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Is decision day finally near for third Chicago airport?

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:42 GMT

WILL COUNTY, Ill. — Few projects have cost more and produced less than the proposed third airport in Chicago’s far southern suburbs.  The State of Illinois has spent $97 million over the years buying more than 4,500 acres in Will County for an airport project that has never really gotten off the ground.Now a south suburban state representative is attempting to force the Illinois Department of Transportation into finally making a decision about whether the project can go forward.“Let’s see who has the capacity do it,” State Rep. Will Davis (D-30th District, East Hazel Crest) said of the intent of his bill. “If no one responds then no one responds.”Decades have come and gone and nothing has sprouted on the site other than a small airfield that sees a handful of propeller planes land and take-off each day. Turning the site into a cargo airfield capable of hosting widebody jets would require the acquisition of more land, the pouring of expensive pavement for runways and the constru...

Ft. Hood launches investigation into female soldier's death

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:42 GMT

Ft. Hood (FOX 44/KWKT) -- The death of a female soldier is under investigation at Fort Hood. According to the 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs Office, Private Ana Basalduaruiz died on Monday, March 13th. Basalduaruiz was part of the 1st Cavalry Division for 15 months, working as a Combat Engineer.In a statement released to FOX 44 News, 91st Engineer Battalion commander Lt. Col. Patrick Sullivan said, “We are deeply saddened by the loss of PV2 Ana Basalduaruiz, and we extend our sympathies to her father, mother, and her sister.”The statement says the chain of command is in contact with her family, providing them all releasable information. The family and Ruiz's fellow troopers are also receiving support and resources."Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time," LTC Patrick Sullivan said in the statement, "she was an exceptional teammate that will truly be missed."The soldier's death comes almost three years after Specialist Vanessa Guillen disappeared fro...

State girls basketball Class 2A quarterfinal: Minnehaha Academy 50, New London-Spicer 28

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:42 GMT

Sophomore guard Addi Mack and her Minnehaha Academy teammates have faced Providence Academy twice this season. Both games ended in losses, including the second meeting on Feb. 17 when the Redhawks gave up 126 points.But out of that most difficult defeat came motivation, and a desire to match up with the Lions one more time.Minnehaha Academy assured itself of that opportunity in the Class 2A state quarterfinals Wednesday night when the Redhawks — the tournament’s No. 5 seed — scored 17 of the first 21 points in the second half en route to downing No. 4 seed New London-Spicer 50-28 at Williams Arena.That sets up round three with top-seeded Providence Academy in the semifinals at 6 p.m. Friday.“I think we’re all excited,” said Mack, the 2023 Pioneer Press East Metro Girls Basketball Player of the Year, who finished with a game-best 21 points.“For lots of people, it’s easy to play a game like (the 126-94 loss to the Lions) and get psyched out. But I actually think it helped ...

Downtown gunfire shatters glass and rattles residents 

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:42 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The glass was shattered at an urgent care center on the 900 block of Olive Street in downtown St. Louis early Wednesday morning. Similar damage occurred at the Bailey’s Range restaurant building on the same block.The damaged windows were boarded up a few hours later, and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department is investigating what they report to be damage from gunfire that occurred after 2 a.m. As of Wednesday afternoon, no arrests have been made."We want more security,” said Aneka Keck, a downtown resident who lives nearby. “We want cameras to actually catch what’s going on around here in the middle of the night.”She and some other downtown residents point to the Bell Lofts on the same block as an area where they say short-term rentals have led to parties and gunfire. FOX 2 was unable to reach the loft owners for comment.“You’d never think someone’s numb to hearing gunshots, but when you hear them three or four times a week," said Eric Keck. "It’s just like the Fo...

St. Louis Fire Department holds memorial for fallen K-9 Balko

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:42 GMT

ST. LOUIS - “The night Balko died, we didn’t just lose a working member of the fire department; we lost a family member. He was part of my family at home with my kids. He was part of the K-9 team. And he was part of the St. Louis Fire Department,” said Brent Sevener, Balko’s handler and a St. Louis firefighter.With Balko’s collar on a cross and his ashes feet away, the St. Louis Fire Department family gathered Wednesday to honor their fallen K-9. Balko’s handler, Sevener, recalled the K-9’s will to work and skill for sneaking snacks.“When we’d wake up in the morning, and I’d grab my backpack, he’d get excited knowing he was getting ready to come into work," Sevener said. "He’d be waiting for somebody to make popcorn, so he could scoop it up off the ground.” Top story: Report details fatal encounter between accused cop killer, Hermann police The memorial began with a procession down South Jefferson to Engine House 1. Balko fell to his death on March 3 during a search operation at t...

