What’s New

A 14-year-old boy was killed and two other young teens were wounded as they stood on a sidewalk in Morgan Park on the Far South Side.

The teens were attacked by a gunman who walked up and opened fire just after 7 p.m. in the 11100 block of South Bishop Street, Chicago police said.

William Pemberton, 14, was struck in the head and taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was pronounced dead, police said.

A 14-year-old girl suffered a gunshot wound to the foot and a 15-year-old boy was struck in the leg, police said. Both were taken to the hospital in good condition, police said.

The shooting happened down the street from Shoop Academy at 11140 S. Bishop St. At the scene, dozens of evidence markers covered the sidewalk near the mouth of an alley.

A resident who has lived in the area for the past three years described the block as “quiet” with “not too much going on.”

There was no one in custody.

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Natural gas prices have surged, hitting $5 per million BTUs in the past month — about double the price of six months ago and the highest September price since 2008.

An increase in natural gas prices leads to price hikes across the economy for home heating, fertilizer, chemicals — and wholesale electricity because of the power sector’s heavy reliance on gas-fired power plants.

Gas has been cheap in the United States for more than a decade, a result of the vast supply producers unlocked through fracking in shale formations. Low gas prices have contributed to low electricity prices.

But gas prices have soared in the last month because of disruptions to gas infrastructure from Hurricane Ida and a hot summer that boosted gas demand and economic growth, as the country emerges from the coronavirus pandemic.

The rising demand is taking place at a time supply has not yet caught up, resulting in low levels of gas reserves. That combination of factors is leading to high prices and the possibility of even higher prices if this winter turns out to be unusually cold.

The probable financial winners include just about everybody who sells electricity, especially owners of coal-fired power plants.

Among the losers, other than consumers paying the bills, are owners of older and less-efficient gas-fired power plants, said Eric Gimon, a senior fellow at the think tank Energy Innovation.

NATURAL GAS PRICES GOING UP

SOURCE: Energy Information Administration Paul Horn / Inside Climate News

If prices continue to be high or increase further, some gas plants would run less, while coal plants would run more, which is bad news for the climate because coal emits much more carbon per unit of electricity than gas. Most of the least-efficient coal plants already have closed, leaving those that are well-equipped to take advantage of more expensive gas prices.

Clean energy sources also stand to benefit from high prices. But it’s not as simple as what is likely to happen with coal, Gimon said. Wind farms and solar arrays can grab higher profits if they are selling some of their output at market prices. But most are selling power at predetermined prices to utilities, corporations or other buyers.

The larger benefit for wind and solar developers is that an increase in electricity prices helps boost demand for renewable energy for buyers seeking a hedge against a chaotic market.

“The more erratic gas is, then the more the hedging value is attractive,” Gimon said.

But the changes he’s describing would be fleeting if gas prices retreat to the level of the 2010s by late winter or early spring.

Ian Lange, director of the mineral and energy economics program at the Colorado School of Mines, said he views the gas price increase as part of a short-term imbalance between supply and demand that will likely work itself out by next spring.

“Supply is going to catch up,” Lange said, meaning gas producers will respond to high prices by increasing production.

Lange said there’s some talk, common during any price spike, of the market entering a new era in which prices will remain high. But he thinks that’s unlikely.

He does see a short window — maybe the next few months — in which coal plants will be more profitable than they have been in a while.

“They’ll make a lot of money in the short term,” he said. “They’re probably riding these things out, almost on their last legs, and taking the profits.”

One wildcard is the increasing frequency of severe weather events like the storm last winter in Texas or Hurricane Ida in Louisiana this summer. Both damaged natural gas infrastructure and led to brief price spikes. Storm-related price increases could become more common, but that’s different from long-term changes in supply and demand.

Another thing to watch is how high gas prices this winter might affect the push by government officials and clean energy advocates for the development of all-electric buildings and energy efficiency measures in old houses. Consumers are more likely to pay more attention to their energy use when they get stung by a few high bills.

Gimon said he thinks gas prices will fall by next spring and that the market will settle into what has been normal for the last decade. His outlook is almost identical to Lange’s, though Gimon said his is more guess than prediction.

“Not only do I not know, but I would be very suspicious of anybody who claims that they do know,” he said.

