Decoy properties and 45 surprise visits led to 42 criminal cases statewide. Here's how to check a contractor before signing anything.

A sociable orange stray charged onto Virgil Wiebe’s foot outside O’Hare, and now the St. Paul professor can’t stop gushing about him.

Crews are building a new K-5 charter school in Van Nest, with leaders hoping to expand through eighth grade.

A U.S. Park Police chase that began on Suitland Parkway ended with a crash into the median on Indian Head Highway.

Two single-family homes on Oakwood Avenue could be replaced by a four-story Venice building with 12 units, two reserved for very low-income renters.

About 200 students from six schools will try calligraphy, karate and tea ceremony at the free program.

Nightly rides from Williams include hot cocoa, cookies and a 90-minute round trip to the North Pole.

A Harley-Davidson rider from Salinas was ejected and struck by a Kia, shutting southbound lanes for hours.

A 17-year-old was ejected and killed when an unregistered dirt bike collided with a Hyundai in Hurley. State Police are still investigating.

The victim and her family were asleep in their Farris Circle apartment Monday when she heard a loud noise. She later found bullet holes. No one was hurt, but police are still hunting the shooter.

A Butler County Sheriff's Office Facebook post concerns a theft at a Dillard's in Liberty Township.

A second juvenile has been released from the hospital, but the adult driver remains hospitalized after the Violet Township crash.

Patchy fog clears Tuesday before Akron warms into the 70s. Thursday could reach 76 degrees, with isolated shower chances accompanying a cold front late Thursday into Thursday night.