'She was killing the demons in her life': Sanity the focus in Stauch murder trial

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 07:00:42 GMT

'She was killing the demons in her life': Sanity the focus in Stauch murder trial COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KDVR) — Opening statements were heard Monday in the trial of a woman accused of killing her 11-year-old stepson at their Colorado home and disposing of his body in Florida.Letecia Stauch, now 39, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity in the killing of her stepson, Gannon. She faces multiple counts, including first-degree murder, child abuse and tampering with evidence.Stauch appeared in court on Monday wearing a white shirt with floral designs. Her hair covered her face. Gannon Stauch's mother overcome with emotionThe prosecution opened by presenting a picture of 11-year-old Gannon Stauch. The photo and the first words of the prosecution’s case immediately sent Gannon’s biological mother, Landen, running out of the courtroom, overcome with emotion. Colorado is poised to raise the gun-buying age to 21, expand the red flag law Both the prosecution and defense brought the details of Gannon’s death: how he was stabbed 18 times and then shot three t...

It's prom season, and school leaders want students safe behind the wheel

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 07:00:42 GMT

It's prom season, and school leaders want students safe behind the wheel PARKER, Colo. (KDVR) --  It is Safe Driving Week at Legend High School in Parker. Centura's Trauma Services team joined the school Monday with some unique demonstrations.Students could put on drunk goggles that distorted their vision and try to maneuver a pedal cart through an obstacle course. Or they could put on the goggles and try to walk a straight line."I think drunk driving is a really big thing that we are hitting on," said Millie Walkenhorst, a student leader.She believes it's important to raise awareness with prom and graduation right around the corner. Colorado cities rank highest for DUI arrests per capita According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a third of alcohol-related teen traffic fatalities occurred during the prom season, from April to June."We just felt like this was a good time of year to show that we really do need to be staying safe, even when things get a little more hectic and more fun," she said.Seatbelts can save lives, advoca...

Star-Studded Cast at the Super Mario Bros. Movie premiere in Los Angeles

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 07:00:42 GMT

Star-Studded Cast at the Super Mario Bros. Movie premiere in Los Angeles Game on. The Super Mario Bros. Movie is ready to reach the boss level at the box office this weekend. But before that, they had to suit up for action at the film’s world premiere.Mama mia! Here we go!Your favorite plumber-turned-hero and his pals are leveling up in The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Mario is used to saving princess peach. But this time, he’s teaming up with her to save his brother Luigi and stop the evil Bowser.Forget ruling the world. The film’s all-star voice cast wants to rule the box office. They rocked the red carpet for the movie’s big premiere in Los Angeles on Saturday and that’s no April fool’s joke.Chris Pratt: “Thankfully the pressure’s off cause I’ve seen the film and we didn’t screw it up. It’s freaking awesome.” Chris Pratt voices the iconic Mario and he says working on this project was a real thrill ride. Chris Pratt: “It’s like catching a great wave. I don’t surf, but...

North Miami PD join 25 other police departments unveiling cruisers wrapped for autism awareness

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 07:00:42 GMT

North Miami PD join 25 other police departments unveiling cruisers wrapped for autism awareness The North Miami Police Department held an annual event on Monday to raise awareness about autism.North Miami PD unveiled several cruisers wrapped in puzzle pieces as a show of support for individuals on the autism spectrum.The event is hosted to educate the general public about the importance of understanding what it means for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families.“This year we have over 26 different agencies from Miami-Dade and Broward, also the fire department. Everyone is here showing support. It feels amazing. It feels like everyone is really starting to understand how important this is,” said North Miami Police Sgt. Rocio Torres. Officers went on a cruiser caravan throughout Miami-Dade County and stopped at several schools along the way.

Ben Affleck appears in new Dunkin’ commercial

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 07:00:42 GMT

Ben Affleck appears in new Dunkin’ commercial It was take two for Ben Affleck recently as the Cambridge native and Hollywood star again showed his love for Dunkin’, appearing in an ad for the brand a matter of months after he and his wife Jennifer Lopez both appeared in separate a Dunkin’ Super Bowl ad. Affleck and Lopez’ Super Bowl ad showed him working a Dunkin’ drive-thru in Medford.This time, Affleck was a customer, walking into a Dunkin’ location, ordering a meal and poking fun at his co-star and close friend Matt Damon after workers confused the two. The two actors have been friends for years, making movies and winning awards together. Damon has also recently been in the Boston area alongside Affleck’s brother, Casey, filming scenes for their movie “The Instigators.” 

