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'Ringleader' of 1966 Monterey County killing spree granted parole

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:53 GMT

(KRON) -- A California inmate who went on killing spree in the 1960s in Monterey County was granted parole, and prosecutors vowed this week to continue fighting against his scheduled release.Jose Francisco Velasquez was 24 years old when he acted as a "ringleader" behind a series of killings in 1966, the Monterey County District Attorney's Office said. He is now 81 years old. The Board of Parole Hearings granted his request for freedom citing California's Youthful Offender and Elder Parole laws."We believe the inmate continues to pose an unreasonable current risk of harm to the public based on the egregious facts of these murders and currently lacks insight into both his responsibility for these murders and his sexual deviance," prosecutors wrote."During a horrific crime spree in 1966, inmate Velasquez and his crime partners Luis Francisco Pacheco, Jose Luis Galvan, Frank Urrea Gonzales, and Juan Vasquez Garcia, brutally murdered four victims," the DA's Office wrote. On July 29, 196...

Alzolay returns from injured list as slumping Cubs seek bullpen boost for final weekend

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:53 GMT

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Adbert Alzolay returned from the the injured list Friday in hopes of providing a boost for the struggling Chicago Cubs bullpen during their playoff push.Alzolay has been one of the Cubs’ top relievers, but he hasn’t pitched since Sept. 9 due to a forearm strain. The Cubs made room for him by optioning pitcher Keegan Thompson to their spring facility in Arizona.The Cubs have done a poor job of protecting leads without him. They have fallen out of playoff position by losing five games this month that they had led in the eighth inning or later. They blew a 6-0 lead on Tuesday and squandered ninth-inning and 10th-inning advantages Wednesday while getting swept in Atlanta this week.“We’ve missed him when he’s out,” Cubs manager David Ross said before Friday’s game at Milwaukee. “He’s been a big part of our success, so having him back helps us kind of shorten the game hopefully, which we haven’t been able to do a lot lately. When we get one of our better arms back, ...

EE.UU. impone restricciones de visado a 100 funcionarios de Nicaragua, a quienes señala de apoyar violaciones a derechos humanos

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:53 GMT

(CNN Español) — Estados Unidos impuso este viernes restricciones de visado a 100 funcionarios municipales de Nicaragua, a quienes señala de apoyar violaciones a los derechos humanos y las libertades llevadas a cabo por el Gobierno de Daniel Ortega, informó el Departamento de Estado en un comunicado.Con las personas sancionadas van más de 1.000 funcionarios que reciben medidas similares por parte del Gobierno estadounidense “por su respaldo a abusos, por limitar las libertades civiles y actuar contra organizaciones independientes”, precisó la nota de prensa.El anuncio del Departamento de Estado se produce solamente unos días después de que el Gobierno de Ortega emitiera un decreto que anuló la personalidad jurídica de la escuela de negocios Instituto Centroamericano de Administración de Empresas (Incae) y expropió sus bienes en Nicaragua.La institución educativa reprobó la decisión y anunció que mantendrá en operaciones su sede en San José, Costa Rica.“Aquellos que participan e...

Looming shutdown could destabilize Maryland’s budget picture

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:53 GMT

In Maryland, more than 350,000 households directly benefited from wages or retirement income from the federal government. The $31 billion in income accounts for nearly 11% of all income earned in the state, according to the Office of the Comptroller. Photo: Board of Revenue Estimates. In Maryland, more than 350,000 households directly benefited from wages or retirement income from the federal government. The $31 billion in income accounts for nearly 11% of all income earned in the state, according to the Office of the Comptroller. Photo: Board of Revenue Estimates. A looming federal government shutdown could destabilize Maryland’s budget outlook.Minor decreases in projected revenues announced Thursday by the...

Charlie Blackmon and Colorado Rockies agree to 2024 contract

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:53 GMT

DENVER (AP) — Charlie Blackmon and the Colorado Rockies agreed Friday to a one-year contract for 2024 that prevents the outfielder from becoming a free agent.The 37-year-old is in the final season of a six-year contract guaranteeing $108 million, a deal Blackmon agreed to after winning the NL batting title with a .331 average.A four-time All-Star, Blackmon has spent his entire 13-season big league career with Colorado. Only Todd Helton at 17 seasons played longer for the Rockies.Blackmon entered Friday’s game against Minnesota hitting .283 with eight home runs and 40 RBIs. “Charlie Blackmon is synonymous with Rockies baseball and we look forward to watching him continue his great career at 20th and Blake,” Rockies general manager Bill Schmidt said in a statement. “Nobody works harder than Charlie preparing for the game and we are excited to see him contribute both on the field and in the clubhouse for another season.”___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLBSource

