Daily Archive : Wednesday August 3, 2011
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News
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Inside the mind of MooNiE the Magnif'Cent
For almost 17 years, MooNiE the Magnificent has been one of the premiere players at the Bristol Renaissance Faire in Wisconsin. The Mundelein native talks about how he got started and how quickly his star has risen at the event that takes everyone back to the Renaissance days.
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Zoo animals at Schaumburg Township picnic
Democratic state representatives Fred Crespo of Hoffman Estates and Michelle Mussman of Schaumburg have teamed up to host the Brookfield Zoo at the Schaumburg Township Disability Services Annual Picnic at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 6 at Maple Park in Hoffman Estates.
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Aurora cops get 1% raises, insurance changes
Aurora’s police patrol officers will get much smaller raises than they wanted the next two years under a contract set by an arbitrator. While the city heralded the contract as a relief for taxpayers, the police union’s president said the arbitrator’s ruling left some unanswered questions.
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Private eyes checking residency of kindergartners in Lombard Dist. 44
Lombard Elementary District 44 this summer hired a private investigation firm to confirm all incoming kindergarten students live within its boundaries. “We know we have a number of kids already that are registered to us but do not live in our community,” Superintendant Jim Blanche said. “We just want to make sure that we have the right children here.”
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Longtime suburban volunteer coordinator retires
Jean Lamantia, retiring after 14 years as a volunteer coordinator at a nonprofit organization connecting volunteers in the Northwest suburbs, made an impact on the community.“The genius of Jeanie is that she is always looking for ways on how we can improve the way we help others,” said Mary Fitzgibbons, executive director of HandsOn Suburban Chicago.
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Lake County could use phones, music players to monitor traffic
Lake County officials may test a real-time information system that pings signals off motorists' cell phones and other wireless devices to monitor travel times and delays. The BlueTOAD system selects Bluetooth devices in passing cars and calculates travel times and road speeds by re-detecting the same devices as they move.
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Police: Arlington Heights man crashed stolen car into cemetery
A 22-year-old Arlington Heights man has been charged after smashing a stolen vehicle into a number of headstones in a cemetery, just a day after he was sentenced to two years of probation on drug charges, police said.
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Oklahoma woman claims uncle was D.B. Cooper
An Oklahoma woman claims an uncle who planned something “very mischievous” over the holidays in 1971 was D.B. Cooper, the never-captured hijacker who jumped out of a plane with $200,000.
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Christie Hefner's husband accused of inside trades
The husband of former Playboy Enterprises CEO Christie Hefner has been accused of using inside information in making more than $100,000 trading Playboy stock.
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Gates Foundation donated $2.5 billion in 2010
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation gave away $2.5 billion in 2010, but its CEO acknowledged in its annual report released Wednesday that the world’s largest charitable group isn’t doing a good job making sure recipients know what they’re expected to do.
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Lake County officials launch program to “buy local”
Lake County officials on Wednesday announced a new “buy local” program to support Lake County businesses and keep money in the local economy. Under the new plan, county departments must obtain multiple quotes from local vendors and award contracts to Lake County businesses where possible, and as allowed under state law.
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Princeton Review article lists Wheaton College as least gay-friendly
Wheaton College ranks high on the Princeton Review's list of sober students, campus food and most religious. But it was the No. 1 ranking in least gay-friendly that sparked a response from an alumni group.
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FBI releases photos in search of Rolling Meadows bandit
The FBI has released surveilance photos of a suspect who robbed a Rolling Meadows bank late last week with the hope that someone will recognize the man. The man, described as a white male in his mid-40s standing around 6 feet tall with a thin build, implied that he had a weapon, but no one in the bank saw it, the FBI said.
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Alexian Bros. donate $100,000 for Harper scholarships
Alexian Brothers Health System has agreed to donate $100,000 to Harper College to set up a scholarship program to train bilingual nurses.
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McHenry woman wins county fair pageant
Jordyn Butler, 20, of McHenry,was crowned Miss McHenry County on Wednesday night, on the opening day of the fair that runs through Sunday.
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Quinn undecided on gambling bill amid criticism
Gov. Pat Quinn said Wednesday he hadn’t made up his mind about a bill that would massively expand gambling in the state, as a watchdog group sharply criticized the measure and warned it would overwhelm state regulators.
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3 more Illinoisans die from heat-related causes
ALTON, Ill. — Coroners have determined the sweltering summer heat is responsible for three more deaths in Illinois.The Cook County medical examiner on Wednesday ruled the cause of two deaths as heat stroke. In Alton, a man was found dead in his home where a window air-conditioning unit had been shut down to save money.
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August is breast-feeding month in Illinois
August is Breast-feeding Promotion Month in Illinois. Gov. Pat Quinn has designated the month to increase public awareness about how some mothers feed their children.
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COD, Glen Ellyn agree to deal — for now
For the short term, College of DuPage and the village of Glen Ellyn have put their differences aside, and the college will be able to occupy four new or renovated buildings on Monday. But the long-running dispute over who has the authority over building matters on the 273-acre campus remains unsettled.
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Chain O’ Lakes hosting Venetian Night Saturday
Fox Lake officials are gearing up for their 4th annual Venetian Night scheduled to take place Saturday. The event features a lighted boat parade and what's being billed as the village's largest fireworks display.
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Former Des Plaines History Center director dies
Joy Matthiessen, the former executive director of the Des Plaines History Center, died Wednesday morning, a city official said. Matthiessen retired earlier this year after serving as director for 22 years.
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72 charged in probe of child porn network
Seventy-two people have been charged with participating in an international child pornography network that prosecutors say used an online bulletin board called Dreamboard to trade tens of thousands of images and videos of sexually abused children.
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Obama hits campaign trail with Chicago fundraisers
Trying to make up for lost time, President Barack Obama plunged back into his re-election campaign Wednesday, urging supporters not to be discouraged by the frustrating debt negotiations that consumed Washington and kept him from raising money for his 2012 bid.
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Batavia man killed in house explosion
A Batavia man was killed in an explosion Sunday at a vacation home in Wisconsin. Another adult, believed to be the man's wife was also killed. A child with them was injured, according to police. Juneau County, state and federal investigators are still determining the cause of the blast, near Armenia.
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Vets invited to Schaumburg event Aug. 14
Veterans and the general public are invited to attend the “Pillars of Honor” event from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14 in the Rasmussen Room of the Schaumburg Township District Library, 130 S. Roselle Road in Schaumburg. The original scale model of the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., will be unveiled.
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Streamwood firefighters fix gas leak
Streamwood firefighters early Wednesday morning worked to stabilize a building weakened by earlier storm winds and experiencing a major gas leak.
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Mundelein dog wash benefits rescue house
Shear Paradise Pet Salon, 400 N. Seymour Ave. in Mundelein, is hosting a charity dog wash from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 7 to benefit Our House of Hope K-9 Rescue’s medical fund.
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Carpentersville looking at more fuel-efficient cars
Starting next year, fuel economy will be one of the factors Carpentersville trustees weigh before buying new vehicles for village employees. The new direction came this week during a discussion about the 2011 Ford Taurus SES that the police department asked the board to buy for its fleet.
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Des Plaines releases 2005 settlement details
A former Des Plaines paralegal was paid more than $25,000 and her attorney more than $16,000, in a 2005 settlement the city made over her sexual harrassment claim against a former alderman. After years of refusing to release the details of the settlement, Des Plaines did so on Wednesday.
