Latest news with #Oswego
CTV News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Visa delay turns London, Ont. singer-songwriter's big break in the U.S. to heartbreak
A local singer-songwriter had to cancel her New York state performance due to delays obtaining a visa. With more, here's CTV London's Daryl Newcombe. Rather than opening for a multi-platinum band in upstate New York, a local singer-songwriter stayed in London because of recent delays processing visas to perform in the United States. 'Today was the day, and we are going to miss out,' country singer and songwriter Amanda Keeles told CTV News. On Friday, Keeles was scheduled to perform with her band immediately before headliner Parmalee takes the stage at HarborFest 2025 in Oswego, New York. 'This was our first step into the U.S.,' she explained. 'We could have had an incredible band like Parmalee on our resume, that we opened for them at a music festival in the United States.' However, the P-2 Visa application for Keeles and her band to perform in the U.S. is stuck in a processing backlog. 'We sent the applications in plenty of time,' she explained. 'The fee was processed, [but] we kept getting notifications that there were delays.' Amanda Keeles London-based country singer-songwriter Amanda Keeles. (Source: Submitted) Musical artists across Canada have recently experienced much longer delays getting the required visa from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). A three-to-six-month processing period for Canadian artists has recently jumped to a year. 'Wait times have increased in both service centers in the U.S. now,' said Liana White, executive director – Canadian Office of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada. 'The Vermont Service Center that we deal with, they just increased their processing times last month. So, it was quite a blindside for us.' Keeles was recently told she could try expediting her visa application for $2,800 dollars U.S.—but there was no guarantee. Instead, she had to cancel her first opportunity to perform songs to an American audience. 'This is the world we're living in, unfortunately,' she said. 'Artists are getting caught up in this red tape of politics and delays.' White says a lobbying effort is underway to convince U.S. officials to address the backlog facing Canadian artists. 'The message that is being delivered back to us is that we need examples and data from the U.S. venues, which are impacted by these last minute cancellations,' she said. Keeles added, 'It is so unfortunate because musicians just love to play their music. And this is what is happening.' Undeterred by the setback, Keeles is choosing to cowgirl up— focusing on her current tour including stops in Collingwood, Thunder Bay, and Canada's east coast.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Visa delays turn London, Ont. singer-songwriter's big break in the U.S. to heartbreak
A local singer-songwriter had to cancel her New York state performance due to delays obtaining a visa. With more, here's CTV London's Daryl Newcombe. A local singer-songwriter had to cancel her New York state performance due to delays obtaining a visa. With more, here's CTV London's Daryl Newcombe. Rather than opening for a multi-platinum band in upstate New York, a local singer-songwriter stayed in London because of recent delays processing visas to perform in the United States. 'Today was the day, and we are going to miss out,' country singer and songwriter Amanda Keeles told CTV News. On Friday, Keeles was scheduled to perform with her band immediately before headliner Parmalee takes the stage at HarborFest 2025 in Oswego, New York. 'This was our first step into the U.S.,' she explained. 'We could have had an incredible band like Parmalee on our resume, that we opened for them at a music festival in the United States.' However, the P-2 Visa application for Keeles and her band to perform in the U.S. is stuck in a processing backlog. 'We sent the applications in plenty of time,' she explained. 'The fee was processed, [but] we kept getting notifications that there were delays.' Amanda Keeles London-based country singer-songwriter Amanda Keeles. (Source: Submitted) Musical artists across Canada have recently experienced much longer delays getting the required visa from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). A three-to-six-month processing period for Canadian artists has recently jumped to a year. 'Wait times have increased in both service centers in the U.S. now,' said Liana White, executive director – Canadian Office of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada. 'The Vermont Service Center that we deal with, they just increased their processing times last month. So, it was quite a blindside for us.' Keeles was recently told she could try expediting her visa application for $2,800 dollars U.S.—but there was no guarantee. Instead, she had to cancel her first opportunity to perform songs to an American audience. 'This is the world we're living in, unfortunately,' she said. 'Artists are getting caught up in this red tape of politics and delays.' White says a lobbying effort is underway to convince U.S. officials to address the backlog facing Canadian artists. 'The message that is being delivered back to us is that we need examples and data from the U.S. venues, which are impacted by these last minute cancellations,' she said. Keeles added, 'It is so unfortunate because musicians just love to play their music. And this is what is happening.' Undeterred by the setback, Keeles is choosing to cowgirl up— focusing on her current tour including stops in Collingwood, Thunder Bay, and Canada's east coast.
