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No bond for Downers Grove coach accused of possessing child porn for over 10 years

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:15 GMT

CHICAGO — No bond was granted for a Downers Grove South track coach accused of possessing child pornography for at least 10 years.Glen Messmer appeared in a dark green jumpsuit inside the Dirksen Federal Court Building Tuesday morning as his attorneys argued he should be released on bond to his parents house with special conditions.The judge sided with the federal government and Messmer will stay in federal custody until his trial. Prosecutors said an additional charge of child pornography production could be added. He is currently facing a child pornography possession charge.Last week, Messmer was taken into custody after agents served a search warrant at his parents home in Downers Grove. Previous: Downers Grove South High School coach arrested on child pornography charge In an interview, he told authorities he solicited between 30 to 60 underage girls for nude photos on Snapchat and paid a total of $2,000 to them, according to the court documents.District 99 stressed he was not...

Shirtless state senator votes from bed during Zoom meeting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:15 GMT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minnesota state senator became a reluctant star on social media after he voted shirtless while lying in bed during what should have been a routine legislative commission meeting.In a video streamed on YouTube, Republican Sen. Calvin Bahr, of East Bethel, can briefly be seen voting — with a School House Rock “I’m Just a Bill” character on the wall behind him — during a Zoom call on Monday with the Legislative Audit Commission. Federal judge rules Pennsylvania school district must allow After School Satan Club After voting, Bahr quickly turned the camera off, leaving a black screen showing just his name.A GOP Senate spokeswoman said Bahr, a truck driver, worked until 4:45 a.m. and then went to bed before Monday's meeting. She said he would not comment on the vote or the video. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported.The video prompted several memes and social commentary before comments were turned off.

AP source: Packers extend QB Jordan Love's deal through 2024

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:15 GMT

The Green Bay Packers and quarterback Jordan Love have agreed to terms on a one-year contract extension that makes his deal run through 2024, according to a person familiar with the situation.The person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the extension hasn’t been announced.Although the person didn’t reveal terms, ESPN and NFL Network reported that the extension included $13.5 million in guaranteed money and could be worth up to $22.5 million.The extension comes as Love prepares for his first season as the Packers’ starting quarterback following last week’s trade of four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets.Tuesday marked the deadline day for teams to decide whether to pick up the fifth-year options on contracts for their 2020 first-round draft picks. The fifth-year option on Love’s deal would have been worth about $20.3 million.Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst had been asked Saturday after the draft about the option and that coming dead...

WATCH LIVE | Chicago expands Divvy bikeshare system

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:15 GMT

CHICAGO — The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) is set to make a "major announcement" regarding the expansion of, and additions to, the city's Divvy bikeshare system.The announcement is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon and will involve CDOT, community partners, and Lyft, the operator of Divvy, according to a press release. FBI: Armored truck robbed in Homewood; bank robbed on North Side The event comes as May gets underway, marking National Bike Month and a turn towards warmer weather, and thus an increase in cyclists on the roadways.WGN plans to livestream the announcement within this story beginning at approximately 1 p.m.

DPS has made 12k traffic stops since APD partnership started, council briefing

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:15 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The leaders of the Austin Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety briefed city council Tuesday about how the now month-long partnership between the two departments is going. Ultimately, APD Chief Joseph Chacon said he is open to shifting the partnerships strategy, but also said the locations APD has asked DPS to patrol are the ones with highest 911 calls and have been identified using data. PREVIOUS: Nearly 200 arrests made since patrols started in Austin, DPS "We follow the lead of Chief Chacon, we're not in charge, this is his operation," said DPS Director Steven McCraw. For the first time, we've learned roughly how many people have been brought to Austin. McCraw said 80 troopers and roughly 20 special agents are in Austin as part of the partnership. It's the first time those numbers have been made public. The director also said DPS has made just under 12,000 traffic stops since the partnership began roughly a month ago in the county. Typica...

