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Legislative auditor to examine failed appointment of state cannabis management director

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:51:10 GMT

Minnesota’s legislative auditor will dig into the short-circuited appointment of the Office of Cannabis Management director.In an interview Tuesday, Auditor Judy Randall said she would formally inform the governor’s office and other entities that she has launched a preliminary inquiry into the hire and quick departure of Erin DuPree as the state’s top marijuana market regulator.Randall said the DuPree situation triggered the review, but it could delve into the appointment and vetting process in general.“The fact that she was appointed and then information came out that it appears that the governor’s office wasn’t aware of, that then caused the candidate to step down and the governor to acknowledge problems with the process, caused us to have questions about the thoroughness of the process,” Randall said.The auditor review was first reported by the Minneapolis-based Star Tribune.DuPree was named last month by Gov. Tim Walz to the post but resigned the next day after questions about h...

Dane Mizutani: Get on the back of Royce Lewis. He’s leading the Twins to the promised land.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:51:10 GMT

The boogeyman came for the Twins as soon as the game started on Tuesday afternoon at Target Field.After the Toronto leadoff hitter put the ball in play, nightmares from the past couple of decades came flooding back when Jorge Polanco’s throw across the diamond pulled Alex Kirilloff off the first-base bag. The mistake turned a routine grounder into the slightest crack in the foundation. That would have been enough for the house to come crashing down in the past.Not this time. This version of the Twins is built different.Because they have a legitimate superstar in Royce Lewis. Not a star. He’s a superstar in every sense of the word.In his playoff debut, Lewis hit a pair of home runs, providing all the offense for the Twins in their 3-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.Why wouldn’t he? The moment has never proven to be too big for the 24-year-old wunderkind. The historic 18-game playoff losing streak wasn’t going to be either.“It was a blessing to play t...

Dog dies in Cahokia Heights house fire

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:51:10 GMT

CAHOKIA HEIGHTS, Ill. - A family dog died in a house fire late Tuesday evening in Cahokia Heights, Illinois.The fire happened in the 1100 block of St. Bernadette Drive, near St. Louis Downtown Airport. As of this writing, it's unclear when the fire began.An older couple who live in the home were not present at the time of the fire.The cause of the fire is under investigation.

'Enough is Enough' - Billboards on I-70 raise awareness for fentanyl crisis

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:51:10 GMT

WARRENTON, Mo. – A group of Warrenton residents gathered on Tuesday night to remember the victims of the drug epidemic.One by one."Lizzy Cole; age 14," Kelli Clodfelter said aloud to the dozens of people gathered outside the Casa Tequila in Warrenton.Names and ages.Clodfelter continued, listing more than 40 names of people who overdosed on drugs. "Dennis Reed; age 34."It's not just the names being remembered, but the faces as well. Four billboards along Interstate 70 show the faces of more than 40 drug overdose victims.“Every one of us here has lost somebody,” Lisa Alsawad said. “Everybody knows somebody that has lost somebody."Sabrina Wipfler had the idea to remember her nephew, who overdosed 11 years ago. Wipfler originally meant to just put up one billboard, but the idea grew. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News ...

Schnucks remodels Cahokia Heights store, invests in community

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:51:10 GMT

CAHOKIA HEIGHTS, Ill. - Before we even stepped foot inside the recently remodeled Schnucks in Cahokia Heights, we met shoppers celebrating signs that this store is here to stay.“You can find anything you want in there. Everything you need. It’s really nice,” Michael Schaub said.Once inside the 44,000-square-foot store, you don’t have to look far to see the improvements.“It’s great. It’s something we really need in our neighborhood. Praying it doesn’t leave us.” Denise Byrum said. Store manager Brian Lomelino says the glow-up at the Cahokia Heights Schnucks will make it easier for customers to stock up. From produce to poultry and pancake mix, grocery staples remain, even if the store doesn’t feel the same. House makes history, removes McCarthy as Speaker “All brand-new shelving. Brand-new lighting. Brand-new floors. One of the things we’ve gotten is that customers think the store is bigger now. I think it’s just brighter, and it’s more modern. It just brings a good feeling when yo...

