16-year-old daughter of Lowe’s executive dies after crashing Porsche into a tree

 

The 16-year-old daughter of a top Lowe’s executive was killed and her two friends were injured after she crashed her Porsche into a tree near her family’s $2.6 million North Carolina mansion, cops said.

Stella Grace Bright was allegedly speeding when her two-seater 2014 Porsche 911 supercar flew off the road in Mooresville, near Lake Norman, at 3.20 a.m. Saturday — striking the tree and a rock landscaping wall, the Charlotte Observer reported.

Bright was pronounced dead at the scene, while her two friends were rushed to a hospital with unknown injuries, police said.

One of Bright’s friends had been sitting in the back section of the sports car, which isn’t equipped for passengers and has no seat belts, cops added.

Both Bright and her front seat passenger were wearing seat belts at the time.

Investigators haven’t yet disclosed how fast they believe Bright was driving at the time, but said speed was a factor.

The fatal wreck happened less than two miles from the Bright family’s $2.6 million lake house, The Daily Mail reported .

It wasn’t immediately clear if the Porsche — which retails anywhere from $60,000 to $120,000 and can reach speeds approaching 200 miles per hour — was owned by the teen, or if it belonged to her parents, Teresa and Chris Bright.

The teen’s father is the Vice President of Market Delivery & Final Mile at Lowe’s, according to his LinkedIn.

Bright’s twin sister, Olivia, was among those to pay tribute in the wake of her shock death, posting on social media that the teen was her “other half.”

“I don’t know how I’m going to live another day without you u meant the world to me and still do. You didn’t deserve to go this soon you really didn’t,’ Olivia wrote.

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3-year-old boy shot dead while in car with his mom

 

A 3-year-old boy has been shot and killed while in the car with his mother and brother in Cleveland, authorities said.

An adult man -- who was not in the car -- was also shot in the Thursday afternoon incident, Cleveland police said. He suffered non-life-threatening injuries, according to police.

Several persons of interest have been detained, police said Friday, noting that the investigation is ongoing.

The 3-year-old's "heartbreaking" killing "is another reminder that we must come together as a city, state and nation to address this violence and its root causes," Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb said in a statement.

Last year, at least 6,152 children were killed or injured in shootings in the U.S., according to the Gun Violence Archive.

"No words can adequately express the pain and the sorrow of this tragedy. In the face of this loss, I ask the community to come together to support this family and to reaffirm our commitment to a safer city," Bibb said. "We will not rest until those responsible are held accountable and brought to justice."

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Flamingos sighted in another Wisconsin lake

 

Bird watchers spotted a flock of flamingos near Petenwell Lake Friday. The photographer, Mike Stephens, tells 12 News he took the photos on the south end of the lake, north of Wisconsin Rapids.

The birds first appeared a week ago on South Beach in Port Washington. Days later, the birds were spotted along the Wisconsin River near the Dells.

Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources told us at the time it hoped the birds would begin to fly south, not north.

Click here to read about the long journey for the flamingos to get home

Scientists believe the tropical birds were blown off course by Hurricane Idalia. Wisconsin is the farthest north they've been spotted, but they have been seen throughout the Midwest in recent months.

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Mom Drowned Kids In Murder-Suicide, Told Neighbors To Suspect Husband: Police

 Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch speaks to reporters on Friday about the deaths of a 37-year-old woman and her two young children.

A woman in the middle of a divorce was found dead inside her Alabama home alongside her two children in what police described as a “horrific” murder-suicide.

Nancy Johnson, 37, and her children, 5-year-old Mia and 2-year-old Jacob, were found dead in their home in Semmes, Alabama, on Thursday. Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch said at a Friday press conference that Johnson drowned her children before hanging herself.

“It’s definitely not a typical homicide scene,” Semmes Police Chief Todd Freind told local news outlet FOX10 . “It is more brutal than normal, than what we normally see.”

An investigation into the deaths began on Thursday. Burch said Johnson’s estranged husband, who was living in a camper behind the home, called police to report that he had found his family members dead.

Investigators have ruled the husband out as a suspect, the sheriff said.

“He was cooperative, and we were able to corroborate the timeline where he said he was and where he came from, and he was truthful in those statements,” Burch told reporters, adding that he hoped “social media comments” suggesting the man was guilty would stop.

