SouthtownStar (Chicago, IL) back issues from November 2008:
Indiana siblings indicted in kidnapping
Nov 01, 2008 ... By KIM JANSSEN Staff Writer A brother and sister from Indiana accused of helping kidnap Orland Park toddler Nadin Ayesh were indicted Friday by an Ohio grand jury. Matthew and Brandi Fitting are accused of helping Nadin's father, Said Ayesh, hide Nadin from authorities at their at their Crown ...
It's your time
Nov 01, 2008 ... This has been an amazing political season, with more interest, fervor and debate than we've seen in decades. That a record number of folks in the Southland and across the state have headed to the polls early is a clear indication the electorate believes it has a stake in this battle between ...
Hardship withdrawals from 401(k) not easy
Nov 01, 2008 ... By EILEEN CONNELLY the associated press Q: My family is facing an emergency, and we need cash to handle it. Does it make sense to take a "hardship withdrawal" from my 401(k)? A: Hardship withdrawals from 401(k) plans allow you emergency access to your savings under certain narrow ...
Want a holiday job? Start looking now
Nov 01, 2008 ... By SUE STOCK The Associated Press Here's the bad news for holiday job seekers: There are more of you competing for fewer jobs. The tightening economy has retailers planning for slower sales, which means they will hire fewer people. At the same time, there are 2.2 million more unemployed people ...
Four arrested in violent home invasion
Nov 01, 2008 ... By Nathaniel Zimmer Staff Writer A 38-year-old man survived being shot in the head during a home invasion in Oak Lawn Thursday night, according to police. Three men and one woman, all from Chicago, are in custody, and police said they expect to file charges today. The man's injuries are not ...
Homer Glen achieves home rule status
Nov 01, 2008 ... By Elisabeth Kilpatrick Staff Writer A special census this summer in Homer Glen has put the village's population at more than 25,000 - automatically granting it home rule status, which will allow for expanded governmental power. "It's definitely exciting," Mayor Jim Daley said of home rule. "It ...
Handgun linked to Hudson murders
Nov 01, 2008 ... By Frank Main Sun-Times News Group Tests have confirmed that a .45-caliber pistol hidden in bushes on Chicago's West Side was used in the slayings of Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson's brother, mother and nephew, officials said. Police Supt. Jody Weis told reporters he was "extraordinarily ...
Forum
Nov 01, 2008 ... Peraica not the right pickfor state's attorney In its Thursday editorial endorsing Tony Peraica for Cook County state's attorney, the SouthtownStar failed to serve its readership and community. In my 12 years as Cook County state's attorney, I have had regular dealings with Peraica in his ...
Local News Digest
Nov 01, 2008 ... Chicago Heights Two Bloom players indicted again Two Bloom High School basketball stars accused of robbing a couple Oct. 13 in Chicago Heights have been indicted on additional charges. Rajsaun Thompson and Brian Conway, both 17, initially were charged with armed robbery, but a Cook County grand ...
Lockport sports complex opens today
Nov 01, 2008 ... By TONY GRAF Sun-Times News Group A youth sports complex will open with ceremonies today, introducing the public to the first phase of what eventually will be 80 acres of recreational land. The Brent Hassert Youth Sports Complex, operated by the Lockport Township Park District, will open at 11 ...
Mokena man dies in motorcycle crash
Nov 01, 2008 ... By Elisabeth Kilpatrick Staff Writer A motorcyclist killed early Friday morning in a crash near Markham wasn't wearing a helmet, police said. Lee Ficht, 38, 19048 Ruth Drive, Mokena, was driving south on Interstate 57 at about 1:30 a.m. when he swerved to avoid construction traffic, Illinois ...
Obituaries
Nov 01, 2008 ... Martin L. Grzesiak Martin L. Grzesiak, 71, of Matteson, died Oct. 20. He was a diesel mechanic and a Navy veteran of the Korean War. Arrangements are by Hann Funeral Home, (708) ...
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Terkel dies at 96
Nov 01, 2008 ... By CARYN ROUSSEAU The Associated Press Studs Terkel, the ageless master of listening and speaking, a broadcaster, activist and Pulitzer Prize-winning author whose best-selling oral histories celebrated the common people he liked to call the "non-celebrated," died Friday. He was 96. Dan Terkell ...
