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Longtime funeral director Austin Layne Jr. passes away at 87

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS – The St. Louis community is honoring the life and legacy of the late Austin Layne Jr., the longtime president and founder of the funeral home that bears his name.Black bunting drapes the front of the Austin Layne Mortuary, where the founder will be remembered as someone who touched so many lives and had a heart of gold. Layne passed away on Sunday at 87.He was known for his kindness, comforting thousands of families over the years with his music and services at city's most iconic black funeral homes. His duties may have been somber, but he made sure he provided compassionate and dignified services to countless families.Rickey Whittington of Plaza Motor Company considered Layne a father figure. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News SIGN UP NOW “Au...

Man pleads guilty in federal court to 6 armed robberies in 2021

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A St. Louis man appeared in U.S. District Court on Thursday and admitted to several armed robberies in 2021.Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said Bruce Franklin, 64, pleaded guilty to six counts of robbery, one count of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.According to court documents, the robberies occurred on these dates at the following businesses:On Aug. 26, 2021, at the Boost Mobile at 3636 Page Blvd.On Sept. 4, 2021, at the T-Mobile at 4167 Lindell Blvd.On Sept. 10, 2021, at the Boost Mobile at 3636 Page Blvd.On Sept. 17, 2021, at the MetroPCS at 3949 Lindell Blvd.On Sept. 20, 2021, at the T-Mobile at 4167 Lindell Blvd.On Oct. 27, 2021, at the Family Dollar at 11123 Bellfontaine Rd.Franklin told the court he stole cash from the registers and, in one case, took a handgun belonging to an employee of one of the stores.Franklin had an accomplice, Krist...

Rain gives way to sunshine as cold front arrives this weekend

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS – Promised changes are coming with a series of cold fronts.The week began with temperatures around 90°, but by Thursday afternoon, things were far different.Earlier Thursday morning, showers filled the region, bringing a damp and gloomy start to the day. Over at Forest Park, walkers were in need of umbrellas and golfers were taking their chances despite the rain.But just a few hours later, sunshine returned and temperatures were comfortable. With cold fronts moving through the region, temperatures will be taking a dive, and crisp fall weather will be upon us.After spending last weekend feeling like summer, it will be a huge difference for all the fun fall activities happening around town this weekend. You’ll definitely need to pull out those jackets and sweaters with highs only in the low 60s for Saturday.

Faith & Blue events build bridges between police and public

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:00 GMT

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – Pastors and police officers are working together to combat crime in the Illinois Metro East, building bridges between law enforcement and local residents with special Faith & Blue events.The Christian Activity Center's community garden and orchard are reaching the end of the season. But on Thursday, they were planting seeds for a new initiative in the community in the coming days.“Police vehicles, fire trucks, and a helicopter is going to land just to attract the children,” said Lt. Elbert Jennings, Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigations. “We’ll be passing out candy. Just really trying to build a collaborative effort with our faith-based organizations because we recognize we need these organizations to help us make our communities safe and solve crime and make our communities safer.”The groups are hoping to build bridges to more inclusive communities.The first Faith and Blue event will be held Sunday, Oct. 8 at Power of Change Christian ...

Three Dog Night postpones Chesterfield show over virus concerns

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:00 GMT

CHESTERFIELD, Mo. - Classic rock band Three Dog Night has postponed a show originally planned at The Factory this weekend due to virus concerns. The show was originally set for Sunday, but has now been rescheduled for March 1, 2024. The band cites the spread of a virus behind the decision, but did not disclose futher information. St. Louis Airport expansion would see conversion to single terminal “We really apologize,” said Danny Hutton, the band’s founder and lead singer, in an emailed statement to FOX 2. “Despite our best efforts, a respiratory virus has made the rounds on the tour bus, making it impossible to perform well and deliver a great show for the fans. So, we’re taking a few days to let the band and crew get better and then get back out there ready to rock."All tickets previously purchased will be honored for the new date. Refunds will also be available for anyone who cannot attend.

