"Protect Our Parks, Inc." is taking aim at the private K-12 school, Chicago Park District and the city, among others, for not only allowing construction of the field near 1800 N. Cannon Drive, but also giving the school almost exclusive use of what concerned residents believe is public land, according to the lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on April 17, 2008.

The two-story ordinary-construction brick house in the 5500 block of West Haddon Avenue caught fire before 5 a.m.

Published by CBS News (Channel 2) on April 17, 2008.

Firefighters succeeded in extinguishing the fire by 5:30 a.m., but the intersection of Central Avenue and Division Street was tied up for some time.

Published by CBS News (Channel 2) on April 17, 2008.

On Tuesday morning, a mechanical problem on a train near Clark and Lake streets led to a four-hour shutdown of a portion of the Blue Line.

Published by CBS News (Channel 2) on April 17, 2008.

Fire crews were notified about 8:40 a.m. of a gas spill on Oriole Avenue near Higgins Road, according to a Fire Media Affairs spokesman, who said the gasoline was leaking into a sewer, probably from an automobile.

Published by CBS News (Channel 2) on April 17, 2008.

Two men convicted in a City Hall patronage hiring scheme under Mayor Daley are expected to report to prison Monday morning.

Published by CBS News (Channel 2) on April 17, 2008.

The last infestation was detected in Chicago's Oz Park in 2003. The first infestation broke out in Ravenswood in 1998.

Published by CBS News (Channel 2) on April 17, 2008.

Quarantine zones have existed in numerous Chicago neighborhoods, including Oz Park located in Lincoln Park, Ravenswood, Kilbourn Park, Loyola, Park Ridge, O'Hare, Addison and Summit. The last chemical treatments took place in Oz Park in 2006.

Published by CBS News (Channel 2) on April 17, 2008.

Quarantine zones have existed in numerous Chicago neighborhoods, including Oz Park located in Lincoln Park, Ravenswood, Kilbourn Park, Loyola, Park Ridge, O'Hare, Addison and Summit. The last chemical treatments took place in Oz Park in 2006.

Published by CBS News (Channel 2) on April 17, 2008.

CHICAGO (STNG) ― A 4-year-old boy was injured Thursday afternoon in a shooting in the Englewood neighborhood on the South Side. A boy was shot in the leg about 3:30 p.m. and taken by private vehicle to Holy Cross Hospital, Fire Media Affairs Asst. Director Eve Rodriguez said. The 4-year-old is listed in good condition, police News Affairs Officer JoAnn Taylor said. Unconfirmed dispatch reports said the boy was shot while riding in a car. No suspects are in custody as of 5:30 p.m. Wentworth Area detectives said the shooting is under investigation. (Source: Sun-Times News Group Wire Š Chicago Sun-Times 2006. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

Published by CBS News (Channel 2) on April 17, 2008.

At the same hour as the service in Washington 1,800 Catholic school students gathered in Portage Park to celebrate Pope Benedict's visit to America.

Published by CBS News (Channel 2) on April 17, 2008.

Rezko, an accused shakedown artist, allegedly schemed to profit from Gov. Rod Blagojevich's ill-fated 2003 idea to sell or lease the Thompson Center to private investors.

Published by CBS News (Channel 2) on April 17, 2008.

In the market for a new favorite sandwich? Look no further than the aptly named Garlicious Breast here.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on April 17, 2008.

While the high-end parties on Mondays and Saturdays may be a little pricey for most clubgoers, Friday nights offer a wallet-friendly cover of just $5.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on April 17, 2008.

THE POLICE SHOOTING and killing of that big cougar that roamed around in the Roscoe Village area the other day made plenty of sense to me. It is bad enough when you hear about pit bulls attacking folks on the street that result in horrible injuries and in some cases, death. So congrats to the cops for a job well done.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on April 17, 2008.

JERRY FANS: COLORFUL talk show host Jerry Springer will sing his heart out at the McCormick & Schmick eatery at Chestnut and Rush April 29. The evening will benefit the Park School (that helps kids with disabilities) in Evanston and is $25 per person. Springer is also set to once again host NBC's "America's Got Talent" premiering June 17.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on April 17, 2008.

Actress Georgia "Everybody Loves Ramond" Engel relaxed at 10pin Bowling lounge and signed a celebrity pin for the display case.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on April 17, 2008.

