Today's Top Local News
Chicago, IL|
Vaccine Required For Teachers, Health Care Workers In Illinois
Warning that unvaccinated people are overwhelming the state's hospitals, Gov. J.B. Pritzker also issued a statewide indoor mask mandate.
Jonah Meadows, Shannon Antinori, Patch Staff
Austin, TX|
Toddler Turned Away From ICU Due To COVID-19 Surge, Dad Says
A shortage of beds in the pediatric intensive care unit almost meant a 22-month-old would need to go elsewhere for care.
Tim Moran, Patch Staff
Houston, TX|
Tropical Storm Ida Forms In Caribbean, To Move Into Gulf
If the storm stays on a path to Louisiana, the impact to SE Texas could be minimal. Forecasters are warning Texans to monitor the situation.
Jeffrey Perkins, Patch Staff
Basking Ridge, NJ|
Delta Variant Questions Answered For NJ Parents As School Resumes
Patch spoke with Dr. J. Stacey Klutts, who works firsthand with the coronavirus, to ask some tough questions.
Alexis Tarrazi, Patch Staff
Germantown, MD|
Masks Mandated In All MD Schools, Board Of Education Vote Says
Maryland's state Board of Education voted Thursday to mandate masks for all schools as COVID-19 cases surge. It is in effect for 180 days.
Colleen Martin, Patch Staff
Austin, TX|
Texas Dad Takes Off His Pants In Plea For Students To Mask Up
The Dripping Springs school board told the parent to put his pants back on after he stripped down in a call for a mask policy.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Loganville-Grayson, GA|
Man Steals Mortuary Van In Conyers, Leaves Body Behind: Police
A body awaiting cremation in Conyers on Wednesday rolled out the back of a mortuary van as it was being stolen, according to authorities.
Jim Massara, Patch Staff
Orlando, FL|
FL Doctor Fired For Selling $50 Mask Exemption Letters: Report
A Tallahassee ER doctor advertised in an anti-mask Facebook group that he’d sign mask opt-out letters for students, reports said.
Tiffany Razzano, Patch Staff
Sarasota, FL|
Lincoln Project Video On Masks, Vaccines Stars Sarasota Candidate
A video features Martin Hyde, a challenger to U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, speaking against masks at a Sarasota County School Board meeting.
Tiffany Razzano, Patch Staff
Garden City, NY|
LI's Anastasia Pagonis Takes Home Gold In Tokyo Paralympics
The 17-year-old won gold in the women's 400-meter freestyle swim, breaking two world records.
Alex Costello, Patch Staff
Dacula, GA|
High On Mushrooms, Gwinnett Man Shoots, Kills Miami Tourist: Cops
A Gwinnett County man who told police he was high on psychedelic mushrooms danced over his victim's body after he shot him, witnesses said.
Jim Massara, Patch Staff
Chicago, IL|
Mask Mandate Issued In Illinois
The news comes two days after Pritzker warned of "significantly greater mitigations" as many areas hit ICU capacity warning levels.
Shannon Antinori, Patch Staff
Manchester, NJ|
First Afghan Refugees Arrive At Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst
Authorities said refugees will continue to arrive in the coming days and weeks.
Karen Wall, Patch Staff
East Hampton, NY|
12K Deaths Added To NY's Coronavirus Total: Hochul
"The public deserves a clear honest picture of what's happening. Whether it's good or bad, they need to know the truth."
Lisa Finn, Patch Staff
Wall, NJ|
Wall Parents' Refusal To Wear Masks Leads Board To Halt Meeting
The Board of Education decided to move the meeting to Aug. 31 and make it a virtual meeting after a one-hour delay.
Brian Harris, Patch Staff
Norristown, PA|
Gov. Wolf Asks Legislature To Mandate Masks In Schools
After months of simply issuing guidance, Gov. Wolf's administration now seeks to mandate masks in all K-12 schools due to local "inaction."
Justin Heinze, Patch Staff
Tinley Park, IL|
Tinley Park Lights Documentary: What Was That In The Sky?
