Chicago shootings kill 2, wound 7 overnight

CHICAGO — Shootings overnight in Chicago killed two men and wounded seven others, including two teenage boys.

The city's police department is grappling with gang violence that routinely spikes over the weekends.

In one of the shootings early Saturday, police found two men shot multiple times in a vehicle on the far southwest side. One of the men was killed and the other critically wounded.

Also on the South Side, a 19-year-old man was shot in the chest at his home. He was found dead at the scene.

Police on Saturday announced the arrests of 39 people and the seizure of weapons, drugs and vehicles over the last week in areas with heavy gang activity. The operation targeted drug markets, including one taking in more than $2.3 million a year.  http://bit.ly/LIETw7

Mt. Vernon/Jefferson County Daily Arrest Record — June 27, 2012

    Keith M. Kopack, 36, of Merillville, Ind., was arrested Monday at 11:16 a.m. on charges of violation of bail bond and possession of a stolen vehicle. Bond was set at $11,500.
    Daniel O. Smith, 43, of Belle Rive, was arrested Monday at 11:53 a.m. on two in-state warrants. Bond was set at $1,500 and Smith was released.
Lashawn D. Golliday, 40, of the 300 block of South 15th Street, was arrested Monday at 2:19 p.m. on a charge of violation of bail bond. Bond was set at $3,000.
    Donna D. Fisher, 55, of the 700 block of South 18th Street, was arrested Monday at 2:51 p.m. on a charge of retail theft.
    Anthony M. White Jr., 34, of the 800 block of North 12th Street, was arrested Monday at 3:41 p.m. on a charge of burglary. Bond was set at $75,000.
    Nellie M. Ratliff, 40, of the 2800 block of College Street, was arrested Monday at 7:25 p.m. Monday on a charge of retail theft. Bond was set at $1,500 and Ratliff was released.
    Travis L. Deloch, 20, of the 800 block of South 23rd Street, was arrested Monday at 9:26 p.m. on a charge of violation of bail bond. Bond was set at $5,000.
    Shaun M. Thompson, 42, of Opdyke, was arrested Monday at 10:04 p.m. on charges of possession of cannabis, criminal trespass to state land and resisting a peace officer. Bond was set at $1,000 and Thompson was released.
    Vincent P. Rush, 26, of the 500 block of South 17th Street, was arrested Tuesday at 4:39 a.m. on a charge of criminal trespass to land. Bond was set at $1,000 and Rush was released.
Matthew B. Smith, 25, of the 200 block of South Second Street, was arrested Tuesday at 1:13 a.m. on a charge of burglary. Bond was set at $50,000.  full story

Mount Vernon hospital construction nearing completion

 

MOUNT VERNON — The new Good Samaritan Regional Health Center in Mount Vernon is nearing completion.

Construction on the $237 million medical campus is more than 75 percent finished, with construction costs of $139.2 million spent so far on the state-of-the-art facilities.

“Building a new medical campus like Good Samaritan Regional Health Center is a huge undertaking,” the center’s president, Mike Warren, said. “With new facilities, amenities, technology, and services, it’s hard to imagine all the changes. However, with construction now more than 75 percent complete, the reality of the new facility is coming into focus.”

The hospital will feature all-private patient rooms with private bathrooms, flat-screen televisions and overnight accommodations for family members or loved ones.

An average of 150 tradesmen and women are on site each working day, about 400 a day during peak construction of the 359,000 square-foot hospital. A medical office building of more than 141,000 square feet is also under construction.

Brandon Bullard, executive director of Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, said the community is excited about the project.

“Good Samaritan is one of our anchor partners in the community. It is hugely important, not just because of the size of it, but because it will make Mount Vernon and Jefferson County a regional hub for health care, along with Crossroads Community Hospital,” he said.

The medical campus is expected to be completed in time for a January dedication. full story

5,500 guns turned in during Chicago event

  CHICAGO — More than 5,500 weapons were turned in during Chicago's annual buy-back event at city churches.

Those turning in a gun received a $100 gift card and no questions asked. Those who brought in replica or BB guns received $10 gift cards.

