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Skokie

Sunday, May 5, 2013

UPDATED: Missing Lincolnwood Teen Found Safe in Chicago

Carlee Lemel, 17, of Lincolnwood was found in Chicago Tuesday afternoon.

Five days after family members reported a Lincolnwood teen missing, the girl was found safe in Chicago Tuesday afternoon, Wilmette Life reported.  Carlee Lemel, 17, who disappeared from home May 2, was found at a Dominick’s near Lake Michigan and her father Bruce Lemel met the teen at the store. But it’s unclear whether he lured the teen there himself or if Chicago Police located the teen and called the father, Wilmette Life reported. Original Article Family members are seeking the community’s help in finding their 17-year-old daughter, Carlee Lemel, who has been missing since May 2. Renee Lemel, Carlee’s aunt, said the teen is “mentally unstable.” “She has not taken her medication since May 2,” she said. “We’re worried.” Carlee is …

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Senator's Bill Would Boot Your Car for Unpaid Debts

Senator Ira Silverstein "quietly" introduced a bill that would boot your car if you have any debts owed against you, such as a water bill or traffic ticket, for example. He told Crain's he introduced it at the request of a lobbyist.

Senator Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago) is on a roll with some unique bills. First, the senator, whose district include parts of Skokie, Niles, Morton Grove and Lincolnwood, tried to introduce a bill aimed at limiting comments posted online. He’s since withdrawn that bill. Now, he’s “quietly” introduced a new bill that would boot a person’s vehicle if they have any debt owed to the city of Chicago and other municipalities–- such as water bills or traffic tickets, among others, according to Crain’s Chicago Business. If the person does not pay their bill within 24 hours after a judgment, the individual's car could be auctioned off. Any money made from the auction would go toward paying off whatever debt the person owes, the publication reported…

Harry Gio

10:30 pm on Thursday, March 7, 2013

This makes as much sense as ketchup on a hotdog...   more ›

Monday, February 11, 2013

State Rep Laura Fine to Serve on Six Committees

Recently elected State Representative Laura Fine (D-Glenview) is set to serve on six house committees this year.

State Representative Laura Fine (D-Glenview) will serve on six committees in the House of Representatives, assignments the freshman lawmaker says will allow her to more effectively advocate on behalf of the concerns of her constituents, according to a press release issued Friday. “While we all know Illinois has to make some difficult decisions in the future, these decisions are not limited to the budget and pensions,” Fine said. “State officials must continue to implement policies that encourage businesses to grow and create jobs, strengthen education, protect consumers, and ensure that health care is accessible and affordable for all.  "My committee appointments will help me have a greater influence in crafting these policies," she added…

Friday, January 25, 2013

'America's Got Talent' to Hold Chicago Tryouts

NBC's top-rated summer show will be holding auditions in Chicago at McCormick Place on Jan. 26 and Jan. 27.

Last season, "American's Got Talent" had three unique finalists: A comedian, a family dog act and a one-of-a-kind musical instrument. The winner? A group of dogs that danced, performed jump rope tricks and even some gymnastics. "Chicago is an important city for 'America's Got Talent,'" said senior casting producer Jason Shuler. "We have had several top talent audition at our Chicago open calls. Among them are Chicago group Footworkingz and the piano player from Edon from our most current season." Notable winners who auditioned in Chicago: Neal E. Boyd from season three and Kevin Skinner from season four. The show will be holding auditions on Jan. 26 and Jan. 27 at McCormick Place, 2301 Lake Shore Dr. Entrances can be found at Gate 4 or …

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Tonight on WTTW: 'Skokie: Invaded But Not Conquered'

A Highland Park native will have his documentary, "Skokie: Invaded But Not Conquered" air on WTTW-Chanel 11 tonight, Thursday, Jan. 24, at 8 p.m.

Almost anyone from Skokie knows the story about the Nazi march that never happened. In 1977, Frank Collin tried to lead the National Socialist Party of America to hold a rally in Skokie, which at that time was considered to have the largest Jewish population in the country. The rally never happened. And ironically, it was later revealed that Collin himself was Jewish. Tonight, Thursday Jan. 24, WTTW-Channel 11 will air Skokie: Invaded But Not Conquered at 8 p.m. It will also run again on Friday, Jan. 25, at 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 26, at 3:30 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 27 at 2 p.m. According to Robert Feder's blog, "Todd Whitman, who wrote and produced the documentary for the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, grew up in nearby …

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George Slefo

8:52 am on Thursday, January 24, 2013

@Mike - Thanks for the catch! The article now reflects your comment.   more ›

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Babies Born on New Year’s Day

See which area babies were born on New Year’s Day in 2013. Both babies were born shortly after midnight.

