Beloved seal dies after more than 40 years at zoo

Ringo the seal, estimated to be 46 years old, died this week, the Milwaukee County Zoo announced. (Milwaukee County Zoo)

Milwaukee

A zoo in Milwaukee announced that one of its beloved seals has died.

Ringo the seal, estimated to be 46 years old, died this week, the Milwaukee County Zoo announced.

He had lived at the zoo for more than four decades.

“We are saddened to announce that harbor seal Ringo has died. Ringo arrived here in 1979,” the zoo shared.

Zoo officials said he died from complications during surgery on Nov. 26 to remove his right eye.

“Unfortunately, Ringo experienced anesthetic complications during the procedure, and after numerous attempts, he was unable to be revived,” the zoo said.

According to the zoo’s animal care team, his eye had ruptured in August creating a hole in the cornea and posed a risk of infection.

The team delayed surgery to see if the rupture would heal, but the procedure became necessary.

Ringo was well-known for taking naps at the bottom of the outdoor pool. His caretakers shared that he was easygoing and had a sweet and calm disposition.

According to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the median life expectancy for a harbor seal in human care is 23 years. At 46, Ringo was the second-oldest harbor seal living in an AZA-accredited facility in North America.

Phil Robertson, ‘Duck Dynasty’ star, diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, family says

FILE -- Phil Robertson is an American professional hunter, businessman, and reality television star on the popular television series "Duck Dynasty." (Gage Skidmore / CC BY-SA2.0 / MGN)

A reality TV star is reportedly battling Alzheimer’s and a blood disease.

According to the “Duck Dynasty” family, Phil Robertson, 78, has been struggling with recent health issues that have also caused him to not appear on the family’s podcast.

Jase Robertson revealed his father’s diagnosis on Friday’s “Unashamed with The Robertson Family” podcast episode.

“According to the doctors, they are sure that he has some sort of blood disease that is causing all kinds of problems,” Jase Robertson shared. “And he has early stages of Alzheimer’s.”

The family said Phil Robertson is battling through his health diagnosis and wants to return to the podcast, but unfortunately remains in pain even when attempting to walk.

“I’m like, ‘Phil, you can barely walk around without crying out in pain,’ and I was like, ‘Your memory is not what it once was. And he was like, ‘Tell me about it,’” Jase Robertson said.

The Robertson family said their father does have good days and bad days and they are finding ways to make him more comfortable and help him with his memory.

“Duck Dynasty” was a popular TV series that ran from 2012-2017 following the Robertson family known for their successful duck-hunting business.

Woman claims she didn’t return rental car for a month because she was too busy, deputies say

Deputies located the vehicle and detained the driver identified as 33-year-old Mogan A. Jewell. (Spokane County Sheriff’s Office)

Spokane, Wash.

Authorities say a woman was arrested after they recovered a stolen rental vehicle that was overdue by more than a month.

According to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were alerted Thursday to an automated license plate reader that picked up on a reported stolen Dodge Durango with Florida license plates.

The sheriff’s office said it located the vehicle and detained the driver, 33-year-old Mogan A. Jewell, after confirming the license plate on the vehicle.

Authorities said Jewell had originally rented the SUV in Dallas on Oct. 20 for just a day. But she told them that she “became too busy to return it” and ended up driving to Spokane.

Jewell claimed that her attempts to contact the rental company to extend her rental agreement were unsuccessful. However, she did tell authorities that she received a message from the rental company warning her it would be reported as stolen if she failed to return it.

The sheriff’s office said the rental company is pressing charges because Jewell had not returned the Durango as required in the rental agreement.

Jewell was arrested and booked into the Spokane County Jail for possession of a stolen motor vehicle, the sheriff’s office said.

Deputies towed the vehicle to ensure its safety until the rental agency could arrange to pick it up.

Chi-Chi’s Mexican restaurants to return after closing 20 years ago

Michael McDermott says he is determined to honor his family's legacy by combining the classic Chi-Chi's restaurant experience with modern influences. (PR Newswire)

St. Louis Park, Minn.

A Mexican restaurant chain that closed two decades ago is making a comeback.

Chi-Chi’s restaurants will be reopening locations next year.

A deal has been struck between Hormel Foods, the current owner of the Chi-Chi’s trademark, and Michael McDermott, son of the chain’s co-founder, to use the name and reopen the restaurants.

“I still have fond memories of growing up in the Chi-Chi’s restaurants that my father built throughout their time, instilling in me the passion and determination to pursue my own career in the restaurant industry,” McDermott said.

The iconic restaurant served the Minneapolis community for 28 years and grew to more than 200 locations nationwide. Its owners said their mission of delivering high-quality, value-driven meals will now continue in a modern and lively atmosphere.

“We have seen the impact our restaurant has had on individuals and families across the country and believe there is a strong opportunity to bring the brand back in an updated dining experience with the same great taste and Mexican flavor,” McDermott said.

Chi-Chi’s closed in 2004 following a hepatitis A outbreak at a Pittsburgh-area location traced to green onions served in its complimentary salsa.

CNN reports that about 650 people became ill with four deaths and several hundred lawsuits were filed in what became the largest hepatitis A outbreak in United States history.

McDermott, who has built his career in the restaurant industry with brands such as Kona Grill and Rojo Mexican Grill, said he is determined to honor his family’s legacy by bringing back Chi-Chi’s restaurants.

Specific locations, menu items and designs weren’t immediately released.

Family invites mail carrier for Thanksgiving dinner after he helped save their father

A family in Illinois welcomed a mail carrier and his family to join them for a very special Thanksgiving celebration. (City of Aurora, IL, Government)

Aurora, Ill.

Two Illinois families enjoyed a special Thanksgiving together this year.

Last month, U.S. Postal Service mail carrier Jaylen Lockhart was working when he saw Guy Miller fall while walking his dog.

WLS reported that Lockhart stopped what he was doing to help Miller.

Aurora city officials said without the mail carrier’s actions, the holidays may have been a different story for the Millers.

The city shared pictures of the two families celebrating Thanksgiving while giving their thanks.

“We are family now,” Lockhart said. “And for that, I will forever be grateful.”

The families said they are also planning on getting together for Christmas.