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'I just want justice for my brother:' Family speaks out after funeral of man shot and killed by police in West Garfield Park

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:13:49 GMT

CHICAGO — Family and friends accompanied a horse-drawn carriage procession for the funeral of Reginald Clay Jr. Saturday afternoon."Ever since April 15," said Tara Henderson, Clay Jr.'s mother. "My world has been shattered."According to the Chicago Police Department, officers were patrolling the area around the 3800 block of West Flournoy Street on April 15 that morning as a part of a de-escalation mission after a gang member was killed in the same neighborhood a week prior.Police said they spotted several people near a vehicle while on patrol, one of whom leaned into the vehicle and ran away when police approached him. It was at this point police said the man turned toward officers with a gun, and that's when they opened fire.The man, who family later identified as Clay Jr., was taken to an area hospital where he later died. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: CPD: One shot and killed by officer on West Side Clay Jr.'s family said he was gathered with others the morning of the shooting as they pr...

CFD: Two injured, one critically, after balcony collapse in Grand Boulevard

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:13:49 GMT

CHICAGO — According to the Chicago Fire Department, two people were injured in a balcony collapse in the Grand Boulevard neighborhood early Saturday afternoon.Firefighters said a stone awning fell from a two-story building in the 4400 block of South Vincennes Avenue around 12:30 p.m. and two victims were taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center."I thought I had broke my arm because I was in pain," said Dexter Patterson, one of the two victims injured during the balcony collapse. "I mean, it just came down all at once and man I thank God I'm still here."According to firefighters, the other victim is in critical condition. Parent arrested after brawl at Bulls College Prep, 3 hospitalized No other information is available at this time.

Volunteers, non-profit group plant trees across Little Village

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:13:49 GMT

CHICAGO — Armed with shovels, wheelbarrows, and other tools, volunteers spread out across Little Village Saturday to plant trees on blocks in need of a little bit more green.Partner organization 'Openlands' partook as they continue to embark on a goal of planting at least 1,000 trees every year. Hundreds clean up Humboldt Park on Earth Day Celebrating their 60th anniversary Saturday, Openlands and those who volunteered planted 30 trees in the Little Village area.For more information on Openlands, you can visit their website.

Volunteers help repair more than 75 homes in Chicagoland

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:13:49 GMT

CHICAGO — Thousands of volunteers helped make home repairs for more than 75 Chicago-area homeowners on Saturday.Vera Thomas moved into her home on 72nd Street 18 years ago. Remembering Lee Elia’s infamous rant on Cubs’ fans 40 years ago Saturday "There's school around the corner and the kids were able to go to school there they were still small and everyone had been so nice around here," Thomas said. Her four kids were raised in the home, but overtime the home needed repairs.She applied to be part of the National Rebuilding Day with Rebuilding Metro Chicago to get some help."I was comfortable with just a fix this and fix that," Thomas said. "With all the stuff they're doing, I needed a lot of stuff done. And I'm very grateful." ‘Brought the magic back:’ A Chicago area runner’s return to Boston Marathon after the bombing Teams of volunteers from different companies and trade unions helped Rebuilding Together repair 77 homes in Englewood and Blue Island."As we know, these home rep...

Nanotechnology scout program to return after 3-year hiatus

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:13:49 GMT

CHICAGO — A group of scouts got to take a peek at how scientific discoveries are made at the tiniest scale at Scout Nano Day hosted by Northwestern University.Michael Kleppinger is the assistant scout master for Boy Scout Troop 309 in Lake Zurich — and a retired engineer. Volunteers help repair more than 75 homes in Chicagoland "I knew nothing about nanotechnology when this started."Kleppinger was asked to put together a science program for ages starting at sixth grade over 20 years ago, partnering with helped launch Scout nano Day over 20 years ago, partnering with the International Institute for Nanotechnology at Northwestern University"We had a great turnout from our troop. The scientists had a lot of fun," Kleppinger said.They opened the event up to girl scouts and boy scouts from all over the Chicago area.Kleppinger said that over the course of 20 years, 1,600 scouts have gone through the program, learning about nanotechnology. Daughter to join dad in cockpit as he ta...

