SouthtownStar (Chicago, IL) back issues from August 2008:
Man charged with attempted murder of cop
Aug 01, 2008 ... By Lynda Hemmerling correspondent A Steger man faces charges in connection with the attempted murder of a Sauk Village police officer during a high speed chase last month. Christopher J. Guy, 21, 194 Bayview Court, Steger, was charged this week with attempted murder of a police officer and ...
Daley defends tougher boot plan
Aug 01, 2008 ... By Fran Spielman Sun-Times News Group Chicago could make a $48 million dent in its unprecedented budget deficit by lowering the threshold for applying the Denver boot from three unpaid parking or red light tickets to two, Mayor Richard Daley said, arguing that the threat of more booting beats ...
Blagojevich's scaled down capital plan
Aug 01, 2008 ... WHAT'S NEW: Gov. Rod Blagojevich has ratcheted down the price tag and abandoned gambling expansion as the major source of funding for his proposed statewide construction program. EXPLANATION: Blagojevich is trying to revive the program to fix Illinois' infrastructure that has been stalled by his ...
Blagojevich scales back construction plan
Aug 01, 2008 ... By DEANNA BELLANDI The Associated press Gov. Rod Blagojevich tried to revive his proposed statewide construction program on Thursday by ratcheting down the price tag and abandoning gambling expansion to pay for it. But the concessions may not be enough to resuscitate the plan stalled by his ...
Guards involved in nightclub shooting turn themselves in
Aug 01, 2008 ... By David Schwab staff writer Two security guards involved in the shooting death of a Hazel Crest man last Sunday at a Chicago Heights nightclub have turned themselves in to police and will not face charges, Chicago Heights police said Thursday. Lt. Michael Romano said he could not give out ...
Readers' comments on nightclub death
Aug 01, 2008 ... Here's what readers on SouthtownStar.com are saying about the weekend shooting at Esoteric Nightclub, a Chicago Heights club popular among teens. Hillcrest High School 2006 graduate Johnathan Williams died at the scene, succumbing to a gunshot wound in the face, according to police. The mayor ...
Charitable Causes
Aug 01, 2008 ... Olympia Fields resident receives Cancer Center's highest honor Olympia Fields resident Don Morrison received the TRJ Humanitarian Award at the Jennifer S. Fallick Cancer Support Center's 17th Annual Steve Fallick Golf & Tennis Outing dinner on July 14. Morrison, who has volunteered for many ...
Three county workers under investigation
Aug 01, 2008 ... By Mark Konkol SUN-TIMES NEWS GROUP Three Cook County employees at Provident Hospital are under investigation for allegedly scheming to pay phony invoices submitted by an Alsip-based business supply company. Provident business manager Patricia Dixon, her underling John Janousek and hospital ...
Tired shtick
Aug 01, 2008 ... Has there been a more egregious abuse of computer-generated imagery than that of the "Mummy" franchise? For four films now - if you count the "Scorpion King" spin-off and now "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" - these effects extravaganzas have stretched the limits of how much ...
Will County judge denies visitation to Crete parents
Aug 01, 2008 ... By Angela Caputo Staff writer One arm is in a sling, and white scar tissue has formed like cuffs around the 16-year-old's wrists from where he was bound. His face is scarred, arms gaunt and eyes dark and sullen. Just more than a year ago, the Crete teen was "thick," his older sister said. He was ...
Family, friends gather for boy's wake
Aug 01, 2008 ... BY WILLIAM LEE staff writer Tammy Bryant would've preferred a more joyous reason for a family reunion. In recent years, she and the older siblings of Kevin Johnson had begun to reconnect with one another after years of being splintered in the foster care system. They had also reconnected with ...
Barbecue galore
Aug 01, 2008 ... In a nutshell: Bon a Pit Grill & Smokehouse, which opened recently, specializes in barbecue, which is done quite well. Decor: Don't be fooled by the bales of hay at the front entrance. Despite its name, this is definitely not a "pit," nor is it a Western-themed restaurant, despite the aroma of ...
Dinner and a movie
Aug 01, 2008 ... Do you want to believe? After six years away from the small screen, Fox Mulder and Dana Scully have returned, but to the silver screen in "The X-Files: I Want To Believe." Starring David Duchovny, Gillian ...
