Chicago Sun-Times back issues from January 2009:
Dark days for Michigan Avenue mall
Jan 01, 2009; ... Chicago Place Mall, the dark, vertical and long-struggling shopping center at 700 N. Michigan Ave., is nearly barren as its owners reportedly prepare to open offices or living units to replace retailers on the upper floors. The main floor is unheated, the escalator is shut down and Saks ...
Chicago's 2008 Homicide Toll: 'I Want Those Numbers Down'
Jan 01, 2009; ... Jody Weis' first year as police superintendent ended Wednesday with a 14 percent increase in homicides -- including a big jump in teen victims. Weis vowed to reverse the trend this year, noting several department initiatives already under way. "You have to have expectations for ...
DUIs must pass in-car breath test
Jan 01, 2009; ... Starting today, Illinois motorists whose licenses are suspended for first-time drunken-driving offenses will have to pass an in-car breath test to drive. "It attaches a penalty to your crime immediately," said Justin Morfey, owner of AAA Interlock, one of the state-approved vendors of ...
Entering parallel universe
Jan 01, 2009; ... Sit back, relax and let your car parallel park itself -- without a single scratch or ding to your bumper. That's what Ford Motor Co. is saying about its new self-parking technology, which will debut as an option in the Chicago-made 2010 Lincoln MKS sedan and the new seven-passenger ...
Obamas' 'Haunted' house
Jan 01, 2009; ... Across from the White House is a purported haunted house, which President-elect Barack Obama, his wife, Michelle, and daughters Malia and Sasha will temporarily call home. The first family is expected to move into the storied Hay-Adams Hotel in the capital this weekend. Hotel ...
Check out Obama as a restaurant critic
Jan 01, 2009; ... As the new year dawns and Barack Obama's inauguration as the 44th president of the United States fast approaches, everyone in the media world is looking for an Obama story hook. The popular WTTW-Channel 11 show "Check, Please!" has finally found its hook in a "lost" episode that was taped in ...
Firefighter accused of molesting 3 kids
Jan 01, 2009; ... Prosecutors revealed shocking molestation allegations against a Chicago firefighter Wednesday, claiming he sexually assaulted three young children for about a year in his Little Village basement apartment. Jose Moreno, 48, is accused of suspending the children from pegs on his wall while ...
Fire-related deaths plunge
Jan 01, 2009 ... CHICAGO City officials say the year ended with record-low fire fatalities. By Wednesday, the city recorded 17 fire-related deaths for the year -- as opposed to the 32 recorded in 2007 and far from the hundreds recorded in previous decades, according to the Chicago Fire ...
Songwriter says he was cheated out of 'Cha Cha' royalties
Jan 01, 2009; ... A Chicago DJ who wrote the hit dance song "The Cha Cha Slide" sued his record label Wednesday for allegedly not paying him royalties, according to court papers. Willie "DJ Casper" Perry Jr. filed a lawsuit against M.O.B. Music Publishing, Inc., Tyrus Kapiece, Jerome Haywood and the ...
Burris: I'm Going to D.C.
Jan 01, 2009; ... He doesn't have his plane ticket yet, but Roland Burris is planning on traveling to Washington, D.C., for next week's swearing-in ceremony for incoming U.S. senators. Burris, the surprise Senate appointee by embattled Gov. Blagojevich, said he hasn't had time to think about details big ...
'Thousands of phone calls' on feds' wiretaps
Jan 01, 2009; ... Prosecutors revealed Wednesday that they captured "thousands of phone calls" on secret wiretaps in their investigation into Gov. Blagojevich. The disclosure came in a government filing in which prosecutors asked for a 90-day extension to indict Blagojevich and his former chief of staff, ...
A new year that could be better . . .
Jan 01, 2009; ... If we had to come up with a slogan for the world on this first day of 2009, it might well be: It's going to get worse before it gets better. How many times have you heard that one over the last few weeks? The economy? It's going to get worse before it gets ...
