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Michigan mom is charged with buying guns for son who threatened top Democrats, prosecutors say

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:23:44 GMT

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The mother of a 30-year-old Michigan man who’s accused of making death threats against Democratic politicians is now charged with lying when she purchased firearms later found in her son’s possession. Threats against public officials have become increasingly common in Michigan in recent years. A plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was broken up by the FBI in 2020, and prosecutors have so far secured nine convictions in the case in state and federal courts. The charges unsealed Tuesday against Michelle Berka, 56, come after her son Randall Berka II was arrested in March and charged with illegally possessing guns. Federal prosecutors say he made death threats on social media against the president and governor, as well as people in the LGBTQ community. Authorities say Michelle Berka knowingly lied when she bought five guns that were eventually given to another person, according to an indictment unsealed in federal court Tuesday and first reported by T...

Body found in Denver dumpster linked to Aurora weekend shooting

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:23:44 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Aurora police are investigating a homicide after a body was disposed of in a Denver dumpster.On Monday, Denver Police Department officers were called to the 1400 block of Olive Street in the Montclair neighborhood after a body was found. Investigators said the victim had been taken to Olive Street in a van and was then dumped in a dumpster.The van was located a short distance away but no suspects have been found. Alleged high-profile sexual predator arrested in Jeffco According to detectives with the Aurora Police Department's Major Crime Homicide Unit, witnesses said the victim was killed during a shooting on Saturday night. The shooting took place in the 1100 block of Geneva Street in the Del Mar Parkway neighborhood.The victim's identity will be released at a later date.Anyone who may have information on the shooting or the suspects is asked to contact the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. Tipsters can remain anonymous and still be eligible for a cash...

PHOTOS: Fires wreak havoc on Maui, historic Lahaina in flames

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:23:44 GMT

HONOLULU (KHON) -- Strong winds continued to batter the Hawaiian Islands Wednesdays, fueling multiple brush fires on Maui. Heartbreaking visuals show chaos on the island as many were forced to evacuate their homes due to the intensifying flames. Some were forced to flee to the relative safety of the ocean, where they were rescued by the Coast Guard.The fire was widespread in Lahaina Town, including on Front Street, an area that is popular with tourists, County of Maui spokesperson Mahina Martin said by phone early Wednesday. Traffic has been very heavy as people try to evacuate, and officials asked people who weren’t in an evacuation area to shelter in place to avoid adding to the traffic, she said. Photos posted by the county overnight showed a line of flames blazing across an intersection in Lahaina and leaping above buildings in the town, whose historic district is on the National Register of Historic Places. People fleeing Hawaii wildfires pulled from ocean “Do NOT go to Lahai...

3 SB lanes on Turnpike blocked after rollover crash

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:23:44 GMT

A rollover crash involving five vehicles on the Turnpike has blocked several lanes.Fire rescue crews arrived at the scene of the crash at Southwest 288th Street, Wednesday afternoon.Due to the crash, three southbound lanes on the Turnpike were blocked. Drivers are urged to take alternate routes. Please check back on WSVN.com and 7News for more details on this developing story.

Sweetwater Police seek public’s help in locating man with cognitive impairment

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:23:44 GMT

The Sweetwater Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating a 59-year-old man diagnosed with cognitive impairment. Mr. Nelson Molinet was last seen by his family on August 7, at his residence at 11042 SW 4 Street, between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.Described as standing at 5′ 09″ and weighing approximately 160 lbs., Mr. Molinet is a White Hispanic male and has grey hair with a balding pattern. He was last seen wearing a black Puma T-shirt, blue jeans and black Sketchers shoes. Mr. Molinet was seen in Hialeah on the same day, specifically at 766 E 25 Street, at around 4:00 p.m. During this sighting, he was holding a blue plastic shopping bag.Authorities are urging anyone with relevant information about Mr. Molinet’s whereabouts to immediately contact Detective Richard Brioso of Unit 611 at 786-413-9922, or any detective from the Sweetwater Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Section at (305) 552-9900.

