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North St. Paul native Carolyn Wiger places third on ‘Survivor’

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:50:48 GMT

North St. Paul native Carolyn Wiger made it all the way to the top three on the current season of “Survivor,” but ended up placing third with no votes from the jury.Early on in the finale, which aired Wednesday on CBS, Wiger explained the importance of playing with emotion.“In the entire game, it’s really been a lot about my gut, like trusting my gut and trusting my heart. I’m emotional, but it helps. It helps with connecting with people, it helps people see that I’m real. So I feel like people trust me because they see I’m just being myself. And that’s exactly what I wanted to do.”The daughter of former state Sen. Chuck Wiger, the 35-year-old Wiger was born in North St. Paul and now lives in Hugo, where she works in substance recovery. On Friday, she celebrated her 14 years of sobriety in a social media post.While many viewers — and her fellow castaways — initially dismissed Wiger as a scattered, goofy non-threat, Wiger’s savvy and st...

Minnesota Aurora off to steamrolling start with 5-0 win over Rochester FC

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:50:48 GMT

In almost every measure, Minnesota Aurora FC’s debut season was a smashing success in the USL W League in 2022. Well, besides its inaugural game, which ended in a 1-1 home draw with Green Bay Glory.Aurora got off to a steamrolling start to Year 2 with a 5-0 romp over Rochester (Minn.) FC in front of 5,187 fans at TCO Stadium in Eagan on Wednesday.After going undefeated until falling 2-1 to South Georgia Tormenta FC in the USL W League championship game, Aurora coach Nicole Lukic promised an attacking style that would light up the scoreboard this season, and Aurora produced out of the gate.Cat Rapp scored two goals to help lead the way, with a goal apiece from Jelena Zbiljic, Maya Hansen and Hannah Addler. Rapp, a sophomore midfielder at Florida International who had three goals for Aurora last season, scored in the fifth and 35th minutes.“It was a really exciting night,” Lukic said. “The team enjoyed being back in this atmosphere with all our wonderful fans and the community behind ...

St. Paul City Council approves Summit Avenue bikeway 6-1

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:50:48 GMT

Following a lengthy and emotional public hearing that drew strong words from more than 90 cyclists, homeowners, historic preservationists and environmental advocates, the St. Paul City Council approved a protected bikeway along nearly five miles of historic Summit Avenue.The 6-1 vote, which unfolded shortly before 10 p.m. following four hours of staff and public testimony, represents the culmination of more than 18 months of planning and public engagement led by St. Paul Public Works and St. Paul Parks and Recreation. The elevated bikeway, which has yet to be funded, would be installed as Summit Avenue is reconstructed in phases, with curb, parking and other features effectively protecting cyclists navigating at sidewalk level.“I really regret that it has gotten so divisive,” said council member Rebecca Noecker, who represents a stretch of Summit Avenue. “Just because an idea is divisive, though, isn’t a sign that it’s wrong. … I think that this plan st...

Mom: Son with disabilities restrained at school 75 times in four years

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:50:48 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – A St. Louis mom is concerned about her 11-year-old son after she said he has been physically restrained at school 75 times over the last few years.Denise Waldrop said her son, David, who has developmental disabilities, shuts down whenever they talk about school."It's absolutely heartbreaking for me," Walrdop said.David is a student of the Special School District of St. Louis County.Records, provided by Waldrop, show between November 2017 and December 2021, David had been restrained 75 times, ranging between two minutes and 30 minutes. She said there's an additional 131 incidents of isolation and seclusion, ranging between one minute and 3 hours and 15 minutes."What is happening before the behaviors that's causing my son to go to the extreme crisis levels, that's causing them to have to place them into seclusion or put him in restraint?" Waldrop said.Waldrop said she found bruising from a physical restraint that happened in 2021. Records show David was forced ...

East St. Louis High graduates honored hours after school fire

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:50:48 GMT

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. - Students and families had an emotional day at East St. Louis Senior High School on Wednesday."The fact that we're leaving here has not set in yet. I don't think that we can ever get used to the fact that we're leaving our home," said Jeremy Avan, a graduate of East St. Louis Senior High School.Students said the school felt like home, and it's upsetting to see the damage left behind from Tuesday's fire."I actually saw the smoke, and I actually screamed. My heart broke," said Ranyia Cox, a graduate of East St. Louis Senior High School. "Of course, we got to find out that it wasn't that bad. This school is our home."The fire happened outside the construction and electrical classrooms. Edwardsville High School asst. principal accused of sex with teen "There were a few student sheds that were built by our construction trades program," said Sydney Stigge-Kaufman with the East St. Louis School District. "Those, unfortunately, did not survive the fires. There were a...