The Bears' Devin Hester chowed down at the ESPN Zone and on a different evening, Orlando Magic coach Stan Van Gundy and friends.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on April 17, 2008.

The N9ne Steakhouse was hopping with cool folks including the White Sox Ozzie Guillen, actor Stephen ("Public Enemies") Dorff, Stan Wozniak and Federico ("The Sopranos") Castelluccio (celebrating the opening of Wozniak's new The Joynt Retro Club).

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on April 17, 2008.

The Cleveland Cavaliers' awesome LeBron James dined with pals at Alex Dana's Rosebud on Rush.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on April 17, 2008.

Ayers is a former member of the Weather Underground -- as was his wife, Bernardine Dohrn. After years on the lam from the authorities, they returned to Chicago years ago, settled in Hyde Park, and went on to become members of high standing in certain civic circles in town.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on April 17, 2008.

An attempted robbery occurred on then 2900 block of W. North Ave. at 1:50 p.m. April 8, police reports say. The victim, a 20-year-old boy, was walking down the street when a man in black jacket and skull cap approached him. "Give me your money!" he demanded. The offender started to pat the victim down and steer him toward a nearby alleyway, but the boy resisted. As he started to run away, the would-be robber punched him in the jaw, but failed to stop him from running. The victim was able to escape with all his money. At the time of the report, no arrests had been made.

Published by Chicago Journal on April 17, 2008.

Henry Bobo, 46, of the 2000 block of N. Humboldt, was arrested on charges of assault after an incident that occurred on the 2900 block of W. Grand at 12:15 a.m. April 11, police reports say. The manager of Palm Electric Motor, 2918 W. Grand, told police that the incident began when he found Bobo trying to take copper strips from a large barrel on Palm Electric Motor's property. He told Bobo to leave, the report says, but Bobo refused, instead pulling a knife. He soon ran off, tossing the knife into a vacant lot, according to the report. Officers weren't able to recover the weapon, as the lot was surrounded by large barbed wire fence. Bobo was later apprehended and placed under arrest.

Published by Chicago Journal on April 17, 2008.

Henry Bobo, 46, of the 2000 block of N. Humboldt, was arrested on charges of assault after an incident that occurred on the 2900 block of W. Grand at 12:15 a.m. April 11, police reports say. The manager of Palm Electric Motor, 2918 W. Grand, told police that the incident began when he found Bobo trying to take copper strips from a large barrel on Palm Electric Motor's property. He told Bobo to leave, the report says, but Bobo refused, instead pulling a knife. He soon ran off, tossing the knife into a vacant lot, according to the report. Officers weren't able to recover the weapon, as the lot was surrounded by large barbed wire fence. Bobo was later apprehended and placed under arrest.

Published by Chicago Journal on April 17, 2008.

A robbery occurred on the 400 block of N. Troy at 9:35 p.m. April 14, police reports say. The victims, a 33-year-old musician and a 23-year-old woman, were parked in a Hyundai when two men, who appeared to be in their twenties, approached them, surrounding their car. One of the men pointed a sawed-off shotgun at them, while the other brandished a blue steel handgun from the opposite side of the car. "Alright, both of you get out of the car," one of the men demanded. They forced the musician to get on the ground and lie on his stomach. "Gimme everything you got!" the offender then demanded, according to the report. The victim handed over everything he had, including car keys, a cell phone and several credit cards. The offenders then ran north on Troy before jumping in a four-door Impala and making their getaway. At the time of the report, no arrests had been made.

Published by Chicago Journal on April 17, 2008.

An armed robbery occurred on the 2800 block of N. Elston at 11:42 p.m. April 12, police reports say. According to the victims, two 17-year-old boys, the incident started with a game of basketball. The victims and the offenders were playing against one another at the Windy City Fieldhouse, 2367 W. Logan, before the robbery occurred. The victims and offenders were also gambling with the victims on the results of the games. At one point, victims told police, the two offenders started to cheat and a loud argument ensued. The two offenders left in anger. A half-hour later, the victims were nearby on Elston Ave. when the offenders' stopped them, pointing a blue steel handgun, the report says. "You want to talk your sh--, now?" one of the offenders asked. He soon made his intentions clear: "Give me everything you got," he demanded. The victims handed over a baseball cap, a pair of Nike Air Force Ones and several other items of clothing, along with $15 in cash, the report says. At the time of the report, no arrests had been made.

