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St. Louis prosecutor says he's tried 45% more cases than predecessor

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:28:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Prosecution of violent crime in St. Louis is rising sharply in the six months since an embattled progressive prosecutor was replaced by an appointed circuit attorney, according to the prosecutor's office.Gabe Gore said Tuesday that his office has prosecuted 45% more cases than in the same six-month period of 2022, when Kim Gardner was the city's top prosecutor. Gore, speaking at a news conference, said his office also has made a dent in a backlog of pending criminal cases by resolving about 2,500 of them — mostly violent crimes in a city with one of the highest homicide rates in the nation.“There’s no type of crime that we are looking the other way on,” Gore said. “We are enforcing the laws. We don’t accept the notion that as a citizen of the city of St. Louis you have to accept a certain amount of property crime, or what people would refer to as petty crime, as a cost of living in the city."Gore, a Democrat, was appointed by Republican Gov. Mike Parson in...

Canadians to pay for your real maple syrup at American restaurants

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:28:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Canadians are really into maple syrup. How do I know? Well, their flag has a giant maple leaf on it, and they have an organization to promote the real stuff.The Québec Maple Syrup Producers argue that too many Americans consume high-fructose imitation maple syrup without realizing it. They want to pay you back for restaurants that charge extra for real maple syrup.Maple from Canada, representing over 13,300 maple farmers, is launching the "Bill the Maple" initiative to address the extra charges for pure maple syrup at American breakfast spots. The organization will reimburse patrons who request pure maple syrup instead of defaulting to high-fructose imitations.The group says that misleading labels have led to confusion, with over half of surveyed Americans mistaking table syrup for genuine maple syrup. Consumer Reports says that while it offers some benefits over sugar, be cautious about its calorie and sugar content.Maple from Canada shared this three-step plan to rede...

Jamal Murray ankle injury update: Nuggets point guard questionable for Clippers game

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:28:00 GMT

Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray participated in parts of the team’s practice Tuesday, coach Michael Malone said, but not in any live portions.Murray will fly with the Nuggets to Los Angeles, where they will evaluate how his ankle is feeling Wednesday morning and determine whether he’s able to play against the Clippers (8 p.m. MT, ESPN).“If he’s able to give us some minutes tomorrow night, that’d be great,” Malone said.Murray’s official injury report designation recently has been a right ankle sprain. He’s missed Denver’s last two games after turning the ankle two minutes and 19 seconds into his first game back from a right hamstring strain last Wednesday. He had been out 11 games due to the hamstring, but Malone confirmed that’s no longer an issue; any absence for Murray is entirely related to his ankle now.“Hamstring’s fine. I’ve worked enough to get it back to strength,” Murray said after his retu...

Work underway to save Orange County's beaches

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:28:00 GMT

The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers is spearheading a major effort to save Orange County's world-famous beaches from a natural threat: erosion.The problem of disappearing sand is nothing new but has become more alarming in recent years. In March, the U.S. Geological Survey released a report predicting that rising sea levels could erode 25% to 70% of California’s coastline by 2100, The Orange County Register reported.The erosion isn’t just a threat to the beauty and recreational uses of the beaches. It also threatens infrastructure including roads, rail lines and homes.Contractors are moving sediment from the Santa Ana River to replenish sand at Newport Beach. Dec. 5, 2023. (KTLA)Contractors are using backhoes to dig up sand from the Santa Ana River while barges are dredging sediment from the ocean. While some of the material will be spread out in the immediate area of Newport Beach near the river, the more important work will be done further to the north. Conflicts between neighbors, ...

SoCal-to-Vegas bullet train receives $3B grant from feds

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:28:00 GMT

The planned high-speed rail project that will connect Las Vegas to Southern California has received a massive boost from the Biden Administration, securing $3 billion in grant funding from the federal government.Brightline West plans to break ground in 2024, with hopes to have regular high-speed rail service by as early as 2027. The estimated $12 billion project will connect Las Vegas to Rancho Cucamonga, where a new transit center will offer California residents the ability to transfer onto Metrolink. Brightline previously agreed to finance $10 billion for the project.The federal grant application received bipartisan support earlier this year, and is one of the most significant pieces of funding for high-speed rail in the nation's history. The announcement was made by Nevada's two U.S. Senators Tuesday, who have touted the project's positive impacts on the state, including reduced traffic on Interstate 15, increased tourism revenue and decreased carbon emissions."For decades, NV ha...

