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Bumblebee and the Cookie Monster: Virginia man dons costumes to make people smile

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:45:53 GMT

A woman balanced a toddler on her hip while standing on the porch of the Jump’n Jellybeans daycare on a recent Thursday morning. She stared at what was walking down the sidewalk on the other side of Portsmouth Boulevard.So did the toddler. Then he leaned forward, frantically waving an outstretched arm at the slow-moving creature.It was Bumblebee, the bright yellow, friendly, talking robot from the “Transformers” comic books, TV show and movies.Aaron Jackson, the 24-year-old inside the Bumblebee costume, saw the toddler and knew he’d accomplished what he’d set out to do that morning: Make people smile.Aaron Jackson walks along Portsmouth Boulevard in Portsmouth, dressed as Bumblebee from Transformers on June 23. Jackson began walking around Portsmouth in costume in 2020 as a way to cheer people up during the pandemic. His love for costume was born out of his involvement in Comic-con conventions.  (Billy Schuerman / The Virginian-Pilot)Sometimes two or three times a week, Jackson step...

Parson vetoes bill that includes 'Blair's Law' on celebratory gunfire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:45:53 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Gov. Mike Parson has vetoed a Missouri bill that includes "Blair's Law," aiming to criminalize celebratory gunfire. The governor said he signed over 30 bills Thursday, but he also vetoed Senate Bill 189, which included several new laws on public safety and crime. One of those was Blair's Law, which Missouri lawmakers passed in the final hours of session in May. In 2011, someone shot into the air on the Fourth of July, killing 11-year-old Blair Shanahan Lane. The bullet traveled across a lake before hitting Blair. Since then, Blair’s mom Michele Shanahan DeMoss has been urging lawmakers to strengthen the state’s law.  What is causing the mysterious St. Louis County hum? Under Blair’s Law, it would be a crime of unlawful discharge of a firearm to shoot a gun with criminal negligence instead of just a city ticket. Parson said he supported Blair's Law and other pieces of S.B. 189, but there were other components he didn't support. The governor said one provision "co...

6 days after storms, Ameren Missouri scrambling to restore power

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:45:53 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – Some residents across St. Louis County and City are still without power after last weekend’s powerful storms.Homeowner Ken Wright says a generator is his only source of power, and it’s been that way for almost a week. While the generator is helpful, it can’t power everything.“Two freezers, refrigerator, one TV. And sometimes the microwave and coffee maker. But you can’t run it all at one time,” he said.Wright said getting their power restored is imperative. What is causing the mysterious St. Louis County hum? “This is a crisis. People are without equipment. People in their homes got life support equipment at home. Trying to keep people alive,” he said.Ameren Missouri is making a strong push to get those remaining customers reconnected.“We’re making really good progress. Progress in the right direction. As of yesterday, as we mentioned we were a little bit over 12,000 of our customers that were out. Today, we’re down to a little bit over 2,000 customers. And...

East boat ramp at Cherry Creek State Park reopens Thursday after months-long closure

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:45:53 GMT

After being closed for months due to high water levels from record-breaking rain, the east boat ramp at Cherry Creek reservoir reopened Thursday.Cherry Creek State Park received 6 inches of rain over three days in early May, raising the reservoir level by 10 feet. The storm washed out park roads and closed both boat ramps, the swim beach and picnic areas.State officials announced the reopening of the west ramp just in time for Memorial Day weekend, but kept the east ramp closed because of high water levels submerging the area.But in good news for Cherry Creek, the east boat ramp has been reopened! Boating from east rampSwimming in the swim area https://t.co/iOpCfVvnk1— CPW NE Region (@CPW_NE) July 6, 2023Get more Colorado news by signing up for our daily Your Morning Dozen email newsletter.

Britney Spears addresses being struck by Victor Wembanyama's security guard

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:45:53 GMT

Britney Spears is speaking out after she was struck by an NBA star's security guard. Spears took to social media to release a statement after she was allegedly assaulted by a member of Victor Wembanyama's security team while in Las Vegas Wednesday night. "Traumatic experiences are not new to me and I have had my fair share of them," her statement started. "I was not prepared for what happened to me last night."She then explained her side of the story."I recognized an athlete in my hotel lobby as I was heading to dinner. I later went to a restaurant at a different hotel and saw him again. I decided to approach him and congratulate him on his success. It was really loud, so I tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention. I am aware of the player's statement where he mentions 'I grabbed him from behind,' but I simply tapped him on the shoulder.""His security then back-handed me in the face without looking back, in front of a crowd," she continued. "Nearly knocking me down and causin...

