Chicago Sun-Times

New head fed: Zach Fardon’s U.S. attorney nomination brings accolades, challenges

Fri, 24 May 2013 02:22:20 -0500

Former colleagues and peers piled accolades onto Zach Fardon Thursday after President Barack Obama nominated him to be the next U.S. Attorney in Chicago. But there was no question that the 46-year-old will face a set of challenges as he’s expected to take the helm of one of the most prominent prosecutors’ offices in the nation. Chief among those challenges: convincing the public the office is indeed tackling guns, drugs and gangs — it’s just that public corruption dominates the news coverage.

Captain Jonathan Toews needs to lead Blackhawks by example

Fri, 24 May 2013 07:11:36 -0500

RICK MORRISSEY: There was something a tad much about what Jonathan Toews said Thursday morning. Something overboard, something overdone. Something too too, if you know what I mean.

Emanuel administration sues over $58 million parking-garage tab

Fri, 24 May 2013 07:30:56 -0500

Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s administration went to court Thursday to try to knock tens of millions of dollars off the nearly $58 million tab it owes to the private company that operates four city-owned parking garages.

I-5 bridge collapse caused by truck hitting span

Fri, 24 May 2013 07:47:17 -0500

MOUNT VERNON, Wash. — The Interstate 5 bridge collapse into the Skagit River was caused by an oversize truck hitting the span, the Washington State Patrol chief said. “For reasons unknown at this point in time the semi struck the overhead of the bridge causing the collapse,” Batiste told an overnight news conference. The truck made it off the bridge and the driver remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. Two other vehicles went into the water Thursday evening as the structure crumbled. Three people were rescued and are recovering. Drivers should expect delays at the break in the …

Lisle man charged with DUI after striking two women with BMW in River North

Fri, 24 May 2013 07:50:50 -0500

A west suburban man was charged with drunk driving after he allegedly struck two women with his car as they crossed a street in the River North neighborhood Thursday night.

Trump wins at trial, calls woman suing him ‘horrible human being’

Fri, 24 May 2013 02:20:52 -0500

A jury has cleared Donald Trump of any wrongdoing in a civil suit brought by an 87-year-old Evanston woman who claimed he ripped her off. After deliberating for about five hours at the end of a week-and-a-half long trial, the jury returned the verdict Thursday afternoon. Trump was not in court.

Boy Scouts vote to allow gay scouts

Fri, 24 May 2013 07:52:00 -0500

The Boy Scouts of America voted Thursday to allow gay scouts into their ranks. The move ends a ban that’s existed throughout the organization’s 103-year history, but the reversal does not extend to openly gay adults, who are still not allowed to serve as scout masters or participate in other leadership roles.

Dunbar H.S. employee suspended over video of girl shoved down stairs

Fri, 24 May 2013 02:25:55 -0500

Chicago Public Schools officials have suspended an employee of Dunbar Vocational Career Academy on the South Side after a video surfaced that appears to show him pushing a 16-year-old female student down a flight of stairs. On the video, which seems to have been taken on a cell phone, it appears the man then hovers over the girl at the bottom of the stairs and shoves her again when she gets up and lunges at him. The video is posted on www.worldstarhiphop.com.

Trial begins for teen charged in videotaped killing of father in West Rogers Park alley

Fri, 24 May 2013 02:25:43 -0500

Defense attorneys argued that all Anthony Malcolm did in the early morning hours of July 10 was hold a cell phone camera — inadvertently filming the fatal punch that claimed the life of Delfino Mora, a father of 12. Prosecutors argued that Malcolm was as culpable as the other two suspects who, authorities say, proceeded to rifle through Mora’s wallet as he lay dying in an alley in the 6300 block of North Artesian.