SouthtownStar (Chicago, IL) back issues from June 2009:
Opposing Sotomayor is the right's thing to do
Jun 01, 2009 ... Frank Ricci is "just" a fireman, and not, like Supreme Court Justice nominee Sonia Sotomayor, a federal judge. He is "only" a white male, and not, like Sotomayor, a Latina. And while he works in New Haven, Conn., he certainly didn't attend Yale Law School as Sotomayor did. For one thing, he's ...
Andrew gets new principal
Jun 01, 2009 ... By Michael Drakulich Staff Writer Consolidated High School District 230 promoted from within when officials named Bob Nolting as the next principal at Andrew High School in Tinley Park. Nolting has 13 years of experience as a teacher and administrator. He will replace Glenn Wood, who is leaving ...
South Chicago Heights man to receive France's highest honor for WWII service
Jun 01, 2009 ... By Carole Sharwarko staff writer It's been 65 years, but when Louis Venditti talks about parachuting into France before the invasion of Normandy, you can tell the memory of that night stays vivid in his mind. The 87-year-old will drop into France much more traditionally this week, visiting Paris ...
Homer Glen vows to fight rate increase
Jun 01, 2009 ... By Elisabeth Kilpatrick Staff Writer Homer Glen has vowed to renew its fight to acquire the village's water utilities from Illinois American Water after the company announced Friday it was seeking a rate increase. "It's appalling," village manager Paula Wallrich said. "We're dumbstruck, ...
House rejects tax increase amid budget woes
Jun 01, 2009 ... By DEANNA BELLANDI The Associated Press SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois House overwhelmingly rejected a temporary income tax increase Sunday, moving the state closer to massive spending cuts that critics called a "doomsday" budget. The House's Democratic leaders didn't even try to pass a larger, ...
Governments still looking at leveraging assets
Jun 01, 2009 ... By DEANNA BELLANDI The Associated Press When the nation's economy slumped, so did a high-profile plan for Chicago to make money by privatizing one of its airports. The $2.5 billion deal never got off the ground. But at the same time, a smaller, less glitzy effort to privatize the city's parking ...
forum
Jun 01, 2009 ... Oil, coal lobbyists pollute government, planet The climate and energy legislation being debated in Congress certainly isn't the first example of the power corporate lobbyists hold over Washington, but it may be the most ironic. It started as a serious attempt to cut the fossil fuel emissions ...
Move into Lincoln-Way West starts this week
Jun 01, 2009 ... By Patrick Ferrell Correspondent Lincoln-Way High School District 210 is expected to move into Lincoln-Way West, its fourth high school, this week. The Regional Office of Education is expected to make its final occupancy inspection on Tuesday, paving the way for the district to begin moving in, ...
Southland still waits for Meijer
Jun 01, 2009 ... By Elisabeth Kilpatrick Staff Writer Here's a business pop quiz: What store is so coveted in the Southland that Homer Glen celebrated its annexation with cake, New Lenox credits it with helping to pass a home rule referendum request and Mokena says it's been the most-asked about development in ...
Midlothian woman killed in crash
Jun 01, 2009 ... By Becky Schlikerman staff writer Maureen Lavin was killed less than two miles from her home. Lavin, 52, of the 14700 block of Turner Avenue in Midlothian, died Saturday after an automobile accident at 15401 S. Pulaski Road in Markham, authorities said. She was pronounced dead just before 11 ...
Campaign finance reform bill would cripple special interest groups
Jun 01, 2009 ... While reform groups, newspaper editorial boards, Republicans and others blasted a campaign finance reform bill passed by the Illinois Senate last week, there were a couple of big surprises which went almost unnoticed. For instance, powerful leaders of Statehouse special interest groups said they ...
Strong interest for medical offices in New Lenox
Jun 01, 2009 ... By Susan DeMar Lafferty Staff Writer The combination of a new hospital and a new interstate is beginning to pay off for some developers. Joseph Perry, president of Perry Group Ltd., said he plans to break ground this fall on the Spring Creek Medical Campus on the northeast corner of U.S. 6 and ...
speak out
Jun 01, 2009 ... To the Speak Out writer with the 82-year-old mother: You're a buffoon! Give your mother a bat and she will probably hurt herself swinging it at a dog - and provoke the dog to defend itself. I have contacted all of the dogs in town, told them to be on the lookout for an 82-year-old woman with a ...
