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Fire damages Massachusetts church after Easter services

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:49 GMT

A fire broke out at a Massachusetts church not long after Easter services, with more than 100 firefighters working to save the 114-year-old structure.The fire started at about 5:30 p.m. Sunday at the Faith Lutheran Church in Cambridge. Firefighters from 18 engine companies and eight ladder companies responded, Acting Fire Chief Tom Cahill said.Part of the roof collapsed, but the main structure and the steeple were still standing. Video of the multi-alarm fire showed heavy smoke coming from the steeple. No injuries have been reported. The cause of the fire was under investigation.It wasn’t immediately clear when the last services had ended at the church. The Rev. Robin Lutjohann, the church’s pastor, said the building was empty at the time. He called fire “heartbreaking.” “It is a place that is loved by the community,” Lutjohann told WHDH-TV. “There’s a sign in front of the building, a banner that we’ve put up there, ever since COVID, during the season of Easter, which sa...

Kimberly Palmer: How to protect parents from financial scams

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:49 GMT

When a scam artist called Cameron Huddleston’s mom to tell her to wire money in order to claim a prize, Huddleston had to intercept the calls. Her mom, who had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, was convinced she had to wire the money as soon as possible.“That was a wake-up call for me. If you have any cognitive decline, you don’t see those red flags anymore,” says Huddleston, who lives in Kentucky and is the director of education at Carefull, a service built to protect aging adults’ daily finances. She also wrote the book “Mom and Dad, We Need to Talk,” on how to have important conversations about money with your parents.Scam artists often target older adults, partly because they have amassed greater wealth. “If you are thinking from a criminal’s perspective, which target will give you the greatest returns: a broke 20-something who is struggling with student loans or a baby boomer with a couple million dollars of retirement assets?” asks Marti DeLiema, assistant professor of social w...

18-year-old man shot while attempting to break into business on North Side

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:49 GMT

CHICAGO — An 18-year-old man was shot after attempting to break into a business on the city's North Side.Police said the shooting happened around 11:50 p.m. Sunday in the 2600 block of West Lawrence. Officers responded to the scene and found the 18-year-old in an alley with a gunshot wound to the leg.According to police, further investigation revealed the 18-year-old was shot by a 40-year-old man who was inside a commercial business the 18-year-old was breaking into.Police said the 40-year-old heard a noise at the rear door of the business and found the 18-year-old attempting to gain entry to the establishment, which was closed at the time. Ride-share driver, teen charged after shooting at South Loop movie theater The 18-year-old was placed into custody and charges are pending.Area Three Detectives are investigating.

Ride-share driver, teen charged after shooting at South Loop movie theater

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:49 GMT

CHICAGO — Charges have been filed against a ride-share driver and his teen passenger after a shooting at a movie theatre in the city's South Loop.The shooting happened around 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the ICON Movie Theater in South Loop, located in the 1100 block of South Delano Court.CPD said 35-year-old Babacar Mbengue was charged Sunday with one felony count of reckless discharge of a firearm following an argument with a 16-year-old male.The 16-year-old was also charged with one felony count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon by someone under the age of 21.According to the Chicago Tribune, the teen jumped out of the ride-share without paying his fare. Mbengue reportedly followed him into the theatre, and a physical altercation ensued. During the fight, a handgun fell from the teen's pocket and Mbengue picked it up and fired into the floor.Police evacuated the movie theater and took both Mbengue and the 16-year-old into custody after the incident. A firearm was recovered at the s...

Monday Forecast: Partly cloudy and warmer

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:49 GMT

Monday: AM clouds then partly cloudy & warmer. SW 5-10 mph. Air quality is in the Moderate category for today for Chicagoland. Near: 70Monday Night: Mostly clear & mild for the season. SW 5-10 mph. Low: 51Full forecast details at the WGN Weather CenterTuesday: Mostly sunny, mild and breezy in the later part of the day. SW 10-15 mph High: 73Extended outlook calls for some of the warmest temps of the year so far. Wednesday and Thursday look mostly sunny with highs near 80 both days. A few degrees cooler on Friday with increasing clouds. Still mild on Saturday with temps near 70 and mostly cloudy skies with a chance of showers/t'storms. Showers and cooler temps for Sunday with highs only in the seasonal 50s.  =-=-=

