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Deadly hit-and-run investigation prompts SWAT response in West Chicago

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:29:25 GMT

CHICAGO — A search warrant executed at a home in West Chicago, related to one of two fatal hit-and-run incidents, prompted a significant police response.Bharat Patel told WGN News that he was out and about near his home Wednesday morning when he witnessed the 900 block of Hawthorne Lane crawling with cops. There, a SWAT situation was unfolding, as police searched a home. Bharat says he saw a huge police presence in the same spot a few days earlier. Up to $50K reward for information in armed robbery of USPS carrier on Far South Side "The other day, it was about 6-7 hours," he said. "So many police cars."Last Saturday, WGN News was told that a hit-and-run occurred in the same location, leaving a teenage pedestrian dead. The DuPage County Coroner’s Office identified the victim as 16-year-old Julio Salinas-Pino of Aurora. A witness who did not wish to be identified told WGN News that they heard gunfire before the teen was struck. In an unfortunate coincidence, West Chicago police are...

Storm damage in Morton Grove as severe weather rolls through

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:29:25 GMT

MORTON GROVE, Ill. -- A storm cell passed through Morton Grove Wednesday afternoon with heavy rainfall and high winds.On the east side of Morton Grove, downed limbs and branches along Frontage Road, as well as on Major Ave and Lee Street. Skilling: Thunderstorms, possible hail Wednesday night A woman who lives in a home with the tree down on that backyard tent said she rented it for the Fourth of July and were waiting to return it when the tree came down.Her neighbor was sitting in his front room when the storm passed by."My dog nudged me in the arm 'hey you should get up.' I was looking to the window, I’ve never seen rain and wind going in a circle, it was scary," Morton Grove resident John Jakiel said. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Some downed trees and power lines are also reported in nearby Northfield.A Flood Watch has been issued for most of Northeastern Illinois until 9 p.m. Wednesday night. For updates, click here.

Honda recalling 124K cars over possible brake failure

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:29:25 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Honda is recalling more than 100,000 recently manufactured vehicles over a brake issue that could lead to a loss of function.The recall consists of 124,077 cars from several popular models: 2020-2021 Civics, 2020-2023 Ridgelines, 2021-2023 Passports, 2021-2022 Pilots and 2020 Acura MDX.Honda informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration June 29 that a loose fastener on the brake booster assembly can cause the brakes to stop working normally and increase the risk of a crash. Massive recall of frozen fruits issued across the country Owners of the recalled vehicles will be able to have them inspected and repaired as necessary for free. Earlier in June, the car manufacturer recalled nearly 1.2 million vehicles over a cable connector problem that prevented rear camera images from appearing on the dashboard screen.Letters for the latest recall are scheduled to go out August 7, 2023, but owners can also call Honda customer service at (888) 234-2138. Honda's code...

Meta takes aim at Twitter, launches rival app Threads

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:29:25 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Meta unveiled an app to rival Twitter on Thursday, appearing to target users looking for an alternative to the social media platform owned — and frequently changed — by Elon Musk.Called Threads, the new offering is billed as a text-based version of Meta's photo-sharing app Instagram that the company says provides “a new, separate space for real-time updates and public conversations.”The app went live just after midnight Wednesday in the U.K. in Apple and Google Android app stores in more than 100 countries including the U.S., Britain, Australia, Canada and Japan.Users will get a Twitter-like microblogging experience, according to screenshots provided to media, suggesting that Meta Platforms has been gearing up to directly challenge the platform after Musk's tumultuous ownership has resulted in a series of unpopular changes that have turned off users and advertisers.There are buttons to like, repost or quote a “thread,” and counters showing...

Toby Keith performs for the first time since revealing cancer diagnosis

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:29:25 GMT

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Country music star Toby Keith was back on stage over the Fourth of July weekend with his first shows since revealing last summer that he had been fighting stomach cancer.Hundreds attended the native Oklahoman's pop-up concerts Friday and Saturday night in Norman, where he lives, The Oklahoman reports. He performed at Hollywood Corners, a 1920s roadhouse and service station that he bought and converted into a deli, bar and music venue.Norman resident Joanna Hall, who attended Friday’s show, told the newspaper that Keith put on a great performance and was “very thankful for everybody who showed up.” 6-year-old Florida boy dies after being bit by family dog: police “He seemed a little taken aback that that many people were there," Hall said. “He was like, ‘This was supposed to be a secret. ... This was a bigger secret than what I intended.' ”Keith’s publicist confirmed that Keith and his Easy Money Band played for about two and a half hours both nights....

