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Indiana funeral director pleads guilty to 40 theft counts after decomposing bodies found

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 06:26:28 GMT

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. (AP) — The director of a southern Indiana funeral home where 31 decomposing bodies and the cremains of 17 others were found pleaded guilty Friday to more than 40 counts of felony theft.Randy Lankford, owner of Lankford Funeral Home and Family Center in Jeffersonville, faces a proposed sentence of 12 years: four years in prison and eight years of home incarceration, Clark County Circuit Court Judge N. Lisa Glickfield said. Lankford was charged with theft for failing to complete the funeral services he was paid for, and must also pay restitution to 53 families totaling $46,000. Lankford was released to home incarceration following the hearing. A formal sentencing hearing is planned for June 23.Jeffersonville Police began investigating the funeral home early last July after the county coroner’s office reported a strong odor emanating from the building. The unrefrigerated bodies were found in various states of decomposition, and some had been at the funeral home sin...

Mississauga man arrested in North York shooting death seven months ago

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 06:26:28 GMT

A 21-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the shooting death of another man seven months ago in North York. Toronto police say just before 2 p.m. on October 6, 2022, 28-year-old Osman Bangura of Toronto was found shot to death at a Toronto Community Housing complex at 5 Needle Firway. At the time investigators believed the victim was targeted. On Friday, 21-year-old Tafari Minott of Mississauga was arrested and charged with second degree murder. Investigators are appealing to anyone who may have further information to contact them.

Danny Masterson rape retrial deliberations drag on more than 6 days, will resume next week

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 06:26:28 GMT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jurors have deliberated for more than a week without reaching a verdict in the rape retrial of “That ’70s Show” star Danny Masterson, and will have to return and resume talks after the long holiday weekend.The Los Angeles County jury of seven women and five men went home Friday without reaching a verdict on any of the three counts of rape against the 47-year-old, who could get up to 45 years in prison if convicted of all three. The jury got the case as closing arguments ended May 17. With planned time off, they have been talking for a total of 6 1/2 days and have had relatively few questions for the judge. Jurors have asked for the reading back of some testimony — including part of the cross-examination of Masterson’s former girlfriend, who is one of the three accusers. But the requests have shed little light on the state of deliberations.Jurors will return to court Wednesday morning after taking the weekend, Memorial Day and another planned day off. I...

Mississippi Democrats improperly excluded candidate for governor, judge says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 06:26:28 GMT

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi could have a Democratic primary for governor in August because a judge ruled Friday that the party improperly excluded a candidate from the ballot.The state Democratic Party immediately filed notice that it will ask the Mississippi Supreme Court to overturn the judge’s ruling on the candidacy of Bob Hickingbottom.“I appreciate the court’s consideration. We hope to get a more favorable ruling on appeal,” the committee’s attorney, Gerald Mumford, told The Associated Press.The state Democratic Executive Committee decided in February that Hickingbottom could not be on the ballot as a Democrat. Hickingbottom, who has described himself as a political operative, ran for governor as a Constitution Party candidate in 2019.The executive committee also excluded Gregory Wash from running for governor this year, after he ran a low-budget campaign for governor in the Democratic primary four years ago. The party’s decisions left Brandon Pre...

Already a college graduate, CPS high schooler taking success to new degree 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 06:26:28 GMT

CHICAGO — Lindblom High School shines like a jewel in West Englewood. Inside, senior Nylah Sanders glows, too. “Nylah is a unicorn. She is a humble superstar and she doesn’t realize that she’s a superstar,” said school guidance counselor April Weathers. The 18-year-old walked the halls for the last time, knowing she’s earned a special place in the school’s 106-year history. Nylah Sanders is the first Lindblom High School student to earn an Associate’s Degree before receiving her high school diploma. (Photo/WGN)“I guess I feel honored,” she told WGN News.  It’s not just her bright yellow shirt that makes her stand out in the crowd. Nylah is the first Lindblom student to earn an Associate’s Degree before receiving her high school diploma. “I was able to take multiple classes each semester, so it was nice to actually do it,” Nylah said. Double — and — triple take: Suburban high school has 12 sets of twins, triplets graduating  Weathers called the rare academic fe...

