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Appellate court rules that Missouri man with schizophrenia can be executed after all

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:45:24 GMT

The planned execution of a 45-year-old Missouri man with schizophrenia is back on after an appellate court reversed course Saturday. Johnny Johnson is scheduled to receive a lethal injection Tuesday at the state prison in Bonne Terre for killing 6-year-old Casey Williamson after trying to sexually assault her in 2002.With questions swirling about his mental competency, the execution was halted last Tuesday by a divided three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court. But after the Missouri Attorney General’s Office asked that the full court reconsider, that decision was reversed in a 7-3 ruling.The case will likely end up before the U.S. Supreme Court before the scheduled execution date.Attorneys for Johnson have claimed his schizophrenia prevents him from understanding the link between his crime and the punishment. They have also said Johnson has delusions about the devil using his death to bring about the end of the world.The Missouri Supreme Court in June declined to halt the exe...

Woman arrested, second suspect outstanding after vehicle theft in Regent Park

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:45:24 GMT

Toronto police have arrested one person and are looking for one other suspect in a motor vehicle theft investigation in Regent Park.On June 19, an unknown suspect allegedly entered a vehicle in the King Street East and River Street area that did not belong to them, started the ignition and drove out of the area.The suspect then drove the vehicle to a parking lot and met the accused who took possession of the vehicle and moved it to another location.Investigators identified the accused who was involved in the theft and the vehicle has been recovered. The second suspect remains outstanding.On July 13, a Criminal Code Search Warrant was executed at a residential address and the accused was located inside.The accused, Alexandra Sandy Kottaras, 47, of Toronto, was arrested and charged with possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and mischief – damage of property over $5,000.Kottaras was scheduled to appear in court at the Toronto Regional Bail Centre on July 14.

Judge blocks Arkansas law allowing librarians to be criminally charged over ‘harmful’ materials

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:45:24 GMT

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Arkansas is temporarily blocked from enforcing a law that would have allowed criminal charges against librarians and booksellers for providing “harmful” materials to minors, a federal judge ruled Saturday.U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks issued a preliminary injunction against the law, which also would have created a new process to challenge library materials and request that they be relocated to areas not accessible by kids. The measure, signed by Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders earlier this year, was set to take effect Aug. 1.A coalition that included the Central Arkansas Library System in Little Rock had challenged the law, saying fear of prosecution under the measure could prompt libraries and booksellers to no longer carry titles that could be challenged.The judge also rejected a motion by the defendants, which include prosecuting attorneys for the state, seeking to dismiss the case.The ACLU of Arkansas, which represents some of the plaintif...

Firefighter killed while battling Donnie Creek wildfire in B.C.

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:45:24 GMT

A firefighter has been killed while fighting the massive Donnie Creek wildfire in northeastern British Columbia, marking the second such fatality in the province this month during this year’s record fire season.The BC Wildfire Service has confirmed that a contract firefighter crew member was killed yesterday in the Prince George Fire Centre area, which includes the almost 6,000-square-kilometre Donnie Creek blaze.The offices of both B.C. Premier David Eby and Forests Minister Bruce Ralston say the firefighter, who has not been identified publicly, died while fighting the Donnie Creek wildfire.On July 13, 19-year-old Devyn Gale died while she was fighting a wildfire near Revelstoke, B.C., after she was struck by a falling tree.Eby says in his statement that the most recent fatality coming so soon after Gale’s death “has shaken people throughout” the province and devastated the firefighting community.Statistics from the provincial wildfire service show there ar...

8 dogs died from extreme heat in the Midwest during unairconditioned drive

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:45:24 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — At least eight dogs died of heat -related injuries after being transported in the back of an uncooled cargo van through northern Indiana Thursday night, authorities said. The dogs that died were among 18 shepherds traveling from O’Hare International Airport in Chicago to a training facility in Michigan City, Indiana, police said.The driver, whom police did not name, said he was unaware that the air conditioning in the cargo area failed until he heard dogs barking. Then, he pulled off Interstate 94 at a convenience store and gas station in Lake Station, Indiana. When he opened the back, the driver found several dogs dead and others suffering. Numerous store employees and passersby stepped in to aid the dogs.Jennifer Webber, executive director of the Humane Society of Hobart, responded to the call at 7:40 p.m. and said the dogs displayed signs of heatstroke: Salivating heavily, wobbling, vomiting and convulsing. “There were already several dogs dead on t...