Rangers rotation takes a hit as Jon Gray lands on 15-day injured list with forearm strain

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:53 GMT

SEATTLE (AP) — The Texas Rangers’ potential playoff pitching staff took a hit Friday after right-hander Jon Gray was placed on the 15-day injured list with a forearm strain.“Probably would be a situation where he could skip a start and go but we don’t want to be short at this time of pitchers. So we had to put him on the IL,” Bochy said.Gray had imaging following his start against the Los Angeles Angels this week, which revealed a grade 1 strain, manager Bruce Bochy said. Gray did some light throwing following his initial scans, but didn’t feel any better.The Rangers were planning to start Gray on Saturday against Seattle in a game that could have significant playoff implications. Bochy didn’t say who will start in his place.Gray is 9-8 with a 4.12 ERA in 29 starts this season and is second on the team in innings pitched (157 1/3) and strikeouts (142). Gray had made every scheduled start this season until now.“It really wasn’t coming around to the point where we would put him ...

León marino escapa de su espacio en el Zoológico de Central Park debido a las inundaciones en Nueva York

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:53 GMT

(CNN) — Un león marino hembra escapó brevemente de su recinto en el zoológico de Central Park de Nueva York el viernes cuando una fuerte lluvia inundó su espacio.El animal logró nadar fuera de la piscina inundada y deambular por el área circundante antes de regresar a su recinto, que comparte con otros dos leones marinos, según un comunicado de prensa de Jim Breheny, vicepresidente ejecutivo de los zoológicos de la Wildlife Conservation Society and Aquarium.El personal del zoológico “vigiló” la inesperada aventura del mamífero marino mientras esperaba su regreso.Desde entonces, los niveles de agua en la piscina de los leones marinos han disminuido y todos los animales están en sus exhibiciones designadas, señala el comunicado de prensa.“Ningún personal ni visitantes estuvieron en peligro y el león marino permaneció dentro del zoológico, sin traspasar nunca el perímetro secundario del zoológico”, dijo Breheny.El Zoológico de Central Park es parte de la red de parque...

Charlie Blackmon and Colorado Rockies agree to $13 million contract for 2024

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:53 GMT

DENVER (AP) — Charlie Blackmon and the Colorado Rockies agreed Friday to a $13 million, one-year contract for 2024 that prevents the outfielder from becoming a free agent.The 37-year-old is in the final season of a six-year contract guaranteeing $108 million, a deal Blackmon agreed to after winning the NL batting title with a .331 average. New record: Colorado Rockies lose 100th game this season A four-time All-Star, Blackmon has spent his entire 13-season big league career with Colorado. Only Todd Helton at 17 seasons played longer for the Rockies.Blackmon entered Friday’s game against Minnesota hitting .283 with eight home runs and 40 RBIs.“Charlie Blackmon is synonymous with Rockies baseball and we look forward to watching him continue his great career at 20th and Blake,” Rockies general manager Bill Schmidt said in a statement. “Nobody works harder than Charlie preparing for the game and we are excited to see him contribute both on the field and in the clubhouse for another se...

October brings Jonas Brothers, Keith Urban, Ed Sheeran, John Legend and The 1975 to SoFlo in concert

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:53 GMT

Goodbye September, helloooooo October! There’s a lot to look forward to, and we’re not just talking about spooky season and Halloween. Here’s a look at next month’s concert forecast.Jonas Brothers (singing): “No, don’t get stressed, it’s gon’ get figured out. Oh, deep conversations at the Waffle House.”Forget the Waffle House. The Jonas Brothers are coming to SoFlo!Joe, Nick and Kevin are stopping by the Kaseya Center in Miami on Oct. 14.And if that alone wasn’t enough of a draw, the guys will be playing five of their albums in one night. Now that’s a bang for your buckMatty Healy (singing): “Distract my brain from the terrible news. It’s not living if it’s not with you.”It’s a bittersweet moment for fans of The 1975. The good news is, the guys are also playing at the Kaseya Center.The downside? The band says they’ll be taking an indefinite hiatus after this tour, so the show on Oct...

Davonte Barnes found guilty of 2nd-degree murder, attempted murder in NW Miami-Dade banquet hall shooting

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:13:53 GMT

A man on trial for the mass shooting at a banquet hall in Northwest Miami-Dade that made national headlines has been found guilty.Twenty-four-year-old Davonte Barnes was convicted Friday night on three counts of second-degree murder and 20 counts of attempted second-degree murder.He was found not guilty of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder with a deadly weapon.The judy’s verdict came hours after defense attorneys and prosecutors delivered their closing statements.Jurors determined Barnes acted as a lookout for gang members who opened fire outside the El Mula Banquet Hall in May of 2021.