Brenda Jackson, the mother of six, has not been seen since the night of Jan. 3 when her father dropped her off at her house in the 200 block…
Dinner and drag at Hamburger Mary’s in Oak Park
Oak Park octogenarian Jo Ann Kuk says she likes any kind of entertainment, except for bingo or anything meant for senior citizens.
A recent Friday evening in Oak Park found the 50-year resident backing up her words at Hamburger Mary’s, a new local restaurant and drag show lounge, for the first…
Cicero man stole money from cars to support pizza habit, police say
A Cicero man who told he police he loved pizza and wished to sample an array of pies in the western suburbs has been accused of stealing loose money from unlocked vehicles to support his gastronomic habit, authorities said.
Dany Y. Ortiz, 21, of the 5200 block of West 22nd Place, was charged with…
A century later, Lake Forest murder trial still fascinates
It was 100 years ago July 16 that William Orpet was found not guilty of killing his onetime girlfriend Marion Lambert. Her death and his subsequent trial brought national attention to north suburban Lake Forest.
On the evening of Feb. 8, 1916, 18-year-old Marion Lambert didn’t return home.
The…
Thieves steal SUV and van, then crash into cop car and steal another SUV
A group of thieves stole a van and an SUV in Skokie early Wednesday, crashing into a police car and stealing another SUV as they fled, authorities said.Two of the stolen vehicles were recovered and three people were arrested, authorities said. Police were searching for as many as three other suspects…
DuPage AME Church remembering Sandra Bland
A spate of protests against police violence toward African-Americans is a chilling reminder that the circumstances surrounding the death of Sandra Bland a year ago this week continues today, a local church leader said.
The woman who lived in Naperville and Aurora died July 13, 2015, in a Texas…
Hazel Crest homicide victims laid to rest; son remembers father as family man
A couple hundred mourners packed the seats at Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Fuller Park on Tuesday morning to say their goodbyes to a Hazel Crest man and his two young daughters who were shot to death inside their Crescent Drive home earlier this month in what police believe to be a targeted…
Hemingway’s first love? His passionate poem is found in Oak Park
The words are 100 years old, but they burn with a timeless urgency.
Some have been hastily erased, others crossed out, but the first line is clear: “Your Matchless grace your sensuous loveliness and your beauty strikes me dumb.”
Lost for a century and never published, they are the words of a teenage…
Worth park closed after several bitten in alleged coyote attacks
A recent spate of alleged coyote encounters has prompted the closing of a popular Worth park for the second time in six weeks.
The latest closing of the Worth Waterfalls, on July 3, was prompted by a report from an employee of the nearby Water’s Edge Golf Course to police about seeing what appeared…
Arlington Park Food Truck Fest draws big crowds
Arlington Park visitors who were “hungry as a horse” Saturday afternoon enjoyed the delicacies from 20 food trucks during the annual Food Truck Festival.
“We started it three years ago because of the growing popularity of food trucks, which draw a big crowd,” said Howard Sudberry, senior director…
Officer-involved hit-and-run crash victim ‘thankful I’m still alive’
The man struck by an allegedly intoxicated Lake County Sheriff’s Department lieutenant in a hit-and-run weekend crash said Tuesday he’s thankful to be alive.
Thirty-four-year-old Derrick Dircks, of Frankfort Square, had been packing up his family’s van after the Gary Air Show on Sunday when a car,…
Muslim group erects billboards designed to fight terrorism, Islamophobia
A suburban Chicago Muslim group hopes two giant billboards hanging over busy Chicago highways will help to fight terrorism while also combating Islamophobia.
The billboards — which read “Muslims to Muslims: See Something. Say Something. Save Innocent Lives” — went up Sunday, one over Interstate…
Oak Park, IDOT seek agreement on Eisenhower project
A letter of intent between Illinois Department of Transportation and Oak Park officials is expected to be approved next month, but some issues related to an Interstate 290 project are still being negotiated.
As part of the proposed widening and rebuild of Interstate 290, the village and IDOT are…
Hearings on possible new trial for Melissa Calusinski to start in August
Melissa Calusinski will be transferred from prison back to the Lake County Jail next month for a hearing on a potential new murder trial in the 2009 death of a child at a Lincolnshire day care center.
On Tuesday, Lake County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Shanes scheduled evidentiary hearings for Aug….