Published by Chicago Journal on April 17, 2008.

An armed robbery occurred on the 2800 block of N. Elston at 11:42 p.m. April 12, police reports say. According to the victims, two 17-year-old boys, the incident started with a game of basketball. The victims and the offenders were playing against one another at the Windy City Fieldhouse, 2367 W. Logan, before the robbery occurred. The victims and offenders were also gambling with the victims on the results of the games. At one point, victims told police, the two offenders started to cheat and a loud argument ensued. The two offenders left in anger. A half-hour later, the victims were nearby on Elston Ave. when the offenders' stopped them, pointing a blue steel handgun, the report says. "You want to talk your sh--, now?" one of the offenders asked. He soon made his intentions clear: "Give me everything you got," he demanded. The victims handed over a baseball cap, a pair of Nike Air Force Ones and several other items of clothing, along with $15 in cash, the report says. At the time of the report, no arrests had been made.

Published by Chicago Journal on April 17, 2008.

A 16-year-old, from the 1100 block of N. Mozart, was arrested on charges of armed robbery after an incident that allegedly occurred on the 2200 block of W. Thomas at 6:05 p.m. April 12, police reports say. The offender's name was redacted from police reports because he is a juvenile. The victim, a 28-year-old woman, was walking to her car when she was approached by the 16-year-old, from behind, the police report says. The boy mumbled something and then grabbed the victim's purse, according to the report. When the victim turned and pushed her assailant, she saw he had a serrated knife. Officers spotted the offender running on Division Street, shedding his clothes as he went, shortly afterwards. They placed him under arrest and he was positively identified by the victim. The victim was able to recover her purse, along with the can of dog food inside it.

Published by Chicago Journal on April 17, 2008.

A 16-year-old, from the 1100 block of N. Mozart, was arrested on charges of armed robbery after an incident that allegedly occurred on the 2200 block of W. Thomas at 6:05 p.m. April 12, police reports say. The offender's name was redacted from police reports because he is a juvenile. The victim, a 28-year-old woman, was walking to her car when she was approached by the 16-year-old, from behind, the police report says. The boy mumbled something and then grabbed the victim's purse, according to the report. When the victim turned and pushed her assailant, she saw he had a serrated knife. Officers spotted the offender running on Division Street, shedding his clothes as he went, shortly afterwards. They placed him under arrest and he was positively identified by the victim. The victim was able to recover her purse, along with the can of dog food inside it.

Published by Chicago Journal on April 17, 2008.

A robbery occurred on the 1000 block of N. Rockwell at 8:15 p.m. April 8, police reports say. The victim, a 36-year-old nurse, was walking home from work at St. Mary's Hospital when three teenagers approached her from behind. One of the boys grabbed her by the neck and pushed a hard object into her back, the report says. When she started to scream for help, another offender slapped her across the face and then threw her down on the sidewalk. The robbers grabbed a brown bag she'd been carrying and sprinted away, the report says. At the time of the report, no arrests had been made.

Published by Chicago Journal on April 17, 2008.

A theft occurred at CVS Pharmacy, 2427 W. Chicago, at 1 p.m. April 14, police reports say. According to the report, a man entered the pharmacy and started to fill a plastic bag with Rogaine hair products. He soon left without paying, avoiding security guards on his way out by throwing the store's batteries at them. The offender managed to make off with over $130 in Rogaine products. At the time of the report, no arrests had been made.

Published by Chicago Journal on April 17, 2008.

Twenty-four Chicago Public Schools students have died violently since fall. The bloodshed has hit a small high school in the North Lawndale neighborhood especially hard. We report from our West Side bureau.

Published by Chicago Public Radio on April 17, 2008.

Yesterday, we brought you a story on a new student council at Roberto Clemente High School that’s trying to stop violence between students at the school.  Today, we return to Clemente to hear from another student group there -- one that’s trying to bring home the gold.

Published by Chicago Public Radio on April 17, 2008.

Uptown block clubs in the 46th Ward will be confabbing with regional 7-Eleven execs that have just inked a lease to move into the space formerly occupied by Hull House at Wilson and Clifton.

