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'Jermaine is my hero': Vigil held for fallen Chicago firefighter

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:55:54 GMT

CHICAGO -- A large crowd of family and friends gathered outside the Corliss High School Friday night to honor fallen Chicago Firefighter Jermain Pelt.John Pelt, Jermaine's father, described his 49-year-old son as a great representation of the family and as someone who loved everybody, especially his family, which includes an adult daughter and six-year-old son."Jermaine is my hero," John Pelt said. "God gave him to us for 49 years and in those 49 years, he achieved a whole lot." 5-year-old Calumet City boy dies after gun brought into home discharges Along with serving as a firefighter, Pelt's father said his son was a landlord, registered nurse and paramedic.Tragically, the veteran firefighter who served the department for 18 years was killed Tuesday battling a house fire in West Pullman.In spite of the tragedy, others who knew and loved Pelt said memories of his positive and kind spirit have helped them cope with the loss.One day after Pelt's death, 55-year-old Chicago Fire Lieut...

Joliet police: Officers shoot man firing handgun near apartment building

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:55:54 GMT

JOLIET, Ill. — A man was critically injured after Joliet police said he was shot by officers while shooting a handgun near an apartment building early Saturday morning.Officers were called around 4:45 a.m. to the 900 block of Lois Place on the report of a possible domestic disturbance near an apartment building. Bond set at $10M for Joliet man in fatal shooting When officers arrived and saw the man firing a handgun, they shot him, according to a news release from the Joliet Police Department. It's not clear exactly how many officers fired shots.They gave the man medical aid before he was taken to a hospital in critical condition, according to the release. The Haley Mansion hopes to reopen this spring after fire Per the police department's policy, the officers were taken to a local hospital.The Will-Grundy Major Crimes Task Force is investigating the incident.Additional details, including the identities of those involved, haven't been released.

Church on Chicago's West Side damaged for second time

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:55:54 GMT

CHICAGO — A fire destroyed a small neighborhood church on the West Side of Chicago while the pastor and several members were on a retreat. They say it isn't the first time an incident like this has happened there. 2 men fatally shot in Garfield Park shooting, ID’d Police said the first report of smoke came in before 5 a.m. Saturday after fire was coming through the roof of the West Garfield Park Church at Cicero and Fulton.The pastor and several members were on a retreat when they learned of the fire.They're grateful no one was in the building. Person injured after West Side apartment building catches fire Chance Ministries holds Pre-K and kindergarten classes, running after-school and community outreach programs. A newspaper article about the fire here 20 years ago on display in one of the church windows survived. 150 families that make up the congregation rebuilt.

Family helping students with STEM education with innovative approach

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:55:54 GMT

CHICAGO — A local family of educators and mechanical engineers is helping students of all ages with an innovative approach through their foundation.Steve and Sheila Conner said when their son Stone expressed his extreme dislike for middle school, they knew they had to take action and began asking him about his interests. Chicago couple establishes foundation to help kids embrace STEM By visiting car museums and other real-world experiences, the Conner's were able to capture their son's attention.But it also left the pair with a desire to help other students. "What we realized was that our kid represented many, many other kids," Sheila said. "That's when we thought this is an issue, we have the solution we can provide." Celebrated artist has painted history nearly five decades In 2014, the two founded the Heph Foundation. Short for the Greek God Hephhaesis, it is a standards-aligned program that teaches science, technology, engineering and math. By using technology and other proj...

Teen's affirmation pillows to be sold at Crate & Barrel

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:55:54 GMT

CHICAGO (WGN-TV) — They are affirmations and words — printed on pillows that come from the mind of a 15 year-old boy."I am strong, kind, positive. I am caring — different words that I've said to myself," Jahkil Jackson said. Jackson first came up with the idea to help housing insecure Chicagoans with what he calls "blessing bags" years ago when he was only seven. Southwest is letting a friend fly free, but you better hurry The gift bags were filled with toiletries like soap, socks and other essentials. His idea to give back to those in the community grew from raising over $400,000 dollars, and now recently handing out his 1,000th blessing bag. Jackson has also written two books, "I am" and "Don't Wait to be Great.""It means that young people don’t need to wait to be adults to be change agents." Jackson said, which are the themes of the two pillows and his latest creation.He is now partnering with Illinois-based Crate and Barrel to manufacture and sell his affirmation pillows...

