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'Merry Swiftmas!' Naperville family goes viral with Taylor Swift-themed holiday lights

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:09:56 GMT

NAPERVILLE, Ill. — Merry Swiftmas, Swifties! A family's house in Naperville has gone viral for their enchanted Taylor Swift holiday light display.Amy Scott and her daughters, Rebecca, 18, and Emily, 21, have been longtime fans of the pop icon. Unfortunately, like many of us, the family did not go to the 'Eras Tour.' But after seeing Swift's concert movie in theaters, the ladies were inspired.Amy told WGN News that her family has been doing huge light displays for years, but this is the first time they would pay tribute to T. Swift.She said the decorating began in early November and ended late last week after her daughters came home from college for Thanksgiving break."We made almost everything. My husband, Brian, is a printer. We thought of and then he created our vision. The girls and I did all the glittering, of course," Amy told WGN.And oh, what a vision! The two-story Naperville house, located near Atlas Lane and Tupelo Avenue, has completely transformed into a Taylor Swift...

Winter overnight parking rules in Chicago start Friday

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:09:56 GMT

CHICAGO — 'Twas this 'dibs' season, a reminder for locals who park on Chicago streets.The city's winter overnight parking rules begin on Friday, Dec. 1 at 3 a.m. As a result, no parking is allowed from 3 a.m. to 7 a.m. on 107 miles of streets, regardless of whether it snows.  Johnson unveils plan to move migrants into churches as tent camp construction to begin The rule remains in place until April 1.Last year, the city towed 242 vehicles on day one. Drivers face a minimum $150 towing fee and a $60 ticket.  There is also the two-inch rule on 500 miles of city streets, meaning that no parking is allowed — day or night — if snow accumulates more than two inches.  Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Click here for a map of streets impacted by the ban. 

Spread of latest COVID-19 variant is moving faster than estimated — and more

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:09:56 GMT

For Tuesday, Nov. 28, WGN’s Dina Bair has new medical information, including: More Coverage: WGN's Medical Watch Spread of latest COVID strain increasingThe BA.2.86 variant has caused nearly one in 10 new COVID-19 cases in the US. This is about triple what it was just two weeks ago. The World Health Organization also noted a substantial rise in cases but the symptoms did not appear to be worse or different from previous strains. Unusual cluster of eye syphilis casesHealth officials are concerned about what could be a new strain of syphilis. The concern follows the case of five women ages 40 to 60 whose eyes became infected with syphilis after encounters with the same man. While the pathogen can affect the eyes, it usually happens among people with late-stage syphilis, those over 65, intravenous drug users, and those who are HIV positive. None of the women matched those categories, however.It's also the first reported cluster linked to heterosexual transmission. The CDC i...

Sandy Hook families offer to settle Alex Jones' $1.5 billion legal debt for a minimum of $85 million

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:09:56 GMT

Sandy Hook families who won nearly $1.5 billion in legal judgments against conspiracy theorist Alex Jones for calling the 2012 Connecticut school shooting a hoax have offered to settle that debt for only pennies on the dollar — at least $85 million over 10 years.The offer was made in Jones' personal bankruptcy case in Houston last week. In a legal filing, lawyers for the families said they believed the proposal was a viable way to help resolve the bankruptcy reorganization cases of both Jones and his company, Free Speech Systems.But in the sharply worded document, the attorneys continued to accuse the Infowars host of failing to curb his personal spending and “extravagant lifestyle,” failing to preserve the value of his holdings, refusing to sell assets and failing to produce certain financial documents.“Jones has failed in every way to serve as the fiduciary mandated by the Bankruptcy Code in exchange for the breathing spell he has enjoyed for almost a year. His time is up," lawyer...

Georgetown ISD proposes new attendance zones to keep up with growth

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:09:56 GMT

GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) — Georgetown ISD began a series of meetings this week to gain input from parents about the rezoning of 7 elementary and middle school campuses.According to GISD, the addition of two campuses next school year are the catalyst for the rezoning. The district has proposed creating attendance zones for San Gabriel Elementary School in the Santa Rita Ranch neighborhood, and the new Benold Middle School in the Parmer Ranch neighborhood.The campuses that may be impacted by this zoning are Wolf Ranch Elementary, Williams Elementary, Mitchell Elementary, Cooper Elementary Forbes Middle, Tippit Middle, and Wagner Middle School.Superintendent Devin Padabil said these new attendance zones are in an effort to accommodate the rapidly growing population of Georgetown.This summer, estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau revealed Georgetown to be the fastest-growing city in the nation. Several local cities are among the fastest-growing in the country, new population estimates...