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Cargill recalling 36 million pounds of ground turkey
Meat giant Cargill is recalling 36 million pounds of ground turkey linked to a nationwide salmonella outbreak that has killed one person in California and sickened at least 76 others, including seven in Illinois.
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Ex-Hanover Twp. official gets 6 years for theft
Hanover Township’s former welfare director was sentenced to six years in prison Wednesday after pleading guilty to stealing more than $100,000 in government funds. Aurea Picasso, 45, formerly of Aurora, had been accused of stealing $193,110 from the township’s welfare funds, to which she had access, for her own personal use.
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Arlington Heights investigating reported road rage rollover
A 16-year-old driver who told Arlington Heights police he was fleeing a road rage incident escaped serious injury Tuesday when he was ejected from his car after it crashed into a tree and rolled all the way over.
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Extra hearings for toll rate increase
The Illinois tollway will hold extra hearings on its controversial proposal to hike tolls in order to pay for maintenance work plus build new expressways.
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Des Plaines bird died from West Nile virus
The Cook County Department of Public Health has discovered two birds that tested positive for West Nile virus, an official said Wednewday. With the recent weather conditions and frequent rains, the department is warning residents about how to prevent it from spreading.
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Elgin cop faces felony for resisting Michigan cops
The Elgin cop arrested for assault and battery of a Michigan amusement park worker on July 16 was also charged with a felony for his conduct at the county jail later that day, according to Muskegon County police reports. Elgin Officer Lance Adams III, 50, of Huntley, is on restricted duty while the case is pending.
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DCFS: Drowned toddler’s baby sitter was told to get day-care license
The Aurora woman who was caring for 2-year-old Abigail Holland when the toddler drowned Tuesday was told she needed a license to run a home day-care center, a state official said Wednesday. “She submitted the application on June 21 to be a licensed day-care home,” Illinois Department of Children and Family Services spokesman Kendall Marlowe said. “That application is still being reviewed and...
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Elgin warns residents about aggressive solicitors
The Elgin Police Department alerted residents Wednesday to aggressive solicitors after receiving two complaints about a man trying to sell a security system. At one home, the man told a 63-year-old woman someone could cut her phone lines and kill her if she didn’t get the system, according to police reports.
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Same questions remain after second Bianchi acquittal
A day after the second acquittal of McHenry County State's Attorney Louis Bianchi, questions remain about the legal bills submitted by special prosecutors, whether Bianchi will have the county reimburse him for his expenses and how the case got this far in the first place.
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Lake County Chamber names new executive director
The board of directors of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce has appinted Shaunese Teamer as its new executive director. Teamer, who joined the chamber Aug. 1, has more than 20 years of marketing and public relations experience.
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Former NFL star turned actor Bubba Smith dies
LOS ANGELES — Former NFL defensive star Bubba Smith, who found a successful second career as an actor, has died in Los Angeles at age 66.Los Angeles County coroner’s spokesman Ed Winter says Smith was found dead Wednesday at his Baldwin Hills home. Winter says he didn’t know the circumstances or cause of death.
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Marine to visit Sportsmen’s Club
A Marine will visit the Northwest Towns Sportsmen’s Club at 7 p.m. Aug. 5 in Arlington Heights, to thanks the club for the provision sent to his Marine unit in Afghanistan last year.
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Coffee with state Rep. Carol Sente event Friday
State Rep. Carol Sente, a Democrat from Vernon Hills, is hosting a coffee with constituents from 8 to 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 5 at Starbucks, 1640 Milwaukee Ave., Vernon Hills. Sente has been holding the sessions throughout the summer to hear the concerns of residents.
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Bridal sale to help Make-A-Wish Foundation.
A Lake Zurich bridal shop is hosting a sale event next weekend to help raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois.
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Longtime Geneva school principal Payleitner dies
Kenneth Payleitner, a former longtime principal of Harrison Street Elementary School in Geneva, has died at age 84. He led the school through three expansions, before retiring in 1985.
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Dow breaks 8-day losing streak
Stock indexes came back from deep losses in the morning and ended Wednesday with small gains. The Dow Jones industrial average avoided its longest losing streak since Jimmy Carter was president.
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Lake Zurich considers task force to address stormwater
In the wake of heavy downpours last month that flooded streets and homes across the suburbs, Lake Zurich officials are starting discussions to form a special committee, task force, or joint panel to deal more closely with the issue of stormwater management.
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Former Lake County health official facing weapons charge
A former Lake County Health Department official who previously admitted stealing $39,875 by receiving pay for hours he did not work was back in court Wednesday on charges he illegally possessed a handgun.Thomas Job, who was sentenced June 29 for felony theft, pleaded not guilty to allegations he was holding a loaded handgun inside his Spring Grove home on July 3.
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Tri-Cities police reports
A sign owned by the city of St. Charles advertising the future site of the Red Gate Bridge, was reported vandalized last week, police said. The sign was valued at $300. Contractors on the site also reported that surveying stakes have been removed from the site on a frequent basis.
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Fox Valley police reports
The hood ornament on a 2003 Jaguar was torn off sometime between 10:45 p.m. Monday and 4:45 a.m. Tuesday while it was parked in a driveway in the 1400 block of Foxmoor Lane in Elgin, according to police reports. The vehicle owner also found several scratches to the hood and front bumper and missing valve caps on all the tires, reports said.
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Kotecki to leave DuPage forest board seat
To allow potential candidates plenty of time to launch campaigns, DuPage Forest Preserve Commissioner Roger Kotecki announces he will not seek reelection in March for the District 6 seat.
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Aurora official tries to pressure Hispanic festival
A debate over how much festival proceeds will go toward scholarships is causing one Aurora alderman to question whether Fiestas Patrias should be allowed to take place in mid-September, but others say that's not the city's responsibility. “Is that really the city’s business to know what a private organization does with its money?” Alderman Rick Lawrence said.
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Andersen replaces Falardeau as Palatine fire chief
It was a bittersweet night Monday for the Palatine Fire Department as it said goodbye to longtime firefighter Robert Falardeau, but welcomed Scott Andersen as the new fire chief. - This week’s village council meeting started with a declaration of appreciation for Falardeau, who was retiring as fire chief, ending his 31 years of service with the Palatine Fire Department.
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New HIV infections in US hold steady at 50,000
The number of Americans newly infected with the AIDS virus each year has been holding steady at about 50,000, according to a government report released Wednesday.
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World of Faeries comes to South Elgin
For kids of all ages who enjoy costumes and swordfighting, the World of Faeries Festival in South Elgin offers a chance for escapism. “It’s like a Renaissance Faire, but on a smaller scale,” said Gloria Yeager of Crystal Lake, who started the festival in 2005 with her husband David.
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Five charged in DuPage credit card scam
Five California residents who used “re-encoded” credit cards to fund an electronics shopping spree in DuPage County are now facing conspiracy and identity theft charges, prosecutors said Wednesday.
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Mt. Prospect prepares to welcome Walk for the Cure
Mt. Prospect is rolling out the pink carpet again this year, for the walkers in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure event coming to the village on Saturday. The village is taking sign-ups to make sure there are people cheering the walkers along the way, in what is always an emotional, inspiring event.
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Child porn charges net Wheeling man 70-year sentence
A 34-year-old former Wheeling man has been sentenced to 70 years in prison for producing and transmitting child pornography, federal prosecutors announced Wednesday.
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State workers not fired for fireable offenses
Despite some scathing Illinois Executive Inspector General reports determining state workers committed a variety of on-the-job improprieties, some workers are allowed to keep their jobs and only serve suspensions, resign with benefits or simply move to another department without repercussion.
