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Movie Review: The Mitchells vs. The Machineson May 3, 2021 at 5:28 pm

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Movie Review: The Mitchells vs. The Machines

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Movie Review: The Mitchells vs. The Machineson May 3, 2021 at 5:28 pm Read More »

Bobby Unser, who won the Indianapolis 500 three times, dies at 87Jenna Fryer | Associated Presson May 3, 2021 at 4:26 pm

Bobby Unser holds three fingers aloft after winning his third Indianapolis 500 in 1981. Unser died of natural causes at his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on May 2. He was 87.
Bobby Unser holds three fingers aloft after winning his third Indianapolis 500 in 1981. Unser died of natural causes at his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on May 2. He was 87. | AP

Unser died Sunday at his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, of natural causes, the Indianapolis Speedway said Monday. Unser won the Indy 500 in 1968, 1975 and 1981. 

Bobby Unser, a three-time Indianapolis 500 winner and part of the only pair of brothers to win “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” has died. He was 87.

He died Sunday at his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, of natural causes, Indianapolis Motor Speedway said Monday. Unser won the Indy 500 in 1968, 1975 and 1981.

His younger brother, Al, is one of only three four-time Indy 500 winners in race history. Al Unser won the race in 1970, 1971, 1978 and 1987. The Unser family tradition stretched to Al Unser’s son, Al Unser Jr., who won the Indy 500 in 1992 and 1994.

“Bobby was a ferocious competitor on the track, and his larger-than-life personality made him one of the most beloved and unique racers we have ever seen,” said Roger Penske, the current owner of Indianapolis Motor Speedway but the team owner for Unser’s 1981 Indy 500 winning car.

“Beyond his many wins and accomplishments, Bobby was a true racer that raised the performance of everyone around him. He was also one of the most colorful characters in motorsports.”

Bobby Unser was born Feb. 20, 1934, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and moved with his family as a child to New Mexico. His father owned a garage along Route 66 and he his brother grew up tooling around in old jalopies before he began his racing career in 1949 at Roswell New Mexico Speedway.

After two years in the U.S. Air Force from 1953 to 1955 — a stint for which he was always proud — Unser turned to racing full time and became one of the greatest racers in Indianapolis Motor Speedway history.

He was one of just 10 drivers to win the 500 at least three times and Unser and Rick Mears are the only drivers to win the 500 in three different decades. Unser was one of six members of the Unser family to race in the Indianapolis 500.

His final Indy 500 victory in 1981 came in a Penske entry in one of the most contentious outcomes. Unser won from the pole and beat Mario Andretti by 5.18 seconds, but officials ruled Unser passed cars illegally while exiting the pit lane under caution — drawing a penalty that docked him one position and moved Andretti to winner.

Penske and Unser appealed and after a lengthy process the penalty was rescinded in October of that year. It was the 35th and final victory of Unser’s career.

At Indianapolis, Unser produced 10 top-10 finishes in 19 career starts. He led led in 10 races for a total of 440 laps, which to this day ranks 10th on the all-time list. He won two poles, in 1972 and 1981, and had nine front-row starts.

“When you mention icons in racing, and particularly the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Bobby Unser was a legend,” said Doug Boles, president of the speedway. “He could drive, and win, in any type of car and on any type of track. And he was magical at Indy.”

After his driving career, Unser moved to broadcasting and won an Emmy Award as part of the ABC Sports broadcast team for “Outstanding Live Sports Special” for its coverage of the 1989 Indianapolis 500.

Unser is survived by his wife, Lisa; sons Bobby Jr. and Robby; and daughters Cindy and Jeri.

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Bobby Unser, who won the Indianapolis 500 three times, dies at 87Jenna Fryer | Associated Presson May 3, 2021 at 4:26 pm Read More »

Restrictions easing in US and Europe amid disaster in IndiaAssociated Presson May 3, 2021 at 5:36 pm

People sit in on a cafe terrace, in the Monastiraki district of Athens, with the ancient Acropolis hill in the background, Monday, May 3, 2021.
People sit in on a cafe terrace, in the Monastiraki district of Athens, with the ancient Acropolis hill in the background, Monday, May 3, 2021. Cafes and restaurants have reopened in Greece for sit-down service for the first time in nearly six months, as the country began easing coronavirus-related restrictions with a view to opening to the vital tourism industry in the summer. | AP

The improving picture in many places contrasts with the worsening disaster in India.

Air travel in the U.S. hit its highest mark since COVID-19 took hold more than 13 months ago, while European Union officials are proposing to ease restrictions on visitors to the continent as the vaccine rollout sends new cases and deaths tumbling in more affluent countries.

