dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-26--Mike McGraw: Like Payton, Bryant is a famous sports dad gone too soon

There was a time , before the wave of web-only news , when I was usually the last person to leave the press room at the United Center .
After one particularly long night , after the Bulls played the Lakers , I walked out of the room as usual .
The hallways were empty .
The players , equipment managers , friends and family , security guards were long gone .
Then suddenly , the door to the visitors locker room opened up and out walked Lakers star Kobe Bryant with a small entourage .
It was the strangest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there ?
Maybe I should have asked him , but just walked past .
I guess he did n't need a night out in Chicago , something most NBA players look forward to .
Hanging in the locker room with a few people was his formula to unwind .
Bryant died Sunday morning in a helicopter crash in California .
He was just 41 .
Bryant left an impressive legacy as a player .
He probably dropped out of the greatest-of-all-time argument dominated by Michael Jordan and LeBron James .
But he 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second-best shooting guard ever , second-best late-game clutch scorer , behind only Jordan .
At 9:39 p.m. on Saturday night , Bryant sent a tweet congratulating James for passing him on the NBA 's all-time scoring list .
Bryant had some issues as a player , questions about being a good teammate , along with some troubling legal issues .
Later in his career , he was certainly a class act .
His farewell news conference at the United Center in 2016 was impressive .
News of Bryant 's death shook the sports @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thoughts were of Walter Payton , my favorite athlete when I was a kid , who we lost at age 45 .
Different circumstances , but another athlete who should have had a much longer run as a living legend .
During the 1990s , I 'd often see Payton at high school games , watching his son Jarrett , who played soccer and football at St. Viator .
One of the many tragic aspects of his passing was Walter never got to see Jarrett carry the ball in the national championship game @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on both his children as they 've progressed as broadcasters .
Bryant has four daughters and appeared to be heavily invested in their sports career .
The oldest , Natalia , is a junior in high school and specializes in volleyball .
The second-oldest , Gianna , has been billed as one of the best ninth-grade basketball players in the country and Bryant reportedly coached her middle school team .
Multiple reports said Gianna also died in the accident .
Even if an athlete is famous across the globe , his greatest impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The years his daughters will spend without their father and sister are truly tragic .
I wish I could say I had some personal encounters with Bryant .
My strongest memory of covering him was probably after rumors spread of him asking to be traded to the Bulls sometime in the mid-2000s .
When the Bulls went out West the following season , I waited at his locker with Jay Mariotti before a game hoping we could ask him about it , but he never showed .
I was fortunate to cover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when the Lakers beat the Indiana Pacers in the 2000 NBA Finals .
After the Lakers ' clinching victory in Game 6 , no one was allowed to leave the Staples Center for a few hours , because the celebration outside had gotten out of hand .
I hung out in the tunnel with a few stranded celebrities and eventually saw Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal leave ( separately ) in triumph .
Then I walked outside and past the charred , overturned police car that Lakers fans had set on fire .
Lakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Bryant that is well-documented .
Bryant always seemed willing to give advice to other NBA players , just as Jordan did for him .
The torch passed from Jordan to Bryant to James and the competition is underway to determine the NBA 's next legend .
Whoever it is , one of the forefathers will be missed .

Mike McGraw: Like Payton, Bryant is a famous sports dad gone too soon
1998: Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan, right, is held up by Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant during fourth quarter action, Feb. 1, 1998, in Inglewood, California. Lakers routed the Bulls, 112-87. Associated Press
There was a time, before the wave of web-only news, when I was usually the last person to leave the press room at the United Center.
After one particularly long night, after the Bulls played the Lakers, I walked out of the room as usual. The hallways were empty. The players, equipment managers, friends and family, security guards were long gone.
Then suddenly, the door to the visitors locker room opened up and out walked Lakers star Kobe Bryant with a small entourage. It was the strangest thing. What was he doing in there?
Maybe I should have asked him, but just walked past. I guess he didn't need a night out in Chicago, something most NBA players look forward to. Hanging in the locker room with a few people was his formula to unwind.
Bryant died Sunday morning in a helicopter crash in California. He was just 41.
Bryant left an impressive legacy as a player. He probably dropped out of the greatest-of-all-time argument dominated by Michael Jordan and LeBron James. But he's certainly an NBA legend, probably the second-best shooting guard ever, second-best late-game clutch scorer, behind only Jordan.
At 9:39 p.m. on Saturday night, Bryant sent a tweet congratulating James for passing him on the NBA's all-time scoring list.
Bryant had some issues as a player, questions about being a good teammate, along with some troubling legal issues. Later in his career, he was certainly a class act. His farewell news conference at the United Center in 2016 was impressive.
News of Bryant's death shook the sports world on Sunday afternoon. My first thoughts were of Walter Payton, my favorite athlete when I was a kid, who we lost at age 45. Different circumstances, but another athlete who should have had a much longer run as a living legend.
During the 1990s, I'd often see Payton at high school games, watching his son Jarrett, who played soccer and football at St. Viator. One of the many tragic aspects of his passing was Walter never got to see Jarrett carry the ball in the national championship game for Miami in 2003, or cheer on both his children as they've progressed as broadcasters.
Bryant has four daughters and appeared to be heavily invested in their sports career. The oldest, Natalia, is a junior in high school and specializes in volleyball. The second-oldest, Gianna, has been billed as one of the best ninth-grade basketball players in the country and Bryant reportedly coached her middle school team.
Multiple reports said Gianna also died in the accident.
Even if an athlete is famous across the globe, his greatest impact will always be inside his own home. The years his daughters will spend without their father and sister are truly tragic.
I wish I could say I had some personal encounters with Bryant. My strongest memory of covering him was probably after rumors spread of him asking to be traded to the Bulls sometime in the mid-2000s. When the Bulls went out West the following season, I waited at his locker with Jay Mariotti before a game hoping we could ask him about it, but he never showed.
I was fortunate to cover his first championship as a player, when the Lakers beat the Indiana Pacers in the 2000 NBA Finals. After the Lakers' clinching victory in Game 6, no one was allowed to leave the Staples Center for a few hours, because the celebration outside had gotten out of hand.
I hung out in the tunnel with a few stranded celebrities and eventually saw Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal leave (separately) in triumph. Then I walked outside and past the charred, overturned police car that Lakers fans had set on fire. Lakers fans have a passion and unquestioned love for Bryant that is well-documented.
Bryant always seemed willing to give advice to other NBA players, just as Jordan did for him. The torch passed from Jordan to Bryant to James and the competition is underway to determine the NBA's next legend. Whoever it is, one of the forefathers will be missed.
Twitter: @McGrawDHBulls


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-26--Woman fatally shoots state trooper in Lisle cigar lounge, wounds 2 more, kills self

Editor 's note : This story has been changed to include new information Sunday from acting Lisle Police Chief Ron Wilke that police have learned McMullan and the slain trooper did not attend the same high school in the 1980s , as authorities originally reported .
A 51-year-old woman shot and killed one retired state police officer and wounded two other troopers before taking her own life Friday night in a Lisle cigar lounge , police said .
Retired Trooper Gregory Rieves , 51 , died after Lisa V. McMullan of Chicago suddenly pulled out a gun inside a room @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others at close range , Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said at a Saturday morning news conference .
Off-duty Trooper Kaiton Bullock , 48 , who has been with the force 22 years and is assigned to District Chicago , is hospitalized in serious but stable condition .
Retired Special Agent Lloyd Graham , 55 , suffered serious injuries and remains hospitalized and stable , officials said .
`` Obviously for the men and women who serve in the Illinois State Police , it 's part and parcel of their job to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and difficult circumstances on a regular basis , '' said Kelly , at the press briefing from the DuPage County coroner 's office .
`` It is not always expected that while they 're off duty that they may have to face that type of violence . ''
Kelly , flanked by DuPage County Coroner Richard Jorgensen and DuPage County State 's Attorney Bob Berlin , addressed news of the retired trooper 's death `` with much sadness and a heavy heart , '' he said .
Rieves retired in March 2019 after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I think he 's someone who was well-loved by all those who worked with him , '' Kelly said .
`` He was known to be a great personality and many people thought very fondly of him . ''
Kelly asked the public to keep Graham and Bullock -- who are recovering at local hospitals with their loved ones -- in their prayers .
Lisle police officers responded about 10:13 p.m. to the Humidor of Lisle , 1600 Ogden Ave. , for a report of a shooting in progress .
They arrived @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the woman dead at the scene and later identified her as McMullan , of Chicago 's Hyde Park neighborhood .
She has no known criminal history and no known local contacts with Lisle police .
Acting Lisle Police Chief Ron Wilke said Sunday that police have learned McMullan and the slain trooper did not attend the same high school in the 1980s , as authorities originally reported .
`` They have also been known to frequent the humidor cigar lounge at the same time , '' police said in a statement Saturday night @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if their relationship was more than just acquaintances . ''
McMullan had a valid Firearm Owners Identification card and a concealed carry license through the Illinois State Police .
A total of seven bullets were recovered by police , including the one McMullan used to take her life .
The three victims were taken to Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove and Edward Hospital in Naperville .
Rieves died in the hospital .
Police said they would not interview the surviving victims until at least Monday to allow them to recover and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that time any connection between the suspect and the victims will be looked into , '' police said in the statement .
Earlier Saturday , Wilke said the shooter knew the victims , but investigators were not yet sure of the extent of their relationship .
`` We are continuing to investigate a possible motive , but we can not provide one as of yet , '' Wilke said in an email .
The shooting was captured on a surveillance video and was reviewed by officers at the scene .
It shows several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a big-screen television .
Without apparent provocation , a woman seated in a chair behind the victims stands up , draws a handgun and shoots the first male victim in the back of the head , police said in a news release .
She then fires several rounds at two additional male victims , before fatally shooting herself in the head .
The shooting was contained to a single room within the building and no other people were injured or involved , police said .
`` We look at all our customers as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the victim and the speedy healing of the injured , '' a Humidor Facebook post stated .
Several area police departments assisted with the response and investigation , including the DuPage Metropolitan Emergency Response and Investigation Team , the DuPage County state 's attorney 's office and DuPage coroner 's office , police said .
`` The quick thinking , decisive action by Lisle PD Officers and all responding personnel in this case is to be commended , '' Lisle police said in the Saturday night statement .
`` They acted without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entered a chaotic and dangerous scene not knowing what they were going to encounter .
Their courage is to be applauded !
`` Our hearts are heavy for the loss and injuries to our ISP colleagues , and they remain in our thoughts as we conduct this investigation . ''
Lisle Trustee Sara Sadat said Saturday night that she learned about the shooting at the airport after returning from an overseas trip .
`` It hurts my heart to have to address this act of senseless violence , '' she said in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I are regulars at that lounge .
... My heart and thoughts are in Lisle with the families of the victims of this senseless crime . ''
The cigar lounge will remain closed Sunday , but a group of its regular patrons will hold a vigil for Rieves outside the business at 10 a.m. , the Sun-Times reported .
• Daily Herald staff writers James Kane and Susan Sarkauskas contributed to this report .

