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Travis County to get new department set on easing access to 'effective legal representation'

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:00 GMT

TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — The Travis County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday to create a new holistic defense Community Legal Services (CSL) department.The court said it voted to approve the job description for the county executive for the new CLS department and created a new county executive for Data, Policy and Performance Management from the former Justice & Public Safety Department.“Tuesday’s action is a significant step towards a more fair and equitable criminal legal system - driving action to implement counsel at first appearance, supporting growth of public defender’s office, and implementing and improving diversion efforts,” the court said.Travis County officials said the approval came after a months-long process that engaged the community to receive feedback and develop the descriptions, responsibilities and offices managed by the newly approved positions."It is essential for everyone in Travis County to have access to a criminal justice system that prioritizes ef...

Council member pushes for prompt response from city manager over no AC in AFD vehicles

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An Austin City Council member is pressing for a prompt response from the city over a lack of air conditioning in more than 20 Austin Fire Department vehicles. Council Member Mackenzie Kelly, who represents District 6, said in a social media post more than 20 fire trucks in Austin lack AC, putting firefighters at risk. Central Texas has been experiencing record-breaking heat this summer and is currently experiencing its seventh-longest streak of triple-digit heat in recorded history. Austin’s streak of consecutive 100° days is the 7th-longest in recorded history Kelly submitted a memorandum to Interim City Manager Jesús Garza, asking him to address the issue immediately. She said in the memo that the lack of AC in the trucks "poses significant health and safety risks to our brave firefighters and jeopardizes the department's ability to respond effectively to emergencies. This is not only a concern for the firefighters but also poses a risk to public safety." The m...

Gophers AD Mark Coyle: “I have not heard” allegations of culture problems under P.J. Fleck

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:00 GMT

INDIANAPOLIS — Online outlet Front Office Sports reported Wednesday that several former Gophers football players have described an environment of “intimidation and toxicity” within P.J. Fleck’s program.Athletics Director Mark Coyle issued a statement to the Pioneer Press in response to an article written by A.J. Perez.“I always encourage all of our student-athletes, including every member of our football team, to reach out to me directly if they encounter any issues,” Coyle said. “To date, I have not heard from a single football student-athlete about the allegations raised in the reporter’s email.”Perez’s piece granted anonymity to scholarship players and staff members.Fleck and three Gopher players will speak at Big Ten Media Days on Thursday.You’re welcome?Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano said Wednesday at Big Ten Media Days that his current coaching staff is the “best” of his whole career. Schiano, in part, the Gophers to thank.Schiano hired away former U offensive coordinat...

Minneapolis considers minimum wage for Uber, Lyft drivers

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:00 GMT

By TRISHA AHMED (Associated Press/Report for America)MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Drivers for Uber, Lyft and other rideshare companies would get a minimum wage in Minneapolis if a city ordinance passes as early as next month, City Council members said Tuesday at a news conference.Under the ordinance, drivers would get at least $1.40 per mile and $0.51 per minute, or $5, whichever is greater. The rule would only apply for the portion of the ride within the city. Uber and Lyft “cannot continue to collect billions of dollars off the backs of drivers, like the ones here today, while those very drivers struggle to cover their rent, childcare costs, health care bills, and so many other basic necessities,” said Minneapolis council member Robin Wonsley, who identifies as a democratic socialist and is the lead author of the proposed ordinance.Farxan Bedel said he has been driving for Uber and Lyft since 2018 to support his family.“We just want fair compensation,” Bedel sa...

Fort Ticonderoga opens history maze

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:00 GMT

TICONDEROGA, N.Y. (NEWS10) - This August, Fort Ticonderoga has created new ways to enjoy its historic grounds. Get ready to get a-maze-d. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Fort Ticonderoga's new Heroic Corn Maze opens this Saturday, July 29, spanning six acres. It's divided into two phases, giving visitors a chance at an easier trial run before taking on the bigger, badder maze. The halls of corn are dotted with clues tied to the history of the fort, which visitors can use to march their way through its twists and turns to victory."We look forward to continue welcoming thousands of families this summer where the learning is easy and memories are made of historic proportions,” said Beth L. Hill, Fort Ticonderoga President and CEO. “New summer offerings bring visitors into Fort Ticonderoga's epic story through hands-on activities, programs and exhibitions that ignite the spark for families and the joy of learning together while gai...