Published by The News-Star on April 17, 2008.

Ald. Joe Moore, 49th, shot down a similar 7-Eleven request last fall to lift a liquor license moratorium on 1404 W. Pratt after Rogers Park residents overwhelmingly voiced their opposition at a community meeting.

Published by The News-Star on April 17, 2008.

The nightclub V Live, 2047 N. Milwaukee, is not set to open for at least three months, but neighbors said at a community meeting Tuesday that it's predecessor, the OK Corral nightclub, attracted prostitution, vandalism and late night rowdiness.

Published by Chicago Journal on April 17, 2008.

In Chicago's South Loop on State St. between 11th and Roosevelt, residents spend 40 percent of their income on housing and transportation-12 percent for transportation, 28 percent on housing.

Published by Chicago Journal on April 17, 2008.

The Chicago Fire Department is still investigating a small basement fire that broke out last week at St. Hedwig Catholic Church in Bucktown, and church officials say smoke damage will cause the relocation of Sunday services for the next few months.

Published by Chicago Journal on April 17, 2008.

Last Friday night, a group of twenty-somethings gathered for dinner in Wicker Park. The evening had the earmarks of a typical urban dinner party-mainly vegetarian cuisine (tofu, peanut noodles, stuffed mushrooms), opened wine bottles, a steady stream of guests bearing covered dishes.

Published by Chicago Journal on April 17, 2008.

Developers with projects in Chicago's 1st Ward may find themselves reluctant environmentalists in the coming months if they're in need of a zoning change for their project.

Published by Chicago Journal on April 17, 2008.

CitysideGrace Tsao-Wu hatched the idea for Tabula Tua, a dinnerware shop at 1015 W. Armitage in Lincoln Park, in an unusual fashion: She dreamt it.

Published by Skyline on April 17, 2008.

A bank robbery occurred on the 3400 block of N. Western Avenue on April 14 at 11:35 a.m. According to the police report, the offender approached the teller and requested 100 and 50 dollar bills, while appearing to have a checkbook in his hand. The teller allegedly told him that she didn't have any of those bills, but the man reached into his coat, and the teller became afraid that he had a gun and gave him $1,350 in 20 dollar bills, and one 100 dollar bill, the report says. The robber then fled eastbound on Roscoe, according to the report.

Published by Lake View Booster on April 17, 2008.

An armed robbery occurred on the 1700 block of W. Fullerton on April 11 at 8:40 p.m. According to police reports, a man entered a health food supplement store, pointed a blue steel handgun at the clerk, and demanded all the money. The report says that after the clerk emptied both registers the robber wanted the contents of the safe, but the clerk told him there was no money in it, and the robber fled going north carrying approximately $550. A search of the area did not yield any results, the report says.

Published by Lake View Booster on April 17, 2008.

A strong-arm robbery occurred on the 3600 block of N. Southport on April 7 at 9:06 a.m. According to the report the robber jogged up to the 26-year-old female victim, a dry cleaning clerk, grabbed her by the throat, and told her to come with him. He then threw her face-first up against a wall and went through her pockets, taking the cash deposit that she was taking to the bank and fleeing up the nearby alley according to the report. The report also mentions that there was an unknown witness, who did nothing to help the lady in distress.

Published by Lake View Booster on April 17, 2008.

An armed robbery occurred on the 800 block of W. Fullerton on April 1 at 3 p.m., although it wasn't reported until April 8. According to the report, the 54-year-old male victim was leaving a currency exchange when his path was blocked by one man while a second man put a hard object that the victim believed to be a gun in the back of his head and allegedly said, "This is a stick up, hope not a murder!" The report says the victim gave him $347 and the robbers fled through the alley. No reason was given for the delay in reporting the incident.

Published by Lake View Booster on April 17, 2008.

A robbery occurred on the 4700 block of N. Paulina on April 7 at 9:30 a.m. The report says that the victim, a 29-year-old woman, was walking on the block when a black car pulled up and a woman described as being in her late 30s, got out of the car and grabbed her purse from behind saying, "This is a stick-up!" According to the report, the felonious female demanded the victim's money and pointed something at the victim from within her jacket. The victim said the money was all in her purse. After taking the purse, the woman told the victim to keep walking, allegedly throwing in a profanity before getting back in the car, and then repeating the same instructions while the car drove off eastbound on Leland, the report says.