Woman fatally shoots state trooper in Lisle cigar lounge, wounds 2 more, kills self
Editor's note: This story has been changed to include new information Sunday from acting Lisle Police Chief Ron Wilke that police have learned McMullan and the slain trooper did not attend the same high school in the 1980s, as authorities originally reported.
A 51-year-old woman shot and killed one retired state police officer and wounded two other troopers before taking her own life Friday night in a Lisle cigar lounge, police said.
Retired Trooper Gregory Rieves, 51, died after Lisa V. McMullan of Chicago suddenly pulled out a gun inside a room of the lounge and shot the three others at close range, Illinois State Police Director Brendan Kelly said at a Saturday morning news conference.
Retired Illinois State Police Trooper Gregory Rieves, 51, was killed in the shooting at a Lisle cigar lounge Friday night. - Courtesy of Illinois State Police
Off-duty Trooper Kaiton Bullock, 48, who has been with the force 22 years and is assigned to District Chicago, is hospitalized in serious but stable condition. Retired Special Agent Lloyd Graham, 55, suffered serious injuries and remains hospitalized and stable, officials said.
"Obviously for the men and women who serve in the Illinois State Police, it's part and parcel of their job to have to deal with crime, violence and difficult circumstances on a regular basis," said Kelly, at the press briefing from the DuPage County coroner's office. "It is not always expected that while they're off duty that they may have to face that type of violence."
Kelly, flanked by DuPage County Coroner Richard Jorgensen and DuPage County State's Attorney Bob Berlin, addressed news of the retired trooper's death "with much sadness and a heavy heart," he said.
Rieves retired in March 2019 after a 25-year career with state police.
"I think he's someone who was well-loved by all those who worked with him," Kelly said. "He was known to be a great personality and many people thought very fondly of him."
Kelly asked the public to keep Graham and Bullock -- who are recovering at local hospitals with their loved ones -- in their prayers.
Lisle police officers responded about 10:13 p.m. to the Humidor of Lisle, 1600 Ogden Ave., for a report of a shooting in progress. They arrived one minute later.
- Joe Lewnard | Staff Photographer A retired state police officer was killed and two others wounded in a shooting Friday night in a Lisle cigar lounge, police said.
Responding officers found the woman dead at the scene and later identified her as McMullan, of Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood. She has no known criminal history and no known local contacts with Lisle police. Acting Lisle Police Chief Ron Wilke said Sunday that police have learned McMullan and the slain trooper did not attend the same high school in the 1980s, as authorities originally reported.
"They have also been known to frequent the humidor cigar lounge at the same time," police said in a statement Saturday night. "But we have not determined if their relationship was more than just acquaintances."
Lisa V. McMullan
McMullan had a valid Firearm Owners Identification card and a concealed carry license through the Illinois State Police.
A total of seven bullets were recovered by police, including the one McMullan used to take her life.
The three victims were taken to Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove and Edward Hospital in Naperville. Rieves died in the hospital.
Police said they would not interview the surviving victims until at least Monday to allow them to recover and rest from their surgeries.
"At that time any connection between the suspect and the victims will be looked into," police said in the statement.
Earlier Saturday, Wilke said the shooter knew the victims, but investigators were not yet sure of the extent of their relationship.
"We are continuing to investigate a possible motive, but we cannot provide one as of yet," Wilke said in an email.
- Christopher Placek | Staff Photographer Flags were flying at half-mast Saturday at Illinois State Police District 15 headquarters on Ogden Avenue in Downers Grove in honor of fallen retired Trooper Gregory Rieves.
The shooting was captured on a surveillance video and was reviewed by officers at the scene. It shows several people seated in a media room watching a big-screen television.
Without apparent provocation, a woman seated in a chair behind the victims stands up, draws a handgun and shoots the first male victim in the back of the head, police said in a news release. She then fires several rounds at two additional male victims, before fatally shooting herself in the head.
The shooting was contained to a single room within the building and no other people were injured or involved, police said.
The cigar lounge remained closed Saturday.
"We look at all our customers as family and we ask you to pray for the victim and the speedy healing of the injured," a Humidor Facebook post stated.
Several area police departments assisted with the response and investigation, including the DuPage Metropolitan Emergency Response and Investigation Team, the DuPage County state's attorney's office and DuPage coroner's office, police said.
"The quick thinking, decisive action by Lisle PD Officers and all responding personnel in this case is to be commended," Lisle police said in the Saturday night statement. "They acted without regard for their own safety, and entered a chaotic and dangerous scene not knowing what they were going to encounter. Their courage is to be applauded!
"Our hearts are heavy for the loss and injuries to our ISP colleagues, and they remain in our thoughts as we conduct this investigation."
Lisle Trustee Sara Sadat said Saturday night that she learned about the shooting at the airport after returning from an overseas trip.
"It hurts my heart to have to address this act of senseless violence," she said in an emailed statement. "My husband and I are regulars at that lounge. ... My heart and thoughts are in Lisle with the families of the victims of this senseless crime."
The cigar lounge will remain closed Sunday, but a group of its regular patrons will hold a vigil for Rieves outside the business at 10 a.m., the Sun-Times reported.
• Daily Herald staff writers James Kane and Susan Sarkauskas contributed to this report.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-26--Images: Kobe Bryant through the years

Images: Kobe Bryant through the years

In this Saturday , Feb. 6 , 2016 file photo , Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant gestures to fans @ @ @ @ @ the court after an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs in San Antonio @ @ @ @ @ Game for Bryant and the first to be staged outside the U.S. is in Toronto @ @ @ @ @ the first NBA game 70 years ago and is so enthusiastic for basketball now that @ @ @ @ @ ignored no matter what the thermometer says .

Associated Press
In this Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016 file photo, Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant gestures to fans as he walks off of the court after an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs in San Antonio. The final NBA All-Star Game for Bryant and the first to be staged outside the U.S. is in Toronto, the city that staged the first NBA game 70 years ago and is so enthusiastic for basketball now that it could no longer be ignored no matter what the thermometer says.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-26--Grant awarded to Aurora police officer who was injured in Henry Pratt shooting

Nearly a year after being shot in the knee during the mass shooting at the Henry Pratt Co. warehouse , Aurora police officer John Cebulski continues to deal with lingering effects .
The 31-year police department veteran ca n't run .
It 's also `` quite painful '' for him to climb or kneel .
`` It 's just going to take time to get back to where I want to be , '' said Cebulski , who returned to light duty in June .
To help him financially , a nonprofit group on Sunday gave Cebulski a $ 5,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Heroes , was founded by Zechariah Cartledge , an 11-year-old Florida boy who runs one mile for every fallen first responder .
`` It was an inspiration to meet somebody who put his life in jeopardy to save other people he never knew , '' Zechariah said after the grant award ceremony at the Aurora police station .
`` I love meeting heroes like him that protect this community every single day . ''
Zechariah started running a mile for every fallen first responder because he `` wants to honor those who serve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world , '' officials said .
Running 4 Heroes officially became a nonprofit in 2019 .
This year , the group 's mission was expanded to provide financial assistance to first responders injured in the line of duty .
Cebulski was unanimously chosen by the group 's board of directors to be the first recipient of an injured first responder grant .
`` I do n't know what to say , '' Cebulski said .
`` I 'm very humbled by the experience . ''
Cebulski was among a group of officers who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during the Feb. 15 , 2019 , shooting , where a gunman who was being terminated from his job killed five employees .
Cebulski and officer Chris Weaver were searching the second floor of the warehouse when he spotted the shooter .
`` Before I could even say 'Aurora police , ' shots started coming , '' he recalled .
`` I got hit in the knee right away .
I felt it . ''
After being shot , Cebulski and Weaver took cover in a nearby office , while the shooter was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Weaver applied a tourniquet to Cebulski 's wound and the pair monitored a hallway to ensure the shooter did n't escape .
Four other Aurora officers were wounded by the shooter when they chased him through the building , before he was killed .
After hearing what happened , Zechariah said , Cebulski was a clear choice for the grant .
`` The second I saw his story I was like , ' I 'm done .
I want to do him , ' '' Zechariah said .
Cebulski said the money will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for his family .
`` I 'd like to say I 'm taking the family and going to Disney , '' he said .
`` No .
We 're paying bills . ''
Meanwhile , he does n't know what he 's going to do on the anniversary of the shooting .
`` I 'm not really sure how I 'll feel until the day of , '' Cebulski said .

