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California heroin dealers who used code words like ‘taco’ in phone orders get 24 years in prison

Published Mon, 24 Feb 2025 12:01:20 GMT

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — Two Southern California brothers who ran a heroin-delivery operation — taking telephone orders from customers using code words like “taco” — have been sentenced to 24 years each in federal prison, prosecutors announced.Julio Cesar Martinez, 45, of Riverside, and Victor Martinez, 46, of Hemet, parts of California’s sprawling Inland Empire, were sentenced Monday. Both pleaded guilty in August to conspiracy to distribute heroin and acknowledged distributing at least 29 kilograms (64 pounds) of the drug in Orange County, according to a statement from the U.S. attorney’s office.The ring operated from at least September 2003 to July 2021 and sold heroin that was smuggled into the U.S. from Mexico by couriers who sometimes hid the drug in their body cavities, the U.S. attorney’s office said.Call centers run out of workers’ homes handled orders from buyers who used the names of Mexican foods to buy drugs. A gram of heroin was a “taco” and an ...

Opinion: Bears need to at least call on Justin Herbert

Published Mon, 24 Feb 2025 12:01:20 GMT

All season long, Chicago Bears fans and sports media around the city have debated a two-part question – should the Bears stick with Justin Fields or blow it up and draft a rookie quarterback in April? But what if they choose plan C, and general manager Ryan Poles calls the Los Angeles Chargers to inquire about Justin Herbert? It’s a long shot for a multitude of reasons, I know, but hear me out. Last week: Will next week decide the fate of Justin Fields and Luke Getsy? If Poles could talk the Chargers into a deal, it’s a more clear-cut choice to make than leaning on either of the latter – sticking with Fields or drafting one of Caleb Williams or Drake Maye.Chicago’s defense has rounded into form with a number of high-quality, young pieces to carry the defense for the next three to four years.The Montez Sweat trade has played out beautifully. Since coming over from the Washington Commanders for a second-round choice, he's become the first player in NFL history to lead two teams in ...

Residents want 'temporary' migrant shelter at Gage Park Fieldhouse returned for community use

Published Mon, 24 Feb 2025 12:01:20 GMT

CHICAGO -- It's been six months since the Gage Park Fieldhouse was converted into a migrant shelter. Now, residents are calling on the city to shut it down.During the six month review meeting on Tuesday, residents expressed concerns over some of the illegal behavior they say they’ve seen at the Gage Park shelter since it opened over the summer.As of Tuesday, around 400 people are living at the Gage Park Fieldhouse, which 15th Ward Alderman Raymond Lopez said is double what was promised back in June. Lopez said that the 400 people are evenly split between men and women. ORIGINAL: Gage Park Fieldhouse expected to house over 300 migrants Health in general has been another concern at shelters, more recently referring to the death of 5-year-old Jean Carlos Martinez Rivero.  Meanwhile, representatives from the mayor’s office assure the public that this location still remains temporary. But residents repeated on Tuesday that it's time for the Gage Park Field House to be returned to ...

Michigan mom graduates college with 10-day-old baby girl tucked in gown

Published Mon, 24 Feb 2025 12:01:20 GMT

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — When a Michigan woman walked across the graduation stage at Ferris State University, her 10-day-old baby girl was right there with her. Grace Szymchack, a Traverse City native, has spent the past six years raising a family and working toward her bachelor's degree in early childhood education. She had planned to give birth to her second daughter three days after her commencement ceremony in Big Rapids on Dec. 15, but the little one arrived earlier than expected. A week and a half before the ceremony, Szymchack had a C-section and welcomed her newborn, Annabelle, into the world. The mom remained adamant about attending her graduation after giving birth. Couple graduates together after welcoming their ‘miracle baby’ "I’m like, ‘No, I’m feeling great, I want to go,'" she said. "I was very determined."But like most new mothers, it was hard thinking about being away from her infant even for just a few hours. That's when her own mother got an idea. "My mom, ...

Wild battle back in Boston for overtime victory

Published Mon, 24 Feb 2025 12:01:20 GMT

BOSTON — The Wild have earned some impressive victories since ending a seven-game losing streak and beginning play under new coach John Hynes.Right out of the gate, they drilled four straight opponents for their first four-game winning streak of the season. They shut out Seattle on the road, and earned back-to-back shootout victories over Calgary and Vancouver without two injured blue line leaders.But Tuesday’s 3-2 victory over the Boston Bruins at TD Garden might have been their most impressive performance since Hynes began coaching the team on Nov. 28.Kirill Kaprizov scored twice, tying the game then winning it when he finished a three-on-one with an overtime goal as the Wild rallied from a 2-1 third-period deficit to beat the Atlantic Division leaders, 4-3, Tuesday at TD Garden.Ryan Hartman scored the go-ahead goal with 4:50 to play before a penalty derailed the Wild’s momentum and Brad Marchand tied the score with 1:06 remaining.The Bruins, on a power play with Alex Goligoski in...