Inside look: FBI response team uncovers how investigators gather evidence to solve crimes

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:50:48 GMT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - FOX 2 had an in-depth inside look at how the FBI gathers hidden evidence, from white-collar crimes to violent crimes.The FBI Evidence Residence Response Team (ERT) comes into a room thinking, ‘just because we can’t see it, doesn’t mean it’s not there.’ERT leader in Springfield, Illinois, Special Agent Michael Maguire, said wearing the proper protective gear helps to keep the investigator from contaminating evidence and to keep evidence from contaminating the investigator.ALS (alternative light sources), commonly referred to as ‘black light’ can reveal hidden traces of bodily fluids and DNA. The ERT most often uses blue light. Orange/amber eyeglasses and camera lens cover filter out the blue light, which fluoresces traces of fluids people otherwise don’t see. Edwardsville High School asst. principal accused of sex with teen “Our naked eye can only see so much. This allows us to use science so we can see more,” Maguire said.Liquid solutions are often sprayed onto...

FAA approves St. Louis Lambert International Airport master plan

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:50:48 GMT

ST. LOUIS - St. Louis Lambert International Airport officials announced on Wednesday that the FAA approved the airport’s master plan. That plan maps out proposed improvements to meet the anticipated growth of air travel through 2040.“We’re very happy they approved the master plan,” said Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge, director at Lambert. “We expected that it would be approved, but it’s always nice to get that final stamp.”An environmental impact study will be the next step in the process of moving the plan closer to reality.“In conjunction with the FAA, we’ll be doing an environmental review of the impact of this," Hamm-Niebruegge said. "While we’re doing that, we’re also negotiating with the airlines."She said an agreement with the airlines is essential for the plan to move forward. Edwardsville High School asst. principal accused of sex with teen One of the main components of the plan combines Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. The combination would allow for one entry point. Hamm-Niebruegge s...

Fans pay tribute to Tina Turner in Delmar Loop

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:50:48 GMT

ST. LOUIS - On perhaps the darkest day of Tina Turner's life and career, her St. Louis Walk of Fame star may be shining its brightest. Her Delmar Loop star is now surrounded by flowers, with several fans paying their respects. "I grew up on her music," LaTonya Walker said on Wednesday. "It's really sad that she's gone." Turner spent many of the early years of her life in St. Louis, graduating from Sumner High School in 1958. She would later work as a nurse's aide at Barnes Jewish Hospital.  For sale: Eccentric Fenton home hidden behind quaint exterior Brother Self-Love grew up in St. Louis and said his grandparents introduced her music to him. “I love her because my grandparents loved her, and I love her because I grew up on her," Self-Love said. Turner began recording music in the 1950s, eventually joining forces with Ike Turner. She’d have a highly publicized divorce with Ike, chronicling the abuse she endured over the years. They were divorced in 1978, and i...

Contact 2 digs into St. Louis County property value reassessments

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:50:48 GMT

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. - St. Louis County Assessor Jake Zimmerman knows a thing or two because he’s seen a thing or two.“A lot of people get this letter in the mail. It comes from me and at the top it says in big bold letters, ‘This is not a bill,’” Zimmerman said.“People are busy. You’ve got a job; you’ve got to pick up the kids. You throw it out, right? Please don’t throw out that letter! Because right underneath where it says ‘This is not a bill,’ that’s where it tells you what I think your home is worth.”It’s real estate reassessment time in St. Louis County. Missouri law requires reassessment every two years in odd numbered years and at least once every six years.“I am not the tax man. I don’t set your tax rates. The school district does that and the fire department does that,” Zimmerman said. “What I’m in charge of is figuring out what your house could have sold for on January 1 of this year.” Edwardsville High School asst. principal accused of sex with teen Here’s how it wor...

New greenway connects St. Charles to St. Louis County communities and economies

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 11:50:48 GMT

ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo. - Various greenways are being completed from St. Louis City to St. Charles County. The trails prove they're connecting not only local communities but economies as well."I think it's a great thing for the community, and I only hope that it continues to grow,” said Lisa Brown, a St. Charles County resident.The Great Rivers Greenway is expanding its reach with numerous greenway projects throughout the St. Louis region. The recently finished Brickline Greenway leg in front of CITYPARK already makes downtown more accessible.A city-funded pathway nearby under Interstate 64 at 21st Street will soon connect to the greenway for expanded mobility for residents and visitors. For sale: Eccentric Fenton home hidden behind quaint exterior In a statement, the St. Louis Planning Division Program Manager, Scott Ovilgie, said:"The City of St. Louis is excited to see segments of the Brickline Greenway open to demonstrate to residents the ambitious scale of the project. We loo...