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Drunken driver pleads guilty in South St. Paul crash that killed her ex, injured 2 others

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 13:10:33 GMT

An Eden Prairie woman has admitted to drunkenly crashing her minivan into an oncoming pickup in South St. Paul, killing her ex-husband and injuring two other people.Bobbie Jo Puttbrese, 53, pleaded guilty Tuesday to criminal vehicular homicide and two counts of criminal vehicular operation in the June 5 crash on Concord Street that killed Paul Edward Craven, a 60-year-old from St. Paul who had previously been married to Puttbrese.Bobbie Jo Puttbrese (Courtesy of Dakota County Sheriff’s Office)Puttbrese entered a “straight plea,” meaning there is no agreement between the defense and the prosecution on the terms of her sentence. Her sentencing has been set for Jan. 18.South St. Paul police collected surveillance video from a nearby business that showed Puttbrese’s minivan traveling south on Concord Street, crossing the centerline near Chestnut Street and colliding with the pickup, which was headed north, according to the complaint.A breath test revealed she had a blood-alcohol c...

Novelist Karen Dionne’s ‘The Marsh King’s Daughter’ hits the big screen

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 13:10:33 GMT

When novelist Karen Dionne learned her 2017 best-selling psychological thriller, “The Marsh King’s Daughter,” was being adapted into a movie, she had to pinch herself.“I’m pretty much black and blue from pinching myself and you can quote me on that!” said the former Shelby Township resident, laughing. “I have a fair number of writer friends whose books have been optioned. It’s not as rare as you think, but of those whose materials have been optioned and have been made (into a movie) – whether it’s in the theaters or went straight to streaming – is small. The number who have had it made (into a movie) for a theatrical release is smaller yet. I have no idea what the numbers are, but it’s definitely pinchworthy.”Karen DionneIn “The Marsh King’s Daughter,” Helena Pelletier is happily married with a loving husband and two beautiful daughters. But she has a dark past she hoped would stay buried. Her father, Jacob Holbrook, alias the Marsh King, abducted her mother and she was born two yea...

Beloved Saratoga police horse "King Tut" passes away

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 13:10:33 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A beloved member of the Saratoga Springs Police Department Mounted Unit is being remembered for his service to the community. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! King Tut was honored in a walk-out ceremony prior to his death.King Tut suddenly and unexpectedly passed away Tuesday. Many may recognize him from his 20 years of patrolling the streets and attending events in the Spa City.For two decades, King Tut stole hearts all over Saratoga. Whether he was patrolling Broadway with his late former partner, Jupiter, providing security at the Saratoga Race Course, or showing his therapeutic side at the farm, he made his presence known. He was the biggest horse in the mounted unit, yet no task was too small.King Tut at Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga“We could use him on Caroline Street after midnight, dealing with crowd control. The next morning we could bring him to the schools, let the kindergartners s...

Jury convicts sex offender on child pornography charges

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 13:10:33 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Gregory Kurzajczyk, 76, of East Durham, was convicted on four counts of child pornography charges following a three-day jury trial. He faces between 10 to 20 years in prison for the child porn charges and two more years for violating the supervised release conditions. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Kurzajczyk is a convicted sex offender who spent three years in prison after being sentenced for child pornography charges in January 2017. He was released in October 2021 with a life term of supervised release.A United States Probation Officer located an unauthorized laptop during a routine home visit on February 16, 2022. Two more unauthorized laptops and dozens of hidden unauthorized computer devices were discovered. Two laptops and USB drives contained images and video files depicting children being sexually abused. Sentencing is scheduled for February 23, 2024.

Push to include NY HEAT Act in state budget

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 13:10:33 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)---- With January just a few months away, lawmakers are already setting their sights on what they want to accomplish in the upcoming year. In a letter signed by 54 Democratic lawmakers, they call on Governor Hochul to include the New York HEAT Act in the state budget. It’s a bill that would speed up New York’s transition off of fossil fuels. Senate Minority Leader, Rob Ortt, is against the legislation."Right now if you are within 100 feet or less of hooking up to a natural gas line or infrastructure, the utility will do it," explained Ortt. "They will hook you up without charging you for the hook up. This would do away with that."Ortt believes this will drive up energy costs.However, it’s supporters say by transitioning, low and middle-income New Yorkers will save money because their energy bills would be capped at 6% of their household income. Assemblymember Pat Fahy sponsors the bill says this is better for the environment."Most members really want to move to ...

