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Man accused of killing Arvada Police officer takes the stand in his defense

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:05:14 GMT

GOLDEN, Colo. (KDVR) — Jury deliberations are scheduled to begin Thursday morning in the trial of a man accused of killing an Arvada police officer.Officer Dillon Vakoff was gunned down after answering a family disturbance In September of last year. Defendant Sonny Almanza took the stand Wednesday and described the moments before the shooting broke out.  Dressed in a suit, Almanza took the witness stand and told jurors about the events leading up to the shooting. He told the court he did not know he had shot an officer.The Arvada Police Department has said a chaotic disturbance broke out between family members involving custody issues.Almanza said he heard chaos and fighting and grabbed an AR-15 rifle from his apartment. He then went outside to what he said sounded like a brawl. He said he was worried about the people he was trying to protect when he fired his weapon.Almanza said he was trying to defuse the situation and was trying to get people to leave by firing a shot in the air....

Art Basel preview unveiled to VIP crowd at Miami Beach Convention Center ahead of kickoff

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:05:14 GMT

It is one of the most prestigious art shows in the world. Thousands of art lovers are flocking to South Florida for Art Basel.On Wednesday, VIPs got a preview of the big show at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Our own Alex Miranda got past the velvet rope and was there to tell us all about it.If Miami’s feeling a little more fancy and up full than usual…Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner: “We have 80,000 attendees that come, descend on Miami Beach and South Florida, which is an astonishing number.”…that’s because Art Basel is back and 21 years old, which means it’s all grown up now, so let’s party.Noah Horowitz, CEO, Art Basel: “Art Basel has been referred to as the Olympics of the art world.”At the Miami Beach Convention Center — this is the main event, by the way — modern and contemporary art will be on display from Friday through Sunday, with invitation-only previews on Wednesday and Thursday.Noah Horowitz: &...

Waltham police officer killed while working roadside detail, sources say

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:05:14 GMT

A Waltham police officer was struck and killed in a crash that also injured at least three utility workers Wednesday afternoon, 7NEWS sources said. Investigators said a man crashed into the officer in a pickup truck and then stole a police cruiser. State police said the suspect soon crashed the cruiser and was taken into custody after a brief foot pursuit.The crash happened on Totten Pond Road and drew a massive emergency response that continued as of around 9 p.m.While investigators worked in Waltham, law enforcement personnel were also gathered at Lahey Hospital in Burlington where a procession to the state medical examiner’s office in Boston was expected to begin soon. State police in a post on X confirmed a Waltham police officer was injured. Sources said the officer had been working a roadside detail at the time of the crash and later died.National Grid in a separate statement said members of one of its crews were hit by a vehicle “driven by a member of the public” wh...

Report: Bears mulling Soldier Field parking area as new stadium site. Meanwhile, talks resume with schools over Arlington Heights location.

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:05:14 GMT

The Chicago Bears continue to check out a variety of sites in and around Chicago — including the site of Soldier Field — as potential homes for a new stadium, officials said Wednesday.The Bears are doing due diligence on the viability of the south parking lot at Soldier Field as the location for their next stadium, according to unnamed sources cited by The Parkins & Spiegel Show on WSCR-AM 670 The Score.The Bears have proposed building a $5 billion enclosed stadium and entertainment and housing complex on the site of the closed Arlington International Racecourse in Arlington Heights. The project has stalled while the team tries to negotiate favorable property taxes for the site.The Bears reportedly are using the same surveying firm, Compass Surveying Ltd. in Aurora, that they used for Arlington Heights and other potential locations.In response, the Bears would not confirm the report, but issued the following brief statement:“As we stated in September earlier th...

Justin Fields on his future with the Chicago Bears: ‘I’m just focused on what I can control, and the rest is in God’s hands’

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:05:14 GMT

Justin Fields didn’t feel the need to debate whether the speculation about his Chicago Bears future is fair.He has been around Chicago long enough to know the noise comes with the territory, even as it heads toward a fever pitch this month. With five games to play in the NFL season, the Bears have major decisions ahead, and many involve the quarterback position as Fields nears the end of his third season.Will the Bears draft USC quarterback Caleb Williams or North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye this spring if they have the top draft pick, courtesy of the trade with the Carolina Panthers? Will Fields convince the Bears over the final five games to stick with him beyond this season instead? It’s chatter that dominates every sports section, website and radio station in town.But as Fields prepares to start the final stretch against the Detroit Lions on Sunday at Soldier Field, he said he is trying not to stress out about what lies ahead.“Life isn’t fair,” ...

