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Lawsuit filed against Xcel Energy over cause of Marshall Fire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:50 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- Two dozen people have filed a lawsuit against Xcel Energy saying the company's power lines and equipment were a "substantial factor in the cause, origin, and continuation of the deadly Marshall Fire."The lawsuit was filed Thursday shortly after a news conference by the Boulder County sheriff and 20th Judicial District Attorney announced that an Xcel power line "likely" caused one of the two fires that merged into the Marshall Fire. Marshall Fire caused by residential burn and Xcel power line, sheriff says This initial fire began near the Marshall Mesa Trailhead at the intersection of highways 93 and 107, about 2,000 feet from the other initial fire that began on the property of 5325 Eldorado Springs Drive.Investigators said they believe an Xcel power line was knocked by strong winds and came in contact with another piece of equipment, causing electrical arcing and hot particles to discharge and ignite a fire.The DA said that there will be no criminal charges becau...

Extinguished burn days before Marshall Fire believed to be part of the cause

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:50 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) -- The Marshall Fire happened nearly a year and a half ago on Dec. 30, 2021, but investigators say they believe its origins may actually date to nearly a week earlier.It was determined that two separate fires created the Marshall Fire, Boulder County Sheriff Curtis Johnson said Thursday. Watch: Boulder County announces cause of Marshall Fire The first started six days before the massive blaze ignited at a residential property located at 5325 Eldorado Springs Dr. on Dec. 24. The residents there had conducted a fire to dispose of scrap wood and tree branches.That fire was reported by a passerby, and firefighters from the Mountain View Fire Protection District and the sheriff's deputy responded. It was a cool, damp day, and there was a pool on the property."Given that there was a large water source on the property and the plan to cover the coals with dirt, the fire department believed the fire was being conducted responsibly," Johnson said. Boulder County sheriff lost...

Denver weather: More afternoon thunderstorms to end the week

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:50 GMT

DENVER (KDVR) — Denver's weather will stay in the pattern of dry mornings followed by afternoon thunderstorms through the start of the weekend. Weather tonight: Showers ending, mild temperaturesThe chance for showers will taper off tonight and Denver will be left with a mainly cloudy sky. Temperatures will stay near normal and fall to the 50s. Weather tomorrow: Sunny morning, afternoon showersFriday will start with a mostly sunny sky. This will boost temperatures to the upper 70s ahead of the chance for afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Colorado named among 10 best states for an early retirement Looking ahead: Cooler weekend and more afternoon showersThe chance for morning sunshine, highs in the 70s and afternoon thunderstorms will continue on Saturday. Cooler and soggy conditions are on the way on Sunday. This will be followed by a return to the pattern of a partly sunny start to the day followed by afternoon thunderstorms next week.

Florida deputy hailed as hero after saving mother, 5 children from overturned minivan

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:50 GMT

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. (WSVN) — A Florida deputy is now being hailed a hero after he jumped into action to save a mother and her five children who were trapped inside their overturned minivan.Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Donnie Rizer wasted no time rushing to the victims’ aid when he came across the crash, Tuesday afternoon.The minivan had overturned after crashing, with children still stuck inside.Rizer got one of the children who had trouble freeing herself, getting her foot loose and pulling her out of the vehicle.But there was still one child who was not accounted for.Ma’am, how many children are in the vehicle?” said Rizer in body camera video. “I have five. Yes, there’s one in the back,” said the children’s mother.“How old?” said Rizer.“A 3-year-old,” said the mother.The sergeant saw two small fingers through the sunroof. He removed his vest and equipment belt, crawled inside of the v...

USF professor breaks world record for living underwater for 100 days

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:50 GMT

A University of South Florida professor and former U.S. Navy diver is about to hit a world record for living underwater for 100 consecutive days. Joseph Dituri, also known as “Dr. Deep Sea,” has been staying at Jules’ Undersea Lodge in Key Largo, conducting research and daily experiments in physiology. Dituri had previously broken the world record for living underwater for 74 days starting March 1, but he told reporters that he planned on staying at the lodge until Friday to complete an underwater mission called Project Neptune 100.“The idea here is to populate the world’s oceans, to take care of them by living in them and really treating them well,” Dituri previously told the Associated Press.His website states that the mission includes ocean conservation research, the study of the physiological and psychological effects of compression on the human body, and education for children. Additionally, he conducted online classes and broadcast interviews from his deep-water di...

