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Fire hydrant painting and getting paid: How Waukegan is putting teens to work to help combat gun violence

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:12:11 GMT

WAUKEGAN, Ill. — Like many communities around Chicagoland, gun violence has been a challenge in Waukegan. With the long summer months ahead, the city came up with a creative solution to combat the issue.The solution is a partnership between Waukegan's Department of Public Works and a local non-profit organization known as the Antmound Foundation.Organizers call it 'Operation Radiance' and the linchpin of the program centers around repainting the city's fire hydrants. In all, there are about 3,000 of them in and around the city of Waukegan — and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays, throughout the summer — local young people can pick up a paint brush and make $15-an-hour helping spruce up the city's image."We are doing great work," said Anthony McIntyre, founder of the Antmound Foundation. "There are thousands of fire hydrants in the city. We are going to get them."City officials describe the program as being mutually beneficial for both Waukegan and young people around the city looking...

Disney classics returning to big screen at select Cinemark theaters

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:12:11 GMT

(KTLA) - Classic Disney films are returning to the big screen for a limited time this summer at select Cinemark Theaters. Cinemark will be screening the Disney classics in honor of the entertainment giant's 100th anniversary. The Walt Disney Company was founded by Walt and Roy Disney back in 1923, and has grown to be one of the most influential and innovative companies on the planet.Starting this week, Cinemark Theaters will begin showing a number of Disney films through the summer and into early autumn. 1,500 Disneyland collectibles go up for auction The first film to return to the theaters is "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl," the 2003 action comedy based on the theme park ride that launched one of Disney's most well-known film franchises.Other Disney blockbusters returning to the big screen include "Frozen," "Moana," and "The Lion King."Tickets are on sale now, but only a select few theaters will be participating in the event.The full film schedule is as ...

Kayla McBride makes winning play as Lynx run win streak to four

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:12:11 GMT

It’s not a play that’ll show up on the score sheet, but Kayla McBride made a key late stop for the Lynx.And it was crucial in leading Minnesota to its fourth straight win, beating Indiana 90-83 Wednesday at Target Center.McBride netted 21 points, including four free throws in the final 13 seconds. But, more importantly, she and Lindsay Allen shut down Kelsey Mitchell. Coming off a 26-point outing, Mitchell, who had 22 points when the teams met nearly a month ago, finished with seven.“We trust K-Mac on every team’s best perimeter player,” said coach Cheryl Reeve. “She knows them so well, she knows her own physical ability, what she can and can’t do, and we needed every bit of what she did today.”A 12-point lead about to be whittled to four, McBride raced back and interfered with a layup attempt by NaLyssa Smith with 37.9 seconds left, a play that ultimately went into the books as a steal by Allen who grabbed the loose ball.“We talk about saves in transition and I was just trying to m...

Pablo López throws first-career complete game in Twins’ 5-0 win over Royals

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:12:11 GMT

As Pablo López was getting ready to do a postgame interview on the field, Twins designated hitter Byron Buxton emerged from the dugout, fishing vest in hand.A couple months ago, it was López who went out to a sporting goods store to purchase the vest, which his teammates use to celebrate their home runs.Wednesday, López finally had his chance to don the vest.After López twirled his first career complete game, a 5-0 shutout against the Kansas City Royals in the series finale at Target Field, Buxton slipped it onto López, commemorating a special night for the starting pitcher.“Pablo was, from the very beginning of this game, the stuff, the swings and misses, everything, it really did stand out and he carried it from the first pitch to the last,” manager Rocco Baldelli said. “ … I mean, he was just ridiculous, the way every pitch was, I think, almost precisely what he was looking for. He was awesome. Just awesome.”It was clear from the beginning that López, who allowed just four hits i...

New York State's firework show a success after being postponed

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:12:11 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - Tonight, the annual fireworks at the Empire Plaza was a success as folks came back out to the plaza for another night after Tuesday night's show was canceled due to a thunderstorm. Unkept promises for New York City’s displaced asylees in the Capital Region Folks here at the Empire Plaza say the show was worth the wait and they are now leaving after getting what they want, the fireworks.“I come down every year but last night I said nah I think it’s gonna be raining. They postponed it and I work on site this week, so, can get front row seating,” said Judy Califano.The only other time the celebration was canceled was in 2020 because of the pandemic. Wednesday night, the show went on. The Scotia Fireworks show presented by Jumpin’ Jack’s lights up Freedom Park “I’m just really excited. Like, I have never been here, I haven’t seen fireworks in a long time. So, it’s really exciting and being here with family and friends it’s just gonna be amazing,” said Annabel...

