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Australian bus driver released on bail after being charged over 10 passengers’ deaths

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:31 GMT

CESSNOCK, Australia (AP) — A bus driver was driving too fast when his 57-seat vehicle rolled on its side and hit a guard rail in heavy fog, killing 10 wedding guests and injuring 25 others, police alleged Tuesday.Brett Andrew Button, 58, was driving 35 passengers on a 20-minute journey from a wedding reception at the Wandin Estate Winery to the town of Singleton, both in the Hunter Valley wine region of New South Wales state, when the 2009 Volvo bus rolled at a roundabout late Sunday.Button had been in police custody but was released on bail when he appeared in a Cessnock court Tuesday charged with 10 counts of dangerous driving in relation to each death and one count of negligent driving.Earlier, acting Police Assistant Commissioner David Waddell alleged that Button “entered that roundabout driving in a manner that was inconsistent with the conditions.” “Obviously, the speed was too quick for him to negotiate that roundabout, causing the vehicle to fall onto its left side and cause...

Police: 2 women robbed in broad daylight in Lincoln Park

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:31 GMT

CHICAGO -- Two women were mugged for their cell phones in Lincoln Park nine minutes apart and three miles away from each incident Monday evening.According to the Chicago Police Department, a 26-year-old woman reported she was walking west on Armitage Ave just before 4:25 p.m. on Monday when an unknown offender approached her from behind her, hit and pushed her. The suspect then took the woman's phone and fled in a four-door white sedan.Nine minutes later and almost three miles away, another woman, 30, reported that she was walking south on Belden Ave when someone approached her from behind and took her cell phone out of her hand.The suspect then fled in a white sedan south on Belden.No further information has been made available at this time. The investigation is ongoing.Stay with WGN as this story develops.

California mother falls, dies trying to save teen at waterfall

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:31 GMT

(KTLA) -- An Orange County mother of two died when she fell from the edge of a waterfall while trying to save a teenager in San Diego County last week, authorities said.Sarah Crocker, 48, of Ladera Ranch was hiking with family and friends at Three Sisters Falls in Descanso when a teenage girl in their group slipped and started to fall, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department said in a news release.Crocker tried to keep the girl from going over the ledge but lost her footing.“Unfortunately, both the woman and girl fell and suffered severe injuries,” authorities said.Several witnesses rushed to help Crocker and the teen, who was flown by helicopter to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Cause of death for Olympic medal-winning sprinter Tori Bowie revealed: reports Crocker was pronounced dead at the scene after drowning and suffering "multiple blunt force injuries," according to the medical examiner.“Sarah was pure joy. Her love of family, friends and all things outdoors...

Animal Commission will continue to discuss Austin Aquarium rules following lemur attack

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:31 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Animal Advisory Commission discussed rules related to interactive animal encounters at the Austin Aquarium during its monthly meeting Monday night. According to city documents, if the commission approves the measure, it would request the Austin City Council consider amending city code to target a for-profit zoo or aquarium specifically. It would ban public interaction with wild animals when a facility isn’t accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Woman says lemur attacked her at Austin Aquarium Commissioners moved to create a working group to look more closely at the measure's wording to make sure it doesn't negatively impact businesses like pet stores. The Austin Aquarium is a for-profit facility and is not required to have this accreditation. Last month, a woman said a lemur attacked her at the Aquarium during what the facility calls an "encounter." This is where guests can pet animals under the supervision of handlers. “I remember looking down ...

Money allocated for new firefighting training towers in Albany County

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:31 GMT

ALBANY COUNTY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Firefighters in Albany County will be receiving new towers to help with fire training. The county legislature approved $900,000 to build new towers in both Guilderland and Colonie. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The money will also help upgrade the tower in hill towns in East Berne.Officials said the tower will help with training firefighters throughout the county. They also said Albany County firefighters respond to 39,000 calls a year.

