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VIDEO: Austin police officers cleared from indictments share story for first time

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:42 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Sergeant Joshua Blake and Detective Christopher Irwin used the word "shocked" to describe how they felt when they received news of their indictments related to actions taken during the May 2020 protests following the deaths of George Floyd in Minneapolis and Michael Ramos in Austin. They were two of the group of 19 officers indicted by a grand jury in February 2022 on charges of aggravated assault by a public servant. Twenty-one officers total would be indicted related to the 2020 protests in Austin, which responding officers said became "riotous."Earlier this month, District Attorney José Garza announced that his office dropped 17 of those indictments. Blake and Irwin were on that list. DA Garza ‘stands by’ dropping police indictments, asking for federal review of APD protest actions "It's been a whirlwind of emotions," said Irwin. "A constant dark cloud looming over myself and my family."The District Attorney's office is still pursuing charges against four offic...

Wet weekend weather ahead of breezy Christmas Day

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:42 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Don't put away the rain gear just yet - more waves of rain expected between now and midday Sunday.After days spinning off the West Coast, our next weather-maker finally makes its way onshore southern California today and begins its trek northeast. Although the storm will not pass directly overhead, it'll stay close enough to send out a few disturbances ahead of it and drag a cold front through our area this weekend.Today: Cloudy to mainly cloudy skies with periods of light rain. Highs: mid-to upper 60sSaturday: Cloudy through the day with a few showers in the morning becoming more widespread late afternoon into the evening. Highs: upper 60sSaturday evening - Sunday morning: Heavier rain and thunderstorms likely as a cold front approaches from the west. Although no flooding or severe weather is expected, some ponding could occur.Sunday: Rain and storms to start the day but clearing midday behind cold front. Breezy, dry and mainly clear by evening.Gusty winds follow S...

Politics, family dynamics, money are top stressors this holiday, American Psychiatric Association says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:42 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A new poll from the American Psychiatric Association found 44% of adults are most excited about seeing family and friends during the holidays, but it’s still stressing them out.“Believe it or not 50% or more of Americans believe they're more stressed this holiday season than they were this time last year,” said Rawle Andrews, the Executive Director of the American Psychiatric Association Foundation.The poll found one in four were worried about discussing politics, about a third were worried about challenging family dynamics and more than half of Americans are worried about affording a holiday gift.“Folks don't feel like they can afford the holidays,” said Andrews.The factors people most stressed about were finding the perfect gift, having enough when feeding guests visiting over the holidays and trying to figure out if you have enough money to do it all.“These pocketbook issues around a perfect holiday, there's no such thing,” he adds. “But these are the things that...

Colorado Department of Corrections investigator charged with forging official report

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:42 GMT

A Colorado Department of Corrections investigator is facing a felony forgery charge over allegations he falsified a law enforcement report, court records show.Gary Spangler, 60, was charged with a single count of forgery in November, according to a one-paragraph criminal complaint filed against him in Fremont County District Court.He is accused of attempting to defraud the Office of the Inspector General, a division of the Colorado Department of Corrections that handles the agency’s internal affairs and criminal investigations. The complaint alleges he made or altered a law enforcement report on Oct. 20 with the intent to defraud the office.The brief complaint did not include additional details about the circumstances of the alleged crime. Alondra Gonzalez, spokeswoman for the Department of Corrections, declined to answer questions about the case except to say that Spangler was on paid administrative leave pending an ongoing internal investigation. She directed The Denver Post...

Overnight downpours, flooding wreak havoc on L.A. motorists

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:42 GMT

Strong overnight downpours led to flooded streets and freeway collisions, causing a headache for Los Angeles-area motorists Friday morning.One of the most impacted areas was in Boyle Heights, where heavy flooding beneath a railroad bridge prompted officials to eventually close Soto Street between Washington and Pico boulevards. At one point, the water was 4 to 5 feet deep, causing at least one motorist to get stuck for several minutes. A Metro bus passes through a flooded area of Soto Street in Boyle Heights on Dec. 22, 2023. (KeyNews.TV)The driver eventually got the car through the flooded area, but water came pouring out of the vehicle once a door was opened. The driver and passengers were OK; however, that's exactly what you don't want to do, a Fire Department spokesperson said.The water had receded to about 2 to 3 feet deep as of 4 a.m., but the Los Angeles Department of Transportation said it would keep the road closed until further notice. Multiple collisions were reported on ...

