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CTA, Metra to provide free rides for back to school on Monday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:40 GMT

CHICAGO — The Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and Pace will be offering free rides for students Monday for the first day of school.In 2022, the CTA's "First Day, Free Rides" program provided nearly 49,000 free rides to students and their parents or guardians. The program began in 2011.“We strive to provide Chicagoland students a convenient and affordable means of transportation to and from school, and we want the first day back in the classroom to help set up a successful school year,” said CTA President Dorval Carter, Jr.For the second year in a row, Pace and Metra are offering free rides for all K-12 Chicago area students on Monday as well. Federal disaster declaration made for Cook County “We are pleased to be able to help families start the academic year on a positive note by offering free rides for students using Metra to get to class,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski.CPS and many suburban districts begin the school year on Monday.

135 people have died in Texas prisons since June 1; Families demand answers

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:40 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) -- As Tona Naranjo raised a faint candle toward the Governor's Mansion, she remembered the light of her life now extinguished.Gathered in prayerful protest on the steps of the mansion on Friday night, she mourned with other families who have lost loved ones inside the criminal justice system. Her son, Jon Anthony Southwards, died at 36 years old on June 28 inside the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's Estelle Unit. He was found unresponsive in his cell and later pronounced dead. His cause of death is still unknown, pending autopsy results from a medical examiner.Naranjo is seeking answers from TDCJ regarding the circumstances of her son's sudden death. "That little boy taught me what unconditional love was all about. He taught me what passion was. He taught me what it was like to be a sovereign servant," she told a crowd of families and inmate advocates Friday. "A judge sentenced Jon Anthony to 20 years. The TDCJ Estelle Unit sentenced Jon Anthony to death."Sout...

WATCH: Austin landscaping business painting lawns green

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:40 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) --- Green grass is hard to come by nowadays in Central Texas with this intense heat and drought.Local landscaping companies like Good Neighbor Lawn and Landscape said these weather conditions are impacting business. "The drought and water restrictions have greatly affected my business. Our busiest season is now our scariest," said owner Chilee Navarro.Navarro and her husband have owned Good Neighbor Lawn and Landscape in Austin for 15 years. But recently, she said they had to get creative. "We’ve added lawn paint to the services we offer," she said. "Keeping lawns green without all the watering."   Navarro said the product they use is called lawn colorant that's commonly used on golf courses and football fields. "It is an organic pigment that was developed specifically for live grass," Navarro said. "It's non-toxic. It is eco-friendly. So it's not going to harm your lawn. It won't harm the Earth. It's safe for pets."She said the paint dries after two hours and doe...

Cause of death undetermined for man found in Lady Bird Lake, report shows

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:40 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A man found dead in Lady Bird Lake in March may have fallen or entered the water or had a "natural event" near the water, according to a medical examiner's report obtained by KXAN.Police and first responders were called to 1100 W. Riverside Drive on the morning of March 5. Clifton Axtell, 40, was pronounced dead at the scene. Austin Police find body in Lady Bird Lake It's unclear how the man entered the water "as it was an unwitnessed event," the report stated."Unfortunately, there are often no specific findings at autopsy to confirm drowning as the cause of death," the report said, adding it is "often dependent on case circumstances." Because it didn't have more information on those circumstances, it said the official cause and manner of death were "best certified as undetermined." The report stated the medical examiner's opinion would be updated if new information became available.Austin Police previously said the death is not being investigated as suspicious.Th...

Como Park product Kyle Follmer named Gentry Academy’s new boys hockey coach

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:40 GMT

Como Park product Kyle Follmer will lead Gentry Academy’s high school boys hockey team, the Vadnais Heights school announced Wednesday.Follmer played hockey for the Cougars before playing junior hockey and competing collegiately at North Colorado. He will also teach physical education at Gentry Academy.“I am very excited to join Gentry and bring my experience as a player and coach to this growing program,” Follmer said in a statement. “I see a lot of myself in our current team. We have so many guys who love the game and want to play it at the highest level, all while getting a top-notch education.”After college, Follmer played five seasons of minor-league hockey before serving as an assistant coach of the New Mexico Ice Wolves junior team for two years.Gentry Academy returns 17 players from last year’s team, which reached the Class 2A, Section 4 final before falling to Hill-Murray.“Kyle will be an amazing addition to Gentry Academy and our boys’ hockey team. His pa...

