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New record for world’s largest box of chocolates set in Missouri

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:55 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Russell Stover is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a new title under its belt. The Kansas City-based chocolatier has been named a Guinness World Record Holder after building the world’s largest box of chocolates. On Monday, April 17, Russell Stover partnered with Dimensional Innovations to create oversized version of its classic copper box of assorted chocolates at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.  Trending: Is it legal to collect rainwater in Missouri & Illinois? Once the larger than life candy box was complete, it measured 30 feet 4.5 inches wide by 15 feet 5 inches tall. The box itself weighs approximately 2,300 pounds and holds over 5,000 pounds of chocolate. Each oversized candy piece within the classic box set weighs between 11 and 38 pounds. Russell Stover shattered the previous world record, set by U.K. chocolate manufacturer Thorntons back in 2008, by about 1,891 pounds. The record-setting candy demons...

Move plants indoors before the St. Louis weekend frost

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:55 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- You may want to move your plants indoors this weekend or take precautions to protect outdoor vegetation. A freeze watch in effect for many counties west of St. Louis Saturday night and early Sunday morning.Friday is cooler and breezy conditions with below normal temperatures. But, the St. Louis area should have above freezing temperatures tonight, with no frost or freeze concerns overnight. Trending: Is it legal to collect rainwater in Missouri & Illinois? The colder temperatures move into the area over the weekend. The frost and possibly freezing temperatures are likely away from the urban metropolitan St. Louis area. There may be some patchy frost in the city but the widespread, more impactful frost will be in rural areas.The area's next chance for rain will come late Tuesday into Wednesday of next week. The storms are not expected to be severe.

Reward offered for information on rock-throwing attacks that killed Colorado woman

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:55 GMT

Alexa Bartell, 20 (Provided by Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department)Police investigating rock-throwing attacks on moving vehicles that turned fatal in west metro Denver were stumped and on Friday offered a $17,000 reward for information as they hunt for those responsible for the killing of a 20-year-old woman.One or more assailants may have attacked more vehicles, in addition to the five attacks documented on Thursday, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Jacki Kelley said.“We have no suspect information. We have no solid leads,” Kelley said.Late Thursday, investigators reached the owner of a Dodge Ram pickup truck they’d sought and concluded that neither the truck nor the owner was involved.On Friday, Jefferson County deputies and police in Arvada, Boulder and Westminster again appealed to the public for help. In particular, the police asked that drivers of Tesla vehicles, and others with dashboard cameras, who were in the area along Indiana Street on Wednesday nigh...

Bandimere Speedway will close at the end of the 2023 racing season in October

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:55 GMT

The end of the 2023 racing season in October means the end of a 65-year run for Bandimere Speedway in Jefferson County.With development in the area growing, “our family is prepared to surrender the location we’ve called home for six decades,” John Bandimere, Jr., said. “The place has never been ours. It belongs to God.”The Friday morning announcement confirmed rumors that have circulated recently.For years, the family has searched for another possible location. “The days ahead are exciting – they’re stressful,” Bandimere said.Fans can still attend drag races at Bandimere Speedway for a packed season. Events start Friday and run through Sunday, Oct. 22.But fans expressed feelings of heartbreak and love on Facebook quickly after the announcement.“Thank you for so many years of memories at one of my all time favorite race tracks in the world!” Kyle Loftis wrote. “We hope to see the new track underway with racing asap!...

Whole Foods Market now lets Denver shoppers pay with wave of a palm

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:55 GMT

Shoppers at 11 Whole Foods Market stores throughout the Denver area can now pay at check out with just the wave of a palm.The supermarket chain recently introduced Amazon One: a service that lets patrons enroll their palms, then link their debit or credit cards to them. Afterward, there’s no need to pay with cash or cards –  shoppers just hold their palms over the device, then they’ve bought their groceries.The stores implementing the new option include:BelmarCherry CreekColfaxColorado BoulevardGovernor’s RanchHighlands RanchIdeal Market DenverSouthGlennTamaracUnion StationWashington ParkAmazon One can be found across the U.S. at Panera Bread restaurants and more than 100 Whole Foods Market locations. Select airport stores and sports stadiums, such as Seattle’s T-Mobile Park and Phoenix’s NASCAR Raceway, also utilize the new technology.Amazon One chooses “the most distinct identifiers on your palm to create your palm signature,” with the images en...

