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Mystery as huge group of people falls violently ill while hiking through remote part of Grand Canyon

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Dozens of hikers visiting Havasupai Falls at the bottom of the Grand Canyon have reported falling violently ill with a mysterious sickness. 

In some cases, visitors were too sick to hike back out of the canyon, and needed to be carried out via helicopter. 

Maylin Griffiths, who visited the falls in Arizona to celebrate her 40th birthday, told AZ Family that her trip quickly turned into a nightmare after she suddenly fell very ill. 

“We [left] early morning on the 6th and then set up camp. We had a wonderful campsite,” Griffiths said. “I was throwing up, just a lot of GI issues and then it just progressively got worse and worse.”

COLORADO RESCUE CREWS RACE TO FIND MISSING HIKER, DOG NEAR ASPEN TRAIL

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This photo provided by Randy Shannon shows Mooney Falls on the Havasupai reservation outside the village of Supai, Ariz., May 19, 2024. Dozens of tourists say they fell ill on a recent visit to a popular and picturesque stretch of waterfalls deep in a gorge neighboring Grand Canyon National Park. (Randy Shannon via AP)

Another friend in her group also got severely ill, and the group ended up hiking back several miles to a village in the canyon to get medical attention. 

“He discovered our temperatures were really high. Mine was 104 and my friend was 105. We were violently ill. They were able to admit us to the clinic there because they considered it life threatening,” Griffiths told the outlet.

Dozens have taken to social media recently with similar experiences, including Mary Blair, who recently spoke to Fox 10 about the nightmare. 

She and eleven others set out on a forty-mile hike to the falls, planned over four days. The trip took a turn on the final night of their trip when her son suddenly developed norovirus-like symptoms. 

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LOYAL DOG SAVES CAMPER’S LIFE AFTER RUNNING MILES FOR HELP: ‘NO WORDS’

Havasu Falls on the Havasupai reservation in Arizona

This photo provided by Francesca Dupuy shows the Havasu Falls on the Havasupai reservation in Arizona, Sept. 4, 2023. (Francesca Dupuy via AP)

“He was throwing up and having diarrhea all night long. I got him in the river. We were in there at midnight, 1 o’clock, just to lower his body temperature,” Blair told the outlet.

Unbeknownst to them, others in the group were also sick. At 2 a.m., the groups started a two-mile hike out to a helicopter pad to get the sick to safety and medical attention. 

“This kid is a four-star athlete. He is the strongest out of all of us. He was using hiking poles, and he could barely walk,” Blair said of her son.

“On the way up, all of us were passing people who are throwing up and that’s when I was like, what the heck is going on?” Blair told Fox 10. “There’s probably 60–70 people down the line. There are multiple people throwing up.”

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When they got home, the Blair family saw that over 300 people had posted about similar experiences on Facebook, with symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea. 

It’s unclear what led to the mass illness, but Blair and her family – who are experienced hikers – told Fox 10 that nearly 400 people were camping in close quarters. Sanitary bathrooms were difficult to find, she said. 

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Havasupai Falls is located on the Havasupai Indian Reservation in Coconino County. In a Facebook post, the Havasupai Tribe Tourism Office wrote that the public water sources on the reservation are tested regularly, and were last determined to be safe for human consumption by the Havasupai Water Department on June 6. The next water test of the Fern Spring is scheduled for two weeks from June 11. 

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“There is an excessive heat warning at this time,” the tourism authority wrote. “The Havasupai Tribe reminds all tourists to properly hydrate before, during and after your visit to Havasupai. Please consider supplementing your water intake with electrolytes.” “Lastly, it is critically important that all tourists take our their trash, camping supplies and personal items,” the post continued. 

“Properly dispose of hygiene items. The trash bins in the composting toilets are not for your personal campsite trash… The cost to remove tourist trash and gear by helicopter is substantial.”

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Southwest

Jocelyn Nungaray murder: 2nd illegal immigrant suspect gets $10M bail, woman yells at him in courtroom

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The second of the two illegal immigrant suspects accused of killing 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray and then dumping her body in a bayou in Houston last week had his bail set Tuesday for $10 million during an emotional court hearing in which he was called a “murderer” by a woman in the gallery.

Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel, 22, appeared in Harris County Criminal Court just hours after District Attorney Kim Ogg told Fox News that “the evidence is clear that a sexual assault likely happened” in the capital murder case. Co-defendant Franklin Jose Peña Ramos, 26, had his bail set at $10 million on Monday. 

During Tuesday’s hearing, a woman yelled in Spanish “murderer” several times. When asked to leave, she yelled, “I want him to see my face,” according to Fox News Correspondent Nate Foy. Nungaray’s mother, Alexis Nungaray, who has called the suspects “monsters,” stared at Martinez-Rangel as he left the courtroom.

“At his arrest, he had a bite mark on his arm and scratch marks on his arms,” Harris County Assistant District Attorney Megan Long revealed on Tuesday following the hearing. “He did say that he did tie her up, and that he suggested that they throw her into the bayou to get rid of any DNA.”

‘EVIDENCE IS CLEAR THAT A SEXUAL ASSAULT LIKELY HAPPENED,’ PROSECUTOR SAYS 

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Franklin Jose Peña Ramos, left, and Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel have been charged in the killing of Jocelyn Nungaray in Houston on Monday, June 17. (Harris County Jail)

“We have gotten into Martinez-Rangel’s phone and found evidence that he was searching for ways to leave the country once his image was released to the media,” Long also said.

Martinez-Rangel was told by a judge that if he posts bail, he must wear a GPS monitor, remain under constant house arrest in Harris County and have no contact with fellow suspect Peña Ramos or Nungaray’s family, among other restrictions. The judge said any violation could potentially land him back in state custody. Peña Ramos was given the same restrictions on Monday.

Ogg told Fox News’ “America’s Newsroom” earlier that concerns of both suspects being a flight risk led to the high bail amount. 

“The evidence is clear that a sexual assault likely happened. But since neither defendant has actually admitted that, circumstantial evidence will have to prove it,” she said. “We are waiting on lab tests now to see if the capital murder charge can be upgraded to one where they are death penalty eligible.”

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ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT SUSPECT ACCUSED OF KILLING JOCELYN NUNGARAY WORE ICE ANKLE MONITOR    

images of Jocelyn Nungaray

Jocelyn Nungaray, 12, was found strangled to death in a Houston creek this week. (Fox Houston courtesy of the Nungaray family)

Ogg described the case as “horrific,” saying that “Jocelyn’s last moments were unspeakable.” 

“She endured assault for multiple hours. This was a little girl who slipped out of her house to call her boyfriend, a 13-year-old, was seen by two immigrants who had been drinking all afternoon. They picked her up, probably asking for directions, and she was innocent,” Ogg added. “She walked off with them. We see footage from local stores that show they lured her under a bridge near a Houston bayou where they attacked her, strangled her and dragged her body into the water.”

During the court appearance Monday for Peña Ramos, it was revealed that he was wearing an ankle monitor at the time he allegedly murdered Nungaray that was provided to him when he was arrested by Border Patrol agents after entering the country illegally and being released from custody.

Video image of Johan Jose Rangel Martinez, 21, and Franklin Jose Pena Ramos, 26, and image of Jocelyn Nungaray

A video image of Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel, 22, and Franklin Jose Peña Ramos, 26, and an image of Jocelyn Nungaray. (Houston Police Department; Fox Houston Courtesy of the Nungaray family)

 

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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement told Fox News in a statement Friday that he “illegally entered the U.S. without inspection, parole or admission by a U.S. immigration officer on an unknown date and at an unknown location.” 

Fox News’ Michael Lee and Nate Foy contributed to this report. 

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Los Angeles, Ca

Hollywood crew members reach tentative deal with major studios 

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Hollywood crew members reach tentative deal with major studios 

The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) has reached a tentative agreement with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP), averting another Hollywood strike. 

Both sides had been bargaining for more than three months.

While a complete summary of the agreement is expected in the coming days, some of the proposed changes included in the agreement are scale rate increases of seven, four and 3.5% over three years, IATSE officials said in a release. Hourly workers are set to receive triple pay when any workday exceeds 15 elapsed hours, and all on call employees will now receive double time on the 7th day of the workweek. 

“The tentative deal includes new protections around artificial intelligence, including language that ensures no employee is required to provide AI prompts in any manner that would result in the displacement of any covered employee,” the release read. “These changes in the basic agreement are in addition to the tentative agreements reached in the local agreement negotiations.” 

