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Woman sentenced to probation for ‘sleight of hand’ thefts at metro-area stores

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:39 GMT

A woman who is believed to be a member of a traveling crime ring that pulls off “sleight of hand” distraction thefts has pleaded guilty to theft by swindle and been given three years of probation.Baronita Rostas (Courtesy of the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office)Baronita Rostas, 24, was arrested in late July in St. Louis Park and charged in Hennepin County District County with the one felony theft by swindle count. However, the criminal complaint accused her of bilking more than $6,200 from several metro-area stores by employing the “quick change” scheme.Hennepin County prosecutors say Rostas is part of a Romanian organized crime group that has committed the distraction thefts at retail stores across the United States, including several in the Twin Cities over the course of several months this year.The same charge was filed last month against a 25-year-old New York man who prosecutors say also is a member of the crime group. He was arrested in Edina shor...

St. Paul, Ramsey County ask lawmakers to boost 25 major construction projects, including a juvenile detention facility

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:39 GMT

Standing with his back to an outdoor athletic field comprised of weathered astro-turf, Andy Rodriguez put the most flattering spin he could muster on the dated baseball and softball facility mostly known as the home of the Rice and Arlington batting cages.City officials admit that, with the exception of a handful of adult softball teams, plenty of St. Paul athletes opt instead to drive to the suburbs to play ball.St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, left, and Sen. Karin Housley, R-Stillwater. talk as they disembark from the Padelford Riverboats’ Anson Northrup excursion boat following a tour of the Mississippi River on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023. St. Paul and Ramsey County lawmakers are asking state lawmakers for major funding for 26 capital investment projects as lawmakers gear up for the next legislative session. (John Autey / Pioneer Press)“This is a very well-loved space,” said Rodriguez, a lifelong city parks and rec user recently appointed director of the department, pointing...

St. Charles County Police get calming kits for autism support

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:39 GMT

ST. CHARLES, Mo. - Autism, also called autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a group of conditions that are characterized by issues with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and nonverbal communication. When first responders are sent to a scene where a child with autism needs help, this can be hard for them to deal with. This is where The Synapsory, a non-profit group, comes in to help. Calming kits are being given to the St. Charles Police Department.The Synapsory is an area nonprofit that serves children who are struggling with autism-related behavioral issues. They are donating 100 calming kits to St. Charles County Police."The reason we started these calming kits is that I was pulled over for speeding, and when I was pulled over, my daughter, who has autism and cerebral palsy, went into a meltdown," said Terrie Desloge, founder of The Synapsory. "I realized we needed help in situations that she doesn't encounter every day."Sometimes, when children with autism are in situat...

How Sean Payton’s out-of-the-blue phone call convinced Chris Banjo to give coaching a chance: “Am I in trouble?”

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:39 GMT

Chris Banjo doesn’t remember the exact date in February, but he knows his phone rang at 9:41 p.m. on a Saturday.On a double date with his wife, best friend and best friend’s wife, Banjo may well have ignored the incoming call but for the name that popped up.Sean Payton.“This will kind of tell you a bit about Sean himself,” Banjo told The Post. “We’ve texted a bit here and there over the years, but the fact that I got a call from him, the first thing that went through my mind is, ‘Damn, am I in trouble? What did I do?’”No trouble this time, but the longtime NFL player still couldn’t have guessed what his former head coach in New Orleans had on his mind.“I answered the call and he goes, ‘I’m in Denver right now building my coaching staff and you’re one of the guys that comes to mind in terms of me wanting to build this thing going forward.’“I was kind of in shock. Coaching was nothing that ever crossed my mind at the time.”Banjo didn’t know for sure whether he was going to...

Loved ones remember Westlake High football player who died after asthma attack

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:39 GMT

Family and friends of a 17-year-old varsity football player who died after a severe asthma attack earlier this week are remembering him as an amazing athlete and a caring and compassionate person. Julius Poppinga was the son of former linebacker and Super Bowl champion Brady Poppinga, who played six of his eight NFL seasons with the Green Bay Packers.The Westlake High School junior had been hospitalized after a severe asthma attack last week and apparently suffered a collapsed lung during his stay in the hospital. He never recovered and died Wednesday, according to the Ventura County Star. Westlake football player Julius Poppinga and his sister Jasmine Poppinga are seen in an image posted to the football team's Facebook page.“He was just the kindest, sweetest soul,” his sister, Jasmine Poppinga, said.The two were only 18 months apart in age. And while Julius excelled in football and lacrosse, Jasmine cheered alongside him as part of the cheerleading squad.“It was great seeing every...

