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The cable line had been renovated in 2016 and had only recently reopened after coronavirus lockdowns forced the closures of ski lifts across Italy. 

ROME — A cable car taking visitors to a mountaintop view of some of northern Italy’s most picturesque lakes plunged to the ground Sunday, killing at least nine people and sending two children to the hospital, authorities said.

A photo of the wreckage taken by Italy’s fire department showed the crushed and crumpled remains of the cable car in a clearing of a thick patch of pine trees near the summit of the Mottarone peak overlooking Lake Maggiore.

At that location, about 100 meters (yards) before the final pilon, the cables of the lift were particularly high off the ground, said Walter Milan, spokesman for the Alpine rescue service. The cause hasn’t been determined.

Milan noted that the cable line had been renovated in 2016 and had only recently reopened after coronavirus lockdowns forced the closures of ski lifts across Italy.

Sunday was a beautiful, sunny day in the area, and Milan hypothesized that many families were taking advantage of the gorgeous weather to enjoy a day in nature after months of lockdown. Italy only reopened a few weeks ago, allowing travel between regions after a winter of COVID-19 restrictions.

Mottarone reaches a height of 1,491 meters (4,900 feet) and overlooks several picturesque lakes and the surrounding Alps of Italy’s Piedmont region. Milan said a total of 11 people were in the cable car at the time. The two children were in serious condition and were taken to a Turin hospital, Milan said.

The trip up the mountain from the base at the lake features a cable car to get up halfway and then a chairlift to reach a small amusement park, Alpyland, further up that has a children’s rollercoaster offering 360-degree views of the scenery.

The site offers mountain bike paths and hiking trails, as is common for many Italian mountain areas that are popular with tourists and locals in spring and summer.

The Stresa-Mottarone cable car line advertises a panoramic, 20-minute trip up the mountain, offering a view of seven lakes at the peak.

It appeared to be Italy’s worst cable car disaster since 1998 when a low-flying U.S. military jet cut through the cable of a ski lift in Cavalese, in the Dolomites, killing 20 people.

Italy’s transport minister, Enrico Giovannini, was following the rescue effort, which involved the deployment of three helicopters to the mountainside.

It’s the latest incident to raise questions about the quality of Italy’s transport infrastructure. In 2018, the Morandi bridge in Genoa collapsed after years of neglect, killing 43 people.

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Investigators believe the incident stemmed from a fight inside of a theater, which was hosting a private celebration, police said.

Four people were hurt in a shooting Sunday in suburban Park Forest.

Officers responded to the shooting about 1 a.m. outside of a theater venue in the 300 block of Artist Walk, Park Forest police said in a statement.

A 30-year-old woman and three men, ages 29, 31 and 33, were treated by paramedics at the scene before being taken to a hospital, police said.

Police said none of their injuries were believed to be life-threatening.

Investigators believe the incident stemmed from a fight inside of the theater, which was hosting a private celebration, police said.

“At this time there is reason to believe that there was more than one firearm involved in this shooting,” police said.

No arrests have been reported. Park Forest police are investigating.

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Guard Garrett Temple came at a cheap price last summer, and his presence in the locker room alone was worth every penny. He wants to return, but will the feeling – and money – be mutual?

At age 35 and collecting team gear from nine different organizations since 2009, Garrett Temple would love nothing more than to sign another 12-month lease in Chicago.

As the Bulls guard pointed out on several occasions, however, his current contract has an expiration date, and it comes up this summer.

“It was great while I was here,’’ Temple said of his one year with the Bulls. “I think AK and Evs [executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas and general manager Marc Eversley] have done a great job of trying to build a culture here. [Coach] Billy [Donovan], as well. And I would love to be here and be that same veteran presence, that defender, a guy that the young guys can lean upon, coach can lean upon to impart things to the team.’’

Skillsets that come with years of experience, but also at a price.

Good thing for the Bulls not a hefty one in Temple’s case.

Of all the free agents the Bulls have to make decisions on, Temple might be in that bargain bin for most bang for the buck.

He signed for $4.7 million to play last season, and even missing some games because of the health and safety protocols as well as an ankle injury, Temple’s influence with the likes of Coby White and Zach LaVine was worth every penny and more.

