Latest news with #Willits
CBS News
2 days ago
- CBS News
Northern California hitchhiker suspected of assaulting driver dies after confrontation with deputies
Authorities on the Northern California coast said a hitchhiker suspected of assaulting a driver who gave him a ride died after a confrontation with deputies Thursday night. According to the Mendocino County Sheriff's Office, deputies were called to the 2000 block of Hearst Willits Road near the town of Willits around 7 p.m. following reports of a fight between the hitchhiker and the driver. The California Highway Patrol and police from Willits also responded to the scene. Deputies said the man "brutally assaulted" the driver who offered a ride after he entered the vehicle. The driver was admitted to a local hospital with injuries. An arriving deputy located the man, who was seen walking in the middle of the road. The sheriff's office said the man failed to comply with orders, took a fighting stance and lunged at the deputy, prompting the deputy to point a stun gun at the suspect. Soon after, the deputy moved away from the suspect and attempted to de-escalate the situation. The suspect continued to flee along the road when a sergeant from the sheriff's office arrived to assist. Deputies said the man ran into the brush as they ordered him to surrender and warned him that a stun gun would be used. As they attempted to arrest the man, deputies said they used pepper spray. The sheriff's office said he continued to resist and assaulted a deputy as they attempted to place handcuffs on him, prompting the use of a stun gun. After police officers from Willits arrived, they removed the man from the brush. Authorities were eventually able to place handcuffs on the suspect. As officers monitored the man, he became unresponsive, which led to restraints being removed from the man. Law enforcement performed CPR on the man and administered Narcan before medical responders arrived several minutes later. Fire and EMS personnel continued life-saving efforts on the man for 25 additional minutes, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Deputies said the man was a 36-year-old from Willits but did not release his name. According to the sheriff's office, a coroner's investigation has been initiated and a post-mortem examination will be conducted. Meanwhile, the two members of the sheriff's office who were involved in the incident were placed on paid administrative leave. The Mendocino County District Attorney's Office is leading the investigation.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fort Cobb-Broxton tops Calumet for Oklahoma high school baseball Class B title three-peat
SHAWNEE — Eli Willits and his Fort Cobb-Broxton teammates live and breathe baseball. The Mustangs spend countless hours on the field and have essentially been playing together their whole lives. The result has been the development of a powerhouse in Class B baseball. Advertisement 'We come to the field every day ready to work, ready to learn something new,' said Willits, the fourth-ranked prospect in the 2025 MLB Draft, according to 'And to know that our hard work and dedication to the game has paid off, I wouldn't want to do it with anyone else.' Fort Cobb-Broxton wrapped up another season to remember Saturday as the top-ranked Mustangs beat No. 2 Calumet 9-2 in the championship game at Shawnee High School. Fort Cobb-Broxton (26-9) has now won three straight titles and five overall in the spring. The Mustangs also completed a three-peat in the fall, giving them all six titles in spring and fall since 2022. Advertisement Oklahoma high school baseball: Classes A-I, A-II and B state tournament schedule, scores Fort Cobb-Broxton edged Calumet 2-1 in last year's title game, but it was a different story this time. The Mustangs overwhelmed Calumet (18-10). Willits, a senior OU signee, got things rolling in the top of the first inning with a triple off Calumet senior Kyler Thiessen before scoring on a groundout by senior Tanner McAdoo. Fort Cobb-Broxton added two runs in the second frame before pulling away with a five-run fifth inning, while Fort Cobb-Broxton senior Blaine Bellamy dominated on the mound. He pitched all seven innings, allowed just two hits and struck out two, which were the final batters he faced. Advertisement 'I knew I wasn't going to strike a whole lot of them out,' Bellamy said. 'I just trust the guys behind me. I know they're going to make plays.' Bellamy is the nephew of Fort Cobb-Broxton coach Dale Bellamy. Dale was proud of his guys Saturday. 'That's what they work for all year long,' he said. 'From the first one they won to this one, they've got in there and competed and worked their butts off all fall, spring, summer to get where they're at here.' Vote: Who will be Oklahoma high school baseball player of the year? Fort Cobb-Broxton's Breylan York (20) celebrates after Fort Cobb-Broxton beat Calumet during a OSSAA Class B baseball championship game at Shawnee High School in Shawnee, Okla., on Saturday, May 10, 2025. Willits finished 2 for 4 at the plate and drove in one run, while McAdoo went 3 for 5 and had four RBIs. Advertisement Sophomore Kohlton Baker also had three hits and finished 3 for 4. 'It's the best feeling,' Blaine Bellamy said. 'To end it beside some guys that I can call my brothers now, it's just a bond that won't be broken.' Fort Cobb-Broxton has a tight group, and the Mustangs' chemistry is something they value as much as anything. 