Grant awarded to Aurora police officer who was injured in Henry Pratt shooting
Nearly a year after being shot in the knee during the mass shooting at the Henry Pratt Co. warehouse, Aurora police officer John Cebulski continues to deal with lingering effects.
The 31-year police department veteran can't run. It's also "quite painful" for him to climb or kneel.
"It's just going to take time to get back to where I want to be," said Cebulski, who returned to light duty in June.
To help him financially, a nonprofit group on Sunday gave Cebulski a $5,000 grant. The group, Running 4 Heroes, was founded by Zechariah Cartledge, an 11-year-old Florida boy who runs one mile for every fallen first responder.
"It was an inspiration to meet somebody who put his life in jeopardy to save other people he never knew," Zechariah said after the grant award ceremony at the Aurora police station. "I love meeting heroes like him that protect this community every single day."
Zechariah started running a mile for every fallen first responder because he "wants to honor those who serve so we may live in a better world," officials said. Running 4 Heroes officially became a nonprofit in 2019.
This year, the group's mission was expanded to provide financial assistance to first responders injured in the line of duty. Cebulski was unanimously chosen by the group's board of directors to be the first recipient of an injured first responder grant.
"I don't know what to say," Cebulski said. "I'm very humbled by the experience."
Cebulski was among a group of officers who entered the Henry Pratt warehouse in Aurora during the Feb. 15, 2019, shooting, where a gunman who was being terminated from his job killed five employees.
Cebulski and officer Chris Weaver were searching the second floor of the warehouse when he spotted the shooter.
"Before I could even say 'Aurora police,' shots started coming," he recalled. "I got hit in the knee right away. I felt it."
After being shot, Cebulski and Weaver took cover in a nearby office, while the shooter was still firing at other responding officers. Weaver applied a tourniquet to Cebulski's wound and the pair monitored a hallway to ensure the shooter didn't escape.
Four other Aurora officers were wounded by the shooter when they chased him through the building, before he was killed.
After hearing what happened, Zechariah said, Cebulski was a clear choice for the grant.
"The second I saw his story I was like, 'I'm done. I want to do him,'" Zechariah said.
Cebulski said the money will help pay bills, including medical expenses for his family.
"I'd like to say I'm taking the family and going to Disney," he said. "No. We're paying bills."
Meanwhile, he doesn't know what he's going to do on the anniversary of the shooting.
"I'm not really sure how I'll feel until the day of," Cebulski said.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-26--'I'm still in Auschwitz': 75 years after camp's liberation, Holocaust survivor remains haunted by me

It 's been 75 years since Fritzie Fritzshall and thousands of other prisoners were marched out of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp complex by their Nazi tormentors , headed toward an uncertain fate .
She was Fritzie Weiss then , a Czech teenager torn from her home and her family and imprisoned in a barbed wire-encircled hell , death all around her .
It 's been 75 years since she and another prisoner ran from the marching column into the woods , no longer caring if they 'd be gunned down .
Seventy-five years since a couple in a nearby town @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
It 's been 75 years -- to everyone except Fritzie Fritzshall .
`` In my mind , I 'm still in Auschwitz , '' the Buffalo Grove resident said .
`` Seventy-five years feel like yesterday . ''
Monday marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau by the Soviet Union 's Red Army .
The date has become known as International Holocaust Remembrance Day .
Fritzshall , the president of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Skokie , spoke vividly with the Daily Herald about her experiences .
Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of Holocaust survivors still living and able to tell their tales .
Fritzshall 's memories are sharp -- and her words are often gut-wrenching .
Established in southern Poland in 1940 , Auschwitz-Birkenau was the largest German concentration camp complex .
It consisted of more than 40 concentration and extermination camps .
Originally a prison camp for Polish political prisoners , it expanded and , starting in 1942 , played a key role in the attempted extermination of European Jews .
More than 1.1 million people , mostly Jews , died at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ They were victims of gas chambers , gunfire , starvation , disease , diabolical medical experiments and other causes .
Preserved as a state-run memorial and museum since 1947 , many of Auschwitz 's structures are still standing , including barracks , a crematorium and the metal gate that hauntingly proclaims `` arbeit macht frei '' -- German for `` work will set you free . ''
The site remains one of the most recognizable remnants of the Holocaust .
In the mid-1940s , a few years after Czechoslovakia was occupied by German @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , her mother , her two brothers and other relatives by freight train to Auschwitz because they were Jews .
Fritzshall ca n't recall the exact date or year , but she says with full confidence that she was 13 -- so it probably was around 1943 .
Fritzshall 's father escaped his family 's fate .
He had earlier moved to the U.S. for work , intending to bring his family one day .
That day never came .
Fritzshall remembers being pushed and pulled as she and other Jews were unloaded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She remembers soldiers with guns .
She remembers dogs barking .
She remembers children being torn from mothers ' arms .
She remembers people being beaten .
`` It 's such a horrible vision , '' Fritzshall said .
`` It 's a nightmare that I relive every day . ''
Prisoners who were n't immediately murdered in gas chambers were put to work .
Fritzshall recalled that her first job was moving heavy rocks from one place to another .
The next day , she was ordered to move them back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued for a while .
Fritzshall eventually was taken to Birkenau , the largest of the camps in the Auschwitz complex .
She was put to work in a factory with 599 women .
`` My job was to put a spring into a certain piece ( of equipment ) , '' she recalled .
As has been widely reported , there was n't enough food for concentration camp prisoners , nor warm clothes , nor comfortable bedding .
An aunt also in the camp sold her rations of bread to other women @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on a bunk to sleep .
`` She put her arms around me every single night when we went to sleep because we were so cold and so hungry , '' Fritzshall told the USC Shoah Foundation for an interactive museum exhibition .
`` And I was crying myself to sleep . ''
As time went on , the prisoners knew little of how the war was going .
News only came from fresh arrivals -- and they did n't know much , either .
But then prisoners heard airplanes overhead -- and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Soviets advanced from the east in the second half of 1944 , the Nazis began evacuating prisoners from Auschwitz-Birkenau to other camps in what was left of German-occupied Europe .
They also began covering up their crimes by dismantling the crematoriums and gas chambers , removing or burning documents and destroying other evidence .
After the Red Army broke through the final German defenses near Auschwitz-Birkenau in mid-January 1945 , the Nazis marched some 56,000 prisoners west out of the camps .
Some were loaded onto trains or trucks and transported elsewhere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 9,000 prisoners were left in the Auschwitz-Birkenau complex .
Before the Soviets arrived , however , mass executions were carried out .
Some prisoners were burned alive .
The Soviets entered the camps on Jan. 27 .
About 7,500 surviving prisoners were liberated .
Fritzshall , however , was among the prisoners who had been marched out earlier .
`` It truly was a death march , '' she recalled .
`` You need to imagine all of us cold and hungry , undernourished . ''
The marchers were led from town to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , maybe a week or more , Fritzshall said .
Exhausted prisoners dropped dead in the street .
`` Wherever they fell , they were left , '' she said .
Prisoners who were too weak to march were shot .
Prisoners who tried to escape were shot .
Fritzshall reached a breaking point .
She clasped hands with another girl , and together they dashed toward a forest .
`` We just could n't march any longer , '' Fritzshall said .
`` If they shoot us , they 'll shoot us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ draw gunfire .
Either their captors did n't notice their escape , Fritzshall said , or they did n't care .
After spending most of the night in the woods , the girls found a town and knocked on the door of a house .
The people who answered gave them sanctuary in a barn .
When the Red Army arrived , their civilian saviors brought the Soviet soldiers to them , knowing the troops could offer assistance .
The girls were reunited with the now-liberated prisoners with whom they 'd been marching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showers , medical attention and clean clothes .
`` I remember that first shower , '' Fritzshall said .
`` I just did n't want to get out . ''
Fritzshall was taken to a camp for displaced persons .
After a while , she was given transportation to her hometown in Czechoslovakia , where she hoped to find other members of her immediate family .
There were none .
Her mother and brothers had been killed at Auschwitz .
Only one uncle and one aunt survived . '
I see all of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the United States and reunited with her father .
She married and had a family of her own .
Fritzshall did n't talk about her experiences at Auschwitz-Birkenau for many years .
Once she opened up , though , teaching others about the Holocaust at the museum and through public speaking became therapeutic .
`` That 's how I live with it , '' she said .
`` That 's how I handle it . ''
U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider of Deerfield knows Fritzshall through her work at the museum .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teacher and witness . ''
Schneider , who is Jewish , was part of a congressional delegation that toured Auschwitz-Birkenau last week to commemorate the anniversary of its liberation .
`` We must never forget the evils unleashed by anti-Semitism , extremism and hatred , and remain steadfast in our fight against these threats in our own time , '' Schneider told the Daily Herald during his trip .
Fritzshall has returned to Auschwitz-Birkenau several times since the war .
Last summer , an ABC 7 news crew accompanied her and Cardinal Blase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The resulting footage became a documentary called `` Return to Auschwitz : A Survivor 's Story . ''
`` Every time I go back and walk into it and walk on those roads ...
I see all of us , '' Fritzshall said .
`` People say it was so many years ago .
But it was n't .
It was my lifetime . ''