The event on Saturday was held at about two dozen churches. The Chicago Sun-Times reports that ( http://bit.ly/MGVqjV) reports that so many firearms were turned in that police ran out of gift cards and told people to come back the following weekend to get their cards.

Authorities have touted previous events as a good way to get deadly weapons off the streets.

In 2007, police collected more than 6,700 weapons.  full story

'Dancing Planets' Share Closest Orbits in Solar System

   watch video

It’s the latest discovery from NASA’s Kepler mission to find planets of habitable life. Sorry, we’re not moving anytime soon, but researchers at the University of Washington and Harvard University found what they are calling a planetary “tug of war.” Here’s Red Orbit.

This adapted image uses Neptune to reflect the image of how the new gaseous planet, 36c, would orbit the rocky-surfaced 36b planet, which is shown from the point of view of the Seattle skyline. They are the closest orbiting planets in our solar system.

Both planets orbit a star nearly 1,200 light years away in the Cygnus constellation. The Space Daily reports, it’s there that researchers believe an anomaly is occurring.

“The discovery of the Kepler-36 planetary system...is an example of planets breaking with the planetary pattern of our solar system: rocky planets orbiting close to the sun and gas giants orbiting farther away.”

Here’s a thought, they’re the closest planets in the solar system, their orbits are only 10 percent different and both planets formed with comparable masses at their birth. So, why aren’t their compositions the same and are they at risk of running into each other? The Register reports...

“Despite the tug-of-war, the planets are in no danger of colliding because of the timing of their orbits...Although the planets' densities differ by a factor of eight...which makes it difficult to explain the differences in composition using current models of planet formation; usually the type of stuff on a planet depends on how close it is to its star.”

But let’s talk about the big blue marble in the room--could either planet sustain life? The Christian Science Monitor reports...

“Life is highly unlikely on these orbs. They are so close to their host star (Kepler 36) – that temperatures hover between 1,200 and 1,300 degrees F...Like the sun's end-of-life sequence, Kepler-36's fiery atmosphere will expand much farther into space than it does now, engulfing the odd couple.”

Since the launch of the first Kepler observatory to seek out planetary life in 2009, the Kepler mission has confirmed 74 planets out of more than 2300 planet “candidates.” 

New York Times Seeking Tech-Savvy CEO?

The Gray Lady is looking to put a techie in its top spot, according to Bloomberg.

Here’s more on The New York Times’ search for a new chief executive.

“It has a big want ad. Apparently it’s looking for a tech-savvy CEO. … the company is hoping to reverse its six-year sales slump.”
On the short list — former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and Akamai chief Paul Sagan.
A writer for Business Insider questions whether the Times knows what business it’s in.
“ … apparently because the NYT regards its future as "digital" and these two executives are from the ‘digital’ industry. Now, Eric and Paul are also two smart, excellent, butt-kicking chief executives, and if the NYT is just looking for a ‘capable CEO who understands the Internet,’ the NYT could certainly do worse.”
Other outlets report someone else is in talks for the Times’ number-one job — outgoing BBC chief, Mark Thompson. New York Magazine writes Thompson …
“ … has some experience as a new boss replacing a predecessor who was abruptly shown the door. He became BBC director general after Greg Dyke … was ousted because of a politically loaded scandal over the BBC's reporting on the lead-up to the Iraq War. That could come in handy.”
The Chicago Tribune points out a potential drawback for the talented chief exec …
“Cerebral and well read, with a background in BBC journalism, Thompson is not a born communicator and has sometimes struggled to get his message across, both to staff and to U.K. opinion formers.”
Thompson isn’t touted as one of the top tech-savvy candidates for the job. But a writer for Forbes says Hearst Magazines CEO David Carey could be.
“Hearst, though not a public company, is one of the more aggressive innovators among the big publishers when it comes to digital and mobile media. [Carey is] also a former longtime publisher of The New Yorker … his seven-year tenure marked the magazine’s return to profitability after many years of losses.”

