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Anger, mistrust cloud suburban school district’s hope of selling land

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:32 GMT

WILLOW SPRINGS, Ill. — Sixty million dollars would have a big impact on a suburban school district, but plans to sell land and raise that money have triggered angry emotions among some who live in the district.“Honestly, it would destroy the community,” said Willow Springs resident Erica Gerros.  The mother of five is frustrated by months of back-and-forth over Lyons Township District 204’s on-again off-again plans to sell a 70-acre patch of land.  The wooded property is adjacent to a UPS facility on one side but homes, a park and elementary school on its other borders.Willow Springs officials say they were blindsided several months ago when the school district revealed a $55 million offer for the land from a developer who wanted to build an industrial park on the site.  Another developer offered $60 million a few months later.Frustration mounted when the Illinois Attorney General ordered the release of audio recordings from closed door school board meetings in which ...

Husband and wife work across the hall from each other – one brews beer, the other directs theatre

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:32 GMT

Howard Street is where Chicago and Evanston meet. “We are at the tip of Chicago,” said Chuck Patella.Patella's one-year-old brewery is on the Chicago side. “We are the northernmost place you can get an 'in house' craft beer in the city of Chicago," he said.Behind a 37-seat tasting room with a dozen beers on tap, there is a single barrel brewery. 7 award-winning Chicagoland breweries to check out this summer “It’s exactly the same as the big brew houses,” Patella said. “We do exactly the same process, we use all the same chemicals, we’re just doing it on a much smaller scale.”Patella started brewing at home more than a decade ago and spent time perfecting his craft brews. His dream was to open his own brewery.Last year he opened Howard Street Brewing – in the historic Howard Theatre– the same building where his wife Shannon O’Neill works. “So, as Chuck is shopping around and looking for locations, it just sort of dawned on him, 'Why not that space?'" she said. "The same lightbulb w...

State prepares to take over case against Walmart mass shooter

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:32 GMT

EL PASO, Texas (Border Report) – As the federal hate crimes case against the El Paso Walmart mass shooter concludes, Texas state prosecutors are preparing to take Patrick Wood Crusius to court once again. And this time, his life will be on the line.“I want to emphasize that nothing that happens in the federal courthouse will affect what happens in the state courthouse,” El Paso District Attorney Bill Hicks said on Thursday. “We are still going to be prosecuting the Walmart shooter. We are still going to be seeking the death penalty.” ‘I don’t think he deserves anyone’s forgiveness’ Crusius has pleaded guilty to federal hate crimes and weapons charges. Senior U.S. Federal District Judge David C. Guaderrama is expected to sentence him to 90 consecutive terms of life in prison on Friday under the plea agreement.Crusius, who according to investigators on the morning of Aug. 3, 2019, drove 10 hours from North Texas to El Paso to “kill Mexicans,” will go remain on federal custody at the...

Alive at Five concert series fans beating the heat

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:32 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - It was a hot line up on a hot day for Albany's 34th installment of the Alive at Five concert series down at Jennings Landing, and folks are trying to beat the heat. Albany’s 2023 Alive at Five concert series lineup announced “Well, it’s a scorcher out here, today, and I brought my shield,” said William Coyne.  The weekly concert series showcases some of the region's biggest and most talented up and coming performers. Among them was hometown favorite, Moriah Formica, the lead singer of the all-female rock band Plush taking some time to talk to us about her success while also beating the heat.“We always try to bring the energy to all of our shows. No matter where it is, no matter how hot it is. As long as everybody else is having a good time, we’re having a good time,” said Formica.But, in order to have the best time, Moriah's band mates saying it's crucial to take care of yourself in this heat. New York State’s firework show a success after being post...

Mayor refuses to talk about expired tags until he gets 25 push-ups

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:32 GMT

JENNINGS, Mo. – As a Jennings resident complains about his truck being towed from his driveway for having expired tags, the FOX Files uncovered the city’s mayor may have a problem sitting in his own driveway.Robert Cotton Sr. called the FOX Files after he blocked a tow truck while the city tried to seize it."The city inspector came by to tow by vehicle off my private property," Cotton said last month. "It's not in the street, it's not blocking the sidewalk."He hadn't driven the truck in several years because of mechanical issues. His plates expired in 2017. When the FOX Files first questioned Jennings Mayor Gary Johnson about it in June, he said Cotton's truck had been tagged and later declared derelict and abandoned. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News SIGN UP NOW ...

