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Easthampton School Committee will hold meeting about superintendent search after ‘ladies’ comment controversy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:50 GMT

The Easthampton School Committee is set to meet for the first time after viral news broke that a superintendent candidate had lost his job offer after he called the committee chair and her assistant “ladies” in an email.The School Committee is scheduled to meet Monday evening to discuss the superintendent search, and to potentially vote on the next leader for the western Massachusetts school district.This meeting comes in the wake of the saga involving superintendent candidate Vito Perrone, the interim superintendent of West Springfield Public Schools, who used the term “ladies” in an email to School Committee Chairperson Cynthia Kwiecinski and her assistant.Following that email, Perrone’s job offer was rescinded — and he was told in a private executive session meeting that he lost the offer because of how he addressed the women in the email.Since then, supporters of Perrone held a rally for him. The School Committee had a meeting scheduled for la...

Two wanted in pizza delivery fraud investigation in Yonge and Finch area

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:50 GMT

Police are looking for two men who are wanted after a fraud investigation involving stealing debit cards posing as a pizza delivery driver and customer.On Friday a woman was in the Yonge Street and Finch Avenue East was reportedly approached by two men driving a purple Honda SUV.The passenger reportedly exited the vehicle saying the driver was a pizza delivery person that would not accept cash, and asked the woman to pay with her debit card and would give her $20 cash.When the woman presented her debit card it was switch with another card that did not belong to the woman. Other similar accounts have been reported in the area.The suspects are described as 20 to 25 years-old, with the driver having a beard and the passenger having curly light brown hair and a black jacket.

Locals across Chicago come together to celebrate Easter

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:50 GMT

CHICAGO — Warmth and sunshine accompanied celebrations across the city Sunday as many around Chicago came together to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.At Holy Name Cathedral on the Near North Side, clergy members said mass attendances continued to rebound as Christians came together for what many of the faith consider the holiest day of the year."Even COVID can't quell the spirit," said Pastor Andy Matikevic before Easter service. "Jesus conquered death and we are conquering COVID together." Vatican celebrates Easter Sunday, Pope calls for world peace West Side church helps migrants celebrate first Easter in Chicago Elsewhere on the West Side, Grace and Peace Church organized an 'Eggstravaganza' for the community of Austin, which featured a special emphasis on making new migrant families feel welcomed and at home."We decided to make sure our families had a celebration," said Pastor John Zayas of Grace and Peace Church. "Especially with what...

Vatican celebrates Easter Sunday, Pope calls for world peace

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:50 GMT

CHICAGO — At the Vatican this Easter Sunday, thousands cheered as Pope Francis waved to the crowd while circling St. Peter's Square in the Pope mobile.The 86-year-old remained seated through much of the mass, celebrating the core Christian belief that Jesus rose from the dead after his crucifixion.The Vatican says Francis has generally rebounded from a three day stay in a Roman hospital last week while doctors treated him from bronchitis.In the U.K., King Charles and members of the royal family left Easter services at St. George's chapel in Windsor, the final resting place for the late Queen Elizabeth the Second, who died in September. Sunday Forecast: High 60s and increasing clouds A festive parade to celebrate Easter in South, South Korea.Much of it is symbolizing when Christian missionaries who came to the land more than 140 years ago.Back at the Vatican, the Pope used this Easter to call for peace in Ukraine, calling those who've died in war, martyrs. He also prayed for peace...

Winter is on the retreat — Spring brings warmer temperatures and NO signs of drought

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:50 GMT

WGN weekly climate report: Let's get our wintery stuff out of the way firstApril is our 6th snowiest month of the year in Chicago. With an average of just 1.3" of snow, April just barely beats out the average 1.8" typical for November for last place in our typical snow season. The difference between the two extreme sides of the snow season is that we typically see November snow stick around, while April snow rarely manages to stay longer than 24 hours.This year's snow season started November 4th with a few tenths of an inch of snow to what appears to be March 13th with two tenths of snow. We did see traces of snow earlier and later—but those are the dates for measurable snow reported at O'Hare. We only know the snow season is over until it's fully in the rear-view mirror... so barring a freakish late April snow— I think it's pretty much a done deal. And the 19.7" of snow we got over the course of our cold season is only about 51% of normal for Chicago. It puts this year's snow seaso...

