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Sex offender camp growing in Florida woods; public apparently not warned

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:40:37 GMT

PINELLAS PARK, Fla. (WFLA) — A Florida camp powered by solar panels and a generator is home to about a dozen sex offenders who claim they were sent there by probation officers, but there is no indication the public was alerted.Land records indicate the tents that sit under a structure made from branches are on land owned by the Florida Department of Transportation. An FDOT spokesperson said they were "not aware of this." Several sources, including a defense attorney, told Nexstar's WFLA that anyone on probation is still "under sentence," and they said that telling them to live outdoors violates state administrative code. A DOC spokesperson denied offenders are told where to live by probation officers. Several of the camp residents agreed to discuss their living conditions but asked to hide their identities to avoid possible retribution from the state employees they claim sent them there. "Yes," one of them said when asked if his probation officer told him to live there. "They actual...

Corrections officer in New Mexico allegedly shoots naked inmate with shotgun

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:40:37 GMT

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A former inmate who was incarcerated at the Doña Ana County Detention Center (DACDC) back in May of 2022 has recently filed a lawsuit with the help of his attorney, against a corrections officer, claiming excessive use of force and battery, according to court documents provided by the New Mexico Prison and Jail Project. Court documents state the plaintiff, Vicente Sanchez was a pretrial detainee at DACDC. The defendant, Brady Kehres was employed as a corrections officer at DACDC in Las Cruces. On May 4, 2022, at 8:45 p.m., Vicente was taking a shower in his housing unit. At the same time, DACDC Sergeant Christian Ramirez entered Vicente's unit to pass shaving razors out to the inmates. Sgt. Ramirez instructed all inmates in the unit to return to their cells; however, several inmates continued to "play card games and watch television," according to an incident report written by Sgt. Ramirez. The incident report adds that inmate Rafael Rodriguez ignored Sgt. Ra...

Ouch! Texas ranks Top 10 mosquito-infested states

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:40:37 GMT

DALLAS (KDAF) — Everything is bigger in Texas, including the number of mosquitoes in the state. It's buzzing with mosquitoes, especially during the Summer ready for a fleshy dinner!More than 200 types of mosquitoes live in the continental U.S. and its territories, according to pest control company, Orkin. Which has ranked Texas at number five for having one of the largest amounts of mosquitoes."The list is based on treatment data from the metro areas where Orkin performed the most mosquito control services from April 1, 2022, to March 31, 2023. The list includes both residential and commercial mosquito treatments," Orkin mentioned in the study. The top five:Los AngelesChicagoNew YorkAtlanta (+1)Dallas/Ft. Worth (+1)For the complete list, visit Orkin.

These are 15 things every Texan kid should do before school starts!

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:40:37 GMT

DALLAS (KDAF) - Let's end the summer with a bang!These 15 activities will provide Texan kids with unforgettable experiences and a deeper appreciation for the rich history, natural beauty, and diverse attractions that Texas has to offer. Make the most of your summer and create lasting memories before the school bells ring:1. Visit the Alamo in San AntonioExplore the historic battleground where Texas fought for independence. Learn about the brave men who defended the Alamo and discover its significance in Texas history.2. Experience the Space Center HoustonTake a trip to the Johnson Space Center and learn about NASA's space exploration efforts. Get up close to real spaceships, step into a simulated space shuttle, and even meet astronauts.3. Dive into the Natural Bridge CavernsDescend deep into the underground world of these remarkable caves near San Antonio. Marvel at the stunning formations and learn about the geological wonders hidden beneath the surface.4. Explore Big Bend National...

How to Fringe: The Minnesota Fringe Festival turns 30, hosts 101 different shows Aug. 3-Aug. 13

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:40:37 GMT

It’s back! The Minnesota Fringe Festival opens Thursday, Aug. 3, launching 11 days and nights of hour-length stage performances in 16 venues throughout Minneapolis. That’s 101 different shows — or 102 if you include the self-guided tour of the West Bank, more on that later — hosted 515 times, much but not all of it happening in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. It’s a 30th anniversary special that promises oddball delights, delicious dramas and some inevitable hits and misses. A crackerjack team of Pioneer Press reporters will post select show reviews at twincities.com/tag/fringe-festival.Sound overwhelming? Let our Fun Fringe FAQ guide you.WAIT, WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?: Let’s slow things down. After 30 years, the non-juried, lottery-driven Fringe Festival has become a staple of the Twin Cities theater scene, offering audiences a wide range of mostly-homespun productions, from stand-up and improv comedy to musicals, dramas, horror, burlesque and ev...

