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Illinois man pleads guilty to making false statements to get COVID-19 relief money

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:12:55 GMT

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) -- A Peoria man pleaded guilty Thursday to allegations he improperly received COVID-relief money through the Paycheck Protection Program.In March, Shon Smith, 33, was charged in U.S. District Court in Peoria with one count each of mail fraud, wire fraud, and making a false statement regarding a scheme to illegally obtain PPP money from June 2020 through June 2021. Peoria man sentenced to year in prison for PPP fraud But on Thursday, he pleaded guilty to the false statement charge in the courtroom of U.S. District Judge James Shadid, a felony that could send him to prison for up to five years. He will remain free on bond pending his sentencing in February, according to court records.In his indictment, he's alleged to have obtained money from Indiana through unemployment insurance by claiming he was a painter. He also claimed, the indictment stated, he was a barber and made $160,000 a year to get PPP money.Smith got a $20,833 PPP loan in May 2021 and then tried a...

New-look Avalanche top line lived up to the hype in season-opening victory

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:12:55 GMT

SAN JOSE – Jonathan Drouin became one of Nathan MacKinnon’s close friends and his carpool buddy while they spent two years as teenagers tearing apart the QMJHL with the Halifax Mooseheads.When Drouin signed a one-year contract with the Colorado Avalanche this offseason, expecting a reunion between the two seemed obvious. Avs coach Jared Bednar made it clear though at the start of training camp that a spot next to MacKinnon on the club’s top line must be earned, regardless of what highlight-reel goals those two created a decade ago.Drouin earned his chance to play next to MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen in the team’s season-opening 5-2 win Wednesday night in Los Angeles with a strong, consistent camp. It was only one game, but that trio’s opening data point of the season was outstanding.“Playing with those two – they are very special,” Drouin said. “I’ve said it for a while now, but we saw it firsthand today. Look at that first goal Mikko scored. How many guys in the league can do that ...

“On Patrol: Live” policing show to feature Weld County Sheriff’s Office starting this weekend

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:12:55 GMT

Weld County sheriff’s deputies will appear on episodes of the reality policing show “On Patrol: Live” as soon as Friday night after the Sheriff’s Office signed a yearlong contract.The previous incarnation of Reelz’ show “On Patrol: Live,” then called “Live PD,” was canceled by its previous network A&E in 2020 during the protests over police brutality following the murder of George Floyd and amid controversy over the death of Javier Ambler in Austin that was filmed and deleted by one of the show’s camera crew.“On Patrol: Live” premiered summer 2022, with the new name and on the new network, is in its second season. It airs live Friday and Saturday nights and is streamed on Peacock.In a news release posted Wednesday on Facebook, the Weld County Sheriff’s Office announced the deal, saying appearances would start Friday night.“We are looking forward to allowing the public to see the great work that men and...

Are you struggling to make student loan payments now that the freeze is over? The Denver Post wants to talk to you.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:12:55 GMT

The freeze on student loan payments that began in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic expired in August after two and a half years.While the Biden administration has implemented a number of programs aimed at helping low-income Americans pay off their loans more easily, the return of monthly payments remains a significant financial burden for many.Reporter Michael Braithwaite is looking to talk to Colorado residents about any financial hardships they are going through as a result of the resumption of student loan payments, and whether any of the federal programs are helping.If you are interested in participating in a story, please fill out the information below.[contact-form] Get more Colorado news by signing up for our Mile High Roundup email newsletter.

Dodgers postseason struggles in spotlight again after disappointing NLDS

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:12:55 GMT

The Los Angeles Dodgers are under the microscope again after struggling to carry their regular season excellence into the postseason. After winning 100 games for the third consecutive year, buoyed by an excellent and record-breaking August, the Dodgers were swept out of the playoffs by a familiar foe: the Arizona Diamondbacks.The Dodgers won 16 more games than the D-Backs in the regular season en route to their 10th National League West title in 11 years. But Arizona flipped the postseason switch, making quick work of the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Wild Card series before dismantling the Dodgers in three games in the NLDS.Future Hall of Famer and Game 1 starter Clayton Kershaw gave up six runs while recording only one out in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. They would go on to lose that game 11-2.Game 2 was more of the same as promising Dodgers rookie Bobby Miller gave up three runs in less than two innings before being yanked by manager Dave Roberts. Clutch hits didn't material...

