Latest news with #35
Chicago Tribune
2 hours ago
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Southland crime: Oak Forest robbery, Alsip carjacking, and more
CARJACKING: Luis F. Plascencia Gomez,35, 4800 block of Engle Road, Alsip, was arrested April 27 on a warrant charging him with vehicular invasion and attempted vehicular hijacking in connection with a March 11 attempt to break into an occupied motor vehicle in the 12700 block of Lacrosse Avenue, police said. DEALING ALLEGED: An Alsip man was arrested May 2 at 123rd Place and Cicero Avenue after officers recovered 3 ounces of marijuana individually packaged in 14 mylar bags, $1,252 cash and a digital scale, police said. Clifton C. Coleman, 24, 4000 block of Engle Road, Alsip, was charged with manufacture/delivery of 30-100 grams of cannabis, police said. GUN POSSESSION: Kaleb Darden, 23, 600 block of Sullivan Lane, University Park, and Childale Henderson, 24, first block of Olympic Village, Chicago Heights, were arrested and accused of aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon during a May 11 investigation of armed subjects in a vehicle in the 17900 block of Halsted Street, police said. TRESPASSING: Keyante McKinney, 35, Chicago, was arrested May 11 in the 2000 block of 175th Street after breaking a residential window and entering without the owner's permission, police said. DUI CRASH: Joan L. Meyers, 62, Orland Park, was arrested and accused of drunken driving and driving under the influence of an intoxicating compound/drug during a May 13 single-car crash investigation in the 25700 block of Governors Highway, police said. VEHICULAR THEFT: A group took a car May 22 from an auto transport trailer at a truck stop near the intersection of Monee-Manhattan Road and Interstate 57, then fled to a waiting car when the auto transport driver prevented them from taking a second vehicle, police said. RETAIL THEFT: Wesley D. Hatten-Lovett, 32, Long Island, New York, was accused of retail theft and burglary May 28 after taking a gaming console, selling for $499, from a broken glass display case at Walmart, 501 E. Lincoln Highway, police said. FACEBOOK SCAM: A New Lenox resident was bilked out of $2,500 during a Facebook Market transaction for two vehicles with a person posing as a friend, police said. The resident told police he made the down payment but refused the seller's demand for more money and his phone number, which the resident's real friend already had, police said. ROBBERY CHARGE: Jamal Flex, 25, Harvey, Lajuan Pouncey, 22, Riverdale, and Brandon Smith, 24, Chicago, are charged with armed robbery in connection with the Christmas holdup of a 7-Eleven convenience store, according to police. The three entered the store at 4901 167th St. at 1 p.m., forced the clerk to the back and took money and merchandise, police said. Flex and Smith are being held without bail in Cook County Jail, according to sheriff's records online. AGGRAVATED ASSAULT: Matthew R. Chavez, 47, Chicago, was arrested and accused of aggravated assault April 25 after wielding an open pocket knife during an argument outside a store in the 10600 block of Cicero Avenue, police said. AGGRAVATED BATTERY: Jamie C. Moore, 31, Chicago, was arrested May 22 and charged with aggravated battery and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon after striking a woman with a 9 mm handgun after she ran out of the Miami Inn and Suites, 9041 Cicero Ave., police said. IDENTITY THEFT: Bennie L. Fort, 30, 3800 block of 153rd Street, Midlothian, was arrested May 1 at 94th Street and Orland Square Drive and later charged with possession of another's credit/debit/identification card after police recovered the personal information of two people who denied knowing Fort, police said. GUN POSSESSION: Jeffrey K. Sims, 59, Pingree Grove, was arrested May 13 in the 9300 block of 159th Street and subsequently charged with aggravated unlawful use of a weapon after officers recovered a loaded 9 mm pistol and loaded magazine and determined he lacked a gun permit, police said. DUI: Officers investigating a May 26 report of a person asleep at the wheel in the 8800 block of 95th Street arrested Armando Cruz Jr., 26, Hickory Hills, on suspision of driving under the influence, possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of Nitrous oxide, police said. BURGLARIES: A May 28 video surveillance recording showed four males arriving in a stolen car at the time rocks were hurled through the front glass of two businesses in the 10100 block of Roberts Road, but investigators found nothing taken, police said. BURGLARY: Malik S. Neal, 30, 300 block of Wilshire Street, Park Forest, was arrested at 8 p.m. May 10 and accused of burglary and damaging property after entering the closed Park Forest Public Library, 400 Lakewood Boulevard, through a window he damaged, police said. GUN POSSESSION: Anthony G. Brown, 37, 500 block of Nathan Road, University Park, was arrested May 14 at the Western Avenue at the CN rail crossing, and accused of aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon after officers recovered a loaded 9 mm pistol and loaded magazine and determined his gun permit was suspended, police