See Patch's documentary on the Tinley Park Lights phenomenon of 2004.
Yasmeen Sheikah, Patch Staff
Southington, CT|
Black Bear Turns Porch Pirate, Saunters Away With Amazon Package
A Connecticut bear sauntered away with a package containing toilet paper, prompting one-liners and inevitable comparisons to Charmin ads.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Across Washington, WA|
Baby On Nirvana Album Cover Sues Band, Calling It Child Porn
Spencer Elden, who appeared as a baby on Nirvana's "Nevermind" album cover, claims the band exploited him and profited from his image.
Megan VerHelst, Patch Staff
Salem, MA|
U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton's Surprise Trip To Afghanistan Draws Ire
The North Shore Congressman defends the trip to Kabul, Afghanistan that brought sharp criticism from U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Scott Souza, Patch Staff
Queens, NY|
K-9 Pup Fired In Retaliation For Partner's Sexism Complaint: Suit
A Rikers Island officer says she and her canine partner were yanked from an elite K-9 unit when she spoke out about sexual harassment.
Kathleen Culliton, Patch Contributing Writer
Atlanta, GA|
13-Year-Old Begins Georgia Tech Aerospace Engineering Program
Aerospace engineering major 13-year-old Caleb Anderson started the Fall 2021 semester as the youngest student enrolled at Georgia Tech.
Marcus K. Garner, Patch Staff
Los Angeles, CA|
11K LA Breakthrough Infections Spurred CDC To Urge Booster Shots
The CDC published a study Tuesday looking at the rise in COVID-19 cases among Angelenos over the summer.
Paige Austin, Patch Staff
Cleveland, OH|
Ohio State University Announces COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement
The deadline for all Ohio State University students, faculty and staff to begin their vaccination process is Oct. 15.
Chris Mosby, Patch Staff
Southampton, NY|
Masks In Schools, Vaccinations For Staff To Be Mandated: Hochul
Newly sworn-in Gov. Kathy Hochul said all school personnel must be vaccinated or tested weekly and masks must be worn in schools statewide.
Lisa Finn, Patch Staff
Norristown, PA|
Penn State Hazing Frat Death Sparks Tougher Legislation Elsewhere
After the death of Timothy Piazza led to new anti-hazing laws in Pennsylvania, other states are following suit.
Justin Heinze, Patch Staff
Dundalk, MD|
Dundalk Dad Punches 75-Year-Old For Waving At His Baby: Police
A dad annoyed by a 75-year-old man who smiled and waved at his baby now faces attempted murder charges after attacking the man, police said.
Kristin Danley-Greiner, Patch Staff
Middletown, NJ|
Parents' Notes Will Not Exempt Students From Masks, Murphy Says
Tucked into his latest executive order Monday, Gov. Murphy specifically added that parental notes will not get kids out of wearing masks.
Carly Baldwin, Patch Staff
Doylestown, PA|
Anti-Mask Protest Canceled Ahead Of Central Bucks Special Meeting
An anti-mask group planned to protest Wednesday ahead of the Central Bucks school board’s meeting to review its mask-optional policy.
Jason Addy, Patch Staff
Across Massachusetts, MA|
MA To Require Masks In Schools Until At Least October
Under the new Department of Elementary and Secondary Education guidance, lifting the mandate will be tied to school vaccination levels.
Scott Souza, Patch Staff
Across America, US|
2021 Fall Foliage Peak Map: When Leaves Are Best Across America
The 2021 Fall Foliage Prediction Map is out to help you plan trips to see autumn in all its splendor in every U.S. state.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Orlando, FL|
Disney World Reaches Union Deal Requiring COVID Vaccines: Union
Most unionized employees at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando will be required to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Tiffany Razzano, Patch Staff
Buckhead, GA|
Herschel Walker To Seek GOP Senate Nomination In Georgia
After months of fueling speculation and being goaded on by Donald Trump, UGA football great Herschel Walker announced his U.S. Senate run.
Marcus K. Garner, Patch Staff