Pat Sajak announces “Wheel of Fortune” retirement, says upcoming season will be his last as host

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:31 GMT

LOS ANGELES — Pat Sajak is taking one last spin on “Wheel of Fortune,” announcing Monday that its upcoming season will be his last as host.Sajak announced his retirement from the venerable game show in a tweet. “Well, the time has come. I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last. It’s been a wonderful ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming months. Many thanks to you all,” the tweet said.Sajak, 76, has presided over the game show, which features contestants guessing letters to try to fill out words and phrases to win money and prizes, since 1981. He took over duties from Chuck Woolery, who was the show’s first host when it debuted in 1975.Along with Vanna White, who joined the show in 1982, Sajak has been a television mainstay. The show soon shifted to a syndication and aired in the evening in many markets, becoming one of the most successful game shows in history. Sajak will continue to serve as a consultant on the show for three years...

Denver just made it easier for businesses to have patios

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:31 GMT

Denver has updated its zoning code to streamline the approval process, relax design standards and open up more space for businesses ranging from bars and restaurants to salons and tattoo parlors to set up outdoor patios.The updated regulations, approved via a unanimous City Council vote Monday night, build off temporary, pandemic-era changes the city made to its rules to provide flexibility to small businesses struggling under public health occupancy restrictions.They are the first step in a broader effort city officials are calling the Outdoor Places Program. More changes that would clear the way for patios in public rights of way including in place of on-street parking spots or even in closed-down streets will be the subject of a public outreach effort starting later this month, officials say.The code amendments approved Monday make a number of changes. Here are some key details:• Any nonresidential business may now apply to create patio space previously reserved only for eating a...

Police ask for public's help in shooting death of 16-year-old student in South L.A.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:31 GMT

Authorities with the Los Angeles Police Department on Monday asked for the public’s help in connection with the tragic shooting death of 16-year-old Quincy Reese on Saturday night in the South Los Angeles neighborhood of Manchester Square.  Friends of the 16-year-old continue to gather outside Crenshaw High School where the teen excelled both academically and athletically, and where he’s being remembered as a caring person.  “If there was something going on, he would always bring something together,” Trayvon Robinson, one of Reese’s friends, told KTLA. “He was always someone you could talk to.”  The teen’s father, Quincy Reese Sr., said his son was an honor roll student and was planning on taking over as captain of the basketball team with plans to play in college. “God allowed me 16 years (with him), and I’m thankful for that,” his father said.  While no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting, the teen’s father had this to say to those respo...

Santa Barbara County man charged for possession of illegal drugs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:31 GMT

Santa Barbara County authorities arrested a man for possession of illegal narcotics on Monday. Last Tuesday, deputies received an anonymous tip about someone selling illegal narcotics in Isla Vista, according to a Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office news release. Following the anonymous tip, detectives recovered more than 175 counterfeit Xanax, along with MDMA and psilocybin mushrooms during a search warrant in the 6600 block of Abrego Road. Police arrested 21-year-old Thomas Hung of Isla Vista for transportation of a controlled substance, possession of narcotics for sales, possession of a controlled substance for sales, and cultivation of psilocybin mushrooms. He was booked at the Santa Barbara County Main jail and is being held on a $30,000 bail. 

Popular organic food brand opens first drive-thru restaurant in Southern California

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:53:31 GMT

A popular organic food brand that sells well-known items in the frozen food section of your local grocery story is gearing up to bring its signature entree items to a drive-thru near you. Amy's Drive Thru, a business venture from California-based Amy's Kitchen organic food brand, will be opening a new location in Thousand Oaks this week. It's the first of the company's drive-thru locations to set up shop in Southern California.The new quick service restaurant will offer organic vegetarian food out of an "eco-friendly" facility.The restaurant will offer some favorite fast food items, including burgers, fries, milkshakes, burritos, enchiladas and soups — all organic, plant-based and made-to-order. The company has already launched four locations in Northern California, but it says the Thousand Oaks expansion has long been in the works. “Since we started Amy’s Drive Thru in 2015, Southern California has been on our radar,” said co-founder Andy Berliner in a news release. “Our passion is...