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Structural concerns prompt evacuation of Northwest Indiana apartment complex

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:48 GMT

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. — An evacuation is underway for residents at the Hickory Ridge Apartments in Merrillville, Indiana following an inspection that revealed multiple structural issues. SkyCam9 flew above the scene in the 1700 block of W. 55th Ave. after the area fire department deemed the apartment building unsafe.SEE ALSO | Investigation underway after explosion at apartment complex in Oak ForestThere are 24 units in each of the two buildings. According to the fire department chief, WGN News has learned that the property was recently sold and the new owners are not cooperating with fire officials or the town of Merrillville. Read More: Latest Northwest Indiana newsThe Red Cross is currently on the scene assisting about 30 displaced residents. A WGN News crew is headed to the scene and working on learning more. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

CPD issues alert after 6 armed robberies in under 3 hours

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:48 GMT

CHICAGO — A community alert was issued by Chicago police Wednesday following six armed robberies throughout the city in under three hours.Police believe the robberies were conducted by the same group.In each of the incidents, police said a group of four Black males, between 15-25, wearing all black clothes with gloves and masks on, approach in a vehicle and rob residents at gunpoint of valuables. Over $600K worth of counterfeit watches, socks, sunglasses seized at O’Hare A timeline is below.400 block of West Roscoe on June 6 at 10:50 p.m.6300 block of North McCormick on June 6 at 11:45 p.m.1400 block of West Randolph on June 7 at 12:40 a.m.1300 block of North Damen on June 7 at 12:44 a.m.1800 block of North Milwaukee on June 7 at 12:45 a.m.1600 block of North Talman on June 7 at 1:20 a.m.No one is in custody. Anyone with information can leave an anonymous tip at cpdtip.com.

Johnson, CPS CEO celebrate district's scholarships, end of school year

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:48 GMT

CHICAGO — Mayor Brandon Johnson joined Chicago Public School CEO Pedro Martinez on this last day of school for CPS.Not only did they celebrate the Class of ‘23 they also took questions on a number of hot issues in Chicago.They talked about the future of CPS and who will be the leaders but not before celebrating how much scholarship money students earned to continue their education.“The district’s totals for  2023 is  more than $2 billion dollars,” Johnsons said.Johnson and Martinez said students will be representing Chicago across the nation at universities and colleges as well as trade schools and at city colleges. The pair met briefly with students before the event. Johnson also fielded question on a number of other topics including reengaging with the Chicago Bears now that they are not solely focused on Arlington Heights. He said he wants a seat at the table with the team to a pathway forward to keep the Bears in Chicago. Related: Bears say Arlington Park no lon...

Efforts underway to prevent 'teen takeover' Wednesday at North Avenue Beach

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:48 GMT

CHICAGO — Community activists are making efforts to prevent an expected "teen takeover" Wednesday at North Avenue Beach.A press conference held Wednesday morning announced the success of the "Parents For Chicago" communication line. The line was introduced in mid-April by Activist Early Walker, and there has been a lot of collaboration with the Chicago Police Department and parents across the city.The service allows parents to receive messages about gatherings their children may be attending and to help prevent their kids from getting involved in those events to begin with.Thousands of parents have already signed up, sharing hundreds of messages and information that thwarted at least three planned "takeovers" over Memorial Day weekend.Another "takeover" is planned for 2 p.m. Wednesday because it is the last day of school for Chicago Public School students. CPD issues alert after 6 armed robberies in under 3 hours The idea is not to tell kids they can't come, but rather to come and...

Father arrested after alleged abduction of 3-year-old child in North Riverside

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:48 GMT

NORTH RIVERSIDE, Ill. — The estranged father of a 3-year-old is in police custody after allegedly telling the child's mother that he had no intention of ever returning the minor following a short visit. Around 8 p.m. Tuesday, North Riverside police were notified of a non-custodial parental abduction. SEE ALSO | South Elgin girl abducted at 9 found safe 6 years later in North Carolina; mom chargedPolice said the father picked up the child at the mother's home and agreed to meet later at a restaurant. When the father called the mother and implied he would not return the child, the police were called. During the investigation, North Riverside police officers observed the father and young child enter a grey Chevrolet Camaro in the 5600 block of South Emerald Ave. in Englewood. Officers followed the vehicle and took the offender into custody with the assistance of Chicago police and Illinois State Police troopers. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesThe child was found unharmed. Poli...