3 dead, 1 recovering after shooting on UNLV campus, suspect dead

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:05:14 GMT

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) —  The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said three people are dead, and one is recovering at an area hospital as a gunman was killed following a shooting on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Wednesday.While police said they knew the suspect's identity, they did not release that information Wednesday, saying they were awaiting notification of his next-of-kin. However, 8 News Now Investigators sources say the suspect is an older white man in his 60s. Those sources said the shooter was a former college professor who recently applied for a job at the university and was denied. He may have also had a connection to a person who works on campus.“What happened today was a heinous, unforgivable crime,” said Kevin McMahill, Sheriff for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. “It’s a crime that we train for each and every day.” LVMPD and University police responded to reports of an active shooter at the UNLV campus at around 11:45 a.m. ...

Helicopter with 5 senior military officials from Guyana goes missing near border with Venezuela

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:05:14 GMT

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) — A military helicopter carrying seven people vanished Wednesday near Guyana’s border with Venezuela, with authorities saying there was bad weather in the area and stressing there was no indication it may have been hit by hostile fire as tensions escalate between the countries.Two crew members aboard the helicopter were taking five senior officers on an inspection of troops guarding a border area that Venezuela claims as its own, according to Army Chief Brig. Gen. Omar Khan.Venezuelan troops with heavy equipment and machinery have been amassing on the border in recent weeks, leading to speculation of an imminent invasion.Khan told reporters late Wednesday that Guyana’s Defense Force lost contact with the brand new Bell 412 EPI aircraft after it took off from Olive Creek settlement in western Guyana following a refueling stop.Asked if the aircraft was shot out of the sky as it flew in a mountainous and heavily forested area, Khan said there are no indications ...

UN chief uses rare power to warn Security Council of impending ‘humanitarian catastrophe’ in Gaza

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:05:14 GMT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres used a rarely exercised power to warn the Security Council on Wednesday of an impending “humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza and urged its members to demand an immediate humanitarian cease-fire.His letter to the council’s 15 members said Gaza’s humanitarian system was at risk of collapse after two months of war that has created “appalling human suffering, physical destruction and collective trauma,” and he demanded civilians be spared greater harm.Guterres invoked Article 99 of the U.N. Charter, which says the secretary-general may inform the council of matters he believes threaten international peace and security. “The international community has a responsibility to use all its influence to prevent further escalation and end this crisis,” he said.U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said he expects the secretary-general to address the Security Council on Gaza this week and to press for a humanitarian cease-fi...

Authorities in Alaska suspend search for boy missing after deadly landslide

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:05:14 GMT

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Authorities have suspended the search for the 12-year-old boy still missing following a deadly landslide in the southeast Alaska community of Wrangell.Five people have been confirmed killed in the landslide and their bodies recovered: Otto Florschutz, Timothy and Beth Heller and two of the couple’s children, Kara Heller, 11, and Mara Heller, 16. Derek Heller remains missing following the Nov. 20 landslide that came down into the path of three homes, one of which was unoccupied. Florschutz’s wife, Christina Florschutz, survived.The City and Borough of Wrangell on Wednesday said the decision to end the search for Derek Heller followed “15 days of tireless and exhaustive efforts” by search and rescue teams.“After careful consideration and evaluation of all available information, it has been determined that all accessible search areas have been thoroughly examined. Search and Rescue volunteers and a scent-detection K9 team will be available to res...

Migrant shelter opens across the street from The Salt Shed

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:05:14 GMT

CHICAGO -- A migrant shelter opened last month directly across the street from The Salt Shed concert venue.According to the City of Chicago, a migrant shelter opened in the 1300 block of North Elston Avenue in the city's West Town neighborhood on Saturday, Nov. 18. 2 busloads of migrants arrive in Chicago, 5 more expected Wednesday A small neighborhood surrounded by North Avenue and Division Avenue, along with the Kennedy Expressway and the Chicago River, busloads of migrants have been dropped off at the Elston shelter over the past four weeks.WGN-TV reached out to city officials to find out how many migrants are being housed at the Elston shelter, but have yet to hear back.As of Wednesday morning, there are 13,460 migrants living in 26 active shelters in Chicago, with 547 still awaiting placement.393 migrants remain in eight of the Chicago Police Department's district police stations, while another 154 are still being kept at O'Hare International Airport. 562 buses have arrived i...