Burch said that the husband found the bodies of his children inside the home on the sofa covered with a blanket. According to the sheriff, both children had died by drowning, though the older child also had lacerations around her neck, and Johnson had hanged herself. Burch told reporters that Johnson had a history of psychiatric issues.

Uncertainty initially surrounded the case when investigators were unable to determine whether Johnson and her children had died in a murder-suicide or in a triple homicide.

According to Burch, Johnson had wounds on her wrist and neck that investigators believe she inflicted around the same time that she drowned her children. He also said she had made comments to her neighbors right before her death that if she died, they should suspect her husband.

The day before the murders, Burch told reporters, Johnson had left the neighbors with a purple suitcase that contained a note alluding to something happening to her, a small amount of cash, some clothing and her phone.

Burch told reporters that Semmes officers have responded to domestic incidents at the home in the past.

Last week, Johnson’s husband was arrested on domestic violence charges after he allegedly broke into the home and attacked Johnson in order to take the children, according to court documents cited by FOX10 .

Another court document the outlet cited said the husband had claimed in June that a Department of Human Resources worker had expressed concerns about Johnson’s mental health affecting the children’s safety.

“The DHR worker informed the Defendant (the father) that they do not feel it is safe for the minor children to remain in the care and custody of the Plaintiff (the mother),” the document stated, FOX10 reported.

A couple of weeks after the June filing, the couple agreed to go to counseling, according to the court documents.

But last month, Johnson was reportedly granted a protection-from-abuse order against her husband, and he filed for divorce the next day. The parents were awarded joint custody of their children on Tuesday, and DHR was charged with providing “protective supervision,” FOX10 reported.

The judge also ordered the parents to alternate living in the camper parked in the back of the home. While one parent was in the camper, the other was supposed to be living in the house with the children.

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Al's Musky Challenge nears 2022 total, sets sights on future

 

LA CROSSE, Wis.- The Rotary Club of La Crosse's annual fishing fundraiser is winding down with what's shaping up to be another impressive haul.

We caught up with Al Louis of Al's Musky Challenge who said in addition to raising nearly $110,000 for organizations supporting local kids, he's caught 81 musky this year fishing on Minnesota's Lake Vermillion--20 of those over 50 inches long, including that 55-inch fish which stands as the Muskies Inc. record for the month of July.

Louis said over the past five years, he's getting the art of musky hunting down to a science.

"That really affects it if you know when to fish depending on what the moon's doing," Louis said. "You watch barometric pressure. We had this front come through last week. Fishing ahead of that makes a big difference. Temperature change in the water--the lake turned over in late August. Usually it turns over later. That's why the fishing shut down."

Louis added he's still hoping to land a few more fish and donations in the final stretch. You can contribute by clicking here.

Half of the proceeds this year will be split among Hope Restores, The Good Fight and The La Crosse Public Education Foundation. The other half goes to the La Crosse Community Foundation for an endowment to keep the fundraiser going in the years to come.

Louis said he hopes to continue growing the annual event.

"Long-term range goal would be to get a local kids fishing tournament involved with this and raise some more funds through that," Louis said. "We just need more volunteers, so anyone interested in volunteering, we'd ask you to reach out to us. We can always use some help with the long-term range planning. It's becoming a year-round event now."

Story Source: WXOW News19 or CLICK HERE

Most national parks to close if government shuts down

 

If Congress cannot reach an agreement to fund the government, most national parks will close, the Biden administration said Friday.

“In the event of a lapse in annual government appropriations, National Park Service (NPS) sites will be closed,” the Interior Department said in a press release.

“This means that the majority of national parks will be closed completely to public access,” it said.

The release said areas that are physically accessible to the public, such as the National Mall in Washington, D.C., will have “significantly reduced visitor services.”

Two states have said they will try to keep at least some of their national parks open.

Utah said this week that it found “short-term funding options” to keep the parks open with limited operations. Its plans are subject to approval by the federal government.

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) said her state would use lottery money to keep the Grand Canyon open.

The NPS’s contingency plan notes that parks may enter into arrangements with third-parties such as states for donations to fund a park’s operation with approval of the park’s director.

Asked whether it would take advantage of funds provided by Utah or Arizona, a Park Service spokesperson said in an email, “we are in touch to discuss possibilities, but I don’t have an update to provide at this time.”

The federal government will shut down if lawmakers do not pass at least a stopgap funding measure by midnight Sunday.

