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Missing Chinese exchange student found safe in Utah following cyber kidnapping scheme, police say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:52 GMT

RIVERDALE, Utah (AP) — A foreign exchange student from China who was reported missing last week in Utah has been found in what authorities said was an apparent “cyber kidnapping” scheme to extort $80,000 from the student’s family.The 17-year-old student was reported missing Friday, a day after he was last seen at the home where he had been staying in Riverdale, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) from Salt Lake City.Riverdale police initially said that they believed the student had been forcefully taken from his home. But on Sunday night they said he was found safe in a tent about 25 miles (40 kilometers) away from Riverdale in the Brigham City area.He was convinced that his family in China was threatened and that he needed to isolate himself, according to police. It’s unclear how he received this information or why he was isolating himself.Meanwhile, his family had received a ransom note and photograph of the student that made it appear that he’d been abducted and was ...

Excessive crowding at Union Station causes delays to get home on New Year’s Eve

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:52 GMT

Users on different social media platforms showed excessive crowding at Union Station last night with hundreds of people stuck trying to get home.Reddit user skipper_8 posted photos of crowds of people packed inside various parts of the station with little room to move.Union station on New Year’s byu/skipper_8 inTTCCityNews reached out to Metrolinx to ask about any potential maintenance issues, though the transit agency says the main reason for the congestion was the sheer number of people.“It appears that the videos in question were taken at a time when bars close and when volume would be higher with customers waiting for their train, bus or the subway,” said Metrolinx Media Relations in a statement.“Significant planning and preparation is done for major events like New Year’s Eve to accommodate the expected increased customer volumes at these times. Volumes in our concourses are also directly impacted by TTC service changes as additional people waiting for t...

Rays shortstop Wander Franco arrested amid allegations of relationship with minor, AP source says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:52 GMT

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was arrested Monday in the Dominican Republic after being interviewed by prosecutors investigating him for an alleged relationship with a minor, according to an official in the Puerto Plata province prosecutor’s office.Franco appeared before prosecutors while accompanied by two lawyers, days after not showing up for a meeting with prosecutor Olga Diná Llaverías, according to the official, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to discuss the case. The official said the interview lasted nearly three hours.Llaverías had originally requested Franco appear Dec. 28, two days after prosecutors and police visited two of Franco’s properties in Baní, the All-Star player’s hometown some 37 miles (60 kilometers) southwest of the capital, to request his appearance. They did not find the 22-year-old player there.Authorities have released little informat...

Ethiopia and a breakaway Somali region sign a deal giving Ethiopia access to the sea, leaders say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:52 GMT

MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) — Landlocked Ethiopia took the first steps toward gaining access to the sea on Monday, signing an agreement in the capital of Addis Ababa with the breakaway Somali region of Somaliland to access the Somaliland coastline.The memorandum of understanding was signed by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi.As part of the deal, Somaliland plans to lease a 20-km (12.4-mile) stretch of land along its coastline to Ethiopia to establish a marine force base, Abdi said at the signing.With a population estimated at over 120 million, Ethiopia is the most populous landlocked country in the world.The agreement strengthens the security, economic and political partnership between Ethiopia and Somaliland, a statement from the Ethiopian prime minister’s office said.Somaliland President Abdi said the agreement included a statement that Ethiopia would recognize Somaliland as an independent country in the near future.Somaliland seceded fro...

6 injured in North Lawndale crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:52 GMT

CHICAGO — A crash on the city's West Side left six people injured and a bus stop shelter badly damaged on Monday.The crash happened around 12:30 p.m. near Central Park Avenue and Roosevelt Road in North Lawndale. Driver crashes into tree near ice rink in Millennium Park Two damaged vehicles were spotted at the scene, including one that was still lodged inside a CTA bus stop shelter.Six people were hospitalized following the crash, but the extent of their injuries is currently unknown.Currently, it is unclear what led to the crash.