Published by Lake View Booster on April 17, 2008.

An attempted robbery occurred on the 1300 block of W. Cornelia on April 12 at 11:49 p.m. According to the report the two female victims in their early 20s were approached by two men, also in their early 20's. The report says that the man in the hoody grabbed one of the victim's purses while the other showed off a gun. After going through the purse, one robber asked for their money, but instead of complying, the woman took back her purse and told the robbers that they weren't giving them anything, the report says. The robber with the gun then allegedly said that he didn't feel like shooting them anyway, and the victims were left free to call the police and walk to Clark Street, where they met with officers, the report says.

Published by Lake View Booster on April 17, 2008.

A robbery occurred on the 700 block of W. Melrose on April 12 at 5:30 p.m. Police reports say that the victim, a 32-year-old female accountant, was walking on Melrose when a woman described as being in her forties grabbed her from behind and put a hard object, maybe a gun, to the back of her head and demanded her purse. According to the report, the victim refused and started to fight, but was punched repeatedly in the face until the purse strap broke. The robber then ran to a blue Nissan and drove off, the report said. The reports also said that although the victim had some cuts and bruises on her face, she refused medical treatment, and a search of the area produced no suspects.

Published by Lake View Booster on April 17, 2008.

A robbery occurred on the 1100 block of W. Lawrence on April 6 at 10 p.m. According to the police report, the two offenders approached the 30-year-old male victim and asked him for a cigarette. The report says that when he told them he didn't have any they began beating him until they got him on the ground and could rummage through his pockets, taking his wallet. The report was made on April 8, when the victim had to go to Weiss hospital for large painful bruises around the eyes and on the back of the head. The report says he was treated and released.

Published by Lake View Booster on April 17, 2008.

In non-robbery related news, perhaps because it is from last week, 28-year-old Benjamin M. Thompson, of 2418 N. Clybourn, was arrested for reckless conduct on April 5 at 12:20 a.m. According to the police report, officers on patrol saw Thompson throw a brick off of the roof of his apartment building, and although it didn't hit any vehicles, it did cause officers to take evasive action. The report says police arrested him coming down the fire escape and took him to District 19 for processing. In his defense, Thompson said he had experienced a stressful week and 5 to 10 beers, and that he expected the brick to land on the other side of the roof, not the street.

Published by Lake View Booster on April 17, 2008.

If the onset of spring makes you feel like dancing, head out to Holstein Park in Bucktown this week for Zephyr Dance's spring concert. The performance will run April 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday the 19th at 2 p.m. at the field house auditorium at 2200 N. Oakley. Tickets run $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors.

Published by Chicago Journal on April 17, 2008.

Neighbors and community gardeners will gather at Eckhart Park, 1330 W. Chicago, on Saturday, April 19 at 10 a.m. to continue work on the park garden. Organizers will erect a permanent fence around the garden on Noble Street, near the shuttered St. Boniface Church.

Published by Chicago Journal on April 17, 2008.

Speaking of the long closed Saint Boniface Church in West Town, we haven't heard much from 27th Ward Alderman Walter Burnett or developer Smithfield Properties on the possible redevelopment of the building since we last reported on it in 2007.

Published by Chicago Journal on April 17, 2008.

Members of the Bucktown Community Organization are reestablishing the neighborhood's annual garden walk this year following a two-year hiatus. The event will take place the weekend of July 12 and 13. The new group is headed by former BCO president Eva Bergant and will be meeting monthly to plan the event.

Published by Chicago Journal on April 17, 2008.

According to police reports, on April 9 at 12:30 p.m., a manager for The Green at Grant Park restaurant, 352 E. Monroe, reported an unknown person entered the establishment sometime between April 5 and April 7 and removed a 15" Viewsonic LCD computer monitor valued at $500 and several packages of lunch meat. There was no sign of forced entry.

Published by Chicago Journal on April 17, 2008.