High school football: Wisconsin Week 1 predictions

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:40 GMT

THURSDAYBaldwin-Woodville vs. Kewaskum, at Wisconsin-La Crosse, 5 p.m.These two teams reached the second round of the playoffs last fall — Baldwin-Woodville in Division 4 and Kewasum in Division 3. Baldwin-Woodville sported a potent offense a year ago, but must replace the since-graduated dynamic dual-threat quarterback Masen Werner, who accounted for the bulk of the team’s offense in 2022.The Blackhawks will look for their defense to take a major leap this season in order to take another step forward as a team.OUR PICK: Baldwin-Woodville 27, Kewaskum 22Wisconsin Rapids at River Falls, 7 p.m.Wisconsin Rapids reached the playoffs in Division I last season, and will be a stiff test for River Falls out of the gates. The Wildcats topped Rapids 28-7 to kickoff their season a year ago.River Falls has key playmakers back in quarterback Jacob Range and running back Jonah Severson. The test will be whether a revamped offensive line can support them.OUR PICK: River Falls 33, Wisconsin R...

Two arrested for allegedly stealing rims in Troy

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:40 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Two individuals were arrested for allegedly stealing rims from Cole's Collision on North Greenbush Road. Donald Koenig of Round Lake and Jamye Laque of Ballston Spa were arraigned and remanded to the Rensselaer County Jail without bail. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! Police say staff from Cole's Collision filed a report on August 2. According to the report, someone had smashed the vinyl fence and stolen around $1,100 worth of rims. The damage to the fence was estimated at around $2,800.Police linked the incident with several prior thefts from the Cole's Collision in Wilton. Detective Walsh worked with the Saratoga County Sheriff's Office to identify the two suspects. Investigations are ongoing as Koenig reportedly scrapped several vehicles and other items believed to be stolen.Koenig was charged with criminal mischief in the second degree, grand larceny in the fourth degree, conspiracy in the fifth degre...

Discovering Saratoga: Humpty Dumpty Ice Cream & Subs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:40 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - For some families in the Capital Region, getting a cone at Humpty Dumpty Ice Cream & Subs is a summer tradition that dates back to the 1950s. This year one local family marks 55 years of running the establishment. Off the Beaten Path: The Country Drive-In Since it was founded in 1955, three local families have owned Humpty Dumpty. Ellsworth Ice Cream built the building and operated the business until 1960. In 1968, the Bishop family began their run as owners.“Generations after generations of families have been coming here, you know? We’re a family owned business that treat people like our family,” said Brenda Jennings, the current owner. Discovering Saratoga: Simply Food by Maura Humpty Dumpty is located at 70 West Ave. in Saratoga Springs. The business will close for the season on Friday, September 1.

Hudson man convicted in 2019 child sex abuse case

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:40 GMT

HUDSON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On Wednesday, Jamel Brandow, 40, of Hudson, was convicted of sexually abusing two children. A jury found Brandow guilty of predatory sexual assault against a child, rape in the first degree, unlawful imprisonment in the first degree, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! According to the police reports, Brandow was arrested on May 5, 2019. A young girl reported to the police that Brandow had tied her up, raped her, and threatened her. The victim broke free, ran four blocks to her mother's workplace, and contacted the police.“The abuse of a child by a person in a position of trust is the worst kind of betrayal,” Deputy Chief ADA Carty said. “The survivors in this case bravely told the truth, despite the terrible trauma they endured. Their strength helped hold their abuser accountable. Survivors should know that the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office...

Officers shoot suspect in north St. Louis

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:11:40 GMT

ST. LOUIS - Multiple officers shot a suspect Wednesday afternoon in north St. Louis, according to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. The shooting happened in the 4200 block of Linton Avenue in the Fairgrounds neighborhood around 2 p.m., according to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Multiple people quit within hours at Jennings City Hall Investigators disclosed few details on what led up to the shooting, but police report that the suspect is conscious and breathing. No officers were hurt in the incident. St. Louis police have not yet disclosed what led up to the shooting or what kind of injuries the suspect shot might have suffered. This is a developing story. FOX 2 will update as more information becomes available.