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Entrepreneurs with disabilities activate allies, rewrite the narrative

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:42:51 GMT

Inna and Vladimir Giterman tinkered with several business ideas before finding their niche — and their version of the American dream — with crepes.Both immigrants, and both deaf, the Gitermans started Crepe Crazy in 2007. What began as a mom-and-pop shop at festivals has grown into a full-blown family business with multiple food trucks, two brick-and-mortar restaurants in Texas and a franchise location in Baltimore.Everyone who works for the company, including the Giterman’s two adult children, are either deaf or “deeply involved with the deaf community,” Inna Giterman said in an email. Staff communicate using American Sign Language. Customers who can’t sign still order with their hands: by pointing.Crepe Crazy is one of roughly 1.8 million businesses in the United States that is owned by someone with a disability, according to the American Community Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau (though experts believe that number to be conservative).And while the path to entrepreneurs...

Man in custody for shooting Illinois State Trooper allegedly killed his ex-girlfriend in Chicago, family says

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:42:51 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A man arrested in Springfield after authorities say he shot an Illinois State Police trooper may be linked to a deadly shooting in Chicago.ISP said the suspect, 37-year-old Cristobal Santana, was believed to be wanted in connection with a recent homicide in the city. The family of Adriana Lopez believes Santana is responsible for her death. "I still can't accept it," said Michelle Martinez, the niece of Lopez. "I'm in denial. She was a very happy soul. She always found a solution to everything. She was like a mom to me. She was my best friend."  Police fatally shoot sledgehammer-wielding man in Round Lake Beach In a phone interview with WGN News, Martinez said her aunt took pride in being a teacher. Lopez spent the last three years teaching special education at Nathan Davis Elementary School in Brighton Park.She aspired to be a principal."An amazing educator," said Nathan Davis Elementary School principal Francisco Oliva Gonzalez. "The parents and the...

Thursday Forecast: Temps near 70, cloudy and rainy

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:42:51 GMT

CHICAGO — Cloudy Thursday with a 90 percent chance of rain and thunderstorms. Winds: SSW 10-15 G30. High: 69. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storms here Cloudy tonight with scattered rain and storms. Winds: SSW 10-15 G30. Low: 64.Friday Forecast: Mostly cloudy, 650% rain and t'storm, W 10-15 G25. High: 74.Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog

1st Florida Man Games will feature 'evading arrest' obstacle course

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:42:51 GMT

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. (AP) — It ain’t the Olympics, but a group of Floridians plan to host competitions themed according to the collective antics of the beer-loving, gator-possessing, rap-sheet heavy, mullet-wearing social media phenomenon known as “Florida Man.”Organizers of the “Florida Man Games” describe the competition as “the most insane athletic showdown on Earth.” The games will poke fun at Florida’s reputation for producing strange news stories involving guns, drugs, booze and reptiles — or some combination of the four.Among the contests planned for next February in St. Augustine, Florida, according to organizers, are the Evading Arrest Obstacle Course in which contestants jump over fences and through yards while being chased by real police officers; the Category 5 Cash Grab in which participants try to grab as much money in a wind-blowing booth; and the self-explanatory beer-belly wrestling.“This isn’t just a competition; it’s a one-of-a-kind Floridian spectacle!” organizers...

Flash flood risk continues

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:42:51 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- 3-6" of rain has fallen overnight in portions of the Hill Country causing some localized flooding including minor flooding along the Llano river.While 1-3 inches of rain will be widespread west of I-35 Wednesday night, localized 4-6"+ rainfall amounts could cause problems.The National Weather Service has expanded the timing and area of the Flood Watch to include ALL of the Austin Metro Counties. The Flood Watch now continues into early Thursday afternoon.Flood Watch until 1 p.m. ThursdayThe rain will continue its eastward movement and approach I-35 during the Thursday morning commute before moving into our eastern counties by late morning. Live, updated rain totals During the day on Thursday a 2 out of 4 flash flooding risk is in place for the Austin Metro. Watch out for localized heavy downpours on Thursday, which will be most widespread in the morning and become less numerous during the afternoon.Flash flooding risk Thursday (WPC)Another round of rain and thunde...