25-year-old wildfire fighter dies battling fire near Fort St. John, B.C.

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:45:24 GMT

A contract wildfire fighter died Friday while fighting the Donnie Creek wildfire near Fort St. John, the BC Wildfire Service confirms.In a statement to CityNews, the BCWS says the member was a working crew member in the Prince George Fire Centre, and was injured while “responding to a wildfire.”“The primary concern of the BC Wildfire Service at this time is the privacy of the individual’s family,” the service said.The RCMP, WorkSafe BC, and the BC Wildfire Service are investigating, the service says.Related Articles:Celebration of life held for B.C. wildfire fighter killed near RevelstokeMemorial planned for B.C. wildfire fighter in RevelstokeHelicopter pilot dies fighting fires near Peace River, Alta.In a release, Premier David Eby says he is devastated to learn “we have lost another wildfire fighter.”“My heart goes out to the family, friends, and colleagues of this front-line hero. On behalf of all British Columbians, we grieve this terrib...

Thousands expected at Chinatown's Summer Fair in Chicago

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:45:24 GMT

CHICAGO — More than 40,00 people are expected to attend Chinatown's Summer Fair this weekend. WGN photojournalist Kevin Doellman captured some of the vibrancy of the popular South Side street fair.

More than 20 states in US still suffering from excessive heat

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:45:24 GMT

(The Hill) — More than 20 states across the U.S. are under heat advisories as of Saturday.From the California coast to the Midwest to the Southeast and the North- and Mid-Atlantic, 110 million Americans are facing scorching temperatures that could even get up to triple digits, according to ABC News. Earlier in the week, the National Weather Service warned of “continued excessive summer heat” across the country in a forecast discussion. In the Washington, D.C. region, daily highs sat around 96 degrees Fahrenheit, according to the NWS. In New York City, temperatures topped out at 90 degrees. Democrat mocks Greene after call for decorum: ‘She showed us a d‑‑‑ pic last week’ “Triple-digit heat continues across the southern half of the Plains to the eastern Gulf Coast while cool and unsettled weather continues across the northern Plains toward the Midwest,” the NWS said in their latest forecast discussion on upcoming weather between Monday and Tuesday.The NWS said cooler temperatu...

Two men sentenced to 15 years in prison for roles in 2018 San Marcos murder

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:45:24 GMT

SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) – Two brothers charged in a 2018 San Marcos homicide have been sentenced to 15 years in prison for their roles in the incident. PREVIOUS: One of three men tied to San Marcos murder found guilty, sentenced to 27 years In 2018, 27-year-old Matthew Jacob Rodriguez Jr. was shot and killed in a San Marcos condo parking lot. Adrian Terrell Rose, 29, and brothers Jacob Portier, 32, and Jason Portier, 30, were all arrested in connection with the death. On April 18, Jacob and Jason Portier pled guilty to the felony charge of capital murder and both were sentenced to 15 years in prison. Brothers Jacob Portier (right), 32, and Jason Portier (left), 30, were all arrested in connection with the death. Rose was convicted on August 12, 2022 and sentenced to 27 years in prison.

Everybody’s chasing Lee Hodges at 3M Open

Published Fri, 07 Feb 2025 12:45:24 GMT

In its fifth year as a regular PGA Tour stop, the 3M Open at the TPC Twin Cities in Blaine has never had a wire-to-wire winner. Last year, Tony Finau entered the final round five shots off the lead before winning by three at 17-under par.Lee Hodges and Tyler Duncan  shake hands on the 18th green after completing the third round of the 3M Open on Saturday in Blaine. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)Lee Hodges will try to become the first first-round leader to hold on for a 3M Open victory with the defending champion Finau lurking in familiar position.Hodges shot a 5-under 66 on Saturday to finish the third round at 20-under par, the lowest score in tournament history after three rounds.“It’s going to be hard tomorrow,” Hodges said after his round Saturday. “(J.T. Poston’s) going to play great, Tony Finau, unbelievable golfers behind me. Not like I can go shoot even par tomorrow, I’m going to have to keep making birdies. Yeah, I’m just going to stay aggressive lik...