Florida father dies after saving son, friends from rip current at beach

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:48 GMT

LAKELAND, Fla. (WFLA) — Lori McElligott never envisioned tragedy striking her family in this way."If you were to tell me that this is how it would have unfolded, I would have never believed you,” McElligott said.She said her partner of 26 years — her high school sweetheart, her soulmate — was a strong swimmer."He was a strong person. He was just physically fit,” said McElligott. Man who jumped in Busch Gardens alligator enclosure arrested Courtesy: Tina Kurucz Mark Bryson, of Lakeland, Florida, was the “fun” parent to their four children, ages 20, 11, 7 and 3.“He wanted them to have a childhood that he didn't have,” said McElligott. “They would hear the garage door open and they would fight to get to him first because it was a race to [get the first hug].”Last week, the couple surprised their daughter for her 7th birthday with a trip to Daytona Beach.While McElligott was at a splash pad at their hotel with their youngest child on Friday, the couple’s son and two family friend...

Kirby Puckett's junior college playing days in Chicago are earn him spot in another Hall of Fame

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:48 GMT

CHICAGO — He made himself into one of the best players of his generation in Major League Baseball in Minnesota, but that journey actually began in the Chicago area. Growing up in the city, late Twins star Kirby Puckett would really begin to make a name for himself at a junior college in River Grove, doing so alongside a former Cubs & White Sox outfielder."He was pretty much the best player that I've ever played with," said Lance Johnson about late Baseball Hall of Famer and Triton College teammate in their one year at the school.Now that part of his career is being honored by the National Junior College Athletic Association as they'll posthumously induct Puckett into their Hall of Fame during a ceremony on Thursday in Charlotte. That provides those in Chicago, including Johnson, the opportunity to reflect on his one incredible season with the Trojans."He was unbelievable. He's probably the first player that I saw that could do whatever he wanted, when he wanted, and when the tea...

Air Force official: Military families 'forced to move' over anti-LGBTQ bullying

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:48 GMT

(The Hill) - An Air Force official said that troops who have LGBTQ+ members in their families are being forced to move to new bases due to anti-LGBTQ bullying happening at schools.Speaking at the Center for a New American Security’s annual National Security Conference, Assistant Air Force Secretary for Manpower and Reserve Affairs Alex Wagner said that he’s worried about being forced to move families from bases due to their LGBTQ kids experiencing bullying and harassment in schools.Wagner said the ongoing issue is “distracting from their mission, that's detracting from our readiness.” “If servicemembers are thinking and concerned about the experience their kids are having, they're not going to be focused on their jobs. They're not gonna be focused on their mission,” Wagner said at the conference, according to DefenseOne.com. Wagner also said at the conference at diversity and inclusion are “core” to U.S. national security, noting how diverse groups always outperform “caref...

Hawaii's Kilauea begins erupting again after 3-month pause

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:48 GMT

Kilauea, the second largest volcano in Hawaii, began erupting on Wednesday after a three-month pause, U.S. Geological Survey officials said.The survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said in a statement that a glow was detected in webcam images from Kilauea’s summit early in the morning, indicating that an eruption was occurring within the Halema’uma’u crater in the summit caldera.In this webcam image provided by the U.S. Geological Survey, an eruption takes place on the summit of the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii, Wednesday June 7, 2023. Kilauea, the second largest volcano in Hawaii, began erupting Wednesday morning, officials with the U.S. Geological Survey said in a statement. Kilauea, one of the world's most active volcanoes, erupted from Sept. 2021 to Dec 2022. A 2018 Kilauea eruption destroyed more than 700 residences. (U.S. Geological Survey via AP)In this webcam image provided by the U.S. Geological Survey, an eruption takes place on the summit of the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii, W...

Kyle PD: 16-year-old overdoses on fentanyl first week into summer break

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:14:48 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — It's been about two weeks since many school districts let out for summer break and the Kyle Police Department said they've already seen one teen-related fentanyl overdose. "Fortunately, both law enforcement and paramedics were able to arrive and safely revive that child and they've recovered," said Kyle Police Chief Jeff Barnett. Chief Barnett said the teenager was 16 years old. They've seen others leading up to this one as well."We had one two weeks prior to that, and one a couple of weeks prior to that. So the danger has not necessarily gone away," Chief Barnett said. It was around this time last year that Hays County saw a spike in fentanyl overdoses among teens. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Three Hays CISD high school students die from suspected fentanyl overdoses in past month "In the summer of 2022, we saw a rise in deaths of young people related to fentanyl. We had several students in our local school district that had taken fentanyl, and it cost them the...