Latest news with #Joliet
CTV News
2 days ago
- CTV News
Landlord imprisoned for decades in hate-crime attack on Palestinian American family has died
Joseph Czuba, 71, stands before Circuit Judge Dave Carlson for his arraignment at the Will County courthouse, Oct. 30, 2023, in Joliet, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File) JOLIET, Ill. — A landlord sentenced to decades in prison after he killed a Palestinian American boy and wounded his mother has died. Three months ago, Joseph Czuba was sentenced to 53 years behind bars for the attack. He was found guilty in February of murder, attempted murder and hate-crime charges in the death of six-year-old Wadee Alfayoumi and the wounding of the boy's mother, Hanan Shaheen. The 73-year-old Czuba targeted them in October 2023 because of their Islamic faith and as a response to the war between Israel and Hamas, which started days earlier. Czuba died Thursday in the custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections, according to a statement from the Will County Sheriff's Office. Ahmed Rehab, the executive director of Council on American-Islamic Relations' Chicago office, said in a statement on Saturday that 'this depraved killer has died, but the hate is still alive and well.' Evidence at trial included harrowing testimony from Shaheen and her frantic 911 call, along with bloody crime scene photos and police video. Jurors deliberated less than 90 minutes before handing in a verdict. The family had been renting rooms in Czuba's home in Plainfield, about 40 miles (64 kilometres) from Chicago when the attack happened. Central to prosecutors' case was harrowing testimony from the boy's mother, who said Czuba attacked her before moving on to her son, insisting they had to leave because they were Muslim. Prosecutors also played the 911 call and showed police footage. Czuba's wife, Mary, whom he has since divorced, also testified for the prosecution, saying he had become agitated about the Israel-Hamas war, which had erupted days earlier. Police said Czuba pulled a knife from a holder on a belt and stabbed the boy 26 times, leaving the knife in the child's body. Some of the bloody crime scene photos were so explicit that the judge agreed to turn television screens showing them away from the audience, which included Wadee's relatives. The attack renewed fears of anti-Muslim discrimination and hit particularly hard in Plainfield and surrounding suburbs, which have a large and established Palestinian community. Wadee's funeral drew large crowds, and Plainfield officials have dedicated a park playground in his honour. The Associated Press
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Health officials issue warning after batch of mosquitoes test positive for potentially fatal virus: 'Start taking precautions'
Health officials issue warning after batch of mosquitoes test positive for potentially fatal virus: 'Start taking precautions' One Illinois county is sounding the alarm after reporting the discovery of the season's first West Nile-positive mosquitoes. What's happening? In late June, the Will County Health Department announced that a batch of mosquitoes in the city of Joliet, which is around 40 miles southwest of Chicago, tested positive for West Nile virus. Patch reported on the announcement, adding that the mosquito-borne illness had already been found in 22 of the state's counties so far in 2025, per Illinois Department of Public Health data. Health officials in Chicago issued a similar warning a few weeks earlier, as a batch of mosquitoes there had tested positive for the virus. "With mosquito season underway in Illinois, it is now time for Illinoisans, especially seniors and those with weakened immune systems, to start taking precautions to prevent mosquito bites," said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra, according to Patch. Why is this announcement important? West Nile can cause symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, and rash, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, the virus can also be deadly. Illinois saw 69 human cases in 2024, including 13 deaths, according to the IDPH. While West Nile has been in the U.S. since 1999, a warming planet is driving increases in mosquito-borne illnesses. These bloodsuckers benefit from warmer and wetter conditions, which are helping them expand their ranges, remain active for longer seasons, and move into higher altitudes. For instance, a Massachusetts epidemiologist recently called people to alert after the state discovered its first West Nile-carrying mosquitoes two weeks earlier than last year. And Connecticut officials are warning residents that the type of tiger mosquito that carries chikungunya, Zika, and dengue is expected to spread farther and faster than usual across the state in 2025. What's being done about mosquito-borne illnesses? The IDPH is encouraging people to "fight the bite" to best avoid the potential of contracting West Nile. Recommendations include eliminating standing water, using screens on windows or doors or keeping them shut, wearing long clothing and an Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellent when outside, and reporting standing water if it has been present for more than a week. Many communities are also looking for ways to reduce mosquito populations in their efforts to protect residents. For instance, officials in one Florida county are using X-rays to kill invasive mosquitoes, and one Manila neighborhood is paying residents to bring in any mosquitoes they can capture. Do you worry about air pollution in your town? All the time Often Only sometimes Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Forbes
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Pabst Light And Joliet Slammers Team Up For World Record Hot Dog Drop
Thousands of hot dogs will drop from a helicopter over a baseball game this Tuesday. S'up, dawg. The forecast for a baseball game on Tuesday night in Illinois is a 100 percent chance of rain. Raining hot dogs, that is. The Joliet Slammers, is teaming up with Pabst Light in an attempt to beat the current world record of the biggest hot dog drop of all time. "For the Slammers, to my knowledge, it's the first attempt at breaking a world record,' says Night Train Veeck, who is owner and executive vice president of the team. 