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Man gets nearly 50-year sentence for attempted murder of North Chicago cops

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:12 GMT

LAKE COUNTY, Ill. — A 22-year-old man has been sentenced to 49 years in prison for firing shots at North Chicago police officers.Oscar Martinez, 22, was convicted of three counts of felony attempted murder of a peace officer following a three-day jury trial connected to the June 2022 incident.RECENT NORTH CHICAGO NEWS: 2 charged with murder after suburban man allegedly hires hit on ex-girlfriendMartinez was accused of shooting at police officers responding to a shots fired call. No officers were struck. “This offender risked the lives of police officers and members of that community. With this sentence, he will no longer be a threat to others," State’s Attorney Rinehart said after the sentencing hearing. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Martinez, who was found guilty on July 19, will receive 486-day credit for time served.  

Dog dies in Elgin house fire

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:12 GMT

ELGIN, Ill. — A house fire in Elgin claimed the life of a dog, though the reasoning behind what sparked the blaze is unknown. Around 9:45 a.m. Wednesday, fire crews in Elgin responded to a fire in the 1500 block of St. Andrew Circle. Arriving firefighters encountered flames coming from the first window of a single-family home. Heavy smoke was also visible throughout the structure.The fire was extinguished in under 10 minutes. Fire officials said a dog died in the fire, however. The occupants were not home when the fire occurred, officials added. The blaze resulted in about $150,000 in damages. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines The cause of the fire is under investigation.

FDA warns restaurants in 6 states about contaminated oysters

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:12 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) -- The Food and Drug Administration issued a safety advisory to restaurants and retailers in six states, warning that a recent batch of oysters may be contaminated.In an advisory issued Oct. 20, the FDA said its Canadian counterpart, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), tested oysters harvested by Future Seafoods, Inc. and found salmonella and E. coli. The oysters were harvested on Oct. 10 and were sold to establishments in Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Future Seafoods, Inc. has not issued a recall, but restaurants are advised to dispose of the oysters, and consumers are urged not to eat them. "The FDA is awaiting further information on distribution of the oysters harvested and will continue to monitor the investigation and provide assistance to state authorities as needed," the FDA safety advisory stated.The CFIA is looking into what caused the oysters to become contaminated. Symptoms of salmonella infection Food conta...

Storms focus east of I-35 this afternoon

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:12 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- 3-8" of rain has fallen overnight in portions of the Hill Country causing some localized flooding including minor flooding along the Llano river. Rainfall amounts generally ranged from 1-4" for the Austin Metro where flash flooding remains possible.Storms have also brought brief spin-up tornadoes southeast of Austin during the morning. The National Weather Service has expanded the timing of the Flood Watch, which now continues through Thursday evening.Flood watch until midnightThe rain will continue to gradually focus mostly toward areas east of I-35. Live, updated rain totals During the day on Thursday a 2 out of 4 flash flooding risk is in place for the Austin Metro. Watch out for localized heavy downpours on Thursday, which will become less numerous as we head through the day.Flash flooding risk Thursday (WPC)Another round of rain and thunderstorms happens Friday. Saturday looks drier, but more storms arrive ahead of a very potent...

Flooding shuts down Austin Recreation Center polling location

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:12 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The heavy rainfall Thursday morning led to the closure of one polling location in central Austin. The Travis County Clerk's Office announced the Austin Recreation Center, located at 1301 Shoal Creek Blvd., would have to close as an early voting site because of flooding. Staff members are now directing voters to go to other nearby locations like the University of Texas Flawn Academic Center, 2304 Whitis Avenue, or Austin City Hall, 301 West Second Street. Turnout tracker: How many people have voted in the November 2023 election? "Due to flooding, the Austin Recreation Center polling site will be closed until the location can safely re-open. Our office will share updates as they become available," a news release Thursday noted. People can find a list of all the early voting locations on the Travis County clerk's website. Polls will remain open until 7 p.m. Thursday. During this election, voters are deciding whether they support 14 proposed constitutional amendments ...