Domestic violence training offered
Aug 01, 2008 ... By Anna Tesauro staff writer In August, the South Suburban Family Shelter will begin offering morning and evening sessions for its domestic violence 40-hour training certificates. "It's for anyone who wants to learn more about domestic violence. The training is required for anyone with direct ...
Teen found dead in Ada Park pool
Aug 01, 2008 ... By Stefano Esposito Sun-Times News Group Mildred Johnson allowed herself a slight smile Thursday afternoon as she recalled how her 19-year-old son figured that because he was so tall, it was his job to take care of his mom. But the smile quickly vanished, and the Lansing woman's eyes brimmed ...
Gruesome 'Dark Knight' role an acid test for Eckhart
Aug 01, 2008 ... By WILLIAM KECK Gannett News SErvice With all the attention surrounding the late Heath Ledger's chilling portrayal of The Joker in "The Dark Knight," Batman's other psychotic nemesis, Harvey "Two Face" Dent, gets a bit lost in the film's Joker-heavy deck. But there is no ignoring actor Aaron ...
Worry later; today, focus on celebrating MetroSouth
Aug 01, 2008 ... THE ISSUE: After months of worry that Blue Island's St. Francis Hospital would close, tossing more than 1,400 people out of work and reducing health care options for tens of thousands more, the place has new owners and a fresh lease on life. WE SAY: While we worry about what lies ahead, we ...
Events
Aug 01, 2008 ... ART THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO - 111 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, (312) 443-3600. "Improvisations: Picture Books by Chris Raschka" has been extended through Sunday. This exhibit features original picture book art highlighting American musicians, poets and storytelling narratives. n "Gallery ...
5 Places to ...
Aug 01, 2008 ... If you're in the mood for music and munchies, Make a stop at the annual Taste of Orland Park, which runs until Sunday at 14700 S. Ravinia Ave. Sample area restaurants, or try these local favorites. Kismet Drive-In 9931 W. 151st St., Orland Park, (708) 349-2205 If gyros are on your mind, Kismet ...
Casino destinations evolve into complete vacation package
Aug 01, 2008 ... Casinos aren't just for gamblers anymore. Many destination market properties have evolved into all-inclusive entertainment experiences. It's a surprising trend in some major markets, most notable among them Las Vegas, that non-gaming revenues have surpassed gaming revenues. Slot ...
Today's parents can't afford to overspend on their kids
Aug 01, 2008 ... We parents on average spend five times more on our kids today than we did 25 years ago, and that's in real dollars. So David Briggs, head of the Good Sense Financial Stewardships Ministry at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington told me. Briggs was a finance manager at General ...
The Home Rail
Aug 01, 2008 ... The Home Rail Backyard buddies Some tips from Birdsforever.com on how to attract robins to your yard: nRobins are most often seen foraging in lawns for earthworms. They also eat many insects including caterpillars, termites, grasshoppers and beetle grubs. Set aside a damp or grassy area for them ...
Quantum leaps
Aug 01, 2008 ... By KIM COOK The Associated Press NEW YORK - A decade of quantum technological leaps mean today's designers have in their hands a virtually bottomless toy box of new materials and methods. Take the award-winning installation "Lightshowers" put on by DuPont Corian at this year's International ...
Hot Picks
Aug 01, 2008 ... Beginning Thursday The Chicago premiere of "Walking With Dinosaurs - The Live Experience" will include a mother Tyrannosaurus protecting her young and Huxley, the paleontologist-narrator. During this extraordinary event, audience members will witness dinosaurs interacting and evolving as the ...
The mad genius of Kenny Williams
Aug 01, 2008 ... Welcome Ken Griffey Jr. to the White Sox ...Baseball is supposed to be a distraction from the drudgery of everyday life, and folks on the South Side could hardly talk about anything but the Griffey trade on Thursday. "Ken Griffey Jr.," everyone was saying. "What the heck is Sox GM Kenny Williams ...
Forum
Aug 01, 2008 ... Obama's not right for the White House In response to a letter from Bill Corcoran claiming Barack Obama isn't farther ahead in the polls because of latent racism: That is a handy excuse, but not an accurate one. Most people have figured out that Obama is no more than a celebrity who has spent his ...
Local News Digest
Aug 01, 2008 ... Midlothian Father's trial is set A Sept. 3 trial date has been scheduled for a 35-year-old Midlothian man charged with misdemeanor child endangerment for caging his two young daughters in his pickup truck. Ricardo Gonzalez was charged about a month ago with keeping his daughters, ages 2 and 5, ...
