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Ukraine’s ambassador welcomes F-16 pledges; urges patience on counteroffensive

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:25:13 GMT

NEWTON, Mass. (AP) — Ukrainian Ambassador Oksana Markarova welcomed pledges of F-16 fighter jets to her country Monday while also urging patience for the launching of a spring counteroffensive against Russia’s full-scale invasion. For Ukrainians, she said, the effort to repel Russian has essentially been one long counterattack.“I wouldn’t label it. Whether it’s going to be one offensive or several. Whether it going to be just the hard, daily work on every front line or we will see some big results in any of them, it doesn’t really matter,” Markarova said. “What matters is the goal is to liberate all Ukraine.”Markarova, speaking after delivering a commencement address at Boston College, said the delivery of F-16 jets is critical to the short and long-term security of the country.The U.S. has agreed to help train pilots in Ukraine to fly F-16s, but it has provided few details and said decisions on when, how many, and who will supply the F-16s will be made in the mont...

Irish actor Ray Stevenson, of ‘Rome’ and ‘Thor’ movies, dies at 58

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:25:13 GMT

Ray Stevenson, the Irish actor who played the villainous British governor in “RRR,” an Asgardian warrior in the ‘Thor’ films, and a member of the 13th Legion in HBO’s “Rome,” has died. He was 58.Representatives for Stevenson told The Associated Press that he died Sunday but had no other details to share on Monday.Stevenson was born in Lisburn in 1964. After attending the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and years of working in British television, he made his film debut in Paul Greengrass’s 1998 film “The Theory of Flight.” In 2004, he appeared in Antoine Fuqua’s “King Arthur” as a knight of the round table and several years later played the lead in the pre-Disney Marvel adaptation “Punisher: War Zone.”Though “Punisher” was not the best-reviewed film, he’d get another taste of Marvel in the first three “Thor” films, in which he played Volstagg. Other prominent film roles included the “Divergent” trilogy, “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” and “The Transporter: Refueled.”A loomin...

Indiana Court of Appeals upholds murder convictions in 1998 Hammond triple slaying

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:25:13 GMT

CROWN POINT, Ind. (AP) — The Indiana Court of Appeals on Friday upheld the murder convictions of a man in the killings of a woman and two teens who were bludgeoned to death in 1998 in a house in northwest Indiana.In a 3-0 ruling, the appeals panelk rejected several arguments offered by James Higgason III, 53, of Whiting, including a long delay in bringing him to trial and the use of a digital copy of a phone call linking him to the killings, instead of the original cassette recording.Higgason was sentenced to 180 years in prison. Man gets 2 life sentences in Gary bank robbery where retired Cook County deputy was killed Prosecutors alleged Higgason and David Copley, 47, beat Elva Tamez, 36, Jerod Hodge, 18, of Chicago; and Timothy Ross, 16, of Calumet City, Illinois, to death on Jan. 18, 1998, at the woman’s Hammond home with pieces of wood or metal pipes, according to court records. They were trying to get drugs and cash, prosecutors said.The victims' skulls we...

Housekeeper accused of assaulting 88-year-old with dementia for 'personal sexual gratification'

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:25:13 GMT

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. — An employee of an assisted living facility in Arlington Heights is accused of sexually assaulting a patient with dementia.Around 3 p.m. Saturday, Arlington Heights police officers responded to Lutheran Life Communities for a report of a sexual assault upon learning that an employee witnessed a staff member engaged in a sexual act with an 88-year-old patient.According to police, a certified nursing assistant overheard the victim shouting for help. The CNA entered a nearby patient's room and allegedly observed a man, later identidied as 67-year-old Felipe De-Gyves, "engaged in a sexual act with the victim as she laid in her bed," police said.Felipe De-Gyves Former DuPage County corrections officer accused of having sex with inmate The CNA shouted at De-Gyves, who in turn, asked that CNA not report the incident.De-Gyves fled the facility when police were called. Officers responded to De-Gyves' home a short time later and he was placed under arrest.Prosecutor...

