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Man who shot, killed Arvada officer found guilty of murder

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:21 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — A jury has reached its verdict in the trial of Sonny Almanza, who is accused of killing Arvada Police Officer Dillon Vakoff.The jury found Almanza guilty of first-degree murder of a peace officer. He also was found guilty of attempted second-degree murder, second-degree assault, large-capacity magazine prohibited and first-degree trespass.Deliberations began at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday. A verdict was reached before 4:15 p.m.Vakoff was killed in the line of duty while responding to a disturbance call on Sept. 11, 2022. The Arvada Police Department said a chaotic disturbance broke out between family members involving custody issues. Video shown in murder trial shows Arvada Police trying to save officer’s life Vakoff joined Arvada police in 2019 after serving six years in the U.S. Air Force, where he earned the rank of staff sergeant. He was also an Arvada resident who graduated from Ralston Valley High School in 2012.During the trial, Almanza took the stand on Wednesday...

Friends, coworkers hold vigil for Blue Pan employee killed in hit-and-run crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:21 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — The community held a vigil on Thursday for Nick Cordova, the Blue Pan employee who was killed on his way home from work in the early morning of Saturday, Nov. 18.Coworkers say the community is grieving heavily from the loss."I saw Nick as almost a father figure. I think a lot of us did over at Blue Pan," Patrick Marro said. "As much as we'd always joke saying I was his son, he was my dad. You know, on another level, it really could've been that."Nick Cordova was killed in a hit-and-run crash while riding a scooter home from work. (KDVR)Cordova worked at Blue Pan in the Highland neighborhood for about five years. Coworkers say he had a knack for connecting with people."I've never met someone so thoughtful, so compassionate, so much empathy for people around him, whether that be his coworkers or strangers on the street," his friend Brant Hansil said.Driver sought in deadly Speer Boulevard crashMetro Denver Crime Stoppers said Cordova was riding his scooter on Speer Bou...

Aurora police seek 3 in shooting, assault on Colfax

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:21 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Aurora police are seeking three people they believe were involved with an incident reported early Monday morning outside a restaurant on East Colfax.According to police, three people were injured during the incident which was reported at about 12:15 a.m. on Monday in the 9500 block of East Colfax Avenue. One of the three suspects was identified by police as Jose Antonio Hernandez-Morataya, and police provided a previous booking photo of him.During the incident, two people were shot and a third was physically assaulted. All three were transported to a local hospital. Descriptions of the other two suspects were provided. On RTD, high schooler used to dodging fentanyl, chaos One suspect, an adult male, was wearing a white hooded sweatshirt with an eyeball graphic on the front. The second suspect, another adult male, was wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt and red pants.Hernandez-Morataya was seen wearing an Astros T-shirt, a black and orange jacket, and black pants.Jose...

Where Colorado's biggest wind gusts were recorded Thursday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:21 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Colorado is set to get snow on Friday, but Thursday's weather betrays none of that -- except for the blustery wind filtering out of the mountains and into the Front Range.Big pressure changes are often preceded by strong wind, and high wind warnings have been issued for much of the eastern portion of Colorado's high country. Some areas of the mountains could record upward of 9 inches, and some areas of the Denver metro could see up to 4 inches of snow. FOX31 Weather: View the latest Denver forecasts, maps and rada The Pinpoint Weather team is forecasting snowfall to begin Thursday night, after recording highs in the mid- to upper-60s on Thursday afternoon. Temperatures are expected to drop into the teens overnight.If you were flying over the Rockies, there was severe turbulence reported by pilots and passengers. The following are non-thunderstorm wind gusts recorded by the National Weather Service in Colorado from midnight on Thursday, Dec. 7, until 2 p.m.CountyLo...

Colorado Parks and Wildlife spots rare 1 in 100,000 piebald cow elk

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:21 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Colorado Parks and Wildlife spotted a rare kind of elk during a big game classification flight this week.CPW is conducting classification flights now through February across the state for big-game species. The flights allow CPW researchers to generate population estimates and assess young animal recruitment within a population.  Why Coloradans might see low-flying helicopters this winter During a flight earlier this week, Montrose-area CPW wildlife biologist Evan Phillips spotted a rare piebald cow elk in a herd.What makes a piebald cow elk rare?The piebald trait is not common in elk like it is in horses or dogs. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, piebald is defined as something of different colors, especially spotted or blotched with black and white.Colorado Parks and Wildlife biologist Evan Phillips spotted a rare piebald cow elk during a big game classification flight this week. According to CPW, the piebald trait only occurs in about 1 out of ev...

