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'Worst night of our lives': Survivors recount escaping shooting at Maine bowling alley

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:21 GMT

(NEXSTAR) - As police intensify their search for the gunman who killed at least 18 people at a bowling alley in Maine, survivors are recounting how they escaped the shooting that thrust the state's second-largest city into chaos Wednesday night.The shooting started at the Sparetime Recreation bowling alley in Lewiston around 7 p.m. A man who identified himself only by his first name, Brandon, said he was only at the alley for a few minutes for a solo night of bowling when he heard a loud pop that he initially thought was a balloon. Then, he saw the gunman."I had my back turned to the door," he told the Associated Press. "And as soon as I turned and saw it was not a balloon, [the suspect] was holding a weapon, I just booked it." Maine mass shooting: What we know so far Brandon said he heard ten gunshots, ran down a bowling lane without his shoes on, slid into the area where the pins reside, and climbed into the machinery to hide until police arrived."I was putting on my bowling sho...

Bear caught on camera ringing doorbell in California

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:21 GMT

(KTLA) -- Video captured a trio of unlikely pranksters ringing the doorbell of a home in California's San Bernardino County before running away.  Three bears were seen on a Yucaipa home’s Ring doorbell system as they ambled onto the front porch at around 12:45 a.m. Wednesday.As one of the furry rogues nears the doorbell, it gets on its hind legs and begins sniffing, scratching and licking the doorbell camera, giving the residents a close-up look of the perpetrator's snoot.  A Yucaipa home's Ring Doorbell system captured one of two bears ringing their doorbell in the early morning hours. (Image submitted to KTLA)The bear momentarily pulls back and glances at what’s behind him -- or her -- perhaps to see if its partners want in on the fun. The bear then returns its attention to the doorbell, gives it another good lick and activates the doorbell’s chimes. Canyon in California closed after mountain lion tries to attack dog, injures hiker Almost as if it’s waiting to see i...

3 people shot on interstate in New York

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:21 GMT

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – One person was killed and two others were taken to the hospital after a shooting Thursday morning on I-190 in Buffalo, New York. At least two of the victims appear to have been shot while inside a Buffalo Sewer Authority truck. At least eight bullet holes were seen in the city vehicle, including shots that went through the front windshield and side window.One of the shooting victims taken to the hospital was listed in critical condition while the other was stable.As a result of the shooting, the southbound lanes of I-190 were shut down. In the hour before the southbound lanes were fully closed, more than two miles of congestion could be seen building on the interstate. As police investigated the shooting, I-190 southbound was shut down from Exit 11 (Route 198) to Exit 8 (Niagara Street), but by 12:30 p.m., all southbound lanes were blocked off and traffic was diverted off Exit 11.Additionally, the left lane of I-190 northbound is closed due to police acti...

Man gets nearly 50-year sentence for attempted murder of North Chicago cops

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:21 GMT

LAKE COUNTY, Ill. — A 22-year-old man has been sentenced to 49 years in prison for firing shots at North Chicago police officers.Oscar Martinez, 22, was convicted of three counts of felony attempted murder of a peace officer following a three-day jury trial connected to the June 2022 incident.RECENT NORTH CHICAGO NEWS: 2 charged with murder after suburban man allegedly hires hit on ex-girlfriendMartinez was accused of shooting at police officers responding to a shots fired call. No officers were struck. “This offender risked the lives of police officers and members of that community. With this sentence, he will no longer be a threat to others," State’s Attorney Rinehart said after the sentencing hearing. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Martinez, who was found guilty on July 19, will receive 486-day credit for time served.  

Dog dies in Elgin house fire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:21 GMT

ELGIN, Ill. — A house fire in Elgin claimed the life of a dog, though the reasoning behind what sparked the blaze is unknown. Around 9:45 a.m. Wednesday, fire crews in Elgin responded to a fire in the 1500 block of St. Andrew Circle. Arriving firefighters encountered flames coming from the first window of a single-family home. Heavy smoke was also visible throughout the structure.The fire was extinguished in under 10 minutes. Fire officials said a dog died in the fire, however. The occupants were not home when the fire occurred, officials added. The blaze resulted in about $150,000 in damages. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines The cause of the fire is under investigation.

