Afternoon News Update: March 6

The name of a Wisconsin teenager who was killed in a two-car crash has been released. Officials say 19-year-old Teagan Nolan of Milton was pronounced dead at the scene. It happened Wednesday afternoon on Highway 59 in Rock County. Nolan lost control of her vehicle and then hit a van driven by a 56-year-old male. He and his passenger, a 63-year-old male were both transported to a Janesville hospital. The driver remains in serious condition. Investigators say both speed and road conditions were contributing factors.
A woman who stole a Winnebago County squad car is headed to prison. 43-year-old Kristina McNutt has been sentenced to 4.5 years in prison. The January incident took place at a Rockford Mobile Gas Station in the 500 block of Southrock Drive. There, McNutt slipped out of her handcuffs in the back seat of the police car and then sped off in it. She was later arrested at a home on the city's south-side.
A second man has been arrested in the murder of a Freeport woman. LeShawn Thurman now faces attempted murder charges in the death of 46-year-old Victoria Strong. Thurman and Cedric Winston are both accused of killing the victim. The incident happened after an altercation broke out between two groups of people at a party back in September 2012. Strong would die almost a week later.
A false bomb threat at a suburban Chicago courthouse has led to the arrest of a Cicero man. Officials say 34-year-old Carlos Davila is suspected of phoning in the threat Tuesday morning at the Maywood Courthouse. Police arrested Davila after surveillance cameras from inside the building caught him making the call. He’s been charged with a felony of disorderly conduct after the area was searched with no suspicious items being found.
Pet stores in Chicago will be barred from selling dogs, cats and rabbits unless the animals come from shelters. The City Council approved a measure on Wednesday and will present it as an anti-animal cruelty measure aimed at the puppy mill industry. Critics believe, however, that this will hurt Chicago businesses and only move the problem to the suburbs rather than ending it.
The Illinois Department of Transportation says it will use more road salt this winter than the previous two winters combined. The agency is asking lawmakers for another $47 million to pay for salt, fuel, temporary workers and overtime. Officials say this winter has impacted IDOT operations tremendously.
Beginning today, officials will be closing Fitch Road from Foley Street to Kishwaukee Street due to repair of a frozen water service. Traffic control will be in place but motorists are urged to use an alternate route. The work is expected to be completed by the end of today’s work day.

Categories: News