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Authorities in El Salvador dismantle smuggling ring, arrest 10 including 2 police officers

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:18 GMT

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP) — Police in El Salvador on Tuesday arrested 10 people accused of operating a migrant smuggling ring that charged migrants up to $15,000 for the promise of safe travel to the U.S.Two of the alleged smugglers, or “coyotes,” arrested were active members of the Salvadoran national police, the Attorney General’s Office said. Another was an ex-officer.The raid was coordinated between police in the capital, San Salvador, and two other cities, Santa Ana in the west and San Miguel in the east of the country, respectively. Police also seized four vehicles and more than a dozen cellphones.According to an investigation opened in July 2022, the smugglers trafficked migrants through blind spots on the Guatemalan border, then through Mexico and the U.S., charging between $12,000 and $15,000 per person.The attorney general’s office said they began investigating after at least 33 migrants reported they had paid for transport, but were not taken to the U.S.E...

Ohio business owner sues Norfolk Southern for February derailment that closed his companies

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:18 GMT

A business owner with companies near where a Norfolk Southern train derailed and caught fire in February has sued the railroad for $500 million, saying most of his eastern Ohio companies have remained closed and he hasn’t been able to reach a financial settlement with the railroad.Edwin Wang filed his federal lawsuit Tuesday. It comes amid government lawsuits against Norfolk Southern and a class action case on behalf of residents who have complained about the derailment’s impact on East Palestine, Ohio.Wang’s companies make specialized ceramic fiber insulation products for steel mills. The wholesale part of his business, CeramSource, was able to reopen last month in a new location just over the nearby Pennsylvania border. But contamination concerns and the costly equipment Wang can’t afford to replace have kept his other companies closed. Before the derailment spilled chemicals on his property, Wang’s companies employed close to 50 people and had plans to expand.No...

Toronto woman devastated after sexual assault case thrown out due to court delays

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:18 GMT

WARNING: Some of the details in this story may be disturbing to some readers.It’s been a devastating outcome for a Toronto woman who tells CityNews the sexual assault case against her alleged rapist was unexpectedly thrown out because of a lack of available courtrooms and staffing shortages. Judge Brock Jones, who was residing over the case, called it “an inexcusable state of affairs.”Emily Ager said she did everything right after she was allegedly raped in her own home 18 months ago. She reported the incident to police immediately and pressed charges. She never expected court scheduling issues to be the reason her alleged assailant would walk free.“The man who raped me will now walk the streets while I continue to pick up the pieces of glass that the broken system left behind,” Ager told CityNews. “I did everything that was encouraged and everything that was suggested … How did I get here? There has to be another option.”She said the incide...

Trudeau, Eby announce $1-billion battery plant in Maple Ridge, B.C.

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:18 GMT

MAPLE RIDGE, B.C. — A lithium-ion battery cell production plant costing more than $1 billion will be built in Maple Ridge, B.C.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier David Eby jointly announced Tuesday that the new E-One Moli facility will bolster Canada’s role as a global leader in clean technology.A statement says the province is contributing up to $80 million, with $970 million coming from the federal government, E-One Moli and private sources. Trudeau told a crowd gathered for the announcement that B.C. has long been known for its innovation in the clean-technology sector, and securing the clean battery manufacturing project will build on that expertise. “The world is looking to Canada. When we support projects like E-One Moli’s new facility in Maple Ridge, we bolster Canada’s role as a global cleantech leader, create good jobs and help keep our air clean,” he said. “This is the future we are building together, every single day. Climate policy is econo...

Emergency crews battle semi-truck fire along I-294

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:18 GMT

WILLOW SPRINGS, Ill. — Emergency crews are on the scene of a semi-truck fire that broke out on the Tri-State Tollway on Tuesday.Currently, it is unclear what led to the fire, but the semi was in flames when SkyCam 9 was over the scene along I-294 in Willow Springs around 4:45 p.m. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines It appears some sort of crash may have ignited the blaze as at least two overturned vehicle could bee seen near the fully engulfed truck as fire crews worked to control the blaze.Crews have shut down a portion of I-294 while they work to control the blaze, but the specific lanes that are impacted is currently unclear. This is a developing story, stay with WGN News for the latest updates.

