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Central Illinois community mourns loss of girl who died after county fair accident

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:47 GMT

CHARLESTON, Ill. (WCIA) -- People across Central Illinois are mourning the death of Harper Finn after the news broke of her passing Thursday morning.The five-year-old girl from Altamont died at St. Louis Children's Hospital on Wednesday, three days after a tragic accident at the Effingham County Fair. She was hit by a car-mounted starting gate during a harness racing event at the fair.The news of Harper's death sent shockwaves across the region, but especially in the horse racing community. The Finns are well known in that community, going back generations. Fairgoers at the Coles County Fair held a prayer on Wednesday and two of them said it is a heartbreaking feeling and they can't imagine what the Finns are going through.Coles County Fair Director Tom Niemeyer said the entire situation is devastating."These kids of things happen and it's tragic to lose a little girl like that," Niemeyer said.But he went on to say that these kinds of things haven't happened at his fair."We're never...

Big Ten clears way for Oregon, Washington to join, AP sources say, putting Pac-12 on brink

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:47 GMT

The Big Ten has cleared the way for Oregon and Washington to apply for membership and join the conference, four people with familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Friday, dealing a crushing blow to the beleaguered Pac-12.The people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the Big Ten and the schools in the Pacific Northwest were finalizing an official agreement and announcement.The Ducks and Huskies from the Pac-12 still must officially apply for membership and the Big Ten presidents, who met Friday morning to discuss expansion, need to officially approve any moves.Two of the people familiar with the negotiations said the schools' applications are expected to be approved unanimously.When approved, they will become the 17th and 18th members of the Big Ten, and the third and fourth on the West Coast, joining USC and UCLA. The Big Ten will be the largest conference in major college sports, spanning 15 states from New Jersey to Washington.Former Big Ten Com...

Obituary: Joe Corcoran, who led St. Paul police homicide unit and helped victims’ families, dies at 83

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:47 GMT

As St. Paul police Lt. Joe Corcoran would drive to a homicide scene, he would say a prayer: “Lord, I need your help with this.”Officers knew of Corcoran’s strong faith as an Irish Catholic and it was a bit of a running joke for them to ask him, “Did you talk to your Friend on the way over?”With his faith, attention to detail and to victims’ families, Corcoran became known for his work as the head of the St. Paul police homicide unit for eight years in the 1990s. He was in charge during a time of historic cases, including the firebombing murders of the five Coppage children and the killings of officers Ron Ryan Jr. and Tim Jones.The 83-year-old died last month and his celebration of life is planned for Sunday.“The thing that stuck with him the most were the victims. He was a very big advocate for them and their families,” said John Corcoran, who followed in the footsteps of his older cousin and is still a St. Paul officer. “He loo...

Capital Region Restaurant Rundown: July 31-August 4

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:47 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The restaurant industry is ever-changing with restaurants opening, closing, relocating, or just doing their thing. Here’s a recap of the latest Capital Region restaurant news, July 31 through August 4. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Schenectady eatery offered free vegan chicken sandwichesOnly a few days after The Nest 518 gave away $1,500 worth of chicken sandwiches, Take Two Cafe did the same, but with vegan sandwiches. These small business chicken sandwich giveaways come after Jeff Buell, a Principal at Redburn Development, made a social media post about the Capital Region Chick-fil-A’s opening.Fine dining restaurant opens in North GreenbushThe Roosevelt Room, located at 112 North Greenbush Road, officially opened on Monday, July 31. This intimate, fine dining restaurant has 60 seats and a cocktail bar.The Tailored Tea in Latham up for saleThe Tailored Tea, located at 1010 Troy Schenectady Road in La...

Early tickets up for 2023-24 Park Theater events

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:47 GMT

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - The Park Theater Foundation, the charitable arm of Glens Falls' downtown Park Theater, has its own list of events that extend far past the theater itself, bringing live entertainment to the city's parks. On Friday, tickets went on sale for those who want to get in early on their next year of membership - and all that comes with it. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The foundation's 2023/24 season features The Park Presents, the theater's annual catalog of visiting musicians. Featured guests over the last year include The Small Glories, Suitcase Junket, and The Po' Ramblin' Boys. The foundation also brings cover bands, jazz, and more to town with series like Rewind at the Park, Live & Local, and Third Thursday Jazz.The schedules for the 2023/24 season have yet to be released, but passes for the next year of entertainment are up now. Prices range from $30 for students and seniors, $45 for individual...