Two lives lost: Did 911 fail during St. Louis storm?

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:12:11 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Two lives were lost in two different cities, but there was one big complaint during the weekend storms: 911.In Jennings, 5-year-old RJ Thomas died when a tree fell into his bedroom. The boy's mother, LaWanda Thomas, rushed into his bedroom to help."I kept on telling him to hold on. I was right there. I'm not going nowhere. I'm right here," Thomas said.She called 911."A gentleman answered told me he had to switch me over to somebody else," Thomas said.She waited and waited and waited for St. Louis County 911 to pick up.St. Louis County police officer Adrian Washington confirmed Wednesday that it took 13 minutes to answer."[It] consisted of ringing (not a mechanical failure, just waiting to be answered). When our call taker answered the call, the caller hung up at the same time," Washington said. Delayed 911 response explained after St. Louis woman’s death County police said the call was immediately returned, and the 911 call taker spoke with a woman."During that time, t...

Police search for suspects in two violent robberies in Tower Grove South

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:12:11 GMT

ST. LOUIS - St. Louis police are looking for three suspects behind two separate violent robberies in the Tower Grove neighborhood.Leading up to the fourth of July, two longtime favorite destinations in Tower Grove were the scenes of violent robberies involving guns.On Sunday at 2:30 p.m., police said three suspects approached three rental bikes outside A&M Cyclery. The suspects took the bikes after they discovered that the chain was unlocked. The store mechanic saw them and chased them on his bike until the suspects pointed a semi-automatic handgun at the employee stopping him, from stealing one of the bikes."It's very sad that this thing happened," said Francesc Ferrer, an A&M Cyclery customer. "Honestly, I can't believe whoever did it should be ashamed." Delayed 911 response explained after St. Louis woman’s death "I don't even care about the bike, it’s the fact that they pulled a gun on one of my mechanics," said Jeff Gerhardt, the owner of A&M Cyclery. "That's real...

Fireworks may be the cause of fatal fire in St. Charles County

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:12:11 GMT

ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. - There are calls for tighter fireworks restrictions and perhaps a complete ban after a deadly fire in unincorporated St. Charles County with fireworks as a suspected cause just after the Fourth of July had ended.Fourth of July fireworks are allowed until 11:00 p.m. in that part of the county. About an hour later, a fire erupted on Arlington Drive, killing 49-year-old resident Steve Koelling.“It was so hard to look at,” said Kaitlynn Feeney, a neighbor. She tried to console Koelling’s 12-year-old daughter, who was the first to discover the fire.“One of the occupants of the home was alerted to the fire by the sounds of crackling in the garage and the smell of smoke,” said Deputy Chief Jason Meinershagen for the Central County Fire & Rescue. “That occupant then alerted everybody else. The three occupants that were able to get out (of the house safely) went together in one direction. The one who is deceased, unfortunately, went in a different direction.” D...

Flood victims fear repeat disaster if railroad continues ignoring abandoned bridge

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:12:11 GMT

CASEYVILLE, Ill. – Residents in Caseyville, Illinois, want to prevent a repeat of last year’s devastating flooding.They believe there’s a simple solution being ignored, involving a long-abandoned railroad bridge that collects debris when the water rises, which restricts water flow and forces it over the levee.That’s what happened in July 2022, leading to a nursing home evacuation and dozens of homeowners in the surrounding neighborhood losing everything.Billy Hayes says he’s been trying to get action for years. He lives in the shadow of the levee, which contains an inactive railroad bridge. That bridge, to this day, has flood debris tangled up underneath. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News SIGN UP NOW “It’s going to happen again,” he said. “It happene...

Some St. Louis County residents still waiting for power to be restored  

Published Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:12:11 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - Garry Lancaster was sitting on his front porch Wednesday afternoon. His power has been out since storms passed through this past weekend. The Overland resident said temperatures inside his house on Stedman Avenue have soared.“Every bit of 99 (degrees) may be a flat 100 in there,” Lancaster said. “It’s so hot you can’t hardly breathe.”Part of a rotting tree was to blame for the damage. Lancaster believes his neighbor should have taken down the tree sooner. He said parts of the tree have fallen and done damage before.Lancaster said he is grateful for the work of power crews and says he expects power to be restored Friday. He will then need to hire an electrician because of the damage the tree caused to his house. Boy drowns in the Lake of the Ozarks on July 4th “I’m staying here for my fish, and two dogs, and my kitty cat,” he said. “I’m trying to keep them as cool as I can with a fan.”Ameren Missouri has stated that a big challenge with restoration efforts h...