Cubs work to realign starting rotation
Jun 01, 2009 ... By Chris De Luca Sun-Times News Group The Cubs get their first day off today in two weeks, and it gives their rotation a much needed breather, considering ace Carlos Zambrano is serving a six-game suspension and Ryan Dempster is dealing with a blister on the middle finger of his right hand ....
Cubs fall; Ramirez shooting for return after All-Star break
Jun 01, 2009 ... By Chris De Luca Sun-Times News Group Aramis Ramirez is aiming to rejoin the Cubs once play resumes after the All-Star break on July 16 - if everything in his rehab work goes according to plan - but postseason surgery remains a possibility for the All-Star third baseman who dislocated his left ...
Unbeaten streak comes to end
Jun 01, 2009 ... By Nick Firchau Correspondent Exhausted, sapped and just plain dog-tired. The Fire tried as hard as it could to skirt the obvious adjectives Sunday, but there was no escaping the fact that its listless 3-0 loss to FC Dallas at Toyota Park came at the end of a long week. The Fire, which lost for ...
Four-time champ Nadal upset
Jun 01, 2009 ... By HOWARD FENDRICH The Associated Press PARIS - For 31 matches, Rafael Nadal ruled the red clay of Roland Garros, boasting an unbeaten record and an unbreakable will. For 31 matches, this was his surface, his tournament, his time. For 31 matches, dating to his debut on May 23, 2005, Nadal never ...
Stricker, McNulty win in playoffs
Jun 01, 2009 ... FORT WORTH, Texas - Steve Stricker blew a final-round lead right after he took it and gave away another stroke by missing a short par putt down the stretch. Stricker stayed at it, though. A chip-in birdie on 17 helped him get in a three-man playoff. Then, lucky to be playing a second extra hole, ...
Quite a postseasonrun for Andrew
Jun 01, 2009 ... By Steve Millar Correspondent In the span of a week, Andrew's boys volleyball team clinched its first conference title since 1995 and won its first regional title since 2002 by knocking off heralded Lincoln-Way East for the third time. How could the Thunderbolts top that? By knocking one of the ...
Dixon waits, waits, waits, then wins
Jun 01, 2009 ... By Mike Harris The Associated Press WEST ALLIS, Wis. - Scott Dixon was stuck in traffic with what he knew was the best car on the Milwaukee Mile. Less than 100 laps from the end of Sunday's A.J. Foyt 225, the reigning IndyCar Series champion found himself behind both Target Chip Ganassi Racing ...
Johnson cruises early, but finish has some flair to it
Jun 01, 2009 ... By Dan Gelston The Associated Press DOVER, Del. - Jimmie Johnson went from running away from the field to running down Tony Stewart. Johnson nipped at Stewart's bumper, went nose to nose, then soared past him on an outside pass on the concrete track: one Cup champion outdueling another in the ...
LeBron says KO won't impact future with Cavs
Jun 01, 2009 ... LeBron James finally talked about not making the NBA Finals, and he insists Cleveland's loss to Orlando will not impact his future with the Cavaliers. James stormed out of Amway Arena in Orlando, Fla., without speaking to the media Saturday night after the Cavs were eliminated with a 103-90 loss ...
Greinke can't stop Sox sweep
Jun 01, 2009 ... By Joe Cowley Sun-Times News Group KANSAS CITY, Mo. - There was a point two weeks ago when the constant ''I still believe in this team,'' coming out of Ozzie Guillen's mouth seemed empty. It sounded like the White Sox manager was saying it because, really, what else could he say at that point? ...
Guillen: A's Cabrera deserves warm welcome
Jun 01, 2009 ... By Joe Cowley Sun-Times News Group KANSAS CITY, Mo. - As far as Ozzie Guillen is concerned, when shortstop Orlando Cabrera steps on the field tonight in his Oakland uniform he should be welcomed back to the South Side with open arms. Unfortunately for the White Sox manager, he isn't in position ...
Can't Danica rise above being racy?
Jun 01, 2009 ... Today's topic involves a model. No, not a Model T. Rather, a model in a "T". It's about the most successful woman driver on the planet, who also happens to pose in bikinis for magazines and is a "Go Daddy" girl. She's Danica Patrick. And somehow, she has always annoyed me. She annoyed ...
After winning state, is Hillcrest off and running?