It would seem like a no-brainer to bring him back for another go at it, especially with how much optimism he has about this core group.

As Temple pointed out, however, it’s not his call.

“I feel like I got a few more years to play, to really compete on the court, so I would love to be back,’’ Temple said. “But as I said, I don’t have a player option, the option is not mine, the choice is not mine. But once we get things together this is definitely a place I would love to come back to, and finish what I think we started here in terms of being able to get to be a contender in the East.’’

The “contender in the East’’ might be a little far-fetched, but bringing back Temple, who is one of four key unrestricted free agents, shouldn’t be.

What should the Bulls do with Temple? Re-Sign.

Daniel Theis – F/C – 29 years old – Salary last season: $5 million

The best compliment paid to Theis this past season after the Bulls acquired him was Donovan remarking that “You can feel when he’s on the court.’’ The tough-minded Theis makes sure opposing players feel that presence as well.

There will be a market for Theis, who can be a glue guy for a lot of frontcourts. For a Bulls roster that doesn’t exactly measure really high in the physicality department players like Theis are almost a must.

What should the Bulls do with Theis? Re-Sign.

Denzel Valentine – G – 27 years old – Salary last season: $4.6 million

Valentine has always been great with the media, has always expressed how he’s felt, but this is a case where a change of scenery would do both sides good.

He does bring value to a roster because of his ability to hit from outside and heat up from long range in a hurry. Just no longer with the Bulls.

What should the Bulls do with Valentine? Let him walk.

Cristiano Felicio – PF/C – 28 years old – Salary last season: $7.5 million

One of the final painful reminders of the Gar Forman Era. Few players accomplished less for $32 million over the last four seasons.

What should the Bulls do with Felicio? Let him walk.

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Chicago Bulls: Chandler Hutchison attempts worst troll job in history by Ryan Heckman

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Chicago Bears (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

For a little while this offseason, things looked as though they would stay the same for the Chicago Bears.

It was an offseason headed for disappointment as general manager Ryan Pace’s biggest move, at one point, was letting go of an All Pro cornerback in Kyle Fuller. Then, some thought Akiem Hicks would be traded.

To say fans were upset a couple of months ago would be an understatement. The fact Pace was still around had many ready to storm Halas Hall.

But then, Pace pulled everybody back in over the course of the 2021 NFL Draft. That’s when everything changed. All of the sudden, there was hope in the name of Justin Fields. In addition to drafting Fields, the Bears have also added some underrated talent through free agency this year.

Chicago Bears training camp will prove to be a tough time for some veterans looking to stick around.

Because of the draft and free agency, the Bears now have some much-needed depth and competition at certain areas of their roster. Of course, quarterback, is one of those positions. But, there are other positions which feature some veterans who may be getting a little nervous.

Some of the positions featuring plenty of talent now include wide receiver and running back. It was clear the Bears wanted to add as much talent as possible on offense in order to put Fields in the best position to succeed.

There are some other positions which are still a little murky, but not murky enough where we can’t see a couple of players who will struggle to make the final roster. There are five veterans, in particular, who should be in for a fight and will ultimately have a difficult time sticking around past camp this summer.

Next: Player No. 1

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Here’s a suggestion that makes so much sense that it has little chance of being adopted by the powers-that-be: Get rid of the annoying and ineffective red light cameras and deploy the technology where it could actually reduce traffic accidents and deaths — on the shoulders of our busiest expressways.

Fact: Red light cameras do not reduce traffic accidents, according to a study by Case-Western University in July 2018. They do however, feed the budgets of the municipalities that deploy them.

Fact: Shoulder-riding not only causes accidents, but causes fatal accidents, according to a study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. The study finds that approximately 12% of all interstate highway deaths are a result of shoulder accidents.

Fact: The Eisenhower Expressway recently received the dubious honor of being named the most congested expressway in the nation by INRIX, a transportation analytics firm.

SEND LETTERS TO: [email protected]. Please include your neighborhood or hometown and a phone number for verification purposes. Letters should be approximately 350 words or less.

The COVID-era light traffic patterns are now a thing of the past and as I drive inbound each weekday afternoon on the Ike, I regularly see five or more shoulder drivers, just on the stretch from Mannheim to 1st Avenue. They are often moving at speeds that would be deadly if another driver had to suddenly use the shoulder for an actual emergency.