The improving picture in many places contrasts with the worsening disaster in India.

In the U.S., the average number of new cases per day fell below 50,000 for the first time since October. And nearly 1.67 million people were screened at U.S. airport checkpoints on Sunday, according to the Transportation Security Administration, the highest number since mid-March of last year.

Las Vegas is bustling again after casino capacity limits were raised Saturday to 80% and person-to-person distancing dropped to 3 feet.

EU officials announced a proposal Monday to relax restrictions on visiting the 27-nation bloc this summer, though the final decision is up to its member countries.

“Time to revive EU tourism industry and for cross-border friendships to rekindle — safely,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. “We propose to welcome again vaccinated visitors and those from countries with a good health situation.”

In Greece, restaurants and cafes reopened their terraces on Monday after six months of shutdown, with customers flocking to soak up the sunshine. In France, high schools reopened and a ban on domestic travel was lifted.

But with more-contagious variants taking hold, efforts are underway to boost vaccination efforts. In Detroit, officials began going door-to-door to persuade residents to get immunized.

Brazil, once the epicenter of the pandemic, has has been overtaken by a surge in India that has overrun crematoriums and made it clear the p andemic is far from over.

As the U.S. and other countries rushed in aid, India reported nearly 370,000 new cases and more than 3,400 deaths Monday — numbers that experts believe are vast undercounts because of a widespread lack of testing and incomplete reporting.

In Germany, Bavarian officials canceled Oktoberfest for a second year in a row because of the safety risks. The beer-drinking festivities typically attract about 6 million visitors from around the world.

And in Italy, medical experts and politicians expressed concern about a possible spike in infections after tens of thousands of jubilant soccer fans converged on Milan’s main square Sunday to celebrate Inter Milan’s league title.

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Associated Press writers Krutika Pathi in New Delhi; Ken Ritter in Las Vegas; Samuel Petrequin in Brussels contributed to this report.

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Restrictions easing in US and Europe amid disaster in IndiaAssociated Presson May 3, 2021 at 5:36 pm Read More »

After violent weekend, Chicago closing in on 200 homicides just four months into the yearSun-Times Wireon May 3, 2021 at 4:14 pm

Forty-five people have been shot, five fatally, since 5 p.m. April 30, 2021, in Chicago.
Forty-five people have been shot, five fatally, since 5 p.m. April 30, 2021, in Chicago. | Sun-Times file photo

Five people were killed and at least 40 others were wounded in shootings across the city this weekend.

Nearly twice as many people were shot in Chicago this past weekend as the previous one, with homicides closing in on the 200 mark just four months into the year.

Five people were killed and at least 40 others were wounded in shootings across the city this weekend. To date this year, at least 1,040 people have been shot in Chicago and there have been at least 195 homicides.

Violent crime has risen 4% since the start of the year, according to a report released by the Chicago Police Department over the weekend. The violent crime rate in April was up 20% compared to April of last year.

Carjackings, however, have fallen by 55% since their peak in the winter, according to the department’s statistics.

Among the violence this past weekend was the killing of Kamaree Burnett, 17, who was shot Sunday while driving in West Garfield Park on the West Side.

Burnett was shot in the face by someone on the sidewalk about 3 p.m. as he drove in the 4800 block of West Ferdinand Street, Chicago police said. He was taken to Loretto Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said.

About an hour earlier, two men were shot, one fatally, in Humboldt Park on the West Side.

The men were outside about 2 p.m. in the 800 block of North Ridgeway Avenue when someone walked up and fired shots at them, police said.

One man, 34, was struck in the shoulder and leg and taken to Mt. Sinai Hospital, where he died, police said. The other man, 40, was in good condition with gunshot wounds to the arm and abdomen.

One man was killed and another critically wounded in a shooting Saturday in Englewood on the South Side.

Just before midnight, the men, 27 and 30, were outside in the 5600 block of South Morgan Street when they heard shots and felt pain, police said.

The 27-year-old suffered gunshot wounds to the hip, shoulder and buttocks, police said. He was taken to St. Bernard Hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to police. The Cook County medical examiner’s office identified him as Benjamin Dawkins.

The 30-year-old man was struck multiple times in the shoulder and taken to the same hospital in critical condition, police said.

About 45 minutes earlier, a 21-year-old man was fatally shot while riding in a vehicle in Burnside on the South Side.

The man was sitting in the front passenger seat of a vehicle about 11:15 p.m. traveling in the 800 block of East 87th Place when someone fired shots in his direction, police said.

