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St. Charles police arrest 5 in human trafficking case in suburbs, Chicago

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:49 GMT

ST. CHARLES, Ill. — Five people have been charged in a months-long human trafficking investigation in several western suburbs.The charges were announced Thursday by the Kane County State's Attorney's Office and the St. Charles Police Department. Firefighters battle apartment fire in Elmwood Park Between Feb. 17 and Wednesday, the five people charged allegedly commercially sex trafficked seven people by causing or threatening harm to at least one person, according to a news release.It all started when officials said they found a brothel in St. Charles, which led them to a bigger enterprise that operated in Aurora, Chicago, Elgin, Hanover Park, unincorporated Palatine and South Elgin.On Wednesday, they said 10 women were taken into protective custody. All of them, officials said, are from South America and were flown to the United States for trafficking purposes.Hector Briseno, 54, of Chicago, Christian Hurtado, 27, of Elgin, Daniel Hurtado, 26, of South Elgin, Martha P. Hurtado-Her...

Arrest made in shooting death of youth football coach in Oakland

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:49 GMT

CHICAGO — A 34-year-old Northwest Indiana man is charged in connection with the deadly shooting of a youth football coach in Chicago's Oakland neighborhood.Loved ones said Jermone Baker, who coached the Chicago Seahawks Youth Football Team, was gunned down around 6:30 a.m. in the 700 block of 38th on May 11. The shooting occurred outside Baker's home as he prepared to take his daughter to school.Darius Jackson (Photo/CPD)SEE ALSO: Boy, 16, charged after 2 people shot, 1 killed at Scene75 Entertainment Center in RomeovilleThe 34-year-old was a father of five. “He was the strongest, most genuine, loving, caring, ambitious,” said Tishara Woodward, the mother of three of Baker's children. “He was so motivated. He wanted to help everybody.” Police on Thursday announced that Darius Jackson is charged with first-degree murder following his Wednesday arrest.Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesJackson is due in court on Friday.

2 families displaced after apartment fire in Elmwood Park

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:49 GMT

ELMWOOD PARK, Ill. — Two families are displaced after an apartment fire Thursday in Elmwood Park.Flames could be seen coming from the apartment in the 2400 block of North 72nd Court. The fire started around 3:45 p.m.Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesAccording to a spokesperson for Elmwood Park, the fire broke out on the top floor of the building.One person was home at the time but they were able to escape unharmed, the spokesperson said. No other injuries were reported.The cause of the fire hasn't been determined yet and is still under investigation.

Deadly rabbit disease found in Illinois. What you should know

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:49 GMT

CHICAGO —  A highly contagious disease has recently been detected in wild and domestic rabbits in Chicago and other parts of Illinois.According to the US Department of Agriculture, rabbit hemorrhagic disease can cause sudden death.Jackie Buckley, a health research coordinator at the Lincoln Park Zoo, joined WGN Evening News at 4 to discuss the signs locals should for and steps to take if a dead rabbit is discovered.Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesWatch the full interview in the video player above.

New McFlurry flavor coming to McDonald's next month

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:49 GMT

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — If you're missing the Grimace shake, McDonald's is bringing a new sweet treat that you can try in August. Peanut Butter Crunch McFlurry (Image from McDonald's Menu Spotter)McDonald's announced on Menu Spotter that the Peanut Butter Crunch McFlurry will be available at participating stores across the United States on Aug. 9. The new flavor will include "creamy vanilla soft serve and blended with crispy cereal mix and chocolatey peanut butter cookie pieces," according to the Menu Spotter. The new flavor will be available for a limited time, or while supplies last, alongside the classic M&M and Oreo McFlurries. The Menu Spotter tease, which was released on Wednesday, did not say how many stores would be participating, just that it would be offered at "participating McDonald’s locations nationwide." McDonald’s wedding catering coming to some international locations This new sweet treat comes as the fast food chain continues to test limited-time products ...