Victim No. 6: Violation and vindication

His heart pounded under his striped, maroon polo shirt as the one they call Alleged Victim No. 6 waited in a packed courtroom Friday night to hear the verdicts in the Jerry Sandusky child molestation case.

He is 25 now, lean and broad shouldered with short brown hair and big dark eyes. For years, he struggled with the fact that Sandusky, a local football hero, crossed the line with him in a locker room shower in 1998.

No. 6 was the only one of the accusers, the so-called "Sandusky 8," to come to court for the verdicts. He chewed gum with intensity, his jaws clenching and releasing as Sandusky, looking wan and bent in a brown sports jacket, lumbered into the courtroom shortly before 10 p.m.

The jurors took their seats, looking tired and sad. One woman appeared to be crying.

Mt.Vernon/Jefferson County Daily Record — June 22, 2012

Mt. Vernon Police Department Arrests

• Jeremy A. Terry, 26, of the 700 block of South 17th Street, was arrested Wednesday at 9:12 a.m. on a charge of domestic battery.
• Whittney L. Neal, 22, of the 700 block of Lamar Avenue, was arrested Wednesday at 4:20 p.m. on charges of identity theft and unlawful possession of a credit or debit card.
• Benjamin T. Dixon, 27, of the 1200 block of South 12th Street, was arrested Thursday at 12:06 a.m. on a charge of domestic battery.
• Owen D. Curtis II, 45, of Bluford, was arrested Thursday at 2:59 a.m. on a charge of driving with a suspended/revoked license. Bond was set at $1,500 and Curtis was released.
• Christopher W. Cobb, 20, of the 400 block of Perkins Avenue, was arrested Thursday on a charge of criminal trespass to state land. Bond was set at $1,000.

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Arrests

• Michael E. Joslin, 54, of the 16600 block of North Morrison Lane, was arrested Wednesday at 11:39 a.m. on a charge of probation violation. Bond was set at $5,000 and Joslin was released.

Thefts

• A resident in the 18700 block of North Windsong Lane told police someone stole their tools and toolbox at 9:44 a.m. Thursday.

Incidents

• A resident in the 6200 block of North Log Cabin Lane told police someone broke into the house at 7:39 p.m. Wednesday.
• Police responded to a report that a man broke down the door of a residence in the 1000 block of Tolle Road at 2:57 a.m. Thursday.

Illinois State Police

Arrests

• Gregory Yeker, 45, of Maryland Heights, Mo., was arrested Wednesday at 10:58 a.m. Wednesday on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol. Bond was set at $1,500 and Yeker was released.  full story

Mt.Vernon/Jefferson County Daily Record - June 21, 2012

Mt. Vernon Police Department
Thefts

• A resident in the 800 block of Oakland Avenue told police someone used his debit card to make purchases at 11:36 a.m. Tuesday.
• An employee at Steak & Shake told police two people left without paying at 1:51 p.m. Tuesday.
• Police responded to an unspecified report of forgery or fraud in the 800 block of Sassafras Lane at 2:04 p.m. Tuesday.
• A resident in the 800 block of South 23rd Street reported a forgery or fraud at 7:59 p.m. Tuesday.
• Wednesday at 12:52 a.m., police responded to a report of a stolen mobile phone in the 700 block of South 17th Street.

Incidents

• Police responded to a report of property damage in the 1300 block of Harlan Road at 5:21 a.m. Tuesday.
• An employee near the intersection of Fifth Street and Park Avenue told police someone broke into their company’s storage shed at 9:33 a.m. Tuesday.
• Tuesday at 10:25 a.m., a resident in the 1000 block of South Ninth Street reported unspecified property damage to the police.
• Police responded to a report of a burglary in the 1300 block of Harlan Road at 11:27 a.m. Tuesday.
• A resident in the 1000 block of South 20th Street reported a burglary of their residence at 12:39 p.m. Tuesday.
• Tuesday at 11:06 p.m., police responded to a report of an attempted burglary in the 400 block of South 15th Street.

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
Thefts

• A resident in the 1200 block of North 11th Street told police someone stole tools at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday.