'It starts at the top with Coach Bellamy,' said Willits, the son of OU associate head coach and former big leaguer Reggie Willits. 'He's a great coach. He's a great leader. So just having him involved in everything, we have team bonding all the time. We make sure to show up to practice ready to learn. He's a great coach, and I wouldn't want to play for anyone else.' Advertisement Nick Sardis covers high school sports for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Nick? He can be reached at nsardis@ or on Twitter at @nicksardis. Sign up for The Varsity Club newsletter to access more high school coverage. Support Nick's work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Fort Cobb-Broxton tops Calumet for OSSAA Class B baseball title
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Boise adds two official flags in latest jab at Legislature's new law
The Boise City Council made the Pride flag a city flag Tuesday to get around a new state law. The Legislature earlier this year banned most flags from flying on government property, but left an exception for 'the official flag of a governmental entity.' Cheers, boos and expletives erupted from the crowd during the rowdy meeting. Five of Boise's council members voted yes on the resolution — saying that everyone was welcome and safe in Boise. Luci Willits, the lone no vote, said she felt the city had to uphold the law and that constituents didn't want the change. 'I know that people who identify with this flag want to be seen,' Willits told the waiting crowd inside the meeting. 'I want you to know that I see you, even if I disagree with having this be an official flag.' The city also designated a National Donate Life Month banner as an official flag, meaning Boise now has three official flags. The resolution itself says an official flag is any one the mayor declares as official. Some council members focused on the economic and emotional benefits of having a pro-LGBTQ+ city. Council President Colin Nash said he empathized with people who are afraid of being open to the world. 'There are so many folks that live lives of quiet desperation, every single day in our community, who carry with them a secret,' Nash said. 'I hope just once that the city of Boise's flag, that someone will see that and know that they are not alone.' As the officials spoke, audience members interrupted and argued among themselves, including complaints that the city didn't take public comment on the change. The resolution was on the consent agenda, which typically doesn't include time for comments. Over an hour before the meeting, dozens of protesters and observers were filling up the spaces between police barricades in front of City Hall. Garrett Richardson, who said he identifies as gay, came to the meeting to speak in opposition. He said he has voted Democrat but feels politically homeless right now, and he views the flag as signaling support for liberal causes more than the LGBTQ+ community. He said Boise should focus on concrete actions to help LGBTQ+ Boiseans, like expanding sexually transmitted infection prevention and treatment services. 'I was born and raised here and I experienced a ton of homophobia in school,' Richardson said. 'I don't think any flag could ever fix that.' Other people came to the event to show support for LGTBQ+ children. At least one other city in Idaho is trying to potentially find a way around the new law, which also allows for displaying the U.S. flag, flags of any state, flags of any U.S. military branches and units, the POW/MIA flag, flags of Indian tribes and flags of Idaho public schools, colleges and universities. An hour after Boise's city council meeting started, Bonners Ferry councilors gathered to discuss their longtime display of the Canadian flag. The flag is a 'sign of friendship' and a recognition of Canadian tourism's impact on the economy, Bonners Ferry City Attorney Andrakay Pluid wrote in a memo. Once the law was in place, the Idaho Attorney General's Office contacted Bonners Ferry asking the city to take down the Canadian flag, according to the online council agenda. The Attorney General's Office declined to comment. Pluid presented three options to the council: The two simplest options were to keep flying the flag and risk a lawsuit or stop flying it. However, the city also could use part of the law allowing flags to commemorate special occasions and declare a year-round 'special occasion' recognizing the relationship with Canada, the city attorney said. 'It's an untested issue,' Pluid wrote in a memo to the council. It was unclear at the time of publication what action Bonners Ferry would take. Cities have been grappling with the law since it went into effect April 3, in part because it has no enforcement mechanism. Idaho Attorney General Raúl Labrador also sent a letter to the city of Boise warning of potential consequences. Recently, the city announced several lawyers had volunteered to represent the city pro bono if there's legal action about the flags. Thad Butterworth, chairman of the Ada County Republicans, told the Statesman he thought the bill was 'reasonable' in its attempt to eliminate partisanship from government entities. However, Butterworth said he was concerned that legislators hadn't included a way to enforce the law. Several Ada County Republicans were planning to attend the meeting unofficially, he said. Even as the council members moved on to more mundane business, protesters kept arguing outside. A local right-wing provocateur tried to burn a Pride flag on a cross, but ultimately left. People hurled insults as the police started taking down the barricades. Eventually the crowd dispersed. All that was left were chalk messages, reading 'Rainbows are 4 everyone' and 'love wins.' Earlier, Becky Prew had sat among the sidewalk designs, wearing a pride shirt. She came to support her LGBTQ+ son, who had moved away from Idaho because of homophobia. During the Legislative session, photographs given to legislators on the House floor included the Pride flags at Boise City Hall. 