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Teen walks two hours for 8th grade graduation in St. Louis

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:37 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A six-mile walk for an eighth grader to his graduation ceremony may have secured his academic future."I remember something Mr. Seals told me. He said, 'If I want it, I got to go get it,'" said Xavier Jones. "So, I wanted to graduate, so I was going to go to my graduation."When the 14-year-old didn't have a way to get to his Wednesday's Yeatman Middle School eighth-grade graduation ceremony, he enlisted the help of his brother and a friend. They walked from West Florissant up in north St. Louis to Midtown. Jones' journey took more than 10,000 steps in two and a half hours. Then it got him his diploma."I had to stop my speech and call him on board and was like, 'Hey, everybody get off your feet and give him a standing ovation,'" said Darren Seals, Jones's mentor. "They clapped for him. They were like, 'Woah, this boy walked.'" Why Gov. Mike Parson picked Gabe Gore as the next St. Louis Circuit Attorney President of Harris-Stowe State University, Dr. Latonia Collins Smith...

Why Missouri's governor is disappointed following the legislative session

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:37 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Gov. Mike Parson is calling the 2023 legislative session a winner, but he said there is one topic that wasn't address that could lead lawmakers to coming back to the statehouse later this year. Dozens of bills are now sitting on Parson's desk waiting for his signature. Legislation that affects transgender Missourians, widens Interstate 70 and extends postpartum care for new moms, but there's one big issue that did not pass the finish line this session and it's costing the state more than a billion dollars. "One of the things we were really disappointed that we didn't get done, childcare, that was a big issue to us because we know that's a problem in the state to keep people in the workforce," Parson said. Back in January, Parson asked lawmakers during his annual State of the State address to approve three new childcare tax credit programs for providers and businesses. The tax credits were to help providers improve facilities, support employers who support...

Carjacking in south St. Louis County leads to police chase and an injured officer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:37 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - An officer is hurt, and several people are in custody, including several juveniles, after an armed robbery and a chase.The carjacking happened in the 3100 block of Telegraph Road, around 6:30 a.m. Friday. Investigators said the suspects robbed a man at gunpoint and took his car. Following the carjacking, a St. Louis County squad car was struck when the suspects jumped out of the moving vehicle around 8 a.m. Authorities said a woman and three juveniles are in custody. Residents living near the scene where the carjacking happened, said they are stunned.“Totally unacceptable and I'm praying that the young people come to their senses and not just degenerate into some unknown criminal element,” said James Priest. $400,000 in watches stolen in St. Louis jewelry heist “You don't do no stuff like that, and it's a lot of people that's misleading parenting as well, because they need to find stuff to do with their kids like activities," said Alexis Ross. "It...

That ’70s Dome: Vail throwback listed for $4 million

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:37 GMT

For Boulderite Andrew McBryan and his family, living in “The Dome” in Vail is like perching in a bird’s nest. “You get 360-degree views up and down the valley. It’s pretty amazing,” McBryan said. McBryan owns the top two floors of the raised geodesic dome at 2940 Basingdale Blvd. The property, built in 1976, is visible from Interstate 70 and was listed for $4 million.“Forget the dime-a-dozen, square-box ski condos. This is unique. It’s a really fun space to be in,” said McBryan, who drove by the property for more than 20 years before buying it in July 2022. “It’s one of those places in Vail that everyone knows.”The dome, built when Vail architecture was more whimsical, resembles a paper-mâché project. Domes were built across the country in the mid-to late 1970s in an effort to create more energy-efficient homes.The home offers 360-degree views of Vail valley. (Courtesy Jack Affleck)But the spherical design poses some construction challenges. Most building materials like windows and ...

Man convicted of 2nd-degree murder in killing of Malibu Creek State Park camper

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:37 GMT

A man has been convicted of murder in the 2018 killing of a father who was camping with his two daughters in Malibu Creek State Park, officials announced Friday.A jury found Anthony Rauda guilty of second-degree murder in the killing of Tristan Beaudette, 35, three counts of attempted murder and five counts of residential burglary, the latter stemming from a series of break-ins dating back to 2016.He was acquitted on seven additional counts of attempted murder in connection with a rash of shootings, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office. Rauda is scheduled to be sentenced on June 7 and faces 40 years to life in prison, the Associated Press reported.Erica Wu and Tristan Beaudette are seen in an undated photo posted to her Facebook page on June 23, 2018.Beaudette was camping with his daughters, then 2 and 4, when he was shot in the head in June 2018.The girls were not injured during the shooting, and the jury ruled that Rauda had not acted willfully to kill th...