More than 5,000 locals without power, scattered damage in St. Charles County from storms

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:40:37 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Winds peaked at nearly 80 miles per hour at the St. Louis Lambert Regional Airport during an intense afternoon storm system Saturday afternoon, one that caused some scattered damage around St. Charles County. FOX 2's extreme weather specialist Chris Higgins describes the winds as some of the worst he has ever seen from a non-tornado or non-hurricane warned storm. He witnessed strong winds and heavy rainfall around 3:30 p.m. near Highway K in St. Charles County. Community officials are currently surveying damages. FOX 2 has learned of more than 100,000 power outages in the St. Louis metro and tens of thousands in St. Charles County. Right now, more than 5,000 people there are waking up without power.Residents are reporting downed power lines and trees. Two viewers from St. Charles County sent the following photos of damages. Viewer-submitted photos of storm damage in St. Charles County on July 29, 2023. Viewer-submitted photos of storm damage in St. Charles County on July...

Falling tree takes down power line and damages cars in O'Fallon Illinois

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:40:37 GMT

O' FALLON, Ill. - A O'Fallon, Illinois local caught footage of the heavy Saturday winds that damaged his neighbor's home.John Simmons caught footage of a tree falling onto his neighbor's garage and their two cars. In the video, power flashes could also be seen as the failing trees ripped through power lines. Widespread outages: 120K-plus without power in St. Louis area after storms Winds clocked in at 60 to 70 miles per hour in that area. Thankfully no one was hurt.

'Smokin' on Main Festival' not affected by Saturday storms

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:40:37 GMT

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. - People over in Collinsville didn't let the weather ruin their night. They had some damage in town.The annual 'Smokin' on Main Festival' had to be put on hold. Interrupted for a bit, but not cancelled. Execution of Johnny Johnson will proceed on Aug. 1, stay lifted The barbecue competition benefits the U.S. Veterans Foundation and the city's food pantry. They got back at it once the rain moved out.The fun continues Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Changing workplaces in Colorado: Tattoos no longer taboo

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:40:37 GMT

Carolann Mohrman, 75, perched behind an artist’s booth at the sixth-annual Denver Tattoo Arts Festival last week as the buzz of tattoo needles filled the air – slightly out of place because she doesn’t have any tattoos nor does she plan to get inked.“I don’t like having my skin punctured,” the Lakewood resident said. The first-time attendee instead walked through the doors of the Colorado Convention Center at 700 14th St. on Sunday, July 23, in a show of support for her niece, Eva Mohrman, a tattoo artist and co-owner of Constantly Custom Studio in East Brunswick, N.J.As a child in the 1950s, Mohrman was taught by society at large to view tattoos as “very demonic,” she said, adding that “only Navymen” boasted the body modifications.“Now, everybody has them except me,” she said with a laugh. When asked whether tattoos affect a person’s reputation in the workplace, she answered with a resounding “no” –...

Rockies’ Nolan Jones hits balls harder, farther than anyone in MLB. Now he’s just got to take the next step.

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:40:37 GMT

June 7, Coors Field, 3-1 count. San Francisco Giants right-hander Logan Webb tried to fool Nolan Jones with a sinker.Webb missed his spot. Jones didn’t miss his chance.Pure power and poetry in motion, Jones launched the ball 483 feet into the second deck in right-center at Coors Field, the ball coming off his bat at 114.2 mph.“It’s almost like you don’t feel anything when you connect like that,” the Rockies’ rookie outfielder said. “You swing and watch it go.”Jones, 25, has been a bright light in Colorado’s dismal season, but he remains an unpolished gem.Raised as an infielder, he’s still learning how to patrol Coors’ wide-open outfield spaces. His 34.3% strikeout rate is too high. In his 15 games in July entering the weekend, Jones was hitting .167 (8 for 48) with 22 strikeouts and only four walks. But half of his eight hits went over the fence.“I want to be the best player in the game, like everybody else out ...