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Annual Waukegan Polar Bear Plunge draws big crowd to raise money for a great cause

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:02:18 GMT

WAUKEGAN, Ill. — Hundreds of people went freezing for a great reason Monday morning in Waukegan.Some hearty souls rang in 2024 by participating in the 25th annual Waukegan Polar Bear Plunge at Municipal Beach, and they did it while raising money for the Special Recreation Services of Northern Lake County.For short, SRSNLC provides community therapeutic recreation to people with disabilities in the Waukegan and Zion Park Districts. Those participating in Monday's annual Polar Bear Plunge were happy to freeze a little to raise money so people with disabilities can take part in camps, athletics, health and fitness programs and more.“It’s a great cause," Waukegan Park District Board of Commissioners President Jeremiah Johnson said. "Even if it is a bit of a chilly day. It’s worth it in the end, for sure.”Each year, according to organizers, the Polar Bear Plunge raises at least $20,000.“What I will say with our community is, we have the greatest heart," Waukegan Mayor Ann Taylor said.But...

Photos, video: Japan tells people not to go home after series of earthquakes

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:02:18 GMT

TOKYO (AP) — Japan dropped its highest-level tsunami alert, issued following a series of major earthquakes on Monday, but told residents of coastal areas not to return to their homes as deadly waves could still come.The quakes, the largest of which had a magnitude of 7.6, started a fire and collapsed buildings on the west coast of Japan’s main island, Honshu. It was unclear how many people might have been killed or hurt.The Japan Meteorological Agency reported more than a dozen quakes in the Japan Sea off the coast of Ishikawa and nearby prefectures shortly after 4 p.m.At least six homes were damaged by the quakes, with people trapped inside, government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said. A fire broke out in Wajima city, Ishikawa Prefecture, and electricity was out for more than 30,000 households, he said.A bookshelf falls at a home in Nagaoka, Niigata prefecture, Japan Sunday, Jan. 1, 2024, following an earthquake. Japan issued tsunami alerts Monday after a series of strong quakes in...

'Literally taking the plunge': Couple marries at Barton Springs' New Year polar plunge

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:02:18 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — For Janeen Bailey and Steve Smith, Monday marked the start of a new chapter as they — literally — plunged into marriage, wedding at Barton Springs Pool's annual polar bear plunge.Their wedding came decades in the making of their love story: The pair, onetime sweethearts in College Station back in the mid-1980s, broke up after their lives went in different directions. Back in 2015, Smith said he was newly single and trying for a new start in life when he decided to participate in the plunge. PAST COVERAGE: ‘Will you take the plunge with me?’ Couple engaged at Polar Plunge Janeen, not knowing where Steve even lived at that point, said she decided to do her first polar plunge that same day. And the rest, as they say, is history."I'm standing down there, ready to start a wild, crazy year, waiting to jump in the pool, and I hear 'Steve! Steve!'" Smith recounted. "I turned around, and we've pretty much been together ever since."It became a tradition for Bailey and Smith ...

Rash of shootings overnight in St. Paul leaves one man dead, one man injured and a 10-year-old in critical condition

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:02:18 GMT

At least three shootings in St. Paul overnight have left one man dead, another man with life-threatening injuries and a boy in critical condition, authorities said.The first shooting was late Sunday, New Year’s Eve, and two more followed shortly after the calendar turned to the new year, including one fatal shooting.Shortly before midnight, someone fired gunshots into a home in the 700 block of Sherburne Avenue and struck a 10-year-old boy, according to St. Paul police Sgt. Mike Ernster. Preliminary information indicates the shooter fired from outside the home and that it was not a random shooting; police believe the home was targeted.The boy was taken to Regions Hospital by St. Paul fire medics. Police said the boy is expected to survive, noting that his injuries were critical but he was in stable condition Monday morning.Shortly after midnight, officers responded to several 911 calls about gunshots on the 1100 block of Payne Avenue.They found a man with life-threatening inju...

First Capital Region baby of 2024 born at Albany Med

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:02:18 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Albany Medical Center welcomed the first Capital Region baby of 2024. Scarlett Johana Torres Ambrocio was born at 4:47 a.m. on New Year’s Day. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! She weighs 8 pounds, 11 ounces, and is 22 inches long. Scarlett's parents are Elvia Johana Ambrocio Cutz and Wilder Ariel Torres Barrera, of Albany.Dad, Wilder, pictured with baby, Scarlett, the Capital Region’s first baby of the new year, born at Albany Medical Center on Jan. 1, 2024 at 4:47 a.m. (Albany Med)Scarlett Johana Torres Ambrocio (Albany Med)This is their first child, and mom and baby are doing well, said Albany Med. In 2023, Saratoga Hospital welcomed the first Capital Region baby of the new year.