Jury deliberations underway in Nelson Patino trial

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 13:10:33 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Jury deliberations are underway in the trial of Nelson Patino. Patino is accused of stabbing and killing his wife and son, and injuring his other son. He is facing a myriad of charges included first and second-degree murder, attempted murder and two counts of assault. During closing arguments, Michael McDermott, Patino's defense attorney, relied on his claim that Patino was a family man and a COVID-induced psychosis caused him to kill. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! McDermott recalled testimony from Patino's family and co-workers about his character and that nothing would point to him committing such a violent crime with no motive, other than a sudden psychotic episode. “The only proof you have before you is that before December 1st, 2021 this was a ordinary normal family and that Nelson Patino was a perfectly ordinary, hard working, loving father and husband," McDermott said. "It doesn’t make sens...

DEC: Parolee issued seven tickets for illegal dumping

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 13:10:33 GMT

FORT EDWARD, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- An investigation was launched into illegal trash dumping along Champlain Canal Lock 8. A canal employee reported seeing a U-Haul dumping household garbage. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The employee recorded the license plate number and a description of the subject and passed the information to law enforcement. Law enforcement identified the subject, who is on parole. The subject was hired to clean a foreclosed property in Hartford. The subject was linked to illegal dumping in two other locations. Officers issued the individual seven appearance tickets to Argyle, Kingsbury, and Fort Edward town courts. Charges include illegal disposal of solid waste and unlawful disposal of medical waste.

Ricky Ridings' cold case solved after 36-year investigation

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 13:10:33 GMT

CALLOWAY COUNTY Mo – After 36 years, the cold case of Ricky Ridings has finally been solved, thanks to the efforts of the Callaway County Sheriff’s Office. In 1981, the Callaway County Sheriff's Office investigated the shooting death of Ricky Ridings, whose body was discovered near Portland, Missouri. Despite their efforts in 1981, the case went cold. However, a breakthrough occurred in 2017 when they received information from Conrad Schmitt III. Conrad Schmitt III, photo by Missouri Department of CorrectionsSchmitt III, who had been serving a life sentence since 1995 for an unrelated murder, confessed to the killing of Ricky Ridings during a recorded prison phone call. In 2018, Ridings' body was exhumed to reevaluate the evidence. The Ridings' family was notified of the new developments in their case, and further witnesses were interviewed.  ‘Basketball Wives’ star Brittish Cierrah Williams sentenced to prison The case reached its conclusion on August 20, 2023, wh...

Illinois State Police to ramp up November patrols in Madison and St. Clair Counties

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 13:10:33 GMT

COLLINSVILLE, Ill. - Illinois State Police will be increasing patrols and roadside checks this November in Madison and St. Clair Counties. The initiative is an effort to tackle impaired driving, make sure seat belts are buckled, and stop speeding.There will be special patrols targeting the "fatal four" violations: driving under the influence (DUI), safety belt and child restraint use, speeding, and distracted driving. Local cops unmask international suspects’ clever crime tricks Illinois State Police's goal is to reduce 30% of Illinois traffic fatalities caused by impairment and 35% from speeding. Roadside Safety Checks in Madison and St. Clair Counties will address DUI offenses and other traffic violations.There is one alcohol-related traffic fatality every 53 minutes in the United States. Safety belts are still one of the most effective safety devices in vehicles, estimated to save nearly 14,000 lives each year.

Four children missing from Centennial since June found safe in Louisiana

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 13:10:33 GMT

Four siblings who were last seen in Centennial in June were found safe in Louisiana and are now safely back in Colorado, the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office said in a Wednesday news release.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Suspect arrested in connection to body parts stolen from mausoleum Crime and Public Safety | Colorado Springs man pleads guilty to assaulting police during U.S. Capitol riot Crime and Public Safety | Woman arrested for assaulting deputy after Westminster apartment standoff Crime and Public Safety | Police searching for information after man shot, killed in southeast Denver Crime and Public Safety | Driver dies after crashing into building in Greeley The four children, whose ages range from 4 to 9 years old, were living in a foster home and had a weekend visit with their father, Howard Myles, starting June 30, Arapahoe County officials said in the news release.He was sup...