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Pinellas County K-9 deputy survives ambush thanks to partner’s heroic actions

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:28:42 GMT

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WSVN) — A Pinellas County deputy narrowly escaped death thanks to the efforts of his K-9 partner during an ambush by a suspect. Corporal Matt Aitken was wearing a bodycam that captured the incident, where he and Sergeant Jake Viano were tracking Zion Bostick, a suspect involved in several car break-ins in St. Petersburg.Aitken’s bodycam recorded the moments of the ambush, with gunshots heard and the officer is seen falling.“I actually thought I got shot in the head and then passed out,” said Aitken in a press conference on Thursday. Aitken refused to watch the bodycam video that showed the moments before his collapse but said he remembered every moment. He and his K-9 unit, Taco, were seen rounding the corner of a house when Bostick opened fire, hitting Aitkin in the neck, wrist and leg.“I’ve taught this scenario as a trainer thousands of times,” said Aitken. “It worked out exactly like it was supposed to. We unde...

Vero Beach man walks across US to spread suicide prevention awareness

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:28:42 GMT

VERO BEACH, Fla. (WSVN) – A 76-year-old has made it his mission to walk across the U.S. for the ninth time to spread awareness after losing his son to suicide. Steve Fugate said he wants to spread love and compassion despite any challenges you may be facing.Fugate started sharing a sign that reads “love life” across the country after his oldest son, Steven, committed suicide and, years later, lost his daughter Michelle from multiple sclerosis.Now, Fugate is making his way from Florida to Oregon while sharing his message along the way, hoping it will make its way to a person who needs it.He said it takes him approximately six to eight months to walk across the U.S., averaging anywhere between seven to 14 miles a day and resting for about two days at a time.He said people often honk as they pass, and some even stop and share how his story has inspired them.Fugate’s first walk was back in 2001 and since then his story has spread.

In DeSantis’ shadow, Florida Democrats fight to be relevant

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:28:42 GMT

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida’s Democrats don’t have much to celebrate these days.The once dominant party hasn’t elected a governor since 1994. It’s more than a decade since a Democratic presidential candidate won the state. Republicans gained a supermajority in the Florida House and Senate in 2022, and the GOP made gains in the congressional delegation, too.In a state where elections are sometimes decided by a mere percentage point, Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis won a commanding 20-point reelection last year. DeSantis, now moving toward an expected run for president, even carried the longtime Democratic stronghold of Miami-Dade County.Looking for a spark — any spark — of energy, the state’s Democrats are hoping that the arrests of two top party leaders this week may prove to be a turning point signaling a new fighting spirit.“I have heard this over the last four or five years – where are the Democrats?” state party Chair Nikki Fried said after ...

Report: Russia formally charges Wall Street Journal reporter

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:28:42 GMT

MOSCOW (AP) — Jailed Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich has been charged with espionage in Russia and has entered his official denial, Russian state news agency Tass reported Friday.Tass said a law enforcement source informed the news agency that Russia’s Federal Security Service officially charged the American journalist with espionage. Tass did not specify if the action was taken during a court hearing.In the Russian legal system, the filing of charges means the formal start of a criminal probe.Tass quoted its source as saying: “The FSB investigation charged Gershkovich with espionage in the interests of his country. He categorically denied all accusations and stated that he was engaged in journalistic activities in Russia.”The source declined further comment because the case was considered secret.Russian authorities arrested Gershkovich last week and accused him of trying to obtain classified information about a Russian arms factory. The Wall Street Journal has denied ...

‘I love you Macron!’ French leader gets rock star welcome in China

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:28:42 GMT

GUANGZHOU, China — French President Emmanuel Macron cemented his status as a rock star on the world stage on Friday as he toured the campus of a top university in southern China accompanied by rapturous applause and screaming fans. As soon as his official motorcade arrived on the grounds of Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, the huge crowds of waiting students broke into ecstatic cheers that crescendoed every time he waved to them. There were swoons and screams of “I love you Macron” as the French president worked the reception line surrounded by burly Chinese and French secret service officers. One senior member of Macron’s entourage remarked on the contrast with back home, since he wouldn’t even be able to set foot on the campus of a French university these days for fear of being lynched by angry protesters who oppose his pension reforms. His star turn and spontaneous popularity also contrasted with China’s wooden communist leaders, none of whom have even half the...

Police: Driver briefly dragged trooper during 2-state chase

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:28:42 GMT

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (AP) — A driver led police on a chase in Maine and New Hampshire, briefly dragging a state trooper while fleeing, authorities said Friday.Police said the man, 28, of Orlando, Florida, was charged with crimes including reckless conduct and second-degree assault. They said he fled from Portsmouth police before being located by police at a gas station in that city on Thursday night.The man then accelerated, dragging a trooper for a short distance before the trooper was able to disengage, police said. The trooper was later treated and released from a hospital for minor injuries, police said.The man then led police on a chase in Kittery, Maine, and Portsmouth before being taken into custody in Portsmouth, police said. Police said he refused the services of a bail commissioner and was held in custody pending a court appearance scheduled for Friday.A phone call to a number listed under the man’s name was disconnected. It was not clear if he had retained an attorney.

Crews battle brush fire in Braintree

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:28:42 GMT

Crews battled a brush fire in Braintree Friday morning.SKY7 footage shows smoke in the area of Granite Street. Crews remain on scene as of 12 p.m.This is a developing story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest updates.

Kyle Lowry reinvigorated after return, heightening Heat postseason hopes; Kevin Love taking charge(s)

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:28:42 GMT

The goal after a month off due to knee pain and then a return 10 games ago was to be here, with a better Kyle Lowry, a productive Lowry, something close to the player the veteran point guard was at both the start of this season and the start of his Heat tenure at the beginning of 2021-22.For the Miami Heat, it is an ongoing process, but one moving toward mission accomplished at the most important stage of the season.“I could not feel better about it than when we started the process and we knew we were going to have to shut him down,” coach Erik Spoelstra said of the 37-year-old former All-Star being out from Feb. 4 through March 10 due to knee pain and then returning March 11.“There’s an unknown with that, and you know the clock is ticking against you. But he handled those five weeks really well, behind the scenes, and I think our communication between myself, Kyle, the training staff and our medical staff was as good as it’s ever been, which really hel...

CHP pursuit ends on I-8; K-9 released

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:28:42 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- A vehicle pursuit has ended on eastbound Interstate 8 in East County.SkyFOX aerial video showed the driver was pinned down and a K-9 was released at the scene. The suspect was being taken into custody.It was not immediately known why the driver was being pursued.This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Toronto Humane Society searching for pet owner forced to abandon dog

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:28:42 GMT

Accompanied with a heartbreaking note, a four-year-old family dog was found abandoned in the Davenport area earlier this week, and the Toronto Humane Society (THS) is looking to provide support to the pet owners.Max, described in the note as a “very smart” dog who is “good with kids,” was found at the Primrose Avenue Parkette on Monday.The note goes on to explain that the owner lost their job and apartment and cannot afford to care for Max anymore, ending with “he’s a good boy.”A hand written note was left with four-year-old pet dog Max, found abandoned on Monday. Credit: Toronto Humane SocietyOn their website, THS says the family’s “hand-written note tells us that they care, and they want what is best for him.” To ensure they have a chance to stay together, the shelter is offering enrolment into their urgent care program, which they say not enough people are aware of. Launched in 2020, the program provides temporary foster...