Briefs: Slain boy wasn't target
Chicago police say the bullet that killed 10-year-old Arthur Jones several blocks from his South Side home Wednesday was probably meant for someone else. "At this point, it appears he was an innocent bystander," police spokeswoman Monique Bond said late Wednesday. Neighbors and family members said Arthur, a fifth-grader at Holmes Elementary School, was headed to a convenience store or fast food restaurant with his best friend to buy an after-school snack when he was shot in the neck. "My God, my God," cried his father, Eric Jones Sr. "When I got there, I couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe it." Arthur died a short time later at the University of Chicago's Comer Children's Hospital, authorities said.
Fitzgerald getting married
The federal prosecutor who spearheaded Washington's CIA leak investigation and the trial of former administration aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby is engaged to be married, an aide confirmed Thursday. Patrick J. Fitzgerald, 46, the U.S. attorney in Chicago since September 2001, plans to marry Jennifer Letzkus, 34, a teacher, spokesman Randall Samborn confirmed. Samborn said the couple plan a "small private wedding" but declined to say exactly when or where. He also would not provide Letzkus's hometown. An item in Thursday's Washington Post said Letzkus is a former investment banker who is now a Head Start teacher.
Unemployment rate down
Illinois' unemployment rate fell to 5.1 percent in September, from 5.4 percent the month before. State and federal officials say Illinois had 17,800 fewer unemployed people last month. Government and education and health care services were the growth sectors in September. Government added 6,400 jobs, while education and health care added 2,000. Illinois employers have added 43,600 new jobs this year overall. And the state says Illinois has added 185,300 jobs since January 2004.
Woman saved from fire
A 46-year-old Chicago man rescued an 82-year-old Prospect Heights woman from her apartment after a burning candle set a kitchen cabinet on fire at Lake Run Apartments, 16 E. Old Willow Road, police said. According to reports, the man saw the woman standing on her balcony screaming for help around 1 p.m. Tuesday. He ran into the building, through her apartment and led her from the balcony out the front apartment door. She was taken to Glenbrook Hospital in Glenview for observation, reports said. The fire was confined to the cabinet; a damage estimate was not available. Names of the two people were not released.
Dog yoga class Saturday
What's touted as the area's first dog yoga class is coming to Barrington Saturday. The "doga" class will feature dog massages, agility training, concentration exercises, physical therapy and "vibrational healing." The class is scheduled for 8 to 9 a.m. Saturday at Citizens Park in Barrington, 511 Lake Zurich Road. There is a suggested donation of $10. The money raised will be used to benefit Fur Keeps Animal Rescue in Barrington Hills. For more information or to RSVP, call Yogawerks at (847) 713-2423.