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Community, Indigenous drug rehab programs across West get $20M in federal funds

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:22 GMT

SQUAMISH, B.C. — Dozens of community and Indigenous groups across Western Canada will share $20 million in federal funding to boost their drug awareness, treatment, rehabilitation and mental-health services.Mental Health and Addictions Minister Carolyn Bennett says 42 local drug-related programs across British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan will receive the federal funds to help people tackle drug-related issues.The minister was in Squamish, B.C., where she visited two addiction treatment centres, including one for youth.Bennett says drug addiction is a nationwide issue, with data showing 20 people dying every day because of the toxic drug and overdose crisis.She says local organizations that have the trust and understanding of residents are best suited to offer addiction and mental health services.Bennett says recent political criticism of a drug decriminalization program in B.C. worries her that some people may be deterred from getting needed help.This report by The...

The UN chief calls for a robust international police force to help combat Haiti’s armed gangs

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:22 GMT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called Thursday for a robust international force to help combat Haiti’s armed gangs and restore security in the impoverished nation, saying that a U.N. expert’s estimate that Haiti needs up to 2,000 additional anti-gang police officers is no exaggeration.Stressing that the U.N. is not calling for a military force or a political mission, Guterres appealed to U.N. Security Council members and potential contributing countries “to act now” to deploy a multinational force to help the Haitian National Police “defeat and dismantle the gangs.” The Caribbean nation has been asking for such a force since last October. The U.N. chief, who visited Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince on Saturday, told reporters that criminal gangs have a “stranglehold” on the population. “The Haitian people are trapped in a living nightmare. Humanitarian conditions are beyond appalling,” he said.Guterres spoke ahead of a Security Council meeting late...

Pakistan: Death toll from 2 weeks of monsoon rains rises to at least 55, including 8 children

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:22 GMT

LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) — The death toll from two weeks of monsoon rains rose to at least 55 on Thursday after 12 people, including eight children, died in weather-related incidents in Pakistan amid fears of flash floods, authorities said.The eastern city of Lahore witnessed a record-breaking downpour the previous day, flooding many streets and disrupting normal life. Since Wednesday, 19 people have died in the city due to collapsing roofs and electrocution, officials said. Pakistan’s weather forecast agency warned of more rain to hit the city.At least eight children died when a massive landslide hit Shangla, a district in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan, officials said. Rescuers were trying to remove a large mud pile for fear that other missing children were buried under. Heavy rain also continued to lash the impoverished nation, overflowing the main rivers in the Punjab province, Jhelum and Chenab, prompting the disaster management agency to be on high al...

Court docs: Little Village father accused of killing wife, daughter agreed to rehab prior to shooting; no bail

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:22 GMT

CHICAGO — A 67-year-old Little Village father agreed to rehab prior to gunning down his family, killing his wife and daughter, prosecutors said in court Thursday.Jose Alvarez was held without bail after prosecutors outlined a timeline in court. He's been charged with two counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder and aggravated discharge of a firearm.On June 20, his wife, Karina Gonzalez, 48, and their children, 15-year-old Daniela Alvarez and their 18-year-old son, left the residence following "several years" of alleged alcohol, drug and verbal abuse by Jose Alvarez.The following day, Gonzalez obtained an order of protection, but it was never served, according to court documents. However, as a result, court documents state that Alvarez's FOID card, for his Glock handgun, was revoked.On June 26, documents state the family returned to live with Alvarez with the understanding that he was going to enter a rehab program.Prosecutors allege the abusive behavior began again after a fe...

Family searching for answers after audio specialist electrocuted, killed at NASCAR street race

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:22 GMT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN/WGN) - The family of a Hermitage, Tennessee man who died after being electrocuted while working at a NASCAR street race in Chicago is still waiting for answers as to how exactly their loved one died.Duane Tabinski, 53, was a beloved audio specialist, father, and husband."He was the love of my life, and I'm very lucky and fortunate that I had the 10 years I had with him. I wish it was longer," Kristin Tabinski cried. Beloved Nashville audio specialist electrocuted, killed at NASCAR street race in Chicago The life the two shared was one of a kind."The one thing that Duane used to say or we used to say to each other was, 'I'm not perfect, but I'm perfect for you,'" she smiled with tears. Cherished memories of his sense of humor and wit with time spent traveling the world together, Kristin said Duane quickly became friends with everyone he crossed."He's still with us, but not in the way we all want him to be," she said while beginning to sob.Kristin recalle...

