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Autopsies confirm 5 died of chemical exposure in Illinois tanker crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:20 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Autopsies have confirmed that five people who died when a chemical tanker overturned in central Illinois last month died from exposure to caustic anhydrous ammonia fumes, an official said Monday.The official results confirmed preliminary findings from the Sept. 29 crash, Effingham County Coroner Kim Rhodes said. The victims, including two children, suffered severe chemical burns to their entire bodies, as well as their eyes and respiratory systems, she said.The crash involving a tanker truck carrying the agricultural fertilizer occurred about 8:40 p.m. on U.S. 40 just east of Teutopolis, 110 miles (177 kilometers) northeast of St. Louis. Illinois State Police looking for vehicle potentially involved in ammonia incident Killed in the crash were Danny J. Smith, 67, of New Haven, Missouri; Vasile Cricovan, 31, of Twinsburg, Ohio; 34-year-old Kenneth Bryan of Teutopolis and his children Walker, 10, and Rosie, 7, of Beecher City.Traffic had been diverted onto U...

Witness video shown in first day of APD officer murder case

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:20 GMT

Editor’s note: The above video shows KXAN News Today’s morning headlines for Monday, Oct. 23, 2023.AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Opening statements wrapped up Monday in the trial of Austin Police Officer Christopher Taylor, who was charged with murder in the death of Mike Ramos. Taylor shot and killed Ramos, 42, during a confrontation with police back in April 2020 at a south Austin apartment complex parking lot. Taylor is on administrative leave with APD.Previous coverage of the trial: Opening statements wrap up in murder trial involving APD officerJury selected in APD officer’s murder trialJudge grants mistrial motion in APD officer murder caseOpening statements After Taylor pleaded not guilty, attorneys representing him did not give opening statements Monday. It meant the jury heard largely from prosecutors on the first day of trial. Prosecutors used maps, photos and screenshots of body-worn camera footage to walk jurors through the events leading up to Ramos' death in their opening statement...

Wet weather pattern continues all week

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:20 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Periods of welcome, soaking rain with a few embedded thunderstorms continue through the early evening hours as moisture from once-Hurricane Norma moves across the state.Some parts of the Austin Metro are have seen 1.5"-2" of rain, while the Hill Country and eastern counties have generally seen lighter totals. Live, updated rain totals Once Hurricane Norma's rain-generating moisture exits the state Tuesday, a separate storm system approaches, continuing on-and-off wet weather all week.While a few passing showers or thunderstorms are possible all week, the wettest period of weather appears to come as the trough of low pressure clips our area Wednesday night into early Thursday. During this time, a line of slow-moving thunderstorms may bring widespread heavy rainfall and even a minor flash flood threat.Forecast radar with heavy thunderstorms Thursday morningWidespread, additional rainfall totals of 1-2" are likely across Central Texas, on top of the 1-2" that have al...

What's 'green' concrete, and how is Austin using it in transportation projects?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:20 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The City of Austin has a new, eco-friendly effort underway to help reduce carbon emissions when building out new sidewalks.City crews began work installing new sidewalks, curb ramps and driveways along Burleson Road between Ben White Boulevard and Chapman Lane last week. That project will tap into green concrete technology, a method that "injects captured carbon dioxide into concrete as it's being mixed," city transportation officials said in a Monday newsletter.After the concrete hardens, officials noted "the carbon dioxide is sequestered forever," regardless of whether the project is torn down at a later date. Alongside being more environmentally friendly, the practice also leads to stronger concrete and the use of less cement, which minimize carbon emission impacts. The city's sidewalk pilot project will account for approximately 100 cubic yards of green energy concrete used, leading to the prevention of roughly 2,500 pounds of carbon dioxide being admitted into t...

'A noticeable difference': Austin business feels increased police presence downtown improving safety

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:20 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN)— A downtown business that's been a victim of crime more than once in downtown Austin and the Downtown Alliance hosted a lunch Monday to thank Austin Police Department officers. Royal Blue Grocery said it has noticed a difference since APD increased patrol efforts downtown."In fact, to the point where I picked up the phone and called Lt. [Christopher] Juusola...and said, 'Hey, what's going on? What are you guys doing differently?," Owner of Royal Blue Grocery, Craig Staley said.The Downtown Austin Alliance said APD began its new approach after it had a meeting with APD higher-ups less than a month ago. "We were sharing our concerns for some deteriorating conditions down here," Brandon Fahy with the Downtown Austin Alliance said.Staley and the Downtown Alliance said they wanted to throw a block-style lunch on Monday to show their gratitude. Since September 30, Lt. Christopher Juusola said 120 APD officers who work the downtown area have been working overtime in order to ...