‘Guardian angel’ 9-year-old describes finding abandoned baby girl
Nine-year-old Elysia Laub and her brother were heading to their pool Monday morning when the young girl noticed something squirming outside the fence of her family’s home in Lowell, her mother said.
The girl wasn’t sure what was out there, she said, but she ran to get her mother, who was already…
Ex-Elmwood Park police sergeant not guilty in financial exploitation case
A Norridge resident and former Elmwood Park police sergeant has been found not guilty on charges of financial exploitation of a senior and official misconduct.
Cook County Judge Joseph Michael Claps on June 29 acquitted the former sergeant, John A. Wasilenko, 41, of charges he stole thousands of…
Methadone patients fight heroin treatment stigma
Jason Thompson tried again and again to beat his heroin addiction, but nothing worked — not rehab, not self-help meetings, not even prison time.
Then, about a year ago, the 37-year-old from Ottawa, Ill., turned to what researchers call the gold standard of heroin treatment. He started taking methadone,…
Request for special prosecutor in Sycamore murder case before DeKalb County judge
A DeKalb County judge is expected to hear testimony Tuesday afternoon on a request for a special prosecutor in a murder case that dates back nearly six decades.
The family of Maria Ridulph has argued that State’s Attorney Richard Schmack had made up his mind before reviewing the evidence that Jack…
Girl, 9, finds abandoned baby in backyard of home in Lowell, Ind.
An abandoned newborn baby is expected to make a full recovery after being found in a Lowell backyard.
Lake County Sheriff John Buncich, during a Monday news conference, said Lake County Sheriff’s Department officers were sent to the 18000 block of White Oak Avenue after receiving a call Monday…
Seven Point completing buildout in downtown Oak Park
Though slightly behind schedule, Seven Point medical marijuana dispensary owner Brad Zerman is optimistic his business will be open in a matter of weeks.
Seven Point, located at 1132 Lake St. in downtown Oak Park, is in the midst of its final build-out, which means customers could soon be visiting…
Pokemon Go players flood area parks, downtowns trying to catch ’em all
The Pokemon Go craze is rolling through Naperville and Fox Valley communities like a tidal wave, sweeping up in its wake throngs of youngsters as well as adults who grew up playing the Pokemon card game or the Nintendo video game.
Pokemon hunters in the Aurora, Elgin and Naperville areas are flocking…
Search warrant in DuPage County shoplifting case was valid, judge rules
A Florida man reputed to be a master shoplifter failed Monday in a bid in DuPage County to suppress a police search of a rental car in which authorities say he stored stolen merchandise.
Ignatius Pollara, 50, is awaiting trial on burglary charges on allegations that he stole some pencils and paintbrushes…
Aurora mayor likes plan for new rail line outside suburban area
Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner said the idea of a new freight railroad line west of Chicago’s suburban areas “makes a lot of sense in a lot of ways.”
The mayor made his comments while discussing a proposal to build what is known as the Great Lakes Basin Rail Line, an $8 billion, 278-mile-long, two-track…
Buncich wants Lake County cop fired
Lake County Sheriff John Buncich is calling for the immediate termination of a lieutenant on his staff charged Sunday with operating while intoxicated and leaving the scene of a personal injury crash.
Buncich said he will ask the Police Merit Board at its next meeting to terminate Lt. Guy Mikulich,…
Westchester police investigate leads in last week’s shooting of 2
The 24-year-old woman who was shot in Westchester last week remained hospitalized Monday but is expected to recover from her injuries, police officials said.
The police have a couple of tips about the gunman’s identity, Westchester police Chief Steve Stelter said Monday. The West Suburban Major…
Driver of van dies after fiery crash in Naperville, police say
Naperville police are investigating the death of a driver whose van struck a tree and burst into flames early Monday.
Police and fire personnel responded about 1:45 a.m. to the crash in the 1400 block of North Washington Street, according to a news release from the Naperville Police Department.
…
Lincoln-Way owes additional $321,635 in improper driver’s ed fees
Lincoln-Way High School District 210 owes $321,635 in refunds to students who were improperly charged $350 for driver’s education during the 2010-11 school year, the Daily Southtown has learned.
That $321,635 is in addition to $377,411 the cash-strapped school district refunded in the spring for…
Woman dead after being shot in Joliet
A 34-year-old woman died early Saturday after being shot in southwest suburban Joliet, authorities said.
