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National police force grapples with calls for change, shifting role as it turns 150

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:44:39 GMT

As the RCMP marks its 150th anniversary, a familiar, nagging question about the storied national police force is resurfacing: Should the Mounties withdraw from small communities across Canada to fully concentrate on big-ticket federal files such as cybercrime, fraud and human trafficking?The notion of a more focused version of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, a sort of “FBI North” that leaves provincial and municipal policing to others, has rarely been far from conversations about the force’s mandate and future direction.But debate and introspection about aspects of what the RCMP does have come to the fore following crises including the 9/11 attacks, the 2014 storming of Parliament Hill by a gunman,and the 2022 blockades of border crossings and downtown Ottawa.In recent years, calls for change have been driven by the force’s reckoning over harassment and bullying of members, public anger about police brutality and racism, shortcomings in the force’s r...

RCMP at 150: Key events in the evolution of the national police force

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:44:39 GMT

OTTAWA — A timeline of some key events in the evolution of the RCMP’s structure and responsibilities:May 3, 1873: Act establishing the North-West Mounted Police introduced by then-prime minister John A. Macdonald.May 23, 1873: Bill passes unopposed through Parliament and receives royal assent. However, it does not immediately establish NWMP, as it is merely an emergency measure.Aug. 30, 1873: Order-in-council brings NWMP into existence. Oct. 18, 1873: George Arthur French becomes first permanent commissioner. Nov. 3, 1873: First 150 recruits for the NWMP gather at Lower Fort Garry, Man., north of Winnipeg. July 8, 1874: March West to what is now Alberta begins at Fort Dufferin in Manitoba.1876: First public performance of riding skills at Fort Macleod in Alberta. 1887: Musical Ride first performed at Regina.June 5, 1895: A NWMP contingent leaves for Yukon, extending presence to northern frontier. June 24, 1904: King Edward VII confers title of “Royal” upon North-We...

Bicyclist, 62, attacked and beaten with construction sign, own bike in South Loop

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:44:39 GMT

CHICAGO — A 62-year-old bicyclist is in critical condition after he was attacked with a construction sign in the South Loop.The attack happened around 1 a.m. Monday in the 2200 block of South State Street.According to police, a witness said the 62-year-old man was riding a bicycle on the sidewalk when another man began hitting him with a construction sign and then with his own bicycle. Tinley Park police cancel carnival after flash mob involving 400 teens The 62-year-old was transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital and is listed in critical condition.No one is in custody. Area Three detectives are investigating.

Monday Forecast: Mostly sunny, cooler lakeside

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:44:39 GMT

Monday: Mostly sunny, cooler lakeside, E 5-15. High: 79, Low: 70Monday Night: Mostly clear, E 5-10. High: 57Chicago Weather | Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center's Forecast (wgntv.com)Tuesday: Mostly sunny, cooler lakeside, SSE 5-10 G20. 83/727DAY: wgntv.com/weather

Manor police investigating after body found near Hwy 290

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:44:39 GMT

MANOR, Texas (KXAN) -- The Manor Police Department is investigating after a body was found overnight Sunday into early Monday morning. Manor police said a call came in at 2:48 a.m. about a body in a ditch near Gregg Manor Road and Hwy 290 westbound. Police found a dead woman in the ditch and said it's not yet clear how she died. Her identity is being released until family members are notified. The Travis County Medical Examiner is examining the cause of death, according to Manor police. Drivers taking Hwy 290 Monday morning should expect delays.

Private developer plans to build 600-acre public park in east Austin

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:44:39 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A private developer plans to fund and construct a 600-acre public park in east Austin that will one day be donated to the city of Austin and its park system. Douglas Gilliland, the managing director for Taurus Investment Holdings, describes the park as the "Zilker Park of east Austin." The new public park will almost double the size of Zilker, will be sandwiched between Walter E. Long park and the East Metropolitan park, and will tie in to Travis County's 14-mile public trail system. Cost and scope of the project Gilliland said the project will be privately funded and cost $8 million to complete. The park will be built and designed over the span of six to seven phases in the next seven years. Gilliland said he is hoping to complete one phase a year.The first phase will design and construct a 12-foot wide paved trail that runs through the park. The main trail will also have other trails branching from it that lead to a nearby community development. A rendering of wha...

What are the most dangerous Texas cities, roads for pedestrian fatalities?

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:44:39 GMT

TEXAS (KXAN) -- Interstates and highways accounted for more than one-third of pedestrian fatalities along Texas roadways between 2016 and 2020, according to new findings from a May ValuePenguin study. The findings incorporated analysis from data compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.Within that five-year timespan, 37.6% of pedestrian fatalities happened along interstates and U.S. highways, while an additional 28.8% of them occurred on a state route or farm-to-market (FM) road.Interstate 35 accounted for the highest volume of pedestrian fatalities statewide during the same five-year time period. I-35 is a major statewide north-south interstate that travels from Laredo near the Mexican border north toward Gainesville before heading into Oklahoma. San Antonio, Austin and Waco are some of the major Texas cities the interstate passes through.On a city level, Houston, Austin and Dallas roadways round out the top three spots where pedestrian fatalities are likely t...

Crackdown on seat belt laws in Texas begins Monday

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:44:39 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Starting Monday, May 22 through June 4, law enforcement officers across Texas will be stepping up enforcement of the state’s seat belt laws, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. According to TxDOT, 1,258 unbuckled drivers and passengers died in 2022, up 2.5% from the year before.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates the Click It or Ticket initiative has saved more than 7,399 lives, prevented more than 120,000 serious injuries and resulted in $28.5 billion in economic savings since its inception in 2002, according to TxDOT.Texas law requires that every person in a vehicle be secured by a seat belt whether riding in the front or back seat. Fines and court costs for failing to fasten seat belts can add up to $250 or more."It’s critical for everyone to take just a few seconds to buckle up, every ride, every time,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams in a press release. “Wearing a seat belt is one of the most important precau...

Halfmoon Zim Smith Trail Walk and Picnic announced

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:44:39 GMT

HALFMOON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Zim Smith Trail Walk and Picnic in the Park has been announced for Saturday, June 3, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Attendees for the fun and healthy outdoor event are asked to arrive at the Zim Smith Trail Head on Coons Crossing Road by 10:30 a.m. to be shuttled to the Zim Smith East Trail Head on Elizabeth Street Extension. The walk will then begin at 11 a.m. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The trail is roughly 2.42 miles and will take about an hour to complete. A free picnic lunch will be offered at the Zim Smith Trail Head around noon. Golf carts will be available for those who can't walk the trail. The Zim Smith Trail is a paved, 11.5-mile multi-use trail connecting Ballston Spa to Mechanicville through beautiful woodlands, wetlands, and villages. GasBuddy: Average Albany prices see slight drop “Our Zim Smith Trail Walk & Picnic in the Park on June 3 is a wonderful opportunity to get ou...

Ballston crash on NY 50 northbound closes right shoulder

Published Wed, 19 Feb 2025 00:44:39 GMT

BALLSTON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- According to 511 NY, a crash on NY 50 northbound north of NY 146A in Ballston has left the right shoulder closed. Drivers in the area should expect delays.Check out NEWS10's traffic tracker. You can plan your route and see traffic delays in real-time!Information regarding the crash is limited at this time. Stick with News10 as more information regarding the crash becomes available.