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'A week of blessing:' Kids battling cancer set health challenges aside at Illinois camp

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:21:49 GMT

INGLESIDE, Ill. — Each summer, dozens of kids battling cancer set their health challenges aside for one week to head to camp.Every year, a group of kids gets the chance to trade hospital rooms and chemo treatments for summer fun at Camp Quality Illinois in Ingleside. For these kids, the memorable 'five days of freedom' is the best part of their year."I remember when I first got diagnosed. The doctor came and told my mom, my grannie and my dad," camper Taveon Wodward said.Now, 10 years later, Taveon is still pushing, one foot at a time."My grandson had 194 rounds of chemo, nine weeks of radiation, surgeries up the yazoo and this camp is heaven-sent for a lot of these kids,” Taveon's Grandma, Iyonna Wright, said.More From Erin: Chicago’s first para archery tournament shows off skills, heartFor five days each summer, campers are free to just be kids."Peaceful. It's peaceful here,” said Wodward. "It's a good place to get your mind off stuff."For 29 years, Camp Quality Illinois has given...

Pressure cookers sold at JCPenney, Target recalled due to possible burn hazard

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:21:49 GMT

(NEXSTAR) — New York-based Sensio Inc. is recalling about 860,000 of its pressure cookers, which were sold under various brand names at several major retailers across the U.S. The company says it's received 63 incident reports, including 61 burn injuries — some injuries included second and third-degree burns to faces, torsos, arms and hands.According to the recall, the lids of the electric and stovetop pressure cookers can unintentionally unlock and be removed during cooking, "causing the hot contents to unexpectedly splash out." What caused the Maui wildfires? The recalled electric pressure cookers were produced under the brand names Bella, Bella Pro Series, Crux, and Cooks, while the recalled stovetop pressure cookers were made under the Bella brand name. Item and model numbers should be found on labels or stamps on the bottom of the cookers.BrandElectric pressure cooker item no.SizeStovetop pressure cooker model no.SizeBella144676 qt.JY-PC20US-5P5 qt.145706 qt.JYPC24US-8P8 qt.1...

Scorching heat, critical fire danger during weekend plans

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:21:49 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Heat and fire danger warnings continue this weekend during Austin's longest heat wave ever recorded. As fire danger remains critically high, make sure you don't accidentally spark a dangerous situation this weekend.Excessive Heat Warnings and Fire Weather Warnings continue. Friday was Austin's 51st 100-degree day so far this year (8th most), and our 35th-consecutive triple-digit heat day (longest stretch on record).Little changes this weekend and next week with record high temperatures in jeopardy and breezy winds. Very high fire danger continues.We are seeing hints of at least a chance of rain beginning somewhere around Aug. 23rd, along with temperatures that may finally drop below 100°, but this is not yet a guarantee. Stay with KXAN and the First Warning Weather team for updates as the heat drags on. Austin Interactive Weather Stats (2023) KXAN Summer Fan Drive continuesStaying cool is paramount in this heat wave but many of your fellow citizens still have a di...

MAP: More than 2,800 acres have burned in Central Texas wildfires this year

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:21:49 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — More than 2,800 acres have burned in wildfires across Central Texas so far this year, according to the Texas A&M Forest Service.A total of 30 fires have burned 2,897 acres in the 15-county KXAN viewing area, as of Aug. 11. How far behind normal are rainfall totals this year? KXAN is keeping track of wildfires this year. Follow along with the map and database below. We'll keep them updated as new information becomes available. Fires that are still uncontained are red on the map. Evacuation checklist: What to grab when evacuating The table below ranks all the fires in our area this year from largest to smallest. Click on one of the column headers to change how the fires are ranked.We're also keeping track of which counties have burn bans in effect. Click here to see the latest update.

Golden Thyme coffee shop in St. Paul to get a new owner

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:21:49 GMT

When Mychael Wright’s brother Thomas came home from Europe with an idea to open a coffee shop his brothers laughed.“{This} was well before Starbucks, Caribou, all those,” Wright said.Golden Thyme Coffee and Cafe on Selby Avenue in St. Paul is seen Monday, Oct. 24, 2016. (Pioneer Press: Andy Rathbun)A few years later as he was preparing the first location for Golden Thyme Coffee & Cafe he drew ridicule for the idea.Mychael Wright opened Golden Thyme on March 1, 2000 and, despite doubters along the way, it’s approaching its 24th year in operation.In 2019 it moved to the current location on Selby Avenue. On Sept. 9, he will announce the new owners during JazzFest, the music event the shop has long sponsored.His plan after leaving the coffee shop is to start consulting to help others grow businesses. He said he also wants to work with people to improve the service industry through better retention and benefits like insurance and paid sick leave.When “To...

