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'Three decades of service:' Mayor Johnson introduces pick for next CPD Superintendent

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:32 GMT

CHICAGO — During a press conference at city hall on Monday, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson introduced Chicago Police Chief Larry Snelling as his choice for the department's next superintendent. "He will build upon his three decades of service, most recently, of course, as Chief of the Bureau of Counterterrorism, after rising through the ranks of this department," Mayor Johnson said. The mayor says Snelling is a proven leader with an impressive reputation and resume who will unify CPD and ensure Chicagoans are safe. Johnson chooses Larry Snelling to be next CPD Superintendent "We will work together to continue to build the partnerships that ensure every single voice is heard, that every resident feels safe and those who are most impacted by crime in our city have a seat at the table in influencing the solutions that our communities deserve," Johnson said. Snelling, a lifelong South Sider, says he is eager to begin his new role. "Every member of this city has to b...

Downpours to cause flooding concerns before heat, humidity settle in

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:32 GMT

An unusually strong August storm threatens additional heavy, occasionally thundery downpours that are likely to continue sweeping the Chicago area—particularly the area from the I-80 to I-88 corridor northward—from time to time through midnight to 1 a.m. Tuesday morning. Additional showers, more sporadic, are to continue beyond that into the opening hours of Tuesday.  Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here The storm has already dropped 1.50" of rain at Midway and just over 0.26" at O'Hare as of the 3:30pm post time for this message and the latest forecast.  But the rains are hardly over.  It's widespread rainfall totals of 0.90" to as much as 2.70" are likely to fall with the potential for a few heavier totals of, as much as 2.50"-5" not out of the question, given the involvement of t-storms. The Chicago area—particularly from the I-80 to I-88 corridor—is being advised of AN EXCESSIVE RAINFALL RISK by the Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center.  &...

Woman connected with Vanessa Guillén's death sentenced to 30 years

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:32 GMT

WACO, Texas (KXAN/KWKT) – A woman charged in connection with the death of U.S. Army Specialist Vanessa Guillén was sentenced to 30 years in prison Monday, according to a U.S. Department of Justice release.Cecily Ann Aguilar, 25, entered a guilty plea to one count of accessory to murder after the fact and three counts of false statement or representation. She appeared before Judge Jeffrey C. Manske in November 2022 – where she admitted to being an accessory after the fact and making false statements to law enforcement. Woman pleads guilty to four counts in connection with Vanessa Guillén’s death Guillén disappeared in April 2020 after meeting with Specialist Aaron Robinson in an arms room on Fort Cavazos, which was called Fort Hood at the time, KWKT reported. Guillén’s body was found in July 2020. Robinson later died by suicide when confronted by authorities about Guillén’s disappearance. Aguilar was facing eleven counts connected to Guillén’s murder, including Tampe...

Texas Longhorns offensive line strikes NIL deal with nonalcoholic beer company

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:32 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — It started with The Pancake Factory, and now the Texas Longhorns offensive line is part of another NIL deal.Athletic Brewing, makers of nonalcoholic beer and sparkling hop water, and the Longhorns offensive line have formed a partnership and will formally introduce it Aug. 19 at the Hancock Center H-E-B, located at 1000 E. 41st St.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersDJ Campbell, Cameron Williams, Hayden Conner, Neto Zulu, Kelvin Banks Jr., Cole Hutson, Christian Jones and Jake Majors will all be on hand to sign autographs and host a nonalcoholic beer sampling at the grocery store from 1-3 p.m.The new NIL deal for the linemen comes after the landmark NIL partnership started by Horns With Heart, now part of the Texas One Fund. The Pancake Factory initiative pays participating offensive linemen $50,000 for contributing to various charitable activities.

Washington County to break ground on new environmental center in Forest Lake

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:32 GMT

Prep work on Washington County’s new Northern Environmental Center in Forest Lake has begun, and construction is slated to start Sept. 11, county officials said Monday.The $18.3 million project, located on the southeast quadrant of U.S. Highway 61 and 202nd Street in Forest Lake, will be the county’s second household hazardous waste collection center and yard debris environmental center. It will open in the fall of 2024.(Courtesy of Washington County)The county currently has an environmental center in Woodbury where residents can dispose of hazardous materials, electronics and food scraps.The new center in Forest Lake will allow residents in the northern part of Washington County to dispose of those without having to travel such a long distance, said David Brummel, the director of the county’s public health and environment department.“It will put all county residents within a 25-minute drive of an environmental center,” Brummel said. “We have this long and skinny county,...