Mice new neighbor at Walgreens construction site
Aug 01, 2008 ... By Kristen Schorsch Staff writer Residents whose homes abut the future home of Walgreens at 171st Street and 84th Avenue say mice are parading around their homes thanks to the piles of dirt and high weeds in the nearby construction site. It's the latest round in a long battle with the developer ...
Obama aids local woman in Mideast custody battle
Aug 01, 2008 ... By KARIN LAUB and MOHAMMED DARAGHMEH the associated press KOBAR, West Bank - An American woman fighting to get back four daughters living in the West Bank with their Palestinian father has gotten unusually high-powered help - from Barack Obama. The U.S. presidential hopeful raised the case of ...
A poor bargain
Aug 01, 2008 ... When Kevin Costner has to work too hard to be charming - when it isn't effortless - you know there is something amiss with the material he's been given. "Swing Vote" is supposed to be another shaggy Costner vehicle, in which the star plays a beloved rumpled Everyman with an aw-shucks grin. Yet ...
A quick look at other movies you might want to see
Aug 01, 2008 ... 'THE DARK KNIGHT' HHHH This comic-book adaptation with weight takes us deep into pop variety madness. PG-13 'STEP BROTHERS' HHH Chicago South Side native John C. Reilly and Will Ferrell show off their comic chemistry. R 'MAMMA MIA!' H1/2 This is perhaps the worst example of what ...
NeighborhoodStar News
Aug 01, 2008 ... Chicago Golf outing planned Swing into summer and join the fun at Mother McAuley's annual golf outing on Aug. 8 at Stony Creek Golf Course, 5860 W. 103rd St., Oak Lawn. The event is sponsored by the McAuley Alumnae Board. Proceeds from this event provide financial assistance to incoming McAuley ...
Obama inspires Caribbean musicians
Aug 01, 2008 ... By Dave HoeKstra Sun-Times News Group It is a new day-o for calypso. Calypso is the traditional folk music of the Caribbean. But one progressive theme unites hundreds of calypsonians who are part of the current 41st annual Caribana Festival throughout Toronto: Barack Obama. At the Canadian ...
Aug 01, 2008 ... By Angela Caputo Staff writer Katie Hirdler has had it with filling up her tank. With each fill-up costing $70, Hirdler is always looking for ways to avoid visiting the gas pump. Hirdler traded in her truck for a Cadillac. She took a job as a nanny for a local family. And, despite being "not ...
Judge orders 2 in pipe bomb case held without bond
Aug 01, 2008 ... By MIKE ROBINSON The Associated Press Two men arrested as federal agents searched Outlaws motorcycle clubhouses were charged Thursday with pipe-bombing a suburban video and vending machine company and ordered held without bond. John Polchan, 41, of Justice, and Samuel Volpendesto, 84, appeared ...
Portfolio
Aug 01, 2008 ... Last-minute dealheads off UPS strike United Parcel Service reached a deal early Thursday with Teamsters Local 705 that ends the threat of a strike. Local 705 represents 11,000 workers at UPS hubs in Bedford Park, South Holland and Hodgkins, which is the company's largest hub in the world ....
These kids are amped up
Aug 01, 2008 ... By Rena Fulka Staff Writer Connie Johnson-Beebe and husband Todd Beebe, owners of All About Music and Children's Theatre in Mokena, launched Rock Summer School last year to teach youngsters in grades four to 12 how to perform as a band. The popularity of the film "School of Rock" and music video ...
Speak Out
Aug 01, 2008 ... Neuter law makes sense I agree with Bob Barker on making mandatory pet spaying and neutering a law. Thousands of unwanted pets die in shelters each year. Neutered pets usually do not have as much aggression. People who make designer dogs add to the unwanted pet numbers. With purebreds and mutts ...
Too Favre-fetched
Aug 01, 2008 ... By Brad Biggs Sun-Times news Group The more the Green Bay Packers look for suitors for Brett Favre, the more it looks like he could join an NFC North rival. The Minnesota Vikings. Just as the Packers don't have interest in Favre crashing their training camp, the Bears were not putting out ...
Loviepassing on Lynch
Aug 01, 2008 ... By Brad Biggs Sun-Times news Group The Bears feel good enough about their biggest question mark on defense not to pursue free-agent safety John Lynch, who mutually parted ways with the Denver Broncos this week. The 36-year-old Hinsdale native is on good terms with Bears coach Lovie Smith from ...