Chances of a shutdown appeared to grow higher Friday after Republicans torpedoed their own leadership’s short-term spending measure. A bipartisan measure to keep the government open has been moving forward in the Senate, but it is not clear it will be considered in the GOP House.

The parks closure announcement drew some political pushback. Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), the top Republican on the Senate’s Energy and Natural Resources Committee, accused the Biden administration of trying “to make a government shutdown as painful as possible.”

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Wisconsin Gov. Evers visits Mayo to celebrate National Service Dog Month

 

Governor Tony Evers made a visit to Mayo Clinic Health System on Tuesday to celebrate National Service Dog Month. 

The governor was able to see some of the commands and tasks that the La Crosse facility's three dogs-Luna, Luka, and Lilly-perform while assisting patients who enjoy their company. 

"It's nice to have somebody just there. You can pet them and scratch their back and they appreciated that so they come back for more. Oh it's nice and then when you go you know she looks back at you and says 'See you later'," said patient Dallas Nelson. 

The dogs know 40 different commands to help patients or provide comfort in a time of need. 

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Claim To Fame Welcome To Fall Everyone! 1,500 Pound PUMPKIN!!!!

ALTOONA, Wis. (WSAW) - NewsChannel 7′s very own Mark Holley has once again, grown a giant pumpkin to compete in the River Prairie Ginormous Pumpkin Festival.

This is his fourth year growing a giant pumpkin. He says he started the process inside from a seed in April. The pumpkin is three months old and he estimates it weighs about 1,500 pounds.

“My first year I grew an 850 pounder, then I grew one at 1,044 pounds, then 1,147, so this year could be 400 pounds better or more of my personal best,” Holley said.

After loading it up on a trailer earlier on Friday, he’ll take it to Altoona on Saturday for the festival where it’ll compete with about 40-50 other giant pumpkins at the event.

Story Source: NewsChannel 7 WSAW or CLICK HERE

(La Crosse, WI) Jonah Earns " The Gloria Barron Prize For Young Hero's"

 

The Poorest City in Wisconsin has been Revealed

 

The results have been revealed and the poorest city in Wisconsin is Milwaukee with a poverty rate of 23.8% making it the 19th poorest city in the nation.

With a population of 577,222 as of the 2020 census, Milwaukee is the 31st most populous city in the country, the fifth-largest city in the Midwest, and the largest city in the state of Wisconsin.

According to economic policy experts, there are several reasons Milwaukee is one of the poorest cities in the nation.

One point made in the article linked above is that, like most urban areas located in the Midwestern United States, Milwaukee never really developed a strong middle class. Instead of creating a business strategy like many other cities, the city created a work strategy. When deindustrialization happened in the 1970s, most residents lost their jobs and only source of income.

To learn more about the poorest cities in the nation, you can check out the full list published on Yahoo! Finance.

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Toddler overdoses, Wisconsin woman arrested

 A Wisconsin woman was arrested after authorities say a 2-year-old suffered a potentially fatal drug overdose Tuesday night, Sept. 19.

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State-Ordered Shutdown on Sparta, Wisconsin's Great Beginnings Daycare Ongoing Investigation

The Wisconsin childcare center, Great Beginnings, located in Sparta, has been temporarily closed due to an ongoing police investigation.

The closure was imposed by Wisconsin state officials after an announcement on Facebook by the Sparta Police Department.

Specifics about the investigation were not disclosed, but it was confirmed that the parents of the children involved were contacted.

The shutdown has impacted local families who depended on this center for their childcare needs.

Meanwhile, there's growing concern about the spread of misinformation on social media.

More Information below....

SPARTA, Wisconsin 

Police are investigating a Sparta day care center.

A Facebook post shared by the Sparta Police Department Wednesday says police are conducting an active investigation at Great Beginnings Daycare. While that investigation continues, the State of Wisconsin has ordered the center closed.

Police did not detail the nature of the investigation. Parents of children involved in the investigation have already been contacted, police said.

"We understand this places unexpected stress on area families as they struggle to find care for their children," Sparta PD's post reads. "However, the safety of all children is our highest priority."

Police warned that false information regarding the investigation is spreading on social media and ask the public to respect both the investigation process and the sensitivity of this particular investigation.

The Monroe County Department of Human Services is assisting Sparta PD with the investigation.