Jun 01, 2009 ... By Tim Cronin Staff writer CHARLESTON - To Hillcrest boys track head coach Ron Towner, the Hawks' path to a state championship began to form three years ago. "When these juniors were freshmen," Towner said, "we knew we had a real good group of freshmen." The headliners: Jamison Wilson and Sam ...
Neighbors saddened by 'insane' Morgan Park tree cutting
Jun 01, 2009 ... By Steve Metsch Staff Writer As chainsaws buzzed in the background, Tonya Lloyd peered from her back yard toward what once resembled a small forest. On Friday, it was a sunswept hill. The once proud trees had been reduced to stumps. "There was a lot of trees. He took them all down," said Lloyd, ...
Abortion foes condemn shooting
Jun 02, 2009 ... By John Hanna The Associated Press WICHITA, Kan. - The slaying of a Kansas abortion doctor put the anti-abortion movement on the defensive Monday with prominent leaders delicately distancing themselves from the accused killer while positioning their stand as one shared by a majority of ...
Attaining your goals - fitness or otherwise - means you can't give up
Jun 02, 2009 ... We live in a society in which excuses are common and the word "can't" is as acceptable as the changing of the seasons. I work in a profession that I feel is the most excuse-plagued in the world. I have found there is a direct connection between people who make excuses, lack motivation, look for ...
Blago corruption trial could start next April
Jun 02, 2009 ... By MIKE ROBINSON The Associated Press Ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich could go on trial as early as next spring on charges of scheming to sell or trade President Barack Obama's former Senate seat, the federal judge presiding over the case said Monday. U.S. District Judge James B. Zagel told ...
Burris outcast in clubby Senate
Jun 02, 2009 ... By Laurie Kellman The Associated Press WASHINGTON - Even in a Senate club famous for how it ostracizes the unwanted, the shunning of Democratic Sen. Roland Burris is unprecedented. Tainted from the day he was appointed by ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and resented by Senate leaders who ...
Today's Crime Report
Jun 02, 2009 ... COUNTRY CLUB HILLS Creative crooks caught Two men tried an innovative way to steal baby formula from Wal-Mart, 4005 168th Place, but were caught anyway, police said. A security guard saw the men take a car seat out of a box on May 15 and fill the box with 19 cans of formula worth a total of ...
Blago talked to Durbin about Senate seat
Jun 02, 2009 ... By MIKE ROBINSON The Associated Press Just two weeks before his arrest on corruption charges, then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich floated a plan to give President Barack Obama's former Senate seat to the daughter of his biggest political rival in return for concessions on his pet projects, people familiar ...
State legislators have failed citizens, made a mockery of Illinois
Jun 02, 2009 ... The issue: Lawmakers wrapped up the legislative session Sunday night with grave mistakes and golden tongues. We say: Don't let them fool you with their political posturing and blather. They have failed and harmed you. For those who need a bit of help understanding the gibberish that ...
Gavin School to close
Jun 02, 2009 ... By Paul Eisenberg Correspondent Despite impassioned pleas from parents and community members to keep open Gavin Elementary School, the Chicago Heights School District 170 Board voted unanimously Monday evening to close it because of declining enrollment. Before the vote, audience members asked ...
Police chief: Enraged driver didn't leave bus despite witness claims
Jun 02, 2009 ... By Kristen Schorsch Staff writer A man from Chicago's West Pullman community who was shot dead last week after allegedly trying to ram a bus into a group of police officers did not leave the bus despite what witnesses claim, South Holland police Chief Warren Millsaps said. Ronald Newsome, 35, ...
GM's next chapter
Jun 02, 2009 ... By Mike Nolan Staff writer As he admired the lines on a new Chevrolet Camaro on the lot of a Tinley Park Chevy dealership Monday, Bill Ritter talked about why he's a General Motors kind of guy. "All I own is GM products," he said, ticking off the company's wheels parked at his Orland Park home - ...
Southland guardsmen welcomed home from Afghanistan
Jun 02, 2009 ... By Lauren FitzPatrick Staff writer Capt. Jason Willis Carter stepped out of company lines and straight into the arms of his new wife for a show-stopping smooch. He and Celena Carter married just a month before he shipped out to Afghanistan last June with the first security forces team from the ...
Silver Cross close to axing helipad from Homer Glen emergency center now that bill eliminating requirement just needs governor's signature
Jun 02, 2009 ... By Elisabeth Kilpatrick Staff Writer Silver Cross Hospital is one pen stroke away from axing a controversial helipad from its planned emergency center in Homer Glen. State legislators passed a bill Sunday that eliminates the need for free-standing emergency centers to have a helipad on site. The ...
