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Structural concerns prompt evacuation at Northwest Indiana apartment complex

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:35 GMT

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. — Some residents of a Northwest Indiana apartment complex were forced out of their homes on Wednesday after an inspection revealed structural issues.SkyCam9 flew above the scene in the 1700 block of W. 55th Ave. after the area fire department deemed the Hickory Ridge Apartments buildings in Merrillville, Indiana unsafe.“Since we’ve had so many issues at this apartment complex, our fire inspector was coming through just to take note of some issues that were supposed to be repaired,” said Merrillville Fire Chief, Edward Yerga.Yerga said the inspector realized structural integrity was an immediate concern, and alerted town officials and the Planning and Building Department, which agreed an evacuation was needed.Of the 24 units in the evacuated building, it’s not clear how many residents were displaced, though officials believe a little more than half of the units were occupied.“Our immediate concern now from the fire department is just taking care of the residents,” ...

Both sides rest in battery trial of CPD cop who pinned teen to ground in Park Ridge

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:35 GMT

PARK RIDGE, Ill. — Following three days of testimony, the bench trial of a Chicago police sergeant who pinned a teen to the ground near a Starbucks in suburban Park Ridge is now in the hands of a judge. Michael Viterllaro is charged with official misconduct and aggravated battery after viral video showed him kneeling on the back of a teen he thought stole his son's bike. In court on Wednesday, the law enforcement official, who was off-duty at the time of the incident, opted not to testify. RELATED:Friend who recorded teen pinned by CPD cop wanted ‘hard evidence’ if something bad happened Chicago police sergeant on trial for pinning teen to the ground in Park RidgeViterllaro's son, who on June 1, 2022 told Park Ridge officers that his bike had been stolen from an area library, did take the stand, however.Nicole Nieves says her son, Josh, was moving what appeared to be an abandoned bike out of the way when the encounter occurred. Nieves said her son had his bike with him.While on the ...

Teens hold march demanding change for Black, brown women reported missing

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:35 GMT

CHICAGO — Black women and girls account for more than 35% of the missing people reported by Chicago police in the last two decades. On Wednesday evening, youth activists are raising awareness about their plight and marching to demand change. Efforts underway to prevent ‘teen takeover’ Wednesday at North Avenue Beach The teens are heading down King Drive with community members, activists and other youth leaders not far behind. The march was created by a 13-year-old girl in 2017 looking to channel her anger into action.It came after she learned about the lack of attention given to missing Black and brown girls in Chicago.The marchers on Wednesday are demanding thorough police investigations into at least 51 Black women who have been missing since 2001. LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland Along with shedding a light on the missing and murdered, organizers are calling for widespread policy changes and want a seat at the decision-making table at the local, state and federal l...

Pritzker zeroes in on education investments, signs fiscal year budget for 2024

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:35 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — After being unanimously passed by Democrats with no Republican support, Governor JB Pritzker signed the bill containing the fiscal year budget for 2024 into law Wednesday.In signing the bill, Pritzker zeroed in on educational investments that he had been travelling the state, highlighting in weeks prior."You’ve seen we’ve put forward significant dollars to support education in every way possible," Pritzker said at a ceremony for signing the bill Wednesday.Cornerstone tenants of the bill include boosts to funding for K-12 education and higher ed, as well as the launch of Pritzker's early childhood program, Smart Start. White Sox-Yankees Wednesday night game in New York postponed due to poor air quality Smart Start aims to provide every child in Illinois with access to preschool. It's also intended to grow the childcare sector, while also investing in early intervention and home-visiting services."Birth through 5 [year-old] services and kindergarten readiness is ...

When will Lionel Messi play the Chicago Fire FC?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:35 GMT

CHICAGO -- Lionel Messi announced Wednesday that he will join Major League Soccer's Inter Miami in another landmark moment for the league and the sport in the United States.After months — years, even — of speculation, Messi on Wednesday finally revealed his decision to join a Miami franchise that has been led by another global soccer icon, David Beckham, since its inception but has yet to make any real splashes on the field.He said in the interviews Wednesday that some final details still need to be worked out, but that he has made the call to “continue my path” in Miami.“After winning the World Cup and not being able to return to Barcelona, it was my turn to go to the league of the United States to live football in another way,” Messi said. Lionel Messi is going to play in MLS, reports say Messi’s next matches are likely to be exhibitions with Argentina against Australia on June 15 at Beijing and at Indonesia in Jakarta four days later — and then his Inter Miami de...

