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Lawsuit filed over cleaning worker who died in department store bathroom, body not found for days

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:27 GMT

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The family of a cleaning worker whose body remained in a locked bathroom at a department store for days after she died filed suit Tuesday against the Belk chain, saying her body was so decomposed they couldn’t even hold an open casket funeral. Bessie Durham, a 63-year-old worker with a contractor hired to clean the Belk store near Columbia, South Carolina, went into a family bathroom around 7 a.m. on a Thursday in 2022 and died shortly after from a cardiac problem, attorney Chris Hart said. Durham had clocked in for work but never clocked out and her cleaning cart sat outside the locked door for four days until Columbia Police called the store trying to find Durham because her family reported the woman missing, according to the lawsuit filed Tuesday. The suit was filed a year to the day when her body was found on Sept. 19, 2022, at the store in Columbiana Mall.The store was open for regular hours the entire time. Durham worked for a company contracted to ...

Police search for men wanted in violent robbery, stabbings in downtown core

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:27 GMT

Two men are wanted by police in a violent robbery that involved two victims being assaulted and stabbed in the city’s downtown core last weekend.Police were called to a stabbing in the Adelaide Street and Simcoe Street area at around 3 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 17.It’s alleged that a group of men assaulted two male victims in their 20s. Police said one victim was able to run away eastbound on Adelaide Street West, where two suspects chased him.The two suspects caught up to the one victim on Simcoe Street and produced knives, demanding his jewelry and threatening him. The victim was stabbed, kicked and punched multiple times and had his jewelry stolen.Authorities said that during the attack on the first victim, the second man was stabbed and had his items stolen, too. The two suspects fled the area on foot.Police said the two victims were taken to the hospital that morning. One victim has since been released; the other is still being treated and is in stable condition.Investi...

With thousands of migrants pouring into the City, where's the money being spent to help?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:27 GMT

CHICAGO — It's a crisis that's dominated the headlines almost daily. More than 13,500 asylum seekers have poured into Chicago since last August, with many left sleeping on the floors of police stations across the city.This all despite tens of millions of dollars being forked over to manage the ongoing humanitarian crisis, which begets the question — where are all of these funds being spent?According to a Freedom of Information Act request obtained by WGN News, hundreds of invoices were uncovered that revealed a whopping $84.5 million already paid out since the first buses began arriving from Texas."We are spending money hand over fist to assist these individuals," said Ald. Raymond Lopez (15th). "Yet we still have children, their parents, and the elderly sleeping on floors." Couple, 2 children, 3 dogs found dead inside Romeoville home: police The majority of the money already spent — $56.78 million — was paid to a company named 'Favourite Healthcare Staffing,' with another $12.58 ...

Police looking into apparent videos from missing former NFL player after mother's death

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:27 GMT

MAYWOOD, Ill. — Police are still searching for a missing former NFL player as they investigate his mother's death.Maywood police say Sergio Brown is still considered a missing person even after two videos have been shared on Instagram by an account that is believed to be run by the former NFL player.A new video shared as a story on an Instagram account that is believed to be run by Sergio, shows him laughing as he is surrounded by images from the movie Finding Nemo, he even quotes the film.It is the second video that has been posted to the account in the last two days as Maywood Police investigate the killing of Sergio's mother, Myrtle Brown.In the first video, which was also shared as a story on Monday, Sergio made vague references to Maywood police and the FBI and said that he had thought his mother was on vacation.The 35-year-old ex-NFL player is a Proviso East graduate who played from 2010 to 2016 with the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts.Myrtle’s family, with a searc...

