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Chicago’s 'Rat' Rage Grows

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:59 GMT

CHICAGO — Chicago’s rat problem is nothing new. The city has long been dubbed one of America’s “rattiest” cities. In 2022, Orkin named Chicago the rat capital of the U.S. for the eighth consecutive year.So, what is being done to rally against the rodents?In a joint investigation with Illinois Answers Project and Block Club Chicago, WGN Investigates looked at how the city and its residents are dealing with the problem. What we found is that, in extreme cases, an infestation can have a disruptive and costly effect on homeowners. And that the city’s main enforcement tool isn’t always effective at repelling the rats.Take the Weinberger family for example. Rats have invaded the yard of their North Side home, destroying landscaping and posing a serious safety hazard.“It was so distressing to me…that I kind of just stopped going down there and enjoying my yard,” Amanda Weinberger said.They estimate they’ve spent about $5,000 to fix their yard and repel the rodents. More Coverage: WG...

1 suspect in custody, 1 at-large after police chase, crash in western suburbs

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:59 GMT

LOMBARD, Ill. — One person is in custody and another is at-large after a police chase and crash involving individuals suspected of committing an armed robbery in the western suburbs this evening, according to the Lombard Police Department.Police said a vehicle was travelling eastbound on St. Charles Road and eventually crashed near Westmore-Meyers Road, and one suspect is currently in custody.At least one suspect ran from the vehicle and is described as being a Black male with dreadlocks, wearing a white athletic shirt and black pants. Police said the suspect was last seen in the area of Western and St. Charles Road. 5-year-old dead after shooting inside Gary home, police say A search is currently underway involving several police agencies and includes a police helicopter, K-9 units and a drone deployed to help police located the suspect.Anyone with information is asked to contact 911.No other information is available at this time.

'They wanted us to know he was dying' Bowie HS football player overheats, rushed to ER after game

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:59 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN)—A senior football player at Bowie High School almost died from a heat stroke after the first game of the season, his mom told KXAN.On Wednesday, things were somewhat back to normal for Justice Trumpler and his family, just days after he was rushed the the Emergency Room.Justice Trumpler rushed to hospital after heat illness. (Photo by: Jennifer Norman-Wolfe). Justice Trumpler rushed to hospital after heat illness. (Photo by: Jennifer Norman-Wolfe). "He started to say his head felt like it was going to explode," Jennifer Norman-Wolfe, Trumpler's mother said. Trumpler is a senior left-center lineman on the Bulldogs's football team. On a 104-degree day— the game went into overtime. Justice wasn't playing his best, and Norman-Wolfe said their family noticed. "A couple times he tried to stay on his feet so that he could stay in the game and just couldn't and fell over," Norman-Wolfe said. At home after the game, he got worse. After a CT-scan, Justice's mom said doctors told...

APD seeking public's help finding person accused of hitting man with vehicle

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:59 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is seeking the public's help in finding a person who it says is responsible for hitting a man with a vehicle in south Austin over the weekend.Shortly before 12:30 a.m., Aug. 27, a man was walking his two dogs westbound in the 3400 block of Paisano Trail, when a vehicle driver him him, APD said. Police said the driver did not stop to help the man and drove away.The man suffered from a severe, life-threatening injury, according to the department. He was taken to a local hospital and remained in critical condition as of Wednesday. Police obtained video of the incident, but noted it's difficult to make out. The person of interest was driving a vehicle described as a four-door Sedan, possibly gold or beige in color, according to police.Anyone with any information may submit a tip anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling (512) 472-8477.

Ozone Action Day on Thursday

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:59 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Hotter, stagnant sunshine expected Thursday afternoon in the Austin Metro area will lead to higher levels of pollution than normal, dropping air quality to "unhealthy for sensitive groups" and prompting an Ozone Action Day.Consider doing what you can do limit your pollution footprint on Thursday, and those with respiratory conditions should limit time outdoors during the heat of the day when ozone levels are highest.Wednesday brought Austin's 68th 100° day of the year -- a tie for the third highest count on record, and a tie with last year's total count. We expect 7 more triple-digit heat days over the next week. Humidity gradually returns this weekend.We are tracking a slight chance of sea breeze showers and thunderstorms, mainly east of Austin, returning Labor Day into next week. Most areas currently look to remain dry.See the supermoon!The 'super blue moon' will be visible through 7:38 a.m. Thursday morning under mostly clear skies. A supermoon happens when the m...

