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Schedule of 2023 Great Forest Park Balloon Race events

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:50 GMT

ST. LOUIS – The anticipated 2023 Great Forest Park Balloon Race Fest is this weekend. It kicks off tonight with the balloon glow and then transitions to race day on Saturday. This event is at Emerson Central Fields, in Forest Park.Originating in 1973, Balloon Fest has grown from a gathering featuring just a few hot air balloons and a small audience to an internationally renowned event with 50 or more hot air balloons and skilled pilots preparing for the race.On Saturday, the flight window for the race is set between 4:30 and 6:00 PM. While the aim is always to launch as scheduled, the exact timing hinges on weather conditions.The pilot teams will monitor wind conditions and flight path details in coordination with the national weather service, fellow pilots, and air traffic control. Stay updated with real-time information on the balloon race's media channels. List of Events: "The Glow" on Friday, September 155 p.m.: Gates Open at Emerson Central FieldsEnjoy a variety of fo...

St. Louis mom desperate for a kidney donation using signs to find a donor

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:50 GMT

ST. LOUIS – One local mother is desperate to find a live kidney donor. Her campaign has expanded to include social media posts, signs in her front yard, coverage by local news outlets, and decals on her family's personal vehicles.“I have had kidney disease for many years, which has been progressing over time. My diagnosis is Chronic Kidney Disease,” said Yelena Gass-Bronstein, a 1991 Ukrainian refugee. She worked as a nurse at Barnes Hospital for many years, even during the COVID-19 pandemic, before retiring due to her illness.“My nephrologist told me that I will need a kidney transplant and advised me to be proactive in searching for a living kidney donor. The wait for a deceased kidney donor is very long and can take 3-5 years or longer,” Gass-Bronstein said.A nephrologist is a kidney specialist. Her doctor also mentioned that receiving a kidney from a living donor has better outcomes during and after surgery in terms of organ longevity and fewer surgical and post-surgical complic...

St. Louis mom faces charges for biting substitute teacher

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:50 GMT

ST. LOUIS – A mother has been charged with assaulting, dragging, and punching a substitute teacher, as well as biting her on the left breast. Jasmine Chamberlain, 28, faces a charge of assault in the 3rd Degree, a Class E Felony, and there is no bond. According to an investigation by the Hazelwood Police Department, on September 11, 2023, Chamberlain became upset with the victim, who was working as a substitute teacher at her daughter's school. Chamberlain punched the victim in the face. In response, the substitute teacher pushed Chamberlain, causing her to fall to the ground. Chamberlain retaliated by grabbing the substitute teacher and pulling her down as well. Once on the ground, Chamberlain continued her assault by repeatedly punching the substitute teacher and slamming her head into the ground. The incident escalated and concluded with Chamberlain biting the substitute teacher on her left breast. A Class E Felony carries a sentencing range from one day up to...

Man killed in Halls Ferry Road crash identified

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:50 GMT

ST. LOUIS – A police report sheds some new light on a fatal crash over the weekend. The crash happened at the intersection of Halls Ferry Road and Lucas-Hunt. The victim has been identified. Lawrence Pruitt, 68, was pronounced dead at the scene.The incident is currently under investigation by St. Louis Crimes Against Persons detectives and the Accident Reconstruction Unit. The collision involved a Ford F-150 traveling southbound on Halls Ferry Road on September 9th, at around 11:05 p.m. The truck collided with a Lexus sedan traveling northbound as it attempted to make a westbound turn onto Lucas-Hunt Road. Pruitt was a passenger in the Lexus sedan. The truck's driver, as well as the driver and another passenger of the sedan, were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. 

Tree canopies will expand as eight Colorado cities, including Denver and Aurora, share $22 million from feds

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:50 GMT

Eight Colorado cities — including the state’s three most populated — will share $22.2 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for tree planting and other programs that increase access to green space, particularly in underserved communities.The USDA announced the distribution of more than $1 billion for 385 projects in cities, territories and tribal lands across the country, using forestry program funding provided by the federal Inflation Reduction Act. The 2022 law was touted as the largest climate investment in U.S. history.Colorado cities received these grants: $9 million to Colorado Springs, $5 million each to Aurora and Denver, $1 million to Monte Vista, $689,134 to Greeley, $669,073 to Wheat Ridge, $600,000 to Glenwood Springs and $230,000 to Westminster.Colorado Springs intends to use the money for a project that would improve its urban forest, focusing on restoring tree health and boosting the tree canopy in neighborhoods and parks that have been his...

