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St. Louis considers eminent domain to save troubled Railway Exchange building

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:08 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The old Famous Barr Building in Downtown St. Louis, known as the Railway Exchange, has seen better days.“The city had actually boarded it back up, and then, in a couple of hours, it had been broken into again,” said Downtown St. Louis resident Andy Crossett.A second-alarm fire also broke out at the building Friday afternoon, leading to significant damage. But before that, one alderwoman started the day pushing for eminent domain of the troubled structure. Vacant Railway Exchange building catches fire in Downtown St. Louis Alderwoman Cara Spencer, representing Ward 8 for the 2023-24 session, introduced some legislation, including a measure on the iconic building in downtown. “Two bills,” says Spencer. "One, which I introduced last week, will authorize the city to put up steel plating. It’s an expensive way to board up, but it’s very important. We’re seeing breaches every single day.”Friday afternoon, there was a large pile of wiring unexpectedly outside the building. O...

Man accused of child sex crimes in Franklin County, posed as babysitter

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:08 GMT

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Mo. - A man is accused of child sex charges in Franklin County and allegedly posed as a babysitter at the time some of the offenses occurred.Authorities have identified 20-year-old Colton Frankenberg as the suspect. Prosecutors have charged him in four child sex cases, all of which investigators say happened in Franklin County.Frankenberg faces statutory sodomy charges in connection with two victims in the babysitting cases. Both victims were under 12 years old. Vacant Railway Exchange building catches fire in Downtown St. Louis "This all came to light when the suspect worked as a babysitter," said Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney Matthew Becker. "Parents later called police to tell them that the suspect took inappropriate action with their children." Investigators later discovered two other cases that occurred between 2015 and 2018 in Franklin County. Both victims were under 17 years old. Authorities say Frankenberg was also a Shaman spiritual leader who was...

Belleville chili cook-off heats up as fall weather arrives

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:08 GMT

BELLEVILLE, Ill. - Fall-like temperatures are starting to settle into St. Louis, setting up perfect chili-eating weather for the 29th Annual Belleville Chili Cook-Off this weekend. The two-day tradition runs through 10 p.m. Friday, then resumes from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday. Event organizers want the wind to die down a bit, but otherwise, they are thrilled with the forecast. After all, it's hard to find someone who wants to eat a bunch of chili when it's almost 90 degrees.  VP Kamala Harris speaks in St. Louis during fall DNC meeting The cook-off consists of more than 40 vendors, either representing nonprofit organizations or charity-raising businesses. Organizers estimate the cook-off generates around $100,000 back into the Belleville community. Not only is there chili, but also entertainment and other festivities. "It is literally a homecoming for people," said Wendy Pfeil, President & CEO of the Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce. "Families come out for it. Families h...

Reformed criminal needs a place to start his new life. Meet Fred, the outlaw pig from Aurora.

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:08 GMT

Meet Aurora’s 400-pound, pink and very friendly former outlaw: Fred the pig.Fred was first spotted in Aurora tearing up landscaping on Sept. 24, according to Aurora Animal Services Field Supervisor Augusta Allen.People continued to call in about Fred as he made his way across the city, Allen said. At about 5 a.m. on Sept. 27, Fred was finally spotted in a place where Animal Services staff could fit a trailer — on a roundabout southeast of East Alameda Parkway and South Chambers Road.An officer kept an eye on Fred for a few hours until a team was available to corral, push and pull Fred onto a trailer and relocate him to the Aurora Animal Shelter.“He definitely didn’t want to end his walk,” Allen said, laughing. “He wasn’t mean about it, just a little obstinate. He didn’t want to end his holiday.”Fred was named by Animal Services staff because of a call that came in the day he was captured about someone losing a pet pig named Fred, Allen said. The call turned out to be a prank, ...

Broncos trading OLB Randy Gregory to 49ers in late-round pick swap rather than releasing him, sources say

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:08 GMT

The Broncos found a trade partner for Randy Gregory after all.They’re dealing him to San Francisco along with a 2024 seventh-round draft pick in exchange for a 2024 sixth-rounder, sources told The Denver Post on Friday afternoon.Broncos head coach Sean Payton, speaking after Denver wrapped Friday’s practice, said he didn’t have official confirmation on the deal but, “I think that’s been all finalized.”The compensation isn’t much, but Denver spent the week intending to release the veteran pass-rusher if they couldn’t find a trade partner for him. In that regard, moving up a few spots in the 2024 draft can’t hurt.“You always try to do that,” Payton said of getting at least something in return. “That’s pretty common.”Denver is set to pay all of Gregory’s remaining salary besides the prorated veteran minimum, a source said. That trims about $840,000 off Denver’s books and leaves the Broncos o...

