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Vision Zero report finds drug, alcohol use undercounted in Austin traffic fatality victims

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:27 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- An October Vision Zero report found state crash reports undercounted the prevalence in drug and alcohol use in Austin traffic fatality victims compared to toxicology analyses from the Travis County Medical Examiner's Office.The research analyzed findings from TCME and compared it to analysis collected by the Texas Department of Transportation's crash records information system database, with those typically referred to as CR-3 forms. While Vision Zero's analysis doesn't mean the presence of drugs or alcohol was "a causal factor in all of these crashes," program officials stressed the need to consider more than just crash reports when looking for trends in fatal traffic crashes.Between Jan. 1, 2018 and Dec. 31, 2022, Vision Zero found there were 448 fatal crash victims within Austin's jurisdiction in Travis County. When broken down, that includes 12 cyclist fatalities, 56 passenger fatalities, 38 motorcyclist fatalities, 175 pedestrian fatalities, 161 driver fataliti...

Twins position breakdown: outfield

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:27 GMT

The Twins traded for Michael A. Taylor in late January, expecting he would serve as a backup for Byron Buxton. Instead, Taylor played in 129 games and Buxton did not see a single inning in center field.Over in the corner outfield spots, right fielder Max Kepler overcame a slow start to the season to become one of the Twins’ most productive players, and Matt Wallner established himself in left field.2023 RECAPWhen the Twins first devised a plan ahead of last season to ease Buxton in, the expectation was that he would start the season at DH and then eventually shift back to the outfield when his knee allowed.That never happened.It wasn’t until the very end of the season that the Twins tried Buxton out in center field — and that was in a single minor-league game. With Buxton out of the center field picture, that opened up every-day playing time for Taylor, where the former Gold Glover played Buxton-level defense and contributed a career-high 21 home runs.Willi Castro also logged more t...

St. Paul Northern Iron and Machine fined over $41K by Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:27 GMT

Northern Iron and Machine foundry in St. Paul was fined $41,500 by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for air quality violations.An investigation carried out by the MPCA found Northern Iron had removed, modified or replaced pollution control equipment throughout the facility without updating its permits, according to a Tuesday news release from the agency.The foundry’s violations occurred over 15 years, the MPCA said, and over the course of five separate inspections the facility failed to disclose updates or changes made to the equipment.Located in the Payne-Phalen neighborhood at 867 N. Forest St., Northern Iron is a full service foundry that produces metal castings and machined parts and has St. Paul roots dating back to 1906.The inspections revealed that Northern Iron had removed and replaced emission units and control equipment and failed to recertify hoods after making changes that could lead to less efficient capturing of particulate matter, according to the MPCA.The found...

Drunken driver pleads guilty in South St. Paul crash that killed her ex, injured 2 others

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:27 GMT

An Eden Prairie woman has admitted to drunkenly crashing her minivan into an oncoming pickup in South St. Paul, killing her ex-husband and injuring two other people.Bobbie Jo Puttbrese, 53, pleaded guilty Tuesday to criminal vehicular homicide and two counts of criminal vehicular operation in the June 5 crash on Concord Street that killed Paul Edward Craven, a 60-year-old from St. Paul who had previously been married to Puttbrese.Bobbie Jo Puttbrese (Courtesy of Dakota County Sheriff’s Office)Puttbrese entered a “straight plea,” meaning there is no agreement between the defense and the prosecution on the terms of her sentence. Her sentencing has been set for Jan. 18.South St. Paul police collected surveillance video from a nearby business that showed Puttbrese’s minivan traveling south on Concord Street, crossing the centerline near Chestnut Street and colliding with the pickup, which was headed north, according to the complaint.A breath test revealed she had a blood-alcohol c...

Novelist Karen Dionne’s ‘The Marsh King’s Daughter’ hits the big screen

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:27 GMT

When novelist Karen Dionne learned her 2017 best-selling psychological thriller, “The Marsh King’s Daughter,” was being adapted into a movie, she had to pinch herself.“I’m pretty much black and blue from pinching myself and you can quote me on that!” said the former Shelby Township resident, laughing. “I have a fair number of writer friends whose books have been optioned. It’s not as rare as you think, but of those whose materials have been optioned and have been made (into a movie) – whether it’s in the theaters or went straight to streaming – is small. The number who have had it made (into a movie) for a theatrical release is smaller yet. I have no idea what the numbers are, but it’s definitely pinchworthy.”Karen DionneIn “The Marsh King’s Daughter,” Helena Pelletier is happily married with a loving husband and two beautiful daughters. But she has a dark past she hoped would stay buried. Her father, Jacob Holbrook, alias the Marsh King, abducted her mother and she was born two yea...