Alleged Orange County child molester used babysitters to recruit victims, prosecutors say

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:55 GMT

Investigators are asking for the public's help in identifying additional children who were allegedly molested by a man who groomed female babysitters to supply him with victims, the Orange County District Attorney's Office said Friday.Jason Valentine Esparza, 57, was arrested on April 7 in Huntington Beach after detectives received an anonymous tip and communicated with him posing as an adult woman who was babysitting a 4-year-old girl."During those communications, Esparza is accused of expressing his desire to perform very specific sexual acts on the child," the OCDA's Office said in a press release.Jason Valentine Esparza is seen in a DMV photo from 2020. (OCDA)Two weeks ago, "Esparza was told that the child was at a Huntington Beach hotel room and he [was] arrested by undercover detectives when he entered the room," officials added. Esparza is accused of perpetuating similar abuse against multiple children "over several decades." He has been charged with three felony counts of at...

Fatal hit-and-run incident in Sylmar leaves one man dead

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:55 GMT

Authorities with the Los Angeles Police Department Valley Traffic Unit are investigating a fatal hit-and-run traffic collision that killed a man in his 40s early Friday morning.Around 12:50 a.m., a dark-colored vehicle traveling westbound on Hubbard Street in Sylmar hit a pedestrian pushing a shopping cart on the north side of the street. Fatal San Pedro hit-and-run captured on camera; driver still at large Authorities say that the driver of the vehicle, identified only as a Hispanic woman in her 20s, continued driving before briefly stopping near the area of Hubbard Street and Dronfield Avenue.The unidentified driver got out of the car before driving away shortly after.The driver failed to stop, identify themselves or attempt to render aid to the pedestrian, according to a news release.The Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics responded to the scene and transported the man to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His identity will be withheld until authorities notify h...

Sergeant Injured after Vehicle Accident on Interstate 17 [Phoenix, AZ]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:55 GMT

Off-Duty Sergeant Hospitalized after Traffic Collision near Dunlap RoadPHOENIX, AZ (April 21, 2023) – Late Friday night, a vehicle accident on Interstate 17 injured an off-duty sergeant.On March 24th, at around 11:00 p.m., officers were dispatched to the southbound lanes of Interstate 17 near Dunlap Road.According to the Phoenix Police, the off-duty sergeant just got out of his car to assist a driver with a vehicle failure.Furthermore, a vehicle struck the sergeant as he returned to his car. The vehicle then braked and caused another vehicle to collide with it.Consequently, the sergeant, whose name was not released, was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.Meanwhile, no other person was injured in the second collision. Impairment was not a factor in the incident.Also, the officers blocked the southbound lanes of I-17 at Dunlap Road during the length of the investigation.No additional information was added, and an active investigation is underway.One s...

Tatum Meins, Sherene Walema Killed in Rollover Collision on Louise Avenue [Kingman, AZ]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:55 GMT

17-Year-Old and 15-Year-Old Pronounced Dead after Rollover Car Accident near Sage StreetKINGMAN, AZ (April 21, 2023) – Thursday night, Tatum Meins and Sherene Walema were killed in a rollover collision on Louise Avenue.Officers arrived to the scene at the 3500 block of Louise Avenue near Sage Street at 10:30 p.m., on April 13th.Per reports, a Dodge sedan was occupied by Meins, Walema, and a 16-year-old driver as well as two other male passengers. For unknown reasons, the driver lost control and slid sideways into two electric poles.As a result, the Dodge rolled over multiple times before it came to rest on its roof. The driver then became trapped inside. In addition, Meins, Walema and the others two were ejected onto the road.Medics arrived and pronounced 17-year-old Meins dead at the scene. Meanwhile, paramedics took four others to Kingman Regional Medical Center where 15-year-old Walema later succumbed to her injuries.Following preliminary duties, investigators believe that ...

Woman Killed in Rollover Crash on Coffee Road [Modesto, CA]

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:16:55 GMT

One Dead, One Injured after Truck Rolls Down an Embankment on Scenic DriveMODESTO, CA (April 20, 2023) – Saturday morning, a rollover crash on Coffee Road left one woman dead and another injured.The incident happened on March 18th, shortly after 11:00 a.m. when a car rolled down an embankment on Coffee Road into Dry Creek.According to reports, a gray pickup was traveling in the area when, for reasons unknown, it veered off the road into an embankment on Dry Creek. The pickup crashed into a tree, injuring the three occupants inside.Emergency crews arrived at the scene shortly after and extricated two women from the wreckage. Medics then pronounced the passenger dead at the scene. It is currently unclear whether the driver was treated at the scene or taken to a hospital.Investigators state that neither drugs nor alcohol were factors in the collision.The Sweet James team sends their warm and sincerest sympathies go out to the friends and family of the victim. May the memories of ...