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Federal prison for man caught in Illinois smuggling meth in lawn mower tires

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 08:00:00 GMT

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. - A convicted drug smuggler from Chula Vista, California, was sentenced Thursday to nearly six years in federal prison for transporting 11 pounds of crystal methamphetamine to Fairview Heights, Illinois.Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois said Luis Aguilar-Caldera, 31, previously pleaded guilty to one count of manufacture, distribute, dispense, or possess a controlled substance. Former Illinois labor union president admits embezzlement scheme According to court documents, an informant for the Drug Enforcement Administration notified authorities of a May 2021 meth deal involving a Mexico-based supplier.The informant met Aguilar-Caldera and another man at the Flying J truck stop in Alorton, Illinois. The two men were in a Ford F-150 truck towing a lawn mower on a trailer. Aguilar-Caldera told the informant there were 11 pounds of meth hidden in the tires on the lawn mower.The DEA conducted a traffic stop while the in...

Body recovered near Columbus Street Bridge in Chicago's Loop

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 08:00:00 GMT

CHICAGO — A death investigation is underway after the body of a man was recovered from Lake Michigan near the city's Columbus Street Bridge in Chicago's Loop, according to police. Around 10:30 a.m., the victim was recovered from the water in the 300 block of N. Columbus Drive, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. 12-year-old girl reported missing in Hermosa No cause of death was given. An autopsy is pending. This is a developing story. Check back with WGN for updates.

Teen girl missing 9 months found with 41-year-old man in Ohio

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 08:00:00 GMT

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WJW) – A teen reported missing in July 2022 was found this week with a 41-year-old man in Columbus, Ohio. According to a release from the U.S. Marshals Service, authorities had been working with Cuyahoga County Job and Family Services since the 14-year-old girl was reported missing on July 9, 2022, in Garfield Heights, Ohio. Browns DT Perrion Winfrey arrested in Texas for alleged assault She was featured on Fox 8's "Missing" segment in January. USMS recovered the girl and identified the man with her Wednesday morning. The man is under investigation by local authorities, and charges are pending.The girl was to be safely returned to CCJFS. Alaska Airlines passenger charged after allegedly ‘threatening to kill’ flight attendant "The continued efforts of our Missing Child Unit and the cooperation of local law enforcement led to this safe recovery," U.S. Marshals' Pete Elliot said in a release. "Every day mattered for this 14-year-old girl. We can rest easy knowing ...

WATCH LIVE | Update on 1-year-old girl found dead in 2017 house fire in Markham

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 08:00:00 GMT

MARKHAM, Ill. — Markham police are set to update the public Thursday on a yearslong investigation into the death of one-year-old Ana Marie Townsend.Townsend's body was found July 3, 2017 at the scene of a house fire at 155th and Hamlin. She was located inside a plastic bag on the upstairs floor of the abandoned home. Her identity was initially unknown. Man, 18, charged with killing CPD Officer Andres Vásquez Lasso faces arraignment Wednesday Two years later the Cook County Medical Examiner's office announced her identity through the use of DNA and officially ruled her death as a homicide, noting physical trauma had occurred unrelated to the fire.Community activists came out two years later in December 2021 and specifically questioned why no one has heard from the baby's mother or father.WGN plans to livestream this press conference in its entirety within this story beginning at approximately 1:00 p.m.

CPD: 2 girls arrested in string of armed robberies, carjacking at gunpoint

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 08:00:00 GMT

CHICAGO — Two girls, ages 16 and 13, were arrested in connection with a string of armed robberies and carjacking one victim at gunpoint on Chicago's South Side. According to Chicago police, the teen girls robbed multiple victims in less than 40 minutes across Auburn Gresham and Chatham on Wednesday. The first incident occurred around 1:40 p.m. in the 8700 block of S. Aberdeen St. in Auburn Gresham. About 15 minutes later, another robbery occurred around 1:55 p.m. in the same block. 12-year-old boy shot on Chicago’s South Side The third incident, reported just before 2:20 p.m., happened in the 400 block of W. 81st St. in Chatham. The juvenile offenders were taken into custody shortly thereafter in the 400 block of W. 81st Street.Both are charged with one felony count of carjacking at gunpoint and armed robbery. The 13-year-old is also charged with assaulting a peace officer.Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesNo additional information was made available by police.

