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Letters: There’s nothing sustainable about endless tax increases

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:38:24 GMT

Equitable? Sustainable?Ramsey County officials announced their 2024-25 budget and did so using carefully selecting wording to soften the blow.“We’re raising your property taxes by over 6%” doesn’t sound as good as: “an investment in our vision, values and strategic priorities.”We can’t stop spending money is not as eloquent as “a pivotal moment in our community’s journey”, and “more equitable and sustainable” were tossed in for good measure — because who would oppose that? I don’t know what’s so equitable about taxation without representation and I can tell you from experience that there is nothing sustainable about endless tax increases that far exceed a citizen’s ability to pay.There are two facts at play here: First, I am not making enough money to sustain the budget and spending of the county manager and commissioners. Second, a sizeable percentage of my fellow county taxpayers either make a lot more than I do – or they are grossly unaware of what the county is...

Boy, 10, critically injured by shooter who targeted a St. Paul house New Year’s Eve

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:38:24 GMT

A 10-year-old boy is in critical condition after someone fired gunshots into a home in the 700 block of Sherburne Avenue shortly before midnight Sunday, police said.According to St. Paul police Sgt. Mike Ernster, preliminary information indicates that the shooter fired from outside the home and that it was not a random shooting. Police believe the home was targeted.The boy was taken to Regions Hospital by St. Paul fire medics.Police said it is believed that the boy will survive, noting that his injuries were critical but that he was in stable condition Monday morning.Related ArticlesCrime & Public Safety | Man killed at New Year’s gathering, marking St. Paul’s first homicide of 2024 Crime & Public Safety | St. Paul’s 2023 homicides: ‘Every one of these murders matters,’ police chief says as numbers slowly decline Crime & Public Safety | Rochester teen killed in southern Dakota County crash Crim...

Man killed at New Year’s gathering, marking St. Paul’s first homicide of 2024

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:38:24 GMT

Police say a man was shot and killed at a New Year’s gathering in the Hamline-Midway neighborhood of St. Paul early Monday.Shortly after 1:30 a.m. a 911 caller said they “wanted a group of people removed” from a gathering at a home in the 1600 block of Van Buren Avenue, according to a press release from the police department. While officers were on their way, more 911 calls came in saying that shots were fired at the gathering. One caller said they were with someone who had been injured and were taking them to the hospital. That caller then hung up.Officers who arrived at the home didn’t find any victims, but they then were told a man with gunshot wounds was at United Hospital. That man died at the hospital shortly after.Homicide detectives secured the home and began looking for witnesses to determine what led to the shooting and who the shooter was. The police department’s forensic services unit is processing the scene for evidence. Authorities ask any...

Capital Region Blood Challenge kicks off January 2

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:38:24 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- January marks National Blood Donor Month. The American Red Cross is working with some local CEOs to host the third annual Capital Region Blood Challenge. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! The CEOs of the participating companies will have a friendly competition to encourage the greatest number of donors. The blood drives will be at the Red Cross at 33 Everett Road in Albany from January 2 to January 5 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Each donor will be able to vote for their recruiting company. In total, the goal of the Capital Region Blood Challenge is to collect more than 132 units of blood over the four days. Albany police investigating first homicide of 2024 The winner will be awarded the Blood Challenge trophy. Sponsoring companies include Albany Medical Center, CDPHP, First Light, National Grid, Lia Auto, MVP Health Care, and Plug Power.  According to the Red Cross, every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. E...

Police: Two pedestrians struck on West Housatonic St

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:38:24 GMT

PITTSFIELD, Mass. (NEWS10) -- Pittsfield Police say two pedestrians were seriously injured after being struck by a vehicle on West Housatonic St. The accident shut down West Housatonic St from South St to Center St for approximately three hours. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! Investigations determined that Nicholas Ainsley, 23, was traveling eastbound when he struck Shanon M. Steffey, 34, and Matthew Squires, 32, who were crossing the road. Police and EMS responded to the scene at around 2:47 a.m.Both were transported to the Berkshire Medical Center for serious injuries. Steffey was later transported to the Bay State Medical Center in critical condition.Investigations into the accident are ongoing. Witnesses or anyone with information is asked to contact Pittsfield Police at (413) 448-9700 ext. 543.

