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Chicago woman who went missing in Japan located

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:54:00 GMT

CHICAGO — Kandace Schipper, a Chicago woman who was reported missing abroad in Japan earlier this week, has been located, according to a statement from her family Wednesday.“We’re relieved to share that we’ve obtained our beloved daughter, sister and cousin Kandace Schipper’s location. Thank you to everyone who helped us spread the word. We’re grateful for every email, call, and share and are now focused on bringing her home safely. After going through this process, we’re overwhelmed by the kindness of so many strangers. From Chicago to Tokyo, we were met with so much support and eagerness to help us find our loved one and have empathy for anyone seeking missing family members. It’s a complicated process trying to find information and it wouldn’t have been possible for us without the generosity of so many.”Schipper Family StatementA family member told WGN Tuesday that Schipper had landed in Tokyo back on May 8 for an extended vacation across the country, but went radio silent for mo...

Grand jury indicts man in chokehold death of New York City subway rider

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:54:00 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — A man charged with manslaughter for putting an agitated New York City subway rider in a fatal chokehold has been indicted by a grand jury, an expected procedural step that will allow the criminal case to continue.Daniel Penny was charged by Manhattan prosecutors last month in the May 1 death of Jordan Neely, a former Michael Jackson impersonator who struggled in recent years with homelessness and mental illness.Grand jury proceedings are secret and spokespeople for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg declined to comment Wednesday, but the indictment was confirmed by New York City Mayor Eric Adams.“I appreciate DA Bragg conducting a thorough investigation into the death of Jordan Neely. Like I said when the DA first brought charges, I have the utmost faith in the judicial process, and now that the Grand Jury has indicted Daniel Penny, a trial and justice can move forward," Adams said in a statement.Neely was shouting at passengers and begging for money w...

Driver whose car vaulted over tow truck speaks out

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:54:00 GMT

VALDOSTA, Ga. (AP) — A woman whose car was captured on video vaulting into the air over a tow truck and crashing onto a Georgia highway says she's recovering after spending two weeks in a hospital and undergoing several surgeries.“I don’t really remember much, but I know that I thought I was going to die,” Tanaijsha Bruton told WALB-TV in an interview Tuesday. "It hurts really, really bad. I felt everything.”A Lowndes County sheriff's deputy was responding to an earlier wreck on May 24 when his body camera recorded Bruton's sedan flying into the air after driving up the ramp of a flatbed tow truck, which had stopped in the highway's opposite left lane. Teacher shot by first-grader was fired, attorney says. Email to division: ‘I wish to resign’ The car soared 120 feet (37 meters) before landing upside down, according to a police report. It struck another vehicle and tumbled end over end before coming to rest.“When I go to sleep that’s pretty much what I dream ab...

Liberty Hill pride proclamation met with boos

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:54:00 GMT

LIBERTY HILL, Texas (KXAN) – On Wednesday, the mayor of Liberty Hill officially declared June Pride Month.Amanda Crossland, who lost her son Jaycee to suicide shortly after he came out as gay, said she’s been speaking closely with the mayor about this.“I promised him after he died I would do everything I can to make sure this doesn’t happen to someone else,” she said. “To make sure people like him know they have support.”The proclamation reads as follows:Whereas, Liberty Hill is a Loving, Wholesome and Family-centered community; and Whereas, Liberty Hill is an inclusive and supportive community; and Whereas, We value all of our citizens because of the unique and precious nature of all of God’s children; and Whereas, We oppose hate, abuse, discrimination or bullying of any person, Now Therefore, I, Liz Branigan, as Mayor, do proclaim the month of June as Pride Month in Liberty Hill, in harmony with the larger community of the United States.The meeting room was packed with people part...

Officials weigh in on the possibility of losing Rensselaer County’s only Maternity unit

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:54:00 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Both healthcare and government officials are now weighing in on St. Peter’s Health Partner’s decision to shut down the labor and delivery unit at Samaritan Hospital in Troy. Because then Rensselaer County would lose its only maternity unit.When the closure was announced, The Family Life Center staff were shocked, including Doula and Child Birth Educator Sarah Reed.“This was a huge blow yesterday when we heard about it,” Reed said. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Reed has been supporting mothers across the Capital Region at various facilities.“Albany Med, Bellevue, St. Peter’s…and Burdette is by far the place with the most options,” Reed said.That’s because more opportunities exist to use a doula or a midwife during childbirth. Mayor Patrick Madden of the City of Troy said closing the only maternity unit in Rensselaer County will limit accessibility.“Removing services from a community only creates more ...

