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Patients, staff at Franciscan Children’s celebrate Halloween with fun costumes

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:15:17 GMT

It’s a Halloween takeover at Franciscan Children’s in Brighton with food, candy, pumpkins, a Halloween parade and, of course, costumes.And it wasn’t just for the patients. Staff got in on the fun too, with costume and pumpkin carving competitions.An effort worth it to put a smile on families’ faces.“Our goal is because kids are in the hospital, they deserve these kinds of holidays,”  said Elizabeth Smith, chief nursing officer.”They deserve to enjoy the same things that kids enjoy when they are not in the hospital.”“And the parents are thrilled. It gives them some normalcy and some fun seeing their kids dressed up,” said Amanda Voysey, a patient advocate.The staff said because this is such a special day that all look forward to, they are planning for next year’s celebration immediately.

A bear seen in Whitman approached homes, sniffed pumpkins ahead of trick-or-treating

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:15:17 GMT

There were more than just gummy bears in Whitman this Halloween. A big bear made his way around town around noon on Tuesday.“My husband came in and said there was a bear on our porch, had no idea,” said Jayne Casey, who saw the bear on her front porch. “Thought it was the mailman.”The local police departments have named the bear Pumpkin, who was seen around Commercial Street.“It was going after the pumpkins, and I think because they were painted he didn’t take one,” Casey said.Pumpkin helped himself to some bird feeders but mostly kept to himself.The bear’s appearance is not stopping trick-or-treating in Whitman.  “I was excited,honestly. I really wanted to see it,” said Harvey, a trick-or-treater. “I’ve never seen a bear, so I was curious about what it looked like in general.”Police said to not feed the bear or crowd it and are reminding neighbors to not leave out pumpkins or candy.“I just hope Pumpkin doesn’t make an appear...

Chicago Bears reportedly upgrade their pass rush in a trade-deadline deal for defensive end Montez Sweat

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:15:17 GMT

A year after making a move to add a wide receiver ahead of the NFL trade deadline, the Chicago Bears are attempting to boost the pass rush, a splashy move general manager Ryan Poles has to be hoping has a long-term payoff.The Bears have traded a second-round draft pick to the Washington Commanders for defensive end Montez Sweat, a deal first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.Sweat, who leads the Commanders with 6 1/2 sacks, immediately becomes the best edge defender for the Bears, who are last in the NFL with 10 as a team. The Bears can negotiate with him on a contract extension or use the franchise tag to secure him before the start of free agency. They are projected to have around $100 million in salary-cap room, so space to pay Sweat will not be an issue.It would not be surprising if the Bears are already working on a new contract for Sweat, with the goal of having him be secure about his future with the organization when he arrives.The question now is what happens with corn...

Woman stabbed in Scarborough, suspect wanted by police

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:15:17 GMT

Toronto police said a woman was stabbed and injured in Scarborough on Tuesday night.Authorities were called to the Warden Avenue and Huntingwood Drive area for reports of a stabbing.Police located a woman, and she was rushed to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.The suspect or suspects fled the area. No description was provided.A woman was stabbed and injured in a separate incident on Monday night in the city’s downtown core.Police said the victim in her 30s was discovered with stab wounds and rushed to a trauma centre in serious but stable condition. A male suspect fled the scene, and he remains wanted.

Las Vegas police use patrol vehicle to strike and kill armed suspect in fatal stabbing

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:15:17 GMT

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Las Vegas police officers used a patrol vehicle Tuesday to strike and kill a man who the department says fatally stabbed a female at an apartment complex and then ran into the street and “began to walk toward occupied vehicles” while armed with a knife. Police Capt. Joshua Martinez said officers had been called to investigate reports of a stabbing at an apartment complex in western Las Vegas when they encountered a man brandishing a knife in the street. Martinez said officers hit the man with their patrol vehicle “to get him down to the ground” and take him into custody. He died at the scene.“As we know, there are various ways to de-escalate a situation,” Martinez said, though he did not say more about the officers’ actions.Police did not release the names or ages of the man or the stabbing victim, who died at a hospital. They also didn’t identify the officers.Martinez said the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department expects to release more inform...