'Inspiration to so many' dies at 51
Jun 02, 2009 ... By Jim Hook Staff Writer Anita Hilgeman-Bush, some would say, was larger than life. Life for her was fun, and she wanted her family and friends to have fun, too. Even after she was diagnosed with breast cancer 16 years ago, she continued to live life on her own terms. Mrs. Hilgeman-Bush lost her ...
Living in the Land of Mike Madigan
Jun 02, 2009 ... An excited state Sen. James Meeks (D-Chicago) telephoned Sunday morning to tell me that after seven years, he had finally gotten a public school funding reform bill out of committee and onto the Illinois Senate floor. "Can I quit now?" Meeks said, noting that the measure had passed the ...
Renewing the drive to make the most of vehicles
Jun 02, 2009 ... There is speculation and the smell of fear in the automotive air. Automakers and their clever hawkers are looking beyond the recession and bankruptcy of General Motors, wondering whether Americans will fall out of love with shiny new cars. The scary question the industry faces is this: Will we ...
Forum
Jun 02, 2009 ... Reduce state politicians by half - then keep them under watch We in Illinois have a reputation for living in a state beset by corrupt and self-serving politicians, thanks to a couple of governors and a variety of other smaller players. Much has been written about the desire to reduce this ...
Local News Digest
Jun 02, 2009 ... Tinley Park New park dedicated Wednesday The park district is hosting a dedication ceremony at 6 p.m. Wednesday for Freedom Park, 7835 Timber Drive. The nearly $3.5 million complex features two baseball fields, a concession stand and a combination football-soccer field that park district ...
Lincoln-Way grants staff 2 percent salary increase
Jun 02, 2009 ... By Patrick Ferrell Correspondent Non-faculty employees in Lincoln-Way School District 210 will receive a 2 percent raise next school year. The increase, approved unanimously by the school board last week, is for cafeteria workers, aides, buildings and grounds employees, transportation workers, ...
Republicans: We told you so
Jun 02, 2009 ... By Maura Possley Staff Writer The lights are still on but "drastic cuts" to community services could be on their way if lawmakers don't find common budgetary ground. Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno, a Republican of Lemont, and other legislative leaders met to hash out what's next with ...
Obituaries
Jun 02, 2009 ... Viola E. Meter Viola E. Meter (nee Borgman), 91, of Orland Park, died May 30. She was a retired orthopedic technician. Arrangements are by Colonial Chapel, (708) 532-5400. Frances C. Mills Frances C. Mills (nee Milles), 88, of Chicago's Beverly community, died May 29. She was a former ...
Oak Forest police seek help finding missing woman
Jun 02, 2009 ... By Michael Drakulich Staff Writer Police are baffled by the disappearance of an Oak Forest woman and are turning to the public for help. Irma R. Rodriguez, 44, was last seen in her home about 6:45 p.m. Sunday, police said. Acting Police Chief David DeMarco said the woman's white 2002 Pontiac ...
New children's museum needs village to back loan
Jun 02, 2009 ... By Casey Cora Staff writer With fundraising stalled and a renovated building half-full with unfinished exhibits, plans for an expanded Children's Museum of Oak Lawn could be on life support. On Monday, museum officials came to the village board's finance committee meeting, asking for the ...
GMAC threatens to cut credit line for Homewood dealership
Jun 02, 2009 ... By John K. Ryan Staff Writer Just weeks after securing tax breaks that kept his dealership's doors open, Steve Phillipos, owner of Steve Peters Chevrolet in Homewood, has been told he'll lose his line of credit to buy new vehicles. GMAC Financial will end the dealership's line of credit ...
Sheriff's new patrol plan lacks union OK
Jun 02, 2009 ... By Brian Stanley Sun-Times News Group Will County sheriff's police call it the Problem-Solving Team. But police union leaders say the shift of 16 officers and four sergeants from regular zones to focus on "hot spots" for burglaries and vandalism has left patrol officers without adequate backup ....