FDA warns restaurants in 6 states about contaminated oysters

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:21 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) -- The Food and Drug Administration issued a safety advisory to restaurants and retailers in six states, warning that a recent batch of oysters may be contaminated.In an advisory issued Oct. 20, the FDA said its Canadian counterpart, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), tested oysters harvested by Future Seafoods, Inc. and found salmonella and E. coli. The oysters were harvested on Oct. 10 and were sold to establishments in Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Future Seafoods, Inc. has not issued a recall, but restaurants are advised to dispose of the oysters, and consumers are urged not to eat them. "The FDA is awaiting further information on distribution of the oysters harvested and will continue to monitor the investigation and provide assistance to state authorities as needed," the FDA safety advisory stated.The CFIA is looking into what caused the oysters to become contaminated. Symptoms of salmonella infection Food conta...

Storms focus east of I-35 this afternoon

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:21 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- 3-8" of rain has fallen overnight in portions of the Hill Country causing some localized flooding including minor flooding along the Llano river. Rainfall amounts generally ranged from 1-4" for the Austin Metro where flash flooding remains possible.Storms have also brought brief spin-up tornadoes southeast of Austin during the morning. The National Weather Service has expanded the timing of the Flood Watch, which now continues through Thursday evening.Flood watch until midnightThe rain will continue to gradually focus mostly toward areas east of I-35. Live, updated rain totals During the day on Thursday a 2 out of 4 flash flooding risk is in place for the Austin Metro. Watch out for localized heavy downpours on Thursday, which will become less numerous as we head through the day.Flash flooding risk Thursday (WPC)Another round of rain and thunderstorms happens Friday. Saturday looks drier, but more storms arrive ahead of a very potent...

Flooding shuts down Austin Recreation Center polling location

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:21 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The heavy rainfall Thursday morning led to the closure of one polling location in central Austin. The Travis County Clerk's Office announced the Austin Recreation Center, located at 1301 Shoal Creek Blvd., would have to close as an early voting site because of flooding. Staff members are now directing voters to go to other nearby locations like the University of Texas Flawn Academic Center, 2304 Whitis Avenue, or Austin City Hall, 301 West Second Street. Turnout tracker: How many people have voted in the November 2023 election? "Due to flooding, the Austin Recreation Center polling site will be closed until the location can safely re-open. Our office will share updates as they become available," a news release Thursday noted. People can find a list of all the early voting locations on the Travis County clerk's website. Polls will remain open until 7 p.m. Thursday. During this election, voters are deciding whether they support 14 proposed constitutional amendments ...

346-acre Caldwell County project part of $15B plan to build 'mini cities' around Austin, Dallas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:21 GMT

AUSTIN (ABJ) -- On the heels of announcing a plan to invest $15 billion to essentially build 10 mini-cities around Central Texas, it might come as a surprise to hear Red Oak Development Group CEO Tom Staub admit he fully understands he didn't pick a great time to do it.He listed off the reasons: Many developers are not buying land because of high prices. Builders are being cautious about what projects they are taking on because of rising construction costs. Existing home sales are reaching decades-long lows. Mortgage rates at 8% are making home-buying difficult, and more."It seems so contrarian to go out there and do this now," Staub said. "But doing this now puts lots on the ground in 12-to-18 months. So, really, it's positioning ourselves to have the bulk of supply in Austin for builders going into 2025 and 2026. So timing couldn't be worse if you're thinking right now, but it couldn't be better two or three years out."Read the full story online at the Austin Business Journal.

Salem man pleads guilty to stealing 31 semi-automatic pistols from a licensed dealer

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:28:21 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Salem man has pleaded guilty to stealing firearms from a federally licensed firearms dealer in Hudson Falls. Martin Taft, 48, faces at least five years to life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Taft admitted to breaking into Calamity Jane's Firearms and Fine Shoes with co-conspirator Jonathon Combs. The two reportedly stole 31 semi-automatic pistols and then exchanged the firearms with another individual for cocaine they intended to distribute. Taft and Combs pled guilty to one count of theft of firearms from a licensed dealer and one count of using firearms during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. Combs also pled guilty to an additional count of theft of a firearm from a licensed dealer. Police took Army reservist suspected in Maine killings for evaluation in July after erratic behavior Combs faces the same minimum and maximum penalties. He will be ...