'I'm still in Auschwitz': 75 years after camp's liberation, Holocaust survivor remains haunted by memories
A picture taken just after the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau by the Soviet army in January 1945 shows a group of children wearing concentration camp uniforms. Associated Press
ABC 7's Alan Krashesky, Fritzie Weiss Fritzshall and Cardinal Blase Cupich at the former Auschwitz concentration camp in summer 2019. Fritzshall and other prisoners were liberated by the Red Army on Jan. 27, 1945. Courtesy of ABC 7
Fritzie Fritzshall of Buffalo Grove survived the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp during the Holocaust and was liberated by Red Army soldiers in January 1945. John Starks | Staff Photographer
Fritzie Fritzshall, president of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Skokie, stands near a German rail car that's on display. It's similar to the ones that brought Fritzshall and other Jews to concentration camps during the Holocaust. John Starks | Staff Photographer
WATCH AT DAILYHERALD.COM/VIDEO: Fritzie Fritzshall survived the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp and is president of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Skokie. Speaking of her experience "is how I handle it." John Starks | Staff Photographer
It's been 75 years since Fritzie Fritzshall and thousands of other prisoners were marched out of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp complex by their Nazi tormentors, headed toward an uncertain fate.
She was Fritzie Weiss then, a Czech teenager torn from her home and her family and imprisoned in a barbed wire-encircled hell, death all around her.
It's been 75 years since she and another prisoner ran from the marching column into the woods, no longer caring if they'd be gunned down. Seventy-five years since a couple in a nearby town took pity on them and offered shelter.
It's been 75 years -- to everyone except Fritzie Fritzshall.
"In my mind, I'm still in Auschwitz," the Buffalo Grove resident said. "Seventy-five years feel like yesterday."
Monday marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau by the Soviet Union's Red Army. The date has become known as International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Fritzshall, the president of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center in Skokie, spoke vividly with the Daily Herald about her experiences. Now 90, she is among a dwindling number of Holocaust survivors still living and able to tell their tales.
Fritzshall's memories are sharp -- and her words are often gut-wrenching.
What was Auschwitz?
Established in southern Poland in 1940, Auschwitz-Birkenau was the largest German concentration camp complex. It consisted of more than 40 concentration and extermination camps.
Originally a prison camp for Polish political prisoners, it expanded and, starting in 1942, played a key role in the attempted extermination of European Jews.
More than 1.1 million people, mostly Jews, died at Auschwitz-Birkenau before the war's end. They were victims of gas chambers, gunfire, starvation, disease, diabolical medical experiments and other causes.
Preserved as a state-run memorial and museum since 1947, many of Auschwitz's structures are still standing, including barracks, a crematorium and the metal gate that hauntingly proclaims "arbeit macht frei" -- German for "work will set you free." The site remains one of the most recognizable remnants of the Holocaust.
'A horrible vision'
In the mid-1940s, a few years after Czechoslovakia was occupied by German troops, the Nazis forcibly transported Fritzshall, her mother, her two brothers and other relatives by freight train to Auschwitz because they were Jews. Fritzshall can't recall the exact date or year, but she says with full confidence that she was 13 -- so it probably was around 1943.
Fritzshall's father escaped his family's fate. He had earlier moved to the U.S. for work, intending to bring his family one day.
That day never came.
Fritzshall remembers being pushed and pulled as she and other Jews were unloaded like cattle upon arrival at the camp. She remembers soldiers with guns. She remembers dogs barking. She remembers children being torn from mothers' arms. She remembers people being beaten.
"It's such a horrible vision," Fritzshall said. "It's a nightmare that I relive every day."
Prisoners who weren't immediately murdered in gas chambers were put to work. Fritzshall recalled that her first job was moving heavy rocks from one place to another. The next day, she was ordered to move them back to their original spots. That pattern continued for a while.
Fritzshall eventually was taken to Birkenau, the largest of the camps in the Auschwitz complex. She was put to work in a factory with 599 women.
"My job was to put a spring into a certain piece (of equipment)," she recalled.
As has been widely reported, there wasn't enough food for concentration camp prisoners, nor warm clothes, nor comfortable bedding. An aunt also in the camp sold her rations of bread to other women so Fritzshall could have room with her on a bunk to sleep.
"She put her arms around me every single night when we went to sleep because we were so cold and so hungry," Fritzshall told the USC Shoah Foundation for an interactive museum exhibition. "And I was crying myself to sleep."
As time went on, the prisoners knew little of how the war was going. News only came from fresh arrivals -- and they didn't know much, either.
But then prisoners heard airplanes overhead -- and gunfire from nearby ground battles.
It was January 1945.
The Soviet Union's Red Army was coming.
Liberators arrive
As the Soviets advanced from the east in the second half of 1944, the Nazis began evacuating prisoners from Auschwitz-Birkenau to other camps in what was left of German-occupied Europe. They also began covering up their crimes by dismantling the crematoriums and gas chambers, removing or burning documents and destroying other evidence.
After the Red Army broke through the final German defenses near Auschwitz-Birkenau in mid-January 1945, the Nazis marched some 56,000 prisoners west out of the camps. Some were loaded onto trains or trucks and transported elsewhere; others stayed on foot.
About 9,000 prisoners were left in the Auschwitz-Birkenau complex. Before the Soviets arrived, however, mass executions were carried out. Some prisoners were burned alive.
The Soviets entered the camps on Jan. 27. About 7,500 surviving prisoners were liberated.
Fritzshall, however, was among the prisoners who had been marched out earlier.
"It truly was a death march," she recalled. "You need to imagine all of us cold and hungry, undernourished."
The marchers were led from town to town and field to field for days, maybe a week or more, Fritzshall said. Exhausted prisoners dropped dead in the street.
"Wherever they fell, they were left," she said.
Prisoners who were too weak to march were shot. Prisoners who tried to escape were shot.
Fritzshall reached a breaking point. She clasped hands with another girl, and together they dashed toward a forest.
"We just couldn't march any longer," Fritzshall said. "If they shoot us, they'll shoot us."
But the girls didn't draw gunfire. Either their captors didn't notice their escape, Fritzshall said, or they didn't care.
After spending most of the night in the woods, the girls found a town and knocked on the door of a house. The people who answered gave them sanctuary in a barn.
When the Red Army arrived, their civilian saviors brought the Soviet soldiers to them, knowing the troops could offer assistance.
The girls were reunited with the now-liberated prisoners with whom they'd been marching. The Soviets gave them food, showers, medical attention and clean clothes.
"I remember that first shower," Fritzshall said. "I just didn't want to get out."
Fritzshall was taken to a camp for displaced persons. After a while, she was given transportation to her hometown in Czechoslovakia, where she hoped to find other members of her immediate family.
There were none. Her mother and brothers had been killed at Auschwitz. Only one uncle and one aunt survived.
'I see all of us'
After the war, Fritzshall emigrated to the United States and reunited with her father.
She married and had a family of her own.
Fritzshall didn't talk about her experiences at Auschwitz-Birkenau for many years. Once she opened up, though, teaching others about the Holocaust at the museum and through public speaking became therapeutic.
"That's how I live with it," she said. "That's how I handle it."
U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider of Deerfield knows Fritzshall through her work at the museum. He called her "an extraordinary and inspirational teacher and witness."
Schneider, who is Jewish, was part of a congressional delegation that toured Auschwitz-Birkenau last week to commemorate the anniversary of its liberation.
"We must never forget the evils unleashed by anti-Semitism, extremism and hatred, and remain steadfast in our fight against these threats in our own time," Schneider told the Daily Herald during his trip.
Fritzshall has returned to Auschwitz-Birkenau several times since the war. Last summer, an ABC 7 news crew accompanied her and Cardinal Blase Cupich on their visit to the camps. The resulting footage became a documentary called "Return to Auschwitz: A Survivor's Story."
"Every time I go back and walk into it and walk on those roads ... I see all of us," Fritzshall said. "People say it was so many years ago. But it wasn't. It was my lifetime."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-26--$20,000 bond for man accused of tampering with Elburn house gas line

Bond has been set at $ 20,000 for a Waterman man accused of tampering with a natural gas line to direct gas into an Elburn house , where two people were sleeping .
Frank E. Ryan , 33 , formerly of Batavia , was arrested Friday and was charged with two counts of attempted murder , two counts of reckless conduct , two counts of battery and one count of felony criminal damage to property .
The Kane County state 's attorney 's office said in a new release Sunday that in the early morning hours of Jan. 19 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drilling a hole in the exposed gas line outside a house on the 500 block Downing Street in Elburn , drilling a hole through the house 's exterior wall , then using a tube to direct natural gas into the house .
Elburn Police Chief Nick Sikora said Saturday that a resident of the house told police they awoke to a strong odor of natural gas about 2:26 a.m. , and heard a loud hissing noise .
Two people were inside the house at the time , the state 's attorney 's office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tube and called 911 .
No one was injured .
Prosecutors also said Ryan purchased the materials the previous day .
He also had covered the house 's doorbell camera with duct tape .
Ryan appeared in Kane County bond court Sunday , where Judge René Cruz set ball at $ 200,000 .
Ryan must post 10 percent of that amount or $ 20,000 bond to be released from jail .
If he posts bond and is released , he is to have no contact with the victims , no contact with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victim , according to the news release .
He also must surrender any firearms and a FOID card .
The Elburn Police Department conducted the investigation with assistance from the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force , the DeKalb County sheriff 's office , and the Waterman and Aurora police departments .
Ryan 's next date is Jan. 30 at the Kane County Judicial Center .

$20,000 bond for man accused of tampering with Elburn house gas line
Bond has been set at $20,000 for a Waterman man accused of tampering with a natural gas line to direct gas into an Elburn house where two people were sleeping.
Frank E. Ryan, 33, formerly of Batavia, was arrested Friday and was charged with two counts of attempted murder, two counts of reckless conduct, two counts of battery and one count of felony criminal damage to property.
The Kane County state's attorney's office said in a news release Sunday that in the early morning hours of Jan. 19, Ryan rerouted a natural gas line by drilling a hole in the exposed gas line outside a house on the 500 block Downing Street in Elburn, drilling a hole through the house's exterior wall, then using a tube to direct natural gas into the house.
Elburn Police Chief Nick Sikora said Saturday that a resident of the house told police they awoke to a strong odor of natural gas about 2:26 a.m., and heard a loud hissing noise.
Two people were inside the house at the time, the state's attorney's office release stated. The resident found the tube and called 911. No one was injured.
Prosecutors also said Ryan purchased the materials the previous day. They said he also had covered the house's doorbell camera with duct tape. Ryan appeared in Kane County bond court Sunday, where Judge René Cruz set bail at $200,000. Ryan must post 10 percent of that amount, or $20,000 bond, to be released from jail.
If he posts bond and is released, he is to have no contact with the victims, and no contact with a specified person known by Ryan and the victim, according to the news release. He also must surrender any firearms and a FOID card.
Ryan's next date is Jan. 30 at the Kane County Judicial Center.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-26--No. 15 Texas A&M women rout Missouri 72-53

COLLEGE STATION , Texas -- Kayla Wells scored 18 points and N'dea Jones added a double-double as No .
15 Texas A & M rolled to a 72-53 victory over Missouri on Sunday .
Wells made 5 of 14 shots from the floor and all six of her free throws for the Aggies ( 17-3 , 5-2 Southeastern Conference ) , who led 33-22 at halftime and broke the game open with a 22-11 third-quarter run .
Jones finished with 10 points and 13 rebounds before fouling out , while Shambria Washington scored 11 with seven assists .
Ceira Johnson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Texas A & M won its third straight game without All-America standout Chennady Carter , who is battling an ankle injury .
Aijha Blackwell paced the Tigers ( 5-15 , 2-5 ) with 18 points and seven rebounds .
Jordan Chavis and reserve Haley Frank scored 12 and 10 , respectively .
The Aggies shot 48 % from the floor , made 7 of 15 from 3-point range and hit 13 of 18 free throws .
Missouri shot 33 % overall and 30 % from distance ( 8 of 27 ) .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ shots .

