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Toronto sees 72% jump in lithium-ion battery fires, but what’s being done to address safety?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:20 GMT

As Toronto Fire Services reports another noticeable jump of lithium-ion battery fires in mobility devices, it raises questions about what’s being done to address the emerging safety concerns.The most recent fire happened in downtown Toronto near Yonge and Church streets on Sunday after an e-bike battery caught fire in a residential building. Two people had to be treated for smoke inhalation. The cause and circumstances of the fire are still under investigation.In all of 2022, there were 29 fires linked to lithium-ion batteries. However, there have been 50 such fires so far in 2023.CityNews spoke with Toronto Fire Services deputy chief Larry Cocco to talk about the increase in incidents. He said the three typical causes are thermal (overheated), electrical (overcharged or charged with substandard equipment) or physical (damaged batteries) failures.“The devices that are manufactured correctly and maintained correctly, we’re not seeing the problem. What we’re se...

Maryland judge heard ‘shocking’ evidence in divorce case hours before his killing, tapes show

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:20 GMT

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) — Pedro Argote was conspicuously absent last Thursday when a Maryland judge granted his wife a divorce and sole custody of their four children, citing “shocking” testimony about the abuse that Argote allegedly inflicted upon them for years. But later that day, authorities say, Argote showed up at Judge Andrew Wilkinson’s home and shot him to death in his driveway. Now a wanted man, Argote remains at large amid a law enforcement search spanning several states. Wilkinson ruled against Argote after hearing testimony from his wife and an adult daughter, who said he controlled every aspect of their lives, keeping them isolated and subjecting them to various acts of violence in recent years. Police have pointed to the judge’s decision as a motive for the shooting, which sent a shock wave through Maryland’s legal community. An audio recording of the hearing didn’t capture any obvious warning signs that Argote posed a danger to anyone outside his family, but it does pro...

Cole Kmet's younger brother named Bears High School All-Star Player of the Week

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:20 GMT

CHICAGO -- Chicago Bears Tight End Cole Kmet paid a visit to St. Viator High School on Tuesday to honor his younger brother.Kmet's younger brother, Cooper, plays quarterback at St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights.Cooper and his teammates clinched a playoff win over the weekend, but he was also named the Chicago Bears High School All-Star Player of the Week and his brother surprised him with the honor on Tuesday. Another Chicago suburb makes a stadium pitch to the Bears Cooper won a special personalized football, a $500 donation to a youth group of his choice, and food for the entire team Tuesday night.The Kmet's hope to one day play together on the same NFL football field, maybe even the same team.Cooper will be joined by eight other players and nine coachers of the week to be honored at half time when the Bears play the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Dec. 10.

Cops with extremist ties loom over City Council's review of CPD budget plan

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:20 GMT

CHICAGO — As members of City Council got the chance to scrutinize Mayor Brandon Johnson’s plans for Chicago police, questions about some officers' ties to extremists hovered over the proceedings. In opening comments to council members on Tuesday, Chicago police Supt. Larry Snelling addressed the simmering controversy. "We will complete thorough investigations to make sure that we do not have members of hate groups amongst our Chicago Police Department," Snelling said. New Chicago police boss wants cops to be more aggressive Snelling referred to bombshell reporting by the Chicago Sun-Times and others that found 27 current and former Chicago police officers appeared in a leaked roster for the Oath Keepers, an anti-government extremist group. According to the report, at least nine officers are still on the force."It serves the Chicago Police Department in no way — in no way good — to have members amongst our department who are filled with bias or are members of hate groups and we wil...

Residents continue to protest against plan for Brighton Park migrant camp

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:20 GMT

CHICAGO — Residents who live across the street from a vacant lot in Brighton Park are now on the corner 24/7 and our upset over a plan to build a camp to house 1,500 migrants.The street is now closed and police are on site near 38th and California as city trucks move in and out of the site. ‘He was my best friend’: Mother recuperates after 6-year-old boy killed in attack police call a hate crime On Thursday, 12th Ward Ald. Julia Ramirez came to the site to speak with her constituents when she said protesters assaulted her and a staffer."To be really honest with you, I'm looking at big picture," Ramirez said. "I've learned a lot from it. I live a few blocks from that lot. This isn't about that incident. I think it's so much greater than that. I'm just looking forward."Last month, Johnson asked city alderpeople to submit locations for migrant base campsites. Ramirez said she never sent one. Alderwoman, staffer assaulted during migrant site construction protest in Brighton Park, st...

