Democrats advance key policy items, Republicans slow session schedule

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:40:33 GMT

Democrats advance key policy items, Republicans slow session schedule DENVER (KDVR) -- Colorado lawmakers are back to work at the state Capitol. Some legislators are sticking with their plans and working quickly to get things done, while others are urging their colleagues to slow down a bit.Members of the House of Representatives got right to work after gaveling in, both parties seemingly ready to work through this weekend. That was not the case in the state Senate."Members, a few announcements to help clarify rules for our approach on rules during the special session," House Speaker Julie McCluskie said during her opening speech on the House floor.Representatives were able to gavel in, introduce eight bills and go to their respective committees."I hereby call to order the House of Representatives for the first, and hopefully last, extraordinary session of the 74th General Assembly of the state of Colorado," McCluskie said from the well. Judge rules Trump can appear on Colorado 2024 Republican primary ballot No Republican efforts passed out of commi...

Larkspur shelter-in-place issued for escaped inmate

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:40:33 GMT

Larkspur shelter-in-place issued for escaped inmate DENVER (KDVR) -- Parts of Larkspur near Fox Farm and Spruce Mountain were under a shelter-in-place Friday while police searched for an escaped inmate.According to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, the county's SWAT team was in the area looking for Luis Fernando Certa-Regaldo. Investigators remained there Friday night, but they had not found him "after an exhaustive search."The sheriff's office said he is considered armed and dangerous. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Certa-Regaldo was arrested Wednesday in Weld County on suspicion of possession of a stolen vehicle, obstruction and attempting to influence law enforcement.While in custody, he was taken to the Northern Colorado Medical Center in Greeley for medical clearance before being booked into the county jail.Around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Certa-Regaldo escaped from the hospital on foot.Certa-Regaldo is a white 27-year-old man, around 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 200 pounds. He has brown...

Immersive ‘Avian Oasis’ exhibit evokes memories of Pinecrest Gardens’ past

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:40:33 GMT

Immersive ‘Avian Oasis’ exhibit evokes memories of Pinecrest Gardens’ past In Western cultures, birds have been used as symbols of freedom, peace and the Thanksgiving feast, but at Pinecrest Gardens, birds are used as towering sculptures. Get ready for your imagination to take flight this weekend, as Pinecrest Gardens unveils its new art exhibit.At Pinecrest Gardens…The Trashmen (singing): “Bird, bird, bird. Bird is the word.”But no. These birds aren’t your average frequent flyers. In fact, they don’t fly at all.The garden is inviting guests to see a new immersive art exhibit called “Avian Oasis.”Cristina Blanco: “We have ‘Avian Oasis’ opening on Saturday, November 18th, to the public, where we welcome six larger-than-life outdoor bamboo sculptures.”That’s right. Six, 20-foot-tall bird sculptures — intended to evoke memories of the Gardens’ past.Cristina Blanco: “The Pinecrest Gardens property opened in 1936 as the Parrot Jungle. The vision of the Scherr family was to intro...

Security officer killed in shooting at state hospital in Concord, NH

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:40:33 GMT

Security officer killed in shooting at state hospital in Concord, NH A security officer was shot and killed Friday when a suspect opened fire in the lobby area of a psychiatric hospital in Concord, New Hampshire, officials said. The shooting happened at New Hampshire Hospital and ended when a state police trooper fatally shot the suspect, according to New Hampshire State Police Colonel Mark Hall.In an update near 6:30 p.m., Hall said dispatchers received an initial call at 3:38 p.m. reporting an active shooter at the hospital. “Upon entering the lobby, the suspect shot one individual,” Hall said.Hall said the state police trooper who ultimately shot the suspect was already at the hospital and “immediately engaged” the suspect.The entire incident was contained in the hospital lobby, according to Hall. While the shooting victim was given CPR and taken to nearby Concord Hospital, Hall said he was later pronounced dead. The New Hampshire Attorney General’s office identified the victim as Bradley Hass, 63, of Franklin, New Hampshire. A form...

Guard at New Hampshire State Hospital shot dead, identified

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:40:33 GMT

Guard at New Hampshire State Hospital shot dead, identified A 63-year-old guard at the New Hampshire State Hospital in Concord was shot to death Friday afternoon while working in the lobby.Bradley Haas, 63, of Franklin, N.H., a state Department of Safety Security Officer, was working at the hospital’s front lobby entrance when an unidentified assailant shot him at around 3:30 p.m. Friday, according to a statement from the New Hampshire attorney general’s office.“We are shocked and saddened by today’s incident at the New Hampshire State Hospital,” Lori Weaver, the commissioner of the state’s Department of Health and Human Services, said at a press conference held later in the day. “All patients and hospital staff are safe. Our hearts go out to the family of the victim as well as our colleagues who have been impacted.”The State Police received a call about the shooting at 3:38 p.m., according to a press conference held by Col. Mark Hall later in the day. He said that while CPR and other life-savi...

