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Russell Hamler, thought to be the last of WWII Merrill’s Marauders jungle-fighting unit, dies at 99

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:54 GMT

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The reputed last member of the famed American jungle fighting unit in World War II nicknamed the Merrill’s Marauders has died.Russell Hamler, 99, died on Tuesday, his son Jeffrey said. He did not give a cause of death.Hamler was the last living Marauder, according to a biography published by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in January.Hamler had been living in the Pittsburgh area, where he was born in 1924, and enlisted in the Army at 18, according to the department’s biography.In 2022, the Marauders received the Congressional Gold Medal, Congress’ highest honor. The Marauders inspired a 1962 movie called “Merrill’s Marauders,” and dozens of Marauders were awarded individual decorations after the war, from the Distinguished Service Cross to the Silver Star. The Army also awarded the Bronze Star to every soldier in the unit.The soldiers spent months behind enemy lines, marching hundreds of miles through the tangled jungles and steep mou...

A helicopter crashes into a canal near Miami and firefighters rescue both people on board

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:54 GMT

MIAMI (AP) — Emergency workers in South Florida on Wednesday rescued two people from a canal after their helicopter crashed.The helicopter was carrying two people from Fort Myers when it crashed into a canal about three miles west of Miami Executive Airport, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement.Aerial video footage showed divers from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue searching the canal. The two people were sent to local hospitals in Miami, where one was in serious condition and the other had non-life-threatening injuries, CBS News Miami reported.The federal aviation agency said it was opening an investigation.The Associated Press

Man with machete, knife arrested outside US Capitol: police

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:54 GMT

(The Hill) -- A man allegedly carrying a machete and a knife on the East Front of the U.S. Capitol was arrested Tuesday afternoon by U.S. Capitol Police. According to the statement released by police, an officer saw a man pacing back and forth who then sat down on a ledge on the east side of the Capitol building around 4:15 p.m.The officer approached the man after witnessing “strange behavior” and after speaking for several minutes, he noticed the man had a brick in his pocket, the release said. Michigan Supreme Court rejects bid to take Trump off primary ballot He tossed the brick aside but also pulled out a knife and placed it on the ledge. The officer called for backup and secured the knife, police said.“Then the officer noticed the handle of a machete under the man’s clothing,” USCP said. “The officer drew his service weapon and ordered the man to put his hands up.”The man complied, and officers were able to take the machete away from him and make the arrest.The suspect was id...

'We need more': New road in east San Marcos provides alternative route to I-35

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:54 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) --- As Hays County continues to grow, so do the number of roads in the area. RELATED COVERAGE: New road opens in east San Marcos, providing an alternative route to I-35 Now, drivers have a new route in east San Marcos that provides an alternative to Interstate 35. The new FM 110 road, part of the East San Marcos Loop, begins slightly east of I-35 and Yarrington Road and ends at SH 80. FM 110, part of the East San Marcos Loop, begins slightly east of Interstate 35 and north of San Marcos at Yarrington Road and ends at SH 80 (Photo Courtesy Hays County Government Twitter Account). "I-35, as we all know, is all too often a parking lot. Creating these alternate routes will help us with the movement of people and products," said Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra. Becerra said this road is meant to be an alternative route to I-35. He thinks it could help first responders, who get caught up in traffic as well."When they are unable to move because of traffic, beca...

Driver killed in Columbus head-on crash identified

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:54 GMT

Anoka County authorities say the motorist killed in a head-on collision this weekend in Columbus was from Lino Lakes.According to the sheriff’s office, Sarah Jean Rajanen was killed when her northbound SUV crossed into the southbound lane of Lake Drive Northeast shortly before 2 p.m. Saturday. Her SUV collided head-on with a southbound SUV.Rajanen, 32, was pronounced dead at the scene near the intersection with 141st Avenue Northeast. The driver of the other SUV was hospitalized in stable condition.The crash is being investigated by the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office, Minnesota State Patrol and Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office.Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safety | St. Paul police ID pedestrian and dog killed in Christmas Eve crash Crime & Public Safety | Man and his dog hit by a car and killed in St. Paul on Sunday night Crime & Public Safety | Pornhub owner agrees to pay $1.8M and independent monitor to resolve sex traffickin...