'Justice delayed': Hays County has backlog of +5K unfiled criminal cases

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:50 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) — Newly elected Hays County District Attorney Kelly Higgins said they are dealing with a backlog of more than 5,000 unfiled criminal cases. He said some of those cases date back to the second half of 2021."From, you know, murderers, to smoking a joint, right, I mean, the whole range," Higgins said. How did we get here?Higgins said the cases were so backed up because of the office's intake process from previous administrations. "There's either a warrant or a field arrest without a warrant made, and then a police officer will write a report about that and forward that report to our office. And that's our first look at any case," he said. Higgins said intake coordinators will then look at the case, create a file and start filling it with information a lawyer might want to determine what to do with that case. However, he said they were spending too much time processing information in a way that was "duplicative, redundant and unhelpful." RELATED COVERAGE: 83...

Woodbury eyes sales tax to pay for expansion of public safety campus

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:50 GMT

Woodbury needs to expand its public safety facilities, and it’s hoping regional shoppers will help foot the bill.City officials are seeking legislative approval to increase the local sales taxes to raise funds for the $50 million project.The project includes a makeover of the city’s current Public Safety Building, which was built in 1975, and the purchase of the nearby Washington County Service Center, built in 1986, which would likely be demolished to make way for a new fire station.Mayor Anne Burt said the process of potentially adding a 0.5 percent local sales tax to bankroll the improvements is in its beginning stages. Even if the Legislature approves Woodbury’s request, the Woodbury City Council still must sign off on authorizing a referendum, which could go before voters in November 2024.“It’s just one more tool for our tool box,” Burt said. “It just gives us another option. We feel like we are the retail hub of the east metro — people come from the west, south, east and...

Rudy Gobert sent home mid-game for taking shot at Timberwolves teammate; Jaden McDaniels breaks hand punching wall

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:50 GMT

Frustrations and tension can flare amid big moments of important contests, but things reached a boiling point during a second-quarter timeout of Minnesota’s victory Sunday over New Orleans.Kyle Anderson looked to be calling Rudy Gobert out on a couple missed assignments that contributed to the deficit the Timberwolves were facing at the moment, and Gobert reacted by taking a shot at Anderson. Taurean Prince quickly rose out of his seat to push Gobert, and the center was sent into the tunnel.The Athletic reported that Gobert and Anderson got into another altercation in the locker room at halftime before the team ultimately made the decision to send Gobert home.“His behavior on the bench was unacceptable and we will continue handling the situation internally,” Timberwolves president of basketball operations Tim Connelly said in a statement.Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said the decision of whether or not to play Gobert in Minnesota’s first play-in game Tuesday...

Family of Ballwin man who died canoeing sue, blaming dangerous dam

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:50 GMT

CHESTERFIELD, Mo. (AP) — The family of a man who drowned on a canoe trip is suing two state agencies, alleging a dangerous dam was to blame.The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Caleb Gage, of Ballwin, was 32 last May when his boat capsized near the St. Louis suburb of Chesterfield. His friend survived.The suit, filed on behalf of his parents and young daughter, faults the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Both state departments are tasked with maintaining the Centaur Chute, a waterway that branches off the Missouri River along the Howell Island Conservation Area. Top Story: Police search for Creve Coeur shopping center shooter The suit said the low-head dam near where he capsized was in disrepair and the state failed to remove access to the chute or warn boaters of the unsafe conditions.Low-head dams are known as “drowning machines" because they spawn powerful hydraulics that tend to catch objects, or people, that go over the...

Illinois seeks library pledge against 'banning' books

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:36:50 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois' new secretary of state and Democrats in the General Assembly are pushing back against a rise in challenges to books shelved in libraries.Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, who is also the state librarian, is spearheading legislation that would make state grants to libraries contingent on their establishing “a written policy prohibiting the practice of banning books.”At stake is about $61 million annually to 1,600 public and school libraries. The legislation, HB2789, sponsored by Naperville Democratic Rep. Anne Stava-Murray, won House approval 69-39 last month and awaits action by the Democratic-controlled Senate.Illinois would be the nation’s first state to adopt such a policy, according to Giannoulias. But it’s far from the only state dealing with contention among the stacks. The American Library Association compiled 1,200 challenges to books nationally in 2022, nearly double the record number a year earlier. And librarians are r...