'Soulless predator' who received 76 years for murder plot found guilty of 2nd foiled attempt

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:51:53 GMT

'Soulless predator' who received 76 years for murder plot found guilty of 2nd foiled attempt JOLIET, Ill. — A former suburban school bus driver, already sentenced to 76 years in prison for a thwarted murder-for-hire plot, has been found guilty of a foiled second attempt. Christian Shepherd, 44, of Ottawa, was found guilty of four counts of murder-for-hire solicitation in the second case against a man initially charged with criminal sexual assault in May 2010. WGN News reported in June that while in prison, Shepherd attempted to hire another inmate to murder the victim he was charged with sexually assaulting, the victim’s mother and two detectives. Police search for man who allegedly sexually assaulted woman in Logan Square apartment Officials said the inmate turned the documents over to police and wore a wire, which allowed authorities to gather audio evidence.Shepherd then hired a second inmate to kill the initially targeted victims and the first would-be hitman. The second inmate also informed police about Shepherd’s plans.A judge sentenced Shepherd to 76 years in priso...

KBVO Game of the Week: Pflugerville Connally, Lampasas in weather delay

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:51:53 GMT

KBVO Game of the Week: Pflugerville Connally, Lampasas in weather delay NOTE: The game is delayed by the thunderstorms passing through the area and the game isn't expected to start until around 8:30 p.m. It will still air on KBVO once it begins.AUSTIN (KXAN) — An undefeated Class 4A team is putting its perfect record on the line away from home against a Class 5A squad Thursday in the KBVO Game of the Week.Lampasas rang up 72 points against East View last week to notch its third consecutive win, and the Badgers will head down to The Pfield to take on Pflugerville Connally. The Cougars enter the game 2-1 following a 56-42 defense-optional win over McCallum last week.REPORT YOUR SCORE: We'd love to post your team's score on our website, but we need your help to do it. Email the score of your game to [email protected] and we'll get it on our websiteThe Badgers have outscored their opponents 152-60 to start the season 3-0 and racked up 664 total yards in the win over East View. Quarterback Reed Jerome threw for 293 yards, ran for 100 more and accounted for six...

After surprising option to Triple-A, Bailey Ober returns to Twins

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:51:53 GMT

After surprising option to Triple-A, Bailey Ober returns to Twins CHICAGO — The Twins had shortened his starts, at one point piggybacking Dallas Keuchel with him, and had been talking about managing his workload. But when Bailey Ober was optioned to St. Paul on Aug. 28 after spending most of the season in the majors, the move caught the starter off guard.“I wasn’t expecting that,” Ober said. “I was a little surprised, but it is what it is.”Sending him to Triple-A allowed them to give him an extended break from starting — Ober didn’t start a game between Aug. 27 and Sept. 9 — and lighten his workload. Ober, who is well past the most innings he has ever thrown as a professional, has now rejoined the Twins and lined up to start Friday night’s game against the Chicago White Sox.“I can see their perspective on things. and hopefully it works out for both of us in the long run and (these) upcoming weeks, next month or so,” he said. “I’m feeling great, and I’m ready to go out there and throw.”In between starts, he said he threw two bullpens and live...

Colorado weather: flight delays, mudslides follow heavy rain

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:51:53 GMT

Colorado weather: flight delays, mudslides follow heavy rain 6:55 p.m.: Flights leaving Denver International Airport are delayed an average of 1 hour and 45 minutes after a ground stop briefly halted all departures due to thunderstorms, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.There were 668 flight delays and six cancelations reported today at DIA as of 6:50 p.m., according to FlightAware. There were 244 Southwest flights, 209 United flights and 105 SkyWest flights delayed.5:20 p.m.: Flooding in the area of Buckhorn Canyon in Larimer County has resolved, according to the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office. It is safe to travel in the area of County Roads 44H and 27.This is the Larimer County Sheriff's Office with a situation update. The flooding in the Buckhorn Canyon area of (CR44H & CR27) has solved. You are now okay to travel in this area. https://t.co/6DR7wR442u— Larimer Sheriff (@LarimerSheriff) September 14, 20235:15 p.m.: Colo. 125 in Grand County is closed in both directions between U.S. 40 and Forest Service...

Man found dead on sidewalk in Rancho Cucamonga

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:51:53 GMT

Man found dead on sidewalk in Rancho Cucamonga Authorities with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department are investigating the death of a man in Rancho Cucamonga, prompting the hard closure of northbound lanes on Haven Avenue at Town Center Drive, officials announced Thursday.  Deputies responded to the area at around 12 p.m. on reports of a “man down,” SBSD Public Information Officer Gloria Huerta told KTLA.  At the scene, deputies found a man on the sidewalk bleeding, who then succumbed to injuries and died. Aerial footage from Sky5 showed investigators at the scene with a tent over the victim's body, while down Haven Avenue at Town Center Drive, traffic was being diverted away from the area. Investigators with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department on the scene of a death investigation in Rancho Cucamonga on Sept. 14, 2023. (KTLA)Investigators with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department on the scene of a death investigation in Rancho Cucamonga on Sept. 14, 2023. (KTLA)Traffic in northbound...