Column: As Chicago White Sox try to put 2022 in the past, Pedro Grifol’s home debut as manager is one to forget

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 07:00:42 GMT

Column: As Chicago White Sox try to put 2022 in the past, Pedro Grifol’s home debut as manager is one to forget The Chicago White Sox returned home Monday for the first time since October, hoping to put last season’s agonies behind them for good.Sox fans understand the concept of forgive and forget, even though they tend to neglect the latter, so the players and new manager Pedro Grifol were greeted warmly while driving in from center field in gas-guzzling vehicles during pregame introductions at Sox Park.New year, new attitude?Let’s not get carried away.By the fifth inning of the home opener against the San Francisco Giants, when Sox starter Michael Kopech surrendered his fourth home run of the inning and fifth in a 21-batter span, the boos rained down on the field like the last game of 2022, in which the Minnesota Twins scored six first-inning runs to end the season with a thud.The Sox wound up surrendering seven home runs in a 12-3 loss to the Giants, and Grifol resorted to using infielder Hanser Alberto on the mound to finish the ninth.“It’s tough to take a hit lik...

Magic not losing sight of bigger picture even as play-in hopes fade

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 07:00:42 GMT

Magic not losing sight of bigger picture even as play-in hopes fade The message inside the Orlando Magic’s locker room hasn’t changed.So even as they walked off the court and left Amway Center after their dominant 128-102 win Sunday over the Detroit Pistons knowing their chances of making the play-in tournament diminished, they did so without losing sight of the bigger picture: development and growth that can extend beyond this season.“We put ourselves in a great position this year,” guard Jalen Suggs said. “We had a slow start, but we bounced back, went on a winning streak, really played well and kind of just made a name for ourselves now. The Magic aren’t the Magic of last year where it’s, ‘We’ve got a free win coming in here,’ [or] ‘This team is in a complete rebuilding process.’ We’re winning now.”The Magic’s win over the Pistons was their sixth victory in eight games and their largest margin of victory this season.They’re 29-25 since Dec. 5 — N...

After Massachusetts superintendent candidate wrote ‘ladies’ in email, the School Committee rescinded its offer

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 07:00:42 GMT

After Massachusetts superintendent candidate wrote ‘ladies’ in email, the School Committee rescinded its offer A “microaggression” was big enough to cost one superintendent candidate his dream job, he says.Vito Perrone said he’s “shocked” and “devastated” after the Easthampton School Committee pulled back its offer for him to lead the district because he used the term “ladies” in an email to the committee chair.Perrone said he was all excited to become the superintendent of Easthampton Public Schools, but the rug was pulled out from under him after his email to School Committee Chairperson Cynthia Kwiecinski and the School Committee assistant.Perrone, the interim superintendent of West Springfield Public Schools, had addressed the pair as “ladies” in the email that was going over three negotiation points after the School Committee had offered him the superintendent job.Following that email, Perrone was invited to an executive session held over Zoom. After the School Committee met alone for about 45 minutes, Kwiecinski informed...

Chicago White Sox closer Liam Hendriks starts his final round of chemotherapy

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 07:00:42 GMT

Chicago White Sox closer Liam Hendriks starts his final round of chemotherapy The loudest ovation at Guaranteed Rate Field came before Monday’s home opener when a recorded message from Liam Hendriks appeared on the video board.The Chicago White Sox closer announced in a video to fans that he’s beginning his last round of chemotherapy.Hendriks announced in January he had been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Monday’s video appeared on the board before the first pitch and later was posted on the team’s Twitter page.“Happy opening day, Sox fans,” Hendriks said. “Just want to let you know I’m starting my last round of chemo today, so see you guys on the South Side soon.”Thursday in Houston, general manager Rick Hahn said: “While we don’t currently have a specific timeline available to share with you on (Hendriks’) potential return, those of you that pay close attention to our roster will notice that we have not placed him on the 60-day (injured list), and that is on purpose. Hopefully at ...

Drug lab case prosecutors get their day in court over allegations of impropriety

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 07:00:42 GMT

Drug lab case prosecutors get their day in court over allegations of impropriety The state’s highest court seemed equal parts willing to concede mistakes may have occurred and ready to lay blame at the feet of state prosecutors when they met this week to hear arguments arising from a decade old drug lab scandal.“You have before you today three consolidated bar discipline cases of monumental importance, and I do not say that lightly,” Joseph Makalusky, an associate counsel for the Bar Counsel told the court. “Without the public’s trust that lawyers and judges will act in good faith and strictly within the bounds of our laws and professional norms, the rule of law has little practical force.”The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, on Monday, heard from attorneys representing prosecutors from the attorney general’s office over their handling of the 2013 prosecution and arrest of drug lab chemist Sonja Farak, who was sentenced to 18 months of incarceration after it was revealed she was using some of the drugs she was meant to be testing.As a resu...