Metro & Tri-state Burials burden parents Chicago continues to enforce gun ban Boaters with gas pains stay anchored Injured Hobart teen's family files civil lawsuit Murdered girl's dad takes lie detector test Rooftop gas theft scheme foiled Chicago's most important FBI cases Missy no longer a missing kitty Brawling teens force cops to shut 12th Street Beach Cops seize 9 dogs, seek owner Packers fans down, not out over Favre Mob hit man dies at 78 Quadriplegic man sues cops Crete boy doesn't get the breaks in foster system

STNG Video View more local videos Chicago 24/7 Crime Quadriplegic man sues cops Chicago's most important FBI cases Mob hit man dies at 78 Cops seize 9 dogs, seek owner Education Memorial to students finds 'perfect place' No property tax increase for schools this year

Sports Feel sorry for Wood ... and concerned for Cubs You have no heart, no human touch, if you don't feel sorry for Kerry Wood. He was reinventing himself as a reliable closer, crafting a redemptive story that seemed unfathomable last year when he was one day from calling Jim Hendry and announcing his retirement.

Bears' season on the line The spotlight in Bears training camp is on the quarterback derby, but two days in, coach Lovie Smith was begging to talk about anything else. How about the offensive line, where some other position battles are being waged? The Bears will be only as good as their running game this season, and it all starts up front.

Fickle finger of fate As many times as Kerry Wood has been on the disabled list in his career, it might be tempting to see this long-enduring blister problem as his battle-scarred body's way of giving the finger to the Cubs' promising season. But team honchos insist the move that has looked inevitable for several days isn't a big deal and remain hopeful the All-Star closer will return from the disabled list on his first eligible day, Tuesday at Milwaukee -- even though nobody seems to be able to explain why a blister expected to heal last week is taking this long in the first place.

Lifestyles Missing Missy's back at counter of local shop Perhaps Missy got hungry. Or maybe she missed her job at Glasshopper Schor Glass on West New York Street. Then again, it could have been the media attention to her disappearance. In any event, Missy the cat is back greeting customers at Glasshopper after a two-week absence. "She's very skinny, happy to be home," employee Roberta Hollingsworth said.



At Home Interior Affairs: How to be over the top in a good way Morton Arboretum: Build fort for kids while they're young Religion Homeless sanctuary comes under fire Messianic Jews complain about Ohio prisons Horoscopes Holiday Mathis horoscopes for July 25 Georgia Nicols horoscopes for July 25 Weekend love forecast

Entertainment Your retro playground Paige Wiser: There's nothing like a little good, old-fashioned fun. And it's not all that hard to find in Chicago, where minigolf is a worshipped art form and the Super Dawg reigns supreme. Ready for a round with the classics? Buckle your seat belts and try Kiddieland. It started out as nothing more than pony rides for kids during the Great Depression. And though parts of it now are a bit faded, its charms are many.

Photos: Retro fun Where to go for retro fun More: Jukebox bars
Books Sony opens up e-book Reader to other booksellers Amazon shrugs off high gas prices, weak economy ‘Rotten’ guy from Mundelein writes about paradise Classical Lang Lang shows serious artistry in performance with CSO Stage Fully loaded 'Monty' is a sheer delight Fall theater seasons announced Giordanao, Kirov plan inspired dance programming

Business Patience now a virtual must for home sellers When Mike and Robyn Hall put their Chicago four-bedroom, two-bath home on the market, they expected a quick sale. Things didn't go as planned. Ten months later, they're still waiting for a buyer. "We thought it was going to take a month," said Mike Hall, who notes they've dropped the price on their home in the Hermosa neighborhood four times.

Mortgage crisis hits home for one Matteson trustee
Area UPS workers brace for strike over pay, benefits Readers react to news about Ebert & Roeper Pennies spent, laugh earned Boaters with gas pains stay anchored