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How Christmas in Texas has always been different

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:03 GMT

TEXAS (KAMR/KCIT) - From colorful trees to cozy sleigh rides, many ubiquitous holiday symbols and traditions weren't common in Texas until the 20th century, despite being the site of the country's first Christmas. Instead, Christmas in the Lone Star State has historically been distinct from the rest of the United States.From the time of Spanish conquistadors to the reign of the cowboys, Texas for most of its history has been comprised of vast stretches of unincorporated wilderness. Even after the population boom of the 1880s-1890s, most of the communities around the state were rural with lower-density populations, and in decades previous many did not have access to railroads or other convenient trading routes and supplies. Because of this, festive occasions throughout Texas history have depended on the supplies that its people had on hand at the time; meaning Christmas in Texas has far less often featured roasting chestnuts on an open fire than a community rodeo. Christmas caroling ...

Texas woman connected to multi-million PPP fraud sentenced to prison

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:03 GMT

LUBBOCK, Texas -- A Lubbock woman was sentenced to 2.5 years in federal prison for "concealing a PPP Loan Fraud," the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton announced on Monday.According to court documents, Hope Leticia Hastey, 51, founded a company that provided contract services such as speech and occupational therapy. Along with her company, Radar Supports, federal court records said Hastey also founded Radar Foundations, a non-profit that organized community fundraisers for people with "intellectual limitations."The company had about 10 employees and the foundation had none, court records said. Court records stated in May 2020, an assumed name certificate was filed for "Radar Supports Construction," indicating Hastey as the owner. Court records stated the entity never provided services of any kind and never filed a tax return. File image of Hope Hastey (Nexstar/Staff)Hastey hired Andrew Travis Johnson for bookkeeping services. Johnson later pleaded guil...

Charley Walters: Vikings’ owners facing tough financial decisions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:03 GMT

During the 17 years that Zygi and Mark Wilf have owned the Vikings, the team has made the playoffs seven times. A loss on Sunday to the favored Detroit Lions would make the postseason unlikely. Going forward, the Wilfs face difficult spending decisions.Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) loosens up during warm ups before the start of a NFL Wildcard Round game against the New York Giants at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Sunday, Jan. 15, 2022. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)Foremost will be quarterback. It’s unclear whether the underwhelming play of Vikings backups will improve Kirk Cousins’ free agency market, which could reach $40 million next spring.It seems likely that had Cousins not been lost for the remaining nine games due to Achilles surgery, the Vikings would have won a couple more games and been a legitimate NFC North contender with the Lions.But Cousins isn’t expected to be fully recovered in March when free agency begins. The draft isn’t until April, and the...

Police: Troy man arrested after search yields drugs and cash

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:03 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Police arrested Royal Teasley, 37, of Troy on Friday. This after a monthlong investigation by the Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation Unit and the Sheriff’s Emergency Service Unit. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! Those agencies executed a search warrant at Teasley's home on 6th Avenue in Troy, where they claim to have found over a pound of coke and fentanyl, an ounce of meth, 20 pounds of weed, a loaded handgun without a serial number, scales and packaging for sales, and over $20,000 in cash. He was arrested on several charges:First-degree criminal possession of a controlled substanceTwo counts of second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substanceThird-degree criminal possession of a controlled substanceSecond-degree criminal possession of a weaponcriminal possession of a firearmTeasley went to jail without bail after his arraignment in Brunswick Town Court.

Israel strikes 2 homes, killing more than 90 Palestinians. Biden says he didn't request a cease-fire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:03 GMT

RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — More than 90 Palestinians, including dozens from an extended family, were killed in Israeli airstrikes on two homes in Gaza, rescuers and hospital officials said Saturday, a day after the U.N. chief warned that nowhere is safe in the territory and that Israel’s offensive creates “massive obstacles” to distribution of humanitarian aid.U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday, calling it a long and private conversation a day after the Biden administration again shielded Israel in the diplomatic arena. On Friday, the U.N. Security Council adopted a watered-down resolution that calls for immediately speeding up aid deliveries to desperate civilians in Gaza, but not for a cease-fire.“I did not ask for a cease-fire,” Biden said of the call. Netanyahu’s office said the prime minister “made clear that Israel would continue the war until achieving all its goals.”Also Saturday, the Israeli military said troops arrested ...

