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Illinois lawmakers push for laws to combat fentanyl epidemic

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:58:11 GMT

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)– It's a growing problem that is showing no signs of slowing down. State lawmakers said fentanyl-related overdoses are spiking throughout the nation, the state, and it's trickling down to Central Illinois communities. The spiking concern, which is claiming numerous lives, is prompting legislation on the state level. Lawmakers said laced narcotics are leaving a trail of bodies throughout the country. House Republican leader Tony McCombie (Savanna) said drug overdose is the leading cause of accidental deaths among Illinoisans ages 18-49."This is not unusual, it's happening everywhere in every state we're seeing increases of fatal overdoses," Chris Schaffner, program director at JOLT Harm reduction in Peoria, said.Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood said so far five people in Peoria County have died from overdoses this year. This issue killed more than 42 people in Peoria County in 2022.Many of the latest deaths had one key common dominator in their system, fentanyl....

2nd biggest snowstorm ever: Remembering the 2003 blizzard that crippled Denver for days

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:58:11 GMT

If you’ve lived in Denver for more than 20 years, then we’re sure you’ll remember March 17, 2003.It was the cold and bitter start to what would become the second biggest snowstorm ever to hit Denver.Over the course of a couple of days, a blizzard pounded Colorado dumping 3 feet of snow in Denver and more than 7 feet in the foothills, according to the National Weather Service.From March 17-19, 2003, there were building collapses and traffic was completely shut down as Colorado roads and interstates were completely shut down for days.Denver International Airport was shut down stranding 4,000 passengers, the NWS reported. The familiar tent roof at the airport was damaged forcing an evacuation of the main building at DIA.Read more at our partner, Denver7.

Frozen Dead Guy rises in Estes this weekend

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:58:11 GMT

The lineup for Estes Park’s inaugural Frozen Dead Guy Days Festival features both national and local acts, and lively events.Three days of live music and entertainment over St. Patrick’s Day weekend, March 17-19, 2023, will thrill festival goers with iconic favorites alongside fun, new additions.FRIDAY, MARCH 17The festival kicks off with an icebreaker event at Bond Park located at the corner of MacGregor and Elkhorn Avenues from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Mayor Wendy Koenig will be there to proclaim the official start of revelry. There will be music featuring  A-Mac & The Height and Chain Station, a food truck court, in case you’re dying to eat, and a classic hearse graveyard sponsored by the Denver Hearse Association. You know what they say, if you have to go, ride in style.Don’t miss the Irish Wake at Cousin Pat’s Pub & Grill, 451 S. Saint Vrain Ave., from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Grandpa Bredo, a/k/a/ the frozen dead guy, meets Cousin Patty McMurder. Come enjoy Irish cocktails...

Sheriff’s office investigating two deaths outside Nederland

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:58:11 GMT

The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office is investigating two deaths at a home outside Nederland that are believed to be related.According to a release, deputies were dispatched to a home in the 3900 block of Ridge Road at 2:11 p.m. Thursday to check on the welfare of a resident who had not been heard from in several days.When deputies arrived, they located a man dead outside of the home. Shortly after this they located another man dead in a vehicle parked near the home.Detectives are currently investigating the deaths and it is believed the two deaths are related. Based on the initial investigation, officials believe there is no danger to the public.The Boulder County Coroner’s Office will determine the cause and manner of death, as well as release the identification of the men.

Carver Elementary School in Long Beach closed due to massive norovirus outbreak

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:58:11 GMT

A nasty outbreak of norovirus has prompted health and school officials to close George Washington Carver Elementary in Long Beach for several days.Parents were alerted to closure on Thursday, although memos show the virus has apparently been spreading through the school for several weeks.More than 130 students and faculty have fallen ill since Feb. 22, according to the Long Beach Post.Lori Shepler, a parent of two children at Carver, told KTLA that her daughter started experiencing symptoms on March 3. Her son got sick this past Sunday, and she got sick on Thursday.“They should have closed (the school) sooner to prevent so many people from being sick,” Shepler said.Memos indicate previous efforts to contain the outbreak were unsuccessful.“Carver Elementary has already taken the appropriate steps to get this outbreak under control and (Long Beach) Public Health is working closely with the staff to investigate the cause of these infections to prevent new infections,” Monica Manipon, t...