No sex for fireworks, women say
Jan 01, 2009 ... Men in Naples will have to make do without sex if they insisted on going out to play with fireworks on New Year's Eve. That's the tough love message from Se Spari, Niente Sesso (No Sex for Fireworks), a group that claims to have signed up hundreds of women ...
Time to knock some, give others a boost
Jan 01, 2009 ... Rod Blagojevich needs a boost. Barack Obama needs a knock. Todd Stroger sure needs a boost. But Oprah needs a knock. Seriously. She inspires people to be their best, supports education in Africa, encourages everybody to read good books and sets a fantastic example of ...
Highlights of shifting the blame in 2008
Jan 01, 2009; ... Ohio recently became the sixth state to ban Salvia divinorum, a psychedelic member of the mint family native to Mexico, where it has been used for centuries as an aid to healing and divination. The legislator who introduced the ban said he did so after hearing from constituents who blamed their ...
Rooting for automakers
Jan 01, 2009; ... Rick Telander has a problem with the U.S. government offering General Motors a loan ["Bowl Season? Baa, humbug," Wednesday], but he apparently has no such issue with the billions of dollars that a host of Southern states have made in outright giveaways to foreign car companies so that these ...
Gov, Burris a lot alike
Jan 01, 2009; ... One thing we've learned from Roland Burris' acceptance of Gov. Blagojevich's appointment to the U.S. Senate: The governor seems ...
Throw the shoe at gov
Jan 01, 2009; ... I didn't think this saga with our governor could get any worse, but then he never seems to disappoint us. If any politician ...
I love city . . . but what's with the potholes?
Jan 01, 2009; ... Mine is a love story of two perspectives. I recently had the opportunity to experience the beauty of Chicago firsthand -- your architecture, your waterfront, your offerings in art, music, culture and great food. And everywhere we went, the people were generous, polite and helpful. It was easy ...
No reason why Burris shouldn't get seat
Jan 01, 2009; ... I am puzzled as to why in your editorial today you found it necessary to disparage the accomplishments of Roland Burris. The Illinois Legislature had an opportunity to give the people of Illinois a chance to vote on a replacement for Barack Obama. They chose not to do so. I disagree with all of ...
Talkback
Jan 01, 2009 ... THE LONGER BURRIS FIGHTS, THE MORE HE SULLIES HIS NAME The simple fact that Roland Burris accepted the governor's appointment in the face of the statements made by President-elect Obama, Senate leaders, and Blagojevich's pending impeachment should disqualify Burris from becoming a member ...
Bureaucracies can't sow real success
Jan 01, 2009; ... 'Outliers" are not politicians who lie even more than other politicians. It is a term used by statisticians to describe some data that are far away from the average -- data on seven-foot women or freezing temperatures in Los Angeles, for example. Outliers is also the title of a very ...
Why is peace group welcoming ex-Rep. McKinney aboard?
Jan 01, 2009; ... Former Rep. Cynthia McKinney of Georgia, the Green Party's presidential nominee this year, is back in the news. McKinney was on a boat that confronted the Israeli navy as it attempted to enter Gaza to deliver medical supplies. Depending on whose version you believe, the ship -- sent by ...
Outtakes
Jan 01, 2009 ... "The morning after your election in November, I said to my wife Rebecca, 'You know, I'm thinking about becoming an American.' ...
Idyllic 'Idol' wedding
Jan 01, 2009; ... Music brought them together, and on New Year's Eve, Gina Glocksen and Joe Ruzicka were wed at the chapel at Naper Settlement in a tune-filled ceremony. After more than a year of planning, the "American Idol" finalist and Neuqua Valley High School science teacher exchanged vows in front ...
Eagles flying in
Jan 01, 2009 ... The Eagles are planning a return trip to the Chicago area, booking a March 26 concert at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman ...
Eisner bags show
Jan 01, 2009 ... Former Disney chief Michael Eisner is taking leave of his CNBC talk show. "Conversations With Michael Eisner" has been airing about once a month since March 2006. But this isn't CNBC's choice. Eisner has become preoccupied with his other business interest, Tornante Co., and "decided he didn't ...