What qualifies for an AMBER Alert in Illinois?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:22 GMT

Authorities have activated a series of AMBER Alerts in Illinois in recent weeks. The alerts are meant to assist with child abductions and similar high-profile situations. Many people are informed of ongoing AMBER Alerts through their phones, and those alerts have been trending a little more than usual lately. So what exactly qualifies for an AMBER Alert in Illinois?According to the Illinois AMBER Alert Program, all the following criteria must be met before issuing an alert:Law enforcement must confirm a child has been abducted.The child must be under the age of 16 or have a proven mental or physical disability.Law enforcement must believe the child is in danger of serious bodily harm or death.There is enough descriptive information about the child, abductor, and/or suspect’s vehicle to believe an immediate broadcast alert will help.After all four of those criteria apply, Illinois can then issue an AMBER Alert. Generally, a local law enforcement agency will contact the Illinois State...

Illinois man found not guilty by reason of insanity of killing his grandmother

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:22 GMT

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) -- A Peoria County man on Thursday was found not guilty by reason of insanity of killing his grandmother more than a year ago at her West Peoria home. The finding for Cody Krause, 29, was entered during a stipulated bench trial in Peoria County Circuit Court. Now it's up to the state Department of Human Services on what could happen to him. Grandson found fit to stand trial in death of grandmother Both sides agreed that a report in late May indicated that Krause was delusional the time when he killed his grandmother because he thought she had become an alien or a demon who wanted to harm him, said Chief Peoria County Judge Katherine Gorman. The judge also noted that he lacked the capacity to appreciate his actions and as such, didn't comprehend what he was doing. What will happen now is that he will go to the DHS who will keep him in custody at a secure facility as Krause undergoes treatment.A stipulated bench trial is similar to a guilty plea. By not contestin...

Evanston beaches safe for swimming after high E. coli levels

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:22 GMT

EVANSTON, Ill. — All Evanston beaches reopened for swimming Thursday after city officials deemed the waters safe.PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Swimming at Evanston beaches closed due to elevated E. coli levelsSwimming at Evanston beaches had been off-limits due to high levels of unsafe E. coli that were detected over the weekend. The scare came after untreated wastewater from the Chicago River was drained into Lake Michigan to ease heavy flooding. MORE EVANSTON NEWS: Experts address taxpayers' concerns surrounding future concerts at Ryan FieldDespite restrictions on swimming, Evanston beaches remained open to locals.All Evanston beaches re-opened for swimming at 10:30 a.m.

Passenger rail from Rockford to Chicago coming in 2027

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:22 GMT

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — On Thursday, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker announced a Rockford to Chicago passenger rail service will begin operation in 2027.Pritzker made the announcement at Davis Park, located at 320 S. Wyman Street."For the first time since 1981, we're bringing intercity passenger rail back to Rockford," the governor said, announcing that Metra will launch the rail service between Rockford and Chicago in 2027. Faster rail service between Chicago and St. Louis begins "The Milwaukee West Line and Union Pacific Rail will extend service beyond Elgin, with stops in Huntley and Belvidere," Pritzker added.The current plan is to run two trains, seven days a week, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). The trip to Chicago is expected to take 95 minutes. The location of the station has yet to be determined.The project is funded through $275 million from the Rebuild Illinois capital program.The governor said the project will create hundreds of construction an...

Evanston reminds stores of bag ban beginning in August; 10 cent tax for paper or plastic

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 16:15:22 GMT

EVANSTON, Ill. — Evanston is reminding residents and stores that plastic or paper bags will be taxed at $.10 a bag beginning in August due to an ordinance.Back on May 22, the Evanston City Council voted to approve a complete ban on plastic bags in all city businesses and impose a $0.10 tax per bag on remaining bag types at large retail stores. If residents receive paper bags at the store, the tax will remain.The ordinance is due to the City’s Climate Action and Resilience Plan (CARP), part of which aims to eliminate petroleum-based, single-use products by phasing out the use of single-use plastics by 2025.Starting on Aug. 1, businesses may no longer distribute single-use point-of-sale plastic bags or plastic produce bags. All paper bags must be composed of at least 40 percent post-consumer recycled content.All non-restaurant chain retail establishments exceeding 10,000 square feet are required to charge consumers $0.10 for each single-use point-of-sale bag provided. Each non-restaur...