JFK grandson goes viral for anti-restaurant rant

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:29:25 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — Jack Schlossberg, an American attorney and the sole grandson of President John F. Kennedy, is getting some newfound love from the internet after a comedic Instagram rant of his went viral on July 4. In the much-circulated Instagram Stories, the 30-year-old son of Caroline Kennedy (who's believed to have filmed the videos) comes out with the mildest hot take imaginable: he hates eating in restaurants."We have to wait there to eat something that we don't get to choose, really, what it is," says Schlossberg to the camera. "We only get a few choices and you don't know what any of them are gonna taste like or what's good... and we're gonna sit there and wait for some guy to ask us a question. And we're gonna have to talk to some guy about what we wanna eat." Hong Kong-born singer Coco Lee dies by suicide at age 48, her siblings say In the light-hearted video, Schlossberg, a graduate of both Yale and Harvard universities, explains that he finds eating in restaurants to be a ...

Drinking water from nearly half of US faucets contains potentially harmful chemicals, study finds

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:29:25 GMT

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Drinking water from nearly half of U.S. faucets likely contains “forever chemicals” that may cause cancer and other health problems, according to a government study released Wednesday.The synthetic compounds known collectively as PFAS are contaminating drinking water to varying extents in large cities and small towns — and in private wells and public systems, the U.S. Geological Survey said.Researchers described the study as the first nationwide effort to test for PFAS in tap water from private sources in addition to regulated ones. It builds on previous scientific findings that the chemicals are widespread, showing up in consumer products as diverse as nonstick pans, food packaging and water-resistant clothing and making their way into water supplies.Because the USGS is a scientific research agency, the report makes no policy recommendations. But the information “can be used to evaluate risk of exposure and inform decisions about whether or not you want ...

Dancing police officer brings new meaning to term cop 'on the beat'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:29:25 GMT

HIGHLAND PARK, Ill. — After a day of solemn remembrances for the victims of last year’s shooting in Highland Park, the evening carried a tone of celebration.Gary Sinise, the Academy Award-nominated actor known for his role in Forrest Gump, brought his “Lt. Dan Band” to his hometown for a concert.The band was just a few songs into its two-hour concert Tuesday, when, off to the side of the stage, an unlikely couple started dancing – a police officer, and a 8-year-old girl, bopping, shuffling, and twisting to the band’s cover of the Bruno Mars hit, “Uptown Funk.”  “It’s been a long year and I love to dance,” said April Prete, a Highland Park Police Dept. patrol officer. “I think we should be out there and engaging and having a good time. Sometimes I see officers engaging and playing basketball.  I’m not a big basketball player because I’m short. But I love to dance.” Gary Sinise makes a few stops in Chicagoland on 4th of July With the smiling approval of police chief Louis ...

New York Times: 5 Central Texas barbecue joints named to 'best in Texas' list

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:29:25 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The New York Times said Texas barbeque is in a “golden age,” with emerging pitmasters bringing dynamic flavors from different cultures, thus reinvigorating the classic cuisine. NYT made a list of 20 Texas barbeque restaurants that best reflect the new generation of pitmasters and chefs, which included three Austin joints. One of the authors, Brett Anderson, traveled to Texas seven times to seek out the best barbeque haunts across the state, and the second author, Priya Krishna, is a Dallas native, according to NYT. “A renaissance in Texas barbecue has transformed what was once a hidebound tradition into one of the country’s most dynamic vernacular cuisines, changing the landscape of American barbecue in the process — and turning Texas into the country’s ultimate barbecue destination,” the authors wrote. Barbs-B-QBarbs has only been operating for a couple of months, but the Times reported its arrival was hotly anticipated. The restaurant is owned by two...

Twins right fielder Max Kepler heats up at the plate

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:29:25 GMT

The month of June was largely a forgettable one on the field for Max Kepler.The Twins’ right fielder came back on May 29, following a trip to the injured list for a hamstring strain. He forwent a rehab assignment and struggled mightily at the plate upon his return to action.From May 29 through June 28, Kepler hit .178 with a .573 OPS, his batting average on the season falling below .190. But in recent days, Kepler has had a much-needed resurgence for a Twins’ lineup that has desperately needed its veterans to step up.“As long as he stays positive and stays within himself, that’s the Kep we know,” designated hitter Byron Buxton said. “I know he’s going to keep doing what he’s doing and we’re here to keep him positive. That’s what we expect to see.”It’s a small sample size, but in the five games heading into Wednesday, Kepler sure seems to be heating up. The right fielder had gone 8 for 17 (.471) with seven runs driven in and a pair of home runs.In the Twins’ 9-3 win...