Post signs, place cameras and fine these dangerous drivers $500 for the first infraction and possible jail time for repeat offenders. Let’s put this technology to use where it can actually save lives, not just add dollars to the coffers of cash-strapped municipalities.

Michael Malone, Glen Ellyn

Blaming Republicans for Illinois’ fiscal mess

I was very amused and at the same time outraged reading last Friday’s story on possible state budget cuts.

Illinois Democrats must think all of us are stupid. They have had a vise-like grip on Springfield for decades. They have held a super-majority in both houses for quite some time. They make all the rules, draw all the legislative boundaries, and NOW they want to tell us that Illinois’ fiscal future is in jeopardy because of Illinois Republican policies.

How gullible do they think we are?

Tony LaMantia, Logan Square

Hoops Hall of Fame

Another great Chicago basketball player was recently inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. With all due respect to Toni Kukoc, I’m talking about Yolanda Griffith. Her career at Carver High was instrumental in the growth of girls’ basketball in inner-city schools. Her dedication to her family over her passion for the game she loved is inspiring. She is a part of our city’s history and well deserving of the honor bestowed on her.

Congratulations Hall of Famer!

Paul Koehler, Rogers Park

Feral cats vs. rats

As to recent opinions about feral cats and rats, I have a thought. If I were a cat and had the choice of trying to eat a sparrow or a rat, I’m going for the sparrow every time. Have you seen the teeth and claws on a rat?

John Hankes, Geneva

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One person is in custody after a woman was shot early Sunday in River North.

About 1:30 a.m., two groups of people were arguing outside in the 200 block of West Illinois Street when a male fired shots striking the 35-year-old woman in the lower back, Chicago police said.

She was transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in serious condition, police said. The male was placed into custody minutes after the shooting in the 300 block of West Illinois Street after witnesses saw him running from the scene, according to police.

Charges are pending, police said.

Area Three detectives are investigating.

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The 15-year-old was walking in the 4100 block of West Arthington Street when someone in a passing vehicle fired shots, Chicago police said.

By

Sun-Times Wire

May 23, 2021, 3:10am CDT

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BEIJING — Twenty-one people running a mountain marathon have died in northwestern China after hail, freezing rain and gale winds hit the high-altitude race, state media reported Sunday.

After an all-night rescue operation in freezing temperatures involving more than 700 personnel, rescuers were able to confirm that 151 people were safe out of a total of 172 participants. Twenty-one had died, according to the official Xinhua News Agency, which said the runners suffered from physical discomfort and the sudden drop in temperature.

The runners were racing on an extremely narrow mountain path at an altitude reaching 2,000-3,000 meters (6,500-9,800 feet). The 100-kilometer (60-mile) race was held Saturday in the Yellow River Stone Forest tourist site in Baiyin city in Gansu province.

It was a relatively established course, having been held four times, according to an account posted online by a participant in the race who quit and managed to make his way to safety.

But the weather had caught them off guard, and on the morning of the race on Saturday, he already sensed things were not normal. The runners were not dressed for winter-like conditions, many wearing short-sleeved tops.

“I ran 2 kilometers before the starting gun fired to warm up … but the troublesome thing was, after running these 2 kilometers, my body still had not heated up,” the competitor said in a first-person account that had been viewed more than 100,000 times on his WeChat account “Wandering about the South.”

The most difficult section, from kilometer 24 (mile 15) to kilometer 36 (mile 22), climbed 1,000 meters (3,280 feet). There, he said the path was just a mix of stones and sand, and his fingers grew numb from the cold.

When he finally decided to turn back, he already felt dazed. He said he was able to make it to safety and met a rescue crew. He did not respond to a request for comment left on his social media account.

Those farther along the path, who needed rescue, had fallen off deep into mountain crevices, according to a reporter for state broadcaster CCTV.

Video footage showed rescuers in winter jackets in the pitch dark night searching with flashlights along steep hills and narrow paths.

Baiyin city Mayor Zhang Xuchen held a news conference later Sunday and profoundly apologized as the organizer of the event.

“We express deep condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims and the injured,” the mayor said.

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