And just like that, the Chicago Bears have a gaping hole in their secondary.
Chicago Bears 2021 NFL Draft: Day 2 cornerback targetson March 22, 2021 at 12:00 pm Read More »
Four people were killed and at least 16 others have been wounded in shootings across Chicago so far this weekend, including a 10-year-old boy who was shot Friday in East Garfield Park on the West Side.
The boy was sitting in a vehicle with two other people when someone walked up and fired shots at them about 6:50 p.m. in the 3100 block of West Lake Street, Chicago police said.
A man, 24, was struck in the side and pronounced dead on the scene, police said. The Cook County medical examiner’s office identified him as Marquel Robinson of East Garfield Park.
The boy was shot in the leg, while a 25-year-old woman was struck in the thigh and ankle, police said. Both were taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition.
On Sunday, a man was fatally shot in an apartment in West Town.
About 6:30 a.m., the 39-year-old was inside of a 3rd floor apartment in the 1500 block of West North Avenue when someone he knew shot him in the abdomen, police said.
The man was taken to Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead, police said.
Two people were shot, one fatally, Sunday in Bronzeville on the South Side.
About 6:40 p.m., a man and woman were sitting inside a vehicle in the 3800 block of South Michigan Avenue, when they were discovered with gunshot wounds, police said.
The woman, thought to be between 25 and 30-years-old, was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in critical condition with gunshot wounds throughout her body, police said. The man, 23, was struck in the head and pronounced dead.
The Cook County medical examiner’s office has not yet released his name.
Saturday afternoon, two men were shot, one fatally, in Douglas on the South Side.
About 3:05 p.m., the men, 27 and 31, were in the 3400 block of South Prairie Avenue when they heard shots and felt pain, police said.
The 27-year-old was struck in the back and torso, and was brought to the University of Chicago Medical Center where he was pronounced dead, police said.
The Cook County medical examiner’s office identified him as Darrell Holiday Jr.
The 31-year-old was struck in the neck and taken to the same hospital in good condition.
In nonfatal attacks, a Chicago police SWAT team arrested a man suspected of shooting two people, including a police officer, Saturday afternoon in Austin on the West Side.
The alleged gunman, 29-year-old Thomas Tracy Jr., was accused of shooting a man in the buttocks, then firing at responding officers in the 200 block of North La Crosse Avenue.
One officer was struck in the hand and taken in a squad car to Mount Sinai Hospital, police said. Her wound was not life-threatening and she was released later that day.
Saturday morning, a 17-year-old boy was shot and seriously wounded by a person who then stole his vehicle in Austin.
The teen was sitting in his vehicle about 2:55 a.m. in the 5400 block of West Race Avenue when a person shot him and took his vehicle, Chicago police said. He suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen and leg and was transported to Loyola Medical Center in Maywood in serious condition.
A man was grazed in a shooting Saturday afternoon in Avalon Park on the South Side.
He was on the sidewalk about 1:16 p.m. in the 8000 block of South Woodlawn Avenue when someone opened fire, Chicago police said. A bullet grazed the 38-year-old in the elbow, and he was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in good condition.
At least nine others were wounded in shootings between 5 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday.
Forty people were shot, 5 fatally, last weekend in Chicago.
20 shot, 4 fatally in Chicago this weekendon March 22, 2021 at 11:44 am Read More »
In just three days, we will find out if the Chicago Bulls indeed pull off a trade prior to the 2021 NBA trade deadline.
The deadline will pass on Thursday (March 25) afternoon, and the Bulls are one team that has been involved in rumors as of late. In fact, the Bulls have long been interested in one particular player.
New Orleans Pelicans point guard Lonzo Ball could be dealt before the deadline. But, his recent play has been so good that it will probably take more than teams originally thought just a month or so ago.
His contract runs through this season, but that will leave him a restricted free agent. So, if the Bulls are able to pull off a deal, they will be able to match any offer he receives this summer.
Sunday, it was reported that the Bulls had already made an offer for Ball.
The Ringer’s Kevin O’Connor originally had the scoop, noting that the Bulls and Hawks were both interested in Ball and that Chicago has made an offer.
The Bulls are currently sitting on the outside looking in at the NBA playoff picture out East. However, there are only 2.0 games separating the sixth and tenth seeds. That’s five teams within two games of each other.
Head coach Billy Donovan has switched up his starting lineup as of late, with Thaddeus Young replacing Wendell Carter Jr. and Tomas Satoransky taking Coby White’s place. Since the lineup change, the Bulls have looked a lot better — at least, until the fourth quarter rolls around.
