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Killer of Indian Head Park teen dies in prison

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:36:17 GMT

The man who a judge once called a “cold” and “calculating” killer for stealing the life of a suburban teenager has died in prison, the Illinois Department of Corrections confirms.Kelli Joy O’Laughlin was 14-years-old, a freshman at Lyons Township High School back in 2011.  She went home from school early on an October afternoon when the man broke into her home during a robbery and encountered Kelli and killed her. The torment didn’t end there. Among the items he stole was Kelli’s cell phone and he used it to send taunting text messages to Kelli’s mom in the days after her daughter’s death.“The day has come for Kelli Joy to rest in peace,” Brenda O’Laughlin wrote on Facebook after learning of the man’s death. “You took away Kelli’s future by your calculated vile actions. You took away our ‘Joy’ of watching our baby grow up to see the woman that she would have become,” she wrote. PREVIOUS: Indian Head Park parents’ 6-year mission of ‘spreading joy’ after young daughter’s death The I...

Rubber ducks fill Chicago River for annual Ducky Derby fundraiser

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:36:17 GMT

CHICAGO — Thousands of rubber ducks raced to the finish line Thursday in the annual Ducky Derby.The ducks were drop into the Chicago River at 1 p.m.Crowds gathered to watch and see which one makes it to Michigan Avenue first. People paid $5 a duck to be part of the fun. 100,000 ducks were up for "adoption" this year.Read more: Latest Chicago news headlinesThe event is a major fundraiser for Special Olympics Illinois. They offer year-round training and competitions to more than 55,000 athletes.Thursday's event raised $430,000. If you missed the race, you can still donate at https://www.duckrace.com/chicago

The Children's Place recalls jeans for choking hazard

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:36:17 GMT

(WHTM) — The Children's Place is recalling two styles of baby and toddler jeans due to a choking hazard.The recall includes Baby and Toddler Boy Basic Stretch Straight Leg Jeans sold in sizes 6-9M to 5T. According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, the metal snaps on the jeans can detach. This poses a choking hazard to young children. Target recalling over 2 million candles due to multiple hazards The affected styles have the following information:Style WashStyle NumberVendor NumberDustbowl Wash30223417000541Telford30223427000541The style and vendor numbers can be found on the sewn-in, side-seam label inside the jeans near the left pocket. About 97,400 units are affected by the recall and no other The Children's Place items are part of the recall. Use Batiste dry shampoo? You could claim part of $2.5M settlement The commission says consumers should immediately take the recalled jeans away from children and return the jeans to any The Children’s Place store ...

Average Manhattan monthly rent rises to record $5,588

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:36:17 GMT

(The Hill) – The average monthly rent in Manhattan rose to a record $5,588 in the month of July as inflation and higher interest rates push rental prices to new record levels, according to a report from Miller Samuel and Douglas Elliman. Manhattan’s new average monthly rent of $5,588 is up more than 9 percent from last year, when rent was $5,113, according to the report. The median rental price also reached a new high of nearly $4,400, up more than 6 percent from last year, marking the fourth time in five months Manhattan has hit a record. The report found the average rental price per square foot also increased 4.3 percent over the past year to a new high of $84.74. The new average rental price is $3,278 for a studio, $4,443 for a one-bedroom, $6,084 for a two-bedroom, and $10,673 for a three-bedroom, the report found. New lease signings slipped by 6 percent, excluding renewals, as the market approaches its seasonal summer peak, according to the report. The vacancy rate wa...

3 hog hunters die while trying to rescue dog that fell into hole in Texas corn field

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:36:17 GMT

BASTROP COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – The sheriff in Bastrop County, Texas, called it a "sad tragedy" while describing the lengthy recovery efforts it took to pull the bodies of three people and a dog from a hole in a corn field Wednesday. Houston oil executive wants to build private dam for recreation on South Llano River Sheriff Maurice Cook said a man from Red Rock, Texas led three people from Florida on a hog hunt and called deputies for help at about 1:02 a.m. Wednesday. The man reported three people trapped in a hole in the 300 block of New Trail, which is close to County Road 461 in northern Bastrop County. The hole turned out to be a cistern that had standing water in it about six to eight feet below ground level. The sheriff said the hunting guide told deputies that a dog escaped from a truck and fell into the cistern. One man apparently jumped into the hole to save the dog, and another man and a woman removed some of their clothes and dove in later. The cistern had a high amou...

Rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine arrested in Florida, records show

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:36:17 GMT

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Rap star Tekashi 6ix9ine was arrested in Florida Wednesday evening after failing to appear in court, according to records from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s office.Tekashi, whose real name is Daniel Hernandez, had a run-in with the law on June 11 when he was stopped by the Florida Highway Patrol for driving 136 mph in a 65 mph zone. ‘King of the Hill’ voice actor Johnny Hardwick dead: reports When Hernandez didn't appear for his court date on July 12, a warrant was issued for his arrest.On Wednesday, August 9, Hernandez was stopped again when deputies "observed a vehicle commit a moving traffic infraction," the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office told NBC News.Deputies "also observed that the vehicle did not have a license tag."The sheriff's office said Hernandez had a suspended driver's license and an active traffic warrant for an unregistered vehicle. He was arrested, but released on a $2,000 bond shortly after midnight Thursday. Chicago & House Music...

A transformed Quinn Ewers comes into 2023 more vocal, focused

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:36:17 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas sophomore quarterback Quinn Ewers is a changed man this season.Whether it's something obvious like the absence of a long, flowing mullet, or something not as noticeable like improving his leadership skills, Ewers comes into this season with a different perspective and all kinds of weapons at his disposal.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/newslettersHe said he had a talk with head coach Steve Sarkisian over the summer that helped affirm some thoughts he had throughout his freshman season with the Longhorns."I knew I had to change and be more of a vocal leader, but we sat down and had a great conversation about what I needed to become. I put my full trust in him and what he thinks, and I just try to be that same person every single day."Sarkisian has discussed how Ewers has developed during Big 12 Media Days and as fall camp began. At Media Days, Sarkisian said ...

Former Austin manufacturer relocates to Elgin

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:36:17 GMT

ELGIN, Texas (KXAN) -- A family-owned manufacturer previously based in Austin has set up shop in a new facility in Elgin.Carr Lane Manufacturing specializes in precision tools and materials used for aerospace and automotive uses, among others. Now, it'll be the inaugural company to launch in Elgin Business Park, a new establishment in town.Carr Lane Manufacturing specializes in precision tools and materials used for aerospace and automotive uses, among others. Now, it'll be the inaugural company to launch in Elgin Business Park, a new establishment in town. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)Carr Lane Manufacturing specializes in precision tools and materials used for aerospace and automotive uses, among others. Now, it'll be the inaugural company to launch in Elgin Business Park, a new establishment in town. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)Carr Lane Manufacturing specializes in precision tools and materials used for aerospace and automotive uses, among others. Now, it'll be the inaugural compan...

Drought worsens as fire danger and heat persist

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:36:17 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Drought conditions are worsening across the area as Austin's longest heatwave on record shows little signs of abating. Thursday was Austin's 50th 100-degree day of the year so far -- the 8th-highest 100-degree day count on record.New drought data released Thursday morning showed worsening drought across much of the area. BLOG: When will 100º days end in Austin? Excessive Heat Warnings in effect todayExcessive Heat Warnings and Fire Weather Warnings continue. Our local National Weather Service office has issued 15 Excessive Heat Warnings so far this year -- crushing the previous record of 3, set last year.We are seeing hints of at least a chance of rain beginning somewhere around Aug. 20, along with temperatures that may finally drop below 100°, but this is not yet a guarantee. Stay with KXAN and the First Warning Weather team for updates as the heat drags on. Austin Interactive Weather Stats (2023) KXAN Summer Fan Drive continuesStaying cool is paramount in this...

Concord Street corridor in South St. Paul reopens after $31 million upgrade

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:36:17 GMT

South St. Paul’s Concord Street corridor officially reopened Thursday after years of construction.The 3.5-mile stretch of Concord from Annapolis Street to Interstate 494 received more than $31 million in reconstruction and rehabilitation.A rendering of updates done to Concord Street in South St. Paul, which officially reopened on Aug. 10, 2023.Since construction began in 2021, the corridor has received updated utilities including water and sewer, improved streetlights, additional sidewalks, safer pedestrian crossings, new bike shoulders and connections to commuter bike lanes in St. Paul, said South St. Paul Mayor Jimmy Francis.“The road no longer looks like an alley to a slaughterhouse,” Francis said, adding that its “curb appeal has quadrupled.”The mayor also said the city is already receiving more interest from restaurants, retail and housing developers that could be looking to move to South St. Paul.The project, done in partnership with Dakota County and the Minnesota Department ...