Putnam man arrested on reckless endangerment charges

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:54 GMT

PUTNAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Dustin T. St Andrews, 31, was arrested for allegedly discharging a long gun inside a residence on Tuesday evening. State Police charged St Andrews with criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree and two counts of reckless endangerment in the first degree. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! The incident reportedly stemmed from a verbal altercation. In addition to firing the long gun, St Andrews reportedly threatened to kill the victims and responding law enforcement. No one was injured during the altercation.St Andrews left the residence before police arrived. He was located in Ticonderoga. Police say St Andrews is not allowed to legally possess firearms due to a previous felony conviction. The long gun was recovered and seized.St Andrews was processed at SP Granville. He was then turned over to the Washington County Correctional Facility to await arraignment.

Albany Police Union responds to review board lawsuit

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:54 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Community Police Review Board (CPRB) sued the city, the police department, and the union. NEWS10 spoke with the Police Benevolent Association’s president for more on the investigation. Albany Police Review Board sues city and police department, union, chief After George Floyd’s death at the hands of police in Minneapolis, Local Law J in Albany was amended in 2021 to give the CPRB subpoena power to investigate claims.The lawsuit alleged that, on two separate occasions in the summer of 2023, officers failed to comply with subpoena requests. It claimed that the police union directed officers to ignore those subpoenas. It also addressed the officers’ obligation to adhere to subpoenas from CPRB.“There's clearly a legal debate between us and the CPRB as to whether they can offer Garrity rights, confidentiality, and other things,” said Mike Delano, President of the Albany Police Benevolent Association. He says the union isn’t cooperating out of concerns over ...

Indian Lake man arrested on grand larceny charge

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:54 GMT

INDIAN LAKE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- An Indian Lake resident was arrested for allegedly stealing money from an elderly victim. The suspect, Richard C. Toelk Jr., reportedly took over $50K from the victim as a deposit on two properties. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! State Police say Toelk Jr. had no claim of ownership to one of the properties. He also failed to take action to transfer ownership of the second property to the victim. Toelk Jr. was arrested on a warrant for grand larceny in the third degree. He was arraigned at the Warren County Centralized Arraignment Part Court and released on his own recognizance.

New law to improve access to biomarker testing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:54 GMT

ALBANY,N.Y. (NEWS10)- Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed a package of bills into law, one of them allows the coverage of biomarker testing.Starting in April, state-regulated insurance plans including Medicaid will be required to cover biomarker testing for patients in New York."This is a type of testing done on a patient's tissue sample when they have a disease to help inform the doctors about the best course of care for their disease," explained Michael Davoli, Director of Government relations for American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.Biomarker testing can be done to help people with diseases such as Parkinson’s and cancer."A biomarker test can help a doctor know-- okay, say chemotherapy may not actually help one patient for their cancer, but in another case it may. It really helps them identify what is the best possible course of treatment for your disease as opposed to just every cancer case out there."The bill passed with bipartisan support back in June. Assembly spon...

NYSP: Victim sustains shrapnel wound in Ephratah

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:54 GMT

EPHRATAH, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- State Police say a victim sustained a shrapnel wound to the hand on December 22. An investigation resulted in the arrest of Daniel E. Laverdure, 55. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! Police say the suspect allegedly pointed a handgun at the victim and recklessly discharged the weapon. The incident occurred at a residence on Murray Hill Road.Laverdure was located driving on State Route 5 in Palatine. Police conducted a traffic stop and arrested Laverdure for second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, and menacing in the second degree. Laverdure reportedly recorded a 0.23% BAC during processing and was charged with aggravated DWI. Laverdure was arraigned at the Fulton County Centralized Arraignment Court and released on his own recognizance. He was also issued tickets returnable to the Palatine Town Court for the DWI charge.Police recovered and seized the firearm. State Police received assistance from the Montg...