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Christmas has come and gone. The season of gift returns and exchanges is now here

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:06:25 GMT

CHICAGO — Goodbye Christmas cheer, the season of gift returns, exchanges, and bargains is here!Georgia Blaugh and her sister were amongst the many who flocked to Old Orchard Mall in Skokie, eager to cash in on some deals."We were here to get some new iPhones," Blaugh said. Ana Kimball and her mother ventured to the Skokie-area mall for deals, but returning gifts that missed the mark was first on the agenda.SEE ALSO | New Year’s Eve in Chicago: Where to watch fireworks across the city"We had a lot of returns. Lots of sizes that got mixed up or colors," Kimball said. "[So we're] looking for stuff to spend our money on."A busy day after Christmas is the norm, says Old Orchard Mall's general manager Serge Khamilimsky."Definitely not unusual after Christmas," he said. "Lots of crowds of people are ready to get back out, maybe exchange accessories for the gifts they got."But for locals visiting various stores for exchanges, expert Samantha Landau with TopCashback.com, says some things wil...

Skilling: Above normal temps across Chicagoland ahead of new year

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:06:25 GMT

First, THE TUESDAY WEATHER HEADLINES---Another drab and damp day with temps that have been falling slowly all day Tuesday. The day's high of 50 degrees occurred at midnight. Reading by late in the day had fallen to the upper 30s.---The same slow-moving storm system, trapped within an atmospheric blocking pattern and therefore just crawling along, has days to run in its influence on Chicago's weather. It's likely to be Friday afternoon before this system frees Chicago's weather from its grasp.---The area is to sit beneath this system's cold, unstable pool of air aloft through Thursday night and into Friday morning as this system just creeps eastward—its forward progress is all but stalled by the atmospheric blocking pattern which is in place. This argues for an overcast continue to dominate Chicago's weather all the way.---What's more, we expect a counterclockwise (or "cyclonic" circulation aloft) to tap moisture and tug it westward into Chicago later Wednesday night and Thursday, in...

5-year-old girl killed in South Side apartment fire

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:06:25 GMT

CHICAGO — A family is mourning the loss of a 5-year-old girl who died in a devastating fire at an apartment on the South Side on Tuesday morning."We ask that in Jesus name keep this family happy," community activist Andrew Holmes said. "We know they're hurting and going to be hurting the rest of their life, Lord."As they fought back tears, Holmes and Mike Airhart, with the "All Kids Matter Foundation," placed teddy bears on the fence of the building in hopes of bringing the family some comfort."It just reminds you the smiling faces that, you know, that child had on their face opening those gifts. This is what it stands for. It's just that smile, It's just that we're here for you. We support you. We love you," Airhart said. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines At around 7:15 a.m. an ambulance crew was returning from a run when they noticed smoke billowing from the second floor of the multi-unit apartment building in the 500 block of West Marquette Road in Englewood.Chicago fire...

A day after Christmas, disruptions minimal for holiday travelers at Chicago airports

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:06:25 GMT

CHICAGO — Holiday travelers heading home after the Christmas holiday packed Chicago airports, though Southwest Airlines says it does not anticipate any significant disruptions following some issues over the weekend. On Sunday, dense fog in Chicago caused delays and cancellations after a brief ground stop was issued at Midway International Airport.Southwest Airlines said the problems started Saturday night with fog that prevented inbound planes from landing. As a result, Southwest, systemwide, canceled about 300 flights on Sunday and 100 on Christmas Day. Southwest Airlines reaches $140 million settlement over holiday flight-canceling meltdown last year Southwest Airlines' fourth busiest airport is Midway.Last year, nearly 17,000 Southwest flights were canceled during the Christmas holiday due to severe weather and operational failures.The issues caused travel inconveniences for about two million customers.The airline recently reached a $140 million settlement to update its sy...

3-year-old sneaks downstairs, opens all family's presents at 3 a.m. Christmas morning

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:06:25 GMT

NORTH CAROLINA (WJW) — His parents were asleep, and that's when the toddler made his move. Scott and Katie Reintgen say they woke on Christmas at 3 a.m. to the sounds of their 3-year-old son calling for scissors. They found him downstairs by the Christmas tree with every single gift unwrapped, attempting to get a new Spider-Man toy out of its packaging. Soon after, Scott took to social media to show off the mess the child had made. The secret life of gift cards: What happens to the billions that go unspent each year "My son's version of the events: He wanted to open all of the presents so that no one was confused and that they all know what they had gotten. That's his story," Scott said in a video posted to X. (Getty Images)The parents told NBC News they put the kid to bed and worked to get the presents re-wrapped so their other children, ages 6 and 1, could also enjoy the holiday. The second time around, they made sure to place them high up so the 3-year-old couldn't continue hi...