A sign in front of an office building for The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees is pictured, Monday, Oct. 4, 2021, in Burbank, Calif. .(AP)

The tentative deal includes additional funding for the Motion Picture Industry Pension and Health Plans that will address the $670 million funding gap, IATSE said, including new streaming residuals. In addition, officials confirmed that no participant will incur a break in service for their 2023 plan year. 

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Now that a provisional agreement has been reached, it must be ratified by the unions’ membership. Members and signatories are set to review a detailed summary within days, and a Memorandum of Agreement is expected in two weeks. 

The IATSE labor union represents over 170,000 technicians, artisans and craftspeople in the entertainment industry, including live events, movie and television productions, broadcast productions and trade shows in the United States and Canada. 

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Southwest

Arizona election worker arrested for allegedly stealing security device from ballot tabulation center

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Law enforcement officials in Maricopa County, Arizona, arrested a temporary election worker for allegedly stealing a security fob and keys from a ballot tabulation center.

According to a probable cause statement obtained by Fox News Digital, Walter Ringfield, 27, of Phoenix, was seen on security footage taking the items shortly after 5 p.m. on Thursday. The video shows him approaching a desk and multiple tabulators, then taking a red wrist lanyard containing the security fob and keys, the document says.

The statement says Ringfield placed the lanyard in his shorts pocket after briefly stretching. When confronted by his employer, Ringfield allegedly denied the theft, but then suggested the lanyard might be in his car “if” he had mistakenly taken it, the document says. A subsequent search of his vehicle revealed a red lanyard and a matching plastic tag, but the fob remained missing.

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Walter Ringfield, 27, has been accused of stealing a security fob and keys from Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center. (Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office)

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IN ARIZONA, VOTING MACHINE GLITCH GIVES WAY TO ELECTION INTEGRITY CONCERNS

Detectives arrested Ringfield outside his home in Phoenix on suspicion of theft and criminal damage. At the time, the probable cause statement says, they observed a red plastic item inside Ringfield’s car matching the description of the missing lanyard.

Ringfield allegedly admitted to taking the fob but claimed he returned it after approximately 20 minutes, citing a desire to “clean up” in hopes of securing a permanent employment position at the Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center.

MCSO detectives then executed a search warrant at Ringfield’s residence and found the missing fob on a dresser in his master bedroom. 

security footage shows Walter Ringfield taking security key

Security footage shows Walter Ringfield taking the fob, according to a probable cause statement. (Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office)

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At a press conference on Tuesday, Maricopa County Sheriff Russ Skinner said election staffers and law enforcement’s “swift response and ultimate action helped safeguard democracy and rapid response to the security protocols we have with elections proved to be effective.” 

“If it wasn’t for the staff members at the Maricopa County Elections Center, we wouldn’t have been able to get on this in time to potentially find the missing evidence and get a suspect in custody,” he said. 

According to investigators, security fobs are used with special secure tablets. Because one was removed, the staff must now reprogram every fob and tablet. 

Security footage shows Walter Ringfield taking Maricopa County tabulation center security equipment

Walter Ringfield was caught on camera at the Maricopa County’s tabulation center. (Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office)

Maricopa County, which has had repeated tabulation equipment concerns, has become a hotbed of election-fraud claims in recent years, especially during the last presidential election in 2020. County officials said they do not expect the incident to “have any impact whatsoever on the primary,” which is scheduled for July 30.

While the incident occurred only months before the highly anticipated presidential election in November, it serves as a reassurance that election safety measures in the county are working, according to Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes.

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Walter Ringfield walking in tabulation room

Ringfield is seen walking in the tabulation room. (Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office)

“Our systems are not only designed to detect anomalies but are also supported by dedicated professionals committed to upholding the democratic process,” Fontes said in a statement.

“While this event is unwelcome, it speaks to the effectiveness of the security protocols built into Arizona’s election systems. The swift actions of the Maricopa County elections staff, including the re-conducting of logic and accuracy tests, builds in extra layers of protection of all affected equipment. This quick response will prevent any potential impact on the upcoming elections. The Secretary of State’s office will collaborate with law enforcement to address and investigate this incident to ensure accountability and swift justice.”

Fox News’ Bonny Chu contributed to this report.

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