According to police reports, on April 11 at 2:45 p.m., a city traffic control aid working near 2301 S. King Dr. told a cab driver wearing a dark shirt to stop his cab because a traffic light had turned red and there was a high volume of traffic due to a show at the nearby McCormick Place convention center. The cab driver allegedly yelled at the traffic aide, exited his taxi and struck her on the left arm with his hand. He then grabbed the aide by the left arm and attempted to drag her to the sidewalk. When other vehicles started honking their horns, the offender returned to his vehicle and drove south on King Drive. Police toured the area, but could not locate the offender.

Published by Chicago Journal on April 17, 2008.

According to police reports, on April 7 at 4 p.m., at a hearing at the Daley Center, 50 W. Washington, a lawyer handed a victim a card for the Coral Reef pet center in Norridge and told her that her pet rabbits were at the shop and that if she wanted them, she had to buy them back. The victim went to the shop and was informed that her roommate dropped the two rabbits off on March 27, 2008 and listed his name and the victim's as the owner. She told the proprietor that the rabbits were her personal property. The victim then went to the police station and presented a warrant of protection that prohibited the roommate from removing any of the victim's property from her home. Police were still investigating the incident.

Published by Chicago Journal on April 17, 2008.

According to police reports, on April 7 at 3:30 p.m., a man attempting to leave court at the Daley Center, 50 W. Washington, was approached by a 40-year-old man who said, "I am going to kill you as soon as we get outside." The offender then moved toward the victim with closed fists, putting the victim in fear of receiving a battery. Police advised the victim to obtain a warrant of protection

Published by Chicago Journal on April 17, 2008.

According to police reports, on April 8 at 3:40 p.m., officers on patrol observed a black Pontiac Grand Am parked illegally near 220 S. State. They approached the vehicle to investigate and found a 22-year-old man sitting in the passenger seat with a brown paper bag and two plastic baggies containing a green leafy substance suspected as cannabis in his lap. The man was observed unrolling a paper commonly used to make a joint. The offender was arrested and transported to the 1st District police station for processing.

Published by Chicago Journal on April 17, 2008.

According to police reports, on April 9 at 12:20 p.m., a victim said he was talking to a man near 555 W. Harrison when the man's girlfriend approached him and allegedly said, "Mind your own damn business." She then allegedly removed her high heel from her foot and struck him on the left temple and kept hitting him. She then fled the scene. The victim had a large bump and a cut on the left side of his face. Officers advised him to obtain an order of protection.

Published by Chicago Journal on April 17, 2008.

According to police reports, security for an Art Institute dormitory located at 162 N. State reported that sometime on the night of April 12th someone wrote, "There is a bomb in the hallway. You have to kill me. It's the only way. It's important. You need to listen to me. Lives are at stake. Tell me what to do" in the fifth floor hallway.

Published by Chicago Journal on April 17, 2008.

According to police reports, on April 11 at 3 p.m., officers allegedly observed a man offering Streetwise newspapers for sale near 151 S. Michigan. The man was not displaying a Streetwise ID card, as required. A field interview revealed he did not possess an ID. The man had been previously warned that an ID was required. Authorities for Streetwise decided to press charges saying this has been an ongoing problem with the offender. The man was arrested and transported to the 1st District police station for processing.

Published by Chicago Journal on April 17, 2008.

"If you want the gravy, you gotta play the game," says Doherty, who has represented the 41st Ward since 1991. Like many of his constituents, Doherty grew up in a Democratic household and switched sides during the Reagan Revolution.

Published by Chi-Town Daily News on April 17, 2008.

Greer was shot in the chest during a dice game on a landing inside a building at 415 S. Lotus, police said. Police were seeking witnesses and investigating whether the game was directly connected to the shooting.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on April 17, 2008.

He recently expressed an interest in welding, Juli Greer said Wednesday from the apartment where Marcus lived with his grandmother and other relatives in the 5500 block of West Congress.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on April 17, 2008.

On Tuesday, a 15-year-old boy was critically injured in a shooting on the Southwest Side. The teen, who was not attending school, was found in an alley in the 3900 block of West 82nd Street.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on April 17, 2008.

Parishioners said a prayer for two of their own during the Wednesday morning mass at Nativity of Our Lord in Bridgeport.

Published by Chicago Sun-Times on April 17, 2008.

Burglars have hit eight homes in the North Center neighborhood within the past month, mostly entering through unlocked garages.

Published by Chi-Town Daily News on April 17, 2008.