Woman gives birth to healthy baby boy after going into labor early at Pink concert and walking to hospital

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:23:44 GMT

A girls trip to see Pink at Fenway Park last week ended with an expecting mother finding herself going into labor at the crowded venue, and making a trek to the hospital on foot.Brigham & Women’s Hospital said the surprise delivery came after Angela Mercer, her sister-in-law Amy, and her mother, Barbara, made the trip to Boston from Albany, New York. The plan – take in a concert put on by musician Pink at Fenway Park while celebrating Barbara’s birthday.According to the hospital, though, just after they arrived for the concert, Mercer started experiencing contractions 31 weeks into her pregnancy.“Angela hadn’t been expecting her son’s arrival quite yet, but she started having contractions shortly after arriving for the show,” Brigham & Women’s stated on Facebook. “She called her doctor, who advised her to get to a hospital.”However, due to the traffic surrounding Fenway during the concert, she had trouble finding a ride, leadin...

How multilevel marketing schemes prey on vulnerable women, according to new book

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:23:44 GMT

Emily Lynn Paulson was a 33-year-old mother of five, married to a successful and supportive man and living a comfortable life in Seattle when a “friend” from the past reached out to her via Messenger. This friend was someone from high school with whom she really had no relationship, but Paulson was feeling lonely and isolated as a stay-at-home mom, so she agreed to get together for a glass of wine.That’s how Paulson stumbled into multilevel marketing (MLM) and it dominated her life for six and a half years. Sometimes called direct marketing or pyramid marketing, MLMs derive their revenue from non-salaried contractors who sell the company’s products or services to friends and family. The contractors’ earnings come from a multilevel commission system in which 96-99.7 percent of people selling for MLMs lose money. While Paulson was one of the few MLM success stories, it ultimately led to addiction and compromised her physical and mental health.Related: Sign up for our free Book Pages n...

Family travel 5: Exploring during the shoulder seasons

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:23:44 GMT

Lynn O’Rourke Hayes | (TNS) FamilyTravel.comTake advantage of the years when your travel plans are not limited by school holidays and summer vacation. You can explore with your toddlers or home-schooled kiddos during the shoulder seasons when crowds have diminished and deals may be possible.Here are five ideas to consider:1. Atlantis, Paradise Island, BahamasFor families that check into The Coral, the resort’s family-centric tower, an impressive level of luxury awaits within spacious rooms and suites. Compare notes with the Kids Concierge and in a flash, the dreams of mini-travelers (and their parents) will soon be a reality. From scheduling family swims with the dolphins to registering for Sea Squirts, an interactive marine program where youngsters can feed baby stingrays, sharks and schools of fish, the concierge is on hand to help create itineraries and smooth any bumps on the path to a memorable vacation. Ask about helping the Atlantis Aquarists guide Green Sea Turtle hatchlings...

Consumer Health: Reducing your risk of lung cancer

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:23:44 GMT

Laurel Kelly | (TNS) Mayo Clinic News NetworkLung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., accounting for about 1 in 5 of all cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society. Lung cancer claims more lives each year than colon, breast and prostate cancers combined. More than 238,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with lung cancer in 2023, and more than 127,000 people in the U.S. will die of the disease.Lung cancer typically doesn’t cause signs and symptoms in its earliest stages. Signs and symptoms typically occur when the disease is advanced and may include:— A new cough that doesn’t go away— Coughing up blood, even a small amount— Shortness of breath— Chest pain— Hoarseness— Losing weight without trying— Bone pain— HeadacheRisk factorsA number of factors may increase your risk of lung cancer. Some risk factors can be controlled, for instance, by quitting smoking. And other factors can’t...

Hawaii’s governor is rushing home from travel as Maui wildfires rage. Follow along for live updates

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:23:44 GMT

Follow along for live updates of wildfires that are racing across part of Maui in Hawaii, destroying sections of a historic town on the island and forcing some to flee to the relative safety of the ocean, where the Coast Guard rescued them. The fires forced evacuations in some areas, including the popular tourist spot of Lahaina Town. The National Weather Service says Hurricane Dora, which is passing south of the island chain at a safe distance, was partly to blame for strong winds driving the flames, knocking out power and grounding firefighting helicopters. HAWAII GOVERNOR RETURNING TO ISLANDS, SAYS SOME LOSS OF LIFE IS EXPECTEDHawaii Gov. Josh Green, who was scheduled to return to Hawaii from personal travel on Aug. 15, instead planned to return immediately, his office said Wednesday. He was expected to be back Wednesday evening. Green has been in contact with the White House, and is preparing to request emergency federal assistance sometime in the next two days, once he has a be...