Antioch: 26-year-old man shot and killed, suspect arrested

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:03 GMT

A 26-year-old man was shot and killed in Antioch on Friday evening, police said.At around 6:30 p.m., police received reports of a shooting and found the man with a gunshot wound in the 800 block of Sunset Drive. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.Officers later arrested a suspect in the neighborhood.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Person injured in Daly City shooting remains in critical condition, police say Crime and Public Safety | Two men wounded in Oakland shootings Crime and Public Safety | Three detained after an East Bay shooting leaves one dead Crime and Public Safety | Mother of 6-year-old school shooter gets 2 years in prison Crime and Public Safety | Two shot in North Oakland residence early Saturday morning The name of the victim was being withheld until his family was notified. Police said they were not releasing any more information pending an investigation into the shooting...

Pedestrian hit-and-run, OPD investigates 

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:03 GMT

(KRON) – The Oakland Police Department is investigating a vehicle collision in the area of Castro Street and 19th Street around 8 p.m. on Dec. 22. Upon officers’ arrival, they located an adult pedestrian who had been struck by a vehicle. The victim was transported to the hospital by medical personnel for treatment.  Two Antioch minors killed in fatal hit-and-run The victim was listed in stable condition.  According to the police investigation, the driver of the vehicle involved in the collision fled the scene after the incident.  This is an ongoing investigation.Anyone with information is asked to contact the OPD Traffic Investigations Unit at (510)-777-8570. 

Police arrest ex-high school band staff member for allegedly molesting juvenile in 2001

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:03 GMT

(BCN) -- Santa Cruz officers arrested a former band staff member on Thursday for allegedly sexually assaulting a juvenile over two decades ago, according to police.Santa Cruz police said a former student and member of the Santa Cruz High Band told the school's officials recently that a part-time band staff member, identified as Ronald Salinas, allegedly molested the former student at his residence on the West Side back in 2001. Pedestrian hit-and-run, OPD investigates School officials reported the accusation to Santa Cruz police, who executed an arrest and search warrant for Salinas on Thursday.Detectives learned that Salinas, who is no longer employed by the school, left his post a few months before the alleged crime.He was booked into the county jail on his arrest warrant for suspected sexual assault on a juvenile.Those with relevant information regarding this case or other cases involving Salinas are asked to contact the Santa Cruz Police Department Investigations Division at ...

Save Mount Diablo buys Krane Pond property

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:03 GMT

(BCN) -- Save Mount Diablo this week closed escrow on the 6.69-acre Krane Pond property on the slopes of Mount Diablo, permanently protecting it from development. The conservation group said in a statement Wednesday that the property is part of the "missing mile," a square mile of partly unprotected land on Mount Diablo's north peak. See’s Candies Embarcadero location closing on Christmas Eve The group said the property has been one of its priorities since its founding in 1971, partially because of its large pond, one of the largest on Mount Diablo's north side, and its position directly adjacent to Mount Diablo State Park."Krane Pond is a vital water source for Mount Diablo's wildlife, one that contains water throughout most summers, unlike many of the creeks and other ponds found on Mount Diablo.The ecological significance of Krane Pond far eclipses its size," the group said.Save Mount Diablo secured the option agreement to purchase Krane Pond in the fall of 2022, with a year t...

Student organization happy with changes to international student regulations

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:34:03 GMT

The Canadian government recently announced revised requirements for international students planning to study in Canada, and the changes have received mixed reaction. International students planning to come to Canada will now have to show they have a balance of $20,635 available after paying for tuition and travel costs, with the amount adjusted annually to based on cost of living data from Statistics Canada.They will have to have show that amount invested in a GIC, with lump sums released back to the students on a monthly basis while it remains in a stable, growth environment. A policy allowing international students to work more than 20 hours per week has also been extended to the end of April 2024, a waiver that had been set to expire at the conclusion of 2023. The government says the changes are coming to better prepare international students for the financial realities of living in Canada, and to crack down on post-secondary institutions that charge exorbitant amounts to student...