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Lawsuit alleging ex-deputy falsified arrest report settled for $250K

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:58 GMT

MOUNT VERNON, Wash. (AP) — A lawsuit filed by a Washington oyster farmer accusing a former county deputy of falsifying an arrest report and urging a person to lie during a domestic-violence investigation has been settled for $250,000. Gerardo Rodarte, the owner of Samish Gold Seafoods, sued Skagit County and former deputy Joseph Gutierrez in 2020, after Rodarte was acquitted by a jury of domestic-violence assault charges, The Seattle Times reported.The charges were based on the deputy’s sworn statement and reports. Court documents show Gutierrez, who was fired in 2018 over allegations of having sex while on duty and failing to aid other officers during a jail escape, refused to testify at trial. Rodarte’s lawsuit alleged that Gutierrez conspired with Rodarte’s niece, who was also an oyster farm employee, to falsely accuse her uncle of assaulting her in exchange for help with her immigration status.The niece called the Sheriff’s Office on June 7, 2017, and claimed she had been assaul...

Report: Buffalo’s snow-removal equipment, communications fell short during deadly blizzard

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:58 GMT

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo’s snow-removal fleet was no match for the historic Christmas week blizzard that left 31 people dead in the city, and officials fell short in issuing warnings and providing shelter, according to a report released Friday. The 175-page review of the city’s response by New York University’s Wagner Graduate School of Public Service found shortcomings in snow-removal resources, utilities and communications as hurricane-force winds and whiteout conditions raged for 37 hours, trapping people in freezing homes and cars.“Rescue vehicles got stuck in the snow or frozen to the ground, rescuers became disoriented and lost, emergency vehicles couldn’t get through, and motorists got stranded,” according to the report, which said the blizzard lasted longer than any prior storm below 5,000 feet of elevation in continental U.S. history.A total of 46 people died across Erie County, which is home to Buffalo. Mayor Byron Brown commissioned the report amid q...

Washington man climbing Mount Rainier dies near summit

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:58 GMT

MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK, Wash. (AP) — A Washington state man who was trying to summit Mount Rainier this week collapsed and died near the top of the mountain in the national park, officials said.National Park Service officials said Friday that Brian Harper, of Bremerton, collapsed about 7:30 a.m. Wednesday near the top of the 14,441-foot (4,402-meter) mountain while on a guided climb led by Alpine Ascents International. Guides could not detect a pulse and CPR on the 41-year-old was unsuccessful, officials said.Climbing guides with Alpine Ascents and Rainier Mountaineering worked with National Park Service climbing and aviation rangers to bring Harper’s body down from the summit. Weather conditions were “finally favorable” for a park helicopter to complete the mission around 10:30 a.m. Thursday, official said. The Pierce County Medical Examiner will determine a cause of death. The Associated Press

Lawsuit shows how murdered man came to live with his alleged killer, Raul Meza Jr.

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:58 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Court records reveal new details about how a convicted killer -- accused of more murders -- was able to move into the home of one of his suspected victims. TIMELINE: What we know of Raul Meza’s criminal history KXAN investigators discovered a 2012 lawsuit filed by Jesse Fraga, a former probation officer, along with his wife and a third plaintiff listed as “John Doe.” KXAN has learned Doe was a pseudonym for Raul Meza Jr. – who police believe brutally killed Fraga in May and committed a separate murder in 2019. Police are investigating Meza in connection to other cold cases, as well.Meza pleaded guilty to murdering 8-year-old Kendra Page in 1982. After Meza was released from prison in 1993, Fraga and his wife befriended Meza through their church, along with other couples from the congregation.Court records state the Fragas invited Meza “to Bible studies, which he attended, and helped him find housing and employment. The Fragas even allowed [Meza] to live in their ...

Records: Man gets 7 years for manslaughter related to motorcycle crash that killed 2 in Leander

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:58 GMT

LEANDER, Texas (KXAN) — A man was sentenced to serve seven years in state prison following a September 2022 crash that killed two people in Williamson County.Cody James Landrum, 25 at the time of the crash, pleaded guilty to two manslaughter charges May 18, according to Williamson County court documents. RELATED: Man arrested in connection with fatal Leander motorcycle crash According to past KXAN coverage, Police said Landrum’s vehicle struck a motorcycle near the intersection of RM 2243 and 183A Toll Road in Leander around 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30, 2022.Jeremy Moore, 49, and Angela Barry, 46, were on the motorcycle when they were hit from behind by Landrum, according to police. Both Moore and Barry died at the scene of the crash.Records showed Landrum had a jail credit of 231 days going toward his sentence.

