Latest news with #Nickerson
Newsweek
5 days ago
- Climate
- Newsweek
Urgent Warnings Issued as Life-Threatening Floods Hit The Desert
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued urgent flash flood warnings and severe thunderstorm warnings for parts of the desert in southern Nevada, western Arizona, and southern California on Thursday. "We had a thunderstorm develop to the south of Las Vegas and it's just been sitting there dumping some pretty heavy rain at times, which triggered us to issue a flash flood warning, because rainfall that heavy, especially when it's not moving, can lead to flash flooding and water flowing through the washes," NWS meteorologist Ashley Nickerson, who works at the Las Vegas office, told Newsweek. Why It Matters The warnings arrived as heavy rain, brought on by a rare summer convergence of storm systems, threatened typically arid regions of Nevada. The surge in moisture followed less than a week after remnants from Tropical Storm Alvin affected the Southwest, raising concerns among meteorologists that similar tropical influences could bring more unusual rainfall in the region during the ongoing hurricane season. Storm clouds are seen in the desert. Storm clouds are seen in the desert. EyeEm Mobile GmbH/Getty The timing was significant for local residents and infrastructure, as Las Vegas and neighboring communities are unaccustomed to widespread rainfall outside of the annual monsoon season, which generally begins later in the summer. Warnings from the NWS highlighted the immediate risk to life and property as roads, low-lying areas, and washes became rapidly inundated. What To Know No specific rainfall amounts have come in, but radar has indicated rainfall rates of up to 1 inch in the past half hour. There are no climate sites in the affected areas that record rainfall, but Nickerson said Las Vegas typically sees no rainfall during the first week of June, making this an unusual event. The NWS flash flood warning for southern Nevada will remain in effect through Wednesday at 4 PDT, with alerts extending to the Las Vegas Valley, Lake Mead, southwestern Clark County, and nearby recreation and conservation areas. San Bernadino County in southern California is under the same watch as Nevada. West Central Mohave County in northwestern Arizona falls under a similar alert, which lasts until 4:15 local time. Meteorologists warned of possible sudden rises in washes, flooded intersections, and the movement of debris across roadways as a result of intense rainfall. The severe thunderstorm warning for the Las Vegas region outlined the additional threat of damaging wind gusts and frequent lightning strikes, urging residents and travelers to seek shelter indoors and avoid flooded roadways. Authorities noted the presence of accumulating dirt and debris on roads, compounding the danger of flash floods and diminishing driving visibility. The Mojave National Preserve and other park officials have also urged visitors to be aware of local wildlife that may become active following the rainfall, like desert tortoises. Residents and travelers are being advised to heed all warnings, monitor local weather channels, and avoid streams, washes, and low-lying areas during active flood alerts. What People Are Saying Nickerson told Newsweek: "This is really abnormal for us. June is not our wet month. This type of pattern where there's a lot of moisture in place and thunderstorms developing is more typical of our monsoon season, which doesn't start until July." NWS Las Vegas in a flash flooding warning: "Life-threatening flash flooding of low-water crossings, creeks, normally dry washes and roads. Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles." What Happens Next Thunderstorms are expected throughout the rest of the day on Wednesday, with isolated showers and some thunderstorms expected tomorrow as well. This weekend, dry heat is expected to return.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Calif. teacher's killing was a mystery for 47 years. Confession from family of a student solves it
After decades of suspicion, police in San Jose have confirmed that the killer of a high school teacher in San Jose was a student who was seen with a knife that had the words "Teacher Dear" written on its side. On June 16, 1978, one day after Branham High School recessed for summer, a student found Diane Peterson lying on the floor of the hallway near her classroom with a single stab wound to her chest, according to the Santa Clara District Attorney's Office. Peterson was said to be one of several teachers on campus cleaning out their classrooms for the summer break when she was killed, according to the news release. For years, authorities had considered Harry "Nicky" Nickerson, at the time a 16-year-old student at the school, as a person of interest in the case, Santa Clara County prosecutors said in a media statement. But the tips and leads they received led to dead-ends, and so the case remained unsolved for 47 years. Until earlier this year, when police say a relative disclosed that Nickerson admitted to stabbing the teacher just minutes after it happened, prosecutors said. 