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Purple Heart returned to Illinois veteran's family

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:59 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WMBD) -- Illinois Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced that a Purple Heart awarded to a late Will County Marine has been returned to his only daughter.A State Treasurer news release states that this is the 10th medal returned as part of a mission to return Purple Hearts to rightful owners.Marine Corps Private First-Class Charles John Alexander was an infantryman with the Marines in the Pacific Theater during WWII. A bullet tore through his knee in combat while advancing during Operation Forager. School bus driver on leave after Halloween candy cannabis scare Alexander had a limp for the rest of his life.“Private First Class Alexander served his country nearly 70 years ago, but it is never too late to honor his sacrifice,” Frerichs said.Debbie Ernest is Alexander's oldest living daughter, and she and her husband accepted the medal at a private ceremony.“Having my Dad’s Purple Heart in my hands means more than words can say,” Ernest said. “I am very proud of my Fa...

Chicago City Council committee holds hearing on Peoples Gas rate hike request

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:59 GMT

CHICAGO — A hearing was held on Monday morning by a Chicago City Council committee to discuss a recently requested rate hike by Peoples Gas.Representatives from the Peoples Gas and consumer advocates appeared before the Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy as it sought an explanation on why the utility provider has requested the rate hike after six years of record profits.  Cubs hiring Craig Counsell to replace David Ross as manager According to Ald. Bill Conway (34th Ward), who introduced the resolution, Peoples Gas requested that the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) approve a $402 million rate hike, which would result in residential gas bills climbing by about $11.83 per month. Conway said the natural gas utility's parent company, WEC Energy Group, credited late fee revenue as the primary driver of yearly profit increases in a 2023 report to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).According to the alderman, Peoples Gas provides gas to 884,000 customers in Chic...

Dog adopted after 7 years in Pennsylvania shelter -- and a shocking discovery

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:59 GMT

BLOOMSBURG, Pa. (WHTM) -- A woman in Pennsylvania gave a longtime rescue dog named Ella a new home in what a Bloomsburg shelter called "an extremely special adoption." Saying "you might want to grab a tissue real quick for this one," the Animal Resource Center stated that Ella had been at the shelter for the last seven years, making her the center's longest resident. Recently, a woman identified only as Kaitlyn emailed the adoption center about her interest in adopting Ella. Katlyn told the center that her dog, Jo, had passed away a few months prior and that she was ready for another dog. According to the center, when Ella saw Kaitlyn, the staff knew Ella had found her "person." Ella, who had a history of fear and aggression, usually needed multiple visits for her to get comfortable with strangers. That was not the case with Kaitlyn."She immediately walked over to Kaitlyn with no hesitation, allowing her to give Ella scratches and pets right away," the center said. Photo: Animal Re...

San Marcos City Council set to vote on vision plan for next 20 years

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:59 GMT

SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) --- Tonight, the San Marcos City Council is set to vote on its comprehensive plan called Vision SMTX ++. This plan will serve as a roadmap for the city's next 20 years. According to the plan, San Marcos has grown at a faster rate than Hays County over the past two decades. RELATED TOPIC: Demand at San Marcos Airport grows, record number takeoffs and landings "Due to the location of San Marcos at the heart of the Texas Innovation Corridor and presence of Texas State University, the City is expected to continue growing at a relatively rapid rate," the plan said. With that growth, comes the need for a plan to address it. The current plan, Vision San Marcos: A River Runs Through Us, was adopted back in 2013. "Although it has only been approximately ten years since the current Comprehensive Plan was written, many changes have occurred within the city; populations, land area, and the number of students at Texas State University have all continued to increase," ...

Man arrested, accused of hitting woman with vehicle in northeast Austin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:59 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department identified the suspect and victim in a deadly vehicle-pedestrian crash that happened in October in northeast Austin. MAP: Where have Austin’s fatal crashes occurred in 2023? Shortly after 5 a.m., Oct. 22, officers responded to the 700 block of East Braker Lane for the crash, police said.Romel A. Diaz George, 24 | Courtesy Austin Police DepartmentThe victim was identified as Jessica Adams, 37. The man accused of hitting Adams was identified as Romel A. Diaz George, 24, according to police.Police arrived on the scene and found Adams but could not find the vehicle involved in the crash, the release said.During the investigation, police identified Diaz George as a suspect in the crash. Then, on Oct. 29, he was arrested and charged with failure to stop and render aid, according to police.Attorney information for Diaz George wasn't available as of Monday afternoon.APD said this crash is being investigated as Austin's 74th fatal crash, result...