Former Saints WR Tre’Quan Smith, now on Broncos practice squad, thinks he can “be impactful” right away

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:00 GMT

Tre’Quan Smith might be new to the Broncos, but this offense is old hat.The veteran wide receiver, who signed a practice squad deal with Denver earlier this week, played his first five NFL seasons in New Orleans.That, of course, meant playing for Sean Payton from 2018-21.“This is a walk in the park,” he said Wednesday of picking up the offense. “I’ve been in this park many times. I already know what to expect. A lot of the terminology I’m already used to. I’m already used to some of the plays and the numbers.“There’s still a couple of tweaks I’ve got to learn. Like, today I was asking some of the guys, ‘What does this mean?’ because it was a new term I’d never heard before. But I feel like I’m used to like, 87-90% of this offense. I’m very familiar with it.”Smith appeared in 51 games coached by Payton over his first four seasons and started 29 times. He caught 17 of his 18 career touchdowns in that span on averages of 28 catches and 372 receiving yards per season.“Dependable, ...

Denver gay bar closing immediately, citing “ever-expanding encampments”

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:00 GMT

A prominent downtown Denver gay bar called one of the nation’s best LGBTQ+ bars last year by Tasting Table is closing immediately, citing “ever-expanding encampments.”The Triangle Bar, 2036 N. Broadway, announced in an email they were closing after they took a survey that found over 60% of their customers were visiting less frequently because of homeless encampments.“With heavy hearts we announce that, effective immediately, Triangle Denver is closing indefinitely thanks primarily to the ever-expanding encampments which have surrounded and suffocated the businesses in our neighborhood,” the email stated.The survey of over 500 people found 75% of customers visited less in 2023 than in 2022.Answering the question “How have each of the following factors influenced your interest in visiting the Triangle positively (you wanted to visit more) or negatively (discouraged you from visiting) in the past year,” 61.4% of respondents said “homeless...

Rockies Journal: D-backs turned things around. Can Colorado follow their blueprint?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:00 GMT

For teams like the Rockies and Diamondbacks to be contenders, the stars must align and the windows of opportunity must open just right.The D-backs’ window is wide open right now. How long it stays that way remains to be seen, but I’m certain the Rockies are well aware of what’s going on in the desert. Whether or not the Rockies can duplicate the D-backs’ success is debatable.Arizona’s about-face is remarkable.This is a team that lost 110 games just two years ago. The D-backs hadn’t reached the playoffs since 2017 when they beat the Rockies in a wild-card game. It’s been a decade since the D-backs won the National League West. And 22 years since they won their only World Series.But after upsetting Milwaukee in the wild-card round, Arizona is now in the NLDS vs. the mighty Dodgers. I don’t think it’s going to happen, but I would not be shocked to see the D-backs pull off another upset.The Rockies, we know, are a long way from the postsea...

Student stabbed at Marie L. Greenwood school in Denver; police say another student is in custody

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:00 GMT

Police are investigating the stabbing of a student at the Marie L. Greenwood Early-8 school on Thursday, according to the Denver Police Department.A student was transported to the hospital in stable condition and another student is in custody following the stabbing, Denver police spokesperson Doug Schepman said.ALERT: #DPD is investigating a stabbing at the Marie L Greenwood Academy school. A juvenile suspect is in custody and a juvenile victim was transported to the hospital in stable condition. DPD is working with DPS on this ongoing investigation. #Denver pic.twitter.com/V89H7vKtem— Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) October 5, 2023Officers responded to the school at 5130 Durham Court at 1:53 p.m. on a report of a stabbing, Schepman said.The student suspect was in custody by 1:58 p.m., and it appears the stabbing involved a knife. Both students were juveniles.Preliminary information shows the incident only involved the two students and that no other students were threatene...

Former NFL player Dick Butkus dies at 80

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:24:00 GMT

Dick Butkus, a former NFL player who is considered to be one the greatest linebackers of all time, has died, TMZ reported. He was 80 years old.Sources told TMZ Sports that paramedics responded to a call for a medical emergency at Butkus' residence in Malibu around 12:50 p.m. Thursday. Butkus was pronounced dead at the scene.Butkus was drafted by the Chicago Bears in 1965 and spent his entire professional career with his hometown team. During his time in the NFL, he earned multiple awards, including two for Defensive Player of the Year, TMZ reported.Butkus was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979.This is a developing story; stay with KTLA for updates.