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Carole Baskin closing Tampa sanctuary, cats will be transported to Arkansas refugee

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:24:48 GMT

CITRUS PARK, Fla. (WSVN) – In a statement written by Howard Baskin, husband of Carole Baskin, it was announced that Big Cat Rescue is closing down.The decision according to the Baskin’s is one worth celebrating after the Big Cat Public Safety Act was passed which bans the private possession and contact with big cats and their cubs. For years the couple has been advocating for this act and in December it was signed into law.“This is the first step to saving wild cats, in the wild, where they belong,” read the Big Cat Rescue website. The statement released said that an agreement between Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge, which is an accredited sanctuary in Arkansas, and Big Cat Rescue decided that most cats would be moved to the sanctuary where the Baskin’s will continue to fund their care for the rest of their lives. “There will still be some ‘roadside’ zoos and circuses which, despite regulation by USDA, will have cats in conditions we ...

Minneapolis leaders approve agreement to revamp policing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:24:48 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minneapolis City Council on Friday approved an agreement with the state to revamp policing, nearly three years after a city officer killed George Floyd.City officials agreed to negotiate an agreement after the Department of Human Rights issued a blistering report last year that said the police department had engaged in a pattern of race discrimination for at least a decade. The City Council approved the court-enforceable settlement Friday.The state agency launched its investigation shortly after Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, knelt on Floyd’s neck for 9 1/2 minutes, disregarding the Black man’s fading pleas that he couldn’t breathe. Floyd’s death sparked mass protests that spread around the world. It forced a national reckoning on racial injustice and compelled the Minneapolis Police Department to begin an overhaul.Chauvin was later convicted of murder. He and three other officers who were at the sc...

Police: Body found in woods off Route 95 in Weston

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:24:48 GMT

A body was found in a wooded area off of Route 95 in Weston Friday morning, according to state police.Police say the body was located in an area adjacent to the south side of the highway that may be the site of a past homeless encampment.The right lane and breakdown lane of Route 95 south remain closed until further notice.The incident remains under investigation and no additional information has been released. This is a developing story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest updates.

Former Stoneham Police officer arrested for wire fraud

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:24:48 GMT

A former detective sergeant for the Stoneham Police Department has been arrested and charged for allegedly providing false information in rental applications to fraudulently obtain three separate apartment leases for which he intentionally withheld rent payments, according to U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins.Robert Kennedy, 53, of Stoneham, was charged with one count of wire fraud. Kennedy is set to appear in Boston federal court Friday morningAccording to the charging document, Kennedy defrauded his last three landlords by providing materially false and misleading information in his rental applications to obtain the respective apartment leases. After moving in, prosecutors say Kennedy intentionally withhold rent payments, despite making $141,000-$187,000 a year from the Stoneham Police Department. As a result, Kennedy lived in the apartments rent-free by allegedly taking advantage of the slow eviction process. Prosecutors say Kennedy defrauded his most re...

MSPCA to hold first-ever fee-waived adoptathon for goats

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:24:48 GMT

The MSPCA is holding its first-ever fee-waived adoptathon for goats on April 1 and 2. to try to find homes for forty-seven goats. The goal of the two-day event is to try to find homes for 47 goats, which is well more than are usually housed on the property. “In the winter of 2022, we seized close to 100 goats from a single property in Dighton—and some were pregnant,” said Mike Keiley, MSPCA-Angell director of adoption centers and programs. “So, we ended up with more than 100 goats, many of which still need homes.”“Prior to that, we generally never had more than a couple with us, and they were always adopted quickly,” he added. “We’ve never had a fee-waived adoptathon for goats, but they’ve been successful finding homes for small animals in the past, so we’re employing the same method here in order t...