346-acre Caldwell County project part of $15B plan to build 'mini cities' around Austin, Dallas

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:12 GMT

AUSTIN (ABJ) -- On the heels of announcing a plan to invest $15 billion to essentially build 10 mini-cities around Central Texas, it might come as a surprise to hear Red Oak Development Group CEO Tom Staub admit he fully understands he didn't pick a great time to do it.He listed off the reasons: Many developers are not buying land because of high prices. Builders are being cautious about what projects they are taking on because of rising construction costs. Existing home sales are reaching decades-long lows. Mortgage rates at 8% are making home-buying difficult, and more."It seems so contrarian to go out there and do this now," Staub said. "But doing this now puts lots on the ground in 12-to-18 months. So, really, it's positioning ourselves to have the bulk of supply in Austin for builders going into 2025 and 2026. So timing couldn't be worse if you're thinking right now, but it couldn't be better two or three years out."Read the full story online at the Austin Business Journal.

Salem man pleads guilty to stealing 31 semi-automatic pistols from a licensed dealer

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:12 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Salem man has pleaded guilty to stealing firearms from a federally licensed firearms dealer in Hudson Falls. Martin Taft, 48, faces at least five years to life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Taft admitted to breaking into Calamity Jane's Firearms and Fine Shoes with co-conspirator Jonathon Combs. The two reportedly stole 31 semi-automatic pistols and then exchanged the firearms with another individual for cocaine they intended to distribute. Taft and Combs pled guilty to one count of theft of firearms from a licensed dealer and one count of using firearms during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. Combs also pled guilty to an additional count of theft of a firearm from a licensed dealer. Police took Army reservist suspected in Maine killings for evaluation in July after erratic behavior Combs faces the same minimum and maximum penalties. He will be ...

Missing South Carolina girl found in Kirkwood, Missouri

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:12 GMT

KIRKWOOD, Mo. -- A missing teen from South Carolina was found safe Wednesday night in Kirkwood, Missouri. The Monroe Police Department says that Lauren Heath, 16, was found in a vehicle in the Lowes parking lot near I-44 and Meachum Park. Convicted sex offender Christopher James Porter, 30, was in the driver's seat.Christopher James PorterHeath was reported missing on October 13 from Monroe, South Carolina. She was last seen on a doorbell camera leaving her home. Billboards were put up to help find her last week.Kirkwood police were investigating a report of a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot near I-44 on October 25. They noticed that there was a young girl in the passenger seat. They were able to identify her as Lauren Heath after talking to the people in the vehicle. Multiple people reported dead, injured in Maine shootings Police say that Heath had her birth certificate on her. She also gave officers her mother's phone number and they called her parents.Heath told officers...

Mercury spill evacuates Hazelwood USPS distribution center

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:12 GMT

HAZELWOOD, Mo. -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has been called to investigate a mercury spill at the United States Postal Service distribution center in Hazelwood. The facility has been evacuated.The Environmental Emergency Response team is on the scene. The Missouri DNR says that there is a report of a mercury release onto a mail processing table and conveyor belt. Teaspoon-size amounts of the toxic substance were visible on a table and mercury beads could be seen on a conveyor table next to the area.Cleanup efforts are being coordinated with an environmental contractor.Mercury is a naturally occurring metal that can be a liquid or a gas. Exposure can cause health issues like eye irritation and respiratory problems. Workers may be harmed by exposure depending on dose and duration.

Kia to install anti-theft software for free at St. Louis Galleria this weekend

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:17:12 GMT

RICHMOND HEIGHTS, Mo. - Heads up, Kia owners. You can take your vehicle to the St. Louis Galleria this weekend and get new anti-theft software installed in your car for free. Kia America is holding a software upgrade service center event this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. From 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, Kia owners can visit a mobile clinic for a software upgrade. Multiple people reported dead, injured in Maine shootings This comes in an effort to reduce Kia thefts around the St. Louis region. The City of St. Louis and St. Louis County both reported 10 times as many Hyundai and Kia vehicle thefts in 2022 compared to previous years. Police claim the ability to steal a Kia or Hyundai became wide-known from a TikTok trend earlier this year, leading to a spike in such thefts not only in St. Louis, but also nationwide. Many believe these videos first started gaining attention on YouTube last year. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. ...