A Seminole soccer coach was arrested on Tuesday and is facing allegations of lewd and lascivious behavior involving a minor, according to Pinellas County authorities. Joel Avitia, a 42-year-old man, is accused of using his position of trust to engage in inappropriate conduct with an underage female. Details provided by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office indicate that Avitia allegedly invited the young victim to his residence, provided her with money for shopping, and subsequently made improper physical contact, as WFLA News reported. The incident was quickly reported by the victim, sparking the subsequent legal response. According to the reports, Avitia...

The saga of Lamor Whitehead, once known as the “Bling Bishop” for his lavish lifestyle and flamboyant jewelry, has come to a seeming close with his sentencing to nine years in federal prison. Whitehead, a Brooklyn pastor, faced justice for a string of frauds, including swindling a single mom out of her life savings. U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield pronounced the punishment following condemnation of Whitehead’s actions as those of a “con man,” according to NPR. Falling from grace, he quickly became ensnared in legal troubles after claiming to influence New York City Mayor Eric Adams, in a bid to...

Residents and the general public in North Union Township are urged to avoid the Woodview Terrace area as police respond to an active incident this morning. According to WPXI, Pennsylvania State Police have confirmed the situation as “extremely active,” with troopers initially called to the scene at 8:07 a.m. The circumstances requiring the public to avoid the location remain undisclosed. However, the urgency is palpable, as nearby Marshall Elementary School has preemptively locked down, showcasing the severity of the situation. Meanwhile, emergency responders are to react quickly, with WTAE capturing footage of multiple firetrucks converging on the area. A few...

A man operating a motor scooter met a fatal end in Philadelphia’s Olney neighborhood yesterday when he collided with a traffic light, a parked car, and a school bus, reported FOX 29 news. The crash transpired around 1:30 p.m. at the confluence of West Nedro Avenue and North 2nd Street. Per authorities, the scooter rider, a 41-year-old male driving north on the sidewalk of North 2nd Street struck a traffic light and a Dodge Journey vehicle before the impact with the school bus, which was stationary at the light facing east on Nedro Avenue, NBC Philadelphia added. The victim was declared...

Strong Santa Ana winds are expected to increase in San Diego and spread southward today, with forecasters warning of strong gusts and dry conditions that heighten fire risks through Friday morning. According to National Weather San Diego, we’re bracing for a noticeable drop in humidity and much cooler temperatures inland, with today’s highs ranging from 62 to 70 degrees in the inland valleys and lower across the San Bernardino County mountains and deserts. Coastal areas expect highs from 71 to 75 degrees, a slight bump from Tuesday. The more concerning aspect of these weather patterns is the implications for fire...

After serving the community for three-quarters of a century, the iconic Sawtelle Tempura House has shut its doors permanently. According to an Eater LA report, the closure came on October 29, 2024. The small, cherished Japanese bento establishment had been a fixture in Sawtelle since 1949, enduring changes in ownership, evolving tastes, and the relentless tides of urban development. In a heartfelt farewell message on social media, the Sawtelle Tempura House team expressed their gratitude: “After 5 unforgettable years, we’ve officially closed the doors of Sawtelle Tempura House. Words can’t express how grateful we are for the support, laughter, and...

Minnesota’s foray into autonomous public transportation, the goMARTI pilot program, is wrapping up an 18-month trial of self-driving shuttle vans meant to ferry locals and tourists around a 17-square-mile area in Itasca County and Grand Rapids—free of charge. Originating in the fall of 2022, goMARTI, short for Minnesota’s Autonomous Rural Transit Initiative, leveraged a fleet consisting of five autonomous shuttles including three that are wheelchair-accessible, covering 70 stops. The Center for Transportation Studies is set to discuss the program’s takeaways in an upcoming webinar on December 6, 2024, where participants can learn key insights and experiences garnered from the project....