Van Ness Road closure announced in Stillwater

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:47 GMT

STILLWATER, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The town of Stillwater announced an upcoming road closure for Van Ness Road between Flike Road and County Route 75. The road will be closed on August 7. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The closure is due to a scheduled culvert replacement. The road will reopen on August 8. Check out NEWS10's traffic tracker. You can plan your route and see traffic delays in real-time!

Corvette owners invited to Bommarito Automotive Group 500 weekend

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:47 GMT

MADISON, Ill. -- Worldwide Technology Raceway Is inviting corvette owners and clubs to participate in its Bommarito Automotive Group 500 Indycar Series Weekend.The speed and style car show will take place on Saturday, August 26th. The show is open to supercars, muscle cars, sports cars, and includes a special invitation to Corvette owners. On Sunday, August 27th the 'vettes will take center stage in a special area, the Corvette Corral.The Chevrolet Corvette, dubbed America's sports car, was manufactured in St. Louis from 1953 to 1981. Corvettes and drivers will receive complimentary admission, but must register online before race weekend.Register here:SaturdaySunday

This kid needs your vote to get Blippi to St. Louis

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:47 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- A toddler is working to get one of YouTube's biggest celebrities to come to the Magic House. Levi Brunk is among the top five finalists in the Blippi & Meekah in my Hometown Contest. He needs your vote to get the social media sensations to come to St. Louis.Voting ends at midnight tonight. The grand prize winner will get a visit from Blippi and be featured on an episode of the show. The runners-up will get a personal video from Blippi.Want to help Levi get Blippi to St. Louis? Vote here.Blippi is a popular children's entertainer. His vibrant persona revolves around his distinctive orange and blue outfit, fostering an engaging and friendly environment for young viewers. Through his entertaining videos, Blippi explores a variety of subjects like colors, shapes, animals, and vehicles, captivating the attention of preschoolers. With his energetic and cheerful demeanor Blippi has become a beloved figure in children's media.

Here’s how I judged — and survived — the Denver Burger Battle

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:47 GMT

I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to look at a burger again after biting into 20 different patties at this year’s Denver Burger Battle, which took place on Aug. 3.Judging the beefy brawl at Tivoli Quad felt like a real-life “Man Vs. Food” moment as I joined seven other foodies at the table. Runners brought us unlabeled quarter slices of four burgers every 20 minutes and we ranked them on a scale of 1 to 10; a 1 meant that “the Hamburgler had the opportunity to steal this burger, he’d decline and go to the KFC across the street,” according to the rules laid out for us, while a 10 meant “I would sell my house, my spouse, and my children just to taste this delicious masterpiece again.”It was a lot of food. But luckily, the judges who had done this before warned me beforehand to pace myself and only take one small bite of each. That way, I wouldn’t explode, and each burger would get a fair shot. I also came prepared with some stretchy pants, and took a swig...

Smokey the Coors Field Cat “hit a home run,” finds new home

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:47 GMT

Smokey, the aging feline that called Coors Field home, has officially entered retirement and “chosen the position of lead-off catter in a nice Denver home,” the cat’s caretaker announced Friday.Smokey’s new adopter wants to remain incognito, although Animal Rescue of the Rockies, which brokered Smokey’s adoption, said the request for privacy showed that Smokey wasn’t being adopted for the wrong reasons.Animal Rescue of the Rockies released the following statement Friday, purportedly dictated by Smokey himself: “I, Smokey the cat, would like to thank everyone for the well wishes… I feel like I’ve hit a home run. I would like to thank the Animal Rescue of the Rockies for placing me in a local home instead of trading me somewhere else, like to the St Louis Cardinals.”After news broke of the venerable ballpark mouser’s search for a more laidback, indoor home to live out his twilight years, Smokey received 16 adoption applicatio...