Twins’ Byron Buxton bruised but nothing broken after painful plunking

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:58 GMT

Byron Buxton was not able to dodge the fastball that caught him square in the ribs during Thursday’s game, but a day later he feels as though he dodged a bullet.With X-rays showing no broken ribs, Buxton is considered to be day to day as he deals with the pain that had him sleeping in a chair Thursday night. It was not a quality night’s sleep, partly due to the uncertainty of the extent of the injury.“A little bit,” he said when asked if he felt better the day after. “I think, too, not knowing puts a lot in your head, too. To know nothing is wrong, just bruises, for me that’s a big positive. Most of the time I’m on the other end of that kind of deal.”Buxton, one of the best defensive center fielders in the game, is a full-time designated hitter this season, the move made in hopes of helping to keep him in the lineup.Buxton has dealt with a number of injuries since making his major league debut in 2015. He has managed to play as many as 140 games in a season only once, in 2017, and h...

Police: Albany man drove with woman on hood of car

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:58 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- An arrest has been made after a woman was seen clinging onto the hood of a moving car in Albany.Around 12:15 p.m. Friday, police were called to the area of Henry Johnson Boulevard and Livingston Avenue for reports of a man driving with a woman on the hood of the car. The vehicle was later found by police parked in the area of First and Judson Streets. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The driver, Bishop Fraser, 20, was arrested and charged with one count of Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree. Police said he was driving at a high rate of speed while a 19-year-old woman was on the hood. No injuries were reported.More charges are possible.

CDTA helping highlight resources, prevention for Alzheimer's

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:58 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month, and advocates are partnering with a local organization to promote brain health. The Alzheimer's Association of Northeastern New York and the CDTA teamed up for the Driving Out Alzheimer's campaign.CDTA staff will be wearing purple shirts over the weekend to raise awareness. Buses will also have signs directing people to brain health resources. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! "We want the community to know that there are things you can do to protect your brain health, to promote healthy aging, and to reduce your risk for developing Alzheimer's and dementia. Exercise, a good diet, good sleep habits," NYS Alzheimer's Association Coalition Dir. of Community Outreach Erica Salamida said.More than 400,000 New Yorkers are living with Alzheimer's. The Alzheimer's Association also provides free resources to caregivers.

Students recognized for combating hate

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:58 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The school year is winding down, and students from around New York State were recognized on Friday for their efforts to combat bias and bigotry. The Anti-Defamation League of New York State hosted a No Place for Hate recognition ceremony in Schenectady. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! No Place for Hate educates students about diversity and helps them become advocates for change in their own communities. Organizers said it's important to teach people these lessons at a young age and empower them to create the world they hope to see."You guys are the youth, and you're the next generation, and I really admire the work that you're doing in your schools, because you are paving the way for what's next to come," Youth FX Lead Educator Camille Dobbs said.They also recognized educators and community members who have gone above and beyond to root out hate.

Ari Harms, missing Colorado River kayaker, passionate about helping others, friends say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:35:58 GMT

Lizz Mueller, left, has been friends with Ari Harms for about 7 years. Harms has been missing since Sunday, when he entered the fast-moving Colorado River in a kayak in Grand County. (Provided by Lizz Mueller)As the search continues for an Edgewater man who has not been seen since entering the fast-moving Colorado River in a kayak on Sunday, colleagues and friends in Denver recall him as a tireless champion of people in need.Ari Harms, who has a master’s degree in international human rights from the University of Denver Josef Korbel School of International Studies, has worked for several Denver nonprofits where he helped people secure housing and other resources.“Ari has that sense of passion for the underserved and those without a voice in the community,” said Ron Buzzard, managing director of the ECDC African Community Center of Denver. “His sense of justice coupled with his sense of joy for life, it’s hard to find that kind of spirit within an indivi...