Illinois State Police respond to 18-vehicle crash in Matteson

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:15:17 GMT

MATTESON, Ill. — Emergency crews are on the scene of a pileup crash along Vollmer Road in Matteson on Tuesday evening, according to the Illinois State Police.A spokesperson from ISP said crews are working an 18-vehicle crash along Vollmer Road over I-57. Winter Weather Advisory issued for Cook, Lake Co. in Illinois and Porter, Lake Co. in Indiana Currently, it is unclear what led to the crash or if anyone was injured.This is a developing story, stay with WGN News for the latest updates.

Opinion: The Chicago Bears need Jim Harbaugh

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:15:17 GMT

The Chicago Bears are a disaster – they lack discipline, effort and intensity on a week-to-week basis, while the coaching staff and front office have put together a masterclass on propagating the demise of Justin Fields. This puts them in a situation where few can save them, but there is one man who might be custom-built for the job.Jim Harbaugh.As I sat and watched the Bears play the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, I couldn’t help but be driven toward yawns, eye rolls, and a general lack of interest from the perspective of someone who, like many Chicago sports fans, has been waiting for this team to wake up for more than one game all year. Game Recap: Herbert throws for 3 touchdowns, Chargers get back on track with 30-13 victory over Bears Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert sliced and diced the Bears defense to the tune of 14 straight completions and five straight scoring drives to begin the game. Los Angeles didn’t punt on fourth down until there was 6:19 left in the third quar...

'They must be devastated': Expert asks public to consider victim's family while following Armstrong case

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:15:17 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The murder trail for Kaitlin Armstrong -- the pro cyclist accused of killing fellow pro cyclist Mo Wilson -- begins this week.The case has garnered attention across the country. "This case is sort of like a Hollywood movie," said Carsten Andresen, a criminal justice professor at St. Edward's University.But while he said it may seem exciting to many to cling to the details of the case, he wants to remind everyone that there is another side to this."Imagine how the victim's family must feel. They must be devastated. This isn't entertainment for them. All of this interest, all of this obsession," he said. "It's going to be really hard for the family to deal with and absorb all they're going to go through."Two high profile trials at onceStarting Wednesday, Armstrong's trial will run concurrently with the murder trial for Austin police officer Christopher Taylor, who shot and killed Mike Ramos during a police response at an apartment complex in April of 2020. State c...

Southeast Austin Beetlejuice house delights trick-or-treaters

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:15:17 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- It's showtime!Trick-or-treaters in southeast Austin are in for a thrill as the city's beloved "Beetlejuice" house returns for Halloween.For about five years now, Jessica Martinez and Edward Murray have brought the Tim Burton classic to life with their annual Halloween display.Trick-or-treaters in southeast Austin are in for a thrill as the city's beloved "Beetlejuice" house returns for Halloween. (KXAN Photo/Emma Oertling)Trick-or-treaters in southeast Austin are in for a thrill as the city's beloved "Beetlejuice" house returns for Halloween. (KXAN Photo/Emma Oertling)Trick-or-treaters in southeast Austin are in for a thrill as the city's beloved "Beetlejuice" house returns for Halloween. (KXAN Photo/Emma Oertling)Trick-or-treaters in southeast Austin are in for a thrill as the city's beloved "Beetlejuice" house returns for Halloween. (KXAN Photo/Emma Oertling)Trick-or-treaters in southeast Austin are in for a thrill as the city's beloved "Beetlejuice" house returns...

Girls soccer state tournament: St. Paul Academy edges Providence Academy in semifinal

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:15:17 GMT

The St. Paul Academy Spartans defeated the Providence Academy Lions 4-3 in the first semifinal match of the Class A girls state soccer tournament Tuesday night at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.The offense exploded early for the Lions, scoring twice early in the first half. A sixth-minute goal from Avery Lampe was quickly followed by an eighth-minute goal by Tatum Janezich, and the Lions were looking dominant early.SPA answered with a goal of its own a few minutes before halftime. Sophomore Lucia Gonzalez scored in the 36th minute, pulling the momentum back to her team’s side a bit, and the Spartans went into the half down 2-1.The second half was even more of an offensive shootout, with the teams trading blows. The Spartans capitalized on the momentum they regained late in the first half by adding to it with a goal from Sawyer Danielson, tying the game in the 42nd minute. Danielson scored again 15 minutes later, giving the Spartans the lead with their third unanswered goal.The Lio...