Woman in critical condition after being attacked on Michigan Avenue

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:18 GMT

CHICAGO -- A woman was critically injured after being attacked on Michigan Avenue Monday afternoon.According to the Chicago Police Department, a woman was attacked on the 600 block of North Michigan Avenue in the Magnificent Mile neighborhood just after 2 p.m. on Tuesday. 2 juveniles in custody after student injured during altercation at Proviso West High School A man reportedly threw an object at the woman's head. She was transported to Northwestern Hospital in critical condition.The man was arrested at the scene and charges are expected to be filed.

Search underway for Mount Prospect shooting suspect

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:18 GMT

MOUNT PROSPECT, Ill. -- The suspect who reportedly shot a man in the leg at a Mount Prospect home over the weekend remains at large.According to the Mount Prospect Police Department, the suspect shot and wounded a man at a residence near Maple Avenue and Henry Street on Sunday. Woman in critical condition after being attacked on Michigan Avenue The suspect and the man got into an altercation at the Mount Prospect home before a gun went off. The man suffered a gunshot wound to the leg and was later taken to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries.The gunman is described as White or Hispanic male, about 6-feet tall, with a manicured black beard. He was last seen wearing a black baseball hat and a reflective vest.A second male offender was reportedly also in the driveway at the time of the shooting. The two offenders ran to a dark colored SUV parked on the street before driving away from the scene.The Mount Prospect Police Department do not believe this incident was a ran...

Metropolitan Brewing in Avondale closing in December

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:18 GMT

CHICAGO — It's closing time for Metropolitan Brewing, who announced Tuesday that next month will be their last in business after 15 years.On X, formerly known as Twitter, the group behind the Avondale-area brewery said unresolved differences with the building's landlord led to the decision. The brewery's last of operation will be Sunday, Dec. 17. Grand Lux Cafe on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile announces closure Owners add there are no plans to rebuild or revive the brewery located at 3057 N. Rockwell Street."The last 15 years are a treasure trove of memories," the announcement read. "We are grateful for every soul that passed through our doors, both on Ravenswood and on Rockwell." Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Excluding Thanksgiving, the bar will open daily through Dec. 17.

Man arrested after allegedly attempting to start fire, barricading himself inside apartment in Kenwood

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:18 GMT

CHICAGO — Police say a man was taken into custody on Monday after he allegedly attempted to start a fire at an apartment on the city's South Side before barricading himself inside one of the units.According to Chicago police, it all started just before 11:30 a.m. in the 4700 block of South Lake Park Avenue in Kenwood. Read more: Latest Chicago news headlines Officers responded to an apartment complex in the area after reports that a man had allegedly tried to ignite a fire in the hallway of the complex. Police say the man then barricaded himself inside one of the apartments after he was confronted by a neighbor.A SWAT unit was called in to help and shortly after the man exited the apartment and was taken into custody. He was then taken to the hospital for evaluation.Authorities have not identified anyone involved and it is currently unclear why he had allegedly tried to ignite the fire.

Six people are killed in crash involving bus and semi on I-70

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:52:18 GMT

ETNA, Ohio (WCMH) – Six people died and at least a dozen were hurt Tuesday morning when a semi crashed into the rear of a charter bus carrying high school students.The crash caused the semi to catch fire and smoke to pour out of the bus, which was carrying students from Tuscarawas Valley High School in northeast Ohio to an event in Columbus. The accident took place on Interstate 70 east of the exit for State Route 310 and led to I-70 being closed in both directions for hours. Click here for current traffic conditions Courtesy Photo/NBC4 ViewerCourtesy Photo/NBC4 ViewerA fiery crash on I-70 West involving a charter bus and a semi. (Courtesy photo/Adam Layton)The bus in the Interstate 70 crash in Licking County, Ohio, on Nov. 14, 2023, seen hours later (NBC4)Emergency crews respond to a fiery crash on I-70 West involving a charter bus and a semi. (Courtesy/Ohio Department of Transportation)Emergency crews respond to a fiery crash on I-70 West involving a charter bus and a semi. (NBC...