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The attack happened in the 3400 block of West Monroe Street, Chicago police said.

By

Sun-Times Wire

Aug 30, 2021, 2:11pm CDT

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IOWA CITY, Iowa — A man was sentenced to life in prison without parole Monday in the abduction and killing of University of Iowa student Mollie Tibbetts, three years after she disappeared while out for an evening run.

Judge Joel Yates’ sentence for Cristhian Bahena Rivera was mandatory for a first-degree murder conviction in Iowa, which does not have the death penalty. The 27-year-old former farmhand, who testified that he came to the U.S. illegally from Mexico as a teenager, has been jailed since his arrest in August 2018.

Yates pointedly rejected defense claims that others were responsible for the crime.

“Mr. Bahena Rivera, you and you alone forever changed the lives of those who loved Mollie Tibbetts,” he said.

The sentence caps a case that inflamed anger over illegal immigration, fueled fears about violence against solo female runners, and took several noteworthy twists during and after Bahena Rivera’s trial in May.

Tibbetts’ mother, Laura Calderwood, addressed Bahena Rivera in a victim impact statement read to the court.

“Mollie was a young woman who simply wanted to go for a quiet run on the evening of July 18 and you chose to violently and sadistically end that life,” she wrote.

Cristhian Bahena Rivera listens to proceedings during his sentencing, Monday, Aug. 30, 2021, at the Poweshiek County Courthouse in Montezuma, Iowa. Rivera was sentenced to life in prison for the stabbing death of college student Mollie Tibbetts, who was abducted as she was out for a run near her small eastern Iowa hometown in July of 2018.AP

Calderwood recalled being told by tearful investigators that her 20-year-old daughter’s body had been found, and racing to inform relatives before they learned the news from the media. The hardest conversation was with Mollie’s grandmother, who was in disbelief that someone “could harm such a beautiful, vibrant young woman so full of promise,” she said.

She said the killing caused Hispanic workers to flee the area in fear, prevented Mollie’s boyfriend from being able to give her the engagement ring he had purchased, and meant her father would never walk his only daughter down the aisle.

“Because of your actions Mr. Rivera, I will never get to see my daughter become a mother,” Calderwood said.

Tibbetts vanished on a rural road outside her hometown of Brooklyn, Iowa, population 1,700, while out for a run on July 18, 2018. Family members and co-workers feared something was wrong when Tibbetts did not show up for her summer job at a daycare the next morning.

Hundreds of volunteers and law enforcement officers searched for weeks but came up empty. Investigators began focusing on Bahena Rivera, who worked under an alias at a nearby dairy farm, after finding a homeowner’s surveillance video that appeared to show his Chevy Malibu repeatedly driving past Tibbetts while she ran.

After a lengthy interrogation, Bahena Rivera led authorities to a cornfield where he had buried Tibbetts’ body under leaves and stalks. Only her bright running shoes were visible. An autopsy found she had been stabbed several times.

Bahena Rivera told investigators that he approached Tibbetts because he found her attractive, and that he fought her after she threatened to call the police. He said he then blacked out and came to as he was driving with her body in his trunk.

Prosecutors suggested Bahena Rivera had a sexual motive, noting Tibbetts was wearing only socks and a sports bra and that her legs were spread when her body was found. They built their case around the surveillance video, his partial confession and DNA evidence of Tibbetts’ blood in his trunk.

“Based upon the facts and circumstances of this case, it is very well deserved,” prosecutor Scott Brown said of the life sentence.

Bahena Rivera’s lawyers argued that his confession was false and coerced, and their client gave surprise testimony at trial sharing a different account. Bahena Rivera testified that two masked men kidnapped him from his trailer at gunpoint, made him drive while they attacked Tibbetts, instructed him on where to dispose of her body, and told him to stay quiet or that his young daughter and ex-girlfriend would be killed.

The defense sought to cast suspicion on several others, including Tibbetts’ boyfriend and a local deputy who lives next to where Tibbetts’ body was found.

Prosecutors called Bahena Rivera’s testimony a work of fiction and a unanimous 12-member jury found him guilty.

