Two Norfolk Southern trains derailed this weekend – one in Alabama and another in Pennsylvania. The train derailment in Alabama spilled diesel fuel and engine oil.
There were 11 cars of a Norfolk Southern train that flew off the tracks early Sunday morning in Jasper, Alabama. Some of the cars rolled over. The locomotive also rolled on its side and spilled diesel fuel and engine oil into the crash area.
There are no reports of a hazmat situation, and the train company said there was no danger to the public.
Two crew members of the train were injured and taken to a nearby hospital. Both have since been released.
Jasper Police released a statement that read, "According to Norfolk Southern, the train crew was briefly trapped in the engine room because the engine tilted over. There were no major injuries, but RPS was called to the scene to evaluate the crew and transported two crew members as a precaution."
"Per Norfolk Southern personnel, there were no hazardous materials involved in the derailment or released into the area," the press release stated. "Jasper Fire called all personnel in to assist the crew in getting out of the train and managing the scene, along with Jasper Police. Norfolk Southern and Walker County EMA are remaining on the scene to return the track to service."
Norfolk Southern crews worked through the night on the cleanup.
Norfolk Southern issued a statement on the latest derailment:
Last night, 11 cars and the lead locomotive derailed from a train traveling through Jasper, Alabama. There are no reports of a hazmat situation or danger to the public. Our two crew members were transported to the hospital and have since been released. During the derailment, the locomotive rolled onto its side and as a result spilled some diesel fuel and engine oil. Norfolk Southern crews have responded and have been working through the night on cleanup. We'd also like to thank the first responders who quickly arrived on-scene and took care of our crew.
\u201c\ud83d\udea8#BREAKING: 2 hospitalized after 11 car Norfolk Southern train derailment in Jasper, Alabama; diesel and engine fuel spilled #BreakingNews \n\n\ud83d\udcf7 Bill Castle\u201d— Breaking News (@Breaking News) 1681057794
Another Norfolk Southern train derailed around 9:30 a.m. on Saturday in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Five empty cars veered off the track.
Norfolk Southern senior communications manager Connor Spielmaker said no hazardous materials were involved and there were no reported injuries.
Spielmaker said, "We appreciate the community's patience" while crews take care of the derailed cars.
Last month, another Norfolk Southern train derailed in Alabama. In that incident, roughly 37 cars went off the tracks in Calhoun County. There were no injuries and no reports of dangerous leaks.
The derailment happened just hours before the CEO of Norfolk Southern testified before Congress regarding the train derailment that spilled toxic material in East Palestine, Ohio.
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Five empty Norfolk Southern train cars derail in Pittsburgh www.youtube.com
United States Coast Guard personnel rescued a man from a stolen yacht Friday, a man whom authorities say filmed himself leaving a dead fish at the home featured in the "The Goonies" movie on Wednesday, multiple outlets reported.
Jericho Wolf Labonte, 35, was being held in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody at the Northwest Detention Center in Washington as of Saturday, KGW 8 reported.
In addition to stateside charges related to the alleged fish incident and alleged theft of the P/C Sandpiper yacht, Labonte is also a fugitive wanted by Victoria police in British Columbia in Canada.
The U.S. Coast Guard, maritime guardians of the Pacific Northwest, were conducting a training mission at the mouth of the Columbia River when they received a mayday call for help from the P/C Sandpiper yacht, the organization reported on its Twitter account.
Motored life boats were launched and air crews arrived to find the P/C Sandpiper "foundering in the surf." A rescue swimmer was dispatched because the surf was too dangerous to rescue Labonte by boat.
A rescue swimmer recovered Labonte after the P/C Sandpiper capsized. Labonte was flown to Coast Guard Base Astoria for treatment.
The newly-minted rescue swimmer who saved Labonte is Aviation Survival Technician 3rd Class John "Branch" Walton. Branch was a student of the Advanced Helicopter Rescue School. He graduated along with his classmates just hours later, the United States Coast Guard News reported. As a rescue swimmer, Labonte was Walton's first save.
\u201c(1/4) #BreakingNews - Talk about arriving in the nick of time! While conducting a training mission at the mouth of the Columbia River, 2 Coast Guard air crews received a #MAYDAY broadcast from the master of the P/C Sandpiper. After notifying watchstanders at Sector Columbia River\u201d— USCGPacificNorthwest (@USCGPacificNorthwest) 1675457859
The 20-ft yacht's owner lives in Warrenton, Oregon, and had reported the vessel missing on Friday, according to Central Oregon Daily.