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Fifteen people, including three teenagers, were wounded in shootings Wednesday across Chicago.

Two men were shot after getting into an argument with two other people Wednesday morning in Pilsen on the South Side.

The men, 29 and 25, were shot about 1:15 a.m. in the 1100 block of West 18th Street, Chicago police said.

The 29-year-old was struck in the chest and face, and was taken to Stroger Hospital in serious condition, police said. The younger man was struck in the right shoulder and taken to the hospital in fair condition.

On Wednesday afternoon, at least four bystanders were wounded, one critically, in a shooting in West Town. A fifth person, police believe to be a possible suspect, was also shot.

Two vehicles were driving in the 800 block of North Milwaukee Avenue about 4:45 p.m. when an occupant of one vehicle began shooting at the other, police said.

A 29-year-old man suffered a gunshot wound to the back and was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical condition, police said. A 30-year-old woman and two men, 25 and 48, were taken to the same hospital in good condition.

Another man, 27, was struck in the arm and transported to Stroger Hospital in good condition, police said.

One of the victims is a “possible suspect,” according to Chief of Patrol Brian McDermott.

Three young teens were wounded, one of them critically, in a shooting Wednesday night in Morgan Park on the Far South Side.

The teens were standing on the sidewalk in the 11100 block of South Bishop Street when someone approached and opened fire just after 7 p.m., police said.

A 14-year-old boy was struck in the head and taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in critical condition, police said. A 14-year-old girl suffered a gunshot wound to the foot and a 15-year-old boy was struck in the leg.

Both were taken to the hospital in good condition, police said.

The shooting happened down the street from Shoop Academy at 11140 S. Bishop St. At the scene, dozens of evidence markers covered the sidewalk near the mouth of an alley.

At least five others were hurt in citywide gun violence.

Fourteen shot, three fatally, Tuesday in Chicago.

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Daniel Cater, a new driver for Fortune Fish & Gourmet, was about to make a turn off Milwaukee Avenue in West Town when he saw two people hanging out of a car and shooting at another car.

Two bullets hit the top of his truck, inches from his head, and another bullet pierced a tire during the rolling gunfight through rush-hour traffic late Wednesday afternoon.

“I saw it happen, I knew that was shooting,” Cater said. “I’m still in shock, it was a near-death experience. It’s almost unbelievable … I could have died right now. I really don’t feel anything.”

At least four bystanders were wounded, one critically, in the shooting which stretched from Hubbard to Grand streets on Milwaukee around 4:45 p.m., officials said.

A fifth person, possibly a suspect, was also shot but others involved in the shooting managed to escape, honking at other drivers to get out of their way as people on sidewalks dove for cover or ran into buildings.

Chicago police work the scene where multiple people were shot near the Grand Avenue, Halsted Street, and Milwaukee Avenue intersection, in the West Town neighborhood, Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times

A 29-year-old man suffered a gunshot wound to the back and was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in critical condition, police said.

A 30-year-old woman and two men, 25 and 48, were taken to the same hospital in good condition, police said.

Another man, 27, was struck in the arm and transported to Stroger Hospital in good condition, police said.

One of the victims is a “possible suspect,” Chief of Patrol Brian McDermott told reporters at the scene.

Crystal Wilson, a ride-share driver, said a passenger in her blue Kia was shot as the gunmen sped through an intersection.

“I thought the noise was like some random fireworks. And then he said, ‘No, I’ve been shot,'” Wilson said. “These guys were hanging out in the window shooting. I was trying to focus on not hitting someone else’s car and… make sure my passenger was OK.”

Wilson stopped and dialed 9-1-1 as another woman came over to help.

“I’ve got a headache, I’m a little shocked,” Wilson said as she waited for officers to inspect her car. “I live in Indiana so I don’t want to just leave my car.”

Dancello Bennett and Harry McGraw were on their way to grab a bite to eat when they heard the gunfire. McGraw dropped to the ground while Bennett tried to run inside a building.

“We literally have an office down the street. Just grabbing lunch and [then] it’s like an all-out gun war, like shooting down the streets,” Bennett said. “It’s wild.”

McGraw said it looked like a gunman from an SUV was shooting at a car in front of them. He thought he heard 20 to 30 gunshots in 10 seconds.

