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Miljenko ‘Mike’ Grgich, an immigrant who put Napa Valley on the world’s wine map, dies at 100

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:43:24 GMT

Miljenko “Mike” Grgich, a celebrated winemaker who helped establish Napa Valley as one of the world’s premier wine-making regions, has died. He was 100.Grgich died Wednesday, according to his Rutherford, California-based winery, Grgich Hills Estate.Grgich was born on April 1, 1923, in Desne, Croatia. His father was a winemaker, and one of his earliest memories was stomping on the grapes at harvest time. At the age of 10, he left his village to live with his sister and further his schooling. His father’s parting words to him became his life’s mantra: “Every day do your best, learn something new and make a new friend.”Grgich studied enology and viticulture at the University of Zagreb, but as communism gripped Croatia, he searched for a way out. In a whispered conversation with a professor, he learned of a place called “California” and made plans to go there through an exchange program in Germany.Grgich left Croatia in 1954 with a few U.S. dollars hidden in his shoe and a suitcase full...

NY doctor and wife who appeared on Bravo’s ‘Below Deck’ charged with fake opioid prescription scheme

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:43:24 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — A doctor and his wife who appeared on the Bravo reality series “Below Deck” were arraigned on drug charges in New York on Thursday for allegedly filling out bogus opioid prescriptions using the names of fellow cast members from the show.Urologist Francis Martinis and his wife, Jessica Martinis, of Fort Salonga, New York, were each charged with criminal sale of a prescription for a controlled substance by a practitioner and falsifying business records.Francis Martinis, 55, and Jessica Martinis, 38, appeared in state court in Riverhead on Long Island after first being arrested in May. They were released without bail and are due back in court Jan. 25.Prosecutors said Francis Martinis transmitted prescriptions for the opioid drug oxycodone to Long Island pharmacies with the names of fellow “Below Deck” cast members listed as the purported patients. Jessica Martinis then picked up the drugs and paid in cash, prosecutors said. Jessica Martinis first raised red flags in Jan...

Senator’s son faces upgraded homicide charge in crash that killed North Dakota sheriff’s deputy

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:43:24 GMT

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — New charges approved Thursday against the 42-year-old son of U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer included an upgraded homicide count in a crash that killed a North Dakota sheriff’s deputy.Ian Cramer initially faced a manslaughter charge related to the Dec. 6 death of Mercer County Sheriff’s Deputy Paul Martin on a highway near Hazen. A judge on Thursday approved new charges that amend that offense to homicide while fleeing a peace officer, and add drug charges.The homicide charge says the death was caused negligently rather than recklessly, and brings higher maximum penalties than manslaughter — up to 20 years in prison and a possible $20,000 fine.Cramer still faces counts of fleeing a police officer, preventing arrest and reckless endangerment. The drug charges include possession of methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. He is charged with nine offenses, including four felonies.Cramer, who is in jail, is set for a court appearance on Monday. His ...

Iowa man sentenced to 16 years in prison for drag-racing wreck that killed a young boy

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:43:24 GMT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa man was sentenced to 16 years in prison for a drag-racing crash that killed a 4-year-old boy.A jury in November found 48-year-old Keith Eric Jones of Des Moines guilty of homicide by vehicle, operating under the influence, reckless driving and knowingly leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death. The sentence was handed down Thursday.Another man, Robert Lee Miller III, was previously sentenced to 30 years in prison for his role in the Dec. 13, 2022, wreck that killed 4-year-old Marcos Faguada and injured his aunt, Mayra De Catalan.Prosecutors said Jones and Miller were drinking at a bar. When they left, they began racing on a four-lane road. Authorities said Miller’s car reached a speed of 108 mph (174 kph) before crossing over a median and striking De Catalan’s vehicle. Marcos and De Catalan’s 8-year-old son were passengers. Marcos died at a hospital.At Jones’ sentencing, Marcos’ mother said he loved to dance, tell jo...

Military: Marine from Michigan killed in rollover of amphibious combat vehicle at California base

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:43:24 GMT

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Marine Corps officials on Thursday identified the Marine killed in a training exercise at a California base after the amphibious combat vehicle he was in rolled over earlier this week, sending 14 others to area hospitals. All but one remains hospitalized and was listed in good condition, officials said Thursday. They did not release details regarding the injuries. Sgt. Matthew K. Bylski, from Royal Oak, Michigan, died from his injuries sustained when the tactical vehicle rolled over during a ground exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton on Tuesday evening, the Marine Corps said in a statement.“Words fail to express our sorrow at the tragic loss of Sgt. Bylski; an outstanding Marine and a leader within his platoon,” said Col. Sean Dynan, commanding officer of his unit, adding that “the Marines who lived, trained, and learned from Sgt. Bylski, mourn alongside his family and friends.”Bylski was trained as an Amphibious Combat Vehicle crewman assigned to Battalion...