Calls overload led to lack of ambulances during Fourth of July

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:32 GMT

ST. LOUIS - FOX 2 has uncovered new evidence that highlights the significant impact of fireworks on St. Louis.The St. Louis Fire Department’s workload over the 24 hours from the morning of the Fourth of July to the morning of the fifth is soaring.At one point, the department was so overrun with calls that there was no ambulance for a critically injured teenager.“There’s a ripple effect that I would like people to consider,” said Capt. Garon Mosby of the St. Louis Fire Department.On July 5, around 12:45 a.m., in the 1200 block of Hebert in north St. Louis, a roof caught fire from fireworks. It would be one of 610 fire department responses in those 24 hours.St. Louis firefighters and paramedics know the deluge is coming every year. What is causing the mysterious St. Louis County hum? “The root word of fireworks is ‘fire’,” Mosby said standing next to a burned-up car and garage in the 8600 block of Oriole. The fire started on the roof just before midnight, almost certainly from firew...

3 arrested for murder of pizza delivery driver helping assault victim in Stanton

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:32 GMT

Three men were arrested Thursday for a shooting that killed a pizza delivery driver in Stanton who was stopping to help an assault victim in 2022.The suspects were identified as Henry Diep Le, 19, from Garden Grove, Adrian Castaneda, 19, and Damian Ivan Mayorga,18, both from Anaheim.The suspects are accused of their involvement in a shooting that killed Juan Cristalinas, 49, a Santa Ana resident and left a 76-year-old man hospitalized, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.On June 28, authorities responded to the 7000 block of Lessue Avenue on a call of unknown trouble.Arriving deputies found both victims lying on the street with gunshot wounds.It was later discovered that Cristalinas was a pizza delivery driver who had stopped driving and hopped out to intervene when the 76-year-old victim was being assaulted by the suspects.Authorities respond to a fatal shooting in Stanton on June 29, 2022. (OnScene.TV)Both men were transported to the hospital where Cristalinas late...

Police seeking additional victims of Northridge sexual assault suspect

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:32 GMT

Detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department are seeking the public’s help in locating additional victims of a sexual assault suspect arrested earlier this month, authorities announced this week.  Police said that on June 30, the suspect, identified as Cedric Tinsley, entered an unsecured residence near the 19000 block of Astor Place in Northridge where he allegedly sexually assaulted a victim before stealing her property and her vehicle.  At around 2:30 p.m. the following day, Tinsley was stopped while driving the victim’s stolen vehicle in the 2700 block of East Los Angeles Street in Simi Valley. He was arrested and charged with “sexual assault during the commission of a residential burglary,” according to an LAPD news release.  LAPD’s Devonshire Area Sexual Assault Unit released Tinsley’s booking photo because investigators believe he may be responsible for additional unreported sexual assaults. Cedric Tinsley, seen here, is accused of entering a residence in North...

Crews tackle rapidly spreading brush fire in Riverside County

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:32 GMT

Crews continued to work on extinguishing a rapidly spreading brush fire in the Temecula area on Thursday night.Named the “Frogs Fire,” the blaze was first reported around 3:30 p.m. near Santa Rita and Anza Roads, according to the Riverside County Fire Department.By 4:30 p.m., the flames had spread to 20 acres and by 5 p.m., the fire had grown to 33 acres with zero percent containment. A little after 6 p.m., crews reported about 20% containment and the stoppage of all forward movement. Over 100 firefighters responded to the scene and additional ground and air resources, including four air tankers and two helicopters, battled the flames.An evacuation warning was issued and later lifted around 6 p.m. for the area South of Highway 79, East of Butterfield Stage, North of Santa Rita Road, and West of Los Caballos Road. Car crash ignites 13-acre wildfire in Ventura County The cause of the fire remains under investigation."Please use caution in the area as fire resources continue working ...

Robbery reported near Oakland bank 1 day after police warn about ATM robberies

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:11:32 GMT

(KRON) -- A victim was robbed of their belongings after an armed robbery Thursday afternoon, the Oakland Police Department said. The incident happened just before 3:15 p.m. on the 4000 block of MacArthur Boulevard. 2 minors arrested in scooter robbery at Oakland BART station: police Police said two suspects were armed during the alleged robbery. Both suspects escaped the scene in an unknown vehicle. OPD did not confirm where exactly on the 4000 block of MacArthur Boulevard it happened, but there is a Citi Bank at 4017 MacArthur Blvd.The alleged armed robbery comes one day after OPD warned the community about an uptick in robberies near ATMs in Oakland. The neighborhoods affected the most in Uptown, Fruitvale, Chinatown and Montclair, according to OPD. OPD released some tips on how to stay safe from ATM robberies:Always scan the area and watch for suspicious persons or activity around an ATM.When possible, use ATMs located inside the bank.Following your withdrawal, put your cash aw...