No. 15 Texas A&M women rout Missouri 72-53
COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- Kayla Wells scored 18 points and N'dea Jones added a double-double as No. 15 Texas A&M rolled to a 72-53 victory over Missouri on Sunday.
Wells made 5 of 14 shots from the floor and all six of her free throws for the Aggies (17-3, 5-2 Southeastern Conference), who led 33-22 at halftime and broke the game open with a 22-11 third-quarter run. Jones finished with 10 points and 13 rebounds before fouling out, while Shambria Washington scored 11 with seven assists. Ceira Johnson added 10 points before also fouling out.
Texas A&M won its third straight game without All-America standout Chennady Carter, who is battling an ankle injury.
Aijha Blackwell paced the Tigers (5-15, 2-5) with 18 points and seven rebounds. Jordan Chavis and reserve Haley Frank scored 12 and 10, respectively.
The Aggies shot 48% from the floor, made 7 of 15 from 3-point range and hit 13 of 18 free throws. Missouri shot 33% overall and 30% from distance (8 of 27). The Tigers hit 9 of 10 foul shots.
_____
More AP women's basketball: https://apnews.com/Womenscollegebasketball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-26--Kobe Bryant, 13-year-old daughter among 9 killed in helicopter crash

CALABASAS , Calif. -- Kobe Bryant inspired a generation of basketball players worldwide with both his sublime skills and his unquenchable competitive fire .
He also earned Los Angeles ' eternal adoration during his two decades as the fierce soul of the city 's beloved Lakers .
Less than four years into his retirement from the NBA , Bryant was seeking new challenges and working to inspire his daughters ' generation through sports and storytelling when his next act ended shockingly early .
Bryant , the 18-time All-Star who won five championships and became one of the greatest basketball players @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Los Angeles Lakers , died in a helicopter crash Sunday .
He was 41 .
The crash occurred in the foggy hills above Calabasas , California , about 30 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles , a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press .
A different person familiar with the case confirmed Bryant 's 13-year-old daughter Gianna also was killed .
Both of the AP 's unnamed sources spoke on condition of anonymity because few details of the crash had been released publicly .
Authorities said nine people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were presumed dead .
No names were released , but the brother of Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli confirmed that Altobelli , his wife and daughter were among those killed .
Friends and players gathered at the school 's baseball field Sunday afternoon .
Flowers and baseball caps were placed on home plate .
Tony Altobelli , the sports information director at the school , said his 56-year-old brother died along with his wife , Keri , and daughter , Alyssa , who was about 13 and played on the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gianna .
John Altobelli was entering his 28th season as coach at the community college in Costa Mesa , California .
The team won a state championship last year and John Altobelli was named national coach of the year .
Bryant lived south of Los Angeles in coastal Orange County for much of his adult life , and he often used helicopters to save time and avoid Southern California 's notorious traffic .
He often traveled to practices and games by helicopter before his playing career ended in 2016 , and he kept @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attended to his many new ventures , which included a burgeoning entertainment company that recently produced an Academy Award-winning animated short film .
The crash occurred about 20 miles from Mamba Sports Academy , Bryant 's basketball training complex in Thousand Oaks , California .
A girls basketball tournament was scheduled for Sunday at the facility .
Bryant , who had four daughters with his wife , Vanessa , dedicated himself to boosting women 's sports in recent years , coaching and mentoring basketball players around the world .
Gianna , better known @ @ @ @ @ @ @ career .
Bryant sat with her courtside at a Brooklyn Nets game late last year , clearly passing along his wisdom to his daughter .
Bryant told Jimmy Kimmel in 2018 that Gianna wanted to play in the WNBA and recalled how fans would often approach him saying `` you got ta have a boy , you got ta someone to carry on the tradition , the legacy . ''
Gianna took exception : `` She 's like , 'Oy , I got this , ' '' Bryant recalled .
Bryant retired nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in NBA history , finishing two decades in Lakers purple and gold as a prolific shooter with a sublime all-around game and a relentless competitive ethic that inspired strong reactions from fans and opponents alike .
He held that No .
3 spot in the league scoring ranks until Saturday night , when the Lakers ' LeBron James passed him during a game in Philadelphia , Bryant 's hometown .
`` Continuing to move the game forward @ KingJames , '' Bryant wrote in his last tweet .
`` Much respect my brother @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said he was `` happy just to be in any conversation with Kobe Bean Bryant , one of the all-time greatest basketball player to ever play .
One of the all-time greatest Lakers . ''
News of Bryant 's death inspired an outpouring of grief around the sports world and beyond , but it was felt particularly painfully in Los Angeles , where Bryant was unquestionably the sprawling city 's most popular athlete and one of its most beloved public figures .
The Lakers ' next game is n't until Tuesday night against @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of fans -- many in Bryant jerseys and Lakers gear -- spontaneously gathered at Staples Center and in the surrounding LA Live entertainment complex on Sunday , weeping and staring at video boards with Bryant 's image before the Grammy Awards ceremony .
`` I thought he was going to live forever , '' Lakers great Magic Johnson told KCBS-TV .
`` I thought he was invincible .
...
There was nobody who took more pride in putting on that Laker uniform than Kobe .
Nobody .
He was just special .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him for his greatness , but let 's not forget how he impacted the world , too . ''
The NBA kept its games on as scheduled when the news broke , but the San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors both took voluntary 24-second shot clock violations at the start of their game in honor of Bryant , who wore No .
24 for the second half of his career .
Several other teams followed up by deliberately taking delays of 24 and 8 seconds , honoring both of his jersey numbers .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ games , and James looked emotional on the tarmac when he got off the Lakers ' team plane from Philadelphia .
Bryant 's future appeared to be limitless in retirement , whether in sports or entertainment .
He opened a production company shortly after leaving the Lakers , saying he was just as passionate about storytelling as he had been about his sport .
He won an Oscar in 2018 for his contributions to `` Dear Basketball , '' an animated short about his relationship to the game .
He also produced content @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was charged with attacking a 19-year-old employee at a Colorado resort .
He had said the two had consensual sex , and the charge was eventually dropped .
The woman later filed a civil suit against Bryant that was settled out of court .
Bryant 's adulation remained strong in Los Angeles even during the sexual assault allegations .
Bryant became one of the game 's most popular players as the face of the 16-time NBA champion Lakers franchise .
He was the league MVP in 2008 and a two-time NBA scoring champion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the NBA 's All-Defensive teams .
He teamed with Shaquille O'Neal in a combustible partnership to lead the Lakers to NBA titles in 2000 , 2001 and 2002 .
He later teamed with Pau Gasol to win two more titles in 2009 and 2010 .
A two-time Olympic gold medalist with the dominant U.S. team , Bryant retired in 2016 after scoring 60 points in his final NBA game .
In December 2017 , the Lakers hung banners retiring his No .
8 and No .
24 jerseys in the Staples Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bryant looms large over the current generation of NBA players , most of whom grew up either idolizing Bryant or absorbing his work ethic and competitive spirit in the same way Bryant 's generation learned from Michael Jordan .
After James passed Bryant on Saturday , he remembered listening in awe to Bryant when the superstar came to speak at a childhood basketball camp .
`` I remember one thing he said : If you want to be great at it , or want to be one of the greats , you 've @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' James said .
James later teamed up with Bryant on the 2008 U.S. Olympic team in Beijing .
`` He had zero flaws offensively , '' James said .
`` Zero .
You backed off of him , he could shoot the 3 .
You body him up a little bit , he could go around you .
He could shoot from midrange .
He could post .
He could make free throws .
...
He was just immortal offensively because of his skill set and his work ethic . ''
Bryant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adult life , and he grew up from a teenager to a respected veteran in the unforgiving Hollywood spotlight .
He entered the NBA draft straight out of high school in 1996 after a childhood spent partly in Italy , where his father , former NBA player Joe `` Jellybean '' Bryant , played professionally .
He spoke four languages and played a major role in the NBA 's international growth over his two decades in the league , traveling the world and connecting with athletes in other sports and celebrities .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trade shortly after Charlotte drafted him , and he immediately became one of the most exciting and intriguing players in the sport alongside O'Neal , who had signed with the Lakers as a free agent .
Bryant won the Slam Dunk Contest as a rookie , and the Lakers gradually grew into a team that won three consecutive championships .
Bryant and Gasol , the Spanish star , formed the nucleus of another championship team in 2008 , reaching three straight NBA Finals and winning two more titles .
Between those title runs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his career , Bryant accomplished innumerable feats including an 81-point game against Toronto in January 2006 .
Bryant 's final NBA seasons were dogged by injuries , but he still went into retirement with that jaw-dropping 60-point performance against Utah .

