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City of Chicago trying to collect $15M in rat fines

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:40 GMT

CHICAGO -- In August, two Chicago families dealt with severe rat infestations, with one of them having no choice but to move out of their northwest side apartment building.In 2022, the City of Chicago received more than 50,000 rat complaints. ORIGINAL: Chicago’s ‘Rat’ Rage Grows A WGN investigation found that even when the city stepped in rat-related fines were rarely paid with less than 20% of the dollars collected. In fact, one real estate company owed $15 million in fines.The "Illinois Answers Project" has now found that the City of Chicago will be going after that real estate company which will look to sell a string of properties. The 50 ‘rattiest cities’ in the US, as ranked by Orkin In the last month, Mayor Brandon Johnson also increased the rodent control budget by $1.5 million to address some of its staffing issues.In 2022, Orkin named Chicago the rat capital of the U.S. for the eighth consecutive year.

Illinois releases 2023 dangerous toys list

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:40 GMT

CHICAGO -- The Illinois Public Interest Research Group unveiled its 2023 dangerous toys list at Lurie Children's Hospital on Monday.They focused heavily on high tech toys this year, which often have apps, microphones and cameras involved. African cat injured, dies after escaping home in Vernon Hills: police The Meta Quest Virtual Reality headset is sure to be on some kids wish lists, but experts say it could pose significant dangers for children.Low tech toys can be dangerous too, including beads that expand when doused in water. They can cause serious health problems, even death, if swallowed.Experts said many recalled toys are still being sold by private sellers on the internet.

Wayne Brady involved in car crash and alleged altercation

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:40 GMT

LOS ANGELES (KTLA) -- Television host and comedian Wayne Brady was involved in a two-car crash in the Los Angeles area, police said, and reports are emerging that he may have gotten into an altercation with the other driver. According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Brady was one of two parties involved in the collision around 7:30 p.m. Sunday on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu.“[Brady] was in the vehicle that was hit by another driver,” officials with the sheriff's department confirmed to KTLA.  Pop star Shakira reaches a deal with Spanish prosecutors on the first day of tax fraud trial Reports from People and TMZ indicate that Brady and the other driver, identified by both outlets as a 51-year-old man, got into an "intense argument" that escalated into a physical altercation. Authorities who spoke with KTLA were not able to confirm whether the fight took place, but they did say that the suspect fled the scene on foot before being apprehended. The s...

Travis Kelce spelling error prompts Chipotle to rename one of its restaurants

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:40 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WDAF) -- A Chipotle in Kansas City has changed its name, at least for now, in response to a viral tweet from Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. Within the past week, some of the star player's old tweets from as far back as 2009 have resurfaced on social media. Here are just a few posts that fans have liked thousands of times on X, formerly Twitter: "I just gave a squirle a peice of bread and it straight smashed all of it!!!! I had no idea they ate bread like that!! Haha #crazy," Kelce said in 2011."I HOP!!!!!! I love commin here for breakfast! Ummm I think ill have the T-bone steak n Eggs please! Haha with some white toast on the side!" Kelce tweeted in 2010. "Went from class to therapy, now I need some #chipolte and then I'm off to check out my new apt!!" Kelce tweeted in 2011. That last tweet caught Chipotle's attention. The company responded to the post on Nov. 15, saying, "it's me, hi," in a nod to Taylor Swift's popular "Anti-Hero" lyrics. Kelce Bowl: Travis an...

Albany man sentenced to 20 years to life for 2015 homicide

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:40 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- An Albany man was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison for shooting and killing another man in 2015. Jaushi'ir Weaver was sentenced after being convicted of second degree murder in September. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Weaver was charged in connection with the shooting death of Courtney Yates, who was killed near Lark Street and Sheridan Avenue. The 25-year old was first convicted of murder in 2016, but it was overturned earlier this year after the New York State Supreme Court concluded the judge failed to properly instruct the jury.Weaver is also serving a 15-year sentence for criminal possession of a weapon. The two sentences will run concurrently.

