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

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:51:51 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...

3 Chicago chefs win prestigious food award

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:51:51 GMT

(NEXSTAR/WGN) – About two dozen lucky (and undoubtedly hardworking) chefs and restaurant teams around the country received one of the food world's top honors this week. The James Beard Award winners were announced Monday at a ceremony in Chicago. Chicago restaurants, or a few of their chefs, took home the top prize in two categories.Tim Flores and Genie Kwon of Kasama won the "Best Chef: Great Lakes" category that represented Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. The restaurant in Chicago's East Village neighborhood became the world's first Filipino Michelin-starred restaurant in 2022.Damarr Brown of Virtue in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood won the crown of "Emerging Chef." Last year, the Windy City-native was named a Food & Wine Best New Chef in America for his work as Chef de Cuisine at Virtue. WATCH: Dean Richards on the 2023 James Beard Awards red carpet The first James Beard Awards were given out in 1991. They "celebrate excellence across a range of experiences—from fi...

Police alert Gurnee residents of bear sighting

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:51:51 GMT

GURNEE, Ill. — Police warned Gurnee residents of a reported bear sighting Wednesday morning.At around 8:45 a.m., officers were made aware of a bear sighting in the area of Hunt Club Road and Route 132.Officers checked the area, but no bear was located.However, on the department's Facebook page, a user commented what appears to be a black bear running through the area.Police told residents if they see the bear do not approach it. Anyone with information on the bear's whereabouts is asked to call 847-599-7000 ext. 0.

Lincoln Park Zoo lion cub with mobility issue undergoes tests for cause

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:51:51 GMT

CHICAGO — One of the Lincoln Park Zoo's newest lion cubs is recovering after undergoing extensive tests for a health issue. Lion cub Lomelok, which means "sweet," has been having mobility challenges, which required additional observation from the zoo's animal and veterinary care staff. With the help of MedVet Chicago, Lomelok underwent a series of advanced diagnostic tests, where initial bloodwork and radiology were inconclusive. SEE ALSO | 3 new lion cubs at Lincoln Park Zoo get first wellness visitA CT scan and an MRI were performed Tuesday on the cub as a follow-up. Lomelok also received anti-inflammatory medication and a pain control injection.  The zoo says he has recovered from the procedure and is now reunited with his mom Zari and his two other littermates. While test results are pending, the zoo thanked supporters for their kind words. Lomelok's health and well-being will continue to be monitored closely, zoo officials said. Mom Zari gave birth to the new trio of cubs on Ja...

'I can taste the air': Photos show smoke from Canadian wildfires lingering over Capitol, obscuring NYC skyscrapers

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:51:51 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Smoke from Canadian wildfires poured into the U.S. East Coast and Midwest on Wednesday, covering the capitals of both nations in an unhealthy haze, holding up flights at major airports and prompting people to fish out pandemic-era face masks.While Canadian officials asked other countries for help fighting more than 400 blazes nationwide that already have displaced 20,000 people, air quality with what the U.S. rates as hazardous levels of pollution extended into central New York. Massive tongues of unhealthy air extended as far as Virginia and Indiana, affecting millions of people.“I can taste the air,” Dr. Ken Strumpf said in a Facebook post from Syracuse, New York, which was enveloped in an amber pall. The smoke, he later said by phone, even made him a bit dizzy. Which masks work best in smoky air? In Baltimore, where officials warned residents to stay indoors when possible, Debbie Funk sported a blue surgical mask as she and husband, Jack Hughes, took t...

New trial for APD officer charged with murder set for October

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:51:51 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Jury selection for the new trial for Christopher Taylor, an Austin Police officer accused of murder in a 2020 deadly shooting, is now set to begin Oct. 16, according to court proceedings Wednesday. The trial was supposed to begin May 24, but there were several snags throughout the jury selection process. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: APD officer heads to murder trial for Michael Ramos shooting Christopher Taylor, 31, is accused of shooting and killing Michael Ramos, 42, during a confrontation with police in a south Austin apartment complex parking lot in April 2020.Taylor is currently on administrative leave from the department. The defense is also in the process of filing a request for a change of venue. That could impact the start date. Additionally, prosecutors declared plans to file a motion for a "limited" gag order related to the case. We will update this story once a decision is made regarding these motions. First round of jury selectionThe judge was forced to dis...