Woman takes to TikTok to warn others after stalker released from prison

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:51:53 GMT

Woman takes to TikTok to warn others after stalker released from prison A Venice woman is warning others about a man who was convicted of stalking her but has been released from prison and she believes he is back in her neighborhood.Talia Landman called the man "unhinged and violent" and said she’s been living a nightmare.She told KTLA she and neighbors have called police hundreds of times on David F. Kroll, who apparently is homeless and at one point lived in a nearby alley. Talia Landman’s videos have gone viral on TikTok. But it’s the type of attention and subject matter she would rather avoid, the frustration clear in her voice.California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation records obtained by KTLA show Kroll was sentenced to three years in prison for vandalism and assault in 2018. He was released to community supervision in September 2019.That's when Landman's problems with Kroll began.“He's been vandalizing buildings, he's been breaking into backyards and tearing down security cameras and floodlights,” she detailed. “I have video of him t...

Toy gun prompts school lockdown in Orange County

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:51:53 GMT

Toy gun prompts school lockdown in Orange County A high school in Orange County was briefly placed on lockdown Thursday afternoon after it was reported that one of the students had a gun, authorities announced.  Officers with the Santa Ana Police Department responded to NOVA Academy Early College High School, located at 500 W. Santa Ana Blvd., just before 1 p.m. on reports of “a possible active shooter,” according to an SAPD news release.  With the help of school officials, police evacuated all the students and school personnel while officers checked the school.  KTLA's Chip Yost learned that a male student brought a toy from home and showed it to another student. A third student witnessed the interaction and reported it to the teacher, who then advised the NOVA Academy’s principal, which prompted the lockdown.  “The appropriate safety measures were taken by both our Officers and NOVA Academy staff to ensure everyone’s safety,” the release stated.  The male student was detained, and the toy gun was confiscated pendi...

20 sheltered dogs from Riverside County transported to Wisconsin

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:51:53 GMT

20 sheltered dogs from Riverside County transported to Wisconsin Twenty sheltered dogs from the Coachella Valley Animal Campus in Riverside County were transported to Dane County Humane Society in Wisconsin for a better chance of adoption.Officials for the shelter announced Thursday that concerns about overcrowding and the impact Tropical Storm Hilary left on the shelter led to the decision to relocate the dogs, which were mostly German Shepherds and Siberian Huskies.“When it comes to pet adoptions, every day is critical for ensuring that the pets in our care will have a positive outcome,” Erin Gettis, director of Riverside County Department of Animal Services, said in a statement. 14 dogs rescued from unattended vehicle in Tustin With our Coachella Valley campus closed, our top concern was that the animals, especially our large dogs, could languish in the shelter without a chance for a new and loving home.”Various organizations, including the Bianca Rae Foundation, The Grand Paw, Humane Society of the Desert, Loving All Animals, and Wings of R...

Instagram Marketing: How This Digital Agency Is Paving the Future of Organic Growth

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:51:53 GMT

Instagram Marketing: How This Digital Agency Is Paving the Future of Organic Growth Instagram is known for making entrepreneurial dreams come true. Your social presence can – and will– make or break your brand.With most companies heavily relying on the platform to advertise and sell their products, finding ways of reaching larger audiences is an all-hands-on-deck task. And since the competition keeps increasing exponentially in all niches, earning new Instagram followers becomes harder every year.Yet, research has found that a significant percentage of entrepreneurs on the social platform run their business account themselves. When asked about the challenges that imposes, business owners confess to feeling adrift as to how to effectively put their name out there. Not having enough time to handle social media and run the actual business comes as a close second.Ironically, this problem created a new market. Bloggers won’t stop writing about it, but most “how to grow your Instagram organically” guides regurgitate the same vague ideas; online marketing courses sh...

From Dancing for SemperOper to Becoming Master Judge and Coach for Acclaimed Ballet Competitions – This is The Success Story of Brittany O’Connor

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:51:53 GMT

From Dancing for SemperOper to Becoming Master Judge and Coach for Acclaimed Ballet Competitions – This is The Success Story of Brittany O’Connor All of us wish to stand out from the rest of the crowd and to appear unique and strong individuals who have reached their required goal despite the odds stacked against them. While some people do so for the fame that comes with it, others are driven by their passion and desire to do better with the gifts they have been given. Brittany O’Connor falls under the latter category and has worked as a well-known professional ballerina, though she has had her share of ups and downs in life.Ever since she was a teenager, Brittany wanted to dance and worked hard to hone her skills to become a dancer. Given that she had a slightly late start in the world of ballet dancing, it took all of her time, energy, and determination to reach a certain level of finesse. After four long years of hard work, she was offered a professional contract from one of the largest ballet companies in Europe, SemperOper Ballet. She worked on several productions for the studio for more than three years, before she deci...