LGBTQ advocates rally at Texas Capitol as House prepares to debate ban on gender care for trans kids

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:15 GMT

AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) -- Hundreds of LGBTQ advocates and parents of transgender kids have packed the Texas Capitol ahead of the House’s expected consequential vote on a bill that would ban gender-affirming care for children.Before the House convened Tuesday morning, the crowd weaved up a staircase as they filled the hallway outside the chamber. Many donned rainbow clothes and flags and waved signs to show their support for trans Texans. The Rev. Erin Walter — one of several clergy members there to support trans kids as part of the Texas Freedom Network’s Just Texas project — led the group in song.“We are fighting for our rights, and we shall not be moved,” the crowd sang.As the House was convening, LGBTQ Texans and their allies began entering the gallery overlooking the chamber floor, where the debate is scheduled to occur Tuesday. Some also stayed outside for a rally at the nearby indoor rotunda.“There is nothing more Texan than fighting for your rights,” said Adri Pérez, an organ...

'Hamilton' actor joins Glens Falls theater festival

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:15 GMT

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) - The 2023 Adirondack Theatre Festival is on the way, bringing a lineup of shows to town that includes restaurant romance, radio righteousness, and a senior living center with songs to spin. The 29th season runs this summer, and tickets are on sale now. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Adirondack Theatre Festival season passes have been on sale since February. Now, the festival opens sales for tickets to individual shows, for those who can't live the dream and make it to each one. On sale through the festival website, ticket prices range from $25 to $49.Meanwhile, a big name for theater fans is joining the cast of one of the 29th season's shows. Actor Robert Ariza joins the cast of "The Last Wide Open," after performing in the Chicago company production of Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical "Hamilton." Ariza served as an understudy to the role of Alexander Hamilton, and acted as part of the ensemble. In ...

'The Princess Bride' actor coming to Proctors Theatre

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:15 GMT

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Cary Elwes, who played Westley in "The Princess Bride," is coming to Proctors Theatre in Schenectady. A screening of the movie and a conversation with Elwes will take place on November 11 at 8 p.m. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! "The Princess Bride" is the tale of a man who must fight the evils of the mythical kingdom of Florin to reunite with his one true love. After a screening of the film, Elwes will be sharing some behind-the-scene secrets in a moderated discussion.Elwes has been in a multitude of films and TV shows including "Robin Hood: Men in Tights," "Bram Stoker’s Dracula," Saw," "Stranger Things," and "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel." He also wrote the book "As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride." Vegan arcade eatery in Schenectady still looking to open after delays Tickets go on sale to the general public on Thursday, May 4. You can buy tickets on the P...

No standing, sitting or walking on roadways, St. Louis County bill says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:15 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - A bill making rounds in the St. Louis County Council aims to change how pedestrians navigate the streets, specifically pushing to make it illegal to stand, sit or walk on roadways. Bill No. 86, recently introduced by St. Louis County Councilman Ernie Trakas proposes the ban. The bill is also up for discussion in Tuesday's county council meeting. Trending: No standing, sitting or walking on roadways, St. Louis County bill says According to the bill, pedestrians would not be allowed to stand, sit or walk on roadways when a sidewalk is present. The bill does include some exceptions for first responders, a person legally helping with a car or health emergency or person getting on and off public transportation buses.The bill also proposes, in situations when sidewalks might not be available along roadways, pedestrians must walk on the left side of the roadway with traffic approaching in the opposite direction. Per the current St. Louis County ordinance (Section...

Police: 61-year-old shot woman before turning gun on himself

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:51:15 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - The St. Louis County Police Department’s Crimes Against Person’s unit is investigating another suspected murder-suicide in recent days.According to Sgt. Tracy Panus, a county police spokeswoman, police were asked to check on two people at an apartment in the 2700 block of Rottingdean Drive.Officers entered the apartment and found two people suffering from gunshot wounds, Panus said. Cheryl Washington, 60, and Dana Haney, 61, were pronounced dead at the scene.Detectives believe Haney shot and killed Washington before turning the gun on himself.Panus said the two had been in a romantic relationship, but did not say if they were still together at the time of the killing.