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Ricky Ridings' cold case solved after 36-year investigation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:36 GMT

CALLOWAY COUNTY Mo – After 36 years, the cold case of Ricky Ridings has finally been solved, thanks to the efforts of the Callaway County Sheriff’s Office. In 1981, the Callaway County Sheriff's Office investigated the shooting death of Ricky Ridings, whose body was discovered near Portland, Missouri. Despite their efforts in 1981, the case went cold. However, a breakthrough occurred in 2017 when they received information from Conrad Schmitt III. Conrad Schmitt III, photo by Missouri Department of CorrectionsSchmitt III, who had been serving a life sentence since 1995 for an unrelated murder, confessed to the killing of Ricky Ridings during a recorded prison phone call. In 2018, Ridings' body was exhumed to reevaluate the evidence. The Ridings' family was notified of the new developments in their case, and further witnesses were interviewed.  ‘Basketball Wives’ star Brittish Cierrah Williams sentenced to prison The case reached its conclusion on August 20, 2023, wh...

Illinois State Police to ramp up November patrols in Madison and St. Clair Counties

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:36 GMT

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. - Illinois State Police will be increasing patrols and roadside checks this November in Madison and St. Clair Counties. The initiative is an effort to tackle impaired driving, make sure seat belts are buckled, and stop speeding.There will be special patrols targeting the "fatal four" violations: driving under the influence (DUI), safety belt and child restraint use, speeding, and distracted driving. Local cops unmask international suspects’ clever crime tricks Illinois State Police's goal is to reduce 30% of Illinois traffic fatalities caused by impairment and 35% from speeding. Roadside Safety Checks in Madison and St. Clair Counties will address DUI offenses and other traffic violations.There is one alcohol-related traffic fatality every 53 minutes in the United States. Safety belts are still one of the most effective safety devices in vehicles, estimated to save nearly 14,000 lives each year.

Four children missing from Centennial since June found safe in Louisiana

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:36 GMT

Four siblings who were last seen in Centennial in June were found safe in Louisiana and are now safely back in Colorado, the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office said in a Wednesday news release.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Suspect arrested in connection to body parts stolen from mausoleum Crime and Public Safety | Colorado Springs man pleads guilty to assaulting police during U.S. Capitol riot Crime and Public Safety | Woman arrested for assaulting deputy after Westminster apartment standoff Crime and Public Safety | Police searching for information after man shot, killed in southeast Denver Crime and Public Safety | Driver dies after crashing into building in Greeley The four children, whose ages range from 4 to 9 years old, were living in a foster home and had a weekend visit with their father, Howard Myles, starting June 30, Arapahoe County officials said in the news release.He was sup...

Indigenous teen missing from Lakewood since Monday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:36 GMT

A 15-year-old girl is missing from Lakewood, according to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.Related ArticlesColorado News | Fort Carson soldier has gone missing, U.S. Army says The agency activated a Missing Indigenous Person Alert for Cynna Nightwalker on Wednesday.Nightwalker was last seen at about 8 a.m. Monday in the 560 block of South Swadley Street. She may be experiencing mental heath symptoms that impact her decision-making, according to the agency.Nightwalker is Cherokee and described as 5 feet, 1 inch tall; 100 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.Anyone who sees her should call 911 or the Lakewood Police Department at 303-980-7300Get more Colorado news by signing up for our daily Your Morning Dozen email newsletter.

Suspect arrested in connection to body parts stolen from mausoleum

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:36 GMT

Denver police Tuesday arrested a man in connection to a case of body parts stolen out of a mausoleum in a Jefferson County cemetery.Investigators identified John Wayne Belknap, 46, from evidence left at the scene of a private mausoleum at Crown Hill Cemetery, where entombed body parts were stolen Oct. 11; he is being held in the Jefferson County jail on charges of felony criminal mischief, abuse of a corpse, third-degree burglary, theft and desecration of a venerated object, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Four children missing from Centennial since June found safe in Louisiana Crime and Public Safety | Colorado Springs man pleads guilty to assaulting police during U.S. Capitol riot Crime and Public Safety | Woman arrested for assaulting deputy after Westminster apartment standoff Crime and Public Safety | Police searching for information after man ...