Mayor Jefferson Koijee Takes Center Stage in Weah’s Re-election Bid

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:37 GMT

Liberia is gearing up for its presidential election, where incumbent President George Weah will be seeking re-election. With a nation that has faced several challenges, including the Ebola outbreak and civil war, the upcoming election is crucial as the Liberian people hope for a better future. In this election bid, Mayor Jefferson Koijee has taken centre stage as a key player in Weah’s re-election campaign.Koijee, who currently serves as the Mayor of Monrovia, Liberia’s capital city, has been a vocal supporter of President Weah’s policies and initiatives. As a former youth leader, Koijee has been at the forefront of championing youth empowerment in Liberia. His efforts have included the creation of the Monrovia City Corporation Youth Volunteer Program, which has provided hundreds of young people with job opportunities.Moreover, Koijee has played a critical role in improving the city’s infrastructure, which has resulted in increased access to essential services by the city’s resident...

Interstellar Inspirations: An Exclusive Interview with Katie Pope, Author of “The Boy and the Bear Take Mars”

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:37 GMT

Looking up at the night sky often sparks curiosity and wonder in young minds, and there’s no better way to fuel this than with tales of interstellar adventures. In our exclusive interview with Katie Pope, we delve into the inspiration behind her latest children’s book, “The Boy and the Bear Take Mars.” This enchanting narrative invites readers to join two daring characters, Willie and his companion Oliver, a spirited bear cub, as they accidentally rocket themselves onto the Red Planet.Pope’s fascination with outer space and what lies beyond Earth drove her to write this captivating tale. But the spark for the story did not originate in the stars. Surprisingly, it was sprung from an Earth-bound historical figure: William Mulholland, the man responsible for bringing water to Los Angeles. Initially intended as an allegory to this event, Pope’s imagination soon took flight, shaping a story that weaves historical themes with a thrilling blend of scienc...

Joseph Pharoah’s Acting Ascension: Unstoppable & Thriving

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:37 GMT

Joseph Pharoah’s rise in the acting world has been nothing short of remarkable. With a prestigious Master’s degree from the renowned East 15 Acting School in the UK, a powerful presence on stage and screen, and an enviable list of career highlights, Pharoah is proving that he is an unstoppable force to be reckoned with in the acting industry.Pharoah’s journey into the acting world began at the age of 22 in 2008. After a friend’s recommendation, he enrolled in a short-acting camera course in London. Within a month, he landed his first commercial for the BBC and, after a year, secured his first agent. Then, Pharoah decided to pursue a formal acting education, propelling his career to new heights.In 2012, Pharoah showcased his versatility as a performer at the closing ceremony of the London 2012 Summer Olympics. Combining his classical acting training with self-taught street dancing skills, he captivated audiences as the “Undead,” performing alongside Eurythmics...

SF Giants: Brandon Crawford sits again as Casey Schmitt makes second straight start at short

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:37 GMT

MILWAUKEE — A healthy Brandon Crawford was held out of the Giants’ lineup for a second straight game Friday, with rookie sensation Casey Schmitt making his second straight start at the position Crawford has occupied for more than a decade.The decision, manager Gabe Kapler said, had more to do with Schmitt’s impressive play since being called up earlier this month.“He’s not the easiest guy to take out of the lineup right now,” Kapler said Friday before their second game against the Brewers. “He’s doing a really nice job at shortstop and he’s having really good at-bats.”While Schmitt is a natural third baseman, he has looked the part as a major-league shortstop, a position he only began playing in Double-A last season. At the plate, Schmitt’s aggressive approach has resulted in one of the strongest starts for a rookie in franchise history. Hitting safely in 13 of his first 15 starts, Schmitt recorded two more hits in Thursday’s series-op...

Oakland A’s set to welcome back key part of starting rotation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:37 GMT

OAKLAND – Following an injury-plagued nine months, Paul Blackburn is finally set to rejoin the Oakland A’s rotation.Blackburn will start Monday when the A’s host Matt Olson and the Atlanta Braves at the Coliseum, marking the all-star right-hander’s first big league game since Aug. 4 of last year.Blackburn, who missed the final two months of the 2022 season with a tear of the flexor tendon sheath in his pitching hand, pitched Wednesday for Triple-A Las Vegas in Tacoma and allowed five hits and one earned run on 73 pitches over five innings.Blackburn, an Antioch native who attended Freedom High School in Oakley, suffered a right middle fingernail avulsion early in spring training. Blackburn was using a tool to help clean dirt from underneath his cleats when the tool slipped and slid underneath the fingernail.As that began to heal, Blackburn, roughly three weeks ago, started to develop a blister on his right middle finger. Blackburn said it was the first time he’s had a blister of that...