Rensselaer County continues cleanup after flood damage

Published Mon, 24 Feb 2025 12:01:20 GMT

RENSSELAER COUNTY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Rensselaer County residents and town officials are still cleaning up after rainfalls caused rivers and creeks to overflow into banks and even homes. The situation has also raised concerns about the need to update the infrastructure- including clearing and creating more storm drains to help minimize flooding. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! Robert Gray and Brenda Gray have been Castleton-on-the-Hudson residents for over 20 years.“I’ve never seen it like this, and I’ve been here 22 years,” Robert Gray said. “I’ve never seen this creek overflow and have the water come out and come to our house.”But that’s exactly what happened yesterday when the only storm drain by their home wasn’t able to handle all of the water that overflowed from a creek… yards away from the house. It washed away a chunk of their yard, a yard that the owners say they had a lot of pride in. Now, adding to the upset is how they will be...

Broadview donates $380K to help fight foot insecurity

Published Mon, 24 Feb 2025 12:01:20 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Food banks around New York State received some additional funding on Tuesday. Broadview Federal Credit Union donated more than $380,000 to 46 organizations.The money is going to food banks, shelters and other nonprofits that fight food insecurity. It comes as food banks serve more families than they did a few years ago and face rising costs. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! "In 2022 and 2021, we were spending about $2,500 per month on food, whereas now, in 2023, we're spending between $3,500 and $4,500 a month on food," Hope 7 Community Center Exec. Dir. Margaret Elliott said.Broadview held a ceremonial check presentation Tuesday morning before delivering individual checks to each of the recipients. Checks were given to nonprofit organizations in the Capital Region, Southern Tier, Central, and Western New York. CAPITAL REGIONCapital City Rescue MissionSouth End Children's CaféCity Mission of SchenectadyBethesda H...

Capital Roots opens Good Food Market in Troy

Published Mon, 24 Feb 2025 12:01:20 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A new place for people to get fresh and affordable groceries is opening up in Troy. Capital Roots has opened its own grocery store.The Good Food Market will have produce, meat, bread and other essentials that come straight from New York farmers. Lawmakers said the new store is a huge step in making healthy foods more accessible to local communities. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! "This is a major concern in our communities and across the country -- food insecurity, hunger," Congressman Paul Tonko said. "This is a resourceful way for both neighborhoods to be treated with respect and dignity and have hunger addressed."The new store also includes an incubator kitchen, which is designed to support culinary entrepreneurs where small business owners can receive training.

Orange County doctor found guilty of murdering wife in staged accident

Published Mon, 24 Feb 2025 12:01:20 GMT

A San Clemente doctor was convicted Tuesday of murdering his wife in a staged accident in 2016.Eric Scott Sills, 58, was found guilty by a jury of one count of second-degree murder, according to Orange County District Attorney’s Office.On Nov. 13, 2016, Eric called 911 and said he awoke to find his wife, 45-year-old Susann Sills’ lifeless body after she had allegedly fallen down the stairs. Homicide detectives arrived at the scene where Susann was pronounced dead. The Orange County Coroner later determined her death was a homicide.Prosecutors said the injuries found on Susann’s face and neck didn’t match up to the claim that she had died by falling down the stairs. Evidence presented at Eric’s trial showed that Susann died from strangulation. Blood stains were found on their daughter’s bedroom wall and curtains where Susann was sleeping that night due to a migraine. Eric Scott Sills, 58, is seen in an undated booking photo form the Orange County Sheriff's Department.“A clump of her ...

San Jose man charged with robbing USPS mail carrier

Published Mon, 24 Feb 2025 12:01:20 GMT

SUNNYVALE – A 32-year-old San Jose man has been charged with robbing a United States Postal Service mail carrier late last year in Sunnyvale, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | San Jose: Homicide declared for April death of 2-month-old baby after findings of malnourishment, physical abuse Crime and Public Safety | Los Gatos woman reports diamond tiara, Christmas lights and family cat stolen Crime and Public Safety | Shooting in South San Jose leaves one dead, another injured Crime and Public Safety | San Jose police arrest man allegedly connected to seven-figure fraud scheme Crime and Public Safety | Milpitas police arrest five at Great Mall in anti-shoplifting operation The defendant, identified as James Luna, approached the mail carrier just before 4 p.m. on Dec. 30, 2022, and demanded her postal keys, prosecutors said in a news release Tuesday. The ma...