'This marks the end of a terrible and tragic mystery," said Santa Clara Dist. Atty. Jeff Rosen in a statement. "Ms. Peterson would have been a senior citizen today if she had not crossed paths with this violent teenager. I wish she was." Nickerson became a person of interest in the case just days after Peterson was killed, when he was arrested in an unrelated crime and detectives noticed his booking photo bore a striking resemblance to a police sketch of the teacher's killer. The sketch came from a student witness who said they heard Peterson yell for help and saw the killer flee. The same student, however, later disclaimed his statement, according to authorities. Read more: Man charged in cold case murder, sexual assaults could have more victims, police say Police had also been told by a witness that they had seen Nickerson carrying a knife that had "Teacher Dear" written on the side. But under questioning, Nickerson denied having a knife at all, and authorities were unable to corroborate the claim. Years later, prosecutors noted the retracted statement by the fellow student, as well as another person who said Nickerson confessed to killing Peterson when she confronted him for dealing drugs, but neither story was corroborated. Over the years, authorities say Nickerson built up a rap sheet that included convictions for kidnapping, armed robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. He was shot and critically injured during an attempted drug robbery in 1984 and committed suicide in 1993. "Nearly five decades have passed since a young teacher's life was tragically taken," San Jose Police Chief Paul Joseph said. "While the suspect will never stand trial or face the consequences for his actions, we hope this resolution brings a measure of peace to the victim's loved ones and to a community that has carried this loss for far too long." Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
San Francisco Chronicle
02-06-2025
- San Francisco Chronicle
A Bay Area high school teacher was stabbed in her classroom in 1978. Police just identified her killer
Recording grades on the last day of the school year nearly 50 years ago, a Bay Area high school teacher was stabbed in the chest by a man police wouldn't be able to find for decades. Diane Peterson, a 26-year-old English teacher at Branham High School in San Jose, had just been told she would be laid off because of dwindling enrollment in the school, newspapers reported in 1978. But she was stabbed in the chest before the day's end. Bleeding profusely from the wound, she ran screaming across the campus for 70 yards before collapsing on the floor. Her colleagues tried to stop the flow of blood, but she died at a local hospital. In the immediate aftermath, police said they were mystified as to a motive and had no suspects. No weapons were found; the only clues were some fingerprints on the doorknob. But on Monday, the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office announced they had solved the cold case and identified her killer: Harry 'Nicky' Nickerson, a student at the school who was 16 years old at the time. Nickerson was not her student. Nickerson emerged as a suspect in the killing, but for years, police were unable to corroborate witness accounts or develop any usable forensic evidence, district attorney's spokespersons said. A booking photo of the teenager four days after the killing 'bore a strong similarity' to the sketch based on eyewitness accounts of the attack, spokespersons said. Five years later, the family of a Branham student told police that their son claimed to have seen the murder and had identified Nickerson as the murderer — but the student later denied making that statement. The following year, in 1984, a witness told police that Nickerson had 'implicated himself' in the murder, allegedly admitting he killed Peterson after she discovered him in the act of a drug deal. Nickerson allegedly was carrying a knife that had 'Teacher Dear' written on it, a witness said. But with no murder weapon or clear DNA linking him to the crime, police were unable to arrest Nickerson, who in the years following the murder was arrested and convicted of other charges, including armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and kidnapping, spokespersons said. In 1984, the same year a witness claimed Nickerson had implicated himself in the shooting, Nickerson was shot and critically injured while attempting to commit a drug robbery. No charges were filed 'given the circumstances,' spokespersons said. In 1993, Nickerson shot and killed himself. Investigators finally broke the case in 2025, after meeting with one of Nickerson's family members who admitted that the teenager had come to their home 'minutes after the killing' and confessed to the stabbing. District Attorney's spokespersons said because the relative was not involved in the killing or an accessory after the fact, no crime was committed and thus the witness would not be subject to arrest, even if '(we) think they should have come forward earlier.' Santa Clara District Attorney Jeff Rosen said in a statement that he was pleased by the work the office's cold case unit had done to solve the case, even if the murderer was not alive to face justice. 'This marks the end of a terrible and tragic mystery,' said Rosen. San Jose police chief Paul Joseph said he hoped the resolution would bring a measure of peace to Peterson's loved ones — and to a 'community that has carried this loss for too long.' Since being established in 2011, the DA's cold case unit has solved over 30 cold case murders from as early as 1969, officials said. Peterson's case is the fourth to be solved by the office in 2025. In a statement, Peterson's family member — who wished to stay anonymous — thanked investigators for 'not giving up for 47 years.' 'Diane was a beautiful and wonderful person who is missed dearly,' the relative said.