Chicago has had a tough time holding onto fourth quarter leads, but as a whole, the team has looked better since Donovan made the big switch.
White, in particular, functions much better off the bench as the team’s offensive spark plug. Satoransky, meanwhile, is more of a facilitator and has been able to average nearly seven assists per game over his last four.
Acquiring Ball would give the Bulls a similar player, except one who is a better all-around defender, too. Ball has been playing the best basketball of his career this season, and over his last 10 has posted 14.0 points, 6.9 assists, 3.7 rebounds, 1.1 steals and is shooting roughly 37 percent from beyond the arc.
The problem with Chicago’s offer to New Orleans, though, is that O’Connor is reporting that the Pelicans would prefer a solid first-round pick included in the deal for Ball. Also, Atlanta has included Cam Reddish in trade talks.
The Bulls may have to step up their offer from simply a second rounder paired with Satoransky. If they’re serious about landing Ball, the Bulls may want to try a Lonzo for Lauri Markkanen swap, straight up. That’s long been the rumored trade between both teams, but no one has come out and said either club is willing to make it happen.
One thing has been abundantly clear, though, over the last few games. Donovan made the right call switching White to a sixth man role. Now, it’s about finding their point guard of the future. Could it be Ball? It might be.
When a legend calls asking for help, you ask how soon should I be there. So it’s no surprise that when Ringo Starr wants to record new music and asks his friends to join in, they’ll come running.
Like so many musicians, the former Beatles drummer had plans to hit the road with another version of his All-Starr Band. Like the rest of the world, those plans were on hold due to the pandemic. To kill the time and boredom, Starr recorded his newly released EP “Zoom In.” Among the musicians helping out on vocals are Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, Lenny Kravitz and Sheryl Crow. His other friends playing the instruments include Steve Lukather, from Toto, Benmont Tench, from Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers and bassist Nathan East. Oh yeah…or should that be yeah, yeah, yeah… the drummer is a dude who played in some British Invasion band from the mid-1960s.
The record is five upbeat tunes that make it sound like a good time was had by all….and why shouldn’t they. Ringo always has that upbeat peace and love and fun image, even in a pandemic.
The songs include “Here’s to the Night”: a bit of positivity that we’ll get through the pandemic and that we are headed to better days. That’s followed by “Zoom In Zoom Out.” Who would have guessed that an eighty-year-old Ringo would be hip to the technology? It’s Ringo…we all should have known! Then there’s “Teach Me to Tango”; a Reggae number. Ringo does Reggae? Sure, why not.
“Zoom In” is a cute, fun five tune record. It certainly isn’t life-changing music. Most likely you’ll listen to it a few times and forget about it. But, it is what it is….and in 2021, we all could use a few minutes of fun. It could certainly be a lot worse.
Related Post: The Beatles-Our lives were never the same
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My so called friends think it’s time to edit this section. After four years, they may be right, but don’t tell them that. I’ll deny it until they die!
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I really thought this was going to be the final year of the blog but then Donald Trump came along. It looks like we’re good for four more years..God help us all!
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Ringo Starr zooms in with a little help from his friendson March 22, 2021 at 5:09 am Read More »
About 9:40 p.m., he got into an argument with a man in the 4100 block of West Fillmore Street, when the man pulled out a gun and fired several shots.
A 17-year-old boy was shot Sunday night in Lawndale on the West Side.
About 9:40 p.m., he got into an argument with a man in the 4100 block of West Fillmore Street, when the man pulled out a gun and fired several shots, Chicago police said.
He was struck in his left leg and taken to the hospital in good condition, police said. He is being transferred to St. Mary’s Hospital.
Area Four detectives are investigating.
Teen boy shot after argument in LawndaleSun-Times Wireon March 22, 2021 at 4:39 am Read More »
This is not a part of the Bulls schedule that offers up many breathers.
So when the worst team in the Eastern Conference comes up on a Sunday night, better believe it’s a matchup that needs to be taken advantage of.
The visiting Bulls did just that, and in impressive fashion, ending a heart-breaking two-game losing streak in beating the Detroit Pistons 100-86 at the Little Caesars Arena.
The Bulls bench was impressive, led by a career-high 11 rebounds from Daniel Gafford, and three starters scored in double figures for a unit that did a solid job handcuffing the Pistons offense most of the game.
“That’s what the NBA is all about,” veteran guard Tomas Satoransky said of the bounce-back performance. “That’s an advantage and disadvantage of this league, you can kind of forget about a bad game because you have another one in one day or two days.”