Beloved Saratoga police horse "King Tut" passes away

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:27 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A beloved member of the Saratoga Springs Police Department Mounted Unit is being remembered for his service to the community. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! King Tut was honored in a walk-out ceremony prior to his death.King Tut suddenly and unexpectedly passed away Tuesday. Many may recognize him from his 20 years of patrolling the streets and attending events in the Spa City.For two decades, King Tut stole hearts all over Saratoga. Whether he was patrolling Broadway with his late former partner, Jupiter, providing security at the Saratoga Race Course, or showing his therapeutic side at the farm, he made his presence known. He was the biggest horse in the mounted unit, yet no task was too small.King Tut at Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga“We could use him on Caroline Street after midnight, dealing with crowd control. The next morning we could bring him to the schools, let the kindergartners s...

Jury convicts sex offender on child pornography charges

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:27 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Gregory Kurzajczyk, 76, of East Durham, was convicted on four counts of child pornography charges following a three-day jury trial. He faces between 10 to 20 years in prison for the child porn charges and two more years for violating the supervised release conditions. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Kurzajczyk is a convicted sex offender who spent three years in prison after being sentenced for child pornography charges in January 2017. He was released in October 2021 with a life term of supervised release.A United States Probation Officer located an unauthorized laptop during a routine home visit on February 16, 2022. Two more unauthorized laptops and dozens of hidden unauthorized computer devices were discovered. Two laptops and USB drives contained images and video files depicting children being sexually abused. Sentencing is scheduled for February 23, 2024.

Push to include NY HEAT Act in state budget

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:27 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)---- With January just a few months away, lawmakers are already setting their sights on what they want to accomplish in the upcoming year. In a letter signed by 54 Democratic lawmakers, they call on Governor Hochul to include the New York HEAT Act in the state budget. It’s a bill that would speed up New York’s transition off of fossil fuels. Senate Minority Leader, Rob Ortt, is against the legislation."Right now if you are within 100 feet or less of hooking up to a natural gas line or infrastructure, the utility will do it," explained Ortt. "They will hook you up without charging you for the hook up. This would do away with that."Ortt believes this will drive up energy costs.However, it’s supporters say by transitioning, low and middle-income New Yorkers will save money because their energy bills would be capped at 6% of their household income. Assemblymember Pat Fahy sponsors the bill says this is better for the environment."Most members really want to move to ...

Jury deliberations underway in Nelson Patino trial

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:27 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Jury deliberations are underway in the trial of Nelson Patino. Patino is accused of stabbing and killing his wife and son, and injuring his other son. He is facing a myriad of charges included first and second-degree murder, attempted murder and two counts of assault. During closing arguments, Michael McDermott, Patino's defense attorney, relied on his claim that Patino was a family man and a COVID-induced psychosis caused him to kill. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! McDermott recalled testimony from Patino's family and co-workers about his character and that nothing would point to him committing such a violent crime with no motive, other than a sudden psychotic episode. “The only proof you have before you is that before December 1st, 2021 this was a ordinary normal family and that Nelson Patino was a perfectly ordinary, hard working, loving father and husband," McDermott said. "It doesn’t make sens...

DEC: Parolee issued seven tickets for illegal dumping

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:25:27 GMT

FORT EDWARD, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- An investigation was launched into illegal trash dumping along Champlain Canal Lock 8. A canal employee reported seeing a U-Haul dumping household garbage. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The employee recorded the license plate number and a description of the subject and passed the information to law enforcement. Law enforcement identified the subject, who is on parole. The subject was hired to clean a foreclosed property in Hartford. The subject was linked to illegal dumping in two other locations. Officers issued the individual seven appearance tickets to Argyle, Kingsbury, and Fort Edward town courts. Charges include illegal disposal of solid waste and unlawful disposal of medical waste.