Illinois
Illinois man accused of shooting neighbor dead for using a leaf blower: ‘Senseless’

A 79-year-old Illinois man is accused of fatally taking pictures his neighbor, all as a result of the person was utilizing a leaf blower, in keeping with authorities.
Ettore Lacchei was arrested on homicide fees Tuesday over the killing of his next-door neighbor William Martys, 59, within the village of Antioch on April 12.
Martys was utilizing a leaf blower in his personal yard when he was approached by Lacchei and the pair started arguing.
Lacchei allegedly shot Martys within the head round 7:35 p.m., the Lake County Sheriff’s Workplace mentioned.
When deputies arrived on the dwelling on North Black Oak Avenue, they discovered Martys bleeding and unresponsive within the driveway. He was rushed to Advocate Condell Medical Heart in Libertyville, the place he was pronounced useless.
Investigators later discovered that Lacchei had “numerous perceived grievances with Martys” previous to the lethal taking pictures and referred to as the homicide “mindless.”
They recovered a firearm believed to be the homicide weapon close to Lacchei’s property line and arrested the septuagenarian Tuesday on two counts of first-degree homicide.
Lacchei was positioned behind bars on the Lake County Jail, the place he stays in custody.
“Our condolences exit to the household and associates of William Martys, who was senselessly murdered,” Sheriff John Idleburg mentioned. “…The members of our Prison Investigations Division have been working across the clock to deliver Mr. Martys’ assassin to justice, and I’m pleased Mr. Martys’ household can start the closure and therapeutic course of.”
Martys, who labored in development, was a father of 4 and a grandfather to a granddaughter named Molly who he adored, in keeping with his obituary.
The dying discover described Martys as an individual who invoked happiness in each facet of life and cherished his household above all.
“He strived to create pleased occasions and alternatives in life whereas ensuring those round him have been pleased as properly,” the obituary acknowledged. “In the event you have been William’s buddy, you have been his buddy for all times — he can be there irrespective of the circumstance.”

Martys was a lifelong disciple of Kung Fu and appreciated the whole lot with a life power, in keeping with the discover.
One factor the daddy of 5 did hate, nevertheless, was ignorant folks, the obituary famous.
“He didn’t hate many issues, however he did hate silly individuals who couldn’t open their minds to new ideas and concepts in life,” it mentioned.
Martys’ alleged killer had points with a number of neighbors on the road, in keeping with investigators.
“We perceive from interviewing witnesses that this neighbor had confrontations with many alternative neighbors that reside up and down that avenue,” Lake County Sheriff’s Deputy Chief Chris Covelli advised CBS Chicago. “This wasn’t the primary time that he was seen with a firearm.”
Neighbor JR McCarty advised ABC7 Chicago that Lacchei pulled a gun on Martys at the least as soon as earlier than.
“Nobody deserves something like that and it’s simply form of loopy to suppose that somebody can simply break like that over only a easy argument that may be fastened simply speaking,” he mentioned.
The lethal encounter between neighbors is the newest in a collection of mindless shootings stemming from mundane points throughout the nation this month because the nation grapples with debates over gun management.

“As soon as once more, easy accessibility to firearms has turned a dispute right into a lethal crime,” Lake County State’s Lawyer Eric Rinehart mentioned of Martys’ homicide. “We are going to assist the victims and search justice within the court docket rooms.”
In the entire latest, high-profile incidents, the assailants shot a sufferer over a innocent mistake or a trivial on a regular basis prevalence.
In Kansas Metropolis, a black 16-year-old, Ralph Yarl, was shot within the head by a house owner after he mistakenly rang the person’s doorbell on April 13 when he arrived on the incorrect deal with to select up his youthful brothers. Andrew Lester, an 84-year-old white man, was arrested and charged with felony assault in what prosecutors mentioned was a racially motivated crime. Yarl miraculously survived.
Two days later, in upstate New York, 20-year-old Kaylin Gillis was shot and killed when she and her associates pulled into the incorrect driveway. The house owner Kevin Monahan, 65, allegedly shot at their automotive from his porch because the automobile was pulling away. He’s going through homicide fees.
Then, in Texas, two teenage cheerleaders have been allegedly shot by a driver, 25-year-old Pedro Tello Rodriguez Jr., after one mistakenly obtained into the incorrect automotive in a grocery retailer car parking zone on April 18. Payton Washington, 18, was critically injured and spent a number of days within the hospital.
That very same day, a 6-year-old lady and her father have been shot by a neighbor after their basketball rolled into his yard in North Carolina.

Illinois
Kentucky vs Illinois picks, predictions, odds: Who wins March Madness NCAA Tournament game?