However, now this week gets really interesting for the 19-22 Bulls.
Yes, there’s games with Utah and Cleveland leading into the week, but with the Thursday trade deadline looming and the East so wide open, there’s growing anticipation that the Bulls could at least make a serious push toward being a buyer rather than a seller.
Does that mean acquiring a point guard like Lonzo Ball, who the Sun-Times reported was in the team’s crosshairs as far back as 2019? There was a report that the Bulls had already offered a second-round pick and Satoransky to New Orleans for Ball, but a source said that executive vice president of basketball operations Arturas Karnisovas knows an offer like that wouldn’t get it done so wouldn’t have wasted time putting it out there.
Especially since there were multiple reports that indicated even if New Orleans was to move from Ball, they would want at least a first-round pick or a young rising player in return.
Could the Bulls trade a Lauri Markkanen straight-up for Ball? Considering both were unable to come to an agreement in December on contract extensions, it makes sense on the surface. However, the Pelicans have a nice collection of starting forwards, so there really wouldn’t be an ideal fit in adding Markkanen.
The fit for Ball and the Bulls? Much different.
Yes, Satoransky was once again solid as the starting point guard, scoring eight point, handing out nine assists, and playing really solid defense against Detroit.
But Donovan also kept Coby White’s minutes at that spot limited after a rough first half, instead leaning on Ryan Arcidiacono for time there. It worked well against the cellar-dwelling Pistons, but is point-guard-by-committee good enough to punch a postseason ticket?
Donovan was asked after the win.
“Obviously I think having Sato as a veteran guy so to speak has been a positive,” Donovan said. “I think the biggest thing with it for us is we’ve got to get settled and we can’t turn the ball over, but we’re going to have to do it by committee. And I think of any position, Arturas is always going to look at how he can continue to help the group, how can he help them get better? I like our guys, they work hard, they’re unselfish, they’re coachable, they want to do the right things, they want to get better, but there’s no question there’s times where we’ve struggled back there at that position.”
When it was pointed out to Donovan that quarterback-by-committee usually means a football team doesn’t have a reliable No. 1 guy, and does that also carry over to point guard-by-committee, he did offer up a quick laugh and an explanation.
“I know it’s been by committee,” Donovan said. “But it’s kind of like how do we play off each other?”
Against the Pistons? Well. But will that be enough?
One day after Illinois State’s football team won the first game of its spring FCS season, the university announced the season was over.
Citing health and safety concerns and mounting injuries, the Redbirds announced the cancellation of the remaining four games on ISU’s spring schedule in a news release posted to the school’s website.
“I have wrestled with this decision for a couple of weeks now, but I feel like it’s a necessary move to protect our players’ health and safety and their ability to be ready come this fall,” Spack said in the release.
The Redbirds (1-3) were hit particularly hard by injuries and attrition on the defensive line this spring. Junior Jason Lewan and redshirt freshman Jude Okolo were both injured on the same play against Northern Iowa earlier this month.
Okolo has been in concussion protocol after the UNI game, while Lewan was deemed out for the remainder of the spring season along with the fall.
Spack said in the release that ISU “suffered two more setbacks yesterday (that) have made it nearly impossible for us to play this week and extremely difficult for us to compete in the remaining four games.”
National FCS journalist Sam Herder tweeted Sunday night that Illinois State is the first team to opt out midseason this spring.
On Saturday, the Redbirds beat Western Illinois, 26-18, at Hancock Stadium.
ISU was scheduled to travel to No. 6 South Dakota State for a game Saturday, then host playoff hopeful Southern Illinois on April 3.
Reached Sunday night, an SIU athletics department spokesperson said the university did not have an immediate comment.
In the ISU release, athletic director Kyle Brennan said: “I fully support Brock and his decision to cut the season short, especially when it comes to the health, safety and development of our student-athletes.”
Illinois State announced Spack and two players will further discuss the cancellation at a Monday news conference.
The Redbirds were also scheduled to host playoff contender North Dakota on April 10 for its Homecoming game in Normal.
The Missouri Valley Football Conference posted the ISU news release on its website Sunday night but did not offer an explanation on whether the remaining teams on the Redbirds’ schedule will receive forfeit wins.
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Blog co-authors Barry Bottino and Dan Verdun bring years of experience covering collegiate athletics. Barry has covered college athletes for more than two decades in his “On Campus” column, which is published weekly by Shaw Media. Dan has written four books about the state’s football programs–“NIU Huskies Football” (released in 2013), “EIU Panthers Football (2014), “ISU Redbirds” (2016) and “SIU Salukis Football” (2017).