ThunderBolts take down Sliders
Aug 01, 2008 ... By Steve Millar Correspondent While it may be too early to call any game a must-win for the Windy City ThunderBolts, there was little doubt Thursday night's contest was vital. After appearing flat in a 9-7 loss to the Midwest Sliders on Wednesday, the T-Bolts displayed some urgency Thursday ....
Bowman joins Hawks
Aug 01, 2008 ... By Carol Slezak Sun-Times News Group Despite inquiries from other organizations, Scotty Bowman never was tempted to leave the Detroit Red Wings, the franchise he had called home since 1993. Yet when the Blackhawks phoned, Bowman listened. The Hall of Fame coach, winner of a record nine Stanley ...
With Deng in, Bulls' focus turns to Gordon
Aug 01, 2008 ... BY John Jackson Sun-Times News Group The Bulls officially announced the re-signing of restricted free agent Luol Deng on Thursday, but that was hardly news. Word of the six-year, $71 million contract (plus $9 million in incentives) became public Tuesday night, and the deal has been a hot topic ...
Milwaukee broomers: Cubs complete a neat sweep
Aug 01, 2008 ... By Gordon Wittenmyer Sun-Times News Group MILWAUKEE - The Cubs didn't make a deal at the non-waiver trade deadline Thursday. But that doesn't mean they didn't have an answer for the Ken Griffey Jr. deal the guys on the other side of town pulled off. The Cubs flexed their grip on the National ...
Wood throws simulated game
Aug 01, 2008 ... By Gordon Wittenmyer Sun-Times News Group MILWAUKEE - A day after the Cubs scrapped a plan for Kerry Wood to throw a simulated game, the injured closer threw one Thursday before the game against the Brewers. Wearing a protective pad on his tender index finger, Wood threw 22 pitches, then told ...
Risk might be rewarding
Aug 01, 2008 ... If you want to know what Ken Griffey Jr. means to the White Sox, go back a couple of days for one of manager Ozzie Guillen's classic give-and-takes. It was amusing to follow the volleys in print, even if Guillen was playing tennis with himself. The ongoing Paul Konerko saga was playing out this ...
JUNIORACHIEVEMENT
Aug 01, 2008 ... By Joe Cowley Sun-Times News Group MINNEAPOLIS - There were bigger holes to fill, but a player with the status of Ken Griffey Jr. comes around once in a lifetime - even if it might be about five years too late in that lifetime. That didn't stop White Sox general manager Ken Williams from pulling ...
Illini dismiss Smith from basketball team
Aug 01, 2008 ... Illinois basketball coach Bruce Weber didn't have to wait for a September probation hearing to reach a decision on troubled guard Jamar Smith. Weber dismissed Smith from the team Thursday for ''violating terms of his agreement for a possible return to the team'' after his February 2007 car wreck ...
Too Manny issues: Red Sox send Ramirez to Dodgers in 3-way deal
Aug 01, 2008 ... The Manny Ramirez era in Boston is over, his homers and headaches shipped far, far away to Los Angeles. Good riddance to a clubhouse cloud? Or good gosh, how could the Red Sox trade a future Hall of Famer and still powerful cleanup hitter with a pennant race heating up? They'll find out in the ...
Konerko takes Griffey acquisition in stride
Aug 01, 2008 ... By Joe Cowley Sun-Times News Group MINNEAPOLIS - It wasn't the news Paul Konerko wanted to hear Thursday, but in the black-and-white world of the White Sox captain, he said, ''This is the business I'm in.'' The addition of Ken Griffey Jr. will affect Konerko more than anyone else on the roster, ...
Role reversals
Aug 01, 2008 ... The gender-bending casting in this version of "Glengarry Glen Ross" is different from previous revivals. But it doesn't make the play any better. If anything, the production by Redtwist Theatre in Chicago dilutes and detracts from the meaning and impact of the show by replacing some of the male ...
Heartwarming poignancy
Aug 01, 2008 ... Its titillating striptease and laugh-filled story always made "The Full Monty" a lot of fun. But, as staged by director and choreographer Marc Robin, the revival of the machismo musical at the Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire, offers much more than just a good time. The comic musical is based on ...