Kobe Bryant, 13-year-old daughter among 9 killed in helicopter crash
A makeshift memorial honoring former NBA basketball player Kobe Bryant appears outside of Staples center prior to the start of the 62nd annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. Bryant died Sunday in a helicopter crash near Calabasas, Calif. He was 41. Associated Press
In this April 13, 2016 file photo a giant banner congratulating Kobe Bryant is draped around Staples Center before his last NBA basketball game, a contest against the Utah Jazz, in downtown Los Angeles. Bryant, a five-time NBA champion and a two-time Olympic gold medalist, died in a helicopter crash in California on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. He was 41. Associated Press
Dharma Brown, 8, of Los Angeles, writes a note to the late Kobe Bryant outside of the Staples Center prior to the start of the 62nd annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. Bryant died Sunday in a helicopter crash near Calabasas, Calif. He was 41. Associated Press
In this March 28, 2016, file photo, a fan holds a sign for Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Utah Jazz, in Salt Lake City. Bryant, the 18-time NBA All-Star who won five championships and became one of the greatest basketball players of his generation during a 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, died in a helicopter crash Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. He was 41. Associated Press
Gennesys Cabral, of Los Angeles, wears a Kobe Bryant jersey outside of the Staples Center at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. Bryant died Sunday in a helicopter crash near Calabasas, Calif. He was 41. Associated Press
Firefighters work the scene of a helicopter crash where former NBA star Kobe Bryant died, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Calabasas, Calif. Associated Press
Firefighters work the scene of a helicopter crash where former NBA star Kobe Bryant died, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Calabasas, Calif. Associated Press
In this June 14, 2009 file photo Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant holds his daughter, Gianna, after defeating the Orlando Magic 99-86 in Game 5 to win the NBA basketball finals in Orlando, Fla. Bryant, the 18-time NBA All-Star who won five championships and became one of the greatest basketball players of his generation during a 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, died in a helicopter crash Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. Gianna also died in the crash. Associated Press
In this March 2, 2019 photo, Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna watch the first half of an NCAA college basketball game between Connecticut and Houston in Storrs, Conn. Bryant, the 18-time NBA All-Star who won five championships and became one of the greatest basketball players of his generation during a 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, died in a helicopter crash Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. Gianna also died in the crash. Associated Press
CALABASAS, Calif. -- Kobe Bryant inspired a generation of basketball players worldwide with both his sublime skills and his unquenchable competitive fire.
He also earned Los Angeles' eternal adoration during his two decades as the fierce soul of the city's beloved Lakers.
Less than four years into his retirement from the NBA, Bryant was seeking new challenges and working to inspire his daughters' generation through sports and storytelling when his next act ended shockingly early.
Bryant, the 18-time All-Star who won five championships and became one of the greatest basketball players of his generation during a 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, died in a helicopter crash Sunday. He was 41.
The crash occurred in the foggy hills above Calabasas, California, about 30 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. A different person familiar with the case confirmed Bryant's 13-year-old daughter Gianna also was killed.
Both of the AP's unnamed sources spoke on condition of anonymity because few details of the crash had been released publicly.
Authorities said nine people were on the helicopter, and all were presumed dead. No names were released, but the brother of Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli confirmed that Altobelli, his wife and daughter were among those killed. Friends and players gathered at the school's baseball field Sunday afternoon. Flowers and baseball caps were placed on home plate.
Tony Altobelli, the sports information director at the school, said his 56-year-old brother died along with his wife, Keri, and daughter, Alyssa, who was about 13 and played on the same basketball team as Bryant's daughter, Gianna.
John Altobelli was entering his 28th season as coach at the community college in Costa Mesa, California. The team won a state championship last year and John Altobelli was named national coach of the year.
Bryant lived south of Los Angeles in coastal Orange County for much of his adult life, and he often used helicopters to save time and avoid Southern California's notorious traffic. He often traveled to practices and games by helicopter before his playing career ended in 2016, and he kept up the practice after retirement as he attended to his many new ventures, which included a burgeoning entertainment company that recently produced an Academy Award-winning animated short film.
The crash occurred about 20 miles from Mamba Sports Academy, Bryant's basketball training complex in Thousand Oaks, California. A girls basketball tournament was scheduled for Sunday at the facility.
Bryant, who had four daughters with his wife, Vanessa, dedicated himself to boosting women's sports in recent years, coaching and mentoring basketball players around the world. Gianna, better known as Gigi, had a promising youth career.
Bryant sat with her courtside at a Brooklyn Nets game late last year, clearly passing along his wisdom to his daughter.
Bryant told Jimmy Kimmel in 2018 that Gianna wanted to play in the WNBA and recalled how fans would often approach him saying "you gotta have a boy, you gotta someone to carry on the tradition, the legacy."
Gianna took exception: "She's like, 'Oy, I got this,'" Bryant recalled.
Bryant retired nearly four years ago as the third-leading scorer in NBA history, finishing two decades in Lakers purple and gold as a prolific shooter with a sublime all-around game and a relentless competitive ethic that inspired strong reactions from fans and opponents alike. He held that No. 3 spot in the league scoring ranks until Saturday night, when the Lakers' LeBron James passed him during a game in Philadelphia, Bryant's hometown.
"Continuing to move the game forward @KingJames," Bryant wrote in his last tweet. "Much respect my brother."
On Saturday night, James said he was "happy just to be in any conversation with Kobe Bean Bryant, one of the all-time greatest basketball player to ever play. One of the all-time greatest Lakers."
News of Bryant's death inspired an outpouring of grief around the sports world and beyond, but it was felt particularly painfully in Los Angeles, where Bryant was unquestionably the sprawling city's most popular athlete and one of its most beloved public figures.
The Lakers' next game isn't until Tuesday night against the crosstown rival Clippers, but hundreds of fans -- many in Bryant jerseys and Lakers gear -- spontaneously gathered at Staples Center and in the surrounding LA Live entertainment complex on Sunday, weeping and staring at video boards with Bryant's image before the Grammy Awards ceremony.
"I thought he was going to live forever," Lakers great Magic Johnson told KCBS-TV. "I thought he was invincible. ... There was nobody who took more pride in putting on that Laker uniform than Kobe. Nobody. He was just special. We will miss him and we'll remember him for his greatness, but let's not forget how he impacted the world, too."
The NBA kept its games on as scheduled when the news broke, but the San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors both took voluntary 24-second shot clock violations at the start of their game in honor of Bryant, who wore No. 24 for the second half of his career.
Several other teams followed up by deliberately taking delays of 24 and 8 seconds, honoring both of his jersey numbers. Many players were seen crying before their games, and James looked emotional on the tarmac when he got off the Lakers' team plane from Philadelphia.
Bryant's future appeared to be limitless in retirement, whether in sports or entertainment. He opened a production company shortly after leaving the Lakers, saying he was just as passionate about storytelling as he had been about his sport. He won an Oscar in 2018 for his contributions to "Dear Basketball," an animated short about his relationship to the game. He also produced content for ESPN.
In 2003, Bryant was charged with attacking a 19-year-old employee at a Colorado resort. He had said the two had consensual sex, and the charge was eventually dropped. The woman later filed a civil suit against Bryant that was settled out of court. Bryant's adulation remained strong in Los Angeles even during the sexual assault allegations.
Bryant became one of the game's most popular players as the face of the 16-time NBA champion Lakers franchise. He was the league MVP in 2008 and a two-time NBA scoring champion, but he also earned 12 selections to the NBA's All-Defensive teams.
He teamed with Shaquille O'Neal in a combustible partnership to lead the Lakers to NBA titles in 2000, 2001 and 2002. He later teamed with Pau Gasol to win two more titles in 2009 and 2010.
A two-time Olympic gold medalist with the dominant U.S. team, Bryant retired in 2016 after scoring 60 points in his final NBA game. In December 2017, the Lakers hung banners retiring his No. 8 and No. 24 jerseys in the Staples Center rafters in an unprecedented double honor.
Bryant looms large over the current generation of NBA players, most of whom grew up either idolizing Bryant or absorbing his work ethic and competitive spirit in the same way Bryant's generation learned from Michael Jordan. After James passed Bryant on Saturday, he remembered listening in awe to Bryant when the superstar came to speak at a childhood basketball camp.
"I remember one thing he said: If you want to be great at it, or want to be one of the greats, you've got to put the work in," James said.
James later teamed up with Bryant on the 2008 U.S. Olympic team in Beijing.
"He had zero flaws offensively," James said. "Zero. You backed off of him, he could shoot the 3. You body him up a little bit, he could go around you. He could shoot from midrange. He could post. He could make free throws. ... He was just immortal offensively because of his skill set and his work ethic."
Bryant was a basketball superstar for his entire adult life, and he grew up from a teenager to a respected veteran in the unforgiving Hollywood spotlight.
He entered the NBA draft straight out of high school in 1996 after a childhood spent partly in Italy, where his father, former NBA player Joe "Jellybean" Bryant, played professionally. He spoke four languages and played a major role in the NBA's international growth over his two decades in the league, traveling the world and connecting with athletes in other sports and celebrities.
The Lakers acquired the 17-year-old Bryant in a trade shortly after Charlotte drafted him, and he immediately became one of the most exciting and intriguing players in the sport alongside O'Neal, who had signed with the Lakers as a free agent. Bryant won the Slam Dunk Contest as a rookie, and the Lakers gradually grew into a team that won three consecutive championships.
Bryant and Gasol, the Spanish star, formed the nucleus of another championship team in 2008, reaching three straight NBA Finals and winning two more titles.
Between those title runs and before the quiet final years of his career, Bryant accomplished innumerable feats including an 81-point game against Toronto in January 2006. Bryant's final NBA seasons were dogged by injuries, but he still went into retirement with that jaw-dropping 60-point performance against Utah.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-26--Group prays for retired state trooper who was shot and killed in Lisle cigar lounge

Regular patrons of a Lisle cigar lounge gathered outside the business to pray Sunday morning , two days after a shooting there left a retired state police officer dead and two others injured .
Gregory Rieves , 51 , died Friday night after Lisa V. McMullan of Chicago suddenly pulled out a gun inside a room at the Humidor of Lisle and shot Rieves and two others at close range .
She then took her own life .
The surviving victims -- off-duty Trooper Kaiton Bullock and retired Special Agent Lloyd Graham -- remained hospitalized in stable condition , officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed Sunday , a group gathered in the parking lot of the business along 1600 Ogden Ave. '' Many of us decided that we were going to come here and pray together for the facility , for the staff , for Greg 's family , for the other officers who were injured and for each other , '' said John Drake , an Aurora resident who is a member of the lounge .
Drake said many members of the lounge knew Rieves , who retired in March 2019 after a 25-year career with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a heart of gold , '' Drake said .
`` He was very open to people , very light-hearted and very giving .
He was always great to be around . ''
Authorities have not yet released a possible motive for the shooting .
Police said they would n't interview the surviving victims until at least Monday to allow them to recover .
On Sunday , Lisle police said McMullan and Rieves did n't attend the same high school in the 1980s , as authorities originally reported .
However , they said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he had seen McMullan at the lounge many times before .
`` She was always very outgoing and friendly with people , '' he said .
`` This is a total shock to all of us . ''
He said the big question is what happened .
`` What caused it ? ''
he said .
`` We do n't know . ''
Tony Pulgine said he 's struggling to make sense of it all because the Humidor of Lisle `` has always been a place of joy and comfort . ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never have a fight in a cigar lounge , '' the Aurora resident said .
`` So this has hit us all very , very hard . ''

Group prays for retired state trooper who was shot and killed in Lisle cigar lounge
Regular patrons of a Lisle cigar lounge gathered outside the business to pray Sunday morning, two days after a shooting there left a retired state police officer dead and two others injured.
Gregory Rieves, 51, died Friday night after Lisa V. McMullan of Chicago suddenly pulled out a gun inside a room at the Humidor of Lisle and shot Rieves and two others at close range. She then took her own life.
The surviving victims -- off-duty Trooper Kaiton Bullock and retired Special Agent Lloyd Graham -- remained hospitalized in stable condition, officials said.
While the cigar lounge was closed Sunday, a group gathered in the parking lot of the business along 1600 Ogden Ave.
"Many of us decided that we were going to come here and pray together for the facility, for the staff, for Greg's family, for the other officers who were injured and for each other," said John Drake, an Aurora resident who is a member of the lounge.
Drake said many members of the lounge knew Rieves, who retired in March 2019 after a 25-year career with the state police.
"He had a heart of gold," Drake said. "He was very open to people, very light-hearted and very giving. He was always great to be around."
Authorities have not yet released a possible motive for the shooting. Police said they wouldn't interview the surviving victims until at least Monday to allow them to recover.
On Sunday, Lisle police said McMullan and Rieves didn't attend the same high school in the 1980s, as authorities originally reported.
However, they said the shooter knew the victims.
Drake said he had seen McMullan at the lounge many times before.
"She was always very outgoing and friendly with people," he said. "This is a total shock to all of us."
He said the big question is what happened.
"What caused it?" he said. "We don't know."
Tony Pulgine said he's struggling to make sense of it all because the Humidor of Lisle "has always been a place of joy and comfort."
"There's an old joke that you never have a fight in a cigar lounge," the Aurora resident said. "So this has hit us all very, very hard."