'Elf' actor Michael Lerner dies, family confirms

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:49 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – Michael Lerner, the actor who starred in "Elf," "Barton Fink," and more, died over Easter weekend, his family said. "We lost a legend last night," wrote Sam Lerner, Michael's nephew. "It’s hard to put into words how brilliant my uncle Michael was, and how influential he was to me. His stories always inspired me and made me fall in love with acting." Sam followed in his uncle's footsteps and also became an actor, starring in the TV series "The Goldbergs." Michael Lerner's career spanned 60 years. His first acting credit on IMDb dates back to 1963. He was nominated for an Academy Award in 1991 for his supporting role in "Barton Fink," a Coen brothers dark comedy. In 2003, Lerner starred in the Christmas comedy "Elf" opposite Will Ferrell and James Caan. Lerner played the short-tempered boss, Fulton Greenway."He was the coolest, most confident, talented guy, and the fact that he was my blood will always make me feel special," Sam wrote in an Instagram tribute to his late un...

4 bodies found after building collapses in France

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:49 GMT

MARSEILLE (AP) — Two bodies were found Monday in the rubble following an explosion that collapsed a building in the southern French city of Marseille, bringing the confirmed death toll to four as rescuers continue searching for four more people who are unaccounted-for.Two other bodies had previously been found overnight. The judicial authority will proceed to identify the victims, firefighters said in a statement.An excavator clears debris on the scene where a building collapsed, in Marseille, southern France, April 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Bishr El Touni)Minister for Cities and Housing Olivier Klein told reporters that at least four people have died, after he met with rescuers on site.“The hope to find survivors is still there," Minister for Cities and Housing Olivier Klein told reporters. "It is very meticulous work done by firefighters,” he added, noting the risk for adjacent buildings to collapse. More than 100 firefighters were mobilized for the searches.Marseille mayor Benoit Payan...

'Hunger is a bipartisan issue': New law would make it easier for incarcerated people to access SNAP benefits

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:49 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Two bills have been filed in the Texas House and Senate that would make it easier for incarcerated people leaving the criminal justice system to access Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits upon release. SB 727, filed by Democratic Senator Royce West, and HB 1743, filed by Republican House Rep. Jeff Leach, both have the same aim – to set people leaving the criminal justice system up for success by having access to food.  MORE: Over 3 million Texans will see a reduction in SNAP benefits in March “Ensuring access to food assistance upon release means that Texans leaving the criminal justice system can focus on finding a job and reuniting with family,” Leach said in a press release. “This is a simple policy change that would support the reentry process, reduce recidivism, and could help lower incarceration costs for the state.”The SNAP program helps lower-income people buy food to stay healthy. Over 3 million Texans get food assistance by u...

'An investment in the music community': $3.5 million in grants available for Austin musicians

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:49 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Musicians, bands and promoters within the Austin-area can now apply for up to $10,000 in grant support through the Live Music Event Program.Based on the results of the 2022 Greater Austin Music Census, it’s become clear that artists within the music industry are struggling to keep pace with the cost of living.Many are moving farther away from Downtown Austin and into cities such as San Marcos, Pflugerville and Manor.To lend a helping hand, The City of Austin Economic Development Department is offering $3.5 million in support through the Live Music Fund Event Program. Related: Grants being offered to Austin music professionals All of the funds will be entirely sourced from hotel occupancy tax.Those awarded the funds will be able to use it to cover expenses for music events, studio and video production, staffing and professional services, merchandise distribution, music broadcasting, and more.City of Austin Music & Entertainment division manager Erica Shamaly say...

Red Cross blood drive at Good Shepard Lutheran Church

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:44:49 GMT

LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The American Red Cross will be hosting a blood drive at the Good Shepard Lutheran Church on Wednesday from 1:30 to 6 p.m. Those interested in signing up can do so online at their website, or by calling 1-800-733-2767. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! According to HHS.gov, when you donate blood, you can save up to three lives. Also according to HHS.gov, someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds.