Latest news with #Cunningham
Chicago Tribune
12 hours ago
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
City unveils $292M budget with flat tax levy; ‘It is all about rebuilding Waukegan'
It took Waukegan Mayor Sam Cunningham less than a month after taking office to make critical elements of his plan for the city part of the 2026 fiscal year budget, with significant money for capital improvements for the next three years and necessary personnel to make plans flow smoothly. Proposing a record budget of more than $292.2 million for the fiscal year ending April 30, against just over $262.9 million in revenue, Interim Finance Director Don Schultz said the city will use slightly less than $29.3 million of the city's reserves — 16.2% of non-pension reserves. Schultz described the budget as one that will include $76.3 million for capital improvements, nearly $124 million for workers' salaries and benefits, $1 million to start planning improvements to the Washington Street corridor and $10.6 million to continue lead service line replacements. 'This is the largest capital improvement project we've ever had,' Schultz said during a public hearing on the budget before the City Council's Finance Committee Wednesday. 'This is for three years of projects.' 'My capital improvement plan is part of our five-year plan,' Cunningham added. 'It is all about rebuilding Waukegan.' The City Council is scheduled to vote on the budget for the 2026 fiscal year at 7 p.m. Monday at City Hall to officially enact the spending plan for the city through April 30. Of the city's 529 employees, 445 — 84.1% — are with the police, fire or public works departments, which includes the water plant. The total planned expense for personnel is $124 million. Other than personnel and $76 million for capital improvements, other major expenses include another $49 million for contracted services, $22.8 million for police and fire pension contributions and $22.8 million for workers' compensation and liability insurance. With total revenue of slightly more than $262.9 million in revenue, $120.8 million will come from taxes, of which around $37 million is property taxes. The City Council kept the real estate tax levy flat again this year. Among new positions created in the budget are an environmental specialist and several special projects analysts. Cunningham said the environmental specialist is needed based on Waukegan's history of environmental issues, from five Superfund sites to coal ash and ethylene oxide. 'In the last 30 years, Waukegan has had its share of environmental issues,' he said. 'We need someone who is aware of our environmental issues and understands the regulatory process. They will guide us in relation to the environmental issues of our community.' With a variety of issues facing the city, which have a number of parts, Cunningham said the special project analysts' role will be to responsibly manage them to eliminate any potential confusion. 'For the casino, they will be the one person working with the developer,' he said. 'The same thing with the College of Lake County (Urban Farm) project. The same thing with Chick-fil-A,' he added, referring to a new restaurant in the Fountain Square area where manufacturers and the restaurant are at odds. With significant attention on infrastructure in the next few years, Schultz said two of the special project analysts will be assigned to the public works department. Three more will work out of the mayor's office, and one in the water department. A few days before he took office, Cunningham said infrastructure is a high priority, particularly the Washington Street corridor. Now it is part of the budget, with enough allocated to cover three years of projects. 'We're been talking about it for a long time, and it's time to get it done,' Cunningham said at that time. 'We'll do curbs, gutters and sidewalks. We will repave the surface.'
Eater
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Eater
TikTok's Most Popular New Cinnamon Rolls Are Drawing Massive Lines in Pasadena
Since Badash Bakes opened its doors on April 29, sweets enthusiasts have found a consistent line out the door on Colorado Boulevard, just east of Marengo Avenue. One social media influencer reported over an hour-and-a-half wait for Cunningham's traditional and beautiful ceremonial grade-matcha cinnamon rolls, coffee, matcha lattes, red velvet cake, banana bread loaf, blueberry muffins, brownies, and banana pudding. Cunningham also offers 10 different cookie varieties, such as s'mores, toffee chocolate chip, matcha, and a slightly salty and sweet cornbread. Staff frequently bring out freshly baked goods to the display case, but most still sell out. 'We sell out of cinnamon rolls every day,' says founder and pastry chef Ashley Cunningham. 'We sell out of cookies most days. Last week, someone came in and said, 'Whatever you have, I'll just take the rest.'' And in mid-May, an unofficial passing of Los Angeles's Black-owned bakery torch was underway at Badash Bakes. Sweet Red Peach's legendary owner, Karolyn Plummer, visited Southern California's hottest bakery and introduced herself to Cunningham. Plummer opened her Pasadena outlet for Sweet Red Peach in late March, but doesn't see Badash Bakes as competition. 