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Inmate transport driver from Florida who quit mid-trip and refused to stop charged with kidnapping, sheriff says

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:54:47 GMT

STATESVILLE, N.C. (AP) — An inmate transport van driver is facing kidnapping charges after authorities in North Carolina said he quit mid-trip and refused to stop with the prisoners at the intended destination.The Iredell County Sheriff’s Office said it got a call last week from the owner of a company that delivers inmates to and from detention centers around the country warning them to be on the lookout for an inmate transport van traveling on Interstate 40 in Statesville. The owner reported that the driver was off-course and refusing to return the van, the sheriff’s office said in a news release on Thursday.There were four inmates in the van’s locked cargo area but the sheriff’s office said the driver, identified as Joshua James Pinquet, 21, of Orlando, Florida, told the owner in text messages that he was quitting and he refused to stop in Hickory as planned.Deputies stopped the van on I-40, detained the two employees and ensured all inmates were secured in the van.Pinquet w...

Treat your elf to a stay in Santa Claus’ cabin this Christmas season

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:54:47 GMT

(CNN) — Each year, millions of families wait for Santa Claus to visit their homes but now, you can visit his.Airbnb is inviting one lucky family to spend three nights at Santa’s cabin in Rovaniemi, Finland, where they’ll get the chance to experience the magic of Christmas in a winter wonderland.In addition to the stay, the family can volunteer to work in Santa’s post office, which is only a short distance from the cabin. They’ll be able to roll up their sleeves and help Santa’s elves manage the 30,000 letters he receives every day.“We want this to be a magical and immersive experience for a family in search of the ultimate Yuletide experience,” said Katja, the post office’s “chief elf” and Airbnb host. “Not only will guests get to sleep in Santa Claus’ cabin, they’ll also get a sneak peek behind the scenes of the world’s official Santa Claus post office during our liveliest time of the year.”The family will stay in a cabin bedecked in traditional Lapland decorations, dine on Fi...

Florida motorist accused of firing at Rhode Island home stopped with over 1,000 rounds of ammo

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:54:47 GMT

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — A Florida motorist accused of firing shots at an East Providence home before leading officers on a wild pursuit in Rhode Island last week appeared in court Monday.More than 1,000 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the black Nissan Armada, and several guns were also found in a backpack discarded along the chase route, according to police.Courtesy East Providence Police DepartmentLaw enforcement officials brought more than 100 counts against Joshua Pavao, 43, with a last known address in Kissimmee.No pleas were entered in court Monday. Bail was at $100,000 with surety, and Pavao was ordered to turn over all of his firearms and his passport.Pavao lives with a parent in Florida and will be allowed to return to the state only after meeting pre-trial conditions, according to officials.The court clerk’s office did not immediately have the name of an attorney representing Pavao.During the chase, the suspect crashed into several other vehicles, officials sa...

CVS will change the way it prices prescription drugs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:54:47 GMT

New York (CNN) — CVS is revamping the way it reimburses its pharmacies for prescription medications, a move that could change how much consumers pay for their prescription drugs.The company said in an announcement Tuesday that its new pharmacy reimbursement model will bring more transparency and simplicity to its drug pricing system.Currently, the prices customers pay for drugs and the payments pharmacies receive are largely determined by middlemen known as pharmacy benefit managers, which negotiate rebates from drug manufacturers to insurers. These complex reimbursement formulas aren’t directly based on what pharmacies spent to purchase specific drugs.The new approach, named CVS CostVantage, will use a simpler formula that includes the cost of the drug, a set markup and a fee to determine the drug’s price and reimbursement with pharmacy benefit managers. It is expected to launch for commercial payors in 2025. The Wall Street Journal was first to report the news.The move could chang...

Fatal crash causes road closure in Florida Keys; service disruptions expected

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:54:47 GMT

CUDJOE KEY, Fla. (WSVN) — A fatal crash involving a semi-trailer truck at mile marker 21 in the Florida Keys has led to a full roadblock, impacting both northbound and southbound lanes. The incident occurred around 4:40 a.m., Tuesday.Monroe County Fire Rescue, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, and Florida Highway Patrol are currently on the scene.Due to the severity of the crash, road closures are anticipated to persist for several hours as authorities investigate and manage the aftermath.As cleanup operations continue, small vehicles in both north and southbound lanes are alternating on a side bike path until debris is removed.In response to the roadblock, there will be no trash or recycling services today from mile marker 21 to the 7 Mile Bridge. Tuesday’s trash and recycling services are rescheduled for Wednesday. Additionally, there will be no yard waste pickup on Wednesday, with regular yard waste services resuming next Wednesday, December 13.Residents and commuters are adv...