California illustrator designs Clippers jerseys inspired by In-N-Out

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:08 GMT

What would it look like if one of California's most iconic brands partnered with a beloved sports franchise? That's exactly what Eric Bui wanted to figure out.The illustrator, designer and full-time engineer is a California native and a longtime Los Angeles Clippers fan. Over the past year-plus, he's dedicated a large chunk of his time creating fun, silly and referential basketball doodles on Reddit to entertain and lift up the spirits of his fellow fans who have spent their lives rooting for a team that has failed to reach the proverbial mountaintop and often leaving fans with a bad taste in their mouths.Last season, one of the strangest Clippers' seasons in recent memory, left Bui and many other Clippers fans feeling a bit "off.""If you're following the Clippers at all, you would know that the season was like pretty tumultuous," Bui said. "That's probably one of the weirdest seasons for fans to kind of experience and to watch."Kawhi Leonard was bouncing back from injury and his pl...

Six Flags Magic Mountain opens grab-and-go concession store

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:08 GMT

The convenience store of the future is now open at Six Flags Magic Mountain.The theme park officially opened a new store in a heavily trafficked area that will give park guests the ability to grab drinks, snacks and other refreshments and leave without having to check out.The "Quick 6" concept store is powered by Amazon and utilizes the company's "Just Walk Out" technology.Guests swipe their credit or debit cards as they enter the store, make their selections and then walk out the back without having to stop to pay.Six Flags Magic Mountain recently unveiled its "Quick 6" concept store with Amazon Just Walk Out technology. (KTLA)The store features dozens of high tech cameras and the shelves features weight sensors to ensure that you're charged for what you grabbed and not charged for anything you may have put back.Rachel Chahal is the director of sales for amusement partnerships and "eartertainment" at Coca Cola. She says Amazon was an ideal partner for the concept store because the ...

Alanis Morissette joins Pink on stage in L.A. for surprise duet

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:08 GMT

LOS ANGELES - P!nk’s spectacular Summer Carnival Tour rolled through Inglewood's SoFi Stadium on Thursday.The five-hour-long celebration of women in rock included a surprise appearance from Alanis Morissette, who joined P!nk for a performance of her 1995 smash hit "You Oughta Know."The crowd erupted when the Canadian singer, songwriter and actress stepped onto the stage during the song's first chorus.Alanis Morissette with Pink at SoFi Stadium on Oct. 5, 2023. (Viewer photo)Later in the concert, P!nk was joined by opening act Pat Benatar and her musical partner and spouse, Neil Giraldo, for a rendition of Benatar’s 1979 hit "Heartbreaker."P!nk’s high-energy (and high-flying) set included a seemingly endless parade of hits including "F**kin’ Perfect," "Get the Party Started," "What About Us" and "Raise Your Glass," along with the dazzling choreography and aerial acrobatics which have become a hallmark of her live performances. Morissette's 1995 album, "...

McCarthy says he plans to run for reelection in 2024 following ouster as Speaker

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:08 GMT

Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) announced Friday that he is not resigning from his seat and plans to run for reelection in 2024, shooting down reports that he is considering stepping down following his stunning ouster as Speaker earlier this week.“I’m not resigning. I got a lot more work to do,” McCarthy told reporters in the Capitol.Asked if he plans to run for reelection next year, McCarthy responded “yes.”The comments came shortly after Politico, citing two people familiar with the matter, reported that McCarthy was considering resigning from the House before the end of his term. Following that report, CNN said McCarthy was expected to step down, per two sources familiar with his thinking.McCarthy, however, emphasized to reporters that he has no plans to leave Capitol Hill.“I’m still here finishing my job, all right,” he said. “If I make any other difference, don’t read it by somebody else. I will tell you.”The speculation regarding McCarthy’s tenure in Congress came days after th...

Officer Chad Swanson Killed in Motorcycle Crash on 405 Freeway [Carson, CA]

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:08 GMT

Manhattan Beach Officer Dies in Multi-Vehicle Collision near Del Amo AvenueCARSON, CA (October 6, 2023) – Wednesday morning, a motorcycle crash on the 405 Freeway claimed the life of Chad Swanson.Around 5:15 a.m., authorities responded to the scene near Del Amo Avenue. According to initial reports, a vehicle executed an unsafe lane change, resulting in a collision with another car. The second car then struck Officer Swanson, ejecting him from his patrol motorcycle onto the road.Investigators are looking into the possibility of a fourth vehicle being involved in this incident. Medical personnel transported Officer Swanson to Harbor Medical Center, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.Meanwhile, the other individuals involved in the accident cooperated with the investigation, remaining at the scene. Chad Swanson, the deceased officer, was identified as a 35-year-old who had served the department for 13 years. Notably, he was one of the heroes during the tragic 2017 Las ...