Incidents

• Police responded to an unspecified report of forgery or fraud in the 1200 block of North 11th Street at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday.    full story

Mt. Vernon Daily Record — June 15, 2012

MT. VERNON — Mt. Vernon Police Department

Thefts

• A participant in the Veterans Park day camp reported a bicycle stolen at 4:16 p.m. Wednesday.
• n Police responded to a report of an unspecified theft from a residence in the 600 block of South 15th Street at 1:35 p.m. Wednesday.
• Wednesday at 3:57 p.m., police responded to a report that someone drove off from a Circle K on Broadway without paying for $20 in fuel.

Incidents

• A resident in the 700 block of South 22nd Street told police someone broke a window in a nearby residence at 9:09 p.m. Wednesday.
• Thursday at 12:25 a.m., police responded to a report of the sound of gunshots in the 2000 block of Herbert Street.  full story

Mt.Vernon/Jefferson County Daily Record — June 9, 2012

Mt. Vernon Police Department
Arrests

• Amber R. Flippen, 21, of the 1000 block of South 21st Street, was arrested Wednesday at 3:16 p.m. on a charge of contempt of court. Flippen was released.
• Gail M. Atkinson, 61, of Rochester, Minn., was arrested Thursday 4:25 p.m. on a charge of criminal trespass to land. Bond was set at $1,000 and Atkinson was released.
• Robert G. Melvin Jr., 46, of Logan, was arrested Thursday at 8:05 p.m. on charges of domestic battery/bodily harm, aggravated battery in a public place, unlawful restraint and unlawful vehicular invasion.
• Demetrius D. Goss, 40, of the 400 block of South 15th Street, was arrested Friday at 4:07 a.m. on a charge of battery. Bond was set at $1,500.
• Justin L. Peak, 24, of Belle Rive, was arrested at 4:55 a.m. Friday on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol. Bond was set at $3,000.
• Shelby L. Hammond, 19, of Woodlawn, was arrested on a charge of leaving the scene of an accident. Bond was set at $1,500 and Hammond was released. 

Thefts

• A resident in the 500 block of North Seventh Street told police someone her car was stolen overnight at 6:58 a.m. Thursday.
• Employees at Quality Inn told police someone left without paying at 11:07 a.m. Thursday.
• Police responded to a report that someone used the bank account of a resident in the 1000 block of South 20th Street at 12 p.m. Thursday.
• A resident in the 500 block of North 27th Street told police someone stole a leaf blower at 1:31 p.m. Thursday.
• Thursday at 2:59 p.m., a resident in the 1700 block of Main Street told police someone stole her TV.

Incidents

• Police responded to a report of a battery in the 400 block of South 15th Street at 9:23 p.m. Thursday.
• Thursday at 9:02 p.m., police responded to a report of a fight between two coaches at Lincoln Park.

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
Arrests

• Christopher T. Gehrig, 32, of the 1200 block of North 10th Street, was arrested Thursday at 5:47 p.m. on charges of driving with a suspended/revoked license and driving with a suspended/revoked suspension. Bond was set at $1,500 and Gehrig was released.
• Bryan L. Vonburg, 21, of the 700 block of South 18th Street, was arrested Thursday at 10:07 p.m. on a charge of direct criminal contempt.

Incidents

• Police responded to a report of criminal damage to property on Rural Route 1 in Bluford at 6:03 p.m. Thursday.
• Friday at 12:05 a.m., police responded to a report of unspecified damage in the 16900 block of East Liberty Road.
• A resident on Pisque Lane in Ashley told police someone damaged windows, pews and a piano at a church at 1:42 p.m. Friday. full story

Mt.Vernon/Jefferson County Daily Record - June 8, 2012

MT. VERNON — — Mt. Vernon Police Department Thefts

• Wednesday at 9:58 a.m., a resident of the 4100 block of Willow Springs told police someone broke into her car while it was parked in the area and took CDs and medications out of the car.