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Roselle Taste is back despite financial challenges
Even as village budget cuts put this year's Taste of Roselle to the test, organizers felt the tradition must continue. “When this started 30 years ago, the intent was to create ... an event for the community to come together and celebrate living in Roselle,” said Patty Burns.
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Chicago Crime Commission blasts gambling expansion
The Chicago Crime Commission blasted legislation to massively expand gambling in Illinois.
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Police gear ‘collector’ busted in Carol Stream
A Carol Stream security guard who “always wanted to be a police officer” will get some firsthand experience with the criminal justice system after authorities uncovered a cache of police badges, radios and an official Chicago police uniform in his apartment, police said Wednesday.
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NY supervisor charged in autistic patient's death
A supervisor at a state-run facility for the mentally disabled in New York has been indicted on a criminally negligent homicide charge in an autistic patient's death.
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Earth's two moons? It's not lunacy, but new theory
In a spectacle that might have beguiled poets, lovers and songwriters if only they had been around to see it, Earth once had two moons, astronomers now think. But the smaller one smashed into the other in what is being called the "big splat."
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Convicted terrorist begins 28-year sentence
A man convicted of plotting to blow up the federal building in Springfield began serving a 28-year prison sentence this week.
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Work continues on historic Sycamore railroad depot
Work is scheduled to be complete this fall on a historic 130-year-old railroad depot in the northern Illinois city of Sycamore.
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Taste of Roselle schedule
The festival runs from 7-11 p.m. Friday; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday; noon to 9 p.m. Sunday on Main Street, between Roselle Road and Park Street.
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Bed-ridden, caged, Mubarak goes on trial
An ailing, 83-year-old Hosni Mubarak, lying ashen-faced on a hospital bed inside a metal defendants cage with his two sons standing protectively beside him in white prison uniforms, denied charges of corruption and complicity in the killing of protesters at the start of his historic trial on Wednesday.
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Vilsack: USDA working to ID tainted turkey source
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the government hopes to find the source of a salmonella outbreak linked to ground turkey "very, very" soon.
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Government still seeking source of tainted turkey
Consumers looking for answers about a salmonella outbreak linked to ground turkey will have to continue to wait as the government investigates the source of at least 76 illnesses and one death.
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Hulu jumps into original programming with Spurlock
Hulu, the online video service that primarily shows reruns from major broadcasters, is getting into the business of original programming.
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Dunkin’ Donuts reports flat earnings
Dunkin’ Brands Group Inc., which reported flat earnings on Wednesday after becoming a public company a week earlier, said it plans to rejuvenate the struggling Baskin-Robbins brand in the U.S. and expand its Dunkin’ Donuts chain in Europe.
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No place like home: Peacock flies back to NYC zoo
A peacock with a sense of adventure — and a good sense of direction — has flown back home to New York's Central Park Zoo.
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Woman goes into labor during bar exam, finishes
A pregnant suburban Chicago woman went into labor while taking the bar exam, finished the test and gave birth to her son less than two hours later.
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Army hiring more counselors for alcohol abuse
Rushing to help the rising number of troops with alcohol problems, the army is increasing its staff of substance abuse counselors by about 30 percent.
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72 charged in probe of child sexual abuse network
Seventy-two people have been charged with participating in an international child pornography network that prosecutors say used an online bulletin board called Dreamboard to trade tens of thousands of images and videos of sexually abused children.
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New Ill. law beefs up efforts to reunite lost pets
A new law means shelters will have to try harder to reunite lost pets with their owners.
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UIUC names Wise new chancellor at Urbana campus
The University of Illinois has chosen University of Washington Provost Phyllis Wise as its next chancellor.
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Des Plaines: We cover some casino policing costs
A routine ordinance sparked a discussionTuesday night in Des Plaines about who pays for policing at the new Rivers Casino. The Illinois Gaming Board is responsible for financial crimes, while all other criminal activity, including battery, trespassing and assault cases, falls to Des Plaines police.
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School begins at Elk Grove's year-round Ridge Center
The Ridge Family Center for Learning -- District 59's version of a year-round school -- opened for the 2011-12 school year at 8 a.m. today, with parents invited to spend the day with their children.
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Round Lake priest leads pilgrimage for parish debt
The goal was Champion, Wis, and for the Rev. Tim O’Malley and friends, that's what they felt like after completing a three-day walking pilgrimage from St. Joseph Church in Round Lake to a Wisconsin parish, to raise money to pay off the parish debt.
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Adler Center arts fair returns to Libertyville
The 31st annual David Adler Music and Arts Center’s Festival of the Arts kicks off Saturday, Aug. 6, in Libertyville. The two-day event will be staged in Cook Park, which is on Milwaukee Avenue in downtown Libertyville.
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Judge tosses suit challenging FEMA flood mapping
A federal judge has thrown out as moot a lawsuit three southwestern Illinois counties filed to block the Federal Emergency Management Agency from declaring the region's levees functionally useless, ruling that the agency believes for now the flood barriers are sufficient.
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FBI: 'Credible lead' surfaces in D.B. Cooper case
WASHINGTON — The FBI is investigating whether a dead man in the Pacific Northwest is D.B. Cooper, who hijacked a passenger jet in 1971 over Washington state and parachuted with $200,000 in ransom.
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Libertyville coach's cancer diagnosis inspires benefit
Nearly 100 students and alumni from Libertyville High School got to act like little kids again on Saturday during a tournament at Oak Grove Junior High to raise money in support of head football coach Randy Kuceyeski, who is battling throat cancer.
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April was record-setting month for tornadoes
The U.S. set a record for the most tornadoes within a month with April's deadly storms.
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Gates Foundation gave away $2.5B in 2010
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation said in its annual report that it gave away about $2.5 billion in 2010, roughly $500 million less than it granted the year before.
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Spacewalking astronauts nix release of satellite
Flight controllers halted the release of a ham radio satellite outside the International Space Station by a pair of spacewalking astronauts Wednesday because of an antenna problem.
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Judge who ordered Anthony probation leaves case
A judge who ordered Casey Anthony back to Florida to serve probation for check fraud stepped down from that case Wednesday and Anthony's lawyer warned she would be in danger if she has to return from an undisclosed location.
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Taste of Roselle menu
If you ate all three meals at the Taste of Roselle, which runs Friday through Sunday on Main Street, you still would miss out on some treats. So bring an appetite for food, as well as for music, carnival rides and more, during the charity festival.
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Former U-46 teacher named principal at Illinois Park
A former Elgin Area School District U-46 teacher will return to the district as a principal in the fall. Apryl Lowe will take on the role of principal at Illinois Park Center for Early Learning.
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Law requires campus registries for sex offenders
A new state law will require convicted sex offenders to register with campus police if they enroll or work at a college or university.
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Kane state’s attorney wants 32% more pay for starting lawyers
Kane County State's Attorney Joe McMahon is asking in his proposed 2012 budget to raise the pay of starting attorneys 32 percent. He says because his attorneys are the lowest paid in the collar counties, he loses them to those counties once they have experience.
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More widespread outages after 2 strong storms
Yet another set of severe thunderstorms passed through the Chicago area Tuesday night causing widespread power outages, downed trees, lightning strikes, flooded streets and Metra delays on two lines, which were brought to a halt.
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Illinois bill would give bicyclists, bikers, special red light rules
A bill awaiting Gov. Quinn's signature would allow bicyclists and motorcyclists to proceed from a red light when if other traffic is around. One Geneva Police commander isn't holding out much hope for the bill to become law.