Catalytic converter thefts on the decline, insurance data suggests

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:36 GMT

Catalytic converter thefts appear to be on the decline, according to new data from State Farm.The auto insurer said the number of claims filed to report catalytic converter thefts are significantly down in 2023 compared to the previous year.The State Farm data shows a decline in thefts for the first time since 2019.So far, in the first half of 2023, there were around 14,500 claims filed related to catalytic converter thefts. That's down from the 23,000 claims made during the same timeframe in 2022.If that trend continues through the remainder of 2023, State Farm data indicates that the U.S. could see the lowest number of reported thefts in years. These vehicles are the most targeted for catalytic converter thefts in California Catalytic converters are regular targets for thieves. They can be cut from the undercarriage of a car and sold to recyclers for anywhere from $25 to $300 for a standard vehicle and up to $1,400 for hybrid vehicles, according to the vehicle data company Carfa...

Studio City home intruder shouted antisemitic insults, victim says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:36 GMT

A Studio City woman is describing the terror her family endured when she says a man broke into their home early Wednesday morning and threatened to kill them while hurling antisemitic insults.The break-in happened around 5:20 a.m. in the 3000 block of Laurel Canyon Boulevard, according to Los Angeles Police.The victim, who is nine months pregnant, told KTLA’s Ellina Abovian that the intruder first kicked in the door to their master bedroom. Her husband fought with him while she called 911. “[He said] I’m going to kill you because you are Jewish … Israel kills people,” she said in broken English.A suspect is taken into custody following a home invasion in Studio City, California on Oct. 25, 2023. (KNN)A suspect is taken into custody following a home invasion in Studio City, California on Oct. 25, 2023. (KNN)A suspect is taken into custody following a home invasion in Studio City, California on Oct. 25, 2023. (KNN)The couple's four children were also home at the time.After struggling ...

Halloween pumpkin horror unfolds on California freeway

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:36 GMT

Cleanup crews had to deal with more than old-fashioned smashed jack-o'-lanterns early Wednesday morning after a semi-truck carrying a load of pumpkins caught fire. The blaze broke out on the southbound span of the 5 Freeway at Smoky Bear Road in Lebec shortly after 2 a.m.  Violent brawl at soccer game caught on camera in Irvine Video from the scene shows hundreds of burnt and bruised pumpkins littering the roadway as crews extinguish the fire. Footage from the scene shows hundreds of burnt and bruised pumpkins littering the roadway as crews extinguish the fire. (OnSceneTV) Footage from the scene shows hundreds of burnt and bruised pumpkins littering the roadway as crews extinguish the fire. (OnSceneTV) Footage from the scene shows hundreds of burnt and bruised pumpkins littering the roadway as crews extinguish the fire. (OnSceneTV) Footage from the scene shows hundreds of burnt and bruised pumpkins littering the roadway as crews extinguish the fire. (OnSceneTV) No i...

Los Angeles City Council members concerned about self-driving taxis

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:36 GMT

As self-driving vehicles come closer and closer to widespread use, lawmakers are making clear that they won't give the companies unfettered access to public streets.On Wednesday morning, L.A. City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martínez hosted a news conference to announce his plans to regulate autonomous vehicles, especially those that serve as robotaxis.A day earlier, the California Department of Motor Vehicles suspended necessary operating permits for the autonomous vehicle company Cruise, citing safety concerns. Protesters gather in Venice to push back on self-driving robotaxis Another company, Waymo, recently expanded into Los Angeles, and in addition to drawing the ire of protesting Teamsters, the company has faced safety issues of its own. For instance, a Waymo vehicle struck and killed a dog in San Francisco earlier this year."Let me be clear: the city of Los Angeles should not be a test subject for the tech industry," Soto-Martínez said in the news conference. Fellow Councilmemb...

How much people need to afford a home in these California cities

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:36 GMT

Home prices in some of California’s most popular cities continue to increase, according to a study from Redfin.Potential homeowners looking to buy a house in Anaheim, Oakland, San Diego, Los Angeles and Oxnard should be making at least six figures, researchers found.These metros are the most expensive markets in the county, according to the study. Median home price hits 15-month high in California To afford a home in these cities, people should make:$300,000 if they plan to move to Anaheim$250,000 if they plan to move to Oakland$241,000 if they plan to move to San Diego$237,000 if they plan to move to Los Angeles$233,000 if they plan to move to OxnardThe high figure income needed to afford a home in California isn’t just an issue in the Golden State either; researchers found that a homebuyer should earn about $115,000 in order to afford a median-price home in the U.S.The high figure is about 15% higher than a year ago and more than 50% higher compared to the start of the pandemic....