Daily Mail
16-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Illinois woman with flying saucer tattooed on her forehead commits unhinged crime
An Illinois woman with a flying saucer tattooed on her forehead was sentenced to 30 years behind bars for murdering her girlfriend. Alexia Telles, 28, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder last week in connection to the tragic death of Annissa Ellen-Williams, 25, the Kendall County State's Attorney's Office announced Monday. Telles, who has several other face tattoos, was charged in connection with the February 2023 slaying after Ellen-Williams died of a traumatic head injury at a home in Oswego - about an hour outside of Chicago. Life-saving attempts were made on Ellen-Williams, but she died at the scene, according to prosecutors. After her death, authorities discovered the couple, who appeared to be in a long-term relationship, had gotten into some sort of disagreement while Ellen-Williams was driving just before they arrived at the home. Forensic and digital evidence, along with statements made to police, soon revealed Telles 'intentionally killed' her partner and made it look like Ellen-Williams had committed suicide, investigators concluded. Investigators did not specify what sparked the argument and how the killing was carried out. 'These cases can be difficult to prosecute because only two people know exactly what occurred that fateful night,' Kendall County State's Attorney Eric Weis said. 'However, the investigative work done by law enforcement and the Coroner's Office led to the successful prosecution of Telles for the murder of Ms. Ellen-Williams.' Telles, who has remained in custody since her arrest, was ordered to serve her entire 30-year prison sentence, followed by three years of supervised release, prosecutors said. 'This sentence ensures that justice is served, and the victim's family does not have to endure the pain of a trial,' Weis stated. 'Telles has accepted responsibility for the heartless act she committed against someone she professed to care so much for.' Daily Mail contacted Weis and Telles' attorneys, Josh Adams and Alana De Leon, for comment. The couple appeared to be in a relationship for years, as their first ever post on Telles' Facebook was from 2016. In a post from 2019, Telles wrote: 'Love you fo [sic] ever,' alongside an image of her and Ellen-Williams. This story comes months after a 22-year-old woman was found naked and discarded in the grass after getting into a domestic dispute with her abusive boyfriend. Nahomi Citttadini, of Miami Beach, Florida was found abandoned on the side of the highway in early December. Lorent Pion, a 29-year-old convicted felon, was charged with his girlfriend's murder murder, despite initially telling officers that she had been struck by another car during an argument, CBS News reported. Disturbing video footage from August captured Pion violently beating Cittadini along a street in Miami Beach, relentlessly chasing after her before grabbing her hair and aggressively throwing her to the ground.
Chicago Tribune
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Oswego's Kamrin Jenkins soaks up playing on Chicago White Sox's field in Double Duty Classic. ‘Such an experience.'
When Oswego's Kamrin Jenkins walked onto Rate Field, visions he's had in his head came to life. Invited by the Chicago White Sox to participate on July 2 in the Double Duty Classic, in honor of the legendary Ted 'Double Duty' Radcliffe, Jenkins played for the East All-Star team. As he emerged from the dugout in his Negro League-inspired uniform, there it was. 'Someday,' Jenkins said, 'I want to play here.' With his pedigree, Jenkins may very well get that chance. Committed to Missouri since last October, he's ranked No. 4 in the 2026 class for Illinois, according to Prep Baseball Report. The 6-foot, 183-pound shortstop has elite speed on the bases or at the plate and plays slick defense, all traits that portend to a breakout spring next season as a senior. 'You watch him play, he has all the tools,' Oswego coach Joe Giarrante said of Jenkins. 'He makes throws up the middle look easy. His name is prevalent, so teams will do all they can to not give him pitches to hit. He gets on base and he's always a threat to take second and third.' Jenkins, however, wasn't always able to let it rip like he wanted to last season for the Panthers. An injury limited him to duties as the designated hitter for much of the spring, a factor that Giarrante feels works against a five-tool player like Jenkins. Plus, with his SEC commitment in hand, opponents didn't want to pitch to Jenkins, leading to an increase in walks. 'He may not have the stats to prove it, but over time, when he gets to where he wants to get as a baseball player, this can only help him,' Giarrante said. 'This past spring with him not starting in the field, he's one of those guys that constantly has to be in the game. 'His bat will definitely improve when he's playing the field.' This summer, Jenkins is relishing his time with Top Tier West. In a lineup loaded with talent, teams have no choice but to put pitches across the plate. And he has been ready to pounce. 'I feel like more people try to attack me because I'm going to Missouri and I play in front of a lot of scouts,' Jenkins said. 'They want to see if they can really play at that level. 'I love it because I get to hit some pitches and get everyone's best stuff.' Many scouts were on hand at the Double Duty Classic, an annual event designed to promote baseball in inner cities and honor the history of Negro League baseball. Dozens of college and professional scouts watched two all-star teams made up of rising seniors. Troy Williams, who runs the White Sox's ACE program and community baseball initiatives, pointed out that the goal of the game is multifold. 'You want to pay homage to the East-West game that was once played at Comiskey Park,' Williams said. 'That's why we wear the uniforms we wear. We're trying to recreate the history of that game and give the kids a history lesson. 'We invite as many college and pro scouts as we can. They get a chance to get on a stage where they can be recruited. That's the main goal.' The significance of the game and its history wasn't lost on Jenkins. 'It's different for sure, looking around and seeing people that look like you,' Jenkins said. 'You're used to playing with all types of people. Having your own brotherhood makes it special. 'There's so much talent out there that's not recognized.' Jenkins is already well-recognized. And once he started taking ground balls, he felt right at home. 'The field is big, but it's almost the size of a regular field,' Jenkins said. 'It was different seeing the bleachers and all of the sponsors. It was such an experience to play on a big-league field.' In the future, maybe days like this will become the norm for Jenkins. 'I'm just trying to put my name out there, keep doing what I'm doing,' Jenkins said. 'Hopefully, in next year's draft, I'm in there.'