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Kane Co.: Animal control charges too much for too little
Kane County's animal control wants $932,000 to cover the cost of an administrator and a part-time veterinarian to handle 400 animals while McHenry County's department handles 2,500 animals a year on a budget of $720,000, a task force learned Tuesday.
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Kane may move work release inmates to DuPage County
Kane County's work release inmates could end up serving time at a facility in neighboring DuPage County as part of a plan to save both counties money by pooling resources. Officials say there's been “very preliminary” talk of moving Kane's work release inmates to the DuPage County Juvenile Detention Center in Wheaton.
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Man gets 12 years in killing outside high school
A man who admits killing a teenager in a gang-related fight outside a basketball game at a southwestern Illinois high school in 2009 has been sentenced to 12 years in prison.
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Naperville honors volunteers who preserve city's past
Naperville Heritage Society inducts six individuals, couples and organizations into its Distinguised Hall of Honor on Sunday, Aug. 7. This year's honorees are Mike Garlich, Walter Newman, Hal and Marcia Pendexter, Walter and Connie Schall, the Stenger family, Naperville Hose Company No. 1.
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Ball Horticulture fundraiser supports DuPage extension programs
On Friday, Aug. 5, you can support University of Illinois Extension programs in DuPage County while letting stress slip away with a stroll through the gardens of Ball Horticulture. “It's just one of those relaxing, serene evenings where you're in a peaceful environment having a good time with wonderful people,” said Marily Joyner, vice president of DuPage Friends of Extension.
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Schaumburg On Stage actors bring Peanuts gang to life
Schaumburg On Stage, the Northwest suburbs premiere theater group for young actors, proudly presents its musical theater summer performance of “You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown” with more than 90 actors.
Sports
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White Sox lose, but bats show some life
At least there was some life in the White Sox' latest loss. Yes, it's a reach, but it's been a long time since the Sox' offense deserved a least a pat on the back. Too bad the Yankees countered with 18 runs on 23 hits.
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Tough-luck Garza truly ace of Cubs staff
Matt Garza has been the Cubs' hard-luck starter this year, but Starlin Castro's eighth-inning home run lifted Garza and the Cubs to a 1-0 victory Wednesday night at PNC Park. It was Garza’s first win since June 27.
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Konerko getting closer to returning to lineup
After missing the past three games with a sore left leg, White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko took some swings Wednesday and is encouraged about his return to the lineup.
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Yankees rough up Floyd, beat White Sox 18-7
Derek Jeter had five hits, Curtis Granderson drove in five runs and the surging New York Yankees pounded Gavin Floyd and the White Sox 18-7 on Wednesday night. Carlos Quentin hit a three-run homer and a sacrifice fly for the slumping White Sox, who have lost five straight.
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Perez pitches Kane County Cougars to win
BELOIT, Wis. — Leondy Perez pitched 6⅔ strong innings Wednesday night to notch his team-best 14th quality start and lead the Kane County Cougars to a 6-1 victory over the Beloit Snappers at Pohlman Field.Perez won consecutive starts for the first time this season, helping the Cougars open a 4-game lead over Clinton for the top second-half playoff spot in the Western Division with 32 games remaining. Beloit is 2 games back for the wild-card spot and trails the Cougars by 6 games. The Cougars are 9-3 against the Snappers this season, 6-0 at Pohlman Field.Perez (4-11) allowed an unearned run in the second. He gave up 6 hits and walked two, his final two hitters, with 7 strikeouts. Perez now has logged 122⅓ innings this season and walked just 23, lowest among starting pitchers in the Midwest League. Alex Rivers, who joined the team Tuesday, worked the final 2 ⅓ innings to get a save in his Cougars debut. The Cougars took the lead in the third when Cheslor Cuthbert delivered an RBI double. He and Brian Fletcher scored on a two-out throwing error. Brett Eibner smashed a 2-run double in the seventh.
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Castro homers, Garza goes 7 as Cubs top Pirates
Starlin Castro homered and Matt Garza pitched seven shutout innings to lead the Chicago Cubs to a 1-0 win over the sliding Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night. Castro's solo homer leading off the eighth inning made a winner of Garza (5-8).
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Bears’ Anthony Adams always wanted to stay
Unrestricted free-agent nose tackle Anthony Adams is glad to be back after starting all 16 games last season, his fourth with the Bears.“I didn’t want to go anywhere else,” said the nine-year veteran, who re-signed last Friday and can begin practicing Thursday. “Coach (Rod) Marinelli and coach (Lovie) Smith called me and let me know that they wanted me here. That kind of eased the tension a little bit. I’m glad that they called me and told me that they wanted me back. But I already knew that anyway.”While athleticism and speed are valued in the Bears’ Cover-2 defense, the scheme also needs a stout run stuffer in the middle, and that’s Adams’ wheelhouse. “I fit this system to a ‘T,’” he said. “It’s kind of my makeup, just shoot the gap, hustle, play my role, understand my role within the defense, get off blocks and just help my linebackers out and help the guys up front. It’s just what I do.”Despite the congestion he encounters in the middle, Adams led all Bears interior linemen with 36 tackles last season. He does the dirty work and relishes the role.“I’ve got the build for it,” said the 6-foot, 310-pounder. “I attract 300-pounders — two at the same time. It’s the heart and soul of the defense. If you can run the ball up the middle, you’re taking the heart and soul of the defense away. You’ve got to have pride in it, and you’ve got to bring your lunch pail every day because you already know you’re going to get a lot of double teams.”Best wishes: When Mike Martz was hired as the Bears’ offensive coordinator, tight end Greg Olsen saw the writing on the wall. Martz has never really had much use for the tight end as a pass catcher in his offensive scheme, and catching the ball is what Olsen does best.Olsen wanted to be traded, but it took more than a year to facilitate his request, when they shipped him to the Panthers last week for a third-round draft choice. “He came at me hard last year,” general manager Jerry Angelo said. “I understood it. I told him I’d think about it. Greg is a great kid, works his tail off. I said, ‘Greg, no, I don’t see that being in our best interest.’“It’s about the team. I said, ‘That’s going to hurt our football team.’ I said, ‘You’re going to have to suck it up, just do your job. You’ve got a contract, we’ve paid you well for your services.’ “He’s a professional, and he took the high road. I respect that. This year was different. We’re really not looking for Kellen Winslow. We’re looking for Mike Ditka. The tight ends we have now really fit more the profile we want for our offense. And we got some good compensation. They got a heck of a tight end. Greg is in a good spot. We hope he’s in the Pro Bowl and he has a great career. We really wish him the best.”A look ahead: Thursday’s 7 p.m. practice at Olivet Nazarene is the first time free agents are eligible to practice per the new collective bargaining agreement.Friday night at 7, the Bears will practice at Soldier Field before returning to ONU for five straight days of practice (Saturday through Wednesday). There are back-to-back off days prior to the preseason opener at home against the Bills at 7 p.m., Aug. 13 at Soldier Field.End of the road: Tight end Draylen Ross, a 6-foot-4, 292-pound undrafted rookie from North Texas, was waived Wednesday.ź Follow Bob’s Bears reports via Twitter @Bob LeGere and check out our Bear Essentials blog at dailyherald.com.
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Why Phillips decides to stay at NU
While Illinois might have pulled at his heartstrings, Jim Phillips never planned for anything other than staying as Northwestern's athletic director. Phillips received a 10-year contract Wednesday to remain in Evanston.
