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Large amount of marijuana washes up on Florida beach

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:24:00 GMT

NEPTUNE BEACH, Fla. (WFLA) — That's not seaweed. A large amount of marijuana washed up on Neptune Beach in Florida over the weekend.Neptune Beach police officers said the marijuana washed ashore near Florida Boulevard Saturday. ‘Cocaine Sharks’ may be biting into bales dumped off Florida’s coast, scientists say Officers said a large quantity likely broke open at sea and separated before coming ashore."Before anyone starts thinking about coming out and turning this discovery into your own treasure hunt, we would advise against it," the police department said on Facebook.(Neptune Beach Police Department)(Neptune Beach Police Department)Police said the marijuana quickly began to degrade and rot after it floated in the ocean for some time.Officers and members of the public works team worked to clean the marijuana off the beach.

'Treatment, Not Trauma': Chicago leaders discuss how to address the city's mental health

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:24:00 GMT

CHICAGO -- Health officials and city leaders discussed Monday what's needed to get Chicago on the right track in terms of mental health.The discussed on Monday at city hall centered on what is the future for the city when it comes to mental health and how do we make it more accessible, more diverse and more effective for all.City officials and health professionals marked a first step toward making mental health a focus in the next budget.The first committee meeting on health and human relations was led by Alderwoman Rossana Rodriguez Sanchez.She has been working with the Collaborative for Community Wellness, a movement of 70 organizations around Chicago. Their goal is treatment, not trauma.By hoping to create a multi-pronged mission which seeks to create a 24-hour hotline for mental health emergencies, the establishment of community-based healthcare teams and the elimination of sending police officers to respond to clear-cut mental health crises.It follows a commitment by Mayor Bran...

'Pile of tires and trash' burn Monday in southeast Travis County

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:24:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A fire produced a column of black smoke as it burned Monday afternoon in an area of southeast Travis County. The fire is in the 4500 block of Brandt Road, just north of East Slaughter Lane and west of Bluff Springs Road. The Austin Fire Department said while it's in Travis County ESD No. 11's jurisdiction, AFD is sending units to assist in knocking the fire down.AFD and Travis County ESD No. 11 responded to a fire that produced extremely black smoke Monday on Brandt Road in southeast Travis County. AFD said the fire burned tires and trash. (KXAN photo/Chelsea Moreno)AFD said the fire burned "a pile of tires and trash" in an open field. By 7:30 p.m., AFD said the fire was out and it was clearing the scene while ESD No. 11 firefighters were staying to mop up.Firefighters responded to the blaze around 6:40 p.m., AFD said.

Traffic stops we saw in Austin during a ride-along with Texas DPS

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:24:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- "We continue to operate the same way we were operating as if there was a partnership," said Major Gabriel Ortiz with the Texas Department of Public Safety.KXAN spent six hours on the road with him this month observing traffic stops, learning about Criminal Investigation Division (CID) operations and addressing concerns from community members. Texas Department of Public Safety says it will keep patrolling despite Austin suspending partnership Brianna Hollis, Reporter: There’s been some criticism and concern about DPS unfairly targeting communities of color, what’s your response to that?Major Ortiz: I understand that perception exists, but I would say this. One, I’m Hispanic. I’m a minority, I’ve experienced racism, I understand how important it is for those members of the community to understand they’re being treated fairly. I can tell you right now, if citizens of the community of Austin were being treated unfairly, not only would I raise the issue, but I think ...

Suspect charged in connection with shooting of Washington Technology Magnet school staff member

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:24:00 GMT

A suspect who admitted he grazed a Washington Technology Magnet School staff member with a bullet earlier this year was charged Monday with six felony counts in connection with that shooting and another shooting a week later.Eh Doh Soe, 19, who was charged in connection with the January drive-by shooting outside the Washington Technology Magnet School on Rice Street in St. Paul and with another drive-by shooting less than a week later, allegedly told authorities that he was involved in a string of shootings following the one at the school.On Jan. 20, a school staff member was shot and injured after a fight erupted between two groups of teenagers at the school, police said. The staff member received a minor graze wound to her earlobe and was treated by medics at the scene.According to the complaint, after his arrest on Friday, Soe admitted to being involved in at least three other shootings after the shooting at the school, which serves grades 6-12 with a college preparatory curricul...

