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Crowds, law enforcement honor fallen Austin Police Officer Jorge Pastore

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:24:42 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Police Officer Jorge “George” Pastore, who died in the line of duty Nov. 11, was honored in Austin Friday morning.Law enforcement began setting up for the funeral procession at 7 a.m., and all vehicles equipped with emergency lights and sirens were invited to join. The procession for Pastore’s final patrol began at 8 a.m. MAP: Funeral procession route for fallen Austin Police officer People were encouraged to line the route of the procession to show support.The Austin Police Department said public visitation would be from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and the funeral service was from 11 a.m. to noon at the Germania Insurance Amphitheater, located at 9201 Circuit of the Americas Boulevard.Austin Police officer salutes as Officer Jorge Pastore’s procession moves past Interstate 35 and St. Johns (KXAN photo/Frank Martinez)All vehicles equipped with emergency lights and sirens were invited to join the funeral procession for Officer Jorge Pastore's final patrol. (KXA...

'Pastore was always all-in': APD chief remembers fallen officer, honors him with Medal of Valor, Purple Heart

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:24:42 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Friday, Austin Police Interim Chief Robin Henderson spoke at the funeral service of fallen officer Jorge “George” Pastore.Pastore died in the line of duty Nov. 11 while responding to a SWAT call in south Austin. TIMELINE: APD describes events leading to officer line-of-duty death in south Austin “His dedication to our department, our community and his teammates was second to none. None. Pastore was always all-in,” Henderson said. “Pastore exemplified leadership, teamwork, inclusion, selflessness, passion and resiliency.”During her speech, Henderson announced Pastore was being posthumously honored with two awards.“Jorge Pastore, number 9097, is being awarded the Medal of Valor for displaying exceptional bravery and courageous action, risking life for serious bodily injury while in the performance of duty, in addition to a Purple Heart for his death resulting from a suspect's actions in the line of duty under honorable circumstances with valor,” Henderson said.Bef...

From Bach to Qeej: St. Paul awards $1.3 million in Cultural STAR grants to 66 nonprofits

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:24:42 GMT

The St. Paul City Council this week approved nearly $1.3 million in grant funding to 66 nonprofit arts and cultural organizations.The grants are funded by a portion of the city’s half-cent sales tax, which for 25 years has supported the Cultural Sales Tax Revitalization (STAR) program. A nine-member board appointed by St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter reviewed the applications and made recommendations to the mayor and city council prior to council approval on Wednesday.The board received more than $3 million in funding requests, making it one of the most competitive years in recent memory, said Bethany Gladhill, business director for FilmNorth and the vice-chair of the Cultural STAR board, in a statement.“The applications were incredibly diverse, highlighting our city’s rich cultural life,” she said.A separate program, Neighborhood STAR, provides competitive funding for capital projects in St. Paul neighborhoods.Among the Cultural STAR grant recipients announced this week wer...

St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter celebrates 150,000th Evie Carshare trip

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:24:42 GMT

St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter this week hopped aboard an Evie — the city-owned electric-vehicle carshare launched last year with nonprofit HourCar — and celebrated the EV Spot Network’s 150,000th trip.The all-electric carshare fleet rolled out in February 2022 with charging stations throughout Minneapolis and St. Paul. Since then, Evie Carshare users have logged more than 1.5 million zero-emission miles, reducing both cities’ carbon footprint.In a written statement, HourCar president and chief executive officer Paul Schroeder noted “1.5 million miles of usage is the equivalent of driving to the moon and back three times. The sky’s the limit for this project.”Carter’s office took the lead in organizing the network as part of the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ “American Cities Climate Challenge.” The 170 vehicles can be found throughout a 35-square-mile home area. Half of the car-sharing stations are located in communities of color and most are along transit ro...

Cottage Grove selects deputy chief as new fire chief

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:24:42 GMT

Jon Pritchard, deputy chief of the Cottage Grove Fire Department, will become chief of the department at the end of the year.Jon Pritchard, deputy chief of the Cottage Grove Fire Department, will become chief of the department on Dec. 30, 2023. (City of Cottage Grove)The Cottage Grove City Council appointed Pritchard to be chief, effective Dec. 30, at their Wednesday council meeting. Fire Chief Rick Redenius, who has been chief since 2012, is retiring on Dec. 29. Except for a stint from 1992 to 1994, Redenius, 55, has been with the department since 1987.The fire department has 45 employees in a combination of full- and part-time positions.Pritchard, 41, of Cottage Grove, has 18 years of experience in fire and emergency medical services, including roles as a career chief officer, paid on-call and part-time firefighter. He has been deputy chief since 2019.Prior to working full-time in Cottage Grove, Pritchard worked as a nurse supervisor in the emergency department at Regions Hospital...