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-26--'Electrics strike back' at Chicago Auto Show, but will consumers bite?

When the 2020 Chicago Auto Show revs into town next week , the glitter wo n't be doused by Detroit .
The Motor City moved its blockbuster auto show from January to June this year , leaving a host of debuts and reveals to occur at McCormick Place .
Without Detroit sucking up all the Midwest oxygen , the Chicago Auto Show is `` the first time our market 's going to see these vehicles live and in person , '' said Co-Chairman Tony Guido , owner of Arlington Heights Ford .
Taking center stage at the annual event that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an electrifying fleet of vehicles .
In 2019 , a testosterone-loaded fleet of heavy-duty , high-chrome pickup trucks were the alpha males .
This year , `` the electrics strike back , '' is how Argonne National Lab auto expert Don Hillebrand characterized the show .
`` There 's a whole range to look at . ''
Those choices range from Porsche 's first electric car -- the Taycan starting at $ 103,800 to $ 185,000 with a range of up to 279 miles -- to Hyundai 's new Ioniq electric sedan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a range of 124 miles .
And proving you can have it all , Ford is unveiling its Mustang Mach-E , expected to make gear heads and tree-huggers weep .
`` The electric pony car '' is a huge step , said Hillebrand , an engineer and chief of the Energy Systems Division at Argonne in Darien .
`` Just the fact Ford put its money where its mouth is and decided to make an electric sports car -- shows they 're really serious '' about electrification , he added .
Absent from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tesla , whose iconoclastic electric cars are shattering records .
Mercurial CEO Elon Musk 's company hit $ 100 billion in market value last week , surpassing GM and Ford .
The question for the rest of the automaking world is whether the investment in electric vehicles will pay off given Americans ' love of trucks and SUVs .
It could be settled at the Chicago Auto Show , Hillebrand said .
So far , `` only one company has sold a lot of electrics and that 's Tesla . ''
Meanwhile , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the electrics on display were brewed in the suburbs , Hillebrand said .
Argonne scientists have led innovations in batteries that allowed manufacturers to drop the price from $ 1,000 to $ 120 .
`` We expect the prices to drop as low as $ 80 , '' he said .
`` They keep getting cheaper and smaller and more-energy dense . ''
Ford 's new Mustang Mach-E is debuting at the Chicago Auto Show , which opens to the public Feb. 8 .
What else is new at the show ?
Guido @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new Land Rover Defender crossover and the 2020 Corvette with a twist -- `` the motor 's in the middle of the car , '' allowing for better handling and balance , he said .
Consumers can also expect to learn about more bells and whistles connecting drivers , cars and their smartphones , Guido promised .
`` Manufacturers are putting everything on apps , '' he said , explaining drivers can get reminders about oils changes , recalls and maintenance via their smartphones .
Bottom line , if the weather outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's 72 degrees and comfortable , '' Guido said .
`` There 's nothing to do in February but get to the auto show . ''
For information , go to chicagoautoshow .
Readers had plenty to say about delays at rail crossings , including school bus driver Ruth Rose of Antioch Elementary District 34 .
`` We have had multiple situations where the crossings at Route 83 , North Avenue , Route 173 and Grass Lake Road were all closed because a long freight train broke down , '' she wrote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reroute all the way to Grand Avenue and creates delays of 30 minutes or more .
We refer to this as 'getting Antioch 'd . '
'' And reader Kristy Miller says , `` the trains that stop in Grayslake often block several major traffic arteries : Routes 83 and 120 , Center Street and Washington Street , causing delays of anywhere from a few minutes to 30 minutes .
I dream of installing speakers on downtown businesses that broadcast community news during those delays . ''
You should know The city of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ design and engineer a game-changing $ 8.5 billion redo of O'Hare International Airport .
One of the contractors , Skidmore , Owings and Merrill will take lead design for two new satellite concourses west of the main airport considered to be a key part of western access into O'Hare .
Work on the $ 1.4 billion satellite concourse project will start in 2022 .

'Electrics strike back' at Chicago Auto Show, but will consumers bite?
Porsche debuts its first electric car, the Taycan, at the Chicago Auto Show. Courtesy of Porsche
The Land Rover Defender crossover is one of several new cars making their debut at the Chicago Auto Show. Courtesy of Land Rover
The Chicago Auto Show opens Feb. 8 and runs through Feb. 17. Electric cars are expected to be a hot item this year. Daily Herald File Photo
When the 2020 Chicago Auto Show revs into town next week, the glitter won't be doused by Detroit.
The Motor City moved its blockbuster auto show from January to June this year, leaving a host of debuts and reveals to occur at McCormick Place.
Without Detroit sucking up all the Midwest oxygen, the Chicago Auto Show is "the first time our market's going to see these vehicles live and in person," said Co-Chairman Tony Guido, owner of Arlington Heights Ford.
Taking center stage at the annual event that runs from Feb. 8 through 17 is an electrifying fleet of vehicles.
In 2019, a testosterone-loaded fleet of heavy-duty, high-chrome pickup trucks were the alpha males.
This year, "the electrics strike back," is how Argonne National Lab auto expert Don Hillebrand characterized the show. "There's a whole range to look at."
Those choices range from Porsche's first electric car -- the Taycan starting at $103,800 to $185,000 with a range of up to 279 miles -- to Hyundai's new Ioniq electric sedan, from $22,000 to $37,000 with a range of 124 miles.
And proving you can have it all, Ford is unveiling its Mustang Mach-E, expected to make gear heads and tree-huggers weep.
"The electric pony car" is a huge step, said Hillebrand, an engineer and chief of the Energy Systems Division at Argonne in Darien.
"Just the fact Ford put its money where its mouth is and decided to make an electric sports car -- shows they're really serious" about electrification, he added.
Absent from the show will be the industry disrupter Tesla, whose iconoclastic electric cars are shattering records. Mercurial CEO Elon Musk's company hit $100 billion in market value last week, surpassing GM and Ford.
The question for the rest of the automaking world is whether the investment in electric vehicles will pay off given Americans' love of trucks and SUVs. It could be settled at the Chicago Auto Show, Hillebrand said.
So far, "only one company has sold a lot of electrics and that's Tesla."
Meanwhile, chances are the batteries in most of the electrics on display were brewed in the suburbs, Hillebrand said. Argonne scientists have led innovations in batteries that allowed manufacturers to drop the price from $1,000 to $120.
"We expect the prices to drop as low as $80," he said. "They keep getting cheaper and smaller and more-energy dense."
Ford's new Mustang Mach-E is debuting at the Chicago Auto Show, which opens to the public Feb. 8. - Courtesy of Ford Motors
Guido's must-sees include the Mustang Mach-E, the new Land Rover Defender crossover and the 2020 Corvette with a twist -- "the motor's in the middle of the car," allowing for better handling and balance, he said.
Consumers can also expect to learn about more bells and whistles connecting drivers, cars and their smartphones, Guido promised.
"Manufacturers are putting everything on apps," he said, explaining drivers can get reminders about oils changes, recalls and maintenance via their smartphones.
Bottom line, if the weather outside is frightful, inside McCormick Place "it's 72 degrees and comfortable," Guido said. "There's nothing to do in February but get to the auto show."
For information, go to chicagoautoshow.
Your voice
Readers had plenty to say about delays at rail crossings, including school bus driver Ruth Rose of Antioch Elementary District 34.
"We have had multiple situations where the crossings at Route 83, North Avenue, Route 173 and Grass Lake Road were all closed because a long freight train broke down," she wrote.
"This causes the buses to reroute all the way to Grand Avenue and creates delays of 30 minutes or more. We refer to this as 'getting Antioch'd.'"
And reader Kristy Miller says, "the trains that stop in Grayslake often block several major traffic arteries: Routes 83 and 120, Center Street and Washington Street, causing delays of anywhere from a few minutes to 30 minutes. I dream of installing speakers on downtown businesses that broadcast community news during those delays."
You should know
The city of Chicago recently hired some key firms to design and engineer a game-changing $8.5 billion redo of O'Hare International Airport.
One of the contractors, Skidmore, Owings and Merrill will take lead design for two new satellite concourses west of the main airport considered to be a key part of western access into O'Hare. Work on the $1.4 billion satellite concourse project will start in 2022.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-26--18-year-old Billie Eilish sweeps all four major Grammys

