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Russian forces in Crimea brace for possible Ukraine assault

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:28 GMT

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — The Moscow-appointed leader of Crimea said Tuesday the region is on guard for what may be an impending Ukrainian counteroffensive.Sergei Aksyonov told reporters that Russian forces in Crimea had built “modern, in-depth defenses” and had “more than enough” troops and equipment to repel a possible Ukrainian assault after 13 months of war following Russia’s full-scale invasion.“We cannot underestimate the enemy, but we can definitely say that we are ready (for an attack) and that there will be no catastrophe,” he said.His comments came days after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reaffirmed Kyiv’s intention to take back the Black Sea peninsula that Russia illegally annexed from Ukraine in 2014.Aksyonov first announced the beginning of fortification works in Crimea in November, without giving details. In February, at a security meeting chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin, he said that the works were set to finish by April. Satellite images publis...

Volcano eruption in Russia’s Kamchatka spews vast ash clouds

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:28 GMT

MOSCOW (AP) — A volcano erupted early Tuesday on Russia’s far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula, spewing clouds of dust 20 kilometers (65,600 feet) into the sky and covering broad areas with ash.The ash cloud from the eruption of Shiveluch, one of Kamchatka’s most active volcanoes, extended over 500 kilometers (more than 300 miles) northwest and engulfed several villages in grey volcanic dust.Officials closed the skies over the area to aircraft. Local authorities advised residents to stay indoors and shut schools in several affected communities. Two villages had their power supplies cut for a few hours until emergency crews restored them. Ash fell on 108,000 square kilometers (41,699 square miles) of territory, according to the regional branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences Geophysical Survey. Scientists described the fallout as the biggest in nearly 60 years.The village of Klyuchi, which is located about 50 kilometers (some 30 miles) from the volcano, was covered by an 8-...

Man accused of South Side murder arrested in Indiana's Amish country

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:28 GMT

LAGRANGE, Ind. — A man charged with a Christmas murder of a 21-year-old on the South Side was arrested Monday in Northern Indiana's Amish country.Bunmi Adeoye, 35, was charged with first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated battery.He was taken into custody Monday by the Great Lakes Fugitive Task Force in LaGrange, Indiana. That area is known for being part of Indiana's Amish country.On Christmas night last year, Adeoye was accused of shooting and killing a 21-year-old man in the 10300 block of South Prospect Avenue. Employee critical after steel pipe beating at Indiana State Prison in Michigan City Adeoye has been extradited back to Chicago and is due in bond court on Tuesday.

Dean's A-List Interview: Nicolas Cage on 'Renfield'

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:28 GMT

CHICAGO — In a career that's spanned five decades, he's played a number of unique roles in a number of films throughout the years.Now Nicolas Cage gets his shot to play one of the more iconic horror characters in cinema - Dracula. That's the Academy Award-winning actor's latest project in the movie "Renfield," which is set to be released in theatres on Friday. He plays the boss of R.M. Renfield, who is portrayed by Nicholas Hoult, as he tries to break free of Dracula's control once and for all. Before the film's release, Cage talked about "Renfield" with Dean Richards on this edition of "Dean's A-List Interview." He also gave his memories of his time in Chicago as well during his long acting career.You can watch Dean's interview with Cage from the WGN Morning News on April 11 in the video above or below. Get Dean's reviews and A-List interviews delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for Dean's Downloads weekly newsletter. You'll also get his Dean Cooks...

Oscar Meyer offers meat-tacular elopement opportunity in Las Vegas

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:28 GMT

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Hot dog! Oscar Mayer is hoping you'll "relish" the opportunity to be married in Las Vegas with the company's Wienermobile.Starting Monday, couples interested in eloping with the so-called "Wiener of Love" can sign up for a chance at the opportunity. The weddings will occur on April 15 and 16 next to the historic Little White Chapel on Las Vegas Boulevard.The company says the unique elopement opportunity isn't just for people looking for unique ways to tie the knot, but also to assist couples who are anxious about wedding planning. The news release cites a survey saying 72% of couples are stressed about planning the big day. The "Wiener of Love" aims to offer a stress-free and fun alternative, the company said. “Now, as more people seek stress-free ceremonies with their partners, our Hotdoggers are thrilled to reignite the joy of this special day and give them a once-in-a-lifetime experience: a wedding through a pair of meat-colored glasses,” said Ed Roland wi...

