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‘Not even tired’: 99-year-old Hamilton man completes CN Tower climb for 3rd time

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:48 GMT

A 99-year-old Hamilton man climbed 1,776 steps to the top of the CN Tower over the weekend, his third time pulling off the accomplishment in support of charity.Walter Decker was joined by his son, grandson and two great-grandsons at the United Way ClimbUP on Saturday, where he raised more than $3,000 for people struggling to meet basic needs from housing and food to mental health supports.Decker, who turned 99 last week, said he first began stair climbing more than 10 years ago as a distraction from his grief after his wife passed away, which he said made him “lost.”“It took my mind off the grieving process,” he said in an interview. “A lot of people grieve in different ways and they cope with it in different ways.”Since then, Decker has been climbing up the steps of the Hamilton Escarpment three times a week, which he said amounts to between 700 and 1,200 steps. He also does 30 to 50 pushups each morning when he wakes up.“Other than that, n...

Kane County deputy critical following head-on crash

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:48 GMT

KANE COUNTY, Ill. — A Kane County Sheriff's deputy is in critical condition following a head-on crash Monday morning.Authorities believe the on-duty deputy was driving southbound on Route 47 in Hampshire Township at around 6:55 a.m. when the deputy's squad car was struck head-on by a Dodge Ram pickup truck and trailer near Plank Road.Police said the Dodge Ram was headed northbound on Route 47 when it attempted to stop in traffic. It then came into oncoming traffic and struck the squad car, police said.The deputy was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital in critical condition. There were three people inside the Dodge Ram at the time of the crash. At least one person from the truck was transported to the hospital in an unknown condition, police said.Illinois State Police are investigating the crash.WGN News will update this story once more information becomes available.

Elon Musk offers $1B to Wikipedia if they'll change their name

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:48 GMT

(The Hill) -- Billionaire Elon Musk offered Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia, $1 billion under the condition that it would change its name to "Dickipedia."The owner of X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, wrote his offer in a post on his new site. He quoted an earlier post with a screenshot of a personal appeal from Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales stating that the website is "not for sale.""I will give them a billion dollars if they change their name to Dickipedia," Musk wrote. "Please add that to the [cow and poop emojis] on my wiki page," he continued under the post. "In the interests of accuracy."When one user, Journalist Ed Krassenstein, told the online encyclopedia to take the offer, saying that it "can always change it back after you collect," Musk replied that the website must keep the name for "one year minimum.""One year minimum. I mean, I’m a not fool lol," he said.Musk's posts come after his earlier posts criticizing the Wikimedia Foundation, th...

Backstory: The Deadliest Maritime Disaster in U.S. History

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:48 GMT

It was the deadliest maritime disaster in the history of the United States, the sinking of the S.S. Sultana right after the end of the Civil War. And yet, no one was ever convicted of a crime, despite evidence of gross negligence. Larry Potash profiles a man with a personal connection to the tragedy, and a remarkable discovery he's made about his ancestor. Backstory with Larry Potash airs Sunday nights at 6:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. on WGN, or stream it anytime on the WGN+ app on your smart TV with Amazon Fire, Roku, and Apple TV. Check out the Backstory podcast at WGNtv.com/Backstory via Stitcher, Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Neighbors take down suspected home burglar in California, witnesses say

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:48 GMT

(KTLA) – A group of neighbors in Lancaster, California, took matters into their own hands after they caught a man breaking into homes Saturday evening, according to witnesses.The chaotic and dangerous scene unfolded at about 7:30 p.m. One victim, who only wanted to be identified as “Karen,” told a news photographer that she was startled to find the burglar standing inside her home.“I just opened my bedroom door, and he was standing there,” she said. “We pushed him out of the house … he got onto his bike and started riding down the street.”Moments later, the man was seen looking inside cars, acting suspiciously and carrying a backpack, according to a witness.  Videos show teens terrorizing residents of California apartment complex When he tried again to ride away on his bike, the witness said, he fell over and was quickly pounced on by neighbors who ripped away his backpack and subdued him until authorities arrived.“They opened up his backpack … and [he had] wallets, watches...

Austin Community College expands three student support centers, adds food and family support

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:48 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- On a campus where 70 percent of students have a financial need, Austin Community College is expanding its services to include free food, housing services, and family support.The student welcome, care, and life centers hope to serve as a one-stop-shop to offer students resources to help with their immediate needs. It's the Care Center that offers the least traditional services to the college's more than 70,000 students. Transportation, weekly groceries, and legal aid are among the areas where students are getting extra help. Students tour expanded student centers at Austin Community College. (Courtesy: ACC)"When students are kind of engaged outside of school, outside of the academic realm, they tend to succeed more," said Student Care Center Manager Vanessa Barrientos.For many students, getting a degree can often come down to having enough money at the right time. The school’s own data shows the average student is only a $500 personal issue away from having to drop o...

KXAN Weather Q&A: How much rain will Central Texas see this week?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:48 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Questions pour in constantly for the First Warning Weather Team, as viewers ask about different things happening with the weather in Central Texas and elsewhere. There’s now a new, interactive way to find out answers.Every Monday morning, Meteorologist Rich Segal will comb through his inbox and join anchor Will DuPree for “KXAN Weather: What’s on Your Mind?” to talk through some of the questions submitted that week. KXAN Weather Q&A: How does size factor into how fast hail falls? Here’s a list of the questions that will get addressed:From David Lundgaard: I would appreciate it if your weather people would include Leander and Round Rock in your weather maps.Rich's answer: We do have a graphic that does both of these cities' temperatures. I know that I aired that map five times this past weekend.From Gail Forrer: KXAN used to show allergy counts on the news. Will you do so again in the future?From Maria Blaney: Using artificial turf as a solution to drought...

South Glens Falls woman arrested on assault charge

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:48 GMT

SOUTH GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On Wednesday, the South Glens Falls Police arrested Jocilyn A. Fitzgerald, 25, following a domestic dispute. Fitzgerald allegedly caused a laceration to an acquaintance's upper arm with a kitchen knife. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Police charged Fitzgerald with second-degree assault. She was arraigned in the Town of Moreau Court and released on her own recognizance. She is due back in court on November 1.

Native screenplay writer and director detail 'Blood Brothers' film on Tubi

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:48 GMT

ST. LOUIS - A thrilling, suspenseful, and darkly comic journey into secrets and revenge is now available on your screens on Tubi. The actors, the director, and the screenplay writer are from St. Louis.Screenplay writer Brenda Hampton and director Dana Christian detailed the story of five friends who seek to move on from a horrible crime committed years ago. They also expressed how exciting it was to have a mostly St. Louis cast. It is ‘Hillbilly Mango’ season in Missouri For more information, click here.

LAPD investigates back-to-back pharmacy burglaries in San Fernando Valley 

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:48 GMT

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the nature of the incidents.The Los Angeles Police Department is investigating two pharmacy break-ins that occurred within minutes of each other early Monday morning. According to authorities, Miracle Pharmacy, located in the 7400 block of Foothill Boulevard in Tujunga, was broken into shortly after 3 a.m. The owner of the business, Vadrui Sarafyan, says that the manner in which the thieves broke in reminds her of the previous times her store had been burgled.“They were kicking the door and broke the door,” she told KTLA 5’s Erin Myers. “They always look for what I call ‘street drugs’ and [this time around] they took Xanax from us.” Sarafyan says the four suspects fled the scene in a black SUV. Miracle Pharmacy, located in the 7400 block of Foothill Boulevard in Tujunga, was broken into shortly after 3 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 23, 2023. (Miracle Pharmacy)Miracle Pharmacy, located in the 7400 block of Foothill Boul...