But two people immediately came forward to tell police that a 21-year-old man with a history of violence had confessed to them that he had killed Tibbetts. Separately, a woman had told police she was kidnapped after meeting an alleged sex trafficker at a Brooklyn gas station weeks before Tibbetts’ disappearance.

Yates delayed a July sentencing so the defense had time to investigate. Earlier this month, he denied Bahena Rivera’s motion for a new trial, saying the new information was unreliable and he saw no reason to overturn the verdict.

The defense plans to appeal. Bahena Rivera and his defense lawyers, Chad and Jennifer Frese, declined to speak at sentencing.

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With the Sox pounding the Cubs again on Sunday, tensions were high among fans.

Such a heated intra-city rivalry has led to fan violence during past Crosstown Classic matchups both on the North and South Sides.

On Sunday, tempers boiled over again in the left-field bleachers at Guaranteed Rate Park and multiple cellphone cameras caught the incident.

It’s difficult to determine what caused fight. In the minute-long video, we see finger pointing by a Cubs fan and another fan climbing up three rows to confront someone before getting pushed to the ground by a third fan, which became the spark to spur the fighting.

From there, it becomes a melee of pushing, shoving and punching before Sox security rushed in to break things up.

Here are some other angles of the chaos:

As Sunday was the last game of this interleague, intracity matchup for the 2021 season, we’ll have to wait until next year to see the next round of the Cubs-Sox. The Sox won five of six games against the Cubs this season, including a 13-1 win on Sunday.

A fight breaks out in the left field bleachers as the Chicago White Sox take on the Chicago Cubs at Guaranteed Rate Field on August 29, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox defeated the Cubs 13-1.Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

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Paul Tagliabue left his job as commissioner of the NFL in 2006 and didn’t get selected for the Pro Football Hall of Fame until last year.

If that seems odd for a man who guided the NFL for 17 years and oversaw labor peace, expansion, new stadiums, huge increases in broadcast rights fees, a significantly enhanced international presence — and maneuvered the league through such crises and events as 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina’s devastation of New Orleans — well, Tagliabue doesn’t seem bitter about the delay.

In his memoir “Jersey City to America’s Game,” Tagliabue sticks to his journey and lets the facts speak for him. It’s a terrific ride, a look into the inner workings of the nation’s most popular sport.

While Tagliabue details his young life, including starring in basketball at Georgetown, the best material focuses on his years atop the NFL. In particular, his descriptions of the heart-wrenching scenes in New York after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and how he dealt with Saints owner Tom Benson’s desire to abandon New Orleans after Katrina are engrossing.

“As I reflected back on the attacks of Tuesday morning,” Tagliabue wrote of 9/11, “I concluded they were beyond ‘the unthinkable;’ an enemy, not clearly identified in the early moments, had seized private, commercial airplanes, carrying hundreds of civilians to domestic U.S. destinations, and converted the planes into the equivalent of intercontinental ballistic missiles to kill many thousands of civilians while destroying a huge section of our nation’s iconic city, and directly striking the military command center of the world’s leading super power.

“I was convinced that there was no real historical analogue for the attacks. … On a conference call Wednesday with our working group of owners, I told them that `This is not the Kennedy assassination. This is not Pearl Harbor. It’s worse.’ I knew that I could not support playing any games on that weekend.”

Every major sport in America followed the NFL’s lead, too.

When Katrina struck in 2005, Benson — a long-time supporter of Tagliabue — saw an opportunity to relocate the Saints permanently to San Antonio, the base for his non-football business. Benson’s attorney even threatened to sue the league if it prevented the move.

Tagliabue stood firm in one of his finest moments, saying there was not “a chance in hell you’ll prevail” to the attorney, adding it would be “destroying (Benson’s) remaining credibility” within the NFL and a Big Easy that was going through the toughest of times.

Keeping the Saints in New Orleans did, as Tagliabue predicted, aid immeasurably in the recovery of the city and region. But rather than take a large amount of credit — something many other team owners readily have sent his way — Tagliabue praised Roger Goodell, his eventual successor; Superdome executive Doug Thornton, then-Gov. Kathleen Blanco of Louisiana; NFL Players Association chief Gene Upshaw; NFL counsel Jeff Pash; and communications director Joe Browne for their work.

