Latest news with #KHQ
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Family stunned after massive animals arrive in their yard: 'They must be used to people'
Family stunned after massive animals arrive in their yard: 'They must be used to people' A family in Spokane, Washington, was enjoying an average summer day at home when they suddenly noticed something enormous in their yard — or to be specific, three somethings. What happened? The family shared the story with local news station KHQ of unintentionally hosting three moose for an afternoon. "They actually stayed for a couple of hours," said Kerri Anne Kramer, who was at home at the time with her two daughters and their cat, identified by KHQ as Marshmellow. "I guess they eat and then they have to digest their cud and they lay down and enjoy the grass there," she added. Indeed, several photos showed the moose mere feet away from the house, placidly chewing and resting in the yard. But when the moose began to approach the family's fruit trees, Kerri Anne decided to shoo them away. However, merely banging on the window didn't work. "They must be used to people — they weren't moving," she explained. Fortunately, her daughter discovered that by blowing into a long PVC pipe, the loud sound was sufficient to send the moose on their way, leaving the fruit trees intact and the Kramers with a good story. Why are these kinds of encounters concerning? This encounter was harmless on all sides, but generally, when wildlife ends up in urban and suburban areas, it doesn't end well. Whether or not a human-animal encounter leads to injuries, authorities often end up euthanizing animals that become too accustomed to human presence in order to prevent any future encounters. Should the government be paying people to hunt invasive species? Definitely Depends on the animal No way Just let people do it for free Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Unfortunately, these kinds of encounters are becoming more and more common as human development continues to encroach on wild land and habitat. With the human population skyrocketing in the last century — going from 1 billion to over 8 billion in a span of less than 200 years, per Our World in Data — it's no wonder animals are watching more of their homes disappear in order to make way for humans. The rampant, and often illegal, human use of natural resources also disturbs and displaces wild animals. This is particularly evident in industries like logging and deep-sea trawling, which both destroy fragile ecosystems in huge areas on a daily basis. Humans suffer from animal conflict as well. According to a 2021 report from the UN Environment Programme, "human-wildlife conflict is as much a development and humanitarian issue as it is a conservation concern, affecting the income of farmers, herders, artisanal fishers, and Indigenous peoples, particularly those living in poverty and without resilience." How can we prevent these encounters in the future? Obviously, the issue of human-wildlife coexistence is a complex one. The UNEP report encouraged policymakers to stop overlooking the issue. After all, maintaining healthy and balanced ecosystems is key to ensuring a sustainable future for every living organism on Earth. Regionally, many different approaches have been more or less successful in modeling human-wildlife coexistence. These approaches generally incorporate education and targeted solutions that actually benefit the people most impacted by the animals' presence. Even something as simple as a wildlife bridge over a busy highway can keep humans and animals in their respective lanes (literally, in this case). The International Wildlife Coexistence Network said that the key is to "work with Nature instead of against her." "When we analyze the science and consider the needs of the community and the wildlife, we can develop solutions that are practical, mutually beneficial for people and wildlife, and build long-term resiliency," the organization noted. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Time of India
At least two killed in ambush on firefighters in US state of Idaho
At least two people were killed when firefighters tackling a blaze were ambushed by an unknown number of gunmen in an ongoing standoff in the northwestern US state of Idaho on Sunday, the local sheriff said. The blaze was still raging on the mountainside in Kootenai County as law enforcement exchanged gunfire with the shooter or shooters, Sheriff Robert Norris told reporters. "We now have two deaths. We have an unknown amount of casualties. We still have civilians that are coming off of that mountain... We are actively taking sniper fire as we speak," he said at a press conference. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like War Thunder - Register now for free and play against over 75 Million real Players War Thunder Play Now Undo The shooter showed "no evidence of wanting to surrender," he continued, adding: "As soon as somebody has a clear shot, I encourage them to take that shot to neutralize the threat." He said authorities believed the two people who were killed were firemen. Live Events Earlier, local fire chief Pat Riley described himself as "heartbroken" by the attack. He told local TV station KHQ that no evacuations had been ordered, even though the fire was still burning. Norris and other officials told residents to shelter in place until the standoff was over. Serious gun violence is common across the United States, where many states have few barriers to the purchasing of firearms. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been 189 mass shootings in the United States this year -- defined by the organization as incidents where at least four people are killed or wounded, other than the shooter.
