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Man whose body was found in a barrel in Malibu had been shot in the head, coroner says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:46:51 GMT

MALIBU, Calif. (AP) — A man whose naked body was found inside a barrel in Malibu, California, last week was shot in the head, a coroner has determined.The man was identified Wednesday by the Los Angeles County coroner’s office as 32-year-old Javonnta Marshann Murphy but no cause of death was given at the time. The coroner’s case information now lists the cause of death as a gunshot wound to the head, the Los Angeles Times reported Saturday. The circumstances that led to Murphy being shot and sealed inside a barrel remain under investigation by the Los Angeles County sheriff’s office.The 55-gallon (208-liter) black plastic barrel was first spotted July 30 floating in a Malibu lagoon and brought in with a kayak by a maintenance worker, but it was not immediately opened.The Sheriff’s Department said the barrel was opened July 31 by a lifeguard at Malibu Lagoon State Beach, who had retrieved it after it washed back into the lagoon.It was not known how long the body had been in the...

Days of torrential rains and floods in Austria have left 1 person dead, officials say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:46:51 GMT

VIENNA (AP) — Torrential rains and heavy floods have ravaged southern Austria for the past three days, killing one person who was swept away by a quickly swelling river on Sunday, officials said. After the person fell into the river, firefighters, divers and water rescuers immediately began rescue operations, according to the press department of the Carinthia province. But rescuers were only able to recover the dead body.Austrian chancellor Karl Nehammer expressed condolences on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, saying that “our thoughts are with the relatives” of the person killed.Since Friday, the southern Austrian provinces of Carinthia and Styria have been heavily affected by torrential rains, mudslides and rising rivers, with water surging into buildings. Several villages have been evacuated. Army soldiers are helping emergency personnel in the recovery effort. They are pumping water, evacuating civilians and setting up emergency shelters. In total, 2.500 ...

5 times credit card rewards aren't worth it (and 1 rule breaker)

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:46:51 GMT

(NerdWallet) - More often than not, using a credit card to pay for things you already budgeted for is the right move. Credit cards offer fraud and purchase protection, and with responsible use, they can build your credit score. They’re also money-saving tools — except when they’re not.Some credit cards reward you for your spending — whether in the form of cash back, points or miles — at rates that can be quite generous. However, those rates can be outdone by interest when you don’t pay off the entire card balance or credit card processing fee: Some merchants impose surcharges on credit card payments to cover the cost of interchange fees that they must pay to the card issuers. These added fees can be hard to spot, but they're becoming increasingly common.Whether a credit card or cash is the most cost-effective payment method depends on your card’s rewards rate, any card processing fee and your ability to avoid interest charges. With a little financial awareness, you’ll know how to us...

Man accused of shooting Austin police officer in 2021 sentenced

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:46:51 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A 24-year-old man was sentenced July 25 in connection with a shooting that injured an Austin police officer on April 9, 2021.According to Travis County court documents, 24-year-old Gregorio Sarmiento pleaded guilty July 18 to aggravated assault of a public servant, a first-degree felony. Sarmiento previously faced a charge of attempted capital murder of a peace officer, according to court records. PAST COVERAGE: Man accused of shooting Austin officer and another motorist in April 9 incident As a part of the plea, Sarmiento negotiated a 30-year cap for the sentence, according to court documents. Documents showed Sarmiento was sentenced to 20 years in state prison, with a jail credit of 838 days toward his sentence.

'Fleeing for our lives': Hays County residents, businesses recount escaping 400-acre Oak Grove Fire

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:46:51 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- The Hays County Office of Emergency Management and several Central Texas agencies continue to respond to the Oak Grove Fire, a 400-acre blaze that's 30% contained as of Sunday morning.The fire began Saturday afternoon and was first reported near Oak Grove Road near San Marcos. On Sunday, officials with the Texas A&M Forest Service said there was no fire growth overnight or current evacuations in place. Neighbors and businesses KXAN spoke with described the moments they saw the plumes of smoke, with others recounting seeing the flames skim parts of their property.Resident Debbie Jackson's sister is located near the Oak Grove Fire. She said her sister had water hoses and was trying to put out the fire as it neared their property. RELATED: Oak Grove wildfire estimated at 400 acres, 30% contained; Kyle mayor said 1 home destroyed "She was very scared," Jackson said. "It came up at the back of their property, and it came from the back and skimmed the bo...

