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'It's been a blessing': Police K9 and handler part of more than 300 rescues, apprehensions

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:13:30 GMT

LAKE COUNTY, Ill. — There is a special bond between a K9 police dog and its handler, and that bond is proving to be beneficial for the Lake County Sheriff's Department.When the position of K9 Handler opened up, Officer John Forlenza, a department veteran, jumped at the chance."I was fortunate enough to be chosen," Forlenza said.As soon as Dax, a German Sheppard puppy, was able, he started training."Dax went through, prior to meeting me, a 12-week program, a pre-training program," Forlenza said. "Then I came into the picture where I spent eight weeks just going to the kennel facility in Grays Lake. Students shocked after assistant principal killed in shooting in Loop high-rise While both have devoted their lives to law enforcement, when the shift is done, they go home together."This is what he does at home typically, he is very chill," Forlenza said. "You put him in a police car, he is all business ready to go to work."Dax is trained in search and rescue, cadaver recovery, narcotic...

Elementary students on Far South Side hold mock trial over custody of class fish

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:13:30 GMT

CHICAGO — There was something fishy happening at Wendell Smith Elementary on the Far South Side on Friday, and the situation gave Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students a lesson in the legal process. A school of fish stays together, but at this school, the fish was driving the principal and his students apart. Excitement abound in Chicago for Mexican Independence celebrations The dispute centered on Pepper the goldfish, who had lived in a bowl in Mrs. Jackson's classroom from March until June, but when school let out for the summer, pepper was left living in a fish bowl, with nobody watching.Principal Crockett claimed that he came to Pepper's rescue after bringing the fish to his office over the summer, where he took care of it, and after spending the summer with Pepper, he claimed custody of the fish. But when students returned to class last month, they were upset about Pepper's new home and demanded the return of the fish. When Principal Crockett refused to gi...

CPD: Missing man last seen in West Town

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:13:30 GMT

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Police Department is asking for the public's help in locating a missing 55-year-old man who was last seen on Sunday, Sept. 10.Jose "Boogie" Banales was last seen on the 2100 block of West Superior Street in Chicago's West Town neighborhood on Sunday, Sept. 10. Police search for 60-year-old man last seen on Near West Side Banales is described as 5-foot-6, weighing 210 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a Chicago Bears jersey with the number 40, blue jeans and white gym shoes.Anyone with information regarding Jose Banales whereabouts are asked to contact the Chicago Police Department at 312-744-8266.

CPD: Woman injured in Englewood shooting, gunfire believed to come from outside

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:13:30 GMT

CHICAGO -- A woman was shot while she was inside an Englewood residence Friday evening.According to the Chicago Police Department, officers responded to the 6800 block of South Winchester Avenue in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood on reports of a person shot just before 6:30 p.m. on Friday. ‘He left a huge impact’: Students shocked after assistant principal killed in shooting in Loop high-rise Upon arrival, officers learned a 45-year-old woman was inside a residence when she was struck by gunfire that came from outside. She was transported to a local hospital in fair condition.No arrests have been made. No further information has been provided at this time.The investigation is on going.Stay with WGN-TV as this story develops.

In recording, a Seattle police officer joked after woman's death. He says remarks were misunderstood

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:13:30 GMT

SEATTLE (AP) — A city watchdog agency is investigating after a body-worn camera captured one Seattle Police Department union leader joking with another following the death of a woman who was struck and killed by a police cruiser as she was crossing a street.Daniel Auderer, who is the vice president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild, responded to the Jan. 23 crash scene where another officer, Kevin Dave, struck and killed Jaahnavi Kandula, 23, in a crosswalk. Dave was driving 74 mph (119 kmh) on the way to an overdose call, and Auderer, a drug recognition expert, was assigned to evaluate whether Dave was impaired, The Seattle Times reported.Afterward, Auderer left his body-worn camera on as he called guild President Mike Solan to report what happened. In a recording released by the police department Monday, Auderer laughs and suggests that Kandula’s life had “limited value” and the city should “just write a check.”“Eleven thousand dollars. She was 26 anyway,” Audere...