Wednesday, two days before the incident with the yacht, Labonte was suspected of leaving a dead fish on the front porch of the home featured in Steven Spielberg's "The Goonies."
Labonte filmed himself placing the fish and dancing around the property, also posting the video to social media, Astoria Police Chief Stacy Kelly told Central Oregon Daily.
The Victoria Police Department in British Columbia said Labonte is wanted on warrants for criminal harassment, mischief, and failure to comply. The department posted a photo of Labonte on January 19, asking for the public's assistance in locating him. It also warned people not to approach him as he "could pose a risk to public safety."
\u201cVicPD asking for public's assistance in locating wanted man Jericho Labonte. He is wanted on warrants for criminal harassment, mischief and fail to comply x 3. He may be travelling to Victoria and could pose a risk to public safety. If seen, do not approach and call 911.\u201d— Victoria Police (@Victoria Police) 1674173723
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A Pittsburgh church packed with mourners erupted in panic after gunfire outside left at least six people injured.
At noon on Friday, friends and family of 20-year-old John James Hornezes Jr. gathered to pay their respects in the Destiny of Faith Church in the Brighton Heights neighborhood of northern Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. While an unnamed woman stood at a podium next to the casket and read a portion of an obituary, shots rang out, causing funeral attendees to scramble, fearing for their safety.
A livestream of the service captured the terrifying moment when the shooting began outside the building.
\u201c#BREAKING: Shooting Outside Funeral In Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Leaves 6 Injured, According To Officials. #BreakingNews\u201d— Breaking 4 News (@Breaking 4 News) 1666982441
At least six people were wounded in the gunfire outside the church. Four reportedly transported themselves to an area hospital, while two were taken to a hospital by first responders. At least one person was said to have been critically injured, but all are currently in stable condition, reports say.
Hornezes and two others were shot and killed on October 15. Police believe that the shooting was planned, that Hornezes was the intended target and that the two others were innocent victims.
Police likewise believe the shooting at Hornezes' funeral was targeted.
"We believe there's a dispute going on," said Pittsburgh Bureau of Police major crimes commander Richard Ford.
Ford also added that police think there were at least two shooters who perpetrated the funeral attack. Investigators are still trying to determine whether the shots came from a vehicle and whether all of the shots occurred outside the church.
"At this time, we don't have any information regarding suspects that we are going to release," Ford stated.
Rev. Brenda Gregg of Destiny of Faith Church described the incident as "one of the most devastating days" of her life. However, she issued a message of hope to her congregants and the community.
"We're not going to close the doors. We are here to help each other," Gregg affirmed. "We're here to stand with each other."
Still, those affected by the violence struggle with the senselessness of it all.
"I just pray to God, whoever [the culprit] is, whatever it is, they’re going to repent," said Page Davis, Hornezes' godmother, who attended the funeral.
"Anybody that would precipitate this type of violence, there's no justification for that," Ford added.
Surveillance video caught the moment a motorist intentionally hit a New York City Police Department traffic agent from behind last week in Brooklyn.
The NYPD said a traffic agent issued a parking ticket to the driver of a white Ford van in East Flatbush on Friday morning, WNYW-TV reported.
Two men exited the van and physically assaulted the officer following a dispute, the station said.
One suspect got back into the van, and the other got into a black Infiniti, WNYW said — and as they fled the scene, the Infiniti driver struck the agent from behind with the car.
\u201cNEW YORK: A traffic stop in Brooklyn turned violent on Friday morning when a driver intentionally struck a traffic agent with a car after an altercation.\n\n DISTURBING\u26a0\ufe0f\u26a0\ufe0f\n\n#nypd #police #newyork #Flatbush \n#nyc #trafficcop #breaking #bronx #Brooklyn #ny #BreakingNews #Manhattan\u201d— NY Actions (@NY Actions) 1658535135
The incident happened at 11:31 a.m. in front of a Glenwood Road business, police told WPIX-TV, adding that when NYPD officers arrived, they found the agent in the roadway with “injuries throughout the body.”
Police sources added to WPIX that the agent suffered a head injury.
The agent was taken to Maimonides Medical Center, where he was listed in stable condition, the New York Post reported. The traffic agent sustained injuries to his arm and leg and was bleeding from his face, WABC-TV reported.
The agent's injuries were said to be non-life threatening, WNYW said.
While investigators soon after found the van, they were still hunting for the suspects, WNYW added.
