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Chicago police sergeant acquitted of battery, misconduct for pinning teenage bike theft suspect

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:37 GMT

SKOKIE, Ill. (AP) — A judge found a Chicago police sergeant not guilty of aggravated battery and official misconduct Friday in a case in which he pinned down a teenage boy and pressed a knee to his back when he suspected the boy of stealing his son’s bicycle.Cook County Judge Paul Pavlus acquitted Sgt. Michael Vitellaro during a bench trial, local news outlets reported.Vitellaro, who was off duty at the time of the July 1 altercation in suburban Park Ridge, said he was using proper technique to take down a suspect in the theft of a bike belonging to his son. The boy was 14 at the time.Vitellaro’s son testified he left his bike unlocked at a library and later spotted it near a shop where his father detained the boy, who was holding the bike there.The boy’s family and their attorney, Antonio Romanucci, provided video that allegedly showed Vitellaro grab him, pin his arms behind his back on the sidewalk and put a knee on his back.“He’s taking my son’s bike,” the man is heard sayi...

USPSI offering reward up to $50,000 after May armed robbery of letter carrier in Chicago

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:37 GMT

CHICAGO — A reward of up to $50,000 is being offered for information on the five people wanted in the armed robbery of a letter carrier last month.According to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the men, described as being in their late teens or early 20s, surrounded the carrier on May 19 in the 1000 block of North Hamlin Avenue. ‘Outraged’ letter carriers demand action to stop robberies The men displayed weapons and robbed the carrier before leaving the area in a silver Jeep or Ford SUV.On Friday, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service announced a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those involved. US Postal Service taking new steps to prevent carrier robberies, stolen mail Anyone with information is asked to call USPIS at 1-877-876-2455, say "law enforcement" and reference case number 4043101.The USPSI said all information will be kept strictly confidential.

Man charged in deadly shooting on Eisenhower Expressway

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:37 GMT

CHICAGO — A man was arrested Wednesday and charged in connection with the death of a man shot and killed last month on the Eisenhower Expressway.According to Illinois State Police, Curtis Sheppard, 25, of Chicago, was charged with First Degree Murder after a 27-year-old man was shot and killed on May 16. 1 dead, 1 hurt after shooting on Eisenhower; inbound lanes closed The shooting happened on the Eisenhower Expressway near Cicero Avenue.On Friday, Sheppard was denied bond in court and is being held at the Cook County Correctional Center.

Severe thunderstorm watch for Austin metro

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:37 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Another day in June, another day with triple digits and feels-like temperatures over 110º in many areas. It was the hottest day of the year with highs in Austin at Camp Mabry reaching 103º. Some areas had "feels like" temperatures close to 120º in our eastern counties!! Expert: Texas heatwave 'driven by climate change' An Excessive Heat Warning continues for the Austin-metro and eastern counties until Sunday 8 p.m. Heat index values could reach up to 115°+. A Heat Advisory is in effect for all of the Hill Country until Sunday evening as well where feels-like temperatures will only be slightly lower.Extreme Heat Warning issued for all of the Austin-metro & eastern counties until Sunday 8 p.m.Dangerous heat and humidity will continue to be the top concern areawide - be sure to frequently check in on friends, family and neighbors, particularly seniors, children, those working outdoors, etc.Severe storms possibleA few isolated storms will continue to be a risk th...

What bills targeting the Texas foster care system are slated to become law?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:37 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Several bills sitting on Texas Governor Greg Abbott's desk could impact the state’s foster care system and the agency tasked with caring for children in its custody. Others have already been signed and will go into effect this year. For more than a decade, lawmakers, a federal judge and even court monitors -- appointed through a lawsuit over the care of these kids -- have kept a close eye on the actions of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and providers in the system. ORIGINAL INVESTIGATION: More than 200 kids sleeping in CPS offices as need for foster care intensifies At times, the agency struggled to find family placements, saw a dramatic decrease in beds at residential treatment facilities and even reported hundreds of kids sleeping in state office buildings and hotels in 2021.Neither the governor nor Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick named issues facing the child welfare system as priority issues in 2023, but dozens of bills filed dur...

Twins report: Rocco Baldelli, Sonny Gray clear the air after Thursday’s disagreement

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:37 GMT

After an emotional conversation about being pulled after four innings in Thursday’s 8-4 loss to Detroit, Sonny Gray suspected he would “probably have to clear the air” with manager Rocco Baldelli.The two took care of that before leaving the ballpark.“We were able to do that, and I thought it was good,” Baldelli said before Friday night’s 7:10 p.m. first pitch against the Detroit Tigers at Target Field. “I don’t know if Sonny’s going to be overly happy and pleased over the next few days, but ultimately I think he’s going to be just fine, and he’s going to be ready to go for his next start.”Gray labored through four innings on Thursday, walking a season-high four batters and throwing 79 pitches, but had a 4-2 lead when Baldelli pulled him for left-hander Jovani Moran.“I wanted to keep pitching,” Gray said after the game. “It just didn’t happen. I mean, I wanted to keep pitching. I felt like I was just competing.”Moran struck out the first batter he faced, then gave up three runs, and ...

Cottage Grove man sentenced to prison for shooting Uber Eats driver

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:37 GMT

A Cottage Grove man has been sentenced to six years in prison for shooting a food delivery driver near his townhouse in 2021.Otis Donnell Shipp, 50, was convicted of first-degree assault and given a 74-month prison term Tuesday by Washington County District Judge Richard Ilkka. Shipp was given credit for 154 days already served in custody.The assault charge was added as part of a plea deal that Shipp reached with prosecutors in March. In exchange for the guilty plea, a charge of second-degree attempted murder was dismissed.According to the criminal complaint, Shipp fired several shots at an Uber Eats driver from his driveway in the 8700 block of Ironwood Avenue just before 10:30 p.m. Nov. 23, 2021. The driver, who was dropping off an Applebee’s order at another townhouse, was hit in the left shoulder.The driver told officers he was returning to his car after leaving an order at a doorstep when a gunman asked what he was doing. Before he could answer, the gunman opened fire.The drive...

Women leaders from Mexico learning in Albany

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:37 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -A group of women leaders from Mexico are spending some time in Albany to share and learn more on being drivers of change. The first stop is UAlbany’s Center for Women in Government in Civil Society. Director, Dina Refki, says they are focusing on leadership. “We work on developing women’s leadership, issues with economic security, gender and health-related disparities as well as safety and wellbeing," stated Refki. Scotia fireworks returning thanks to community effort From June 16 to the 20, the group will be discussing social issues that go beyond their borders. “We finished a meeting where we learned more of pay inequality, which is a world-wide concern. One might think that it’s not an issue in the United States but we heard that’s the case," explained Supervisor of Industrial Affairs, Sra. Paulina Nunez. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The leaders hope they can inspire other ...

Missouri's education department pays for teacher certification tests amid educator shortage  

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:37 GMT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The state's education department is using federal COVID relief money to pay for certification tests for teachers, an effort to help combat the shortage of educators. Until the end of September, incoming and current teachers can register to take up to three certification tests for free, with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) picking up the tab. The goal is to help get more educators in the classroom in a state that is suffering a teacher shortage crisis. "I think we're still in for a couple rough years of trying to fill our classrooms," said assistant DESE commissioner Paul Katnik. "Hopefully there is relief on the way, but certainly, we aren't there yet." Triple shooting at North St. Louis gas station one dead, two injured A lack of educators has been an ongoing struggle in Missouri for several years. "We started talking about how we aren't headed in the right direction and then the pandemic certainly didn't help us. It kind of exasp...

Hundreds protest Dodgers' Pride night event honoring LGBTQ+ 'nun' group

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:37 GMT

Hundreds of religious protestors held a "prayerful procession" outside Dodger Stadium Friday night in response to the Dodgers honoring an LGBTQ “nun” group at its Pride Night event.The Los Angeles Dodgers will be honoring the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence with a Community Hero Award prior to their game against the San Francisco Giants.The Sisters are a group of self-described queer and trans “nuns” who focus on philanthropic work while using “humor and irreverent wit to expose the forces of bigotry, complacency and guilt that chain the human spirit,” according to the group’s website.Pro-Catholic demonstrators hold signs outside Dodger Stadium ahead of the team's Pride Night event. June 16, 2023. (KTLA)“We’re just here, all the faiths are standing united,” Jesse Holguin, one protester, told KTLA. “We’re very angry that the Dodgers invited this group that mocked our lord and savior Jesus Christ.”The rally, organized by Catholics for Catholics, featured music, speakers, and prayer, a...