Debate over short-term rental regulations in St. Louis

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:51:10 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The owners of short-term rental properties in St. Louis are lining up against proposed amendments the city's Board of Alderman will soon vote on."The bill as it sits is not terrible. There are a few things that we need to have changed, like the occupancy limits," said Amanda McCracken. She's a short-term rental owner and said the proposals discussed Tuesday are concerning."Two per bedroom, with a top number of eight; eight residents. Some of the other key components really are adding some teeth to the repercussions of the bad actors, limiting the number of Airbnb's in residentially zoned communities," Alderwoman Cara Spencer said. House makes history, removes McCarthy as Speaker Spencer said the growing number of short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods is a growing concern."We have seen downtown, where we have these, essentially, ghost hotels where they're just full of Airbnbs," she said.The bills are expected to be voted on Friday."There's a need for short-te...

Early results show recall effort in Englewood falling short

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:51:10 GMT

An effort to oust three Englewood City Council members as part of a recall election is faltering, unofficial results released Tuesday night showed.The special election revolves around the issue of density in this suburb of 34,000, where a contingent of residents mounted a campaign earlier this year to recall four of Englewood’s seven City Council members. One of the targeted members, Cheryl Wink, resigned over the summer and wasn’t on the ballot Tuesday.Mayor Othoniel Sierra, Councilwoman Chelsea Nunnenkamp and Councilman Joe Anderson were targeted for recall.According to preliminary results, Sierra received 478 votes against recall and 346 in favor. Anderson had a better margin — 700 to 493 against recall. Nunnenkamp’s election was the closest, with voters in her district defeating a recall 435 votes to 421 votes.The city said there were still more than 700 votes to tally as of late Tuesday night.Those behind the recall effort accused the four council member...

Four-bedroom home sells in Milpitas for $3 million

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:51:10 GMT

2136 Incline Court – Google Street ViewA spacious house located in the 2100 block of Incline Court in Milpitas has new owners. The 3,389-square-foot property, built in 1989, was sold on Sept. 1, 2023, for $3,000,000, or $885 per square foot. This two-story home offers a spacious layout with four bedrooms and three bathrooms. Additionally, the home comes with a two-car garage, allowing for convenient vehicle storage and additional storage space.These nearby houses have also recently been sold:In September 2022, a 1,953-square-foot home on Pinard Street in Milpitas sold for $1,575,000, a price per square foot of $806. The home has 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.A 3,389-square-foot home on the 900 block of Galindo Court in Milpitas sold in June 2023, for $2,970,000, a price per square foot of $876. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms.On Pinard Street, Milpitas, in March 2023, a 1,987-square-foot home was sold for $1,700,500, a price per square foot of $856. The home has 4 bedrooms and ...

Toddler found dead in Rodeo bathtub; pair arrested on allegations of torture, homicide

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:51:10 GMT

RODEO — A toddler drowned in a bathtub here on Monday evening and two adults are in custody facing allegations of torture and homicide, authorities said Tuesday.The Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office says the 2-year-old was pronounced dead at about 8:50 p.m. Monday after deputies were called to a home on the 300 block of California Street for a report of a drowning.Deputies later arrested Destiny Deboe, 22, and Tyshawn Haywood, 21, on suspicion of homicide, torture and felony infliction of injury to a child, sheriff’s office spokesperson Jimmy Lee said.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Months after charging man in 2017 Oakland homicide, district attorney dismisses the case Crime and Public Safety | Alameda County DA opposes release of pair convicted in journalist Chauncey Bailey’s murder Crime and Public Safety | Man convicted of 1966 Monterey County killing spree granted parole for 4th time Crime and Public Safety | ...

Diamondbacks hit Burnes hard to rally for 6-3 victory over Brewers in Wild Card Series opener

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:51:10 GMT

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Corbin Carroll, Ketel Marte and Gabriel Moreno homered against Corbin Burnes, helping Arizona erase an early three-run deficit and sending the Diamondbacks to a 6-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 1 of their NL Wild Card Series on Tuesday night.The rally put Arizona in a prime position to advance. Game 2 of the best-of-three series is Wednesday, and the Diamondbacks have ace Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly lined up after rookie Brandon Pfaadt lasted just 2 2/3 innings in the opener.Arizona, which clinched an NL wild card in the final days of the season, had been 0-14 in postseason games when trailing by at least three runs.Carroll and Marte homered on back-to-back pitches in the third, and Moreno put the Diamondbacks ahead in the fourth. Evan Longoria protected Arizona’s one-run lead in the fifth by robbing Tyrone Taylor of a bases-loaded hit and turning it into an inning-ending double play. Christian Walker provided some insurance with a two-run double off ...