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Pedestrian Fatally Struck on Deer Valley Road in North Phoenix

Pedestrian Fatally Struck on Deer Valley Road in North Phoenix

A 39-year-old pedestrian was struck and killed by a vehicle early Saturday morning in north Phoenix. The incident occurred near 35th Avenue and Deer Valley Road around 4 a.m. According to preliminary findings from the Phoenix Police Department's Vehicular Crimes Unit, the man was attempting to cross Deer Valley Road mid-block, outside of a marked crosswalk, when he was hit by an oncoming car. First responders arrived at the scene near 33rd Drive and Deer Valley Road, where the victim was pronounced dead. The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene following the collision and cooperated with law enforcement officials. Detectives have indicated that the driver did not show any signs of impairment, and speed is not considered a contributing factor in the crash. The identity of the victim has not yet been released, pending notification of next of kin.

Pedestrian Dies After Being Struck by SUV in Phoenix's Deer Valley Neighborhood

Pedestrian Dies After Being Struck by SUV in Phoenix's Deer Valley Neighborhood

A pedestrian died early Saturday morning after being hit by an SUV in Phoenix's Deer Valley neighborhood. First responders were called to the scene near 33rd Drive and Deer Valley Road just after 4 a.m. Authorities confirmed that a 39-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene. The Phoenix Police Department reported that the man was not in a crosswalk when the collision occurred. The driver of the SUV remained at the scene following the incident. Preliminary investigations indicate that neither impairment nor speed are believed to be factors in the fatal crash. Deer Valley Road was closed in both directions as investigators worked to determine the exact circumstances leading to the collision.

Phoenix Man Arrested in $8 Million Public School Fraud Scheme

Phoenix Man Arrested in $8 Million Public School Fraud Scheme

Jonathan Larry Ballew, a 62-year-old Phoenix resident, has been arrested by federal agents for his alleged leading role in an $8 million public school fraud and kickback scheme. Federal prosecutors accuse Ballew of collaborating with former Ohio school superintendent Leondo Ramone Davenport to siphon public education funding from Dohn Community High School. According to a federal indictment unsealed in Cincinnati, Ballew incorporated at least four shell companies that submitted millions of dollars in fraudulent invoices for educational services, technology, staffing, and remodeling work that was never performed. Between 2021 and 2024, Davenport allegedly approved over $8 million in payments to Ballew's entities, with Ballew kicking back more than $4 million to Davenport. The stolen funds were reportedly used to finance luxury vehicles and upscale real estate rentals, including a $30,000-per-month Miami mansion.

Houston Police Arrest Driver for DWI After Fatal Pedestrian Crash on Cullen Boulevard

Houston Police Arrest Driver for DWI After Fatal Pedestrian Crash on Cullen Boulevard

A pedestrian was killed Friday night in Houston after being struck by a vehicle near Cullen Boulevard and Bellfort Avenue. The individual was reportedly crossing Cullen outside a marked crosswalk and entered an active traffic lane around 9:46 p.m. A northbound vehicle hit the pedestrian, who was then transported to Ben Taub Hospital but later died despite life-saving efforts. The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. Following the incident, the driver was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated (DWI). Authorities are currently reviewing surveillance footage and other factors to determine if speed or additional circumstances contributed to the crash. Investigators have indicated that the DWI charge could potentially be upgraded to intoxication manslaughter as the investigation progresses.

Pedestrian Seriously Injured in Waianae Hit-and-Run, HPD Investigates

Pedestrian Seriously Injured in Waianae Hit-and-Run, HPD Investigates

A 57-year-old pedestrian sustained serious injuries after being struck by a hit-and-run driver in Waianae, Hawaii, on Friday night. According to the Honolulu Police Department’s Traffic Division, the incident occurred just before 9 p.m. on Farrington Highway near Waianae Valley Road. The pedestrian was reportedly walking in the road outside of a marked crosswalk when a motorist, traveling westbound, struck her. The driver failed to stop at the scene to render aid or provide information and continued driving west on the highway. Honolulu Emergency Medical Services personnel treated the victim at the scene before transporting her to a hospital in serious condition. Authorities have not yet determined if speed, drugs, or alcohol were contributing factors in the collision.

