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Woman kidnaps 4 girls at knifepoint from Manteno park: police

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:00 GMT

MANTENO, Ill. — A woman is charged with allegedly abducting four girls at knifepoint from a park in Manteno and holding them captive for nearly three hours.Police said Anita Diaz, 47, faces charges of Aggravated Unlawful Restraint.Officers were called to the park around 5 p.m. Monday for reports of a possible abduction and release of four juvenile girls. The victims told police that around 2 p.m., Diaz approached them at the park and displayed a knife, threatened them and forced them to get in her car.Diaz then allegedly took the girls to multiple locations in the Bourbonnais and Manteno area, including to her home. 3 dead, 14 injured in Illinois crash involving Greyhound bus and commercial vehicles Diaz released the victims shortly before 5 p.m. at a park in Manteno. The girls were unharmed and returned to their parents, according to police.Police said Diaz was located by officers and arrested.

Chicago Weather Live: Storms blanket Chicago area - an interactive livestream

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:00 GMT

CHICAGO — WGN meteorologist Tim Joyce took your questions as severe storms move through the Chicago area. Flood Watch in effect as heavy rain, storms move through area Viewers joined Tim and WGN News Now host Chip Brewster at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday for an interactive, weather-centric livestream. They took as many viewer questions and comments as they could.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog See the full replay of the livestream in the video above. Watch for a future Chicago Weather Live livestream to join the conversation!

Chicagoland residents asked to limit water usage

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:00 GMT

CHICAGO - The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago is asking people to reduce their water usage at home and work. July has been a nightmarish month for many impacted by severe weather across Chicagoland. With more rain on the horizon, there are growing concerns amongst city residents and officials. On Wednesday, a WGN News camera captured Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson exiting the MWRD building, though he did not take any questions. Johnson’s neighborhood on the city’s West Side was among the worst hit by flooding on July 2. With Cicero being another area hard hit by rain, some locals fear the worst.   Pritzker issues disaster proclamation for Illinois counties impacted by storms While rainfall on Wednesday is not expected to be as bad – with possibly one to two inches forecast for much of the Chicago area over midday hours – some area residents already report seeing standing water. Kevin Fitzpatrick, assistant director of engineering for MWRD, ...

Steve McMichael, Virginia McCaskey are semifinalists for Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:00 GMT

CANTON, OH — Two people who have made major contributions to the Bears' franchise are officially in the running for enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Team owner Virginia McCaskey along with defensive tackle Steve McMichael were among the 60 semifinalists for election in two different categories for the Hall's Class of 2024 that were announced on Wednesday afternoon. McMichael has been nominated by the Pro Football Hall of Fame's 12-person Seniors Committee as one of 31 semifinalists in that category after he spent 15 years in the league, with all but two being with the Bears. McCaskey was elected by the 12-person Coach/Contributor Committee and is one of 29 semifinalists. The daughter of team founder George S. Halas, McCaskey took over as principal owner of the Bears upon his death in 1983, overseeing the franchise over the past four decades. She celebrated her 100th birthday on January 5.Originally a third round selection of the New England Patriots, McMichael joined t...

Powerball, Mega Millions reach combined total of nearly $1.3 billion

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:00 GMT

(WKBN) -- Jackpots in America's two biggest lottery games are now at a combined total of nearly $1.3 billion. The Mega Millions game is now at $560 million after no ticket matched all six numbers in Tuesday's drawing. The estimated cash prize for the next drawing on Friday, July 14, is $281.1 million. The winning numbers were 10, 17, 33, 51, and 64, plus the gold Mega Ball 5. The Powerball jackpot continues its rise up the record charts reaching an estimated $725 million for the next drawing on Wednesday night, July 12. The cash option for the jackpot is an estimated $366.2 million.  Powerball jackpot climbs to $725 million after no winner chosen The current jackpot has been growing since mid-April when someone in Ohio won the $252.6 million prize.Powerball is played in 45 states, as well as Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. ET.Like Powerball, M...