A New Year’s Day baby boy - Samson Chambers was born to Chicago residents Donald and Sheryl Chambers at NorthShore University HealthSystem in Evanston, 2650 Ridge Ave., on Jan. 1, 2013, at 12:41 a.m. The boy came in at 8-pounds, 3-ounces and 20-inches. “I wanted [Samson] to be born on Christmas day and my husband wanted him to be born on New Year’s Day,” Sheryl Chambers said. “My husband got his wish.” This is the fifth child for the Chambers family. The mother said she now has three girls and two boys. “Honestly, for me, I think it’s a normal thing. It was a regular day for me,” Chambers said. “We gave him the name Samson [which is] from the bible. The name means ‘being strong.’” Chambers added that she had family at the hospital …

Friday, December 7, 2012

Derelict Is In: Pictures From SWANCC's Trashy Fashion Show

More than 35 costumes were created using thrown out items such as VHS tapes, prom dresses and even umbrellas, among other things.

Perhaps Ben Stiller's "Zoolander" wasn't that far off with its Derelict fashion concept.   More than 35 recycled-designed costumes were on display at the Solid Waste Agency of Cook County's (SWANCC) Trashy Fashion Show. The models represented more than 50 designers. According to SWANCC, 90 percent of the outfits were made from items that are found in everyday garbage, including old chef coats, t-shirts, prom dresses, Halloween costumes, jeans, candy wrappers and packaging materials, among other things (like VHS tapes and umbrellas). For the sixth annual showing, this year's theme was based on movies like "Harry Potter," "The Hunger Games" and "Black Swan." Residents from Arlington Heights, Barrington, Evanston, Glenview, Lincolnwood, …

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Students Rush To Help Homeless School Teacher

The Chicago Tribune wrote about Henry Wolfson, a 66-year-old substitute teacher at McCracken Middle School who is now homeless. Now, three former students have started a fundraiser to help their beloved teacher.

The Chicago Tribune's Labor Day story on how a well read, highly regarded substitute teacher in Skokie became homeless may have a silver lining. Henry Wolfson, 66, has been a substitute teacher at McCracken Middle School for 19 years. He moved into a homeless shelter after he could no longer pay rent on his Evanston apartment, the Tribune reports. Wolfson told the Tribune that medical expenses were a big reason why he's now living at a shelter. In light of the story, several of Wolfson's former students have created a fundraiser on GiveForward.com, a website designed to help people overburdened with medical expenses. The former students, Adam Youhanna, Christina Audisho and Anita Zaia have left a message on the page: Let's help the best …

hongfeng

1:06 am on Wednesday, January 2, 2013

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It's A Family Affair With MLB's George Kontos

The local athlete gets some big support from his Greek family. Kontos played at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs last Friday.

In this two-part series, Patch profiles San Francisco Giants pitcher George Kontos. The Niles West graduate was at Wrigley Field playing against the Chicago Cubs on Friday. To read Part 1, click here. George Kontos played at Proesel Park in Lincolnwood, among others, on his way to athletic stardom. In fact, he lettered in baseball, basketball and golf for the Niles West Wolves. But baseball is where he excelled. He was named the Gatorade Player of the Year for Illinois in 2003 as he played for the Wolves under Coach Garry Gustafson, with whom he is still in touch. Colleges were paying attention, and that is when his parents began to think the fulfillment of a dream for so many teenage boys could be a reality for Kontos: a shot in the …

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Former Niles West Star Comes Home with MLB's Giants

In this multi part series, we look at a day in the life of baseball player George Kontos, a local kid from Lincolnwood who is now playing for the San Francisco Giants. Kontos played the Cubs over the weekend.

George Kontos played in the parks of Lincolnwood and Skokie growing up. He was a three-star athlete at Niles West High School and went on to play baseball for three years at Northwestern University in Evanston. Kontos made the major leagues when the New York Yankees drafted him. Now a member of the San Francisco Giants, Kontos achieved another career highlight when he played his first game at Wrigley Field on Friday. Patch was along for the ride as Kontos achieved the fantasy that so many Chicago area young men have. Pregame The Giants arrived in Chicago around 3 a.m. They played a game in Houston the night before, and flew over the remnants of Hurricane Isaac to take on the Cubs less than 24 hours later. Most of the team did not arrive …

Joshua Orlan

1:29 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Great article about a great local kid but about that last paragraph. I think it is unfair to blame Steve Bartman for the Cubs loss. He was an excited fan in the stands. One team won, the other lost, don't blame somebody who may have been over-excited. It wasn't his fault.   more ›

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