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36 October festivals and events happening across Chicagoland

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:24:47 GMT

CHICAGO — The leaves are changing all across Chicagoland, and those looking for something to do — whether its in Northbrook or Northwest Indiana — can find a fall-themed activity for the whole family (or an adults-only night out) in this list of three dozen festivals and events happening this October.Chicago-AreaOct. 13, 6:30-10 p.m. — Tacos and tequila FestEnjoy a variety of tacos and tequila cocktails or dance to live music or a DJ—all while enjoying views of beautiful gardens and incredible animals without kids, strollers or crowds At Tacos and Tequila Fest at the Lincoln Park Zoo! This after-hours event is for adults 21+ only! Beer, wine, seltzer and other canned cocktails will be available as well.Event tickets include exclusive after-hours, limited-capacity access to Lincoln Park Zoo.This event will feature pop-up bars with canned tequila cocktails, margaritas and other adult beverages for purchase throughout the zoo, specialty tacos crafted by the chefs at Levy Restaurants av...

Mary Lou Retton's daughters give update: 'She's still fighting'

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:24:47 GMT

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — The daughters of Olympic gold medalist Mary Lou Retton said on Wednesday that the family is trying to keep details private as their mom continues fighting a rare form of pneumonia in an intensive care unit.Retton's daughter Shayla Kelley Schrepfer shared a video on her Instagram account saying that her mom is "still fighting" in the ICU, but "it's going to be a day-by-day process." "Thank you so much for all the love and support that you've given to my mom. My sisters and I are overwhelmed," Schrepfer said. "We didn't even realize that there are so many people out there that love her just as much as we do. And it's been a really hard time for our family. Just seeing that people love her like that and showing her that support, it just meant the world to us and to her. So, thank you."Retton's daughters are asking that the public continue to respect her privacy and boundaries as they keep most of the details of her condition private. Although they have not sp...

Recall, allergy alert issued for ice cream sold in 9 states

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:24:47 GMT

SEARCY, Ark. (KARK) – Yarnell’s has issued an allergy recall alert on a particular type of its vanilla ice cream.Arkansas-based Yarnell Operations LLC has issued the alert on its Guilt-Free No Sugar Added Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream in the 48-ounce/1.5-quart container. The product may contain undeclared eggs, the company stated in a release, and may cause an allergic reaction in those who are sensitive or allergic to eggs. Family Dollar recalls dozens of products sold in Arkansas & 22 other states The affected ice cream has a UPC on its package that reads 0-70905-48521-9. They also have one of the below best buy dates on the bottom of the container:Best by 11/15/2024 - Lot 3135Best by 11/16/2024 - Lot 3136Best by 02/04/2025 - Lot 3216According to Yarnell, the ice cream was distributed to Walmart, Kroger, Harps, Edwards Food Giants, Hays, Mad Butchers, Cash Savers, Hometowns, Superlo, Shoppers Value, Town & Country Supermarket and G&W Foods retail stores. Stores aff...

Displaced I-35 businesses given 90-day notice to pack up and move

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:24:47 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – Some businesses along I-35 are scrambling to figure out next steps after finding out they have to relocate because of TxDOT's plans to expand I-35 through Central Austin. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Austin’s I-35 expansion clears final hurdle before construction start Deadline fast approaching One of those businesses, The Glass Coffin: Vampire Parlour, told KXAN they have just over a month to pack up and move. The clock is ticking for the owner, Joey Slayne. He created the business six and a half years ago. But now, during his busiest time of year, Slayne has to figure out where he's moving in just five weeks. "Holiday season – October, November, December – that's when we get most of our clients," Slayne said. "Pack this stuff up and move to a different location is bad timing really."He said in August, he received a 90-day notice from TxDOT saying he needed to be out by November 15."They're putting a lot of like rules and regulations. If we're going to find a new, another p...

Austin-to-San Antonio commuter train once again being discussed

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:24:47 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – A long-held goal of some regional leaders, establishing regular commuter trains between Austin and San Antonio, may be getting back on track.Dedicated commuter rail service between the two cities could have a transformative impact on Central and South Texas, more closely linking the two population centers at either end of what many already see as the state's next metroplex. It could help people and businesses more effectively move up and down the corridor of more than 5 million people, better connecting them to jobs and housing. Train stations could become hot spots for development, while reductions in traffic congestion could boost quality of life even for those who don't use the train."This could really affect things in a positive way," Travis County Commissioner Andy Brown said. "The cost of housing in Austin is high and that is an issue for people who want to work in Austin. If we had reliable passenger rail service, where people could live in an affordable commu...

