Latest news with #Kistler
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Udall survivors reflect on one of the deadliest tornadoes in U.S. history 70 years later
UDALL, Kan. (KSNW) — While some Kansas cities like Grinnell and Plevna are recovering from recent devastating tornadoes, others are reflecting. The Udall Historical Museum held a remembrance event for the 70th anniversary of the tornado that nearly leveled the town. On May 25, 1955, Udall was blindsided by a tornado, taking over 80 lives. The newest addition to the museum is a room dedicated to reconstructing the destruction. 'It's overwhelming,' Norma Ciskowski said. She lost a brother-in-law in the tornado. The wounds are still fresh for the community. 'For years, people didn't talk about it. It was an early forerunner to PTSD,' Museum President, Ron Beard, said. Surviving the deadliest tornado in U.S. history leaves an impression on the community beyond its direct survivors. 'I laughed when my folks would go into the cave every time there would be a black cloud. Only when I was older did I realize what it was,' Beard said. One wall of the museum's newest wing is dedicated to the victims. The anniversary weekend brought hundreds of people and a handful of survivors. Beth Morgan Evans survived the storm and has visited the room many times. 'It has been kind of hard sometimes, you know? But you don't come in every day, so it's OK,' she said. Morgan Evans and Allene Kistler were both 15 in 1955. They were celebrating a baby shower when they first heard the dreaded 'freight train' sound. 'I thought this might be death, you know?' Kistler said. How to help Grinnell tornado victims When the ceiling panels began to whip into the night, they knew things were worse than a bad storm. They still carry the experience. 'Last night before I went to bed, they were talking about storms, I have a little bag that I pack with a change of clothes, all my medicine and a change of shoes in,' Evans said. Their group of around 15 made it out safely, but they hope one lesson comes from their story for the ones who didn't. 'If this celebration saves one life of someone else to take cover at the correct time, you know? Then I think that's the blessing,' Kistler said. Since the tornado came with almost no warning, the destruction was a bitter reminder of the necessity of early warning systems. The city's first was a phone notification system in the 1960s. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Locals gather for Big Birding Weekend at Mosquito Lake
BAZETTA, Ohio (WKBN) — All eyes were to the skies for the Big Birding Weekend at Mosquito Lake. The activity has gained some popularity over the last couple of years. 'The birds have a world that's very big and most people don't know about it,' said Greg Miller, a dedicated birder. In 1998, Miller set out to pursue a record of finding the most bird species in a year. His story, told in a book published in 2004, later turned into a movie called 'The Big Year,' starring Jack Black, who portrayed Miller. 'He really made me feel comfortable in a place that I wouldn't have felt comfortable at all, on a Hollywood set,' Miller said. That's where Miller was a birding consultant. Newton Falls native Ethan Kistler has traveled the world birding. He has even written a book about Ohio's bird species. Kistler says it can be a great activity for the young and old alike. 'I call it like 'Pokémon Go' in real life. Instead of looking at an app looking for Pokémon, you're actually outside looking for real living ones,' Kistler said. For Miller, the connection with nature is what drives him back. 'I call it Windex for the soul, because what really happens as we accumulate negativity — it's like a magnifying glass, and our problems seem very big. But when I go out birding, I become so distracted. It doesn't change my problems, but it changes my perspective,' Miller said. Volunteers with Friends of Mosquito Lake say they just want people to come and enjoy what nature has to offer. 'There's something for everyone to find something,' said Rich Urchek, a volunteer. Rich says there are going to be plenty of events and happenings every weekend and most weekdays throughout the summer. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Yahoo
Companion of Texas real estate agent killed in Mercedes dispute has lengthy criminal record