Downtown Austin Alliance discusses proposed light rail

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:09:56 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The future of how Austin moves its people around the city and its downtown was the main topic of a panel discussion Tuesday on transportation.The Downtown Austin Alliance said it would host leaders from Austin Transit Partnership to talk about the proposed Austin light rail.The alliance said ATP planned on talking about how it is designing the rail system to move people around downtown better. Peter Mullan is ATP’s executive vice president of architecture and urban design. Mullen said the new infrastructure "can make us all feel more connected." "If we do our jobs right, this’ll be a community-building opportunity for Austin,” Mullen said. ATP was also expected to talk about how the rail system will focus on “the user experience that puts people first,” the alliance said. What does next year look like for Project Connect's light rail development? ATP sent the following three representatives to the panel, according to the announcement...

APD identifies person killed in Nov. 20 crash on Ben White Boulevard

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:09:56 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department has identified the driver who died in a crash on Ben White Boulevard earlier this month. According to APD, a sedan and an SUV crashed in the 1000 block of West Ben White Boulevard shortly after midnight Nov. 20. The driver of the sedan, identified by APD as Ugochukwu Mbakwe, 35, died at the scene. MAP: Where have Austin’s fatal crashes occurred in 2023? APD said the driver and a passenger that were traveling in the SUV were not injured and are cooperating with the investigation.This incident is being investigated as Austin's 79th fatal crash of 2023, resulting in 82 fatalities for the year. Anyone with any information should contact APD's Vehicular Homicide unit at 512-974-8111. You may submit your tip anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477.

Gophers football: Athan Kaliakmanis intends to enter transfer portal

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:09:56 GMT

The first Gophers football player to decide to leave the program this winter is a big one.Starting quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis said Tuesday he intends to enter the NCAA transfer portal. Kaliakmanis’ decision comes a day after the U offered a scholarship to New Hampshire graduate transfer QB Max Brosmer in the portal on Monday.Kaliakmanis’ message on social media said his choice comes “after several days of discussion with my family.”A Pioneer Press source reiterated that head coach P.J. Fleck appreciated what Kaliakmanis brought to the Gophers. At some point in the last few days, Fleck met with the quarterback position group and he could not fully commit or guarantee who the starting quarterback would be in the 2024 season, and that the program would entertain quarterback competition via the portal for next fall.In his first full season as a starter at the U, Kaliakmanis completed only 53 percent of his passes (156 for 294) for 1,838 yards, 14 touchdowns and nine...

Troy nightclub, The Chandelier Room, to relocate

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:09:56 GMT

TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Chandelier Room, a nightclub that opened in the former Bradley bar space in Troy in September, has closed to relocate, said owner Cory Nelson. He said they made the decision last week. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The Chandelier Room had its soft opening on September 1 at 28 4th Street and celebrated its grand opening on September 15 and 16. The club had a strict dress code: formal, semi-formal, business casual, or elegant casual dress code, and patrons were "vibe checked" at the door.Only open on Friday and Saturday nights, The Chandelier Room was lined with chandeliers and had a bar, an inside dance space, an outdoor patio, and rotating local DJs each night. The club served drinks and small bites such as cheeses and sandwiches. Saratoga Coffee Traders in Schenectady sets opening date "I'm thankful for the opportunity to work with my best friend Vic Christopher at that location and am excited fo...

Donate winter gear to the annual Mitten Tree Program

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:09:56 GMT

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The annual Mitten Tree Program at the Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center is seeking donations of winter wear for those in need. Donations benefit CAPTAIN Community Human Services, Franklin Community Center, and Shelters of Saratoga. Get the latest news, weather, sports and entertainment delivered right to your inbox! The annual Mitten Tree Program runs from November 28 to Wednesday, January 3. Accepted items include new or handmade winter gear, hats, scarves, gloves, and mittens. “As the holiday season approaches, we’re reminded how important it is to give back,” said Karen Verrigni, director of the Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center. “This annual tradition provides hundreds of pieces of winter wear to those in need during the cold winter months. The kindness and generosity of our region is heartwarming!”Donations can be brought to the Visitor Center Mitten Tree at 297 Broadway in Saratoga Springs. Donors can hang the i...