Panel selects final concept for Minnesota flag design

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 19:43:02 GMT

Panel selects final concept for Minnesota flag design After months of hearings, the panel tasked with creating new symbols for Minnesota has settled on a flag concept, but more work lies ahead as they hone in on the final details.Members of the State Emblems Redesign Commission on Friday voted in support of a design inspired by a submission from 24-year-old Luverne resident Andrew Prekker, though many tweaks are already in the works.In original form, it’s a flag with white, green and light blue horizontal stripes and a navy blue section on the left that mimics the shape of Minnesota. In that section is an eight-point white star meant to symbolize the state’s motto “Star of the North” as well as unity in a diverse land.The white stripe symbolizes snow, the green stripe represents nature and agriculture, and the light blue stripe represents the state’s waters — from its more than 10,000 lakes to the Mississippi River. Prekker says the “swallow tail” design is unique among flags of the world, and that he wanted to keep it as simple ...

Civilly committed Woodbury mother receives 40 years of probation for killing daughter, injuring son

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 19:43:02 GMT

Civilly committed Woodbury mother receives 40 years of probation for killing daughter, injuring son A Woodbury mother found guilty of murdering her 5-year-old daughter and injuring her 6-year-old son in 2021 will not serve time in prison as long as she follows through with a current mental health civil commitment and other conditions of 40 years of probation she received Friday in a Washington County courtroom.Judge Douglas Meslow sentenced Sadiyo Ibrahim Mohamed to 30½ years in prison, but then stayed execution of the sentence until 2063, during which time she will be on supervised probation. The judge ordered Mohamed to follow all conditions of her current mental health commitment case at the Minnesota Security Hospital in St. Peter, Minn., and any treatment or aftercare.Mohamed, 34, has a history of mental health issues and civil commitments dating back to 2013. She has been at the St. Peter hospital under her latest civil commitment since November 2021. It runs for an “indeterminate” amount of time.In April, Mohamed waived her right to a jury trial in favor of a bi...

Elementary teacher named Schenectady Teacher of the Year

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 19:43:02 GMT

Elementary teacher named Schenectady Teacher of the Year SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Leaders in the Schenectady City School District recognized their teacher of the year on Friday. Colleen Keough was presented with a plague. She's been an elementary school teacher for 15 years.Keough serves on multiple committees and has always gone above and beyond to help her students. She has collected clothes, toys and gift cards for one of her student's families when they lost everything in a house fire. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! Even though she's been in the classroom for a long time, her passion for teaching is still strong."When I first started working, I couldn't believe I got paid to do this," Keough said. "It's amazing working with these kids every day. Seeing their growth -- it's not all academic growth but it's a lot of emotional growth -- and they make me laugh every day, and I love them so much, and I know they love me."She is now eligible to enter the New York State Teacher of the Year...

Toys, gifts being collected to give to local foster children

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 19:43:02 GMT

Toys, gifts being collected to give to local foster children COLONIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The pastor of Victory Church in Albany opened a mini department store called Our Place in 2021 for foster children to get new clothes, bedding, and shoes. They have also been busy collecting toys and other gifts for the holidays.This year, the store is taking specific requests from children so the presents feel personalized. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! "When you do that, that's more like a Christmas you or I would receive growing up," Pastor Charlie Muller said. "I grew up in a middle class family, and I was asked what would you want, so we try to make it as much as a homestyle Christmas as we can."The gifts will be wrapped, put in a stocking, and taken to the foster home so the children can open them on Christmas morning.

45-foot truck filled with food donated to local food bank

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 19:43:02 GMT

45-foot truck filled with food donated to local food bank LATHAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York received a huge donation on Friday. The Capital District Area Labor Federation partnered with area school districts to collect donations to fill up a 45-foot truck.Leaders with the food bank said the donation will go a long way to help feed those in need this holiday season. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! "This is gonna go out and help thousands of people," food bank CEO Tom Nardacci said. "The donations that come in today will bring thousands of meals to help thousands of families in one act."According to Feeding America, one in nine New Yorkers are facing food insecurity. The state estimates that it needs $1.5 billion more every year to meet hunger needs.

