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Inquiry into N.S. killings calls for bold change to tackle family violence ‘epidemic’

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:47 GMT

The public inquiry into the April 2020 shootings in Nova Scotia is calling for an overhaul of the way society handles the “epidemic” of gender-based, intimate-partner and family violence.In addition to creating better supports for victims of such violence, the Mass Casualty Commission says governments should pass laws to abolish mandatory arrest and charging policies.Canadian law requires police to lay charges of assault in cases where they have reasonable grounds, regardless of the victims’ wishes.RELATED:Inquiry calls for changes to clarify relationship between RCMP, federal governmentNova Scotia mass shooting inquiry identifies many RCMP failings, recommends overhaulThe commission says a “prevention-oriented public health approach to violence” should be adopted, which includes treatment for perpetrators.And it says there must be a recognition that many men who commit mass violence have a history of domestic violence, and many mass killings begin with...

Taiwan’s president wraps up Guatemala visit, heads to Belize

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:47 GMT

GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei on Saturday toured a hospital built with support from Taipei, reaffirming their close diplomatic ties as the self-governing island seeks to strengthen relations with its remaining allies in Central America. It was the final day of Tsai’s three-day visit to Guatemala and came shortly after Honduras announced it would break ties with Taiwan and switch its support to China, joining Nicaragua, Panama, El Salvador and Costa Rica. Belize – the next stop on Tsai’s trip – is the only other Central American country to maintain diplomatic ties with Taiwan.Giammattei once again thanked Taiwan’s leader for her government’s economic support and said Guatemala’s friendship with Taiwan was “unchangeable.”Sunday’s visit came a day after the leaders toured the Guatemalan archaeological site of Tikal, one of the most important urban centers of the Mayan civilization.The hospital in C...

14 tornadoes touchdown in Chicago area, NWS confirms

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:47 GMT

CHICAGO — NWS Chicago has confirmed 14 total tornadoes in Northern Illinois including one in Belvidere where a roof collapse at the Apollo Theater left one person dead. According to the NWS, one was reported west/southwest of Baileyville and one was reported near Caledonia.On Saturday afternoon, the National Weather Service confirmed a third tornado, an EF-1, impacted Machesney Park. The fourth tornado was an EF-1 tornado that went across portions of Ogle, Winnebago and Boone counties. The NWS said wind speeds peaked in Belvidere and caused the roof to collapse.Other tornadoes included: EF - 1 near Wellington, ILEF - 1 near Stockland, IL EF - Lombard to Addison, IL EF -2 near Oxford, IN EF - 2 near Fowler, IN EF - 1 Near RemingtonEF - 0 from Montgomery near Orchard Road to Aurora near Phillips ParkEF - 0 in Plainfield along 135th StreetNWS Chicago stated that these numbers are subject to change. 1 dead, 28 injured after roof collapses at Belvidere theater amid strong storms 57 to...

Witness describes terror as tornado tore through Illinois theater

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:47 GMT

BELVIDERE, Ill. (WTVO) — Trista Strommen went to the Apollo Theater in Belvidere on Friday to celebrate her birthday. It was soon marred by an EF-1 tornado that ripped through the Illinois city, destroying the roof of the building and causing it to collapse on concert attendees, killing one and injuring 28 others.Crypta, one of the opening acts for the heavy metal band Morbid Angel had just finished a song when concertgoers were told there would be a 30-minute storm break.Strommen and her stepdad decided to buy a T-shirt while they waited. That's when tragedy struck. Concertgoers rushed to help others after roof collapse at Belvidere’s Apollo Theater "All you heard was the rumbling building. You felt that shaking and you could just see the lights flickering on and off," Strommen recounted the terror as the tornado hit. "And the next thing you know, you can see the whole building, like the roof behind us, is just crumbling down on top of people. And you just hear everyone screaming...

Tornado watch issued for parts of Central Texas

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:47 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The National Weather Service have issued a Tornado Watch for parts of the Hill Country and Milam County due to the risk for isolated severe storms capable of producing a tornado. Tornado watch until 11 p.m.While the severe weather risk today is higher to the north of the KXAN viewing area, any isolated storms that develop may still be potent. Severe risk Sunday into Sunday eveningAll types of severe weather are possible today with a tornado risk, very large hail threat and a wind damage concern.Severe concerns SundayStorm coverage should increase mid-late afternoon, with the strongest storms expected beginning early evening. Isolated storms won't get everyone wet today, in fact many stay dry. But an isolated rain and severe storm concern will continue through as late as 10 p.m. tonight.Rain totals will vary widely from less than a tenth of an inch for many, but isolated 1"+ amounts are possible in areas that see storms. UPDATED April forecast increases chances for...