Lil Wayne has biggest album of '08
Jan 01, 2009 ... Rapper Lil Wayne's "Tha Carter III" is far and away the top seller of 2008, netting 2.88 million copies, Nielsen SoundScan figures show. It's the first time the best-selling album of the year has sold less than 3 million since Nielsen SoundScan began tracking sales in 1991. Coldplay is a ...
He ruins women's lives, wonders why he can't love
Jan 01, 2009; ... Dear Ellie: I'm 20, had a three-year relationship with a girl I loved, but we broke up after moving in together. Then I was with someone who loved me, and I ruined her life with my lies. Recently I'd been sleeping with a close friend but when she said she loved me, I left. My friends say ...
Bet on Bjork, investors urged
Jan 01, 2009 ... Why trust Bernie Madoff with your money when you can hand it over to Bjork? The Icelandic alternative singer has put her name on a venture capital fund that will invest in companies that are socially and environmentally responsible. BJORK will be run by Reykjavik, ...
TV Talk Today
Jan 01, 2009 ... "Live With Regis and Kelly" (9 a.m., Channel 9): Actor Daniel Craig; musician Seal; actor Robert Wagner. (R) "The Morning Show With Mike & Juliet" (10 a.m., WFLD-Channel 32): Actress Suzanne Somers; psychic Char Margolis. (R) "The Tyra Banks Show" (4 p.m., WPWR-Channel 50): Model ...
Georgia Nicols Forecast for 2009
Jan 01, 2009 ... ARIES March 21 - April 19 Kiss, kiss, hug, hug. This year your popularity rating is off the charts! Everyone loves you. Now is the time to join clubs and organizations. Friendships will be enriched. But get this: these associations go beyond mere enjoyment -- people will help you ...
Courageous Burris
Jan 01, 2009; ... HAPPY NEW YEAR! . . . Yeah, I said it! THE U.S. SENATE seat may be tainted because of the alleged wrongdoings of Gov. Blagojevich, but Roland Burris' behind is not tainted and should not be penalized for accepting this prestigious seat. And I applaud Burris for having the courage to walk ...
Doing your homework pays off
Jan 01, 2009; ... Last year saw billionaires become mere millionaires and millionaires resort to real work for a living. They'd still be raking it in if they knew what Larry Mendrala knows. Mendrala, 54, likes to understand what he's investing in. So he takes his time, does research and favors companies ...
Monkey off target 2nd year in row
Jan 01, 2009 ... Mr. Adam Monk, the cebus monkey who inspired our Sun-Times stock-picking contest, missed his mark. For the second straight year, he slightly underperformed the market. So he's taking a rest. We know what you're thinking. No, the Sun-Times isn't giving him a buyout. No, he isn't being ...
Local ratings logjam
Jan 01, 2009; ... The fall 2008 Arbitron radio ratings book was released Wednesday, and the book, which averages the numbers from October, November and December ratings books, once again showed how the recently introduced portable people meter has helped shake up the local ratings competition. We'll take a ...
Longtime UIC chief of surgery
Jan 01, 2009; ... Dr. Lloyd M. Nyhus of the University of Illinois at Chicago was known worldwide for his pioneering works on the anatomy of ulcers and hernias and for surgical techniques for their repair and treatment. The chief of surgery at the UIC College of Medicine for more than 20 years, he ...
Warren wins Pontiac title
Jan 01, 2009; ... Aaron Montgomery was not supposed to play a starring role in the Pontiac tournament. He's Warren's 5-8, 180-pound point guard. The physical, defensive-minded senior was the key to Warren's 74-63 win over Schaumburg in the championship game Wednesday. Schaumburg star Cully Payne's ...
Lions want to talk with Vikes' Frazier
Jan 01, 2009 ... The Detroit Lions are interested in speaking with Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier for their vacant head-coaching job. Frazier was a cornerback for the Bears from 1981 to 1985. Vikings coach Brad Childress confirmed the contact Wednesday by the Lions, who fired ...