St. Louis Cardinals fans sound off on team’s dismal season  

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:54:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Some St. Louis Cardinals fans leaving Busch Stadium on Wednesday were shaking their heads in disgust. A team notorious for its winning ways dropped another heartbreaker by giving up a two-run lead in the 9th inning and then allowing three more runs to the visiting San Francisco Giants in the 10th frame.“Couldn’t be much more disappointed,” said Jim Bullatto, a St. Louis Cardinals fan.He said he is hopeful the team will make some front office changes quickly.Kelly Goersch attended the game and agreed. St. Charles County man admits hiding camera in bathroom to record children “There’s no unity, there’s no togetherness," she said.Several fans pointed to the retirements of Yadier Molina and Albert Pujols last season as a reason for the team’s disappointing season this year. The St. Louis Cardinals have a 27 – 42 record, the worst in the National League.“We get into the later innings, and the people that we expect to excel, just don’t,” said Archie Masterson, a St. Louis Ca...

More I-55 lane closures due to bridge repairs

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:54:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - MoDOT closed more lanes along Interstate 55 Wednesday as part of the ongoing major bridge work across 13 bridges. The entire project is expected to wrap up in 2025, but drivers are feeling frustrated with traffic backups."The quickest way that I can get to 55 North is to travel just all through residential," said Cody Baker. "That's a minimum of a five- to seven-minute slowdown any time I need to go north."He said finding an open on-ramp to get onto I-55 is a daily challenge."Bridge work always is something that is going to be challenging for us because it requires pulling all of the cars off of that bridge," said Jen Wade, area engineer for MoDOT.She said the five miles of construction are necessary for the repairs to bridges. Man died holding apartment door closed as sister fled shooter, police say "Bridges have a lifespan. Just like any structure. They're out in the elements all day long, all year long," Wade said. "They're exposed to heat and cold, free...

900 local businesses benefiting from a $4.5M city grant

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:54:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A multi-million dollar grant is hoping to help the city transform its local business socioeconomic status.Lots of sites and sounds filled the streets of St. Louis on Wednesday. From walks down the street to visiting different venues, The Grove in Forest Park Southeast neighborhood was one of those spots, filled with locals.“This is really about community,” said Dave Rosenthal, general manager at Grace Meat + Three.Rosenthal said the past five years that the restaurant has sat on the corner of Tower Grove Avenue, they've helped the neighborhood transform.“There were really just a lot of bars … these days there’s a lot of great restaurants that are down here in St Louis," he said. Man died holding apartment door closed as sister fled shooter, police say Thanks to the help of the city, some extra funding is helping 900 local businesses. According to senior vice president of the Neighborhood and Community Transformation, Lance Knuckles, this is a necessary step in the city...

Taco Bell fined for violating California gift card laws

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:54:00 GMT

Fast food chain Taco Bell was ordered to pay thousands for allegedly denying customers the right to cash out gift cards valued at less than $10.The complaint was filed on behalf of the district attorney’s offices in Ventura, Los Angeles, and Sonoma counties.The ruling ordered Taco Bell Corporation and its subsidiary, GCTB LLC, to pay $85,500 for violating California’s gift card law, according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.According to Civil Code 1749.5, the owner of a gift card with a balance of less than $10 can obtain a refund from the merchant if they do not wish to spend the remaining balance.The settlement terms state that Taco Bell will pay $45,000 in civil penalties, $30,500 in investigative costs, and $10,000 to the California Consumer Protection Prosecution Trust Fund.“Gift card redemption laws ensure that large corporations do not profit, at the expense of the consumer, off unspent dollars that consumers cannot or do not wish to use at that retailer,” sa...

Antioch interim city manager will take a new job

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:54:00 GMT

ANTIOCH – Acting City Manager Forrest Ebbs announced in an email to the City Council on Wednesday that he has accepted a position as Modesto’s deputy city manager.With a population of 219,000, Modesto is the largest city in Stanislaus County and the 19th largest city in California, nearly double the size of Antioch.Ebbs worked for the city of Antioch for more than eight years as community development director, and most recently was acting city manager, a title he held since March 17. With 23 years of experience in planning, community development and public administration, he was tapped to fill in after City Manager Cornelius Johnson was placed on leave that same day.While in Antioch, Ebbs has overseen Building and Code Enforcement Divisions and manages the city residential property portfolio, among other executive assignments.The interim city manager confirmed that his official last day will by July 14. But because of previously scheduled vacations, his last day at work will be June...