Albany Med lockdown suspect cannot represent himself in court

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:40 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The suspect charged with bringing a gun into Albany Medical Center cannot represent himself. A judge ruled on Monday that Dino Savoca is not mentally fit to do so. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Savoca is facing three charges, including second degree murder, after his mother died days after he tried to prevent medical staff from moving her. He's accused of bringing a loaded shotgun and a BB gun into his mother's hospital room in March. He pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.The hospital went into lockdown for several hours. It prompted Albany Med and other hospitals to review their safety protocols.

Unity House kicks off annual children's holiday program

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:40 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Unity House kicked off its annual children's holiday program on Monday. The Rensselaer County-based human service agency is collecting toys, clothes and other items for more than 1,000 children.They focus on two main categories: needs and wants. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! "The group focuses on both because there are basics that we all need in everyday life, and that sort of compiles the list of needs, and on the wants side, it could be anything from a board game to Spider-Man seems to be popular this year to dolls," Unity House Elf Cassie Prugh said. They usually deliver the gifts, but this year, they are opening a store where parents and guardians can come in and choose what their kids would like.

Guilderland kicks off Holiday Angels, Giving Angels programs

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:40 GMT

GUILDERLAND, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A couple of local groups have teamed up to collect holiday gifts this year. The Guilderland Chamber of Commerce partnered with the Guilderland YMCA for the 2023 Holiday Angels and Giving Angels programs.They collect unwrapped gifts for the Guilderland Central School District, St. Catherine's, and more. Leaders of both organizations said it will allow them to expand their reach and help more families in need. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! "It's a big initiative. It's a lot of volunteer hours, a lot of volunteer organizations, so partnering with the chamber allows us to spread out a little bit and not have overlap, and so it's a great partnership for us," Guilderland YMCA Exec. Dir. Lisa Wilcott said.To help, visit the Guilderland Chamber of Commerce or the YMCA and choose an ornament from the holiday tree. It will have a specific request from a family in need.The ornament and the unwrapped gift mu...

These five Thanksgiving pies are a dessert lover’s dream

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:40 GMT

By Claire Saffitz, The New York TimesThanksgiving is a major production if you’re the host, and generally I encourage cutting a few corners. If it eases your workload, I say go ahead and buy the gravy or use the canned cranberry sauce.But I draw the line at dessert.As a baker, I give my all to the pie spread, making my own crusts, assembling fillings from scratch and softly whipping fresh cream for serving.No matter the number of guests we’re expecting, I insist on preparing the pie trifecta (pie-fecta?) of apple, pumpkin and pecan, with some twists.Rather than overload my apple pie with spices, I marry a dark caramel with chunky apple slices, so the end result is slightly reminiscent of tarte Tatin. My pumpkin pie is fairly traditional, save for the crunchy layer of toasted pumpkin seeds. Coated in maple syrup and baked on top, it gives an otherwise soft pie some texture. And the pecan pie, baked in a slab, uses a filling of pecan cream — no corn syrup — that is lightly sweet...

USPS now accepting 'Santas' for annual Adopt a Letter campaign

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:40 GMT

If you're looking to give back this holiday season, the United States Postal Service wants your help.The Postal Service's annual Operation Santa turns 111 years old this year, and for the very first time in the program's history, the charitable event is starting before Black Friday.Operation Santa is a yearly tradition in which children, individuals and families write letters to "Santa" in hopes of having some wishes fulfilled that might otherwise go unanswered.The Postal Service screens the letters across the country and makes the senders eligible to receive a gift from a willing and giving participant. The letters are being reviewed and posted online and people can sign up to "adopt" one of the letters and make those dreams come true.Letters need to be sent to "Santa's U.S. workshop," 123 Elf Road, North Pole 88888, with a legible and accurate return address to ensure senders are eligible to participate in the charitable event.A letter to Santa from Jaidyn, one of many children to...