Tagliabue vowed that the Saints would play a home game in September 2006 even as the team juggled its 2005 schedule to stage home games in San Antonio and Baton Rouge. He delivered.

Other fascinating topics Tagliabue deals with in his book are the development of the Rooney Rule — he is a powerful advocate for equality and diversity throughout the memoir; the 2001 Super Bowl in Tampa during the Gulf War; his productive relationship with Upshaw and the union; and how the league’s television deals were struck with a variety of partners.

Not quite as revealing is Tagliabue’s discussion of the concussion issue that has plagued pro and college football for decades. Indeed, his handling of that subject is considered a major reason the Hall of Fame didn’t come calling for so long.

Overall, though, Tagliabue’s memories and reflections, provided with help from author Michael MacCambridge, are revealing, provocative and entertaining.

“Reading back over this now,” he writes in concluding the 137-page memoir that he primarily published for family and friends. “I’m struck by the dedication of so many people in the world of the NFL. It remains the greatest game of all not simply because of the players who play it, but also because of the many people in and around it.”

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As I’ve probably referenced in my previous articles, fall is fast approaching. This is the last few weeks you can enjoy a warm summer day, sipping on signature cocktails. Yes, alcohol has no boundaries, so you can enjoy it in whatever season, obviously. But, there is nothing like walking through the city streets on a summer night searching for the next best cocktail. Now there’s a lot to choose from in Chicago, but below is a list of 8 of the best cocktail bars in the city. You’ll find everything from your classic Manhattan to a wild display of rum concoctions. Each of these cocktail bars offer uniquely inspired creations that will keep you coming back for more. 

1520 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

The Violet Hour serves artisanal cocktails in the heart of Wicker Park. Rooted in pre-prohibition style libations, the James Beard Award-winning bar program features a seasonally rotating cocktail list, as well as an extensive selection of approachable and sought-after spirits. 

1846 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622

Machine serves a globally-inspired, modern-American menu with an innovative craft cocktail program along with an on-site flower shop. The trinity combines to create an approachable neighborhood concept in the heart of Wicker Park. Every meal, cocktail, bouquet & menu has been thoughtfully engineered for a new dining & drinking experience. And each cocktail is made to perfection and is one of a kind. My recommendation is to literally try them all. You can’t go wrong with any of them and there is something for everyone.

955 W Fulton Market, Chicago, IL 60607

Located in the West Loop, The Aviary features creative cocktails and delicious food. The cocktails receive the same innovative treatment from beverage director Micah Melton as the food at Next or Alinea. That is to say, you should expect to drink cocktails like the Ford’s Model Tea Party, a refreshing twist of gin and early gray tea. 

435 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

Three Dots and a Dash serves Tiki drinks (flaming options included), 200+ rums & luau bites in a retro Polynesian-island setting. The secret hideaway – named one of The World’s 50 Best Bars by Drinks International – is led by cocktail expert Kevin Beary. Their team has researched tirelessly to source and create the best possible tiki cocktails using the freshest exotic fruits and spices, the finest rums and distilled spirits, and juices and elixirs that are cold-pressed and concocted in house every day. 

1721 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622

Be seduced by the sights, sounds and flavors of Bordel as you are transported to the licentious quarters of Pigalle and Montmarte. As the sun sets in Wicker Park, Bordel’s sumptuous candle lit interiors, award-winning cocktails and live performances beckon with nightly entertainment. All drinks draw inspiration from the last golden age of cocktails, with exotic garnishes that follow a no-waste sensibility utilizing ingredients found in the cocktails they adorn. 

39 S LaSalle St #200, Chicago, IL 60603

When you set foot inside Vol. 39, you might feel as though you’re stepping into a decadent cocktail bar from a bygone era. Their menu offerings, of impeccable craft cocktails, are versions of the classics with a modern twist and a hint of irreverence. 

108 E Superior St, Chicago, IL 60611

Set above Chicago’s iconic Michigan Avenue, Z Bar celebrates the city and its spectacular views while guiding visitors on an immersive journey inspired by the world’s cultural and culinary riches. From rare spirits used in uncommon ways, to small-batch bitters unavailable elsewhere in the nation, Z Bar is a veritable goldmine of ingredients of exceptional quality and craftsmanship.