Amesbury grounds out a win and a berth in the Div. 7 state championship

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:40:33 GMT

Amesbury grounds out a win and a berth in the Div. 7 state championship BURLINGTON — Amesbury attempted just one pass in its semifinal football matchup against Cohasset, but that does not mean the offense wasn’t explosive.The rushing attack, led by Max and Michael Sanchez, ran ragged on the Cohasset defense during a decisive 48-28 victory over the No. 2 seeded Skippers to advance to the Div. 7 state championship game.“(Reaching the state championship) is everyone’s goal,” Amesbury head coach Collin McQueen said. “These guys have earned every last bit of it. We want to be the team that we see ourselves as, that we believe we are. We want to play the best and we want to beat the best.”For Max Sanchez, who had 222 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries, a mistake on the defensive side of the ball sparked his offensive outpouring.“I missed a tackle and they scored, and I got kind of angry,” Sanchez said. “I was annoyed about that and told myself it was time to work.”The Redhawks started with the ball and Michael Sanchez made his presence felt on the openi...

Big plays propel Salem to its first title game in 24 years

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:40:33 GMT

Big plays propel Salem to its first title game in 24 years LYNN — The Salem football team didn’t run a single offensive play in the first quarter of its Div. 6 semifinal against Stoneham on Friday at Manning Field. Normally that would probably result in the Witches having to play catch-up.That wasn’t the case, however, as Salem used big play after big play to overcome the Spartans ball-control attack.Stoneham ran 67 plays compared to Salem’s 29 but a pair of kick return touchdowns and a three-touchdown performance from Devante Ozuna propelled the Witches to their first Super Bowl appearance since 1999 with a 38-14 win.“I am so proud of these kids,” Salem coach Matt Bouchard said. “The COVID year was hell for these kids bit they were a bright light and that helped propel them to where they are now.”The question coming in was if Stoneham’s ball control could keep Salem’s high-powered offense off the field long enough to keep the score in check. Problem for Stoneham was that the Witches can beat you in many ways.That was shown on the opening k...

Xaverian overcomes injuries, Needham to advance to the Div. 1 state final

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:40:33 GMT

Xaverian overcomes injuries, Needham to advance to the Div. 1 state final BROCKTON — Most football coaches don’t mind a little adversity, but even this was pushing it for Xaverian in Friday night’s game with Needham.The Hawks lost two of their best offensive players to injury in the first half, but Xaverian coach Al Fornaro will tell you his team is nothing if not resilient.Behind monster performances from quarterback Henry Hasselbeck and running back Mike O’Connor, Xaverian earned a hard-fought 20-17 win in a Div. 1 state semifinal.The Hawks (9-2) punch a ticket to play St. John’s Prep in the final, preceded by a game with the Prep on Thanksgiving.Star running back Denzil Pierre and standout receiver Jonathan Monteiro left the game with injuries, but the Hawks persevered.“Absolutely fantastic,” Fornaro said of his team’s performance. “I am so proud. I don’t think I’ve been prouder of a team, either as an assistant, or a head coach, ever. Usually, when you lose a star player, right, you can feel ...

St. John’s Prep returns to the Div. 1 championship game

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:40:33 GMT

St. John’s Prep returns to the Div. 1 championship game WOBURN — St. John’s Prep.Stop us if you’ve heard this before.Edwin Castro rushed for two touchdowns while Deacon Robillard threw for two scores as No. 1 St. John’s Prep earned its fourth Div. 1 Super Bowl appearance in five seasons with a 35-7 win over No. 4 Andover on Friday night at Woburn High School.St. John’s Prep’s win sets up a quandary for the two Super Bowl participants as the Eagles (11-0) will take on Xaverian. The rivals have their annual Thanksgiving Day game before the championship and this year’s Turkey Day contest will have league championship implications.“Our goal this week was to earn another two weeks and we did that,” St. John’s Prep coach Brian St. Pierre said. “I am not at Thanksgiving yet. I know our next two games will be against a very good opponent.”A handful of breakout stars showcased themselves Friday night. Castro had a pair of touchdowns while Nick Schibili had a key strip-sack that Ale...

Train strikes car left on railway tracks, impaired driver charged in Scarborough

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:40:33 GMT

Train strikes car left on railway tracks, impaired driver charged in Scarborough A woman is in custody for impaired driving after she allegedly left her vehicle on the railway tracks in Scarborough, where it was struck by a train.Toronto police were called to the area of Morningside Avenue and Gardentree Street near Guildwood GO Station at around 8 p.m. on Friday for reports of a crash.Authorities said a train struck a vehicle, though no injuries were reported.A driver was located near the area by responding officers. In an update, police said a woman in her 40s was arrested for impaired driving.The investigation is ongoing.