Smith: Trump Jan. 6 indictment responds to plot 'fueled by lies'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:36 GMT

Special counsel Jack Smith previewed an indictment against Donald Trump, saying the former president’s efforts to remain in power after losing the 2020 election were “fueled by lies.”“The attack on our nation's Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, was an unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy. As described in the indictment, it was fueled by lies — lies by the defendant targeted at obstructing a bedrock function of the U.S. government: the nation's process of collecting, counting and certifying the results of the presidential election,” Smith said.Smith’s comment came shortly after the Justice Department unveiled a 45-page indictment against Trump, charging him with conspiracy to defraud the U.S., conspiracy to impede an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights, a statute protecting the right to vote.Smith encouraged the public to read the indictment in full — the same plea he issued after bringing charges against Trump in the Mar-a-Lago case earlier this su...

End of an era: Cardinals send Jack Flaherty to Baltimore in deadline buzzer beater

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:36 GMT

ST. LOUIS - After seven seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals and nearly a decade in the organization, pitcher Jack Flaherty is on the move. The Cardinals agreed to a last-minute deadline-day deal that sends the 27-year-old starting pitcher to the Baltimore Orioles for three prospects. The deal came shortly before the 5 p.m. trade deadline. In return, the Cardinals received infielder César Prieto, right-handed pitcher Zack Showalter, and left-handed pitcher Drew Rom. MLB Pipeline ranks the trio respectively as the ninth, 23rd and 26th best in the organization. The Flaherty deal capped a frenzy of Cardinals trades over the last few days. the Cardinals dove into the seller's market by trading pitchers Jordan Montgomery, Chris Stratton and Jordan Hicks in two separate deals. All three, like Flaherty, were pending free agents. The Cardinals also traded shortstop Paul DeJong to the Blue Jays earlier Tuesday."We knew there was still some potential to trade a few more players," said Cardina...

Stretch of eastbound I-70 in Jefferson County shut down by multi-vehicle crash

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:36 GMT

A multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 70 in Jefferson County has shut down the eastbound lanes and bought westbound traffic down to one lane. Authorities urge motorists to avoid the area if possible.I-70 EB will closed for several hours at US 6 exit in Golden for multi-vehicle crash caused by a suspect out of Denver. Traffic is being diverted onto US 6 EB exit. I-70 WB is down to one lane. Avoid the area if possible due to traffic delays. CSP is investigating the crash. pic.twitter.com/PNiiYCJxct— Jeffco Sheriff (@jeffcosheriffco) August 1, 2023Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Stretch of northbound lanes on I-25 in Douglas County reopen after crash is cleared Crime and Public Safety | Traffic delays expected as I-70 Floyd Hill Project rock scaling starts Monday Crime and Public Safety | I-70 reopens after fatal crash near Eisenhower Tunnel Crime and Public Safety | Southbound lanes of I-225 closed due to seriou...

Public warned of rise in Valley fever infections across Southern California

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:36 GMT

Health officials are warning the public as Valley fever cases are increasing across California.Valley fever, also known as coccidioidomycosis or “cocci,” typically affects the lungs and can cause prolonged respiratory symptoms including cough, fever, chest pain, and fatigue or tiredness, according to The California Department of Public Health.Valley fever is caused by breathing in a fungus found in dust from outdoor air, CDPH explained. When heavy rains exist for prolonged periods, the fungus can grow and spread into the air.For some, the symptoms can be severe enough to interrupt daily life including missing work, school, or other activities.“Research from the University of California, Berkeley and CDPH shows that during drought, the fungus that causes Valley fever can become less active,” officials said. “However, when the rains return, the fungus can grow, leading to increases in infection. Cases of Valley fever in California have historically been lowest during years of drought ...

Whittier officer recovering after shootout with homicide suspect

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:48:36 GMT

A Whittier police officer who suffered two gunshot wounds by an alleged homicide suspect Monday night is in stable condition and recovering, authorities said on Tuesday. According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, who assisted the Whittier Police Department during the incident, officers were surveilling 25-year-old Edgar Gonzalez, a documented gang member and a suspect in a July 30 Santa Fe Springs homicide, at around 6:45 p.m. last night.  In what was considered a high-risk traffic stop, police attempted to pull Gonzalez over in an alley off Pickering Avenue and Penn Street. The 25-year-old exited his vehicle and ran.  Officers chased Gonzales as he ran between several apartment complexes in the 7300 block of Pickering Avenue before shooting at police, who returned fire. The suspect dropped his firearm and continued to run.  Police said that when they caught Gonzalez, he was uncooperative, prompting authorities to deploy a less-than-lethal round an...