LOS ANGELES -- The edgy , avant-pop album that siblings Billie Eilish and Finneas created in a small bedroom made a big splash at the 2020 Grammy Awards , winning 11 honors for the musical family .
`` When We All Fall sleep , Where Do We Go ? ''
-- created in the musicians ' Los Angeles home -- helped Eilish win the top four honors , including album , song and record of the year , along with best new artist .
The 18-year-old is the young artist to achieve the feat .
Finneas -- who co-wrote , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away as Sunday 's top winner with six .
Eilish won five honors .
Together , they also won best pop vocal album , while Finneas ' individual honors included home producer of the year ( non-classical ) and best engineered album ( non-classical ) .
`` This is my first Grammys .
I never thought this would happen in my whole life , '' Eilish said .
`` I genuinely wan na say I am so grateful and I only wan na say that I am so grateful . ''
Finneas added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bedroom together and we still do that . ''
`` This is to all the kids who are making music in the bedroom today -- you 're going to get one of these , '' Finneas said .
The bedroom where they created magic was brought to life when they hit the stage and performed `` When the Party 's Over , '' which featured Finneas on keys and Eilish singing in a soft , pitch perfect tone .
Los Angeles , where the show was held , had a central theme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kobe Bryant and Nipsey Hussle were honored and celebrated at the show .
The Grammys kicked off with a performance in honor of Bryant , who died hours before the awards began .
And later in the show Hussle 's collaborators and friends , including DJ Khaled , John Legend , Meek Mill , Kirk Franklin , Roddy Ricch and YG , gave an all-star tribute to the man who died last year .
Hussle also posthumously won his first pair of Grammys .
Filmmaker Ava DuVernay introduced the performance , which featured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wearing traditional Ethiopian and Eritrean clothing in honor of Hussle 's African roots .
Mill performed a new song called `` Letter to Nipsey '' while others joined together for `` Higher , '' which won best rap/sung performance .
`` This is for Nipsey Hussle .
This is for hip-hop , '' said DJ Khaled , who collaborated on the song with Legend and Hussle , whose family stood onstage .
During the pre-ceremony , Hussle 's `` Racks in the Middle '' picked up best rap performance .
The show -- @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Bryant 's stomping ground -- kicked off with a touching , emotional and a cappella performance of `` It 's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday '' by host Alicia Keys and Boyz II Men .
`` Here we are together on music 's biggest night celebrating the artists that do it best , but to be honest with you we are all feeling crazy sadness right now , '' Keys said as she entered the stage , adding that `` Los Angeles , America and the world-wide world lost a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was `` heartbroken in the house that Kobe Bryant built . ''
Before the show officially honored Bryant , Lizzo performed the songs `` Truth Hurts '' and `` Cuz I Love You , '' saying at the top of the show : `` Tonight is for Kobe . ''
Lizzo won three honors Sunday , including best pop solo performance for `` Truth Hurts '' and two R & B awards .
Lizzo was among the mix of newcomers and well-known acts who reached their goals of winning their first-ever Grammy Awards @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tucker , J. Cole , Billie Eilish , Lil Nas X , Billy Ray Cyrus , Michelle Obama , Sara Bareilles , Rosalía , 21 Savage and Tyler , the Creator .
Demi Lovato , who has mostly taken a break from the public since focusing on her recovery after reportedly overdosing in July 2018 , gave a stirring , vocally top-notch performance that earned her a standing ovation .
She was so emotional that she had to restart the song as a teardrop ran down her cheek .

18-year-old Billie Eilish sweeps all four major Grammys
Demi Lovato performs "Anyone" at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. Associated Press
Nathan Morris, from left, Wanya Morris, Shawn Stockman, of Boyz II Men, and Alicia Keys, second left, sing a tribute in honor of the late Kobe Bryant at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. Associated Press
Billie Eilish accepts the award for record of the year for "Bad Guy" at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. Associated Press
LOS ANGELES -- The edgy, avant-pop album that siblings Billie Eilish and Finneas created in a small bedroom made a big splash at the 2020 Grammy Awards, winning 11 honors for the musical family.
"When We All Fall sleep, Where Do We Go?" -- created in the musicians' Los Angeles home -- helped Eilish win the top four honors, including album, song and record of the year, along with best new artist. The 18-year-old is the young artist to achieve the feat.
Finneas -- who co-wrote, produced and engineered the album, walked away as Sunday's top winner with six. Eilish won five honors.
Together, they also won best pop vocal album, while Finneas' individual honors included home producer of the year (non-classical) and best engineered album (non-classical).
"This is my first Grammys. I never thought this would happen in my whole life," Eilish said. "I genuinely wanna say I am so grateful and I only wanna say that I am so grateful."
Finneas added that they "just make music in a bedroom together and we still do that."
"This is to all the kids who are making music in the bedroom today -- you're going to get one of these," Finneas said.
The bedroom where they created magic was brought to life when they hit the stage and performed "When the Party's Over," which featured Finneas on keys and Eilish singing in a soft, pitch perfect tone.
Los Angeles, where the show was held, had a central theme at the show Sunday: local icons Kobe Bryant and Nipsey Hussle were honored and celebrated at the show.
The Grammys kicked off with a performance in honor of Bryant, who died hours before the awards began. And later in the show Hussle's collaborators and friends, including DJ Khaled, John Legend, Meek Mill, Kirk Franklin, Roddy Ricch and YG, gave an all-star tribute to the man who died last year.
Hussle also posthumously won his first pair of Grammys.
Filmmaker Ava DuVernay introduced the performance, which featured band players, background dancers and Legend wearing traditional Ethiopian and Eritrean clothing in honor of Hussle's African roots. Mill performed a new song called "Letter to Nipsey" while others joined together for "Higher," which won best rap/sung performance.
"This is for Nipsey Hussle. This is for hip-hop," said DJ Khaled, who collaborated on the song with Legend and Hussle, whose family stood onstage.
During the pre-ceremony, Hussle's "Racks in the Middle" picked up best rap performance.
The show -- which took place at the Staples Center, Bryant's stomping ground -- kicked off with a touching, emotional and a cappella performance of "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday" by host Alicia Keys and Boyz II Men.
"Here we are together on music's biggest night celebrating the artists that do it best, but to be honest with you we are all feeling crazy sadness right now," Keys said as she entered the stage, adding that "Los Angeles, America and the world-wide world lost a hero."
She said the audience was "heartbroken in the house that Kobe Bryant built."
Before the show officially honored Bryant, Lizzo performed the songs "Truth Hurts" and "Cuz I Love You," saying at the top of the show: "Tonight is for Kobe."
Lizzo won three honors Sunday, including best pop solo performance for "Truth Hurts" and two R&B awards.
Lizzo was among the mix of newcomers and well-known acts who reached their goals of winning their first-ever Grammy Awards on Sunday, which also included Tanya Tucker, J. Cole, Billie Eilish, Lil Nas X, Billy Ray Cyrus, Michelle Obama, Sara Bareilles, Rosalía, 21 Savage and Tyler, the Creator.
Demi Lovato, who has mostly taken a break from the public since focusing on her recovery after reportedly overdosing in July 2018, gave a stirring, vocally top-notch performance that earned her a standing ovation. She was so emotional that she had to restart the song as a teardrop ran down her cheek.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-26--Helicopter carrying Kobe Bryant was once owned by state of Illinois

The luxury helicopter that crashed Sunday morning in California , killing all nine people on board including former NBA star Kobe Bryant , was once owned by the state of Illinois .
The Sikorsky S-76B helicopter was built in 1991 , according to the Federal Aviation Administration 's aircraft registry .
The state of Illinois used it from 2007 to 2015 , according to helicopter information database Helis .
Under the direction of former Gov .
Bruce Rauner , the state sold the helicopter along with four other surplus aircraft in 2015 for $ 2.5 million .
Rauner said selling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 1 million in inspections and repairs , '' according to an Associated Press story after the sales .
The winning bid for the helicopter was $ 515,161 , placed by user `` Jimbagge1 , '' according to a listing on the state 's online auction website , iBid .
Both the aircraft and its two engines had just under 4,000 hours of airframe time when the copter was sold .
At the time of the crash , the registered owner of the helicopter was Island Express Holding Corp of Van Nuys , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after it was won at auction .
The state of Illinois previously attempted to sell the helicopter in 2014 , but receive zero bids , according to that auction 's iBid listing .
A public information officer at the Illinois Department of Transportation , which maintains state aircraft , did not have any available information regarding the helicopter or its uses for the state .
The copter 's information page on Helis , however , labels it as `` VIP Governor . ''
A public information officer for the governor 's office also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PIO for the Illinois Department of Central Management Services , which operates iBid , did not immediately respond to a request for more information .
Sikorsky is a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin , an American defense contractor .
Bryant , 41 , played for the Los Angeles Lakers from 1996 to 2016 .
He won five NBA championships , the Most Valuable Player award in 2008 and appeared in 18 all-star games .
One of his four daughters , Gianna , 13 , was also killed in Sunday 's crash .
Bryant also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Vanessa .

Helicopter carrying Kobe Bryant was once owned by state of Illinois
Firefighters work the scene of a helicopter crash where former NBA star Kobe Bryant died, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Calabasas, Calif. Associated Press
The luxury helicopter that crashed Sunday morning in California, killing all nine people on board including former NBA star Kobe Bryant, was once owned by the state of Illinois.
The Sikorsky S-76B helicopter was built in 1991, according to the Federal Aviation Administration's aircraft registry. The state of Illinois used it from 2007 to 2015, according to helicopter information database Helis.
Under the direction of former Gov. Bruce Rauner, the state sold the helicopter along with four other surplus aircraft in 2015 for $2.5 million. Rauner said selling the aircraft "also avoided an additional $1 million in inspections and repairs," according to an Associated Press story after the sales.
The winning bid for the helicopter was $515,161, placed by user "Jimbagge1," according to a listing on the state's online auction website, iBid. Both the aircraft and its two engines had just under 4,000 hours of airframe time when the copter was sold.
At the time of the crash, the registered owner of the helicopter was Island Express Holding Corp of Van Nuys, California, which registered it a month after it was won at auction.
The state of Illinois previously attempted to sell the helicopter in 2014, but receive zero bids, according to that auction's iBid listing.
A public information officer at the Illinois Department of Transportation, which maintains state aircraft, did not have any available information regarding the helicopter or its uses for the state.
The copter's information page on Helis, however, labels it as "VIP Governor."
A public information officer for the governor's office also did not have available information. A PIO for the Illinois Department of Central Management Services, which operates iBid, did not immediately respond to a request for more information.
Sikorsky is a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, an American defense contractor.
Bryant, 41, played for the Los Angeles Lakers from 1996 to 2016. He won five NBA championships, the Most Valuable Player award in 2008 and appeared in 18 all-star games.
One of his four daughters, Gianna, 13, was also killed in Sunday's crash. Bryant also leaves behind his wife of 18 years, Vanessa.


dailyheraldchicago--2020-01-26--Union president, former Elk Grove trustee candidate charged with battery

The president of a local union who once ran for Elk Grove Village trustee was charged with battery earlier this @ @ @ @ @ 60 , was charged with battery causing bodily harm Jan. 14 , according to arrest @ @ @ @ @ from Elk Grove Village police .
The Elk Grove Journal reported that Ziemann was accused @ @ @ @ @ came to his home for drinks after the two met at a bar called Coach @ @ @

Union president, former Elk Grove trustee candidate charged with battery
The president of a local union who once ran for Elk Grove Village trustee was charged with battery earlier this month.
Jeff Ziemann, 60, was charged with battery causing bodily harm Jan. 14, according to arrest records obtained by the Sun-Times from Elk Grove Village police. The Elk Grove Journal reported that Ziemann was accused of beating a woman who came to his home for drinks after the two met at a bar called Coach's Corner.
Visit chicago.suntimes.com for more.