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Body Found Inside Raisin Plant Digester

Authorities said Juan Patino went missing during a Thursday shift at National Raisin Company. FOWLER, Calif. — A 39-year-old National Raisin Company employee was found dead Friday inside an industrial water digester at the company’s Fowler facility after he disappeared during a Thursday shift, police said. Juan Patino, of Fowler, was last seen in a treatment area of the plant, where he had been assigned to pump rainwater from a tarp covering the digester. His …

Woman Killed by Portable Battery

Federal officials said the recalled Power Pods can overheat, ignite and cause severe burns. WASHINGTON — Federal safety officials reannounced a recall April 16 for about 429,200 Casely wireless portable power banks after new reports tied the chargers to fires, burns, an airplane incident and the death of a 75-year-old New Jersey woman. The renewed recall covers Casely Power Pods, 5000mAh portable MagSafe wireless phone chargers with model number E33A. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety …

Millionaire Trampled to Death by Elephants

Ernie Dosio, 75, was tracking antelope when the deadly encounter unfolded in dense rainforest. LODI, Calif. — Ernie Dosio, a 75-year-old California vineyard owner and longtime big-game hunter, died April 17 after elephants charged during a guided hunting trip in Gabon, according to reports and people familiar with the trip. Dosio’s death has drawn attention in California and abroad because it involved a seasoned hunter, a remote Central African rainforest and an animal at the …

Woman Dies After Rare Triple Snakebite on Walk

The Mendocino County case is California’s third fatal snakebite reported this year. UKIAH, Calif. — A 78-year-old Redwood Valley woman died April 10 after suffering three venomous snake bites while walking two days earlier on rural property in Mendocino County, the sheriff’s office said, marking California’s third fatal snakebite this year. The death has drawn statewide attention because fatal snakebites are rare, even in a state where rattlesnakes are common in rural areas, parks and …

Woman Accused of Killing Two Ex-Husbands on Same Day

Susan Avalon has pleaded not guilty in separate murder cases in Hillsborough and Manatee counties. TAMPA, Fla. — Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against Susan Avalon, a 51-year-old Florida woman accused of killing two former husbands in separate shootings on Dec. 17, authorities said. The death penalty notice raises the stakes in one of two cases against Avalon, who is accused in the deaths of Timothy Fletcher, 55, in Tampa, and David Scott, 54, …

Missing Student Found Dead Near Bridge as Roommate Arrested

A roommate was arrested after deputies found Zamil Limon’s remains near the Howard Frankland Bridge. TAMPA, Fla. — A University of South Florida doctoral student missing for more than a week was found dead Friday near the Howard Frankland Bridge, while a second student remained missing and a roommate was arrested, authorities said. The death of Zamil Limon, 27, turned a missing persons search into a broader criminal investigation involving the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, …

Naked Hiker Found Dead in Wilderness

The Monterey County case remains suspicious after coroner officials said neck marks were caused by insects. BIG SUR, Calif. — Monterey County investigators are waiting for toxicology results in the death of Joanna Ruth Shields, a 37-year-old Carlsbad woman found April 9 near Sykes Hot Springs in the Ventana Wilderness. The case has drawn attention because early witness accounts described marks on Shields’ neck and a wound on her head, while officials have released only …

Mass Shooting at Mall Leaves 17-Year-Old Dead, Five Hurt

Police said one suspect remained wanted after gunfire killed Martha Odom and wounded five others. BATON ROUGE, La. — A 17-year-old was arrested Friday after a shooting inside the Mall of Louisiana food court killed a Lafayette high school senior and wounded five other people, police said. Markel Lee turned himself in and was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison after the Thursday afternoon shooting, Baton Rouge Police Chief T.J. Morse said. Lee …

Tesla Driver Sentenced After Dad Was Thrown 155 Feet

Karen Cannon told repair shops and AAA she believed she hit an animal after the crash that killed Patrick Deloriea. LAS VEGAS, Nev. — A Las Vegas woman was sentenced Wednesday to 38 months to eight years in prison after admitting she struck and killed a pedestrian with her Tesla, left the scene and later sought repairs while saying she hit an animal. Karen Cannon, 64, pleaded guilty to reckless driving resulting in death and …

Teacher Accused of Choking Student Over Remark

Police said the confrontation began after a student used the word “bruh” during class. WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. — A 56-year-old Wonder Junior High School teacher was arrested April 15 and charged with aggravated assault after police said he grabbed, pushed and choked a student during a classroom dispute. The case has drawn attention beyond West Memphis because of the brief exchange police said preceded the alleged assault and because school surveillance video became central to …