Subway franchises won't be able to reject the company's digital coupons or promotions: report

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:28:00 GMT

Subway franchises who chose not to accept the company’s digital coupons and promotions will soon be required to do so.Beginning Dec. 28, all franchises must “honor all digital programs and promotions,” Business Insider reported.“Effective Dec. 28, 2023, all restaurants will be required to honor all digital programs and promotions, including loyalty rewards and digital discounts," an internal memo said. "In addition, loyalty incentive programs designed to attract new loyalty members are mandatory and will not be reimbursed by Subway." 4 California eateries among the ‘best’ new restaurants in the country, Yelp says Some Subway franchises haven’t honored the company’s coupons and active promotions in the past, leading to customer frustration.One California franchise owner, who spoke to Insider anonymously, questioned if Subway could “force” operators to accept low-margin deals via the app."Isn't it considered price fixing to force people to take special offers," the franchisee said. ...

Melinda Epperson Fatally Struck in Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Crash on Ocotillo Road [Chandler, AZ]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:28:00 GMT

73-Year-Old Woman Pronounced Dead after Pedestrian Collision near Paseo TrailCHANDLER, AZ (December 5, 2023) – Melinda Epperson died Monday morning in a hit-and-run pedestrian collision on Ocotillo Road and Chandler Paseo Trail. The incident occurred at approximately 7:00 p.m., on November 27th.Officers say a BMW sedan driven by 26-year-old Keith Taylor was heading east on Ocotillo Road when it collided with 73-year-old Epperson, who was walking in the crosswalk.After the collision, Taylor promptly left the scene and was involved in another two-car accident by running a red light at McQueen and Ocotillo Road. Taylor then attempted to escape on foot.Law enforcement successfully located and apprehended Taylor, who exhibited signs of impairment. Additionally, a female passenger from Taylor’s vehicle fled the scene, and was also located.Following initial procedures, Taylor was arrested on charges of manslaughter, felony hit and run, and felony endangerment. Currently, an act...

David Barajas Airlifted, Steven Mahoney Involved in Fatal Wrong-Way Crash on Highway 198 [Kings County, CA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:28:00 GMT

24-Year-Old Man Pronounced Dead after Head-On Collision near 12th AvenueKINGS COUNTY, CA (December 5, 2023) – David Barajas and Steven Mahoney were involved in a deadly wrong-way collision on Highway 198, early Sunday morning.At approximately 2:00 a.m., law enforcement responded to an incident occurring in the eastbound lanes near 12th Avenue. The investigation is ongoing into why the driver of a Toyota Corolla was traveling in the wrong direction on the highway.The Toyota eventually collided with an eastbound Ford F-250, operated by Barajas, resulting in a collision with a Kia Soul driven by 63-year-old Mahoney. The Ford then overturned onto the road.Upon impact, the Toyota ignited in flames, and the Ford landed on top of the Kia Soul. The 24-year-old Corolla driver succumbed to injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.Barajas was airlifted to a nearby hospital for further medical attention, while two other passengers from the incident were transported by ambulance to a ...

Pasta Bene owners retiring after 33 years in Berkeley, S.F. 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:28:00 GMT

Restaurateurs Farhad and Ladan Jalali are calling it a career.After serving affordable Italian fare to Cal students and other Berkeley neighbors for 13 years and San Francisco residents for 20 years before that, the couple is retiring. Their Pasta Bene restaurant will close for good at the end of service on Friday, Dec. 15.Related ArticlesRestaurants, Food and Drink | San Jose’s acclaimed Adega plans its final Michelin-style meals, including an 11-course NYE menu Restaurants, Food and Drink | Bay Area restaurant news: El Cerrito has a new Italian wine bar Restaurants, Food and Drink | 500-plus apartments are eyed at downtown Berkeley restaurant row Restaurants, Food and Drink | “Stealth” downtown San Jose food hall may open in weeks Restaurants, Food and Drink | Izzy’s on the Peninsula to reopen this winter Besides pasta, pizza, sandwiches and salad, Pasta Bene was known for its h...

Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes’ ex-spouses are dating — each other

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:28:00 GMT

The plot has grown ever more complicated in the romantic melodrama surrounding former “Good Morning America” co-anchors T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach, who said they lost “dream jobs” at ABC last year because they fell in love and were determined to be together.It turns out that their ex-spouses, Marilee Fiebig and Andrew Shue, have begun dating. Page Six reported Tuesday that Fiebig, an attorney, and the former “Melrose Place” actor began spending time together, as friends, to commiserate over the scandal. But that friendship has blossomed into “something else” and the two have been dating about six months — a development that also could be said to mirror the plot of a soap opera or a 1970s farce about partner-swapping.“They’re connected over their (shared) values,” a source told Page Six about Fiebig and Shue’s relationship. “It’s bigger than the affair now.”Before Holmes and Robach were revealed to be a cou...