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The Loop NFL Picks: Week 16

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:55:52 GMT

Lions at Vikings (+3½)The Vikings have announced that they are replacing the artificial turf at U.S. Bank Stadium and their indoor practice facility with new turf deemed safer for players. The switch will cost $1.3 million and, in a thoughtful Christmas gesture, the Wilfs are going to wait until after the holidays to demand that taxpayers pay for it.Pick: Lions by 7Vikings owners Mark and Zygi Wilf before the start of a NFL football game against the New York Giants at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2022. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)Browns at Texans (-2½)Former Vikings quarterback Case Keenum will start again in place of C.J. Stroud as Houston tries to earn a playoff spot. This is reminding Minnesota fans that Keenum has gotten the Vikings closer to a Super Bowl than Kirk Cousins ever will.Pick: Browns by 3Minnesota Vikings quarterback Case Keenum (7) walks off the field following the team’s win over New Orleans Saints in an NFL divisional football playoff...

Minnesota outpaces nation in job growth, adds 9,500 jobs in November

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:55:52 GMT

Minnesota gained 9,500 jobs last month, the fifth straight month of growth and the largest increase since January, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development reported ThursdayThe job growth data was well the national rate, according to DEED — up 0.3% on a seasonally adjusted basis compared with 0.1% for the nation as whole.Minnesota’s unemployment rate ticked down one-tenth of a percentage point to 3.1% in November, compared with 3.7% nationally. Over the last three months, jobs in Minnesota grew by 17,300, or 0.6% — far higher the 0.2% national rate for that timeframe DEED reported.“Minnesota continues to see sustained and notable job growth and we’re consistently adding jobs at a faster rate than the national average, which is phenomenal news for workers,” said DEED Commissioner Matt Varilek in a news release. “We are confident that current and soon-to-be-launched efforts by DEED and our workforce development partners to connect people with employm...

Washington County man sentenced for tax crimes, swindling short-term renters

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:55:52 GMT

A Washington County man convicted of tax crimes and swindling customers of his short-term rental business was sentenced to serve an additional 52 days in jail and ordered to give back the money in question.Jurors last month convicted Karl Evald Auleciems, 57, on 2021 charges that stemmed from him renting out his West Lakeland Township home and other properties for weddings and other events.Karl Evald Auleciems (Courtesy of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office)Auleciems entered into short-term rental contracts with people, but never paid the sales tax to the Minnesota Department of Revenue and failed to return some renters’ security deposits. He also didn’t disclose income on his tax returns.Jurors deliberated for about four hours before convicting Auleciems of all 16 charges against him: eight counts of failing to pay or collect or remit sales tax between February 2018 and February 2020, six counts of filing a false or fraudulent return between October 2015 and Februar...

Two arrested for alleged drug sales in Warren County

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:55:52 GMT

LAKE GEORGE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- An investigation into narcotic sales in Warren County resulted in two arrests. Brian J. Ray, 37, and Atajah J. Prunty, 25, allegedly sold drugs to members of the Warren and Washington County Sheriff's Office Narcotics Enforcement Units during controlled drug buy operations. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! Ray was charged with two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree and two counts of conspiracy in the fourth degree. Prunty was charged with three counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree and two counts of conspiracy in the fourth degree.Both were arraigned in Warren County Court and remanded to the Warren County Correctional Facility. Bail for Ray was set for $75,000 cash or $150,000 bond. Bail for Prunty was set for $25,000 cash or $50,000 bond.

Glenville RN steps in to help driver injured in blast

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:55:52 GMT

GLENVILLE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The massive blast at the Maple Ave bridge in Glenville caused concern for hundreds of people in the area, with smoke and fire rising high above the bridge. Witnesses in the neighborhood saw the intensity of the explosion firsthand, including one man who stepped up to help when he saw the injured driver. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! "I was on my way home and of course I see the big glow in the sky," Peter Sweet said. "I was in my truck so I didn’t hear or feel anything so I decided to head out this way, as I was heading up the road you could see the glow in the sky it was very bright and all of the smoke of course.”To most people, an explosion as massive as this one would cause them to go running. For Peter Sweet, it was an opportunity to step in and help. Sweet is a Registered Nurse and one of the first people on the scene. He saw the driver of the truck, 60-year-old Sylvester Basil Jr., with severe burns...