Incidents

• Police responded to a report at 7:46 p.m. Wednesday that people were riding bicycles on the tennis courts at Veterans Park.
• A resident in the 100 block of Aspen Drive told police someone slashed their tires at 9:25 p.m. Wednesday.
• Police responded to a report that a resident in the 1300 block of Salem Road was receiving phone calls making fraudulent claims at 12:17 p.m. Wednesday.
• An out-of-town caller told police at 3:13 p.m. Wednesday that someone put the power in her name at a residence in the 1400 block of White Avenue .
• Wednesday at 3:51 p.m., a resident in the 700 block of South 17th Street told police someone slammed her head into a counter.

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Arrests

• Susan D. Mays, 27, of the 600 block of Kensington Avenue, was arrested Wednesday at 3:21 p.m. on a charge of probation violation. Bond was set at $2,500.

Thefts

• A resident in the 16600 block of East Base Line Road in Texico reported a burglary at 2:59 p.m. Thursday.

Incidents

• Police responded to a report that people were shooting into a pond near the 8400 block of Base Line Road at 8:31 p.m. Wednesday.
• A resident in the 800 block of West Fifth Street in Bluford told police there was a prowler in her yard at 12:18 p.m. Thursday.
• Police investigated a report of someone dumping oil in creek beds near Homestead Road in Dix at 10:15 a.m. Thursday.  full story

Times Square Mall sale announced

MT. VERNON — — The Times Square Mall has been sold to Pine Tree Commercial Realty LLC, The Sansone Group and Wanxiang America Real Estate Group.
Mid-America Real Estate Corporation’s Investment Sales Group announced the recent sale of the Mt. Vernon shopping center. Ben Wineman of Mid-America Real Estate exclusively represented the seller, while both buyers represented themselves in the transaction. 
Kasia Yuska with Dodier and Company, representing Mid-America Real Estate of Oakbrook Terrace, said the price of the purchase was not disclosed.
Bruce Boruszak, executive vice president at Pine Tree Commercial Realty LLC, said he is excited about the opportunities for the mall, but that no changes would happen immediately.
“We are excited about Mt. Vernon, and we are excited about the property,” Boruszak said. “We will work to improve the property as the years go by.”
He said though the mall is owned by a different group of companies now, rents for its businesses will stay the same for the time being.
“All the businesses are operated pursuant to their individual leases,” he said. “They will stay the same, they are subject to their leases. With new ownership comes new ideas, so to speaks, but it’s not like we come in and change all the rents. That does not happen.”
Boruszak said Pine Tree Commercial Realty, based out of Northbrook, owns a number of commercial real estate properties, including another mall outside of Cleveland, Ohio.
He said the property in Cleveland was “de-malled,” and turned into three different shopping centers, but the company has no plans to do the same to Times Square Mall.
“We are excited,” he said about the sale. “We hope the future is bright for everyone.”
Times Square Mall is a 269,328-square-foot enclosed regional shopping center located at the southeast corner of Broadway and 42nd Street in Mt. Vernon, a regional retail hub about 80 miles east of St. Louis.
Sears, JC Penney, Dunham Sports and Peebles anchor the center, which is further complemented by national retailers GNC, Maurices, Claire’s, Bath & Body Works, Glik’s, Shoe Sensation, Subway and Wendy’s. full story

Mt.Vernon/Jefferson County Daily Record - June 7, 2012

MT. VERNON - Mt. Vernon Police Department

Thefts

• Monday at 11:06 a.m., a resident in the 600 block of South 16th Street told police someone stole his air conditioning unit.
• Monday at 1 p.m., a resident in the 200 block of North 10th Street told police someone used their bank account information online.
• A resident in the 600 block of South 23rd Street told police there was fraudulent action on his bank account at 8:57 p.m. Monday.

Incidents

• Monday at 7:37 a.m., a resident in the 700 block of Lamar Avenue told police someone slashed her tires.
• Police responded to a report that a man was struck by another individual while he was at the Post Office at 12:57 p.m. Monday.
• A resident in the 300 block of Marteeny told police at 5:39 p.m. Monday someone shot their dog.
• Police responded to a report of an illegal burn in the 1100 block of South 25th Street at 7:01 p.m. Monday.
• Monday at 8:16 p.m., a resident in the 1100 block of South 23rd Street told police someone broke into their house.
• Police responded to a report of the sound of a gunshot near Veterans Park at 11:42 p.m. Monday.  full story

Mt.Vernon/Jefferson County Daily Arrest Record - June 2, 2012

Mt. Vernon Police Department Arrests

Roberta J. Stone, 39, of the 100 block of East Opdyke Avenue, was arrested Thursday at 7:08 a.m. on a charge of domestic battery/bodily harm. Bond was set at $3,000.

