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St. Paul schedules sessions on sales tax increase for road and park projects

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:18 GMT

The city of St. Paul is inviting residents to learn more about a proposed increase to the city sales tax intended intended to raise nearly $1 billion over 20 years for major road reconstructions and parks projects. The increase, equivalent to one percentage point, would leave St. Paul with a total city, county and state sales tax of 9.875%, the highest in the state.St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and city public works officials have called the costs of road repair inevitable, raising the likelihood that if they were not supported by the sales tax — which is supported as well by visitors to the city — much of that burden would fall on city property taxes. The proposal, to appear on the Nov. 7 ballot, is opposed by the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce.If approved in November by voters, funding from a local sales tax is projected to raise $738 million for arterial road reconstructions and $246 million for parks and recreation facilities improvements.For more information, visi...

Wild’s Marcus Foligno looking to get back to (his) basics

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:18 GMT

Marcus Foligno’s offensive production took a big leap in 2021-22, scoring a career-high 19 goals and 42 points for the Wild, part of the reason Minnesota finished fifth in NHL scoring while finishing second in the Western Conference.As training camp started this week at TRIA Rink, the checking winger said trying to match that last season took him away from his game, which has essentially been smart, heavy puck control, leadership and the occasional brawl.“I put a little pressure on myself, didn’t play the style that I needed to for this team,” Foligno said. “I think that’s what I’m trying to get back to, get back to the hard-nosed game, straight lines.”Acquired in the 2017 trade that sent Jason Pominville and Marco Scandella to Buffalo, Foligno finished last season with seven goals and 14 assists. His plus/minus ratio of minus-6 was his worst since he was minus-17 with the Sabres in 2013-14, his first full NHL season.“I have to realize I do a lot of things away from the puck that he...

Charge dismissed against South St. Paul woman in gun heist killing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:18 GMT

Prosecutors have dismissed a second murder case in the June shooting death of a man during a gun heist in North St. Paul.The Ramsey County attorney’s office last week threw out the two counts of aiding and abetting second-degree murder it had filed against 19-year-old La Vida Rose Martinez of South St. Paul. She had been charged in the June killing of 24-year-old Anthony Robert Rojas, who police say was making ghost gun parts in his North St. Paul apartment.The attorney’s office also dismissed the same charge against 16-year-old Austin Dwayne Mansfield of Woodbury last month, saying there was “insufficient evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt at this time.”Dennis Gerhardstein, the attorney’s office spokesman, said Friday in a statement the case against Martinez was dismissed after “we determined that there is insufficient evidence to sustain felony charges. … We continue to be open to any further investigation that would yield a clearer pictur...

Port of Albany conducts multiagency security drill

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:18 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – The Port of Albany is upstate New York’s largest public port and logistics hub. Officials there conducted a security drill on Friday to ensure first responders are prepared to coordinate across multiple agencies in an emergency.Local, state and federal officials conducted the annual training on the Hudson River. They don’t use the training often but when they need it, they’ll be ready.  Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! 20 years ago the Stellamare cargo ship capsized at the Port of Albany, killing three. That prompted a multi-agency response to save the crew members in the icy river, the type of coordination first responders practiced on Friday. “Thankfully it’s been a while but it’s one of those things where we always want to make sure that our team and our partners are up on what the latest techniques are,” said Penny Vavura, a spokesperson for the Port of Albany.She said they can encounter any numb...

Man accused of stabbing, killing estranged wife in East Alton

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:18 GMT

EAST ALTON, Ill. - A man is behind bars after he allegedly stabbed and killed his estranged wife Thursday in the village of East Alton. The Major Case Squad of St. Louis has been called to investigate the situation, the first homicide in East Alton this year. John Davenport, 55, faces two first-degree murder charges in the stabbing death of Adell Davenport, 47. Investigators say Adell was fatally stabbed early Thursday morning in the 300 block of West Main Street near a sidewalk. The Major Case Squad reports that John and Adell "were married several years prior and were currently separated" at the time of the stabbing. 38 car parts distributing centers joining UAW strike Members from the Major Case Squad, the East Alton Police Department and the Illinois State Police met with the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office on Friday to present evidence in the case that linked John to the murder."I’ve got 18 investigators here working with the East Alton Police Department in conjunct...