Michael Kopech bests a former White Sox pitcher to prevent a sweep

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:49 GMT

NEW YORK — In a match-up that featured a former White Sox No. 1 starter and a pitcher the current club hopes could develop into one someday, it was Michael Kopech who came out on top.It was a much-needed performance for the starter and it kept the brooms from being brought out at Citi Field on Friday.After a trip to the IL and a difficult start to the second half, Kopech delivered a strong performance in the White Sox 6-2 win over the Mets and starter Jose Quintana. Kopech gave up just one run and two hits in 5 2/3 innings with five strikeouts compared to four walks.The 89-pitch effort along with a four-run sixth inning by the White Sox allowed the team to leave New York with a win in the three-game series as their record goes to 41-57. Kopech needed this performance after a rough stretch in late June and early July where he gave up nine earned runs in 8 2/3 innings with a stay on the IL due to right shoulder inflammation in the middle. He allowed his only run in the fifth on a home...

Registered sex offender receives new charges, HCSO finds evidence of additional victim

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:49 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) -- Deputies in Hays County said there are new charges filed against a man registered as a sex offender after they found evidence of an additional victim.The Hays County Sheriff’s Office said Diego Alejandro Cortez, 24, was arrested earlier this month in connection with harboring a runaway child and child trafficking. Now deputies shared Cortez also had pictures and videos that depicted child pornography."They were able to discover several pictures, several videos, all of whom our detectives believed were young females," Deputy Anthony Hipolito said. RELATED: Registered sex offender accused of finding 10-year-old victim on Snapchat, arrested in Hays County According to HCSO, on July 3, investigators found and identified a 13-year-old victim. HCSO said the girl was a second victim of Cortez's. A statement from HCSO said the victim was interviewed, and during that interview, the victim said she and Cortez had multiple sexual ...

Whataburger to put first 'digital kitchen' in Austin

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:49 GMT

AUSTIN (Austin Business Journal) -- When a sleek sign advertising a "digital kitchen" recently appeared on a Whataburger LLC restaurant under construction off Bee Cave Road, social media was abuzz with questions about the new fast-food burger joint. How do you pronounce ‘Whataburger’? While details are still sparse, Austin Business Journal has learned more about the location, including that this will be the first digital kitchen for the San Antonio-based chain.It will look much like a regular Whataburger but will be centered around to-go dining, with a "digital pick-up lane" instead of a traditional drive-thru.In 2019, Whataburger founders sold their majority stake in the restaurant to BDT Capital Partners, LLC, a merchant bank based in Chicago. The sale was viewed as a way for the chain to expand, the company said.Read the full story in the Austin Business Journal.

2 Longhorns representing their countries in 2023 Women's World Cup

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:49 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — As the 2023 Women's World Cup gets started Thursday in Australia and New Zealand, two former Longhorn soccer players are representing their countries in the tournament.Julia Grosso, a former Big 12 Freshman of the Year award winner, is playing for Canada in her second World Cup. She was on the 2019 squad that advanced to the knockout stage. As a Longhorn, Grosso was named a United Soccer Coaches All-American in 2019 after her conference freshman of the year season in 2018.MORE THAN THE SCORE: Stay up to date on sports stories like these, and sign up for our More than the Score sports newsletter at kxan.com/newslettersUnited States forward Christen Press (20) passes the ball in front of Haiti defender Chelsea Surpris (3) during the first half of a women's Olympic qualifying soccer match Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)Grosso has made 50 appearances for Canada, including 20 starts, with three goals and three assists in international competiti...

Great River Energy holding open houses on plans to rebuild Dakota County power lines

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:49:49 GMT

Dakota County residents are invited to open houses next week to learn about the proposed rebuild of electric transmission lines in two cities.Great River Energy, the wholesale electric cooperative supplier to Dakota County, is planning to rebuild nearly nine miles of 69-kilovolt transmission lines in Eagan and Burnsville and replace them with modern lines that can operate at up to 115-kV, according to a company news release.Robert Toomey, project manager for Great River Energy, said in an email that the Pilot Knob-Burnsville Rebuild Project will ensure reliable electric service to cooperative members and keep up with future electrical demand.While there is not a current need for increased voltage, Toomey said the company is seeing an increase in reliance on the use of electricity, such as the growth of electric vehicle usage. The increased electrification stands to benefit all cooperative members in the area, Toomey said of the electric supplier.Based in Maple Grove, the not-for-pro...