Excessive heat for several days

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The average temperature (highs and lows) at Camp Mabry for the first 11 days of this month is 88.9° making this the third hottest July to date. This is 4° above normal. The average temperature will continue to increase with forecast high temperatures remaining in triple digits going out to at least Tuesday, July 18.Heat index readings Tuesday afternoon reached 116° at La Grange and 115° at San Marcos. Thus, the National Weather Service increased this area heat alert from a Heat Advisory to an Excessive Heat Warning. Forecast heat index late this afternoonThere will not be much fluctuation of these heat indices going out the next seven days. It should be noted that Blanco and Gillespie Counties were placed under a Heat Advisory through the same 9 p.m. Thursday time frame. You know you have some oppressive heat when you get a triple-digit heat index at Fredericksburg, which yesterday topped out at a feels like of 103°.Heat alerts remain in place through 9 p.m. Thursda...

At NATO summit, Biden declares ‘our unity will not falter’ on Ukraine

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:00 GMT

By CHRIS MEGERIAN and SEUNG MIN KIM (Associated Press)VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — President Joe Biden pledged Wednesday that western allies “will not waver” in defense of Ukraine, casting the struggle against Russian aggression as one of the world’s central challenges requiring a broad coalition of countries to stand in defense of freedom.“Our unity will not falter,” Biden declared. “I promise you.”He made the promise at the NATO summit in the capital of Lithuania, a country that he said knows the “transformational power of freedom” after spending decades under Moscow’s thumb. He drew parallels between Lithuania’s struggle to escape Soviet rule and Ukraine’s ongoing fight to repel Russia’s deadly invasion, highlighting the importance of rallying allies to take on the challenge.“America never recognized the Soviet occupation of the Baltic,” he said to an outpouring of cheers from a crowd of ...

New poll shows more New Yorkers worried about being crime victims

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:00 GMT

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — A new poll from Siena College Research Institute (SCRI) shows that a majority of New Yorkers are concerned that they may be a victim of a crime. According to the latest report, 61% of New Yorkers are either very or somewhat concerned about being a victim. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The report also says that 51% of residents have been concerned for themselves or their family's safety when out in public. Siena College also says that 9% of New Yorkers have been physically assaulted while another nine percent have been the victim of a burglary.In terms of residents preparing to protect themselves from possible crime, the report says that 40% of New Yorkers have spent $100 or more on services that make them feel safe—12% have spent over $500, a third bought security devices, one out of every six New Yorkers took self-defense classes, and 12% bought a firearm for defense. Police urge people nation...

DEC: Take proper safety precautions on summer hikes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:00 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- As recent temperatures around the region have hovered around the 90s, the Department of Environmental Conservation is warning hikers to take proper precautions before heading outdoors. Forest Rangers in New York have already seen cases of hikers suffering from heat stroke and exhaustion. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! As per the DEC, Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke occur when your body's cooling mechanisms are overcome by heat, causing a dangerously high body temperature. To best protect yourself, the DEC recommends avoiding hikes in extremely hot weather.If hikers do decide to go out, the DEC recommends wearing sunscreen, seeking shade, and avoiding long periods in direct sunlight. Hikers should also move at a slower pace, drink plenty of water, and rest often.If you are feeling exhausted, do not push your limits. In the case of an emergency, hikers can call 911 or the DEC Dispatch at 1-833-6...

Edwardsville man charged in drunken driving fatality

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:00 GMT

MADISON COUNTY, Ill. - An Edwardsville, Illinois, man was arrested and charged earlier this week for causing a fatal crash on Interstate 55 while under the influence.According to the Illinois State Police, the crash occurred just after 1:40 a.m. on July 8, on southbound I-55 at milepost 15. Investigators learned a Chevy Malibu struck the rear of a Jeep Compass, which caused the Jeep to overturn. Both the driver and front seat passenger in the Jeep were ejected and killed. John Mozeliak reflects on Cardinals’ nightmare season, insists ‘changes have to happen’ State police identified the driver of the Malibu as Cole Wendler, 23, and arrested him on July 10.The Madison County State's Attorney's Office charged Wendler with two counts of aggravated driving with a blood alcohol level of .08 or more causing death and two counts of aggravated driving under the influence causing death. Wendler remains jailed on a $500,000 bond.