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Panama buries last 13 bodies of dozens of bus crash victims

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:33 GMT

PANAMA CITY (AP) — Panama buried the last 13 unclaimed bodies Friday from a Feb. 15 bus crash that killed over three dozen migrants from several countries. The migrants buried Friday included people from Haiti, Eritrea and Nigeria. Their bodies had not been claimed by relatives. They were buried in individual graves in a cemetery in the province of Chiriqui near the border with Costa Rica. About 20 other bodies had already been claimed.The bus was carrying 67 migrants, most from Ecuador, Haiti and Venezuela, when it plunged off a hillside. Many of the migrants had crossed the dangerous Darien Gap into Panama from Colombia. Later that month, Panama’s government suspended bus trips carrying the migrants across the country, after a bus caught fire. All the passengers on that bus were evacuated safely.Migrants frequently reach Panama by crossing the roadless, jungle-clad Darien Gap between Colombia and Panama. Panamanian authorities estimate that over 250,000 migrants made the dan...

'Kind, selfless and so talented': Zackary Smith's parents plead for answers

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:33 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- It's been roughly two and a half years since Zackary Smith was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head inside his car. Now, his parents are urgently pushing for tips so they can help Denver Police Department solve this case.On Thursday, Metro Denver Crime Stoppers announced an increased reward for information leading to an arrest in Smith's case. The reward has since been increased to $30,000. Smith's parents donated to the pot of money and are behind that push for answers."He just loved Denver and the circle of friends he had and he was a Colorado guy," Smith's father Scot Smith told FOX31. The two moved to Denver in 2002 when Smith was 13 years old. Smith's mother, Jan Purther, lived with his sisters in Michigan at the time of the move. "I think he became him because of Denver," Purther said. "The music that he stumbled upon." Multiple vehicles involved in hit-and-run crash Smith grew up playing guitar and went on to play guitar in Autonomix, an electric dan...

Denver weather: A sunny weekend, slow warm up

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:33 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — The sunshine is back in Denver weather and we get to enjoy more of the same for the weekend ahead. Even the mountains will be dry and sunny until snow returns there on Monday. Temperatures will be warming, but not until early next week. Here's your weekend outlook from Pinpoint Weather, Colorado’s Most Accurate Forecast.Weekend outlook for Denver from Colorado's Most Accurate ForecastWeather tonight: Clear and coldUnder clear skies and light wind, temperatures will be dropping quickly after sunset. Overnight lows across Colorado will all be below freezing. Most of metro Denver and the Front Range will dip into the teens. The coldest readings will be across northwest Colorado and in some mountain valley locations with temperatures going below zero. Did you see the sun pillar light up the sky? Forecast overnight low temperatures by Saturday morning from Pinpoint WeatherWeather tomorrow: A chill in the airYour Saturday will bring abundant sunshine for Denver...

Stepped-up security at Miami Northwestern Senior High day after fights; 3 students cited

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:33 GMT

Security was stepped up at Miami Northwestern Senior High School one day after several fights recorded on video led police to intervene and issue citations to three students.Thursday was a rough day at the school, located at 1100 NW 71st St.Parents received a call from the school’s principal, Dr. Bridgette Tate-Wyche.“In an abundance of caution, the school was placed on a lockdown due to police activity on campus,” Tate-Wyche said in the recorded message.Students described the chaos that unfolded on Thursday.“It was fights everywhere; you didn’t even know where to go,” said a student.7News cameras on Friday captured a noticeable increase in police presence near the campus entrance. Officers were seen on every corner, and several cruisers were parked outside.Cellphone videos of the fight captured the punches thrown and hair pulled, as teachers and staff members worked to break it up.“I was running ;cause, you know, I was scared,” said a...

Spring break crowds flock to South Florida beaches as St. Patrick’s weekend kicks off

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:33 GMT

Thousands of spring breakers have descended on beaches across South Florida on St. Patrick’s Day, kicking off a festive weekend.Revelers and tourists strolled down Ocean Drive as music blared steps away on the sand, Friday afternoon.“We’re ready to party. Whatever’s going on, yeah, we’re there,” said Joylia Crawford, who is visiting from Atlanta.“I can see the palm trees. Back home it’s raining; down here it’s sunny,” said Awa Seck, who is visiting from Washington, D.C.7SkyForce flew high above the large crowds on the sand.“We expect tens of thousands, probably even more than that, hundreds of thousands of people coming here,” said Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber.With that amount of tourists heading to the popular destination, city leaders said, they don’t want a repeat of the crime and chaos South Beach has seen in recent years. This is why they have increased the police presence and organized special events...