Horse euthanized after car, carriage crash in Warren County

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:38:24 GMT

CHESTER, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A horse had to be euthanized after a crash involving a car and horse-drawn carriage in Warren County. The Warren County Sheriff's Office said the crash took place on December 31 around 3:25 p.m. in Chester. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! According to police, an SUV was driving south on Atateka Drive near Circle Drive when the driver got to the top of a hill and crashed into the back of the carriage. The driver of the car and the three occupants of the carriage were taken to Glens Falls Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. A veterinarian was called to the scene and found that the horse had to be euthanized. Speed, alcohol, and drugs do not appear to be factors in the crash, said police.

Multiple overnight shootings ring in Denver metro area’s New Year

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:38:24 GMT

Police responded to several shootings on New Year’s Eve and into the early morning hours of New Year’s Day in the Denver metro area.In Aurora, a teenage boy was taken to the hospital with serious injuries after being shot outside of a residence near the 1500 block of Emporia Street around 5 p.m., according to the Aurora Police Department. Police had not yet determined suspect information.In Denver shortly after 1 a.m., police responded to the 4600 block of N. High Street where a man was found shot with non-life-threatening injuries, according to the Denver Police Department. Officers were working to develop suspect information.Around 2:30 a.m., Denver Police investigated a shooting in the 2500 block of S. Zenobia Street. Police found two shooting victims but did not know the extent of their injuries nor suspect information.Related ArticlesColorado News | One injured in shooting outside Denver Museum of Nature and Science Colorado News | Burglar...

2024 Rose Parade Marching Bands: Watch KTLA's live Band Cam

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:38:24 GMT

Marching bands from across the nation and around the globe will participate in the 2024 Rose Parade, and KTLA 5 is excited to offer an exclusive view of their performances once again.The Rose Parade Band Cam Presented by Honda provides a live, unedited and unnarrated view of the bands with synchronized audio as they travel through the television broadcast zone. The live stream will be available on this page and streaming live on KTLA’s Facebook page.Full list of 2024 Rose Parade marching bands:University of Michigan Marching Band - John Pasquale, DirectorThe University of Alabama Million Dollar Band - Kenneth Ozzello, DirectorAlbertville High School Aggie Band – Albertville, AlabamaThis year, the Albertville High School “Aggie” Band marches down Colorado Boulevard for the third time. With nearly 300 students, including the Southern Stars Danceline and Aggie Color Guard, the “Aggie” Band makes up 25% of the high school’s population. They are unique because all students are welcome in...

New Year's party shooting leaves 2 dead, 8 injured in downtown Los Angeles

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:38:24 GMT

Gunfire erupted at a New Year's party in downtown Los Angeles leaving two people dead and eight others hospitalized.Police responded Monday around 1 a.m. to an assault with a deadly weapon call at the gathering in the 2300 block of Porter Street.Arriving officers saw a large group of people in the street in front of the location and heard what they believed to be gunfire, Los Angeles Police Department Capt. Ryan Whiteman said. Several victims with gunshot wounds were located and attended to by first responders. “At this time, we have two confirmed fatalities,” Whiteman said. The victims were described as a male and a female who were in their 20s. Eight other people were transported to local medical centers in unknown condition following the incident, Whiteman said. The shooting was still in "investigative mode" and no suspect information was available, according to Whiteman. Child in grave condition following violent crash that killed 1, left 3 others in critical condition Homicid...

Jill On Money: Economic lessons of 2023

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:38:24 GMT

After highlighting some of the investment lessons of 2023 last week, it’s time to turn to the broader economy and the lessons that have emerged.Don’t try to predict the futureA year ago, there was an almost universal belief that 2023 would usher in a recession. Economists, analysts, and your cousin were all convinced that the Fed’s rate hikes, combined with inflation, would put an end to the economic expansion that started after the brief, but deep COVID-19 recession of 2020. (Consider canceling your trip to The World Economic Forum in Davos, where last year, the group said “growth prospects remain anemic and the risk of a global recession is high.”)As it turns out, the U.S. economy turned in a solid performance in the first half of the year, growing by more than 2 percent annualized, then soared at an annualized pace of 5.2% in Q3. U.S. GDP is likely to finish Q4 with more than a 2% annualized pace, which would make 2023 better than most years in the decade prior to the pandemic.Cr...