Israel rejects calls for cease-fire in Gaza at major UN meeting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:20 GMT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Israel vowed again to destroy Hamas, rejecting calls for a cease-fire from the U.N. chief, the Palestinians and many countries at a high-level U.N. meeting on Tuesday and declaring that the war in Gaza is not only its war but “the war of the free world.”Israel’s Foreign Minister Eli Cohen also dismissed calls for “proportionality” in the country’s response to Hamas’ surprise attacks on Israel on Oct. 7 that killed 1,400 people and has since led to more than 5,700 Palestinian deaths in Gaza according to its Health Ministry.“Tell me, what is a proportionate response for killing of babies, for rape (of) women and burn them, for beheading a child?” Cohen asked. “How can you agree to a cease-fire with someone who swore to kill and destroy your own existence?” Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed more than 700 people in the past day, Gaza Health Ministry says He told the U.N. Security Council that the proportionate response to the Oct. 7 massacre is “a total destructi...

Taco Bell employee gave haircut in restaurant's kitchen, ex-worker says

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:20 GMT

KOKOMO, Ind. (WXIN) -- A photo circulating on social media appears to show an Indiana Taco Bell employee cutting a coworker's hair in the restaurant's kitchen.Jennifer Legear, a former employee, said she took the photo at a Taco Bell location in Kokomo on Thursday, Oct. 19. Legear said she was fired after photographing the incident and sharing it.”I definitely know what kind of things you're not supposed to be doing inside of kitchens," said Legear. "Cutting hair is one of them."Legear said the haircut happened as the crew was getting ready for the lunch rush. The employee getting the haircut had a trash bag draped around her to keep hair off of her clothing. ”It was only about 3 feet away from where you make the food," she said. Taco Bell testing new chicken nuggets in 1 city Legear said she sent the photo to a few friends, not intending for it to be seen by anyone else, but the photo was eventually posted on social media.”I took it out of sheer shock and showed it to a few frie...

Lawrence County breaks ground on one of 3 planned broadband expansion projects

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:20 GMT

LAWRENCE COUNTY, Ind.-- RTC Communications broke ground Tuesday on a fiber internet expansion project, one of three broadband projects planned for the county, all of which will use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. Lawrence County received $4.4 million in ARPA funds, according to Lawrence County Commissioner Dustin Gabhart. Gabhart said the money will be split for all three planned broadband projects. The county awarded RTC communications $950,000 of ARPA money for its project. The rest of the roughly $3.1 million will be split into two projects spearheaded by AT&T. The commissioner said each project must be completed within two years of breaking ground, and that the county will divvy out all ARPA funds by the end of 2026. He also said that 4,000 residents in some of the most rural parts of Lawrence County will benefit from all three projects combined, and that the projects would not be possible without the ARPA funds. State Sen. Eric Koch represents Lawrence County and cha...

Report: South Congress listed as one of the trendiest neighborhoods in the country

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:20 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) --- What do Williamsburg in New York City, Venice in California and Austin's very own South Congress have in common?They were listed in an Architectural Digest report as the trendiest neighborhoods in the United States. The report titled "The Cost of Living in America’s Trendiest Neighborhoods (2023 Study)" detailed the price people pay living in those places.What are the trendiest neighborhoods?The trendiest neighborhoods were ranked from highest to lowest salary needed to afford rent:Williamsburg in Brooklyn, New YorkSouth End in Boston, MassachusettsGreenwich Village in New York CityMission District in San Francisco, CaliforniaVenice in Los Angeles, CaliforniaLogan Circle in Washington, DCWynwood in Miami, FloridaSilver Lake in Los Angeles, CaliforniaWest Loop in Chicago, IllinoisCapitol Hill in Seattle, WashingtonRiver North Arts District in Denver, ColoradoOld Fourth Ward in Atlanta, GeorgiaSouth Congress in Austin, TexasFishtown in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaSouth...

How many units? Austin City Council to discuss proposed HOME initiative

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:54:20 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) — How many units should be allowed on a property in Austin?This is a question Austinites will have the opportunity to discuss on Thursday as the city talks about proposed Land Development Code Changes.The HOME Initiative would make it legal to build up to 3 homes on a property, tiny homes also would be allowed on properties.The move comes as the city has discussed ways to make homes more affordable for years. While some are for the proposal, not everyone is sold on the idea of more units on a property."Say no to this proposal, say no to this proposal," chanted a group speaking out against the HOME initiative."The home initiative is dangerous to low-income renters and homeowners because it drives and spurs speculation, gentrification and irresponsible development," Carmen Llanes with Go Austin/Vamos Austin (GAVA) said. GAVA describes itself as a community group "working to improve the health of communities" in south Austin, according to its website.Property owners can a...