Sequita M. Walsh was pronounced dead at 12:48 a.m. at Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center, according to a statement from the Will County coroner’s office.
Preliminary results from an autopsy…
Bellwood school district spends on travel, perks while deep in debt
Money in Bellwood School District 88 is tight. The district is steeped in debt, and many of the students come from low-income homes. The classroom basics — such as paper and calculators — are often paid for by teachers or through fundraisers, said PTA leader Maria Perez. Tablets or new textbooks…
Indiana sheriff’s lieutenant charged with DUI in hit-and-run crash
A Lake County (Ind.) sheriff’s lieutenant was charged with drunken driving and leaving the scene of a crash after he struck a man and a minivan Sunday afternoon and drove away.
Guy Mikulich, 37, had just been released from his assignment at the Gary Air Show and, still in uniform, was driving his…
Waukegan Scoop reminds car enthusiasts of teen years
Calling his 1991 Mercury Capri “a total chick magnet,” Winthrop Harbor resident Gavin Fields proudly stood next to the red car Saturday at Waukegan Scoop.
The car, which Fields named “Beth,” was one of 280 entrants in the annual classic car show on Genesee Street. The exhibition included cars,…
Swimmers return to Lake Michigan for final day of Gary Air Show
Airplanes zoomed past Gary’s Marquette Park Beach before flying straight up as part of the maneuvers that delighted hundreds of spectators Sunday — the last day of the Gary Air Show.
The show kicked off with the precision moves of the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team, who landed just behind…
Young boxer, who overcame health problems, carjacked at gunpoint
Amateur boxer Joe Maloney has had to fight through more difficulties than most of his teammates at the Southwest Side gym where he trains.
The promising 19-year-old pugilist from Oak Lawn has been boxing since he was 11. Despite having a medical condition that causes spikes in his blood pressure…
Jacobs grad Evan Jager says he’s ready for another shot at Olympic gold
Evan Jager boldly pronounced himself ready Friday for another run at Olympic gold in the steeplechase.
The Fox Valley area seems to be right in step behind him.
Jager, a 2007 Jacobs graduate, delighted followers watching from his hometown by cruising to victory in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at…
Pets on parade just one of the events to draw crowds to Windmill fest
A Great Pyrenees husky mix with blue eyes captivated the crowds at the annual Windmill City Festival’s Pet Parade in Batavia on Saturday morning.
Tizzy, 8, received a standing ovation when he strutted to the front of the main stage and, in “dog speak,” vocalized his version of “I love you” for…
Runners chase the sunset in Windmill Whirl 5K
It didn’t take long for those running in the Windmill Whirl 5K to hit their stride Friday night racing as they raced against the sunlight and chased the setting sun.
The run is an annual Batavia Park District event conducted as part of Windmill City Fest. This year it was held along the trails of…
Panel: No easy answers to stopping gun violence
The unprovoked attack on Dallas police officers that left five dead and seven injured this past week provided an unexpected backdrop for a Naperville church panel discussion on gun violence Friday night.
“Statistics show that the more weapons there are out there, the more incidents there will be,”…
South Elgin restaurant owner Kenneth Cornelissen dies
The longtime owner of South Elgin’s Our Place Restaurant, Kenneth Cornelissen, passed away Saturday.
Cornelissen was a well-known businessman who served on the South Elgin Fire Protection District Board and as trustee on the Fox River Water Reclamation District Board. Earlier in his career, he…
Gary to hold Sunday vigil for Dallas police officers
In the wake of the Dallas shootings, Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson is calling on the community to gather Sunday for a vigil to mourn the lost lives and to support the law enforcement officers who take to the streets daily.
“My heart is heavy for our country as we mourn the lives of police officers…
Little athletes strut their pedal power in Junior Tour-de-Naperville
Sporting a bright yellow T-shirt and a green helmet that changes colors, 4-year-old Lucas McWhirter pedaled through his first bike race at Naperville’s Commissioners Park Saturday morning.
“It was good,” the boy said.
His mom, Kim, agreed.
“He loved it,” the mom said. “He had such a good time,…
Gary Air Show awes crowd with aerial acrobatic, speed
Bystanders gazed with their mouths agape as jets and planes ripped through the skies, awing the crowds with a medley of aerial acrobatics.