Police released a wanted poster with photos of the man they say struck the agent with the car, WABC said:
WABC said assaulting a traffic agent comes with felony charges, and those with information are asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
A YouTube influencer from South Florida thought it would be funny to pull a prank on what he called "aggressive cops," but they later arrested him for making a fake call into 911.
Jason Cid, 21, posts videos to YouTube under the moniker "King Cid" to more than 2 million followers.
Coral Springs Police officials said Cid had an accomplice make a fake complaint about suspicious activity at a gas station on Jan. 27. He recorded the entire interaction between himself, his friends and the police who responded.
Cid posted the video footage of the interaction on his channel and entitled it "Coke Prank On Aggressive Cops!"
The arrest warrant said that someone claimed there was "coke" in the car but when police went to inspect the trunk, they found cans of Coca-Cola soda.
Police said the fake call distracted four police officers from responding to real emergencies during the 45 minute investigation.
In their own video posted to the Coral Springs Police social media account, police used the footage from Cid's channel as evidence to arrest him.
Coral Springs Police Chief Clyde Parry narrated what he said was a dangerous pranks that could have had deadly consequences.
"Jason Cid did this in the hopes of showing how overly aggressive police officers are when they respond to these calls," Parry explained. "As you can see from the video, my officers responded and were polite and professional as they investigated the fictitious that was created by Jason Cid and his accomplices."
At one point in the Cid video, one of the males says they have "stuff in the car" and says he's not going to jail for anyone.
#BreakingNews Viral video prankster arrested. Chief Parry breaks down the incident & subsequent arrest. Show your support for accountability with #NotInCSpic.twitter.com/cRKse4RvcB— Coral Springs Police (@Coral Springs Police) 1644007338
"The Coral Springs Police Department takes this seriously," said Parry. "I'm personally offended by the waste of our resources."
The YouTuber was arrested several days after the incident was recorded. Parry said that he was charged with a felony in the misuse of the 911 system. He added that the investigation was ongoing and that others may be arrested as well.
"As you can see," said Parry over video of Cid's arrest, "the joke's on him."
Many of the commenters on Cid's video agreed with the police chief that his officers had acted politely and appropriately.
"Those cops actually handled this like they were supposed too," said one commenter.
"Thumbs up to those Coral Springs Police officers, they were very professional and polite. A credit to their organisation and the citizens they serve," said another commenter.
The video that Cid posted about the police prank has garnered over 700,00 views so far.
Body camera video shows Los Angeles police officers pulling a bloody pilot from a small plane that crashed and came to rest on railroad tracks in Pacoima on Sunday — just seconds before an oncoming train obliterated the Cessna 172, the Associated Press reported.
Foothill Division Officers displayed heroism and quick action by saving the life of a pilot who made an emergency landing on the railroad tracks at San Fernando Rd. and Osborne St., just before an oncoming train collided with the aircraft.pic.twitter.com/DDxtGGIIMo— LAPD HQ (@LAPD HQ) 1641781121
"Foothill Division Officers displayed heroism and quick action by saving the life of a pilot who made an emergency landing on the railroad tracks at San Fernando Rd. and Osborne St., just before an oncoming train collided with the aircraft," the LAPD said in a tweet.
The harrowing incident occurred just blocks away from the LAPD's Foothill station on Osborne Street near the Whiteman Airport, KABC-TV reported. The AP said officers were on the scene "almost immediately."
The plane lost power and crashed on the tracks, according to the LAPD Valley Bureau. The crash occurred around 2:10 p.m. just after takeoff from the airport, the AP reported, citing the Federal Aviation Administration.
The pilot — who was the sole occupant — was taken to a trauma center by paramedics, was treated for cuts and bruises, and was in stable condition, KCBS-TV reported.
Here's video showing another angle of the Metrolink train smashing into the single-engine plane. At least one piece of plane debris flies dangerously close to the individual recording the video:
Train crashes into plane at Whiteman Airport Van Nuys, CA #ABC7Eyewitness #breakingnews @FOXLA @ABC7 @KTLApic.twitter.com/D1eEtvaajF— Luis Jimenez (@Luis Jimenez) 1641771250
No one on the ground was injured, KNBC-TV reported.
A KCBS video report identified the officers who rescued the pilot as Damien Castro, Christopher Aboyte, Robert Sherock, and Sgt. Joseph Cavestany.
The station said Cavestany saw the plane going down, was one of the first officers on the scene, and tried to get Metrolink to stop rail service: “I had requested Metrolink to cease all train activity, but apparently that didn’t happen," he told KCBS.