North Central College to celebrate NCAA national championship at White House

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:35 GMT

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — The North Central College Football Cardinals are headed to the nation's capital to meet the President. The NCAA Division III level champs from Naperville will meet President Joe Biden on June 12 following a 15-0 undefeated season that culminated in a Stagg Bowl victory on Dec. 16, 2022.  ‘Don’t take this for granted’: North Central College celebrates another football national title The 28-21 national championship victory over Mount Union was the Cardinals' second title in three seasons and the third-straight championship game since the 2020 season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Bears CEO Kevin Warren, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson release statement after meeting The two-time national champions will be among the invited guests at the inaugural College Athlete Day.See previous video on North Central Football's NCAA title win in the player above.

Taylor Swift concerts led to record number of hotel bookings in Chicago

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:35 GMT

CHICAGO -- Almost all of the hotel rooms in Chicago were completely booked last weekend largely to do with the Taylor Swift-mania that took over Soldier Field.According to Bloomberg, hotel occupancy averaged 96.8% last weekend while Taylor Swift's "Eras Tour" made their stop in Chicago. For Friday and Saturday nights allow, an average of 44,383 hotel rooms were occupied. ‘Sooooo epic:’ Taylor Swift’s message to Chicago fans after Soldier Field concerts Thee President and CEO of Choose Chicago, Lynn Osmond, said that this weekend "led to over $39 million in hotel revenue, which is an all-time record."The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting and the James Beard Foundation Awards also played a part in the bookings, but nearly 200,000 concert attendees coming to town for Taylor Swift are credited with the record.

BMX star dies in crash at California motocross track

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:35 GMT

RAMONA, Calif. (KSWB) — Officials have identified the man who died Tuesday at a motocross track in Ramona, California.Pat Casey, 29, died after he lost control of the motocross bike he was riding and was ejected, the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office said. Casey was performing a jump on the park ramps, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.The crash happened around 2:45 p.m. at Slayground Motocross Park, which is owned by Axell Hodges, a three-time gold medal winner in X Games Moto X competition. Taco Bell launches vegan option of an iconic item at select locations Bystanders called 911 but by the time paramedics arrived at the track, they found Casey pulseless and apneic, according to the medical examiner's office. Despite life-saving measures, Casey was pronounced dead at the scene.Casey, a competitive BMX rider, recently competed in the X Games Japan event in May. He placed fifth in BMX Park Best Trick and ninth in BMX Park."We are deeply saddened by P...

Did you catch the mistake on the Madden 24 cover?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:35 GMT

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Josh Allen is the first Buffalo Bills player to be featured on the cover of the Madden video game franchise. He called it "a childhood dream come true." But some are calling out an apparent editing error on EA Sports' part. The long-rumored Madden 24 cover was confirmed Wednesday in a reveal from EA Sports. Josh Allen surprises family for daughter’s birthday Madden released two versions of the video game cover. The Standard Edition ($69.99) features a photo of Allen looking down with his hands on his shoulder pads, in a classic pre-game pose. The Deluxe Edition – which offers three-day early access, 4,600 Madden points, and an "AKA player item" for a $30 upcharge – depicts Allen celebrating with fans after jumping into the stands.Madden featured the Deluxe Edition photo in their initial tweet of the cover. But if you zoom in, you'll notice an error. Look closely at Allen's face. One of the bars of his facemask appears cut off. A zoomed-in look at the Madden ...

Benefits could increase for retired Texas teachers in 2024

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:45:35 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 10 this session, setting the stage for a cost-of-living adjustment to the Texas Teacher Retirement System (TRS) at the start of the new year.It will become law in Texas unless vetoed by Gov. Greg Abbott before June 18. Once the bill becomes law, it mandates an immediate one-time payment of $2,400 for TRS retirees and beneficiaries who are at least 70 years old. This payment is increased to $7,500 for those who are 75 and older. According to the Texas Retired Teachers Association (TRTA), 186,000 TRS retirees will receive $7,500 and 104,000 TRS retirees will receive $2,400.The total cost of these payments is estimated at $1.636 billion, according to the Legislative Budget Board.Voters to decide cost-of-living adjustmentSB 10 also lays out the legal groundwork for a cost-of-living adjustment to the TRS annuity. However, voters have the final say on whether to use state money for that purpose.On Election Day in November, a ...