He gone!: Frankfort man, Sox official since '76, hangs 'em up
Jun 02, 2009 ... By Steve Metsch Staff Writer This morning, for the first time since the mid 1970s, David Schaffer faces a summer with time on his hands. No longer will the Frankfort resident be spending 12 to 13 hours a day at U.S. Cellular Field. Monday was the last day on the job for Schaffer, who had been ...
speak out
Jun 02, 2009 ... My father, a Marine, served on the USS Maryland. My two sons are serving our country as Marines. I proudly display the U.S. flag and a Devil Dogs Marine flag in my front yard. To the person who stole it: I now know there are people who appreciate what these fine men and women do to keep you ...
Line up the aces
Jun 02, 2009 ... By Pat Disabato Staff Writer For the teams remaining in the IHSA baseball playoffs, only three victories separate them from a trip to the state finals in Joliet. With the way the schedule plays out for those three games - sectional semifinals Wednesday or Thursday, sectional final Saturday and ...
Tinoisamoa down to business with Bears
Jun 02, 2009 ... By Brad Biggs Sun-Times News Group The latest addition in Jerry Angelo's busy offseason arrived Monday at Halas Hall. Linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa signed the one-year contract he agreed to Friday and participated in the organized team activity. The Bears have 11 OTAs left, and that should help ...
St. Rita hungry for return trip to state
Jun 02, 2009 ... By Chris Kuchta Correspondent St. Rita coach Jill Nagel is hoping her team can put its homecourt advantage to good use in the championship match of the St. Rita Sectional. The Mustangs (26-9) will take on Morton, a 22-25, 25-21, 25-15 winner over Brother Rice in Friday's semifinal, at 7 p.m ....
More Rose issues may be released
Jun 02, 2009 ... More details surrounding the NCAA allegations against Memphis involving Bulls guard Derrick Rose should come to light this week. A number of Tennessee media outlets have filed Freedom of Information Act requests to obtain Memphis' response to the NCAA allegations and it is expected to become ...
A Cubs turnaround? It'll have to be an inside job
Jun 02, 2009 ... Each day Tom Ricketts and his family haggle with Cubs owner Sam Zell - and the bargaining on both sides continues with little progress in sealing a deal - it nudges general manager Jim Hendry that much closer to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline without a green light from his bosses. No ...
Federer rallies, reaches quarterfinals
Jun 02, 2009 ... By HOWARD FENDRICH The Associated Press PARIS - Roger Federer knows full well, of course, that Rafael Nadal is no longer around this year to befuddle him, to beat him, to stand between him and a French Open title. Federer insists he is not thinking about that, not thinking ahead. Still, Federer ...
Road to state
Jun 02, 2009 ... By Tim O'Brien Correspondent The routes to get there were different, but for Sandburg and Lemont, the goal remains the same: a state title. Courtesy of wins in sectional title games, the Eagles and Indians kept their hopes alive as one of the Elite Eight teams in their respective classes ...
Bryant facing prospect of seeing Superman ... Howard
Jun 02, 2009 ... By Beth Harris The Associated Press LOS ANGELES - Kobe Bryant is staring down the prospect of sharing the court with Superman again. Only this time, it's Dwight Howard and not Shaquille O'Neal who's wearing the cape that Bryant wants to tug on. Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers will be trying to ...
No Mo. for Illini, after 2010
Jun 02, 2009 ... Illinois' and Missouri's traditional season opener in St. Louis will come to an end after 2010. Illinois athletic director Ron Guenther told The Champaign News-Gazette that the neutral-site game makes it tough for Illinois to have more than six home games in a season. Most major school try to ...
Johnson approachesbig mark: No. 300
Jun 02, 2009 ... Mere mention of the milestone causes Randy Johnson to recoil. "I'm not going to talk about this stuff. OK, I got to go," he said the other day, quickly leaving his locker and heading to the field. "I get distracted. I just try not to talk at all." So that's how it's going to be as the Big Unit ...
Crowded field at L-Way North may be state's best
Jun 02, 2009 ... By Tony Baranek Staff Writer Lincoln-Way East has beaten Stagg, but lost to Marist and Sandburg. Sandburg has beaten Lincoln-Way East and Marist, but lost to Stagg twice. Stagg has beaten Sandburg twice, but lost to Lincoln-Way East and Marist. Marist has beaten Lincoln-Way East and Stagg, but ...
Ozzie doesn't miss what he doesn't have
Jun 02, 2009 ... By Joe Cowley Sun-Times News Group According to the Houston Chronicle, Roy Oswalt would turn down the White Sox if they tried to acquire him. According to general manager Ken Williams, the right-hander need not worry about being put in that situation. But the fact remained that for the second ...