Alicia Keys surprises Kansas City students with trip to Missouri concert

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 06:26:28 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WDAF) — Students at a North Kansas City high school received the surprise of a lifetime Friday morning.Grammy Award-winning musician Alicia Keys shocked students at Staley High School with free tickets to her concert in St. Louis. The "Empire State of Mind" singer is also covering the cost of transportation to the July 21 show.Students learned about the concert during a last day of school assembly when school leaders played a recorded message from Keys. What are poppers and why is the FDA warning about them? Keys said she was inspired by the Unity Walk students held for classmate Ralph Yarl last month. The 16 year-old was shot by an 84 year-old man after Yarl went to the wrong home to pick up his siblings on April 13.“I’ve been so moved by the demonstration of love, unity, support for our brother Ralph Yarl,” Keys said. “I would like to invite the entire school to my Keys for the Summer Tour July 21. I can’t wait to see you!”Keys also personally invited Yarl to a...

Planning continues for Project Connect, community responds

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 06:26:28 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Wednesday, the Austin Transit Partnership held an event to provide information on the construction of the Project Connect light rail system.The program included remarks from Greg Canally, the ATP executive director, and panel discussions on the makeup of the project and how to work with local Austin vendors and small businesses.Earlier this week, ATP unveiled its chosen route for the light rail.KXAN spoke with Canally regarding Project Connect. Canally said there were a few more steps that needed to be taken before the project could get final adoption, which he said could happen in the coming weeks."We want to make sure that we're continuing to do the right planning, the right community work out there, talking to neighbors, as we advance this project," Canally said. "And most importantly, we’ve got to keep working with the federal government. The federal government is going to provide about half of all the cost to build this."Canally...

Bonnie & Clyde: 89 years after the ambush, a mystery remains

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 06:26:28 GMT

HOMER, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow are forever etched into American outlaw folklore but in Claiborne Parish where their crime spree came to a violent end, locals hold on to relics and family tales of the time that outlaw lovers rolled through.John Malone saw plenty at his small motel on U.S. 79 in Homer, La., but how he got his hands on one of Bonnie Parker's shoes shows the extreme popularity of these hardened criminals in rural, northern Louisiana at the time of their death in 1934.Malone often spent the night at Claiborne Motor Courts after working the late shift. Highway 79, cuts a diagonal slash across mid-America from Russellville, Kentucky to Round Rock, Texas. During those times the highway brought all kinds into his motel and restaurant. Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow dressed in vintage threads, standing on the side of a rural dirt road. The couple was known to stop at random homes and have dinner with families as they played chase.Travelers used the ro...

Man wanted for Murder out of Montgomery County

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 06:26:28 GMT

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office is searching for a man wanted for murder. Police said Michael Darling should be considered armed and dangerous.Darling is wanted on the charges of Murder in the Second Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree, and two counts of Tampering with Physical Evidence. Sheriff Jeffery Smith said the murder took place in 2019 in Fort Johnson. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Darling is 44 years old, 5'7" tall and 200 lbs. He has gray hair and blue eyes. His last known address was on County Highway 102 in Gloversville.Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts should contact the sheriff's office at (518) 853-5500.

EMS Recognition Week at Bennington Rescue

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 06:26:28 GMT

BENNINGTON, V.T. (NEWS10) -May 21 to 27 is National EMS Week. This is the 49th year the week has been honored by Emergency Medical Services.The Bennington Rescue Squad has been serving their community in Vermont for 60 years. Executive Director, Bill Camarda, says with both the anniversary of his squad and EMS week, this was the perfect time to bring back celebrations like these. “We haven’t been able to have an event like this in almost four years now. It’s great to be able to get everybody together and have a celebration of our crew members like this," said Camarda. VIA Aquarium’s Memorial Day weekend plans Camarda says as rewarding as working for a rescue squad can be, the job itself can be a lot to handle when it comes to mental health. That’s why he puts together events like these to thank everyone for their hard work. “All EMS providers deal with some of the worst moments in individuals’ lives. Having a moment to celebrate their work, their accomplishments, and the things th...