Texas Senate begins deliberations at Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:50 GMT

By PAUL J. WEBER, JIM VERTUNO and JAKE BLEIBERG (Associated Press)AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Texas Senate on Friday began deliberating whether impeached Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton should be removed from office over corruption allegations that have shadowed him for years.The deliberations began after Texas lawmakers leading the impeachment made a final appeal Friday to the jury of senators following nearly two weeks of testimony. The closing arguments were the last chance for impeachment managers to make their case that Paxton is unfit for office over allegations he abused his power to protect a political donor who was under FBI investigation.“If we don’t keep public officials from abusing the powers of their office, then frankly no one can,” said Republican state Rep. Andrew Murr, a member of the bipartisan group of impeachment managers from the Texas House.Paxton, whose three terms in office have been marred by scandal and criminal charges, faces a...

Suspect arrested in 2 separate fatal shootings along Denver’s South Platte River Trail

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:50 GMT

Denver police have arrested a 31-year-old suspect who they believe is responsible for two separate fatal shootings along the South Platte River Trail last week, officials announced Friday.Tanner Fielder was arrested Thursday in Black Hawk on suspicion of first-degree murder in the deaths of Lluvia Robles-Banuelos, 31, and Jeremy Hutcheson, 43.Robles-Banuelos was found dead Sept. 6 on the trail under Interstate 70 near North Washington Street, and Hutcheson, 43, was found dead Saturday near the intersection of South Platte River Drive and West Florida Avenue, the Denver Office of the Medical Examiner reported Tuesday.Both bodies were discovered just after midnight with multiple gunshot wounds.Denver police say they identified Fielder as a suspect after officers patroling near the South Platte River Trail heard shots fired shortly before 10 p.m. Tuesday in the area of West 13th Avenue and North Zuni Street.The officers saw someone leaving the area, officials said. They established a p...

Stanislav Kondrashov from Telf AG: nickel production strategy and market trends

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:50 GMT

While the overall market is forecast to be in surplus in 2023, the supply of Grade 1 nickel on the London Metal Exchange (LME) remains relatively tight, says Stanislav Kondrashov of Telf AG. Grade 1 nickel stocks on the LME are currently at historical lows, which is expected to limit downward pressure on nickel prices throughout the year.Kondrashov Telf AG: Grade 2 nickel is in surplus, Grade 1 supply is limitedAccording to the forecasts of the International Nickel Research Group (INSG), global production of primary nickel in 2021 reached 2.610 million tons (Mt), and increased to 3.060 Mt in 2022. According to forecasts, in 2023 it will reach 3.374 million tons.As for the use of primary nickel, according to INSG, in 2021 it amounted to 2.779 million tons, and in 2022 it increased to 2.955 million tons. The forecast for 2023 suggests a further increase to 3.134 Mt.After a deficit of 169 kt (kt) in 2021, the nickel market moved to a surplus of 105 kt in 2022, with a surplus of 239 kt ...

Significantly cooler weather arrives in Southern California

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:50 GMT

Southern Californians have dealt with a number of heat waves this summer, but now residents finally get the chance to settle in and enjoy some cooler afternoon highs.The decline in temperatures started this week and will continue through at least the weekend, according to the National Weather Service. Forecasters believe we will get even further cooling next week as clouds and fog spread into most areas west of the mountains every night and into the morning hours.Afternoon highs are already expected to be slightly below average on Friday but could be nearly 10 degrees under the average in some areas by next week.In the Inland Empire, afternoon highs could tumble from about 90 degrees Friday to nearly 80 degrees by Tuesday and Wednesday.Nothing in the Weather Service forecast appeared to show a return to hot weather any time soon, so Southern Californians may finally have a chance to get used to these cooler, fall-like days.

Ex-Sheriff Villanueva To Run For Board of Supervisors

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:33:50 GMT

Former L.A. County Sheriff Alex Villanueva announced his intention to run for a seat on the Board of Supervisors.Villanueva would run for the county’s 2024 4th district seat, which is currently held by Supervisor Janice Hahn.In response to Villanueva’s announcement, Supervisor Hahn pointed back to the former Sheriff’s re-election loss as evidence that voters did not want him in a position of power.“LA County voters — including District 4 — resoundingly rejected the man known as the ‘Donald Trump of LA County’ last November for his incompetence and corruption,” Hahn said in a statement. “LA County became less safe under Villanueva’s reign. He is a fraud and a failure, and LA County voters won’t be fooled again.”In 2022, Villanueva lost his re-election bid for sheriff against now Sheriff Robert Luna.During the election cycle, Villanueva was accused of being part of law enforcement gangs, accusations he said “fell apart” in courts d...