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La Crescent Community Comes Together for Applefest

 

The small town of La Crescent, Minnesota is gearing up for its annual Applefest taking place September 15-17.

Now in its 74th year, Applefest brings fall fun and apple-flavored treats to residents and visitors alike.

Celebrating Local Apples and Cider

Originally founded in 1949 to highlight La Crescent's apple orchards, Applefest has become a beloved community tradition.

The festival features apples and apple cider from local farms like Pine Creek Orchard and Martin's Apple Orchard.

In addition to fresh apples, you can find apple pies, turnovers, doughnuts, and caramel apples.

Sip on apple ciders, wines, and beers from regional producers. Learn tips and tricks for baking with apples at demonstrations.

Family Friendly Activities Abound

Applefest offers entertainment for all ages. On Saturday morning, it starts off with Little King and Little Miss Pageant.

Then gather the kids for the family Fun Shows Carnival. There are the big wheel races too!

Parades and Live Music

A highlight of Applefest is the torchlight parade on Thursday night. Wind through town behind glowing floats.

On Sunday, marching bands, dance troupes, and community groups participate in the lively King Apple parade.

Multiple stages showcase live music throughout the weekend. Rock out to cover bands or get your country fix. Local singers and dancers also perform.

Run, Shop, and Tour

Get moving in the Applefest 5K run/walk on Saturday morning. The race starts and ends in Veterans Memorial Park.

Browse handmade creations in the Great River Makers Market. Shop jewelry, ceramics, paintings, and more from regional artists and crafters.

Go behind the scenes with a tour of Lock 7 on the Mississippi River. Learn how river traffic is directed through the locks from knowledgeable staff.

Mark your calendars and head to Applefest September 15-17 for fall flavors and fun for all ages. The town promises a warm welcome along with apples galore!

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Lebron James surprises MN high school

 

A Minnesota high school auditorium filled with students burst into applause after NBA icon Lebron James showed up as an unexpected guest. 

The jubilation-filled event happened at Lourdes High School in Rochester, according to a post on James' Instagram page Friday. 

"HUGE s/o Lourdes High School in Rochester, MN for this week’s long hospitality, prayers, love and support. I am very thankful for it all." said James in the post. 

The NBA's all-time scoring leader has been working out at the high school's facilities and gave a special shoutout to the faculty who he said showed him generosity. 

Both Lebron and his son, Bronny, first traveled to Rochester for the Mayo Clinic in August after the latter went into cardiac arrest in July, according to Rochester NBC affiliate KTTC.

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Jelly giant J.M. Smucker agrees to buy Twinkie maker Hostess Brands for $5.6 billion

 

Jelly maker J.M. Smucker is buying Twinkie owner Hostess Brands for $5.6 billion, or $34.25 a share.

Hostess shareholders will receive $30 in cash and .03002 shares of Smucker’s stock for each share of Hostess that they owned. Smucker has also agreed to assume Hostess’s debt. The deal is expected to close in Smucker’s fiscal third quarter, which ends in January.

Smucker’s purchase is the latest in a flurry of deals by Big Food, which is hunting for growth as pandemic gains slip away. Campbell’s Soup recently announced its acquisition of Rao’s pasta sauce owner Sovos Bands for $2.7 billion. M&M’s owner Mars bought Kevin’s Natural Foods in July. And Unilever snapped up frozen yogurt brand Yasso in June.

Shares of Hostess climbed 18% in premarket trading Monday on the announcement. Smucker’s stock fell 7.5%.

As of Friday’s close, shares of Hostess stock have risen 25% this year, giving the company a market value of $3.73 billion. But the company’s shares had already received a significant boost after Reuters reported in late August that it was considering a sale after fielding interest from large food companies, including Pepsi Co and Oreo maker Mondelez International.

Hostess saw demand for its Twinkies and Ding Dongs slip after raising prices to mitigate higher commodity costs, sparking investor concern and takeover interest from larger rivals. For the full year, the company is anticipating that its volume will decline. Executives paused price hikes.

Its sale to Smucker ends Hostess’s seven-year streak as an independent, publicly traded company. Hostess went public through a merger with a special purpose acquisition company in 2016.

Just three years earlier, Apollo Global Management and Metropoulos & Co. resurrected the company, ending a months long Twinkie drought, after acquiring the assets of the company formerly known as Interstate Bakeries.

Story Source: NBC News or CLICK HERE