High-speed chase ends with arrests near Dupo, Illinois

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:18 GMT

DUPO, Ill. - Two suspects, a stolen car, and now a string of investigations. It all comes after a long-standing police pursuit ended Friday morning near Dupo, Illinois. "We're gonna chase you, we're gonna catch you, our state attorneys gonna prosecute you, and our judges are gonna send you to prison,"said Monroe County Sheriff Neil Rohlfing amid the investigation Friday. Columbia Police apprehended two people on Interstate 255 after a long-distance pursuit. Around 6 a.m. Friday, Monroe County Sheriff’s Police saw a vehicle that was reported stolen driving southbound on State Rt. 3 near Ames Rd. Waterloo. The vehicle was stolen in a robbery in Normandy, Missouri, earlier in the night.   38 car parts distributing centers joining UAW strike The MCSD deputy followed the vehicle as it drove southbound, waiting for additional officers to arrive in the area to help stop the vehicle. The driver was armed with a handgun.  The Bommarito Automotive Group SkyFOX helicopter was flying ove...

Bulldozers cut down cottonwoods in Barr Lake State Park, raising concerns about bald eagles

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:18 GMT

Four yellow bulldozers began cutting down cottonwood trees this week in Barr Lake State Park, alarming wildlife researchers in the middle of an annual bird-banding blitz and raising concerns about the eradication of habitat for bald eagles.Bird Conservancy of the Rockies leaders headquartered in the park are pressing Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Farmers Reservoir and Irrigation Company (FRICO) officials to minimize the destruction by sparing as many of the park’s towering 80-year-old cottonwoods as possible.The tree-cutting — with about 20 cottonwoods and other vegetation cleared as of Friday — marks the start of a five-year project that FRICO proposed for public safety and to increase the water-storage capacity of Barr Lake reservoir (30,057-acre-feet) by 1,500 acre-feet, according to a state document.The reservoir holds FRICO water diverted from the South Platte River for irrigating farm fields across northeastern Colorado and supplying municipalities in north...

As NWSL announces 15th team this week, For Denver FC group continues “making tremendous progress” toward formal bid

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:18 GMT

The wheels of a future professional women’s soccer team in Denver are churning, and there are no signs of slowing down.The National Women’s Soccer League expanded again Tuesday when Boston was announced as the 15th team, and will begin play in 2026. With the news, it kicked off a new wave of anticipation, rumors and clamor about which city should be team No. 16.Denver is in the running as the group “For Denver FC” launched in July ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The Mile High City is one of the largest markets in the country without a professional women’s sports team.The NWSL will return to two prior markets in Boston and Salt Lake City with the Utah Royals set for play in 2024. The third team, Bay FC, will also start play in 2024 in San Jose, Calif.The Post reached out to the For Denver FC group this week to see where things stand. For Denver FC is publicly led by Lakewood native Jordan Angeli, a former NWSL player and current Colorado Rapids matc...

Rockies blanked by Jameson Taillon, Cubs in fifth consecutive loss, 97th of season

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:18 GMT

Since they last saw the Rockies 10 days ago at Coors Field, the Cubs have lost their firm footing on a playoff spot, going 2-7 between matchups against a young Colorado team that’s spiraling toward 100 losses.But if the Cubs’ confidence is wavering, it was hard to tell from watching them against the Rockies on Friday afternoon.Jameson Taillon pitched six shutout innings with seven strikeouts, and Seiya Suzuki accounted for four of Chicago’s runs as the Rockies lost 6-0 at Wrigley Field. It was Colorado’s fifth consecutive defeat and 97th of the season, coming off a sweep in San Diego. Nine games remain in 2023, all of which are against playoff teams.The Cubs wouldn’t have been in the playoffs if the season ended Friday morning, but the lopsided series opener vs. Colorado kept them barely above water in the crowded National League wild card hunt with Miami, Arizona, Cincinnati and San Francisco.The Rockies drew seven walks but couldn’t take advanta...

What to know about California's new proposed rules for property insurance

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 18:51:18 GMT

Months after California's home insurance market was rattled by major companies pausing or restricting their coverage, the state's top regulator said Thursday that he would write new rules aimed at persuading insurers to continue doing business in the nation's most populous state.Seven of the 12 largest insurance companies by market share in California have either paused or restricted new policies in the state since last year.Some state lawmakers tried to come up with a bill that would address the issue. But they failed to reach an agreement before the Legislature adjourned for the year last week.Here's a look at what California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara proposed and how it would affect the state's insurance market:WHAT ARE THE RULES FOR INSURANCE COMPANIES?Unlike most states, California heavily regulates its property insurance market.In 1988, California voters approved Proposition 103. It said insurance companies had to get permission from the state Department of Insurance...