Phoenix Man and Former School Superintendent Arrested for Alleged $8 Million Educational Services Fraud

Phoenix Man and Former School Superintendent Arrested for Alleged $8 Million Educational Services Fraud

Jonathan Larry Ballew, a Phoenix resident, and Leondo Ramone Davenport, the former superintendent of Dohn Community High School in Cincinnati, have been arrested on charges of wire fraud and money laundering. Federal prosecutors allege that the two men diverted approximately $8 million intended for students to fund lavish personal lifestyles. According to prosecutors, Ballew established at least four companies that submitted fraudulent invoices to Dohn Community High School for non-existent educational services, staffing, technology, and construction work between 2021 and 2024. Davenport, who served as superintendent from 2015 to 2019 and later ran the school through a limited liability company until 2024, allegedly approved these fake invoices. In return for approving the payments, Davenport reportedly received over $4 million in kickbacks from Ballew. The diverted funds were allegedly used for luxury items, including high-end cars and a $30,000-per-month vacation rental property near Miami.

Arizona Republic

How 'second chance' hiring changes lives in Phoenix

How 'second chance' hiring changes lives in Phoenix

Saad Soliman of TimeDone says employers seeking workers often miss out on a key workforce: adults with criminal records or past arrests.

Two Children Hospitalized After Being Struck by Elderly Driver in Toledo School Zone

Two Children Hospitalized After Being Struck by Elderly Driver in Toledo School Zone

Two children, aged 11 and 5, were hospitalized in Toledo after being hit by an 80-year-old female driver in a school zone in front of Hawkins STEAM Academy. The incident occurred on Friday afternoon, just before 3:15 p.m., while the children were crossing the street. Police reported that school zone lights were activated, and a crossing guard had signaled for the children to cross. However, the elderly driver, traveling eastbound on Bancroft Street, failed to slow down and did not see the girls, striking both of them with her car. The 11-year-old sustained several broken bones and head injuries, while the 5-year-old also suffered head injuries. Both children were transported to the hospital by ambulance, and their current conditions are unknown. A spokesperson for Toledo Public Schools confirmed that neither child attends Hawkins STEAM Academy or any TPS school.

Bicyclist Dies in San Jose Collision Near Highway 101

Bicyclist Dies in San Jose Collision Near Highway 101

A bicyclist was killed in a collision Thursday morning near Highway 101 in San Jose. The incident occurred around 7:45 a.m. in the area of Tully Road and the Highway 101 on-ramp, involving a vehicle and the bicyclist. According to police, the bicyclist sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by medics. The driver involved in the collision remained at the scene and is cooperating with the ongoing investigation. Westbound Tully Road from South King Road to the Highway 101 on-ramp was closed for an extended period as police conducted their investigation, with drivers advised to seek alternate routes. Additional information regarding the circumstances of the collision was not immediately available.

Phoenix Melrose District Businesses Honor Tucson Hate Crime Victims with Luminary Display

Phoenix Melrose District Businesses Honor Tucson Hate Crime Victims with Luminary Display

Businesses in Phoenix’s Melrose District organized a luminary display along 7th Avenue to honor two men killed in a shooting outside a Tucson gay bar. On Wednesday night, dozens of volunteers gathered at Boycott Bar to create and place 600 luminaries. The victims, 42-year-old Vincent Siqueiros and 34-year-old Cameron Capara, were shot and killed outside Venture-N by 44-year-old Ousman Ceesay, who then took his own life. Tucson police are investigating the incident as a hate crime, as Ceesay reportedly had no connection to the victims and was carrying a list of other LGBTQ businesses. The Phoenix community held a moment of silence and shared words, emphasizing that such acts of violence can occur anywhere. Audrey Corley, owner of Boycott Bar, stated that the luminaries were placed to demonstrate the LGBTQ community's visibility and unity when targeted.

Six-Year-Old Girl Airlifted to Hospital Following Bicycle-Pickup Truck Collision in Brookings

Six-Year-Old Girl Airlifted to Hospital Following Bicycle-Pickup Truck Collision in Brookings

A six-year-old girl was airlifted to a Sioux Falls hospital after being involved in a collision with a pickup truck in Brookings, South Dakota, on September 2. The incident occurred at approximately 2:32 p.m. at the intersection of Medary Avenue South and Fifth Street South, an area situated between Brookings High School and Medary Elementary School. According to the preliminary investigation by the Brookings Police Department, the girl was riding her bicycle eastbound on the south sidewalk of Fifth Street South and was proceeding through the intersection at Medary Avenue. Concurrently, an 18-year-old male was operating a green 2002 Chevy Silverado 2500 pickup truck westbound on Fifth Street South and was making a left turn to travel southbound on Medary Avenue. The driver of the pickup truck reportedly observed the girl entering the crosswalk and attempted to avoid a collision by swerving to the left. However, the bicyclist struck the rear passenger side of the truck in the middle of the intersection. The...

Investigators scour scene of Minneapolis shooting that left 3 dead, including suspect

Investigators scour scene of Minneapolis shooting that left 3 dead, including suspect

Investigators were scouring the scene of the downtown Minneapolis shooting that left three people dead, including the suspect, and five others injured