Happy Easter and Passover from the WGN Weather Team

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:55:54 GMT

SNOW REPORTS SATURDAY MORNINGCourtesy of the National Weather Service in Green BayEASTER GREETINGS AND THE PREDICTED TEMPERATURES AT 4:30 PMThe solar eclipse is a year away. The path is to show where the eclipse will be in totality. Chicago’s totality during the eclipse around 92% of the sun’s disk coveredCLICK TO ENLARGE

Former SC daycare employee accused of yanking, harming toddlers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:55:54 GMT

ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) — A former daycare employee was charged with nine counts of child abuse in Anderson County, South Carolina.53-year-old Janice Ruinard was an employee at First Presbyterian Church Day School located in Anderson, SC.The Anderson Police Department received a referral in early March from the Anderson County Department of Social Services in regard to an incident that occurred at the daycare. Controversy surrounds Peeps candies ahead of Easter: Here’s what to know Arrest warrants state that from Feb. 17 to Feb. 27, Ruinard yanked and pressed on at least nine victims or used undue force on them while working as a daycare teacher.All of the alleged victims are one-year-old, according to investigators.The Anderson Police Department charged Ruinard with nine counts of unlawfully placing a child at risk of, or causing harm or willfully abandoning a child.She was booked into the Anderson County Detention Center and has been released on bond. Bissell recall: Cord...

LAPD says puppy OK after being tossed from car during pursuit

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:55:54 GMT

(KTLA) — The Los Angeles Police Department on Saturday identified the attempted murder suspect at the center of Friday's hours-long pursuit that ended in West Carson after traveling through multiple cities in Los Angeles County.Police also named two women accused of helping the suspect in his getaway attempt and provided an update on the puppy that was tossed from a moving vehicle during the chase.Gustavo Alvarez, a 27-year-old man from Los Angeles, was the initial suspect wanted for an attempted murder and carjacking at 101st and San Pedro streets on March 26, police said on Twitter. Lynette Moreno, a 26-year-old woman from Los Angeles, was arrested and accused of setting up the second getaway vehicle used by Alvarez, and 25-year-old Michelle Zamudio, of Santa Monica, is accused of being the driver of the second vehicle, police said. Attempted murder suspect who led police on wild chase taken into custody in West Carson Alvarez is being held without bail on a charge of attempted ...

2 Illinois cities ranked in list of 'most sinful' cities

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:55:54 GMT

ILLINOIS (WMBD) – Looks like Las Vegas isn’t the only “Sin City” in the United States.According to a recent study from WalletHub, a personal finance website, two Illinois cities were ranked among the “most sinful cities in the U.S.”WalletHub came to its findings by comparing 182 U.S. cities across seven key dimensions: anger and hatred; jealousy; excesses and vices; greed; lust; vanity; and laziness. The company then identified 38 metrics “of vices and Illicit behavior” within the seven dimensions (e.g., rate of theft, number of fast-food restaurants per capita, gambling statistics, etc.), and graded each metric on a 100-point scale for all 182 cities.Finally, WalletHub calculated the weighted average of each city across all of its metrics to find the cities’ overall scores.The two Illinois cities that made the list were Chicago and Aurora, with Chicago ranking as the 8th “most sinful” city in America, and Aurora ranking closer to the middle of the list at 120.Although Chicago ranke...

Here's why you should get a wedding planner

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:55:54 GMT

CHICAGO -- Frank Andonoplas, founder of Frank Event Designs, joins WGN Weekend Morning News to share why you should hire a wedding planner and how do that amid your budget.Love the WGN Morning News? We love you, too. And you can have all the hijinks delivered to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign up and subscribe to our WGN Morning News newsletter.