'I think it's unfortunate. I mean I don't think we're a city that should be so divided. We were never like this,' Prew said. 'I don't understand why (LGBTQ+ people) are the target of this.' Boise-area sheriff criticizes a new Idaho law he says police can't enforce Boise is still flying Pride flag. Citing new law, Idaho AG sends warning letter
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
For homeless Iowans, Jefferson charity turns garbage into grace
JEFFERSON, Iowa — An enemy of every roadside, landfill, and recycling center in Iowa has become a welcome gift to homeless Iowans thanks to a charity in Jefferson. The Midwest Mission, just off the town square, has found a way to give a new life to discarded plastic grocery bags. 'They're going to be in a landfill or blowing across a field soon,' said Alaire Willits of the Midwest Mission. 'We turn them into something useful.' Willits and volunteers at the Mission use a large, homemade loom to weave the bags into durable, waterproof sleeping mats. The mats are then sent to homeless outreach organizations throughout the state. 'They'll take as many as we can give them,' said Danille Curtis, the Mission's public relations director. 'They're waterproof and only weigh about seven pounds.' Nearly a thousand bags and 25 'man hours' go into each mat, but the result is a comfortable (and often colorful) pad that can be easily rolled up and carried. Man, dog rescued from Avon Lake after falling through ice When WHO 13 accompanied volunteers of the Urban Bicycle Food Ministry earlier this month, they handed out over 40 of the mats to homeless Iowans who'd otherwise be sleeping on the ground (often in frigid temperatures.) While the work that goes into weaving each mat is extensive, Willits says Iowans have found a way to make it fun. 'What's happening in many churches,' she said, 'is the women will come in at 9 o'clock on Tuesday morning and sit and talk and weave and cut bags and talk and have some coffee—and they're in mission. Their hands are engaged. And in many churches, this is older women. It's something that they can do.' The Mission takes the left-over plastic bag scraps and delivers them to the Winterset Lions Club, which has them made into park benches for the Covered Bridge Festival by outdoor furniture company, NexTrex. While the Midwest Mission says its supply of grocery bags is currently full, it encourages everyone to recycle their clean, dry plastic grocery bags at recycling receptacles inside area grocery and hardware stores. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Collaborative artwork benefits We Care Arts
KETTERING, Ohio (WDTN) — A local arts organization has developed a unique partnership to create collaborative masterpieces that will go up for auction and benefit the nonprofit. At We Care Arts in Kettering, the mission is to empower people with disabilities, physical challenges, mental health or substance use disorders through art and community. Ahead of the nonprofit's annual black and white gala, 30 artist clients were paired with 30 community artists to collaborate on a piece of artwork. 'The response was overwhelming both by our artist clients as well as the community artists,' states Rick Willits, Director of Community Engagement at We Care Arts. It's part of a new initiative called Together We Care. 'An art gallery is my dream,' says Jenny R. who created a piece for the gala, paired with community artist Marsha Pippenger. Artists bring clients' dreams to life. 'Every single day I get to be around positive, creative, giving individuals. Bar none, I am one of the luckiest people in the greater Miami Valley. If I'm having a bad day, when I come in here, the mood is always creative. It's festive. It's fun,' states Willits. Each piece is as unique as each artist. 'I have blue stripes over here. And have orange over here,' describes artist client Angela S., who created a series of cat paintings with community artist Ariel White. The artwork will be auctioned off at the gala, which is a moneymaker for the organization. 'They were really, really excited not just to be a part of the project, but to also give back,' says Willits. 'it definitely makes me feel good and encouraged,' says Jenny M., who created a mixed media collage with community artist Margie McCullough. The black and white Together We Care gala is Friday, February 28 at the Presidential Banquet Center. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. About half of the collaborative artwork will be auctioned off live that night. The other half will be available for bidding in a silent auction online. Click here for more information. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