Vikings at Broncos: What to know ahead of Week 11 matchup

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:24:42 GMT

Here are some things to know when the Vikings travel to play the Denver Broncos on Sunday:Vikings at BroncosWhen: 7:20 p.m. SundayWhere: Empower Field at Mile HighTV: NBCRadio: KFANLine: Broncos – 2.5Over/Under: 42.5Keys for the Vikings— Though head coach Kevin O’Connell has preached the importance of being smart with play calls, the Vikings must not be afraid to run the ball with new starting quarterback Josh Dobbs. It’s pretty clear Dobbs has the ability to help the Vikings be effective in the running game. That could serve as a major boost this weekend with running back Ty Chandler in line to make his first start. If there’s a threat of Dobbs taking off on a run, that would open things up in the passing game, too.— Finding a way to rattle Broncos veteran quarterback Russell Wilson is easier said than done. Nonetheless, defensive coordinator Brian Flores will have to do exactly that if the Vikings want to win the game. Look for some exotic fronts on defense...

Saratoga County man charged with attempted robbery

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:24:42 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Saratoga County man has been arrested following an attempted robbery investigation, according to the Schenectady Police Department. Scott Vanbergen, 39, is facing multiple charges. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! On November 17, police responded to the Stewart's Shops on McClellan Street for a report of an activated panic alarm. Upon arrival, officers learned that a man had unsuccessfully attempted to steal the cash register before fleeing. Police determined that the suspect's vehicle description matched that of a car associated with multiple related incidents in Schenectady. Officers were able to locate the vehicle and attempted to stop it, but the driver, identified as Vanbergen, reportedly fled the scene before crashing into a vacant house on Summit Avenue. Accused kidnapper pleads not guilty to nine charges Police said that Vanbergen then fled on foot before being taken into custody with m...

Author speaking on Adirondack black history book

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:24:42 GMT

BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. (NEWS10) - The Adirondack Park has a multifaceted history, from logging to hunting with influences across different cultures. A Saratoga Springs author is highlighting another role the region has had - as the home of a movement for racial justice. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Author Amy Godine will visit the Saratoga County History Center on Sunday, Nov. 19, to talk about "The Black Woods: Pursuing Racial Justice on the Adirondack Frontier." The book is a tome of history on the lives of black pioneers who came to the Adirondacks from the 1840s into the 1850s, seeking the property requirements New York demanded in order for black voters to be counted as citizens. Things to do in the North Country this weekend: Nov. 17-19 The talk will be held at 2 p.m., with light refreshments to be served and limited seating. Reservations are accepted online. "The Black Woods" is being published by Cornell University Pre...

Albany Airport shares travel advice ahead of Thanksgiving

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:24:42 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Albany International Airport announced they are preparing for what is expected to be one of the busiest Thanksgiving travel periods in the last several years. Ahead of the holiday, the airport is offering some advice to help ensure a smooth journey for anyone passing through Albany. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Starting this weekend, several thousand people are expected to be traveling through Albany Airport daily, according to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Anyone passing through Albany International should remember the following travel tips:Thanksgiving Travel AdviceArrive at the airport no less than two hours prior to your flight’s scheduled departure.Consider alternate transportation to and from the airport. Not having to find parking will save you time.Make sure to have all of your necessary documentation, such as identification and boarding pass. Review the TSA's list of pro...

Lost elk roams Illinois, report sightings to game warden

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:24:42 GMT

COULTERVILLE, Ill – There is a traveling elk on the loose who has been spotted near Springfield, Illinois. The timing couldn't be better—you can convince your children that it's one of Santa's reindeer now that it's here—but if you spot it, you should notify the game warden in your county immediately. According to Bond County game warden William Wichern, the elk's journey began near Coulterville, south of I-64. The latest report places it near Sangchris Lake in Springfield, Illinois.Hunters sent numerous pictures captured by deer cameras to the authorities. Both local and Illinois state police expressed concern when the elk crossed I-64 and I-70.The elk has since moved into a more rural area, away from densely populated regions, minimizing the likelihood of causing harm. The state police were worried about potential collisions on highways or interstates and the resulting damage.Wichern said, “But we've asked that if you see it, report it to us so we can keep track of it. We've had s...