'She is so genuine with a sweet spirit, and a passion for baking,' says Plummer. 'It's inspiring for anyone to follow their dreams, especially at such a young age (Cunningham is 29). Ashley reminds me of when I started baking at [that age].' (Plummer has just turned 55.) Cunningham, who grew up in Lakeview Terrace near Sylmar, started competing in culinary competitions during high school and won a scholarship to the Art Institute of North Hollywood, earning a degree in Culinary Arts. After that, she worked at Katsuya in Glendale before transitioning into work as a private chef for three years. In her work with clients like filmmaker Jordan Peele and NBA player Karl-Anthony Towns, she started making waves on social media for her cooking. Drawn to the quieter element of being a pastry chef, Cunningham started baking from an industrial kitchen in November 2023 until late 2024. Her followers started buying them immediately. 'I amassed a large following on TikTok,' says Cunningham about her nearly 600,000 followers. 'People love to see what famous people are eating. They followed me through the transition to baking and shipping cookies all over the country.' Cunningham ceased cookie shipping operations after signing a lease directly across the street from the Paseo retail mall and working with Nicole Rangel to design the bakery. From day one, Badash Bakes has remained busy — it will host a grand opening on Saturday, May 31. Badash joins a rush of Southern California Black-owned bakeries that opened in recent years, including Fleurs et Sel in West Adams, View Park-Windsor Hills' Creme Brulee LA, Culver City's Lei'd Cookies and Des Croissants, and the forthcoming brick-and-mortar location for All About the Cinnamon in Sherman Oaks. Cunningham is overwhelmed and asks for patience from those waiting for sweets, but is also grateful for the support. 'I'm so proud of everyone. Sweet Red Peach's owner came in yesterday, and they were so supportive and kind. We need these spaces with faces that look like us, and owners who look like us. It's such a positive thing,' says Cunningham. Sign up for our newsletter.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Man wrongly accused of being Liverpool car driver speaks out
A man who was falsely accused of being driver who ploughed into crowds following Liverpool FC's title parade on Monday has spoken of his shock at being linked to the incident. Seven people remain in hospital in a stable condition after the collision on Water Street, Liverpool, on bank holiday Monday and 79 people in total were injured in the incident. Police quickly arrested a 53-year-old white British man from West Derby, Liverpool, who is currently being questioned on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving and drug driving. Merseyside Police released no other details about the suspect but another man – father-of-three Peter Cunningham – saw his photo shared online and was wrongly named as the man who was arrested. The 54-year-old was inundated with calls and texts from concerned family and friends but he told the Liverpool Echo that he was neither at the parade nor in the city centre on Monday. Cunningham, from Huyton, Liverpool told the Echo it left him feeling 'stressed out,' adding: 'I don't need it all.' He said: 'It's a bad thing that has happened... 'It's nothing to do with me, I'm in work right now and the man they arrested is in custody.' He also criticised YouTubers for sharing misinformation. Cunningham said he had contacted the original poster of his misidentified image and managed to get it removed. Merseyside Police took the unusual step of releasing some details about the suspect in the immediate aftermath of the collision. Typically, this does not happen as details could identify someone, which could possibly prejudice any future trial or breach the privacy of that individual. On this occasion, the force gave noticeably more details about the suspect's age and his description – in this case a 'white British male'. This came following criticism levelled at Merseyside Police for their lack of information in the aftermath of the Southport knife attacks last year. One of Merseyside Police's former inspectors, Peter Williams, a senior lecturer in policing at Liverpool John Moores University, said the force had adopted a "complete step change" in how it shares information as a result. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Tuesday: 'It has been a shift, because, particularly in relation to the aftermath of Southport... there was a lot of criticism focused at Merseyside Police and of course the CPS [Crown Prosecution Service], in relation to how the management of information was sort of dealt with.' Williams said that the force may have been mindful of how information was handled by Lancashire Constabulary in the disappearance of Nicola Bulley in January 2023, which led to a College of Policing inquiry. Former Metropolitan Police chief superintendent Dal Babu told BBC Radio 5 Live that the decision to release so much information about the suspect was 'unprecedented' but was probably done to avoid rioting that was seen in the immediate aftermath of the Southport attacks. Babu added: 'It's remarkably striking because police will not release that kind of information because they'll be worried about prejudicing any future trial, but I think they have to balance that against the potential of public disorder.' Click below to see the latest North West headlines