COVID-19 is ‘heating up all around’ this summer. Should we be wearing masks again?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:32 GMT

The uptick in coronavirus transmission this summer has not brought major alarm from health experts.But it is raising questions about whether the risks are high enough to go back to safety measures that many have abandoned.Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a UC San Francisco infectious diseases expert, said transmission is increasing and “we haven’t seen the crest yet” of the wave.Most people have stopped wearing masks and aren’t likely to follow suggestions to return to that practice all the time again.But swearing off masks for good — even when sitting on a plane next to someone who is coughing or sneezing — would unnecessarily put people at higher risk for illness.“I think there’s, like, an in-between” message, Chin-Hong said. There are people who may want to avoid contracting COVID-19 “because it’s disruptive to life.”Chin-Hong said he’s aware of people who’ve had to change big travel plans to Europe and Africa because of illness.“Right now, when things are heating up all around the country w...

High school football: After three seasons away, coach Dave Zeitchick is back in the Highland Park saddle

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:32 GMT

Last fall marked the first in 32 years that Dave Zeitchick did not coach football.The longtime Highland Park coach stepped away from that post following the 2019 season, believing it was best for himself and the program to be led by a fresh face.In 2020, he was an assistant coach for Irondale, working on the staff of Scots alum Ben Fuller. In 2021, he worked on Tartan’s football staff.Then came last year, when he and his wife dedicated many weekends to watching their son, Seth, play his senior football season at Gustavus Adolphus. During a game midway through the Gusties’ season, Zeitchick’s wife looked over at him and said, “You’re going to coach again, aren’t you?”Highland Park varsity football coach Dave Zeitchick, facing at front left center, works with players in St. Paul on Monday, Aug. 14, 2023 — the first day of high school football practice this fall. Zeitchick is back as Highland Park’s coach after originally retiring from the position following the 2019 campai...

Gun violence down ‘significantly’ in Albany

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:32 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – The Albany mayor and police chief said violent crime in the city is down significantly since 2020. At a press conference on Monday they noted drastic decreases year after year. Mayor Kathy Sheehan and Police Chief Eric Hawkins sayid the city saw a dramatic spike in gun violence during the pandemic, like the rest of the country did. Hawkins said since then they’ve been laser focused on reducing those numbers.  Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Hawkins said they have dedicated more resources to address gun violence. They’ve continued their work identifying suspects and hotspots but, he said, the most significant impact has been an increased use of technology, helping them share data more effectively.Data shows a 22 percent decrease in confirmed shots fired between 2020 and 2022. And that number has dropped even more, between last year and this year they’ve seen a 31 percent decrease, Hawkins said.There are s...

Maui fire death toll expected to rise; feds promise strong recovery

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:32 GMT

It’s been almost a week since the deadly wildfires broke out in Maui, basically wiping the historic town of Lahaina off the map.The wildfire has been the deadliest in over 100 years. At present, the death toll is 96 and is expected to climb. The owner of Cheeseburger in Paradise says 100 of her employees are missing. Approximately 3,000 homes and businesses have been destroyed, with damage estimates totaling $6 billion thus far.Horrific video shows people in the ocean trying to escape the deadly wildfire’s flames. Victims described it as a leapfrog of fire that pushed them farther into the water as they spent hours in the ocean trying to survive.FEMA has been out in force, looking at the damage and promising residents a strong recovery. Map: Which Missouri counties are home to the most excessive drinkers? "I want the people of Maui to know that, governor, we're gonna be with you every step of the way throughout this response," said Deanne Criswell, a FEMA administrator.Thousands o...

Charlie Blackmon activated from IL, returns to Rockies lineup; Jurickson Profar injury update

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:32 GMT

Charlie Blackmon was activated from the injured list Monday and inserted into the Rockies’ lineup, batting leadoff as designated hitter in the series-opener against the Diamondbacks.Blackmon missed 53 games after being placed on the IL June 10 with a fractured right hand. He played two games with Triple-A Albuquerque on a rehab assignment last week then rejoined the Rockies for the start of their homestand.Asked what felt different during the rehab assignment, Blackmon said, “I was able to play baseball. I played a couple games, and I can play. … I feel good.”Not knowing whether he would be in the outfield or DH-ing when he spoke to reporters pregame Monday, Blackmon said he would like to get back in the field. But returning to health has been a one-step-at-a-time process. He played outfield in his first rehab game then went to DH in the second game. “Being able to up the intensity and then not get sore the next day” was the sign Blackmon needed t...