“It was just unbelievable to know that these guys are willing to risk it all in the midst of everybody else, just reckless driving, reckless shooting,” McGraw said. “So we need to pray for Chicago, we need better for Chicago.”

Michelle Peterson, of Lake View, was having a drink on Clover’s patio, 722 W. Grand Ave., with a friend when she heard what she thought were fireworks.

“By the time we heard it, it was kind of too late to do anything about it. Two people were shot right there,” Peterson said. “In broad daylight, in the middle of a busy population area.”

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Four puppies were rescued after a fire broke out in a vacant building early Thursday in Fuller Park on the South Side.

Firefighters responded to a call of several buildings who had caught fire about 3:30 a.m. in the 4900 block of South Princeton Avenue, Chicago police said.

Six buildings caught fire September 30, 2021 in Fuller Park.Chicago Fire Department

The fire belived to have started in a vacant building, spread over five other buildings, including two coach houses, according to a Chicago Fire Department spokesperson.

During a search for injured people, firefighters rescued four puppies who were trapped inside one of the coach houses, fire officials said. Paramedics on scene attended to the puppied and provided oxygen masks.

Eight people were displaced, fire officials said. No injuries were reported.

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Three young teens were wounded, one of them critically, in a shooting Wednesday night in Morgan Park on the Far South Side.

The teens were standing on the sidewalk in the 11100 block of South Bishop Street when someone approached and opened fire just after 7 p.m., Chicago police said.

A 14-year-old boy was struck in the head and taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn in critical condition, police said.

A 14-year-old girl suffered a gunshot wound to the foot and a 15-year-old boy was struck in the leg, police said. Both were taken to the hospital in good condition, police said.

The shooting happened down the street from Shoop Academy at 11140 S. Bishop St. At the scene, dozens of evidence markers covered the sidewalk near the mouth of an alley.

A resident who has lived in the area for the past three years described the block as “quiet” with “not too much going on.”

There was no one in custody.

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The Sun-Times’ experts offer their picks for Sunday’s home game against the NFC North rival Lions:

Rick Morrissey

Bears, 17-13

The Bears? Winning a football game? With this offense and these players? Don’t ask me why. I have no idea. After last week’s embarrassment in Cleveland, why anyone would have confidence in the Bears’ beating any team, even the historically comical Lions, is beyond me. And yet here I am, boarding a ship of fools. Now that I think about it, it could be a cry for help. Season: 2-1.

Rick Telander

Lions, 18-16

Interesting tussle here, for sure. Bears coming off a pitiful, semi-historic dump against the Browns; Lions desperate not to start 0-4. Bad vs bad. Maybe terrible vs worse. Likely clothes-rending and firings coming up in one or other rust belt city. Pray it’s Detroit. Alas. Season: 3-0.

Patrick Finley

Bears, 28-17

The Bears defense feels just as likely to score a touchdown as the offense, and I’m betting they continue their years-long dominance of quarterback Jared Goff. It’s hard to find a reason to believe in the Bears, but I’ll settle on a five-word mantra: Have you seen the Lions? Season: 3-0.

Jason Lieser

Bears 17, Lions 9

This is supposed to be the easiest game on the Bears’ schedule, but perhaps there’s no such thing as a cupcake for them. Nonetheless, the Lions are in shambles — even by their standards — and it’s inconceivable that the Bears would blow this game. Season: 2-1.

Mark Potash

Bears, 23-17

The Bears look like they might never win again after Justin Fields’ nine-sack debacle against the Browns last week. They’ll go all-out to protect the quarterback this week — and they still know how to beat teams that are in their league. Season: 3-0.

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An 18-year-old man was if facing murder charges in connection to a fatal shooting Monday in the Near West Side.

Anthony Watts was arrested Monday after he was identified as the man who shot and killed 57-year-old Qiaoming Shao in the 1300 block of West Grenshaw Street, Chicago police said.

That night, Shao was delivering food when Watts allegedly approached him and opened fire, police said. Shao was struck in the chest and was taken to Stroger Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Watts was arrested shortly after, police said.

He is facing one count of first-degree murder and a misdemeanor charge for obstructing identification, police said.

Watts was expected to appear in bond court Thursday.

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