said. Brown was also accused of drunken driving, illegally transporting alcohol and illegal stopping/standing, police said. CHILD ABDUCTION: Brian E. Chavez, 22, 15600 block of Emerald Avenue, Harvey, was charged May 19 with child abduction and domestic battery after taking a toddler from the 3100 block of Chicago Road against the wishes of the mother, police said. GUN POSSESSION: Joshua K. Bielefeldt, 31, 3300 block of Wallace Avenue, Steger, was arrested May 26 after displaying a 9 mm subcompact pistol during an argument outside a gas station in the 3400 block of Union Avenue, police said. Bielefeldt is charged with being a felon possessing a gun and aggravated assault in a public place, according to Will County sheriff's and court records online. SUCCESSFUL SEARCH: A May 30 multi-agency, yard-to-yard search that included a police helicopter ended in a wooded area near Pawnee Park with the apprehension of a person suspected of driving a stolen Corvette, police said. The individual initially fled a traffic stop in Homewood, drove onto Interstate 80 to the Lincoln Oasis and then abandoned the vehicle before running, police said.
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3 days ago
- Health
These Flight Attendant Hacks and Off-menu Perks Could Make Your Next Long-haul Flight More Comfortable
Let's face it. Long-haul flights can be rough, especially if you're sitting in economy—but they don't have to be. In fact, there are ways to turn that next hours-long flight from a miserable experience (into dare we say it?) a pleasant one, and those strategies go beyond booking the right seat or bringing a neck pillow. And who knows more about flying than the professionals who spend their working lives in the sky? Their insights come from thousands of hours of observing the things that work for themselves and for passengers. We recently tapped a few flight attendants who work long-haul routes to learn their insider tips on maximizing comfort at 35,000 feet. The next time you fly a long-haul, try incorporating some of these flight attendant-approved strategies. You may just find that the time passes more quickly and comfortably. A passenger drinking tea after ordering hot water on a flight. Margot Cavin/Travel + Leisure Flight attendants can provide more than just the standard beverage service. According to Larry Holcombe, an American Airlines flight attendant, passengers can request first aid supplies like Band-Aids or over-the-counter pain relievers. Parents of infants can even ask crew members to warm up baby bottles by placing them in hot water. Holcombe says passengers can also request hot water. While hot water on its own doesn't sound too exciting, it can help make your trip more enjoyable if you've packed your own tea or an instant meal. Anne-Marie Miller, a flight attendant for Air New Zealand, points out that on long-haul flights, passengers can use the in-flight entertainment system to order snacks and drinks—but you can also do something else with them. "A lot of people don't realize you can also order items like dental kits and eye masks,' she says. 'We have these available on request for customers in economy." Miller also says that if you feel chilly in the cabin, don't hesitate to request an extra pillow or blanket. 'We usually have a few spares tucked away, and a little extra support can make a big difference to your comfort," she says. A passenger opening a water bottle. Margot Cavin/Travel + Leisure The cabin environment can be surprisingly dehydrating, and cabin humidity usually hovers around 20 percent. In comparison, average indoor humidity usually measures in at around 40 to 60 percent. To counter the effects of the dry atmosphere, it's important to plan accordingly. "Airplane cabins can be quite dry, so hydration is important," says Holcombe. "Some customers bring a refillable water bottle and ask the flight attendants for refills. We're happy to provide them with water during beverage service and at other times." Miller agrees, emphasizing that staying hydrated is one of the most critical factors of in-flight comfort. 'Cabin air is extremely dry, which can cause fatigue, dry skin, and headaches,' Miller says. 'Try drinking eight glasses before boarding, and keep sipping throughout the flight. It's a simple habit, but it can leave you feeling so much fresher when you land." For those looking to level up their hydration game, Holcombe mentions that experienced travelers often bring their methods of sprucing up hydration, from a tea to individually packed hydration supplement packets. Little touches like those can make the flight more enjoyable and staying hydrated less tedious. An empty airplane seat. Margot Cavin/Travel + Leisure Timing matters when it comes to in-flight requests. Holcombe suggests waiting until after takeoff to ask about switching seats—never make a request during boarding when the crew is trying to get everyone settled. Once the plane is in the air, though, flight attendants are generally happy to help you move within your ticketed cabin as long as it doesn't disrupt the flow of the flight. As for getting a drink refill or asking for help? You're good to go when the seatbelt sign is off, but just avoid doing so between door closure and takeoff. 