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Seven men arrested in Metro East human trafficking sting

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:10:29 GMT

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. - Authorities have arrested seven men in an Illinois human trafficking sting with ties to the Metro East. Illinois State Police announced the following arrests Thursday in an anti-human trafficking operation:Donald Dececco, 43, of St. LouisRonald Garrison, 66, of St. LouisChristopher Giarraffa, 31, of St. LouisPedro Cruz-Hernandez, 38, of St. Park, IllinoisCharles Lindsay, 43, of Fenton, MissouriDouglas Siemonsma, 52, of Swansea, IllinoisJanxiong Song, 39, of St. Peters, Missouri 2nd Missouri man sentenced in death of woman who was caged, dismembered An ISP criminal investigations unit led a human trafficking suppression operation last week from June 22-23. The operation was focused on identifying people who attempted to engage in commercial sex acts with minors.“ISP has a responsibility to protect those vulnerable to human trafficking, forced labor, and sexual servitude,” said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. “The arrests of these individuals serves as notice to ...

Broncos mailbag: Will Denver make any major moves before the season?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:10:29 GMT

Can we expect any other major moves before the season kicks off? If so, what do you see happening during training camp? — Terry, Denver Hey Terry, I’m filling in for Parker Gabriel this week while he is on vacation. This is a great question. I’ve wrestled with this one since Denver signed Frank Clark.At the moment, I don’t see the Broncos making a major move, but it wouldn’t hurt to add more depth at the defensive line or offensive tackle.Coach Sean Payton has been optimistic about Javonte Williams’ recovery from a torn ACL. However, if the team feels Williams won’t be ready by Week 1, I can see them adding another running back despite having a handful of players in that position. Free agent Dalvin Cook would make the offense even stronger, but it’s highly unlikely they will sign him due to the cap situation. Running back Kareem Hunt or even Leonard Fournette would make more sense for Denver.If the Broncos decide to make another move before the season, there are quality ...

What to do in Denver this weekend: “Star Wars” celebs at Fan Expo, Greeley Stampede

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:10:29 GMT

Fan Expo Denver 2023Through Sunday. One of the biggest pop-culture events of the year arrives Friday, June 30, through Sunday, July 1, with Fan Expo Denver, the all-things convention featuring genre comics and literature, gaming, cosplay, animation, panels, artist tables and (yes) celebrities galore.The 2023 event includes Hayden Christiansen and Katee Sackhoff, (Star Wars and “The Mandalorian”); director Sam Raimi (“Evil Dead,” “Spider-Man”); a “Scream” cast reunion (Neve Campbell, Rose McGowan, Skeet Ulrich, etc.); Henry Winkler (“Barry”); Christopher Lloyd (“Back to the Future”); “Star Trek: The Next Generation” stars (Gates McFadden, Jonathan Frakes, Michael Dorn, Brent Spiner); “The Office” and “Harry Potter” cast members; and many, many more.In a nod to its nonprofit roots, the event again features kids programming from Pop Culture Classroom, such as all-ages activities,...

Colorado Springs’ $55 million Sunset amphitheater campus inks AEG deal, sets official groundbreaking

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:10:29 GMT

JW Roth has long admired the business savvy of Denver billionaire Philip Anschutz, whose AEG Presents Rocky Mountains dominates the region’s live-music industry.Roth also knew that the ambitious, nationwide projects under his Notes Live umbrella — which at the moment have crested $1 billion in anticipated construction costs — could not click into place without a major corporate booking partner.Only then could his $55 million Sunset Amphitheater project thrive in a market like Colorado Springs, which usually plays second fiddle to the nationally ranked Denver concert scene, and serve fans along the Front Range’s ever-growing live music circuit.“It was the hole in my business plan of ‘How do I put butts in seats?’ ” said Roth, whose upscale, 8,000-capacity Sunset amphitheater this week set a July 12 date for its official groundbreaking. “It was also a hole in (tour) routing for AEG Presents, and Colorado Springs is now at the point...

The 'digital euro' does not deserve its name!

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:10:29 GMT

Pirate Party MEP and digital freedom fighter Dr Patrick Breyercriticizes yesterday's draft bill by the EU Commission to introduce a"digital euro".The introduction of digital cash would be long overdue in theinformation age. Digital cash could be as anonymous and freely usable onthe internet as notes and coins. However, the 'digital euro' nowproposed by the Commission does not deserve that name. Digitaltechnology is to be misused to monitor, limit and control our financesto an extent never seen with cash.While cash can be accepted and spent anonymously at any time, which isimportant for undocumented refugees, for example, it will only bepossible to receive and spend digital euros with an account againstpresentation of identification. While people are allowed to hold andpass on unlimited amounts of cash, the amount of digital euros in ourhands will be limited in the future. And while with cash even confidential payments and controversial donations have so far beenpossible anonymously ...