Florida Panthers’ doctor heals players, hopes for Stanley Cup victory

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:50 GMT

Tummy tucks by day, puck injuries at night.A South Florida plastic surgeon has been on double duty for nearly two decades. While he mostly performs cosmetic work for people who want to change their looks, he’s also there to help Florida Panthers players who are taking pucks to the face.Dr. Gregory Albert’s knowledge extends from the operating room into the game of hockey. He’s been a part of the Florida Panthers’ medical team for more than 15 years. He was recruited by another team doctor.“Didn’t really know that much about hockey, but it quickly became a passion, and it’s been just the greatest thing working with professional athletes that are on top of their game and want to get back to the game quickly,” Gregory said. Albert is known for his face-lifts, breast work and new liposuction treatment. but as soon as he’s done with his work at his Delray office, he’s off to the FLA Live Arena in Sunrise for every home game, wat...

Mango Madness: thieving employees caught red-handed at Pompano Beach home

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:50 GMT

A Pompano Beach homeowner recently uncovered a case of fruit theft as security cameras at his residence captured employees from a company pilfering mangos from his yard.Despite Chris Cousins’ clear “No Trespassing” sign hanging on the mango tree, these mango maniacs couldn’t resist the temptation, Wednesday afternoon. “I got an alert from my security camera, and I looked and there were individuals from a work truck roaming around my yard,” said Cousins. Cousins on Thursday shared surveillance footage with 7News. You can practically smell the mischief as a utility truck parks in front of Cousins’ home and several men, decked out in work vests and helmets, shamelessly snatched the fallen mangos like it was a game show challenge, then casually strolled back to their truck.Cousins, understandably miffed, spilled the mango-scented tea. The homeowner said the group acted innocent, pretending to be hardworking employees, fooling everyone into think...

Closing arguments to begin in rape trial of former state prosecutor in Boston

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:50 GMT

Closing arguments will begin Friday in the case of a Boston lawyer charged with rape. Gary Zerola, 51, is accused of attacking the friend of a woman he had been dating in 2016. In opening statements on Tuesday, a prosecutor told jurors the victim was 23 years old at the time and had been out drinking with Zerola and other friends before falling asleep in Zerola’s friend’s apartment. When she woke up, the prosecutor said, she found Zerola allegedly assaulting her. Zerola once worked as a prosecutor for the state and was once named one of “People” magazine’s top 50 bachelors.He’s also accused of raping another woman in 2021 while awaiting his current trial, which was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Zerola pleaded not guilty in the 2021 case as well as the 2016 case.Zerola was previously acquitted in a separate sexual assault allegations in 2008. He faces life in prison if convicted in this ongoing trial.

Trailblazing 7NEWS photographer Therman Toon honored posthumously with Mass. Broadcasters Hall of Fame induction

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:50 GMT

A beloved member of the 7NEWS family received a special recognition posthumously. Therman Toon was inducted into the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame on Thursday – a special honor recognizing his trailblazing career, which included being the first Black television news photographer in Boston.Toon joined Channel 7 in 1968 and for more than three decades, worked the streets with a camera on his shoulder and a nose for news.Reporters who worked with Therman appreciated all he brought to the job and all of his family connections as the youngest son of eleven children growing up in Dorchester.“Therman really saved my little rear end a lot of times in the stories because he knew everybody!” said retired reporter Byron Barnett.“Therman was the unofficial Mayor of Boston and that would give me a free ticket to go into all of the various communities because I was a friend of Therman Toon, as opposed to Gary Armstrong, Channel 7 reporter,” said Gary Armstr...

Local lion donates blood to help his brother in rare transfusion at Franklin Park Zoo

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:58:50 GMT

A lion at the Franklin Park Zoo may be able to save his brother’s life. Dinari and Kamaia are 14-year-old brothers. They’ve been with the zoo since 2015.Recently, Kamaia has struggled with severe pneumonia and anemia. Last week, doctors discovered his spleen was enlarged.Staff at the zoo say surgery is the only option.“We’re also going to perform an abdominal exploratory surgery to determine what the underlying cause for his anemia is,” said Chris Bonar, a doctor at Zoo New England.His brother Danari will be a critical part of it all. He donated blood that will be used during a blood transfusion on surgery day.“We collected blood from Danari today and that procedure went very well. He was a star under anesthesia,” Bonar said. “We collected a good amount of blood so we will use that for a transfusion for Kamaia tomorrow.”Doctors say without a familial match, finding a blood donor for Kamari would have been extremely difficult.“Transfusion medicine is not commo...