Wolves blow it, fall in OT
Jan 01, 2009 ... The Wolves held the lead for 55:20 before allowing a late goal and fell 2-1 in overtime Wednesday to the Manitoba Moose at the MTS Centre. The only goal for the Wolves (19-13-2-1) came at 4:11 of the first period from right wing Joe Motzko, who has scored in six consecutive ...
No-no to 'oh, no'
Jan 01, 2009 ... 2008 YEAR IN REVIEW Our beat reporters witnessed a little bit of everything in 2008 -- from the highs (division titles for both baseball teams, the Bulls winning the draft lottery, the Blackhawks' renaissance) to the lows (quick postseason exits for both baseball teams, the Bears missing ...
Today'sgames
Jan 01, 2009 ... Outback Bowl South Carolina (7-5) vs. Iowa (8-4) The facts: 10 a.m., Tampa, Fla., ESPN, 1000-AM. The line: Iowa by 4. The story line: Steve Spurrier's Gamecocks lost their last two games by an 87-20 total, while the Hawkeyes rebounded from a three-game ...
Irish use experience to win league opener
Jan 01, 2009; ... Nationally ranked Notre Dame would be a tough opponent for inexperienced DePaul in any situation this season. But the task turned out to be more daunting Wednesday when Blue Demons forward Devin Hill was unable to play after suffering a sprained left ankle in practice Tuesday. Hill had ...
House of boos
Jan 01, 2009; ... The paying customers at the United Center had some new-jeer wishes for the Bulls' defense. ''Try!'' one courtside fan pleaded in the second quarter. ''Do something effective!'' another shouted. Yep, the expectation bar was set as low as the Bulls' energy level in a 113-94 ...
Bulls notes
Jan 01, 2009; ... Bulls special-assignments scout Ron Adams has been hired as an assistant coach by the Oklahoma City Thunder. Adams was an assistant for the Bulls for five seasons before moving to the front office last summer when coach Vinny Del Negro was hired. ''Ron has a great understanding and knowledge of ...
DeRosa deal could restart Peavy talks
Jan 01, 2009; ... After trading Mark DeRosa to the Cleveland Indians and signing free-agent infielder Aaron Miles in correlated moves Wednesday, the Cubs are poised to complete their priority offseason activity as early as next week. That's when the trade of right-hander Jason Marquis to the Colorado ...
Wrigley brings back memories for Chelios
Jan 01, 2009; ... Chris Chelios might play for the Detroit Red Wings these days, but he's still a Chicago guy. ''Who'd have ever thought growing up that a game like this would be played in Chicago?'' Chelios said Wednesday after an afternoon skate at Wrigley Field in preparation for the Winter Classic ...
Finally, a team for whom we all can root
Jan 01, 2009; ... It's going to be a box-office smash. Likely the NHL's biggest global attraction ever. Terrific. I am a hockey buff. Good for the world. What engages me, however, is that the much-ballyhooed Winter Classic, pitting the Blackhawks against the defending champion Red Wings, is an ...
At long last, the puck drops here
Jan 01, 2009; ... ''Surreal.'' That's the first word Blackhawks president John McDonough used to describe Wrigley Field's transformation from a baseball mecca to a hockey venue. The former Cubs president campaigned vigorously to get the NHL to bring its Winter Classic to Chicago, and the ...
Gimpy Kane hoping to play
Jan 01, 2009; ... Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane came onto the ice with his teammates before their practice Wednesday at Wrigley Field, but he stayed only for the team photo in the black retro uniforms to be worn today in the Winter Classic against the Detroit Red Wings. Kane then skated off for more ...
Hawks Notes
Jan 01, 2009; ... The game today will have one casualty. Mike ''Doc'' Emrick, who did the play-by-play for NBC during the Winter Classic last year and was scheduled to do it again, had to bow out because of laryngitis. Dave Strader, the play-by-play voice of the Phoenix Coyotes who also has worked for NBC, will ...
No sex for fireworks, women say
Jan 01, 2009 ... Men in Naples will have to make do without sex if they insisted on going out to play with fireworks on New Year's Eve. That's the tough love message from Se Spari, Niente Sesso (No Sex for Fireworks), a group that claims to have signed up hundreds of women ...
