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Vallas, Johnson faceoff in final debate ahead of Chicago mayoral election

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 11:45:27 GMT

CHICAGO -- This is a close competitive contest and as you would expect with time running out things got heated.One week before Election Day, a live television debate where the candidates for mayor of Chicago clashed over the familiar topic of police, education and taxes.Brandon Johnson, who this week pledged not cut a single penny from the Chicago Police budget, was pressed about his past statements that he supports redirecting police funds.  WGN Poll: Vallas leading Johnson in Chicago Mayoral runoff election Johnson vows to promote existing officers to the position of detective raising questions about his plans to fill vacancies within the department. Moderator Irika Sargent asked Johnson, "But are you committing then to hiring in addition to promoting?"Johnson responded: "Of course."Paul Vallas, whose record as a school administrator in Chicago, Philadelphia and New Orleans has faced scrutiny during the campaign, took more questions. "Not only did we increase...

City of Chicago forces suburban couple to pay red light violation that isn't theirs

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 11:45:27 GMT

CHICAGO — A suburban couple says the City of Chicago is coercing them into paying a red light ticket for a car that isn't theirs.Barrington residents Steve Stallings and his wife, Celeste, received a $100 red light violation in the mail four months ago, but the catch is that the car on camera isn't theirs, and the camera misread the plate."It's clearly not ours," Scalling said. "We weren't there or nothing. It's got a Kansas City Chiefs decal on it and we wouldn't own one of those."The couple appealed the violation, but a judge ruled against them. After that, they sent the Department of Finance proof the car and plate isn't theirs through the mail, but it was also refused and sent back."We're completely innocent, yet they want us to jump through hoops," Scalling said. Chicago-area native being hailed a hero after Nashville school shooting Where it stands today, the fine has doubled and gone to collections."We've proven to them that this was not the license plate, yet nobody's resp...

Bionic Clothing: How hidden tech helps patient progress

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 11:45:27 GMT

“Bionic clothing” is all about making mobility devices less obvious. Patients and their therapists want forward progress without the bulk. And the latest design weaves function with fabric.Paula Prentiss was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2003.“Right from the beginning it’s been a gait issue,” she said. “My foot, left foot, drags.”For the last four years, she has worn a simple device that helps keep her foot level.“At this point I just want to walk better,” she said.And she wants to continue her active lifestyle.“Whatever I can try that I think I can do, I do,” she said.At the Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, Prentiss recently took something new for a test run.Jon Sakai is the director of commercialization at Cionic Inc.“It is a bionic legging that is designed to assist mobility,” he said. More from Med Watch: Disconnecting the brain helps kids with epilepsy Called the Cionic Neural Sleeve, the wearable delivers electrical stimulation to four muscle groups. The device is geared tow...

'It took 22 minutes': North Hays EMS has long response times, proposes tax rate increase to help

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 11:45:27 GMT

HAYS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) - Certain parts of north Hays County could see upwards of 30-minute EMS response times, according to North Hays EMS District Administrator Doug Fowler. "As the population has increased, the 290 corridor has gotten real busy," Fowler said. "We're still able to keep up with our response times in those areas. But north and south up 290, it's been a struggle."Carrie Napiorkowski said it took them 22 minutes to get to her house in Dripping Springs back in 2021. Her friend and contractor fell off the roof. "I was screaming and crying out loud to the 911 operator, 'When are they coming? When are they coming?'" Napiorkowski said. She said it was the longest wait of her life. EMS did not arrive in time. She was giving him CPR and 17 minutes in, he passed away. Napiorkowski said her contractor, Rene, left behind four children and a wife after his death. (Photo: Ana Nunez)"He was 40 years old. He had four children. He was a genuinely good, good person," Napiorkowski s...

Singles don't care about looks, according to Dating.com— being short or bald are now pluses

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 11:45:27 GMT

DALLAS (KDAF)—When you're looking for love, it's not about your looks, ugly or not, something else may be more important. Even if you are short or bald!Dating.com discover many singles care more about their personality than a person looks. According to the company, baldness and short stature are now the preferred traits when it comes to finding a partner.The survey results have been released by Dating.com, which is owned by Social Discovery Group and runs over 40 dating sites."It's the season of the bald, short king," said Maria Sullivan, Dating Expert and Vice President of Dating.com. "On a more serious note, many daters are still solving for the loneliness they experienced in lockdown or isolation from their peers. For these singles, traditionally attractive physical attributes have given way to endearing and supportive characteristics that make them feel seen and heard."The study found over 63% of singles reported that positive personality traits are more important than att...