Burglaries were one of the top concerns at a Beat 1912 community policing meeting held last night at Paul Revere Park. Beat facilitator Susan A. Schein-Dimanno said a building in the 2300 block of Cullom was recently tagged with an upside down crown that indicates gang graffiti.

Published by Chi-Town Daily News on April 17, 2008.

Discussion of loud noises in the early morning hours in the 1400 block of West Hollywood dominated the discussion recently at the neighborhood's community policing meeting.

Published by Chi-Town Daily News on April 17, 2008.

Zell added that eroding ad revenue may lead to selling more of the company's assets. He says discussions are well under way regarding the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field. And that the sale of Long Island-based Newsday is under discussion.

Published by Chicago Public Radio on April 17, 2008.

When Lincoln Square resident Laura Eilts was seeking an elementary school for her sons Jack, 7, and Nick, 5, she toured many places, hoping to end the struggle of either staying in the city or moving to the suburbs for education's sake.

Published by Skyline on April 17, 2008.

Eilts wasn't sure if the city offered the proper education setting for her children that she sought. But then she checked out the St. James Lutheran School at 2101 N. Fremont.

Published by Skyline on April 17, 2008.

Eilts not only discovered what she was looking for in a school, but also met a "community of friends." She and one of those friends, Joni Jacobsen, are co-chairs of the school's 150th anniversary bash, an open-to-the public, "spectacular event," to be held April 18 at the Chicago History Museum, 1601 North Clark St.

Published by Skyline on April 17, 2008.

The St. James community was started by German immigrants at Willow and Burling Streets in 1857. As the 1871 Chicago Fire ravaged the city, it also reached the school, which somehow was spared. That building still stands today.

Published by Skyline on April 17, 2008.

Just after the turn of the century, St. James agreed to purchase six residences at Fremont and Dickens as a future school site. The work was completed in December 1905, and classes in the new building were large. More than 60 students had enrolled in first grade by 1920. By the early 1920s there were more than 300 students, seven classes and six teachers. After the 1929 stock market crash, St. James experienced a reduction in students and teaching staff. But it remained committed to keeping its doors open.

Published by Skyline on April 17, 2008.

Hickey grew up above the store, which is on the ground floor of a three-story, 100-year-old brick building at 1120 W. Fullerton. He took over day-to-day operations of the shop as a teenager and now lives with his fiancé in the same apartment he grew up in; his mother lives next door.

Published by Skyline on April 17, 2008.

Hickey's quick transition from neighborhood teen to small business owner was smooth. At least it was until he started thinking like a small business owner. About six years ago, Hickey's family bought the property at 1122 W. Fullerton, demolished it and hatched a plan to expand.

Published by Skyline on April 17, 2008.

But Hickey unveiled a green-roofed, three-unit design at the April 14 meeting that the Wrightwood Neighbors planning committee voted to recommend approving with minor changes to the association's entire board.

Published by Skyline on April 17, 2008.

The new vans will be more fuel efficient, and have improved wheelchair lifts. But where will the money come from? The Woman's Board's Boogie Ball fundraiser, set for April 24 at the Casino, 195 E. Delaware Place. Put on your, "Boogie Shoes," and come on down.

Published by Skyline on April 17, 2008.

Grossinger Auto will receive as much as $8.5 million from the city's Tax Increment Financing program to redevelop a 137,000-square-foot building at 1500 N. Dayton that once housed a Home Depot. The building has been vacant since 2005.

Published by Skyline on April 17, 2008.

The North Beach Club, an adult recreation and social club at 1551 N. Sheffield, is shuttered by the city's Department of Public Health for multiple violations.

Published by Skyline on April 17, 2008.

Ald. Vi Daley, 43rd, announced that she would seek a private urban planner to examine redevelopment of the Children's Memorial Hospital site, which is building a hospital in Streeterville.

Published by Skyline on April 17, 2008.

At least three Germania Club tenants at 108 W. Germania Pl. in Old Town don't seem too concerned about their fates three months after getting a new landlord.

Published by Skyline on April 17, 2008.

But 42nd Ward Ald. Brendan Reilly said the $9.3 million acquisition by New York-based Kimco Realty Corp. has raised some red flags for the building itself. So the city's Landmarks Commission bestowed preliminary landmark status on the building, along with the old Village Theater at 1546 N. Clark, on April 3.

