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Two lives lost: Did 911 fail during St. Louis storm?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:33 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Two lives were lost in two different cities, but there was one big complaint during the weekend storms: 911.In Jennings, 5-year-old RJ Thomas died when a tree fell into his bedroom. The boy's mother, LaWanda Thomas, rushed into his bedroom to help."I kept on telling him to hold on. I was right there. I'm not going nowhere. I'm right here," Thomas said.She called 911."A gentleman answered told me he had to switch me over to somebody else," Thomas said.She waited and waited and waited for St. Louis County 911 to pick up.St. Louis County police officer Adrian Washington confirmed Wednesday that it took 13 minutes to answer."[It] consisted of ringing (not a mechanical failure, just waiting to be answered). When our call taker answered the call, the caller hung up at the same time," Washington said. Delayed 911 response explained after St. Louis woman’s death County police said the call was immediately returned, and the 911 call taker spoke with a woman."During that time, t...

Police search for suspects in two violent robberies in Tower Grove South

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:33 GMT

ST. LOUIS - St. Louis police are looking for three suspects behind two separate violent robberies in the Tower Grove neighborhood.Leading up to the fourth of July, two longtime favorite destinations in Tower Grove were the scenes of violent robberies involving guns.On Sunday at 2:30 p.m., police said three suspects approached three rental bikes outside A&M Cyclery. The suspects took the bikes after they discovered that the chain was unlocked. The store mechanic saw them and chased them on his bike until the suspects pointed a semi-automatic handgun at the employee stopping him, from stealing one of the bikes."It's very sad that this thing happened," said Francesc Ferrer, an A&M Cyclery customer. "Honestly, I can't believe whoever did it should be ashamed." Delayed 911 response explained after St. Louis woman’s death "I don't even care about the bike, it’s the fact that they pulled a gun on one of my mechanics," said Jeff Gerhardt, the owner of A&M Cyclery. "That's real...

Fireworks may be the cause of fatal fire in St. Charles County

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:33 GMT

ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. - There are calls for tighter fireworks restrictions and perhaps a complete ban after a deadly fire in unincorporated St. Charles County with fireworks as a suspected cause just after the Fourth of July had ended.Fourth of July fireworks are allowed until 11:00 p.m. in that part of the county. About an hour later, a fire erupted on Arlington Drive, killing 49-year-old resident Steve Koelling.“It was so hard to look at,” said Kaitlynn Feeney, a neighbor. She tried to console Koelling’s 12-year-old daughter, who was the first to discover the fire.“One of the occupants of the home was alerted to the fire by the sounds of crackling in the garage and the smell of smoke,” said Deputy Chief Jason Meinershagen for the Central County Fire & Rescue. “That occupant then alerted everybody else. The three occupants that were able to get out (of the house safely) went together in one direction. The one who is deceased, unfortunately, went in a different direction.” D...

Flood victims fear repeat disaster if railroad continues ignoring abandoned bridge

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:33 GMT

CASEYVILLE, Ill. – Residents in Caseyville, Illinois, want to prevent a repeat of last year’s devastating flooding.They believe there’s a simple solution being ignored, involving a long-abandoned railroad bridge that collects debris when the water rises, which restricts water flow and forces it over the levee.That’s what happened in July 2022, leading to a nursing home evacuation and dozens of homeowners in the surrounding neighborhood losing everything.Billy Hayes says he’s been trying to get action for years. He lives in the shadow of the levee, which contains an inactive railroad bridge. That bridge, to this day, has flood debris tangled up underneath. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News SIGN UP NOW “It’s going to happen again,” he said. “It happene...

Some St. Louis County residents still waiting for power to be restored  

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:33 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - Garry Lancaster was sitting on his front porch Wednesday afternoon. His power has been out since storms passed through this past weekend. The Overland resident said temperatures inside his house on Stedman Avenue have soared.“Every bit of 99 (degrees) may be a flat 100 in there,” Lancaster said. “It’s so hot you can’t hardly breathe.”Part of a rotting tree was to blame for the damage. Lancaster believes his neighbor should have taken down the tree sooner. He said parts of the tree have fallen and done damage before.Lancaster said he is grateful for the work of power crews and says he expects power to be restored Friday. He will then need to hire an electrician because of the damage the tree caused to his house. Boy drowns in the Lake of the Ozarks on July 4th “I’m staying here for my fish, and two dogs, and my kitty cat,” he said. “I’m trying to keep them as cool as I can with a fan.”Ameren Missouri has stated that a big challenge with restoration efforts h...