Detectives think Tinley murders, Chicago killings may be connected
Aug 01, 2008 ... By Eric Herman, annie Sweeney and Kristen Schorsch Sun-Times News Group Police are investigating whether there is a link between two of the Chicago area's most notorious recent crimes - the Feb. 2 slayings of five women inside a Lane Bryant store in Tinley Park and the April 23 murders of five ...
Lollapalooza
Aug 01, 2008 ... Three days of rain or shine back-to-back music has arrived, as Lollapalooza will kick off today and runs until Sunday in Grant Park, Columbus and Congress drives. Friday night headliner Radiohead will perform from its latest release, "In Rainbows." The English rock group's hits include "Creep," ...
Top shows now on Chicago-area stages
Aug 01, 2008 ... "The Full Monty," through Sept. 21 at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire. Call (847) 634-0200 or visit www.marriotttheatre.com. "Phantom," through Aug. 17 at Theatre at the Center, 1040 Ridge Road, Munster, Ind. Call (219) 836-3255 or visit www.theatreatthecenter.org. "Plaza ...
Aug 01, 2008 ... By DAVID INMAN Gannett News Service Question: I am a physician with many patients older than 80. When I tell them there used to be a show called "Life Begins at 80," no one remembers it. And then I realized that although I remember the title, I don't remember what the show was about. Can you ...
Mom hopes to raise research money for rare ailment
Aug 01, 2008 ... By STEPHANIE GEHRING STAFF WRITER Some days are better than others for Raymond Vanco, a 12-year-old Orland Park boy with intracranial hypertension. "Every day is different," said his mother, Kris Vanco. "Some days he can't get out of bed." Seven years passed before her son was properly diagnosed ...
Small steps to a big impact
Aug 01, 2008 ... By Greg Houghton staff writer To encourage more people to cast their ballots in the upcoming November election, the Tinley Park Chamber of Commerce has started a program to register voters. Chamber president and CEO Bernadette Shanahan-Haas and Melinda Krieher, member services coordinator, have ...
Who's Playing
Aug 01, 2008 ... ABBEY PUB - 3420 W. Grace St., Chicago, (773) 478-4408: Sunday, Supersuckers; Wednesday, Bart Davenport. BEAT KITCHEN - 2100 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago, (773) 281-4444: Today, Deal's Gone Bad, American Taxi and the Box Social; Saturday, Apteka and the Runnies. BEVERLY ARTS CENTER - 2407 W. 111th ...
Time Bandit strikes again?
Aug 02, 2008 ... By Susan DeMar Lafferty Staff writer A bank robbery July 25 in Homer Glen apparently was the latest in a string of about a dozen bank holdups by a man the FBI has nicknamed the Time Bandit, authorities said. Will County sheriff's police said the man entered MB Financial Bank, 13900 S. Bell Road, ...
Piniella's tonic: rest for regulars
Aug 02, 2008 ... By Toni Ginnetti Sun-times News Group August means heat and humidity, along with the last long stretch of home games for the Cubs. Manager Lou Piniella already is taking steps to minimize the toll of the weather and maximize the benefits of being at home. "I'm trying to rest people on this ...
Ford, Toyota U.S. sales fall in July
Aug 02, 2008 ... General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co., Toyota Motor Corp. and other automakers said Friday that their U.S. sales fell by double-digits in July as they struggled to keep up with consumers' growing demand for smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles. Automakers were expecting July sales to be at their ...
Family mourns loss of Crete boy
Aug 02, 2008 ... By Angela Caputo Staff writer Even before he could carry on much of a conversation, Kevin Johnson had women all figured out. All he had to do was flash his priceless smile, and the ladies would croon. "Look at his beautiful teeth" they'd say, his Aunt Mary Carver recalled. But smiling wasn't ...
Daley mocks Blago offer to send state cops to Chicago
Aug 02, 2008 ... By Dave McKinney and Fran Spielman Sun-Times News Group Chicago Mayor Richard Daley on Friday ridiculed Gov. Rod Blagojevich for offering state troopers and National Guard equipment to combat Chicago crime when the governor is cutting the state's law enforcement budget. Daley read out loud from ...
Plastic security
Aug 02, 2008 ... BY TERRY SAVAGE sun-times news group The check may no longer be "in the mail" for thousands of Chicago area recipients of Social Security and Supplemental Security Income. They can now choose to receive their monthly benefits electronically through a new Direct Express Debit MasterCard debit ...