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County Manager Ryan O’Connor trades Ramsey County for the Met Council

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:06:08 GMT

Ramsey County will soon be looking for a new county manager to replace Ryan O’Connor, who will be named this month as the next regional administrator for the Metropolitan Council.O’Connor’s appointment is expected to be officially approved by the full Met Council on Dec. 13. The seven-county metro’s regional planning agency oversees Metro Transit, solicitations for federal transportation funding, wastewater infrastructure, regional parks and trails, planning grants, a suburban Section 8 affordable housing program and other regional priorities.O’Connor had served as Ramsey County’s director of policy and analysis and deputy county manager before being elevated to county manager in July 2018, less than two years before the outset of the pandemic. When COVID-19 became a household word, he oversaw a breakneck pivot to transform county services, including setting up a range of emergency shelters for the homeless.“Given Ryan’s extensive background in su...

Albany man pleads guilty to fraud

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:06:08 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- An Albany man has pled guilty to defrauding a loan program intended to assist struggling businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the United States Attorney's Office. Scott Solomon, 37, had been charged with two counts of bank fraud. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! Solomon admitted to fraudulently applying for and was granted Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans back in 2020 for two restaurants he formerly managed in Saratoga Springs. Solomon reportedly submitted false tax documents for each loan, lying about each restaurant’s payroll and number of employees. According to the USAO, despite the two businesses being non-operational at the time he applied for the loans, Solomon used the loaned funds, which totaled $163,993, in ways that were prohibited by the PPP. Solomon was also accused of fraudulently obtaining forgiveness for one of the loans, falsely stating to the lender that he had put a maj...

PHOTOS: Buc-ee's officially opens in Springfield

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:06:08 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Buc-ee's has officially opened in Springfield on Monday, Dec. 11.Tons of people were braving the cold on Monday for the grand opening. People were waiting in line to get in the Buc-ee's at 6 a.m. 5 things to know about Buc-ee’s opening in Springfield Buc-ee's employees gave out prizes and even the Buc-ee's mascot was there hanging out with the crowd and cheering.The store has aisles of food with thousands of snack, meal and drink options for travelers on the go. The beaver nuggets, Texas barbecue and homemade fudge are what the travel center is also known for.Check out the video below as Buc-ee's Pitmaster Randy Pauley gives OzarksFirst a look at preparing its famous barbecue. The travel center is also known for having the cleanest bathrooms and of course there are 120 gas pumps available to use.

Update: Missing woman found

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:06:08 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - Police were asking for the public's help to find a missing woman. She has been found and is safe.

Ciara and Russell Wilson welcome baby girl

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:06:08 GMT

Ciara and Russell Wilson are parents again.The couple announced the birth of their daughter, Amora Princess Wilson, on Monday, a day after the Denver Broncos defeated the Los Angeles Chargers.“2 wins in less than 24 hours!” Russell Wilson posted on Twitter, adding the baby made her debut at 9 pounds and 1 ounce.AMORA PRINCESS WILSON9lbs 1ozWe Love You so much! @Ciara 2 wins in less than 24 hours! pic.twitter.com/UbhZJMIA3T— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) December 11, 2023Related ArticlesEntertainment | Opinion: Naughty or nice? Boebert, Coach Prime, Jokić, Casa Bonita and more Entertainment | Broncos, Ja’Quan McMillian dominate Chargers, author another chapter in turnaround story: “This is the best defense, by far, I’ve ever been a part of” Entertainment | Kiszla: It’s a horse race! The hot breath of the Broncos now on the neck of Patrick Mahomes in AFC West. Entertainment | Broncos WR Jerry ...

Kizsla vs. Gabriel: Who is the MVP of this 6-1 run for the Broncos?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:06:08 GMT

Kiz:  Don’t need a computer simulator to tell me the odds or tea leaves to foresee the future. The Broncos are going to make the playoffs. I guarantee it. Predicted a 10-7 record before the season, but I never thought it could happen this way. How did we get here? Never a doubt, eh?Gabriel: Never a doubt. My 8-9 prediction has me currently looking like the opposite of you, Kiz: a real downer instead of a constant ray of sunshine. We got here because the Broncos suddenly started winning the exact kind of games they’ve lost for the better part of the past seven years: close games. Physical games. 50/50 games. The kind that pockmark the NFL every week. Of course, Sunday wasn’t quite that. It was pretty thorough from Sean Payton’s team over a Chargers team and coach in Brandon Staley that looks headed for more rocky road.Kiz: I don’t know if I believe the Broncos can end the reign of Kansas City as boss of the AFC West. But since beating the Chiefs, Denver has been the best team in the ...