Local high school students to take part in trade event Thursday

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:42:51 GMT

SAN MARCOS, Texas (KXAN) – Central Texas high school students will get a hands-on experience in the world of construction thanks to a non-profit on Thursday. The Construction Industry Education Foundation (CIEF) will hold its San Antonio / Austin Trades Day event at the Texas State University Events Center on Charles Austin Drive from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.According to CIEF, more than 375 students from 17 area high schools will take part in activities including operating a virtual excavator and loader to learning how to install flooring. 18 construction companies will take part, CIEF said. College enrollment down with more Texas jobs to require more education in 10 years “It’s important to show these students that someone who looks like them and has had a similar life journey can be successful in a career in the trades,” said Alison Satt, Vice President and Division Manager at Swinerton, one of those companies. “More importantly, it provides students with the resources and skills to b...

$210K gets you 'unforgettable' experience at 2024 Paris Olympics

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:42:51 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) – The company that is outfitting Team USA for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris wants to give you and a special someone in your life the opportunity to experience the games in style. All you need is a couple hundred thousand dollars. According to Neiman Marcus' holiday gift guide, Ralph Lauren is offering a gift package for the summer games.For $210,000 you get: Four days, three nights at a premium hotelTwo tickets to the Opening CeremonyTwo tickets to two Olympic eventsDinner for two at Ralph’s restaurant in ParisAccess to Team USA House where you can watch live broadcasts of the games and see current and former members of Team USASigned pieces of official Ralph Lauren USA apparelA portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Team USA Fund.The 2024 Summer Olympics begin on July 26 and ends on Aug. 11. What to expect from Paris 2024 KXAN and NBC will be your home for Summer Olympics coverage on television and on the web. Among the other items in the holiday gift gui...

UCDA: Man sentenced for killing childhood friend

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:42:51 GMT

ULSTER, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- An Ulster man was sentenced to 25 years in prison for shooting and killing a childhood friend of his. Gregory Thayer, 50, was found guilty of second-degree murder in May, but Judge Rounds found that he suffered extreme emotional disturbance, and reduced the conviction to first-degree manslaughter. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! According to trial evidence, on Sept. 29, 2021, Thayer got into an argument with Bruce Swierc, of California. Thayer was so angry he left the kitchen where the two had been hanging out, went up to his bedroom, got a gun, and came back to the kitchen where he shot Swierc in the back of the head. After shooting Swierc, Thayer called his sister, Stephanie Thayer, instead of 911 or the police.Bruce Swierc lived in California with his wife and family. He was visiting the Hudson Valley where he had grown up to console his mother, a Rhinebeck resident, who had recently lost her partner...

News conference set after deadly fire at senior apartment complex in Cahokia Heights

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:42:51 GMT

CAHOKIA HEIGHTS, Ill. - One person is dead, and many others had to be rescued after a five-alarm fire at a senior apartment building in Cahokia Heights. Residents are still displaced as investigators search for a cause. The Cahokia Heights Fitness and Community Center on Camp Jackson Road is where nearly two dozen people were brought after the fire. The city is housing them at the facility for the time being. This is also where a news conference is set for later Thursday morning to give out the latest information about the blaze.Firefighters got the call at the 'Touchette Elderly Apartments' on Bond Avenue in Cahokia Heights around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. The facility is about ten minutes from the fitness and community center. Camp Jackson Fire Chief Chris Davis said when his crews arrived a couple of minutes after the fire call, they were met with heavy smoke coming from the second floor of the building. Multiple people reported dead, injured in Maine shootings The fire quickly grew...

New road being named after Pontoon Beach officer today

Published Sun, 16 Feb 2025 16:42:51 GMT

WOOD RIVER, Ill. - A fallen Pontoon Beach police officer is being honored Thursday by getting a road named after him.Officer Tyler Timmins was killed in the line of duty two years ago today. He was 36 years old. At 10:00 a.m., Wood River City officials will unveil Old Alton Edwardsville Road as 'Tyler Timmins Drive.' Multiple people reported dead, injured in Maine shootings The ceremony is at the intersection with Rock Hill Road.