FBI releases photo, video from armored truck robbery at Chicago Heights grocery story

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:27 GMT

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, Ill. — The FBI is investigating an armored truck robbery on Tuesday at a grocery store in Chicago Heights.According to the FBI, the incident happened in the 1300 block of Western Avenue. 3 charged after 2 men shot, killed in Chicago Heights Three men in their 20s displayed handguns during the robbery, the FBI said.One of the men was hit by the armored car and may be injured.The FBI said a dark-colored Nissan sedan, the suspected getaway vehicle, sustained extensive damage to the rear passenger side door in a collision with the truck.The Nissan didn't have any license plates but had a dealer advertisement with a star and blue lettering, the FBI said.Anyone with information is asked to contact the FBI online or by calling 312-421-6700.Tips can be reported anonymously.The FBI said a reward of up to $20,000 for information this or other armored car robberies is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

Opinion: It’s more so Luke Getsy, than Justin Fields

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:27 GMT

CHICAGO — Justin Fields is a hot mess, and so are the Chicago Bears, but when it comes to blame for an 0-2 start, the buck stops with coaching and scheme before any one player’s performance.“We’re just searching for consistency,” said Matt Eberflus at a press conference Monday. “It’s about consistency, doing it right.”It certainly feels familiar, doesn’t it Bears fans?I, like most of you, spent my Sunday yelling at a TV – with Chicago's almost total ineptitude on offense, save for two possessions, driving me up a wall.In honor of the lucky few who missed the Bears’ performance, here are the Spark Notes.Chicago got off to a hot start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — scoring on their opening drive — only to digress so much as the game went on, that gouging an eye out seemed more enjoyable than watching Bears football.In similar fashion to a week before, it appeared the once vaunted Monsters of the Midway salvaged momentum in hopes of making a comeback, only to squander it in grand f...

West Chicago police looking for 72-year-old man missing since Monday

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:27 GMT

WEST CHICAGO, Ill. — West Chicago police are looking for a missing 72-year-old man who was last seen driving Monday in Joliet.According to the West Chicago Police Department, Jose Cordero, 72, left his home but never reached his destination. Over $1M in counterfeit merchandise seized by CBP at O’Hare’s mail branch He is driving a black 2018 Toyota RAV 4 with Illinois license plates 2274226.Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call police at 630-293-2222.

Tuesday Forecast: Evening shower chances before warm temperatures return

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:27 GMT

CHICAGO — Cloudy, rain with t'storms Tuesday and a wide temperature range. Winds: S 5-15 G20. High: 67. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Mainly cloudy tonight with rain and storms. Winds: SE 5-10 G15. Low: 60.Wednesday Forecast: Mostly cloudy Wednesday with a 20 percent AM rain chance. Winds: SSW 5-10. High: 82.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog

Candy maker Ferrero opens research & development center in Loop

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:27 GMT

CHICAGO — Ferrero, a worldwide manufacturer of candies, cookies and other sweets, is betting big on Chicago.Executives with Ferrero of North America unveiled a new research & development center at the former Marshall Field store along State Street in the Loop, which housed the manufacturing of Frango Mints for decades. Unlike Frango, which left the city a quarter century ago, Ferrero executives are making a long-term commitment."We are here for the long term,” Laurent Cremona, the Vice President of Research and Development at Ferrero, said. ‘I was laughing and crying’: Illinois man retires after winning $2M on scratch-off ticket Top Ferrero executives say they are keenly focused on Chicago.“The facility is the first of its kind in North America,” Alanna Cotton, President of Ferrero North America said.Cotton says the new facility is a historic and strategic investment.At the new research center, scientists are poised to develop new brand lines to accompany some of the most icon...

Vanna White's future on 'Wheel of Fortune' revealed

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 19:25:27 GMT

*For previous coverage of this story, watch above.(WJW) — As 'Wheel of Fortune' host Pat Sajak's final season begins, more details are now known about Vanna White's future with the game show. Fisher-Price drops NSYNC Little People set as reunion tour rumors swirl The co-host has signed a two-year contract extension, according to several outlets, including CNN and USA Today. A statement from the show to CNN said the decision will keep her "revealing letters at the iconic puzzleboard through the 2025-26 season." The final season of Sajak's run on the show kicked off earlier this month. Season 41 will mark the end of four decades of working with White. He announced his retirement back in June. Injured hiker rescued after friends left him to continue ‘adventure’ in Grand Canyon “Well, the time has come. I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last,” Sajak said in a statement. “It’s been a wonderful ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming m...