France’s love of frog legs spawns pre-Christmas criticism

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:54:47 GMT

France adores its cuisses de grenouilles. But some activists are hopping mad. Consumption of the traditional French delicacy — frog legs usually sautéed with garlic and lemon juice or fried in breadcrumbs — peaks during Christmas season in France, according to activist groups, with around 100 million frogs killed each year to supply the market. Now NGOs Robin de Bois and Pro Wildlife have launched a social media campaign on X and Facebook to get French consumers to think twice before they buy frog legs, pointing to possible species extinction, animal cruelty and the unsanitary conditions in which they are transported.“Wherever frogs are depleted, and the natural insect controller has vanished, pesticide use is skyrocketing,” Sandra Altherr from Pro Wildlife told POLITICO.France — which banned local commercial frog hunting in the 1980s, with some exceptions — imports most edible frogs from countries such as Indonesia and Turkey, where their declining population threatens biodive...

Democrats working on resolution condemning Hamas’ use of sexual violence

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:54:47 GMT

(CNN) — Two House Democrats are planning on introducing a resolution this week condemning Hamas’ use of sexual violence and rape against Israeli women in the wake of Progressive Caucus Chairwoman Rep. Pramila Jayapal’s comments to CNN’s Dana Bash that upset a number of her Democratic colleagues.While Jayapal condemned the rape of Israeli women by Hamas and called it “horrific” on CNN’s “State of the Union,” she pointed out that over 15,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli attacks in Gaza since the start of the war and said, “I think we have to be balanced about bringing in the outrages against Palestinians.”Jayapal’s comments have set off a firestorm within the Congressional Progressive Caucus and speak to the broader divisions within the Democratic Party over how to address the war between Israel and Hamas. Her remarks come as Democrats have struggled to reconcile support for Israel’s right to defend itself in the wake of the October 7 attacks and risin...

Biden hits Boston on fundraising blitz, including James Taylor gig

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:54:47 GMT

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden is making a big push to raise money for his reelection effort before the end of the year, appearing at seven events through next Monday — with more to come.Biden was traveling to Massachusetts on Tuesday to schmooze with donors at a trio of Boston fundraisers to benefit his campaign and the broader Democratic Party, including an event in the city’s theater district featuring a concert by singer-songwriter and guitarist James Taylor.Gov. Maura Healey is due to greet Biden upon his arrival at Logan airport.Later this week, the Democrat will touch down on the West Coast on Friday for his first Los Angeles fundraisers since the end of the strikes by actors and screenwriters, featuring film director Steven Spielberg and “Scandal” showrunner Shonda Rhimes, among other celebrities.Biden will also attend a fundraiser Wednesday near the White House and another one on Monday in Philadelphia.“This next election is going to be different,&...

Fire destroys Point Loma home, causing $800,000 in damages

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:54:47 GMT

SAN DIEGO — An early morning fire Tuesday "gutted" a home in Point Loma resulting in an estimated $800,000 in damages, according to San Diego Fire-Rescue.The fire was first reported in the 3900 block of Liggett Drive at 5:36 a.m. as a burglar and fire alarm. Upon arrival to the scene, SDFD crews found the home engulfed in flames and a power line down nearby. No possible burglars were identified by authorities.Crews put out the fire in about 40 minutes, according to SDFD. By that time, the fire had completely damaged the interior of the home. Suspect faces charges in gang shooting that paralyzed teen bystander No injuries were reported as a result of the incident. SDFD said the homeowners were not inside at the time the fire broke out, as they were driving back from Orange County.A total of 30 SDFD personnel responded to the fire, including four engines and a truck.The cause of the fire and where it originated from has not yet been determined by SDFD's Arson investigators.No additi...

This San Diego Christmas store is one of a handful in SoCal open year-round

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:54:47 GMT

SAN DIEGO — Throughout December, San Diego embodies the spirit of the "most wonderful time of the year," coming to life with sparkling lights and Southern California winter wonderlands.But, nestled in a quiet cul-de-sac right at the edge of San Diego's Bay Park, there is a store that has been bringing the cheer of Christmas to shoppers all year long for decades.The family-owned City Lights Collectibles, located on Knoxville Street, has been selling holiday collectibles to locals and visitors alike as one of the only year-round Christmas stores in Southern California for over 30 years. San Diego Fire-Rescue kicks off Toys For Tots drive Founder Brian Young opened City Lights as a small retail store in Mission Bay in 1991. He moved to the area over a year prior with his wife and then-12-year-old son from the United Kingdom to retire, but a few months in, he started to feel an itch to work again."I was retired for about 15 months, got very bored and decided to open a small Christmas ...