Chicago Tribune
30-06-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Oswego trustees look at criteria for downtown grant program
Oswego trustees as a committee of the whole recently discussed the eligibility criteria for the Economic Development Incentive Award grant program in the village. The program has undergone revisions from involving facade improvement grants to include various other upgrades over the years. The grant program was last updated in 2018 to permit additional types of improvements. So far this year, $100,000 in grants have been awarded. 'The overall intent is to enhance downtown real estate,' Oswego Economic Development Director Kevin Leighty said in a report to trustees. The program essentially awards grants to businesses as an incentive for exterior improvements to enhance the village's downtown but also permits some interior renovation projects. Eligible applicants can qualify for up to a $40,000 match-based award for a new or existing business within Oswego's downtown TIF district, village officials said. Based on the eligibility and program criteria, applicants must 'contribute to and enhance Oswego's dynamic downtown' by identifying 'real property improvements that are permanently affixed to the property,' Leighty said. There's a list of downtown preferred uses, such as eating and drinking establishments, specialty food establishments, general retail and commercial services, he said. There's another list of preferred projects that include exterior improvements to buildings that would enhance Oswego's downtown appearance as well as basic functional improvements. The Village Board earlier this year began to discuss the eligibility and criteria for the program before authorizing a second round of grants. Functional-related building improvement grants were awarded but the village began to receive requests for maintenance-related projects such as improving parking lots and painting a building, village officials said. 'There was some misunderstanding from applicants as to why those types of improvements were not allowed,' Leighty said. Staff initially presented the current eligibility criteria to the village's Economic Development Commission to provide some feedback to the Village Board as to whether parking lots and painting projects should be included for funding through the grant program. The commission 'understood the most important part of the program is to enhance the quality of real estate, but some consideration should be given to general beautification including some maintenance items,' Leighty told trustees. While the group did advocate for parking lot and painting projects to be included in the grant program, commissioners suggested the village consider placing a cap on that component, he said. The commission further suggested the village provide a list of examples for eligible and ineligible expenses to ensure that prospective applicants in the future have an understanding of how much funding they may qualify for. Commission members were not advocates for roof replacements which currently is a permissible expense under the program, Leighty said. Staff was looking for direction as to whether the Village Board would be supportive of having a list of partially eligible projects – mainly landscaping, masonry work, exterior painting, parking lot improvements and window/door repair or replacements. Staff has suggested a $5,000 cap on partially eligible projects. Trustees said they thought masonry, exterior painting and window/door repair or replacements should be moved under the eligible list of projects, while roof repairs would be listed under a partially eligible list. 'Those things were allowed under the original facade grant program. It makes sense to put those back in there,' Oswego Village Administrator Dan Di Santo said. 'When this first started, it was more about old Main Street and how the village could help keep the older buildings looking good and last for a long time,' Di Santo said. As for need, the village does require a detailed project budget and quotes from contractors plus a detailed project timeline, Leighty said. 'We don't allow them to start the work until they have received grant approval. There is some component of need,' Leighty said. Businesses also have to submit paid invoices before the village remits payment, he said. Trustee Karin McCarthy-Lange noted there weren't a whole lot of applications when the program focused on building facade improvements. 'Even when we opened the program beyond building facades in 2018, we still had years where no one applied,' Di Santo said. Di Santo praised staff for 'selling the program to prospective business owners and existing business owners.' 'It's a more recent thing that people are applying,' Di Santo said.
