Fatal 2023 bus crash findings released
Federal regulators said a shortage of overnight parking for long-haul truckers at interstate rest stops was a key factor in a 2023 Greyhound bus crash in southern Illinois that killed three people. The National Transportation Safety Board also cited the bus driver’s fatigue as a contributing factor.
The bus exited Interstate 70 east of St. Louis and struck three semi-trailers parked on the shoulder.
Two men charged with massage parlor robberies
Two men are facing federal charges after they allegedly conspired to rob numerous massage parlors around central Illinois.
Titus Alexander and Mitchell Smith appeared in court virtually Monday charged with interference with commerce by threat or violence. The pair are accused of robbing massage parlors in Peoria, Dunlap and Jacksonville, but law enforcement is investigating at least seven armed robberies to massage parlors since January.
‘Cheers’ actor dies
Chicago-native George Wendt, most known for his role as Norm Peterson on “Cheers”, has died at 76. His publicist said Wendt died Tuesday morning at his family home.
According to The Second City, Wendt joined the troupe after dropping out of the University of Notre Dame after he finished one semester with a 0.0 grade point average.
Wendt later landed the role he became best-known for in 1982, when iconic NBC sitcom “Cheers” premiered.