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Ed Burke trial: Co-defendants in spotlight as Burger King evidence wraps up

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:45 GMT

CHICAGO — Federal prosecutors in the Ed Burke trial are wrapping up presentations of evidence in the alleged Burger King "shakedown" scheme.Burke's co-defendants, longtime aide Peter Andrews and Charles Cui, are in the spotlight Friday at the Dirksen Federal Building.Defense attorneys have been grilling a former FBI agent about the interview of Andrews. Later, prosecutors will shift their focus to allegations that Cui, a Portage Park businessman, tried to bribe Burke, hoping the former alderman would secure a permit for a large sign at a liquor store.That is the fourth and final alleged scheme prosecutors are outlining in the case.Cui, 52, is charged with one count of bribery and one count of making false statements to the FBI, among other charges.Cui, an immigration attorney, purchased a strip mall on Irving Park Road on the Northwest Side. Binny's Beverage Depot, as part of its lease agreement, was supposed to be able to use a large pole sign, but sign the sign hadn't been used in...

City breaks ground on Spicewood Springs Road expansion project

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:45 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The City of Austin broke ground Friday on the Spicewood Springs Mobility Project, marking the beginning of work to expand a section of the road to four lanes.Capital Delivery Services and Austin Transportation and Public Works will begin construction to expand Spicewood Springs Road from two to four lanes between Loop 360 and Mesa Drive this month, according to a release. That section of the road is approximately a 2-mile stretch. Spicewood Springs Road to Expand to Four Lanes from Mesa Dr. to Loop 360 (Photo courtesy: City of Austin Capital Delivery Services)Groundbreaking celebration for Spicewood Springs Road expansion (KXAN Photo/Tim Holcomb) Spicewood Springs Road to Expand to Four Lanes from Mesa Dr. to Loop 360 (KXAN Photo/Tim Holcomb) Spicewood Springs Road to Expand to Four Lanes from Mesa Dr. to Loop 360 (KXAN Photo/Tim Holcomb) The project has been in the works for several years. It's being funded by the 2016 mobility bond and is expected ...

APD warns of increase in storage unit burglaries

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:45 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- The Austin Police Department is warning residents of an increase in the number of reported burglaries at storage unit facilities. APD said the individual storage units that are being burglarized often result in significant loss for the victims. APD's Burglary Unit wants to remind the public that storage unit facilities should not be considered secure facilities. Police recommend never storing the following items in storage unit facilities: FirearmsAmmunitionCollectiblesItems of significant valueIrreplaceable sentimental itemsItems containing personal identifying information such as your name, date of birth, social security number, credit card information, tax returns, etc. The Burglary Unit highly recommends that storage unit customers consider purchasing rental insurance for items stored. Rental insurance can often help replace items that may have been stolen or damaged. If you are a victim of storage unit burglary, you can file a non-emergency repor...

Nation’s largest glass recycler files for bankruptcy

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:45 GMT

The nation’s largest glass recycler has filed for bankruptcy, but plans to keep crushing glass during voluntary restructuring.Strategic Materials, Inc., or SMI, maintains plants and offices in 42 locations across the U.S., including 195 Minnehaha Ave., just off Interstate 35-E in St. Paul.SMI submitted reorganization plans when it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Dec. 4 alongside its 15 affiliates in U.S. Bankruptcy Court’s Southern District of Texas Houston division. The company obtained $23 million to finance ongoing operations as the case moves forward, according to documents made public by the Kroll Restructuring Administration of New York.If approved by the courts, reorganization will allow the company to remain in business while reducing its debt by more than $300 million, according to the trade newsletter Glass International.An initial hearing was held Dec. 5 and a follow-up is scheduled for Jan. 10.Related ArticlesBusiness | Morning Report news quiz ...

The Loop NFL Picks: Week 14

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:45 GMT

Vikings at Raiders (+2½)Minnesota quarterback Joshua Dobbs is keeping his starting job, barely, after throwing four interceptions in the Vikings’ Monday Night Football loss to Chicago. He’s on pace to see his name in the record books for most holiday season giveaways, just behind a fellow listed as “S. Claus.”Pick: Vikings by 3Two Chicago Bears fans dressed as Santa and Mrs. Claus cheer the arrival of the team onto the field before an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Monday, Dec. 20, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)Bills at Chiefs (-2½)Buffalo coach Sean McDermott told his players a few years ago they needed to come together as a team, just like the September 11 hijackers did. This triggered a huge firestorm from critics who said any comparison to the Bills would be an outrageous affront to the September 11 terrorists.Pick: Chiefs by 3Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott talks to reporters after an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Monday, Nov. 1...