“I’m grateful to be alive," Officer Sherock told KCBS. "I’m grateful that the pilot survived as well." He also told the station in regard to his fellow rescuing officers that "without our teamwork, without all of us pitching in and having the same mindset — which I think any officer [in] the department would have felt the same way — [the pilot] might not have made it."
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash, KNBC said, citing an FAA statement.
(H/T: The Daily Wire)
During the arrest Sunday of a man protesting against New York City's "proof of vaccine" requirement to enter restaurants and other establishments, video showed what appeared to be an NYPD officer purposely stepping on an American flag inside the Panera Bread where the arrest took place.
Police told the New York Post that a 42-year-old man and other members of a “disorderly group” refused to leave the Panera at the Gateway Center Mall just after 3 p.m. despite “multiple requests."
The paper — citing photographer Leeroy Johnson, who tweeted video of the incident — said protesters entered five Paneras in New York City on Sunday in defiance of the the city’s mandate to show proof of vaccination before dining in.
Johnson's video shows officers surrounding the man in question and struggling with other protesters trying to hold on to an American flag.
“You don’t deserve to touch that flag, sir,” the man, whose name was not released, hollered at an officer, the Post said.
“The flag does not touch the ground!” the man — whom Johnson identified as an Army veteran — also yelled, the paper said.
#BreakingNews Activists against mandates was just arrested at Panera Bread in Brooklyn NY that's for the Vaxed only , the Same man was arrested 2 times last week for trying to order food. He's the army veteran .\nFor licensing email LeeroyPress@gmail.com \n#breaking #nyc #Coronapic.twitter.com/7ERqddV7Bt— Leeroy Johnson (@Leeroy Johnson) 1639948274
But video taken from a different angle shows that amid the struggle for a short pole upon which the U.S. flag was attached, it appears an NYPD officer yanked the pole from one of the protesters:
The officer then threw the pole on the floor, and then appears to have purposely stepped on the flag, first with a right foot:
Then with both feet at once and turning their direction:
The NYPD on Monday afternoon didn't respond to TheBlaze's request for comment about the officer and the flag, although police did say the man they arrested was issued a summons.
Here's the clip from the alternate angle:
#BreakingNews\n\nArmy Veteran against mandates arrested at a Panera Bread restaurant in Brooklyn NY after ordering Food.\n\nYouTube channel: https://youtube.com/c/ChristopherWrightInNY\u00a0\u2026pic.twitter.com/VIqtkjLXB4— Christopher Wright (@Christopher Wright) 1639956008
As police handcuffed the protester, he yelled “the Constitution of the United States is being violated!" and “I cannot eat, and my sisters and brothers cannot work!” the Post said, adding that he also told police he wasn’t resisting arrest.
Police noted to the paper the man was told he was trespassing and then was “taken into custody without further incident."
“The safety and security of our guests and employees is paramount,” a Panera spokesperson said in a statement, according to the Post. “We continue to closely follow all New York State masking mandates accordingly. As this is an ongoing police matter, we ask that all further media inquiries are directed to the NYPD.”
The Panera arrest occurred less than a week after six individuals protesting for the same reason were arrested in a Cheesecake Factory in Queens, police added to the paper.
Initially, about 40 protesters entered the restaurant in the Queens Center mall at 7 p.m. Tuesday and refused to show proof of vaccination, the Post said, citing police.
Video showed arguing with police, including one who compared the officers to Nazis, the paper said.
Group members were charged with criminal trespass, the Post said.
At least 16 people were injured, including police officers, when the Los Angeles Police Department's bomb squad detonated explosives after seizing a massive stockpile of illegal fireworks on Wednesday. The large explosion flipped vehicles and damaged homes in the South Los Angeles neighborhood.
The LAPD seized 5,000 pounds of illegal commercial-grade fireworks from a home in South L.A. following a tip provided to law enforcement. The resident had a "cache of homemade fireworks" and "improvised explosives" at the house, according to the Sacramento Bee. Fireworks are illegal to sell or possess in Los Angeles.
The fireworks were in boxes marked with the words, "Made in China." Authorities said the explosives posed an "imminent and real danger" to the community.
LAPD Chief Michel Moore said they planned to move the fireworks to a safe location with three box trucks and a 53-foot trailer, but the "improvised explosives" were too dangerous and "unstable" to transport.
Moore said there were 40 homemade explosive devices, which were the size of Coca-Cola cans, and 200 smaller explosives.