Former Inglewood cop admits to selling brick of cocaine, stealing from evidence locker

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:12:55 GMT

A former Inglewood Police Department officer has agreed to plead guilty to a charge of distributing cocaine, the U.S. Department of Justice announced.Whittier resident John Abel Baca, 47, admitted to distributing cocaine on two separate occasions in 2021. The 21-year veteran of the department gave cocaine to a cooperating witness, then gave a kilogram of cocaine to that same witness in exchange for $22,000, the DOJ said in a news release. Before those incidents, the witness told the FBI that Baca had offered to sell him a kilogram of cocaine, two kilograms of "White China" heroin and "an unlimited supply of black tar heroin," prosecutors said."[The witness] reported that Baca claimed to have stolen drugs and cash during routine traffic stops that Baca made as a drug task for officer with IPD," the release said. Inglewood police officer, informant arrested on federal drug charges: Justice Department During the first of the two cocaine distributions, which was "covertly recorded," B...

SoCal's latest billionaire a mystery after winning Powerball jackpot; store owner awarded $1M

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:12:55 GMT

Southern California’s newest billionaire remains a mystery after winning Wednesday night’s Powerball jackpot.We know the $1.7 billion-winning ticket was sold at Midway Market & Liquor located at 6032 Frazier Mountain Park Road in Kern County. Owner Andy Khalil, who received $1 million for selling the winning ticket, said he found out about it on social media.“They were mentioning the store name and they were congratulating me,” Khalil said. He has worked at the store for 29 years and said this is the first time they have sold such a big winning ticket. Khalil told KTLA he plans on using his share of the winnings for his children's college funds. His nephew, Chris, who also works at the store, said he found out about the store selling the winning ticket from a friend. He didn't believe it until he verified the address. Chris added that the store's customers are mostly local and are loyal, and he hopes one of them won the jackpot. Donning yellow lotto tees reading "Billionaire Mad...

Man Hurt in Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Collision on Foremaster Lane [Las Vegas, NV]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:12:55 GMT

Male Victim Hospitalized after Pedestrian Accident near North Main StreetLAS VEGAS, NV (October 12, 2023) – A pedestrian collision on Foremaster Lane, resulted in one man being injured, Wednesday night. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department responded to the scene at approximately 9:15 p.m., near Owens Avenue on October 4th.During their investigation, officers determined that a male pedestrian had been walking within a marked crosswalk when he was struck by a passing vehicle. However, the driver did not stop or render aid to the injured man.Emergency medical personnel were called to the scene and transported the injured, unidentified man to a nearby hospital for treatment of his non-life-threatening injuries.As of now, no additional information has been provided by the investigators, and the incident remains under active investigation. Further details regarding the pedestrian collision on Foremaster Lane will be disclosed once they become available.It’s important t...

Minor Injuries Reported after Three-Car Collision on Highway 46 [Templeton, CA]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:12:55 GMT

Multi-Traffic Collision Near Hidden Valley Road Resulted in InjuriesTEMPLETON, CA (October 12, 2023) – On Tuesday morning, injuries were reported following a three-car collision on Highway 46.Shortly before 8:50 a.m., a collision was reported in the westbound lanes of 46 by Jack Creek Road, near Hidden Valley Road.Responding personnel discovered a GMC pickup truck, a white SUV, and a gray minivan, all with significant damages.Minor injuries were reported from the incident, however, the total number of patients involved and their identities remain unclear.At the time, the California Highway Patrol is working to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash. Officials also shut down multiple lanes to allow for cleanup and preliminary duties, but have since been reopened.No further details regarding the Highway 46 three-vehicle crash have been released to the public. Templeton Officials will provide more information once available.One small driving mistake can easily lead to ...

Man Arrested, 2 Injured in Police Pursuit Crash on Northeast Loop 410 [San Antonio, TX]

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 11:12:55 GMT

Two Hospitalized after Pursuit Collision near Interstate 35SAN ANTONIO (October 12, 2023) – In the early hours of Tuesday, a man was apprehended, and two individuals sustained injuries in a police pursuit collision on Northeast Loop 410.The incident occurred at approximately 3:30 a.m. within the 4100 block of the southbound Northeast Loop 410, near the area of Interstate 35 and Space Center Drive.Officers reported that their officers noticed a suspicious red vehicle adorned with white spray paint. Upon realizing the presence of the police, the suspect rapidly accelerated in an attempt to escape the area, initiating a pursuit.Police later used spike strips, which led to significant damage to the suspect’s vehicle’s tires. This forced the vehicle to collide with a van and come to a halt a few miles away. Subsequently, law enforcement apprehended the driver, who tried to flee the scene on foot.Additionally, a female passenger and the 58-year-old van driver were transported ...