Published by Skyline on April 17, 2008.

A recent rash of pickpocketing in Lake View prompted Area Three Detectives last week to send out a CAPS alert warning that residents and business owners mind purses and wallets.

Published by Lake View Booster on April 17, 2008.

Charlotte Newfeld, a self-proclaimed "proud Chicago native," grew up in Ravenswood while there was still prairie and when huge American elms lined Francisco Avenue.

Published by Lake View Booster on April 17, 2008.

I've lived in Lake View for 44 years. We moved to Lake View when the thing to do for families with small kids was move to the 'burbs. We wanted an affordable urban life. Lake View had the mix and a house no one else wanted.

Published by Lake View Booster on April 17, 2008.

West Loop residents will soon have a place to let their dogs run wild and their children roam free. At its April meeting, the Chicago Park District board accepted $1 million for a new dog-friendly area and playground within Skinner Park, 1331 W. Adams, one of the few open spaces in the West Loop.

Published by Chicago Journal on April 17, 2008.

When he was dealing drugs in Roseland, on Chicago's Far South Side, Washington was standing on his corner by 6 a.m. selling mostly crack cocaine until 1 or 2 a.m., long shifts that could mean a net haul of $2,000 to $3,000 a day in cash. He carried a gun, and fought over "swerves," or customers, with rival gang members stationed on the other side of a viaduct in the neighborhood.

Published by Chicago Journal on April 17, 2008.

These days, Washington is up most days by 4 a.m. to catch the 71st St. bus west to the Red Line. He then takes the train to the Roosevelt stop and catches the Roosevelt bus west to Ashland. Washington walks the block south to the Cleanslate building at 1334 S. Ashland.

Published by Chicago Journal on April 17, 2008.

A third of Cleanslate's budget is paid for by its contracts with special service areas, the entities that tax businesses to provide clean-up in specified districts above the city's standard. The program is currently contracted for trash and recycling pick-up in the Illinois Medical District, the West Haven area, Auburn-Gresham, Uptown, South Shore and other neighborhoods-10 in all.

Published by Chicago Journal on April 17, 2008.

After a few announcements-Washington asked for someone to help him get his driver's license-the interns received their assignments for the day. Washington was stationed in the Illinois Medical District. Washington got in a truck with the other two IMD workers that day, and started his rounds at Harrison and Ogden, as nurses, doctors, patients and visitors rushed in and out of nearby Stroger Hospital.

Published by Chicago Journal on April 17, 2008.

At a final meeting about Avalon Bay's proposal to build two 42-story rental towers and a 938-car garage on the southwest corner of Clark and Polk, the developer offered the community various sweeteners in the hopes of placating South Loop residents dreading another round of construction.

Published by Chicago Journal on April 17, 2008.

One of the last places we stopped during our recent trip through Wicker Park and Bucktown was the 1600 block of Wolcott Avenue, where Ranquist Development has broken ground on the condominium phase of its big Urban Sandbox project.

Published by YoChicago on April 17, 2008.

Funke Architects and It Development knocked out most of the façade, swapping brick for glass and converting the 80 year-old storage facility at 1927 N Milwaukee Ave into a 16-unit condo development.

Published by YoChicago on April 17, 2008.

"Uptown and Edgewater are definitely having a problem with high-rise low-income housing broken up into small units. The only thing that will EVENTUALLY start to limit this type of housing stock is that these types of buildings are VERY expensive to maintain in the long run.

Published by YoChicago on April 17, 2008.

"Uptown and Edgewater are definitely having a problem with high-rise low-income housing broken up into small units. The only thing that will EVENTUALLY start to limit this type of housing stock is that these types of buildings are VERY expensive to maintain in the long run.

Published by YoChicago on April 17, 2008.

Patrons of the Wicker Park / Bucktown Aldi should recognize these buildings. The smaller structure (at left) walls off the store's parking lot in the 1700 block of Milwaukee Avenue, just south of the Bloomingdale line.

Published by YoChicago on April 17, 2008.

The future is uncertain for this development at the corner of Milwaukee and Bloomingdale avenues. The only listing I could find for the property is for the retail space, which also appears to be vacant.

Published by YoChicago on April 17, 2008.