LAPD provided these photos of the homemade fireworks that were seized last night in South LA. They exploded during… https://t.co/kpFVhHMv8w
— Tina Patel (@tina_patel) 1625145040.0
Less than 10 pounds of explosives were placed inside a total containment vessel, an iron compartment on a tractor-trailer designed to safely withstand explosions. The amount of explosives was reportedly far less than the vessel's safety rating.
Shortly after 7:30 p.m. local time, the LAPD bomb squad detonated the explosives, which caused a blast so intense that it tore apart the total containment vehicle. The large explosion wrecked cars in the immediate area and caused damage to homes in the residential neighborhood.
Here is the moment the unexpected explosion happened in South LA. At least 9p eople were hurt after a bomb squad tr… https://t.co/D4n9sYF8e5
— FOX 11 Los Angeles (@FOXLA) 1625109816.0
#BREAKINGNEWS: New video shows the moment a large cache of illegal #fireworks detonates inside an #LAPD bomb squad… https://t.co/w7UZyDi5w2
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) 1625112128.0
EXPLOSION! LAPD was disposing of illegal fireworks in South LA when the explosion occurred. At least 5 are injured.… https://t.co/jGSb8u01il
— Ryder Christ (@RyderChristNews) 1625109875.0
Fire Chief Ralph M. Terrazas said nine police officers and a federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives officer were taken to hospital with minor injuries. There were also six civilians, ranging in ages from 51 to 85, rushed to a local medical center. One person was injured at the scene of the blast, but declined to be taken to a hospital. None of the injuries are believed to be life-threatening, according to authorities.
Prior to the explosion, police reportedly evacuated homes on both sides of the street where the explosives were detonated.
"This vessel should have been able to dispose of that material," Moore said at a press conference. "You saw the resulting damage, and the total catastrophic failure of that containment vehicle."
"Clearly, protocols were followed and pursued. But something happened in that containment vessel that should not have happened and we don't know why," Chief Moore said on Wednesday night. "But we intend to find out why."
Moore said an investigation has been initiated, but could take several days.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti (D) issued a statement on the explosion, "I've directed the LAPD to conduct a full investigation into this incident, so we can better understand why this happened. Illegal fireworks pose a great danger and can cost lives. We will prosecute those who use or possess them to the fullest extent of the law."
CNBC reported that resident Arturo Cejas, 27, was arrested on suspicion of possessing a destructive device. Moore noted that Cejas may also face charges of child endangerment because his 10-year-old brother was in the home.
Large explosion occurs as LAPD attempts to seize illegal fireworkswww.youtube.com
A protester in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, got a little cute with CNN reporter Sara Sidner during an on-camera interview Wednesday night amid a crowd gathering in response to the police-involved fatal shooting of Daunte Wright.
The protester told Sidner , "I'm just standing here today with soup for my family" — and as he held aloft a can, the protester winked for the camera.
The protester continued speaking following his wink: "We're just, you know, watching this unfold; it's very unfortunate."
Sidner apparently picked up on the wink, as she inquired, "You're not planning on using that are you? Throwing it at police?"
The protester replied — this time with no wink — "Like I said, it's for my family."
"Literally for your family?" she pressed.
"Yeah," he answered.
"Alright," Sidner said as the clip ended.
I don’t think that can of soup is for his family. #CNN #BreakingNews https://t.co/QpTjm2siA7— SSG JOKER (@SSG JOKER)1618455594.0
The Twitter user who posted the clip included text that read, "I don't think that can of soup is for his family."
A number of commenters pointed out that the protester's "soup for my family" phrase was used last year by former President Donald Trump who described protesters who he said used soup cans as weapons. Here's a clip juxtaposing the protester's words with Trump's words:
Brooklyn Center coverage on CNN:Protester: “I’m just standing here with soup for my family (wink)...”Sara Sidne… https://t.co/tSJSHwjYU8— Alex Salvi (@Alex Salvi)1618462662.0
Whatever the protester's intentions, it's likely no joke to police. Indeed, former Brooklyn Center Police Chief Tim Gannon — who resigned Tuesday along with Kim Potter, the officer who pulled the trigger — said during a Monday news conference that amid a "riot" after the shooting "officers that were putting themselves in harm's way were being pelted with frozen cans ... they were being pelted with concrete blocks."
Incredibly, multiple presser attendees pounced on Gannon's use of the term "riot" and ordered him not to utter it, saying "Don't do that!" and "that was no riot!" and "it was not a riot." But Gannon stood his ground: "Yes, there was."
While the vast majority of commenters enjoyed the protester's words and wink, a handful weren't on board with him:
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