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- General
- The Irish Sun
Irish punter nabs life-changing €250k in latest Lotto draw as bosses reveal winning ticket location
A LOTTO punter is celebrating after bagging a life-changing prize in Wednesday night's Lotto Plus 2 draw. The lucky winner has scooped a whopping €250,000 prize. 2 Over 65,000 players won prizes in the Lotto and Lotto Plus draws The The winning numbers for the Those lucky numbers for the main Lotto draw were 6, 8, 11, 21, 40, 41 and the bonus was 17. There was no winner of the Lotto jackpot worth €5,386,328. Read more in Money Over 65,000 players won prizes in the Lotto and Lotto Plus draws. There was also no winner of the Lotto Plus 1 top prize worth of €1,000.000. The lucky numbers for the The winning raffle number is 9691. Most read in Money There were also 58 winners of the raffle prize each receiving €500 each. The winner has been urged to check their clips carefully, sign them immediately and keep them safe if it's the winning ticket. Homeless man scores 'life-changing' $1m lottery jackpot - but winner facing 'very thorough vetting process' They have been urged to make contact with the prize claims team on 1800 666 222 or email claims@ And arrangements will be made for them to claim their top prize in Meanwhile, a lucky winner has told how it "still doesn't feel real" after collecting a The player bought his ticket at Moloney's Daybreak in Carrigkerry, Athea, Co ANOTHER BIG WIN He said: 'I was just grabbing a few bits for the family when I asked the shop assistant if I was too late for a EuroMillions ticket. "She told me I was just in the nick of time, and that ticket turned out to be the big one!' His partner shared a laugh in the winners' room, saying: 'It's funny because all weekend he kept joking, asking if I thought he might have the winning ticket. "We heard it was won in Limerick, but he kept putting off checking it!' FAMILY HOME DREAM Now €255,000 richer, the couple are fast-tracking their dream of building a new family home. They said: 'It's been a long journey, but this win means we can finally move things along. "We're over the moon, and it still doesn't feel real!' This series of special EuroMillions Ireland Only Raffles guarantees players a top-up in the prize fund for all nine draws, every Tuesday and Friday, over the month of May. Typically, every draw produces ten winners of the €5,000 Ireland Only Raffle prize . But this month, in addition to the normal Raffle prize, one winner in each draw this month will win a dazzling €250,000 on top of the usual €5,000 Raffle prize. TOP LOTTO WINS 28-Jun-08 Dan Morrissey Syndicate from Carlow claim Ireland's biggest ever win of 18,963,441. 14-Apr-10 Waterford couple purchase their winning ticket at Easons store in Dungarvan Co. Waterford worth 16,717,717. 23-Oct-10 Dublin man wins massive jackpot with ticket bought at Donnybrook Fair in Dublin 4 worth 16,390,239 28-Jul-07 The Cunningham family from Cork City become Lotto multi-millionaires after buying their ticket at their local Centra store in Farranree, Co. Cork. They won 16,185,749 26-Apr-08 Family from Co. Dublin share the mega jackpot with a lucky ticket from Rowlagh Newsagent in Clondalkin, Dublin 22 worth 15,658,143. 12-Mar-08 Kildare couple buy their life-changing ticket in Tesco, Newbridge Co. Kildare worth 14,543,033. 18-Apr-09 Dublin couple purchase their winning ticket at the Spar store in Glenageary, Co Dublin worth 14,530,193. 26-Mar-11 Two separate players in Cavan and Cork each share the jackpot of 14,037,236. 23-Jan-16 Winning ticket purchased at Carey's store in Belmullet, Co Mayo worth 13,793,435. 22-Dec-07 Winning ticket sold at News & Choose store in in Loughrea, Co Galway worth 13,295,379. 27-May-09 Dalkey Post Office, Co. Dublin sells the lucky winning ticket worth 13,150,324. 01-Sept-21 It could be you!€13 Million (EST) 2 The lucky winner has scooped a whopping €250,000 prize Credit: Getty
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Detroit Lions Podcast: Previewing OTAs and breaking down the Zach Cunningham signing
Detroit Lions Podcast: Previewing OTAs and breaking down the Zach Cunningham signing The Lions are holding voluntary offseason workouts, better known as OTAs, and the Detroit Lions Podcast will be on-site for the session open to the media. It's our first look at the 2025 Lions with both veterans and rookies on the field at the team's training facility in Allen Park. Among the focuses for the coming week of OTAs: How do the RB reps shake out? Ennis Rakestraw's role going forward Can Trevor Nowaske take a step forward at SAM? Avonte Maddox and the crowded battle for the reserve safety roles The Lions also made some news by signing veteran LB Zach Cunningham. What was the motivation for that move, and what does Cunningham bring to Detroit? As someone who covered Cunningham in his Texans prime, it's a very intriguing development. Note that the show was recorded before the Lions made the transaction official. As always, an audio-only version of the DLP is available from your favorite podcast provider.
