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John Shipley: Darryl Strawberry’s St. Paul stay was short, but it definitely left a mark

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:39:41 GMT

The St. Paul Saints didn’t save Darryl Strawberry, but his brief stay here in the early summer of 1996 stands as a high point in what wound up being — despite addiction, suspensions, cancer and ultimately a short jail term — a splendid baseball career.And a wonderful life. Sober, living with his family in a suburb west of St  Louis, Darryl Strawberry is comfortable in his own skin, preaching the Gospel and sharing his story of addiction and salvation.“There were a lot of opinions saying, ‘Well, let’s see how long this lasts,’ ” Strawberry said Friday from the home dugout at CHS Field. “It’s been over 20-some years that I’ve been preaching, and they’re still waiting for me to come back. … They’re going to be waiting a long time.”Strawberry was in St. Paul on Friday because the Saints are retiring his No. 17 jersey during a ceremony before Saturday night’s game against Louisville. He was only in St. Paul for 29 games in early summer 1996, but it was...

Cannabis rollout remains on pause per judge's order

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:39:41 GMT

KINGSTON, N.Y. (WTEN) -- A legal battle continues over the license to sell marijuana in New York. A group of four veterans claim the current process unfairly kept them out of the running to open up shop, now putting the entire program on pause in the state. Amal Tlaige was in Ulster County Court where a torn judge weighed the balance of what to do next.Before court started – current licensed retailers gathered outside the Ulster county court house to voice their concerns about this process. Inside Court, the hearing lasted two hours, weighing the impact of what’s right and how to move forward. First responders urge caution around Fawn’s Leap following several recent rescues Up for debate is the qualifications for how marijuana dispensary licenses are issued. Currently, applicants had to be previously convicted of a marijuana related offense and have some experience owning and operating a business in New York. The veterans suing argue that under the Marijuana Regulation a...

Unusual jet stream pattern keeps severe storms looming around St. Louis

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:39:41 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The stormy weather pattern slamming the St. Louis region since early July isn’t going anywhere just yet. So far, the month of July and the beginning of August have been the main culprits for a pattern known as a "jet stream."Jet streams are relatively narrow bands of strong wind in the upper levels of the atmosphere. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, jet streams form when warm air masses meet cold air masses. An unstable jet stream could also lead to severe heat waves or, like recently, excessive amounts of rain and storm threats. St. Louis County prosecutor not licensed attorney, must resubmit 114 cases “We’ve been kind of stuck in a pattern that’s more reminiscent of late May and June," said Jayson Gosselin, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in St. Louis. "The jet stream is not in Canada like it’s supposed to be, it's more in our neck of the woods." The jet stream is the main driver of many recent storm systems. When i...

CU Buffs have high expectations for re-stocked receiver room: “Multiple of us can go for 1,000 yards.”

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:39:41 GMT

BOULDER — It’s been a few years since the Buffs aired it out, but according to the CU wideouts, that’s all about to change this fall.Last year, the Buffs ranked 118th in the nation at 172.9 passing yards per game. The year before that, they were 126th (131.3). Now with nearly all-new personnel, the Buffs pass-catchers believe quarterback Shedeur Sanders is ready to rack up yardage in his first year in offensive coordinator Sean Lewis’ up-tempo system.“We’re trying to be one of the best (passing games) in the country,” receiver Xavier Weaver said. “(Shedeur) can do a whole lot with the receivers he’s got. Multiple of us can go for 1,000 yards. That’s how big the expectation is this year.”If Weaver’s bold prediction comes true, it would mark just the second time in program history CU had more than one 1,000-yard receiver, with the first instance coming in 1992. That year, Charles E. Johnson (1,149) and Michael Wes...

Denver homebuyers see some relief as closed price-to-list price ratio drops

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:39:41 GMT

With a near-record low number of homes available in the Denver metro in July, it’s still officially a seller’s market. Still, some buyers are seeing a little relief as the closed price-to-list price ratio dropped slightly below 100%.“Anecdotally, listing agents aren’t seeing the bidding wars from 2021 and early 2022 or the strong offers with no contingencies,” says Colleen Covell, a member of the Denver Metro Association of Realtors market trends committee and realtor at Mile Hi Modern.“Burdened with high-interest rate loans, buyers feel entitled to take their time, wait for the best home to suit their needs, and then negotiate for all necessary repairs and seller concessions.”According to the monthly report from the Denver Metro Association of Realtors, July’s housing market continued to be sluggish, with only 6,299 active listings at month’s end, a 4% increase over June’s 6,071. Historically, the average number of active ...