Portfolio
Nov 01, 2008 ... New Lenox Chamber to hold business after hours The New Lenox Chamber of Commerce will hold a business after hours from 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 13 at LA Cafe, 280 E. Haven Ave. The event will be sponsored by Suburban Bank & Trust and LA Cafe. To reserve space, call the chamber at (815) ...
Illinois needs a constitutional convention to advance reform
Nov 01, 2008 ... This Tuesday, Illinois voters will decide whether to call a constitutional convention to consider reform amendments to the state constitution. The people of Illinois should vote "yes" in this landmark referendum. For more than 200 years, American voters have used state constitutional conventions ...
Durbin strong favorite to gain third term
Nov 01, 2008 ... By DAVE NEWBART Sun-Times News Group Another U.S. senator from Illinois is running in a major race this year, but you'd hardly know it. Dick Durbin is seeking his third term, which would cement his position as one of the Senate's top Democrats for six more years. But the race has been ...
Williams expected to be activated
Nov 01, 2008 ... By Brad Biggs Sun-Times News Group As one offensive tackle drafted in the first round goes out following back surgery, another prepares to enter the fold. Rookie Chris Williams is expected to be on the Bears' active roster Sunday, according to one club source, putting him one play away from the ...
'Doc' gives 'Vinny' some advice
Nov 01, 2008 ... By Brian Hanley Sun-Times News Group Glenn "Doc" Rivers believed it was a matter of when, not if, Vinny Del Negro would become a coach. "I was surprised he hadn't been in it yet," Rivers said of his former San Antonio Spurs teammate. "Sitting next to Vinny and Avery (Johnson) on the bench and on ...
Bulls endure a Boston beaning
Nov 01, 2008 ... By Brian Hanley Sun-times news Group BOSTON - Bulls coach Vinny Del Negro grew up in Springfield, Mass., basketball's birth place and home of the Basketball Hall of Fame. Dr. James Naismith might not have recognized his game the way the Bulls played it Friday night in a 96-80 loss to the ...
Pickup game: This one's Mount Carmel's
Nov 01, 2008 ... By Steve Tucker Sun-Times News Group One play that stood out for Mount Carmel was a fumble that turned into a touchdown. The play by Milton Greer put the No. 4 Caravan ahead for good in the second quarter of a 42-21 victory over Naperville Central in a Class 8A first-round playoff game Friday ...
Run ends for Stuursma, Chicago Christian
Nov 01, 2008 ... By Alan Macey Staff writer For Chicago Christian's do-everything senior Andy Stuursma, it wasn't the ending he anticipated Friday night in Palos Heights. Bishop McNamara, with its storied football tradition, pushed Chicago Christian out of the state football playoffs, earning a 35-21, Class 4A ...
Eager keeps showing his rough side
Nov 01, 2008 ... By Len Ziehm Sun-Times News Group Blackhawks winger Ben Eager missed the first three games of the regular season for swinging his stick from the bench at Dallas at Stars agitator Sean Avery during a preseason game. ''My fault,'' Eager said. ''(Avery) does his job well, but we've got guys who can ...
Hawks enjoy treats of home
Nov 01, 2008 ... By Len Ziehm Sun-Times news Group Halloween has been kind to the Blackhawks - especially when they play at home. Friday's 5-2 victory over the Dallas Stars before another sellout crowd at the United Center improved the Hawks to 8-2-1 when playing at home on Halloween. Overall the Hawks are ...
Keen returns a big favor for Hillcrest
Nov 01, 2008 ... By Chris Kuchta Correspondent Hillcrest set the tone early and never looked back. Ryan Keen ran the opening kickoff back 78 yards to pay dirt, getting the Hawks off on the right foot en route to a 36-8 victory over Marshall on Friday night in the Class 5A playoffs at Hanson Stadium in Chicago ....
JCA crushes Crete-Monee
Nov 01, 2008 ... By Ron Kremer Sun-Times News Group Joliet Catholic Academy's Tyler Hudetz felt ill coming into Friday's Class 6A playoff game with Crete-Monee. The Warriors shared the feeling soon enough, falling behind 10-0 before so much as running a play from scrimmage en route to a 30-6 loss in Joliet. The ...
Fast start works for L-Way East
Nov 01, 2008 ... By Curt Herron Correspondent The final score may indicate Lincoln-Way East had a struggle on its hands when it hosted Waubonsie Valley in Friday's Class 8A playoff opener in Frankfort. But while the No. 2 Griffins captured a 35-17 victory over the Warriors, they jumped out to a 21-3 halftime ...