'We've done a lot of wild promotions at the ballpark — but dropping 2,600 hot dogs from a helicopter for fans to eat to attempt a world record? That's a new one, even for us,' The world record for a hot dog drop is 2,500 sausages. On this Tuesday, a helicopter is going to fly by and then, at exactly 6:35 p.m., some 2,600 packaged hot dogs are going to be dropped over the sold-out stadium filled with fans. Though the dogs come undressed, fans who relish fancier dogs will have access to plenty of condiments to doctor them up as they please. Though some fans might like ketchup on their hot dog, a true Chicago hot dog will not be topped with it (and Joliet is west of Chicago). "Why hot dogs? Hot dogs, beer and baseball just seemed like the perfect fit … the real question is why not?" – Veeck says, of the promotion. Along with the regularly scheduled food and drink deals the Slammers have on Tuesdays, they will be selling Pabst Light Cans for only $2 to celebrate the recent release of Pabst Light. Pabst just debuted Pabst Light in April, and this lager was launched in response to consumer demand for a lighter option, which at 96 calories, 3.5 grams of carbohydrates and a 4.2 percent ABV, it is. 'When you think of eating a hotdog or being at a baseball game your first thought is probably 'Man, a beer would be pretty nice right now,'' says Hunter Cox, Pabst brand manager. 'There really isn't a better trio than beer, hotdogs and baseball.' With game tickets costing only $2.60, free hot dogs, and $2 brews, this is one of the most economical outings to a baseball game this summer. According to Statista, hot dogs range from $3.07 at an Arizona Diamondbacks game to a whopping $7.96 at the San Diego Padres. Beer can also get quite expensive, costing an average of $7.18, but going as high as $15, according to Statista. Normally, at Duly Health and Care Field, where the Slammers play, hot dogs usually cost $5.50, and domestic beer usually costs $7. While 2,600 hot dogs is a lot of hot dogs, there will be about 7,000 fans expected for game attendance so hot dog lovers are recommended that they practice catching and bring a mitt for optimal grabbing during the drop. The hot dogs won't be dropped during an inning so baseball fans won't miss any of the action as the Slammers take on the Gateway Grizzlies. 'So, hearing the Slammers team wanted to attempt this world record breaking idea we had to jump on getting involved,' Cox says. '2,600 hotdogs raining down, $2 Pabst Lights, and tickets at just $2.60, it doesn't get much better.'
CBS News
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Overnight closures on I-80, I-55 and Kennedy Expressway will impact Chicago traffic
There are some major closures going into place on some of the Chicago area's biggest highways this week, which impact traffic, especially overnight. Full closure of I-55 at I-80 over consecutive nights As part of the I-80 bridge repair over I-55 in Joliet, Channahon and Shorewood, I-55 will be completely closed in both directions at I-80 for three nights in a row, starting Monday, July 7 and ending after Wednesday, July 9. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, at 8 p.m. I-80 will be reduced to one lane between River and Houbolt roads in both directions. At 9 p.m., both directions of I-55 will be reduced to one lane between Illinois 59 and U.S. 6. At 11 p.m. the westbound ramp of I-80 to southbound I-55 will close, and at midnight the eastbound I-80 ramp to northbound I-55 will close. Between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m., both directions of I-55 will be completely closed at I-80 and traffic will detour to exit I-80 west to Ridge Road south then reenter eastbound I-80 to access southbound I-55, IDOT said. Starting at 5 a.m. each morning, one northbound and one southbound lane of I-55 will reopen. IDOT expects the bridge repair work to be done by 6 a.m. Thursday, July 10. Kennedy Expressway work zone shifts over 2 nights Starting at 10 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, the outbound Kennedy Expressway will gradually reduce to one outbound lane from Washington Blvd. to Addison St., with intermittent ramp closures in between. At midnight, reversible express lanes will close. Everything that closes overnight will reopen at 5 a.m. each morning, with work expected to be complete by 5 a.m. Wednesday. The closures are part of the ongoing Kennedy Expressway construction. The work zone has to be moved so crews can start the second half of bridge work, IDOT said. Drivers should expect significant delays and be prepared to allow extra time when driving through the construction area. The overall outbound Kennedy project is expected to be complete by Thanksgiving.
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Female Author Shares Stories and Experiences of Starting a Controversial Meditation Program inside a Men's Penitentiary
Book includes a look inside the Texas prison where the program began, along with instructions and tips for readers on how to incorporate meditation into their daily lives DENISON, Texas, July 7, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- In 2019, Doreena Durbin initiated a prison meditation program at a men's prison near Dallas, Texas. When a warden invited her to start a meditation program at Stateville Penitentiary, in Joliet, IL, to reduce violence and promote peace in the prison population, she was determined to make it happen. Forty years later, she is finally fulfilling the hope of changing lives of the incarcerated men from the inside out. In "Get an Inner Life MEDITATE," Durbin shares the power and benefits of meditation for both the prison and the general populations, along with her experience teaching inmates. She is currently the only female in the entire state of Texas prison system who teaches meditation, and at only 4'11", she is used to feeling "all eyes on her" when she enters the prison courtyard. "After 45 years of teaching meditation," said Durbin, "I have learned that when meditation is one of the prison resources, this segment of society can learn coping mechanisms to deal with anger and depression." Besides starting a controversial meditation program in a men's penitentiary, Durbin served as President of the American Meditation Society (AMS) from 2018 through 2023. She has been teaching meditation since 1977, and was given the moniker "The Bridge," for her talent in recognizing similarities rather than differences in religions and people. "I strongly desire to assist humanity in finding their place in the world, bringing tranquility, happiness, and peace in a challenging, chaotic, divisive world," said Durbin. "Get An Inner Life MEDITATE: Freedom is Found Within" By Doreena Durbin ISBN: 9798765254912 (softcover); 9798765254905 (electronic) Available at Balboa Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble About the author Doreena Durbin has been teaching meditation since 1977. In 1991, she served on the Dialogue Committee for the Council on a Parliament of the World's Religions (CPWR). This organization aims to foster harmony among diverse religious and spiritual communities. She served as President of the American Meditation Society (AMS) from 2018 through 2023. To learn more, please visit Media Contact Ziggy Goldfarb, Balboa Press, 4803067065, zgoldfarb@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Balboa Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