Man receives maximum sentence for 2019 murder, second conviction in case

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:47 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A second man was convicted in connection to a May 2019 murder Wednesday, according to Travis County court documents.Records said 27-year-old Jerome Yancey was sentenced by a judge to serve 40 years in state prison. He received the maximum sentence.According to past KXAN reports, Yancey faced the first-degree felony murder charge for the May 2019 death of 28-year-old Jannerra Williams. Williams was shot and killed at a hotel in the 7900 block of Gessner Drive. RELATED: Third suspect identified in connection with north Austin hotel fatal shooting According to documents, Yancey pleaded not guilty to the murder charge March 27. Court records showed Yancey was convicted by the court March 28 after a trial lasting two days.Documents said Yancey would receive a jail credit of 1,081 days, almost three years.Two other men were also arrested in connection to the fatal shooting — 21-year-old Roosevelt Haynes III and 26-year-old Timothy Bowie.On December 19, 2022, Haynes was s...

Austin Energy works to expand awareness of its Medically Vulnerable Registry

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:47 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Thursday, Austin Energy said it reached out to hundreds of thousands of customers with details about the Medically Vulnerable Registry, part of the Customer Assistance Program meant to help community members in need.Austin Energy said it reached out to customers to encourage them to register for extra help before a power outage. RELATED: How Austin Energy keeps track of medically vulnerable registry during outages "For customers who need critical care or have a serious illness, this registry provides personal case management from the City of Austin. Though customers on the registry are not guaranteed uninterrupted power or priority restoration during an emergency, they will work with a designated team member to establish a personalized emergency backup plan," the utility said.In order to qualify, Austin Energy said customers must meet one of the following criteria:They are on a life support system identified by City of Austin Code, Section 15-9-23They are being ...

EagleCam eaglet dies when its nest falls out of its tree on Sunday morning

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:47 GMT

A bald eagles’ nest that was being video-streamed on the state’s EagleCam fell Sunday, killing an eaglet that had hatched about a week earlier.“We wish we weren’t writing this post,” the Department of Natural Resources said on Facebook, “but the EagleCam nest fell out of the tree early this morning.”In a post update, the agency added, “We found the chick. It did not survive the fall. If you know where the nest is, we ask that you refrain from visiting.”Condolences poured in. “My heart is broken. RIP little one,” one person wrote on Facebook. “Rest in Peace sweet chick,” another said.The DNR had announced the eaglet’s hatching on Monday. “We have the new star of 2023!” it said. “This single chick will be one well cared-for eaglet. Egg hatched on 3/26 some time in the afternoon.”The eagle pair laid two eggs, one on Feb. 15 and the other on Feb. 18. One of the eggs broke on Feb. 21.One...

Queen Mary reopens for tours for first time since 2020

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:47 GMT

Long Beach's iconic Queen Mary has officially reopened for tours for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.The famous cruise ship began offering limited tour sales on Saturday, including the Glory Days Historical Tour, Steam and Steel Tour and the popular Haunted Encounters Tour.The first tours embarked on Saturday, but future tours can be reserved online now. Steve Caloca, Managing Director of the Queen Mary, said he was excited to welcome people aboard the ship once again to tour the Southern California landmark.“With expert guides to lead the way, these tours provide our guests with a unique perspective of The Queen Mary and allow visitors to discover the fascinating stories that have made her an icon of the seas," Caloca said. "From her majestic construction to her harrowing wartime service and beyond, the Queen Mary has lived a life of adventure, romance and intrigue. This is just one of the things we plan on unveiling as we welcome back our guests...

Vehicle with multiple children inside crashes into Santa Ana police car; driver arrested for DUI

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:47 GMT

A driver was arrested after crashing their vehicle into a Santa Ana Police Department cruiser late Saturday night, while several children were riding in the suspect's vehicle.It happened around 11 p.m. on the 500 block of West Civic Drive in Santa Ana, police said.Video from the scene showed a dark-colored Chevrolet SUV parked on a sidewalk with large dents in its passenger side, while a Santa Ana police SUV sat disabled in the roadway with major front end damage.Police said all of those involved in the crash suffered minor injuries.Several children were seen as they were evaluated and treated by paramedics. The unidentified driver was arrested at the scene, but police said the exact relationship between the driver and the children is unclear.