Dansby Swanson stars in his Chicago Cubs debut, a 4-0 opening-day win: ‘I’m really soaking up these moments’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:24:48 GMT

Dansby Swanson needed only one game to understand how “Go, Cubs, Go” hits differently when the tune resonates at Wrigley Field while wearing the home pinstripes.Swanson’s Chicago Cubs debut Thursday encompassed exactly what the organization expected in the all-around shortstop when they signed him to a seven-year, $177 million contract in the offseason. He became the first Cub to have three hits in his team debut since, fittingly, Nico Hoerner on Sept. 9, 2019. The duo teamed up to turn an inning-ending double play in the top of the third inning to help right-hander Marcus Stroman escape the bases-loaded jam.Swanson also drove in a run, the Cubs’ first of the season, to spark a four-run third en route to a 4-0 opening-day win against the Milwaukee Brewers. A day that began with an early wake up and prayer ended with Swanson putting a rough offensive spring performance behind him to lead the Cubs to a complete win in front of contingent of supporters that incl...

Bruins’ top prospect Mason Lohrei signs ATO with Providence

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:24:48 GMT

The Bruins’ top amateur prospect took the next big step in his career on Friday.Defenseman Mason Lohrei eschewed two years of NCAA eligibility at Ohio State and signed an amateur tryout contract to play for the Providence Bruins. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound should get some valuable pro experience while playing for the playoff-bound P-Bruins.A late bloomer, the 22-year-old Lohrei had an excellent career in Columbus after the B’s chose him in the second round (58th overall) in the 2020 draft when he was still a member of the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers.The Verona, Wisconsin native spent another season with the Gamblers before moving on to the Buckeyes, for whom he had 4-25-29 totals in 31 games his freshman season. In his sophomore season, which ended on Sunday when OSU was ousted by Quinnipiac from the NCAA tournament, he had 4-28-32 totals in 40 games after starting slowly while bouncing back from a knee injury.It is difficult to see Lohrei — a big, offensive-minde...

Man killed in two-car crash identified

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:24:48 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A man who was killed in a two-vehicle crash last week has been identified by authorities. According to the San Diego County Medical Examiner's office, 53-year-old Spencer Ross, a San Diego resident, was driving his Chevrolet pick-up truck northbound in the 8100 block of Mission Center Road in the Serra Mesa neighborhood when he lost control of his vehicle. Deadly rollover crash prompts lane closures on SR-94 Officials say Ross collided with a Land Rover SUV traveling southbound along the same roadway and first-responders found him unconscious.Despite lifesaving attempts, the medical examiner's office confirmed Ross was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. His cause of death was listed as multiple blunt force injuries.The driver of the SUV was transported to a nearby hospital with injuries, officials said.The circumstances that led to the crash are still under investigation by the San Diego Police Department’s Traffic Division.

Man killed in motorcycle crash after failing to stop at red light: police

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:24:48 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A man was killed Thursday after crashing his motorcycle in the Otay Mesa West neighborhood, authorities said.According to the San Diego Police Department, a man, whose age is unknown, was riding his 2007 Suzuki motorcycle eastbound on Palm Avenue at a high rate of speed shortly before 7 p.m. at the time of the incident. Deadly rollover crash prompts lane closures on SR-94 Meanwhile, an 89-year-old woman was driving her 2017 Toyota Corolla westbound on Palm Avenue and made a left turn onto southbound Hawaii Avenue on a green light, said police. Authorities say the motorcyclist failed to stop for the red light and struck the Corolla broadside.SDPD says the man sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene. The San Diego Police Traffic Division is investigating the crash.

Toronto police investigate hate-motivated graffiti at mosque in Weston

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:24:48 GMT

Toronto police are investigating a case of possible hate-motivated graffiti at a mosque in the northwest end of the city.Police chief Myron Demkiw says the hate crimes unit is reviewing an incident at the Towfiq Islamic Centre on Oak Street, in the Weston Road and Highway 401 area.Demkiw says they’re committed to investigating every potential hate crime and encourage the reporting of any suspected hateful act to the police.Mosque members tell CityNews the walls were vandalized with hateful and violent words.“The mosque leader was met with a shock when he came to the mosque this morning to open the doors for morning prayer,” Dania Elmi told CityNews.“During the holy month of Ramadan, which is one of the few holidays Muslims get. This month is about spiritual discipline, community togetherness and prayer.”No injuries were reported.We’re investigating possible hate-motivated graffiti at the Towfiq Islamic Centre. @TPS12Div & our Hate Crimes Unit are en...