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Hawks will give Emery shot to backup Crawford
Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman said veteran goalie Ray Emery will be competing with Swedish rookie Alexander Salak to be Corey Crawford's backup.
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Hawks lock up Sharp with 5-year deal
The Blackhawks locked up the final piece of their core group Wednesday by signing forward Patrick Sharp to a five-year contract extension. Sharp, who still have one year remaining on his existing deal, now is signed through 2017.
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UIC basketball gets clearance for transfer
UIC head men’s basketball coach Howard Moore’s frontcourt for the upcoming season just got deeper. The UIC Athletic Department announced Wednesday that Toledo transfer Hayden Humes was granted a legislative relief waiver, allowing him to play for the Flames this season.
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Bears’ Toub expects strong special teams
BOURBONNAIS — Four of the Bears’ top six special teams tacklers are gone, and their punter of the past 10 years is also history, but that doesn’t mean coordinator Dave Toub won’t have one of the league’s best units again.Punter Brad Maynard, 37, has been replaced by 27-year-old Adam Podlesh. The former Jacksonville Jaguar was a Pro Bowl alternate last year, and he’s a player the Bears targeted after determining Maynard was not in their plans. “(Podlesh) was always our No. 1 guy,” said Toub whose 2006 and ’07 units finished No. 1 in the NFL in special teams rankings and are perennially one of the NFL’s best. “As soon as we were able to call him, we tried to recruit him. He fits us. He’s very athletic, he runs a 4.4 (40-yard dash), he’s got great hands, and he’s a directional punter. He’s a young Maynard is what he is. He’s reaching his prime right now.”Maynard was not happy when he was told he would no longer be in the Bears’ plans, and he left with some acrimony. He felt there was a deterioration in communication with Toub the past couple years, and they sometimes disagreed on strategy.“Brad did a lot for the Bears,” Toub said. “He did a lot for himself. He did a lot for me. He’s a solid guy. I’m sorry to see the way he felt at the end. I didn’t know he felt that way. That’s unfortunate. We wish him the best down the road. I still think he can play, I think he has some years left.”Maynard signed a one-year contract with the Houston Texans on Monday. As far as who will be covering punts this year for the Bears, that remains to be seen. Gone are Garrett Wolfe, Rashied Davis, Rod Wilson and Josh Bullocks, who finished second, fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively, in special teams tackles last season. “I think about that all the time,” said cornerback Corey Graham, who led the Bears and the NFL with 25 special teams tackles and was re-signed Saturday as an unrestricted free agent. “It’s definitely going to a different group of guys out there. We lost a lot of guys. Hopefully we can bring in some guys or some of the young guys will step up and make some plays for us, and we have to find a way to get it done regardless.” Getting Graham back was huge for a unit that usually has a high turnover rate and is often populated by young players.“To be able to keep a veteran like that and have him in the room, it’s going to be the key for us,” Toub said.Linebacker Brian Iwuh, an unrestricted free-agent linebacker who tied with Wolfe for second on the team last year with 18 tackles, was re-signed on Sunday. An even more significant addition to the coverage units is Sam Hurd, the former Cowboys unrestricted free-agent wideout, who signed a three-year contract last week that could be worth as much as $5.15 including incentives. The 6-3, 208-pound, Northern Illinois University product has 45 career receptions for 630 yards and 2 touchdowns. But it’s on special teams where the 26-year-old, sixth-year veteran has made his mark. He has 72 career special teams tackles, including 40 over the last two seasons. Last season he had a career-high 21 tackles to go along with 14 receptions for 120 yards. Hurd and Graham will be the Bears’ gunners, the players on either end of the punt-coverage team, the ones who get the most attention from opponents and usually make the most tackles.“Corey has been that guy for a number of years now,” Toub said. “Gunner is a specialty position. In a lot of ways, it’s a finesse position, and he’s got those techniques down. He’s a good tackler in space. He’s smart. He’s got good enough speed, and he’s a great instinct player.”With Hurd on the other side and Podlesh providing accuracy and a strong leg, the Bears again have the nucleus of exceptional special teams.
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Chicago Sky game day
Scouting report for the Chicago Sky vs. New York Liberty at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
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Rules changes OK’d for boys lacrosse
The current 10-second count to return to the goal area in high school boys lacrosse will be eliminated beginning with the 2012 season. The National Federation of State High School Associations Boys Lacrosse Rules Committee also clarified rules regarding offside situations and a “Get it in/Keep it in” command for game officials.
Business
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The next deficit deal: There's a rough road ahead
The special panel's goal is lofty: concoct a deal both parties will embrace to slash federal deficits by a mammoth $1.5 trillion or more over the next decade.
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Dow edges higher, breaking an 8-day losing streak
Stocks are finishing higher after a volatile day on Wall Street.
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Oil below $92 on concern about economy, demand
Oil fell to its lowest level in five weeks on Wednesday as more signs of a slowing U.S. economy raised concerns about demand for everything from gasoline to natural gas used to cool homes.Benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude dropped $1.86 to settle at $91.93 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. In London, Brent crude fell $3.23 to settle at $113.23 per barrel on the ICE Futures exchange.Economic data released Wednesday showed fewer U.S. factory orders, a slowdown in the service industry and rising supplies of crude and gasoline. That's pushing down the price of oil."Traders are fixated on a weakening economy and all the talk of austerity seems to be driving home a message of lower consumption," energy consultants Cameron Hanover wrote in a note to clients. "It is not just here, either. Economic data from the euro-zone, China, Japan and the U.S. all seem to be disappointing.""I think a lot of people are pulling back and exiting high-risk type areas despite the fact that you can't get much out of CDs or other fixed-income-type instruments," energy analyst Jim Ritterbusch said. "They're just looking for safety, and it's just sticking the money in the mattress so to speak."The Institute for Supply Management said the service industry, which employs nearly 90 percent of the country's work force, in July experienced its weakest growth in 17 months. The trade group's index covers a range of companies in health care, retail, financial services and other areas.The Commerce Department said factory orders fell 0.8 percent in June. It's the second time in three months that demand has weakened.And the Energy Department said supplies of crude oil, gasoline and distillates — which include heating oil and diesel — rose last week.Wholesale demand for gasoline over the four weeks ended July 29 — the traditional height of the heavy summer driving season — was 3.6 percent lower than a year earlier, averaging early 9.1 million barrels a day.The weekly report on retail gas consumption from MasterCard SpendingPulse showed demand was down for the 19th straight week."While gasoline can be a reflection of economic activity and outlooks, it can also be a leading indicator," Cameron Hanover said. "If that is the case here, it is not a pretty picture."Prices at the pump were virtually unchanged on Wednesday, at a national average of $3.701 a gallon, according to AAA, Wright Express and the Oil Price Information Service. That's almost 98 cents more than a year ago.Ritterbusch said he expects the price to fall by about a nickel by the end of next week as gasoline futures decline.In other Nymex trading for September contracts, heating oil fell 7.27 cents to settle at $3.0189 per gallon, gasoline futures lost 10.6 cents to settle at $2.9313 per gallon and natural gas dropped 6.5 cents to settle at $4.090 per 1,000 cubic feet.
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Katango launches Web service to organize friends
As the number of your Facebook friends and Twitter followers grows, a new crop of online services are trying to help organize your social-networking buddies into smaller groups so you don't have to share everything with everyone.