New Magic House exhibit lets kids train, play like CITY SC

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:42 GMT

KIRKWOOD, Mo. – A new St. Louis City SC-themed exhibit opens at the Magic House for all kids looking to have fun and train like an athlete.Walking into the new St. Louis City SC themed exhibit, you would think you're in the team's locker room."That place had everything. It was good to see the kids having fun,” City SC player Joshua Yaro said. “And I think an exhibit like this is going to help them develop a passion and love of the game.”Kids can gear up as they admire the replica. In the same room, a training center decked out with a rowing machine, pull-up bar, and a stationary bike test your strength and endurance.Around the corner at the pitch, the simulator is a big hit, giving kids a taste of what it's like to make the team."Our goal is of course hands on learning, being an advocate for play and this exhibit exemplifies that because we're getting children to be active,” said Beth Fitzgerald, president of the Magic House.Making an interactive installation that gives back to the ...

Denver Academy cancels high school classes over COVID-19 concerns

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:42 GMT

Denver Academy has canceled classes Thursday and Friday because of a COVID-19 outbreak.“Due to the high number of positive COVID-19 cases in our DA High School population, high school (grades 9-12) classes are canceled” on Thursday and Friday, the school said on its website.Related ArticlesEducation | What drove these Coloradans to clown school? A need for joy in face of layoffs, cancer and anger. Education | Kendrick Castillo’s parents refuse settlement money in push to make STEM School shooting records public Education | DPS board votes to close 3 Denver schools with severely low enrollment Education | Data breach of DPS computer servers affects all district employees, officials say Education | Denver East High students don’t feel safe in wake of fatal shooting, repeated threats After-school activities are also canceled, including clubs and sports.Classes for grades 2 through 8 ...

Suspects wanted for series of alleged retail thefts in Los Angeles County

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:42 GMT

Authorities with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department are asking for the public’s help in identifying suspects involved in a series of organized retail thefts.  They are believed to be responsible for thefts that occurred at Rite Aid stores in Calabasas, Agoura Hills and Thousand Oaks on March 13 between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.  “The picture suspects selected multiple skin care items, concealed them in their tote bags and exited each store without paying for the merchandise,” an LASD news bulletin said.  Surveillance footage also captured the suspects entering a BMW sedan that had been waiting for them at Agoura Hills Rite Aid.  Two suspects believed to be involved in a series of organized retail thefts Mar. 13, 2023 (LASD).Two suspects believed to be involved in a series of organized retail thefts Mar. 13, 2023 (LASD).A suspect believed to be involved in a series of organized retail thefts Mar. 13, 2023 (LASD).Two suspects believed to be involved in a series o...

Doheny State Beach waters closed after massive sewage spill

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:42 GMT

Authorities have closed off water access at Doheny State Beach following a massive sewage spill on Wednesday.The waters were contaminated after a 4,000-gallon spill was caused by “an overflow in a main city sewer line in San Juan Capistrano,” said the OC Health Care Agency.Located in Dana Point, ocean access will be prohibited both 1,500 feet upcoast and 1,500 feet downcoast of the San Juan Creek interface, officials said.The affected area will be blocked off from any swimming, surfing or diving. Waters will reopen when the tested water quality “meets acceptable standards,” officials said.Doheny State Beach ocean access closed after a massive sewage spill on March 15, 2023. (OC Healthcare Agency)“I am closely monitoring this situation along with the other incidents occurring throughout Orange County,” said Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley. “My office has participated in the County’s Emergency Operations Coordination since the Board of Supervisors passed my resolution to declar...

Former L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti Confirmed As U.S. Ambassador To India

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 12:00:42 GMT

After renomination, former Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti was confirmed to become U.S. Ambassador to India.The Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted in favor of Garcetti by a vote of 52-42, just months after Garcetti was renominated for the position by President Joe Biden in January.“The United States-India relationship is extremely important and it’s a very good thing we now have an ambassador,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said during the hearing Wednesday.The original nomination expired at the end of 2022., with the Senate committee at unable to agree on Garcetti’s appointment due to accusations that he aware of sexual misconduct occurring within his office.“Simply said… harassment and discrimination have no place in the workplace, no place in our society and I have zero tolerance for that,” Garcetti told the senate committee on December 14, 2021. “In regards to this specific case, I want to say unequivocally that I never witnessed, nor was it ...