The man was struck three times in the head and twice in the arm, police said. He was taken to Jackson Park Hospital where he was later pronounced dead, according to police. The medical examiner’s office has not yet identified him.

A 37-year-old man was fatally shot during a fight Saturday night in West Pullman on the Far South Side.

Travis Willis was standing outside with a group of people in the 11800 block of South Lafayette Avenue about 10:50 p.m. when he began arguing with another male, according to Chicago police and the medical examiner’s office.

The two started physically fighting and the other male shot Willis once in the head and fled, police said.

Willis was transported to Roseland Hospital where he was later pronounced dead, according to police.

In nonfatal attacks:

The group was standing outside in the 2100 block of West Adams Street about 11:10 p.m. when a gray Audi SUV, with three people inside, drove by and someone began firing shots at the crowd, police said.

A 29-year-old suffered two gunshot wounds to the abdomen and was taken to Stroger Hospital in critical condition, police said. A second man, 20, was struck twice in the back and taken to the same hospital in good condition, police said.

A 32-year-old woman suffered a gunshot wound to the foot and was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital in good condition, according to police.

Another woman, 26, suffered a graze wound to the foot and a third woman, 21, was struck in the leg, police said. Both women were taken to Rush Hospital in good condition.

  • A teenage boy was shot Sunday morning in the West Chesterfield neighborhood on the South Side.

Someone got out of a black SUV and fired shots at the boy, 17, about 10:55 a.m. as he stood outside in the 300 block of East 95th Street, police said. The boy fired back, but was struck in the back and lower buttocks, police said. The SUV fled in an unknown direction.

The teen was taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center in serious condition, Chicago fire officials said.

  • A 29-year-old man was shot Sunday while filling up his vehicle at a gas station in East Ukrainian Village.

The man was at a gas station about 2:35 a.m. in the 1900 block of West Augusta Boulevard when a male approached him and fired shots, police said. He suffered a gunshot wound to the leg and went to St. Mary’s Medical Center in good condition, police said.

  • A 14-year-old boy was shot Saturday night in Grand Crossing on the South Side.

About 7:05 p.m., he was on the sidewalk in the 7200 block of South Blackstone Avenue, when he heard shots and felt pain, police said. He was struck in the hand, calf and grazed on the head, and was taken to Comer Children’s Hospital in good condition, police said.

  • Another teenage boy was critically hurt in a shooting Friday night in Lawndale.

The boy, 17, was standing in front of a home about 7:35 p.m. in the 1900 block of South Drake Avenue when someone approached him and fired shots, police said. He suffered gunshot wounds to both legs and was transported to Mount Sinai in critical condition, police said.

At least 29 other people were hurt in shootings between 5 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday.

Last weekend four people were killed and 21 others wounded in shootings across Chicago.

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After violent weekend, Chicago closing in on 200 homicides just four months into the yearSun-Times Wireon May 3, 2021 at 4:14 pm Read More »

Tornadoes cause damage in Mississippi; trees down in AtlantaAssociated Presson May 3, 2021 at 4:22 pm

Vickie Savell looks at the remains of her new mobile home early Monday, May 3, 2021, in Yazoo County, Miss. Multiple tornadoes were reported across Mississippi on Sunday, causing some damage but no immediate word of injuries.
Vickie Savell looks at the remains of her new mobile home early Monday, May 3, 2021, in Yazoo County, Miss. Multiple tornadoes were reported across Mississippi on Sunday, causing some damage but no immediate word of injuries. | AP

There were no immediate reports of injuries.

YAZOO CITY, Miss. — Multiple tornadoes were reported across Mississippi on Sunday, destroying homes and uprooting trees before the storm system moved into Atlanta, prompting residents Monday to seek shelter in Georgia’s largest city. There were no immediate reports of injuries.

Just south of Yazoo City, Mississippi, Vickie Savell looked at the remains of her brand new mobile home, where she and her husband had just moved in eight days ago. It was her first new home in 40 years, and it had been lifted off its foundation, moved about 25 feet and was completely destroyed.

“Oh my God, my first new house in 40 years and it’s gone,” she said Monday, amid tree tops strewn about the neighborhood and the roar of chainsaws as people worked to clear roads.

Savell had been away from home, attending church, but her husband Nathan had been driving home and hunkered down in the front of his truck as the home nearby was destroyed. From there, he watched his new home blow past him, he said.

Nearby, Garry McGinty recalled being at home listening to birds chirping — then dead silence. He looked outside and saw a dark, ominous cloud and took shelter in a hallway, he said. He survived, but trees slammed into his carport, two vehicles and the side of his house.