Highlights of shifting the blame in 2008
Jan 01, 2009; ... Ohio recently became the sixth state to ban Salvia divinorum, a psychedelic member of the mint family native to Mexico, where it has been used for centuries as an aid to healing and divination. The legislator who introduced the ban said he did so after hearing from constituents who blamed their ...
Time to knock some, give others a boost
Jan 01, 2009 ... Rod Blagojevich needs a boost. Barack Obama needs a knock. Todd Stroger sure needs a boost. But Oprah needs a knock. Seriously. She inspires people to be their best, supports education in Africa, encourages everybody to read good books and sets a fantastic example of ...
Rooting for automakers
Jan 01, 2009; ... Rick Telander has a problem with the U.S. government offering General Motors a loan ["Bowl Season? Baa, humbug," Wednesday], but he apparently has no such issue with the billions of dollars that a host of Southern states have made in outright giveaways to foreign car companies so that these ...
I love city . . . but what's with the potholes?
Jan 01, 2009; ... Mine is a love story of two perspectives. I recently had the opportunity to experience the beauty of Chicago firsthand -- your architecture, your waterfront, your offerings in art, music, culture and great food. And everywhere we went, the people were generous, polite and helpful. It was easy ...
No reason why Burris shouldn't get seat
Jan 01, 2009; ... I am puzzled as to why in your editorial today you found it necessary to disparage the accomplishments of Roland Burris. The Illinois Legislature had an opportunity to give the people of Illinois a chance to vote on a replacement for Barack Obama. They chose not to do so. I disagree with all of ...
Talk back
Jan 01, 2009 ... THE LONGER BURRIS FIGHTS, THE MORE HE SULLIES HIS NAME The simple fact that Roland Burris accepted the governor's appointment in the face of the statements made by President-elect Obama, Senate leaders, and Blagojevich's pending impeachment should disqualify Burris from becoming a member ...
Gov, Burris a lot alike
Jan 01, 2009; ... One thing we've learned from Roland Burris' acceptance of Gov. Blagojevich's appointment to the U.S. Senate: The governor seems ...
Throw the shoe at Gov
Jan 01, 2009; ... I didn't think this saga with our governor could get any worse, but then he never seems to disappoint us. If any politician ...
Why is peace group welcoming ex-Rep. McKinney aboard?
Jan 01, 2009; ... Former Rep. Cynthia McKinney of Georgia, the Green Party's presidential nominee this year, is back in the news. McKinney was on a boat that confronted the Israeli navy as it attempted to enter Gaza to deliver medical supplies. Depending on whose version you believe, the ship -- sent by ...
Bureaucracies can't sow real success
Jan 01, 2009; ... 'Outliers" are not politicians who lie even more than other politicians. It is a term used by statisticians to describe some data that are far away from the average -- data on seven-foot women or freezing temperatures in Los Angeles, for example. Outliers is also the title of a very ...
Idyllic 'Idol' wedding
Jan 01, 2009; ... Music brought them together, and on New Year's Eve, Gina Glocksen and Joe Ruzicka were wed at the chapel at Naper Settlement in a tune-filled ceremony. After more than a year of planning, the "American Idol" finalist and Neuqua Valley High School science teacher exchanged vows in front ...
Entertainment in Brief
Jan 01, 2009 ... Lil Wayne has biggest album of '08 Rapper Lil Wayne's "Tha Carter III" is far and away the top seller of 2008, netting 2.88 million copies, Nielsen SoundScan figures show. It's the first time the best-selling album of the year has sold less than 3 million since Nielsen SoundScan began ...
Dark days for Michigan Avenue mall
Jan 01, 2009; ... Chicago Place Mall, the dark, vertical and long-struggling shopping center at 700 N. Michigan Ave., is nearly barren as its owners reportedly prepare to open offices or living units to replace retailers on the upper floors. The main floor is unheated, the escalator is shut down and Saks ...