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Illinois State opts out of remainder of spring seasonon March 22, 2021 at 2:34 am Read More »
Whether you’re new to the area or just looking to connect with neighbors, Chicago Facebook Groups are a great way to stay in the know on what’s happening in Chicago. These digital spaces allow us to discuss a common activity, interest, or cause. You can create an event, post photos, links, files, share related content, and have an open, organic conversation. Here are a few of the best FB Groups in Chicago.
Calling all history buffs! This group’s goal is to discover and document little known facts of Chicago’s infrastructure, architecture, neighborhoods and general cityscape, whether existing or historical. Join today and you might learn a few things.
Need some weekend plans? Browse this collection of the best things to do in Chicago! The group shares updates on festivals, events, weekend plans, top bars & restaurants, and everything in between. Hey, you could even meet some new friends.
Searching for a new pad can be intimidating. Especially if you need a 2 bedroom, pets welcome, near a bus station in Lincoln Park…at a reasonable price. This group hooks up renters across the city. Plus if you’re looking for a solid roommate, skip Craigslist and check out this group instead.
Looking to support Black-owned businesses? Check out this group where owners are encouraged to network and promote their offerings. The goal is to achieve efficient “Black Economics” by connecting Black business owners with customers. One note: all people are welcome to join BBA, however only Black owned business profiles are able to post.
From random free stuff to hot takes on Arby’s, you can be sure to get quality content here. Not a Lakeview resident? Find a community page in your neighborhood by following these steps: click the magnifying glass (search bar) in the upper left corner, type in your neighborhood, then scroll down and click “Groups.” A bunch should pop up for you to explore!
Single in the city? Stopping swiping and start flirting in this casual group. Their only rules: have fun, be respectful, and enjoy life! And hey, if you end up meeting your life partner in a Facebook Group, you’ll have a story for the grandkids.
Bred for their easy going personalities and smarts, it’s no surprise these dogs are taking over our city. The Chicago Doodles group is a great way to meet other doodle pawrents — whether you’re looking for a doggie daycare recommendation or a pup playdate. Find it all (and more) here.
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7 Facebook Groups Every Chicagoan Should Joinon March 22, 2021 at 1:13 am Read More »
MESA, Ariz. – Craig Kimbrel’s performance during his Cubs tenure has been either rocky or dominant with very little in between. The goal of the MLB’s active leader in saves and the Cubs over the past two seasons has been to find the consistency that made him one of the best closers the game has ever seen.
Kimbrel’s first three appearances this spring didn’t go exactly like he had hoped as he struggled, allowing nine earned runs over 2 2/3 innings and lots of loud contact. But after starting out slow to begin camp, the Cubs’ closer feels like he’s finding his way at the right time.
The 32-year-old right-hander had his best outing of the spring his last time out, striking out three batters and feels he’s right on track with two weeks until the regular season begins.
“I think early on in spring training I talked about finding my keys and finding my timing and all those kinds of things, which is part of spring training,” Kimbrel said. “I really enjoy the fact that it’s six weeks long, because it kind of gives you the time to get in, get working on things, and then settle things in. That’s kind of what I’ve felt like I’ve been able to do so far.
“In my first couple outings, numbers-wise, obviously going out, giving up runs and hits, all those kinds of things don’t look good. I wasn’t too worried about it. I was more worried about how I physically felt. How the ball was coming out of my hand and what I could do in my next outing to make it a little bit better each time out. And it’s worked out so far. I didn’t want to get upset about my first couple and then go out there and try to throw as hard as I can. That wouldn’t have been productive.”
The idea of ramping up is something that pitchers use during spring training to increase their workload as the season gets closer. Mixed into Kimbrel’s success and failure in a Cubs uniform is the reality that he’s never had that time.
During his first season with the Cubs, he was thrown into the middle of a playoff race in 2019. Due to the pandemic, the shortened 60-game season and abbreviated summer camp didn’t help in that regard either.
But working on things and gradually building before the season begins has been a welcomed sight for Kimbrel in his third season with the Cubs.
“I feel very comfortable where I am right now less than two weeks away from the season starting,” he said. “I think a lot of us felt rushed to get back and ready to go in the short period of time. I don’t have that feeling this year, I feel nice and relaxed. … I think you’re seeing that from a lot of players.”
One of the major reasons for Kimbrel’s struggles that he and the Cubs identified last season was with his mechanics. Kimbrel self-admittedly fell into bad habits with his delivery, leading to his rough start where he allowed seven earned runs over his first four appearances.
