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Public schools would have to display Ten Commandments under bill passed by Texas Senate

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:26 GMT

AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — Public schools in Texas would have to prominently display the Ten Commandments in every classroom starting next school year under a bill the Texas Senate approved Thursday.Senate Bill 1515 by Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford, now heads to the House for consideration.This is the latest attempt from Texas Republicans to inject religion into public schools. In 2021, state Sen. Bryan Hughes, a Mineola Republican, authored a bill that became law requiring schools to display donated “In God We Trust” signs.King said during a committee hearing earlier this month that the Ten Commandments are part of American heritage and it’s time to bring them back into the classroom. He said the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for his bill after it sided with Joe Kennedy, a high school football coach in Washington state who was fired for praying at football games. The court ruled that was praying as a private citizen, not as an employee of the district.“[The bill] will remind stu...

Man arrested, charged in 42-year-old Comal County cold case

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:26 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A San Antonio man was arrested last week and faces a murder charge in a 42-year-old cold case out of Comal County, Texas. Larry Allen West, 68, was arrested by Texas Rangers on April 13 and charged in the 1981 murder of Carol Joyce Deleon, who was 18 at the time, according to a release from the Texas Department of Public Safety. West was linked to the murder through new evidence in the case, which was subjected to advanced DNA testing under DPS' Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) program.Deleon's body was found in June 1981, along IH-35 in southern Comal County, but she wasn't identified until 27 years later. Investigators tried to identify her using fingerprints and a composite sketch that was released to local media at the time, but she ultimately was buried as a Jane Doe. An autopsy determined she died from multiple gunshot wounds to the head, according to DPS. The Texas Ranger's Unsolved Crimes Investigation Program reviewed the case file in May 2008...

Stillwater to celebrate World Tai Chi Day on April 29

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:26 GMT

Tai chi instructor Aimee Van Ostrand leads participants at the 2018 World Tai Chi Day in Stillwater. (Courtesy of Glenda Cary Conner)World Tai Chi Day is practiced on the last Saturday in April in cities around the world – including Stillwater.People meet at 10 a.m. in their local time zone to learn about and practice the ancient Chinese martial art that combines deep breathing and gentle movements.World Tai Chi Day-Stillwater, now in its eighth year, will be April 29 at River Siren Brewing Co. in downtown Stillwater. The free, outdoor event is open to beginners, students and seasoned practitioners.This year’s gathering, led by Stillwater-based Healing Within Acupuncture owner Aimee Van Ostrand, will collect donations for earthquake relief in Turkey and Syria through the Turkish American Society of Minnesota.In addition, $2 of each special World Tai Chi Day T-shirt will be donated to the organization. Artist and tai chi instructor William Ersland used a Japanese style of meditation ...

‘Leadership genius’: Texas A&M coach Buzz Williams’ high praise for Gophers’ P.J. Fleck

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:26 GMT

P.J. Fleck wasn’t the only head coach at Gophers football practice at Huntington Bank Stadium on April 11. Texas A&M men’s basketball coach Buzz Williams was watching along the sideline.It wasn’t as random as it might seem.Fleck and Williams became friends in 2014 and have been alternating visits to each other over the past decade. Fleck was coaching at Western Michigan when Williams traveled to Kalamazoo; Williams was leading Virginia Tech when Fleck and wife Heather traveled to Blacksburg.It’s easy to see how they get along.Fleck is known for his boundless energy, and that trait is how Brent Williams got his nickname. Both coaches embrace quirky catchphrases and slogans to drive home their points. Both have their players write hand-written letters to say thanks or give encouragement to others. Both have non-profit organizations helping children in need.Both — and this is key — show a desire to learn and pass on knowledge gained, whether that is how to more efficiently run a co...

Spring turkey season begins on May 1

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:26 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Spring turkey season kicks off on May 1 in all counties north of the Bronx-Westchester County boundary and in Suffolk County on Long Island. A new change that went into effect last fall allows shot sizes as small as Number 9 for turkey hunting. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! "Opening a spring turkey season on Long Island is a success story for wildlife conservation," Commissioner Basil Seggos said. “After their translocation to Long Island in the 1990s, turkey numbers in Suffolk County increased to a level where these birds can now be responsibly and sustainably harvested through recreational hunting. DEC encourages turkey hunters throughout the state to act responsibly, follow regulations, and adhere to the cardinal hunting safety rules for a safe and enjoyable season."All hunters must be aware of the following details provided by the DEC:Hunting is permitted in most areas of the state, except for...