'The only times we ask customers to hold off on the call button are during takeoff and landing or when the captain has asked us to be seated during turbulence,' says Miller. A passenger listening to noise canceling head phones. Margot Cavin/Travel + Leisure Flying-related anxiety is extremely common. 'If you're feeling anxious or unwell, don't hesitate to let the crew know—we're here to support you however we can," Miller says. For those who struggle with anxiety or fear of flying, Holcombe recommends deep breathing exercises and distraction techniques. "Nervous travelers might be interested in the Calm Channel, which features soothing music and relaxing soundscapes and is available through our Wi-Fi streaming," he says. Holcombe adds that ginger candies or over-the-counter medication like Dramamine can help with motion sickness, and that customers can ask crew members for cold, damp towels to put on the back of their neck. Passengers wearing noise cancelling head phones and eye mask. Margot Cavin/Travel + Leisure Flight attendants can often spot frequent travelers by what they bring, and Holcombe says experienced fliers usually use noise-canceling headphones to block out cabin noise and sleep masks to block out light. "Some bring a personal blanket and pillow or layer their clothing to adjust to varying cabin temperatures," he says. Miller says another way to tell if someone is a seasoned flyer is when they buckle their seatbelt over their blanket. 'We love this because it means we don't have to disturb you during turbulence checks," she says. For entertainment, Holcombe notes that experienced travelers, "regularly bring a book or download music and movies on a personal device for entertainment." While this might seem obvious, having your entertainment predownloaded (rather than trying to access it on spotty in-flight Wi-Fi) can make a big difference on a long journey. Holcombe recommends regularly wearing compression socks on long-hauls. "Standing, stretching, or walking a bit is also helpful," he says. These simple precautions can reduce the risk of discomfort and even more serious conditions like deep vein thrombosis on extended flights. A full row on a flight. Margot Cavin/Travel + Leisure Choosing the right seat can dramatically impact your flight experience. There's always a trade-off between aisle seats and window seats. Holcombe says some passengers prefer easy access to the aisle to stretch their legs and go to the bathroom, while others prefer window seats so they can rest their heads and enjoy the view. Another consideration that some passengers may not think of is luggage strategy. Holcombe explains that checking a bag can ease stress during boarding and deplaning, and customers won't have to worry about finding overhead bin space. Passengers with a travel pillow and noise cancelling headphones. Margot Cavin/Travel + Leisure What do flight attendants personally prioritize packing while traveling? Holcombe never travels without "a personal blanket, toiletries like toothpaste and a toothbrush, and at least one change of clothing in my carry-on bags." He also makes sure to pack charging cords and a portable charger. He's especially prepared for family travel. "When traveling with kids, I make sure we have extra snacks, quiet games, and kid-friendly movies on the iPad," he says. Miller, on the other hand, swears by a good neck pillow. 'It might feel awkward at first, but once you find one that properly supports your head, it's a game-changer for getting a solid rest onboard," she says. "I'm also never without a pair of earplugs or Bluetooth headphones for blocking out the cabin noise—and I love tuning into our inflight meditation playlists for some relaxation." View of a flight attendant call button. Margot Cavin/Travel + Leisure When it comes to common in-flight misunderstandings, Holcombe explains that while seat changes can be made, there are cabin limitations, and passengers can't move from the main cabin to first class even if there is an open seat. He adds that flight attendants are not responsible for seat assignments. He also cautions against a few common misconceptions about using the call button. "It's not necessary to use the call button for small things like trash pickup because we will pick up trash during our cabin walk-throughs throughout the flight," Holcombe says. "Passengers can politely get our attention and ask for assistance as we walk the aisles. We won't bite." Meanwhile, Miller wants to dispel the notion that flight attendants dislike the call button. 'One myth I've heard is that we don't like answering the call button outside of scheduled service,' she says. 'That's not the case at all! If you'd like a drink, a snack, or need help fixing a screen or adjusting your seat, that's what we're here for—so please go ahead and press the button." However, as Holcombe points out, there are also practical limits to what flight attendants can do. "Flight attendants cannot retrieve your checked luggage to get your prescription medications and car keys out," he says. "Those are things customers should always put in their carry-on bags."
