Longtime Albany police officer retires

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:54:36 GMT

Longtime Albany police officer retires ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A longtime member of the Albany Police Department is retiring. Officer Steve Smith was recognized on Thursday for his two decades of work in law enforcement.He was the Albany Police Department's public information officer for the past 11 years. He kept the public and media informed in the role. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! He said he is grateful to play a role in building relationships between the department and the community."There are so many people in this community who are engaged, who are really just working with the police department to enhance public safety and quality of life, and that was the part I really, really enjoyed," he said.Smith also thanked his family for their support.

Fathers, father figures drop kids off at school in Schenectady

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:54:36 GMT

Fathers, father figures drop kids off at school in Schenectady SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- More than 250 local students were dropped off at school on Thursday by their fathers and father figures. The Schenectady City School District took part in Dads Take Your Child to School Day. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Once the kids were dropped off, the fathers came together for coffee and conversation with each other and school leaders. The national campaign started 16 years ago to promote the importance of fathers being present in their child's lives.

Darryl Mount wrongful death lawsuit to go to trial

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:54:36 GMT

Darryl Mount wrongful death lawsuit to go to trial SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Saratoga Springs will go to trial. The decision regarding Darryl Mount's death has taken 10 years.Mount was left comatose in 2013 after falling from scaffolding while being chased by police. He died in 2014. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The defendants from Saratoga Springs were seeking a summary judgment in the case and cited his fall as the sole cause of his eventual death. Mount's family's lawsuit claims that was not the case. In reviewing the case, the judge reviewed officer testimony and ruled the case cannot be resolved by summary judgment. The city is planning an appeal of the ruling, but currently, the trial is set to begin on October 2.Saratoga Springs Mayor Ron Kim issued the following statement:"Notwithstanding any appeal, I support going to trial as soon as possible. I understand there are other ways this could resolve but I feel using...

Biden hosts Zelensky at White House amid funding fight for Ukraine

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:54:36 GMT

Biden hosts Zelensky at White House amid funding fight for Ukraine President Biden and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky sought to project their unified front at the White House on Thursday as the two leaders made the case for continued U.S. aid to Ukraine in its war against Russia amid a backdrop of GOP infighting on the matter on Capitol Hill.Biden hosted Zelensky at the White House as the Ukrainian president made the rounds in Washington, including meeting with Republicans on Capitol Hill who have been skeptical of funding for Ukraine’s war effort. “Today I'm in Washington to strengthen our coalition to defend Ukrainian children, our families, our homes, freedom and democracy in the world,” Zelensky said in an Oval Office meeting with Biden. “And I started my day in the U.S. Congress to thank its members and the people in America for rolling big, huge support. I felt trust between us. It allowed us to have frank and constructive dialogue.”Zelensky said he and Biden would discuss weapons being sent to Ukraine “with a special emphasis on air ...

Broncos looking to build off encouraging special teams performance in Week 2

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:54:36 GMT

Broncos looking to build off encouraging special teams performance in Week 2 Marvin Mims Jr. was a blur.In the second quarter of last week’s loss to Washington, Denver’s rookie wide receiver fielded a punt from his team’s 15-yard and took off. He maneuvered past a defender before cutting to the outside, taking advantage of the open field near the sideline for a 45-yard return to Washington’s 40.On a sour Sunday afternoon, Mims’ return and kicker Wil Lutz going 2 for 2 on field goal attempts highlighted an encouraging day for the special teams unit. They are hoping to build on the performance Sunday against the Miami Dolphins.“Marvin was able to make a guy miss, which shows his short-area quickness, and then he was able to outrun some people,” special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica said. “Not every week you have a long return like that.”Mims’ return was just one part of a promising performance for the second-round pick. He caught two passes for 113 yards and a touchdown, finishing with the most all-purpose yards (168) by a Bronco in a single game since running...

CSU Rams vs. Middle Tennessee football: How to watch, storylines and staff predictions

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:54:36 GMT

CSU Rams vs. Middle Tennessee football: How to watch, storylines and staff predictions Colorado State (0-2) vs. Middle Tennessee State (1-2)When/where: 5 p.m. Saturday/Johnny Floyd StadiumTV/Radio: ESPN+/1600 AM, 104.3 HD2BetMGM Line: MTSU -3, 51.5 over/underWeather: 80 degrees, mostly sunnyFive storylinesAvoiding a letdown: The Rams are a week removed from playing their in-state rivals in the most-watched late-night college football game in ESPN history. Obviously, a trip to Murfreesboro is a bit of an emotional step down. Can the Rams summon the same intensity that showed up from the very first snap in Boulder? They better, because as Middle Tennessee showed last season, when the Blue Raiders pushed the Rams around in a 34-19 win in Fort Collins, this opponent demands it.Waiting for Kamara: Making matters even more challenging for the Rams? They will have play half the game without their most dominant defensive lineman, Mohamed Kamara. The fifth-year senior was a force of nature against the Buffs last Saturday, collecting two sacks and multiple hits on quarterback S...

28-year-old mother fatally stabbed in Hemet

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:54:36 GMT

28-year-old mother fatally stabbed in Hemet A 28-year-old mother of three was stabbed to death in Hemet earlier this week.The incident was reported around 12:35 a.m. Monday in the 1000 block of South Gilbert Avenue, according to the Hemet Police Department.Officers responded to a domestic disturbance and found the victim suffering from several stab wounds.She was transported to a hospital, where she died from her injuries, police said.Authorities provided no suspect information and indicated the investigation is ongoing.The victim was identified as Shawna Weems, according to a GoFundMe fundraiser raising money for funeral and childcare costs.Loved ones called the incident a “senseless homicide,” and that Weems had “her whole life ahead of her.”“Her children will now be forced to grow up without a mom,” the fundraising page read. “Her husband Cody Weems is trying to pick up the pieces however he can’t do it alone and he needs our help, not only to give her a proper burial but to help with the kids in this time.”A makeshift mem...

Invasive snail species discovered in Lake Tahoe is 'impossible' to eradicate, officials say 

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:54:36 GMT

Invasive snail species discovered in Lake Tahoe is 'impossible' to eradicate, officials say  The California Department of Fish and Wildlife announced the discovery of an invasive species in Lake Tahoe.According to a CDFW release, divers monitoring the lake for aquatic invasive species detected New Zealand Mud Snails (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) off Lake Tahoe’s South Shore. The mud snails are tiny, aquatic snails that reach an average length of four to six millimeters, the Department of Fish and Wildlife said.  New Zealand Mud Snails were first discovered in America in 1987 in the Snake River in Idaho, and were found in California in the Owens River in 2000. They were believed to have been introduced to western rives through shipments of live sportfish, but subsequent spread is likely due to recreational activities, CDFW officials said. Getting bit? Mosquitos thriving in post-Hilary SoCal They have a prolific reproductive system; mature female mud snails can produce 230 new females asexually every year, and scientists estimate that one snail and its offspring can...

Letters: Lacking experience | Bad actors | Flag ban | Utility tax | Climate-resilient schools | Nonviolent life

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:54:36 GMT

Letters: Lacking experience | Bad actors | Flag ban | Utility tax | Climate-resilient schools | Nonviolent life Submit your letter to the editor via this form. Read more Letters to the Editor.Price lacks experiencedprosecutors for cop casesWhen Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price was elected, she promised she would reinvestigate six fatal police shootings and would have an answer as to an investigation and charges in 120 days.That time has come and gone. Those cases were fully investigated during former District Attorney Nancy O’Malley’s tenure, and she and other experts, real experts, who had years of experience, decided they weren’t chargeable because there was no evidence.Now, Price does not have the veteran, experienced prosecutors to investigate and prosecute these cases should she want to reopen them. The defense attorneys will have a field day with the rookie prosecutors she’s hired.Ninfa WoodWalnut CreekBad actors must beheld accountableRe: “Court: School district violated religious freedom” (Page B2, Sept. 15).Given the egregious violation by Pioneer High ...

Man gets time served, probation in ‘sextortion’ case that led to San Jose teen’s suicide

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:54:36 GMT

Man gets time served, probation in ‘sextortion’ case that led to San Jose teen’s suicide SAN JOSE — A man convicted in a “sextortion” scheme that drove a San Jose teen to take his own life last year was sentenced Thursday to time served and supervised release, in a case that drew national attention to the blackmailing crime that preys on young people.Jonathan Kassi, 26, has pleaded to a felony extortion charge in a sexual blackmail scheme targeting a San Jose teen who died by suicide in February 2022. (San Jose Police Dept.) Jonathan Kassi, 26, has been in Santa Clara County jail custody since December and was expected to be released under the terms of a plea agreement with prosecutors in which he admitted to one count of felony extortion of 17-year-old Ryan Last.Judge David Cena technically sentenced Kassi to a three-year prison sentence, but under terms that half of it be served in county jail and half of it be served on probation under county and court supervision. Because of the time he has already spent in jail, Cena ruled that the in-custody porti...