Man accused of threatening to 'Unabomb' FBI Los Angeles Field Office

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:42 GMT

A Los Angeles man has been arrested and faces felony charges for allegedly sending threatening emails to the FBI, including one in which he threatened to blow up the L.A. Field Office.Mark William Anten, 52, was arrested Thursday at his home in Sun Valley and is being held in custody without bond.According to the United States Department of Justice, beginning in July, Anten began contacting the FBI by email making various violent threats, including boasting about his similarities to the Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski, saying that he was working on his own manifesto. Video shows pedestrian being fatally run over in South L.A. Kaczynski, who died in federal prison earlier this year after serving less than 30 years of his multiple life sentences, committed several bombings in America, killing three and injuring nearly two-dozen more.The threats continued for several weeks and, according to the DOJ, on Nov. 23, Anten allegedly emailed FBI agents and voiced his affinity for Kaczynski, bragg...

Pasadena Celebrates 100 Years of the Cheeseburger

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:42 GMT

It’s always been the stuff of local legend, but according to the city of Pasadena, the cheeseburger’s origins can be traced back to 1924 in Pasadena. It was the first time the Aristocratic Hamburger (original hamburger with cheese) appeared on the menu of The Rite Spot roadside burger stand on Route 66 — price: 15 cents.Visit Pasadena is celebrating big time with a long list of events during cheeseburger week Sunday, Jan. 21, through Saturday, Jan. 27, including a cheeseburger walking tour and some cheesy offers by showing your Metro TAP card at participating restaurants.For the month of January, book a room at a participating Pasadena hotel to get a free cheeseburger or food and beverage offer.The Langham Huntington, Pasadena is introducing an exclusive cheeseburger to commemorate the centennial and offering the Royal Royce Package. The package includes a one-night luxury room stay, complimentary parking, and the Royal Royce Cheeseburger, valid Monday, Jan. 1, through Wednesd...

Gale Forces on Bad Brains

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:42 GMT

Gale Forces on Bad Brains: Jade Devitt of Gale Forces told us about his Bad Brains experience.Jade Devitt: The best gig I ever saw was Bad Brains at Legends in Tacoma, Wa, Sept 1989.At age 17 I found myself living in a punk house with five dudes, just days after graduating high school. Mike Dees & Craig Becker from Olympia based punk band Fitz of Depression were not only my house mates, but coworkers as dishwashers at the upscale marina Budd Bay Cafe. Our lives had little separation as we idled the days away bombing hills on skateboards, dropping acid, buying records, hanging at their rehearsals, and downing cases of Rheinlander Beer every afternoon for $6.50 a pop, aka “Beer:30”.Mike was a key part of the scene and introduced me to his friends Kurt Cobain and Kathleen Hannah, well before they were well known. The summer was filled with amazing shows including Melvins, Seaweed and Sleater Kinney. But the show we all had marked down was Bad Brains at Legends. The furious NYC hard...

The “Tired Terpene”- A Beginner’s Guide To Linalool

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:42 GMT

View the original article about Linalool at Real Tested CBD.Cannabinoids give cannabis its unique effects, but they aren’t responsible for this plant’s unique scent. The aromas you pick up when you smell a batch of hemp flowers are related to compounds called “terpenes.” Although terpenes aren’t unique to the cannabis plant, they play a central role in giving each strain its flavor profile. Plus, many researchers believe terpenes may contribute to each CBD hemp strain’s distinctive effects.While scientists are still discovering new terpenes in cannabis strains, a few “primary terpenes” appear in many cannabis hybrids. For instance, linalool is commonly found in many popular hemp flowers. Most often, when customers see high linalool percentages in their CBD extract, they could safely bet on a “soothing” experience. This floral terpene has a strong reputation for inducing relaxing effects that may make it a perfect fit for nighttime relief.Shining A Light On Linalool — What CBD Fans S...

Driver of stolen car steals another car to flee deputies

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:42 GMT

Dec. 9Theft by false pretenses: A Saratoga resident called a telephone number found online, believing he was calling his bank. Instead, the victim called the suspects, who acted as bank agents and ultimately convinced the victim to wire money to an unknown account for a total loss of about $15,000.Dec. 11Identity theft: Someone used a Saratoga resident’s personal information to access their rideshare account and obtained money from the account for a total loss of about $1,565.Reckless evading: At 1:51 p.m., deputies responded to an automated license plate reader notification for a wanted vehicle at Saratoga Avenue and Highway 85. An investigation revealed the vehicle was still wanted for its connection to a felony crime. The vehicle was located a short time later, and deputies attempted to stop it, but the driver did not yield and recklessly evaded, and the pursuit was ultimately terminated in the interest of public safety.Stolen vehicle, vehicle tampering, reckless evading, delayin...