Reference no: EM132568606

1. At about 7 am today there was a serious car crash on Interstate 10 in Phoenix, Arizona, according to Arizona State Troopers. Twelve vehicles were involved in the accident. State troopers are responsible for patrolling Arizona's highways. The accident, said troopers, was caused when a tanker truck loaded with gasoline traveling west on Interstate 10 swerved from the far-right lane, crossed into the far-left lane, overturned, and struck several vehicles. Ten other vehicles then collided with the overturned tanker. The driver of the tanker truck was thrown from the vehicle's cabin when it overturned. He and five other individuals aboard vehicles that either struck the truck or were hit by other vehicles were transported to St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix, where they were pronounced dead. Eight other individuals involved in the accident suffered major injuries; one is in critical condition at the hospital, according to troopers. Six other persons were treated at the scene for minor injuries. The highway was closed for five hours as work crews cleared the debris and made sure no gasoline leaked from the tanker.

2. Emily Raditz is an 18-year singer who lives in the city of Los Tigres. Since the age of five, Raditz has been taking singing lessons and performing in school and community events. The young singer has won many talent shows, beating out other talented vocalists. Raditz sang several songs at her high school graduation ceremony, winning her high praise. Not surprisingly, she auditioned for a TV show, "Voices of America." The show did not get produced, but music industry executives heard Raditz sing and she was rewarded with a recording contract. She was billed as an upcoming social media pop sensation. Last night, her career was thrown into doubt. Drug Enforcement Administration officers raided her penthouse apartment and allegedly recovered 400 grams of fentanyl. Raditz was jailed and this afternoon was charged with intent to distribute the drug, a charge that carries up to a life sentence. Next week Raditz and her lawyer will enter a plea of guilty or not guilty. Ms. Raditz issued a brief statement in which she claimed that the narcotics do not belong to her.

3. At about 11:30 pm last night Texarkana Police observed a late-model Lexus sedan weaving in and out of traffic on Jefferson Avenue. The car was traveling southbound and narrowly missed colliding with several parked vehicles. Officers proceeded to conduct a traffic stop. One of the officers approached the vehicle once it had stopped. He saw a male seated in the driver's seat. A woman was seated next to him. The officer detected the strong odor of marijuana. At that point, another officer joined his partner and asked the driver to step out of the car. The driver had trouble standing without swaying. Officers then asked him to submit to a Breathalyzer test. The driver refused, informing the officers that he is the mayor of Texarkana. The man's identity was confirmed as Franklin Tilman. He is, in fact, the mayor of Texarkana, Arkansas. Note that part of Texarkana is in Texas and another part is in Arkansas. Tilman demanded that he be released as a "professional courtesy." The request was denied, and Mr. Tilman was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. No marijuana was discovered in the vehicle. Tilman was jailed and paid bail of $2,500 this morning; he was then released from custody. Mr. Tilman will be arraigned next Monday.

4. Judy Sanders loves cats. She loves them so much that she has more than 100 of the furry pets. Sanders, 86, lives in a small house on the outskirts of the small town of Portville. In recent weeks Sanders's neighbors have started to complain about the cats. They say the animals wander into their yards yowl at all hours of the night and defecate and urinate on their garden plants and outdoor furniture. A local reporter heard of the complaints and spoke with Mrs. Sanders. "I have a right to have all the cats I want in my home," she was quoted as saying. "All I have done is provide a home for cats who would be homeless and suffering." Responding to the complaints last Friday, animal control officers went to Mrs. Sanders's home. Inside they reportedly found piles of cat feces and trash strewn throughout the premises. The stench of cat urine was overpowering. County health officials were called to the scene and they determined that Mrs. Sanders's home constituted a serious health hazard to herself and neighbors. Animal control officers said that many of the cats appeared sick and malnourished. Four were found dead. All the cats have been removed from the premises and they are being housed at the American Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals facility. Officials there hope to find homes for the cats. Failing that, the cats will be euthanized. Mrs. Sanders has not been charged with any crime.