“The stunts are so spectacular,” Chrissy Dooley, of Chesterton, said. “This is my son’s first air show, and I’m glad he gets to experience this.”
Thousands…
Megachurch in Alsip holds prayer service in response to Dallas police slayings
More than 100 people of various ages and ethnicities gathered Saturday morning at Lighthouse Church of All Nations in Alsip to pray for peace and protection from violence in the wake of recent killings in Dallas, suburban Minnesota and Baton Rouge, La.
The nondenominational megachurch’s founding…
No women? Black Sheep Golf Club considers it a ‘sensible’ approach
In many ways, Black Sheep Golf Club is remarkable for what it does not have.
No trees. No flowers.
“No feminine touch,” says Vince Solano, the Sugar Grove club’s owner and founder.
Indeed, no women. The club’s membership policy would seem to make it a relic, considering only about two dozen all-male…
Councilman calls for federal death investigation
A Lake County Councilman is speaking out about a wrongful death lawsuit filed against county officials and the Lake County Jail, calling for a Department of Justice investigation into the matter and criminal charges against the correctional officers involved.
Meanwhile, other county officials say…
Hundreds attend anti-police brutality rally in Evanston
To a crowd of hundreds gathered Saturday evening at Evanston’s Fountain Square, 18-year-old Camille Allen asked “how many more black people will die simply for existing?”
On the heels of a week that saw the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, black men who were shot by white police officers…
Rabid bat attacks woman cleaning swimming pool in Will County
Will County officials say a rabid bat attacked a woman while she was cleaning a swimming pool at a home in the village of Crete.
A news release from the Will County executive’s office says the woman was bitten on her neck and hand. She injured the animal while trying to protect herself, and called…
Jockey, horse hurt during Arlington race
Arlington Park veteran jockey Christopher A. Emigh suffered a head injury Saturday during the second race of Million Preview Day when his horse crashed into the rails and he tumbled face-first into the turf.
“He was alert and conscious and transported for evaluation,” said Brian Spencer, an Arlington…
Two drown at Gary beach Saturday, three others rescued
Two people drowned and three others were injured Saturday while swimming in Lake Michigan in Gary, where beaches were under a hazard warning, officials said.
The names of the two drowning victims, both men, were not released by officials pending family notification. A woman who nearly drowning…
Dwyane Wade homecoming spotlights sad state of Blue Island politics
This week’s news about professional basketball player Dwyane Wade joining the Chicago Bulls is generating a lot of excitement among many in the south suburbs.
Wade’s Chicago homecoming is an inspirational story about a South Side native who overcame the challenges of growing up amid drugs and gangs…
Man critically injured in LaSalle Co. light plane crash
A Warrenville man was critically injured when the motorized glider he was piloting crashed at an airport west of Newark, Ill., in LaSalle County, a Fire Department spokesman said.
Crews from the Newark Fire Protection District were called at 9:41 a.m. to Cushing Field, 4076 Illinois Route 71 in…
No charges for homeowner in Palos shooting
A homeowner in unincorporated Palos Township who shot two alleged home invaders, killing one of them, won’t face charges, according to the Cook County sheriff’s office.
Four people, including two sisters, have been charged with murder and home invasion in connection with the Tuesday night incident…
Slowik: Live videos on social media are changing how we deal with gun violence
Change is often hard to see happening. History usually unfolds so slowly, it’s hard to realize how times change from day to day.
So much of our collective history is like that. The important stuff that gets recorded for future generations is usually about conflicts that last years or even decades….
Waukegan nears police-reform agreement after seeking help from Department of Justice
The city of Waukegan is near reaching an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice on a set of recommendations to reform its police department, according to Mayor Wayne Motley.
The five-year agreement, reached after seven months of “intense meetings” with not just federal officials but groups…
Man pleads innocent in $70 million RoomPlace warehouse fire
A 20-year-old Joliet man has pleaded not guilty to setting a fire last spring that did $70 million worth of damage to a Woodridge warehouse filled with furniture.
Ruben A.O. Cruz entered the plea Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Chicago, where he is charged with a felony count of intentionally…
Chicago man charged in ‘brazen’ Evanston parking lot shooting
A Chicago man faces gun and drug charges after Evanston police arrested him and allege he is responsible for shooting a 25-year-old Beach Park resident multiple times in an IHOP parking lot early Sunday morning.
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