Attorney: 'Ken Paxton will never, never be convicted' in Senate impeachment trial

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:51:51 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A prominent lawyer from Houston will discuss why he will defend suspended Attorney General Ken Paxton during his upcoming impeachment trial in the Texas Senate. Attorney Tony Buzbee will hold a news conference Wednesday afternoon, where he promised in a social media post that "you will find what we have to say very informative." He said this will happen at the Austin headquarters for the Republican Party of Texas at 2 p.m. KXAN will offer a live stream of Buzbee's remarks in this story and on the station's Facebook page. IN-DEPTH: What do the 20 Articles of Impeachment against Ken Paxton mean? "I will provide further details at that time, which will include our hopes that the process in the Texas Senate will be fair, reasoned and transparent," Buzbee wrote in another post. Paxton is temporarily suspended from his elected office until the outcome of the Senate impeachment trial is known. He will not receive pay from the state for the time being either, according to...

Cedar Park starts summer-long repairs to Lakeline Boulevard

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:51:51 GMT

CEDAR PARK, Texas (KXAN) — The City of Cedar Park has started its Lakeline Boulevard Rehabilitation Project. The 90-day road repairs are being made to fix damage from the 2021 freeze and wear caused by increased traffic.Once complete, the stretch of Lakeline Boulevard from Continental Pass to Cedar Hills Boulevard will be brand new. The southbound lanes are being reconstructed first, followed by the northbound lands immediately after.The main goal of the reconstruction project is to bring the damaged road up to standards better suited for weather and heavy traffic.Jenny Huerta, spokesperson for the City of Cedar Park, said several road-construction projects are underway this summer. She said planning for construction capitalizes on reduced traffic as local schools are out for the break.This project began May 30 and is set to be completed in 90 days. The cost is $1.95 million to be paid with a General Obligation Bond approved by voters in 2022.

High school girls hockey: Natalie Darwitz and Jake Bobrowski named Hill-Murray co-head coaches

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:51:51 GMT

Hill-Murray made a splash move Wednesday, hiring Natalie Darwitz and Jake Bobrowski as co-head coaches for the Maplewood school’s girls hockey program.“We are thrilled to have attracted two incredibly experienced and talented coaches who have a reputation for being committed to the development of student-athletes on and off the ice,” Hill-Murray president Melissa Dan said in a statement. “We’re confident the two will lead our already-successful girls hockey program to even greater heights.”Darwitz, a Minnesota hockey legend, recently served as associate head coach for the Gophers women’s hockey program. She has high school girls hockey coaching experience, previously taking Lakeville South to the girls hockey state tournament.In between coaching stints at Lakeville South and the University of Minnesota, she led Hamline to the school’s only Frozen Four appearance, guiding the Pipers to the Division III national final.“Hill-Murray’s dedication to academic and a...

Baby killed in buggy crash in Missouri Ozarks

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 10:51:51 GMT

SEYMOUR, Mo. — A infant is dead and two others injured after a crash in Webster County.A Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report says a baby boy was ejected from an Amish buggy just after 5 p.m. when a 1999 Mercedes 320 attempted to pass the buggy. Theodosia man charged for demanding explicit photos from minors The Mercedes hit the rear of the buggy, ejecting the infant and two others, identified as 23-year-old Sammy W. Schwartz and 24-year-old Barbara Schwartz. All three of the buggy occupants were transported to a local hospital where the baby died. The wreck happened two miles north of Seymour on State Highway C. This is MSHP's 52nd fatality crash for 2023.