McAllen man arrested for groping Lyft driver, affidavit says

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 11:45:27 GMT

McALLEN, Texas — A McAllen man was arrested after he was accused of groping a Lyft driver, documents revealed.Michael Sean Stewart was arrested on charges of indecent assault, possession of a controlled substance and evading arrest, according to Hidalgo County Records.At 1:27 a.m., March 23, an officer responded to the 3600 block of Auburn Avenue where he met with a woman in a silver Ford Escape, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by ValleyCentral. The woman told the officer that she was assaulted, and the suspect was at the 7900 block of North Ware Road. Attorney issues statement on the arrest of Hidalgo ISD principal The officer spotted the man attempting to hide behind an electric pole. Once spotted by the officer, the man, identified as Stewart, began running. The officer was able to find Stewart laying down on his stomach in an area with bushes and tall grass. The woman told police that she was working as a Lyft driver and picked up Stewart from a Stiletto's Str...

Falcon Heights, Ramsey County sheriff to sever agreement for policing services in city

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 11:45:27 GMT

The city of Falcon Heights does not plan to renew its contract with the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services within its borders.Falcon Heights City Administrator Jack Linehan notified Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher in a letter last week that the city council intended to allow the contract to expire at the end of the year, noting that the sheriff himself had suggested in September 2020 that the council “find alternative long-term law enforcement partners.”Linehan said Tuesday that he hopes city officials will have settled on a new law enforcement model for Falcon Heights by the end of May. This may include contracting with a different agency, forming its own police department or some combination of the two.Linehan said the city’s decision to end its arrangement with Ramsey County was not a commentary on the work done by its deputies in Falcon Heights in the five years since the St. Paul suburb began paying the sheriff’s office ...

P.J. Fleck finding more coachable moments with Gophers’ roster turnover

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 11:45:27 GMT

Gophers head football coach P.J. Fleck finds himself stopping practices more this spring than in recent years.Minnesota has had a significant amount of roster turnover — via graduation and the NCAA transfer portal — meaning younger players are elevated into bigger roles.On Tuesday, the offense had a busted play — quarterback went left, running back to the right and they just stopped — but Fleck calmly used it as an opportunity to remind them that if it’s a game they have to make the most of the breakdown.“Anything culture related, the ball (for turnovers), penalties, whatever it is, I want them to understand how that affects the game,” Fleck said.Fleck also stopped practice when star safety Tyler Nubin had a big hit after top receiver Daniel Jackson made a catch. Fleck said he loved the competition but wants his best players to be smarter, and the message registered with Nubin.More turnoverThe Gophers have had another player exit: cornerback Ryan Stapp. He transferred in from FCS-le...

Rally held to oppose proposed biochar project

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 11:45:27 GMT

HUDSON FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- People gathered in Hudson Falls on Tuesday to protest the Saratoga Biochar Project in the town of Moreau. Those in attendance oppose a sewage sludge biochar project by Saratoga Biochar Solutions. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The protestors gathered where Saratoga Biochar Solutions was holding a public participation meeting at the Sandy Hills Arts Center. The proposal is to build a facility at the Moreau Industrial Park.Those who oppose the project said the facility would turn 720 tons of sewage sludge into charcoal daily.

Saratoga County first responders honored for lifesaving CPR

Published Thu, 06 Feb 2025 11:45:27 GMT

SARATOGA COUNTY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Several different agencies in Saratoga County were honored on Tuesday for performing CPR on a man and saving his life. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! On January 24, Peter Baker, 56, had just finished dinner and was going to take a nap. He went to sit down and then slumped on the floor, according to a family member. 911 was called and then the Burnt Hills Fire Department, Ballston Lake EMS and others arrived on scene and performed CPR. Baker was taken to the hospital and released five days later.