Hot mic catches Gophers coach P.J. Fleck’s ultra-guarded approach in fall camp

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:46:51 GMT

As usual Saturday, head coach P.J. Fleck wore a portable microphone as he zipped around the Gophers’ open practice at Huntington Bank Stadium.It provided dividends — and a rare, insightful moment.Fleck was able to readily give out coaching tips — in particular teaching a young wideout proper hand placement to reel in a low throw — as well as bursts of praise for standout plays, including one from top cornerback Justin Walley.“Good job, Walley!” Fleck bellowed, and his voice carried throughout the stadium.Later in that same 11-on-11 period, Fleck’s mic became hot.“Not showing Big Ten Network our … offense!” Fleck bellowed toward that unit.The Gophers had stripped down its offensive playbook with the conference’s TV partner, local media members and fans in the building for the first time this preseason.While its not atypical to keep schematic details private, the hot mic situation was a continuation of Fleck’s modus operandi to not share many, if any, details of how his team will look...

Friendship Festival returning to Ravena

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:46:51 GMT

RAVENA, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Village of Ravena announced the return of their annual Friendship Festival in Mosher Park. The event is scheduled for August 26. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The festival will feature live music performances from Break-A-Legg, Musicats Quartet and Dusk 'Til Dawn, as well as a fireworks show in the evening. The event will also offer a wide range of vendors and kids activities. Friendship Festival will run from 1 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and is free to attend. Mosher Park is located at 2 Park Drive in Ravena.

Authorities launching investigation into death of 2-month-old baby in Covina 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:46:51 GMT

Authorities are looking into what led up to the death of a baby in Covina early Sunday morning. According to officials with the Covina Police Department, officers responded to a residence in the 1100 block of North Conwell Street around 6 a.m. and found an unresponsive child. Assisting Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedics performed CPR on the 2-month-old child, but the infant was pronounced dead at the scene.  Shooting in El Sereno leaves 2 dead, LAPD investigating The child was being watched by a babysitter while their mother was out of state, police said. The exact cause of death has not been revealed, and officers are investigating to find out if the death was natural or because of neglect. This is a developing story. Stay with KTLA for updates.Mariela Gomez contributed to this report.

Car fleeing Antioch sideshow slams into fire hydrant; SUV abandoned in marina

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:46:51 GMT

ANTIOCH — A multi-car crash early Sunday morning left three injured while an SUV plunged into the city’s marina amid a slew of accidents that took place after a late-night sideshow was dispersed by authorities.Police responded to the sideshow around 3 a.m. Sunday at the intersection of 9th and G streets, an area of Antioch that includes businesses, eateries and some residences.Vehicles fled the scene at high speeds, leading one car in the immediate vicinity to collide with another before slamming into a fire hydrant, authorities said.Three people involved in that crash were taken to a hospital, one of them with major injuries. Officials did not provide an update Sunday on the status of their injuries.In two separate crashes, a car similarly hit a fire hydrant near the city’s marina, while an SUV drove into the San Joaquin River.No injuries were reported in the second hydrant crash, while the SUV had been abandoned by the time emergency responders arrived at the sce...

PHOTOS: Italian Family Festa continues today at San Jose’s History Park

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:46:51 GMT

They clapped along to Sicilian folk songs. Sipped varietals from local Italian-American wine makers. Laughed as locals gamely stepped into barrels to stomp grapes. Explored family histories. Watched the art of pizza tossing. And ate thousands of servings of sausage, spaghetti, meatballs and cannoli.San Jose’s History Park is a sea of red, white and green this weekend as the Italian Family Festa marks its 41st year. The celebration of Italian culture, put on by the Italian American Heritage Foundation, continues until 6 p.m. today with live music, children’s arts and crafts, cooking demonstrations and a cultural village featuring the history of Italians in the Santa Clara Valley.Radio host Lissa Kreisler, left, announces the city mayors from San Jose, Matt Mahan, back left, Milpitas, Carmen Montano, and Santa Clara, Lisa Gillmor, right, before the start of a grape stomping competition during the Italian Family Fiesta at History Park in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, Aug. ...