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Inland Real Estate posts lower results for 2Q
Inland Real Estate Corp. on Wednesday reported lower second-quarter results as the shopping center owner absorbed hefty charges related to a write-down on a joint venture.
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Global cyberattack under way for 5 years
A computer security firm says cybercriminals have spent at least the past five years targeting more than 70 government entities, nonprofit groups and corporations around the world to steal troves of data.
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Trustee: All Giordano's using approved ingredients
The bankruptcy trustee for Giordano's says all of the chain's Chicago-style, deep-dish pizza restaurants are again using its proprietary products.
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White House: no double-dip recession seen
President Barack Obama's spokesman is discounting talk that the economy may be headed back into recession, despite recent concerns of economists.
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Caterpillar wants to lower property taxes
Caterpillar Inc. is asking Illinois' property tax appeals board to reverse decisions by Peoria and Tazewell counties and lower the value of the Fortune 500 company's local properties by $28 million.
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6 ways the debt deal could hurt college students
College is already expensive. Now the government's 11th-hour agreement to raise the debt ceiling is set to push costs higher.
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Unemployment rose in nearly all US cities
Unemployment rose in more than 90 percent of U.S. cities in June, mirroring a national slowdown in hiring.
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UOP, ExxonMobil create technology licensing alliance
PRNewswireDES PLAINES — UOP LLC, a Honeywell company, has formed a licensing alliance with ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Company to offer integrated solutions for the production of lubricant oils and high-quality fuels. The agreement between Honeywell UOP and EMRE will provide a one-stop solution for refiners to maximize production levels of both lubricant oils and diesel fuel. The alliance brings together EMRE technology, used to produce lube base oils for use in motor oil, with UOP hydroprocessing solutions, which produce the high-quality feedstocks needed for lubricant production.Customers will also be able to access integrated process design solutions for EMRE fuel dewaxing technologies and UOP hydroprocessing solutions to produce high-cetane, ultraclean diesel for cold climates in a single engineering package“By bringing together these two well-established portfolios, we are maximizing solutions for our customers to produce more and better products from each barrel of crude,” said Pete Piotrowski, vice president and general manager of process technology and equipment for Honeywell’s UOP. “The integration of EMRE and UOP technologies allows refiners to achieve impressive yields of dewaxed fuels and lube products while optimizing their operating and capital costs.”UOP UnicrackingT hydroprocessing processes and catalysts upgrade crude oil to produce ultraclean distillate products and lube oil feedstocks. UOP has been developing and licensing hydroprocessing solutions, including advanced catalysts and specialty equipment, for more than 50 years, with more than 200 units licensed in over 40 countries.EMRE is the research and engineering arm of Exxon Mobil Corporation, a leading global oil, natural gas, and petrochemicals company whose subsidiaries have operations in nearly 200 countries and territories.
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Sikich introduces subscription-based HR consulting service
AURORA — Sikich LLP, a nationally recognized public accounting and business advisory firm, introduces a subscription based Human Resource and Consulting service. The service gives subscribers access to seasoned HR professionals who help clients deal with a variety of human resource issues and employee relations’ challenges. Each client is assigned a designated contact who typically has more than 12 years of human resource experience in a variety of industries. This individual will effectively become part of the client’s HR team, tuned in to their issues and concerns.“The complexity of employment law continues to challenge organizations of all sizes. We frequently receive calls from organizations seeking practical pointers on how recent regulatory changes affect them. Our subscription service is designed to allow our clients to budget an amount for HR services and feel confident they will have assistance to respond to new regulatory challenges and establishing good employee relations’ practices,” said Karen Sanchez, partner-in-charge, human resources & employee benefits, Sikich LLP.Subscriptions can be tailored to meet the specific needs of organizations, with a set number of hours/research time per quarter. Also included with subscriptions is a monthly email communication filled with valuable operational information, interactive webinars focused on hot topics in the HR world, and access to a password protected section of the Sikich website which includes short videos on key HR topics, past webinars, and a form/resource library.
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RiverGlass Signs Strategic Alliance With CP Document Technologies
MarketwireWEST CHICAGO — RiverGlass Inc., a provider of electronic discovery and investigation technologies, has entered into partnership with CP Document Technologies, a litigation support services and data management solutions provider.The partnership positions CP Document Technologies as one of RiverGlass’ Gold Certified partners offering RiverGlass Solutions for eDiscovery, the company said in a statement.“Our strategic alliance with CP Document Technologies brings our combined offerings to the Southern California market. CP Document Technologies has established itself as a leader in the competitive service provider market, offering a comprehensive array of services and working with some of the most prestigious law firms and corporations in the country. We are excited about partnering with them and growing our combined offering,” said Mary Pat Poteet, RiverGlass VP of eDiscovery.Mike Driver, chief executive officer of CP Document Technologies said RiverGlass will provide “next-generation capabilities for early data assessment.”“The technology is robust and has several highly differentiated capabilities,” Driver said. “We believe the ability to collect from the web, process both unstructured and structured data and provide advanced analytics are potential game changers and that’s why we chose to partner with RiverGlass,” stated.
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Prolamina Acquires Packaging Dynamics Business Unit
PRNewswireLAKE FOREST — Prolamina Corporation said it will acquire a unit of Packaging Dynamics Corporation in Kaukauna, Wis. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.The acquisition will encompass Packaging Dynamics’ extrusion laminating, 10-color printing and converting business. The additional customers and equipment will support Prolamina’s focus on the food and medical packaging markets and its growing business. In particular, it will allow Prolamina to quickly begin producing additional, unique products for its customers. Key members of the operating management staff of the Packaging Dynamics unit will join the Prolamina team.All of the acquired Packaging Dynamics equipment will be relocated into Prolamina’s new plant in Neenah, Wis., making the new plant one of the largest and lowest cost operations in the packaging industry.“This acquisition is good for both Prolamina and Packaging Dynamics. We are a specialist at this type of manufacturing and we will become even better,” said Harold Bevis, founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Prolamina. “Likewise, Packaging Dynamics, through its Thilmany Papers business unit, is an expert at papermaking and we are entering into a supply agreement for a great source of quality papers. “Prolamina will now become one of Packaging Dynamics’ largest customers. We are also upgrading the acquired machines to be state-of-the-art and then reinstalling them alongside our new machines. As a result of these changes, we will now have a great footprint in the Midwest for high-end flexible packaging production. In less than a year, Prolamina has created an innovative, low-cost competitive force in the industry for our targeted markets,” he added.Chief Operating Officer Tim French said the company have a manufacturing footprint that includes three plants, 12 laminators, 13 printing presses, two graphics design centers, in-house metallization, and converting equipment that includes laser scoring/perforating and preformed pouch making.“We have redundant production among the three operations and provide state-of-the-art supply certainty to our customers,” French saidCompletion of the transaction is expected in the third quarter of 2011.
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Gallagher acquires Group Benefits of Arkansas
PRNewswireITASCA — Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. will acquire Group Benefits of Arkansas, LLC in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.Established in 2004, Group Benefits of Arkansas offers a wide range of employee benefit consultation and brokerage services for their middle-market clients in Arkansas and Oklahoma. They specialize in group medical, dental, life and disability insurance with an emphasis on consumer directed plans such as health savings accounts, health reimbursement arrangements and cafeteria plans. Andy Jackson, Ron Novak and their associates will continue to operate in their current location under the direction of John Neumaier, south central regional executive vice president of Gallagher’s employee benefit consulting and brokerage operations.“GBA is a great example of a progressive agency that’s committed to growth which is one of the things we look for in an acquisition partner. It is also our first benefits-only acquisition in Arkansas which helps us expand our client service capabilities in that region,” said J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., chairman, president and CEO. “Their team-based culture focuses on providing their clients with cost effective solutions and quality service, which is a great complement to our employee benefits operation. We are pleased to welcome Andy, Ron and their team to our growing Gallagher family of professionals.”