200 N Green St, Chicago, IL 60607

Located in the cellar level of The Hoxton, Chicago hotel, Lazy Bird is a cocktail and music lounge in Chicago’s Fulton Market District. Some signature cocktails include Salty Dog made with london dry gin, aquavit, grapefruit juice, lime, myrtleberry, grapefruit simple syrup, and hawaiian black sea salt, and Toronto, made with rye whiskey, house fernet blend, and sirop de cappilare.

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A person was arrested after allegedly shooting at police officers Monday morning about a block away from Chicago police headquarters on the South Side.

No one was injured in the encounter, which occurred at 7 a.m. as police officers responded to a call of a person with a gun in the 3600 block of South Indiana Avenue, police said.

As officers approached someone who matched the description, the person ran away and then turned around and fired one shot at the officers, police said in a statement.

The officers were not struck and did not return fire, police said.

The person was arrested in the 200 block of East 35th Street. A gun was recovered, police said.

No charges have been filed.

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Jose Abreu has one more game to play in August.

Everyone in baseball outside the White Sox organization is celebrating.

This August, Abreu stood as tall as the Iowa corn he lined a home run into at the Field of Dreams game on Aug. 12. It was one of nine homers Abreu hit this month to go with a .324/.378/.639 hitting line, 1.017 OPS and 24 RBI. The numbers are very close to his best month of May (.333/.422/.631 with a 1.053 OPS), and predictable. In his eight seasons, all with the White Sox, Abreu is batting .334/.390/.601 in August, easily his best month.

The good followup news for Sox fans? September is Abreu’s second-best month.

The old news? At 34, Abreu is maintaining the remarkable consistency he has demonstrated since he signed as a free agent out of Cuba in October, 2013.

“It’s a testament to the work that he puts in, it’s a testament to the stuff that he takes seriously,” hitting coach Frank Menechino said. “He’s a good hitter and if you ask Jose Abreu, he’s had a bad year. You talk to Jose Abreu and ask him about some stuff, he’d be like, ‘You know what? This isn’t the best year of my life.’ But he finds a way and that just goes to show you how hard he works, how seriously he takes it and the pride he takes in what he does.”

If there is anything Abreu takes pride in, it’s driving in runs. The reigning American League MVP is batting .263/.344/.496 with an .840 OPS, 27 home runs and an AL-high 101 RBI. He is attempting to join Detroit’s Cecil Fielder (1990-92) as the only players in history to lead the American League in RBI three straight seasons.

“I mean, driving in runs is not easy,” Menechino said. “Some people think, ‘Oh, you’ve got a man on second and third and one out or two outs, it’a a gimme. No outs or one out, it’s a gimme.’ It’s not a gimme, you’ve got to still execute your plan and sometimes you’re putting the pitcher’s pitch in play. It’s a testament to his work ethic and his pride.”

With 46 walks, Abreu is only five away from his career high set in 2014, his rookie season, perhaps a reflection of the Sox lineup missing Eloy Jimenez, Luis Robert and Yasmani Grandal for large chunks of the season. With those big bats missing, pitching around Abreu made more sense than it might now with the full lineup nearly at full strength.

“Abreu has benefited from it,” assistant hitting coach Howie Clark said. “I feel like he’s been more selective at the plate, not feeling like he has to drive in the runs. It’s nice knowing you have that behind you and with a good, deep lineup, if guys are willing to recognize they’re getting pitched around they’re not going to expand. Stay stubborn and let the next guy. That’s the sign of a really good team.”

Pitchers work Abreu inside with hard stuff, and he has been hit 16 times, a career high. He refuses to wear padding on his left arm and responds to almost each hit by pitch with a hustling sprint to first base. It’s one small way his leadership is demonstrated.

“It goes beyond what the numbers are,” manager Tony La Russa said. “Jose’s consistency and competitiveness, the way he prepares, how he literally can attack pitches at all parts of the strike zone, those are represented in his RBI totals.

“[The RBI] are hard earned, man. A lot of work, a lot of days where I’m sure he’s sore, he goes to the post and concentrates when other guys are distracted. An RBI producer, especially when you’re in the middle of the lineup and everybody’s trying to stop you, is a really difficult job. He cannot get enough credit.”

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