Broncos safety Delarrin Turner-Yell to be placed on IR after suffering torn ACL vs. Chargers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:02:18 GMT

Broncos coach Sean Payton announced Monday that safety Delarrin Turner-Yell will be placed on the injured reserve after suffering a torn ACL in Sunday’s 16-9 win over the Los Angeles Chargers.Turner-Yell was helped off the field in the first quarter when he injured his knee during Chargers wide receiver Derius Davis’ 12-yard punt return. After the game, Turner-Yell was in the locker room with crutches and a large brace on his left knee.While Payton knows Turner-Yell will be out for Sunday’s season finale against the Las Vegas Raiders, he is hopeful about starting right tackle Mike McGlinchey, who suffered a rib injury with under five minutes to go in the first quarter. Even though McGlinchey walked off the field on his own power, he never returned to the field. Veteran Cam Fleming replaced him at right tackle.“I won’t go into any details, but we are a lot more optimistic about him,” Payton said.Payton reaffirmed that the recent injuries and the Broncos being eliminated from playoff ...

Watch a replay of the 2024 Rose Parade presented by Honda

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:02:18 GMT

Millions of people around the globe rang in the new year with the 135th Rose Parade presented by Honda in Pasadena, California on Jan. 1.L.A.'s Very Own KTLA 5 offered live television and streaming coverage of the 2024 Rose Parade, including exclusive behind-the-scenes access. Thousands more watched KTLA's exclusive, digital-only Rose Parade Band Cam broadcast.Scenes from the 2024 Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. Jan. 1, 2024. (KTLA)Scenes from the 2024 Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. Jan. 1, 2024. (KTLA)Scenes from the 2024 Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. Jan. 1, 2024. (KTLA)Scenes from the 2024 Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. Jan. 1, 2024. (KTLA)Scenes from the 2024 Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. Jan. 1, 2024. (KTLA)Scenes from the 2024 Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. Jan. 1, 2024. (KTLA)Scenes from the 2024 Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. Jan. 1, 2024. (KTLA)Scenes from the 2024 Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. Jan. 1, 2024. (KTLA)...

Watch a replay of the 2024 Rose Parade Band Cam

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:02:18 GMT

Marching bands from across the nation and around the globe participated in the 2024 Rose Parade presented by Honda, and KTLA 5 offered an exclusive view of their performances once again.Full list of 2024 Rose Parade marching bands:University of Michigan Marching Band - John Pasquale, DirectorThe University of Alabama Million Dollar Band - Kenneth Ozzello, DirectorAlbertville High School Aggie Band – Albertville, AlabamaThis year, the Albertville High School “Aggie” Band marches down Colorado Boulevard for the third time. With nearly 300 students, including the Southern Stars Danceline and Aggie Color Guard, the “Aggie” Band makes up 25% of the high school’s population. They are unique because all students are welcome in the band program, no matter their musical ability. There are no tryouts to be a member of this band program and they strive to teach every student at their level. the Albertville Band receives an incredible amount of support from our school system and ...

'Wonka' ends the year No. 1 at the box office, 2023 sales reach $9 billion in post-pandemic best

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:02:18 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Hollywood closed out an up and down 2023 with “Wonka” regaining No. 1 at the box office, strong sales for “The Color Purple” and an overall $9 billion in ticket sales that improved on 2022’s grosses but fell about $2 billion shy of pre-pandemic norms.The New Year’s weekend box office this year lacked a true blockbuster. (This time last year, “Avatar: The Way of Water” was inundating theaters.) Instead, a wide array of films – among them “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” “The Boys in the Boat,” “Migration,” “Ferrari,” “The Iron Claw” and “Anyone But You” – sought to break out over the year’s most lucrative box-office corridor.The top choice, though, remained “Wonka,” Paul King’s musical starring Timothée Chalamet as a young Willy Wonka. In its third weekend, the Warner Bros. release collected an estimated $24 million Friday through Sunday and $31.8 million factoring in estimates for the Monday holiday. That brings the film’s domestical total to $142.5 million.That beste...

South Bay Assemblymember Evan Low’s bill requiring gender-neutral toy aisles is now law in California

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:02:18 GMT

By Cheri Mossburg | CNNMajor retailers in California are now required to have gender-neutral toy aisles under a new state law.The law, which went into effect Monday, stems from a 2021 bill in the California legislature requiring toy retailers with a physical location in the state and at least 500 employees “to maintain a gender-neutral section or area to be labeled at the discretion of the retailer.”California Assemblymember Evan Low said he was inspired to introduce this bill by an 8-year-old girl who asked, “Why should a store tell me what a girl’s shirt or toy is?”“Her bill will help children express themselves freely and without bias. We need to let kids be kids,” Low said.Related ArticlesBusiness | Ohio Gov. blocks bill banning transition care for minors Business | DeSantis accused of spreading false info for trans care ban Business | Pope Francis authorizes blessings for same-sex couples Business | ‘Pervasive pornograp...