Italian takeout eatery ready to open in Glens Falls

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:45 GMT

GLENS FALLS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Giovanni Fresco has been serving up its fresh homemade pasta around the Capital Region at farmers' markets over the past few years. Now, husband and wife duo Giovanni and Francesca Casanica are ready to open their takeout location in Glens Falls. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! Giovanni Fresco is set to have its soft opening on December 9 and 10 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The shop is located at 47 Lawrence Street in the former Open Door Mission space. The Casanicas bought the building in January.The Casanicas moved to the area from Rieti, Italy in 2016. In 2017, they started Giovanni Fresco, making and serving fresh homemade pasta at the Glens Falls' The Shirt Factory and other area farmers' markets. Albany restaurant for sale, owners focusing on Schenectady For the soft opening, Giovanni Fresco will have a limited menu with their build-your-own pasta bar, lasagna and a few other to-go meals. In addition to t...

Graphite Range Community Forest opens to the public

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:45 GMT

WILTON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Graphite Range Community Forest is now open to the public! The community-managed forest is located just a few miles from downtown Saratoga Springs and contains over five miles of multi-use trails for activities, including hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! “We’re thrilled to introduce the Graphite Range Community Forest to our community and visitors alike,” said Theodore T. Kusnierz, Jr., Chairman of the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors (Moreau). “The trail is a welcome addition to Saratoga County’s already robust trail system. Our goal is to promote an appreciation for the natural beauty in our region while fostering a sense of camaraderie among outdoor enthusiasts."Visitors to the community forest can also take a walk through history as part of the property was used for mining graphite between 1908 and 1922. There are still traces of the mini...

Ballwin's Vlasis Park playground set for a major upgrade

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:45 GMT

BALLWIN, Mo -- Ballwin Parks and Recreation is revamping the Vlasis Park Playground. "All Inclusive Recreation" was awarded the playground bid by the Ballwin Board of Aldermen to redesign the playground at Vlasis Park.They will close the current playground sometime this winter for demolition. They will begin site work this winter or spring and aim to finish installing and completing the playground by late summer. The project completion date may change.The new and improved playground will have the following:There will be many inclusive features to ensure equitable play for all A new, improved big kid area A new toddler area A new swing set for those with different abilities A new sensory play area The splash pad will be reopened A new hillside play area with ADA-accessible ramps The city was awarded two municipal park grants, making this project possible. All Inclusive Recreation to redesign the playground at Vlasis Park! All Inclusive Recreation to redesign the playground at Vlasis ...

Brittish Williams asks for prison delay to spend Christmas with family

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:45 GMT

ST. LOUIS -- Former Basketball Wives star Brittish Williams, 33, is asking for a 30-day delay in surrendering to authorities. A judge sentenced her to a four-year prison sentence in October. She is supposed to turn herself in on December 11.A court document states that she is the sole caregiver for her 5-year-old daughter. Her mother will be taking care of the child while Williams is incarcerated. Her lawyer says that Williams needs to be there for her daughter during the transition. She also wants to spend the Christmas holiday together. Win Big This Holiday Season! Enter the Home For The Holidays $15K Giveaway! Williams pled guilty this summer to 15 felonies involving Social Security misuse, false IRS statements, and wire fraud. She also has to repay $564,069 from her various schemes.From 2017-2019, she hid income and faked dependents to dodge taxes. Stealing Social Security numbers, she caused financial losses by opening unauthorized accounts. Williams made fake bank accounts u...

Burglaries at over 40 Denver-area marijuana dispensaries lead to charges for members of two organized crime groups

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:00:45 GMT

Denver District Attorney Beth McCann on Friday announced her office will charge 23 members of two organized crime groups with carjacking and burglarizing more than 40 marijuana dispensaries.The arrests were the result of two law enforcement investigations conducted by the Denver District Attorney’s Office, Denver Police Department, Aurora Police Department, FBI, ATF, the Regional Anti-Violence Enforcement Network and the Violent Criminal Enterprise Task Force, according to a district attorney’s office news release.“These arrests send an unmistakable message that law enforcement agencies throughout the Denver metro area are committed to working together to disrupt and disband dangerous criminal organizations. The streets of Denver are safer today because of these two investigations and I am grateful to the many law enforcement officers who have worked so hard on these cases to get us to this point,” McCann said.About $780,000 of cash and property were stolen, and the members al...