Hospital needs help identifying hit-and-run patient found in South L.A.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:39 GMT

A hospital is asking for the public’s help to identify a patient who was struck by a hit-and-run driver in South Los Angeles.The male patient was brought to the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center after witnesses saw him being struck by a van on Aug. 25.The collision happened in the Westmont neighborhood near Imperial Highway and Budlong Avenue around 3:30 a.m.The man remains intubated and sedated and does not have any information to identify him, hospital staff said.He is described as a man of Hispanic or Asian descent around 17-20 years of age. He stands 5 feet 4 inches tall, weighs 132 pounds with dark brown hair and brown eyes.He was found “well-groomed and has a silver necklace in his property,” staff said.A hospital is asking for the public’s help to identify a patient who was struck by a hit-and-run driver in South Los Angeles on Aug. 25, 2023. (Harbor-UCLA Medical Center)Anyone who recognizes this man or has additional information is asked to call the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center at 42...

Man found stabbed to death in L.A. County

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:39 GMT

Homicide investigators with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department are asking for the public’s help in locating the person or persons responsible for the death of man in the Littlerock area of Los Angeles County earlier this year.  The body of Thomas Cedric Lyons was discovered on July 29 in the 36000 block of 116th Street, according to an LASD bulletin.  Authorities described Lyons as an unhoused transient who frequented the Llano and Littlerock communities and was often seen with a group of dogs.  Thomas Lyons was found stabbed to death in the Littlerock area on July 29, 2023. (KTLA)The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner said that Lyons was found dead at the scene after suffering multiple stab wounds, City News Service reported.  Anyone with information about this homicide is urged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or ...

A guide to attending one of Beyonce’s shows at SoFi Stadium

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:39 GMT

Beyonce is heading to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood for a three-night stint at the venue beginning Friday. The shows will happen on Sept. 1, 2 and 4.From the silver dress code to navigating L.A. traffic, here is everything you need to know about attending the “Renaissance World Tour.”Arriving at SoFi StadiumWhile Metro won’t be providing special transportation services as it did for Taylor Swift’s shows, concertgoers can take a few alternatives to avoid driving to the venue.For those who want to avoid driving, taking public transportation during its hours of operation is still an option.Trip-planning tools such as Google Maps, Apple Maps and Transit, or Moovit apps will let concertgoers know when trains or buses arrive and depart from various stops and stations across L.A. County so everyone can plan accordingly.Members of the Beyhive can also use these tools in conjunction with Metro.net to get the most accurate time estimates.Utilizing ride-share services like Uber and Lyft is also an...

Los Angeles city officials celebrate opening of new supportive housing site for senior citizens 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:39 GMT

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and city councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez announced the opening of PATH Villas Hollywood, the city’s newest supportive housing site, on Thursday. The new housing site is a six story, 60-unit development serving low-income seniors ages 55 and up that are transitioning out of homelessness, according to a release from PATH Ventures. Out of the 60 units, 45 are studios, which are approximately 450 square feet. In addition, 14 one-bedroom units coming in around 740 square feet will be joined by a 970-square foot two-bedroom unit for the building manager. Property management and intensive care management offices are located on the ground floor of the building, PATH Ventures said, which also contains a landscaped courtyard and a large community room complete with a communal teaching kitchen. On-site services include motivational interview training, building coping skills, harm reduction and life skills education, as well as community buildin...

Restoring Healthy Communities

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:40:39 GMT

Technology has had a profound effect on our social relationships, including the way we interact with our families, our neighbors and our broader community. Early on, the Web and social networks became tools that helped people connect online, send updates to loved ones, and understand perspectives of people around the world. But as time went on, these platforms seem to be driving us further apart.In today’s bustling cities, people often don’t know their own neighbors. They use online platforms to order consumer products and food to be delivered to their door. They spend hours on their phones, browsing memes that are pushed by an algorithm that tries to maximize user attention and “engagement” for as long as possible, and perhaps get them to buy something. Nearly three in five teenage girls have been feeling persistent sadness.  Could Instagram and TikTok have something to do it? One in five middle-aged women reported using antidepressants in the last 30 days – perhaps linked to divor...