Possible stolen van driver in custody after leading CHP officers on slow-speed chase in South Bay

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:39:41 GMT

The driver of a possibly stolen van is in custody after leading authorities on a slow-speed chase in Los Angeles County's South Bay Friday afternoon. The chase began around 2:10 p.m. on the southbound 710 Freeway from the Pacific Coast Highway, according to the California Highway Patrol.By 3 p.m. the van was leading authorities on surface streets in Torrance and soon made its way to Redondo Beach, aerial video from Sky5 showed. The driver continued slowly through Manhattan Beach and then Hermosa Beach, and maneuvered through traffic while several CHP units remained in tow.The driver of a possible stolen ditches the vehicle after a slow-speed chase on Aug. 11, 2023. (KTLA) Just before 3:30 p.m., however, the driver ditched the van and ran out into a cul-de-sac on George Freeth Way in Redondo Beach before getting down on the ground and being taken into custody by officers, aerial video showed.

Cast of 'Parks and Recreation' reunite on L.A. picket line

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:39:41 GMT

"Pawnee is a union town." Actors and creatives from the classic NBC sitcom "Parks and Recreation" reunited on Friday to protest outside the Amazon Studios building in Culver City.Social media posts shared by the cast and crew of the beloved comedy series showed them gathering to protest as part of the ongoing strikes involving the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).Carrying signs and sporting nametags and Pawnee-inspired gear, the team behind "Parks and Rec" took to the picket line on the same week that the WGA strike eclipsed 100 days and the SAG-AFTRA strike approached three weeks. Among those in attendance were show co-creator Mike Schur, and main cast members Aubrey Plaza, Nick Offerman, Adam Scott, Retta and Jim O'Heir.But it wasn't just those with top billing to show up for the reunion — plenty of Pawnee's most well-known and divisive citizens also gathered as if it were one of the show's b...

Mexican authorities investigate 4th killing at Tijuana hotel frequented by Downey man accused of killing 3 women

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:39:41 GMT

Mexican officials say they are investigating the death of a fourth woman at a Tijuana hotel frequented by a California man who is the subject of extradition proceedings to face charges in connection with the killings of at least three women in the border city across from San Diego.Former Baja California Attorney General Ricardo Iván Carpio Sánchez said the case shared similarities to the other three killings and authorities are seeing if there is any tie to Bryant Rivera. The resident of Los Angeles suburb Downey was arrested July 6 on a femicide charge in the strangulation death of Angela Carolina Acosta Flores, whose body was found in a hotel room in Tijuana on Jan. 25, 2022.Bryant Rivera (left in both photos) and Carolina Acosta Flores are seen in photos attached to a federal criminal complaint filed on June 29, 2023. (U.S. Attorney's Office)Mexican officials have said once Rivera is extradited, they plan to present evidence to add charges for the deaths of two more women in Tiju...

La Mirada adds cameras to popular park due to reports of 'criminal issues'

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:39:41 GMT

The City of La Mirada has installed 20 cameras at eight different locations within a popular park following a rise in "criminal issues."The 20 cameras have been installed at Creek Park, a 26-acre outdoor space which is located on Santa Gertrudes Avenue.City officials said the cameras were installed to ensure that the park remains "safe for local families and visitors."The area has seen regular instances of graffiti and property damage within the park, and a lighted tunnel underneath the Imperial Highway has also been the site of "criminal issues and nuisance activities."This undated photo provided by the City of La Mirada shows one of 20 new public safety resource cameras at Creek Park.The cameras feature 4K resolution and are pointed in publicly accessible areas within the park. Footage can be viewed by the public in real-time and the video captured is stored for 30 days, city officials said.City Manager Jeff Boynton said the cameras are meant to assist authorities, volunteers and ...

Alexander Verhoeven Dies in Motorcycle Accident on Highway 99 [Sacramento, CA]

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 10:39:41 GMT

27-Year-Old Man Fatally Struck in Motorcycle Collision near 12th AvenueSACRAMENTO, CA (August 11, 2023) – Thursday night, Alexander Verhoeven was killed in a motorcycle accident on Highway 99.Around 10:25 p.m., police responded to the scene just south of 12th Avenue after receiving dispatch calls in the area.Per reports, five vehicles including a motorcycle were involved in the collision. Officers also say the motorcyclist was ejected onto the road where he was struck by a vehicle.Due to the extent of injuries sustained, medics pronounced 27-year-old Verhoeven dead at the scene.Following preliminary duties, officers do not believe that drugs or alcohol played a factor. At this time, an active investigation to determine further information is still currently underway.The team at Sweet James offers their warm and sincerest sympathies to the friends and family of Alexander Verhoeven. May you find comfort and strength during this difficult time.Losing a loved one in a motorcycle a...