NASCAR legend Cale Yarborough dies at 84

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:52 GMT

FLORENCE, S.C. (WBTW) -- NASCAR legend Cale Yarborough has died at 84 after a long illness. Yarborough died early Sunday morning at McLeod Hospice in Florence, South Carolina, according to his family. NASCAR Chairman and CEO Jim France released a statement following Yarborough's death:“Cale Yarborough was one of the toughest competitors NASCAR has ever seen. His combination of talent, grit and determination separated Cale from his peers, both on the track and in the record book. He was respected and admired by competitors and fans alike and was as comfortable behind the wheel of a tractor as he was behind the wheel of a stock car. On behalf of the France family and NASCAR, I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Cale Yarborough.”Cale Yarborough is pictured at the 1978 Pocono 500 / NASCAR Winston Cup Series Coca-Cola 500 at Pocono Raceway. (Photo by Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)During his career, Yarborough won 83 races, tying Jimmie Johns...

Upper Red Lake vehicle restrictions issued after recent incidents on poor ice

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:52 GMT

BELTRAMI COUNTY, Minn. — Due to continued incidents of anglers becoming stranded on and breaking through the ice on Upper Red Lake, vehicles are not permitted to access the lake in the area under Beltrami County’s jurisdiction.According to a release from Beltrami County Sheriff Jason Riggs, per Minnesota Statute 86B.106, vehicles are barred from driving on Upper Red Lake until the sheriff rescinds this order, which took effect at sunset Saturday.“Snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles and all motorized vehicles are prohibited from going on the ice,” the release said. “A violation of this order is a misdemeanor under Minnesota Statute. If convicted, fines, penalties and restitution may be sought by Beltrami County.”Riggs has been in contact with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Commissioner and director of the Department of Natural Resources Enforcement Division Colonel Rod Smith regarding this ...

St. Louis home riddled with bullets during short-term rental party

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:52 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A New Year's Eve party took a terrifying turn during what neighbors call a short-term rental party in St. Louis.Chris Chesley did not hear anything out of the ordinary but he certainly saw the aftermath while walking his dog Monday in the 4300 block of Hunt Avenue."It just seemed like a normal New Years. People were lighting off fireworks and doing things like that," Chesley said. "I'm surprised something like this happened in this neighborhood. It's really been an up-and-coming neighborhood."The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department is investigating an apparent drive-by shooting.One neighbor, who asked to be identified as JB, said he heard it all."A lot of gunshots from an automatic weapon. It sounded like a small machine gun," JB said.Neighbors said the home is used as a short-term rental. FOX 2 found it available for rent on the website Airbnb. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now ...

New pathway to become a licensed social worker in Illinois coming in 2024

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:52 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) - Aspiring clinical social workers can become licensed in the New Year even if they do not pass their licensure exam the first time. State Senator Karina Villa (D-West Chicago) sponsored a law that allows potential social workers to complete another 3,000 hours of supervised professional experience under a licensed clinical social worker if they do not pass the exam. The law takes effect on Jan. 1. Aspiring social workers will still have to complete other requirements, like having a master's degree and 3,000 hours of clinical supervision before seeking licensure. The exam will also remain as a way to get a social work license. New IL law to end fake ‘final notice’ mailings The first-time pass rates in Illinois for the social work exam vary heavily by race and ethnicity. White individuals have the highest pass rate at 82.5%, while Asian individuals have a pass rate of 70%. Hispanic individuals pass the exam on the first try 59.6% of the time, and Black ind...

1 dead, 1 hospitalized after vehicle drove into water in Thornton overnight

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:57:52 GMT

One person is dead and another person is hospitalized after driving their vehicle off the road and into water in Thornton early Monday morning, Colorado State Patrol confirmed.Colorado State Patrol received a call about the incident at 2:23 a.m. Monday morning and responded to Colorado Highway 44 and McKay Road, said CSP Trooper Gabriel Moltrer.Colorado State Patrol called for a water rescue and shut down surrounding roads. The roads have since been opened.Related ArticlesCrashes and Disasters | Denver police investigating early morning fatal crash Crashes and Disasters | Multiple overnight shootings ring in Denver metro area’s New Year Crashes and Disasters | Denver kicks off New Year’s Day with mild, sunny weather with chance of snow later in week Crashes and Disasters | Commerce City Police searching for homicide suspect Additional details about the crash and victims were not yet available, Moltrer said.S...