IOL News
09-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
How my mother and grandmother taught me to manage money wisely
Discover the invaluable money management lessons passed down through generations of women in my family, from frugal living to smart saving strategies, and learn how these teachings can empower the next generation. This Mother's Day, I'm reminded that the early money lessons I've learnt didn't come from textbooks or formal training – they came from the women in my family. They didn't have flashy financial tools or expert advice, but they knew how to stretch a rand until it squeaked. Their approach was simple: Save smart, live frugally, and make the most of what you already have. Watching my mom in action made it real – her quiet everyday choices shaped a kind of financial wisdom that was practical, powerful, and worth passing on. My grandmother was the queen of preserving. Canning wasn't just a hobby – it was a way to make sure nothing ever went to waste. She'd bottle anything she could get her hands on. She taught me that having something set aside (especially something homemade) was a form of security. A quiet kind of wealth. My mother's savings superpower was her sewing machine. Growing up, most of my clothes were homemade. Shop-bought outfits were rare, but I never felt I was missing out. If anything, it gave me a chance to stand out with one-of-a-kind pieces stitched with love. Beyond that, she was a budgeting wizard. She used the envelope system religiously – dividing the weekly cash into labelled envelopes for 'fruit & veg', 'milk & bread', 'church', 'parking' as well as for the occasional tuck shop treat. She bought in bulk when it made sense, reused and repurposed literally everything, and had a way of turning leftovers into new meals like magic. Nothing ever went to waste in our home. Not food, not fabric, and not time. Financial advice doesn't always come wrapped in spreadsheets or seminars. Sometimes, it comes in the form of bottled peaches, hand-sewn dresses, or the quiet pen-and-paper budgeting at the kitchen table. I am most grateful for these lessons. They have shaped us as a new generation of women, teaching us the value of smart, mindful saving. Now that I manage my own home and raise a daughter of my own, I realise just how much I have absorbed during those years. The biggest money lesson I hope to pass on, in turn, is what I've learnt from our actuaries: Your money can work harder than you do. You don't have to hustle every hour or reinvent the chicken broth to save. With time on your side and a bit of discipline, your money can grow quietly in the background, doing the heavy lifting for you. But start early, the more time your money has, the less effort you'll need later. Here is a great example. If you start saving R1,000 per month when you are 23, increasing the savings amount by 10% per year and assuming growth of 10% per year, you can save a healthy R135,000 by the time you turn 30. This can be a 10% deposit on a R1,35 million home. In the end, your house will cost you R333,000 less, and the fees will cost you, say, R17,200. That's a lot of money you're scoring. The best example of the influence of time is retirement savings. The earlier you start, the more time your money has to work for you. The longer you wait, the more you will have to put away to achieve the same growth. The sums show what happens if you start saving R1,000 per month at the ages below, up to the age of 65. (Assume growth of 11% per year, and inflation of 6% to calculate the real value.) The 'real value' column is a big word to tell what your retirement value would be worth today. This is to indicate that almost R4 million sounds like a lot of money, but 40 years from now, it will not buy you a lot. Starting to save at age Retirement value Real value now 25 R3 880 000 R377 000 35 R1 566 000 R152 000 45 R572 000 R55 000 55 R169 000 R16 000 My story to my daughter is not as romantic as what I've learnt from my mother and grandmother, but I believe it also shows that the best gift from mother to daughter is a shared story on how to make every cent count. In turn, I hope that over time my daughter will show the quiet strength that comes from managing our money with intention. It is something she would have learnt not only from me, but also from my formidable mother and grandmother. To me, that would be the greatest Mother's Day gift of all. * Havenga is the head of business transformation at Momentum Savings. PERSONAL FINANCE
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Missouri bill by St. Louis senator pushes tax credits for downtown revival