Activists in Miami rally for improved conditions in Haiti and on Dominican Republic border

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:21 GMT

Activists took to the streets of Miami in a half-mile march from the city’s Haitian Embassy to the Dominican Consulate.Thursday afternoon’s rally, organized by local immigration groups, aimed to raise awareness about the living conditions in Haiti and on the Dominican Republic border.Marching with signs and playing musical instruments, the activists voiced their concerns, as they called for better treatment of those affected.

New York Democrats nominate former congressman for special election to succeed George Santos

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:21 GMT

(CNN) — New York Democrats have nominated former Rep. Tom Suozzi for the special election to succeed expelled Republican Rep. George Santos.Suozzi represented a previous version of New York 3rd Congressional District, on the north shore of Long Island, for three terms before vacating the seat to launch an ultimately unsuccessful primary challenge to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul last year.“Tom Suozzi has a proven record of fighting for his constituents, fighting to safeguard our suburban way of life here on Long Island and Queens and always advocating for sensible solutions to the real challenges affecting every day average Americans,” Jay Jacobs and Rep. Gregory Meeks, the chairs of the Democratic Party in Nassau and Queens counties, said in a joint statement.Under New York’s special election rules, nominees are selected by the county party leaders in the district.Hochul has scheduled the special election to fill the seat for February 13.The race to succeed Santos ...

Man accused in connection with deadly Waltham crash previously faced serious charges, records show

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:21 GMT

The New Hampshire man accused in connection with the crash that killed a Waltham police officer and a National Grid worker on Wednesday previously faced serious charges in New Hampshire, court documents show. Peter Simon, 54, was arrested Wednesday after officials said he allegedly struck officer Paul Tracey and utility worker Roderick Jackson with his pickup truck near 4 p.m. on Totten Pond Road in Waltham. Tracey and Jackson later died. Officials said two other National Grid workers who had been working along Totten Pond Road were also injured. In addition to Tracey, Jackson and the two other National Grid workers, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan said Simon also crashed into multiple vehicles and stole a police cruiser at knifepoint before officers took him into custody. While Simon appeared in court in Waltham on Thursday, separate documents filed at the Cheshire County Courthouse in Keene, New Hampshire detailed an incident back in August of 2009 when Simo...

Patriots will be extra shorthanded at wide receiver vs. Steelers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:21 GMT

DeVante Parker is a surprise inactive Thursday night against the Steelers, leaving the Patriots with just four available wide receivers.Parker was listed as questionable with a knee injury. He traveled to Pittsburgh but will not play. The Patriots have Jalen Reagor, Tyquan Thornton, JuJu Smith-Schuster and QB/wide receiver Malik Cunningham at wide receiver. Cunningham was elevated from the practice squad Thursday afternoon.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | Source: Patriots claim experienced linebacker off waivers from Eagles New England Patriots | Patriots elevate two skill players off practice squad ahead of Steelers game New England Patriots | Patriots-Steelers preview: What to watch for on Thursday Night Football New England Patriots | Four to watch: Struggling rookie, two veteran skill players among keys New England Patriots | Patriots might need help from practice squad based on injury report H...

Body parts trafficking case: Harvard releases report recommending changes to its Anatomical Gifts Program

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:58:21 GMT

Harvard has released a report from a panel of three commissioned experts on how to improve the university’s Anatomical Gifts Program, which was at the center of an alleged body parts trafficking ring.The university released the report Thursday along with a “community message” stating the review was initiated after the U.S. Attorney’s Office indictment and arrest of Cedric Lodge, a former employee of the Harvard Medical School’s morgue, in relation to the illegal sale of parts of bodies gifted to the university to help train future doctors.“Lodge’s alleged criminal acts, which involved the unlawful interstate transport of stolen human remains, are morally reprehensible and inconsistent with the standards that Harvard University, Harvard Medical School, our anatomical donors, and their loved ones expect and deserve,” read the statement put out by Harvard Provost Dr. Alan Garber and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Dr. George Daley.“We reaffirm our deep sorrow for the continued uncertai...