Authorities chase stolen van driver in Orange County area

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:10:29 GMT

Police are chasing the driver of a stolen van in the Orange County area Thursday morning. The pursuit apparently began in the Los Angeles Police Department's jurisdiction, but by 9:40 a.m., the driver was speeding on the southbound 405 Freeway in Costa Mesa, aerial video from Sky5 showed. The van, which belongs to Fit For Life 1 in South Gate, was stolen from a repair shop in Los Angeles, the business told KTLA.The driver was soon in Irvine and continued speeding through the 5 Freeway with several California Highway Patrol units in tow. By 9:55 a.m., the driver was in the Mission Viejo area. Check back for updates on this developing story.

Armed thieves steal kids' shoes at Irvine Spectrum mall restroom

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:10:29 GMT

Police asked for the public's help Wednesday in locating two suspects who used a handgun to rob four minors in an Irvine restroom earlier this week. The incident occurred around 9:22 p.m. Monday at the Spectrum Center and was partially captured on surveillance video posted to the Irvine Police Department's Twitter feed.Investigators said the minors were followed into the restroom by two suspects who demanded their shoes.One of the suspects can be seen in the video displaying a black handgun. A robbery suspect is seen carrying a gun in an image posted by the Irvine Police Department on June 28, 2023. The first suspect was described as a male Hispanic between 15 and 20 years old. He stands 5 feet, 8 inches tall and weighs about 150 pounds. He was wearing a black baseball cap with a red emblem, a black fanny pack, a gray tank top, black pants and white shoes.Police said the suspect was armed with a handgun. The second suspect was also believed to be a male Hispanic between 15...

Actress Haley Pullos Arrested in DUI Crash on 134 Freeway [Pasadena, CA]

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:10:29 GMT

General Hospital Actress Involved in Wrong-Way Collision near Orange Grove BoulevardPASADENA, CA (June 29, 2023) – Wednesday morning, police arrested actress Haley Pullos following a DUI crash on 134 Freeway.The incident occurred on May 17th, around 1:30 a.m. when Pullos, allegedly swerved into opposing lanes near Orange Grove Boulevard and collided head-on with another vehicle.As a result, first responders transported Pullos and the other driver with unspecified injuries to a local hospital.Officers eventually arrested 24-year-old Halley Pullos for DUI and driving the wrong way on a freeway, causing injury. Investigators also revealed her involvement in a previous hit-and-run incident. Pullos’ role in “General Hospital” is being recast indefinitely because she is on medical leave as a result of the accident.At this time, police authorities have not released any further information regarding the wrong-way crash on Interstate 580, but they will release additio...

Aaron David Angeli Hospitalized after Deadly Head-On Crash on State Route 299 [Trinity River, CA]

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:10:29 GMT

Two-Vehicle Collision in Trinity River Area Kills 72-Year-Old ManTRINITY RIVER, CA (June 29, 2023) – Sunday night, a head-on collision on State Route 299 left an elderly man dead and Aaron David Angeli hospitalized.The fatal incident occurred on June 11th, at around 8:19 p.m., just west of Junction City.According to California Highway Patrol, a westbound Ford Ranger driven by a 72-year-old man veered into the double-yellow lines of 299. Consequently, the Ford crashed head-on with a Ford Club Wagon traveling in the eastbound lane.Responding emergency personnel claimed that the Club Wagon driver, 39-year-old Aaron David Angeli, suffered significant injuries from the collision. In addition, Angeli managed to extricate the unconscious Ford Ranger driver before it caught on fire.Despite the life-saving efforts of the first responders, the Ranger driver died at the scene. At this time, his identity remains undisclosed to the public, pending notification from the next of kin.Moreover...

The Age of Aqua

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:10:29 GMT

The Age of Aqua: It seems appropriate that we’re seeing the return of Danish Europe band Aqua at the same time that the Barbie movie has been released. It was they, after all, that had a hit with the quirky, catchy and gloriously silly “Barbie Girl.” “Come on Barbie, let’s go party!” Indeed.Last year, Aqua celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Aquarium! album which featured that “Barbie Girl” smash hit single.“The story of Aqua is the story of a unique moment in Danish music history,” reads the press bio. “Behind the hit-making band are lead vocals Rene Dif, Norwegian-born Lene Nystrøm, and producers Søren Rasted and Claus Noreen. They got together in 1994 under the name ‘Joyspeed.’ Luckily, they quickly changed their name to the iconic Aqua before the release of ‘Aquarium’, which sold more than 17 million copies worldwide and made everyone familiar with the four group members. As Lene Nystrøm puts it herself: “With the release of our debut album, we h...