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Founder of Chicago beef shop that inspired 'The Bear' dies

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:39 GMT

CHICAGO (AP) — The founder of the Chicago Italian beef shop that inspired FX’s "The Bear," Joseph Zucchero, has died at 69, his son said.Mr. Beef, the no-frills sandwich joint in Chicago's River North, has been a neighborhood staple for decades. But it became a national sensation after it was portrayed by the gritty, fast-paced show released in June 2022.Zucchero died unexpectedly on March 1 at Rush Medical Center while undergoing treatment for cancer, said his son, Christopher Zucchero, who is a co-owner of the restaurant. “He was supposed to come home,” he said.Zucchero said the family is waiting to learn exact cause of his father's death.“He was a magnificent human being. He was charismatic. He loved his restaurant. .. He loved his family, his children,” Zucchero said. 2 Americans dead, 2 rescued after violent Mexico kidnapping Nothing will be the same at Mr. Beef without his father, Zucchero said.“There's going to be a huge ... void here,” he said. “I'm in shock... w...

FBI release pics of suspects wanted for armored car robbery in Orland Park

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:39 GMT

ORLAND PARK, Ill. — The FBI is seeking the public's help with identifying four suspects wanted in an armored car robbery in Orland Park. Officials say three men jumped out of an SUV armed with semi-automatic pistols and forced the driver into the truck last Saturday. Authorities said the trio stole the contents inside before a fourth suspect, the getaway driver, rode off. The incident occurred outside an Xfinity store on the 14220 block of 95th Ave.No injuries were reported.Anyone with information is asked to contact the Chicago FBI where you can report tips anonymously. 

What it's like to live — and even thrive — with Stiff Person Syndrome

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:39 GMT

You probably hadn’t heard the name Stiff Person Syndrome until Superstar singer Celine Dion announced her battle with the rare and often misdiagnosed ailment.Now, a local woman walks us through what it’s like to live – even thrive — with the debilitating syndrome.In a December 2022 message to her fans, Dion gave voice to the one-in-one-million people struggling with the same disorder she’s been battling offstage.“My mind was, ‘Oh my goodness, I feel so bad for her,’” Moira Papp said. “But I was very happy because I knew she has a humongous voice and this is going to get recognized.”  Related: Celine Dion diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome Papp, 54, was diagnosed in 2021.She was always active but says, “I did notice I was falling, but I contributed it to tripping or going too fast. I was falling up and down the stairs.”Multiple Sclerosis was suggested – then cervical spine stenosis. But surgery didn’t help her gait.Dr. David Randall is a neurologist at Advocate Health Care.“...

St. Patrick's Day Chicago 2023: See a schedule for big events in the city

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:39 GMT

CHICAGO — March is now upon us and that means the countdown to one of the most exciting holidays in the Chicago area.St. Patrick's Day is March 17 and the weekend before, three major events are happening in the area. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)When do they dye the Chicago River Green?The tradition of turning the river green downtown for the holiday is back in 2023 and will kick off parade day on Saturday, March 11 at 10 a.m. At that time, the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local 130 will continue that tradition, which is something they've done for nearly 70 years. The best place to see the river dyeing is on Upper Wacker Drive between Columbus Drive and Wabash Avenue. Where to get pepper and egg sandwiches in Chicago (Photo by Brian Kersey/Getty Images)When is the 2023 Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade?After the river is dyed green, the 68th annual parade in the city begins at 12:30 p.m.It will step off at Balbo Drive and Columbus Drive and proceed north on Columbus to Monroe...

Nearly $70K reward offered in disappearance of pregnant postal worker Kierra Coles

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:39 GMT

CHICAGO —  The mother of a pregnant postal worker who disappeared more than four years ago made a new plea for help on Tuesday. Activists raised the reward money to $68,000 for information on the whereabouts of Kierra Coles, who was last seen on Oct. 2, 2018 near 83rd and King Drive. Coles' car was found parked on her block with her purse and cell phone still inside. Coles was three months pregnant at the time of her disappearance. SEE ALSO | Chicago police have released video of the last known images of Kierra ColesKaren Phillips, Coles' mother, hopes the FBI will become involved in the search for her missing daughter."Can't nobody image the pain that I go through daily," Phillips said. "Missing my child, not hearing her voice. Not knowing if she had her child. Not knowing if she is suffering every day. No knowing if her child is suffering every day. Please help me bring Kierra home. And to Kierra, if you are watching this. We're not going to stop. I'm trying to do everything in my...