WATCH: Xavier’s season ends in NCAA Tournament loss to Illinois
Xavier’s season came to an end in Milwaukee Friday night after an 86-73 loss to No. 6 Illinois at Fiserv Forum.
No. 6 seed Illinois and No. 3 seed Kentucky play March 23 in a March Madness NCAA Tournament second-round game at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
The Midwest Region game is scheduled for 2:15 p.m. MST and can be seen on CBS (stream with FUBO).
Who will win the March Madness game and advance to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA bracket?
Check out these NCAA Tournament second-round picks and predictions for the men’s college basketball matchup.
Illinois is a 1.5-point favorite over Kentucky in the game in March Madness odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook. The Fighting Illini are -130 on the moneyline. The Wildcats are +105. The over/under for the game is set at 170.5 points.
Saturday March Madness second round picks: McNeese vs Purdue | Arkansas vs St. John’s | Michigan vs Texas A&M | Drake vs Texas Tech | Creighton vs Auburn | BYU vs Wisconsin | Gonzaga vs Houston | UCLA vs Tennessee | The Republic’s predictions
Sunday March Madness second round picks: UConn vs Florida | Baylor vs Duke | Illinois vs Kentucky | Saint Mary’s vs Alabama | Colorado State vs Maryland | Ole Miss vs Iowa State | New Mexico vs Michigan State | Oregon vs Arizona | The Republic’s predictions
Watch Illinois vs Kentucky on FUBO (free trial)
Jeremy Cluff writes: “We think this game is a toss-up and the odds agree with us, the point spread for this game is the smallest one for Sunday’s March Madness games. We picked Illinois to lose to Xavier in the first round. We’re not picking them to lose in the second.”
More March Madness: How to watch games | Announcers | NCAA Tournament odds | Game odds | Printable bracket
Dimers: Illinois 83, Kentucky 82
It writes: “After extensive simulations, our model gives Illinois a win probability of 55%, while Kentucky has a win probability of 45%.”
Ryan Black writes: “Expect plenty of points in this one. The Wildcats and Illini are among the top 10 in Division I in scoring offense … and outside the top 250 in scoring defense. UK has found ways to win close games all season. Here’s betting Mark Pope’s outfit strikes upon a winning formula in a tight contest featuring double-digit lead changes, ties and swings in momentum before the Illini’s last-chance 3 at the buzzer grazes the rim.”
Wes Huett writes: “Don’t take your eyes off the screen too much this Sunday or you’re bound to miss a basket. Expect a high-scoring showdown here between two high-ceiling teams. Brad Underwood knows how to coach in the tournament — and if Illinois shoots like it did Friday, the Illini move on to the Sweet 16.”
ESPN: Kentucky has a 52.6% chance to beat Illinois
The site gives the Fighting Illini a 47.4% shot at defeating the Wildcats in Sunday’s second-round March Madness NCAA Tournament game.
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Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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Illinois
Orlando Antigua sits down with KSR ahead of Kentucky vs. Illinois

Remember Orlando Antigua? Kentucky‘s old friend with two separate coaching stints in Lexington — the first from 2009-14 and the second from 2021-24, both under John Calipari — is back on the Illinois bench after a previous run in Champaign from 2017–21. Both schools have been a massive part of his life for nearly two decades, and now, they’ll be facing off in the NCAA Tournament.
Now the associate head coach under Brad Underwood, Antigua caught up with KSR shortly after Illinois’ big win over Xavier to catch up on the Cats and his emotions going into the reunion on Sunday.
What are his thoughts on Mark Pope leading the program? How does he avoid distractions with a Sweet 16 on the line? Don’t forget his big-time recruiting win over Kentucky this past cycle, five-star wing Will Riley — he led the Illini with 22 points on 8-12 shooting on Friday. Antigua talked about that full-circle moment, as well.
It’s a must-see conversation that was admittedly a little awkward — everybody loves Coach O, but he’s an enemy on Sunday.
Take a look:
More Kentucky News and Views on the KSR YouTube Channel
Kentucky Sports Radio has expanded its coverage of the Wildcats in the most ridiculous manner possible on our YouTube Channel. Here you will be able to find interviews with coaches and players, as well as commentary from the KSR crew. From Rapid Reactions following big events to our lengthy lineup of live shows, subscribe to the KSR YouTube Channel to stay up to date on everything happening around the Big Blue Nation.
Illinois
Illinois school district responds to federal probe into allegations of making girls change with transgender

Deerfield Public Schools District 109 has responded to a federal Title IX investigation that was launched over allegations of administrators forcing middle school girls to change in the same locker room as a transgender student.
The district provided a statement to Fox News Digital insisting that its actions were rooted in Illinois state law.
“Deerfield Public Schools District 109 complies with state law. The Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits all public school districts from discriminating on the basis of sex, including gender identity, and mandates that students must be permitted access to the locker room and bathroom that aligns with their gender identity,” the statement read.
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“We are sensitive to the privacy needs of all of our middle school students and ensure that no student is required to change into a gym uniform for physical education class in front of others. When both our middle schools were renovated in 2017, we added five private changing stations within each locker room that are available to all students. All students also have multiple options to change in a private location separate from the locker room if they wish.”
The district also says it will work with local families to determine next steps.
“The District and the Board are united with our leaders and educators on this issue and have a shared commitment to upholding the law,” the statement continued.
“The District and the Board call upon all of those expressing concerns or perspectives on this issue with our staff and educators to do so in a respectful and civil manner. We are glad to work with families to address any individual concerns and determine appropriate next steps to support your child’s well-being and participation.”
MAINE RESPONDS TO TRUMP ADMIN’S DECLARATION STATE VIOLATED TITLE IX BY ALLOWING TRANSGENDERS IN GIRLS SPORTS
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights announced on Thursday that it is launching an investigation into the Illinois Department of Education, the Chicago Public School District 299 and Deerfield Public Schools District 109 over reported Title IX violations.
Illinois mother Nicole Georgas brought the situation to light when she filed a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice after alleging that school administrators had attempted to force her 13-year-old daughter to change in front of a transgender student in the girls’ locker room last month.
She revealed the complaint during a Board of Education meeting for Deerfield Public School District 109 last week, claiming the incident had taken place last month after her daughter had refused to change into her uniform during physical education because a biological male student had been present at the time.
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“The girls want their locker rooms and bathrooms back. They want their privacy back. This is why I’m here tonight. My 13-year-old daughter’s well-being, mental health and privacy are at stake,” Georgas said during her speech at the board meeting on Thursday.
Georgas then raised the issue to the school’s administration, noting to them that she believed it was a direct violation of President Donald Trump’s Keeping Men out of Women’s Sports executive order. She said in her speech that the school administration had informed her that, under the direction of its legal counsel, the transgender student was free to use both the girls’ bathroom and the girls’ locker room.
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