Skeletal remains found of boy missing since 2003

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:06:25 GMT

CARROLL COUNTY, Va. (WJW) – A sheriff’s office in Virginia confirms the remains of a 5-year-old boy who went missing in 2003 have been found.(Courtesy: Carroll County Sheriff's Office)Logan Bowman was last seen in Carroll County, Virginia in January 2003. Fish fillets sold at Whole Foods Market recalled due to undeclared allergen The remains were found in a wooded area in Galax, Va., last year. The sheriff’s office used a forensic genetic genealogy to develop a full DNA profile.This week, the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the remains belonged to Logan.Investigators say the remains had been there for some time.Logan’s biological mother Cynthia Davis and her then-boyfriend Dennis Schermerhorn were charged in connection with his disappearance in 2003. How much stamps will cost in 2024 Schermerhorn’s charge of felony murder was dismissed in 2004 due to lack of evidence, while Davis was sentenced to 15 years for second-degree murder, according to WSLS.New charges are...

Play of the Week winner - Duanesburg's Jeff Mulhern

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:06:25 GMT

DELANSON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Congratulations to this week’s winner of our Play of the Week poll: Duanesburg's Jeff Mulhern! Mulhern came up with a steal and threw down his first of two rim-rattling, first-quarter dunks in an 87-32 victory over Northville. He finished the night with 20 points.

Local Muslim community pushes for ceasefire resolution

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:06:25 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) – City leaders have continued work on a resolution that calls for an end to the violence in Gaza. The local Muslim community showed up in droves to the last Albany Common Council meeting of the year and urged them to pass a ceasefire resolution.Last week, NEWS10 talked to the council member who sponsored that resolution and one local advocate who explained why it’s significant to the Capital Region’s Muslim community and its allies. Get the latest news, weather, sports and more delivered right to your inbox! “I am a Jewish resident of Albany and an Israeli-American citizen,” said Karen Carmeli during public comments. “I want to start by acknowledging council members Adams and Romero for their efforts to do exactly what they were elected to do, working with their constituents to develop resolutions that are reflective of this community. This entire community.”The public comment period at the Dec. 18 Albany Common Council meeting was dominated by those who want...

Sara Jo Gamond Dies in Semi-Truck Collision on Interstate 35 [Austin, TX]

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:06:25 GMT

44-Year-Old Woman Pronounced Dead after Big-Rig Accident near Rutherford LaneAUSTIN, TX (December 26, 2023) – Early Saturday morning, Sara Jo Gamond died in a semi-truck collision on northbound Interstate 35.Emergency personnel arrived at the location at approximately 5:50 a.m. on December 9th, responding to an incident on the northbound lanes of the freeway near Rutherford Lane. According to law enforcement, a collision occurred between a pickup truck driven by 44-year-old Gamond and an 18-wheeler truck.The sequence of events leading up to the incident remains unclear. Medical responders declared 44-year-old Gamond deceased at the scene due to the severity of the injuries sustained.Subsequently, as part of cleanup and initial response procedures, the northbound lanes were temporarily blocked by crews.An ongoing active investigation is in progress to gather additional information about the incident.The team at Sweet James offers their warm and sincerest sympathies to the frien...

Unlocking Literary Success: The Significance of Understanding Readers for Authors

Published Sun, 23 Feb 2025 11:06:25 GMT

In the vast landscape of literature, the bridge between an author’s words and a reader’s heart is a delicate yet powerful connection. Aspiring and established authors alike are well aware that crafting a compelling story is just one piece of the puzzle. To truly make an impact, authors must delve into the minds and hearts of their readers. This understanding is not just a mere bonus—it’s a fundamental aspect of literary success.Within the pages of Leigh Schmidt’s “The Boy Who Knew Santa” series, lies a shining example of how an author’s keen understanding of readers can elevate a story from mere words to a transformative experience. Schmidt’s exceptional storytelling skills are perfectly complemented by his ability to connect deeply with his audience, creating a narrative that resonates on a profound level.Leigh Schmidt’s intimate connection with readers is evident in how he tailors the series to captivate diverse audiences. From...