St. Paul man identified as victim of fatal shooting in South Minneapolis

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:24:00 GMT

A 34-year-old St. Paul man has been identified as the victim of a fatal shooting last weekend in South Minneapolis, police said.Alex Manual Castro Funes died of a gunshot wound to his right arm, according to the Hennepin County medical examiner’s office.Police were called to Nicollet Avenue and Cecil Newman Lane just before 5:30 a.m. Saturday on a report of a possible overdose victim. When they arrived they found a man who had been shot and was unresponsive. He was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center and was pronounced dead at the hospital.There have been no arrests. Homicide detectives are still investigating.Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safety | St. Paul man gets probation for shooting at ex-girlfriend’s Lakeville home, fleeing police Crime & Public Safety | Appeals court revives victim’s lawsuit over sexual abuse by former South St. Paul teacher Crime & Public Safety | Vikings’ Addison told troop...

St. Paul man gets probation for shooting at ex-girlfriend’s Lakeville home, fleeing police

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:24:00 GMT

A St. Paul man was sentenced to five years of probation Monday for firing more than a dozen shots at his ex-girlfriend’s Lakeville home while she was inside with five others, including three children.Noah Pierre Murph (Courtesy of Dakota County sheriff’s office)Noah Pierre Murph, 21, pleaded guilty to drive-by shooting toward an occupied building and fleeing police in a motor vehicle in connection with last year’s incident, which was sparked by what he believed was his lack of parenting time with his 8-month-old son, according to court records.No one was injured in the shooting.A charge of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon was dismissed as part of a plea agreement Murph reached with Dakota County prosecutors.Murph had no previous felony convictions and faced a presumptive sentence of four years in prison under state sentencing guidelines. However, the prosecution agreed to cap its request at 41 months as part of the plea agreement.Murph’s attorney, John Arech...

Back from pink eye, Twins’ Joey Gallo starts first game in center field

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:24:00 GMT

Joey Gallo didn’t think much of it when he awoke on Friday morning and his eye was red. Jokingly, after arriving at the ballpark, he told a team trainer he thought he might have pink eye.When the trainer replied by telling him that teammate Willi Castro had, in fact, come in earlier that day with pink eye, Gallo realized it might not be a joke after all.Gallo and Castro were inserted into the game late on Sunday, both playing an important role in the comeback win over the Chicago White Sox. Monday, they were both back in the starting lineup for the first time since their diagnosis, and Gallo, who has spent most of his season at first base or in the corner outfield spots, drew his first start of the year in center field.Gallo was supposed to play center, where he has appeared just five times this season, on Friday before he was scratched just before game time.Though he hadn’t made a start there as a Twin until Monday, he had played 61 games in center during his major league career, a...

Ex-Viking Everson Griffen charged with driving under the influence

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:24:00 GMT

A former Minnesota Vikings defensive end was charged with reckless driving and driving while intoxicated this week after he was pulled over in Chanhassen Saturday morning.Everson De Wayne Griffen, 35, of Mound, was pulled over close to 10:30 a.m. Saturday on Powers Boulevard near Utica Lane in Chanhassen while driving a 1968 black Pontiac LeMans.Authorities say his blood alcohol content was .09. He was charged with five misdemeanors in connection with driving under the influence, reckless driving and speeding in a construction zone.Griffen has struggled with mental health issues over the years.While he was with the Vikings, Griffen was placed on the non-football illness list following an incident at his Minnetrista home on Nov. 24, 2021, in which he posted a since-deleted disturbing video on Instagram that showed him holding a handgun and expressing concern for his safety. He called 911 to report an intruder, but none was found. Police and mental health officials worked for several ...

Southbound lanes of I-225 closed due to serious accident

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:24:00 GMT

Southbound lanes of Interstate 225 near Parker Road are being diverted due to a serious accident.Traffic is being diverted at East Iliff Avenue, Aurora Fire Rescue tweeted. Alternate routes are recommended.Aurora Fire is working a serious accident near I225 and Parker Road. Please avoid the area if possible. If you must travel I225, please slow down for first responders.SB I225 traffic is being diverted at Iliff. Follow here for updates. pic.twitter.com/zQL1qxHjW5— Aurora Fire Rescue (@AuroraFireDpt) July 24, 2023#I225 southbound: Road closed due to a crash at Iliff Avenue. Use alternate routes. Expect delays. https://t.co/Xi93sKI3JP— Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) (@ColoradoDOT) July 24, 2023