Marist makes the connections
Nov 01, 2008 ... By Tim Cronin Staff Writer Someone in the Marist football program must have ties to the electronics chain that has the "easy" button. The RedHawks pushed it on Friday night. Lincoln-Way Central was under it. Marist's 42-21 home victory in the first round of the Class 8A playoffs was far more ...
Brown saves Morgan Park
Nov 01, 2008 ... By Scott Powers Correspondent Morgan Park quarterback DaRon Brown sat out 47 plays from the first to the fourth quarter of his team's Class 6A playoff game against Crystal Lake Central after he felt his left shoulder pop. As he sat on the bench with an ice pack on his shoulder, Brown watched ...
Andrew is super in soccer
Nov 01, 2008 ... Matt Prusak's goal in the third sudden-death overtime lifted Andrew to a 1-0 victory over Brother Rice on Friday night in the championship match of the Class 3A Marian Catholic Boys Soccer Sectional. Ryan Butler had the assist for the Thunderbolts, who improved to 18-5. Andrew is to play either ...
Providence gets pushy
Nov 01, 2008 ... By Pat Disabato Staff writer Providence safety Shane Paty could be excused for putting greater significance on his team's Class 6A first-round match-up against Oak Forest than most of his fellow Celtics. Paty played youth football with the Oak Forest Raiders and remains good friends with many of ...
Dispensa, St. Rita bounce bradley
Nov 01, 2008 ... By Tony Baranek Staff Writer It seemed kind of strange that Bradley would want to give heavily favored St. Rita the ball at the start of Friday night's Class 7A playoff opener by deferring after winning the coin toss. It turned out that the Boilermakers really didn't intend to. After St. Rita ...
Early voting a hit, indicates big turnout Tuesday
Nov 01, 2008 ... By Mary Wisniewski Sun-Times News Group About 500,000 residents of Chicago and suburban Cook County voted early in the Nov. 4 election. "This is something I've never seen," county Clerk David Orr said. "We're breaking about every record one could imagine." Orr said he expects a "very big ...
Toddler's cries allow safe escape from Country Club Hills fire
Nov 01, 2008 ... By John K. Ryan Staff Writer A 2-year-old boy's screams alerted five others early Friday about a fire spreading through a Country Club Hills condominium, enabling them to escape without injury. The six occupants of the condo, 4023 193rd St., managed to crawl out onto the roof of an attached ...
Nov 02, 2008 ... NEW LENOX Clinton Road to close Monday Beginning Monday Clinton Road will be closed for eight months, while Silver Cross Hospital installs a new road and utilities by its site at Route 6 in New Lenox. The rural road stretches about one mile, from Route 6 south to Francis Road. It will become a ...
Dems, GOP agree on one thing: anxiety
Nov 02, 2008 ... By HEATHER LALLEY The Associated Press Victoria St. Gelais is panicky. Tami Brewster-Barnes feels the nerves in the pit of her stomach. Steven Valentine is losing sleep as his mood rises and falls with John McCain's poll numbers. Voters throughout the country, whether they support McCain or ...
Marine sees clear improvement after two tours in Iraq
Nov 02, 2008 ... By Jim Hook Staff Writer The night before Tim Gena enlisted in the Marine Corps, he sat his family down for dinner at the kitchen table of their Palos Hills home. "I wasn't sure how they'd react to the news," said Gena, 26. "So I bought dinner and told them what I had wanted to do since I was ...
Nov 02, 2008 ... Test your knowledge of last week's news from the pages of the SouthtownStar. 1. After winning the SouthtownStar's inaugural "Lose to Win" weight-loss contest, Tinley Park's Kevin Cook blew much of the $500 prize money on what, according to an update from SouthtownStar columnist Mike Deacon? a) ...
SouthtownStars Musical sisters start entrepreneurial business project
Nov 02, 2008 ... By Rena Fulka Staff writer Their dream is to perform at the White House. Since putting the bug in politicians' ears during a Legislative Day gig in Springfield last year, Heavenly Harps members Mallory Grutzius, 16, and her sister Morgan, 13, have been keeping their fingers crossed. In the ...
Who's driving my car?