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A St. Louis Democratic state senator is pleased that one of his bills passed from the Senate to the House with bipartisan support. The measure relates to revitalizing rundown, dilapidated buildings on main streets across the state. Sen. Steven Roberts' Senate Bill 35 creates the 'Revitalizing Missouri Downtowns and Main Streets Act.' The bill authorizes tax credits to be used for the renovation and rehab of blighted property. The measure, which has already been fast-tracked to a Missouri House committee hearing, would allow such tax credits up to $50 million a year. In an interview with Nexstar Missouri, Roberts pointed to two building in downtown St. Louis as prime candidates for this kind of tax credit. He said both the historic Railway Exchange Building as well as the skyscraper that used to house AT&T are sitting vacant. Roberts said both of the buildings have great potential, including a plan to renovate the AT&T building into a mixed-use property with residential units as well as ground retail and business space. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 'You could see like retail stores and a grocery store,' Roberts said of proposals he has seen for the 44-story building. Roberts said the vacant skyscraper, which is the largest building by area in Missouri, soars over the heart of downtown St. Louis's 'main street,' and it would qualify for the credits. He said there are already plans proposed to make that building occupied once again. 'We need support from the state to be able to get this moving,' Roberts said. 'So, I'm really excited about (the bill moving forward).' While the bill saw bipartisan support, several Republican senators still voted against it. Still, Roberts' optimism seemed unphased. 'For me to have a bipartisan piece of legislation like that and to get it moving so quickly, I'm very excited,' said Roberts. The Democrat, an attorney with the military's Judge Advocate General, said his conversations with leadership and even Gov. Mike Kehoe offered glimpses of hope that his bill could finally make it to the finish line and onto Kehoe's desk. 'I think this is the first governor we've had from the Saint Louis area,' Roberts said. 'He's been fantastic to work with.' 'We don't agree on everything, as you can imagine, but he's a statesman,' he said. 'I respect him and look forward to working with him.' Former Missouri Governor Jay Nixon was from Jefferson County, Eric Greitens graduated from the Parkway School District but moved around the state and country and Mike Parson hailed from Boliver. Before that, a search of previous governors yielded no results in terms of St. Louis being their hometown. Gov. Matt Blunt is from Springfield, Gov. Bob Holden is from the Kansas City area and the late Gov. Mel Carnahan is beloved in his hometown of Rolla. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
CAPITOL ROUNDUP: Sen. Flynn applauds Gov. Shapiro's lawsuit to unfreeze $1.2B in federal funding
Feb. 16—WILKES-BARRE — Gov. Josh Shapiro this week announced a lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump's unconstitutional freeze on $1.2 billion in federal funds appropriated by Congress to Pennsylvania, along with an additional $900 million requiring an undefined review by federal agencies. Sen. Marty Flynn, D-Scranton, said the Governor's lawsuit aims to restore critical funding for Pennsylvania agencies that provide essential services, such as LIHEAP assistance, energy and clean water infrastructure, and plugging orphan wells — programs that directly benefit the people of the commonwealth. In strong support of this legal action, Sen. Flynn released the following statement: "I fully support Gov. Shapiro's decision to take this matter to court and challenge the unconstitutional freeze on federal funds that rightfully belong to Pennsylvania. The people of our commonwealth rely on these essential services to keep their homes warm, their water clean, and their communities thriving. This blatant overreach by the federal administration is not only unlawful but also a direct threat to the well-being of Pennsylvania families. "My constituents are deeply concerned about the sudden uncertainty surrounding critical programs that support working families, seniors, and vulnerable individuals. We cannot allow partisan politics in Washington to jeopardize the fundamental needs of our residents. "I commend Gov. Shapiro for standing up to this injustice and for fighting to ensure that Pennsylvania receives the federal resources it was promised. His leadership is exactly what we