Closest national parks to Chicago: All 63 ranked in order of distance

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:25:13 GMT

(STACKER) — President Woodrow Wilson in 1916 signed the act creating the National Park Service to leave natural and historic phenomenons "unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations." Since then, our national parks have welcomed visitors from around the world to experience some of the best the country has to offer and showcase the country's natural beauty and cultural heritage. Today, the country's 63 national parks contain at least 247 species of endangered or threatened plants and animals, more than 75,000 archaeological sites, and 18,000 miles of trails. VIDEO: Fireball turns night into day in Australia Stacker compiled a list of the closest national parks to Chicago. National parks are ranked by closest straight line distance, measured from representative points in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI Metro Area and each national park. Estimated driving times are from Here and are only available within the lower 48 states. All featured distances and driving times are esti...

LIVE: Austin police warn of 'growing trend' in auto thefts

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:25:13 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Police said there's a "growing trend" of criminals stealing vehicles throughout the community, so they're striving to share ways to avoid that from happening. The Austin Police Department will hold a news conference Monday afternoon to draw attention to this problem and demonstrate how people can best protect their property. KXAN will carry a live stream of the officers' remarks starting at 3 p.m. in this story and on the station's Facebook page. This is a developing story, so KXAN will update it once more information is shared Monday afternoon.

Niall Horan, formerly of One Direction and currently a coach on ‘The Voice,’ to play X in July 2024

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:25:13 GMT

Grown up boy bander Niall Horan will hit the road next year for a world tour that brings him to St. Paul’s Xcel Energy Center on July 7.Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. June 2 through Ticketmaster, some 13 months before the show. Citi cardholders have access to a presale that starts at 10 a.m. May 30. Neither the venue nor the promoter announced ticket prices.The Irish vocalist rose to fame as a member of the boy band One Direction and co-wrote many of the group’s songs, including the singles “Story of My Life” and “Night Changes.” After 1D went on an extended hiatus in 2015, Horan released his debut solo single, “This Town,” an acoustic pop song that earned comparisons to Ed Sheeran and Vance Joy. It went platinum and peaked at No. 20 on the Billboard Hot 100.In 2017, Horan released his solo debut album, “Flicker,” which was inspired by such classic rock acts as the Eagles and Fleetwood Mac. It also featured his biggest hit to date in “Slow Hands,” which made it to No. 11....

Ulster County to host second Opioid Community Forum

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:25:13 GMT

KINGSTON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Ulster County Department of Mental Health is looking for public input on steps to address the opioid crisis. The Opioid Community Forum is the second forum of its kind and will be held on May 23 at 5:30 p.m. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Community members interested in attending in person can go to Samadhi, located at 150 Sawkill Road in Kingston. Individuals can also attend via Zoom by registering here.“We are grateful for the opportunity to hear from community members about their experiences and concerns related to the opioid crisis,” Ulster County Commissioner of Mental Health, Tara McDonald said. “We hope this forum will provide a safe and supportive space for community members to share their thoughts and ideas with us, so we can continue to work together to prevent and treat OUD in Ulster County.”Community members can share their concerns, suggestions, and ideas with County officials, ...

State Police investigating fatal crash in Bethel

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:25:13 GMT

BETHEL, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- State Police are investigating a fatal crash that occurred in the town of Bethel on May 21. Two motorcycles were involved in the accident, with one of the riders now facing multiple charges. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! At 6 p.m. on May 21, State Troopers responded to a report of a motorcycle crash around 3207 State Route 55 in Bethel. The investigation revealed that Joseph Messina, 40, and William Bailey, 42, both of Dingman’s Ferry, PA, were traveling south on State Route 55, the two of them operating Harley Davidson motorcycles when they collided with one another. The impact caused Bailey to be ejected from his motorcycle and strike a utility pole. Life saving efforts were performed by members of the White Lake Fire Department, but Bailey succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. Schenectady police investigating Crane Street homicide Messina was transported to...

Free rabies clinics to be held at the 4-H Training Center

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:25:13 GMT

BALLSTON SPA, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Pet owners looking for rabies vaccinations can utilize upcoming free rabies clinics held at the 4-H Training Center at 556 Middleline Road in Ballston Spa. Vaccination certificates are written for one year, however, if the owner has a previously signed certificate, a 3-year certificate will be written. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! The dates are May 23, June 27, August 22, and September 5. Times are strictly enforced. The clinics will take in cats and ferrets from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Ferrets must be in a cage or carrier. The clinics will be available for dogs from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. All dogs must be on a leash.