Nov 02, 2008 ... By Maurice Possley Sun-Times News Group Call it the case of the ghost car. A 1992 Chevrolet Lumina was towed to a Chicago police auto pound in May 2007, and when the owner didn't retrieve it, the vehicle was reported as crushed for scrap. Except it wasn't. Instead, during the next 12 months, ...
biz bits
Nov 02, 2008 ... The list According to Forbes, these are the best states for business: 1. Virginia 2. Utah 3. Washington 4. North Carolina 5. Georgia 6. Colorado 7. Idaho 8. Florida 9. Texas 10. Nebraska Tech tip To avoid spacing problems in Microsoft Word, make sure you have Smart Cut And Paste turned on. The ...
Nov 02, 2008 ... wednesday Customer service breakfast Customer service will be the topic of a business breakfast Wednesday sponsored by the Bridgeview Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The event will be held at Toyota Park. Reservations are required. For information, contact the chamber at (708) 598-1700. thursday ...
Cautious joy
Nov 02, 2008 ... By JESSE WASHINGTON The Associated Press Lula Cooper expects the tears to flow if Barack Obama becomes the first black president. But she's not breaking out the tissues just yet. "I cried when I marked my ballot for him. We've had such an incredible journey to this point," said the former civil ...
WRZA no longer plays anything
Nov 02, 2008 ... WRZA FM (99.9), which billed itself as 9FM with the tagline "We Play Anything," has gone the way of WCFL, WFYR and WMAQ into the ashcan of history. 9FM proudly called itself the radio station for the Southland. It was based in Park Forest, and its broadcast tower was on the city's Southwest ...
Fun isn't banned in Boston
Nov 02, 2008 ... By KAREN TESTA The Associated Press BOSTON - This is the cradle of patriotism, the site of Paul Revere's historic ride and home to the USS Constitution. But it's also home to a new greenway, high fashion at low prices, discount theater tickets, great public transportation and cool places to eat ...
Let's hope Chicago doesn't live up to rough-and-tumble reputation
Nov 02, 2008 ... Al Capone. John Dillinger. The Haymarket Affair. The 1968 Democratic National Convention. The Cabrini-Green housing projects. The Marquette Park race riots. For almost as long as Chicago has existed, it's has had an infamous reputation for violence, mobsters and corruption. Ask any ...
thecapitolfaxblog.com
Nov 02, 2008 ... Predicting the results of Tuesday's election ... I won't call the presidential election, but I will bet the con-con (constitutional convention) gets the required number of "yes" votes to pass, but it'll barely get there. I wouldn't be surprised if it was 60 percent on the nose ....
Who will win our 'Plum Crazy' Charger?
Nov 02, 2008 ... More than 7,000 people sought the chance to win the SouthtownStar's "Plum Crazy" Dodge Charger SRT. Only 45 have qualified to take place in the newspaper's official drawing for the purple beast. And only those who appear Saturday, Nov. 8, at Bettenhausen Dodge in Tinley Park can win. Haven't ...
Around Town
Nov 02, 2008 ... Monday 3 book discussion Crete Public Library, 1177 N. Main St., hosts a book discussion group at 7 p.m. the first Monday of the month. This month "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" by Alexander McCall Smith will be discussed. New members welcome. Information: (708) 672-8017 or ...
A Gem of a Show
Nov 02, 2008 ... The Department of Natural Science at Prairie State College recently hosted the 39th annual South Suburban Earth Science Club's Fossil, Gem, Mineral and Jewelry show. People of all ages enjoyed learning the various aspects of fossil, gem and mineral collecting plus the how-tos of jewelry ...
Leaf blowers do job with less elbow grease
Nov 02, 2008 ... By Julie Onufrak GateHouse News Service PEMBROKE, Mass. - The brightly colored leaves of fall are a beautiful sight to see - until they fall off the trees and start cluttering your lawn and driveway. For those with an aversion to raking, leaf blowers can be a faster and easier way of getting rid ...
Crete Park District sets program for school holidays
Nov 02, 2008 ... Because many Crete-area schools are out on Nov. 13 and 14, the Crete Park District is holding its School Daze Off program for kids in grades one to six from District 201-U on these days. The program will run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and costs $37 per day. Kids will do arts and crafts, play games, ...
Kafka comes up big for 'Cats
Nov 02, 2008 ... MINNEAPOLIS - Brendan Smith grabbed a deflected ball and returned an interception 48 yards for a touchdown with 12 seconds remaining, sending Northwestern past stunned Minnesota 24-17 and spoiling homecoming for the 20th-ranked Gophers on Saturday. Former St. Rita star Mike Kafka replaced C.J ....
