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Survivors of deadly Mexico abduction returned to US

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:17 GMT

CIUDAD VICTORIA, Mexico (AP) — A road trip to Mexico for cosmetic surgery veered violently off course when four Americans were caught in a drug cartel shootout, leaving two dead and two held captive for days in a remote region of the Gulf coast before they were rescued from a wood shack, officials said Tuesday.Their minivan crashed and was fired on shortly after they crossed into the border city of Matamoros on Friday as drug cartel factions tore through the streets, the region’s governor said. A stray bullet also killed a Mexican woman about a block and a half away.The four Americans were hauled off in a pickup truck, and Mexican authorities frantically searched as the cartel moved them around — even taking them to a medical clinic — “to create confusion and avoid efforts to rescue them,” Tamaulipas Gov. Américo Villarreal said.They were found Tuesday in a wooden shack, guarded by a man who was arrested, in a rural area east of Matamoros called Ejido Tecolote on...

Girl Scout cookie shortage sparks resale market

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:17 GMT

(NewsNation) — Those who look forward to Girl Scout cookie season each year may be facing disappointment, as supply chain disruptions lead to a shortage of cookies and black market prices.Raspberry Rallies, a new flavor introduced this year that is a "sister cookie" to the popular Thin Mint, sold out within days in some parts of the country. The limited edition cookie was only available online and typically sold for $4-$7 per box , but is now being listed on sites like EBay for astronomical prices. Boxes of cookies are being listed online for upward of $20 a box, including a listing for 12 boxes being sold for $499.But it's not just the limited edition flavor that's out of stock. Former ‘Boy Meets World’ star running for Congress Girl Scouts of the USA announced in December that customers ordering online could face shortages due to supply chain issues affecting Little Brownie Bakers, one of two bakeries that produces the iconic cookies.While the Girl Scouts said bulk orders for in...

Memorial services begin Wednesday for fallen Chicago officer

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:17 GMT

CHICAGO —  Memorial services begin Wednesday for Chicago police Officer Andrés Vásquez Lasso. Visitation is scheduled from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Blake-Lamb Funeral Home in Oak Lawn, located at 4727 West 103rd Street.A funeral mass for the fallen officer will be held Thursday at St. Rita of Cascia Shrine Chapel, 7740 South Western Avenue, at 10 a.m.32-year-old Andres Vasquez-Lasso, courtesy CPD No bond for man accused of killing Chicago police Officer Andrés Vásquez Lasso Vasquez-Lasso was killed in the line of duty last week while responding to a domestic disturbance on Chicago's South Side.

Founder of Chicago beef shop that inspired 'The Bear' dies

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:17 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — The founder of the Chicago Italian beef shop that inspired FX’s "The Bear," Joseph Zucchero, has died at 69, his son said.Mr. Beef, the no-frills sandwich joint in Chicago's River North, has been a neighborhood staple for decades. But it became a national sensation after it was portrayed by the gritty, fast-paced show released in June 2022.Zucchero died unexpectedly on March 1 at Rush Medical Center while undergoing treatment for cancer, said his son, Christopher Zucchero, who is a co-owner of the restaurant. “He was supposed to come home,” he said.Zucchero said the family is waiting to learn exact cause of his father's death.“He was a magnificent human being. He was charismatic. He loved his restaurant. .. He loved his family, his children,” Zucchero said. 2 Americans dead, 2 rescued after violent Mexico kidnapping Nothing will be the same at Mr. Beef without his father, Zucchero said.“There's going to be a huge ... void here,” he said. “I'm in shock... w...

FBI release pics of suspects wanted for armored car robbery in Orland Park

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:17 GMT

ORLAND PARK, Ill. — The FBI is seeking the public's help with identifying four suspects wanted in an armored car robbery in Orland Park. Officials say three men jumped out of an SUV armed with semi-automatic pistols and forced the driver into the truck last Saturday. Authorities said the trio stole the contents inside before a fourth suspect, the getaway driver, rode off. The incident occurred outside an Xfinity store on the 14220 block of 95th Ave.No injuries were reported.Anyone with information is asked to contact the Chicago FBI where you can report tips anonymously. 