Francis Howell School Board might consider a revised version of anti-racism resolution

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:00 GMT

O'FALLON, Mo. (AP) — The president of the Missouri school board that voted to revoke its anti-racism resolution now says the resolution could be kept, but revised.The Francis Howell School Board in 2020 adopted a resolution against racism at the height of the national reckoning that followed the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. Control of the board flipped over the past two years, with conservatives winning elections, and it voted 5-2 last week to let the resolution expire.But in a Facebook post Tuesday, board President Adam Bertrand said that although support for the 2020 resolution as written is unlikely, “there may be support of a rewrite or modification.” Bertrand said member Mark Ponder will seek input from other board members and the community, “to move towards a draft that he feels the majority of the current board feels the community could support.”Messages left Wednesday with Bertrand and Ponder were not immediately returned. Stay of execu...

Missouri dispatcher helps dad deliver twins at home

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:00 GMT

CAMDENTON, Mo. -- Police say that Communications Officer Amy Hufferd coached a man, whose wife was giving birth prematurely in their home, through the birthing process. She delivered a set of twins. An ambulance arrived at the scene later and the mother and babies were healthy.  “Ecstatic it's probably the best call I have ever taken,” Hufferd said, recounting her experience. She explains this was the first time she ever took a call like that. Hufferd is also a mother of twins. She will receive a dispatcher headset stork lapel pin to wear with her uniform. "Some days all the training kicks in and, as a result, two new babies are delivered safely," said Sergeant Scott Hines.

University City man charged with battering partner in front of children

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - A University City man was jailed over the weekend on allegations of beating his partner in front of their children.According to a report filed by the University City Police Department, the incident occurred on the morning of July 22 inside a home near Fogerty Park.Police claim Raymundo Rodriguez got into an argument with the mother of their children. The woman then attempted to walk away from the argument toward a set of stairs. At that point, Rodriguez grabbed the woman by her hair and began punching her in the face as they both descended the stairs. Stay of execution granted for Johnny Johnson The victim suffered a concussion, a broken nose, and cuts on her face and mouth. She required 10 stitches to her lip.The couple's two children witnessed the incident, police said.The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office charged Rodriguez with first-degree domestic assault and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Rodriguez remains in custody on...

Colorado man confesses to killing Sterling woman in Missouri, leads investigators to body

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:00 GMT

A Colorado man confessed to killing a Sterling woman in Missouri and leaving her body in a wooded area, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP).On May 4, the MSHP began investigating the disappearance of Sarah Tafoya, 37, of Sterling, Colorado. A man who said he was her estranged husband had reported her missing and said he had last spoken with her on May 1, MSHP said. A family member told Denver7 that she had also reported Tafoya missing.The man said she had told him that she was somewhere in Clay County, Missouri with a man named Benjamin T. Simmons, 36, of Fort Morgan. She said she “needed help,” the estranged husband told authorities, according to MSHP.About three weeks after the investigation began, a witness contacted authorities to report that Simmons had confessed to killing Tafoya in a Kansas City area hotel. The witness said Simmons said he had disposed of her body in a wooded area in Clay County, according to MSHP.Related ArticlesCrime and Public...

6 malnourished horses rescued in Parker, owner cited for animal cruelty

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 20:54:00 GMT

Douglas County Sheriff’s deputies and enforcement officers rescued six horses from land in Parker after receiving an anonymous complaint about abuse, officials announced on Wednesday.Related ArticlesColorado News | Rocky Mountain goat kid dies suddenly at the Denver Zoo Colorado News | Grading The Week: Why does it feel like Broncos’ kicking competition is only going to make us miss Brandon McManus more? Colorado News | Kansas man pleads guilty to poaching moose in Colorado Colorado News | Ultimate souvenir: “Coors Field Cat” Smokey is up for adoption Colorado News | Denver Zoo specialist turns to her go-to pregnancy tea to help cure orangutan’s morning sickness When deputies went to the land off Piney Lake Road on Thursday, they saw several horses that were malnourished “and they documented that the animals’ rib cages and hip bones were protruding from their bodies,” ...