Remnant of TCAAP site in Arden Hills could go to green burial concept as auction counts down

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:59 GMT

A 62-acre parcel that was once used to manufacture and test ammunition in Arden Hills is up for auction.A remnant of the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant is up for auction until next week, when the federal government awards the land to the highest bidder. One of the bidders is attempting to change life as we know it, or rather, death.Life After Life, based in Brooklyn, N.Y., creates “living memorial parks” that help restore native ecosystems through the natural decomposition of human bodies, said Jacob Tannenbaum, founder and CEO of Life After Life.“The space functions like a park; a lot of our famous parks used to be cemeteries,” Tannenbaum said.The Life After Life Foundation encourages people who are at the end of their lives to have a natural burial, foregoing embalming and a traditional casket.“When you embalm a body, you sterilize it and keep it and the soil free from any microorganisms,” Tannenbaum said. By eliminating the embalming process, bodies are able to decompose natur...

6 finalists for Oak Park Heights city administrator selected

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:59 GMT

Six finalists have been named for the city administrator job in Oak Park Heights.Twenty-six people applied for the position, which is held by Eric Johnson. Johnson’s last day on the job is Friday.The finalists are:John Harrenstein, who previously served as the city administrator of Altoona, Iowa, and North Mankato, and as the city manager of Eudora, Kan.Ryan Heise, city manager of Saugatuck, Mich., and former village administrator of Egg Harbor, Wis.Scott Hildebrand, city administrator in Pine City and former city administrator of Valley Center Kan.Nicole Miller, assistant to the city manager of St. Anthony Village.Jennifer Pinski, assistant city administrator/city clerk of Oak Park Heights.Jacob Rife, who previously served as village administrator in Village of Cary, Ill.The Oak Park Heights City Council will interview candidates Sept. 15-16. The council is expected to make its selection on Sept. 26, and a new administrator is expected to be on board by Nov. 1, Mayor Mary McComber ...

Emanuel Reynoso ties Darwin Quintero as Loons leading scorer in 3-0 win

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:59 GMT

When Darwin Quintero arrived in Minnesota in 2018, the diminutive Colombian showed what a playmaking Designated Player could provide the Loons.Nicknamed El Scientifico de Gol, Quintero dazzled and went on to score 27 goals in all competitions through 2019, and that mark stood as the club’s MLS-era record for nearly four seasons.Step aside, Darwin. Rey now shares the throne.Emanuel Reynoso, who has set a higher standard in DP playmaking for the Loons, moved into a tie with Quintero, scoring two goals in a 3-0 win over the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday night at Allianz Field.Quintero, now 35 and playing for CD America in his native Columbia, had his single best game in a Loons shirt on July 4, 2018, with a hat trick at TCF Bank Stadium. Reynoso had his sights on his own hat trick, but he laced a long-range shot barely wide in the 67th minute and remained stuck on a brace.Behind Reynoso, the Loons (9-8-8, 35 points) began to rectify an abysmal home record with their first win in St. Pau...

Election officials warn residents of impersonators

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:59 GMT

CAPITAL REGION, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Over the weekend, Warren County officials say two women visited a home and claimed to be a part of the Warren County Board of Elections. Then, they accused the resident of being registered to vote in both Washington and Warren counties. And officials like Tom Rogers, from the Washington County Board of Elections, said it's not just happening in those two counties.“We do know that they were confronting her, saying that she was registered twice in New York State, which is illegal to register twice. And that information was not correct,” Rogers said. “But they were confronting her that she had done something illegally -which she had not done. And that upset her tremendously.” Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! Don Lehman, Warren County Director of Public Affairs, said the woman, who moved from South Glens Falls to Warren County, was so shaken up she immediately called the Warren County Board of Elections.“She i...

182 years at the Fonda Fair

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:55:59 GMT

FONDA, N.Y. (NEWS10) -The biggest event for the Fonda-Fultonville area making its yearly debut before school starts. Over 60,000-70,000 people check out the Fonda Fair’s rural community and that number only expected to grow.As each fair is about to end, the next fair is being planned by Fair President, Richard Kennedy, and his team of volunteers. Almost sixty employees work the grounds to make sure everything goes smoothly. Lebanon Speedway hosts Steve LaRochelle memorial race “Of course COVID year we had to close. We were wondering how we were going to bounce back and the year after COVID was a record year. Last year we had another record year. We’re hoping that trend continues. Even during the fair we make some adjustments and changes. The experience for the fair-goer continues to improve each time," described Kennedy.Between food, rides and games there's a lot for everyone to do. But the Fonda Fair also showcases the best agriculture and livestock in the county. Junior Miss Fon...