need during this time of federal instability. I will continue working alongside my colleagues to support his efforts and advocate for the people of Pennsylvania." Rep. Meuser votes to support the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, this week voted in favor of H.R. 35 — the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act — a bill designed to strengthen community safety by criminalizing the act of evading U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) agents, particularly during dangerous high-speed pursuits. Rep. Meuser said that in recent years, human smugglers and cartels have increasingly recruited drivers to transport illegal migrants into American communities. These drivers frequently flee from law enforcement, leading to deadly crashes that put officers and innocent civilians at risk. Tragically, USBP Agent Raul Humberto Gonzalez, Jr. lost his life in an ATV crash while pursuing a group of migrants at the border. His sacrifice is recognized through the naming of this legislation. Rep. Meuser said H.R. 35 establishes federal criminal penalties for individuals who intentionally evade Border Patrol or other law enforcement, with harsher consequences when such actions result in serious injury or death. He said the bill also bars individuals who evade Border Patrol from entering or remaining in the U.S., making them ineligible for immigration benefits, including asylum. "The American people will no longer tolerate lawlessness or policies that put criminals ahead of citizens," said Rep. Meuser. "The Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act gives law enforcement authorities the necessary tools to fully penalize criminals who intentionally evade Border Patrol agents. This legislation sends a clear message to cartels and traffickers: if you endanger American lives, we will hold you accountable to the fullest extent of the law. I strongly encourage my colleagues in the Senate to pass H.R. 35, which protects the lives of law enforcement, innocent bystanders, and the illegal immigrants themselves." H.R. 35 passed the House with bipartisan support, 264-155, and now moves to the Senate for further consideration. AG Sunday urges U.S. Senate to pass HALT Fentanyl Act Attorney General Dave Sunday this week joined a multi-state coalition in a letter to the U.S. Senate asking for passage of the HALT Fentanyl Act, which will close a "copycat fentanyl" loophole and allow for more aggressive prosecution of traffickers. "Copycat fentanyl," or fentanyl-related substances, are lab-created variations of fentanyl that were not previously subjected to the same scheduling as fentanyl, under the federal Controlled Substance Act. That allowed for traffickers to avoid harsher penalties when prosecuted. During a one-year period between 2023 and 2024, the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General seized nearly 3 million individual doses of fentanyl and an additional 50,000 fentanyl pills. The seized drugs included fentanyl-related substances. The HALT Fentanyl Act would result in the permanent Class I scheduling of fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances. "The deadliest, most dangerous drugs should be scheduled as such. Synthetic opioid manufacturers and traffickers have exploited loopholes in scheduling classifications which contributed to widespread distribution of variations of fentanyl," AG Sunday said. "Those variations have the same disastrous effects as fentanyl, and this office remains committed to doing everything in our power to deter trafficking in Pennsylvania communities. "Each and every life lost leaves a family and community devastated, so it is imperative we act with urgency to combat this scourge." Since 2018, fentanyl has killed nearly as many Americans as World War II. The problem has only been made worse by Mexican drug cartels smuggling deadly Chinese-made copycat fentanyl across the southern border. Between October 2021 and June 2022 alone, U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized enough fentanyl to kill the entire American population five times over. Fentanyl-related substances are often more harmful than prescription fentanyl. Congress temporarily classified fentanyl and fentanyl analogues as Schedule I drugs, but that status is set to expire March 31. The HALT Fentanyl Act will permanently fix the problem. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the HALT Fentanyl Act law with an overwhelming bipartisan majority — AG Sunday and the multi-state coalition are now calling on the Senate to do the same. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