Fenton man accused of sexually assaulting girl for seven years, possibly linked to more victims

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 19:43:02 GMT

Fenton man accused of sexually assaulting girl for seven years, possibly linked to more victims JEFFERSON COUNTY, Mo. - Jefferson County authorities have arrested a Fenton man accused of sexually assaulting a girl for seven years. Investigators say he is possibly linked to other victims. Prosecutors have charged Benjamin Sexton, 46, with 15 felonies in the investigation, including six counts of statutory rape and five counts of statutory sodomy. Two St. Louis-area highways among ‘America’s most loathed,’ report says The alleged crimes date back to 2016, when the victim was seven years old, and continued through November of this year, according to a news release from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. The sheriff's office says it learned of the allegations on Nov. 25 and noted that Sexton was arrested Thursday as part of a highly-coordinated search warrant involving Jefferson County detectives, SWAT team members and others. “These allegations are heinous," said Jefferson County Sheriff Dave Marshak via a news release. "I’m proud of the teamwork and unwavering commitment ...

Avalanche sends forward Tomas Tatar to Seattle Kraken for draft pick

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 19:43:02 GMT

Avalanche sends forward Tomas Tatar to Seattle Kraken for draft pick The Tomar Tatar experiment is over in Colorado.After signing the veteran forward to a one-year deal in September, the Avalanche sent Tatar to the Seattle Kraken for a 2024 fifth-round pick, the team announced Friday night.The 33-year-old Slovak appeared in 27 games for Colorado this season, compiling nine points total, although just one of those was a goal. It was a far cry from his production with the New Jersey Devils (20 goals and 28 assists) last season, and not on par with his regular-season output in the first 12 seasons of his career when he scored 20 goals seven times.This story will be updated.

Matthew Perry's death caused by 'acute effects of ketamine,' medical examiner says

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 19:43:02 GMT

Matthew Perry's death caused by 'acute effects of ketamine,' medical examiner says “Friends” actor Matthew Perry died from “acute effects” of the drug ketamine, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner announced Friday.The medical examiner's report said that "high levels of ketamine" were found in Perry's "postmortem blood specimens," adding that "the main lethal effects would be from both cardiovascular overstimulation and respiratory depression."The "exact method of intake" in Perry's case is unknown. Matt LeBlanc pays tribute to Matthew Perry in heartfelt post "There were trace amounts of ketamine detected in the stomach contents," the report stated. "He was reported to be receiving ketamine infusion therapy for depression and anxiety."Per the report, Perry's last known treatment was one-and-a-half weeks prior to his death and the ketamine that was in his system when he died "could not be from that infusion therapy, since ketamine's half-life is three to four hours, or less."Ketamine is “a dissociative anesthetic that has some hallucinogenic effects,” accordi...

Suspected motorhome meth dealer busted in Big Bear

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 19:43:02 GMT

Suspected motorhome meth dealer busted in Big Bear A man from Big Bear City was arrested last week on allegations that he possessed and was selling methamphetamine out of a motorhome.Clifford Woolsey, 62, was arrested by deputies with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department on Dec. 7 at his home on the 45800 block of South Street.Woolsey, who authorities say is also a registered sex offender, was allegedly selling methamphetamine out of a motorhome in the area. Deputies served a search warrant and recovered about three pounds of suspected methamphetamine, items "indicative of drug sales" and a large amount of cash.He was arrested and booked into the Central Detention Center in San Bernardino to await charges for possession of a controlled substance for sales. His bail has been set at $80,000, officials said, and he is due in court on Monday.The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department's Big Bear Station at 909-866-0100. Anonymous tips can be made o...

San Jose Sharks add forward from Vancouver Canucks in trade

Published Mon, 16 Dec 2024 19:43:02 GMT

San Jose Sharks add forward from Vancouver Canucks in trade The San Jose Sharks picked some organizational forward depth Friday as they acquired  Jack Studnicka from the Vancouver Canucks for defenseman Nick Cicek and a 2024 sixth-round draft pick.Studnicka, 24, is in his fifth pro season and has split time this year between the AHL and NHL. With the Canucks, he had one goal in five games.Studnicka was with Abbotsford, the Canucks’ AHL affiliate, in Tucson, Ariz. Per the Sharks, Studnicka will drive to Tempe tonight to meet the team, which is playing the Arizona Coyotes at Mullett Arena at 6 p.m. (PST). He will not play tonight.Studnicka, listed at 6-foot-1 and 187 points, will be added to the Sharks’ roster on Saturday and be available to play in San Jose’s game against the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday in Denver.The Sharks created a roster spot for Studnicka by placing center Nico Sturm on injured reserve. Sturm was hurt during Tuesday’s game with the Winnipeg Jets and did not travel with the team.Studnicka has 16 po...