New York Post
16-06-2025
- New York Post
Gun-toting carjacker killed by police following deadly multi-state crime spree
A gun-toting maniac who went on a chaotic multistate carjacking spree — killing one good Samaritan and wounding a motorcyclist — was killed Sunday during a police shootout in Washington, authorities said. The unidentified suspect launched his rampage around 8:30 a.m. Sunday outside a Spokane Valley coffee shop where he allegedly carjacked a man and his daughter at gunpoint and drove down I-90 toward Idaho in the stolen car, according to the Spokane County Sheriff's Office. Within minutes, cops located the carjacker speeding down the interstate up to 140 mph, but were unable to catch him, police said. Advertisement The scene of a fatal carjacking in Spokane, Washington on June 16, 2025. Spokane County Sheriff's Office While heading toward the state line, the lunatic allegedly plowed into a motorcyclist after doing 'donuts' in the vehicle. The motorcyclist was injured, but is expected to be OK, police said, according to the Spokesman. Once the suspect crossed state lines into Idaho, he allegedly tried to carjack several more people and fatally shot an unidentified male bystander who was trying to help a car owner as their vehicle was being stolen in Kootenai County, police said. Advertisement The man allegedly used an AR-15-style rifle to shoot the Good Samaritan, KHQ reported. The madman then fled back to Spokane County, where he allegedly stole a gray truck during another carjacking. Cops quickly caught up to him and used a 'spike strip' to blow out the front tire of the vehicle as he was speeding at 120 mph, cops said. As the tire disintegrated, he drove recklessly into traffic and began to wave his rifle out of the car window and open fire, presumably at law enforcement, according to police Advertisement He eventually crashed into another vehicle and a Washington State Police patrol car, and continued to fire shots, cops said. The suspect was then killed in the ensuing gun battle, police confirmed at a press conference. Authorities have not yet released the name of the suspect, who did not have a strong criminal background or a known motive, police said, according to the Spokesman.
NBC News
25-02-2025
- Politics
- NBC News
No charges for woman dragged from Idaho town hall
No charges will be filed against a woman dragged from an Idaho Republican town hall by security guards. The security firm's license has also been revoked. KHQ's John Webb reports.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Yahoo
Priest attacked at downtown Spokane Catholic church
Feb. 6—A 40-year-old man with multiple prior and pending assault cases attacked a priest during a service Tuesday night at a downtown Spokane Catholic church, according to the Spokane Police Department and church video. Joshua J. Sommers was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor fourth-degree assault and on felony warrants for an alleged assault and robbery of an Inland Northwest Behavioral Health employee in 2023. Police officers responded about 6:20 p.m. Tuesday to The Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes, 1115 W. Riverside Ave., said Spokane Police Officer Daniel Strassenberg, spokesman for the department. Video from the church shows Sommers sitting in a pew before rushing the sanctuary and appearing to throw a punch at a man, identified by KHQ as Father David Gaines. Gaines was on his knees in prayer, recognized Sommers rushing the stage and got on his feet before the attack. A struggle between the men ensued as other church leaders on stage, as well as parishioners and church security, came to Gaines' rescue. A security officer and another man can be seen escorting Sommers from the sanctuary, according to the footage. Officers arrived in minutes and arrested Sommers , Strassenberg said. It's unclear why Sommers attacked Gaines, who was uninjured, Strassenberg said. The church could not be reached for comment Thursday. Another security issue arose at the church in 2023 when a homeless man, Lenny Luck, was suspected of hiding inside a bathroom for multiple hours and then molesting a boy there, according to previous Spokesman-Review reporting. Luck, who is 66 and has no affiliation with the church, is awaiting trial in jail on suspicion of one count of first-degree child molestation. "Security is constantly top of mind here," Father Darrin Connall, of the cathedral, told KHQ after Tuesday's incident. "We spend tens of thousands of dollars a year on fencing, alarms, locks, security cameras and armed security officers." Besides Tuesday's alleged assault, Sommers is facing two other fourth-degree assault cases from 2023 incidents. His first appearances for all three misdemeanor cases were continued Wednesday and Thursday to Friday, according to the Spokane Municipal Court online portal. Sommers made his first appearance Thursday in Spokane County Superior Court for the third-degree assault and robbery charges. Deputy Prosecutor Stuart Fox said Sommers, who has been in the Spokane County Jail since Tuesday night, refused to make his initial court appearance Wednesday and Thursday for the felony charges. Superior Court Commissioner Anthony Rugel issued a "drag order," forcing Sommers to make a virtual court appearance from the jail, on Thursday. Detention deputies subsequently transported Sommers, and he made his appearance Thursday in handcuffs with three deputies standing behind him to ensure safety and compliance. Fox said Sommers, who sported long black hair with a long black beard, has been "combative" with deputies and has a "longstanding history of noncompliance and violent behavior." The felony assault and robbery charges stem from an incident in July 2023 when Sommers is accused of punching an Inland Northwest Behavioral Health employee multiple times in the face and head, according to court documents. Sommers, a patient at the Spokane behavioral health facility, then took the employee's keys to exit the facility, court records show. He was arrested and then later released on his own recognizance despite a $75,000 bond request from prosecutors at the time, Fox said. Rugel granted Fox's $75,000 bond request Thursday. Simon Menso, Sommers' attorney, said Sommers has one adult felony conviction in 2002 for first-degree assault. He's been living in Spokane off and on his whole life, Menso said. Sommers is set for an arraignment on his felony charges for Feb. 19.