Rivers Casino & Resort names new general manager

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:26 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Joe Lodise is the new general manager of Rivers Casino & Resort in Schenectady. He is scheduled to take over on April 24, pending approval by the New York State Gaming Commission. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Before he started working in the gaming and hospitality industry, Lodise worked for the Vanguard Group for over a decade in various financial services roles. He joined Caesars Entertainment in 2007 as operations manager at Harrah's Resort in Atlantic City and was later promoted to vice president of finance. Lodise then relocated to Mississippi to become assistant general manager and vice president of finance at Horseshoe Tunica near Memphis, Tennessee. He was ultimately promoted to senior vice president and general manager of the property. CMH Auxiliary ‘pink ladies’ donate $40k to hospital “We’re thrilled to welcome Joe to the Rush Street Gaming family and Rivers Casino & Re...

Schenectady man pleads guilty to sexually exploiting minors

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:26 GMT

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Schenectady man has pleaded guilty to one count of sexual exploitation of a child and one count of possession of child pornography. Jordan Valle, 26, admitted he pretended to be an online hacker and threatened to delete or take over the social media accounts of multiple minor females if they did not send him sexually explicit material. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Valle obtained sexually explicit materials from several children. Valle will be sentenced on August 17 and faces a minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison for the sexual exploitation of a child. He also faces up to 20 years for possessing child pornography.Following his prison term, Valle will be required to serve five years and up to a life term on supervised release and will be registered as a sex offender. He also has to forget the devices used to commit the offenses and pay restitution to the victims.

Saratoga Springs K9 celebrates 4th birthday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:26 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) — K-9 Vas, a police dog with the Saratoga Springs Police Department, celebrated his fourth birthday on Thursday. The department wished him well in a Facebook post. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! "K-9 Vas and our other SSPD K-9s are a valuable asset to our agency and play an integral role in keeping our community safe," noted a city police spokesperson. K-9 Vas was born overseas in Hungary. He was originally purchased by the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office, which trained him in patrol tactics, tracking, and narcotics detection. Mohawk Hudson Humane Society hosting Pride Paw-rade Now, he can be seen around Saratoga Springs with his handler, Officer Arpei. Together, the duo helps track down criminals and sniff out drugs. The community was quick to join in on Thursday's celebration. "Happy birthday Officer Vas," wrote one Facebooker. "Tell your partner you deserve a big steak."

Drop off unwanted paint at the Honest Weight Food Co-op

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:26 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Are you looking for a place to drop off unwanted paint that might be taking up space in your storage areas? Bring them to the Honest Weight Food Co-op at 100 Watervliet Avenue on April 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and be rid of them for free! Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Paint must be in original, non-leaking, labeled containers. Accepted paints and products include oil-based, acrylic, latex, stains, shellacs, lacquers, sealers, varnishes, and urethanes. Paints and products not accepted are spray paints, paint thinners, solvents, cleaning agents, adhesives, roof patches, and drywall mud.One-gallon, five gallons, and sample sizes are accepted and individuals can bring unlimited amounts. Everyone who drops off paint will also receive a $5 coupon at the co-op. Signup is not required but encouraged.

'My life changed forever' : Widow of fallen Hermann officer reflects on grief, support

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:10:26 GMT

HERMANN, Mo. - The wife of a fallen Hermann officer said her "life changed forever" in a recent letter expressing her grief, but gratitude for sustained support more than a month removed from tragedy. Officers Mason Griffith and Adam Sullentrup were at Casey’s gas station in Hermann on March 12 when they tried to take a man wanted on outstanding warrants into custody. Both officers were shot. Griffith died in the shooting, and Sullentrup is recovering from critical injuries. Top Story: Missing Texas teens sold for sex in Missouri Griffith leaves behind his wife Jennifer and their two children. Jennifer shared a sincere public message on her Facebook account Friday morning. She explained that she was listening to scanner traffic the night of her husband's death knowing he was about to respond to Casey's and worried after hearing the call of "officers down" around 9 p.m. Jennifer noted there have been many challenges in coping with the loss of her husband. She also used the letter ...