LAUSD employee strike looms as union claims negotiations have stalled

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:58:11 GMT

As the looming strike of Los Angeles Unified School District employees nears, negotiations continue, but whether a deal can be struck remains to be seen.The Service Employees International Union, which represents about 30,000 teachers’ aides, bus drivers, custodians, cafeteria workers and other support staff, said its members earn about $25,000 per year on average, and they want a 30% pay raise.United Teachers of Los Angeles, which represents about 34,000 LAUSD educators in the district, is siding with the staffers' union and plans to honor the picket line. Teachers are also hoping for a 20% raise over two years.LAUSD Superintendent Albert Carvalho told KTLA that the district is working to avert the strike, offering a 15% increase among other benefits in its latest proposal."We cannot be in a position of offering more than we can support, and then a year later, either impose furloughs, firings or reductions in programs," he said. "The district did that back in 2008. I will not do th...

Mike Gesicki’s time with Dolphins comes to a close; tight end goes to rival Patriots in free agency

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:58:11 GMT

The expectation with tight end Mike Gesicki this offseason is now reality. His time with the Miami Dolphins has come to an end.Gesicki is departing in free agency to join the New England Patriots, he told the South Florida Sun Sentinel on Friday morning. The talented 6-foot-6 pass-catcher’s new contract is for one year and $9 million.That was a price the Dolphins were unlikely to pay after Gesicki and coach Mike McDaniel’s offense, in which blocking at the tight end position is paramount, did not mesh.“We always say, ‘Never say never,’ around anything,” Dolphins general manager Chris Grier said weeks ago of Gesicki, when speaking at the NFL scouting combine, “but he’s earned the right [to be a free agent] and I’m sure he’s excited to see what his free agency options are.“I don’t know what his price range would be, but he’s been a good player in the league. He’s been a productive player, and I’m...

Bay Area man with long criminal history convicted of murder in car crash

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:58:11 GMT

A man with a long criminal record in the Bay Area was convicted Tuesday of second-degree murder for a car crash that killed a woman in Marysville.Dominik Oshay Cash, 30, was also found guilty of other charges including reckless evasion and resisting arrest and faces a sentence of 21 years to life in prison, the Yuba County district attorney’s office said.Cash’s residence was in San Francisco at the time of his arrest in 2021. He previously lived in Oakley, and he had been arrested for a variety of crimes across the Bay Area.The chase that ended in the fatal crash began around 11 p.m. on Jan. 16, 2021, when a California Highway Patrol officer attempted to pull Cash over for speeding on Highway 70 south of Oroville. He refused to stop, and other officers joined the pursuit.Cash continued south on Highway 70 for almost 20 miles, reportedly reaching speeds of 135 mph in his Toyota Camry. On the outskirts of Marysville, he ran over a CHP spike strip, but he was still going mo...

Army says no foul play suspected in death of California soldier, family raises allegations she was being sexually harassed

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:58:11 GMT

By Camila Bernal and Stephanie Becker | CNNMilitary investigators at Fort Hood said there was no foul play in the death of Pvt. Ana Basaldua Ruiz, who was stationed at the Texas Army post, as her family raises accusations that she was being sexually harassed.Basaldua Ruiz, a 20-year-old combat engineer with the 1st Cavalry Division, died Monday, according to a statement from Fort Hood.“The Army Criminal Investigation Division and the chain of command are actively investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding her death,” the statement, released Wednesday, said.Basaldua Ruiz’s mother, Alejandra Ruiz Zarco, was told by Army officials that Basaldua Ruiz died by suicide, the mother told CNN affiliate Univision and Telemundo News.Ruiz Zarco told both outlets she questions the claim and says her daughter was being sexually harassed at the base.The Army would not confirm Basaldua Ruiz’s cause of death to CNN but said in a statement that “any possible ha...

Kaiser Permanente, Apple among list of 2023 world’s most ethical companies

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:58:11 GMT

Kaiser Permanente has been named one of the world’s most ethical companies by the Ethisphere Institute for the fifth year in a row.The Ethisphere Institute is an independent group that monitors business ethics. Other honorees include Apple, Best Buy, FedEx, General Motors, Kohl’s, L’oreal, Starbucks, and many more.Companies that are given this honor are known for working to improve their communities as well as fostering and growing employees while modeling a workplace with ethics and purpose.“Kaiser Permanente is committed to improving access to care, having a diverse workforce reflective of our communities, and addressing the inequities, structural racism, and injustices that marginalize our most vulnerable populations,” said Diane Ott, vice president, ethics and compliance for Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California region in a press statement. “This recognition highlights our on-going efforts to improve the health and well-being of our members, patients, and the communities we se...