How to get free tax help

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:28 GMT

(KXAN) -- Tax Day is April 18, and if you are among the many taxpayers yet to file, there is help waiting for you.AARP’s Tax-Aide service offers free in-person and virtual tax assistance now through April 18 in every state.“They sit down with one of our volunteers complete an intake sheet and by the time they leave, they have a completed return in their hand and we electronically file it later on with the IRS,” said Lynnette Lee-Villanueva, the Vice President of Tax and Credits at AARP. 5 things to know about 2023 tax filing season “It is a free program and it's volunteer based. All of our sites have trained volunteers who are also IRS certified to be able to prepare the returns,” said Lee-Villanueva.AARP said its Tax-Aide service helped secure more than $1 billion in refunds for more than 1.2 million taxpayers last year.“As individuals move into their retirement years, they are often faced with a different tax situation than they were when they were working," Lee-Villanueva expla...

Valatie man sentenced to 15 years for sexually assaulting child

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:28 GMT

VALATIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A Valatie man was sentenced to 15 years in prison with 20 years of post-release supervision for sexually assaulting a child, according to the Columbia County District Attorney's Office. Heath Harrison, 49, was convicted by plea of first-degree criminal sexual assault. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Harrison was originally arrested back in December 2020 on allegations he sexually abused a child between 2014 and 2018, when the victim was between seven and 12 years old. Police say the crimes happened in the Town of Chatham and the Village of Valatie. Harrison will have to register as a sex offender once he is released from prison. An order of protection was issued on behalf of the victim for 23 years. Greenwich man arraigned on kidnapping, sex crime charges According to the Columbia County District Attorney's Office, the victim told the court at sentencing, "I am stronger than I ever thought I co...

Mobile pizzeria gets permanent spot in the Berkshires

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:28 GMT

EGREMONT, Mass. (NEWS10) -- Hilltown Hot Pies, a mobile and pop-up pizza business, is getting a brick-and-mortar location in the Berkshires. On April 7, owner Rafi Bildner bought the former John Andrews Farmhouse Restaurant at 224 Hillsdale Road in Egremont. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Bildner started Hilltown Hot Pies in 2019, taking his mobile pizza oven to farms around the region to create temporary “pizza farm” pop-ups. Bildner said the John Andrews property was a natural fit for his dream of a rural pizza spot."Since moving back to the area to start my mobile pizza truck and pop-up business a few years ago, I’ve looked all over the region for the right property," said Bildner. "I’ve always hoped that this eventual restaurant would be more than just a place for extraordinary pizza, but also a space for growing food, creating community, and encouraging connection to the land and our natural environment. It’s a dream ...

The push to widen I-70 across Missouri is stalling

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:28 GMT

WENTZVILLE, Mo. - As the State of Missouri sits on record budget surpluses, a top priority for the governor seems to have stalled: widening Interstate 70 from St. Louis to Kansas City.Anyone driving westbound on I-70 out of the St. Louis area may be perplexed as to why the interstate narrows from four lanes to three to two in St. Charles County, despite the fact that traffic remains heavy.“For those who we say we can't afford it (I-70 expansion), I say we can't afford not to,” Governor Mike Parson said in his State of the State speech nearly three months ago. Top story: “Easter Miracle” for Lake St. Louis officer critically injured by suspected drunk driver Still, the legislature has yet to earmark a single dollar toward the idea, with the legislative session set to end in mid-May.“Don’t forget it’s eight years from the time we say go to get an actual project like that completed,” said State Senator Bill Eigel.He’s sponsoring a bill (SB 317) to spend even more on I-70 than Governo...

'Easter Miracle' for Lake St. Louis officer critically injured by suspected drunk driver

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:51:28 GMT

LAKE ST. LOUIS, Mo. - One of the five St. Louis area police officers injured by a suspected drunk driver made a breakthrough Sunday.Lake St. Louis Police Officer Nathan Livingston regained consciousness and was able to speak with his family for the first time since the incident.“Personally, I’m a faith-based person. Prayers pay off. Keep doing it, and I know we’re going to have a good outcome,” said Chief Chris DiGiuseppi for the Lake St. Louis Police Department.It was a dramatic turnaround for Livingston. He remained unresponsive ever since he and four others were injured in the overnight hours of March 29. Top story: “Easter Miracle” for Lake St. Louis officer critically injured by suspected drunk driver The officers were part of the St. Charles County Criminal Interdiction Task Force, responding to an incident on Interstate 70 in Maryland Heights. All of a sudden, a man driving an SUV barreled into a patrol vehicle. Five officers, three from Lake St. Louis, plus a Lake St. Loui...