East Austin’s Green and White Grocery could get historical protection

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:59 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A longtime east Austin business could get historical protection soon. The Historic Landmark Commission voted Wednesday to initiate the historic zoning. It was brought forward by two commissioners as a committee-initiated process. The owner of Green and White Grocery, John Cazares, sent a letter supporting the move. Green and White Grocery is at 1201 E. Seventh St. in east Austin.“I believe the historical zoning will greatly benefit the store and property as well as maintain a portion of the [area’s] original character,” Cazares wrote to the commission. During the meeting, city staff said a historic zoning public hearing would be held next month, and notification letters would be sent out. Commissioner Jaime Alvarez wrote in his request that the store “served as a fixture to the East Austin Mexican American community” since it opened in the 1930s. According to the business, it opened as a grocery store and meat market. Norberto Lopez started the bu...

Could star receiver Justin Jefferson return to Vikings practice this week? ‘It’s possible’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:59 GMT

Technically, star receiver Justin Jefferson is eligible to be activated from injured reserve. He has missed the required number of games per NFL rules, and thus, the Vikings could open his practice window at any point this week.Asked for an update on Jefferson, who has been out with a hamstring injury, head coach Kevin O’Connell noted that he would have a better idea when the Vikings actually got on the field to prepare for a home game against the New Orleans Saints.“It’s possible we will open up his practice window on Wednesday,,” O’Connell said. “We’re going to do what’s best for Justin and make sure that we’re doing everything responsibly.”If the Vikings decide to open the practice window, they would then have 21 days to either activate Jefferson or shut him down for the rest of the season. He suffered the hamstring injury last month during the Vikings’ 27-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.Notably, the Vikings haven’t lost a g...

E-cigarette rates drop for high schoolers, but tobacco use jumps for middle schoolers, study shows

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:59 GMT

E-cigarette and tobacco rates have dropped among high school students, while tobacco use has jumped for middle schoolers across the U.S.That’s according to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration, which found that about 50% of students who ever tried e-cigarettes reported currently using them — a sign that many youth who try e-cigarettes remain e-cigarette users.The CDC and FDA study is based on the results from the 2023 National Youth Tobacco Survey. Students in the survey were asked whether they’ve used tobacco products in the last month.Among high school students, past 30-day use of any tobacco product declined from last year to this year — from 16.5% to 12.6%. That drop was primarily driven by a decline in e-cigarette use (14.1% to 10.0%).But middle schooler tobacco use went up significantly, according to the report. Past 30-day use of at least one tobacco product jumped from 4.5% last year to now 6.6% among middle sch...

There's a new sheriff coming to town

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:59 GMT

RENSSELAER COUNTY, N.Y. (NEWS10) Sheriff Patrick Russo, is stepping down from his elected duties, leaving room for a new sheriff in town. NEWS10 met up with the candidates who are vying for the job. There are two candidates in the race for Rensselaer County Sheriff. One is a current sheriff deputy with the county, the other is a former Troy City Police Chief. School bus aide dies days after bus crash Republican candidate, Kyle Bourgault, says his number one priority is, “The opioid epidemic that's going on not only here in this County but all over the state.”On the ballot, Brian Owens is the democratic candidate. He’s also running on the liberty and justice party line.  He says, “school safety is a main priority.”Both candidates praise the school resource officer programs and promise to keep them going.“I was able to reinstitute the SRO for the school resource officer program and have officers assigned to schools. The Sheriff's Department currently does have an SRO program so...

New law meant to expand access to maternal care

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:48:59 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- According to the CDC, infant mortality rates increased for the first time in 20 years. From 2021 to 2022, infant mortality rose 3% in the United States. It increased significantly for babies of women between the ages of 25 to 29 years old with with maternal complications and bacterial sepsis being two of the leading causes of death. "Like many other injustices, race certainly is a factor," said Governor Kathy Hochul during a press conference on Monday. "Black babies are two times more likely to die than white babies. Black women are 3 to 4 times more likely to die in childbirth."The governor today signing legislation to create a doula directory, so New Yorkers know where to they can receive their services "It will ultimately reduce barriers to getting a good quality, maternal care, infant care, and helping areas were trying to fight and drive down the mortality rates," said Hochul.Starting on January 1st, doula coverage will be available for all Medicaid enr...