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Nalco reports strong 2Q results
PRNewswireNAPERVILLE — Nalco reported record sales of $1.2 billion for the second quarter of 2011, according to the company’s financial statement.The sales numbers were up were up 8 percent over last year. Excluding approximately $70 million in sales from the Gulf of Mexico emergency response in the year ago period, sales grew 16 percent. A 3 percent increase n price is reflected in the strong performance as well as 8 percent volume growth and a favorable currency impact of 5 percent.“Our strong performance with high revenue growth and accelerated price escalation, delivered solid earnings growth and positions us well for the second half of 2011 and into 2012,” said Erik Fyrwald, Nalco chairman and chief executive officer. “I’m very proud of how our sales professionals, supported by the rest of our team, are working to deliver and share value with our customers in an environment of record raw material costs.”Last month, Minnesota-based Ecolab announced it would be acquiring Nalco later this year. “Our planned merger with Ecolab will create even more value as our companies come together — combining Ecolab’s leading capabilities in cleaning and sanitization with our leading positions in water, process and energy services,” Fyrwald said. “In addition to $150 million in previously stated cost synergies, we see significant revenue synergy opportunities including taking advantage of Ecolab’s very strong positions in Food & Beverage and Institutional markets where Nalco has strong offerings and attractive margins but a smaller position. “Together we can accelerate growth of our water services business in these markets. We also see opportunities to further improve profitability and earnings consistency through corporate account management, business execution, strategic sourcing and other approaches that Ecolab has effectively demonstrated through the years,” he said.Diluted earnings per share were 42 cents compared to 41 cents in the year-ago quarter.
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Calamos income, earnings rise in 2Q
PRNewswireNAPERVILLE — Calamos Asset Management Inc. reported a slight decrease in overall asset management for the second quarter of 2011, but incomes and earnings continued to rise during the same period.Assets under management were $37.4 billion for the quarter ending June 30, down 2 percent from $38.0 billion at the end of the first quarter, but up 25 percent from $29.9 billion at the end of the second quarter last year.Revenues during the period increased 3 percent to $92.9 million from $90.5 million for the first quarter and by 15 percent from $80.5 million last year. Operating income was $39.3 million, a 5 percent increase from $37.3 million in the first quarter and up 33 percent from $29.7 million last year.“Calamos Asset Management continues its position of financial strength and the company’s balance sheet remains solid. The quarter, however, brought a slight reduction in Assets under management largely due to market depreciation and, to a lesser extent, slightly negative outflows. We remain constructive on the long-term opportunities we see for the firm as well as for our shareholders and clients,” said John P. Calamos, Sr., chief executive officer and co-chief investment officer.The diluted earnings per share was $0.32, compared to $0.23 per share last quarter and $0.23 a year ago. Diluted earnings per share increased from the prior periods due to increases in operating income and realized gains on the sale of investment securities, the company said in a release. It declared a regular quarterly dividend of 9.5 cents per share payable on August 31, 2011 to shareholders of record on August 16“We are pleased with the firm’s long-term investment performance, reflecting our investment team’s philosophy to manage risk and return over an extended time horizon and throughout multiple market cycles. We also continue to generate notable returns from some of our newer strategies, including those for emerging markets and global/international equities. Overall investment performance for the quarter was at or near benchmark,” Calamos said.
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Nicor 2Q profit falls 21 percent
Natural gas distributor Nicor Inc. said Wednesday its second-quarter earnings fell 21 percent as higher costs offset an improvement in revenue. The company also reaffirmed its outlook for the year.
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10 companies tell Illinois of planned lay-offs
Sun-Times Media Holdings is among 10 companies that have notified the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity they will lay-off workers starting in September.
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New Blackberries with touch screens coming
Research In Motion is unveiling five new BlackBerrys with touchscreens, as it hopes to revive the line's dwindling appeal in the face of competition from the iPhone and Android smartphones.
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Global airline profits hit by sky-high fuel costs
Sky-high fuel prices have hit the profits of the world's airlines though Europe's carriers recovered after suffering last year from a volcanic ash cloud that brought traffic to a standstill, the industry's main lobby group said Wednesday.
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ESPN promises new jobs under Conn. program
BRISTOL, Conn. — ESPN and Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Tuesday the construction of a digital technology building and the addition of at least 200 jobs over five years in exchange for millions of dollars in state tax breaks.Malloy and officials at the Bristol-based ESPN said the sports network will be the third company participating in Connecticut’s “First Five” program that combines state tax credits to encourage five businesses to create jobs.ESPN will get a 10-year, $17.5 million state loan to build its digital center and up to $1.2 million for a job-training grant program. The Connecticut Development Authority also may help with as much as $6 million in tax exemptions on certain equipment and construction materials.The jobs announcement is ESPN’s second since March when it said it will add 125 jobs, primarily by moving jobs from its publishing division in New York. It employs 3,800 workers at Bristol.Ed Durso, executive vice president at ESPN, said the commitment to now add 200 positions is “over and above any jobs we’ve ever spoken about or mentioned.”ESPN said as many as 800 jobs could be created as state tax breaks are available. The $1.2 million earmarked for job training ranges from $300,000 for 200 new jobs to $150,000 for each additional 100 jobs.The state’s so-called “First Five” initiative is intended to consolidate various tax credits to draw the first five businesses that invest $25 million in Connecticut and create 200 jobs over five years. ESPN said it will invest $100 million in building and equipping its digital center, which will house studios, production control rooms and other facilities. It is expected to be operating by 2014.Cigna and online ticket exchange TicketNetwork Inc. were the first two businesses to promise more jobs in exchange for state tax credits.The three companies already operate in Connecticut. Malloy told reporters after the announcement at ESPN that negotiating to bring companies from outside Connecticut is more complicated because office and manufacturing space must be acquired.“Those deals are going to take a little bit longer to bring about,” he said.Durso said the tax credits made a difference in expanding at its Bristol site. ESPN, a unit of The Walt Disney Co., also has operations in California, North Carolina and Texas.“I think it’s significant,” he said. “These kinds of projects, you’re looking for every nickel and we have to justify to our corporate parent what we’re spending and why. And if we can add to that mix the support that we get from the state every bit counts.”Durso said ESPN had plans to grow in Connecticut.“Exactly how and where and why was always an open question,” he said.The jobs to be added are in programming, sales, marketing, research and administrative support, Durso said. A Republican lawmaker criticized providing state incentives to companies already doing business in Connecticut. Elected officials should do more to cut taxes and improve transportation to attract and keep business, said Rep. Selim G. Noujaim, a member of the Commerce Committee.“They’re already in Connecticut and how much are we spending to keep them here?” he asked. “We need to look at the cost of doing business in Connecticut rather than spending millions of dollars to entice businesses to Connecticut.”However, Edward Deak, a Fairfield University economist, said state assistance to Cigna and ESPN cements the presence of two large companies in Connecticut.“It would it be nice if someone brought 200 brand new jobs in laser technology,” he said. “That would be great. But keeping jobs here isn’t terrible, either.”