After his demotion from the closer’s role, Kimbrel found himself and allowed only one run the rest of the season and returned to being one of the best relievers in the majors with a 0.00 ERA, 13 strikeouts and no walks in eight appearances in September.
”Sometimes when you do struggle, you learn a lot about yourself,” manager David Ross said. ”I think last year was Craig learning a lot about himself.”
During last season’s struggles and early this spring, Kimbrel’s fastball has leaked out over the plate resembling more of a two-seam fastball and not a true four-seam fastball. When Kimbrel’s fastball is at its best, it rises in the zone with late life. In his most recent outing, it did just that, touching 98 mph on the gun in the process.
“When you’re trying to throw a four-seam, it’s not good to throw a two-seam,” Kimbrel said with a smile. “It’s just all about it’s all about angles. It’s all about angles and getting the hand and everything in the position it needs to be. If you don’t land and fire your hips at the right time, there’s so many things within mechanics and everyone’s different. But personally, it’s just getting my hand staying over the rubber and not trying to rush down the mound and throw it by the guy before I even hit the ground. It’s the little things.”
After the final buzzer sounded Sunday on eighth-seeded Loyola’s 71-58 defensive stunner against top-seeded Illinois, coach Porter Moser and star Cameron Krutwig embraced.
Moments later, Loyola players waved up at Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, the team’s beloved 101-year-old chaplain, who called the upset one day prior.
Meanwhile, back in Rogers Park, hundreds of Loyola students stormed Sheridan Avenue as the team clinched its second Sweet 16 berth in four years.
The throng of fans blocked traffic for a bit as they chanted “L-U-C” and danced in the street. The group was moved to the sidewalk near Fordham Hall, where the party continued for another hour. Cars honked as they drove by; some also waved Loyola flags outside their windows.
At one point, a man showered the crowd with a bottle of champagne.
One student described it as “one of the best moments” of their Loyola experience. Several others said they believe the Ramblers have what it takes to go all the way.
“If Illinois can’t beat them, nobody can,” sophomore Michael Kongl said.
“Birds are chirping, the beers are flowing, the grass is growing, the Loyola Ramblers are showing,” another student, Jeremy Hancock, said.
Maleah Ahuja, a senior, said Loyola has bragging rights as the best college basketball team in Illinois after beating their downstate rival.
“We kind of can take claim of Illinois now,” she said.
But not all fans were expecting Loyola to pull off the upset.
“Dude, I’m not going to lie, I was not ready for Loyola to win but we f- – – ing did it,” said Mac Stalloch, who is studying computer science. “That was the best, biggest upset of the century.” Illinois had a lot of good players … but you can’t stop Krutwig. That man is a beast.”
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Loyola’s win busted a lot of March Madness brackets — not that anyone partying near campus cared.
“My bracket low-key got broken, but Loyola’s going all the way,” Stalloch said.
Many fans said they tuned in to the second-round matchup at home since reservations were scarce in the area.
Senior Ollie Connelly — who watched the game at his buddy Zach Coe’s apartment — said he was on “pins and needles the whole time.”
“I didn’t want to get my hopes up, even at halftime when we were up, it was just very surreal,” Connelly said. “It’s insane. You don’t go to Loyola thinking that you’re gonna be in the mix for a major sports title year after year, I guess it’s just unexpected, but we’re both huge sports fans so it’s… welcomed.”
“We were going nuts,” Coe said. “There wasn’t a whole lot of us in there, but I’m sure our downstairs neighbors were not too pleased with us jumping around and celebrating.”
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Bulldog Ale House opened an hour early for the late morning tip-off and was at capacity within 30 minutes.
Bar manager Kyle Kramer said the vibe was intense yet exhilarating throughout the game. Though capacity was limited to 50%, Kramer compared the overall energy to that of Loyola’s Final Four run in 2018, saying “it’s deja vu.”
“It’s the first time in over a year we’ve had any sort of energy comparable to that,” Kramer said. “You couldn’t hear. We couldn’t do any to-go orders during the game because you can’t hear anybody on the phone.”
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Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
But fans believe this is just the beginning for Loyola, who will play the winner of the game between 12th-seeded Oregon State and fourth-seeded Oklahoma State.
“It might just be the Sweet 16, but we ain’t done yet,” said Teddy Delker, who called himself a “proud Loyola student.”
Here are some other fan reactions from Twitter, with emotions ranging from true joy to stunned heartbreak:
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