A line of severe storms rolled through the state Sunday afternoon and into the nighttime hours. Late Sunday, a “tornado emergency” was declared for Tupelo and surrounding areas. Meteorologists urged residents to take cover.

“Damage has been reported in the City of Tupelo,” the mayor’s office said in a Facebook post just before 11 p.m. “Emergency crews are currently assessing the degree of damage. Please do not get out and drive.”

Photos retweeted by the National Weather Service in Memphis showed several downed trees and power lines. Tupelo Middle School sustained some damage, as well as houses and businesses.

There were multiple reports of damage to homes on Elvis Presley Drive, just down the street from the home where the famed singer was born. Presley was born in a two-room house in the Tupelo neighborhood but there was no indications that the historic home sustained damage. It’s now a museum.

But just down the street on Elvis Presley Drive, a tornado tore the roof off the home of Terrille and Chaquilla Pulliam, they told the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. About 10 family members took shelter inside the house, and “we got everybody inside in time,” Terrille Pulliam said.

Calhoun County Sheriff Greg Pollan said Calhoun City also “was hit hard tonight.”

“Light poles have been snapped off. Trees in a few homes. Trees on vehicles. Damage to several businesses. Fortunately we have had no reports at this time of injuries,” Pollan posted on Facebook, asking people to stay off the roads. “Emergency personnel are working feverishly to open the roads as quickly as possible.”

News outlets also reported tornados near Yazoo City, Byram and Tchula earlier in the day. The National Weather Service in Jackson shared several images of funnel clouds across different parts of the state.

As the system moved east, a tornado watch Monday covered large parts of Alabama and Georgia. A tornado warning prompted residents of Atlanta to seek shelter late Monday morning.

Atlanta police late Monday morning were responding to a call of a tree down on a house on the city’s west side, Atlanta police spokesman Anthony Grant said. There were no immediate reports of injuries there, he said.

Atlanta firefighters responded to multiple calls of trees down, Atlanta Fire Rescue said in a statement late Monday morning. The agency was not aware of any significant injuries, but asked residents to be on guard as falling trees and limbs still posed a threat.

Georgia Power reported about 3,000 outages in the southwest part of the city. GreyStone Power reported more than 3,000 outages in Douglas and southern Fulton counites.

A warm, moist air mass was in place as an upper-level disturbance moved across the area, touching off the storms over Mississippi, said Mike Edmonston, National Weather Service meteorologist in Mississippi.

“The ingredients were just enough for the development of severe storms,” he said. Three survey teams from the weather service were preparing to assess the damage in Mississippi, he said.

More storms are in store for parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia on Tuesday, forecasters said. Tuesday’s storms could bring wind gusts of up to 70 mph and hail to the size of golf balls, said the National Weather Service in Jackson, noting that “tornadoes are likely Tuesday into Tuesday evening” in parts of Mississippi.

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Associated Press writers Jeff Martin in Marietta, Georgia; Jeff Amy in Atlanta; and Julie Walker in New York City contributed to this report.

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Tornadoes cause damage in Mississippi; trees down in AtlantaAssociated Presson May 3, 2021 at 4:22 pm Read More »

Chicago Bears: Cutting Charles Leno speaks volumes about their draftVincent Pariseon May 3, 2021 at 4:40 pm

A lot of people were speculating that Charles Leno’s days with the Chicago Bears were numbered after the 2021 NFL Draft but now it is complete. According to Ian Rapoport, the Bears are releasing their now former left tackles after spending the last seven seasons as their starter. This come’s after drafting Tevan Jenkins out […]

Chicago Bears: Cutting Charles Leno speaks volumes about their draft – Da Windy City – Da Windy City – A Chicago Sports Site – Bears, Bulls, Cubs, White Sox, Blackhawks, Fighting Illini & More

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Chicago Bears: Cutting Charles Leno speaks volumes about their draftVincent Pariseon May 3, 2021 at 4:40 pm Read More »

GGTB Chicago White Sox Podcast Ep. 96: LineUps & DownsNick Bon May 3, 2021 at 3:54 pm

Nick and Pat welcome Herb Lawrence from The Score 670 & The Locked On Sox podcast. The guys talk lineups, being contenders in the division, and a possible Rodon trade! Go Sox!

The post GGTB Chicago White Sox Podcast Ep. 96: LineUps & Downs first appeared on CHI CITY SPORTS l Chicago Sports Blog – News – Forum – Fans – Rumors.Read More

GGTB Chicago White Sox Podcast Ep. 96: LineUps & DownsNick Bon May 3, 2021 at 3:54 pm Read More »