Christopher P. Kackowski, 23, of the 100 block of Grant Street, was arrested Thursday at 11:42 a.m. on charges of driving with a suspended license and aggravated driving under the influence of alcohol with a suspended/revoked license. Bond was set at $3,000.

Hank W. Warren, 26, of the 700 block of Salem Road, was arrested Thursday at 3:43 p.m. on a charge of retail theft. Bond was set at $1,500 and Warren was released.

Michael D. Simrell, 52, of the 300 block of South 44th Street, was arrested Friday at 12:43 a.m. on a charge of disorderly conduct. Bond was set at $1,000.

Albert W. Mahoney, 48, of Homosassa, Fla, was arrested Friday at 12:42 a.m. on a charge of violation of bail bond. Bond was set at $2,500.

Jesse R. England, 42, of the 300 block of Opdyke Avenue, was arrested Friday at 11:56 a.m. on a charge of domestic battery.

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Arrests

Benjamin M. Smith, 30, of the 900 block of North Sixth Street, was arrested Thursday at 1:01 p.m. on an in-state warrant. Bond was set at $5,000 and Smith was released. Full Story

Daily Arrest Record - June 1, 2012 Mt. Vernon/Jefferson County

Mt. Vernon Police Department Arrests

• James E. Johnston, 48, of the 2200 block of Casey Avenue, was arrested at 5:58 a.m. Wednesday on charges of bringing a controlled substance into a penal institution, possession of drug paraphernalia, manufacturing methamphetamine, methamphetamine precursor, possession of methamphetamine manufacturing materials and possession of methamphetamine. Bond was set at $50,000.
• Michelle L. Fields, 37, of the 1300 block of South 24th Street, was arrested at 1:34 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of violation of bail bond. Bond was set at $7,000 and Fields was released.
• Theodore R. Jefferson, 23, of the 1300 block of 10th Street, was arrested at 3:26 p.m. Wednesday on an in-state warrant. Bond was set at $5,000 and Jefferson was released.
• Tracey L. Corhn, 27, of the 500 block of Short Street, was arrested at 4:38 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of disorderly conduct. • Travis L. Deloch, 19, of the 800 block of South 23rd Street, was arrested at 7:37 p.m. Wednesday on a charge of driving with a suspended/revoked license. Bond was set at $1,500 and Deloch was released.
• Timothy L. Boyd, 24, of the 600 block of South 18th Street, was arrested at 8:48 p.m. Wednesday on charges of domestic battery/bodily harm and possession of cannabis.
• Randal C. Hester, 41, of the 600 block of Main Street, was arrested at 12:50 a.m. Thursday on charges of domestic battery/bodily harm and assault.
• Edgar I. Merced, 25, of the 1200 block of South 25th Street, was arrested at 1:41 a.m. Thursday on a charge of residential burglary.
• O.J. Simmons II, 27, of the 700 block of Conger Street, was arrested at 4:01 a.m. Thursday on a charge of driving with a suspended license. Bond was set at $1,500.
• Angel M. Jackson, 18, of the 300 block of South 44th Street, was arrested at 4:37 a.m. Thursday on a charge of criminal trespass to state land. Bond was set at $1,000.
• Roberta J. Stone, 39, of the 100 block of East Opdyke Avenue, was arrested Thursday at 4:37 a.m. on a charge of domestic battery/bodily harm.

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Arrests

• Philip G. Wilkerson, 29, of Benton, was arrested at 9:28 p.m. Wednesday on charges of driving with a suspended/revoked license and criminal trespass to land. Bond was set at $2,500 and Wilkerson was released. - http://bit.ly/JRfB07