Wednesday Forecast: Temps in mid 40s, cooler lakeside

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:39 GMT

CHICAGO — Mostly cloudy conditions Wednesday with temperatures in the mid 40s. High: 44;   Lakeside: 40. Interactive Radar: Track showers and storm here Mostly cloudy tonight. Low: 33; Feels Like: 23.Thursday Forecast: Cloudy cloudy conditions with 60% chance of PM rain/snow. High: 39.Full forecast details at the WGN Weather Center

6 injured in fiery car crash that leads to house fire in West Pullman

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:39 GMT

CHICAGO — Six people are in the hospital after a car crash led to a house fire in West Pullman Tuesday evening.The crash in question happened just before 6 p.m. near the intersection of West 116th Street and South Racine Avenue.According to the owner of the SUV, his brother was driving eastbound on 116th Street when a Kia sedan blew a stop sign on Racine Avenue, leading to a collision that sent the Dodge Durango flying into the West Pullman home.Shortly thereafter, the Durango caught fire, which then spread from the vehicle to the house.According to the Chicago Fire Department, six people were injured in the crash, all of whom were taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, where they all are in stable condition.Firefighters also tell WGN the car that blew through the stop sign was previously stolen."[I'm] just thankful," said Deon Winters, whose mother lives in the house affected by the crash. "God is good. We will get through this."Winters, who was in good spiri...

There’s a hidden image on Toblerone chocolate bars: Can you spot it?

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:39 GMT

(NEXSTAR) – The hidden image within the logo of Toblerone chocolate bars will remain after an upcoming redesign, a spokesperson for the brand’s parent company confirmed.Mondelez International, the company that owns the Toblerone brand, had announced earlier this week that Toblerone will be moving some of its production from Switzerland to Slovakia, necessitating the removal of certain Switzerland-themed images and references from packaging in accordance with Swiss law. Chocolate peanut butter cups recalled nationwide This means the chocolate’s longtime Matterhorn logo is being replaced with a new, more “streamlined” graphic of a non-Matterhorn mountain, according to the company. But the "hidden" image within the current logo — the obscured outline of a bear standing on its hind legs — will be carried over into the new design, Mondelez says.This hidden image isn’t exactly a secret: Both Toblerone and Mondelez challenge consumers to find the bear in different sections of their respe...

Taste of Chicago’s future uncertain as NASCAR takes over Grant Park

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:39 GMT

CHICAGO —  Dates have yet to be announced for the Taste of Chicago in the summer of 2023, raising concerns that the event, celebrated annually in Grant Park, could be in jeopardy. WGN News spoke to locals who said they were surprised that the dates have yet to be sorted out, given that the city's partnership with NASCAR was announced last July. "Taste of Chicago is so popular and a part of summertime in Chicago. I know the car races are great but this is Chicago," said resident Mark Schechtere.SEE ALSO | NASCAR unveils names, logos for Chicago Street RaceThe event's future is uncertain due to the city's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events website listing the dates for the Taste as "to be determined."Taste of Chicago’s future uncertain as NASCAR takes over Grant Park this summer. Ald. Brendan Reilly says Mayor Lightfoot wants the Taste moved to Polk Brothers Park near Navy Pier the same July 1-2 weekend @WGNNews— Dana Rebik (@DanaRebikWGN) March 7, 2023Grant Park ...

'Very impressed': Twin boys in Ohio help save mom after she has seizure while driving

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:39 GMT

MASSILLON, Ohio (WJW) – Twin brothers from Ohio are being honored for actions they took to help save their mother after she suffered a medical emergency while behind the wheel.Crystal Thompson, of Massillon, was taking her 11-year-old sons Jordan and Jermel Taylor to visit their grandmother on Feb. 25. That's when Thompson suffered an epileptic seizure as the family's SUV was traveling along State Route 21.Jordan noticed that his mom suddenly stopped talking."I was like, 'Jermel, I think she's about to have a seizure,' and all I knew was her neck was, like, turned back and it fell against the window," Jordan said. WATCH: Self-driving car veers into Texas bike lane As the SUV was heading for a concrete wall on the side of the highway, Jermel grabbed the steering wheel from his mom. "While she was having the seizure, I thought to myself, 'Let's not injure all the people on the road in the cars, and let's try to keep everybody safe.' I decided to grab the wheel and turn into a safer...