2023 hurricane season predictions released

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 08:00:00 GMT

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — On the same day an El Niño watch was issued nationally, long-range forecasters at universities in Colorado and North Carolina released their predictions for the hurricane season ahead. Colorado State University's team said it is expecting slightly below-average hurricane activity for the 2023 season. NOAA issues El Niño watch: Here’s where and when we will feel the impact In the university's Atlantic Seasonal Hurricane Activity forecast, CSU forecasted 13 named storms, six hurricanes, and two major hurricanes for 2023. The average is 14.4 named storms, 7.2 hurricanes, and 3.2 major hurricanes.Also on Thursday, North Carolina State University released its own predictions, which didn't stray too far from Colorado State's. Researchers at NC State said the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season will see 11 to 15 named storms forming in the Atlantic basin. The basin includes the entire Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. Seaweed bloom reaches rec...

Fort Lauderdale Airport expected to reopen Friday after heavy rain, flooding

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 08:00:00 GMT

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — South Florida began draining streets and otherwise cleaning up Thursday after an unprecedented storm that dumped upward of 2 feet (60 centimeters) of rain in a matter of hours, causing widespread flooding, closing a key airport and turning thoroughfares into rivers.Fort Lauderdale issued a state of emergency as flooding persisted in parts of the city. Crews worked through the night to attend rescue calls, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or deaths. Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport, which closed Wednesday evening, said it would not reopen until 5 a.m. Friday because of debris and massive flooding.Broward County schools canceled classes Thursday, including after-school and extracurricular activities, after water flooded hallways and classrooms at some schools. Service was restored on South Florida’s high-speed commuter rail, Brightline, after it briefly shut down Wednesday evening.More showers, thunderstorms and local flooding...

DPS in Austin: A look at arrest reports, how to file complaint

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 08:00:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Nearly three weeks into the Texas Department of Public Safety's increased patrols in Austin - Austin Police say the initiative is helping with violent crime, but some community members have expressed concerns about the presence of troopers in certain neighborhoods. PREVIOUS: Texas DPS to send resources to help with Austin police staffing KXAN is still waiting for updated arrest, traffic stops and citation numbers from DPS, but we looked through a selection of arrest documents to get a better understanding of arrest activity. The below arrests occurred between April 8 and April 10. First DWI and open container, E. Oltorf. Class B Misdemeanor. First DWI, E. Oltorf. Class B Misdemeanor.Unlawful Carry of Weapon, Drug Possession (meth), Evading Arrest with Previous Conviction, N. Lamar and Rundberg. Part of surveillance operation at hotel trying to locate wanted fugitives.Felony Controlled Substance arrest for two packages of marijuana-infused gummies and one marijuana...

Gymnast from Round Rock named 2023 USA Gymnastics National Champion

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 08:00:00 GMT

AUSTIN( KXAN) — A gymnast from Round Rock was named the 2023 USA Gymnastics Collegiate All-Around National Champion.Velandra Brochi, 19, is a sophomore at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, and she has competed with the school’s woman’s gymnastics team since 2021, according to AFA.Image courtesy Oh Shoot PhotographyImage courtesy of Marivel RodriguezImage courtesy of Marivel Rodriguez(U.S. Air Force Photo by Justin R. Pacheco)Image courtesy of Marivel RodriguezImage courtesy of Marivel Rodriguez(U.S. Air Force Photo by Justin R. Pacheco)Image courtesy Oh Shoot PhotographyImage courtesy Oh Shoot PhotographyMarivel Rodriguez, Brochi’s mother, said during the USA Gymnastics Championships, Brochi made First-Team All-American on Bars, Beam and All-Around. She also made Second-Team All-American on Vault.According to USAG, Brochi secured all-around gold with a 39.125 and posted a 9.800 on floor exercise and a 9.775 on vault, uneven bars and balance beam.Brochi was also a student-at...

Sinkhole along MoPac prompts concern for drivers

Published Tue, 04 Mar 2025 08:00:00 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Along the northbound service road of MoPac, between Loop 360 and Spyglass Drive, a recurring sinkhole prompted a concerned viewer email to KXAN.Vickie Klepper sent the photos below and shared her concern."There is and has been a sinkhole along MoPac northbound frontage road for at least two years near Bartons Bluff Lane," Klepper said. "It is dangerous with a lack of signage and warnings. Today a car was traveling really fast and at the very last minute it changed lanes. If someone had been in the lane next to him he would have gone straight into the hole."Viewer-submitted photo of a sinkhole on the side of the road on MoPacViewer-submitted photo of a sinkhole on the side of the road on MoPacViewer-submitted photo of a sinkhole on the side of the road on MoPacKXAN reached out to the Texas Department of Transportation -- which manages this type of issue along this section of MoPac -- and we found out this is a recurring issue that TxDOT is aware of. TxDOT said it is ...