Sex assault, murder might have been uncovered today
Nov 02, 2008 ... By Michael Drakulich Staff Writer It may be an unfortunate reflection of current societal norms, but if an 11-year old boy were found dead in a forest preserve today, many might quickly suspect sexual assault or murder. Or both. But that apparently was not the case in 1980, when the truth of an ...
Slow economy not stopping intermodal plans
Nov 02, 2008 ... By Lynda Hemmerling Correspondent CenterPoint Properties is moving ahead with plans to develop an intermodal facility in Crete, even though interest on the part of potential tenants has not been as strong as the company would have liked. CenterPoint executive director Neil Doyle told the Crete ...
Want to have a great set of abs like the dudes in '300'?These guys can help!
Nov 02, 2008 ... By Anna Tesauro Staff Writer You don't have to be an Army buff, a firefighter or an actor on the set of the film "300" to get fit. In fact, those hoping to get a high-impact work-out don't need a high-impact job to see real results. That's the message Chris Mack, Bill Uffmann and Travis Butler ...
Private eyes in disguise
Nov 02, 2008 ... By Erika Enigk correspondent For most people, the phrase "undercover operative" conjures images of a tuxedo-clad James Bond drinking martinis and wooing beautiful women. Real life undercover work is far less glamorous, but catching the bad guy can be just as rewarding. Many security operations ...
Many choose not to look at 401(k) statements during financial crisis
Nov 02, 2008 ... By HEATHER LALLEY The Associated Press To peek or not to peek? That is the question. Whether it is nobler to suffer the slings and arrows of a sinking 401(k) or toss that quarterly statement straight in the trash. During this economic crisis, with stocks on a scary roller-coaster ride, there ...
Durbin's daughter dies at 40
Nov 02, 2008 ... By SOPHIA TAREEN The Associated Press Christine A. Durbin, the oldest daughter of Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, died Saturday at age 40, according to a spokesman for the Democratic senator. Christine Durbin died in a Washington, D.C.-area hospital from complications relating to a congenital heart ...
Be on the right side of history and vote yes for a 'con con'
Nov 02, 2008 ... The issue: Voters will be asked on Tuesday whether they want the state to hold a constitutional convention. We say: Now is your chance to let your voice be heard, so vote yes and help fix Illinois government, which is fundamentally broken. You can listen to politicians squabble ad nauseam over ...
Election '08: Final push at hand
Nov 02, 2008 ... Warmed by the cheers of thousands, John McCain and Barack Obama plunged through the final weekend of their marathon race for the White House, the Republican digging for an upset while his confident-sounding rival told supporters, "We can change this country." "Yes we can," Obama said, his slogan ...
Attorney General wants you to be a Recall Watchdog
Nov 02, 2008 ... Dear Readers: The Fixer hopes by now you've heard about the recent recall of Simplicity bassinets, which have been blamed in the deaths of two infants. There's a dangerous defect in the "close-sleeper" or "bedside-sleeper" bassinets: The metal bars are spaced too far apart and covered by a ...
Around Town
Nov 02, 2008 ... Monday 3 coffee and ... Manhattan Public Library, 240 Whitson St., offers Coffee and ... for seniors and retirees from 9 to 11 a.m. on Mondays. Information: (815) 478-3987. computer class Frankfort Public Library, 21119 Pfeiffer Road, offers a computer class, Word Session 1, at 7 p.m. Monday ....
serving
Nov 02, 2008 ... Layden completes basic training Navy Seaman Apprentice Joseph A. Layden, of New Lenox, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes. During the eight-week program, Layden completed a variety of training which included classroom study and practical ...
Local Dish
Nov 02, 2008 ... Good Samaritan returns purse I was shopping at CVS Pharmacy in Mokena. I pushed my cart outside to unload it. Later my husband gets a call that they had my purse. I want to thank this kind lady for turning my purse in. I was blessed. A purse outside could have been easily taken. Lesson learned ....
Half-dozen candidates run for county board in Will District 2
Nov 02, 2008 ... Six candidates seek three four-year terms on the Will County Board in District 2, which includes parts of New Lenox, Frankfort and Homer Glen. Tom Weigel Party: Republican Hometown: New Lenox Government experience: Current Will County Board member; former head of governmental relations ...