Man accused of making death threats to Ramaswamy released, can’t have contact with any candidate

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:43:24 GMT

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — A judge on Thursday released from jail a New Hampshire man accused of sending text messages threatening to kill a presidential candidate.Tyler Anderson, 30, of Dover, was arrested Saturday and charged with sending a threat using interstate commerce. He waived his right to a preliminary hearing Thursday.A federal prosecutor argued to keep Anderson in detention pending his trial, saying “very violent, concerning language” was used. But both the prosecution and defense lawyers said Anderson acknowledged that he had no intent to follow through on his texts. Anderson also has no criminal record.The judge set forth several conditions for his release, including that he avoid contact with any presidential candidate and their political campaigns. Anderson, who is receiving mental health treatment, must also take all of his prescribed medications. Guns in his home, belonging to a roommate, must be removed.The U.S. Attorney’s office did not name the candidate. However, a s...

Suspect in stabbing death of eastern Nebraska priest had no connection to priest, prosecutor says

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:43:24 GMT

FORT CALHOUN, Neb. (AP) — The suspect in the stabbing death of a Catholic priest in eastern Nebraska had no connection to the priest or the small town where the stabbing occurred last week, prosecutors said during a court hearing Thursday.Kierre Williams, 43, was ordered held without bond while he awaits trial on first-degree murder, burglary and two felony weapons counts in the Sunday killing of the Rev. Stephen Gutgsell in the rectory next door to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Fort Calhoun. The 65-year-old priest called 911 before dawn Sunday to report that a man had broken into the rectory and was in his kitchen holding a knife. When a deputy arrived at the home minutes later, he said he found Gutgsell lying near the kitchen, bleeding profusely from stab wounds. Gutgsell was rushed to a hospital in nearby Omaha, where he died of his wounds.The murder charge alone carries a possible death penalty, the judge noted.Williams, who attended the hearing via video conference we...

IDOT: Ramp on inbound Stevenson to Cermak Road/Chinatown to reopen Tuesday morning

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:43:24 GMT

CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Transportation announced Thursday that the elevated ramp from the inbound Stevenson Expressway (Interstate 55) to Cermak Road/Chinatown is scheduled to reopen, weather permitting, by 5 a.m. Tuesday.The ramp has been closed since mid-September for repairs.IDOT says the $1.5 million project repaired the bridge deck, replaced joints and installed a new bridge deck overlay.Over the next six years, IDOT is planning to improve more than 3,000 miles of highway andnearly 10 million square-feet of bridge deck as part of the Rebuild Illinois capital program, whichis investing $33.2 billion into all modes of transportation. According to IDOT, accomplishments through year four of Rebuild Illinois have included approximately $12.1 billion of improvements statewide on 5,339 miles of highway, 533 bridges and 762 additional safety improvements.At the start of this week, after nine months of construction work, IDOT fully reopened the inbound Kennedy and Edens exp...

Ed Burke trial: Prosecution continues closing arguments

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:43:24 GMT

CHICAGO — Jurors in the Ed Burke trial are hearing the prosecution's closing arguments on Thursday.In a show of support, Chris Kennedy, the son of Robert F. Kennedy, exchanged a handshake and pleasantries with Burke.Judge Kendall asked for verbal acknowledgement from Burke that he would not take the witness stand. For the first time in weeks, he spoke in open court."Yes your honor, I have talked to my attorneys and I've declined to testify," Burke said.A jury of nine women and three men are tasked with making a judgement after listening to testimony of more than 35 witnesses, reviewed hundreds of documents and dozens of secret recordings.Burke, the longest serving member of City Council, is charged with 14 counts of racketeering, bribery and extortion.Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane MacArthur reviewed four alleged schemes in which Burke is accused of using his public office to enrich his private business and to gain personal favors."Edward Burke used his public authority, his power, t...

CPS Board of Education holds meeting on school choice policy

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 14:43:24 GMT

CHICAGO — A greater focus on Chicago's neighborhood public schools, and less on school choice, is being considered at a board of education meeting Thursday.The Chicago Public Schools board meeting is expected to vote on a resolution that has several policy goals. The main one is to transition away from admission and enrollment policies that the board says further stratifies and causes inequity in the school system, driving enrollment away from neighborhood schools.Becky Vevea, Bureau Chief, Chalkbeat Chicag"Think about resourcing schools where kids haven't gotten the resources because as students left their neighborhood schools so did the money that followed them so a lot of those schools ended up being less resourced," said Becky Vevea, Bureau Chief, Chalkbeat Chicago.That issue is top of mind as the CPS board meets, a resolution on the agenda would change the school choice system that's been in place for years.The proposed change is part of campaign promises made by Mayor Brandon ...