William Kistler, the mysterious 26-year-old companion of the Texas real estate agent who was fatally shot after the pair allegedly brushed against a parked Mercedes, has a lengthy criminal record. According to FOX 4 Dallas, 28-year-old Ashlee Long was leaving a bar in downtown Dallas on April 5 with a group of friends, including Kistler. Dallas police said that Kistler "reached out and brushed his hand along the passenger side of a passing Mercedes as they were walking across the street." Investigators said that 34-year-old Kendrick Finch then exited the passenger side of the vehicle with a gun and opened fire. The affidavit states, according to FOX 4, that Kistler reached into Long's purse and pulled out his gun, and that's when police say Finch opened fire, striking both Long and Kistler. Kistler was able to fire back, but Finch then took off. Realtor Shot Dead By Mercedes Suspect With Criminal History: Police Finch shot both Long and Kistler, according to police. Long later died from her injuries at the hospital, while Kistler survived. Read On The Fox News App Finch, who has a prior criminal history that includes drug charges and burglary, later turned himself in to authorities. He is currently charged with murder. Kistler was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, a felony. He is being held in the Collin County Jail. On March 7, prosecutors said that Finch fired "at least 8 times." "From the evidence that I see, it is our firm belief that Mr. Finch was the first one to shoot. That he has to own. He fired that gun at least eight times. In a crowded residential-commercial street with cars and people walking all around." Finch's attorney, Dallas County defense lawyer Josh Healy, said in court that the shooting was an act of self-defense and that Kistler "started everything that night." "We know for sure Ashlee Long would be alive today except for William Kistler. William Kistler is the one who started everything that night. It showed in the video. It shows his actions, how he was acting. We don't have the toxicology report yet of these two individuals, but I can bet where that's going to end up. He's trying to fight random people on the street, and then my client's car, driving by at a normal rate of speed, gets hit," Healy said. Suspected Fsu Campus Shooter Indicted On Murder Charges For Allegedly Killing 2, Injuring 6 Healy also emphasized the seven seconds it took his client to exit the vehicle. "He goes over how, during those seven seconds, he says Kistler is trying to get a gun out of Long's purse." "What I do know is my client never gets out of that car except [that] Mr. Kistler is reaching for that gun immediately . . . but if you watch that video, Mr. Kistler, when he's fighting around trying to get that gun and gets it, goes like this towards my client." At that moment, Healy lunged forward in court, acting out what he claimed was visible in the video. "And when he takes those steps towards my client, my client has every right under the law to defend himself," he said. Finch was released on May 13 after posting a $500,000 bond. His release came after a judge denied a motion from his defense team to reduce the bond amount. Nc College Student Shot Dead By 'Career Criminal' In 'Random' Sc Home Invasion: Police Long's companion's lengthy criminal history, primarily misdemeanors, was brought to light after he was charged. In April 2018, he was charged with theft of services valued between $750 and $2,500, a case that was ultimately resolved in County Court. Later that year, in November 2018, he was charged with assault causing bodily injury to a family member, another misdemeanor. In March 2019, Kistler was charged with violating a protective order or bond conditions in a domestic violence case, which was also resolved without a felony conviction. In July 2023, he faced another theft charge involving property valued between $750 and $2,500, again concluding with a misdemeanor disposition. In addition to these closed misdemeanors, Kistler is involved in two ongoing legal proceedings. In May 2019, he was indicted by a grand jury for burglary of a habitation—a felony. After a period of inactivity, the case was reactivated and remains pending. In July 2022, Kistler was charged in connection with a vehicle accident that caused at least $200 in damage. That case has also been reopened. Fox News Digital reached out to Kistler's attorney for comment. Henry Long, the father of the victim, released a statement mourning the death of his daughter and calling for Finch to stay in jail. "Ashlee's life mattered. And so does justice," Long wrote on Facebook. "Kendrick Finch must remain behind bars — permanently. "He made the choice to kill. He should not be given the opportunity to walk free and make that choice again." Long said the pain of losing a child is "indescribable." "But to lose her this way — to gun violence at the hands of a stranger — is a trauma no family should have to endure," he wrote. "Kendrick Finch made the choice to take her life. He didn't just end her future — he shattered the lives of everyone who loved her."Original article source: Companion of Texas real estate agent killed in Mercedes dispute has lengthy criminal record