‘Resting zone’ set up for sick sea lions along Marina del Rey coast

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:45:53 GMT

Wildlife officials have set up a temporary resting zone along the Marina del Rey coast for sea lions sickened by a toxic algae bloom.The area is surrounded by fencing at Charlie Beach, where eight sea lions are currently being treated by volunteers.Wildlife experts, along with Los Angeles city and county officials unveiled the resting area during a news conference Thursday addressing an alarming spike in cases.Overall, there’s been more than 1,000 sea lions reported sick or dead because of the toxic algae. Experts say domoic acid from the algae gets into the sea lions through their food and causes several health problems. Sick sea lions, dolphins overwhelming Southern California rescue organization The toxic bloom is making sea lions aggressive and the mammals have been attacking beachgoers and surfers who have gotten too close.“I have personally witnessed what happens when sea lions are in distress, it’s a heart wrenching sight. These normally vibrant creatures have seizures,” Lo...

Los Angeles teen in finals for annual duct tape prom dress contest

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:45:53 GMT

When you think about duct tape, your first thought probably isn't elegant promwear, but for a Los Angeles teen, it's just that. Karla Torres dedicated 120 hours of her life and used 14 rolls-worth of duct tape to construct a one-of-a-kind prom dress as part of a nationwide contest.Karla is in the finals of Duck brand's annual Stuck at Prom contest, which challenges high school students to transform the utility do-it-all tape into lavish and unbelievable fashion pieces as either a prom dress or tuxedo.Karla drew on inspiration from 18th Century French art for her duct tape prom gown. (Karla Torres)The duct tape brand reviewed hundreds of entries before narrowing down the field to the top 10. Color, craftsmanship, originality and accessories were all considered in the judging criteria, with grand prizes for the two categories of $10,000 in scholarship money being awarded to the winners.For Karla, the amateur fashionista drew inspiration from 18th-century French art to design her duct ...

16 victims of ‘serial’ Los Angeles rapist identified, police searching for more

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:45:53 GMT

Police have identified 16 victims of a “serial” rapist in Los Angeles and are now searching for more. The suspect, Terrance Hawkins, 41, was arrested in downtown L.A. in April on multiple counts of forcible rape, intimate partner violence, and stalking.“Hawkins has a long history of briefly dating women, abusing them, and filming them during sexual intercourse,” according to Los Angeles police.Hawkins generally met his victims on various social media platforms, police said.Detectives believe there are additional unidentified victims of Hawkins and are looking to speak with them.He is being held without bail at Men's Central Jail and is due to appear in L.A. Municipal Court on July 24, according to jail records.The Los Angeles Police Department provided this undated photo of Terrance Hawkins.LAPD has released a photograph of Hawkins as the investigation remains ongoing.Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer J. Roman at Operations-Central BureauFamily Justice Center at 21...

Hawaii-bound Southwest flight diverted to California after AirDropped bomb threat

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:45:53 GMT

A Southwest Airlines flight (#3316) from Las Vegas to Maui was diverted to Oakland on Monday after photos suggesting a bomb was on board were sent to a flight attendant, the Alameda County Sheriff's Department confirmed. The images were sent to the flight attendant using Apple's "AirDrop," according to ACSO. Oakland Airport Operations, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and Airport Police Services evacuated the plane once it touched down in Oakland. All of the plane's passengers and their luggage was searched, and no explosive materials were found, per ACSO. The plane later continued to its intended destination in Hawaii. Nobody has been arrested in connection with the incident, ACSO said. The FBI has an investigation ongoing. Southwest Airlines sent the following statement regarding the diversion: "We can confirm flight 3316 on Monday afternoon diverted to Oakland from its intended path, Las Vegas to Maui, and later continued on to Maui. We’d defer additional questions t...

Mario Liborio Aguilar Killed in Multi-Vehicle Crash on 5 Freeway [Burbank, CA]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:45:53 GMT

Traffic Collision near Burbank Boulevard Kills 30-Year-Old ManBURBANK, CA (July 6, 2023) – Early Saturday morning, a traffic collision along 5 Freeway claimed the life of Mario Liborio Aguilar.The crash happened at around 3:05 a.m., in the northbound lanes of the 5 Freeway, just east of Burbank Boulevard.Upon arrival, authorities discovered at least four vehicles blocking several lanes of the freeway.Emergency crews at the site of the collision pronounced one person dead at the scene. Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office later identified the deceased man as 30-year-old Mario Liborio Aguilar.Meanwhile, crews shut down the areas of the 5 Freeway surrounding the crash. They then performed cleanup and preliminary duties.At this time, no further details regarding the crash on the 5 Freeway are currently available. However, Los Angeles County Officials will provide more information once it becomes available to the public.The team at Sweet James sends their sincere sympathies to...