Dan Patrick says PAC leader’s meeting with white supremacist was a 'blunder'

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:24:47 GMT

AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) — Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said Wednesday that he does not plan to return any of the $3 million he received from a group whose leader recently hosted white supremacist Nick Fuentes.Patrick’s statement follows a Sunday report by the Texas Tribune showing that Jonathan Stickland, the president of Defend Texas Liberty and a former lawmaker from Bedford, had hosted Fuentes at the offices of a consulting firm, Pale Horse Strategies, that Stickland also owns. Defend Texas Liberty is a major donor to Patrick and other Republicans, including Attorney General Ken Paxton, and is funded primarily by two far-right West Texas oil billionaires, Tim Dunn and Farris Wilks. Conservative PAC leader’s meeting with white supremacist Nick Fuentes leads to condemnations, escalates GOP infighting Patrick said Wednesday that he spoke to Dunn, who “told me unequivocally that it was a serious blunder” for Stickland to meet with Fuentes, and assured him that the political action committee...

Pflugerville paramedic's certification revoked following investigation of patient's death

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:24:47 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The Texas Department of State Health Services revoked a Pflugerville paramedic’s certifications following an autopsy report that revealed the paramedic’s actions led to a patient's death earlier this year. The autopsy report said a middle-aged man struck his head on a coffee table and needed to be taken to the hospital for care. It indicated that the patient had been sedated with medication and the paramedic did not open the patient’s airway as they should have. PREVIOUS: Pflugerville FD says city hired unskilled ambulance service, autopsy says private paramedic caused patient death “This led to a compromise to his already diseased heart leading to death,” the autopsy report, quoted in the DSHS letter, read. The paramedic worked for Allegiance Mobile Health, the largest private provider of medical transportation and emergency services in Texas, according to its website. The DSHS letter stated that the paramedic failed to follow their medical directo...

I-35W northbound lanes between Minneapolis and Roseville to close for weekend repairs

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:24:47 GMT

A section of northbound Interstate 35W between Minneapolis and Roseville will be closed this weekend.The Minnesota Department of Transportation will be closing the interstate between the 26th Street overpass in Minneapolis and Minnesota 280 in Roseville so construction crews can make bridge repairs, repair pavement, remove graffiti and repair guardrails, a department release said.The closure will start at 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13, and end at 5 a.m. Monday.MNDOT recommends that drivers detour onto eastbound I-94 to 280.Related ArticlesLocal News | Metro Transit seeks feedback on G Line stations along Rice, Robert streets Local News | DWI charges: Vadnais Heights lawmaker was two times legal limit to drive Local News | Judge finds man mentally ill, not guilty of killing father in St. Anthony home Local News | Election 2023: White Bear Lake City Council Ward 3 Local News | Election 2023: Mounds View mayor special...

Lakeville Amazon shooting: Man pleads guilty to murdering woman pregnant with his child

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:24:47 GMT

A St. Louis Park man will be sentenced to 47 years in prison as part of a plea agreement in the Lakeville shooting death of a woman who was nine months pregnant with his child and the mother of his 2-year-old daughter.Donte Rapheal McCray, 33, pleaded guilty Monday in Dakota County District Court to two counts of second-degree murder by drive-by shooting — one each for the deaths of 31-year-old Kyla Bianca O’Neal and Messiah Edward O’Neal, who was born by cesarean section the night of the shooting and died nine days later.Donte Rapheal McCray (Courtesy of the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office)The shooting happened about 7 p.m. Jan. 8 in the parking lot of the Amazon Fulfillment Center, where McCray worked.The two counts were added as part of the plea agreement, which was reached two days before prosecutors were to present the case to a grand jury for consideration of first-degree murder charges. A conviction would have carried a mandatory sentence of life in prison.McCray a...

Avian influenza found in Minnesota turkey flock, as the disease makes autumn return

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:24:47 GMT

Highly pathogenic avian influenza was confirmed Wednesday in Minnesota for the first time this fall.The bird flu was detected in a commercial turkey flock in Meeker County, in west-central Minnesota.A lab of the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed positive samples from the flock of around 140,000 birds, according to the Minnesota Board of Animal Health. The site is quarantined and turkeys were slaughtered to prevent the spread of the disease.“Unfortunately, HPAI seems to keep popping up during the seasonal (bird) migrations in Minnesota,” State Veterinarian Brian Hoefs said in a statement. “Before today’s detection our most recent cases were in the spring of this year. Anyone who has poultry should take this detection as a clear sign to keep a close eye on their flock and initiate your strongest biosecurity practices.”The Board of Animal Health says poultry producers and backyard flock owners should contact their veterinarian if they see symptoms in their flocks, which include:...