St. Louis man faces murder charges in East St. Louis killing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:55:52 GMT

BELLEVILLE, Ill. – On December 22, Cornell Irving from St. Louis, Missouri, faced charges in connection with the murder of Trenadi Batemen, whose death occurred on November 10, 2023, in the 4000 block of State Street in East St. Louis.Bateman, who sustained critical injuries, was initially rushed to the hospital but died of those injuries. Irving was arrested at his home in St. Louis with the assistance of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Currently, Irving remains in police custody pending trial. St. Peters man catches state record fish from Missouri River In the event of a murder conviction, Irving could potentially be sentenced to 45 years to life in prison.

Glenwood Springs woman found not guilty by reason of insanity in 2021 double homicide of children

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:55:52 GMT

By Taylor Cramer, The Post IndependentClaudia Camacho-Duenas, a Glenwood Springs resident, was declared not guilty by reason of insanity for the 2021 stabbing deaths of her two children. The ruling, handed down on Monday by 9th Judicial Court Judge Denise Lynch, brings a close to a case that has gripped Garfield County for nearly two years.Related ArticlesCourts | Adams County man sentenced to life in prison for fatally stabbing brother with sword Courts | Broomfield man who fatally stabbed intruder will not be charged, DA says Courts | Man wanted in fatal Aurora double stabbing arrested in Missouri Courts | 13-year-old arrested on suspicion of murder in fatal stabbing in Aurora Courts | Suspect arrested in fatal stabbing at Denver migrant encampment on Thanksgiving Day Camacho-Duenas, 39, faced charges including two counts of first-degree murder and one count of child abuse under a knowing and reckless ...

Opinion: Southeast Denver welcomes families at a new hotel shelter on Hampden

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:55:52 GMT

Early next year, southeast Denver will welcome a shelter for children and their parents. The facility will provide a warm, safe place for more than 200 families. It will also offer critical services like childcare and medical treatment. Families residing in the shelter can walk to public transit, access pharmacies and grocery stores nearby, and be close to schools and places of worship.For the soon-to-be residents of 7525 E Hampden Ave, getting off the streets and into a safe place of their own will be life-changing. Families staying at the former Embassy Suites hotel will be able to cook, do laundry, and spend time together. Parents will be able to go to work without fearing for their children’s safety.And kids will have the stability they need to go to school, learn, and make friends. After enduring months of exposure to the elements, residents will finally have a chance to heal.The strategy adopted at the new family shelter is supported by decades of research. Extensive data indi...

9,000-gallon release of raw sewage prompts beach closure

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:55:52 GMT

Thousands of gallons of untreated sewage spilled into West Beach Thursday prompting officials in Santa Barbara to close the beach to the public.The spill involved the release of at least 9,000 gallons of sewage from a manhole to Mission Creek, near Vernon Road and Stanley Drive, the Santa Barbara County Public Health Department said."As a result, West Beach from Santa Barbara Harbor to ¼-mile east of the Mission Creek outfall has been closed to recreational water contact," the Health Department stated.Officials have posted signs warning the public to avoid all contact with the water in the affected areas. Overnight downpours, flooding wreak havoc on L.A. motorists The public was urged to stay away until sample testing indicates that the water is safe for recreational use. Beachgoers were also warned to avoid areas near drainpipes and creeks that enter the ocean following a rain event because "water runoff may carry high levels of bacteria and pollutants."

Simone Biles' husband says he's 'the catch'

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 08:55:52 GMT

Simone Biles is the most decorated gymnast in history.However, when her husband, Green Bay Packers safety Jonathan Owens, first laid eyes on her through the dating app, he had no idea who she was. Owens made the admission while on the "Pivot" podcast alongside his wife after he was asked by co-host Channing Crowder "How in the hell did you pull Simone Biles?""Really how'd she pull me? That's the question man," Owens laughed.Owens then explained that he was in Houston and had only been there for a couple of months to play for the Texans when COVID just hit.He decided to check out the dating app Raya after a friend's suggestion."(I) had been on the app for a couple days and then she pops up. I’m like, ‘Lemme see who this is.' I never really paid attention to gymnastics, so it piqued my curiosity and so I'm like, ‘OK, I’ll see what’s up,' and I swiped her and it said we matched."Owens said he played it cool and saw that Biles had liked a few of his Instagram posts. The Olympic gold med...