Rhode Island probing possible contamination of drug evidence

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:33 GMT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Investigators are reviewing hundreds of criminal cases in Rhode Island that could be undermined by the possible contamination of evidence at the state health department’s forensic chemistry lab, state Attorney General Peter Neronha said Friday.Neronha said his office was notified of what he described as a “possible contamination event” on Tuesday. He said the incident potentially affects the results of drug-related evidence used by his office, specifically tests used to detect cocaine.Neronha said the problem focused on tests by one laboratory scientist that may have yielded false positive results for cocaine. The forensics lab has identified 52 cases that are potentially impacted. Aother 263 cases are pending review.Drug-related court evidence produced by other laboratory scientists — or evidence in which cocaine was not indicated — do not appear to be affected.Neronha said he’s asked that all affected evidence be retested and that notices be sen...

Skier survives being buried in an avalanche in New Hampshire

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:33 GMT

GORHAM, N.H. (AP) — A skier who was buried in snow for about 6 1/2 minutes after getting caught in an avalanche in New Hampshire’s White Mountains this week was dug out by a companion and survived uninjured, authorities said.Three skiers originally ascended what’s known as Wildcat-B/Carter Notch on Wednesday morning, according to a release from the Mount Washington Avalanche Center, but one turned back after deciding that the conditions were too risky.Jeff Fongemie, the interim director of the avalanche center, described them Friday as “experienced back country skiers,” who were equipped with beacons, shovels and probes.One of the two remaining skiers began descending and unintentionally triggered an avalanche. That person was swept 500 vertical feet (152 meters) down a narrow gully before coming to rest buried and unable to move anything, except for one hand, according to the avalanche center, a division of the U.S. Forest Service.The person was “critically buried...

Natick police chief helps organize heart screenings for first responders

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:33 GMT

The chief of the Natick Police Department has recently taken an extra step to help protect his staff, putting heart health front and center following a tragedy within the department. Chief of Police James Hicks said the death of a 39-year-old Natick police officer due to a suspected heart issue last year served as an eye-opener to many officers, especially those in their 30s.“It had quite an impact on the department,” Hicks said. According to Sigma Tactical Health and Wellness, heart disease is the number one killer of active and retired police officers. “I think this is something that we really really need to be concerned about,” Hicks said. Hicks said there are screenings available, though many insurance companies won’t cover them if a person is too young. After the sudden death of the young officer raised concerns, Hicks got to work, finding a company that has developed a program that targets public safety workers for heart scans. “...

Ex-Patriots All-Pro punter Jake Bailey signs with Dolphins as Thomas Morstead leaves Miami for Jets

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:33 GMT

The Miami Dolphins have signed New England Patriots punter Jake Bailey, the team announced Friday afternoon.The development came after an ESPN report earlier Friday of a Bailey visit with Miami. All the while, veteran punter Thomas Morstead, who played for the Dolphins in 2022, announced on Twitter he’s joining the New York Jets in free agency.Bailey had an All-Pro and Pro Bowl season in 2020 and is considered among the league’s best. He has a 45.9 yards-per-punt average in his career with 45.9 percent of his punts landing inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.Bailey signed a four-year contract for $13.5 million with the Patriots last offseason, but while on injured reserve, he was placed on the suspended list late last season, voiding his guarantees. Bailey’s agent, Doug Hendrickson, filed a grievance contesting the suspension.“While Jake Bailey was on IR, he never missed a single treatment, meeting or practice,” Hendrickson said in a statement rele...

Revolution center back Dave Romney braced for old mates

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 21:00:33 GMT

New England center back Dave Romney is braced for a full-frontal assault from an offense he is very familiar with.The Revolution (2-1-0) will look to regain their winning formula when they host Nashville SC (2-0-1) in a clash of MLS Eastern Conference contenders on Saturday night (7:30) at Gillette Stadium.The Revolution opened the season with clean sheet victories over Charlotte FC and the Houston Dynamo, but were blitzed 4-0 last Sunday by reigning MLS champion Los Angeles FC at BMO Stadium.Revolution head coach and sporting director Bruce Arena acquired Romney in a cash deal with Nashville SC on Jan 5. Arena paid out $250,000 in General Allocation money in 2023 and $275,000 of GA due in 2024.Romney participated in the Revolution’s preseason friendly against Nashville SC, a 1-0 victory at Al Lang Stadium on Feb. 10. But Romney is expecting the real deal to show up when the two teams collide in the Revs’ second home match.“I am excited to play Nashville again,” said Romney. “We got...