Letters: Copper-wire thieves strike again. And again. This isn’t working, St. Paul

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:20 GMT

Copper thieves strike again. And 4 days later, againIn the Twin Cities, street lights illuminate our surroundings to allow us to see more clearly and to feel safer. I think that they also deter some forms of crime. For example, I think that cars parked on-street are less likely to broken into if they’re parked in well lit areas.  We also perceive our safety as being higher where there is good lighting.Where we live in St Paul, the street light wiring was just stolen for the third time this year. This is the first time that this has been an issue in the 23 years that we’ve lived in our house. The last time the wiring was stolen this month, it had been installed four days earlier. After it was stolen the second time, I didn’t bother contacting the city to replace it because I knew that it would just be stolen again.If the measures taken to prevent wire theft stay the same, I would like to encourage the city not to replace the wiring anymore. You read correctly … don’t replace it. Repl...

Authorities say drugs found in home of central Minnesota man accused of shooting 5 officers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:20 GMT

Investigators found methamphetamine and traces of the stimulant while searching the home of a central Minnesota man who’s now charged with attempted murder in the shootings of five drug task force officers, a search warrant released Monday says.Investigators suspected Karl Thomas Holmberg, 64, and his wife of selling methamphetamine when they raided their house Oct. 12, according to a separate search warrant released last Wednesday.Five officers with the Sherburne County Drug Task Force suffered nonfatal injuries when the gunfire broke out, while a sixth officer who was present in the home was unhurt. Holmberg was injured in his foot. He was charged the next day with six counts of attempted first-degree murder of a peace officer and six counts of first-degree assault of a peace officer. His wife has not been charged.Oct. 13, 2023 courtesy photo of Karl Thomas Holmberg. Holmberg, 64, was charged Oct. 13 with six counts of attempted first-degree murder of a peace officer and six...

Police searching for suspect of Albany vehicle theft

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:20 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Albany County Sheriff’s Office announced they are seeking the public's assistance in identifying the suspect of a vehicle theft. The vehicle was reported stolen out of Albany on October 23. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Photo of the suspect of the (Albany County Sheriff’s Office)Following reports of the car traveling at high speeds in the town of Knox, the vehicle was located by deputies, who pursued the suspect. The pursuit was cancelled when the suspect started driving in an unsafe manner that could have endangered officers and the general public, however the vehicle was found shortly after, with police stating the driver had fled into the woods on foot. A search for the man was conducted by deputies and K-9’s from the Albany County Sheriff’s Office, as well as state troopers, state police K-9’s and the state police Aviation Unit. The stolen vehicle was also equipped with a camera system which ...

Albany man convicted of attempted murder and assault

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:20 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A jury convicted Houston Ketter III, 40, of attempted murder in the first and second degree and two counts of first-degree assault. Ketter was remanded without bail pending sentencing, which will take place on December 19. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! According to the indictment, Ketter intentionally set a woman on fire on November 13, 2022. The incident occurred in the area of Bradford and Robin Streets. He was also accused of attempting to cause serious physical injury to another victim on a separate date.

School bus crash safety

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:38:20 GMT

GALWAY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Last week NEWS10 talked about National School Bus Safety Week and some of the methods to help keep riders safe. NEWS10 learned of a bus crash in Galway where students encountered a scary situation of their own and has more on what is being done to help keep your kids safe. Cannabis roll out woes continue It was a frightening moment for some kids from the Galway Central School District. Earlier this month their bus driver experienced a medical emergency that ultimately led to the bus crashing into a tree. Fortunately, nobody was hurt.Dr. Brita Donovan, Superintendent for Galway Central School District says her students were prepared. “The students, drivers, and administrators practice bus safety including drills.” She went on to say they, “take those drills very seriously and I think it was instrumental to our students who were very helpful during the accident and stayed calm and followed directions.”These drills are a part of a program all school districts...