Broncos stock report: P.J. Locke making case to keep starting role after Kareem Jackson returns

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:06:08 GMT

Assessing the Broncos’ stock in the wake of a 24-7 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.Stock UpOLB Jonathon CooperThe Broncos’ third-year outside linebacker has been solid all season and continued to impress in Sunday’s road win against Los Angeles. He helped set up Denver’s first touchdown when he intercepted a pass tipped by Baron Browning. The Broncos’ edge group is young and ascending, but it’s been through some machinations and growing pains this season. In all of that, Cooper’s been the most consistent, and he’s carried the heaviest workload.S P.J. LockeLocke is playing a really good starting partner next to Justin Simmons, and he’s not going to easily give up his starting spot to Kareem Jackson when Jackson returns from suspension next week. Locke’s capable of playing the deep half in coverage, is doing his job in run support and, in perhaps the most pleasant surprise for Denver, he’s become a really good blitzer. Locke had seven tackles, a strip sack...

Sinegal is the next African country in Russia's crosshairs

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:06:08 GMT

Opposition politician Sonko does not hide his ties and sympathies for Russia.Worrying news for Senegal: the Russians are sending their private armed groups into the country, as they did in Mali and Burkina Faso, in anticipation of the presidential elections.Yevgeny Prigozhin The next presidential elections in Senegal, scheduled for February 24, 2024, risk taking place in a scenario reminiscent of the coups in Burkina Faso and Mali. This hypothesis stems from frank allusions made by pro-Russian influencers. In particular, Kemi Seba declared on his YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za5KB4OvZvE: “You saw that things have changed in Mali, we have greatly contributed to it.” And he continues: “Soon Alassane Ouattara…” Or even that of Senegal: “soon Macky Sall. I'm going to Russia in a few days. » Today, Senegal is one of five West African countries not to have experienced a coup d'état since its independence from France in 1960 and is generally considered a relatively stabl...

These major retailers went out of business in 2023

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:06:08 GMT

2023 was a rough year for many established retailers that struggled to emerge from the pandemic or were impacted by other economic factors, such as high mortgage rates which impacted home sales.Bed, Bath & Beyond, once a go-to for all imaginable home accessories, filed for bankruptcy in April and promptly closed all 896 of its brick-and-mortar stores nationwide, including its Buy Buy Baby brand. Now under new ownership, Bed, Bath & Beyond still serves customers through its relaunched website.Tuesday Morning, a discount home retailer that once had 700 locations in the U.S., filed for bankruptcy in February and eventually closed all stores.California-based Z Gallerie announced in early November that it too was closing all stores and going online only. The home décor and furniture retailer once had 54 locations.Christmas Tree Shops once had 72 stores nationwide specializing in home furnishing and holiday-themed decor. It went bankrupt in May and closed up shop in August.Shoe Ci...

Zac Efron honors Matthew Perry during Walk of Fame ceremony

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:06:08 GMT

From "High School Musical" to the Walk of Fame.Actor Zac Efron was honored with the 2,767th star on Monday afternoon.Jeremy Allen White, Miles Teller and Sean Durkin served as the guest speakers for the ceremony."He's a true triple-threat with a combination of immense talent, incredible work ethic and (an) above-average face," Teller joked. "There isn't a type of film, Zac, that you haven't starred in and excelled in. I mean he sang and danced and held his own opposite Hugh Jackman, which if you've seen 'Oklahoma' or 'Boy from Oz,' I mean that is really impressive."Zac Efron attends a ceremony honoring him with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Dec. 11, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)The California native began his career at the Pacific Coast Performing Arts Center before quickly becoming a teen idol for his role as Troy in the Emmy-winning "High School Musical" trilogy.He's since reinvented himself as a leading man in a wide variety of roles. Efron...