What it's like to live — and even thrive — with Stiff Person Syndrome

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:17 GMT

You probably hadn’t heard the name Stiff Person Syndrome until Superstar singer Celine Dion announced her battle with the rare and often misdiagnosed ailment.Now, a local woman walks us through what it’s like to live – even thrive — with the debilitating syndrome.In a December 2022 message to her fans, Dion gave voice to the one-in-one-million people struggling with the same disorder she’s been battling offstage.“My mind was, ‘Oh my goodness, I feel so bad for her,’” Moira Papp said. “But I was very happy because I knew she has a humongous voice and this is going to get recognized.”  Related: Celine Dion diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome Papp, 54, was diagnosed in 2021.She was always active but says, “I did notice I was falling, but I contributed it to tripping or going too fast. I was falling up and down the stairs.”Multiple Sclerosis was suggested – then cervical spine stenosis. But surgery didn’t help her gait.Dr. David Randall is a neurologist at Advocate Health Care.“...

St. Patrick's Day Chicago 2023: See a schedule for big events in the city

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:17 GMT

CHICAGO — March is now upon us and that means the countdown to one of the most exciting holidays in the Chicago area.St. Patrick's Day is March 17 and the weekend before, three major events are happening in the area. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)When do they dye the Chicago River Green?The tradition of turning the river green downtown for the holiday is back in 2023 and will kick off parade day on Saturday, March 11 at 10 a.m. At that time, the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local 130 will continue that tradition, which is something they've done for nearly 70 years. The best place to see the river dyeing is on Upper Wacker Drive between Columbus Drive and Wabash Avenue. Where to get pepper and egg sandwiches in Chicago (Photo by Brian Kersey/Getty Images)When is the 2023 Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade?After the river is dyed green, the 68th annual parade in the city begins at 12:30 p.m.It will step off at Balbo Drive and Columbus Drive and proceed north on Columbus to Monroe...

Nearly $70K reward offered in disappearance of pregnant postal worker Kierra Coles

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:17 GMT

CHICAGO —  The mother of a pregnant postal worker who disappeared more than four years ago made a new plea for help on Tuesday. Activists raised the reward money to $68,000 for information on the whereabouts of Kierra Coles, who was last seen on Oct. 2, 2018 near 83rd and King Drive. Coles' car was found parked on her block with her purse and cell phone still inside. Coles was three months pregnant at the time of her disappearance. SEE ALSO | Chicago police have released video of the last known images of Kierra ColesKaren Phillips, Coles' mother, hopes the FBI will become involved in the search for her missing daughter."Can't nobody image the pain that I go through daily," Phillips said. "Missing my child, not hearing her voice. Not knowing if she had her child. Not knowing if she is suffering every day. No knowing if her child is suffering every day. Please help me bring Kierra home. And to Kierra, if you are watching this. We're not going to stop. I'm trying to do everything in my...

Wednesday Forecast: Temps in mid 40s, cooler lakeside

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:17 GMT

CHICAGO — Mostly cloudy conditions Wednesday with temperatures in the mid 40s. High: 44;   Lakeside: 40. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Mostly cloudy tonight. Low: 33; Feels Like: 23.Thursday Forecast: Cloudy cloudy conditions with 60% chance of PM rain/snow. High: 39.Full forecast details at the WGN Weather Center

6 injured in fiery car crash that leads to house fire in West Pullman

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:45:17 GMT

CHICAGO — Six people are in the hospital after a car crash led to a house fire in West Pullman Tuesday evening.The crash in question happened just before 6 p.m. near the intersection of West 116th Street and South Racine Avenue.According to the owner of the SUV, his brother was driving eastbound on 116th Street when a Kia sedan blew a stop sign on Racine Avenue, leading to a collision that sent the Dodge Durango flying into the West Pullman home.Shortly thereafter, the Durango caught fire, which then spread from the vehicle to the house.According to the Chicago Fire Department, six people were injured in the crash, all of whom were taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, where they all are in stable condition.Firefighters also tell WGN the car that blew through the stop sign was previously stolen."[I'm] just thankful," said Deon Winters, whose mother lives in the house affected by the crash. "God is good. We will get through this."Winters, who was in good spiri...