Latest news with #Airheads
Chicago Tribune
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Donning hats and coats, scores of kids searched for Easter eggs during annual springtime hunt in Park Ridge
Despite April showers over Easter weekend, the weather didn't stop families from showing up Saturday to the annual 'South Park Easter Egg Hunt' in Park Ridge. Hosted by the South Park Merchants Association, the free event held at the city park of the same name was open to both residents and visitors — and it drew a crowd. Organizers estimate that hundreds participants, including children who raced across the park collecting brightly colored plastic eggs filled with candy and stickers. Parents took photos, caught up with one another and helped some of the little ones greet the Easter bunny. 'The South Park Merchants have been hosting this Easter egg hunt for decades. It's a community thing that we do every year. It has a big turnout, it's a lot of fun and we enjoy doing it for the community,' said Ann Witek, a member of the South Park Merchants Association and a sponsor of the egg hunt. The hunt was organized into four time slots by age group: Children age 0 to 3 kicked things off, followed by the 6- to 8-year-olds then the 9- and 10-year-olds. Close to 6,000 hand-stuffed Easter eggs were placed throughout the park, ensuring every child had a chance to go home with a basket full of treats, according to organizers. 'Watching the joy in their faces makes your day. And the little ones running … it's just a lot of fun,' said Witek. 'I want people to feel that they have somewhere to come … and enjoy other people's company instead of sitting in front of a screen somewhere all day. Just remembering that we are a town, we are people, we are social and it's good to be together.' Fourth-year attendees Elizabeth Rogowski and her daughters, Stella, 9, Natalia, 6, and Gabby, 11, have made the hunt a family tradition. 'The kids enjoy the candy and hunting for the eggs,' said Rogowski. 'It's fun just gathering with all of the locals here, getting together, catching up and watching the kids get the eggs.' Stella Rogowski, who started the hunt with a strategy, was focused on scoring as much candy as possible. 'They all put clumps of eggs together, so I always run over there and get them,' she said. South Park resident and local business owner Kristina-Monique Cortez also attended, helping set up the event with her children, Luka, 10, and Mila, 8, before participating in the festivities. 'The first time we heard about it was last year. And this year, since we live in the South Park area, we wanted to just be a part of it, a part of the community,' said Cortez. 'Also, being a business owner in the area, it's just something that we like to do to bring more community efforts out here.' Luka and Mila each collected a full bag of Easter eggs, excited to find their favorite candies — Starburst and Airheads — inside. When asked about their favorite part of the morning, they didn't hesitate. 'I liked getting the eggs, putting down the eggs and seeing the bunny,' said Luka. 'Being with my family, friends and seeing the Easter bunny,' said Mila. Before settling in Park Ridge and starting her business, Symmetrical Artistry, Cortez lived in San Diego. She mentioned how much she values the tight knit feel of her new community. 'I love seeing the community come together. I grew up in a neighborhood that didn't have that in San Diego. So, being in a community where they get together, they talk about other businesses, they talk about how the kids can do things together and how to grow the community now that it's getting warmer outside … I love it,' she said.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Alabama House committee approves hemp product regulations despite opposition
Rep. Andy Whitt, R-Harvest, walks on the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives on Feb. 13, 2024. An Alabama House committee Tuesday approved a bill sponsored by Whitt to regulate hemp products. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) An Alabama House committee Tuesday approved a bill that would impose new regulations on consumable hemp products amid concerns over youth access and a lack of oversight of the products. HB 445, sponsored by Rep. Andy Whitt, R-Harvest, would give the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board authority to license and regulate the manufacturing, distribution and retail sale of hemp-derived consumables and banning their sale to anyone under 21. Whitt said that there were 'recent developments' that made the bill more urgent and read a press release from Herbal Oasis, a company that produces hemp-derived products that planned to expand to Alabama, saying 'their product will be in convenience stores, grocery stores and other locations throughout Alabama and Florida Panhandle, starting in late March.' 'This is exactly what we discussed last week that we were trying to do, was stop this product being served in such a manner,' Whitt said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX In a public hearing Wednesday, opponents of the bill said that there was a lack of data for what Carmelo Parasiliti, founder and CEO of Green Acres Organic Pharms in Florence, referred to as a lawmakers' 'hysteria,' and that data from the Alabama Poison Information Center suggests it is currently affecting less than .1% of children in Alabama. Opponents also suggested a study commission to develop 'evidence-based policy' on cannabis regulation. Under the proposed law, consumable hemp products could only be sold in regulated, 21-and-over retail environments — either standalone hemp product stores or existing off-premise liquor stores approved by local authorities. The bill sets a five-milligram THC limit per serving and prohibits marketing or packaging that appeals to minors. It also bans vending machines and self-serve displays for such products. 'We do have some bad activities that are our problems,' Whitt said, referencing children's snacks being used to market these products, but he did not reference evidence supporting the claim. 'You'll not see the Doritos, the Airheads and things like that that are strictly marketed for our kids.' The bill also creates civil and criminal penalties, such as fines starting at $1,000 for exceeding allowed THC percentages or a Class C misdemeanor, with punishments of up to 30 days in jail and up to a $500 fine, for failing to keep records like invoices for inspection, an excise tax, and a dedicated compliance fund. It would repeal an existing law that currently allows the sale of psychoactive cannabinoids to adults. Rep. Jeremy Gray, D-Opelika, said he did not oppose the bill but wanted to study the matter further. 'What I would encourage is that we look at… an economic impact study and maybe a task force… so that way we actually know the facts.' The bill passed by voice vote and now moves to the full House for consideration. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