'No coincidences in Austin': Why lawyers kept repeating phrase during Ken Paxton impeachment trial

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:13:30 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — If one phrase got stuck in the minds of those who closely followed the Ken Paxton impeachment trial, it would have to be this: "There are no coincidences in Austin." The last mention of these words came Friday morning during the House impeachment managers' closing arguments. State Rep. Andrew Murr, the Republican lawmaker from Junction with a signature handlebar mustache, deployed them after claiming prosecutors met the burden of proof through their evidence to support the 16 articles of impeachment facing Paxton. If enough senators ultimately vote to sustain even one of those articles, then they would remove Paxton from office. "Is it a coincidence that Paxton ordered his people to intervene in the Mitte lawsuit when they had already waived intervention?" Murr said in his final remarks Friday. "Is it a coincidence that Nate Paul used the 'midnight opinion' to stop a foreclosure sale one day after the opinion was issued? Is it a coincidence that while discussing the ...

What gives? Even Ken Paxton trial plagued by Austin cricket infestation

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:13:30 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- While there are quite a few people at the Texas State Capitol right now who don't agree with one another, there is one group of visitors everyone seems to agree doesn't quite belong. "Morning, everyone. Please bring in the jury. I see the bagpipes are gone but the crickets are still here," Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said. While the Ken Paxton impeachment trial is historic, the cricket infestation fueling additional biblical chatter surrounding it -- is not, according to entomologists. A cricket near a Capitol reporter's shoe as they write a script on the Ken Paxton impeachment trial (KXAN photo/Grace Reader)"It's the season! The field crickets, which are the large black ones, typically tend to show up kind of late summer into early fall, but it's really going to be based on weather," said Wizzie Brown, an entomologist. Still, the crickets have been notable at the Capitol earning nearly as many posts on social media as the trial itself. From legislative staff posting about...

Ken Paxton trial: After closing arguments, what's next?

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:13:30 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Closing arguments for the Ken Paxton impeachment trial finished a little before noon Friday, leaving senators to consider whether they will convict Paxton on 16 different impeachment articles.Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said after closing arguments that he has “no idea how long deliberations will take.”“If a decision is not reached by late Sunday night, I may take the option of sequestering you in the building,” said Patrick.Senators will vote separately on each article of impeachment. If two-thirds of the senators vote yes on an article, it will be a conviction, and result in Paxton being removed as attorney general. If there are not enough senators voting yes on an article, Paxton will be acquitted. BACKGROUND: What do the 20 Articles of Impeachment against Ken Paxton mean? If Paxton is convicted on any article of impeachment, it could trigger a second vote to permanently ban him from holding public office. Outlined in the rules for this impeachment trial, eac...

Feds charge 3 Twin Cities men in machine gun crime ring operating on Snapchat

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:13:30 GMT

Three Twin Cities men have been charged by federal prosecutors in connection with a machine gun crime ring that was operating through Snapchat.The undercover sting operation resulted in the arrest and charging of Rafael Carter Wesley, 19, Kyrees Darious Johnson, 23, and Avont Akira Drayton, 22. Authorities said the three are from the Twin Cities but did not list their hometowns.A news release from the U.S. attorney’s office gave the following details:In March, police found out about a Snapchat group called “BLICCS&STICCS3” that they suspected was used in trafficking machine guns, other firearms and controlled substances in the state.Investigators obtained screenshots and videos of several members of the group selling, promoting or operating devices that convert a semiautomatic pistol or rifle into a fully automatic machine gun.An undercover officer infiltrated the group and made plans to purchase such a device, called a “switch.”Between March and Ju...

Twin Cities see freeway closures this weekend on I-35W and I-94

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:13:30 GMT

Starting at 10 p.m. Friday, a stretch of southbound Interstate 35W between Minnesota 280 and Interstate 94 in Minneapolis and Roseville will be shut down so crews can make bridge repairs, remove graffiti, repair pavement and guardrails.The state Department of Transportation said the freeway will be closed until 5 a.m. Monday.A detour will direct motorists onto southbound Highway 280 to westbound I-94.During the same time period this weekend, westbound I-94 in Minneapolis will be closed between Interstate 394 and Interstate 694 as crews continue painting the Plymouth Avenue bridge over the freeway.Traffic will be detoured to U.S. 169.Visit 511mn.org for more information.Related ArticlesLocal News | Main Street in Stillwater reopens Friday Local News | I-35 single lane traffic begins Thursday in Washington and Chisago counties Local News | Metro Transit workers authorize potential strike in advance of next contract bargaining session Loc...