2 men charged for stealing, burglary during NFL Draft

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:13:49 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (WDAF) — Two men were charged with burglary and theft after police say they stole NFL jerseys for top draft picks from areas requiring special NFL Draft access credentials.Eric F. Lambkins, 41, and 19-year-old Jude Ocanas from Los Angeles, California each face charges of second degree burglary, stealing and a misdemeanor count of trespassing in the first degree. Real or fake? This tick bite could lead to food allergies According to court records, NFL officials reported that three jerseys were stolen from the Nike Room of the NFL Draft on Friday morning. Detectives with the Kansas City Police Department reviewed security footage that showed that the defendants had credentials for the NFL Draft but not for those specific areas and not during that time. The stolen jerseys were valued at $350 each, records show. The jerseys that were stolen were a blue Dallas Cowboys Jersey, a red San Francisco 49ers jersey and a Minnesota Vikings jersey. Home invasion suspects ho...

3 Longhorns picked on final day of 2023 NFL Draft

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:13:49 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KXAN) — Three more Longhorns were taken Saturday on the final day of the 2023 NFL Draft, making it five Texas players with their names called after none were last year.Running back Roschon Johnson went to the Chicago Bears in the fourth round with the No. 115 pick overall, and he's expected to help the Bears not just on offense but also on special teams. Atlanta Falcons select Texas RB Bijan Robinson with No. 8 pick in 2023 NFL Draft Defensive lineman Keondre Coburn was selected in the sixth round by the Kansas City Chiefs with the No. 194 overall pick.Moro Ojomo, another defensive lineman, was selected No. 249 overall in the seventh round by the Philadelphia Eagles.Texas defensive lineman Keondre Coburn (99) and defensive lineman Byron Murphy II (90) celebrate the team's win over West Virginia in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Stephen Spillman)Johnson rushed for 544 yards on 93 carries with four touchdowns this ...

State of Texas: Fighting over how to fight fentanyl deaths

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:13:49 GMT

AUSTIN (Nexstar) — Crammed into Texas Sen. Joan Huffman's office chanting "shame," a group of Texans confronted staffers on Thursday, demanding the senator uses her influence to take action on legislation related to addressing the fentanyl crisis.The protests highlight differences over how to reduce fentanyl deaths, pitting advocates for harm reduction against those calling for tougher drug penalties. The Texas Harm Reduction Alliance is calling on Huffman — a Houston Republican who is a member of the Criminal Justice Committee — to advance several bills that aim to decriminalize the use of fentanyl testing strips. Currently, under the Texas Controlled Substances Act drug testing equipment such as these strips are classified as drug paraphernalia, making it illegal for people to recreationally test.The test strips cost roughly a dollar and can be used to test drugs, powders and pills for the presence of fentanyl, which is significantly more powerful than other drugs and can be ...

13 arrested for stealing millions from low-income Southern Californians

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:13:49 GMT

Thirteen people were arrested for allegedly stealing millions of dollars from low-income Southern California residents.The suspects stole funds using card skimmers and ATMs to drain electronic benefit transfer (EBT) accounts, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.EBT cards allow participants to pay for food using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, formerly known as food stamps.On April 25, authorities received a community tip about fraud and identity theft suspects residing at a Van Nuys motel on the 4700 block of Sepulveda Boulevard.With a search warrant, police recovered skimming devices, card readers, a large number of false identification cards and documents and $36,062 in cash.Investigators believe the suspects may be part of a Romanian syndicate known to “target persons experiencing economic hardship for their EBT cards.” Fentanyl deaths skyrocketing in SoCal, prompting outcry for stricter laws The group allegedly stole millions of dollars ev...

Kurtenbach: Game 7 is likely not win-or-go-home for the Warriors — it’s win-or-break-up

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 17:13:49 GMT

Everything is on the line for the Warriors on Sunday in Sacramento. Not just their season, but perhaps their dynasty as well.Game 7 isn’t just win-or-go-home for the Warriors; it’s win-or-break-up.No team in the NBA spends more on player salaries than the Warriors. The payoff has been championships. But if the Warriors —  a team that needed all 82 regular season games to claim their playoff spot in the Western Conference — lose in the first round to the younger, more frugal Northern California rivals, big, bold changes will come this offseason.The Warriors are right when they say they’ve experienced everything there is to experience in the NBA Playoffs. But amid their incredible dynastic run, the situation they find themselves in Sunday – a Game 7 on the road – is one they’ve experienced just once.That was in 2018, the Western Conference Finals, in Houston and there is little chance that the Warriors’ opponent this time around, the Kings, will follow the scri...