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Judge hears arguments over Globes broadcast rights
LOS ANGELES — Attorneys for the organizers of the Golden Globe Awards and its longtime producers sparred Tuesday over whether an 18-year-old agreement gave the company a perpetual right to work on the show as long as it airs on NBC.If the agreement is interpreted as the producers want, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association argued that it would lose crucial rights to its signature property — a glitzy awards gala that is worth millions of dollars each year. The producers, dick clark productions, however, claimed they received a now-disputed perpetuity clause in part for resurrecting the show after a scandal knocked it from airwaves in early 1980s.After six hours of arguments, U.S. District Judge Valerie Baker Fairbank, said she planned to issue a ruling this week. She gave no indication of how she would rule and asked few questions.In a filing Monday, she asked attorneys to address whether the producers’ interpretation of a 1993 agreement with the HFPA — that it had rights to work on the show as long as it aired on NBC — would result in an “absurdity.”“It would plainly result in an absurdity,” HFPA attorney Daniel Petrocelli argued. “We would be at their mercy. Forever.”An attorney for the production company, also known as dcp, argued that courts have long upheld the rights of parties to enter into agreements that might seem strange to outsiders. In the case of the nearly 30-year history between the HFPA and dcp, the perpetuity clause made sense, attorney Brad Phillips said.The production company “had accomplished essentially miracles for this show,” Phillips said. “There is nothing absurd about it at all.”At stake is not only of Hollywood’s highest-profile awards shows, but also tens of millions of dollars. Tax records for 2009, the most recent year available, show that HFPA received $7.5 million for the Globes. HFPA and dcp split revenues from the Globes 50-50 under their agreement, which was first entered in 1983. Their relationship began months after CBS canceled its contract to air the show after a controversy emerged over the HFPA, long criticized for being too cozy with the stars it honored, was accused of impropriety in awarding a newcomer award to Pia Zadora.HFPA President Aida Takla-O’Reilly, seated in the front row at the hearing, shook her head as Phillips recounted the scandal.The association of roughly 80 foreign journalists sued the production company in November, claiming it negotiated an extension for the Globes to air on NBC through 2018 without proper permission. Phillips earlier in the day urged Fairbank to reject HFPA’s claims, arguing they should have sued years ago. Petrocelli said the association had to wait until dcp acted improperly — by signing a new deal with NBC — before it could sue.Both sides highlighted language from the 1993 agreement and numerous discussions about it since then to try to sway the judge. Phillips said that as recently as 2009, the HFPA tried to negotiate its way out of the “perpetuity” clause, but rejected a proposal that the groups enter into a 30-year deal.If the judge does not rule for either side, a jury trial to decide the broadcast rights ownership will begin on Aug. 30.The HFPA has said there is plenty of time to plan next year’s show, regardless of whether they win this round in court or have to take their case to a jury.
Life & Entertainment
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Kutcher takes on billionaire role on ‘Men'
Ashton Kutcher will play “an Internet billionaire with a broken heart” when he arrives as the new star of “Two and a Half Men” next month. CBS Entertainment Nina Tassler shared this tidbit about the much-anticipated cast change for TV's biggest sitcom during a session with television reporters Wednesday.
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Follow-up to ‘Push' provokes, disappoints
At the end of “Push,” the heartbreaking 1996 novel that introduced the character of Precious, baby Abdul represents a glimmer of hope. In “The Kid,” author Sapphire picks up Abdul's story about nine years later after his mother has just died.
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The savory side of mint
Mint has a savory side. In Thailand, whole mint leaves add a pleasantly bracing flavor to spring rolls. In Vietnam, they are folded into meaty lettuce wraps. In Italy, mint is stirred into a pasta sauce and pureed for a variation on pesto.
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Kate Middleton gets fashion list honors
Kate Middleton finds herself in the company of Michelle Obama and Carla Bruni-Sarkozy on top of Vanity Fair's International Best Dressed List. The Duchess of Cambridge's mix of high and low looks — designer fashion one day, jeans the next — and a “whirlwind year of fashion successes” earned her a spot on the 72-year-old list, according to a statement from the magazine. She had appeared once before, in 2008.
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Hulu jumps into original programming with Spurlock
Hulu, the online video service that primarily shows reruns from major broadcasters, is getting into the business of original programming. In the first of several projects, the company teamed up with Morgan Spurlock for "A Day in the Life" — six half-hour episodes where filmmakers follow around famous people.
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Dining events: Patty Burger ready to rock
Patty Burger is ready to rock Lollapalooza with $3 specialty burgers Friday and Saturday for guests of the fest. Show your Lollapalooza wristband and indulge in My Morning Jack and Cheese Burger, the Smith Westerns BBQ Burger and more.
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Sheen's 'Men' character to be killed off
Charlie Sheen's “Two and A Half Men” character not only will be killed off, he also will be given a funeral when the TV series returns in September, according to entertainment industry website Deadline Hollywood.
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Exclusively Napa brings California wine vibe to Crystal Lake
Exclusively Napa opened in June with the goal of bringing the laidback California tasting room feel to Crystal Lake. A wine bar and retail store, the spot is a great place to start or continue your wine education.
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Oprah Winfrey, James Earl Jones to receive Oscars
Oprah Winfrey, James Earl Jones and makeup artist Dick Smith have been picked to receive honorary Oscars. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences says the three will be honored with Oscar statuettes at the Governors Awards in November.
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Best bets: Haley's back in town
Cheer on Wheeling native and "American Idol" finalist Haley Reinhart when she comes back to town Saturday as part of the American Idol Live! Tour 2011, which stops at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont.
Discuss
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Too dysfunctional to lead
Republicans were able to take a routine procedure — the debt-limit increase — and turn it into a powerful policy lever. This maneuver certainly will be turned against GOP presidents in the future. But it worked well this time. While congressional Republicans suffered tactical reverses along the way, they won a strategic triumph.
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A hold-your-nose deal on debt
Obama tried, and failed, to shake Republicans out of their fevered dream that the $14.3 trillion national debt can be brought under control with budget cuts only. Indeed, the tea party zealots who cowed the party into rejecting all proposals for new revenue will only feel emboldened.
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Obama’s lack of experience showing
We are past the halfway point of Obama's term and I would have to say our country is in about the worst shape I can recall in my lifetime. The president tries to offload responsibility for many things on Congress or this committee or that council, and he has blamed problems on past administrations,
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Put down your cell; watch for workers
Letter to the Editor: Welcome to the construction season in a town near you. The men and women doing these necessary jobs have someone waiting for them to arrive home after work.Please practice some simple safety rules as you sit comfortably in your air-conditioned and dry vehicle.
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Who will save planet if not us?
Letter to the Editor: I am shocked and appalled that our government would incarcerate someone like Tim DeChristopher for standing up for public lands, but I am renewed in my determination to organize to save our planet because I recognize the government will not do it for us.
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No curtain call for debt ceiling charade
Letter to the Editor: It is high time alert citizens close the curtain of falsely dichotomous political theater with respect to the fire alarm gimmick known as the federal “debt ceiling.”
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GOP wants to end Medicare, Social Security
An Antioch letter to the editor: Here is whats really going on. If the House can pass a balanced budget amendment, these same pols will have the perfect excuse to destroy Medicare and Medicaid and will eliminate Social Security for American workers, which is what they have wanted all along.
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Re-election is all Obama wants
A Spring Grove letter to the editor: Many people are being fooled by the debate between the White House and the congressional Republicans.
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Comcast posts higher 2Q profit
Comcast Corp., the country's largest cable TV company, is bucking the trend among cable companies by making more money from its TV subscribers.
Aug 2011
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