SoCal bracing for yet another heat wave

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:33 GMT

While low clouds and patchy fog along much of the Southern California coast will continue through the weekend, yet another heat wave is headed for desert, mountain and valley regions by early next week, the National Weather Service forecasted.  The warming trend is likely to start Sunday and peak by Tuesday and Wednesday with inland temps spiking at around 100-110 degrees. High temperatures on Monday could range from 95-105 degrees.  Nighttime temps will bring some relief with lows in the 60s-70s, according to the weather service. Cooler conditions are expected throughout coastal areas.   Fireworks-related air pollution hits dangerous levels in Los Angeles area “This may be a prolonged heat wave as all signs suggest the heat continuing through much of next week,” NWS said. “Increased incidents of heat related illnesses and stress to the power grid may result.” Forecasters also noted a slim possibility, a 10-20% chance, of mid-to-high clouds creeping into the region that could...

Dozens of stray pets brought to Orange County animal shelters on July 4th

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:33 GMT

Although humans may enjoy the festivities of July 4th, the holiday can be a very anxious and scary time for pets.More pets go missing during the Fourth of July weekend than at any other time of the year, according to American Kennel Club.OC Animal Care in Tustin has been busy dealing with at least 57 stray dogs who were brought to shelters during the holiday.During the celebrations, “the sudden noises and unfamiliar experiences can cause dogs to panic, resulting in them escaping from their homes or yards in search of safety,” explained OC Animal Care officials.Some of the dogs have since been reunited with their owners, including Shadow, who ran away from Yorba Linda.Other pets, however, have not been so lucky and remain separated from their loved ones. For owners still searching for their lost pets, there are several resources. “If you're looking for your dog, one of the best things that you could do right now is check out our website at ocpetinfo.com,” advises Jackie Tran, with OC...

Cobb-stopper: SF Giants get six scoreless from reliable righty to snap losing streak

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:33 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO — Trying Wednesday to avoid matching their longest losing streak of the season, the Giants needed a stopper.Enter Alex Cobb.With six shutout innings in their series finale against the Seattle Mariners, Cobb willed the Giants to a 2-0 win, snapping their skid at four games. Camilo Doval, who allowed four runs and took the loss in his last outing, ran into no such issues while recording his National League-leading 25th save.Cobb struck out seven, one away from a season-high, and didn’t issue a walk. The Giants have won nine of the past 10 games he has started.The Giants’ offense was lifeless as ever since the end of their 10-game win streak almost two weeks ago. Since the streak came to an end June 22, San Francisco’s on-base-plus-slugging percentage as a team ranks second-worst in the majors, behind only the A’s.Facing veteran lefty Tommy Milone, the Giants provided Cobb only two runs of support by the time he left the game after six scoreless in...

Walker wins 6th straight start, Phillies beat Rays 8-4 for 11th consecutive road win

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:33 GMT

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Taijuan Walker overcome early struggles to win his sixth consecutive start and the Philadelphia Phillies extended their road winning streak to 11 games with an 8-4 victory over the AL-leading Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday night.It’s the third-longest road winning streak in Phillies history, trailing a 13-game run in 1976 and 12-game stretch that spanned the 1887 and ’88 seasons.Tampa Bay has lost a season-high four in a row and 10 of 16 overall. After starting 30-6 at home, Tampa Bay has dropped six of 10.Walker (10-3) allowed four runs and five hits, all in the first three of his seven-inning outing. The right-hander, who had given up three runs over 32 innings in his previous five starts, walked five and struck out eight.“It really could have been a lot worse,” Walker said. “Five walks, something I don’t want to do, especially against a team like that (can) score at will. Towards the end of the game I was able to put those shutdown innings up....

De La Cruz hits long homer, Reds beat Nats 9-2

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:14:33 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Elly De La Cruz hit a massive solo homer and two doubles after a mix-up with a covering on the knob of his bat, and the surging Cincinnati Reds beat the Washington Nationals 9-2 on Wednesday night.Joey Votto also homered and finished with three hits as Cincinnati won for the seventh time in eight games. Will Benson had two hits and two RBIs for the NL Central leaders, and Graham Ashcraft pitched six effective innings in his first win since May 28.Washington collected 10 hits, but it went 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position in its fourth loss in five games. Nationals right-hander Josiah Gray (6-7) allowed three earned runs and eight hits in five innings.De La Cruz, one of the majors’ top rookies and a key engine behind Cincinnati’s rise to the top of its division, had what appeared to be an empty sensor cover on the knob of his bat. But it was removed after Nationals manager Dave Martinez questioned its use before the infielder batted in the second....