Pink Villa
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Pregnant YouTuber Wizard Liz Makes Explosive Cheating Claims Against Fiancé Landon Nickerson: All About Controversy
Popular self-help YouTuber Wizard Liz has publicly accused her fiancé, Landon Nickerson, of infidelity, just weeks after the couple announced their engagement. The news has shocked the internet because the couple seemed to be having a great time together, and Liz often praised him for being the ideal man. In an emotional series of since-expired Instagram Stories posted on May 27, Liz also revealed she is four months pregnant with Nickerson's child. Liz, whose real name is Lize Dzjabrailova, told her millions of followers that Nickerson had used Snapchat to message another woman. 'Landon decided to make a Snapchat account and reach out to a girl to meet up,' she wrote. She said she found out after the other woman contacted a friend and provided screenshots as evidence. Liz expressed deep hurt and disappointment, writing, 'He says he's incredibly sorry, but honestly, I feel like I didn't know him at all.' Nickerson, a YouTuber and entrepreneur known for his gaming content and AR company ARKH, responded to the cheating claims in a now-deleted Instagram Story. He admitted to 'bad behavior' and 'seeking validation' by messaging someone else, but insisted he still loved Liz and their unborn child. 'I love her with my entire heart, and we have a baby on the way,' he said. 'I made a mistake, but that doesn't mean I don't love her.' Liz, who is widely followed for her empowering videos on confidence and healing, told netizens that she felt 'absolutely heartbroken' and 'shocked.' Despite the betrayal, she urged fans not to send hate to Nickerson. 'I still love him, but I have to choose myself,' she added. In another post, Liz claimed the woman Nickerson messaged was a longtime follower and fan. She also revealed plans to sell her $100,000 engagement ring and donate the proceeds to support single mothers. Liz garnered fame online for her motivational videos on YouTube, Instagram, and her podcast The Wiz List. Nickerson, 22, transitioned from YouTube gaming to tech entrepreneurship. He founded a startup focused on augmented reality. What appeared to be a picture-perfect social media love story has now turned into a public controversy. While Liz is focusing on healing and preparing for motherhood, Nickerson's reputation has taken a hit.
Express Tribune
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Landon Nickerson shares cryptic photo after Wizard Liz ends engagement over cheating
Content creator Landon Nickerson is facing backlash after his fiancée, popular YouTuber Wizard Liz (Lize Dzjabraliova), accused him of infidelity. The couple, who announced their engagement in September 2024 and recently appeared together in a Q&A video, has now seemingly split after Liz shared the news publicly. In an emotional statement, Liz revealed that she is four months pregnant and felt compelled to end the relationship for her well-being. She disclosed that while they were in London recently, Nickerson had expressed deep affection for her. However, she later received evidence from another woman indicating he had been unfaithful. 'He made a whole book about how much he loves me… The girl reached out to my friend today and showed us the evidence,' Liz shared. 'He says he's incredibly sorry, but honestly, I feel like I didn't know him at all.' Following these revelations, Nickerson posted a cryptic photo on his Instagram Stories, which quickly went viral. The image shows him standing closely with an unidentified woman, shielding her eyes from the sun. The post includes no caption, tags, or context, and the woman's face is not visible—leaving followers speculating about her identity. While some believe it might be Liz, others argue it's a different woman and criticized the timing of the post. Social media users also claim Nickerson briefly shared additional stories in which he appeared to acknowledge Liz's claims and take responsibility—before deleting them. One commenter wrote, 'How weird he is posting her like this after everything. The disrespect is crazy.' The situation continues to unfold online, with many expressing support for Wizard Liz and calling out Nickerson's behavior.