Inside St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter’s proposal to buy $100 million in medical debt

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:21:49 GMT

While unveiling his 2024 city budget address on Thursday, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter said he aims to devote $1.1 million toward buying off upwards of $100 million in medical debt associated with St. Paul residents, a one-time purchase made possible by leftover federal American Rescue Plan funding.The mayor invited major healthcare institutions in the city to sign on, and noted the proposal had drawn interest from Allina Health, parent company to United Hospital.In an interview this week, Carter likened medical debt to fines for overdue library books — a disincentive to participate in the system.“They don’t make people bring their books back. They make people stay away from our libraries,” he said. “Medical debt works the same as library debt. It keeps people away from the doctor. … That’s a public health crisis for us, one that we as a community cannot afford.”But how would medical debt relief work in St. Paul, exactly, and why is it...

Education funds for migrant children undetermined

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:21:49 GMT

NORTH COLONIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) – Some taxpayers are wondering how the education for children of asylum seekers will be funded. Local officials said they have funds to get the children started but need to monitor the situation closely.North Colonie Central School District Superintendent Kathleen Skeals said for now they have the capacity to get the new group started this fall. “So initially we are ready to go. I think we have appropriate resources but it is something we will have to continue to watch and monitor,” said Skeals. She credits Mohonasen Central School District for paving the way and helping them get answers from DocGo.“I have to say we have been helped a lot by our partners at Mohonasen. You know they have a similar situation and they’ve been a little bit ahead of us, so thanks to them we have been able to get some names of some contacts. I will say we have had probably an easier time with it than they did in getting information,” said Skeals.Mohonasen Central Sch...

Saint Louis Zoo launches new effort to save elephants from wildlife trafficking

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:21:49 GMT

ST. LOUIS - The Saint Louis Zoo has launched a new effort to save elephants from wildlife trafficking known as "Toss the Tusk."The zoo hosted "Toss the Tusk" on Friday ahead of World Elephant Day on Saturday. The effort encouraged visitors to participate in a fight to save elephants by handing over unwanted ivory pelts, animal artifacts, or parts of endangered animals. Zookeepers will hand over these items to federal law enforcement for safekeeping. St. Louis County prosecutor not licensed attorney, must resubmit 114 cases The effort was also meant to teach families about conservation and ivory trade within the United States. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service also joined the Saint Louis Zoo in the effort. "Wildlife trafficking is a serious crime that impacts elephants and other imperiled species throughout the world," said Martha Williams, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. "The Service is committed to working with the AZA, WT...

Bar K to expand nationwide with 100 locations by 2027

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:21:49 GMT

ST. LOUIS—Bar K has made a deal with Diversified Partners to purchase the dog-friendly bar chain. Currently, there are three Bar K locations: Kansas City, St. Louis, and Oklahoma City. Diversified Partners is preparing an accelerated expansion plan and is set to open 100 new locations by 2027.The main Bar K site is in Kansas City, and it opened in 2018. Since then, it has served more than 500,000 people and 350,000 dogs. Pets+ Magazine named this business "America's Coolest" in 2019.Diversified Partners plans to grow by opening 100 new Bar K locations in big cities in the U.S. and Canada by 2027 as part of its expansion plans. St. Louis County prosecutor not licensed attorney, must resubmit 114 cases Markets will include: Atlanta, Austin, Texas, Baltimore, Charlotte, North Carolina, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Ohio, Dallas, Denver, Fort Worth, Texas, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Florida, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, Tennessee, Orlando, ...

“Banking while Black”: Woman sues Chase bank alleging discrimination at Aurora branch

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:21:49 GMT

A Black woman is suing JP Morgan Chase Bank and one of its managers over allegations that the branch manager in Aurora discriminated against her because of her race and called the cops on her “merely for engaging in routine and mundane chores the rest of us do daily.”Jeanetta Vaughn has been a Chase bank customer since 2019, and on June 9, 2022, she went into the branch location at 1101 South Buckley Road to pick up some checks, she said. She had been sitting in the lobby for less than two minutes when branch manager and vice president Trina Pelech, a white woman, approached her and loudly asked if she could help her, according to the complaint. After Vaughn told her she would get in line after unlocking her card, according to the complaint, a short confrontation ensued that ended in Pelech telling Vaughn that she was “not welcome here” and requesting police response.Pelech called 911 about Vaughn, alleging she was being aggressive, trespassing and recording ...